It took a World Cup to transform a remote cluster of islands that's home to more sheep than people into a cultural juggernaut.

A decision by Argentina's players to unfurl a banner about the disputed Falkland Islands after defeating England in the World Cup semifinals carried a historical cause onto the T-shirts, bedroom walls and Instagram feeds of a new generation. In the weeks since, the image that has endured from the tournament in soccer-crazed Argentina hasn't been of Lionel Messi. It's been the crudely painted sign reading: "The Malvinas are Argentine."

European nations agreed Thursday to boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA competitions to protest Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in football's biggest tournament to private equity investors. The North American soccer body rejected his plan later the same day.

"UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions," the European football body said after an urgent online meeting of its 55 member nations.

FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina's soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals.

A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also include "discriminatory chants and gestures" by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and "throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches" at the World Cup.

Preparations for the next men's World Cup have already begun for teams in Southeast Asia, just weeks after Spain clinched the 2026 title.

The ASEAN Cup has kicked off in Phnom Penh, and host Cambodia has already lost its opening games 2-1 to Singapore and 5-1 to Indonesia in Group A.

France's soccer federation was set to announce a new head coach for the national men's squad Tuesday, with Zinedine Zidane expected to replace Didier Deschamps.

Federation president Philippe Diallo was due to make an announcement at 11 a.m. local time in Paris.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hit back at World Cup critics, claiming they were "spreading hate and false rumors" and arguing the tournament delivered "only joy and happiness".

Spain head coach Luis De la Fuente has blasted the "unacceptable" behavior of several Argentina players and their coaching staff after losing the World Cup final.

Some Argentina players and staff confronted their Spanish rivals after the final whistle of last Sunday's game in New York which Spain won 1–0 after extra time.

Germany has hired Jürgen Klopp to coach its national team, giving the ex-Liverpool manager a daunting task to turn around the fortunes of a squad which failed yet again at the World Cup.

He replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who quit after Germany's loss to Paraguay meant it failed to reach the last 16 of a men's World Cup for the third time in a row.

France's new coach will be announced next Tuesday, when Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Didier Deschamps.

The French Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday that its president Philippe Diallo will name the coach at a news conference at the headquarters in Paris.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been charged by the Football Association over the spying scandal that led to his side being kicked out of the Championship play-offs.