Portugal enjoyed 75 per cent possession and registered seven shots on target but struggled to break down a determined DR Congo side that remained organised throughout the match.
By Bradley BosireThe appeal against the decision to grant Partey a Canadian visa for the World Cup failed, with court documents revealing that the initial visa application did not disclose the criminal charges he faces in the UK.
By Shadrack AndengaThe result gave Argentina a winning start in Group J as they aim to become only the third nation to defend the World Cup successfully. It also marked their first-ever opening win as reigning champions, having previously fallen in their first matches in 1982 and 1990.
By Bradley BosireMike Maignan was key in keeping the score level, denying efforts from Sadio Mané and reacting quickly in dangerous moments, while Ismaïla Sarr also missed a good opportunity from close range.
By Maureen KinyanjuiOfficials in Canada denied Partey entry because he had wrongly stated he had never been arrested or charged with a crime, despite facing active legal proceedings in the UK.
By Maureen KinyanjuiDespite FIFA president Gianni Infantino visiting their locker room after the game, ESPN journalist Jason Le Miere reported that Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei described his team as perhaps “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.”
By Shadrack AndengaThe ruling follows diplomatic and legal escalation from the Ghanaian government and the Ghana Football Association, which had protested the denial as unfair. They filed an emergency interlocutory injunction at the Federal Court of Canada seeking a review of the decision.
By Shadrack AndengaOn Tuesday, the Tunisia Football Association confirmed that Lamouchi’s contract had been ended by “mutual agreement”, bringing his short spell in charge of the national team to an abrupt close during the competition.
By Shadrack AndengaArtan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told he would not be allowed into the country after his diplomatic passport and single entry US visa were rejected.
By Samuel OtienoIran had already moved its World Cup base to Mexico due to concerns stemming from tensions between the country and the United States. Of the 15 Iranian delegation members initially denied US visas, 10 submitted fresh applications after arriving in Mexico. It has now emerged that four of those appeals were successful.
By Shadrack AndengaThe stars, traditionally displayed above the national crest, symbolize Egypt's record seven AFCON titles and have become an iconic feature of the Pharaohs' jersey.
By Shadrack AndengaFifa has said that the 41-year-old, who was due to officiate the Group E meeting between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia on Sunday (00:00 BST, Monday), has been replaced by Frenchman Francois Letexier because of injury, but is expected to be available for selection "in the coming days".
By Shadrack AndengaAccording to reports from Missouri, Kansas City Police have arrested two suspects as investigations continue into the incident. The theft comes as the Three Lions prepare for their Group L opener against Luka Modric's Croatia at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
By Shadrack AndengaIn a statement on Friday, FIFA confirmed that the former Arsenal player, who is now with Spanish club Villarreal, will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after his visa application was refused by the Canadian government.
By Shadrack AndengaMexico defeated co-hosts South Africa 2-0 in a World Cup opening match, but online reactions split African fans. Migration and reported xenophobia in South Africa shaped the debate, memes, and calls for unity.
By Bradley BosireUSA has come under fire after on Tuesday the country denied Omar Artan entry after arriving at the Miami International Airport from Istanbul, he was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA's final list for the tournament.
By Shadrack AndengaYahoo Sports reports that the Norwegian national team are reportedly taking 300kg of fish, 116kg of Norwegian cheese, and 6,000 oranges to their tournament base, food acquired from Norway and transported to the USA, with Norwegian chefs involved in every step.
By Shadrack AndengaThe last time a World Cup match produced three red cards was two decades ago, during the 2006 finals, a tournament still remembered for its disciplinary flashpoints, including the notorious Portugal versus Netherlands encounter that holds the record for the most dismissals in a single game.
By Bradley BosireGlobal music star Shakira led part of the entertainment lineup, joined by J Balvin, Burna Boy, Danny Ocean, Mexican band Maná’s Fher Olvera, opera singer Andrea Bocelli, K-pop artist Ejae and South African star Tyla, who also performed her national anthem.
By Maureen KinyanjuiNew York City temporarily renamed parts of its streets for Thierry Henry and Pele as World Cup celebrations ramp up. “Thierry Henry Way” was unveiled in downtown Manhattan, while a Queens intersection was renamed in honour of Pele until November 1.
By Bradley BosireThe four-time world champions' main concern has been the high transportation costs associated with the tournament. Train tickets, which normally cost $12.90 (£9.50) from central New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—where Germany will face Ecuador in their final Group E match on June 25—were increased to $150 for the tournament before later being reduced to $98.
By Shadrack AndengaThe incident has drawn attention in sporting and diplomatic circles, particularly given Artan’s rising profile in African football officiating and his recognition as CAF Referee of the Year 2025.
By Bradley BosireIt was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
By Samuel OtienoUS officials said visas had been issued to all players and "necessary support staff" on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.
By Samuel OtienoFIFA says a website payment glitch briefly issued World Cup tickets without payment to about 60 fans. The tickets were later cancelled, and FIFA asked the supporters to pay the full amount within seven days.
By Bradley BosireThe world’s soccer organization is promising the 2026 World Cup to be “the biggest and most exciting edition of the tournament to date” with 104 matches across 16 different cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
By Essy Wawira