Football Articles | Mail Online

• BBC director of sport defends controversial work-from-home World Cup plans and confirms Gabby Logan to anchor the final9 June 2026, 3:37 pm
  CHRIS WHEELER: BBC's presenters and pundits will work out of a state-of-the-art studio until the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
  
• From drug cartels, criminal gangs and revolutions to the bracelet 'stolen' by England's Bobby Moore and THAT Gordon Banks save: Inside Mexico's dangerous, colourful and crazy hosting of the 1970 World Cup9 June 2026, 3:34 pm
  Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup hosts but this is a land of ravishing beauty and also menacing peril. A nation alive with music but too often held hostage to a drumbeat of drug gangs.
  
• Iran's World Cup standoff escalates as it accuses FIFA of revoking fans' tickets for US-based matches amid visa feud9 June 2026, 3:05 pm
  Each federation for the 48 teams taking part in the tournament is entitled to receive and distribute eight percent of stadium capacity for every game, adding up to several thousands of tickets.
  
• The young stars you HAVEN'T heard of about to light up the World Cup - our expert talent-spotter has picked out 32 top talents, from an Everton target who could haunt England to Uzbekistan's answer to Lionel Messi9 June 2026, 2:17 pm
  In just a few days' time, the biggest World Cup in history will kick off in Mexico City. We'll see the biggest names from around the world... and also a raft of stars you'll be less familiar with.
  
• Robbie Fowler picks his all-time World Cup XI with THREE former England stars in - but how many past winners make his side?9 June 2026, 2:08 pm
  This year, 48 teams and 1,248 players are set to compete for the Jules Rimet trophy - but thousands and thousands of stars have come before them in the world's greatest competition.
  
• Explosive contributions are central to Anthony Gordon's game, but he faces a race against time to get himself back in the fast lane - why Thomas Tuchel needs his winger firing and the welcome problem he gives England9 June 2026, 2:04 pm
  CRAIG HOPE: Before the amiable surrounds of Barcelona, Tuchel has to find a way of getting his winger up to speed in the sunnier, yet far more unforgiving environs of North America.
  
• 'I have no regrets': Roy Keane lifts lid on infamous feud with Mick McCarthy that led to his 'heartbreaking' exit from Ireland's 2002 World Cup squad9 June 2026, 1:57 pm
  The infamous bust-up between the pair occurred while the team were preparing for the upcoming 2002 World Cup on the Japanese Island of Saipan.
  
• Scotland boss Steve Clarke branded UNPROFESSIONAL by seething Norway counterpart over cancellation of bounce match9 June 2026, 1:17 pm
  The SFA has hit back at Norway after Steve Clarke was branded 'unprofessional' by counterpart Stale Solbakken over the cancellation of a training ground friendly.
  
• 'He's a delusional dictator who's lost touch with reality': Insiders reveal how FIFA boss Gianni Infantino went from 'pleasant and unassuming' to a 'greedy narcissist' with 'zero empathy' so drunk on power he is destroying our game9 June 2026, 12:41 pm
  It was March 2025 and a gilded ensemble convened at a lovely spot in Greece. Against the backdrop of the Ionian Sea, one of the many mysteries of Gianni Infantino was about to play out.
  
• Karren Brady is told to explain what she knew about mentor David Sullivan's past after BBC's Panorama accused West Ham co-owner of preying on teenage girls for sex9 June 2026, 12:14 pm
  NICK CRAVEN: When Brady, 57, resigned as vice-chair of West Ham in April, her parting statement failed to mention then chairman Sullivan.
  
• Iran's World Cup team 'plots' against America as regime commander declares tournament a 'battlefield'9 June 2026, 11:52 am
  A prominent watchdog group is urging the US government to deny or revoke visas for the Iranian national soccer team ahead of the World Cup.
  
• Man United consider surprise move for Premier League goalkeeper amid plans to shift both £120,000-a-week exile Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir after Senne Lammens' superb debut season9 June 2026, 11:51 am
  The 35-year-old qualifies as a homegrown player, which is viewed positively for a potential second-choice goalkeeper role at Old Trafford. However, he is also attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
  
• Do it for Diogo! Jota's widow pens emotional message to his ex-Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson - as she wills Scotland captain to 'cherish' the World Cup and 'live it' for both of them9 June 2026, 11:40 am
  Diogo Jota's widow has urged Scotland captain Andy Robertson to live the World Cup dream of his former Liverpool team-mate.
  
• Loyal England fan delights Americans as he 'shows Three Lions supporters are human' on 'culture day' on World Cup tour at the Kennedy Space Center9 June 2026, 11:16 am
  It will be the superfan's 18th major tournament watching the Three Lions, and he is currently in Orlando, Florida.
  
• What football insiders are saying about David Sullivan: A nightmare to do business with, his 'rich chav' house - and leaving people unimpressed with hiring Karren Brady9 June 2026, 10:19 am
  MIKE KEEGAN: According to those who know David Sullivan from his time in football, rather than the porn industry, time is important. Money, however, is precious.