Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen says the team's defence is among the best in the world as they target the 2026 World Cup, with a mathematical model predicting victory over Portugal in the final.

Tunisia reached the 2026 World Cup with a perfect clean-sheet record in qualifying, but behind the scenes, three coaches came and went. The Eagles of Carthage face a paradox of solid defense versus turbulent management.

Japan scored a late winner against Iceland, who were reduced to 10 men due to a time-limited substitution infraction under a new rule debuting at the 2026 World Cup.

Uncapped at World Cup level, Sunderland's Nilson Angulo joins Ecuador's 2026 squad featuring stars Caicedo, Hincapie and Valencia.