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Preview: Unbeaten Brazil and Japan meet in the Round of 32
Brazil have reached the quarter-finals in each of the past eight World Cups, while Japan are targeting a third consecutive appearance in the Round of 16. By Filip Mishov The five-time world champions looking to avoid the Samurai’s sword in Houston Brazil have gradually improved along the way during the World Cup Group Stage, andContinue reading →
Preview: Netherlands and Morocco set for heavyweight clash in the Round of 32
One of the most enticing ties as the World Cup knockouts begin sees Netherlands face Morocco in Monterrey, with attacking talent on show for both sides making for a watchable and unpredictable encounter. By Karl Matchett Given how open the other side of the bracket looks, Morocco could perhaps be forgiven for wondering what mightContinue reading →
Preview: Formidable France ready for Swedish test in Round of 32
France’s procession through the group stages looked ominous for their rivals, but can they continue this run against a Sweden team who blew hot and cold? By Ian King France have been one of the strongest-looking teams so far As runners-up four years ago and winners eight years ago, France were talked up as potentialContinue reading →
Mexico banking on Azteca home advantage to progress at World Cup
There might not be another World Cup venue as iconic as the Estadio Azteca. This is, after all, where Diego Maradona produced the Hand of God before scoring the so-called Goal of the Century in the same game all the way back in 1986. It has hosted two World Cup finals and is once againContinue reading →
Preview: England prepare for Round of 32 date with DR Congo
England emerged from their group relatively unscathed, and they now embark upon the knockout phase of the competition against outsiders DR Congo. By Ian King DR Congo have already achieved a first by getting to the knockout stages With one reasonably swashbuckling performance followed by two considerably more workmanlike ones, England have had a mixedContinu
Preview: Co-hosts USMNT go up against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mauricio Pochettino’s US men’s national team face their first knockout match in a World Cup campaign that has so far exceeded expectations. By Graham Ruthven American dream So far, so good for the US men’s national team. Comfortable wins over Paraguay and Australia gave Mauricio Pochettino the luxury of resting all but one (Weston McKennie)Continue reading →
Preview: Spain meet Austria in Round of 32
Spain finished the group stage with back-to-back wins after failing to score against Cape Verde in their opener. By Ross Kilvington Spain topping Group H has set up a meeting with Austria, who finished second in Group J on goal difference. It’s the winners of Euro 2024 against potential tournament dark horses. Who progresses? Spain buildingContinue reading →
Preview: Heavyweights clash as Ronaldo’s Portugal face Modrić’s Croatia in Round of 32
Can Cristiano Ronaldo finally score a World Cup knockout goal or will Luka Modrić continue Croatia’s giant-killing streak? By Filip Mishov One legend destined for a bitter farewell Portugal’s underwhelming showing in the group stage heaped the pressure on Roberto Martínez‘s squad to deliver in the knockouts, as the Seleção only managed to defeat theContinue
Portugal’s midfield is their biggest puzzle at the World Cup – not Ronaldo’s involvement
Portugal have had their issues at the 2026 World Cup and many have been quick to highlight Cristiano Ronaldo as the biggest one. The 41-year-old has drawn a blank in two of his three appearances, offering little in the way of hold-up play or general involvement in his team’s possession game. Ronaldo certainly isn’t helpingContinue reading →
FotMob Profile: Johan Manzambi, Switzerland’s newest World Cup star
Every four years, the World Cup provides the stage for young players at the tournament to showcase their talents in a bid to seal a big money move. By Ross Kilvington We have seen it all before. El Hadji Diouf was Senegal’s talisman during their stunning run to the quarter-finals in 2002, going on toContinue reading →
Preview: Outsiders Australia and Egypt meet in the Round of 32
AFC representatives Australia face off against record AFCON winners Egypt in the World Cup Round of 32 in Dallas, as the latter look to continue making history. By Matt Smith Egypt recorded their first-ever World Cup victory in the group stages after beating New Zealand 3-1. Australia will be hoping to win a World CupContinue reading →
Argentina can take full advantage of helpful knockout path in pursuit of World Cup history
“There are no easy games” is an ingrained football cliché but Argentina will surely be rubbing their hands together after seeing the opportunity the World Cup knockout bracket has presented. By Jamie Spencer To be the best you invariably have to be beat the best. But sometimes you have to beat the best a littleContinue reading →
Preview: World Champions Argentina clash with Cape Verde, the fairytail story of the 2026 finals
Argentina were expected to reach the knockout stages with relative ease. Cape Verde, on the other hand, are the biggest surprise package of the tournament and reached this round thanks to three draws in Group H. By Ross Kilvington Argentina poised for more World Cup glory Lionel Scaloni’s side were one of only three teamsContinue reading →
Preview: Canada kick off the Round of 16 against Morocco
Co-hosts Canada face their biggest test of the 2026 World Cup so far against a formidable Moroccan side. By Graham Ruthven Home advantage (?) Canada have played their part as co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, making the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Unlike Mexico and the USA, though, Canada’s homeContinue reading →
Preview: Star-studded France take on surprise package Paraguay
Can Paraguay stop France’s all-out attack and continue their journey at the 2026 World Cup? By Filip Mishov Paraguay searching for a maiden win against France in Philadelphia Paraguay plunged Germany into a crisis when José Canale’s decisive penalty sent his side in to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2010Continue reading →
Preview: Sunday night Round of 16 clash between Brazil and Norway
Brazil and Norway go head-to-head in the World Cup Round of 16 in New York / New Jersey as they look to set up a quarter-final tie against Mexico or England. By Matt Smith Brazil scraped through against Japan in the previous round, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a 95th-minute winner to sink the opposition. ItContinue reading →
Preview: The Azteca plays host to Mexico and England’s Round of 16 clash
England will be taking on both altitude and an extremely hostile crowd as they take on co-hosts Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning (UK time). By Ian King Both England and Mexico laid ghosts to rest in their Round of 32 matches Well, they got over the line, but only just. Two lateContinue reading →
Preview: USMNT look to keep the dream alive against Belgium
Can the US men’s national team make their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002 by overcoming Belgium in Seattle? By Graham Ruthven American dream This is the match Mauricio Pochettino and his USA players have been planning for ever since the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss took over two years ago. InContinue reading →
Preview: Neighbours Portugal and Spain meet to decide quarter-finals place
Portugal and Spain head to Dallas in the World Cup round of 16 for the Iberian Derby, looking to book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. By Matt Smith These two sides have gone head-to-head countless times over the years, with their first meeting dating back to 1921. They’ve locked horns 41 timesContinue reading →
Preview: Defending champions Argentina face Egypt in Round of 16
Argentina and Egypt go head-to-head in the World Cup Last 16 on Tuesday as the reigning champions look to go one step further in retaining their title. By Matt Smith Lionel Scaloni‘s side were given a huge scare last time out after being taken to extra time by Cape Verde. It was undoubtedly Argentina’s poorestContinue reading →