World Cup 2026 live: England camp hit by earthquake and African referee refused entry to US | OneFootball

BREAKING: Iran claims World Cup ticket allocation withdrawn

Iran's football federation (FFIRI) has said its ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before tournament kicks off.

This leaves supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches.

"This is despite the fact that ⁠many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the ‌necessary plans ​to attend ‌the matches," ⁠the FFIRI added ⁠in a statement.

Why will England's Djed Spence wear a protective mask at the World Cup?

England defender Djed Spence will take to the World Cup wearing a protective mask after sustaining a broken jaw last month.

The Tottenham defender suffered the injury during a Premier League clash following a collision with Chelsea striker Liam Delap, and has already donned the facial protection in his club's final match of the season against Everton.

"It's a little bit uncomfortable but it is what it is," he said. "I've got a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament. It's something I will have to get used to. It'll be three months until it's fully healed, so it's a long time.

"It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw. So I was all good.”

Djed Spence has to play in a protective mask due to a broken jaw (Bradley Collyer/PA). (PA Wire)

Will Castle9 June 2026 09:15

Last night's action

Some World Cup warm-up action to fill you in on.

Spain and France got in one final tune-up against Peru and Northern Ireland respectively, giving us one final chance to size up the two favourites before the tournament properly kicks off.

For Les Bleus, Michael Olise showed why he is genuinely up there with the best on the planet, with his hat-trick firing his nation to a 3-1 win.

La Roja also won 3-1 and did it without Lamine Yamal, who looks set to be fit for their opener in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, there was late drama in the Netherlands’ clash with debutants Uzbekistan, who traded stoppage-time goals in an enthralling 2-1 win for the Dutch.

Colombia also bested a World Cup newcomer by beating Jordan 2-0.

(Reuters)

World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups

The 2026 World Cup kicks off this week with a new format for Fifa’s giant 48-team tournament.

With the final squads being named, teams will now prepare for their first group stage games in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Excitement is building and history will be made, as players carve out their own legacies to join some of the greatest footballers in Fifa World Cup history.

There will be 104 matches, up 40 since Qatar World Cup 2022, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.

Here’s how the tournament will unfold across 39 action-packed days

World Cup 2026 fixtures: Full schedule, kick-off times and groups

England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama while Scotland will meet Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the 48-team tournament held across Mexico, Canada and the USA

Will Castle9 June 2026 08:29