Sports from Friday, June 12th, 2026

South Korea has rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup Group A campaign, much to the delight of their fans and the sizeable local Mexican support they enjoyed in a festive Guadalajara on Thursday.

Somali referee Omar Artan has been assigned to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain, days after he was denied entry into the United States by US Customs and Border Protection.

Fans attending the World Cup fan festival in Toronto were met with disappointment on Thursday after organisers cancelled the event due to poor weather, on the eve of Canada's first game.

Japanese captain Wataru Endo has withdrew from the World Cup due to injury on Thursday and announced his retirement from the international competition.

Mexico has gotten the World Cup party started as the co-hosts swept away South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in a tempestuous clash with three red cards at a rocking Azteca stadium.