World Soccer news

• Defender Gusto considering Chelsea future

  24-06-2026 13:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Malo Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 for about £31m[Getty Images]Chelsea defender Malo Gusto is exploring options to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with the club placing a £75m price tag on the full-back.The 23-year-old right-back's future has come under renewed doubt after Chelsea agreed a deal in principle to sign Atalanta's Marco Palestra, who plays in the same position, for a fee in excess of £43m.Gusto was aware his future was uncertain before that move, and sou
  
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• Lionel Messi’s teammates pen emotional message to Argentina captain on 39th birthday

  25-06-2026 05:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  What do you getLionel Messi for his birthday? The Argentina legend has a glittering cabinet or five, packed with awards and accolades, not to mention generational wealth. But as he brought up his 39th birthday, at the World Cup 2026 no less, the defending champions, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, with their captain now the tournament's career scoring leader, celebrated his big day.Messi enjoyed a party at his country’s training base in Kansas City, Missouri, with his si
  
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• Is there a favourite? First Copa knockout tie is set

  25-06-2026 04:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Is there a favourite? First Copa knockout tie is setThe conclusion of another group, on Wednesday night (24), determined the first knockout matchup of this year’s FIFA World Cup.South Africa finished in second place in Group A and will face Canada, the runner-up in Group B, in the fight for a spot in the round of 16.The match is scheduled for next Sunday (28) in Los Angeles and will be the first of the tournament’s round-of-32 fixtures.The other teams already qualified for the knocko
  
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• 2026 World Cup Group A: South Africa makes knockout rounds with stunning win over South Korea

  25-06-2026 04:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  South Africa is heading to the knockout rounds of the World Cup for the first time after a 1-0 win over South Korea.Thapelo Maseko scored a 63rd-minute goal to move South Africa from last to second in Group A. The win means South Africa will play Canada on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in the first Round of 32 game.UNBELIEVABLE SCENES IN MONTERREY 🇿🇦SOUTH AFRICA TAKES THE LEAD OVER SOUTH KOREA! pic.twitter.com/YUq0uCTCqX— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25,
  
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• 🇲🇽 Chávez and Quiñones put Mexico on course for World Cup first

  25-06-2026 04:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🇲🇽 Chávez and Quiñones put Mexico on course for World Cup first2026 World Cup co-host Mexico are well and truly in the driver's seat against Czechia in Mexico City, with El Tri firmly planting one foot in the Round of 32.
  After banking six points from six to take charge of Group A with wins over South Africa (2-0) and Korea Republic (1-0), Javier Aguirre's troops are now primed to do something they have never done before.A composed finish from 22-year-old AZ Al
  
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• 😂 His doing? Ronaldinho's blessing steals the show in Brazil match

  25-06-2026 04:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  😂 His doing? Ronaldinho's blessing steals the show in Brazil matchOne of the standout figures in Brazil’s victory over Scotland this Wednesday (24) was a former player.Yes, Ronaldinho Gaúcho stole the show once again — this time by greeting the national team squad as they walked onto the field.A world champion in 2002, he welcomed the players one by one, giving a longer hug to the last man in line: Neymar.Check out how that moment went below:And some people are already
  
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• Tearful Neymar makes emotional Brazil return as Selecao advance at World Cup

  25-06-2026 04:21 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Brazil legend Neymar made a tearful return to the field for his national side as the Selecao beat Scotland 3-0 in their final group game at the 2026World Cup. Neymar, who last played for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, was originally something of a surprise inclusion in the Brazil squad for the tournament, and missed the opening two games due to a calf injury. However, the 34-year-old recovered in time to make the bench for the final game of Group C, and with Bra
  
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• What Japan’s blueprint to win the World Cup by 2050 tells us about football’s future

  25-06-2026 04:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Japan believe they have cracked the code to becoming a football superpower and it has everything to do with joy. Four years ago the JFA released a manifesto outlining exactly how they plan to win the World Cup by 2050. As hosts, no less.The strategy is filled with the familiar ingredients of pyramid graphics and bullet points, mentions of synergy and talent identification, but the headline that sets The Japan Way apart arrives on the first page.“To become the happiest country in the world
  
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• 😎​ Blessed World Cup! The world's best are inspired

  25-06-2026 04:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  😎​ Blessed World Cup! The world's best are inspiredTwo of the greatest footballers of all time and three players tipped to dominate the new generation completed a run of braces in the span of just 72 hours. The opening day of the week began with a simultaneous triple impact. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland took to the pitch inspired and each scored a brace in their respective matches.The goalscoring baton was then picked up by the Portuguese legend, Cris
  
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• World Cup 2026: For Haiti, a loss on the pitch, a win for a hurting nation

  25-06-2026 04:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA — It was a tiny move, really, just a flick of a heel. But the heel redirected a ball into a net, and a nation in desperate need of some good news exploded in delirious delight. Haiti fell to Morocco 4-2 on Wednesday night in Atlanta, eliminated in the group stage. But that's not the real story for Les Grenadiers, who exit the World Cup with a record of zero wins, zero draws and three losses. The real story is the miracle that Haiti — at No. 87, the lowest-ranked team in
  
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• Vinicius Jr stops fun and leaves Scots down... but are they out?

  25-06-2026 03:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  God bless the Tartan Army in all their beery magnificence. God bless them for their noise and colour and all-round cuddliness. God bless them for charming the good people of Boston and Miami and earning a full page feature in Wednesday's O Globo, Brazil's best-selling newspaper.They tried to lift their team in Miami but a forklift truck couldn't have got Scotland's challenge off the ground - not while they defended as they did early on, not while they only stirred and forced five saves from Alis
  
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• Vinicius Junior stops fun and leaves Scots down... but are they out?

  25-06-2026 03:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  God bless the Tartan Army in all their beery magnificence. God bless them for their noise and colour and all-round cuddliness. God bless for charming the good people of Boston and Miami and earning a full page feature in Wednesday's O Globo, Brazil's best-selling newspaper.They tried to lift their team in Miami but a forklift truck couldn't have got Scotland's challenge off the ground, not while they defended as they did early on, not while they only stirred and forced five saves from Alisson in
  
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• Rate the players in Mexico v Czech Republic

  25-06-2026 03:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]The World Cup match between Czech Republic and Mexico - which you can follow here - is under way.You can rate both sets of players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings.World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup
  
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• 🤩 Total excitement! Neymar and Vini, the duo Brazil dreams of

  25-06-2026 03:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🤩 Total excitement! Neymar and Vini, the duo Brazil dreams ofThe Canarinha have found their smile again. Against Scotland, they won big and played beautifully.
  Brazil’s present belongs entirely to number “7.” Vinícius Jr. confirmed that he is in great form and led his national team with a brace.Besides the rout, Neymar also made headlines, as he officially wore his country’s shirt again after a long and tortuous injury ordeal. With this version of Vini
  
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• 'Think we're going home' - Clarke & McGinn rue Scotland mistakes

  25-06-2026 02:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Scotland will have to wait until potentially the early hours of Sunday to find out if their World Cup campaign will continue, but midfielder John McGinn suspects that is "unlikely" and head coach Steve Clarke suspects they are "going home".Knowing a draw would almost certainly be enough to reach the last 32, Steve Clarke's side suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat by Brazil to finish third in Group C.The Scots have three points and a minus three goal difference and now must wait until the other grou
  
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• Steve Clarke abandons post-match interview after just 23 seconds

  25-06-2026 02:49 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Scotland manager Steve Clarke abandoned his post-match interview with BBC presenter EilidhBarbour after just 23 seconds following a 3-0 loss to Brazil which leaves his team’s World Cup campaign in the balance. Vinicius Junior scored twice and Matheus Cunha once as the Scots were swept aside in Miami primarily due to their own defensive mistakes. That leaves them in third place in Group C with a goal difference of -3 and means they must wait for other results to see if they have made it int
  
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• Scotland sweating on fitness of Andy Robertson ahead of uncertain World Cup future

  25-06-2026 02:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Scotland are sweating over the fitness of captain Andy Robertson as they await the conclusion of the group stage to determine if they have done enough to qualify for the knockout rounds of the World Cup 2026. A 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their final group game in Miami has hurt Scotland’s chances of progression but their tally of three points could yet be enough to send them into the last-32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.Should they get there, they may need to play their first e
  
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• Viral sensation Merlin the duck denied entry to stadium ahead of Mexico game

  25-06-2026 02:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Merlin the duck, an unexpected folk hero of the World Cup 2026, was ultimately denied entry to Mexico City's stadium on Wednesday for Mexico's match against the Czech Republic, despite a wave of public support. The beloved bird, who had captured hearts across social media, became a sensation, with supporters campaigning for him to attend the game alongside his family.In less than two weeks, Merlin's journey saw him go from waddling through the capital's streets during Mexico's opening victory to
  
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• Vinícius Júnior Gets 9.5/10 | Brazil Players Rated After Their Thumping 3-0 Win Vs Scotland In The FIFA World Cup 2026

  25-06-2026 02:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Vinícius Júnior Gets 9.5/10 | Brazil Players Rated After Their Thumping 3-0 Win Vs Scotland In The FIFA World Cup 2026Pure, liquid football. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil booked their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages with a bruising, brilliant 3-0 demolition of Scotland. Under the heavy, humid Florida sky, the Seleção didn’t just win; they ran the show from the first whistle to the last, securing top spot in Group C with a game to spare.Scotland
  
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• Watch as South Africa take on South Korea in Monterrey

  25-06-2026 02:39 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mexico face Czech Republic at Mexico City Stadium South Africa take on South Korea at Estadio MonterreyMexico have already won group, others all vying for runners-up spot Watch as South Africa take on South Korea in Monterrey
  
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• Watch as Maseko gives South Africa lead over South Korea

  25-06-2026 02:39 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mexico face Czech Republic at Mexico City Stadium South Africa take on South Korea at Estadio MonterreyMexico have already won group, others all vying for runners-up spot Watch as Maseko gives South Africa lead over South Korea
  
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• Morocco beat Haiti to progress as runners-up

  25-06-2026 02:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  FIFA World CupMorocco 4 - 2 Haiti FTGessime Yassine scored Morocco's fourth in dramatic win [Getty Images]Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored late goals for Morocco to deny Haiti their first-ever World Cup point in Atlanta.Morocco pegged the Caribbean nation back twice - thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari - before Rahimi scored with 12 minutes to go and Yassine secured the victory.The win was not enough for Morocco to top Group C as Brazil comfortably beat Scotland in M
  
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• What each team need to make World Cup knockouts

  25-06-2026 02:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Japan need a point against Sweden on Thursday to secure an automatic place in the last 32 [Getty Images]With the final round of group fixtures now under way the path to the World Cup final on 19 July is starting to take shape.But with 32 of the 48 teams advancing to the knockout rounds, new tie-breaker rules, and a table of third-placed teams to keep track of, staying across the various permutations is far from simple. As it stands, England, sitting top of Group L, and Scotland, who finished thi
  
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• Third-place rankings: How they stand in race to reach World Cup knockout stages

  25-06-2026 02:09 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The group stage of World Cup 2026 is nearing a conclusion and the battle is on for a place in knockout stages, with eight third-placed sides heading through to the last 32 – and Scotland face a nervous wait.For the first time in the World Cup’s history, 48 nations are competing in the tournament. They were divided into 12 groups of four, with co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada all given top-seed status in the draw. The 12 group winners and 12 runners-up will automatically go through to
  
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• Who was the pick of Scotland's players again?

  25-06-2026 02:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]Scotland fell to a 3-0 Group C defeat to Brazil in Miami to leave their hopes of qualifying for the last 32 of the World Cup in real danger.BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke was in Miami Stadium and rates how each Scotland player performed.And you can let us know how you rated them below.Scotland's starting XIAngus Gunn – Caught in no-man's land for second goal, but produced a string of huge saves to keep the score down and possibly keep Scotland in the World Cup. 6Nathan Patterson &nda
  
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• 📅 Find out when Brazil’s next World Cup match will be

  25-06-2026 02:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📅 Find out when Brazil’s next World Cup match will beBrazil is in the World Cup knockout stage and is now waiting to find out its next opponent.But we already know when and where the national team will take the field to fight for a place in the round of 16.Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be back in action next Monday (29), at 2 p.m.The opponent will be the runner-up from Group F, where the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden are still in the race to qualify.The final round of this gro
  
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• 📅 Find out when Brazil’s next World Cup match is

  25-06-2026 02:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📅 Find out when Brazil’s next World Cup match isBrazil is in the World Cup knockout stage and is now awaiting the decision on its next opponent.But we already know when and where the Seleção will take the field to fight for a spot in the round of 16.The team coached by Carlo Ancelotti will be back in action next Monday (29), at 2 p.m.The opponent will be the runner-up in Group F, which still has the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden in the race for qualification.The fina
  
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• 🎥 Vini delivers, Neymar debuts in the Copa and 🇧🇷 storm into knockouts

  25-06-2026 02:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Vini delivers, Neymar debuts in the Copa and 🇧🇷 storm into knockoutsFIFA World Cup 2026 is increasingly becoming Vinicius Júnior’s stage.Thanks to his two goals — which could have been three — the Brazilian National Team is heading to the first knockout round of the FIFA World Cup as the leader of Group C.Check out the match highlights below:Playing at Hard Rock Stadium, Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 this Wednesday (24). They reached seven points
  
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• Can Scotland still qualify for the knockout rounds and who will they play?

  25-06-2026 02:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Scotland remain on the brink of making history after finishing third in Group C following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil but fate is out of their hands. Vinicius Junior struck first after a mistake from Scott McKenna. The defender was caught in possession by Rayan who prodded the ball across to Vinicius for a simple tap-in after rounding the goalkeeper. Vini Jr then nodded in a second goal on the stroke of half-time and Matheus Cunha scored a third on the hour mark. Steve Clarke’s side defeated Ha
  
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• 2026 World Cup Group C: Brazil beats Scotland to win group and put Scotland's knockout round chances in peril

  25-06-2026 02:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Brazil took advantage of some horrible Scotland turnovers in a 3-0 win to lock up Group C of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday.Scotland entered the game hoping to minimize the damage from a loss as much as possible if it couldn't get an upset win or a draw. And damage minimization became paramount almost right away, when Rayan's pressure forced a Scott McKenna turnover deep in Scotland's half and Vinícius Júnior scored in the seventh minute.BRAZIL TAKES THE EARLY LEAD! 🇧
  
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