Overview
- Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 on Thursday to reach the last 16, ending a four-decade run without a World Cup knockout victory and extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
- England will meet DR Congo in the Round of 32 after topping Group 12 while DR Congo qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, with the winner set to face the Mexico–Ecuador victor in the next round.
- Portugal faces Croatia in a high-profile tie that may mark a final World Cup appearance for veterans Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modrić, and the winner could meet Spain or Austria in the round of 16.
- The United States plays Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s/Santa Clara after topping Group 4, and several teams are managing tight recovery plans, injury checks and tactical selections ahead of their knockout matches.
- Egypt confirmed Mohamed Salah participated in training and the delegation requested extra shipments of Egyptian food to preserve players’ diets, while FIFA publicly praised the UAE refereeing team after it logged eight World Cup assignments.