Football Articles | Mail Online

• Iran land in USA ahead of 'tense' World Cup opener: Players welcomed to LA by protests, drones, dogs and police escort15 June 2026, 3:19 am
  DANIEL MATTHEWS IN LOS ANGELES: Iran players flew across the border from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Sunday. The team bus arrived at their hotel under police escort.
  
• American football star eats his words after slamming the Socceroos' World Cup chances and mocking Nestory Irankunda15 June 2026, 3:06 am
  Mike Grella has egg on his face after telling American viewers the Socceroos would get nowhere in the tournament.
  
• The REAL heroes of the World Cup: Classy Japan fans clean up after themselves following draw against the Netherlands15 June 2026, 2:27 am
  The Samurai Blue got their World Cup underway at a packed and air-conditioned AT&T Stadium on Sunday evening against the Netherlands.
  
• Thousands of fans lost their minds - and let off flares - watching the Socceroos' World Cup win over Turkey in Sydney's biggest live site... and the Daily Mail was there15 June 2026, 2:09 am
  The Mail's Michael Ponticello was front and centre as Socceroos fanatics lapped up their team's underdog win.
  
• Turkey's sore loser captain says his team 'dominated' Socceroos in World Cup loss - after angering Aussies with pre-match taunt15 June 2026, 1:54 am
  Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu has doubled down on the pre-match comments that fired up the Socceroos.
  
• FIFA to investigate 'white supremacy' hand signal made by Australian VAR official ahead of Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao15 June 2026, 1:14 am
  Referee Shaun Evans was on VAR during Germany's victory over Curacao when he was shown staring into the camera before kick-off, as has become customary at World Cup matches.
  
• ERLING HAALAND EXCLUSIVE - 'People expect big things from me... but I like the pressure': Man City superstar on Norway's 'group of death', his first World Cup memory and his tribute to 'not normal' Pep Guardiola15 June 2026, 1:00 am
  He is the world's deadliest striker but until this summer, Norway hadn't reached a World Cup since 1998. Their most recent major tournament - Euro 2000 - ended two weeks before he was born.
  
• Jurgen Klopp gives on-air apology to Julian Nagelsmann after sparking speculation over Germany boss' future during World Cup punditry stint15 June 2026, 12:58 am
  Jurgen Klopp joked he could have 'punched himself in the face' as he made an on-air apology to Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann after appearing to cast doubt on his future in the role.
  
• Uruguay blame FIFA over World Cup travel chaos after grounded flight left Marcelo Bielsa's side STUCK in Mexico for several hours ahead of opening game against Saudi Arabia15 June 2026, 12:52 am
  Marcelo Bielsa's side were not permitted to enter the United States on the original aircraft that arrived in Cancun due to paperwork problems.
  
• Netherlands 2-2 Japan: Ronald Koeman's side are powerful, well-organised and have strong depth but lack key ingredient to win the World Cup, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE15 June 2026, 12:39 am
  TOM COLLOMOSSE: As the game's greatest prize eluded him as a player, Koeman is determined to make amends as a coach. But his team are far more dour than previous versions.
  
• Germany 7-1 Curacao: World Cup minnows are thrashed by Kai Havertz and Co as Julian Nagelsmann's ruthless side make huge statement in brutal lesson to tiny Caribbean island15 June 2026, 12:37 am
  IAN HERBERT IN HOUSTON: Kai Havertz scored a brace as Germany opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao
  
• Marc Cucurella set to join Real Madrid: Chelsea reach verbal agreement over £52m sale of full-back - as Blues team-mate Enzo Fernandez BACKS exit with social media 'like'15 June 2026, 12:16 am
  Cucurella is set to cost €55m (£47.4m) up front, with a further €5m (£4.3m) in achievable add-ons. It remains only an agreement at this stage, with the paperwork still to be finalised.
  
• Netherlands vs Japan - World Cup RECAP: Holland in front after stunner from former Premier League man as Group F clash bursts into life after cagey first half in Dallas14 June 2026, 10:48 pm
  RECAP Daily Mail Sport's live coverage as the Netherlands get their World Cup campaign underway with a clash against Japan.
  
• England handed former Champions League final referee who once clashed and sent off Thomas Tuchel for opening World Cup game against Croatia14 June 2026, 10:47 pm
  England players will see a familiar face when they take on Croatia in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.
  
• Eberechi Eze reveals he WILL take a World Cup penalty if called upon as 'grateful' Arsenal star vows to keep controversial run-up after Champions League nightmare14 June 2026, 9:35 pm
  Eze insisted that he will be ready to step up for England in a World Cup knockout shootout if called upon and believes the pain of Budapest will improve him as a player.