June 2026 - Soccer Wiretap

South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in program history, defeating South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to finish second in Group A behind unbeaten Mexico.

Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute, finishing a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi. South Africa edged South Korea statistically as well, finishing with a 1.10-to-1.00 advantage in xG (expected goals).

Bafana Bafana had previously failed to escape the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as hosts in 2010. The team opened this tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before salvaging a 1-1 draw with Czechia on a late goal, entering Wednesday's match behind both Mexico and a favored South Korea side.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo left captain Son Heung-min out of his starting lineup, a decision that drew scrutiny. The LAFC forward, who has often carried South Korea's attack over the past decade, entered as a halftime substitute but could not produce the result his team needed.

South Korea opened the tournament with a comeback win over Czechia before falling to Mexico in their second match. The team will now need to wait and hope to advance as one of the eight best third-place finishers across all groups.

South Africa will face Canada, the second-place finisher in Group B, in the round of 32 on Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Mexico completed a perfect group stage Wednesday, defeating Czechia 3-0 to secure top spot in Group A and a place in the World Cup knockout rounds. Mexico dominated play, finishing with a 1.79-to-0.47 edge in expected goals.

Alvaro Fidalgo scored the clinching third goal late in the match, capping off the win at Estadio Azteca. The victory gave Mexico three wins in three games to open the tournament.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa entered in the 78th minute, marking his appearance in a sixth World Cup and his fourth time earning minutes at the tournament. A long ball from Ochoa started the sequence that led directly to Fidalgo's goal. The 40-year-old, currently a backup to starter Raul Rangel, received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at a stadium where he built his reputation during a standout career with Club America.

"Obviously, it would be extraordinary. Something really cool for 'Memo.' For me, he's a legend of the Mexican national team," said winger Alexis Vega ahead of the match. "I think he's a player who has always been ready to play for the national team. In the end, 'Vasco' will make the decision. I think the 26 of us here are ready if we get the opportunity."

Rangel, 26, started Mexico's two previous group stage victories over South Korea and South Africa, results that had already clinched the team's place in the knockout rounds.

"Whether it's Memo or whoever plays, everyone is prepared for whatever comes their way," said midfielder Roberto Alvarado. "We'd be happy to see 'Memo' in the net. Obviously, we know that 'Tala' is doing things in the best way possible."

Brazil secured the top spot in Group C with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third as Neymar also made his first international appearance in three years.

Vinicius capitalized on Scottish defensive errors for both his goals, finishing into an empty net in the seventh minute after a deflected pass and heading home unmarked at the far post in first-half stoppage time. Brazil dominated statistically, finishing with a 4.46-to-1.13 edge in expected goals.

Cunha extended the lead in the 60th minute, easing home a chance after Scotland's defense was disrupted by a physical challenge from Bruno Guimaraes. Neymar entered in the 76th minute to a large ovation from the Brazil-heavy crowd in South Florida, marking his first Brazil minutes since 2023.

Vinicius, 25, became the fifth Brazilian player to score in all three group stage matches at a single World Cup, joining Jairzinho, Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, each of whom went on to win the title that year. His tally under coach Carlo Ancelotti now stands at seven goals in 13 appearances, compared to six in 39 matches under previous coaches.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke made a halftime change, substituting captain Andy Robertson for Kieran Tierney, which briefly sparked life into the team. Scott McTominay had a clear headed chance saved by Alisson shortly after the restart.

The result advances Brazil to face the Group F runner-up, likely Japan or the Netherlands, in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday. Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in program history now depend on other results, finishing with a goal difference of minus-3.

Substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored late goals Wednesday to lift Morocco past Haiti 4-2, ending the Caribbean nation's hopes of earning a first-ever World Cup point.

Haiti, competing on the world's biggest stage for the first time in 52 years, twice took the lead against Morocco. Lenny Joseph opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a back-heeled flick, becoming Haiti's first World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon in 1974. Morocco dominated overall play, finishing with a commanding 3.26-to-0.66 edge in xG (expected goals).

Achraf Hakimi equalized for Morocco in the 39th minute, bundling in a deflected cross that goalkeeper Johny Placide could only partially block. Wilson Isidor restored Haiti's lead four minutes later with a strike from outside the box, before Ismael Saibari leveled again in stoppage time, his third goal of the tournament, to make it 2-2 at halftime.

Rahimi's deflected shot put Morocco ahead for good in the 78th minute, and Yassine sealed the result with a goal in the 89th.

The victory secured Morocco's place in the round of 32, finishing second in Group C behind Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 in the other group match. Morocco, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion and the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal four years ago in Qatar, had ambitions of another deep run but received a scare from a Haitian side ranked 74 places lower in the FIFA standings.

Breel Embolo set up two second-half goals as Switzerland defeated co-host Canada 2-1 on Wednesday in Vancouver, clinching first place in Group B and dashing Canada's hopes of a knockout-round match on home soil.

The match remained scoreless through a tense first half, with both sides squandering chances. Embolo saw an early shot blocked by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, while Cyle Larin forced a save from Gregor Kobel after running onto a pass from Jonathan David. Canada finished with a 1.66-to-1.11 edge in xG (expected goals) despite the result.

Switzerland broke through 40 seconds into the second half, with Embolo dispossessing Alistair Johnston and crossing for Ruben Vargas to finish at the near post. Johan Manzambi added a second in the 57th minute after Crepeau failed to hold a shot following a setup from Embolo.

Substitute Promise David pulled Canada within a goal in the 76th minute, converting a cross from Nathan Saliba. Johnston nearly leveled deep into stoppage time but could not direct his header past Kobel.

The win kept Switzerland unbeaten and secured top spot in Group B over Bosnia-Herzegovina on head-to-head record. Coach Jesse Marsch's side will return to Vancouver for their round of 32 match, while Canada finishes second and must travel to Los Angeles for their knockout fixture.

Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Qatar from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory Wednesday, strengthening their position to advance to the round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers.

Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful shot from 20 yards, becoming the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history and the youngest ever for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia finished with a 1.57-to-1.02 edge in xG (expected goals).

Sead Kolasinac set up a second goal in the 34th minute, with a deflected Edin Dzeko volley going in off Qatar defender Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal. Hassan Al Haydos answered for Qatar in the 42nd minute to keep the match competitive, but Ermin Mahmic restored Bosnia's two-goal cushion in the 80th minute.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing in just their second World Cup after debuting in Brazil in 2014, would reach the knockout stage for the first time in program history if they advance as a third-place qualifier. The eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups earn spots in the round of 32, with Bosnia's likely opponent being one of the tournament's co-hosts in the United States.

Qatar finished the tournament without a win. Earlier Wednesday, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match ban for a tackle that broke the leg of Canada's Ismael Kone during their June 18 meeting.

Canada lost to Switzerland in the other Group A match Wednesday, finishing second in the standings and setting up a round of 32 trip within the United States.

New York City FC has expressed interest in United States men's national team forward Christian Pulisic, but AC Milan has firmly stated the 27-year-old is not available, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. Gazzetta Dello Sport first reported NYCFC's interest.

Sources add that NYCFC is not the only MLS club that would pursue Pulisic if Milan's position changed. For now, Pulisic remains focused entirely on the World Cup with the USMNT and is on track to return from a calf injury against Turkey on Thursday.

Pulisic is contracted through next summer, though Milan holds an option to extend his deal an additional 12 months, keeping him under club control through the summer of 2028.

The Italian club is navigating a significant organizational overhaul. Milan recently replaced head coach Massimiliano Allegri with Ruben Amorim following the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League. Sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada also departed at the end of the domestic season.

Pulisic has been among Milan's most productive players since joining from Chelsea in 2023. He finished 2025-26 with eight goals and six assists across 1,611 Serie A minutes, though his form declined in the second half of the season after going scoreless following December.

The American winger has recorded 33 goals across 87 caps for the USMNT.

NYCFC is preparing to move into a new stadium in Queens set to open in the summer of 2027. The club previously featured European stars David Villa, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo before moving away from that approach in recent years.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham will face no suspension after avoiding a red card for covering his mouth during the team's goalless draw with Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sources told ESPN. Referee Hector Said Martinez Sorto determined the incident was "not in a confrontational manner," sparing Bellingham from dismissal under FIFA's mouth-covering rule.

FIFA regulations require a red card for any player who covers their mouth while confronting an opponent. Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off for the offense during a Group D match against Turkiye on Friday, setting a precedent that made Bellingham's case a point of scrutiny.

Sources told ESPN that the key distinction in Bellingham's case was the absence of confrontation in his exchange with Ghana's Jordan Ayew. The England midfielder was also involved in a dispute with the Ghana coaching staff at the conclusion of the match but was not sanctioned for that incident either.

Bellingham will now be available for England's final Group L fixture against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday. England enter the match as group leaders, and a victory would secure top spot and a Round of 32 berth against a third-place qualifier in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Every country in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has now played their first two matches of the group stage and seven countries have qualified for the round of 32.

The biggest surprises on the positive end have been Ghana, Australia, Cape Verde, Sweden and Egypt.

Türkiye has been the biggest disappointment of the tournament as they entered the World Cup with an 80 percent probability of advancing, but have already been eliminated after they failed to produce a result in either of their first two matches. Ecuador, Uruguay and Czechia also began the World Cup with a strong probability of advancing with it now being well under a 50 percent proposition.

Current Polymarket odds for every team to advance to the knockout round:

• Colombia: 100%* (+12% from 88%)
• Mexico: 100%* (+9% from 91%)
• United States: 100%* (+16% from 84%)
• Germany: 100%* (+4% from 96%)
• France: 100%* (+4% from 96%)
• Norway: 100%* (+15% from 85%)
• Argentina: 100%* (+4% from 96%)
• Canada: 100% (+16% from 84%)
• Brazil: 100% (+3% from 97%)
• Switzerland: 100% (+6% from 94%)
• Morocco: 100% (+13% from 87%)
• Japan: 100% (+21% from 79%)
• Netherlands: 100% (+10% from 90%)
• Spain: 100% (+3% from 97%)
• England: 100% (+4% from 96%)
• Portugal: 100% (+3% from 97%)
• Egypt: 100% (+27% from 73%)
• Ghana: 100% (+50% from 50%)
• Ivory Coast: 98% (+19% from 79%)
• Austria: 96% (+15% from 81%)
• Croatia: 95% (+12% from 83%)
• Belgium: 94% (0% change from 94%)
• Sweden: 93% (+30% from 63%)
• South Korea: 93% (+24% from 69%)
• Australia: 91% (+43% from 48%)
• Paraguay: 88% (+24% from 64%)
• Algeria: 81% (+13% from 68%)
• Scotland: 75% (+5% from 70%)
• Cape Verde: 72% (+41% from 31%)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 70% (+3% from 67%)
• Senegal: 69% (-2% from 71%)
• Iran: 60% (-2% from 62%)
• DR Congo: 56% (+13% from 43%)
• Uruguay: 37% (-50% from 87%)
• Saudi Arabia: 32% (-5% from 37%)
• Czechia: 25% (-45% from 70%)
• Ecuador: 24% (-65% from 89%)
• South Africa: 16% (-21% from 37%)
• Qatar: 13% (-9% from 22%)
• Uzbekistan: 6% (-27% from 33%)
• Curacao: 6% (-2% from 8%)
• New Zealand: 6% (-26% from 32%)
• Iraq: 4% (-12% from 16%)
• Haiti: Out (-12% from 12%)
• Turkiye: Out (-80% from 80%)
• Jordan: Out (-19% from 19%)
• Tunisia: Out (-39% from 39%)
• Panama: Out (-29% from 29%)

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Daniel Munoz scored for the second consecutive match Tuesday, leading Colombia to a 1-0 victory over Congo DR and securing a place in the World Cup last 32.

The Crystal Palace fullback finally beat Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi 14 minutes from time, his shot deflecting in at the near post. Colombia dominated possession throughout, registering eight shots in the first 20 minutes alone and finishing with a 0.98-to-0.37 edge in expected goals.

Mpasi produced a string of saves to keep the match level before Munoz's breakthrough, denying Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez and Gustavo Puerta. Luis Diaz also had an effort deflect wide after passing through the goalkeeper's legs.

Congo DR created an early chance through Edo Kayembe, who fired over the bar in the opening minutes, but offered little else before tightening up defensively after the hydration break. Yoane Wissa nearly capitalized on a loose back pass later in the match.

Diaz twice beat Mpasi in the minutes following Munoz's goal, but both efforts were disallowed, one for a push on a defender and the other for offside. Mpasi made another save off Juan Quintero before goalkeeper Camilo Vargas faced his first shot on target in stoppage time, turning away a long-range attempt from Nathanael Mbuku and smothering a header from Chancel Mbemba.

The result leaves Congo DR needing a win over Uzbekistan in their final group match to keep their knockout hopes alive.