Sports Briefing

The Sports Briefing newsletter. Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

The World Cup is back!

FAI delegates endorse Israel decision; Andy Farrell names changed-up side to face Japan

World Cup 2026: Time to write off Germany, who have become an international Spurs

An incredible night sees Brazil beat Japan and penalty shoot-out wins for Paraguay and Morocco over Germany and Netherlands

World Cup 2026: O Canada, your pure piggery would have made Kieran McGeeney proud

Opening game in Round of 32 leaves us with hope that things can only get better

World Cup 2026: Messi notches again as group stage ends in dramatic fashion

Algeria and Austria play out an entertaining and convenient draw, after Portugal and England fail to convince

World Cup 2026: Pico Lopes and Cape Verde advance, as keeper’s error knocks out Uruguay

France, Spain and Belgium top their groups, while Iran may advance despite late heartache against Egypt

World Cup 2026: Germany shocked; reality check for USA; and Curaçao bow out

Exciting early goals and fond farewells as whittling-down ramps up

World Cup 2026: Scotland’s Clarke rages; Neymar makes his bow; Czech Republic heading home

Tartan Army face anxious wait to see if Scots can make history

Harry Kane goes AWOL as football seems to get lost on its way home

World Cup Day 13: Dundalk man Greg Whately keeping the pitch in tip-top condition at Boston Stadium

World Cup 2026, Day 12: Messi shows he is mortal, before breaking tournament goals record

Argentina’s captain scored both goals in his team’s Group J win over Austria in Dallas

World Cup 2026, Day 11: Fabulous firsts for Yamal, Salah, Egypt and Cape Verde

Pico Lopes shines again for Cape Verde in beautifully chaotic draw with Uruguay

World Cup 2026, Day 10: History for Curaçao; Germany strike late; and Gary Lineker on ITV?

Room breaks tournament record, while Undav scores an equaliser against Ivory Coast

World Cup 2026, Day 9: Americans start to dream and Paraguay see red for unseen words

American sports analyst, Skip Bayless, took to X to proclaim the US a “legit World Cup contender”

World Cup 2026, Day 8: Joy for Mexico and Canada despite horrific injury

Co-hosts beat South Korea and Qatar but Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone suffers broken leg after late challenge

World Cup 2026, Day 7: England may overcome their hang-ups but Portugal can’t quit Ronaldo

Every team has now played its first game at the 2026 World Cup

World Cup 2026, Day 6: Top scorer battle ignites as Messi, Mbappé and Haaland find the net

Lionel Messi scores stunning hat-trick as Argentina defeat Algeria, while Kylian Mbappé nets two in France’s win over Senegal

World Cup 2026, Day 5: Iran make their mark in US after Dubliner stars against Spain

Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay find Saudi Arabia hard to beat

World Cup 2026, Day 4: For one brief, glorious moment there was a massive tricolour at the World Cup

Livano Comenencia nets historic goal for Curacao, Amad Diallo sends Ivory Coast to victory

World Cup 2026, Day 3: Scotland go through the wringer to get first win in 36 years

Brazil survive shaky start to draw with Morocco while Qatar somehow grab a point from Swiss

World Cup 2026, Day 2: The Yanks have entered the chat

Katy Perry, Ted Lasso, Tom Cruise – it wouldn’t be the USA without a galaxy of star power as the hosts open their account in LA

World Cup 2026, Day 1: I stayed up all night so you didn’t have to

Opening ceremony was actually quite enjoyable, though Gianni Infantino might not have liked the boos

Platitudes, gratitudes, filibustering: Infantino in action

Ken Early describes Mexico City from the ground; Ciarán Murphy savours the jeopardy of the football championship

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