Cape Verde Shatters Records With World Cup Knockout Run and Home Parade
Cape Verde became the smallest nation ever to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, celebrated with a homecoming parade in its capital.
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Knockout Stage
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France Fends Off Paraguay, Morocco Surges as World Cup Rankings Shift
After day 24 of the World Cup, France narrowly advance past Paraguay to retain top spot, while Morocco’s 3-0 win over Canada boosts them into serious title contention. The piece updates the 48-team rankings, hints at upcoming Brazil–Norway and Mexico–England clashes, and assesses which teams have solidified or altered their championship chances.
Ounahi double sends Morocco past Canada into World Cup quarterfinals
Morocco defeated co-host Canada 3-0 in Houston to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for a second straight edition, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice (including a 50th-minute strike) and Soufiane Rahimi sealing the win with a stoppage-time goal after a late surge.
France retakes FIFA No. 1 as World Cup knockout field forms
France reclaims the No. 1 spot in FIFA's world rankings as the 2026 World Cup reaches the Round of 16, overtaking Argentina which falls to No. 2; Spain is No. 3, England No. 4, Brazil No. 5, Morocco No. 6, Portugal No. 7, Belgium No. 9, Mexico No. 10, Colombia No. 11, Switzerland No. 15, the United States No. 16, Norway No. 21, Egypt No. 24, Canada No. 30 and Paraguay No. 34. Notably, the Netherlands were the only top-10 team not to advance to the knockout stage.
Left in the World Cup: a fresh take on the 16 teams still chasing glory
A concise ranking of the 16 teams remaining in the World Cup, highlighting France’s unbeaten form, Argentina led by Messi, and Brazil’s revival, while also noting the competitive mix of Morocco, Colombia, Mexico, England, Norway, the United States, Portugal, Switzerland, Egypt, Belgium, Canada and Paraguay with quick takes on each team’s strengths and what to expect next.
World Cup Round of 16: shocks, dream ties and the Golden Boot race
Predictions flow for the World Cup Round of 16, highlighting marquee ties such as Spain vs Portugal and Mexico vs England, potential shocks like the U.S. beating Belgium or Norway upsetting Brazil, the race for the Golden Boot between Messi and Mbappe, and debates on whether France can be stopped, with notes on host venues and the looming knockout path.
Argentina vs Cape Verde: Opta Stats Preview for 2026 World Cup Knockout
Opta’s live stats center previews the Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde, detailing their first-ever meeting, Argentina’s 7-game winning streak against African opponents, Cape Verde’s knockout debut against the defending champions, and Lionel Messi’s strong knockout-stage scoring/assisting run, with pre-match facts and in-depth Opta stats available for analysis.
Salah Starts as Egypt Face Australia in World Cup 2026 Knockout Clash
Mohamed Salah starts for Egypt against Australia in the 2026 World Cup last-32 clash as Australia name the same XI; Salah could equal Egypt’s all-time scoring record, and both sides chase their first knockout-win in this milestone showdown.
World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Takes Shape as Argentina, Australia and Colombia Await Knockouts
The final Round of 32 day decides three more Round of 16 spots: Australia vs Egypt in Dallas, Argentina vs Cape Verde in Miami, and Colombia vs Ghana in Kansas City. Opta simulations show Argentina as heavy favourites over Cape Verde (81.0% win), with Cape Verde at 6.8% and 12.3% draw; Australia vs Egypt is tighter (Egypt 38.6%, Australia 30.4%, 31% draw); Colombia are favoured over Ghana (64.8% win, 13.8% Ghana, 21.4% draw). Twelve teams have advanced to the Round of 16: Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco, Norway, France, Mexico, England, United States, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, with several CAF sides eliminated. Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match as Portugal beat Croatia, and the Round of 16 schedule runs July 4–7, featuring matchups such as Canada vs Morocco and Paraguay vs France among others.
Spain cruise into last 16 with Oyarzabal brace as Yamal dazzles
Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles to advance to the World Cup last 16, ending a knockout-stage win drought since 2010. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added a late header, with Cucurella and Baena providing assists; Lamine Yamal created multiple chances and showed standout dribbling, while Austria failed to register a shot on target.
Kane's late double sends England through after Congo fightback
Harry Kane struck twice late as England recovered from an early Congo lead to win 2-1 and book a Round of 16 date with Mexico in the World Cup, with Congo pressing for a stoppage-time equaliser but England narrowly held on.
USMNT Faces Historic Knockout Push After Group D Triumph
The USMNT topped Group D and advances to the World Cup knockout rounds on home soil, riding strong group-stage wins and a surge of American soccer fever. Coach Mauricio Pochettino stays bullish about turning momentum into a historic run, starting with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16, with potential big-match showdowns looming against Senegal, Belgium, Spain or Portugal.
France Still Leads as World Cup Rankings Hit a Post-Day-20 Shake-Up
France remains No. 1 in The Athletic’s post-day-20 World Cup rankings, with Argentina and Brazil close behind and Spain and England rounding out the top five. Mexico vaults to sixth after a perfect group run and a first knockout win in 40 years, while the United States and Canada sit in the mix as hosts pushing toward the knockouts. Norway reach the last 16, Cape Verde make history by advancing, and a flurry of movements reshapes the table across the 48-team field as Round of 16 approaches, with notable drops for teams like the Netherlands and Germany and several big-match previews to come.
World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Heats Up: Predictions, Advancements and Surprises
The World Cup 2026 knockout phase is intensifying as England, Argentina and Belgium face tough last-32 tests while smaller nations chase upsets. Opta’s simulations project England and USA as favorites in key matches, and several teams have already reached the round of 16 (Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco, Norway, France, Mexico) with others eliminated (South Africa, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador). The piece also covers Argentina’s cautious outlook against Cape Verde, Cape Verde’s president’s bold optimism, Mexico’s run to the ‘el quinto partido’, Mbappe’s record milestones for France, plus side stories on tipping culture in the US, Koeman’s resignation in the Netherlands, Ecuador’s FIFA complaint, and a Ghanaian spiritualist’s Cape Verde upset prediction, all alongside a bracket update.
Haaland’s late strike sends Norway past Ivory Coast into World Cup last-16 against Brazil
Erling Haaland hit the late winner as Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32, booking a last-16 meeting with Brazil; Amad Diallo equalised after Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead, with Martin Ødegaard providing the assist for Nusa’s opener; Haaland’s 86th-minute finish sealed Norway’s first knockout win at the World Cup.