\u201cWe love that stuff,\u201d Kane said. \u201cMe and Picks [Jordan Pickford], and all of the squad, we\u2019re fans, we\u2019ve grown up watching England in those environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be on the other side now doesn\u2019t mean that we\u2019re disconnected, it means we\u2019re trying to give the fans special moments like yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully we can give the fans more of those moments.\u201d<\/p>\n
The full, unredacted episode of the Lions\u2019 Den is here<\/a> on England\u2019s YouTube channel.<\/p>\n Harry Kane of England applauds the fans after victory against Croatia in Dallas. Photograph: Javier Garc\u00eda\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.53 EDT<\/p>\n Spain entered the World Cup<\/a> as one of the favourites but after an underwhelming display against Cape Verde, the European champions need a sharper attacking edge \u2060against Saudi Arabia in Group \u200bH on Sunday.<\/p>\n Luis de la Fuente\u2019s side were held to a shock 0-0 draw by the World Cup debutants in Atlanta on Monday and return to the same stadium to face Saudi Arabia, who also drew their opener 1-1, against Uruguay.<\/p>\n Spain and Uruguay were expected to take the top two places in the group, with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde left to battle for one of \u200bthe best third-placed spots.<\/p>\n Instead, all four have \u200ca point each, and De la Fuente \u200cmay opt to start the winger Lamine Yamal to inject some pace in attack. Before the Cape Verde game, the Spanish manager said \u200cthe introduction of Yamal from the bench would depend on how the match was progressing, with the 18-year-old returning from injury.<\/p>\n He can hardly have expected the need to turn to Yamal in an effort to win the game, and while the teenager did spark life into Spain for the final 20 minutes, it was not enough.<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal: \u2018Winning the first game 6-0 doesn\u2019t help you at all, then you have to win the \u200bknockout rounds.\u2019 Photograph: Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Nico Williams also came off the bench late, and both he and Yamal may get the nod this time, with \u200cthe ineffectual Gavi and misfiring Ferran Torres poised to make way.<\/p>\n Yamal, however, is not ready to play a full match, so the manager must decide whether to start him, \u200band hope to get the job done, or keep him in reserve again.<\/p>\n The striker Mikel Oyarzabal failed to touch the ball in the opening half an hour against Cape Verde. Those behind him enjoyed plenty of possession but did very little with it.<\/p>\n Spain may not be overly concerned with the opening \u2060result: but it is the performance which was worrying.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a stir over a draw \u200band in the end many teams have \u200bdrawn, it means nothing,\u201d Yamal said. \u201cFor me, \u200bwinning the first game 6-0 doesn\u2019t help you at all, then you have to win the \u200bknockout rounds.\u201c<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia caused an \u200cupset four years ago \u200bwhen they beat the eventual winners \u200bArgentina<\/a> in their opening game, and after frustrating another South American side, they will be buoyed with confidence.<\/p>\n The only time the Saudis advanced past the group stage was in 1994, the last time the US hosted the World Cup.<\/p>\n The anager Georgios Donis is expected to field a mostly unchanged side to the one which earned a valuable point against Uruguay. Reuters<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.33 EDT<\/p>\n Can Spain lift themselves out of a Cape Verde-induced attacking quagmire? Let\u2019s turn to a piece from the nice people at Reuters.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The phrase \u201cA paediatrician\u2019s appointment cost me Portugal v Congo\u201d has surely never been written in the English language before, so we can probably all just go home now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Yesterday, meanwhile, we were talking about people mad committed enough to try and watch every World Cup<\/a> game.<\/p>\n On that note Sid emailed this:<\/p>\n \u201cMy nipper was born just before the tournament started and we live in Brazil. So being on paternity leave with a convenient time zone means that I\u2019ve made a great crack of it so far! A paediatrician\u2019s appointment cost me Portugal v Congo yesterday and I fell asleep during a hydration break of Sweden v Tunisia, meaning I only saw one of the goals. But other than that, I\u2019m 22 from 24. [Correct at the time of writing yesterday.]<\/p>\n \u201cHaving the whole family and even the dog on the sofa for Iran v New Zealand was a great memory. Though with the baby becoming more aware of his surroundings, my ratio looks set to drop!\u201d<\/p>\n Fans enjoy Portugal v Congo. Photograph: Mike Campbell\/NurPhoto\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.18 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cAm I the only one who is annoyed that kick off times vary from day to day?\u201d emails John.<\/p>\n I mean, the overwhelming chances are, no \u2013 you are not.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually World Cup<\/a> kickoff times are the same from day to day but this year they are changing,\u201d adds John. \u201cI\u2019m in the States so it\u2019s great for me but it\u2019s also a pain that games begin at midday, 1pm or 3pm on the Eastern Coast depending on the day. Must be even weirder back home?\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Dominic. Hello everyone. What\u2019s the vibe at the World Cup today? Let\u2019s take a look. Feel free to Mail us<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, that\u2019s the end of my stint and Luke McLaughlin is in the chair. Enjoy, Luke.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lots of Scotland chat, both fun and serious, in the comments:<\/p>\n Dunno why the Scots are fussing about Brazil and Morocco?<\/p>\n It’s 28 years since Brazil or Morocco beat Scotland in a competitive fixture.<\/p>\n Who else can boast a record like that especially against Brazil?<\/p>\n Scotland will need to defend for their lives tonight. I’d go a 4-5-1 though and try get into their midfield. If we can hit them on the breaks, we have the players who can punish them. I’m looking at you McSauce and McGinn.<\/p>\n You cannot really argue with Marsch\u2019s hubris after that 6-0 victory, which virtually assures Canada of a place in the knockout rounds:<\/p>\n \u201cTo create an identity for what Canadian soccer could be, you can say and do all the right things, but you need moments like today, where everybody remembers what happened,\u201d Marsch said after the victory, the joint-largest by any World Cup<\/a> host.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Canadian will forget this day. There\u2019ll be 40 million people that said they were here. It\u2019s an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there\u2019s talent in this country, that there\u2019s mentality, desire, a lot of things that make this country special, even though it\u2019s a hockey country. I\u2019m very proud that we\u2019ve accomplished a moment everybody can remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Despite Canada\u2019s demolition job of Qatar, it seems the jury is still out on maanager Jesse Marsch. Hmmm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.57 EDT<\/p>\n Dias backs Ronaldo to handle ‘unnecessary’ Portugal flak<\/p>\n The Portugal squad are shutting out criticism of the team and captain Cristiano Ronaldo following an underwhelming draw \u2060in their World Cup<\/a> \u2060opener against Democratic Republic \u200bof Congo, defender R\u00faben Dias has said.<\/p>\n Congo, playing in their first World Cup for 52 years, frustrated Portugal in a 1-1 draw<\/a> that left \u2060the European side with just one shot on target despite completing 740 passes, prompting a barrage of criticism.<\/p>\n Ronaldo, in particular, found himself in the firing line as the \u206041-year-old\u2019s goal drought at major tournaments extended to 10 games stretching back to the 2022 World Cup, despite \u200bbeing Portugal\u2019s all-time top scorer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe criticism is not \u200csignificant for us, it\u2019s noise \u200cand part of the competition … It\u2019s all noise,\u201d Dias told reporters at Portugal\u2019s training camp. \u201cIt always happens if \u200cyou have a match that doesn\u2019t go well. We\u2019re closing ourselves off from unnecessary criticism.<\/p>\n \u201cCristiano, of course, is used \u200bto dealing with the media pressure we usually face in the club, the national team, world tournaments, European competitions. In this sort of competition, it will never be perfect … this is a competition you can win only if you play well game after game.\u201d<\/p>\n R\u00faben Dias keeps a close eye on Cristiano Ronaldo during a Portugal training session. Photograph: Marco Bello\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n An email from John Brennan on probably the second most unpopular aspect of this World Cup<\/a> (after hydration breaks, of course)\u2026 kickoff times!<\/p>\n double quotation markAm I the only one who is annoyed that kickoff times vary from day to day? Usually World Cup kickoff times are the same from day to day but this year they are changing. I\u2019m in the States so it\u2019s great for me but it\u2019s also a pain that games begin at midday, 1pm or 3pm on the Eastern Coast depending on the day. Must be even weirder back home?<\/p>\n It\u2019s definitely strange, John, but then this is a World Cup being held across three very big nations, so timezones will vary.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Some interesting thoughts below the line re: the John Stones v Marc Gu\u00e9hi debate at centre-back. Why not have both, Mr Tuchel?<\/p>\n All Manchester City fans know John Stones is a much better CB than Guehi.<\/p>\n Stones has not been played because injury earlier in season pissed of Guardiola. He has been fit to play and frankly should have been playing ahead.<\/p>\n There is a reason we got to FA Cup final (Stones) and did not win PL or progress in CL (no Stones)<\/p>\n Tuchel knows this and Stones will rightly play. He needed some matches – the next games will be more match ready.<\/p>\n Time for a shameless self-plug. I wrote today\u2019s Football Daily newsletter.<\/p>\n Please do sign up to get it slammed straight into your important inbox on every week day, or simply read via the link below. Your choice.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.11 EDT<\/p>\n Kane: Singing Wonderwall a great England memory<\/p>\n Harry Kane ranked the Oasis-themed England singalong with fans after their 4-2 victory over Croatia as one of his favourite World Cup<\/a> memories.<\/p>\n Kane scored twice as the Three Lions ran out comfortable winners in their opening group game, after which the England players were serenaded \u2013 some even joining in \u2013 with a rendition of Wonderwall inside the Dallas Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt, especially at a major tournament,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they see how much \u200cit means to us,\u201d Kane said on the England fans. We have that connection right now, but that moment, singing Wonderwall in the stadium \u2014 everyone knew the words \u2014 \u200cwas really special.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know back home is the same, we know there would be plenty of beer getting thrown around, with it being a night game, so we love that stuff.\u201c<\/p>\n Harry Kane applauds the England fans after the game in Dallas. Photograph: Dave Shopland\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.04 EDT<\/p>\n Some things I learned from today\u2019s Guardian sports quiz:<\/a> I know nothing about horse racing; basically all the boots at this World Cup are pink \u2013 if you hadn\u2019t noticed already \u2013 and Lionel Messi just loves breaking records that Cristiano Ronaldo initially set.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Back. These days without 5pm or 6pm (UK time) games really do drag, don\u2019t they? My YouTube algorithm has just thrown up this gem from the BBC\u2019s World Cup<\/a> studio at Brazil 2014.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.45 EDT<\/p>\n Forgive me, some dark south Manchester clouds are gathering (yes, really) and I need to fetch the washing inside. My email inbox is still open to discuss all things Scotland v Morocco.<\/p>\n BRB.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Turkey\u2019s interior ministry has told governors not to permit the installation of giant public screens for the national team\u2019s World Cup<\/a> match against Paraguay, citing the need to minimise noise and traffic disruption during the country\u2019s university entrance examinations.<\/p>\n Local authorities had previously planned to broadcast Turkey\u2019s Group D match against Paraguay on Saturday (which kicks off at 6am TST \u2013 Turkish time) on large outdoor screens in a number of cities.<\/p>\n The ministry directive, issued ahead of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) due this weekend, has prompted local municipalities to cancel giant-screen broadcasts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.20 EDT<\/p>\n If you live in one of the 16 World Cup<\/a> host cities in Mexico, Canada and the USA we would be delighted to hear from you \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n England: I\u2019m seeing a fair bit of selection chat after that opening win over Croatia, with much of the debate surrounding Marcus Rashford and Marc Gu\u00e9hi and whether they should be starters under Thomas Tuchel. Presumably the England boss will continue to manage Bukayo Saka\u2019s game-time over the group stage games, plus Noni Madueke did well so he probably deserves to stay in.<\/p>\n Rashford was able to have much more impact than Anthony Gordon in a shorter space of time on Wednesday, so he seems a shoo-in to come into the lineup for the Ghana game this coming Tuesday. Gu\u00e9hi? Well it seems Tuchel is pretty set on a centre-back pairing of Ezri Konsa and John Stones, not that either was a particular shning light against Croatia. It\u2019s odd, given Gu\u00e9hi is\/was way ahead of Stones in the Manchester City pecking order. The defence is a bigger worry than the atack for the Three Lions right now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tell you what, there\u2019s no shortage of live sport being covered on the website right now. All the below, plus World Cup<\/a> live blogs aplenty to come later.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Former Senegal striker Demba Ba has been named as the new sporting director of French Ligue 1 club Le Havre.<\/p>\n The 41-year-old, whose playing career included stints in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea, arrives from Ligue 2 side Dunkerque where he served for the past three years as deputy president.<\/p>\n He succeeds Mathieu Bodmer, who walked out of the club on the eve of the final matchday of the just-completed season with Le Havre finishing 14th. Bodmer has moved to third division side Caen, which is owned by France captain Kylian Mbapp\u00e9.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A couple of emails from Scotland fans have landed in my inbox, as per request.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think the narrowness of the Haiti win makes any odds. It would always have been a suicidal policy to hope to get through on three points and, dare I say, a team that aims that low doesn\u2019t really deserve to go through (Portugal 2016). We always needed another point. A tough call, but not impossible. Morocco are very reliant on speed. They have a number of fine sprinters and are at their most dangerous when using that pace to attack from deep. We have to stop them doing that \u2013 sit deep, two holding midfielders, McTominay ready to slip back into the centre of a five-man defence when necessary, with Gannon-Doak as the escape route to barely deserved counter-attack glory. Would be nice.\u201d Craig Ward<\/p>\n \u201cScotland sneak a win; Haiti hold Brazil to a draw. Scotland win the group before a ball\u2019s kicked in the Brazil game. Easy.\u201d Derek<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s some more info from that article<\/a> Will shared about two World Cup being played in \u2018severe heat\u2019, according to experts:<\/p>\n double quotation markSaudi Arabia\u2019s game against Uruguay in Miami had the most severe heat conditions in the analysis of the first 24 matches of the World Cup, ie each team\u2019s first game, in the tournament being held across the US, Mexico and Canada. The second most severe heat conditions of the first 24 matches in stadiums without AC were in Sweden v Tunisia in Monterrey.<\/p>\n These games, despite being evening kick-offs, were played amid wet-bulb temperatures of 28C (82F) or above, according to temperature and humidity data for the place and time of the games.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Scotland fans in Boston = in good spirits \/ bringing the vibes \/ making friends. Delete as appropriate, or keep all three.<\/p>\n Scotland fans gather in Boston ahead of their World Cup clash with Morocco. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n As Scotland fans descend on Boston, what do we think to their chances against Morocco, the reigning Afcon champions (of sorts) and World Cup<\/a> semi-finalists from 2022? The win over Haiti was necessary in a tough group, but another point would be like gold dust in almost assuring Steve Clarke of a historic place in the knockout stages, leaving the Brazil game as a complete free hit.<\/p>\n Even a narrow defeat to Morocco may be enough, but finishing third in a group on three points seems like a dicey place to be. Scotland fans, feel free to drop us an email<\/a> and we\u2019ll get the pre-match chatter properly going.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Cheers Will. When he told me he\u2019d posted an article about fans the one below wasn\u2019t what I had in mind \u2026 it is quite warm today, in fairness.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thank you very much for joining me on this fine day. Dominic Booth will run you the next few hours of fun.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Get your quiz on as you desperately look at the clock in the hope the weekend has arrived.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Ed Aarons has been speaking to England fans about their costly devotion to the national team.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe cost is astronomical \u2013 I\u2019ve been scared to look at my bank balance in the mornings. We bought a round of six beers last night and it cost north of $100. But the vibe has been great and the Americans have really bought into the whole thing. The atmosphere was unbelievable in Los Angeles. I\u2019m going home to work to pay off what I\u2019ve spent out here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A lot of talk will be about Brazil going into their game against Haiti later but this is a huge occasion for the Haitians. They only lost by a single goal against Scotland and are growing as a group, so will embrace the challenge of facing one of the World Cups most historic nations.<\/p>\n Can Sunderland\u2019s Wilson Isidor help cause a shock?<\/p>\n Wilson Isidor<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n It is very muggy today, so I am off to read this article to cool me down.<\/p>\n If the lifestyle department are reading this, I am very happy to do some review articles on fans, wines, cars and \u2026 well \u2026 anything.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Two of the first round of matches at the World Cup<\/a> were played at a level of severe heat that a football players\u2019 union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games, a Guardian analysis has found.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Earps to make WSL return with London City Lionesses The former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has left PSG to join London City Lionesses. She sat down with our very own Tom Garry to discuss why it was time to leave Paris, the lure of her new club and when she will know it is time to stop.<\/p>\n double quotation markI had an amazing time in Paris for two years, in a really special city, but last year I was sort of swaying more and more coming home.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I bumped into my former neighbour during a lunchtime sojourn. A proud Scot, he is driving back home from Manchester to Scotland tonight to watch the match. You have to applaud the commitment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Going back to Craig Bellamy \u2026 it is understandable that Burnley are keen on appointing their former assistant. Last I heard, he was eager to see his contract through with Wales and take them to a major tournament. It would surprise me if he were to leave for a Championship job at this stage but stranger things have happened in football.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to resist the temptation to start Endrick in Saturday\u2019s World Cup<\/a> Group C match with Haiti in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n The five-time winners were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their tournament opener last Saturday and a lack of creativity has sparked a wave of support for Real Madrid attacker Endrick, who was an unused substitute in the fixture.<\/p>\n Endrick, 19, featured under Ancelotti at Real Madrid and has scored four goals already for his nation, but is not in line to start against Haiti.<\/p>\n Ancelotti told a press conference: \u201cl\u2019ll bring Endrick on at the right moment. We\u2019ll have to wait a little while. He\u2019ll be important in this World Cup. For me personally, Endrick is an extraordinary talent. Brazil will make the most of his qualities in this World Cup and in the next one too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ancelotti has been calmness personified since criticism was aimed in his direction after the 1-1 draw with Morocco, where Brentford forward Igor Thiago fired a blank and fellow attackers Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Matheus Cunha failed to shine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe result against Morocco wasn\u2019t good but we need to offer constructive criticism,\u201d Ancelotti said. \u201cYou don\u2019t win the World Cup in the first match. We have to find a solution. The players\u2019 self-criticism was positive. We\u2019ve been working over the last few days to sort this out and I think we will. Whether sooner or later, we\u2019ll sort it out. I remain confident that the team will be competitive in this World Cup.\u201d PA Media<\/p>\n Endrick<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.09 EDT<\/p>\n Thanks Martin. This will be a huge hour for everyone!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That is the end of my stint for the week, I will be back on Monday. And now, as promised, the triumphant return of Will Unwin.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In non-World Cup news, chiefly because of that play-off penalty heartbreak against Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a>, PA reports it understands that Championship club Burnley have contacted the Football Association of Wales to discuss the possibility of appointing Craig Bellamy as their manager. He previously worked at Turf Moor as assistant boss to Vincent Kompany.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Dharna Noor<\/p>\n As scorching temperatures beat down on World Cup<\/a> soccer games across North America, climate activists \u2013 including former and current professional athletes \u2013 are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n \u201cSport, especially football, has the power to influence and inspire billions of people,\u201d said David Wheeler, an English former professional footballer, who supports the campaign. \u201cFifa should be harnessing that power to do good.\u201d<\/p>\n This coming Sunday, protesters will demonstrate at or near four 2026 World Cup stadiums and seven other major sporting arenas, chanting and holding signs calling for an end to fossil fuel sponsorships. The protesters\u2019 key target is Saudi Aramco, the exclusive energy sponsor for this year\u2019s tournament, which is also the world\u2019s largest corporate carbon emitter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Mauricio Pochettino spotted looking for spies at US training ground<\/p>\n Guardian journalist Pablo Iglesias Maurer captured the US manager Mauricio Pochettino taking a video appearing to look for spies at his team\u2019s training ground. \u201cI wanted to see, because you know, we\u2019re in an era of, how you says: spy,\u201d he told reporters at his pre-match press conference before their second group-stage match against Australia. You can watch the video here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.43 EDT<\/p>\n It is not as good as a duck, admittedly, but this is a superb bit of football cosplay from a Mexican fan.<\/p>\n A Mexican fan smiles as she poses for a picture dressed up like a Panini sticker. Photograph: Ulises Ruiz\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> Good afternoon\/morning\/evening etc, always a bit weird to take over a live blog and realise that anything I write has already been upstaged by a duck<\/a>. Also being upstaged in this World Cup so far \u2013 the BBC, by ITV. In terms of ratings anyway.<\/p>\n Viewing figures obtained by the Guardian from Barb, which measures audience numbers, show the commercial channel had four of the five highest TV audiences, topped by England\u2019s 4-2 win over Croatia. The BBC will likely catch up at some point, as it gambled in pre-tournament negotiations by opting to have more first-pick games in the knockout stages. There is more number crunching here<\/a> \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thank you for joining me for this glorious first stint. Martin Belam will fill in for the next hour before my triumphant return.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What has happened thus far today?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Igor Thiago did not have the best of times in Brazil\u2019s draw with Morocco first time out. Will Carlo Ancelotti keep faith with the Brentford striker?<\/p>\n Igor Thiago<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n There was plenty of uncertainty over the availability of C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire\u2019s Elye Wahi for the match against Germany on Saturday but he has been allowed to travel, despite being at the centre of a spot-fixing scandal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n After a double in USA\u2019s opening match, Folarin Balogun will be desperate to add to his tally and get back to the top of the scoring chart.<\/p>\n Folarin Balogun.<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Socceroos have their barista travelling with them. It sounds like an April Fools to be but the lad looks convincing.<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A photo of Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior celebrating a goal with one fist in the air was mounted near the entrance of the art exhibition, right next to an acrylic piece of a woman\u2019s dreadlocks suspended in air as she heads a soccer ball.<\/p>\n A replica of the FIFA World Cup<\/a> trophy was encased in glass nearby, surrounded by images, paintings and flags that document generations of African soccer dreams and stories. All of it is part of an exhibition celebrating Africa\u2019s deep connection to soccer during the World Cup.<\/p>\n A painting of a woman heading a soccer ball titled. Photograph: Lynne Sladky\/AP<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what art is about,\u201d said Alfonso D. Brooks, founder of AfriKin, a foundation showcasing African and diaspora art. \u201cArt has always been a platform to foster peace and understanding and give voice to those that can\u2019t speak for themselves. \u201cThis is the necessary part we feel the need to do with AfriKin.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks \u2014 a longtime sound engineer turned art curator \u2014 spent about six months putting together the exhibition, titled \u201cArt and the Beautiful Game: Africa on the World Stage,\u201d which opened in Miami ahead of the start of the World Cup . The collection by more than 50 artists from 25 nations traces soccer\u2019s role in the continent\u2019s history, while celebrating some of the game\u2019s most influential figures from the late Pel\u00e9 to French star Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. AP<\/p>\n Vinicius Junior by photographer Ricardo Nogueira. Photograph: Lynne Sladky\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n If you would like a look behind the curtain here at the Guardian, I will be carrying on here for another hour due to illness. And they say nurses have it tough.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Former Leipzig coach Ole Werner is unhappy he wasn\u2019t given the chance to say goodbye to staff after his surprise dismissal from the club.<\/p>\n Leipzig fired Werner and his assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann on Wednesday after what many would consider a successful debut season \u2013 third place in the Bundesliga for Champions League.<\/p>\n \u201cOle did a great job, he led us to the Champions League, but we also have to look forward,\u201d said Red Bull head of soccer J\u00fcrgen Klopp , who made the decision with Leipzig supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff.<\/p>\n Werner responded with a letter to the players, staff and fans of Leipzig on LinkedIn, saying \u201cunfortunately the timing of this decision makes it impossible for me to say goodbye to all of you in person.\u201d<\/p>\n The 38-year-old coach looked back on what he called a \u201cvery positive\u201d time in which he\u2019d been asked to \u201cgive the team a new look in terms of its demeanor and style of play, while establishing a new, sustainable hierarchy within the dressing room.\u201d He said he made many changes and thinks \u201ctogether we succeeded in fulfilling this mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n With 20 wins and five draws from 34 rounds of the Bundesliga, Werner gained more points than any other coach at Leipzig. Werner thanked Leipzig\u2019s sporting director Marcel Sch\u00e4fer in his letter, but made no mention of Klopp or Mintzlaff.<\/p>\n Leipzig has been linked with a move for Mallorca coach Martin Demichelis as Werner\u2019s successor. Werner was also fired from his previous job at Werder Bremen after he refused to extend his contract with the club. AP<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lionel Messi\u2019s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and his family asked the media for \u201chumanity\u201d on Thursday amid rumours about Jorge Messi\u2019s health while his son competes at the World Cup<\/a>. \u201cJorge is going through a health situation,\u201d the Messi family said in a statement.<\/p>\n![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4325818.png\")
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<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Ed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ed_Aarons,_L.png\")
Ed Aarons<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781888054_985_Tom_Garry.png\")
Tom Garry<\/p>\n![\"'Era](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/562.jpg\")
‘Era of the spy’: Mauricio Pochettino spotted looking for spies \u2013 videoShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781888055_844_Martin_Belam.png\")
Martin Belam<\/p>\n