World Cup schedule, live updates: Germany, Japan and USA return as Matchday 3 continues
The final round of World Cup group play is underway and we’ve already seen plenty of fireworks after South Africa’s late-night heroics on Monday. Groups D, E and F are in action on Thursday as teams fight for spots in the knockout round.
Group E kicks things off with Ecuador vs. Germany and Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast. The Germans already have things locked up as the group winner, so the intrigue lies with the other teams.
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Group F is also still in flux as the Netherlands and Japan are sitting on four points with Sweden right behind them on three points. A win or draw for any of the three teams likely means moving on to the knockout round.
World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | Standings
In the nightcap, USA and Group D take center stage. The U.S. has already won the group, but Christian Pulisic hinted that he may play on Thursday night after getting injured in the team’s opener. Australia and Paraguay will meet with second place on the line.
Group D
Group E
Group F
Follow all of Thursday’s action including live updates, highlights, results and analysis below.
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Sean Leahy
Ecuador (4-3-3): Hernán Galíndez; Alan Franco, Piero Hincapié, Willian Pacho, Joel Ordóñez; Pedro Vite, Moisés Caicedo, John Yeboah; Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia, Nilson Angulo
Germany (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, David Raum; Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha; Leroy Sané, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala; Florian Wirtz
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Sean Leahy
Curaçao (5-3-2): Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Deveron Fonville, Sherel Floranus, Armando Obispo; Juriën Gaari, Tahith Chong, Livano Comenencia; Jürgen Locadia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna
Ivory Coast (4-4-2): Yahia Fofana; Guéla Doué, Christopher Opéri, Franck Kessie, Ousmane Diomande, Odilon Kossounou; Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ange-Yoan Bonny; Nicolas Pépé, Yan Diomande
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Sean Leahy
Only four teams have yet to a concede a goal as group play winds down. Mexico went through the group stage with three clean sheets. Spain, Argentina and Ghana each still have one match to play before the round of 32.
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇪🇸 Spain
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇭 GhanaMEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 24: Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico celebrates the third goal of his team during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Czechia and Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
(Eurasia Sport Images via Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
Scotland’s 3-0 loss to Brazil on Thursday damaged their hopes of moving on to the round of 32.
With only three points taken during the group stage, Scotland finished in third place in Group C are currently seventh among third-place sides. Only the best eight third-place teams will advance to the knockout round.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is pessimistic about his side playing again in this World Cup as they wait to see how the group stage finishes up.
“In the first four or five minutes we passed the ball well and then made a mistake. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and it becomes a long night,” Clarke said after the loss to Brazil.
“For sure I think we’re going home.”
MIAMI, UNITED STATES – JUNE 24: Scotland head coach Steve Clarke (L) and Lewis Ferguson at full time during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at the Miami Stadium, on June 24, 2026, in Miami, United States. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
(Craig Williamson – SNS Group via Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
The New York Giants quarterback has been serving as a roving reporter for Fox Sports during the tournament.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Lionel Messi turned 39 on Wednesday. And still, through the group stage of this, his sixth World Cup, he leads all scoring with five goals in just two games.
As he and his Argentine mates head into the knockout round, looking to repeat as champions, here is a look at 39 facts about Lionel Messi.
Read more here.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates Argentina’s victory over Austria and their advancement to the next round during their Group J match at AT&T Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2026, in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Pablo Elias/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Here’s today’s What to Watch as the USMNT, Germany and Netherlands are among the teams in action.
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![Steven Goff]()
Steven Goff
With nothing at stake in the final Group D match Thursday against Türkiye, U.S coach Mauricio Pochettino plans to sit the four starters who are in jeopardy of suspension for the start of the World Cup knockout stage.
He will make careful decisions about star forward Christian Pulisic, who is returning from a calf injury, and potential starter Cristian Roldan, who is nursing a quadriceps ailment.
He’ll gauge the fitness levels of players who have logged major minutes through the first two matches or are feeling the physical effects after a long club season in Europe and a month with the national team.
First and foremost, Pochettino wants his team in prime condition for the Round of 32 game on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California.
Read more here.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States talks to the media. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Jamie Squire via Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
The top eight third place teams will advance to the round of 32.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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