World Cup 2026: Everything you missed overnight and what's coming up on Friday
DOWN MEXICO WAY: Fans of Mexico and Korea Republic enjoy the atmosphere before their game in Guadalajara. Pic: David Ramos/Getty Images
Is there a German word for the weird feeling that you should be somewhere else?
Yesterday evening Irish football fans, once again, experienced that uncanny sense as we watched Czechia -- our shootout victors in Prague last March -- take centre stage once more.
Not that we're hung up on it.
The Czech's second Pool A game kicked off a relatively low-wattage day at the tournament- here's everything that happened since then, and what we can expect today.
South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from fulltime as they fought back to draw 1-1 with those Czechs after falling behind early in the Group A clash.
The result effectively left the two sides, who both lost their opening fixtures, likely requiring a win in their last group game to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Teboho Mokoena slotted home the late spotkick which gave South Africa a lifeline as they were staring at potential early elimination, after the Czechs had led from the sixth minute through Michal Sadilek.
Both teams now have a point after losing their respective opening games last Thursday.
The Czechs largely conceded possession after going in front, but South Africa did little with the ball and struggled to create any real quality in the final third.
Oswin Appollis tried his luck from distance and his shot took a deflection on its way narrowly wide and South Africa had another chance on the stroke of halftime.
Keeper Matej Kovar spilled a ball floated into the six-yard area by Aubrey Modiba, but Czech captain Ladislav Krejci was there to block Thapelo Maseko's shot.
South Africa lacked imagination and looked to have run out of ideas until a rather harsh handball decision was given against Pavel Sulc and Mokoena sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Teboho Mokoena picked up a yellow card, and the heartbeat of South Africa's midfield will miss his side's final group game. They were already without Themba Zwane, serving a three-match suspension for a red card in the first match.
The Czech Republic's final group game is against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday, with South Africa taking on South Korea in Monterrey at the same time.
: Teboho Mokoena wrote his name into South African football folklore.
"I don't see a reason," South Africa's manager, Hugo Broos, replied when asked if he was relieved. "I think that we played a very good game today, except for one moment in the beginning of the first half, where we were not concentrated, not focused."
: For the first time at a World Cup match, both head coaches were aged over 70. Pass the Werthers.
: Both hydration breaks were roundly booed by the crowd inside the air-conditioned Atlanta Stadium with its roof closed, which served as protection from the heavy rain and not the Georgia summer heat and humidity. The jeers did come to a halt, however, once 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' was blasted over the stadium speakers sparking an enthusiastic sing-along.
Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 helped by a second- half double from substitute Johan Manzambi to take control of World Cup Group B on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium.
After an uneventful first half, the Swiss finally broke through the Bosnia defence when Manzambi came off the bench and had an immediate impact, volleying home to break the deadlock in the 74th minute, three minutes after being introduced.
The favoured Swiss struck again through Ruben Vargas and Manzambi added another before Bosnia's Ermin Mahmic scored to give the Bosnia fans something to cheer. Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka converted a penalty to wrap up the win.
The Swiss, who have four points and need one more from their final group game to guarantee a place in the Round of 32 as winners or runners-up, face Canada in Vancouver on Wednesday when Bosnia, who have one point, meet Qatar in Seattle.
The Bosnians can console themselves with the fact they still have the best World Cup song this time around.
Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick as Canada secured their first-ever World Cup finals victory and boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stages with a 6-0 thrashing of hapless nine-man Qatar on Thursday.
The co-hosts' joy at the resounding victory was tempered by a serious injury suffered by midfielder Ismael Kone, but they moved top of Group B with four points after two matches, while Qatar are bottom with one.
Canada next host second-placed Switzerland, who also have four points, in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Mexico booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage as Group A winners and secured home advantage for the Round of 32 after Luis Romo's second-half strike earned the tournament co-hosts a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday.
The victory moved Javier Aguirre's side onto six points from two matches and ensured their first knockout game would be played in Mexico City on June 30. They are the first team to qualify for the knockout stage.
Romo broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, capitalising on a costly mistake by goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu. The South Korea keeper spilled a cross after colliding with a teammate, allowing the Mexico midfielder a simple finish into an unguarded net from the centre of the box.
"It was a very close game; we didn't give up a single centimetre and fought for every ball as if it were our last," Aguirre told Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca.
"It was a game where whoever made a mistake would lose, and it was them... It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember."
The goal transformed the mood inside Guadalajara Stadium after an uninspiring first half that ended with sections of the home crowd booing the hosts off the pitch.
Gary Lineker following the Three Lions’ World Cup victory against Croatia.
USA v Australia, 8pm, Seattle
Scotland v Morocco, 11pm, Boston
Brazil v Haiti, Philadelphia, 1.30am Saturday
: Turkiye v Paraguay, San Francisco, 4am Saturday
The Norwegian parliament performed the country's rowing chant to show support for the football team 🇳🇴
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 18, 2026
World Cup fever is global ❤️🔥pic.twitter.com/JQSM4besiw
Scotland’s supporters have won the World Cup already when it comes to viral hits and goodwill on the ground.
The world has been entertained this week with videos of the Tartan Army singing The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles at Fenway Park, men in kilts charming New England locals with their merry-yet-considerate behaviour, bagpipes on Boston’s public transport and, yes, fans tossing traffic cones onto the head of the Samuel Adams’ statue.
On the pitch, their football team have the chance to make football history tonight in their second pool game with Morocco.
Dispute teams that have given us memorable World Cup moments (think Archie Gemmill against the Dutch in 1978) and boasted legends of the game - from Law to Dalglish – they’ve famously never progressed past the group stage of a World Cup.
After an opening night win over Haiti, that record can be put right at Foxborough under Friday night lights.
Manager Steve Clarke had a full complement of players for Scotland’s final training session on Thursday.
Centre-back Scott McKenna missed the 1-0 Group C win over Haiti on Saturday with a calf injury. The 29-year-old Dinamo Zagreb man returned to the group at their Charlotte base on Tuesday morning but sat out the last workout in North Carolina before the Scots flew to Boston on Wednesday afternoon.
Scotland are top of Group C with three points, after Morocco and Brazil drew 1-1 in their group opener in New Jersey. After taking on Morocco, the Scots face the Brazilians in Miami on June 24.
Expect a good rendition of Flower of Scotland, whatever else unfolds tonight.
The hottest ticket in American sport yesterday was a vantage point along Broadway, not an overpriced seat in an air-conditioned stadium for the football.
The New York Knicks’ celebrated their first NBA championship with a spectacular tickertape parade through Manhattan. The party marked the end, really, of the Finals series that transfixed the US.
Now, the men’s soccer team have the stage to themselves.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side take on Australia tonight in Seattle. There’s little better for a tournament than a host nation building up a head of steam.
The US won their opener, impressively dispatching Paraguay on a scoreline of 4-1.
Australia too, however, started well with a win over the Turks and this showdown promises to be a bit of an early group decider. Who’ll claim that crucial second victory that will open up the entire tournament? America is ready to get on the soccer bandwagon.
It’s not a World Cup until we see some proper Samba football. Brazil face Haiti in the early hours of Saturday morning needing to kickstart their tournament.
The Selecao began their campaign with a disappointing draw against an admittedly impressive Morocco side, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with plenty of questions.
The hugely experienced manager won’t panic and will expect three points tonight - but how will they do it?
Of course, there’s also the perennial Neymar question.
Neymar will not travel with the rest of the squad, it was confirmed on Thursday night. The Santos player was selected for the World Cup squad despite suffering with a calf injury which also meant he could not be involved in Brazil’s opening draw against Morocco last Saturday.
A bulletin from the Brazilian federation (CBF) read: “Neymar will not travel with the squad to Philadelphia.
“He will remain in New Jersey to optimise the final stage of his recovery, utilizing the excellent facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training complex.” It could mean Neymar’s first squad involvement – if not match action – comes against Scotland in Miami next Wednesday.
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