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Sunday at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup features two very unpredictable games in the round of 16. Brazil and Norway will open the day in New Jersey with Erling Haaland looking to continue his impressive scoring run against the five-time champions who suffered a real scare in the round of 32 against Japan. The second game takes us to Mexico City where England will need to play much better than it has so far at the tournament against a Mexico team that has won all four of its games without conceding a goal. Here is all you need to know for Sunday at the World Cup. When: Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. ET Where: New York/New Jersey TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One This will be a matchup of elite attacking teams when Brazil and Norway meet at New York New Jersey Stadium in the round of 16. When looking at their histories against each other and at this stage of the tournament, there are lot of conflicting trends. Beginning with its 2-1 win over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup, Norway enters this game unbeaten in its last four games (two wins, two draws) against the five-time World Cup champions. Brazil, meanwhile, has won nine of its last 10 round of 16 games at the World Cup but has lost all six of its World Cup knockout games (including the 2014 third place game) against European opponents following its win over Germany in the 2002 final. Norway enters this game with the strongest team it has ever had. At this World Cup, Haaland is playing in his first major international tournament and has not disappointed, having scored five goals in three games, and he now has 60 goals for Norway in just 53 caps. In this game, the task for Norway is to absorb Brazil’s pressure and look to break out quickly on counter attacks. Ståle Solbakken’s team will likely sit in a mid-block and look for central midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge to lead quick transitions that typically are fed out wide before looking to set up Haaland. While Haaland has been excellent at the World Cup, the key to Norway’s success to this point has been its excellent play from out wide, especially on the left side. Left winger Antonio Nusa and left back David Møller Wolfe have both been dangerous in creating opportunities for themselves and for Haaland. Another issue for Norway is the current heat wave currently hitting the eastern part of the United States. Will that play a role? Can Norway handle the physical demands of playing in high temperatures? For Brazil, the team will likely need another big performance from Vinícius Junior, who has been excellent at this World Cup with four goals and an assist. While Vini Jr. featured four years ago in Qatar, this World Cup was when he was supposed to spearhead Brazil’s attack. So far, he lived up to expectations. The problem for Norway, is that Brazil is historically always deep, and this team is no different. Even if Viní Jr. is held off the scoreboard, Brazil boasts several other top scoring options. In the narrow 2-1 win over Japan in the round of 32, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro were the goal scorers while Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal’s Gabriel picked up assists. On the injury front, Brazil is missing two starters as both Lucas Paqueta and Raphinha are sidelined with hamstring injuries. The biggest question heading into this game is how Brazil will defensively try to stop Norway in transition. If Carlo Ancelotti’s team struggles with that, Norway can definitely pull off the upset. The problem for Brazil is that it is no secret how Norway plays. No team has been able to stop the Scandinavian side when it fields a top lineup. Haaland has scored goals in the last 13 consecutive competitive internationals he has played for Norway, scoring 25 goals in that run. This is a clash of two top offensive teams, but it will be decided on which team plays the best defense. Player to Watch While Brazil has many ways it can beat opponents, Norway is far more limited. Fortunately for The Vikings, its main weapon, Haaland, is one of the best forwards of his generation. If he can find openings in Brazil’s defense, it might be enough to spark an upset. He is certainly going to be the most consequential player in this game. When: Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. ET Where: Mexico City TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One Sunday’s nightcap between Mexico and England features a matchup between two teams who have deep aspirations of making a deep run in this tournament. Played at the iconic Mexico City Stadium where Pelé and Diego Maradona were crowned World Cup champions, this will be the biggest test either team has faced so far in this tournament. Entering this game, Mexico has been flawless at this World Cup, defeating all four of its opponents with clean sheets in every game. It has outscored its opponents 8-0 during the tournament. Mexico’s star player has been winger Julián Quiñones, who was the leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League for the 2025-26 season with 33 goals in 31 games for Al Qadsiah. But here at the World Cup, Quiñones has three goals and an assist, with his best performance coming in the 2-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 32 where he shined against a team that conceded just five goals in 18 World Cup qualifiers in South America. But Mexico has several different scoring options. At age 35, forward Raul Jiménez has two goals and has been playing as if he was a decade younger. Chivas attacking midfielder Roberto Alvarado has three assists in this tournament and has been critical to keeping Mexico on the front foot in each game. Then there is midfielder Gilberto Mora, who at age 17 is the youngest player in the tournament and is a budding star. Mora earned the start against Ecuador and was dangerous throughout the first half. For Mexico to be successful against an English team that hopes to lift the trophy on July 19, it is going to require another big effort from its defense, which has been the best in the tournament. This will be, by far, the best attack Mexico has faced. Central defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez, along with fullbacks Jorge Sánchez and Jesús Gallardo deserve a lot of credit for the team’s defensive success for posting four clean sheets has been a total team effort. Javier Aguirre has his team playing with so much raw intensity that no team has been able to match it. England has a very tough assignment in this game. Mexico has not lost a competitive home game since 2013. The venue for this game gives Mexico one of the sport’s greatest home field advantages. The Three Lions have struggled since its 4-2 win over Croatia in its opening game. The scoreless draw with Ghana showed an offense that can sputter when Harry Kane in not on the top of his game. The win over Panama was pedestrian. In the round of 32 against DR Congo, England needed two late goals from Kane to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win and avoid an embarrassingly early exit. For England, the team is deep with wingers, but none of the options have been consistent at this tournament and that makes it hard for head coach Thomas Tuchel to know who to start. For example, in the win over Croatia, starter Anthony Gordon struggled while Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford were excellent off the bench to propel England to the win. Then against DR Congo, England was on the verge of a loss before Gordon replaced Rashford in the 60th minute and assisted on both of Kane’s goals. Tuchel faces a difficult task of getting his starting lineup right and, aside from the expected win over Panama, Tuchel has yet to do so in this tournament. Playing Mexico in Mexico City will be England’s toughest challenge so far, and Tuchel cannot afford to have England start the game poorly as digging out of a hole might be too difficult. Another difficult challenge for England in this game, apart from a good Mexico team and a large and mostly hostile crowd, is altitude. That has not been an issue with the location of its first four games, but now England will have to play at 7,220 feet above sea level and that has historically been very, very difficult for opposing teams to handle. It is not going to be easy for England, and Tuchel will need to be prepared with a starting lineup that is very fit and a roadmap of when to strategically use its substitutes. Player to Watch Along with Haaland, Kane is one of the best center forwards of his generation. Thus far in the tournament, Kane has been very effective in bailing England out of otherwise subpar performances. In this game, Kane will face the tournament’s best defensive team that will be highly focused on stopping him. But even if Kane can be stopped from scoring, he can also be very valuable drifting back into midfield and helping create plays. If Kane struggles in this game, it could be a very long day for the Three Lions. On the other hand, if Kane can find the back of the net early, it will make life easier for England to deal with the crowd and the altitude the rest of the way.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

SEATTLE — As the story goes, Ricardo Pepi hung up the phone on former U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter when he was informed he didn’t make the 2022 World Cup roster. Less than four years later, Pepi was driving in the car with his father when he received a WhatsApp notification from Mauricio Pochettino. The message? He was part of the 26-man squad heading to this summer’s tournament on home soil. “I showed it to him, and he immediately started crying a little bit,” said Pepi — who was coached by his dad when he was a kid — back in May ahead of the USA’s World Cup campaign. “Being left off is obviously not nice, but [I’ve been] using that in a good way to be able to be in this World Cup. I felt like it helped me grow. It matured me a little bit. So it was part of the process.” Pepi has appeared in all four of the USA’s World Cup games so far, starting two. He may get a massive opportunity on Monday against Belgium in the round of 16 matchup at Seattle Stadium due to starting striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension after being shown a controversial red card in last week’s resilient win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are a few different ways Pochettino could adjust his lineup to account for Balogun’s absence. The simplest option would be to keep the other 10 starters intact and plug in either Pepi or Haji Wright up top, even though each brings a different skill set. Or Pochettino could opt for a more creative tweak, similar to when he paired Pepi and Balogun together against Australia after Christian Pulisic was sidelined with a calf injury. We won’t know Pochettino’s tactical approach until kickoff, but if Pepi gets the start, his teammates have full confidence in him. “His tenacity and energy has been unreal to be honest,” Tyler Adams told reporters ahead of training this week on the campus of the University of Washington. “I’ve played with Pepi quite a bit, but what he’s done against the ball has been huge for us and also for our wingers so they don’t have to do necessarily as much work. He’s holding the ball up really well and when he gets in front of goal, we know he can score. “Obviously he hasn’t done it yet, but we know that he’s a good finisher in and around the goal.” Pepi had a chance in the second half against Paraguay, but otherwise has struggled to make much of an impact this tournament. His recent club form, however, suggests that could change. The 23-year-old Texan is coming off a stellar season with PSV Eindhoven, helping the Dutch club win a third straight Eredivisie title. He scored 19 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions despite missing most of January and February with a broken arm. Before the injury, he had scored in six consecutive league matches. He regained his form after returning from injury, finishing the club season with six goals in his final five appearances. He carried that momentum into the Americans’ pre-tournament friendly against Senegal, and although he didn’t score, his chemistry with Pulisic was evident as he recorded an assist and helped spark the attack. “Pepi is a killer,” Pochettino told reporters in May. “He’s a player that has the capacity to read where the space is to the ball, arrive to the ball, and have the possibility to score and to create chances, sometimes, from nowhere.” And big European clubs have noticed. Earlier this year, for example, rumors swirled about a potential summer transfer to Fulham. It never materialized, but a strong performance against Belgium could reignite interest. “His finishing is really good — he can be really important with his finishing for us,” Sergiño Dest, who plays with Pepi at PSV, said Saturday. “And also he’s comfortable playing. He played some great games already. He fits in the team well. He’s a different type of striker, but now, if he plays [against Belgium], it’s his chance to show what he’s capable of.” Losing your leading goalscorer during the knockout stage of a World Cup might sound like the worst-case scenario, but the Americans aren’t stressed. Pochettino has built the group to value the team over individuals, and it’s seeped into their identity. “One man’s down, the next steps up,” defender Chris Richards said after the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We’re more than just one player.” Balogun, who spoke to the media on Friday, said he will do everything to support the team – and Pepi in particular if his name is called. “Whatever he needs, whatever he needs,” Balogun said. “I’m not the sort of person who’s going to bombard you — I’m quite a reserved person in general — but whatever he needs. And not just him, but anyone in the team. They need any advice or anything in any way I can help. I’m more than happy to do that. “I’ve always said the team comes first, so whether I’m out there or not, it will be no different.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 started on a high note Saturday, with the first pair of matches resulting in a rematch of one of the 2022 World Cup’s most memorable matches in the quarterfinals. Here is everything you might have missed on Day 24 of the tournament: BEST OF THE DAY Moment Of The Day Kylian Mbappé remains hot on Lionel Messi’s tail. Not only did the 27-year-old superstar score his seventh goal of the tournament, bringing him level with Lionel Messi in the World Cup Golden Boot race, but he is also now just one goal away from tying Messi’s record for the most goals ever at the FIFA World Cup. The good news for Mbappé? All signs point to it being a matter of when, not if, he has the record all to himself. Goal Of The Day Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring for Morocco with a stunner from outside the box that Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was unable to get a hand on. Assist Of The Day Ounahi’s second goal was a product of Brahim Diaz’s brilliant holdup play in the box. Once Ounahi was in place, Diaz just dumped it off to the 26-year-old midfielder. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill can leave the World Cup with his head held high. He continued his strong tournament with a four-save outing against France, the best of which came with Mbappé charging toward goal with a full head of steam. Canada vs. Morocco Paraguay vs. Morocco​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

In 1776, the French played a pivotal role in helping the Americans gain independence. Now 250 years later, on the fourth of July and in the city of Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed, France used that as a motivator and, through hard work and perseverance, it came out victorious against a stubborn Paraguay with a hard-fought 1-0 win thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s penalty shot. This wasn’t a classic French win, but it was a gritty one, born out of necessity as opposed to style. There was some drama and an unnecessary scuffle, but the two-time champions came through. As a result, France is once again in the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup. It is its fourth straight appearance in the last eight. And now comes a tasty matchup against Morocco on Thursday in Boston. For Paraguay, it leaves with its head high, with the remarkable win over Germany as a great gift to take back to Asunción. Here are my takeaways. 1. Great Teams Find A Way To Win I will get to Paraguay’s plan and how it made it difficult against France in a moment, but there’s no doubt that, despite the win, today was a wake-up call for France. It knows that it has to do more in order to persevere. France won but struggled to find its identity. Think about this. Per FotMob, France attempted the most shots outside the box at the World Cup due to Paraguay’s low-block. France has to figure out how to break these teams faster than in this match. I think this win came as a result of Deschamps halftime talk, pushing his team to be more adventurous. That’s why Désiré Doué’s introduction in the 61st minute was key. The PSG star won the penalty with a wonderful, individual dribbling run inside the box and forced the foul inside the box. Sometimes, you have to let your players express themselves and be risky in attack. And that’s exactly what happened. 2. Good On Mbappé For Staying Cool The French superstar and captain scored the penalty that made it 1-0 and sealed the victory for his team. It was his 7th goal of the tournament, making him level with Lionel Messi but also, and amazingly, he is now one goal behind Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record (20) with 19 goals. The fact that it’s Messi’s sixth World Cup and this is only Mbappé’s third is unbelievable. But was also impressive is Mbappé not falling into some of the gamesmanship of Paraguay’s defenders. He kept his composure at the end of some tough physical contact that was meant to fluster and throw off the star. He often did it with either a smile or a smirk, knowing that it was all part of the strategy to get under his skin. 3. Paraguay’s Defensive Strategy Was Right Call Paraguay knows who it is and what it can and cannot do. And against France, clearly a stronger team with the ball, it decided to create a formidable wall, denying the two-time World Cup champion from making a shot on target until the 55th minute. It packed the box with six to seven players and never allowed Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé to get into rhythm. It often broke passes and did a lot of off-the-ball work to keep the French at bay, relying fully on the counter. The Guaraní ended up losing as, due to the heat and France’s inevitable talent, it was just too hard to continue with the same level of vigor and resilience. Regardless, even though it bows out of the competition, it can be very proud of what it achieved at this tournament. 4. Do Les Bleus Need A Plan B As It Goes Further? Next for France is Morocco, a team that loves to play with the ball, so the Atlas Lions will be a better-suited matchup than Paraguay due to the opponent’s philosophies. But after that, who knows? Deschamps knows that other teams might prove to be extremely stubborn in the final third and make it very difficult to get the ball moving. France is the kind of team that doesn’t need to adjust just because of its core of talent, especially the attacking line. However, if any other opponent takes on France and imitates Paraguay’s strategy, Les Bleus have to find a more direct approach in the future. It also has to protect the ball in a better way as the latter stages showed careless work in the midfield. I think Morocco – who lost to France in the 2022 semifiinals – will look at this and take multiple notes.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The full slate of 2026 MLB All-Star Game starters is set, featuring stacked lineups oozing with star power on both sides. The American League will send C Shea Langeliers, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2B Ernie Clement, SS Bobby Witt Jr., 3B Junior Caminero, DH Yordan Alvarez and an outfield of Mike Trout, Byron Buxton and Aaron Judge to Philadelphia. The National League counters with C Drake Baldwin, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS CJ Abrams, 3B Max Muncy, DH Shohei Ohtani and an outfield trio of Brandon Marsh, Juan Soto and Andy Pages. From a loaded Dodgers contingent to first-time starters finally getting their due to a hometown hero taking the field in his own ballpark, this year’s group of starters offers plenty to unpack heading into the Midsummer Classic on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park. Here’s a closer look at the biggest takeaways behind the names. 1. Mike Trout Is Back At The Midsummer Classic As long as he’s healthy enough to take the field, this will be Trout’s first All-Star start since 2019, breaking a stretch of injury-shortened seasons that had removed the future Hall of Famer from the summer festivities. Before landing on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, Trout was putting together a genuinely excellent season. He has a 145 OPS+, 17 home runs and 2.8 WAR through 74 games. His 12 career All-Star selections lead all active players. There’s a storybook element to it, too. Philadelphia’s Midsummer Classic is just 40 miles from Trout’s hometown of Millville, New Jersey. The 34-year-old outfielder actually grew up a supporter of Philadelphia sports, best known as a die-hard Eagles fan. Trout has said he’s hoping to be healthy enough to play in front of that hometown crowd. Judge, by contrast, won’t be back from his rib injury until after the All-Star break, making Trout’s potential return timeline all the more meaningful for the AL lineup. 2. The Dodgers’ Quartet Takes Centerstage The Dodgers are sending four starters to Philadelphia, headlined by Shohei Ohtani, who extended his All-Star record by earning a sixth consecutive fan election at designated hitter after winning Phase 1 of the voting outright. Before this streak, no player had been the starting DH at the All-Star Game for more than three years in a row. Hall of Famer David Ortiz was the last, starting as DH from 2011-13. Joining Ohtani as fan-voted Dodgers starters are first baseman Freddie Freeman, third baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Andy Pages. This is Freeman’s 10th All-Star selection and the sixth start of his career after comfortably leading Matt Olson throughout Phase 2 of the voting. It’s also a milestone for Muncy, who earned his first All-Star selection as a starter (third of his 11-year career). Muncy is the first Dodgers third baseman to start the Midsummer Classic since Ron Cey in 1977. Pages rounds out the group after a last-minute jump from fourth place to third place in the NL voting process. It’s a continuation of the Dodgers’ outsized presence at the All-Star Game in recent years, with the four starters reflecting both the club’s star power and its fan base’s voting muscle. Four starting nods give Los Angeles more representation in the NL lineup than any other team. The only other teams to have multiple All-Star Game starters are the Atlanta Braves (catcher Drake Baldwin and second baseman Ozzie Albies) and the Toronto Blue Jays (first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and second baseman Ernie Clement). 3. Bobby Witt Jr. Earns First All-Star Start It’s pretty stunning that this is the first time in his five-year career Witt was voted in as an All-Star Game starter. Given his MVP-caliber performances since he jumped on the scene in 2022, you’d think Witt had accumulated a few of these already. Witt lost the starting shortstop job to Gunnar Henderson in 2024, and he was a reserve once again in 2025, narrowly missing out on the starting lineup to Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson last year. This year, Witt overwhelmingly held off the runner-up, Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez. He’s just the third Royals shortstop to start the Midsummer Classic, joining Freddie Patek (1978) and Alcides Escobar (2015). Witt, who recently celebrated his 26th birthday, is finally getting the recognition his numbers have long deserved. This season, he leads the AL in WAR (4.7) and stolen bases (29) to support a .290/.362/.470 slash line and 135 OPS+. His 93 hits are the fifth-most in the AL, continuing his rise as one of the brightest young stars in the game. Witt’s first-career ASG selection comes in the same year he suited up as the starting shortstop for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. 4. Philly’s Only Starter: Brandon Marsh Marsh is making his first career All-Star start, and he’ll do it in the best possible spot: right at home, in front of Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park. Marsh beat out teammates Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner as the only starter to represent the Phillies. Schwarber made the team, as did Harper, who was a “Legend” pick by commissioner Rob Manfred. Marsh led all NL outfielders in a crowded field through much of the fan voting process, ultimately knocking out other serious contenders at the position. Andy Pages and Juan Soto are the other starters in the outfield, while Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood, Corbin Carroll and Jordan Walker are the reserves. This is Marsh’s sixth MLB season, and the lefty-swinging outfielder is quietly riding a career year that’s made him one of the most productive NL outfielders in the first half. Marsh’s .315 batting average is among the top-five best marks across all qualified major-league hitters. He has 15 home runs, an .870 OPS, and 46 RBI through 83 games. Besides being known for his perpetually wet hair, Marsh wasn’t in the national spotlight much before this season. Now, the best season of his career is being validated in the starriest way possible.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

What better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than having the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia? The stars will be on display on Tuesday, July 14 (8 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming live on FOX One). Veterans like Freddie Freeman and Chris Sale have been named to their 10th All-Star Game, while superstar Shohei Ohtani is making his sixth straight start and Aaron Judge his eighth. Below, check out the entire roster and why each player was selected to his league’s roster for the Midsummer Classic (with stats entering play on July 4). Click below to navigate this post.American League: Starters | Reserves | PitchersNational League: Starters | Reserves | Pitchers American League Starters Langeliers’ 20 home runs are the second-most among catchers this season. The 28-year-old has hit at least 20 homers in four straight seasons now as he’s been named an All-Star for the first time in his career. Coming off the heels of leading the Blue Jays to the AL pennant in 2025, Guerrero is an All-Star for the sixth straight year. Clement’s 22 doubles lead the American League this season. It’s the third straight season that he has recorded at least 20 doubles. Witt’s 29 stolen bases are the second-most in baseball this season and tops in the AL. He’s also one of five players with at least 10 home runs (12) and 20 stolen bases this season, and he leads the American League in wins above replacement. Caminero’s 25 home runs are the third-most in the American League this season. Not only that, but his 70 home runs since the start of the 2025 season are tied with Aaron Judge for the most in the AL. Trout is an All-Star for the 12th time in his career, extending his record among active players. However, it’s the first time he’s been named an All-Star since 2023, as Trout has had a resurgent 2026 campaign. His .866 OPS is the second-best mark among American League outfielders. Buxton is an All-Star for the third time in his career, getting the nod as he leads all American League outfielders in home runs (25) and OPS (.898). Judge has been named an All-Star for the sixth straight season, even though he’s been out for nearly a month due to a rib injury. Judge’s .907 OPS would’ve been the best mark among American League outfielders had he played enough games to qualify, and his 12.6 at-bats per home run would be the fifth-most among all MLB players if he had played enough games to qualify this season. Álvarez has arguably been the best hitter in the American League this season. His 27 homers are the most among AL hitters, and he’s the only MLB player with an OPS north of 1.000 this season at 1.055. Reserves Dingler was a better hitter in his second MLB season than in his first, and in his third, he’s already surpassed not just his career-best home run output, but his career total, with 19. Dingler is slugging .531 and has the second-most catcher framing runs in the majors. Rutschman’s 2025 was injury-shortened and disappointing, but he’s once again performing like he’s shown he’s capable of. Rutschman has his best offensive numbers since 2023, thanks to hitting .252/.324/.449, and ranks third in the bigs in catcher framing runs, too. Kurtz is third in MLB this season in OPS among qualified hitters and leads all hitters with 76 walks, eight ahead of Nationals outfielder James Wood in second place. He’s also tied for second in runs scored, trailing only Wood. Rice hit 26 homers in his first full season in the majors a year ago, and now he has 24 dingers before the All-Star break to lead the Yankees. He’s also tops on the team in OPS+, at 156 – yes, even ahead of Aaron Judge. The top two picks from the 2024 MLB draft made the All-Star Game this year. Bazzana went first overall, and Reds right-hander Chase Burns went second. He is second among qualified AL second basemen in OPS over the past month. If you aren’t familiar with the Tigers’ rookie shortstop, now’s the time: McGonigle is just 21 years old, but has already managed to hit .284/.384/.425 in his first exposure to big-league pitching, and has been exceptional defensively, whether at short or third base. He’s even second in the AL behind Bobby Witt Jr. in wins above replacement. Vargas never hit well in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Dodgers, but the White Sox tweaked his mechanics and got a league-average campaign out of the third baseman in 2025. In 2026, he’s taken things a few steps further: Vargas has 20 homers, four more than he hit in what was previously a breakout campaign, and is leading the surprise contenders in WAR. Bellinger’s resurgence in New York has continued into its second year, with him making his first All-Star team since 2019, when, as a 23-year-old, he also earned NL MVP honors. Bellinger’s excellent outfield defense and .351 on-base percentage make him stand out in 2026. The Tigers are having a tough year, but Greene is as good as always, albeit in a different way. The left fielder has just 11 homers, off his pace of 36 from last summer, but he has already nearly matched 2025’s walk total with 45, and is batting .284/.373/.445. There are few steadier hands in the league than Arozarena, who has hit at least 20 homers with at least 20 steals every season since 2021. The Mariners’ outfielder is already at 19 bags in 2026 and has a team-leading .370 on-base percentage. All he does is hit, and Díaz currently leads the American League with a .325 batting average and 101 hits. He also has an OBP over .400 and is slugging just under .500 – these aren’t empty singles, nor hacking. Pitchers The 31-year-old Baker has a 1.83 ERA through his first 36 appearances this season. His previous career high was 3.49, which came back in 2022. The Blue Jays have had a tough time repeating 2025’s success, but Toronto’s major free agent acquisition has thrived. Cease has a 2.79 ERA, his lowest since 2022, and leads the American League in strikeouts with 137 in just 90 ⅓ innings. Chapman’s late-career resurgence continues with his second All-Star nod in as many seasons with the Red Sox. While Chapman’s control isn’t quite what it was in ’25, he still has a 2.10 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 25 ⅔ innings with 17 saves. Latz has 1.9 WAR this season as a reliever in 33 appearances. His 1.71 ERA is impressive, but his 0.62 WHIP stands out even more. Messick shined in his 2025 debut, but he’s actually still a rookie this season. He’s also just as good, if not better, than he showed in his brief stint last summer: Messick now has a 2.82 ERA over 24 career starts for the Guardians, and he’s sixth in the AL in ERA+ (146) in 2026. No pitcher is more responsible for the success of the AL East-leading Rays than Rasmussen, who has a 2.45 ERA over 16 starts and 92 innings in ‘26. Rasmussen’s 1.6 walks per nine is the lowest rate in the majors among qualifiers, and he’s allowed the fewest hits per nine in the AL while also posting the top K/BB. Ryan has been his typical reliable self in 2026, and it resulted in his second consecutive All-Star nod. Ryan has struck out 5.14 times as many batters as he’s walked, the fourth-best mark in the AL. Schlittler has not only held down the fort when top arms Gerrit Cole and Max Fried were, respectively, out of the Yankees’ rotation this season, but the 25-year-old righty leads the American League in pitcher wins above replacement thanks to an AL-best 2.08 ERA over 104 innings. Smith has been a force out of the Guardians’ bullpen and leads the majors in saves with 26. To this point, he has posted a career-best strikeout rate (13 per nine) and is on pace for this third straight season with 100+ strikeouts out of the ‘pen. Suárez has continued being one of the most dependable starters in MLB after moving to the Red Sox in free agency before this season. His 2.94 ERA would be the lowest of his career since becoming a full-time starting pitcher ahead of the 2022 season. Varland had a breakout season out of the Twins’ bullpen a year ago before he was traded to the Blue Jays, and he’s been dominant for Toronto in 2026. Varland has a 0.96 ERA in 42 appearances and has struck out 65 of the 181 batters he’s faced. Wacha has been Mr. Reliable for whatever team he has been on over the past five seasons. This would be his fourth season in the last five with an ERA below 3.40. He leads MLB with 108 2/3 innings pitched so far this season. National League Starters Baldwin has been a key reason why the Braves have a top-10 offense in baseball this season. The second-year catcher has 14 homers in just 62 games this season, giving him the second-best at-bats per home run (17.6) on the team. Freeman is an All-Star for the 10th time in his career, which is tied for the second-most among active players. His .293 batting average is the best mark among all first basemen this season. Albies has been a force of consistency for the Braves this season. He’s the only second baseman in the National League with at least 10 homers (14) and a batting average of at least .270 (.273). Abrams has been named an All-Star for the second time in three seasons. Abrams is third in the National League in RBIs (60) and offensive bWAR (3.4), as his 18 homers lead all NL shortstops. Muncy has established himself as the top third baseman in the National League this season. The Dodgers star’s OPS is over .100 points better than any other NL third baseman at .873. His 17 homers are also tied for the most among NL third basemen this season. Marsh has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season, regardless of position. His .315 batting average and .523 slugging percentage are both in the top 10 among all National League hitters this season. If 2025 was considered a down year for Soto, then he’s bounced back in 2026. He’s been one of the lone bright spots for a floundering Mets squad, with his .406 OBP and .957 OPS leading all National League hitters, and 18 homers despite time missed to injury. Pages has emerged as arguably the Dodgers’ second-best hitter this season, and leads Los Angeles in wins above replacement. He’s in the top 10 in the National League in doubles (21) and RBIs (62), and leads the majors in defensive WAR. Ohtani is having another superstar season at the plate. He’s second in the National League in OPS (.927) and ninth in home runs (18). Ohtani also leads all players in fWAR (5.8), with his stellar season on the mound helping to boost that number. Reserves Since getting traded to the Brewers ahead of the 2023 season, Contreras has been one of the best catchers in baseball. His dependability stands out. He has played at least 150 games in each of the last two seasons and has appeared in 82 of the Brewers’ 86 games entering Saturday. Goodman was already an excellent hitter, but his power game has gone to the next level. He hit a career-high 31 homers in 202, and is already at 27 this summer, second behind Kyle Schwarber. Olson is now a four-time All-Star after hitting 22 homers and posting the eighth-best OPS in the National League through July 3. The 32-year-old first baseman is a huge part of the Braves’ first-place play in 2026. Harper makes his return as an All-Star with his first nod since 2024 and third with Philadelphia. Harper has 20 home runs (fifth in the NL), a .374 on-base percentage (tied for 10th), .532 slugging (sixth in the NL) and ranks 10th in adjusted OPS+ (141). Arráez is in the midst of a bounce-back season, hitting .326 with an .825 OPS. His current .465 slugging percentage would be the second highest of his career. It’s July 4, and López has already had his best season in the majors. MLB’s batting average leader – he’s hitting .337 – is also leading the majors in hits with 117, and ranks sixth in the NL in wins above replacement and ninth in OPS+. The 22-year-old Stewart showed signs of being a potential difference-maker last season in just 18 games. So far this season, he has 17 home runs while splitting time between first and third base. He has made 27 starts at the hot corner and 47 at first base – and five more at second base. Crow-Armstrong was a mess at the start of the season – dating back to the last All-Star Game – but you’d never know it looking at what he’s done since. PCA leads the majors in wins above replacement both because of an indescribably great glove in center, and because he’s now hitting .287/.374/.526 with 19 homers despite an extended slow start. Carroll is one of the stars of the game, and the 25-year-old has now made his third All-Star team in four seasons. He is leading the majors in triples for the third season in a row with 10, and has 30 other extra-base hits, too. He’s also having his best defensive season in the majors. The power potential was always there for Walker, and he realized it in 2026. He’s leading the NL in RBIs with 63, and got there with 19 homers and the senior circuit’s seventh-best adjusted OPS+ (143). Wood cut his strikeout rate down a couple of percentage points, and the results have been stunning: Wood now leads the NL in walks with 66, as well as total bases with 182, thanks to 22 doubles and homers each, with a triple for good measure. Schwarber has continued his torrid home run pace from 2025, and leads the majors as the only player to hit 30 this season. Schwarber’s .570 slugging percentage ranks first in the NL, too, and he’s hitting a home run a league-best every 10.5 at-bats. Pitchers Burns showed promise in 2025 when he struck out 13.9 batters per nine in 43 ⅓ innings as a rookie, and that promise has been delivered upon this summer. The 23-year-old right-hander has a 2.40 ERA that ranks fifth in a stacked NL, and he’s behind only Cristopher Sánchez in pitcher WAR. The Phillies acquired closer Duran to anchor their bullpen last summer, and now he’s done that so well that he’s made his first All-Star team. Duran is leading the National League in games finished (30) and is tied with Mason Miller for the most saves (21), and has done this with a 1.52 ERA. Iglesias is 12 years into his career, and this is his first All-Star nomination. All it took was one of the best relievers around getting even better: he has a 1.53 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29 ⅓ innings against a single homer and just six walks. Meyer’s 2.53 ERA ranks sixth in the NL and eighth in the majors, and he got there by cutting way down on the homers while striking out a career-best 26.3% of batters faced. Miller has just two pitches, but one of them goes well over 100 mph and the other moves in an impossible way. The result? A 0.78 ERA and nearly twice as many strikeouts (66) as innings (34 ⅔), leading to an NL-best 21 saves. Misiorowski was a late surprise addition to the NL All-Star squad in his rookie 2025, but there’s no question as to his making it this time around. He’s struck out a league-best 156 batters in 104 innings, and his 1.47 ERA is the fifth-best in the last 50 years through 17 starts. Oh, and he’s the only starter to have ever thrown a pitch of at least 105 mph. The 33-year-old southpaw has had a resurgent season that is on pace to be the best of his career. Rodríguez’s 2.21 ERA would be by far the best of his career, and his 1.18 WHIP is a massive improvement from his 1.54 mark last season. The 6-foot-6 lefty once made seven straight All-Star teams, and has a new streak going late in his career: This marks his third All-Star nod in three tries with the Braves. Sale’s 2.10 ERA is third in the NL and fourth in the majors, and he’s still striking out five times as many batters as he walks, even at 37. Sánchez leads the majors with 117 innings and a 5.91 K/BB. He led MLB in pitcher wins above replacement a year ago, and, despite the performance of Misiorowski and other aces around the league, he’s tops in that stat again this year. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is having a down year. For Skenes, though, that means he has “just” a 3.62 ERA and the third-best K/BB in the NL. This is his third All-Star team in as many seasons. Webb has defined consistency over the past six seasons. His lowest ERA in that span was 2.90, and his highest entering this season was 3.47. That makes his 3.66 ERA this season a bit of an abnormality, but his 3.31 FIP indicates better results are around the corner. Yamamoto’s strikeouts are down, but his walks are, too: his K/BB is even better thanks to this, and he’s second in the NL and fifth in the majors in walks per nine at 1.71, leading to the No. 7 ERA in the NL (2.67).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

In the history of the men’s World Cup, in every tournament, there is always at least one fixture that you return to in order to capture the essence of that particular edition. It’s a match stapled in your psyche because it delivered everything that you expected, not just from a footballing perspective, but from a cultural one too. It’s a matchup of two nations coming together and delivering a majestic spectacle of football and in the end, you forever remember the host nation because it played the role of narrator to one of the best matches you have ever witnessed. I can think of a few. The final from 2022 in Qatar, for example, between Argentina and France. Or Brazil’s 3-2 win over the Netherlands in the 1994 quarterfinal encounter or the semifinal between Italy and West Germany in the 1970 World Cup, which was the first time Mexico hosted the tournament. Again and again, we return to these matches because they become important memories that enhance the notion that this is indeed the greatest sport and the greatest tournament and nothing comes close. I think England’s match against Mexico in Mexico City will be one of them. The prelude to the match has already given us drama. The discussion about the effects of the city’s altitude. The hotel choice for England’s squad in order to minimize potential disruption. Reports about how weather could disrupt or change the kick-off time. These teams have something in common (aside from a penchant for serving beans for breakfast). Both are among the most followed teams anywhere in the world, but whose rich history in the sport hasn’t quite measured that reach. But that’s where the similarity may end, because this match – out of any so far – will be the biggest spectacle at this World Cup. And there are so many reasons why. Let’s begin with the host. Mexico, under Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, has been a revelation and one of the best teams at the tournament. So far, it has won every match leading up to this point without conceding a single goal and with the likes of Julián Quiñones (three goals, one assist) and a determined Raúl Jiménez (two goals), El Tri can hurt anyone at any moment. This, however, is a team that fully represents the concept of togetherness. It is brave, cohesive and extremely difficult to break. The other component is the stadium itself, as it brings joy and a sense of energetic momentum for the host and ghosts of the past for the visitor. I’ll get to that in a moment. But first, think about this. In 10 World Cup matches, Mexico has never lost at this iconic ground and only twice has it suffered defeat in international competition in 89 fixtures. The crowd is the most intense audience out of any we will see at this World Cup. The experience of players who have dealt with this before often tell me that it is the equivalent of being lost in an ocean of noise, where the chanting and screaming and the roaring is so loud, not only can you not communicate with your teammates. You can’t even hear yourself think. Whenever England has the ball, it will require complete focus because the booing and whistling will be overwhelming. There are literally vibrations inside the stadium due to the stomping and as fans sing “Cielito Lindo” and “Olé, Olé, Olé,” you can’t feel anything but an overwhelming sense of domination by one collective voice. I know England very well. It is a part of my heart. I was accidentally born there to my Peruvian parents (a story for another day) and grew up there after leaving Perú in the early 90s. My youth is because of England. I have many English family members and loved ones and still go back year after year. I cover the Premier League and know English football culture very well. I can tell any English fan that this will be the most hostile and loudest atmosphere the Three Lions have ever faced and my hope for Thomas Tuchel is that most of this preparation is psychological, not physical. There is also the memory of the past, as this was the venue for one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history — Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” secured Argentina’s win over England in the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup. England has not been back to Mexico City since then. Until now. The altitude remains the most talked-about factor and rightly so. At about 7,220 to 7,352 feet above sea level, the need for oxygen becomes more urgent as it drops 20% per breath, so for athletes, running and finding your energy is harder. Remember how I am Peruvian? Growing up, I would go to Cusco (the Inca capital and where my father was born) every year and that’s at 11,152 feet, which is significantly higher, but the point remains. It’s the same reason why Bolivia plays its World Cup qualifiers in El Alto (13,615 feet) because it’s a sizable advantage. Now, Mexico City is much lower, but the effects will be present, so England’s strategy needs to be drawn up in accordance to the altitude. There is no room for maybe or maybe not. It must. Tuchel’s priority must be to keep the ball and not chase it, otherwise, this could become an even bigger mountain to climb. This is also where hydration breaks are key. England’s quest to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966 has now arrived at the ultimate challenge: to beat a confident, strong, assured Mexico at their home. In front of their people. With the skies against them. Mexico’s quest is to continue on this historic run and to achieve something that has not been done since 1986 and 1970, which is to reach the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup. The venue is set. A wonderful city is ready to create an enormous atmosphere. All that is left is for Sunday evening to arrive, and for the gods of nature to leave us alone with their thunderstorm warnings. We won’t need them. Because the actual thunderstorm will be inside the stadium, created by 80,000 people. And the would-be legends who’ll step on the pitch of one of the game’s cathedrals.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Warren Barton experienced the full spectrum of human emotions Wednesday while watching England play DR Congo. Elation, nervousness, panic, frustration, relief, pride and everything in between. The former England defender, who’s now a FOX Sports World Cup match analyst, was watching on the edge of his seat from Dallas. By the seventh minute of the match, his beloved Three Lions were down 1-0 and remained behind for the next 68 minutes. Dreams of it coming home were evaporating until Harry Kane found the back of the net twice before the final whistle. A roller coaster of emotions, Barton joked it all comes with the territory of being an England supporter — but subsequently, so would “a little siesta” to mentally recover. “It was a slog,” Barton told us after England’s 2-1 win against DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match. “It was a really, really tough game.” The Three Lions advanced to face Mexico in the round of 16 on Sunday at Mexico City Stadium — also known as Estadio Azteca, a venue sure to provide El Tri with an unparalleled home-field advantage. “The atmosphere in the stadium is going to be tremendous,” Barton said, praising Javier Aguirre’s side and World Cup co-hosts. Between a true home game, the incredible altitude — Mexico City’s elevation is about 2,000 feet higher than mile-high Denver — and the pressure of the World Cup, this knockout match won’t be easy for England. And especially not if it concedes early again. As a former pro and current analyst, Barton broke down three keys for how England can beat Mexico, advance to the quarterfinals and keep the dream of football coming home alive. Unsurprisingly from a former defender, Barton’s first point was England “no doubt” needing to defend better, particularly at right back. He pointed to 25-year-old Djed Spence, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, perhaps struggling as the unexpected right back with Reece James being sidelined against DR Congo with a hamstring issue. DR Congo’s lone goal of the match was from Spence’s flank, so his inexperience may be showing. “Spence is a young player, [and he] really burst onto the [English Premier League] with Tottenham this season,” Barton told us. “If you spoke before that, was he going to go to a World Cup? There wasn’t any talk of that, and it was only really in the last three months. So it’s a lot of pressure and responsibility on such a young player.” James hasn’t played since the Three Lions’ second group stage match, missing the group-stage finale, a 2-0 win against Panama, and the first knockout contest. Injuries have been an issue for this squad leading up to and throughout the World Cup so far. “James would normally be the player to come in, the Chelsea fullback, but he’s got history of being injured,” Barton said. “And Tino Livramento — he had to leave early in the tournament because he was injured. So, you’ve picked two right backs that have got history-proven injuries, so hopefully Reese James can come back. Very experienced, good character, was noticeable that he had a chat with Spence. So the right back of defense has to be more solid and more organized.” Although James’ status for Mexico is uncertain, Barton hopes the defender is able to return and bring some stability to the lineup. Against DR Congo, the FOX Sports analyst said he felt defenders were “overcompensating, over-covering and leaving space behind.” “James coming in,” Barton continued, “with [Ezri] Konsa with maybe Guéhi and [Nico] O’Reilly — that’s a foundation that they need to do better as a unit and also as individuals, but particularly the right-back areas.” Taking care of the ball is critical in any sport that plays with one, but Barton hopes to see England being precise with and passing the ball better in the midfield. But also aggressive, rather than timid or complacent. “You [saw manager] Thomas Tuchel [Wednesday] was very much animated about playing progressive soccer,” Barton observed. “He doesn’t like the side-to-side possession. [Elliot] Anderson or [Declan] Rice — that’s where we got that chance earlier on with Harry Kane. “Passing, progressive soccer, look to try and penetrate early and hurt teams early with the likes of Harry Kane and the speed that we have on the flank. So that’s an area I think we need to improve.” Simple enough, right? Kane — whose Golden Boot odds soared after his brace vs. DR Congo — is the Three Lions’ most reliable goalscorer, meaning he’s also often the victim of strong defensive coverage. But with five goals in this World Cup so far, freeing him up and unlocking his full potential is a necessity for England advancing to the quarterfinals and beyond. “Just get Harry Kane the ball, getting it across, keep him engaged in the game as much as possible because he will score goals — there’s no doubt about that,” Barton said. He compared Kane’s ability to capitalize on opportunities to Erling Haaland’s, who also has five goals for Norway so far. They’re the kind of players who can score in a multitude of ways if their teammates set them up properly, he said. “I was lucky enough to play with an England captain, Alan Shearer, at Newcastle [United],” Barton continued. “And he just used to say, ‘Give me the ball. Put the ball in the area, put the ball in the area.’ And you’re going to get chances, and you’re going to get goals. And if you don’t get the first ball, you might get the second ball. … “Feed Harry Kane. Just give him the opportunity to put him in good areas, and he will score goals. It sounds simple, but it’s so effective to do that.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Let me take you back to March 2017 at the Under-17 South American championship in Rancagua, south of Santiago in Chile. Brazil’s Under-17 team was facing Colombia in the penultimate match of the South American championship as both aimed to qualify for the U-17 World Cup. The teenage squad of the Seleção won convincingly with a 3-0 result (thus eventually winning the tournament and qualification for the aforementioned World Cup) but of all the future stars on the pitch, of all the talent, it was a 16-year-old phenom from Flamengo who had stolen the headlines. Vinícius Júnior scored a brace in that match against Colombia and the first goal was a piece of art as he lobbed the goalkeeper from outside the box with no hesitation. It was just the beginning of the magic we are now so accustomed to. Consequently, he won the awards for top scorer and player of the tournament and a few months later, Real Madrid agreed to sign the young prodigy for nearly €50 million, the second most expensive transfer of a player in the history of Brazilian football (behind only Neymar). He would eventually join Madrid in July 2018 after his 18th birthday. The years have gone by and Vini has won numerous trophies and accolades with the club, including three league titles and two Champions League trophies. But for Brazil, it has been a different story. He only has a runner-up medal at Copa América in 2021 to his name, as he wasn’t part of the winning squad for 2019 due to an ankle ligament injury that forced him to miss the tournament. In 2024, after a strong start in the U.S., he was suspended for the quarterfinal loss to Uruguay and once again, his dream of silverware for Brazil disappeared. At the World Cup in 2022, Vinícius was a starter in all but one of Brazil’s five matches and scored his first World Cup goal as part of the team’s 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Round of 16. But the Seleção eventually lost in the quarterfinal stage to Croatia after a penalty shootout. So the drought continues for the five-time champions. Brazil hasn’t won this esteemed trophy since 2002, when Vinícius was just two years old. And he knows it’s not just about winning. It’s about winning beautifully. The 1970 World Cup victory in Mexico, for example, where Pele – alongside Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivellino — won in perfect fashion, as well as painting masterpieces of creativity on the pitch that led to a scintillating 4-1 victory over Italy in the final. Or in 2002, when Ronaldo “O Fenomeno” Nazario, one of my heroes as a teenager, with the likes of Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Cafu, also won every match, including the final over Germany and earning redemption after losing to France four years earlier. Vini is on a mission to write another page in Brazilian history, after so much disappointment and criticism, including numerous instances of unwarranted and despicable racial abuse and beratement. But he has persevered and danced his way into success and the Round of 16 of the World Cup. And so here we are. Another step toward destiny awaits in New Jersey, a skip and a jump from the site of Pelé’s final match in 1977 when the New York Cosmos faced Santos at the former home of the New York Giants. The question is: will the music keep playing for him after Sunday, and can Brazil finally break the 24-year drought? The Importance of The Ancelotti-Vinícius Relationship There is a sense that, slowly but surely, that Vinícius – under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti – is finally finding form and identity. So far, he has been magnificent, with four goals and one assist, but more than that — he is a threat against the opponent every time he heads towards goal. Sunday’s contest against Erling Haaland and Norway will not be a contest where Brazil will look as the outright favorite. It might have the odds in its favor and, historically, it will have an edge. But Norway, at its strongest, is extremely well coached and with the likes of Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa—it can definitely become a headache on Sunday. I have seen both play at this tournament and they equally offer strengths and weaknesses. The fans also play a massive factor and with Norway, the “Viking Row” has become the 12th man steering the team to strong victories. But here is where the relationship between Vinícius and Ancelotti becomes a factor. The Italian manager knows Vinícius well from his days in Madrid, helping him find his own identity and self-worth in a team full of superstars. He also made him more prominent in a central role and allowed him to see how he can be a threat from out wide and as a more central attacker. In fact, per Opta, he has the most carries into the opponent’s box (18) than anyone else in the tournament and has the most xG of any player (3.87) and attempted the second-most shots on target (10). Numbers aside, this has been about Ancelotti molding a leader and a humble teammate. Someone who will do everything to drive his team to victory. Vinícius knows that a lot rests on his shoulders because he is now a creative centerpiece for Brazil and even with Neymar in the squad, it is Vinícius who must take Brazil to the promised land once again. This has also been a long journey for Vinícius, who has been in the spotlight for more than a decade, and it’s incredible to sometimes remember he is still only 25. But none of this matters to him, because he knows Sunday’s match is the most important of his international career. We will see. All I know is that if Brazil wants to be back on July 19, it needs the very best of Vinícius Júnior.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

SEATTLE — Surrounded by his U.S. men’s national team players, Mauricio Pochettino went right down the middle. On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, the Argentine-born coach celebrated America’s pastime by throwing out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game. The sold-out crowd, many wearing red-and-white striped USA soccer jerseys, cheered for both their coach and their team. “That sort of stuff can only happen in America,” a smiling Folarin Balogun said earlier on Friday. The U.S. squad has become a source of national pride as Americans gather to celebrate the Fourth of July. Its run so far at this World Cup on home soil — with Belgium waiting in the round of 16 here on Monday — has given supporters across the country something to rally around, a welcome contrast to the often-divisive news cycle. From fans all over the world learning about Waffle House and ranch dressing, to Scotland’s Tartan Army taking over Boston, to Pochettino joining his players in singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” this tournament has delivered plenty of memorable moments. “It’s a place that is exactly as advertised in a lot of ways — it’s free, it’s beautiful, the people are nice and kind,” U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner told a small group of reporters after the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Of course, everywhere you go in the world, there are scary stories. But to actually have seen some people having the time of their lives in our country, it’s been amazing. “People are always saying, ‘What do you want from this World Cup?’ And I just say I want us to be gracious hosts and good stewards to people who come to the United States and really feel our culture, and I want us to welcome these people with open arms. I think we’ve done a great job. Lifelong memories for a lot of people.” There were questions entering this tournament about how Americans would receive the World Cup and whether soccer would capture everyone’s attention. The long-term impact won’t be known for years — advancing to the quarterfinals or further will help. But the short-term one is undeniable. Hotel guests in Seattle gathered in a lobby to watch Egypt outlast Australia in a penalty shootout. Dallas police officers greeted Norway by performing the “Viking Row” on the airport tarmac. Social media erupted as Cape Verde pushed defending champion Argentina to the brink of penalties. The U.S. players have felt that energy throughout the tournament and want to channel it on the field. “The fact that it’s here on our shores, the fan passion is coming to light, we’re creating our own new sort of things with ‘Country Roads’ after the game — it’s like the college football scene mixing with the U.S. [Soccer] scene,” Turner said. “And what I’ve loved about it is that it’s not like we’re trying to be that European culture. We’re not saying we need to chant like the English chant, or chant like the Germans chant. We’re taking on our own traditions and cultures, and I think that’s the way it should be. We really needed this tournament in order to find our identity alongside our fans.” Even Pochettino — who played with Diego Maradona and coached at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea — is having a ball. He’s become a fan of country music, specifically Ella Langley, as well as Teddy Swims. He’s leading crowds in “U-S-A” cheers and learning new words, too. “Sometimes someone will say something to him in a meeting, and it sounds super American slang, and he’s like, ‘Huh?’” Christian Pulisic joked earlier in the tournament. “And I just find it so funny. But it feels like he’s really in tune with it. Like, I’m in his office yesterday, and he’s listening to country music, and it’s just funny to see. But then he also brings his Argentinian culture and the staff and shows us things from there. It’s a unique bond with the group for sure.” Pochettino’s now-famous “Why not us?” mantra has seeped into the team, reflecting a belief that fits within the American sporting identity. “We’re American, we don’t take s—,” Sebastian Berhalter said a few weeks ago when asked what ideals Pochettino has brought to the group. “Even though he’s Argentinian, he has that mindset of like, ‘Look, this is what we do, and this is who we are, and this is what America is about.’ I think even from an outside perspective, he showed us Americans what we’re about, and he really drills that into us.” A win against Belgium on Monday would be historic, marking the first time the U.S. has ever won two knockout games at a World Cup. The program’s best finish in the modern era was the quarterfinals in 2002. This team embraces the responsibility of keeping this journey going. “I think it’s exciting,” Tyler Adams told reporters Friday ahead of training. “I think as a team, we want to leave our mark on the game and a legacy behind. I want it to be more than just what this moment has created and the hype around it. If we’re talking about the team and the success they’ve had two years from now, then we’ve done something right. “We want to have success, and we know the further that we go, the more success we’re going to have and the growth of the game is going to grow.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports