In a dramatic turn of events at the World Cup 2026, the Netherlands and Germany have been eliminated from the tournament. As the competition heats up, anticipation builds for the upcoming match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway.
Yesterday’s matches brought significant developments, and one poignant story emerged surrounding Cody Gakpo. The Dutch player scored a stunning goal but is grappling with immense personal loss following the tragic passing of his unborn son. Nick Ames, reporting from Monterrey, captured the moment:
Football is a vessel for myriad thoughts and feelings so it was an intensely affecting moment when, after he had rammed his team into a 72nd-minute lead, the entire Dutch squad piled on to the pitch in joy. More than that, they had done so in support. Gakpo had elected to play despite the announcement that he and his partner had tragically lost their unborn son. He was tearful upon making his way back to the centre circle, pointing to the sky and being comforted by his teammate Denzel Dumfries.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has also made headlines during this tournament, showcasing resilient performances that resonate beyond sports. Louis Mukoma reflects on the significance of their journey:
The DRC is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa. There are hundreds of ethnic communities. And hundreds of languages and dialects. Four national languages have been adopted to help create cohesion. There are different cuisines, customs and histories. And today, profound political and societal fractures. The biggest story here is not a sporting one. It is what the Leopards have done for their country.
Eastern Congo has spent decades living through successive wars. Many people there have long felt abandoned by Kinshasa. Whenever violence intensifies, discussions about federalism, autonomy and the country’s fragmentation resurface. Yet, whenever the Leopards play, those divisions seem to pause.
Following the draw with Portugal, celebrations erupted not only in Kinshasa but also in Lubumbashi – in the Katanga region, which has its own secession history – as well as in Goma and Bukavu. The same happened again after the victory against Uzbekistan, but with even greater intensity.
In a concerning development, the DRC’s most devoted supporter, known as “Lumumba Vea,” has been denied a visa for the tournament, a decision that has raised eyebrows.
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin celebrated Iran’s elimination from the World Cup, saying he did a “happy dance,” Sports Business Journal reported on Monday.
The Iranian team barely missed out on reaching the knockout rounds of the tournament. They drew all three of their matches in Group G and finished as the ninth-best third-place team after Austria scored a last-minute goal against Algeria in the final group-stage match. The top eight third-place teams earned spots in the round of 32.
Mullin didn’t hide his overjoyed reaction to the news that Iran was eliminated. He spoke at a World Cup security briefing in Washington, per SBJ, saying he was “so glad they’re gone” and that he was “very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.“
With the United States in the middle of a military and political conflict with Iran, the U.S. government restricted the Iranian soccer team’s movements during the World Cup. Prior to the event, Iran moved its planned training base from Tucson, Ariz., to Tijuana. The U.S. limited the amount of time the Iranian team could spend in the country preceding each match and required the squad to exit the nation right after each contest.
Mullin told reporters following the Monday briefing, according to SBJ, “I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the U.S. soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance.“
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are now on the next matches, particularly Côte d’Ivoire v Norway, where the former has demonstrated impressive organization in the group stage, while the latter is known for their attacking prowess. The anticipation continues to build as the World Cup unfolds.
