Canada secured a dramatic late victory over South Africa on Sunday night to book their place in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a late strike deciding a tightly contested knockout clash.Missed chances, outstanding goalkeeping, and relentless pressure from both sides defined the pulsating match in Los Angeles.Ronwen Williams produced a string of world-class saves to keep South Africa in the contest during a difficult opening spell. In the 22nd minute, Derek Cornelius

Forward Prince Kwabena Adu has urged his teammates to keep pushing after the Black Stars reached the round of 32 following a successful group stage. The West African made it to the knockout stage for the third time after finishing third in Group L with four points. Ghana defeated Panama and drew with England in their first two matches which was enough to send the team to the round of 32.And despite the defeat to Croatia in Philadelphia on Saturday, Ghana set up a clash with Colombia

Carlos Queiroz believes Ghana emerged from Saturday's defeat to Croatia with valuable lessons that could prove decisive in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat in Philadelphia but still secured a place in the Round of 32, where they will meet Colombia.Rather than dwell on the result, Queiroz focused on the progress his side has made since he took charge earlier this year."I learned a lot in this game," he said."The best

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz admitted costly defensive errors proved decisive in his side's 2-1 defeat to Croatia, saying the Black Stars made "one critical mistake more" than their opponents in the decisive Group L clash.Petar Sucic gave Croatia the lead with a spectacular long-range strike before Derrick Luckassen equalised in the second half. However, Nikola Vlasic headed home the winner seven minutes from time to hand Croatia all three points.Queiroz acknowledged

FIFA has unveiled the official knockout bracket for the 2026 World Cup following the conclusion of the group stage, confirming the path each of the 32 remaining nations must navigate in pursuit of football's biggest prize.After 72 group-stage matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament now enters its knockout phase, where every match is winner-takes-all.The bracket features several heavyweight clashes in the Round of 32. Brazil face Japan, Portugal take

Croatia forward Ivan Perisic believes Croatia will be unstoppable if they play like they did against Ghana on Saturday in Philadelphia. The PSV winger starred for the 2018 World Cup finalist as the edged Ghana 2-1 and finish in second place in Group L.A first half strike from Petar Sucic and a late header from Nikola Vlasic was sandwiched by a consolation goal from Derrick Luckassen."It was good. Much better than in the first two games. They didn't really attack in

Croatia captain Luka Modric believes the victory over Ghana will inspire their tournament after reaching the last 32 of the World Cup. The 2018 World Cup runners-up defeated Ghana 2-1 to advance by finishing second in Group L.Petar Sucic opened the scoring in Philadelphia before Derrick Luckassen levelled in the second half. A late Nikola Vlasic header sealed the win for Croatia.And according to Modric, Ghana gave Croatia a good game on Saturday night."It was a pretty good

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has hailed his team for delivering a tactical masterpiece in their 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final Group L game in Philadelphia. Nikola Vaslic's late header secured a deserved three points for the Europeans, which also placed them above Ghana as they progressed to the round of 32.In the thrilling encounter, the 2018 semi-finalist opened the scoring through Petar Sucic in the 31st minute before Ghana levelled through Derrick Luckassen with 17

England secured safe passage into the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a controlled 2-0 victory over Panama, a result that confirmed them as Group L winners. Second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured progress, but the performance was overshadowed by growing concern over defensive depth. Thomas Tuchel, who rotated heavily after the underwhelming goalless draw with Ghana, made five changes to his starting XI, including defensive selections for

Canada have received a timely lift ahead of their World Cup knockout campaign, with captain Alphonso Davies declared fit for Sundayâ??s last-32 meeting with South Africa on Sunday. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the Bayern Munich star has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during his clubâ??s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, easing fears that he could miss the decisive stages of the tournament. â??Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos faces a mixed disciplinary landscape ahead of Bafana Bafana's historic 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday. The South African camp received a significant tactical boost with the return of star central midfielder Teboho Mokoena.The Mamelodi Sundowns talisman is fully available for selection after serving a mandatory one-match suspension during the final Group E match against South Korea

Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has opened up about playing at the 2026 World Cup without his brother Andre following Ghana's 2-1 defeat to Croatia.Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia after the Black Stars' final Group L fixture, the forward downplayed media speculation about navigating the 2026 FIFA World Cup without his older brother.The Ayew brothers have been pillars of Ghana's national team for over a decade, making Andre's omission from the tournament squad

Black Stars vice captain Thomas Partey will be available for Ghana's Round of 32 clash against Colombia after the Black Stars' third-place finish in Group L ensured their knockout tie would be played in the United States rather than Canada.Before Ghana's final group match against Croatia, there had been uncertainty over Partey's availability beyond the group stage. Had the Black Stars finished second in Group L, they would have been scheduled to face Portugal

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has questioned whether FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams has enhanced the competition, arguing that the increased number of qualification places risks reducing the prestige of reaching football's biggest stage.Speaking after Ghana's 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Saturday, which still saw the Black Stars qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, Queiroz said the long-term impact of the expanded format

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz believes Saturday's defeat to Croatia could prove beneficial as the Black Stars prepare for the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup.Croatia's 2-1 victory in Philadelphia denied Ghana the chance to finish second in Group L, but the Black Stars still progressed to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.For Queiroz, the biggest positive from the game was not the result but the lessons his players can take into

Carlos Queiroz has urged Ghana to treat Saturday's defeat against Croatia as an opportunity for growth rather than disappointment after the Black Stars secured a place in the World Cup knockout rounds.Ghana lost 2-1 in their final Group L fixture but still progressed as one of the best third-placed teams and will now face Colombia in the Round of 32.Speaking after the match, Queiroz refused to criticise his players and instead repeated a philosophy that has guided his coaching

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz believes the Black Stars' World Cup campaign is only just beginning despite Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Croatia, insisting the knockout rounds represent the true test of his side's credentials.The Black Stars suffered their first defeat of the tournament at Lincoln Financial Field but still secured a place in the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. They will now face Group K winners Colombia in Kansas City.Rather than dwell on

England captain Harry Kane returned to the scoresheet in style on Saturday, becoming his country's all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup just days after a Ghanaian spiritualist claimed to have "released" him from a self-proclaimed curse.Kane scored his 11th World Cup goal in England's 2-0 victory over Panama, surpassing Gary Lineker's long-standing record of 10 goals. The Bayern Munich striker headed home from a Jude Bellingham cross in the 67th

Africa has delivered one of its strongest collective performances at the FIFA World Cup, with nine of the continent's 10 representatives progressing to the Round of 32 in the expanded 2026 tournament.Following the conclusion of the group stage, Ghana, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt, South Africa, Cape Verde, Algeria, Senegal and DR Congo all secured places in the knockout rounds, leaving Tunisia as the only African nation to exit before the last 32.The achievement means 90 percent

The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been confirmed after the completion of all 72 group-stage matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.The expanded 48-team tournament now moves into the Round of 32, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups joined by the eight best third-placed finishers.Ghana secured their place in the knockout stage after finishing third in Group L behind England and Croatia, setting up a mouthwatering clash against Group K winners