WORLD CUP 2026: Countdown Diary

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is fast approaching, and the Star Sports team is bringing you every major story, breaking update, squad announcement and tournament talking point in our World Cup Countdown Diary.

THE COUNTDOWN TO WORLD CUP 2026 IS ON!

🏆 13 days to go… 🇨🇦 🇲🇽 🇺🇸
Friday 29 May

🇦🇷  Argentina have announced their World Cup squad, which, as expected, features Lionel Messi in what surely will be his last ever World Cup. After winning the 2022 tournament after a thrillingn final against France, can they go back-to-back?

#SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026

📱 Tim Payne has become an unlikely viral star after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini urged fans to make the New Zealand defender a World Cup hero. Payne’s Instagram following skyrocketed from fewer than 5,000 to more than one million in just days after he was identified as the “least-known player” at the tournament.

🇧🇷 Brazil forward Neymar will not play in his country’s upcoming friendly matches and could also miss their World Cup opener. The 34-year-old has been ruled out for “two to three weeks” with a calf injury.

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