Three players were sent off - two in controversial fashion - in an entertaining opening game

A record-breaking number of red cards put a controversial spin on the opening game

Which teams will reach the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup and who is heading home early?

Bafana Bafana had two men sent off and Mexico another as the World Cup kicked off with a bang

Kane also revealed how he is ready for the responsibility of scoring the majority of England’s goals

Co-hosts Mexico had too much for South Africa, with Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scoring, and Bafana Bafana duo Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane sent off alongside El Tri’s ⁠Cesar Montes

Was that it, then? Was Sphephelo Sithole being caught in possession nine minutes into the opening game, Julián Quiñones running on to lash the ball through Ronwen Williams’s legs, was that when the football took over, the moment when concerns over the aggression of the major co-host faded away and the world got on with celebrating the great festival of …

Daily Mail Sport has visited The Inn at Meadowbrook in Kansas City, where Thomas Tuchel and his Three Lions will be based for the tournament.

JEFF POWELL: If the anti-government protests raging across this city were meant to capture the eye of the entire world by keeping the vast Estadio Azteca empty, then it failed spectacularly.

The 35-year-old, who was wearing a special protective headband during the World Cup's opening match between Mexico and South Africa, was overcome with emotion in the second half,

For all the strife, greed, grift and grandstanding that has pockmarked the build-up to this tournament, the 2026 World Cup began with a blessing in the Azteca Stadium.

Manchester City have had a second offer of £120m for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest.

Reports have emerged of a bust-up between Lewis Hall and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

The owner of West Ham United's home has raised concerns it was not told about safeguarding restrictions.

Manchester United keen on wantaway Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, Spanish giants close in on Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid target Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol

Phil Mickelson has reportedly been kicked out of a California golf club

FIFA has mandated three-minute hydration breaks in each half of all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup across the US, Mexico, and Canada, citing player welfare due to anticipated hot weather, marking a first for the tournament.

Wataru Endo has called time on his international career

The World Cup starts Thursday, and FIFA is charging record prices at the 11 stadiums in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada

An improvised base in Mexico has become Team Melli’s unlikely World Cup home as security fears, visa disputes and political divisions shape their tournamentOpen-top trucks patrolled the surrounding roads outside the Estadio Caliente today, mounted by men in helmets and masks and wielding machine guns. They pass by the main entrance every few hours, …