World Cup sets all-time attendance record, surpassing 1994 mark
NEW YORK: The 2026 World Cup on Thursday (Jun 26) became the best-attended in the tournament's history, surpassing the 1994 record of nearly 3.6 million spectators, FIFA said.
County Rutherford Sport News
Ecuador fight back to shock Germany and reach World Cup knockout stage
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey: An increasingly desperate Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 in their final Group E game on Thursday (Jun 26) to drag their World Cup campaign out of the flames and qualify for a place in the last 32.
Ecuador edge Germany to squeeze into World Cup last 32
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States: Ecuador kept their World Cup campaign alive as Gonzalo Plata’s winner completed a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany to send them through to the last 32 on Thursday. Leroy Sane controversially fired Germany ahead less than two minutes into the Group E clash, but Ecuador hit back through a fine strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo. Plata then prodded home from close range 13 minutes from time, sparking wild celebrations among a largely Ecuadorian crowd in New Jersey as the South Americans ensured they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Germany will travel to Foxborough for their last-32 tie against another third-placed finisher on Monday, in their first World Cup knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014. Julian Nagelsmann made two injury-enforced changes with Antonio Rudiger replacing Nico Schlotterbeck after the Borussia Dortmund defender was ruled out of the World Cup with ankle ligament damage. David Raum came in for Nathaniel Brown at left-back, but Nagelsmann resisted the temptation to start Deniz Undav despite his heroics off the bench against Ivory Coast when he scored both goals in the 2-1 win. Germany, with top spot in the group already assured, took the lead in a manner that enraged an Ecuador side fighting to stay in the tournament after picking up just one point in their first two games. Sane swept in a first-time shot from Florian Wirtz’s lay-off in the area, but Ecuador were incensed that a foul was not given earlier in the move, when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite in the head with a high boot. The decision to let the goal stand sparked a furious reaction from Ecuador, who levelled seven minutes later as Angulo
Ecuador shock Germany, seal spot in World Cup knockout stage - ESPN
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Gonzalo Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute, and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by rallying for a 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday.
Germany's Ruediger back in defence for injured Schlotterbeck against Ecuador
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, June 25 : Germany's Antonio Ruediger gets his first start of the tournament by coming in for injured centre back Nico Schlotterbeck against Ecuador in their final World Cup Group E match on Thursday. Joel Ordonez replaces Pervis Estupinan for Ecuador.
The World Cup is half over, with 54 of 104 matches complete, and the drama is just getting started
FLORIDA, USA: It’s halftime at the World Cup. Take a break, everyone. Wednesday marked the midpoint of the 104-match tournament — technically, just past the midpoint, with 54 matches now in the books and 50 remaining before a World Cup champion are crowned in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. The US have reached the Round of 32, which shouldn’t be surprising.
The FIFA World Cup is half over — but the drama is just beginning
It's halftime at the World Cup. Take a break, everyone.
USA, Germany in control as Dutch eye World Cup knockouts
EAST RUTHERFORD, USA: Co-hosts the United States and Germany will bid to complete perfect World Cup group stage campaigns on Thursday, while the Netherlands and Japan look poised to join them in the last 32. The US have clinched top spot in Group D with a game to spare after wins over Paraguay and Australia, and will try to maintain that momentum against already-eliminated Turkiye in Los Angeles. Mauricio Pochettino could rest a number of first-choice players, with Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun at risk of missing the next round if they pick up another yellow card. Forward Christian Pulisic has recovered from a calf injury that has limited him to just 45 minutes at the tournament so far and urged the US to keep their foot on the accelerator. “Going into the knockout rounds will definitely feel better with a win,” said Pulisic. “We don’t necessarily need a win, but it’s a World Cup game, and we all want to give our best and do well.” The US have not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 2002, but a strong start has raised hopes they could go on a deep run on home turf. Australia and Paraguay square off in a battle for second place in Santa Clara. A draw would favor the Socceroos thanks to their better goal difference but would likely be enough to send Paraguay through too. Germany are guaranteed to advance as winners of Group E following wins over Curacao and Ivory Coast, putting first-round exits in the two previous World Cups behind them. “It is very important that we remain modest,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “We have won two matches, one was clear, one was very close.