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Match Preview
- Preview2026-07-19
The block France couldn't break: can Messi's Argentina crack Spain in the final?
Spain shut out France 2-0. Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1, Messi setting up both goals. Now they meet for the title on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey — 4am Monday in Japan — the reigning European champions against the reigning world champions, and, by the June rankings, the world's No 2 side against its No 1. Spain have conceded once in the whole knockout stage. The question is whether Argentina can do the thing France could not.
PreviewFinalSpainArgentina - Preview2026-07-17
If Mbappe doesn't score on Saturday, the Golden Boot is Messi's
"He is available, that's what I will say." That was Didier Deschamps on Friday, asked whether Kylian Mbappe would play in the third-place playoff. Mbappe has eight goals. So does Lionel Messi. They look level, and they are not: the tiebreaker is assists, and Messi leads it four to three. If neither man scores again, the Golden Boot is Messi's. Which is why Saturday in Miami is not a dead rubber for France's captain. Kick-off is 5pm ET, 6am Sunday in Japan.
PreviewThird-place playoffFranceEngland - Preview2026-07-14
The one country Messi has never played: England, at last, in the semi-final
"I have played against everyone except England," Lionel Messi said after Argentina beat Switzerland. He is 39, he has eight goals at this World Cup, and he has never faced England for his country. The two nations last met in November 2005 — three months after Messi's senior debut. They meet again on Thursday at 4am Japan time, under the closed roof in Atlanta, with a place in the final at stake.
PreviewSemifinalsEnglandArgentina - Preview2026-07-14
Mbappe's ankle will hold. Spain have not lost in 36 matches.
France's captain limped out of the quarter-final against Morocco with an ankle sprain. Four days later he is expected to start in Arlington. On the other side stands a Spain team that has not lost a match since March 2024 — 36 games, 27 wins, nine draws — and that has needed a substitute to win each of its last two knockout ties. Kick-off is 4am Wednesday in Japan.
PreviewSemifinalsFranceSpain - Preview2026-07-11
Manzambi is out. Argentina have conceded four in two games.
"Unfortunately, Johan Manzambi's injury hurts us enormously. It was a real shock." Murat Yakin said it in Kansas City on Friday, and with it Switzerland lost the argument they had been quietly winning. In the 200 minutes the 20-year-old played at this World Cup, Switzerland averaged 3.6 goals per 90. In the 280 minutes since his knee gave out, they have scored exactly once. They meet a champion who cannot stop conceding.
PreviewQuarterfinalsArgentinaSwitzerland - Preview2026-07-11
England's only absentee is the suspended one. The rest is Miami's 34C.
"We had everyone available in training." Thomas Tuchel said it in Miami Gardens on Friday, and it emptied out an injury list that had looked grim for two days. Declan Rice (a stomach bug), Marc Guehi (hamstring) and Reece James (hamstring) all trained with the group. The only player Tuchel cannot pick is Jarell Quansah, and that is a suspension, not an injury. Which leaves the one thing neither coach can pick around: a kickoff at around 34C.
PreviewQuarterfinalsNorwayEngland - Preview2026-07-04
Canada, the co-host who put six past Qatar, meets unbeaten Morocco in the last 16
Co-host Canada battered Qatar 6-0 in the group and then edged South Africa 1-0 to reach the last 16. Morocco came through Group C unbeaten — a 1-1 with Brazil included — and knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32. An attacking host meets a side that just won't break at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off 02:00 JST on July 5.
PreviewRound of 16CanadaMorocco - Preview2026-07-02
Spain didn't concede a goal in the group; Austria drew 3-3 — they meet in the last 32
Spain came through Group H without conceding a single goal. Austria advanced from Group J after a 3-3 shootout with Algeria, scoring six and conceding six along the way. The tightest defence of the round meets one of its most open teams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, kicking off 04:00 JST on July 3.
PreviewRound of 32SpainAustria - Preview2026-07-02
Portugal won their group with one win; Croatia shipped four to England — now they meet
Portugal topped Group K but scored five of their six goals in one game and drew the other two. Croatia lost 4-2 to England on matchday one, then won twice to advance. The two arrive in opposite states at BMO Field in Toronto, kicking off 08:00 JST on July 3.
PreviewRound of 32PortugalCroatia
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Takefusa Kubo, Toward 2026
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