Off the pitch and around the World Cup. Cited stories from across the game, drawn by our AI correspondent.
17 June 2026
Thomas Tuchel has addressed the injury to Tino Livramento and explained his decision to bring in Trevoh Chalobah ahead of England's first World Cup game against Croatia.
17 June 2026
Portugal face the DRC on Wednesday with Cristiano Ronaldo's presence raising as many questions as it answers about their title chances.
17 June 2026
In a tournament first, a nation at war with a host country took to the field, and Iran and New Zealand delivered one of the most gripping games of the World Cup so far.
17 June 2026
Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was the star of a 1-1 Group H draw, keeping Uruguay at bay until Maxi Araujo struck late.
17 June 2026
Romelu Lukaku's instant impact rescued Belgium a draw and kept Egypt waiting for their first ever World Cup win.
17 June 2026
Former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf has declared the semi-finals as the realistic target for this generation of Lions, drawing inspiration from the class of 2002.
17 June 2026
England boss Thomas Tuchel explained his decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah after Tino Livramento's calf injury, and Jamie Carragher said the omission of Trent Alexander-Arnold was no surprise.
17 June 2026
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei launched a pointed criticism of their treatment in the United States after his side drew 2-2 with New Zealand.
17 June 2026
Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1, though he was denied a hat-trick by a sharp save late on.
17 June 2026
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time top scorer with two goals as Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1 in Group I.
17 June 2026
Lionel Messi struck three times as Argentina dismantled Algeria, drawing level with the all-time World Cup goalscoring record.
16 June 2026
Erling Haaland arrives at the World Cup as arguably the most feared striker in the tournament, with Iraq preparing to face the Norwegian goal machine in Boston.
16 June 2026
Folarin Balogun scored twice as the host nation demolished Paraguay 4-1 at a sun-drenched Los Angeles stadium to announce themselves on the global stage.
16 June 2026
Captain Boualem Khoukhi headed home deep in stoppage time to earn Qatar a dramatic share of the points against Switzerland in their Group B opener.
16 June 2026
Morocco were forced into squad changes before their tournament opener after Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli were ruled out with injuries.
16 June 2026
Neymar admitted to feeling upset and sad after Carlo Ancelotti left him out of Brazil's squad for friendlies earlier this year, only to later earn a World Cup recall.
16 June 2026
Thomas Tuchel faces a genuine dilemma over Bukayo Saka's fitness as England's World Cup begins in Dallas against Croatia.
16 June 2026
England's World Cup preparations have been disrupted by a hamstring injury to Tino Livramento, forcing a late defensive reshuffle before their opener against Croatia.
16 June 2026
Paraguay boss Gustavo Alfaro described his side's heavy opening loss to the United States as a very painful lesson after a difficult night in Los Angeles.
16 June 2026
Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek praised his players after their World Cup opener loss to South Korea but admitted the better side won.
16 June 2026
Curacao supporters refused to let a heavy opening defeat dampen their spirits, choosing to celebrate the simple joy of being at a World Cup.
16 June 2026
The defending champions begin their title defence against an Algeria side carrying real momentum and a four-match unbeaten run into Kansas City.
16 June 2026
Cape Verde's supporters erupted with joy after their nation held mighty Spain to a goalless draw in a landmark World Cup debut.
16 June 2026
Sweden seized control of World Cup Group F with a commanding five-goal display against Tunisia, with Yasin Ayari grabbing a brace.
16 June 2026
Carlo Ancelotti has included a returning Neymar in Brazil's preliminary World Cup squad, signalling a bold bet on the forward's fitness and form.
16 June 2026
Turkey's Arda Guler looked devastated as Australia scored twice to claim a surprise Group D win in Vancouver.
16 June 2026
Morocco head coach Ouahbi says he is confident in his side's future after they held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in New Jersey.
16 June 2026
Belgium and Egypt shared the spoils in a 1-1 Group G draw at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
16 June 2026
Uruguay and Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 stalemate in Group H, leaving both sides with plenty to ponder.
15 June 2026
Mauricio Pochettino's pre-tournament philosophy of relaxation and trust proved the ideal foundation as the United States delivered a commanding 4-1 opening win over Paraguay.
15 June 2026
Former England captain Gary Neville has declared that Harry Kane is the sole genuinely world-class player in the current England squad heading into World Cup 2026.
15 June 2026
Thomas Partey was refused entry to Canada ahead of Ghana's World Cup group match against Panama in Toronto, FIFA has confirmed.
15 June 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed a stunning penalty shootout victory over four-time world champions Italy to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
15 June 2026
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Gavi, back from two serious injuries, will be part of the squad heading to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
15 June 2026
Scientists and safety experts have warned that dangerous temperatures at fourteen of the sixteen World Cup venues could pose serious risks to everyone inside the stadiums.
15 June 2026
FIFA's president shrugged off the furore around a Somali referee being denied entry to the United States, telling critics to relax on the eve of the tournament.
15 June 2026
Italy defender Federico Dimarco has pushed back on criticism of his reaction to Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup play-off result.
15 June 2026
The co-hosts got the tournament off to a rousing start, beating South Africa 2-0 in front of a jubilant crowd at the Azteca.
15 June 2026
The United States produced a record-breaking World Cup performance on home soil, thrilling a packed SoFi Stadium and winning hearts across the country.
15 June 2026
Luis de la Fuente has officially named Spain's roster for the 2026 World Cup as La Roja bid to add a second world title to their collection.
15 June 2026
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Brazil's World Cup squad without Neymar, ending the superstar's hopes of a final chapter on the biggest stage.
15 June 2026
Ghana have been robbed of one of their most exciting attackers after Mohammed Kudus was confirmed out of the 2026 World Cup through injury.
15 June 2026
Thomas Tuchel made several headline-grabbing omissions from England's World Cup squad, leaving out some of the Premier League's biggest stars.
15 June 2026
A defensive blow for Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil side as right-back Wesley is forced out of the World Cup squad through injury.
15 June 2026
Sweden put on a commanding display to dismantle Tunisia and start their World Cup campaign in serious style.
15 June 2026
Young Nestory Irankunda was the spark as the Socceroos delivered a surprise result against Turkey in a lively Group D clash.
15 June 2026
Die Mannschaft made an emphatic statement in Houston, putting seven past Curaçao in one of the tournament's most one-sided opening results.
14 June 2026
After Carlo Ancelotti left him out of Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad, Antony responded to the disappointment with a composed and mature public statement.
14 June 2026
Morocco arrived at the 2026 World Cup already short-handed, with winger Ez Abde and defender Noussair Mazraoui both ruled out through injury before the tournament began.
14 June 2026
Five-time world champions Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Morocco side in a blockbuster Group C opener at MetLife Stadium.
14 June 2026
The 2022 hosts came from behind to snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
13 June 2026
Japan captain Wataru Endo has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup squad after failing to recover from a foot injury, bringing his international career to a close.
13 June 2026
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he will be supporting Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, citing his family heritage, in a surprise declaration on his debut as a TV analyst.
13 June 2026
Michael Olise has sparked debate by naming Bruno Fernandes, not Cristiano Ronaldo, as Portugal's best player ahead of the World Cup.
13 June 2026
A theft during kit transportation has left the England squad scrambling for replacements before they've even laced up in Kansas City.
