World Soccer news

• 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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• 👏 13 teams already through to the 2026 World Cup round of 32

  25-06-2026 06:43 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  👏 13 teams already through to the 2026 World Cup round of 32With another matchday completed, it has been confirmed that 13 teams have already secured their place in the knockout stage.All three hosts have lived up to expectations, while powerhouses like Argentina, Germany, France, and Brazil remain strong contenders to reach the final. More than half of the spots are still up for grabs— which teams will join the round of 32?This article was translated into English by Artificia
  
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• World Cup Day 15 What to Watch: USMNT aims for undefeated group play; Netherlands, Japan, Sweden battle for Group F

  25-06-2026 06:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup continues Thursday with Groups D, E and F in action.It's the final day of group play for these 12 teams and places in the Round of 32 remain on the line. As teams battle to win groups or finish second, third-place spots are also up for grabs for teams that struggled in their opening two matches.The knockout round bracket will become a little more clear after Thursday as group play winds down in the competition.Here's what you need to know for Day 15 of the World Cup.Cura&ccedi
  
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• Real Betis hesitant to deepen talks for Dovbyk

  25-06-2026 06:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Betis hesitant to deepen talks for DovbykArtem Dovbyk turned 29 a few days ago, an age that in football should be synonymous with sporting success. For the Ukrainian striker, due to the physical problems he suffered last season, this isn’t the case. The former Girona player’s future, in fact, remains unclear. The Giallorossi number 9 is preparing for the training camp in Trigoria, scheduled for July 13th, with no certainty about his role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma. The
  
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• 🥐☕️FC Breakfast: Yamal shows off his brother, Messi marked his birthday

  25-06-2026 06:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🥐☕️FC Breakfast: Yamal shows off his brother, Messi marked his birthdayTOP 10 youngest scorers in the World Cup 💎At the start of the tournament, three players have broken into the pantheon of the youngest scorers in World Cup history: Kerim Alajbegović (Bosnia), thanks to his goal last night against Qatar, Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal), and Lamine Yamal (Spain).Yamal shows off his little brother 😅Lamine Yamal's latest Instagram story gave internet users a
  
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• 📷​🥳​ Party in Mexico! How El Tri fans celebrate in the streets

  25-06-2026 06:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📷​🥳​ Party in Mexico! How El Tri fans celebrate in the streetsAfter wrapping up a perfect group stage and securing first place in their group, Mexican fans have taken to the streets to celebrate the World Cup victory.
  From the Fan Fests to the Angel of Independence, the goals and the post-match celebrations are being enjoyed with great euphoria. A long night is expected across Mexico!This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can rea
  
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• 🇿🇦 Bafana Bafana captain opens up on what fueled shock progression

  25-06-2026 06:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🇿🇦 Bafana Bafana captain opens up on what fueled shock progressionSouth Africa have done what many thought unthinkable this summer, after Hugo Broos' side shocked Son Heung-Min's Korea Republic with a 1-0 win, sealing guaranteed progression to the knockout stage for the first time.For a nation that is perhaps best remembered on the international stage as World Cup hosts in 2010, the introduction of the Vuvuzela, and Siphiwe Tshabalala's magical opener against Mexico, fe
  
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• South Africa beat South Korea to reach knockouts for first time

  25-06-2026 05:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  FIFA World CupSouth Africa 1 - 0 South Korea FTThapelo Maseko's second-half strike made history for South Africa as they reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time following a victory over South Korea in Monterrey.Three points moved South Africa up to second in the table, behind Mexico, and left South Korea having to cling on to hopes of getting out of the group by being one of the best third-placed sides.They will face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday in the last 32, at 20:00 BST.It
  
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• The inspiration behind South Africa’s incredible World Cup comeback as Bafana Bafana advance

  25-06-2026 05:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  History for South Africa and the most remarkable turnaround for Bafana Bafana to lock up a place in the knockout phase at a World Cup 2026 for the first time. From the humiliation at the hands of hosts Mexico, including two red cards, to a dramatic late win on Wednesday thanks to Thapelo Maseko, to down South Korea 1-0 and leapfrog them into second.From one host to another: South Africa will next face Canada, with a shot at more history and a last 16 tie on the line, with a siege mentality. Capt
  
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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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• Got a favourite? First Cup knockout clash is CONFIRMED

  25-06-2026 04:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Got a favourite? First Cup knockout clash is CONFIRMEDThe conclusion of another group, on the night of this Wednesday (24), defined the first knockout matchup of this year’s FIFA World Cup.South Africa finished second in Group A and will face Canada, the runner-up in Group B, for a place in the round of 16.The match is scheduled for next Sunday (28) in Los Angeles and will be the first game of the round of 32 of the tournament.The other teams already qualified for the knockout stage are st
  
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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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• 😎​ Blessed World Cup! The world's best are in inspired form

  25-06-2026 04:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  😎​ Blessed World Cup! The world's best are in inspired formTwo of the greatest footballers of all time and three who are destined to dominate the new generation completed a run of braces in the space of just 72 hours. It all 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 Portuguese legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, was not to be left behind and contribut
  
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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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