Picture the scene: it’s the center of June, the World Cup is well underway and also you’ve not only missed quite a few games that took place in the midst of the night, but you’ve been so busy that you are feeling such as you’re missing all the large stories too.
Amazing goals, moments of drama and players you’ve never heard of, all missed because silly things like your biological need for sleep have gotten in the best way of consuming every moment of the tournament.
That’s where Metro is available in, with our each day In The Mixer World Cup newsletter.
On daily basis in the course of the World Cup, we’ll send you a fast, five-minute read with updates from overnight, the most recent you might want to know concerning the England squad and massive previews of the games price staying up that little bit later for.
All of the World Cup motion
Get every little thing you might want to know concerning the World Cup – England updates, the games to observe and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, each day. Join here.
Our team of experts, led by Head of Sport James Goldman, will offer you evaluation of the most important talking points and results at what’s already a historic tournament.
Join here to get your each day updates.
When does the World Cup start?
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in Mexico City on June 11, when hosts Mexico face South Africa within the opening game of the tournament live to tell the tale ITV.
It’s followed by South Korea v Czechia at 3am, while hosts Canada will get their tournament began on BBC at 8pm on June 12.
Luckily for Three Lions fans, England’s group stage fixtures against Croatia (9pm), Ghana (9pm) and Panama (10pm) have been given relatively kind kick-off times, but several games more likely to be of particular interest to UK audiences have been handed less favourable slots.
Scotland’s first taste of World Cup football since 1998 is one such fixture, with Steve Clarke’s men taking up Haiti of their opening game at 2am on Sunday morning.
South American heavyweights Brazil and Argentina even have matches scheduled for the early hours of the morning, whilst Spain’s intriguing clash with Uruguay is billed to start out at 1am.
England’s World Cup fixtures
England v Croatia, June 17, 9pm.
England v Ghana, June 23, 9pm.
England v Panama, June 27, 10pm.
Can England win the World Cup?
The backlash against Thomas Tuchel following his omission of stars like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t exactly bode well, while Harry Maguire’s emotional response suggests his decisions didn’t go down well amongst players either.
Nonetheless, England still have among the finest squads on the tournament, with multiple Premier League and Champions League winners within the starting lineup.
Our In The Mixer experts shared their predictions for who will probably be crowned champions – fair warning, none of them backed England to go all the best way…
James Goldman: ‘There are query marks hanging over all the favourites and it’s hard to make a case for his or her being one outstanding team. Portugal have some glaring deficiencies before you even begin to contemplate how they’ll manage Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego through his final international tournament. That midfield, nevertheless, is special each by way of talent and depth. Given the pace at which a whole lot of games are more likely to be played out because of this of the conditions, the flexibility to regulate matches is more likely to be key and Portugal must have that quality in abundance.’
Gavin Brown: ‘France will go one step further than 4 years ago. Not very imaginative, but I can’t look past a mesmeric forward line of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise and, injury and holiday plans permitting, Kylian Mbappe. Oh and Rayan Cherki is waiting in reserve. That much talent ought to be illegal. The midfield looks a little bit uninspiring but with those attacking riches and a defence marshalled by William Saliba, Didier Deschamps’ men are those to beat.’
Dylan Mangan: ‘I find it hard to look past Spain. The reigning European champions will probably be some of the cohesive sides on the tournament and have quality and energy everywhere in the pitch. They’re the closest thing to a club side you possibly can get at international level and ought to be all the higher for it. There are some concerns – their variety of play may suffer in extreme heat and Lamine Yamal’s fitness is essential – but I’m backing La Roja to bring football a casa.’
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