Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared Friday a national holiday after the country's soccer team reached the knockout phase of the World Cup with a shock 2-1 win over Germany.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage approaches its climax as Groups G, H and I conclude on a thrilling day of action on Matchday 16 -- Friday and also Saturday (Bangladesh Time).

Brazil have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the controversial decision to disallow one of Vinicius Junior's goals in their 3-0 victory over Scotland, citing a Lionel Messi goal as an example of inconsistent VAR decisions, according to a report by TyC Sports.

Having already secured their places in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup by winning their opening two Group I matches, tournament favourites France and dark horse Norway will face off in a highly anticipated clash in Boston tonight to determine the group champions.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said they are treating Friday's World Cup match against Spain as a final in order to get the win they need to be sure of a place in the round of 32.

The FIFA World Cup knockout bracket began to take shape on Day 15 as Ecuador pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament so far by beating already-qualified Germany to book a place in the Round of 32.

Growing up in the mid-1980s, football in Bangladesh was never merely a sport. It was emotion, identity, and everyday life stitched into dusty neighbourhood fields and crowded tea stalls.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was taking nothing for granted after his side sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia on Thursday, warning that next opponents Morocco would provide a formidable test in the World Cup round of 32.

Being an avid Brazil fan, Bangladesh national team goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico has been enjoying every match of the Selecao, along with the other key FIFA World Cup fixtures. Zico recently spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman about Brazil's progress at the World Cup, the evolving role of goalkeepers, and his own professional future. Below are excerpts:

Brazil are one of the world's top teams but Japan will not be pushovers when the two sides meet in Houston in their World Cup last-32 clash, coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday after his side finished runners-up in Group F.

Substitute Kaan Ayhan scored the winner for the already-eliminated Turks eight minutes into added time against a much-changed USA team, who move into the last 32.

In a stop-start game fraught with wayward tackles and poor finishing, it was Australia who had most of the chances, with Cristian Volpato and Jackson Irvine forcing saves from the keeper and Jordan Bos twice going painfully close late in the game.

Tunisia's miserable World Cup campaign ended with zero points and a minus-10 goal difference after three Group F games following a 3-1 defeat by the Netherlands on Thursday.

Friday's game is part of city-wide events to celebrate Pride in Seattle, and was designated as the "Pride Match" by local officials before the identities of the teams involved was known.

The Netherlands overcame sorry Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top World Cup Group F, avoiding a tricky encounter with Brazil in the last 32.

Japan through to World Cup last 32 after 1-1 draw with Sweden

Ecuador hero Gonzalo Plata said his side's dramatic route to the World Cup knockout rounds made the achievement even more special, while Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe insisted the Elephants are "setting no limits" after reaching the last 32 for the first time in their history.

With 48 matches remaining in the World Cup, total attendance could conceivably nearly double the 1994 record, which came during an era in which the World Cup contained only 52 matches. Stadiums have been more than 99% full on average.

This gallery captures the raw, kinetic energy of a giant-killing.

Pepe's somewhat unlikely brace in this Group E finale helped the Ivorians (2-1-0, 6 points) finish second while eliminating debutants Curacao from contention. Les Elephants finished third in their group in their three previous World Cup appearances from 2006-14.