Sports
Group A tension rises as Czechia face troubled South Africa
Czechia and South Africa meet in Atlanta on Thursday knowing their 2026 World Cup hopes already hang in the balance after opening defeats in Group A, setting up a high-pressure clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both sides arrive under immediate scrutiny after disappointing starts in North America, with zero points from one match leaving little margin for error in a group that is already beginning to take shape.
Czechia, back on football’s biggest stage for just the second time as an independent nation, saw their return unravel late in a 2-1 defeat to South Korea. Miroslav Koubek’s side had taken control in the second half when Ladislav Krejci rose to head in Vladimir Coufal’s long throw in the 59th minute, briefly putting them on course for a positive start.
But the lead did not last. Hwang In-beom quickly restored parity for South Korea, before the match slipped away from the Europeans. A Tomas Soucek effort was disallowed in a key moment, and Oh Hyeon-gyu struck in the 80th minute to complete the turnaround and leave Czechia empty-handed.
The defeat ended a six-match unbeaten run that had included four wins in normal time and two penalty shootout victories during qualifying. It also highlighted a growing defensive concern, with Czechia now without a clean sheet in their last five matches.
There is still a clear path forward. A win over South Africa would restore control of their qualification hopes, whether through the top two or as a strong third-place contender. History offers little guidance, with the only previous meeting between the nations ending 2-2 at the 1997 Confederations Cup.
South Africa, meanwhile, return to the World Cup stage for the first time since hosting in 2010, but their comeback began in chaos against Mexico.
Hugo Broos’s side were overwhelmed in a 2-0 defeat that exposed both defensive lapses and costly individual errors. Sphephelo Sithole’s turnover led directly to Julian Quinones’s early opener, before his dismissal for a last-man foul left South Africa a man down just four minutes into the second half.
Raul Jimenez added a second for Mexico in the 67th minute, and the night worsened further when Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct. Despite Mexico also finishing with 10 men after a late red card for Cesar Montes, South Africa never recovered.
The result extended a worrying trend. Broos’s team are now winless in six matches and have conceded multiple goals in each of their three defeats during that stretch. Their disciplinary issues and lack of control in key moments have quickly become defining concerns.
Still, there is a reminder of what this team is capable of on the World Cup stage. South Africa famously beat France 2-1 in 2010, and Broos will be hoping that history can offer inspiration as they attempt to avoid slipping toward another early exit, having failed to reach the knockout rounds in all three previous appearances.
Team news offers both managers key decisions.
Czechia are expected to remain unchanged after a stable start in terms of fitness. Koubek is likely to continue with his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, built around captain Tomas Soucek and Alexandr Sojka in midfield. Vladimir Coufal and Jaroslav Zeleny are set to operate as wing-backs, while Krejci keeps his place in the back three after adding another set-piece goal threat.
At the top end, Patrik Schick remains the focal point of the attack, supported by a system that continues to lean heavily on structured buildup and dead-ball efficiency. Krejci, in particular, has emerged as a growing threat, contributing to four goals in his last five international appearances.
South Africa face enforced changes following the suspensions of Sithole and Zwane, forcing Hugo Broos into a tactical rethink. Jayden Adams is expected to retain his midfield role, while Thalente Mbatha could join him in a double pivot as Broos considers shifting from a back five to a 4-2-3-1 setup.
That change could come at the expense of Nkosinathi Sibisi in defense, while Lyle Foster is expected to lead the attack alone. Iqraam Rayners may drop to the bench after starting in a front two against Mexico.
A domesticated duck named Merlin, dressed in a miniature Mexico shirt and custom duck socks, has waddled into the hearts of football fans and emerged as an unlikely unofficial mascot for the country’s World Cup campaign.
Merlin’s rise to fame began during street celebrations after the co-hosts’ 2-0 victory over South Africa in last week’s World Cup opener.
As supporters poured into the streets to celebrate Mexico’s goals, the well-dressed duck moved through crowds along Mexico City’s busy Reforma Avenue.
Onlookers captured the unexpected moment on their phones, and the footage quickly went viral, with fans soon calling for Merlin to be made Mexico’s official World Cup mascot.
“We are very respectful,” said his owner, street merchant Karla Gomez. “We respect the Mexico City mascot axolotl as much as the FIFA jaguar. We don’t like controversy, honestly.”
Gomez, who usually sells beverages on Mexico City streets with her son, Christian, and her duck, said they believed they had gone unnoticed.
“It was a normal day for us,” she said. “We thought we were passing by unnoticed because we never thought Merlin would have that boom.”
Now Gomez proudly embraces her role in the duck’s newfound stardom. Fans frequently stop the family to take selfies with the feathered supporter, who can also be seen cooling off in public fountains.
“I’m Merlin’s mom. I already consider myself as such,” Gomez said. “For us it has been a surprise, truly. The fact that Merlin is the unofficial mascot of the World Cup, we feel very pleased about such a situation and above all that people love my duck.”
Channeling the spirit of Paul the Octopus, Merlin recently tried his beak at match predictions, picking Mexico over South Korea when presented with both flags.
Mexico meet South Korea on Thursday in Group A before facing the Czech Republic on June 24.
Bosnia-Herzegovina head into a pivotal World Cup showdown against Switzerland on Thursday knowing a victory at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles could place them on the brink of a long-awaited place in the knockout rounds.
After both Group B opening matches ended in 1-1 draws, the group remains wide open, turning the second round of fixtures into a potentially decisive moment for all four teams.
Bosnia-Herzegovina emerged from their opening match with plenty of encouragement after earning a hard-fought point against host nation Canada at Toronto’s BMO Field.
Sergej Barbarez’s side looked set for a statement victory when Jovo Lukic powered home a first-half header, but relentless Canadian pressure eventually paid off as Cyle Larin equalized with 12 minutes remaining.
Despite surrendering the lead late, Bosnia-Herzegovina were arguably the more satisfied side at the final whistle.
A point against the hosts represented a solid start to their campaign and extended an impressive unbeaten run that now stretches to nine matches. However, the draw also continued a peculiar trend, with each of their last six games finishing level after 90 minutes.
The Dragons now have an opportunity to take a major step toward qualification.
Reaching four points after two matches would leave them in a commanding position ahead of the final group stage fixture and significantly strengthen their hopes of advancing beyond the group phase.
Confidence should not be in short supply.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have faced Switzerland only once before and emerged victorious, claiming a 2-0 win in an international friendly in March 2016. While that result carries little competitive significance a decade later, it serves as a reminder that the Swiss are far from unbeatable opponents.
Switzerland, meanwhile, arrive in Los Angeles seeking a response after a frustrating start to a tournament in which they were widely tipped to top Group B.
Murat Yakın’s men controlled large portions of their opener against Qatar in San Jose and appeared on course for victory after Breel Embolo converted a penalty in the 20th minute. Yet their inability to turn dominance into additional goals proved costly.
The Swiss wasted several promising opportunities to put the match out of reach and paid the price deep into stoppage time when Qatar snatched a dramatic equalizer. The result left Switzerland with just one point and a lingering sense of missed opportunity.
Fortunately for the Schweizer Nati, the group remains perfectly balanced. With Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina also drawing their opener, no side gained an early advantage, keeping qualification firmly within Switzerland’s control.
Even so, Thursday’s contest carries added significance. Switzerland conclude the group stage against Canada in Vancouver, arguably their toughest assignment of the first round. Securing all three points against Bosnia-Herzegovina would ease pressure ahead of that encounter and could all but guarantee a place in the knockout stage.
It would also deliver a milestone result. Switzerland have never beaten Bosnia-Herzegovina and now have another chance to register their first victory over the Balkan nation.
Team news could play a key role in shaping the outcome.
Switzerland emerged from the Qatar match without any fresh injury concerns, giving Yakin the luxury of continuity. Defensive leaders Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi are expected to anchor the back line, while captain Granit Xhaka continues to dictate play in midfield. Embolo remains the focal point in attack after scoring the team’s opening World Cup goal.
However, attacking adjustments remain possible. Noah Okafor and Johan Manzambi are among the options pushing for starting roles as Switzerland seek greater efficiency in the final third.
Bosnia-Herzegovina face a slightly less certain situation. Veteran defender Sead Kolasinac limped off late against Canada, leaving concerns over his availability. His fitness will be closely monitored before kickoff, as his experience and physical presence are central to Barbarez’s defensive structure.
The Dragons have already suffered one significant setback. RC Lens defender Nidal Celik was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury in training and has been replaced in the squad by Sturm Graz defender Arjan Malic.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a celebration of football on an unprecedented scale. Instead, many supporters traveling across the United States, Canada, and Mexico say they are facing a different challenge: paying for it.
With soaring ticket prices, expensive flights, inflated hotel rates and sweltering summer temperatures, fans attending the tournament are calling it the costliest World Cup in history.
Outside stadiums and fan zones, supporters described the experience as unforgettable on the field but increasingly difficult on their wallets.
At the New York New Jersey Stadium, where nearly 80,000 fans packed the stands for Brazil’s group-stage match against Morocco, supporters joked that the “World Cup fever is burning through bank accounts.” Similar complaints echoed across tournament venues as visitors grappled with rising travel expenses.
The contrast was visible elsewhere. While New York drew a near-capacity crowd, attendance at Spain’s match against Cape Verde in Atlanta fell short of the stadium’s 75,000-seat capacity, with noticeable gaps in the stands despite an announced crowd of about 65,000.
Heat adds to the challenge
The financial burden is not the only concern.
The tournament has also become one of the hottest World Cups in recent memory, with many matches being played in temperatures exceeding 30 Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Fans gathering at outdoor viewing areas have been forced to seek shade wherever possible, relying on hats, umbrellas and cooling stations to escape the relentless summer sun.
Hotel prices surge
Accommodation costs have emerged as one of the biggest frustrations for traveling supporters.
In many host cities, hotel rates have doubled or even tripled during the tournament period. Budget travelers have found little relief, with average nightly rates at two- and three-star hotels frequently exceeding 300 euros ($340).
In major destinations such as New York, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles, accommodation prices have reportedly risen by as much as 300% compared with normal periods.
Luxury hotels have become even less accessible, with many four- and five-star properties charging more than $500 per night. Short-term rental prices have also climbed sharply as demand continues to outstrip supply.
Expensive flights
Travel costs have also surged as fans move between the tournament’s 16 host cities.
For international visitors, the vast distances involved in a North American World Cup have created significant additional expenses.
Many participating nations are located thousands of miles from the host countries, resulting in longer journeys and higher airfare prices.
Domestic flights within the United States have also become considerably more expensive.
Industry estimates indicate increases ranging between 50 and 100% compared with last year, with routes into popular destinations such as Miami seeing some of the sharpest rises.
Ticket prices reach record levels
Nothing has sparked more criticism than the cost of match tickets.
Group-stage tickets at the 2026 World Cup average around $400, roughly five times higher than comparable prices at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where group-stage tickets generally cost less than $100 and ranged between $11 and $220.
The increase becomes even more dramatic for marquee matches.
Opening-match tickets start at $560 and climb to $2,735, compared with a range of $55 to $618 in Qatar four years ago.
The final, scheduled for New York New Jersey Stadium, carries an even steeper premium. The cheapest ticket costs $2,030, while the most expensive reaches $6,370.
By comparison, tickets for the 2022 World Cup final ranged from $206 to $1,607.
Fans’ groups challenge FIFA
The growing frustration has attracted the attention of supporter organizations.
The Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint with the European Commission before the tournament, accusing FIFA of imposing excessive prices, unfair purchasing conditions and abusing its dominant position in the ticketing market.
The organization argued that access to World Cup tickets should be fair and transparent, particularly for supporters who may only have one opportunity in their lives to attend the tournament.
“A festival for the rich”
For fans hoping to follow their team throughout the competition, the numbers are staggering.
A supporter attending matches from the group stage through the final could spend more than $7,000 on tickets alone. Once flights and accommodation are added, the total cost can be several times higher than the expense of attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Many fans have responded with a common complaint.
“This is no longer football’s festival,” one supporter said. “It’s a festival for the rich.”
Even Donald Trump weighed in on the debate, expressing surprise at some ticket prices.
“More than $1,000 for a ticket,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t pay that.”
England begin their 2026 World Cup campaign in Arlington on Wednesday, opening Group L against Croatia at AT&T Stadium under manager Thomas Tuchel, with expectations and scrutiny following them across the Atlantic.
For England national football team, this tournament represents another attempt to end a 60-year wait for a senior global title, a drought that still defines every major cycle despite youth-level triumphs in recent years.
Their qualification campaign was flawless, finishing with eight wins and eight clean sheets to become the first UEFA side to secure a place at the 2026 finals.
But momentum has not been entirely stable. Mixed results in March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, including a first-ever defeat to an Asian opponent, exposed some early uncertainty in Tuchel’s setup.
Even a late Harry Kane intervention against New Zealand did little to settle concerns, though a more settled lineup later eased past Costa Rica in their final warm-up.
England’s record in World Cup openers offers encouragement.
They have lost only one of their last eight, a 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014, and have won their last two tournament openers against Tunisia and Iran. Still, history at the World Cup level has often resisted their claims of inevitability.
Across the pitch, Croatia national football team arrive with a reputation built on consistency at the highest level.
Under Zlatko Dalic, they have secured podium finishes at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, along with a Nations League runners-up campaign, establishing themselves as one of international football’s most resilient tournament sides.
Yet recent form has been uneven.
A winless Euro 2024 group stage exit marked their poorest major tournament showing in nearly two decades, even as their World Cup qualifying campaign remained steady, dropping just two points to top their group comfortably.
Pre-tournament friendlies reflected that inconsistency, with defeats to Brazil and Belgium followed by a late win over Slovenia.
The emotional reference point between these sides still lingers in Croatia’s 2018 semifinal victory over England, decided by Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time strike, a moment that shifted the trajectory of Croatian football history.
Team news adds another layer of uncertainty for England. Bukayo Saka is a fitness doubt, potentially forcing adjustments in wide areas.
Noni Madueke is in contention to start on the right, while Anthony Gordon is expected to feature on the opposite flank, with Marcus Rashford likely to begin on the bench.
In midfield, Jude Bellingham is expected to hold the No. 10 role ahead of Morgan Rogers, while defensive combinations involving John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi remain under evaluation in front of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Croatia, by contrast, arrive with a fully available squad and their established core intact. Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic continue to anchor their experience, while Andrej Kramaric remains a consistent attacking outlet.
In attack, MLS form could influence selection, with Dallas forward Petar Musa pushing for a starting role after a strong run in 2026. At the back, Josko Gvardiol leads a defence also featuring rising talent Luka Vuskovic, adding a blend of experience and youth to Croatia’s structure.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has turned football’s biggest stage into its most demanding logistical test yet, with 48 teams spread across Canada, Mexico and the United States navigating long distances, shifting climates and four time zones in pursuit of glory.
Unlike compact tournaments of the past, the expanded format has forced squads into constant movement, with FIFA assigning regional clusters to reduce travel strain. Still, for many teams, recovery time, flight schedules and environmental changes are proving as decisive as tactics on the pitch.
Türkiye feel the strain in the north
Türkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella pointed to the realities of the format after his side’s 2-0 opening loss to Australia in Vancouver.
With the squad based in Arizona, roughly 1,200 miles from their opening venue, Montella highlighted the toll of overnight travel and limited recovery time.
After the match, he noted the team would return to base in the early hours before restarting preparations, stressing that adaptation was essential in a tournament defined by scale rather than convenience. His message was blunt: conditions cannot be changed, only managed.
Czechia caught in constant motion
Czech Republic have faced one of the most demanding travel schedules, operating out of a Dallas-area base while crossing borders repeatedly for group-stage matches.
Their itinerary has included trips to Guadalajara, a return to Texas, a planned stop in Atlanta and another journey back to Mexico. The physical and mental strain has been immediate.
Coach Miroslav Koubek said the setup was far from ideal after a 2-1 loss to South Korea, but acknowledged teams must accept the structure and focus on results rather than conditions.
Newcomers face the longest miles
Debutants Curacao are among the most heavily burdened, expected to cover about 5,300 miles round trips while moving between a Florida base and matches in Houston, Kansas City and Philadelphia.
Bosnia and Herzegovina face a similar challenge, with an estimated 5,200 miles of travel from a Utah base across venues in Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle.
The spread highlights the scale of a tournament stretching across North America’s vast geography, from the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf of Mexico and from Canada’s largest cities to central Mexico.
Hosts gain partial advantage
Even host nations are not fully insulated from the strain.
Canada have already logged long domestic flights, including a roughly five-hour journey between Toronto and Vancouver.
United States teams are also covering significant ground between training bases in California and matches on both coasts, though within a more predictable rotation.
Mexico hold a relative edge, with domestic travel kept under about 600 miles across venues.
Contenders on uneven footing
Among favorites, fixture placement is shaping expectations as much as form.
England face one of the most demanding schedules, based in Kansas City while rotating between Dallas, Boston and New York.
Spain are also on the move, traveling from an Atlanta base to matches in Mexico.
Meanwhile, finalists from the last edition benefit from tighter setups. Argentina are based in Kansas City, while France operate out of Boston, limiting disruption compared with many rivals.
Climate adds another layer
Distance is only part of the challenge. Heat, humidity and altitude are shaping performance across venues.
South Korea have remained within Mexico for their group stage but must adjust to altitude in cities such as Mexico City and Guadalajara. Coach Hong Myung-bo said preparations helped, though fatigue still surfaced late in matches.
In the United States, heat and humidity in cities such as Houston, Dallas and Miami have already drawn criticism. Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior pointed to dry pitches and heavy conditions after a match in New Jersey, saying players must adapt to a rhythm disrupted by weather.
FIFA has long anticipated the logistical burden of staging a 48-team World Cup across three countries, grouping teams geographically where possible. But the sheer scale means travel, recovery and adaptation are now central to performance.
Earlier editions offered mixed lessons. Qatar’s compact format removed travel stress entirely, while Russia and Brazil still required long internal journeys. The 2026 edition pushes that challenge further than ever before.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku made an immediate impact as Belgium came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Egypt at the World Cup on Monday, helping create the move that led to the equalizer moments after entering the match.
Lukaku came on in the 66th minute with Belgium trailing 1-0. He ran down the middle of the field and lurched to tap a cross from the right into the net, but Egypt defender Mohamed Hany did that instead, scoring an own-goal.
The equalizing goal came only 23 seconds after Lukaku came on the field.
Emam Ashour had put the Egyptians ahead in the 19th minute with his first international goal.
Ashour, a midfielder who was playing in his 30th game for his country, took advantage of a defensive breakdown to give Egypt only its second lead in World Cup match. The Egyptians, who are playing in their fourth World Cup, still have never won a game at the tournament.
Belgium failed to advance past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has not won any of its last three matches in the tournament.
Egypt had numerous chances to increase its lead but could not put the Red Devils away. Lukaku and teammate Kevin De Bruyne also had an abundance of opportunities to take the lead.
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