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.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson said he will be playing for former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota at the World Cup after receiving a letter from the late Portuguese forward's widow ahead of the tournament.

Want to know when your favourite teams are playing? Here is the complete groupings and fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The United States enter under immense pressure, knowing a strong run on home soil could elevate soccer’s status nationwide. Led by Christian Pulisic and a talented young squad, they are favourites to top the group.

With just three days remaining for the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world’s attention is firmly fixed on the superstars ready to grace the pitch in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Yet, beneath the boots of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland lies what is arguably the greatest engineering feat in sporting history -- the grass itself.

Thirty-two years after USA ’94, the World Cup returns transformed by expansion, technology, and unprecedented commercial power.

Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan sees the opening match in the World Cup against Belgium as the most difficult game in the "highly competitive" Group G.

Switzerland's Granit Xhaka is calmness personified when talk turns to the FIFA World Cup 2026. It will be his fourth edition of the global showpiece, after Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. The midfielder has featured in 12 World Cup matches -- a Swiss record -- and has worn the captain's armband since the end of 2019, something he does not take for granted.

Iran's World Cup squad is expected to arrive in Mexico early Sunday (Sunday evening, as per Bangladesh Time) under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington, after the United States refused to issue visas for some team support staff.

Cristian Volpato said he could feel in his heart it was "time to come home" after the former Italy under-21 international made his Australia debut on Saturday following his shock switch on the eve of the World Cup.

Iraq's World Cup striker, Aymen Hussein, was held and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare airport after arriving with the squad early on Saturday, an Iraqi sporting official said.

Witness AquaRio aquarium sandbar shark Ritinha ignite the FIFA World Cup 2026 fervour by predicting a Brazil victory over Morocco, proving that whimsical animal divination captures global hearts while boosting crucial marine conservation awareness worldwide.

Fan vs player edition jerseys: which should you buy?

FIFA said Friday it will allow fans to bring one "soft, plastic" disposable water bottle into World Cup venues after its ban on refillable bottles sparked an outcry.

Lionel Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina's upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener, coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday.

Iran's football squad have been granted visas to enter the United States so they can play in the World Cup, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed Friday.

Co-hosts Canada will look to capitalise on home support and a talented generation led by Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan as they chase a first-ever World Cup victory and historic progression beyond the group phase.

A trophy was in his hands. Golden, heavy, gleaming. But his eyes were not on that trophy; they were on the thing that, in just a few moments, would be handed to Germany. The World Cup. So close. Close enough to touch, yet untouchable.