Hundreds of protesters returned to an area near Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Wednesday night, hours before the opening ceremony of the World Cup was due to take place.

The first ceremony will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 11:30 pm Bangladesh time on June 11. The second will be held at BMO Field in Toronto at 11:30 pm on June 12, while the third will unfold at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 5:30 am Bangladesh time on June 13.

Between them, Reza Mansoor and Mostafa Pourmand have attended 11 World Cups to cheer on their beloved Iran, and even a war between their team and host nation the United States is not going to stop them this time.

What separates the average spectator from the truly devoted is the elaborate, deeply personal rituals they perform.

As always, though, the World Cup’s enduring appeal extends beyond the favourites, residing in the stories surrounding the underdogs and newcomers.

The countdown is over. Football’s grandest spectacle begins tonight as the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Two banks of flat fours with two centre-forwards leading the line. What is there to not get? Simple, isn’t it?

Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament.

The refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that US President Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the tournament.

Paul Gascoigne said on Wednesday he hopes England can reproduce the same "unbelievable" team spirit as the squad at the 1990 World Cup during their quest for glory at this year's tournament.

Discover the technology behind Trionda, the official FIFA World Cup ball. From sensor-driven VAR data to its unique 4-panel design, here is everything you need to know.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to take part in the next tournament in 2030.

Despite the many plots provided by sport's biggest tournament, one record remains unbroken: a foreign coach has never won the World Cup.

Lionel Messi stepped onto the stage. The Golden Ball was placed in his hands -- the award for the tournament’s best player. He had received it before, in 2014. But this was different.

The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup on Tuesday defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some support staff for the Iranian team.

Bukayo Saka is still recovering from an Achilles injury and needs to be carefully managed ahead of the World Cup, England manager Thomas Tuchel said.

With a revamped format and an increased number of participating teams, the tournament is shaping up to be an unprecedented mega-spectacle.

Fans are competing to hoist their favourite team’s flag. Showbiz celebrities are no different. Each has a team they love and support.

Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio will take charge of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, leading a three-man Brazil team for the curtain-raiser in Mexico City.

Iran's football federation on Tuesday said the United States has revoked its allocation of tickets for its World Cup group games.