Page 16 - Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

Will Neymar play in Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener vs Morocco?

The experienced forward remains sidelined due to a calf injury, forcing head coach Carlo Ancelotti to leave him out of Brazil's opening fixture.

FIFA World Cup 2026: The ultimate battle between youth and experience

From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaigns to the emergence of Lamine Yamal and Jamal Musiala, the tournament brings together football's departing stars and its future faces

England left with solitary football after training equipment theft

The England football team was dealt a telling blow after almost all of its training equipment, including players' boots and manager Thomas Tuchel's tactical gear, was reportedly stolen ahead of its World Cup opener against Croatia. "The Football Association (FA) is trying to ascertain what was stolen, with balls and boots among the items feared to have been taken, after vehicles transferring equipment to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City were broken into," the BBC reported. The report also stated that police officers, who are in touch with the FA, are investigating the matter. According to information received, two arrests have been made in connection with the incident. "We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. The investigation is ongoing," a spokesman for Kansas Police was quoted as saying by the website.

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 14 schedule, live match timings (IST), streaming

From Brazil's high-profile showdown against Morocco to host hopefuls Qatar taking on Switzerland, Day 3 offers a mix of title contenders, returning nations and potential upset stories.

Hosts USA begin FIFA World Cup with 4-1 win over Paraguay; Balogun shines

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans' historic three-goal first half, and the US opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with its biggest win in the tournament, a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night. Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead - the team's largest in any World Cup game. Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time. The US scored only three goals combined in its four matches at the Qatar World Cup four years ago, and it had never scored more than three in a World Cup match. But the Americans were a team transformed while playing in new coach Mauricio Pochettino's more creative system in front of a passionate, star-studded Los Angeles crowd of 70,492. Mauricio scored in the

Why Donald Trump chose not to attend USA's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener?

According to officials connected to the White House's World Cup coordination efforts, the President's schedule prevented him from attending the match.

When will Ronaldo and Messi play their first FIFA World Cup 2026 matches?

At 39 and 41 respectively, Messi and Ronaldo enter what is widely expected to be their final World Cup campaigns, each carrying the hopes of a footballing nation.

Head of Palestinian football not granted US visa to attend FIFA World Cup

The head of the Palestinian Football Association is waiting in Mexico City for permission to enter the United States with other federation heads attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jibril Rajoub went to the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday. But he is among several people accredited to attend the World Cup who have been denied visas or have yet to receive them from the United States. "I don't believe that it's fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend," the veteran Palestinian political figure said in an interview with The Associated Press. The Palestinian team did not qualify for the World Cup, but FIFA typically invites the heads of football associations from around the world to the event every four years, which it frames as a celebration of global unity. "Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that," FIFA President Gianni

Thomas Partey's visa denied, out for Ghana's World Cup opener vs Panama

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not play in his team's World Cup opener Wednesday after Canada denied his visa application while he awaits trial in London on multiple charges of rape. FIFA said Friday in a statement that the 32-year-old Partey won't be able to travel from his team's base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, for Ghana's opening match with Panama in Toronto. "His visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," the governing body of world soccer said. "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country." Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Nor did the Ghana soccer association. Partey was travelling back to Ghana's base camp in Rhode Island after his visa denial. He will be able to play June 23 when Ghana plays

Sold out or not? Why World Cup crowds look different from official figures

Many venues hosting World Cup matches are operating below their normal maximum capacity because FIFA requires modifications to meet tournament standards.

Can any nation stop Europe's dominance in the FIFA World Cup 2026?

European nations have won four of the last five World Cups and occupied 15 of the last 20 semi-final places

FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 2 schedule, live match time, venue, streaming

Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA and Paraguay will be in action on July 12 in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Why Norway might be the team nobody wants to face at FIFA WC 2026

The Norwegian side secured FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification with a perfect eight wins from eight matches, becoming one of only two UEFA nations to complete a flawless campaign

Fifa WC 2026: Hwang inspires Korea comeback as Czechs wilt in Group A match

The result leaves the Koreans level on points with co-hosts Mexico, who defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener earlier in the day.

Fifa World Cup's lesson for finance: Don't trust predictions too much

A London-based strategist's model has correctly predicted the last three Fifa World Cup winners and now identifies the Netherlands as a surprise contender for the 2026 title despite low odds

Christian Pulisic is ready to shoulder burden of US hopes vs Paraguay

Christian Pulisic is the most accomplished and most famous player on his national team at the exact time when his nation is hosting a World Cup. Only a handful of prominent players in the past few decades have faced this confluence of talent and timing. They include a selection of generational greats: Zinedine Zidane for France in 1998, Michael Ballack for Germany in 2006, Neymar for Brazil in 2014. Pulisic's US teammates recognise the extraordinary burden he is carrying while the Americans prepare for their World Cup opener Friday night against Paraguay. From the field to the back row of the stands, everyone is looking to Pulisic for leadership and goals, hoping his full decade of international success with club and country will propel a middling soccer nation to new heights on home soil. "I can't even imagine the weight that's on his shoulders," teammate Tyler Adams said. "From such a young age, he was the hope of American soccer." Pulisic does not shy from the spotlight that wil

Mexico vs South Africa HIGHLIGHTS FIFA World Cup: Hosts beat 9-men South Africa 2-0 in opening clash

3 red cards in the 2nd half saw the match end with just 19 players on the field.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Star-studded opening ceremony thrills fans in Mexico

Held in front of a packed stadium, the 15 to 20-minute ceremony celebrated Mexico's rich culture and football heritage while setting the stage for the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony live time, performers list, streaming

The tournament officially begins today and will conclude on July 19 with the World Cup final in New Jersey.

Rs 799 to watch Fifa World Cup on Zee5: Five things fans must know

Zee5 has introduced two dedicated subscription plans for the Fifa World Cup 2026: a quarterly Fifa World Cup 2026 + All Access pack priced at Rs 799 and an annual version costing Rs 1,699.