Wild storm hits New York
All eyes are on Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, the newest stadium at this World Cup, for tonight’s American extravaganza.
But let’s cross over to the east coast, where in New York, a typically wild, sudden storm has hit the city.
That highlights one of the big concerns with the city’s venue for this tournament, MetLife Stadium, which has been chosen to host the World Cup final. The issue? It doesn’t have a roof.
That means if lightning strikes within a eight-mile radius of the ground, players and fans will be forced inside with the game at risk of a lengthy delay, akin to that seen during Chelsea vs Benfica at the Club World Cup last year.
This happening in the biggest game of football’s four-year calendar will be disastrous. With it’s glass roof, maybe SoFi would’ve been the safer pick…
Will Castle13 June 2026 00:39
Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalls iconic scissor kick goal against England
“It was a magical moment to be honest, it was crazy, we were already winning 3-2, I didn’t need to do it,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalls when discussing his iconic scissor kick against England while playing for Sweden.
“If you don’t try it, you never know? Even if you fail, you still try, I did something crazy. If you don’t succeed, you might look back, think about the team, but you have to try and if you fail, it doesn’t matter.”
Ibrahimovic scores all of Sweden’s goals in brilliant individual display as England beaten 4-2 in friendly
Jack Rathborn13 June 2026 00:28
Fans and players arrive at SoFi Stadium
(Getty)(Getty)(Getty)
Will Castle13 June 2026 00:21
T-minus 15 minutes from opening ceremony
We are just 15 minutes away from the start of the USA’s World Cup opening ceremony!
International pop star Katy Perry headlines the spectacle in her home state, joined by rapper Future.
Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.
Mexico and Canada have both delivered – will we have saved the best for last?
(Getty)
Will Castle13 June 2026 00:15
Star players to watch at World Cup 2026
“Brazil is the team I looked at when I was young,” Clint Dempsey says. “My player is Vini Jr, especially under Ancelotti, it’s yet to translate from club to national team. But you have to put your stamp on a World Cup.”
Landon Donovan adds: “There are certain superstars that become superstars in front of your eyes. Alex Freeman, didn’t play much at Orlando, now in the national team.
“Is he just there because his Dad was Antonio Freeman of the Green Bay Packers, he’s just got to Villarreal, I think he’ll start and become a real star.”
United States’ Alex Freeman attends a training session (AP)
Jack Rathborn13 June 2026 00:03
Star players to watch at World Cup 2026
“I’m super excited to watch Yamal,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic says on Fox Sports. “This is a magic player, he changes the game.
“The best is… He’s only 18 years old. I’m only afraid of how good he can become. Let’s hope he can have a good tournament, let’s enjoy him, because there are not a lot of them.”
Thierry Henry adds: “Michael Olise, we can talk about what he’s won, the best player in the Bundesliga, he doesn’t play the game, he thinks the game.
“For a coach he is a drink, he sees the game differently, he will not hide, what he does defensively.”
(Reuters)
Jack Rathborn12 June 2026 23:56
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has doubts over England’s ‘big stars’ at World Cup 2026
“Normally they have big stars, but let’s see if they have big stars in the big tournament,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic says on Fox Sports.
“Then we have Croatia, I have roots from my mother’s side, I am rooting for Modric to star, then we have Ghana, I think they can disturb England. Panama? I think they will be the punching bag of this group.”
Jack Rathborn12 June 2026 23:47
The unlikely Southampton influence behind Canada’s World Cup lift-off
Southampton’s public relations department has had a torrid few weeks trying to clean up the internal idiocy of Spygate, but they’re about to get a rare windfall of goodwill from across the Atlantic. Over 3,000 miles west of St Mary’s, Saints have had an inadvertent hand in Canadian history.
Canada are on the board at the World Cup, for the first time ever. They went pointless in Qatar four years ago, just as they did during their World Cup bow at Mexico ‘86. Thanks to Cyle Larin’s late heroics in Toronto, this hoodoo on the biggest stage is over.
One third of a substitute masterclass from manager Jesse Marsch, Larin came off the bench to cancel out Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-half opener with a stunning half-volley, instinctively striking across the ball to send it swerving past Nikola Vasilj and into the side-netting. It was a goal fitting of its importance in this country’s footballing history.
Will Castle12 June 2026 23:39
SoFi Stadium ready for USA opener at World Cup 2026
(Reuters)(Getty)(Getty)
Jack Rathborn12 June 2026 23:31
Clint Dempsey highlights USA key to beat Paraguay in World Cup opener
“Don’t talk about it, be about it,” Clint Dempsey says on Fox Sports.
“This is where money is earned, your legacy, people will remember you for World Cups, it doesn’t get any better than that. It was a chippy, hard-fought win, don’t think they will forget.
“The key for the USA tonight is coming up with ideas, opportunities in tight space, play forward quickly.”
Jack Rathborn12 June 2026 23:22
