Category: Sports Fox

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup round of 32 matchup against Cape Verde isn’t like David versus Goliath. It’s not even FCS Appalachian State looking to upset Michigan back in 2007.As far as college football is concerned, the comparison is what would happen if we played a 48-team College Football Playoff where the third-best team in the WAC received a berth against an undefeated defending national champion with a Heisman Trophy winner returning at quarterback. Lionel Messi, considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, is the leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history. The college football equivalent is 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart, who led USC to a perfect 13-0 season and a national championship. Imagine the 2005 Trojans facing Louisiana Tech, which finished third in the WAC with a 7-4 record and lost by 38 points the last time it played a top-10 opponent. That’s the task facing Cape Verde. Even Appalachian State’s famous 34-32 upset win over Michigan in 2007 falls short as a comparison because Cape Verde simply isn’t as good as Appalachian State turned out to be. The Mountaineers entered the 2007 season fresh off back-to-back FCS national championships. They posted a 14-1 record the previous year, with their only loss coming against NC State. And 2007 was just as much of a banner year for Appalachian State, as it once again won the FCS national title and posted a 13-2 record. During an eight-year run from 2005-12, Appalachian State won seven conference championships and captured three straight national titles. The only college football program more dominant than the Mountaineers during that time was Nick Saban’s Alabama teams. Cape Verde isn’t that. This is a nation with fewer people than the state of Wyoming. It’s a team that has won just one of its last nine matches in international competition — excluding friendlies — and hasn’t left a match victorious in international competition since October 2025. This is a team that built its World Cup reputation on its ability to defend and timely goalkeeping rather than overwhelming talent. In fact, when Cape Verde goalkeeper José Évora Dias — or Vozinha, if you prefer — was asked about the chance to face Argentina and possibly the best player who has ever lived, his answer was quite humbling.”It would be really special to face [Argentina] because Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time,” Vozinha said. “And I honestly would love the chance to play against Lionel Messi because maybe I’ll get Lionel Messi’s jersey.” That’s what makes this matchup feel less like Michigan-Appalachian State and more like what would happen if a Group of 5 team snuck into an expanded playoff and drew the defending national champion. In many ways, Argentina-Cape Verde is the exact matchup college football fans have spent years arguing about. Those in favor of expansion want more access for the outsiders and the underdogs. Everybody wants to play Alabama until Alabama shows up to beat them like they stole something. We all love a good Cinderella story, and a victory by Cape Verde over Argentina would extend the legend of this Blue Sharks team as one of the game’s greatest fairytales. But read another way, Cinderella is just a lady who lost her slipper and rode into the ball in a carriage made quite literally of hopes and dreams. Remember this: Cincinnati got its shot against Alabama in 2021 and found out what it meant to get rocked by a mean stepsister. Boise State went up against Penn State in 2024 and was pummeled back down the palace steps. Tulane and James Madison got their chance in 2025 and then Ole Miss and Oregon, respectively, smashed them like pumpkins. It’s what happens when you extend the field. Teams that would never have gotten into the tournament in years past gladly become cannon fodder for the true powers among them. But, hey, they get to say they made the tournament, that they won their way into the knockout stage. Good on you, Cape Verde: Worst case, your only loss in the World Cup would be against the defending champions when the matches matter most. Is that worth celebrating? You’re damn right it is.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Every World Cup needs a fairytale. This one features a 40-year-old goalkeeper from a second-division club, an island nation of half a million people and a date with the greatest player who ever lived. On Friday in Miami, Cape Verde will walk out at Miami Stadium to face Argentina, the reigning world champions, in a round of 32 tie the bookmakers have already filed under “formality.” Cape Verde is given a 4.8 percent chance. On paper, this isn’t a contest. But that’s the thing about Cape Verde. Nobody told them about the paper. Let’s start with the sheer scale of what these islands have already pulled off, because it belongs in the history books. Cape Verde is an archipelago off the west coast of Africa with a population of roughly 525,000. That makes it the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stage of a men’s World Cup. Not the smallest this year, the smallest ever. Iceland (in 2018) and Curaçao couldn’t do it. The Blue Sharks, in their debut tournament, did it without losing a single game. They opened by holding Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, to a 0-0 draw. Then they went toe-to-toe with Uruguay in a 2-2 thriller with Kevin Pina and Hélio Varela scoring the first World Cup goals in the nation’s history. They closed with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group H, a point clear of two-time champions Uruguay. Three games, three draws, zero defeats and a place in the last 32 that nobody outside their dressing room saw coming. Coach Bubista said before the tournament that everyone is entitled to dream. His players took him at his word. And then there’s Vozinha. If you’ve been anywhere near the internet this month, you know the name. Josimar José Évora Dias, a 40-year-old goalkeeper who most recently played his club football for Chaves in the Portuguese second division, walked onto the pitch against Spain with about 50,000 Instagram followers and walked off a global phenomenon. Spain managed 27 shots, and Vozinha made seven saves, earning him the Man of the Match award. A clean sheet against Lamine Yamal and the might of Spain. By the next morning, his follower count had exploded into the millions, and it hasn’t stopped climbing since. It’s now north of 17 million, having sailed past the likes of Patrick Mahomes along the way. Not bad for a man whose nickname translates to “granny” in Portuguese. The story only gets better. Vozinha’s mother missed the Spain game because of a visa issue, then made it in time to watch her son shut out Saudi Arabia, waving a tiny Cape Verde flag from the stands. He’s spent the better part of two decades playing professionally across six countries, waiting his whole life for a stage this size. He has earned every single follower. Which brings us to the small matter of what’s waiting for him on Friday. Argentina is not merely the reigning World Cup champion. It is one of the most decorated football nations on the planet: three world titles, a record haul of Copa América trophies and a squad that has looked ruthlessly efficient in cruising through the group stage with three wins from three. Lionel Scaloni’s side sits second only to France in the tournament’s title odds, and it’s barely shifted out of second gear to get there. At the center of it, as ever, is Lionel Messi. At 39, in his sixth and surely final World Cup, Messi has done something this summer that once felt untouchable. He is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 19 goals, surpassing Germany legend Miroslav Klose (16) and Brazil women’s great Marta (17) — although France superstar Kylian Mbappé (18) is on his heels. Messi opened with a hat-trick against Algeria, added a brace to seize the record against Austria, then came off the bench to curl in a free-kick against Jordan, becoming the first man ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. He is, somehow, sharper than ever at an age when most players have long since retired. So yes, this is about as lopsided as a knockout tie can get. The unlikeliest matchup of the round of 32: the greatest goalscorer the tournament has ever produced against a goalkeeper who was a second-division unknown three weeks ago. A nation of 46 million against an archipelago of half a million. Goliath arrives with the best player in history and no discernible weakness. David has “granny” in goal and absolutely nothing to lose. Cape Verde won’t be favored. It won’t be expected to keep it close. But it’s spent this entire tournament making a mockery of expectation, and if Vozinha conjures one more miracle in Miami, the internet may break for good. David has already made history just by getting here. On Friday, he picks up the slingshot one more time.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Now this is the Spain we all thought we were getting before the tournament. They kept the ball for fun, and spent 90 minutes in Los Angeles Stadium reminding everyone why they were labeled as co-favorites before a ball was kicked. The 3-0 scoreline flatters Austria. Mikel Oyarzabal opened it, Pedro Porro doubled it, and a late third put a bow on an afternoon that felt less like a knockout tie and more like a training exhibition with 70,000 witnesses. Here are four takeaways from Spain’s march into the last 16: 1. The Sleeping Giant Finally Wakes Up Let’s be honest about the group stage: Spain was dull. A 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the opener was the kind of result that launched a thousand panicked radio segments in Madrid. Even the wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay felt more clinical than convincing. This was different. This was the Spain everyone feared in the pre-tournament projections — 65 percent possession, 23 shots, 10 on target, and a passing rhythm that turned Austria’s midfield into spectators with good seats. Luis de la Fuente’s side didn’t just win; they dictated every phase, every tempo shift, every restart. When a Marc Cucurella goal gets chalked off in the first half and nobody in red even flinches, you know the confidence has arrived. Champions tend to grow into tournaments. Spain just hit a growth spurt. 2. Basque In Mikel Oyarzabal’s Greatness He’s never played for Real Madrid. He’s never played for Barcelona. Mikel Oyarzabal has spent his entire career at Real Sociedad — over 400 appearances, 130-plus goals — and American casuals could walk past him at a Whole Foods without a second glance. Their loss. The 29-year-old came into this tournament having scored 13 goals in his previous 13 internationals, including a run of 12 straight starts with a goal or an assist. Add a brace against Saudi Arabia and Thursday’s opener against Austria, and the man who won Spain the Euro 2024 final is quietly building a Golden Boot case. All summer, the conversation has been Lamine Yamal this, Lamine Yamal that — and with Nico Williams out of form and nursing a leg injury, Spain needed someone else to carry the scoring load. Turns out the guy from the picturesque town of Eibar has been carrying it for a year. 3. No Shame, But Austria Didn’t Help Its Efforts There’s no shame in this for Austria — mostly. Ralf Rangnick’s side made its first World Cup knockout appearance since 1954, and its reward was a date with one of the most complete teams in the tournament. That’s not a tactical failure. That’s the bad luck of the draw. Still, the frustration boiled over. Cameras caught David Alaba and Florian Grillitsch shouting at each other as the game slipped away—the kind of scene that tells you a team knows it’s outgunned and about to go home. Austria managed five shots and not a single one on target, though Marcel Sabitzer’s deliveries deserved better — Sasa Kalajdzic’s header in the 61st minute was inches from making this a very different afternoon. It never came. Bowing out to this Spain side is noble enough. Doing it while arguing with their own teammates is a less flattering visual. 4. Spain’s Fullbacks Are The Cheat Code Everyone plans for Yamal. Nobody really plans for the fullbacks, and that’s exactly how de la Fuente likes it. Cucurella delivered the cross for Oyarzabal’s opener and thought he’d scored one himself before the referee intervened. On the other side, Pedro Porro — starting ahead of Marcos Llorente — arrived unmarked at the back post to head home Alex Baena’s cross for his first international goal. That’s the tactical wrinkle worth watching: while Austria doubled up on the wingers, Spain’s width came from behind them, with Baena drifting inside to create the space. And at the other end? A fourth straight clean sheet. Spain hasn’t conceded a goal at this World Cup. Great teams beat you with their stars. Terrifying ones beat you with their right back.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

In the United States’ round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, striker Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović’s ankle. That red-card decision by referee Rafael Claus — VAR reviewed Balogun’s challenge — dropped the USA to 10 men for the duration of the game and leaves the team without Balogun for the round of 16 match against Belgium. It was a controversial call that will keep one of the Stars and Stripes’ top goalscorers sidelined in a match with a quarterfinals berth on the line. The big question is: Is there a red card appeal process that can retract Balogun’s one-game suspension? Simply, no. FIFA regulations (Article 9, Section 6) states that: “No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code.” Furthermore, FIFA regulations (Article 10, Section 6) adds: “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.” What choice does U.S. Soccer have, if any? It could appeal any decision, but because this was a subjective referee decision — rather than a factually incorrect one, like a red card for contact when there clearly was none — FIFA will not consider it under its disciplinary code. However, if FIFA feels Balogun’s challenge merits more than a one-game suspension and hands it down, then the U.S. could appeal that decision. Regardless, Balogun will sit out the round of 16 game against Belgium. “The problem with this is that FIFA sets such a high bar, especially when it’s a VAR intervention. It’s not clearly [factually] wrong by the referee,” FOX Sports analyst and former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg said on World Cup NOW. “And, if they deem [Balogun’s] challenge sufficient, they can upgrade this card from a one-match to anything they decide.” Was The Red Card The Right Call? Clattenburg explained what happened in the play from his perspective. “When I watched this in real speed, I thought it was a coming together of two players,” Clattenburg noted on World Cup NOW. “What you see is Balogun’s challenge does catch his opponent on the back of the leg, and when [his foot] comes down, it catches [Muharemović’s] ankle. The problem is, the requirement of the red card [means there] has to be some speed, some force and some malice. This lacks that.” He further explained why he disagrees with Balogun’s red card. “But what it does have is,” Clattenburg continued, “it endangers the safety of the opponent because of that foot-on-foot challenge, which could’ve acted and ended with a broken ankle. However, in my opinion, this didn’t endanger the safety of the opponent. Balogun doesn’t even look for the foul. It was an accidental challenge, and this doesn’t reach the [requirements] of a red card.” Due to the nature of the process, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will still review the challenge and decide what comes next for Balogun — specifically, more than a one-match suspension. For Clattenburg, Balogun’s challenge did not seem worthy of a red card, or further consequences of a multi-game punishment. “FIFA disciplinary will look at this challenge [Thursday], and if they deem this a dangerous challenge which could have endangered the safety of this opponent, they can upgrade it,” Clattenburg said. “I doubt it, in my opinion, because I believe that this was an accident, and they believe it was worthy of a red card. And that’s where they steer the red card. It should not be upgraded.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

While this World Cup has been a lot of fun to follow for the USA, this journey is about this group. It’s a thing of beauty, and it’s not even finished. So many more people are hopping on this train right now. It was incredible to see these players being serenaded with the love they received. It’s well-deserved. Keep making us proud. For now, 10s across the board. Here are my player ratings from Wednesday night. Starting XI He made the saves he was supposed to make and kept a clean sheet. He hasn’t had that one “oh my god” save that he’s had to make, but he’s made the ones that he’s had to. There was a little blip and rush of blood to the head late in the game, but we’ll take a clean sheet every day. The backline as a unit was phenomenal. They handled the early siege of half-chances from Bosnia and Herzegovina very well. They were warriors against the ball, especially in the second half after the red card. Another really responsible performance from the USA backline. We have endless funds in the “ATM” machine. Tyler has been an unsung hero. He does all the dirty work and patrols the midfield so well. In a game that was as scrappy as it was, with so much of the play getting disrupted by choppy fouls, he remained extremely composed. Weston delivered another all-around top performance. His endless running beyond the back line is just epic. And then there’s Malik. Malik can take this free kick maybe 30 times, and maybe he makes one. The top, top players deliver that one in the most crucial moment. We’ve seen the best of Tillman in tournaments. We saw him flourish at the Gold Cup last year with a consistent run of games. It has been the same thing with this World Cup. He’s found such great balance alongside Wes and Tyler. Also, the fact that no one received a yellow card in that game is incredible and a great sign moving forward. Overall, I thought these three were dangerous. I think they can constantly cause problems when they get on the ball. They’re always looking to go one-on-one against defenders. Balo’s running off the ball was causing problems. We probably didn’t feed him as much as we needed to, but he’s a consistent workhorse. His appetite to be aggressive is golden. For his reward, he got his goal because of his work up front on the counterpress. I’m not going to fault Flo for the red card. It’s unfortunate the way that their feet came together and that he stamped on his foot. Obviously, it sucks that he’s going to miss the next game, but that red card isn’t going to impact my ratings.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Two goals, a red card and a 24-year-old streak broken — and that was just in the United States’ first knockout stage match of the tournament. Between that and two more unforgettable comeback wins from England and Belgium, it was a day at the World Cup to remember. Here’s the best of Match Day 21 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Moment Of The Day Down a man and with a trip to the round of 16 on the line, the USA found a hero in Malik Tillman. The USA found itself up on Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 thanks to Folarin Balogun’s first-half goal in round of 32 action, but the second half became tense after Balogun was given a red card. In the 82nd minute, Tillman threaded a free kick over Bosnia’s wall. A huge moment after Balogun’s red card had left the U.S. on its heels. A huge way to respond to seal the win and ensure that the USA would win its first knockout game since 2002. It’s now on to Seattle and a date with Belgium with a quarterfinals spot on the line. Goal Of The Day England needed someone to step up in the second half against DR Congo, and it’s no surprise who did. The Three Lions’ all-time-leading goalscorer bagged the equalizer in the 75th minute on a header, and then he scored a banger in the 86th to win the game. Both goals were assisted by substitute Anthony Gordon, whose pass for the second goal put Kane at the top of the 18-yard box. There was work to do from there, though, and the England captain created space and unleashed an unstoppable effort that not even DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi could stop amidst an impressive performance. (More on that later.) Assist Of The Day Kane will deservedly get all the headlines following his heroic performance against DR Congo, but Gordon’s lobbed cross was exactly where it needed to be on Kane’s first goal, and that assist ultimately sparked England’s comeback. Gordon assisted on both of Harry Kane’s goals, becoming the first England player in World Cup history to be directly involved in more than one goal as a substitute. Save Of The Day Mpasi had an eventful first half, from preserving DR Congo’s lead with multiple impressive saves to almost conceding a penalty. Mpasi’s best save came when Jude Bellingham came flying in for a header after a cross from midfielder Declan Rice. Mpasi reacted quickly and got his left hand up in time to maintain the 1-0 lead for his country. The save was so impressive that Bellingham even gave Mpasi props moments later. England vs. DR Congo Belgium vs. Senegal USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STADIUM — For the first time in almost a quarter-century, the U.S. men’s national team won a knockout game at the FIFA World Cup. The USA advanced to the round of 16 on Wednesday with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over plucky Bosnia and Herzegovina, setting up a delicious encounter with European power Belgium on Monday in Seattle with a quarterfinal place on the line. Folarin Balogun’s third goal of the World Cup stood as the winner even with the U.S. striker later shown a red card that forced the hosts to play with 10 men for almost the final third of the contest. With the Americans under pressure, Malik Tillman scored on a free kick in the 82nd minute to pad the lead and seal what will be remembered as a pivotal and crucial triumph on soccer’s grandest stage. Here are my takeaways following just the second knockout round World Cup win in men’s national team history: 1. USA Earns An Iconic World Cup Win “Just win, baby.” On the eve of the most important match of the World Cup so far for the co-hosts USA, coach Mauricio Pochettino was introduced to that quote, one made famous by a local legend: former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. The timing was fitting, too. When the do-or-die games begin, it doesn’t matter how you survive, only that you do. The Stars and Stripes’ victory on Wednesday wasn’t pretty. This was no surprise. Bosnia and Herzegovina came into its first tournament since 2014 with a reputation for grinding out results; in March, they needed to win penalty shootouts to dispatch Wales and then four-time World Cup champion Italy during Europe’s qualifying playoffs just to book their tickets to North America. Sure enough, they made life difficult for the Americans during the first half in Santa Clara. With all 11 visitors sitting behind the ball at times, the U.S. had few clear looks at keeper Nikola Vasilj’s goal; despite enjoying 63% of possession, the only shot on goal the home side managed during the opening stanza was Balogun’s strike, which literally came in the 45th minute. That’s not to say the U.S. didn’t earn their win. The Bosnians had no answers for the breakneck speed at which the home team operated, or with their quickness in and around the visitors’ 19-yard box. The Americans played soccer; the Golden Lillies tried to stop them by clogging up passing lanes, kicking them whenever possible, and trying to steal a goal on set plays. In short, they made it difficult. The USA still prevailed. And now they’re one of the last 16 teams standing. 2. Folarin Balogun Stars, Then Sees Red The USA’s top striker was Pochettino’s top performer in the group stage, scoring twice and picking up Man of the Match honors against Paraguay, and being named Man of the Match again in the 2-0 win over Australia. With the top spot in Group D confirmed, the coach sat the 24-year-old against Türkiye rather than risk losing him to a yellow card suspension for the Americans first knockout round test. Which paid off: Balogun was again his side’s main finishing threat against the Bosnians, having had what looked like another well-taken goal earlier in the first half currently ruled offside by the assistant referee. The one that counted drew him level with Landon Donovan for the most an American had ever scored at a single World Cup. He did so much more than that, too. Balogun kept the visiting defenders on their heels.  They had few answers for his physicality, quickness and speed of thought. Then, suddenly, he was gone. With the Monaco man well on his way toward another player of the game award, Balogun accidentally stepped on the heel of Bosnian enter back Tarik Muharemović. Didn’t matter. After review, Brazilian referee Raphael Claus determined that serious foul play had occurred, and promptly showed Balogun a red card that forced the U.S. to play short-footed for the final almost half-hour of the contest. It could’ve been fatal. Instead, Vasilj could only get his fingers on Tillman’s free kick, giving the U.S. some desperately-needed breathing room — a cushion they rode all the way to the round of 16. 3. A Rematch With Belgium Awaits … With the Belgium-Senegal match kicking off several hours beforehand, the winner of the latter contest was always going to know its round of 16 foes ahead of time. And it looked to all the world like Senegal would be the USA’s opponent in Seattle on July 6. Belgium had other ideas. Trailing 2-0 with only four minutes of regular time left to play, the Red Devils stunned the Lions of Teranga on late goals by veteran forward Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans. They then won the match in extra time on Tielemans’ successful penalty attempt. Combined with the Americans’ victory, it sets up a rematch of the March World Cup tune-up between the sides — one in which the Belgians outclassed Pochettino’s team in a lopsided 5-2 loss. They also eliminated the U.S. in 2014. In fact, the Americans have lost six consecutive matches to Belgium. On Monday night in front of what promises to be another electric and partisan home crowd in Seattle, they’ll get a chance to break that streak and advance to the last eight for the first time since 2002. 4. … And It’s Another Must-Win. It’s not exactly the trap game that Wednesday’s could have been, but that doesn’t mean the U.S. can afford to squander the opportunity to keep the party going. The U.S. has now reached the last 16 in each of its last four World Cup appearances. In 2010, 2014 and 2022, that’s the stage at which they were eliminated. Sure, the first hurdle has been cleared. Winning a knockout game is nothing to sneeze at. It doesn’t happen every day. Still, for this tournament to truly be considered a success on home soil, the status quo won’t really cut it. It’s not going to be easy, especially with Balogun suspended. The Americans will still relish the challenge — one they’ll face head-on.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Next up for the United States: Belgium. For the second time in its last three World Cups, the USA will take on the Red Devils in the round of 16. Earlier on Wednesday, Belgium completed a stunning comeback to beat Senegal to seal its spot in the round of 16, while the USA took care of business against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States received a blow in its win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, though. Striker Folarin Balogun, who scored the winner against the Bosnians for his third goal of the tournament, was sent off in the second half. He will miss the game against Belgium. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, which will take place in Seattle on Monday. These teams faced off back in 2014, when Belgium won, 2-1, to eliminate the Americans. The game is remembered for an incredible 16-save performance by then-USA goalkeeper Tim Howard. It went to extra time, when midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku scored. USA winger Julian Green found the back of the net in the 107th minute, but it wasn’t enough for the USA. No Americans who were on the 2014 World Cup squad are also in this year’s team. For Belgium, though, there were three players from that squad who started against Senegal: goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, De Bruyne and Lukaku. There is more recent history between these teams, dating back just to March, when Belgium took care of business in a convincing friendly win over the USA. Five Belgian players started both that friendly in March and the team’s round of 16 win over Senegal. For the USA, six players started that day in March and against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. One of those six American players, though, was Balogun. The U.S. led that game at halftime through a goal from Weston McKennie, but Belgium scored three times in the first 15 minutes of the second half en route to a convincing victory. Belgium won Group G, but it didn’t do so in very convincing fashion. The Red Devils opened group play with a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a 0-0 against Iran. From there, Belgium needed to get a result in their final game against New Zealand and delivered. The Belgians earned a 5-1 win to advance to the knockout stage. Then, the chaos really began in the round of 32 against Senegal. It looked like Belgium was going to be knocked out in convincing fashion after going down 2-0 in the first 51 minutes. The Red Devils then rebounded with goals in the 86th and 89th minutes from striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Youri Tielemans. Then, late in stoppage time, Belgium was awarded a penalty, which Tielemans converted for the victory. The Key Players Big soccer fans will be very familiar with De Bruyne, who has been one of the best playmakers over the past decade. He spent 10 seasons at Manchester City from 2015-2025, scoring 108 goals with 170 assists in 422 games. He thrives with both feet and was the best passer in the world over an extended period of time. That said, De Bruyne is now 35 years old and past his prime. He just finished his first season with Napoli in Serie A and only played 21 games due to injury. Through four games at this World Cup, De Bruyne has one goal without an assist. The goal came in Belgium’s blowout win over New Zealand. De Bruyne will start, but he has not played 90 minutes in any match yet at the World Cup and only lasted 56 minutes against Senegal. Two players have three goal contributions for Belgium at the World Cup. One is veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who has only started one of the Red Devils’ first four games. The other is Trossard, who has two goals and an assist, which came against Senegal on Tielemans’ 89th-minute equalizer. The Arsenal winger has started all four games for Belgium on the left wing and has been the team’s most consistent attacker. Striker Charles De Ketelaere has started three games but has no goals and no assists, as does winger Jeremy Doku. Like De Bruyne, Trossard can play well with both feet and is technically very sound. Expect him to be a player who Belgium looks to play through early and often. When And Where Will USA vs. Belgium Be Played? This matchup will take place on Monday, July 6, at Seattle Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game can be watched on FOX and streamed on FOX One.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The round of 32 rolls on at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup with more surprises in store as teams with different styles and different expectations will square off. The day begins in Los Angeles, where one of the pre-tournament favorites in Spain will take on an Austria team that will be looking to relentlessly press its way to an upset. The tournament then shifts to Toronto, where Croatia and Portugal meet in a game that will be highlighted by a clash of two of the game’s best players over the past two decades in Cristian Ronaldo and Luka Modrić. The tournament remains in Canada for the day’s final game in Vancouver, where an improving Switzerland will take on an explosive Algeria team that takes a lot of risks and plays on the edge. Here is all you need to know for Thursday at the World Cup. When: Thursday, July 2, 3 p.m. ET Where: Los Angeles TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One As one of the tournament’s leading contenders, Spain will get its knockout campaign underway on Thursday afternoon when it takes on Austria at Los Angeles Stadium. After being held to a stunning 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in its group stage opener, it has been smooth sailing for Spain, which is yet to concede a goal at the tournament. Following the Cape Verde result, Luis de la Fuente’s team defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0 to win the group. The biggest concern for Spain entering this game is that wingers Nico Williams and Yéremy Pino are not expected to start due to injuries sustained in the win over Uruguay. Obviously, that will place an increased burden on budding superstar Lamine Yamal and Atlético Madrid mainstay Alex Baena to provide width to the Spanish attack and combine with center forward Mikel Oyarzabal. But beyond them, the options are limited. Spain’s strength, however, is in its midfield triangle of Pedri, Rodri, and Mikel Merino, who are among the best in the world in possession. But this game will be a clash of styles. Under manager Ralf Rangnick, Austria presses intensely and relentlessly. If Austria ever loses possession, its players immediately press in an attempt to win the ball back quickly. It will be a huge test for either team to pull off its game plan. Austria will attempt to force turnovers from the best-possession national team in the world, while Spain rarely presses as much as what the Austrians will attempt in this game. Austria’s style of play has the team frequently walking a thin line between success and failure because if the press is ineffective, opponents typically have space to exploit. But this risky approach nearly cost the team dearly against Algeria in the group stage finale. In that game, Austria squandered two leads and then fell behind in stoppage time only to find a last-minute equalizer to advance. Rangnick’s team is very much living on borrowed time at this World Cup. If Austria is going to pull off a stunning upset in this game, Marko Arnautovic will have to play a key role. The 37-year-old center forward has been dealing with an injury that has limited his involvement to no more than 45 minutes in any game. But he has been excellent whenever on the field, having scored two very important goals and served as the team’s emotional leader. Player to Watch The Atlético Madrid man has been sharp in Spain’s last two games, both wins, and was the Man of the Match after scoring a goal in the 1-0 win over Uruguay. In a game against a pressing team, Baena will have the opportunity to exploit space if he can maintain possession under pressure. Baena is playing well and should be a key to Spain’s attack against Austria. When: Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. ET Where: Toronto TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One Portugal and Croatia will meet on Thursday at Toronto Stadium in one of the most star-studded games in this World Cup’s round of 32. At front and center will be an emotional battle between two legendary former Real Madrid teammates in Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić who are both fighting to keep their final hopes of winning a World Cup alive. Neither team had been convincing during the group stage. Portugal was held to lackluster draws by DR Congo and Colombia while only defeating debutants Uzbekistan, 5-0. Croatia, meanwhile, has fared only slightly better. After a 4-2 loss to England, Croatia had to fight much harder than expected to notch a 1-0 win over Panama and a 2-1 win over Ghana. For Portugal, Bruno Fernandes is the creator, and he will have to win in the midfield against Croatia, which features Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Petar Sučić. It will be a clash of styles as Portugal thrives at speeding the game up while Croatia will look to slow the game down. Because of that, the game will likely be decided in transition play and whether Portugal can get wingers like Rafael Leão and Pedro Neto involved. But many eyes will be on Modrić and Ronaldo, two iconic players who are now over 40. Ronaldo will be playing in his ninth career World Cup knockout game but is still searching for his first goal in this stage of the tournament. Modrić is the midfield engine and is coming off a great performance in the win over Ghana where he was everywhere on both sides of the ball. But doing that against Portugal will require an even higher level. Player to Watch In a game such as this with contrasting styles, both teams will be looking to have the game played on their terms. For Portugal, that begins with Fernandes who is the engine of the team’s midfield. He is very direct and plays the game with a lot of energy. He won’t want to let Croatia slow the game down and become choppy. Portugal struggled against Colombia in the group stage finale, but Fernandes was at the heart of Portugal’s best moments. When: Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. ET Where: Vancouver TV: FS1 Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One After both Switzerland and Algeria had uneven campaigns in their respective World Cup group stages, the two teams will meet on Thursday at BC Place Stadium (Vancouver) in the round of 32. Switzerland began the tournament with a very poor performance in a 1-1 draw with Qatar but since then, Murat Yakin’s squad has been on the rise with a convincing 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina followed by a 2-1 win over co-hosts Canada. Algeria, meanwhile, have been all over the place in its first three games of the tournament. A lopsided loss to Argentina was expected in the opening game, but the Desert Foxes needed to come from behind in the second half to defeat Jordan 2-1 and then get a result in a wild 3-3 draw with Austria – where Algeria came from behind twice, but then blew a lead late to settle for a point. Algeria should be prepared for this game as its head coach, Vladimir Petković, was the head coach of Switzerland for seven years from 2014-2021. Many of the Switzerland players came into the national team under Petković, and he knows the team well. Despite Petković’s history with Switzerland, the two teams play with very different styles. The Swiss team is more structured and disciplined with its game plan under Yakin, while Algeria is more explosive and lethal on counter-attacks. The team’s attack is driven by veteran wingers Houssem Aouar and Riyad Mahrez, who both play for Saudi Arabian clubs but who both have experience with top European teams. For Switzerland, Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler will be tasked with controlling the midfield and preventing the game from becoming wide open, which is what Algeria would prefer. Player to Watch Switzerland’s 20-year-old midfielder has been one of the top young players of this tournament, with three goals and an assist in the group stage. In the 2-1 win over Canada, the Geneva-born Manzambi was arguably the best player on the field with a goal and an assist. Manzambi has had a great year at the club level with SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. He was also named the Europa League Young Player of the Season for 2025-26, and he excels at making late runs into the box. He could be one of the keys to victory for Switzerland in this game.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The United States is set to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the Round of 32, looking to win only its second knockout-stage game at a men’s FIFA World Cup. The U.S. finished first in Group D and earned the right to play Bosnia and Herzegovina, which finished third in Group B. Bosnia and Herzegovina is playing in its first knockout-stage game in its history at a major tournament. Raphael Claus from Brazil is the referee assigned for this one, alongside his fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rodrigo Figueiredo. Dario Herrera from Argentina will be the fourth official. This will be Claus’ second assignment of the tournament, after he was the head referee for Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on June 21. Claus gave out two yellow cards in that fixture. He also refereed two games at the 2022 World Cup, both group-stage matches, so this will be his first knockout-stage game at a World Cup, despite his experience in CONMEBOL. The VAR room will consist of Venezuela’s Juan Soto, Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo and France’s Jerome Brisard. Here is the full team of referees:​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports