FIFA sells the grass for the 2026 World Cup final for $450

Javier “Chicharito” Hernández came out against the accusations of Argentine journalists Hugo Balassone and Gonzalo Bonadeo. The now FOX Sports analyst denied having said that the Argentines “are world champions, but very bad people.”

“I never said that. I only said it in the singular towards that rude ‘journalist’. Nothing was against Argentina, but about the behavior of that person,” he wrote on Instagram.

The former Chivas forward accompanied his message with photos from his coverage of the 2026 World Cup, including the round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at the Atlanta Stadium.

The origin of the conflict

Balassone revealed that he had an exchange of words with Hernández during that match. He accused him of insinuating that Argentina “stole” and “received arbitration aid” against Egypt. Bonadeo, for his part, stated live that Hernández described the Argentines as “very bad people.”

But Hernández clarified it: “They want to invent that I hate Argentines. I have great affection for Argentina and great friends there.”

“A bad experience with one person never represents an entire country. Generalizing only distances us from the truth,” he added.

The former soccer player closed with a conciliatory message: “Rivalry can stay on the field. Respect must remain off it.”

The match in question ended 3-2 in favor of Argentina, with goals from Cuti Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández. The Egyptian coach, Hossam Hassan, denounced refereeing “injustice”, criticizing the VAR for not signaling a penalty and disallowing a goal.

Argentina will face Switzerland on July 11 for a ticket to the semifinals.

Argentina reaches the quarterfinals of the World Cup after two agonizing victories. They beat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16, coming back from 2-0 in 13 minutes, the same score as against Cape Verde in the previous round. The Albiceleste has walked to the limit, but coach Lionel Scaloni recognizes that they must improve.

“We are good, but we probably have to improve because they scored four goals against us in the last two games,” said defender Cristian Romero.

On Saturday in Kansas City, Argentina faces Switzerland, the only non-European team still in the tournament. Switzerland has never reached the World Cup semi-finals; Their last time in the quarterfinals was in 1954. Despite the difference in scores, Swiss captain Granit Xhaka warns: “Tomorrow there will be talk on the field.”

Doubts in the eleven

Two positions are still up for debate: right back (Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel) and center forward (Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez). Against Egypt, Molina was singled out, but Montiel improved the offense. In attack, Álvarez does not convert, while Lautaro assisted on the winning goal. Scaloni avoids aligning them together from the beginning for balance.

Messi, the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, has 21 in World Cups and has scored in six straight elimination games. He missed two penalties in this World Cup, but it will be his decision if he kicks again.

The Swiss defense

Switzerland has only conceded three goals in five games. The defense, with Xhaka, Akanji, Freuler, Elvedi and goalkeeper Kobel, neutralized Colombia in the round of 16 until penalties. Argentina has no physical casualties; Switzerland misses Johan Mazambi due to injury.

The weather in Kansas City will be warm, with 30°C and a low chance of rain. The winner will face either Norway or England in the semi-finals.

Support for the new project

Rafael Márquez was presented as coach of the Mexican National Team for the 2030 World Cup. The news generated immediate reactions in the football world.

Miguel Herrera, current Atlante coach and who coached the Tricolor in Brazil 2014, celebrated the appointment. He expressed his public support for the former captain.

Lessons from France

Herrera stressed the importance of giving continuity to Márquez. He recalled that long projects allow solid results.

He gave the example of France, which maintains stable processes and constantly competes for titles.

“He is a great guy and I think he deserves it, I hope they give him all the confidence and keep him in the position. I hope he leaves after 2030 and, if he can stay longer, the better. We have to learn from projects like France; they are going for an international title,” he commented.

The former national coach also highlighted the generation of young talents that Márquez will have at his disposal. He pointed out that this base already showed its potential in the last World Cup.

The bet on Márquez represents a generational change on the Mexican bench. We will have to wait for the first results of the process.