World Cup 2026 News
Updates from across major football outlets covering the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
NZ and Iran in World Cup limbo with LA story about more than football
Uncertainty has clouded the All Whites and Team Melli’s group stage opener to be held in Los Angeles on 15 June New Zealand will play their first World Cup game in 16 years with much of the planet watching what is surely the biggest event of the group stage. But little attention will be on whether New Zealand can record their first World Cup win with Iran their opposition on 15 June. As well as all the headlines and anticipation, the global spotlight adds an extra layer to the challenge for New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley and his team. Ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, there has been uncertainty surrounding this World Cup fixture in Los Angeles. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
From 5,000 followers to over a million: New Zealand World Cup player Tim Payne finds social media fame
Tim Payne identified as least-known player by Argentinian influencer Campaign launched to make defender a ‘hero’ before tournament New Zealand defender Tim Payne has become an unlikely star after an influencer from Argentina called on his followers to unite and make the little-known 32-year-old a “hero” of the upcoming World Cup. El Scarso, a football influencer also known as Valen Scarsini, identified Payne as the least-known player at the World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico based on his small social media following. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Switzerland World Cup 2026 team guide
Granit Xhaka and his teammates enter with high expectations after a smooth route through qualifying This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Mauricio Pochettino in talks with Milan over head coach’s role as US open World Cup camp
USMNT head coach has drawn broader interest, CEO says World Cup camp opens after squad reveal on Tuesday Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has had talks with Serie A side Milan about taking over as manager next season, the Guardian can confirm. Italian journalist Nicolò Schira was first to report news of Pochettino’s talks with Milan. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Canada World Cup 2026 team guide
Jesse Marsch has developed an in-form team that has lifted the co-hosts’ hopes, though the fitness of Alphonso Davies and Moïse Bombito is a concern This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Harry Souttar treads a familiar route in bid to represent Australia at World Cup | Joey Lynch
The imposing Socceroos defender has already proved he can make an impact at a major tournament despite an injury-affected build-up At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Harry Souttar rallied back from a ruptured ACL to play a starring role in the Socceroos’ unlikely push to the knockout stages. Fast forward four years, and it’s a similar story for the towering defender; the 27-year-old has only recently returned to action from a torn Achilles that robbed him more than a year of his career, and is again out to prove his fitness to his coach. Those of a more seasoned vintage might also note that Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic is familiar with what Souttar is going through. Popovic knows exactly what a dedicated mindset and proven veteran can bring to the fold off the back of very little football, having himself gone through a similar experience over 20 years ago. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Football Australia receives surprise video from Fifa boss Infantino amid news of financial pain
National body’s AGM features prerecorded message of support FA on track for $5m loss in 2026 despite World Cup boost Fifa president Gianni Infantino has praised Football Australia for “reuniting old soccer and new football” in a video message, as the sport’s national body grapples with financial pain and cultural turmoil. FA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday was marked by news it was on track to lose $5m in 2026 and the failure of two nominee directors backed by A-League clubs to win a place on the board. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 team guide
After finally getting his chance to manage his country, Sergej Barbarez has conjured the passion and energy that could make his team an interesting watch This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
South Korea World Cup 2026 team guide
Doubts over formation and form of key players means hopes of advancing to knockout stages are not high This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Football Daily | To all USMNT rejects, Mauricio Pochettino hopes this email finds you well
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! As a football newsletter whose entire raison d’etre is sending people emails they are desperate to receive and read, Football Daily is fully behind Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinian has taken a leaf out of our tried-and-trusted playbook by electing to use the medium of email to let assorted soccerball players around the world know whether or not they’d been selected to play for Team USA USA USA at this summer’s Geopolitics World Cup. His method of communication has been criticised in some quarters due to its lack of a personal touch for those who have not made the cut, with some American hacks saying those left out were at least owed an explanatory phone call from the Argentinian. Defending himself, Pochettino pointed out that as a player, he wouldn’t have wanted to converse with a manager who had just cut him from an international squad because ... well, why would you bother? This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
New York and New Jersey subpoena Fifa over ‘manipulated’ World Cup ticketing
Joint investigation run by NY and NJ attorneys general Subpoena seeks information on Fifa’s ticket practices Investigation centers on games at MetLife Stadium The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into Fifa’s ticketing practices around the 2026 World Cup, focusing specifically on the matches due to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The investigation, announced Wednesday by New York’s Letitia James and New Jersey’s Jennifer Davenport, centers on fans who say they were misled about the location of the seats and on claims that Fifa’s own public messaging around tickets has contributed to the inflated prices seen throughout the tournament. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Cristiano Ronaldo steps up again but Martínez will be wary over World Cup role | John Duerden
The face of the Saudi Pro League was vital as Al-Nassr won the title but will need to be a team player for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo will report for World Cup duty fresh from winning his first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022, after Al-Nassr became Saudi Pro League champions last Thursday. That’s the good news for Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martínez, but there is more to think about when it comes to his biggest name. Although the domestic season ended all smiles for Ronaldo, five days earlier there was much doom and gloom around his club. Al-Nassr lost the final of the AFC Champions League Two, Asia’s Europa League, to Gamba Osaka of Japan. It was a poor performance and Ronaldo came in for special criticism. Not only did clips of his lack of movement, lack of pressing, missed chances and blocked shots circulate on social media, there was disappointment that, almost as soon as the final whistle went, he left the field, missing the medals’ and trophy presentations. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
South Africa World Cup 2026 team guide
Hugo Broos has transformed Bafana Bafana, creating a side strong on teamwork and held together by Teboho Mokoena This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
USMNT midfield makeup takes center stage as World Cup training camp opens
After a glitzy roster reveal event in New York, the US begin their World Cup journey in the suburbs of Atlanta The USMNT 2026 World Cup squad – in pictures On Tuesday, Mauricio Pochettino was joined by his 26 players and hundreds of fans for a grand reveal in Manhattan. In truth, it was a nationally televised confirmation, more than 72 hours after the United States’ roster was reported in full by the Guardian. A half dozen or so of those fans scrawled signs to be held overhead during the broadcast. A few were fitting entries in a proud litany of “Rah-Rah USA” fare. One begged: “Please do better than Canada.” Three that were easily legible on Fox’s broadcast bore players’ names. One backed Matt Freese, the likely starting goalkeeper, who plays his club soccer for nearby New York City FC. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
The World Cup of kits: who are the winners for 2026?
The World Cup is two weeks away, but the chatter around kits has been going for a while. From riffs on much-loved favourites to new entries with the potential to become future classics, here are the 10 fashion picks to become familiar with before the tournament Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
‘Not that bad’: Argentina’s Scaloni calms Messi injury fears before World Cup defence
Inter Miami star suffers hamstring issue on Sunday Scaloni will ‘wait to see how it evolves’ with new tests Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has calmed fears over Lionel Messi’s fitness, suggesting his latest injury “is not that bad” with just two weeks to go before the start of the World Cup. Messi was diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit from the MLS’ club’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Mexico World Cup 2026 team guide
The co-hosts are likely to put pragmatism above style under Javier Aguirre in a home atmosphere that can be both an inspiration and a burden This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Czechia World Cup 2026 team guide
Two penalty shootout triumphs in the playoffs sent the Czechs to a first World Cup in 20 years and an experienced side look capable of progress This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Missing a World Cup, over email? Pochettino defends communication style with tough decisions behind him
The US head coach said there was no point in speaking to players directly, but some former US World Cup cuts disagree The USMNT’s 2026 World Cup squad – in pictures On Tuesday afternoon, at the tail end of a picture-perfect New York City day, US Soccer unveiled the 26 players who will represent the United States at the 2026 World Cup. With the Brooklyn Bridge as the backdrop, the federation rolled out players one by one, marching them through a pair of doorways flanked by steam cannons. Nobody in attendance was terribly surprised at the players that populated the stage; the 26-man roster had already been widely circulated thanks to reports in the Guardian and the Athletic in the days leading up to the announcement. Late last week, the 55 players on Pochettino’s provisional roster received word of their status from USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, with the 26 final selections receiving a video message from Pochettino himself. Quickly and somewhat predictably, news of those selections began to trickle out, and within 24 hours, the entire roster had been revealed. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
World Cup 2026: Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad – in pictures
From the Robinsons to Folarin Balogun, a player-by-player guide to the United States’ squad of 26 for the World Cup USMNT squad is unveiled at New York event Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Sardar Azmoun’s World Cup absence for political reasons divides opinion in Iran
Few would believe the forward’s omission is unconnected to his actions protesting against the regime on social media Many travellers to the US have been alarmed by proposals that could require them to submit their social media history to officials. For Sardar Azmoun, it appears online activity will prevent him even from making it to the country for the World Cup. If Iran end up going, their 31-year-old striker will seemingly not join them after being left out of the preliminary squad. This is despite 57 goals in 91 appearances for his country and a CV that few in Asia can match, featuring spells with Bayer Leverkusen, Roma and Zenit St Petersburg. Few would argue that Iran’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, is so blessed with attacking resources that he should leave one of the continent’s biggest stars behind and fewer would believe Azmoun’s actions on social media are unconnected. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Injured Riley McGree out of World Cup as Tony Popovic springs late Socceroos surprise
Key attacker picked up injury in Championship playoff final Striker Mitch Duke cut from training camp squad; Tete Yengi brought in The Socceroos have been rocked by a hamstring injury to key midfielder Riley McGree on the eve of the World Cup, as coach Tony Popovic delivered a late selection shock less than a week out from naming his final squad. Striker Mitch Duke, who scored against Tunisia in Qatar four years ago, has been jettisoned in Popovic’s penultimate cuts, which have handed an 11th-hour opportunity to Japan-based Tete Yengi who has never played for the Socceroos. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Zero Real Madrid players in Spain World Cup squad as injured Lamine Yamal makes cut
Luis de la Fuente names 26-man squad for tournament Real Madrid players miss Spain squad for first time Spain will go to the World Cup without a single Real Madrid player for the first time in their history as Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament. While Real stars such as Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Gonzalo García miss out, De la Fuente included Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who tore his left hamstring on 22 April and missed the rest of his club’s La Liga campaign. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Who can best stand the heat will sort the winners from losers at the World Cup
In today’s newsletter, how quick starts, keeping the ball and banking on the bench will help the finalists beat the high temperatures and humidity Graeme Souness is one of the toughest footballers of all time, a midfield titan for Liverpool and Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s. He was occasionally outwitted by subtler players such as the Brazilian genius Zico, but no opponent ever got the better of him physically. No human opponent, anyway. During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Souness lost a stone in weight (6.35kg) against West Germany at Querétaro in stifling heat and at high altitude. “I can remember going down on my haunches and thinking: ‘God, do I not feel good,’” he said. “It was the worst I ever felt on a football pitch. I couldn’t breathe.” Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Amtrak is smashing ridership records. Is it ready to handle the World Cup?
The United States’ rail system has a dedicated customer base, but remains a niche option for most this summer Sebastian Caillat didn’t know how fascinating the dental industry could be until he sat next to a dentist on an Amtrak ride from college in New York City to his childhood home in Washington DC in 2023. They spent the ride discussing the dentist’s efforts to self-fund his own practice. Caillat was surprised to learn the extraordinary cost of dental technology equipment – but also how interesting a conversation about dental technology equipment could be. In Caillat’s view, that conversation represented the magic of Amtrak trains, a mode of transport that he says encourages social interaction. He also saw this dynamic play out last summer, when he rode from New York City to Philadelphia for a Club World Cup match between Palmeiras and Botafogo. Fans of the Brazilian clubs engulfed a train that traveled through New York City and New Jersey, an area home to more than 70,000 Brazilians. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Ancelotti’s World Cup gamble on Neymar shows Brazil still desperate for own Messi | Jonathan Wilson
Selecting a creaking talent underlines the political demands even the most successful coach in Champions League history cannot escape When Neymar was 18, he made his debut for Brazil as part of the rejuvenation of the national squad after the disappointment of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. At the time, Lionel Messi was 23, obviously a star, and Brazil had to have their equivalent. Neymar has been trying to escape the Argentinian’s shadow ever since. Even the news that Carlo Ancelotti has included Neymar in his squad for the forthcoming World Cup feels like a desperate attempt to create the sort of narrative Messi enjoyed at the last finals: a last dance long after the body had begun to fade. Messi then was 35; Neymar now is 34. But there are not many other similarities between the cases. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
DRC World Cup squad ordered to isolate before entry to US due to Ebola outbreak
DRC insist there will be no change to schedule Team’s first game is on 17 June against Portugal The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have no plans to change their preparations for the World Cup despite a warning from the United States that the national team must isolate for 21 days before arriving in the country. Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, told ESPN that US officials had informed Fifa, the DRC team and the government in Kinshasa that the squad was to remain in a bubble in Belgium, where players are training, due to the African country’s deadly Ebola outbreak. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Tuchel had to ‘clear the air’ with Ivan Toney before World Cup wildcard choice
Tuchel unhappy at Toney’s commitment in 2025 Head coach justifies not including Phil Foden Thomas Tuchel made Ivan Toney the wildcard selection of his World Cup squad after holding clear-the-air talks with him over his attitude. The England head coach also considered how Harry Kane likes to play alongside Toney before making the Al-Ahli striker the most eye-catching inclusion of his 26-man party for the tournament. Tuchel’s squad announcement at Wembley was dominated as ever by the players he overlooked – chiefly Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire. Tuchel said Palmer had “just failed” to produce consistently this season, while he admitted he no longer knew Foden’s best position. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
England’s World Cup squad talking points: from Toney’s return to clarity for Bellingham
Thomas Tuchel has placed great faith in John Stones and Djed Spence while ignoring several star names in attack Thomas Tuchel said that whittling down his 55-player longlist gave him “a certain edge”. There were some tough phone calls and some decisions inevitably caused outrage. But there was a pointed remark from Tuchel about how creating a winning team is not necessarily “to select the most talented 26 players”. The aim since September has been to build a brotherhood; Tuchel knows maintaining harmony within the camp will be crucial given that England hope to be together for seven weeks. “We have 26 players who know their role, who are committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish,” the German said. Was there a message to Harry Maguire after the defender aired his grievances at being overlooked? “I think it was not necessary,” Tuchel said of Maguire’s decision to go public. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Tuchel has picked a good England squad and doesn’t care about the wider shout-verse | Barney Ronay
Every choice or omission stands up to scrutiny, although the FA’s tech team did not do such a good job at the unveiling Message timed out. Too many requests. Too. Many. Requests. Too many. I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t let you do that. Don’t open the doors. I’m afraid, Dave. Harry Maguire’s mum appears to be extremely upset. And with those magical words the journey begins. A journey into fantasy, joy and beer thrown in the air, into issues of identity and national character. All of it launched with a far more accurate definition of Englishness than Sir Gareth ever managed. Specifically, the fact that nothing ever bleeding well works around here, plus some very solid evidence for always being wary of people called Jez promising tech‑based solutions for things that don’t really need solutions. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
World Cup 2026: Thomas Tuchel’s England squad – in pictures
From the No 1 goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to the shock call-up Ivan Toney, a player-by-player guide to the 26 bound for the US Spence and Toney in, Alexander-Arnold out Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
England’s final World Cup squad confirmed: Spence and Toney in, Alexander-Arnold out
Thomas Tuchel leaves out Palmer, Foden and Maguire Live reaction | Spence broke jaw at Chelsea this week Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for this summer’s World Cup, handing a shock call-up to Ivan Toney, picking Djed Spence over the exiled Trent Alexander-Arnold and, as expected, finding no space for Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. Tuchel, charged with leading England to glory in Canada, Mexico and the US, called players about his plans on Wednesday and Thursday and confirmed his selection on Friday morning. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Foden, Palmer and Maguire left out of England World Cup squad but Toney is in
Mainoo picked but no place for Wharton or Gibbs-White Ivan Toney makes shock return despite year out of squad Thomas Tuchel has made a series of shock calls with England’s squad for the World Cup, finding no space for Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, leaving out a “shocked and gutted” Harry Maguire and handing a surprise recall to Ivan Toney. Tuchel is set to name his 26-man party for this summer’s finals at Wembley on Friday morning and he spent much of Thursday evening calling players to let them know if they were in his plans. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Bullying, hazing and the making of a ‘soccer president’: Donald Trump’s forgotten career on the pitch
The US president will have a prominent role at this summer’s World Cup, but his involvement with the sport started in military school Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter Drive north from New York City and into the Hudson valley. Take Exit 17 and follow Route 7 as it heads south along the river, past the abandoned shipyard and the aptly named Cadet Motel. Hang a left after a few miles, wind up a long driveway and you’ll arrive at New York Military Academy. It’s open, barely. Hundreds of students used to attend this place, but that number has dwindled to a few dozen; most of the 50 or so buildings on campus have fallen into disrepair and many seem entirely abandoned. Come here after dark and you’ll start to feel a little uneasy. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
UK police sending only three officers to England’s World Cup games after failure to land funding
Policing unit ‘not expecting problems’ from England fans Around 15,000 are expected at each group-stage tie The UK Football Policing Unit will send only three officers to this summer’s World Cup after a failure to secure extra funding from authorities in the United States. With as many as 15,000 England fans expected at each group fixture, police said their role would be to act as “cultural interpreters” for local law enforcement and they had no concerns over the safety of supporters in the US. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Zohran Mamdani to announce $50 World Cup ticket lottery for New York City residents
NYC mayor has taken aim at Fifa over ticket prices 1,000 tickets on offer for $50 each, including transport Tickets available for every NY/NJ game excluding final New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, on Thursday will announce that a new tranche of 2026 World Cup tickets will be made available to residents of the five boroughs at $50 per ticket. The tickets, which will be distributed via random draw, will be for every game at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium other than the final. They will also include bus transportation to and from the event. It is expected that a total of 1,000 tickets will be available as part of the program, with a block of about 150 tickets for each of the seven games. The tickets will be located in the upper bowl of the 82,000-capacity MetLife Stadium. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Manuel Neuer declared as Germany’s No 1 at World Cup after retirement U-turn
Julian Nagelsmann includes 40-year-old in 26-man squad ‘We want to become world champions’, says head coach Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer has come out of international retirement after being named on Thursday as the starting goalkeeper in Germany’s World Cup squad by head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann made the decision after having long labelled Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as his first-choice keeper. “Yes I plan with [Neuer as No 1],” Nagelsmann said on Thursday. “The main task was to nominate the best three keepers. So we decided that these three are part of that. We contacted Manuel and asked him if he wanted to play for the national team again.” Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Football fans: are you excited about the World Cup? We would like to hear from you
Wherever you’re planning to watch the matches – we’d like to hear from you The men’s World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada is nearly upon us, kicking off on 11 June. Amid the excitement around the tournament, there has been controversy over Fifa’s ticketing process, the cost of travel, and security concerns for fans travelling to the US. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Haaland’s Norway to Ronaldo’s swansong: Who are the most likely first-time World Cup winners?
Eight nations have won the World Cup. An expanded field and a grueling schedule means a new champion could emerge from the pack this summer When Fifa expanded the field for the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, the sales pitch included giving more nations a chance at glory. In reality, the favorites are nearly always former champions. To date, only eight nations have won the men’s World Cup. And yet, few of the former champions arrive at this summer’s tournament in their finest form. Spain are a justifiably popular pick as the reigning European champions have plenty of world-class talent. Argentina will hope to defend their title from 2022 after following it up with the Copa América in 2024. France, who top our power rankings, have reached the last two finals, and Kylian Mbappé claims this squad is the best he has been a part of. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
DRC cancel World Cup training camp and fan event due to Ebola outbreak
Friendlies against Denmark and Chile still going ahead Team staff who are based in DRC ‘leaving in next hours’ The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have cancelled their three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a planned farewell to fans in the capital, Kinshasa, because of an outbreak of Ebola in the east of the country. Preparations will take place elsewhere after an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which is thought to have killed more than 130 people and caused nearly 600 suspected cases. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Socceroos’ African heritage offers timely reminder of Australia’s diversity | Jack Snape
Culture and community helped Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda become the footballers they are today – and their spark may ignite this World Cup One hails from West Africa, born in Guinea after his family fled Liberia. The other comes from the east of the continent, taking his first breath in a Tanzanian refugee camp after his parents escaped Burundi. Longtime friends Mo Touré, 22, and Nestory Irankunda, 20, are shining beacons for Australia’s African community, and a reminder that the Socceroos – despite ongoing political rhetoric demonising migrants – are a symbol of modern Australia. The pair’s connection is the spark set to ignite the national team at next month’s World Cup in North America. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Fan-friendly pricing at this World Cup? Some cities are showing that it’s possible
Philadelphia, Kansas City and Atlanta are among the cities showing that price-gouging at the 2026 World Cup is, ultimately, a choice Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter The city of Philadelphia has spotted an opportunity. A chance to burnish a budding reputation as one of the East Coast’s most pleasant and interesting big cities – in the view of this columnist, at any rate – and one of its most affordable, too. The ample offering of public transportation to the six 2026 World Cup matches slated for Lincoln Financial Field (dubbed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament, as per Fifa’s sponsor rules) will set fans back a mere $2.90. Tickets to see those matches are somehow getting cheaper on the secondary market – down about 16 percent from last month. Hotels are still reasonably priced. And fan fests will remain free for every day of the tournament. There will be no getting charged three times as much for shade, either, like in Los Angeles. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Brazil’s World Cup squad offers a hint of the magical pragmatism of 1994
There is no shortage of entertainers in Carlo Ancelotti’s picks for this summer’s tournament. They’ll also need a solid base if they are to win a sixth title In their attacking heyday, Brazil never struggled to find a winning complement in defence. Individual attacking brilliance only comes off if others nearby are doing the hard yards; for every Ronaldinho, there is a Roque Júnior. The current generation doesn’t lack entertainers. Of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, which was announced on Monday, nine players are listed as attackers, a high number for most squads, with nine defenders left to sweat their responsibilities whenever possession changes hands. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
World Cup 2026: Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad – in pictures
From Tierney and McTominay to Stewart, a player-by-player guide to Scotland’s squad of 26 for the World Cup finals Scotland squad: Stewart recalled after four-year absence Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Canada’s sports minister hopes World Cup can lead to trade agreement with US and Mexico
North America will host this summer’s tournament European fans encouraged to visit Canada for World Cup Canada’s sports minister, Adam van Koeverden, has expressed confidence that hosting the World Cup this summer could be the key to agreeing a new trilateral trade deal with the United States and Mexico. The three World Cup hosts are facing a deadline of 1 July for a mandatory review of the existing free trade agreement between the countries, the USMCA, and initial discussions have been problematic. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Purple pain: backlash over Mexico City’s ‘axolotlisation’ for World Cup
Mayor’s attempt to beautify the city with murals of mascot and plum paint jobs criticised as waste of resources The giant purple axolotl peered up at Manuel Martínez from the black bitumen of the street. It was the second such painting of the rare amphibian he had walked past that morning. In recent weeks he had seen axolotl murals pop up in neighbourhoods across Mexico City. “It’s a waste of money,” he said. “You could use that budget for fixing potholes, traffic lights, security cameras. They’re spending on something that doesn’t benefit us at all – it’s just for tourists.” Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
The World Cup’s in-demand tickets: are Scotland really more popular than England, USA and Argentina?
The final is the most expensive ticket on resale for this summer’s tournament. But there are surprising get-in prices elsewhere It’s no surprise that the most expensive World Cup resale tickets are for the final. But the next priciest is a group game between two nations who have never reached that showpiece occasion. A ticket to the Colombia v Portugal group game in Miami on 27 June is the tournament’s second-most expensive seat on the resale marketplace, with a cheapest asking price of $2,254 as of 17 May, according to TicketData.com, an analysis site. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe
The 2022 World Cup failed to deliver on its environmental promises. From air travel emissions to heat-related dangers, the 2026 edition will be even worse Soccer fans are increasingly watching preparations for the 2026 World Cup through their fingers. The most popular sporting event on the planet is awash in controversy, whether it’s the eye-watering ticket prices, the question of Iran’s participation while the president of one of the host countries threatens war crimes against it, or the role that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement may or may not play in policing the event. And yet, lost in the political pyrotechnics is a fiasco that carries as much long-term peril as any: the tournament’s staggering contribution to runaway climate change. The 2026 World Cup is not only the most politically combustible tournament in modern history, but it is also on track to be the “most polluting” World Cup ever, with total greenhouse gas emissions hitting nearly two times the historical average. Scientists conservatively project that the tournament will generate around 9m tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Air travel comprises approximately 7.7m tons of this carbon budget, and more than four times that of the average for tournaments held between 2010 and 2022. The researchers note that the worst-case upper estimate for air transport is about 13.7m tons of CO2. That may sound bad, but that’s just because World Cup emissions have never been worse. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
‘Got!’: Panini 1970 World Cup sticker book completed after 56 years
Fan buys missing Chile sticker for £150 after finding almost completed album in his loft Last week, Stephen Butler completed a collection that he started almost 60 years ago. With the final piece in place, it’s now worth thousands of pounds, but he has no interest in selling it. Butler was moving house five years ago when he stumbled across a box in the loft that he had not thought about in years. Inside was his old school cap, some exercise books, photos and, in the middle of it all, a 1970 Panini World Cup sticker book. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
How MLS has become a key proving ground for Socceroos World Cup hopefuls
A sizeable contingent of Australian players in the US adds intrigue to the upcoming Group D clash between the two nations Lucas Herrington was once dubbed a “baby giraffe” for his gangly frame, but he has emerged as a genuine bolter for the Socceroos’ World Cup squad. While the 18-year-old’s rapid growth has been a shock, his increasing favour with coach Tony Popovic is more than a reflection of his quality as a footballer. Now proving his potential against the likes of Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller in MLS, Herrington is proof of how Australian football has become reliant on the United States, in terms of both talent development and financial survival. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Shakira, Madonna and BTS to headline first World Cup final half-time show
Colombian singer last week teased new official tournament song Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating entertainment at MetLife Stadium Shakira, Madonna and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Fifa said Thursday. Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
How hot will it be at the 2026 World Cup and is it dangerous for players and fans?
Researchers warn of a ‘real risk’ of unsafe conditions, with matches in Miami most likely to be affected, but the picture is mixed across the 16 stadiums It’s set to be hot in North America this summer. The “seasonal temperature outlook” for the US, compiled by the National Weather Service, suggests every part of the country will experience temperatures above the historical average in June and July. It’s into this environment that 48 men’s national teams will arrive, all competing to win the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. As the tournament approaches, the Guardian has taken an in-depth look at the meteorological conditions players could face, how they have changed since the last time the World Cup was held in North America in 1994 (when the US was the sole host nation), and the locations most likely to expose players to stressful levels of heat. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Fans from five African World Cup countries will no longer face $15,000 bond to enter US
State department grants waiver for ticket holders Trump administration has cracked down on immigration The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that would have required visitors from five World Cup-qualified countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 in order to enter the United States for the tournament. The US state department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of a broader crackdown on immigration. Travelers to the US from 50 countries are required to pay the bond, and five of those countries have qualified for the World Cup – Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Is the USA ready for the World Cup? – Football Weekly podcast
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Leander Schaerlaeckens to preview the World Cup with one month to go until kick off Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email. On today’s podcast: With a month to go until the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, we’re joined by two experts in the US to discuss ticket prices, Iran, visas, ICE, Donald Trump, Gianni Infantino, public transport and general enthusiasm for the tournament. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Dick Advocaat returns to Curaçao job in time for World Cup 2026 adventure
Dutchman resigned in February due to daughter’s health Compatriot Rutten stood down from role on Monday Dick Advocaat will lead Curaçao to their first World Cup and become the oldest manager in the tournament’s history after returning to the job. The 78-year-old was in charge when the Caribbean island reached the finals but resigned three months later because of his daughter’s health. “Advocaat is returning,” the president of the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK), Gilbert Martina, said in a phone message. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
World Cup 2026: is it possible to walk to MetLife Stadium from New York City? – video
Now that the usually $13 train ticket has been hiked up to $105 for the World Cup, a lot of fans have been wondering whether it's possible to walk to MetLife Stadium from New York City. To find out, we sent the intrepid Mark McPartland on a scenic hike to New Jersey to see if America’s pedestrian infrastructure is up to the task. What he found was a challenging but occasionally scenic 4.5 hour walk that ended with blocked off pedestrian routes that would stop even the most adventurous European hiker from getting to the stadium during the World Cup • Fifa World Cup matches face heightened terror risk in US amid Iran conflict • The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet
The earnings from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada will make it the most lucrative competition in the history of sport, even if some of the 48 competing countries say they are struggling to make ends meet A World Cup that Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, billed at the draw last December as “the greatest event that humanity has ever seen” will certainly be the most lucrative competition in sporting history. Fifa has spent the last few years upgrading its revenue projections, with the most recent financial report stating that the world governing body will make $13bn (£9.6bn) from the four-year cycle culminating in this summer’s tournament, almost $9bn of which will be brought in this year. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Why the World Cup should be decentralized | Leander Schaerlaeckens
Expansion and political influence have made soccer’s showpiece too big for one region to handle responsibly Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter In retrospect, the 2018 World Cup in Russia looks like a gentle genuflection, a dainty little bow before its strongman leader. Vladimir Putin and his Russian project of gradual conquest were most definitely centered and validated eight years ago: the tournament showcased his nation and awarded its leader prominence of place. This summer, we will see something altogether different, as the runup to this edition of the world’s biggest and most popular sporting event has become a monument to Donald Trump. This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond, helmed this week by Leander in Jonathan’s absence. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@theguardian.com, and he’ll answer the best in a future edition. Leander Schaerlaeckens is a Guardian US contributor whose book on the United States men’s national soccer team, The Long Game, is out on 12 May. You can preorder it here. He teaches at Marist University. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
World Cup power rankings: France lead the way with Senegal and Japan in top 10
From Algeria to Uzbekistan, our writers and contributors from around the world assess the state of the 48 nations to qualify for the tournament “There’s more talent and potential than in 2022,” Kylian Mbappé said ominously this week after France had beaten Brazil 2-1 despite having Dayot Upamecano sent off after 55 minutes. He may well be right. For the second game of this window, against Colombia, Didier Deschamps changed the entire starting XI but was still able to field an attack of Marcus Thuram, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche. Doué scored two in a comfortable 3-1 victory. “I’m well aware that there are some very good players that I won’t be bringing because, in my opinion, there are even better ones,” Deschamps said. Marcus Christenson Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·
Messi, mascots, tickets and Trump: 48 questions for the 48-team World Cup
After Tuesday’s playoff matches decided the final six spots, the tournament field is set. We answered 48 questions as the countdown to 11 June begins After Tuesday’s playoff matches decided the final six spots, the World Cup field is set. Forty-eight teams will come to North America this summer for the 23rd edition of the biggest sporting event on the planet. The tournament kicks off 11 June in Mexico City and runs until the final on 19 July in New Jersey, comprising 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada. To mark the completion of the field of 48, Guardian writers answered 48 questions on topics from World Cup history and the US men’s national team to Messi, Ronaldo and mascots. Continue reading...
Guardian — World Cup 2026 ·