World Cup quiz: Can you name every host?

Countries far and wide have hosted the festival of football since the first tournament in 1930. How many countries can you name?

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

How the hosts are preparing for an Ebola outbreak during World Cup 2026

The US, Mexico and Canada have announced Ebola-related travel restrictions before the start of the World Cup.

Iran heads to World Cup in Mexico amid bitter visa standoff with Washington

Iran's World Cup squad is expected to arrive in Mexico early Sunday under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington, after the United States refused to issue visas for some team support staff.

By FRANCE24

Antonee Robinson screamer not enough to spare USA defeat against Germany ahead of World Cup

United States 1-2 Germany: Leroy Sane’s second-half strike proved decisive as Germany extended their win-streak to nine

By Jay Cohen

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

2026 World Cup Group K preview, predictions

Portugal and its quest to win the country's first World Cup headlines Group K but there are other teams to keep an eye on in the preliminary round.

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.

Rory Smith: The World Cup is our last shared global obsession - not an exclusive luxury event for Gianni Infantino

By Rory Smith

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?

Mexico City chases world record for largest Mexican wave ahead of World Cup

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

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

2026 World Cup matches at risk of suspension, delay due to severe weather

World Cup fixtures could face significant disruption due to severe weather conditions, as FIFA regulations do not set a fixed cut-off point for suspending or abandoning matches. The post 2026 World Cup matches at risk of suspension, delay due to severe weather 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

The New Wave: Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland & 10 stars set to make their World Cup debuts in 2026 - Goal.com

The New Wave: Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland & 10 stars set to make their World Cup debuts in 2026  Goal.com