IRVINE, Calif. — United States forward Folarin Balogun said he can “feel the difference” in the atmosphere around the World Cup now that the knockout stages have begun. After finishing atop Group D, the U.S. is set to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, in the round of 32. Whereas in the group stage teams can survive a poor result, that isn’t the case now that the tournament…
South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo resigned on Sunday, a day after the team’s quick elimination from the World Cup and following heavy criticism from the country’s president. South Korea won its opening match against Czechia, then lost its next two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico. South Korea hoped it would qualify for the next round as one of the third-place teams to advance in this year’s expanded…
Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury in his final World Cup group stage match against Spain, Manchester United have confirmed. The 25-year-old was stretchered off the pitch, visibly in pain, in the first half of Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat. Assessment into the extent of the injury is still underway, with the full timescale of his return unknown. United said in a statement: “Assessment of the injury is ongoing…
Star-powered France and Argentina, which both made it through the World Cup group stage with three wins, top the championship odds board as the tournament moves into the knockout stage, while the United States’ positive momentum will have sportsbooks sweating more with each game it wins. France is the favorite to win the World Cup at +350, followed closely by reigning champion Argentina at +430, according to DraftKings odds as…
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has criticised the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, expressing his fear that the move risks turning it into a “vulgar, ordinary competition.” The Portuguese coach spoke at a news conference after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Saturday, a result which meant the Black Stars qualified for the knockout stage as one of the group stage’s eight best third-placed teams. “I do believe…
Jürgen Klopp has backed Andoni Iraola to succeed at Anfield, but noted that if his former club and its new head coach are to form a long-term successful partnership, they will need some good fortune along the way. Klopp enjoyed a trophy-laden nine years in charge of Liverpool, delivering the club’s sixth Champions League and ending their long wait for a Premier League title before announcing his shock resignation during…
Jürgen Klopp has told ESPN he believes Mauricio Pochettino’s United States are the best version of the national team in the country’s history. The USMNT have captured hearts and minds across the U.S. thanks to their impressive victories over Paraguay and Australia during the group stage. Pochettino’s team face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 in Santa Clara on July 1. While the U.S. reached the semifinals in…
Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is worried about England‘s right-back situation heading into the World Cup knockout phase after Reece James‘ replacement Jarell Quansah limped off against Panama. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane struck in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against the already-eliminated Central American side at MetLife Stadium, setting up a round-of-32 tie against Congo DR in Atlanta on Wednesday. But England head to Georgia dealing with an injury headache, with…
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players not to underestimate round of 32 opponent Cape Verde. Scaloni’s star-studded team will face the island nation after they became the smallest country by population to ever make the knockout stage of a men’s World Cup. Cape Verde finished second in Group H behind Spain but above Saudi Arabia and two-time World Cup winners Uruguay. “Cape Verde didn’t surprise me, because…
ATLANTA — Africa had a historic 10 nations qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After Congo’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and Algeria‘s stunning 3-3 draw against Austria on Saturday night, nine are headed to the knockout stage. The previous record was two. After 17 days of competition, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo and Algeria qualified for the round of 32. Morocco was the first…