Bosnich: Changes Popovic must make to face Egypt

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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).

SOCCEROOS CAN BEAT EGYPT

Mark Bosnich can see Australia beating Egypt in the World Cup Round of 32.

The Socceroos advanced to the knockout stages after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay last Friday which saw them finish Group D in second position.

Bosnich reckons the defensive structure of the 28th-ranked Aussies will help them overcome the 26th-ranked Egyptian outfit.

“I think they’ve got a real chance of winning,” Bosnich said on SEN’s Fireball.

“Egypt are only two places above Australia in the world rankings. They have two undoubted stars of world football in Mohamed Salah, who has a hamstring issue.

“The other one is Omar Marmoush from Manchester City. They’ve got other good players as well in Emam Ashour.

“This is their first time in the knockout stages.

“But I really think Australia has good momentum, they’ve got a good, young side, they’re very organised.

“It could possibly go all the way to penalties but I think Australia can win this.”

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has made significant changes in each of the three group stage games.

Bosnich expects a few more alterations to the starting lineup but feels Popovic got it right against Paraguay after perhaps getting it wrong against the USA in the 2-0 second game loss.

“They got it absolutely spot on against Paraguay,” Bozza added.

“Going into this game I think he’ll bring back Mo Toure to play up front, and I think he’ll move Nestory Irankunda a little bit wider to inside left or inside right. In between the position of winger and striker.

“I think he’ll stick with Cristian Volpato, and Jordy Bos on the right side. I thought that worked really well.

“He has got the ability to throw in a surprise because they are privy to data that we’re not.

“I think he’ll go with that formation. He might think about bringing Paul Okon-Engstler back in the midfield.”

The Socceroos meet Egypt in Dallas on Saturday, July 4 from 4am AEST.

“DISASTER” WORLD CUP

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has taken aim at FIFA, describing it as a “disaster” World Cup.

The Iranian team battled visa issues and travel problems during their time in the tournament which ended on the weekend.

They were also on the receiving end of VAR intervention in their all-important 1-1 draw with Egypt, with a late goal disallowed. A win there would have seen them through to the Round of 32.

“It’s a disaster World Cup,” Taremi told reporters.

“I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately, they could not solve it since the beginning.

“Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game and said ‘it’s just the beginning’... but the group stage finishes tomorrow.

“We don’t have our logistics people here, they don’t have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana without recovery?

“We love the people in Tijuana. We love Mexico. They are humble people and we love them but as a professional player in a professional competition, it’s not right.

“Our opinion is it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? OK, good to them. But it’s not fair. Who wants to help us? Who? If they want us to be out, then OK - let’s get out.

“We don’t have recovery or any logistics people here to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one.”

ROUND OF 16 FOR CANADA!

Canada is the first team through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The Canadians defeated South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles courtesy of a splendid late winner from Stephen Eustáquio.

They'd played their three group stage games on Canadian soil but after finishing second in Group B were forced to head Stateside for the opening knockout fixture.

It was a tense and cagey affair at SoFi Stadium with both defences well on top throughout, before Eustáquio rifled a bouncing ball into Ronwen Williams' bottom right corner.

He controlled a headed clearance on his chest outside the area before hitting his volley beyond the South African keeper in the 92nd minute.

Jesse Marsch's side will play the winner of the Netherlands v Morocco clash in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 5.

It's the first time Canada had played in a knockout stage game, subsequently making it the first time they've progressed to the final 16.

Marsch praised his playing group for creating history in LA.

"We talked about sticking to the plan, sticking to who we want to be - playing aggressive, accessing the qualities," the American said in a team talk on the pitch.

"You guys showing your character, you guys are Canadian heroes now. Canadian heroes, for the future children of this country.

"This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are, because of this game."

Goal-scoring hero Eustáquio felt all Canadians were with him when he shot his volley.

“We worked a lot to get this victory. We really wanted to give this win to all the Canadians," he said.

"We just kept believing and kept pushing. It was an amazing goal, but when I shot I felt everyone shot with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it and it went to the back of the net, so I’m very happy.

"We will try to make Morocco and Netherlands see our game and feel, if they go through, they’re going to get the hardest game they’re going to face in this World Cup. I think we did an amazing job and it’s going to be an amazing game next week.”