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Sub-head: Argentina tops reader poll, fancied Brazil falls By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI (STARPLUS logo/WORLD CUP logo/QR Code/Bar chart graphic) PETALING JAYA: The Star readers correctly picked three of the four World Cup semi-finalists, backing Argentina, France and Spain in a reader poll. The Star ran the poll on July 4, before the Round of 16 began, asking fans which teams they expected to advance to the semi-finals. The poll garnered 2,612 votes from readers in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Argentina topped the poll with 554 votes, followed by France (548), Spain (407) and Brazil (295). Three of those four picks made it through: Argentina, France and Spain all booked their semi-final spots. Brazil was the only top-four pick to fall short, exiting in the Round of 16. England, which reached the semi-finals, was the fifth-most popular pick in the poll, receiving 258 votes. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals, with the other three semi-...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA:  World Cup fans correctly picked three of the four semi-finalists, with Argentina, France and Spain reaching the last four of the 2026 tournament. Before the Round of 16 began, The Star conducted a poll on July 4 asking fans which teams they believed would reach the semi-finals. The poll attracted a total of 2,293 respondents, comprising Malaysians as well as World Cup fans in countries such as Singapore, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Argentina emerged as the top pick, with 481 respondents backing the team to reach the last four, followed by France (476), Spain (345) and Brazil (287). The fans’ predictions proved largely accurate, with the top three choices — Argentina, France and Spain — securing their semi-final spots. Brazil, however, was the only team among the survey’s top four picks that failed to progress, ending its campaign in Round of 16. Norway, meanwhile, produced the biggest surprise by defying expectations to reac...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI  PETALING JAYA: The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 concluded on July 4, with Colombia edging Ghana 1-0 to complete the Round of 16 line-up. Among the biggest casualties were the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia, all of whom bowed out before reaching the Round of 16. The knockout stage resumes on July 5, with Canada taking on Morocco in the opening Round of 16 match. Several heavyweight clashes also await, including Portugal against Spain, as the race for the title intensifies. With the Round of 16 about to begin, which four teams do you think will make it through to the semi-finals? Cast your vote in our poll below. Which four teams do you think will reach the World Cup semi-finals? (Select up to four)  

         

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA : Although some World Cup group-stage matches will be aired live in Malaysia in the morning, local football fans will still have to stay up after midnight to catch most of their favourite teams in action. Sixteen out of 26 – or about 62% – of the highly anticipated group matches featuring the major European and South American teams will kick off between midnight and 5am Malaysian time.  England, France and Germany, for example, are scheduled to play all three of their group-stage fixtures in that late-night window (see graphic). Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands will each see two of their three group matches also fall into those early-hours kick-off times. Despite the inconvenient timing, many fans say they are still willing to adjust their routines to keep up with the tournament. Germany fan Fadhli Harun, 34, said he is prepared to sacrifice sleep when necessary, particularly for decisive fixtures. “If it is a must...