From around the league
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
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![Folarin Balogun one of the night’s biggest winners as USA beat Paraguay 4-1]()
Folarin Balogun one of the night’s biggest winners as USA beat Paraguay 4-1
Folarin Balogun scored twice on his World Cup debut as the USMNT beat Paraguay 4-1, with a huge crowd and record TV audience behind it.
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![Austria vs Jordan was a lot messier than Austria's 3-1 win suggests]()
Austria vs Jordan was a lot messier than Austria's 3-1 win suggests
Austria vs Jordan finished 3-1 after Schmid's opener, Olwan's historic equaliser, a disallowed Arnautovic goal and late drama.
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![Trevoh Chalobah call shows Tuchel is prioritising cover over reputation]()
Trevoh Chalobah call shows Tuchel is prioritising cover over reputation
Tuchel explained why Trevoh Chalobah replaced injured Tino Livramento in England's squad, saying it gives full defensive coverage.
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![Roberto Martinez shrugs off Portugal exit talk as World Cup pressure builds]()
Roberto Martinez shrugs off Portugal exit talk as World Cup pressure builds
Roberto Martinez brushed off exit talk as Portugal prepared for the World Cup, while FIFA celebrated 1,028,429 fans and crowd concerns lingered.
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![Harry Kane one World Cup away from his strongest Ballon d'Or case]()
Harry Kane one World Cup away from his strongest Ballon d'Or case
Harry Kane says this could be his last World Cup and his best Ballon d'Or chance after 67 goals this season and 10 in his last 11 games.
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![David Beckham and the World Cup in America]()
David Beckham and the World Cup in America
Beckham's US legacy, Tom Cruise's 13-to-30 MLS line and Morgan Rogers' England rise frame a World Cup opening with real cultural pull.
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![Kylian Mbappé's brace did not tell the full story against Senegal]()
Kylian Mbappé's brace did not tell the full story against Senegal
Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, but Michael Olise and a denied penalty shaped the game before the records did.
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![Uzbekistan vs Colombia preview]()
Uzbekistan vs Colombia preview
Colombia open their World Cup campaign against debutants Uzbekistan in a first-ever meeting, with James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Abdukodir Khusanov key.
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![Ghana vs Panama is being shaped by Thomas Partey’s absence]()
Ghana vs Panama is being shaped by Thomas Partey’s absence
Thomas Partey’s denied Canada entry overshadows Ghana vs Panama, with Carlos Queiroz forced into a midfield reshuffle in Toronto.
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![Tuchel says England will keep their style in Dallas heat]()
Tuchel says England will keep their style in Dallas heat
Thomas Tuchel says England will keep their style in Dallas, where temperatures will exceed 30C for the Croatia opener and hydration breaks apply.
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![Erling Haaland's World Cup debut showed Norway are more than a one-man team]()
Erling Haaland's World Cup debut showed Norway are more than a one-man team
Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in Boston and moved top of Group I on goal difference.
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
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![Jurgen Klopp apology after Germany's 7-1 win takes centre stage]()
Jurgen Klopp apology after Germany's 7-1 win takes centre stage
Jurgen Klopp's live-TV apology to Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's 7-1 opener over Curaçao becomes the story, with Tuchel's Trent debate lingering.
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![Scotland vs Morocco: Dykes warns of a proper test]()
Scotland vs Morocco: Dykes warns of a proper test
Lyndon Dykes says Scotland must be at their best against Morocco, with Boston Stadium, squad calm and belief shaping the build-up.
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![Thomas Partey to miss Ghana opener after Canada rejects visa appeal]()
Thomas Partey to miss Ghana opener after Canada rejects visa appeal
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana vs Panama after a Canadian federal court rejected his visa appeal on the eve of Ghana's World Cup opener.
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![France beat Senegal as Mbappe sets a new record]()
France beat Senegal as Mbappe sets a new record
Mbappe scored twice and became France’s all-time top scorer as Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1, with Olise and Barcola driving the turnaround.
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![Kylian Mbappé's record night could not escape France's penalty row]()
Kylian Mbappé's record night could not escape France's penalty row
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France beat Senegal 3-1, but the World Cup 2026 opener turned on a disputed 58th-minute penalty call.
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![Portugal vs Congo DR: Ronaldo minutes are the real issue]()
Portugal vs Congo DR: Ronaldo minutes are the real issue
Portugal face Congo DR with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to start, but Roberto Martinez must manage his minutes if they want a deep World Cup run.
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![England vs Croatia referee Clement Turpin carries Tuchel history]()
England vs Croatia referee Clement Turpin carries Tuchel history
Clement Turpin’s England vs Croatia appointment brings Thomas Tuchel’s old criticism, England’s 4-1-2 record and Croatia’s 4-0-0 run.
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![Argentina World Cup opener now looks like a selection puzzle]()
Argentina World Cup opener now looks like a selection puzzle
Messi, Emiliano Martínez and Julián Alvarez are all available for Argentina's World Cup opener. Only Nicolas Tagliafico is still being monitored.
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![Austria vs Jordan preview: World Cup debut meets long-awaited return]()
Austria vs Jordan preview: World Cup debut meets long-awaited return
Austria return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, while Jordan make their debut in a Group J opener shaped by form and injuries.
