World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
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Man City weigh walking away from £120m Anderson bid as Forest hold firm on full fee
Manchester City have had a second bid of £120m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson rejected, with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis refusing to accept add-ons. City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is now considering pulling out of negotiations entirely.
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USA flag booed by Mexico City crowd at World Cup 2026 opening ceremony
The United States flag was met with loud jeers from the crowd at Azteca Stadium during the pre-match flag parade before Mexico's opening World Cup 2026 game against South Africa, in a moment that reflected broader political tensions surrounding the tournament.
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Half of Americans uninterested in World Cup 2026 as poll reveals deep indifference to host nation's tournament
An Emerson College poll of 1,200 Americans found 45 percent have no interest in World Cup 2026, with only 22 percent describing themselves as very interested — a striking finding as the tournament kicks off on home soil.
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FIFA revamps World Cup 2026 anthem ceremony to include full squads and 360-degree fan experience
FIFA has announced a redesigned pre-match ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in which every squad member — not just starters — will gather around the centre circle during national anthems, alongside new stadium-wide visuals and pyrotechnics for later rounds.
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Argentina reclaim FIFA's top ranking hours before World Cup 2026 kicks off
Defending champions Argentina have moved back to No. 1 in the FIFA world rankings, displacing France, just hours before the 2026 World Cup opens in North America. Spain hold second, England sit fourth, and Morocco reach a record-high seventh.
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Tuchel grants England squad a free day in Florida with one firm rule before World Cup begins
Thomas Tuchel has given his 26-man England squad a day off in Florida ahead of their World Cup campaign, allowing players to explore the state freely — on the condition that no one boards a flight before the squad relocates to Kansas City on Saturday.
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Tuchel backs Anderson to thrive amid £100m-plus transfer battle ahead of World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel has described Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as the 'full package' and believes the £100m-plus interest from Manchester City is boosting rather than distracting the 22-year-old ahead of the World Cup.
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Bellingham trialled as England's No.9 while Tuchel raises concerns over new World Cup referee rules
Thomas Tuchel tested Jude Bellingham as a centre-forward during England's friendly win over Costa Rica, opening up a new tactical option for the World Cup. The England manager also voiced concerns about stricter refereeing directives that could affect his side at the tournament.
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Mexico City's World Cup metro makeover mocked as 'failed aesthetic' amid infrastructure anger
A lavish renovation of Mexico City's Hidalgo metro station, completed ahead of the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, has sparked widespread ridicule online, with residents arguing the cosmetic overhaul masks deeper structural problems the city has long failed to address.
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Desailly settles it: « Africa's champion is still Senegal », not Morocco
Questioned on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, Marcel Desailly refuses to recognize Morocco's title awarded by default after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final was annulled. For the 1998 World Cup winner, it is Senegal, victorious 1-0 on the pitch on January 18 in Rabat, that remains the true African champion.
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Koundé suffers thigh issue, but availability for Senegal clash not in doubt
France's right-back sustained a muscular problem during the friendly against Northern Ireland (3-1) last Monday. His participation in the World Cup opener on June 16 against Senegal is not under threat.
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Balerdi set to leave OM: Atlético, Juventus and Roma circle
Despite a contract running until 2028, Olympique de Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi is expected to leave this summer if a satisfactory offer arrives. Atlético Madrid, Juventus, AS Rome and Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested.
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World Cup fever grips Mexico City but protests and political tensions cloud the opening
Mexico City prepares to host the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony and inaugural match against South Africa, but President Claudia Sheinbaum faces mounting protests, political scandals, and security concerns that threaten to overshadow the festivities.
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Christina Unkel: the FIFA referee-turned-lawyer joining ITV's World Cup 2026 coverage
Christina Unkel, a former FIFA referee, qualified litigation lawyer, and Tampa Bay Sun FC president, returns to ITV as a rules analyst and VAR expert for World Cup 2026, having impressed UK audiences during Euro 2024.
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Shearer backs Morgan Rogers over Bellingham as England's World Cup No. 10
Alan Shearer has argued that Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers should be England's chief playmaker at the 2026 World Cup, putting him at odds with Micah Richards, who insists Jude Bellingham is the undisputed starter and 'shouldn't even be a debate'.
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Mexico host South Africa as World Cup 2026 kicks off at the Azteca
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Group A, reprising the 2010 tournament opener. South Korea and the Czech Republic then meet in Guadalajara in a second Group A fixture on the same night.
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Sportsbooks favour a draw as USA face Paraguay in 2026 World Cup opener
Caesars Sports says a draw is its most profitable outcome for the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup opener on Friday, with heavy public money already backing the co-host nation at -110 on the three-way moneyline.
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Shakira and Burna Boy to headline World Cup 2026 opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca
The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony takes place at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, with Shakira and Burna Boy headlining alongside Tyla, J Balvin, Maná, and several other international acts before Mexico face South Africa.
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Six nations, two continents: everything confirmed about the 2030 and 2034 World Cups
The 2030 World Cup will span Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay across a 104-game, 48-team tournament, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 edition across five cities and 15 proposed stadiums.
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Shakira and Burna Boy unite on 'Dai Dai', the official World Cup 2026 anthem
Colombian pop star Shakira has teamed up with Nigerian singer Burna Boy to release 'Dai Dai', the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track will receive its live debut at the opening ceremony before Mexico face South Africa.
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