The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally gets underway this week, and you can follow all of the latest breaking news before Thursday’s opening group-stage game with The Athletic. We’d also love to hear from you before Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday. Get in touch by emailing live@theathletic.com.

The betting odds for the 2026 World Cup are intriguing for a monster tournament this summer. With the group stage pairings and the route each team has to the final confirmed, the odds reflect how easy, or tough, teams have it.

Follow England's FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer news, fixtures, results, squad and group standings from Reuters, covering their path through the tournament.

While some England fans hope to change sleep and work schedules to follow the event at home in the UK, others are trading the living room sofa for a Mediterranean sun-lounger.