WORLD CUP NEWS
Daily World Cup 2026 briefs — every nation, written the moment the story breaks.
Partey denied Canada visa, out of Ghana's World Cup opener
Ghana's vice-captain Thomas Partey has been denied a Canadian visa and will miss Wednesday's World Cup opener against Panama. Canada's government refused the entry permit over ongoing rape allegations Partey faces in England.…
Türkiye fall 1–0 to Australia in World Cup opener
Türkiye's first World Cup match in 24 years ended in a 1–0 defeat to Australia in Group D. Nestory Irankunda scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute, a strike so good it drew instant praise from Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who said it would "change his whole world".…
Ismael Díaz laughs off Zlatan jab ahead of Ghana opener
Ismael Díaz has brushed off Zlatan Ibrahimović's dig at Panama, after the Swedish icon labeled Los Canaleros "punching bags" in World Cup Group L. Speaking to reporters, Díaz laughed off the remark: "I burst out laughing because, at the end of the day, it's Zlatan being Zlatan.…
Araujo a major doubt for Uruguay's World Cup opener
Ronald Araujo has travelled to Spain for treatment on a muscular injury and is a major doubt for Uruguay's opening World Cup match against Saudi Arabia. Medical staff believe the Barcelona centre-back could still feature later in the tournament, but his availability for the early group games is uncertain.…
Brazil held 1–1 by Morocco as Raphinha flags fitness concern
A frustrating night in Rabat. Brazil drew 1–1 with Morocco in what was meant to be a statement friendly ahead of the World Cup group stage.…
DR Congo arrive in the US for first World Cup since 1974
DR Congo have arrived in the United States ahead of their first World Cup appearance since 1974. The team touched down on Thursday after what Portuguese outlet CM Jornal described as a "long quarantine period" finally ending.…
Saliba fit and ready as France count down to Senegal opener
This is it. France kick off their World Cup against Senegal on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium, and the whole campaign rests on starting strong.…
Japan face Netherlands with Depay cleared and Verbruggen in goal
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman confirmed Memphis Depay is fit to face Japan and Bart Verbruggen will start in goal. "Dat ziet er goed uit," Koeman said at his final press conference before the match.…
Saibari stuns Brazil as Morocco open World Cup with 1–1 draw
Morocco opened their World Cup campaign with a 1–1 draw against Brazil in Group C. Ismael Saibari scored a spectacular goal that has immediately caught the eye of Bayern Munich scouts watching in the stadium.…
Scotland score again and Norway's 1998 ghost resurfaces
Scotland beat Haiti 1–0 on Saturday, and John McGinn's goal carries a strange bit of Norwegian history with it. The goal ended Scotland's 10,255-day World Cup goal drought, the previous one was scored by Craig Burley against Norway back in 1998.…
Jordan face Austria in historic World Cup debut
Jordan's World Cup debut arrives Tuesday, 16 June 2026, with a massive Group J clash against Austria. This is the match that could define your tournament, a result here keeps knockout stage hopes alive heading into the group finale.…
Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold cut from England World Cup squad
Thomas Tuchel has cut Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold from England's World Cup squad. No last-minute injury, no disciplinary issue, it's a pure tactical call from the manager who promised "round pegs in round holes".…
Debast stays, Lukaku skips the turf as Belgium settle in Seattle
Zeno Debast will not be replaced in Belgium's World Cup squad. Despite training individually as he works through his recovery, the centre-back remains a fixed part of the selection and made the trip to Seattle with the rest of the group.…
SVT blocked from Sweden's final training session before World Cup opener
Swedish public broadcaster SVT was denied access to the team's last training session before the World Cup opener against Tunisia. Reporters were turned away after the session was closed to media, a decision the federation says was made for sporting reasons.…
Switzerland drop two points after stoppage-time Qatar equaliser
Switzerland 1–1 Qatar. A cruel finish in the World Cup opener.…
Ecuador open World Cup against Ivory Coast with Beccacece's best XI expected
Ecuador begin their 2026 World Cup campaign Monday against Ivory Coast in a Group E clash that could define your path to the knockout stage. Both sides enter as dark horses in a group that also features Germany, making this a fixture where points are essential.…
Paraguay crushed 4–1 by USA in World Cup opener
A nightmare start. Paraguay fell 4–1 to hosts USA in their Group D opener on Thursday, leaving qualification hopes on life support after just one match.…
Larin gives Canada a point as Group B stays wide open
Canada kicked off their World Cup campaign on home soil with a 1–1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B. Cyle Larin got the goal that earned your team a point from the opening match.…
Vitinha: "We are candidates" as Portugal prepare for World Cup
Vitinha says Portugal are World Cup contenders, but insists the team must prove it where it matters. "We are candidates," the PSG midfielder said on Saturday, adding that Portugal must "demonstrate our quality on the pitch".…
Vini Jr. stunner saves Brazil as World Cup kicks into gear
Ronald Koeman junior wants his dad to play Virgil van Dijk as the right-sided centre-back when the Netherlands open their World Cup campaign. The younger Koeman believes the shift would get the best out of the Liverpool captain and give the Dutch backline more balance.…
McGinn goal ends Scotland's 36-year World Cup drought
Scotland have won a World Cup match for the first time since 1990. John McGinn's goal gave Steve Clarke's side a 1–0 victory over Haiti in their Group C opener in North Carolina.…
Haiti edged out 1–0 by Scotland in World Cup opener
Scotland beat Haiti 1–0 in their World Cup Group C opener at Levi's Stadium. John McGinn scored the only goal, giving Scotland their first World Cup finals win since 1990.…
Balogun hits two as USMNT crush Paraguay 4–1
That's the statement win you needed. Folarin Balogun scored twice as the USMNT rolled Paraguay 4–1 on Friday to open the World Cup on home soil in emphatic fashion.…
Germany kick off World Cup against Curaçao as Neuer and Musiala start
The World Cup opener is finally upon us. Germany face Curaçao at 19:00 CEST in the first Group Stage match, and Julian Nagelsmann has made his intentions clear: Manuel Neuer starts in goal, and Jamal Musiala is at the heart of the plan.…