Alejandro Fernández has been officially confirmed by FIFA as the artist who will perform the Mexican national anthem at the 2026 World Cup opening match. After a four-year wait, the 2026 World Cup will officially kick off on Thursday, June 11, at the legendary Estadio Azteca as host nation Mexico squares off against South Africa in the tournament’s Group A opener. Ahead of the highly anticipated match, FIFA confirmed that Mexican icon Alejandro Fernández will have the distinct honor of singing the Mexican national anthem immediately following the conclusion of the opening ceremony. Joining him on the pitch will be global breakout star Tyla, who is scheduled to perform the national anthem for South Africa. Fernández stands as one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of Mexican music. Over his storied career, he has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, taken home two Grammy Awards, earned multiple Latin Grammys, and received the prestigious Premio Lo Nuestro Excellence Award. The 55-year-old superstar also holds the incredible distinction of being the first artist to top the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart across four separate decades (the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s), a testament to his enduring global appeal cemented by his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de FIFA World Cup (@fifaworldcup) The royalty of Mexican regional music Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco—the literal birthplace of mariachi—Alejandro Fernández is music royalty by blood. He is the son of the late, legendary Vicente Fernández, who is universally considered the greatest cultural icon of ranchera music to ever live. Stepping out from the shadow of such a global star is a challenge that has broken many legacy artists, but Alejandro successfully carved out his own unparalleled career. Affectionately nicknamed “El Potrillo” (“The Colt”), he has spent over three decades blending traditional mariachi roots with contemporary pop ballads, transforming himself into one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time. No stranger to the big stage While the 2026 World Cup opening match will draw one of the largest global television audiences of his life, Fernández is a seasoned veteran when it comes to massive, high-pressure sporting events. Way back in 1996, he was selected alongside iconic voices like Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Julio Iglesias to record “Puedes Llegar,” the official Spanish-language theme song for the Atlanta Olympic Games. Additionally, he has regularly stepped into the ring to perform ahead of major international boxing championship fights, meaning he knows exactly how to command the electric, high-stakes energy of a packed stadium.
Whether following a favorite national team or keeping an eye on the entire tournament, having the complete schedule close at hand has become more important than ever. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived, bringing together more nations, more matches, and more excitement than ever before. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition promises more matches, more drama, and more storylines than any previous edition, making it essential for supporters to keep track of every fixture. With a record 104 matches scheduled between June 11 and July 19, fans around the world are preparing for a month of soccer that will dominate conversations, daily routines, and television screens. Whether following a favorite national team or keeping an eye on the entire tournament, having the complete schedule close at hand has become more important than ever. The 2026 edition marks a historic moment for FIFA and international soccer. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete for the trophy, expanding the competition far beyond the traditional 32-team format used in recent decades. That expansion has created a tournament unlike any before it. More countries have qualified, more cities are involved, and supporters have an unprecedented number of matches to follow throughout the competition. FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the FIFA World Cup trophy. The three host nations have also made history. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are jointly staging the tournament, while Mexico becomes the first country ever to host World Cup matches in three separate editions. Download FIFA’s official 2026 World Cup schedule PDF For supporters looking to stay organized throughout the tournament, the World Cup TV Schedule and official fixture chart provide a convenient way to track every game from start to finish. Here is where you can download the PDF and keep the full tournament schedule available throughout the competition. Whether you print it for your wall, keep it at your desk, or save it on your phone, the chart serves as a valuable companion during the month-long soccer festival. What’s more, our 2026 World Cup TV Schedule is particularly useful because it includes every stage of the competition, helping supporters monitor results and identify upcoming matches with ease. A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium Why fans need the full schedule The World Cup only comes around once every four years, which is why supporters often plan entire weeks around the tournament. From early group-stage clashes to knockout-round drama, every fixture can influence the road to the final. This year presents an even greater challenge because of the increased number of matches. Keeping track of kickoff times, venues, standings, and potential knockout pairings can quickly become overwhelming without a complete fixture chart. A printable wall chart or PDF schedule allows supporters to follow results, update standings, and visualize every national team’s potential route to the championship match.
Unlike most other countries, the US are playing the 2026 World Cup not just for themselves, but for the future of their voice in the sportWorld Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the appMauricio Pochettino paused. The microphone signal flickered. He tried, for a second time, to say a few things to the 5,500 fans who had gathered in the sun Monday at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California – the United States’ World Cup home base – for an open training session. Nothing. Then something. More choppy audio. By the time things came back online, he had developed a quip.“We are in the greatest country in the world,” he said in his Rioplatense-accented English. “But the technology does not work.” Continue reading...
Given he recently distanced himself from a managerial role until the new season gets under way, I was surprised to see Thomas Frank installed as one of the early favourites for the vacant job at Ipswich. Prior to his difficult spell at Tottenham, the Dane did wonders at Brentford, and he knows how to get out of the Championship and STAY in the Premier League, which is something Kieran McKenna hasn't achieved yet in his career. Liam Rosenior was always going to be linked and I think he would be a sound appointment as well, despite it not working out for him at Chelsea.
In a recent report, Sunderland Echo stated that Sunderland could make a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer. It has been claimed that the Black Cats could move in for the Engl...
Christian Eriksen issued a positive update after collapsing in the Denmark vs. Ukraine game, highlighting that "this was a different situation from what happened in 2021." Christian Eriksen sent shockwaves through the soccer world on Sunday when he collapsed on the pitch during the international friendly between Denmark and Ukraine in Odense. Following the frightening episode, the midfielder has issued a reassuring update on his condition, stating that “this was a different situation from 2021,” the year of his original cardiac arrest. The sight of Eriksen falling to the ground while clutching his chest drew immediate and unavoidable comparisons to the harrowing moment five years ago when he suffered a heart attack during Denmark’s opening game of the European Championship against Finland. This time, however, Eriksen was able to get back to his feet within minutes of the episode and walk off the field under his own power before being taken to Odense University Hospital for evaluation with his family by his side. The day after the incident, Eriksen broke his silence with a post on Instagram: “I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family. As you can probably imagine, receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major impact on both me and my family, but I want to reassure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021. I am feeling good, and my recovery has already started.“ Beyond expressing gratitude to supporters and medical personnel, Eriksen paid particular tribute to the medical team responsible for his ongoing care, and specifically to his Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator. The device, which monitors the heart’s rhythm and automatically delivers an electrical shock when a dangerous arrhythmia is detected, Eriksen noted, “did exactly what it was designed to do: protect me when I needed it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christian Eriksen (@chriseriksen8) Now back home with his family, the Danish captain offered a glimpse of his immediate plans while deliberately sidestepping the question of his professional future. “For now, my focus is on recovering, spending time with my family, going on vacation, and playing football with my children,” the message concluded. With Denmark having already completed their international window, first with the June 3 friendly against DR Congo in which Eriksen played 73 minutes, and then the Ukraine match which was ultimately abandoned, the Danish captain has no further international commitments on the calendar. With Denmark absent from the World Cup, Eriksen will now have the time to rest, recover and reflect. Denmark’s statement In the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s collapse, the Danish Football Federation released a statement from national team doctor Morten Boesen, confirming that the pacemaker had responded swiftly and that Eriksen regained consciousness very quickly. A detailed diagnosis of what triggered the episode has not yet been made public. The most recent update from Dr. Boesen was issued before Eriksen was discharged from the hospital. “I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well. He is with his family and in good spirits. We are taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them,” the statement read.
Cammy Devlin has stated "I absolutely love Hearts" as the Australia midfielder continues to ponder whether to extend his stay at Tynecastle. The 28-year-old, who was a late substitute in his country's 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Sunday, is out of contract after five years with the Scottish Premiership club. Amid reports that Devlin has offers from clubs in Major League Soccer, the Turkish Super Lig and English Championship, he described Hearts as "an amazing football club" in an interview with Football360.
A $205m expansion team is the latest step in the league’s rapid growth, but conflicts over funding and facilities show the tensions of public-private unions in sportsSports fans’ connection to their team of choice is usually strengthened by high points – wins, championships and the like. For Emily Kegg and thousands of other Columbus Crew fans, their connection was reinforced by a potential loss of their team itself. When the Crew’s then-ownership group and Major League Soccer threatened to relocate the team to Texas in 2017, Kegg and her family were eager to join the grassroots movement to Save the Crew. They made friends through the effort to keep the team in the city, bonding over a shared love of soccer.In late 2018, when a new ownership group announced it intended to buy the team and keep it in Columbus, Kegg decided to stay involved. Now she’s the community director of the Nordecke, the supporters’ group of just under 600 members that coalesced during Save the Crew. Continue reading...
