World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for July 1
Can the U.S. join fellow World Cup co-hosts Canada and Mexico into the Round of 16. Also, the players will know their Round of 16 opponent heading into the match in Santa Clara.
France and Mexico look like real contenders.
Following convincing wins on Tuesday, it wouldn't be altogether surprising for El Tri to join the tournament favorites in the semifinal round. While there might be healthy debates about whether getting to this Round of 16 really does constitute a "quinto partido" (because it technically is, but it's not the quarterfinal round that fans have been clamoring for), Mexico looked solid in its 2-0 win over Ecuador to close out a day of action that also had France break through the force field in front of Sweden's goal for most of the first half.
With a brace to lead the way, Kylian Mbappé moved into the Golden Boot race lead over Lionel Messi. (Both have six goals so far, but Mbappé has two assists as well, whereas Messi has none.)
Also in there on Tuesday: Norway got goals from Antonio Nusa and (of course) Erling Haaland to get past Côte d'Ivoire, and will now face Brazil, making for curious cuisine at whatever joint watch parties spring up. Caipirinhas and lutefisk, y'all!
On Wednesday, U.S. fans brace for the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina; should the Yanks get past that hurdle, they'll face the Belgium-Senegal winner which will be determined by the time all us Central Time people will be getting out of work (or, if it goes to extra time, while in transit).
Also on deck to start the day: England vs. DR Congo, with the winner facing Mexico in the Azteca. Much was made of the atmosphere that El Tri fans brought, and rightly so, though there's a concerning persistent issue that FIFA seems to just be ignoring, even though this would be the setting in which it could be done away with once and for all. (Or, at least they could try.)
Let's get caught up.
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Canada 1, South Africa 0 (Canada will play Morocco in Round of 16, July 4, in Houston)
Monday, June 29
Brazil 2, Japan 1 (Brazil plays winner of Côte d'Ivoire-Norway in Round of 16)
Paraguay 1(4), Germany 1(3) (Paraguay plays winner of France-Sweden in Round of 16)
Morocco 1(3), Netherlands 1(2), (Morocco plays Canada in Round of 16, July 4, in Houston)
Tuesday, June 30
Norway 2, Côte d'Ivoire1, (Norway plays Brazil in Round of 16, July 5, in East Rutherford, N.J.)
France 3, Sweden 0 (France plays Paraguay in Round of 16, July 4, in Philadelphia)
Mexico 2, Ecuador 0 (Mexico plays winner of England-DR Congo in Round of 16, July 5, in Mexico City)
Wednesday, July 1
England vs. DR Congo, 11 am, Atlanta (winner plays Mexico in Round of 16, July 5, in Mexico City)
Belgium vs. Senegal, 3 pm, Seattle (winner plays winner of United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round of 16, July 6, in Seattle)
United Statesvs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7 pm, Santa Clara, Calif. (winner plays winner of Belgium-Senegal in Round of 16, July 6, in Seattle)
Thursday, July 2
Spain vs. Austria, 2 pm, Inglewood, Calif. (winner plays winner of Group K runner-up-Group L runner-up in Round of 16)
Portugal vs. Croatia, 6 pm, Toronto (winner plays winner of Spain-Austria in Round of 16)
Switzerland vs. Algeria, 10 pm, Vancouver (winner plays winner of Group K winner-Group D/E/I/J/L 3rdFr place in Round of 16)
Friday, July 3
Australiavs. Egypt, 1 pm, Jerryworld (winner plays winner of Argentina-Cabo Verde in Round of 16)
Argentina vs. Cabo Verde, 5 pm, Miami Gardens, Fla. (winner plays winner of Australia-Egypt in Round of 16)
Colombia vs. Ghana, 8:30 pm, Kansas City (winner plays winner of Switzerland-Algeria in Round of 16)
Round of 16 (what we know so far)
Saturday, July 4
Canada vs. Morocco, noon, Houston
Paraguay vs. France-Sweden winner, 4 pm, Philadelphia
Sunday, July 5
Brazil vs. Norway, 3 pm, East Rutherford, N.J.
Mexico vs. England-DR Congo, 7 pm, Mexico City
Where to watch
Are you hungering to watch the U.S. match on a 30-foot inflatable screen on a lawn with "mature trees" over you and outdoor drum fans blowing air on you? You might consider the French Legation's watch party then. Note that attendance will be limited to 250; plan accordingly.
What to read
The Athletic has reranked all 48 World Cup teams. Mexico is now 6th. The U.S. is slightly lower.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
After three straight losses in a difficult eight-day stretch of the season, Austin FC's on the brink of playoff elimination. But interim head coach Davy Arnaud is still committed to fight until Decision Day.
Austin FC got a goal just before halftime on its first shot of the game, but the visitors put in two goals after halftime to likely seal Verde's home-for-the-postseason fate.
Just over a month ago, we checked in with a Whitecaps expert about Austin's matchup with the West leaders. We do the same here now with the race for first place tighter than it was.
Verde's leading goalscorer in 2026 has committed to the club through the 2027-28 season. The veteran leader will turn 37 just before that season concludes.
France and Mexico look like real contenders.
Following convincing wins on Tuesday, it wouldn't be altogether surprising for El Tri to join the tournament favorites in the semifinal round. While there might be healthy debates about whether getting to this Round of 16 really does constitute a "quinto partido" (because it technically is, but it's not the quarterfinal round that fans have been clamoring for), Mexico looked solid in its 2-0 win over Ecuador to close out a day of action that also had France break through the force field in front of Sweden's goal for most of the first half.
With a brace to lead the way, Kylian Mbappé moved into the Golden Boot race lead over Lionel Messi. (Both have six goals so far, but Mbappé has two assists as well, whereas Messi has none.)
Also in there on Tuesday: Norway got goals from Antonio Nusa and (of course) Erling Haaland to get past Côte d'Ivoire, and will now face Brazil, making for curious cuisine at whatever joint watch parties spring up. Caipirinhas and lutefisk, y'all!
On Wednesday, U.S. fans brace for the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina; should the Yanks get past that hurdle, they'll face the Belgium-Senegal winner which will be determined by the time all us Central Time people will be getting out of work (or, if it goes to extra time, while in transit).
Also on deck to start the day: England vs. DR Congo, with the winner facing Mexico in the Azteca. Much was made of the atmosphere that El Tri fans brought, and rightly so, though there's a concerning persistent issue that FIFA seems to just be ignoring, even though this would be the setting in which it could be done away with once and for all. (Or, at least they could try.)
Let's get caught up.
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Round of 16 (what we know so far)
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Where to watch
Are you hungering to watch the U.S. match on a 30-foot inflatable screen on a lawn with "mature trees" over you and outdoor drum fans blowing air on you? You might consider the French Legation's watch party then. Note that attendance will be limited to 250; plan accordingly.
What to read
The Athletic has reranked all 48 World Cup teams. Mexico is now 6th. The U.S. is slightly lower.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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