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Mexico to host opening match of 2026 World Cup on June 11, 2026 — FIFA

The Mexico team's opponent for the first match will be announced later

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. The first match and opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the FIFA press service reported.

The tournament will be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Mexico team's opponent for the first match will be announced later. Hosts Canada will play their first match on June 12 in Toronto.

Azteca Stadium has a capacity for 87,523 spectators. The arena hosted two World Cup finals - in 1970 and 1986. It also hosted the 1968 Olympic football tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time. The group stage of the tournament will consist of 72 matches - the teams will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each, the quartets will include two teams that took first place and the eight best teams that took third place. After the group stage, the teams will play in the 1/16 finals. It total 104 matches will be played. Previously, 32 teams took part in the world championships, the tournament included of 64 matches.

The tournament will last 56 days. The final match is scheduled for July 19, 2026. The current world champion is the Argentina national team.

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United States Canada Mexico FIFA

Over 60 national delegations confirm their participation in 2024 BRICS Games in Russia

The 2024 BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Games will be held in Kazan on June 12-23 and will feature events in 20 different sports

Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

According to Maria Zakharova, it is shocking that the statement was made by a European official who "in general speaks on behalf of the entire European Union"

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

It is reported that all those politicians may be sought-after were the situation on the front line to deteriorate sharply or if the need arises to replace Zelensky as soon as possible

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

IMF warns against violations related to use of Russian assets for helping Ukraine

Deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath said that rebuilding mutual trust among countries requires a lot of time and effort and called for preserving "some of the enormous gains from economic integration"

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

According to the investigators, he kept improvised explosive devices for sabotage operation

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Ukrainian shelling leaves female civilian wounded in Gorlovka, mayor says

In addition, two of the city’s neighborhoods lost power

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Russia to become technologically independent in key areas — decree

The head of state set the task to increase the level of the gross added value in real terms and the production index in the processing segment of the industry by at least 40% by 2030, compared to the level in 2022

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Musk's assertions about ancient Martian civilizations could hold true — Roscosmos

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Kremlin sees Ukrainian petition for deployment of NATO troops as dangerous provocation

The petition to invite foreign troops to Ukraine was posted on the Ukrainian president’s website on Tuesday

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Press review: Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term and EU, Ukraine talk arms deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

Some countries reevaluating reliance on dollar over national security concerns — IMF

Meanwhile, "despite increased geopolitical risks, the latest data show that the US dollar remains dominant," Gita Gopinath noted

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Pashinyan arrives in Moscow for summit, meeting with Putin

Nikol Pashinyan will chair the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit and then meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Israeli operation in Rafah undermines mediation efforts — Hamas

Political Bureau member Osama Hamdan warned Israel that its "invasion of Rafah won’t be an easy walk"

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

Russia to develop cooperation with North Korea in all possible areas — Kremlin

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the US together with its partners would continue imposing sanctions for allegedly assisting weapons and petroleum products supplies between Russia and North Korea

EU to agree 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions by July — EUobserver

Moreover, the new package of sanctions proposes an EU27-wide prohibition on Russian funding for "European political parties and European political foundations", "non-governmental organizations", and "media service providers", EUobserver said

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

"During a thorough exchange of views on the settlement of the military-political crisis in Libya, the focus was on the task of uniting all patriotic political and religious forces in the interests of ensuring the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Libyan state," the ministry said

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Russia to open embassy in Sierra Leone this year — Lavrov

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1962

Thai king congratulates Putin on taking office as Russian president

"This yet another presidential term is a fact illustrating the people’s boundless confidence in your leadership," Maha Vajiralongkorn said

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

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Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Battlegroup Center units fully liberated the settlement of Novokalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic and battlegroup West units fully liberated the settlement of Kislovka in the Kharkov Region

Russian space agency still in talks on launching two Luna-27 mission spacecraft

"The plans are the same - we are planning to launch," Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov told

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Expert on inaugural speech: Putin proposes equal dialogue, West will hear these signals

It is stressed that Vladimir Putin proposes a certain general model, a certain general solution to the security system

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

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Belarusian president arrives in Moscow on working visit

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Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

Olga Petersen had earlier been kicked out AfG’s parliamentary group

Indonesian ambassador says Su-35 fighter jets contract remains in force

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

French troops to become target for Moscow forces if deployed to Ukraine — Russian MFA

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Russia puts former Ukrainian lawmaker on wanted list

His entry in the database says the man is wanted "on criminal charges"

Pashinyan leaves for Moscow to attend summit, meet with Putin

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Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

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Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

It is noted that any Ukrainian activity on this section of the front is immediately suppressed by Russia’s precise and coordinated actions

Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

The escape gives only a few a chance to survive as frequently incessant Russian artillery accurate strikes rule out this option for Ukrainian troops, Yury Yurechko noted

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

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FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

Ukraine’s economy to fall into deep coma without West’s support — Russian MFA

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Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

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Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

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Rally organizers plotting riots involving volunteers from Ukraine — Georgian intel agency

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Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

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Russian lawmaker sees 'scare effect' in West as Russia prepares for nuclear drills

Vladimir Chizhov insisted that the drills do not mean "the Russian side is ready or intends to use these weapons immediately"

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

Cuban president hails Putin’s taking presidential office for another term

"March election demonstrated a record-breaking voter turnout," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

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Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

China congratulates Putin on assuming post of Russian president — diplomat

Vladimir Putin has been inaugurated as Russian president for the fifth time

Putin to participate in EAEU summit — his first international event of new term

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Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Belarus to respond instantly to any military aggression, says Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus would not draw any lines

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

Ten powerful solar flares erupt from Sun over past day

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Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Forecasts show Russia may overtake Japan in terms of GDP growth by 2030

Andrey Belousov opined that the Russian Central Bank’s key rate would remain at a high level so far, declining to 6-7% by 2027

Double standards with regard to Russia make US look pathetic — experts

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Kiev meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs by calling Putin’s presidency illegitimate

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Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

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Kiev forces view journalists wearing 'press' vests as primary target — war reporter

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Germany’s recalling ambassador to Russia another unfriendly step, diplomat says

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Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

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Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

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Russia praises Xi Jinping’s idea about peaceful summit on Ukraine

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

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West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

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Arms supplies to Kiev unlikely to drastically change situation on battlefield — US expert

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Authorities of two Ukrainian regions report damage to critical infrastructure

In turn, head of the Kiev-backed regional administration of Zaporozhye, Ivan Fedorov, reported "some damage" in the area, also without details

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

US trying to destabilize situation in India ahead of general election — Russian diplomat

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Inquiry against German Air Force chief over leaked conversation closed

"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote