Group G: New Zealand 1-5 Belgium

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group G: New Zealand 1-5 Belgium

Vancouver: Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to book their place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, securing their first win of the tournament to finish on top of Group G in Vancouver.

A double strike from Arsenal's Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers carried the Red Devils into the last 32 in first place ahead of Egypt on goal difference.

Egypt claimed the runners-up spot after a 1-1 draw with Islamic Republic of Iran in Seattle. The Central Asian side finished third in the group.

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Group G: Egypt 1-1 IR Iran

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group G: Egypt 1-1 IR Iran

Seattle: Islamic Republic of Iran must wait to discover their fate after playing to a 1-1 draw with Egypt in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match on Friday.

Iran - who had a goal heartbreakingly ruled out for offside in the dying seconds - finished third in the group and will only know if the point is enough to take them through to the knockout stage for the first time as one of the eight best third-placed sides.

Egypt, meanwhile, secured their place in the knockout phase for the first time in their history and will face Australia in the Round of 32.

Japan's Moriyasu looking forward to Brazil challenge

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Japan's Moriyasu looking forward to Brazil challenge

Arlington: Japan will head into their FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Brazil with confidence, head coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday.

The Japanese tactician said he was relishing the chance of locking horns with the five-time world champions, with the sides to meet in the Round of 32 on Monday.

The last meeting between the sides - an international friendly last October - ended 3-2 in favour of Japan which halted a run of 13 consecutive matches without victory for the East Asian side against the South American giants.

Australia eye 'something special' after reaching knockout stage

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Australia eye 'something special' after reaching knockout stage

Santa Clara: Head coach Tony Popovic said Australia want to do "something special" after reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for only the third time in their history.

The Socceroos played out a 0-0 draw on Thursday with Paraguay in Santa Clara in a stalemate that suited both teams.

Australia, who stunned Turkey in their opening match before losing to co-hosts the United States, qualified for the last 32 as runners-up in Group D.

Next they play at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys on July 3 against the side that finishes second in Group G, which comprises Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Belgium and New Zealand.

Group H: Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group H: Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Houston: Saudi Arabia were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after playing to a goalless draw with Cabo Verde in their final Group H match on Friday.

The stalemate meant Saudi Arabia finished on two points while debutants Cabo Verde stunningly advanced to the knockout stage as runners-up behind Spain.

Unbeaten in their three group matches, the archipelago nation of just over 500,000 will play Lionel Messi's Argentina in Miami on July 3 in another chapter to their remarkable story.

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Toronto: Iraq's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign came to an end following a 5-0 defeat against Senegal in Group I on Friday.

The loss meant Iraq concluded their return to the global stage for the first time in 40 years with three defeats while victory kept Senegal in the race to advance as one of the best eight third-placed sides.