Cabo Verde aiming higher after Uruguay draw

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Cabo Verde aiming higher after Uruguay draw

Miami Gardens: Cabo Verde head coach Bubista said his team are targeting a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds after battling to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay in the latest stop of their fairytale campaign on Sunday.

The FIFA World Cup debutants from the tiny Atlantic archipelago are now within touching distance of the last 32 after following up their improbable opening draw with Spain by taking a point from Uruguay.

Cabo Verde, ranked 63rd in the world, will head into their final Group H game against Saudi Arabia knowing that victory will secure passage into the next round.

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Preview - Group K: Portugal v Uzbekistan

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group K: Portugal v Uzbekistan

Houston: Uzbekistan will have to deliver a response of real character when they face Portugal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K tie at Houston Stadium on Tuesday.

The Central Asian side’s long-awaited FIFA World Cup debut produced a moment to treasure, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev scoring the country’s first goal on the global stage but the 3-1 defeat to Colombia means there is little room for error heading into Matchday Two.

With Colombia having taken early control of the group and Portugal held 1-1 by Congo DR in their opener, Uzbekistan know that anything less than a win would leave their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.

Japan's Ueda ready to fire against Sweden

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Japan's Ueda ready to fire against Sweden

Monterrey: Ayase Ueda warned Sweden his confidence was sky-high after the red-hot striker scored a classy FIFA World Cup brace to put Japan on the cusp of the knockout rounds.

Japan defeated Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday to join the Netherlands at the top of Group F and all but seal their place in the last 32 with a game to spare.

That game is against Sweden, who sit third after being beaten 5-1 by the Dutch in Houston.

Nagelsmann: Advancing to knockout stage not enough for Germany

Sun, 21 Jun, 2026

Nagelsmann: Advancing to knockout stage not enough for Germany

Toronto: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann was thrilled by Germany's comeback victory against Ivory Coast on Saturday, but stopped short of celebrating his side advancing to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014.

Germany failed to get out of the group stage both at Russia 2018 and four years ago in Qatar.

Saturday's dramatic win, secured in added time with a second goal from substitute Deniz Undav, guarantees the Germans will advance and snaps a streak of bitter FIFA World Cup disappointment for the four-time winners.

Brazil must adapt to loss of injured Raphinha, says Paqueta

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Brazil must adapt to loss of injured Raphinha, says Paqueta

Basking Ridge: Brazil must find a way to overcome the loss of injured star Raphinha as quickly as possible, midfielder Lucas Paqueta said on Sunday, as Carlo Ancelotti's side prepare for their final group game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Scotland.

Barcelona forward Raphinha came off before half-time in Friday's 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia with a right thigh injury, and the Brazil team later said he would undergo "intensive treatment" with the aim of being back in time for a possible game in the last 16 in early July.

The 29-year-old will therefore definitely miss Wednesday's last Group C match against Scotland in Miami, which could open the door to a return for superstar Neymar.

Curacao firmly on the map after global stage heroics

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Curacao firmly on the map after global stage heroics

Kansas City: Curacao arrived at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as quirky no-hopers, but their remarkable exploits have captured the hearts of fans and put the tiny Caribbean island firmly on the map.

Dick Advocaat's men, against all the odds, still have a chance to reach the knockout phase after holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Eloy Room proved an impregnable last line of defence, making 15 saves as Curacao held a team ranked more than 50 places higher than them to a stalemate.

Fans, vastly outnumbered by yellow-clad Ecuador supporters, celebrated wildly in a stadium that can hold nearly half of Curacao's population of around 160,000.