Curaçao's historic moment
In one of the World Cup's biggest surprises, Curaçao goalkeeper tied Tim Howard's World Cup saves record in a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The tiny Caribbean nation, the smallest team in the tournament, delivered a defensive masterclass that captivated global audiences. Politico reported on the team's off-field pitch to attract investors.
US team advances to Bay Area
The United States men's national team advanced to the next round and is headed to the Bay Area, where San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said the city is ready to host. The US team's performance has energized American soccer fans as the tournament hosted across North America continues.
Political battles off the pitch
Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup has sparked a bitter political battle, with the country's football crisis drawing parallels to broader national decline. Climate protesters targeted FIFA's Saudi oil sponsor Aramco at tournament venues. FIFA also commemorated Juneteenth, marking a first for the global sporting event.