Mexican soccer players stand with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as part of a ceremony for Mexico’s national soccer team, which will represent the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR) in Mexico City, Mexico, on June 8, 2026. | Photo … Read more
Placed in a tough Group I, France, Senegal and Norway will have to bring their A-game to the FIFA World Cup. Belgium (G), Spain and Uruguay (H) have a relatively easier start to the campaign. Group G (Belgium, Iran, Egypt and New Zealand) Belgium’s golden generation finished third in 2018. In 2026, that gold has … Read more
Senior Indian international footballers C.K. Vineeth and Anas Edathodika capture a selfie with fellow players during the Argentina versus Brazil ‘Dream Final exhibition match’ organised by the Malappuram municipality, and featuring prominent national stars. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN With four days left for the FIFA World Cup, football fever is sweeping Kerala, especially Malabar. … Read more
With the FIFA World Cup — hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — starting on June 11, The Hindu begins its Countdown, analysing the 48 teams in the fray. Group A (Mexico, South Korea, Czechia and South Africa) The majestic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where more than 114,000 people watched Diego Maradona’s … Read more
A pool devoid of big teams is set to be highly competitive, while Germany and The Netherlands are overwhelming favourites to top their groups. Group D (USA, Turkiye, Australia, Paraguay) The USA team is chasing the American dream. Competing on home soil in the global competition for the first time since 1994, the national side, … Read more
This year’s edition of the World Cup will be the biggest ever with an expanded field of 48 teams, three host countries and 16 stadiums staging the record 104 matches over the 39-day tournament. The tournament being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico is the first since FIFA expanded the field from 32 … Read more
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is under way, with the expanded 48-team tournament set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. A record 48 teams will feature in the men’s World Cup this year, with more than 1,000 footballers are expected to represent their countries, with each side allowed … Read more
Pope Leo XIV arrives in the popemobile at Plaza de Lima in Madrid on June 6, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Pope Leo XIV has thrown his support behind the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, offering a boost to the cohost nation as the tournament prepares to get underway on June … Read more
The final 26-man squads for Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been announced. Brazil leads this group, accompanied by Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti. Each team brings a mix of experienced players and newcomers ready to make their mark on the tournament. Here are the definitive, official player rosters for Group C squads … Read more
On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup will begin in North America, bringing together teams from across the globe. Hosted jointly by three countries and spread across 16 cities, the tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history. Each association must submit a final … Read more
A massive FIFA World Cup poster adorns the wall of a host venue ahead of the World Cup | Photo Credit: Reuters Millions of football fans in India can finally heave a sigh of relief since they have a clear answer on how and where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 across multiple mediums. … Read more
FIFA’s logo is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich. | Photo Credit: Reuters FIFA announced on Friday (June 5, 2026) that it will now allow fans to bring their own water bottles to some stadiums during the FIFA World Cup, adjusting a policy that had barred spectators from bringing refillable water bottles into … Read more
Players of the Iranian national football team, set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Members of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been granted visas to the United States, two U.S. officials said, clearing them to enter the United States from … Read more
France’s N’Golo Kante, right, challenges for the ball with Ivory Coast’s Bazoumana Toure during the international friendly soccer match between France and Ivory Coast in Nantes, France, Thursday, June 4, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP France brushed aside concerns after suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat by the Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up match … Read more
After presiding over PSG’s successful Champions League title defence, Luis Enrique put his name up in lights in the hall of fame for football’s greatest-ever managers. Having previously guided Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2014-15, the Spaniard secured his third European Cup triumph as a coach. He joined an elite group of managers with … Read more
Soccer fans will soon crisscross continents to see their beloved national teams compete on the sport’s grandest stage, the FIFA World Cup. They’ll pack bars and fan zones, singing chants and debating who is going to win it all. This time, however, it’s different for some superfans, who say organizers have made this summer’s World … Read more
Brazil’s Cafu holds a unique record in World Cup history of having played in three consecutive finals i.e. (1994-2002) Published – June 05, 2026 05:07 pm IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
Watch: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum tosses football at press conference
The statement also said that FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff. File | Photo Credit: AP FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament’s 16 stadiums across North America including some … Read more
UEFA removed Azerbaijani club Turan Tovuz from next season’s Conference League because of past match-fixing by players, the European soccer body said on Wednesday (June 3, 2026). The club said in a statement it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Turan finished third in the Azerbaijani league to earn a … Read more
With determination, courage and lots of support, refugee players who form the Afghan women’s football team are getting another chance to advance their international careers, one that they say was denied to them when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Among them is Fatima Yousufi, who fled her country and arrived in Australia with … Read more
Players of Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Sporting Club Delhi vie for the ball during the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026 football match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Sporting Club Delhi. File picture | Photo Credit: PTI Nearly 150 players of the Indian Super League, including more than 20 in the national team currently … Read more
Jorgen Strand Larsen celebrates scoring Norway’s third against Sweden in Monday’s friendly. | Photo Credit: AFP The FIFA World Cup is almost upon us. As lovers of the beautiful game gear up for the biggest tournament, people in the Norwegian capital are looking forward to its golden generation to dribble up some magic on the … Read more
The ‘Indian’ flavour at football’s biggest spectacle
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a notable tournament, and Group B is shaping up to be one of the most competitive groups. As one of the co-hosts, Canada enters the tournament with a lot of excitement. The Canadian national team has made significant strides in recent years, with a mix of experienced … Read more
The countdown has officially begun for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most extensive sporting event featuring 48 teams from all over the world. The historic tournament kicks off on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where co-host Mexico lock horns with South Africa (Group A). This edition serves as the … Read more
The final countdown is officially on for the biggest, most expansive sporting spectacle on the planet, the 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026. On June 15, Spain will take on debutants Cabo Verde at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta. Saudi Arabia will battle Uruguay at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as part of the Group H matches. … Read more
New Zealand player Tim Payne. Instagram/timpayne__ New Zealand defender Tim Payne is taking his sudden social media fame in his stride as he prepares for the FIFA World Cup, bringing unexpected attention to the tournament’s lowest-ranked nation. In less than a week, Payne’s Instagram account has exploded from 4,715 followers to 4.2 million after an … Read more
Brighton’s James Milner. File picture | Photo Credit: AP Former England midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40 after 24 seasons in the Premier League. The Brighton player began his career at boyhood club Leeds and went on to win three Premier League titles — two with Manchester … Read more
FIFA had initially sought about $100 million for the India package covering the 2026 and 2030 World Cups before slashing its asking price to $60 million. Representational image of the FIFA World Cup trophy at a museum | Photo Credit: Reuters Zee Entertainment said on Monday (June 1, 2026) it had secured the rights to … Read more