Also known as: Rugby World Cup · World Cup in South Africa
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… Out of the total amount, GH¢58.9 million, equivalent to US$5 million, has been allocated to support the team’s preparations and cover expenses associated with its participation in the group stage of the World Cup. …
Gov’t releases over GH¢76M to support Black Stars’ World Cup campaignJoy Online
The normal display of African unity in the early stages of a football World Cup was notably absent from social media as many fans from across the continent backed Mexico in the tournament’s opening match against South Africa. …
South Africa trolled by African fans in wake of World Cup lossThe Ghanaian Times
Germany’s players will pay for 600 of the country’s fans to travel by bus to their final World Cup group game amid criticism of high transport costs at the tournament. …
Germany players will pay for 600 fans to travel to gameThe Ghanaian Times
… The run-up to the World Cup, which kicked off yesterday, has been dogged by the visa policies of the main host nation, the United States. …
Cote d’Ivoire supporters banned from World CupThe Ghanaian Times
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the way soccer’s governing body had handled visa issues ahead of the World Cup, saying on Wednesday that it was working to find solutions but could not override government decisions. …
Infantino defends visa handling, ticket prices on eve of World CupThe Ghanaian Times
Somali referee, Omar Artan, who was barred by the United States from the World Cup was picked on Thursday for the showcase UEFA Super Cup game in August. …
Sacked ref Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup gameJoy Online
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has stressed the importance of needing to “feel loved” as he looks to help them enjoy World Cup success this summer. …
Everyone needs to feel loved playing for England – BellinghamThe Chronicle
Haiti’s achievement in qualifying for the World Cup amid ongoing turmoil in the Caribbean nation is one of the most inspiring stories of this year’s tournament, and the team are now hoping to make a real impact in the United States as they prepare for their opening game. …
Haiti hoping to do their country proud and upset odds at World CupThe Chronicle
… The 34-year-old – Africa’s referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa. …
US official claims banned Somali referee had links with ‘terror organisations’The Ghanaian Times
Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament. …
Iran threaten to stop World Cup games if…Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador in their World Cup opener in Philadelphia. The victory marks Ivory Coast's return to the World Cup after 12 years and gives them a chance to qualify from Group E.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador in their World Cup opener in Philadelphia. The victory marks Ivory Coast's return to the World Cup after 12 years and gives them a chance to qualify from Group E.
10 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 →
Daichi Kamada's late header earned Japan a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their opening World Cup match in Dallas, after the teams traded goals in a second-half thriller.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
France forward Ousmane Dembele has defended national team captain Kylian Mbappe, saying criticism of the Real Madrid striker has gone "too far" and that he remains an incredible player and good person off the pitch.
15 hours ago · Joy Online →
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced criticism after skipping Canada's opening World Cup match in Toronto to attend a USA game in Los Angeles where his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, performed at the opening ceremony. Trudeau justified his choice on social media as "supportive boyfriend duties," though some Canadians online called his decision disrespectful.
15 hours ago · Joy Online →
Four-time World Cup winners Germany defeated Caribbean debutants Curacao 7-1 in their Group E opener in Houston. Curacao, the smallest nation by size and population ever to participate in a World Cup, temporarily levelled at 1-1 before Germany's superior depth of talent proved decisive.
15 hours ago · 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 →
Qatar scored a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1–1 against Switzerland, claiming their first point at a World Cup finals. Boualem Khoukhi headed home in the 94th minute, denying Switzerland what had appeared a likely victory after Breel Embolo's first-half penalty.
13 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup campaign opener in Los Angeles, with former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun scoring twice. The victory matches the US' joint-biggest World Cup win and is just the second time a US player has scored more than once in a World Cup match.
13 June 2026 · Joy Online →
An Iran-linked hacker group called Handala claims to have had access for months to FBI first-person view drones used for counterterrorism monitoring, and threatened to target the World Cup. The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity, said Handala published photos and footage claimed to be from the breach, though SITE disputed the authenticity of at least one video.
13 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The John Mahama government has authorised the release of GH₵76,466,919.20 to support the Black Stars' World Cup campaign. Of this, GH¢58.9 million covers preparations and tournament expenses, while GH¢17.5 million settles outstanding bonuses owed to players and the technical team following qualification.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
Germany's national team players are paying for free bus transport to take 600 fans from New York to their World Cup group match against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25, in response to inflated transport costs at the tournament after FIFA refused to subsidise transport expenditure.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Home-based Cote d'Ivoire supporters have been denied visas to travel to the United States for the World Cup, according to the president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters. The visa denials prevent the supporters group from organising trips for fans to follow their team, which faces Ecuador, Curacao, and Germany in its group matches.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
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 →
Haiti qualified for the World Cup amid turmoil in the Caribbean nation and now face Scotland in their opening match, ranked 83rd and grouped with Brazil and Morocco. Star midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde said the achievement is a celebration for the Haitian people and a source of pride for the country.
11 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
A US official said 34-year-old Somali referee Omar Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was denied entry at Miami International Airport because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations." Artan was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was turned away despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa; he told the New York Times that border officials questioned him over links to Al Shabab and that he knows nothing about the group.
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 →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected for his first World Cup, was denied entry to the US by the Trump administration over alleged links to suspected members of terror organisations. He returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday and called the decision "unfortunate," saying he will attempt to officiate at the next tournament.
11 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from Somalia to referee at a World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the 2026 World Cup officials list, despite holding what he described as the "right papers" and "right visa." The US immigration authorities provided no reason for the denial, though Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by the Trump administration.
10 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the 2026 World Cup officials list after an 11-hour immigration interview, despite holding valid papers and visa. No reason was issued by US immigration authorities, though Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Trump's administration.
10 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Electroland Ghana has partnered with Tribe Culture Fest as the festival's official electronics and appliances partner for World Cup-related activities and activations. The collaboration aims to enhance fan experiences and public engagement through entertainment, culture, and sports-focused initiatives.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Electroland Ghana has become the official electronics and appliances partner of Tribe Culture Fest for World Cup-related activities and activations. The partnership aims to enhance fan experiences and increase public engagement through entertainment, culture and sports-focused initiatives.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the group stage of the World Cup, which begins tomorrow. The federation states it had already begun selling tickets under FIFA regulations allowing each federation to distribute 8 per cent of tickets for their matches to supporters, and accuses FIFA of interference by non-sporting and political considerations.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the World Cup group stage, despite having already begun selling them to supporters. The FFIRI alleges the action violates FIFA regulations and principles of neutrality, and raises concerns about political interference in the tournament.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored three goals in France's 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to praise his form and confidence ahead of the tournament.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
France coach Didier Deschamps praised Bayern Munich's Michael Olise after he scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Northern Ireland, backing him to make an impact at the tournament. William Saliba returned from injury as France prepare for their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Neymar is "recovering well" from a calf injury sustained late last month and is making good progress in treatment ahead of Brazil's World Cup campaign, which begins against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →