AF WC Roundup: Dembele hits 3rd WC hat-trick vs Norway; Uruguay knocked out by Spain

Welcome to the All-New AF World Cup Roundup, your One-Stop Destination for World Cup News & Updates.

Match Highlights

Norway 1-4 France: Dembélé scores hat‑trick against heavily‑rotated Norway to seal top spot

Ousmane Dembele scored the second-earliest hat-trick in World Cup history as France defeated Norway 4-1 to ensure they finished top of Group I.

Senegal 5-0 Iraq: Teranga Lions claim a big win but their qualification not secured yet

Senegal boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup after thumping 10-man Iraq 5-0 at Toronto Stadium in their final Group I clash. 

Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia: A winning draw levitates Cape Verde to QUALIFY for the Round of 32

Game is over and the final score is Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia. Here is the match report.

Uruguay 0-1 Spain: Baena's goal in the 1st half sends Uruguay OUT of the Knockouts

Spain remains invincible after defeating Uruguay, while Uruguay, with 5 offsides, 3 yellow cards and 1 red card, failed to grab a single win and OUT from this year's tournament.

Egypt 1-1 Iran: The Pharaohs qualify as late-minute goal from Iran disallowed

Drama-laden draw leaves Iran in limbo as Egypt set up last-32 clash with Australia.

New Zealand 1-5 Belgium: Red Devils come back to top of the group by thrashing their opponents

Leandro Trossard starred with a double before Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku added further gloss as Belgium thumped New Zealand 5-1 to seal top spot in Group G.

Key Stats Board

Cape Verde becomes smallest nation by area and population to reach WC Knockouts

After the latest group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded, Cape Verde made a phenomenal history – they became the smallest country by land area and population to reach the knockout stage in FIFA World Cup history. With Curaçao's elimination, this record was officially set.

Uruguay finishes 3rd in group, out of World Cup in group stage two times in a row

On June 27th, in the final round of the FIFA World Cup group stage, Uruguay lost 0-1 to Spain, accumulating only 2 points from three group matches. They are confirmed to finish third in their group and 11th among 12 3rd-placed teams, thus failing to advance.

Muslera becomes 1st goalkeeper to concede 3 goals from errors in a single World Cup match

In the group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay played against Spain. In the first half, Uruguay's goalkeeper Muslera made a critical error, becoming the first goalkeeper since records began to concede three goals caused by his own mistakes in a single FIFA World Cup.

2026 World Cup sees most hat-tricks since 1986, with three so far

In the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Dembele scored a hat-trick in the match between France and Norway. This was the third hat-trick of this FIFA World Cup, following hat-tricks by Messi and Davies.

Mbappé becomes the youngest player to start 15 World Cup matches at 27 years & 188 days

In the third round of the FIFA World Cup group stage, France faced Norway, with French star Mbappé starting.

Norway rotate 10 players against France, ties for second-most rotation in World Cup history

Norway announced its starting lineup for the final FIFA World Cup group stage match against France. With qualification already secured, Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken rotated 10 players, including benching stars Haaland and Ødegaard.

Dembele first to score World Cup first-half hat-trick since Salenko in 1994

In the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France faced Norway. In the first half, Dembele scored three goals, becoming the first player in 32 years to achieve a hat-trick in the first half of a FIFA World Cup match.

De Bruyne has become the first player in Belgium's history to score in THREE different WorldCup

In the 3rd round of group stage facing New Zealand, De Bruyne scores for Belgium and thus achieves a record.

Trossard scores first major tournament goal in World Cup match against New Zealand

On June 27, in the third round of the FIFA World Cup group stage, Belgium lead New Zealand 1-0. In this match, Trossard scored his first major tournament goal for the national team.

Standings

Third-Place Scenarios: Three spots remain; Iran & South Korea need Uzbekistan, Ghana favors Scotland

Only three spots from the final matchday of the FIFA World Cup group stage remain up for grabs. Currently, Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, and Senegal have secured qualification as the best third-placed teams.

World Cup Round of 32: Australia vs. Egypt; winner could face Argentina

The FIFA World Cup group stage for Group G has concluded, with Egypt finishing in second place (G2) and set to face Australia, the runner-up from Group D (D2), in the Round of 32.

These things happen

Here we go! Romano: AC Milan to sign Gonçalo Ramos from PSG for over €70m fee

Here we go! Romano: AC milan to sign Gonçalo Ramos from PSG for record-breaking €50m

Romano: Como complete permanent signing of Paz, Real Madrid retain buy-back clause

Here we go! Romano: Como complete permanent signing of 21-year-old Paz, Real Madrid retain buy-back clause

Marca: Yeremy Pino suffers suspected collarbone fracture, could miss remainder of World Cup

According to Marca, Yeremy Pino is suspected to have suffered a serious collarbone injury and may miss the rest of the FIFA World Cup.

Arsenal to make second approach for Guimaraes after being told Newcastle star was NOT for sale

Arsenal are preparing a second approach to Newcastle for captain Bruno Guimaraes.

Man Utd get approval for £255m spending spree with transfer targets in favour of move

Manchester United are expected to be increasingly busy in the summer transfer window, with four players highlighted as the most obvious solutions in a potential £255m spend

Arsenal, Reds, Man Utd & Spurs transfers: How Elliot deal could affect midfielder market this summer

Elliot Anderson's imminent £116m transfer to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest is expected to have a knock-on effect for other deals for midfielders in the transfer window.

Newcastle interested in Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha as Arsenal explore Bruno Guimaraes transfer

Newcastle are interested in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, Sky Sport News can exclusively reveal, as Arsenal see an informal proposal for Magpies captain Bruno Guimaraes rejected.

What They Say

Bielsa: We should have gotten 7 points; Valverde substitution was to strengthen the attack

After a 0-1 loss to Spain in the final group stage match, Bielsa's Uruguay concluded their World Cup campaign. At the post-match press conference, he stated that substituting Valverde was to strengthen the attack.

Ghanaian witch doctor: the World Cup belongs to Ronaldo and Portugal; Turkey was accidentally cursed

According to AS, Ghanaian witch doctor Nana Kwaku Bonsam has made a new prediction about the FIFA World Cup.

Diogo Costa: Colombia might not sit deep defensively; we'll fight for the win

At 23:30 UTC on June 28, Portugal will face Colombia in their final World Cup group-stage match. Ahead of the match, Diogo Costa spoke to the media.

De la Fuente: Yeremi Pino is in severe pain, may miss the World Cup

Thanks to Baena's goal, Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 in the final round of the World Cup group stage, securing first place in the group. Head coach De la Fuente commented on the team's performance after the match.

Man Utd CEO Berrada: Amorim's problem was not tactics or players, but stubbornness

Berrada believes that the root cause of Amorim's coaching failure at Man United was his overly rigid tactical thinking and inability to adapt flexibly.

Pedri: Only Messi can do what he does at his age

Pedri has hailed his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, saying he is the only player capable of doing the things he can at his age.

Anderson and Rodri would be 'formidable' Man City partnership, says Carragher

Elliot Anderson will forge a "formidable" Manchester City midfield alongside Rodri if he completes his widely anticipated move from Nottingham Forest, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Fixtures of the Day

World Cup

Panama VS England 2026/06/27 21:00 UTC

Croatia VS Ghana 2026/06/27 21:00 UTC

Colombia VS Portugal 2026/06/27 23:30 UTC

Congo DR VS Uzbekistan 2026/06/27 23:30 UTC

Jordan VS Argentina 2026/06/28 02:00 UTC

Algeria VS Austria 2026/06/28 02:00 UTC