World Cup latest news LIVE – reaction and build up ahead of Scotland and Brazil games

Portugal and Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been speaking to reporters about the criticism aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo following his side’s opening game draw with DR Congo.

“It’s not an issue for us,” Dias insisted. “It’s insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise. It’s all part of the game.

“First and foremost, the criticism isn’t directed at just one player. Cristiano is a major focus of attention, but I think we’re all in the firing line.

“Above all, apart from what I’ve just said, I don’t think anything out of the ordinary is happening. It’s always been like this since I’ve been here. I believe it will continue to be so in the future.

“In the end it’s noise. We isolate ourselves from it and focus on doing our thing.

“For all of us, it’s not an issue. We’re all united in the realization that difficulties are a good thing and that it’s through difficulties that we’ll see what we’re made of.

“We embrace it as an opportunity to create something positive. My mind doesn’t wander in that direction. I don’t pay attention when it’s thrown at us. I believe none of us attach any importance to it. It shouldn’t even be an issue.”

Staying up to watch Vinicius Jr and Brazil later?

Here’s everything you need to know: How to watch Brazil v Haiti, team news, predicted line-ups and more

Marquinhos won plaudits for his reaction after Gabriel’s missed penalty for Arsenal in the Champions League final.

The PSG defender went over to console his Brazil team-mate after his missed spot-kick handed the French club the Champions League trophy, and Gabriel says his reaction meant a lot.

It was not the result, or the performance, that Brazil were hoping for in their opening game draw with Morocco, but boss Carlo Ancelotti is not too concerned ahead of their clash with Haiti later on.

“You don’t win the World Cup in the first match,” the Italian said.

“The players’ self-criticism was very positive. I think we’ll sort out the problems; I remain confident that we’ll be competitive.

“We’re going to make a few changes… to improve our balance and our play.

“We can do better and we have to do better.”

Vinicius Jr and Carlo Ancelotti (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t think any of the lads and the coaching staff shy away from us wanting to be the first team to be able to do that for our country.

“We know how difficult that is going to be, were out playing against one of the best teams in the world but we believe we can make any game difficult and if we can do that, put in our best performance, then I believe we can get what we want and hopefully be the ones to achieve history.”

An 11pm kick-off in the UK tonight for Scotland’s clash with Morocco, as Steve Clarke’s side look to make it two wins from two at the World Cup.

Here’s what else you need to know ahead of the game: How to watch Scotland v Morocco, team news, predicted line-ups and more

Scotland boss Steve Clarke speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Morocco later: “The players feel good about themselves.

“They wanted to win a game at a major tournament and they’ve done that. Now we want to do the next step, which is to get what we need from the next two games to make a little bit of history for Scotland.

“Today, training was a electric and yeah, we feel good.”

Australia boss Tony Popovic speaking at his pre-match press conference yesterday: “We started off well against Turkey, winning. Now we want to back it up. And we’ll continue striving to do that, to improve our football and improve our standing in how people perceive Australian football.”

Some of the England players and boss Thomas Tuchel were at the baseball in Kansas City last night.

Tuchel was even invited on to throw the first pitch before the start of the game.

Just hours after an impressive World Cup opening win against Croatia, England manager Thomas Tuchel threw the ceremonial first pitch for Kansas City Royals’ baseball game against the St Louis Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/NG7wYF9WUk

— The Independent (@Independent) June 19, 2026

Christian Pulisic has been nursing an injury ahead of the USA’s game against Australia tonight.

Asked if he is fit to play, boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “I think as you know he was training individually all week.

“Like always, I think tonight or the day before the game we have a meeting with our medical area, we will assess the whole group, and tomorrow we will communicate if we agree on something tonight. He is evolving, he is much better from Friday, we’ll see.

“At this point ,if he’s not available for tomorrow, he’ll be available for the next game.”

First up today is hosts USA’s clash with Australia at 8pm UK time, with both sides hoping to make it two victories from two games after winning their opening matches.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of tonight’s meeting: How to watch USA vs Australia, team news, predicted line-ups and more

Spain defender Marc Cucurella admits he did not think he would leave Chelsea this summer after his move to Real Madrid was confirmed.

Speaking at the Spanish national team training base, Cucurella said: “If you had asked me a few months ago, I would probably have told you I didn’t expect to leave Chelsea. I was very happy there, my family too. But in life and football sometimes you need to change and start chapters you did not expect.

“It’s not easy to leave Chelsea. I lived there for four years and I think I arrived as a young kid. I dreamt of winning trophies and Chelsea gave me the chance. I’m very grateful to what they gave me. But the challenge now is bigger. I can come back to my country and play for Real Madrid which is one of the best clubs in the world.

“It was not an easy decision but the right one for me and my family.

Iran’s football federation say they will lodge a complain with FIFA over the travel restrictions that have been imposed on them.

The national team have been told they cannot stay in the USA during the World Cup.

“The football federation of Iran believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes,” they said in a statement.

“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with Fifa through the appropriate channels. Despite these limitations, Iran’s national team will continue its preparation programme and remain fully focused on its upcoming match against Belgium.”

Here’s what the Mexico boss had to say after his side became the first team to book their place in the knockout stages.

"It was the type of match where the first team to make a mistake was going to lose." 🇲🇽🗣️

Javier Aguirre perfectly summed up a tense, tactical battle between Mexico and South Korea that was ultimately decided by a single error. #WorldCup | #FIFAWorldCup | #Aguirre | #Mexico pic.twitter.com/yPQ81XiOMU

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2026

Canada were not the only host nation celebrating last night. Mexico made it two wins from two by beating South Korea, with Luis Romo capitalising on a disastrous error from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to fire his side into the round of 32.

The goal that helped Mexico become the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup 💥 pic.twitter.com/So5mDQA3H8

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 19, 2026

An emotional Marsch also paid tribute to the injured Kone in his post-match interview, after the midfielder had to be taken off on a stretcher.

Canadian boss Marsch shares emotional tribute to Koné 🫶

The midfielder was stretchered off with a serious-looking injury in Canada's victorious performance over Qatar pic.twitter.com/9TowB9kSpv

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 19, 2026

Hosts Canada look set for the knockout stages after thrashing Qatar 6-0 last night, with Juventus striker Jonathan David netting a hat-trick.

It was not without controversy though, with Qatar receiving two red cards during the game. The second of which, for Assim Omer Madibo, was for a challenge which looks to have caused a serious injury to Canada’s Ismael Kone in a big blow for Jesse Marsch’s side.

There was plenty of tension after the final whistle too…

Jesse Marsch was not happy 😳

What did Julen Lopetegui say to the Canada head coach here? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/B8LD48uBfX

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 19, 2026

Good morning and welcome to today’s World Cup live blog.

We’ll have some reaction to last night’s games, plus all the build up ahead of tonight’s action with Scotland and Brazil among those playing.