Preview - R16: USA v Belgium

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Preview - R16: USA v Belgium

Seattle: Belgium will have to be prepared for more than just a fired-up United States when the sides meet in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday.

The co-hosts will have the home crowd firmly backing them, with Mauricio Pochettino's having won raised expectations with their swashbuckling performances enroute to the last 16 encounter.

Belgium, on the other hand, have yet to display the form many had expected from them.

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Preview - R16: Portugal v Spain

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Preview - R16: Portugal v Spain

Arlington: Spain and old rivals Portugal collide in an enticing FIFA World Cup 2026 clash in Texas on Monday with the quarter-finals and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo's international career on the line.

The encounter at the air-conditioned home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys is one of the standout ties of the last 16 and tees up two of the most talented squads in North America.

European champions Spain clicked ominously into gear in the first knockout round by dismantling an efficient but limited Austria 3-0.

Mbappe and France show grit to book q-final spot

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Mbappe and France show grit to book q-final spot

Philadelphia: France captain Kylian Mbappe said his side were happy to do whatever it takes to advance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after they battled through a bad-tempered last-16 tie with Paraguay to win 1-0 on Saturday.

Mbappe scored the winner from the spot in the 70th minute to bring his haul for the tournament to seven and his overall tally in the FIFA World Cup to 19 goals, but he was continually goaded by the Paraguayan defenders towards the end of the game in sweltering Philadelphia.

Ouahbi expects even more from Morocco

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Ouahbi expects even more from Morocco

Houston: Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said "we're no longer a surprise" after reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals on Saturday and hit back at "bold" claims by Canada's Jesse Marsch.

The North African side were not at their best but were clinical in defeating Marsch's co-hosts 3-0 in Houston and will face France next.

Morocco made the semi-finals at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Ouahbi said: "We're no longer a surprise today and that's a great source of pride."

Alfaro: Paraguay fought like lions

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Alfaro: Paraguay fought like lions

Philadelphia: Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said his side had "fought like lions" in their 1-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 defeat at the hands of France on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe's 70th-minute spot-kick finally broke the deadlock in the last-16 tie and took France through to a quarter-final against Morocco, as Paraguay go home.

'Proud' Marsch says Canada better side in exit

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

'Proud' Marsch says Canada better side in exit

Houston: Jesse Marsch said his Canada side had been the better team and hopes this is just the start after the co-hosts bowed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the last 16 to Morocco on Saturday.

Canada were playing in the biggest match in their footballing history and were on top in the first half in Houston.

But in a niggly game, Morocco scored three times in the second period for a 3-0 win that was not an accurate reflection of the match.