FIFA World Cup 2026

2026

2026 World Cup offer: Treble your returns + £20 free bets on talkSPORT BET

talksport

How an ‘accidental’ American and Arsenal reject became Mauricio Pochettino’s history-making World Cup star

talksport

Football Daily

Charlie Adam joins Rick & Lloyd to preview Scotland's huge World Cup clash with Morocco.

bbc

Iran to lodge complaint over travel restrictions

Iran are to lodge an official complaint to Fifa about the travel restrictions they are facing at the 2026 World Cup.

bbc

How can teams qualify for knockout rounds? Clinchi...

Who can secure qualification before the group stage ends, and whose World Cup dreams could be shattered? Here's what you need to know.

espn

Brazil World Cup fans take heed of ominous warning to avoid becoming latest victim of ‘Rocky curse’

talksport

World Cup 2026 Power Rankings after one game: U.S....

All 48 teams have played one group game, so let's revisit our Power Rankings. What do our writers and experts think the field of favorites looks like after one week?

espn

Jesse Marsch in tears after hearing Canada star’s bone snap in World Cup ordeal

talksport

Happy hosts as Canada claim first win and Mexico seal knockout spot | World Cup Daily

<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/maxrushden.bsky.social">Max Rushden</a> is joined by <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:i55lfvhkg573wfmby5sdnvq6">Barry Glendenning</a>, Nicky Bandini and Ben Fisher as Canada thrash Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/jun/19/happy-hosts-as-canada-claim-first-win-and-mexico-seal-knockout-spot-world-cup-daily">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Opposition scouting: How the USMNT can counter Aus...

With both teams coming off wins in their World Cup openers, the United States and Australia know victory would see them qualify for the knockout stage.

espn

World Cup 2026: Koné injury mars Canada rout; Scotland’s ‘big challenge’; USA v Australia buildup – live

⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament ⚽ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/bracketology-predict-a-path-to-world-cup-victory">Bracketology</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/golden-boot-world-cup-2026-top-goalscorers-winner">Golden Boot</a> | <a href="mailto:matchday.live@guardian.co.uk">Mail us</a>Granit Xhaka pulled no punches after capping <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/18/switzerland-bosnia-and-herzegovina-group-b-match-report">Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina</a>, confirming his pointed “blah-blah” celebration was in response to accusations that he stoked negativity within the Swiss camp. Xhaka made a talking gesture with his right hand after scoring a stoppage-time penalty and afterwards said: “They know why I did it,” said the 33-year-old Sunderland captain. “I received thousands of messages. But I don’t read them anymore. I think I’m past that age. It doesn’t bother me at all. As mentioned, it’s something that can’t be influenced by me. That’s all I can say.” Swiss media reported Xhaka’s critical comments of the team’s performance in their opening Group B draw with Qatar went down badly inside the squad. “What I can influence is my performance on the pitch. And as mentioned before, if there is something to praise, then I am the first one who praises someone,” he said. “And if there is criticism, then I am also the first one who criticises someone. “When I criticise, it doesn’t mean that I criticise others and not myself. And I start with myself first. And I think now, I’ve played almost 150 games for the national team now. And by now, you should know me too. If some can’t deal with criticism, then that’s a pity. And if someone has something to say, they should come to me about it.” Johan Manzambi scored twice in the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina but Xhaka said he had no intention of presenting the 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder with the chance to complete his hat-trick. “It’s not about the individual thing. We have rules,” Xhaka said. “He’s young, he has a big future in front of him, so let’s take the experienced players first for penalty takers. His time will come.”On paper, yesterday’s fixtures promised little but it was a fun day across the tournament in the end. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/19/world-cup-2026-news-kone-injury-canada-rout-scotland-big-challenge-morocco-usa-australia-buildup-live">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Players are human beings and social media comments reach us. But the focus has to be on the pitch | Rodrygo

The pressure of wearing the Brazil shirt can be heavy but also creates a positive kind of responsibilityPlaying in a World Cup is a huge experience; when you’re with the national team, your entire focus is on the squad’s schedule – the hotel, the training centre, the stadium – basically, everything revolves around the matches.I lived that routine daily at the 2022 World Cup and realised the immense dedication the tournament demands. In this 2026 edition, as fate would have it and as I am still recovering from my injury, I’m discovering a different side of the World Cup: a World Cup of reunions, with countless events happening simultaneously across the cities and countries, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/14/england-world-cup-training-base-kansas-city-swope">creating opportunities for conversations</a> and extraordinary experiences. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/players-are-human-beings-and-social-media-comments-reach-us-but-the-focus-has-to-be-on-the-pitch">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

‘The cops bought me an egg and cheese muffin’: Boston’s love affair with Tartan Army goes on

Scotland fans in the Massachusetts city awaiting their game against Morocco have continued to make an impression on the localsOn Thursday afternoon, local broadcasters in Boston went live to an event hosted by the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu. It was a significant moment, with Wu confirming a deal that would commemorate a new chapter for the city. Representatives of the other party were also present, and they were easy to spot. Particularly the one guy in a kilt and a T-shirt reading: “I’m not perfect, but I am Scottish, and that’s kind of the same thing.”The agreement signed will see Boston and Glasgow become twin cites. Officially, according to Wu, the arrangement will “create new opportunities for meaningful cooperation and mutual growth”. But who was she kidding. A more telling line was the one that reflected “longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States” and, of course, “the goodwill generated during the Fifa World Cup 2026”. In other words, Boston’s love affair with the Tartan Army is now official. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/the-cops-bought-me-an-egg-and-cheese-muffin-bostons-love-affair-with-tartan-army-goes-on">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

World Cup 2026 Bet Builder Tips — Friday 19 June | Best Picks & Predictions

talksport

Cucho Hernandez has everything Newcastle need as World Cup footage goes viral

football_insider

Pochettino: U.S. must match Australia's mindset

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino says his side will need to match Australia's mentality in their mammoth World Cup meeting in Seattle.

espn

Aguirre relishes Azteca return after Group A win

Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 to become the first team to advance to the World Cup knockout stage, securing the top spot in Group A and a dream Round of 32 match at the Estadio Azteca.

espn

Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 12

Will you get today's player in as few attempts as possible?

bbc

Mexico rejoice after second World Cup win in 2026....

Mexico still don't look like the finished product, but fine-tuning can wait for another day as the co-hosts punched their ticket to the round of 32.

espn

Iran to lodge complaint with Fifa over ‘restrictions imposed’ on team at World Cup

<ul><li>Iran permitted to arrive in LA just 24 hours before Belgium game</li><li>Federation will express its ‘dissatisfaction’ over logistical issues</li></ul>Iran plan to lodge a formal complaint with Fifa regarding the “restrictions imposed by the organisers” on the team at the World Cup, after being told they will only be permitted to arrive in Los Angeles 24 hours before Sunday’s crucial game against Belgium. After <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/iran-new-zealand-world-cup-2026-group-g-match-report">Iran’s Group G opener with New Zealand</a>, their head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, argued they are the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/amir-ghalenoei-iran-coach-mehdi-taremi-fifa-us-world-cup">“most oppressed” team at the tournament</a>. Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, said the logistical issues meant recent weeks had been a “disaster”.The comments stemmed from Iran being informed they had to fly to their team base in Tijuana, Mexico immediately after their draw at Los Angeles Stadium, rather than return the following day after a recovery session. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/iran-lodge-complaint-fifa-restrictions-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>

guardian