World Cup 2026 LIVE: Latest news and updates as referee Omar Artan denied entry to United States

John McGinn said Scotland must ‘look after No1’ after they came under fire for cancelling a planned friendly with Norway.

Scotland had been due to face Norway in an hour-long training-ground friendly this week, but Steve Clarke’s side backed out at short notice after his squad picked up “one or two niggles” in training and “decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”

They were subsequently branded “unprofessional” by Norway boss Stale Solbakken.

But McGinn is adamant Scotland made the right move: "Our job is to look after Scotland, Norway's job is to look after Norway.

"If they done their research, they'd know we lost a key part of our team recently, and we don't want to lose anyone else.

"We've got to look after number one."

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A thunderstorm is forecast to hit Orlando right around the time Englands’ friendly against Costa Rica is due to kick-off.

It may give supporters an early taste of the weather delays which will likely disrupt plenty of matches throughout this World Cup.

Morocco were left with an injury doubt over Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli following a 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against Norway.

The former Barcelona player went off at half-time with a leg injury and is set to undergo scans.

Noussair Mazraoui was also forced off with a shoulder knock but head coach Mohamed Ouahbi allayed fears the Manchester United defender could miss his team’s opener against Brazil on Saturday.

Scotland’s Group C rivals were already facing doubts over the fitness of first-choice centre-back Nayef Aguerd. The Marseille player has been out for three months with a groin problem.

Morocco took an early lead against Norway through Brahim Diaz but Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard levelled in the 75th minute. (Via PA Media)

Chicago turned down the opportunity to be one of the World Cup’s host cities.

Rahm Emanuel, who served as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019, told The Athletic that he could not make peace with the strain the tournament could put on Chicago residents and taxpayers.

He said: “[FIFA] said in the contract that they had the right to request a dome being built over Soldier Field (the venue is open). So I said: ‘You have got to take that out.’

“They go, ‘We never exercise it, but it’s something we ask everybody to include.’ I said, ‘I don’t care if you’ve never exercised it. There will always be a first. Take it out and we can work through the other issues.’ They said, ‘We can’t take it out.’

“So I said there is not a chance I am going to have you directing me on a $50 million-$100 million expense to the taxpayers. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. You can’t have something in there that leaves the city and the taxpayers exposed, where (FIFA) gets to decide it and I have no vote in it.”

Lamine Yamal is on track to feature in Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on June 15.

A hamstring injury has sidelined Yamal since April 22, which meant the teenage forward missed the conclusion of Barcelona’s LaLiga-winning season.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is cautiously optimistic of having the 18-year-old available in in a week’s time although he was coy about whether the youngster would be able to start.

Yamal, plus Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, have all been left out of Spain’s squad to play a friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, due to injuries in what is their final outing before the World Cup.

But De la Fuente told reporters: “All three are on track to be fit to play on the 15th. We do not know how many minutes they will be able to play.

“But Lamine’s injury was different from Nico and Victor. Each player will have their own recovery process and timeline.

“However, the most important thing is that, within the timeframe we had planned, the 15th is achievable and will be met, so that they are with us and are available to be selected at some point during the opening game.”

Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has suffered an injury scare just days before the start of the World Cup.

The versatile defender started at left-back for Morocco in their final pre-tournament warm-up friendly against Norway in New York on Sunday, but lasted just 29 minutes before being replaced by Youssef Belammari.

Mazraoui suffered a shoulder issue and looks set to undergo tests to determine the severity, with Mohamed Ouahbi’s side due to open their Group C campaign against record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in New Jersey on Saturday (June 13).

Morocco then face Scotland in Boston on June 19, before meeting minnows Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.

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Dan Burn credits a pre-tournament trip to Disney for helping him acclimatise to the heat ahead of the ride of his life at this summer’s World Cup.

The travel, heat and humidity could make this summer somewhat of a rollercoaster but a family trip helped him adapt to the conditions before their warm weather camp began in Florida last Monday.

Burn said of Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand in sweltering Tampa: “It doesn’t feel like the World Cup yet, but coming in and seeing the fans, the hype of it all and getting excited about it, so, yeah, I was happy with how it went.

“I think we dealt with the heat pretty well, got a win and a clean sheet. We can build on that.

“I didn’t notice (the heat) that much, if I am being honest. I have been here a week before, I did Disney with the kids because I wanted to get a bit of a head start.

“Honestly, I think that helped. Don’t get us wrong, it wasn’t like a Saturday afternoon in Newcastle, but I felt a lot better than I was expecting to.”

Christian Eriksen is in “good spirits” and expected to be discharged from hospital “soon” after collapsing on the pitch while in action for Denmark.

34-year-old Eriksen - who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for his country at Euro 2020 - fell to the floor after being seen clutching his chest with both hands in worrying scenes that occurred with 25 minutes remaining of Sunday’s friendly match against Ukraine at Nature Energy Park in Odense.

The former Tottenham, Manchester United and Brentford midfielder received immediate medical treatment as both sets of players formed a protective ring around him in order to ensure greater privacy, with the game quickly abandoned.

Boesen - who was also Denmark’s team doctor at Euro 2020 and praised for his heroic efforts in helping to revive Eriksen - provided a further update on Eriksen’s condition on Monday morning, saying in a new statement released via the DBU: “I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well.

“He is with his family and in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.

“We are taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them.”

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The transfer news doesn’t stop at the World Cup.

Micky van de Ven has revealed he spoke to Netherlands team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke about Tottenham as the club plot a third bid for the Brighton defender.

Spurs have twice seen bids rejected for the centre-back, who is said to be keen on reuniting with his former Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi in north London.

Reports in the Dutch press on Sunday evening claimed the Van Hecke is prioritising interest from Spurs over other potential suitors, with one outlet reporting that personal terms had already been agreed.

"I did talk to Jan Paul briefly about Tottenham," said Van de Ven on Sunday at a press conference in White Plains, near New York.

"I think it is a good step for him."

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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.

Police were called to reports of an incident on Troost Avenue around five miles from the training base Thomas Tuchel’s side will use during the tournament.

The Athletic reported that officers had been dispatched after shots were heard being fired and arrived to find a large crowd dispersing. Three adult females had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

It was later reported that nine adults had gone to various local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. No suspects are in custody but officers are continuing to patrol the location.

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