World Cup schedule, live updates: France vs. Norway kicks off loaded day of action
Yahoo Sports StaffFri, June 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM UTCThe final round of World Cup group play is underway and Groups G, H and I return on Friday as teams fight for the final spots in the knockout round.
Group I kicks things off in the afternoon with one of the most highly anticipated matchups as Kylian Mbappé and France take on Erling Haaland and Norway for the group’s top spot. Will the two marquee strikers add to their scoring ledgers as they chase Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race?
AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the early evening window, we have another clash of soccer giants as Spain tries to win Group H in a showdown against Uruguay. At the same time, surprising upstart Cape Verde will try to keep its tourney hopes alive against Saudi Arabia.
World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | Standings
Then, in the nightcap, Group G with take center stage. Belgium is in a bit of trouble after its first two games and needs a good result against New Zealand to advance. Egypt can lock up the top spot in the group with a win.
Friday’s World Cup schedule
Group G
11 p.m. ET (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium
11 p.m. ET (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran
Group H
8 p.m. ET (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain
8 p.m. ET (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia
Group I
3 p.m. ET (Fox): Norway vs. France
3 p.m. ET (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq
Follow all of Friday’s action including live updates, highlights, results and analysis below.
Fri, June 26, 2026 at 9:30 AM PDTSean Leahy
The goals keep coming in the 2026 World Cup
More matches equals more goals and we’ve seen a record number of goals already and we’re not even through the group stage.
Liverpool, Real Madrid players having biggest impact on this World Cup
Sweden hero admits he didn't know draw was enough to save team
While the Swedish bench was frantically calculating the permutations, Anthony Elanga revealed that his only focus was on finding a winning goal. "I was just screaming: 'Come on, we can go for more'. I'm glad we're through, I didn't know that at the end," the forward admitted after the final whistle. The former Manchester United star was so determined to keep pushing that he even ignored instructions being shouted from the sidelines.
The 24-year-old explained that veteran coach Sebastian Larsson and other members of the backroom staff were trying to communicate the group standings as the clock ticked down. "I think they were trying to scream to me," Elanga said. "I obviously wanted to keep running. I got cramp at the end but didn't want to stop running. I'm happy and the whole team is too."
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Fri, June 26, 2026 at 8:15 AM PDTSteven GoffGolden Boot race heating up
With Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé back on the pitch today, we could have a new frontrunner in the Golden Boot race.
Here’s how everything stands right now, with Haaland and Mbappé trailing Lionel Messi by one goal.
RANK
NAME
COUNTRY
GOALS
1
Lionel Messi
Argentina
5
2
Vinícius Júnior
Brazil
4 (1 assist)
T-3
Kylian Mbappé
France
4
T-3
Erling Haaland
Norway
4
5
Deniz Undav
Germany
3 (2 assists)
6
Johan Manzambi
Switzerland
3 (1 assist)
T-7
Ismael Saibari
Morocco
3
T-7
Jonathan David
Canada
3
T-7
Matheus Cunha
Brazil
3
T-7
Brian Brobbey
Netherlands
3
World Cup knockout bracket after Thursday night's games
The World Cup Round of 32 is starting to take shape. Check it out below.
Friday's World Cup schedule
Here’s the World Cup Day 16 What to Watch as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé for Group I surpremacy.
AdvertisementAdvertisement- Fri, June 26, 2026 at 7:13 AM PDTSteven Goff
USMNT vs. Türkiye takeaways
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It would be easy to dismiss the 3-2 U.S. loss to Türkiye on Thursday as a meaningless setback at the end of an otherwise terrific two weeks — a misstep before the vital stage of the World Cup begins.
Buoyed by two resounding victories, this is a team unified in its pursuit of something special on home soil. The do-or-die segment of this summer's soccer spectacle awaits, with the Americans to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California.
Thursday's loss shouldn't affect the U.S., but moments that contributed to the loss can't be ignored. There were positive developments, too.
6 World Cups, 1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi turned 39 on Wednesday. And still, through the group stage of this, his sixth World Cup, he leads all scoring with five goals in just two games.
As he and his Argentine mates head into the knockout round, looking to repeat as champions, here are 39 facts about Lionel Messi.
2026 World Cup sets new attendance record
It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.
The Group E match played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was played before 80,663 spectators. That crowd total boosted the total attendance of the 2026 World Cup matches to 3,605,357, setting a new all-time record, according to FIFA.
The previous attendance record of 3,587,538 was also set in the United States during the 1994 World Cup. But with the 2026 tournament not yet in the Round of 32, the new record will continue to increase and set a figure that might never again be reached. To this point, the 2026 tournament includes the highest stadium-occupancy rate at 99.7%.
AdvertisementAdvertisementEgypt, Iran at odds with FIFA over Seattle's 'Pride' festivities
This weekend is Pride Weekend in Seattle. Festivities include the Pride Parade through downtown Seattle on Sunday and PrideFest celebrations in various parts of the city, including Capitol Hill and the Seattle Center.
However, Egypt and Iran playing in the match has created friction as both countries have anti-gay laws and philosophies.
Bosnia defender eager to knock U.S. out of World Cup
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the World Cup Round of 32 matchup for the United States men's national team and the trash talk has already started.
Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Stjepan Radeljić is savoring the opportunity to face one of the tournament's co-hosts. In an interview with SiriusXM FC contributor Jon Morosi, Radeljić said he is expecting a successful showing by his side.
"They have a really quality team," said the 28-year-old Radeljić, who has made six appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina in his international career. "We are expecting a very hard game. It will be awesome for us, and amazing, to kick them out when they play at home."
Group D wrap-up
The dramatic finish in USA-Turkey didn’t change the Group D picture. Here’s everything you need to know about that.
AdvertisementAdvertisementW
T
L
GD
GF
TCS
Pts
1
USA
2
0
1
4
8
-5
6
2
Australia
1
1
1
0
2
-5
4
3
Paraguay
1
1
1
-2
2
-12
4
4
Türkiye1
0
2
-2
3
-3
3
- Thu, June 25, 2026 at 9:47 PM PDTSteven Goff
USMNT stunned by Turkey on last-gasp goal
The U.S. had won its first two World Cup matches in grand fashion, clinched first place in the group in unprecedented manner and sent an intoxicating buzz across a country. Even the Americans' Round-of-32 opponent had been settled. As if scripted, everything had fallen into place with barely a lapse.
But there was still the matter of the Group D finale Thursday, and though it carried no consequence, the USMNT's 3-2 loss to Türkiye will not sit well with Mauricio Pochettino's bunch.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, on the final touch of a wild match, substitute Kaan Ayhan poked the ball into the net — a crushing end to a mostly celebratory night.
A tough loss for the Americans, but they still clinch Group D and are headed to the Round of 32
Final: Türkiye 3, USMNT 2
Türkiye stuns the U.S. in the final minute of stoppage time with a game-winner, exploiting the same issue — defense — that had been a glaring USMNT weakness all game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWatch Kaan Ayhan end Türkiye's World Cup run on a high note
Final: Paraguay 0, Australia 0
Australia’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay sends the Socceroos through as Group D runner-up.
Paraguay finishes third and must wait to see if it advances as one of the tournament’s best third-place teams.
90+3' - Chances for both sides
Paraguay had the first look, with Mauricio taking a shot that Beach handled easily. Australia answered almost immediately on the other end, as Hrustic cut the ball back inside the box for Yengi, but Yengi couldn’t get much power on it and it was easily stopped.
May you like
90+2' Substitutions
Junior Alonso replaced Matías Galarza, while Damián Bobadilla came on for Diego Gómez.
90' 5 minutes of stoppage time added
Will either team get on the board. As things stand, Australia will finish second in the group with Paraguay third.
