Another Quickfire Quiz to brighten up your morn'.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

More World Cup quizzes, you say? Lucky you! We’ve dipped straight back into the international archives to pull out a pristine selection of trivia trials designed to test your knowledge of global icons and historic tournaments, courtesy of Kwizly. Whether you are tracing the long-serving stalwarts of European football or mapping out the grandest matches in sporting history, we’ve got something for everyone. Strap in!

We are starting with an ultimate examination of international endurance, focusing on a European powerhouse known for its ruthless efficiency and tournament consistency. We want to see if you can name every player to have won 50 or more caps for Germany, a massive roll call of elite talent that stretches across generations of world champions, defensive anchors, and legendary midfield metronomes. To balance that specific powerhouse against global longevity, we are also challenging you to sort these 30 players by their international caps.

Next, to name every France player to have played in a World Cup final, a task that spans the triumphant nights of 1998 and 2018 alongside the high-drama heartbreaks that went down to the wire. If you want a hit of pure retro nostalgia closer to home, switch your focus to the opening night of France 98 and see if you can tell us the Scotland XI that faced Brazil in 1998. It was a legendary evening in Paris, and we want to see if you can recall the precise starting line-up that walked out to face Ronaldo and company under the stadium lights.

The thin line between tournament immortality and absolute devastation is often decided from twelve yards out, which leads directly to a test of nerves under the highest pressure imaginable. We are challenging you to name every player to score in a World Cup penalty shootout this century, an intensive archive that covers every successful spot-kick executed during the modern era's most dramatic knockout tiebreakers. To keep your memory locked into that golden era of the mid-2000s, take a crack at The Big 2006 World Cup Quiz and see if you can secure 20 correct answers. It’s a thorough evaluation of that unforgettable German summer, tracking everything from Zidane's dramatic final chapter to the breakthrough moments of a young generation of future icons.

For the genuine scholars who consider standard multiple-choice questions a mere warm-up, the final stretch shifts into serious academic territory. Grab a pen and settle down with FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 59, an intricate grid exploring 80s heroes, midfield maestros and non-FIFA nations that demands a sharp lateral mind and an exceptional grasp of retro footballing culture. Once you have successfully navigated those cryptic boxes, steel your resolve for Pre-Match Poser no.33, an elite-level football quiz question explicitly engineered to puzzle the most confident statisticians by targeting a hyper-specific pocket of sporting heritage that only a true historian could unearth.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

Jude Bellingham wants to swap his licence to thrill for a licence to kill as he expressed his desire to be the next James Bond.

If Thomas Tuchel and England are to end 60 years of hurt by winning the World Cup this summer then Bellingham will play a key role in that.

But in a surprising admission the 23-year-old opened up about his love of film and his dream role would be to play James Bond.

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The midfielder scored the opening goal against a stubborn Panama side in New York on Saturday, and his immediate focus is on progressing as far as possible with England.

But that has not stopped the Real Madrid star from dreaming about life after football.

Speaking on Fox's World Cup After Hours, Bellingham said acting appeals to him, and the role of Bond topped his wishlist.

Since Daniel Craig hung up his gun after No Time to Die in 2021 and there has been no replacement named.

Asked about his ambitions outside football, Bellingham told James Corden that acting is the career he finds most appealing.

"I’d love to be in a movie," Bellingham said. "People always ask me, ‘What’s the thing I’d want to do out of football?’ - and I never really give it that much thought, but when I have I always come to ‘I’d love to be in a film’.

"I’d love to be James Bond. I’ve watched all of them. I’ve watched the (Sean) Connery ones, Roger Moore, I’ve seen all of them. I love James Bond. I swear, I’d love to be in the back of a James Bond film. (Maybe) James Bond himself, but you’ve got to crawl before you can walk. They haven’t (found a new Bond) yet, have they?"

Bellingham also delivered the famous line, "The name’s Bond, James Bond," before joking: "I think I’ve got a shot!"

England face DR Congo in the round of 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday and if they win that a Round of 16 game in Mexico City, potentially against co-hosts Mexico.

And if Bellingham and England were to go on and win the World Cup on July 19 then the midfielder would not be short of offers for off the field opportunities - and who knows James Bond could be one of them.

Newcastle could be set for their second major sale of the summer transfer window, following the departure of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.

The ex-Everton winger joined the LaLiga giants in a reported £70 million move prior to England's World Cup campaign.

Newcastle have since received a bid from Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Italy international Tonali, who is understood to be open to a move away from St. James' Park this summer.

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The Magpies turned down Spurs' initial approach but the north London club are expected to return with a second offer, said to be north of €100m (£86m), according to Italian transfers journalist Nico Schira.

Tonali joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023, featuring at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign before a betting scandal saw him suspended from all footballing activity for several months.

Newcastle stood by their new £55m signing and upon his reintegration into the team after 10 months on the sidelines, the Italian quickly established himself as a key player in Eddie Howe's side.

After two stellar seasons in which he has made 98 appearances across all competitions, there is significant Premier League interest in the 26-year-old.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs have all been mentioned as potential destinations for the Italy midfielder.

It now appears that Spurs could be his next club, having reportedly agreed a contract until 2032 worth £10.3m per year.

It is believed new Spurs head coach and fellow countryman Roberto De Zerbi has played a key role in the bid to sign Tonali, and is seemingly receiving significant backing from the Tottenham hierarchy.

West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes is reportedly on the verge of an £85m move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the Hammers' top flight relegation.

Spurs are keen to avoid a repeat of the past two seasons in which they have battled relegation by recruiting aggressively this summer.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, Tonali would be a smart signing for any club, but £90m is a steep asking price to meet so early in the window, especially if an £85m deal for Fernandes is also close to being struck.

Football icons don't get much bigger than Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

By some measures the most legendary football stadiums of them all, the Azteca is a fearsome institution with decades of history no other venue can match.

No other stadium has hosted games at three different World Cups. No other stadium has been the site of two World Cup finals. It might have had its name temporarily switched to Mexico City Stadium for FIFA purposes at World Cup 2026 but the essence of Azteca is untouchable.

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Mexico's record at Estadio Azteca

Mexico themselves have been the chief beneficiaries of the Mexico City monolith's immaculate aura. As they prepare to face Ecuador there in the round of 32 and, they hope, England or DR Congo in the round of 16, El Tri hope to tap into their remarkable historical record.

Javier Aguirre's team played their first and third Group A matches in Mexico City, beating South Africa and Czechia without conceding a goal and adding two more wins to Azteca's formidable tally.

In the context of the World Cup alone, Mexico and Azteca have been a powerful combination. In 1970, Mexico played all three group stage matches there without conceding a goal. They were knocked out elsewhere in the next round.

In 1986, another four World Cup matches involving Mexico were played at Azteca and they conceded twice. Again, they were eliminated in another city altogether. They have never lost a World Cup finals match at their preferred home.

That's a run that now stretches to nine matches. Ecuador would be 10, the round of 16 another on top.

Crossing the border for the quarter-final could be as much a psychological hurdle for Mexico as traipsing up to Mexico Stadium has been for their opponents.

The Soviet Union team of 1970 and the excellent Belgium class of 1986 were both beaten by Mexico at Azteca, where South Africa, South Korea and Czechia joined them among the ranks of the slain in the group stage in 2026.

Azteca's unique spirit and the ferociously partisan home crowd are both factors.

Another is altitude: Azteca stands at more than 2,000 metres above sea level and either England or DR Congo will find that a challenge in the round of 16 whether Mexico are there or not.

One of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers least likely to be adversely affected by altitude is Ecuador, whose home qualifiers have always been favourable precisely because of Quito's elevation.

Mexico and Ecuador traded blows in Mexico City (CDMX) on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning but not at the scheduled 9pm local time kick-off.

The two Latin American nations were seeking a place in the Last 16 of the World Cup - in Ecuador's case for only the second time in the country's history.

Kick-off was delayed in the Mexican capital due to a weather warning and instead took place an hour later than scheduled at 8pm local time (3am UK).

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Why is Mexico vs Ecuador delayed?

The iconic Estadio Azteca was the venue for the Round of 32 bout but thunderstorms in the region played havoc with FIFA's scheduling.

It followed Ecuador's lodging of a complaint with world football's governing body after Mexican fans set off fireworks and created a disturbance outside the Ecuador squad hotel overnight.

Fans blasted car horns in a bid to disrupt Ecuador's preparation for the fixture in Mexico City, one of the most populous and elevated capital cities in the world.

Ecuador's complaint to FIFA cited so-called 'sleep deprivation tactics'.

According to The Guardian, kick-off was delayed 'due to a biblical thunderstorm that has been raging above the stadium for more than an hour.'

Lightning was also observed near the stadium, whilst rolling thunder reportedly drew gasps from the crowd in CDMX. As of 40 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time, players had not emerged from the dressing rooms to warm up.

In the USA, as per safety protocols, when lightning is present within an eight-mile (13 km) radius of the stadium, World Cup matches are immediately called to a halt. Play may only resume after a full 30 minutes have passed without further strikes in that area and any new lightning event resets the countdown.

Mario Gotze was horizontal when he connected with that ball. Night was about to fall; the setting sun balanced on the head of the Christ of the Redeemer, Rio's most famous icon – aside from perhaps Romario or Garrincha – resembling just another Brazilian on the beach. And yet this was a night won not with flair at all, but with hard work thawing German hearts: a country reunified in the 90s, re-energised in 2006, with a fourth star – a first as one nation, one Germany – stamped by a son of post-Cold War Bavaria.

Whatever the cliches may claim of Germany's sense of humour, you'd have been met with stony faces had you told anyone in white that night in the Maracana to wait at least 16 years to win another World Cup knockout fixture. Imagine telling them that night, Das Defining Deutsch side of its time – its Krooses, Lahms and Neuers, Jogi Low overseeing with his furrowed frown and haircut ripped from a Jungle Book vulture – that they would stand tall across the world for one night only. Success in Brazil. But no more.

In 2017, it seemed even less likely than three years prior. Low regenerated his warriors for the Confederations Cup, made Julian Draxler captain, blooding young talents in Timo Werner, Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane. They walked it. The future was distinctly German.

Yet a year later, Sane didn't even make the squad. He'd just come off the back of a 100-point season with Manchester City and was arguably the Premier League's most devastating talent at the time – arguably, too, the only player Die Mannschaft had capable of running beyond a full-back. He was shunned. Perhaps he didn't fit in with the system. He wouldn't be the last.

It felt like a stunning decision at the time. It looks even worse now. 2014's vintage won the biggest trophy of all with a group at the very top of their game, arguably the best manager of all time coaching the lion's share of them. Seven of Bayern Munich's spine were selected for the squad; four were competing opposite them at Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund. Another four were picked from the cream of the Premier League. This was a side used to winning: they had reached a peak individually and as a group.

In 2018, it felt very different indeed. Another seven came from Bayern, but this time, only one from Dortmund. Bayern had won all four titles in the interim, the chasm ever-widening. RB Leipzig's Werner led the line, this his baptism with only the Confed Cup as a medal in the back pocket. Ozil had sat most of Arsene Wenger's final Arsenal season on the sidelines, while Reus returned, a secret weapon semi-firing; Kimmich, Brandt and Goretzka hadn't achieved much yet.

Fast-forward to 2026. Germany's titans of the last few years feel a world away from Rio. German football is alien to that landscape. Neuer is the last man standing from the team that defeated Messi, clinging onto top-level football at 40. Kai Havertz is adored by every manager he works with; Florian Wirtz has overcome injury hell to reach immortality. All three have had uneven seasons, one way or another; Gundogan and Kroos left for the sunset a while ago. And that's it, really. The rest are either prospects, potential or still-as-yet fully unrealised world-beaters.

Since 2014, only one team other than Bayern have won the Bundesliga: Wirtz played in that team, and no one else from Xabi Alonso's Invicibles made the cut, his Leverkusen legends made up of Nigerians, Spaniards, Dutchmen, and Swiss, among others. Four players come from Stuttgart, who won the Pokal in the last couple of years: they have fewer than 30 caps between them. It's not entirely unfair to suggest that the Dortmund quartet in this squad haven't achieved anything, really, at BVB: somewhere on that spectrum of equity, one may suggest they're simply waiting for a move to Bayern themselves.

Yep, Bayern broke the Bundesliga, and in turn, it broke the German national team. This was a one-and-a-half-team league, up until the point where Pep Guardiola came along. Yes, the Salatschussel often ended up in Bavaria – but perhaps the yo-yo counter-attacks and physicality gave this league the illusion of being competitive. But no more.

Pep inverted his full-backs to stem the transitions. Where he saw chaos, he replaced it with control. Since then, the title has belonged in Munich, and as a result, German football has suffered. Bayern themselves have even recognised it, moving away from purchasing the best of the Bundesliga – and getting beaten to it, on occasion – first by plundering the Eredivisie, then assembling a world-class front three from Premier League talents.

The very view of a German footballer has altered into something rather Spanish, too. Think of a German player, and you used to conjure a Klinsmann, a Neuville or a Matthaus: now, you think of Jamal Musiala, Kimmich or Wirtz. Neat, tidy, intelligent. Excellent in close spaces. Pass-happy, secure on the ball. Ironic, as Germany scored with a header against Paraguay, when the chips were firmly down.

That used to be what Germany were all about: yet the god-like chance creation of Ozil, the dynamism of Schweinsteiger, the battering ram of Podolski, the inevitability of Muller has deserted them. They've been overengineered, and Julian Nagelsmann has been left with a mood board squad. Great ideas on paper. Unicorn profiles. A metronome in midfield, Kimmich, who seemingly couldn't pick his way through a defence all month, while club-mate Michael Olise did it for fun for France. Security in possession with Wirtz, who was left recycling the ball with Musiala. The former has struggled at Liverpool; the latter is yet to explode consistently quite like teenage pal Bellingham on the biggest stages (there's still time). He's one of the best players in the world, sure, but not with a crowning moment in front of the world to his name yet.

Even Germany's strikers these days – Havertz and Woltemade – are target men with the brains of midfielders. It's simply a collection of footballers who looked useful in their respective academies: 20-odd players each with an interesting attribute, but none of them fully rounded as a player. Yet for all his detractors, trolls and critics, Havertz has been there and done that already, with two Champions League final goals. He showed that drive in North America. Where were his equals?

Germany aren't alone in post-Pep confusion, but they are taking it the hardest. Spain, too, haven't won a knockout game since lifting the trophy but have supplemented the tiki-taka that keeps letting them down with the brute force of Mikel Merino and directness of Nico Williams. Dean Huijsen is a beautiful footballer on paper, but the game's played on grass, and he's not won anything on there yet. England have brilliant technicians in Wharton, Foden and Trent, yet chose the mentality of Rogers, Bellingham and Rashford instead. France, too, have a one-team league, yet only really plundered Paris Saint-Germain's frontline for their spine, with Didier Deschamps looking to the Premier League and getting a few of the old band back together.

Nagelsmann, meanwhile, went for parts that fit together in theory. A left-footed centre-back here, a no.10 capable of wriggling out of a paper bag, there. An AI-generated XI without the hunger of a Schweinsteiger or the battle scars of Per Mertesacker to make this team a little uglier, angrier, grittier. Weaker on paper, but with blokes you'd actually seen run through brick walls for the flag.

Perhaps it says a lot that Denis Undav was arguably his best player all month – and yet he didn't have anywhere for him. Where Low made concessions for Muller to be a raumdeuter and Ozil to play on his unfavoured flank, Nagelsmann made concessions to bring back 40-year-old Neuer, seemingly, merely for the aura.

Of course, it had to happen on penalties. The nation's brot und butter to display its steely mentality, now, the loose cord in their parachute.

And in his post-match conference, Nagelsmann stressed how young this group was. They need patience, he suggested. He's right: Angelo Stiller, for one, is a talent; Nat Brown can hold his head high for his performances.

But that's half the story. That's not the crux of what lifted the ice in 2014. 12 years ago, iron sharpened iron. Where's the iron in this German side?

Ronald Koeman has stepped down as the manager of the Netherlands after the Oranje were beaten on penalties in the World Cup 2026 round of 32.

Morocco progressed at the expense of the Netherlands and Koeman said his goodbyes at the end of a second spell in charge of his country.

"Looking back on my career, I feel especially proud," Koeman posted on Instagram. "I have worked with clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish for a lifetime."

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Who's in the running to succeed Koeman?

The former Barcelona boss, who has also both played for and managed Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV, has no obvious successor in waiting.

One of the early front-runners according to the bookies is Arne Slot. He guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25 but was given the boot a year later, though his reputation in the Netherlands has largely held.

One must always consider the reigning Eredivisie champion in these situations. PSV won the 2025-26 title under 62-year-old Peter Bosz, who has also managed Ajax but, unusually for Dutch managers with senior international caps, never the national team.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in the frame having served as Koeman's assistant. The former Oranje striker and PSV gaffer has had a spell in temporary charge of Manchester United and a very iffy introduction to full-time Premier League management at Leicester City.

If the assistant coach is usually in the running, how about the current Under-21 boss? In the case of the Netherlands, that's one Michael Reiziger. Now 53, the legendary Netherlands player has spent time with age-group teams at Ajax too.

Another former United manager, Erik ten Hag, is unlikely to be far away from the conversation. After a brutally short spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, Ten Hag is due to begin a backroom role with Twente after the World Cup. Could he be tempted to change paths?

Over the years, the KNVB has done a fine line in appointing former players with some managerial experience but by no means an unimpeachable record of success. Robin van Persie is out of work after stints with Heerenveen and boyhood club Feyenoord, whence he departed at the end of last season.

The signature move of the Dutch governing body at this juncture would be the return of Louis van Gaal, who replaced Frank de Boer, and Bert van Marwijk, and Frank Rijkaard.

Having gone back to the well three times, the Netherlands might find that 74 is too old for Van Gaal to return once more. He has been on hiatus since the end of his third spell in 2022.

What's your prediction? Who's next for the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below...

Norway's dramatic round of 32 win over Ivory Coast put Stale Solbakken's team in the firing line of the World Cup's greatest nation.

Brazil have won the competition five times and have never failed to qualify. They have a ferocious reputation even now, and have supplied some of the best players and biggest moments the World Cup has ever seen.

There are few situations a World Cup can conjure that don't stack up in Brazil's favour one way or another. As more than one pundit has noted this summer, when you think about the World Cup, you think about Brazil.

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Norway's historical record against Brazil, their round of 16 opponents

This already being a World Cup full of surprises, one of those situations has come to pass thanks to a pair of results in first few ties of the round of 32.

Erling Haaland scored his fifth goal of his maiden World Cup campaign to give Norway a late win over Ivory Coast and set up a round of 16 meeting with Brazil, whose comeback victory over Japan was every bit as dramatic.

Norway and Brazil will play for a quarter-final spot when they meet at New York New Jersey Stadium in the next round. It will be the fifth match between the nations in senior men's international football.

The Norwegians might wear the underdog label in every tangible regard apart from their world class goalscorer, but that's a familiar feeling for a team without a prior World Cup appearance since 1998.

What they haven't experienced before, during or since that tournament in France, is a loss against the five-time World Cup winners.

Norway's four previous games against Brazil have yielded two wins and two draws. Three of those results were in friendly matches but one of the two wins was at the Velodrome in Marseille in the group stage of Norway's last World Cup.

Bebeto gave Brazil the lead but a late goal from Tore Andre Flo and an even later Kjetil Rekdal penalty secured maximum points and safe passage to the second round for the Norwegians.

The winner of the second World Cup match between Norway and Brazil will face Mexico, Ecuador, England or DR Congo at Miami Stadium in the last eight.

Norway vs Brazil: The Full Historical Record

• Norway 1-1 Brazil (friendly, August 2006)
  
• Brazil 1-2 Norway (World Cup, June 1998)
  
• Norway 4-2 Brazil (friendly, May 1997)
  
• Norway 1-1 Brazil (friendly, July 1988)

Group A winners Mexico and Group E third-place finishers Ecuador do battle in Mexico City this evening.

El Tri have home advantage but Ecuador are tricky customers, as Germany found in their final group match, so Mexico cannot afford to be complacent.

The game is being broadcast on ITV - who are the commentators, presenters and pundits?

ITV commentators, presenters and pundits for Mexico vs Ecuador

Laura Woods is the presenter for this one from the ITV studio in New York City.

Her panel consists of Jobi McAnuff and Ange Postecoglou, with Gabriel Clarke as the reporter from Mexico City.

We certainly hope they're feeling chatty as this game is DELAYED. Kick-off will now be at 3am BST (8pm local).

Mexico topped Group A, going unbeaten against South Africa, South Korea and Czechia.

The co-hosts are hopeful of making the latter stages of the tournament after making the quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986 - both times in which they also hosted.

Ecuador looked to be heading out, until they secured a 2-1 win over Germany in their final group game.

The South Americans were among the best sides in Conmebol qualifying but the altitude at which Mexico City lies could prove troublesome for the visitors, so the outcome of this one is anyone's guess.

Joe Speight will serve as the match's main voice, and he will be joined by Lucy Ward in the role of co-commentator.

Ronald Koeman has quit as Netherlands manager after being knocked out of the World Cup on penalties by Morocco.

The Netherlands drew 1-1 with Morocco after extra time but failed in the shoot out after Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all missed their spot kicks.

It is the second time Koeman has managed his country, having previously done so between 2018 to 2020 before he left to manage Barcelona.

Koeman, 63, said on Instagram: “Looking back on my career, I feel especially proud. I have worked with clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

"We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would write history. That didn't work out. No-one is more disappointed about that than me.”

Koeman also referenced his wife Bartina's battle with breast cancer. She previously beat the disease in 2010 but was diagnosed again in 2024 and is undergoing chemotherapy.

“Moreover, the past years have made me realise again that there are more important things than football,” Koeman added.

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"Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes."

In further fall out from the defeat the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said they will seek criminal charges against anyone who racially abused any of their players.

Kluivert, Timber and Summerville all missed their penalties and were subjected to discriminatory, racist and hateful comments on social media.

The KNVB said: “Once a report is filed, legal staff assess whether the statement constitutes a punishable offence. This can lead to a formal complaint being lodged with the Public Prosecution Service, which may then initiate a criminal investigation.”

Koeman became the third manager to leave his job at this World Cup following Sabri Lamouchi sacking by Tunisia following their 5-1 thrashing by Sweden in the opening game and Steve Clarke’s resignation from Scotland after they failed to get out of their group.

The group stage of the World Cup 2026 could hardly have gone any better for Mexico. The co-hosts won all three group games without conceding a goal and have been rewarded with a home tie at the Estadio Azteca against an Ecuador team that finished third in Group E.

Mexico have lost only two of their 12 World Cup matches on home soil (and just one in 90 minutes) and Javier Aguirre's side will be determined to continue their remarkable record in front of their own fans.

On a six-game winning run, Mexico’s fine group-stage form has many fans believing the current crop can emulate the vintages of 1970 and 1986, both of whom excelled on home turf by reaching the quarter-finals. Beating Bulgaria 40 years ago was the last (and only) time they have won a knockout fixture, with seven consecutive last-16 failures coming from 1994.

Though favourites, El Tri can’t underestimate an Ecuador team that entered the tournament on a 19-game unbeaten run and came from behind to upset Germany 2-1 in their final group game. They secured a place in the last-32 as the fourth-best third-placed finisher. Sebastian Beccacece's side have their own slice of history in mind, having never won a World Cup knockout fixture.

England or DR Congo await in the last 16, also at the Azteca.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Mexico vs Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2026 online, on TV, and from anywhere.

Watch Mexico vs Ecuador for FREE

Mexico vs Ecuador will be free-to-stream across multiple regions, including ITV in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.

English commentary will be provided on ITV, RTE Player and SBS On Demand.

‼️ Outside one of these countries? Use Norton VPN to unlock your stream from anywhere in the world — more on that below.

Watch Mexico vs Ecuador from anywhere

Away from home this summer and want to watch Mexico vs Ecuador? All you need is a VPN, a handy piece of software that makes your devices appear to be in a different location.

This World Cup, our office friends at TechRadar are recommending Norton VPN:

How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador in the UK

In the UK, you can stream Mexico vs Ecuador on ITV. The build-up starts at 1:15am BST, ahead of kick-off at 2:00am BST.

How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador in the US

In the US, you can stream Mexico vs Ecuador on Fox.

This channel is accessible via Fox's own streaming platform Fox One or via a cord-cutting platform such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador in Australia

In Australia, you can watch Mexico vs Ecuador on the free SBS On Demand.

Mexico vs Ecuador: World Cup 2026 Preview

Such was Mexico’s dominance in Group A that head coach Javier Aguirre could make a host of changes for their final fixture. Despite the rotation, El Tri swept Czechia aside 3-0, thanks in no small part to the performance of teenager Gilberto Mora.

The midfielder was hugely impressive as, aged 17 years and 253 days, he became the sixth-youngest player in history to start a men's World Cup match, and the youngest ever to do so for Mexico. He will be hoping he has another chance to showcase his quality against Ecuador, most likely from the bench.

One player almost certain to return to the starting line-up is Raul Jimenez. Rested against Czechia, the 35-year-old remains Mexico’s most potent forward, having scored 45 times in 126 appearances for his country, including a first in the World Cup in the tournament's opening game against South Africa.

Ecuador left it until the final group game to confirm their place in the knockout stages. Beccacece's side struggled to create chances in the opening two games as they lost to the Ivory Coast and drew 0-0 with Curacao.

However, they produced when it mattered the most, beating Germany and finally showcasing their attacking talent. Sunderland's Nilson Angulo was a constant threat and bagged the equaliser before Gonzalo Plata's winner sent a country into ecstasy.

With newly appointed captain Moises Caicedo – the baton passed from Enner Valencia with group-stage progress secured – in midfield and backed by their passionate supporters, La Tri will believe they can silence the home crowd in Mexico City to win a first knockout fixture.

Why was Mexico vs Ecuador delayed?

Mexico versus Ecuador in the World Cup Round of 32 was delayed due to a severe weather warning and lightning strikes in the immediate vicinity of the Azteca Stadium.

Kick-off has been pushed back by an hour. The game will now commence at 8pm local time (3am UK).

FourFourTwo's prediction

Mexico 2-1 Ecuador

FourFourTwo predicts the co-hosts will continue their winning run and set up a potential last-16 meeting with England.

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Co-hosts Mexico return to the Mexico City Stadium on Tuesday to face Ecuador in the World Cup Round of 32, looking to extend their tournament run.

Javier Aguirre’s side advanced seamlessly from Group A, but now meet a miserly and unpredictable Ecuador squad that reached the knockout rounds as one of the top third-place finishers. No doubt the Ecuadoreans will be energised by their recent 2–1 victory over Germany, too.

The winner of this all-Latin American matchup will secure a spot in the round of 16 - but who will be doing the officiating?

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Experienced official to referee Mexico vs Ecuador

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge of Mexico vs Ecuador, his third game at the 2026 World Cup.

The 46-year-old has already officiated two matches at the tournament: Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco in New Jersey and Algeria's 2-1 win over Jordan.

The experienced Slovenian official is well-accustomed to high-profile fixtures, notably overseeing Real Madrid's 2-0 triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley.

He remained heavily involved in elite European club matches this past season, most notably refereeing the thrilling quarter-final second leg where Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid 4-3.

Chelsea supporters will also recognise him; he was the man in the middle for their 3-0 round-of-16 second-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, as well as their 3-0 victory against Barcelona during the league phase.

While he handed out six yellows and two reds during that hectic Bayern-Real Madrid clash, he typically maintains a more reserved approach.

Across 27 matches refereed since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, tracking data shows he has issued 106 yellow cards and five red cards. This translates to an average of roughly 3.9 bookings per match and a sending-off every five games.

Mexico's best finish at a FIFA World Cup is the quarter-final stage, which they reached in 1970 and 1986.

On both previous occasions, El Tri hosted the tournament, so expectations are high in Mexico City, especially after Javier Aguirre's side topped Group A.

Ecuador finished second in Conmebol World Cup qualifying, though, losing only twice in 18 games, and there is an argument to suggest this will be Mexico's toughest opponent of the World Cup so far.

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Mexico vs Ecuador betting odds from BOYLE Sports

• Mexico WIN - 6/5
• Draw - 7/4
• Ecuador WIN - 14/5

Mexico vs Ecuador prediction

There will be fireworks in this one, mark FourFourTwo's words. Two sides with passionate fanbases, getting stuck into each other in the high altitude of Mexico City, we will be watching.

Referee Slavko Vincic is no-nonsense as well, and cards have been wiped from the group stage so there could be some really meaty, carefree tackles flying in.

Ecuador were South American qualifying's best defensive team, conceding just five goals in 18 matches.

Their group stage run was not reflective of their qualification record but they remain a well-drilled outfit.

Their win over Germany, who have now been eliminated by Paraguay, was a surprise but by no means a shock to Conmebol experts.

Mexico's perfect group stage record, in which they recorded three clean sheets, and home advantage makes them favourites for this match but we could really see this one going either way.

It might not be one for the free-flowing footballing purists but there will be no shortage of passion.

Mexico vs Ecuador score prediction

Prediction: Mexico 0-0 Ecuador (Mexico advance on penalties)

Two good defensive sides, coached by two experienced managers, we're not anticipating a goal-fest in CDMX tonight.

Granted, that makes staying up until 2am in the UK for kick-off a difficult sell, but this is knockout football and if this World Cup's Round of 32 games have been anything to go by so far, there will be drama of some description.

How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador

You can watch Mexico vs Ecuador in the last 32 of World Cup 2026 for free. All the information you need is in our how to watch guide.

The match will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK, Fox in the United States and SBS in Australia.

What's your Mexico vs Ecuador prediction? Let us know below...

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes is the target of serious transfer interest from abroad for the second consecutive window.

Fernandes was heavily linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League in January but stayed at Man United and completed his best season in a Red Devils shirt, winning both the Premier League and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year Awards.

More importantly, he was pivotal in United's return to the Champions League after two dismal seasons away from Europe's premier club competition.

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Fernandes 'wants to continue as captain' despite interest from Istanbul

According to reports in Turkiye, 31-year-old Fernandes is wanted by Istanbul giants and Turkish champions Galatasaray. Like United, they'll be involved in the Champions League next season.

Unfortunately for Gala and manager Okan Buruk, Fernandes is understood to be wholly opposed to the idea of a move this summer.

"Galatasaray wants to strengthen its attacking midfield (number 10) position during the summer transfer window," reports TRT Spor.

"The biggest obstacle to overcome in the transfer is the 31-year-old player's unwillingness to leave Manchester United.

"Fernandes wants to continue as captain of the English team, which will compete in the Champions League next season.

"For this reason, the experienced footballer rejected astronomical offers from Saudi Arabian teams, just as he did in the January transfer window."

Fernandes and United's reluctance to entertain the idea of parting are offset by the Portuguese player's age and contract situation. His Old Trafford deal expires in two seasons' time.

If the club have any plans to bring in a transfer fee for their captain, a decision will have to be made this summer or next to get a deal done with one of the many ambitious teams no doubt interested in rehoming United's big dog for the last few seasons of his career.

If not, a free transfer in the summer of 2028 would offer Fernandes an even wider selection of destinations even at the age of 33.

For now, the Premier League and Champions League are quite rightly the midfielder's post-World Cup focus.

"Despite all these circumstances, it has been learned that Galatasaray's transfer officials plan to hold talks with both United and Bruno Fernandes," reports TRT.

Arsenal could be about to face an injury crisis, as they look to defend a Premier League title for the first time ever.

Mathematically, the Gunners only clinched the 2025/26 title mere days before the final day of the campaign, after a gruelling season that saw them play 63 games in four competitions, reaching two finals and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

All the while, Arsenal had serious injury concerns to juggle all season – which could well continue into next term, as Mikel Arteta looks to continue where his side left off.

Arsenal could be dogged by injury problems, as they look to defend their title

2024/25 was a nightmare season for Arteta, with his side stripped to the bare bones and half a dozen of his players requiring surgery, including Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

In response, the club brought in eight new arrivals to London Colney last summer to cope with competing on four fronts. It worked: the added depth got Arsenal over the line in the league, but Arteta was still without the likes of Saka, Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino for swathes of the season, and others such as Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, Gabriel and Piero Hincapie all suffering injuries that kept them sidelined in big moments, too.

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With 16 Arsenal players initially called up to World Cup 2026 (before Timber dropped out), it doesn't look as if many Gunners are getting much of a summer off, either.

Timber started the Champions League but was ruled out of the Netherlands' tournament before it even began with the groin injury that sidelined him from March onwards, while Saka and Rice were both called up for England, and both have since confirmed that they have been managing injuries for the second half of the season. With both vital for club and country, there isn't much of an opportunity to rest them before the season kicks off again in August (especially if the Three Lions progress deep into the tournament).

Saliba has been a doubt throughout the World Cup due to a back issue, with France resting the defender against Norway: he, too, is likely to go far at the World Cup, while Hincapie will play a fifth game of the tournament against Mexico, after being cleared following a knock sustained against Germany for Ecuador.

Odegaard and Havertz have both returned to fitness to play in North America after a series of knocks that have stopped them from building consistent minutes; White, too, saw his run in the first team come to an end with a knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

While officially, Arsenal only have two players currently injured in Timber and White, there is a bigger worry at play for Arsenal.

Arsenal have played 52, 58 and 63 games in 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26, respectively, with less rotation and less squad churn than some of their rivals. The effect that this has had on some of the generals of those three years is apparent: White, for example, played through significant pain to cover for Jurrien Timber, lost to an ACL tear in 2023, while Saka set a club record for 83 consecutive appearances for Arsenal, without a significant back-up in his position until Noni Madueke was signed as his deputy.

In February 2025, Arteta described Havertz as a “genetic powerhouse”, claiming, “his robustness, his availability is unbelievable,” amid concerns of fixture congestion. Mere days later, the German suffered a hamstring tear – and he's not completed a string of 90-minute performances for his club since.

Arsenal have already made efforts to revamp their medical set-up

Earlier this month, Arsenal parted with their head of sports medicine, Dr Zafar Iqbal, in what appeared to be a move to address the spate of injury issues they have had over the last few seasons.

There may yet be half a dozen new signings, too. FourFourTwo understands that there could be new faces in defence, midfield and attack, as Arteta looks to refresh his squad once again.

But with Martin Zubimendi suffering from burnout at the end of the season, Saliba, Hincapie, Rice and Saka all potentially carrying injuries into the new season, Odegaard and Havertz still yet to return to their respective peaks, and both senior right-backs currently injured, Arsenal may travel to Coventry City on the opening night of the season with a selection dilemma.

Erling Haaland scored his fifth goal of World Cup 2026 against Ivory Coast – just – so France's four-goal pairing of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have a lovely little side quest to pursue when they face Sweden in the round of 32.

This all-European knock-out tie between France and Sweden will be broadcast live and for free in the UK on ITV1. It will also be streamed via ITVX.

Coverage begins at 9:15pm ahead of kick-off at 10:00pm, so let's find out who'll be on hand in ITV's studio in Brooklyn with all you need to know about the France vs Sweden pundits, commentators and presenters.

ITV commentators, presenters and pundits for France vs Sweden

Your presenter in Brooklyn tonight will be Mark Pougatch, whose hand at the tiller will steer the studio panel through pre-match as the teams prepare to get underway at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The familiar face and voice of ITV regular Gary Neville will be with him to run the rule over one of three all-UEFA matches in the World Cup second round.

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Neville will be flanked by a double dose of nineties Arsenal, and what a dose!

Ian Wright scored 128 First Division and Premier League goals for the Gunners between 1991 and 1998, helping the North Londoners to a domestic cup double in 1992-93 and a league and FA Cup double in 1997-98.

The beloved former striker warranted many more England caps than he actually received. He scored nine times in 33 senior appearances for the Three Lions.

One of Manchester United's chief antagonists in Wright's latter days at Highbury and beyond was French midfielder Patrick Vieira.

He won the Premier League three ties as an Arsenal player and was a key contributor as France won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.

ITV's live commentary from New Jersey will be provided by the legendary Jon Champion and his regular co-commentator, former Scotland and Rangers striker Ally McCoist.

McCoist ended a storied career with 19 international goals and 10 league titles to his name.

Will Mbappe and Dembele stay among the goals? Let us know your prediction...

A goalkeeper has never scored at the FIFA World Cup.

Yes, you've seen everything over the years at this tournament – from shocks, scandals and everything in between – but never before has a glovesman put the ball in the back of the net.

Some have come close, however…

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No, a goalkeeper has never scored at the World Cup… yet

A goalkeeper has never scored at the World Cup – though the utterly bonkers Jose Luis Chilavert probably came the closest, as free-kick taker for Paraguay during his time as his nation's no.1.

In fact, no goalkeeper has ever so much as taken a penalty in a shootout either, let alone scored one: you may have vague recollections of Ricardo burying England with a spot-kick after taking off his gloves for Portugal (power move, eh), but that was in Euro 2004, and not a World Cup.

Plenty of goalkeepers have earned a spot on the scoresheet for the wrong reasons, with Yann Sommer and Noel Valladares two high-profile examples of keepers netting own goals in recent tournaments, while a few custodians (Chilavert included) have scored in qualification.

Interestingly, an outfield player has never gone in goal in a men's World Cup, either.

The only time that it has ever happened in World Cup football was in 1995, when one of the greatest players of all time, Mia Hamm, put on a pair of gloves to finish a match in goal as an emergency when Briana Scurry was red-carded for the USWNT.

And on the subject of things that have never or barely ever happened in World Cup football, only once has the ball ever gone into the net directly from a corner.

The phenomenon – which Douglas Luiz has been known for – is known as an Olympic goal, and despite nearly 3,000 goals being scored in World Cup football, only one was scored straight from a corner, in 1962 by Colombian Marcos Coll.

There are other records of “nevers” and plenty of records held by just one player at World Cup football.

Never has a foreign manager coached another nation's team to the trophy; likewise, only one player has won three World Cup titles (Pele).

Newcastle United and England full-back Tino Livramento has had surgery on the calf injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, the Premier League club has confirmed.

Livramento was selected in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for World Cup 2026 and travelled to the United States but was injured in training before the Three Lions' Group L opener against Croatia.

He will miss the start of pre-season but is expected to return for training in good time for the start of the Magpies' 2026-27 season.

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'A minor surgical procedure' for Newcastle's Livramento

"Newcastle United can confirm that Tino Livramento has successfully undergone a minor surgical procedure," read a short statement from his club.

"The defender, who returned from World Cup duty with an injury, is expected to return during pre-season. Everyone at the club wishes Tino a smooth and speedy recovery."

The 23-year-old has played six times for England, four under Tuchel and once as part of his former Under-21 boss Lee Carsley's final team selection as caretaker in November 2024.

Livramento, who joined Newcastle from Southampton in 2023, has already experienced a number of injury issues in his young career. Without them, he would undoubtedly have found his way onto the pitch at the World Cup.

Widely regarded as one of England's foremost full-back talents, Livramento has been held back by availability problems. He made just 17 Premier League appearances last season after playing in every league game but one in 2024-25.

England manager Tuchel didn't hide his emotion as he explained how the injury came about after Livramento had to leave the squad.

"I was very disappointed and very sad," said Tuchel. "All of us were.

"It was a little shock in training when he stopped training and he straight away had the feeling that this could be an injury that costs him the tournament and, unfortunately, he was right."

The full-back's target to return will be Newcastle's first game of next season, which sees them welcome Liverpool to St James' Park on Sunday, August 23.

England face DR Congo without Livramento in the round of 32 on Wednesday.

World Cup 2026 boasts not one but two Doues.

Desire Doue, the 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger, has a ferocious reputation and back-to-back Champions League winner's medals to verify his exceptional abilities at Europe's newly dominant club.

Doue is at the World Cup with France and shares a last name with another player in another team. Guela Doue, 23 years old and playing for Strasbourg and Ivory Coast, is there too.

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Are Guela Doue and Desire Doue related?

Ivory Coast's Guela Doue and France Desire Doue are brothers from Angers in the west of France. Guela, the older of the two, is a defender who joined Strasbourg from Rennes two summers ago.

Like his younger brother, Guela is a dual citizen and directly eligible to play for Ivory Coast, which he did for the first time in March 2024. He was called up by Emerse Fae for the World Cup and has played in all four of the Elephants' matches.

The brothers were born to a French mother and Ivorian father, and Desire elected to represent his birth nation, France, at international level.

He also left Rennes in 2024 and has revealed himself to be one of European football's outstanding prospects.

Doue the younger has already won Ligue 1 twice as well as the Champions League in the same two seasons. Didier Deschamps will fancy a World Cup winner's medal to go with them.

There are other examples of brothers playing for different international teams over the years and a couple of them are also involved at World Cup 2026.

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has represented Switzerland with distinction since 2011 and is hoping to lead them beyond the round of 32. His brother is Taulant Xhaka, a former pro who played international football for Albania. Both were born in Kosovo.

Spain's Nico Williams is at the World Cup but suffered an injury courtesy of Uruguay's Nicolas de la Cruz at the end of the group stage.

His brother is Inaki Williams, who is in the Ghana squad and played in their 0-0 draw with England in the group stage.

Ghana's best World Cup performance to date came in 2010, when their squad included Berlin-born Kevin-Prince Boateng for the first time. His half-brother, Jerome Boateng, was there with Germany.

At every World Cup, there are high-stakes penalty shoot-outs, and they are invariably dramatic, tense and nerve-wracking for those involved.

There have already been two in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup: Paraguay got the better of Germany - believe it or not - in a rollercoaster of a shoot-out, before Morocco beat the Netherlands on penalties.

For some players, handling the anxiety of stepping up under extreme pressure doesn’t come naturally - but they have been given some potentially useful device from fellow sportsmen.

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Darts pros on dealing with pressure

Professional darts players are familiar with the feeling of nervousness that comes with being asked to step up and take an accurate shot at a decisive moment.

Some of the very best spoke to FourFourTwo about coping with those high-stakes moments.

“It’s difficult, especially the last couple of years I’ve struggled with that, but now I think I’m just trying to look at the bigger picture,” said Gian van Veen. “Of course, at that moment it feels really important, but I always think, what happens if you lose this match? Not much.

“Your life still goes on, so that’s how I start looking at it, downplay it a little bit and just think about the bigger picture.”

Former world No.1 Luke Humphries said: “In any sport you’re doing crunch moments, your heart rate goes up a little bit, you feel a little bit tingly, so the most important thing is just staying composed and making sure you don’t let your thoughts run away with you and start thinking negatively.

“Keep your breathing in check to make sure you don’t let your heart go crazy and feel those nerves too much.”

Stephen Bunting added: “The similar thing for us is going for a big, big finish, so I think you need to have massive composure and take your time, deep breath. Look at where you’re throwing it and make sure you put it in the right place.”

Finally, Josh Rock kept it simple. “Take a big deep breath, compose yourself and just relax your body,” he said. “And obviously believe it’s going to go in, the exact same as a goal.”

It’s never as simple as it seems, of course, but taking a penalty with the eyes of the world watching is often more about mentality than technique.

France saunter back to MetLife Stadium for the second time at World Cup 2026 as the 2018 winners meet Sweden for an intriguing last-32 clash.

Les Bleus will hope to be back in New Jersey in just under three weeks' time but must first see off the Scandinavians, who lit up the tournament the last time it was played on US soil, 32 years ago.

This is one of three all-European matches in the round of 32 and the form of their attacking corps undoubtedly makes France the favourites.

Long-time assistant Guy Stephan took charge of Les Bleus' final game in Group I – a 4-1 win against runners-up Norway – while head coach Didier Deschamps attended his mother's funeral. The World Cup winner as both player and manager is back to lead his country again.

France will face Scandinavian opposition for the second match on the bounce. Graham Potter's Swedes boast a fine attack, but have conceded a worrying seven goals this tournament. Now they face Kylian Mbappe. Gulp.

The winner will play Paraguay in the last 16.

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch France vs Sweden in the FIFA World Cup 2026 online, on TV, and from anywhere.

Watch France vs Sweden for FREE

France vs Sweden will be free-to-stream across multiple regions, including ITV in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.

English commentary will be provided on ITV, RTE Player and SBS On Demand.

‼️ Outside one of these countries? Use Norton VPN to unlock your stream from anywhere in the world — more on that below.

Watch France vs Sweden from anywhere

Away from home this summer and want to watch France vs Sweden? All you need is a VPN, a handy piece of software that makes your devices appear to be in a different location.

This World Cup, our office friends at TechRadar are recommending Norton VPN:

How to watch France vs Sweden in the UK

In the UK, you can stream France vs Sweden on ITV. The build-up starts at 9:15pm BST, ahead of the kick-off at 10:00pm BST.

How to watch France vs Sweden in the US

In the US, you can stream France vs Sweden on Fox.

This channel is accessible via Fox's own streaming platform Fox One or via a cord-cutting platform such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

How to watch France vs Sweden in Australia

In Australia, you can watch France vs Sweden on the free SBS On Demand.

France vs Sweden: World Cup 2026 Preview

Potter might have hoped his side would finish runners-up in Group F, but a 5-1 gubbing by the Dutch put paid to that.

Instead, c'est France. Et France are flying. Deschamps' team won all three group fixtures, scoring 10 goals and conceding just two, but it's the identities of the goalscorers that will alarm Sweden, and the teams who may have Les Bleus pencilled in on their wall charts.

Kylian Mbappe, chasing Lionel Messi's record as the World Cup's top goalscorer even as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner keeps dragging it away from him, has scored two twice.

Ousmane Dembele ended his wait for a major tournament goal, against Iraq, then followed it up with a 25-minute hat-trick against the Norwegians. For a team that conceded seven times in their group, that's a daunting prospect.

Sweden's World Cup record since winning bronze at USA 94 is patchy to say the least. They were knocked out by England in the 2018 quarter-finals, but that was their only qualification in four attempts before this year's rather fortuitous inclusion.

In 2002 and 2006, their only other World Cups since 1994, they were beaten in their first knockout game. With France in fine fettle, and despite boasting Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres up front, is this where Sweden hit the buffers once more?

FourFourTwo's prediction

France 3-1 Sweden

Sweden showed their softer side against the Netherlands. FourFourTwo predicts that France will have enough firepower to exploit the same flaws.

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There is nothing else in football like a World Cup penalty shootout. It's the ultimate all-or-nothing showdown betwixt outfielder and goalkeeper. Score or don't. In or out. Winner stays on.

The penalty shootout is a test of technique, mentality and preparation. It might not be a perfect tie-breaker but it's the fairest we have and its drama is unmatched. Teams that go beyond the group stage at the World Cup had better be ready even if they never truly can.

World Cup 2026 has already ruthlessly eliminated teams through shootouts, fancied teams included, but who's left in the competition and what are their penalty shootout records?

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Which remaining World Cup 2026 team has the best penalty shootout record?

Two of the first four matches in the new round of 32 were settled on penalties.

Paraguay took their World Cup record to two shootout wins from two by beating Germany 16 years after knocking out Japan. Hours later, Morocco defeated the Netherlands – they're also two for two at the World Cup.

Of the teams still standing at the World Cup, Belgium have the best win percentage thanks to victory in their only shootout. It's a small sample size but it was at the World Cup, against Spain, in 1986.

Australia and Argentina have won a lower percentage of their shootouts but have participated in many more. Argentina have won six out of seven at the World Cup including two shootouts (the quarter-final and final) at the last World Cup.

Switzerland have a dreadful record from the spot but only two of the remaining teams have lost every penalty shootout they've been involved in. Good luck, Ecuador and Cape Verde!

In the World Cup, France are carrying the millstone of two shootout defeats in the final and Spain have lost four out of five. In their four World Cup attempts, England have beaten only Colombia in 2018.

Croatia have been involved in four penalty shootouts at the World Cup and have won all four of them. We've crunched the numbers and it turns out that's good.

Penalty shootouts are not lotteries. There's too much skill required and too many variables that are, ultimately, controlled by the two players involved.

Being reliable in such pressurised moments is a different skill to being able to stick the ball away at a purely mechanical level.

Doing it at the World Cup is as difficult as it gets and we've already seen this summer how the moment can break down the abilities of even the best players around.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has retired from international football.

The Germans were dumped out of the last-32 of the World Cup yesterday, after losing on spot-kicks, following a dismal draw with Paraguay over 120 minutes.

Neuer was the sole survivor of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning side – the last time Die Mannschaft actually won a knockout match at the tournament.

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Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for a second time, with Germany in disarray

In an interview with broadcaster Sportschau following Germany's defeat, the 40-year-old confirmed that he would not be available for selection for his national team anymore.

Later on, Neuer answered “no” when asked by Magenta TV if he would play on, affirming his stance and claiming, “It’s very bitter to end it like this.”

Neuer made his debut for Germany in 2009, replacing long-term no.1 Jens Lehmann between the sticks for the 2010 World Cup and establishing himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

The Bayern Munich custodian retired from international football following an exit to Spain at Euro 2024 on home soil, with Oliver Baumann replacing the veteran in the net for Nagelsmann over the past two years.

Despite denials from both Nagelsmann and Neuer himself, however, Neuer performed a U-turn to come out of retirement for a fifth World Cup ahead of this tournament, with Baumann relegated to no.2.

The move has been particularly unpopular back in Germany, with a shock defeat in the Round of 32 to the Paraguayans plunging Nagelsmann's future into doubt, despite the 38-year-old agreeing a contract extension before the World Cup.

Neuer retires as Germany's fifth-highest appearance-maker behind Lothar Matthaus, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski.

The Gelsenkirchen native has established himself as a hugely influential goalkeeper since making his senior debut 21 years ago and departs the international scene with a slew of accolades.

Neuer has twice been Germany's Footballer of the Year, and earned a third-place spot in the Ballon d'Or vote of 2014.

The 40-year-old has one season left on his Bayern contract.

It’s no surprise that Bruno Guimaraes is a wanted man after another strong season with Newcastle United.

The midfielder is starring for Brazil at the World Cup too, playing a superb pass to set up Gabriel Martinelli’s late winner against Japan in the last 32.

Arsenal, it seems, want to make Guimaraes a team-mate of Martinelli’s at club level, but signing the 28-year-old might not be easy.

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Contract clause strengthens Newcastle position

According to Shields Gazette, Newcastle have an option to extend Guimaraes’ contract by an extra year.

His current deal runs until 2028, so that means the Brazilian could, in theory, be tied down until 2029.

That means Newcastle can be more forthright in any negotiations for the player, who they have insisted is not for sale.

It remains to be seen, though, if Guimaraes has had his head turned by the prospect of a move to the Premier League champions, where his salary would increase and he would again play Champions League football.

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte previously reported that the midfielder has a £60m release clause in his contract, but that has been disputed.

Arsenal have yet to make a formal approach for Guimaraes, and his age could mean the Gunners are unwilling to spend huge money.

But he is said to be “seriously considering” an exit, and Newcastle fans were left worried when he liked a post from Fabrizio Romano on Instagram linking him to Arsenal.

Guimaraes has been at Newcastle since 2022, when he joined the Premier League side from French outfit Lyon.

He has gone on to play a key role in a team that has twice qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe, though last season’s 12th-placed finish in the Premier League was a disappointment.

Guimaraes has earned 47 caps for Brazil, registering four assists so far at the World Cup.

Gabby Logan is presenting Ivory Coast vs Norway, with Wayne Rooney, Benni McCarthy and Steph Houghton in the studio – and Steve Bower and Danny Murphy providing commentary.

The knockouts are well and truly on, and it's already provided its share of shocks.

Let's see how this one plays out…

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BBC's complete line-up of commentators, pundits and presenters for Ivory Coast vs Norway

Live from 6pm, Ivory Coast take on Norway in one of the tighter fixtures in this last-32 round of the World Cup.

The presenter for this one is Gabby Logan, who has been one of the Beeb's three main anchors since the departure of Gary Lineker last summer.

There's plenty of talent in the studio with Gabby, too – with one of Match of the Day's biggest names, Wayne Rooney, sitting next to her.

Rooney is there to dissect the likes of Erling Haaland and Yan Diomande, and as England's all-time scorer until Harry Kane broke his record, he knows a thing or two about finishers.

Benni McCarthy certainly does, too – and as an African football legend, he's played against and analysed Ivory Coast plenty.

Steph Houghton, meanwhile, is one of England's most-capped footballers and has represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

Commentary comes courtesy of Steve Bower and Danny Murphy.

Murphy played for England nine times, scoring once, and has since carved out a solid career with the BBC.

The referee for today's France vs Sweden match is Danny Makkelie, a senior official from the Netherlands.

As one of UEFA's top referees, Makkelie has officiated matches involving all of the players who will line up either side of him for France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium.

This will be his third match at World Cup 2026 after group stage matches featuring the United States, Paraguay, Morocco and Haiti.

Referee appointment for France vs Sweden

Makkelie, famously a police officer born in Curacao, has been FIFA-listed since 2011. He is one of the most experienced international referees in the game.

World Cup 2026 is his fourth major tournament and his second World Cup. He was in charge of the only Europa League final played behind closed doors in 2020, which was won by Sevilla against Inter Milan.

The 43-year-old attracted attention for his part in a controversial VAR decision in his first match at this World Cup.

Makkelie was the match referee in Los Angeles for the opening game for co-hosts the United States. He issued a yellow card to US captain Tim Ream for a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron.

The decision was reversed and Almiron booked for diving, a very dubious deployment of a 'mistaken identity' clause that was extended to yellow cards but was not intended to introduce re-refereeing.

In his two group stage fixtures, Makkelie racked up a yellow card count of nine. His average in those games was around 50% higher than in his 24 matches in the Eredivisie last season.

He sent a player off every eight matches on average in the league but the World Cup is yet to trouble his back pocket.

Makkelie's assistants in New Jersey are Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, both from the Netherlands. Tori Penso will be on fourth official duty.

Dutch official Dennis Higler will be leading the VAR crew in Dallas.

It's Scandinavia on Scandinavia for France, whose first knock-out game at World Cup 2026 is against the adjoining neighbours of the last team they played in the group stage.

After demolishing Norway's second string, France face Sweden in the round of 32. It's one of three all-UEFA ties in the second round of the World Cup and it's a meeting of serious firepower.

France have the better all-round team by far but if Sweden can get their sharpshooters in position, this might not be a foregone conclusion. If France can do the same for theirs, it will be.

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France vs Sweden betting odds from BOYLE Sports

• France WIN - 1/4
• Draw - 4/1
• Sweden WIN - 9/1

France vs Sweden prediction

The prize for the winners at New York New Jersey Stadium is a last-16 match against Paraguay, the gritty penalty shootout conquerors of Germany.

There might be one or two players on the pitch with a secondary focus on the Golden Boot race, too. Sweden manager Graham Potter has Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak at his disposal but it's the French duo of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele who are really chasing Lionel Messi.

Both of Les Bleus' in-form goal-getters have scored four times at this World Cup, two fewer than former Paris Saint-Germain man Messi. In all, France have scored 10 goals in three games.

If France's progress has been serene, Sweden's has been tumultuous. Their 5-1 opening win against Tunisia proved to be more about Tunisia, who immediately sacked Sabri Lamouchi. Sweden lost to the Netherlands by the same score.

A draw with Japan saw Potter's team through in third place with four points but their results have been less than impressive – unsurprising, given the method by which they qualified in the first place – and they haven't faced anybody of France's quality.

Swedes of a certain vintage will have happy memories of World Cup matches in the United States but that won't offer much cause for optimism.

There's no sanctity in the history books either. France have won this fixture twice as many times as Sweden since these teams met for the first time in 1935.

Score prediction: France 3-1 Sweden

It's difficult to see past Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps team are the very definition of 'been there, done that' no matter how you slice it. They know the level individually and collectively, and coming up against Sweden won't knock that assuredness out of them.

Sweden have the weapons to do damage in this game and sure, stranger things happen in football all the time, but you'll do well to convince us pre-game that this is going any other way.

How to watch France vs Sweden

You can watch France vs Sweden in the last 32 of World Cup 2026 for free. All the information you need is in our how to watch guide.

The match will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK, Fox in the United States and SBS in Australia.

What's your France vs Sweden prediction? Let us know below...

It has been a frustrating World Cup so far for Bukayo Saka, who has only started one of England’s three games having struggled with injuries in recent months.

The Arsenal winger came off the bench to register an assist in the 4-2 win over Croatia, but he could not make a similar impact in the goalless draw with Ghana.

He started against Panama and delivered the corner for Jude Bellingham’s opening goal, but Saka has yet to truly catch fire at the tournament.

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Neville and Wright express concern over Saka form

Saka has been a key player for England at recent major tournaments, but he admitted before the World Cup that he was “gambling” with his fitness.

And former England right-back Gary Neville has suggested the 24-year-old is still struggling.

“Bukayo Saka doesn’t look right at all,” Neville said on Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast. “He’s usually the boy that’s bubbling and smiling, he’s got that competitive edge to him, but he’s not right and that’s a concern to us I think.”

His sentiments were echoed by ex-England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who claimed Saka needs a longer rest.

“Has Bukayo Saka been rushed back?” Wright said. “We’re going into a World Cup, and still not starting the first few games, only starting when we’re three games in, and still isn’t looking like the Saka that we know – this guy needs a break.”

Noni Madueke has started on the right flank in two of England’s three matches so far, while Anthony Gordon was replaced on the left by Marcus Rashford after the Ghana draw.

And Wright highlighted that area of the pitch as a problem for Thomas Tuchel.

“I can’t remember too many tournaments where you’re feeling like you’re on the edge, I feel like that’s normal,” Wright said. “But there are a lot of people [in the England squad] who are not up to speed. Our wingers, and the way we depend on the wingers, are not doing well enough.”

Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane also gave his verdict on England’s wide players.

“These players [wingers] haven’t quite grabbed their opportunity yet,” he said. “In the group games, you can maybe slip up in one of them, but now at least one of them has to start turning up.”

This is the stage. This is the real stage. The group stage made for light work for Erling Haaland, a striker of the very highest level who was always likely to force Norway through to the last 32.

Now, it's showtime. Knockout football at the World Cup is where legends are made and Haaland's graft starts here, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, against Ivory Coast.

Stale Solbakken, Norway's coach, will rightly point to the other 25 players in his squad. But four goals in two matches, followed by a heavy defeat by France in Haaland's rested absence, tell their own story.

The Manchester City striker brought Norway here. It's likely his contributions will decide how much further they can go.

Norway have never won a World Cup knockout game. In 1998, they were unbeaten in their group, but then lost in the last 16 to Italy, who were also their vanquishers at the same stage in 1938. At USA 94, they didn't even make that far. Yet the Vikings have never had a Haaland before.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, have never even played a knockout game. Can the Elephants do what the Scandinavians never have?

Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 online, on TV, and from anywhere.

Watch Ivory Coast vs Norway for FREE

Ivory Coast vs Norway will be free-to-stream across multiple regions, including BBC in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.

English commentary will be provided on BBC, RTE Player and SBS On Demand.

‼️ Outside one of these countries? Use Norton VPN to unlock your stream from anywhere in the world — more on that below.

Watch Ivory Coast vs Norway from anywhere

Away from home this summer and want to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway? All you need is a VPN, a handy piece of software that makes your devices appear to be in a different location.

This World Cup, our office friends at TechRadar are recommending Norton VPN:

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway in the UK

In the UK, you can stream Ivory Coast vs Norway on BBC. The build-up starts at 5:30pm BST, ahead of the kick-off at 6:00pm BST.

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway in the US

In the US, you can stream Ivory Coast vs Norway on Fox.

This channel is accessible via Fox's own streaming platform Fox One or via a cord-cutting platform such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway in Australia

In Australia, you can watch Ivory Coast vs Norway on the free SBS On Demand.

Ivory Coast vs Norway: World Cup 2026 Preview

Ivory Coast set up their meeting with Norway in Dallas by beating Curacao 2-0 and finishing in second place in Group E. Nicolas Pepe scored both goals in Philadelphia, where the Elephants also beat Ecuador.

This is the first-ever meeting between these nations, and it's the first time in a while the European side would have been favourites.

Where once Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure led with distinction, the Ivory Coast squad now features only one player with more than 70 caps; Franck Kessie doubles as one of their three group-stage goalscorers.

The newer generation has proven its promise on the big stage, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, but missing out the last two World Cups was a chilling dose of reality after the glittering squad that made three in a row from 2006.

Norway are at the start of that path. Haaland is a once-in-many-generations player, Martin Odegaard a rare Norwegian winner of the Premier League. With their top players firing, the Vikings and their celebratory row will be back in four years.

For now, Solbakken's sole focus is on reaching the round of 16 by making history with that first knockout win.

FourFourTwo's prediction

Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway

FourFourTwo fancies this one to go all the way but it's Norway who have the difference-maker and we're backing him to make the difference.

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Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is being investigated by police in New Zealand over allegations of rape, according to reports.

The New Zealand Herald claims the 36-year-old, who is his country’s record goalscorer, has been accused of raping a Brazilian woman who worked with the team during a FIFA Series event earlier this year.

The woman has alleged that Mendes forced his way into her room at an Auckland hotel before raping her.

The player is under investigation and has not yet been charged.

It was previously reported in May that authorities were investigating a then-unamed Cape Verde footballer.

In a statement given to The Athletic, a FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.

“As a general rule, please understand that the independent judicial bodies do not comment on allegations they may or may not have received, or whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases. Any information they may like to share will be communicated at their discretion.

“FIFA is in contact with the New Zealand authorities. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”

Mendes, who has been capped 100 times by Cape Verde, has played all three of his country’s matches at the World Cup.

The African nation have earned plaudits for remaining unbeaten in the group stage - drawing against European champions Spain, two-time winners Uruguay and Saudi Arabia - and progressing to the last 32, where they will meet champions Argentina.

Mendes is expected to start again as Cape Verde play Argentina in Miami on 3rd July.

Two other players at the World Cup are facing allegations of rape: Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ghana’s Thomas Partey.

The latter, charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police, was denied entry to Canada for Ghana’s opening game against Panama, but played vs England in Boston.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who has caught the eye with Ivory Coast at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old, who will be in action tonight against Norway in the last 32, has also attracted the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, who are now expected to secure his signature.

That would be a blow for Liverpool as they look to add an exciting young wide player to their squad following the exit of Mohamed Salah - but the Reds could have another option.

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Liverpool target PSG’s Barcola

If Diomande joins PSG, the door could be opened for a potential exit.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool could move for winger Bradley Barcola, who might be available in the case of a “big proposal”.

The France international scored 13 goals in 49 appearances for the European champions last season, but Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have often been preferred by Luis Enrique.

Liverpool have reportedly been interested in Barcola since 2025, though David Ornstein claims PSG do not want to sell the 23-year-old and they would prefer to keep him in their rotation with a star signing like Diomande.

The Ligue 1 side are said to value the winger at well over £100m and don’t need to sell even if they spend big on Diomande.

Barcola, though, is reluctant to sign a new contract and wants to start more regularly.

With AC Milan set to sign Goncalo Ramos from PSG for a club record fee, and Lee Kang-in and Randal Kolo Muani set to leave the French capital, Luis Enrique wants to keep Barcola.

It remains to be seen if a big offer from Liverpool would persuade PSG to sell.

In FourFourTwo’s view, Barcola would be an exceptional addition for Liverpool and would likely thrive in an Andoni Iraola team, but much will depend on the fee required to do a deal, and the player's desire to leave Paris.

All eyes are on Arlington as the World Cup's round-of-32 continues.

Ivory Coast and Norway will fight it out for a place in the World Cup's next knockout stage against Brazil, who overcame Japan in dramatic fashion on Monday.

But who will be going through to a showdown with the Selecao?.

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Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction

Les Elephants progressed from the group stage thanks to a smash-and-grab win over Ecuador and a commanding victory over tournament minnows Curacao.

Meanwhile Stale Solbakken's side reached the round-of-32 thanks to two Erling Haaland braces to see off Iraq and Senegal for a second-place qualification finish.

Norway have progressed beyond the group stage in all bar one of their four World Cup appearances with the Manchester City striker already their leading scorer in it.

Haaland could potentially meet his match in this encounter with Yan Diomande looking to emulate one of his Bundesliga predecessors and earn a big move.

Diomande has been a player in demand this summer with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain involved in a transfer tug-of-war that the latter now looks set to win.

The RB Leipzig forward recorded a first World Cup assist during the win over Curacao while his long-term future continues to play out away from North America.

However Norway are more than a one-man team with captain Martin Odegaard leading the charge from midfield following Arsenal's Premier League title success.

We're backing them to cut Ivory Coast's first-ever knockout involvement short at the first hurdle

Score prediction: Ivory Coast 1-3 Norway

Ivory Coast and Norway will fight it out for a place in the World Cup's last-16.

The World Cup's knockout stage is moving at pace with Ivory Coast and Norway the latest teams preparing to do battle in the round-of-32 on Tuesday evening

Emerse Fae's side are making their first-ever appearance in the tournament's latter rounds after automatically qualifying from Group E behind leaders Germany.

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Referee confirmed for Ivory Coast and Norway clash

The Vikings also reached the round-of-32 from Group I's runner-up as they failed to unseat tournament favourites France from top spot across their three matches.

But who will be refereeing this latest showdown at Arlington's Dallas Stadium?

Jesus Valenzuela has been appointed as the match official for this knockout clash.

The Venezuelan took charge of two World Cup group encounters this summer in Australia's win over Turkiye and Bosnia and Herezegovina's dismantling of Qatar.

He also oversaw two matches at the 2022 edition in Qatar as England and USA played out a goalless draw while France put Poland to the sword in a 3-1 victory.

Valenzuela boasts further international tournament experience after officiating in three Copa America, the Olympics as well as the FIFA Club World Cup twice.

But the 42-year-old is known for a ruthless disciplinary streak after doling out 1,908 yellow cards and 115 sendings-off in his 387 games as a professional referee.

Assisting Valenzuela will be compatriots Jose Urrego and Tulio Moreno while Paraguayan duo Juan Gabriel Benitez and Eduardo Cardozo will be on VAR duty.

Whoever wins the clash will face Brazil in the last-16 after Carlo Ancelotti's side snatched a late 2-1 victory over Japan at Houston Stadium on Monday evening.

New York New Jersey Stadium is set to host the next round tie on 5 July.

It’s a full circle moment. Not so long ago, Swedish national team stars Monica Jusu Bah and Felicia Schröder were just youngsters with a dream, taking part in the Gothia Cup, the world's largest international youth football tournament, in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Their connection with the competition has been renewed as they lend their creative skills to the tournament they enjoyed as children by designing a new set of match kits that will be worn at this year’s tournament. It’s players designing for players.

Monica and Felicia are back, not just as role models, but creators shaping the experience for the next generation. Their remit was to design a match kit from their own perspective, driven by personal experiences in football and what it means to dream, compete and represent something bigger than yourself. The intention was not to create a traditional football kit, but something that reflects identity, connection and ambition.

Ready to Represent

“The idea for the design comes from a personal story,” explains Jusu Bah. “We got tattoos together as a symbol of our friendship, and we thought this would make a great football shirt for the young players representing SKF and Meet the World in Gothia Cup”.

At 23 years old, the winger doesn’t have to think that far back to understand the mindset of the players who will be wearing her match kit. For Schröder, that connection with the 2026 cohort is even closer. At 19, she is just a year older than some of the players who will compete in this year’s Gothia Cup, as players in the tournament range from 11 to 18 years old.

If that wasn’t inspiring enough for this years’ cohort, Schroder signed this summer for Real Madrid, showing what it is possible to achieve in a short period of time.

‘It’s not just a shirt’

The record-breaking teenager explains, “The sun and the moon represent our differences but also what brings us together as friends and football players. It is great to share this with other football lovers from around the world.

“We wanted to create something that feels personal, something we would have been proud to wear ourselves when we were younger. It’s not just a shirt. It represents where you come from and where you want to go.

“We hope the players feel confident and connected when they wear it, like they are part of something bigger. It’s about passing something on. We’ve been in their position, and now we can give something back.”

Dream Big

Designing for the next generation and showing the power that big dreams in football has, and where that can take a person. They have deliberately injected that personal perspective into these designs and the creative process was intuitive and natural rather than technical. These shirts are something they would have wanted to wear when they were younger.

The Gothia Cup is truly an international experience – the world's largest and most intercontinental youth football tournament, it takes place annually in Gothenburg, Sweden where around 1,900 teams from 75 nations take part, playing almost 5,000 matches on 112 pitches.

‘That could be me’

The competition takes youngsters from around the world on a unique journey, providing them with a special opportunity to travel, see a new part of the world and connect with people of their age and build lasting friendships.

A month after the competition, Jusu Bah and Schröder will play in the European playoffs in October that will determine whether or not Sweden will play in the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. They are expected to progress.

When players pull on Jusu Bah and Schröder’s special kit in July, they can legitimately think about breaking world records, playing on the biggest stage of all and believe “that could be me”.

Our free-to-play World Cup match predictor is at Round 4, and we are pleased to confirm that the winners of Round 3 have been crowned. They took home a £250 share of the pot, having successfully predicted 18 out of 24 results.

The deadline to play Round 4 is at 8pm on tomorrow evening, with the game completely free to play, and very real cash to win.

Now we are into the knockout stages, the difficulty has gone up a notch. We want players to predict the nation they think will progress, PLUS (as a tie-breaker) the total goals in normal time (extra-time and penalties not included) for eight Round of 32 games.

Play below for free!

We must thank our sponsors BOYLE Sports for providing the cash prize, which renews each round. Better still, BOYLE Sports give everyone who logs a set of predictions a free £5 bet simply for playing. All you need is a BOYLE Sports account – make sure you have your account number handy to enter when you make your predictions. The free bet will be credited within 48 hours of the deadline and valid to use for seven days.

Fancy getting in on the action? Round 4 is ready to play above, but closes at 8pm TOMORROW. After that, there are still four more rounds to play, so four more opportunities to win the £1,000 pot and four more £5 free bets to redeem.

Schedule and format

Matchday 1: Predict every nations' first game (win, lose or draw) CLOSED
Matchday 2: Predict every nations' second game: (win, lose or draw) CLOSED
Matchday 3: Predict every nations' third game: (win, lose or draw) CLOSED
Matchday 4: Predict the outcomes of the final eight Round of 32 games: (winner + amount of goals in 90 minutes, plus added on time – not including extra-time or pens) CLOSES 8pm WEDS
Matchday 5: Predict the outcomes of the final four Round of 16 games: (winner + amount of goals in 90 minutes, plus added on time – not including extra-time or pens)
Matchday 6: Predict the outcomes of the final three Quarter Final games: (winner + correct scoreline in 90 minutes, plus added on time – not including extra-time or pens)
Matchday 7: Predict the correct scorelines of the two Semi Finals after 90 minutes, plus added on time – not including extra-time or pens, with the minute of the first goal in the first Semi Final the tie breaker
Matchday 8: Predict the correct scorelines of the 3rd Place Playoff and World Cup Final after 90 minutes, plus added on time – not including extra-time or pens, with the minute of the first goal in the World Cup Final the tie breaker

Deadlines

Matchday 1: Closed

Matchday 2: Closed

Matchday 3: Closed

Matchday 4: Closes Weds 1 July, 8pm BST

Matchday 5: Closes Thurs 6 July, 7pm BST

Matchday 6: Closes Fri 10 July, 7pm BST

Matchday 7: Closes Tues 14 July, 7pm BST

Matchday 8: Closes Sat 18 July, 9pm BST

England’s World Cup campaign began in Texas with an eye-catching 4-2 win over Croatia.

The second-half performance in Dallas got fans excited, but things were less exhilarating in Boston as Thomas Tuchel’s team were held to a goalless draw by Ghana.

Then it was over to the New York New Jersey Stadium, where England laboured to a 2-0 victory over Panama to finish top of Group L.

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Where do England play in the last 32?

Having been on the East Coast for their final two group matches, it’s back down south for the first knockout round.

England will play DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium in the state of Georgia on Wednesday.

The weather is forecast to be a sweltering 34 degrees Celsius in Atlanta, but the stadium, mercifully, has a roof and air conditioning.

That should help England as they look to advance to the last 16 and set up a potential clash with co-hosts Mexico or Ecuador at Estadio Azteca.

Atlanta Stadium has so far hosted four matches at the World Cup: Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti, Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde, Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and DR Congo’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.

DR Congo have already played at the 75,000-capacity arena, so they will be more familiar with their surroundings than England.

Whether or not that will be a major factor remains to be seen, but England are the favourites to progress.

The theme of their last two matches, against Ghana and Panama, is expected to continue, with DR Congo likely to sit deep and attempt to counter attack.

The Three Lions will hope Atlanta Stadium does not play host to another 0-0 draw akin to Cape Verde’s memorable meeting with Spain.

France have looked ominously strong at the World Cup so far, powering past Norway, Senegal and Iraq to comfortably win what looked like a potentially tricky group.

They next face a Sweden side that shipped seven goals in their group, and the expectation is that Les Blues will progress to the last 16.

It seemed likely that France would face Germany, but instead they will come up against a defensively resilient Paraguay should they beat Sweden.

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How overlooked advantage could benefit France

In Qatar four years ago, Argentina played the majority of their matches at the Lusail Stadium, including the quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Lionel Messi and co. clearly felt increasingly comfortable at the arena, where winning became a habit.

France could well benefit from something similar, as they prepare to play at the New York New Jersey Stadium for the second time in their last 32 match.

Didier Deschamps’ side won their tournament opener against Senegal in New York, and could yet go to the stadium for the final on July 19th.

Familiarity with a stadium at a major tournament, where the environment is often one of the challenges, can only be a positive.

And it’s not just the New York New Jersey Stadium where France could get comfortable.

They also played at the Philadelphia Stadium in the group stage, beating Iraq 3-0 (after an interruption due to bad weather), and Boston Stadium where they dominated Norway 4-1.

If they beat Sweden, France will meet Paraguay in Philadelphia, ensuring that they stay on the USA’s East Coast. Make it to the final, and France will have played three of their eight games in New York/New Jersey.

While those fine margins could prove crucial in knockout football, the quality in France’s squad is likely to be a deciding factor too.

Kylian Mbappe has started the World Cup strongly, while Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise also look in formidable form.

Some familiar voices are soundtracking the UK's World Cup coverage, with BBC and ITV headlining their coverage with a host of well-known voices from their flagship football programming.

The broadcasters have taken different approaches to their studio setups, with the Beeb staying in Salford while ITV ventured Stateside; both still have boots on the ground, and mics.

At the time of writing, 75% of the games have been played, so that feels like a sufficient body of data from which to rank the commentators calling the action in North America this summer. Running it down from 12 to 1, here's who we think has excelled and who has excruciated.

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BBC and ITV's World Cup commentators ranked

12. Sam Matterface

As painful as he is polarising, Matterface's commentary remains toe-curling. It's hard to find anyone with a positive word about his mic work who isn't a blood relative. Brace yourself for another potential foot-in-mouth moment if England manage to go far in the tournament.

11. Jonathan Pearce

'JP' found his vocal range when describing Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park in 1995 and never really dialled it down. A man for whom the phrase 'gravelly overtones' was tailor-made. A legendary voice, yes. But one to be enjoyed in small doses these days.

10. Vicki Sparks

The first female commentator to take the lead for a World Cup game on British TV is highly adept, but her enthusiasm during New Zealand and Belgium's recent bleary-eyed encounter wasn't exactly infectious. Like an over-enthusiastic holiday rep when you're managing a particularly violent hangover.

9. Joe Speight

The man who ITV occasionally threw it back to after Duncan Ferguson finished tormenting his fellow studio pundits. A tough act to follow for any commentator. A harmless if unremarkable RP tone.

8. Steve Bower

A staple of Match of the Day's line-up, what you hear is what you get with Bower. Solid, polished – equally at home voicing a Messi wonder strike as is he is a broadband advert.

7. Steve Wilson

A voice that sounds so much like a friendly village pub landlord, you get cravings for triple-cooked chips in the middle of Czech Republic vs South Africa.

6. Steven Wyeth

A powerful commentary voice, but marked down for overuse of the word 'extraordinary '.

5. Robyn Cowen

There hasn't been many remarkable soundbites from Cowen at this World Cup, like her memorable Women's Euro 2022 line of 'Dream makers, record breakers, game changers' but it's only a matter of time, surely. A victim of her own success in that it can be jarring to hear her commentate on anything that isn't a Lionesses game.

4. Liam McLeod

Scotland's long-awaited but ultimately short-lived World Cup return saw McLeod step up as their lead BBC commentator, a huge honour that became a thankless task at times. One of the few things Scotland can be proud of at this tournament.

3. Seb Hutchinson

Born to call long-range screamers. If he can improve his short game, he could be a real contender for top spot.

2. Jon Champion

The closest thing to the late Clive Tyldesley, who we are mourning the loss of despite still being alive. Champion is by name and nature a man who embodies the last great era of football commentary. Perfectly gastromatched to Alan Shearer. Feels like our last connection to the legends of the mic.

1. Guy Mowbray

Like watching a game with a mate, authoritative, knowledgeable, without being overbearing or patronising. A totally natural caller of football.

Football quiz incoming.

Every four years, the World Cup goes to one lucky country – and one player from the tournament is crowned the best in the competition with a Golden Ball award. It often goes to an era-defining superstar (not necessarily always).

Today, we don't just want you to name every player to have won the biggest individual prize at the World Cup, but the Silver and Bronze balls, too (for second and third, obvs). Eight minutes at the ready, with 33 players to guess over the last 11 World Cups. Go!

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Ready for more quizzes?. To see if your mental stamina can survive a summer of back-to-back matchdays, we've drawn up a lineup of teasers designed to test your awareness of the modern masterminds pulling the strings and the icons who have defined the grandest stage on Earth – courtesy of Kwizly.

We’re launching straight into the current tournament's technical area and its most ruthless finishers. With tactical battles unfolding daily across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, we want to see if you can identify the brains in the dugout by naming every manager at World Cup 2026. Once you've mapped out the tactical bosses, shift your focus to the ultimate cheat code of modern football by seeing if you can get 100 per cent in our Erling Haaland quiz, to celebrate the Nordic marksman lighting up his very first World Cup with a flurry of goals.

If the past is more your thing, take a nostalgia trip exactly twenty years into the past to test your memory on Zinedine Zidane's dramatic curtain call and Italy's Berlin triumph with The Big 2006 World Cup Quiz. After conquering the archives of that iconic tournament, bring your focus back to domestic icons and try to name every England player with over 50 caps: an exhaustive trial of international longevity that separates armchair analysts from the true historians who remember every stalwart to earn a half-century of international honours.

To lower your pulse after navigating that massive statistical workout, find a quiet spot in the dugout for FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 59, featuring a brilliantly niche focus on 80s heroes, midfield maestros, and non-FIFA nations. To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as the knockout rounds loom, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

We've got another quiz for you.

In over two decades in the game, Cristiano Ronaldo has become a byword for mentality, plundering nearly 1,000 goals, winning virtually everything in the sport and surfing new heights with Portugal – but how much of that glittering career can you actually recall?

We've put together 20 questions on the man himself, from those early days alongside Luis Figo to the current day of leading the line for his nation: what do you remember about CR7's career?

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Ready for more quizzes?. To see if your mental stamina can survive a summer of back-to-back matchdays, we've drawn up a lineup of teasers designed to test your awareness of the modern masterminds pulling the strings and the icons who have defined the grandest stage on Earth – courtesy of Kwizly.

We’re launching straight into the current tournament's technical area and its most ruthless finishers. With tactical battles unfolding daily across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, we want to see if you can identify the brains in the dugout by naming every manager at World Cup 2026. Once you've mapped out the tactical bosses, shift your focus to the ultimate cheat code of modern football by seeing if you can get 100 per cent in our Erling Haaland quiz, to celebrate the Nordic marksman lighting up his very first World Cup with a flurry of goals.

If the past is more your thing, take a nostalgia trip exactly twenty years into the past to test your memory on Zinedine Zidane's dramatic curtain call and Italy's Berlin triumph with The Big 2006 World Cup Quiz. After conquering the archives of that iconic tournament, bring your focus back to domestic icons and try to name every England player with over 50 caps: an exhaustive trial of international longevity that separates armchair analysts from the true historians who remember every stalwart to earn a half-century of international honours.

To lower your pulse after navigating that massive statistical workout, find a quiet spot in the dugout for FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 59, featuring a brilliantly niche focus on 80s heroes, midfield maestros, and non-FIFA nations. To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as the knockout rounds loom, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

Following Canada’s 1-0 victory over South Africa at SoFi Stadium, The Athletic journalist Colin Millar noted a unique distinction achieved by match-winner Stephen Eustáquio.

By scoring a dramatic 92nd-minute goal to secure Canada’s first-ever knockout phase win, the midfielder technically became the first player who has represented Portugal at any international level to score a World Cup knockout goal while wearing the number 7 shirt.

Eustáquio, who currently wears the No. 7 jersey for Canada, was born in Ontario to Portuguese parents and represented Portugal at the Under-21 level before committing his senior international career to Canada in 2019.

Cristiano Ronaldo is STILL in search of a first World Cup knockout goal

The statistic highlights a notable omission in Cristiano Ronaldo's extensive career CV.

Despite being the all-time leading goalscorer in international men's football and featuring in multiple World Cups for Portugal, Ronaldo has never scored a goal during the knockout rounds of the tournament.

The statistical quirk emerges as Ronaldo and the current Portugal squad prepare for their own upcoming Round of 32 knockout match against Croatia in Toronto.

Ronaldo became the first man to score at six different World Cups with his brace against Uzbekistan during the group stage.

His goal haul is as follows:

2006 (Germany): 1 goal (vs. Iran)

2010 (South Africa): 1 goal (vs. North Korea)

2014 (Brazil): 1 goal (vs. Ghana)

2018 (Russia): 4 goals (Hat-trick vs. Spain, 1 vs. Morocco)

2022 (Qatar): 1 goal (vs. Ghana)

2026 (USA/Mexico/Canada): 2 goals (vs. Uzbekistan)

Elimination to Croatia, without finding the back of the net, would mean in all likelihood that CR7 retires from the game without that knockout goal.

Ronaldo has 10 FIFA World Cup goals, nine shy of record scorer Lionel Messi.

Quiz, anyone?

The great thing about a 48-team World Cup is that all the big teams are here (well, apart from one or two), so there's plenty of heritage across the competition: gone are the days of a 16-team tournament where only one team from the home nations and a couple from the entirety of Africa will qualify.

But can you tell us the most successful sides to have ever graced this competition? We've given you 10 minutes to list the top 40 teams… but there's a catch. We want you to do it in order. Get that backspace button at the ready!

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Ready for more quizzes?. To see if your mental stamina can survive a summer of back-to-back matchdays, we've drawn up a lineup of teasers designed to test your awareness of the modern masterminds pulling the strings and the icons who have defined the grandest stage on Earth – courtesy of Kwizly.

We’re launching straight into the current tournament's technical area and its most ruthless finishers. With tactical battles unfolding daily across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, we want to see if you can identify the brains in the dugout by naming every manager at World Cup 2026. Once you've mapped out the tactical bosses, shift your focus to the ultimate cheat code of modern football by seeing if you can get 100 per cent in our Erling Haaland quiz, to celebrate the Nordic marksman lighting up his very first World Cup with a flurry of goals.

If the past is more your thing, take a nostalgia trip exactly twenty years into the past to test your memory on Zinedine Zidane's dramatic curtain call and Italy's Berlin triumph with The Big 2006 World Cup Quiz. After conquering the archives of that iconic tournament, bring your focus back to domestic icons and try to name every England player with over 50 caps: an exhaustive trial of international longevity that separates armchair analysts from the true historians who remember every stalwart to earn a half-century of international honours.

To lower your pulse after navigating that massive statistical workout, find a quiet spot in the dugout for FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 59, featuring a brilliantly niche focus on 80s heroes, midfield maestros, and non-FIFA nations. To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as the knockout rounds loom, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

Arsenal have had an approach for England and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott rejected.

The Cherries - who have qualified for the Europa League for the first time in their history - insist the midfielder is not for sale and are planning on offering him a new contract, according to the Daily Mail.

Arsenal did not make an official bid for Scott but are keen to bolster their midfielder this summer but have a number of options they are looking at.

Arsenal looking for midfield reinforcements

Newcastle’s Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali is an option, but they face competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

Relegated West Ham's Mateus Fernandes is also an option as is Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi but both players are highly converted by clubs across Europe.

Manchester United and Tottenham are the main runners for Fernandes so far.

United, Spurs and Chelsea are also interested in 22-year-old Scott who is valued close to £80m.

UAE Second Division side Arabian Falcons FC have made a statement signing ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, securing the addition of Premier League winner Danny Simpson as a player-coach.

The 39-year-old right-back has come out of retirement to join the Dubai-based club, where he will balance on-pitch duties with a role in the backroom staff of manager Jonjo Shelvey.

Simpson brings vast experience to the Falcons, most notably from his pivotal role in Leicester City’s historic 5,000/1 title-winning season in 2016, alongside promotions with Newcastle United, Sunderland, and QPR.

Jonjo Shelvey is getting the band back together

"The opportunity to join Jonjo and this exciting project was one I couldn’t turn down," Simpson said. "I still have plenty to offer on the pitch.

"The club has a clear plan, and I want to play my part in delivering a successful promotion-winning campaign," he said.

The signing reunites Simpson with a formidable contingent of former English top-flight stars. Manager Jonjo Shelvey, who earned six caps for England during a career spanning spells at Swansea City, Liverpool and Newcastle, took the managerial reins for the final five games of last season.

After narrowly missing out on promotion, Shelvey is preparing for his first full year in the dugout.

"Danny is the ideal signing—a Premier League champion with vast experience, leadership, and a winning mentality," Shelvey stated. "This is the start of us building a team I firmly believe can win promotion this season."

Further strengthening the club's leadership, the Falcons also confirmed a one-year contract extension for club captain Ravel Morrison. The former Manchester United prodigy will anchor the midfield alongside the guidance of co-owner and head of football operations Jason Puncheon.

"This signing sends a strong message about our ambition," Puncheon said, reiterating the club's short-term goal of reaching the UAE First Division.

Beyond first-team ambitions, the club has launched the Arabian Falcons Academy. Led by the experienced quartet of Shelvey, Simpson, Morrison, and Puncheon, the academy will establish a development pathway for youth prospects across the UAE.

The Falcons' journey will be captured in an upcoming behind-the-scenes documentary tracking the team throughout the 2026/27 season.

Ready?

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

More World Cup quizzes, you say? Lucky you! We’ve dipped straight back into the international archives to pull out a pristine selection of trivia trials designed to test your knowledge of global icons and historic tournaments, courtesy of Kwizly. Whether you are tracing the long-serving stalwarts of European football or mapping out the grandest matches in sporting history, we’ve got something for everyone. Strap in!

We are starting with an ultimate examination of international endurance, focusing on a European powerhouse known for its ruthless efficiency and tournament consistency. We want to see if you can name every player to have won 50 or more caps for Germany, a massive roll call of elite talent that stretches across generations of world champions, defensive anchors, and legendary midfield metronomes. To balance that specific powerhouse against global longevity, we are also challenging you to sort these 30 players by their international caps.

Next, to name every France player to have played in a World Cup final, a task that spans the triumphant nights of 1998 and 2018 alongside the high-drama heartbreaks that went down to the wire. If you want a hit of pure retro nostalgia closer to home, switch your focus to the opening night of France 98 and see if you can tell us the Scotland XI that faced Brazil in 1998. It was a legendary evening in Paris, and we want to see if you can recall the precise starting line-up that walked out to face Ronaldo and company under the stadium lights.

The thin line between tournament immortality and absolute devastation is often decided from twelve yards out, which leads directly to a test of nerves under the highest pressure imaginable. We are challenging you to name every player to score in a World Cup penalty shootout this century, an intensive archive that covers every successful spot-kick executed during the modern era's most dramatic knockout tiebreakers. To keep your memory locked into that golden era of the mid-2000s, take a crack at The Big 2006 World Cup Quiz and see if you can secure 20 correct answers. It’s a thorough evaluation of that unforgettable German summer, tracking everything from Zidane's dramatic final chapter to the breakthrough moments of a young generation of future icons.

For the genuine scholars who consider standard multiple-choice questions a mere warm-up, the final stretch shifts into serious academic territory. Grab a pen and settle down with FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 59, an intricate grid exploring 80s heroes, midfield maestros and non-FIFA nations that demands a sharp lateral mind and an exceptional grasp of retro footballing culture. Once you have successfully navigated those cryptic boxes, steel your resolve for Pre-Match Poser no.33, an elite-level football quiz question explicitly engineered to puzzle the most confident statisticians by targeting a hyper-specific pocket of sporting heritage that only a true historian could unearth.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

The Netherlands opened the scoring against Morocco in their Round of 32 clash at the 2026 World Cup courtesy of Cody Gakpo's second half strike.

Liverpool winger Gakpo moved within one goal of equalling Johnny Rep's record as the highest goalscorer in Dutch World Cup history.

The 27-year-old was put through on goal by teammate Crysencio Summerville who met Wout Weghorst's flick on and ran clear of the Morocco backline.

Cody Gakpo in muted Netherlands celebration after family tragedy

After sweeping in the Dutch opener, Gakpo broke down on the pitch in what was a muted celebration given the significance of his goal.

The Netherlands bench emptied and ran to join the Reds' winger inside the Morocco penalty area, consoling and congratulating Gakpo.

Gakpo started the match despite spending the past 48 hours surrounded by family following the passing of his and his partner's unborn child.

Dutch national team boss Ronald Koeman and skipper Virgil van Dijk both praised the couple's strength during this incredibly difficult time.

“We have done what was within our power in ​terms of support, as players, as staff,” Koeman said.

“Of course, the ​first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well, there ​was never a moment where he said ‘I want to go ​back, I want to be with the family’.”

Van Dijk referenced the respect he feels for his club and international teammate, specifically in how Gakpo and his family had dealt with the situation.

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“The most important ​thing is to ⁠ask: ‘What do you need?’ It’s awful news and it shows that football is secondary. There ​are more important things in life. It’s very ​sad but ⁠Cody deals with it."

Gakpo has scored three goals and registered one assist for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, netting a brace against Sweden before his Round of 32 heroics.

Germany's record from the penalty spot in World Cups was the stuff of legend.

On the four occasions that Germany were taken down to a World Cup shootout, they won each occasion and missed just one of the 18 efforts taken during those events.

Such was their notoriety that Gary Lineker famously claimed 'football is a simple game where 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win'.

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World Cup history made by Germany exit

But that all changed on Monday evening as Julian Nagelsmann's side crashed out of the round-of-32 stage to Paraguay after a 4-3 defeat on penalties in Foxborough.

Die Mannschaft had to overturn a first-half deficit at Boston Stadium as Kai Havertz levelled before appearing to snatch an extra-time winner through Jonathan Tah.

However a VAR review saw the Bayern Munich defender's effort disallowed for a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up to the goal.

Tah later missed the decisive kick during sudden death after Havertz and Woltemade both spurned their efforts to make history for all the wrong reasons.

The shootout loss was not only Germany's first at a World Cup but remarkably only their second in a major tournament after the 1976 European Championship final.

That previous result memorably gave rise to the Panenka technique used by Antonin Paneka for what is now Czech Republic to beat German goalkeeper Sepp Maier.

Germany used to have a flawless record when it came to penalty shootouts at the FIFA World Cup.

They are widely considered the undisputed kings of the spot-kick, having won all four of their previous World Cups shootouts - until meeting Paraguay in Boston.

Out of 24 total penalties taken by German players in World Cup shootouts, they have scored 20.

German players were born to take pressure penalties

The only time a German player had failed to score in a World Cup shootout, before Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah missed against Paraguay, was back in 1982, when Uli Stielike's shot was saved by France's Jean-Luc Ettori.

Between 1982 and 2026, Germany had converted every single penalty they had taken at the tournament.

While Germany have missed only a handful of times, their goalkeepers have also been incredibly efficient.

Out of the 24 penalties faced, opponents have only scored 14. German keepers have saved eight, and England's Chris Waddle famously blazed one over the bar in 1990. Paraguay's Antonio Sanabria also shot wide in 2026.

The streak began during the 1982 semi-finals with a 5–4 shootout victory over France following a 3–3 draw after extra time.

They secured their second shootout win four years later in the 1986 quarter-finals, defeating hosts Mexico 4–1 after the match ended goalless.

In the 1990 semi-finals, Germany overcame England 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw, before most recently extending their perfect record in the 2006 quarter-finals by defeating Argentina 4–2 after another 1–1 draw after extra time.

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Even in normal time (excluding shootouts), Germany’s efficiency from the penalty spot remains top tier, though not quite perfect.

In their World Cup history, Germany (including West Germany) have taken 14 in-game penalties, successfully converting 12 of them.

Netherlands vs Morocco will be refereed by Wilton Sampaio, from Brazil.

Co-hosts Canada became the first side to book a place in the last-16 when they saw off South Africa with an injury-time goal on Sunday, while Brazil will take on Japan in Monday's early kick-off, which will be followed by Germany vs Paraguay.

It's then over to Monterrey for what - on paper, at least - should be one of the best ties of this first knock-out round.

Referee confirmed for Netherlands vs Morocco

Despite being held to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener against Japan, the Netherlands would go on to progress as group winners following emphatic wins over Sweden and Tunisia.

That meant that Group C's second-place finishers awaited them, with Morocco finishing behind Brazil on goal difference after also claiming two wins and a draw in the opening phase of the tournament.

The referee for this match will be Wilton Sampaio.

And yes, that's the Brazilian official who sent off three players in the opening match of the tournament, when he gave South Africa duo Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, plus Mexico's Cesar Montes, red cards during the co-host's 2-0 victory at the Azteca.

Sampaio's other match in the tournament was a quieter affair, as he oversaw Norway's 3-2 victory over Senegal without having to dole out any cards.

England fans may also recognise the 44-year-old from England's 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France at the last World Cup in 2022.

Sampaio will be joined by his countrymen Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia as assistant referees.

Chile's Cristian Garay will be the fourth official for this one, while the reserve official will be another Chilean in Jose Retamal.

Details of the VAR crew for this one are yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.

Netherlands bid for a first World Cup title reaches the knockout stages early on Tuesday morning.

Ronald Koeman's side topped Group F, ahead of Japan and Sweden and will be pitted against a Morocco, a side who finished as runners-up behind the Brazil in Group C.

Netherlands and Morocco have only met twice in the past and both games ended 2-1 to the Dutch - in 2017 and 1994.

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ITV's complete line-up of commentators, pundits and presenters for Netherlands vs Morocco

The match kicks off at 2am UK time, with live coverage available on ITV1 and online at ITVX. Laura Woods will be at the helm in the ITV studio in Brooklyn, where she is joined by two pundits, former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson as well as ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Spain midfielder Juan Mata.

ITV's commentator Seb Hutchinson will be up on the gantry at the Estadio Monterrey.

Hutchinson will be joined by Andros Townsend on co-commentary duties.

The winners of this tie will face co-hosts Canada in the last 16 game on July 4 at the Houston Stadium.