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This Morning's World Cup
- Morning2026-07-09
France beat Morocco 2-0 — Mbappé and Dembélé send Les Bleus to a third straight semi-final
The quarter-finals are under way. In the opener near Boston, France beat Morocco 2-0: Mbappé missed an early penalty, then scored after the break, and Dembélé added the second. France reach a third straight semi-final and will face the winner of Spain v Belgium, which kicks off at 4 a.m. JST tomorrow.
Morning - Morning2026-07-09
Round of 16 done — Brazil and Ronaldo gone, and the quarter-finals open tomorrow morning with Morocco v France
The Round of 16 is over. Brazil, the side that knocked Japan out, lost to Haaland's Norway, and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal fell to Spain. There are no matches today; the quarter-finals begin at 5 a.m. JST tomorrow, 10 July, with Morocco v France near Boston.
Morning - Morning2026-07-06
France join Morocco in the last eight — the quarter-final is set at Morocco v France, and this morning Brazil are in the Round of 16
France beat Paraguay 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals, joining Morocco, and the two winners will meet on 9 July in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Meanwhile, from 5 a.m. JST this morning Brazil — the side that knocked Japan out — are playing their Round of 16.
Morning - Morning2026-07-04
Hosts Canada out, Morocco first into the quarter-finals; this morning it's France v Paraguay
The last 16 has begun. Overnight into this morning JST, co-hosts Canada lost 0-3 to Morocco in Houston and went out of their home World Cup. Morocco are the first side into the quarter-finals.
Morning - Morning2026-07-04
Debutants Cape Verde fall short of the last 16 as Argentina win 3-2
The World Cup's Round of 32 is reaching its climax. Overnight into this morning JST, Argentina beat first-timers Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami to reach the last 16. The island nation of around 500,000, at their first World Cup, saw a remarkable run end one step short of the last 16.
Morning - Morning2026-07-01
Mexico reach the last 16 for the first time in 40 years; waiting at the Azteca, England after a comeback
The World Cup's Round of 32 is nearing its end. Overnight into this morning JST, co-hosts Mexico broke a 40-year knockout drought and England came from behind, and both reached the last 16. The two now meet at the Azteca in Mexico City on 6 July.
Morning - Morning2026-06-29
Japan's World Cup is over: beaten 1-2 by Brazil, out in the Round of 32
Japan's tournament ended overnight. In the Round of 32 in Houston, Sano Kaito's first international goal put Japan ahead, but Casemiro levelled and Martinelli struck in stoppage time as Brazil won 1-2. From today there are no more Japan matches — the early-hours window now belongs to the rest of the bracket.
Morning - Morning2026-06-29
Canada strike late to open the knockouts; Japan face Brazil tonight
The knockout stage opened with late drama: Stephen Eustaquio's 92nd-minute goal beat South Africa 1-0 and put co-hosts Canada into the Round of 16 for the first time in their men's history. It was the only tie settled while Japan slept. The 29th is a quiet day with no matches until the small hours, when the biggest one for Japanese fans arrives — Japan vs Brazil at 2am on the 30th, Japan time, in Houston.
Morning - Morning2026-06-27
Cape Verde reach the last 16 on debut as two-time champions Uruguay crash out
Cape Verde slipped into second place in Group H with a 0-0 draw and became the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, on their tournament debut. In the same group Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 to win it, sending the two-time world champions home. In Group G, Belgium ran out 5-1 winners to top the group with Egypt second. Only today's final group games remain, and Japan's Round-of-32 tie with Brazil now looms at 2am on the 30th, Japan time.
Morning - Morning2026-06-26
Dembele's first-half hat-trick sends France top of Group I; Senegal hammer Iraq 5-0
In the Group I finale, France beat Norway 4-1 to win the group, Ousmane Dembele scoring a hat-trick inside the first half — the first half-time treble at a World Cup since 1994. In the other game Senegal thrashed Iraq 5-0 to climb to third and keep their best-third hopes alive. The group stage finishes today, and Japan's Round of 32 tie with Brazil now looms on 30 June, Japan time.
Morning - Morning2026-06-26
Japan draw 1-1 with Sweden, through as runners-up; Brazil next in the last 32
In Dallas, Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden to finish second in Group F and reach the knockout stage. Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead in the second half before Anthony Elanga levelled. The Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to top the group. Japan now meet Group C winners Brazil in the Round of 32 on 29 June in Houston — the early hours of 30 June in Japan.
Morning - Morning2026-06-24
Host Canada beaten at home and miss top spot; Japan need only a draw at 8am tomorrow
In Vancouver, host nation Canada lost 1-2 to Switzerland and handed over top spot in Group B. In the same group, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 and went through as one of the best third-placed teams, while Colombia saw off DR Congo 1-0 to reach the knockouts. Japan have no game today and turn to Friday's group decider with Sweden, where a draw would be enough to reach the last 32.
Morning - Morning2026-06-24
Portugal hammer Uzbekistan 5-0 to top Group K as the final group round opens tonight
Overnight in Houston, Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 to lead Group K. Before dawn in Boston, England and Ghana drew 0-0 and Croatia edged Panama 1-0 to keep their hopes alive. Japan have no game today and turn to Friday's group decider with Sweden. From tonight the final group matchday gets going, with Brazil and Canada among those playing for top spot and a place in the last 32.
Morning - Morning2026-06-22
Messi breaks the men's World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to reach the last 32
Overnight in Arlington, Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0, taking him clear of Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in the men's World Cup and sending Argentina into the knockout stage. Before dawn France edged Iraq 1-0 through a Kylian Mbappe strike. Japan, who thrashed Tunisia 4-0 on Sunday to reach four points, have no game today and now look ahead to Friday's group decider with Sweden.
Morning - Morning2026-06-19
USA edge Australia 2-0 to reach the last 32; today Brazil's second game and Turkey-Paraguay
Co-host United States beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle overnight to make it two wins from two and top Group D, securing a place in the knockout stage even without the injured Christian Pulisic. Japan, on one point, are now about 31 hours from facing Tunisia in Monterrey, with Takefusa Kubo's knee still in doubt. Later today Brazil play their second match against Haiti, and Turkey meet Paraguay to complete Group D's second round.
Morning - Morning2026-06-18
Switzerland erupt for four late goals to top Group B; this morning Mexico meet South Korea
Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 with a late flurry to move top of Group B; the game was goalless until the 73rd minute before two substitutes blew it open. Japan, on one point, still have doubts over Takefusa Kubo's knee with Tunisia three days away. And this morning at 10am (JST), Mexico face South Korea for the lead in Group A.
Morning
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From Doha to North America
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Takefusa Kubo, Toward 2026
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