Messi rested & Leao sent off - pre-World Cup friendlies

Argentina great Lionel Messi is rested against Honduras, while Brazil, Germany, Belgium and Portugal each win warm-up games prior to the World Cup.

Seattle’s Incredibly Loud Street Preachers Eagerly Await the World Cup

Long the bane of Mariners and Seahawks fans, evangelical ministers with large speakers are preparing for the “incredible opportunity” of screaming the word of God at 750,000 soccer fans.

By Anna Griffin

Ticket pain and Trump anger, but still room for ‘magic’: how readers feel about the World Cup

With this summer’s tournament nearly upon us, Guardian readers share their mixed emotions - unease and apathy, but also excitement and optimism World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the app The 2026 World Cup is nearly upon us. Across 39 days beginning Thursday, 104 matches will be played throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada until a champion is crowned 19 July in New Jersey. Amid the quadrennial excitement around the world’s biggest sporting event, there has also been i...

By Guardian readers

4 takeaways from the U.S. men's final tune-up games before the World Cup

The U.S. men's national team chose to play a pair of highly-ranked, super competitive teams in the final lead-up to the World Cup: Senegal and Germany. The matches showed the U.S. is ready.

By Becky Sullivan

World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records

The 2026 World Cup has already set records for the most host nations, most matches and the highest prize money.

The week in pictures: Paris bridge transformed, French Open finals and World Cup preparations

French artist JR transformed the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris into a cave with an ambitious installation as Russia's Mirra Andreeva took the women's singles title at the French Open and team preparations for next week's FIFA World Cup began. FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the week's most striking images.

By FRANCE 24

I hated sports until my son made me a diehard soccer fan. If I got my daughter to the Era's Tour, I believe I can get us to the World Cup.

The author's son got her into soccer. Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith I've never been much of a sports fan. That is, until my son got me into soccer. Now, I'm desperately trying to get us tickets to the World Cup. For most of my life, I thought I hated all sports. My current quest to go to the World Cup doesn't make sense to most people who know me. Yet, I am feverishly searching for World Cup tickets that won't require me to take out a second mortgage on my house. I'm often mistaken for a ...

Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham has found his ‘sweet spot’ heading into World Cup

Tuchel handed Bellingham the captain’s armband for the second half of Saturday’s scrappy 1-0 warm-up friendly against New Zealand

By Simon Peach

Curaçao: A small Caribbean nation at the biggest World Cup

This is the story of an island of 156,000 inhabitants, the smallest country ever to play in a World Cup, that has found in soccer one more reason for joy

By Pablo Ferri

Five players we’re gutted are missing the 2026 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup will feature some of the biggest names in the sport, but there are some major stars set to watch on from home. Here are five players we’re gutted are missing the 2026 tournament.R...

Scott Stinson: Money, greed and FIFA’s ‘betrayal’ of World Cup 2026

Billions of public dollars have been spent to host games, with fans then charged thousands more for match tickets

By Scott Stinson

As Netherlands get slammed for Algeria loss, mathematician predicts World Cup win

'Many' Iranian, African journalists denied visas to cover FIFA World Cup in US - report

Several teams, including Ivory Coast and Tunisia, require multi-entry visas because they have games scheduled in the United States as well as in Canada or Mexico.

South Korea trains in Mexico ahead of World Cup

South Korea held its first training session in Mexico on Saturday as it continued preparations for its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coached by Hong Myung-bo, the men's national football team trained at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, where it will play two of their three Group A matches. The session marked the team's first training in Mexico after completing a three-week altitude training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah. With Guadalajara sitting more than 1,500 meters

By The Korea Herald

World Cup fever muted in Iran under shadow of war, hardship

In a Tehran neighbourhood dotted with shops selling football jerseys and sporting goods, 10-year-old Helma was already feeling World Cup fever. “I’m supporting Iran because it’s always the champion!” she said, sporting a bracelet in the green, white and red of the national flag. “This year, it will be number one out of all the countries!” Holding a shopping bag containing a national team jersey, her mother explained that Helma was set to appear in a video clip supporting Iran’s side, adding: ...

By none@none.com (AFP)

Scotland’s Tartan Army to bring ’the party’ on World Cup return

The joy of reaching the World Cup, though, has been tempered by the exorbitant prices of tickets, travel and accommodation.

Conor McKeon: The World Cup is back and America’s human rights abuses might just trump Qatar

By Conor McKeon

This island's population is the same as Darwin's. It's about to play in the World Cup

Curaçao has the same population as Darwin — and it's competing in the World Cup. What could the 'Blue Wave' mean for its future?

Iran's World Cup team arrive in Tijuana with US tensions high

The evolution of glory: Soccer boots and brand battles at the 2026 Fifa World Cup

The 2026 boot wars echo innovation races in marathon running and basketball. The boots blend heritage, technology and personal stories, from Jordan’s influence to Maradona’s untied laces and Khumalo’s Puma legacy, helping propel athletes towards glory

By Eyaaz

What has changed since the USA ’94 World Cup? Almost everything - The Daily Star

What has changed since the USA ’94 World Cup? Almost everything  The Daily Star

Türkiye edge Venezuela to conclude World Cup warm-up campaign

Türkiye fought back from a goal down to defeat Venezuela 2-1 in a friendly match in Fort Lauderdale Saturday to complete their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The...

PICTORIAL: Top 10 standout 2026 World Cup team send-offs, photoshoots

Explore the top 10 most iconic 2026 World Cup team send-offs and photoshoots, from Norway’s Vikings to Brazil’s water cannon blessing. See the creative way Read More: https://punchng.com/pictorial-top-10-standout-2026-world-cup-team-send-offs-photoshoots/

By Punch Newspapers

Make the most of your World Cup visit with these amazing Guadalajara day trips

With the summer fast approaching, here's how to make the most of your next trip to "La Perla Tapatía." The post Make the most of your World Cup visit with these amazing Guadalajara day trips appeared first on Mexico News Daily

By MND Staff

10 most expensive national teams at 2026 World Cup

Squad values heading into the World Cup underline the growing financial power of international football, with elite talent spread across Europe’s biggest leagues and beyond. The post 10 most expensive national teams at 2026 World Cup appeared first on Vanguard News.

By efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com

Belgium Defeats Tunisia 5-0 in Final Friendly Before World Cup - Ratopati

Belgium Defeats Tunisia 5-0 in Final Friendly Before World Cup  Ratopati

Ivory Coast Arrive in United States Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Campaign - DailySports.net

Ivory Coast Arrive in United States Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Campaign  DailySports.net

World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records - Al Jazeera

World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records  Al Jazeera