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Group K: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Group K: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Houston: Uzbekistan's FIFA World Cup 2026 suffered a blow after they fell to a 5-0 defeat against Portugal in their Group K tie on Tuesday.

It was Uzbekistan's second consecutive defeat and it left the debutants staring at elimination as Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six FIFA World Cup campaigns with the captain striking twice as Portugal bounced back in style from their 1-1 draw with Congo DR.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-k-portugal-v-uzbekistan

Preview - Group A: South Africa v Korea Republic

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group A: South Africa v Korea Republic

Guadalupe: Korea Republic will look to finish the job when they face South Africa in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A tie at the Estadio Monterrey on Wednesday.

Hong Myung-bo’s side began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Czechia before being edged 1-0 by Mexico, a result which left the Taegeuk Warriors with one final hurdle to clear in their bid to reach the knockout stage.

Victory would guarantee Korea Republic a place in the Round of 32, while a draw could leave them dependent on the result between Mexico and Czechia. Defeat, however, would open the door for South Africa to leapfrog them.

Preview - Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar

Seattle:  Qatar will have to produce their strongest performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final Group B tie at the Seattle Stadium on Wednesday.

Julen Lopetegui’s side go into the match with one point from two games, level with Bosnia-Herzegovina and knowing that only victory will realistically keep alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

Canada and Switzerland have taken command of the group with four points each, leaving Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina in a direct battle to stay in contention as third place could still offer a route into the knockout stage.

Last one the best one? How Messi keeps doing it on the global stage

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Last one the best one? How Messi keeps doing it on the global stage

Arlington: He knew what Lionel Messi was going to do and had a plan to stop it - and then the Argentina captain struck twice anyway in becoming the leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick may not be all that fondly remembered by Manchester United fans, where he pitched up in 2021-2022.

But at 67 the German coach is vastly experienced and also widely admired in football.

Group J: Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Group J: Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Santa Clara: Algeria came behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J game on Monday, eliminating the Asian debutants after two matches.

Amine Gouiri equalised Nizar Al Rashdan's opening goal before Nadhir Benbouali scored Algeria's winner in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara.

Austria lost 2-0 to Argentina earlier on Monday, leaving the South Americans top of Group J on six points. The Austrians and Algeria have three points each.

The win gives Algeria hope of progressing to the knockout round if they can beat Austria in Kansas City on Saturday, while Jordan face Argentina in Arlington, Texas.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-j-jordan-v-algeria

IR Iran vow to get it right against Egypt

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

IR Iran vow to get it right against Egypt

Los Angeles: Islamic Republic of Iran were quick to shift their focus to the decider against Egypt after walking away with a point from their clash with Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

The goalless draw with Belgium was followed by Egypt defeating New Zealand 3-1, leaving Group G wide open going into Friday's final round of matches.

Group I: Norway 3-2 Senegal

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Group I: Norway 3-2 Senegal

East Rutherford: Erling Haaland scored his second FIFA World Cup 2026 brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the last 32.

Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half in New Jersey before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break.

 

Ismaila Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway moved through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare despite a late consolation from Sarr.

Donis proud of Saudi Arabia despite Spain defeat

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Donis proud of Saudi Arabia despite Spain defeat

Atlanta: Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis said he remained proud of his players despite the 4-0 defeat against Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

The West Asian side were 3-0 down inside 24 minutes with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal opening the scoring before Mikel Oyarazbal's double put the outcome beyond doubt before the mid-half hydration break in the first half.

Hassan Al Tambakti's own goal completed the Spanish win but despite the defeat, Saudi Arabia remain in the running to advance from Group H.

Group I: France 3-0 Iraq

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Group I: France 3-0 Iraq

Philadelphia: Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap by scoring two more FIFA World Cup 2026 goals on Monday as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in their Group I game delayed by two hours by a severe storm.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added another nine minutes into the second half, with last year's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele getting the other goal for the tournament favourites in Philadelphia.
 
The Real Madrid forward moved to 16 FIFA World Cup goals in his career, two behind Lionel Messi who set a new record of 18 goals by netting twice for Argentina against Austria earlier on Monday.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-i-france-v-iraq-1