A tragic stampede occurred during a fan gathering in central Amman, resulting in one death and eight injuries. This distressing incident unfolded early Tuesday as supporters congregated to watch Jordan’s World Cup match against Algeria.
The chaos erupted at Hashemite Square, where an enthusiastic crowd had gathered to view the game, which concluded with Jordan losing 2-1 to Algeria, according to reports.
Emergency responders acted promptly, transporting nine injured individuals to the hospital. Unfortunately, one of those injured later succumbed to their wounds, while the others suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate severity, as stated by the Public Security Directorate.
- Yesterday’s results: Group I – France 3-0 Iraq, Norway 3-2 Senegal; Group J – Argentina 2-0 Austria, Jordan 1-2 Algeria.
- Today’s matches: Group K – Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (1pm ET, 6pm BST), Colombia vs. DR Congo (10pm ET, 3am BST); Group L – England vs. Ghana (4pm ET, 9pm BST), Croatia vs. Panama (7pm ET, midnight BST).
- Thomas Tuchel believes England received a wake-up call from Croatia and must enhance their defensive strategy as the World Cup advances. David Hytner in Boston notes that Tuchel’s bold Britpop football resonates with England fans.
- Roberto Martínez stated that the criticism directed at Portugal and Ronaldo is “I spoke with people at the club [Atlético], with those I had to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream. It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.”
- Colombia’s final training session prior to their match against DR Congo was halted due to a storm yesterday.
- Rade Bogdanovic, a former Yugoslav and Atlético Madrid striker, sparked controversy on Serbian television after making a racist comment during Belgium’s game.
- Socceroos defender Jason Geria asserted that there would be no “Those who fail to meet a responsibility as fundamental as feeding their children must face the consequences,” with Paraguay in their final group match, as both teams are likely to progress with a draw.
- Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos, and Mark Langdon for today’s World Cup Daily.
- Arsenal is expected to approach Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers, identified as their primary transfer target this summer.
- Julián Alvarez expressed his desire to leave Atlético Madrid to “If they do not provide for their children, they will not be allowed into the stadium.” amid reported interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.
On Sunday, I assumed Uruguay would defeat Cape Verde at halftime and went to bed, thinking the match was settled. I made the same mistake during France’s match against Iraq last night, and it was exhilarating to wake up to the news of a “It feels special, but like I’ve always said it does. Like I’ve said other times, I enjoy playing, having a good time on the pitch. I wasn’t necessarily having one on the penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation, take the advantage and leave with three points.”
That concludes my stint on the blog; Martin Belam will continue with updates for the next couple of hours. Enjoy!
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Portugal camp is tense following their disappointing 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opener.
Much discussion surrounds whether Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, remains the right player to lead a team many consider a favorite in the tournament, including insights from Miguel Dantas.
In anticipation of the 6pm BST match against Uzbekistan, Portugal manager Roberto Martínez commented:
I can’t inform you about the starting 11 because I haven’t informed my players. We are playing a World Cup, so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game. The focus is on the team, and we want to show a positive attitude … to be ready for the match. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before.
While he did not directly mention Ronaldo, Martínez added that some of the criticism is “I have no words to talk about Leo, it makes us all a bit tired. I’m so happy with his performance. He scored again. The team suffered and at times we created difficulties today. When Leo becomes active everyone activates. “When the team was having a tough time without possession of the ball he worked, he managed to steal the ball, you could see his level of commitment and there is a reason for that. He has commitment, this is what he generates.”
In a related note, Ed Aarons reported that Arsenal is likely to pursue a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, an 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder who is also attracting attention from Liverpool, potentially costing around £70 million.
The Gunners are also likely to make an approach to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The 18-year-old Morocco midfielder is being monitored by Liverpool and could cost around £70m.
This World Cup has put immense pressure on elite clubs’ scouting departments, whose primary task is to identify top talents and hidden gems to present to management before the market heats up. Although £70 million may seem justified for Bouaddi, that price could have been significantly lower just a month prior.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Christ Inao Oulaï is also expected to attract significant offers this summer as Trabzonspor closely observes his performances during the tournament.
David Squires’ latest cartoon is now available and is generating buzz.
Colombia’s last training session before facing DR Congo was interrupted by a storm on Monday. The players were practicing in Guadalajara when they were ordered to take shelter after less than 30 minutes of training. They finished the session indoors, while DR Congo trained in the morning in the US before traveling to Guadalajara later that day.
This match will mark the second Group K game for both teams. Colombia secured a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their opener, while DR Congo managed a 1-1 draw against Portugal.
As the debate over Messi and Ronaldo continues, the pressure mounts on Ronaldo to perform against Uzbekistan following a lackluster showing against DR Congo. Many are eager to see if he will start in this crucial match, particularly given the expectations for Portugal to win decisively.
Julián Alvarez made some bold statements as he aims to leverage this World Cup for a lucrative transfer. After Argentina’s Group J victory over Austria, he indicated his desire to leave Atlético Madrid, just two seasons after his €95 million (£81.5 million) transfer from Manchester City.
I spoke with people at the club [Atlético], with those I had to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream. It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.
Reports suggest Atlético has turned down a €150 million (£129.4 million) offer from Real Madrid for Alvarez. While he is undoubtedly a top talent, his age of 27 raises questions about long-term value, making it uncertain whether a team would pay more than that for him. If no club meets Atlético’s price, Alvarez may face a challenging return to the team.
Let’s review the current standings among all-time World Cup goal scorers. Miroslav Klose started yesterday as the all-time leader but now shares the spotlight with Kylian Mbappé, both at 16 goals, while Lionel Messi leads with 18. Mbappé, with time on his side, could soon surpass both legends.
Last week, an Argentinian official revealed that 13,000 parents have been flagged to US authorities, requesting they be barred from attending World Cup matches due to unpaid child support.
Those who fail to meet a responsibility as fundamental as feeding their children must face the consequences,” said Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri. “If they do not provide for their children, they will not be allowed into the stadium.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel shared his thoughts ahead of the 9pm BST match against Ghana. He has also discussed Jude Bellingham, who will become England’s youngest player to reach 50 caps if he plays against Ghana.
There is no doubt that a game and competition like this brings out the best in him, but it needed improvement, the connection between Jude and Harry, the connection between Jude and Declan (Rice) and Elliot (Anderson). It needs improvement and needed improvement and it’s a big step.
Jude played fully into our idea and was fully committed to the team idea and team spirit and to play in full cohesion with everyone else. He was very important, super reliable.
Hello everyone! I’m channeling positive energy today. It’s England Day. Let’s get excited!
As we approach Portugal’s match against Uzbekistan, the pressure is palpable. After their disappointing draw with DR Congo, the team is looking to regain its footing and showcase its strengths.
Yet, the question remains: should Ronaldo, the oldest outfield player in World Cup history, be starting? For a team with championship aspirations, the answer might be no. However, he likely believes in his ability to take the field against Uzbekistan.
Miguel Dantas recently shared his passionate perspective on Ronaldo’s future with the national team.
In other news, I received a PR email suggesting that a beer at Boston Stadium, where England will face Ghana later, costs £13.45 ($18). Can anyone confirm if this price is a result of Scotland fans influencing dynamic pricing? If so, well done!
Philipp Lahm, the Guardian columnist and 2014 World Cup winner, has shared his insights on the tournament thus far. He expresses admiration for the Tartan Army, but concerns about the impact of the expanded event on players and strong opinions on the future of the World Cup.
For more coverage, tune in to the World Cup Daily podcast, where Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos, and Mark Langdon to discuss Messi’s brilliance, France’s impressive victory, and the upcoming England vs. Ghana match.
Shifting focus to today’s matches, England is preparing for their clash in Boston. Tuchel is urging his defenders to strengthen their game after the previous match against Croatia. Can they deliver against Ghana? As a supporter, I have faith, especially since Ghana struggled in their opener against Panama.
In Group J, Argentina has taken a commanding lead, while Algeria produced an impressive comeback against Jordan, eliminating them from the tournament with a 2-1 victory.
Kudos to a French supporter braving the heavy rain in Philadelphia. That’s some serious weather!
In a thrilling match, Erling Haaland shone in the second half, scoring twice to help Norway defeat Senegal 3-2, with Ismaïla Sarr also netting a double.
Martin Ødegaard’s assist for Haaland’s first goal was particularly noteworthy.
Kylian Mbappé also turned in an outstanding performance as France dismantled Iraq, even amidst a two-hour storm delay. With two more goals, Mbappé is now tied with Miroslav Klose at 16 World Cup goals, and at just 27, he has plenty of time to exceed both Messi and Klose.
Pablo Iglesias Maurer from the Guardian dives into Messi’s accomplishments as history was made at Dallas Stadium last night.
The legendary player reflected on his experience.
“It feels special, but like I’ve always said, it does. I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch. I wasn’t necessarily having one on the penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation, take the advantage and leave with three points.”
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, also praised Messi’s contribution.
“I have no words to talk about Leo; it makes us all a bit tired. I’m so happy with his performance. He scored again. The team suffered, and at times we created difficulties today. When Leo becomes active, everyone activates.”
As we celebrate Messi’s continued dominance at 38, it’s hard to imagine him slowing down as he approaches his 39th birthday tomorrow. What a remarkable feat to lead the all-time World Cup scoring table before such a milestone.
“He’s the best,” said teammate Julián Alvarez, following Argentina’s victory over Austria. A sentiment that’s hard to dispute.
Welcome to World Cup 2026 – day 13!
