Football news
6717 stories
-
Three red cards at kick-off: 2026 World Cup opener makes history
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards during the 2026 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa (2-0), an absolute record for a World Cup inaugural fixture.
Football -
Kane calls 2026 World Cup 'best opportunity in my career' as England target 60-year wait
Harry Kane says the 2026 World Cup in North America represents his finest chance to win football's biggest prize, arriving off a 61-goal season with Bayern Munich and acknowledging the tournament could be his last.
Football -
Mexico sweep South Africa 2-0 in chaotic World Cup opener with three red cards at the Azteca
Co-hosts Mexico launched their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday, with Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez on the scoresheet and three players dismissed in a fractious Group A encounter.
Football -
Egyptian referee Amin Omar takes charge of South Korea vs Czechia at World Cup 2026
Amin Omar, a 40-year-old Egyptian who has refereed in the Egyptian Premier League for 13 years, will officiate South Korea vs Czechia in Group A at Estadio Akron — his first World Cup fixture since joining the FIFA list in 2017.
Football -
Jimenez scores first World Cup goal in tears for late father as Mexico open 2026 tournament
Raul Jimenez headed Mexico into a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, breaking down in tears after scoring his first World Cup goal just three months after losing his father.
Football -
Reece James tells England fans to embrace weather delays ahead of World Cup 2026
Reece James has urged England fans to stay patient with thunderstorm delays at the 2026 World Cup after their friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando was held up by an hour. The Chelsea captain drew on his Club World Cup experience to explain what players and supporters should expect.
Football -
World Cup 2026 group stage: standings, results and full fixture list
The 2026 World Cup features 48 nations across 12 groups for the first time in the tournament's history. The top two sides in each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a new round of 32.
Football -
Newcastle deny Hall fallout with Howe as Man United weigh left-back move
Newcastle have dismissed reports of a rift between Lewis Hall and manager Eddie Howe, with the club insisting their relationship remains strong. Manchester United are monitoring the left-back as they seek cover for Luke Shaw following Tyrell Malacia's departure.
Football -
Man United's 100,000-seat stadium plans face uncertainty as Burnham eyes Makerfield seat
Manchester United's ambitious new Old Trafford development could be disrupted if Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18, with potential successors signalling they would review funding arrangements and land acquisition plans.
Football -
Three red cards mar World Cup opener as 10-man Mexico beat nine-man South Africa
Mexico defeated South Africa 1-0 in the World Cup 2026 opening match, a game that produced three red cards — two for Bafana Bafana and one for the co-hosts in the dying minutes.
Football -
Neville and Keane clash over World Cup opener goal just 45 minutes into tournament
Gary Neville and Roy Keane disagreed sharply at half-time of Mexico vs South Africa, the World Cup 2026 opener, debating whether Julian Quinones' goal was the fault of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams or midfielder Yaya Sithole.
Football -
Mourinho arrival and Dumfries signing leave Alexander-Arnold fighting for Real Madrid future
Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a battle for his starting place at Real Madrid after José Mourinho was confirmed as the club's new manager and the Spanish giants moved to sign Denzel Dumfries for £17.3 million.
Football -
Record FIFA prices leave World Cup 2026 tickets scarce as tournament opens Thursday
With the World Cup kicking off on Thursday across 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, FIFA's dynamic pricing model has pushed some tickets into five-figure territory, leaving 29 matches sold out and cheapest remaining seats above $900.
Football -
Hall ready to leave Newcastle after falling out with Howe as Man Utd circle
Lewis Hall is reportedly willing to quit Newcastle after a breakdown in his relationship with manager Eddie Howe, with Manchester United interested in signing the 21-year-old left-back, who is contracted at St James' Park until 2029.
Football -
Mourinho targets free-agent Bernardo Silva as first Real Madrid signing on his return
Real Madrid are in advanced talks to sign former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva as a free agent, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The move comes days after José Mourinho was confirmed as the club's new head coach.
Football -
Man City weigh walking away from Anderson after £120m Forest bid rejected
Manchester City are considering withdrawing their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after a £121m offer — £106m plus £15m in add-ons — was turned down, with chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak unwilling to enter a bidding war.
Football -
Domenech bets his retirement on USA reaching 2026 World Cup final
On L'Équipe's set, Raymond Domenech declared he would retire if the United States reached at least the final of the 2026 World Cup, a bet that the history of American football makes very low-risk.
Football -
Endo retires from Japan duty after foot injury ends his World Cup dream
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football after a persistent foot injury ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup. The Japan captain expressed pride in leading his country despite his frustration at missing the tournament.
Football -
McTominay misses training with stomach complaint ahead of Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti
Scott McTominay sat out a Scotland training session in Charlotte with a stomach complaint, though neither he nor Scott McKenna is considered a serious doubt for Saturday's Group C opener against Haiti at Gillette Stadium.
Football -
BBC defends Salford studio plan for World Cup 2026 as ITV sets up in New York
The BBC has revealed its new state-of-the-art studio in Salford, where it will base World Cup 2026 coverage for at least the group stages, while rival ITV broadcasts from a custom-built set in Brooklyn.
Football
