THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Hosts Canada, Mexico and USA thrive in their FIFA World Cup <p>Canada have <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2007443">already made</a> World Cup history, while Mexico and the USA are also on course to beat their best-ever runs in the tournament as home advantage has paid dividends.</p> <p><em>AFP Sports</em> looks at how all three co-hosts have thrived while others have struggled with the sprawling tournament spread over three countries and 17 cities.</p> <h2><a id="mexico" href="#mexico" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>Mexico</h2> <p>Swept along by fanatical support in the stadiums and the streets, Mexico have already ended a 40-year wait to win a knockout game by <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2012069">beating Ecuador</a> to make the last 16.</p> <p>El Tri are confident of eliminating England in what could be a World Cup classic on Sunday.</p> <p>Javier Aguirre’s side made the most of a kind group-stage draw to ease past South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic.</p> <figure class='media w-full sm:w-1/2 media--right media--embed media--uneven' data-original-src='https://www.dawn.com/news/2011363/fifa-2026-a-world-cup-group-s…

World Cup 2026: What you need to know about all 48 teams - ESPN The wait is almost over ... the 2026FIFA World Cup, hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, is about to begin! That means we will soon start getting answers to all our burning pre-tournament questions. WillLionel MessileadArgentinato retain the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022 and cement his claim to GOAT status? Or willCristiano Ronaldo-- who, like his longtime rival, is set to appear at a record sixth World Cup -- lift the trophy forPortugal? What about the other star-studded teams that have genuine ambitions to be the last one standing after the final on July 19? CanSpainand boy wonderLamine Yamaladd the World Cup to their 2024 European Championship crown? Two-time winnersFrancewere runners-up four years ago despiteKylian Mbappéscoring three goals in the final; could it be their year again? What aboutHarry Kane'sEngland? OrVinícius Júnior'sBrazil? And can you everreallydiscountGermanyfrom the running? -World Cup 2026 format and tiebreakers explained, full match schedule-Kit ranking: All 105 home, away, third alternate jerseys at the World Cup-Meet the World Cup debutants: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan,…

2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule: Fixtures, results, features Check out all the fixtures, features and results for the2026 FIFA World Cupin the United States, Mexico and Canada. - 2026 World Cup:Group stage standings|Bracket-How teams advance to the knockout rounds-Picking every single game|ESPN FC's predictions-Top 50 players ranked|Every single team kit ranked-VAR review of big decisions|New rules explained Jump to:Knockout schedule World Cup Daily:Ronaldo's new golden boots, Argentina rest Messi as final groups decidedVickery:Ancelotti says Brazil are finally on right track. Is it enough to win a World Cup?Borden:How World Cup fans vindicated U.S. star McKennie's love of ranch dressing World Cup Daily LIVE:Yamal gets WWE belt, Mbappé vs. Haaland in Group IThe Dream Factory: Inside the 'cruel' system behind Argentina's soccer empireBorden:Pulisic looks ready to make his mark right when they need himO'Hanlon:Grades for every team eliminated from the World CupChambers:What's it like to face a young phenom like Messi, Bellingham?Wingate:Why Algeria vs. Austria is the 2026 World Cup's biggest grudge matchLynch:Job done! Socceroos ease into knockouts in strangely stress-free fa…

Portugal vs DR Congo at World Cup 2026: TV channel, how to watch ... Cristiano Ronaldo-ledPortugalbegin their 2026World Cupcampaign againstDR Congoin Houston on Wednesday. WithColombiaandUzbekistanthe other two teams in Group K, Portugal will be aiming to get off to a winning start in hopes of topping the group. Roberto Martinez's side will have to deal with the attention on Ronaldo throughout the tournament, as the 41-year-old bids to win the World Cup for the first time in his sixth and surely final attempt. Ronaldo has won the Euros (2016) and theNations League(2019, 2025) with Portugal, but his holy grail remains the World Cup. DR Congo, meanwhile, make their first appearance at the World Cup since their infamous outing in 1974, when they were known as Zaire. Sebastien Desabre's side have already achieved a victory of sorts in ending a 52-year wait for qualification, but given the names in their squad they can hope for more. Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday's game. The match will be available on BBC One in the UK, Fox Sports in the U.S., Zee5 in India and SBS in Australia. You can also followESPN's live updates. Date, kick-off time:U.S. ET:Wednesday June…

World Cup 2026: DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan - 101 Great Goals World Cup 2026: DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan – report, result, goals as Wissa scores twice to land Leopards meeting with England DR Congo beat Uzbekistan at the World Cup 2026 Ben Miller • Last Update: 2 minutes ago • 3 min read Add us as a preferred source on Google Yoane Wissa struck twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat eliminated Uzbekistan in Atlanta and seal a spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage and a last-32 meeting with England on Wednesday. Eldor Shomurodov had a goal ruled out inside the first 30 seconds before putting Uzbekistan on course for their first points at the finals with a deft angled lob after 10 minutes. Nathanael Mbuku’s strike for the Leopards was contentiously disallowed for a foul in the build-up following a Video Assistant Referee check before the break, but Wissa equalised with a 68th-minute penalty and Fiston Mayele prodded in 10 minutes later to turn the scoreline around. Newcastle forward Wissa added another in style during second-half added time, finding a far corner of the net with a low shot on the turn from outside the box. How’s he done that 🤯 Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring for…

Norway and England Reach FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals After ... July 6, 2026, 5:14 a.m. 0 Comments Norway and England Book FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Spots After Thrilling Round of 16 Victories Table of Contents The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced another day of unforgettable knockout football on Sunday as Norway and England secured places in the quarterfinals with dramatic victories over Brazil and Mexico, respectively. Norway created history with its first-ever quarterfinal appearance, while England survived a late Mexican comeback to keep its title hopes alive. Haaland Inspires Historic Norway Victory Over Brazil Norway stunned five-time world champions Brazil with a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory, thanks to two late goals from captain Erling Haaland. For much of the match, Brazil appeared in control while Haaland was kept largely quiet by the Brazilian defense. However, the Manchester City striker transformed the contest in the closing stages. Haaland opened the scoring in the 79th minute, meeting a perfectly delivered cross from Andreas Schjelderup with a powerful header. Deep into stoppage time, he struck again to complete an unforgettable turnaround and send Norway…

World Cup 2026: Every key question answered about this summer's ... Sky Sports is leaving no stone unturned this summer! We've compiled a one-stop-shop for all things World Cup 2026 - a tournament that promises to break the mould!Contributors: Kaveh Solhekol, Rich Morgan, Callum Bishop, Adam Smith, Joe Shread, Kate Burlaga, Laura Hunter, Dan Long Friday 12 June 2026 09:18, UK The wait is over. The World Cup is officially here! 48 teams, 48 key questions answered (yes, really!) to get you clued up for this summer's fiesta of football. It's going to be fun. The World Cup officially gets under way on Thursday, June 11 whenMexicofaceSouth Africaat 8pm BST, with an opening ceremony (more on that later) starting 90 minutes before the big kick-off. The final will take place on Sunday July 19 in New Jersey, kick-off 8pm BST. For the full match schedule, look no further than ourday-by-day fixture breakdown... The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across three countries for the first time -USA,MexicoandCanada. The USA previously hosted the tournament in 1994, while Mexico was the host nation in 1970 and 1986. Canada has never previously hosted the World Cup. There are 16 stadiums hostin…

I've Attended Three FIFA World Cups. Here's How to Have the Best ... I've Attended Two FIFA World Cups. Here's How to Have the Best Experience. United States Canada Mexico Sporting Events by R.C. Staab Nov 14, 2025 O ver the past 60 years of watching live sports, two games are among my Top 10 — the thrilling finals of the last two FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cups in Moscow and Qatar. I’ve attended two World Cups in person, and even without being a soccer expert or having a hometown team to cheer for, those matches delivered heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat tension and in-person observation of the skills of the sport’s most exciting players. Now, the World Cup is coming to North America and for the first time, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada — from the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant crowds in Vancouver to the pulsating beat of Mexico City. For many Americans, attending a World Cup game in person will be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. To help you soak in every moment and enjoy the world’s most popular sport, here are some essential tips to get you game-day ready. How to get your game on Photo: Marco Ciccolel…

100 World Cup Facts and Trivia Every Fan Should Know The biggest event in the history of North American sports is coming this summer. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will commence on June 11th, with matches being held throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. In order to get you up to speed, FOX Sports Research put together 100 trivia questions to expand your knowledge and remind you of the rich history of this tournament. We'll be adding a question each day as we approach the opening match on June 11. Let's take a look: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal). Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) with 15. Semifinals (third place), in 1930. Quarterfinals, in 1970 and 1986. Landon Donovan with five. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the tournament. Luis "El Matador" Hernández and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández with four each. 1930 in Uruguay. Just one — Brazil. Brazil celebrates after winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images). Pelé (Brazil) with three. Roger Milla (Cameroon) in 1994 against Russia at 42 years, 39 days old. Pepe (Portugal) in 2022 against Switzerland at 39, 283 days old. Pelé (Brazil) in 1958 against Wales …

Xinhua Headlines: Past meets future as World Cup returns to Mexico Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2026-06-12 17:26:32 * The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a ceremony that showcased Mexican culture, music and tradition at Mexico City Stadium, the first venue to host matches at three World Cups. * The expanded 48-team competition, spanning three countries, 16 host cities and a record 104 matches, features leading title contenders including Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal and England. * Chinese companies and manufacturers are playing a significant role in the tournament's technology, merchandise and commercial operations despite China not qualifying for the event. by sportswriters Cao Jianjie and Zhao Yan MEXICO CITY, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The FIFA World Cup returned to Mexico City Stadium on Thursday with an opening ceremony rooted in local sound, color and memory. Almost eight years after Canada, Mexico and the United States were awarded hosting rights, the expanded 48-team tournament began at a venue already woven into football folklore. Formerly known as Estadio Azteca, the stadium hosted the World Cup finals won by Pele's Brazil in 1970 and Diego Maradona's…

What happens if Germany win, tie or lose vs Paraguay today at the 2026 ... world cup / World Cup 2026 What happens if Germany win, tie or lose vs Paraguay today at the 2026 World Cup? Germany and Paraguay meet in a high-stakes showdown in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Manuel Neuer sets unwanted World Cup record by conceding in Germany vs Paraguay Netherlands vs Morocco: How to watch, Live Stream, TV Channel and Time for a 2026 World Cup match on June 29, 2026 By Federico O'donnell Updated on June 29, 2026 03:12PM EDT Follow us on Google! © Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images Florian Wirtz #17 of Germany. Coming off very different performances in the group stage, Germany and Paraguay collide in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup with Jalal Jayed as referee . On paper, as well as based on Germany’s and Paraguay’s FIFA World Rankings , Die Mannschaft are favorites to advance to the Round of 16. However, anything can happen. Moreover, Germany have been taught a lesson by Ecuador, so they shouldn’t take Paraguay for granted in an elimination game. So far at the 2026 World Cup , South American teams hold the upper hand over European sides in head-to-head matchups . Perhaps th…

The World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels ... World Cup 2026 LIVE 2m ago Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Christopher Furlong / Getty, Vaughn Ridley / Getty, Franck Fife / Getty, Charley Tribbalu / Getty, Saul Loeb / Getty, David Salazar / Getty, Benjamin Cremel / Getty, Mike Stobe / Getty, Luis Robayo / Getty, Ulises Ruiz / Getty Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth. Tuesday starts a 100-day countdown to the biggestWorld Cupof them all: a 48-nation extravaganza, 104 games in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico over 39 days of what promises to be an unforgettable summer. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is already calling it “the greatest event that humanity, mankind, has ever seen and will ever see” — and, in terms of the numbers, it really might be. Infantino claims six billion people, almost three-quarters of the world’s population, will engage with the tournament in one way or another and that ticket requests exceeded 50million in the first month of sales. “The world,” he has told FIFA’s media channels, “will stand still.” Advertisement Marvel at the enduring genius of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo an…

2026 World Cup, Day 4: Germany vs. Curaçao; Netherlands vs. Japan; Côte ... Chelsea FC: International Duty 2026 World Cup, Day 4: Germany vs. Curaçao; Netherlands vs. Japan; Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador; Sweden vs. Tunisia by David Pasztor Jun 14, 2026, 7:30 AM UTC Facebook Link COLUMBUS, OHIO - JUNE 10: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been digitally altered.) Moises Caicedo #23 of Ecuador poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 10, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joosep Martinson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images Day 3 was the first day with a full slate of games, four in total, back-to-back-to-back-to-back. For once, it paid to be on the West Coast, with the game starting at noon and then every three hours after that. Perfect timings. But, by and large, all four were worth staying up late (or getting up early), headlined by the 1-1 draw between Morocco and Brazil — though both teams ran out of ideas in the second half — and capped off by a highly entertaining 2-0 win for Australia over Turkey in front of a raucous crowd in Vancouver, BC (and an energetic broadcast team on Telemundo). Group D bringi…

2026 World Cup Winner Odds - All 48 Nations Ranked - GiveMeSport By Hal Fish Published Apr 1, 2026, 4:21 PM GMT+1 Hal is an experienced freelance sports journalist at GiveMeSport, having previously produced content for websites such as Goal , football.london , HertsLive , 90min, The Set Pieces and many others. Hal picked up his MA in Sports Journalism and NCTJ qualification from St Mary's University Twickenham, Hal has since been part of Valnet since late 2021. He started as a freelance football writer for This Is Futbol and carried that on over to FootballFanCast before becoming their social media editor. He now works as an editor for GiveMeSport, predominantly focusing on Premier League, Champions League, and English football. He also helps GiveMeSport cover other major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis, and golf. Key events like the summer and winter Olympics are also highlights when they appear on the sporting calendar. Hal is an Arsenal and Three Lions fan, but keeps an eye on the All Blacks, his favourite rugby team, having grown up in New Zealand. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Now just months away from the 2026 World Cup , the final teams have qualified for th…

the World Cup 2026 news build-up, amid reports Trump won't attend ... All the World Cup 2026 news build-up, amid reports Trump won’t attend USMNT opener Catch up on all of the breaking news and analysis on the eve of the tournament. The Athletic Live Team June 12, 2026 at 5:16 AM EDT The World Cup gets underway on Thursday. Getty Images 31 New Updates Luke Brown · Senior Managing Editor, Live The latest World Cup news The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally gets underway this week, and you can follow all of the latest breaking news before Thursday’s opening group-stage game with The Athletic. We’d also love to hear from you before Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday. Get in touch by emailing live@theathletic.com . Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app. GO FURTHER Our writers’ World Cup 2026 predictions: Winners? Breakthrough player? Best host nation? Shocks? June 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM EDT Austin Green · Staff Writer, Live reporting from Irvine, Calif. The USMNT huddles before starting Matchday -2 practice in Irvine, California. It's roughly 55 hours until kick-off against Paraguay. June 10, 2026 at 2:38 PM EDT Luke Brown · Seni…

World Cup Begins in US, Canada, & Mexico - News for Kids World Cup Begins in US, Canada, & Mexico NFK Editors - June 10, 2026 US, Mexico, & Canada — The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this Thursday. The contest, which is bigger and longer than ever this year, is being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Many people are excited to see the 104 soccer matches with the world’s top players. But there are also some concerns about this year’s World Cup. Soccer (Football) & the World Cup Soccer (or “football”, as most of the world calls it) is the most popular sport on Earth. The World Cup is a soccer contest started in 1930, and held every four years. This year, the 48 best men’s national soccer teams will compete to become the next world champion. The World Cup is so popular that more people watch it than any other sports event. The final match of the 2022 contest was watched by roughly 1.5 billion people. The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this Thursday. The contest, which is bigger and longer than ever this year, is being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Above, a giant model of the official soccer ball of the 2026 World Cup at the airport in Mexico City. (Source: Prot…

Dialogue and Democratic Process Only Solution to AJK Issues: Amir Muqam Get Alerts TORONTO: Ten days into theFIFAWorld Cup2026, one thing is abundantly clear: football's old hierarchy is facing its biggest challenge in decades. When FIFA expanded theWorld Cupfrom 32 to 48 teams, critics predicted a tournament filled with mismatches, one-sided scorelines and weaker competition. They warned that the prestige of football's greatest event would be diluted. Instead, North America has delivered something entirely different. What is unfolding across theUnited States, Canada and Mexico is perhaps the most diverse, competitive and unpredictableWorld Cupever staged. The traditional powers remain strong, but for the first time in modernWorld Cuphistory, the gap between the elite and the emerging football nations appears smaller than ever. The giants are still standing. But they are no longer standing comfortably. THE FIRST TEAMS THROUGH As the group stage approaches its decisive phase, only a handful of nations have officially secured places in the Round of 32. Mexico became the first team to qualify after victories over South Africa and South Korea, confirming their status as one of t…

100 things to know about the 2026 World Cup - The Athletic World Cup 2026 Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton After years of planning, the 2026World Cupis finally here. The tournament in North America kicks off on Thursday and will almost certainly be the most-viewed sports event ever, watched by millions (or more likely billions) of fans across the globe. But it also offers a huge opportunity to attract a whole new audience, particularly across the United States, wheresoccerhas long been on the rise but still does not dominate the sporting landscape as it does in so many other countries. Advertisement This will be a World Cup watched by diehards and those who have never engaged with the game before. With that in mind, we have compiled this article as a guide to everything you could possibly want to know about the tournament, from the most basic questions for those who have not watched the sport to far more intricate details about how teams play, the politics of this competition, the ticketing situation and much more. If you are a keen fan, you might want to skip the first section entirely — you can use the tabs along the bottom to jump to the part(s) that most interest you…

World Cup predictions: Champions, Golden Ball, breakout stars and more The 2026FIFA World Cuphas arrived! Four years afterArgentina's triumph overFrancein Qatar, the latest edition of the world's biggest sporting event kicks off withMexicovs.South Africaon Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, the first of 104 games over the next several weeks. That means it's time for ESPN's writers from around the globe to make their picks on everything from silverware and most entertaining teams to which host nation is most likely to advance the furthest: theUnited States, Mexico orCanada. Here's what the 19 experts we asked think will happen, starting with the most important question: Who will lift the trophy on July 19? It's clear which teams our writers view as the favorites:Spainand France. The European powerhouses earned 16 out of 19 votes for winner, and Spain was the only country that appeared on every ballot. Interestingly, though seven writers expect Argentina to follow up their 2022 World Cup victory with another deep run in 2026, not a single one picked them to actually repeat. CanLionel Messi& Co. defy their expectations? Their bid to go back-to-back begins Tuesday againstAlgeria. Is there an…

World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Five Biggest Takeaways From The Beginning ... Home › World Cup World Cup World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Five Biggest Takeaways From The Beginning Of The Knockout Stages John Ryan Ausa · July 5, 2026 · 6 min read (260704) — MIAMI, July 4, 2026 — Players of Argentina celebrate after winning the round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, July 3, 2026. ) (SP)U.S.-MIAMI-FOOTBALL-FIFA WORLD CUP-ROUND OF 32-ARGENTINA VS CABO VERDE XuxZijian The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 is in the books, and it has exceeded expectations. Instead of one-sided contests, the opening knockout round produced dramatic upsets, tactical masterclasses, comeback victories, and fearless performances from nations once considered outsiders. Established giants were forced to earn every minute of progression while emerging footballing nations proved they belong on the sport’s biggest stage. If the expanded World Cup was designed to create more opportunity without sacrificing quality, the first knockout round suggests FIFA may have achieved exactly that. More importantly, it revealed s…

U.S. vs. Paraguay: Breaking down the challenges in World Cup opener By Kevin Baxter Staff Writer Follow June 11, 2026 2:12 PM PT 2 7 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . The first time a World Cup game was played in the U.S., the opening ceremony featured Oprah Winfrey tumbling off a stage and Diana Ross shanking a penalty shot several yards wide of the goal. “At the time, it was a little bit of a panic,” said Alan Rothenberg, the man who organized that tournament. “But ultimately, once the competition started, it flowed nicely.” So nicely that the 1994 World Cup remains the most successful in history, averaging crowds of 68,991 a match and earning a $50-million surplus for the host committee. Both figures are still records 32 years later. Advertisement The 1994 tournament also gave birth to Major League Soccer, the largest first-division league in the world, and endowed a foundation that has funded grassroots soccer development for more than a generation. It intro…

2026 World Cup, Day 5: Spain vs. Cape Verde; Belgium vs. Egypt; Saudi ... Ex-Chelsea 2026 World Cup, Day 5: Spain vs. Cape Verde; Belgium vs. Egypt; Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay; Iran vs. New Zealand The grind begins by David Pasztor Jun 15, 2026, 6:17 AM UTC Facebook Link HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Players of Germany and Curacao huddle after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Getty Images Day 4 may not have been as entertaining as all the goals may lead us to believe — an average of nearly five scored per game, 19 total — but the Netherlands vs. Japan game lived up to its billing, certainly in the second half. And for a brief, hot minute, Curaçao had history in their sights when they equalized against Germany. Alas, the “(Sponsored) hydration break” cooled their momentum, adding that to FIFA’s latest list of crimes. In the end, Germany had little trouble with the debutants, winning 7-1 thanks in part to a couple goals from Kai Havertz. It was a similar story for (Graham Potter’s) Sweden, romping eventually to a 5-1 win over Tunisia. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökere…

Is this the diaspora World Cup? Is the final in the wrong stadium? Day 4 ... FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE 4m ago LIVE 2m ago LIVE 4m ago Tijjani Reijnders of the Netherlands swings in a corner against Japan in DallasAlex Pantling/FIFA via via Getty Images The Athletic has live coverage ofBelgium vs Egyptin the2026 FIFA World Cup. There were 19 goals on day four of the World Cup, with Germany (thanks to a 7-1 win over Curacao) and Sweden (who beat Tunisia 5-1) scoring 12 between them. And if goals aren’t your thing, there were plenty of storylines besides, with Japan snatching a late equaliser against the Netherlands in possibly the game of the tournament so far, Ivory Coast sneaking a 1-0 win against Ecuador and the first use of‘snicko’ technologyin the Swedes’ win over Tunisia. Advertisement The Athleticwill provide daily recaps of the World Cup’s biggest talking points throughout the tournament. This is what happened on Matchday 4… It was a goal befitting a wild celebration. A top off, a leap into the crowd, at least a roar. But Yasin Ayari’s 25-yard half-volley produced only a clasped-hands gesture before he kissed the turf. It was a half-apology. The reason? His fa…

World Cup 2026 power rankings: Counting down all 48 teams WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic World Cup 2026 power rankings: Counting down all 48 teams Jon Arnold USA TODAY June 8, 2026, 6:43 p.m. ET Hear this story It is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 teams arriving in the finals and all hoping to lift the trophy. Of course, the chance that some of the big boys have is much greater than that of some of the World Cup's newest teams. The event takes place every four years, and only eight countries ever have won the top prize. Still, everyone goes into the tournament with high hopes and expectations, with even tiny Curacao, the smallest country every to qualify with a population of around 150,000 people, trying to engineer a shock debut against Germany - a team that will hope to put itself among the contenders. Argentina is expected to mount a strong title defense, though concerns linger about both Lionel Messi's hamstring issue that cut his season with Inter Miami short and about the health of a number of defenders. And Spain will be in the hunt after winning the Euros two years ago and becoming the top team on the old continent. There also is the meaty middle ahead of the tou…

How Germany's win, draw, or loss vs Paraguay could impact the 2026 ... 2026 World Cup Comments How Germany’s win, draw, or loss vs Paraguay could impact the 2026 World Cup bracket By Dante Gonzalez Updated on June 29, 2026 Follow us on Google! © Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images Joshua Kimmich #6 of Germany. Germany has a golden opportunity to return to the World Cup Round of 16 today as they square off against Paraguay following two consecutive tournament disasters. Taking the pitch for this crucial Round of 32 clash at Boston Stadium in Boston, the stakes couldn’t be higher, as a win, a tie, or a loss will immediately reshape the knockout bracket. Die Mannschaft has finally snapped a miserable tournament streak that followed their 2014 championship run, during which they repeatedly failed to advance past the opening round. Both in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the European giants suffered humiliating group-stage eliminations that shocked the soccer world. Julian Nagelsmann’s squad started the current campaign on the right foot, cruising to a 7-1 win over Curacao and a gritty 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast. However, a stunning 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, marking the first time a Sout…

Germany World Cup team: Every player on the roster, complete schedule WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic 2026 Germany World Cup roster, schedule: Complete list of players, games Seth Vertelney June 14, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET Hear this story The four-time World Cup champion German national team begins its trek through the 2026 tournament on Sunday in Group E action against Curaçao — the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup. And the Germans brought another stacked roster to North America with them. Here's everything you need to know about the squad before kickoff on Sunday. The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, and USA TODAY is going all in with reporters on the ground in all 16 host cities across three countries to cover 48 teams vying for the trophy. Get our World Cup: Extra Time newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts. Buy Germany World Cup tickets Germany World Cup roster 2026 Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart) Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (captain, Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Jon…

Larger World Cup led to predictions of lopsided affairs. The results ... Germany’s Kai Havertz (7) scores a goal against Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith) Brazil’s Matheus Cunha (9) celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal with Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Cape Verde players celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser) Haiti’s Wilson Isidor (18) kicks the ball past Brazil’s Casemiro (5) and Brazil’s Marquinhos (4) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) Canada’s Cyle Larin (9) scores against Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada (1) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Qatar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Not long af…

2026 World Cup begins tomorrow as three nations host largest-ever edition The wait is over as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off tomorrow in Mexico City, launching what is set to be the most expansive and globally inclusive edition in the tournament’s history. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete across three host nations 'the United States, Mexico and Canada' over six weeks of action that will span an entire continent and culminate in a final in New York–New Jersey on July 19. The opening match will be staged at the iconic Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), a venue deeply embedded in football history and now becoming the first stadium ever to host three World Cup opening matches. In the tournament’s curtain-raiser, hosts Mexico will face South Africa. The 2026 edition introduces a major expansion format, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities, with the United States staging the majority of fixtures. Matches will be played in major stadiums including Dallas, New York–New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto and Vancouver. The final is scheduled for July 19 at the New Yo…

One potential breakout star for every nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 World Cup One potential breakout star for every nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup These 48 players have a chance to solidify themselves on the grandest stage. By Sanjesh Singh • Published June 10, 2026 • Updated on June 11, 2026 at 2:40 pm BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. Split image (L-R) of Nico Paz, Endrick and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Thomas Müller. James Rodríguez. Benjamin Pavard. Enzo Fernandez. Four names that entered the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups , respectively, with little attention before breaking out on the global stage. Müller did so with Germany in 2010 after taking home the Golden Boot award with five goals and three assists at the age of 20. Rodríguez followed suit with Colombia in 2014 with six goals and two assists that also culminated with the Golden Boot at age 23. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE Pavard, despite not winning a Golden Boot as a right back, started six of France’s seven games in its 2018 title run, with his absurd curling strike from outside the box against Argentina winning the goal of the tournament at 22 years old. Fernandez started all seven …

Portugal vs DR Congo live online: score, stats, goals and updates William Allen Journalist and translator, AS USA About the author British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak. Update: Jun 17th, 2026 15:36 EDT 0 Share facebook twitter whatsapp Make us preferred on Google Show key events only There's new messages Portugal vs DR Congo: as it happened Thanks for joining! After a game that witnessed history for DR Congo - and a damp squib for Portugal - we're going to lock the door, roll down the shutters and put up the ‘closed’ sign on this live feed. There's plenty more World Cup action still to come today, though. Next up, Group L kicks off with a heavyweight clash between England and Croatia in Dallas. That game begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, and you can follow live-text coverage with my colleague Dane Arlauckas . This evening also brings a Group L matchup between Ghana and Panama -  in Toronto a…

World Cup what to know: US faces Belgium after Balogun's suspension ... World Cup what to know: US faces Belgium after Balogun’s suspension rescinded By: John Marshall, The Associated Press Posted: 5:55 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 5, 2026 Last Modified: 10:19 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 5, 2026 Advertisement Advertise with us Tweet Share Print Email Read Later There could be a whole lot of shakin' going on for the U.S. team's biggest World Cup game in its history. Read this article for free: or Already have an account? Log in here » To continue reading, please subscribe: Digital Subscription One year of digital access for only $1.44 a week * Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper Access News Break, our award-winning app Play interactive puzzles *Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time. To continue reading, please subscribe: Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional $1 for the first 4 weeks* Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepre…

Soccer-Spain face tiny Cape Verde in collision of swagger and wonder Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Training - Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. - June 11, 2026 Spain's Aymeric Laporte, Mikel Oyarzabal and Eric Garcia during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis June 13 (Reuters) - Spain arrive ⁠in Atlanta with the air of a team expecting a long World Cup summer, but ⁠on Monday they face opponents carrying an equally powerful feeling: the giddy disbelief of a ‌nation seeing its name on the tournament board for the first time. The European champions open their Group H campaign against Cape Verde, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia also in the section, in a fixture that looks on paper like a meeting of ​different football planets. Luis de la Fuente's side have become close to ⁠immovable over the last four years, ⁠going 30 matches unbeaten since a 1-0 friendly loss to Colombia at Wembley in March 2024. Since then ⁠Spain ‌have recorded 23 wins and seven draws playing some of the most entertaining, attacking football seen in recent times. The only wrinkle in that spotless-looking run was a 5-4 penalty defeat to ⁠Portugalin the 2025 Nations League final afte…

Spain vs. Saudi Arabia live stream: How to watch FIFA World Cup ... The 2026 FIFA World Cup is placing some pressure on tournament favorites. Matchday two in Group H will feature Spain, on the hunt for their first win and goal of the tournament, and Saudi Arabia, aiming to build on their opening draw against Uruguay. The two sides will square off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday. Spain entered the competition as top contenders, and maybe the weight of expectation in their opener led to an early reality check. They head into Matchday two off a scoreless draw against World Cup debutants Cabo Verde, and struggled to find the back of the net. The silver lining was the reintroduction of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams into the lineup as substitutes by head coach Luis de la Fuente. De la Fuente is expected to keep pressure off his players in the build-up to the next match, but Yamal's impact could see him get more minutes against Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has momentum from their 1-1 draw against Uruguay last week. The Green Falcons earned the hard point thanks to some key saves by goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. Head coach Georgios Donis has only been on the sidelines with th…

World Cup 2026 Power Rankings, 48 hours out: Who is No. 1? - ESPN It's official: Tuesday marks just 48 hours until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in earnest, whenMexicohostSouth Africain Mexico City on June 11. As we did at the 100-day and 30-day mark, we're looking at how our global reporters feel about the tournament from a contenders vs. pretenders perspective with just two days until kickoff. We asked our panel of 20 reporters to rank their top 15 favorites from No. 1 (meaning "the trophy is theirs") to No. 15 ("the cool outsider's pick for a tournament shock") and compiled their ballots into the collective ranking below. Our voting panel includes Bill Connelly, James Olley, Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden, Rob Dawson, Mariano Mancuso, Armando Neria, Alain van Hilten, Mark Ogden, Lizzy Becherano, Beth Lindop, Ed Dove, Tom Hamilton, Leonardo Bertozzi, Alex Kirkland, Gabe Tan, Joey Lynch, Jeff Carlisle, Gab Marcotti and Cesar Hernandez. Consider this your shorthand guide to the favorites next month, with some adjustments noted based on form, injuries and other intangibles. -Ranked: The top 50 players at the 2026 World Cup-Simulating the World Cup: Who did EA crown as champions?- B…

World Cup quarterfinals: How we got here, predictions, odds And then there were eight. Four full weeks after the 2026FIFA World Cupbegan, and 95 games later, the quarterfinals kick off Thursday with each remaining team only three wins away from becoming world champions. We've seen 40 teams -- including co-hostsCanada,Mexicoand theUnited States, as well traditional powerhousesBrazilandGermany-- fall by the wayside over the past month. Now only reigning world championsArgentinaplusBelgium,England,France,Morocco,Norway,SpainandSwitzerlandare left to dream about winning the final in New Jersey on July 19. -The 8 most important players of the World Cup quarterfinals-Golden Boot tracker: Who will score most goals at the World Cup?-Grades for every team eliminated from the World Cup: U.S. gets a C But how did we get here? Who are the players who have stood out the most? And what are the moments that we'll never forget? ESPN's Sam Marsden brings you up to date with answers to all of those questions, Sam Tighe looks at where the four quarterfinals will be won and lost, a selection of our writers who have been reporting on the tournament give us their predictions on the winner of each …

England's FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule Written by: Holly Hunt Share England are in North America for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Thomas Tuchel's side aim to add a second star to their shirt. The draw for the tournament was made in December, whenthe Three Lions were placed in Group L, along with Croatia, Ghana and Panama and the full match schedule has been confirmed including dates, kick-off times and venues. Tuchel’s side will kick-off their tournament against Croatia on Wednesday 17 June 2026 (9pm BST kick-off) at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA. England face Ghana next on Tuesday 23 June (9pm BST kick-off) at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA. And the Three Lions round off the group stage with their final game against Panama on Saturday 27 June (10pm BST kick-off) at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Remember, theofficial England appwill be the best place for all of our World Cup content, updates, videos and access to the camp so make sure you've downloaded and registered to make the most of it. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🆚🇭🇷Wednesday 17 June, 9pm (UK)Dallas Stadium 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🆚🇬🇭Tuesday 23 June, 9pm (UK)Boston Stadium 🇺🇸🇵🇦🆚🏴󠁧󠁢…

World Cup schedule, start time, where to watch USMNT, Canada WORLD CUP World Cup games today include USA, Canada openers. Time, TV schedule Dan Rorabaugh USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida June 12, 2026, 12:00 a.m. ET Mexico began its hosting duties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Today it's time for the United States and Canada to enter the fray. The USMNT enters the first 48-team version of the global soccer tournament with a ton of pressure. Its proclaimed "golden generation" failed to qualify in 2018 and limped out of the Round of 16 in 2022. Now that it's hosting the majority of games for the first time since 1994, Team USA aspires to reach at least the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 with a medal in mind. The eyes of the world will be on more than just how Christian Pulisic and which of Matt Freese or Matt Turner starts in goal match up against Paraguay , who made the quarterfinals the last time they made the World Cup in 2010. The expected heat at matches brought mandated water breaks to this year's event, while the country's immigration and visa policies and ongoing escalations in the war with Iran , not to mention the extravagant ticket prices , have brought ire on the…

Who are the World Cup favorites? - CNN Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy after the final between Argentina and France on December 18, 2022. Julian Finney/Getty Images Soccer South America See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Predictions about who will be the next World Cup champion often miss the mark. The pressure at this tournament is as intense as it gets for any player, and the margins are so fine that even a powerhouse can be knocked out. Still, only eight countries in history have ever won the Beautiful Game’s most coveted trophy. With a week to go before the World Cup begins, six national teams top analysts’ lists and the betting markets: Spain, France, Argentina, England, Portugal and Brazil. Spain Yeremy Pino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Spain and Georgia at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on October 11, 2025. Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images Spain is one of the top two favorites. In the four years since Qatar 2022, Spain has won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024 and the men’s soccer tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In Euro…

All the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 news - Daily updates ... - Bundesliga Gio Reyna's goal for the USA in their win over Paraguay will live long in the memory. - © FREDERIC J. BROWN Gio Reyna's goal for the USA in their win over Paraguay will live long in the memory. - © FREDERIC J. BROWN As Germany's, the Bundesliga's and the world's finest battle for the FIFA World Cup in North America this summer, our daily blog has you covered with all the latest news, stories and action... Advertisement Reyna puts icing on the cake for US Gio Reyna came off the bench and scored a Goal of the Tournament contender, curling delightful shot with the outside of his boot into the top corner to crown a 4-1 win for the USA against Paraguay in Los Angeles. Leverkusen's Malik Tillman also impressed with an attacking display full of verve for Mauricio Pochettino's bold side. © VALERIE MACON Canada held by Bosnia St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (r.) made a number of impressive saves to help Bosnia and Herzegovina take a point from a 1-1 draw in their Group B opener against hosts Canada in Toronto. Stuttgart's Ermedin Demirović and Schalke's Nikola Katić likewise played from start to finish for the Euro…

Fox Sports' Stu Holden says Mexico, not U.S., is World Cup co-host with ... World Cup 2026 Mexico has gone five matches without a loss in action leading into the World Cup.Agustin Cuevas / Getty Images Fox Sports World Cup analyst Stu Holden thinks one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup has an edge over the others, and it’s not the team he used to play for. “I feel more bullish that Mexico will win their group than the U.S. right now,” the formerUSMNTmidfielder told reporters Friday. “I’ve already earmarked the round of 16. It could be Mexico against England. If Mexico wins their group, I actually have them beating a team like England, which would put them in that quarterfinal type spot that I hope the U.S. get to.” Advertisement Mexico defeated Serbia 5-1 in Toluca, Mexico on Thursday, the fifth straight match without a loss for coach Javier Aguirre’s side. Aguirre, who replaced Gerardo “Tata” Martino after Mexico crashed out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has sought to strengthen the mentality of his players ahead of the 2026 tournament, which is co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States. “This is a country that is all in for their team…

World Cup 2026 games live updates: Ghana defeats Panama on late goal ... LIVE COVERAGE Updated 4 minutes ago World Cup 2026 games live updates: Ghana defeats Panama on late goal; England beats Croatia, Portugal and DR Congo draw 1-1 in earlier games Follow live updates and the latest coverage of the World Cup. International fans embrace U.S. culture during World Cup 03:55 Save Add NBC News to Google Updated June 17, 2026, 9:05 PM EDT By NBC News What to know today about the World Cup Ghana leads Panama 1-0 late in the match. England defeated Croatia 4-2 thanks to two goals from Harry Kane, one from Jude Bellingham and one from Marcus Rashford. Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo drew 1-1 in the day's first match. Today's last match is Uzbekistan vs. Colombia at 10 p.m. ET. The game will be on Telemundo and Peacock . NEW UPDATES 4m ago / 9:05 PM EDT Final: Ghana 1, Panama 0 Gutwrenching end for Panama, and a victorious last minute clincher for Ghana. 6m ago / 9:03 PM EDT Panama goes for last-minute corner kick, no goal Panama clinched a corner kick in the 97th minute and aimed a header towards the net, but it was successfully saved by Ghana's goalkeeper. 12m ago / 8:…

World Cup 2026 predictions: Winner, dark horses and Socceroos ... - SBS FIFA World Cup 2026™ Who will win the FIFA World Cup? SBS experts make their predictions Every World Cup sparks debate and bold predictions. We asked the SBS team to pick the champion, underdog and Australia's fate. With 48 teams competing, the stakes have been raised at this year's FIFA World Cup. Source: AAP / AP Can reigning champions Argentina go back-to-back? Can the Netherlands finally end its decades-long World Cup curse? And just how far can tiny Curaçao go? Those are burning questions for football fans as this year's FIFA World Cup unfolds, with an expanded 48-team tournament likely to deliver more storylines, drama and fairy-tale finishes than ever before. So who will lift football's biggest prize? Spain, second in FIFA's World ranking, is widely tipped to take home the trophy, while Argentina (first), France (third), England (fourth), Portugal (fifth) and Brazil (sixth) are also considered top contenders. News that makes sense Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox. But every World Cup delivers upsets, su…

World Cup Match Day 4: Germany-Curaçao, Netherlands-Japan Make A Sunday ... Sunday will see eight more teams kick off their campaigns at the2026 FIFA Men’s World Cupwith a hungry German team with a lot to prove going against tiny debutants Curaçao in the opener. In the second game, the Netherlands takes on Japan in a contest between teams who impressed in World Cup qualifying. The Ivory Coast and Ecuador meet in the third game, and this is a contest between two legitimate dark-horse candidates as both teams were stellar defensively in their respective qualifying campaigns. The day concludes as Sweden takes on Tunisia in a matchup between two very unpredictable teams. Germany vs. Curaçao: How To Watch The opening game of Sunday’s schedule begins at Houston Stadium, where Germany will open its 21st World Cup campaign against tiny debutants Curaçao in what is a true David vs. Goliath matchup in Group E. Of course, the pressure is on Germany to reverse its downward trend at recent World Cups. After winning the final in 2014 against Argentina, Germany failed to advance out of the group stage in both 2018 and 2022. But recently, Germany has shown signs of climbing back to its norm…

The Beautiful Game is coming to North America and the World Cup is just ... A FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. Ulises Ruiz/AFP/Getty Images Soccer The Middle East See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Summary The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday in Mexico City with a record 48 teams competing across North America. Teams have set up training camps to prepare for extreme weather conditions including high heat, humidity and altitude. CNN's daily newsletter will guide readers through 104 matches and five knockout rounds until the July 19 final. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. Note: This is story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports , our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here . It’s almost here. After years of talk, preparation and anticipation, the 2026 World Cup is now just right around the corner. On Thursday, the first of 104 matches will kick off in Mexico City. Then, on July 19, we’ll have a winner. What happens in between, no one knows and that’s what makes the World Cup the best sporting spectacle on the planet. Our newsletter will be your one…

England at the 2026 World Cup: Schedule, results, how to watch ... England's quest for a first World Cup trophy since 1966 continues in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer. Thomas Tuchel's side make the journey across the Atlantic as one of the favourites to go all the way with the world-class talents ofHarry KaneandJude Bellinghamcentral to bringing football home. Their first stop is Group L, where showdowns against familiar opponents inCroatiaandPanamaalongside a first ever competitive meeting withGhanaawait. ESPN rounds up everything you need to know ahead of England's World Cup campaign. -2026 World Cup: Format, groups, full match schedule, more-England's pre-tournament friendlies: Who do they play, how to watch-Meet England's squad: All 26 players picked by Thomas Tuchel and why GROUP STAGE 9 p.m. BST, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas -- ITV England kick off their campaign with their toughest Group L assignment -- a team ranked 11th in the world in a repeat of the 2018 semifinal. Croatia won on that day, 2-1. 9 p.m. BST, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts -- ITV Next up for England is Ghana, led by Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo. Ghana are r…

World Cup Match Day 3: Brazil-Morocco, Australia-Türkiye Highlight ... Now we're really in it: The2026 FIFA Men’s World Cupholds its first full match day on Saturday. The opener of the four-game slate sees 2022 host Qatar face an ambitious Switzerland team in Northern California. The drama then shifts to New Jersey for what is arguably the best group stage game at this tournament when Brazil faces Morocco in a matchup between two top-10 teams in theFIFA World Rankings. Scotland then kicks off its campaign against Haiti before the action concludes in Vancouver, where Australia and Türkiye meet in what promises to be an intense and hard-fought game. Let’s go into detail on these games. Qatar vs. Switzerland: How to Watch Switzerland arrives at this World Cup with the realistic goal of making a long run into the knockout stages. Switzerland performed brilliantly in World Cup qualifying, winning UEFA’s Group B without losing a game. In a group that had Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden, the Swiss scored 14 goals and conceded just twice while winning four games and drawing twice. That run has seen Switzerland climb to 19th in the FIFA World Rankings. Head coach Murat Yakin has been the…

2026 World Cup: Ghana suffer Croatia defeat but advance to knockout ... Black Stars 2026 World Cup: Ghana suffer Croatia defeat but advance to knockout stage by Iddriss Abdul Rahim June 27, 2026 Ghana ended their Group L campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field but still progressed to the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Croatia took the lead in the 31st minute through Inter Milan midfielder Petar Sučić, whose strike gave the Blazers a deserved advantage heading into the halftime break. The Black Stars responded strongly after the restart and found an equaliser in the 76th minute when Derrick Luckassen tapped home from Ernest Nuamah’s inviting cross. The goal was checked by VAR before being awarded. However, Ghana’s joy was short-lived as Croatia restored their lead just seven minutes later. Nikola Vlašić rose highest to head home from Luka Modrić’s corner, sealing all three points for Zlatko Dalić’s side. In the other Group L fixture, England defeated Panama 2-0 to finish top of the standings, while Croatia placed second. Ghana finished third, with all three teams advancing to the knockout stage. The Black Stars will now turn their attention to the …

A larger World Cup had some worrying the competition would suffer. It ... NPR News A larger World Cup had some worrying the competition would suffer. It hasn't NPR | By Russell Lewis Published June 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM MST Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images Cape Verde's midfielder Kevin Pina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during a World Cup match against Uruguay in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday. Cape Verde played Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. LOS ANGELES — When FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup would expand from 32 teams to 48 , there was some grumbling. Soccer purists, a few anyway, fretted that the inclusion of lower-ranked countries would lead to a slew of lopsided results and make the early matches a chore to watch. What's happened since the tournament kicked off on June 11 has been nothing short of thrilling, with unexpected results. On Sunday, Cape Verde continued its incredible run at its maiden World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. This follows their opening Group H draw against highly favored Spain, 0-0 . From the African country with a population of just over half a million people, the Cape Verde…

World Cup Today: Live news and updates from around the tournament World Cup 2026 Latest News Mexico Wins Opener Biggest Event Ever? Players to Watch Predictions Team Guides How To Follow live Updated 10m ago World Cup Today: Live news and updates from around the tournament Follow the latest news and analysis from around the tournament. Live Blog Discuss The Athletic Live Team June 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM EDT SoFi Stadium, where the USMNT face Paraguay in their opening match tomorrow. Getty Images Luke Brown · Senior Managing Editor, Live Live World Cup news updates The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico City this afternoon, and you can follow the latest tournament news and analysis right here. We will be live every minute of every day for the next six weeks. Get involved by chatting with us here or by emailing live@theathletic.com . GO FURTHER How to follow the 2026 men’s World Cup with The Athletic June 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM EDT Austin Green · Staff Writer reporting from Irvine, Calif. Airbnb rental is in the World Cup spirit An Airbnb in outside of Boston appears to have been overtaken by British forces in a way not seen since 1775. In the dead of night the Scots arrived at t…

2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule: Fixtures, results, features Check out all the fixtures, features and results for the2026 FIFA World Cupin the United States, Mexico and Canada. - 2026 World Cup:Group stage standings|Bracket-World Cup: List of squads, players-VAR explained by former referee: How will it work at World Cup? - World Cup Daily, June 10:Infantino speaks, our reporters weigh in-ESPN FC's reporters, editors make their tournament predictions-Picking every single game of the 2026 World Cup-Final World Cup Power Rankings: Which nation is No. 1?-Ian Darke's World Cup preview: Favorites, surprises to watch-Title odds for all 48 World Cup teams-USMNT roundtable: 5 big questions the co-hosts must answer- Ogden:It's time for the soccer to do the talking- O'Hanlon:Top 50 players at 2026 World Cup- World Cup kit ranking:Every single team from best to worst - World Cup Daily, June 11:Yamal at Walmart, Mahrez visits KU- Recap:Mexico kick off World Cup with win over South Africa- Borden:Why this will be a World Cup like no other- Marcotti:Six World Cup complaints, and six reasons why it might be OK- O'Hanlon:13 stats that prove the USMNT will win the 2026 World Cup-Golden Ball, …

Mexico and South Africa kick off first 48-team football World Cup - RFI World Cup 2026 Mexico and South Africa kick off first 48-team football World Cup Mexico and South Africa will launch the first 48-team football World Cup on Thursday with a game at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Issued on: 11/06/2026 - 13:05 3 min Reading time The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. © Carl DE SOUZA / AFP By: Paul Myers Advertising Read more Over the next five weeks and five days in the United States, Mexico and Canada, 104 matches will be played in the planet's most prestigious international team tournament, organised by the world game's governing body Fifa . It will culminate in the final on 19 July at the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium just outside New York City. The 2026 tournament takes place against a backdrop of war between the US hosts and Iran, anger over refused visas, criticism over ticket prices, and cost of hotel rooms and travel to the stadiums. Human rights groups including Amnesty International have also warned that certain fans travelling to the tournament face serious risks from US im…

2026 FIFA World Cup: Fun Facts - Infinity Insurance Soccer is more than just a game in Hispanic communities, it’s a tradition. Whether it’s a neighborhood match or the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Families and friends come together to celebrate, cheer, and gather around the grill for a BBQ. These moments go beyond sports; they're about pride, connection, and community. At Infinity Insurance Agency Inc. (IIA), we’re proud to support local families and share in their passion for soccer, both on and off the field. IIA is proud to support Hispanic families across the country. See how we celebrate and serve our community. What to expect in the 2026 FIFA World Cup The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic, marking the first time over 48 teams will compete for the title of world champion. This World Cup will mark a massive shift in global soccer. The previous cup included 32 teams and bringing 16 more nations means more fans into the world's biggest sporting event. The 2026 World Cup is bringing several huge updates! 104 total matches (up from 64 in the previous world cup) More chances for underdog countries New format: 12 groups of 4 teams each Where the matches will be played (U.S. Host Cities)…

World Cup beginner's guide: What you need to know for the biggest ... - CNN Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup at Qatar 2022 for Argentina. Julian Finney/Getty Images Soccer See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow It’s World Cup season, folks, which means a summer spent watching the very best players on the planet. For those who follow the sport of soccer (yes, we are calling it that despite it being known as football around the world), you know exactly what to expect. Undiluted drama, pure cinema and narratives that even the best scriptwriters in Hollywood would struggle to muster up. But this isn’t just a World Cup for your initiated soccer fan, this is a chance for everyone to fall in love with the world’s game. To do that, you need to understand the basics. Trust me, I know. I spent my first year at CNN trying to understand what March Madness was… I’m still not totally sure I understand it either, despite my colleague Dana O’Neil’s attempts to explain it. Anyway, here are the answers to hopefully every question you’re too embarrassed to ask your soccer-loving pals. ⚽️ sign up for THE beautiful game by cnn sports ⚽️ CNN Sports will give you behind-the…

Germany vs. Ivory Coast at World Cup 2026: TV channel, how to watch ... Germanytake on theIvory Coastin a top-of-the-table Group E clash at the 2026FIFA World Cupin Toronto, Canada. Both teams began their World Cup with contrasting wins as Julian Nagelsmann watched his side romp to a 7-1 win over Curacao, while Emerse Fae's side required a 90th minute goal from Amad to defeatEcuador1-0. The two teams have never met in a World Cup before and have only played a solitary international friendly in 2009 which ended in a 2-2 draw. Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's game. The match will be available on ITV 1 in the UK, Fox Sports in the U.S., Zee5 in India and SBS in Australia. You can also followESPN's live updates. Date, kick-off time:U.S. ET:Saturday June 20, 4 p.m.UK BST:Saturday June 20, 9 p.m.India IST:Sunday June 21, 1.30 a.m.Australia AEST:Sunday June 21, 6 a.m Venue:BMO Field, Toronto, CanadaReferee:Juan Gabriel Benitez Mareco (Paraguay) Germany Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): GK:Manuel NeuerRB:Joshua Kimmich|CB:Jonathan Tah| CB:Nico Schlotterbeck| LB:David RaumCM:Leon Goretzka|CM:Aleksandar PavlovicRW:Leroy Sané|CAM:Jamal Musiala|LW:Florian WirtzCF:Kai Havertz …

FIFA World Cup Round of 16 qualifiers - news.allianceglobal.org Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191 By Shabbir Hussain KANSAS CITY, Jul 4 (Alliance News): Argentina, Colombia, Switzerland and Egypt secured places in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after dramatic victories on Friday, setting up intriguing knockout clashes as the tournament gathered momentum. Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare before edging Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Cape Verde stunned the South Americans with equalisers from Deroy Duarte and Sidny Lopes Cabral. Argentina eventually sealed victory in the 111th minute when Diney Borges scored an own goal under pressure from Cristian Romero. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Cape Verde’s spirited performance, describing the match as extremely difficult. Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 in Atlanta. Egypt reached the knockout stage after defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in…

Spain advances to 2026 World Cup quarter-finals with late goal This article is delayed 10 minutes. Vera API subscribers got this signal first. Get the live feed atvera.cryptobriefing.com. Share Spain’s national football team has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a late goal secured their victory in the Round of 16 match. The Spanish team, led by manager Luis de la Fuente, managed to overcome their opponent, solidifying their place among the final eight teams still competing for the coveted title. This progression marks another step in Spain’s campaign, following their previous success against Austria and their top placement in Group H. Spain’s upcoming quarter-final match will be against either Portugal or the winner of the USA/Belgium match, scheduled for July 10. Spain’s upcoming quarter-final match on July 10 will be a pivotal moment for the team’s World Cup aspirations. Observers will be keen to see how the market reacts to Spain’s performance against either Portugal or the USA/Belgium winner. A victory in the quarter-finals would likely shift pricing supportive of Spain advancing to the semi-finals or even the final. Key performances from play…

FIFA rankings for every World Cup 2026 team - USA TODAY WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic Every 2026 World Cup team ranked, according to FIFA Meghan L. Hall USA TODAY June 14, 2026, 9:23 a.m. ET Hear this story The 2026 World Cup is officially underway, and with so much action happening, there will be many eyes on FIFA's updated world rankings. In case you missed it, defending World Cup champs Argentina own the No. 1 spot at the top of FIFA's June rankings . Argentina moved up two places, leapfrogging Spain . Spain remained unchanged at No. 2, while France , which previously held the top spot, fell to No. 3. Further down the list, the United States fell one spot to No. 17 globally. FIFA's new rankings could come into play in this year's World Cup tournament, as it is used as the final tiebreaker should two or more teams end up deadlocked following group play. Of course, while FIFA has its rankings, USA TODAY Sports has some, too. Here are our World Cup power rankings . Here's FIFA's: World Cup team rankings by FIFA (updated) Argentina - 1 Spain - 2 France - 3 England - 4 Portugal - 5 Brazil - 6 Morocco - 7 Netherlands - 8 Belgium - 9 Germany - 10 Croatia - 11 Colombia - 13 Mexic…

World Cup 2026 Power Rankings after two games: Who is No. 1? - ESPN We're nearly two weeks through the 2026FIFA World Cupand the action has beengood. The superstars have been showing up and showing out so far at the venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Lionel Messibroke the men's World Cup goals record -- then the all-time record for men and women -- with all five ofArgentina's goals, as theAlbicelesteopened their campaign with two wins. ButNorway's resident big ladErling Haaland(four goals in two games at his first World Cup) andKylian Mbappé(four goals in two games forFrance) are right behind Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Oh, and Portugal'sCristiano Ronaldogot his first two goals of the tournament in a big win against Uzbekistan, becoming the first player in men's World Cup history to score at six different editions. At the underdog end of the spectrum,Cape Verdecould still advance to the round of 32 in their first World Cup, after draws against world No. 1SpainandUruguayin group play. So, with two games down, how does the 48-team field look? As we did 100 days out from the World Cup, 30 days out, with 48 hours to go and after the first round of games, …

Onto the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so far NPR News Onto the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so far NPR | By Becky Sullivan Published June 28, 2026 at 3:00 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images U.S. forward #20 Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during their opening World Cup group match against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. on June 12, 2026. KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The worries before the World Cup were many. There were the visa wait times , the ticket prices , anxieties over hotel rooms and public transit , and countless battles between FIFA and local organizing committees. Now, with the group stage done and the knockout round set to begin Sunday, it is time to declare: The North American World Cup has been a success. No doubt there were visitors who were turned away , would-be attendees who could not afford tickets, and hotels and local businesses who feel the promised bump in tourism hasn't materialized. But overall, the stadiums have been full, even for matchups that seemed lackluster on paper: nearly 70,000 people packed into stadiu…

Why Brazil look shaky for 2026 World Cup qualifying - ESPN Onside/Offside is back! Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, games you might have missed and what to keep an eye on in the coming days. This week, LME previews theCONMEBOLWorld Cupqualifiersas world championsArgentinalook favorites while aBrazilside in transition face issues to return to their formal glory. -Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga,Bundesliga, more (U.S.) All eyes on South America. For the first time in more than 20 years, the men's World Cup qualifying campaign begins with a South American champion as Argentina kick off their title defense on Thursday in Buenos Aires againstEcuador. Two other games occur that day asPerutravels toParaguayandColombiahostsVenezuelabefore Friday seesUruguayvs.Chileand Brazil welcomingBolivia. As a Peruvian, my bias is strong, but due to the historical and cultural relationships between the nations, the star power, crowd atmosphere andgeographical conditions, these are the most entertaining and challenging matches in all of international football. South America suffers and feels the raw elements of football like no oth…

See Gonçalo Ramos score game-winner for Portugal vs. Croatia in World Cup WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic See Gonçalo Ramos score game-winner for Portugal vs. Croatia in World Cup Seth Vertelney July 2, 2026, 9:09 p.m. ET Hear this story Portugal's World Cup round of 32 match with Croatia appeared destined for extra time, but Gonçalo Ramos came up with a massive stoppage-time winner to give his side a 2-1 win. Rafael Leão played in a cross from the left and Ramos rose up between his two defenders and guided a perfectly placed header past goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. Croatia took the lead early in the second half through Ivan Perišić, but Cristiano Ronaldo responded from the penalty spot in the 68th minute to score his first-ever World Cup knockout goal. Portugal will now advance to the round of 16, where it will face Spain in an Iberian derby. USA TODAY at the 2026 World Cup The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, and USA TODAY is going all in with reporters on the ground in all 16 host cities across three countries to cover 48 teams vying for the trophy. Get our World Cup: Extra Time newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest…

Portugal eye fast start against DRC in bid for elusive World Cup glory Portugal eye fast start against Democratic Republic of Congo in bid for elusive World Cup glory Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Guedes and Francisco Trincao during training. PHOTO: REUTERS Published Jun 16, 2026, 03:04 AM Updated Jun 16, 2026, 03:31 PM Listen HOUSTON – Portugal’s latest bid for World Cup glory begins in Houston on June 17, when they take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group K clash against a side appearing at their first global Finals for the first time in 52 years. DR Congo played as Zaire when they took part in the 1974 World Cup but lost all three games, conceded 14 goals and scored none. However, they are unlikely to be so poor again. Portugal have 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo aiming to win one of the last remaining pieces of major silverware to have eluded him in his illustrious career. They exited in the quarter-finals at the hands of another African side, Morocco, at the 2022 Finals in Qatar, while their best finish is third in 1966. A positive start is important in a pool that also contains Colombia and Uzbekistan. …

2026 World Cup knockout stage teams ranked, according to FIFA WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic All 32 remaining 2026 World Cup teams ranked, according to FIFA Jacob Camenker USA TODAY June 28, 2026 Updated June 30, 2026, 12:20 a.m. ET Hear this story Argentina entered the 2026 World Cup as the No. 1 overall team in the FIFA world rankings. Is Lionel Messi 's squad holding on to that mark following the group stage ? For now, the reigning World Cup champions remain perched atop the FIFA men's world ranking . Argentina was able to cement its ranking by winning all three of its group stage matches, including a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday, June 27. Even so, France has given Argentina a run for its money. Les Bleus have seesawed with La Albiceleste while winning all three of their group stage matches against Senegal, Iraq and Norway. France – the 2026 World Cup favorites – may ultimately be able to overtake Argentina in the FIFA rankings before the tournament's end. If not, several other teams will be looking to rise to the top of the list as they seek a World Cup title. Just 32 countries remain in the mix at the World Cup with the group stage over. Each squad will face a gre…

What time is Brazil vs. Morocco? Live stream, TV channel, kickoff ... If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.Learn more > Sahar Fatemi SN Brazil and Morocco go head-to-head in one of the most anticipated group stage clashes of the 2026World Cup, with both sides among the tournament favourites to advance from Group C. Morocco reached the semifinals in the last edition but face a tough test in their opener against five-time champions Brazil to begin their campaign. STREAM:Every World Cup 2026 match, including Brazil vs. Morocco, LIVE on fubo (free trial) STREAM:Every World Cup 2026 match, including Brazil vs. Morocco, LIVE on fubo (free trial) In a group that also includes Scotland and Haiti, both Brazil and Morocco know that a win at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey could go a long way to securing their place in the knockout rounds. The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and kickoff times. This World Cup clash kicks off Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. local time atMetLife Stadiumin East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here's how that t…

A dominant England got their World Cup off to the perfect start but not ... HOME FOOTBALL WORLD-CUP ‘Should be banned’: Controversy rocks England’s opener; late winner sparks epic scenes – LIVE Kane causes a stir with penalty retake | 00:32 Dane Heverin with AFP from Fox Sports June 18th, 2026 1:11 pm Matchday seven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway with Congo DR making history with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston. England defeated European rivals Croatia 4-2 in a high-octane Group L contest in Dallas, while Ghana snatched a 1-0 win at the death against Panama in Toronto. The action on Thursday AEST concludes with Uzbekistan facing Colombia in Mexico City. Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 SCHEDULE WITH AEST START TIMES AND DATES MATCH CENTRE: Portugal 1-1 Congo DR MATCH CENTRE: England 4-2 Croatia MATCH CENTRE: Ghana 1-0 Panama MATCH CENTRE: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, 12pm AEST Follow all the action in our live blog below! Can’t see the blog? CLICK HERE GHANA’S LATE STUNNER Ghana scored a dramatic 1…

Cole Palmer, Rodrygo and the biggest stars who are missing from the ... DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP Your all-access pass to scores, live updates, and insights Explore Getty/GOAL Tom Maston Jun 11, 2026 04:00-04:00 Analysis World Cup C. Palmer Rodrygo Estevao X. Simons T. Alexander-Arnold J. Pedro E. Camavinga F. Lopez P. Foden D. Huijsen H. Ekitike J. Cardoso England Brazil France Spain Germany Netherlands USA Mexico H. Maguire Eder Militao S. Gnabry M. de Ligt K. Mitoma C. Baumgartner Austria Japan FEATURES The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged. But while excitement continues to build ahead of kick-off in Mexico City, fans around the globe have also found themselves holding their breath on numerous occasions over the past few weeks whenever a big-name player goes down with an injury, or looking on with dismay at the decision to leave a big nam…

Biggest nations, players that didn't qualify for 2026 World Cup - NBC ... World Cup The biggest nations and players that didn't qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup The World Cup expanded to 48 teams for the first time, but some big countries and stars still fell short. By Sanjesh Singh • Published June 1, 2026 • Updated on June 1, 2026 at 2:41 pm BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. Roger Bennett previewed his new book “We Are The World (Cup),” talked about on his favorite World Cup memories and predicted the world champion. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 teams for the first time, an uptick from the previous number of 32. Qualifying was already a difficult process due to the limited spots across confederations. But despite the playing field increase, some notable nations and players still missed out. One notable country that previously suffered from a smaller bracket was Norway. Led by stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, the duo couldn't make their mark on the world stage until now. Debutant sides like Curacao and Uzbekistan, among more, have also reaped the benefits of the new format. Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are WATCH HERE But, as aforementioned, the joys of a berth…

An approachable World Cup guide: Morocco - Boston.com While the term “dark horse” is used so frequently that can lose its meaning, Morocco’s World Cup team fits the definition perhaps better than anyone else in the 48-team field. Recent success, a talent-laden roster, and a growing belief among the “Atlas Lions” has them positioned with odds (+5000) that are longer than the traditional frontrunners , but measurably shorter than the United States (+6000). Before things get going, here’s a quick guide for one of the teams coming to the Boston area for the 2026 World Cup: Three quick things to know Morocco has been on a historic run: In 2022, the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal before falling to France. It was magical run that included wins over Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. Throwback to Achraf Hakimi and Morocco defeating Spain on penalties at the 2022 World Cup — Spain didn’t convert a single one 😮 Morocco’s historic 2022 run saw them defeat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal to become the only African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals. pic.twitter.com/jF0RoSSHaZ — Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) June 9, 2026 As part of Morocco’s rece…

Historic records that could fall at the 2026 World Cup In partnership with OneFootball ·4 June 2026 TheFIFAWorld Cup2026™ promises to be historic, not only because of its new expanded format, but also because of the number of all-time records that could be broken. Active legends are just a few steps away from rewriting the record books of football’s biggest tournament. Check out 12 milestones, compiled byFIFA, that are up for grabs in North America! 1. Oldest coach in history The current record belongs to Germany’s Otto Rehhagel, who coached Greece in 2010 at the age of 71. The current record belongs to Germany’s Otto Rehhagel, who coached Greece in 2010 at the age of 71. The leading candidate to break it is 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, who coachesCuraçao. The Dutchman had qualified the country for theWorld Cup, but resigned in February due to a family issue. Rehired in May, he will become the oldest coach inWorld Cuphistory whenCuraçaoface Germany on June 14. Miroslav Koubek, 74, who took over the Czech Republic in December 2025 and qualified the country for theWorld Cupafter a 20-year absence, and Belgium’s Hugo Broos, South Africa’s coach, also 74, are well behind Adv…

Czechia vs. South Africa: How to watch, stream World Cup Group A ... Justin Ruderman Copy URL Share on Facebook Share on X Featuring two MLS defenders , South Africa seek their first point at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face Czechia on Thursday at Atlanta United 's home stadium. How to watch & stream English: FOX Spanish: Telemundo, Peacock When Thursday, June 18 | 12 pm ET/9 am PT Where Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 nations, runs from June 11 until July 19. The tournament is unfolding in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The top two teams from each group and the top eight third-place finishers advance to the knockout phase (Round of 32). Czech Republic FIFA World Ranking: 43 Confederation: UEFA (Europe) Opening result: 2-1 loss vs. South Korea After falling 2-1 against South Korea on the opening matchday, Czechia will look for a positive result against South Africa. Despite captain Ladislav Krejči opening the scoring against the Taeguk Warriors, the South Koreans quickly flipped the script to take the 2-1 lead, before Tomáš Souček's potential equalizer was disallowed for offside. Regardless, the danger Czechia pos…

LIVE - Colombia v Ghana: World Cup 2026 text commentary, updates, goals ... LIVE – Colombia v Ghana: World Cup 2026 text commentary, updates, goals and stats Colombia take on Ghana at the World Cup tonight. Follow all the action with our live commentary... Jon Fisher • Last Update: 2 hours ago • 2 min read Add us as a preferred source on Google Colombia face Ghana at the World Cup tonight looking to maintain their impressive progress so far. The South Americans topped Group K that also contained Portugal after taking seven points from their three games. Ghana advanced as one of the best third-placed finishers and showed their defensive solidity with a goalless draw against England. The winners will face Switzerland in the last 16. Table of Contents Where to watch Colombia v Ghana: TV channel, live online streams World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana stats Where to watch Colombia v Ghana: TV channel, live online streams Kick-off on Saturday is at 02:30 BST (21:30 ET / 18:30 PT, both Friday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1. Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go. World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana stats Col…

2026 FIFA World Cup Group B Preview: Canada's Big Opportunity Liverpool Tactical Review & Longform 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B Preview: Canada’s Big Opportunity Co-hosts Canada are joined by Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B at this summer’s World Cup. by Noel Chomyn May 29, 2026, 7:00 PM UTC Facebook Link Alphonso Davies (l) and co-hosts Canada will be looking to record their first points at a World Cup. AFP via Getty Images World Cup co-hosts Canada got the kindest possible draw when they were gifted a group with Switzerland as the highest ranked nation and rounded out by previous World Cup hosts Qatar along with Bosnia & Herzegovina. At least on paper, it’s a draw that should allow Canada not just to win their first points ever at a World Cup, but to advance to the knockouts with a second-place group finish the minimum target. Still, as high as hopes are for the co-hosts, it’s Switzerland who are group favourites, with the Swiss FIFA’s 19th ranked side while Canada are 30th. Qatar are 55th and Bosnia & Herzegovina 65th to round out the group. With 12 groups and 48 countries at this expanded World Cup, the top ranked side here being 19th best in the world w…

FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups The wait is finally over! FIFA’s December 5, 2025, draw at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center has revealed all 12 groups for the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup . With 48 teams competing across the United States , Canada , and Mexico , this tournament promises to deliver the most thrilling World Cup action in history. Here’s everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups, blockbuster matchups, and what to expect when the action kicks off on June 11, 2026 . Breaking Down All 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups The 48-team format creates 12 groups of four , with the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advancing to a brand new Round of 32 . This expansion means more nations, more matches, and more opportunities for unforgettable moments. Group A : Mexico’s Historic Opening Night Teams: Mexico (Host), South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic Mexico gets the honour of opening the tournament at the legendary Estadio Azteca on June 11 —exactly 16 years after hosting the 2010 opener against South Africa. That’s right, we’re getting a rematch! South Korea brings World Cup pedigree, while the UEFA playoff winner Czech Re…

Soccer-Portugal eye fast start against DRC in bid for elusive World Cup ... Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Portugal Training - The Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 13, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Guedes and Francisco Trincao during training REUTERS/Marco Bello HOUSTON, June 15 (Reuters) - Portugal’s latest ⁠bid for World Cup glory begins in Houston on Wednesday when they take on the Democratic Republic of ⁠Congo in a Group K clash against a side appearing at their first global finals in 52 ‌years. DR Congo played as Zaire when they took part in the 1974 World Cup but lost all three games, conceded 14 goals and scored none. They are unlikely to be so poor again. Portugal have 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo aiming to win one of the last remaining pieces of major silverware to ​have eluded him in his illustrious career. They exited in the quarter-finals at ⁠the hands of another African side, Morocco, at ⁠the 2022 finals, while their best finish is third in 1966. A positive start is important in a pool that also ⁠contains ‌Colombia and Uzbekistan. They have lost only two of their last 15 World Cup group-stage matches, …

Brazil vs. Morocco World Cup preview - FOX 5 New York article Brazil v. Morocco (Getty Images) The Brief Brazil and Morocco meet Saturday in a Group C World Cup match at MetLife Stadium. Brazil enters as the betting favorite, but Morocco is coming off a historic 2022 World Cup run. The match is one of the biggest early World Cup games in the New York-New Jersey area. NEW YORK - The World Cup spotlight shifts to MetLife Stadium on Saturday as Brazil and Morocco meet in one of the most anticipated early matchups of the tournament. What we know: Brazil and Morocco will face off Saturday, June 13, in a Group C match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. The match is part of the opening weekend slate for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Brazil enters the match as the favorite, according to FOX Sports’ odds page, while Morocco comes in as one of the most dangerous teams in the group. FOX Sports listed Brazil vs. Morocco among its World Cup odds and prediction matchups for Saturday. Why this match matters Brazil is one of the most recognizable teams in World Cup history and is chas…

World Cup 2026 live updates: Czechia vs South Africa ... - NBC News LIVE COVERAGE Updated 4 minutes ago World Cup 2026 live updates: Czechia vs South Africa, Mexico vs South Korea; analysis and more Follow live update of the FIFA World Cup 2026 games as Mexico face South Korea and Czechia take on South Africa. International fans embrace U.S. culture during World Cup 03:55 Save Add NBC News to Google Updated June 18, 2026, 12:46 PM EDT By NBC News What to know today on the World Cup In the first game, Czechia leads South Africa 1-0 after an early goal. The next matches are Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m., Canada vs. Qatar at 6 p.m. and South Korea vs. Mexico at 9 p.m. All matches are on Telemundo and Peacock . Today begins round 2 of the group stage USA is preparing for its second match, taking on Australia tomorrow in Seattle. NEW UPDATES 4m ago / 12:46 PM EDT Four minutes of stoppage time South Africa has thoroughly dominated possession since the Czechia goal. 16m ago / 12:35 PM EDT Yellow card on South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena That’s Mokoena’s second yellow, he will miss the team’s next game. 20m ago / 12:30 PM EDT Fifteen minutes to go until stoppage time We’re…

World Cup 2026 games live updates: England vs. Croatia, Portugal vs. DR Congo as Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup https://www.byteseu.com/2115982/ Yesterday’s four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record. The previous mark of 277,070, …

Here's how host nations have fared in FIFA World Cup history - NBC DFW 2026 World Cup How host nations have fared in FIFA World Cup history as USMNT takes spotlight This year, the three North American hosts will hope to make an impact. By Sanjesh Singh • Published June 8, 2026 • Updated on June 12, 2026 at 8:31 am BOOKMARKER NBCUniversal Media, LLC Only a handful of nations have hosted soccer’s biggest stage more than once — but one stands above the rest. From Pelé’s final triumph to Maradona’s “Hand of God,” these World Cups made history. For the first ever time, the FIFA World Cup will take place across three countries. The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with each nation looking to make history for themselves. Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are WATCH HERE Only one men's World Cup took place across multiple countries, with Japan and South Korea sharing hosting duties in 2002. Both lost in the knockout rounds, though. The expectations will be higher for the North American sides, however, especially for the U.S. men's national team and Mexico. Neither nation has won the tournament, though 2026 provides a rare chance to make history…

World Cup 2026 wall chart: Printable tournament tracker ... - CBS Sports On Thursday, the 2026 World Cup will kick off with Mexico hosting South Africa . The biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams, will be jointly hosted by Mexico , Canada, and the United States across 16 cities. More teams also means more games, with 104 to track ahead of the final on July 18 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The road to the final will be a long one, with teams needing to play in a newly minted round of 32 before the traditional round of 16, adding to the matches. That shift brings new things for fans to keep track of at home, as every team in the field looks to stop Lionel Messi and Argentina from repeating as champions. There are also four first-time qualifiers with Jordan, Uzbekistan, Curacao , and Cabo Verde.  With the new seeding for the top teams in the FIFA rankings, as long as they win their groups, Spain and Argentina can only meet in the final, and the same is the case with France and England . Follow live updates on the Mexico vs. South Africa World Cup opening match If that has your head spinning, or you're unsure how to keep up with the expanded 48-team field, have no f…

World Cup 2026 live updates, score, analysis - Toronto Star Home Sports Soccer World Cup Canada’s Jonathan David, centre, celebrates with Stephen Eustáquio, right, after scoring his side’s third goal against Qatar. Abbie Parr/The Associated Press Canada is back in action at its home World Cup . Follow our live coverage for everything you need to know about the men’s national team, with insights from the Star’s team of reporters and columnists. Updated 9 sec ago Horrific injury to Kone is huge blow to Canada By Bruce Arthur Columnist Star staff Ismael Kone clearly broke his leg. Unbelievable. Stephen Eustaquio noticed it first and came running; Kone covered his mouth and looked at his unnaturally bent lower leg, in shock. This is such a blow to Canada - they simply do not have an adequate replacement for Kone. Nathan Saliba will try, but this is just a blow. Updated 9 mins ago What Bombito's arrival means for Canada By Joe Callaghan Special to the Star Moïse Bombito coming in for the second-half is somehow a mere subplot now on this day of Canada delivering on so much promise. But we must remember how huge a piece he is of Marsch’s team — and how just a week ago reports had ruled h…

Why The World Cup Has Been So Successful And So Much Fun - Forbes Business SportsMoney Why The World Cup Has Been So Successful And So Much Fun By Michael Lewis , Contributor. Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. U.S. men's national team and soccer Follow Author Jul 03, 2026, 10:17am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary The 2026 World Cup is a resounding success, delivering dramatic confrontations and near-sellout crowds despite initial concerns over high costs. Host nations, including the USMNT, Mexico, and Canada, have thrilled fans with strong performances and historic wins. Star players like Messi, Mbappe, Kane, and Haaland are excelling, consistently scoring multiple goals. The tournament boasts record-breaking attendance and soaring TV ratings, highlighting its immense popularity. Late-game heroics, unexpected upsets, and the Cinderella run of Cape Verde have provided constant drama. Enthusiastic foreign fans, from Scotland to Japan, further enhance the vibrant, unforgettable atmosphere. Show More EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 30: Kylian Mb…

Meet 2026 World Cup debutants: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan ... - ESPN Every soccer fan dreams of seeing their nation in aWorld Cup, but for many of FIFA's 211 member associations, that ambition remains just that: a dream. However, the expansion of soccer's showpiece event to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, which is co-hosted byCanada,Mexicoand theUnited States, has left the door ajar to nations who previously would have fallen short, while other countries have hit their stride at just the right time with golden generations driving them to qualification for their maiden finals. The record for World Cup debutants (aside from the first tournament in 1930) is six.Angola,Ivory Coast,Ghana,Togo,Trinidad and TobagoandUkraineall made their bows at the 2006 competition. -Can USMNT's depth at the 2026 World Cup make a difference?-World Cup host cities: What you need to know about all 16 venues-2026 World Cup poster revealed! Plus, amazing host city art While as many as nine potential newcomers were in the mix for 2026 heading into the March playoffs, only four of those teams will be on the ground when the competition kicks off on June 11. Cape Verde,Curaçao,JordanandUzbekistanhave pu…

World Cup 2026 Schedule Today - Day 4 - FIFA World Cup News FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 4 on 14 June 2026, busiest early days of the tournament, with five matches spread across Vancouver, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia and Monterrey. Australia vs Türkiye gets the day moving, Germany takes on Curaçao, the Netherlands face Japan, Côte d’Ivoire meet Ecuador, and Sweden plays Tunisia in a slate that already feels like a proper FIFA World Cup 2026 Sunday. This is the type of day when the group stage begins to show its true shape. Some teams will aim to win early to settle their nerves, while others will try to stay compact and secure a late goal. Germany and the Netherlands arrive with stronger tournament reputations, but Australia, Japan, Ecuador and Sweden all have enough quality to make the day far more competitive than it looks on paper . Today’s World Cup 2026 Schedule Australia vs Türkiye – 9:30 AM – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada Germany vs Curaçao – 10:30 PM – NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas Netherlands vs Japan – 1:30 AM – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Ivory Coast vs Ecuador – 4:30 AM – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sweden vs Tunisia – 7:30 AM – Estadio BBVA, Guadal…

World Cup what to know: Canada earns a hard-fought draw in opener ... World Cup what to know: Canada earns a hard-fought draw in opener, U.S. is up next vs. Paraguay Canada settled for a draw in its World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in front of a raucous crowd in Toronto. Considering how things started for the Canadians on Friday, it wasn’t the worst outcome. Cyle Larin — who had just entered the game — scored in the 78th minute to make it 1-1 after... Posted 6/10/2026, 5:58:15 PM Updated 6/12/2026, 9:28:13 PM Related Associated Press AP Sports AP U.S. news AP Entertainment AP World news A dancer performs along Reforma Avenue in Mexico City, Saturday, June 6, 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) By DAVID BRANDT — AP Sports Writer Canada settled for a draw in its World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in front of a raucous crowd in Toronto. Considering how things started for the Canadians on Friday, it wasn't the worst outcome. Other WRAL Top Stories Cyle Larin — who had just entered the game — scored in the 78th minute to make it 1-1 after Canada fought from behind for the majority of the afternoon. Bosnia's Jovo Lukic scored in the 21st minu…

Larger World Cup led to criticism and predictions of lopsided affairs ... Germany’s Kai Havertz (7) scores a goal against Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) during a World Cup Group E match June 14, 2026, in Houston. (Eric Smith/AP) By Tales Azzoni | Associated Press PUBLISHED: June 21, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Not long after FIFA announced an expanded 48-team World Cup , criticism began to pour in about how the quality of the tournament would likely be worsened. The critics argued that by allowing smaller teams to the expanded field, the number of weak matchups would increase, as would the chances of lopsided results. But as the biggest World Cup ever progresses, those fears have not fully materialized. Through 24 games, the goal differential was unchanged compared with the tournament in Qatar in 2022, suggesting the larger field did not create more one-sided competition. Germany did rout newcomer Curacao 7-1, Qatar was trounced 6-0 by Canada, and Haiti was eliminated after two matches. But some of the less-traditional nations were able to hold their ground early on. Cape Verde, the fifth-lowest ranked team entering the Wo…

Ismael Saibari scores fastest World Cup goal for Morocco vs. Scotland WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic Morocco's Ismael Saibar scores fastest goal of World Cup vs. Scotland Jacob Camenker USA TODAY Network June 19, 2026, 6:23 p.m. ET Hear this story It didn't take Morocco long to get on the board. Just about 72 seconds into the game, Ismael Saibari got behind the Scottish defense and was able to fire a shot into the top left corner of the net. Saibari's game-opening goal against Scotland is the fastest of the 2026 World Cup thus far. He scored in the second minute, and just about 72 seconds into the action. That said, Saibari's goal isn't the fastest in World Cup history. Turkey's Hakan Şükür scored a goal just 11 seconds into his country's 3-2 win over South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. In the 10th minute, Morocco had another excellent chance to find the back of the net once again. Azzedine Ounahi ran onto a ball on the left side of the penalty area and laid a ball across the net, but two Moroccan attackers darting toward the goalpost could not put feet on the pass. USA TODAY at the 2026 World Cup The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, and USA TODAY is going all in with re…

World Cup quarterfinals bracket predictions: Best games, players and ... FIFA World Cup 2026 Is this Messi's World Cup? Or Mbappe's? Or will it be won by someone else?Getty Images There are only eight teams left in the World Cup and each is only two wins a way from a place in the final after a month of extraordinary action at sport’s biggest event. All three co-hosts have now departed but defending champions Argentina are still going aftera stunning comeback win in the last 16, while Erling Haaland has reachedglobal superstar statusby leading Norway into the quarterfinals. Advertisement Haaland will face Harry Kane’s England in Miami looking to reach a semifinal and catch Messi in the race for the golden boot. The Argentina forward, with eight goals, leads by one from Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, whose France side plays Morocco. This is what the full quarterfinal bracket looks like. Here we asked our writers to make their predictions, including the best games and the winners of the four ties as well as their picks of the best players of the round of 16, the stars people aren’t saying enough about and more. This is what they said. Lukas Weese:England. To go into the raucous…

Spain's Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final: Possible Opponents ... As the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches and the group-stage draw is confirmed, Spain enters the tournament with clarity, confidence, and renewed ambition. Head coach Luis de la Fuente now knows the exact roadmap La Roja must navigate in their quest for global glory in North America. Contents When Does Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Journey Begin? Spain’s Group H Opponents Spain’s Group H Schedule Spain’s Group H Standing How Spain Qualifies for the Knockout Stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Spain’s Knockout Stage Path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Spain as Group H Winner: Potential Knockout Path Spain as Group H Runner-Up: Potential Knockout Path Spain as Group H Best Third-Placed Team: Potential Knockout Path Spain’s Best Route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final World champions in 2010 and reigning European champions following their triumph at Euro 2024, Spain arrive determined to erase the disappointment of their Round of 16 exit against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. Powered by a new Golden Generation blending youth, technical dominance, and tactical intelligence, La Roja are widely viewed as …

Wacky ways World Cup squads jetted into North America - from Japanese ... Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Comment now WORLD Cup fever has erupted as the national teams begin to land in North America ahead of the biggest sporting event on the planet. Brazil’s plane was “baptised” as it took off from Rio, the South African squad was welcomed to Mexico by a mariachi band and perennial dark horses, while Turkey received a 100-plus car convoy to the airport. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! 12 Perennial World Cup dark horses Turkey received a 100-plus car convoy to the airport Credit: X/MilliTakimlar 12 Passionate Brazilians sent their team off by ‘baptising’ the plane the squad flew out in Advertisement 12 World Cup debutants Cape Verde also had a spring in their step as they landed in the US as the team danced and sang with airport staff Credit: X/fcfcomunica 12 A mariachi band played the South Africa squad into their hotel Carlo Ancelotti ‘s stacked Brazil squad received a special send-off on their way to the World Cup on Monday. As part of a tradition to grant the team good luck at the tournament, their £150million p…

When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start? - USA TODAY WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic When does the 2026 World Cup start? Kristie Ackert USA TODAY June 10, 2026, 7:29 a.m. ET Hear this story The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11 through July 19, sprawling across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada in what will be the largest tournament in the sport’s history. This will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, which has increased the tournament to 104 games over 39 days. Here is how the World Cup's footprint breaks down, round by round. When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start? The tournament kicks off June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faces South Africa. The Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host three different World Cups, having previously hosted in 1970 and 1986. Canada hosts its first game June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States begins the same day in Los Angeles against Paraguay. When does the group stage end? The group stage runs through June 27, with all 48 teams playing three matches across 12 groups. The top two teams from each group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-place…

Netherlands vs Japan live updates: World Cup 2026 game latest news and ... World Cup 2026 LIVE 6m ago Advertisement live Updated56s ago Japan take on the Netherlands in their first Group F match in Arlington, Texas today. Both sides will be hoping to take a step towards the knockout stages in a group that also includes Sweden and Tunisia. Japan are hoping to repeat the impressive performance that saw them reach the round of 16 last time around, while the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals in 2022. In a word? Quickly. Japanare very flexible in terms of formations — often switching between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, though in recent matches a 3-4-3 has become the norm — but certain principles are non-negotiable. Traditionally, Japan press relentlessly and move the ball at speed, particularly against inferior opposition. Boasting both outstanding wide players and technicality in midfield, Hajime Moriyasu’s side are consistently able to circulate the ball through opposition pressure to give their attackers one-vs-one opportunities on the edge of the box. Against the world’s top sides, however, there is increasing evidence that they are developing one of international football’…

FIFA World Cup Day 5 live updates: Cape Verde holds Spain to a ... LIVE COVERAGE Updated 1 minute ago FIFA World Cup Day 5 live updates: Saudi Arabia takes on Uruguay; Iran to play in U.S. amid peace deal Follow live updates and the latest news from the World Cup as Saudi Arabia takes on Uruguay and Iran plays in the U.S. amid the peace deal. Analysis, highlights and key moments. Major underdogs and upsets during first World Cup weekend 01:24 Save Add NBC News to Google Updated June 15, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT By NBC News What to know about the World Cup Spain was held to a scoreless draw against Cape Verde today, the most stunning result of the tournament thus far. Then Egypt and Belgium finished with a 1-1 draw. Saudi Arabia is leading Uruguay, 1-0, and Iran is set to take on New Zealand at 9 p.m. ET. All matches are on Telemundo and Peacock. Forty-eight teams are competing at the biggest ever World Cup, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout round. USA won its opening match last week 4-1 against Paraguay and will next play Friday against Australia. NEW UPDATES 1m ago / 7:00 PM EDT Fans at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens An Uruguayan fan cheers for her at the Miami Stadium in Mi…

Asia's World Cup falls apart with just two teams remaining Asia’s World Cup falls apart with just two teams remaining Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan during training on June 28 in Houston, Texas, ahead of Japan’s World Cup last-32 match against Brazil. PHOTO: REUTERS Published Jun 29, 2026, 03:50 AM Updated Jun 29, 2026, 09:24 PM Set as preferred source Listen ARLINGTON – The gap between Asia’s best teams and the rest has been laid bare by the region’s disappointing World Cup as just two Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sides reached the knockout rounds. A record nine countries from the AFC reached the Finals in North America after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams . But with the group phase over on June 27, only Australia and Japan remain. Of 27 group games contested by AFC teams, they won only three. In contrast, it has been a success story for African football, with nine of their 10 sides reaching the last 32. “Where we need to improve is in Asian football (as a whole), not only Uzbekistan,” said Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian 2006 World Cup winner and coach of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, playing at a World Cup for the fir…

World Cup 2026: Key takeaways from the first round of matches The2026 FIFA World Cupis well and truly underway. The first round of the group stage wrapped on Wednesday, Jun. 17, with Colombia beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in front of a raucous crowd in Mexico City. Each of the 48 participating national teams has now played once. They'll push through two more group stage matches each before learning which nations will qualify for the knockout rounds and which 16 nations will depart the competition early. Here are the biggest lessons we've learned from Matchday 1 of the 2026 World Cup. Turkiye, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal are four of Europe's strongest national teams. They've got serious World Cup history, deep tournament rosters and a knack for staying alive in knockout situations. But after the end of the first matchday, they've got a rather ignominious statistic in common, too: the inability to get results despite eye-popping ball possession. Turkiye had the ball for 63 percent of its opening match against Australia; it still lost 2-0. Switzerland had the ball for 70 percent of its game against Qatar and still conceded a late equalizer to draw 1-1. Spain and Portugal, two of th…

2026 FIFA World Cup Winner Odds — Contenders & Predictions If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.Learn more > Peter Fitzpatrick We're ready for Day 4after Brazil underwhelmed in a 1-1 draw with Morocco before John McGinn fired Scotland to their firstFIFA World Cupwin for 36 years! The tournament runs through to July 19 across 16 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.Germany vs. Curacaois the early evening Sunday fixture in the UK beforeNetherlands vs. Japanat 9pm. Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador and Sweden vs. Tunisia come in the early hours of Monday. The Sporting Newsis tracking the outright favourites and betting offers. Of the current top 10, we've only seen Brazil and Morocco in action so far with Germany and Netherlands to come today. We're also starting our build-up to England's opening match.Click hereto find the best of the 'bet and get' promotions, while you can get in early with60/1 for a goal to be scored in England vs. Croatia! Spain and France are jostling for favouritism with the bookmakers, with France now marginally edging Spain when it comes to top price! La Roja are the midfield posses…

DR Congo clinches 2026 World Cup spot with win over Jamaica WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Add Topic Congo defeats Jamaica to clinch 2026 World Cup spot. See group schedule. Jim Reineking USA TODAY March 31, 2026, 7:49 p.m. ET Hear this story DR Congo has qualified for the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Jamaica in a FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff final on March 31. Axel Tuanzebe scored the winning goal in the 100th minute in a match that was decided in extra time. DR Congo will be making its first World Cup appearance since 1974, when it was known as Zaire. Congo reached the World Cup by winning a playoff of the best group runner-ups in Confederation of African Football qualifying. Congo had received an automatic bye to the intercontinental qualifying final due to its FIFA ranking. DR Congo goes into Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia. DR Congo World Cup group stage schedule June 17 vs. Portugal - Houston June 23 vs. Colombia - Guadalajara June 27 vs. Uzbekistan - Atlanta Featured Weekly Ad

Has three winning hosts supercharged this World Cup? Was ... FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE 3m ago Mexico guaranteed top spot in Group A by beating South KoreaLuke Hales via Getty Images The Athletic has live coverage ofUSMNT vs Australiaat the2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico have become the first team to book their place in the World Cup knockout stage — and with their co-hosts Canada also making their mark with a huge win yesterday, attention now turns to whether the United States can continue to make home advantage count. Advertisement This is the first World Cup to be held across three countries and so far the hosts are loving it. Canada recorded their first-ever win at the men’s World Cup finals, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver yesterday to move into top spot in Group B, above Switzerland on goal difference. In the day’s final game, Mexico secured top spot in Group A with a hard-fought victory against South Korea in Guadalajara. The USMNT, having beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opening game last Friday, face Australia in Seattle on Friday afternoon knowing victory would all but guarantee their place in the knockout round. Theavailability or otherwise of Christian Pulisicremains th…

FIFA World Cup: Messi, Ronaldo in action as Argentina, Portugal kick off campaigns The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway across the US, Mexico, and Canada, with the opening days already delivering drama. Half of the groups have completed their first matches, and the tournament is set to feature major stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as they begin their campaigns this week.

Morocco are drawn with Brazil! - The Athletic World Cup 2026 USMNT vs. Paraguay LIVE Latest News Daily Recap Players to Watch Team Guides Everything that happened at the 2026 World Cup draw, group stage schedule release The 2026 World Cup draw was made on Friday and the tournament schedule was released on Saturday The Athletic Live Team December 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM EST The full World Cup fixture list has been revealed. Getty 315 New Updates Luke Brown · Senior Managing Editor, Live World Cup draw and schedule — as it happened The complete 2026 World Cup schedule has been announced. The USMNT will start their World Cup campaign against Paraguay in LA on June 12 at 9 p.m. ET. They play Australia in Seattle on June 19 at 3 p.m. before taking on a playoff winner in LA on June 25 at 10 p.m. The draw for the tournament took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday and followed President Trump receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize . You can also share your thoughts by emailing live@theathletic.com . GO FURTHER 2026 World Cup final set for 3pm ET kick-off: Full tournament schedule and fixtures December 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM EST Max Mathews · Staff Writer, Live Morocco are…

Why Spain are the team to stop at World Cup 2026 | DAZN News US Rumour has it that Spain could take some stopping at this summer’sWorld Cup– and those kind of expectancy levels are understandable. Luis de la Fuente’s side are blessed with a wealth of talent in their ranks and won Euro 2024 in Germany after outsmarting England in the final two years ago. Spain are many bookies’ favourites to lift the World Cup and, asDAZN NewsreporterRoss Heppenstallexplains, they look well placed to go far in North America as they prepare for their group opener tonight. Spain have won the European Championship a record four times (in 1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024) and the World Cup in 2010. They head to this summer’s tournament with memories of their success in Germany two years ago still fresh in the mind. Spain won all seven matches they played in the competition, the first side to accomplish this since France won five out of five in 1984, and set a new record for most goals scored in a single European Championship, with fifteen. They beat England 2-1 in the final in Berlin with second-half goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal either side of an equaliser from Cole Palmer. Despite push…

Every Nation Qualified for the 2026 World Cup Knockout Stages “Knockout football,” former England international Owen Hargreaves surmised, “is so different to the group stage.” For the first time in the World Cup ’s 96-year history, as many as 32 teams will get the chance to savor the added pressure that comes after advancing past the first round. All 24 sides which finish first and second in their respective groups automatically book a ticket to the round of 32, where they will be joined by the eight best performing third-place teams. The recipe for any successful tournament usually sees the co-hosts perform well and the first sides to guarantee their spot in the next phase of the competition duly benefited from home advantage. Every Team Guaranteed a Place in 2026 World Cup Round of 32 Mexico has won its first two games for only the third time in World Cup history. | Manuel Velasquez/FIFA/Getty Images Group A : Mexico Group D : USMNT Mexico was the first nation to punch a ticket to the inaugural World Cup round of 32. Javier Aguirre’s side was booed during each of its matches yet emerged with a perfect record against South Africa and South Korea. Thanks to yet another addendum t…

What do The Athletic's writers think of the World Cup? 'The ultimate ... World Cup 2026 LIVE 4m ago The World Cup is expected to draw a huge global audienceFabrice Coffrini/Getty Images The men’s World Cup, the biggest global event in sports history (48 teams, 104 matches in 16 cities over more than five weeks), is coming to the U.S., Canada and Mexico in June and July. The Athleticwill cover it like no one else, with reporters at every game and coverage for every level of fandom. If you’re an NFL or baseball fan in North America, wondering how to experience a tournament on home soil, then don’t fear — we’ll have you covered. Only care about how the United States or Canada fare? Don’t worry, our experts will hold your hand and guide you through the dizziness of the tournament. Advertisement The men’s World Cup is a tournament that attracts sports fans who might not ordinarily follow soccer all that closely. So in that spirit, we asked some ofThe Athletic’swriters who cover other sports to share what they are excited about. Here,Marcus Thompson,Ken Rosenthal,Michael Silver,Chantel Jennings,Bruce Feldman,John HollingerandHannah Vanbiber— co-author of our upcoming newsletter,…

FIFA World Cup 2026 Debutants: Meet the 4 Historic First-Timers (Cape ... The road to World Cup 2026 has been paved with ambition, heartbreak, and — for four extraordinary nations — the sweetest triumph of footballing history. Contents What Makes FIFA World Cup 2026 Special? Expansion to 48 Teams Host Nations for FIFA 2026 Why New Nations Have Better Chances FIFA World Cup 2026 Debutants: The Four Historic First-Timers Cape Verde — The Blue Sharks Bite Back Curaçao — The Caribbean Giant-Killers Jordan — The Middle East’s New Qualifier Uzbekistan — Central Asia’s Historic Breakthrough How the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Format Worked The Record Books and Where These Nations Stand Can Any of the 2026 Debutants Reach the Knockout Stage? The Bigger Picture: FIFA World Cup Expansion and Its Legacy Predictions: Who Has the Best Chance to Make an Impact? FAQs About FIFA World Cup 2026 Debutants Which countries will make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026? How many teams will play in FIFA World Cup 2026? Which nation has the best chance to qualify from the group stage? Has any debutant ever won the FIFA World Cup? Why is FIFA expanding the World Cup to 48 teams? Which is the smalles…

Every 2026 World Cup Team Ranked By Height - GiveMeSport By James Stroud Published Jun 6, 2026, 12:17 PM GMT+1 James is a Senior Editor for GIVEMESPORT with over eight years of experience in the industry. After graduating from the University of Southampton in 2016 with a degree in history, he joined the company as an Academy member in July 2017 and, after a short time working as a freelancer, was given a full-time role in February 2018. He primarily covers the biggest stories in the football world but is also comfortable reporting on a variety of other sports including darts, golf, Formula 1, tennis, boxing and athletics. He has covered some massive events during his time at GIVEMESPORT, including numerous Champions League and World Cup finals, as well as the Olympics in 2020 and 2024. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account The 48 teams that are competing in the 2026 World Cup , co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, named their 26-man squads for this summer's tournament back in early June. Argentina went into the competition as the reigning champions and will no doubt do everything in their power to lift the trophy once again at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July …

World Cup 2026: Joy for Mexico and Canada despite horrific injury In pure footballing terms, it was a joyous night for two of the World Cup ’s co-hosts, Mexico becoming the first nation to qualify for the knock-out phase of the tournament after beating South Korea 1-0, Canada all but there after a 6-0 thumping of Qatar. But the latter game was marred by a horror of an injury to Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone who suffered a clean leg break after being caught late by Qatar’s Assim Madibo. The incident, which happened eight minutes in to the second half, left Kone in shock, his team-mates distraught and his manager Jesse Marsch in tears. The 24-year-old former Watford player, who is now with Sassuolo in Italy, was taken to hospital where he had surgery on the leg. Madibo was sent off for the challenge, thereby reducing Qatar to nine men, Homam El Amin having been sent off for a professional foul in the first half. Canada were already 3-0 up when Kone was laid low, Cyle Larin giving them a 16th minute lead before a double from Jonathan David. They went on to score three more after Kone’s departure, David completing his hat-trick in added time. It was Canada’s first ever World Cup win…

FIFA World Cup 2026: All Bafana Bafana Match Dates, Venues ... - Briefly Bafana Bafana’s full 2026 World Cup schedule has been confirmed, including dates, venues, and kick-off times South Africa will face Mexico, South Korea, and a play-off winner in Group A The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition with 48 teams, featuring an expanded group stage format PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News . FIFA has confirmed the fixtures, match dates, venues, and kick-off times for Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The announcement follows the tournament draw held on Friday, 5 December 2025, in Washington, DC. Sipho Percevale Mbule of South Africa in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria at Toyota Stadium. Image: Charlé Lombard Source: Getty Images Placed in Pot 3, South Africa’s national team was grouped with nations including Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, meaning they could not be drawn to face any of those sides. Bafana Bafana were draw…

FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights: Uruguay v Cabo Verde: Group H FIFA World Cup 2026: Match Picks: Matchday 23 FIFA World Cup 2026: Big Moments: Matchday 22 FIFA World Cup 2026: Matchday Goals: Matchday 22 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights: Switzerland v Algeria: Round of 32 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights: Portugal v Croatia: Round of 32 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights: Spain v Austria: Round of 32 Tour de France 2026: Full Event: Teams Presentation FIFA World Cup 2026: Match Picks: Matchday 22 FIFA World Cup 2026: Big Moments: Matchday 21 FIFA World Cup 2026: Matchday Goals: Matchday 21 Sign up now for the latest sport news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox. Get the latest with oursportpodcasts on your favourite podcast apps. Sport News News from around the sporting world Stream now

These less-than-stars have made an impact at the World Cup Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save TORONTO — They’re the un-Messis, the not-Mbappés. They’re not even Haalands or Kanes. While the biggest names in soccer are getting the most attention at the World Cup, the expanded tournament also has provided some unheralded players with moments to shine. Here’s a look at some of their exploits through the opening matches that concluded Wednesday. Spoiler alert: Vozinha would have been on this list, but at 13 million Instagram followers and counting, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper has become too famous for it. Livano Comenencia, Curaçao Comenencia became the first-ever World Cup goal scorer for the smallest-ever country to qualify for the tournament. Curaçao fans may not remember their team’s 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany. They’re more likely to recall Comenencia’s strike from just inside the box. “The goal was absolutely fantastic for all of us, for the nation as well,” winger Kenji Gorré said. “It’s more history being made. The first goal ev…