SportFootballWorld Cup 2026LIVEUpdated just nowEngland got their 2026 World Cup campaign underway with a 4-2 win against Croatia while Czechia face South Africa and Switzerland take on Bosnia and HerzegovinaCzechia take on South Africa in Thursday's opening World Cup match(Image: Lars Baron/Getty Images)Hello and welcome to the Mirror's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, June 18th.England got their campaign off to a perfect start on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel’s side beating Croatia 4-2.Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were all on the scoresheet for the Three Lions, who return to Group H action against Ghana on Tuesday.Today’s action gets underway with Czechia vs South Africa (5pm KO BST) in Atlanta, before Switzerland take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8pm in Inglewood.Later on, Canada face Qatar (11pm KO) in Vancouver while Mexico play South Korea (2am KO) in Zapopan.We’ll have live updates from those fixtures as well as the latest World Cup news throughout the afternoon and evening.We will keep you up to date with all the latest from the USA, Canada and Mexico below...‌Today17:00 BSTAnd we're off!Czechia vs South Africa is underway, as the second-round of group fixtures gets underway!Today16:55 BSTCzechia and South Africa team newsAdam Hlozek joins Patrik Schick up top for this evening's 5pm kick-off, with Miroslav Koubek changing his team's shape from a 3-4-3 to a 5-3-2. Tomas Soucek and Jaroslav Zeleny, who started last week against South Korea, have also been demoted to the bench in place of Lukas Cerv and Vladimir Darida.Hugo Broos has also moved to a 4-3-3 for this evening's game, following a harrowing 2-0 loss to Mexico - in which, two of his key stars were sent for an early shower. Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane will have no part in the game against Czechia, with Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena deployed as a midfield three.Lyle Foster has also been dropped for the upcoming clash, with Iqraam Rayners leading the line solo.Czechia: Kovar, Hranac, Holes, Krejci, Coufal, Sadilek, Darida, Cerv, Sojka, Hlozek, Schick.South Africa: Williams, Modiba, Mbokazi, Okon, Mudau, Adams, Mbatha, Mokoena, Appollis, Rayners, Maseko.MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio shows a red card to Yaya Sithole of South Africa 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, Mexico. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)Today16:49 BSTThomas Tuchel speaks Declan Rice situationDeclan Rice was forced off 72 minutes into England's 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday evening, later spotted limping as fears sparked over potential injury on the Arsenal star's part.However, Thomas Tuchel has since insisted that his substitution was a precautionary measure, providing assurance that the midfielder should be fine for the Three Lions' clash with Ghana come Tuesday, June 23.He explained: "Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort. Then I asked him and he pointed directly to his lower back and upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort."I didn't want to take any risks and if I take Declan off, which I never want to do, it was the moment to protect. I think Reece James did so well to replace him in midfield, he did a fantastic game."I hope it's nothing more, Declan just reassured me at the end, 'It's good, it's good,' and I know the discomfort, we will take care of it. It's nothing big to worry about."(Image: Francois Nel/Getty Images)Today16:49 BSTWho is playing this evening?There's an action-packed evening of football in store across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with four clashes taking place across Group A and B.Czechia take on South Africa at the Atlanta Stadium at 5pm BST, before Switzerland are up against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8pm at the Los Angeles Stadium.Canada play host to Qatar at BC Place Vancouver at 11pm, before Mexico are up against South Korea at 2am at the Estadio Guadelajara.Today16:49 BSTWelcome!Hello and welcome to Mirror Football's coverage of the 2026 World Cup!Stay tuned as we bring you all of the latest news and updates from the tournament in North America.‌