Germany's 2026 World Cup hopes suffer a blow as 18-year-old Bayern Munich forward Lennart Karl is ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury. RB Leipzig's Assan Ouedraogo replaces him.

England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed concern over the patchy playing surface at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium before the New Zealand friendly. He said he saw a photo that worried him but has heard it will be OK, and confirmed the pitch issue will not affect his team selection plan of using two different XIs for 45 minutes each.

Portugal will use a fixed US base camp for the 2026 World Cup to reduce travel fatigue for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, manager Roberto Martinez explains. The squad and Ronaldo support the science-driven approach aimed at maximizing recovery and performance.

A White House official confirmed Iranian players have received US visas just 10 days before their World Cup match. The team, which had to relocate training due to visa delays, will now compete in Group E against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, featuring debutants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Argentina, France, Spain, and Brazil lead the favorites, while off-field politics and travel logistics add complexity.

Iran's World Cup participation is uncertain due to unresolved US visa applications for its delegation. Despite relocating training base to Mexico and strong on-field form, the team faces potential exclusion if visas are denied, impacting Group G.

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico. A new 16-groups-of-3 format promises more drama but raises concerns over skyrocketing fan costs, corporate influence, and whether the tournament will remain accessible to ordinary supporters.

England's World Cup preparation in Florida focuses on heat acclimatisation and tactical clarity. A friendly against New Zealand tests match-day conditioning, while squad numbers reveal Tuchel's hierarchy with Kane and Bellingham as focal points.

Shakira and Burna Boy will headline the first of three World Cup opening ceremonies in Mexico City, performing the official song 'Dai Dai' alongside Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Maná, and more. The tri-nation event also features ceremonies in the US and Canada.

FIFA demands payment from fans who got free World Cup tickets due to a glitch, as investigations into pricing and sales practices escalate ahead of the 2026 tournament.