World Cup 2026 LIVE!
The biggest sporting competition the world has ever seen begins this week as United States, Mexico and Canada welcome 45 other nations to their shores for the 2026 World Cup. A record-breaking tournament will see the most matches ever - 104 games across 16 host cities - and, organisers’ claim, the biggest attendances.
The big story ahead of the tournament is Somali referee Omar Artan being barred entry into the United States, despite having his visa initially approved. He was selected as one of 52 lead officials this summer, but it appears that that will be no more after FIFA confirmed that he had been refused at the American border.
As for England, the Three Lions face Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in their final warm-up match. That should include the four late-arriving Arsenal stars, before the squad fly out to their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13. You can follow all the latest news and updates from across the tournament - including insight and analysis from Dom Smith in the States - with our rolling news live blog below!
World Cup 2026 latest news
- Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry visa
- England vice-captain for World Cup confirmed
- Christian Eriksen 'in good spirits' after collapse
- Lamine Yamal ‘on track’ for Spain’s World Cup opener
- Timber ruled out of World Cup
Storms could disrupt England vs Costa Rica
11:58 , George Flood
England’s final World Cup warm-up friendly could be hit by stormy weather conditions.
The Three Lions - who have been training in West Palm Beach and beat New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa on Saturday - complete their preparations for the upcoming tournament with a game against Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday.
The match kicks off at 9pm BST, which is 4pm local time in central Florida, where a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Cuba in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday caused tremors across the state.
The forecast for Orlando on Wednesday afternoon includes thunderstorms around an hour before kick-off, with temperatures around 30 degrees celsius that will feel more like between 32 and 34 degrees with the humidity.
Every new rule at World Cup
11:22 , Oli Gent
This summer’s World Cup will have a very different feel.
Not just because it has expanded to 48 teams, but also because there are a number of rule changes coming into force at the tournament.
Those regulations have been confirmed by FIFA, and many of them concern the way that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament is set to get underway this week, with the first game kicking off on Thursday when Mexico take on South Africa at the Estadio Banorte.
ICYMI: Nine injured in shooting near England's World Cup base
10:16 , Oli Gent
Nine people have been injured in a shooting close to the England squad’s World Cup training ground in Kansas City, Missouri, according to reports in the United States.
The team were not at their hotel during the shooting at around 4am local time on Saturday, having been preparing for their friendly game against New Zealand in Florida.
England World Cup camp hit by 6.1 magnitude earthquake
09:14 , Oli Gent
England’s World Cup camp has been hit by an earthquake just days from the start of the tournament.
The 6.1 magnitude quake in Orlando reportedly saw buildings evacuated.
The Three Lions are set to play Costa Rica in the Florida city tomorrow in their last friendly before the World Cup begins.
Local media has not reported any serious damage or injuries, but many buildings were shaken in the tremors.
Somali referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after being denied US entry visa
07:26 , Alex Young
A Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.
World governing body FIFA confirmed Omar Artan, who was selected as one of 52 referees for the tournament, will now be removed from its roster.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.
“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.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Arsenal star ruled out of World Cup
07:05 , Oli Gent
In the big news overnight, Jurrien Timber, the Arsenal defender, has been ruled out of the World Cup.
The Dutchman had been called up by Ronald Koeman for this summer’s tournament, and he made his return from a long injury lay-off in the Champions League final for Arsenal, coming off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta had said that he was back fit again after niggling ankle and groin issues, but it is the latter that has seemingly ended his World Cup dreams, with the Oranje confirmed he had pulled out of the squad. Lutsharel Geertruida, the Sunderland defender, has replaced him.
Neymar injury latest
Monday 8 June 2026 23:00 , Arthur Ferridge
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.”
Neymar has missed Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies, last month’s 6-2 win against Panama and Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Egypt, and faces a race to be fit in time for their opening World Cup group game against Morocco on June 13.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain playmaker, who returned to his boyhood club Santos in early 2025, has been dogged by injury issues in recent seasons. (PA Media)
France 3-1 Northern Ireland: Michael Olise hits stunning hat-trick as Les Bleus send World Cup warning shot
Monday 8 June 2026 22:41 , Arthur Ferridge
Northern Ireland were undone by a superb Michael Olise hat-trick as France jetted off to the World Cup with a 3-1 friendly win, but another spirited performance from Michael O’Neill’s young side was rewarded with Patrick Kelly’s first international goal.
Olise struck either side of half-time, both goals unerring finishes on the rebound, and after Kelly pulled one back the Bayern Munich man delivered a superb curling strike to settle it in the 75th minute.
But France, among the favourites to lift the World Cup this summer, hardly had things all their own way as Northern Ireland – whose starting XI had an average age of just 22.6 – dug in to produce another determined display showing maturity beyond their years.
And that was rewarded in the 64th minute when Kelly, the 21-year-old making only his second international start, turned in a Shea Charles cross, silencing the crowd to deliver on O’Neill’s plea for his players to act as “badly-behaved guests” at France’s going-away party.
Ngumoha reflects on England debut
Monday 8 June 2026 22:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Rio Ngumoha made his senior England debut in Saturday’s friendly win over New Zealand, and he has reflected on the experience in an interview with the Three Lions app.
“I’ll say it was a crazy feeling. I was happy, I was buzzing.
“I knew from when we had the meeting before that it was a first-half team and a second-half team so I was preparing.
“It’s good that I didn’t have much time to think about it, but I wasn’t too nervous, to be fair. I just wanted to play and just show everyone what I could do. And yeah, I just had fun.”
Timber ruled out
Monday 8 June 2026 21:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup with a groin injury, the Dutch national team has confirmed.
The Arsenal right-back missed much of Premier League run-in through injury as the Gunners clinched the title for the first time since 2004.
A national team statement read: “Jurriën Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner.”
Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida has been called up in place of Timber, who has 23 caps for Der Oranje.
McGinn weighs in on Scotland friendly row
Monday 8 June 2026 20:00 , Arthur Ferridge
John McGinn said Scotland must ‘look after No1’ after they came under fire for cancelling a planned friendly with Norway.
Scotland had been due to face Norway in an hour-long training-ground friendly this week, but Steve Clarke’s side backed out at short notice after his squad picked up “one or two niggles” in training and “decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”
They were subsequently branded “unprofessional” by Norway boss Stale Solbakken.
But McGinn is adamant Scotland made the right move: "Our job is to look after Scotland, Norway's job is to look after Norway.
"If they done their research, they'd know we lost a key part of our team recently, and we don't want to lose anyone else.
"We've got to look after number one."
England already facing weather delay
Monday 8 June 2026 19:00 , Arthur Ferridge
A thunderstorm is forecast to hit Orlando right around the time Englands’ friendly against Costa Rica is due to kick-off.
It may give supporters an early taste of the weather delays which will likely disrupt plenty of matches throughout this World Cup.
Morocco face double injury blow
Monday 8 June 2026 18:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Morocco were left with an injury doubt over Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli following a 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against Norway.
The former Barcelona player went off at half-time with a leg injury and is set to undergo scans.
Noussair Mazraoui was also forced off with a shoulder knock but head coach Mohamed Ouahbi allayed fears the Manchester United defender could miss his team’s opener against Brazil on Saturday.
Scotland’s Group C rivals were already facing doubts over the fitness of first-choice centre-back Nayef Aguerd. The Marseille player has been out for three months with a groin problem.
Morocco took an early lead against Norway through Brahim Diaz but Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard levelled in the 75th minute. (Via PA Media)
Chicago 'turned down chance to host World Cup'
Monday 8 June 2026 17:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Chicago turned down the opportunity to be one of the World Cup’s host cities.
Rahm Emanuel, who served as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019, told The Athletic that he could not make peace with the strain the tournament could put on Chicago residents and taxpayers.
He said: “[FIFA] said in the contract that they had the right to request a dome being built over Soldier Field (the venue is open). So I said: ‘You have got to take that out.’
“They go, ‘We never exercise it, but it’s something we ask everybody to include.’ I said, ‘I don’t care if you’ve never exercised it. There will always be a first. Take it out and we can work through the other issues.’ They said, ‘We can’t take it out.’
“So I said there is not a chance I am going to have you directing me on a $50 million-$100 million expense to the taxpayers. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. You can’t have something in there that leaves the city and the taxpayers exposed, where (FIFA) gets to decide it and I have no vote in it.”
Lamine Yamal ‘on track’ for Spain’s World Cup opener
Monday 8 June 2026 14:56 , Alex Young
Lamine Yamal is on track to feature in Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on June 15.
A hamstring injury has sidelined Yamal since April 22, which meant the teenage forward missed the conclusion of Barcelona’s LaLiga-winning season.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is cautiously optimistic of having the 18-year-old available in in a week’s time although he was coy about whether the youngster would be able to start.
Yamal, plus Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, have all been left out of Spain’s squad to play a friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, due to injuries in what is their final outing before the World Cup.
But De la Fuente told reporters: “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.
“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.”
Morocco and Man Utd star suffers injury scare
Monday 8 June 2026 13:57 , Alex Young
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has suffered an injury scare just days before the start of the World Cup.
The versatile defender started at left-back for Morocco in their final pre-tournament warm-up friendly against Norway in New York on Sunday, but lasted just 29 minutes before being replaced by Youssef Belammari.
Mazraoui suffered a shoulder issue and looks set to undergo tests to determine the severity, with Mohamed Ouahbi’s side due to open their Group C campaign against record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in New Jersey on Saturday (June 13).
Morocco then face Scotland in Boston on June 19, before meeting minnows Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.
Disney trip helps Burn get ready for the World Cup
Monday 8 June 2026 12:40 , Alex Young
Dan Burn credits a pre-tournament trip to Disney for helping him acclimatise to the heat ahead of the ride of his life at this summer’s World Cup.
The travel, heat and humidity could make this summer somewhat of a rollercoaster but a family trip helped him adapt to the conditions before their warm weather camp began in Florida last Monday.
Burn said of Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand in sweltering Tampa: “It doesn’t feel like the World Cup yet, but coming in and seeing the fans, the hype of it all and getting excited about it, so, yeah, I was happy with how it went.
“I think we dealt with the heat pretty well, got a win and a clean sheet. We can build on that.
“I didn’t notice (the heat) that much, if I am being honest. 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.”
Eriksen 'in good spirits' after collapse
Monday 8 June 2026 11:06 , Alex Young
Christian Eriksen is in “good spirits” and expected to be discharged from hospital “soon” after collapsing on the pitch while in action for Denmark.
34-year-old Eriksen - who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for his country at Euro 2020 - fell to the floor after being seen clutching his chest with both hands in worrying scenes that occurred with 25 minutes remaining of Sunday’s friendly match against Ukraine at Nature Energy Park in Odense.
The former Tottenham, Manchester United and Brentford midfielder received immediate medical treatment as both sets of players formed a protective ring around him in order to ensure greater privacy, with the game quickly abandoned.
Boesen - who was also Denmark’s team doctor at Euro 2020 and praised for his heroic efforts in helping to revive Eriksen - provided a further update on Eriksen’s condition on Monday morning, saying in a new statement released via the DBU: “I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well.
“He is with his family and in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.
“We are taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them.”
Tottenham transfer talk at the World Cup
Monday 8 June 2026 10:11 , Alex Young
The transfer news doesn’t stop at the World Cup.
Micky van de Ven has revealed he spoke to Netherlands team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke about Tottenham as the club plot a third bid for the Brighton defender.
Spurs have twice seen bids rejected for the centre-back, who is said to be keen on reuniting with his former Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi in north London.
Reports in the Dutch press on Sunday evening claimed the Van Hecke is prioritising interest from Spurs over other potential suitors, with one outlet reporting that personal terms had already been agreed.
"I did talk to Jan Paul briefly about Tottenham," said Van de Ven on Sunday at a press conference in White Plains, near New York.
"I think it is a good step for him."
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Nine injured in shooting near England's World Cup base
Monday 8 June 2026 09:37 , Alex Young
Nine people have been injured in a shooting close to the England squad’s World Cup training ground in Kansas City, Missouri, according to reports in the United States.
The team were not at their hotel during the shooting at around 4am local time on Saturday, having been preparing for their friendly game against New Zealand in Florida.
Police were called to reports of an incident on Troost Avenue around five miles from the training base Thomas Tuchel’s side will use during the tournament.
The Athletic reported that officers had been dispatched after shots were heard being fired and arrived to find a large crowd dispersing. Three adult females had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
It was later reported that nine adults had gone to various local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. No suspects are in custody but officers are continuing to patrol the location.
Tuchel on what Arsenal stars will add to World Cup camp
Monday 8 June 2026 09:34 , Alex Young
Thomas Tuchel believes that the four Arsenal stars joining England’s camp will give the squad a lift as they prepare for the World Cup.
Tuchel has been unable to call upon Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze after the quartet were given additional rest following the Gunners’ Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last month.
The Three Lions lacked dynamism for large parts in the Tampa heat, but Tuchel thinks that his returning stars will be able to change that.
“The Arsenal players are in from today which is good because it gives us energy and quality,” he told ITV.
“We will acclimatise to the humidity and the sun whilst we are here. The most positive thing is that we can keep training with the whole group because no one is injured. We have no complaints.”
England vice-captain for World Cup confirmed
Monday 8 June 2026 08:26 , Alex Young
Declan Rice has pipped Jude Bellingham to the England vice-captaincy for the World Cup.
Harry Kane donned the armband as the Three Lions beat New Zealand in a friendly on Saturday night, but Jude Bellingham inherited it when Thomas Tuchel made eleven half-time substitutions.
But the Real Madrid midfielder will not serve as Kane’s understudy once the tournament gets underway, with the late-arriving Rice preferred by Tuchel.
Rice joined the England camp on Saturday, arriving late alongside his Arsenal team-mates Eberchi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke after they were handed extra time off following the Champions League final.
Rice is a member of Tuchel’s leadership group, and has won the armband before.
Arsenal stars join England squad in Florida
Monday 8 June 2026 08:21 , Alex Young
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have joined up with the England squad following their Champions League final defeat.
The foursome were given extended leave due to their clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest six days after the end of the Premier League season.
The Gunners lost on penaties in agonishing fashion, as Eze and then Gabriel missed from 12 yards, but still had plenty to celebrate at their trophy parade the following day after winning the Premier League title.
But for Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke, it is now full focus on England.
Reunited ❤️
— England (@England) June 7, 2026
Our four @Arsenal players have joined up with the #ThreeLions in Florida 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4kKWoduArE
Welcome
Monday 8 June 2026 08:19 , Alex Young
Good morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE continued coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
We are just three days away from the big kick-off, with all 48 nations competing now at their World Cup bases ahead of the tournament curtain-raiser on Thursday.
Stick with us all the way until the final on July 19 as the biggest sporting show on earth thrills the globe.
