Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to engage in “mind games” ahead of the round of 32 clash with Japan on Monday. The Seleção take on Japan in one of the more evenly matched first knockout ties on paper. Both sides went unbeaten in the groups, with Brazil drawing 1-1 with Morocco, before beating Haiti and Scotland 3-0 to qualify top of Group C. Japan, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with the Netherlands,…
BOSTON, Mass — Julian Nagelsmann said Paraguay are an “uncomfortable” opponent for Germany in the round of 32 and believes his team will need a “perfect” performance to get through. Germany are set to play their first World Cup knockout tie for 12 years in Boston on Monday. Nagelsmann branded the game “do or die” but backed his players to bounce back from their group stage defeat to Ecuador. “They…
HOUSTON — For the third consecutive game — and arguably their biggest ever at the FIFA World Cup — Japan will be without key playmaker Takefusa Kubo for Monday’s massive round-of-32 meeting with Brazil. But having seen his side get this far even without the Real Sociedad star, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu is optimistic his charges can still pull off what most would view as a huge upset — and…
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The word hero gets thrown around a lot in the world of sports. After Canada beat South Africa to win its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match and advance to the round of 16, head coach Jesse Marsch didn’t hesitate to use that word in describing his team. Marsch was overheard on the broadcast talking to his players on the field after Stephen Eustáquio‘s 92nd-minute volley gave…
Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell revealed he had applicants for Scotland’s head-coach position just hours after Steve Clarke departed the post following the nation’s 2026 World Cup exit. The Scots took three points from the available nine in Group C to end up behind Brazil and Morocco, and with a minus-three goal difference. However, it was not enough to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams…
ALAMEDA, California – 18-year-old phenom Lucas Herrington says he’s staying locked in on the Socceroos’ looming Round of 32 clash with Egypt, and not the reported interest of some of the world’s biggest clubs. Making his first World Cup appearance in Australia’s knockout-stage sealing 0-0 draw with Paraguay last Thursday – becoming the youngest ever player to start for the Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup – Herrington was characteristically…
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Stephen Eustáquio scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday for its first knockout match victory in a World Cup and a first-ever appearance in the round of 16. A tense match at SoFi Stadium appeared to be headed for extra time until Eustáquio, who plays professionally for LAFC several miles away, put a stunning volley from outside…
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…