Preview - R32: Portugal v Croatia

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Portugal v Croatia

Toronto: Portugal and Croatia will face off in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie on Thursday, with the tie too close to call.

Both were not at their sizzling best in advancing to the knockout stage, with Portugal finishing as the Group K runners-up and Croatia second in Group L.

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Preview - R32: Spain v Austria

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Spain v Austria

Inglewood: Spain will start as favourites but the former champions will not make the mistake of underestimating Austria in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter on Thursday.

The 2010 world champions overcame the shock of a goalless draw with Cabo Verde in their opening match to top Group H with seven points while Austria advanced to the knockout stage as the Group J runners-up.

Preview - R32: Switzerland v Algeria

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Switzerland v Algeria

Vancouver: Switzerland and Algeria will be equally confident of their chances when they meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Thursday.

Switzerland topped Group B with seven points while Algeria sneaked into the knockout stage following a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, which meant a third-placed finish in Group J.

Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Houston: Japan will never win the FIFA World Cup unless football becomes the country's number one sport, midfielder Daichi Kamada warned after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Asia's best side arrived in North America with ambitions of winning the tournament, and they were touted as outside favourites to go far.

 

But they were knocked out in the last 32 and have now failed to win a FIFA World Cup knockout game in five attempts.

Potter admits Sweden couldn't cope with France

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Potter admits Sweden couldn't cope with France

East Rutherford: Sweden head coach Graham Potter admitted his side could not compete with a brilliant France team as they went out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 3-0 defeat in the last 32 on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice for France either side of a Bradley Barcola goal, while Michael Olise tormented the Swedish defence with his passing.

The scoreline only just about reflected France's domination, as they march on to a last-16 tie against Paraguay, and Sweden go home.

Morocco 'unstoppable' says coach after Netherlands thriller

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Morocco 'unstoppable' says coach after Netherlands thriller

Monterrey: Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouabhi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential.

The Moroccans, beaten semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, advanced to the last 16 on Monday after winning a thrilling battle with the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey.

 

It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time.