2026 — The Tournament Of A Lifetime

World Cup News

Players receiving a red card in the 2026 World Cup will receive a one-match suspension. This applies to both straight red cards and red cards that are the result of the same player being cautioned twice. During the opening game of the tournament, three red cards were shown. It means that South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane will miss their side's match against the Czech Republic, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes will miss their meeting with South Korea. Players can also receive suspensions for an accumulation across multiple matches. Should players received two bookings, they will be handed a one-match suspension. However, yellow cards are wiped following the conclusion of the group stage. They are wiped again following the conclusion of the quarter-finals. Contact formContact formPlayers who will miss next World Cup match because of red cardSphephelo Sithole (South Africa) This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

World Cup News

When Edin Dzeko decides the time is right to retire, the highlights reel of his career will be extensive. Two Premier League titles headline an impressive collection of honours won with the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg. Yet the enduring image of the 40-year-old's career may prove to be an altogether more vulnerable one. Moments after Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, Dzeko celebrated cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling. It's the kind of wear and tear you might expect for a man who for almost 20 years has carried the hopes of a nation still deeply affected by past horrors. "His career is connected to the country's own image - resilience, persistence and proving people wrong," Bosnian journalist Sasa Ibrulj says of Dzeko. Placed in a relatively even group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, the final chapter of Dzeko's story as a player could be the beginning of a new one for his country. His team's campaign begins against co-hosts Canada (Friday, 20:00 BST). The anatomy of a Golden Boot winner - and who could win it in 2026? Dzeko was six years old when the Bosnian War began in 1992, a conflict that cost the lives of around 80,000 fellow Bosnian Muslims. The Srebrenica Genocide perpetrated by Bosnian Serb forces was the largest massacre in Europe since the Holocaust. His family remained in Sarajevo during the near four-year siege of the city, as Serbian snipers targeted civilians including children. He moved to live with his grandparents after his parents' house was destroyed. "It was terrible," Dzeko told the Guardian. "The whole family was there, maybe 15 people all staying in an apartment about 35 metres square. It was very hard. We were stressed every day in case somebody we knew died." A young Dzeko often played on a local football pitch, but one day his mother made him stay at home; that day a shell hit the field and killed several children. After the war, Dzeko began his football journey with local club Zeljeznicar, but in his early career went largely misunderstood. He was nicknamed Kloc - local slang for lamp-post - because of his lanky appearance, and Zeljeznicar directors could not believe their luck when Czech side Teplice offered to buy him for 25,000 euros. Years later, Dzeko became the first player to score at least 50 goals in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A, but he did not forget his roots amid superstardom. He has made several donations to aid renovations at Zeljeznicar, and in 2009 became Bosnia's first Unicef ambassador. "People remember that he did not come from privilege or from a powerful football system," says Ibrulj. "What makes him different is that people in Bosnia have never experienced him as distant or untouchable." Dzeko's friend, Mirza Trbonja, told AFP: "When he comes, you need a lasso to catch 10 minutes with him. When someone asks him for a photo or autograph, he never refuses." Dzeko made his international debut in 2007, and now holds the records for the most appearances (148) and most goals (73) for Bosnia. After losing to Portugal in the play-offs for both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, Dzeko helped Bosnia qualify for their first major tournament since independence. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil proved to be the first and last for Bosnia's so-called golden generation, as play-off heartbreak struck again for Euro 2016, 2020 and 2024. Then, 12 years later, Bosnia overcame their play-off demons by beating Wales and then Italy on penalties having trailed to both. Ibrulj says: "2014 felt historic because it was the first generation that truly gave Bosnia international sporting legitimacy after independence. "This second qualification feels even heavier emotionally. Bosnia spent more than a decade failing to return, and over those years there was disappointment, pessimism and a growing feeling that the country had missed its moment. "For many younger supporters, this is the first team that feels like their team in the same way older generations emotionally belonged to the side of Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Emir Spahic." For musician Alen Dokic - who has produced a World Cup song under the alias Doppelganger - Bosnia's qualification is an example of 'Bosanski Inat', a cultural mindset of defiance and overcoming adversity. "Never forget, never forgive - this is one of the mottos that reminds us who we are, what we have been through, and how resilient we Bosnians are," says Dokic. Dokic, born in Rome to Bosnian parents, is part of a Bosnian diaspora thought to be as large as two million people. Sergej Barbarez's World Cup squad mixes experience with youth and vibrance. Seventeen of the 26 players were born outside of Bosnia & Herzegovina. "It's a unique dynamic of players growing up all over the world but coming back to represent Bosnia," says former Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Esmir Bajraktarevic, scorer of the penalty that sent Bosnia to the World Cup, is one such player. The 21-year-old was born and raised in Wisconsin after his parents fled Srebrenica. "That common interest, common goal, the passion of representing Bosnia plays a big role," he says. "What the country has been through, there's still lingering effects from the conflict and the past. "When everyone comes together in Bosnia, it's a pretty unique feeling and really special. For a country so small to compete at this stage is a really big thing." After the Italy match, thousands of fans took to the streets and partied until dawn. "This is still a country shaped by political division, economic uncertainty and the long shadow of war, so moments of collective joy carry unusual weight," says Ibrulj. Who are the oldest players to feature at a World Cup? Despite the lack of investment and sporting infrastructure in a nation of three million people, the future of the national team looks bright. It feels fitting that Dzeko should captain Bosnia as they enter a new era. "For younger players he became a constant. Coaches changed, federations changed, generations came and went, but Dzeko remained there," says Ibrulj. "In a country where people often struggle to trust institutions, figures like that become larger than sport itself." After a video of Italian players allegedly celebrating the fact that they would face Bosnia instead of Wales in the play-off final went viral, Dzeko showed his leadership qualities. He implored supporters to respect the Italian anthem, reminding them that Italy were the first side to visit Bosnia after the war. "He is someone who has big pressure and expectation on him," says Begovic. "He galvanises everybody. When I played with him he certainly wasn't the most vocal of leaders but he definitely led by example and I think a lot of people fed off that." But Dzeko isn't going to the World Cup to cheerlead from the sidelines. After scoring a late equaliser against Wales before setting up the equaliser against Italy, the 40-year-old clearly still has plenty to offer. "I didn't think I would be playing at 40 - 10 years ago I would've said 'no', but I'm listening to my body and doing a lot of work before and after training to help my body," says Dzeko. "I am so happy I can do it [go to the World Cup]. It is so amazing for the young players. They don't know it yet, but it will change their lives for sure." Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast SoundsGet football news sent straight to your phone

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The show featuring a host of Latin American talent raced along and was over in a flash, leaving those at the Estadio Azteca wanting more ITV’s Mark Pougatch could barely contain his excitement. “Let’s be honest, opening ceremonies aren’t very memorable,” he offered, clearly intent on whipping up viewers into a frenzy of anticipation before events in the Estadio Azteca got under way. A few minutes later, he was at it again. “Nothing is happening,” he shrugged, when the opening ceremony didn’t kick off bang on time. “This is why they don’t live long in the memory.” No one was going to accuse him of overselling Mexico’s big night, but then perhaps he was underwhelmed by the lineup. With the global star power reserved for the final’s half-time show – which features Madonna, Coldplay and BTS – the Mexican ceremony stuck fast to relatively local talent. It kicked off with Maná, the most successful Latin American rock band of all time, who – to judge by the 1992 hit they performed, Oye Mi Amor – have sold 45m records by sounding not unlike The Police. They were pretty good, as was Venezuela’s Danny Ocean and the Mexican singer-songwriter Belinda, both of whom broke out one of the 18 (eighteen!) official World Cup songs: Ocean’s Partidazo was a nippy bit of reggaeton, Belinda’s Por Ella a sweet collaboration with veteran cumbia band Los Ángeles Azules, the latter a disconcerting sight for British viewers on account of the fact that their bass player looked as if he was being impersonated by Paul Whitehouse. You couldn’t fault the ceremony for its brevity: it zipped along at a remarkable clip. Indeed, you could possibly have done with a bit more of J Balvin, who was charismatic and self-deprecating enough to turn up in a cardboard car to perform his 2017 hit I Like it, one of the few latterday Latin pop hits to make a splash in the UK. That notwithstanding, the big draw for anyone not immersed in Latin American music was Shakira and the Afrobeats star Burna Boy – who presumably even Mark Pougatch has heard of – performing yet another official World Cup song, Dai Dai. You used to know where you were with the official World Cup song. It came out, no one cared – at least in England, where none of them have ever even made the Top 20 – and it was swiftly consigned to the dustbin of history. Who today recalls Ricky Martin’s La Copa de la Vida or indeed The Time Of Our Lives by Toni Braxton and operatic man-band Il Divo, the latter a musical cocktail only a lunatic would order? But in 2026, it’s showing signs of mission creep: you can’t move for the bloody things. There is the official Fifa anthem, Desire, sung at the finals draw in December by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger but subsequently given a reboot. It’s now a frankly terrifying-sounding collaboration between Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, K-pop singer EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion. There are 16 versions of the official theme, each remixed by a producer from one of the host cities. And there are the aforementioned 18 official World Cup songs, collected together on an album featuring not only Ocean and Belinda, but an online influencer called IShowSpeed and country pop star Jelly Roll. The latter caused consternation with his official World Cup song Lighter, which featured a lot of Bible-belt-pleasing lyrics about religious redemption and feeling “like a broke-down Chevy” and absolutely no references to the World Cup or even football: a suitably America First approach to the whole business. If nothing else, it casts Dai Dai in a more forgiving light: a coolly minimal Afrobeats track that you could actually imagine listening to for pleasure, which given that it’s hard to imagine listening to Toni Braxton and Il Divo without crying for death’s merciful release, counts as a win. Shakira gyrated her famously non-lying hips, Burna Boy occasionally forgot to put the microphone up to his mouth on cue – mysteriously, his voice rang out loud and clear regardless – and the whole business was over in a flash. Cautioned to expect the worst, the viewer was instead presented with something genuinely entertaining, even educational: a pleasant surprise.

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Message comes ahead of politically-charged World Cup ‘Socceroos are best representation right now of what Australia is’ The Socceroos have addressed growing anti-immigration sentiment in a powerful video message ahead of the World Cup, speaking of their pride in their heritage and playing for the national team. Compared to their equivalent release ahead of the Qatar World Cup, which directly addressed the hosts’ human rights record, the Socceroos’ statement on Friday was uncontroversial. However, in a climate of harsh deportations by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the rise of One Nation in Australia, the Socceroos’ simple language held a clear message and its timing carried weight. Awer Mabil, a winger playing for Castellón in Spain, begins the video: “I was born in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. My parents are South Sudanese.” Defender Lucas Herrington, who has Zimbabwean heritage, “was born in Brisbane, Australia”. Full-back Aziz Behich adds: “My family migrated from Cyprus.” Jason Geria, who has Ugandan roots, says he was born in Australia. The message is a result of meetings in recent weeks with the players, organised by players’ union Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and largely led by co-president Jackson Irvine. PFA chief executive Beau Busch said the Socceroos “highlight the profound impact of multiculturalism” on the country. “At a time when some seek to divide us and question who belongs, the Socceroos stand as a powerful reminder of who we truly are as a nation and as Australians,” he said. During the meetings, the Socceroos were invited to consider what kind of statement they wanted to issue ahead of the politically-charged tournament. They agreed to promote multiculturalism, and 20 of the 26-player squad recorded videos that make up the near-two minute message. Irvine, the Socceroos’ outspoken midfielder who said last month Fifa’s awarding of a peace prize to Donald Trump “makes a mockery” of football as a force for positive change, presented the video’s key theme: “No matter where you come from, football is for everyone.” That slogan is repeated by Jacob Italiano, Aiden O’Neill and Harry Souttar, the latter in a strong Scottish accent. “The Socceroos aren’t just a team, we are a reflection of modern Australia,” continues Irvine. In the video, Mo Touré explains his upbringing, as a child to Liberian refugees, born in Guinea before moving to Adelaide as a refugee. Milos Degenek fled Croatia as an 18-month-old, living in Serbia as a refugee before moving to Sydney at the age of six. The World Cup has brought players, staff and supporters of 48 teams to the United States, Canada and Mexico over the next six weeks. What should be a celebration of difference began on Friday amid tension around the place of migrants within US society. The Trump administration has undertaken sometimes cruel mass deportations, including sending 21,000 people to places US calls too dangerous to visit, and this month threatened to send more ICE agents to New York. “Our diversity is our strength,” says Mat Leckie in the video. “The Socceroos are the best representation right now of what Australia is,” says Geria. In Australia, political party One Nation has surged in popularity. The populist party founded on anti-immigration policy has occupied the fringes of politics since its establishment in 1997. One Nation has emerged, however, as a major electoral force, winning its first federal lower house seat and challenging the mainstream incumbents in polling. Captain Maty Ryan, Paul Okon-Engstler, Jordy Bos and Herrington speak of the pride in playing for the Socceroos, as does Mabil. “There’s a lot of journeys behind the jersey, so to be a Socceroos has many different meanings, but with one purpose and that is to do the country proud,” Mabil said. Irvine concludes: “We are proud of where we come from and who we represent, and proud to represent Australia.” The Socceroos play their first World Cup match against Turkey on Saturday evening in Vancouver (Sunday AEDT).

World Cup News

There was a time when football boots came in one colour - black. That has not been the case over the past quarter of a century or so, with all the colours of the rainbow coming to the party as the major brands have sought to stand out from the crowd. Yet at the 2026 World Cup, things appear to have come full circle, with players all back to wearing the same colour again - only this time it is pink. The key reason is because the top-selling global brands Nike, Adidas and Puma have all produced similarly-styled boots in similar hues for the showpiece event. That was evident during the opening match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, when almost every player on the pitch appeared to be wearing bright pink boots. Here is why it will be the dominant colour at the World Cup. Contact formContact formHow did brands know pink was 'in' for 2026?In the past, industry-leading brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma have often favoured more understated black and white designs. But this summer their latest releases have been centred around standing out from the crowd through bold, vibrant colours. Back in 2024, consumer trend forecaster WGSN predicted 'Electric Fuchsia' would be one of the defining colours of the 2026 summer season. The company described "a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality" and a "luminous hue, sitting between pink and purple". Whether such a prediction resonated with the design experts at Nike, Adidas and Puma, we can't say. So is it a coincidence almost every major boot style is pink? When manufacturers begin to design new boots - a process that can start up to two years before release - they often consult trend forecasters such as WGSN to learn which colours, themes and styles are likely to be 'in' when the product eventually hits the shelves. But there are other factors as to why pink has been a hit in football. Of course, players are far more open to wearing extravagant boots than previous generations. But the simple reason the companies have hit upon pink is because of how it contrasts with the green of the pitch. It stands out whether you are watching on television, at the stadium, or scrolling on your phone. The pink boot shows up if you are looking at slow-motion clips, or watching under stadium lights. But the irony may be that, with so many manufacturers arriving at pink, perhaps it is more difficult for their designs to stand out? This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMegan BonarBBC Scotland, BostonThe Tartan Army is feeling the heat in Boston as plane-loads of fans continue to arrive in the city as the World Cup gets underway. Visitors are facing 31C temperatures, with the soaring heat expected to continue into Saturday when Scotland's men face Haiti in their opening match. Around 30,000 fans are expected in Boston for the fixture and city streets and bars are gradually filling up with kilts and Scotland tops. The tournament kicked off on Thursday night with the opening ceremony and first game between Mexico and and South Africa. Mexico, one of the three host nations, won the match 2-0. The atmosphere has been building at the Haven Bar - Boston's only Scottish pub - with a piper playing the US national anthem and extra Scottish beer shipped in. At one table are brothers Paul Flynn and Gary Collins, who have come together for the tournament. Originally from Glasgow, they now live thousands of miles apart in Australia and York. "There's a real air of anticipation, everyone is in a good jovial mood," said Gary "It feels like we're on the cusp of something special. "The tartan army has got a reputation and Boston is welcoming us well so far. "We've had people pulling over in the car just to say good luck." "Big" Jay Howard and his brother Ed Murray are in charge of security at The Haven. They have been given a crash course in Scottish culture. Jay told BBC Scotland News: "It blew my mind, I came in yesterday and then these guys were wearing these kilts and they just started singing for no reason. An American football fan, Jay said the crowd was very different to what he is used to. He added: "This is a whole new world for me. Bostonians are excited, the bars are booming and it's bringing a real buzz to the city." There have been some concerns about where Scotland fans will go in the city, with larger groups expected to arrive on Friday and Saturday. Boston's main fan zone is oversubscribed and a huge number of travelling fans do not have match tickets. Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, said her office was working on opening a "consumption area" for supporters. It is not clear whether it will be ready in time for Scotland's opening fixture with Haiti at 21:00 local time on Saturday. Many fans are just happy to be in Boston and soak up the atmosphere Jim Brown from Edinburgh said: "It's almost as good as at home. The beer has actually got a head on it here." "A lot of US cities don't have that feeling. I don't think Boston truly knows what is about to hit it." For Nikki Smith from Keith, a lost suitcase has been an unlucky start to the trip, but is not a bad omen for Saturday. He said: "My kilt is in the bag so and I don't have that and my contact lenses are in the bag so I can't see the game but we'll make it work." Meanwhile, dozens of other Scottish fans have reported issues with US travel permits being revoked at the last minute. On Thursday, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said he was "making representations" on behalf of supporters who had problems with their Electronic System of Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador to the United States who is in touch with US authorities. He said: "Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have gone through the US visa system successfully, but we will continue to work with the US authorities to help resolve this issue as quickly as possible."

World Cup News

Midfielder’s meteoric rise could enter different stratosphere if he inspires World Cup glory and seals record move The numbers around Elliot Anderson are rising fast – to extraordinary levels. A little like the player himself. At the beginning of last week, when he flew to Florida with the England squad for their pre-World Cup camp, he was the Nottingham Forest midfielder who had finished a gruelling club season, which featured four managers, on the right side of the relegation line. The 23-year-old had established himself as a first choice in Thomas Tuchel’s England team over the course of the campaign, albeit he remained in single digits for caps. There was a lot of noise about Anderson on the transfer market. The richness of the promise was there for all to see. Then Manchester City made their opening bid of £80m and the conversation around him changed significantly; the perceptions, as well. This kind of cash tends to make that happen. Forest rejected it and indicated that, if they were to sell, the fee would have to include nine figures. Another sharp intake of breath. But then City went again, as Anderson prepared to play in England’s final warm-up game before the World Cup against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday, offering £106m plus £16m in add-ons. The record fee for a British player is the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham in 2023 for Declan Rice – Anderson’s England partner. Rice is now a Premier League title-winning superstar. The record fee paid by a British club is the £125m Liverpool gave to Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer. The Forest chair, Evangelos Marinakis, is understood to want a basic fee of at least that for Anderson. Who would bet against him getting it? Or, certainly, who would bet against City getting a deal done? They appear to be pot committed, to borrow the poker term. It feels as if some fans are struggling to reconcile City’s power play and the vast sums involved with the reality that Anderson has had two seasons as a Premier League regular with Forest. Before that, he made 13 starts in the competition for his boyhood club, Newcastle. Never mind that his performance levels have been excellent for Forest. He was instrumental for them in 2024-25 as they reached the FA Cup semi-final and almost qualified for the Champions League. A part of it is that Anderson’s rise has been so meteoric as to defy comprehension. Even he has given the impression that he is battling to get his head around it. “It’s been crazy, it has happened so quickly,” he said at the end of March on England duty. And that was before the latest developments. Everybody needs to wise up. As Tuchel did when he went to watch Anderson in the European Under-21 Championship final last June when he ran the show in England’s victory against Germany. Tuchel left knowing he had the answer to his problem position of No 6; the player to free Rice up as the No 8. Tuchel called up Anderson last September and has counted on him ever since. Anderson is primed to enter a different stratosphere. Is it a lot to handle? Yes. Is he handling it? Also, yes. There were two ways of assessing Anderson’s reaction to the City bid in the Costa Rica game. Either he wanted to show them he was worth it. Or the knowledge that they knew he was worth it boosted him. Maybe it was a bit of both. What Tuchel and the England fans present saw was a complete midfield display. Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup, were close to the beaches; not quite on them yet. They played as if they wished they were. Anderson stamped all over the caveat. He was bright and urgent with the ball, picking it up and moving it securely, sometimes incisively. He set the tempo with a game-high 74 successful passes; the next best on the list was John Stones with 49. Anderson also had the most touches with 94; Nico O’Reilly was second with 56. Anderson’s mobility and comfort in possession come from his younger days when he played as a No 10 or winger and what stands out are the economy of his touches, the sharpness of his turns. Then there is his work without the ball. It is Anderson’s basic toughness, as much as anything else. Costa Rica fouled him five times and there was the moment on 36 minutes when he was involved in a shuddering clash of heads with Orlando Galo. There were no histrionics; only a desire to bounce straight back up. It advertised a remorselessness. Anderson made three tackles, had seven ball recoveries and won eight of his nine duels. When Costa Rica had their only flicker of an opening after a loose pass by the England goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, there was an inevitability about Anderson being there to block Galo’s shot. “He’s a top player, there’s nothing more to say,” Tuchel said. “He’s the full package.” Tuchel is relaxed about transfer negotiations involving his players going on at the World Cup. He knows it is a fact of the game and wants to enable them rather than suppress them. The Football Association have medics on hand who can carry out medicals, if needed. Tuchel would prefer there were no talks on the day before matches and on matchdays. “Elliot seems not affected [by City’s interest],” Tuchel said. “I won’t speak to him about it but my assistant coach spoke with him. It should push him because it’s proof of what he’s capable to do and at what level he can perform. At the moment it seems like a push for him.” How must Newcastle be feeling after they sacrificed Anderson on the altar of Premier League profitability and sustainability rules? And not only because there was no sell-on clause in the £35m deal that took him to Forest in 2024. Or Scotland, for whom Anderson played from under-16 to under-21 level? He was eligible for them through his grandmother only to be drawn to England, the county of his birth. It was a close-run thing. Anderson joined up with the Scotland senior squad for the first time in September 2023 only to pull out after one training session. He needed more time to think before committing himself, having come to realise that an England career may be possible. He got his first under-21 cap for them a year later. Tuchel argued that if Anderson signed for City, it would remain business as usual. “He’s not a new player,” he said. “People will try to hang around his neck this price but in reality nothing changes. He just changes the club. That’s the rules of the game.” Tuchel was kidding nobody. Anderson is headed for the stars. All people can do is follow.

World Cup News

It is a dilemma plenty of people in the UK will be wrestling with over the next few weeks - stay up for the match, or catch up the morning after. But how do you find out what's happened overnight at the World Cup without any spoilers? Well, we are giving you the chance to do that via bbc.co.uk/nospoilers. This page will take you direct to a World Cup highlights page on BBC iPlayer, which will have highlights for every match without telling you who has won. It might give you a hint as to what's happened - if there has been a seven-goal thriller, for example - but we won't be giving you the winner or the result. We'll continue doing that as usual on the BBC Sport website and app and on the World Cup page on BBC iPlayer, but if you want to get your fix without knowing the scores first, head to bbc.co.uk/nospoilers. Add that page as a bookmark, and you can visit direct - allowing you to watch the highlights in blissful ignorance of what happens. If you're watching iPlayer on your TV, head to our World Cup destination page. Just don't come complaining to us if it means you've spent seven minutes watching highlights of a 0-0 draw...

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDan WareingChannel IslandsEngland's over-75s captain has described an upcoming match marking the anniversary of the 1966 World Cup final as the biggest of his career. Geoff Martel, 81, will lead the Silver Lions out at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park stadium on 30 July to face Germany. Not only will it mark the 60th anniversary of England's 4-2 victory at Wembley, but it comes nine months on from the Veterans World Cup, where Martel's team finished runners up to Germany. Martel, who is from Guernsey, said he was confident his side would "give a good account" of themselves. "There's still a lot of things that we've got to do before the match, like make sure we're fully fit," Martel told BBC Radio Guernsey. "We played them two years ago down in Cardiff and we had a World Cup down there and we beat them semi finals. "Then when we played them out in Japan they were much better because it turns out they had several ex-Bundesliga players in their side." Martel said the Germans would be "wanting to cause an upset" and he had already been in touch with their manager. "We had a Zoom call with him and you can tell they are really up for it and, like me, he is considering this the biggest game he's been involved with." While it will be a full match of 90 minutes, Martel said it would not compare to the physical demands the squads getting ready to play the 2026 World Cup are set to face. "Tournament football is unbelievable difficult," he said. "They are fortunate because we don't have the physios and people working in the background that they do, but even then it's still very hard." He added: "We've been fortunate because we've been able to have the players together and I think we've got a very good squad." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram . Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk .

World Cup News

There is evidence to suggest why Scotland fans are heading into a World Cup opener against an 83rd-ranked nation with an equal sense of trepidation and excitement. Just say the names of Costa Rica or Peru and you will see a shudder go down the spine of any experienced member of the Tartan Army. With Sunday's (02:00 BST) encounter with Haiti ending a 28-year absence from football's grandest stage, BBC Scotland has been digging through the archives. So what does history tell us about the Scots' World Cup curtain-raisers? The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn Goals from Peter Lorimer and Joe Jordan ensured a 2-0 success over minnows Zaire in West Germany - a result the Tartan Army would certainly sign up for this weekend. But it was a scoreline Willie Ormond's men ultimately went on to regret. Draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia meant Scotland failed to progress on goal difference. An unbeaten three-game sequence of one win and two draws would almost guarantee qualification for the knockouts under the more favourable current-day format. Not back then, though. "In hindsight we should have tried to score more goals," said former striker Jordan. "Looking at the big picture, it was a mistake. There was a bit of naivety in it. If that game had been our second or third, the scoreline might have been a little different." Four years later, manager Ally McLeod had the nation believing Scotland would win the 1978 World Cup. A squad loaded with top-level quality travelled to Argentina with almost 60 individual medals in its ranks - from champions of Scotland and England to European Cup and Uefa Cup winners. But next to no research was done on the opposition, with McLeod infamously turning down an offer of an all-expenses-paid scouting trip to Peru. The Peruvians beat Scotland 3-1 in their opening game in Cordoba, contributing to another early exit as the draw with Iran and memorable victory over the Netherlands that followed were not enough. Rowing boats & regrets - Scotland's undefeated 1974 World Cup campaign Scotland took care of bottom seeds New Zealand in their opener in Seville, with goals from Sir Kenny Dalglish, John Robertson, Steve Archibald and a John Wark double. It was the two they conceded that proved crucial, combined with a heavy 4-1 defeat to Brazil and a draw with the Soviet Union. Again, a repeat of those results in the US this month would very likely be enough for the Scots to make a historic progression to the knockouts, but the World Cup format was far more unforgiving in the past. Four years on and it was Sir Alex Ferguson who led the nation to Mexico. It was home time at the first hurdle again, though. Denmark, one of the best sides in Europe, awaited them in match one. Scotland were left to rue their profligacy as Preben Elkjaer Larsen's goal gave the Danes victory, before a defeat to West Germany and a draw with Uruguay. "I always thought the first game was the one," said goalkeeper Alan Rough. "We had to take something, especially with West Germany next." World Cup 1982: Stein, Narey, Brazil & being a cartoon character Against a Scotland side making their fifth consecutive appearance, the debutants made their mark, with Juan Arnoldo Cayasso's goal early in the second half deciding the game. "I remember the next day there was a headline somewhere of 'Stop the world, we want to get off' and it was all about how I should be sacked," said former head coach Andy Roxburgh. Scotland responded with victory over Sweden, but a narrow defeat to Brazil had them heading for the departure lounge. It was the Brazilians they would face in their next World Cup outing, opening the 1998 World Cup in France. Against a star-studded side, the Scots drew level through John Collins' penalty, but a slapstick own goal from Tom Boyd denied Craig Brown's men a precious point. A draw with Norway and a 3-0 defeat to Morocco came next. Of course, Brazil and Morocco feature in Scotland's 2026 World Cup group, 28 years on from their last showing on football's grandest stage. Steve Clarke will hope it is not a case of deja vu. But first, there is an opportunity to make a mark against Haiti. The Tartan Army have been scarred by past failures against favourable opposition, but cautious optimism is building that perhaps this time could be different. Everything you need to know about the World Cup

World Cup News

Jude Bellingham is not guaranteed a starting place for England this summer. Photograph: David Buono/Action Plus/ShutterstockThomas Tuchel wants to ‘put a second star on the shirt’ after making big selection calls, but what will be Jude Bellingham’s role? This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Qualifying was a doddle. England cruised through it, recording eight wins from eight games, 22 goals scored and none conceded, but the opposition was hardly taxing. As so often the question is how the Three Lions will fare when they come up against the very best in a knockout tie. Over to Thomas Tuchel, then. Brought in after a series of near misses under Gareth Southgate, the German has been tasked with getting England over the line, ending 60 years of hurt for the men’s side. The aim, Tuchel said at his unveiling in October 2024, is to “to try and put a second star on the shirt”. But the former Chelsea manager is realistic about his side’s hopes this summer. “We can’t be one of the favourites as we haven’t won it for so long,” Tuchel said this week. “There are proven winners within the tournament. These are the favourites.” It has not been the easiest build. There have been some missteps under Tuchel – performances against Andorra and Senegal last summer drew a negative response – but there have been some fine outings. England are good when they have a shared purpose. Tuchel has talked about building a brotherhood. He has looked to implement the right culture in the camp and he has a talented squad. He made some bold calls with his squad, omitting Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold but taking Ivan Toney, and appears to have found clarity. Expect England to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system. They have enviable attacking options, a host of No 10s and Declan Rice, one of the best midfielders in the world. There are, however, question marks over the defensive options and, as ever, fitness concerns over key players. As for Tuchel’s relationship with Jude Bellingham, that will need to be handled carefully. If the Real Madrid midfielder is in the mood, he could be the player who helps England lift the trophy. It was important that Bellingham played well as England eased to warm-up wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida. “This will hopefully be an amazing experience,” Tuchel said after beating Costa Rica. A German managing England? It might be jarring to some, but the thing about Thomas Tuchel is that he is an anglophile. He gets the culture and he is one of the best managers in the world. Tuchel won league titles with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, while winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 showcased his mastery of knockout football. However, this is his first foray into international football. Southgate was outstanding at creating the right environment during a tournament. Can Tuchel, who recently extended his contract through to Euro 2028, make sure that the shirt does not feel heavy? To think that there were doubts over Harry Kane ’s England future when he was substituted during the defeat against Spain in the final of Euro 2024. The striker laboured through that tournament, his performances those of a player who was clearly not at 100%, but he remains the team’s inspiration and leader. Quite simply, England do not function without their captain and record goalscorer. Tuchel needs Kane to be fresh. The Bayern Munich striker has had another prolific season and a strong World Cup will put him in contention for the Ballon d’Or. England are not short of No 10s but the one who has caught the eye under Tuchel is Morgan Rogers . The Aston Villa attacker produced a breakout display last September in the 5-0 win against Serbia in Belgrade, and is valued for his work on and off the ball. Tuchel loves Rogers’s counterpressing. It could mean the 23-year-old, a self-confessed football obsessive, is above players such as Bellingham and Eberechi Eze in the pecking order. Big names to keep out, but Rogers is confident. “The way I was as a kid, I still think I’m that person now, wanting to show my freedom in the way I play,” he says. Declan and who? For so long the question was who should play next to Rice in midfield. Southgate could not come up with the answer after Kalvin Phillips drifted from view, but Tuchel has Elliot Anderson . The Nottingham Forest midfielder is quite the find. He has gone from strength to strength since making his senior debut last September. On the eve of the tournament Forest turned down a £122m bid from Manchester City and Anderson is already a certain starter for England. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League,” Tuchel says. “That’s why he is with us and starting for us. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder.” The royal family have recently been in town so perhaps President Trump will be belting out God Save The King before England games. And while Trump’s relations with the UK government are decidedly frosty at the moment, do not expect the FA to wade into politics: the English governing body stayed out of it when the last World Cup was held in Qatar. The focus is likely to remain on football. The FA has not been hugely vocal when it comes to defending fans over ticket prices.

World Cup News

ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleStephen BrownandDanielle Malgwi,South EastA football supporter who attended the 1966 World Cup final has travelled to the US in the hope of seeing England win this year's tournament. Dave Thompson, from Canterbury in Kent, has seen the Three Lions play roughly 150 matches over the last 60 years. Thompson, who was five years old when he saw England defeat West Germany at Wembley Stadium in 1966, said he believed England could win it again in 2026. But having attended matches consistently since 2010, Thompson said that this tournament would be his last due to rising costs. "It's not for fans anymore. This tournament has proved it," Thompson told BBC Radio Kent. "The ticket prices have put a lot of people off. They're avoiding the friendlies as well, so there's not been a great deal of atmosphere." In December, Fifa introduced a small number of "more affordable" $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup following criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament. Since then, the sport governing body's practices are being investigated by the attorney generals of New York and New Jersey for "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans". Thompson said that his trip, including travel and tickets, had cost him about £20,000. "I've been going to the tournaments since 2010, so I didn't want to stop," he said. He added that he did not want to "tempt fate" by not attending this year. Thompson said that he will only be attending England matches due to the cost, adding that he has tickets for the sides group stage matches so far. "It's not worth going to watch another team when you've got to pay five or six hundred dollars to watch a team that you're not really following," he said. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook , X , and Instagram , and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.