{"id":751523,"date":"2026-06-21T12:23:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T12:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/751523\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T12:23:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T12:23:16","slug":"world-cup-2026-news-live-curacao-goalkeeper-makes-history-egypt-coach-denies-rift-with-salah-another-team-crashes-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/751523\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 news LIVE: Curacao goalkeeper makes history, Egypt coach denies rift with Salah, another team crashes out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will Scotland have World Cup 2026 regrets as qualification hangs in the balance?<\/p>\n

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room wrote his name into World Cup<\/a> history by making 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match since records began<\/a> in 1966, as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament finals held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw. <\/p>\n

Six days after losing 7-1 to Germany, Room, 37, produced a stunning performance to keep Curacao\u2019s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cI grew, we all grew, this was a team effort,\u201d he said. \u201cWe’ve been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest \u200binvolving talisman Mohamed Salah<\/a>, insisting there were no issues within the squad<\/a> as they prepare to face New Zealand. Later, Spain bid to get their first win against Saudi Arabia<\/a>, while Belgium are in action against Iran. <\/p>\n

Last night, Tunisia became the third team to exit the World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to impressive Japan. Tunisia sacked their coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden, but the arrival of Herve Renard could not prevent another defeat.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Lamine Yamal not expected to start Spain’s second World Cup game<\/p>\n

Lamine Yamal saw the last 19 minutes of action during Spain\u2019s shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, and was unable to inject creativity into Spain\u2019s attack as they failed to beat the World Cup debutants.<\/p>\n

He is not expecting to start against Saudi Arabia as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered a couple of minutes before the tournament. The teenager is also prepared to be patient.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too soon, it\u2019s unnecessary,\u201d Yamal told RTVE. \u201cI\u2019m in an adaptation process, it\u2019s not the time to play a full match, but I can play as many minutes as the manager wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 13:18<\/p>\n

<\/a>Declan Rice says England fans ‘can be excited’ about set-piece prowess<\/p>\n

Declan Rice senses he will get an assist every time he takes a set-piece as England attempt to tap into the Arsenal midfielder\u2019s dead-ball expertise at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t ever take corners or set-pieces, but (set piece coach) Nico (Jover) and the manager (Mikel Arteta) at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn\u2019t,\u201d Rice told the BBC.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo (Saka). From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece \u2013 whether it\u2019s a corner or a wide free-kick \u2013 I feel like I\u2019m going to get an assist or make something happen that\u2019s dangerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good mentality to have over set-pieces\u2026 and England fans can be excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rice'sRice’s corner led to Harry Kane’s second goal against Croatia (Getty)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 12:59<\/p>\n

<\/a>TV presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku\u2019s plan to leave World Cup for birth of first child<\/p>\n

A French TV presenter has apologised after criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku\u2019s decision to leave the World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.<\/p>\n

Doku, who will Belgium\u2019s match against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, revealed that his wife Shireen is due during the second week of July – which will coincide with the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

The Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters that he plans to leave the World Cup and return home even if Belgium are still in the tournament. Belgian media reported that plans are being put in place so Doku can travel home via private jet.<\/p>\n

However, Doku\u2019s comments were criticised by Channel L’Equipe presenter France Pierron, who said the father is \u201ccompletely useless\u201d during their child\u2019s birth.<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 12:58<\/p>\n

<\/a>Iran coach questions inconsistency as preparation for Belgium match cut short<\/p>\n

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised their increasingly difficult preparation conditions \u200bfor Sunday’s World Cup match against Belgium, questioning why U.S. authorities appear willing to offer his team greater travel flexibility for their final group game but not their opening fixtures.<\/p>\n

Iran have spent the tournament based in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting to the U.S. for their Group G matches because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, an issue that has drawn scrutiny throughout the World Cup. <\/p>\n

U.S. officials have said the Iran squad’s travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over easing some restrictions have continued.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Saturday, Ghalenoei said the latest schedule left his team with less than 16 hours to prepare and forced them to cut training short ahead of their meeting with Belgium. <\/p>\n

“We \u2060only managed to train half the time we usually spend on training,” he told reporters via an interpreter. “We wanted to have optimal physical and technical preparation.<\/p>\n

The coach said the situation was worse than before Iran’s opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand. He said that before that match they had 24 hours to train. “The conditions have become \u200ceven harder,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Reuters)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 12:38<\/p>\n

<\/a>Roy Keane criticises England WAGs for wearing partners\u2019 names on shirts<\/p>\n

Roy Keane has criticised the wives and girlfriends of England footballers for wearing shirts displaying their partners’ surnames during the World Cup.<\/p>\n

The commentator and former Manchester United captain, 54, told The Overlap podcast: “Children is fine, but all the wives and partners were in their jerseys with their name on the back, wow…<\/p>\n

“The wives, a year later, they’re separated, most of them. Wow. And they’re all getting pictures, and they’re like, ‘Look,” and they’re pointing at Jimmy or Johnny on the back.”<\/p>\n

Ian Wright appeared to disagree, saying: “Her husband’s playing, and she’s proud of him, and she wants to wear his shirt.”<\/p>\n

Keane added: “They don’t do it at Old Trafford or Anfield every week, do they? So what’s with this World Cup?”<\/p>\n

Roy Keane criticises footballers’ wives for wearing jerseys displaying husbands’ names<\/p>\n

Holly Patrick21 June 2026 12:18<\/p>\n

<\/a>England defender Reece James says discussing injury problems is ‘boring’<\/p>\n

England defender Reece James says the constant talk around his injury problems is \u201cso boring now\u201d.<\/p>\n

James\u2019 career has been plagued by injuries, which saw him suffer heartbreak when ruled out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a disappointment that was compounded by also missing England\u2019s run to the Euro 2024 final.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it\u2019s so boring now.\u201d James told BBC 5 Live. \u201cI have one job, which is to be the best I can when I\u2019m on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don\u2019t listen to too much noise. I just focus on myself, my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I\u2019m playing in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 11:58<\/p>\n

<\/a>Japan fans sweep up World Cup stadium after knocking out Tunisia <\/p>\n

Japanese fans celebrated their team’s \u200b4-0 victory over Tunisia in the 1,000th match in World Cup history on Saturday by staying behind at Monterrey\u2019s stadium to collect rubbish from the stands.<\/p>\n

The practice, known in Japan as gomi hiroi, reflects an emphasis on taking responsibility for shared spaces. <\/p>\n

Ken Okawa, 30, said he was happy to bring this tradition to his very first World Cup match as he stooped down to collect discarded cups \u2060and other garbage from the floor \u200baround \u2060his seat.<\/p>\n

“We are guests in Mexico,” he said. “I have been treated wonderfully, so this is my way of showing my appreciation.” <\/p>\n

The practice is instilled from a very young age in Japan, \u200bwhere \u2060schoolchildren are taught to clean \u200cup their own classrooms.<\/p>\n

Miku Takeya, 41, said that the habit of tidying up after herself has become second nature. <\/p>\n

“It’s a natural part \u200cof our culture,” she said. “We do this \u200cto ensure that everything we use is left clean so that the next person can use it comfortably.”<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 11:39<\/p>\n

<\/a>Later tonight: Spain bid for first win of World Cup against Saudi Arabia <\/p>\n

Spain do not have to win when they take on Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday, owing to the bloated format at World Cup 2026, but improvements in attack will be a must.<\/p>\n

Having been held by Cape Verde in one of the great World Cup shocks on Monday, Luis de la Fuente will be hoping star man Lamine Yamal can contribute more than 19 minutes off the bench as he battles back from a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, battled to a creditable draw against Uruguay in their opener and have no reason to feel overawed having beaten Argentina at the last tournament in Qatar.<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 11:18<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ecuador coach says World Cup hopes ‘not over yet’ after shock Curacao draw<\/p>\n

Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece insisted “it is not over yet” after his side’s World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread after a shock 0-0 draw \u2060with Curacao, whose goalkeeper Eloy Room gave a historic 15-save performance to deny the South Americans.<\/p>\n

The result left Ecuador with one point from two Group E matches after their opening 1-0 defeat by the Ivory Coast, and needing a result against heavyweights Germany in New Jersey on Thursday to have any chance of reaching the round of 32. <\/p>\n

“Life has taught me you have to always continue to \u200bwork, \u2060always learn, and challenges \u200ccan become opportunities,” Beccacece told reporters.<\/p>\n

“It is normal now to feel this pain, this disappointment, but this is not over yet. We have 100 minutes ahead of us, and we’re going to be there in a sound way to try to reach our goals.” <\/p>\n

\"\"(Reuters)<\/p>\n

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 10:58<\/p>\n

<\/a>Tunisia coach Herve Renard on ‘painful’ World Cup exit <\/p>\n

Tunisia are out of the World Cup after just two matches, while conceding nine goals, and head coach Herve Renard accepted that Japan\u2019s 4-0 victory was reflective of their dominance. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is \u2060not the performance we \u200bwere \u2060hoping for. The \u200cscore of this second match is heavy, but it reflects \u200cthe difference between the \u200ctwo teams tonight,” said Renard, who was drafted in following Tunisia\u2019s 5-1 defeat to Sweden.<\/p>\n

“Even if we are eliminated we still \u2060have a third game to play. We are in a World Cup, and we must remain focused. It is important to get ready to fight \u200cfor this third game \u200bagainst the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s never \u200ceasy after two \u2060losses in two games \u2060but we must take our responsibilities \u200cto be \u200bprofessionals to the \u200cvery end.”<\/p>\n

\"\"(Reuters)<\/p>\n

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