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  Neymar will not travel to Cleveland for Brazil's World Cup warm-up match against Egypt ‌on Saturday as he continues to receive intensive treatment for a calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday. "Neymar will not ⁠travel with the delegation to Cleveland," the CBF said in a statement. "He will remain in New Jersey, undergoing physical therapy and intensifying his physical recovery program." Brazil's all-time leading scorer is sidelined by a Grade 2 ‌calf ⁠strain, a moderate muscle injury involving a partial tear. The Brazilian coaching staff remain hopeful that the 34-year-old will be ⁠available for their World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. The five-time World Cup ⁠winners will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

  Attendees of the World Cup will not be allowed to carry reusable water bottles into venues due to safety concerns, FIFA said on Thursday, following a last-minute change to its Stadium Code ‌of Conduct. The governing body, which had earlier permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, said the updated code - effective from Tuesday - now prohibits them. Other items like bottles, cups, jars and cans are also banned to prevent the risk of injury if thrown. "FIFA is committed to protecting ⁠the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," it told Reuters in a statement. "FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees." "Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums." The move has raised concerns among supporters about coping with heat, with t...

  Winger Anis Hadj Moussa scored on his home ground to give Algeria a surprise 1-0 away win over the Netherlands in their World Cup warm-up on Wednesday. Hadj Moussa, ‌who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, cut in off the right wing and struck a powerful shot into the far corner four minutes from time to hand the North Africans a morale-boosting win at De Kuip, where he plays his club football. It was as much as Algeria deserved after ⁠a strong second-half performance, roared on by a large number of noisy travelling fans. Hadj Moussa’s effort was his first international goal and spoilt the home team’s send-off before they depart for New York on Thursday. "This is not what you want in your farewell match," Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch NOS television. "If you look at the game, we should have been at least 2–0 up. Hopefully, our sharpness will return quickly and we'll finish our chances properly from ‌now ⁠on. It's positive that most of the players got some...

  Eight days before Mexico City kicks off the World Cup, mass protests by teachers and retired judges, road closures and last-minute construction work caused chaos in the capital on Wednesday for millions of residents who face long delays and complex rerouting of their daily commutes. On June 11, Mexico City will host the inaugural World Cup match between ‌Mexico and South Africa at Azteca stadium in the capital. With Mexico in the global spotlight, teachers and other groups have staged marches and blocked major avenues. They have said their protests, which are unrelated to the tournament, could intensify unless President Claudia Sheinbaum's government addresses their demands. The CNTE, a dissident wing of the national teachers' union, has threatened mass demonstrations at the opening of the World Cup in official statements shared on social media. The union is demanding the government fulfill a campaign pledge to repeal a 2007 law that overhauled the pension and ⁠social securit...

  Brazil midfielder Casemiro believes being a "step behind" other World Cup favourites could actually work in the team's favour when the tournament kicks off next week. Brazil, who are looking ‌to win a record-extending sixth World Cup title, find themselves trailing European champions Spain, 2018 World Cup winners France and England in the bookmakers' odds for the June 11 to July 19 tournament in North America. "We aren’t the big favourites," Casemiro told FIFA's ⁠media channel after Brazil arrived in the U.S. on Tuesday. "Of course, we’re in good shape; we’ve got a strong squad, with a mix of experience and young talent." "Perhaps this time we’re a step behind, but we’re on our toes and that’s always a good thing. We want to go there in good shape and have a great World Cup.” The 34-year-old said Brazil had had a "difficult cycle" in the ‌build-up ⁠to the World Cup, with the Brazilian Football Confederation appointing Carlo Anc...

  Belgium are seeking to temper any expectations after an impressive away victory in Croatia on Tuesday, where a goal from Romelu Lukaku came as a major boost ahead of the World Cup. Belgium’s top scorer netted his 90th international goal in the 2-0 win, as ‌both countries continued World Cup preparations, marking his return to the team after a 12-month absence and seemingly putting behind him a difficult season in which he played less than an hour’s football for Napoli. “For him, it's huge. He lives for goals. So the fact that he scored is something we're really happy about,” said coach Rudi Garcia. “You also saw the reaction of his teammates. ⁠They all went over to celebrate with him, and he deserves it. “Our top scorer, our super top scorer, has scored again, and that's fantastic. That goal is good for his confidence. Still, we have to remain cautious. It can be dangerous to rush things. We need to bring him along step by step,” the coach told reporters. Lukaku has been ...

  Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana says he is happy to drop back into defence ‌if needed at the World Cup after a successful experiment with a change of tactical formation in Tuesday’s away victory over Croatia. Onana, usually the midfield destroyer for the Belgians, was shifted to centre back for the start of the friendly in Rijeka, which Belgium won 2-0 with a morale-boosting performance. It was a surprise switch from their traditional 4-3-3 formation, but one that had ⁠been planned to see whether it might be an option at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. "I felt good in that position," Onana told a press conference on Wednesday. "The partnership with Arthur (Theate) and Nathan (Ngoy) went quite well. They carried out their roles very effectively too. For a first full dress rehearsal, this was certainly not bad at all. "I've played there a few times before. The team comes first. I'm a midfielder, that's my favourite position, but i...

  PFK Turan Tovuz have been declared ineligible to participate in next season's Conference League after European football's governing body UEFA ruled on Wednesday that the Azerbaijani club was involved ‌in activities aimed at influencing match outcomes. The UEFA Appeals Body chair stated Turan Tovuz had failed to meet admission criteria for "being directly and/or indirectly involved in activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level." The ruling ⁠comes after Turan Tovuz finished third in Azerbaijan's top flight, which would normally have secured their qualification for the Conference League qualifying rounds. The club said the decision was based on a 2019 disciplinary case where seven of the club's players were banned from all football-related activities for match-fixing by the country's soccer governing body (AFFA). "In the 2025-26 season, we finished the season in third place, following all sporti...

  The Democratic Republic of Congo is hoping to go ahead with a World Cup warm-up match against Chile in Spain next week despite local authorities prohibiting the match due to the African nation's Ebola outbreak. The mayor of La ‌Linea de la Concepcion took the decision even though the Congolese team has been preparing for the tournament in Belgium and almost all of its players and staff are based in Europe. Congo play a friendly match in Liège on Wednesday against Denmark and had planned a second preparatory game in Spain next Monday before heading off to ⁠the World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. But on Tuesday, La Línea’s mayor, Juan Franco, revoked authorisation for the match. "The health situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding the Ebola virus, together with the documentation that has been provided to us, which does not fully demonstrate that there is no risk whatsoever, means that this is the most prudent decision," a stat...

  Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Turkey on Thursday before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, the Iranian FA (FFIRI) said on Wednesday. Although it was one of the first teams to ‌qualify, Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in doubt since the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February. The squad have played three friendlies in two training camps in Antalya since the start of the war - losing to Nigeria and beating Costa Rica and Gambia - and on Thursday will face Mali ⁠in the Turkish sea resort. "Considering the importance of the Iranian national football team's friendly match against Mali, and in line with the tactical objectives of Iran's head coach, tomorrow's match against Mali will be held behind closed doors and without media attendance," FFIRI said in a statement. The FFIRI persuaded FIFA to allow the team to swap its tournament base from Tucson, A...

  Ismael Saibari scored twice as Morocco eased to a 4-0 victory over Madagascar in a friendly on Tuesday, delivering a ‌confident performance ahead of the World Cup. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder gave the hosts a dream start, heading in a fourth-minute corner from Bilal El Khannouss at the far post, before doubling the lead in ⁠the 24th minute after capitalising on a defensive error. Morocco dominated the opening half, with Noussair Mazraoui going close to adding a second earlier, only to see his powerful strike rebound off the crossbar. Morocco continued to dictate the tempo after the break and extended their advantage in the 78th minute when Azzedine Ounahi was fouled inside ‌the ⁠penalty area. Soufiane Rahimi stepped up and converted from the spot to make it 3-0. Brahim Diaz played a key role in the fourth goal late on, driving into the box ⁠from the right before his effort struck the post, allowing Ayoub El Kaabi to tap in from close range in the ⁠87th minute. Morocco will now t...

  World Cup-bound Ghana conceded a last-gasp equaliser to hosts Wales to draw 1-1 in their friendly international on ‌Tuesday and extended their winless run to six matches. Lewis Koumas netted with a diving header three minutes into stoppage time after Ghana looked on their way to a morale-boosting ⁠victory ahead of their departure to this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Substitute Caleb Yirenkyi snapped up a rebound off the upright to convert from close range in the 66th minute to give Ghana the lead after a bursting run from the halfway ‌line ⁠from Ernest Nuamah. It was one of Ghana’s rare forward forays in a match which Wales dominated but failed to take their chances. The home side came ⁠closest in the first half when Dan James first had a point-blank header palmed away by Ghana ⁠goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and then hit the crossbar minutes later. Ghana’s opening game in Group L ⁠at the World Cup is against Panama in Toronto on June 17.

  Romelu Lukaku marked his return to the Belgium side with a record-extending 90th international goal as they beat Croatia 2-0 away in their World Cup warm-up friendly on ‌Tuesday. Captain Youri Tielemans took advantage of a defensive slip to score the opening goal while Belgium's all-time top scorer Lukaku struck with the last effort of the match in his first game for the national side in 12 months. The 33-year-old Lukaku broke away and ⁠slammed home a powerful strike to set about expunging a dismal campaign at club level with Napoli where he failed to start a single match all season and struggled with a hamstring injury. Tielemans swept home the ball from close range in the 38th minute after the Croatia defence failed to clear a square pass following Jeremy Doku’s marauding run. The clash provided both teams' coaches with an opportunity to field a large number ‌of ⁠their World Cup-bound squads, as Croatia used 10 substitutes and Belgium brought on Lukaku for a cameo appearanc...

  Cristiano Ronaldo has bent football's record books into so many shapes that another landmark can almost feel routine but a sixth World Cup at 41 would be extraordinary even by his standards. The 2026 tournament is set to add another stop to Ronaldo's long and often bruising World Cup ‌journey, one that began in Germany in 2006 and has wound through South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar without delivering the prize he has chased. Only Lionel Messi is poised to match him for appearances at six World Cups, another twist in a rivalry that has stretched from Real Madrid v Barcelona to Ballon d'Or ceremonies and now into football's deepest archive. Messi has eight Ballon d'Or awards, Ronaldo five. Both are still making room for ⁠new chapters in their amazing stories. For Ronaldo, the World Cup has been the one stage that has never fully bent to his will. His best run came in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals before losing to France. Since then there have been...

  Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro named an experienced squad on Tuesday for the country's first World Cup ‌finals appearance, led by forward Eldor Shomurodov and defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Captain Shomurodov will be the team's main attacking playmaker alongside his Istanbul Basaksehir teammate Abbosbek ⁠Fayzullaev. Manchester City's Khusanov, 22, struggled with injury earlier in the season but played regularly in the run-in, helping them win the English FA Cup and League Cup. Uzbekistan face Colombia in their opening Group K fixture, before matches against Portugal ‌and ⁠DR Congo. Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi) Defenders: Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), ⁠Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba), Bekhruz Karimov (Surkhon), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo Samarqand), Avazbek Ulmasaliev...

  Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman is reluctant to make any bold prediction about his side’s chances at the World Cup, but on Tuesday expressed confidence ‌as they prepared for a warm-up international against Algeria. The Dutch were semi-finalists at the last European Championship and Koeman said he had a “better feeling” about this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. than the ⁠Euros in Germany two years ago. "But what does 'better' mean? At the last tournament, we were missing players because of injuries,” he told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash in Rotterdam. “It looks like we'll have everyone fully fit this time, so that's a difference. But whether we're actually better is something we'll have to prove." Koeman said making predictions was ‌a ⁠perilous task. "You can never get it right. If you say we're going to become world champions, people ask what that's based on," he said. “If you say you're outsid...

  Croatia captain Luka Modric is set to lead his country at what is expected to be the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner’s final ‌World Cup appearance after coach Zlatko Dalic named an unchanged 26-man squad. Dalic stuck with the provisional list announced on May 18, trimming the seven standby players as Croatia look to build on ⁠recent tournament success. Modric, 40, will have one last chance to guide Croatia to World Cup glory, having led the side to a runners-up finish in Russia in 2018 and third place in Qatar in 2022. Dalic’s squad blends experience and youth, particularly in defence, where Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol is joined by highly rated ‌teenager ⁠Luka Vuskovic, who is gaining experience on loan at Hamburg SV. Croatia face a challenging Group L campaign against England, Ghana and Panama. Squad: Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor ⁠Pandur (Hull City) Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), J...

  Less than two weeks before the World Cup kicks off, Toronto Police announced on Monday that ‌they made the largest known seizure of counterfeit soccer jerseys in Canadian history. Officers seized over C$3.5 million ($2.53 million) worth of counterfeit merchandise from a Mississauga warehouse, they ⁠said, including more than 16,000 fraudulent jerseys and flags bearing fake FIFA, Nike (NKE.N), opens new tab, Adidas (ADSGn.DE), opens new tab and Puma branding, as well as two counterfeit World Cup trophies. Two men have been arrested and charged, the police said. Toronto is expecting more than 300,000 visitors during the ‌World ⁠Cup with six matches to be played in the city, including Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12. A complaint to the ⁠Toronto Police Service FIFA Planning Team Investigative Unit in May alleged that the accused were supplying ⁠products to retail stores and acting as a distributor of fraudulent merchandise. The items ⁠have an estimated street...

  By Trust Ittai  England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that heat and humidity will pose significant challenges at the FIFA World Cup but insists his squad has the quality and belief to make a deep run in the tournament. Most of England's players were scheduled to fly to Miami on Monday evening for a 10-day warm-weather acclimatisation camp ahead of the competition. However, Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, along with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, have been granted additional recovery time following Saturday's UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. The quartet will join the squad later. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who recently helped his club secure the UEFA Conference League title, is also expected to arrive later and will miss Saturday's friendly against New Zealand in Tampa. PALM BEACH CAMP The remaining 21 players, several of whom are currently on holiday across the Americas and the Caribbean, will assemble...

  Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro named his final 26-man World Cup squad on Monday, leaning heavily on overseas-based players, with only ‌three members of the squad drawn from Paraguay's domestic league. The Argentine manager, whose contract expires after the tournament, chose an experienced group led by 33-year-old captain Gustavo Gomez. Gomez, the Palmeiras ⁠defender and long-time leader of the national team, headlines the squad that also includes Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Diego Gomez, Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron, Strasbourg forward Julio Enciso and Independiente striker Gabriel Avalos. Paraguay begin their World Cup campaign on June 12 against the United States, one of the ‌three ⁠host nations. Before travelling to the tournament, La Albirroja are scheduled to face Nicaragua in a friendly on Friday. Goalkeepers: Orlando Gill, Roberto Junior Fernandez, Gaston Olveira Defenders: ⁠Juan Caceres, Gustavo Velazquez, Gustavo Gomez, Junior Alonso, Jose Canale, Omar Ald...