WORLD CUP NEWS
Daily World Cup 2026 briefs — every nation, written the moment the story breaks.
Saliba and Hernandez miss France training ahead of Senegal opener
Saliba and Théo Hernandez sat out France's training session on Friday, just four days before they face Senegal in the World Cup opener. Both are starters when fit.…
England hit by theft and Tuchel's lineup plans before Croatia opener
England's World Cup preparations have been thrown into chaos after a bizarre burglary on the way to their base camp. Kit, footballs, and boots were stolen in transit, leaving Tuchel's camp scrambling days before facing Croatia.…
Partey out of Ghana's World Cup opener after Canada visa denied
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday after Canadian authorities refused his visa application. The midfielder is under investigation in the UK for rape and sexual assault, and Canada has the right to deny entry on these grounds.…
Spain cruise past Peru, World Cup opener awaits
Your team signed off from pre-World Cup preparations with a straightforward 3–1 win over Peru. The result extends Spain's unbeaten run to 30 matches heading into the tournament.…
Kim Min-jae plays 90 as South Korea beat Czechia 2–1
South Korea kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2–1 victory over Czechia in Group A on June 11. A massive result that puts your team in a strong early position to advance from the group.…
Czechia fall 2–1 to South Korea in World Cup opener
Your World Cup started the hard way. South Korea took all three points in the Group A opener Friday, leaving Czechia bottom of the group and already under pressure.…
Popovic signs new deal as Socceroos brace for Turkiye
Tony Popovic has signed a contract extension with the Socceroos, keeping him at the helm through to the AFC Asian Cup 2027. The deal was confirmed on the eve of Australia's World Cup opener, a massive show of faith from Football Australia.…
Partey ruled out of Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied a visa to Canada and will miss Wednesday's World Cup opener against Panama, multiple outlets confirm. The Arsenal player is awaiting trial on sexual assault and rape charges in the UK, Canadian authorities refused his entry on those grounds.…
Popovic claims Australia edge as Türkiye's World Cup opener looms
Australia coach Tony Popovic says his team knows exactly where they hold an edge over Türkiye ahead of Saturday's World Cup Group D clash. Speaking ahead of the match, Popovic acknowledged Türkiye are a strong opponent but made it clear he believes Australia can win.…
Neymar and Rodrygo out as Brazil open World Cup against Morocco
Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign Saturday against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, but they do it without two of their biggest stars. Neymar has been ruled out of the opener with a calf injury.…
Makhadmeh appointed for Cape Verde's World Cup opener against Spain
Cape Verde's historic World Cup debut against Spain will be officiated by Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh. The Blue Sharks open their campaign as heavy underdogs against a Spanish side expected to field teenage star Lamine Yamal despite not being at full fitness.…
Congo DR face Portugal in World Cup opener, Ronaldo talks fitness
Congo DR kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 17 in Group K. It is the first match of the group, which also includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.…
France face Senegal in World Cup opener as Deschamps weighs starting spot
Four days out from France's World Cup opener against Senegal, Didier Deschamps has one big call left to make: Désiré Doué or Bradley Barcola? The two are in a straight fight for a starting spot when you kick off Group G on Tuesday, June 16. Deschamps calls it a luxury headache, but it is the kind of decision that sets the tone for the whole tournament.…
Endo ruled out of World Cup as Japan prepare for Netherlands
Japan captain Wataru Endo will miss the whole tournament through injury. It's a massive blow on the eve of your opening match against the Netherlands.…
Hakimi embraces "African Brazilians" tag as Neymar misses World Cup opener
Achraf Hakimi says Morocco are known as the "African Brazilians" ahead of the World Cup opener against Brazil today. The label reflects the technical, confident style your team brings to the biggest stage.…
Haaland dances and jokes as Norway training mood lifts
Erling Haaland was dancing and joking during Norway training on Friday, two days before the World Cup opener. Footage from the session shows the striker loose and relaxed, mocking his own moves with the phrase "ia mostrar como se faz", Portuguese for "I'll show you how it's done".…
Bellingham set to start, England's boots stolen in Kansas City
England's expected XI for the World Cup opener against Croatia is taking shape, and the big call is Jude Bellingham starting while Marc Guehi drops to the bench. Thomas Tuchel appears set to trust the Real Madrid man from the first whistle, with Guehi missing out despite his pedigree.…
South Africa fall 2–0 to Mexico in World Cup opener
South Africa's World Cup campaign opened with a flat 2–0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. Bafana Bafana never looked in control, and former captain Dean Furman did not hold back: "miles off it".…
Belgium brace for scorching Egypt opener as Garcia hails De Bruyne
The Red Devils face Egypt in their World Cup opener on Monday and the forecast is brutal. Temperatures are expected to be extremely high, pushing the squad into sauna sessions to acclimatise ahead of the match.…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he will support Croatia at the World Cup
Sweden held their last training session on home soil before flying out to Mexico for the World Cup. Manager Graham Potter had Mellberg and Gyökeres heavily involved as the squad ran through tactical drills in what was, by all accounts, a focused and intense session.…
Switzerland open World Cup against Qatar as Yakin keeps formation undecided
Switzerland kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Qatar on Saturday in Group B. This is the first match of the tournament for Murat Yakin's side, and after a disjointed warm-up defeat to Australia, the pressure is on to start with a statement.…
Kendry Páez sends River Plate hint in Ecuador photo session
Kendry Páez sent a playful message during Ecuador's official World Cup squad photo session, flashing a number four with his fingers, a gesture widely interpreted as a nod to a River Plate teammate who wears that shirt. The teenage midfielder, set to join the Argentine giants after the tournament, showed the squad's relaxed mood days before their group stage opener against Ivory Coast.…
Portugal land in Florida, World Cup opener four days away
The squad touched down in Florida on Friday, completing the full set of 48 nations now inside the host countries ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The team departed Lisbon earlier on Friday and is now settling into their base camp (11).…
Cyle Larin rescues Canada's first World Cup point in 1–1 draw with Bosnia
Your wait is over. Cyle Larin scored the equaliser as Canada earned their first-ever World Cup point with a 1–1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto.…