11 days · 11 summary articles
The Netherlands and Curaçao will kick off their FIFA World Cup campaigns on Sunday as the tournament enters its fourth day, with both sides making final preparations for their opening Group A fixtures. The Dutch, ranked among the pre-tournament favourites, face Japan in a high-stakes encounter at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, while Germany begins their title defence against CONCACAF side Curaçao at the same venue.
Portugal will pay a poignant tribute to the late Diogo Jota throughout their World Cup campaign, wearing commemorative armbands in his memory one year after the former Liverpool forward died in a traffic accident. The gesture, confirmed by squad members ahead of their opening match against Ghana, underscores the emotional weight carried by Fernando Santos’s side as they seek to build on their Euro 2024 semi-final run.
Controversy erupted in Group H as FIFA moved to clarify the validity of Switzerland’s opening-day penalty against Qatar, awarded after VAR review for handball by goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. The decision, which secured a 1-1 draw for the Swiss, has drawn criticism from Qatari officials who labelled the incident “disgusting” and demanded an urgent statement from world football’s governing body.
Germany’s World Cup preparations have been overshadowed by political scrutiny after federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the national team in a pre-match video message, urging them to “play with our hearts” as they defend their title. The intervention follows sharp criticism from foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, who accused FIFA of prioritising commercial interests over sporting integrity amid reports of empty seats in supposedly sold-out stadiums.
Morocco produced a shock result in Group F, holding Brazil to a 1-1 draw in a pulsating encounter that saw Vinícius Júnior equalise for the five-time champions after Ismael Saibari had put the Atlas Lions ahead. Meanwhile, Australia stunned tournament co-hosts Turkey 2-0 in a Group G upset, while Scotland secured their first World Cup win in 28 years with a 1-0 victory over Haiti, courtesy of a deflected strike from Ryan McGinn.
In administrative developments, FIFA confirmed that a Somali match official barred from entering the United States due to visa issues will receive full compensation for her exclusion, as Germany’s squad remains at full strength ahead of their Group E opener against Curaçao.
With Japan and the Netherlands set to renew their rivalry in Doha, the Dutch will be acutely aware that their Asian opponents harbour ambitions of a first-ever World Cup triumph. “Twenty years ago they would have kept quiet,” noted one Dutch reporter, reflecting on Japan’s rapid rise from minnows to a team now brimming with confidence.