2026 World Cup Group Stage Odds: USA Favored to Win Group D
The group stage is the first step toward World Cup glory.
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2026 World Cup Odds: Which Nations are Favored to Reach Semifinals?
With 48 teams competing and a grueling path through the knockout stage, reaching the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be an accomplishment in itself.
In at the deep end: The World Cup managers short on preparation
June 10 : International managers often complain about limited preparation time, so spare a thought for the recently appointed coaches arriving at this World Cup, some mere weeks into the job and often without a single competitive game in charge of their side.
Japan ‘pray’ on Endo fitness for World Cup opener
NASHVILLE: Japan captain Wataru Endo is in a race to be fit for their World Cup opener against the Netherlands on Sunday, leaving coach Hajjime Moriyasu “praying” he makes it. The Liverpool midfielder is struggling with a foot injury and was not involved in any full training sessions at Japan’s pre-tournament camp in Mexico. Endo took part in running and passing drills with his team-mates on Monday after moving to their World Cup base in Nashville, and Moriyasu said he was still in contention to face the Dutch in Dallas. “According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say that he can’t play,” Moriyasu, whose team also play Sweden and Tunisia in Group F, told reporters before leaving Mexico. “So we just believe, pray and wait.” Endo suffered a season-ending foot injury playing for Liverpool against Sunderland in February and returned for Japan in a 1-0 friendly win over Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. He came off at half-time and has continued to feel discomfort. Moriyasu said replacing the 33-year-old in his squad was an option if he was not able to play a part in the tournament. “I’m always considering replacements if a player can’t play, and that doesn’t just go for Endo but for everyone. “We have several players returning from injury and we need to keep assessing them until the last minute, but we called them up with the assumption that they would be fit in time.” Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was left out after injuring his hamstring less than a week before Moriyasu named his squad. Monaco’s Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.
Netherlands defender Timber to miss World Cup with groin injury
June 8 : Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber will miss the 2026 World Cup after failing to recover from a groin injury, the Dutch Football Association said on Monday.
No mention of Russia in 2027 IIHF listing of groupings for men's hockey worlds
The International Ice Hockey Federation has announced the groups for next year's men's world championship without listing Russia, after last month saying the country's eligibility would be decided "on an event-by-event basis."
Australian Marschall spoils Duplantis' Stockholm show
June 8 : Australian pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall said he did not mean to spoil the show but was delighted to bring Armand Duplantis' run of 40 straight victories to an end at his home Stockholm Diamond League meet on Sunday.
Duplantis suffers shock defeat at Stockholm Diamond League
STOCKHOLM, June 7 : Olympic champion Armand Duplantis fell short of his bid for a world record at the Stockholm Diamond League on Sunday, suffering a surprise defeat as Australia’s Kurtis Marschall clinched victory with a clearance of 5.90 metres on his third attempt.