Defending champions Argentina survived one of the greatest scares in World Cup history, narrowly defeating debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a breathtaking Round of 32 clash at Miami Stadium.
The story begins in 1934 in Italy on a pitch in Naples where Egypt became the first nation from Africa and the Arab world to step onto the World Cup stage. Facing Hungary that day, a young forward named Abdulrahman Fawzi scored a brace to cement his name in history as the first African footballer to score in a World Cup. Despite his heroic performance, Egypt fell to a 4-2 defeat. Under the tournament format of that era, there was no group stage, and play commenced directly in a knockout setup, meaning Egypt's first match was effectively their first Round of 16 experience. Following that single appearance, the Pharaohs faded into obscurity, and their presence vanished from the global football map for decades.
Four years after tasting World Cup glory in Qatar, Lionel Messi's Argentina are moving forward in dominant form at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Following a commanding performance in the group stage, the reigning world champions face Cape Verde in their first knockout hurdle.
“The Socceroos aren’t just a team. We are a reflection of modern Australia.” Those words, spoken by midfielder Jackson Irvine on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have come to define Australia’s inspiring campaign in North America. As the team prepares for a historic Round of 32 clash against Egypt on Friday, their journey is being fueled by a generation of players whose roots trace back to global conflict zones, turning the national squad into a beacon of multiculturalism.
Folarin Balogun scored in first-half stoppage time to give the United States a 1-0 lead over Bosnia and Herzegovina at half-time in their World Cup Round of 32 match in Santa Clara, California, on Thursday, July 2.
England staged a brilliant comeback in their World Cup Round of 32 match against DR Congo, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. The African side, who once dreamed of a major upset, now face the threat of elimination.