World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
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FIFA revamps World Cup 2026 anthem ceremony to include all squad members
FIFA has announced a redesigned pre-match ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in which every player in the matchday squad, not just the starting eleven, will gather around the centre circle during national anthems. The 360-degree format also introduces flag banners, player entry arches, and pyrotechnics for later rounds.
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Cherki shines in France's defeat to Ivory Coast with goal and impressive first half
Despite France's loss to Ivory Coast (1-2) in Nantes, Rayan Cherki dominated the first half, scoring the opening goal and earning praise from manager Didier Deschamps and observers.
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FIFA cancels free World Cup 2026 tickets issued by pricing error, offers repurchase
Around 60 fans who secured World Cup 2026 tickets at zero cost due to a checkout glitch on FIFA.com have had their orders cancelled and refunded. FIFA has reserved the same seats for them to buy at the correct price within seven days.
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2026 World Cup: All players gathered at centre circle during anthems
FIFA is modifying the pre-match protocol for the 2026 World Cup: starters and substitutes will group together around the centre circle during national anthems, a first in the competition's history.
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Spain held by Iraq in World Cup warm-up as De la Fuente rests ten players over fitness concerns
European champions Spain were frustrated to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in A Coruña, with Luis de la Fuente omitting up to ten players — including Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Rodri — due to fitness concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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Amad scores late winner for Ivory Coast as France fall in World Cup warm-up
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo struck an 84th-minute first-time finish to give Ivory Coast a comeback victory over France in a World Cup warm-up, reviving confidence in the forward after a difficult domestic season.
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Deschamps warns France over pace problem after 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast
France fell to a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up in Nantes on Thursday, with Didier Deschamps conceding his side lost control after half-time and warning the same pace-based threat awaits them at the tournament.
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Digne and Théo Hernandez struggle: France's left flank concerns mount ahead of World Cup
France lost 2-1 to Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday in a warm-up match, exposing defensive weaknesses on the left flank where neither Lucas Digne nor Théo Hernandez impressed just twelve days before their World Cup opener against Senegal.
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Deschamps reveals Portugal's 2016 Euro winning goal would have been disallowed with VAR
With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, Didier Deschamps reflects on the Euro 2016 final lost to Portugal (0-1 a.e.t.) and claims to have learned at a FIFA meeting that Eder's goal would have been ruled out if VAR had existed.
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Africa Cup of Nations 2025: For Alexandre Ruiz, Senegal Remains the Only Legitimate Winner
While the Court of Arbitration for Sport has yet to rule on the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, journalist Alexandre Ruiz unambiguously defends Senegal's legitimacy as winners on the pitch against Morocco (1-0, a.e.t.).
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France suffer defeat to Ivory Coast but remain calm ahead of World Cup
France lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Nantes on Thursday in a World Cup 2026 warm-up match. Tchouameni and Cherki played down the defeat ahead of the Blues' tournament opener.
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FFF needs World Cup 2026 semi-final to avoid losses
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo acknowledged that the FFF, which posted a deficit of €8.7 million, is counting on a deep run by Les Bleus at the 2026 World Cup to restore its finances.
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Ebrima Tunkara, Barcelona's 16-year-old gem already coveted across Europe
Sixteen-year-old attacking midfielder Ebrima Tunkara, trained at La Masia, has caught the attention of Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus after providing three assists at the U17 Euros. Barcelona, where he is contracted until 2029, intends to keep him.
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Ivory Coast stun France 2-1 as Spain held by Iraq in World Cup warm-ups
Guéla Doué scored and assisted the winner as Ivory Coast beat France 2-1 in Nantes on Thursday, while Spain — missing Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams — were held 1-1 at home by Iraq in La Coruña.
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Japan abandons Tigres training ground in Monterrey over poor pitch conditions
Japan's national team has relocated its World Cup training base in Monterrey from UANL Tigres' facility to rivals Rayados de Monterrey's El Barrial ground after players found the original pitch uneven and scarred by patches of dirt.
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Cherki starts and scores against Ivory Coast, Deschamps faces a tough dilemma
Playing as number 10 in the absence of Dembélé during the warm-up match against Ivory Coast in Nantes, Rayan Cherki opened the scoring and dominated France's attacking play, complicating Didier Deschamps' plans just weeks before the World Cup.
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Doski levels for Iraq against Spain with a stunning cross-shot in La Coruña
Iraq held their own against Spain at halftime of their friendly World Cup 2026 preparation match, thanks to a magnificent cross-shot from Merchas Doski that neutralized Ferran Torres's opening goal at Riazor stadium.
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Iraola confirmed as Liverpool head coach with 14 players ready for pre-season opener
Liverpool have officially appointed Andoni Iraola as head coach following Arne Slot's departure. Fourteen players not involved in the World Cup will report for pre-season next month, with the club's summer schedule including a US tour and two Anfield friendlies.
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France vs Ivory Coast: Mbappé starts as centre-forward with Olise, Cherki and Thuram
Didier Deschamps unveiled his starting XI for the friendly match against Ivory Coast on Wednesday at 21:10 in Nantes as preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé is deployed as centre-forward, supported by a trio of Olise-Cherki-Thuram.
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Caroline Weir says Fifa and Uefa must answer Israel questions, not Scotland players
Scotland women's captain Caroline Weir has deflected political questions about their upcoming World Cup qualifying double header against Israel to football's governing bodies, saying players are placed in "a very tricky position" by such decisions.
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