World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
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Van der Vaart faces backlash after racist joke about Japan players on Dutch TV
Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart sparked controversy during live punditry on Dutch channel NOS by claiming Japan's players 'look alike', a remark he immediately acknowledged as a joke, after the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in their World Cup opener.
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Humiliated 5-1 by Sweden, Lamouchi on the verge of being sacked mid-World Cup
Tunisia suffered a nightmare start to the 2026 World Cup, crushed 5-1 by Sweden in Monterrey. The defeat could cost manager Sabri Lamouchi his job before Tunisia's second match, scheduled for June 21 against Japan.
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Ramon Abatti confirmed as referee for Belgium vs Egypt at World Cup 2026
Brazilian official Ramon Abatti will take charge of Belgium's Group G opener against Egypt at Seattle's Lumen Field on Monday. The 36-year-old refereed the 2024 Olympic final and oversaw Real Madrid matches at last summer's Club World Cup.
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FBI seizes 15 drones near Atlanta World Cup stadium as officials warn of major security threat
At least 15 drones have been confiscated by the FBI after entering no-fly zones around Atlanta's World Cup stadium, with senior law enforcement officials describing unmanned aircraft as the single greatest security risk at the tournament.
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Messi set to surpass Ronaldo with sixth World Cup appearance while chasing Klose's goals record
Lionel Messi will become the first player in history to appear in six World Cups when Argentina face Algeria in Kansas City, edging ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo by hours. The 38-year-old is also three goals shy of Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 World Cup goals.
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Lamine Yamal declared fit to face Cape Verde in Spain's World Cup opener
Lamine Yamal has been cleared to feature for Spain against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15, ending weeks of uncertainty over the 17-year-old's hamstring and groin injury sustained in late April. Whether he starts or comes off the bench will depend on the medical staff's assessment.
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Nicolas Seiwald tipped as under-the-radar Casemiro replacement for Manchester United
Manchester United are being pointed towards RB Leipzig defensive midfielder Nicolas Seiwald as a potential Casemiro replacement this summer. The 25-year-old Austria international, currently valued at around £19m, is expected to be one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup.
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Salah's final World Cup bid begins as Belgium face Egypt in Seattle opener
Belgium and Egypt kick off their 2026 World Cup campaigns in Seattle on Monday, with Rudi Garcia's side seeking redemption after a group-stage exit in 2022 and Mohamed Salah potentially playing in his last World Cup.
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Deschamps names Spain as World Cup 2026 favourite, not France
On the eve of France's opening match against Senegal in New York, Didier Deschamps clearly ruled out the Blues as favourites, pointing to Spain as the great favourite for this 2026 World Cup.
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Nunez set to rejoin Liverpool less than a year after £46m Saudi Arabia exit
Darwin Nunez is reportedly heading back to Anfield this summer, according to a Uruguayan outlet, after a troubled spell at Al-Hilal that saw him axed from the club's 25-man squad earlier this year.
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Lamine Yamal starts on the bench as Spain begin their World Cup campaign
Still recovering from a thigh injury sustained in late April, Lamine Yamal will not start Monday against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Ferran Torres replaces him on the right flank of Spain's attack.
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Stones names comeback from injury as one of his 'greatest achievements' ahead of England's World Cup opener
John Stones, who considered retirement after an injury-ravaged two seasons at Manchester City, says his mental resilience through repeated setbacks ranks among his proudest accomplishments as he prepares for England's World Cup opener against Croatia.
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Childhood postcards and 2Pac on the speakers: inside England's World Cup 2026 base camp
The FA has decorated England's World Cup headquarters with postcards tracing every squad member's footballing origins, while Jordan Henderson revealed the squad are bonding over games of Imposter and training sessions soundtracked by 2Pac.
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Ivory Coast boss laughs off Liverpool and PSG talk as Diomande shines at World Cup
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has played down transfer speculation linking 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, after the teenager impressed in a 1-0 World Cup win over Ecuador in Philadelphia.
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Houston Fan Festival closes amid flood warnings as wild weather disrupts World Cup 2026
FIFA's Fan Festival in Houston has been shut on Monday due to flood warnings expected to last through Wednesday, when Portugal face DR Congo at the city's roofed stadium. Extreme weather has already disrupted several matches at the tournament.
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Cucurella completes £51.7m Real Madrid move as girlfriend's farewell message goes viral
Marc Cucurella has left Chelsea for Real Madrid in a deal worth £51.7 million, ending a four-year spell at Stamford Bridge. His girlfriend Claudia Rodriguez posted an emotional farewell on Instagram, saying she does not know how to explain the move to their children.
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Anderson, Rogers and the five Premier League transfers set to define the World Cup window
The Premier League transfer window has opened with the World Cup already underway, and several high-profile deals are taking shape — including a potential British record move for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Arsenal's pursuit of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.
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Mahrez absent from press conference ahead of Algeria-Argentina World Cup clash
The Algerian Football Federation decided that Vladimir Petkovic would face the media alone on Monday, the day before the showdown against Argentina in Kansas City. Captain Riyad Mahrez, initially expected, will not be present in order to remain focused on the match.
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World Cup 2026 fans in UK risk £100 fines and seized TVs under 11pm noise law
England's group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup will run past 11pm UK time, putting fans at risk of on-the-spot fines, equipment seizure, and even a criminal record under the Noise Act 1996.
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Deschamps spares Mbappé ahead of France-Senegal by sending Kanté to press conference
On the eve of France's opening match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, Didier Deschamps kept Kylian Mbappé away from the press conference to spare him several hours of travel, instead sending vice-captain N'Golo Kanté.
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