AF WC Roundup: World Cup Round of 32 lineup officially set

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Match Highlights

Colombia 0-0 Portugal: Both sides cannot break the deadlock as Portugal finish as 2nd

Colombia secured top spot in Group K despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Portugal in an entertaining World Cup clash.

Jordan 1-3 Argentina: Messi continues to create top scorer record as Lautaro scores his 1st WC goal

Lionel Messi made more World Cup history as his 80th-minute free-kick helped Argentina maintain their perfect Group J record with a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Dallas Stadium. 

Croatia 2-1 Ghana: Vlasic's late winner sends Blazers through to the knock-outs

Luka Modric has become the oldest player to record an assist at the World Cup as Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 to finish second in Group L.

Panama 0-2 England: Bellingham the difference-maker leads Three Lions qualify as group winners

Harry Kane became England's all-time leading scorer at the World Cup as he helped them to a 2-0 victory over Panama to secure top spot in Group L.

Congo DR 3-1 Uzbekistan: Wissa's brace sees qualification with a comeback win

Yoane Wissa scored a brace as DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 at Atlanta Stadium and clinch a third-place finish in Group K that sent them into the round of 32.

Algeria 3-3 Austria: Extreme last-minute drama as both sides advance with Iran eliminated

Game is over and the final score is Algeria 3-3 Austria. Here is the match report.

Key Stats Board

World Cup eliminations by continent: 7 Asian teams out, South America & Africa lose 1 each

The FIFA World Cup group stage has concluded, with 16 out of 48 teams eliminated. Asia had the most with 7 teams, while all North American teams except the three hosts were eliminated. Europe lost three teams, and South America and Africa each lost one.

Epic drama! Iran experienced surprises and despairs, only to fall again after 150 seconds

In the final round of Group J of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup group stage, the match between Algeria and Austria witnessed a rollercoaster plot.

World Cup group stage top scorers: Messi leads with 6 Goals, Mbappé & others tie for 2nd with 4

All group stage matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cuphave concluded. Lionel Messi leads the goalscorers' chart with 6 goals, while Dembélé, Mbappé, Haaland, and Vinícius are tied for second place with 4 goals each.

Messi scores free kick against Jordan & becomes 1st player to score in seven consecutive WC matches

In the final group stage match of the FIFA World Cup against Jordan, Messi's direct free-kick goal helped Argentina extend their lead to 3-1.

Kane becomes England's all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals, surpassing Lineker

In a 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match, England faced Panama. In the second half, Kane scored to extend England's lead and surpass Lineker, reaching 11 goals to become England's sole top scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

Argentina becomes fourth team in World Cup history to score two direct free-kicks in a single match

In the FIFA World Cup group stage match against Jordan, Argentina scored 2 direct free-kicks. According to statistics, Argentina became the fourth team in FIFA World Cup history to score 2 direct free-kicks in a single match.

Modrić becomes the oldest player to assist in World Cup at 40 years & 291 days

In the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, Croatia faced Ghana, and Modrić provided an assist in the second half, becoming the oldest player to provide an assist in FIFA World Cup history.

Vitinha sets World Cup record with 54 perfect passes in draw against Colombia

In the final Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal drew 0-0 with Colombia, but midfielder Vitinha made history with a perfect passing performance.

Lautaro breaks through with first World Cup goal

Lautaro scored a penalty in the FIFA World Cup group stage match against Jordan, marking his first goal at the tournament.

Henderson becomes first English player to feature in four World Cups and seven major tournaments

In the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, England defeated Panama 2-0. Jordan Henderson came on as a substitute in the second half, becoming the first English player to participate in seven major international tournaments and the first to play in four FIFA World Cups.

Standings

Matchups of the World Cup Round of 32: Brazil vs Japan, Portugal vs Croatia, Argentina vs Cape Verde

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded. After 17 matchdays of competition, all the matchups among the 32 teams have been determined.

These things happen

All 18 of Lionel Messi's World Cup goals RANKED after legend broke Miroslav Klose's record

It was six World Cups ago that a fresh-faced Leo Messi announced himself on the biggest stage with a debut goal against Serbia and Montenegro aged just 17.

Steve Clarke steps down as Scotland boss after World Cup elimination confirmed

Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland head coach after his side's World Cup exit was finally confirmed.

Cody Gakpo's girlfriend announces loss of unborn son on social media

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo's girlfriend announced on social media that their unborn son had passed away during pregnancy.

Chelsea interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Xhaka to reunite him with Alonso

Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Arsenal 'to launch second Bruno Guimaraes bid' with Newcastle transfer stance clear

Arsenal are interested in signing Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and are preparing a second bid for the Brazil international after Newcastle's initial rejection

Cody Gakpo to stay with Netherlands squad at World Cup after loss of unborn son

Cody Gakpo will stay with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup following the loss of his unborn son.

France star hits back over Ousmane Dembele after breathtaking World Cup hat-trick

The last time France won all three of their group matches, they ended up World Cup champions (1998). Top spot in Group I is secured, a Round of 32 showdown with Sweden beckons in New Jersey and boss Didier Deschamps is poised to rejoin the squad following the passing of his mother.

Man UTd are left sweating over severity of Manuel Ugarte's World Cup injury

Manchester United are anxiously waiting for news on Manuel Ugarte's knee injury after the Uruguay midfielder was stretchered off in their defeat to Spain in Guadalajara.

Di Marzio: Como offers €25M + €2M for Chalobah, Chelsea demands €35M

According to transfer expert Di Marzio, Como has offered Chelsea €25 million plus €2 million in add-ons for defender Trevoh Chalobah, while Chelsea is demanding €35 million.

Man City sign youngster Detourbet from Troyes

Manchester City have signed Mathys Detourbet from Troyes, the French club have announced.

What They Say

James praises Ronaldo's physical condition at 41: "He's a great athlete"

According to Olé, James praised Ronaldo following Colombia's 0-0 draw with Portugal.

Ibrahimovic: Cape Verde's story is moving on; Fans love underdogs creating surprises

Cape Verde drew all three group stage matches, finishing with 3 points and ultimately surpassing Uruguay to rank second in the group. They made history by directly advancing to the knockout stage in their first FIFA World Cup appearance. Ibrahimovic stated that Cape Verde's story is deeply moving and, compared to strong teams like France winning all three matches, audiences prefer to see smaller nations create surprises.

Henry: This World Cup offers more opportunities; African teams' success is gratifying

In a FIFA World Cup group stage match that just concluded, DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1, securing their first FIFA World Cup victory and advancing to the knockout stage for the first time. African teams have performed exceptionally well in this FIFA World Cup, and French legend Thierry Henry stated that it is gratifying to see African teams achieve strong results.

Leão: Strong teams must learn to handle pressure, it will help us progress further

In the final Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal drew 0-0 with Colombia. After the match, in an interview with Sport TV, Leão discussed the team's difficulty in converting chances and stated that Portugal's ability to withstand pressure in tough moments could prove crucial in their World Cup campaign.

Suarez: I prefer Kane over Haaland

Luis Suarez revealed he prefers Harry Kane over Erling Haaland as a striker as the Bayern Munich forward "understands the game differently".

Ibrahimovic: Bellingham and Kane stepped up today, but the real test hasn't come yet

In the World Cup group stage, England defeated Panama 2-0. After the match, Fox Sports commentator Ibrahimovic commented on England's performance, but he mistakenly mentioned Italy.

Ji-sung Park: We spent 10 years learning how to play in the World Cup, then forgot it all

Following DR Congo's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, South Korea has been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup knockout stage. Former South Korean star Park Ji-sung commented on the disappointing result.

'Nobody could see that coming' – Tuchel defends full-back selections after James injury

Thomas Tuchel has defended his squad selection despite Reece James' injury depriving England of their first-choice right-back.

England's Toney: I bring more than just penalties

Ivan Toney wants to offer more to England at the World Cup than just being a penalty specialist.

Iraq must be proud of World Cup journey, says Arnold

Graham Arnold insists Iraq must look back at their World Cup campaign with pride, despite losing all of their matches.

Fixtures of the Day

World Cup Round of 32

South Africa vs Canada 2026/06/28 19:00 UTC