World Cup 2026

Haaland nets twice on World Cup debut but defers to Kane and Mbappe in best-striker debate

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup opener, taking his international tally to 57 goals in 51 appearances. Despite winning a second Premier League Golden Boot, the Man City striker insists Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe outscored him this season.

Poor New Jersey pitch alarms France and Brazil ahead of England's Panama clash

Adrien Rabiot described the surface at New York New Jersey Stadium as feeling 'more like an artificial pitch — quite hard and quite rigid' after France's game against Senegal. England play their final group-stage match against Panama on the same grass, having already lost Tino Livramento to a calf injury.

Haaland names Kane and Mbappe above himself after brace on World Cup debut

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup opener, yet the Manchester City striker insisted Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe rank ahead of him as the world's best, citing their superior goal tallies this season.

Carragher unsurprised as Tuchel snubs Alexander-Arnold for World Cup squad again

Jamie Carragher says Thomas Tuchel is prioritising squad harmony over quality after Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of England's World Cup squad, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah called up instead following Tino Livramento's calf injury.

Gascoigne's raw memoir and Southgate's leadership book headline World Cup audiobook collection

Palace x Nike England pre-match top still available as World Cup 2026 campaign nears

Most of the Nike x Palace England collection sold out within minutes of launch, but the pre-match top remains available in men's, women's and kids' sizes, priced from £34.99, ahead of England's World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia on 17 June.

US lawmaker urges Rubio to waive bond so Cape Verde hero Vozinha's mother can attend World Cup

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to waive visa bond payments after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was left in tears following his Player of the Match display against Spain, with his mother unable to afford the $15,000 bond required to enter the US.

No shots on target in 90 minutes: Algeria worse than Curaçao and Haiti at World Cup

Beaten 3-0 by Argentina in Kansas City, Algeria is the only nation at the 2026 World Cup to have failed to register a single shot on target in its opening match, a record worse than that of Curaçao, Haiti or Cape Verde.

Torabi granted multi-entry visa to stay at World Cup after Iran's travel chaos

Iran winger Mehdi Torabi was issued a single-entry US visa instead of the multiple-entry visa given to his team-mates, leaving him at risk of being sent home after the squad's opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand. The Iranian Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday that FIFA helped secure a replacement.

Mbappé breaks Giroud and Fontaine records with brace against Senegal

Kylian Mbappé scored a brace in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer for the French national team with 58 goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud, and France's top World Cup scorer with 14 goals, erasing Just Fontaine's legendary record.

Tuchel's divorce, new relationship and £5m England salary ahead of World Cup debut

Thomas Tuchel takes charge of England at a major tournament for the first time on Wednesday, facing Croatia in their World Cup 2026 Group L opener in Arlington. Here is a closer look at the man tasked with ending 60 years of hurt.

Martinez confirms Ronaldo will start for Portugal against DR Congo

Portugal begins its 2026 World Cup campaign on Wednesday against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Roberto Martinez has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo's presence, describing him as hungry as he was at his first World Cup.

Crushed 3-0 by Argentina, Algeria Already Turns Against Petkovic Over Contract Extension Signed Before World Cup

Algeria suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina in their World Cup 2026 opener in Kansas City, with the Fennecs' contract extension for manager Vladimir Petkovic through 2028—agreed just days before the tournament—now facing fierce criticism from Algerian supporters and media.

Gabby Logan reveals Michael Bublé's DM after BBC coverage row at World Cup opening ceremony

BBC presenter Gabby Logan has disclosed that Michael Bublé privately messaged her after backlash over the BBC talking over his World Cup 2026 opening ceremony performance in Canada — and the exchange ended with a gig invitation.

Maignan alarms observers despite France's victory over Senegal

Despite France's success against Senegal (3-1) in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, Mike Maignan's performance raised serious concerns: the AC Milan goalkeeper made multiple errors and received the lowest rating of the match.

West Ham demand £45m for Summerville as Man United emerge as frontrunners in summer race

West Ham have no intention of rushing a sale of Crysencio Summerville despite their Championship relegation, insisting it will take around £45m to open talks. Man United are leading the chase after the winger's eye-catching World Cup performances.

Renard Takes Charge of Tunisia and Sets Demanding Tone in First Session

Appointed urgently after Sabri Lamouchi's sacking, Hervé Renard took charge of Tunisia's first training session in Monterrey on Tuesday, immediately demanding rigor and focus from his players. Tunisia, thrashed 5-1 by Sweden, faces Japan on Sunday in a must-win World Cup 2026 clash.

Rooney questions Tuchel's 'strange' snub of Shaw as Chalobah earns England call-up

Wayne Rooney has questioned Thomas Tuchel's decision to overlook Luke Shaw after Trevoh Chalobah was called into the England squad as injury cover for Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Argentinian press split on Mac Allister after Messi hat-trick seals 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria

Alexis Mac Allister played the full 90 minutes as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup group stage opener in Kansas City, but the Liverpool midfielder drew mixed reviews from the Argentinian press despite Lionel Messi's match-winning hat-trick.

Newlyweds swap honeymoon beach for Dallas to cheer England at World Cup 2026

Leicester couple Lauren and James Portwood married on June 3 and flew straight to Dallas to support England at the World Cup, with guaranteed final tickets if Thomas Tuchel's side go all the way.