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The World Cup is starting. Here's what to know and how to watch

Iraq, Norway Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K: Portugal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama ### What's new? Even before the opening ceremony, this World Cup will

Wars, sanctions and punishments: Iraq's 40-year World Cup wait

2026 World Cup by beating Bolivia in Mexico, the location of their first ever appearance on the global stage back in 1986.** Karim Allawi was a player 40 years ago as the Lions of Mesopotamia

‘We are fighters’: Iraq aim to shock rivals at 2026 World Cup

2026 World Cup was not for the faint-hearted. The Lions of Mesopotamia were the final country to secure their spot at this summer’s tournament, after a gruelling qualification campaign that saw them play

World Cup 2026: Full match schedule, groups, teams and start times

preparations, and no shortage of controversy, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is about to kickoff. The event, cohosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, is the biggest in the competition’s history. The 23rd

What are World Cup 2026 national team base camps and their locations?

prepare for the World Cup. ## Panama: New Tecumseth, Ontario, Canada **Training:** Nottawasaga Training Center **Accommodation:** Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre **Fixtures:** Ghana (June 17, Toronto), Croatia (June 23, Toronto), England (June 27, New York-New Jersey

Ranking the World Cup 2026 groups: Which teams are favourites to progress?

2026 groups: Which teams are favourites to progress? A record 48 teams will contest this summer’s World Cup, with 12 groups making up the first stage of the tournament. Twelve seeded teams are spread

39 World Cup teams will be based in the U.S. Here's which squad will be closest to you

prepare for a training session.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3385x3385+846+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F3d%2F5845dbfa460aaa98b9629800805c%2F04-2026-npr-football-edits-14.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5796264/cape-verde-tiny-nation-massive-world-cup-dream) ### [2026 World Cup: North America](https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-98388/2026-world-cup-north-america) ### [Cape Verde: Tiny nation, massive World Cup dream](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5796264/cape-verde-tiny-nation-massive-world-cup-dream) ### **Georgia** **Uzbekistan** will train at the MLS club

World Cup 2026: Italy government officials slam idea of taking Iran’s place

2026, even if already-qualified Iran does not compete at the finals. Since the United States-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, Iran’s participation in this summer’s edition of FIFA

Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?

preparations." Concerns remain about the potential presence of [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)](/news/articles/cp80ljjd5rwo) at stadiums, and how fans could be affected. With 48 hours still to go until the World Cup kicks

Any early shocks? Sutton's World Cup 2026 score predictions - opening group games

2026.** He starts with the scores for the first matches in each group, including the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, holders Argentina against Algeria and England versus Croatia. AI, which finished