England qualify despite defensive injury; Scotland's knockout fate hangs in balance; Cape Verde make history by eliminating Uruguay; Egypt also reach last 32 for first time.

Ecstasy for Ecuador and draw puts Australia through | World Cup Daily

Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 at the 2026 World Cup, securing a knockout spot. President Daniel Noboa declared Friday a national holiday, celebrating the team's resilience and historic victory.

Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece staked his job on a must-win match against Germany. A 2-1 victory saved his tenure and sent Ecuador to the World Cup knockout stages for only the second time in history.

Nicolas Pepe’s early brilliance powered Ivory Coast into the World Cup knockout stages, ending Curacao’s fairy-tale debut. The Elephants’ commanding win in Group E, combined with other results, sent Germany through as group winners and left Curacao to reflect on a journey that exceeded all expectations.

Ecuador defeated four-time champions Germany in a must-win Group E clash, pulling off a stunning comeback to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.

Ecuador and Germany meet in a critical Group E finale at New York New Jersey Stadium. Ecuador seeks rebound from 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast; Germany aims to avoid group-stage elimination. Kick-off at 4pm EDT.

Only Germany has secured a knockout spot in Group E. Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador battle for the remaining place in a dramatic finale. Read about their paths to advance.

Seven nations have qualified for the knockout stage. The third-place table determines eight more spots. Teams on 5 points are safe; those on 1-2 points face decisive final group matches.

Carlo Ancelotti takes on Brazil's 24-year World Cup wait, facing immense pressure, Neymar's polarizing return, and Vinícius Júnior's rise as the heir to the throne.

Lionel Messi tops the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings with five goals, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland on four. Messi also became the all-time leading World Cup scorer. Betting favorites favor Mbappé and Harry Kane, but the race remains wide open as the knockout phase approaches.

Lionel Messi scores his 17th World Cup goal against Austria, breaking Miroslav Klose's record of 16 and becoming the tournament's all-time top scorer at age 38.

Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck is out of the 2026 World Cup with a medial collateral ligament injury in his left ankle, suffered during the win over Ivory Coast. The defender will be sidelined for months, leaving a gap in the German defense.

Curacao scored its first World Cup goal in a 7-1 loss to Germany. The US, Mexico, and Canada impressed as hosts. Japan routed Tunisia 4-0.

Curaçao, the smallest nation by population in World Cup history, earned their first point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Goalkeeper Eloy Room's 15-save masterclass, witnessed by Dutch royalty, anchored a resilient defensive performance, shaking up Group E standings.

Ecuador and Curaçao face a must-win Group E match after both lost openers. Curaçao seeks redemption from Germany's 7-1 rout, while Ecuador aims to recover from defeat to Ivory Coast. A draw could eliminate one team.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup's expanded group stage is over, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout round. Key qualifiers include USA, Mexico, Germany, and Argentina. The bracket features group winners vs. third-place teams, with matches starting June 28.

USA, Mexico, Germany secure Round of 32 spots in 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosts dominate groups, with US winning 4-1 vs Paraguay and 2-0 vs Australia. Knockout stage begins June 28, final July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Germany face Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto at the 2026 World Cup. Joshua Kimmich revealed a venomous snake encounter in North Carolina, while fans marched through Toronto. Live coverage and streaming details available.

FIFA has changed the primary tiebreaker for the 2026 World Cup group stage from goal difference to head-to-head records, aligning with UEFA's standard. This shift, first trialed at the Club World Cup, allows teams like Mexico to secure top spot with a game to spare, creating dead rubbers that affect competitive balance.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi was initially denied entry to Canada for a World Cup match against Germany due to a spot-fixing investigation, but the Ivorian federation later reversed course, securing his travel clearance. The saga, linked to his arrest in France for organized fraud, creates tactical and psychological turmoil for the team.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada due to an active investigation into spot-fixing in Ligue 1, forcing him to miss Saturday's crucial World Cup match against Germany in Toronto. The 23-year-old was arrested on 29 May for alleged organised fraud.

Argentina aims to become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups, ending a 64-year drought. Lionel Messi, at 39, seeks a redemptive exit in the U.S., contrasting Diego Maradona's 1994 disgrace. The team balances an aging core with emerging talent in a tactical challenge to defend the title.

Chris Richards has declared himself fit for the USMNT’s World Cup opener against Paraguay, recovering from torn ankle ligaments in time to ease defensive concerns for coach Mauricio Pochettino.