Thank you very much for joining us for all the fun and frolics today.
The real quiz is about to begin, with John Brewin taking you through Qatar v Switzerland.
A guide to every player at the World Cup? They said it couldn’t be done … it could!
Out for a stroll …
Gio Reyna had one of the more unique goal celebrations after scoring the final tally for the United States in Friday’s 4-1 win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener.
After covering his ears in what he said was an inside joke with friends, the midfielder stuffed the ball under his shirt and put his thumb in his mouth, an indication he is expecting an addition to his family.
Reyna told reporters after the game that his wife, Chloe, is pregnant with their first child. “I’ve known for a couple months now, so I was waiting for the perfect time,” he said of sharing the news. “This sort of felt like it.” Reuters
Virgil van Dijk tries to get his message across.
“Howdy officers.”
This would be a good time to learn about the fine teams of Qatar …
… and Switzerland.
In April 2026, police issued a $1,000 street-vending ticket to a senior resident, weeks before formal restrictions went into effect. The new temporary bylaw, in effect from 13 May to 20 July to coincide with the World Cup, is designed, in part, to ensure Vancouver meets its “operations, safety, security, branding and brand protection obligations to Fifa,” which includes presenting a ‘clean and welcoming environment,‘ It gives the city expanded powers over street vending, noise, graffiti removal, and management of public space within two kilometres of the stadium.
I am not sure all the flags are strictly accurate but it’s a wonderful sight in Brazil.
I would watch a cartoon version of England’s World Cup campaign.
Justin Kavanagh emails: “Good to see that England have been reunited with their ball shoes. It’s a Cinderella story from the land of Disney!”
Will help with the rights sale.
Earlier this week, Clutch the Bald Eagle and Maple the Moose – the mascots for the United States and Canada respectively at this year’s World Cup – helped Peruvian police in a drugs raid.
It is warm in Dallas.
Toronto police arrested two men “associated with a Bosnian fan group” during Canada’s World Cup-opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Toronto Police Service confirmed in a statement that the men, from Germany and aged 25 and 27, were both arrested and charged for assaulting a peace officer after forces were called to an altercation in the stands at the Toronto Stadium around 2:20pm local time on Friday.
The Toronto Police Association warned on X: “We’re glad you’re here to enjoy the World Cup but please do so safely. Never put your hands on a police officer. They will arrest you. You will be charged. Our holding cells do not have TVs. You will miss the game you came to enjoy.” PA Media
When Roberto Lopes was originally contacted by the Cape Verdean football association on LinkedIn, he did what many people do with unsolicited messages on the professional social media platform - he ignored it, almost costing him the chance to play at the 2026 World Cup.
The teak-tough, Irish-born central defender thought the message in Portuguese was spam and did not bother replying. It was only when he received a follow-up message in English that he realised it was an offer to play international football for Cape Verde, who take on Spain in their opening World Cup group game on Monday.
“Nine months later they messaged me back in English asking if I had thought about the proposal, and it was only then that I did what I should have done originally and Google-translated the original message asking if I would be interested in declaring for Cape Verde,” a laughing Lopes told Reuters in a telephone interview prior to the tournament.
“It was a weird angle to come at (via LinkedIn); it was explained to me afterwards that they had difficulty contacting my club, but when I saw the opportunity was there in front of me, I was 100% behind it from the minute one, and we got working on getting all the necessary documentation across.” Reuters
We had an interview with Brentford’s Igor Thiago in January where he said: “This World Cup feeling is very exciting. I’m very hopeful about being part of it, I’ve always dreamed of playing in a World Cup. It’s something I only saw other people experiencing on television, but now I’m close to experiencing it myself.”
I think he could have a huge impact for Brazil after a fine season in the Premier League.
“Hi Will,” says Simon McMahon. “A wild party, you say? Well you know as well as I do what that means.”
What happened to “Yes sir, I can boogie”?
Tony Popovic knows most people expect Turkey to beat Australia in their World Cup opener, but says his side ‘deserve to be respected’, writes Jack Snape.
I think David Raum likes tattoos.
I believe that the former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea is going to join Toure at Slovan. That’s my sort of managerial team.
Former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is set for his first managerial role at Slovan Bratislava after joining the Slovak champions on a three-year contract on Saturday.
Ivory Coast’s Toure, 43, spent the last two-and-a-half years as an assistant coach at the Saudi Arabia national team, helping them qualify for their third straight World Cup.
Toure will replace Vladimir Weiss, who led Slovan to six straight Slovak First Football League titles before taking charge of the Slovakia national team.
“My predecessor deserves great respect for what he’s achieved with Slovan. I want to build on that while also bringing something new and unique of my own,” Toure said in a statement. “With Slovan, I want to play dominant soccer, win games, and control matches so that we can delight our fans.“
Slovan have won the league in the last eight seasons in a row. Reuters
Thanks Rob, a man who knows my life like the back of his own hand. We are going to turn the final two hours into a wild party.
It’s time for me to tag in Will Unwin, whose whole life has been building to these next two hours. Thanks for your company, see you soon.
The 2026 World Cup: a festival of football; a moment to revel in upsets, spectacular goals, stars made, and reputations ruined; a test of Didier Deschamps’s unshakable addiction to Adrien Rabiot. But also: a celebration of America; a chance for Fox Sports to prove the haters wrong; a social experiment to see how long Thierry Henry can last on set with Alexi Lalas before resorting to physical violence. “This is going to be filled with American fans,” Lalas shrieked as Los Angeles Stadium began to swell with spectators before the US’s opening match against Paraguay. “This is going to be bursting at the seams with America!”
Not the World Cup
Daniel Kretinsky, the owner of Royal Mail, is set to overtake David Sullivan as West Ham’s largest shareholder after agreeing to buy an additional stake in the club from the Gold family.
The Czech billionaire has moved to increase his power at West Ham after Sullivan stepped down as a director and co-chair of the club last weekend, before a joint investigation by the Times and Panorama reporting on seven women accusing him of abusing his power and preying on them for sex in claims that date back to the 1980s and 90s.
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The last time Scotland played at a men’s World Cup, against Morocco in 1998, Andy Robertson was four years old, John McGinn was three, Scott McTominay was one and don’t get me started on Ben Gannon-Doak.
Should you be desirous of live World Cup action, Australia are playing South Africa in a heavyweight contest at the T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Football Daily is here, on the weekend
Updated
The story so far
On this day in 2002… Brazil put five past Costa Rica.
Another plug for this piece by Jacob Steinberg and Dave Hytner on Declan Rice, who has become such a key man for England and Arsenal.
On this day in 1990… Ruben Sosa endangers low-flying aircraft.
“Afternoon Rob,” chirps Simon McMahon. “Permission to get excited? Last time Scotland played a match in the World Cup finals I was 26 and about to become a father. I didn’t think I’d have to wait 28 years before father and daughter could watch them do it again together. Their record in previous openers might not be great, but we didn’t have Lyndon Dykes before.”
I’m so glad you’re watching it together. What’s the plan? Been on the Tin since sunrise? A tactical sleep during Brazil v Morocco? They’re only the support act so you won’t miss much.
Updated
England recover stolen boots
England have recovered the majority of the training equipment stolen in an astonishing heist on Friday. Gear including players’ boots (or cleats, as one local news site in the US had it) was taken from a truck transporting the equipment from Florida to England’s tournament base in Kansas City.
Kansas City police said two people of interest were detained on Friday night. Investigations have progressed since then.
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I remember the great Scott Murray highlighting the F-word after one of Jurgen Klopp’s first games as Liverpool manager. They’d won 4-1 (I think) at the Etihad, and in his post-match interview Adam Lallana said it had been “fun”.
It was notable because it’s not a word you hear very often in elite sport, which is sad. But there was plenty of fun in Los Angeles last night.
Updated
Brazil begin their World Cup against Morocco tonight. They’ll be without the injured Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who will instead be in the United States as a fan.
I’m going to the US to follow the team closely and maybe meet my teammates and the staff to bring positive energy. Above all, I am going as a fan of the Brazilian national team. When the game kicks off, I will get nervous, be focused on the game, watching the patterns of play and wanting Brazil to score goals. And, when they score, there will be a mixture of happiness and relief because I know that the whole country expects the Seleção to win the whole tournament.
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On this day in 2006… a Kaka cracker gets the holders off to a winning start.
The ball is magic, remember. Just keep watching the ball. On a lovely soft powder blue night in Los Angeles the World Cup produced an opening act on its US front that might have been conjured by the whirling hands of Gianni Infantino himself, a Fifa president who increasingly has the air and the mannerisms of an elite celebrity stage magician. Or at the very least, of a man who appreciates the power of the show.
It turns out California really does know how to put on one of those. There was even a moment before kick-off that seemed to capture the cosmically strange nature of the entire Fifa multiverse. A little later the headline act Katy Perry would appear in a silver bustle and perform on a podium alongside a 10-year-old TikToker.
Before that we got the Korean pop sensation Lisa, who has 105 million Instagram followers, or 102.5 million more than the USMNT, backed by a troupe of men performing surprisingly sexualised hip thrusts and groin grabs that no doubt express, on some deeper level, the value of international team sport.
Adjacent to this a man in a tracksuit appeared holding aloft a golden ball, like some ancient deity hoisting God’s gonad on his shoulders. At which point an enormous golden Fifa sign appeared, all four letters at least 50ft high, winched down out of the ether like a vision of divine grace – if not the most ludicrous sporting spectacle of all time, then surely the most ludicrous yet.
On this day in 1982… Ossie Ardiles takes a short free-kick.
This is such a great idea. Anyone fancy a kickabout on Whitstable beach tonight?
Football is an old man’s game. There are several fortysomethings at this year’s tournament – including Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, who has come out of international retirement aged 40 and is expected to play against Curacao tomorrow.
The former Brighton striker Deniz Undav, who is part of the Germany squad, has praised Neuer’s influence.
Manu is always on the go. Manu talks a lot, even off the pitch. He commands respect. When he’s in goal, you can see it even in training – as a striker, you have to be a bit more precise with your shots.
He’s one of the best goalkeepers of all time, but also a very calm man. When you talk to him, you can feel his experience and his understanding of football.
On this day in 1962… both World Cup semi-finals take place, and both are crackers: Brazil v Chile, Czechoslovakia v Yugoslavia (which for some reason doesn’t have a Fifa YouTube link).
Scotland’s record in the opening game of a World Cup isn’t the best. They’ve lost five of their eight games, though they played nobly in defeat to Denmark in 1986 and Brazil in 1998.
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1954 Austria 0-1
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1958 Yugoslavia 1-1
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1974 Zaire 2-0
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1978 Peru 1-3
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1982 New Zealand 5-2
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1986 Denmark 0-1
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1990 Costa Rica 0-1
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1998 Brazil 1-2
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Saudi Arabia v Uruguay (Monday, 11pm BST/6pm EDT)
Saudi Arabia began the last World Cup by beating the eventual champions Argentina. This year they kick off against another South American giant, Uruguay. Saudi Arabia are managed by a former Blackburn and Sheffield United player, and no it’s not Garry Flitcroft.
Here’s more on the game from Reuters:
Saudi Arabia arrive under new coach Georgios Donis, who has no international tournament experience and was appointed less than two months before the World Cup after Herve Renard was dismissed in April.
Renard had secured his place in Saudi football history four years ago when he masterminded a stunning 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina in Qatar, one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
Brought back in 2024 after Roberto Mancini’s brief and unsuccessful tenure, Renard was expected to restore the intensity and organisation that had made Saudi Arabia tricky opponents in Doha.
Instead, inconsistent performances and concerning defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Egypt and a 2-1 setback against Serbia in friendly matches, prompted a late managerial change before a daunting group featuring Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.
Donis, a former Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United midfielder with extensive managerial experience in Saudi club football, now faces the challenge of reviving confidence in a squad that has struggled to build momentum.
The captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored the winner against Argentina four years ago, remains the team’s talisman and greatest attacking threat.
Uruguay arrive under Marcelo Bielsa, who was appointed in 2023 and has overseen a generational transition away from World Cup veterans such as Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. Bielsa has built a more balanced squad around a younger core led by Federico Valverde, Darwin Nunez and Ronald Araujo.
Bielsa’s trademark high-intensity pressing style and quick transitions in attack have produced impressive highs, including victories over Brazil and Argentina in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers and a run to the semi-finals of the Copa America in 2024.
Inconsistency remains a concern – Uruguay lost 5-1 to the United States in a friendly last year – whileoff-field tensions and public criticism from former captain Suarez have also cast a shadow over Bielsa’s tenure. But Uruguay’s opening match is an opportunity to justify their status as one of the group favourites.
For Saudi Arabia, who reached the last 16 on their World Cup debut in the United States in 1994, it is a chance to deliver another captivating upset.
Updated
Haiti v Scotland almost feels like a must-win game for both teams, which is a bit perverse given they have two more matches to come.
Any other examples of must-win opening games at a World Cup? (The first smart derriere to mention 1934, which was a knockout tournament from the off, will be blocked and reported.)
“As I see it, this World Cup format is great,” says Roger Kirkby. “The group stage being a warmup, allowing the players/manager to get to know each other, adjust to conditions and with some jeopardy involved. Then an actual cup competition can start, straight knockout. Does nobody remember the days of two group stages with the top four going to the semi-finals?”
Yeah, and those days included one of the great World Cup in 1982! I can see both sides of the debate about the format; I’d probably stick to 32 teams, mainly because it’s neater and you don’t get into third-place nonsense, but some of the teams I’m most excited to see probably wouldn’t have qualified for a 32-team World Cup.
On this day in 2002… Italy scrape through to the knockout stages after a 1-1 draw with Mexico, whose goal is a thing of rare beauty.
On this day in 1998… Spain and Nigeria serve up a group stage classic.
Ghana's government criticises Canada over Partey visa
Ghana’s government has described Canada’s decision to deny Thomas Partey a visa for his country’s World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday as “high-handed and extremely unfair”.
Ghana’s foreign ministry said it understood the decision to be based on pending criminal proceedings in Britain. The 32-year-old Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder who plays for Villarreal, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in Britain. He has denied the charges.
On this day in 1986… Denmark continue to laugh in the face of the Group of Death, while Scotland are eliminated by an unsentimental Uruguay.
Haiti are making their second appearance at a men’s World Cup. The first was in West Germany in 1974; they lost all three games, including a 7-0 defeat to Poland, but they still left their mark.
A reminder of today’s/tomorrow morning’s games
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Qatar v Switzerland (8pm BST/3pm EDT)
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Brazil v Morocco (11pm BST/6pm EDT)
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Haiti v Scotland (2am BST/9pm EDT)
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Australia v Turkey (5am BST/midnight EDT)
Thanks Will, hello everyone. Let’s start by rewinding 36 years, shall we? On this day in 1990, in a mustn’t-lose game, Diego Maradona and Argentina did a number on the USSR.
I am going to handover to the great Rob Smyth for the next few hours. You are in for a treat.
The first game of the day is Qatar v Switzerland at 8pm BST/3pm ET.
Why not get in the mood by reading Sid Lowe’s interview with Julen Lopetegui?
Mauricio Pochettino was quick to praise the entire squad, rather than putting the focus on individuals after sweeping past Paraguay. A united squad will be important for the US, if they want to go the long way.
Folarin Balogun netted a double but there was plenty more to enjoy as the co-hosts entered the tournament with a bang. “It’s not only to talk about some names, it’s about the collective,” said Pochettino. “It’s not only Balo or different players that performed. I think the team was amazing. Not only the starting 11 but all the players around and on the bench.”
If Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke is to keep up family tradition, he will need to go all the way to next month’s World Cup final.
His uncle Jan Poortvliet played in defence for the Dutch in the 1978 final, where they lost the deciding game against hosts Argentina in extra time. Van Hecke is expected to be in the line-up on Sunday in Dallas when they get their Group F campaign underway against Japan, partnering captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence. “An enormous feeling of pride,” he told reporters. “It’s fantastic to be here.”
Van Hecke gets his chance after Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament by injury. “It’s my dream, but it was also his dream,” Van Hecke said. “It’s a real shame that his dream has fallen apart.“
Ironically, Van Hecke’s uncle also broke into the Dutch team in 1978 in similar circumstances, having debuted for the Netherlands a fortnight before the World Cup kicked off and being picked for the squad as something of an outsider.
But when first-choice left-back Hugo Hovenkamp got injured, Poortvliet got to play. “Hugo was in the form of his life, but that’s how things sometimes go,” Poortvliet told Dutch NOS television. He went on to play six matches in Argentina, showing his versatility at left-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder.
Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie is staying with Premier League club Bournemouth. The 31-year-old Christie signed a three-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season, Bournemouth announced Saturday ahead of Scotland’s opening game in the World Cup .
“Ryan has made a hugely important contribution to the football club since arriving here and we’re delighted he has signed a new contract,” said Tiago Pinto, the club’s head of soccer operations. “He is a key part of the leadership group in the dressing room and has consistently shown his value to the team through his performances, experience and commitment.”
Christie has made 177 appearances across all competitions for Bournemouth, scoring 10 goals and setting up 17 more since joining from Celtic in August 2021.
Last season, Christie made 26 Premier League appearances, scoring against both Crystal Palace and Manchester United, to help Bournemouth finish sixth — its best-ever finish and enough for its first qualification for European competition.
“With the World Cup coming up, it felt like the perfect time to sign before heading away for that, and now I can fully focus on the future,” Christie said in the team’s announcement. PA Media
Tyler Fletcher was a very late callup for Scotland, replacing the injured Billy Gilmour. The Manchester United midfielder has the No 8 shirt and it will be interesting to see how many, if any, minutes he gets at the World Cup.
The smallest nation ever to compete in the tournament celebrates the long adventure that got them there, and remember those who cannot be there to enjoy it with them, writes Arthur Renard.
“The hotel wasn’t properly arranged, the sessions weren’t structured and we didn’t have training kits,” Cijntje says. “I’d be training in red socks, the player next to me in blue, one in red shorts, another in something else – one wearing Beltona, another maybe Nike. It was a bit of everything. Those were the first steps.”
No longer were the USA the same workmanlike outfit that had featured at previous World Cups, white-knuckling through on the strength of their grit and grind (though they showed some of that too, not letting a second-half Paraguay goal knock them off course).
Cyle Larin was the man of the moment for Canada on Friday, stepping off the bench to level against Bosnia and Herzegovina with his first touch and earn the country’s maiden World Cup point.
Larin enjoyed an impressive end to the season at Southampton, whom he joined permanently from Mallorca this month, but was among the players left disappointed at the Spygate episode that saw Saints kicked out of the Championship playoffs.
“It’s difficult to get over because you go on such a great run, with the fans behind us and the players making sacrifices to get to that point,” Larin said.
The striker said he believes that Southampton can challenge again for promotion next season. The club’s owner, Dragan Solak, has vowed to stand by head coach Tonda Eckert, who is the subject of a Football Association investigation. Eckert admitted to authorising spying missions on three opponents last season.
“It hurts for the players to [not have the chance to] go to the Premier League. It hurts. If we have the same players and the same culture, I think we can do it again.”
At Toronto Stadium, Larin replaced Tani Oluwaseyi on 76 minutes and, two minutes later, he lashed in after a superb swivel in the box to register a timely first international goal in 18 months.
“I was scoring at Southampton, in good form and I just knew any time I got the ball closer than that I was going to shoot,” the 31-year-old said. “It was a tricky one to get out of my body but I was shooting either way.”
Kretinsky to become West Ham's biggest shareholder
Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire, is set to become the largest shareholder at West Ham after agreeing a deal to buy a portion of Vanessa Gold’s stake.
The deal comes in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against David Sullivan. The 77-year-old, who denies the allegations, owns 38.8% of the club. Kretinsky is set to increase his stake from 27% to 43%, signalling his desire to seize power following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
Kretinsky and Gold said in a statement: “We were deeply concerned by the revelations made by The Times and Panorama this week and our thoughts go out to those women who have fought so hard to make their voices heard. Any abuse of power is abhorrent, and it takes great courage and determination to speak up against it..
“The full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations against David Sullivan until approximately a month ago, when he informed us that certain allegations against him may be published. However, the full details of the allegations, which Mr Sullivan denies, only became apparent when they were made public on Monday (8 June). In addition, as communicated by West Ham United, the Board representatives of Shareholders other than Mr Sulilvan were only made aware this week of the safeguarding measures that have been in place since 2023.
“As Shareholders and Directors of West Ham, our focus is now firmly on protecting the future of this Football Club. Our goal is to stabilise West Ham United, retain as many of our key players as possible and, under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, secure an immediate return to the Premier League. We are also committed to engaging with our fans and all business partners to build a stronger future for our Club. We have already taken concrete steps toward this goal.
“As such, we have reached agreement on the key terms of a share purchase transaction between the Gold family and 1890 Holdings, which, subject to other Shareholders’ pre-emption rights and necessary approvals, would make 1890 Holdings (part of the broader group EP) the largest Shareholder in West Ham with an approximately 43% stake. As the largest Shareholder, group EP will be able to provide the additional financing the Club needs.
“We expect to finalise this transaction in the next couple of weeks. Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.
“Alongside Daniel Křetínský and Vanessa Gold, the other Shareholders, namely Tripp Smith, Daniel Harris and Terry Brown, are fully aligned on this strategy and stabilising the Club.
“We are taking these steps because West Ham United needs to be truly united at this moment in its history. We believe that a strong coalition – of fans, players, management and the Board – is essential to securing the bright future this Club deserves. We are absolutely committed to playing our part.”
What has happened thus far today?
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A big read on Declan Rice’s journey from released by Chelsea to World Cup protagonist
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Rodrygo becomes a Guardian writer. Can you do a few hours on the live blog, mate?
Tenkaykev emails: “Reading about the theft of the boots brought back memories of the brouhaha leading up to Mexico 70 ( I was there)and the “ “theft” of a necklace by Bobby Moore. This sounds more opportunistic than mind games, but may well have quite an effect.”
I am pleased there was not a live blog back then.
It is early days but we do have a leader in the race for the Golden Boot.
I do enjoy the adverts during the World Cup that indicate football fans have not evolved over time. Supposedly, all people want at this time of year is a new TV, beer, crisps and pizzas.
I was chatting someone who works in advertising at at supermarket recently and they suggested diversifying the products they promote but they were quickly shot down. Can one not watch the match with a glass of wine and steak tartare?
“The South Africans do really well on poetic names that roll nicely off the tongue,” Iain Pearson suggests. “Mbekezeli Mbokazi does great alliteration; as does Kamogelo Sebelebele, who surely possesses one of the world’s great surnames.”
Some japes at the Boston fan park.
How, when and where to watch all the action later …
World Cup fever has arrived in Scotland, as Severin Carroll reports.
There are brash new tartans, an Edinburgh bar offering free Irn-Bru-infused “fiery ginger” beers for patrons with red hair, a collaboration between Scottish whisky firms and a Brazilian distiller, and all-night parties in nightclubs repurposed as fanzones.
Hyndsight2 writes in the comments: “It’s lovely to read and hear about how kids in Scotland are having sleepover parties in order to stay up for the 2am kick off. Takes me back to the excitement of my first WC in 1974. In terms of team selection, I hope Clarke is bold. 3-4-3 with Tierney at the left side of a 3 and Robertson pushed up. Gannon Doak on the right with Hickey backing him up. Gannon Doak could really make a mark in this world cup. But, my 62 yo self, broken by decades of disappointment, thinks it might be a draw.”
What’s the latest you’ve stayed up to watch a match? I was working for ITV in 2014 and there was a 2am KO. I think it was Ivory Coast v Japan, as documented here. I left the office in daylight.
Arguably the best name and CV at the World Cup. Duckens Nazon can boast spells at Kerala Blasters, Oldham and CSKA Sofia.
I am happy to accept challenges for a better name at the tournament.
Kansas City calls itself the “Soccer Capital of America” and there is a good chance the World Cup champions will have called the Midwest metropolis home this summer.
England, Argentina and the Netherlands are all based in and around the city, with minnows Algeria also in the area for the 48-team tournament which kicked off on Thursday.
Kansas City was only awarded host-city status when it stepped in following Chicago’s withdrawal but it is big on the football scene, having invested almost $700million (£522m) in infrastructure, with MLS side Sporting Kansas City and NWSL outfit KC Current having purpose-built stadiums.
The Hendon Hall hotel in north London hosted England when they won the World Cup in 1966 but the Inn at Meadowbrook will be their home if Thomas Tuchel’s side add a second star to the shirt, with training based at Swope Soccer Village – the home of Sporting Kansas City’s second team.
“We are delighted to welcome England,” the chief executive of KC2026, Pam Kramer, told the Press Association. “The arrival of one of the world’s most followed national teams is a significant moment for our city.
“England’s decision to base themselves in Kansas City reflects our passionate sports culture, our spirit of hospitality and the world-class facilities that define our region. We are also proud to be hosting the Netherlands, Argentina and Algeria during the tournament, meaning four nations have chosen Kansas City as their home away from home.
“It is a powerful endorsement of the investments in our region and proof that the global game has become part of the fabric of life here. Kansas City has proudly earned its reputation as the Soccer Capital of America. Soccer has deep roots here.” PA Media
Mbappé is the latest in a distinguished line of France players to have taken on the far right. Zinedine Zidane famously called on voters to reject Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round of the 2002 presidential election, describing his party as one “which does not correspond to France’s values”. Lilian Thuram was even more vocal in his opposition to Le Pen, who repeatedly attacked the national team over the diverse origins of its players.
Think you can predict the future? Have some fun plotting how the tournament will go with our interactive Bracketology thingamajig.
“I absolutely agree with Wryape (earlier comment),” emails Bill. “The group stages have been reduced to almost meaningless exhibition games.
“There’s going to be, I boldly predict, little to no thrilling heroics as a team gets a stomp on with twenty minutes to go to to nick a win to qualify for the knockout rounds.
“Couple that with the game now being played in four quarters (with the drinks breaks for adverts), and a ridiculous forty five minutes half time in the final it’s like someone stole our ball and now we won’t ever get it back.
“Anyway, I’ll probably still watch some.”
David Beckham now has his own star in Hollywood. I really need to watch more of his movies.
“I’ve always been a dreamer, but I could never have imagined that an honor like this would come to a working-class English soccer player like me,” Sir David said.
“How fitting then that I am here today as we prepare to celebrate the opening here in the US of the 2026 World Cup. It’s a powerful moment to recognize how the sport I love so much has grown in this country over the past three decades.”
A good start for English strikers last night as Folarin Balogun scored two for USA. The forward was born in New York but brought up in London can came through the ranks at Arsenal and is now impressing in Ligue 1 for Monaco.
Always found the immediate dismissal for a hair pull odd. It is difficult to prove intent on some of them, often looking like an accident when challenging for a ball. I appreciate some are deliberate but it never felt like a dark art being mastered by angry defenders.
Hair pulling no longer an automatic red card
The English Premier League said on Friday that pulling an opponent’s hair will not necessarily warrant an automatic red card under changes to refereeing guidelines for next season.
The league said in a statement that a red card will apply where hair pulling is carried out with “excessive force and/or brutality“, while incidents deemed to be deliberate but without excessive force will be punished with a yellow.
The change comes after Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Everton’s Michael Keane and Sunderland’s Dan Ballard were sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair last season.
The clarification was part of a wider set of principles outlining how referees will apply the laws of the game in the upcoming season. The Premier League said that holding will be more closely scrutinised, with referees encouraged to penalise non-footballing actions that have a material impact on opponents.
Referees will also place more emphasis on protecting goalkeepers, penalising players who initiate contact without a genuine attempt to play the ball if it impacts the keeper’s ability to challenge for it. Reuters
If you were worried this blog was too World Cup heavy, then I am here to change all that. I will start with the important matters that everyone is too afraid to discuss and we shall go from there …
Thanks Will. Luck is something I desperately need. In the meantime, I will pontificate on what Mr Magee has for breakfast. Is a muesli or a fry up man?
Right, it’s time for me to go and get some belated breakfast after my early start. Will Unwin is taking the reins, and good luck to him.
A conversation-starter here. Which player ruled out through injury will be the biggest loss to their side? Tangentially, Michael Butler has put together a World Cup Omitted XI.
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A dubious honour, but historic nonetheless: Tim Ream made history yesterday when he became the first player at a World Cup to benefit from the International Football Association Board’s “mistaken identity” rule change. It was an interesting interpretation of the new rule, too. Here’s the lowdown.
An email has landed from Lars Bøgegaard, who, in reaction to the news of England’s stolen footwear, has invoked the memory of an iconic bootless strike from times gone by. “They have to give the golden boot(s) to Kane immediately,” he writes. “Or else he has to do it like Preben Elkjær!” For those who aren’t familiar with the Denmark great’s famous goal for Verona against Juventus in 1984, here it is in all its grainy glory.
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No doubt this is going to be a common complaint as the group stage wears on. And it really could wear on. How much World Cup is too much World Cup, ugly politics aside? We may well be about to find out.
When Brazil take on Morocco later on, they will do so without Rodrygo. The Real Madrid winger sustained a knee injury in March which ruled him out of the World Cup, but will still be in the US to support the Seleção. Amid his recovery, he’s written about the “immense sadness” of missing the tournament and not hearing his name called by Carlo Ancelotti when the squad was announced, but also the support he has received, his pride in Brazil and his belief that the team can do something special.
Anecdotally, I think a lot of people are feeling this way. From the Iran conflict to the treatment of Omar Artan and everything in between, it’s a tournament of almost unbelievable political extremes. Then again, after Russia and Qatar, and with Saudi Arabia 2034 to come, it may be the case that this is now the rule, not the exception.
Looking for some extra reading? Jacob Steinberg and David Hytner have delved into the making of Declan Rice, England’s midfield powerhouse, whose performances could feasibly be the difference between success and failure at this tournament.
An optimistic prediction for Scotland here. While Haiti thrashing New Zealand 4-0 raised a few worried eyebrows, it should be noted that they lost 2-1 to Peru three days later. It’s always hard to judge a team by their warm-up matches given the wholesale changes, and Haiti do have some danger men like Duckens Nazon and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor, but Steve Clarke’s side are still favourites.
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The chat between Max, Barry and Seb and Pablo is also available in video form, by the way. Just in case you like to see all the fancy equipment, novelty mugs and so on.
It looks like it’s been good, silly fun at Scotland House in Boston. It’s the small hours over there at the moment, but no doubt there are a few parties still going.
If you prefer your football coverage in podcast form – don’t worry, I won’t be offended – you’re in luck, as the latest episode of Football Weekly has just dropped. Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson and Pablo Iglesias Maurer to discuss the USA’s strong start, Canada’s clawed-back point against Bosnia and Scotland’s chances against Haiti later.
Any Scotland fans out there in the ether? How do you reckon things will go against Haiti? Feeling cheerful? Optimistic? Anxious? Get in touch via the email above.
Scotland’s first World Cup match since 1998 is fast approaching and, judging by the photos coming out of Boston, the fans are determined to enjoy themselves one way or another. Paul MacInnes has been taking the temperature in the city’s bars, pubs and tap rooms – nice work if you can get it – while Ewan Murray brings the sober, serious analysis. Meanwhile Bryan Armen Graham has the inside track on Haiti, who have been waiting even longer than Scotland – 52 years, to be precise – to make their comeback at the tournament.
In what feels like an enjoyably bizarre subplot from a World Cup film directed by the Coen Brothers, some enterprising individuals have stolen England’s boots. As reported by Jacob Steinberg, the Football Association will have to liaise with local police in Kansas City as it attempts to retrieve the misappropriated items. If that fails, presumably Harry Kane and co will have to take on Croatia barefoot.
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A man in a tracksuit appeared holding aloft a golden ball, like some ancient deity hoisting god’s gonad on his shoulders. At which point an enormous golden Fifa sign appeared, all four letters at least 50ft high, winched down out of the ether like a vision of divine grace – if not the most ludicrous sporting spectacle of all time, then surely the most ludicrous yet.
Barney Ronay was at Los Angeles Stadium last night and, well, it might not be quite right to say he enjoyed the surreal pomp, pageantry and flag waving, but he certainly witnessed it. Here’s his take on events.
Preamble
We’re four games in and this tournament has already had it all: bombastic visuals, belting goals, dramatic comebacks, wide-eyed referees handing out red cards like sweeties, and the sort of political grotesquerie that makes tuning out seem like the last sane option. It’s the Doomscroll World Cup: you know it’s bad for you, but it feels almost impossible to look away.
After the USA’s opening stroll against Paraguay last night, Qatar take on Switzerland next up at 8pm (all times BST) before Brazil go up against Morocco at 11pm. Then it’s time for Scotland’s high-stakes match against Haiti at 2am, while Australia and Turkey face off at 5am.
In the meantime, you can follow all the buildup, latest news, scandals, controversy and geopolitical maneuvering here. As Gianni Infantino might say to the backdrop of a world in flames, chill, relax, and enjoy the show.
