Soccer

Videos circulating around social media claim Egypt fans were singled out for extra security before a FIFA World Cup match in Atlanta ... but reps for the stadium are calling foul.

A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Arena tells TMZ ... footage showing soccer fans entering the stadium for Tuesday's Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina is being misconstrued.

While social media users claim Egypt fans were stopped for pat downs while Argentina fans were waved through, the stadium rep says the Egypt fans were part of a supporter group, and as such, they were patted down for fireworks and other banned items before entry through their gate.

We're told the reason Egypt fans were stopped while Argentina fans were sent on their way is that the Argentina fans in the video were not part of a supporter group... just general fans, and they were being waved toward a different gate, where they went through security ... the same as everyone else.

A fan is coming to his own defense after a clip appearing to show him mocking IShowSpeed with a racist taunt went viral ... but the Argentinian supporter says it ain't what it looks like, and he's adamant he did nothing wrong!

"I wasn't being racist, I was imitating Speed himself, it disgusts me and that anti-Argentina campaign has me fed up, and to top it off if it had been 'racist' then tough luck for him, he's in ALL the matches busting balls against Argentina, what are we gonna tell him? Love ya?," one of the alleged fans explained on X, in response to the controversy.

Along with the commentary, the fan, named Micha, shared a one-minute-long video of Speed taunting Lionel Messi from a first-row seat during a penalty kick in the Argentina vs. Egypt game on Monday.

FIFA has begun an investigation of an incident that took place at the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 matchup between Argentina and Cape Verde on Friday ... where famous streamer IShowSpeed was allegedly racially abused by a group of fans on his stream.

The 21-year-old streamer was in attendance on July 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for Argentina's matchup against Cape Verde ... and, according to BBC, FIFA was made aware of an alleged racial abuse incident that was caught on the stream.

The international federation sent out a statement about the alleged incident, saying "The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect."

Greatness recognizes greatness ... and Tom Brady was so impressed with Lionel Messi and Argentina's win over Egypt at the FIFA World Cup, he thinks it might've topped his 28-3 comeback in the Super Bowl!!

Messi and his crew were seemingly cooked down 2-0 late in the Round of 16 matchup in Atlanta on Tuesday ... but they put the ball in the back of the net in the 79th minute to finally get on the board.

Minutes later, Messi did his thing and tied it up at 2-2 ... and Enzo Fernandez secured the game-winning goal two minutes into stoppage time to put Argentina in the quarter-final and send Mohamed Salah and Co. packing.

People around the world have gathered in North America to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026 ... and among the millions of fans are some familiar celebrity faces.

Check out the gallery ... Zoey Deutch, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Abby Champion are out here supporting "el joga bonito" in Brazil's classic yellow kit ... along with Alex Consani and Isan Elba.

They're not the only ones showing their love for the game, by the way ... because Chloe Bailey, Sofia Vergara, Shay Mitchell, and Camila Cabello -- just to name a few -- are all wearing their colors!

Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez feels we are headed in a bad direction if President Trump is seemingly calling in favors to FIFA President Gianni Infantino ... because that could mean other world leaders might be inclined to do the same.

Check out the clip ... we spoke with the sports commentator on "TMZ Live" today to ask him what he made of Folarin Balogun's red card suspension ... and he's concerned to say the least.

Not only does he feel FIFA has "opened up Pandora's Box" by entertaining Trump's call to Infantino ... but he also feels this whole situation has brought the United States back to being "that ugly big brother ... that bully," which completely undermines the good work the nation has done as hosts of the World Cup and as a team on the pitch.

Kylian Mbappe just went scorched earth on Paraguayan politician Celeste Amarilla for directing disgusting and racist comments at him after a World Cup game ... calling her a "despicable woman" who is unfit to represent her country.

Amarilla targeted Mbappe following France's 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday ... taking issue with the superstar appearing to snub goalkeeper Orlando Gill's handshake attempt.

Her social media post is shockingly bad -- she called the 27-year-old a "colonized Cameroonian, desperately ​trying to pass himself off as French," a "brute" who can't write ... and said other things we're not going to share due to how far she went.

10:15 AM PT -- FIFA dismissed Belgium's appeal ... stating the Royal Belgian Football Association is not a party in the proceedings, meaning it has no standing on the appeal of the decision.

The RBFA has made it clear it will continue to raise hell if Balogun ultimately suits up, which he is free to do following the decision.

The Folarin Balogun drama is far from over -- Belgium was granted a last-minute appeal after the USMNT star's one-game FIFA World Cup ban was suspended on Sunday.

Both America and Belgium were asked to submit their arguments to a FIFA appeals committee by 5 AM on Monday ... hours before the two sides are slated to play a Round of 16 matchup in Seattle, according to The Athletic.

Despite the appeal being granted, Belgium is reportedly pissed about the quick deadline ... as the initial decision was not publicized.

England was riding high after beating Mexico in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup ... that is, until one of its players was hospitalized over a freak accident during the postgame celebration.

The big winners were soaking in the 3-2 victory at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday -- fans were singing "Wonderwall," players were hooting and hollering ... and then Jordan Henderson took a tumble over an advertisement structure and appeared to injure himself when he braced his fall.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said Henderson suffered a "quite serious" wrist ailment ... and the player was sent to a medical facility for treatment.

Cristiano Ronaldo says this World Cup will be his last ... and one of soccer's greatest careers is officially entering the final stretch.

The Portuguese superstar confirmed Sunday that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance on the sport's biggest stage ... ending months of speculation about whether he'd suit up for another run with his national team.

Ronaldo broke the news ahead of Portugal's Round of 16 showdown against Spain ... admitting this tournament will be his farewell, even if he's not quite ready to hang up the cleats for good. He also insisted he'll retire on his timeline -- not anyone else's.

Donald Trump thinks FIFA finally made the right call ... and Team USA is the big winner.

FIFA reversed the Americans' top goal scorer Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension on Sunday ahead of the USMNT's World Cup showdown with Belgium ... and Trump wasted no time taking a victory lap on Truth Social, thanking FIFA for "reversing a great injustice."

The move means Balogun -- who was tossed during Team USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina after a controversial red-card -- is now eligible to play Monday in Seattle. That's massive for the Americans, considering he's been one of their biggest weapons all tournament.

Tensions are already flaring ahead of Sunday’s FIFA showdown ... with England’s squad reportedly getting a chaotic night of “pre-match hospitality” from passionate Mexico supporters outside their team hotel.

According to social media videos circulating online, large groups of Mexico fans gathered outside the England team’s hotel overnight ... setting off fireworks and blasting loud music in what appeared to be an effort to disrupt the squad’s sleep before the big match.

Clips show fireworks lighting up the night sky near the hotel perimeter as chanting fans waved flags and sang well into the early hours. Other videos captured booming speakers playing music at high volume and people playing drums, with the noise echoing through the surrounding streets.

Prince William made a surprise appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast this week ... and he dropped a bombshell about his father, King Charles.

William joined the brothers on "New Heights" ... and among the many topics -- no, nothing about the wedding! -- they talked soccer, since the World Cup is happening ... and that's when PW made a shocking admission -- the King "hates" soccer!

William, of course, is a huge fan -- and he said it was hard not to be since in his youth, that's pretty much all kids talked about ... but yeah -- the King ain't having it.

Justin Bieber may be headed to one of the biggest stages in sports ... 'cause TMZ has learned he's in talks to perform at halftime of the FIFA World Cup final.

FIFA World Cup sources tell TMZ ... FIFA officials are discussing bringing Justin aboard an already stacked lineup featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS for the July 19 spectacle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Bringing the Biebs into the fold would make sense for FIFA.

Justin and Hailey Bieber were front and center at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Inglewood, CA just a few weeks ago ... and Justin even surprised VIP guests with an intimate backstage performance of "Yukon."

The United States Men's National Team capped off a big win over Bosnia and Herzegovina with a jam session on their bus ... and Weston McKennie made use of his time on the 1s and 2s by blaring Ella Langley!!

The Red, White and Blue secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 result in Santa Clara on Wednesday ... and the vibes were certainly high off the pitch.

Hours after the final whistle, McKennie shared a video on his Instagram ... showing him singing along to the country star's "Choosin' Texas" track -- and his teammates were into it, with Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic forcing out a few notes as well.

Harry Styles found one thing better than "Watermelon Sugar" ... and that's a late goal to win a World Cup knockout game!

Harry went absolutely mental after Harry Kane's game-winning goal for England's National Team in their Round of 32 matchup against DR Congo on Wednesday at the FIFA World Cup ... and his reaction is all on video.

Fans of the British singer always have their eyes on Harry wherever he is, no matter the occasion ... and thank goodness for it ... because we got to see this adorable vid of Harry celebrating his lads.