The next World Cup will be even more different than the 2026 edition

World Cup 2026 is in the history books and the next edition of the tournament is set to see even more change.

This summer’s festival of football was the first to be co-hosted by three nations. The United States, Mexico and Canada all earned automatic qualification.

There are also going to be a trio of host countries for the World Cup 2030. Spain, Portugal and Morocco won the honour to host the tournament.

However, three more countries will also stage a match. That’s to mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will each play their opening matches on home turf to mark the centenary.

While the remainder of the tournament will be held thousands of miles away, they are also not required to navigate the gruelling qualification process in a special exemption to the standard rules. The World Cup 1930 was staged and won by Uruguay.

They defeated Argentina in the final, while Paraguay have been included in the arrangement as recognition as the home of CONMEBOL, the first and only football confederation at that time. The centenary matches will be held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June, 2030.

There will be a few days break before the tournament then gets started in Spain, Morocco and Portugal on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th. The matches involving the other teams in the groups of Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will take place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th, and the second round of matches in that group will be on the following weekend to allow for travel time.

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“The intended schedule will provide approximately 11 to 12 days for travel and rest before the second game of the six teams playing in South America, with approximately five to six days for travel and rest for the remaining six group opponents, and all other participating teams,” FIFA said in a statement published in March 2026.

“The three matches played in South America will be brought forward to a few days before the official opening matches of the FIFA World Cup, which will be played in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.”

This year’s tournament marked the first World Cup to feature 48 nations. Nevertheless, the governing body has been exploring the possibility of expanding the competition to 64 teams ahead of the centenary edition.

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“When you organise a World Cup, it’s important that you organise it for the whole world,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Blue Sport. “It’s not just Europe and South America, but the entire world, effectively.

“Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup. We can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it’s getting higher and higher everywhere in the world. If you don’t give smaller countries the chance to participate in the World Cup, they also lose the incentive to keep improving.”

The World Cup 2026 allocated 16 guaranteed places to European nations, nine to Africa, eight to Asia, six each to North and South America (including the three North American host nations), one to Oceania and two to the winners of the intercontinental play-offs. Those play-offs were claimed by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq, boosting Africa and Asia’s total allocations to 10 and nine respectively.

On Sunday evening, the large encampment appeared on the Johnson Fold side of Moss Bank Park.

This follows a swift removal of Travellers on the same park last week.

Within the encampment, there were washing lines, a quad bike, and what looked to be a group of approximately 10 caravans.

Bolton Council has been contacted for comment.

(Image: NQ)

Its usual action is to serve a notice to leave the encampment within 10 days, or face a court summons, from a council officer.

This procedure has happened in other parks in the borough, including Longsight Park in Harwood.

Travellers also moved onto golf courses in Westhoughton this month.

Recently, new barriers have been installed at two entrances to Longsight Park, which follows an unauthorised traveller encampment earlier this year and ongoing concerns over antisocial behaviour.

One barrier has been fitted at the main park entrance, with another installed at the Arboretum entrance.

The new measures come after eight caravans occupied the park in May, prompting a clean-up operation after volunteers reported rubbish, damage, and human waste had been left behind.

Town hall chiefs have spent more than £19,000 to remove Travellers from their land.

(Image: NQ)

The Bolton News submitted a Freedom of Information Request following a number of unauthorised Traveller encampments in and around Bolton in recent weeks and months.

The money spent covers the past two years, but almost all of the costs have fallen within a single year.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show the authority spent £16,926.90 during 2024/25, compared with nothing in 2023/24 and £2,430 in 2025/26.

(Image: NQ)

The figures cover the cost of removing or evicting travellers from land after unauthorised encampments across the borough.

Unauthorised encampments on private land are generally the responsibility of the landowner, who must take legal steps if they wish to seek possession of the land.

Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination under equality legislation, while landowners also have legal rights when unauthorised encampments take place.

Patience Healthcare NE Ltd, in Middlesbrough, has earned a spot in the Top 20 Home Care Providers in North East England for 2026.

The award recognises the agency’s commitment to delivering person-centred care that enables clients to remain independent in their own homes.

Jack Baker, director of Patience Healthcare NE Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised as one of the Top 20 Home Care Providers.

“This award is a testament to the dedication, compassion and professionalism of every member of our team, who go above and beyond every single day to make a genuine difference in the lives of the people we support.

“Our team are immensely proud of this achievement, often going the extra mile to ensure every client receives the highest standard of care.”

The Top 20 Home Care Awards, run by homecare.co.uk, recognise the highest-rated care providers across the UK based on reviews from clients and their families.

Patience Healthcare NE Ltd was one of 20 providers selected from more than 300 providers in the North East.

Homecare.co.uk features more than 13,000 home care services across the UK.

Amanda Hopkins, reviews manager at homecare.co.uk, said: “High-quality home care plays a vital role in enabling people to remain independent and continue living in their own homes for as long as possible.

“Carers provide not only practical support but also companionship, reassurance and continuity, often becoming an important part of a person’s daily life.

“The reviews on homecare.co.uk come directly from people using home care services and their families, helping others make informed decisions when choosing care.

“We would like to congratulate Patience Healthcare NE Ltd on being recognised as one of North East England’s Top 20 Home Care Providers for 2026.”

The demand for home care continues to rise as the UK’s population ages, helping to support individuals with daily living activities such as personal care, medication management, and companionship, while enabling them to remain in familiar surroundings.

To read reviews of Patience Healthcare NE Ltd, visit the homecare website.

Click here to view the full list of winners across North East England.

Tom Stoltman is said to be appearing in the BBC One show’s fourth series, due to begin filming in Sheffield later this month.

The 6ft 8in strongman is one of the UK’s most celebrated strength athletes.

Tom Stoltman reportedly joining the cast of BBC’s Gladiators

“This is a dream opportunity and I’m incredibly proud to become a Gladiator,” he told The Sun.

“I’ve spent my whole life pushing myself to see what I can achieve, and joining this incredible show is the next challenge.”

He aims to bring his trademark qualities to the arena.

He said: “I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena, but most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.”

Newsquest has contacted the BBC for comment.

This won’t be Stoltman’s first TV appearance, as he was one of the masked henchmen who lifted Claudia Winkleman on last year’s The Traitors.

Stoltman is a three-time winner of the World’s Strongest Man in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

He also won the national title of Britain’s Strongest Man in the same years, as well as in 2026.

He is nicknamed “The Albatross” due to his sizeable arm span, and is known for his prowess with the Atlas Stones.

He holds the world records for the five Atlas stones (light set), weighing between 100 kg and 180 kg, completing them in 16.01 seconds, as well as the heaviest Manhood stone at 286 kg.

His Gladiator moniker has yet to be announced.

The show will return for season four and a fresh celebrity special next year, with father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh back as hosts.

Who is your favourite star on Gladiators? Let us know in the comments.

Suggestions around Rashford have been that he is relaxed about the prospect of returning to training at United.

For a start, there is not the same confrontational relationship between the player and his coach.

Ruben Amorim fell out with the forward within weeks of his arrival from Sporting Lisbon. Amorim eventually exiled him, which triggered a loan move to Aston Villa.

Then the head coach put Rashford in his ‘bomb squad’, along with Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho, when pre-season training began last summer.

The other four players have all now left the club.

Amorim’s replacement, Michael Carrick, is a former team-mate of Rashford’s. He has also been his coach and was, briefly, his manager, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021. The pair are said to get on well.

Carrick’s only public statement around Rashford, towards the end of last season, was conciliatory in nature, which is in keeping with his general personality.

He is so far yet to be asked what his stance is around the player returning to the fold.

For their part, United are sticking to their refusal to renegotiate a deal with Barcelona on reduced terms or consider a second loan to the Catalan giants.

It is not clear what interest there is in Rashford at the Nou Camp given Barca have already signed England wide-man Anthony Gordon and are about to bring in Germany forward Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund.

The consistency of United’s messaging is being articulated in a summer where they are keen to prove they will not be bullied into overpaying to get deals over the line.

That financial discipline may have consequences – while the feeling was Elliot Anderson would have joined Manchester City anyway, United did not countenance paying the £116m Nottingham Forest eventually sold him for.

The same is true of Mateus Fernandes and his £85m switch from West Ham to Tottenham.

Nevertheless, Manchester United’s enhanced used of data through director Michael Sansoni and his dedicated team means the club feel bullish about their chances of landing alternative targets who offer better value.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the scene in Salford on Saturday

A person has sadly died on the train tracks in Salford.

A large emergency services response was pictured at the scene near the Salford Crescent station on Saturday afternoon (July 18). British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed officers were called to reports of a casualty on the tracks just before 4.15pm.

Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene. Their death is not being treated as suspicious, the BTP spokesperson added.

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A file will be prepared for the coroner. Police, ambulance and fire service vehicles were pictured lining Middlewood Street and Oldfield Road amid the incident on Saturday afternoon.

The line at Salford Crescent blocked, with trains cancelled or delayed. Northern previously shared a post on X about the disruption.

In a statement, a BTP spokesperson said: “Officers were called the line near Salford Crescent railway station at 4.12pm on Saturday (18 July) following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Roy Keane was brutally honest about the half-time show at the World Cup final on Sunday night. 

The sports pundit, 54, left the rest of the panel in hysterics when he branded the music extravaganza ‘anti-climactic’, but cheekily added: ‘It’s always nice to see Shakira’. 

Shakira joined Madonna, Justin Bieber and the Muppets for a half-time show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. 

The singer, 49, flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai with Burna Boy. 

When asked about what he thought of it, Roy replied: ‘It was a bit of an anti-climax, but I think the people in the stadium probably enjoyed it more than us. But it’s always nice to see Shakira.’

The comment prompted laughter from his fellow ITV sports pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright and host Mark Pougatch. 

The sports pundit, 54, left the rest of the panel in hysterics when he branded the music extravaganza ‘anti-climactic’, but cheekily added: ‘It’s always nice to see Shakira’ 

Ian echoed Roy’s comments as he said: ‘I felt like maybe he should have been a little bit more upbeat and livened us up a bit. It felt a bit down.’ 

But Gary said: ‘I quite enjoyed it. Let’s hope the second half picks up and there’s loads of energy.’

Amused by Roy’s comment, fans joked on X: ‘Roy Keane happy to see Shakira. Man of taste I see.’ 

‘Roy Keane spoke for all of us in regards to Shakira. She has still got it.’ 

‘Roy Keane was a big fan of Shakira’ and ‘ When Roy Keane approves of Shakira too. Those hips don’t lie’.  

The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing Music, accompanied by giddy World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. 

The toned music legend showed off her legs in stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium, and held hands. 

Justin, 32, made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song, Everything Hallelujah.

The star looked relaxed as he casually walked onto the pitch before belting out his hit track, adding the final line, ‘it’s the World Cup, Hallelujah.’

K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite.

Spain went on to be crowned the 2026 World Cup champions, after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal against Argentina during extra time.

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Amused by the Roy’s comment, fans joked on X: ‘Roy Keane happy to see Shakira. Man of taste I see’ and ‘Roy Keane spoke for all of us in regards to Shakira. She has still got it.’

The singer, 49, flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai with Burna Boy

Wayne Rooney has savaged the 2026 World Cup final halftime show as he described the performance as ‘c**p’ and said the ‘best part was when it ended’ live on BBC  

The show delivered a spectacular mix of music, nostalgia and global star power, with the likes of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the Muppets all performing under one roof

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Spain were crowned the 2026 World Cup champions, after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal against Argentina during extra time 

Wayne Rooney also became a viral sensation when he joked his favourite part of the show was ‘when it finished’.

‘To be honest, mine was when it finished I like a lot of those artists but to be honest I thought it was c**p’, he told Gabby Logan. 

‘I did honestly. It just didn’t get me going, I wanted the football to be back on. It was a bit flat. I like Burna Boy I like Shakira I like Bieber but that was too flat.’ 

Meanwhile Liam Gallagher savaged ‘This is like a bad trip’, before adding: ‘It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge’.

Elsewhere, Sam Thompson shared his frustration on Instagram, writing: ‘Half time show… absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed. No one’s in the right headspace now, not even the fans.

‘Imagine the players watching Sesame Street whilst cramping up and needing to warm up again’. 

Even Lorraine Kelly had something to say about The Muppets guest appearance as she penned: ‘Just seen ANIMAL on the drums during half-time – all is almost forgiven FIFA – but get on with the footie FFS’.  

By KATE MCGREAVY, EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 06:27 BST, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 08:27 BST, 20 July 2026

Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero completely ignored US President Donald Trump after collecting his World Cup runners-up medal.

Trump joined FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to present various awards to players and match officials on stage following Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final win over Argentina in extra time.

Before presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri, the pair handed out silver medals to runners-up Argentina. 

After receiving his medal around his neck from Infantino, Romero snubbed Trump by not shaking his hand, instead he walked straight past him to join his team-mates.

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The cold shoulder was spotted by fans with footage circulating on social media. 

Argentina defender Cristian Romero snubbed President Donald Trump after collecting medal

Trump then went on to ignore a call by Infantino to leave the stage at MetLife Stadium as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy. 

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The US President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.

It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained. 

He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.

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There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again. 

Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear. 

The presentation came after Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute with the decisive goal.

It was Spain who dominated the final and looked the most likely winners as disruptors Argentina committed 24 fouls and saw Enzo Fernandez sent off at the end of normal time.

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Trump took center stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday 

It appeared as though FIFA chief Gianni Infantino attempted to usher Trump away – but the President remained

Join the discussion

Should athletes use the world stage to make statements by snubbing political figures at major events?

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But the European champions could not make the breakthrough until the second half of extra time when Torres smashed home from close range.

It was enough to seal the ultimate prize in football but when the final whistle blew the game descended into ugly scenes.

Some of Argentina’s players lost their heads as Spain’s substitutes and staff ran on to the pitch to celebrate their 1-0 win against the South Americans.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.

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Argentina’s Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by, while Thiago Almada was involved, too.

A diversion route will be signposted and residents within the work zone will still be able to access their properties

A road closure will be in place in a Cambridgeshire village to allow gas works to take place. Cadent said the works are “essential” to replace 700 metres of gas main from 1950 with new pipes.

The road closure will be in place on Rampton Road from the junction of Newington to the junction of Blackpit Drove in Willingham. A diversion route will be signposted and access will remain for residents within the work zone.

The works will take place over six weeks from Monday, July 20, until Friday, August 28. If required, reinstatement work may take place on Saturdays.

Eleanor Buxton, head of work management at Cadent, said: “In this part of Willingham, around 80 per cent of homes have gas central heating. Upgrading these pipelines will ensure we can continue to distribute gas safely to them, for many decades to come.

“These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

“We have worked with the local highways team, as well as local authorities, to create a traffic management plan that will minimise disruption whilst we carry out these essential works. I thank everybody for their patience as we take the measures needed to ensure our engineers can carry out these works as safely and as efficiently as possible.”