Protesters call on FIFA to kick Iran out of World Cup
Instead of pride, many Iranian-Americans feel shame about the Iran team’s participation in the World Cup and are demanding that FIFA boots the country out of the competition, protesters ...
Mexico have history and pressure hosting South Africa in World Cup opener
Javier Aguirre knows exactly what awaits his Mexico side when it hosts the World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday in Mexico City to kick off Group A.
Forty ...
FIFA boss admits he can do little over potential visa issues for players and officials entering the US
Before the World Cup kicks off in Mexico City on Thursday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is fending off concern over potential visa issues for players and officials entering the United ...
The ten Cyprus-based players at this year’s World Cup
Of the 1,248 footballers from 48 countries who will participate in this year’s World Cup, exactly 10, hailing from nine countries, are based in Cyprus, with seven different clubs being represented across ...
Our View: A World Cup built for revenue, not football
The 23rd World Cup kicks off today with one of the host nations, Mexico meeting South Africa. This will be the first time there will be three host nations – Canada ...
The ten World Cup matches worth watching in Cyprus
The World Cup is football’s greatest feast. But like any feast, nobody can consume everything.
There will be 72 matches in the group stage alone. Some will be fascinating. Some ...
US denies Somali World Cup referee entry because of ‘security threat’
The Trump administration said on Tuesday the United States had denied Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to “suspected members of terror ...
Don’t just watch the World Cup – play along with the Cyprus Mail!
The World Cup is finally here – and we’ve created two free downloadable companions to help you get more out of the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Think you ...
Haaland ready to carry Norway’s hopes after 28-year wait
Erling Haaland will carry the weight of Norway’s 28 years of longing when he leads the nation into the World Cup, marking the striker’s debut on the grandest international ...
Cyprus is about to get very noisy
Gird your loins Cyprus!
Every four years, we become a much, much noisier island. And the moment is almost upon us…
No it’s not the panayiri to end all ...
World Cup 2026: Why I’m not looking forward to it
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in the tournament’s history. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will feature 48 teams, 104 matches and stretch over ...
Egypt chase first World Cup win with Salah still key
When Egypt’s all-time leading scorer Hossam Hassan headed the winner against Algeria to send his country to the 1990 World Cup, frenzied celebrations erupted across the soccer-mad nation.
Nearly four ...
Belgium’s new generation no longer bear burden of expectation
For a decade, Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ offered the promise of a major title without any return but now that a new-look squad have shaken off the past’s burden ...
Japan aim for breakthrough after high-profile wins
Japan travel to their eighth successive World Cup finals on the back of several high-profile victories and with coach Hajime Moriyasu bullish about their chances of reaching the tournament’s ...
Nine injured in shooting near England’s World Cup base camp
Nine people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, days before the tournament is due to kick off.
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Sweden seek redemption after grabbing lifeline
A glance at the team sheets for last week’s Champions League final gave a big clue as to why Ecuador might end up being one of the toughest teams ...
Miserly Ecuador eye breakthrough on back of unbeaten run
A glance at the team sheets for last week’s Champions League final gave a big clue as to why Ecuador might end up being one of the toughest teams ...
Four-time winners Germany out to restore tarnished reputation
Germany have set their sights firmly on a fifth World Cup trophy but not many at home share coach Julian Nagelsmann’s optimism.
The Germans go into the tournament co-hosted ...
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
Ivory Coast will take a team laden with attacking talent to the World Cup and are hoping to make a big impact in their first appearance at the tournament since 2014.
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Curacao’s Dutch connection suggests they should not be taken lightly
Curacao will be the smallest country to compete at the World Cup but all their squad hail from the Netherlands, whose national team have a proud history at the tournament, ...
Expectations on rise, excitement level ‘picking up’ for the US team
Things are finally starting to feel real for the United States men’s national team.Eight years after the US was granted the rights to host the 2026 World Cup in ...
Herrington, Geria out to make most of first call-ups
Lucas Herrington and Jason Geria were born 14 years apart and have taken very different journeys to the World Cup, but both are determined to put their best foot forward after ...
Turkey’s new generation eyes World Cup impact after absence
Turkey return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years buoyed up by gifted young players – including Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler – and by memories of their run ...
Paraguay bank on Alfaro’s psychology-driven approach
Gustavo Alfaro is being hailed in Paraguay as the key figure behind the rapid turnaround of a team who had struggled in South American qualifying and are now World Cup-bound, ...