Advocaat: Curacao exit with heads held high

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Advocaat: Curacao exit with heads held high

Philadelphia: Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat said on Thursday his team could go out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with their heads held high as the veteran Dutchman did not rule out remaining in charge of the Caribbean side.

After a 7-1 defeat by Germany on their FIFA World Cup debut, and a battling 0-0 draw with Ecuador for their first ever point at the tournament, Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire saw them finishing bottom of Group E.

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Hong takes blame as Korea Republic's hopes fade

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Hong takes blame as Korea Republic's hopes fade

Monterrey: Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-bo took the blame for his team's 1-0 defeat to South Africa on Wednesday that left their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes hanging by a thread.

Hong left superstar Son Heung-min out of his starting line-up for his side's final group match in Monterrey.

After a bright start for the East Asian side, South Africa were the better team, showing greater invention and a sharper cutting edge. Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike proved the difference between the two teams.

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Seattle: Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey may have ended on Wednesday but head coach Julen Lopetegui said it was a campaign that the West Asian side can learn and build on.

A 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina meant Qatar fell short of staying in contention for a place in the Round of 32 but will depart having earned their first ever point on the global stage.

Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Arlington: Japan will face Brazil in a FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.

In a game in front of 70,000 in Texas that sprang into life in the second half, Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead soon after the break but Anthony Elanga levelled minutes later.

Japan, fancied as dark horses to go far in North America, were hanging on by the end as Alexander Isak and Elanga both went close in injury time.

Group D: Paraguay 0-0 Australia

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group D: Paraguay 0-0 Australia

Santa Clara: Australia qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage on Thursday after battling to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara to claim second place in Group D.

The Socceroos, who defeated Turkey in their opening match before losing to the United States, were never seriously threatened on their way to securing a point to reach the last 32 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in northern California.

The draw also left Paraguay firmly on course for the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the group stage.

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on

Miami: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as "one of the best players in the world" after the Real Madrid forward continued his excellent FIFA World Cup 2026 form with a brace in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Scotland.

Vinicius scored twice in the first half in Miami, including a header, to set Brazil on their way to a victory which allowed them to progress to the last 32 as winners of Group C.