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U.S. World Cup Team Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) — As a strictly practical matter, it’s no secret that the Stars and Stripes don’t need to win — or even tie — Thursday’s first round finale against already eliminated Türkiye. It’s a right Mauricio Pochettino’s squad has earned. By winning their first two games at a World Cup for the first time in 96 years, the Americans not only advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament with a game to spare, but also clinched Group D. You wouldn’t know it when talking to the U.S. players here this week. While Pochettino confirmed on the eve of the contest that he’ll make several lineup changes from those victories over Australia — at least the four starters who picked up yellow cards; another against the Turks for any of them would trigger a suspension for the round of 32, which isn’t worth the risk — the replacements will approach the match as if it means everything. For many of them, it will. “Everybody’s going to be called on at a different point, in a different capacity,” center back Mark McKenzie — one of eight members of the USA’s 26-man World Cup roster who have yet to see a single minute at the tournament — told me and other reporters here before the USA’s final pre-Türkiye training session. “Being ready I think is the biggest thing for each and every guy.” “I’ve been training hard, waiting for the opportunity, but I’m sure it’ll come,” said Alex Zendejas — who also has yet to play — before quickly qualifying his reward. “That’s obviously a coach’s decision.” So is whether to play top attacker Christian Pulisic, who sat out last week against the Aussies because of a calf injury but said on Wednesday that he’ll be able to start if Pochettino selects him, if not play the entire game. The smart money is on the former Paris Saint-Germain boss taking a conservative approach. As much as he wants to finish the first round with three wins, the game that matters most comes on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif., and will more than likely be against a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that eliminated four-time World Cup champion Italy in March in Europe’s qualifying playoffs. Lose that contest, and all the good vibes the Americans have created so far instantly turn toxic. Still, heading into that do-or-die tilt without disrupting the momentum would be ideal. “Two wins is what’s keeping the energy high right now, and three would be even [better],” left back Max Arfsten, who seems set to fill in for Antonee “Jedi” Robinson (Jedi was cautioned against the Socceroos), said on Tuesday. “Regardless of if we’ve advanced or not, training is still very competitive, it’s very intense, and I think that’s the culture that the coach created: No matter what, everyone’s still trying to prove something.” At his pre-game press conference, Pochettino laid down exactly what. Whoever he picks must go take the field at Los Angeles Stadium with the mindset that “it’s the final of the World Cup,” the 54-year-old Argentine said. Why wouldn’t they? After all, it could be the culmination of a childhood dream for some of them, and possibly the only World Cup game they ever play in their entire careers. Seeing their teammates accomplish that could have a feel-good knock-on effect on the rest of the roster. Those who haven’t yet played have been training just as hard, have been away from their young children just as long as those who’ve been in the spotlight so far. “I think these guys deserve it if they get the chance,” said star defender Chris Richards, another of the Americans carrying a yellow. “I think everyone on this team is ready to step up,” Pulisic added. “We’re going to support and push everyone the same way, whoever gets the opportunity [on Thursday] to play, whatever the decisions may be. Everyone’s going to be ready, and it just shows how much depth and what a strong team we have.” Not that getting on the field in what some have referred to as a “dead rubber” match is some sort of consolation prize. After all, this is still the biggest stage in global sports. “It’s a World Cup,” said Richards. “If you’re not excited for this, I don’t know when you will be excited.” So yes, the result against Türkiye truly matters — even if it doesn’t. “We need to win,” Pochettino said flatly in his native Spanish. “I have no doubt that the team that plays in the match is going to perform.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Under a grey South Florida sky at Miami Stadium where David Beckham was questionably drinking red wine (in this humidity?) from a suite, Brazil put on a show that dampened Scotland’s party while clinching a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds. Brazilian flags and the canary yellow-clad fans continuously erupted in cheer as Carlo Ancelotti’s side continued took full control of the evening and won Group C. As for the usually raucous Tartan Army, they saw Scotland sadly struggle to get anything going and cause mistake over mistake. One thing is for sure. Ancelotti is slowly but surely returning the Joga Bonito (play beautifully) personality to Brazil. And that’s a scary thing for anyone else standing in its way. Here are my takeaways: 1. Vinícius Júnior Is Dancing To World Cup Glory The night belonged to the five-time World Cup champion and most importantly, Vinícius Júnior, who is having a tournament to remember. The Real Madrid star scored twice and gave the Scottish backline grief throughout the night, whilst Matheus Cunha sneakily scored his third goal of the competition to surprisingly also be in the mix for the Golden Boot race. Thanks to his two goals, Vini Jr. has now scored in all three matches of the group stage – making him the first Brazilian to accomplish that feat since Rivaldo and Ronaldo in 2002, which is when the Seleção last won the World Cup. In fact, every time this has happened, Brazil has won the World Cup as Romario did in 1994 and Jairzinho in 1970 – where the legendary winger scored in every game. Could Vini Jr. emulate that at this World Cup? It’s obviously a big ask, but right now he has four goals — only one behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race for the tournament’s top goalscorer. But what’s more important, the Brazil star is leading by example. And that’s exactly what this team needs. 2. Neymar Jr.’s Cameo Continues Summer Of Stars It was also a night where Brazil welcomed back Neymar Jr., as the 34-year-old entered the pitch with less than 15 minutes to go. In a tournament where veteran icons like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić are having their moments in the spotlight, it was nice for Brazilians to welcome their own legendary star once again. After nearly three years, October 2023 to be exact, Neymar Jr. returned to action with Brazil. It has been an arduous time filled with injury-ridden problems that included his ACL and meniscus tear. But once he entered the pitch in the 76th minute to replace Matheus Cunha, the crowd on their feet chanted his name with excitement. This is exactly why Ancelotti brought him back to the squad. To not just perform but to ignite a fire within Brazil. If he can be an impactful player, even in 15–20 minutes of action, then Brazil will feel deeper, stronger and more confident. 3. Scotland Gave Brazil Too Much Respect Scotland now has a waiting game to see if it has made it as a top-eight third-placed team. Having the opening game victory over Haiti helps but the setback against Morocco, and conceding three goals on Tuesday to Brazil, most definitely does not. Don’t get me wrong. Brazil totally deserved its win and there was probably nothing Scotland could have done tonight to change the narrative. But I thought the Scots were too nervous instead of pressing Brazil and making it uncomfortable. In simple terms, Scotland just sat for too long and waited for Brazil to charge as opposed to stopping the momentum in the first place. In this game, whatever happened, Scotland needed to gamble, and I don’t think the team gambled enough. Steve Clarke’s side has three points but also a -3 goal differential, so it has to see whether Scotland will sneak into the round of 32 or if the memorable stateside trip of the Tartan Army finishes earlier than hoped. 4. Bruno Guimarães With A Terrific Performance With the style being provided by the likes of Vinícius Júnior, there needs to be some kudos given to Brazil’s engine in the middle. The Newcastle United man was excellent, as he provided a perfect assist for Vini’s second. Throughout the game, he hovered all over the midfield to begin the team’s sequences and was critical in all the created chances. In the second half, he gave another assist to Matheus Cunha, thanks to a great run inside the box. It was a lovely flick. It was an imposing display. In all, it was a complete performance for Brazil, who now wait for its Round of 32 opponent, which is the runner-up from Group F — either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden. That’s not an easy situation, especially with the first two mentioned.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Morocco spent a half being outplayed by a team that arrived with nothing to lose, then snapped back to reality. A rotated and rusty Atlas Lions side trailed Haiti twice in Atlanta before quality — and a lively bench — turned it into a 4-2 win. Here are my takeaways from Morocco’s comeback over Haiti: 1. Group C, Sorted: Morocco March On, Haiti Head Home With Brazil seeing off Scotland 3-0 across the bracket, Group C finished as the seedings predicted — just not in the order Morocco wanted. Both Brazil and Morocco closed on seven points, but Brazil’s plus-six goal difference dwarfed Morocco’s plus-three, so the Atlas Lions take second and the slightly bumpier road. As runners-up, they’re set to meet the Group F winner in the Round of 32 — likely the Netherlands or Japan. Regardless of the outcome, the 2022 semifinalists have advanced. For Haiti, the math was settled before kickoff. The defeat locks them into last place with zero points, eliminating them and sending them home. The favorites advance. The underdogs bow out. 2. Ismael Saibari Saved His Best For Every Occasion Some players save their best for the big stage. Ismael Saibari decided every stage was the big one. The PSV Eindhoven striker scored in all three group games — a delicate lob against Brazil, the fastest goal in Morocco’s World Cup history against Scotland, and a cool Achraf Hakimi-assisted finish here — to finish as Morocco’s group-stage top scorer with three. He’s the breakout name, but hardly the only one who shone. Captain Achraf Hakimi was everywhere again, scoring one goal and assisting another from right back. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss provided the craft in the final third. And the bench bailed them out: substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine combined for the two goals that finally put Haiti away. Morocco isn’t a one-man team. They’re a deep one, which is far more frightening. 3. The Tactics: Hakimi’s Show, And A Bench That Bites On paper, it was a 4-2-3-1. In practice, it was the Achraf Hakimi show with a double pivot behind it. Morocco controlled 70% of the ball, funneled their best attacks through Hakimi’s overlapping runs on the right, and trusted Sofyan Amrabat and Neil El Aynaoui to shield the back four. When it clicks — as it did against Brazil and Scotland — Mohamed Ouahbi’s side looks like a team that can hurt anyone. They possess significant technical ability across every line in the formation. The caveat: they conceded twice to an already-eliminated Haiti, the kind of switch-off better opponents punish. So what’s the ceiling? These are the 2022 semifinalists, now with arguably more attacking talent and a bench that wins games. Another deep run is firmly on the table — the quarterfinals feel a fair ask — provided the concentration that drifted in Atlanta shows up for the knockouts. 4. Haiti Leave With A Goal For The Ages Haiti reached their first World Cup in 52 years and left without a point: three games, three defeats, bottom of Group C. But don’t confuse the standings for the story. Sébastien Migné’s side led mighty Morocco twice, and the moment that outlives this tournament belonged to Wilson Isidor. With Haiti ahead and swinging, the Sunderland forward collected the ball on the right, shifted onto his stronger foot, and detonated a rocket into the top-left corner — an early goal-of-the-tournament nominee from a team that wasn’t supposed to score at all. The bodies and the quality ran out after the break, as everyone suspected they might. But Haiti found the net for the first time at a World Cup since 1974 and genuinely frightened a semifinalist. Some nights, that’s the victory. For Isidor, that’s a memory that’ll last a lifetime.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports