For all the fun of the new 48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.

But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.

Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.

Who gets in?

Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.

Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.

The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.

OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

How does it work?

Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.

Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.

What if the match finishes tied?

In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.

Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.

For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.

In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.

What happens in penalties?

Usually, Emi Martinez. Or Croatia.

Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.

How long does this all take?

With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).

Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.

Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia will fight for their 2026 World Cup survival when they meet in Houston on Friday night. Cape Verde shocked the world by battling to a 0-0 draw with Spain in their opener, before battling to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay on Matchday 2. Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay, but a 4-0 defeat to Spain left them in trouble. The Saudis need to beat Cape Verde to avoid an early elimination. A draw could be enough for Cape Verde to qualify for the Round of 32. 

Kickoff for Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia is 8 p.m. ET from Houston. The latest Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Cape Verde at +160 (risk $100 to win $160) on the 90-minute money line, with Saudi Arabia at +175 and a draw at +230. The over/under is 2.5 total goals. Before locking in any Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Saudi Arabia vs. Cape Verde predictions from SportsLine’s Martin Green.

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer betting picks, including the Champions League (+211.25) and Bundesliga (+100). He’s also been red-hot in 2026, posting an 18-8 record over his last 26 UCL picks, returning nearly $1,000 in profit. Additionally, he enters Friday on a 9-5 run (+382) on World Cup picks. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

Now, Green has studied Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Saudi Arabia vs. Cape Verde:

Top Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia predictions

After examining Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia from every angle, Green is leaning Under 2.5 total goals (-150). The four games these two sides have already played at this World Cup split evenly on that number, Cape Verde’s scoreless draw with Spain and Saudi Arabia’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay both stayed under, while Cape Verde’s 2-2 with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia’s 4-0 loss to Spain both went well past it.

“Vozinha made eight saves to help Cape Verde shut out Spain, and Mohammed Al-Owais made nine in Saudi Arabia’s draw with Uruguay, so a quiet final score wouldn’t be a shock if either keeper has a similar night. Cape Verde sit level with Uruguay on two points, and a draw here could be enough to send them through if Spain beat Uruguay elsewhere in the group.” See Green’s best bets for Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia at SportsLine, and you can bet the Under in Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia at FanDuel here:

How to make Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia picks

After studying Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia from every angle, Green has found a critical x-factor and locked in a pair of best bets, including one that returns around +250. You can head to SportsLine to see what they are. 

So what are the best bets for Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, all from expert on an 18-8 roll on UCL picks, and find out.

Before coach Amir Ghalenoei or goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand answered any questions Thursday ahead of Iran’s World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up.

Daniel Marin, FIFA’s executive director of public relations, read a statement in light of the teams meeting in a “Pride Match” in Seattle on Friday. Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive places in the world for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, but they coincidentally will play each other while the host city honours the LGBTQ+ community.

“This Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game,” Marin said. “We fully respect the right of all journalists to ask questions. In this case, we ask you respect the rights of the federation here today to only answer questions in relation to the team, the tactics, the match, and so on.” 
Nonetheless, Ghalenoei was peppered with questions about what will transpire inside Lumen Field and around the stadium on Friday.

In December, both countries asked for the Pride-themed celebrations to be cancelled. FIFA treats the rainbow flag as a statement of human rights and will allow fans to wave it inside the stadium, according to Hana Tadesse, a spokesperson for Seattle’s World Cup organising committee.

Ghalenoei said the team would focus on soccer. With a win, Iran could advance to the tournament’s knockout stage for the first time.

“I said to you earlier we are here to play football. For nothing else,” Ghalenoei said in response to a reporter’s question in Persian. “Our entire focus is going to be on tomorrow’s game, on succeeding in tomorrow’s game. And, anything else that is banned … we don’t want to speak about it. 

“We are only going to speak about football, what a beautiful game it is, and how enjoyable it’s going to be.” 
Iran has faced numerous complications off the field. The team has endured travel restrictions imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security in light of the war in Iran.

In March, Iran sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team’s arrival. Several team officials and members of the support staff have been barred from travelling into the US with the team.

For the first two matches, near Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to travel until the day before. The US then eased its restrictions, allowing the squad to travel to Seattle two days before Friday’s match.

Ghalenoei said the team is in a better position with its fitness as a result.

“This was a right that we should have had in the two previous games,” Ghalenoei said.

“They deprived us of the right to arrive in time. … What they did for us this time, they didn’t do for the two previous games.” 
Ghalenoei commended FIFA president Gianni Infantino for doing the “utmost” to “minimise the challenges” Iran has faced.

But on Friday, Iran is sure to be tested in multiple ways. Egypt is in first place in Group G, and Iran will try to focus strictly on its opponent.

“We are not going to think about what is going on outside of the pitch, because the game is going to be so arduous,” Ghalenoei said. “It is going to be so exciting that we are going to have our total focus on that. We are representatives of our great Iranian nation and great Iranian country, and football only. We are only focused on football, and nothing else.

India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his side let the game slip despite making the ideal start with the ball as Ireland stunned the reigning T20 world champions by 34 runs in the opening T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.Leading India for the first time as full-time T20I captain, Iyer felt the bowlers executed their plans well in the early stages but failed to maintain the same discipline during the middle and death overs, allowing Ireland to recover from a precarious position. “I think initially, the bowlers were bowling well. They got lateral movement, and they got a couple of wickets as well. So we got a tremendous start, but in between, we lost execution. We made them hit straight down the ground, where we know that the dimensions are pretty small. But then, yeah, the bowlers, when we had to shut down the overs, they were brilliant as well. So I thought 140 would have been an amazing score considering the start that we got to chase. But nonetheless, it’s a great experience over here. We got to play in these conditions, got a fair idea about the wicket, and yeah, great start as a captain.”After reducing Ireland to 36/3 in the Powerplay, India allowed Lorcan Tucker, Gareth Delany and George Dockrell to turn the innings around as the hosts eventually posted 182/9. Delany and Dockrell’s assault on Prasidh Krishna in the death overs, including a 27-run over, proved decisive.Asked whether India’s long break had contributed to the defeat, Iyer acknowledged there was rust but insisted the team would quickly move on and focus on the series decider.“Yes, definitely. We’re going to forget what’s happened. Definitely a lot to learn from this game and see to it that we come out in the next game all guns blazing.”The India skipper reserved special praise for Harshit Rana, who impressed with figures of 3/24 in his return from injury, while also highlighting the value of Shivam Dube’s contribution with the ball.“Yes, certainly. They were getting help up front at the start, and Shivam, he has bowled crucial overs in the past. So I always back him, and I’ve played with him in the domestic circuit as well. I know his strengths and weaknesses. And Harshit Rana, he bowled phenomenal. Coming out of an injury to perform at this level and showcase this sort of talent, it’s simply brilliant.”India’s chase never gathered momentum despite Abhishek Sharma‘s explosive 20-ball fifty, with the visitors eventually bowled out for 148 as Ireland registered their first-ever win over India in any format.Reflecting on the defeat, Iyer urged his teammates not to become complacent and stressed the importance of capitalising whenever an opponent is under pressure.“I think you can’t take anything for granted. You can’t just turn up and win matches. You have to work hard and see to it that you’re in that moment. Like I mentioned earlier, you’ve got to stay in the present and see to it that if you’ve got that opportunity to squeeze the opponent, we’ve got to do that. And yeah, never take any moment or situation lightly.”Despite the disappointing result in his first match as India’s permanent T20I captain, Iyer made it clear the team is already focused on bouncing back.“Yes, looking forward to it.”

Shreyas Iyer (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer’s first outing as India’s T20I captain ended on a disappointing note on Friday as Ireland stunned the reigning world champions by 34 runs in Belfast, consigning the Mumbai batter to an unwanted place in the record books.With the defeat, Iyer became only the fourth Indian captain to lose his maiden T20I in charge, joining an unfortunate list that includes Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill.Kohli’s first match as T20I captain ended in defeat against England at Kanpur in 2017. Pant suffered the same fate against South Africa in Delhi in 2022, while Gill’s captaincy debut ended with a loss to Zimbabwe in Harare in 2024. Iyer has now added his name to that list following Ireland’s historic victory.The result also marked Ireland’s first-ever win over India in men’s international cricket.

Indian captains losing their maiden T20I in charge

Historic return overshadowed by historic defeat

Ironically, Iyer had entered the match with a remarkable record already to his name.The 31-year-old returned to India’s T20I side after missing 63 consecutive matches since his previous appearance against Australia in December 2023 — the longest gap by any player before captaining a national team in T20 internationals.His captaincy debut also brought two more milestones. At 31 years and 202 days, he became the third-oldest player to make his T20I captaincy debut for India, behind Shikhar Dhawan and Suryakumar Yadav.Iyer also became the most experienced T20 captain before making his India captaincy debut, having led 114 T20 matches across franchise and domestic cricket, ahead of Rohit Sharma (80), Virat Kohli (72) and KL Rahul (42).

Ireland’s debutants steal the show

However, the records counted for little once the action began.Asked to bat first, Ireland recovered brilliantly from 51 for 4 to post 182 for 9, thanks to captain Lorcan Tucker’s fluent 50 and Gareth Delany’s 49.India’s chase never gained momentum despite Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 50. Ireland’s debutants proved to be the difference as India-born left-arm pacer Jai Moondra claimed 2 for 25, while Matt Hollard impressed with 3 for 28 to trigger a batting collapse.India were eventually bowled out for 148 with seven balls to spare, handing Ireland one of the greatest victories in their cricket history.

Few putts intimidate golfers more than the slick, downhill breaker. The combination of speed and slope makes these putts difficult to judge, causing many players to misread the line or instinctively steer their putter toward the hole—resulting in a putt that misses on the low-side or races past the cup.

Luckily, the solution is simpler than most golfers realize. According to GOLF Top 100 Teacher David Armitage, the mistake most amateurs make on these tricky breaking putts isn’t with their stroke or technique — it’s focusing on the wrong target.

Stop focusing on the hole

To master slippery, sidehill putts, Armitage says golfers need to rethink their approach.

“They [amateurs] are trying to almost make the putt turn a corner,” Armitage says. “The hole is the distraction.”

Instead of trying to guide the ball, Armitage says to think of breaking putts as straight putts to a specific point: the apex, or the highest point on the intended line before breaking toward the hole.

Concentrating on the apex allows you to start your putts on line and let the green do the work. And to find the apex, you just need a reliable green-reading routine. Whether you prefer to walk around the putt to study the slope from multiple angles, use AimPoint or another method, the key is developing a consistent process that you trust.

“Reading greens is a skill set that you’ve got to practice,” Armitage says. “You’ve got to have a process — something that you believe in.”

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Mark the apex with a tee

While many amateurs can correctly identify the apex by reading the green, they usually forget about it once they stand over the ball.

“They’re [amateurs] reading the green to the apex correctly, but then they’re looking at the hole,” Armitage says.

To keep yourself locked in on the apex, Armitage recommends practicing with a tee. When you address each putt, zero-in on that point — not the hole.

“Forget the hole,” he continues, “let the hole be the end spot, but don’t let it be the end-all-be-all.”

Once you’ve chosen your line and set up to the putt, your job is simple: roll the ball to the apex, trust your read and let the green do the rest.

A dominant India thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 7-1 in their return leg match of the FIH Pro League here on Friday.

In their previous fixture, India were held 2-2 by hosts England in regulation time, but then lost 1-4 in the shootout.

In their earlier meeting, India clinched a 4-3 win against Pakistan, courtesy goals from Abhishek, Nilakanta, Sukhjeet and Rajinder.

India will take on England in their final match here on Sunday.

In the match against Pakistan on Friday, India secured a penalty corner in the ninth minute, but Harmanpreet’s flick was denied by the Pakistan defence.

Pakistan shocked India by taking the lead in the 13th minute when Abu Mahmmod converted a penalty corner with a powerful flick.

India responded back in the 20th minute, when Harmanpreet’s flick was neatly deflected in by Sukhjeet from a set piece.

India secured another penalty corner in the 26th minute and this time Harmanpreet scored, finding the top corner of the Pakistan goal. 

India earned another penalty corner in the 29th minute but failed to capitalise on the chance.

India had six penalty corners in the first 30 minutes against Pakistan’s one.

India secured back-to-back penalty corners four minutes into the third quarter which resulted in a stroke and vice-captain Hardik Singh made no mistake from the spot.

Pakistan secured two penalty corners in quick succession but faltered, resulting in India’s fourth goal from a counter-attack through Jugraj Singh after being fed by Dilpreet Singh.

Abhishek made the scoreline 5-1 in favour in the 41st minute with a superb reverse hit after receiving a fine ball from Sukhjeet.

Pakistan had another penalty corner soon but wasted the chance.

India secured four back-to-back penalty corners in the 44th minute and Rajkumar Pal scored from a rebound from the last set piece.

India secured another penalty corner in the 50th minute, but they miscued the opportunity.

Dilpreet Singh extended India’s lead with a fine scoop goal from in front after being brilliantly fed by Mandeep Singh in the 54th minute.

Pakistan secured two consecutive penalty corners seconds later but lacked firepower to breach the Indian defence.

Ellyes Skhiri’s unfortunate own goal in Tunisia’s 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands took the tally of own goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to 12, equalling the record for the most in a single men’s World Cup tournament, previously set in Russia in 2018. Tunisia captain Skhiri inadvertently turned Denzel Dumfries’ low cross into his own net in the third minute of Thursday’s Group F clash in Kansas City, handing the Netherlands an early lead on their way to sealing top spot with an unbeaten group-stage campaign.

The 12th own goal of the tournament continues an extraordinary trend, with more than 18 per cent of all own goals in men’s World Cup history coming in the ongoing edition, according to Opta Analyst. A total of 66 own goals have now been recorded across all FIFA World Cup tournaments.

The run of own goals began when Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net against the United States. Switzerland defender Miro Muheim then gifted Qatar a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser before Qatar’s Mohamed Manai scored into his own goal in a 6-0 defeat to Canada.

Other players to score own goals at the tournament are Egypt’s Mohamed Hany, Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab, Australia’s Cameron Burgess, Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Al-Tambakti, Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, Qatar’s Mahmud Abunada, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Tunisia’s Skhiri.

Hussein’s own goal carried an unusual statistical footnote as he also scored for Iraq in the same match against Norway, making him only the third player in men’s World Cup history to score at both ends in a single game.

Qatar have become only the third team to score two own goals at a single men’s World Cup, matching Bulgaria’s unwanted feat in 1966 and hosts Russia in 2018.

Historically, Mexico hold the record for the most own goals by a nation with four, while France have benefited the most, with opponents scoring six own goals in their favour.

The first own goal in World Cup history was scored by 18-year-old Mexico defender Manuel Rosas during a 3-0 defeat to Chile at the inaugural tournament in 1930. Five World Cup editions have finished without an own goal, with Italy 1990 the most recent.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Uruguay face Spain in a crucial World Cup clash on Saturday, but a number of players, including Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte, have turned against manager Marcelo Bielsa

Manchester United and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been involved in a ‘revolt’ against his national team manager Marcelo Bielsa just hours before their must-not-lose World Cup encounter against Spain.

La Celeste face Spain knowing they need to avoid defeat to stand any chance of qualifying for the Round of 32, following a disappointing start to the tournament. Uruguay have picked up just two points from their opening two matches, having been held to a draw against minnows Saudi Arabia and then Cape Verde.

And now, it is suggested that a group of players have begun to rebel against Bielsa after injuries were sustained in training due to excessive preparation. GiveMeSport report that Ugarte, Federico Valverde, Rochet and Rodrigo Bentancur – amongst others – called their coach to a meeting before their forthcoming fixture against Spain, dissatisfied with gruelling training sessions organised by Bielsa.

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It is added that Uruguay pressed the former Leeds United boss to implement tactical adjustments before their next fixture, following a disappointing run of results. However, Bielsa then countered with a team meeting of his own, rejecting the notion of adopting a defensive approach against Spain and maintaining that they would persist with their existing tactics, potentially exposing themselves to more injuries.

El Espectador, meanwhile, reported that he also accused his players of attempting to force him out over his choice to leave Luis Suarez and Nahitan Nandez out of his squad selections.

The 70-year-old also allegedly claimed that he had played a significant role in shaping the careers of several national team players, including Maxi Araujo and Sebastian Caceres.

Uruguay sit second in Group H but are guaranteed to drop out of the top two and fail to secure qualification for the knockout phase if they lose to Spain on Friday.

A draw would guarantee a place in the Round of 32 if Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia draw in the other final group game, while a draw for Uruguay and a win for either Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia would drop them to third and leave them an anxious wait of progressing via the best eight third-place route.

Speaking openly about his preparations for Uruguay’s fixture against Spain, Bielsa stated at a press conference: “We are approaching tomorrow’s match as a final. One of the best ways to defend is to make sure the opponent has ⁠the ball for less time.”

He further commented on Luis de la Fuente: “It seems to me that, with the type of soccer that he achieved with Spain, which is unique, and his entire work there, which is significant, it definitely doesn’t reflect my own style. It’s a type of soccer a lot more beautiful than what I achieved with my team. The truth is that what he has accomplished with Spain is admirable.”

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This is not the first occasion that Bielsa has attracted attention at this summer’s tournament across North America. Earlier this month, the experienced head coach declined to participate in a World Cup photoshoot with the media, pictured staring at the ground while photographers attempted to capture his portrait.

Providing a justification for the peculiar display, Bielsa added: “I don’t have to give any explanation, the picture was taken the way it was taken. I’m not a model.”

He added: “There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I’m wearing glasses, ‘why am I wearing glasses?’

“You look somebody in the eye, ‘why do you do that?’ There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.”

Uruguay are set to play Spain at the Estadio Guadalajara at 1am BST on Saturday morning. Cape Verde are also in action against Saudi Arabia simultaneously in Houston, as Group H reaches its conclusion.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.