Football/Soccer 3 Hours

Last updated: June 5, 2026, 2:45 AM ET

World Cup Warm-up Results Spain drew 1-1 with Iraq in their first World Cup warm-up match at the Estadio de Riazor in La Coruña, struggling without star winger Yamal. In a stunning result, Manchester United's Amad scored a late winner to give Ivory Coast a 2-1 victory over a much-changed French side in Nantes. Meanwhile, Mexico completed their warm-ups with a dominant 5-1 victory over Serbia in front of a roaring home crowd, providing a confidence boost exactly one week before their tournament opener against South Africa.

World Cup Preparation Challenges Japan abandoned their original training site in Monterrey after discovering an uneven pitch marred by patches of dirt, forcing a last-minute change of venues ahead of the World Cup. Elsewhere, Switzerland striker Breel Embolo received his U.S. visa after a two-day delay that had threatened his participation in the tournament, with the now-cleared forward set to join the national squad.

European Football Politics Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Pérez promised a $174 million bid for a "Galáctico" player this summer as he campaigns for election this Sunday, signaling continued big-money ambitions for the Spanish giants. The enduring Messi-Ronaldo rivalry continues to captivate football fans as the two superstars have dominated the sport for the past two decades, though both approach this year's World Cup with different circumstances surrounding their national teams.