World Cup Daily for 13 July follows three World Cup stories and fan debates: Bellingham praise, the Balogun ban waiver, and an all-champion semi-final field.

1. Bellingham Praise

Erling Haaland publicly praised Jude Bellingham after England knocked Norway out, turning the post-match mood from rivalry into admiration. According to Sports Illustrated, Haaland singled Bellingham out after the quarter-final and called his display unbelievable, which gave fans another angle on England's run beyond just the result.

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2. Balogun Ban Waiver

Fresh anger around Folarin Balogun's disciplinary reprieve came from a report that only one FIFA official was involved in waiving the ban. According to The Times, disciplinary chairman Mohammad al-Kamali reportedly made the ruling without the rest of the committee being asked to take part, which is why the thread reads less like routine process and more like a governance problem.

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3. All Champion Semis

One of the quieter storylines around the semi-finals is that all four remaining teams are former world champions, something fans note has not happened for 36 years. The post frames 2026 alongside 1970 and 1990, and it also ties neatly into the fact that the last four are the current top four in the FIFA rankings.

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That's it for today.