The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from countries that have qualified for the World Cup and have bought tickets for the soccer tournament pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the United States, the State Department said Wednesday. The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the Republican administration's broader crackdown on immigration.
Veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat has made a surprise return as head coach of Curacao national football team just one month before the country's historic World Cup debut. Advocaat stepped down from the role in February after guiding Curacao to their first-ever World Cup qualification last November, citing concerns over his daughter's health. However, following improvements in her condition, reports in the Netherlands suggested the 78-year-old was open to returning, and Curacao Football Federation president Gilbert Martina confirmed the appointment on Tuesday.
Former Spurs bosses Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou will be rivals once again at the World Cup this summer. However, instead of facing one another in the dugouts, they'll be going head-to-head in competing TV studios, having both penned deals to be pundits at this summer's tournament. The first match of the USA, Canada and Mexico tournament kicks off in one month's time and both will be there to provide punditry for UK TV networks.
Moises Caicedo could be available for selection when Ecuador kick off their World Cup campaign next month. World Cup 2026 gets underway on Thursday, June 11 and Ecuador face Ivory Coast in their Group E opener at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 14. It had been expected that La Tri would be without Chelsea midfielder Caicedo, who is due to serve a one-match suspension.
The World Cup is a massive logistical undertaking for fans and organising committees alike, and the hard work that goes into it is all geared towards making it a month-long festival of football.
World Cup ticket prices are sky-high and the overall cost of going to one of the 104 World Cup matches is growing more prohibitive with every new development as the tournament approaches.