The Game

They've done it again! Cape Verde have shocked the world once more, getting a brilliant and deserved 2-2 draw with Uruguay and become the story of the tournament so far. Can they qualify for the knockout stages?

Tom Clarke is joined by Cape Verde super fan Gregor Robertson to discuss that match and Iran's spirited draw with a struggling Belgium.

Ian Whittell checks in after watching Spain and Lamine Yamal comfortably beat Sau...

A stunning win for Netherlands against Sweden has turned Group F on its head. Graham Potter's side were thrashed 5-1 and Tom Allnutt was in Houston to watch it - he joins Tom Clarke to discuss that game and preview Portugal's massive clash with Uzbekistan. Can Roberto Martinez afford to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?

In part two, Tom chats to Martin Samuel about England's impressive start, the big-game players who are delivering and ho...

Defeated but not downhearted. Scotland lost to Morocco but showed fight in the second half which offers hope for reaching the knockout stages. 

Gregor Robertson and Michael Grant join Tom Clarke to dissect Scotland's second match and debate those controversial penalty calls. 

Elsewhere Peter Rutzler reports from a jubilant USA camp as they qualify in style - are they Dark Horses for the trophy? And James Gheerbrant ...

Cometh the hour, cometh the man? Scotland are in need of a performance from their talisman against Morocco, can Scott McTominay deliver on the World Cup stage?

Tom Clarke previews that big game with Michael Grant and also chats to Peter Rutzler about USA v Australia, as well as catching you up on all the overnight action as Canada thrash Qatar and Mexico become the first side to qualify for the knockout stage. 

In part t...

England finally got their World Cup underway and it was worth the wait as they beat Croatia 4-2 in an entertaining game.

Two goals for captain and talisman Harry Kane, one for Bellingham and Rashford and a performance that at times resembled the high intensity Premier League type game that manager Thomas Tuchel has so often talked about. There were issues defensively and Tuchel wasn't happy at half time, but it was a win, an impress...

What. A. Night.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland showed their star quality with two goals each as France and Norway impressed but then along came Lionel Messi. 

A hat-trick for Argentina's captain as he kicked off his sixth World Cup in style - Tom Clarke spoke to Paul Hirst, James Gheerbrant and Martin Samuel who were at the grounds to witness some big performances from three of the games biggest stars. 

And now, it...

Four draws and our first 0-0 but when it's Cape Verde getting a point against Spain we don't care! 

Tom Clarke hears from Martyn Ziegler who spies some empty seats at Saudi Arabia's 1-1 draw with Uruguay and Peter Rutzler who was in Los Angeles to witness Iran's controversial start to this tournament with an entertaining 2-2 draw with New Zealand - which was followed by a remarkable press conference.

Tom also spoke to Michael Gr...

A thrilling night, loads of goals and familiar names making the headlines. Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 but maybe the newcomers don't care - Tom Allnutt was in Curacao to watch their debut with the locals as they celebrated their first ever World Cup goal. 

Ian Whittell was at the game of the night as Japan snatched a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands before Victor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak gave Graham Potter and Sweden a ...

Blimey, that was tense! But Scotland have a World Cup win and sit top of Group C thanks to John McGinn's winner against Haiti. Which players stepped up and which need to offer more? 

Steve Clarke's side top the group after Brazil draw with Morocco in an entertaining game. Brazil turned the game after the drinks break - is football now a game of four quarters? 

And we pick the best games to come on Day 4. 

Tom Clarke...

The USA started their campaign in style, scoring four against Paraguay. The stadium was full, celebs were out in force and the team looked full of energy. Suddenly USA in the next round or the round of sixteen looks a tough draw - how far can they go?

Not so euphoric for Canada but a decent result against a tough Bosnian side.

In the second half - Scotland's big day is finally here. At 0200 GMT they take on Haiti, McTominay is fit af...

The World Cup is up and running. The mighty Azteca stadium became the only stadium to host games in three different world cups. Its turf has seen Pele, Maradona and now the 2026 Mexico side. Our reporter Tom Allnutt was in the stadium. Did the match live up to the hype, does it matter? 

Pete Rutzler is our reporter following team USA, he gives us a quick run down of the American team...how far will they go in the tournament, ar...

It is finally here. Tonight Mexico will play South Africa in the opening game. 

Will it be a tournament for the ages or a step too far for over heated and over worked players?

So, a quick look at England - Bellingham or Rogers, Rashford or Gordon?

Your favourite World Cup opening games; teams we'd love to see do well and 

Tom Clarke's mad challenge to watch every match - what are his chances?

Gregor details his recent trip to ...

Scotland could not be happier going in t the World Cup. When was the last time you heard that - 1928!?

Eight goals in two games and believe it or not even some talk of their talisman John McGinn not making it into Steve Clarkes first eleven. The Tartan army suddenly have a cutting edge, confidence to burn and mounting expectation. Bring on Haiti!

What could possible go wrong?

Who better to ask than three of the finest Scots in sports ...

As part of our build up to World Cup 2026 we hosted a live event at The Times building in London.

Tom Clarke hosts the event with Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and World Cup veteran and former Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino.

The team discuss England and Scotland's chances and what to expect from the other tournament contenders.

Hosted on Acast. ...

It is World Cup week! 

England treated their friendly against New Zealand as a training session...can we learn anything? Does Thomas Tuchel already know his line up to face Croatia or is it still in doubt? How worried should England fans be that three of England's team are already in the red zone, prone to injury or burn out? 

Scotland are looking confident with eight goals in their last two games. If they can beat Haiti in...

If England don't win it who will?

France, Spain, Portugal are all among the favourites, but only one European team has ever won in the Americas...can they change that?

Lionel Messi will be at his sixth World Cup, can he lead Argentina to defend their crown?  

Brazil have gone twenty four years without a World Cup, can ageing talisman Neymar and the experience of manager Carlo Ancelotti guide them to the final?

Who are the dar...

All the latest from a busy domestic scene. Silva leaves Fulham...is he Benfica bound? Crystal Palace look set to appoint the former Lens coach Iraola to Liverpool, Ederson to Man Utd and Nottingham Forest are asking for £120m for Elliot Anderson...is that value for money?

After the break an update from the England camp in Miami - who is training, who looks good, who looks knackered and has Anthony Gordon nicked Marcus Rashford's gir...

World Cup 2026 is nearly here! Can England win it? 

Has Tuchel picked the right squad, what is England's base camp like and what will be England's biggest challenge?

With inside knowledge from within the England camp our team cover it all - from which players will be most affected by the heat and who can cover at number six to secret England tactics and who starts at number ten.

Join Times Sports Editor Tom Clarke, and the Ti...

Arsenal fell agonisingly short, was there anything they could have done differently or did they just come up against a generational team in PSG?

What if anything could Mikel Arteta have changed, or was focusing on defensive organisation always going to be their best route to success? 

Who do Arsenal need to sign to get better?

In the second half Slot out and potentially Iraola in at Liverpool. Why was Slot sacked and is Iraol...