Friday’s USA vs. Australia match in Seattle was one of the most spectacular sporting events I’ve ever had the privilege to attend. From the hours-long buildup along the waterfront and all through the downtown and Belltown areas — in absolutely perfect weather — to the national anthems, to the epic flyover, to the US putting together another strong performance (especially in the first half) to ensure a place in the knockout rounds … it was absolutely tremendous. The Seahawks’ stadium is well known for how loud it can get, and we managed to get a couple seismic events registered yet again. U-S-A!
Turkey would manage to lose against 10-man Paraguay in the late game, confirming top spot in the group for the USMNT, and the Round of 32 game in the Bay Area. Guess I better sell the other kidney.
Morocco and Brazil collected wins as well in the other games of the day, but I wasn’t really paying much attention to those.
NETHERLANDS vs. SWEDEN
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 14: Graham Potter, Head Coach of Sweden, reacts prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 14: Graham Potter, Head Coach of Sweden, reacts prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty Images
Graham Potter’s Sweden romped to a 5-1 win over Tunisia in their first game and they will look to build on that against a Netherlands side who only managed a 1-1 draw against Japan. Another bad result for the Dutch could be disastrous.
Date / Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 1pm EDT; 6pm BST
Venue: NRG Stadium, Huston, TX, USA
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Chelsea interest: Jorrel Hato did not play a single minute in the first game.
GERMANY vs. CÔTE d’IVOIRE
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 14: Kai Havertz #7 of Germany screams to celebrate his penalty kick goal in front of Jamal Musiala #10 of Germany and Riechedly Bazoer #23 of Curaçao during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curaçao on June 14, 2026, at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 14: Kai Havertz #7 of Germany screams to celebrate his penalty kick goal in front of Jamal Musiala #10 of Germany and Riechedly Bazoer #23 of Curaçao during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curaçao on June 14, 2026, at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For a hot minute we were all Curaçao as the minnows threatened briefly to make history against mighty Germany in the first game. But the hydration break sapped all that momentum and Germany would not
Date / Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 4pm EDT; 9pm BST
Venue: BMO Field, Torono, Canada
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: No current players involved here.
ECUADOR vs. CURAÇAO
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 14: Moises Caicedo of Ecuador remonstrates as he waits to come back on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Cote D’Ivoire and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 14: Moises Caicedo of Ecuador remonstrates as he waits to come back on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Cote D’Ivoire and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Ecuador were disappointing in their first game, but have a very goo chance to get bak on track against Curaçao.
Date / Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 8pm EDT; 1am BST (next day)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansad City, MO, USA
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Chelsea interest: Moisés Caicedo played the full-90 in the first game; Kendry Páez did not get on.
TUNISIA vs. JAPAN
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Japan fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Japan fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Japan are another side looking to put a disappointing first match behind them.
Date / Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9day)
Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico)
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (UUK)
Chelsea interest: None