World Cup LIVE: 'Spying' fears raised as FIFA make England statement

Everything you need to know about what happened on Wednesday and overnight at the World Cup

Reports from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, claimed that significant numbers of England supporters bypassed security checkpoints and gained entry without valid tickets for the World Cup opener against Croatia. A FIFA spokesperson, however, clarified that the governing body currently has no official indication or evidence of any supporters gaining entry without a valid match ticket.

The opening fixture recorded an official attendance of 70,389, narrowly missing the venue's full capacity of 70,649. Steep ticket prices have proved a major bone of contention, though FIFA previously pledged to make 10 per cent of England's travel scheme allocations available for 60 US dollars following a furious backlash from fans.

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Zlatko Dalic was frustrated with how Croatia defended England's set pieces after their 4-2 defeat to the Three Lions.

"Allow me first to congratulate England on the win," the Croatia boss said. "It was quite a strange game, quite a difficult game, as we expected it to be.

"In the first half, we played quite well. We really did good saves and we actually kept to everything we agreed on, but unfortunately we knew that the set-pieces were the greatest danger, and we conceded two goals after a corner.

"Until now we were quite good in the set-pieces. We did not concede goals that easily and we practised for this opponent.

"We knew England's way of play, we knew that they're making a block and we failed to do what we practised. After the first corner, we concede a goal. After the second set-piece, a player just jumps in and scores again, so it was disastrous for us, specifically when it comes to a team such as England.

"They are strongest when it comes to goals from set-pieces. About 40 per cent of their goals are from set-pieces. We analysed that game, we knew that. We must be much, much better than we were today in our performance."

FIFA has stated it is currently unaware of any supporters gaining entry to England's opening World Cup fixture against Croatia without valid tickets. Eyewitness accounts emerging from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, suggested that significant numbers of fans had bypassed security and entered the ground unchecked.

One witness told Mail Sport: "There were big gaps at the side of the ticket barriers and people just strolled through. There were volunteers who were basically old ladies and they weren't stopping anyone."

A FIFA spokesperson responded: "At this stage, we have no indication of fans entering the stadium without a valid match ticket for the game in question."

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Just a single shot on target at the break, and the quality has been sorely lacking throughout. Ghana have managed just 36 per cent possession, while Panama, despite dominating the ball, have found themselves unable to carve open the opposition defence.

Antoine Semenyo has touched the ball a mere eight times.

Ghana are winless in their last seven outings — and it shows. Neither side has kept a clean sheet in their last seven consecutive matches, so surely the second half must produce a goal?

"It could be Skegness rather than Toronto" declared ITV commentator Jon Champion as rain hammered it down during the first half of Ghana vs Panama - the night's other game in England's group.

Yet despite the thoroughly miserable conditions, which had spectators reaching for their pac-a-macs, the first half was still halted for a three-minute-plus Hydration Break — arguably the most absurd stoppage of its kind at these finals so far.

There was absolutely no justification for it, beyond FIFA's insistence that it must occur at every match. The reasoning?

Fairness, apparently.

In reality, it has far more to do with cold, hard cash. Fox Sports in the United States are broadcasting so many adverts during the intervals that they are on track to pocket an additional $250m from the extra commercials throughout the tournament, according to Front Office Sports.

It's been a really slow start to the other game in England's group. Neither side should pose the Three Lions too much of a threat in getting out of the group.

Panama has looked the livelier of the two teams but has managed just one shot in target in the first half an hour.

Ghana, despite having Man City star Antoine Semenyo in their ranks, has offered very little going forward.

Turkish broadcaster Murat Ekrem Cimen has been suspended from his World Cup duties after mixing up the teams during Iran's group-stage clash with New Zealand. Cimen is amongst Turkey's most seasoned football journalists, boasting more than 30 years in broadcasting.

He commands widespread respect in Turkey, comparable to renowned American broadcasters such as Bob Costas and Al Michaels.

Viewers were taken aback by his error during the 2026 World Cup given his esteemed reputation. For approximately four minutes, Cimen confused the identities of both sides and wrongly identified players on the pitch.

Meanwhile, World Cup fans cried "rigged" after Harry Kane was awarded a second penalty opportunity for England.

Jeremy Cross in Houston

The atmosphere amongst DR Congo supporters couldn't be happier.

Unlike the one engulfing the Portuguese media covering their side's opening World Cup game of 2026.

Most of them are sat inside the Houston Stadium shaking their heads at what has been witnessed in the first half.

Portugal took the lead, but Congo equalised through Yoane Wissa, with a goal of historic proportions.

It is Congo's first ever goal at a World Cup. Back in 1974, their only previous appearance at the tournament, they lost all three games by an aggregate of 14-0.

They were so bad, even Scotland beat them.

But it's not Wissa's header which has aggrieved the Portuguese press pack.

It's the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo, and manager Roberto Martinez's reluctance to take him off.

Instead, Martinez has taken Bernardo Silva off, despite him posing much more of a threat than Ronaldo did.

Ronaldo is doing a fine impression of walking football.

He looks all of his 41 years today. Trouble is brewing.

The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will now be able to enter the United States to watch her son play at the World Cup, following an announcement from the US Government.

Vozinha’s mother did not have a visa to enter the country for the opening match against Spain due to cost issues, where the 40-year-old goalkeeper helped his country earn a point in a goalless draw earlier this week.

Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leader for the US House, announced in a statement on Wednesday:

Cape Verdeans in America and throughout the diaspora have been celebrating the underdog grit and resilience of the Blue Sharks, joined by soccer fans from nations throughout the globe.

That joy was tempered a bit when Vozinha tearfully revealed that his own mother was unable to watch her son’s iconic performance in person due to visa complications. No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history.

Upon learning of this development, I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde’s next match. It is a privilege to announce that Vozinha’s mom will be able to secure a visa in time to attend their game this Sunday against Uruguay.

All fees have been waived consistent with official policy. Travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami. I thank Secretary Rubio, US State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and Fifa for working together to make this possible.

The BBC have issued an apology after an error was made during their coverage of the World Cup on Tuesday.

During the BBC’s pre-match build-up to France vs Senegal, the team news graphic had William Saliba’s name over an image of Dayot Upamecano.

In another error, Ibrahima Konate’s image was used alongside Jules Kounde’s name.

In response to the errors, the BBC issued a statement which read: "We apologise for this mistake."

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