Preview - R32: England v Congo DR

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Preview - R32: England v Congo DR

Atlanta: They may be the overwhelming favourites but England will not make the mistake of underestimating Congo DR when the sides meet in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday.

Despite not being at their best, England topped Group L with seven points while Congo DR - who featured in Group K - advanced as one of the best eight third-placed sides.

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Preview - R32: USA v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Preview - R32: USA v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Santa Clara: The pressure on the United States will be immense when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Wednesday.

Expectations are high that the USA will easily see off the challenge of Bosnia - who will be appearing in the knockout stage for the first time.

Preview - R32: Belgium v Senegal

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Preview - R32: Belgium v Senegal

Seattle: It will be a showdown between two sides who have yet to produce their best when Belgium square off against Senegal in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday.

Belgium topped Group G with five points, level with Egypt but with a better goal difference while Senegal finished third in Group I with one win against two defeats.

Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Kansas City: Noni Madueke believes he can be England's spark as Thomas Tuchel's men prepare to face Congo DR in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with patience likely to be required against a stubborn defence.

England play the African nation in Atlanta in the last 32 on Wednesday, with criticism still ringing in their ears following their laboured efforts in the group stage, which included a dull 0-0 draw with Ghana.

Congo DR, playing at their first World Cup since 1974, held Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the tournament and are expected to set up defensively against Tuchel's team.

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Houston: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan have proved they have what it takes to one day win the FIFA World Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Japan lost in the last 32 after giving up a 1-0 half-time lead, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring an injury-time winner in Houston.

Some of the Japan players were in tears at the end as the East Asian side's wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout stage win continued.

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Foxborough: Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job despite the defeat on penalties to Paraguay that sent the four-time FIFA World Cup winners crashing out in the last 32 on Monday.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships but Germany's premature exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.