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Havertz seals seventh as Germany demolish Curacao 7-1 in World Cup opener
Germany made a commanding start to their 2026 World Cup campaign, thrashing debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston. Kai Havertz added the seventh goal as Julian Nagelsmann's side announced their intentions in Group E.
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Djorkaeff names Ronaldo Nazario above Messi and Cristiano as the greatest of all time
Youri Djorkaeff, who played alongside Ronaldo Nazario at Inter Milan in the late 1990s, says Il Fenomeno surpasses both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player he has ever seen.
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FIFA to pay Somali referee Artan full World Cup fee after US entry ban
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, denied entry to the United States by the Trump administration over alleged terror links, will still receive his full FIFA tournament fee. The Africa referee of the year for 2025 has since been appointed to oversee the UEFA Super Cup in August.
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Germany open World Cup 2026 campaign against debutants Curacao in Houston
Germany face Curacao in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday 14 June, with kick-off at 6:00pm BST / 1:00pm ET in Houston. Julian Nagelsmann's side are heavy favourites against a Curacao team appearing at their first-ever World Cup finals.
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West Ham owner insists Bowen and Fernandes are not for sale despite Man Utd interest
West Ham director Daniel Kretinsky has firmly rejected any suggestion the club will sell Jarrod Bowen or Mateus Fernandes this summer, with Manchester United linked to both players following the Hammers' relegation to the Championship.
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Klopp's punditry stirs Nagelsmann and Matthaus into open criticism at World Cup
Jurgen Klopp's on-air comments questioning Germany's team selection and Julian Nagelsmann's future have drawn a terse response from the national team manager and sharp public criticism from Lothar Matthaus.
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Rooney's growing punditry craft could be BBC's trump card at the 2026 World Cup
The BBC has faced criticism for not stationing a studio in a host country during the World Cup, while ITV broadcasts from Brooklyn. But Wayne Rooney's improving analysis may prove a more meaningful asset than any scenic backdrop.
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How Sancho's £73m Man United dream collapsed into exile and contract termination
Jadon Sancho will leave Manchester United when his contract expires on June 30, ending a four-year spell defined by poor form, a public falling-out with Erik ten Hag, and reported removal from the first-team WhatsApp group.
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Manchester United tracking Bouaddi after 18-year-old dazzles Morocco in World Cup opener
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Lille's 18-year-old midfielder, turned heads with a commanding display as Morocco held Brazil in their World Cup opener — and Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring him.
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NFL quarterback Jameis Winston goes pitch-side as Fox Sports' World Cup 2026 correspondent
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston has swapped the NFL gridiron for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, covering the 48-team tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada as a roving correspondent. His stops so far include Dallas with the Dutch 'Oranje Army' and the USA's opening match in Los Angeles.
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Germany rout Curacao 7-1 but Comenecia's equaliser steals the World Cup spotlight
Germany opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao in Houston, but Livano Comenecia's shock equaliser — which briefly threatened the greatest upset in tournament history — was the moment everyone will remember.
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England's Nico O'Reilly arrives at first World Cup with life story inked across his skin
Manchester City midfielder Nico O'Reilly, 21, reported for England's opening training session in Kansas City carrying tattoos that range from the Manchester dialling code 0161 to the phrase 'The World is Yours' — a fitting motto for his World Cup debut.
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Manchester United add £108m in debt as refinancing extends Glazer loans to 2031
Manchester United have taken on an additional £108m in long-term debt after restructuring borrowings tied to the 2005 Glazer takeover, pushing the club's total debt to £728m and extending the repayment deadline from 2026 to 2031.
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Nmecha and Musiala score for Germany at World Cup 2026 despite both representing England youth teams
Felix Nmecha opened the scoring and Jamal Musiala added a fourth as Germany beat Curacao in their World Cup 2026 opener in Houston — both players having previously represented England at youth level before committing to Die Mannschaft.
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Elfath appointed referee for Netherlands vs Japan in World Cup 2026 Group F opener
Moroccan-born American official Ismail Elfath will take charge of Netherlands vs Japan at AT&T Stadium, the Group F opener at World Cup 2026. Elfath previously refereed Japan's Round of 16 clash against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.
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Postecoglou warns Japan's caution could cost them against Netherlands in World Cup opener
Ange Postecoglou offered a candid assessment of Japan's risk-averse first half against the Netherlands, warning the Samurai Blue are capable of more despite a goalless stalemate at the break.
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Letexier steps in for injured Oliver to referee Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at World Cup 2026
Premier League referee Michael Oliver has withdrawn from Sunday's Group E clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador through injury. France's François Letexier, who officiated the Euro 2024 final, will take charge instead at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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Scotland superfan flies 4,000 miles to Miami to watch World Cup match on a TV screen
Neil McKnight, 62, is travelling from London to Miami on a 70-hour round trip — spending over £1,000 — to watch Scotland face Brazil on a big screen, having never followed his country abroad before.
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Southgate reveals why he stepped back from punditry to avoid distracting Tuchel's England at the World Cup
Gareth Southgate has explained his decision to turn down a television punditry role at the 2026 World Cup, saying he feared his presence and comments could be used against Thomas Tuchel's England squad in press conferences.
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Hakimi stamps on Vinicius's ankle without punishment in Brazil-Morocco draw (1-1)
During Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, Achraf Hakimi's challenge on Vinicius Junior's ankle sparked controversy: neither Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic nor VAR sanctioned the incident, triggering strong reactions.
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