Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Arlington: Japan will face Brazil in a FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.

In a game in front of 70,000 in Texas that sprang into life in the second half, Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead soon after the break but Anthony Elanga levelled minutes later.

Japan, fancied as dark horses to go far in North America, were hanging on by the end as Alexander Isak and Elanga both went close in injury time.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3180516

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3180518

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-f-japan-v-sweden

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3180866

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3180868

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Seattle: Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey may have ended on Wednesday but head coach Julen Lopetegui said it was a campaign that the West Asian side can learn and build on.

A 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina meant Qatar fell short of staying in contention for a place in the Round of 32 but will depart having earned their first ever point on the global stage.

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.

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says Ouahbi

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says Ouahbi

Atlanta: Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players have to believe they can become the first African winners of the FIFA World Cup after storming into the last 32 unbeaten.

The Atlas Lions twice came from behind to beat Haiti 4-2 on Wednesday and only finished second to Brazil in Group C on goal difference. A clash against the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden awaits in Monterrey on Monday.

Morocco became the first African side to even reach the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar.