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The 2026 World Cup is in full swing - here is your daily round-up of all the latest news, including Saudi Arabia's potential FIFA rule breach against Uruguay
07:04, 16 Jun 2026
Darwin Nunez only lasted until half time against Sadui Arabia
Darwin Nunez struggled during Uruguay's opening clash with Saudi Arabia(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about what unfolded on Monday and through the night from the World Cup.
Tunisia appear poised to name Harve Renard as manager, despite removing their announcement that Sabri Lamouchi had been dismissed. The nation is taking swift action after their opening loss to Sweden at the World Cup.
Iran fought back twice to secure a draw against New Zealand in their eagerly-awaited opening encounter. Their national anthem's opening was met with jeers while supporters defied a FIFA prohibition on pre-revolutionary banners to showcase a variant of the nation's official flag featuring a lion-and-sun emblem at its heart.
Saudi Arabia pulled off another World Cup shock, holding Uruguay to a stalemate. The Middle Eastern outfit delivered a solid display before Maxi Araujo struck an equaliser. However, they may have violated a fresh FIFA regulation. Manager Georgis Donis summoned a player for tactical guidance while goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais received medical attention, contradicting referees' chief Pierluigi Collina's pre-tournament directive, reports the Mirror. The encounter also witnessed Darwin Nunez withdrawn at the interval. The striker was substituted by Marcelo Bielsa having managed merely three passes in a display that won't enhance his transfer prospects.
Group H's teams now all stand on one point following the opening round of fixtures. Spain were frustrated to a scoreless stalemate by Cape Verde.
Iran and New Zealand's draw also left Group G deadlocked. Egypt and Belgium similarly shared the points in their inaugural clash.
Mohamed Salah didn't appear particularly pleased about being substituted during that fixture. Egypt manager Hossam Hassan stood by his choice: "We do not rely on a single player but on a collective 26," he said. "Salah, Marmoush, they give it their all, they were really, really giving everything with their ferocious transitions."
Japan star Takefusa Kubo was taken to hospital on Monday for examinations after picking up a knee problem against Holland. While he didn't visit a local medical facility in Texas, he underwent checks after returning to Nashville with the Samurai Blue. A Japan official confirmed they're still waiting for the outcome, but despite Kubo being mobile around the squad's headquarters, fears remain that his tournament could already be finished.
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