Mexico coach Javier Aguirre during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Mexico Press Conference in Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico on June 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Javier Aguirre knows exactly what awaits his Mexico side when it hosts the World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday (June 11, 2026) in Mexico City to … Read more
On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin in North America, bringing together teams from across the globe. The tournament, to be jointly hosted by three countries and staged across 16 cities, will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history. More than 1,000 … Read more
England’s Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring against Costa Rica in a friendly match on June 10, 2026 | Photo Credit: Imagn Images via Reuters England were undeterred by a thunderstorm that delayed their final World Cup warm-up friendly as they beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando on Wednesday (June 10, 2026). Anthony Gordon was the star … Read more
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during a friendly against Nigeria, on June 10, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters Portugal is heading to the FIFA World Cup on the back of a 2-1 warmup win over Nigeria and some regrets for star striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old Ronaldo failed to add to his men’s-record international haul of 143 … Read more
A view of the Toronto stadium. | Photo Credit: Reuters The World Cup starts on Thursday (June 11, 2026), and FIFA is charging record prices at the 11 stadiums in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. FIFA is using dynamic pricing and has repeatedly raised the prices since tickets first went … Read more
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), saying “if we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong”. Infantino spoke with reporters during a rare question-and-answer session on the eve of the opening match of an expanded 48-nation, 104-game World Cup … Read more
No showpiece event of a sport has lived up to its billing quite like the FIFA World Cup. The 2026 edition, which kicks off on Thursday, offers proof. With 48 teams and 104 matches, it is the biggest ever. With roughly one in four FIFA member nations qualifying, and six of the seven continents represented, … Read more
Mexico players have fun during a training session. | Photo Credit: Reuters The World Cup has a habit of redefining football’s hierarchy. New stars emerge, established powers fall and careers are forever defined by a handful of moments. As the tournament heads to North America for the first time since 1994, the game is at … Read more
While the stage is set for the FIFA World Cup 2026 commencing on June 11, the mood in the host nations is not entirely euphoric. In Mexico’s capital, where the first match is to be held, teachers associated with the CNTE union have toppled statues of football players and disrupted traffic in their protests for better wages … Read more
The FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy | Photo Credit: Reuters The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on the night of June 11 and will be played across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This year, 48 teams will take part, expanded from the 32 nations of previous editions. The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups … Read more
Shakira and Burna Boy will perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, live for the first time during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11, 2026. File | Photo Credit: Reuters The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an extraordinary event, featuring multi-nation opening ceremonies and culminating on July 19 … Read more
Referee Omar Artan returns to Somalia after being denied entry into the U.S. File | Photo Credit: AP World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was received by a crowd of supporters and officials on Wednesday (June 10, 2026) as he arrived in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, where he … Read more
Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, promises an exhilarating show on the international football stage. The inclusion of the United States as the seeded host creates a uniquely competitive field alongside Australia, Türkiye, and Paraguay. Let’s have a detailed look at the Group D squads. United States of … Read more
The race to FIFA World Cup 2026 is gathering pace as 48 teams prepare to battle for football’s biggest prize across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Scheduled from June 11 to July 19, the biggest football is set to be played by 48 teams across over 100 match fixtures. Essentially, Group ‘L’ includes England, … Read more
The countdown is underway for the biggest football event in the globe, FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring 48 teams across more than 100 match fixtures. The globetrotting event, jointly hosted by Canada, United States of America, and Mexico, is scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Significantly, the standout players in … Read more
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) gets control of the ball as Iceland midfielder Kristian Hlynsson (20) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match in Auburn, Ala., on June 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: Butch Dill After recovering from a muscle injury, the captain of the reigning world champions played 20 minutes … Read more
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Panama City, Panama – May 26, 2026 People pose for a picture with a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy on the Cinta Costera REUTERS/Enea Lebrun TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY | Photo Credit: Enea Lebrun On June 11, the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City … Read more
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will begin its FIFA World Cup defence against Algeria in Group J. Austria and debutant Jordan complete the group. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is placed in Group K along with Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan. Perennial underachiever England, under Harry Kane, finds itself in a tricky Group L also featuring Croatia, Ghana and … Read more
A giant replica of the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy on the Cinta Costera. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio will take charge of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Mexico and South Africa, leading a three-man Brazil team for the curtain-raiser in Mexico City. Also read | … Read more
Jurrien Timber leaves the Netherlands FIFA World Cup 2026 squad after not recovering in time. File | Photo Credit: AP An ongoing injury to Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber was replaced on the Netherlands’ FIFA World Cup 2026 roster by Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida. Also read | FIFA World Cup by the numbers: 104 matches, 48 teams and … Read more
Argentina’s Lionel Messi is expected to take the field in the team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Algeria on June 16, 2026. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Argentina’s national team seems to be trending up health-wise ahead of its FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on June 16. Also read | FIFA World Cup 2026: … Read more
On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup will get under way in USA, Mexico and Canada, bringing together teams from across the globe. Jointly hosted by three countries and staged across 16 cities, the tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history. Teams may … 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. For the first time in football history, an expanded field of 48 nations will descend upon the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The historic tournament kicks off on June 11. Argentina, Algeria, Austria, … 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. For the first time in football history, an expanded field of 48 nations will descend upon the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The historic tournament kicks off on June 11 at the iconic … Read more
Somali referee Omar Artan during the CAF Champions League final. Image for representation | Photo Credit: AP Somali referee Omar Artan won’t officiate in the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World … Read more
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