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I am going to handover to the great Rob Smyth for the next few hours. You are in for a treat.

The first game of the day is Qatar v Switzerland at 8pm BST/3pm ET.

Why not get in the mood by reading Sid Lowe’s interview with Julen Lopetegui?

Mauricio Pochettino was quick to praise the entire squad, rather than putting the focus on individuals after sweeping past Paraguay. A united squad will be important for the US, if they want to go the long way.

Folarin Balogun netted a double but there was plenty more to enjoy as the co-hosts entered the tournament with a bang. “It’s not only to talk about some names, it’s about the collective,” said Pochettino. “It’s not only Balo or different players that performed. I think the team was amazing. Not only the starting 11 but all the players around and on the bench.”

If Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke is to keep up family tradition, he will need to go all the way to next month’s World Cup final.

His uncle Jan Poortvliet played in defence for the Dutch in the 1978 final, where they lost the deciding game against hosts Argentina in extra time. Van Hecke is expected to be in the line-up on Sunday in Dallas when they get their Group F campaign underway against Japan, partnering captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence. “An enormous feeling of pride,” he told reporters. “It’s fantastic to be here.”

Van Hecke gets his chance after Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament by injury. “It’s my dream, but it was also his dream,” Van Hecke said. “It’s a real shame that his dream has fallen apart.“

Ironically, Van Hecke’s uncle also broke into the Dutch team in 1978 in similar circumstances, having debuted for the Netherlands a fortnight before the World Cup kicked off and being picked for the squad as something of an outsider.

But when first-choice left-back Hugo Hovenkamp got injured, Poortvliet got to play. “Hugo was in the form of his life, but that’s how things sometimes go,” Poortvliet told Dutch NOS television. He went on to play six matches in Argentina, showing his versatility at left-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie is staying with Premier League club Bournemouth. The 31-year-old Christie signed a three-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season, Bournemouth announced Saturday ahead of Scotland’s opening game in the World Cup .

“Ryan has made a hugely important contribution to the football club since arriving here and we’re delighted he has signed a new contract,” said Tiago Pinto, the club’s head of soccer operations. “He is a key part of the leadership group in the dressing room and has consistently shown his value to the team through his performances, experience and commitment.”

Christie has made 177 appearances across all competitions for Bournemouth, scoring 10 goals and setting up 17 more since joining from Celtic in August 2021.

Last season, Christie made 26 Premier League appearances, scoring against both Crystal Palace and Manchester United, to help Bournemouth finish sixth — its best-ever finish and enough for its first qualification for European competition.

“With the World Cup coming up, it felt like the perfect time to sign before heading away for that, and now I can fully focus on the future,” Christie said in the team’s announcement. PA Media

Tyler Fletcher was a very late callup for Scotland, replacing the injured Billy Gilmour. The Manchester United midfielder has the No 8 shirt and it will be interesting to see how many, if any, minutes he gets at the World Cup.

The smallest nation ever to compete in the tournament celebrates the long adventure that got them there, and remember those who cannot be there to enjoy it with them, writes Arthur Renard.

double quotation mark“The hotel wasn’t properly arranged, the sessions weren’t structured and we didn’t have training kits,” Cijntje says. “I’d be training in red socks, the player next to me in blue, one in red shorts, another in something else – one wearing Beltona, another maybe Nike. It was a bit of everything. Those were the first steps.”

Alexander Abnos

double quotation markNo longer were the USA the same workmanlike outfit that had featured at previous World Cups, white-knuckling through on the strength of their grit and grind (though they showed some of that too, not letting a second-half Paraguay goal knock them off course).

Ben Fisher

Cyle Larin was the man of the moment for Canada on Friday, stepping off the bench to level against Bosnia and Herzegovina with his first touch and earn the country’s maiden World Cup point.

Larin enjoyed an impressive end to the season at Southampton, whom he joined permanently from Mallorca this month, but was among the players left disappointed at the Spygate episode that saw Saints kicked out of the Championship playoffs.

“It’s difficult to get over because you go on such a great run, with the fans behind us and the players making sacrifices to get to that point,” Larin said.

The striker said he believes that Southampton can challenge again for promotion next season. The club’s owner, Dragan Solak, has vowed to stand by head coach Tonda Eckert, who is the subject of a Football Association investigation. Eckert admitted to authorising spying missions on three opponents last season.

“It hurts for the players to [not have the chance to] go to the Premier League. It hurts. If we have the same players and the same culture, I think we can do it again.”

At Toronto Stadium, Larin replaced Tani Oluwaseyi on 76 minutes and, two minutes later, he lashed in after a superb swivel in the box to register a timely first international goal in 18 months.

“I was scoring at Southampton, in good form and I just knew any time I got the ball closer than that I was going to shoot,” the 31-year-old said. “It was a tricky one to get out of my body but I was shooting either way.”

Kretinsky to become West Ham's biggest shareholder

Jacob Steinberg

Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire, is set to become the largest shareholder at West Ham after agreeing a deal to buy a portion of Vanessa Gold’s stake.

The deal comes in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against David Sullivan. The 77-year-old, who denies the allegations, owns 38.8% of the club. Kretinsky is set to increase his stake from 27% to 43%, signalling his desire to seize power following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.

Kretinsky and Gold said in a statement: “We were deeply concerned by the revelations made by The Times and Panorama this week and our thoughts go out to those women who have fought so hard to make their voices heard. Any abuse of power is abhorrent, and it takes great courage and determination to speak up against it..

“The full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations against David Sullivan until approximately a month ago, when he informed us that certain allegations against him may be published. However, the full details of the allegations, which Mr Sullivan denies, only became apparent when they were made public on Monday (8 June). In addition, as communicated by West Ham United, the Board representatives of Shareholders other than Mr Sulilvan were only made aware this week of the safeguarding measures that have been in place since 2023.

“As Shareholders and Directors of West Ham, our focus is now firmly on protecting the future of this Football Club. Our goal is to stabilise West Ham United, retain as many of our key players as possible and, under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, secure an immediate return to the Premier League. We are also committed to engaging with our fans and all business partners to build a stronger future for our Club. We have already taken concrete steps toward this goal.

“As such, we have reached agreement on the key terms of a share purchase transaction between the Gold family and 1890 Holdings, which, subject to other Shareholders’ pre-emption rights and necessary approvals, would make 1890 Holdings (part of the broader group EP) the largest Shareholder in West Ham with an approximately 43% stake. As the largest Shareholder, group EP will be able to provide the additional financing the Club needs.

“We expect to finalise this transaction in the next couple of weeks. Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.

“Alongside Daniel Křetínský and Vanessa Gold, the other Shareholders, namely Tripp Smith, Daniel Harris and Terry Brown, are fully aligned on this strategy and stabilising the Club.

“We are taking these steps because West Ham United needs to be truly united at this moment in its history. We believe that a strong coalition – of fans, players, management and the Board – is essential to securing the bright future this Club deserves. We are absolutely committed to playing our part.”

What has happened thus far today?

The USA gave Paraguay a right shooing

Tim Ream benefits from VAR mistaken identity check

England have had their boots nicked

A big read on Declan Rice’s journey from released by Chelsea to World Cup protagonist

Rodrygo becomes a Guardian writer. Can you do a few hours on the live blog, mate?

Tenkaykev emails: “Reading about the theft of the boots brought back memories of the brouhaha leading up to Mexico 70 ( I was there)and the “ “theft” of a necklace by Bobby Moore. This sounds more opportunistic than mind games, but may well have quite an effect.”

I am pleased there was not a live blog back then.

It is early days but we do have a leader in the race for the Golden Boot.

I do enjoy the adverts during the World Cup that indicate football fans have not evolved over time. Supposedly, all people want at this time of year is a new TV, beer, crisps and pizzas.

I was chatting someone who works in advertising at at supermarket recently and they suggested diversifying the products they promote but they were quickly shot down. Can one not watch the match with a glass of wine and steak tartare?

“The South Africans do really well on poetic names that roll nicely off the tongue,” Iain Pearson suggests. “Mbekezeli Mbokazi does great alliteration; as does Kamogelo Sebelebele, who surely possesses one of the world’s great surnames.”

Some japes at the Boston fan park.

How, when and where to watch all the action later …

Severin Carrell

World Cup fever has arrived in Scotland, as Severin Carroll reports.

double quotation markThere are brash new tartans, an Edinburgh bar offering free Irn-Bru-infused “fiery ginger” beers for patrons with red hair, a collaboration between Scottish whisky firms and a Brazilian distiller, and all-night parties in nightclubs repurposed as fanzones.

Hyndsight2 writes in the comments: “It’s lovely to read and hear about how kids in Scotland are having sleepover parties in order to stay up for the 2am kick off. Takes me back to the excitement of my first WC in 1974. In terms of team selection, I hope Clarke is bold. 3-4-3 with Tierney at the left side of a 3 and Robertson pushed up. Gannon Doak on the right with Hickey backing him up. Gannon Doak could really make a mark in this world cup. But, my 62 yo self, broken by decades of disappointment, thinks it might be a draw.”

What’s the latest you’ve stayed up to watch a match? I was working for ITV in 2014 and there was a 2am KO. I think it was Ivory Coast v Japan, as documented here. I left the office in daylight.

Arguably the best name and CV at the World Cup. Duckens Nazon can boast spells at Kerala Blasters, Oldham and CSKA Sofia.

I am happy to accept challenges for a better name at the tournament.

Kansas City calls itself the “Soccer Capital of America” and there is a good chance the World Cup champions will have called the Midwest metropolis home this summer.

England, Argentina and the Netherlands are all based in and around the city, with minnows Algeria also in the area for the 48-team tournament which kicked off on Thursday.

Kansas City was only awarded host-city status when it stepped in following Chicago’s withdrawal but it is big on the football scene, having invested almost $700million (£522m) in infrastructure, with MLS side Sporting Kansas City and NWSL outfit KC Current having purpose-built stadiums.

The Hendon Hall hotel in north London hosted England when they won the World Cup in 1966 but the Inn at Meadowbrook will be their home if Thomas Tuchel’s side add a second star to the shirt, with training based at Swope Soccer Village – the home of Sporting Kansas City’s second team.

“We are delighted to welcome England,” the chief executive of KC2026, Pam Kramer, told the Press Association. “The arrival of one of the world’s most followed national teams is a significant moment for our city.

“England’s decision to base themselves in Kansas City reflects our passionate sports culture, our spirit of hospitality and the world-class facilities that define our region. We are also proud to be hosting the Netherlands, Argentina and Algeria during the tournament, meaning four nations have chosen Kansas City as their home away from home.

“It is a powerful endorsement of the investments in our region and proof that the global game has become part of the fabric of life here. Kansas City has proudly earned its reputation as the Soccer Capital of America. Soccer has deep roots here.” PA Media

double quotation markMbappé is the latest in a distinguished line of France players to have taken on the far right. Zinedine Zidane famously called on voters to reject Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round of the 2002 presidential election, describing his party as one “which does not correspond to France’s values”. Lilian Thuram was even more vocal in his opposition to Le Pen, who repeatedly attacked the national team over the diverse origins of its players.

Think you can predict the future? Have some fun plotting how the tournament will go with our interactive Bracketology thingamajig.

“I absolutely agree with Wryape (earlier comment),” emails Bill. “The group stages have been reduced to almost meaningless exhibition games.

“There’s going to be, I boldly predict, little to no thrilling heroics as a team gets a stomp on with twenty minutes to go to to nick a win to qualify for the knockout rounds.

“Couple that with the game now being played in four quarters (with the drinks breaks for adverts), and a ridiculous forty five minutes half time in the final it’s like someone stole our ball and now we won’t ever get it back.

“Anyway, I’ll probably still watch some.”

David Beckham now has his own star in Hollywood. I really need to watch more of his movies.

“I’ve always been a dreamer, but I could never have imagined that an honor like this would come to a working-class English soccer player like me,” Sir David said.

“How fitting then that I am here today as we prepare to celebrate the opening here in the US of the 2026 World Cup. It’s a powerful moment to recognize how the sport I love so much has grown in this country over the past three decades.”

A good start for English strikers last night as Folarin Balogun scored two for USA. The forward was born in New York but brought up in London can came through the ranks at Arsenal and is now impressing in Ligue 1 for Monaco.

Always found the immediate dismissal for a hair pull odd. It is difficult to prove intent on some of them, often looking like an accident when challenging for a ball. I appreciate some are deliberate but it never felt like a dark art being mastered by angry defenders.

Hair pulling no longer an automatic red card

The English Premier League said on Friday that pulling an opponent’s hair will not necessarily warrant an automatic red card under changes to refereeing guidelines for next season.

The league said in a statement that a red card will apply where hair pulling is carried out with “excessive force and/or brutality“, while incidents deemed to be deliberate but without excessive force will be punished with a yellow.

The change comes after Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Everton’s Michael Keane and Sunderland’s Dan Ballard were sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair last season.

The clarification was part of a wider set of principles outlining how referees will apply the laws of the game in the upcoming season. The Premier League said that holding will be more closely scrutinised, with referees encouraged to penalise non-footballing actions that have a material impact on opponents.

Referees will also place more emphasis on protecting goalkeepers, penalising players who initiate contact without a genuine attempt to play the ball if it impacts the keeper’s ability to challenge for it. Reuters

If you were worried this blog was too World Cup heavy, then I am here to change all that. I will start with the important matters that everyone is too afraid to discuss and we shall go from there …

Thanks Will. Luck is something I desperately need. In the meantime, I will pontificate on what Mr Magee has for breakfast. Is a muesli or a fry up man?

Right, it’s time for me to go and get some belated breakfast after my early start. Will Unwin is taking the reins, and good luck to him.

A conversation-starter here. Which player ruled out through injury will be the biggest loss to their side? Tangentially, Michael Butler has put together a World Cup Omitted XI.

Updated at 10.59 CEST

A dubious honour, but historic nonetheless: Tim Ream made history yesterday when he became the first player at a World Cup to benefit from the International Football Association Board’s “mistaken identity” rule change. It was an interesting interpretation of the new rule, too. Here’s the lowdown.

An email has landed from Lars Bøgegaard, who, in reaction to the news of England’s stolen footwear, has invoked the memory of an iconic bootless strike from times gone by. “They have to give the golden boot(s) to Kane immediately,” he writes. “Or else he has to do it like Preben Elkjær!” For those who aren’t familiar with the Denmark great’s famous goal for Verona against Juventus in 1984, here it is in all its grainy glory.

Updated at 10.40 CEST

No doubt this is going to be a common complaint as the group stage wears on. And it really could wear on. How much World Cup is too much World Cup, ugly politics aside? We may well be about to find out.

When Brazil take on Morocco later on, they will do so without Rodrygo. The Real Madrid winger sustained a knee injury in March which ruled him out of the World Cup, but will still be in the US to support the Seleção. Amid his recovery, he’s written about the “immense sadness” of missing the tournament and not hearing his name called by Carlo Ancelotti when the squad was announced, but also the support he has received, his pride in Brazil and his belief that the team can do something special.

Anecdotally, I think a lot of people are feeling this way. From the Iran conflict to the treatment of Omar Artan and everything in between, it’s a tournament of almost unbelievable political extremes. Then again, after Russia and Qatar, and with Saudi Arabia 2034 to come, it may be the case that this is now the rule, not the exception.

Looking for some extra reading? Jacob Steinberg and David Hytner have delved into the making of Declan Rice, England’s midfield powerhouse, whose performances could feasibly be the difference between success and failure at this tournament.

An optimistic prediction for Scotland here. While Haiti thrashing New Zealand 4-0 raised a few worried eyebrows, it should be noted that they lost 2-1 to Peru three days later. It’s always hard to judge a team by their warm-up matches given the wholesale changes, and Haiti do have some danger men like Duckens Nazon and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor, but Steve Clarke’s side are still favourites.

Updated at 10.03 CEST

The chat between Max, Barry and Seb and Pablo is also available in video form, by the way. Just in case you like to see all the fancy equipment, novelty mugs and so on.

It looks like it’s been good, silly fun at Scotland House in Boston. It’s the small hours over there at the moment, but no doubt there are a few parties still going.

If you prefer your football coverage in podcast form – don’t worry, I won’t be offended – you’re in luck, as the latest episode of Football Weekly has just dropped. Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson and Pablo Iglesias Maurer to discuss the USA’s strong start, Canada’s clawed-back point against Bosnia and Scotland’s chances against Haiti later.

Any Scotland fans out there in the ether? How do you reckon things will go against Haiti? Feeling cheerful? Optimistic? Anxious? Get in touch via the email above.

Scotland’s first World Cup match since 1998 is fast approaching and, judging by the photos coming out of Boston, the fans are determined to enjoy themselves one way or another. Paul MacInnes has been taking the temperature in the city’s bars, pubs and tap rooms – nice work if you can get it – while Ewan Murray brings the sober, serious analysis. Meanwhile Bryan Armen Graham has the inside track on Haiti, who have been waiting even longer than Scotland – 52 years, to be precise – to make their comeback at the tournament.

In what feels like an enjoyably bizarre subplot from a World Cup film directed by the Coen Brothers, some enterprising individuals have stolen England’s boots. As reported by Jacob Steinberg, the Football Association will have to liaise with local police in Kansas City as it attempts to retrieve the misappropriated items. If that fails, presumably Harry Kane and co will have to take on Croatia barefoot.

Updated at 09.12 CEST

double quotation markA man in a tracksuit appeared holding aloft a golden ball, like some ancient deity hoisting god’s gonad on his shoulders. At which point an enormous golden Fifa sign appeared, all four letters at least 50ft high, winched down out of the ether like a vision of divine grace – if not the most ludicrous sporting spectacle of all time, then surely the most ludicrous yet.

Barney Ronay was at Los Angeles Stadium last night and, well, it might not be quite right to say he enjoyed the surreal pomp, pageantry and flag waving, but he certainly witnessed it. Here’s his take on events.

Preamble

We’re four games in and this tournament has already had it all: bombastic visuals, belting goals, dramatic comebacks, wide-eyed referees handing out red cards like sweeties, and the sort of political grotesquerie that makes tuning out seem like the last sane option. It’s the Doomscroll World Cup: you know it’s bad for you, but it feels almost impossible to look away.

After the USA’s opening stroll against Paraguay last night, Qatar take on Switzerland next up at 8pm (all times BST) before Brazil go up against Morocco at 11pm. Then it’s time for Scotland’s high-stakes match against Haiti at 2am, while Australia and Turkey face off at 5am.

In the meantime, you can follow all the buildup, latest news, scandals, controversy and geopolitical maneuvering here. As Gianni Infantino might say to the backdrop of a world in flames, chill, relax, and enjoy the show.

World Cup 2026: USA light up LA; England’s boots stolen; Scotland’s big return – live

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