World Cup Daily Report - 2026-05-19

The United States says it will allow the Democratic Republic of the Congo's football team to enter for the World Cup, creating an exemption to an Ebola-related travel ban. A senior State Department official said, 'We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,' even though the US has barred most non-Americans who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.

The decision matters because it avoids a potential tournament logistics crisis for one of the African sides qualified for the event. It also shows how the host country is already balancing public-health restrictions with FIFA's requirement that all qualified teams be able to compete in the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's 2026 World Cup squad, making him the first male player in history selected for six FIFA World Cup tournaments. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has kept faith with the 41-year-old captain, who continues to lead the side into the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ronaldo's inclusion gives Portugal instant star power and underlines how the squad is being built around proven tournament experience. At 41, he is still the defining figure in Portugal's attack and one of the event's biggest storylines before a ball is kicked.

Brazil have included Neymar in their 2026 World Cup squad, with Carlo Ancelotti backing the 34-year-old for one more crack at the title. Sports Illustrated described the call-up as a 'last dance' move, and the Brazilian Football Confederation's announcement ended months of uncertainty over his international future.

Neymar's return is significant because it gives Brazil a proven match-winner even as questions remain about depth in key areas. With four World Cups now on his résumé, he becomes the face of Brazil's bid to improve on a run that has not reached a final since 2002.

Sardar Azmoun has publicly supported Iran's World Cup squad even though he was left out in what appeared to be a political decision. The former star forward, who played at the last two World Cups, posted his message while Iran's home-based players trained in Turkey before travelling to the United States for their group-stage matches.

The story matters because Azmoun remains one of Iran's best-known attacking players and his absence highlights tensions around the squad ahead of a tournament that will bring Iran to Inglewood, California and Seattle. His support also keeps attention on a team trying to prepare normally despite the controversy around selection.

Scotland have unveiled their 26-man World Cup squad, and striker Ross Stewart is one of the headline names after a remarkable rise from the junior game. The Sunderland-born forward, now scoring for promotion-chasing Southampton, has turned a career once marked by rejection into a place on Scotland's first World Cup team since 1998.

The call-up is important because Steve Clarke's side are back on the biggest stage for the first time in nearly three decades, opening against Haiti on June 14. Stewart's journey from discarded prospect to international forward gives Scotland a genuine underdog narrative as they return to major-tournament football.

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande is heading back to the United States for his first World Cup after a rapid rise from a Florida high school to Europe's top level. The 19-year-old moved to America at 15, learned English, played for DME Academy in Daytona Beach and is now being described as one of the tournament's most hyped young players.

His story stands out because it links the World Cup to the American development pathway in a very direct way. Diomande's selection also gives Ivory Coast a teenage attacker with elite-club experience against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich already on his résumé.

Host-city preparations continued to accelerate, with Providence announcing road closures, bus detours and security screening for its FanZone at Station Park. The city expects thousands of international supporters, and attendees will need clear bags while weapons and outside food are barred, reflecting how seriously local authorities are treating match-day crowds.

Elsewhere, Houston opened its Visa Street Soccer Park in Gulfton, part of a wider effort by Visa, Street Soccer USA and Bank of America to build community facilities in all 11 World Cup cities. Together, the moves show the tournament is already reshaping urban planning, public safety and fan culture before kickoff.

Domino's is using World Cup fever to launch a high-profile promotion: if a US player receives a red card during the tournament, the company will give away $1 million in 'emergency pizzas'. The campaign runs alongside co-branded merchandise and is timed to the first match on June 11 in Mexico City, with the tournament scheduled through July 19.

The stunt is notable because it ties a major consumer brand directly to a disciplinary moment on the pitch, turning one of football's harshest penalties into a marketing hook. It also highlights how aggressively sponsors are positioning themselves around the expanded 48-team World Cup.