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Aguirre says Mexico beat cramps and stage fright in opener

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Aguirre says Mexico beat cramps and stage fright in opener

Mexico City: Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre revealed his team had overcome a bout of stage fright before clinching their first victory in a FIFA World Cup opener with a 2-0 defeat of South Africa on Thursday.

Mexico had never won their opening FIFA World Cup match in seven attempts, registering five defeats and two draws during their previous appearances at the tournament.

But Aguirre’s side were always in control against a poor South African team at the Estadio Azteca and bagged three points that puts them firmly on course for the knockout rounds from Group A.

McTominay 'ready to go' for Scotland

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

McTominay 'ready to go' for Scotland

Foxborough: Scotland star Scott McTominay is ready for the team's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Haiti on Saturday after overcoming a stomach bug, head coach Steve Clarke has said.

"He is perfect and ready to go," Clarke said when asked about the fitness of the Napoli man, Scotland's star player.

Ancelotti warns Brazil can compete with anyone

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Ancelotti warns Brazil can compete with anyone

East Rutherford: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that the five-time FIFA World Cup winners have a team capable of competing with the very best, as they bid to end a 24-year wait for another global crown.

After winning five UEFA Champions League titles as a club coach, the Italian will make his managerial debut in the sport's biggest tournament at the helm of a Brazil side that has not lifted the trophy since 2002.

Hong: Intensive preparations paid off for Korea Republic

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Hong: Intensive preparations paid off for Korea Republic

Zapopan: Hong Myung-bo attributed Korea Republic's high altitude training for the thrilling 2-1 win against Czechia in their opening FIFA World Cup Group A tie on Thursday.

The East Asian side fought back after going behind with goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu securing their first opening match win on the global stage since 2010.

Group B: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Group B: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ontario: Co-hosts Canada grabbed a second-half equaliser to draw 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B opener on Friday.

Cyle Larin got Canada's goal after Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead with a header in the 21st minute in Toronto.
 
The result gave Canada its first point in World Cup history. Canadian sides had a perfect record of futility at two previous tournament appearances in 1986 and 2022, with six losses.

Preview - Group D: Australia v Turkiye

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group D: Australia v Turkiye

Vancouver: Australia will be striving for a winning start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign when they face Turkiye in Group D on Saturday.

The Socceroos return to the global stage looking to build on their impressive run to the Round of 16 in Qatar four years ago, where they pushed eventual champions Argentina before bowing out 2-1.

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Switzerland

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Switzerland

California: Qatar will be aiming to add a winning chapter to their FIFA World Cup history when they kick off their 2026 campaign against Switzerland in Group B on Saturday.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions endured a difficult debut in 2022, becoming the first host nation to lose their opening match and exiting the tournament without a point. 

Group A: Korea Republic 2-1 Czechia

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Group A: Korea Republic 2-1 Czechia

Guadalajara: Korea Republic roared back from a goal down to defeat Czechia 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A opener on Thursday.

Strikes from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu sealed a perfect start for the East Asian side who had found themselves trailing to Ladislav Krejci's goal despite dominating the tie at the Estadio Guadalajara.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-a-korea-republic-v-czechia

Injured Endo pulls out, announces international retirement

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Injured Endo pulls out, announces international retirement

Dallas: Japan captain Wataru Endo announced his withdrawal from Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad and his international retirement on Thursday.

The midfielder had been in a race against time to get fit following an injury-plagued season with Liverpool.

Marsch says wanted 'responsibility' of leading Canada on home soil

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Marsch says wanted 'responsibility' of leading Canada on home soil

Toronto: Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said on Thursday the chance to lead the team in a FIFA World Cup on home soil was the reason he took the job, hours before the co-hosts' opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"If you do this for a living this is where you want to be," the American said at Toronto's BMO stadium, which is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches.