Erling Haaland powered Norway into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1998 with a brilliant brace against Senegal. Meanwhile, France survived a two-hour storm delay, Cape Verde continued their giant-killing run, and England prepare to face Ghana in Boston. Here’s your complete World Cup 2026 roundup for June 22-23.
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Matchday Roundup — June 22-23
The 2026 FIFA World Cup just delivered one of its most dramatic days yet. Here’s everything you need to know.
🇳🇴 Norway 3-2 Senegal — Haaland Makes History
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time since 1998.
The match seemed destined for a nervous finish until Norway’s backup right-back Marcus Pedersen broke the deadlock after 42 tense minutes. Then Haaland took over — twice powering past Senegal defenders with his trademark blend of speed and strength to put Norway in control. Senegal fought back through Sadio ManĂ©, but Norway held on to seal their place in the round of 16.
Key stat: This is Norway’s first World Cup knockout qualification since the era of Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Tore Andre Flo — a 28-year wait finally over.
🇫🇷 France 3-0 Iraq — Mbappé Keeps Pace with Messi
A dramatic two-hour storm delay in Philadelphia couldn’t stop France.
Kylian Mbappé bagged his second consecutive brace of the tournament as France cruised past Iraq 3-0. The delay — caused by a severe thunderstorm — only seemed to energize Les Bleus. Ousmane Dembélé also got on the scoresheet, continuing his impressive form.
Golden Boot watch: After watching Lionel Messi score twice against Austria earlier in the day, MbappĂ© responded in kind. He remains one goal behind Messi in this year’s Golden Boot race and two off the Argentine’s overall World Cup tally of 18.
🇨🇻 Cape Verde 1-1 Uruguay — Another Giant-Killing Act
Cape Verde continue to be the story of the tournament. After holding Spain to a goalless draw on matchday one, the tiny island nation went toe-to-toe with Uruguay and walked away with a 1-1 draw. Ryan Varela scored a stunning equalizer, proving Cape Verde’s shock result against Spain was no fluke.
🇪🇬 Egypt 2-1 New Zealand — First Win for the Pharaohs
Egypt roared back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 2-1, securing their first victory of the tournament. Mohammed Salah captained the side with authority as Egypt showed the resilience that took them to the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations title.
🇧🇪 Belgium 0-0 Iran — Frustration for the Red Devils
Belgium were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a stubborn Iran side. To make matters worse, Belgium played the final 30 minutes with 10 men after Ngoy was sent off. Iran’s disciplined defense earned them a valuable point and kept their qualification hopes alive.
Coming Up: England vs Ghana (Today in Boston)
All eyes turn to Boston where England face Ghana in their second group match. After a 4-2 win over Croatia in their opener, Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to secure qualification early.
Jude Bellingham was the star against Croatia — expect more magic from the Real Madrid midfielder. Marcus Rashford could feature from the bench in the “finisher” role.
Transfer Buzz: Alvarez Wants Atletico Exit
Off the pitch, Julián Alvarez has told AtlĂ©tico Madrid he wants to leave. Barcelona are preparing a €130 million (ÂŁ112m/$148m) bid, while Real Madrid and PSG circle. Sergio AgĂĽero says Alvarez “would fit in spectacularly” at Barcelona.
Upcoming Schedule
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Live Now | Houston |
| England vs Ghana | 8:00 PM ET | Boston |
| Brazil vs Scotland | June 24 | Miami |
| Argentina vs Morocco | June 24 | Dallas |
FAQ
Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches?
All 104 matches are broadcast live on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) in the US. Streaming is available on FuboTV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Has Norway ever reached the World Cup knockouts before?
Yes — but not since 1998. That year, Norway reached the Round of 16 where they lost 1-0 to Italy thanks to a Christian Vieri goal. This is their first knockout qualification in 28 years.
Who is the World Cup 2026 top scorer so far?
Lionel Messi leads with 18 career World Cup goals (the all-time record), followed by Kylian Mbappé at 17. In this tournament alone, both have scored multiple braces.
How does the new 48-team format work?
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams divided into 16 groups of three. The top two from each group advance to a Round of 32 knockout stage. That means 104 matches across 39 days — the largest World Cup ever.
Final Thoughts
Day after day, this World Cup keeps delivering. Norway’s historic qualification, Cape Verde’s giant-killing run, MbappĂ©’s relentless pursuit of Messi’s records — we’re witnessing something special. The knockout rounds are just around the corner.
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