Legend slammed by World Cup coach amid racism row

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World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

LEGEND SLAMMED BY WORLD CUP COACH AMID RACISM ROW

Ivory Coast’s 2-0 win over Curacao to secure second place in their group has been overshadowed by a racism storm which coach Emerse Faé has expressed his great disappointment with.

Former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger made inappropriate comments about African players during Germany’s clash with Ivory Coast last weekend which have drawn significant criticism.

While he remains on air for is broadcast channel, Fae was asked for his thoughts on Schweinsteiger.

“Schweinsteiger was a very good player; I have always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football,” he said.

“When I heard his comments, I was disappointed in the man. It is odd he would speak that way. We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade.

“I don’t agree with him, but I have no other solution other than to work with things as they are. All I can show is that on the pitch African teams are not just physical, we are technical and tactical.

"I can only hope it is a clumsy statement, rather than something going on in his mind. If that’s what he thinks, he is free to do so.”

Schweinsteiger is yet to offer any kind of apology.

SOCCEROOS LEARN THEIR OPPONENT FOR ROUND OF 32

With Iran's 93rd minute winner against Egypt being ruled out due to offside, Belgium remains in top spot.

As a result, Egypt finishes in second place and plays Australia.

NEW ZEALAND SCORE JUST IN TIME

Elijah Just has put another twist in the Group G permutations.

With Belgium leading the group on goal difference, New Zealand have pulled one back to set the margin to 3-1.

That saw the Red Devils back in second place briefly before super sub Romelu Lukaku scores a superb header to return Belgium in top spot.

DE BRYUNE MAKES IT THREE

Kevin De Bryune has given Belgium a 3-nil lead.

And with that, the Red Devils now surpass Egypt through goal difference.

As a result, Australia is currently projected to play the Pharaohs in the Round of 32.

TROSSARD DOUBLES THE RED DEVILS' ADVANTAGE

Belgium are doing everything in their power to secure second spot.

Leandro Trossard has nabbed himself a brace to see the Red Devils have a multiple goal lead in Vancouver.

They look unlikely to surrender their lead.

NEW ZEALAND SAVED BY VAR...BRIEFLY

The Kiwis have been under plenty of pressure by the Red Devils in the opening 27 minutes of this Group G.

And it seemed that Belgium would open its account with a penalty after a handball in the box.

But the VAR check has determined that defender Finn Surnam had his arm in a natural position and sees the penalty decision overuled.

Despite the minor setback, Belgium still gets on the scoreboard through Arsenal's Leandro Trossard.

That now takes Belgium into second place.

IRAN STRIKES BACK

And just like that, Iran has leveled the match.

Somehow Ramin Rezaeian has managed to get into the net on the tightest of angles and where back to a draw.

At this stage, it's Iran that occupies the all important second spot from an Australian perspective.

EGYPT OFF TO A FLYER

You couldn't get a better start if you tried for Egypt.

The Pharaohs have scored in the first five minutes with a scrappy goal from Mahmoud Saber to see them retain top spot.

Iran did have a penalty shortly after but Medhi Taremi's shot was saved Mosta Shobeir.

SOCCEROOS SET TO LEARN THEIR KNOCKOUT OPPONENTS

The final games of matchday 16 is underway.

In Seattle, Group G leaders Egypt play second place Iran.

While in Vancouver, third place Belgium takes on New Zealand.

These results will have a direct result on the Socceroos with the runner up of Group G facing Australia in the Round of 32. And with all four teams having a chance of doing so, there is plenty on the line.

See all the permutations below.

If Egypt beats Iran and Belgium beats New Zealand, Socceroos play BELGIUM

If Egypt beats Iran and Belgium draws with New Zealand, Socceroos play BELGIUM

If Egypt beats Iran and Belgium loses to New Zealand, Socceroos play NEW ZEALAND

If Egypt draws with Iran and Belgium beats New Zealand, Socceroos play either EGYPT or BELGIUM (decided by goal difference)

If Egypt draws with Iran and Belgium draws with New Zealand, Socceroos plays either IRAN or BELGIUM (decided by goals scored)

If Egypt draws with Iran and Belgium loses to New Zealand, Socceroos play NEW ZEALAND

If Egypt loses to Iran and Belgium beats New Zealand, Socceroos play either IRAN or BELGIUM

If Egypt loses to Iran and Belgium draws with New Zealand, Socceroos play EGYPT

If Egypt loses to Iran and Belgium loses to New Zealand, Socceroos play EGYPT

WORLD CUP MINNOWS SHOCK THE WORLD

Very few people would have known about Cape Verde before the start of the tournament.

But that has forever changed.

A country that roughly has the same population as Tasmania has managed to make the final 32 of football's biggest tournament.

Following their nil-all draw against Saudi Arabia, coupled with Uruguay's 1-0 loss to Spain, Cape Verde has taken second place in Group H on three points.

While many had their doubts about expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, stories like this have certainly helped its case.

They'll now face the reigning champions in Argentina in Miami to try and continue their fairytale run.

FREAK INJURIES AT WORLD CUP

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte was in tears as he was stretchered off the field after a freak injury at the World Cup.

Shortly before the half-time break, Ugarte collided with a teammate in Uruguay's must win Group H clash.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Mathias Olivera along with Ugarte tried to reclaim possession as Spanish star Pedri danced around them with the ball. But as the midfielder that lays his club football at Old Trafford hit the deck, it was evident he was in trouble.

After an extended period of medical attention on the field, he was stretchered off in clear distress.

Moment after the restart, Spain took the lead through Alex Baena.

The injury could be disastrous for Manchester United who are reportedly trying to cut ties with the defensive midfielder.

Meanwhile, in Houston, Saudi Arabia's Hassan Al Tambakti has also left the field on a stretcher after suffering what is being described by those at the ground as a serious leg injury.

BRAZIL COMPLAINT OVER 3-0 WIN

Beating Scotland 3-0 to finish top of their group is not enough for Brazil who have filed a complaint to FIFA citing inconsistencies and even dragging Lionel Messi into things.

Having already opened the scoring, Brazil’s Vinicius Junior found the back of the net but the goal was referred to VAR and ultimately disallowed.

Referee Mexican official Cesar Ramos ruled that Junior had fouled Scotland’s Jack Hendry before scoring and as such the score remained 1-0.

While the final score was plenty for the South Americans to be happy with and incidentally began an agonising wait for Scotland fans as to whether they would be going home or scrape through, a complaint has been lodged.

According to reports in Brazil, the football federation claims Junior’s goal was similar in build up to Lionel Messi’s opener against Austris during which Alexis Mac Allister challenged Xaver Schlager.

That goal was allowed.

The Brazilian argument to FIFA is believed to centre around how inconsistent officials have been this tournament.

“The goal disallowed for Brazil against Scotland does not appear to be aligned with the philosophy adopted in the competition.

“It should be noted that the decision seemed unexpected not only to Brazil, but also to the Scottish players, whose immediate reactions suggested they did not expect a review or the disallowed goal.”

FIFA REQUEST DENIED

It's been a tough week for France coach Didier Deschamps who was forced to leave camp and return to the homeland following the sad death of his mother.

In a bid to pay tribute to their leader and his family, the French Football Federation applied to FIFA to have a minute's silence pre-match - a request which was denied because there were already plans o honour the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela.

The FFF then applied for the team to wear black armbands which was also denied.

Guy Stephan took charge of Les Bleus for the final group match while Deschamps is back home.

The team has already qualified top of their group.

SENEGAL DOMINATE

Five goals in 80 minutes for Senegal and a red card for Iraq's Rebin Sulaka is all you really need to know about what's happening in Toronto. All very one-sided i the other Group I clash.

Meanwhile, France have made it four through Desire Doue just before the final whistle in Boston. France and Norway progress.

HAT-TRICK HERO!

Ousmane Dembélé, take a bow, three goals in 25 minutes for France as they relax into cruise control against Norway.

That's the third hat-trick we have seen this tournament after Messi's opening match heroics for Argentina and Jonathan David's incredible feat for Canada.

TOUCHING TRIBUTE

A beautiful moment for Senegal's Abdoulaye Seck who, after scoring for his side, instead of celebrating lifted his shirt to reveal an image of his late son with the word "forever".

He blew a kiss and looked to the sky in tribute.