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Controversial Sampaio named referee for World Cup 2026 opener between Mexico and South Africa
Brazilian official Wilton Sampaio, who drew fierce criticism from England players after their 2022 World Cup exit against France, will referee the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca.
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Shearer is the closest to me in style, says Sir Geoff Hurst ahead of 2026 World Cup
Sir Geoff Hurst, England's only World Cup final hat-trick scorer, has named Alan Shearer as the striker who most resembled his own game, citing their shared qualities in the air and striking the ball.
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Kimmich and Germany players fund travel for 600 fans as World Cup fares soar
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates are covering the bus costs for 600 supporters travelling to the side's final Group E match against Ecuador in New Jersey on 25 June, after local transit fares surged to nearly eight times their normal rate.
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England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in World Cup 2026 group stage under Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel's England begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, before facing Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey to complete Group L.
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World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11 with 104 games across 48 teams in North America
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 when co-host Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, launching five and a half weeks of action featuring 48 nations and up to six matches per day.
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Trabzonspor president says Onana's financial demands met as permanent deal nears
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has declared that the Turkish club have satisfied Andre Onana's financial requirements, bringing a permanent move for the Manchester United goalkeeper closer. United need around £20m from the sale to comply with Premier League PSR rules.
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Charged with rape, Patrick Bruel banned from attending 2026 World Cup
Placed under judicial supervision after being charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment, Patrick Bruel has been forbidden from leaving French territory, preventing him from following the 2026 World Cup as he did in Russia in 2018.
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Dupraz hails Luis Enrique's collective revolution at PSG
Pascal Dupraz, former manager of Toulouse and Saint-Étienne, has publicly praised the tactical transformation orchestrated by Luis Enrique at PSG, saying he no longer misses a single match of the Parisian club since the collective has taken precedence over individual brilliance.
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Arcom threatens pirate IPTV users with blackouts during 2026 World Cup
France's audiovisual regulator warns that illegal IPTV streams could be cut in real time during World Cup matches from June 11 to July 19, including during penalty shootouts.
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Barred from the World Cup, Somali referee Artan earns Uefa Super Cup appointment
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, denied entry to the United States for the World Cup over alleged national security concerns, has been appointed by Uefa to referee the Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.
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Benched at PSG, Lucas Chevalier seeks exit this summer
Sidelined from Paris Saint-Germain's starting lineup since January, Lucas Chevalier has not played a single minute with PSG and will miss the World Cup. A loan move to Besiktas or Tottenham is taking shape for the 24-year-old goalkeeper.
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UEFA hands World Cup-banned referee Omar Artan the PSG vs Aston Villa Super Cup
Somali official Omar Artan, denied entry to the United States and removed from the FIFA World Cup 2026 roster, has been appointed by UEFA to referee the Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August.
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Tornado alert and 'corn sweat' humidity threaten England's Kansas City World Cup preparations
England's squad faces severe weather disruption ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17, with a tornado watch issued for the Kansas City Metropolitan area and a thunderstorm forecast for Saturday — the day the Three Lions fly in from Florida.
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Man United prepare £34m bid for Lens midfielder Sangare as Anderson joins City
Manchester United are targeting RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare as a transfer alternative after Manchester City moved ahead in the race for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson with a £121m offer.
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Greenwood to Roma: OM demands €55M, Romans offer only €40M
Mason Greenwood is close to joining AS Roma from Olympique de Marseille, but negotiations are stalling over the transfer fee: Marseille is demanding €55 million while the Italian club is offering €40 million.
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Hong Kong seizes $20 million in fake World Cup jerseys hours before tournament opener
Hong Kong customs officers intercepted 230,000 counterfeit items worth an estimated $20 million, including 30,000 fake football shirts, in an operation running from late May to early June — just hours before Mexico faced South Africa in the World Cup opener.
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Mazraoui returns to Morocco training in time for World Cup opener against Brazil
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has resumed full training with Morocco after a shoulder injury threatened his World Cup participation. He is now expected to be available for Saturday's Group stage clash with Brazil at MetLife Stadium.
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Federico Chiesa set to leave Liverpool this summer with Serie A return likely
Federico Chiesa's troubled spell at Liverpool is drawing to a close, with a summer exit now considered inevitable. The Italy forward made just nine starts in his debut season and has publicly admitted he must seek regular football elsewhere.
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England fans warned that drinking as a passenger in a car is illegal in Texas
England supporters travelling to their World Cup opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on June 17 face arrest if caught drinking alcohol as car passengers — a common practice in the UK that is strictly prohibited under Texas law.
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Neville, Keane and Wright to front ITV's World Cup 2026 opener as Mexico host South Africa
ITV has confirmed its broadcast team for the World Cup 2026 opening fixture, with Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright joining presenter Mark Pougatch in the studio. Jon Champion and Ally McCoist will call the action as Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca.
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