Welcome to Express Sport's coverage of all the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup news on Monday, June 15. Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden hammered Tunisia 5-1 in their World Cup opener. Kai Havertz scored a brace as Germany opened their campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao in Houston. Japan hit back twice to start their campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. A late goal from Amad Diallo earned the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Manager Sacked After One Game
Tunisia are reportedly set to part ways with manager Sabri Lamouchi following their 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Wahbi Khazri is said to be in line to serve as interim boss until the end of the World Cup.
FIFA Investigates Referee Gesture
FIFA are set to investigate after an official appeared to make a hand gesture during the match between Germany and Curacao. Australian referee Shaun Evans was support VAR for the Group E contest. As TV coverage showed the match officials room ahead of kick-off, Evans appeared to make an upside down 'OK' signal with his right hand on his thigh. The gesture has been linked with the 'white power' movement, but the symbol is also associated with a playground game.
Germany 7-1 Curacao
Germany's World Cup bid got lift off in Houston thanks to a thumping triumph over minnows Curacao. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring with a sublime goal inside six minutes. Livano Comenecia equalised for Curacao with a rocket of a strike, sending shockwaves around the stadium. Nico Schotterbeck restored the German lead, before Kai Havertz struck from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time. Jamal Musiala added a fourth, Nathaniel Brown scored a volley, Deniz Undav hit Curacao for six, and Havertz completed the rout with his second.
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Yasin Ayari scored twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden hammered Tunisia. Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 after a VAR review, and Viktor Gyokeres added a fifth. Omar Rekik scored a header for Tunisia just before half-time.
Japan 2-2 Netherlands
Daichi Kamada's equaliser secured a dramatic 2-2 draw for Japan. Crysencio Summerville fired the Dutch back into the lead, but Koki Ogawa headed Japan level. Virgil van Dijk had headed Netherlands into the lead earlier.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador
Amad Diallo scored one minute from normal time after great work from Wilfried Singo to give Ivory Coast a winning start.
Other News
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has been slammed by 13 World Cup nations after he claimed the expanded tournament had led to many matches being 'uninteresting'. The football associations of Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa expressed their profound disappointment.
FIFA issued a statement after Uruguay's team flight from Mexico to the United States was delayed due to missing documentation. FIFA said an airline permitting error in Mexico caused the delay.
Jurgen Klopp apologised to Julian Nagelsmann for casting doubts on his future as Germany boss. Klopp used the word 'still' when referring to Nagelsmann being the national team manager, sparking a row.
Two men have been charged with receiving stolen property in relation to the stolen England kit and equipment. Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal each face one count of the Class D felony under Missouri law.
Upcoming Fixtures
Today's World Cup fixtures: Belgium vs Egypt, Iran vs New Zealand, Spain vs Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay.
