Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:33 PM ET

World Cup Knockout Stage Picture Takes Shape

Cape Verde achieved a historic feat, becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout rounds in their debut appearance. Their 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia secured their place in the round of, finishing second in Group H. Meanwhile, England clinched their spot in the next stage before kicking a ball, with results elsewhere confirming their advancement. However, it was a disappointing tournament for Uruguay, as Marcelo Bielsa's side crashed out following a 1-0 defeat to Spain. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's first-half blunder proved costly, leading to his substitution at halftime and ultimately contributing to Uruguay's premature exit.

European Giants Advance, Reserves Tested

France secured a commanding 4-1 victory over a heavily rotated Norway side to cap off a perfect Group I campaign. Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the show, netting a first-half hat-trick within a blistering 25-minute spell. Manager Didier Deschamps is set to rejoin the squad after attending his mother's funeral. In contrast, Norway's coach Stale Solbakken defended his decision to rest ten first-team players, including star striker Erling Haaland, against France, calling it a "no-brainer" due to player fatigue. This strategy backfired as Norway suffered a heavy defeat.

Group Stage Drama and Tactical Decisions

The final group stage matches are shaping up to be full of intrigue. Algeria and Austria have both signaled their intent to play for wins in their upcoming encounter, despite a draw potentially offering a more favorable draw in the knockout stages. The narrative surrounding Argentina's final group game against Jordan includes Lionel Messi starting on the bench, as confirmed by coach Lionel Scaloni. The USMNT, despite a late 3-2 loss to Türkiye which saw Christian Pulisic enter as a substitute, will advance to the Round of 32 96. Manager Mauricio Pochettino noted that while the loss was frustrating, lessons were learned from his second-string players. Other Tournament Updates and International Football News

Senegal strengthened their bid for a spot among the top eight third-placed teams by thrashing Iraq 5-0. Australia progressed to the last-32 with a goalless draw against Paraguay, a result that also suited their opponents. The fan experience at the World Cup has also been a talking point, with international visitors expressing frustration over an "expensive and confusing" tipping culture in the United States. Ecuador's president declared a public holiday following their dramatic comeback win against Germany.

Club Transfer Rumors and Contract News

Arsenal are reportedly exploring moves for Newcastle United midfielders Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali, having already had a £55 million ($73m) bid for Guimarães rejected. Manchester City have agreed a club-record deal for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson. Real Madrid are considering midfielder exits to facilitate new signings, with Eduardo Camavinga's future uncertain. Chelsea are said to be closing in on Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Player and Team News Across Sports

In rugby league, Leeds strengthened their grip on the Super League summit with a dominant victory over Hull KR. England's cricket team saw Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes lead a stirring fightback on day two of the third Test against New Zealand, while all-rounder Alice Capsey urged England to maintain their winning momentum in the Women's T20 World Cup. Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed high confidence in Anthony Joshua's ability to defeat Tyson Fury.

Formula 1 and Tennis Updates

Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix, with rivals Red Bull and Lando Norris experiencing issues. Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull remains uncertain. In tennis, Jack Draper's run at the Eastbourne Open ended in the semi-finals, while Emma Raducanu faces a challenging draw at Wimbledon, potentially meeting world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.