Preview - Group K: Congo DR v Uzbekistan

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group K: Congo DR v Uzbekistan

Atlanta: Uzbekistan will be playing to stay in contention when they face Congo DR in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K tie on Friday.

Fabio Cannavaro’s side know only victory will keep their slim hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive, with Colombia already through and Portugal on the verge of qualification.

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Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Arlington: Jordan will bring the curtain down on their historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with the toughest test of all when they face reigning champions Argentina in their final Group J tie on Saturday.

Back-to-back defeats prematurely ended Jordan's hopes of advancing to the knockout stage but the meeting with Argentina offers them a stage to make a lasting statement. 

A first FIFA World Cup win would be historic, a draw against the champions would be celebrated and even a goal from the likes of Musa Al Taamari or Ali Olwan would give Jordanian football a moment to savour.

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.

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.

Group D: Paraguay 0-0 Australia

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group D: Paraguay 0-0 Australia

Santa Clara: Australia qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage on Thursday after battling to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara to claim second place in Group D.

The Socceroos, who defeated Turkey in their opening match before losing to the United States, were never seriously threatened on their way to securing a point to reach the last 32 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in northern California.

The draw also left Paraguay firmly on course for the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the group stage.

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.