World Cup Group F: Cape Verde stun Spain as Uruguay struggle to draw with Saudi Arabia
It was a night of shock results in World Cup Group F, as Cape Verde keep Spain at bay and Uruguay need a late winner to salvage a draw against Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde / Saudi Arabia / Spain / Top Story / Uruguay
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 16/06/2026 07:39
It was a night of shock results in World Cup Group F, as Cape Verde keep Spain at bay and Uruguay need a late winner to salvage a draw against Saudi Arabia
A pair of draws leaves Group G wide open after the opening matchday, as New Zealand are denied a historic win by Iran and Belgium need an own-goal equaliser to rescue a point.
The All Whites are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after a long wait. Can New Zealand finally win a match on football’s biggest stage?
Iran arrive amid extraordinary circumstances after months of conflict with host nation USA. Can they rise above the turmoil?
Marcelo Bielsea leads a new-look Uruguay side packed with quality. Can La Celeste go all the way at the World Cup?
Herve Renard returns to lead Saudi Arabia on the global stage once again. Can the Frenchman guide the Green Falcons beyond the group stage for the first time since 1994?
A new era has begun under Rudi Garcia, but Belgium’s ambitions remain unchanged. Is it the Red Devils golden generations final chance to conquer the world?
Egypt / World Cup / World Cup Factfiles
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 15/06/2026 19:20 · Last modified 15/06/2026 22:10
Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush lead Egypt into North America with high hopes. Can the Pharaohs emerge from a challenging Group G?
Cape Verde / World Cup / World Cup Factfiles
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 15/06/2026 13:40 · Last modified 15/06/2026 21:44
The Blue Sharks are preparing for their first ever World Cup appearance after a historic qualifying campaign. Can Cape Verde spring a surprise in North America?
Spain / World Cup / World Cup Factfiles
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 15/06/2026 13:15 · Last modified 15/06/2026 21:30
Spain head to the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites after Euro 2024 glory. Preview their fixtures, star players, manager and prospects.
Japan / Netherlands / Sweden / Tunisia / World Cup
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 15/06/2026 08:37
In Group F, Japan secure a dramatic draw with the Netherlands, while Graham Potter’s Sweden thrash Tunisia in their return to the World Cup.
Curacao / Ecuador / Germany / Ivory Coast / World Cup
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 15/06/2026 08:27
Group E gets underway at the 2026 World Cup as Germany steamroll Curacao and Ivory Coast strike late to down Ecuador.
The Carthage Eagles are heading to North America under a new regime in an attempt to reach their first ever World Cup knockout game. Can Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri and Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti fire Sabri Lamouchi’s side into history?
After a dramatic play-off resurrection, Sweden are heading to North America under new leadership. Can Graham Potter unlock the lethal frontline partnership of Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak?
Boasting a defensive block that conceded just five goals in South American qualifying, La Tri are a certified wildcard. Can Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and backline star Piero Hincapie guide Ecuador deep into the knockouts?
Ivory Coast are heading to North America determined to escape the group stage for the first time. Can Manchester United winger Amad Diallo and powerhouse Ibrahim Sangare inspire Emerse Fae’s side deep into the knockouts?
The Samurai Blue are heading to North America determined to finally break their round of 16 curse. Can Real Sociedad playmaker Takefusa Kubo guide Hajime Moriyasu’s technically gifted generation deep into the knockout rounds?
Netherlands / World Cup / World Cup Factfiles
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 14/06/2026 15:53 · Last modified 14/06/2026 15:54
The Oranje are heading to North America determined to finally shake off their tag as World Cup bridesmaids. Can Ronald Koeman guide his side all the way to global glory?
The smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup finals are ready to make history in North America. Can Tahith Chong and captain Leandro Bacuna help Dick Advocaat’s side cause a monumental upset in Group E?
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 14/06/2026 13:38 · Last modified 14/06/2026 13:47
After successive, heartbreaking group stage exits, Die Mannschaft are back to rewrite the script under Julian Nagelsmann. Can dazzling Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala inspire Germany back to the pinnacle of global football?
Australia / Turkey / World Cup
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 14/06/2026 12:52 · Last modified 14/06/2026 13:02
Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe strike as a youth-inspired Australia pull off a stunning victory over Turkey in their World Cup opener.
John McGinn scores the only goal of the game as Scotland survive a late onslaught to beat Haiti in their opening game of the World Cup.
Making their highly anticipated return to the grandest stage after 24 years, the Crescent-Stars are primed for a deep run. Can Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler guide Vincenzo Montella’s golden generation deep into the knockout rounds?
The Socceroos are back for a sixth consecutive World Cup, sporting a fresh tactical edge under boss Tony Popovic. Can breakout Feyenoord star Jordan Bos inspire Australia out of a tricky group and into the tournament’s knockout stages?
Vinicius Jr comes to the rescue as Brazil struggle to earn a point against Morocco in their 2026 World Cup opener.
Returning to the grandest stage for the first time since 1974, the Grenadiers have overcome incredible odds just to reach North America. Can talisman Duckens Nazon and head coach Sebastien Migne script the ultimate World Cup fairytale in Group C?
Qatar / Switzerland / Top Story / World Cup
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 13/06/2026 23:35 · Last modified 14/06/2026 00:55
Boualem Khoukhi’s stoppage-time header makes history for Qatar as they shock Switzerland to earn a share of the points in their World Cup opener.
After a history-making, ground-breaking semi-final run in 2022, the Atlas Lions are back on the grandest stage with a fresh generation of talent. Can new manager Mohamed Ouahbi orchestrate another fairytale knockout run?
Brazil / World Cup / World Cup Factfiles
by Jonathan McIntosh · Published 13/06/2026 22:04 · Last modified 13/06/2026 22:20
The five-time world champions are heading to North America looking to finally end a 24-year World Cup trophy drought. Can legendary boss Carlo Ancelotti guide Vinicius Junior and the Selecao back to global dominance?
Qatar are appearing in their second World Cup after making their debut as host nation in 2022. This time around, they qualified in their own right but come into the tournament as the lowest-ranked...
Switzerland have reached the knockout stages in the last three World Cups but were knocked out in the last-16 each time. Can they finally reach the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup?