Africa’s traditional show of football solidarity changed across social media at the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as a wave of fans across the continent openly backed Mexico over South Africa in their opening group match, reflecting deeper political tensions beyond sports.

Mexico got off to a winning start at the opening match of the World Cup, beating South Africa 2-0.

Somali referee Omar Artan has been picked to officiate the showcase UEFA Super Cup game in August, just days after he was denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup tournament where he was due to work.

South Africa’s World Cup dream got off to a painful start as Bafana Bafana fell 2-0 to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While fans packed viewing venues in Johannesburg with high hopes, many left frustrated, questioning the team's tactics, performance and coaching decisions.

The expanded tournament is co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada with 104 matches in 16 stadiums over 39 days.

US Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry after arriving to Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.

FIFA has banned fans from bringing reusable water bottles into stadiums at the 2026 World Cup, despite growing warnings that extreme heat could put supporters at risk.

With just two weeks to the start of the tournament, visas for Woodensky Pierre and nearly a dozen soccer officials have yet to come through.

The US, Mexico and Canada - the three hosts of next month’s World Cup - say they will align public health measures for people traveling to the tournament from the DR Congo and other African nations affected by the Ebola outbreak.

For the first time ever, tiny Curaçao is participating in the FIFA World Cup, the world's largest sporting event.