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Soccer
June
June 2026
PodcastThe Football Family
The World Cup is alive
David Sneyd dials in from Azteca Stadium to reflect on the opening game of the 2026 World Cup with Shane Keegan.
15m
Glorious
World Cup opens with a story of angels and demons as Mexico put on a show
Hosts claim 2-0 win over South Africa in front of a delirious Azteca with three red cards shared for good measure.
Growth
Carla Ward's two group campaigns have been like night and day
‘This group can get better and better,’ says Ireland boss.
time for action
This World Cup needs the magic of the Azteca to act as catalyst for its salvation
The 2026 edition gets underway when co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa in Group A.
Centre stage
Fifa president says fans should be happy to watch World Cup for free on TV - 'We could make $30bn'
Gianni Infantino delivers another self-serving address on eve of tournament getting underway.
2026 world cup
David Alejandro Rojina Reyes: The untold story of Bray Wanderers’ unlikely Mexican man
Chris Shields, Eddie Gormley and Pat Devlin recall the defender’s brief stint at the Carlisle Grounds.
Looking Forward'I don't think it's going to be a free hit' - O'Sullivan's focus turns to play-offs amid Cork calls
on the ground
Mexico City gripped by protests and blockades with World Cup about to get underway
In a city where it feels like the walls are closing in, Fifa president Gianni Infantino takes centre stage acting like a man without a care in the world.
Onwards
'We'll come back stronger and better': Ireland's play-off route to 2027 World Cup
Carla Ward’s side continue Brazil 2027 bid in October.
Carla Ward'To be disappointed to get beat in this position shows a hell of a lot of how far we've come'
Nations League
Moving Ireland-Israel game to Hungary simply removes right to protest, activists argue
The football association is expected to announce its decision on Thursday.
Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats are tabling motions in the Dáil calling for the game to be called off.
The Stop the Game campaign has threatened a judicial review over the "collective failure" to stop the fixtures from going ahead.
Scenic RouteEngland defeat Ukraine but must go to play-offs as Netherlands take second in Ireland's group
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