WORLD CUP NEWS
Daily World Cup 2026 briefs — every nation, written the moment the story breaks.
Morocco open World Cup against Brazil amid injury sweat
Morocco's World Cup campaign begins against Brazil tonight in Group C at MetLife Stadium. The Atlas Lions, semifinalists four years ago, walk into their opener carrying both ambition and uncertainty.…
Norway beat Sweden as Smith's debut turns sour
Norway beat Sweden in their final World Cup warm-up match Saturday. The scoreline isn't the whole story, the real talking point is Eric Smith, who made his international debut for Sweden against the country he was born in.…
South Africa stumble out of the gate against Mexico
South Africa opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a deflating result against Mexico, leaving Bafana Bafana with an uphill battle after just one match. The co-hosts faced El Tri in a symbolic reverse of the 2010 opener, exactly 16 years after Siphiwe Tshabalala's iconic goal, but could not replicate the spirit of that day.…
Rice reveals he always wanted Mainoo in the England squad
Declan Rice had been quietly campaigning for Kobbie Mainoo to force his way back into the England setup, and now he's got his wish ahead of the World Cup. Rice always believed the Manchester United midfielder belonged in Thomas Tuchel's squad, and with the tournament days away, Mainoo has done exactly that, earning his place through form rather than favour.…
Rode Duivels visit Lumen Field ahead of Egypte opener
The Rode Duivels will get their first look at Lumen Field on Saturday evening, the stadium where their World Cup campaign kicks off Monday against Egypte. The squad arrived in Seattle on Friday after a midday flight from Brussels.…
Smith slams own debut as Sweden's World Cup opener looms
Eric Smith pulled no punches after Sweden's final warm-up friendly against Norway. "It's probably the worst game I've played in my career," the centre-back told SVT Sport after being substituted at half-time on his national team debut.…
Switzerland open World Cup campaign against Qatar
Switzerland face Qatar tonight in their opening Group B match at the 2026 World Cup. Kickoff is at 21:00 CEST.…
Ecuador open World Cup against Ivory Coast riding record unbeaten streak
Your World Cup campaign starts against Ivory Coast in Group E. The full group also includes Germany and Curaçao.…
Ghana protests Canada over Thomas Partey visa denial
Ghana has lodged an official complaint with Canada after Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was denied a visa ahead of their World Cup match against Panama on June 17. Ghana's football association called the decision "hard-handed and unfair," and the protest has now escalated into a diplomatic issue between the two nations.…
Paraguay stumble 4–1 against USA in World Cup opener
Paraguay's World Cup campaign started painfully Saturday with a 4–1 defeat to the USA in Group D. Folarin Balogun did the damage, scoring a hat-trick that puts him top of the tournament scoring charts.…
Martínez: Portugal genuine contenders to go far at World Cup
Roberto Martínez has declared Portugal "genuine candidates to go very far this summer" ahead of the World Cup. "We have the quality, the recent tournament experience, and now the proof that we can win," the manager said.…
Switzerland open against Qatar as Xhaka promises the best World Cup
Switzerland open their 2026 World Cup campaign today, Saturday, against hosts Qatar in Group B. The match kicks off at 21:00 CET in what is officially the opening fixture for both sides.…
Scotland's World Cup return kicks off against Haiti in Boston
Scotland face Haiti at the Boston Stadium in their first World Cup match in 28 years. The squad is already in North Carolina, and the city of Boston is being described as 'mini-Scotland' ahead of kick-off.…
Balogun brace powers USA to historic 4–1 World Cup opener
The USMNT opened their home World Cup in devastating fashion Friday, thrashing Paraguay 4–1 in the group stage opener. Folarin Balogun scored twice in a performance that had teammates scrambling for words.…
Undav grateful for support as Nagelsmann sticks with Musiala
Deniz Undav says he was genuinely pleased to hear Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Müller publicly back him to start Germany's World Cup opener against Curacao on Sunday. "I was very happy.…
Haiti open World Cup against Scotland as 52-year wait ends
Haiti plays its first World Cup match since 1974 this Saturday, facing Scotland in the Group C opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Over 50,000 Scotland fans have flooded Boston, turning the city into what locals are calling "mini-Scotland", kilts, bagpipes, the works.…
Balerdi injured, Senesi called up ahead of World Cup opener
Argentina kicks off its 2026 World Cup defense on Tuesday against Algeria in the group stage opener. The reigning champions enter the tournament with a squad that has evolved beyond its dependence on Lionel Messi, now 38 and appearing at his final World Cup.…
Marciniak to referee Algeria's World Cup opener
Szymon Marciniak has been appointed referee for Algeria's World Cup opener against Argentina. The Polish official is one of the most recognizable figures in the game, having taken charge of the 2022 World Cup final.…
Curaçao's World Cup debut against Germany: everything you need to know
Sunday 14 June, 19:00 local time in Winston-Salem. Curaçao walk onto a World Cup pitch for the first time in the nation's history.…
Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 in World Cup opener
Your team did exactly what a host nation is supposed to do. Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, with Raúl Jiménez leading the way.…
Lukic gives Bosnia the lead, Canada hit back in World Cup opener
Bosnia-Herzegovina opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1–1 draw against co-hosts Canada in Toronto. Jovo Lukic headed you in front with his first international goal, but substitute Cyle Larin equalised for the Canadians to earn them their first ever World Cup point.…
Canada–Bosnia draw opens Group B door for Qatar
Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina played to a 1–1 draw Friday in their World Cup Group B opener. Cyle Larin scored for Canada.…
De Jong confident as USA fire Group D warning
Frenkie de Jong believes in this Oranje squad heading into the World Cup opener against Japan on Sunday, but stops short of calling the Netherlands favorites. "We have good players and are unpredictable," the midfielder said.…
Iran volleyball beats Argentina, World Cup camp in turmoil
Your volleyball team took down Argentina in the VNL. The win came in the Volleyball Nations League, where Iran's national squad continues to show its quality on the international stage.…