From Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking night in Houston to England’s frustrating draw in Boston and Algeria’s comeback win in San Francisco, the FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered another packed day of action.
Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Panama as World Cup action delivered a mix of late drama and key results. Colombia and England also began their campaigns with victories, while DR Congo held Portugal in a historic 1-1 draw and Austria beat Jordan 3-1.
Legions of security officers and police are being deployed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as organisers prepare for what officials describe as an unprecedented security challenge to protect fans, players and venues across North America.
Authorities in Hong Kong have seized suspected counterfeit World Cup merchandise worth an estimated HK$156 million (US$19.91 million), including jerseys and footballs, in one of the city's largest recent crackdowns on fake sports goods.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
FIFA has confirmed that Iran has moved its World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico, citing the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns.
Uzbekistan has unveiled its final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The national team, led by Italian head coach Fabio Cannavaro, will compete at the tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
UEFA has imposed a lifetime ban on Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s football coach, after finding him guilty of serious misconduct involving the secret filming of players in changing rooms.
French international football player Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) said that despite not having a personal goal of winning the Ballon d’Or, he could not hold back tears when he spoke about his family after being named the world’s best player on Monday.
Pope Leo XIV met with Napoli’s soccer team at the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate their Serie A victory. Napoli clinched the title, known as the "Scudetto" after beating Cagliari, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.
At just 17, Vakhtang Salia is set to swap Dinamo Tbilisi for Newcastle United, marking a major step in his career. The young striker, inspired by Georgian stars like Kvaratskhelia, will move to England in August, hoping to shine in the Premier League and one day represent his national team.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
