Argentina and Norway win as France rally at World Cup 2026
Harry Kane says he keeps in touch with ex-players and expects support during the tournament, urging England focus before the Croatia opener in Texas.
England coach Thomas Tuchel, embracing his Anglophile side from Chelsea days, confirms his approach to the anthem before the World Cup opener.
Roberto Martinez hails 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘an example’ and key finisher before Portugal face DR Congo. He confirms his contract ends after the World Cup.
South Africa arrive in Atlanta for a key Group A clash with Czechia. Path to last 32: beat Czechia, avoid defeat to South Korea, target 4-6 points and positive goal difference.
Group A leaders meet in Guadalajara. Opta favours Mexico (49.1%). Jiménez and Quiñones scored in MD1, Montes suspended. South Korea beat Czechia 2-1, with Hwang In-Beom starring and Oh Hyeon-Gyu netting.
Hervé Renard replaces Sabri Lamouchi and has four days to prepare Tunisia for Japan after a 5-1 loss to Sweden, chasing a first-ever World Cup knockout berth.
Scotland supporter Donny Strathie has died at the World Cup, with his family asking the Tartan Army to pay tribute.
Portugal face DR Congo in Houston at 6pm BST on 17 June. Free-to-air on BBC One, iPlayer and BBC Sport. Predicted XI features Ronaldo, Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
England face Croatia in Group L. Watch free on ITV1 and ITVX with coverage from 8pm BST, plus live blog and highlights available online.
Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes jokes about a team skinhead-tattoo pact, eyes impact vs Morocco after cameo in win over Haiti, and says Scotland can beat top-10 opponents.
Erling Haaland scores twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in Group I. Ostigard nets the third, a late Hussein own goal adds a fourth. Norway top the group, level on points with France.
Alexander Isak scores and adds two assists in Sweden’s World Cup opener vs Tunisia, with claims he can become ‘a major force’ at the tournament.
France recover to beat Senegal 3-1 as Kylian Mbappé equals and then breaks France’s scoring record with a brace, with Bradley Barcola also scoring. Michael Olise shines after half-time switch.
FIFA confirm Michael Oliver is fit to return, appointed to Netherlands vs Sweden in Group F on Saturday in Houston. Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring assist, with Abongile Tom as fourth official.
Messi hits a first World Cup hat-trick as holders Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in Group J. Rayan Ait-Nouri plays 90 minutes, impressing on the left but cannot breach a resolute defence.
Uzbekistan qualify for their first World Cup after a 0-0 vs UAE in 2025. Dubbed Asia’s ‘nearly men’, they face Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo in Group K, with expectations tempered to simply competing.
World Cup breakout names go viral: Cape Verde keeper Vozinha jumps to 7.2m followers, New Zealand’s Tim Payne to 5.8m, Australia’s Kai Trewin and Curaçao’s Trevor Doornbusch also surge online.
Round 1 set-piece roles listed for fantasy managers, including Messi on Argentina pens, Pedri Spain corners, De Bruyne Belgium corners, Son and Lee Kang-in South Korea corners, and Eustaquio Canada corners.
