Kenya Minute.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Kenyan press · Place

Canada

2026-04-242026-06-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    Panama will play in the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

    FIFA to allow disposable water bottles at World Cup games after outcry
  3. Citizen Digital

    Panama will play in the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

    FIFA ups payments to clubs who send players to World Cup
  4. The Standard

    and Iranian claims of damaging US 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false," the command said in a statement.The latest flare-up came despite the United States moving ahead with allowing Iran's national football team to travel to the FIFA World Cup it is co-hosting with Canada

    US, Iran trade strikes despite visas for World Cup footballers
  5. The Standard

    The latest flare-up came despite the United States moving ahead with allowing Iran's national football team to travel to the FIFA World Cup it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed the visa issuances, saying that "sports transcends bor

    Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes
  6. Citizen Digital

    US authorities said on May 22 that Congo's squad must isolate for 21 days before they would be allowed into the United States for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

    DRC cheered on by 23,000 fans in World Cup warm-up
  7. Citizen Digital

    The world's biggest football extravaganza, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11 at Mexico City's Azteca stadium.

    Mexico's president vows to avoid 'trap' of pre-World Cup crackdown
  8. Citizen Digital

    Asked specifically about teenage star Yamal, De la Fuente added: "If everything continues as it has been so far, he could be ready on June 15, but that doesn't guarantee that he will play." Spain will be one of the favourites at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United Stat

    Yamal, Williams should be fit for World Cup opener: De la Fuente
  9. Citizen Digital

    US authorities said on May 22 that Congo's squad must isolate for 21 days before they would be allowed into the United States for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

    DRC coach prepared to play friendly behind closed doors
  10. Citizen Digital

    US authorities said on May 22 that Congo's squad must isolate for 21 days before they would be allowed into the United States for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

    Spanish mayor bans DR Congo pre-World Cup game due to Ebola fears
  11. Citizen Digital

    Panama will play in the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

    'Messi, Maradona, Tim': NZ footballer's viral fan club hits 4 million
Sport

2026 World Cup kicks off in US with low fan enthusiasm

The News

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing minimal excitement in the United States, with fans citing high ticket prices (exceeding $1,000 for the opening match), visa denials, and locals' preference for basketball as reasons for poor turnout. The US co-host nation's opening match against Paraguay drew sparse attendance, and President Trump declined to attend.

10 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Today

  1. 2026 World Cup kicks off in US with low fan enthusiasm

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing minimal excitement in the United States, with fans citing high ticket prices (exceeding $1,000 for the opening match), visa denials, and locals' preference for basketball as reasons for poor turnout. The US co-host nation's opening match against Paraguay drew sparse attendance, and President Trump declined to attend.

    10 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. US surveillance authority expires amid World Cup security concerns

    Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permitted US spy agencies to collect foreign communications without a warrant, expired Saturday as Congress failed to pass a short-term extension. The lapse occurs as the United States co-hosts the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, amid ongoing deadlock over President Trump's intelligence leadership.

    12 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  3. AI chatbots predict 2026 World Cup winners ahead of tournament

    Generative AI chatbots including ChatGPT, Claude, and others are being used to forecast the 2026 FIFA World Cup outcomes, with different systems predicting Spain, France, and Argentina as victors. The trend marks the first World Cup with widely available AI systems making predictions, a departure from Paul the Octopus, who gained fame for divining World Cup winners in 2010.

    13 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  4. US beats Paraguay 4-1 in 2026 World Cup opener

    The United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in the 2026 World Cup's first match on US soil, held in Los Angeles, with goals from Folarin Balogun (2), Gio Reyna, and an own goal giving the co-hosts a dominant start to the tournament.

    14 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. USA plays first World Cup finals game on home soil since 1994

    The United States begins their World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12, 2026—their first finals game on home soil in 32 years. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino says success means winning the World Cup, not merely progressing from Group D.

    23 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. Ecuador cuts beer prices during World Cup 2026

    President Daniel Noboa announced the removal of the Special Consumption Tax on beer and wine during the World Cup, reducing beer prices by more than 20 percent. The measure comes as Ecuador prepares for its World Cup appearance against Ivory Coast.

    12 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Iran's World Cup squad trains ahead of tournament

    Iran's footballers held a public training session in Tijuana on Thursday ahead of the World Cup, their first glimpse to journalists since arriving for the tournament. The squad moved their camp to Tijuana from Arizona, and only a dozen of 26 players were visible during the fifteen-minute session, with striker Mehdi Taremi absent.

    12 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 11 June

  1. Serena Williams' Queen's doubles run ends after partner injury

    Serena Williams' comeback doubles campaign at Queen's Club ended after partner Victoria Mboko withdrew due to a left knee injury sustained during her singles match. Mboko, who slipped on grass against Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday, could not recover in time for the quarter-final.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. French city imposes curfew for under-16s during World Cup

    Toulouse authorities announced a curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am for unaccompanied minors under 16 in the city center during "high-risk" World Cup matches, including those involving France, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Netherlands, following unrest during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League celebration.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. 2026 World Cup kicks off with record revenue but visa and ticket challenges

    The World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. Somali referee denied US entry appointed to UEFA Super Cup

    Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. New York temporarily renames streets after Henry, Pele for World Cup

    New York City has temporarily renamed streets after Thierry Henry and Pele ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins Thursday and will culminate in a final at MetLife Stadium next month. The ceremony at West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan unveiled "Thierry Henry Way," according to city officials.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  6. Africans rally behind Mexico against South Africa in World Cup

    Africans are using the FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Mexico as an online protest against South Africa's xenophobic attacks on immigrants, with Nigerians on X and TikTok urging others to support Mexico, citing Mexico's greater friendliness toward African arrivals compared to South Africa's treatment of African nationals.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  7. Haiti's World Cup return inspires amid domestic turmoil

    Haiti qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and will face Scotland in Boston on Saturday. Ranked 83rd globally and grouped with Brazil and Morocco, the team hopes to make an impact and bring pride to their country amid ongoing challenges.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  8. Canada bans social media for under-16s, regulates AI chatbots

    Canada introduced a digital safety bill banning social media for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms meeting certain safety standards, and establishing a digital regulator to set safety standards for AI chatbots. Companies face penalties of 3% of global revenue or up to C$10 million for non-compliance.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  9. Pope says life should be played as team, ahead of World Cup

    Addressing World Cup fans in Barcelona, Pope Leo XIV said life, like football, should be "played as a team" and that people must learn to run together; he added that individual stars who never pass the ball prevent others from entering the game.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  10. IOC chief expresses confidence in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

    IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she was confident for the successful hosting of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles despite describing "challenges" for the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday and is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  11. Somali referee denied US entry appointed to UEFA Super Cup

    UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

  12. AI to shape 2026 World Cup coaching, health, and officiating

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 48 teams and 104 games across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the most technologically advanced tournament, with artificial intelligence applied to coaching strategy, player health monitoring, penalty shoot-out analysis, match officiating, security and fan experience.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

  13. 2026 World Cup kicks off with record revenue, ticket-price backlash

    The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa; FIFA projects record $13 billion in revenue but faces criticism over ticket prices topping $30,000 and visa denials affecting referees, officials, and fans trying to enter the US.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Trump announces plan to attend World Cup

    US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will attend the World Cup, which is being jointly held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said he expects Trump to present the trophy to the winning team at the final on July 19.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. UN chief urges US to reconsider immigration rules for World Cup

    UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, after US authorities barred Somali referee Omar Artan and others from entering the country, raising concerns about racial profiling affecting the tournament.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. FIFA chief Infantino faces scrutiny over World Cup ticket prices, immigration issues

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup vows 2030 return

    Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. Hugo Broos returns to Estadio Azteca as South Africa coach

    South African coach Hugo Broos, who played for Belgium in the 1986 World Cup opener at Mexico's Estadio Azteca, will return to the same stadium forty years later to lead South Africa against Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  6. Somalia backs referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. UN rights chief urges US to rethink immigration policies for World Cup

    UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, citing cases where fans, a top referee, and team officials were barred from entry. Turk warned that US President Trump's immigration policy could harm the tournament and called for an end to racial profiling and the dehumanization of migrants.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  8. FIFA chief faces questions on World Cup eve

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Kakamega High coach backs Shujaa for World Sevens promotion bid

    Kakamega High School rugby head coach Wamanga backed Kenya's sevens team Shujaa to bounce back stronger next season after failing to secure promotion to the World Sevens Series for the third consecutive year. Despite winning only 5 games out of 15 across three tournaments in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux, Wamanga said the young squad will earn promotion if they remain together.

    9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Somalia backs referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.

    9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Canada — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute