Just four matches into the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged, the buzz is already spreading across North America.
For the first time ever, the United States, Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the 48-team tournament, which kicked off with Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa. All 48 nations entered the competition with one goal in mind: lifting the iconic World Cup trophy.
Here’s a look at some fun fan moments, along with an overview of the most notable news surrounding the World Cup.
June 18
Canada Records Its First-Ever FIFA World Cup Win
Canada made its long-awaited mark on the FIFA World Cup, earning its first-ever tournament victory with a convincing 6-0 win over Qatar. Jonathan David led the charge, becoming the first Canadian to score a hat trick in World Cup history.
Canada played in the 2022 World Cup but did not earn a win, and it remains one of only two times the country has qualified for the tournament, alongside 1986. The long-awaited moment sparked celebrations among fans, with supporters in Vancouver seen cheering after the match.
Canada is now tied atop Group B with Switzerland, holding a three-point edge over Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who each have one point. The team is in a strong position to advance out of group play and continue its push in this year’s World Cup.
Neymar To Miss Brazil-Haiti Match
Neymar is not quite ready to return to on-pitch action and the World Cup, as the Brazil football association says he will be out for the match against Haiti on Friday, per Reuters.
In a statement to Reuters, Brazil’s football association said that, “[Neymar] will remain in New Jersey to make the most of the final stage of his recovery, making use of the excellent facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training center,” rather than travel with the rest of the team to Philadelphia Stadium.
Neymar injured his calf in a May match between Santos and Coritiba, and has been working indoors with Brazil’s training staff to be in a position to play in the World Cup. He only just arrived on Wednesday, however, and Friday is too soon for him to play in Brazil’s second match of this World Cup.
Thursday’s World Cup Games To Denounce Hate Speech
The eight teams playing World Cup matches on Thursday are taking part in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech commemoration, with a pre-match exchange of pennants denouncing such language.
Captains involved in the Czechia-South Africa, Mexico-South Korea, Switzerland-Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada-Qatar matches will have pennants reading “We Play Together. We Stand Against Hate’ with the wording in English on one side and the teams’ native language on the other.
FIFA says it has deleted more than 30 million abusive posts and comments since its social media protection service was created before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA says it deleted nearly 400,000 negative or abusive posts in the first few days of this World Cup — more than it did in the entirety of the 2022 event.
Other stadium activations involving that message are planned during Thursday’s matches.
Luis Diaz: ‘Today, I Am At My Best’
After contributing a goal and an assist in his World Cup debut, Colombia’s Luis Diaz walked to the sidelines to look for his father. They spotted each other, fulfilling a dream that was years in the making.
“A lot of things came to me from the past,” Díaz said after Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Wednesday night. “I worked for this. I fought to be here at this moment.”
First, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Then his parents were kidnapped.
In late 2023, Luis Manuel “Mane” Díaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, were captured by armed guerillas at the Colombia-Venezuela border. Marulanda was quickly rescued, but Mane Díaz was not.
Luis Díaz, playing for Liverpool at the time, missed two games to return home to Barrancas and advocate for his father’s freedom. Upon his return to the club, he scored and revealed an undershirt with the words “Freedom for Papa” printed in Spanish.
The gesture garnered international support and increased pressure on the Colombian government to act. Mane was released after being held for 12 days, and father and son had an emotional embrace when they reunited.
This week, Díaz’s father posted a viral video of himself praying over his son’s jersey ahead of his first World Cup game.
Díaz, who now plays for Bayern Munich, scored the go-ahead goal shortly after Uzbekistan equalized to lift Colombia to its first World Cup victory since 2018 while his father watched from the stands.
“I think there was always something that kept us from being at ease,” Díaz said. “I think that today, I am at my best.”
June 17
Alphonso Davies Injury Update
Canadian defender Alphonso Davies will be available for Thursday’s match against Qatar, coach Jesse Marsch announced. Davies, who plays for Bayern Munich and is heavily-regarded as Canada’s best player, missed its World Cup opener because of a hamstring injury. In Davies’ absence, Canada played to a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s unclear if he will start on Thursday against Qatar, but this is a positive for the co-hosts.
Tunisia Holds 1st Practice Under Renard
New Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard held his first practice with the squad on Tuesday, shortly after replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was fired after the team’s 5-1 thumping to Sweden.
The 57-year-old Frenchman had four days to get the team prepared for its second Group F game against Japan on Saturday.
“At the moment we need to be focused on ourselves,” Renard told reporters at the team’s training ground just hours after flying into Monterrey. “We still have a few days to be ready.”
Renard led Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Green Falcons earned a shocking 2-1 victory over favorite and eventual champion Argentina. In the 2018 tournament, his Moroccan side earned a draw against Spain but failed to reach the knockout stage.
Renard said he was eager to experience the trill of the tournament again. “It’s a World Cup,” he said. “I know the passion around this event. That’s what motivated me to come and it’s a challenge which isn’t easy.”
It’s not the first time Renard has replaced Lamouchi. The two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner succeeded his French counterpart in 2014 as head coach of Ivory Coast following its group stage exit at the World Cup.
It would be a tough ask for Renard to guide Tunisia out of the group stage for the first time in seven World Cup appearances. After their loss to Sweden on Sunday, the Eagles of Carthage need results against Japan and group favorites Netherlands if they are to advance.
“I’ve told them they have to keep their heads up, you’re here to represent your country,” Renard said.
June 16
Stars React To Lionel Messi’s Hat Trick
Lionel Messi’s hat trick in Argentina’s win over Algeria had other stars in awe. After scoring two goals earlier on Tuesday, Norway star Erling Haaland saluted Messi in a post on Snapchat.
“Messi is a madman,” Haaland wrote with a crown emoji.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was in attendance for Tuesday’s match, had a simple reaction to Messi’s greatness in a post on X.
Ex-German star Thomas Müller also saluted Messi in an Instagram story.
Ruben Dias Injury Update
Portugal will be without a key defensive piece as Rúben Dias will not play in its 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match against DR Congo on Wednesday, per Fabrizio Romano. Dias was active for Portugal’s last friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland Scores Norway’s First World Cup Goal Since 1998
Norway made its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup, and Erling Haaland wasted no time making an impact. The star striker scored twice in the first half, netting Norway’s first World Cup goals in nearly three decades.
Haaland’s goal was Norway’s first at a World Cup since 1998, and fans back home in Oslo couldn’t contain their excitement, as shown on the broadcast.
Family History
Life is a circle.
In appearing on the pitch for New Zealand’s June 15 draw against Iran, defender Tyler Bindon made himself and Jenny Bindon, his mom, the first mother and son to each appear in a World Cup.
Jenny Bindon, who made 77 appearances in the net for New Zealand, was a goalkeeper for New Zealand’s women’s national soccer team in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
As for the 21-year-old Bindon, he spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in the English Championship, but he’s signed to Nottingham Forest (Premier League).
England Loses Livramento, Calls Up Chalobah
England full back Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup on Tuesday because of a calf injury, forcing coach Thomas Tuchel into a late squad change ahead of his team’s opening game against Croatia.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a replacement and is due to head to the England training camp in Kansas City.
The English Football Association said Newcastle defender Livramento was injured during training on Sunday.
“A subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday unfortunately confirmed he could play no further part in England’s tournament,” it said in a statement.
Livramento was selected largely for his versatility, as he was comfortable at right back and left back. He was chiefly seen as the backup to the injury-prone Reece James at right back.
Chalobah has played mostly as a center back for Chelsea in recent seasons, but has experience of being a right back, too.
England is heading for Dallas for its first group game against Croatia on Wednesday. Teams can call up injury replacements up to 24 hours before the kickoff of their first game.
Renard Takes Over For Fired Lamouchi
Tunisia has fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after being thrashed 5-1 by Sweden in its first match at the World Cup and appointed French coach Hervé Renard. The 54-year-old Lamouchi had been in charge only since January.
Renard’s deal covers only the World Cup and a longer-term agreement will be discussed after that, the Tunisian soccer federation said on Tuesday.
Renard is an experienced coach who specializes in leading national teams across Africa and the Arabic-speaking world. He’s won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and the Ivory Coast.
He coached Morocco at the 2018 World Cup and Saudi Arabia in 2022 — earning a notable upset win over eventual champion Argentina — and the French team at the following year’s Women’s World Cup. His most recent job was another stint with Saudi Arabia’s men, which ended in April when he was replaced by Georgios Donis following two friendly losses ahead of the World Cup.
It’s not the first time Tunisia has made a mid-tournament coaching change at a World Cup. In 1998, Henryk Kasperczak was fired after group-stage losses to England and Colombia, which ruled the team out of contention for the knockout stage before its closing match against Romania.
Spain went even earlier at the 2018 World Cup, firing Julen Lopetegui two days before its first group game — against Portugal — after he was announced as the next Real Madrid coach for the following season.
Tunisia is making its seventh appearance at the World Cup and has never advanced from the group stage. Tunisia’s heavy loss on Sunday left the North African nation with a tough task to reach the last 32. The team’s remaining group games are against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25.
June 15
Neymar Out Through Group Stage?
Brazil forward Neymar is reportedly looking at more time on the sideline, according to a report by ESPN.
Despite dealing with injuries, the 34-year-old Neymar was still called up to the 26-man squad for the World Cup. He sat out Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday.
Neymar is the all-time men’s leading scorer in Brazil’s history, as well as having the mark for most appearances.
Alphonso Davies Limited
Canada captain Alphonso Davies remained limited in the team’s World Cup training session on Monday as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Davies warmed up with the team at Canada’s training base but remained in return to play protocol ahead of the co-host’s second group match on Thursday against Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.
The left back injured a hamstring last month while playing for Bayern Munich in a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain that knocked the German club out of the Champions League semifinals.
Davies has not played for Canada since March 2025, when he tore an ACL in the CONCACAF Nations League finals. He has 15 goals in 58 games for Canada.
Canada opened the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto. Late substitute Cyle Larin scored an equalizer for the Canadians in the 78th minute.
Qatar pulled off an unexpected 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday in Santa Clara, California. Boualem Khoukhi scored for Qatar in stoppage time for the nation’s first-ever World Cup point.
The results in the opening games kept Group B tight, with each team having one point heading into their second matches.
“We know the group is wide open,” defender Joel Waterman said after practice. “Obviously, we’re looking at the standings and the top two teams make it through. We want to be one of those top two teams, right? So the group is still wide open. Every game is going to be difficult. Qatar is going to be very difficult and obviously Switzerland to finish the group out, so we’re looking for two wins.”
Canada is training at the National Soccer Development Centre at the University of British Columbia. The facility is the training home of Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps.
At the session on Monday, all players apart from Davies appeared to participate in full training.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
June 14
Big Lamine Yamal Update
Lamine Yamal is in “ideal condition” to play in Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on Monday, coach Luis de la Fuente said.
Yamal is not expected to start the game in Atlanta, but has been cleared to play in his return from a hamstring injury that forced the teenaged superstar to miss the final weeks of the season for Barcelona.
“We are following the indications of medical staff from Barcelona, his club, and also from the Spanish national team, with the fitness coaches. Everything says that Lamine Yamal is ready to play tomorrow,” de la Fuente said at a news conference. “We don’t know how much. It is a matter of how the game is evolving, the game situation, that gives you a hint of when he might jump on the pitch, but he is in ideal condition to play tomorrow.”
Yamal has established himself as arguably the brightest emerging talent in Europe after helping Spain win the European Championship in 2024, despite only turning 17 on the eve of the final.
Now 18, he is widely regarded as the player most likely to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s biggest star.
Alphonso Davies Keeps Spotting His Jersey In Public
For Canada’s Alphonso Davies, the moment still feels surreal as he keeps spotting his jersey everywhere he goes. A Snapchat video showed him walking the streets and stopping to greet fans proudly wearing his jersey.
Even though he was inactive in the 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina while recovering from a hamstring injury, he remains a constant presence in public. His status is still uncertain as Canada prepares to face Qatar on June 18.
Where Is Jameis Winston?
That will be a recurring question over the next six weeks.
The answer on June 14 was outside Dallas Stadium in Dallas, Texas, where the New York Giants quarterback, who’s serving as a FOX Sports Correspondent for the World Cup, was reporting on the ground ahead of the Netherlands-Japan matchup (4 p.m. ET on FOX/FOX One).
In doing a TV spot, Winston revealed he rode the “Orange Army Bus” and that “there’s nothing bigger than the Dutch Army.”
June 13:
Tyler Adams Celebrates Knicks Win
Tyler Adams has had quite the past 24-hours, as he started and played all 90 minutes during USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay. The very next day, he was celebrating another 4-1 victory, but this time it was the New York Knicks’ 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
Manuel Neuer Fit To Start vs. Curaçao
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has fully recovered from a calf injury he sustained last month and is ready to go for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao on Sunday.
The 40-year-old enters the World Cup having not played for Germany in almost two years after coach Julian Nagelsmann lured him out of international retirement.
“(He’s) definitely fit enough to start the game and he got better and better,” Nagelsmann said Saturday night. “He didn’t really have the rhythm, but now he found the rhythm. He played a lot, we trust him a lot and I think … in order to have a good World Cup, we need Manuel in top performance and I think he can bring that.”
There were questions about his health after he injured his left calf during Bayern’s last Bundesliga game of the season in late May and missed the German Cup final against Stuttgart for what was called “muscular problems in his left calf.”
The Bayern Munich captain is the only remaining member of the World Cup-winning team from 2014 on the Germany squad. This will be his fifth World Cup, which will tie the German record held by Lothar Matthäus.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
William Saliba Returns To Training
France center back William Saliba returned to full group training on Saturday at the team’s World Cup base in Boston, easing fears over an ongoing back injury ahead of their tournament opener.
The 25-year-old Arsenal defender had missed Thursday and Friday’s sessions to follow an individual recovery program.
The persistent back issue, which he suffered while playing in the UEFA Champions League final, was feared to keep him out of the World Cup, but France manager Didier Deschamps has downplayed the severity of the issue.
Times Square Takeover
It’s the city that never sleeps, and it’s the fan base that is always partying.
Ahead of Brazil’s opening World Cup group-stage match against Morocco, fans of the five-time champions took over Times Square in New York City.
The last time Brazil played at a World Cup tournament in the U.S. was in 1994, when the team ended up winning it all. So these fans are expecting another stateside trophy. And with Brazil’s last win coming in 2002, there are high hopes that the streak can be snapped this summer.
But don’t count out Morocco, which will be aiming for another semifinal run after 2022. Even rapper French Montana joined the party in Times Square to hype up the fans of the Atlas Lions.
Scotland Fans Livin’ It Up
Scotland and its mighty Tartan Army (as its traveling fan base is known) is making themselves right at home in Boston ahead of its World Cup opening game vs. Haiti in Boston.
The fans are already in full voice as they have taken over Boston Harbor, complete with a party barge.
The fans even had one of Boston’s finest doing some keepie-uppies – pretty impressive skills there by that police officer!
Earlier this week, one Scotland fan also shared his experience discovering Buc-ee’s for the first time. Seems like it went over pretty well.
June 12:
Türkiye Captain Predicts Team Will ‘Dominate’ Against Australia
Türkiye is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and, despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu has made some bulletin-board worthy comments about his team’s first opponent.
“I think we will dominate (Saturday), the game, because we have more qualities and a more talented team,” Calhanoglu said Friday of Australia, Türkiye’s opponent at BC Place. “So we will see (Saturday) what happens.”
Türkiye has had its share of continental success throughout much of this century but did not qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia is playing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage in Qatar in 2022.
“He’s allowed to have his own opinion,” Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill said Friday about Calhanoglu’s comments. “We’ve got quality players on our team, too, so we’re ready.”
Calhanoglu, a 32-year-old midfielder who won a Serie A championship this season with Inter Milan, and Turkish manager Vincenzo Montella also complimented the Socceroos.
“I would like to use some of their techniques because I think they are interesting techniques,” Montella said.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Zlatan, Henry Meet Speed!
While the United States men’s national team provided the crowd of 70,492 at Los Angeles Stadium with plenty of entertainment on the field, there were tons of star power in the stands as well.
FOX Sports analysts Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry caused an absolute frenzy as fans lined up for handshakes, pictures and more of the pair.
But one meet-up was particularly fun was with Speed (aka, iShowSpeed), who appeared on the dais with the
Official Injury Update On Neymar
Brazilian star Neymar Jr. will officially miss Brazil’s opening match against Morocco on Saturday. Neymar was named to Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad despite a calf injury, and now won’t be available early on. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said that “Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible.
“The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week.”
Google Doodle Has World Cup Fever
In case fans didn’t already have World Cup fever, they can open their web browser.
Google is officially ready for USA’s opener against Paraguay, as the home page features a custom, USA-themed Google Doodle.
The Doodle features red text with a blue outline, as well as a soccer ball along with an interchanging USA crest replacing the “O’s” in Google.
James Cordon Stretches With Christian Pulisic
James Corden joined Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team for a training session ahead of their World Cup opener against Paraguay.
After meeting with head coach Mauricio Pochettino and going through a film session with the players, Corden and Co. hit the pitch for practice, where he helped serve as a water boy.
Corden tried to help Pulisic stretch out his legs after practice before he was stopped by a member of the coaching staff. As Corden walked off, Pulisic sprayed him with a water bottle.
DR Congo Arrives to the World Cup in Style
The DR Congo men’s national team isn’t set to play until Wednesday, June 17, against Portugal in Group K, but they’ve already made a statement upon arrival in Houston, Texas.
The squad arrived in style, stepping off the plane in striking black, jaguar-inspired outfits that quickly turned heads. The bold look fits their nickname, Les Léopards, and sets the tone for their World Cup presence before they even face Portugal.
DR Congo may be heavy underdogs, but they’re already winning where it counts off the pitch, taking the fashion battle before kickoff.
Canada’s Jesse Marsch Takes Dig At USA
The Canadian men’s national team is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday afternoon. Ahead of the match, head coach Jesse Marsch took a subtle jab at the United States men’s national team during his remarks on Thursday.
“In the U.S., we had to beg players to sing the national anthem,” Marsch said.
The United States conducted a months-long search for a new head coach in 2023, with Marsch emerging as the frontrunner and making it clear he wanted the job. Instead, they chose to rehire Gregg Berhalter, a decision that may have left Marsch with some lingering resentment.
Marsch’s subtle jab could take on added stakes if the United States and Canada meet during the FIFA World Cup. The two nations could potentially face off as early as the Round of 32 or the Round of 16.
June 11:
The pressure of competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is high, but that hasn’t stopped players from enjoying some downtime with their teammates. Norway star Erling Haaland was spotted at the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Haaland appeared to be enjoying himself as the Hurricanes secured a Game 5 victory, taking a 3-2 series lead over the Golden Knights. The Manchester City striker drew plenty of attention from fans in attendance as he took in the action from the stands.
The Norway star was seen celebrating in the stands before turning his attention back to international duty, with Norway set to face Iraq in Group 1 play on Tuesday, June 16.
Australia Coach Popovic Signs Extension
Australia coach Tony Popovic has signed a contract extension through early 2027 on the eve of his team’s World Cup opening match against Türkiye on Saturday.
Football Australia said Friday that the 52-year-old Popovic’s deal now extends through the Asian Cup, which will take place in January and early February in Saudi Arabia.
The former Australia international was hired in September 2024 and led the Socceroos to qualification for the 48-team tournament.
“I’m proud to lead my country into a World Cup, but most importantly, I want to ensure that our team is fully prepared and focused on our group matches against Türkiye, the United States, and Paraguay,” he said of Australia’s opponents in Group D.
Canada Captain Sidelined For Opening Match
Canada’s captain and star defender Alphonso Davies will miss Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Davies’ status has been questionable due to an ACL tear and other injuries during the club season, which limited Davies to appearing in two of Canada’s last 21 games.
Davies is one of the co-host’s more valuable players in terms of talent and experience, including 58 appearances in nine years with the national team. However, Davies’ injury does not rule him out of the entire tournament. His injury update and restraint from the opening match serves as a caution to heal his injury as the group stage unfolds.
After playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS, Davies transferred to Bayern Munich, where he’s played since 2019. Canada is set to play Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, followed by Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws From World Cup
Just ahead of Japan’s opening match against the Netherlands on June 14, captain and midfielder Wataru Endo has withdrawn his name from Japan’s World Cup squad and paired it with his national team retirement, per his statement on X. Endo has been dealing with an ongoing ankle/foot injury since February.
Endo has played for the Japan national team for over a decade, where he made 73 appearances and scored four goals. As a veteran anchor in the midfield, Endo has also served as Japan’s captain since their previous World Cup in 2022, where they reached the Round of 16.
As for Endo’s professional career, he first played for Shanon Bellmare from 2010-15, followed by the Urawa Red Diamonds from 2016-19, VfB Stuttgart from 2019-23 and has played for Liverpool FC since 2023. With Liverpool, Endo played a prominent role in the team’s Carabao Cup victory in 2024.
With Endo out, Japan has officially called Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Shuto Machino to join the 26-man roster. Machino is entering his second World Cup and his fifth year with the Japan national team.
Marco Senesi Called Up To 26-Man Roster
Following the injury of defender Leonardo Balerdi, Argentina has officially called up defender Marcos Senesi to the 26-man roster. Argentina is set to open their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria.
Senesi has been training prior in case of a last-minute call-up, and was named to the roster after Balerdi’s muscle injury was ruled out. Senesi has played professionally since 2016, playing for clubs like San Lorenzo, Feyenoord, AFC Bournemouth and is currently with Tottenham Hotspur.
Joining Senesi in the back are defenders Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero.
In what’s likely to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, Argentina will look to repeat their historic 2022 World Cup win this tournament.
Tyler Adams, USA Celebrate Shocking Knicks’ W
Tyler Adams, United States’ midfielder, is a fan of the National Basketball Association’s New York Knicks. The Knicks are in the NBA Finals, on the eve of the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so members of the United States’ squad gathered together to watch what turned out to be the largest NBA Finals comeback in history, with the Knicks coming out on top.
When New York won, the room erupted, with Adams especially going wild. And we know this because the reaction was caught on camera in the moment.
That couch is destroyed, but at least no one watching the game ended up as damaged as it did after Adams went climbing and kicking all over it! If the United States ends up having a major comeback or win in the World Cup, maybe keep the players away from any obstacles like that, though. Just to be safe.
Morocco Loses 2 Players To Injury Before World Cup
Morocco replaced two injured players in its World Cup squad ahead of an opening game against Brazil, including star winger Abde Ezzalzouli.
FIFA confirmed late Wednesday that former Barcelona player Ezzalzouli and Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd were withdrawn from the Morocco squad for the tournament.
Ezzalzouli helped Real Betis qualify for next season’s Champions League and was a potential breakout star at the World Cup. Aguerd was a cornerstone of Morocco’s historic semifinals team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
They were replaced by Amine Sbai of French club Angers and Marwane Saadane, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Fateh.
Morocco opens against Brazil on Saturday at MetLife Stadium near New York, then plays Scotland on June 19 near Boston and finishes Group C against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.
Ezzalzouli injured his right knee in a warmup game against Norway last weekend, though initial tests suggested he could be retained in coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad to play in the knockout rounds.
Surprise World Cup Comeback For Austrian Midfielder
The last time Dejan Ljubicic played for Austria was nearly three years ago. Now a teammate’s injury has given him a surprise comeback at the World Cup.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick called up Ljubicic late Wednesday to replace key midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, who injured his right thigh while warming up for a pre-World Cup friendly against Tunisia last week and needed surgery.
Ljubicic is set to join Austria at the team camp in Santa Barbara on Thursday, ahead of the team’s first game on Tuesday against Jordan. Austria also plays Argentina and Algeria in Group J.
He’s more of a defensive midfield option than Baumgartner, who scored 17 goals in all competitions for Leipzig in Germany last season and has remained in camp to support the team.
Ljubicic also plays in Germany on the Schalke team which secured promotion from the second division last month.
Ljubicic has nine games for Austria but none at a major tournament. His last appearance was in a friendly against Moldova in September 2023, and he wasn’t in the squad for any World Cup qualifiers.
***
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
