Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, finishing second in Group E. Forward Nicolas Pepe, who scored both goals, said the team is "setting no limits" and has "huge potential" going forward.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Sweden advanced to the World Cup last 32 as one of the best third-placed finishers after drawing 1-1 with Japan. Coach Graham Potter said Sweden will be underdogs regardless of their knockout opponent, which could be France, Norway, or Germany.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France play Norway in a crucial World Cup Group I match on Friday, with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland both in fine form. The two forwards have each scored four goals in the tournament, trailing leader Lionel Messi on five.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France will play Norway in their final World Cup group game on Friday without head coach Didier Deschamps, who returned home to attend his mother's funeral. The squad expressed their determination to make Deschamps "as proud as possible" during his absence, with assistant coach Guy Stephan leading the team.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Norway has advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup, their first return in 28 years. Norwegian Football Federation chief Lise Klaveness attributes their success to a grassroots development model that keeps young players with local clubs under volunteer coaches, a system that produced players including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his team will approach their game against Iraq on Friday like a final to stay alive in the World Cup, after losses to France and Norway left them with zero points in Group I.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nicolas Pepe scored twice to lead Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday, securing the team's first World Cup knockout appearance and eliminating Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after beating Curacao 2-0, finishing second in Group E. Forward Nicolas Pepe, who scored both goals, said the team is "setting no limits" and will face the runner-up from Group I in the last-32.
26 June 2026 · The Standard →