10-man Iraq depart World Cup after 5-0 drubbing by Senegal
DUBAI: Iraq bowed out of the 2026 World Cup on Friday with a 5-0 loss to Senegal at Toronto Stadium that left them bottom of Group I with no points from their campaign.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Sport News
Netherlands coach wary of Morocco threat despite topping group
KANSAS CITY, Missouri: Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was taking nothing for granted after his side sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia on Thursday, warning that next opponents Morocco would provide a formidable test in the World Cup round of 32. The Dutch finished the group stage with seven points and 10 goals scored, but Koeman said attention had already turned to Monday’s knockout clash in Monterrey, Mexico, where any thoughts of a favorable path through the tournament would be put aside. “I’m not sure if we are the favorite in the match against Morocco,” Koeman told reporters. “We need to prepare for Morocco, because it’ll be a big game.
Antoine Semenyo: Time for Ghana to pressure officials after big no-call
PHILADELPHIA, USA: Ghana star Antoine Semenyo says his team needs to “gang around the referee” more often after his side’s potential penalty shot against England on Tuesday went unreviewed. The Black Stars earned a historic 0-0 draw against the Three Lions in Group L. With a win or draw against Croatia on Saturday, they will secure a top-two finish. But some felt they should be leading the group, not second on four points and a lesser goal-difference to England after referee Said Martinez was unmoved by Ezri Konsa’s airborne challenge on Prince Kwabena Adu in the 79th minute. The Manchester City forward and Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz were most frustrated that Martinez was not even summoned to the VAR monitor. “As players, we need to gang around the referee and complain.
Japan’s progress paying off at World Cup, says Troussier
TOKYO: Japan believe they can shock Brazil in the World Cup round of 32, and former coach Philippe Troussier thinks it would be a fitting reward for their progress as a football nation. Frenchman Troussier led Japan when they co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002 and took them to the last 16 in only their second tournament appearance. Japan have not missed a World Cup since, and they have openly talked about winning this year’s competition in North America, where they face Brazil in Houston on Monday. Not even a showdown with the five-time champions can shake Japan’s current confidence, and Troussier believes it is fully justified. “In only one game, everything is possible,” the 71-year-old told AFP at France’s chamber of commerce in Tokyo on Friday. “Japan have confidence. They have talent. They have made tremendous tactical progress in the last few years, and they have so many experienced players who play for strong sides in Europe. “Of course Brazil have fantastic players and they are favorites on paper but there are weaknesses that Japan could exploit.” Troussier was hired to prepare Japan for the 2002 World Cup on home soil at a time when the country was a minnow on the international stage. The professional J League was only founded in 1993, and the national team at the time featured only domestic-based players. Young talent like Hidetoshi Nakata and Shinji Ono began to move overseas during Troussier’s tenure, and the trend has accelerated over the past two decades. All but three of Japan’s current World Cup squad are based in Europe. Many play for clubs in England, Spain and Germany.
Pochettino annoyed by perceived disappointment after US finishes group play with 3-2 loss to Turkiye
CALIFORNIA, USA: The United States only wanted to get through their final World Cup group stage match Thursday night without an injury or a red card, while Turkiye were playing for a face-saving victory to end a dismal tournament. Both teams got what they wanted most out of their meaningless meeting before the Americans head on to the knockout stage — and coach Mauricio Pochettino was annoyed by any suggestion that the Americans’ last-gasp, 3-2 defeat said anything negative about the state of his team. Kaan Ayhan scored on the final kick of the match to send Turkiye past the US in the eighth minute of stoppage time for their only win of the World Cup. The result was meaningless to the Americans, who will meet Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday. Pochettino sent out nine new starters, including eight who were starting a World Cup match for the first time. The US tied it early in the second half on a goal by Sebastian Berhalter, and the Americans got within a few seconds of an unbeaten run through the group stage. But in his postgame news conference, Pochettino expressed his annoyance with what he perceived as disappointment in the result. “For you not say congratulations that we won the group, that is a little bit sad,” Pochettino told reporters. “What we need to remember is we won first place in this group,” Pochettino added while speaking in Spanish and English.
Iran and FIFA refuse to answer questions about Seattle World Cup match vs. Egypt
SEATTLE: Before coach Amir Ghalenoei or goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand answered any questions Thursday ahead of Iran’s World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up. Daniel Marin, FIFA’s executive director of public relations, read a statement in light of the teams meeting in a “Pride Match” in Seattle on Friday. “This Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game,” Marin said. “We fully respect the right of all journalists to ask questions.
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group decider
LOS ANGELES, USA: A mouthwatering duel between in-form goalscorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take center stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider. Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five. On Friday the two forward will meet in a heavyweight collision at Foxborough, outside Boston at 3:00 p.m. local time (2000 GMT), with top spot in the group up for grabs. France, who looked majestic in swatting aside Senegal and Iraq, hold a slight advantage, with their superior goal difference meaning Les Bleus need only a draw to clinch first place in the group. But the Norwegians have been equally impressive, routing Iraq 4-1 in their opener before beating Senegal 3-2 on Monday. Haaland, playing in his first World Cup, has revelled in the global spotlight, playing with a swashbuckling gusto that could well ask hard questions of even France’s experienced defense. The 25-year-old has also embraced the tournament off the pitch, delighted at his ability to go sightseeing in New York City in relative anonymity. After clinching a place in the last 32 with the win over Senegal, Haaland insisted he was not fussed at the prospect of facing France — who he regards as favorites for the tournament — and laughed off suggestions that Norway were title contenders. “To win the World Cup, absolutely not,” he told Fox television. “We’ve won 12 competitive games in a row now.
Diney Borges says Cape Verde ready for ‘wounded’ Saudi Arabia
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia know all about World Cup shocks. From Saeed Al-Owairan’s mazy solo winner against Belgium in 1994 to Salem Al-Dawsari’s memorable strike against Argentina in 2022, the Green Falcons have provided some of the tournament’s most iconic underdog moments.