When Yasin Ayari scored two spectacular goals in Sweden's emphatic opening World Cup victory, it left a bitter taste in Tunisia, the country he could have represented.
Scotland players led by star John McGinn retained the belief that they can secure a historic qualification for the knockout phase of the World Cup despite going down 1-0 to Morocco in their second match on Friday.
The United States marched into the last 32 of the World Cup on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Australia as Brazil rediscovered their scoring touch to eliminate Haiti.
- Brazil cruise past Haiti to re-ignite World Cup campaign
- Australia detects first case of contagious H5 bird flu
Sports
Scottie Scheffler's chances of winning the US Open to complete a career Grand Slam might just come down to how the fickle winds of Shinnecock blow this weekend.
June 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the World Cup so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday to close in on a place in the knockout rounds.
June 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Mexican archaeologists unearthed ancient ruins with signs of Mayan culture as well as "never before seen" characteristics in the eastern state of Veracruz.
June 20, 2026
US coach Mauricio Pochettino backed his "high IQ" players not to get carried away after they secured progress to the World Cup knockouts with Friday's win over Australia and sent fans' hopes soaring.
June 19, 2026
US director and television creator James Burrows, who worked behind the scenes on "Friends," "Cheers," "Taxi," and many other beloved comedies, has died, People magazine reported on Friday. He was 85.
June 19, 2026
Sports
Kate Douglass surged home in 23.59sec to break Sarah Sjostrom's 50m freestyle world record in a scintillating final at the Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis on Friday.
June 19, 2026
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Striker Alexander Isak will get "stronger and stronger" and is smiling again, Sweden coach Graham Potter said Friday in a World Cup warning to defences.
New Tunisia coach Herve Renard said Friday only hard work and unity will save their World Cup, adding: "I am no wizard."
The United States powered into the last 32 of the World Cup on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Australia as Brazil prepared to kickstart their campaign against Haiti.
The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation.
June 19, 2026
Sports
France superstar Antoine Dupont was at his influential best as Toulouse hammered Racing 92 71-17 in a record score on Friday to reach next week's French Top 14 final.
June 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose to its busiest in two months after a deal to halt the US-Iran war, maritime trackers said on Friday.
Oil prices edged back up and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of US-Iran peace deal talks.
Russia's central bank on Friday cut its benchmark interest rate to 14.25 percent from 14.5 percent, less than analysts expected, and signalled a more cautious approach to further monetary policy easing as the Ukraine war takes a growing toll on Moscow's finances.
Inflammatory social media posts -- including of men brandishing a machete or calling foreigners "leeches" -- are stoking emotions around an unofficial demand for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa by the end of the month, fuelling a volatile situation, analysts say.
June 19, 2026
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