Capital of Mexico and North America’s largest city, a global cultural and financial hub
Algeria comes from behind to beat Jordan 2-1, securing a World Cup knockout berth. Benbouali and Gouiri strike late after a first-half Jordan lead. Argentina tops Group J after beating Austria; Messi scores as part of a broader set of results.
Harry Kane scores a late winner to lift England from a 1-0 deficit and overturn DR Congo, sending them into the World Cup last 16 as their captain adds to his growing tally.
Three people have died from asphyxiation in Mexico City during World Cup celebrations for the co-hosts after Mexico beat Ecuador. Authorities say a 19-year-old woman, a 44-year-old man, and a 48-year-old woman were found unconscious near Paseo de la Reforma and died despite emergency response. Over a million people gathered for the celebrations, with emergency measures in place to manage crowds.
The DOJ is examining whether the NFL's broadcast and streaming practices are anti-competitive, amid rising costs for consumers and concerns over the shifting sports media landscape. The investigation follows recent reports of high subscription fees and regulatory scrutiny of the league's exemption from antitrust laws.
The CIA has been confirmed to have participated in a raid on clandestine meth labs in Chihuahua, Mexico. The operation, which has drawn political pressure over U.S. involvement, has left four officials dead—two Mexican investigators and two embassy instructors. Mexican President Sheinbaum says authorities are reviewing legality and coordination with the U.S., while U.S. officials emphasize information sharing within a lawful framework.
NASA’s NISAR satellite has detected rapid subsidence in Mexico City, showing central areas sinking up to 0.78 inches per month and about 9.5 inches per year. Areas like the main airport and Angel of Independence are among the fastest sinking zones, driven by groundwater pumping and urban growth; researchers say mapping rates is key to mitigation.
Mexico’s president has said FIFA has asked Mexico to host Iran’s national team during the June 11–July 19 World Cup after US authorities did not want Iran staying in the United States for the whole tournament. Iran has moved its training base to Tijuana but will still play three Group G matches in the US.
Education officials have preserved the original 185‑day calendar, ending on July 15 and resuming on August 31, after President Sheinbaum urged consensus. Earlier proposals to end early were criticised for cutting learning time, with authorities citing heat and tournament logistics.
Public World Cup venues will broadcast all matches free of charge in Mexico City, with 18 sites planned. City highlights include Zócalo, Chapultepec Park, and Teotihuacan. Transportation leans on Metro and light rail, while alcohol is not served on-site.
Canada has formally urged a timely USMCA review and signaled possible extension options as tariffs and trade tensions ripple across North America. Leaders in Ottawa and Washington stress the pact’s value while debates over annual reviews or a 16-year extension intensify.
Iraq has secured a playoff win and earned a spot in the 2026 World Cup, despite a grueling travel saga. Players and staff faced long, interrupted journeys from Baghdad to Amman, then to Mexico, before beating Bolivia 2-1 to reach the final. Back home, celebrations electrify Baghdad as the nation basks in a rare moment of national unity.
Mexico has beaten South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca to open the 2026 World Cup before about 80,000 fans. The stadium celebration has been accompanied by clashes outside: teachers, families of missing people and other groups have been protesting high public spending and social grievances, briefly confronting police and breaching barriers around fan zones.
Security planning for the 2026 World Cup has become a sprawling, cross-border operation. Federal, state and local agencies are coordinating with private partners to monitor drone threats, deploy counter-drone tech, and protect venues, teams and dignitaries across 11 U.S. host cities, three countries and 16 venues.
Shakira has partnered with Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem "Dai Dai". Performances slated across opening ceremonies in Mexico City, with further showcases in the US and Canada. The AP interview highlights Shakira’s history with World Cup anthems and the need for a song that unites cultures, while other artists like J Balvin emphasize a hook that grabs listeners from the start.
FIFA has cancelled tickets allocated at no charge to about 60 fans after a website checkout error. The tickets remain reserved, and buyers are invited to complete payment at the correct price as investigations into ticketing practices continue in New York and New Jersey.
Iran's national football team has landed in Tijuana after training in Turkey and has secured U.S. visas for players only. Fifteen technical and administrative staff have been denied U.S. entry. Under visa conditions the squad will operate from a Mexican base and will cross into the United States around match days for their Group G fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Grass fields have been installed and tailored blends tested across MetLife and other venues to standardize play for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Trials show warm- and cool-climate grasses are needed for reliability and safety.
England has based itself in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup to cut travel and gain a home-from-home environment. The FA has installed recovery facilities and a basketball hoop at the Inn at Meadowbrook, aiming to keep players fresh and focused as they prepare for group games and the heat of North America.
The axolotl, a critically endangered Mexican salamander, has become a global World Cup emblem in Mexico City branding. Yet residents warn the display distracts from infrastructure and conservation gaps as counts in Xochimilco fail to find live axolotls in two years, though DNA traces show remaining populations. UNAM will publish census results by late summer.
Drones have been neutralized near World Cup venues and team camps as Mexico enforces Plan Kukulkán. Authorities warn spectators and participants; Canada and the U.S. remain on alert as violence linked to cartel activity and political risk continues to influence preparations across host cities.
AP reports that Mexico hosts the opening of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City amid protests over social issues. Azteca Stadium has been renovated for the event, with security bolstered as demonstrators voice demands for better living conditions and government accountability. Coaches and teams approach the tournament with competitive urgency.
Mexico has hosted World Cup matches while many local fans say they have been priced out of stadiums and pay-TV coverage. Critics and Mexico's president have protested soaring ticket costs — including final tickets listed at tens of thousands of dollars — while FIFA has defended its pricing and offered limited $60 tickets and resale options.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the body’s handling of visa issues and ticket pricing ahead of the World Cup, stating FIFA is a sports organization and cannot override governments. He says solutions are being sought, but acknowledges limits as Iran’s participation and a Somali referee’s entry into the US raise ongoing worries.
Spain and France are the pre-tournament favorites, with BetMGM and DraftKings listing them as top contenders. The U.S. and Mexico trail with longer odds while injuries affect key players ahead of the opening matches.
South Korea has beaten the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara as Oh Hyeon-gyu seals victory after Hwang In-beom’s equaliser, with Son Heung-min’s side top of Group A alongside Mexico.
Heads of football associations face US visa denials as the World Cup hosts struggle to grant entry for officials and media. Iran, Palestine and other delegations have encountered travel restrictions, complicating the tournament’s logistics and diplomacy.
Merlin the two-year-old duck has become an unlikely symbol of Mexico's World Cup run. He has been a viral figure in Mexico City, attending events with his vendor owner, Carla Gómez, and has drawn international attention, though FIFA rules prevent him from entering Azteca Stadium. The family remains optimistic that the duck will continue to bring luck to El Tri as the tournament progresses.
An 8-year-old rescue poodle mix named Osito has become a viral sensation at the World Cup opener in Mexico, riding on the back of a cargo bicycle with a Mexico jersey while his owner delivers goods. The duo’s bond and Osito’s calm demeanor have drawn widespread admiration from fans and broadcasters alike.
In the wake of Mexico hosting the World Cup, families of missing people highlight 135,000 cases across the country, using the tournament to draw attention. Guadalajara features FIFA-style posters, while protests press for government action and enhanced search efforts.
Scotland have suffered a 3-0 loss to Brazil in Miami, leaving Steve Clarke’s side waiting on other results to progress as one of the best third-placed teams. Tierney says the team is focused on outcomes elsewhere while remaining professional at their Charlotte base.
U.S. citizen Zafar Padamsee Mawani and his partner Guillermo Jafett Hidalgo Ortiz, who disappeared south of Mexico City in May, have been confirmed dead. Mexican prosecutors say four unidentified bodies were found in a mountainous area after detainees led investigators to the site. Families mourn and protest, calling for faster action and more resources for searches.
The Treasury has targeted two Mexican individuals and nine companies tied to a cartel-linked fuel theft ring that evades Mexican taxes and generates tens of millions annually for the CJNG. FinCEN has alerted banks to red flags in U.S.-to-Mexico fuel smuggling, while U.S. authorities acknowledge the New Generation Cartel’s expansion across 21 of Mexico’s 32 states.
Fans outside the Westin Santa Fe hotel in Mexico City have disturbed Ecuador’s team sleep ahead of their Round of 32 match with Mexico. Ecuador filed a formal complaint with organisers over the serenades, while Ecuador’s travel has been chaotic amid altitude concerns and travel delays.
The USMCA renewal process is under way as the three North American partners weigh changes to the pact. Canada and Mexico seek a 16-year extension, while the United States signals willingness to renegotiate to boost domestic production. Negotiations are ongoing, with no immediate agreement expected, and the fate of tariffs and auto rules remains uncertain.