Jun 14, 2026
Netherlands meet a fearless Japan to get Group F under way
The Netherlands open their World Cup against a Japan side brimming with belief, but injuries to Xavi Simons and Jerdy Schouten leave Ronald Koeman’s g...
Football
246 articles tagged with "Football"
Jun 13, 2026
The USA look the part, but their two co-hosts have work to do
Mexico, the United States and Canada have all opened their home World Cup. One of the three hosts looked a class above the other two.
Jun 13, 2026
England begin their World Cup against the Croatia side that knocked them out in 2018
Eight years after Croatia ended their run in Moscow, England open their World Cup against the same opponent in Arlington, with Luka Modric chasing a f...
Jun 12, 2026
Cape Verde’s first World Cup: how an island of 525,000 reached the biggest stage
Fewer than 525,000 people live across Cape Verde’s 10 islands. On 15 June, the Blue Sharks walk out against Spain in Atlanta for the first World Cup m...
Jun 12, 2026
Ivory Coast have the squad for a deep World Cup run, but their AFCON exit is a warning
One of the most gifted squads in Africa, a coach who has already won a major trophy, and a kind draw. So why does a deep run for the Elephants still f...
Jun 12, 2026
Canada chase a first World Cup win as they open on home soil against Bosnia
Hosts Canada have never won a World Cup match, but as favourites against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto they have their best chance yet, even with...
Jun 12, 2026
Hwang In-beom inspires South Korea’s comeback win over Czechia
South Korea fell behind to a Ladislav Krejci header but rallied through Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu to beat Czechia 2-1 in their World Cup opener.
Jun 11, 2026
Quiñones and Jiménez sink South Africa as three red cards mark the World Cup opener
Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a heaving Estadio Azteca, on a night that ended with three players sent off.
Jun 11, 2026
Forty-eight teams, three hosts and four debutants: the 2026 World Cup has arrived
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever, with 48 teams, three host nations and 104 matches. It has also opened the door to four first-time countries, f...
Jun 10, 2026
The young players who could light up the 2026 World Cup
From Lamine Yamal to a teenage Croatian defender, here are five young players who could turn the 2026 World Cup into their own stage.
Jun 10, 2026
Son Heung-min’s last World Cup begins against Czechia in Guadalajara
At 33 and now with LAFC, Son Heung-min leads South Korea into what is almost certainly his final World Cup, opening against a Czechia side back on the...
Jun 10, 2026
Brahim Diaz strikes but Odegaard earns Norway a draw with Morocco
Brahim Diaz’s early goal looked like sending Morocco into the World Cup on a high, but Martin Odegaard’s 75th-minute equaliser earned Norway a 1-1 dra...
Jun 7, 2026
Kane settles it as a freestyling England edge New Zealand in the Florida heat
Rio Ngumoha lit up his debut and Harry Kane supplied the finish, but Thomas Tuchel was far from satisfied with a loose England display in sweltering T...
Jun 7, 2026
Havertz and Sané sink the USA as Germany sign off with a ninth straight win
Antonee Robinson’s thunderous volley briefly hauled the hosts level, but Germany’s class told at Soldier Field as Julian Nagelsmann’s side made it nin...
Jun 7, 2026
Lautaro and Simeone see Argentina past Honduras as Messi waits on the bench
Lautaro Martinez scored a penalty and set up Giuliano Simeone as Argentina eased to a 2-0 win over Honduras in their first World Cup warm-up, with Lio...
Jun 5, 2026
Ivory Coast stun France 2-1 in Nantes as Deschamps gets a World Cup warning
A second-half comeback from Guela Doue and Amad Diallo handed France a 2-1 defeat in their penultimate warm-up, denting Les Bleus’ build-up before the...
Jun 3, 2026
Messi trains apart from Argentina and is a doubt for the Honduras friendly
The Argentina captain is managing a hamstring problem and looks set to sit out the warm-up against Honduras, though Scaloni’s staff expect him ready f...
Jun 2, 2026
Strand Larsen’s double sends Norway past Sweden in World Cup send-off
Norway signed off from home with a 3-1 win over Sweden, Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring twice as Stale Solbakken rested Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaar...
Jun 1, 2026
Vinícius shines as Brazil sweep Panama aside 6-2 in their World Cup send-off
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil tore Panama apart at the Maracanã in a 6-2 World Cup warm-up, with Vinícius Júnior pulling the strings and a much-changed sec...
Jun 1, 2026
Spain lead the World Cup market, but Yamal’s hamstring keeps the door open
The favourites look clear on paper, yet with Lamine Yamal’s fitness in doubt and France, England and Argentina lurking, the 2026 World Cup feels like...
Jun 1, 2026
Kieran Trippier agrees a free transfer to Wolves and a Championship promotion push
The 35-year-old right-back has left Newcastle for a free move to relegated Wolves, who see the former England defender as the experienced leader for t...
May 31, 2026
India finish the Unity Cup bottom as a Dube penalty seals Zimbabwe’s third-place win
A first-half penalty from Prince Dube gave Zimbabwe a 1-0 win in the Unity Cup third-place play-off, and India went home from London bottom of the tou...
May 30, 2026
PSG retain the Champions League, beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest
Paris Saint-Germain became the first club since Real Madrid to retain the Champions League, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Budap...
May 28, 2026
From 15th to third: Michael Carrick has earned the Manchester United job, but the real test starts now
Michael Carrick has dragged Manchester United from 15th to third and a Champions League return, and won the job permanently. The hard part of the rebu...