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You wanted power rankings? I got your power rankings right here. Don’t like mine? You can always get your own. Remember, these 2026 FIFA World Cup power rankings change as the tournament goes on. And we do have changes from last week. My colleague Thierry Henry is going to be happy because France is right at No. 1. I don’t think there’s a lot of people that are going to disagree with that. A couple other things to keep in mind here. With Morocco beating the Netherlands, the Atlas Lions are in. And for the first time at this tournament, Mexico gets in after what I saw in that win over Ecuador. So welcome, Mexico. And the U.S. is hanging around too. Agree? Disagree? Let’s dive into it: Odds to win the World Cup: +3000 (9th) After earning six points from its group stage with wins over Paraguay and Australia, along with a loss to Türkiye, the U.S. will try to win its first knockout stage game since 2002 when it takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. A pro-U.S. crowd in the San Francisco Bay Area should help things, but the co-hosts can’t underestimate this opponent. Next opponent: Bosnia and Herzegovina (Round of 32, July 1) Odds to win the World Cup: +1700 (6th) Is Cristiano Ronaldo back? He proclaimed he was when he scored twice against Uzbekistan. Portugal finished second in its group after a scoreless but still electric draw against Colombia in Miami. Ronaldo now gets a reunion with former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić as the two 40-year-old superstars face off in Toronto. Next opponent: Croatia (Round of 32, July 2) Odds to win the World Cup: +2700 (8th) What a way to break a 40-year drought. El Tri came out strong against Ecuador for its first knockout round win since 1986 in front of an absolutely pulsating crowd in Mexico City. Now comes what will potentially be a match for the ages against England for a chance to reach the quarterfinals. Next opponent: England (Round of 16, July 5) Odds to win the World Cup: +2500 (7th) Morocco is living up to its high expectations after reaching the 2022 semifinals. A stoppage-time goal against the Netherlands led to a penalty-shootout win over the Dutch to advance to the round of 16. That’s now four games and no defeats so far at this tournament. Next opponent: Canada (Round of 16, July 4) Odds to win the World Cup: +1000 (5th) Under manager Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilians are rediscovering their style of “Joga Bonito.” Having relied on Vinícius Júnior for goals in the group stage, the five-time champions saw Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli instead come up clutch in the round of 32 win over Japan. The reward for the win? Having to contain Erling Haaland and the infamous Viking Row. Next opponent: Norway (Round of 16, July 5) Odds to win the World Cup: +800 (4th) When England needed him the most, Harry Kane stepped up in heroic fashion. Down a goal against a superb DR Congo side, Kane rallied the Three Lions with two second-half goals in the round of 32 classic. Now comes a match against the tournament co-hosts in Mexico City that will be absolute theater. Next opponent: Mexico (Round of 16, July 5) Odds to win the World Cup: +3300 (10th) It still feels as though Colombia has yet to kick it into the next gear — which is a scary thought. Luís Diaz and Daniel Muñoz have been the standout players for the Los Cafeteros, who wrapped up the group stage as winners following a nervy draw against Portugal in Miami. Next opponent: Ghana (Round of 32, July 3) Odds to win the World Cup: +700 (3rd) This is another team that is still finding its rhythm. A relatively staid win over Uruguay saw La Roja win the group. Lamine Yamal is fit again. It’s now time to flip the switch in the knockout rounds and make that expected run to the final. Next opponent: Austria (Round of 32, July 2) Odds to win the World Cup: +410 (2nd) The people want to see Lionel Messi, even if it’s just a substitute. Because even when he comes into the game in the second half like he did against Algeria, he still scores golazos. He now has 19 career goals at the World Cup, extending the record he broke earlier in the tournament. Next opponent: Cape Verde (Round of 32, July 3) Odds to win the World Cup: +180 (1st) There shouldn’t be a surprise as to who is now No. 1 in the rankings. If you were to rank the best players in the world, France arguably has three of them — Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé — near the top. The path to the final is looking clearer for Les Bleus. Next opponent: Paraguay (Round of 16, July 4)​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Nobody panic — everything is fine. That was the message England fans were desperately telling themselves as they watched their team trail a Congo DR side ranked 46th in the world for most of a sweltering afternoon in Atlanta. This game was bonkers. England was denied a penalty that half of the English media is still furious about, had a shot cleared off the line, were repeatedly stonewalled by a goalkeeper having the game of his life, and spent 74 minutes looking like a team that had forgotten how to score. And then Harry Kane happened. Twice. England is through to the round of 16, but they were pushed to the absolute brink to get there. Here are my four takeaways from England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo: 1. Harry Kane Doesn’t Need the Whole Game. He Just Needs a Moment. Let’s be honest about England’s tournament so far. A fun 4-2 win over Croatia, then a flat 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a labored 2-0 win over Panama that only came alive after halftime. Harry Kane, by his own colossal standards, had been quiet. Going a goal down inside seven minutes to Congo DR fit that uneasy pattern perfectly. England forgot how to break down a defensive low block. But here is the thing about Kane: when the moment is biggest, he arrives. He leveled it in the 75th minute, meeting an Anthony Gordon chip with a header of surgical precision. Then, with England’s World Cup teetering, he did it again in the 86th. Another Gordon delivery, another header, another ruthless finish tucked into the top corner — a world-class second-half brace to win the game in one of the biggest moments of Harry’s life. Before this tournament, plenty of people called Kane the best striker on the planet. 64 goals with Bayern Munich in 2025-26 will do that. He hadn’t quite looked himself here, but today, when his team needed their captain most, he delivered. That is what the greats of the game do. 2. That Penalty Decision Simply Has to Be Better. Rewind to the 43rd minute. England trailing, the tension unbearable, when Jude Bellingham threaded Harry Kane through on goal. Kane knocked it past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi; there was contact, and down he went. Referee Adham Makhadmeh waved it away as a dive. VAR checked and declined to intervene. A few suggest Kane dragged his foot, inviting contact and essentially manufacturing the fall. There is a vocal minority who think Kane was a little clever. But the English press is convinced it’s a penalty, and they are not alone. On the Fox broadcast, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg was adamant: the keeper didn’t play the ball, he caught Kane’s foot, and that’s a penalty. Thierry Henry agreed, baffled that the referee wasn’t even sent to the monitor. Whichever side you land on, that is exactly the problem. A decision this divisive, in a World Cup knockout, cannot be settled by a wave of the hand. We cannot have mistakes like this at this stage of the tournament. That’s what VAR is for. 3. Farewell, Congo DR. You Belonged, and Then Some. Give this Congo DR team its full due. Brian Cipenga set the tone in the seventh minute, lashing a near-post finish past Jordan Pickford to stun the stadium. From there, the Leopards defended with a structure, a discipline, and a belief that almost nobody outside their camp saw coming. They held England’s expensively assembled attack at bay for 74 minutes and nearly went 2-0 up when Yoane Wissa, their Newcastle talisman and group-stage star, rattled Pickford’s post. Wissa scored three goals at this World Cup, matching the number he netted all season for Newcastle United. The Congolese squad has many Premier League connections, and that familiarity showed. Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham and Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe were immense at the back, while Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki scrapped for everything in midfield. But the true hero wore the gloves. Lionel Mpasi, the Le Havre goalkeeper, produced five saves, twice denying Jude Bellingham with reflexes that had nothing to do with luck. Congo DR didn’t just show up. They led for most of the day and made England sweat through every pore. No shame in this exit. Only pride. 4. Tuchel Has to Go Back to the Drawing Board. Mexico Awaits. England is through. That’s the headline, and it matters. But the rest of it demands an honest look in the mirror. Thomas Tuchel still hasn’t found the version of this team that lasts a full 90 minutes. The group stage was a loop of slow starts, sluggish first halves, and second-half rescues. Today repeated the pattern, except the stakes had soared. Against a well-drilled Congo DR side, England never truly imposed itself. The attack looked disjointed for an hour; the width was missing, and the service to Kane was thin. Without its captain’s brilliance, England goes home today. That should worry Tuchel as much as it relieves him. Because now comes the nightmare. Mexico, at Mexico City Stadium, at over 7,000 feet of altitude, inside a cauldron of 80,000-plus fans who will treat this like a final. Mexico has been ruthless, winning all three group games before dismantling a very good Ecuador 2-0. They haven’t conceded a single goal this tournament. Against Ecuador, it was one of the greatest Mexican performances of all-time. Ironically, this is not a vintage Mexican side on paper, but the Mexico City Stadium is a legitimate 12th man, and the thin air makes everyone else mortal. England survived today. Tuchel needs answers, fast. Against Mexico, survival won’t cut it.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Mexico is through to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a resounding 2-0 win over an uninspired Ecuador team on Tuesday night in Mexico City. It marked Mexico’s first World Cup knockout stage win in 40 years. Mexico dominated the game from the start and has now maintained a perfect record at the tournament through four games. Javier Aguirre’s team has been one of the tournament’s biggest success stories, in large part due to its suffocating defense and a wide range of players who can all score impressive goals. That was on full display tonight in Mexico City and has now set the stage for a team that might be a threat to go very far in this tournament. Here are my thoughts on the game: 1. Ecuador’s Defense Didn’t Live Up To Expectations … Entering this game, the leading story was whether Ecuador’s defense would continue to be world-class? The answer to that is a definitive no. Throughout CONMEBOL’s single-table World Cup qualifying, Ecuador put up defensive numbers that are tough to believe. Over 18 games, La Tricolor conceded just five goals and kept 13 clean sheets. Over its last 11 qualifiers, Ecuador has only allowed one goal. That effort saw the team finish second in South America, ahead of traditional powers including Brazil and Colombia. Tonight against Mexico, Sebastián Beccacece’s squad did not bear any resemblance to what it displayed in qualifying. From the opening minutes, Mexico was carving up Ecuador’s defense with ease. Ecuador was leaving channels wide open for Mexico to exploit, was not picking up runners in the box, and was not backing each other up when defending one-on-one situations. Far too many times, Mexico had tons of space to operate in dangerous areas. It was a terrible performance in all areas from Ecuador, but particularly on the defensive side. These were some basic mistakes that Ecuador was regularly making, and it was hard to believe that this team’s defense could turn out to be its downfall at such an important game. 2. … But Mexico’s defense has been elite While Ecuador’s defense was surprisingly woeful, Mexico’s defense has been elite all through this tournament. Through four games, Mexico has yet to concede a goal. Of course, central defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez, along with fullbacks Jorge Sánchez and Jesús Gallardo, deserve a lot of credit, but Mexico’s defending at this World Cup has been a total team effort. It starts with the basics, such as the overall raw intensity that Aguirre has instilled in his team. But it is also excellent individual one-on-one defending, and smart positioning to always maintain a shape, and finally, it is excellent at pressing up the field to win turnovers in dangerous positions. It is not going to be easy to break through Mexico’s defense, even for the elite teams that await. 3. Mora’s big start When Javier Aguirre announced his lineup, the big story was Gilberto Mora getting the start. At 17 years old, he is the youngest player at this World Cup. The Tijuana midfielder had 10 caps entering this game, and he started in the team’s final group stage game against Czechia, which was after Mexico clinched first place in Group A. It was a different matter altogether for Mora to get the start in a World Cup knockout game in Mexico City’s legendary stadium, where Pele and Maradona lifted the trophy. Aguirre was showing a lot of confidence in the top teenage Mexican prospect of his generation. Mora was eventually subbed out in the 58th minute, but passed the test with flying colors. In the seventh minute, Mora was instrumental in the build-up of an opportunity that ended with Raul Jimenez missing an open header.  Then, in the 16th minute, Mora unleashed a shot that narrowly missed curling inside the far post. Mora’s final statistics for the match were very solid. He completed 22/25 of his passes, won 4/5 of his ground duels, drew two fouls, and had two shots that did not miss by much. It is an exciting time for the Mexican team as Mora looks like he will continue to be a threat at this World Cup and potentially many more World Cups to come. 4. Quiñones is Mexico’s star Through four games at the World Cup, Julián Quiñones is clearly Mexico’s breakout player heading into the round of 16. Born in Colombia but later becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen, Quiñones only began playing for Mexico in 2023. At 29, this might be his only opportunity to play in a World Cup. Thus far, Quiñones is taking full advantage of it. In the group stage, Mexico scored six goals from five different goalscorers, and Quiñones was the only player to score multiple goals. Now with his goal against Ecuador, Quiñones has three goals. This has been a good year for Quiñones on the club level, too, as he was the Saudi Pro League leading scorer for the 2025/26 season with 33 goals in 31 games for Al Qadsiah FC. In May, he was awarded a new contract for the club through 2029. Four years ago, at the 2022 World Cup, Mexico crashed out of the tournament in the group stage, ending a run of seven World Cup knockout appearances. This team is much, much better than the one in Qatar. There are many reasons for this, but the top reason is getting Quiñones into the program.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The first three days of the knockout stage of the World Cup have firmly delivered. On Tuesday, all three matches had what normally would have been the best moment of the day. First, Erling Haaland added another goal to his unbelievable track record for Norway. Kylian Mbappé then continued his journey toward becoming the greatest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, before Mexico capped the evening with a performance to remember in its capital city. Here’s the best of Match Day 20 at the FIFA World Cup. Moments Of The Day What a night at Mexico City Stadium for El Tri. First, Julian Quiñones opened the scoring after a great run and finish. Then, it was Mexico’s go-to striker who sent the crowd into a frenzy. Jiménez picked up the ball at the top of the 18-yard box off a pass from Quinones, and he delivered a wonderful strike into the top corner. Mbappé is only 27 years old and playing in his third World Cup, but he’s already one of the best players in the history of the tournament. The France captain scored two more goals on Tuesday against Sweden to bring his total for the tournament to six. That ties him with Lionel Messi for the most at the tournament, and he’s now one behind Messi (19 goals) for the most all-time at the World Cup. There’s a chance that Mbappé overtakes Messi for that lead before the end of the tournament. By the time he’s done playing, chances are he will be far ahead of second place for the most goals at the tournament. When Norway needed a goal most against the Ivory Coast, it was not surprising at all to see who was in the right place at the right time. Haaland found the perfect position in the center of the box and just had to tap in the cross from midfielder Patrick Berg. This was Haaland’s fifth goal in three matches at this World Cup and sets up a round-of-16 match against Brazil on Sunday. Goal Of The Day There was a serious contender for this honor on both sides of the Ivory Coast vs. Norway. We’ll start with Antonio Nusa, who picked up the ball from Martin Odegaard and went to work. He dribbled at two defenders before quickly putting the ball on his right foot and getting his shot off. That shot was a wonderful curling effort that snuck into the far post to give Norway a 1-0 lead. The runner-up here is Diallo, whose equalizer capped a tidy move down the right wing. He played a one-two with Nicolas Pépé to get through on goal. He paused in front of Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland (more on him momentarily), turned onto his left foot and sliding the shot home into the far post. Save Of The Day Diallo almost got on the scoresheet again in stoppage time for what would have been a dramatic equalizer, but Nyland got a strong left hand to his effort. From there, Norway defended another Ivorian corner and was off to the round of 16 for a matchup with Brazil. Assist Of The Day Mexico’s opening goal saw a perfect lofted pass meet a perfectly timed run. Roberto Alvarado picked up the ball and saw Quiñones sprinting forward. Quinones remained onside because Alvarado’s pass was played when he was still in Mexico’s defensive half of the field. Quiñones never lost any momentum and ran right onto Alvarado’s pass and delivered a thunderous finish past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Ivory Coast vs. Norway France vs. Sweden Mexico vs. Ecuador​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The knockout round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls on, and Wednesday will see three more teams advance and three more teams exit the tournament after the round of 32. In the opening game, contending England will hope to end the Cinderella run of the DR Congo when the teams face off in Atlanta. The second game takes us to Vancouver, Canada, where Belgium and Senegal are both coming off five-goal blowout wins in their respective group stage finales. Finally, co-hosts the United States will return to action at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and look for just its second-ever knockout win when it hosts a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that will be a challenge with its youthful roster. Here is everything you need to know for Wednesday at the World Cup. When: Wednesday, July 1, 12 p.m. ET Where: Atlanta TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One Contenders England take on one of the tournament’s fairytale stories in the DR Congo. England entered the World Cup as one of the teams with a realistic chance of winning the title. Thus far, it’s been decent but hasn’t played like a superpower along the lines of France, Spain or Argentina. The Three Lions were at their best in the second half of their opening 4-2 win over Croatia. After that, it was pedestrian efforts in a 0-0 draw with Ghana followed by a 2-0 win over Panama where the English needed 62 minutes before getting on the board. England has plenty of firepower offensively with one of the game’s best center forwards in Harry Kane, a deep selection of wing options that includes Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham in the middle. The biggest concern for England’s starting lineup is at right back, as both Reece James and Jarell Quansah are sidelined due to injuries. That leaves Djed Spence likely to slide over the right side in the starting XI. The question for head coach Thomas Tuchel is whether he can get his team playing with intensity from the opening whistle. That was not the case in the last two games, when England was also heavily favored. DR Congo is enjoying a lot of support from neutral fans in the United States as the country participates in its first World Cup since 1974. The Leopards secured a surprising knockout berth as one of the best third-placed teams after holding Portugal to a draw and staging a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan. The team’s only defeat came in a 1-0 loss to Colombia. Sébastien Desabre’s squad will be highly motivated for this game, as the team boasts significant Premier League experience. This includes Newcastle United attacker Yoane Wissa, who has been the team’s star thus far at the World Cup with three goals in the group stage. DR Congo is expected to bring a highly physical but disciplined approach to this game. The team will sit deep in a compact formation, most likely the 5-3-2 it used against Portugal, and look to break out quickly on counterattacks. England is the heavy favorite, but games like this can be tricky as England is under enormous pressure to advance, while the DR Congo likely sees this game as a massive opportunity with nothing to lose. Player To Watch The Real Madrid playmaker was the Man of the Match in the 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday while playing in a deeper role. With Declan Rice expected to return to the starting XI, Bellingham’s role will shift to focus on breaking down DR Congo’s low block. He will be looking to find pockets of space to open the game up for Kane, or the winger on either side. With Kane likely to be heavily guarded, Bellingham will also serve as a secondary scoring threat for England. When: Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. ET Where: Seattle TV: FS1 Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One Wednesday’s second game takes us to Vancouver Stadium in Canada, with Belgium and Senegal in what will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two teams. Belgium and Senegal enter this game with similar group stage patterns. Both were underwhelming in the two opening games but then secured a spot in the knockouts with a blowout win in the finale against the weakest team in the group. For Senegal, it was never going to be an easy path after getting drawn into a group with France and Norway. As expected, Senegal lost to France, 3-1, and then to Norway, 3-2, when, like most teams, it was unable to stop two of the best players in the world in Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. But with eight third-place teams advancing to the knockouts, the door for Senegal was still open if it could beat Iraq, which it did, 5-0. For Belgium, the group stage was more disappointing because the Red Devils were never an underdog. Following a lackluster beginning of the tournament in a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, Rudi Garcia’s team finally was able to play up to its potential in a 5-1 blowout win over New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup in the FIFA World Rankings. The Red Devils lineup should have few surprises. Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative heartbeat in midfield, and he is flanked by top wingers in Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard. The biggest question for Garcia is at center forward, as Charles De Ketelaere started two of the group stage games and Romelu Lukaku has started once. Neither player was particularly convincing. For Senegal, head coach Pape Thiaw relies heavily on his team’s athleticism in the attack. Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr scored three goals in the group stage, Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye made a big impact against Iraq, and veteran captain Sadio Mané remains the heart of the team despite not scoring in the group stage. The big concern for Senegal is that star goalkeeper Edouard Mendy will miss the game due to a knee injury. Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw is expected to start in his place. Belgium is the favorite in this game based on its talent, experience and recent form (the Red Devils have not lost in 16 games). But Senegal is capable of pulling off an upset and, as we have seen, this tournament has not been kind to favored European teams. Player To Watch The Villarreal midfielder was excellent in the 5-0 win over Iraq. After subbing into the game in the 56th minute, Gueye had two goals and an assist to complete the rout, which was needed in the goal differential tiebreaker. That effort off the bench will likely see Gueye return to the team’s starting lineup, but only now should he be extremely confident of his form. When: Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. ET Where: San Francisco Bay Area TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One United States returns to the field to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 in what should be an electric pro-USA crowd at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the nightcap. After earning six points from its group stage with wins over Paraguay and Australia along with a loss to Türkiye, many will view the U.S. team as favorites in this game. But historical factors tell a different story for Mauricio Pochettino’s team. Starting with the 1990 World Cup, the U.S. national team’s record against European teams in this tournament is abysmal. With the loss to Türkiye last week, the USA has now faced European teams 21 times in the World Cup. During that span, the team has won just once, in the 3-2 win over Portugal in its 2002 opener. Meanwhile, the team has drawn seven times while having lost 13 times. On the issue of knockouts, since 1990, the U.S. team has won just one World Cup knockout while having lost five. The good news for Pochettino’s team is that its entire starting lineup from the 4-1 win over Paraguay is now healthy and ready for selection. That includes Christian Pulisic, who missed the win over Australia due to a calf injury, as well as Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards, who did not play against Türkiye to avoid the risk of a yellow card suspension for this game. Offensively, the keys for the U.S. team involve winger Christian Pulisic and his ability to dribble at opponents to open space for his teammates. Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun was very dangerous in the first two games. If teammates can get him the ball, he is a lethal finisher. The midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman will look to control possession and dictate the tempo. Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be an easy test for the U.S. team by any stretch. Sergej Barbarez’s team boasts a nicely blended roster that includes experience and youthful energy. Both were on display in the team’s 3-1 win over Qatar to clinch the team’s spot in the knockouts. Salzburg left midfielder Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, was the best player on the field in that game and his highlight came in scoring the opening goal. Ermin Mahmic, 21, was also important off the bench when he scored the final goal. Then there is PSV Eindhoven winger Esmir Bajraktarević, 21, who will be getting a lot of attention in this game given that he was born and raised in Wisconsin. He began his professional career with the New England Revolution and played for years with the U.S. youth national teams before switching to Bosnia and Herzegovina (where his parents were born) in 2024. On the other side of the age equation, the team’s all-time leading scorer in Edin Džeko remains key to Bosnia’s offense. In the win over Qatar, Džeko was very active as his header forced Qatar’s own goal in the 34th minute. Then just before halftime, he nearly scored when his shot smashed off the post. This should be an emotional game with both teams looking to win what would be a historically important victory for their national team programs. The U.S. team wants to notch a win that would inspire a new generation of fans to fall in love with the sport and the team. Bosnia and Herzegovina is looking to win its first ever World Cup knockout game with a roster that consists of many exciting young players. Player To Watch The Juventus midfielder is extremely important to the U.S. team. When he plays well, the team plays well. When he doesn’t, the team struggles. He is a unique and special player when he is in good form. He can play a variety of positions, often shifting during a single game. He can dribble, and can pass, and he can use his size to his advantage. In the early parts of this tournament, McKennie was at his best – and there should be no reason to expect anything else in this game.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Shrieks of laughter echoed around an empty PayPal Park. Weston McKennie playfully taunted Tyler Adams, just like he usually does. Even the normally reserved Christian Pulisic joined in on the fun. As members of the U.S. men’s national team worked through a training session at the home venue of MLS club San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, anyone watching — if they didn’t know better — wouldn’t think that these players were barely 24 hours before what might be the biggest games of their lives. Nothing less than the legacy of what many have called a “Golden Generation” of American soccer stars led by Pulisic, McKennie and Adams is at stake on Wednesday, when the USA meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in its first do-or-die match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at nearby San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One). The stakes are enormous. And after winning its first two contests in a World Cup for the first time in almost a century en route to topping Group D, the expectations are just as high. For months, coach Mauricio Pochettino has talked up his squad’s potential: “Why not us?” That has been the question the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has asked his team and the USA’s rapidly growing fan base again and again. Players and supporters alike have internalized that message, to the point where many are already looking past Wednesday’s round of 32 contest and to next week’s round of 16 in Seattle against Belgium or Senegal — or even the July 10 quarterfinal versus (probably) star-studded Spain or Portugal or Croatia. Not so fast. The Bosnians won’t go quietly. And while they’re not France, the U.S. hasn’t beaten a European team in its last 12 chances dating to 2021 and has lost all six of such matches under Pochettino. If that streak doesn’t end in Northern California, at a World Cup on home soil, the public perception of the USA’s tournament — the reality — will instantly swing from wild success to catastrophic failure. There is nothing in between. The players are unfazed. “We try not to think worst-case scenario,” defender Chris Richards told me Monday before the Americans’ final practice. “For us, ultimately it’s [about] going to this game with confidence, but also understanding that no things don’t always go your way,” he said. “So let’s make sure you’re prepared for everything.” Besides, being stressed out won’t help. “Relaxation brings concentration,” Pochettino said at Monday’s pre-match press conference, attributing the quote to Jorge Valdano, a legendary player and coach with Real Madrid who won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina. No wonder the U.S. is choosing to look at Wednesday as an opportunity to keep its World Cup dreams kicking, rather than an obligation to. “We understand what it means: You win or you go home,” Pulisic said. “So yeah, there definitely needs to be a lot of focus and attention to detail this week. But I think the vibe feels good. We’ve still kept it light, and we still are going to be ready to battle once the whistle blows.” If not, anything could happen. Just days into the business end of this World Cup, European powers the Netherlands and four-time champion Germany are out before the round of 16 has even started. And that’s not even accounting for the unexpected: red cards, own goals, injuries. Keeping the emotions in check — at the line but not over it — can also go a long way toward the ability to survive and advance. “Soccer,” Pochettino allowed, “is an unpredictable thing. We try to reduce that.” Still, the odds are on the home team’s side. Another massive red, white and blue-clad crowd is expected. The U.S. comes into the match ranked 15th by FIFA while the Golden Lilles are 61st, lower than 16 nations that failed to qualify for this World Cup. Not that that matters when the game begins. “I don’t believe that we are the favored team,” Pochettino said. “Everyone said Germany was the favorite, but Paraguay beat them. “After the group stage, we are seeing how difficult it is for everyone,” he continued.  “We don’t have another opportunity if we fail. [So] it’s all-in, knowing that that game is the final of the World Cup. That, I think, needs to be — and is — our mindset.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Malik Tillman likes watching penalty shootouts. But participating in them? Not so much. “I try to avoid it,” the American midfielder said before training on Tuesday. “Everyone tries to avoid it. But sometimes, it happens, and, of course, you have to be ready for it because you never know. We’ll give our best to finish the game in 90 minutes.” The U.S. men’s national team faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday night. With the 2026 World Cup now in the knockout stage, any match that remains tied after regulation and extra time comes down to one thing: the dreaded, stomach-churning penalty shootout. On Monday, Germany and the Netherlands were both eliminated after cruel and dramatic penalty shootout losses to Paraguay and Morocco, respectively. Across the two shootouts, players missed 10 penalty kicks, setting a World Cup record for the most misses in a single day. It was the first time in history the four-time champion Germans left the World Cup via penalties. It was a stark reminder of the stakes now facing the U.S. because, in the knockout stage, one mistake can send a team home. “We’ve seen two big boys fall,” defender Chris Richards told a group of reporters. “So it’s just a matter of us getting through this game and putting on a good performance, and, hopefully, we continue that.” The last time the USA found itself in a penalty shootout was exactly one year ago, when it beat Costa Rica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals after a six-round thriller. The win came largely thanks to Matt Freese’s heroics in goal, as he made three saves to send the squad through. Tillman, who missed a penalty in the first half of that match, bounced back by converting in the shootout. He said that while players can practice penalties all they want, it’s “impossible” to replicate what it actually feels like in that spotlight. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino agrees. That’s part of why the squad has used sports performance company neuro11 for the past 18 months. The company works with elite athletes and teams around the world — including Liverpool F.C. and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez — using innovative brain-based training and neurofeedback to help athletes stay sharp and composed under pressure. Pochettino has a dedicated group of coaches and analysts focused on neuro11 and penalty kicks, working to improve the team’s execution from the spot and expand the pool of PK takers, much like another group uses TrackMan technology to aid in set pieces. “I don’t want to say too much,” Pochettino said Tuesday, careful not to reveal information that could give a future shootout opponent an edge. “As a coaching staff, we believe that we can provide some tools to the players to be better or to improve or to try to find the best way to face this type of situation, knowing that it’s impossible to replicate the emotional stress and the pressure and expectation, how you are going to feel. “Because it depends on your performance – if you came from the bench, if you played 120 minutes, if you are tired, if you are not tired. If you feel something in your body, that is impossible when you practice penalties to have the same feeling.” Pochettino added that he and his staff choose the penalty kicking order. “It is going to be our decision – the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5,” Pochettino said. “We are trying to arrive at this moment and not ask the player if they feel confident or not confident.” According to a German media report, there was controversy over who would take Germany’s sixth penalty, as some players didn’t want to. Ultimately, it was Jonathan Tah, whose miss proved decisive and allowed Paraguay to convert and advance. “I don’t know about that situation, but yeah, it’s a difficult thing,” star forward Christian Pulisic said when asked about Germany’s exit. “The guys who feel the most confident to go up and shoot will want to go shoot. I think that’s normal. There will be some players that maybe don’t practice them as much and don’t feel as good. I don’t think it’s necessarily a big problem. “Haven’t been in many shootouts with these guys, but I feel like it’s a pretty brave, courageous team. I feel like guys will give it a go.” How Do USA Players Take Penalties? Penalty kick style and technique have evolved over the years. Some players opt for stutter steps and elaborate long or short run-ups, while others simply place the ball and strike it. Tillman said he’s experimented with different approaches throughout his career and doesn’t necessarily take them the same way he once did. Still, he added, “I’m confident in the way I take them.” Richards, who scored a penalty for Premier League club Crystal Palace last season, doesn’t overthink it. “I don’t want to give away too much,” Richards said with a big smile. “Some guys change it up. Me personally, I’m a defender for a reason, so I’m gonna put it down and place it where I think it needs to go.” Pulisic doesn’t read too much into everyone else’s process. “Everyone has their own style,” said Pulisic, who also noted that he’s feeling good after dealing with a calf injury that has limited his time on the field. “I don’t think you watch [the Germany and Netherlands shootouts] and can take so much away and try to change your style in one day. I mean, it’s just part of the game. “It’s an extremely hard thing to do for sure. It takes a lot of courage and it’s not easy. Goalkeepers are getting better and better every single year. Everyone has their individual style, and you just go with what you feel most confident with.” All this is to say, the U.S. hopes any penalty shootout talk is moot during their run in this World Cup. “Ultimately, you don’t want to get there,” Richards said. “But honestly, we’ve done a lot of training with penalty shootouts, so if it comes down to it, I think every guy on this team is going to step up and take it.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The U.S. men’s national team may have lost its World Cup group-stage finale on a last-second goal to Türkiye, but that hasn’t changed any of this squad’s objectives. Wednesday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 has the USA primed for a deep run at this tournament. The last time the USMNT won a knockout game was in 2002, so there is plenty on the line at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium against an upstart European side. Here is everything to know about the USA’s round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina: Although this has been a terrific World Cup for the USA so far — the team won two consecutive games for the first time in almost a century and its group with a match to spare, allowing the starters to rest and the reserves to gain valuable experience in the loss to Türkiye — it instantly becomes the biggest failure in program history if this squad can’t beat the Bosnians. That’s a hell of a swing. To be clear: The Stars and Stripes should win this game. They have a better lineup, a deeper bench and will be playing at home. Blowing this would take some doing. But being the clear favorite is tricky, and anything can happen in one game. So the U.S. must mitigate the risk by coming out flying and, crucially, scoring the first goal — something it has done in all three of its games so far. The longer the match remains scoreless, the more the visitors’ belief will grow, as will the pressure on the hosts to avoid disaster.  — Doug McIntyre Not to be cliché, but I am going with Christian Pulisic. He’s only played 77 minutes total during this World Cup, and now that the U.S. is in the knockout stage, it’s a massive moment for him to shine. As Folarin Balogun told reporters earlier this week, the knockout stage is the time when “big players step forward, and the big players carry the pressure and make things happen.” On this team, there’s no bigger player than Pulisic. He masterfully contributed to the team’s first two goals vs. Paraguay, but then was forced to miss the next match vs. Australia with that calf injury. He came on in the second half vs. Türkiye and immediately lifted the quality of play. On Tuesday, Pulisic told reporters that he’s “feeling good.” We expect him to start against Bosnia and Herzegovina and be the star this team needs to keep pushing through the World Cup. — Laken Litman Goalkeeper: Matt Freese Defender: Antonee “Jedi” Robinson Defender: Tim Ream Defender: Chris Richards Defender: Alex Freeman Midfielder: Tyler Adams Midfielder: Malik Tillman Midfielder: Weston McKennie Attacker: Christian Pulisic Attacker/Defender: Sergiño Dest Forward: Folarin Balogun In a tournament setting, when Mauricio Pochettino finds a formation and lineup he likes, he tends to stick with it. We saw this at the 2025 Gold Cup when he kept a consistent lineup through the knockouts. As we saw against Australia when Pulisic was hurt and Pochettino went with a two-center-forward formation, he can adapt in interesting ways when he must. Now, he has no restrictions as yellow cards have been wiped clean (meaning Adams, McKennie, Richards and Balogun are back). Pulisic is also available, while both Ream and Robinson are rested. The good thing about this lineup is there are a number of very versatile players that offer Pochettino ways to adjust without making a substitution. McKennie and Tillman can sit deep or move into a No. 10 or winger role if needed. Pulisic can cut in and play as a No. 10 or second striker. Dest can play as a winger or as a right back. This was the lineup Pochettino chose in the very important opening game. It is hard to see him changing something that worked so well. — Brian Sciaretta Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approach will be similar to what the USA saw against Paraguay. I’m expecting more of a mid-block instead of a low one, like what Australia played. Bosnia will defend higher up the field but still won’t leave itself too exposed. Bosnia and Herzegovina had the third-fewest entries into the opponent’s 18-yard box and the lowest of any team that advanced to the round of 32. That should give you an idea of what to expect from them in this match. That should not sound like I’m discrediting what Bosnia and Herzegovina is capable of, since the squad does have a couple of players who are more than capable of making an impact in attack. — Walker Zimmerman​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Once again, the USA is likely going to be on the front foot at the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not going to look to take the game to the Americans on Wednesday night. The European underdog will bring a defensive approach that the U.S. has already seen during this tournament. Here’s what to expect from both sides ahead of their round of 32 matchup. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approach will be similar to what the USA saw against Paraguay. I’m expecting more of a mid-block instead of a low one, like what Australia played. Bosnia will defend higher up the field but still won’t leave itself too exposed. Bosnia and Herzegovina had the third-fewest entries into the opponent’s 18-yard box and the lowest of any team that advanced to the round of 32. That should give you an idea of what to expect from them in this match. To be clear, I’m not discrediting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s abilities, especially since the squad does have a couple of players who are more than capable of making an impact in attack. I trained with Esmir ahead of the Olympics in 2024. He has always been a quality player and, like so many others who thrive on the dribble, he just so happens to be left-footed. Esmir’s ball control and on-ball ability in one-on-one situations is very good. He’s able to skate past defenders and produce a pass that can change the game. What is keeping him from being a top playmaker is that his final product, the final pass or final shot, isn’t quite there yet. He’s only 21 and is still more than capable of making a big difference in a game, though. And he is already a proven winner with his club PSV Eindhoven having won two straight Dutch league titles. The other name that most soccer fans will be familiar with is Edin Džeko. The 40-year-old striker may not start this match, but he’s a constant threat in the opposition box who’s capable of scoring a big goal when needed. When you play against teams that sit back with a cautious, defensive approach, finding an early goal will be key. That’s something the U.S. has done very well in this tournament, having scored in the third, 11th and seventh minutes in the first three games. Finding that first goal is so big in terms of how the game will be dictated. Taking the early lead would set up well for us in a game where we’ll have a lot of the ball. The longer you go without a goal against teams that are more defensive, a little bit more anxiety gradually creeps in. You start to push a little more and maybe leave yourself more susceptible at the back. Starting aggressively has been the American mentality so far in this tournament. We’ve been very good at pressing the opponent when it has the ball, especially in the first half. From there, when we win the ball higher up the field, we’re in control. This isn’t the kind of plan we’ll have against every team. The U.S. has not played a possession-oriented team yet, but that may happen against Belgium in the round of 16 if both teams advance. In those situations, the strategy will be different. Weston has an ability to do whatever the team needs, which makes him so valuable in the U.S. midfield. Against Paraguay, he made some important runs forward into attacking channels, creating mismatches and overloading wings against opposing defenders before ultimately moving into the box looking for a scoring chance. I feel like we haven’t talked too much about Weston so far in this tournament because so many guys have played well. All the goals that the U.S. has scored have maybe overshadowed his performances so far in the tournament, but he has been very important so far with his running and movement.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Christian Pulisic’s lingering calf injury has been one of the top storylines for the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup — and USA fans are hoping they finally see the star forward back in the starting lineup in Wednesday’s round of 32 match vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here is everything to know about the status of USA’s star forward: Is Christian Pulisic Injured? Christian Pulisic suffered a calf injury in the 4-1 win against Paraguay, which kept him out of the next game vs. Australia, a 2-0 victory for the tournament co-hosts. He made a second-half appearance as a substitute in the 3-2 loss to Türkiye. In all, he has only played 77 minutes at this World Cup. Will Pulisic Start vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina? Does that mean he’ll be back in the lineup for Wednesday’s game at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium? “I’m feeling good, it’s been a good week of preparation. I felt really good in the last game,” Pulisic told our very own Jenny Taft on Tuesday ahead of the USA’s practice session in nearby San Jose. “I’m excited to go for it tomorrow.” Sounds like he’ll play, but what about starting? “I think we’ll get it figured out today,” he added. Has Pulisic Scored At The World Cup? Pulisic has yet to score at this World Cup due to one playing in part of two matches and missing altogether – but he has been involved when he has played. He assisted on Folarin Balogun’s first of two goals in the opening win against Paraguay before being subbed off at halftime. Against Türkiye, he came on in the 58th minute and Pulisic injected fresh energy and belief into the team. The tempo picked up almost instantly with him on the field. “You saw his quality, and you saw the impact he had when he came in,” USA midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told reporters afterward. “He’s our guy. He’s, more importantly, just a great person that everyone follows, and he’s a leader in his own right.” The 27-year-old superstar immediately began creating chances and testing the Turkish defense, first with an opportunity in the 62nd minute and then a minute later when his shot rattled the right post. In the 77th, he sent another attempt just wide to the left.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports