According to official data released by FIFA, Portugal’s opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup achieved an average audience of 3.3 million viewers in Portugal, setting a new annual record.

The match attracted nearly half of Portugal’s population, with a total of 4.9 million viewers tuning in.

With an average audience of 3.3 million, the broadcast broke multiple records and became the most-watched television event of the year.

Note: The above data are overnight ratings; final aggregated data will be released following the FIFA World Cup.

Veteran UK politician Andy Burnham confirmed on Monday that he would seek to replace Keir Starmer as leader of the ruling Labour Party and prime minister.

Burnham, 56, called for an “orderly and responsible” transition after Starmer announced he was stepping down. “I will put myself forward as part of this process,” Burnham wrote on X.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who previously said he would join a leadership race, instead said he was backing Burnham, suggesting the former Manchester mayor could become leader without any formal contest.

AFP

A French appeals court on Friday confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain defender, Achraf Hakimi, will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman.

In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris, that Hakimi had raped her.

The PSG right-back and captain of the Moroccan national team, whose second match of the 2026 World Cup takes place on Friday against Scotland, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Shortly after the Versailles Court of Appeal delivered its ruling, Hakimi wrote on X that he had been “waiting for this trial since day one”.

“At last, I’ll be able to speak,” he said.
A date has not been announced for the start of the trial at the criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.

“This confirmation was expected. Nothing here says that he is guilty of anything, he remains steadfast in his defence,” Hakimi’s lawyer Fanny Colin said.