England and Colombia win openers as Kane hits 10 World Cup goals
Fantasy picks for Matchday 2: Mbappe, Pedri, Calhanoglu, Enner Valencia, Joel Ordonez, Yassine Bounou. Game awards SR points for goals, assists, clean sheets and more in a $30k free contest.
World Cup squads highlight religious diversity and cohesion, with examples including Djed Spence, Lamine Yamal, Marc Guéhi, Mohamed Salah and Christian Pulisic openly expressing faith.
After Portugal’s 1-1 vs DR Congo, Rafael Leao said he is focused on the World Cup and will decide his AC Milan future after, amid links to Ruben Amorim and talk of a €50m valuation.
Ex-Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun hit a brace in USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay. With Monaco holding his rights and Arsenal’s 17.5% sell-on, a post-World Cup move could net the Gunners a windfall.
Colombia top Group K after 3-1 win over Uzbekistan at Azteca. Díaz assists Muñoz then scores winner, with Campaz sealing it after Abbosbek’s leveller. Congo next, Portugal face Uzbekistan.
After Qatar’s late 1-1 equaliser, Switzerland target a result vs Bosnia-Herzegovina. Reports suggest tension over Granit Xhaka’s criticism, but Yakin and Remo Freuler back focus and intensity.
Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo as Ronaldo missed chances and extended his goal drought. Sister Katia Aveiro said ‘nobody played well’. Joao Neves scored, Yoane Wissa equalised. Uzbekistan next.
Como rejected a £43m offer for Martin Baturina, linked with Leeds. The Croatian boosted interest with a goal against England at the World Cup as Farke seeks a creative midfielder.
Mbappe disputed a denied penalty in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, per lip reader exchange with referee Alireza Faghani, then scored twice as Dembele and Olise protested, with Barcola also on target.
Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney and Mark Chapman debate if the 2026 World Cup ball is troubling goalkeepers after a spate of long-range goals.
England beat Croatia 4-2 in Group L. Kane nets penalty and header to reach 10 World Cup goals, Bellingham scores solo, Rashford adds fourth. Defensive lapses cost two first-half equalisers.
After 1994 World Cup heroics, Nigeria’s Daniel Amokachi joined Everton as a record signing and became their first black player in two decades.
Highlights reel of World Cup round-one stunners featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
South Africa’s Themba Zwane gets three-match ban for violent conduct vs Mexico, missing ties with Czechia and South Korea and the Round of 32 if Bafana qualify, deepening Broos’ midfield issues.
Harry Kane wears a FIFA Golden Boot winner patch on his right sleeve for England at the 2026 World Cup.
Turkish broadcaster Murat Ekrem Cimen is suspended from World Cup duty after errors and an ‘unacceptable’ remark during Iran vs New Zealand.
Uzbek official Ilgiz Tantashev will referee Scotland vs Morocco. He handled Spain vs Morocco at the 2024 Olympics before injury. He has never officiated Scotland and was only 11 minutes in that tie.
Luka Modrić sports special FIFA ‘Legacy’ and ‘Golden Ball’ sleeve patches at the 2026 World Cup, marking his career honours.
Predictions: Czech Republic 2-1 South Africa, Switzerland 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada 2-0 Qatar, Mexico 3-1 South Korea. Tips include Czechs win BTTS, Canada win to nil, Mexico to win. Livescore
