England draw DR Congo as World Cup last 32 takes shape
Per Mertesacker says Italy’s continued absence from the 2026 World Cup means ‘they don’t deserve to be talked about’, contrasting their 2006 strength with today’s decline.
Predictions: Germany edge Paraguay, Ivory Coast-Norway draw, France beat Sweden, Ecuador upset Mexico, England 3-1 DR Congo, Senegal stun Belgium, Spain 2-0 Austria, Portugal 1-0 Croatia and more.
Scotland exit the World Cup with regrets and without a manager after a campaign that won fans but fell short of the knockouts.
After the group stage, Milan lead Serie A with 10 players still in the World Cup knockouts, followed by Atalanta 8 and Inter 6, as the Round of 32 starts.
Jesse Marsch warns Canada of South Africa’s intensity and fast start, praises Hugo Broos’ work, and confirms Alphonso Davies is fit for the World Cup last-32 clash.
Club form at the World Cup reranked: Real Madrid top with Vinicius Jr and Mbappé shining, Bayern drop to 2nd, PSG surge, while Chelsea and Dortmund slide amid injuries and mixed displays.
World Cup knockouts: Brazil and Germany lead with 15 appearances, England 14, Argentina 11, Mexico 10. France, Spain, Italy 9; Netherlands, Uruguay 8, as the 2026 Round of 32 begins.
Post-group power rankings set the favourites for the World Cup Round of 32 as the tournament enters knockout, rating contenders after early form.
England top Group L and face DR Congo in Atlanta. Argentina meet Cape Verde, France play Sweden, Brazil face Japan, Netherlands meet Morocco, Germany play Paraguay, USA face Bosnia, Mexico play Ecuador.
Tuchel confirms Reece James unlikely for DR Congo and Jarrel Quansah a doubt after ankle twist, with Livramento out. Konsa or Chalobah may cover at right back for England’s World Cup tie.
Nine African teams reach the World Cup last 32, a record. Only Tunisia miss out as Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, DR Congo and Algeria advance.
South Korea exit in Group A after a 1-0 loss to South Africa and defeat to Mexico despite beating Czech Republic. Criticism mounts for Hong Myung-bo, with Son Heung-min tipped to consider international retirement.
Austria and Algeria draw 3-3 in Kansas City to both advance from Group J. Arnautovic, Sabitzer and Kalajdzic score for Austria, Belghali and Mahrez brace for Algeria. Algeria face Switzerland, Austria play Spain.
Fabrizio Romano says Luka Modric will decide his Milan future after the World Cup, with talks planned with Ruben Amorim. A stay cannot be ruled out.
Iran draw 1-1 with Egypt as Taremi misses a penalty and a late goal is ruled offside, then other results deny them a historic World Cup knockout spot despite three draws.
Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia. Sucic opened, Luckassen levelled, then Vlasic headed a late winner from Modric’s cross. Croatia finish second in Group L and advance to face Group K runners-up.
Yoane Wissa hits a brace in DR Congo’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan to reach the last 32 for the first time, setting up England clash. He dedicates the feat to those affected by conflict back home.
Argentina cruise as Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez score before Messi nets a free-kick after coming on. Victory seals Group J top spot and a round of 32 tie with Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Podcast reflects on England’s unconvincing 2-0 win over Panama to top Group L and DR Congo’s historic progress to the last 32.
Morocco’s World Cup breakout Ayyoub Bouaddi attracts Man City and Arsenal. Lille prefer a Premier League sale over PSG, valuing him around €80m, with last-32 Netherlands clash ahead.
Fantasy Scout Picks for World Cup Round of 32 include Martinez, Johnston, Konsa, Cucurella, Munoz, Vinicius Jr, Dembele, Pulisic, Diaz, Manzambi, with premium forwards facing Sweden, DR Congo, Cape Verde.
