At least two people have died during massive celebrations in Mexico City after Mexico’s national team secured a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

According to the city government, the fatalities occurred on Wednesday as more than one million fans gathered across the capital to celebrate the team’s historic victory.

The city’s health ministry said a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died from asphyxiation during the crowded celebrations. Authorities have yet to confirm reports by local media that a third person also died.

Thousands of jubilant supporters flooded the streets, particularly around the iconic Angel of Independence monument, following Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador.

The victory ended Mexico’s 40-year wait for a knockout-stage win at the World Cup, marking the country’s first triumph in the competition’s elimination rounds since it hosted the tournament in 1986.

Julian Quiñones opened the scoring midway through the first half with a powerful strike before setting up Raúl Jiménez to seal the victory.

The result also extended Mexico’s unbeaten run to 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca Stadium, strengthening the co-hosts’ hopes of making a deep run in the tournament.

Mexico progressed to the Round of 16 after winning all three of their group-stage matches without conceding a goal, joining France and Argentina as the only teams to achieve a perfect group-stage record. They will next face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo for a place in the

quarter-finals.

Norway booked their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 in a hard-fought Round of 32 clash on Tuesday.

The encounter was closely contested, with both teams creating chances as they battled for a place in the next stage of the tournament.

Norway broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Antonio Nusa calmly finished to hand his side a deserved first-half lead.

Ivory Coast responded strongly after the restart, drawing level in the 74th minute through Amad Diallo, who restored hope for the African side and set up a tense finish.

However, Erling Haaland proved to be the difference, scoring the decisive goal in the 86th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory and send Norway into the last 16.

The strike also strengthened Haaland’s bid for the tournament’s Golden Boot, taking his goal tally to five and moving him into second place in the scoring charts behind L

ionel Messi.

Premier League champions Arsenal will begin their defence of the 2026–27 title with a home clash against newly promoted Coventry City when the new season kicks off on August 21.

The fixture, announced on Friday, will see Coventry return to the English top flight for the first time in 25 years, facing an immediate test against Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal enter the campaign as defending champions after ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown last season.

Another newly promoted side, Hull City, will host Manchester United in one of the opening-round fixtures, while Ipswich Town, also back in the Premier League, welcome Sunderland.

Manchester City will start a new era without long-serving manager Pep Guardiola when they take on Bournemouth at home in their season opener.

At St. James’ Park, Newcastle United will host Liverpool, who begin life under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will launch their campaign under new head coach Xabi Alonso with a London derby away to Fulham.

One of the standout fixtures of the early season, the Manchester derby between City and United, has been scheduled for September 12.

The release of the fixture list marks the countdown to another highly anticipated Premier League season, with several clubs entering new managerial eras and three promoted teams seeking to establish themselves in the top flight.