Cote d'Ivoire coach laments lack of maturity in exit

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Cote d'Ivoire coach laments lack of maturity in exit

Arlington: Cote d'Ivoire gave everything but "lacked maturity" in being ousted from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday in a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Norway, head coach Emerse Fae said.

An unmarked Erling Haaland scored with four minutes left of normal time as Cote d'Ivoire's tournament ended at the last-32 stage.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3182049

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Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Houston: Japan will never win the FIFA World Cup unless football becomes the country's number one sport, midfielder Daichi Kamada warned after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Asia's best side arrived in North America with ambitions of winning the tournament, and they were touted as outside favourites to go far.

 

But they were knocked out in the last 32 and have now failed to win a FIFA World Cup knockout game in five attempts.

Morocco 'unstoppable' says coach after Netherlands thriller

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Morocco 'unstoppable' says coach after Netherlands thriller

Monterrey: Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouabhi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential.

The Moroccans, beaten semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, advanced to the last 16 on Monday after winning a thrilling battle with the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey.

 

It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Paraguay coach salutes extraordinary win over Germany

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Paraguay coach salutes extraordinary win over Germany

Foxborough: Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his players for producing an "extraordinary" performance after beating Germany on penalties to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 on Monday. 

Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a first-half lead in Foxborough, but Kai Havertz equalised and it appeared four-time world champions Germany would eventually scrape through in extra time.

However, Jonathan Tah had a goal chalked off and Paraguay won 4-3 in a dramatic shootout as goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves, after a 1-1 draw.

Ancelotti never doubted 'suffering' Brazil would score

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Ancelotti never doubted 'suffering' Brazil would score

Houston: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he knew his "suffering" side would eventually score and praised their patience in reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent Japan home.

Japan led 1-0 at the break after some sloppy Brazil play but the South Americans dominated the second half with goals from veteran Casemiro and Arsenal winger Martinelli at the death and will play Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Foxborough: Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job despite the defeat on penalties to Paraguay that sent the four-time FIFA World Cup winners crashing out in the last 32 on Monday.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships but Germany's premature exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.