The World Cup 2026 is almost upon us with just a day to go until the opening match in Mexico City – but England have been rocked by a Bukayo Saka injury worry on tournament eve.
Thomas Tuchel’s side conclude their preparations for the tournament with a friendly against Costa Rica in Florida tonight, and the England manager revealed he had concerns over Saka’s readiness to play a full part in the campaign as he manages an achilles issue. Saka, a presumed starter in Tuchel’s first-choice side, had to play through the pain to help Arsenal to Premier League triumph this year, but will he be able to do so again for England in North America?
Elsewhere, anticipation is building as co-hosts Mexico prepare to take on South Africa to kickstart the tournament, but the sorry saga of a Somali referee denied a visa to enter the United States rumbles on. The Trump administration has claimed that Omar Abdulkadir Artan was not allowed to enter the country because of links to “suspected members of terror organisations” after Fifa confirmed that he would not officiate at the tournament.
Follow all of the latest news and more with our live blog below:
World Cup 2026 - latest
- England reveal Bukayo Saka injury concern ahead of final warm-up fixture
- Thomas Tuchel's side take on Costa Rica in Florida this evening
- Protesters in Mexico City block the road to the Azteca Stadium, host of the opening game
- Trump administration claims Somali referee was denied entry over links to 'security threat'
- COMMENT: Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup
- World Cup 2026 full schedule
Mexican protesters block road to Azteca Stadium
13:19 , Luke Baker
The issues in the US are well-documented but fellow co-host Mexico is also dealing with problems.
Thousands of protesters blocked the road to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Tuesday for a number of hours.
There have been ongoing teacher protests in the Mexican capital and Tuesday’s demonstrations were led by a breakaway group of the CNTE union, demanding a salary raise and the reversal of a pension law.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has been unimpressed, calling protests a “provocation” but has resisted using force to disperse the demonstrations. “They want us to resort to repression in the lead-up to the World Cup,” Sheinbaum said last week. “We are not going to fall into the trap.”
A police blockade prevented the demonstrators from reaching the Azteca Stadium, where the opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa will be held on Thursday, and the protest died down after three hours or so.
What to expect in the opening ceremony
13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The tournament launches tomorrow with Mexico hosting the first of three (!) opening ceremonies in each of the trio of nations co-hosting this World Cup. They are normally spectacular, if somewhat strange, affairs.
When are the three World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies and who is performing?
World Cup kit rankings
13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The start of this World Cup will be dominated by the discussion over some heavier issues, but there is still time for something lighter. The battle between kit manufacturers can be fascinating as bigger brands look to cash in on a strong selling opportunity – our Lawrence Ostlere has ranked every kit at the tournament.
World Cup 2026 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated
How Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can still define World Cup 2026 despite their waning powers
12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
They are the figures that have defined a footballing generation, two all-time greats driving each other to almost unprecedented heights. But is this the end for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Their powers may be on the wane, Miguel Delaney writes, but they could still have a pivotal role to play over the next few weeks.
How Messi and Ronaldo can still define World Cup 2026 despite their waning powers
Why Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lionel Messi appeared to have the perfect World Cup ending four years ago – but he’s back for more in 2026, like a number of others of his generation. Richard Jolly examines why the old guard just can’t say goodbye.
Why Messi, Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
Lionel Messi’s passport details leaked in security blunder at pre-World Cup friendly
12:15 , Flo Clifford
Passport details for the entire Argentina team involved in a pre-World Cup friendly were accidentally leaked in an embarrassing security blunder just days before football’s summer showpiece kicks off.
Occasionally team sheets, issued by teams to match officials a little over an hour before kick-off, include passport numbers, but these are normally blurred out before being released to the media.
Not so when Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina faced Iceland on Tuesday, when the likes of Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez all had their passport numbers exposed in the official team sheet - which was then reproduced by several local media organisations.
Lionel Messi’s passport details leaked in World Cup security blunder
How Fifa lost control and made the World Cup a rip-off for fans
12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is much to worry about at this World Cup, but travelling fans have long been fretting about the sky-high prices for everything from tickets to transport. Miguel Delaney explains how this tournament became a rip-off.
How Fifa lost control and made the World Cup a rip-off for fans
Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero’s welcome
11:45 , Associated Press
A World Cup referee from Somalia, who was denied entry into the United States, received a hero's welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday, where he vowed to officiate at the next tournament and urged Somali youths to embrace national pride.
Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero’s welcome
Declan Rice named England vice-captain for World Cup by Thomas Tuchel
11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Declan Rice and the rest of the Arsenal contingent have now joined up with the England squad after their extended exertions at the end of a successful season for the club. The midfielder has a new role, too, assisting Harry Kane as official vice-captain.
Declan Rice named England vice-captain for World Cup by Thomas Tuchel
England World Cup 2026 squad in full
11:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Who are the 26 men that will bid to win England’s first World Cup for 60 years?
England World Cup 2026 squad in full unveiled
Paul Gascoigne hopes England can forge spirit of Italia '90 at 2026 World Cup
11:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Paul Gascoigne hopes Thomas Tuchel can achieve the same “unbelievable” team spirit as the England squad at the 1990 World Cup in their bid for glory during this year’s tournament.
The former midfielder was an integral part of Sir Bobby Robson’s team which reached the semi-finals in Italy before losing on penalties to eventual winners West Germany.
Only Gareth Southgate’s side in 2018 have reached the last-four stage in the intervening years as England aim to end 60 years of hurt in North America.
“You want 11 captains on the pitch and when you are playing in a game like that, at a World Cup, you cannot afford to carry anyone,” Gascoigne said on Good Morning Britain.
“Everyone has to be on the ball and the team spirit is important. The players that didn’t play, they were right behind the team, so our team spirit was unbelievable.”
Gary Lineker’s Netflix World Cup is underway — but his rival is not the BBC
10:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is a new role for Gary Lineker at this World Cup, with the former England striker freed up after his long stint with the BBC and partnering with Netflix to show The Rest is Football to a broader audience. Jamie Braidwood finds out the strategy behind a significant venture.
Gary Lineker’s Netflix World Cup is underway — but his rival is not the BBC
The France puzzle standing between Didier Deschamps and World Cup immortality
10:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
France, of course, have been in each of the last two World Cup finals and are more than decent contenders to go deep again. One puzzle stands in their way, though, according to senior football correspondent Richard Jolly:
The France puzzle standing between Didier Deschamps and World Cup immortality
Copa Independent
10:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Have you listened to Copa Independent yet? Our World Cup podcast will be bringing you all of the latest expert insight from on the ground throughout the tournament. Our big World Cup preview episode can be found below, or wherever you get your audio offerings.
World Cup 2026 predictions: Winner, golden boot, breakout star and more
10:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The squads are assembling across North America preparing to get underway, and we’ve put together our crack team. too, to come up with some predictions. Who will win the World Cup? How far will England and Scotland go? And what, if anything, are we actually looking forward to?
World Cup 2026 predictions: Winner, golden boot, breakout star and more
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups
10:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Yes, the action all gets underway in Mexico City tomorrow as the co-hosts welcome South Africa to the Estadio Azteca. Our handy guide to the tournament has the necessary information on each and every game from a frankly staggeringly large tournament, and is a useful reference point for those that wish not to get lost in the flood of football.
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups
Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup
09:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney landed in New York earlier this week ready to get his teeth stuck into another World Cup – though not particularly liking the taste. Here, he chronicles everything wrong with the tournament – so far...
Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry
09:35 , Kieran Jackson
Ian Wright has lambasted the “World Cup of chaos” after a Somali referee was denied entry to the United States in the last few days.
African official Omar Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport on Saturday by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to “vetting concerns.”
It is the latest saga in a build-up to a World Cup unlike any other. With three countries – Mexico and Canada are hosting alongside the US – and 48 teams, it is the biggest World Cup ever but also the most controversial, not least because for the first time, a competing nation in Iran is at war with a host, the United States.
Iran have also encountered visa issues, with several members of staff denied entry and the playing squad only given visas which allow them into the US on the day of their matches. Now, two days out from the tournament starting in Mexico City, ex-England star and pundit Wright has expressed his frustration on Instagram.
Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after referee denied entry
Iran fans and an African referee: All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
09:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It isn’t just Omar Abdulkadir Artan who has had issues entering the United States. Kieran Jackson explores all of those blocked from attending.
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Fifa and Gianni Infantino have questions to answer after the scandalous treatment of Omar Abdulkadir Artan
09:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Fifa’s role in the Omar Abdulkadir Artan situation does not, perhaps, reflect well on the organisation. Miguel Delaney explains why Gianni Infantino has questions to answer:
Fifa have questions to answer after the scandalous treatment of Omar Abdulkadir Artan
Trump administration says it denied entry to Somali referee over links to ‘terror organisation’ suspects
09:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Elsewhere, the sorry saga of the Somali referee denied entry to the United States rumbles on. The Trump administration has now claimed that Omar Abdulkadir Artan was a “national security threat”, Flo Clifford writes:
Trump admin says it denied entry to Somali referee over ‘national security’ threat
England prepare for final tune-up before World Cup
08:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
News of Saka’s potential setback is untimely for Thomas Tuchel as England prepare to face Costa Rica in Florida this evening. The manager might have hoped to get a look at his first-choice XI in action, which would surely have included the Arsenal forward – what now?
England will ‘physically push’ against Costa Rica says Thomas Tuchel
England reveal Bukayo Saka injury worry ahead of final warm-up friendly
08:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England conclude their preparations for the World Cup with a friendly against Costa Rica tonight – but Thomas Tuchel has revealed he has concerns over the fitness of Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal winger played through the pain for his club this season. Michael Jones has the details:
England taking caution to ‘build up’ Bukayo Saka claims Thomas Tuchel
Diogo Jota widow pens moving letter to Andy Robertson ahead of World Cup
08:00 , Mike Jones
Andy Robertson has pledged to carry Diogo Jota in his heart at the World Cup after receiving a moving letter from his former teammate’s widow.
Robertson said he “couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head” after helping seal a first World Cup appearance for Scotland back in November, revealing how much both had talked about going to a World Cup before his tragic death last July.
In a letter to Robertson published by Fifa, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota's three children, said: "Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football... and about dreams.
"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.
"When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
"By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone.
"You'll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won't just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
"So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.
England players enjoy ‘mint’ round of golf with five-time major winner at Florida World Cup camp
07:00 , Mike Jones
England captain Harry Kane and several teammates swapped the football pitch for the golf course last week, enjoying a round with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka during their World Cup training camp in Florida.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad arrived in West Palm Beach last Monday, enduring hot and humid conditions as they prepare for the tournament.
England stars enjoy ‘mint’ round of golf with five-time major winner in Florida camp
Shooting near England team’s World Cup base in Kansas City leaves nine with injuries
06:00 , Mike Jones
Multiple people were injured in a mass shooting that took place Saturday morning, nearly five miles from England’s World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri.
At least nine adults were taken to nearby hospitals after police responded to reports of shots fired on 79th Street and Troost Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday, police said. The intersection is roughly 4.6 miles from England’s base camp in Swope Soccer Village.
Nine injured in Kansas City shooting five miles from England’s World Cup base
How a Lucozade pouch is helping England’s stars to cope with the heat at the World Cup
05:00 , Mike Jones
England's national football team will use a new high-carbohydrate liquid pouch this summer, designed to help cope with the World Cup rigours this summer.
The Football Association has meticulously prepared for the tournament's unique stresses, including travel, time zones, heat, and humidity in North America.
The Lucozade pouch helping the England stars cope with the heat at the World Cup
Michel Platini files criminal complaint against Fifa president Gianni Infantino days before World Cup
04:00 , Mike Jones
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is the subject of a criminal complaint from his former boss at Uefa, Michel Platini, just days before the World Cup kicks off.
Former Uefa president Platini, one of the most gifted footballers of the 1970s and 1980s, had been favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA chief in 2016 until the launch of an ethics probe into a payment he received from Blatter in 2011.
Platini was banned for eight years by Fifa’s ethics committee in 2015 – a sanction which was later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Platini and Blatter also faced criminal proceedings regarding the payment, but both were acquitted by the Swiss federal criminal court in 2022 and then by the appeals court in 2025.
Now Platini has launched criminal and civil proceedings in the French courts over the matter, with Infantino one of the individuals named.
The criminal complaint, as confirmed by his lawyer Olivier Baratelli, alleges that Infantino and others “worked to exclude (Platini) from the race for the presidency of Fifa”. The complaint alleges that Infantino was the one “first and foremost” seeking to achieve this.
Neymar making progress in race to be fit for World Cup
03:00 , Mike Jones
Neymar’s World Cup hopes have been given a boost after Brazil announced he was making “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer was expected to be sidelined for between two to three weeks after scans last month revealed a grade two muscle tear.
The 34-year-old had a further scan on Monday and the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a brief statement: “The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters.
“He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”
Scotland branded ‘unprofessional’ and ‘weak’ after cancelling training match with Norway
02:00 , Mike Jones
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been branded "unprofessional" by his Norwegian counterpart, Stale Solbakken, following the abrupt cancellation of a planned training-ground friendly.
The fixture, intended for Monday, was called off by Scotland due to reported injuries within their squad, a decision that has sparked a strong rebuke from the Norwegian camp.
Scotland branded ‘unprofessional’ by Norway after disrupting World Cup preparations
The unique World Cup club that illuminates Edin Dzeko’s enduring quality
01:00 , Richard Jolly
A finisher has a different kind of finish on his mind. “Sometimes there is an end for all of us,” mused Edin Dzeko. “Maybe mine is coming soon.”
Dzeko has scored more than 450 goals and won almost 150 caps in a career that has taken him from his teenage years into his forties. He thought he would have been finished before now. His longevity has surprised even him.
The unique World Cup club that illuminates Edin Dzeko’s enduring quality
‘Totally undaunted’ and the world at his feet: Welcome to the era of Lamine Yamal
Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:00 , Miguel Delaney
Already, those around the Spain squad can sense the intent, the will to go for it. Lamine Yamal is described as "totally undaunted".
In his attempt to get fit for Spain's opening World Cup game against Cape Verde on 15 June, however, a special care has been necessary due to the nature of his recent injury from the end of April. A low-end grade two hamstring issue can be mercifully shorter than feared, but also carries a high risk of relapse if not properly managed.
‘Totally undaunted’ and the world at his feet: Welcome to the era of Lamine Yamal
More on Iran ticket allocation
Tuesday 9 June 2026 23:30 , Mike Jones
Iran were due to have eight percent of tickets allocated to its federation to distribute to fans, as every participating country gets under Fifa regulations.
However, the FFIRI is now claiming to have had this stripped from them just days before their Group G opener with New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Iran, who have already accused the US of “discriminatory behaviour” for denying visas to key members of staff, have denounced this as an “obstruction” of Iranian fans.
Iran claims World Cup ticket allocation withdrawn
Tuesday 9 June 2026 23:00 , Mike Jones
Iran's football federation (FFIRI) has said its ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before tournament kicks off.
This leaves supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches.
"This is despite the fact that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches," the FFIRI added in a statement.
Why will England's Djed Spence wear a protective mask at the World Cup?
Tuesday 9 June 2026 22:30 , Mike Jones
England defender Djed Spence will take to the World Cup wearing a protective mask after sustaining a broken jaw last month.
The Tottenham defender suffered the injury during a Premier League clash following a collision with Chelsea striker Liam Delap, and has already donned the facial protection in his club's final match of the season against Everton.
"It's a little bit uncomfortable but it is what it is," he said. "I've got a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament. It's something I will have to get used to. It'll be three months until it's fully healed, so it's a long time.
"It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw. So I was all good.”
England camp hit with earthquake
Tuesday 9 June 2026 22:00 , Mike Jones
England have been rocked by an earthquake in their current training camp of West Palm Beach, a day before their final World Cup warm-up clash against Costa Rica.
The 6.1-magnitude quake - the strongest in the region for 150 years - originated off the west coast of Cuba but was felt across Florida’s Flagler County, with tremors experienced in Orlando and Miami.
Several buildings across these cities were evacuated as they began shaking due to the dramatic natural event.
National Weather Service has confirmed there is no risk of a tsunami to the US.
African referee denied entry into the United States by border control
Tuesday 9 June 2026 21:30 , Mike Jones
A Somali referee chosen to officiate at the World Cup has been denied entry into the United States.
Omar Artan was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon his arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.
CBP confirmed on Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry.
African World Cup referee denied entry into the United States by border control
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups
Tuesday 9 June 2026 21:00 , Mike Jones
The 2026 World Cup kicks off this week with a new format for Fifa’s giant 48-team tournament.
With the final squads being named, teams will now prepare for their first group stage games in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Excitement is building and history will be made, as players carve out their own legacies to join some of the greatest footballers in Fifa World Cup history.
There will be 104 matches, up 40 since Qatar World Cup 2022, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
Here’s how the tournament will unfold across 39 action-packed days
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups
Why Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
Tuesday 9 June 2026 20:28 , Richard Jolly
It seemed the perfect goodbye. Lionel Messi had scored two goals in a World Cup final, a third in the shootout. He had emulated Diego Maradona by lifting the World Cup as Argentina captain. He had been named player of the tournament and man of the match in the final. He had completed football.
It looked a decidedly imperfect goodbye. The supposed GOAT was reduced to the status of Portugal’s 12th man; or 13th, given that a substitute came on at the same time as Joao Cancelo. Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped for the knockout stages, seeing his replacement Goncalo Ramos score a hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing by Switzerland and being unable to rescue Portugal as they went out 1-0 to Morocco. He had become the first man ever to score in five World Cups, but none of those goals were in the knockout stages. Messi’s eventual triumph seemed to end an argument about which of them was the greatest; only Ronaldo fanboys could disagree now.
Why Messi, Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 20:08 , Mike Jones
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Haiti fans
In addition to Iran, citizens from Haiti face full entry bans to the United States, while Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions.
In addition, countries like Uzbekistan and Ecudaor suffer from US visa rejection rates around the 40% mark, making it extremely difficult for fans of these countries to commit to attending matches in the United States.
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 19:51 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
English LGBTQ+ fans
Not an official matter of US policy, but England’s official LGTBQ+ supporters group – Three Lions Pride (3LP) – revealed in January that they would not be a visible presence in the United States this summer.
A statement detailed that the “dangerous rollback of human rights” in the US has deterred fans from attending. The 3LP has around 350 members and regularly attends matches.
"This is a tournament that had so much promise," 3LP said in their statement.
"That hope, that optimism, is well and truly shattered. As a group, we are no longer surprised by hollow platitudes from FIFA nor are we shocked at having a major tournament that disregards the safety, security or wellbeing of fans."
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 19:34 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Iraq personnel
Iraq, who are in a group alongside France, Senegal and Norway, have been impacted by the suspension of US consular services in the country – a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
For those with the right paperwork, some found the US border an arduous process. The team’s photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry and detained for more than 10 hours after a search of his phone.
As for 30-year-old striker Aymen Hussein, he was allowed in but only after being questioned for nearly seven hours in Chicago.
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 19:17 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Breel Embolo
The star Switzerland forward, who has 24 goals in 86 international caps, joined his teammates late in camp in the United States after encountering problems with his US entry visa.
It is believed to be related to a 2018 altercation in Basel, for which US authorities requested additional checks. The Swiss Football Federation stated that officials sought documents after Embolo was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats. He was handed a suspended fine.
Embolo attended an appointment at the US embassy in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, last Wednesday before his visa was approved.
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 18:57 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Iran team
Having already changed their base from Arizona to the Mexican city of Tijuana, directly across the border from San Diego, the Iranian squad have already encountered visa issues.
The playing squad will, according to the country’s ambassador to Mexico, only be allowed into the US on the day of their group games before departing immediately after full-time. Los Angeles, venue for their first two matches, is only a 30-minute flight from Tijuana but Seattle, where they face Egypt in the ‘World Cup pride match’, is around three hours on a plane.
Fifa’s World Cup rules dictate that every team is expected to travel the day before each match, attending a press conference at the stadium, as well as having the opportunity to train at the stadium. Iran will seemingly be unable to fulfil these duties.
In addition, 15 officials and staff were denied visas to the United States. “We are upset about this behaviour”, said Amir Ghalenoei, Iran’s head coach. “It has certainly never happened before.” The staff members were labelled “integral” by the country’s football federation.
The US State Department claimed that the “visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup” had been issued, adding: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 18:40 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Omar Abdulkadir Artan
The Somalian referee, who has officiated at the African Cup of Nations, was one of 52 referees for this summer’s tournament. However, over the weekend, after flying into Miami International Airport from Turkey, he was refused entry into the United States by CBP due to unspecified “vetting concerns.”
Artan has revealed he was subject to an 11-hour immigration interview and, speaking to the New York Times, maintained he held the “right papers” and “right visa.”
"I am very, very disappointed,” he said. "I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream – the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."
Fifa, for their part, distanced themselves from the decision. A statement read: "Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present."
Somalia’s prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire has bemoaned the call, adding: “I remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Football is at its best when it brings people together and celebrates merit, inclusion, and opportunity.”
All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 18:21 , Kieran Jackson
The list of people and groups impacted by Donald Trump’s administration from entering the United States for the World Cup is ever-growing – and set to rise as the tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday.
Here’s a list of all the people impacted by the United States’ strict border requirements:
Iran supporters
The latest news on Tuesday is that Iran is claiming its fan ticket allocation has been revoked – just one week before their first match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
The country’s football federation (FFIRI) states that it is a decision which will “sabotage the presence of Iranian fans”, with many who have already made travel plans now unable to attend their team’s matches, two of which are in Los Angeles, with one in Seattle.
Under Fifa regulations, each country receives eight per cent of tickets for each match allocated to its federation and their fans.
Iran said the move was “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries.”
Inevitably, that’s not been the only issue concerning Iran and the World Cup.
The Curacao blueprint and how Guyana are targeting a similar World Cup miracle
Tuesday 9 June 2026 18:01 , Will Castle
Curacao, the tiny Caribbean outpost with a population less than Middlesbrough, have found their way to football’s top table. Away from the greed, the cost and the wars, their anticipated debut has been one of the sparingly few pre-tournament stories that epitomise what the World Cup should represent.
It is a national miracle that they find themselves here but also a regional rarity; they are one of just five nations to ever represent the Caribbean on football’s biggest stage. That now looks to be changing.
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has created new opportunity for international minnows to compete at a level that once looked impossible to reach. Those at the top may feel Fifa have made the tournament too big for their own good, diluting the quality. But there’s an argument for the opposite; with new doors now opened, smaller footballing nations are crucially now seeing a greater justification to invest in the development of the game from the ground up.
The Curacao blueprint and how Guyana are targeting a similar World Cup miracle
How to watch every World Cup game on TV
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:51 , Will Castle
The biggest World Cup ever has arrived, with 104 games set to take place over the next five weeks, as the US, Canada and Mexico host football’s most-prestigious competition.
Fans in the UK will naturally be keen to follow England and Scotland’s progress at the tournament, but every single game in the competition will be available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers – meaning you can watch more than just the Three Lions’ and Tartan Army’s endeavours.
Of course, you do have to factor in the time difference, with the kinder kick-off times including slots at 6pm BST and 8pm BST, while there are games throughout the night for UK viewers.
Here’s how you can watch every game at the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland:
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every game on BBC and ITV in the UK
Interview: How Graham Potter led Sweden to the World Cup: ‘It was the best night of my career’
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:41 , Will Castle
A few minutes after the final whistle blew on the play-off final, euphoria still coursing through his veins, Sweden manager Graham Potter gathered his players around him. “Look at this, this is a f*****g team,” he said, pointing at them, before breaking into a broad grin. “And we’re going to the f*****g World Cup, baby!”
Perhaps it was just a throw away line while high on football’s most potent drug, the World Cup. But Potter’s choice of words offered an insight into the unique task of being an international manager, particularly his task. The Swedish FA gave him one job: ‘Get us to the World Cup’. Potter had four months to prepare for two play-off games. And in reality, once he got the players together, he had about 48 hours until kick-off. There was no time to design complex build-up patterns or pressing structures or set-piece routines. His sole task was to build “a f*****g team”.
“You haven’t got the time to develop ideas,” Potter says. He is sitting in the swish London offices of his management company just a few days before setting off for the World Cup, and during an hour-long conversation he is in cheerful mood, laughing heartily, swearing liberally and making jokes at his own expense.
“The reality is that you have two days to prepare for a game. It doesn’t matter what you think or your ideas. What matters is getting the players on the pitch that have the best chance of winning a game of football … so then it becomes really simple. There’s not too much else to think about. It’s just about how we can win those games. I think the mistake would be to say, ‘I want to play this way because this is my playing style and this is what I want to do.’ Yes, but I’ve got two days to implement it, so what are the chances of that?”
How Graham Potter led Sweden to the World Cup: ‘It was the best night of my career’
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: ‘The ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhere’
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:31 , Miguel Delaney
If Gianni Infantino is unlikely to now tell us how he feels before this World Cup, we can see how he is when he’s in Donald Trump’s presence.
The Fifa president looks excited. The hand is often extended from the heart, in that classic gesture of the evangelising Blair-like statesman. Trump smiles on, two leaders together. Those who have been close to such meetings say it is a mix of “fawning and adoration” from Infantino, which is also why there is increasing disquiet among numerous senior Fifa figures. They don’t like how this has been going.
The relationship is one of a few areas where even someone as brazen as Infantino might now be caught in a bind.
Trump weighs over this entire World Cup. One ad hoc decision can cause chaos. One impulsive social media post can cause commotion.
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: ‘The ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhere’
WATCH: How to win the World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:21 , Will Castle
Prediction time
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:11 , Will Castle
Who will win the World Cup? Who will be the breakout star? And how far will England and Scotland?
Here, Indy Sport’s writers have compiled our predictions for the 2026 World Cup...
World Cup 2026 predictions: Winner, golden boot, breakout star and more
Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:02 , Will Castle
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.
“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told the New York Times in a telephone interview from Istanbul, where he was flown to after being turned away. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa.”
He added that he had also showed documentation from Fifa as well as photographs of his career of over a decade as a professional referee.
England camp rocked by earthquake ahead of World Cup warm-up in Orlando
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:01 , Will Castle
England have been rocked by an earthquake in their current training camp in West Palm Beach, a day before their final World Cup warm-up clash against Costa Rica.
The 6.1-magnitude quake – the strongest in the region for 150 years – originated off the west coast of Cuba, but it was felt across Florida’s Flagler County, with tremors experienced in Orlando and Miami.
Several buildings across these cities were evacuated as they began shaking due to the dramatic natural event.
England camp rocked by earthquake ahead of World Cup warm-up in Orlando
Diogo Jota’s widow pens moving letter to Andy Robertson ahead of World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:51 , Will Castle
Diogo Jota’s widow has urged Andy Robertson to live the World Cup dream of his former Liverpool team-mate in a moving letter to the Scotland captain.
In a letter to Robertson published by Fifa, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said: “I am writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and, above all, pride.
“Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football… and about dreams.
“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.
“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone. You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out, Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.
“That’s how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”
Diogo Jota’s widow pens moving letter to Andy Robertson ahead of World Cup
Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:41 , Will Castle
Ian Wright has lambasted the “World Cup of chaos” after a Somali referee was denied entry to the United States in the last few days.
"I've just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it's another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs," said Wright, who will be working on the World Cup for ITV this summer.
"You know something: I'm laughing but it's not funny, it's actually not funny and something has to be said.
"The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
"Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave?
"Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?
"You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
"This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.
"I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup."
Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after referee denied entry
Why Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:31 , Richard Jolly
It seemed the perfect goodbye. Lionel Messi had scored two goals in a World Cup final, a third in the shootout. He had emulated Diego Maradona by lifting the World Cup as Argentina captain. He had been named player of the tournament and man of the match in the final. He had completed football.
It looked a decidedly imperfect goodbye. The supposed GOAT was reduced to the status of Portugal’s 12th man; or 13th, given that a substitute came on at the same time as Joao Cancelo. Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped for the knockout stages, seeing his replacement Goncalo Ramos score a hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing by Switzerland and being unable to rescue Portugal as they went out 1-0 to Morocco. He had become the first man ever to score in five World Cups, but none of those goals were in the knockout stages. Messi’s eventual triumph seemed to end an argument about which of them was the greatest; only Ronaldo fanboys could disagree now.
And yet, four years later, they are back, each set for a sixth World Cup. The Argentinian will turn 39 during the tournament. The Portuguese is already 41. But the United States has been a gerontocracy of late, its two oldest presidents being the two most recent. Now the aged will not just be found in the corridors of power, but on the footballing fields.
Why Messi, Ronaldo and the rest of the World Cup’s old guard just can’t say goodbye
Gianni Infantino hit with criminal complaint days before start of World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:21 , Will Castle
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is the subject of a criminal complaint from his former boss at Uefa, Michel Platini, just days before the World Cup kicks off.
Former Uefa president Platini, one of the most gifted footballers of the 1970s and 1980s, had been favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as Fifa chief in 2016 until the launch of an ethics probe into a payment he received from Blatter in 2011.
Platini was banned for eight years by Fifa’s ethics committee in 2015 – a sanction which was later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Platini and Blatter also faced criminal proceedings regarding the payment, but both were acquitted by the Swiss federal criminal court in 2022 and then by the appeals court in 2025.
Now Platini has launched criminal and civil proceedings in the French courts over the matter, with Infantino one of the individuals named.
The criminal complaint, as confirmed by his lawyer Olivier Baratelli, alleges that Infantino and others “worked to exclude (Platini) from the race for the presidency of Fifa”.
Gianni Infantino hit with criminal complaint days before start of World Cup
ITV pundits and presenters for World Cup 2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:11 , Will Castle
Pundits
Roy Keane
Ian Wright
Gary Neville
Patrick Vieira
Karen Carney
Ange Postecoglou
Juan Mata
Emma Hayes
Duncan Ferguson
Jobi McAnuff
Bradley Wright-Phillips
Christina Unkel
Presenters
Mark Pougatch
Laura Woods
Semra Hunter
Daniyal Khan
BBC pundits and presenters for World Cup 2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:01 , Will Castle
Pundits
Alan Shearer
Wayne Rooney
Micah Richards
Joe Hart
Paul Robinson
Steph Houghton
Ellen White
Danny Murphy
Scott Brown
Rachel Corsie
James McFadden
Olivier Giroud
Gael Clichy
Cesar Azpilicueta
Benni McCarthy
Ashley Williams
Thomas Frank
Darren Cann
Presenters
Kelly Cates
Mark Chapman
Gabby Logan
Alex Scott
Kelly Somers
Eilidh Barbour
World Cup 2026 stadiums: Every venue at this summer’s tournament
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:51 , Will Castle
The World Cup gets under way next week, using 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Here, we look at the venues that will stage the 104 matches this summer:
World Cup 2026 stadiums: Every venue at this summer’s tournament
Claudia Sheinbaum closes schools for day of first Mexico game
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:41 , Will Castle
Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a decree for widespread remote working and school closures on the day of the country’s first World Cup game this Thursday.
The measures aim to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety in Mexico City as the capital anticipates a significant influx of visitors.
Federal employees are mandated to work from home, though essential services such as healthcare, security, critical infrastructure, and World Cup operations are exempt.
All educational institutions, from nursery through to university, both public and private, will close for the day under the decree.
Private businesses have also been urged to adopt similar flexible working arrangements to support urban mobility.
Comment: Fifa and Gianni Infantino have questions to answer after the scandalous treatment of Omar Abdulkadir Artan
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:31 , Miguel Delaney
At the core of the 2026 World Cup’s most telling controversy so far, it’s too easy to forget the human cost.
Celebrated referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has had “the biggest dream of my life” destroyed at point of entry, after years of working to get here. That he would have been the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup adds an extra element of poignancy, especially with the way Fifa talks about its work for African football.
Many Iranian staff meanwhile don’t get to stand with their players at an emotionally testing moment for the team, having also been denied entry. Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was made to go through the ordeal of hours of questioning on his arrival in Chicago, as the Senegal and Uzbekistan teams went through the humiliation of tarmac security checks. And all this before scores of fans get here, amid a related story of how Iranian fans had ticket allocations revoked.
Again, it’s easy to forget that this is a mere football competition that countries actively want to host because of its virtue as a genuine global party. Such stories just don’t make it feel like that, and it should be constantly stressed that the tournament has never seen anything like this before.
Fifa have questions to answer after the scandalous treatment of Omar Abdulkadir Artan
World Cup 2026 Group J guide: Favourites Argentina begin title defence as Jordan debut
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:21 , Flo Clifford
Reigning champions Argentina begin their World Cup title defence with a favourable draw in Group J, where they are joined by Algeria, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan.
Lionel Messi - who was hit with a late injury scare at the worst possible time - returns for his sixth World Cup and remains the key figure in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side, who are among the favourites to triumph in North America this summer and join Italy and Germany as four-time winners.
Austria and Algeria are three places apart in the Fifa rankings and provide an intriguing battle for the second qualifying spot from this group, while minnows Jordan, taking part for the first time, will be hopeful they can spring a surprise or two.
World Cup 2026 Group J teams, fixtures and tournament venues
South Africa coach Hugo Broos recalls Mexico 86
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:10 , Flo Clifford
South Africa coach Hugo Broos has recalled his experience of Mexico ‘86, when his Belgium side played at the Azteca Stadium in their first game before going on to reach the semi-finals.
The 74-year-old will retire at the end of the tournament and will enjoy another experience at the Azteca, with South Africa playing Mexico there in their opening game on Thursday.
He said: “It was a fantastic event and something I will never forget, 40 years ago when we played our opening game against Mexico. That was when I felt how special the World Cup is. I was so happy as a player, motivated and excited. Now I am back here 40 years later, it is amazing it happened. Again I am excited.
“It will be a special and fantastic experience for us because many of my players have never played football in a situation like this before. It will be very important for us to stick to the game plan and not pay attention to what is happening in the stands.”
Why England’s Djed Spence will have to wear protective mask for World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:00 , Flo Clifford
England full-back Djed Spence has revealed he will play the entire World Cup in a mask as his broken jaw sustained in a “crazy challenge” will take three months to heal.
The versatile 25-year-old got the nod for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of fellow left-backs Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw following a topsy-turvy club campaign.
The full-back had to wear a protective mask in the season finale against Everton, having suffered a broken jaw five days earlier in a challenge with Chelsea striker Liam Delap, a blow he has to manage through the World Cup.
Why England’s Djed Spence will have to wear protective mask for World Cup
Donavon: 'This is going to be the biggest sporting event in the history of the planet'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:48 , Flo Clifford
Ex-United States captain Landon Donovan has told Reuters this World Cup is “the biggest sporting event in the history of the planet” and urged fans to watch however they could despite concerns over extortionate ticket prices.
“This is going to be the biggest sporting event in the history of the planet,” he said. “It is truly once in a lifetime.
“In this country, we're not just players, we're ambassadors and we're trying to grow the sport.”
He also said he would expect the team to win their group (the USA face Paraguay, Australia, Turkey in Group D). “For our team, the expectations are you have to get out of the group.
“I think in this case, a home World Cup with a very favourable group, the expectation should be that we win the group. When you win the group you allow yourself a much easier path to get a deep run into the tournament.”
Fabio Cannavaro questions US security measures
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:41 , Flo Clifford
Former World Cup winner and Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro has called into question security measures at stadia after his team were subject to stringent checks.
Cannavaro said “only” his team experienced the checks as sniffer dogs were deployed and the players, their luggage and a tactics board were all scanned as they arrived at the Icahn Stadium in New York for a friendly against the Netherlands held behind closed doors.
“They said to me these are the rules," Cannavaro said. “But in the end the check was only for us.”
Somali officials slam Trump administration decision to ban referee Omar Artan
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:32 , Flo Clifford
Somalia’s sports ministry has called for “the entire football community” to support Omar Artan after the referee was refused entry into the US.
Artan, who has been a Fifa referee since 2018 and was named Africa’s best referee last year, was denied entry into the country as part of a broad travel ban imposed by the Trump administration on Somalia.
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, said in a statement shared by Agence France-Presse: “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community.
“Denying him entry to the US and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.”
American interest in football skyrockets
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:24 , Will Castle
North America's football fanbase has grown by 10.9 per cent over the past five years, now exceeding 136m people, a new Nielsen report reveals.
This significant surge in interest comes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The study, covering audience trends across the three host nations, found that Lionel Messi’s debut for Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup was a major catalyst, driving a 173 per cent leap in linear viewership compared with the tournament average.
The United States alone boasts the world's fourth-largest football fanbase, with 62.5 million followers, according to the report.
A Fifa spokesperson commented on the findings, stating: "Nielsen’s new report illustrates the profound and measurable surge in popularity of soccer in North America, reinforcing the decision to host the Fifa World Cup 2026 across the continent."
EAFC simulate World Cup to predict winner - after getting last four right
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:16 , Will Castle
EAFC has simulated the World Cup, as they do every year, to predict who will win on the grandest footballing stage of them all.
The game has been spot on for the last four previous editions, correctly predicting that Spain would win in 2010, Germany in 2014, France in 2018, and Argentina in 2022.
It’s a good omen to have the backing of the EA pixels, and this time they have predicted... Spain to win!
Time to get engraving...
We've predicted four in a row. Now we've run the sim again.
— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) June 6, 2026
The next champion? 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/aNRQYVB1v1
Emile Heskey tells England players to 'drink in' World Cup despite pressure of expectation
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:08 , Will Castle
Emile Heskey has urged England’s players not to let the experience of playing at a World Cup pass them by amid expectation and pressure to perform.
“My advice to the England squad would be to enjoy participating at a World Cup,” Heskey told Grosvenor Casinos. “Seize the moment; it’s not every day you’re granted the opportunity to represent your country, especially at the biggest tournament in the world.
"Don’t let anything pass you by and take it all in, because you never know whether you’ll experience something similar again in your career. These players would’ve dreamed of playing for England in this tournament, and now that they’re finally there, they should drink it in.”
WATCH: Five World Cup rule changes you need to know
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:00 , Miguel Delaney
World Cup opening ceremonies: United States
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:52 , Will Castle
Finally to Los Angeles, where the United States will put on the third and final World Cup opening ceremony. Getting started at 12:30am BST on Saturday 13 June before the US’ clash with Paraguay, the spectacle will be staged at the SoFi Stadium - the newest stadium being used at this summer’s tournament.
International pop star Katy Perry will headline in her home state, joined by rapper Future.
Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.
The US has a history of memorable moments when it comes to World Cup opening ceremonies, including Diana Ross's famous missed penalty ahead of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.
World Cup opening ceremonies: Canada
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:44 , Will Castle
Canada will then take the spotlight for their opening ceremony in Toronto, kicking off at 6:30pm BST on Friday 12 June at BMO Field ahead of the host nation’s clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Leading the line-up is none other than Canadian icon Michael Buble, with the likes of Alessia Cara and Alanis Morissette among the other featured performers.
Palestinian singer Elyanna will also perform while French artist Vegedream, who is best known for his the timeless anthem “Ramenez la coupe a la maison” which celebrated France’s World Cup win in 2018.
Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy and William Prince are also on the bill.
World Cup opening ceremonies: Mexico
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:36 , Will Castle
Mexico will get World Cup proceedings underway with their opening ceremony at 6:30pm BST on Thursday 11 June in Mexico City.
Held at Mexico City Stadium, better known worldwide as the Estadio Azteca, the ceremony will take place ahead of the Group A clash between Mexico and South Africa, a repeat of the clash that rose the curtain on the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.
Shakira and Burna Boy are poised to headline the spectacle, performing the official tournament song, Dai Dai.
Additional performers include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla.
Why are three opening ceremonies taking place?
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:28 , Will Castle
This year’s World Cup finals are the first to be hosted by multiple countries, with the United States, Canada and Mexico all staging the competition, boasting the elusive element of home advantage for football’s greatest showpiece.
Three host nations means three separate opening ceremonies for each of their opening games, as is traditionally done, with the trio roping in A-list artists and other performers to set the tone for the biggest event on the football calendar.
These three elaborate productions are being orchestrated by Italian producer Marco Balich, renowned for his work on this year’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Let’s run you through who’s performing at each...
Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:26 , Will Castle
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.
“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told the New York Times in a telephone interview from Istanbul, where he was flown to after being turned away. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa.”
He added that he had also showed documentation from Fifa as well as photographs of his career of over a decade as a professional referee.
Scotland's World Cup group guide: Group C
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:12 , Will Castle
Are you all ready to party like it’s 1998? Scotland’s men are making their long-awaited return to a World Cup and the Tartan Army will be reunited with two of their group stage opponents from 28 years ago in Brazil and Morocco. Fancy that.
Haiti also join the fun and will be making just their second World Cup appearance, as well as their first since 1974. The Caribbean nation are first up for Steve Clark’s side, whose hopes of becoming the first Scotland team to advance from a group stage of a major tournament could rest on that opening clash in Foxborough. Ooft.
Group C, after all, is the only pool at this expanded World Cup to feature two top-10 nations in Brazil, the record five-time champions, and Morocco, the (massive asterisk) African champions and World Cup semi-finalists from four years ago. It’s a belter of a group.
Here’s everything you need to know about Scotland’s group:
World Cup 2026 – Group C guide: Scotland’s return sparks Brazil and Morocco nostalgia
England's World Cup group guide: Group L
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:04 , Will Castle
England reside is Group L at this summer’s finals and Thomas Tuchel will hope to steer them safely into the knockouts, preserving as much energy as possible for the challenges ahead.
An opening game against 2018 runners-up Croatia will set the tone for this group and in a rematch of that memorable World Cup semi-final eight years ago, the Three Lions will be eager for a different result. If they repeat the 6-1 victory over Panama from the group stage of that edition in Russia though, they’ll be more than satisfied.
This Panama team look like a tougher nut than their predecessors but, conversely, Ghana are not the same force they were when only the hand of Luis Suarez denied them a semi-final spot in 2010. There is value in winning Group L, given that the runners-up would likely be on a collision course with tournament favourites Spain in the last 16.
Here’s everything you need to know about England’s group:
World Cup 2026 – Group L guide: England face familiar foes and troubled Ghana
The 50 greatest players in World Cup history
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:56 , Will Castle
It is the ultimate list of footballing greats, based solely on their displays in the most prestigious tournament on the planet. Star players the world over can perform for their club – but who are those who have shone brightest for their nation in the history of the men’s Fifa World Cup?
Indy Sport’s writers put our heads together to come up the tournament’s top-50 players of all time:
Pele, Maradona or Messi at No 1? The 50 greatest players in World Cup history
Full story: Iran says entire ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:48 , Will Castle
In case you missed it, here’s the big story of the day so far.
Iran's football federation (FFIRI) have claimed that its ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before football's global showpiece kicks off.
This leaves supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches, with the FFIRI calling it a decision “to sabotage the presence of Iranian fans” at the tournament.
“This is despite the fact that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches,” it added in a statement.
It said the move was “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries”.
Iran says entire ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament
World Cup Insider: Get a matchday briefing from our writers in the US, Canada and Mexico
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:40 , Will Castle
Keeping up with everything that matters at this World Cup, the biggest in history and first to be staged across three countries, will be a challenge.
That's where our World Cup Insider newsletter comes in.
Landing in your inbox every morning throughout the tournament, World Cup Insider is your essential guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Designed to cut through the noise, it brings together the key stories, standout moments and expert analysis you need to stay on top of the action.
World Cup Insider: Get a matchday briefing from our football writers
Disney World trip helps England defender Dan Burn prepare for the World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:32 , Will Castle
England defender Dan Burn revealed an unconventional secret to his World Cup preparation: a family holiday to Disney World.
He got a taste of the searing heat during his Disney adventure, which meant he wasn’t finished off by the harsh conditions in England’s warm-up with New Zealand.
"I didn’t notice (the heat) that much, if I am being honest,” he said. “I have been here a week before, I did Disney with the kids because I wanted to get a bit of a head start. Honestly, I think that helped. Don’t get us wrong, it wasn’t like a Saturday afternoon in Newcastle, but I felt a lot better than I was expecting to."
Burn, who enthusiastically endorsed ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ as the top ride at Disney, was among several players who travelled across the Atlantic early to gain an advantage.
US wastewater will be screened for disease outbreaks during World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:24 , Will Castle
A specialised public health team is gearing up for a surveillance mission at the World Cup this summer, sifting through sewage and social media to safeguard against severe illness.
A public health squad based in Washington DC, plans to meticulously monitor wastewater and internet chatter. Their objective is to detect and track infectious diseases should they emerge in any of the US or Canadian cities hosting World Cup players, matches, and the anticipated millions of spectators.
US wastewater will be screened for disease outbreaks during World Cup
Referees for opening game revealed
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:16 , Will Castle
Wilton Sampaio will officiate the opening match of the Fifa World Cup between Mexico and South Africa as part of an all-Brazilian line-up.
Sampaio will be joined by compatriots Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia serving as his assistants in the Mexico City curtain-raiser.
Sampaio previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was part of the VAR team when it debuted at the 2018 edition in Russia.
The Curacao blueprint and how Guyana are targeting a similar World Cup miracle
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:08 , Will Castle
Curacao, the tiny Caribbean outpost with a population less than Middlesbrough, have found their way to football’s top table. Away from the greed, the cost and the wars, their anticipated debut has been one of the sparingly few pre-tournament stories that epitomise what the World Cup should represent.
It is a national miracle that they find themselves here but also a regional rarity; they are one of just five nations to ever represent the Caribbean on football’s biggest stage. That now looks to be changing.
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has created new opportunity for international minnows to compete at a level that once looked impossible to reach. Those at the top may feel Fifa have made the tournament too big for their own good, diluting the quality. But there’s an argument for the opposite; with new doors now opened, smaller footballing nations are crucially now seeing a greater justification to invest in the development of the game from the ground up.
The Curacao blueprint and how Guyana are targeting a similar World Cup miracle
Somalia prime minister fumes after referee denied entry
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:00 , Will Castle
Somalia prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire has bemoaned the decision to refuse referee Omar Artan entry into the United States for the World Cup.
“I am deeply disappointed by the news that Omar Artan, Africa’s finest referee and one of the best in the world, may be unable to officiate at the Fifa World Cup due to visa-related circumstances,” he said.
“Omar has earned his place through talent, hard work, professionalism, and integrity. Having officiated at the highest levels of African and international football, his credentials speak for themselves.
“He represents not only Somalia, but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans who believe excellence should be recognized on the world stage.
“I remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Football is at its best when it brings people together and celebrates merit, inclusion, and opportunity.
“Omar, Africa and the world stand with you.”
World Cup 2026 fantasy football: 54 players and hidden gems to target
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:52 , Jamie Braidwood
A 48-team tournament means the World Cup’s fantasy football game is bigger than ever, with over 1,200 players available for selection before the group phase.
Does that mean almost everyone will still have at least two of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in their line-ups? Yes, yes it does - but it will take more than that to build a winning 15-man squad.
Here are 54 players you should look out for when building your dream team:
World Cup 2026 fantasy football: 54 players and hidden gems to target
How far will England get this summer?
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:44 , Will Castle
Boyle Sports have done a survey to see how far England fans think Thomas Tuchel’s side can go at the World Cup:
- 16 per cent think they’ll win the World Cup
- 27 per cent think they’ll reach the final
- 30 per cent think they'll only make it as far as the quarters
England fans believe the two last Euros in 2020 and 2024 were the Three Lions’ best chance to win a major title, with the strength of other teams and player form the biggest concerns this summer.
Ian Wright fumes over 'World Cup of chaos'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:36 , Will Castle
Ian Wright has taken to Instagram to vent his frustrations about the constant “chaos” surrounding this World Cup - we’re with you, Ian...
Lamine Yamal ‘on track’ for Spain’s World Cup opener
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:28 , Will Castle
Lamine Yamal is on track to feature in Spain’s opening World Cup fixture against Cape Verde on 15 June as he ramps up his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Yamal, alongside fellow injured players Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, was omitted from Spain’s squad for their final pre-World Cup friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico. However, De la Fuente reassured reporters about their progress.
"All three are on track to be fit to play on the 15th. We do not know how many minutes they will be able to play," he stated.
"But Lamine’s injury was different from Nico and Victor. Each player will have their own recovery process and timeline.
However, the most important thing is that, within the timeframe we had planned, the 15th is achievable and will be met, so that they are with us and are available to be selected at some point during the opening game."
How a Lucozade pouch is helping England’s stars to cope with the heat at the World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:20 , Will Castle
England's national football team will use a new high-carbohydrate liquid pouch this summer, designed to help cope with the World Cup rigours this summer.
The Football Association has meticulously prepared for the tournament's unique stresses, including travel, time zones, heat, and humidity in North America.
This groundwork involved England’s performance nutritionists collaborating with sports drinks partner Lucozade’s research and development team to develop a product for hydration, fuelling, and recovery in North America.
Lucozade Elite, a high-carbohydrate electrolyte solution, is being used by Thomas Tuchel’s side at the World Cup. It is not commercially available, having been exclusively developed for use by the national teams.
The Lucozade pouch helping the England stars cope with the heat at the World Cup
John McGinn hopes the recent rise in murals featuring star Scotland players will inspire the next generation.
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:12 , Will Castle
John McGinn hopes the recent rise in murals featuring star Scotland players will inspire the next generation.
McGinn said: “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen that with Scottish players.
“It puts a smile on my face to see the excitement of children again.
“It’s amazing that they’ve got people to look up to from their own country, who are on the world’s biggest stage again, and that’s to be celebrated, definitely.
“A generation’s missed out, but thankfully this generation of children will see us on the side of buildings and hopefully this time come August there is 26 around the country.”
Germany are no longer inevitable as painful World Cup failures loom large
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:04 , Richard Jolly
Adozen years ago, Andre Schurrle crossed, Mario Gotze volleyed and Germany became World Cup winners for the fourth time. There was a normality to do it: this was what Germany did, and if not they reached at least the quarter-finals, because they had done that in every tournament from 1954 onwards.
There have been some unexpected developments since then and not merely because Schurrle retired before his 30th birthday and now spends some of his time in winter climbing icy mountains wearing only shorts, shoes and a supersized rucksack, and also runs marathons.
Perhaps Germany have a mountain or two of their own to climb this summer, including ones they normally ascended as a matter of routine. It was a seismic shock when the defending champions exited the 2018 World Cup in the group stage, the sense they lost their way summed up by the sight of Manuel Neuer losing the ball 80 yards from his own goal seconds before South Korea’s Son Heung Min slotted his shot into the unguarded net. It was an ignominious as well as an early end to their campaign.
Germany are no longer inevitable as painful World Cup failures loom large
World Cup 2026 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:56 , Lawrence Ostlere
It’s that time again...
The World Cup is about to kick-off, and that means we are about to bear witness to the greatest array of international football shirts ever seen.
So of course, our Chief Sports Writer Lawrence Ostlere is doing what he does best and ranking all NINETY-SIX kits from worst to best.
World Cup 2026 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated
Diogo Jota widow pens moving letter to Andy Robertson ahead of World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:48 , Will Castle
Andy Robertson has pledged to carry Diogo Jota in his heart at the World Cup after receiving a moving letter from his former teammate’s widow.
Robertson said he “couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head” after helping seal a first World Cup appearance for Scotland back in November, revealing how much both had talked about going to a World Cup before his tragic death last July.
In a letter to Robertson published by Fifa, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota's three children, said: "Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football... and about dreams.
"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.
"When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
"By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone.
"You'll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won't just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
"So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.
"That's how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him."
England players enjoy ‘mint’ round of golf with five-time major winner at Florida World Cup camp
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:40 , Will Castle
England captain Harry Kane and several teammates swapped the football pitch for the golf course last week, enjoying a round with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka during their World Cup training camp in Florida.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad arrived in West Palm Beach last Monday, enduring hot and humid conditions as they prepare for the tournament.
Their schedule has included a sweltering friendly victory over New Zealand in Tampa, with an Orlando warm-up against Costa Rica slated for Wednesday.
England stars enjoy ‘mint’ round of golf with five-time major winner in Florida camp
Shooting near England team’s World Cup base in Kansas City leaves nine with injuries
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:32 , Will Castle
Multiple people were injured in a mass shooting that took place Saturday morning, nearly five miles from England’s World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri.
At least nine adults were taken to nearby hospitals after police responded to reports of shots fired on 79th Street and Troost Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday, police said. The intersection is roughly 4.6 miles from England’s base camp in Swope Soccer Village.
All of those injured were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive, Captain Jake Becchina of the Kansas City Police Department said in a statement. No suspects are in custody at this time, but the Kansas City Police Department is investigating the shooting.
England’s players and staff were not on-site during the incident, as they are currently training in Florida.
Nine injured in Kansas City shooting five miles from England’s World Cup base
Michel Platini files criminal complaint against Fifa president Gianni Infantino days before World Cup
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:22 , Will Castle
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is the subject of a criminal complaint from his former boss at Uefa, Michel Platini, just days before the World Cup kicks off.
Former Uefa president Platini, one of the most gifted footballers of the 1970s and 1980s, had been favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA chief in 2016 until the launch of an ethics probe into a payment he received from Blatter in 2011.
Platini was banned for eight years by Fifa’s ethics committee in 2015 – a sanction which was later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Platini and Blatter also faced criminal proceedings regarding the payment, but both were acquitted by the Swiss federal criminal court in 2022 and then by the appeals court in 2025.
Now Platini has launched criminal and civil proceedings in the French courts over the matter, with Infantino one of the individuals named.
The criminal complaint, as confirmed by his lawyer Olivier Baratelli, alleges that Infantino and others “worked to exclude (Platini) from the race for the presidency of Fifa”. The complaint alleges that Infantino was the one “first and foremost” seeking to achieve this.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
