Hello and welcome to the Mirror's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, June 16. It feels like the tournament is properly up and running with more big games to come today. France vs Senegal headlines the action before Iraq take on Erling Haaland's Norway and Argentina, the holders, kick off their tournament against Algeria. Austria take on Jordan overnight to round off the action, but it is off the pitch where headlines are being made.
England Injury Blow
England were rocked by an injury blow to defender Tino Livramento, who has withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel's squad with a calf injury. He has been replaced by Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, who is currently heading to England's Kansas City training camp. Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez is reportedly set to leave his role with Portugal at the end of the tournament with the decision coming after Sabri Lamouchi's sacking by Tunisia.
France vs Senegal Line-ups
France's starting line-up vs Senegal has been confirmed, with a scary front four for any opponents. As expected, Kylian Mbappe is starting for Les Bleus alongside Desire Doue, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele. Arsenal's William Saliba is at the heart of the defence. Senegal have also named their starting line-up for the match, with plenty of familiar faces on show: Edouard Mendy; Kalidou Koulibaly, Krepin Diatta, Moussa Niakhate, El Hadj Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamin Camara, Papa Gueye; Sadio Mane, Nicholas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr.
Key Events
- England confirm player ruled out for World Cup ahead of opener
- England star set to be ruled out of World Cup in injury heartbreak
- Japan injury update
- Iran flags confiscated
- GOAL! Saudi Arabia 1-0 Uruguay (Al-Amri)
- Cape Verde have done it!
- Lamine Yamal only fit enough for the Spain bench vs Cape Verde
- Lamine Yamal spotted in Walmart ahead of World Cup debut match
- Tunisia reportedly sack head coach after just one match
- FIFA set to investigate World Cup referee accused of making 'white power' hand gesture
Commentator Suspended Over Blunder
Turkish state broadcaster TRT has suspended one of their commentators after he confused Iran and New Zealand during their World Cup match. For the first four minutes of the game in Los Angeles, Murat Ekrem Cimen spoke as if the team wearing white was New Zealand and the black were Iran, but it was in fact the other way around. It was only when the cameras panned for Iran's Mehdi Taremi from behind, with his name clear on the back of his shirt, which prompted the commentator to correct himself. The four-minute footage went viral. Cimen has since released a statement apologising, but his employers put out a statement whereby they confirmed a commentator had been stood down until after the World Cup.
South Korea Media Boycott
South Korea have refused to take part in their latest media obligations after reporters from the country allegedly mocked Son Heung-min's military service. Reports suggest that reporters were heard on a hot mic mocking Son's military service as he trained away from the group. Service is compulsory in South Korea, but exceptions can be made for athletes who win titles, with Son and his teammates earning that with a gold at the 2018 Asian Games. In a statement, the KFA said: "The Korea Football Association expresses regret over the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team's training at the Guadalajara base camp," the KFA said in a statement. "With a sense of responsibility to represent South Korea on the global stage of the World Cup, the Taegeuk Warriors are doing their best to repay the support and expectations of the people. However, the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team."
England Fans Arrive in Dallas
It's a little over 24 hours until England get their World Cup campaign underway with the aim of ending 60 years of hurt. Thomas Tuchel's men take on Croatia in Dallas at 9pm (BST) tomorrow (Wednesday) night, and fans are starting to arrive. BBC Sport reports that between 12,000 and 15,000 England fans are expected to be in attendance at each group stage game. The official England Supporters Travel Club have sold the 4,022 allocation.
England 'in Talks' Over Friendly During World Cup
England are 'in talks' over playing a final behind-closed-doors friendly during the World Cup group stage games. BBC Sport report that talks are being held with MLS side Sporting Kansas City, with any fixture likely to be played between the clashes against Croatia on Wednesday and Ghana next Tuesday. If the game goes ahead then it's reported that players who do not play a significant amount of time against Croatia will be selected to help build and maintain match fitness.
Portugal Manager Decision
Roberto Martinez will leave his role as Portugal manager, no matter how the World Cup goes for his team, according to TalkSPORT. The former Swansea, Wigan, Everton and Belgium boss will lead the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes in the tournament, with their first game taking place vs DR Congo on Wednesday evening. It's reported that he has already decided not to renew his Portugal contract, which expires after the tournament.
FA Chief Explains Why Tuchel Was Handed New Contract Before World Cup as Clause Revealed
FA chief Mark Bullingham insists they did not "move the goalposts" by giving Thomas Tuchel a new contract. Tuchel was hired on a win-or-bust basis for this World Cup but the Football Association then rewarded the German with a new contract until 2028. But Bullingham says they still firmly believe that Tuchel has all the qualities to win the World Cup this summer and there are performance clauses written into the new deal. The FA chief executive said: "I think the energy and charisma he brings is amazing. In his own environment he's incredibly dynamic and energetic but he absolutely owns the room and owns the camp and he's brilliant at connecting with everyone. That's what he brings. He's incredibly dynamic. He is so focused on this tournament but we also have the 2028 agreement in place. I don't think we have moved the goalposts because we appointed him to try and do as well as we can in this tournament, and we've appointed him for that tournament to see how well we can do for that tournament. You never really want that hanging over you when you go into a tournament because obviously anyone in any walk of life that's on a fixed-term contract when they get to the end of it starts thinking about their future."
