South Africa's Broos basks in glory

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

South Africa's Broos basks in glory

Monterrey: South Africa coach Hugo Broos said his team had shut up the "big mouths" after the Bafana Bafana qualified for the FIFA World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history by beating Korea Republic 1-0 on Wednesday.

The African team, playing in the tournament for the fourth time, finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who had a perfect record of three wins out of three.

South Africa, who last featured at the FIFA World Cup when they hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening match but they battled to a draw against Czechia and came out on top in what was effectively a shootout for second place in Monterrey, thanks to Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike.

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Preview - Group G: Egypt v IR Iran

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group G: Egypt v IR Iran

Seattle: Islamic Republic of Iran will be out to turn promise into progress when they face Egypt in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G tie on Friday, with victory securing a place in the Round of 32.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side have shown resilience rather than fluency so far, drawing both of their earlier matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage for the first time alive.

The 2-2 draw with New Zealand was followed by a disciplined 0-0 result against Belgium, leaving Team Melli firmly in contention heading into the final round of matches.

Preview - Group H: Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group H: Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia

Houston: Saudi Arabia will have no margin for error when they face Cabo Verde in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H tie on Friday, with victory the only realistic route to keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.

A win will put Saudi Arabia on four points, a total that would either put them in contention for second place or leave them strongly placed in the battle for one of the best third-placed slots.

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Toronto: Iraq will spare no effort in ensuring their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ends with pride — and, if results elsewhere fall kindly, perhaps even a route into the Round of 32 — when they face Senegal in their final Group I tie on Friday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia arrive at Toronto Stadium with no points from two matches, having opened with a 4-1 defeat to Norway before falling 3-0 to France. 

Those results leave Graham Arnold’s side bottom of the group with an inferior goal difference, but victory over Senegal would lift them to three points and keep them in contention for one of the best third-placed spots.

Cannavaro: Uzbekistan will fight till the end

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Cannavaro: Uzbekistan will fight till the end

Houston: Fabio Cannavaro said Uzbekistan will not give up on their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes until it is no longer possible.

The tournament debutants suffered a 5-0 defeat to pre-tournament favourites Portugal on Tuesday, their second consecutive defeat in Group.

Despite that, victory against Congo DR may still take them through as one of the eight best third-placed sides and former FIFA World Cup winner Cannavaro said the Central Asian side will give it their best attempt.

Pulisic fitness boost as US seek knockout momentum against Turkey

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Pulisic fitness boost as US seek knockout momentum against Turkey

Irvine: Christian Pulisic said on Wednesday he has recovered from his calf injury and the United States are eager for a third straight FIFA World Cup 2026 win against Turkey to take momentum into the knockout rounds.

The co-hosts have topped Group D with a game to spare, and their opposition in Los Angeles on Thursday has already been eliminated, making the game essentially a dead rubber.

But Pulisic, the United States' talisman forward, said that another group stage victory in front of boisterous home support would benefit the team heading into their last-32 match in Santa Clara, California against unknown opponents next Wednesday.