Daily Mail Sport looks at the players, teams and scenarios sparking significant controversy at the 2026 World Cup so far, as the tournament closes in on the halfway stage.

EXCLUSIVE: Juan Pablo Montoya opens up on his public spat with Max Verstappen.

England have secured their place in the World Cup round of 32, and knockout stage ties are being confirmed as the group stages approach its conclusion.

Iran have a goal ruled out for offside and hit the crossbar in the final moments of a thrilling 1-1 draw against Egypt in Seattle, leaving them hoping to secure qualification to the FIFA World Cup knockout stages by being one of the top eight third-placed teams.

Belgium defeat New Zealand 5-1 to qualify for the World Cup round of 32 as winners of Group G on goal difference.

DANIEL MATTHEWS IN SEATTLE: The team's campaign has been dogged by travel and visa restrictions as well as weeks of mudslinging between Iranian officials and the US authorities.

Will you get today's World Cup player in as few attempts as possible?

Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 17 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

The former Italian tennis star was urged to retire by John McEnroe at Wimbledon following a valiant performance against Carlos Alcaraz.

Aryna Sabalenka is hunting her first Wimbledon title

England face Panama in their crucial final Group L clash at the 2026 World Cup. Our EA FC 26 simulation shows how the Three Lions could perform in this vital match

Marcelo Bielsa's furious interview, a Manuel Ugarte injury blow and the latest World Cup drama, which included Iranian anguish.

Ben Whittaker could be on a collision course with Joshua Buatsi as he sharpens his skills for a world title fight.

It's Northumberland Plate day from Newcastle! Watch every race from Gosforth Park live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.40pm.

Kevin De Bruyne scores his first goal in the 2026 World Cup as Belgium beat New Zealand to finish top of Group G.

Shoja Khalilzadeh's goal is ruled out by VAR in injury-time denying Iran automatic qualification into the round of 32, meaning they will have to wait on other results to see if they go through as one of the best third-placed sides.

Steve Clarke’s men finished third in Group C with three points and -3 goal difference and face an agonising wait to determine if they’ll make it into the last-32

Egypt 1-1 Iran: Iran defender Shojae Khalilzadeh’s stoppage-time winner was disallowed by VAR, denying the war-torn nation a guaranteed spot in the knockout stages. Egypt are through; Iran must now wait

“After review,” began the Polish referee, Szymon Marciniak, those two words breaking Iran hearts after they thought they scrambled an unlikely 93rd-minute winner to progress to the last 32. Moments earlier, the 37-year-old Shoja Khalilzadeh fired in from the edge of the six-yard box, whipped off his No 4 shirt in double-quick time and slid on to his …

Belgium reached the World Cup knockout stages as group winners thanks to Leandro Trossard’s double in their 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in Vancouver.