From around the league
Monday, 15 June 2026
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Virgil van Dijk questions FIFA's hydration breaks after Netherlands draw
Virgil van Dijk criticised FIFA's mandatory hydration breaks after scoring in Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan, saying they should be game by game.
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Virgil van Dijk scores, but the criticism still follows him after Japan draw
Virgil van Dijk scored in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan, but Dutch media and pundits still criticised his display.
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Lamine Yamal available for Spain, but not for 90 minutes
Lamine Yamal is available for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde, but Luis de la Fuente says he is not ready for 90 minutes.
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Jude Bellingham’s England warning and why Thomas Tuchel cares about chemistry
Jude Bellingham’s blunt England remarks have put Thomas Tuchel’s chemistry test and the No.10 battle with Morgan Rogers back in focus.
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Ivory Coast vs Ecuador showed why Amad and Diomande matter
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador ended 1-0 after Amad Diallo's 90th-minute winner, with Yan Diomande producing a standout debut in Philadelphia.
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Brazil vs Morocco leaves Casemiro and Gabriel under fire
Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco drew criticism for Casemiro and Gabriel, with Casemiro hooked at half-time and Brazil's control questioned.
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Kai Havertz gives Germany an early answer at No 9
Kai Havertz scored twice in Germany’s opening World Cup win over Curaçao, and Thomas Müller wants him on the pitch every minute.
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France vs Senegal preview: Mbappe, Saliba and the 2002 shadow
France face Senegal in a World Cup opener shaped by Saliba's back issue, Mbappe's milestones and the 2002 shadow.
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Sweden's front line tears Tunisia apart in emphatic 5-1 opener
Sweden vs Tunisia finished 5-1 as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres drove the opener, with Yasin Ayari scoring in the 7th and 90+6th.
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Netherlands vs Japan: Van Dijk defends the game plan after late equaliser
Virgil van Dijk and Ronald Koeman defended the Netherlands’ approach after Dutch pundits accused them of going too defensive in a 2-2 draw with Japan.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
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Netherlands let Japan back in as Ogawa seals 2-2 draw in Group F
Netherlands vs Japan ended 2-2 after Japan came from behind twice, with Koki Ogawa's late equaliser denying the Dutch in Group F.
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Spain vs Cape Verde Islands preview: Oyarzabal, Olmo and the line-up calls
Spain’s opener against Cape Verde Islands is a selection call, with Oyarzabal in form, Olmo chasing a record and Yamal and Williams unlikely to start.
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Germany player ratings vs Curaçao: Nmecha, Brown and Undav lead the way
Germany’s 7-1 World Cup opener was a ratings showcase for Felix Nmecha, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav, with Havertz, Musiala and Kimmich also standing out.
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Germany crush Curaçao 7-1 after early scare in World Cup opener
Germany vs Curaçao finished 7-1 in Houston as Kai Havertz scored twice, Felix Nmecha struck early and Deniz Undav changed the game off the bench.
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Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle puts De Bruyne and Salah back in the same game
Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah headline Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle, where the Group G opener brings reunion, fitness questions and a strong Egypt
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Ayyoub Bouaddi outshines Casemiro on World Cup debut
Ayyoub Bouaddi starred in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil, with an 8.15 rating, 53 progressive carries and transfer interest already building.
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Germany World Cup opener centres on Neuer's return
Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed Manuel Neuer will start Germany's World Cup opener. The 40-year-old returns after 710 days away.
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Germany vs Curaçao preview: Advocaat turns opener into a real test
Dick Advocaat says Curaçao will find out where they stand against Germany in a World Cup opener, with history already behind them.
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Curacao's World Cup debut is a diaspora-built milestone
Curacao's World Cup debut is historic: the smallest nation ever at the tournament, with 25 of 26 players born in the Netherlands and Advocaat 78.
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Scotland’s 1-0-2 gamble pays off in opening World Cup win
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston, with John McGinn scoring in the 28th minute and Steve Clarke’s 4-4-2 helping the Scots hold on.