Hayters Live Blog
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The latest updates from the World Cup as the final round of group stage games continue.
That’s it for today’s live blog. We’ll have more reaction and build up tonight and tomorrow!
France and Norway are both through and will face off to see who finishes top.
Senegal and Iraq know they must win to have even a small chance of going through in third, having both failed to pick up a point yet.
Spain can progress with a win or draw against Uruguay, while Uruguay must beat Spain to make certain of their progression. A draw might be enough to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side through in third but it is very uncertain.
Cape Verde will, remarkably, make it through if they beat Saudi Arabia, while a draw gives them a slim chance of advancing in third. Saudi Arabia must win to have any chance of going through.
Group G is still incredibly open going into the last round of fixtures.
Egypt need a win or draw against Iran to go through for certain, while Iran beating Egypt would see them advance. A draw for Iran may or may not be enough to go through in third, given they would only have three points.
New Zealand need to beat Belgium to have any chance of going through, while a win for Belgium would mean they are certain to progress. A draw could see Belgium exit, however, having drawn both of their games so far.
Those games kick off at 4am in the UK.
Spain face Uruguay at 1am in the UK, with plenty at stake. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game: How to watch Spain v Uruguay, team news, predicted line-ups and more
Top spot in the group is up for grabs when France take on Norway later.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the game: How to watch France v Norway, team news, predicted line-ups and more
A bit of a worry for England, with Reece James not in team training ahead of the game against Panama tomorrow.
READ MORE: England star not in team training ahead of Panama game
France boss Didier Deschamps will not be on the touchline tonight for the game against Norway having returned home following the death of his mother.
He will return to the USA ahead of France’s round of 32 game, however.
There has been some significant changes to the group stage at this World Cup, contributing to less jeopardy and less excitement going into the final round of games.
Read our latest World Cup daily bulletin here.
A lot to look forward to tonight, with three different groups in action again.
8pm
France v Norway
Senegal v Iraq
1am
Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
Uruguay v Spain
4am
Egypt v Iran
New Zealand v Belgium
Last night’s defeat to Ecuador did not impact Germany too much, with top spot in the group already secured, but boss Julian Nagelsmann says his side must still learn from the loss.
“Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult,” he said.
READ MORE: ‘Tactical suicide’ – Nagelsmann laments Germany errors in Ecuador defeat – Hayters
A tournament to forget for Turkey, who were eliminated even before last night’s game against the USA, but at least they have something to look back positively on.
Last kick of the game wins it for Turkey 🇹🇷
Kaan Ayhan's goal in the eighth minute of added time secured Turkey's first win of the 2026 World Cup and ended the USA's unbeaten run.
Despite the victory, Turkey finish bottom of Group D. pic.twitter.com/YYGWYK5q1r
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 26, 2026
Anthony Elanga seemed to be disappointed at the end of Sweden’s draw with Japan, despite a point being enough to see them progress to the knockout stages.
Boss Graham Potter was left a bit confused…
🗣️ "I love him at the moment… but dear me."
Sweden head coach Graham Potter addresses Anthony Elanga's apparent confusion over what his team needed to do to reach the World Cup knockout stages as the 24-year-old slumped to the floor at full-time 😅 pic.twitter.com/ExomLrY7Fj
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 26, 2026
Six points from three games and a place in the knockouts for Ivory Coast.
What a moment for Ivory Coast 🇨🇮🙌
Celebrations were in full swing after Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever. pic.twitter.com/ev4wEuEWe2
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 25, 2026
The Netherlands face a tough round of 32 tie with Morocco after winning their group.
“I’m not sure if we are the favourite in the match against Morocco,” boss Ronald Koeman said. “We need to prepare for Morocco because it will be a big game. It’s a good team with a lot of quality, and they can score easily.”
The USA lost their final group game against Turkey, but still finished top of the group despite that. Boss Mauricio Pochettino took issue with what he perceived as negative questioning after his team’s loss.
“The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Türkiye is staying,” he said.
“I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won.
“What would you like me to tell you? Whatever I tell you, it’s not going to convince you. A newspaper is going to write whatever they think or whatever they want. But honestly speaking, I go back to [this]: We qualified as No. 1 and we’re going to the next round.”
Australia boss Tony Popovic says his side have the chance to do something special at this World Cup after making it through to the knockouts.
“Wonderful achievement,” he said. “From the backing of the FA all the way through to the staff, the players, the fans, it’s a special day.
“We’ve seen already how many big nations have not gone through. It’s the World Cup, it’s difficult. You play different styles from different countries.
“We’ve done it now twice consecutively… so a wonderful achievement in Qatar, we’ve backed it up again and we have a chance to go further and maybe do something even more special.”
Ecuador’s chances of making it through to the knockouts had looked slim, but their win over Germany has seen them through to the next round.
LISTEN TO THAT NOISE 🔊
Incredible scenes from the Ecuadorian fans as they watch their nation qualify for the knockout rounds 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/4jQNKwyw2F
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 25, 2026
Four of the round of 32 games have now been confirmed. They are…
South Africa vs Canada
Brazil vs Japan
Netherlands vs Morocco
USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
The round of 32 ties are starting to fill out. Here are all the teams who have progressed, and what those yet to play their last group game need to do to advance…
Several sides secured their place in the round of 32 last night.
Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Australia have all made it through. Paraguay, meanwhile, are hoping their four points will be enough to go through as one of the best third-place sides.
Good morning and welcome to today’s World Cup live blog.
We’ll have more reaction to last night’s games this morning, plus build up to tonight’s action.
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