World Cup
Belgium face Iran with De Bruyne and Lukaku under spotlight
Belgium must secure their first World Cup victory against Iran on Sunday to keep their qualification hopes alive and top their group. The match in Los Angeles follows final preparations in Seattle, where Thibaut Courtois addressed the media.
Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of SSC Napoli, will attend the game at SoFi Stadium to monitor Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. Both players’ futures in Serie A remain uncertain, adding pressure to their performances.
Roberto Martinez faces scrutiny after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with calls growing for more decisive tactical choices. Belgium’s coach will hope for a clearer path to victory against Iran.
Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa, criticized the venue and Czech Republic’s style of play after his team’s opening draw. The South African FA has also lodged a complaint with FIFA over alleged restrictions imposed on Iran during the tournament.
Raúl Jiménez helps Mexico reach World Cup last 32 with 1-0 win over South Korea
Neymar will miss Brazil’s match against Haiti on Saturday, though he has resumed training. The Seleção’s next fixture against Scotland on Thursday could see his return, depending on Brazil’s progression. Zeno Debast has been cleared for individual training as he continues his recovery from injury. The Belgium defender remains on track for a potential return during the tournament. Vozinha’s mother will travel to the United States after congressional intervention resolved her visa issue. The Cape Verde goalkeeper’s emotional moment follows his standout performance against Spain, which ended 0-0. Thomas Tuchel welcomed FIFA’s decision to relocate photographers during national anthems after his complaint about obstructed views during England’s pre-match routine. The change applies to all teams ahead of fixtures. The Belgian Football Association confirmed an extension of its partnership with Adidas, keeping the German brand as kit supplier until 2034. The agreement was announced on Friday. Mexico became the first team to advance to the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over South Korea, while Canada recorded a historic 6-0 victory over Qatar to claim their first-ever World Cup win.