World Cup 2026 Diary
Following World Cup 2026 through the stories behind the scorelines
Monday 8th June 2026.
It's difficult to think of the World Cup and not reminisce about Diego Maradona. I've just read Jonathan Wilson's Angels with Dirty Faces, and now I am reading Killing Maradona by David Arrowsmith. What I find fascinating about football is not necessarily the tactics and xG, but the stories behind the shirt.
Maradona is still loved by so many and loathed by many more. Of course, he's not the only global superstar to have made his name at the World Cup. The 2026 edition promised to be a great festival of football, but ticket prices and the US's decision to ban the Iran squad from entering the USA are some of the key headlines.
I really hope that the football lives up to the hype. And that got me thinking. What's the hype around each World Cup contender? I've written a piece over on the Headers and Volleys network.
9th June 2026
Two days to go. It doesn't feel like the World Cup is about to start. The mood isn't what you'd call upbeat, but maybe I am living in my own football bubble. Substack seems to be the best place to engage with like-minded football fans.
There are widespread protests over pay and conditions, but I'd love to be in Mexico City right now, sampling the atmosphere and culture, which will be totally different to the USA and Canada.
Things in the USA look miserable, with reports on fans being denied entry to watch their teams play football. Iran's World Cup ticket allocation has been cancelled, and 13 delegation members remain without visas, forcing the team to base itself in Mexico. It's all rather embarrassing.
10th June 2026
The World Cup starts in less than twenty four hours. The players have arrived (some forced to stay in a neighbouring country) and one unfortunate match official, Omar Artan, has returned home because of stupid politics. According to sources, Artan was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport on Saturday over unspecified "vetting concerns.
Despite the politics and the nonsense, I am feeling a sense of nostalgia about the whole tournament. Mexico. That's the main reason. If only the Azteca, no longer called the Azteca is hosting the final.
The Gods of Football World Cup Diary comes alive
11th June 2026
The World Cup is finally here. The Azteca looks magnificent. The last time the stadium hosted a World Cup game was in 1986. We all know what happened then. Diego Armando Maradona held up football's most coveted prize.
A Gary Lineker hat-trick helped England score a much-needed 3-0 victory over Poland 40 years ago today. Where has the time gone?
Today, I hope Mexico gets the result the nation has been waiting for. 🇲🇽
My new Headers and Volleys merchandise is here and now we can settle down for some football.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa with goals from Julián Quiñones - 9'Raúl Jiménez - 67'. South Africa finished the game with nine men after the dismissal of Sphephelo Sithole (49) and 'Themba Zwane (84).
It's not been a bad opening game of this edition of the De Copa Mundial.
12th June
A draw for Canada and a comfortable 4-1 for the USA means that all the World Cup hosts start the competition with positive results. Folarin Balogun scored a brace for the USA at the So-Fi Stadium. Balogun became just the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, after Bert Patenaude, who scored the tournament's first-ever hat-trick in the inaugural 1930 edition, also against Paraguay.
South Korea edged the Czech Republic 2-1 in the other game.
13th June
On this day in 1982 Belgium defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 with a goal from Erwin Vandenbergh.
Scotland got their first win at a World Cup since 1990. John McGinn with the only goal of the game as Steve Clarke's men won 1-0 against Haiti.
Scotland's other Group C opponents went head to head. Morocco held Brazil to a 1-1 draw. The Atlas Lions were the better side and they'll provide Scotland with a massive test on Friday.
Scotland won't need reminding of the 3-0 scoreline when they met at France 98.
14th June
Germany exposed the World Cup expansion with a whopping 7-1 victory over Curaçao. Sweden also walloped Tunisia 5-1, with a great strike from Yasin Ayari.
The Netherlands and Japan shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Japanese fans once again created headlines by cleaning up their rubbish before they left the stadium.
Australia caused a massive upset when they beat Turkey 2-0. Watford's Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe both scored well-taken goals.
15th June
Spain, European Champions were held to a 0-0 draw by little Cape Verde. It makes you wonder whether Spain have what it takes. They've only won three World Cup games since they lifted the famous cup in 2010.
Elsewhere, there were 1-1 draws in the games between Belgium and Egypt and Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Oddly, Uruguay were training in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and held a practice there on Sunday. Their flight into Miami was delayed because the original flight was reportedly not allowed to depart due to administrative issues, including some missing paperwork, and officials had to scramble to line up a new flight (source).
16th June
Messi makes history on his 200th appearance for Argentina, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. The Desert Foxes were out outfoxed 3-0. Sweden despatched Tunisia 5-1.
France were unbelievably good. A 3-1 win suggests they are on track to reach at least the semi-finals. I predicted a 3-2 win, and I think Senegal still have a chance to qualify.
Erling Haaland scored a brace as Norway swept aside Iraq 4-1.
17th June
It felt bizarre to finish Killing Maradona, written David Arrowsmith, just hours after Messi won the points for Argentina.
DR Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw. Joao Neves opened the scoring early for Portugal. It was Congo's first appearance at the World Cup (Zaire, 1974).
Austria beat Jordan 3-1. Marko Arnautovic scored with 12 minutes added on.
This does not feel like a day when England open their World Cup account. Is it the game's timing or the fact that everyone is bogged down with the nuances of work?
England ran out 4-2 winners. Harry Kane scored a brace to equal Gary Lineker's 36 year record of most England goals at a World Cup finals. The nation is slowly getting carried out.
The 2026 World Cup Diary continues
18th June
Canada thumped Qatar 6-0, but Kona suffered a broken leg. Although it was a great win for hosts, Qatar were awful.
Switzerland scored an avalanche of goals in the second half to rout Bosnia 4-1. Xhaka scored a late penalty to close out the game. It's not a score Edin Dzeko would have wanted.
Luis Suarez was on fire for Colombia, as they brushed Uzbekistan aside 3-1.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored a late goal to give Ghana victory in a 1-0 win over Panama. Ghana face England on Tuesday.
Every team has kicked a ball at the World Cup. France and Argentina look the strongest, but we're just getting started. The USA had a great start to their campaign, and I can't wait to see them in action tomorrow.
Can Mauricio Pochettino get his team fired up to play Australia, who also had a great start in Group D.
19th June
Scotland huffed and puffed but they couldn't find a way back from Ismael Saibari 2nd minute goal.
Morocco secured their place at the Round of 32 after a 1-0 win over Scotland. Steve Clarke's side couldn't find a way back into the game. PSV's Ismael Saibari stock is set to rise from £40m after another goal.
Brazil ran out 3-0 winners of Haiti. Ancelotti's side are warming up, but I am not reading too much into their group stage performances. Matheus Cunha scored a brace, Vini Junior scored the other. Brazil also had two goals ruled out.
Hosts, USA booked a seat at the round of 32 after despatching Australia 2-0. The Socceroos gave everything in the last 20 minutes, but they were very poor in the final third.
Saturday should be fun with Germany and Holland in action.
20th June
Sweden suffered a heavy 5-1 at the hands of the Netherlands. Graham Potter's side will face Japan in the next game. Japan are a team few will want to face, as I wrote about earlier.
Germany left it late to beat the Ivory Coast, 2-1. Paraguay eliminated Turkey with a 1-0 win. The biggest surprise of the day was Curacao, who drew 0-0 with Ecuador.
21st June
It's the longest day, and it will feel like that if you support Uruguay. Marcelo Bielsa's team could only manage a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde. Elsewhere in Group H, Spain put Saudi Arabia to the Sword with a 4-0 victory. It means Cape Verde might only need a point against Saudi Arabia to make it through to the round of 32.
1000th World Cup Game
The World Cup headlines continued when Japan and Tunisia played in the 1000th World Cup game. Japan ran out 4-0 winners.
Belgium were disappointing in their 0-0 draw with Iran.
22nd June
Lionel Messi Makes World Cup history
Messi missed a penalty and then scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record.
France hammered Iraq 3-0. The result wasn't surprising, nor was Kylian Mbappe's brace. Ousmane Dembele scored France's other goal.
Norway 'rowed' to a 3-2 victory over Senegal. Erling Haaland scored a brace. Yet another top striker to make his mark.
23 June 26
Britain is experiencing a heatwave, and it's not the only place where things are warming up. Cristiano Ronaldo has finally arrived at the World Cup. He scored a brace as Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0.
Algeria have the coolest nickname in football. The Desert Foxes broke into the chicken coup to score two goals in 13 minutes to earn a 2-1 over Jordan.
Ghana caused the biggest upset of the day when the held England to a 0-0 draw. Harry Kane missed a sitter in the 86th minute.
Ante Budimir scored as Croatia edged Panama 1-0.
24 June 26
Haiti make World Cup History
The heatwave continues in Northern Europe, sadly taking the lives of 212 souls in Spain. Scotland gave away two cheap goals in their 3-0 defeat to Brazil. The Tartan Army might be heading home.
Switzerland broke Canadian hearts with a 2-1, Bosnia defeated Qatar 3-1 to take their points tally to four.
Haiti scored their first goal at the World Cup thanks to an own goal from Yassine Bounou, but Morocco ran out 4-2 winners. I've been impressed with arguably Africa's best footballing nation.
Daniel Munoz scored as Colombia defeated DR Congo 2-1.
25 June 26
World Cup Attendance Records Broken
The World Cup continues to stretch the record books. The tournament has now passed the all-time attendance record and, with the group stage not even finished, the goals record has gone too.
The previous all-time World Cup attendance record was 3,587,538 spectators, set at USA 1994. The 2026 World Cup reportedly passed that on 25 June 2026, reaching 3,605,357 during Germany v Ecuador.
Ecuador produced one of the results of the day, beating Germany 2-1 and breathing life into their campaign. Germany are still Germany, but they suddenly look beatable.
Côte d'Ivoire made history, defeating Curaçao 2-0 thanks to a Nicolas Pépé double. The Elephants are into the knockouts for the first time, and they look like a side no one will want to meet.
Japan and Sweden shared the points in a 1-1 draw, while the Netherlands eased past Tunisia 3-1 to top their group. The Dutch are starting to look like the Dutch.
The USA lost 3-2 to Türkiye after a late winner, but still go through as group winners. Paraguay and Australia played out a 0-0, which will not live long in the memory.
It was a day of records, shocks and history. The group stage is nearly done, but the tournament is starting to feel properly alive.
Elsewhere, France brushed Norway aside 4-1, Senegal hit Iraq for five, and Belgium finally clicked with a 5-1 win over New Zealand. Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran was enough to keep them moving too.
The group stage is almost done, and the tournament has started to sort the dreamers from the wounded.
26 June
Spain did enough, but only just. A 1-0 win over Uruguay sent them through as group winners, unbeaten and still without conceding, but they remain strangely unconvincing.
Uruguay are now under a full post-mortem. No wins, no rhythm and no place in the knockouts. For a nation with that much talent, it feels like a failure that will take some explaining.
Chapeau to Cape Verde. A 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia was enough to take them into the next round. Three games, three draws, and a place in the last 32. Not bad for the smallest nation at the tournament.
Belgium finally clicked, putting five past New Zealand, while Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran was enough to keep them moving. France brushed Norway aside 4-1, and Senegal made a statement by hammering Iraq 5-0.
The group stage is almost done, and the tournament has started to sort the dreamers from the wounded.
27 June
The final pieces of the group stage started falling into place.
England did what England needed to do, beating Panama 2-0 without ever needing to be spectacular. It was controlled, professional and enough.
Croatia edged Ghana 2-1 in a proper tournament scrap, while Colombia and Portugal cancelled each other out in a 0-0 that felt more useful than memorable. Both sides will believe there is more to come.
DR Congo produced one of the better stories of the day, beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and giving themselves a place in the knockouts. Argentina saw off Jordan 3-1, with Lionel Messi again writing himself into another World Cup chapter.
Algeria and Austria gave us the chaos, sharing six goals in a 3-3 draw. It was one of those games where defending seemed optional and the tournament was better for it.
By the end of the day, the group stage had emptied its pockets. The serious business was about to begin.
28 June
Canada are into the Round of 16.
It took a late goal and a lot of patience, but they found a way past South Africa with a 1-0 win in Los Angeles. It was not the most interesting game of the World Cup, and for long spells it felt like a match waiting for something to happen.
Stephen Eustáquio eventually made it happen, scoring in stoppage time to send Canada through. It was not pretty, and it was not especially convincing, but knockout football does not care much for style.
South Africa head home, while Canada march on. For the co-hosts, this is history. For the neutral, it was a reminder that the World Cup can be both dramatic and dull in the same breath.
29 June
The World Cup has started throwing furniture around.
Brazil survived Japan with a 2-1 win, but only just. Japan pushed them hard, and for long spells it felt like another giant might be heading for trouble. Brazil move on, but not without a few nerves.
Then came Germany. A 1-1 draw with Paraguay went all the way to penalties, and Germany lost 4-3 in the shootout. Germany, out of the World Cup on penalties. There is a sentence that still feels strange to write.
Paraguay march on, disciplined, stubborn and absolutely ruthless when it mattered. Germany will now face the inquest. Too much talent, not enough control, and a familiar question: what has happened to the old certainty?
Then the Netherlands followed them through the trapdoor. Morocco held them 1-1 and then won 3-2 on penalties. Another European heavyweight gone, another African nation still standing.
Morocco continue to impress. Organisation, belief and nerve. This is no fluke now.
Germany and the Netherlands crashing out on the same matchday has changed the feel of the tournament. The Round of 32 has teeth.
I’ve treated the late-night fixtures by matchday, so Mexico/Ecuador sits with 30 June, and Portugal/Croatia plus Switzerland/Algeria sit with 2 July. Cape Verde’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina went to extra time after they had dragged the world champions into a proper fight, with Deroy Duarte and Sidny Lopes Cabral scoring for Cape Verde. (The Guardian)
30 June
The Round of 32 kept moving, and the tournament continued to shed good teams.
Norway edged past Côte d’Ivoire 2-1, ending a strong African campaign and setting up a meeting with Brazil. It was harsh on the Elephants, who had given the tournament plenty, but knockout football has no room for sentiment.
France looked more like France, brushing Sweden aside 3-0 with the minimum of fuss. The champions of efficiency are starting to look dangerous again, and this was the kind of result that makes everyone else take notice.
Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 and kept the home fires burning. A host nation still standing, a crowd still believing, and a tournament that now has a little more noise in it.
There were no penalties, no great collapse, and no European giant falling through the floor. Just three teams moving on, and three more packing their bags.
1 July
England made hard work of DR Congo, but found a way through with a 2-1 win.
The Leopards gave them a proper game. Brave, awkward and full of belief, they refused to play the role of grateful outsiders. England had the better players, but for long spells DR Congo had the better story.
Belgium survived Senegal in a five-goal game, winning 3-2 and reminding everyone that there is still plenty of life in this old golden generation. Senegal pushed them all the way, but Belgium had just enough class in the final moments.
The USA beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 and moved into the last 16 with a bit of authority. The co-hosts are still alive, and the American part of the tournament has something to hold onto.
It was a day for survivors. England, Belgium and the USA all moved on. None of them will care too much how it looked.
2 July
Spain finally looked convincing.
After a group stage that felt controlled but not quite frightening, they swept Austria aside 3-0. Clean, sharp and calm. Spain have been unbeaten, they have barely given anything away, and now they have added a proper knockout performance to the file.
Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in one of those games that felt heavy with old tournament ghosts. Croatia, as ever, refused to go quietly. Portugal, as ever, had just enough.
Switzerland saw off Algeria 2-0 and carried on doing what Switzerland so often do at tournaments: organised, stubborn, and quietly difficult to remove.
The names are getting bigger now. Spain, Portugal and Switzerland are all through, and the tournament is beginning to take its final shape.
3 July
Cape Verde lost, but that barely tells the story.
Argentina beat them 3-2 after extra time, but for a few wild hours Cape Verde made the world champions sweat. They were not supposed to be here. They were not supposed to survive the group. They were certainly not supposed to go toe to toe with Argentina in a knockout game and drag them deep into extra time.
But they did.
Messi gave Argentina the lead, because of course he did. Cape Verde did not fold. Deroy Duarte equalised and suddenly the impossible began to feel just close enough to touch. Argentina went ahead again in extra time. Cape Verde came again. Sidny Lopes Cabral made it 2-2 and, for a moment, the whole tournament seemed to tilt.
Argentina eventually found the winner through Cristian Romero, and the dream was over. But Cape Verde leave this World Cup as heroes. Three group games, three draws, a place in the knockouts, and then a fearless last stand against the holders. They were beaten, but they were not embarrassed. They were eliminated, but they were not reduced.
For the smallest nation at the tournament, this was not a cameo. It was a statement.
Elsewhere, Egypt beat Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Colombia edged Ghana 1-0. Important results, but the day belonged to Cape Verde.
Chapeau to Cape Verde. One of the stories of the World Cup.
4 July
Morocco are not going away.
Canada’s run came to a heavy end with a 3-0 defeat, and this time there was no late escape, no gritty survival story, no scruffy one-goal miracle. Morocco were sharper, calmer and better in almost every department.
For Canada, the adventure ends with pride. They reached the last 16, gave the home crowd something to believe in, and made their own piece of history. But Morocco looked like a side that had been here before, because they have.
France also moved on, beating Paraguay 1-0 in the kind of game they seem built to survive. Not spectacular, not especially romantic, but ruthless enough. Paraguay had already sent Germany home, but France were not in the mood to become the next headline.
Earlier, Colombia edged Ghana 1-0 to complete the last of the Round of 32 business. Another tight game, another narrow margin, another reminder that this World Cup is now being decided by nerve as much as talent.
Morocco and France now meet in the quarter-finals. That has a bit of history, and a lot of heat.
5 July
England have done it.
In front of a furious Mexican crowd, in the thick of a tournament that has already swallowed Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, England came through a monumental test and beat Mexico 3-2.
This was not a quiet win. This was not a tidy piece of tournament management. This was England walking into noise, pressure and danger, taking punches, and still finding a way through.
Mexico gave everything. The hosts had the crowd, the momentum and the emotion of a country behind them. Every attack felt like it carried the weight of the stadium. Every England mistake was greeted like a national event. This was not just a football match. It was a test of whether England could stand still while the place shook around them.
And they did.
A 3-2 win in a World Cup knockout game against Mexico, in North America, is not just a result. It is one of those nights that changes the temperature of a tournament. England are into the quarter-finals, and suddenly the whole thing feels very real.
Earlier, Brazil crashed out to Norway. Brazil 1, Norway 2. Another giant gone. Another bracket ripped up. Norway now wait for England in the quarter-finals, and after knocking out Brazil, nobody will be calling them a soft touch.
But the night belongs to England. Not perfect. Not calm. Not comfortable. But huge.
A monumental win.
6th July
6 July
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup story is over.
Portugal looked as though they had done enough to drag Spain into extra time, but Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute to win it 1-0. One late goal ended Portugal’s tournament and closed the final World Cup chapter of one of the game’s greatest players.
Ronaldo leaves without the trophy that always escaped him. He has the goals, the records and the longevity, but the World Cup remained the one summit he could never quite reach.
Spain march on. They have still not been entirely convincing, but they keep winning, and perhaps that is what matters now. Their reward is a quarter-final against Belgium.
Belgium ended the USA’s dream with a ruthless 4-1 victory. The Americans had the crowd and the occasion, but Belgium had the quality. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as the last of the three host nations disappeared from the tournament.
Canada, Mexico and now the United States are all gone. The party continues, but the hosts have left their own house.
7 July
Argentina were staring into the abyss.
Two goals down against Egypt and heading out of the World Cup, the defending champions somehow found another life. Cristian Romero pulled one back, Lionel Messi equalised, and Enzo Fernández completed a remarkable comeback in stoppage time.
Argentina won 3-2, but Egypt leave with enormous credit. They pushed the champions to the edge, frightened them and came within minutes of producing one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history.
Messi survives. Again.
Switzerland and Colombia then produced something entirely different. Two hours without a goal, followed by the cruelty of penalties. Switzerland held their nerve, winning the shootout 4-3 and reaching their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954.
Colombia came close, but the crossbar and Gregor Kobel stood between them and history. Switzerland now face Argentina, and after surviving a night like this, they will fear nobody.
The last 16 is finished. Eight teams remain.
8 July
For the first time in weeks, the World Cup went quiet.
No matches. No penalties. No late winners. Just a day to breathe, recover and look at what remains.
France will face Morocco, a repeat of the 2022 semi-final and a match carrying far more than football. Spain meet Belgium, two of Europe’s most technically gifted sides. England face Norway, the team that knocked out Brazil. Argentina meet Switzerland, who have already proved they can survive pressure.
Brazil are gone. Germany are gone. The Netherlands are gone. Portugal are gone. All three host nations are gone.
England, Argentina, France and Spain remain, but this no longer feels like a tournament that belongs to the traditional powers.
Morocco believe. Norway believe. Switzerland believe.
The quarter-finals are ready.