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FIFA World Cup 2026

Mbappe finishes as top scorer at 2026 FIFA World Cup

The French striker scored 10 goals in eight matches

NEW YORK, July 20. /TASS/. France forward Kylian Mbappe finished as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The French striker scored 10 goals in eight matches. His closest challenger was Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who scored nine goals, also in eight appearances.

Mbappe, 27, has played for Spain's Real Madrid since 2024. With the club, he won the Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in the 2024/25 season. With the French national team, he won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and claimed the silver medal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe was the tournament's top scorer with eight goals. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history (22).

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. For the first time, the tournament featured 48 teams. France finished fourth.

FIFA World Cup 2026

More than 80 people injured in Spain during celebration of World Cup victory

According to EFE, two people died, including a 13-year-old teenager

Putin, Balitsky discuss Novorossiya highway control, countering Ukrainian drones

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said the enemy drones are less effective in the Zaporozhye Region thanks to improvements in air defense systems

Situation in Mali developing in encouraging direction — Russian Foreign Ministry

Department Director Anatoly Bashkin specified that this was thanks to the successful actions of the Africa Corps and an improvement in relations between Algeria and Mali

NATO concerned over German nuclear weapons research — Russian SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that Germany's Western allies are also worried about the scale of the country's research in key nuclear weapons-related fields

China's influence on Brussels in Ukrainian issue to benefit Europe

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko added regarding the issue of China's possible exertion of pressure on Europe over Ukraine that "it is better to ask Beijing to assess its plans"

Zelensky again requests air defense missiles amid massive strike on Kiev

According to him, the cleanup of the consequences of the explosions continues

Spain opens scoring in World Cup final

Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute

De la Fuente becomes third coach to win both World Cup and European Championship

Before the Spaniard, the feat had been achieved only by his compatriot Vicente del Bosque and Germany's Helmut Schon

Kiev aims to further destabilize oil markets by striking Caspian Pipeline Consortium — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow is in solidarity with the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in its decisive condemnation of this crime against a civilian facility

FACTBOX: Russia's latest strikes on Ukrainian ports

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air-launched precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions struck fuel and lubricant storage tanks intended for the Ukrainian armed forces at the port of Odessa

Putin thanks North Korea for support for special military operation

"I would like to express gratitude for the support for our special military operation," he said

Russia's strike on Kiev-based Rapid enterprise aimed at reducing long-range UAV attacks

The Russian developer of drone detectors said the strikes will reduce the number of attacks by the Ukrainian army’s long-range unmanned aerial vehicles

More than 80 people injured in Spain during celebration of World Cup victory

According to EFE, two people died, including a 13-year-old teenager

Response to Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries warehouses to be harsh — Russian senator

Grigory Karasin condemned the ongoing escalation, noting that the latest assault marks a disturbing new phase

IN BRIEF: Ten injured after one of largest drone attacks in years targets Moscow Region

More than 400 unmanned aerial vehicles were detected heading toward the Moscow Region between the evening of July 19 and the morning of July 20

Kremlin would welcome potential contacts between Lavrov, Rubio — spokesman

The contacts currently taking place between the two countries’ foreign policy agencies are primarily technical in nature, Dmitry Peskov noted

Ukraine loses over 10,000 troops, mercenaries in past week — military expert

Battlegroup East, operating in the Dnepropertovsk and Zaporozhye regions, inflicted the heaviest manpower losses on the enemy, Andrey Marochko said

Press review: Pacific Fleet works out amid Taiwan stir and Beijing to sanction sanctioners

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 18th

Specialists from Ukraine, France take part in terror planning in Africa — Russian diplomat

Anatoly Bashkin said that French and Ukrainian specialists are taking an active part in the use of means of combat

Russian Geran-4 drone hits vessel at port of Odessa

According to radar control data, the drone hit the designated target

Explosions heard in Iran's Bushehr

The Mehr news agency previously reported explosions in Jask, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, and Bandar-e Mahshahr

Disciplinary Board overturns IIHF decision on ban against Russians

The board concluded that the arguments and risk assessment reports provided by the IIHF did not contain sufficient grounds for extending the suspension for security reasons

Russia fighting for its survival in special military operation — Duma deputy speaker

Pyotr Tolstoy said that Russia is defending its independence, freedom and "the ability to make its own decisions"

Ten people, including child, injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region

According to Governor Andrey Vorobyov, seven people sought medical assistance in Domodedovo, but a 27-year-old man with shrapnel injuries to his shin refused hospitalization

Russia, North Korea intend to give extra impetus to cooperation — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister referred to the cooperation in the bilateral format, including issues of regional and international security

Iranian interior minister to visit Islamabad — TV

According to a report by the Al Hadath television channel, Eskandar Momeni will meet with the Pakistani leadership

Support grows in Germany for talks with Russia

According to sources cited by The Times, Ronald Pofalla, former head of the German Federal Chancellery, could act as an intermediary between Moscow and Berlin

Putin open to contacts with Mojtaba Khamenei — Peskov

"There are currently no specific arrangements for such a phone call," the Russian presidential spokesman said

Russia will respond proportionately to Seoul’s deployment of Typhon missile systems — MFA

However, Andrei Rudenko noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry currently has no information regarding the Republic of Korea's intentions to take such a step

Gas price in Europe surpasses $700 per 1,000 cubic meters first since late March

The price of August futures contracts at the TTF hub in the Netherlands has jumped to around $716 per 1,000 cubic meters

Russian forces hit 200 railway engines hauling Western arms to Ukraine — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "90% of military cargoes arrive from European countries"

Andy Burnham takes office as British prime minister

The newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Labour Party is the third prime minister formally appointed by King Charles III

FACTBOX: What is known about new attack on oil tanker at CPC terminal

According to the report, the terrorist attack by air drone was made on tanker Nelsa, which was under loading at SPM-1

Yamal becomes one of five youngest FIFA World Cup winners

The Spain forward won the 2026 World Cup at the age of 19 years and six days

Russia hits railway locomotive used by Ukrainian army

The Defense Ministry also released footage of objective monitoring of the strike on the railway infrastructure behind enemy lines

Lavrov meets with visiting top North Korean diplomat in Moscow

Choe Son Hui has arrived on an official visit to the Russian capital at Sergey Lavrov’s invitation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier

Russian forces hit military depot with Western supplies at port of Yuzhny

It was a depot with military property supplied by Western countries for the Ukrainian army, the Russian defense ministry said

There can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"

Iran strikes US radar system, hangar with drones in Kuwait — IRGC

Several drones were destroyed as a result of the attack

More than 400 drones headed toward Moscow Region from July 19 to July 20

Most of them were neutralized by air defense systems at long range, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Russian forces hit two Ukrainian vessels north of Zmeily island

А bulk carrier and a dry cargo ship, from which Ukrainian troops were launching combat unmanned aerial vehicles and uncrewed boats, were struck, the Russian defense ministry said

Russian forces strike Ukrainian naval drone assembly sites over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US to ensure free passage in Strait of Hormuz even without deal with Iran — US official

According to Wright, around 14 million barrels of oil is coming from the Middle East region daily

New Ukrainian-made drones appear in Africa — Russian Foreign Ministry

Department Director Anatoly Bashkin added that Ukrainian military advisers are present in Mali’s northern border areas

US borrows from ISIS playbook with latest strikes on Iran, diplomat says

"Strikes targeting watchtowers and electricity power plants in Chabahar resemble something the Islamic State group would do," Esmaeil Baghaei said

Russian armed forces liberate Volnoye in Dnepropetrovsk region

The Ukrainian forces lost 1,500 servicemen in special military operation zone in past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Implementation of framework agreement to end conflict with Israel — Lebanese president

According to Joseph Aoun, the implementation of the agreements will begin with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon where the first Lebanese-controlled ‘pilot zone’ will be established

Trump believes Iran should be added to sanctions bill against Russia

Republicans should add Iran to the Russian Sanctions Bill, he wrote on Truth Social

Ukraine never stops trying to inflict irreparable damage to CPC — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova said the attack was the fifth act of aggression against the company’s civilian facilities enjoying protection of international law

Putin says highly values friendly relations with North Korea’s Kim

"I highly value the mutual understanding on all issues and friendly relations between us," he said

Ukrainian troops extensively use ground robots as mobile firepower — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Ukrainian forces have begun to modify Western-made armored vehicles and automobiles for remote control

Russia expelling Italian military attache, his aide as response measure — diplomat

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said on July 9 that Rome was expelling two Russian embassy’s military attaches

Russia, China honestly discuss all angles of Ukrainian settlement

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko says Russia "is grateful to the Chinese side for a balanced position on the Ukrainian crisis"

Russia remains open to dialogue with Europe — Kremlin spokesperson

Moscow has never initiated the severing of relations, Dmitry Peskov said

Drone attack on Moscow among largest in recent years — TASS calculations

According to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, more than 400 hostile unmanned aerial vehicles headed toward the Moscow Region overnight

Five people killed, 23 injured as Ukraine attacks bus in Belgorod Region with drone

Alexander Shuvayev called the incident an "inhumane and vile" attack

Over 30 Russians to take part in 2024 World Swimming Championship as neutrals

The event will take place in Budapest between December 10 and 15

Russian troops gain new foothold in Dnepropetrovsk Region after liberating Volnoye

Before storming the village, aerial reconnaissance identified enemy machine-gun and mortar firing positions, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Number of US troops killed in conflict with Iran reaches 17 — agency

The number of US service members injured during the military operation against Iran has exceeded 400

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys over 150 Ukrainian rotor copters in Kharkov in July

Ukrainian troops used the drones to conduct reconnaissance and adjust fire of their artillery units

Current economic collapse in Europe stems from anti-Russian sanctions — RDIF CEO

EU sanctions are unpopular in Europe — they do not work and cost EU countries more than €3 trillion, Kirill Dmitriev said

Ukraine’s energy system cannot be fully restored — MP

The coming winter will be harder, Maxim Buzhansky said

Russia expects IAEA to give unbiased assessment of attack on Darkhovin NPP

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says Russia expects that the agency "will take immediate and concrete steps to end such lawlessness"

Russian forces hit Odessa port infrastructure

Onyx anti-ship missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and loitering munitions hit port infrastructure, the Russian defense ministry said

Over 30 countries confirm participation in Russia-Africa Summit — Russian Foreign Ministry

Department Director Anatoly Bashkin says the number of countries expressing their readiness to attend the summit is rising "each day"

Russian forces hit two vessels with military cargoes at port of Odessa

Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles struck two bulk carriers carrying military cargo, the Russian defense ministry said

Odessa port strikes to deter foreign ships carrying weapons for Ukraine — Russian expert

Yevgeny Poddubny expects Russia’s military to continue carrying out such strikes, arguing that the cumulative effect will eventually be felt on the battlefield as Ukrainian forces face shortages of equipment, weapons and drones

Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia — spokesperson

The statement points out that the movement reserves the right to pursue "an all-out escalation" in response to Riyadh’s actions

Russia’s pipeline gas supplies to Turkey fall 4% in January-May

Turkey imported a total of 1.27 bln cubic meters from Russia in May

Andy Burnham to take office as UK prime minister

King Charles III will meet with Burnham and invite him to form His Majesty’s government

Iran strikes US facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain — IRGC

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the attack was carried out in three phases and involved the use of drones and missile

Russia, US hold talks on global development beyond 2030

Boris Titov, presidential special representative for relations with international organizations to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, said the program is currently not among US priorities, but US authorities acknowledge the existence of transboundary challenges

EC to revise 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions considering Greece’s position — paper

According to the report, some provisions contradict the economic interests of the bloc itself

Bureau 1440 launches second part of satellite constellation

The Russian aerospace company continues to deploy a low-orbit satellite constellation for new-generation communication services

CPC reports new attack on oil tanker at Black Sea terminal

The company resumed oil shipments on the evening of July 19 following a previous attack on its terminal but halted them again after a drone attack on the tanker near the facility on July 20

EU countries increasingly reluctant to back sanctions on Russia — FT

Sources cited by the newspaper said European governments grow concerned that the restrictions could harm their leading companies

Russia is becoming priority for Mossad, experts say

According to analysts, a Russian-speaking Mossad director Roman Hoffman offers a distinctive advantage in operations across the post-Soviet space

Ukrainian military advisers operate in Mali, Russian MFA tells TASS

Their assistance mainly involves the use of UAVs and counter-UAV operations, Anatoly Bashkin said

Kazakhstan’s energy ministry confirms another attack on oil tanker in Black Sea

An assessment of the vessel’s technical condition and the consequences of the incident is currently underway

WTA introduces mandatory gender testing for female tennis players

Under the new document refusal to undergo testing may result in disciplinary action by the association

New British Prime Minister vows to support Ukraine '100%'

Andy Burnham promised to hold a telephone conversation with Vladimir Zelensky on July 20

Russia-North Korea relations developing in all areas — Putin

"I am very glad to see you. Welcome," he said

Russian brands strong enough to enter US market

Presidential envoy Boris Titov separately said that Russia-US cooperation in the information technology sector could recover rapidly

Putin extends visa-free entry for Chinese citizens until end of 2027 — decree

In May, China extended its own visa-free stay for Russians until the end of 2027

Spain wins FIFA World Cup 2026

Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute

US teeters on return to all-out war with Iran — newspaper

According to the report, the United States does not have enough to safely sustain operations

US military launches fresh strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

The US military says that the strikes will degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz

US completes latest wave of strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

The US military reported attacks on command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks

Donbass fate to be decided by fight for Slavyansk, Kramatorsk — expert

Yevgeny Poddubny said the enemy will continue to use drones en masse, a wide range of Western-made weapons and will actively use the newest AI-powered unmanned systems

Press review: Trump stuck over Iran war and Zaporozhye chief’s killing may affect peace

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 16th

Press review: Russia offers lifeline on Iran and Trump works art of nuke deal with Saudis

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 20th

Russian forces continue striking Ukrainian ports — Russian defense ministry

The Russian armed forces continued striking Ukrainian ports and vessels used in the interests of the Ukrainian army, the Russian defense ministry said

Mediators propose 10-day ceasefire between Iran, US — agency

It is expected that options for restoring the temporary agreement will be discussed

EU wants to fight to last Ukrainian, destroy its own economy — Dodik

According to the chairman of Alliance of Independent Social Democrats party of Republika Srpska, the war is being fought only on Ukrainian territory, but it is essentially an attempt by the EU to break Russia

US strikes Darhovin NPP under construction in Iran — Atomic Energy Organization

It happened overnight into July 19

Russian forces hit Ukrainian army’s hydrocarbon processing center in Poltava Region

According to the ministry, drones are equipped with state-of-the-art electronic optical systems that allow these drones to autonomously adjust their trajectory

Iraqi PM to visit Tehran late next week — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, an Iraqi deputy foreign minister and the Iranian ambassador had previously discussed "the signing of a range of memorandums of understanding that will serve the interests of both countries"

France passes intelligence to terrorists in Africa — Russian Foreign Ministry

Diplomat Anatoly Bashkin explained that without logistical support, it would have been very difficult to organize a large-scale attack in Mali on April 25

IN BRIEF: Kremlin on dialogue with Europe, potential Lavrov-Rubio talks

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia became wiser, and will apply its newfound wisdom in relations with Europe

Skopje joins anti-Russian Coalition of the Willing, ambassador tells TASS

Dmitry Zykov noted that since the start of the special military operation, North Macedonian authorities have supported the Kiev regime not only through rhetoric but also by providing military and technical assistance

DPRK’s position on Ukraine unchanged, Pyongyang commits to support Moscow — top diplomat

Choe Son Hui said that Russia’s special military operation is a holy war being waged to remove the root causes of the Ukraine crisis as well as to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity