Iran qualify for 2026 World Cup
Perennial World Cup participants Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at next year’s global showpiece after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday.
Group A Sport News
Romo's goal sends Mexico through but blunt attack leaves questions
June 18 : Luis Romo's second-half winner sent Mexico into the World Cup knockout stage as Group A winners, but the co-hosts' 1-0 victory over South Korea owed more to opportunism and defensive resilience than attacking fluency.
Mexico edge South Korea to win Group A, secure home last-32 tie
GUADALAJARA, Mexico: Mexico booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage as Group A winners and secured home advantage for the Round of 32 after Luis Romo's second-half strike earned the tournament co-hosts a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday (Jun 18).
Mexico, Korea eye World Cup knockout berths
LOS ANGELES: Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from respective victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic in their opening games last week. The expanded 48-team format for this year’s World Cup — and the fact that the eight best-ranked third-placed teams will advance from the group stage — means that a win for either Mexico or South Korea would see them advance. Co-hosts Mexico eased past a poor South Africa in their opening game last week but are bracing for a significantly tougher test against a South Korean side studded with quality. “We have to be very wary of the opponents’ attacking transitions,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “When we are attacking, we can’t let our guard down; if there are two Koreans up front, there need to be three Mexicans.” The build-up to Thursday’s game has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over South Korea’s training ground on Tuesday. Yonhap news agency reported that a South Korea team security officer spotted the device, and a Mexican military drone-interdiction specialist stationed at the training camp brought it down by emitting radio signals. Two men who were suspected to be the drone operators retrieved the crashed device and fled the scene in an incident which South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo described as “unfortunate” but insisted “did not impact us significantly.”
Czech coach Koubek says better team won after defeat by South Korea
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, June 11 : Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek praised his players for their effort in Thursday's World Cup opening loss to South Korea but said the better team won and his side needed to add more bite to the attack to stay in the tournament.
2026 World Cup Group Stage Odds: USA Favored to Win Group D
The group stage is the first step toward World Cup glory.
2026 World Cup Group Stage Odds: Spain, Argentina Heavily Favored
The group stage is the first step toward World Cup glory.
Alberta skip Kevin Koe clinches Pool B with 7th straight win to open Brier
Alberta's Kevin Koe wrapped up top spot in Pool B in Thursday's early draw at the Brier in St. John's, while Manitoba's Matt Dunstone clinched a playoff spot.
Slovakia snatch victory over Northern Ireland to set up thrilling Group A finale
Slovakia's Tomas Bobcek scored in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier on Friday after two VAR disallowed goals, with both sides clinching at least a playoff spot.