Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup gets under way on Monday, with anticipation crashing into anxiety as soaring ticket prices, political tensions in Donald Trump’s America, and the war in Iran cast an early shadow over the football showpiece. …
Anxiety, anticipation as Fifa World Cup one-month countdown beginsNew Era
In little over 100 days, the United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament for which Iran has already qualified. …
World Cup in US-Iran crossfire … Iran’s participation hangs in the balanceThe Namibian
Following the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 Fifa World Cup, the Brave Warriors have now entered a restructuring phase as they prepare to take on Kuwait at next month’s Fifa Friendly series in Kazakhstan. …
A new dawn for the Brave WarriorsFormer England captain Wayne Rooney said the half-time show at the 2026 Fifa World Cup final was "crap," joining fans and commentators who debated whether a half-time performance belongs at football's biggest event.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Former England captain Wayne Rooney said the half-time show at the 2026 Fifa World Cup final was "crap," joining fans and commentators who debated whether a half-time performance belongs at football's biggest event.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France and England will play for the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal in Miami on Saturday, after both lost semi-final matches. France fell 2-0 to Spain, while England reached the third-place play-off after losing their semi-final.
18 July 2026 · Informanté →
Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey Stadium, with Spain having defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina seeking to defend their 2022 title. The match will be the first time the two nations have met at a FIFA World Cup since 1966.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final this weekend at New Jersey Stadium. The final will be the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup since 1966, with Spain aiming to add to their World Cup titles and Argentina defending their 2022 triumph.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals are set: France will face Spain in Dallas on 14 July, while England play defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July, after dramatic quarter-final victories decided by 2-1 and 2-0 scores respectively.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals feature Argentina versus Switzerland, France versus Morocco, Spain versus Belgium, and Norway versus England, with matches beginning 9 July at various venues and times.
9 July 2026 · Informanté →
Japanese football supporters drew international praise after cleaning their seating area following Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas at the FIFA World Cup 2026, continuing a tradition that has become closely linked to Japanese football culture and dates back to Japan's World Cup debut in 1998.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
An analysis piece argues that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico with forty-eight participating nations, faces a fundamental contradiction: its universalist ideals of global celebration are undermined by immigration and border restrictions in the host countries, raising questions about sovereignty, soft power, and international order.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
South Africa played Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on co-host Mexico's home soil in Mexico City, with the fixture serving as a symbolic rematch of the 2010 World Cup's opening game. South Africa qualified as Group A winners in CAF qualifying for their fourth World Cup appearance.
11 June 2026 · Informanté →
Scientists caution that one in four World Cup games could be played in very hot conditions, affecting fans and players. Approximately 26 of the 104 matches could reach at least 26°C in Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, with venues in Dallas, Houston, Miami and Mexican cities expected to experience extreme heat.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins with Mexico City hosting the first of three opening ceremonies featuring global music acts and cultural performances ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The tournament is the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted across three countries.
11 June 2026 · Informanté →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed deep regret after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. Artan, named CAF men's referee of the year in 2025 and selected among 52 referees by FIFA, was barred following a routine inspection at Miami International Airport.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Omar Artan, set to be the first match official from Somalia to referee at a World Cup finals, was turned back at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to "vetting concerns" from US Customs and Border Protection. FIFA confirmed he would play no part in the tournament, citing the decision as the sole preserve of the United States as tournament co-host.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa will face hosts Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on 11 June at Mexico City Stadium, marking Bafana Bafana's return to the tournament after a 16-year absence. The fixture will launch the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
9 June 2026 · Informanté →
New Zealand has secured Oceania's direct qualification place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the region's sole representative after dominating the qualifying campaign. The All Whites will compete in their third World Cup appearance after the OFC was granted a direct World Cup slot for the first time.
7 June 2026 · Informanté →
Six teams from CONCACAF have secured places at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup: co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, plus Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama. The tournament will be held from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and be hosted by three countries.
6 June 2026 · Informanté →
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay have secured direct places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held jointly in Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will feature an expanded 48-team format for the first time.
5 June 2026 · Informanté →
Africa will be represented by ten nations at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine countries securing direct qualification and one earning a place through intercontinental play-offs. The direct qualifiers include continental heavyweights Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and South Africa, alongside debutants Cape Verde and returning Congo DR.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →
Nine Asian Football Confederation teams have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition to feature 48 teams and be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The qualifiers include established contenders Australia, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq, as well as debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan.
1 June 2026 · Informanté →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams competing in 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July 2026. It marks the first World Cup hosted by three countries and the first with 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team format.
1 June 2026 · Informanté →
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup begins Monday with a record 48 teams descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico, though soaring ticket prices, political tensions, and conflict in Iran have cast an early shadow over the tournament.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran's already-qualified participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is in jeopardy following escalating US-Iran military conflict, with the team's president saying it is unclear whether Iran will travel to the tournament. Iran has suspended local football activities and entered 40 days of mourning, while officials debate whether to participate or withdraw, citing concerns over diplomatic tensions, visa restrictions, security logistics, and the unprecedented situation of a host country at war with a participant.
4 March 2026 · New Era →
Following their 2026 World Cup qualification miss, Namibia's Brave Warriors have entered a restructuring phase, with more than 10 new local-based players called up ahead of a four-nation Fifa Friendly tournament in Kazakhstan next month where they face Kuwait, Kazakhstan, and Comoros. Coach Collin Benjamin says the team is starting anew with inexperienced players while balancing some experienced ones, and will later consider foreign-based players if they can add value.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →