24 h. ago 2026 World Cup's contingency plans for wildfire smoke risks remain unclear

The 2026 World Cup being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States is less than a year away and FIFA’s protocols for matches affected by wildfire smoke remain unclear

Events

51 h. ago Republicans complain to Canada over wildfire smoke despite supporting planet

Lawmakers send letter railing against ‘suffocating’ smoke days after voting for Trump plan likely to boost pollutionA group of Republican lawmakers has complained that smoke from Canadian wildfires is ruining summer for Americans, just days after voting for a major bill that will cause more of the planet-heating pollution that is worsening wildfires.In a letter sent to Canada’s ambassador to the US, six Republican members of Congress wrote that wildfire smoke from Canada has been an issue for several years and recently their voters “have had to deal with suffocating Canadian wildfire smoke filling the air to begin the summer”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Unhealthy smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the Upper Midwest when people want to be outside

Wildfire smoke from Canada has made for bad air quality over parts of the Upper Midwest

Events

5 d. ago Rangers transfer news as Luuk De Jong contingency plan 'lined

De Jong is available on a free transfer after his contract with the Eredivisie champions expired

Politics

7 d. ago 'Extreme risk' of wildfire issued for Scotland amid sizzling heatwave

Fire chiefs say the risk will remain in place between Friday and Monday as temperatures are expected to reach as high as 29C.

Events

8 d. ago World Cup pollution will be ‘equivalent to 6.5m cars driven for a year’, claims report

With an increase in the number of World Cup matches to more than 100, a report claims it will be the most polluting tournament ever staged

Transport

9 d. ago Airport closed as huge wildfire rages near Marseille in southern France

Planes have not been taking off or landing at the airport since midday

Events

9 d. ago Wayne Rooney ‘lands lucrative Match of the Day punditry deal’

The deal will also see Rooney work on the BBC’s 2026 World Cup coverage

Economics

9 d. ago My dream £258,000 retirement flat in Spain went up in flames

A British expat has told how his dream retirement to Spain has gone up in smoke after his home was destroyed by a wildfire - because the town where he lives has no fire service.

Economics

1 week ago ‘It’s offensive’: voices from Iran as fans face 2026 World Cup travel ban

After Donald Trump banned Iranians from entering the US, one of the co-hosts, there are different views on what should be done“It’s offensive for any football fan to be prevented from participating in the World Cup, not just Iranians,” Ali Rezaei of Tehran’s Borna News Agency says. In March, the national team became the second to qualify for the 2026 World Cup that will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. In June, Donald Trump authorised the dropping of bombs on Iran and hit the country with a travel ban. As things stand, while the national team will be able to enter the US next summer, fans – and perhaps media – will not.Residents of Tehran and other cities may have had enough to deal with of late, but still, being barred from entry stings, even if Iranians have long found it difficult to get into the US. “If the US government has issues with the Iranian regime for any reason, it should not result in discrimination against Iranian citizens,” Behnam Jafarzadeh, a writ...

Politics

2 w. ago Fifa urged to stand up against Donald Trump’s immigration policies ahead of 2026 World Cup

An open letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino is begging for the governing body to protect fans

Politics

2 w. ago Groups are begging FIFA to protect fans planning to visit US for 2026 World Cup from Trump’s immigration policies

‘Spectators from other countries remain subject to invasive and burdensome vetting procedures,’ letter argues

Politics

2 w. ago Rangers owners 49ers get their chequebooks out for £22m bill as mega cost of World Cup hosting duties revealed

The 49ers Enterprises investment group have taken control of Rangers - but the American football giants will also have to fork out for the 2026 World Cup

Economics

3 w. ago How the ‘heat dome’ in the US is affecting the FIFA Club World Cup

The current heatwave serves as a stark preview for the 2026 World Cup

Society

3 w. ago Iconic World Cup stadium now looks unrecognisable during renovation works

The iconic Estadio Azteca looks unrecognisable as the stadium that towers over Mexico City undergoes renovation work ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Economics

3 w. ago Warning shot for 2026: Club World Cup’s brutal heat exposes a World Cup risk

That the US gets hot in the summer is hardly breaking news. Even if it may not give any one team an advantage, it puts players, fans and officials at riskIn the 31 years since the United States last hosted the men’s World Cup, a few things remain unchanged.Recent politics notwithstanding, the US population is diverse and air travel is relatively easy, so international games tend to attract supporters no matter where they live. As long as ticket prices are reasonable, a good crowd is a good bet. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Thomas Tuchel has England plan for "impossible" scenario laid bare by Club World Cup

Players have struggled with the extreme heat in the US at the Club World Cup and England boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to mitigate its effects at the 2026 World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago Thomas Tuchel warned England face 'massively challenging' 2026 World Cup

England boss Thomas Tuchel has plenty of pressure on his shoulders ahead of the 2026 World Cup as he bids to win a first trophy for the Three Lions since 1966 in the United States

Events

3 w. ago Mauricio Pochettino handed huge boost ahead of USA's 2026 World Cup on home soil

The USA are set to host the 2026 World Cup and boss Mauricio Pochettino will be boosted by a state-of-the-art new training centre, which will open just before the tournament starts

Politics

3 w. ago Jude Bellingham sends strong message to FIFA after concerning Club World Cup issues

Jude Bellingham has not been impressed with conditions at the Club World Cup and the Real Madrid star has called for improvements to be made before the 2026 World Cup

Politics