Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the World Cup last 16. Switzerland advances to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 and will face Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his final FIFA World Cup appearance after Portugal's Round of 16 exit to Spain. The legendary forward, who turns 41 next year, leaves with numerous records but a surprising lack of goals in knockout stages.
President Trump's financial disclosure reveals FIFA President Gianni Infantino gifted him tickets to the Club World Cup final. This comes as European lawmakers urge FIFA to address an ethics complaint regarding Infantino's award to Trump, questioning FIFA's neutrality.
Harry Kane scored two crucial goals to secure England's comeback victory against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a chaotic World Cup match. Despite trailing early and struggling for 75 minutes, Kane's brace secured a place in the last 16.
China's women's table tennis team faced unexpected setbacks at the World Table Tennis (WTT) US Smash in Los Angeles. Star player Wang Manyu and sixth seed Chen Yi were eliminated in early knockout rounds, meaning two of China’s top five seeds are out of the tournament.
France beat Sweden 3-0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, bringing his World Cup total to 18 goals, second only to Lionel Messi. France will next play Paraguay.
Germany (No. 10) and the Netherlands (No. 8) were eliminated in the opening knockout round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic first for two top-10 ranked teams. Both matches went to penalty shootouts, with Germany losing to Paraguay and the Netherlands to Morocco.
Despite a record nine AFC teams qualifying for the expanded World Cup, only Australia and Japan reached the knockout rounds, winning just three of 27 group games, highlighting a gap in Asian football compared to African teams' success.
Sydney's Cafe Tanja, serving North African cuisine, became a hub for Australia's Algerian community as they watched Algeria secure a 3-3 draw against Austria, advancing to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, amidst food, nostalgia, and communal celebration.
Iran's national football team, Team Melli, saw their 2026 World Cup hopes dashed after a 1-1 draw with Egypt and subsequent reliance on other match outcomes that did not favor them, amidst a tournament marked by off-field challenges and controversies.
The North American World Cup has been deemed a success despite initial concerns, with full stadiums, top-tier environments, and thrilling games. France stands out as the best team, while the U.S. exceeds expectations. The Golden Boot race is intense, and the 48-team format, despite criticisms, has delivered memorable moments and first-time knockout stage appearances for several countries.
The World Cup knockout phase commences with South Africa vs Canada; Australia faces Egypt on July 4 AEDT. Full schedule in Australian times provided.
Cape Verde, with a population of 525,000, has become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage, securing a spot against Argentina. Their success is attributed to a strategy of recruiting players from their diaspora and consistent coaching under Bubista.
Cape Verde, the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage, will face Argentina in the last 32. Their success is attributed to drawing on diaspora players and a clear technical plan by the football federation.
Cabo Verde, the smallest nation to compete in the World Cup, secured a spot in the knockout round with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia. The team previously drew with Spain and Uruguay, earning three points to finish second in Group H and set up a match against Argentina.
Australia's World Cup squad is down to 24 players as Matthew Leckie and Jacob Italiano have left the camp due to injuries. Leckie suffered a leg injury, and Italiano a groin problem, forcing their return to their clubs. This leaves coach Tony Popovic with limited options, particularly on the wings.
Jordan Bos delivered a standout performance at right-back against Paraguay, showcasing athleticism and skill. His dynamic play, drawing comparisons to Gareth Bale and Dani Alves, lifted the Socceroos as they neared World Cup knockout qualification.
Australia's Socceroos drew 0-0 with Paraguay, securing a spot in the World Cup knockout round for the third time. Their next opponent is to be determined among Egypt, Iran, Belgium, and New Zealand.
The Socceroos secured a place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay. Coach Tony Popovic praised his young team's performance and is now focused on their last-32 clash in Dallas on July 3rd.
Australia's coach Tony Popovic made six changes for the Paraguay World Cup match, dropping the main striker. Despite attacking flair from Volpato and Bos, Australia drew 0-0, highlighting a lack of clinical finishing. Defender Lucas Herrington, 18, impressed, suggesting a bright future for the team.
Sweden and Japan drew 1-1 in a World Cup Group F match, with Anthony Elanga equalizing for Sweden after Daizen Maeda scored for Japan. Both teams advanced to the knockout rounds; Japan finished second and will face Brazil, while Sweden progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Socceroos drew 0-0 with Paraguay, securing their progression to the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Harry Souttar and Cristian Volpato were highlighted for their performances, and Jordan Bos was named player of the match. Coach Tony Popovic expressed pride, looking forward to the next game in Dallas.
Ecuador defeated four-time champion Germany 2-1 at MetLife Stadium, securing a dramatic berth in the World Cup knockout stages. Gonzalo Plata scored the winning goal in the 77th minute, marking Ecuador's first round-of-16 appearance since 2006. The match saw a record attendance of 80,663 fans.
Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 in an action-packed World Cup match, coming from behind twice to secure their spot in the last 32. Despite the win, Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil on goal difference and will face the Group F winners in the first knockout round.
