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Spain's De la Fuente takes cautious approach with Yamal

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Spain's De la Fuente takes cautious approach with Yamal

Atlanta: Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions' FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Cape Verde on the bench.

Barcelona superstar Yamal has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 22.

There were fears the 18-year-old could miss Spain's opening two games of the FIFA World Cup, but he has trained all week and is set to feature in Atlanta on Monday.

Group F: Netherlands 2-2 Japan

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Group F: Netherlands 2-2 Japan

Arlington: Japan scored an 88th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 fans in Texas on Sunday to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns.

A match that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half.

Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level, before winger Crysencio Summerville's delicious curled finish into the bottom corner just after the hour.

The Dutch looked like they would hold on, but Japan levelled at the death with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-f-netherlands-v-japan

Ancelotti urges patience as Brazil make slow start

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Ancelotti urges patience as Brazil make slow start

East Rutherford: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said that "you don't win a World Cup based on your first match" after the five-time champions laboured to a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday.

The Selecao were in danger of losing their opening game at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1934 after falling behind to Ismael Saibari's goal in New Jersey.

Vinicius Junior struck a superb equaliser to earn a point for Brazil, but Ancelotti admitted it was not the type of performance expected from his team.

McGinn eyes 'uncharted territory' after Scotland end long wait

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

McGinn eyes 'uncharted territory' after Scotland end long wait

Foxborough: Scotland match-winner John McGinn is optimistic his team can go on to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages for the very first time after marking their return to the tournament following a 28-year absence with a 1-0 win over Haiti on Saturday.

A deflected strike from the Aston Villa midfielder in the first half in Boston proved enough for Scotland to claim the victory in their Group C opener, although they were left hanging on towards the end as Haiti put them under pressure.

Group E: Germany 7-1 Curacao

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Group E: Germany 7-1 Curacao

Houston: Germany won their first opening match at a FIFA World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014 as they eased to a 7-1 win against debutants Curacao in their opening Group E match in Houston on Sunday.

The Germans will face stiffer tests against Ecuador and Ivory Coast but the win against the tiny Caribbean nation puts them in a good position to progress to the knockout stages for the first time since 2014.

Preview - Group G: IR Iran v New Zealand

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group G: IR Iran v New Zealand

Inglewood: Islamic Republic of Iran will be expecting maximum points when they take on New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G opener on Monday.

The Central Asian side have never advanced past the group stage in their previous six FIFA World Cup appearances, but arrive determined to break new ground.

Preview - Group H: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group H: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay

Miami Gardens: Saudi Arabia will be determined to not slip up when they begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H campaign against Uruguay on Monday.

The three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners are seeking to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since making their debut on the global stage in the 1994 edition.

Intensity key to dream start, says USA captain Ream

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Intensity key to dream start, says USA captain Ream

Los Angeles: United States captain Tim Ream said an "intense" training camp was vital to his team's dream FIFA World Cup 2026 start, as a 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay turbo-charged the co-hosts' hopes of unlikely glory.

The US squad has spent three weeks with head coach Mauricio Pochettino since assembling for pre-tournament friendlies. Preparation ratcheted up several gears last weekend as they arrived at their California base camp.

Mixed feelings for Canada's Marsch

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Mixed feelings for Canada's Marsch

Toronto: Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said he didn't do enough to ready his side for the first half of the co-hosts' FIFA World Cup 2026 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday and wants to see more "self-belief" in their next match.

Marsch said his second-half substitutes made a "big impact", particularly Cyle Larin, whose equaliser in the 78th minute earned Canada a 1-1 draw and their first-ever FIFA World Cup point.

Group D: Australia 2-0 Turkiye

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Group D: Australia 2-0 Turkiye

Vancouver: Australia scored a stunning 2-0 upset over Turkiye in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener on Saturday as head coach Tony Popovic's bold selection gamble paid off.

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored the goals and rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a string of crucial saves to help secure a famous Australian victory at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-d-australia-v-turkiye