Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
Comprehensive match preview of Australia vs Egypt at the World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news, and more ahead of this Round of 32 clash in Arlington.
Egypt are facing an anxious wait regarding the fitness of their captain and talisman Mohamed Salah after the forward suffered a hamstring strain. The Liverpool icon picked up the injury during the group stage draw with Iran, placing his participation in Friday's crucial World Cup round of 32 knockout clash against Australia in jeopardy as medical staff assess him.
The USMNT are into the knockouts, but Seattle’s “Country Roads” singalong after the Australia win may be remembered as the moment belief truly took hold.
The USMNT is into the World Cup knockouts after another statement win, with Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman and a growing belief turning a strong start into something bigger.
Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of U.S. Men's National Team clash against Australia, Mauricio Pochettino revealed in an interview with FOX. Pulisic was subbed after halftime in the team's dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay. Although initial reporting suggested he might be able to play in Friday's clash in Seattle, the Argentine manager confirmed Ricardo Pepi will start in his place.
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT opened the World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, but the manager said the performance was built on more than tactics. He emphasized ambition, internal competition, and belief, while making clear that no player should feel guaranteed a place in his squad in a recent interview.
Mauricio Pochettino says Christian Pulisic's availability for the U.S. Men's National Team's second World Cup match will go right down to the wire as the star winger deals with an injury suffered in the team's tournament-opening win over Paraguay. The USMNT boss said Pulisic will be analyzed by medical staff on Thursday night before a decision is made ahead of Friday's match in Seattle.
With Christian Pulisic's status still up in the air, the USMNT must solve Australia's towering backline, manage the Socceroos' physicality and stay balanced in a crucial World Cup group-stage clash.
Former USMNT boss Bob Bradley speaks to GOAL about the Americans’ World Cup-opening win, his bond with Mo Salah, 2010 memories and his desire to coach again.
Christian Pulisic did not join the rest of his U.S. Men's National Team teammates for training Monday, instead completing an individual workout with team trainers. The session came after Pulisic exited at halftime of the USMNT's 4-1 World Cup-opening win over Paraguay after taking a kick to a pre-existing leg injury.
Australia
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