Source : ABC NEWS
A Ghanaian witch doctor releases a curse on England striker Harry Kane, Haiti scores its first World Cup goals in 52 years and 40-year-old Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa makes an emotional appearance from the bench.
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These are the quick hits from another day at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Harry Kane released from witch doctor’s curse
A Ghanaian witch doctor says he has “released” England captain Harry Kane from his spell after the striker failed to find the net in Tuesday’s goalless draw at the World Cup.
Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a self-described spiritualist, said before England’s Group L clash with Ghana that he would cast a spell to stop Kane from scoring.
“Now I am going to release Harry Kane so that, his next match, he can score. Harry, I will come and visit you. Don’t be offended. We are friends,” Bonsam said in a video posted on social media.
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Kane scored twice in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in its World Cup opener, but against Ghana the Bayern Munich striker blazed his best chance over the bar from close range in stoppage time, denying England a victory that would have secured its place in the knockout stage.
But he said he was not dwelling on the late miss.
“I was waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way,” he said.
“It did and I just couldn’t quite get over the ball. But I’ve been a striker long enough to know they don’t always go in.”
2. Argentines take to the street for Messi’s birthday
Moved by Lionel Messi’s record-breaking form at the World Cup, Argentines have taken to the streets and social media to sing Happy Birthday to their favourite footballer, who turned 39 on Thursday.
Under the hashtag #CumpleLEO, television channel Telefé launched a campaign for Argentines to sing Happy Birthday to him at 10am and 10pm local time, an allusion to the number 10 shirt worn by the Argentina captain.
Waving Argentina flags, groups of friends at the gym, children in schools, shop employees and neighbours gathered around the country and filled social media with messages of congratulations.
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“Thank you for so much joy and for representing Argentina at the highest level. Happy birthday, champion!” posted a group of workers from a car dealership in Buenos Aires.
Another group of fans arrived at the Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires.
“I’ve been here since six this morning,” 71-year-old Rubén Acosta told Reuters.
“I love Messi. He’s an alien. Messi, you’re one of a kind. You’re not from this planet. You came from another galaxy.”
3. Folk hero Merlin asked to duck out of stadium
Merlin the duck was not allowed in the stadium. (Getty Images: Daniel Cardenas)
One of the biggest folk heroes of this World Cup, Merlín the duck arrived outside Mexico City’s stadium on Wednesday to great fanfare, but was ultimately told he could not remain for Mexico’s match against Czechia.
After winning hearts across social media, supporters had launched an effort urging organisers to allow the beloved bird to attend the match alongside his family.
In less than two weeks, Merlín went from waddling through the streets of Mexico City during Mexico’s opening victory to visiting the presidential palace.
But today, his proverbial flight was cut short.
Merlín was granted access to the stadium grounds to film a segment with Televisa, one of Latin America’s largest television networks.
Under strict security protocols, Merlín travelled comfortably inside a transport crate, accompanied by owner Carla Gómez and her son Cristian, as curious fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the tournament’s most unexpected star.
But he could not remain for the match, as FIFA regulations prohibit animals from entering venues in order to safeguard their well-being.
A FIFA tournament spokesperson confirmed Merlín was permitted to enter the perimeter but not the stadium, and did not offer further comment.
4. Big moment for 40-year-old keeper
Guillermo Ochoa got a standing ovation from the crowd. (Getty Images: Luis Cano)
With Mexico already through to the knockout phase, there were rumours veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would be brought into the side.
The 40-year-old is involved in his sixth World Cup and will retire after the tournament.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre stuck with first-choice keeper Raúl Rangel to start against Czechia, but on 78 minutes, with Mexico cruising at 2-0, Ochoa got his moment and came off the bench to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
He became famous worldwide at the 2014 World Cup, particularly for his extraordinary performance in Mexico’s 0–0 draw with Brazil, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeeping displays in World Cup history.
At the other end of the career spectrum, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora was given his first start at the World Cup as Mexico rotated its squad.
But it was Ochoa who received the biggest cheer of the game, in what could be his final appearance at a World Cup.
5. Homophobic chant returns for Mexico game
The chant was an attempt to distract keeper Matej Kovar. (Getty Images: Molly Darlington)
Fans at Mexico’s final World Cup group stage match today chanted a slur that has previously led to fines and other sanctions against the country’s soccer federation.
The slur, which literally means male prostitute in Spanish, could be heard toward the end of the first half when Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick.
The chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines levied by FIFA.
It rose to popularity about 25 years ago and is used to intimidate goalkeepers when they take goal kicks.
It went viral in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was heard again in Russia during the 2018 World Cup and four years later in Qatar.
It has persisted despite attempts by the Mexican federation to stop it.
The chant originated with fans of Mexican club Chivas, then became popular during a Mexico-United States qualifying match for the 2004 Athens Olympics played in Guadalajara.
It has become a common chant at professional matches across Mexico.
6. Historic goals for Haiti
It had been 52 years since Haiti scored at a World Cup.
Today against Morocco, it got two.
Already out of the World Cup, Haiti played with freedom and made history with a goal decades in the making.
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Lenny Joseph’s flicked finish came off Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou and found its way into the net.
The players celebrated like they’d actually won the World Cup.
But it got better just before the break, when Wilson Isidor scored one of the goals of the tournament when he fired into the top corner to spark jubilant scenes among the Haiti fans.
7. Five-game ban for leg-breaking tackle
Assim Madibo has been banned for five games. (Getty Images: Dale MacMillan)
Qatar player Assim Madibo was given a five-match ban for the tackle that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné at the World Cup.
Madibo was issued a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.
The FIFA disciplinary committee said the suspension was for serious foul play and that the decision was subject to appeal.
Canada’s first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Koné, who was taken off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery on a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.
He was tackled from behind in the 51st minute and players around him immediately feared he had sustained a serious injury as he lay on the ground, holding his leg and covering his mouth with his hand.
Madibo was also visibly upset and apologised in person to Koné after the game.
ABC with wires
