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…
ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute of Argentina’s World Cup group stage finale against Jordan, celebrating his return with a stunning free kick to seal a 3-1 victory for the reigning champions, who had already wrapped up first place in the group. The Argentina captain’s strike extended his record as the highest goalscorer in men’s World Cup history with 19 goals. It also…
Austria and Algeria played to a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday night in what amounted to a win-win result in their World Cup group-stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament. The game was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if they were content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about…
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said it would be “childish” to compare Cristiano Ronaldo‘s needs with those of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland after insisting that his forward is “mentally and physically” able to play every minute of the team’s World Cup campaign. Ronaldo completed the full 90 minutes of Portugal’s 0-0 draw with Colombia on Saturday, ensuring that the 41-year-old has played all 270 minutes of…