World Cup 2026 Power Rankings, 48 hours out: Who is No. 1? - ESPN
It's official: Tuesday marks just 48 hours until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in earnest, when Mexico host South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.
South Africa Sport News
FIFA boss Infantino faces questions on eve of World Cup
MEXICO CITY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to face the media on the eve of the World Cup on Wednesday, as off-field distractions dogged the build-up to the tournament. Infantino is likely to face tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and an immigration crackdown that has seen a top referee, fans and team officials barred from co-hosts the United States. The head of world football’s governing body will give a rare press conference in Mexico City, where co-hosts Mexico play South Africa on Thursday in the opening match at the Estadio Azteca. The 2026 men’s World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and is the biggest and most ambitious in the event’s history, with matches also taking place in Canada. But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa’s leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that Donald Trump’s immigration policy could leave deep scars on the football extravaganza. Artan said the “biggest dream of my life” had been ripped away after he was turned back at the US border. “I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told The New York Times. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.” Artan, who was named the 2025 men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup. He said he was subjected to an 11-hour interview with border officials at Miami International Airport and then detained for several further hours in a holding cell before being put on a flight back to Turkiye. “I had the right papers and everything.
World Cup primer: Favourites, darkhorses and other stuff to know
We're now less than 48 hours from the start of the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday at 3 p.m ET with Mexico facing South Africa at the vaunted Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, followed by a nightcap between South Korea and Czechia in Guadalajara.
World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence
MEXICO CITY: The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above anger at soaring ticket prices, an uneasy political climate in Donald Trump’s America and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East.
Hosts Mexico face South Africa under pressure to deliver in World Cup opener
MEXICO CITY, June 9 : Mexico will launch their home World Cup campaign against South Africa on Thursday under pressure to deliver the winning start fans expect at the Estadio Azteca, where the tournament returns for a third time.
Landon Donovan recalls life-changing World Cup moment amid players' 'responsibility' of growing game in USA
Former U.S. men's national soccer team star Clint Dempsey, who serves as a Fox Sports analyst ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, discussed Team USA's roster and their hopes to go far in the tournament this summer.
Career comes full circle for South Africa coach Broos at Azteca Stadium
PUEBLA, Mexico, June 9 : South Africa coach Hugo Broos’ career comes full circle on Thursday when the World Cup kicks off at the Azteca Stadium, 40 years after he played for Belgium against Mexico at the very same venue.
Two newcomers to Scotland squad for Nations Championship
EDINBURGH, June 9 : Scotland on Tuesday named two uncapped players in their 36-man squad for next month’s inaugural Nations Championship tests against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji.