The World Cup continues on Saturday, with Brazil beginning their campaign and three more group-stage matches taking place across North America.
Brazil take on Morocco in the day’s biggest match, while Qatar face Switzerland, Haiti meet Scotland and Australia play Turkiye as more teams get their tournaments under way.
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Away from the football, there has been plenty to talk about. Donald Trump skipped the United States’ opener, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at the US game instead of Canada’s, and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his team’s first match after Canada denied his visa application.
In Peru, police made headlines after carrying out a drug raid dressed as World Cup mascots.
Here is what to know:
What’s the World Cup schedule on June 13?
Qatar take on Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver, with kickoff scheduled for 12pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The day’s action concludes with Haiti meeting Scotland at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8pm local time (01:00 GMT on June 14).
Australia and Turkiye then get Group D under way at Lumen Field in Seattle, with kickoff at 9pm local time (04:00 GMT on June 14).
What do the predictions say for Brazil vs Morocco?
Brazil and Morocco have only faced each other once before at a World Cup, with Brazil winning their 1998 group-stage meeting. Morocco got their revenge in a 2-1 friendly win in 2023.
Brazil have won seven of their eight World Cup matches against African opponents, with their only defeat coming against Cameroon in 2022.
The five-time champions have not lifted the trophy since 2002. Since then, they have usually exited in the quarterfinals, apart from their run to the 2014 semifinals.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations give Brazil a 57.7 percent chance of winning. A draw happened in 23.5 percent of the projections, while Morocco won in 18.8 percent.
The winner could put themselves in a strong position to top Group C.
What do the predictions say for Qatar vs Switzerland?
Qatar and Switzerland have met only once before, with Qatar claiming a 1-0 friendly win in 2018 thanks to a late goal from Akram Afif. Afif is among nine players from that squad still in Qatar’s 2026 World Cup team, while Switzerland have seven survivors from that defeat, including Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations make Switzerland the clear favourites in this Group B clash, giving them a 76.0 percent chance of victory. Qatar won just 9.1 percent of the projections, while 14.9 percent ended in a draw.
A point would likely be considered a positive result for the Gulf side.
What do the predictions say for Australia vs Turkiye?
Australia and Turkiye have met only twice before, with Turkiye winning both friendlies in 2004. Turkiye have also won all four of their previous World Cup matches against Asian opponents.
Opta’s 10,000 simulations give Turkiye a 55.3 percent chance of victory, compared with 20.5 percent for Australia and 24.1 percent for a draw.
Neither side has a strong record in World Cup openers, however. Turkiye have lost both of their previous first matches, while Australia have lost five of their six opening games.
What do the predictions say for Haiti vs Scotland?
Haiti and Scotland have never faced each other before, making this one of several first-time matchups at the expanded 48-team World Cup. It will also be Haiti’s first-ever game against a team from the British Isles.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations make Scotland clear favourites, giving them a 59.0 percent chance of victory. Haiti won 19.2 percent of the projections, while 21.8 percent ended in a draw.
Haiti vs Scotland
What else is shaping the World Cup?
The football has only just started, but the World Cup is already making headlines away from the pitch, too.
Trump did not attend the US World Cup opener
The US president did not attend the US men’s national team’s World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
His absence drew attention because Trump has recently attended several high-profile sporting events, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals earlier this week. He is also expected to host a UFC event at the White House on Sunday.
A White House official said Trump instead plans to attend the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The US president called into a USMNT team meeting with some words of support via Andrew Giuliani, the White House’s World Cup task force CEO.
Partey denied entry into Canada
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country’s World Cup opener against Panama after Canada denied his visa application while he awaits trial in the United Kingdom on multiple rape charges, which he denies.
FIFA confirmed on Friday that the 32-year-old would not be permitted to travel from Ghana’s base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, to Toronto for Wednesday’s match.
“His visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Trudeau attends the US’s World Cup
As Canada and the US kicked off their World Cup campaigns on the same day, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in California rather than Toronto.
The 54-year-old did not attend Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field. Instead, he was at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood alongside pop singer Katy Perry, who performed during the pre-match opening ceremony before the US faced Paraguay.
Peruvian officers use World Cup mascot costumes in Lima drug bust
Peruvian police have gone viral after carrying out a drug raid in Lima dressed as World Cup mascots.
Video shared by police showed officers dressed as World Cup mascots breaking through a metal gate with a battering ram before entering the property.
Once inside, they arrested a suspected drug dealer and recovered weapons and bags of what authorities believe were narcotics.
The World Cup may be decided on the pitch, but another competition is already under way off it: Which host city has the best food?
In a report for Al Jazeera, Lou Browne travelled across North America to find out what fans can expect beyond the stadiums.
In Mexico City, taco vendors are hoping the tournament brings more customers. “Well, now the World Cup is coming, and we hope we’ll get customers,” a tortilla cook at El Califa de Leon told Al Jazeera. “I imagine there will be a lot of people, foreigners or locals.”
Philadelphia is proudly backing its famous Philly cheesesteak. Locals say visitors should learn how to order properly. “You want to tell them what kind of cheese you want,” Anthony Rossi, a cook at Geno’s Steaks, explained. “And you say if you want onions, which is ‘wit’ or ‘wit-out’ … Keep it simple.”
Across the border, Toronto is making the case for poutine, the Canadian dish of fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. “Poutine is the … not the best … dish, but poutine is from Canada,” said Lisa Deni, a French tourist.
In Kansas City, barbecue is a point of pride. “This is really good,” diner Camilla Thomas said. “We’ve been enjoying coming here. and bringing people from out of town here and giving them a little taste of Kansas City.”
And in Miami, locals insist the Cuban sandwich is a must-try. “The Cuban sandwich, croquetas, and cafecito are really the way to go,” said Daniel Figueredo, cofounder of Sanguich. “The Cuban sandwich really is the thing you have to have when you come to Miami.”
For fans travelling across North America this summer, the hardest choice may not be picking the World Cup winner, but deciding which host city serves the best food.
The World Cup 2026 starts on Thursday, kicking off the biggest tournament in football history across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
A record 48 teams will play 104 matches over the next six weeks, with millions of fans turning their attention to the opening ceremony, the first games and the storylines set to define the tournament.
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Here’s what to watch on day one:
What’s the schedule on June 11?
The World Cup gets under way on Thursday, June 11, with two Group A matches taking place in Mexico.
The opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City begins at 11am local time (17:00 GMT) and will feature a celebration of Mexican and Latin music.
Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez will perform the national anthem, joined by artists including Mana, Los Angeles Azules, Lila Downs and Belinda. Colombia’s J Balvin and Venezuela’s Danny Ocean are also set to appear, while Shakira headlines the ceremony alongside Nigeria’s Burna Boy with the debut performance of “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official song.
Later, South Korea take on Czechia at Estadio Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) in Guadalajara, with kickoff scheduled for 8pm local time (02:00 GMT on June 12).
What do the predictions say for Mexico vs South Africa match?
Mexico are the clear favourites to beat South Africa in the World Cup opener, with the Opta supercomputer giving the hosts a 66.3 percent chance of victory based on 10,000 pre-match simulations.
South Africa are assigned a 14.3 percent probability of winning, while a draw occurs in 19.4 percent of the simulations.
Looking beyond the opening fixture, Opta also projects Mexico to finish top of Group A, ahead of South Korea, Czechia and South Africa.
El Tri will be led by veteran striker Raul Jimenez and 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora, while goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is set to make history by playing in a record sixth World Cup. South Africa, meanwhile, are appearing at the tournament for the fourth time and for the first time since hosting it in 2010.
Teams playing in Mexico will compete at some of the highest-altitude venues in the tournament. Mexico City Stadium is located about 7,300 feet (2,225 metres) above sea level, while Guadalajara sits at roughly 5,138 feet (1,566 metres).
Image source: Opta website
What do the predictions say for South Korea vs Czechia match?
South Korea are slight favourites against Czechia, with Opta assigning them a 42.9 percent chance of victory compared with Czechia’s 31.1 percent.
The likelihood of a draw stands at 26.0 percent, suggesting a closely contested match.
In the wider Group A outlook, South Korea have a 70 percent chance of reaching the knockout stages and a 21.3 percent probability of winning the group, while Czechia are given a 64.3 percent chance of advancing and a 17.9 percent chance of topping the standings.
Image source: Opta website
What else is shaping the World Cup?
While the opening ceremony and first matches take centre stage, they are far from the only stories defining this World Cup. From immigration controversies and soaring ticket prices to new technology and late injury setbacks, here’s what else is making headlines as the tournament gets under way.
Somali referee Omar Artan receives hero’s welcome after World Cup ban
Artan received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu after being denied entry to the US ahead of the tournament. Hundreds of supporters waving Somali flags gathered to greet the referee, who had been set to become the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup.
US authorities stopped him at Miami International Airport, citing unspecified “vetting concerns”, and FIFA later removed him from the referees’ roster. Artan told The New York Times he was questioned for 11 hours before being sent back.
Despite the setback, he remained hopeful. “I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he told supporters.
Sky-high ticket prices anger fans
World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be the most expensive in the tournament’s history, with soaring ticket prices, costly transport and accommodation, and concerns over US immigration policies prompting some fans to reconsider attending.
FIFA introduced dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning ticket costs rise with demand. With more than 500 million ticket requests submitted during the initial sales phase, some seats have reached eye-watering prices.
“Already there’s so much inflation. I have to pay so much already for the gas to get here, and now even more for tickets, you know, that’s so awful,” a football fan told Al Jazeera.
“That definitely means I won’t be able to go and I think a lot of people are going to feel very jaded for that. So I really hope they can re-evaluate it or at least give some kind of a discount for people who are really huge fans,” she added.
When tickets first went on sale in December, prices ranged from $140 to $8,680 for the final. By April, FIFA had raised the top price to $10,990, nearly seven times the $1,550 maximum outlined in North America’s original bid.
New tech rules
FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have introduced a series of changes aimed at speeding up play and improving decision-making.
These include upgraded semiautomated offside technology, a smart match ball fitted with sensors that send real-time data to VAR, visible five-second countdowns to discourage time-wasting on throw-ins and goal kicks, stricter substitution rules and expanded VAR powers to review clear errors involving second yellow cards, mistaken identity and incorrectly awarded corner kicks.
World Cup injury setbacks
The Netherlands have been dealt a blow with Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber ruled out after failing to recover from a groin injury. The Dutch FA said the 24-year-old was not fit enough to cope with the demands of the tournament.
Brazil have also lost a key defender, with AS Roma right back Wesley ruled out after suffering a left thigh injury in a friendly against Egypt. He has been replaced by Atalanta midfielder Ederson ahead of Brazil’s Group C opener against Morocco.
Why are drinks breaks controversial?
FIFA has introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half of all 104 World Cup games, saying the measure is necessary to protect players from extreme heat following concerns raised during last year’s Club World Cup in the United States.
Critics, however, argue the rule applies too broadly, even in cooler venues, and have accused FIFA of commercialising the stoppages after allowing broadcasters to air advertisements during the breaks.
Trump might not attend United States World Cup opener
President Donald Trump has not said whether he will attend the United States’s opening World Cup match against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday. However, several people familiar with the tournament planning said they do not currently expect him to be there, according to a report by Politico, although his plans could still change.
The US government will still be represented at the match. The State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend, along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum won’t attend either
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum won’t be using the ticket FIFA gave her for the opening match. Instead, it went to Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua, a 21-year-old from Veracruz who won a contest by showing off her football juggling skills.
The challenge invited young women to keep the ball up for one minute on camera, and Sheinbaum also awarded tickets to three other winners.
“They are the pride of Mexico. They will not represent the president, or the head of government, they will represent Mexico,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference to give away the ticket to Cervantes Cuaquehua.
World Cup celebrations begin amid protests in Mexico City
As Mexico gets ready to host the opening match, protests are taking place across the capital. Teachers from the CNTE union, along with transport workers, farmers and families of missing people, have taken to the streets to demand better pay, pension changes and action on longstanding issues.
Some demonstrations have affected World Cup preparations, with protesters blocking roads leading to the Estadio Azteca and removing some tournament installations.
Police block an avenue to prevent protesting teachers from marching to the stadium that will host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup in Mexico City [Eduardo Verdugo/AP]
The 2026 World Cup arrives carrying more baggage than most.
Alongside the excitement of the opening matches are concerns about immigration crackdowns, travel restrictions, the wars in Gaza and Iran, and the close relationship between FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump.
Journalist Ashish Malhotra, speaking to Al Jazeera’s The Take, argued that Trump has placed himself at the centre of the tournament. “One reason, Donald Trump. He’s really put himself front and centre for this World Cup,” he said, adding that the US president is using the event as a distraction from other crises.
Malhotra was equally critical of football’s governing body. “FIFA is 100 percent a political actor and it has been for close to a century,” he said, pointing to the organisation’s history of aligning itself with leaders accused of human rights abuses.
And yet, despite the contradictions, billions are still expected to tune in. “Sports are a bit of a drug. It’s a bit of an addiction,” Malhotra said. “The way that a World Cup brings people together is why people get sucked in.” It is perhaps the tournament’s greatest paradox: even amid controversy, the pull of the beautiful game remains difficult to resist.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its recommended maternal vaccine schedule Wednesday, breaking with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its advice. File Photo by Alex Hofford/EPA
June 10 (UPI) — The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its recommended maternal vaccine schedule Wednesday, breaking for the first time on advice from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The group advises four vaccines during pregnancy, including a COVID-19 shot; a flu shot; a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine; and a vaccine that protects the fetus against respiratory syncytial virus, commonly called RSV.
“Changing national recommendations coupled with rampant vaccine misinformation are resulting in confusion for both patients and healthcare professionals,” Camille Clare, ACOG president, said in a statement.”It is incredibly important for the public to have access to reliable,evidence-based information on maternal immunizations from a trusted source.”
The schedule also includes additional vaccines for those with certain risk factors and for those postpartum and breastfeeding. Thirteen other medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, endorsed the list.
In changing the schedule in 2025, the CDC did not its usual process of using a panel of vaccine experts to review studies and make advice. The American Academy of Pediatrics and some U.S. states have also broken with the new CDC guidelines.
“Immunization is an essential part of preventative care forpeople who are pregnant, postpartum and lactating — and for their infants,” ACOG said in its recommendations. “OB-GYNs can reduce the frequency of vaccine-preventable diseases by being aware of current vaccine recommendations, counseling patients to receive appropriate vaccines and integrating vaccination into routine clinical practice.”
Kaye Adams confirmed that the ITV hit show will be missing from the regular 12.30pm timeslot on Friday, June 5.
During Thursday’s (June 4) episode the TV presenter returned to our TV screens alongside fellow panellists Jane Moore, Oti Mabuse and EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy as they shared their opinions on the day’s trending topics.
Speaking at the end of the episode, Kaye revealed that the show won’t air tomorrow, however, she was quick to assure fans that they’ll be back in business on Monday (June 8) as normal.
She explained: “That’s it for today. No Loose Women tomorrow as ITV heads to the races but we will be back on Monday at 12:30. We will see you then.”
Loose Women will instead be replaced with the races. Viewers will see Francesca Cumani and Ed Chamberlin present live coverage of The Oaks from Epsom, plus the support races.
There will also be analysis from Jason Weaver and Adele Mulrennan, reports by Matt Chapman, Rishi Persad, Oli Bell and Mick Fitzgerald, and commentary from Richard Hoiles.
It comes after ITV’s shake-up that came into force at the start of 2026 when Loose Women was cut to a 30-week seasonal schedule.
Speaking about the cuts, Coleen Nolan previously told the Mirror: “The crew have become family. I’ve watched them grow. Some of our runners from back in the day are producers, married with kids. I’ve shared my life with them. They’re in limbo, not knowing what they’re going to do.”
She continued: “Loose Women isn’t ending, which I’m so thankful for, but it’s changing. It’s going to be very different in the respect of the size of the crew, but it’s still running. Which it should be – there isn’t another show that celebrates and supports all women of every size, age, whatever.
“But it’s heartbreaking to see some of my colleagues not knowing what they’re going to do. Many of them have young families and mortgages.”
Nadia Sawalha previously spoke out on the YouTube channel she shares with her husband Mark Adderley, saying: “Do you know what, at the moment, all of us on screen are in work and are proud of what we do.”
“But behind the scenes there are people that are really suffering, and what you don’t realise is when you attack the show you attack them, because you never see all the army of people behind the scenes and how hard they work.
“So to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue, I’m so sorry. Mark knows how upset I’ve been at home about it. I just can’t bear it. So just be f****** kind to people. What people don’t realise at Loose Women is that we’re self-employed. Every contract is a new contract. I could be let go tomorrow.”
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
CIF SOCAL SOFTBALL REGIONALS TUESDAY’S RESULTS First Round
DIVISION I #1 Chula Vista Mater Dei, bye #5 Point Loma 10, #4 Whittier Christian 1 #6 St. Paul def. #3 Murrieta Mesa, forfeit #2 La Habra def. #7 Bonita, forfeit
DIVISION II #2 Riverside Prep 1, #8 Del Norte 0 #5 Redwood at #4 Birmingham, Wednesday at 3 p.m. #6 Garces Memorial 3, #3 Oxnard 0 #2 Great Oak 9, #7 El Capitan 4
DIVISION III #8 Mission College Prep 4, #1 Venice 2 #4 Hanford West 19, #5 Eagle Rock 1 #3 Grace 9, #6 Brawley 3 #2 Helix 14, #7 Covina 7
DIVISION IV #1 San Diego Madison 10, #9 Arleta 4 #5 Grossmont 7, #4 Arroyo 4 #3 Irvine 8, #6 Avenal 7 #2 Woodlake 8, #7 Edgewood 4
DIVISION V #1 Arroyo Valley, bye #5 La Jolla 16, #4 Franklin 3 #6 San Bernardino 9, #3 Monte Vista 6 #2 South East, bye
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE (Games at 4 p.m. unless noted) Semifinals
DIVISION I #5 Point Loma at #1 Chula Vista Mater Dei #6 St. Paul at #2 La Habra
DIVISION II #5 Redwood / #4 Birmingham at #1 Riverside Prep #6 Garces Memorial at #2 Great Oak
DIVISION III #8 Mission College Prep at #4 Hanford West #3 Grace at #2 Helix
DIVISION IV #5 Grossmont at #1 San Diego Madison #3 Irvine at #2 Woodlake
DIVISION V #5 La Jolla vs. #1 Arroyo Valley, Wednesday at San Gorgonio #6 San Bernardino at #2 South East
Note: Finals in all divisions Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at higher seeds.
CIF SOCAL BASEBALL REGIONALS TUESDAY’S RESULTS First Round
DIVISION I #8 San Diego Cathedral 4, #1 St. John Bosco 2 #5 La Mirada 7, #4 Bakersfield Liberty 6 #6 Chula Vista Eastlake at #3 Corona, Wednesday #7 Huntington Beach 10, #2 Patrick Henry 3
DIVISION II #8 Arroyo Grande 4, #1 Loyola 3 #4 Bakersfield Christian 3, #5 St. Francis 1 #3 Point Loma 5, #6 Millikan 2 #2 Newport Harbor 2, #7 San Diego Madison 0
DIVISION III #8 Kaiser 2, #1 Mt. Carmel 0 #4 Helix 13, #5 Laguna Beach 4 #6 Westview 7, #3 Carson 1 #7 Culver City 11, #2 Glendora 10 (suspended in bottom of 13th inning due to darkness)
DIVISION IV #8 South El Monte 3, #1 Brentwood 2 #5 Francis Parker 6, #4 Covina 1 #3 Central Valley Christian 6, #6 Garfield 5 #7 North Torrance 2, #2 Bell 0
DIVISION V #1 Verdugo Hills 11, #8 Rolling Hills Prep 2 #5 LA Roosevelt 7, #4 Rancho Alamitos 4 #3 Schurr 11, #6 Webb 1 #2 Coastal Academy 5, #7 Fremont 4
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE (Games at 4 p.m. unless noted) Semifinals
DIVISION I #8 San Diego Cathedral at #5 La Mirada, Friday #7 Huntington Beach at #6 Eastlake / #3 Corona
DIVISION II #8 Arroyo Grande at #4 Bakersfield Christian, Wednesday at 3 p.m. #3 Point Loma at #2 Newport Harbor, Wednesday
DIVISION III #8 Kaiser at #4 Helix #6 Westview vs. #2 Glendora / #7 Culver City
DIVISION IV #8 South El Monte at #5 Francis Parker, Friday #7 North Torrance at #3 Central Valley Christian
DIVISION V #5 LA Roosevelt at #1 Verdugo Hills #3 Schurr vs. #2 Coastal Academy at Palomar College, Wednesday
Note: Finals in all divisions Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at higher seeds.
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS THURSDAY’S RESULTS Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION #4 San Pedro 13, #5 El Camino Real 2 #3 Birmingham 6, #6 Wilmington Banning 5 #2 Carson at #7 Legacy
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE (Games at 3 p.m. unless noted) Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION #8 Granada Hills Kennedy at #1 Granada Hills
DIVISION I #9 San Fernando at #1 Venice #5 Chavez at #4 Chatsworth #6 Eagle Rock at #3 Port of LA #10 Verdugo Hills at #2 Marquez
DIVISION II #9 Northridge Academy at #1 LA Marshall #20 Cleveland at #5 Sylmar #19 North Hollywood at #6 Arleta #18 Taft at #10 Sun Valley Poly
DIVISION III #16 Van Nuys at #9 Palisades #5 South East at #4 Maywood Academy #14 VAAS at #11 Westchester #15 Reseda at #7 LACES
DIVISION IV #16 Vaughn at #9 Smidt Tech #12 Downtown Magnets at #4 Huntington Park #14 Franklin at #11 Bernstein #18 Diego Rivera at #7 CALS Early College
Note: Semifinals all divisions May 27 at higher seeds; Finals all divisions May 29-30 at TBD.
