The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals lineup as it builds, with match kickoff times and locations.
Published On 6 Jul 20266 Jul 2026
As the biggest FIFA World Cup in history enters its fourth week, fewer than half of the 48 teams that kicked off the tournament remain in contention to win the title in North America.
The quarterfinals are now under way, with four of the last eight teams confirmed on the second day of action in the round of 16.
Some nations confirmed for the third stage of the knockouts recorded comfortable victories, while others had late scares but pulled through.
Here’s what you need to know about the World Cup’s quarterfinal stage:
Which teams are in the quarterfinals so far?
Morocco
France
Norway
England
What’s the schedule of the remaining round-of-16 matches?
Portugal vs Spain on Monday, July 6, at 2pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, United States
USA vs Belgium on Monday, July 6, at 5pm (00:00 GMT, Tuesday) – Seattle Stadium, US
Switzerland vs Colombia on Tuesday, July 7, at 1pm (20:00 GMT) – BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada
Argentina vs Egypt on Tuesday, July 7, at 12pm (16:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, US
What’s the full match schedule for the World Cup quarterfinals?
France vs Morocco on Thursday, July 9, at 4pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, US
USA/Belgium vs Portugal/Spain on Friday, July 10, at 12pm (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, US
Norway vs England on Saturday, July 11, at 5pm (19:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, US
Argentina/Egypt vs Switzerland/Colombia on Sunday, July 12, at 8pm (01:00 GMT, Monday) – Kansas City Stadium, US
Where can you watch the World Cup games?
Fans in the US can watch every match in English on Fox and FS1, with all 104 games also available to stream on Fox One and the Fox Sports app.
Spanish-language coverage in the US is available on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming through Peacock. Cord-cutters can also watch via services that carry Fox and FS1, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV.
In Canada, TSN is the primary English-language broadcaster, with selected matches also shown on CTV. French-language viewers can follow the action on RDS and RDS2.
England hands Mexico their first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach the 2026 quarterfinals.
Published On 6 Jul 20266 Jul 2026
Jude Bellingham’s double inflicted a rare defeat on Mexico at their Estadio Azteca as 10-man England won a nerve-racking World Cup classic 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals.
Harry Kane also scored from the penalty spot as the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah’s red card, high altitude, and a fervent home support on Sunday to keep their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive.
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England have relied on Bellingham and Kane throughout the tournament, and the duo has carried them into a last-eight showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds in the first half to condemn Mexico to just a third defeat in 90 matches at the Azteca.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez reduced the Mexican arrears, but they fell short of a place in the quarterfinals.
Victory also helped to erase some of England’s nightmarish memories at the Azteca in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, including the infamous “Hand of God” goal.
Sunday’s match was delayed by an hour after a thunderstorm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours before the planned 6pm (00:00 GMT) kickoff time.
Despite the sodden conditions, more than 80,000 fans crammed into the stadium to create a deafening noise.
England coach Thomas Tuchel was wary of a fast start from Mexico as his side adjusted to the altitude of 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.
Mexico had flown out of the traps when they won a World Cup knockout game for the first time in 40 years against Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday.
This time, England managed to keep Javier Aguirre’s side at bay, but they did need a crucial intervention from Jordan Pickford to deny Jimenez opening the scoring with a diving header that was headed for the bottom corner.
Tuchel made three changes to the side that needed a heroic performance from Kane to prevent an embarrassing early exit to DR Congo.
Quansah was forced to deputise at right-back with Reece James not fit to start for a third consecutive game, opening up Tuchel to criticism over his decision not to select more specialist cover in the position.
Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also started out wide, and both made telling contributions.
Saka’s cross picked out Bellingham to power in a header for the first goal Mexico conceded in five World Cup games.
The hosts failed to compose themselves, as within two minutes, the Real Madrid midfielder had doubled England’s lead.
Kane’s ball across fell perfectly for Bellingham to power in his fourth goal of the tournament.
Yet what should have been a comfortable lead was nearly wiped out by half-time.
Quinones blasted in his fourth goal of the tournament to spark the Mexico rally after England failed to clear a free kick.
Jimenez drilled wide and saw another header saved by Pickford before Bellingham made a last-ditch intervention to deny Cesar Montes a certain equaliser.
Nico O’Reilly nearly restored England’s two-goal cushion as his deflected shot cannoned off the post.
Quansah was shown a straight red card on 54 minutes after a VAR review for a mistimed lunge on Jesus Gallardo.
But just six minutes later, the 10 men had added to their lead when Gordon was wiped out by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane emphatically dispatched the penalty.
The England captain’s sixth goal of the tournament puts him just one behind Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
The game took another huge momentum swing when, this time, Kane was penalised for a foul inside his own box and Jimenez slotted home the penalty to set up a frantic final 20 minutes.
England, though, stood tall, defending at times frantically to resist the Mexican wave during 11 minutes of additional time, and have reached a third consecutive FIFA World Cup quarterfinal.
England were reduced to 10 men in their crucial World Cup last-16 match with Mexico and also had a controversial penalty awarded against them in a lively encounter at the Azteca Stadium.
The Three Lions led 2-0 in the first half thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Jude Bellingham, but Julian Quinones pulled a goal back just before the break.
However, the game exploded into life in the second half with two big moments.
First Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute after a review by the video assistant referee showed he clearly went in on Jesus Gallardo with his studs up.
The moment briefly buoyed Mexico’s fans but England soon went 3-1 up when Harry Kane converted a penalty.
“It is a clear red card,” Darren Cann, the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee said on BBC One.
“Quansah does play the ball first but that doesn’t matter in the laws of the game.
“He goes through and you can clearly see the studs on the shin. The referee has no choice but to show the red card.
“100% a red card.”
England restored their two goal advantage when Harry Kane converted a penalty, but Mexico again fought back when they were awarded a spot-kick.
Kane appeared to clip Brian Gutierrez and after referee Alireza Faghani went to the monitor to review the incident he awarded a penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.
“It is a penalty,” added Cann.
“Kane unfortunately does kick the Mexico player’s foot. It is a little bit similar to the [Luka] Modric kick which England got a penalty for in the first group game. Kane is unaware of the player coming in behind.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart felt all the key decisions made were correct.
“I think the referee has come to the right decision on all three [both penalties and the red card],” he said on BBC One.
“I felt every single one… as soon as I saw the replays, my heart was in my mouth. Quansah deserved to go, Kane didn’t get the ball and Gordon [for the England penalty] got to the ball first.”
Four years ago Brazil were unlucky to go out of the World Cup to Croatia in the quarter-finals. Four years prior that they were also slightly unfortunate to fall to Belgium at the same stage. This time they failed even to get that far and there was nothing unlucky about their loss to Norway.
This, frankly, is an unmitigated disaster.
Carlo Ancelotti arrived with his band aid after a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in March of last year.
Of his 16 games in charge of the national team he has won 10, drew three and lost three. He turned around a side that had struggled in World Cup qualifying, losing four out of five games prior to his arrival.
But that has not proved enough.
Brazil now need major surgery – starting with the area of the field where they used to be so strong, so creative, so entrancing – the midfield.
Turning their back on imaginative central midfield play has lost Brazil some friends along the way, and it is also losing them matches. The fact that they were comprehensively outpassed by Norway on a warm summer’s afternoon at this World Cup is simply astonishing – but it has to do with the make up of the side.
Ancelotti was a hostage to Casemiro. The first thing the coach did was recall the player from 18 months in the international wilderness.
There were plusses. Casemiro gave the team structure and freed Bruno Guimaraes, who until his early missed penalty against Norway – and what a difference that might have made – was enjoying a fine tournament.
But Casemiro’s vulnerability in open space was always a problem – clear in the second minute when Norway had a goal disallowed. And so the way Brazil defended was to drop deep and watch Norway exchange their passes and grow in confidence.
And then there is the absence of Lucas Paqueta, injured in the previous round against Japan. Ancelotti confessed that he did not have another player with the same characteristics. In came Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, which had the effect of making the team’s attack almost entirely dependent on quick direct breaks.
The coach made an error with his initial call up – having only five midfielders was a serious lapse, and when right back Wesley was injured in the final warm-up game Ancelotti used the opportunity to bring in potential Manchester United signing Ederson. But if the coach is to blame then so is the country.
Belgium’s football federation (RBFA) says it is “astonished” by FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the one-match red card ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun and is “investigating all potential options” to uphold integrity in the sport.
The World Cup was plunged into uproar on Sunday after FIFA suspended a red card given to Balogun ahead of the host nation’s clash with Belgium, in a bombshell move welcomed by US President Donald Trump but slammed by Belgian officials.
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The extraordinary FIFA ruling means that Balogun is now free to play for the USA against Belgium on Monday in Seattle, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it is “investigating all potential options” to “safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport”.
“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” added Belgium coach Rudi Garcia at a news conference.
“A lot of our thoughts and opinions are in the release,” Garcia said.
“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football.”
Balogun had been set to miss Monday’s last-16 knockout clash with the Belgians after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0.
Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player’s team.
But FIFA said on Sunday that the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.
It is the first instance of a red-carded player being allowed to play in his team’s subsequent match since the introduction of the yellow and red card rules at the 1970 edition of the World Cup.
‘We are not the bad men’
Top scorer Balogun has been key to the USA’s progress in the tournament, netting three times, and his absence against Belgium would have been a blow to the team in Seattle.
The stakes are huge for the cohosts, whose strong start to the tournament has raised expectations to fever-pitch levels among the American public, and they are targeting a run to at least the quarterfinals. The last time the USA reached the quarters was in 2002.
Balogun himself had said on Friday that the red card ban was “something I have to just accept”.
However, the 25-year-old celebrated FIFA’s U-turn with an Instagram post of himself in the US team jersey and Michael Jackson’s Bad attached as the audio.
USA players and officials welcomed the news, which they received on their way to training on Sunday morning.
“I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first,” defender Chris Richards said. “I think we were really excited because we found out through social media; it was cool. It was a lot of question marks, but just very, very happy and excited overall.”
“It feels right,” forward Christian Pulisic added. “Really excited for him to have this opportunity. To see the smile on his face and to be able to give us a boost tomorrow is great.”
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said that “it’s a fair decision because it should have never been a red card”, calling the punishment “too big” for an unintentional foul.
“It’s not that we are victims, but we are not the bad men, the mean ones here,” he said.
FIFA decision ‘a bit of a surprise’
In its statement, FIFA pointed to “article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code”, which allows the suspension to be “suspended for a probationary period of one year”.
Balogun would serve the ban only if he commits another similar foul in the next year, it said.
There is some precedent for the decision.
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo earned a three-game ban for an elbow during qualifying last year, but had two matches of his ban suspended.
The move, which allowed Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s World Cup opener, drew criticism at the time.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said it was “a bit of a surprise” that Balogun was cleared to play just a day before the match.
“Had it been done earlier, we’d have been able to be mentally more prepared, perhaps,” he said.
FIFA’s decision has stirred up a social media storm, with mixed reactions to the suspension.
DR Congo footballer Yannick Bolasie expressed his dismay at the decision by saying the reaction to FIFA’s U-turn would have been quite different had it been taken in the Africa Cup of Nations.
England’s World Cup last-16 match with Mexico has been delayed by one hour because of severe weather and is set to kick off at 02:00 BST on Monday (Sunday, 19:00 local time).
There has been heavy rain in Mexico City during the day and reports of lightning above the Azteca Stadium, which is staging the match.
Play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
Fifa held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time) before a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.
The game will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.
“I’ve been doing that before because, like the story said, that’s legal in Puerto Rico,” Díaz said.
USA Today published a story in May highlighting social media posts advertising cockfighting tournaments that picture Díaz in his Dodgers uniform. The story also referenced a story in El Nuevo Día, the largest circulating newspaper in Puerto Rico, quoting Díaz.
No one from Major League Baseball has reached out to Díaz about a possible suspension, he said.
“They didn’t reach out to me because I wasn’t doing anything illegal,” Díaz said.
In 2019, a federal law banning cockfighting took effect in Puerto Rico. Before the law, the blood sport had been made illegal in all 50 states, but not U.S. territories. Many Puerto Ricans saw the ban as an attack on their culture and vowed to defy the law.
Puerto Rico responded by passing a law saying that it’s legal to host cockfights as long as people don’t export or import the animals or any goods or services related to cockfighting. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 declined to hear a challenge to the federal law brought by a group that argued Congress exceeded its power by applying the ban to Puerto Rico.
Anyone found guilty of taking part in cockfighting faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Spectators could receive a one-year prison sentence.
Still, some Puerto Ricans such as Díaz view the topic as part of the island’s history, initially brought to the Caribbean by 16th-century Spaniards when the island was first colonized.
“It’s a pastime I’ve followed since I was a child,” Díaz told El Nuevo Día in March. “It’s legal in Puerto Rico, thank God. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
Diaz is on track to return to the Dodgers after the All-Star break, although his exact return date remains unclear. His fastball felt good, so locating his slider was the next step toward his return.
Times staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.
The Azteca Stadium has issued a shelter-in-place order because of severe weather before the last-16 World Cup tie between Mexico and England.
The match in Mexico City is set to kick off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (01:00 BST Monday).
There has been heavy rain in the city during the day and reports of lightning above the stadium.
The current advice for supporters and media inside the ground is to remain in their seats.
Fifa held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time) before a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.
England head coach Charlotte Edwards praised her side’s performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, insisting “our time will come”, after England are beaten by seven wickets by Australia at Lord’s.
SEATTLE — Folarin Balogun will be able to play for the U.S. in Monday’s World Cup elimination game with Belgium after FIFA rescinded the one-game suspension it handed down when Balogun drew a red card in the second half of the team’s round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.
In a statement released Sunday morning, FIFA said “In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
Balogun leads the U.S. with three goals in as many games. He is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.
Balogun got the red card after colliding with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic 16 minutes into the second half when the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly.
Both players went down and referee Raphael Claus did not signal a foul or pull a card. But after the video assistant referee urged him to watch a replay, Claus walked away from the monitor and flashed the red card.
After the game Balogun shook Claus’ hand on the pitch. And on Friday, in his first public comments, he spoke respectfully of the decision to give him a red card.
U.S. Soccer also released a statement Sunday.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” the statement said. ”Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
A U.S. Soccer spokesman said the team was informed of FIFA’s decision Sunday morning and Balogun was told the suspension had been lifted during a bus ride to training.
Leclerc now looked locked in for victory, but there was great doubt over second place.
Hamilton, who earlier had a five-second penalty for moving before the lights went out at the start, was 20 seconds back from his team-mate, but Verstappen was closing in and Russell was going with the Dutchman, having dropped back with a pit stop on lap 34 forced by a slow puncture.
But on lap 48, Verstappen spun off at Stowe. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the rear wing did not close properly, meaning Verstappen had less downforce as he turned in, causing his loss of control.
Verstappen’s off brought out the safety car, and initially it looked as if there would be a short blast to the finish with the Ferrari drivers contesting victory on fresh tyres.
But Russell did not pit, so he would have taken any restart between them, which would have delayed Hamilton’s charge, even by a few seconds.
But Verstappen had crashed with only four laps to go, and there was doubt about whether the incident would be cleared in time.
As the cars came around to approach the start of the final lap, the timing screen initially said the safety car would pull in, but a few seconds later that message was replaced by another saying it would stay out.
The full post-race FIA statement said: “The safety-car period regulation states that one lap must be completed following the unlapping procedure.
“This process was followed by race operations. The ‘safety car in this lap’ message was displayed erroneously due to a software error.”
The safety-car finish guaranteed Leclerc’s first win since the 2024 US Grand Prix in Austin.
Russell’s podium was his first at his home race and he said: “Really pleased to be standing here, even though it was a very lucky race. I had the puncture but I was lucky to get the safety car at the end.”
Hamilton said: “I just didn’t have it today. I jumped the start, got a five-second penalty but Charles had the pace on me today. I struggled with the balance of the car. I gave it everything and I am grateful to be up here.”
Lando Norris took fourth for McLaren after a solid but quiet race as the world champions wait for upgrades due at the Hungarian Grand Prix this month.
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was fifth, followed by the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and 18-year-old British rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri dropped to the back after being involved in a first-lap incident and recovered to 11th, behind the Audi of Gabriel Bortoleto and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly.
The rapid winger certainly tried to make things happen at Hoffenheim, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season.
Of the forwards playing in the Bundesliga in 2025-26, Toure ranked first for successful crosses (39), joint-second for assists (nine), joint-third for dribbles completed (48) and fourth for chances created (45) and big chances created (11).
However, he is far from a maverick.
“You see his qualities with the ball, his speed and his hard work,” Besara said. “But the thing that amazed me was he could take directions from the coaches and the players, and do it directly on the pitch.
“I remember previously he had scored some goals for Hammarby, but he had not scored a header at the time.
“The day before a game, our coach [Kim Hellberg] said, ‘Bazou, I want you to go to the first post and head the ball’. He went on to score two headers in that game.
“He’s really adaptable at taking tactical advice.”
Toure’s ability to quickly process information has been key to the improvements he has made out of possession, too.
Toure came out on top in 152 duels and won the ball back 127 times in his final league campaign at Hoffenheim.
The Premier League is another step up, though.
Toure is still raw and needs to work on various areas of his game, including his finishing.
He will also need time to adjust to the league’s physicality and intensity, and the system Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe uses.
But the winger will be able to fall back on recent experience after repeatedly adapting to new environments over the years.
“I know he will be really successful,” Besara said. “Mark my words.”
Mexico supporters attempted to wake up England players with music and fireworks close to their hotel the night before the sides’ last-16 World Cup tie, but were moved back by police.
Footage published on social media appears to show a group of fans chanting, playing music and letting off fireworks on a street nearby England’s hotel in Mexico City.
Early indications from the England camp are it had minimal impact on the players.
Police in riot gear have been lining the streets immediately surrounding the hotel, with anyone attempting to get close being moved away.
The increased security presence comes because Ecuador – beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 – lodged a noise complaint with world governing body Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.
The World Cup co-hosts play England at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on Sunday evening local time (01:00 BST, Monday).
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.
Wakefield Trinity ran in nine tries as they thrashed Castleford Tigers to boost their Super League top-four hopes at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Daryl Powell’s side climbed to third on 24 points after recording six wins in their past seven games.
Castleford were a mess and Wakefield took full advantage as Cameron Scott, Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin-Uele each scored twice.
Lachlan Walmsley, Tyson Smoothy and Josh Rourke also went over, before Jason Qareqare replied a minute before time to avoid total humiliation for Castleford.
Scotland international Walmsley marked his spectacular one-handed finish in the corner by pulling out an Uno +4 card from his sock, with £180 being donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association by sponsors for every try celebration during Magic Weekend.
As majestic as Wakefield were, Castleford gave them a massive helping hand and Walmsley caught Jake Trueman’s kick and laid the ball off for Scott to go over in the right corner for their first score in the third minute.
It was one-way traffic and Trinity had two tries ruled out before winger Johnstone crossed in the left corner in the 16th minute.
Hamlin-Uele came off the bench to score their third try when he powered through two tackles to go over near the posts.
They were almost scoring at will as Castleford made mistake after mistake while missing 44 tackles.
Wakefield extended their lead to 20-0 when Scott collected Jack Sinfield’s pass and broke inside to go over for his second score.
They were enjoying themselves as Walmsley showed following his acrobatic try in the right corner after 47 minutes to make it 24-0.
Not to be left out, Trinity’s forwards got in on the act and Smoothy smashed through the Castleford defence to score by the posts on 51 minutes.
Hamlin-Uele scored his second try – and he will hardly record an easier one all season – as he walked through two Castleford tackles to go over.
Johnstone bagged his second try on 65 minutes when Wakefield passed the ball along their backline from a scrum, before Rourke caught Sinfield’s kick to crash over for their ninth try.
Qareqare, though, continued his hot streak with a 10th try in seven games, but it provided little consolation for ninth-placed Castleford.
The Skerries 100 motorcycle road race has been abandoned after a fatal accident on Sunday.
The incident happened in the Junior Support race, which was the second race of the day.
A statement from the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club, which organises the races, said it “regrets to announced a competitor has sadly passed away following a tragic accident that occurred during a race”.
The organisers added the rider’s next of kin were being informed and more details would be released.
The Skerries 100, which takes place in County Dublin, was returning for the first time in four years after road racing was impacted by rising insurance costs in the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland rider William Dunlop was the last rider to lose their life at the Skerries 100 in 2018.
On Saturday, his brother Michael, who has a record 36 wins at the Isle of Man TT, won the opening race at the 2026 races before the fatal accident.
The fatality is the third death at a road race on the island of Ireland in 2026.
On Friday, Irish rider James Walsh passed away after an accident at the Tandragee 100 road race in Northern Ireland six days earlier.
In May, Czech Republic rider Kamil Holan died in an accident in Superbike qualifying at the North West 200 international road race at Station Corner.
Later that month, English rider Dan Ingham was killed in an accident during a practice session at the Isle of Man TT.
The high school football season is more than a month away, but fans seeking an early preview of teams with top quarterbacks, top receivers and top defensive backs have come to appreciate the annual Edison Battle at the Beach seven-on-seven passing tournament that is taking place on Saturday.
It’s the unofficial kickoff to teams getting serious because so many quality teams compete from 9 a.m. through the early afternoon in Huntington Beach, with food, music and lots of banter among parents. You know how much players like to rise up against players with better “star” rankings than them, and this is the tournament to see it play out.
It’s not about wins and losses — it’s about players testing themselves against great competition. This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
Schedule for Edison passing tournament on July 11. My official start to high school football season. It’s that entertaining. pic.twitter.com/RsoSfcoCCy
Mission Viejo has won the last two tournaments at Edison, but the Diablos are spending the summer trying to figure out who will start at quarterback. Sophomore Brett Burnor and senior Nash McElree, a transfer from Texas, are competing. Could coach Chad Johnson really alternate quarterbacks like he did two years ago with Luke Fahey and Drai Trudeau?
“You never know,” he said.
The Trinity League is represented by St. John Bosco, Santa Margarita, Orange Lutheran, JSerra and Servite. Corona Centennial and its new quarterback, Jaden Jefferson, a transfer from L.A. Cathedral, is entered, along with San Diego’s likely No. 1 team, Cathedral Catholic, which boasts the No. 1 player in the state in USC commit Honor Fa’alave-Johnson. His appearance alone should attract plenty of Trojans fans, particularly for the 10:30 a.m. game against the likely No. 1 team in California, St. John Bosco.
Palos Verdes has four-year starter Ryan Rakowski at quarterback and standout defensive back Jalen Flowers. Rancho Cucamonga gets to show off many of its top skill-position players.
One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses.
Mission Viejo’s Johnson said he has three tight ends with college offers, another rarity. He could join the Rams with his three-tight-end formation. He intends to use them against defenses that use odd-number fronts this fall. One of his most improved players is tight end Luke Karby, a Duke commit. Another is Arizona commit Max Markofski, who is 6 feet 4 and 228 pounds. Santa Margarita has tight end Luke Gazzaniga, a Kansas commit. Jaylin Smalls of Rancho Cucamonga is 6-4, 230 pounds and moving up recruiting boards.
July 11. Hayden Koo of Tustin vs. Bosco defensive backs at Edison. Bring the cameras. Let’s see who wins the battle. https://t.co/hthFjAJYgZ
This is the first opportunity for early clues as to how first-year coaches are doing at JSerra, Los Alamitos, Servite, Orange Lutheran, Long Beach Poly and Oaks Christian.
One of the always-interesting scenes is Edison coach Jeff Grady refusing to take the easy road when making the bracket, so he scheduled his team to open up against St. John Bosco at 9 a.m., perhaps hoping the Braves show up a little sleepy. Running back Maliq Allen has returned to the Braves after spending the spring at Inglewood.
Ocean View also is hosting a 32-team passing tournament in Huntington Beach on Saturday. San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Huntington Beach, Downey and Carson are the teams to watch.
Fearsome duo
Long Beach Poly might have the most decorated cornerback duo in JuJu Johnson, a UCLA commit, and Donte Wright, a Miami commit. Just watching them cover receivers on Saturday at Edison should be a highlight in itself. Johnson was injured last season, but few have raised their profile in the offseason more than him.
Poly is in Pool C and the duo gets to take on receivers from Capistrano Valley, San Diego Lincoln, Servite and Santa Margarita.
King/Drew fearing no one
King/Drew players participating in the Simi Valley tournament.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
This has been a fruitful summer for King/Drew of the City Section. The Golden Eagles have been driving around willing to play seven-on-seven against top Southern Section opponents, including visits to West Hills and Simi Valley.
It’s the same strategy Carson and Birmingham have taken to prepare for City Section play during the regular season. If you can compete with Southern Section teams, then you’ll do just fine against City Section opponents.
Makeo Smith, a 6-4, 265-pound sophomore lineman, figures to receive lots of attention after contributing as a freshman.
Brentford are nearing a move for Burnley forward Jaidon Anthony for a £15m fee rising to £17m with add-ons.
The 26-year-old is ready to sign a four-year contract with an option for an extra year and his medical is provisionally scheduled for Monday.
Anthony contributed nine goals and four assists across 38 appearances in all competitions last season, although that was not enough to prevent the Clarets from being relegated.
The Brentford move appeals to Anthony, who is from London and began his career in Arsenal‘s academy, while Bees manager Keith Andrews considers him a good fit for his style of play.
Anthony left Arsenal in 2016 without making an appearance for the senior team but then established himself at Bournemouth after loan spells at Weymouth and Leeds United.
He joined Burnley on loan from Bournemouth in 2024, with the move made permanent last summer following promotion to the Premier League, triggering an £8m obligation-to-buy clause.
Burnley were relegated after one season in the top flight and face West Ham in their first game back in the Championship on 16 August.
Brentford narrowly missed out on European qualification, finishing ninth on goal difference, and play Tottenham in their opening Premier League fixture.
England famously found itself on the wrong side of World Cup history at Azteca Stadium, surrendering Diego Maradona’s iconic “Hand of God” goal and another strike known as the tournament’s “most beautiful goal.”
Maradona and eventual champion Argentina eliminated England 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, leaving the Brits to stew over their link to a soccer legend.
England will return to Azteca Stadium on Sunday to take on World Cup co-host Mexico in a round-of-16 match kicking off at 5 p.m. PDT and airing on Fox and Telemundo.
England coach Thomas Tuchel said during interviews before their departure for Mexico that this will be a way to “make amends” with the stadium that hosted a goal Maradona punched in with his fist, and “karma will come back for us.”
Argentina’s Diego Maradona punches the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to score his “Hand of God” goal during a 1986 World Cup match at Azteca Stadium.
(Getty Images / Getty Images)
“It’s one of the most beautiful, most exciting matchups you can have — playing Mexico at the Azteca,” Tuchel said during a news conference after defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 32.
But the road to Azteca Stadium hasn’t been easy for England.
England enters this matchup after a hard-fought victory over Congo. The African team took the lead and had chances to extend it, but ultimately paid dearly for squandering those opportunities. Top England scorer Harry Kane stepped up with two decisive goals that helped his team advance. It was England’s first World Cup victory after trailing 1-0 since the 1966 final, which the English team won as a tournament host.
The English have to contend with not only the ghost of Maradona’s two goals, but also the altitude in Mexico City, which is about 7,350 feet above sea level.
Mexico has lost only two of 89 matches at Azteca Stadium, winning 70 and tying 17. The last time it lost an official match there was a 2-1 defeat to Honduras in a 2013 World Cup qualifier.
“There will be many obstacles — the altitude will be a major disadvantage because we can’t acclimate to it,” Tuchel said. “Let’s hope that when we face difficulties along the way, we’ll find the answers.”
Mexico players celebrate after the team’s World Cup win over Ecuador at Azteca Stadium on Tuesday.
(Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Tuchel noted his team got accustomed to heat and humidity while training in the United States.
“At the end of the day, it’s a soccer game,” said England’s Marcus Rashford, who also plays for Manchester United. “We’ve all been playing soccer since we were kids, and we’ve played in different environments and under different conditions — some more difficult than others, some in terrible places. But it’s up to us to find a way to win and to work as a team.”
England expects to face an intense atmosphere, with the majority of more than 80,000 fans backing Mexico.
“It’s one of the great stadiums in soccer. Playing there is a blessing. Mexico is probably the favorite. They’re at home, playing on their home turf; it will be a big challenge for us, but we’ll be ready,” England’s Marc Guehi told the BBC.
The match also will pose a significant challenge for the Mexican team, which has not conceded a goal during the World Cup but will face an English side that excels in aerial play, with lethal scorers like Kane and Jude Bellingham. Mexico’s defensive performance has been credited to the direction of Rafa Márquez, a former Barcelona player who is one of Mexico’s assistant coaches.
“They’re high-caliber players who can make a difference at any moment, and we have to take advantage of playing at home and maintain our current level of play because no one has given us anything for free,” said veteran backup goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, another key voice supporting Mexico’s defensive effort.
Less than 72 hours before the game, FIFA explored moving the evening kickoff to noon local time — a change that would have completely disrupted the sporting, logistical and emotional planning of both teams.
FIFA first weighed the unprecedented change reportedly because of the threat of thunderstorms. The Athletic and media outlets covering both teams later reported security concerns after the death of four Mexico fans during round-of-32 postgame celebrations triggered the potential change, but both team pushed back, and Mexico’s security officials assured FIFA they could keep fans safe. FIFA relented and did not change the start time.
Mexico’s Álvaro Fidalgo celebrates after scoring against Czechia during a World Cup match at Azteca Stadium on June 24.
(Silvia Izquierdo / Ap Photo/silvia Izquierdo)
“No one wants a celebration — such an important moment, a once-in-a-lifetime moment — to turn into a sad occasion because of certain things. We don’t want anyone to lose a loved one,” Mexico midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo said.
Contrary to what many experts expected, Mexico has breezed through the group stage and the second round at home. Coach Javier Aguirre has eased some of the pressure on himself by leading the team to its fifth World Cup match — a feat Mexico had not achieved in eight consecutive World Cups. Two of those failed attempts came under Aguirre’s leadership: in 2002, when Mexico lost to the United States, and in 2010, when it lost to Argentina — both in the round of 16.
“We’ll try to keep this momentum going at home,” Aguirre said. “We’ll try to play a complete game.”
With the support of its fans and a sense of hope that grows with every game, the Mexican team will seek to match its best performances from 1986 and 1970 — World Cups it hosted, though with fewer participating teams.
Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez celebrates after scoring against South Africa during a World Cup match at Azteca Stadium on June 11.
(Carl Recine / Getty Images)
“We have to let them know that we’re just as good,” said Raúl Jiménez, Mexico’s leading scorer. “That we can compete on equal terms, we can play a good game, and we have the support of the fans. It doesn’t matter which goalkeeper is in front of us — if we put it in the corner, no goalkeeper can stop it.”
Advancing past England would mark the first time Mexico defeated a past champion in a knockout round, and it also would be the first time the team strung together two knockout-round victories in a World Cup, after beating Ecuador in the round of 32.
Mexico defeated past champions France and Germany in 2010 and 2018, respectively, but those wins came in the group stage.
“It’s a match everyone always dreams of. Being in the round of 16 at the Azteca — not just saying it, but even thinking about it — is incredible,” Fidalgo said. “We have to rise to the occasion.”
The FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Sunday has two heavyweight ties as Brazil face Norway in New Jersey before cohosts Mexico take on England in Mexico City.
Here’s the full schedule, Opta’s predictions and the latest news from the tournament, including Morocco’s march into the quarterfinals and France’s fiery win over Paraguay.
What is Sunday’s schedule?
Brazil vs Norway: 4pm (20:00 GMT) at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Mexico vs England: 6pm (00:00 GMT into Monday) at Mexico City Stadium
What are the predictions for Brazil vs Norway?
Brazil will be hoping to end an unwanted trend when they face Norway in the round of 16.
The teams have met four times previously in all competitions, and Norway have yet to lose the fixture. The Scandinavians have won twice and drawn twice, including a memorable 2-1 victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup.
Despite those historical trends, the Opta supercomputer calculates Brazil as the clear favourites. After running 25,000 pre-match simulations, Brazil won in regulation time in 53.6 percent of the outcomes.
Norway claimed victory within 90 minutes in 22.4 percent of the simulations while 24 percent ended level after normal time, sending the tie to extra time and potentially penalties.
What are the predictions for Mexico vs England?
England and Mexico have crossed paths only once before at the World Cup, and that meeting dates back nearly 60 years.
The encounter came during the group stage of the 1966 tournament when tournament hosts England secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt. The Three Lions went on to lift the trophy that summer, claiming the only World Cup title in their history.
England have also enjoyed the upper hand in the fixture outside the World Cup, winning each of their last four meetings with Mexico. Those victories all came in international friendlies played from 1986 to 2010.
Opta’s supercomputer predicted one of the closest contests of the round of 16 with neither side holding a decisive advantage.
England enter the tie with a favourable historical record against Mexico, but El Tri’s home support and familiarity with the conditions help narrow the gap.
Across 25,000 simulations, England won in normal time 40.6 percent of the time, while Mexico did so in 31.5 percent. A further 27.9 percent of simulations ended level after 90 minutes, meaning the match would require extra time and possibly a penalty shootout.
Remaining round of 16 schedule:
Brazil vs Norway: Sunday, New York New Jersey Stadium, 20:00 GMT
Mexico vs England: Sunday, Mexico City Stadium, 00:00 GMT going into Monday
Portugal vs Spain: Monday, Dallas Stadium, 19:00 GMT
USA vs Belgium: Monday, Seattle Stadium, 00:00 GMT going into Tuesday
Argentina vs Egypt: Tuesday, Atlanta Stadium, 16:00 GMT
Switzerland vs Colombia: Tuesday, BC Place Vancouver, 20:00 GMT
What else is happening?
Morocco’s historic quarterfinal run
Morocco reached the World Cup quarterfinals for a second consecutive tournament after defeating cohosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice to end the North Americans’ historic run.
The final score did not reflect the balance of the game. Canada controlled much of the first half, creating several promising chances while keeping Morocco from registering their first shot until the 28th minute.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was visibly frustrated on the touchline before the break as misplaced passes and sloppy errors disrupted his side’s rhythm, but the team responded with a much-improved display after half-time.
“It’s a World Cup match, and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives,” Ouahbi said. “We reacted very well in the second half, especially in the duels and in winning the second balls.
Was Paraguay’s play ‘dirty’?
France captain Kylian Mbappe insisted his side were prepared to match Paraguay’s physical approach after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.
Mbappe, who converted the decisive penalty in the 70th minute after Desire Doue was fouled in the area, dismissed the suggestion that France were unsettled by Paraguay’s aggressive tactics.
“They thought we’d come out in tuxedos, trying fancy tricks and one-twos,” Mbappe said. “But we know how to play dirty football too. If that’s what the game requires, we have no problem doing it.”
The winning penalty was awarded only after a VAR review with France coach Didier Deschamps questioning referee Ilgiz Tantashev’s handling of the increasingly physical contest.
“We received three yellow cards while they kept fouling us throughout the game,” Deschamps said. “Every team is entitled to play in its own way, but I could have done without some of the insults from the opposition.”
Mexico’s fortress awaits England
Mexico will look to end a 40-year wait to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals when they face England on Sunday, backed by one of international football’s strongest home records.
The cohosts have lost only two official matches at Mexico City Stadium since it opened in 1966 with the last defeat coming against Honduras in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.
Former Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez believes the stadium could once again make the difference.
“The stadium is a monster; that explains the high number of wins and draws and the few losses, which were just accidents. We approach this with optimism because we know it’s England, but if we play the way we did against Ecuador, we can beat them.”
Mexico’s World Cup record at the stadium reflects that dominance. Across the 1970, 1986 and 2026 tournaments, El Tri have played 10 World Cup matches there, winning eight and drawing two. In this year’s tournament, they have beaten South Africa, Czechia and Ecuador in Mexico City without conceding a goal while also defeating South Korea in Guadalajara.
