Soccer

Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné undergoes surgery to repair broken leg at World Cup

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 6:16 PM CDT

VANCOUVER - Filling an Ismaël Koné-sized hole in Canada's lineup won't be easy as the country continues its World Cup quest.

The central midfielder underwent successful surgery Thursday night after the tibia and fibula in his left leg were broken during a group-stage matchup against Qatar.

The surgeons who performed the operation were watching the game before they were called into action, Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch said Friday.

Koné, 24, is expected to make a full recovery, but he will not be available for the rest of the tournament.

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Brandon to hold local ‘World Cup’ tourney

Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Preview

Brandon to hold local ‘World Cup’ tourney

Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:15 PM CDT

Frank Adjei had World Cup fever.

Not just to watch, but to play his favourite sport.

The former Brandon University Bobcats men’s soccer player came up with the idea of a Brandon World Cup and pitched it to Mayor Jeff Fawcett, who was on board.

Three months ago, Brandon Afcon announced it was opening registration for up to eight teams to participate. Starting on Friday, five will vie for the championship during a month-long competition.

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Updated: Yesterday at 12:15 PM CDT

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Canadian Press 7 minute read Updated: 8:26 PM CDT

Here are the latest developments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times Eastern:

9:25 p.m.

Matheus Cunha scored a brace in the first 36 minutes of play and Vinicius Junior added another in injury time as Brazil took a 3-0 lead over Haiti into half time.

---

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Updated: 8:26 PM CDT

Drones banned over World Cup training sites in Toronto, Vancouver

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Drones banned over World Cup training sites in Toronto, Vancouver

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

Federal regulators have banned unauthorized drones near FIFA World Cup venues and training sites in Toronto and Vancouver to manage crowded airspace and protect event security.

As part of broader airspace regulations in effect from June 12 through July 7, Transport Canada prohibits drone flights below 2,500 feet within designated circles in both Canadian host cities, unless exempted.

The restricted zones in the Toronto area include BMO Field — renamed Toronto Stadium for the World Cup — and Exhibition Place, along with training sites at Downsview Park, Centennial Park and Nottawasaga Resort in New Tecumseth, Ont.

In Vancouver, the restrictions cover BC Place Stadium, the Pacific National Exhibition grounds, and training facilities at Killarney Park and the University of British Columbia.

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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Canadian Press 10 minute read Preview

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Canadian Press 10 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2026

Here are the latest developments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times Eastern:

2:08 a.m.

Marko Arnautovic scores on a penalty in the 12th minute of second-half stoppage time to give Austria a 3-1 victory.

1:58 a.m.

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Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2026

Soccer

Tunisia fires coach Sabri Lamouchi after heavy opening World Cup loss and appoints Renard

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Tunisia fires coach Sabri Lamouchi after heavy opening World Cup loss and appoints Renard

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Tunisia has fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after being thrashed 5-1 by Sweden in its first match at the World Cup and appointed French coach Hervé Renard, the Tunisian soccer federation posted on its social media Tuesday and told state news agency TAP.

The 54-year-old Lamouchi had only been in charge of the national team since January.

Tunisia’s heavy loss on Sunday left the North African nation with a tough task to reach the last 32. The team’s remaining group games are against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25.

Renard is an experienced coach who has won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and the Ivory Coast in the past. He coached Morocco at the 2018 World Cup and Saudi Arabia in 2022 — earning a notable upset win over eventual winner Argentina — and the French national women's team. His most recent job was another stint with Saudi Arabia's men.

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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

Soccer

Ghana midfielder Partey loses bid to enter Canada for World Cup match in Toronto

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Ghana midfielder Partey loses bid to enter Canada for World Cup match in Toronto

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

OTTAWA - A Federal Court judge has dismissed Thomas Partey's bid for emergency relief after Canada denied the Ghana midfielder entry for the FIFA World Cup.

Justice Roger Lafrenière, who heard the application Tuesday morning, rejected Partey's request to temporarily override Canada's decision and allow him to travel to Toronto for Ghana's opening match against Panama on Wednesday.

Partey, 32, remains in the United States with the Ghana team after being found inadmissible to Canada.

The former Arsenal player is awaiting trial next year in England on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

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Soccer

Iran coach says team ordered out of US right after 2-2 draw with New Zealand in World Cup opener

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Iran coach says team ordered out of US right after 2-2 draw with New Zealand in World Cup opener

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The coach of Iran's World Cup team said it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn't say who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The team had expected to spend the night in California to maximize the normal recovery process after its opening game, only to be told after the match that everyone must immediately get on a plane for the 140-mile trip back to Tijuana.

“They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. “After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, (but) we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.”

The Iranians’ World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the U.S.

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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

Soccer

Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo scores equalizer in 1-1 World Cup draw with Saudi Arabia

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo scores equalizer in 1-1 World Cup draw with Saudi Arabia

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Maxi Araújo finally gave the crowd of mostly Uruguay fans in South Florida something to cheer about with his tying goal late in Monday's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.

La Celeste salvaged a point, but they were not thrilled with the result.

“We gave it away. We have to be honest,” midfielder Federico Valverde said in Spanish after his side played to a 1-1 draw, making up for a flat first half by controlling the second.

“We gave away the first half,” Valverde added. “We didn’t play the way we had trained. It wasn’t what we were aiming for. We rushed things too much. We wanted to win the game in the very first minute. Sometimes you need a bit more patience and just play our game. We improved a lot in the second half.”

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

Soccer

Ghana takes Partey’s World Cup entry fight with Canada to Federal Court

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ghana takes Partey’s World Cup entry fight with Canada to Federal Court

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

OTTAWA - A Federal Court judge is scheduled to hear an injunction application Tuesday from Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, whose bid to enter Canada for the World Cup was denied over rape and sexual assault charges in England.

The hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m. ET, will consider Partey's bid to overturn the decision preventing him from entering Canada.

The 32-year-old remains in the United States after Canada refused his application to enter the country for Ghana's opening match against Panama on Wednesday in Toronto.

Ghana's government has called the decision "extremely unfair" and vowed to pursue legal action to overturn it.

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

Soccer

Belgium settles for 1-1 draw with Egypt at World Cup despite numerous chances for Lukaku, De Bruyne

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Belgium settles for 1-1 draw with Egypt at World Cup despite numerous chances for Lukaku, De Bruyne

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

SEATTLE (AP) — Romelu Lukaku’s entrance as a second-half substitute drew a standing ovation from the smattering of Belgium supporters.

It took only 23 seconds to turn those hopeful cheers into raptures of euphoria.

Lukaku's presence sparked an immediate attack that led to Belgium’s lone goal against Egypt on Monday, helping to earn a 1-1 draw in the team's opening World Cup match.

“He’s a target man,” Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said. “He needs to build up his fitness, which is understandable after being out for the season. But, he helps us in this way.”

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

Soccer

A look at where Canada stands after one round of Group B games at the World Cup

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

A look at where Canada stands after one round of Group B games at the World Cup

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

It’s early, but the odds are already tilting in Canada’s favour to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the men’s program's history.

And after Qatar stunned Switzerland with a 1-1 draw Saturday, even winning Group B is a strong possibility, with multiple analytics models giving Canada the edge.

Canada faces Qatar on Thursday in its second match at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium after drawing Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 in its tournament opener last Friday in Toronto, creating a four-way tie in the group.

"It’s wide open," Canada centre back Joel Waterman said. "We want to top the group.

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

Soccer

People watch a sea plane take off in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, July 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Airspaces over Vancouver, Toronto shut to low-level flights for World Cup matches

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Airspaces over Vancouver, Toronto shut to low-level flights for World Cup matches

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

VANCOUVER - Airspace restrictions have been placed over both Toronto and Vancouver around FIFA World Cup match times, as Norad conducts what it calls "air defence operations."

Capt. Rebecca Garad, a spokesperson for the North American Aerospace Defence Command with the Canadian Armed Forces, said Nav Canada was implementing restrictions on low‑level visual flight traffic, both for the Vancouver Harbour and the Toronto Billy Bishop control zones that are near each city's downtown core.

They encompass both BC Place Stadium and Toronto Stadium, better known as BMO Field.

Garad said Monday the temporary airspace restriction would be active for three hours before and after each game.

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

Soccer

Cape Verde stuns Spain with a surprising 0-0 draw in the country’s World Cup debut

James Robson, The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

ATLANTA (AP) — Tiny Cape Verde pulled off a stunning result in its World Cup debut, shutting out heavily favored Spain.

An impressive performance by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha helped Cape Verde play one of the favorites to win the tournament to a surprising 0-0 draw. The final score is the biggest shock of the tournament so far, with Spain a -1200 favorite to win the match by some bookmakers.

“The team tried,” said Spain midfielder Rodri. "It’s about fine-tuning those chances we created because against a team that sits back so much you’re not going to have many, and you know you have to take them. It’s that simple.”

Cape Verde actually had a chance to win the game, but Diney Borges' late header was saved by Spain keeper Unai Simon.

Soccer

Canada's Alphonso Davies, right, runs laps during a Team Canada World Cup training session in Toronto, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

‘The city feels alive’: Canada continues World Cup quest in Vancouver

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘The city feels alive’: Canada continues World Cup quest in Vancouver

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

VANCOUVER - There was ample hype in the weeks and months leading up to Canada co-hosting the FIFA World Cup.

Now that the country has staged two games, Ali Ahmed believes the tournament is delivering on its promise to deliver energy and excitement.

"The city feels alive. The world just feels like it’s just stopped and everyone’s just watching football," the Canadian midfielder said on Monday. "People that don’t know the rules are talking to me about football. Everyone’s talking about football."

Canada kicked off its quest Friday, battling Bosnia-Herzegovina to a 1-1 draw in Toronto.

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

11:0x p.m.

Four games, four draws. That's the World Cup recap today as Iran and New Zealand played to a 2-2 draw tonight in Inglewood, Calif., albeit both sides had enough chances to claim victory.

10:31 p.m.

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Monday, Jun. 15, 2026

June 19, 2026

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