Lopetegui focused on getting Qatar ready for Bosnia

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026

Lopetegui focused on getting Qatar ready for Bosnia

Vancouver: Head coach Julen Lopetegui said his focus is on the recovery of his Qatar players following their 6-0 defeat to Canada in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B tie on Thursday.

Having seen his side create history by claiming their first ever FIFA World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland just days earlier, it all unravelled in Vancouver.

Not only were Qatar reduced to nine men, Canada's Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg following a tackle from Assim Madibo, which led to the latter being sent off.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3179385

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3179387

Group D: United States 2-0 Australia

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026

Group D: United States 2-0 Australia

Seattle: Australia's FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage hopes suffered a setback after a 2-0 defeat to the United States in their Group D clash on Friday.

Victory meant the US advanced to the knockout rounds with a game to spare while Australia will have to defeat Paraguay on Thursday to be absolutely sure of continuing their journey.

Preview - Group F: Tunisia v Japan

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group F: Tunisia v Japan

Guadalupe: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu admitted to being wary of opposite number Herve Renard after the former Saudi Arabia tactician was appointed to lead Tunisia in the nations' Group F clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

Renard took over from Sabri Lamouchi after the Tunisians lost 5-1 in their group opener against Sweden on Sunday as the North African nation attempt to reignite their challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.

Uzbekistan earn Cannavaro's respect

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

Uzbekistan earn Cannavaro's respect

Ciudad de Mexico: It may have ended in defeat but head coach Fabio Cannavaro praised his Uzbekistan players for their determination and focus in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K tie against Colombia on Wednesday.

The Central Asian side, making their debut on the global stage, could have been overcome by the occasion but instead made Colombia work hard for the win.

Group C: Scotland 0-1 Morocco

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026

Group C: Scotland 0-1 Morocco

Foxborough: Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday to close in on a place in the knockout rounds.

Saibari scored in Morocco's opening 1-1 draw with Brazil last weekend and his clinical finish with just over a minute gone settled a hard-fought, physical contest watched by a crowd of 64,146 at the Boston Stadium.

With four points from two games, Morocco are now primed to advance to the last 32 as they aim to at least match their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.
However, it was a sobering evening for Scotland and their army of fans who have taken over Boston during this FIFA World Cup, as their team never really tested Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Switzerland's Manzambi realises childhood dream

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Switzerland's Manzambi realises childhood dream

Los Angeles: Swiss wunderkind Johan Manzambi on Thursday described coming off the bench at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to score twice in a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a "childhood dream come true."

"Honestly, it's incredible - it's the first brace of my entire career," a gleeful Manzambi said after the game, which ended in a flurry of Switzerland goals.

"And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn't get off to the best start? Honestly it's a childhood dream come true," he said, switching between French and German languages.