Group E: Curacao 0-2 Cote D’Ivoire

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group E: Curacao 0-2 Cote D’Ivoire

Philadelphia: Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Cote d'Ivoire beat Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time ever and bring the tiny Caribbean country's run at the tournament to an end.

Former Arsenal forward Pepe, now playing in Spain for Villarreal, opened the scoring for the Elephants after just seven minutes in Philadelphia and netted again just after the hour mark.

Cote d'Ivoire finish with six points in Group E with this victory following their opening 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 loss to Germany.

They therefore go through in second place behind Germany on head-to-head - the Germans lost 2-1 to Ecuador in New Jersey at the same time.

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Group E: Ecuador 2-1 Germany

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group E: Ecuador 2-1 Germany

East Rutherford: Ecuador kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign alive as Gonzalo Plata's winner completed a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany to send them through to the last 32 on Thursday.

Leroy Sane controversially fired Germany ahead less than two minutes into the Group E clash, but Ecuador hit back through a fine strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo.
 
Plata then prodded home from close range 13 minutes from time, sparking wild celebrations among a largely Ecuadorian crowd in New Jersey as the South Americans ensured they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Preview - Group G: Egypt v IR Iran

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group G: Egypt v IR Iran

Seattle: Islamic Republic of Iran will be out to turn promise into progress when they face Egypt in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G tie on Friday, with victory securing a place in the Round of 32.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side have shown resilience rather than fluency so far, drawing both of their earlier matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage for the first time alive.

The 2-2 draw with New Zealand was followed by a disciplined 0-0 result against Belgium, leaving Team Melli firmly in contention heading into the final round of matches.

Preview - Group H: Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group H: Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia

Houston: Saudi Arabia will have no margin for error when they face Cabo Verde in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H tie on Friday, with victory the only realistic route to keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.

A win will put Saudi Arabia on four points, a total that would either put them in contention for second place or leave them strongly placed in the battle for one of the best third-placed slots.

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Toronto: Iraq will spare no effort in ensuring their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ends with pride — and, if results elsewhere fall kindly, perhaps even a route into the Round of 32 — when they face Senegal in their final Group I tie on Friday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia arrive at Toronto Stadium with no points from two matches, having opened with a 4-1 defeat to Norway before falling 3-0 to France. 

Those results leave Graham Arnold’s side bottom of the group with an inferior goal difference, but victory over Senegal would lift them to three points and keep them in contention for one of the best third-placed spots.

Cannavaro: Uzbekistan will fight till the end

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Cannavaro: Uzbekistan will fight till the end

Houston: Fabio Cannavaro said Uzbekistan will not give up on their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes until it is no longer possible.

The tournament debutants suffered a 5-0 defeat to pre-tournament favourites Portugal on Tuesday, their second consecutive defeat in Group.

Despite that, victory against Congo DR may still take them through as one of the eight best third-placed sides and former FIFA World Cup winner Cannavaro said the Central Asian side will give it their best attempt.