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2026 FIFA World Cup
2026 World Cup recap: Mexico kicks off World Cup with win vs. South Africa
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived as Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City in the opening match of the tournament.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Mexico fans celebrate opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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TOP HEADLINES
The U.S. is going to win the 2026 World Cup, and here are 13 stats that prove it
HAPPY OPENING DAY!
World Cup Daily LIVE: Yamal at Walmart, USMNT watch Knicks, Mahrez at KU
Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images
World Cup predictions: 19 ESPN experts make their picks
'HIS HUMAN SKILLS ARE SECOND TO NONE'
Snubbed by the U.S., Jesse Marsch marches Canada into the World Cup on a mission
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LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Why this will be a World Cup like no other
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Six complaints about 2026 World Cup, and why it might be better than we think
WORLD CUP SCOREBOARD
2026 FIFA World Cup
Opposition scouting: How the USMNT can counter Paraguay's threat
John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
Pulisic's legacy-defining moment is here. Donovan knows what's at stake
TWO TYPES OF BALLER
USMNT react to incredible Knicks comeback against the Spurs
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Chris Turner turns Knicks' fans roasting World Cup into a rap
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TRANSFER TALK
Transfer rumors, news: PSG eye move for Bayern's Olise
(Photo by Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Real Madrid Keep or Dump: With Mourinho in charge, who stays put?
Top Headlines
- Mexico wins WC opener; 3 red cards combined
- Pulisic in 'comfort' zone as U.S. readies for opener
- Real Madrid name Mourinho coach for 2nd time
- Barred WC referee Artan to officiate Super Cup final
- Liverpool's Endo out of WC, retires from Japan
- Tottenham's Senesi called up to Argentina squad
- Sources: Man Utd to pull out of race for Anderson
- Barcelona sign teenage Egypt World Cup striker
- 📈 Ranking the 50 best players in the World Cup
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USMNT at the World Cup
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Red, White & Clueless: The untold story of the 1994 U.S. World Cup team
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World Cup 2026 Power Rankings, 48 hours out: Who is No. 1?
With just 48 hours until the 2026 World Cup begins, our reporters ranked the top 15 contenders for this summer's top prize as they see it. Did your national team make the cut?
- Illustration by ESPN
World Cup 2026: What you need to know about all 48 teams
The wait is almost over ... the 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to begin! ESPN's experts are here with what you need to know at a glance about all 48 teams.
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22 World Cup items from previous tournaments, 22 stories
It has been a long journey, but here we can tell the story of the previous 22 World Cups through 22 items of memorabilia.
- Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images / Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images / Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
World Cup kit ranking: Which teams will look best in 2026?
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams, bringing a total of more than 100 kits! Here they all are, ranked from worst to first.
What you need to know
- Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
2026 FIFA World Cup: Format, groups, full match schedule, more
Check out the groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, along with everything you need to know about the tourney's format.
- Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
World Cup group stage explained: Tiebreakers, third-place teams, more
Here's everything you need to know about what teams need to do to reach the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup.
- Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
How does offside work in soccer? Explaining one of the sport's key laws
Here's what you need to know about offside, why it exists and how it will be implemented at the 2026 World Cup.
Legends chasing milestones
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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the quest to score 1,000 goals, ESPN provides goal-by-goal analysis of the Portuguese superstar's quest.
- Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.
