Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

World Cup Knockout Stages Take Shape

As the group stages of the FIFA World Cup draw to a close, teams are solidifying their places in the knockout rounds, with some nations making history. Cape Verde secured a historic berth in the Round of, becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockouts after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. This achievement marks a fairy tale run for the island nation. Meanwhile, Uruguay was eliminated following a 1-0 defeat to Spain, concluding a disappointing campaign for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Coach Bielsa’s tenure has been scrutinized following the team's exit from the tournament.

European Powerhouses Advance, Some Stumble

England secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama, a result that saw Harry Kane break a World Cup scoring record for the Three Lions. Despite the win, the performance was described as uninspiring for large portions of the match. Croatia clinched second place in the same group by defeating Ghana 2-1. In other matches, Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-1, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice, to advance as group winners. France also saw a strong performance, with Ousmane Dembélé netting a hat-trick in a victory over Norway.

Player Injuries Cast Shadows Over Campaigns

The World Cup has seen its share of injury concerns. Spain winger Nico Williams described his injury as "one of the worst days of my life," potentially jeopardizing his future participation. Coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed Spain’s progression to the knockout stage came at a cost, with further injury worries surrounding their squad. Yeremy Pino, another Spanish winger, may miss the rest of the World Cup due to a suspected broken collarbone. Manchester United is awaiting news on Manuel Ugarte’s injury after the midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay's loss.

Managerial Changes and Future Outlooks

Following their World Cup exit, Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland boss, with the nation unable to qualify for the next stage. Meanwhile, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed optimism about his team's prospects, suggesting they are on the right track. The USMNT, despite a late 3-2 defeat to Türkiye, saw their coach Mauricio Pochettino learn valuable lessons about his squad players.

Other Football News

In transfer news, Chelsea is reportedly exploring a deal for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, though Sunderland has stated the player is not for sale amid reports. Manchester City is monitoring Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi ahead of a potential move and has already signed forward Mathys Detourbet from fellow City Football Group club Troyes this summer. Arsenal is in a battle with Manchester City to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba according to reports.

Cricket and Tennis Updates

In the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, England remained unbeaten with a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand, powered by Danni Wyatt-Hodge's batting masterclass. Ireland secured their first-ever win at the tournament by beating the West Indies by six wickets in Bristol. On the tennis front, Emma Raducanu cut short a practice session at Wimbledon, fueling concerns about her fitness.

Golf and Motorsports

In golf, Haeran Ryu holds a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Women's PGA Championship, with Ina Yoon extending her lead by five strokes during the tournament. Viktor Hovland is one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship. In Formula, George Russell claimed pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashed during qualifying. Lewis Hamilton hopes strategy can help Ferrari overcome Mercedes in Austria, though he acknowledges it will be a "tall order" on Saturday.

Horse Racing and Boxing News

Estrange recorded its first Group One success in the Tattersalls Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Align The Stars won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. In boxing, Ben Whittaker could be on a collision course with Joshua Buatsi after his US debut. Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his heavyweight world championships to "decide for himself" the final chapter of his career according to reports.

Rugby Union and Other Sports

George North scored two tries for the Barbarians in his final appearance before retirement, but Wales narrowly beat the invitational side 33-31 in Twickenham. In rugby league, Wigan Warriors and St Helens secured victories in the Super League. Luke Humphries retained the US Darts Masters title after a deciding-leg victory against Luke Littler in New York. Valentine Delon earned invites to four majors with a victory in the Women's Amateur Championship final at Muirfield.