If there were any doubts that Argentina lacked a goalscorer other than the great Lionel Messi, those were put to rest when the defending champions took the lead through a Giovani Lo Celso freekick in their dead-rubber Group J clash against Jordan in Dallas on Sunday.

Scotland and South Korea were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday after failing to make it into the top eight of the third-placed teams. Both teams exited after one win and two defeats.

Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup for the first time in their history on Sunday.

Colombia finished top of World Cup Group K after playing out a highly entertaining end-to-end 0-0 draw with Portugal on Sunday.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has stepped down following his side's elimination from the World Cup in the group stage, the Scottish Football Association announced Sunday.

Cape Verde's emergence has also become the most persuasive argument in favour of FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup.

Portugal made one change to their starting lineup against Colombia for their final World Cup group game on Saturday, with Ruben Neves coming in for Joao Neves.

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to claim second spot in Group L on Saturday to secure their passage to the last 32 of the World Cup.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored second-half goals as England got the job done against Panama at the World Cup on Saturday, a 2-0 victory at the MetLife Stadium, taking Thomas Tuchel's team into the last 32 as Group L winners.

Following a hectic 17-day schedule featuring 72 group-stage matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally entering its business end, as hosts Canada take on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium tonight. 

Democratic Republic of Congo superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga will miss their key World Cup clash against Uzbekistan on Saturday because he was not granted a United States visa.

Iran left a note in their locker room following a 1-1 draw with Egypt on Friday, thanking Seattle for its hospitality during the World Cup, and appeared to express disappointment over the result that left their place in the knockout stage in limbo.

North America has already delivered a tournament full of extremes. From established contenders dismantling underdogs, to emerging sides punching above their weight, the 2026 World Cup has already written its share of shock narratives.

The first round ended as a story of Argentine success across the world, with one painful exception for Bielsa.

Australia full back Jacob Italiano and veteran attacker Mathew Leckie are out of the World Cup with injuries, the Socceroos confirmed on Friday.

The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup has introduced a brand-new brand of tournament cruelty: the third-place wildcard tracker. With 12 groups in play, only the eight best third-placed teams, alongside the usual top two sides from each group, will punch their ticket to the newly minted Round of 32.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei criticised travel restrictions imposed on the team by the United States after their 1-1 draw with Egypt at the World Cup in Seattle on Saturday.

England and Portugal will aim to finish on a high as the World Cup group stages draw to a close on Saturday with the final places in the knockout rounds up for grabs.

The exit brings a chaotic end to Bielsa’s three-year tenure, which was clouded by reports of squad disharmony and structural tension. Facing a room of heavy media scrutiny, the 70-year-old manager refused to deflect the responsibility.

In a tournament that began with the public questioning the wisdom of expanding to 48 teams, Cape Verde's success will leave many wondering what took so long.