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  1. 'There doesn't seem to be really anything that tells you that the World Cup is on'published at 13:09 BST

    Media caption,

    Americans talking football and a basketball player with an interest in Leeds

    BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Rick Edwards and comedian Lloyd Griffith are co-hosting the Football Daily podcast from Los Angeles throughout the World Cup.

    They have both been struck by the low-key atmosphere in LA, in comparison to their experiences at previous tournaments.

    "You have to say it's not football mad [in Los Angeles]," said Rick. "It's very interesting turning up to LAX having been to tournaments before. You are normally absolutely bombarded with imagery that says you are at a World Cup - everyone is talking about it and it's fizzing. It is not like that here, yet."

    "The fans are doing the heavy lifting here," added Lloyd. "When I landed at LAX the only way that you really knew that there was a tournament going on was the fans wearing the jerseys or the training tops of the countries that they were there to go and watch.

    "Again, same thing, we had a little walk down Santa Monica Boulevard and on to the beach and there's no real branding to say 'we are a host city'. When we were in Germany [for Euro 2024] you just couldn't move for branding, same with Russia [for the 2018 World Cup]. There doesn't seem to be really anything that tells you that the World Cup is on."

  2. Postpublished at 13:05 BST

    So it sounds like the conditions will be perfect for football in Los Angeles, but, as Football Daily presenters Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith are finding, World Cup fever on the west coast has not yet taken hold...

  3. Weather forecast for the upcoming gamespublished at 12:59 BST

    Simon King
    Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

    With all the talk of heat and bad weather for this World Cup, the weather for Friday’s matches is actually looking pretty ideal.

    For USA v Paraguay there’ll be lots of sunshine in Los Angeles where the temperature will come down to a pleasant 24C by the 18:00 (02:00 BST) local time kick-off.

    Toronto will be hotter, especially around the 15:00 local (20:00 BST) kick-off time for Canada v Bosnia where the temperature will be around 28C.

    There’ll be a lot of sunshine and it’ll probably feel more like 31C.

    But, the crucial Wet Bulb Global Temperature Fifa is using to assess heat impacts on the body will be well within safe limits.

  4. A hat-trick of World Cup opening showspublished at 12:51 BST

    Media caption,

    Shakira among the performers at World Cup opening ceremony

    Colombian pop star Shakira got the party started before Mexico's opening win, but the entertainment does not end there.

    Canadian singer-songwriters Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette will headline the opening ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto before Canada take on Bosnia-Herzegovina tonight (Friday, 12 June).

    While the game kicks off at 20:00 BST, BBC's coverage gets going on BBC 1 and iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and app, from 19:00 BST.

    After a brief pause, the BBC's World Cup coverage returns at 01:30 BST (Saturday, 13 June) for the show before the USA's opening game against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

    Pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform before that match, which kicks off at 02:00 BST.

    Shakira will return, along with Madonna and K-pop boyband BTS, for the Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on 19 July.

    Katy Perry will headline the opening ceremony in Los Angeles and Michael Buble will perform before Canada's first match in TorontoImage source, Getty Images
  5. Canada and United States...you're uppublished at 12:45 BST

    Mexico put on a great show at the Azteca Stadium to kick off this World Cup.

    Next up will be the turn of co-hosts Canada and the United States to wow the crowds in Toronto and Los Angeles, where there will be two more "opening ceremonies".

    Canada are first up, kicking off their Group B campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina at 20:00 BST (Friday, 12 June), before the US face Paraguay in their Group D opener from 02:00 BST (Saturday, 13 June).

    World Cup fixtures graphic
  6. Two games down...102 to gopublished at 12:40 BST

    Before we start looking forward, a bit of housekeeping...

    Mexico and South Korea are joint top of Group A following their wins in the opening two games of the 2026 World Cup.

    Remember, the top two in each group go through to the knockout stages automatically, the best eight of the 12 third-placed finishers will also progress.

    World Cup Group A table - 1. Mexico 3pts, 2. South Korea 3pts, 3. Czech Republic 0pts, 4. South Africa 0pts
  7. Postpublished at 12:32 BST

    Thanks for all of your questions over the past 90 minutes, but that's all from BBC Sport's football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan.

    We're going to alter our route now and move in the direction of the next two games to come at the World Cup.

    Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina (20:00 BST) in Toronto

    USA v Paraguay (02:00) in Los Angeles

  8. Is Tuchel right to leave Foden and Palmer behind?published at 12:27 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    England manager Thomas Tuchel looks on during the international friendly game between England and Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Orlando,Florida.Image source, Getty Images

    Toby, Exeter: If England go out in the quarters with the attack misfiring, does leaving Phil Foden AND Cole Palmer at home become the defining mistake of Thomas Tuchel's reign - or is he right that you can't fit that many number 10s in one squad?

    I think Tuchel is banking on a single tactical approach and making that the best version it can be – which is how recent winners have won the tournament too such as France, Argentina, and Spain.

    Tuchel's side looks to get the best out of Kane dropping deep so runners from midfield are key. Palmer is less of a runner in behind and more of a creative 10 so fits into the plan less easily. Foden, as a goal-scoring attacking midfielder, could have done this role - but on-form Bellingham or Rodgers make sense. Ultimately you don't need four players competing for the same role.

    Tuchel also wants his wingers to be direct, pacey dribblers and great one against one to push teams back. Palmer and Foden are different in this way to Gordon, Madueke, Rashford and Saka so again don't fit his general system.

    It's all logical. Knockout football is unpredictable but the system in theory makes sense and he's picked players that fit it best. The rest of the squad give him game-specific solutions as substitutes.

  9. Get Involvedpublished at 12:25 BST

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Harry Kane #9 of England reacts after a no call during an International Friendly match against Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)Image source, Getty Images

    Yet again this tournament, Kane will again be a threat from set pieces and penalties and that’s it. Just because he’s had a good numbers season in the worst defensive league in Europe, doesn’t mean he’s suddenly going to perform in big games which he never has.

    T, Sussex

  10. Will tournament underdogs play safe with a back five?published at 12:18 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Ime Okon #21 of South Africa controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, MexicoImage source, Getty Images

    George, Colchester: Hi Umir, will all of the 'underdog' nations go for a back five? Or will someone be bold and try a more offensive approach?

    A football analyst I'm fond of and friends with, Roger Bonet, tallied the defensive shapes teams use closer to their own goal. It goes as follows:

    4-4-2 (24 teams) ➡️ 50%

    5-4-1 (9 teams) ➡️ 19%

    4-1-4-1 (6 teams) ➡️ 12.5%

    4-2-3-1 (6 teams) ➡️ 12.5%

    5-3-2 (3 teams) ➡️ 6%

    This is data from pre-World Cup based on qualifying games but only a quarter of the teams at the tournament consistently used a back five. Under pressure we may see back four teams move to a back five but we are increasingly seeing underdogs attempt to be aggressive when defending. It didn't work for them but South Africa looked to press high (from a back five). It did work for Mexico (who pressed high from a back four).

    Sitting gives big teams the game they want - closer to the opposition's goal with 90 minutes to score. Pressing, although risky, gives some teams a chance to create chaos and win the ball high.

  11. Should Harry Kane drop deep or not?published at 12:11 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    Harry Kane #9 of England runs past Orlando Galo #14 of Costa Rica during an International Friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.Image source, Getty Images

    Kieron, Darwen: Umir, are England a better team when Harry Kane drops deeper to spread the play? Or is it better if he stays in and around the penalty area? Is there room for both Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham in the team?

    Personally I think Kane is much better used dropping deep (and so does Vincent Kompany and Thomas Tuchel!) One reason is for for his ability to provide the team with great passing quality for runners ahead of the ball like Luis Diaz at Bayern, Son Heung-min at Spurs and now Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford for England.

    If teams man-mark him when he drops deep, there is space left in the opponent's defence for the runners we've mentioned. If they don't follow him, he becomes a spare man in midfield, helping England keep good possession and with time and space he can play dangerous passes.

    This tactic also helps him score, more interestingly. By dropping deep, he is slower to arrive to the final third. As teams drop closer to their goal when defending, space opens up in front of their back line. Kane often finds himself in these areas unmarked - able to score from distance.

    There can be room for Rogers and Bellingham with Rogers on the left but it goes against Tuchel's system - I doubt we see it.

    Tuchel wants wingers who are good one against one able to run down the line - think Gordon, Rashford, Noni Madueke. This helps push teams deeper and opens up space in front of defences for the likes of Kane, Bellingham and Declan Rice to score from. Watch the first goal against Costa Rica for a good example.

  12. Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gamepublished at 12:00 BST

    A graphic with the caption 'World Cup predictor' on a green background

    Forty-eight teams, 104 matches - and you can predict them all across the BBC Sport website and app.

    A new predictor game is being introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.

    The new game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.

    PLAY WORLD CUP PREDICTOR HERE

    (UK users only)

    Players will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win an official World Cup football signed by members of the BBC World Cup team.

  13. Is the France team built around Mbappe?published at 11:53 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe takes part in a training session during the 2026 World Cup football tournament at Bentley University in Waltham, Boston on June 11, 2026.Image source, Getty Images

    Jasper, Manchester: About France, people say that the team is tailor-made for Kylian Mbappe - to what extent is this true?

    Didier Deschamps is one of the best coaches in the world at creating a team that looks at his players first. Other coaches can instead end up having a system they like – before looking to find who they can put into it.

    For that reason, France's system is a bit hard to read.

    On paper, it looks like a 4-2-3-1 but Mbappe (the striker) moves over to the left to play very close to the left winger. This was Hugo Ekitike before his injury but Desire Doue played out wide last game. These wider left attacking positions suit Mbappe more than playing him as an out and out striker.

    Ousmane Dembele (the number 10) then moves into a more natural striker position and Michael Olise plays on the right. In that way it can look like a 4-2-4 that is quite lopsided.

    Deschamps also plays Adrien Rabiot as the left central midfield to provide the running that Mbappe may not always do defensively.

    We will see how it pans out but yes, the ideas make sense. Players are put in areas of the pitch that they feel comfortable in and some not-so-big names are selected for the qualities they bring to the team, to help maximise the likes of Mbappe.

  14. How important is Scott McTominay?published at 11:47 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    Scott McTominay of Scotland warms up during a training session at Florida Blue Training Center on June 5, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Image source, Getty Images

    Jake, London: Hey Umir - How crucial is Scott McTominay going to be for how Scotland are set up? Miss him as a United fan as he's one of a kind.

    Big fan of McTominay myself and I think if Scotland are to get joy, he will likely be central to it. His ability to cover big distance, even in a warmer climate, will be one of his strengths. If teams look to press Scotland when they build out from the back, his ability to carry the ball up the pitch will give Scotland respite. He also makes sense as an aerial target when they go long.

    As we've seen for both United and Napoli, he has match-winning quality. His ball-striking and threat from set-plays will be key if Scotland are to turn tight games into results.

    In short, arguably their most important player for me.

  15. Submit your questions to Umirpublished at 11:44 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Thanks to everyone who has shared their thoughts so far.

    If you'd like to send BBC Sport Football Tactics Correspondent Umir Irfan a question, you can do so by clicking 'Get Involved' at the top of the page.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:41 BST

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Re: future England managers (11:29). John Stones, disciple of Guardiola and tactical maestro, surely? There's even footage online of him suggesting tactics to Pep mid-game, and him agreeing!

    Sam, Portsmouth

  17. How will set piece tactics differ between nations?published at 11:40 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    Heung-Min Son #7 of Korea Republic prepares to take a corner kick during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Korea Republic and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Guadalajara, MexicoImage source, Getty Images

    Paul, Manchester: We have seen a significant increase in the use of 'set piece coaches' in domestic football. Is this as prevalent worldwide, are we likely to see the widespread use of these in the World Cup, and will tactics from 'set piece coaches' differ between the different countries/regions in the World Cup?

    Football is increasingly a globalised game and we've already seen the trends of the Premier League and the Champions League bleed into the opening few games and the qualifiers. Teams across the world generally tend to employ set-piece coaches or have one of their coaching staff increasingly focus on this part of the game.

    For example, Mexico scored numerous set-plays in their games prior to the World Cup starting and Czech Republic opted to concede possession before scoring via a long-throw.

    Especially against stubborn defences, there is logic to keeping the game tight and scoring via a set-play instead of taking more risks on the ball and potentially conceding counter-attacks so in a knockout competition I think we will see teams try to do so.

    As for the differing tactics of set-plays per country - perhaps less so, although it would be fun to see. The Premier League's long-throws and in-swinging corners to crowded boxes were pretty effective so those ideas will generally persist (again, as seen in Czech Republic's approach v South Korea).

  18. A new way to experience the World Cup on BBC Sportpublished at 11:37 BST

    A graphic showing two images of phones which display a new BBC interactive service

    Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?

    Well, now you can with the brand-new Fifa World Cup 3D Experience.

    This is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport, starting with Friday's game between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina at 20:00 BST.

    The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real-time, highlights and full-match replays.

    For more details and guidance on how access the experience - click here.

  19. Which England player could become England manager?published at 11:29 BST

    Q&A with Umir

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool with Jordan Henderson captain of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on March 30, 2023 in Kirkby, EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    Seth, Ashbourne: Which current England player is most likely to become a future England manager? I'd have to say Jordan Henderson.

    I would likely echo the Henderson shout. Defensive midfielders tend to make good managers because they see the greater picture of the game and as a captain he speaks well too. Having played under Jurgen Klopp, Gareth Southgate, and Thomas Tuchel now – as well as experiencing football at Ajax, it does make sense.

    I also think Marc Guehi could. Similarly, a well-spoken captain, and although his time under Pep Guardiola was short, that sort of education is often enough to spur a career in management for many ex-pros.

  20. Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 5published at 11:25 BST

    An image of a person holding a football with their back turned and the caption 'Who am I?'

    As you digest reaction for last night's two games, why not also have a go at our brand new Who am I? game.

    The rules are simple. Each day there's a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.

    After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. But, if you get your answer in as few guesses as possible, you get more points.

    Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.

    So, take part in quiz number one and return for more tomorrow.

    Today's player and clues are set by BBC Sport's Flora Snelson.