Mexico Light Up the Azteca as Three Reds Mark Wild World Cup Opener
Mexico beat nine-man South Africa 2-0 at a roaring Estadio Azteca Three red cards: two for Bafana Bafana, one late for Cesar Montes Raul Jimenez scores emotional header six years after fractured skull World Cup 2026 burst into life in Mexico City, where the co-hosts han... show more
Declan Rice Shrugs Off Sunburn and Sparks England Belief
Rice laughs off viral sunburn after Florida heat hits hard Opens scoring in 3-0 win over Costa Rica to cap Tuchel’s prep Arsenal title win fuels belief England can go all the way Only in football do you go from sunburn memes to scoring the opener in a neat 3-0 within 48... show more
Tuchel’s England Take Shape After Storm-Delayed Costa Rica Test
Kick-off in Orlando pushed back an hour by storms; action underway at 10pm BST Tuchel rolls out a telling XI, with Saka handled carefully ahead of Croatia on 17 June Kane levels Gerrard on 114 England caps; early Bellingham threat but no penalty Welcome to Florida, wher... show more
Spain’s Tiki-Taka 2.0: Control With a Cutting Edge
De la Fuente’s update: possession with purpose, width and quick strikes Euro 2024 proved the template; Spain now among 2026 favourites Yamal and Nico Williams add pace and punch; Rodri anchors the lot Remember the Spain of pass, pass, pass? This is the modern remix. Und... show more
England Play It Smart With Bukayo Saka As Florida Camp Gathers Pace
England taking a cautious approach to Bukayo Saka’s return Declan Rice confirmed as vice-captain; others fully fit John Stones ready to start ahead of Costa Rica friendly England’s camp in Florida has a calm, businesslike feel to it — and that’s exactly what you want be... show more
Iran’s Ticket Row Rocks World Cup Build-Up
FFIRI says Iran’s full World Cup ticket allocation has been pulled Fans with travel booked now face missing Group G matches No public comment yet from FIFA or the US authorities Ticket Fiasco Overshadows Kick-Off Days before football’s global showpiece gets going, Iran’... show more
Timber Blow Derails Netherlands’ World Cup Plans
Jurrien Timber ruled out of the World Cup with a groin injury KNVB confirm he’ll exit camp after the USA friendly with Uzbekistan Lutsharel Geertruida called up; Dutch open vs Japan on 14 June Huge blow for the Oranje: Arsenal’s Dutch defender Jurrien Timber has been si... show more
Germany’s Tournament Aura Has Gone: Can Nagelsmann Restore The Machine?
Germany’s World Cup aura shattered by 2018 and 2022 group exits Nagelsmann rebuild: Neuer back; Musiala and Wirtz carry the threat Group E offers a path, but basics and a No 9 still key For a generation, Germany turned up at World Cups and you pencilled them into at lea... show more
Eriksen Scare in Copenhagen, but Danish Star Is Conscious
Eriksen conscious in hospital after collapsing v Ukraine Team doctor: ICD/pacemaker acted as intended; tests ongoing Match abandoned as players and staff unable to continue There was a chilling sense of déjà vu in Copenhagen as Christian Eriksen went down in the 65th mi... show more
Scotland Smash Bolivia And Head To World Cup With A Spring In Their Step
Shankland, McTominay and Adams fire Scotland to a commanding 4-0 win Momentum grows after last week’s 4-1 over Curacao; Haiti opener next FIFA rankings caveat, but control and cutting edge bode well Scotland couldn’t have asked for a cleaner tune-up. In steamy New Jerse... show more
