The biggest names in the World Cup continues to deliver after Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a first-ever victory on this stage.
The former Liverpool forward scored in a 3-1 win over New Zealand, alongside Mostafa Zizo and Trezeguet to catapult the Pharaohs top of Group G.
The underdogs continues to shine, too. Cape Verde managed another remarkable upset to hold Uruguay, having stunned Spain in their opener, placing them on the brink of qualification to the last 32.
Today’s slate of games includes Lionel Messi’s Argentina against Austria, while Kylian Mbappe’s France are also back in action against Iraq. Erling Haaland's Norway are due to battle Senegal , too – although that game could be under threat with storms forecast to hit New Jersey. Jordan vs Algeria rounds off day 12.
Follow all the latest news and notes from around the USA, Canada and Mexico as the World Cup rumbles on:
Read MoreThe controversial France midfielder enabling Kylian Mbappe to shine at World Cup
Mohamed Salah leads Egypt to historic first World Cup win as New Zealand swept aside
How Cape Verde’s Vozinha emerged as World Cup superstar and Instagram sensation
World Cup 2026 - latest
- World Cup latest news and updates as group stages continue
- Salah celebrates new ground for Egypt after rift rumours
- Cape Verde pull off second stunning World Cup upset to hold Uruguay to dramatic draw
- Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain run riot against Saudi Arabia
- Iran leave special letter to Los Angeles after US visa row
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings: Deniz Undav leads Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe
08:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe should probably expect some movement on this list today – Deniz Undav tops the golden boot standings at the 2026 World Cup for now...
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Kane and Mbappe
The extraordinary numbers behind Lionel Messi – and the all-time World Cup record now in his grasp
08:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, Lionel Messi will go in search of more World Cup history a little later as Argentina take on Austria. After Messi equalled the scoring record of Miroslav Klose, Richard Jolly explained the extraordinary numbers behind his achievements:
The extraordinary numbers behind Messi – and the World Cup record now in his grasp
Coming up at the World Cup today...
08:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s another bumper slate of group stage fixtures as the World Cup intensifies. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are all back in action after eye-catching introductions to the tournament in their first matches.
Argentina vs Austria (Group J) – 6pm BST
France vs Iraq (Group I) – 10pm BST
Norway vs Senegal (Group I) – 1am BST
Jordan vs Algeria (Group J) – 4am BST
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
07:45 , Lawrence Ostlere“This hydration break is powered by Powerade,” roared Fox Sports commentator Ian Darke, as the first game of the World Cup stopped after 24 minutes so players could take on water. The temperature in Mexico City was 23C, constituting a relatively mild day in the Mexican summer. But if we’ve learnt one thing over the past few weeks, it’s that this is not a tournament to miss out on a fast buck.
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
Paraguay accuses Fifa of 'losing the essence of football' with hydration breaks
07:30 , Jack RathbornParaguay's outspoken coach Gustavo Alfaro took aim at football's business elites on Sunday, accusing them of commercial intrusion on the World Cup and sidelining fans with exorbitant ticket costs in a sport that has its roots in poverty.
"The essence of football is lost. And football can't be a business, it has to be football... a very select group get to enjoy it," he said. "Football, we all own it, primarily the poorest, because the cheapest toy to play with was a ball, which was sometimes hard to afford, but 22 people could play with just one toy. So the power of football is immense. And that's what we must defend.
"It's a commercial break, not a hydration break. The game is getting out of hand."
07:00 , Jack Rathborn Cape Verde's magical start to its first World Cup isn't over.The tiny island that stunned tournament favorite Spain in last week's opener took a 1-0 lead over Uruguay early in their match on Kevin Pina's free kick. It was Cape Verde's first-ever goal in the World Cup.After Uruguay's Rodrigo Bentancur was given a yellow card, Pina blasted a shot past diving goalie Fernando Muslera in the 21st minute, sending the Cape Verde fans in an excited frenzy as his teammates hopped on him in celebration.
Iran national anthem loudly booed again at World Cup before Belgium game
06:45 , Jack RathbornThe Iranian national anthem was loudly booed again at SoFI Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday after Iran continued their World Cup campaign in a 0-0 draw with Belgium in Group G.
The reaction added to the hostile reception for the team following a similar atmosphere before they played New Zealand in a gripping 2-2 draw.
The Fifa announcer at the stadium had asked fans to “applaud for peace,” but the response was relatively muted with just a smattering of noise in support of the message.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni mulling hydration break impact ahead of Austria clash
06:30 , Jack Rathborn"Everything that I have in my mind `can change depending on these 22, 23 minutes," Scaloni told reporters on Sunday of the disruption caused by the breaks. "We have people analysing the game and we `look for solutions. It's what you do in a normal halftime. "It's for those who want to attack because you can amend certain things. It's weird to adapt to that. It's something that, if we do it more, it will become normal. I don't think this is normal to us yet.
"We're trying to analyse things and correct things. Sometimes the match changes in the first period itself and you can amend certain things. I understand it will change."
Salah admits 'great vibe' after Egypt create World Cup history
06:15 , Jack RathbornMohamed Salah has responded to Egypt’s 3-1 win over New Zealand
"It's a great achievement for all the players,” he said. “It's a great win. It's a great vibe. The next game is very important."
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, told ITV: "If there was any doubt about Mo's impact on this team, you can still see it.
"It will give them enormous belief. They had to deal with adversity and their big player stood up and that will give them big confidence. You need your big players to perform to progress."
Former Jamaica winger Jobi McAnuff added: "Just when he was needed, Mo Salah stood up for his country."
'Have faith': Vozinha's mom speaks out before Cape Verde pulls off another World Cup tie vs. Uruguay
06:00 , Jack RathbornThere were 64,003 people in the stadium for the 2-2 draw between Cape Verde and Uruguay on Sunday night, none of them with a better how-they-got-there story than Ana Candida Evora — the mother of Vozinha, Cape Verde's goalkeeper.Evora arrived in Miami on Friday, reunited with her son over the weekend and watched Sunday's game from a suite at Miami Stadium. Cape Verde's storybook ride now has a chance of reaching the knockout stage, depending largely on how its group stage finale against Saudi Arabia goes.
“I want to thank all the fans, everyone who helped in the process, for the support you gave to the team, especially to Cabo Verde,” Evora said Sunday in remarks distributed by FIFA in a video message before the match. “We’re all rooting for Cabo Verde to play well, to shine on the pitch. The players need to have faith and everything will go well.“Keep your heads held high, go onto that pitch, push for a goal and you’ll perform beautifully, my boys. A kiss for you, be strong and brave. Blue Sharks!”
Iran leave special letter to Los Angeles after US visa row
05:29 , Jack RathbornIran left a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the World Cup and saying they are leaving with dignity after a 0-0 draw with Belgium kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Iran have spent the tournament based in Tijuana commuting to the U.S. for their matches because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a number of Iran's team staff and officials have been banned. U.S. officials have said the squad's travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over easing some restrictions have continued.
"From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran's football federation. "Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality.
"We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity." The note also thanked Iranian supporters who gave their "heart, voice and soul" for the team during the two matches and ended with a call for peace, respect and friendship among all nations.
Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain run riot against Saudi Arabia
05:19 , Jack RathbornWorld Cup favourites Spain underlined their credentials with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, spearheaded by starlet Lamine Yamal.
The European champions arrived in the United States among the major contenders to lift the trophy, but those predictions had come under feverish scrutiny after being held 0-0 by the minnows of Cape Verde.
But any concerns were quickly dismissed as Spain struck three times in the first 24 minutes to take top spot in Group H, while they could have had more but for letting their feet off the gas in the second half.
Lamine Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain run rampant against Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde pull off second stunning World Cup upset as Uruguay held to dramatic draw
05:18 , Jack RathbornCape Verde pulled off another stunning shock at the 2026 World Cup as they held Uruguay to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Miami.
The team had already produced a remarkable 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in their opening game, and they added another point to their tally as they took advantage of mistakes in Uruguay’s defensive line.
The tournament debutants went toe-to-toe with the South American heavyweights in an entertaining end-to-end game.
Cape Verde pull off second stunning World Cup upset as Uruguay held to dramatic draw
Mohamed Salah leads Egypt to historic first World Cup win as New Zealand swept aside
05:16 , Jack RathbornMohamed Salah led Egypt to their first-ever World Cup victory as they recovered to beat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Egypt, pre-match favourites despite rumours of a rift including Salah, who joined Omar Marmoush to spearhead the attack, were backed by a vocal crowd at BC Place. However, slack defending cost them early as New Zealand defender Finn Surman rose to power home a 15th-minute header from Tim Payne's corner, silencing the sea of red.
Mostafa Zizo met Mohamed Hany's cross in the 58th minute to head home the equaliser. Nine minutes later, Zizo combined with Salah in a quick one-two before the Egypt captain bent in a powerful left-footed finish, and Trezeguet added a third with a superb header from Salah's outswinging corner.
Mohamed Salah leads Egypt to historic first World Cup win as New Zealand swept aside
Declan Rice urges England to be excited by set-piece prowess
05:53 , Jack Rathborn“I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but (set piece coach) Nico (Jover) and the manager (Mikel Arteta) at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t,” Rice told the BBC.
“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo (Saka). From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.
“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.
“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”
Watkins embracing supporting role as Tuchel taps England's bench strength
05:49 , Jack RathbornEngland's Ollie Watkins has yet to kick a ball in his debut World Cup, but the striker is convinced Thomas Tuchel's willingness to unleash fresh attackers from the bench could prove a decisive weapon in the pursuit of glory.
"I think everyone's crucial in this squad, the squad depth that we have, and the players coming off the bench the other day," Watkins told reporters. "I was really excited when I saw 60, 70 minutes that he was basically changing the whole front three.
"I think bringing on pacey players that run forward, score more goals, `I think it's exciting."
"It's just good to get that flow of minutes into your legs, rather than just running in a straight line. I prefer to play a game after, like we have been. As tiring as it is with all the travelling, it gets out your legs, and you feel much better doing it that way."
