Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… The tournament in North America got underway on Thursday as Mexico, hosts alongside the USA and Canada, beat South Africa 2-0. …
Everyone needs to feel loved playing for England – BellinghamJoy Online
… In Mexico, blue agave is farmed in the state of Jalisco to supply the tequila industry. …
India’s ‘blue gold’ starts a new drinks industryJoy Online
Mexico got the 2026 World Cup underway by comfortably beating South Africa 2-0, in a match that saw three players sent off. …
Mexico beat South Africa in dramatic World Cup opener as three players sent offJoy Online
… The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at Mexico City Stadium at 7:00 pm GMT. …
John Dumelo provides free DStv, giant screens and kenkey meals for Ayawaso West World Cup fansJoy Online
… Sources have told ESPN that it would be “impractical” for Artan to be based in fellow World Cup host nations Mexico or Canada due to the need for match officials to be in Miami for training and briefings. …
Barred World Cup referee Omar Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup finalThe Chronicle
… For South Africa and their captain Ronwen Williams, the 2026 Fifa World Cup’s opening match against co-hosts Mexico will be one such occasion, mirroring the fixture which began the 2010 tournament hosted by the Africans. …
Brother’s memory inspires South Africa’s Williams for World Cup openerThe Ghanaian Times
… The team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will be able to enter the U.S. …
Iran threaten to stop World Cup games if…Joy Online
… The Buem MP’s comments come as preparations for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, gather momentum. …
Thousands will follow the Black Stars – Sports Minister sees diaspora power driving GhanaJoy Online
… id: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.” It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico …
US official claims banned referee had links with ‘terror organisations’Joy Online
… FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and you would think the controversy surrounding the 2026 World Cup in recent days had been insignificant. “Just, you know, chill, relax,” Infantino told a news conference at the Azteca Stadium on the eve of Thursday’s opening match between Mexico …
Infantino could have stood up for the World Cup – but he said ‘chill, relax’The Government has authorised the release of GH¢76 million to the Black Stars, split between GH¢58 million for World Cup preparations and group stages, and GH¢17 million to settle outstanding qualification bonuses owed to the team.
4 hours ago · The Ghanaian Times →
The Government has authorised the release of GH¢76 million to the Black Stars, split between GH¢58 million for World Cup preparations and group stages, and GH¢17 million to settle outstanding qualification bonuses owed to the team.
4 hours ago · The Ghanaian Times →
Uruguay's national team experienced a travel delay from Cancun to Miami on the eve of their World Cup 2026 match against Saudi Arabia due to an airline permitting error. FIFA blamed the airline for paperwork issues preventing the aircraft's clearance to fly, while the Uruguayan FA blamed FIFA for the disruption.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin faced criticism from 13 World Cup nations—including Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and South Africa—after reportedly stating that expanding the tournament from 32 to 48 teams has led to many "uninteresting" matches. The football associations rejected his comments, saying that for their countries, World Cup participation represents a historic achievement and there is no such thing as an unimportant match.
12 hours ago · Joy Online →
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, and Neymar are stepping onto that stage for what is understood to be the very last time in their careers.
19 hours ago · Joy Online →
Canadian authorities denied entry to Ghana's midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the national team's World Cup match against Panama, sparking legal and diplomatic controversy. Ghana's government and football association have protested, arguing the exclusion of an unconvicted athlete violates the Rule of Law, while Canada has cited privacy protocols and FIFA has deferred to Canada's border sovereignty.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Four members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Vinicius Jr scored in the 37th minute to earn Brazil a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening 2026 World Cup match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after Brazil fell behind to Ismael Saibari's goal in the 21st minute.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Sports Minister Kofi Adams has criticized FIFA's handling of Canada's decision to deny Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for Ghana's 2026 World Cup opening match, arguing that FIFA failed to adequately protect participating nations and their players and should have ensured clearance for World Cup participants.
13 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Sports Minister Kofi Adams has strongly criticised Canada's decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match against Panama on June 17, calling the move unfair and an overreaction that violates the principle of presumption of innocence. Ghana has formally protested the visa refusal.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey will be unable to travel to Canada for Ghana's opening World Cup match against Panama on June 17 after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application. FIFA stated it has no role in immigration decisions, which remain the sole jurisdiction of host governments.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Thomas Partey's refusal of entry to Canada highlights Section 36 of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which can bar people facing criminal charges—even without conviction—if the conduct allegedly occurred outside Canada. For domestic matters, a conviction is required; for foreign conduct, officers need only "reasonable grounds to believe" criminal activity occurred.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana's World Cup tournament opener against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, though he may be eligible to play in subsequent group matches in the United States. Partey, who faces multiple rape and sexual assault charges in the UK, was included in Ghana's squad but cannot travel to Canada after his visa application was refused by the Canadian government.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana's World Cup match against Panama on June 17 in Toronto; his visa application was refused by the Canadian government. Partey, facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges in the UK to which he has pleaded not guilty, remains eligible to play in Ghana's subsequent matches in the United States.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's government has authorised the release of GHS76,466,919.20 to support the Black Stars' 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, divided between an advance of GHS58,929,500 for preparations and group stages, and GHS17,537,419.20 to settle outstanding qualification bonuses.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's government has approved GH¢76,466,919.20 through the Ministry of Finance to support the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The funds cover preparation and group-stage expenses (GH¢58,929,500.00) and settle outstanding qualification bonuses owed to players (GH¢17,537,419.20).
12 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
African social media users supported Mexico over South Africa in the tournament's opening match, with light-hearted memes that reflected anger over reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa. South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico, and the match drew mocking posts from across the continent, though some South Africans defended their team's spirit.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
South African political figure Julius Malema's appeal for African countries to support South Africa against Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opening match faced backlash, with most comments and social media responses ridiculing the call and expressing revulsion, many expressing it through African maps draped in Mexican colours. South Africa lost the match 2–0 and had two players expelled.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will deliver economic benefits across tourism, travel agencies, airlines, sports bars, and merchandise sales, with increased demand expected as Ghanaian fans follow the Black Stars during group stage matches in North America.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Infantino said the organization cannot override government decisions on visa and immigration matters, addressing a case where a Somali referee was denied U.S. entry despite holding a valid visa. Infantino stressed that FIFA is working behind the scenes on outstanding issues but acknowledged that immigration decisions ultimately rest with national authorities.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US and barred from World Cup duty by American authorities, has been selected by UEFA to officiate the August 12 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has emphasised the need for players to "feel loved" as the team prepares for the World Cup in North America this summer. Bellingham, who was part of the Euro 2024 final squad, acknowledged that the group did not connect as well as it could have during the Euros and says there is a different feel around the camp now.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Indian farmers are harvesting wild-growing agave cactus, traditionally considered a worthless plant, as a new commercial crop for the emerging distillery industry. The agave family supplies the global market for tequila and mezcal, and farmers like Masapalli Venkatesh are earning income from coordinating supply to distilleries.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup opener, with Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scoring. The match saw three players sent off: South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, and Mexico's Cesar Montes.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon has paid for DStv subscriptions at viewing centres and deployed giant screens at six locations across the constituency for 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. He has also engaged 13 kenkey sellers to provide free meals of kenkey and Ghana fish for constituents watching the Ghana matches.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duty due to visa and vetting concerns, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
South Africa captain Ronwen Williams will lead his team in the 2026 World Cup's opening match against Mexico in Mexico City, a fixture that mirrors the 2010 tournament's opener also involving South Africa. The occasion carries deep personal meaning for Williams, whose older brother Marvin died in a car crash two months before the 2010 World Cup.
11 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
Iran's Sports Minister said the team will stop matches if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, following criticism of Iran's World Cup participation. The warning comes as Iran opens its Group G campaign against New Zealand on June 15, with subsequent matches against Belgium and Egypt.
11 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams believes the next FIFA World Cup advantage for the Black Stars extends beyond the pitch to the support of Ghanaian diaspora communities across North America and beyond. He noted strong enthusiasm already visible among Ghanaians in the United States, Canada, and Europe, with large numbers expected to follow the team during the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Omar Artan, a 34-year-old Somali referee and Africa's 2025 referee of the year, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport on Monday because of alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations," according to a Trump administration official. Artan, who held a diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa and was set to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was questioned about links to Al Shabab and told border officials he knew nothing about the group.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told journalists to "chill, relax" about controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including a Somali referee's refusal of entry to the United States, an Iraqi player's questioning at Chicago airport, and Iran's forced base relocation and visa denials. Infantino described the referee's rejection as merely "unfortunate" and defended US President Donald Trump as essential to hosting the tournament.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →