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June 11, 2026 9:52 AM

Mexico face South Africa as biggest-ever FIFA World Cup gets underway

The FIFA World Cup 2026 finally gets underway on Wednesday (local time), with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium. The Group A encounter marks the beginning of the biggest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Mexico will be eager to make a winning start to their campaign. The fixture brings back memories of the 2010 World Cup opener in South Afr...

June 11, 2026 9:42 AM

Somali soccer referee who was denied US entry comes home to hero’s welcome

Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned home to a hero's welcome on Wednesday after being barred from entering the U.S. for the World Cup, describing the decision as a matter of "fate" and urging his fellow Somalis not to lose heart over it. Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece, but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the weekend. The Trump administration said on Tuesda...

June 10, 2026 10:02 AM

Lionel Messi comes off bench, scores in Argentina’s final friendly

Lionel Messi came off the bench and converted a penalty in Argentina's final World Cup tune-up friendly Tuesday, a 3-0 defeat of Iceland in Auburn, Ala. Subbing in during the 70th minute, Messi set up a penalty kick with his first touch of the match, passing a throughball to Lautaro Martinez, who was taken out by Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson. In the 72nd minute, Messi buried the PK into the roof of the net, doubling Argentina's lead to 2-0 on the 117th international goal of his career. M...

June 5, 2026 9:48 AM

FIFA World Cup: Iraq hold Spain in warm-up, Sweden play out 2-2 draw with Greece

Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up match in La Coruna, with the Asian side producing a solid defensive display against a much-changed Spanish team. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente handed debuts to Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal and Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin in his starting XI, despite both players being part of the support group named to assist preparations for the 26-man World Cup squad. A host of regulars were absent, including the injured trio of Nico Willi...

May 14, 2026 1:13 AM

US drops bond rule for FIFA World Cup ticket holders

The Trump administration will not require fans from certain countries with tickets to the soccer World Cup to pay expensive bonds to enter the United States, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, citing the U.S. State Department. The administration last year began requiring visitors from some countries to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to obtain tourist visas to the U.S., saying the steep deposit was needed to prevent visa overstays. Fifty countries are currently subject to the bond requireme...

April 29, 2026 10:30 AM

FIFA increasing financial distribution to all 48 World Cup teams by 15%

Amid widespread complaints about the cost of tickets and transportation related to World Cup games, FIFA announced Tuesday that it will hike the money received by all 48 teams participating this summer by 15%. The national teams competing in the event in the United States, Mexico and Canada will see their preparation money rise from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Qualification compensation goes from $9 million to $10 million, and contributions toward team delegation expenses and increased ticket...

October 28, 2025 10:05 AM

Lionel Messi eyes 2026 World Cup despite age and fitness concerns

Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging his age and fitness will dictate his role in defending Argentina's 2022 title. The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signalling he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June. Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said he will tak...

October 15, 2025 10:24 AM

Donald Trump threatens to pull World Cup matches from Boston

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he could consider relocating 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for the Boston area, citing public safety concerns and criticizing Mayor Michelle Wu. "We could take them away," Trump said when asked about Boston's readiness to host. "I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good." "She's intelligent, but she's radical left, and they're taking over parts of Boston," he said. "We could get them back in about two ...

June 12, 2025 10:42 AM

US begins uneasy FIFA World Cup countdown as Trump moves Marines to Los Angeles

U.S. cities hosting next year's FIFA World Cup faced questions on Wednesday about how to reassure international fans concerned by President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and travel ban as the year-to-go countdown began. The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, is set to co-host the finals, which will feature 48 teams and a record 104 matches in a tournament that FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said would usher in a new generation of soccer fans. Celebrities and soccer stars were due ...