South Korea’s national football coach Hong Myung-bo is facing an official investigation following the team’s early exit from the World Cup. The team failed to advance beyond the group stage after consecutive losses to Mexico and South Africa, finishing third in Group A. The disappointing performance triggered widespread criticism across the country, with President Lee ordering a probe into alleged favoritism in team selection and coaching appointments.

In a message on social media platform X, President Lee expressed shock over the team’s elimination and questioned the integrity of the selection process. He directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct a thorough investigation and identify weaknesses in the team’s management system. The president also called for reforms to prevent similar failures in the future.

Public frustration has intensified, with a petition demanding the coach’s dismissal quickly gaining support on the National Assembly’s website. Images of posters banning Coach Hong from entering shops and businesses have circulated widely, reflecting growing anger among South Korean football fans.

Iran has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite remaining unbeaten in all three group-stage matches. The team, led by coach Amir Ghalenoei, faced a series of off-field challenges including visa denials for officials, disrupted training plans, and severe travel restrictions. They arrived at one match venue only 16 hours before kickoff, yet FIFA made no formal protest. Two of Iran’s goals were disallowed by VAR, including a controversial stoppage-time strike against Egypt that could have changed group standings.

FIFA’s earlier commitment to ensure equal access for all teams was questioned after its president, Gianni Infantino, said the organization was “not the king of the world.” Many observers viewed this as a moral failure to guarantee fairness. Iran’s elimination was sealed when Austria and Algeria drew 3–3, leaving Iran out of the knockout stage despite three draws.

In their farewell message, Iran’s players emphasized peace, coexistence, and respect, rejecting anger despite adversity. Captain Mehdi Taremi and coach Ghalenoei both called for keeping politics out of football and ensuring no team faces such institutional bias again.

Iran’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup for the first time ended in heartbreak. Despite drawing all three of their Group G matches and earning three points, the Asian side failed to advance. Belgium topped the group with five points, while Egypt also collected five points and progressed on goal difference. Iran’s final match against Egypt ended 1-1, but a stoppage-time goal that could have secured victory was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside.

Iran’s fate then depended on the result of the Group J match between Algeria and Austria. A win for either side would have allowed Iran to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. The match ended 3-3 after Austria equalized deep into stoppage time, ensuring both teams advanced and eliminating Iran. Within two days, Iran’s campaign collapsed due to a VAR ruling and a late goal in another group.

The team’s competitive performances were overshadowed by misfortune, leaving Iran to exit the tournament despite coming close to a historic breakthrough.

Argentina concluded their World Cup group stage campaign unbeaten after a 3-1 victory over Jordan in Group J. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s side dominated early, scoring twice in the first half through Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez. Captain Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half and sealed the win with a free-kick goal in the 80th minute at the Dallas Stadium.

Messi’s goal marked a historic milestone as he became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, surpassing France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho. Playing in his record sixth World Cup, Messi now has six goals in the current tournament and 19 overall in World Cup history. Scaloni made nine changes to the starting lineup to test squad depth before the knockout stage.

With this commanding performance, defending champions Argentina advance to the knockout rounds as group leaders and remain one of the favorites for the title.

Lionel Messi reached another milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring in Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan in Dallas. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, Messi netted a free-kick in the 83rd minute, marking his seventh consecutive World Cup match with a goal. According to international statistical sources, no player in World Cup history had previously achieved such a scoring streak.

Messi’s run began in the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup, where he scored against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France. He continued the streak in the 2026 tournament with goals against Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. The Argentine captain’s consistency has become a hallmark of his two-decade international career, with each World Cup adding new records to his name.

Argentina completed the group stage with a perfect record, advancing to the knockout rounds. Messi now enters the next phase of the tournament as the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, raising anticipation about how far he can extend this record.

Colombia and Portugal played out a highly entertaining goalless draw in their World Cup group stage match, ensuring both teams advanced to the round of 32. The match, held amid a vibrant atmosphere with strong Colombian support in South Florida, saw Colombia top Group K while Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, finished as runners-up. Despite the lack of goals, the contest was marked by relentless attacking play and intensity from both sides.

Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, while midfielders James Rodríguez and Bruno Fernandes dictated the tempo, driving their teams forward in a match that featured 37 total shots, including a record 24 attempts by Colombia. Rodríguez, playing his 11th World Cup match, impressed with 38 successful passes in the final third and received a standing ovation when substituted.

Colombia will face Ghana in Kansas City on July 4, while Portugal will meet Croatia on July 3 after one day less of rest. Both teams are seen as potential threats in the knockout stage following their strong performances.

Croatia confirmed their place in the Round of 32 at the World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ghana in Philadelphia. The 2018 runners-up took the lead in the 31st minute through Petar Sucic’s low strike from outside the box. Ghana equalized in the 73rd minute when Derrick Lukasen volleyed home after a free-kick from Ernest Nuamah was reviewed and confirmed by VAR. However, Nikola Vlasic’s header from a Luka Modric corner in the 83rd minute sealed Croatia’s win.

The match saw Croatia dominate possession early, while Ghana improved significantly after halftime, creating sustained pressure. Despite Ghana’s late efforts, including Abdul Fatawu’s missed chance in stoppage time, Croatia held on for victory. The result made Croatia the Group L runners-up with six points from three matches.

In the group’s other match, England beat Panama 2-0 to top the group with seven points. Ghana finished third with four points but advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, while Panama exited the tournament with one point.

England defeated Panama 2–0 in their final Group L match at the New Jersey Stadium, ensuring they advanced to the Round of 32 as group leaders. Despite already qualifying for the knockout stage, Thomas Tuchel’s team needed a win to confirm first place. Panama’s strong defense frustrated England in the first half, but Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored in the second half to seal the victory.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with a side volley from Bukayo Saka’s corner. Panama missed a golden chance to equalize shortly after, and England captain Kane doubled the lead five minutes later with a header from Bellingham’s cross. The goal made Kane England’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 11 goals, surpassing Gary Lineker’s record. Bellingham, aged 22 years and 363 days, also became the youngest English player since 1966 to score and assist in the same World Cup match.

England finished the group stage with seven points, while Panama exited the tournament without scoring a goal, becoming the first team in 16 years to leave a World Cup goalless.

Uruguay’s national football team has been eliminated from the World Cup after losing 1–0 to Spain in a decisive group-stage match. Reports from ESPN and local outlet El Espectador indicate that senior players, including Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, were furious with coach Marcelo Bielsa and demanded his resignation before the match. Following the defeat, Bielsa accepted full responsibility, saying he had failed to deliver results and that his contribution to Uruguayan football was meaningless without success.

According to the reports, Bielsa’s strict training methods and tactical rigidity caused deep divisions within the squad. Senior players blamed his intense physical drills for multiple injuries and opposed his insistence on high-intensity man-to-man pressing, preferring a defensive low-block strategy against Spain. In a 48-minute emergency meeting before the match, Bielsa accused some players of trying to oust him and admitted selecting injured players out of loyalty.

The internal conflict and subsequent defeat have left Uruguayan fans deeply concerned as the team exits the tournament at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.

The United States has announced plans to bid for hosting the 2038 FIFA World Cup as a single nation, following its role as the main host of the 2026 tournament shared with Mexico and Canada. Andrew Gi­liano, executive director of the White House World Cup Taskforce, indicated in an interview with the BBC that the U.S. aims to bring the world’s biggest football event back to its soil within the next decade. The 2026 edition features 104 matches, 78 of which are being held in the U.S., despite debates over ticket prices and visa issues.

FIFA is considering expanding the number of participating teams from 48 to 64 by 2030, and Gi­liano argued that no country is better equipped than the U.S. to handle such a large-scale event. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole host for 2034. The U.S. bid for 2038 is expected to begin after those tournaments.

FIFA’s commercial interest in the U.S. market remains strong, supported by existing infrastructure and positive fan response, which have encouraged early preparations for another major hosting opportunity.

Five additional teams have confirmed their places in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before the group stage concludes. Following the completion of Group H matches, Portugal, England, Ghana, Egypt, and Paraguay have all secured progression to the knockout stage. Spain topped Group H with seven points, while debutant Cape Verde made history by qualifying as runners-up with three points after three draws. Uruguay, a two-time world champion, was eliminated following a 1–0 defeat to Spain, and Saudi Arabia also exited after a goalless draw with Cape Verde.

The eliminations of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia clarified the standings across other groups, ensuring qualification for teams with four points, including Portugal, England, Ghana, and Egypt. Each still has one group match remaining but is guaranteed at least a best third-place finish. Paraguay, having completed all three group matches, advanced from Group D with four points after a goalless draw against Australia.

Cape Verde’s qualification with only three points stands out as one of the biggest surprises of the new 48-team World Cup format, while teams like South Korea, Scotland, and Senegal remain in contention depending on other results.

Argentina have already confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup as Group J champions, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to rest captain Lionel Messi for their final group match against Jordan. The match will take place on Sunday, June 28, at 8 a.m. Bangladesh time in Dallas Stadium. Scaloni confirmed in a pre-match press conference that Messi will not start but may come on as a substitute during the game.

Argentina lead the group with six points from two consecutive wins, making it impossible for any other team to overtake them. Jordan have already been eliminated from the tournament. Scaloni emphasized that his team selection for the Jordan match has no connection to potential opponents in the next round, where Argentina will face the runner-up from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.

Scaloni stated that resting Messi is part of a strategy to keep him fresh for the knockout stage, where the real challenge of the World Cup begins and every mistake could mean elimination.

Cape Verde has made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by advancing to the knockout stage in its debut appearance. The African island nation secured its place among the last 32 after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in its final Group H match. Spain topped the group with seven points after defeating Uruguay 1–0, while Cape Verde finished second with three points from three consecutive draws. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia were eliminated with two points each.

Argentina, the reigning world champion, had already secured first place in its group and will now face Cape Verde in the round of 32. The match is scheduled for July 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, marking the first-ever meeting between the two teams in World Cup history.

If Argentina wins, it will advance to the round of 16 to face the winner between the runners-up of Groups D and G. Cape Verde’s remarkable debut run has drawn global attention, and the team now faces the challenge of continuing its fairytale journey against one of football’s strongest sides.

Senegal delivered a dominant performance to stay in contention for the World Cup knockout stage, defeating Iraq 5–0 in their final Group I match at Toronto Stadium. The African side needed a big-margin win to remain in the race and achieved it convincingly. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a deflected header, marking Senegal’s fastest World Cup goal. Iraq’s Rabin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute after a VAR review for denying a clear scoring chance, forcing Iraq to play with ten men for most of the match.

Senegal controlled the game but failed to add more goals before halftime. The second half saw a surge in attack, with Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, Pape Thiaw, and Iliman Ndiaye all finding the net. The victory lifted Senegal to fifth among third-placed teams, keeping their knockout hopes alive, though their qualification now depends on results from other groups.

Iraq, meanwhile, ended their campaign without a point after three consecutive defeats, exiting the tournament at the group stage.

As the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its end, 18 teams have already secured their places in the Round of 32 under the tournament’s new 48-team format. From 12 groups, the top two teams and the eight best third-placed sides advance to the knockout phase. Confirmed teams include Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, France, United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, South Africa, Morocco, Japan, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Sweden, Norway, Colombia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Host nation Mexico dominated Group A with three wins, while South Africa advanced as runner-up. Brazil topped Group C with nine points, joined by Morocco. The United States, Germany, and the Netherlands also finished as group champions. Ecuador made history by defeating Germany 2–1 to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, and Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage for the first time.

Several high-voltage knockout fixtures are already confirmed, including Brazil versus Japan and Netherlands versus Morocco. The United States is set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina, while other matchups await final confirmation as remaining group games conclude.