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.

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Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Houston: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan have proved they have what it takes to one day win the FIFA World Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Japan lost in the last 32 after giving up a 1-0 half-time lead, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring an injury-time winner in Houston.

Some of the Japan players were in tears at the end as the East Asian side's wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout stage win continued.

Bosnia's run no 'fluke,' warns US captain Ream

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Bosnia's run no 'fluke,' warns US captain Ream

Irvine: Last-32 opponents Bosnia-Herzegovina did not reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 by "fluke", warned United States captain Tim Ream on Monday, as American expectations soar for a first knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century.

Widely perceived as a beatable foe by many US pundits and fans, Bosnia are the third-lowest ranked side left in the tournament, and have never played a FIFA World Cup knockout game previously.

But Bosnia have already caused one seismic upset by beating four-time winners Italy to qualify for the tournament via Europe's playoffs, and Ream warned that his side can take nothing for granted.

Spain confident despite injury setbacks, says Llorente

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Spain confident despite injury setbacks, says Llorente

Chattanooga: Spain remain confident of winning the FIFA World Cup, defender Marcos Llorente said, despite a series of injuries that have ravaged La Roja's options in wide areas.

Nico Williams described his latest injury setback as "one of the worst days of my life" after the Athletic Bilbao winger picked up another muscle problem in Friday's 1-0 win over Uruguay. He retains a chance of playing again in the tournament, however.

Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Kansas City: Noni Madueke believes he can be England's spark as Thomas Tuchel's men prepare to face Congo DR in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with patience likely to be required against a stubborn defence.

England play the African nation in Atlanta in the last 32 on Wednesday, with criticism still ringing in their ears following their laboured efforts in the group stage, which included a dull 0-0 draw with Ghana.

Congo DR, playing at their first World Cup since 1974, held Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the tournament and are expected to set up defensively against Tuchel's team.

Marsch praises Canada's history-making heroes

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Marsch praises Canada's history-making heroes

Los Angeles: Jesse Marsch hailed his "Canadian heroes" for making history by reaching the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Sunday, describing their upcoming clash with either the Netherlands or Morocco as a "free hit."

Co-hosts Canada entered this tournament having lost all six games across two previous FIFA World Cup appearances, but are now the first team to reach the second knockout round thanks to a 1-0 win over South Africa.