Nikhita Chulani

Unhoused people in Atlanta had their belongings discarded by city workers near a World Cup fan area, raising concerns about violations of procedures implemented after a man, Cornelius Taylor, was previously killed during an encampment clearance. The incident highlights tensions surrounding the treatment of thousands of unhoused residents during the tournament, as officials deny it was a sanctioned sweep while activists point to ongoing harmful practices.

England and Argentina’s football rivalry is portrayed as more complex than a straightforward grudge match. It grew from British cultural influence in Argentina, later nationalist rejection, iconic World Cup encounters and the Falklands War. The teams’ long absence from one another—including Lionel Messi’s never having played England—has preserved the rivalry’s scarcity and romantic appeal, beneath which lies a mutual fascination between the two nations.

Guardian reporter Robyn Vinter examines the unusual and memorable football kits seen during the World Cup and considers which shirts have captured fans’ imagination and may achieve iconic status.

Guardian Sport’s Nikhita Chulani examines whether a mathematically optimal penalty exists. Using statistics and research, the video explores penalty-taking strategies and how small advantages could determine World Cup matches and shootouts.

Toby Moses recalls sitting an English A Level exam in 2002 when England lost their World Cup quarter-final to Brazil after Ronaldinho lobbed goalkeeper David Seaman. The memory is framed as heartbreak for England, alongside hope that England can progress further in the 2026 tournament.

The video examines the unusually high scoring rate at the 2026 World Cup, where 177 goals were scored in 60 matches at an average of 2.94 per game. It highlights the expanded tournament, prolific strikers, defensive errors and effective substitutions as possible causes, suggesting the competition could become one of the most attack-oriented men’s World Cups ever.

Seattle’s World Cup committee plans to hold a Pride-themed celebration around the 26 June match between Iran and Egypt, despite both countries calling for the cancellation of LGBTQ+ rights festivities. The event is scheduled during Seattle’s annual Pride weekend and has sparked condemnation from the Iranian and Egyptian governments.

Barney Ronay reviews the 2026 World Cup from the United States, praising the passion, multiculturalism, hospitality and entertaining football surrounding the tournament. He criticizes FIFA, including Gianni Infantino’s extensive private-jet travel and intrusive mid-half advertising, but argues that the event can still inspire joy and unity despite its institutional shortcomings.

Barney Ronay selects the World Cup 2026 group-stage fixtures most worth watching amid the tournament’s expanded 104-match schedule. The preview highlights historic David-and-Goliath encounters, high-stakes political showdowns and prominent teams and players including Brazil, Haiti, Norway and Erling Haaland.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada over 39 days, but excitement is tempered by controversy over ticket and transport costs, climate threats and security concerns. Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew argues that FIFA bears primary responsibility for the tournament’s perceived excesses, while also criticizing the political atmosphere of the United States under Donald Trump.

Chief sports writer Barney Ronay recounts meeting Diego Maradona during Argentina’s first group game at the 2018 World Cup, including the unusual decision to smell him. The video is part of Ronay’s World Cup diary and promotes further episodes on the Guardian’s TikTok account.

The video questions claims that the 2026 World Cup is the most inclusive tournament ever after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry at the border and barred from officiating. His exclusion prevented him from becoming the first Somali referee at a World Cup, raising concerns about the impact of US travel bans and the credibility of the tournament’s inclusivity claims.

An explainer examines all 22 previous World Cups to identify the common factors behind every championship victory. It considers talent, tactics, tactical innovation and political forces, concluding that there are eight distinct paths to winning the tournament.

Guardian journalist William Christou reports from Nabatieh, a city in southern Lebanon left largely deserted after Israeli airstrikes. Israel has ordered residents within 25 miles of the border to evacuate northward, covering major cities and dozens of villages, while its military considers escalating operations against Hezbollah following intense attacks by the Iran-aligned group.

The Guardian’s live coverage of Glastonbury’s opening Friday follows performances across the festival, culminating in The 1975’s maximalist Pyramid Stage headline set led by Matty Healy. Other major highlights include Self Esteem’s tightly choreographed and theatrically dark performance, Loyle Carner’s introspective but highly accomplished set, Four Tet’s energetic DJ performance, Busta Rhymes’ appearance, and Bally Sagoo’s long-awaited UK return. The day also featured numerous secret sets, film events and performances spanning pop, rock, hip-hop, dance and South Asian music. Attention turns to a particularly crowded Saturday lineup featuring Neil Young, Charli XCX and Doechii.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president and the longest-lived president in American history, has died aged 100. The video obituary highlights his 1977 election as a one-term Georgia governor, his presidency after the Watergate and Vietnam eras, his role in brokering Middle East peace, and his later advocacy for global health and human rights.

Ugandan climate activist Nyombi Morris became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights after his sister was outed as a lesbian and expelled from school. Following an anonymous threat of rape and arrest over his activism, he hid briefly before fleeing Uganda with help from Defend Defenders and applying for asylum in Denmark. His case illustrates the personal risks created by Uganda’s law, which imposes lengthy prison terms for promoting or funding same-sex activity and allows life imprisonment or the death penalty for certain acts.

Glastonbury 2024’s Arrivals space, the festival’s first dedicated South Asian area, offered a diverse celebration of South Asian music, art and identity. The space featured artists and creatives from across the diaspora and drew large, mixed audiences, while South Asian performers also appeared throughout the wider festival lineup. The initiative was praised as a move beyond tokenism and as evidence that collaboration between South Asian collectives and established festival teams can create meaningful representation, although the article stresses that mainstream festivals have taken far too long to embrace these artists and audiences.

The Conservative Party’s 2024 general election campaign is portrayed as having unravelled after several setbacks, including Rishi Sunak’s early departure from a D-day commemoration and a betting scandal involving a Conservative politician who allegedly wagered on the election date. Jim Waterson assesses whether the campaign was ever viable and how these events damaged its prospects.

Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a New York hush-money scheme intended to influence the 2016 election. The conviction makes him the first current or former US president convicted of felony crimes, but it does not prevent him from running for president or serving again in the White House. Trump did not testify, denied wrongdoing, condemned the proceedings, and is expected to appeal. The video highlights three significant testimonies from the trial, as selected by Guardian reporter Sam Levine.