Summary

  • Canada, US & Mexico win right to host 2026 World Cup

  • The 'United' bid received 67% of the vote

  • Spain manager Julen Lopetegui sacked one day before 2018 World Cup

  1. Adios amigos (and Lopetegui)published at 13:41 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Right, it's been a busy morning but on the back of that Sergio Ramos tweet, we will now wrap up this live text.

    We have seen Spain sack head coach Julen Lopetegui in a sensational move a day before the World Cup starts. You can read about that here.

    He has been replaced by Fernando Hierro for the tournament.

    And we have also found out that the 2026 World Cup will take place in USA, Mexico and Canada. You can read all about that here.

    There is just a shade over 24 hours to go until the ball is rolling in Russia. If you need some content which will make you itch for the big kick-off, why not start out at our pundits' predictions page? That's here.

    For now though, farewell and thanks for being with us today.

  2. Sergio Ramos on twitterpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    "We represent the badge, the colours, the country. Responsibility and commitment are with you and for you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, together"

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  3. A lot happens during a flight...published at 13:34 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Poland playersImage source, Fifa

    While England have been training and Spain have been sacking (and replacing) their manager, Poland have been literally flying.

    They've landed in Russia and Robert Lewandowski was photographed while taking a photograph.

    Poland get their tournament started on Tuesday against Senegal.

    Robert LewandowskiImage source, Robert Lewandowski
  4. 'Nothing to worry about' - Dierpublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    England update

    David Ornstein
    BBC Sport in Russia

    Eric Dier has strapping on his left thigh but took full part in training and showed no sign of discomfort.

    Says it’s a groin problem he’s been carrying for a while and feels fine.

    Eric dierImage source, Ornstein
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Mustapha: Lopetegui's Spain are currently on 20-match unbeaten. Both parties should have managed the crisis well. But hey, egos fly everywhere in Spain. Their politics/affiliations are too strong.

    Henok Gebru: Unbelievable!!! Ohh What have they done....they should've kept hold of Lopetegui they just sanctioned their own downfall for this.

  6. Second division to the World Cuppublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Fernando Hierro's last job in management was with Spanish Segunda side Real Oviedo back in 2017, where he guided them to an eighth-place finish.

    Fernando HierroImage source, Getty Images
  7. OFFICIAL: Spain appoint Hierro as managerpublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain sack Lopetegui

    Spain have appointed Real Madrid and Spain defender Fernando Hierro as Julen Lopetegui's replacement for the World Cup in Russia

  8. Do the US, Canada and Mexico all qualify?published at 13:06 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    One question many have been asking is with three hosts, do they all qualify automatically?

    At present there is little to suggest they will not, as both South Korea and Japan were awarded places when they co-hosted in 2002 edition.

    Moreover with the number of teams up to 48 for the 2026 World Cup, CONCACAF nations of which all three are a part, may receive as many as six places, up from three or four.

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - 2026 World Cuppublished at 13:03 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Dave Hurley: Hope US, Canadian and Mexican politicians can settle their trade differences before World Cup 2026 or it could be a bit tetchy.

    Luke Benfield: The host country gets automatic qualification for the World Cup. How does that work in 2026? Do they all three countries get qualification?

  10. 'It's coming home'published at 13:00 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    US player Alex Morgan says they World Cup is 'coming home' after the US, Canada and Mexico win the 2026

    Alex Morgan tweetImage source, Alex Morgan
  11. Trump celebrates 2026 bid victorypublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

  12. Welcome to dizzy Russiapublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    While we are very much exploring all things World Cup, let's draw your attention to BBC Radio 5 live's Conor McNamara and his 360 degree welcome to Russia.

    Note, it makes you dizzy.

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  13. Calling Pep...published at 12:50 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain sack Lopetegui

    Former Sheffield United player and British champion boxer Curtis Woodhouse has a novel idea for Spain...

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  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Helles Mammut: The Spanish FA president acted more like a scorned ex-girlfriend than a man of his position. Cooler heads clearly didn't prevail there and I don't think this would have happened this way in any other country... Rubiales should hand in his resignation next...

    Saint Kenzy: Van Gaal accepted to be man United coach like 2 weeks to the World Cup, was with Netherlands and they did well at the World Cup. What about that? He was sacked because it was Real Madrid he accepted.

  15. Under-21 coach to manage Spain at World Cup?published at 12:41 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain's Under-21 manager Albert Celades will replace sacked manager Julen Lopetegui in the dugout for their first World Cup match against Portugal on Friday, according to reports in Spain.

    The 42-year-old earned four caps for Spain and played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

    Albert CeladesImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'This is a political play'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain sack Lopetegui

    Andy West
    Spanish football writer in Russia

    LopeteguiImage source, Getty Images

    Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales made it very plain the decision to fire Lopetegui was taken because of the way his departure for Madrid was handled.

    Rubiales repeatedly and insistently stated the federation knew absolutely nothing about the negotiations until five minutes before the Bernabeu club sent a press release to reveal Lopetegui’s appointment – he also confirmed he had asked for the announcement to be delayed, but that plea went unheeded.

    In a wider context, this shocking development is part of a wider political power play within Spanish football, with newly-appointed Rubiales seizing the first opportunity to show that the federation will not allow itself to be pushed around by anyone – even Real Madrid.

    Unconfirmed reports are now stating that under-21 coach Albert Celades and the federation’s director of football Fernando Hierro – a former Real Madrid defender – will take charge for the World Cup opener against Portugal. But with this crazy story, we should expect another twist or two.

  17. A side note...published at 12:30 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain sack Lopetegui

    While we are on the subject of Spain, can we just flag up the fact that Spanish Football federation president Luis Rubiales (left) looks like he could be the twin of West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta.

    Can you see it? Or is that just us?

    rubiales and ZabaletaImage source, .
  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Tweet #bbcfootball

    Grumpy Gorilla: I've heard about Spain playing well with a false number nine but playing with a false manager is taking things to a whole new level.

    Daniel: Lopetegui extended his contract to 2020 at the end of May, and went behind the Spanish FA's back and signed with Real. They've done the right thing. But how will this effect the players? We'll see come Friday...

    What do you think about Spain sacking Julen Lopetegui? Tweet us on #bbcfootball.

  19. 'Coaching badges Cesc?published at 12:18 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Spain sack Lopetegui

    Social media has gone into overdrive after Spain sacking Julen Lopetegui, as you might expect.

    BBC Sport World Cup pundit Cesc Fabregas and Gary Lineker have shared a witty exchange.

    Who will Spain turn to? Sergio Ramos has had a busy month, maybe he could take the helm...

    Fabregas and Lineker tweetsImage source, .
  20. Postpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 13 June 2018

    Just before leaving the stage Fifa president Gianni Infantino stated his desire to run for re-election next year.

    Gianni InfantinoImage source, EPA