England withdraws Stokes and Atkinson from county matches
England has requested the withdrawal of Ben Stokes and James Atkinson from their county cricket fixtures as international duty looms. Both players were pulled from upcoming matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The move signals England's preparation for a busy international schedule ahead.
Curacao's goalkeeper Eloy Room delivered a historic performance, making 15 saves — the most in a single World Cup match since records began in 1966 — to secure a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The result earned Curacao its first-ever World Cup point. The tiny island nation's defensive resilience stunned the football world and sparked celebrations back home.
Japan delivered a commanding performance to defeat Tunisia and eliminate them from the 2026 World Cup. Forward Ayase Ueda scored a brace to lead the Japanese attack. The match also marked Japan's 1,000th game in FIFA World Cup history, a milestone they celebrated in style with a comprehensive victory.
Iran's national football team is facing off-field difficulties in the United States during the World Cup. The US has refused to ease travel restrictions for the Iranian squad, and the Iranian coach has stated that the team was ordered to leave the country immediately after their game against New Zealand. The tensions add a political dimension to Iran's World Cup campaign.