The 2026 FIFA World Cup has become perhaps the strongest example yet of how migration, family heritage and evolving FIFA eligibility rules have transformed international football.
For Iran, the tournament ended in heartbreak despite collecting three points, falling victim to VAR, goal difference, and one of the most dramatic stoppage-time goals of the tournament.
Portugal held by Colombia to a goalless draw as they will now face Croatia in the next round. Messi scored his 6th goal as Argentina won 3-1 against Jordan.
With three groups yet to finish their matches, here's how the best third-placed teams are ranked, who's through, who's out, and what every contender needs to reach the Round of 32
Panama vs England (2:30 am), Croatia vs Ghana (2:30 am), Colombia vs Portugal (5:00 am), DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (5:00 am), Algeria vs Austria (7:30 am), Jordan vs Argentina (7:30 am).
Cape Verde, the smallest nation to reach a men's World Cup knockout round, will face Argentina after finishing second in Group H despite a squad value far below football's giants
Pochettino's USA's composed 2-0 victory over Australia secured back-to-back group-stage wins for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930, guaranteeing progression to the Round of 32.
A routine host-city celebration has turned Egypt's World Cup match against Iran into a debate over Pride, local traditions, cultural values and FIFA's governance of a global tournament
Norway vs France (12:30 am IST), Senegal vs Iraq (12:30 am IST), Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (5:30 am IST), Uruguay vs Spain (5:30 am IST), New Zealand vs Belgium (8:30 am IST), Egypt vs Iran (8:30 am
For the first time since lifting the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Germany have secured a place in the knockout stages of football's biggest tournament.
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said his side has moved past expectations and now faces a simple equation against Belgium: win on Friday and reach the World Cup knockouts.