Sports

SEE FULL LIST: Fixtures for 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage

Published

3 weeks ago

April 1, 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on Thursday, June 11, with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa in Mexico City, as the expanded 48-team tournament begins its group stage across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The competition, which for the first time features 12 groups of four teams each, will run through the end of June before the knockout rounds begin.

The 12 groups for the tournament, confirmed after the conclusion of both the European and inter-continental play-offs, are as follows:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Below is the complete list of group stage fixtures:

GROUP A

Mexico vs South Africa — June 11, 20:00, Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City

Korea Republic vs Czechia — June 12, 03:00, Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara

Czechia vs South Africa — June 18, 17:00, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta

Mexico vs Korea Republic — June 19, 02:00, Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara

Czechia vs Mexico — June 25, 02:00, Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City

South Africa vs Korea Republic — June 25, 02:00, Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey

GROUP B

Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina — June 12, 20:00, Toronto Stadium, Toronto

Qatar vs Switzerland — June 13, 20:00, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

Switzerland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina — June 18, 20:00, Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles

Canada vs Qatar — June 18, 23:00, BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver

Switzerland vs Canada — June 24, 20:00, BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar — June 24, 20:00, Seattle Stadium, Seattle

GROUP C

Brazil vs Morocco — June 13, 23:00, New York/New Jersey Stadium, New York

Haiti vs Scotland — June 14, 02:00, Boston Stadium, Boston

Scotland vs Morocco — June 19, 23:00, Boston Stadium, Boston

Brazil vs Haiti — June 20, 02:00, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

Scotland vs Brazil — June 24, 23:00, Miami Stadium, Miami

Morocco vs Haiti — June 24, 23:00, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta

GROUP D

USA vs Paraguay — June 13, 02:00, Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles

Australia vs Türkiye — June 14, 05:00, BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver

USA vs Australia — June 19, 20:00, Seattle Stadium, Seattle

Türkiye vs Paraguay — June 20, 05:00, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

Türkiye vs USA — June 26, 03:00, Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles

Paraguay vs Australia — June 26, 03:00, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

GROUP E

Germany vs Curaçao — June 14, 18:00, Houston Stadium, Houston

Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador — June 15, 00:00, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

Germany vs Côte d’Ivoire — June 20, 21:00, Toronto Stadium, Toronto

Ecuador vs Curaçao — June 21, 01:00, Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City

Curaçao vs Côte d’Ivoire — June 25, 21:00, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

Ecuador vs Germany — June 25, 21:00, New York/New Jersey Stadium, New York

GROUP F

Netherlands vs Japan — June 14, 21:00, Dallas Stadium, Dallas

Sweden vs Tunisia — June 15, 03:00, Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey

Netherlands vs Sweden — June 20, 18:00, Houston Stadium, Houston

Tunisia vs Japan — June 21, 05:00, Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey

Japan vs Sweden — June 26, 00:00, Dallas Stadium, Dallas

Tunisia vs Netherlands — June 26, 00:00, Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City

GROUP G

Belgium vs Egypt — June 15, 20:00, Seattle Stadium, Seattle

IR Iran vs New Zealand — June 16, 02:00, Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles

Belgium vs IR Iran — June 21, 20:00, Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles

New Zealand vs Egypt — June 22, 02:00, BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver

Egypt vs IR Iran — June 27, 04:00, Seattle Stadium, Seattle

New Zealand vs Belgium — June 27, 04:00, BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver

GROUP H

Spain vs Cabo Verde — June 15, 17:00, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — June 15, 23:00, Miami Stadium, Miami

Spain vs Saudi Arabia — June 21, 17:00, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta

Uruguay vs Cabo Verde — June 21, 23:00, Miami Stadium, Miami

Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia — June 27, 01:00, Houston Stadium, Houston

Uruguay vs Spain — June 27, 01:00, Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara

GROUP I

France vs Senegal — June 16, 20:00, New York/New Jersey Stadium, New York

Iraq vs Norway — June 16, 23:00, Boston Stadium, Boston

France vs Iraq — June 22, 22:00, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

Norway vs Senegal — June 23, 01:00, New York/New Jersey Stadium, New York

Norway vs France — June 26, 20:00, Boston Stadium, Boston

Senegal vs Iraq — June 26, 20:00, Toronto Stadium, Toronto

GROUP J

Argentina vs Algeria — June 17, 02:00, Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City

Austria vs Jordan — June 17, 05:00, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

Argentina vs Austria — June 22, 18:00, Dallas Stadium, Dallas

Jordan vs Algeria — June 23, 04:00, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

Algeria vs Austria — June 28, 03:00, Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City

Jordan vs Argentina — June 28, 03:00, Dallas Stadium, Dallas

GROUP K

Portugal vs Congo DR — June 17, 18:00, Houston Stadium, Houston

Uzbekistan vs Colombia — June 18, 03:00, Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City

Portugal vs Uzbekistan — June 23, 18:00, Houston Stadium, Houston

Colombia vs Congo DR — June 24, 03:00, Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara

Colombia vs Portugal — June 28, 00:30, Miami Stadium, Miami

Congo DR vs Uzbekistan — June 28, 00:30, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta

GROUP L

England vs Croatia — June 17, 21:00, Dallas Stadium, Dallas

Ghana vs Panama — June 18, 00:00, Toronto Stadium, Toronto

England vs Ghana — June 23, 21:00, Boston Stadium, Boston

Panama vs Croatia — June 24, 00:00, Toronto Stadium, Toronto

Panama vs England — June 27, 22:00, New York/New Jersey Stadium, New York

Croatia vs Ghana — June 27, 22:00, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

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Sports

Rooney claims supporter belief key to Arsenal ending 22-year drought in EPL

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Ex-Man United striker Wayne Rooney believes fan support could play a decisive role in the outcome of the Premier League title race, urging Arsenal F.C. supporters to get firmly behind their team during a difficult spell.

The Gunners’ hopes of winning a first league title in 22 years suffered a setback after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, leaving the defending champions within striking distance with games in hand.

The loss followed a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth, after which some fans booed the players off the pitch.

Rooney questioned that reaction, insisting it could have a negative impact on the squad at a crucial stage of the season.

“I think the Arsenal fans need to be better. They’ve been brilliant all season and they’ve hit a little bad run of form,” Rooney said.

He emphasized how much players rely on backing from the stands, particularly when results dip.

“They need to understand how much the fan support means to the players and how much it can help you. When you lose a game and you get booed off, that can affect player,” he added.

Despite recent setbacks, Arsenal remain firmly in contention with five games left to play, but face intense pressure from City, who could overtake them at the top of the table.

Rooney pointed to the importance of unity between fans and players, especially given the club’s recent history of falling short in title races.

“For Arsenal to win the league, the Arsenal fans need to play their part. The fans need to back the players a little bit more because that will have hurt the Arsenal players, 100%,” he stressed.

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Sports

Oleksandr Usyk Backs Joshua To Beat Fury As Talks For Mega Fight Resume

Published

4 days ago

April 18, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk believes Anthony Joshua has what it takes to defeat Tyson Fury if the long-awaited all-British showdown finally happens.

Negotiations between both camps have restarted after years of failed attempts to stage the fight. Usyk, who has shared the ring with both men and beaten each of them twice, says his recent time in camp with Joshua has left him convinced the former world champion is ready to rise again.

It was reports that Joshua has been training in Spain alongside the unbeaten Ukrainian as he works his way back to full fitness following a December car crash that claimed the lives of two close friends. He suffered minor injuries but has since returned to structured training.

Speaking to The Independent, Usyk said he has been impressed by Joshua’s intensity in camp.

“I believe. I look how Anthony is training. He’s a machine,” Usyk said.

The Ukrainian urged fans to rally behind Joshua during a challenging period in his career. Drawing a comparison with his support for Dynamo Kyiv, he stressed the value of loyalty through setbacks.

“Now I think Anthony needs help. People who support AJ, we must say: ‘Yeah, we do believe!’ Listen. I’m a fan of Dynamo Kyiv. I’m a fan a long time. Sometimes, my team loses but I not say: ‘You’re bad, you’re bad.’,” he added.

“I say, ‘Things happen. You must work, pray. It’s normal because it’s sport. Sometimes people support team or fighter and fighter loses and they’re negative. You are not fan. We must help each other. If we don’t help each other we are not people. We are animals.”

Usyk admitted Joshua is close to a full return but urged patience as recovery continues.

“I think yes but we need a little bit of time because we know AJ has problem with body after crash but yes, he can return,” he said.

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects Joshua to take another fight before a potential clash with Fury. He confirmed the British star is likely to remain in Usyk’s training environment for at least his next two bouts.

“I think, at the moment, he’s very happy obviously. The plan is those two fights, he’ll certainly be training with Usyk for those two fights,” Hearn said.

“I think when he’s there and he’s focused and he’s got that purpose, I think it’s really good for him.”

Usyk is also preparing for his own blockbuster event. The champion is set to face kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in front of the Pyramids of Giza, with the World Boxing Council heavyweight title at stake.

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Sports

Arsenal ex-goalkeeper Manninger dies after car struck by train

Published

6 days ago

April 16, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who played for Austria at Euro 2008, died on Thursday after his car was hit by a train, his former club Red Bull Salzburg said.

The 48-year-old died when a train hit his car while crossing the tracks in the Salzburg region, the Austrian news agency APA reported.

“We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident,” Red Bull Salzburg posted on its Facebook page.

“Our thoughts are with his family and his friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”

Both the Austrian Football Association and Arsenal also expressed condolences.

“With him, the world of football has lost a very special person,” the Austrian Football Association said on X.

“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger,” Arsenal posted on X.

The cause of the accident, in which no one else was injured, is still under investigation, according to police.

Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

He also played 33 times for Austria, including the 2008 Euros which were held on home soil.

Manninger started his career with hometown club Red Bull Salzburg and, in addition to Arsenal, played for teams across Europe, including Sienna, Juventus, Udinese and Augsburg.

Aged 39, he signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016 but did not play.

AFP

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