Ecuador stun Germany as Australia and Japan advance
Turkey beat a rotated USA 3-2 at SoFi Stadium, Kaan Ayhan scoring in stoppage time. The USA had already won Group D and advance to the last 32.
Prospective West Ham recruitment head Nils Koppen is credited with spotting Ismael Saibari before his standout 2026 World Cup and big-money Bayern move, highlighting data-led talent ID.
NHS chiefs urge England fans to hydrate and pace alcohol before the World Cup game with Panama amid a UK heatwave, with red alerts, record temperatures and surging 999 calls reported.
Pre-recorded, fast-tempo USA anthem confuses players and fans before the 3-2 loss to Turkey. Kaan Ayhan nets a late winner after goals from Auston Trusty, Arda Guler, Baris Yilmaz and Sebastian Berhalter.
Nike, Adidas and Puma debut heat-ready World Cup kits highlighting national symbols, like the USA’s stripes and Canada’s maple leaf, with new breathable, recycled fabrics.
Yoane Wissa scores DRC’s first World Cup goal to draw with Portugal, delivering the nation’s first point and sparking celebrations in Ebola-hit Bunia despite restrictions.
Viral World Cup fan clips show Scotland’s Tartan Army, Norway’s Viking Row, Bafana Bafana, Dutch marches and Japan’s stadium clean-ups turning the tournament into a party.
The 48-team World Cup format and third-place qualifiers are confusing even players, with permutations proving hard to calculate.
Mexico’s run to the knockout stage brings city celebrations, but cartel-hit regions keep World Cup viewing indoors amid fear and sporadic violence.
Australia draw 0-0 with Paraguay to finish Group D runners-up and reach the last 32. Jordan Bos impresses, while Paraguay finish on four points and are likely to advance as a best third-placed team.
Scotland’s World Cup attack is blunt: fewest goals per game, level with Curacao, underperforming xG by 1.6 and among the lowest for shots on target.
Japan reach the last 32 after a 1-1 draw with Sweden and now face Brazil. Hajime Moriyasu says their run can “encourage other Asian teams” amid mixed AFC fortunes.
Toronto’s free maple leaf ‘Canadian clapper’ becomes a World Cup craze as Canada reach the knockout stage, boosting fan noise at BMO Field and the city’s fan festival.
Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to reach the last 32; Ivory Coast oust Curacao 2-0; Netherlands top Group F after a 3-1 win over Tunisia and face Morocco; Japan draw 1-1 with Sweden to meet Brazil; USA lose 3-2 to Turkey.
Belgium must beat New Zealand to guarantee a last-32 place after draws with Egypt and Iran. Predicted 2-0 Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku central and Jérémy Doku set to return.
MetLife Stadium’s temporary grass is slammed as hard and patchy ahead of England vs Panama and the World Cup final, with Vinicius Junior, Didier Deschamps and Adrien Rabiot criticising its playability.
Round-up notes World Cup flashpoints and celebrations as groups finish, including fallout from Brazil vs Scotland, amid broader tournament coverage and TV promotions.
Gianni Infantino backs keeping World Cup hydration breaks for intensity and tactics, despite criticism from fans, Thomas Tuchel and broadcasters over disrupted flow.
Panama, out after 1-0 losses to Ghana and Croatia, will sit in a 4-5-1 low block and counter through Cristian Martínez and Michael Murillo as England seek to avoid aerial battles against dominant centre-backs.
Despite US progress, president Donald Trump has not attended a World Cup match, a contrast to 1994 when Bill Clinton appeared at the opener.
