July 2026 - Soccer Wiretap

Mauricio Pochettino says Wednesday's round of 32 match for the United States against Bosnia-Herzegovina carries the weight of a World Cup final, with no room for error if the Americans hope to advance.

Pochettino made the comments at Tuesday's pre-match news conference, ahead of the knockout stage matchup at Levi's Stadium. The USMNT looked strong in group stage wins over Paraguay and Australia before losing to Turkiye with a heavily rotated lineup.

"We don't have another opportunity if we fail," said Pochettino. "It's all in, knowing that that game is the final of the World Cup. If we were capable to go through, the next one is going to be another final of the World Cup. I think that needs to be our mindset and our mentality."

With Germany and the Netherlands both already eliminated, Pochettino stressed there is little margin for error against a well-organized Bosnia side. He praised Bosnia's physicality, aggression and ability to shift formations mid-match, calling it a major challenge to prepare for.

Despite that, Pochettino said his squad's mentality "is perfect" heading into the match, calling the team's growth since he took over in September 2024 a significant improvement.

On the injury front, Pochettino said defender Auston Trusty is "much better than we expect" after training with the full squad this week. He expressed more uncertainty over midfielder Cristian Roldan, who is dealing with a quad issue, and defender Mark McKenzie, who has foot irritation.

"I hope that Trusty can be on the bench and being available," said Pochettino. "Roldan and Mark McKenzie is going to be difficult, but we need to wait, because in 24 hours things can change very quick."

Though the Americans enter as favorites with home crowd support as co-hosts, Pochettino downplayed the significance of that status, emphasizing his team's need to perform at its highest level regardless of expectations.

Ronald Koeman has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands following the team's round of 32 exit at the World Cup. The Dutch fell to Morocco on penalties after they had won their group.

Koeman announced the decision on Instagram Tuesday, closing out his second stint in charge of the Oranje.

"I made the decision to end my tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team," wrote Koeman. "We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That didn't happen. No one is more disappointed about that than I am. As head coach, you bear that responsibility."

The elimination marked the third straight World Cup in which the Netherlands were knocked out via penalty shootout. The Dutch had advanced to at least the round of 16 in each of their previous 11 World Cup appearances, including a quarterfinal run four years ago in Qatar.

Koeman faced criticism during this tournament for what some viewed as a defensive setup. His contract was set to expire after the World Cup, and he chose not to pursue an extension.

"Precisely because I have worked so closely and intensively with this coaching staff and this group of players for such a long time, this was not an easy decision to make," said Koeman. "I am grateful and would like to express my sincere appreciation for the dedication shown by everyone involved with Oranje during both of my periods as head coach.

"I have decided that now is the right time to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. At this moment, it feels like the right and most natural decision."

The former Barcelona and Ajax midfielder took over the Dutch national team for a second time after Louis van Gaal departed following the 2022 World Cup, where the Netherlands reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Argentina on penalties. Koeman later led the team to the Euro 2024 semifinals, the country's first appearance in the final four of a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal says Barcelona would embrace a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, adding fuel to transfer speculation already straining relations between the two Spanish clubs.

The 18-year-old winger made the comments in an interview with Cadena SER broadcast Tuesday. Alvarez confirmed last week he wants to leave Atletico Madrid, and sources have told ESPN he favors a switch to Barcelona, though Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Real Madrid have also shown interest.

"I'm not thinking about it too much, but I'd love it, because Alvarez is a great player," said Yamal. "If he comes, we'll welcome him with open arms... If I were him, I'd do it. We'll be waiting for him if he wants to come. Go for it."

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Marin has accused Barcelona of disrespecting the club over its pursuit of the Argentina international. Real Madrid had a $171 million offer for Alvarez rejected earlier this month.

Yamal is currently with Spain at the World Cup, where the squad traveled from Chattanooga to Los Angeles on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's round of 32 match against Austria. He is playing in his first World Cup after recovering from injury before the tournament.

"I'm learning," Yamal said. "International football is different from club football. I'm gaining experience, and figuring out how to handle the return from injury... Now I feel great and I'm really looking forward to Thursday."

Spain topped its group after drawing with Cape Verde, then defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0.

"I don't think we've played a really great match yet," Yamal said. "Once we hit our stride, and we definitely will, we'll be almost unstoppable."

Christian Pulisic says he is prepared to play a full match if necessary as the United States faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday. The forward appears to have shaken off the calf injury that hampered him earlier in the tournament.

Pulisic told reporters Tuesday that he feels fully recovered. The issue forced him to sit out the group-stage match against Australia and limited him to just 32 minutes against Turkiye.

"I felt great in the game, the last game against Turkiye," said Pulisic. "So feeling good this week and yeah, I'm definitely ready to go for Wednesday."

Defender Auston Trusty returned to training Tuesday after recovering from an ankle problem. Midfielder Cristian Roldan was limited to modified work and is considered day-to-day, though his availability for Wednesday looks doubtful. Defender Mark McKenzie sat out entirely due to foot irritation.

The topic of penalty shootouts loomed large after two Monday round-of-32 matches were decided that way. Pulisic acknowledged the mental toll facing any player who steps up to take one.

"It's an extremely hard thing to do for sure ... so the people that go up and shoot takes a lot of courage and it's not easy," said Pulisic. "Goalkeepers get better and better every single year. Yeah, I think everyone has their individual style and you just go with what you feel most confident."

Pulisic added he does not expect the Americans to struggle finding volunteers if it comes to that.

"The guys who feel the most confident to go up and shoot will want to go shoot. I think that's normal," he said. "There'll be some players that maybe don't want to as much and don't feel as good. I don't think it's necessarily a big problem.

"Yeah, I'm not sure. I mean, we haven't been in many shootouts with these guys, but I feel it's a pretty brave courageous team. I feel like guys will give it a go."

With 13 players from the 2022 World Cup squad still on the current roster, Pulisic believes that experience gives the USMNT an edge entering the knockout stage.

"We're ready for this moment," said Pulisic. "I think we've had some good performances this World Cup, and having that experience last time definitely can allow us to go into this just a little bit of a clear mind, and just more prepared for sure."

France improved their odds of winning the 2026 World Cup with their 3-0 win over Sweden, jumping from 28 percent to 33 percent as the favorites, according to Polymarket. France also is being given a 55 percent probability of reaching the final. 

Brazil's odds improved slightly from six percent to seven percent after their win over Japan on Monday.

Argentina ranks second overall at 19 percent, while Spain is at 11 percent followed by England at 10 percent. All three countries still must play their Round of 32 match.

Odds to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup

1. France: 33%
2. Argentina: 19%
3. Spain: 11%
4. England: 10%
5. Brazil: 7%
6. Portugal: 5%
7. Morocco: 3%
8. United States: 3%
9. Colombia: 3%
10. Norway: 2%
11. Mexico: 2%
12. Belgium: 1%
13. Switzerland: 1%
14. Senegal: 1%
15. Ecuador: <1%
16. Croatia: <1%
17. Canada: <1%
18. Paraguay: <1%
19. Algeria: <1%
20. Australia: <1%
21. Austria: <1%
22. Egypt: <1%
23. Ghana: <1%
24. Bosnia-Herzegovina: <1%
25. Congo DR: <1%
26. Cape Verde: <1%

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Kylian Mbappe scored twice and set a new record for World Cup knockout goals as France defeated Sweden 3-0 Tuesday at MetLife Stadium. France held a 3.17 to 0.66 advantage in expected goals.

Mbappe's 45th-minute opener was his ninth career goal in World Cup knockout play, surpassing Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo. His second strike in the 74th minute tied Argentina's Lionel Messi for the tournament scoring lead at six goals and moved him within one of Messi's all-time World Cup record of 19 goals.

Bradley Barcola scored France's second goal in the 56th minute. Michael Olise assisted on both Barcola's strike and Mbappe's third, giving him five tournament assists, the most by any player at a men's World Cup since Thomas Hassler for Germany in 1994.

France dominated throughout, outshooting Sweden 25-7 on a brutally hot afternoon in New Jersey, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

France entered the tournament with the highest roster valuation among the 48 World Cup nations per Transfermarkt, while Sweden ranked 15th.

"I'm very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it's not just about me," said Mbappe through a translator. "The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning."

France face Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia, with the winner advancing to a quarterfinal against Canada or Morocco.

Erling Haaland scored a late winner to lift Norway past Ivory Coast 2-1 Monday in the World Cup round of 32 in Dallas, setting up a round of 16 meeting with Brazil. Norway held a 2.02 to 1.36 edge in expected goals.

Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead in the 39th minute, cutting into the box from the left and curling a right-footed shot into the top corner. Ivory Coast substitute Amad Diallo equalized with a sharp 74th-minute strike before Haaland settled the contest.

The Manchester City striker converted Patrick Berg's cutback from six yards to complete the win. The goal extended Haaland's streak to 13 consecutive competitive international matches with a goal, and helped Norway advance in World Cup knockout play for the first time in 28 years.

Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae started Amad on the bench, deploying a more defensive 4-1-4-1 setup. The Manchester United winger provided an immediate impact after entering in the second half, cutting in from the right and finishing past goalkeeper Orlan Nyland.

Norway entered the tournament ranked ninth among the 48 World Cup nations in Transfermarkt squad valuation, compared to Ivory Coast's 11th-place standing.

Captain Martin Odegaard set up Nusa's opener, making him just the third player on record to register an assist in each of his first three World Cup appearances.

Norway will face Brazil on July 5 in the round of 16, with the winner potentially meeting England in the quarterfinals.

Tottenham Hotspur have won the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, beating out Manchester United and other suitors with a guaranteed fee of $112 million, sources briefed on the deal told The Athletic.

The 21-year-old Portugal international has decided to join Spurs after West Ham held firm on their valuation. Manchester United had expressed interest but were unwilling to match the fee or salary demands, and will now turn their attention to other targets.

Fernandes was among West Ham's top performers during a difficult 2025-26 season, making 36 league appearances with three goals and four assists. He still had four years remaining on his contract after joining the Hammers from Southampton for roughly $48 million in August 2025.

The move would mark Fernandes' third English club in two years, following stints at Southampton and West Ham after arriving from Sporting CP in 2024. Both Southampton and West Ham were relegated in the seasons following his departures and arrivals, respectively.

If finalized, Fernandes would become Tottenham's fourth signing of the summer, joining free agents Andy Robertson and Marco Senesi, along with Jan Paul van Hecke, who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for $66 million.

The deal would surpass Tottenham's previous club-record transfer, the $82 million paid to Bournemouth for striker Dominic Solanke in 2024.

Fernandes made his senior international debut against the United States in April 2026 but was left out of manager Roberto Martinez's World Cup squad.

He is expected to join a crowded Tottenham midfield that includes Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, though Bergvall has informed the club of his desire to leave. Yves Bissouma's contract expires at the end of the month, while Joao Palhinha's loan has concluded without a permanent deal in place.

RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schaefer has dismissed reports linking Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande with a summer departure, insisting the 19-year-old will remain with the club next season.

The Athletic reported Sunday that Diomande's preference is to join Paris Saint-Germain and play under Luis Enrique if he leaves Leipzig, though PSG have yet to submit a formal offer.

"Our clear intention is: Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year," said Schaefer, speaking to German newspaper Bild. "And we're not backing down from that! We know what we have in him. Of course, if Yan continues like this, the time will come when we give him the opportunity to take the next step, but not this year."

Liverpool previously offered a package approaching $115 million for Diomande, but Leipzig rejected the bid last week, holding out for a fee closer to $148 million. Liverpool are now expected to shift focus to other transfer targets.

"In principle, we still have a four-year contract and hold all the cards," said Schaefer. "Therefore, the current developments are primarily a recognition of his performance. Nothing more and nothing less. And if we can't find a solution, then we can't, but he'll still have a four-year contract. So, to reiterate: Yan Diomande will remain a Leipzig player."

Diomande joined Leipzig from Spanish club Leganes for $23 million in the summer of 2025. A breakout debut Bundesliga season and standout performances at this summer's World Cup have drawn significant interest from clubs across Europe.

Should Leipzig eventually sell Diomande, the transfer would surpass the club's previous record sales, including Benjamin Sesko's move to Manchester United in 2025 and Josko Gvardiol's $99 million transfer to Manchester City in 2023.

Diomande and Ivory Coast continue their World Cup campaign Tuesday against Norway in the round of 32.

Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout Monday night following a 1-1 draw, advancing to the World Cup round of 16. Ismael Saibari converted the winning penalty, eliminating Ronald Koeman's side at the earliest stage in Dutch World Cup history.

Morocco controlled play throughout, holding a 1.38 to 0.24 edge in xG (expected goals). The 2022 semifinalists will next face Canada on Saturday in Houston.

The shootout was tied 2-2 after four rounds when Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Crysencio Summerville's attempt with his left hand. Saibari then beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen low to the left corner to seal the win.

Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute off a Summerville assist. Teammates rushed to embrace Gakpo, who was emotional after scoring days after he and partner Noa van der Bij announced the loss of their unborn child.

Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in the 91st minute, heading home a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi. In extra time, Soufiane Rahimi nearly won it outright, but Verbruggen made a crucial save to keep the score level.

Morocco's roster entered the tournament ranked 12th among the 48 World Cup nations in Transfermarkt valuation, compared to the Netherlands' seventh-place standing.

The match marked the second shootout of the tournament, after Paraguay eliminated Germany earlier Monday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Netherlands had advanced past the group stage in eight straight World Cup appearances, including a quarterfinal run four years ago.