As reported by Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers and Schneider have agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract. Schneider is now tied with Marcus Pettersson as the fourth-highest-paid blueliner in Manhattan—and ninth among all rostered Blueshirts.

Still, the one-year deal hardly answers whether the Blueshirts view Schneider as part of their long-term plans. If anything, it gives the Rangers more time to think about their next move. If they stay on the market looking for a suitable offer, the Rangers no longer risk running out of time and having a third party arbitrate Schneider’s contract.

Schneider’s trade value

Signing Schneider to a one-year contract also keeps the trade window open. Moreover, the settlement could create a stir across the NHL. Organizations may be more interested in the young blueliner now that they know exactly what his salary will be for the 2026-27 campaign. When Schneider was an RFA, that number was still up in the air, making several potential suitors wary.

Perhaps Schneider’s value has gone up. The bill has certainly gone up for New York, which more than doubled his salary. Still, the Rangers will likely want to take their (not exactly) new toy out for a spin before parting ways with it. Even if that means rolling the dice on a potential injury that would send them back to square one—or even further back.

Schneider is up for another test

Meanwhile, the one-year agreement sets Schneider up for yet another contract year in the NHL. Needless to say, he didn’t ace his first go-around, but he will have another chance now.The trade route, while still open, appears to have taken a back seat.

If he indeed makes it to the regular season as a Blueshirt, Schneider’s performance will likely determine whether the Rangers re-sign him or shop him, perhaps at the trade deadline. The worst-case scenario? New York goes through this entire process again next offseason, as Schneider will remain a pending restricted free agent.

Although they have different styles of play, Martinez and Pickford are both known for their flair and high-energy personalities. Martinez and Pickford share a sense of self-belief that borders on arrogance, a trait that boils the blood of opponents while filling their countrymen with pride. They are impossible to miss and always seem to have something in store for Argentina and England, respectively.

Another common trait is that both could fall into the category of goalkeepers who save their best performances for the national team. When they put on the sweater for their countries, Martinez and Pickford become different animals. Clearly, Martinez has enjoyed far more success, having won everything there is to win with Argentina. Still, Pickford has become a staple of the Three Lions and even set a FIFA World Cup record for England in the quarterfinals.

Neither goalkeeper’s stats at the 2026 World Cup jump off the page, but both have made timely saves to keep their teams alive. Contrary to the other semifinal matchup between France’s Mike Maignan and Spain’s Unai Simon, Martinez and Pickford aren’t the type of goalkeepers who rely on clean sheets to showcase their value. Instead, they earn their reputation by being in the right place at the right time to make the improbable save.

Martinez’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Coming into soccer’s biggest tournament with concerns over a fractured finger, Martinez needed some time to find his footing at the 2026 World Cup. Although he kept clean sheets in Argentina’s first two group-stage games, he still looked a gear off. Against Egypt in the Round of 16, Martinez had his worst game of the World Cup, but he bounced back with arguably his best performance against Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

When Argentina were in distress, Martinez came to their rescue, just as he had done at Qatar 2022. So far, Martinez has played six games at the 2026 World Cup, recording two clean sheets and conceding six goals. His numbers may leave some to be desired, but Argentina know how their goalkeeper operates, and they are aware he usually saves his best for the latter stages of the tournament.

Moreover, if any knockout-stage match is decided by a penalty shootout, La Albiceleste are confident their goalkeeper—who is renowned for playing mind games with opposing takers and dancing afterwards—stacks the deck in their favor.

Pickford’s stats at 2026 World Cup

Although some England fans still resist him, Pickford has become synonymous with the Three Lions in recent years. No other goalkeeper has stepped up to take his place, and there is a reason national team head coaches have come and gone for England while Pickford has remained the starter.

Although he may concede head-scratching goals from time to time, Pickford is just as capable of pulling off saves no other goalkeeper could. With Pickford, one can never really tell what’s going to happen. The only certainty is that it will be entertaining. So far at the 2026 World Cup, however, the good has outweighed the bad for Pickford.

As mentioned earlier, the two goalkeepers have more than just similar personalities—their statistics are another example. Like Martinez, Pickford has kept two clean sheets and conceded six goals through six games at the 2026 World Cup. According to FOX Sports, Pickford has the edge in saves made, with 12 compared to Martinez’s eight. Other than that, their stat sheets are virtually photocopies of one another. As Argentina and England gear up for another World Cup battle, only one of them will make it through.

Key info about Martinez and Pickford

So far at the 2026 World Cup, both netminders have been outstanding. Truth be told, however, the prolific talent in front of them and the masterful tactical plans devised by their coaches have made life much easier for both Maignan and Simon.

Until France and Spain cross paths in the semifinals, neither side has truly been put to the test at the 2026 World Cup. Simon and the Spaniards had to work hard to defeat Belgium in the quarterfinals, but aside from conceding their only goal of the tournament, the Red Devils never really put Spain against the ropes.

In more ways than one, the semifinals will be the litmus test for both goalkeepers. Whoever passes it will give his team a great chance of reaching the World Cup final.

Maignan’s stats at 2026 World Cup

Maignan wasn’t on France’s roster at the 2022 World Cup. Thus, he didn’t experience the heartbreak in Qatar, but is helping Mbappe and company avenge it, regardless. So far, so good, as Maignan has been one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament. He’s yet to be under siege, but he’s shown calm and safe hands when he needed to.

Through six games at the 2026 World Cup, Maignan has kept four clean sheets, allowing just two goals. Maignan has conceded no more than one goal in any match. However, Maignan has made only nine saves so far at the World Cup, ranking 25th among goalkeepers, according to FOX Sports, which underlines what’s been a relatively uneventful tournament for him. It’s easier said than done, but if he can maintain that form against Spain, France should be in a great position to advance.

With the likes of Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, and many more leading the attack, head coach Didier Deschamps’ side are virtually guaranteed to score in bunches. France have proved just that throughout the 2026 World Cup. However, they have yet to face a defensive unit as efficient as Spain’s, with Simon serving as the last line of defense if all else fails.

Simon’s stats at 2026 World Cup

From a purely statistical standpoint, Simon has been the best goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup. There’s no arguing that. His numbers speak for themselves. In fact, Simon set an all-time FIFA World Cup record by going 650 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal (dating back to the 2022 World Cup). Simon’s run was snapped by Charles De Ketelaere’s goal for Belgium in the quarterfinals. Still, it took nothing away from Simon’s achievement.

So far at the 2026 World Cup, Simon has put on a goalkeeping clinic. Spain have conceded only one goal in six games, with Simon keeping five clean sheets. However, he will face a test unlike any previous one when Spain take on the multi-headed monster that is France’s attack.

Many may argue Simon’s numbers are a product of his team’s play and the fact that he’s faced very few shots at the 2026 World Cup. According to FOX Sports, Simon has made only six saves at the tournament, even fewer than Maignan. Both goalkeepers have similar numbers, which underline the efficiency of their national teams and reflect the parity in this semifinal showdown.

Key facts about Maignan and Simon

“Well done Bellingham and referee,” Alfie Haaland replied to a post from Fabrizio Romano on Bellingham’s stats at the 2026 World Cup. With his brace against Norway, Bellingham has eclipsed Zinedine Zidane in World Cup goals. However, Alfie’s sarcastic remark was clearly digging at Turpin’s officiating rather than actually congratulating Bellingham. Alfie Haaland knows Bellingham from his son’s time alongside Jude at Borussia Dortmund.

Although the action-packed quarterfinals showdown in Miami had no shortage of controversies, some of which affected Norway heavily, there were also a couple of calls that went the Vikings’ way. All in all, it was a tough to game to officiate, as two elite sides left it all on the line.

Controversies in England’s 2-1 win over Norway

The first major controversial decision came with Norway’s goal. Andreas Schjelderup beat Jordan Pickford with a shot that appeared to be a cross but found the back of the net. The Three Lions appealed for a foul on Harry Kane, but to no avail. The goal stood.

England found the equalizer through Bellingham, but a slow-motion replay appeared to show the ball ricocheting off a camera cable stretching across the stadium. FIFA responded to the concerns surrounding England’s goal by stating that the sensor inside the ball detected no contact. Thus, the goal stood, though FIFA’s explanation did little to convince Norway, and Alfie Haaland was no different.

In the second half, Norway had a goal disallowed after a VAR review determined that Haaland had pushed Elliot Anderson before the corner kick was taken. That decision left little room for debate, but when combined with England’s disputed first goal, it’s clear why Norway felt they got the short end of the stick.

More controversial calls in England vs Norway

However, VAR also worked in Norway’s favor when Djed Spence went down inside the box in extra time. Turpin initially awarded England a penalty, but after reviewing the play, it became clear that Spence had initiated the contact. As a result, England’s penalty was correctly overturned.

All in all, there were several eyebrow-raising decisions that affected both sides. Aside from the controversial camera cable incident before England’s equalizer, Turpin generally got the key calls right. The one that still leaves room for debate, however, is the decision that changed the course of the game for Haaland and Norway.

Coach is under the scope, too

Officiating isn’t the only thing under the microscope for the Norwegians. Head coach Stale Solbakken is also facing scrutiny over his overtime decision, as fans can’t comprehend why Erling Haaland was subbed off against England.

Norway have been eliminated, and their best player wasn’t allowed to play the final 15 minutes to help them. Another member of the squad feeling the heat is Alexander Sorloth, who faced a wave of criticism after failing to pass the ball to Haaland in one big play during the quarterfinal.

From a team perspective, however, Haaland fell just short—especially compared to Ronaldo, who guided Portugal to the semifinals in his first World Cup in 2006. Moreover, after Lamine Yamal reached the semifinals with Spain in his first World Cup, it was clear Haaland wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun. Still, he couldn’t change the final outcome, as England knocked Norway out of the tournament.

Norway’s disallowed goal against England will sting for a long time, as it denied the Norwegians the chance to celebrate with Norway’s iconic Viking Row one last time at the 2026 World Cup. With that, Haaland’s first ever World Cup has come to an end. Now, it’s time to compare it with Messi and Ronaldo’s first experiences in soccer’s biggest tournament.

Ronaldo’s finish at his first World Cup

In the 2006 World Cup, Portugal fell 1-0 to France in the semis before losing 3-1 to hosts Germany in the third-place game. Haaland, whose jersey reads “Braut Haaland” at the 2026 World Cup, couldn’t do any better than the forward he grew up watching.

One more win would have not only set a new record for the furthest Norway had ever gone at a World Cup, but also give Haaland a chance to surpass the mark set by Portugal during Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever World Cup.

The elimination may not be the worst thing in the world, though. Ronaldo’s best World Cup was his first, and he only experienced World Cup heartbreaks ever since. Messi, on the other hand, needed longer to find his footing at soccer’s biggest competition, but in the end, it was all worth it. Perhaps, this loss is a blessing in disguise for Haaland and Norway.

Messi’s finish in first World Cup

Messi, like Ronaldo, played in his first of six World Cups in 2006. Both stars waved goodbye to the tournament after losses to Germany, although at very different stages. While Ronaldo and Portugal fell to Die Mannschaft in the third-place playoff, Messi’s Argentina were eliminated by the hosts in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.

In that match, a 19-year-old Messi was left on the substitutes’ bench by Argentina head coach Jose Nestor Pekerman, a decision that remains controversial and deeply lamented to this day in the Land of Silver. Just like Messi, Haaland watched the end of his first World Cup elimination from the bench, but because Haaland was subbed off by Norway against England in extra time.

Argentina have won three World Cups, but the 2006 elimination remains one of the country’s most painful World Cup memories. It was also only the first of Messi’s three consecutive World Cup eliminations at the hands of Germany: the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2010, and the final in 2014. Haaland will hope to have a differen fate going forward in head-to-head games between Norway and England.

Haaland’s fate

Coming into the quarterfinals matchup of the 2026 World Cup, Haaland was handed two choices. He either fell at the quarterfinals like Messi did in his first World Cup or he reached the semifinals, like Cristiano did in 2006.

Although Haaland has always looked to mimic Ronaldo more than he did Messi, he couldn’t replicate his childhood idol’s path, and instead has faced the same fate Messi did. It stings now, but it might be for the best in the long run.

After Turpin looked at the play on the screen, the goal was disallowed due to an egregious push from Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson before the corner kick was taken. As a result, the play was restarted and the corner kick retaken, but the goal came off the scoreboard.

Thus, the game remained tied as both the Three Lions and the Vikings battled for a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. In a heated contest, with the weather and soaring temperatures in Miami adding another layer of difficulty, the two European sides are leaving everything on the pitch.

Why wasn’t a foul called on Haaland?

Because Haaland—whose jersey reads “Braut Haaland” at the 2026 World Cup—committed the infraction on Anderson before the corner kick was taken, the ball was not in play. Therefore, under the Laws of the Game, a foul cannot be called. Instead, the action is considered misconduct. If the misconduct is deemed flagrant, it can result in a booking or even a red card for the offending player.

Haaland’s push on Anderson was not considered flagrant, so it did not warrant any further punishment. In more ways than one, having the goal ruled out was a harsher punishment than any yellow card could have been for Haaland.

Moreover, because yellow cards reset after the quarterfinals at the 2026 World Cup, a booking would have meant little beyond forcing Haaland to be more cautious to avoid a second yellow and a potential sending-off against England.

Friendly fire

Haaland may have some explaining to do after the 2026 World Cup, as Elliot Anderson has recently signed with Manchester City. That means Haaland will become teammates with the player he shoved to the ground.

It should make for an interesting conversation when they reunite in England. However, both players understand that all is fair when a place in the semifinals of a World Cup is on the line.

The shocking news broke early on the morning of July 11, taking the entire tournament by surprise. For the time being, the cause of his death remains uncertain as there is an ongoing investigation. Needless to say, authorities have urged the public and the media to refrain from jumping to conclusions.

All that matters at the moment is paying tribute to a soccer player who left us far too soon, and he will be honored with a minute of silence ahead of some key matchups at the 2026 World Cup. There will be a special tribute to Adams before Norway takes on England, and prior to Argentina‘s matchup against Switzerland.

Adams had appeared in all three group stage games for South Africa and sat on the bench during his team’s elimination in the Round of 32 against Canada. He was a member of South Africa’s first ever squad to advance to the knockout stage in FIFA World Cup history.

Other minutes of silence at 2026 World Cup

Unfortunately, this is not the first minute of silence held at soccer’s biggest competition. Before Spain and Belgium’s quarterfinal showdown, there was a minute of silence to pay respect to the victims of a wildfire in the Spanish region of Almeria.

Earlier in the 2026 World Cup, several minutes of silence were also observed in honor of the victims of the tragic earthquake in Venezuela. Even at soccer’s biggest tournament, life time and again reminds us there are much bigger things than the game itself, though sport can certainly help ease the hardest of times.

As England and Norway’s lineups are set for a gigantic European clash in ever hot Miami, England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed Marcus Rashford won’t be starting in the quarterfinals. Rashford has been in and out of the lineup throughout the 2026 World Cup, and it seems Tuchel would rather ride the hot hand. The stakes are at an all-time high. England are well aware of what will happen with a win, tie, or loss against Norway, and they still rather sit Rashford on the bench.

Rashford’s demotion to a substitute role against Norway is entirely tactical. Although Rashford raised some injury concerns after the 4-2 opening win over Croatia, he has practiced without any restrictions and even started a couple of games for the Three Lions.

However, Rashford was a substitute in the Round of 16 against Mexico—he wasn’t brought on—and he will once again start on the bench against Erling Haaland (whose jersey reads Braut Haaland) and the Norwegian Vikings. Another notable absentee in today’s lineup is Bukayo Saka, who isn’t starting either.

Rashford’s appearances for England at 2026 World Cup

Rashford needed less than a quarter of an hour to make his presence felt at the 2026 World Cup. In the opening game against Croatia, Rashford jumped into the action at the 71st minute, and he scored the insurance goal for the Three Lions near the 85 minute mark.

Rashford was named a starter for the group-stage finale against Panama and Round of 32 matchup with DR Congo. However, he didn’t perform as expected, losing his starting job for the game against Mexico in Estadio Azteca, which sits over 2,000 meters above sea level.

As England played one of their best games of the tournament against Mexico, Tuchel is rolling with an almost identical lineup. Had the head coach been given the chance, he would’ve played the exact same starting XI, but Jarell Quansah’s multi-game suspension following his red card against Mexico and injury concerns didn’t give the manager that luxury.

Rashford’s stats at 2026 World Cup

So far at the 2026 World Cup, Rashford has scored one goal. He has no assists, although he has created some quality chances for his teammates. Known for his powerful shots and ability to score from almost anywhere on the pitch, Rashford hasn’t looked entirely comfortable at this World Cup, with his opportunities per game being quite limited.

Switzerland’s 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup has several distinctive characteristics. Not only are iconic figures such as Xherdan Shaqiri and goalkeeper Yann Sommer not playing at the 2026 World Cup, but the roster assembled by head coach Murat Yakin also features a long list of players born abroad who represent Switzerland.

Not only that, but the players on Switzerland’s squad represent clubs all over the globe. Clearly, Yakin and his coaching staff have had to tune in to several different leagues worldwide to keep a close eye on their players’ performances ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Switzerland’s squad and their clubs

Switzerland’s starting goalkeeper Gregor Kobel currently plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga—Germany’s top-flight competition. The other goalkeepers on the squad: Marvin Keller and Yvon Mvogo play for Young Boys (Switzerland) and Lorient (France), respectively.

At the defenders position, the vast majority plays in Bundesliga. Miro Muheim (Hamburg), Silvan Widmer (Mainz), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), and Luca Jaquez (VfB Stuttgart) all play in Germany’s top-flight division. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji plays for Inter Milan in Serie A (Italy), whereas Ricardo Rodriguez and Eray Comert play in La Liga (Spain) for Real Betis and Valencia, respectively.

Midfielders and forwards

In midfield, Denis Zakaria plays for AS Monaco in France’s Ligue 1. Remo Freuler and Michel Aebischer both play for Bologna in Serie A, while Ardon Jashari represents AC Milan in the same league.

Breakout star Johan Manzambi plays for Freiburg in the Bundesliga, though his future is up in the air. Staying in the Bundesliga, Fabian Rieder plays for Augsburg. Djibril Sow represents Sevilla in La Liga, while Granit Xhaka plays for Sunderland in the Premier League.

In attack, Switzerland’s main forward Breel Embolo plays for Rennes in France. The Premier League is the most represented domestic league among strikers, with Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds United), and Zeki Amdouni (Burnley) all plying their trade in England. Christian Fassnacht plays for Swiss giants BSC Young Boys. The 27-year-old midfielder Ruben Vargas represents Sevilla in La Liga, while Cedric Itten plays for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

Which league features the most Swiss internationals?

The Bundesliga is home to the most Swiss players on the national team’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. With a total of nine players competing in Germany’s top flight, the Bundesliga ranks first, followed by the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga with four players each. Ligue 1 comes next with three players, one more than the Swiss Super League.

As for the club with the most Swiss representatives at the 2026 World Cup, there is a three-way tie, with Young Boys, Sevilla, and Bologna each contributing two players.

As for Switzerland, they have made some noise of themselves. Switzerland’s head coach Murat Yakin is a character that draws attention on his own. Ahead of the matchup against Lionel Messi and the reigning World Cup champions, Yakin claimed Switzerland can stop Argentina and even called them “vulnerable.” Needless to say, his statement only raised the stakes ahead of a win-or-go-home showdown in Kansas City (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium).

Switzerland are up against history. The head-to-head record between Argentina and Switzerland indicates the Europeans have never defeated the South American powerhouse at a World Cup. Lionel Messi’s record against Europeans at the World Cup will also be on the line. Most importantly, though, a ticket to the 2026 World Cup semifinals will be at stake.

What happens if Argentina win against Switzerland?

Argentina will advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. The reigning world champions would be guaranteed to play in all eight possible games of the tournament. In the semifinals, Argentina would face England.

If Messi and company win, the semifinal between Argentina and England will be played in Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on July 15 at 3:00 PM (ET).

As for Switzerland, they will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss to Argentina. The Swiss would extend their winless drought in the quarterfinals, as the Nati have never reached the semifinals of a World Cup.

What happens if Argentina and Switzerland tie?

In the event the game ends in a stalemate, Argentina and Switzerland’s quarterfinal matchup will head to extra time. Overtime at the 2026 World Cup lasts 30 minutes, and is played in two halves of 15 minutes each.

If neither team has an advantage by the end of extra time, the game will be decided through a penalty shootout. Switzerland defeated Colombia through this method in the Round of 16, so they may not be fazed by such a nail-biting conclusion. However, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup through a shootout. La Albiceleste know what it’s like to be in such a decisive penalty shootout. If it comes down to it, muscle memory may kick in for Argentina.

The winner will advance to the semifinals to face England in Atlanta, whereas the loser will be knocked out of the 2026 World Cup.

What happens if Argentina lose vs. Switzerland?

If they lose to Switzerland in the quarterfinals, Argentina will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The dream of winning back-to-back World Cups—something no country has achieved since Brazil were crowned champions in 1958 and 1962—would come to an end.

It would also be Argentina’s fifth loss in a World Cup knockout game with Lionel Messi, all of them against European sides (Germany in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and France in 2018).

As for Switzerland, they would advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup against England on July 15 in Atlanta. This would be Switzerland’s best result at a World Cup. If Argentina are eliminated, the semifinal bracket will feature four European teams, making the 2026 World Cup look like a UEFA Euro.

“Wonderwall” became one of the most iconic songs in English music history—which is saying a lot—after its release in 1995. It’s one of those songs everybody knows the lyrics to, regardless of whether they consider themselves Oasis fans or not. Even the most devoted Blur fan knows it by heart.

Therefore, it was among the songs the Football Association (FA)—England’s soccer federation—submitted to FIFA as an approved mandatory post-match celebration song at the 2026 World Cup. There were other songs sent in, but “Wonderwall” was the one adopted by fans and players.

England create iconic moment at 2026 World Cup

Every team at the 2026 World Cup was asked to submit a similar list with a handful of tracks. However, not many national teams managed to create such magical and iconic moments. Only Norway’s rowing celebration can sit at the table with England’s post-game antics, but the Vikings’ Row tradition requires no speakers or stadium DJ—only a drum and a steadfast group of rowers.

The scenes after every England, who are also called the “Three Lions”, win at the 2026 World Cup have been, as Liam Gallagher would best say it, “biblical.” With England dreaming of the World Cup finally returning home, aligned with Oasis’ reunion and record-breaking world tour, “Wonderwall” and the Three Lions were simply a match made in heaven.

When did “Wonderwall” celebration start?

The “Wonderwall” celebration was first done after England’s debut win over Croatia in Dallas (AT&T Stadium). Since, it’s followed the Three Lions everywhere, and it’s here to stay even if England don’t win their second World Cup in 2026. Perhaps, it will be continued after the 2026 World Cup and repeated after every England win in international outings.

Oasis’ reaction to the celebration

The Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, are known for their polarizing ways of going about life. That was made clear as they reacted to the post-game celebration set to one of their magnum opuses. Liam took to his social media, specifically X, where he posted, “Cmon England, Cmon Wonderwall,” after every England win at the 2026 World Cup.

“Wonderwall belongs to the people, and it was a magical moment between the people and the players,” Noel Gallagher, the songwriter behind “Wonderwall,” said to The Sun.

Oasis and soccer

Needless to say, the “Wonderwall fever” at the 2026 World Cup isn’t the first time Oasis have been directly linked to soccer fans. The Gallaghers are passionate Manchester City supporters and are used to seeing their love for soccer and music intertwine.

Manchester City fans perform “The Poznan,” a celebration in which they all stand, turn their backs to the pitch, and jump while hugging the person next to them. That ritual, which was adopted from Polish side Lech Poznan, is also performed at Oasis concerts when “Cigarettes & Alcohol” is played.

This time around, there is no need for players or fans to turn their backs to the pitch. Instead, England’s players and supporters look each other in the eye and let out all their emotions after every 2026 World Cup victory. Because maybe they’re gonna be the one that saves them. And after all, the Three Lions are the fans’ wonderwall, and vice versa.

Morocco’s 26-man roster featured 20 players born overseas, with Bouaddi among them. In recent years, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has done an outstanding job of recruiting players from the Moroccan diaspora, and Bouaddi is a prime example.

The 18-year-old went back and forth over his international future before ultimately choosing to represent Morocco, his parents’ homeland, after Didier Deschamps and the French senior national team never gave him an opportunity. Although the Atlas Lions’ journey came to an end against Les Bleus, Bouaddi expressed no regrets about his decision.

Bouaddi doubles down on national team choice

In another life, Bouaddi could’ve been on the winning side of history that unfolded in Foxborough. Instead, he’s settling for Morocco’s prize money after their quarterfinal elimination. Still, Bouaddi chose this path, and he’s fine with the result.

“I don’t regret choosing Morocco. It’s a choice made from the heart, no matter what happens,” Bouaddi said after France’s 2-0 win over Morocco eliminated the Atlas Lions from the 2026 World Cup, via Le 360. “A match isn’t some divine science. It doesn’t necessarily go as planned. We’re going to give it our all to come back even stronger.”

Bouaddi’s journey

Born in Senlis (about an hour from Paris) on October 2, 2007, to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi played for France’s youth national teams at every age level. In fact, he captained Les Bleus‘ U-21 squad at just 17 years old. However, the LOSC Lille product was fixed on playing at the 2026 World Cup. Seeing that Deschamps wouldn’t call him up to the 26-man roster, he finally gave in to Morocco’s seduction.

Bouaddi had turned the Atlas Lions down ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, he had a change of heart months before the 2026 World Cup and joined Mohamed Ouahbi’s side. In fact, Bouaddi made his national team debut and earned his first official international cap for Morocco in May 2026, just weeks before the start of soccer’s biggest tournament.

Bouaddi’s market value

The spotlight wasn’t too bright for him, as the central midfielder caught the eye of the world and is drawing massive interest from clubs across the globe. According to Transfermarkt, Bouaddi currently has a market value of around $50 million. He’s the second-most valuable Moroccan according to that source, behind only Achraf Hakimi, who is reportedly nearing the $80 million mark.

Mbappe provided an injury update after being subbed off against Morocco, but he made his impact while he was on the pitch. With a goal and an assist, Mbappe showed no signs of being affected by the missed penalty. His cool, calm, and collected mindset was on full display as Mbappe admitted he felt no emotions about sending a close friend home from soccer’s biggest tournament.

Although Hakimi and Morocco will receive millions in prize money after their World Cup elimination, that figure served as little consolation after yet another defeat at the hands of Mbappe and France.

“[Was it difficult to see Hakimi sad?] No, there are no feelings involved on the pitch. I’m here to win,” Mbappe admitted to reporters after the game in Boston (Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA). “It’ll be difficult when I see him in the locker room and we go back to being humans and friends.“

Mbappe shows mentality

When he steps onto a soccer pitch, Mbappe puts up a shield. He shows no emotions and will go any distance to win. He has made that crystal clear throughout his career and at the 2026 World Cup.

Those searching for recent examples can look at Mbappe’s antics against Paraguay in the Round of 16, when he was involved in several arguments before, during, and after the game with opposing players, including Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Against Morocco, he was no different, showing no remorse even after seeing Hakimi in tears as Argentine referee Facundo Tello blew the full-time whistle. While it may be polarizing, this mentality has paid off for Mbappe, who’s having arguably his best World Cup—which is saying a lot.

Mbappe’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Mbappe has been a man on a mission. Through six games at the 2026 World Cup, he’s scored eight goals and assisted three others. Mbappe’s eight goals are tied for the most at the 2026 World Cup with Lionel Messi. In fact, Mbappe and Messi’s scoring performances at the World Cup don’t look exactly identical, but they do rhyme.

Mbappe has scored eight goals in back-to-back World Cups, becoming the first player to ever accomplish such a feat in soccer’s biggest tournament. As Mbappe can’t put a foot wrong, it’s easy to see why he doesn’t have time to feel sorry for his opponents, even when it’s Hakimi.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the FIFA Council approved a record-breaking amount in financial contributions for soccer’s biggest tournament. Naturally, this meant the winner would take home an even bigger purse in addition to immortal glory. However, it also meant those who fell short would receive a bigger consolation prize. For Morocco, money won’t ease the pain of falling at the hands of France, but it could certainly help.

Having lost to France by a score of 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, Morocco are guaranteed to finish among the top eight teams in the tournament. Thus, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) will receive $19 million (USD). Moreover, under FIFA’s approved prize pool, each qualified team receives a $1.5 million bonus meant to cover preparation costs.

As a result, Morocco will walk away with a total of $20.5 million for its quarterfinal elimination at the 2026 World Cup. How that money will be be distributed among the players on Morocco’s roster, which features several players born overseas, will depend on the terms agreed upon by the RMFF.

How much had Morocco received in 2022?

After finishing in fourth place at the 2022 World Cup (2-1 loss to Croatia in the third-place match), Morocco received $25 million. Their share came from the overall prize pool of $440 million for the World Cup in Qatar. In 2026, Morocco received only $4.5 million less despite playing one fewer game overall. Morocco played six games in 2026, whereas in 2022 they played seven.

Prize pool went up for 2026 World Cup

The record-breaking figure agreed upon by the FIFA Council meant the overall prize pool for the 2026 World Cup would be $655 million. Percentage-wise, that represented a nearly 50% increase compared to the 2022 World Cup, which had already been a record-setting tournament in terms of prize money. One can only guess the 2030 World Cup will see a similar increase in financial contributions.

However, that’s the last thing on Morocco’s mind, as they will be co-hosts of that tournament. The Atlas Lions are automatically qualified for the 2030 World Cup, so their focus from now on will be on making history. Morocco already hold the record for the furthest an African team has ever gone at a World Cup, but they want more.

Perhaps, Morocco can become the first African team to win soccer’s biggest tournament. Since 1930, the list of World Cup champions has never included a national team from the Cradle of Humankind. What better setting for the Atlas Lions than to hoist the trophy at home?

Long-standing records continue to be smashed left and right at the 2026 World Cup. This time, however, a feat was matched despite France and Morocco failing to score a goal in the first half of the opening quarterfinal.

As reported by Spanish statistician Mister Chip (@2010MisterChip on X), Bounou recorded his fourth penalty save (including shootouts) in World Cup history. With that total, he joined Harald Schumacher, Sergio Goycochea, Iker Casillas, and Dominik Livaković as the goalkeepers with the most penalty saves in World Cup history.

Bounou has mastered penalties

Bounou first burst onto the scene during the 2022 World Cup, when his heroics in a penalty shootout helped Morocco eliminate Spain in the Round of 16. Ever since, he’s become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and penalties have been his magnum opus.

At the 2026 World Cup, Bounou rose to the occasion once again, as the Atlas Lions eliminated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the Round of 32. The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper is so good at stopping shots from the spot that he gets inside opponents’ heads.

His frame and revolutionary technique consist of fully committing to one side, essentially turning every penalty into a 50-50 gamble. If he guesses correctly, chances are he will stop the shot no matter how accurately the ball is placed. Against Mbappe, however, Bounou steered away from his typical approach, and it paid dividends, regardless.

Bounou extends record lead

Bounou engages in mental battles with penalty takers, so it’s no mystery so many players have missed penalties against him even when he doesn’t make the save himself. According to Mister Chip, Bounou holds the record for the most missed penalties forced in World Cup history with a total of seven.

That means he’s saved four penalties and forced opponents to miss the target entirely three times. Simply put, Bounou gives his rivals a choice: they either play it too safe and he saves it, or they go for too much and miss the target. Either way, taking a penalty against Bono is basically choosing one’s poison.

Bounou’s penalty shots stats at World Cups

Although Bounou was on the roster for the 2018 World Cup, he didn’t play a single minute in his first tournament. Thus, across his first two active World Cup appearances (2022 and 2026), Bounou has faced a total of nine penalties. He has been beaten only twice, while saving four and seeing three miss the target.

His numbers translate to a whopping 44.4% save rate, with 77.7% of the penalties he’s faced ending without a goal, and only a 22.2% conversion rate for the penalty taker. While penalties heavily favor the shooters, against Bounou, a penalty is an ordeal rather than a blessing.

Although the weather forecast in Foxborough calls for a hot and humid afternoon, Morocco’s main adversity won’t be the insufferable summer heat in the Bay State. Instead, it will be the fact they will be facing a red-hot France. As Morocco and France gear up for battle, the confirmed lineups for the quarterfinals reveal Les Bleus will feature all the household names that send shivers down the spine of every team at the 2026 World Cup.

The Atlas Lions, though fierce and steadfast, may be no different. To make the climb even steeper, Saibari will be on the substitutes’ bench against France. However, considering Ouahbi’s statement on the striker’s health, it seems improbable he’ll be able to play for Morocco against France today. Who knows, though? If the Atlas Lions are in desperation mode, they may send their best forward into the pitch.

“Everyone is available, except Ismael Saibari. This match comes a bit too soon for him,” Ouahbi told reporters ahead of the quarterfinals against France, via Le 360. “He’s not ready, but I hope it’s not the end of the tournament for him.”

What happened to Saibari?

Saibari lasted only 22 minutes on the pitch during Morocco’s 3-0 win over Canada in the Round of 16. After showing signs of discomfort and reaching for his right hamstring time and again, Saibari was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi, who put the cherry on top by scoring Morocco’s third goal of the afternoon.

Saibari’s injury didn’t look too severe and appeared to be more of a progressive tightening in the lower-body region than a sudden pop or tear. However, with the 2026 World Cup schedule giving teams little time to rest between games, Saibari couldn’t make a full recovery ahead of the matchup with France.

Should the Atlas Lions pull off the shocker and advance to the semifinals, they would avenge their 2022 World Cup semifinal loss, the furthest an African team has ever gone in tournament history. Moreover, it would give Saibari another chance to return to action. If Morocco lose, they will be eliminated, and it will be all she wrote for Saibari—the team’s leading goalscorer—and company.

Saibari’s stats at 2026 World Cup

So far in the tournament, Saibari had appeared in all five games for Morocco. Moreover, he scored three goals for his country during the group stage, leading his country in goals at the 2026 World Cup. Not only that, but his three goals are already the most ever scored by a Moroccan at a single World Cup.

Who will replace Saibari against France?

With Saibari sidelined by a lower-body injury, Morocco will have to change their plans. The Atlas Lions will bring Chemsdine Talbi into the starting XI to help offset Saibari’s absence. However, he may not play in Saibari’s usual role, which may instead be filled by Bilal El Khannouss or Brahim Diaz himself.

Although Soufiane Rahimi had been the main alternative to replace Saibari so far at the 2026 World Cup, he wasn’t the first option this time around. Instead, Rahimi will wait for his turn on the bench, just like Saibari.

France will also have notable names among their substitutes. Aurelien Tchouameni isn’t starting today against Morocco, with Bradley Barcola also not playing from the get-go today.

France have won the World Cup twice. First, on home soil in 1998, led by the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Fabien Barthez, and Didier Deschamps. The French wouldn’t taste glory again until two decades later. In 2018, head coach Deschamps was the mastermind behind a wrecking crew featuring Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, N’Golo Kante, Raphael Varane, and Paul Pogba.

Deschamps joined the exclusive list of people to win one World Cup as a player and another as a head coach, alongside the likes of Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. He also led France to the 2022 World Cup final, though Les Bleus fell to Argentina in a penalty shootout. Thanks to him and a golden generation, Les Bleus are back where they belong.

However, this wasn’t always the case. “C’est la vie,” the French would say, and just as they’ve drunk from the finest wines, France’s national team has also experienced a few nadirs of its own.

France’s worst finishes in World Cup history

One could argue missing the World Cup entirely is the worst possible finish. The French are no strangers to that feeling, having experienced it in 1950, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1990, and 1994. For a country that breathes soccer as much as The Hexagon, those absences are dreaded to this day.

Still, making it to the World Cup only to exit in the group stage isn’t much better, and France have their fair share of such examples. France have been eliminated in the group stage six times (1930, 1954, 1966, 1978, 2002, and 2010), though some hurt more than others. Among those, the two most recent exits hurt the most, albeit for different reasons.

France’s debacles in 2002 and 2010

In 2002, France entered the World Cup as the reigning champions. However, they would go from the penthouse to the outhouse in the blink of an eye. Losses to Senegal and Denmark, as well as a draw with Uruguay, sounded the death knell for the French dream of back-to-back titles. Les Bleus finished dead last in Group A. To add insult to injury, France didn’t score a single goal at the 2002 World Cup. It remains one of the worst finishes by a defending champion.

In 2010, Les Bleus were coming off a second-place finish at the 2006 World Cup. Once again, they were drawn into Group A, which should already be synonymous with disgrace in France. Amid an internal organizational crisis and a rift between the players and the soccer federation, France were the biggest letdown of the tournament. Once more, they finished winless and in last place in Group A, though they did score once in a 2-1 loss to the hosts, South Africa.

France finished winless four times in World Cup history

The World Cups of 1966, 2002, and 2010 are the only editions in which France failed to record a single win in the group stage. In 1934, France were also eliminated without a victory, but that tournament featured a straight knockout format beginning in the Round of 16.

Given the expectations surrounding the team and a format more comparable to the modern World Cup, France’s worst tournament exits came in 2002 and 2010. Which of the two was the greater disaster is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

France World Cup history

France’s magic number at FIFA World Cups is two. Two World Cup titles, two runner-up finishes, and two third-place finishes. With a couple of stains here and there, France ultimately always bounce back and remain a main character whenever soccer’s biggest tournament comes around. Whether Les Bleus play the hero or the villain changes with the years.

Among many things, Pulisic made a promise, calling this lesson only the beginning for the sport of soccer in the United States. Although Pulisic downplayed the injury he suffered against Belgium, he did admit disappointment with how the 2026 World Cup ended.

That same disappointment was echoed by U.S. icon Landon Donovan regarding Pulisic’s performance. Still, after taking a few days to process and digest a packed summer, Pulisic took to social media with a message for the fans and the rest of the world.

“Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believe. The support carried us all the way through. It simply wasn’t good enough from us in the end and I wanted to deliver so much more,” Pulisic’s message on his Instagram read. “I still feel blessed to be a part of this team. The memories this summer will last a lifetime. It’s just the start for us and for this sport in America.”

Pulisic’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Pulisic appeared in four games at the 2026 World Cup. He didn’t complete any of them. Although it must be noted he played 87 minutes in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, so he virtually played the full 90 minutes. In the remaining three, however, he was either subbed off with an injury (against Paraguay and Belgium) or subbed in (against Turkiye). Through those four appearances, Pulisic recorded only one assist.

In soccer, however, great performances may be lost in the stat sheet. In Pulisic’s case, he did put together a great first half against Paraguay in the tournament opener. However, he was subbed off at halftime with a lower-body setback, and that was essentially all she wrote for his campaign.

Pulisic didn’t come close to matching that level for the rest of the 2026 World Cup, and it was extremely painful as a nation rallied behind the USMNT while its biggest star looked a gear off.

Focus shifts onto next World Cup

There’s nothing to be done now, and the USMNT must shift its focus to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers, as the next World Cup won’t be until 2030, and the USA isn’t guaranteed to make it.

Pulisic will be 31 at the 2030 World Cup. There’s a scenario in which it could be his last or second to last. Either way, his opportunities are running short, and he squandered his best yet.

As he mentioned that soccer is only writing its first chapters in the USA, he will surely want to have a bigger say in them going forward. Or maybe he will only plant the seed of a tree he won’t see blossom—at least not as a USMNT player.

It’s too late for the USA now. Although the USMNT will receive prize money for reaching the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, it will be little consolation for the broken hearts across the country. Among those left disappointed and hoping for better from Pulisic and the Stars and Stripes was legendary forward Landon Donovan.

“In the end, [Pulisic] is your best player, he is your star, and it just didn’t happen for him. It’s just disappointing. I was waiting for a moment from him, something special, something spectacular, and it just didn’t happen,” Donovan said in a recent episode of his podcast, Unfiltered Soccer, with Tim Howard.

Injuries doomed Pulisic’s World Cup

After a great first half against Paraguay in the tournament opener, Pulisic was subbed off at halftime with a lower-body injury. He went on to miss the game against Australia before appearing in the second half of the USMNT’s loss to Turkiye to close out Group D.

Pulisic played against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, but his performance flew under the radar. Instead, striker Folarin Balogun and German-born midfielder Malik Tillman stole the spotlight and led the Stars and Stripes to victory. One of the players born outside the United States led the USMNT to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

However, that would be as far as the United States would go, despite playing at home and having FIFA cancel Balogun’s red-card suspension, amid an admission from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that U.S. President Donald Trump called about the suspension. Pulisic was subbed off during the Round of 16 game against Belgium, in which the Stars and Stripes suffered their worst loss in a long time, sounding the death knell for their hopes and dreams at the 2026 World Cup.

What’s next?

From now on, the USMNT will have to watch as the tournament unfolds on home soil, while Pulisic will bear the weight of harsh criticism from sea to shining sea. With the United States eliminated, they will have to wait for the next World Cup, which will be in 2030. For the time being, there’s much work to be done.

However, France national team head coach Didier Deschamps came to his countryman’s rescue with a powerful statement, which also served as a warning to the referee for Les Bleus‘ upcoming quarterfinal against Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

“I hope the referee will be as good as Mr. Letexier and his assistants like in the match of Argentina and Egypt. My opponent is Morocco, not the referee,” Deschamps had to say about the officiating buzz at the 2026 World Cup during a press conference, via RMC Sport.

Who will officiate France vs Morocco?

Argentine Facundo Tello will be the match official when France and Morocco go head to head for a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. Tello will be joined by fellow Argentines Juan Pablo Bellati and Gabriel Chade on the touchlines, as well as Dario Herrera (fourth official) and Cristian Navarro (reserve assistant referee).

With all five officials being Argentinians, it will be the first game at the 2026 World Cup to feature an on-field officiating crew from one country. Considering the recent rivalry between Argentina and France—dating back to the 2022 World Cup final—there is speculation surrounding the officiating decision.

In the VAR booth, Hernan Mastrangelo (from Argentina, as well) will be in charge, though joined by AVAR Leodan Gonzalez (Uruguay), SVAR Tatiana Guzman (Nicaragua), SBVAR Abdullah Alshehri (Saudi Arabia), and SBAVAR Mohammed Obaid Khadim (United Arab Emirates).

France take on Morocco

A deep dive into the designated crew helps explain why Deschamps said what he did about the refereeing. There were similar concerns about Letexier officiating Argentina’s game, but he handled it very well. If anything, Egypt were left with more to complain about than Argentina. Who knows? Maybe something similar happens when Les Bleus and the Atlas Lions collide at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Although the final chapter stains the overall story, the United States laid the groundwork for more—and better—World Cup appearances in the future. Moreover, the USMNT is taking home a significant financial reward for its effort on home soil.

Needless to say, it doesn’t come close to how much the Americans could’ve earned had they reached the later stages, but it’s far from peanuts and pocket change, either.

As reported by USMNT insider Larry Henry Jr., the United States Men’s National Team is set to receive $16 million for their participation in the 2026 World Cup, in which they reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Belgium.

Prize money distribution

The funds are sent to the national soccer federations, not directly to the players. In this case, the U.S. Soccer Federation receives the $16 million prize for the USMNT’s elimination in the second round of the knockout stage.

As reported by Henry Jr., the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in place within the federation states that half of the prize money will be allocated to the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).

However, there’s a catch. The federation retains 20% of the prize money (i.e. $3.2 million), while the remaining 80% is split between the men’s and women’s teams. All in all, Christian Pulisic, leading goalscorer Folarin Balogun, German-born Malik Tillman, and the rest of the USMNT will receive $6.4 million, which will be distributed across the board.

For Balogun, the share he gets may come in handy to pay his fine, which FIFA revealed despite lifting his suspension. As for the remaining $6.4 million will go to the women’s team. The current CBA was agreed upon in 2022 and is set to last through 2028, per Sports Illustrated.

USMNT missed out on more money

Had the United States defeated Belgium and reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, they would have been guaranteed a bigger prize. The USA would have secured at least an additional $4 million, as the prize for teams eliminated in the quarterfinals is $20 million.

Still, the Stars and Stripes were never in soccer’s biggest tournament for the money, but for glory instead. Seeing as they failed to record the best World Cup finish in USA history, there may be no check big enough to ease the pain that extends from sea to shining sea.

Switzerland will play Argentina at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, with a ticket to the semifinals on the line. While Argentina are the reigning champions, the Swiss have never reached the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup.

On the other end of that side of the bracket, England and Norway will go head to head in Miami on July 11. It will be a special game for Erling Braut-Haaland, as the Norwegian goal machine was born in England and currently plays there for Premier League side Manchester City.

The 2026 World Cup full bracket

On the other side of the bracket, two marquee matchups await. Red-hot France will take on Morocco on July 9, in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal. Needless to say, the Atlas Lions will come into the match with a chip on their shoulder.

Meanwhile, Spain will take on Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium). The Spaniards have faced only European sides so far in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup, and there’s still a scenario in which their entire journey to the final—including the final itself—comes against fellow UEFA opponents.

The potential semifinals will see the winner of Norway vs. England take on whoever prevails between Argentina and Colombia, while one of France and Morocco will face Spain or Belgium. The semifinals will be played on July 14 and 15, with the third-place game on July 18 and the final on July 19.

The eight best teams in the world

And then there were eight. Out of the 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup, these are the only ones left standing after the Round of 16. Some, like France, Argentina, and Spain, were expected to be at this stage. Others, like Belgium, Morocco, and England, hoped to reach the quarterfinals but still had some doubts to cast aside.

As for Switzerland and Norway, they have exceeded expectations, though that doesn’t mean they will be satisfied and rest on their laurels. Whether they are powerhouses, dark-horse contenders, or Cinderella stories, each and every team alive is here for a reason. In the quarterfinals, they are determined to prove that once more and will headline some of the best matchups of the 2026 World Cup.

The finish line is well within sight, and anything can happen as accumulated fatigue and the summer temperatures could play an even bigger role.

Needless to say, it was yet another record-setting outing for Messi, who’s accustomed fans across the globe to these kind of outings throughout the 2026 World Cup—and his entire career. Although Egypt coach Hossam Hassan accused Messi and Argentina of being favored, nothing can be taken from the multi-goal comeback La Albiceleste mounted, which Messi called “crazy” and praised his teammates for.

It wasn’t an easy game for Argentina nor Messi, who had to overcome adversity after Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir denied him from the penalty spot. After the game, an emotional Messi made his thoughts crystal clear.

“As I said, it was a huge moment of relief for everyone. I felt intense anger because of the penalty I wasted, and the way I took it,” Messi admitted to reporters in the mixed zone after the game. “I felt like I let the group down in an important moment. But fortunately, fate had something special in store for me in the end, and I was able to score the equalizer. That was an enormous relief and great joy for all of us. I’m so happy.”

The story behind Messi’s missed penalty

When the game was only 1-0 in Egypt‘s favor, Nicolas Tagliafico was tackled inside the box, handing Messi and Argentina a great chance to draw level. Up until that point, La Albiceleste had yet to put Egypt in much trouble. It felt like the perfect chance to get back into the game.

However, Shobeir’s intuition proved right as he guessed where Messi would place his shot. Since the Argentine didn’t put much power, height, or direction on the attempt, the goalkeeper made light work of the penalty. Once again, Messi missed a penalty at the 2026 World Cup, both times aiming to the goalkeeper’s left and shooting across his body.

Across his six World Cups, Messi has now taken eight penalties (excluding shootouts), but he has scored only half of them, missing the other four.

With Messi at the helm, Argentina move on

Still, even when Messi wasn’t at his best for Argentina, he came to the rescue. In the 83rd minute, he unleashed an absolute rocket on a half-volley that Shobeir got a hand to but couldn’t keep out of the net. As a result, Argentina are through to the next round, though their updated potential path to the 2026 World Cup final serves as a warning that they must address their defensive struggles.

Against all odds, the 20-year-old breakout striker suffered a physical setback in practice and will miss the Round of 16 game against Colombia. According to Blick, Manzambi suffered a knee injury during his team’s final training session ahead of the game.

His medical concerns immediately raised alarms, and after much speculation, Switzerland’s lineup confirmed that Manzambi won’t start and won’t even be on the bench against Colombia. His team will have to do without him in the summer afternoon-weather in Vancouver against Colombia.

Manzambi’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Making his first appearance at a FIFA World Cup, Manzambi is putting the whole globe on notice. So far, he’s played four games at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals and assisting two more. It seems the Nati will go as far as Manzambi can take them, and that will be put to the test when they face Colombia without the young star.

Manzambi has led them this far. Now, the rest of the team must return the favor and find a way to win without him. Whether Manzambi’s injury is long-term or whether he could be back if Switzerland defeat Colombia and face Argentina in the quarterfinals remains to be seen. In that sense, what will happen if Switzerland win, tie, or lose against Colombia will have an even bigger impact.

Switzerland up for big test vs. Colombia

Regardless, Switzerland will have to slay some ghosts from the past. They have never defeated Colombia in a World Cup before (2-0 loss in 1994) and have never won consecutive knockout-stage games in World Cup history. Against Colombia, they get a chance to kill two birds with one stone. If they advance to the quarterfinals, Switzerland will play Argentina in Kansas City on July 11.

Messi’s tally against Egypt not only meant the Argentine ace has scored in five straight games at the 2026 World Cup—nine consecutive dating back to the 2022 World Cup. That’s a FIFA World Cup record Messi had already tied against Austria. He now owns it outright and is only raising the bar with his penchant for scoring in each and every game.

Moreover, as Messi scored his eighth goal at the 2026 World Cup for Argentina he drew level with another Argentine legend. Messi’s eight goals so far at the 2026 World Cup tie him with Guillermo Stabile for the most goals scored by an Argentine at a single World Cup.

Stabile accomplished the feat at the 1930 World Cup. Although there were fewer total games played at that tournament, Messi and Stabile both reached the mark in five games.

Stabile’s and Messi’s goals comparison

How many goals has Messi scored in World Cups?

With his tally against Egypt, Messi crossed off yet another team in the list of countries he scored against. No player has scored against more national teams than Messi has at FIFA World Cups, and he keeps adding names to the list. The Pharaohs were the latest addition.

No other player has scored more goals than Messi in soccer’s biggest tournament, either. He also holds the record for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history. After his goal against Egypt, he has raised his total to 21.

Messi has aged like fine wine in World Cups

Surprisingly, Messi’s best goalscoring production in FIFA World Cups has come in the late stages of his career. No one could dare call this the twilight of his career, as he is playing some of the best soccer of his life.

At the 2022 World Cup, Messi had recorded his best goal total with seven tallies. He’s already done one better, as he’s up to eight goals at the 2026 World Cup. For comparison, Messi had scored only six goals across his first four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018).

Ashour himself asked to be replaced, as he wasn’t at 100 percent. On a play in which he chased Rodrigo De Paul, the Egyptian left midfielder showed signs of discomfort in his lower body, he looked toward the bench, and gestured to be substituted. It was a selfless act from Ashour, who has scored two goals at the 2026 World Cup.

Realizing he wasn’t fit enough to continue, Ashour called for a teammate to take his place. Moreover, he played through the dying minutes of the first half despite the pain so as not to force Egypt to use a substitution window. In Ashour’s place, Hassan brought Hamdy Fathy onto the pitch. Omar Marmoush was left at the substitutes bench by Egypt.

Tough piece to replace

Although Hassan and Egypt’s coaching staff were left with no other choice, being without Ashour for the remainder of the game against Argentina puts the Pharaohs up against a steep climb. Ashour has provided the team with a Swiss Army knife-type midfielder.

Ashour plays a crucial role at both ends of the field and, thanks to his stamina, has helped the defenders neutralize Argentina’s threats on the wing, while also putting opposing defenders on notice with his ability to join Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan in attack.

While Fathy will be asked to fill the same role, it remains to be seen whether he can do so as efficiently as Ashour has throughout the tournament. Moreover, if Ashour’s injury turns out to be serious, it could be a huge loss for Egypt should they advance past Argentina and reach the quarterfinals for the first time in national team history.

Egypt eye history

Regardless of the end result, this will already be Egypt’s best World Cup finish ever. But if they plan to go even further, they will need Ashour back as soon as possible. Perhaps substituting him early in the Round of 16 will allow the midfielder enough time to recover, proving the Pharaohs right to be better safe than sorry.

As for Switzerland, they will be without breakout striker Johan Manzambi for their matchup against Colombia. Those absences certainly hamper the Swiss’ chances against La Seleccion Colombia. However, at the World Cup, anything can happen, and unsung heroes can suddenly become immortalized.

A ticket to the quarterfinals is on the line, and both sides will be playing with desperation to secure it. Colombia have reached that stage only once at a World Cup (2014), while Switzerland have done so three times (1934, 1938, and 1954). However, the Nati have not reached the quarterfinals since the tournament expanded beyond 20 participating teams. Moreover, Switzerland have won only two Round of 16 games at the World Cup (1934 and 1938), but Colombia aren’t much better, having won just one Round of 16 duel.

What happens if Colombia win vs. Switzerland?

Colombia would secure just their second Round of 16 victory in World Cup history. More importantly, they would stay alive at the 2026 World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals.

Colombia would face Argentina on Saturday, July 11, at 9:00 PM ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Meanwhile, a Colombia win would eliminate Switzerland from the 2026 World Cup. It would mark the Swiss’ fourth consecutive Round of 16 exit at the World Cup, dating back to 2014.

What happens if Colombia and Switzerland tie?

If the game between Colombia and Switzerland remains tied when match referee Ivan Barton blows the final whistle, it will head to extra time. Overtime at the 2026 World Cup lasts 30 minutes and is played in two 15-minute halves. There is no golden-goal rule at the 2026 World Cup, meaning the full 30 minutes must be played unless a winner is decided in a penalty shootout afterward.

If neither side holds the lead after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout. The winner—whether in extra time or on penalties—will advance to the quarterfinals to face Argentina or Egypt in Kansas City.

The loser, meanwhile, will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup and head home with no medals, no trophies, and, frankly, nothing to show for their summer in North America.

What happens if Colombia lose against Switzerland?

Colombia would be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss to Switzerland. Colombia’s dream of lifting their first-ever FIFA World Cup title would come to a crushing end.

Moreover, the Cafeteros would extend their winless streak in Round of 16 matches. Colombia’s last victory at that stage came in 2014, which also remains the only time they have advanced beyond the Round of 16.

On the other hand, Switzerland will advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. The Swiss would take on Argentina at Kansas City Stadium on July 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET. It would also be the first time Switzerland win consecutive knockout-stage games in FIFA World Cup history.

The USA lost its fourth-straight Round of 16 game at the World Cup. The last time the Americans advanced to the quarterfinals was in the 2006 World Cup. Twenty years later, however, there was no shot at redemption for the Stars and Stripes. Not even home-field advantage and FIFA overturning Balogun’s suspension could help the United States break their hex.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team has been knocked out of the tournament, whereas its opponents will be moving on. Belgium know when and where they will play Spain next in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. To add insult to injury, quite literally, Christian Pulisic had to be subbed off during the USA’s 4-1 loss against Belgium.

Will USA play at next World Cup?

The next FIFA World Cup won’t be until 2030, as soccer’s biggest tournament is held once every four years. Unlike the 2026 World Cup, for which the United States qualified automatically as one of the co-hosts alongside neighboring Mexico and Canada, the USA will have to earn its place.

To do so, the Americans will compete in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. CONCACAF nations will battle for six automatic berths to the 2030 World Cup, with one additional spot available through the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff.

The USA’s journey through the 2030 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers will begin in the second half of 2027, meaning the Americans will have more than a year to dwell on their recent elimination, lick their wounds, and gear up for a challenging qualifying campaign against their continental rivals.

USA can’t take anyone for granted

On paper, the USA should cruise through the qualifiers. However, it has stumbled before. Not too long ago, the Americans missed the 2018 World Cup after falling 2-1 to an already eliminated Trinidad and Tobago. While the 2026 World Cup elimination at the hands of Belgium stings, the Americans may use it as fuel as they prepare for an exhausting qualifying campaign.

Perhaps the Americans were spoiled by the relaxed buildup to the 2026 World Cup, during which they didn’t have to qualify for their place. Still, the USA will be out for redemption when the CONCACAF qualifiers get underway. Winning the 2026 World Cup on home soil—or at least advancing further than the USA’s best-ever World Cup finish—would have been ideal, but perhaps this disappointment will ultimately serve as a valuable lesson for the Americans.

Road to 2030 World Cup

The 2030 World Cup may seem like a long way down the road, but time often works in strange ways. Before they know it, the Stars and Stripes may find themselves gearing up for the debut at the 2030 World Cup—provided they make it to soccer’s biggest tournament. Whether Mauricio Pochettino will still be the USMNT’s head coach, that’s another question.

Pulisic, who had been dealing with a calf injury throughout the 2026 World Cup, was considered healthy enough to start for the USMNT. However, in an awkward play, Belgium‘s Youri Tielemans won the ball from behind, causing Pulisic to twist his right ankle. He was seen limping for several minutes and appeared far from 100 percent.

After Matt Freese’s costly mistake gifted Belgium their third goal, Mauricio Pochettino decided Pulisic’s outing had come to an end. The USA substituted Pulisic for Sebastian Berhalter. Like it happened in the first game against Paraguay, Pulisic was unable to complete the full game.

In that sense, his 2026 World Cup ended much the way it started. In further evidence of the cruel irony that defined the USA’s 2026 World Cup, the Americans opened the tournament with a 4-1 victory and were knocked out with a 4-1 defeat.

Should a foul had been called on Pulisic’s injury play?

Depending on how serious Pulisic’s injury turns out to be, this could become a hot topic of conversation surrounding the USA’s Round of 16 elimination against Belgium. At first glance, it may seem like a clear case of dangerous play just outside the box.

However, Tielemans made full contact with the ball. Obviously, the fact that Pulisic was injured on the play is unfortunate, but just because a player is injured doesn’t mean the challenge should be penalized. In that sense, referee Adham Makhadmeh may have gotten the decision right.

Earlier in the game, he awarded a controversial free kick to the Americans, which Malik Tillman, the German-born midfielder, converted for his second set-piece goal of the 2026 World Cup.

Pulisic’s stats at 2026 World Cup

Coming into soccer’s biggest tournament with high expectations, it’s safe to say Pulisic failed to meet most of them. Largely due to an injury-riddled campaign, Pulisic’s 2026 World Cup was far from memorable. He did put together a great first-half performance in the 4-1 opening win over Paraguay, but that was about the extent of his highlights in the competition.

Pulisic recorded just one assist, and in his team’s biggest test against Belgium, he struggled throughout the afternoon in Seattle, even before sustaining a lower-body injury. Perhaps Pulisic was still dealing with the calf injury that hampered him during the group stage. Regardless, it wasn’t a good showing on the world’s biggest stage for the 27-year-old Captain America. Now, Pulisic and the USA will have to wait to fight for a spot in the next World Cup in 2030.

USA suffers summer heartbreak in Seattle

As for the United States, they exit the 2026 World Cup with mixed feelings. They put together a solid run, but recency bias won’t do them any favors. The USMNT played its worst game in a long time just when the entire nation was rallying behind the team. Pochettino took blame for the elimination, but the players are still responsible.

One could ask fans not to miss the forest for the trees, but that’s easier said than done after such a gut-wrenching elimination that casts a shadow over everything that came before it. Truth is, when the USMNT faced its first true challenge in the 2026 World Cup, the Stars and Stripes were exposed in every aspect.

However, while the governing body has given the USMNT the green light to play its leading goalscorer in a crucial elimination game at the 2026 World Cup, FIFA revealed the Stars and Stripes and Balogun aren’t getting away with the financial side of Balogun’s infraction. As the FIFA Disciplinary Committee doubled down on why Balogun can play against Belgium, they put their carrot-and-stick approach on full display.

“On 5 July 2026, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found Balogun guilty of both infringements, imposed a one-match suspension (suspended on probation for one year) and a USD 40,000 fine, and notified the parties of the decision,” FIFA’s latest statement on the polarizing overturning of Balogun’s ban read.

“In addition to the suspended match ban, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of USD 40,000, allocating half of the amount to the violation of Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and half to the violation of Article 66 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”

U.S. Soccer Federation can pay for half of the fine

Although being fined $40,000 in the midst of the 2026 World Cup is far from ideal for the USA and Balogun, the striker can be grateful he won’t have to foot the bill entirely. As FIFA explained, the U.S. Soccer Federation can cover half of the fine, leaving Balogun responsible for the remaining $20,000.

“The U.S. Soccer Federation was declared jointly liable for payment of the fine pursuant to Article 6.5 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA’s statement on the Balogun case explained.

Balogun declared eligible—and he’ll start

All things considered, Balogun is essentially paying a $20,000 fee to step onto the pitch and play in a Round of 16 match as the Stars and Stripes try to make USA history at the World Cup. Considering some of the ticket prices listed across resale platforms, one could argue Balogun and the United States got themselves a bargain.

However, as with every great deal, there is usually a third party that gets the short end of the stick, and that’s clearly Belgium. The Red Devils will now have to face a red-hot striker who wasn’t part of national team head coach Rudi Garcia’s game plan until just one day before the Round of 16 matchup between the USA and Belgium in Seattle (Lumen Field).

FIFA set risky precedent with Balogun

Although Christian Pulisic defended FIFA’s decision to cancel Balogun’s suspension, it may have opened the floodgates and set a precedent at soccer’s biggest tournament. Nothing may be the same at the 2026 World Cup.

In fact, it may have already started. According to reports, Balogun’s case has England considering an appeal of Jarrel Quansah’s red card against Mexico. After all, the Three Lions may have nothing to lose even if the appeal is unsuccessful, and what’s to stop the rest of the participating countries from following suit?

Just like Belgium’s head coach had decided in the last couple of games, Lukaku will serve as a substitute for the Red Devils against the USMNT in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The decision is entirely tactical, with Charles De Ketelaere playing at the No. 9 position, instead.

However, there’s also a medical layer to the reason for why Lukaku isn’t Belgium’s starting striker. Dealing with a hamstring injury, Lukaku played in only seven games during the 2025-26 season and were mostly coming off the bench. Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer is still not at 100 percent. In other eyebrow-raising calls, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne won’t be starting for Belgium against the USA, either.

Belgium don’t trust Lukaku to play full game

Even though Lukaku is cleared to play, Garcia and the national team’s medical staff aren’t confident in having him play the full 90—and possibly 120—minutes. That is another reason why Lukaku is mostly used as a substitute by Belgium. If Lukaku can only play a certain number of minutes, Belgium would rather have him play in the later stages of the game than the early ones.

“[Lukaku] has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches. But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer,” Garcia said about Lukaku’s health before the 2026 World Cup, via BBC.

Garcia went as far as to admit Lukaku is the best striker on the 26-man roster. That could make the decision to start De Ketelaere over him look even worse, but the Belgium national team head coach explained that Lukaku’s relegation to the bench is mainly due to his health, not his skill or pedigree, both of which are impossible to overlook. Belgium could also have an impact player in Doku, who isn’t starting today in another tactical decision by Garcia.

Lukaku’s stats at 2026 World Cup

So far at the 2026 World Cup, Lukaku has started only one game (a 0-0 draw against Iran), but he has come off the bench in every other match. Belgium have had success with this formula so far, and so has Lukaku, who has scored two goals, both after coming off the bench. Therefore, as long as Lukaku and Garcia are on the same page, it may be a winning recipe. So far, so good..

Lukaku hasn’t shown any discontent with the coaching decision, and he has repaid Garcia’s faith with goals or assists almost every time he has entered the game. Against the United States, it likely won’t be any different, with Lukaku expected to come off the bench at some point. Whether it’s sooner or later will hinge on how the Red Devils fare against the Stars and Stripes.

Needless to say, Belgium will hope they don’t find themselves in need of another miraculous comeback like the one they pulled off against Senegal in the Round of 32.

Coming into the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo and Portugal had one mission, and one mission only: to win the World Cup once and for all. However, it simply wasn’t to be. Once again, their dreams came to a crushing end because of a 1-0 loss in the Round of 16 against Spain, just like it had occurred in 2010 in South Africa.

Now, the focus shifts to Ronaldo, even though the spotlight was always on him. With Lamine Yamal consoling Ronaldo after the game, fans across the world wonder: Was the loss against Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup the last time we ever saw Ronaldo play for his country?

Was the 2026 World Cup Ronaldo’s last?

Coming into the tournament, all signs suggested it would be. And Ronaldo himself confirmed the 2026 World Cup was going to be his last. Ronaldo will go on to join an elite list of greats never to win the biggest tournament in international soccer.

Cristiano may have a sudden change of heart after such a rough ending to the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but it feels improbable that he could be on Portugal’s roster four years from now. Ronaldo’s tears after losing to Spain also suggest this was the end of his World Cup career.

Ronaldo is 41, and he will be 45 by the time another FIFA World Cup comes around. Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup game (45 years and 161 days), but he did so as a backup goalkeeper for Egypt. For Ronaldo, to do so as a forward and in a national team as stacked as Portugal, it just feels like too much to ask.

The fact Cristiano even played in the 2026 World Cup was quite a surprise, but by 2030 it might become truly impossible. Still, with Portugal being a co-host of that World Cup, one can’t truly rule Ronaldo out until he hangs up the boots. At the end of the day, words are wind.

Is Ronaldo retiring from Portugal?

While he confirmed that the 2026 World Cup was his last, Ronaldo refused to make a decision on his Portugal future after the elimination against Spain. Chances are that Ronaldo will have a farewell game with the Lusos, so his last memory with the national team—for which he scored 145 goals—won’t be the one in which he suffered a heartbreaking elimination at the 2026 World Cup.

As for Ronaldo’s club career, he is under contract at Al-Nassr through 2027, meaning he will be back in the Saudi Pro League for the 2026-27 season. Whether he officially hangs up his boots afterward, that’s another question.

Back in November 2025, Ronaldo admitted he would retire from soccer “soon” during an interview with Piers Morgan. Although “soon” is a rather subjective timeline, it could all add up to indicate the 2026 World Cup was the last tournament he ever played for his national team. Only time will tell us.

Ronaldo’s sister had urged fans to cherish ‘last dance’

Adding on to the signs indicating international retirement was in order for Cristiano, her sister, Katia Aveiro, said the 2026 World Cup would be Ronaldo’s “last dance”, prior to the Round of 32 game against Croatia.

Though Cristiano’s sister has been on the vocal end of some controversial statements before, there was actual fire behind the smoke in this case. Aveiro has cried wolf several times before, but this time she spoke the truth.

Ronaldo’s World Cup heartbreaks

No one has played in more World Cups than Cristiano, and only a few, like Lionel Messi, have appeared in as many (six). However, the trophy has always been elusive to Ronaldo, who has endured devastating disappointments each time.

Ronaldo’s best finish in a World Cup came during his first, in 2006. Portugal and a young Ronaldo reached the semifinals, where they fell to France. Portugal would also lose the third-place game against Germany, finishing in fourth place. The gut-wrenching eliminations didn’t end there for CR7. In 2010, Portugal were bounced by Spain in the Round of 16. Four years later, Ronaldo and company wouldn’t even make it out of the group stage.

In 2018, Ronaldo enjoyed his best scoring form ever at a World Cup, but it still wasn’t enough, and the Lusos were eliminated by Uruguay in the Round of 16. In 2022, Portugal’s elimination came at the hands of Morocco in the quarterfinals. Finally, in 2026, Ronaldo’s last-ever World Cup game was his country’s loss to Spain in the Round of 16.

• 2006 World Cup: 1-0 loss vs France in semifinals (4th place)
• 2010 World Cup: 1-0 loss vs Spain in Round of 16
• 2014 World Cup: Eliminated in group stage
• 2018 World Cup: 2-1 loss vs Uruguay in Round of 16
• 2022 World Cup: 1-0 loss vs Morocco in quarterfinals
• 2026 World Cup: 1-0 loss vs Spain in Round of 16

Although Messi’s potential path in the 2026 World Cup and Ronaldo, Portugal’s path to the final can only cross in the biggest stage, Messi‘s wife and Ronaldo’s fiancee are making business collabs in the meantime.

As Roccuzzo made clear in a post on her Instagram Stories, Rodriguez sent Antonela several pieces from the latest collection of her clothing brand, Mimoa. Roccuzzo thanked her for the gift with a kind message. “Thank you so much. Everything is beautiful. I wish you all the success in the world,” Roccuzzo’s post read. Rodrigues reposted the story on her own personal account, as well.

Rodriguez and Roccuzzo’s friendship

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1994, Georgina Rodriguez holds dual Argentine and Spanish citizenship. However, her background and roots make it easy to see why she and Roccuzzo (Argentinian, as well) get along despite the constant rivalry their husbands/partners have found themselves in throughout their careers.

Although Messi and Ronaldo have also shown plenty of respect for one another, their fanbases are constantly at each other’s throats. As for Roccuzzo and Rodriguez, both are social media influencers, but their fandoms can coexist in peace and harmony.

Moreover, gestures like Georgina’s latest gift to Antonela make that much easier. As for Ronaldo and Messi, it would likely take them playing together on the same team to bring their fans together. Unfortunately, that seems nearly impossible with both of them in the latter stages of their careers.

That was the million-dollar question. Considering how Christian Pulisic defended FIFA’s decision before USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino celebrated the overturning of Balogun’s ban, it looked like the United States would gladly include their newly eligible striker—and leading goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup—among the starters for the game against Belgium. And that they did. Balogun will be playing from the start for the USMNT against Belgium.

In doing so, however, the Americans may only bring more trouble upon the issue. The Stars and Stripes had been warned by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) that the Red Devils wouldn’t stand idle if Balogun so much as stepped onto the pitch.

“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of [Balogun], should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet,” the Belgium soccer association’s statement read.

USA are starting Balogun, regardless

Apparently, the warning was not enough to scare the USMNT. Especially when considering the great lengths they had gone to, as U.S. President Donald Trump admitted he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino over Balogun’s red card.

Infantino denied Trump’s call had any influence on FIFA’s decision, but count the Belgians among the skeptics. Gearing up for the elimination game between the USMNT and Belgium in Seattle (Lumen Field), both sides are well aware of what’s at stake. The Americans know what will happen if the USMNT wins, ties, or loses against Belgium, but it could all be in between question marks as Balogun will plays, and Belgium will contest that decision.

Belgium made it clear they won’t accept the legitimacy of the game if Balogun, who was shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is allowed to play. Still, Pochettino and the USMNT aren’t letting the opportunity slip through their fingers. They were given the green light by soccer’s governing body, so why would they stop in their tracks?

Even if they risk Belgium taking legal action after the game, the Americans likely feel they have a much better chance of winning with Balogun on the pitch. And after watching FIFA make an extraordinary decision to benefit them, the Stars and Stripes might feel untouchable. Who’s to say Belgium will have any success in their claim against Balogun’s eligibility anyways?

USA’s confirmed lineup vs Belgium

All things considered, the USMNT is playing with house money, and it might have made little sense not to start Balogun against Belgium. Morality may have to be cast aside when survival in the biggest tournament in soccer is on the line.

Thus, the USMNT will put together the following starting XI to face Belgium at Seattle Stadium: Matt Freese (GK); Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream (C), Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie; Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun.

The USA will roll out the exact same lineup that defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, and all thanks to the most shocking decision in the 2026 World Cup. After all, the USA is chasing a historic World Cup result in 2026.

Belgium’s lineup vs. USA

As for Belgium, Rudi Garcia made up his mind about the starting XI to face the USA. The Red Devils had actually spent more time worrying about the USA’s lineup—and whether Balogun would play—than their own formation for this major challenge, one that has only intensified with the bad blood between the two sides.

This is how Belgium will look: Thibaut Courtois (GK); Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxim De Cuyper; Youri Tielemans (C), Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana; Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard.

De Ketelaere is expected to start at the No. 9 position, meaning Romelu Lukaku won’t be in the starting lineup for Belgium against the USA, despite scoring in each of his team’s last two outings, including the crucial goal that sparked the comeback against Senegal in the Round of 16. In more shocking decisions, Kevin De Bruyne isn’t starting for Belgium, and neither is Jeremy Doku, who will be a substitute against the United States.

Perhaps the Red Devils are playing an alternative lineup because they plan on making a formal appeal to FIFA after the game, regardless of the final score.

England passed yet another hard test at the 2026 World Cup and have reason to dream. The Three Lions showed their teeth and claws in yet another rough environment. After taking Mexico out at home, playing at altitude in Mexico City, England have now weathered the unbearable heat in Miami to knock Norway out of the tournament.

The swampy terrain in Miami Gardens was no place for a dragon ship and Norway’s Viking Row celebration. Instead, the Three Lions prevailed, as England celebrated to the tune of “Wonderwall” by Oasis.

Thomas Tuchel’s side can’t afford to lose sight of its upcoming battle, which will be against Argentina or Switzerland in Kansas City. The Three Lions will lick their wounds for a moment before getting back to work. England can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Their road to the World Cup final is clear, though far from simple, and possibly lined with eternal rivals.

England’s path to World Cup final

Next, England will take on Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals, which will be played at Kansas City Stadium on July 15. If the Three Lions advance to the 2026 World Cup final, they will face either Spain or France on July 19 at New York-New Jersey Stadium.

It should go without saying, but the Three Lions could face some all-time foes en route to making history. Although they created soccer, England have only won one World Cup. Their road ahead at the 2026 World Cup has fans in Albion excited, but it remains a perilous one for the Three Lions.

England’s dream is alive and well

England delivered a statement victory with their triumph over Norway in the quarterfinals. For the first time since the 2018 World Cup, England are among the best four teams in the world. This time, however, they hope for better luck in the semis. Maybe, it’s finally coming home.

If fans needed one reason to believe this year could be different, this performance did just that. Six decades later, exactly 60 years after their first and only World Cup title, England are only two wins away. It’s been far too long, but maybe the wait will finally pay off.

Although Folarin Balogun’s recently lifted suspension by FIFA leaves room for speculation, if it all goes according to the rules, Quansah will have to serve a one-game suspension in the 2026 World Cup when England take on Norway in the quarterfinals. Had England been eliminated in the Round of 16, the suspension would have had to be served in the Three Lions’ next official match..

As for the remainder of the game, England were down to 10 players as Quansah was sent off and couldn’t have his place filled in by another player on the team. Despite being shorthanded, England extended their lead shortly after the red card thanks to a goal from the spot by Harry Kane. Even though Mexico trimmed the lead, the Three Lions held on to a nail-biting 3-2 victory to move on and knock Mexico out of the tournament.

England’s first red card

Quansah’s reckless foul against Gallardo during England’s matchup with Mexico will cost England in the conduct score. Fortunately for the Three Lions, Fair Play points at the 2026 World Cup are no longer important in the knockout stage. Quansah was the first English player to be sent off.

From Mexico’s perspective, Quansah was the fourth opposing player to be sent off during the 2026 World Cup. No other team has seen more opponents shown red cards than El Tri. However, before there’s any speculation, all of the red cards were undeniable, and Mexico had a red card of their own—Cesar Montes in the tournament’s curtain-raiser.

England are in trouble

While England managed to weather the storm—both literally and figuratively—and advance past Mexico, they are now knee-deep in trouble. With Quansah ineligible to play in the quarterfinals against Norway, Thomas Tuchel may have to improvise.

The only option at right back is Reece James, who didn’t play against Mexico and has been unable to practice due to a hamstring injury. The decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold off the 2026 World Cup roster could come back to bite Tuchel and the Three Lions when they least expect it, just when things were looking up.

If James isn’t healthy enough to play in the next round, Tuchel will have to roll up his sleeves and come up with a plan to address the injury and suspension-riddled right back position.

Red cards galore at the 2026 World Cup

With Quansah’s red card, the total has climbed at the 2026 World Cup. Quansah’s ejection was the tournament’s 13th red card. Whether it proves to be a lucky 13 or not, only time will tell for the Three Lions.

The 2026 World Cup is still a long way from breaking the record for the most red cards in a single tournament. That mark is still held by the 2006 World Cup, which saw 28 players sent off. The current tournament is nearly halfway there, and there are still several games left to play in the Round of 16.

Another red card on Mexico City’s tab

As for the iconic Estadio Azteca (renamed Mexico City Stadium), it has seen the most red cards of any 2026 World Cup venue so far. Five red cards have been shown at the stadium, which sits 2,200 meters above sea level.

Prior to Quansah’s dismissal, the most recent red card had been shown to Piero Hincapie, who was sent off for covering his mouth during Mexico’s 2-0 win over Ecuador. Perhaps someone should write a scientific paper on whether the altitude in Mexico City and at Estadio Azteca also affects the number of red cards.

Ahead of the electric showdown between the Iberian foes in Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas), Ronaldo was asked about the Spanish wonderkid, who beat both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with his first World Cup goal at 18. While stats are already pitting Ronaldo and Yamal against, Cristiano had nothing but encouraging words for Spain and Barcelona’s newest jewel.

“He is a player with a great future ahead of him,” Ronaldo admitted during his press conference before the game. “He is a player with a very promising future and he is performing very well, and I think his future will be bright. But I also have to say that I always see Spain as a complete team, not just through one player. They are a very strong national team, they play beautiful football, and tomorrow’s match will be very difficult.”

Ronaldo’s statement was very respectful even as things started getting chippy between Portugal and Spain. While Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon downplayed Cristiano ahead of the game, the Lusos’ legend showed respect for Spain, although Ronaldo believes Portugal will advance.

Ronaldo shares some advice for Yamal

Not many players have been able to stay at the top during their time quite like Ronaldo and Messi have. Perhaps, their vitality as the best players in the world has set the bar too high for new-gen stars. However, Yamal admitted he isn’t scared of those heights, and looks forward to follow the path set by Cristiano and Leo. In that regard, Cristiano answered a question with some knowledge that could very be useful for Yamal moving forward in his career.

“[Yamal] needs to get used to criticism as quickly as possible if he wants to have a long career. But I also think he should focus on what he truly loves: the love from the fans, the passion of the supporters, and the atmosphere inside the stadium. That’s what I learned over time, that you should connect with the people who truly love you, and you should also have passion for what you do.

“Difficult moments will come, and that’s normal, because it’s part of human nature. I’m sure you also sometimes wake up and don’t feel like going to work, even if you love what you do. That’s normal. And in football, as you can imagine, with constant criticism, it sometimes becomes even harder. But all of that is part of our profession.”

Portugal vs Spain: Ronaldo faces Yamal

While all that matters is deciding a winner between Portugal and Spain, the upcoming Round of 16 showdown at the 2026 World Cup will mark the second time Ronaldo and Yamal go head to head.

The first? The 2025 UEFA Nations League final, which Portugal won in a penalty shootout. Ronaldo scored to level the game at 2-2, but both he and Yamal were subbed off before the decisive shootout at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

As important as that game was, it won’t compare to the upcoming clash at the 2026 World Cup, even if it’s only in the Round of 16. This one’s for all the marbles, even if it’s only a ticket to the quarterfinals that’s on the line. Only one can move on. Either Yamal’s first World Cup journey continues, or Ronaldo’s last comes to yet another gut-wrenching end.

“We looked at a yearly statistic of our players. Neymar was our best penalty-taker followed by Igor Thiago and Raphinha. After Raphinha, Guimaraes was the best,” Carlo Ancelotti said during his press conference. “After him came Martinelli. We chose Bruno Guimaraes because we thought he was the best penalty-taker on the pitch.“

Ancelotti stood by the decision. He knows hindsight is 20/20, and won’t go against what him and his staff thought going into the game. However, the fact that Vinicius wasn’t even among the top-five options is something that makes a lot of noise. Vinicius later admitted Ancelotti preferred Guimaraes, claiming that he would’ve taken the penalty if chosen.

Vinicius’ numbers

The fact that Vinicius wasn’t among Brazil’s best penalty takers statistically paints a deflating picture for both the team and the striker. And the worst part may be that numbers don’t lie, yet most fans still would’ve rather had Vini take the penalty than Guimaraes. It’s easy to say now after seeing the end result, but it was also true before Guimaraes even had his attempt denied by Orjan Nyland.

Vinicius has scored 13 penalties in 19 attempts during his career, according to Transfermarkt. For Brazil, his numbers are even more head-scratching. Vini has converted just one of the three penalties he has taken while wearing the Verde Amarela.

Still, on the biggest stages, fans around the world expect their best players to rise to the occasion, regardless of what the stats say. Neymar, despite battling injuries and barely playing any minutes, did just that by scoring from the spot. In the eyes of many fans, the fact that Vinicius Jr. didn’t step up signals a lack of character and may paint a clear picture of the identity crisis that has plagued Brazil for decades.

Brazil’s crisis extends

Nothing has been the same for the Selecao since the 2014 World Cup. Would Vinicius have been allowed to take the penalty had he asked for the ball, or would Ancelotti and his staff have stopped him?

That will remain a mystery, but the image will haunt Brazil fans for decades: Guimaraes squandering his penalty while Vinicius stands off to the side of the penalty area, hands on his hips and making no effort to chase the rebound.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one may reflect broken trust inside the locker room, as well as a dream that has come crashing down in pieces.

Brazil’s penalty takers

Ancelotti’s confession after the heartbreaking elimination left room for many questions. First and foremost, considering the game between Brazil and Norway could have been decided through a penalty shootout, it would have been concerning for Brazil to have their three best penalty takers either on the bench or injured.

Neymar was subbed in late in the game and ended up scoring from the spot to cut the deficit in half, though in vain. But what about the rest? Would Brazil have sent Igor Thiago onto the pitch had they found the equalizer late? Or would they have stayed with the same group and risked going out on penalties like they did at the 2022 World Cup?

In the end, Brazil are out of another FIFA World Cup either way. The five-time World Cup champions will keep that title for four more years, as their journey has come to an end. In the country where Brazil won their fourth World Cup title thanks to a penalty shootout, it was a penalty that will be remembered for ending their dream of winning World Cup title No. 6.

The elimination showdown between Mexico and England will kick-off at 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time). The updated time is subject to further changes if the sky doesn’t clear and the weather doesn’t improve. Coming into the game, many expected referee Alireza Faghani to have his hands full officiating the game. However, not many imagined he’d have to work extra hours, as the action has been temporarily suspended.

As if the altitude in Mexico City wasn’t enough of a factor, adverse weather conditions for Mexico’s game against England will also play a role in this Round of 16 bout. The stakes remain the same for El Tricolor and the Three Lions.

Mexico know what will happen if they win, tie, or lose against England. Perhaps the unexpected delay cools down a red-hot Mexican side. Maybe it doesn’t, but one thing is clear: it adds an intriguing element to the mix.

Mexico have been here before

Not many people see the beauty in rainy days, especially when it’s raining cats and dogs and fans are struggling to find shelter outside the stadium or in the stands. However, it may all be a good omen for El Tri. The Round of 32 game between Ecuador and Mexico was also delayed due to inclement weather.

Despite the delay, Mexico defeated Ecuador with their best performance of the 2026 World Cup. They advanced to the Round of 16 to face England, and history could repeat itself—or at least rhyme.

Mexico will go to any lengths to break their Round of 16 hex. If the game has to be delayed and the players and fans have to be soaking wet for it to happen, then so be it.

England aren’t scared of rain

Although the altitude is something England can’t control and will work to Mexico’s advantage, the rain could actually make the English feel right at home at a hostile environment inside the iconic Estadio Azteca. Accustomed to playing in wet conditions on slick, fast pitches, the Three Lions may see the rain as a good omen of their own.

Although Ochoa is more than used to playing at Mexico City, where altitude could affect the game between England and Mexico, head coach Javier Aguirre is choosing to ride the hot hand of Raul Rangel, Mexico’s starter and one of the best goalkeepers in the 2026 World Cup.

The decision not to start Ochoa against England could be described as “tactical“, as “Memo” is fit to play and will be on the substitutes’ bench. However, it’s only logical considering Rangel has been the starter throughout the 2026 World Cup and has been one of Mexico‘s best players.

Through four games, Rangel has yet to concede a single goal and has proven to be at his best at Estadio Azteca, which sits 2,200 meters above sea level. In addition to the altitude, the weather forecast for Mexico versus England is being a saga of its own.

Ochoa at 2026 World Cup

Ochoa did make an on-field appearance at the 2026 World Cup, but it was merely a formality and a tribute from his national team. Ochoa was subbed in during the dying minutes of Mexico’s 3-0 win over Czechia in the last game of the group stage.

In fact, if anything were to happen to Rangel, fans and analysts have their doubts about whether Ochoa would be the first option to replace the 26-year-old goalkeeper. There’s reason to believe Carlos Acevedo may be ahead of Ochoa in the race to be El Tri’s No. 2 goalkeeper.

Still, Mexico wouldn’t want anyone but Rangel between the posts, as he’s been playing lights out at soccer’s biggest tournament.

Biggest test yet

Against England, Rangel will be going up against a beast unlike any Mexico have faced before. The fact that weather conditions are far from ideal and may require the 2026 World Cup thunderstorm protocol to be activated could also complicate matters for the goalkeeper. Kickoff for England versus Mexico has been delayed an hour due to the weather.

Facing some of the best players in the world at altitude and in the rain makes for a difficult scenario, but it could also provide a great opportunity for Rangel to become a national legend. Who knows? Maybe it all turns out to be a perfect storm for Mexico—literally.

Brazilians will wonder: Why didn’t Vinicius Jr. take Brazil’s penalty against Norway? Unfortunately, no answer will ease their aching hearts. For the second time since the FIFA World Cup reintroduced the current group-stage and knockout-stage format in 1986, Brazil have failed to advance past the Round of 16. The last time it happened for the five-time World Cup champions was in 1990. As for the Vikings, Norway are playing England or Mexico in the quarterfinals next.

Calling this finish the worst ever for Brazil is complicated and subjective because the tournament format has changed so much through the years. But the fact Brazil went one-and-done could be a strong indicator of how rough recent times have been for the Selecao. As for the 2026 World Cup, Brazil are out—although some might say they were never really in it.

In 1930 and 1966, Brazil were eliminated in the opening round, but the tournament format was very different from the 48-team system implemented in 2026. On paper and by definition, those were Brazil’s worst finishes ever at a World Cup.

Brazil’s most painful defeats in World Cup history

However, neither of those eliminations even scratches the surface when it comes to Brazil’s most gut-wrenching World Cup exits. That distinction is reserved for the outcomes in the two World Cups the country hosted.

In 1950, the infamous “Maracanazo” occurred. In the 1950 World Cup final, a heavily overlooked Uruguayan side took down the hosts in improbable fashion and sent the country down a rabbit hole of gloom and despair.

In 2014, Brazil looked on track to avenge that 64-year-old memory and conquer the championship again—for the first time on home soil. However, they were handed the worst humiliation in national team history. Brazil were eliminated by Germany, who blew them out of the water, immortalizing the unforgettable 7-1 scoreline that no soccer fan will ever forget.

Brazil kept streak alive, but in vain

Needless to say, both those losses hurt—and still do—more than the recent misstep against Norway. Looking at the glass half full, a fact remains: Brazil have never fallen short of the Round of 16 since the World Cup expanded beyond 20 national teams.

Still, reaching the Round of 16 only to be eliminated isn’t something Brazil will celebrate. They have won five World Cup titles and are far too big in the soccer world to cherish something so minuscule.

It was Brazil’s first penalty of the 2026 World Cup, so no one really knew who would take it, but most signs suggested it would be Vinicius Jr., even though he’s missed key penalties before for both club and country. Guimaraes may not have been on many fans’ bingo cards.

After the 2-1 loss against Norway, which eliminated Brazil from the 2026 World Cup, Davide Ancelotti, Carlo’s son and member of the coaching staff, confirmed Guimaraes was the designated penalty-taker in dialogue with Ge Globo. The decision was later defended by Carlo Ancelotti, who revealed that Vinicius wasn’t even on the shortlist, with five players having priority to take a penalty.

Ironically, though in a cruel sense, Brazil’s lone goal was thanks to a penalty shot, but it was Neymar Jr.—subbed in during the second half—who put it past Nyland. Despite scoring, Neymar burst into tears after Erling Haaland and Norway knocked them out, handing Brazil one of their worst finishes in World Cup history.

Guimaraes made little sense

According to Transfermarkt, Guimaraes has scored only three penalties in his entire career. He had been perfect from the spot, having scored every attempt until his misstep against Norway, but his sample size was still too small.

Hindsight is 20/20, and Brazil may see his penalty-taking ability every day in training, but considering the goalscorers on the team, Guimaraes’ selection made little sense as he lined up before the ball. After seeing how he took his chance to score his first goal at the 2206 World Cup, it made even less sense.

Matheus Cunha would’ve made more sense, considering he drew the foul inside the box. Still, it was the midfielder who grabbed the ball and took the shot. His mid-height effort was read like a book by Nyland, and Norway steered clear of a disastrous start to the elimination game. Vinicius later admitted that Ancelotti preferred Guimaraes to take the penalty.

Vinicius’ stats from the spot

As for Vinicius Jr., he’s had some very questionable attempts from the penalty spot over the years. Still, he’s also scored some very important penalties. Per Transfermarkt, Vini has scored 13 penalties and missed six. That means he has a 68.4% conversion rate from the spot. Looking only at his penalties for Brazil, his numbers drop.

Vinicius has converted just one of the three penalties (33.3%) he has taken for his national team, which came in a friendly against Guinea. His misses came against Venezuela (2026 World Cup qualifiers) and Chile (international friendly). Perhaps those previous misses cast a long shadow Vinicius didn’t want to face against Norway at the 2026 World Cup.

The iconic venue of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City, sits at 2,200 meters (roughly 1.4 miles or 7,220 feet) above sea level. At that altitude, soccer looks much different than it would at a venue with little to no elevation above sea level. Physiologically, players who aren’t used to such conditions (i.e., England’s players) struggle significantly.

The oxygen percentage remains relatively the same, but the air is less dense, meaning oxygen molecules are further apart, require an extra effort to breathe in, causing players to fatigue at an accelerated rate. Altitude sickness becomes a risk, and teams often take different approaches.

Some believe it’s best to arrive just in time for the game, while others believe every hour counts and choose to arrive early enough to acclimate. The evidence and outcomes associated with both methods suggest it’s largely a crapshoot. As for England, the Three Lions arrived at Mexico City on Friday. Whether two days were enough to settle in and get used to the altitude, only time will tell. In another challenge for England, but also for Mexico, kickoff time was delayed due to the weather conditions.

Ball physics change as well at Estadio Azteca

Playing at altitude not only changes the physiology of the players’ bodies. It also plays a major role in how the ball behaves. The Trionda, the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, doesn’t help, either. Being much lighter and played at altitude, it essentially becomes a balloon—one Mexico have mastered, while England have barely kicked it around once or twice.

At 2,200 meters above sea level, the ball becomes unpredictable. It moves differently through the air, and long-range shots become a different animal. Mexico have shown their teeth in that regard. Against Ecuador, even though La Tri are used to playing at altitude (they play in Quito, which sits 2,850 meters above sea level), Mexico scored two long-range stunners. Raul Jimenez doubled their lead after Julian Quiñones had opened the scoring with a missile of his own.

England could benefit from altitude

These factors could also play to England’s advantage, though. Boasting players with powerful shots like Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham, the Three Lions could also look to test Raul Rangel—Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa won’t start for Mexico against England—from distance.

Still, three teams have already tried after facing Mexico in Mexico City, and none have been able to score a goal, let alone defeat El Tri. Playing at Estadio Azteca, Mexico defeated South Africa (2-0), Czechia (3-0), and Ecuador (2-0) at the 2026 World Cup. Moreover, they are undefeated in official outings at Estadio Azteca since 2013.

Mexico deserve recognition

As if the altitude wasn’t enough of a game-changer, Mexico have also played in front of a sold-out stadium every time, and attendance for England’s game against Mexico won’t be any different. Lastly, even though the altitude and home-field advantage definitely give Mexico an edge, Javier Aguirre’s side deserve credit for their performances so far in the tournament.

Against England, Mexico will face a litmus test. Will the playing conditions be enough to tilt the scales in their favor? Or will they fall victim to the Round of 16 once again? The last time Mexico won a Round of 16 game was at Estadio Azteca against a European team (Bulgaria at the 1986 World Cup). Maybe that’s all they need to match the furthest Mexico have ever gone at a World Cup, even if it’s 40 years later.

In the opposite corner, the Three Lions will have to show their claws in an environment that will be anything but home. If they mean to be kings of the jungle, however, they will be left with no other choice.

“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match,” the statement read. “FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’

Belgium want to be treated fairly

Going up against the main host country of the 2026 World Cup, Belgium may be favorites on paper, but they know just how steep a climb they are in for regardless. The fact that Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina meant the USMNT’s leading goalscorer would miss the Round of 16 game.

Although the USA couldn’t appeal Balogun’s red card, his suspension was reversed just one day before the game at Seattle Stadium. Not only does it change Belgium coach Rudi Garcia’s game plan, but it also raises concerns for the Red Devils. Shortly after Belgium’s statement, Rudi Garcia blasted FIFA for overturning Balogun’s ban.

Would the suspension have been overturned if the affected party had been another national team? There is no definitive answer to that, but Belgium can draw its own conclusions. Needless to say, the Belgians won’t stand with their arms crossed, even if Christian Pulisic defends FIFA’s decision to cancel Balogun’s suspension.

Belgium make their case

“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations,” Belgium’s soccer association argued in their statement.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

Things are heating up before USMNT vs. Belgium

Although the Belgian announcement will likely have no effect on the reversed suspension, it does add another layer to an elimination game that is shaping up to be must-watch television. The Stars and Stripes will host Belgium with a ticket to the quarterfinals on the line, and with Balogun available to Mauricio Pochettino, the odds change significantly. Pochettino celebrated FIFA’s decision to clear Balogun to play, despite Belgium and Garcia’s criticism.

It’s anyone’s game. If Balogun ends up being the difference, expect this controversial chapter in FIFA World Cup history to extend well beyond the final whistle.

Mexico have yet to play a game away from home at the 2026 World Cup. Playing on their own soil, El Tricolor have yet to lose a game or even concede a goal. However, they haven’t faced a powerhouse like England yet. Something has got to give. Will Mexico’s red-hot form at Estadio Azteca (renamed Mexico City Stadium for the World Cup) prevail? Or will their bad karma in the Round of 16 continue?

The last time El Tri made it to the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Cup was 40 years ago at the 1986 World Cup, while playing at Estadio Azteca, too. Perhaps the altitude will affect England against Mexico, and the story will finally come full circle for El Tri.

What happens if Mexico win versus England?

Mexico will advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup with a win over England in Mexico City. For the first time since 1986, El Tri will be among the eight best teams in the world and one win away from setting a new national record for Mexico’s deepest run at a FIFA World Cup.

By defeating England, Mexico would advance to the next stage, where Norway will await after eliminating Brazil. The quarterfinal matchup will be played at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) on July 11 at 5:00 p.m. ET. With their first game away from Mexico, Javier Aguirre’s men will officially end their homestand at the 2026 World Cup. From the quarterfinals onward, they will play in the United States.

As for England, the Three Lions would be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss against Mexico. If that occurs, soccer’s biggest tournament certainly won’t be coming home to Albion. England’s last—and only—World Cup title was in 1966. If they lose against Mexico, the country that created soccer will go over 60 years without hoisting the most coveted trophy.

What happens if Mexico and England draw?

In the event that El Tri and the Three Lions can’t separate themselves on the scoreboard when referee Alireza Faghani blows the full-time whistle, the game will head to extra time.

Extra time at the 2026 World Cup is 30 minutes long and is played over two 15-minute halves with a brief intermission in between. There is no golden-goal rule at the 2026 World Cup. If the game remains tied after 120 minutes, it will be decided by a penalty shootout.

The winner—regardless of whether it’s in extra time or a penalty shootout—will advance to the quarterfinals to face Norway in Miami, whereas the loser will head home with nothing to show for it. In Mexico’s case, the trip home will be virtually nonexistent, but it will still be a somber bus ride back to the team’s camp.

What happens if Mexico lose against England?

With a defeat to England, Mexico wouldn’t just lose an official game at Mexico City Stadium for the first time since 2013 (when the United States won there 2-0), but they would also be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. Once again, Mexico’s journey at soccer’s biggest tournament would come to an abrupt end in the Round of 16.

Although El Tri finally reached the fifth game of the World Cup, it would’ve been largely a product of the new Round of 32. It would all stay the same, with Mexico unable to exorcise their Round-of-16 demons.

As for England, the Three Lions would advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup and face a clearer path to a potential final. The English national team would be among the eight best teams in the world for the third straight World Cup. In the quarterfinals, England would travel to Miami to take on Norway on July 11.

Mexico’s and England’s form

“These are knockout matches, and no one gives you anything for free. Some might underestimate national teams because of their names, but we knew it wouldn’t be an easy game at all. It’s no coincidence that this team hasn’t lost to Spain or Uruguay. All the games will be extremely difficult,” Lionel Messi admitted to reporters after the game, in which he won yet another Man of the Match award. Messi also reminded the rest of the team they have a lot of work to do.

“Now the most important thing is to rest, think about the next match, and try to draw the positive aspects from today’s matchup. And address the negatives, because there were a lot, too.”

Messi shows concerns on how the game went

Although it took a while, Argentina broke the deadlock thanks to Messi’s seventh goal at the 2026 World Cup and his 20th goal in World Cup history. It felt like that would open the floodgates, and La Albiceleste would walk away with yet another commanding victory. However, Argentina were in for a surprise. Even Messi couldn’t believe how the action played out.

“We managed to achieve the hardest part by scoring the first goal, and we thought that would help us impose our playing style and play with greater calm, but the exact opposite happened,” Messi admitted.

Argentina vs Cape Verde will go down in history books

Although Argentina are the No. 2 team in the FIFA rankings and the reigning world champions, whereas Cape Verde’s FIFA ranking is much lower, it was shocking to see La Albiceleste panic as the game progressed, while the Blue Sharks showed a level of composure no one would have credited them with. Perhaps, it was a true case of the favorite playing under pressure, while the underdog had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Still, Cape Verde and Argentina’s epic battle will go down as an all-time World Cup classic, a game in which David put Goliath against the ropes and earned the respect of friends and foes alike. Cape Verde’s journey at the 2026 World Cup has come to an end, but it won’t ever be forgotten.

As for Argentina, their dream of back-to-back World Cups is still alive—that’s all they could ask for. Still, they’d be blind not to admit there are several things they need to fix. Although he wouldn’t air the dirty laundry in public, Argentina’s captain was the first to shine a light on some matters that need attending.

Argentina found a way to win

Messi and Argentina’s path to a potential World Cup final in 2026 will only get tougher from now on. At the end of the day, winning and moving on is all that matters, but at some point, Argentina must find a way to avoid constantly finding themselves in these nail-biting games. It makes for entertaining soccer and must-see TV, but Argentine fans’ hearts can only take so many of these showdowns every four years.

Moreover, thanks to the locked bracket system, Argentina have a clear view of what their path to the 2026 World Cup final could look like. Needless to say, Argentina will come across much tougher opponents, probably the three other counties many expected to reach the semifinals prior to the start of the tournament.

Up next, Argentina will face England in the semifinals, as the Three Lionseliminated Norway. From now onwards, Messi and Argentina’s journey is set to cross with the paths of several powerhouses.

For the time being, La Albiceleste must be content to have fought to live another day and must lick their wounds before gearing up for the next battle. Needless to say, it won’t be for the faint of heart. Nothing ever is for Argentina. The 3-1 win against Switzerland in extra time confirmed just that.

Argentina’s path to 2026 World Cup final

Although Messi and his teammates will be the first to admit they are only focused on the next game in the schedule, they can’t resist but looking ahead. After Argentina defeated Switzerland and advanced to the semifinals, they will take on England. As the quarterfinals stage has come to an end the full semifinals bracket is set.

In the semifinals, Argentina will face an historic clash against arguably their biggest rival—though for very different reasons—as England will cross paths with La Albiceleste. This, surprisingly, will be Lionel Messi’s first match in his career against England.

As for the grand final, many expect Argentina and France to meet in a rematch of the greatest World Cup final in history (2022). However, Spain will try to spoil this idea by trying to defeat Les Bleus in the other semifinal.

Argentina’s dream path to World Cup final

Argentina played Switzerland in a rematch of the Round of 16 clash in 2014 (1-0 Argentina after extra time). In the semifinals, England will definitely be the most compelling matchup in terms of the narrative arc.

Something similar applies to the final. Some may argue a rematch with France is the best option, while others could make the case that a matchup with the UEFA Euro champions, Spain, which would see Messi and Lamine Yamal share a pitch for the first time.

While Ghana’s FIFA ranking should suggest Colombia have nothing to worry about, anything can happen. Colombia’s world ranking is much better than that of their African counterparts, but once the game gets underway, that becomes just a number. Only one will advance to the Round of 16.

There’s a lot on the line as La Seleccion Colombia and the Black Stars meet in the City of Fountains. If they’re wise, they should toss a coin. Because if the City of Fountains is anything like the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, then one of Colombia or Ghana could be back in Kansas City for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.

What happens if Colombia win vs. Ghana?

With a victory over Ghana in Kansas City, Colombia will advance to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Though far from a done job, it would put Nestor Lorenzo’s side four wins away from its first World Cup championship. A win over Ghana would be Colombia’s first triumph in the knockout stage since the 2014 World Cup. That time, they reached the quarterfinals, the furthest Colombia have ever gone at a FIFA World Cup.

In the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the Cafeteros would go up against Switzerland, who eliminated Algeria in the Round of 32, at BC Place in Vancouver. Needless to say, Colombia would be in for a long trip from Missouri to British Columbia.

As for Ghana, they would be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss to Colombia. Ghana would miss the Round of 16 for the third straight World Cup (2014 and 2022, as they didn’t participate in 2018). The furthest Ghana have advanced at a World Cup would remain their quarterfinal finish in 2010.

What happens if Colombia and Ghana tie?

If Colombia and Ghana are tied at the end of the 90 minutes, the game will head to a 30-minute extra time to decide who moves on in the 2026 World Cup. Overtime is played in two halves of 15 minutes—and with no golden goal rule at the World Cup—the full half-hour must be played to find a victor.

If extra time isn’t enough, then the game will be decided by a nail-biting penalty shootout. The winner—regardless of whether it’s in extra time or a penalty shootout—will advance to the Round of 16 to take on Switzerland in Vancouver. As for the loser, they will be eliminated and walk away empty-handed from the 2026 World Cup.

What happens if Colombia lose vs. Ghana?

If Colombia fall at the hands of Ghana, they will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The Cafeteros would exit a World Cup without a knockout-stage win for the sixth time in the national team’s history.

In fact, Colombia have won only one knockout-stage game at a World Cup. This one, however, may rank as the most gut-wrenching elimination of them all, and Colombia have experienced several devastating ones.

Ghana would advance to the Round of 16—reaching that stage for the third time in World Cup history. If they advance past Colombia, the Black Stars will take on Switzerland at BC Place on July 7.

Drew Fischer will be the match official during Argentina’s knockout-stage debut against Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup. Fischer is Canadian and referees in Major League Soccer (MLS). Fischer has officiated two games so far at the 2026 World Cup: France’s 3-0 win over Iraq and Croatia’s 2-1 victory over Ghana.

Across his two appearances in the 2026 World Cup, Fischer has shown only three yellow cards and hasn’t sent any player off. Perhaps that’s only happenstance, or it might say something about how he goes about his work on the pitch.

Officiating crew for Argentina vs Cape Verde

Drew Fischer will be joined by fellow countrymen assistant referees Michael Barwegen and Lyes Arfa from the touchlines. Mexican female referee Katia Itzel Garcia will be the fourth official, while Sandra Ramirez will be the reserve assistant referee.

In the VAR booth, U.S. referee Armando Villarreal will be joined by assistant VAR (AVAR) Ivan Bebek and support VAR (SVAR) Tatiana Guzman. All in all, it will be a mostly North American crew, with representatives from the three co-hosts at the helm.

• Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
• Assistant Referee 1: Michael Barwegen (Canada)
• Assistant Referee 2: Lyes Arfa (Canada)
• Fourth Official: Katia Itzel Garcia (Mexico)
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Sandra Ramirez (Mexico)
• VAR: Armando Villarreal (USA)
• AVAR: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
• SVAR: Tatiana Guzman (Nicaragua)

Fischer knows Messi from MLS

According to WhoScored, Fischer has officiated three Inter Miami games in the last year. Fortunately for Argentina, Messi’s Herons prevailed in all three. Messi has scored two goals and assisted six others in those outings. Moreover, Messi was never booked by Fischer. However, fellow Argentinian and Inter Miami star Rodrigo De Paul has been in Fischer’s crosshairs.

In two of the three Inter Miami games Fischer officiated, he booked De Paul. Perhaps history will repeat itself when Fischer officiates the Round of 32 matchup between Argentina and Cape Verde at Miami Stadium. In fact, both times De Paul was shown a yellow card by Fischer, it came in games in Florida.

Even though Cape Verde’s FIFA ranking is nothing for the reigning world champions to be terrified of, Argentina should at least be wary of a potentially colossal misstep. To be safe, Messi and company must leave no doubts and defeat Cape Verde, one of the Cinderella teams at the 2026 World Cup. The Round of 32 matchup between Argentina and Cape Verde will be played in Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), and the host city couldn’t have been any more fitting.

In a perfect analogy, Messi and Argentina are set for a dip in the saltwater beaches of Magic City. However, they must keep an eye out for the jaws—more specifically, the Blue Sharks. Fans attending Argentina’s game at Miami Stadium have paid ludicrous prices to watch Messi and the world champions, but they may witness FIFA World Cup history instead. That’s how much is at stake so the game’s referee Drew Fischer will have his hands full.

What happens if Argentina win vs. Cape Verde?

If Argentina defeat Cape Verde in the Round of 32, they will advance to the next phase of the 2026 World Cup’s knockout stage. Argentina would move on to the Round of 16, where they will go up against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.

When La Albiceleste take to the pitch in Miami, they will already know the Pharaohs would be next, as well as when and where the game would be played. Argentina’s Round of 16 matchup will be held at Atlanta Stadium on July 7. It will be another test as Messi and Argentina chase another final.

As for Cape Verde, they will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss at the hands of Argentina. Though deflating, a loss at the Round of 32 would still be the furthest Cape Verde have gone at a World Cup.

What happens if Argentina and Cape Verde tie?

In the event of a draw in regulation time, the game will head to extra time, which is 30 minutes long, to decide who moves on in the 2026 World Cup. Overtime is played in two halves of 15 minutes, and there is no golden goal rule at the World Cup, so the full half-hour must be played to decide a winner.

If neither team can break through in extra time, the game will be decided through a penalty shootout. Whether it’s through extra time or from the penalty spot, the winner will go on to play Egypt in the Round of 16, whereas the loser will be eliminated and homeward.

Contrary to the group stage, there can’t be any ties in the knockout stage. One team must advance, and by the same token, one must fall.

What happens if Argentina lose vs. Cape Verde?

Against all odds and in devastating fashion, Argentina would be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a loss against Cape Verde. Messi and La Albiceleste’s back-to-back dream will come crashing down like a house of cards, and it will be Cape Verde who advance to the Round of 16 to take on Egypt.

For Messi, it would be only the second time he and his national team are eliminated from a World Cup without winning a knockout-stage game. It previously happened at the 2018 World Cup, when La Albiceleste were bounced in the Round of 16 by France, who would go on to win the title. This time, however, it would be completely different, as Argentina are World Cup favorites.

Argentina’s last three games at 2026 World Cup

• 3-0 win vs. Algeria
• 2-0 win vs. Austria
• 3-1 win vs. Jordan

Cape Verde’s form

• 0-0 tie vs. Spain
• 2-2 tie vs. Uruguay
• 0-0 tie vs. Saudi Arabia