England hit stride as Brazil juggle Neymar doubt at World Cup 2026
Explainer on Estadio Azteca’s Mexico City Stadium naming as it prepares to host the World Cup 2026 opener.
Fifa introduce 5-second throw-ins and goal-kicks, 10-second subs, hydration breaks, a mouth-covering red-card risk, VAR for second yellows and mistaken identity, and a clampdown on ‘tactical timeouts’.
Che Adams welcomes a strike partner as Scotland eye a front two with Shankland for Group C opener v Haiti in Boston. Gannon-Doak and Christie provide width, McTominay and Ferguson back up from midfield.
England beat Costa Rica 3-0 in storm-delayed Orlando friendly as Rice, Gordon and Watkins score. Tuchel hails intensity and cohesion before Group L opener with Croatia and move to Kansas City base.
Explains South Africa’s dual-badge kit as they open World Cup 2026 against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.
Group I features France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq, with previews suggesting a strong advantage for France.
Shakira, Burna Boy and others say a great 2026 World Cup anthem needs rhythm, a big hook and unity. New tracks include ‘Dai Dai’ and J Balvin’s Coca-Cola remake of ‘Jump’, aiming for stadium singalongs.
Transfermarkt’s all-time World Cup table ranks Brazil top ahead of Germany and Argentina, with England 6th and Portugal 13th.
Fabio Capello tips France as favourites, also backing Spain and England, warns varied climates across US, Mexico and Canada will shape matches, and flags Brazil and Argentina as South American threats.
Group J centres on holders Argentina defending their crown, with analysis and predictions on their path in the pool.
Group E: Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast. Advocaat, 78, leads debutants Curacao. Ecuador finished CONMEBOL runners-up. Germany lean on Musiala amid defensive doubts. Ivory Coast bank on Amad Diallo.
Son Heung-min urges calm before South Korea’s Group A opener v Czech Republic in Guadalajara. He says the team will ‘give everything’ and faces Mexico on 6/18 then South Africa on 6/24.
Study of minutes played since June 2025 shows heavy workloads after the expanded Club World Cup, flagging potential fatigue for top World Cup squads and stars.
Australia suffer a scare as Mo Touré misses training before Turkey opener. The Norwich striker, key to Popovic’s system, is expected to train Thursday, with Tete Yengi the only other specialist 9.
Crystal Palace mark World Cup 2026 with a quiz as the club send a record 13 players to the finals across USA, Mexico and Canada.
Comprehensive tournament guide with predictions, groups, tactics and key players for all 48 teams at World Cup 2026.
Mexico face South Africa in the opener in Mexico City following the opening ceremony as World Cup 2026 begins.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the World Cup, will officiate the Uefa Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August after Uefa and CAF talks.
World Cup sponsor Hisense funds a five-a-side pitch at Soweto Towers to nurture grassroots talent and community football.
Raphinha vows to repay Ancelotti as Brazil chase a sixth title. Neymar set to miss opener v Morocco with a calf issue. Raphinha and Vinicius Jr carry attacking load in Group C with Haiti and Scotland.
