Hong takes blame as Korea Republic's hopes fade

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Hong takes blame as Korea Republic's hopes fade

Monterrey: Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-bo took the blame for his team's 1-0 defeat to South Africa on Wednesday that left their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes hanging by a thread.

Hong left superstar Son Heung-min out of his starting line-up for his side's final group match in Monterrey.

After a bright start for the East Asian side, South Africa were the better team, showing greater invention and a sharper cutting edge. Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike proved the difference between the two teams.

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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.

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on

Miami: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as "one of the best players in the world" after the Real Madrid forward continued his excellent FIFA World Cup 2026 form with a brace in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Scotland.

Vinicius scored twice in the first half in Miami, including a header, to set Brazil on their way to a victory which allowed them to progress to the last 32 as winners of Group C.