World Cup 2026 LIVE!
The biggest sporting competition the world has ever seen begins this week as United States, Mexico and Canada welcome 45 other nations to their shores for the 2026 World Cup. A record-breaking tournament will see the most matches ever - 104 games across 16 host cities - and, organisers’ claim, the biggest attendances.
The big story ahead of the tournament is Somali referee Omar Artan being barred entry into the United States, despite having his visa initially approved. He was selected as one of 52 lead officials this summer, but it appears that that will be no more after FIFA confirmed that he had been refused at the American border.
As for England, the Three Lions face Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in their final warm-up match. That should include the four late-arriving Arsenal stars, before the squad fly out to their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13. You can follow all the latest news and updates from across the tournament - including insight and analysis from Dom Smith in the States - with our rolling news live blog below!
World Cup 2026 latest news
Live updates
Storms could disrupt England vs Costa Rica
England’s final World Cup warm-up friendly could be hit by stormy weather conditions.
The Three Lions - who have been training in West Palm Beach and beat New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa on Saturday - complete their preparations for the upcoming tournament with a game against Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday.
The match kicks off at 9pm BST, which is 4pm local time in central Florida, where a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Cuba in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday caused tremors across the state.
The forecast for Orlando on Wednesday afternoon includes thunderstorms around an hour before kick-off, with temperatures around 30 degrees celsius that will feel more like between 32 and 34 degrees with the humidity.
Every new rule at World Cup
This summer’s World Cup will have a very different feel.
Not just because it has expanded to 48 teams, but also because there are a number of rule changes coming into force at the tournament.
Those regulations have been confirmed by FIFA, and many of them concern the way that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament is set to get underway this week, with the first game kicking off on Thursday when Mexico take on South Africa at the Estadio Banorte.
ICYMI: Nine injured in shooting near England's World Cup base
Nine people have been injured in a shooting close to the England squad’s World Cup training ground in Kansas City, Missouri, according to reports in the United States.
The team were not at their hotel during the shooting at around 4am local time on Saturday, having been preparing for their friendly game against New Zealand in Florida.
England World Cup camp hit by 6.1 magnitude earthquake
England’s World Cup camp has been hit by an earthquake just days from the start of the tournament.
The 6.1 magnitude quake in Orlando reportedly saw buildings evacuated.
The Three Lions are set to play Costa Rica in the Florida city tomorrow in their last friendly before the World Cup begins.
Local media has not reported any serious damage or injuries, but many buildings were shaken in the tremors.
Somali referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after being denied US entry visa
A Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.
World governing body FIFA confirmed Omar Artan, who was selected as one of 52 referees for the tournament, will now be removed from its roster.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Arsenal star ruled out of World Cup
In the big news overnight, Jurrien Timber, the Arsenal defender, has been ruled out of the World Cup.
The Dutchman had been called up by Ronald Koeman for this summer’s tournament, and he made his return from a long injury lay-off in the Champions League final for Arsenal, coming off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta had said that he was back fit again after niggling ankle and groin issues, but it is the latter that has seemingly ended his World Cup dreams, with the Oranje confirmed he had pulled out of the squad. Lutsharel Geertruida, the Sunderland defender, has replaced him.
Neymar injury latest
Neymar’s World Cup hopes have been given a boost after Brazil announced he was making “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer was expected to be sidelined for between two to three weeks after scans last month revealed a grade two muscle tear.
The 34-year-old had a further scan on Monday and the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a brief statement: “The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters.
“He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”
Neymar has missed Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies, last month’s 6-2 win against Panama and Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Egypt, and faces a race to be fit in time for their opening World Cup group game against Morocco on June 13.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain playmaker, who returned to his boyhood club Santos in early 2025, has been dogged by injury issues in recent seasons. (PA Media)
France 3-1 Northern Ireland: Michael Olise hits stunning hat-trick as Les Bleus send World Cup warning shot
Northern Ireland were undone by a superb Michael Olise hat-trick as France jetted off to the World Cup with a 3-1 friendly win, but another spirited performance from Michael O’Neill’s young side was rewarded with Patrick Kelly’s first international goal.
Olise struck either side of half-time, both goals unerring finishes on the rebound, and after Kelly pulled one back the Bayern Munich man delivered a superb curling strike to settle it in the 75th minute.
But France, among the favourites to lift the World Cup this summer, hardly had things all their own way as Northern Ireland – whose starting XI had an average age of just 22.6 – dug in to produce another determined display showing maturity beyond their years.
And that was rewarded in the 64th minute when Kelly, the 21-year-old making only his second international start, turned in a Shea Charles cross, silencing the crowd to deliver on O’Neill’s plea for his players to act as “badly-behaved guests” at France’s going-away party.
Ngumoha reflects on England debut
Rio Ngumoha made his senior England debut in Saturday’s friendly win over New Zealand, and he has reflected on the experience in an interview with the Three Lions app.
“I’ll say it was a crazy feeling. I was happy, I was buzzing.
“I knew from when we had the meeting before that it was a first-half team and a second-half team so I was preparing.
“It’s good that I didn’t have much time to think about it, but I wasn’t too nervous, to be fair. I just wanted to play and just show everyone what I could do. And yeah, I just had fun.”
Timber ruled out
Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup with a groin injury, the Dutch national team has confirmed.
The Arsenal right-back missed much of Premier League run-in through injury as the Gunners clinched the title for the first time since 2004.
Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida has been called up in place of Timber, who has 23 caps for Der Oranje.
