World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
Competition page →-
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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Premier League referee Michael Oliver has withdrawn from Sunday's Group E clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador through injury.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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
Doué to start, Saliba fit: Deschamps settles on XI for Senegal clash
Two days before France face Senegal in the 2026 World Cup, Didier Deschamps has reportedly decided to start Désiré Doué on the left wing, while William Saliba has been declared fit to play.
Football -
Netherlands and Japan draw 0-0 in Dallas for their 2026 World Cup debuts
The Netherlands and Japan opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a goalless draw (0-0) on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, during the first day of the group stage.
Football -
Germany opens 2026 World Cup campaign against Curaçao in Houston
On Sunday, June 14 at 7 p.m., Germany begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston, in Group E. Neuer, Wirtz and Havertz start in this opening match.
Football -
Brazil and Morocco draw 1-1, Australia stuns Turkey at 2026 World Cup
Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw in New York in the opening clash of the 2026 World Cup, with Ismael Saibari scoring first before Vinicius Jr equalized. Australia delivered the weekend's surprise by defeating Turkey 2-0 in Group D.
Football -
Leboeuf backs Mbappe to fulfil France captaincy as third World Cup looms
Frank Leboeuf has defended Kylian Mbappe's leadership credentials ahead of France's World Cup opener, arguing the captaincy will bring out the best in the 27-year-old, just as it did for Zidane, Deschamps and Lloris before him.
Football -
Brazil rescued by Vinicius Junior as Morocco lead slips in World Cup opener
Brazil were outplayed for long stretches by Morocco at the New York New Jersey Stadium before Vinicius Junior dragged them level to earn a 1-1 draw in their 2026 World Cup opener.
Football -
Matt Holland wonders what Ireland could have achieved at 2002 World Cup had Roy Keane stayed
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland has reflected on the Saipan crisis, describing Roy Keane as the one player every nation at the 2002 World Cup would have wanted — while also recalling the agony of his missed penalty against Spain.
Football -
World Cup 2026 approaches: how well do you know historic tournament shirts?
With 48 nations set to descend on North America for World Cup 2026, FourFourTwo has compiled a 20-question quiz challenging fans to identify nations from their classic World Cup kits.
Football -
Scotland stun Haiti to top World Cup Group C above Brazil on opening night
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston to sit top of World Cup Group C after matchday one, with John McGinn's deflected 28th-minute strike ending a 36-year wait for a World Cup win. Brazil, held 1-1 by Morocco earlier in the day, trail Clarke's side on goal difference.
Football -
Merino names Spain's 2010 legends as inspiration ahead of World Cup debut
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino says the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup shaped his generation, and that lifting the trophy in North America this summer would fulfil a childhood dream.
Football -
Two charged as England's stolen World Cup equipment valued at £13,500
Two men have been charged by prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri, after England's equipment was stolen en route to Kansas City ahead of their World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia. The total value of the stolen items, which included analysis whiteboards, has been confirmed at roughly $18,000 (£13,500), with most gear since recovered.
Football -
Ancelotti tops World Cup 2026 manager salary list at £8.5m as Tuchel ranks fourth
Carlo Ancelotti is the highest-paid coach at the 2026 World Cup, earning a reported £8.5 million per year with Brazil. England's Thomas Tuchel sits fourth on £4.9 million, while defending champion Argentina's Lionel Scaloni ranks only 14th.
Football -
World Cup quiz: Which player completes the Cafu-to-Mbappe sequence?
FourFourTwo's Pre-Match Poser no.31 challenges readers to identify the next player in a sequence that runs from Cafu through Marco Amelia, Alberto Gilardino, Toni Kroos, Andre Schurrle, and Kylian Mbappe. Last week's answer revealed Giuseppe Meazza as the longest-serving incumbent World Cup-winning captain.
Football -
Curacao score their first-ever World Cup goal against Germany in Houston
Curacao made history at the 2026 World Cup, scoring their first-ever goal in the tournament during their Group Stage clash with Germany at the NRG Stadium in Houston. The Caribbean island nation, with a population of just 155,000, is appearing at their maiden World Cup.
Football
