Daily World Cup 2026 briefs — every nation, written the moment the story breaks.
Spain wrapped up their pre-World Cup preparations with a 3–1 win over Peru on Sunday, and they look ready for next Monday's opener against Cape Verde. Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Oyarzabal were among those who featured, with Unai Simón starting in goal and Raya also getting minutes .…
France signed off before the World Cup with a 3–1 win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday, and it was Michael Olise who stole the show. The winger struck three times to hand your team the victory in its last friendly before departing for the United States .…
Congo DR face Chile in a World Cup warm-up friendly Tuesday, but the match has been moved from Spain to Orleans, France after Spanish authorities blocked the fixture over Ebola epidemic concerns. The relocation was forced by local health regulations in Spain, pushing the Congolese squad to adjust their preparation plans at the last minute.…
Former Flamengo defender Thuler has been voted Vissel Kobe's player of the season by both fans and teammates after helping the club clinch the J League title. "One of the most important moments of my career," Thuler said of the triumph.…
Morocco drew 1–1 with Norway in Sunday's final pre-World Cup friendly, but the result barely matters. Full-back Noussair Mazraoui went off with a shoulder problem and winger Abde Ezzalzouli exited early with a leg issue.…
Jordan are heading to their first World Cup. You've landed in Group J alongside Argentina, and the Guardian's team guide makes one thing clear: the world is about to learn your name.…
A friendly that showed both sides of this Norway team. The opening 20 minutes were electric, high pressing, quick transitions, everything clicking.…
South Africa open World Cup 2026 against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca this Wednesday, June 11. It is the tournament's first match and a direct echo of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg, where Siphiwe Tshabalala scored that iconic goal.…
Djed Spence has a broken jaw after taking an elbow from Liam Delap, but the England defender insists he can still contribute at the World Cup. "Yeah, it was a crazy challenge," Spence said, adding: "Luckily I play with my feet." He remains with the squad and hopeful of featuring.…
The Red Devils have landed. A 10-hour flight brought Belgium to Seattle on Monday, where the squad will base themselves for the World Cup.…
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni got visibly irritated when asked whether Lionel Messi decides when he plays, and Roberto Martínez didn't miss the chance to draw a contrast. "I respect all national teams and coaches, but we work differently," Martínez said, making it clear that in his Portugal setup, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't call the shots.…
Sweden open their World Cup campaign against Tunisia, and one man in the Tunisian squad knows Swedish football inside out. Defender Moutaz Neffati, who played for IFK Göteborg's academy and Swedish clubs like Östersund and Dalkurd, is in line for his World Cup debut, against the country where he grew up playing.…
Danny Makkelie will take charge of Paraguay's World Cup opener against the United States on Saturday. The Dutch referee has been assigned the Group H clash, which kicks off in the early hours of Saturday 13 June European time .…
For the first time ever, an all-Canadian officiating team will work a men's World Cup match. Micheal Barwegan is the VAR for the crew, joined by referee Drew Fischer and assistant Lyes Arfa.…
Michael Olise put on a show Monday as France beat Northern Ireland 3–1 in their final warmup friendly. The Bayern man scored all three, sending Les Bleus into the tournament with real momentum .…
Scotland's first World Cup match in 28 years kicks off on Saturday against Haiti in Charlotte. It's the moment fans have waited for since 1998.…
Bayern Munich are now UEFA's top-ranked club heading into the 2026/27 season, leapfrogging Real Madrid and PSG. The rankings also place Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in strong positions, underlining the Bundesliga's growing weight in Europe .…
Haiti kick off their World Cup campaign this Sunday against Scotland in Charlotte. It's the first Group C match for both sides, and for Haiti, the chance to set the tone immediately against a team expected to advance.…
Your last friendly before the World Cup kicks off Tuesday against Iceland, and Lionel Scaloni has confirmed one thing without a shred of doubt: Lionel Messi will play . "Leo will play tomorrow (Tuesday)," Scaloni said, putting to rest any fitness concerns ahead of the tournament opener.…
Good news and bad news from camp. Chris Richards returned to full training Tuesday after recovering from an ankle injury, putting him in position to feature in the World Cup opener against Paraguay .…
Ibrahim Maza has lit the fuse ahead of Algeria's World Cup opener against Argentina on June 17. The Algerian attacking midfielder has openly declared his ambition to beat Lionel Messi and his teammates in the group stage curtain-raiser, a statement now reverberating across the Argentine media.…
Your boys are flying. Curaçao dismantled Aruba 4–0 in Saturday's friendly, the final send-off before heading to the United States for the World Cup .…
Iran's national team touched down in Tijuana on Sunday under heavy guard to set up their World Cup base camp. All three of Iran's group stage matches will be played across the border in the United States, making the Mexican border city a strategic staging ground for Amir Ghalenoei's side.…
No football stories are available in today's fact sheet for the Iraqi national team. But there is plenty stirring among fans ahead of Iraq's World Cup campaign.…