Jordan Carrillo decides to continue in Pumas despite the departure of Juárez

The opinion of a legend

Tim Howard, emblematic former goalkeeper of the American team, generated controversy when evaluating his country’s chances in the World Cup. With three World Cup appearances (2006, 2010, 2014), he is well aware of the challenge it entails.

“The United States will need to play the best game in their history three times in a row. Sorry, four games in a row! … It is literally impossible for them to win the World Cup,” Howard told Polymarket Sports.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team started with a perfect pace: two wins, six goals for and only one against. Mexico and the United States have already secured their place in the next phase as group leaders. Canada, the third host, has not yet qualified.

Despite the solid performance, Howard considers that surpassing the quarterfinals – the best historical record for the US, excluding third place in 1930 – remains a distant goal. His frankness discouraged followers who were excited about a historic campaign.

Next challenge

This Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m., the United States will face Turkey. They could achieve three wins in the group stage for the first time. In the round of 32, their rival would emerge from a group of third places: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Sweden, Senegal or Jordan.

The team seeks to demonstrate on the court that the doubts of a legend like Howard do not reflect the reality of the current team.

Two ties with a different flavor. For Uruguay, frustration; for Cape Verde, another chapter of history. The African team, in its senior debut in a World Cup, rescued a 2-2 defeat against the Celeste in Miami and keeps alive the dream of advancing to the direct elimination phase.

Cape Verde continues making history

Kevin Pina opened the scoring with a powerful free kick that beat Fernando Muslera, Cape Verde’s first goal in a World Cup. Helio Varela, who recently entered, tied the game in the second half with a shot that surprised the Uruguayan goalkeeper ahead.

“When we defended well, we made a difference; when we gave up the spotlight, the difference was shortened,” explained Marcelo Bielsa, coach of Uruguay. Varela celebrated with euphoria, while Muslera and his teammates lowered their heads.

The goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 years old, was once again a figure. His mother, who could not travel to the game against Spain due to visa problems, this time watched it from the stands. It was the first World Cup match with two starting goalkeepers over 40 years old: Muslera turned 40 on June 16.

Uruguay, on the brink of the abyss

Maxi Araújo and Agustín Canobbio put Uruguay ahead before the break. But defensive errors doomed the team. “Receiving a goal like the one we received helps a team with fewer resources to be present,” lamented Bielsa. “Organizational errors are the driver’s responsibility.”

Uruguay has two points, the same as Cape Verde, while Spain leads Group H with four after beating Saudi Arabia. La Celeste will face Spain on Friday with the obligation to win. “We have to beat him, it is an enormous challenge,” said Bielsa.

Meanwhile, France beat Senegal 3-1 with a double from Kylian Mbappé, who has 14 goals in three World Cups, two shy of Messi and Klose’s record. Argentina, current champion, faces Austria with Messi in search of becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer (he shares the record with 16 goals) and achieving his 18th victory in the World Cup.

Panama and Croatia measure forces in Toronto

The official calendar of the 2026 FIFA World Cup already has a date for the duel between Panama and Croatia. It will be on June 23, 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, as part of Group L.

The match corresponds to the group stage of the tournament. Both teams will face each other in a direct duel within their group, with a venue and schedule already defined by the organization.

Venue and context of the meeting

BMO Field, located in Toronto, Canada, will be the setting. This stadium is one of the Canadian venues included in the World Cup calendar, which for the first time will be held in three countries.

The crossing is part of the sequence of Group L commitments. Beyond the date and place, the available information is limited to the central data: teams, group, stadium and city.

The schedule was published on the official FIFA website, where the complete fixture of the competition is detailed. For more information, you can consult the official link: [FIFA Calendar 2026](https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums).

The match represents a significant opportunity for both teams on their path in the tournament.