Egypt coach optimistic about Salah

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Egypt coach optimistic about Salah

Seattle: Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said he was optimistic about the health of Mohamed Salah despite the star striker's second-half exit during his country's 1-1 FIFA World Cup 2026 draw with Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday.

The result meant Egypt qualified for the knockout stage by finishing second in Group G.

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Japan's progress paying off, says Troussier

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Japan's progress paying off, says Troussier

Tokyo: Japan believe they can shock Brazil in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 meeting, and former coach Philippe Troussier thinks it would be a fitting reward for their progress as a football nation.

Frenchman Troussier led Japan when they co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with Korea Republic in 2002 and took them to the last 16 in only their second tournament appearance.

Japan have not missed a FIFA World Cup since, and they have openly talked about winning this year's competition in North America, where they face Brazil in Houston on Monday.

Not even a showdown with the five-time champions can shake Japan's current confidence, and Troussier believes it is fully justified.

Preview - R32: South Africa v Canada

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Preview - R32: South Africa v Canada

Los Angeles: Canada head coach Jesse Marsch is banking on the "X-factor" of returning superstar Alphonso Davies to elevate his team as they face South Africa in both sides' first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout tie in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Bayern Munich defender Davies has not yet featured in the tournament due to a hamstring injury, watching on as his teammates finished second in Group B to progress to the last 32 - but lose their homefield advantage as co-hosts.

While Marsch previously hinted Davies could play in last Wednesday's game against Switzerland and later admitted it had been a decoy, he insisted that this time the country's highest-profile footballer is truly "available."

Group K: Congo DR 3-1 Uzbekistan

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Group K: Congo DR 3-1 Uzbekistan

Atlanta: Uzbekistan bid farewell to the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a 3-1 defeat to Congo DR in their Group K tie on Saturday.

The result meant the tournament debutants concluded their campaign with three losses while Congo DR advanced to a Round of 32 clash against England.

Group K: Colombia 0-0 Portugal

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Group K: Colombia 0-0 Portugal

Miami: Colombia finished top of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K after playing out a highly-entertaining end-to-end 0-0 draw with Portugal on Saturday.

Colombia will feel hard done by nevertheless as a marginal offside ruled out a late goal by Davinson Sanchez.
 
The Colombians will play Ghana in the last 32 next Friday, while runners-up Portugal will see Cristiano Ronaldo face his old Real Madrid teammate Croatian icon Luka Modric on Thursday.

Group L: Panama 0-2 England

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Group L: Panama 0-2 England

East Rutherford: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored second-half goals as England got the job done against Panama at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday, a 2-0 victory at the MetLife Stadium taking Thomas Tuchel's team into the last 32 as Group L winners.

Real Madrid star Bellingham got on the end of a Bukayo Saka corner to break the deadlock just after the hour mark on a soggy day in New Jersey.

 

It was largely uninspiring stuff up to that point, but the opening goal had been coming and Bellingham then crossed for Kane to head in the second midway through the second half.

 

That was Kane's third goal of the tournament after he netted a brace in the opening 4-2 win over Croatia, and the England captain has now moved clear of Gary Lineker as his country's all-time leading FIFA World Cup scorer with 11.