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.

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Spain's Laporte wary of Uruguay

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Spain's Laporte wary of Uruguay

Chattanooga: Spain defender Aymeric Laporte said the European champions must be wary of an onslaught from Uruguay as Marcelo Bielsa's side aim to avoid an embarrassing early FIFA World Cup 2026 exit.

The two sides face off in Guadalajara on Friday with a point enough for Spain to guarantee top spot in Group H.

Defeat would almost certainly condemn Uruguay to elimination after they could only draw with Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde in their opening two games. Spain failed to break down Cabo Verde in a 0-0 draw, but inspired by the return of Lamine Yamal, bounced back to defeat Saudi Arabia 4-0.

South Africa's Broos basks in glory

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

South Africa's Broos basks in glory

Monterrey: South Africa coach Hugo Broos said his team had shut up the "big mouths" after the Bafana Bafana qualified for the FIFA World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history by beating Korea Republic 1-0 on Wednesday.

The African team, playing in the tournament for the fourth time, finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who had a perfect record of three wins out of three.

South Africa, who last featured at the FIFA World Cup when they hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening match but they battled to a draw against Czechia and came out on top in what was effectively a shootout for second place in Monterrey, thanks to Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike.

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.