Argentina's Lionel Messi waits to participate in a drill during practice for the World Cup soccer tournament Monday, June 15, 2026, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

By The Canadian Press

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Jun 16, 2026 | 5:23 AM

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

1:20 p.m.

Federal Court is expected to rule soon on whether Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey can enter Canada for the World Cup after being denied entry over pending rape and sexual assault charges in England. Partey remains in the United States and is seeking a court order allowing him to travel to Toronto for Ghana’s opening match against Panama on Wednesday. The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty and argues the public interest supports his temporary entry as an accredited World Cup athlete.

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South Korea’s preparations for Thursday’s World Cup match against Mexico have been disrupted by a dispute with domestic media. Reporters were caught on camera mocking captain Son Heung-min over his military-service exemption during an open training session. The Korea Football Association condemned the remarks, and local reports say players have since stopped speaking to domestic media outside official World Cup commitments.

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12:45 p.m.

Federal regulators have banned unauthorized drones near World Cup venues and training sites in Toronto and Vancouver through July 7. The restrictions are aimed at managing crowded airspace and protecting event security around stadiums and team facilities. The move comes less than two years after the Canadian women’s soccer team’s drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics led to suspensions for coach Bev Priestman and two Canada Soccer staff members.

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11:23 a.m.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has become an overnight internet sensation after helping his tiny nation hold soccer giant Spain to a scoreless draw at the World Cup. His Instagram following exploded from about 500,000 before yesterday’s match to more than eight million this morning after he made seven saves against the 2010 world champions. Vozinha, making his World Cup debut at age 40, broke down in tears after helping Cape Verde earn a point in its first-ever World Cup game.

11:06 a.m.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be soccer royalty, but Sweden defender Gustaf Lagerbielke is the real thing — he’s a baron. The 26-year-old defender, whose family includes counts and members of Sweden’s nobility, played in Sweden’s 5-1 World Cup win over Tunisia and has even been reported to be in line for the throne. Lagerbielke says he’d rather focus on helping Sweden make a run at the World Cup than worry about becoming king.

9:04 a.m.

Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden in its opening World Cup match and replaced him with veteran French coach Hervé Renard. Renard has coached Morocco and Saudi Arabia at the World Cup and led Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations titles. Tunisia faces Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25 as it tries to recover from its opening defeat.

8:18 a.m.

Lionel Messi begins what is expected to be his sixth and final World Cup when defending champion Argentina opens its title defence against Algeria at 9 p.m. in Kansas City. Argentina is seeking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back men’s World Cup titles. France, another tournament favourite, faces Senegal at 3 p.m. in East Rutherford, N.J., while Iraq meets Norway at 6 p.m. in Foxborough, Mass. Austria takes on Jordan at midnight in Santa Clara, Calif.

8:16 a.m.

Ghana’s attempt to get midfielder Thomas Partey into Canada for the World Cup heads to Federal Court today, with a judge set to hear an injunction application challenging his denied entry. Partey, who faces rape and sexual assault charges in England and remains in the United States, was refused entry ahead of Ghana’s tournament opener against Panama in Toronto. Ghana’s government has called the decision unfair, while Canada says immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis regardless of the World Cup.

8:15 a.m.

Canada trains in Vancouver today as it prepares for Thursday’s World Cup matchup with Qatar after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Midfielder Ali Ahmed said the World Cup has energized the country, while captain Alphonso Davies continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and remains in return-to-play protocols. 

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press