Football Articles | Mail Online

• Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa refuses to face camera in photoshoot protest - as divisive 70-year-old boss nicknamed 'El Loco' insists that he is 'not a model'16 June 2026, 8:39 am
  Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has refused to take part in a World Cup photoshoot, choosing to stare at the ground rather than face the cameras.
  
• Phil Foden's partner Rebecca Cooke steps in to stop OnlyFans influencer Lily Phillips approaching her Man City footballer boyfriend at a boxing fight16 June 2026, 8:35 am
  Foden, 26, had been sitting ringside at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday to watch Tommy Fury's bout with Eddie Hall when footage of the incident went viral.
  
• Pick your England starting XI and formation to face Croatia: Compare your line-up to our experts' selections and see which stars Mail readers think should be benched16 June 2026, 8:31 am
  INTERACTIVE GAME: Pick your XI from Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad and submit your final selection. You can then compare your selections to the Daily Mail's renowned football writers'.
  
• Iran launch extraordinary attack over 'oppressive' World Cup treatment in USA... and claim they have been FORCED to leave16 June 2026, 8:16 am
  DANIEL MATTHEWS IN LOS ANGELES: In an extraordinary attack after the game in LA, striker Mehdi Taremi pleaded with FIFA to 'help' resolve their 'unfair' World Cup ordeal.
  
• Portugal's World Cup stars defend themselves against claims they're spending too much time on the beach - because it's 'part of our preparation after playing in Manchester where there's very little sun'16 June 2026, 8:11 am
  Portugal's stars have hit back at claims they're spending too much time on the beach relaxing ahead of their World Cup opener. They have been sunning themselves in Florida.  
  
• World Cup Breakfast: Match highlights, Cape Verde's hero keeper gains a million followers, Iran hit out at treatment from US hosts, draws galore - and what to look out for today16 June 2026, 8:00 am
  Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day six at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.
  
• Inside Iran's fraught World Cup opener against New Zealand... after protests and threats and warnings of 'hell' in Los Angeles16 June 2026, 7:24 am
  DANIEL MATTHEWS IN LOS ANGELES: Never before had a World Cup host nation been at war with one of its visitors. Here, though, the biggest threat appeared to be some of their compatriots.
  
• Kylian Mbappe is the superstar of the World Cup 'hated' back at home: Tone-deaf holidays with his girlfriend and a big defensive limitation - but France's fast-footed wrecking ball stands on the cusp of history16 June 2026, 7:13 am
  RIATH AL-SAMARRAI IN NEW YORK: Kylian Mbappe didn't make it to France's presser, which was perhaps relevant for one single fact: he is still allowing others to do the leg work for him.
  
• Tottenham make audacious approach for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali after securing Premier League survival under Roberto De Zerbi16 June 2026, 7:11 am
  The Newcastle midfielder has been the subject of significant speculation regarding his future this summer.
  
• Mel McLaughlin reveals she had half a lung removed in cancer surgery as she makes emotional post about Socceroos' World Cup win16 June 2026, 4:47 am
  The popular presenter's cancer battle stunned her fans late last year.
  
• Iran anthem booed before World Cup opener against New Zealand following protests at Los Angeles stadium16 June 2026, 4:15 am
  The Iranian national anthem received a mixture of boos and whistles at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before the country's World Cup opener with New Zealand.
  
• Iran vs New Zealand - World Cup RECP: All the reaction as Team Melli snatch a point despite warnings of 'hell' in tournament opener16 June 2026, 4:01 am
  Relive Daily Mail Sport's live coverage as Iran opened World Cup campaign against New Zealand in politically-charged game in Los Angeles.
  
• Harry Kewell launches blistering attack on American football after Yank former star taunted the Socceroos16 June 2026, 2:19 am
  The Socceroos legend didn't mince his words as he responded to Mike Grella insulting the Aussie team at the World Cup.
  
• Troy Deeney lays into outgoing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella after star's £52m exit to Real Madrid is confirmed16 June 2026, 2:04 am
  Cucurella had spoken up last season on decisions made at Chelsea which he did not agree with, such as the New Year's Day departure of head coach, Enzo Maresca.
  
• How to fill the Saka void, the star whose pace can hurt Croatia and should Rogers beat Bellingham in the battle for No 10? Our experts reveal their England starting XIs to win World Cup opener - and only two of them agree... do you?16 June 2026, 1:00 am
  England start their bid to end 60 years of hurt in Dallas on Wednesday evening. We've asked our experts to pick their XIs to beat Croatia and get the World Cup off to a flier. Do you agree?