Football Articles | Mail Online

• Marc Cucurella set to join Real Madrid: Chelsea reach verbal agreement over £50m sale of full-back - as Blues team-mate Enzo Fernandez BACKS exit with social media 'like'14 June 2026, 11:56 pm
  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.
  
• The REAL heroes of the World Cup: Classy Japan fans clean up after themselves following draw against the Netherlands14 June 2026, 11:54 pm
  The Samurai Blue got their World Cup underway at a packed and air-conditioned AT&T Stadium on Sunday evening against the Netherlands.
  
• 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 island14 June 2026, 11:15 pm
  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
  
• 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 Arabia14 June 2026, 11:06 pm
  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 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.
  
• 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 COLLOMOSSE14 June 2026, 10:36 pm
  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.
  
• 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.
  
• Winning World Cup opener is a massive step towards making history, says Scotland skipper Andy Robertson14 June 2026, 9:30 pm
  Andy Robertson claimed that Scotland's win over Haiti felt like a big step towards the creation of history.
  
• 'I was quite emotional seeing my family,' admits Scotland defender Grant Hanley after fulfilling lifelong dream14 June 2026, 9:30 pm
  It was seeing familiar faces in a foreign land after one of the greatest nights of his life which did it for Grant Hanley.
  
• Why World Cup stars are 'BANNED' from speaking Spanish in the United States - as storm erupts over FIFA's press conference rules14 June 2026, 9:28 pm
  FIFA has been accused of banning Spanish at the World Cup - after a number of stars were told not to speak the language during press conferences.
  
• Germany vs Curacao RECAP: Ruthless four-time champions hand minnows brutal World Cup lesson in Dallas as Julian Nagelsmann's men look to send message to rivals14 June 2026, 8:36 pm
  RECAP Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Germany get their World Cup campaign underway against tournament debutants Curacao.
  
• FIFA's World Cup 'hydration breaks' are more than a money-grabbing disgrace - they're a momentum killer with Haiti and Curacao stunted, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI14 June 2026, 8:21 pm
  RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: You cannot miss the big screen at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough - it's 360 feet wide and 60 high.
  
• Gareth Southgate reveals he rejected World Cup punditry roles to avoid England stars being quizzed on his views: 'It's best to stay out of the way'14 June 2026, 7:14 pm
  The former Three Lions boss was in charge at Euro 2024 when the likes of Harry Kane were asked about the remarks of ex players, such as Gary Lineker , who called one of their performances 's***'.
  
• Can Germany break free of their ongoing identity crisis? Four-time World Cup winners must rediscover aura of old under Julian Nagelsmann, ahead of big kick-off against Curacao14 June 2026, 6:29 pm
  MATT BARLOW: The only European nation to ever capture the World Cup in the Americas has travelled west with little fanfare. Germany is chastened and few are betting on them.