Cup

Egypt and Morocco fans celebrated their World Cup success by singing ‘My Blood is Palestinian’ at a Dallas fan zone, in a show of Arab solidarity with Palestinians.

Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: Brazil vs Norway
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US
When: Sunday, July 5, at 4pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

Two of the world’s most exciting forwards, Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland, will light up Sunday evening in New Jersey when Brazil face Norway in a blockbuster round of 16 clash.

For all their dominance on the world stage, Brazil have historically struggled to find a way past Norway, and after four failed attempts, the Selecao will hope the fifth time is the charm.

Carlo Ancelotti’s talented side has its fair share of flaws, and having narrowly escaped elimination in the last 32 against Japan, they need an improved performance against Norway – one of the dark horses at this tournament.

Spearheaded by Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Norway arrive with bragging rights – they are one of only three countries Brazil have faced at a World Cup without registering at least one victory.

How did Brazil and Norway reach the round of 16?

Brazil finished at the top of Group C, with wins over Scotland and Haiti, and a draw with Morocco. They fought from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1 in stoppage time in the last 32.

Norway came second in Group I, winning against Iraq and Senegal and falling to France. They sealed a late 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the last 32 – the Scandinavian nation’s first World Cup knockout victory after previous exits to Italy in 1938 and 1998.

Can Haaland extend Norway’s dream run?

Be it for club or country, towering forward Haaland’s impact cannot be understated.

Of the 10 goals Norway have scored at the tournament, Haaland is responsible for half – numbers that are remarkable for a 25-year-old making his World Cup debut.

Come Sunday, Norway will need their 1.95-metre- (6.4ft)-tall, pony-tailed talisman to strike again if they are to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Norway could take inspiration from their 1998 World Cup side, which famously beat Brazil 2-1 in a group game. And they need not look further than their coach Stale Solbakken – a midfielder in that Norwegian squad – for words of advice.

“Brazil are favourites, of course they are, but we are hopeful that we will give them a match, and we are not playing the game for fun – we are playing to win the game and to reach the quarterfinals,” said Solbakken. “It’s possible, but it’s very difficult.”

The Norwegians will be wary of Brazil’s very own trump card Vinicius, whose four goals at the tournament have made him the team’s leading scorer and most influential player. Vinicius became the first Brazilian since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup. That was the last time Brazil lifted the trophy.

Brazil vs Norway prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Brazil a 53.6 percent likelihood of winning in regulation time, while Norway’s chances of winning are 22.4 percent.

The model estimates a 24 percent probability of the game going to extra time.

Brazil vs Norway: Kickoff time, TV channel

• Brazil: SBT, CazeTV (4pm, Brasilia Standard Time)
• Norway: TV2, NRK (9pm, Central European Summer Time)
• United Kingdom: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player (8pm, British Summer Time)
• United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (4pm, Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

Who will the winner face in the quarterfinals?

The winner of the Brazil vs Norway match will face either Mexico or England in the quarterfinals in Miami on Saturday, July 11.

Brazil vs Norway: Head-to-head

Norway hold the rare distinction of never having lost to Brazil, with two wins and two draws from their four previous meetings, including a memorable 2-1 victory over Brazil in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup.

Brazil and Norway last met in a friendly in 2006, which ended 1-1.

More worryingly for Ancelotti, Brazil have been eliminated from each of their last six World Cup knockout ties against European opponents since beating Germany in the 2002 final.

Brazil vs Norway: Team news

Brazil’s Lucas Paqueta picked up a hamstring injury in the last game, while Raphinha, who also picked up the same issue in the second game, has resumed individual training and could make the bench.

Norway’s Julian Ryerson is out with a thigh injury.

Brazil’s predicted lineup

(4-3-3): Alisson (goalkeeper); Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Martinelli; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius

Norway’s predicted lineup

(4-3-3): Nyland (goalkeeper); Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa

Thomas Tuchel has dismissed concerns over England’s treatment in Mexico as they prepare to face the World Cup co-hosts – saying it had been “nicer than I expected” and that home fans were “friendly and respectful”.

Tuchel’s side take on Mexico in a last-16 match that kicks off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (Monday 01:00 BST, live on BBC One, iPlayer and Radio 5 Live).

On Saturday, the team were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from fans as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures in Mexico City.

Ecuador – beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 – lodged a noise complaint with Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.

As a result, members of Mexico’s National Guard lined the entrance to England’s hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood next to barriers on the road outside.

“We had no issues tonight and I think Fifa took care of the situation,” head coach Tuchel said. “We have security around the hotel so we expect a good night’s sleep.

“I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t exist yet. If they come, we will accept them. The best way to approach is to be relaxed and calm.

“We have a six o’clock kick-off, so if we miss some hours of sleep we will have time to get some other hours in the late morning.

“What I experienced until now was very respectful and emotional and very supportive to towards our teams so are very respectful towards everyone. We expect to be treated with respect and that was the case.

“It was even nicer than I expected.”

Tuchel said he had felt the energy in Mexico City.

“It just catches you straight away once you land here and saw the excitement and the emotions,” he said.

“This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium and a massive knockout game.

“It is a big stage and we feel it. It makes you sharper and brings the best out of you. It makes you feel alive.”

The price for the final 2026 World ⁠Cup match in Seattle hit nearly $4,000 but dipped as low as $1,549 ⁠on Tuesday.

Ticket prices for ‌the United States’ highly anticipated round of 16 game against ⁠Belgium on ⁠Monday plunged by more than 30 percent before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening.

The get-in price for the final 2026 World ⁠Cup match in Seattle hit nearly $4,000 on June 1, according to ticket-tracking service TicketData.com. After dipping to as low as $1,549 ⁠on Tuesday, the get-in price spiked to $2,836 after the USA solidified their spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, the get-in price has steadily declined in the ‌days since. It dropped to $1,423 on Saturday afternoon – a 32 percent decrease over the past three days – but the get-in price rebounded to $1,635 at 6pm Eastern Time (23:00 GMT).

That late boost pushed the USA-Belgium game from the fourth-highest get-in price to the second-highest price among the eight round of 16 matches. Mexico’s game against ⁠England in Mexico City on Sunday sits ⁠at $3,574.

ROUND OF 16 TICKET PRICES*:

• Mexico-England, 7/5 (Houston): $3,574
• USA-Belgium: 7/6 (Seattle): $1,635
• Argentina-Egypt: 7/7 (Atlanta): $1,599
• Brazil-Norway: 7/5 (New Jersey): $1,537
• Portugal-Spain: 7/6 (Dallas): $1,367
• Switzerland-Colombia: $959 (Vancouver): $972
• Paraguay-France: 7/4 (Philadelphia): $914
• Canada-Morocco: 7/4 (Houston): $721

*TicketData.com as of 6 p.m. ET on July 4.

The significant drop in the ⁠get-in price for the US-Belgium game is somewhat surprising considering the Red Devils’ base camp ⁠is located just 16 kilometres (10 miles) south of Seattle ⁠Stadium at the Sounders FC Performance Center. Monday will mark Belgium’s third match in Seattle following a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the group stage and a ‌dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the round of 32.

Canada was the first team eliminated from the round of 16 ‌with ‌their 3-0 loss to Morocco on Saturday. The get-in price for that match dropped 14 percent from $838 over the final 72 hours.

How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: France vs Paraguay
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: Philadelphia Stadium, US
When: Saturday, July 4, at 5pm (21:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 18:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

Kylian Mbappe’s France have been the outstanding team so far at this World Cup and will be expected to get the better of Paraguay on Saturday and extend their run to the quarterfinals.

France look a very good bet to win their third World Cup, and they are certainly expected to overcome a Paraguay team ranked 41st in the world.

After winning the trophy in 2018 and losing the 2022 final on penalties, France are hoping to become only the third team in World Cup history to reach three consecutive finals, after West Germany and Brazil.

That remains a long way off but their performances so far suggest they will take some beating.

Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat of Sweden in the last 32, in which Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola once, made it four wins in four matches with 13 goals scored.

But the Paraguayans head to Philadelphia with their confidence sky-high after their victory on penalties against Germany – which led to a national holiday being declared back home.

What happened in France’s last-32 game?

Mbappe scored twice, and Michael Olise was in scintillating form as France beat Sweden 3-0.

The Real Madrid striker finished a superb move to break the deadlock just before half-time. Olise set up Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola for the second goal on 53 minutes, and then delivered a delightful pass for Mbappe to complete a convincing victory.

Mbappe’s strikes saw him move level with Lionel Messi on six goals in the all-star golden boot race at this World Cup.

The France captain now has 18 World Cup goals in total, meaning he is just one behind Messi’s overall record of 19, a mark 27-year-old Mbappe will keep chasing.

What happened in Paraguay’s last-32 game?

The Germans trailed 1-0 at half-time to Julio Enciso’s 42nd-minute header from Matias Galarza’s cross on Monday.

It was a limp display by the four-time winners in the first period, but they drew level in the second half, when Kai Havertz scored eight minutes after the restart with a glancing header from Florian Wirtz’s ball in from the flank.

Germany then had a Jonathan Tah goal from a corner ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on Paraguay’s keeper, and with no further goal, the game went to spot kicks after extra time.

Havertz, who helped Arsenal end a 22-year wait to win the English Premier League title this season, missed the opening kick of the shootout. The forward’s side would miss three kicks in total, as Paraguay, who themselves missed two kicks, eventually prevailed 4-3.

Deschamps releases the handbrake

France have enjoyed plenty of success during Didier Deschamps’s 14 years in charge, but for a long time there was a sense that a pragmatic coach was not allowing his team to maximise their attacking potential.

Now at his last tournament before stepping down, that appears to have changed. Mbappe, Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and the brilliant Michael Olise seem unstoppable.

“There is an excellent rapport between the attacking players. They speak the same footballing language,” said Deschamps after the Sweden game.

But France’s coach says his side will not take Paraguay lightly.

“They are not here by chance. Germany are a top side, and they have that South American DNA, which means they get stuck in,” Deschamps said.

“And they have good players too. You can’t just qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup like that by chance.”

‘We also have our own strengths’

One Paraguayan player well-known in France is Julio Enciso of Strasbourg, who scored against Germany.

He recognises that few people will expect Paraguay to win as they aim to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for just the second time.

“We also have our own strengths, and with our style of play, we’re going to try to make things difficult for any opponent,” said Enciso.

Extreme heat warnings

One potential opponent for both teams is the weather, with temperatures in Philadelphia set to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) on Saturday.

This match will take place in the city where the American Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, but celebrations for the occasion are at risk of being affected by storms.

France have already played in Philadelphia in this World Cup, and their 3-0 win over Iraq during the group stage was interrupted for two hours because of rain and thunder.

Coping with the conditions could be a challenge, and both sides will want to avoid the draining prospect of extra time and penalties.

The last meeting of the countries at a World Cup featured extra time and turned out to be one of the most pivotal moments in the modern history of the French national team.

On their way to winning the trophy for the first time on home soil in 1998, Les Bleus – with Deschamps as captain – edged Paraguay 1-0.

France vs Paraguay: Kickoff time, TV channel

• France: Bein Sports 1 (11pm, Central European Time)
• United Kingdom: BBC, ITV (10pm, British Summer Time)
• United States: FOX, Telemundo (5pm, Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

France vs Paraguay prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives France a 78.8 percent chance of winning in regulation time, while Paraguay are at 7.6 percent.

The model estimates a 13.7 percent probability that the game will go to extra time.

Head-to-head

The two countries have faced each other five times, with France winning three of the games and two ending as draws.

France beat Paraguay 5-0 in their most recent encounter – a friendly in 2017 – in which Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick.

• June 02, 2017: France 5-0 Paraguay (friendly)
• June 01, 2014: France 1-1 Paraguay (friendly)
• May 31, 2008: France 0-0 Paraguay (friendly)
• June 28, 1998: France 1-0 Paraguay (World Cup last 16)
• June 08, 1958: France 7-3 Paraguay (World Cup group stage)

Team news

Neither side has any suspensions or reported injury concerns.

France’s predicted starting XI:

(4-2-3-1): Maignan (goalkeeper); Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe

Paraguay’s predicted starting XI:

(4-3-3): Gill (goalkeeper); Caceres, G Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Galarza, Cubas, D Gomez; Almiron, Avalos, Enciso

Lionel Messi opens scoring but Argentina taken to extra time by Cape Verde, which threatened greatest World Cup upset.

Reigning champions Argentina needed an ⁠extra-time own goal to overcome ⁠a Cape Verde side with incredible levels of resilience 3-2 in a thrilling contest and secure their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup.

The Africans, playing in their first World Cup, had twice come from a goal down on Friday ⁠to silence the vast majority of the crowd of 64,478 packed into a hot and humid Miami Stadium.

Six minutes into the second period of extra time, Lionel Messi swung a corner into the box, and Cristian Romero rose to head home off the arm of Cape Verde centre-back Diney Borges ⁠and finally set up a date with Egypt in Atlanta next Tuesday.

Messi had, almost inevitably, given Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament, but Deroy Duarte equalised just before the hour mark.

The Blue Sharks held on to send the match into an additional half hour before Lisandro Martinez lashed a sumptuous shot into the roof of the net in the second minute of the first period of extra time to put Argentina ahead again.

Cape ‌Verde were not done yet, however, and left back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net in the 103rd minute of the contest to put the scores back on level terms at 2-2.

Lopes Cabral could have equalised again after Romero’s goal, but his finely struck free kick was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had to be at his best to deny Cape Verde in the dying minutes.

Cape Verde were beaten but far from outclassed by the three-times world champions as they put in a fourth magnificent display of teamwork and grit at their first World Cup.

The only one of the four World Cup debutants to make it to the last 32 and ⁠ranked 67th in the world coming into the tournament, Cape Verde had hoped to frustrate Argentina as they did ⁠Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in group-stage draws.

They succeeded, while showing no shortage of quality of their own, for much of the game with a never-say-die desperation and a neat pass-and-move game.

Messi aside, Argentina were largely bereft of ideas against an obdurate defence and Cape Verde libero Kevin Pina was the most impressive player on the park for long periods ⁠of the contest.

It was Argentina who made the breakthrough in the 29th minute, however, when Lisandro Martinez lofted a long ball over the top of the defence to the feet of Messi.

The 39-year-old maestro took a touch with the ⁠outside of his left boot and buried it in the roof of Vozinha’s net for ⁠his 20th goal over six editions of football’s global showpiece.

Cape Verde knew they would need to score to keep their World Cup campaign alive and Duarte fired a shot at goal soon after half-time that drew a diving save out of Martinez.

Just before the hour mark, captain Ryan Mendes was freed down the right, and his pass into the box found the Dutch-born midfielder, ‌who controlled the ball with his left foot before drilling it past Martinez with his right.

Messi had a chance to put Argentina back in front four minutes later when he was played through on goal, but Vozinha stood up well to keep his shot out of the net.

One of Messi’s trademark ‌free ‌kicks was tipped away by Vozinha in the 72nd minute, and Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes had to intervene to prevent Enzo Fernandez from scoring 10 minutes later.

Cape Verde held on to force the dramatic period of extra time, and they will now return home heroes having put their tiny island-nation firmly on the footballing map.

Cape Verde may have been the World Cup’s smallest nation, but they have certainly made a big impact.

Forget Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane – it is the tournament debutants who have become the centre of attention.

There were the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha as they earned their first World Cup point against Spain. There were the thrills as they scored their first World Cup goals against Uruguay. There was Sidny Lopes Cabral’s wonder goal as they almost causing the competition’s biggest shock against Argentina. Cape Verde’s World Cup journey had it all.

When the whistle blew to bring extra time to an end in Miami, the Blue Sharks players slumped to the turf after a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat by reigning champions Argentina but they can leave the United States knowing they have won many hearts.

“Cape Verde have lost, but they’ve won,” said former Scotland international James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They have shown courage, togetherness, unity and unwavering belief in what they are and what they can do.

“The story of this tournament is Cape Verde. That is what you want to see in a football side.”

They came into the tournament ranked 67th in the world, but three group-stage draws – holding European champions Spain 0-0 in their opening game – set up the monumental task of trying to cause one of the biggest upsets the World Cup has ever seen.

Against Argentina, they went behind to a Messi goal, but came back to level at 1-1 and take the game to extra time. Then they went behind again – before a stunning strike from Cabral levelled again. It was not to be though, with a cruel deflection off Diney Borges from Cristian Romero’s header seeing Argentina through.

But former England right-back Gary Neville told ITV it was “one of the greatest performances” he had ever seen from an underdog”.

“They are crying because they are going home,” he added. “They don’t want to go home. They want to be here for the rest of their lives.

“They want to be here forever. This is a moment that’s probably not going to come back for some of these players. It’s magical but also upsetting.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to a young Venezuelan earthquake survivor, who is recovering in hospital after having his leg amputated. Andres Mieles, who was also orphaned in the June 24 disaster, had requested a Ronaldo trading card to keep his spirits up – but the superstar himself had other ideas.

Declan Rice is likely to be available to start England’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico on Sunday despite an ongoing injury issue.

The Arsenal midfielder has been playing with a neural problem that affects his hamstring and lower back and was substituted in injury time of the 2-1 win over DR Congo in the last 32.

Speaking after that game, manager Thomas Tuchel said: “I asked him. He said: ‘I can do it for the team but I am in terrible pain.’ When Declan tells you he is in terrible pain then you know he cannot take it any more.”

Though Rice is likely to be available to start against Mexico, there remain doubts about Reece James’ availability, with the Chelsea right-back having sat out two matches because of a hamstring injury.

It is understood James is yet to return to full training in the build-up to the game against Mexico, which is scheduled for 18:00 local time on Sunday (01:00 BST on Monday), though could move because of the weather.

Back-up right Jarell Quansah, who missed the win over DR Congo with an ankle issue, has stepped up his recovery but it is not known yet if he will be available.

Asked at England’s training session on Friday about the possibility of the game being moved, winger Marcus Rashford said it was “not ideal” but the squad would deal with it.

“I think for us it’s the same how we prepare for the game,” he said. “It has to be the same.

“We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything. I think it’s one of our strengths as a group.

“Everyone, including the players and staff… we are ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. So obviously it’s not ideal but also it doesn’t really matter.”

The build-up to Sunday’s fixture has been dominated by talk about Mexico’s record at the Estadio Azteca and how England’s players will deal with the altitude.

The arena sits 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level, and Mexico have lost just twice in 89 matches at the iconic stadium.

At that altitude, the Earth’s barometric pressure is lower, making the air thinner and meaning less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with each breath.

Even for professional footballers, that has a potentially significant impact – increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dehydration, quicker and more intense fatigue.

The fixture had been set to start in the early evening, when temperatures were forecast to be about 20C.

However, a midday kick-off is expected to see temperatures hit highs of about 26C, which will theoretically make conditions even more difficult.

France’s group-stage fixture against Iraq was delayed for over two hours because of safety concerns amid adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.

Last summer’s Club World Cup, which was also hosted by the United States, had six major weather delays across the 63 matches played.

Diogo Jota was with Portugal in spirit on the eve of the one-year anniversary of his death.

After the team’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday in a World Cup knockout game, Portugal’s players posed for a group photo in the middle of the field at Toronto Stadium. Team captain Cristiano Ronaldo stood front and center, looking serious amid many beaming teammates and holding up a red No. 21 jersey in Jota’s honor.

Ronaldo then put on the shirt and became emotional as he slowly walked across the field acknowledging the cheers from the crowd.

“It’s a special day, for our Jota, who is up there illuminating us,” Ronaldo later told Portugal’s Sport TV. “We know he’s present with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best way.”

Ronaldo posted the team photo on X and wrote: “We won for ourselves, for Diogo, and for Portugal!!! LET’S GO!!!!”

The 41-year-old superstar tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick in the 68th minute, and teammate Goncalo Ramos headed in the eventual game-winner during stoppage time More drama was to follow, however, as an apparent Croatian goal disallowed for offside just before the final whistle.

After the intense finish, Ramos spoke of his late teammate.

“We think about him every day,” Ramos told Fox Sports of Jota. “It’s even more special to win this game in this day. And he gives us strength every day and for every game.”

Jota’s image was shown on the big screen during the playing of Portugal’s national anthem before the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates with Portugal teammate Diogo Jota during a Euro 2020 qualifying match in Luxembourg in November 2019.

(Francisco Seco / Associated Press)

Some Portugal fans rose to their feet during the 21st minute (in honor of Jota’s jersey number), unveiling a banner featuring the beloved player’s image and releasing balloons that featured his jersey number.

Just after midnight July 3, 2025, Jota and his brother, André Silva, died in a single-car crash, near Zamora, Spain. Jota was 28, and Silva was 25. A player known as a clinical finisher, Jota played nearly 50 games for Portugal. He made the 2022 World Cup squad but was unable to play because of injury.

Jota also played for Liverpool FC, scoring 65 goals in 182 games for the Reds. On Wednesday, the team unveiled a memorial dedicated to “Jota and Silva at its Anfield Stadium. The monument, designed by sculptor Emma Rodgers, is named “Forever 20,” in honor of Jota’s Liverpool jersey number.

“Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota and André Silva, who tragically passed away one year ago,” the team wrote Friday on X. “Through immeasurable loss and incalculable pain, the impact they made and the legacies they left behind — not only within the footballing world, but in the hearts and minds of so many around the world — has shone through over the last 12 months.

“All of our love, support, thoughts and prayers continue to be with Diogo and André’s families, friends and all those whose lives were touched by them. Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20.”

It was my great fortune to be in Mexico City for the first few weeks of this tournament. Here, I’m sharing some tip on my experience to help out any of you lucky enough to be heading to Mexico City for England’s Last-16 game.

England are set to play Mexico at the world-famous Azteca Stadium, one of the most iconic locations in the history of the World Cup. Few places in the world can rival Mexico City for the passion of its fans.

You feel it on the streets even hours before a game. The music, the singing, the drinking, it all builds up and erupts for every goal and at the final whistle, as fans spray crazy foam in every direction.

The street parties after the game are nothing like what we have here. Even a run-of-the-mill group game brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets to celebrate for hours on end earlier in this tournament. Think you’ve seen crazy parties after England wins back home? Think again.

It was my great fortune to be in Mexico City for the first few weeks of this tournament. Here, I’m sharing some tip on my experience to help out any of you lucky enough to be heading to Mexico City for England’s Last-16 game.

Where to watch the game?

Tickets are going to be hard to come by, so if you’re just in the city to absorb the atmosphere- and it’ll be some atmosphere – you’ll need to know where to head.

Word of warning – whatever the weather, you may want to pack a waterproof of some kind as the Mexicans love to spray crazy foam before, during and after games. You will get wet.

The fan zone

The Zocalo is the main square in the heart of Mexico City’s historic centre. It’s on a scale that has to be seen to be believed, dwarfing anything we have in England. The enormous screen stands in front of the city’s cathedral, providing a dramatic backdrop for the game. Mexican fans will flock to the square early though, so if you’re planning on going you should try to get there long before kickoff.

One word of warning though – no alcohol is sold in this fan zone. There is beer, but it’s all 0.0%. If you’re wanting to have a few drinks during the game then you’ll need to find somewhere else to watch.

Angel of Independence

El Angel is historically where locals head to celebrate Mexican victories. And they head there in numbers. Originally there were no big screens at the site, but such is its popularity that they were installed for the Ecuador Last-32 game. It led to an estimated 1.4 million people partying at the site on the night of the match. In terms of food and drink, you’ll be relying largely on street food stands and people selling beers out of cool boxes. There’s very little in the way of toilet provision, so many revellers try to find a secluded spot on the street to relieve themselves.

There’s also very little in the way of crowd management and crushes are common (as experienced by this writer). After the Ecuador match, four people were killed due to suffocation.

Bars

Mexico City has no shortage of bars, cantinas and restaurants, all with TVs to watch the game (many of which are very new and suspiciously still have their original wrapping on). Local fans will be out in numbers on Sunday though, so like the Zocalo you’ll want to find yourself a bar early.

Fans may want to try The Dog House, an English pub in the Roma district. It’s not a large place, though, so getting there early would be advised. Just around the corner is La Cervecería de Barrio, which attracts a large crowd. I was there for Mexico-Ecuador and the atmosphere was electric, with a mariachi band paying a visit before kickoff. McCarthy’s Irish Pub in Roma is a cavernous place with plenty of TVs. It’s also located near Mercado Roma, a food hall that has TVs and a number of places to grab some Mexican food. These bars are all located in the Roma Norte area, which is nearby El Angel where most Mexicans will head to after the match.

Pinche Gringo BBQ Warehouse is also popular with tourists and expats in the area.

Calle Regina in the historic centre is lined with plenty of bars, all of which have TVs showing the game.

Partying after the match

Angel of Independence

El Angel is the main place to head after the game is over. You’ll see the craziness of Mexico firsthand. There’ll be fireworks, people being thrown in the air. Plenty of music, lots of dancing andeven more singing. If you want to be a star, try to learn the words to the folk song Cielito Lindo. The key line is “¡Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores!” which translates to “Sing and don’t cry”.

Crowds will be huge here though, particularly after the game. Crushes are common.

Clubs and bars

Head down to either Roma Norte or Zona Rosa for after-game drinks. They’re conveniently located just by El Angel, so make a good place to head if the crowds there get too busy. Calle Genovia in Zona Rosa is pedestrianised and has plenty of bars and clubs to go to. In Roma, Departamento is popular with locals and tourists alike, but you won’t be short of other options in the area.

Tourist trips

The canals of Xochimilco are a fun way to spend a couple of hours. There’s a real party atmosphere on a weekend, with boats playing music, sharing drinks, hiring mariachi bands and generally having a good time. Hire a boat and your captain will take you on a tour of the ancient canals. Mariachi bands cost about 300 pesos per song. You can book tours that will provide food and drink, or simply turn up on your own and buy a bag of cans from a local shop. A taxi to Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas will take about an hour from the city centre.

The pyramids of Teotihuacan. The ancient pre-Aztec pyramids are around an hour’s drive out of town and a must-see of any trip to Mexico City. The temple complex is huge, with the Sun Temple dominating the local skyline. As with the canals, you can either book a tour or head there under your own steam. Local buses are available, or if you’re in a group you can split the cost of a cab. Entry is around 100 pesos per person.

Police have criticised the timing of the government’s decision to let pubs stay open until 05:00 BST on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the “late announcement” meant officers would have to be taken away from other duties and work longer hours, even though the team’s likely route through the tournament “has been known for a considerable time”.

It asked fans to be “considerate” and “drink within sensible limits” while watching the crucial last-16 match in which the losing team will be eliminated.

The government has said a previous relaxing of licensing laws for the tournament had not covered the eventuality of England playing so late.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said that after England’s progression was confirmed on Wednesday evening, the government “announced plans as quickly as possible following this”.

The spokeswoman added: “And more broadly, we have engaged with policing partners throughout preparations for the World Cup and we are grateful for their flexibility and professionalism throughout.”

Kick-off for the knock-out game is not until 01:00 in the UK and the match is not expected to end until at least 03:00. It could finish even later if it goes to penalties.

Knock-out games in previous tournaments have led to an increase in violent incidents and domestic abuse, the policing body said.

“This is directly linked to alcohol consumption,” the NPCC’s football and alcohol policing leads said in a joint statement.

“We will continue to work with partners and venues to support a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone.”

Licensing hours had already been extended for the international football tournament and the government had initially said it would not relax the laws further.

But late on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said pubs could remain open until the end of the game.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed told broadcasters the previous measures “hadn’t covered the eventuality of England playing so late in the night”, adding it was “one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen”.

England was not guaranteed to play in Monday’s match, only earning a place in the round of 16 after beating DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.

The hospitality sector welcomed the government’s decision. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We all know the best place to watch the match is down the local.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said it was “fantastic news” that would be “hugely welcomed by operators”.

Pub chain Greene King has said more than 600 pubs across England will be staying open late to show the match, while Marston’s has said more than 400 of its pubs will also be open.

Priyesh Bathia, who runs the Elephant and Barrel pub in Stockwell, south London, and said he is “so thankful” for the late licensing on Monday.

“I’m really excited,” he added, and said so far they have had between 100-150 people book tables for the game.

It’s knockout time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The round of 32 is nearly complete, with several teams already set to play in the round of 16, including tournament co-hosts U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Here’s everything you need to know about World Cup knockout stage matches being played Friday, Saturday and Sunday across the U.S., Mexico and Canada (all times Pacific).

Friday’s round of 32 matches

Australia vs. Egypt

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring against New Zealand on June 21.

(Alex Grimm / Getty Images)

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Australia finished second to the U.S. in its group but stumbled into the round of 32, going 195 minutes without a goal. It’s the first time since 1974 that Australia has gone scoreless in consecutive World Cup games. The Socceroos are playing in the knockout stage for the third time in 20 years but have yet to win an elimination game. Unbeaten Egypt also finished second in its group, on a goal-differential tiebreaker. Its five goals have come from five players. The Pharaohs, Africa’s oldest national team, will be playing in the second round for the first time.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, and Jordan’s Noussair Mazraoui battle for the ball on June 27.

(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 3 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: The last World Cup loss for Argentina came in its 2022 opener, making its nine-game unbeaten run the longest under one coach since 1986, the year it won its second championship. Speaking of streaks, when Lionel Messi came off the bench to score in the group finale, it gave him goals in a record seven consecutive World Cup games. He is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, having scored six of Argentina’s eight goals. Unbeaten Cape Verde is playing in the World Cup for the first time, advancing to the knockout stages behind three straight draws, two of them clean sheets by Vozinha, the team’s 40-year-old keeper. It is the first debutant to go unbeaten in the group stage since Senegal in 2002. The smallest country ever to advance out of World Cup group play, Cape Verde had just seven shots on target in the group stage.

Colombia vs. Ghana

Colombia’s Gustavo Puerta reacts during a match against Portugal on June 27.

(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Unbeaten Colombia won its group but scored just once in its final two games. It’s 59 shots tied for third in the group stage, but just four of those found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, on the other hand, has been called on to make just four saves. Ghana is back in the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, advancing as a third-place team.

Saturday’s round of 16 matches

Canada vs. Morocco

Canada’s Alphonso Davies plays against South Africa on June 28.

(Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)

Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
Time: 10 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Canada, the first World Cup host to play outside its borders, eliminated South Africa on a stoppage-time goal from LAFC midfielder Stephen Eustáquio at SoFi Stadium in the team’s first-ever elimination game. Playing again in the U.S., Canada could be even stronger and more confident with Alphonso Davies back from injury. Morocco, one of nine African teams to reach the knockout stages, got a stoppage-time goal from defender Issa Diop to send its round-of-32 game with the Netherlands to penalty kicks, then got a big save from keeper Yassine Bounou to knock off another major European power. Four years ago, Morocco eliminated Spain on penalties.

Paraguay vs. France

France’s Kylian Mbappé scores against Sweden on June 30.

(Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)

Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Paraguay, the third-place team from Group D, was dominated by Germany everywhere but on the scoreboard, stunning the four-time champion on penalties in the upset of the tournament. Germany had the ball 76% of the time and outshot Paraguay 21-7, but Paraguayan keeper Orlando Gill was phenomenal, especially in the shootout. France has been the dominant team of this World Cup, winning all four of its games while outsourcing opponents 13-2. Captain Kylian Mbappé has six of those goals.

Sunday’s round of 16 matches

Brazil vs. Norway

Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates after a win over the Ivory Coast on June 30.

(Jessica Tobias / Associated Press)

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Brazil rallied from a halftime deficit to eliminate Japan, 2-1, on a stoppage-time goal from second-half substitute Gabriel Martinelli. That kept alive a couple of streaks: Brazil has made it to the round of 16 in every World Cup since 1966, while Japan has yet to win an elimination game. Norway, playing in the tournament for the first time since Erling Haaland was born, has gotten five goals from its captain, including the winner in the 86th minute of his team’s round-of-32 victory over Ivory Coast, Norway’s first-ever win in the knockout rounds.

Mexico vs. England

England’s Harry Kane celebrates after scoring against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 1.

(Megan Briggs / Getty Images)

Where: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
Time: 5 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Mexico rode a pair of first-half goals to a 2-0 win over Ecuador, its first victory in the knockout stages since 1986, the last time the World Cup was played in Mexico. El Tri is averaging two goals a game and has yet to concede one. A win here, in the smoggy and thin air of Azteca, would send Mexico to the quarterfinals, again for the first time since 1986. England, meanwhile, needed two goals from Harry Kane in the last 15 minutes to get past the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kane has scored five of England’s eight goals.

Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: Canada vs Morocco
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: Houston Stadium, Texas, US
When: Saturday, July 4, at noon (17:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 14:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

The Round of 16 gets under way on Saturday with World Cup cohosts Canada taking on Morocco in Houston, Texas.

It marks a historic day for Canadian football, with the men’s team set to play in the last-16 for the first time in their history, thanks to a dramatic late victory over South Africa.

But in their bid to extend a dream run, Canada face a daunting challenge against Morocco, who stunned the Netherlands on penalties to punch their ticket to this round.

The African champions, semifinalists of the last edition, are unbeaten at this year’s tournament and have grown stronger with every game.

Al Jazeera tells you everything about Canada vs Morocco:

How did Canada and Morocco reach the Round of 16?

Canada came second in Group B with four points, securing a win over Qatar and a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. They lost to Switzerland in the final group game. The Canadians beat South Africa 1-0 in the round of 32.

Morocco were second in Group C with seven points, winning against Scotland and Haiti, and holding Brazil to a draw. In the Round of 32, they scored a late equaliser to force the game to extra time before beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling shootout.

Can Canada pass the Moroccan test to extend dream run?

Canada are the underdogs in this last-16 game, sitting 24 places below world number six Morocco in the FIFA rankings. But after breaking numerous records at the tournament – including earning their first World Cup point and winning their first game – their campaign is nothing less than a success.

“Preparing for Morocco is like a gory, horrible nightmare,” coach Jesse Marsch said. “[But] we want to be here and we expect to be here. So we know that everybody’s going to write us off, and in that is an ⁠opportunity.”

For Morocco, the game against Canada is just another hurdle in the deep run they are hoping for this summer in North America. Four years on from stunning Spain and Portugal to become the first Arab and African nation to reach the semifinals, Morocco have arrived with bigger ambitions and increased expectations.

“If we get things wrong, we’ll go ‌home,” ‌Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said. “We need to ensure that we have all the tools and we’re using the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can.”

Canada will be wary of Morocco’s talismanic forward Ismael Saibari, their top scorer with three goals and the newly signed Bayern Munich player who also scored the winning spot-kick to send them to the round of 16.

Canada vs Morocco prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Morocco a 52.7 percent likelihood of winning in regulation time, while Canada is at 21.7 percent.

The model estimates a 25.6 percent probability of the game going to extra time.

Canada vs Morocco: Kickoff time, TV channel

• Canada: RDS, TSN, Crave (1pm, Eastern Daylight Time)
• Morocco: beIN SPORTS (6pm, Morocco Standard Time)
• USA: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (1pm, Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

Who will the winner face in the quarterfinals?

The winner of the Canada vs Morocco match will face either France or Paraguay in the quarterfinals in Boston on Thursday.

Canada vs Morocco: Head-to-head

The two teams have met four times, with Morocco winning on three occasions, while one game ended in a draw.

Canada are winless against Morocco, who won 2-1 in their last meeting, a group game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Canada vs Morocco: Team news

Ismael Kone is out with a broken ankle. Alphonso Davies played his first minutes at the tournament in the last game as a 75th-minute substitute and could start against Morocco.

No injuries have been reported in the Morocco camp.

Canada’s predicted lineup

(4-4-2): Crepeau (goalkeeper); Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Millar; Oluwaseyi, David

Morocco’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Bono (goalkeeper); Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss, Saibari

One of the most-storied national teams – and the current world champions – face opponents who only first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

Cape Verde was a colony of Portugal when Argentina took part in the first World Cup in 1930, finishing runners-up to Uruguay.

La Albiceleste have only failed to qualify for one World Cup, in Mexico in 1970, though withdrew from the three tournaments either side of World War Two.

Argentina’s first World Cup success came in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3-1. In 1986, a 3-2 victory over West Germany took the trophy back to South America.

A third World Cup trophy was secured in Qatar four years ago, with France beaten on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Argentina have enjoyed extensive continental success, too, winning the Copa America a record 16 times – including the past two tournaments.

They have not been out of the top three of the Fifa world ranking since March 2022, and spent two years in the number one spot before being dethroned by France last year.

The Cape Verdean Football Federation was only formed in 1982, and accepted as a Fifa member in 1986 – just as Argentina were winning the World Cup for a second time.

The Blue Sharks first entered World Cup qualifying in 2002 but did not have a realistic chance of qualifying until 2022.

Four years ago they only just lost out to Nigeria, drawing the final group game 1-1 in Lagos when a win would have sent them to Qatar.

For the 2026 finals, despite being drawn in a group with eight-time qualifiers Cameroon, Cape Verde finished top with one defeat in 10 matches.

Such has been their recent development they only played at their first Africa Cup of Nations 13 years ago, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Ghana.

They have now played at the Afcon four times, reaching the last eight again in 2023.

But they failed to reach the 2025 Afcon, despite qualifying for the World Cup.

Cape Verde broke in the Fifa top 100 in 2006, and climbed to 36th on the back of the first Afcon outing. In 2014, after qualifying for the 2015 tournament, they achieved their highest-ever ranking of 27th.

For the last nine years, Cape Verde have hovered around the 60-80 bracket, and will go into Friday’s game ranked 64th.

Miami, United States – Singing to the beat of the drum, jumping and dancing with joyful abandon, sporting their famous light blue and white shirts, and waving large flags bearing images of their heroes, Argentinian football fans have announced their team’s arrival in Miami in grand fashion.

A day before Argentina’s first knockout match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 – and their first fixture in the Sunshine State – the portion of Miami Beach known as Little Buenos Aires came to life as close to a thousand revellers geared up for Lionel Messi’s “homecoming” on Friday.

The defending champions and one of the pre-tournament favourites will take on the fairytale team of the World Cup – the small African island nation of Cape Verde.

The match at Miami Stadium will pit a team supported by one of the largest travelling fan bases of the tournament against an outfit that may not have strong backing in the stands but has endeared itself to the neutrals with its heroic performances.

Among Argentinian supporters, though, there’s no room for sympathy for the team punching above its weight.

For Adrian Elizondo, the logic is simple: “Messi deserves to win another World Cup.”

“It’s Messi’s last World Cup and since he’s the greatest player of all time, he deserves to walk away with another trophy,” Elizondo told Al Jazeera.

Elizondo believes there’s more to Argentina’s success than Messi.

“We have good players, a great coach and tens of thousands of people supporting the team. We make a big difference.”

A quick glance at the party-like atmosphere in Miami Beach reinforced Elizondo’s claim.

Miami, where Messi has been playing his club football since 2023, is home to at least 30,000 Argentinians, according to local census data.

Add to this mix another 20,000 fans following the team on their quest to defend the title in the United States and it becomes evident that Miami is “Messi Country”.

The crowd in North Beach, which is home to several decades-old Argentinian restaurants and cafes, started building more than 24 hours before kickoff and showed no sign of letting up as the evening went on.

Fans, from toddlers to supporters in their 70s, were seen walking towards the central area in Little Buenos Aires.

A small pocket of enthusiasts would begin singing “Muchachos” – the famous Argentinian football anthem – and hundreds of others would soon join in.

While the lyrics speak to the heartbreak of lost World Cup finals and past heroes, the mood among fans was festive, especially as Messi and Co broke a 36-year title drought four years ago in Qatar and emulated his hero Diego Maradona in leading them to a World Cup trophy.

For Argentina fans, Maradona and Messi are commonly considered the master and the protege. It’s part of their footballing folklore which is reinforced at every opportunity.

In Miami, as men, women and children danced on the streets, a group of supporters dressed in the shirts of Argentinian football club Newell’s Old Boys proudly stood in front of a banner connecting the two national heroes with the club.

Jorge Martinelli travelled to Miami from Rosario, the club’s base, with his friends and proudly shared some facts about his hometown.

“Messi was born in Rosario and played in Newell’s youth teams before joining Barcelona, while Maradona came to the club in 1993,” he tells Al Jazeera.

Is there any other connection between the two iconic captains? Martinelli said: “Yes, it’s a cosmic connection.

“Many here believe Maradona is guiding the team from the heavens above,” he quipped.

Amid Martinelli’s explanation of the spiritual connection between the two, fans let off crackers to celebrate Miami’s favourite footballing son’s return to his adopted home.

The Rosario resident said he does not want to contemplate a future after Messi retires from international football.

“It will create a big hole in the national team, the same as what happened after Maradona,” he said.

For now, though, he believes Messi is the favourite to do what even the great Maradona couldn’t achieve: successfully defend the title.

“He [Messi] is here. He’s playing. Maradona is watching.”

The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp about becoming their men’s national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned.

Nagelsmann requested to be relieved of his duties on Thursday following the team’s early exit from the World Cup.

The German FA (DFB) has now granted that request and immediately terminated their contractual relationship with the 38-year-old former Bayern Munich boss.

In a statement, DFB said it “will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp”, adding: “He has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position.”

Germany bowed out of the World Cup on Monday after the four-time winners were beaten by Paraguay on penalties in the last 32.

Initially Nagelsmann, who was appointed in 2023, was determined to remain in charge, saying after the game: “I’m not someone who runs away.”

But in a statement on Friday, he said: “I’ve done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.

“The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team ‘s success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start.”

More to follow.

Spain achieved its primary goal at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, defeating Austria 3-0 and advancing to the World Cup round of 16 in front of a pro-Spain announced crowd of 70,492.

The Spaniards extended their unbeaten match streak to 34 games and their win streak over European teams to 35 dating back to 2023. They have yet to concede a goal this tournament, tying the record for most consecutive men’s World Cup clean sheets with five.

By every metric, Spain controlled the match and won decisively in its best performance of the tournament.

But Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team still has room to improve and has yet to play its best soccer.

The team favored to win the World Cup before matches kicked off last month is still ramping up and working to championship standards.

While France’s fearsome foursome led by the electric Kylian Mbappé has bulldozed opponents, Norway’s Erling Haaland is scoring at a rapid pace and Lionel Messi is dancing his way to immortality, Spain superstar Lamine Yamal is still waiting to deliver a multi-goal dominant World Cup performance.

Yamal, an 18-year-old prodigy, showed flashes of his talent and set up his teammates well en route to winning man of the match honors that more than a few Spanish media members questioned. But his efficient teammates carried the scoring load Thursday, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring two goals and Pedro Porro adding another for La Roja.

Spain has been managing Yamal’s minutes while he recovers from injury, but Thursday was supposed to be an opportunity to unleash his dominance.

“I think we need to keep improving our game, our intensity — everything — but obviously we know the quality we have, and we know we’re not afraid of any team,” Yamal said after the match. “We’re Spain, and we have to prove it on the field, but we believe in ourselves.”

Spain still advanced with ease and will face the winner of the Portugal-Croatia match to be played later Thursday. Their round of 16 match will be played Monday in Arlington, Texas. On July 10, the winner of that contest will face the winner of Monday’s U.S.-Belgium match at SoFi Stadium.

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick is convinced Spain, the European champions, easily could become World Cup champions.

“If you watched the game today, you would recognize it is really difficult to play against this opponent,” Rangnick said of Spain. “… I cannot remember any unforced error they made.”

Spain’s de la Fuente shook his head when he heard Rangnick’s praise, saying he was happy for his players and loves his team but saw many areas that could be improved.

“There’s much to do,” de la Fuente said, noting the competition will only grow tougher. “The defense can still be improved. There have been some situations when we lacked high pressure. … Prior to the first hydration break, the team was still trying to evolve.

”… You need to keep improving all the time.”

Spain forward Lamine Yamal falls after Austria midfielder Florian Grillitsch kicks the ball away from him during the second half Thursday.

(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)

During its round of 32 match on Thursday, Spain handled Austria’s high press and attacked spaces behind the defense.

The Spanish team capitalized on its opponent’s defensive misalignments, found depth down the wings and consistently exposed the Austrians’ defensive weaknesses.

Austria came out quickly looking to pull off an upset, but it ran into a Spain team that was well-organized defensively. The counterattack ended with Yamal firing a shot straight at Austria goalkeeper Alex Schlager one minute into the game.

The Austrians tried to get behind the Spanish defense, but their attacking creativity was limited and they never managed to turn their promising opportunities into goals. One of Austria’s clearest chances came on a play by Marcel Sabitzer, who sent a cross from the left flank to forward Michael Gregoritsch, who wasn’t fast enough to put a head or foot on the well-placed ball before it sailed out of bounds.

The pace of the game favored Spain, as Austria took risks on the attack and left spaces open.

In the 29th minute, Yamal’s corner kick pinballed in the penalty area before falling to Marc Cucurella, who appeared to score. The goal was erased, however, because Spain tackled Austria’s goalkeeper before Cucurella took his shot.

Yamal was dynamic early and a run into the box nearly resulted in another clear scoring opportunity. Schlager barely had time to react and prevented another Spanish celebration in the 32nd minute.

Four minutes later, Cucurella sent a pass to Oyarzabal, who was left unmarked because David Alaba had left a large gap between himself and the forward. Oyarzabal connected with the cross and easily scored to give Spain a 1-0 lead.

Spain had two great chances to extend its lead during first-half stoppage time. The first was a long-range shot by Álex Baena that hit the crossbar; on the rebound, Yamal fired the ball straight into the Austria goalkeeper’s body.

In the second half, Yamal continued to pressure the Spanish defenders and set up Oyarzabal for a shot caught by the Austrian goalkeeper.

Rodri’s dribbling opened more space for Spain, allowing him to create a shooting opportunity that grazed the post in the 54th minute.

Austria was looking to attack more and brought on Sasa Kalajdzic, who responded quickly with a header that sailed over the crossbar.

Spain responded by scoring a few minutes later.

In the 66th minute, Baena won the ball back on the left and sent in a cross for Porro, who headed in his team’s second goal. It was Porro’s first goal for Spain during international competition.

In his final play before being replaced in the 85th minute, Yamal received a pass inside the penalty area and although he struck the ball well to beat the Austrian goalkeeper, another Austrian defender managed to block his shot.

When it seemed both teams were content with the result, Cucurella once again linked up with Oyarzabal off a deep pass into the center of the penalty area. Oyarzabal got behind two defenders and scored, sealing Spain’s 3-0 win.

“The game kind of tells you what you need — whether the team needs more on offense or more on defense,” Porro said. “It’s about staying more focused on that, and surely when you’re more confident in what you have to do, you perform better.”

World Cup fans in Benidorm were left floored after they were allegedly “attacked for wearing England shirts”. Natalie Brookfield shared the story as she opened up about the incident

The World Cup has got many football fans hooked, but some people actually venture to Benidorm to enjoy the sporting event while soaking up the party atmosphere. However, for one group of Brits, it seems things didn’t go to plan, as they were allegedly “attacked for wearing England shirts”.

Natalie Brookfield detailed what reportedly happened after the incident unfolded at the popular holiday destination, and it clearly left her and her friends pretty shocked. In a candid TikTok video, she explained what took place in Benidorm, while filming their red and soar-looking eyes, and it’s left people in total disbelief as they can’t believe such an incident occurred during the World Cup.

It’s not the first time the travel hotspot has hit the headlines recently either. Previously, it was reported sunbeds were empty at the destination for a totally unlikely reason.

Over footage of the group in their England shirts, Natalie wrote: “Wearing an England top to Benidorm? Apparently that’s a sprayable offence.

“Three girls and two guys pepper sprayed us for no reason. To anyone in Benidorm wearing England shirts, stay alert. We weren’t the only ones this happened to.”

In the clip, you see the three friends donning their England shirts and looking quite uncomfortable. It looks like their eyes were stinging following the alleged attack, and they appeared totally stunned too.

The video has since gone viral, after being viewed more than 50,000 times. Over 1,000 people also commented to share their thoughts and well wishes.

One said: “Benidorm in 2026 is crazy.” Another added: “Me and my friends wore NUFC tops in Benidorm and only received love from everyone. I’m sorry to hear this.”

A third replied: “It’s a terrible shame. Benidorm was once the party and fun centre. Very sad world we live in.”

Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I have been going Benidorm for 10+ years and unfortunately, over the past two years, I have seen more of this. I won’t stop going, but I will say don’t let it put you off going back and hope you are good.”

Someone else also noted: “I was in Benidorm on Monday. Loads wearing England tops! No problems.”

It’s something that got a lot of people talking, as people seem to have encountered mixed experiences at the party destination. However, for Natalie, it’s evident the group had a bit of a shock, but it’s unclear if they reported the incident.

Do people travel to Benidorm to watch the World Cup?

Little you may know, thousands of British tourists flock to Benidorm to watch the World Cup. Many fans choose the Spanish resort over travelling to host cities.

A five-night holiday in Benidorm often costs less than a single match ticket in the US, and flights from the UK to nearby Alicante see massive spikes during the tournament.