Before we close out, some Reuters quotes from those in Mexico City, ahead of the opening match:<\/p>\n
On Thursday, tents lined the streets for multiple blocks surrounding the square but authorities confirmed the fan zone would be open.<\/p>\n
Mario Martinez, 30, from Tijuana, was one of the first fans to enter the fan zone with his girlfriend. He said they had come to the fan zone because stadium tickets were too expensive and had been worried the event would be cancelled. \u201cThank God it all worked out.\u201c<\/p>\n
Thursday was declared an official holiday in Mexico City, in part to alleviate transport concerns. Other Chilangos, as Mexico City locals are known, complained of prohibitively high ticket prices that had kept them from seeing the spectacle live in their home town.<\/p>\n
For the opening match between Mexico and South Africa some fans interviewed by Reuters said they had paid $3,000 or more, way out of reach for most Mexicans. Fifa has defended its pricing saying the cost of tickets is on a par with other major sporting events.<\/p>\n
\u201cFifa is only interested in profit,\u201d said Jonathan Cordoba, 33, as he stood in a long queue to enter the stadium. But he said he had no regrets: \u201cIt\u2019s the passion!\u201c<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n More on Turkey, their coach, Vincenzo Montella talking about star man, Real Madrid\u2019s Arda Guler: \u201cHe has talent, intuition, reading of the game; he knows when to slow down, when to go vertical, and he knows how to score. He has an innocent face, but he is very clever. He has talent, plays at a high level, and handles a lot of pressure.\u201c<\/p>\n They face Australia in Vancouver on Sunday, 5am UK time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Dawson joins in the nostalgia trip: \u201cI was 11, and because my parents had signed me up for boarding school indulged like a prince. Staying up late. The strange shimmering heat colour, the exoticism, Banks\u2019 save, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Pele. That extraordinary Italy v W Germany semi final (I think still the best match I\u2019ve ever watched). Uwe Seeler\u2019s back-header. Misery and glory. Carlos Alberto\u2019s utterly majestic final goal: the best goal ever scored. And I watched it live.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Andrew Schultz gets in touch: \u201cIs it cheating to say I had several firsts?<\/p>\n My first World Cup<\/a> memory is watching the Mexico-Germany clash in \u201886 on a Spanish local access channel in Chicago. What a crowd. In \u201890 I was at camp and we followed the papers and had a wall chart in the hallway. We pulled for Cameroon but thought the recent Soviet emigre was pranking us when they filled in the USSR\u2019s 4-0 win. I also remember hearing the US trailed Czechoslovakia 4-1 and thought, can\u2019t get worse, then I heard the final was 5-1. Seeing the high\/lowlights years later brought good memories though.<\/p>\n \u201cIn \u201894 I watched the whole thing. There were two Spanish channels then that rebroadcast day games in the evenings so people could watch the best ones. In \u201898 the Internet made following the World Cup extra cool. Shot-on-goal graphics and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Peter Oh gets in touch: \u201cThe first World Cup I remember watching was Espa\u00f1a 1982. I was especially fascinated by goalkeepers at the time, and recall asking my parents for goalie gloves and a Belgium shirt after watching Jean-Marie Pfaff keep Diego Maradona at bay in the opening match. Argentina 0:1 Belgium<\/a>. I also recall being impressed by Italia\u2019s Dino Zoff. I guess I\u2019ve got a weakness for keepers whose names end in -ff!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Laundry latest<\/p>\n double quotation markOn Wednesday, a source familiar with Nike\u2019s plan confirmed that they hadn\u2019t altered the shirts in any way. What Nike had done, the source told the Guardian, is offer instructions to member federations in terms of how to care for the jerseys: wash them before wearing them, and steam the shoulder seams.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alexander Abnos reports from the USMNT camp.<\/p>\n double quotation markPochettino has completely steered away from political discussions, and seems to have advised his players to do so as well. On Monday he told the Orange county crowd that he could not be prouder to lead the US, that their players, the fans and the federation have made him a better person and a better coach.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Nick Ames pens a paean to Kieran McKenna, who departed Ipswich on Wednesday.<\/p>\n double quotation markTime is tight if they are to find the right replacement and sign the core of players with Premier League physicality that they require. It is a difficult spot but nobody would begrudge McKenna his wish. In common with an understated, highly self-possessed, character it has been perfectly pitched. McKenna departs a legend, while safe in the knowledge that the queue for his services will be extensive whenever he chooses to dive back in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Kari Tulinius gets in touch: \u201cAs for your first being your favorite, the first I remember is 1990, which lacked a certain magic for the neutrals. \u201894 was not much better, but \u201898 was great fun. I was 17, had few responsibilities and just mainlined the World Cup<\/a> for the whole month.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of opening matches, 2006 comes to mind. After a stodgy run in 2002, Germany didn\u2019t promise box office against Costa Rica, but Klinsmann\u2019s boys put on a good show, and Los Ticos added to the festivities. The knockout matches never quite lived up to the group stage, but there were some fun games at that tournament, and the opener was one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Step forward, Philipp Lahm.<\/p>\n My own was 1986, a 1-1 draw between Italy and Bulgaria<\/a> at the Azteca, two decent goals, including the legendary Alessandro Altobelli.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Reuters report: The World Cup<\/a> fan zone on Mexico City\u2019s Zocalo square will broadcast the tournament\u2019s opening ceremony and match on Thursday despite protests across the capital, President Claudia Sheinbaum said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to try to go to Zocalo,\u201d Sheinbaum told a press conference.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Who has Turkey as their dark horses? Well, you\u2019re almost certainly not alone. But can they stop being a time-honoured joke?<\/p>\n double quotation markTurkish football has a reputation for being melodramatic. So it has been a pleasant surprise that the team camp has been uncharacteristically tranquil. No drama, major fights, or feuding factions that have marred the national team in the past. The media has been surprisingly supportive as have the fans. It\u2019s a far cry from the intense \u2013 at times toxic \u2013 pressure and scrutiny the manager and team usually receive ahead of a major tournament.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s been a sighting of Lamine Yamal in a Georgia Walmart<\/a>. Remember, these soccer stars are not nearly so famous in the US.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A US department of justice press conference has taken place, with questions asked on the visa refusals to a Somalian referee and an Iraqi team photographer.<\/p>\n The following exchange <\/a>with United States Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin:<\/p>\n double quotation markQ: On the World Cup, at least one referee from Somali and one Iraqi team staff member were denied entry at US airports in recent days, and dozens of fans have been denied–<\/p>\n MM: We\u2019re not gonna allow people that are perceived to have criminal ties to come into this country.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.18 EDT<\/p>\n Time for me to tag in John Brewin for the last lap of today\u2019s blog. Thanks for your company and emails; enjoy the game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Jordan Bos smiles, wide like his position, at a world that appears to come easily. The Socceroos\u2019 left full-back is sitting behind the microphones inside an auditorium within a sprawling training facility in Oakland. Its walls are still adorned by images of the Raiders, the NFL team who left for Las Vegas six years ago \u2013 before Bos had even played his first professional match.<\/p>\n The Australian\u2019s career has moved swiftly towards this moment: a World Cup<\/a> debut for the Socceroos\u2019 not-so-secret weapon. \u201cI just have to soak up the experience and just play football,\u201d Bos says. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of hard to \u2018feel\u2019 the moment as it is now, but I think afterwards I\u2019ll really understand the experience that I\u2019m in now.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A bit more news on Scott McTominay, who missed training today through illness. Scotland say he will be available for their must-win opening game against Haiti on Saturday night\/Sunday morning.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team guide: England<\/p>\n Our 48th and final team guide is here. Read Jacob Steinberg on England\u2019s chances or bringing football back home with them.<\/p>\n double quotation markA German managing England? It might be jarring to some, but the thing about Thomas Tuchel is that he is an anglophile. He gets the culture and he is one of the best managers in the world. Tuchel won league titles with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, while winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 showcased his mastery of knockout football. However, this is his first foray into international football. Southgate was outstanding at creating the right environment during a tournament. Can Tuchel, who recently extended his contract through to Euro 2028, make sure that the shirt does not feel heavy?<\/p>\n And in case you missed them earlier, here are our guides to Ghana<\/a> and Panama<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Beyond the World Cup<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty going on away from the jamboree in North America.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.14 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cPushing back lightly on the \u2018your first is your favourite\u2019 theme, my first World Cup<\/a> was 94,\u201d writes Mac Scarle. \u201cBeing seven years old and living just outside Chicago I very much had the Fever. I got the collectible pins, we talked about it at summer soccer camp. But…I wasn\u2019t really a \u2018watch sports on TV\u2019 kid so I\u2019m not sure I watched even a single match!<\/p>\n \u201cI do have fond memories of waking up\/staying up at\/to ridiculous hours to watch as much of 2002 as I can, which is more around the time I actually fell in love with the sport. But let\u2019s be honest, even the crap World Cups are all still pretty good?\u201d<\/p>\n Can I answer that question after this year\u2019s group stage?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe opening game I have the fondest memories of is France v Senegal in 2002,\u201d writes Tony Mason. \u201cAfter 14 hours on an aeroplane and spending an hour and a half carrying a really heavy bag trying to find our hotel we just managed a shower and then sat down in a tiny restaurant in Tokyo with the game on a small TV.<\/p>\n \u201cThe food was great, the result a surprise and we could finally relax and look forward to what turned out to be a glorious few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>McTominay misses Scotland training<\/p>\n A bit of a worry for Scotland, who play their opening game against Haiti on Saturday night (or Sunday morning BST). Scott McTominay, whose preposterous scissor kick got them going on that euphoric night against Denmark, missed training today due to illness. That\u2019s all the information we have for now.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Football Daily has landed. On today of all days. Whatever you do in the nexc five weeks, don\u2019t forget to chill, relax.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.47 EDT<\/p>\n Any other World Cup kits that had to be changed? The first one that comes to mind is Cameroon\u2019s 2002 vest<\/a>, an increasingly tight-fitting version of which I have somewhere in my wardrobe.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.44 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have to agree with the opener of Italia \u201890 being pretty special,\u201d writes Paul Billington. \u201cI was six at the time, it was my brother\u2019s first birthday and I had no idea why there was such glee at Argentina in particular losing. It felt a shame years later to discover many consider it a poor tournament in terms of entertainment, because I was rapt at the time. And that birthday cake was excellent (blue icing!).\u201d<\/p>\n Though I was a bit older, I have similarly fond memories of Italia 90.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe first World Cup<\/a> I remember was 1990, but it\u2019s hazy,\u201d says Matt Dony. \u201cI remember 1994 pretty clearly, but I can\u2019t say it had that much impact. 1998 came smack bang in the middle of my mid-to-late-teen-too-cool-for-schoolness and generally being absolutely consumed with music to the exclusion of everything else, so I only really remember the final. And people banging on about Beckham.<\/p>\n \u201c2002 might not have been a classic World Cup, but it\u2019s my favourite. I was self-employed at the time, and my schedule meant I was able to watch or listen to pretty much every single game. I think that was the most I\u2019d ever been invested in a tournament (until Euro 2016, natch), even though I really had no dog in the race. It was a good time! Happy memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Objectively 2002 was a poor tournament, but objectivity can shut its mood-hoovering mouth for a minute. Anecdotally at least, a person\u2019s favourite World Cup is usually either a) the first one they remember or b) the one closest to the time of their life. Talking of which\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Germany\u2019s players will pay for 600 supporters to travel by bus to their final group game against Ecuador in New Jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cIn light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup<\/a>, the German national team players have organised free transport to the final group match for 600 fans,\u201d said a DFB spokesperson. \u201cCaptain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates are covering the cost of buses to take supporters from New York to the arena in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador.\u201d<\/p>\n All concerned will hope it isn\u2019t Germany\u2019s third and final game of the tournament. Almost unbelievably, they have not played a World Cup knockout game since beating Argentina in the 2014 final.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBest World Cup<\/a> opener?\u201d muses Jakob Melgaard. \u201cThere can be only one: when Denmark beat Scotland 1-0 in Mexico \u201986. Technically it may not have been the first game at the tournament, but it was for me: I was nine at the time and only allowed to stay up for the Danish games. (Which amounted to four life altering late nights: Scotland, Uruguay and Germany, and Spain. The last one scared me for life.)\u201d<\/p>\n But Jesper, Jesper, Jesper, that\u2019s lethal\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a>West Ham women’s team not told of Sullivan’s restricted access Neither the Women\u2019s Super League nor West Ham United women\u2019s team were aware of the restrictions placed on David Sullivan interaction with the team, the Guardian has learned.<\/p>\n Sullivan, who is West Ham\u2019s largest shareholder, has faced restrictions on his contact with the women\u2019s team and their youth teams since 2023 because of a safeguarding investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Football Association opened an inquiry in the same year after receiving a complaint, which the Guardian understands was an allegation of sexual misconduct unrelated to football.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s more on the news that Omar Altan, the Somali referee who was barred by the United States government for the World Cup<\/a>, has been picked to officiate Aston Villa versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup in August.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWant to address two points on the liveblog \u2013 the best opening match and the claim that the best tournament is the first one you remember,\u201d writes Phil Smith. \u201cFrance \u201898 was the year me and my friends turned 18, we had just finished our A-levels and we pretty much had plans for house parties and pub watching sessions for every match. Didn\u2019t get better than that, and the excitement as we gathered at my Scottish friend\u2019s house for the opening game \u2013 Brazil beating Scotland 2-1 \u2013 still gives me goosebumps.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Earps to leave Paris Saint-Germain<\/p>\n A bit of women\u2019s football news: Mary Earps will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer at the end of her contract. Earps spent two seasons with PSG and has been strongly linked with a move to London City Lionesses.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what Earps said about her time in Paris.<\/p>\n double quotation markA crazy, great experience. I\u2019d say great because I\u2019m leaving with such fond memories. I\u2019ve met great people, I\u2019ve trained at a world class facility, I\u2019ve played at Parc des Princes.<\/p>\n And experience because I think it\u2019s added to my growth as a player and as a person. I think that\u2019s all you can ask for in life is to grow and to be a little bit better every day. That\u2019s what I try to be.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve got to play with some fantastic players from all over the world. I got to go to Africa for the first time with the final of the League Cup.<\/p>\n I think there\u2019s been a lot of on-the-pitch experiences. I\u2019ve had a lot of firsts as well. Off-the-pitch I\u2019ve had a lot of big moments here in Paris. A lot of experiences which I\u2019ll remember forever.<\/p>\n I\u2019m leaving with my heart full and I\u2019m so happy, privileged and lucky that I was able to have such a wonderful experience here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Emails please!<\/p>\n What\u2019s your favourite opening game at a men\u2019s World Cup? I\u2019d probably go for West Germany 0-0 Poland in 1978 Argentina 0-1 Cameroon<\/a> at Italia 90<\/a>. Not much of a game, in truth, but a story like no other. It also created a new verb: to Massing.<\/p>\n France 0-1 Senegal in 2002 was arguably an even bigger shock. A word too for Argentina 0-1 Belgium in 1982 (please read this excellent piece<\/a> on the iconic image of Diego Maradona taking on half of Belgium) and Germany 4-2 Costa Rica in 2006. That match was loads of fun and included a couple of screamers from my colleague Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings. Also: I was 30 years old.<\/p>\n Argentina 0-1 Cameroon in 1990. Photograph: Karl Heinz Kreifelts\/AP<\/p>\n South Africa 1-1 Mexico in 2010 deserves a mention, mainly for Siphiwe Tshabalala\u2019s goal. And though I wasn\u2019t there, Sweden 3-2 Argentina in 1934 sounds like a belter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.46 EDT<\/p>\n Thanks Dom, hello everyone. Let\u2019s start with some pharmaceutical-grade trivia on World Cup<\/a> opening games. Which two teams met in the first game (or games) three times in 12 years?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.34 EDT<\/p>\n Right, that\u2019s the end of my second quickfire stint on today\u2019s blog and here is Rob Smyth to steer you through the rest of the afternoon and build towards the big kick-off in Mexico City later.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Omar Artan picked to referee Uefa Super Cup<\/p>\n Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was barred by the United States government for the World Cup<\/a>, has been picked to officiate Aston Villa versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup in August. The game will take place in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August.<\/p>\n Artan got a hero\u2019s welcome returning to Somalia on Wednesday days after he was refused entry in Miami by US authorities despite being picked by Fifa for World Cup duty, with officials claiming Artan had connections to terror organisations.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking of Canada, let\u2019s check in on a nation preparing to host a World Cup<\/a> for the first time. Some excitement and anticipation at last!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Any games that you\u2019ve got your eye on over the coming days? Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina at 8pm (BST) is definitely one I\u2019ve pencilled in to watch tomorrow (Friday), and Brazil v Morocco at 11pm on Saturday will probably be worth feeling tired on Sunday for.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee has taken time out of his Knicks-viewing basketball schedule to attend Brazil\u2019s training session in New Jersey, where Carlo Ancelotti got a guard of honour for his birthday.<\/p>\n \u201cI want Brazil to win,\u201d said Lee. \u201cI\u2019m here just for the practice, I have a game to see tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Come on Spike, at least pick a dark horse like Norway or Ecuador?<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Some essential pre-WC reading! We\u2019ve given you Barney Ronay talking about the time in 2018 he smelled Diego Maradona somewhere in a Moscow stadium, now enjoy him off his long runup, on Donald Trump\u2019s MAGA-themed World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Heat-watch: The first game, of course, is in Mexico City, Mexico, between the host country and South Africa. Today\u2019s temperature in the Mexican capital will peak at around 26C, which is 2.6 C lower than previous years.<\/p>\n Still, those pesky drinks breaks won\u2019t be going away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n An email has landed from Krishna saying it might cheer me up, yet he\u2019s referenced one of England\u2019s all-time lowest World Cup<\/a> moments \u2026<\/p>\n double quotation markDjed Spence recently said: \u2018Luckily I play with my feet\u2019 in response to his broken jaw. If we were nearby I would have told him \u2018Look at Maradona (1986) and Henry (2009) \u2013 using your hands is more beneficial\u2019.<\/p>\n Another Hand of God moment in this tournament might well prove the end of football altogether.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is a fairly hopeful comment.<\/p>\n One of the basic laws of football is that the best World Cup is the first one you really remember, normally somewhere between the ages 9-12, so I’m hoping that all these nippers around the world aren’t aware of all the mess that we’re all thinking and talking about now and they create memories that they’ll never forget. The football in this tournament really really needs to start, and be good, because some of this off-pitch stuff is getting downright depressing.<\/p>\n Can anyone in the comments cheer me up and restore my World Cup<\/a> fever levels, please \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>French city announces curfew for under-16s during World Cup<\/p>\n Authorities in the French city of Toulouse have today announced a curfew for under-16s during \u201chigh risk\u201d World Cup<\/a> matches, after unrest marred celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s recent Champions League victory.<\/p>\n The matches in question are all those involving France, games played by Morocco against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, as well as a match between Tunisia and the Netherlands, the mayor of Toulouse said.<\/p>\n The curfew will be in force from 10pm to 5am for minors under 16 unaccompanied by an adult in a central area of the southwestern city, centre-right mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc told a press briefing.<\/p>\n The measure concerns only \u201ca certain number of matches that we have selected with the prefecture, because we considered them to be high-risk,\u201d he added, before saying he intended to \u201cprotect citizens and minors\u201d and arguing there was a rise in juvenile delinquency in France\u2019s fourth-largest city.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.21 EDT<\/p>\n Thanks John.<\/p>\n If you can say one thing about this World Cup<\/a>, it\u2019s that it feels truly global. The different time zones and therefore endless content, the (needless) expansion in terms of teams and fixtures, the political acrimony \u2026 it rather represents the world we live in, in 2026.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I shall pass back the reins to Dominic Booth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Reminder: this is a World Cup<\/a> shrouded in geopolitics.<\/p>\n double quotation markSeven games, including Scotland versus Brazil, will be held in Miami<\/a>, a little more than 200 miles from the north coast of Cuba. The Scottish Football Association expects 20,000 fans to travel there.<\/p>\n Eight nations have training camps in Florida<\/a>, including England and Scotland. The first game scheduled in Miami \u2013 Uruguay versus Saudi Arabia \u2013 will be held on 15 June, and tens of thousands of fans are due to fly into the city.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More detail on Martin O\u2019Neill: his Celtic deal is a new one-year contract as Celtic manager with the option for a further season. Confirmation of O\u2019Neill \u2018s appointment came hours after reports had claimed the news had been delayed amid uncertainty over his backroom staff.Assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham were reportedly offered wage cuts to remain part of O\u2019Neill \u2018s coaching team. There was no mention of other coaching staff in the club announcement.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Today\u2019s TV guide is here, for the US, UK, Canada and Australia. I watched the 1998 World Cup<\/a> on SBS in Australia, with the legendary Les Murray and Johnny Warren. Each ad break featured Ricky Martin singing La Copa Da Vida.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The cup of life.Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.50 EDT<\/p>\n The World Cup will be the most lucrative sports event ITV<\/a> has ever aired, the broadcaster has said, with bosses dubbing the expanded tournament a \u201csix-week summer Super Bowl moment\u201d for TV advertising.<\/p>\n ITV is airing 51 of the 104 matches across the men\u2019s tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, which is the biggest yet after an expansion from 32 to 48 teams.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Krishna gets in touch: \u201cWhat will it take for the football nations to stand up together and boycott this World Cup<\/a>? Fans have been denied visas, Iraqi striker Aymen was detained for 7 hours, Somalian referee Artan was sent back, Iran is being harassed in every possible way. What are we waiting for? Kane to be deported? Mbappe sent back? Ronaldo arrested?\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Jack_Snape.png\")
Jack Snape<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tom_Garry.png\")
Tom Garry<\/p>\n
It probably won’t get any better than this for them.<\/p>\n![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/17178780.gif\")
<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n