Pontiff appeals in Catalan for harmony on Barcelona leg of Spain tour after making football foes in city

To the delight of many, Pope Leo XIV kicked off the Barcelona leg of his week-long visit to Spain with a few words in Catalan, calling on the faithful who had gathered in the city’s cathedral on Tuesday “to build harmony and communion beyond all polarisation”.

The pontiff’s familiar and commendable plea for people to set aside their differences may, however, have come a little late. Three days earlier, while chatting to journalists on the flight to Spain, Leo had made an awkward confession.

‘Gender norms explain some of it, but not all of it’ says Tiya Banerjee, an economist at the e61 Institute

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In about a week’s time, the Socceroos will step up against Turkey, their first opponents in this year’s World Cup.

Winning their first match will be a big ask; progressing beyond the first round will be a bigger one.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday June 11 and, for the first time, features 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Portuguese viewers will

The post The Resident’s guide to the 2026 World Cup appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Low wages and fears of ICE crackdowns have set workers on edge of strike as thousands set to arrive during World Cup

Hospitality and food service workers in several US cities hosting World Cup games are warning of looming labor disputes and possible strikes as the largest single sport tournament in the world gets ready to kick off on 11 June.

In Los Angeles, California, cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers and food attendants at the SoFi stadium reached a tentative agreement on Tuesday afternoon, but the union noted it had a contractual right to walk off the job if it determines that federal immigration enforcement is threatening worker safety during the World Cup. The US’s opening match, against Paraguay, is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium – rebranded as the Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament – on 12 June.

Former pornographer, who owns 38.8% of club, has been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour

The football regulator could force David Sullivan to sell his stake in West Ham United after the former pornography billionaire was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour against women over several decades.

The 77-year-old announced his resignation as a director and co-chair of the football club on Saturday, ahead of a joint investigation by the BBC and the Times reporting on seven women accusing him of sexual misconduct.

President Trump won’t be at the US game against Paraguay, while coach Mauricio Pochettino has addressed claims of ‘arrogance’ with the World Cup beginning this evening

Indy Sport’s writers have made their selections for USA, Canada and Mexico 2026

Football fans are celebrating the tournament coming to Guadalajara. But with a brutal crime syndicate holding sway there, what are the risks for fans – and the government?

Excitement is mounting in Mexico as the World Cup opens in Mexico City, then heads to the city of Guadalajara.

Mexican journalist Leon Krauze is a fan. He was there the last time the World Cup came to Mexico and will be watching again. The city of Guadalajara has a mythical footballing past: “Pele’s Brazil played there in 1970, then Zico and Socrates played there in 1986. There is a real football memory there, a love affair between Guadalajara and football in general, and I expect it to be a wonderful party.”

England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama while Scotland will meet Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the 48-team tournament held across Mexico, Canada and the USA

After Shakira lit up the Mexican opening ceremony, it will soon be the turn of co-hosts the USA and Canada