World Cup LIVE: Riot police deployed as protests held before opening ceremony

The FIFA World Cup is almost upon us after a star-studded opening ceremony featuring legendary singer Shakira kicking off the tournament in Mexico. Mexico play host to South Africa at the Azteca to kick off the 2026 edition of the famous tournament. It will be the largest in World Cup history as 48 nations compete for the ultimate sporting prize - among them England, Scotland, and bookies' favourites Spain. Kick-off in the first game is tonight at Mexico City Stadium, where a sell-out crowd of 83,000 is expected as the hosts play South Africa. Tuchel's Three Lions will face their first opponents Croatia on June 17, while Steve Clarke's Tartan Army go head-to-head with Haiti on June 13. England won their final warm-up friendly 3-0 against Costa Rica last night, with Jude Bellingham particularly impressing. The last 48 hours have already seen hordes of fans arrive in the three host nations Mexico, Canada and the United States, each hoping their side will go on to book a date with destiny at the final in New Jersey on July 19. But someone who will not be joining the fun is Somalian referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States this week after a 19-hour interrogation at Miami airport. It comes amid ongoing fears that Donald Trump's ICE immigration enforcement officers could detain undocumented fans. And then there's the ongoing war between the US and Iran, with their national team now playing their games in Mexico in a late rescheduling move. 'Extortionate' ticket fees of up to thousands of dollars per game and price gouging from hotels and public transport providers have also cast a shadow over the event. An expanding tournament means more people than ever are expected to watch the action unfold, with experts estimating over five billion people could tune in over the next six weeks. Bet £10, Get £40 in free bets Place a min £10 pre-event bet with Betway at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. New customers only | Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+ | www.begambleaware.org | Please Play Responsibly Flags are presented The flags of all 48 nations are now being presented, with representatives carrying them up to centre stage as kick‑off draws near. South Africa team South Africa, who hosted the World Cup back in 2010, have named their first starting XI to face hosts Mexico. South Africa XI: Ronwen Wiliams, Audrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon; Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams; Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners. Mexico starting XI Javier Aguirre has named his first Mexico starting XI to face South Africa at the Azteca. Starting XI: Jose Rangel; Jesus Gallardo, Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Israel Reyes; Brian Gutierrez, Erik Lira, Alvaro Fidalgo; Julian Quinones, Roberto Alvarado and Raul Jimnez. Police attendance That was very fun! An amazing way to kick off the tournament, with the opening match now less than an hour away. And guess what - there's another ceremony still to come later. Shakira takes to the stage! Shakira is joined by Burna Boy, who's braving the heat in full double denim despite temperatures topping 30 degrees. The Colombian star first appeared alongside performers in white trousers and vests before teaming up with Burna Boy to deliver the official World Cup song, 'Dai Dai.' Mexican celebrations Performers in vibrant, colourful outfits are dancing around the World Cup trophy, while young singer Belinda steps forward amid a sea of bright dresses. Her performance is accompanied by a full Mariachi band. J Balvin has now stepped onto the stage. The opening ceremony is underway The stage is set, with several performers in yellow gathered in the centre of the pitch holding bright yellow balls. "People of the world, welcome to Mexico," it is announced. "Mexico receives you with smiles from our hearts. Football unites us all." The World Cup trophy is positioned centre-stage. What to expect from the opening ceremony Shakira and Burna Boy will perform 'Dai Dai', the official 2026 World Cup song, live for the first time. Latin American talent will also be showcased, with FIFA writing in a statement: "In Mexico, this concept is brought to life through the intricate and celebratory art of 'papel picado', a powerful symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and joy." Alejandro Fernandez, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Tyla and Mexican band Mana are also set to perform. Ian Wright hits out over referee controversy Ian Wright has spoken about the situation involving the Somali referee Omar Artan who was denied entry to the United States, suggesting it goes against everything the sport stands for. Speaking on ITV, he said: "I have spoken about the spirit of football and all the things that come with the spirit of the game. I think here, they have got no idea and clue of the spirit of the game and what is happening and what's happened. "Then you look also at people who keep saying things like keep saying things like 'keep politics out of sport'. What are they saying now?" World Cup 2026 rules explained: Heat break, VAR, substitutions and new throw-in change The World Cup will feature new rules that referees are expected to follow throughout the tournament. - Heat breaks: The hydration breaks will occur around the 22nd minute of each half, offering managers a chance to regroup with their players. FIFA have banned outfield players from heading to the sidelines for tactical coaching sessions when a goalkeeper goes down injured. - VAR expanded powers: Video assistant referees can now intervene to correct wrongly awarded corner kicks and review second yellow cards that are clearly incorrect. Also, micro-cameras worn by referees and high-tech ball chips tracking data points will significantly speed up offside and foul reviews. - Time-limited substitutions: Players being subbed off have a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the pitch at the nearest boundary line. If a player fails to exit within this window, their team must play with 10 men for at least one minute until the next official stoppage. - Five-second throw-in and goal-kick rules: Referees will initiate a visible five-second countdown with their hands if they believe a player is intentionally stalling a restart. If the countdown expires on a throw-in, possession is returned to the opponent; an expired goal kick results in a corner kick for the other team. - Protesting will now result in a sending-off: Those who decide to exit the field of play in protest of a refereeing decision will now be shown a red card. If a full team tries to cause an abandonment, then they will automatically forfeit the game. The same punishment will apply to team officials who encourage players to leave the pitch. - Injury treatment rule: Any outfield player requiring on-field medical attention from a physio must leave the pitch and wait exactly one minute before returning. Exceptions are only made for severe head injuries, collisions, or if the fouling opponent is penalised with a card. - Confrontation restrictions: Any player who covers their mouth with a hand, arm, or jersey during an on-field confrontation will be issued a straight red card. This strict measure was implemented to assist lip-reading and prevent players from hiding discriminatory language from cameras and officials. The opening ceremony will soon get underway Fans are making their way to the Azteca Stadium, with the opening ceremony set to start at 6.30pm. Mexico and South Africa met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa were the hosts. That game finished 1-1. But which side goes one better this time around? Protests Protesters have gathered in Mexico as a collective of teachers marches against the government, backed by unions and civil groups. Fans push to get into the fan zone Fans have been seen trying to force their way into the fan zone in Mexico, cramming and shoving past one another. Entre empujones y aglomeraciones, aficionados buscan ingresar al Fan Fest del Zócalo para el arranque del Mundial 2026. — REFORMA (@Reforma) June 11, 2026 Héctor García pic.twitter.com/qIV72lYbuW Stars arrive Mexican boxing icon professional boxer Canelo Alvarez and his wife Fernanda Gomez are among the early arrivals. Ex-Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez has also stopped for a photo. Atmosphere building up Host country Mexico will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium this evening (8pm kick-off). The atmosphere is already building. David Seaman highlights major worry for England David Seaman believes England No.1 Jordan Pickford picking up an injury could spell trouble for the Three Lions during the World Cup. Speaking to Betway, the former Arsenal goalkeeper said: "Jordan is our No. 1 by a long way, but my only worry is if he gets injured. That could be a problem, because the goalkeepers behind him – James Trafford and Dean Henderson – haven’t got a lot of caps. "That is a big step up in pressure from what they’re used to. I know Trafford plays for Man City, but he has only played in the cup games. That’s my only worry with Jordan, so I’ll keep everything crossed that he doesn’t get an injury. "He also doesn’t get the credit he deserves, because he’s been producing for a long time." 2026 World Cup - Golden Boot Kylian Mbappe - 11/2 Harry Kane - 13/2 Mikel Oyarzabal - 12/1 Erling Haaland -14/1 Lionel Messi - 14/1 Lamine Yamal - 16/1 *Betway odds correct at the time of writing. Why England fans need to stop complaining about Harry Kane playing too deep Weighing in on the debate over Harry Kane's position for England, Morgan King writes for the Mirror: "Why is Harry Kane dropping so deep?" If you've watched England over the last few years, you've heard that question plenty of times. Maybe you've even asked it yourself. But it's about time people stopped complaining. Kane - the nation's all-time top scorer, no less - banged in a mind-boggling 61 goals for Bayern Munich this season all while being more involved in the build-up than ever, and is now preparing to take his world-beating form into what could be his final World Cup as England captain. Read more: Why England fans really need to stop complaining about Harry Kane playing too deep David Seaman 'caught off guard' by Harry Maguire snub "The one I was surprised about was Harry Maguire because he’s had a tremendous season at Man Utd, and every time he’s played for England, he’s never let Tuchel down either. So that one was the one that caught me off guard. "In general, I’ve always looked at it as you should only be in the England squad if you’re in form and playing consistently anyway. "But it’s going to hurt when you don’t get called up for the tournament. I’ve been there; it hurts a lot. But the only thing you can do is prepare yourself for next season and come back even stronger to show the manager what he missed out on." Omar Artan given new refereeing role after controversial World Cup ban UEFA have announced Somalian official Omar Artan will take charge of the Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Artan was selected as one of Africa's refereeing representatives for the World Cup, but he was rejected entry by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport and sent back on a return flight to Turkey. Artan insisted he "had the right papers and the right visa" but the Trump administration claimed: "Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations." This decision has provoked outcry from the football world, who have shown solidarity with the official. UEFA are among those organisations to do so by handing him control of a huge match at the start of next season. Read more: Omar Artan given new refereeing role after controversial World Cup ban as UEFA step in What is 'corn sweat' and how could it affect the England squad? As well as a tornado warning, the Three Lions squad will also face intense humidity and a freak weather phenomenon known as 'corn sweat' in Kansas. The area has average highs reaching 30-32C (87°F–90°F). "Corn sweat" refers to the intense humidity caused by corn plants releasing massive amounts of water vapour into the air during summer days in the area. The process, known as evapotranspiration, can make heat waves feel significantly hotter, pushing dew points into the 70s and making outdoor work dangerous in July. Corn plants draw water from the soil and release it through pores in their leaves to stay cool, similar to human sweat. Thousands of fake World Cup football shirts seized Thousands of fake World Cup football shirts were seized when investigators busted one Britain’s biggest suppliers as the soccer showpiece kicked off. Trading Standards chiefs found the stash house stacked with bogus current, retro and tournament shirts being sold across the UK. The shirts, which included kids’ kits - were impounded after the raid on an address in Essex. Officers from Trading Standards’ Intellectual Property Investigations Team joined in the operation with colleagues from Edinburgh in what was a ‘coordinated operation to tackle counterfeiters across the UK’. Two people were arrested. A Trading Standards spokesman said the swoop targeted ‘a leading UK supplier of counterfeit current, retro and World Cup football shirts’. “These counterfeit shirts can be drop‑shipped directly to consumers from China within days of production or stored in third‑party warehouses and fulfilment centres.” The black market dealers were ‘exploiting fast parcels and complex supply chains to deliver illegal and potentially unsafe goods to consumers with minimal oversight and limited visibility of their true origin’. Megan Pickford shows off £6k top as she prepares to lead WAGs at the World Cup While he does keepie-uppies and mans the goal, Jordan Pickford's wife Megan has shown off how she's prepping for the World Cup. The WAG filmed a video of a shopping trip she took to a luxury retailer to make sure her outfits were World Cup ready. The video, posted to TikTok, started with Megan and a friend in the back of a taxi. As Madonna's Material Girl played, words appeared on the screen that read: "Come shopping with me and my bestie to get ready for the world cup" The video then jumped to the inside of luxury clothing retailer Celine. Whilst there, Megan showed off clothing in varying shades of white, red and blue, including a cream top that retailed for £6150, though that was put back on the shelf. Read more: Megan Pickford shows off £6k top as she prepares to lead WAGs at the World Cup World Cup team forced to change kit hours before first match after breaking FIFA's rules Scotland's World Cup group stage opponents Haiti have been forced into a last-minute kit change just days before their opening fixture. The Caribbean team, who will also face Brazil and Morocco in the group stages, were found to have fallen foul of FIFA's rules with their original design. The original kit, from manufacturer Saeta, depicted the Battle of Vertieres - a battle which played a part in the country's eventual independence from France in the early 19th century. However, FIFA prohibits political messages of any kind and this is understood to be the rule responsible for a change being needed. Read more: World Cup team forced to change kit hours before first match after breaking FIFA's rules England and Scotland fans flying 4,000 miles - to stay for just 72 hours England fans are preparing to fly more than 4,000 miles to the US for just three days at this summer's World Cup, new travel figures show. Ahead of England's World Cup opener on June 17, accommodation searches for Arlington, Texas have soared by 2,108% on Booking.com, while flight searches from London Gatwick to Dallas are up 1,367% and Gatwick to Houston up 1,229%. Next Monday is also emerging as the busiest departure day for England fans travelling to the opening match against Croatia. And the Tartan Army appear determined to enjoy their first World Cup since 1998, with searches for Foxborough, Massachusetts rocketing by 73,921% ahead of Scotland's opening match, while flight searches from Edinburgh to Boston with a June 11 departure up 9,200%. England's odds drifting as doubts emerge over Tuchel's picks With just under a week to go until England's first game of the 2026 World Cup against Croatia, online bookmaker Betway are reporting a lack of support for Thomas Tuchel's men in their outright betting, with the Three Lions drifting out to 7/1 (from 11/2) in the buildup to this summer's tournament. Lewis Knowles, Betway's spokesperson, said: ''The lack of support in the betting for Thomas Tuchel's men has been very noticeable in the buildup to this summer's World Cup, and from vying for favouritism at 11/2 only a few months ago, the Three Lions have now drifted all the way out to 7/1 in our outright market. The omission of some big names in Tuchel's squad has certainly tempered enthusiasm amongst fans, but football fans are a fickle bunch, and a good performance in their opening game against Croatia would no doubt see England shorten up in the betting once again. FIFA plunged into ticket scandal over claims $10,000 tickets have been given bad views FIFA is facing an investigation into allegations it misled supporters over tickets for upcoming games in Houston and Dallas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is looking into claims FIFA misguided supporters regarding the location and quality of seats sold to them. Sections of fans allege premium seats at certain games costing over $10,000 (£7,400), have been replaced with tickets offering less desirable views than advertised. The investigation focuses on reports that consumers purchased 'Category 1' seats expecting premium views of the pitch, only to have FIFA adjust stadium seat maps after these had been bought. Those seats are then alleged to have been moved into sections originally designated as 'Category 2' instead. Houston will host games involving Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, while the likes of England and Lionel Messi's Argentina will play in Dallas. Paxton said: "I will work to ensure that FIFA is engaging in ethical and honest business practices so that Texas fans are treated fairly. "Sports have a unique power to bring people together, and FIFA must understand that Texans take their competition - and their consumer rights - seriously." But the investigation is expected to fall on deaf ears, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisting his organisation remains relaxed about potential legal investigations into ticket sales. England training base put on tornado alert The England team faces yet more World Cup weather chaos after the area of their training base was put on a 'Tornado alert'. The 2.2 million residents of the Kansas City Metropolitan area were warned of a possible tornado on Wednesday into the early hours of today. More worryingly for England, a thunderstorm is forecast for Saturday, the day they are due to fly into Kansas and take part in their first training session at the Swope Park training facility on the outskirts of the city. England fans faced freak weather and a torrential downpour in Florida before the team's convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final warm up game last night. They could do without any further disruption to their schedule after the kick off of their game in Orlando was delayed for an hour due to the storms. Major buildings in Kansas City, including the city's international airport, are prepared to protect the population with 'Tornado evacuation rooms'. Experts say the extreme conditions have been made worse by the impact of global warming and the 'El Nino effect. Tuchel's squad is due to arrive in Kansas City on Saturday for four days of training and preparation before the opening match against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas. Kansas City has recently experienced heavy rainfall. When a tornado watch is in place tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service suggests that people in the warning area review and discuss their emergency plans, check supplies and have a safe room in case the weather takes a turn for the worse. When a tornado warning is issued it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and there is "imminent danger to life and property." The advice to residents includes moving to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, and avoiding windows. Tropical storms await Germans after England game delayed by downpours World Cup organisers are bracing themselves for a tropical storm disrupting Houston's opening game of the tournament this weekend. And it means the clash between Germany and minnows Curacao in the Houston Stadium could be delayed come kick off. Local meteorologists have predicted there is up to a 70 per cent chance of thunder and lightening ahead of the Group E showdown on Sunday. Up to three inches of rainfall could hit Houston, with almost double this amount affecting isolated areas at the start of next week as well. The stadium does have a retractable roof, but organisers are more concerned with the possible disruption caused to those planning to travel to the game. The weather is expected to cause massive disruption throughout the United States during the finals. England's friendly with Costa Rica earlier this week was delayed, due to severe rain in Florida. And Houston could well be one of the worst affected host cities, due to its geographical location on the Gulf Coast, which is renowned for unpredictable summer weather. Houston officials have spent months preparing for a combination of intense summer heat and tropical storms. Strict lightening protocols will be implemented at the downtown Fan Festival, in a bid to safeguard all those supporters flooding into the Texas city. Visitors intending to attend outdoor facilities have been warned to be prepared for sudden weather shifts. Local meteorologist Jeff Lindner said: "The first issue is obviously going to be the heat. "We know that some of the folks that are planning to come are coming from areas that aren't accustomed to the high heat and humidity that we have here in our summer months. "And if there's lightning within eight, 12 or 15 miles of that location, there's different steps that are going to be taken to make sure people are protected through that duration of the fan festival." During the tournament, organisers and the emergency services will activate a 'Unified Area Command' and 'Multiagency Co-ordination Centre' alongside a 'Joint Information Centre' - to track conditions around the clock.