Taylor Bevan’s link-up with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis has seemingly come at the perfect time, ahead of his first 10-rounder against Ryszard Lewicki.

The 25-year-old has made steady progress in the professional code but, now, it seems as though he is approaching his toughest assignment thus far.

Not only is he facing a credible opponent but Bevan, who was a standout amateur, must also perform on the grandest stage he will have ever encountered.

It is just as well, then, that the talented prospect has joined forces with esteemed coaches Moore and Travis, knowing that basing himself in Manchester is a sacrifice worth making.

“They’re just two very experienced coaches. I went up there to try them out and gelled well with them straight away.

“They’ve obviously got a top stable of boxers – a lot of lads who are further along the journey than I am.

“I can learn a lot of people like that and there’s a great atmosphere in the gym, which is something I was missing before. I’m used to training on my own, so I’ve come from the other end of the spectrum, really.

“It’s a big commitment, moving four or five hours away from home, but I’m willing to make sacrifices at this stage in my career. I believe they’ll pay off in the future.”

Advertisement

One of the benefits of training in Manchester is that Bevan is closer, or at least more so than he was in Southampton, to top-class super-middleweight sparring.

As a result, he has been fortunate enough to share rounds with Callum Simpson, who rematches Troy Williamson on August 8, ahead of his clash with Lewicki.

“Yeah, amazing sparring. He’s at the top level at my weight, and he’s massive for the weight as well. I had eight rounds with him [around two weeks ago] and did another eight rounds with him [last week].

“I don’t think you can get much better sparring than that. It fills me with the utmost confidence going into this next fight, that I’m in great condition and prepared for anything.”

Bevan will collide with Lewicki at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, this Saturday, featuring on the undercard of Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi.

While still signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, this represents Bevan’s second outing on a Queensberry Promotions show, simply because the offer to enter his first professional contest in Southampton was too good to refuse.

The aim, as always, is to produce a statement performance and emerge victorious, yet Bevan does not rule out the possibility of going the full 10-round distance.

“I think it’s come at the perfect time – Tom Dallas at Matchroom has matched me brilliantly so far.

“I’ve been ready to do the eight rounds in my last few fights and it just hasn’t happened. In a way, it’s good to blast people out of there, because you get those highlight-reel knockouts and 8-0 (8 KOs) looks great on my record.

“But, at the same time, I wouldn’t be disappointed to go 10 rounds in this next fight, because it would be a good progression in my career. I’ve got to go the distance at some point, so why not do it now?”

Advertisement

Indeed, Bevan has established himself as a clinical knockout artist, but sees himself as more of a spiteful technician than an all-out power puncher.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a devastating puncher like [stablemate] Pat Brown, but I’d say [I get the stoppages with] smart boxing. When I feint, I look at where [the opponent] leaves himself open.

“I always felt like my style would suit the pros, because I like to think about things and be more calculated, whereas the amateurs is very fast and furious.

“I’ve always been a fit lad, and it was often my heart, determination and will to win that got me through those amateur fights.”

While boasting an accomplished amateur background, Bevan remains acutely aware that, against Lewicki, he could be dragged into something of a “dogfight”. Thankfully, though, he should have plenty of supporters to spur him on through any moments of jeopardy.

The United States booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle.

An own goal from Australia’s Cameron Burgess gave the Americans an early lead before Alex Freeman added a second just before half-time. Mauricio Pochettino’s side remained solid at the back and secured their second straight win of the tournament.

Player Ratings

Matt Freese (Goalkeeper) – 6.5/10

Had little to do throughout the match. Made two routine saves and was rarely troubled by the Australian attack.

Sergiño Dest – 7/10

A lively performance on the right flank. Constantly pushed forward, caused problems for Australia’s defence and created several attacking opportunities.

Alex Freeman – 8.5/10

Outstanding once again. Defended well, helped build attacks and capped his performance with a goal. One of the USA’s brightest performers in the tournament so far.

Chris Richards – 8/10

A commanding display in central defence. Strong in the air and dealt comfortably with Australia’s attacking threats.

Tim Ream – 7/10

Used his experience well and organised the defence effectively. Comfortable in possession and helped the USA keep a clean sheet.

Antonee Robinson – 6.5/10

Worked hard down the left side and stretched the Australian defence, although he was not as influential going forward as in the opening match.

Tyler Adams – 7/10

Showed his usual determination and leadership. Made important tackles and defensive interventions throughout the game.

Weston McKennie – 7/10

Another energetic display. Contributed in both attack and defence and covered plenty of ground.

Malik Tillman – 7.5/10

Impressed with his work rate and pressing. Won possession high up the pitch and helped create attacking chances.

Folarin Balogun – 7/10

His pace forced the opening own goal. Missed a few opportunities to score himself but worked hard for the team and linked play well.

Ricardo Pepi – 6.5/10

Brought into the starting line-up and performed his role well. Held the ball up effectively and helped connect midfield and attack.

Substitutes

Sebastian Berhalter – 5.5/10

Had a few chances to influence the game but was untidy in possession.

Joe Scally – 6/10

Provided good defensive support and helped contain Australia’s wide players.

Auston Trusty – 6/10

Added strength and energy as Australia pushed for a goal in the closing stages.

Gio Reyna – Not Rated

Came on in stoppage time.

Haji Wright – Not Rated

Late substitute and had little time to make an impact.

Man of the Match

Alex Freeman (8.5/10)

The young defender produced another excellent all-round display and crowned it with his first World Cup goal as the USA secured a place in the knockout rounds.

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised his players after their impressive victory over Scotland in their second group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the Atlas Lions must remain focused on the task ahead.

Speaking after the match, Ouahbi said he was delighted with the team’s display against a strong Scottish side and stressed that Morocco would continue to work hard as the tournament progresses.

“We continue,” Ouahbi told beIN Sports.

“It was a great game against Scotland and their talented players. We want to keep this momentum and continue working hard.”

The coach also reserved special praise for forward Ismael Saibari, who scored twice in the victory and was named Man of the Match.

“Saibari scored two goals and I hope we continue with this same spirit,” Ouahbi said.

When asked about the strong unity within the squad, Ouahbi played down his role, saying the foundations were already in place before his arrival.

“The group was already there. We only added some younger players to the team. I am proud to be part of this group,” he said.

Ouahbi added that the players were pleased to see Saibari receive the individual award following his outstanding performance.

“The players are very happy and they are happy for Saibari to be named Man of the Match.”

Saibari opened the scoring just 72 seconds after kick-off, setting the record for the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup so far.

The midfielder said Morocco’s strong team spirit has been a major factor behind their success.

“I feel very good. We have four points and we are top of the group, so it was a very good game,” Saibari said.

“We all have the same goal and the same dream. We work together, we are like a family and we always want to win every match.”

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou also praised his teammates after another solid defensive display.

Bounou admitted Scotland made life difficult at times but said Morocco responded well under pressure.

“It was not an easy game. We produced a high-level performance and I congratulate all my teammates,” Bounou said.

“Scotland tried to put us under pressure, but we defended well and created chances. They pushed hard in the final 10 minutes, but we did our best.”

The experienced goalkeeper added that Morocco are improving with every match and stressed the importance of keeping the squad healthy.

“World Cup matches are never easy. Morocco is improving game after game. We just need to protect the players from injuries so we can remain balanced in defence and attack.”

Morocco’s strong start to the tournament has continued to attract praise from football observers around the world. The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil before following it up with victory over Scotland.

The result has also strengthened Morocco’s position in the FIFA rankings, with the North Africans moving up to fifth place in the live standings. While other World Cup results could still affect the rankings, Morocco’s rise underlines their growing status as one of the leading teams in world football.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has completed its first week of action and, in just seven days, fans have witnessed masterclasses in individual performances, memorable upsets, and impressive displays from some of the tournament favourites, not to mention some spirited resistance from lesser-known teams. By the end of the opening week, co-hosts Mexico had also become the first side to secure their place in the round of 32.

Week 1 has been a reminder that football’s old order refuses to go quietly into the night even as a new generation threatens to crash the party. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland lit up the tournament with statement performances, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated return failed to produce the fairytale beginning many had hoped for.

Here is a recap of all the memorable happenings over the first week of the FIFA World Cup 2026 being held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Messi’s magic remains intact

For years, the World Cup had been the stage where Messi’s brilliance was measured against expectations. In 2026, the Argentine captain finally appears to be playing with freedom, likely because, for the first time in his six appearances at the tournament, he is defending the trophy rather than chasing it.

Argentina’s title defence began with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J and, fittingly, all three goals came from Messi.

Mbappe’s historic night

If Messi reminded the world of his magic, Mbappe once again showcased why he is regarded as the heir to football’s throne.

France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal saw the French captain score twice and overtake Olivier Giroud to become his country’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals.

The brace also took Mbappe’s World Cup tally to 14 goals, levelling with Germany’s Gerd Muller in fourth place on the all-time list. Only Messi and Klose, with 16 goals each, and Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario, with 15, are now ahead of the 27-year-old.

Most goals in FIFA World Cup history

Norway announce their return

Few teams entered the tournament with as much momentum as Norway, who qualified for the World Cup with a perfect record in the European qualifiers.

But expectations were tempered by the country’s long absence from football’s biggest stage.

Their emphatic 4-1 victory over Iraq confirmed that they are more than just participants in the 48-team event. Star striker Erling Haaland scored twice, while Martin Odegaard dictated the tempo as Norway celebrated their first World Cup appearance since 1998 in style.

Having won all eight qualifying matches and starting the tournament with a convincing victory, Norway are rapidly emerging as one of the teams nobody will want to face.

Ronaldo’s wait grows longer

While Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland dominated the headlines, the storyline for Cristiano Ronaldo during the opening week was considerably less memorable.

Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening game, with the 41-year-old failing to score despite several opportunities.

It was also the first World Cup since 2014 in which Ronaldo failed to find the net in his opening match. He scored a hat-trick against Spain in Portugal’s first game at the 2018 World Cup and netted against Ghana in the opening match of the 2022 edition.

With what is likely to be his final World Cup underway, the pressure is mounting on the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football.

Controversies arrive early

No World Cup is complete without debate, and the first week provided plenty.

Mandatory hydration breaks, introduced to help players cope with the North American summer, became one of the biggest talking points. Critics argued they disrupted the rhythm of matches and increased commercial interruptions.

Several VAR decisions also came under scrutiny, while players and coaches voiced concerns about scheduling and extreme weather conditions.

The tournament also encountered political complications. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi and head coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed that FIFA had ordered the team to leave the United States immediately after their 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles and return to their base in Tijuana, Mexico, denying the squad an overnight stay for recovery.

Mexico strike first

Amid all the drama, co-hosts Mexico became the first team to secure a place in the round of 32.

Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in their opening game before edging past South Korea 1-0 to collect six points from two matches.

With South Korea on three points and both Czechia and South Africa on one point each, Mexico became the first side to officially progress to the knockout stage.

Canada secure historic breakthrough

Co-hosts Canada are also enjoying a memorable campaign.

Before the start of the tournament, Canada had never won or drawn a match at the FIFA World Cup. However, just two games into the 2026 edition, they have already earned their first point with a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina and followed it up with a commanding 6-0 victory over Qatar.

With four points from two games, Canada are now well placed to join Mexico in the round of 32.

Germany turn back the clock

Germany arrived at the tournament with lingering doubts after suffering group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022.

Those concerns briefly resurfaced when debutants Curacao cancelled out Felix Nmecha’s early opener to level the scores at 1-1.

However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side responded emphatically. Kai Havertz scored twice as Germany ran out 7-1 winners, recreating the scoreline of their famous victory over Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

Vozinha steals the show for Cape Verde

In one of the biggest David-versus-Goliath stories of the opening week, debutants Cape Verde held tournament favourites Spain to a goalless draw.

The star of the night was 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who produced a string of saves to frustrate the European champions.

Spain registered 23 shots and eight efforts on target, but the veteran goalkeeper stood firm to earn Cape Verde their first-ever World Cup point. His heroic display also earned him the Player of the Match award.

Kane continues his purple patch

After finishing as the leading goalscorer at club level during the 2025-26 season, England captain Harry Kane carried his rich vein of form into the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring twice in England’s commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia in their Group L opener.

Kane put England ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, but Croatia responded through Martin Baturina, who levelled the scores in the 36th minute. The England skipper restored his side’s advantage six minutes later with his second goal of the night, only for Petar Musa to strike in first-half stoppage time and send the teams into the break locked at 2-2.

England regained control soon after the restart as Jude Bellingham found the net in the 47th minute before Marcus Rashford sealed the victory with a late goal in the 85th minute, helping the Three Lions begin their campaign with an impressive win.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Week 1 results

One week into the expanded tournament, familiar stars have once again dominated the headlines, but the opening round of matches has also shown that surprises are never far away. With qualification places at stake and the race for the round of 32 gathering pace, the second week promises even more drama.

Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.

Lamine Yamal is not feeling 100% fit and is not likely to start for Spain in the match against Saudi Arabia on Sunday at the World Cup.

Yamal came into the tournament nursing a left hamstring injury and was only a substitute in the team’s opener on Monday – a disappointing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.

“I’m fine, I feel good, but it’s still too soon,” Yamal told Spanish network RTVE. “It’s unnecessary (to take risks). I’m going through an adaptation process, it’s not the time to play a full match yet. But I can play as many minutes as the coach wants.” 
The 18-year-old Yamal came off the bench in the 71st minute against Cape Verde but was not able to spark La Roja to victory against the nation of about half-million people that was making its debut at soccer’s showcase event.

After facing Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Atlanta, Spain goes to Guadalajara to play Uruguay in the highlight match of Group H. The match may be decisive and having Yamal fully fit could be crucial for Spain.

Yamal said teammate Nico Williams, who also arrived nursing an injury, was ahead of him in the recovery process. 

“Physically he’s even better than me,” Yamal said. “We’re not in a rush. We have a great team with top-level players and we have to go step by step.” 
Yamal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament’s biggest stars despite his young age. He has been thriving with Barcelona and Spain’s national team for a while, having helped La Roja win the European Championship in 2024. He led Barcelona to the Spanish league title this past season.

His popularity in the United States has been evident at the World Cup. An advertisement with his image towers over Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Spain kicked off its campaign.

“I’m taking it naturally, it’s something I’m used to,” Yamal said about his popularity. “I know what I represent both outside of Spain and in Spain. I try to always give my best, that’s what the fans want. If you have your image on that building, it’s because you can do things on the field that people like, things that excite them when they see you play.