Mashable

China flew and then recovered a new Long March rocket booster, a first for the country and a key step toward cheaper, reusable spaceflight.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday that the Long March-10B rocket lifted off from Hainan Province and placed whatever it was carrying — the announcement did not say — into orbit on its debut flight. After the upper part of the rocket continued toward space, the booster — the powerful first stage that does the heavy lifting at launch — turned around and flew back toward Earth.

Instead of crashing into the ocean, the booster steered itself onto a special ship at sea, where a huge net caught it and left it hanging in place. Engineers described the system as the world's first cross-shaped, high-strength "arresting" net for rockets, paired with hooks on the booster that help it grab. You can watch a video of the booster's catch below.

Reusing boosters can sharply cut launch costs, let rockets fly more often, and give countries an edge in the intensifying space race. The United States — especially through companies like SpaceX — has pushed reusability for years, and China is now moving to match that capability. For national space programs and private companies, flying the same hardware again and again turns space access from a rare, expensive event into something closer to routine transportation.

SEE ALSO: A NASA spacecraft just woke up from a nearly yearlong nap

SpaceX first proved this kind of reuse was possible in Dec. 2015, when one of its Falcon 9 rockets launched satellites and then steered the first-stage booster back to a landing pad. The booster plunged back through the atmosphere, fired its engines to slow down, and touched down upright rather than falling into the ocean. 

Since then, SpaceX has proven it can also catch a Starship booster with giant mechanical arms, called "chopsticks," at the launchpad. Blue Origin also successfully landed a New Glenn booster on a barge about eight months ago — before the rocket exploded in May, resulting in a disastrous setback for the company. 

According to Xinhua, the Long March-10B's booster went through a six-minute "extreme return journey" after it separated from the upper stage. It coasted, adjusted its position, fired its engines to slow down, and used the air itself to brake before it reached the ship.

Waiting below was a large sea-based platform delivered in late 2025, Xinhua said. The vessel measures about 470-feet-long and 160-feet-wide. A tall tower anchors the net system, while sensors like LIDAR — a type of laser-based rangefinder — track the falling booster's path and angle in real time.

Rather than having landing legs, China's new system had the booster fly straight into a massive net. Specialized cables then absorbed the booster's energy and left it hanging motionless in the center, in a fully automated process, according to officials quoted by Xinhua.

Engineers say this catch approach lets them simplify the booster itself. By skipping heavy landing gear and other equipment, they can lighten the rocket and free up more room to carry satellites, the sources said.

A crowd watches a Long March-10B rocket launch in China's Hainan Province on Friday, July 10, 2026. Credit: Xinhua

The Long March-10B, a liquid-fueled rocket, stands over 200 feet tall and about 16.5 feet wide, according to Xinhua. It produces close to 1,000 U.S. tons of thrust at liftoff and weighs roughly 840 tons when fully fueled. In its reusable mode, it can carry up to 18 tons of cargo to low-Earth orbit — the region of space around the planet where many communications and Earth-watching satellites fly.

Chinese officials say the rocket targets the growing commercial launch market, where companies want to send up networks of satellites quickly and at lower cost. The Long March-10B can handle jobs like creating satellite internet constellations.

Chen Muye, from the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said the maiden flight marks a breakthrough in low-cost, heavy-lift reusable rocketry for China and is meant to boost the country's commercial space competitiveness. He added that the technology will also support China's future crewed rocket program.

TL;DR: Live stream Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns for more quarter-final action today. This time Spain take on Belgium — a major clash between two star-studded sides.

Spain have dominated some games but did struggle against underdogs Cape Verde and had to battle for a last-minute winner against Portugal. Belgium looked very rusty in their opening fixtures, settling for multiple draws. They did however come through against a tough Senegal side and then smash USA in the Round of 16, so perhaps momentum is with them.

If you want to watch Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Belgium?

Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 10. This fixture takes place at the Los Angeles Stadium.

How to watch Spain vs. Belgium for free

Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Spain vs. Belgium for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Spain vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Spain vs. Belgium (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

SAVE 38%: As of July 10, you can get the Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth speaker for $249 (down from $399) at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $150 in savings.

Bose SoundLink Max $249 at Amazon
$399 Save $150   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart

Fourth of July may be behind us now, but that doesn't mean the party has to stop. If you've been looking for a better way to listen to your tunes outside, we just found a deal you won't want to pass up.

Right now, you can get the Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth speaker for $249 (down from $399) at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $150 in savings. This is also the lowest price we've tracked on this speaker to date.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best portable Bluetooth speakers take your music to-go

This speaker is built for portability. It has a soft, removable rope handle for easy carrying and an IP67 rating, so it's waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant, and rust-resistant. You can bring it tailgating, to the beach, the pool, or even out in the rain without worrying about it short-circuiting or getting ruined. You'll also get 20 hours of continuous playback, plus a built-in USB-C port to keep your phone charged while the music plays.

YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker's indie horror movie Obsession has been a surprise hit of the season. Not only has it surpassed box office expectations, raking in over $400 million globally, but it has also become the highest-grossing Focus Features film ever.

The best ways to watch 'Obsession' at a glance: Watch now Buy or rent 'Obsession' on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent 'Obsession' at Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch as of July 17 Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Peacock Premium for Students and Young Adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Instacart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $99.99/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Watch as of July 17 Walmart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $98/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

Leading lady Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike (including Mashable's own Kristy Puchko). Even horror icon Stephen King said he can't stop thinking about the film's blend of horror and humor.

If you missed out on the twisted flick in theaters, it's officially available to watch at home this month. Here are all the details you need to know to watch Obsession.

What is Obsession about?

Obsession is a classic case of "be careful what you wish for." It follows lonely young man Bear (Michael Johnston) who's crushing on obsesssing over his friend Nikki (Navarrette). He's not very skilled in talking to women, let alone dating, so when he gets his hands on a "One Wish Willow" that promises to make his dream come true, he wishes for Nikki to love him more than anyone else. As you can imagine, things don't go as planned.

Check out the official trailer below.

How to watch Obsession at home Credit: Focus Features

As of June 30, Obsession is available to watch at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $19.99, or you can wait a little longer to stream it on Peacock. See all the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

A little over a month after its theatrical release, Obsession made its digital debut on June 30, 2026. That means you can buy or rent the movie from on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep and watch forever.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film. Note that these prices will likely drop once the film hits streaming.

• Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Stream it on Peacock

Obsession will officially make its streaming debut on Peacock on July 17 — earlier than we anticipated. The NBC Universal streaming service is the first stop for Focus Features films out of the theater. Based on other recent Focus Features films (Song Sung Blue, Hamnet, Bugonia), we originally guessed it would hit Peacock in August 2026, but we're thrilled to be able to watch it even sooner.

Note that Focus Features' licensing deal gives Netflix a 10-month streaming window after the film's initial Peacock debut, before sending it back to Peacock. If you have a Netflix subscription, you could wait a little longer and stream Obsession without having to sign up for another service.

While the cheapest Peacock subscription costs just $7.99 per month, it unfortunately won't grant you access to theatrical releases. Instead, you'll need at least Peacock Premium, which costs $10.99 per month. Before you sign up, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save up to $33 on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

Paying for a year of Peacock Premium or Premium Plus up front can save you up to $33.89. Premium (with ads) costs $10.99 monthly, which adds up to $131.88. If you pay for the annual plan, however, it'll only cost you $109.99 — a savings of $21.89.

Likewise, the Premium Plus plan costs $16.99 per month, which adds up to $203.88. The annual plan, on the other hand, costs just $169.99 — a savings of $33.89. You'll essentially be getting two months of streaming for free by opting for an annual subscription.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: Free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

If you're an Xfinity customer, there's a good chance you can get Peacock for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible (head to Xfinity.com for more details):

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for young adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal

Both students and young adults (ages 18 to 24) can take $5 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Verify your student status or age through SheerID, and you'll receive a unique promo code to knock the price down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. Just note that once the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price unless you cancel.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4 per month) Get Deal

First responders, medical professionals, teachers, and military personnel can all unlock Peacock Premium subscriptions (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month by verifying professional status through SheerID. Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year. Prices are subject to change year to year.

Best for Instacart users: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

An Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. You'll even get a free two-week trial to kick things off. If you time your trial to match up with the release of Obsession on Peacock, you can easily watch it for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged the full amount. We recommend setting a calendar alert to remind you.

Best for Walmart shoppers: Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ $98 per year Get Deal

One of the best ways to score streaming services for free is by signing up for a Walmart+ membership. With a $98 Walmart+ subscription, you can choose either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential as a free perk — and you can switch every few months. Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Of course, you'll also get free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup isn't just causing a spike in activity on Tinder — hookup app Feeld is experiencing changes, too.

While matching behavior remained stable, the app told Mashable that several host cities experienced increases in "meaningful connections" (matches where both users are actively engaging with each other, rather than just viewing profiles or sending a like) on match days.

Meaningful connections in Miami and Kansas City are both up nine percent, and Dallas and Boston are up seven percent each. Seattle and Houston have seen smaller increases, 4.3 and 2.8 percent, respectively.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

There are more visitors scrolling through Feeld overall: International users are up 72 percent in Atlanta and 15 percent in Dallas.

Feeld users may also notice a shift in profiles as the World Cup is underway. In New York City, there's been an 88 percent increase in daters mentioning soccer as an interest, with mentions of soccer, FIFA, and the World Cup up 97 percent year-over-year across the U.S.

International Feeld users are also adding new phrases to profiles that locals are seeing. International users are mentioning "GGG," or "good, giving, and game," 2.61 times more in Houston and 2.32 times in Dallas, compared with local users. Mentions of ethical non-monogamy, meanwhile, are 1.9 times more common with visitors than locals in Miami, and 1.6 times more in Dallas.

Feeld's 2025 RAW report found that sports were among Gen Z's 10 fastest-growing interests, so it's not surprising that the World Cup is impacting how daters are finding hookups.

"An emphasis on experiences, being sociable, and forging intimacy through structured activities and clubs helps understand why more people are vocal about sport," said Professor of Ethics at the University of Leeds, Dr. Luke Brunning, in a statement shared to Mashable.

"Add to that the growing representation of women in sport, as well as the visibility of nonmainstream sports on social media, and cultural emphasis on wellness, fitness, and health, and the stage is set for sport to take a more prominent place in dating."

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE: Through July 19, when you sign up for a month of Fox One for $19.99, you'll get a second month for free. That means you'll keep $20 in your pocket and get two full months of streaming live sports and beyond.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One $19.99 for 2 months (save $19.99) Get Deal

Watching live sports is one of the most frustrating things about the streaming era. Well, that and how often we see price increases. But Fox One, the direct to consumer streaming service Fox launched last year, has made things a bit easier for sports fans.

For a limited time, you can get a month of the streaming service for free.

Through July 19, when you sign up for a month of Fox One for its usual $19.99 per month, you'll get a second month for free. That's two months of streaming for the price of one, saving you $19.99.

If you want to tune into the final matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, this is the best way to do so in the U.S.

Fox is America's home for the World Cup, so if you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. Previously, the only way to watch live Fox channels without cable was through a pay TV provider like YouTube TV or Fubo, which cost upwards of $90 per month. Now, Fox One is the one-stop shop for the entire Fox TV portfolio, allowing you to tune into live local Fox stations, Fox Sports, FS1, and FS2. And $19.99 certainly beats paying $90.

Once the World Cup has wrapped up, you'll have access to select NFL games (including preseason), live Fox TV shows, Big Ten college football games, local news and weather, and so much more. If you don't want to stick around after the two-month promo period, be sure to cancel before your subscription auto-renews for the following month.

TL;DR: Watch Japan vs. Ireland in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's week two of the 2026 Nations Championship, and we're getting another stack of northern vs. southern hemisphere fixtures.

Both Japan and Ireland scored wins last week and will enter this weekend's contest with some momentum. Japan scored the bigger win last week, beating Italy 27-10, but arguably had easier competition. Ireland finished with a two-point lead over the formidable Australia. But which team will keep the momentum going?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Japan vs. Ireland?

Japan vs. Ireland in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 11:10 a.m. BST on July 11. This fixture takes place at the McDonald Jones Stadium, Australia.

How to watch Japan vs. Ireland for free

Japan vs. Ireland in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Japan vs. Ireland in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Japan vs. Ireland for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate until that offer comes back into play. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee (after FIFA World Cup)

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

If you're not eating free fries this week, you're doing life wrong. Just kidding (kind of).

Friday, July 10, is National French Fry Day, which means a bunch of your favorite fast food chains are giving away free fries. While some require a minimum purchase of some kind or a (free) rewards membership, others require nothing but your will to face the crowds at a local establishment. Regardless, this is a made up holiday I, for one, can get behind.

If you're curious which fast food chains are participating in the free fry celebration, we have a running list below. Just be sure to check the details before rushing out to the restaurant of your choice.

Arby's

Arby's Rewards members can get a free fry of any size on July 10 with the purchase of a Cheesesteak online or in app.

Checkers & Rally’s

Celebrate National French Fry Day at Checkers & Rally’s from July 10 through 12 with BOGO free Famous Seasoned Fries of any size and $1 sauce trios.

Chick-Fil-A

From July 7 through 13, Chick-Fil-A is giving out free medium-size Waffle Fries as a reward in the restaurant's app. Just play the in-app "Spot the Cow" game to get the deal. It's limited to one fry reward per person.

Del Taco

July 10 through 13, you can score a free regular fry at Del Taco with with a $3 minimum purchase.

Five Guys

From July 8 through 10, customers who buy a burger, hot dog, or sandwich through the Five Guys app or Five Guys.com will get one free Little Fry. Sign in or create a Five Guys account and enter promo code FRYDAY26 at checkout to get the freebie.

Jack in the Box

Sign up to be a Jack Pack Rewards member if you're not already and you'll be able to grab a free fry of any size on July 10 with a minimum purchase of $1.

McDonald's

On July 10th, National French Fry Day proper, McDonald's is giving out free medium-sized French Fries to Rewards members. Just make a purchase of at least $1 through the McDonald's app to get the deal.

Sheetz

From July 10 through 16, Sheetz is giving away one free bag of fries with any purchase of $10 or more through the Sheetz app (under the OFFERZ tab). The freebie is limited to one per My Sheetz Rewardz member.

Wendy's

Are you a Wendy's Rewards member? Head to the app and make a purchase of at least $5 and you'll get a free fry in any size on National French Fry Day, July 10.

Whataburger

Whataburger rewards members can score a free medium fry with no purchase required on July 10. The offer is valid online or in the app.

White Castle

Head to White Castle on July 10 and pick up free Cheese Fries by using the promo code CHEESY when you place an online or in-app order.

TL;DR: You can grab the Aero Ultra Steam on Amazon or Dreame's website starting July 15 for $799.99.

If you're tired of scrubbing sticky kitchen floors or dealing with stubborn pet messes, Dreame's newest wet/dry vacuum mop is basically built to pressure-wash your house.

Launching on July 15, the Aero Ultra Steam is the latest flagship in the company's lineup and, according to an email from the brand, the first in its class to combine high-temperature steam, hot water, and foaming detergent into one seamless system. (I'm particularly excited for this release — I have two beagles and the Dreame L60 Pro Ultra robot vacuum has literally changed my life.)

SEE ALSO: Dreame's X60 Max Ultra Complete is the best robot vacuum for pet hair I've tested. Sucks that it's so expensive.

It features a "Tri-Force" cleaning system that hits your floors with 392°F SaunaClean steam for chemical-free sanitizing, dissolves tracked-in mud and other non-mentionables with 194°F ThermoRinse hot water, and dispenses a floral-scented FoamWash to neutralize 99 percent of pet odors. (And this is all at 30kPa, Dreame's most powerful suction yet.) It also uses a specialized TangleCut 2.0 scraper to keep the brush roller tangle-free — which is non-negotiable when you're constantly cleaning up hound hair.

The Aero Ultra Steam dispenses a floral-scented foam designed to neutralize 99 percent of pet odors while you clean. Credit: Dreame

Bonus: You'll get 100 minutes of runtime in Eco mode, and the super-slim 3.88-inch profile makes it super easy to reach underneath your couches (or wherever) without moving all the furniture.

You can grab the Aero Ultra Steam on Amazon or Dreame's website starting July 15 for $799.99.

TL;DR: Watch Australia vs. France in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The second weekend of the 2026 Nations Championship lines up six big games, including Australia vs. France.

Both teams took very narrow losses in the first week, with Australia losing to Ireland and France losing to New Zealand. They both lost by just two points each. Now both teams are looking to make a comeback as they face off in Brisbane.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. France?

Australia vs. France in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 8:40 a.m. BST on July 11. This fixture takes place at the Suncorp Stadium, Australia.

How to watch Australia vs. France for free

Australia vs. France in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Australia vs. France in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Australia vs. France for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate until that offer comes back into play. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee (after FIFA World Cup)

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book is available for preorder ahead of its Jan. 26, 2027, release date.

If you've already cooked your way through The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook and are looking for a new offline hobby, it might be time to pick up a crochet hook. Random House Worlds just announced that its The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book is ready for preorder, so you have one more way to bring Pelican Town into the real world.

SEE ALSO: 'Stardew Valley' major update will let you marry its most hated character

The upcoming book includes 25 base patterns that can be used to create over 45 amigurumi figures. According to the publisher, there are projects for all skill levels — you can start with a basic Slime pattern and eventually work your way up to a "proposal-worthy" Mermaid Pendant. You can also stitch up an entire coop of different colored chickens, build a seasonal Junimo Hut, or recreate Mayor Lewis's iconic Lucky Purple Shorts.

The book doesn't hit shelves until Jan. 26, 2027, but if you want to secure a copy before you inevitably forget about it, the hardcover edition is available for preorder at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble.

Where to preorder 'The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book' Barnes & Noble 'The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book' $29 at Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Here Amazon 'The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book' $32 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Target 'The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book' $32.49 at Target Pre-Order Here

TL;DR: Watch New Zealand vs. Italy in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's the second weekend of action in the 2026 Nations Championship. A stacked day of northern vs. southern hemisphere games kicks off with New Zealand vs. Italy.

New Zealand eked out a narrow win over France last week while Italy fell short to Japan. Can Italy take the opportunity to bounce back? Or are they walking into a heavy defeat at the hands of the mighty All Blacks?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Italy?

New Zealand vs. Italy in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 6:10 a.m. BST on July 11. This fixture takes place at the HNRY Stadium, New Zealand.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Italy for free

New Zealand vs. Italy in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream New Zealand vs. Italy in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch New Zealand vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate until that offer comes back into play. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee (after FIFA World Cup)

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Fans of Audity (aka Audrey Hopkins) know her for her jubilant energy, her explosive creativity, and her surprising illustrated mash-ups. Her character designs collide with unexpected inspiration points, like Pennywise and Tinkerbell, or her husband as a merman. And the results are digital drawings that are not only winsome but also inspiring followers (13.2 million on TikTok) to create kooky characters of their own.

Out of Vidcon 2026, Audity sat down with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko for a Creator Playbook interview. Here, she revealed how she became a content creator, what she does when she's hit an "art block," and the dream project that could lure her away from TikTok for a bit.

"I love [Dropout] so much," Audity shared, adding, "But Dimension 20, particularly. I want to draw the characters for a season of theirs. Honestly, I've told them before, I'll do it for free."

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage or see more of this year’s Mashable 101 to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

These days, new versions of AI chatbots don't just launch; they're unshackled and released to the public following government scrutiny. OpenAI's new GPT-5.6 models were – like Anthropic's Claude Mythos and Fable – apparently too powerful to just launch; but now, after some tinkering, they're available to you, dear customer.

In practice, it simply means that the new GPT-5.6 models are very powerful and smarter than before. In its introductory post, OpenAI shared a bunch of graphs showing just how much better GPT-5.6 is than the competition, whilst using fewer tokens and generally costing less.

OK, great. But GPT-5.6 is not just one model; it comes in three distinct flavors: Sol, Terra, and Luna. So what do different kinds of users get, what should they pay for, and which models should they (mostly) use? Let's dive in.

Free users get (almost) nothing

Sorry; if you're not a paying customer, you'll have to make do with OpenAI's previous flagship model, GPT-5.5. Any sort of access to GPT-5.6 models requires a subscription of some sort. Fortunately, GPT-5.5 is still quite capable at most tasks, but if you want the best of the best, you'll have to cough up the dough.

There's an exception to this: Free and Go users can access GPT-5.6 through ChatGPT Work. More on that below.

If you're a Plus or Business user, you can only get Sol (the most powerful model) at medium and higher effort settings. There's another, higher level of performance called Sol Pro, but that's only available for Pro and Enterprise users.

In terms of availability per one million tokens, the prices are: $5 input and $30 output for Sol. $2.5 input and $15 output for Terra, and $1 input and $6 output for Luna.

SEE ALSO: Visa is connecting with ChatGPT to let AI agents automatically make purchases Sol, Terra, or Luna?

Why are there three models in the first place? Well, OpenAI always had a multi-tier model; for example, previously users were able to choose a "mini" version of the main model to get results done cheaper. Now, the model has been split into three tiers.

If you're a paying customer, you're free to use all three. But you know how it is in the world of LLMs: If you pick the smartest one, your usage limits will get hit faster (yes, there are always usage limits, even if you throw a ton of money at OpenAI).

In the simplest sense, GPT-5.6 Sol is the smartest model, Terra is in between (with roughly GPT-5.5 level of performance), and Luna is the cheapest, fastest, but also least capable of the bunch.

The breakdown is as follows: Terra is a "balanced" model for everyday work. That's the one you should be asking most of your questions. Don't underestimate it, though, as OpenAI claims it performs better than Anthropic's Fable 5 in some cases.

Luna is cost-efficient, and should be used for easy, non crucial everyday tasks; think recipes and movie recommendations. Again, OpenAI says it outperforms Anthropic's Opus 4.8 in some cases, so it's not a slouch, either.

Sol should be reserved for coding, deep research, planning, and cybersecurity: The most demanding tasks. Of course it comes at a (literal) cost: While OpenAI claims it spends less tokens than Anthropic's Fable 5, Sol will still hit usage limits a lot faster than the other variants.

Fun fact: If you ask GPT-5.5 about any of this, right now, it'll give you completely wrong answers. Hopefully OpenAI will fix this soon.

Wait, what's this ChatGPT Work thing, then?

Oh yeah, OpenAI also launched ChatGPT Work, which is a new agent in ChatGPT that can access and take actions on your apps and files, and work in the background until a task is finished. It's powered by Codex (OpenAI's software engineering agent) and GPT-5.6. Think about it as your buddy that will go through your emails and files, browse the web, fetch the relevant data, and create that presentation your boss wants before the day is done.

ChatGPT Work is rolling out to Pro, Enterprise and Edu users first on web and mobile; this will be expanded to Plus and Business users "over the next few days."

On the desktop, Work is available for everyone, including Free users.

Oh, and one more thing: The fact that ChatGPT Work has a built-in browser also means that OpenAI is sunsetting its standalone web browser, Atlas. Sorry.

How about GPT Live?

GPT Live is a new version of ChatGPT Voice and it will show up when you start talking to ChatGPT.

We've covered this in more depth here, but the bottom line is that GPT Live can listen and speak at the same time, allowing it to keep up a more realistic conversation.

Wrapping it all up

The new GPT-5.6 model is smart. It comes in three flavors: Luna, Terra, and Sol, with Sol being the most capable variant, Luna the most affordable one, and Terra somewhere in the middle. You can currently only get them on paid tiers, unless you're using ChatGPT Work on desktop. And ChatGPT Voice has also gotten smarter with GPT-Live underneath, a model that can listen and speak at the same time.

TL;DR: Sony’s Reon Pocket Pro Plus is here to help you beat the heat, bringing wearable cooling (and warming) tech to the U.S. for $259.99. The neck-worn temperature control device is currently out of stock at Sony, but you can sign up to get notified when it’s available again.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus Sensing Kit Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus $259.99 at Sony
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With summer temperatures pushing into uncomfortable territory, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus takes a different approach to staying cool. Instead of carrying around a fan, this wearable temperature-control device sits around your neck and uses a cooling plate against your upper back to deliver a targeted way to manage heat.

This device can also warm you up during colder months, making it more of an all-season wearable than just a summer gadget. It uses built-in temperature and humidity sensors, along with Sony's control algorithm, to adjust cooling and warming based on your surroundings and preferences.

When paired with the included sensing device, it can detect both the temperature inside your clothing and the outside environment, allowing its Smart cool to warm mode to automatically switch between cooling and heating without needing constant adjustments.

Despite its compact design, Sony packs in plenty of practical features. The device uses two thermo modules that alternate intensity to maintain continuous cooling, while Smart cool mode can deliver up to 15 hours of battery life. A flexible neckband helps keep the cooling surface in contact with your skin, and the lightweight, discreet design is made to be worn under clothing without looking like you’re carrying a gadget around. When winter arrives, four adjustable warm levels let it double as a personal warmer.

Heatwave season is here — sign up to know when the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is back in stock.

Happy anniversary to Dropout's most mind-bending viral video: "Brennan Quits Dropout."

It was July 14, 2025, when Game Changer aired "Fool's Gold." In this episode, Dropout contributors pitched video concepts to a Shark Tank-like panel of investors. The goal: Make the most viral portfolio. The most viral video? Vic Michaelis' pitch for "Brennan's Exit Video."

Dressed like an American Girl Doll, Michaelis pitched that Brennan Lee Mulligan post a video to social media claiming he was quitting Dropout, Dimension 20, and Dungeons & Dragons altogether to dedicate himself to his passion for creating shoes for American Girl Dolls.

Over the past year, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko has interviewed Michaelis, Mulligan, and Game Changer host Sam Reich about this epic moment, which led not only to a TikTok video that had fans and newbies to Dropout freaking out, but also a Google Easter egg.

To toast the anniversary of this very silly video — that some people took very seriously — our Executive Video Producer Mark Stetson has compiled all that Michaelis, Mulligan, and Reich have revealed about the magic and mischief of "Brennan Quits Dropout."

Sure, they got snubbed by the Emmys. But we'll always have, "AAAAAH! THIS IS ME!"

SEE ALSO: Dropout curious? Here's where you should start watching.

For more interviews with Dropout's stars and other celebrities, check out Say More or our YouTube channel.

TL;DR: Razer has launched the Kraken Kitty V2 BT Cinnamoroll Edition for $139.99, a Bluetooth gaming headset featuring Cinnamoroll’s signature floppy ears, sky-blue design, plush cushions, and customizable RGB lighting.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Cinnamoroll Edition $139.99 at Razer
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If your gaming setup could use a little Sanrio sweetness, Razer has a new headset that might help. The company has launched the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Cinnamoroll Edition for $139.99, a Bluetooth gaming headset that swaps the usual cat-ear look for Cinnamoroll’s signature floppy ears, sky-blue styling, and Sanrio-inspired details. It’s the latest and final drop in Razer's Sanrio collaboration lineup.

The headset takes inspiration from Cinnamoroll, the popular Sanrio character known for his oversized floppy ears and cloud-like aesthetic, bringing that look to Razer’s existing Kraken Kitty V2 BT design. Instead of the standard cat-ear silhouette, this version features plush white and blue accents, character artwork across the headband, and a design made to stand out whether you’re gaming, streaming, or just listening to music.

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The wireless headset keeps the Bluetooth connectivity of the original Kraken Kitty V2 BT and comes with ear cushions designed for longer sessions. It features customizable Razer Chroma RGB lighting on the earcups, letting you add your own lighting effects while gaming or streaming.

The Cinnamoroll Edition is part of Razer’s broader run of character-inspired gaming accessories, following collaborations featuring other Sanrio favorites like Hello Kitty and Kuromi.

Consider this your invitation to float into Cinnamoroll’s world — just with a headset, RGB lighting, and a lot more gaming involved.

Get the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Cinnamoroll Edition today.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting down to the pointy end, with only seven countries left in the running for this year's title. Almost all the remaining soccer teams are European, the sole exception being Argentina, which continues to represent South America.

Most of these contenders aren't surprising, as five of them are listed in the official FIFA Men's World Ranking top 10. However, in a competition where a single loss means you're out, there have been a few upsets in the lead up to the semi-finals, with a couple of underdogs making it further than expected.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

Here are all the teams still fighting it out in this year's FIFA World Cup, as well as the players to watch.

France: Kylian Mbappé Credit: Ulrik Pedersen / NurPhoto via Getty Images

France is already through to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after beating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday, the two-time champion looking to make it a hat-trick. Though the semi-final match is set to take place next Tuesday, July 14, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, the team's opponent is still yet to be determined. Whether Spain or Belgium will go up against France will depend on which of the two teams comes out on top in their match Friday. 

Known as Les Bleus, the French national team has had an undefeated run to the semi-finals, beating Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), and Norway (4-1) in Group I before proceeding to the knockout bracket. Here they maintained their streak, defeating Sweden (3-0), Paraguay (1-0), and Morocco.

Featured Video For You How F1 became a global obsession

All eyes will be on forward Kylian Mbappé in the matches ahead. The captain of the French team is widely considered one of the best players at the World Cup — and even the world. Though Mbappé ranks Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo above himself, there's no denying that he's at least nipping at the soccer legends' heels. France's all-time top goal scorer has already set several records at this year's event, scoring the most goals out of anyone at this year's World Cup so far, and tying with Messi at 17 non-penalty goals across all his World Cup appearances.

While he suffered an ankle injury during the match against Morocco, Mbappé has reassured fans that he's "completely fine," and will hopefully be fully recovered by the semi-final next week.

Spain: Lamine Yamal Credit: Ayman Aref / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Nicknamed La Roja, Spain's national soccer team is set to play Belgium in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals this Friday, July 10, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Spain last won the World Cup in 2010, and it's one of the top-ranked teams in this year's competition, surpassed only by Argentina. As such, 2026 could very well be Spain's year.

Spain performed well in Group H, tying with Cabo Verde (0-0) before defeating Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0). Having since knocked out Austria (3-0) and Portugal (1-0), the Spanish team will now face Belgium for a spot in the semi-final against France next week.

The Spanish team's star player Lamine Yamal has recently recovered from a hamstring injury, stating before the World Cup that he was still working his way up to playing a full match. Even so, the 18-year-old right winger has already proven himself in previous tournaments, and is only expected to get better.

Belgium: Romelu Lukaku Credit: Nico Vereecken / Photo News via Getty Images

The Belgian team gained significant attention for trouncing Team USA 4-1 on Monday, kicking the Americans out of the FIFA World Cup on their own home soil. This was despite FIFA suspending U.S. star player Folarin Balogun's red card so he could play in the match, a move President Donald Trump claimed he was involved in. Now De Rode Duivels (the Belgian Red Devils) will play against Spain in the quarter-finals this Friday, hoping for the chance to face France in the semi-finals.

Belgium's national team kicked off its World Cup run with ties against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), before soundly defeating New Zealand (5-1). They continued to prove themselves in the knockout stage, taking out Senegal (3-2) before sending the U.S. national team packing (4-1).

Some football fans were skeptical that Belgium could defeat the U.S. with Balogun on the field, betting odds having favoured a win for the Americans after Trump's alleged intervention. Even after Belgium's victory, coach Rudi Garcia stated that "everyone thinks [they] are going home." Belgium is ready to prove these people wrong, with striker Romelu Lukaku expected to be instrumental in silencing the naysayers. Belgium's all-time top goal scorer, Lukaku scored a goal in each of the team's last three games at the World Cup after having come on as a substitute in all of them. This made him the first player in World Cup history to score as a substitute in four separate matches. No doubt he'll be keen to take on more records.

Norway: Erling Haaland Credit: Jean Catuffe / Getty Images

Norway's next FIFA World Cup appearance will be their quarter-finals match against England, scheduled this Saturday, July 11, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Reaching this stage is already the best result they've ever had at the World Cup — though of course they would like to go even further. Considering the talent on this year's team, it doesn't seem like an impossible dream.

Known locally as Landslaget, which simply means "the national team," Norway was also placed in Group I alongside France at the start of the tournament. Yet despite a 4-1 loss to Les Bleus, the team still made it to the knockout stage by defeating Iraq (4-1) and Senegal (3-2). Booting Côte d'Ivoire (2-1) and Brazil (2-1) from the competition, Norway will now have to beat England. 

SEE ALSO: A clip of Erling Haaland eating has gone viral. It's not real.

The top Norwegian player to watch is undisputedly Erling Haaland, whose name is often spoken in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo. Like Mbappé, Haaland has demurred when others have compared him to the soccer greats. Even so, the striker's achievements speak for themselves. Norway's all-time top scorer has racked up an impressive 60 goals in 53 senior international games, shooting his 60th in the World Cup match against Côte d'Ivoire. In comparison, Messi and Ronaldo took more than twice as many games to reach the same goal count.

England: Harry Kane Credit: Eric Verhoeven / Soccrates / Getty Images

Called The Three Lions after the animals on their team crest, England's national soccer team are set to take on Norway in their next game on Saturday. Both quarter-finalists are battling for a chance at the semi-finals, with the winner to go up against the victor of the match between Argentina and Switzerland.

England fought its way through Group L to get here, defeating Croatia (4-2), tying with Ghana (0-0), and besting Panama (2-0). It then took out the Democratic Republic of Congo (2-1) and Mexico (3-2) in the knockout bracket, leaving it three victories away from taking the FIFA World Cup championship.

SEE ALSO: Harry Kane's World Cup post-match interview goes viral for all the right reasons

The standout player on England's team is captain and striker Harry Kane, England's all-time top scorer. Kane has scored six goals at this World Cup, ranking fourth behind Mbappé, Messi, and Haaland. He previously won the Golden Boot award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup as well, given to the player who scored the most goals during the tournament. Kane has been having a stellar run recently, scoring a total of 73 goals in the 2025-26 season thus far —  second only to Messi's record set in 2011-12.

Argentina: Lionel Messi Credit: Marcel Bonte / Soccrates / Getty Images

The official FIFA Men's World Ranking currently lists Argentina as No. 1 in the world, with head coach and captain Lionel Messi widely considered one of the best players in the world. As such, they're expected to do very well in their quarter-final match against Switzerland on Saturday, July 11, set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, Missouri.

La Albiceleste dominated Group J, beating out Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0), and Jordan (3-1), then continued their streak in the knockout stage by sending Cabo Verde (3-2) and Egypt (3-2) home. Argentina is now the sole non-European competitor remaining in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this year, though this certainly doesn't mean that it's an underdog.

SEE ALSO: Why is the internet rooting against Argentina?

Messi needs little introduction, with his name familiar even to those who only have a passing interest in soccer. Dubbed the greatest footballer of all time by numerous fans, commentators, and players, Argentina's all-time top scorer holds a slew of records and is constantly held up as an inspiration to other players. Messi was the first to win the World Cup's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player twice, and has already set several new records during the course of this year's competition. These include scoring the most goals in World Cup history, a number which has since climbed further to 21, and being the first ever player to score in eight consecutive matches at the tournament.

Switzerland: Granit Xhaka Credit: Eric Verhoeven / Soccrates / Getty Images

Switzerland's national soccer team will have to slay giant Argentina to get past the quarter-finals this weekend. Taking out the top ranked team is a formidable task, particularly with Switzerland currently ranked at 19. Still, Nati have made an excellent show of themselves thus far, and it wouldn't be the first upset of this year's FIFA World Cup.

Placed in Group B, the Swiss team tied with Qatar (1-1) before beating Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-1) and Canada (2-1). In the knockout bracket, Switzerland pushed out Algeria (2-0) and Colombia (0-0, with a 4-3 penalty shootout). Now they're facing their biggest challenge thus far, up against Argentina for a semi-final spot.

While the Swiss team have expressed excitement about facing soccer icon Messi, they're even more eager to defeat him. Captain and defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka aims to lead them to that victory, having already brought Switzerland to its first World Cup quarter-final since 1954. While his position doesn't typically shoot goals, Xhaka has proven a skilled playmaker, breaking through opponents' lines and setting his teammates up for success.

For all things 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mashable's got you covered.

Apple is reportedly working on adding camera sensors to a future version of AirPods -- and it’s not the only company putting cameras near our ears. CNET’s Bridget Carey explores what they could be used for and looks to one recent acquisition.

SAVE $30: As of July 10, the Lego Jaws set is on sale for $119.99 at Lego as part of its Insiders Days event. That's $30 off its usual price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Jaws (21350) $119.99 at Lego
$149.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Lego's Insiders Days event has started, and if you're a member, there are some excellent sets on sale. My personal favorite Jaws set is included in the bunch, and while it's currently on backorder at the retailer, it's well worth putting an order in since it's retiring soon. When it's retired, it won't be available to purchase anymore from Lego, so this could be your final opportunity to get it at a discount.

If you don't mind waiting — Lego's store page says it will ship in 60 days — this deal is pretty awesome for Lego Insiders. If you're a member — you can learn more here and it's free to join — you can score the Jaws set for $119.99. Usually it retails for $149.99, so this is a good opportunity to save $30.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Olivia Rodrigo collab just dropped: Where to buy, preorder details, price

I had an absolute blast piecing together this Lego set, and it's one of my favorite displays I have up in my house (you can check out my full breakdown of building it here). Recommended for adults, since it's quite a complex assembly, it comes with 1,497 pieces that create a diorama of The Orca boat sailing the seas with the huge shark on its tail. Of course, it also comes with three minifigures to complete the scene: Chief Brody, Matt Hooper, and Sam Quint.

Once you've finished piecing it together and it's ready for display, it also comes with a plaque printed with the film's most famous line: "You’re gonna need a bigger boat."

The offer is only available until July 12, so be quick.

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