What better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than having the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia?

The stars will be on display on Tuesday, July 14 (8 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming live on FOX One). Veterans like Freddie Freeman and Chris Sale have been named to their 10th All-Star Game, while superstar Shohei Ohtani is making his sixth straight start and Aaron Judge his eighth.

Below, check out the entire roster and why each player was selected to his league’s roster for the Midsummer Classic (with stats entering play on July 4). 

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American League: Starters | Reserves | Pitchers
National League: Starters | Reserves | Pitchers

American League

Starters

Langeliers’ 20 home runs are the second-most among catchers this season. The 28-year-old has hit at least 20 homers in four straight seasons now as he’s been named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

Coming off the heels of leading the Blue Jays to the AL pennant in 2025, Guerrero is an All-Star for the sixth straight year. 

Clement’s 22 doubles lead the American League this season. It’s the third straight season that he has recorded at least 20 doubles. 

Witt’s 29 stolen bases are the second-most in baseball this season and tops in the AL. He’s also one of five players with at least 10 home runs (12) and 20 stolen bases this season, and he leads the American League in wins above replacement.

Prior to this year, Bobby Witt Jr. may have been the best player in MLB to not start an All-Star Game. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Caminero’s 25 home runs are the third-most in the American League this season. Not only that, but his 70 home runs since the start of the 2025 season are tied with Aaron Judge for the most in the AL.

Trout is an All-Star for the 12th time in his career, extending his record among active players. However, it’s the first time he’s been named an All-Star since 2023, as Trout has had a resurgent 2026 campaign. His .866 OPS is the second-best mark among American League outfielders.

Buxton is an All-Star for the third time in his career, getting the nod as he leads all American League outfielders in home runs (25) and OPS (.898).

Byron Buxton is a big reason why the Twins are contending in the AL Central this season. (Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Judge has been named an All-Star for the sixth straight season, even though he’s been out for nearly a month due to a rib injury. Judge’s .907 OPS would’ve been the best mark among American League outfielders had he played enough games to qualify, and his 12.6 at-bats per home run would be the fifth-most among all MLB players if he had played enough games to qualify this season. 

Álvarez has arguably been the best hitter in the American League this season. His 27 homers are the most among AL hitters, and he’s the only MLB player with an OPS north of 1.000 this season at 1.055.

Reserves

Dingler was a better hitter in his second MLB season than in his first, and in his third, he’s already surpassed not just his career-best home run output, but his career total, with 19. Dingler is slugging .531 and has the second-most catcher framing runs in the majors.

Rutschman’s 2025 was injury-shortened and disappointing, but he’s once again performing like he’s shown he’s capable of. Rutschman has his best offensive numbers since 2023, thanks to hitting .252/.324/.449, and ranks third in the bigs in catcher framing runs, too.

Kurtz is third in MLB this season in OPS among qualified hitters and leads all hitters with 76 walks, eight ahead of Nationals outfielder James Wood in second place. He’s also tied for second in runs scored, trailing only Wood.

In his second season, Nick Kurtz has established himself as one of the best hitters in MLB. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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Rice hit 26 homers in his first full season in the majors a year ago, and now he has 24 dingers before the All-Star break to lead the Yankees. He’s also tops on the team in OPS+, at 156 – yes, even ahead of Aaron Judge. 

The top two picks from the 2024 MLB draft made the All-Star Game this year. Bazzana went first overall, and Reds right-hander Chase Burns went second. He is second among qualified AL second basemen in OPS over the past month.

If you aren’t familiar with the Tigers’ rookie shortstop, now’s the time: McGonigle is just 21 years old, but has already managed to hit .284/.384/.425 in his first exposure to big-league pitching, and has been exceptional defensively, whether at short or third base. He’s even second in the AL behind Bobby Witt Jr. in wins above replacement.

Vargas never hit well in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Dodgers, but the White Sox tweaked his mechanics and got a league-average campaign out of the third baseman in 2025. In 2026, he’s taken things a few steps further: Vargas has 20 homers, four more than he hit in what was previously a breakout campaign, and is leading the surprise contenders in WAR.

Bellinger’s resurgence in New York has continued into its second year, with him making his first All-Star team since 2019, when, as a 23-year-old, he also earned NL MVP honors. Bellinger’s excellent outfield defense and .351 on-base percentage make him stand out in 2026.

Former NL MVP Cody Bellinger is thriving this season in the Bronx. (Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

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The Tigers are having a tough year, but Greene is as good as always, albeit in a different way. The left fielder has just 11 homers, off his pace of 36 from last summer, but he has already nearly matched 2025’s walk total with 45, and is batting .284/.373/.445. 

There are few steadier hands in the league than Arozarena, who has hit at least 20 homers with at least 20 steals every season since 2021. The Mariners’ outfielder is already at 19 bags in 2026 and has a team-leading .370 on-base percentage.

All he does is hit, and Díaz currently leads the American League with a .325 batting average and 101 hits. He also has an OBP over .400 and is slugging just under .500 – these aren’t empty singles, nor hacking. 

Pitchers

The 31-year-old Baker has a 1.83 ERA through his first 36 appearances this season. His previous career high was 3.49, which came back in 2022.

The Blue Jays have had a tough time repeating 2025’s success, but Toronto’s major free agent acquisition has thrived. Cease has a 2.79 ERA, his lowest since 2022, and leads the American League in strikeouts with 137 in just 90 ⅓ innings.

Chapman’s late-career resurgence continues with his second All-Star nod in as many seasons with the Red Sox. While Chapman’s control isn’t quite what it was in ’25, he still has a 2.10 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 25 ⅔ innings with 17 saves.

Latz has 1.9 WAR this season as a reliever in 33 appearances. His 1.71 ERA is impressive, but his 0.62 WHIP stands out even more.

Messick shined in his 2025 debut, but he’s actually still a rookie this season. He’s also just as good, if not better, than he showed in his brief stint last summer: Messick now has a 2.82 ERA over 24 career starts for the Guardians, and he’s sixth in the AL in ERA+ (146) in 2026.

No pitcher is more responsible for the success of the AL East-leading Rays than Rasmussen, who has a 2.45 ERA over 16 starts and 92 innings in ‘26. Rasmussen’s 1.6 walks per nine is the lowest rate in the majors among qualifiers, and he’s allowed the fewest hits per nine in the AL while also posting the top K/BB.

Ryan has been his typical reliable self in 2026, and it resulted in his second consecutive All-Star nod. Ryan has struck out 5.14 times as many batters as he’s walked, the fourth-best mark in the AL.

Schlittler has not only held down the fort when top arms Gerrit Cole and Max Fried were, respectively, out of the Yankees’ rotation this season, but the 25-year-old righty leads the American League in pitcher wins above replacement thanks to an AL-best 2.08 ERA over 104 innings.

Smith has been a force out of the Guardians’ bullpen and leads the majors in saves with 26. To this point, he has posted a career-best strikeout rate (13 per nine) and is on pace for this third straight season with 100+ strikeouts out of the ‘pen.

Suárez has continued being one of the most dependable starters in MLB after moving to the Red Sox in free agency before this season. His 2.94 ERA would be the lowest of his career since becoming a full-time starting pitcher ahead of the 2022 season.

Varland had a breakout season out of the Twins’ bullpen a year ago before he was traded to the Blue Jays, and he’s been dominant for Toronto in 2026. Varland has a 0.96 ERA in 42 appearances and has struck out 65 of the 181 batters he’s faced.

Wacha has been Mr. Reliable for whatever team he has been on over the past five seasons. This would be his fourth season in the last five with an ERA below 3.40. He leads MLB with 108 2/3 innings pitched so far this season.

Michael Wacha has been his usually reliable self so far this season for the Royals. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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National League

Starters

Baldwin has been a key reason why the Braves have a top-10 offense in baseball this season. The second-year catcher has 14 homers in just 62 games this season, giving him the second-best at-bats per home run (17.6) on the team.

Freeman is an All-Star for the 10th time in his career, which is tied for the second-most among active players. His .293 batting average is the best mark among all first basemen this season. 

Albies has been a force of consistency for the Braves this season. He’s the only second baseman in the National League with at least 10 homers (14) and a batting average of at least .270 (.273).

Abrams has been named an All-Star for the second time in three seasons. Abrams is third in the National League in RBIs (60) and offensive bWAR (3.4), as his 18 homers lead all NL shortstops.

CJ Abrams has established himself as a star this season with the Nationals. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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Muncy has established himself as the top third baseman in the National League this season. The Dodgers star’s OPS is over .100 points better than any other NL third baseman at .873. His 17 homers are also tied for the most among NL third basemen this season. 

Marsh has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season, regardless of position. His .315 batting average and .523 slugging percentage are both in the top 10 among all National League hitters this season. 

If 2025 was considered a down year for Soto, then he’s bounced back in 2026. He’s been one of the lone bright spots for a floundering Mets squad, with his .406 OBP and .957 OPS leading all National League hitters, and 18 homers despite time missed to injury.

Pages has emerged as arguably the Dodgers’ second-best hitter this season, and leads Los Angeles in wins above replacement. He’s in the top 10 in the National League in doubles (21) and RBIs (62), and leads the majors in defensive WAR.

Ohtani is having another superstar season at the plate. He’s second in the National League in OPS (.927) and ninth in home runs (18). Ohtani also leads all players in fWAR (5.8), with his stellar season on the mound helping to boost that number. 

Reserves

Since getting traded to the Brewers ahead of the 2023 season, Contreras has been one of the best catchers in baseball. His dependability stands out. He has played at least 150 games in each of the last two seasons and has appeared in 82 of the Brewers’ 86 games entering Saturday.

Goodman was already an excellent hitter, but his power game has gone to the next level. He hit a career-high 31 homers in 202, and is already at 27 this summer, second behind Kyle Schwarber.

Olson is now a four-time All-Star after hitting 22 homers and posting the eighth-best OPS in the National League through July 3. The 32-year-old first baseman is a huge part of the Braves’ first-place play in 2026. 

Harper makes his return as an All-Star with his first nod since 2024 and third with Philadelphia. Harper has 20 home runs (fifth in the NL), a .374 on-base percentage (tied for 10th), .532 slugging (sixth in the NL) and ranks 10th in adjusted OPS+ (141).

Arráez is in the midst of a bounce-back season, hitting .326 with an .825 OPS. His current .465 slugging percentage would be the second highest of his career.

It’s July 4, and López has already had his best season in the majors. MLB’s batting average leader – he’s hitting .337 – is also leading the majors in hits with 117, and ranks sixth in the NL in wins above replacement and ninth in OPS+.

Otto Lopez has been the key man for the Miami Marlins, who are surprisingly in playoff contention. (Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)

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The 22-year-old Stewart showed signs of being a potential difference-maker last season in just 18 games. So far this season, he has 17 home runs while splitting time between first and third base. He has made 27 starts at the hot corner and 47 at first base – and five more at second base.

Crow-Armstrong was a mess at the start of the season – dating back to the last All-Star Game – but you’d never know it looking at what he’s done since. PCA leads the majors in wins above replacement both because of an indescribably great glove in center, and because he’s now hitting .287/.374/.526 with 19 homers despite an extended slow start.

Carroll is one of the stars of the game, and the 25-year-old has now made his third All-Star team in four seasons. He is leading the majors in triples for the third season in a row with 10, and has 30 other extra-base hits, too. He’s also having his best defensive season in the majors.

The power potential was always there for Walker, and he realized it in 2026. He’s leading the NL in RBIs with 63, and got there with 19 homers and the senior circuit’s seventh-best adjusted OPS+ (143).

Wood cut his strikeout rate down a couple of percentage points, and the results have been stunning: Wood now leads the NL in walks with 66, as well as total bases with 182, thanks to 22 doubles and homers each, with a triple for good measure.

James Wood leads MLB in runs scored amidst a star-making season in Washington. (Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Schwarber has continued his torrid home run pace from 2025, and leads the majors as the only player to hit 30 this season. Schwarber’s .570 slugging percentage ranks first in the NL, too, and he’s hitting a home run a league-best every 10.5 at-bats.

Pitchers

Burns showed promise in 2025 when he struck out 13.9 batters per nine in 43 ⅓ innings as a rookie, and that promise has been delivered upon this summer. The 23-year-old right-hander has a 2.40 ERA that ranks fifth in a stacked NL, and he’s behind only Cristopher Sánchez in pitcher WAR.

The Phillies acquired closer Duran to anchor their bullpen last summer, and now he’s done that so well that he’s made his first All-Star team. Duran is leading the National League in games finished (30) and is tied with Mason Miller for the most saves (21), and has done this with a 1.52 ERA.

Iglesias is 12 years into his career, and this is his first All-Star nomination. All it took was one of the best relievers around getting even better: he has a 1.53 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29 ⅓ innings against a single homer and just six walks.

Raisel Iglesias has had plenty of save opportunities for the first-place Braves this season. (Brett Davis/Getty Images)

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Meyer’s 2.53 ERA ranks sixth in the NL and eighth in the majors, and he got there by cutting way down on the homers while striking out a career-best 26.3% of batters faced.

Miller has just two pitches, but one of them goes well over 100 mph and the other moves in an impossible way. The result? A 0.78 ERA and nearly twice as many strikeouts (66) as innings (34 ⅔), leading to an NL-best 21 saves.

Misiorowski was a late surprise addition to the NL All-Star squad in his rookie 2025, but there’s no question as to his making it this time around. He’s struck out a league-best 156 batters in 104 innings, and his 1.47 ERA is the fifth-best in the last 50 years through 17 starts. Oh, and he’s the only starter to have ever thrown a pitch of at least 105 mph.

The 33-year-old southpaw has had a resurgent season that is on pace to be the best of his career. Rodríguez’s 2.21 ERA would be by far the best of his career, and his 1.18 WHIP is a massive improvement from his 1.54 mark last season.

The 6-foot-6 lefty once made seven straight All-Star teams, and has a new streak going late in his career: This marks his third All-Star nod in three tries with the Braves. Sale’s 2.10 ERA is third in the NL and fourth in the majors, and he’s still striking out five times as many batters as he walks, even at 37.

Sánchez leads the majors with 117 innings and a 5.91 K/BB. He led MLB in pitcher wins above replacement a year ago, and, despite the performance of Misiorowski and other aces around the league, he’s tops in that stat again this year.

The reigning NL Cy Young winner is having a down year. For Skenes, though, that means he has “just” a 3.62 ERA and the third-best K/BB in the NL. This is his third All-Star team in as many seasons.

Webb has defined consistency over the past six seasons. His lowest ERA in that span was 2.90, and his highest entering this season was 3.47. That makes his 3.66 ERA this season a bit of an abnormality, but his 3.31 FIP indicates better results are around the corner.

Yamamoto’s strikeouts are down, but his walks are, too: his K/BB is even better thanks to this, and he’s second in the NL and fifth in the majors in walks per nine at 1.71, leading to the No. 7 ERA in the NL (2.67).

How to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 14, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Watch the MLB All-Star Game on FOX One for live and on-demand streaming.

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The full slate of 2026 MLB All-Star Game starters is set, featuring stacked lineups oozing with star power on both sides. 

The American League will send C Shea Langeliers, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2B Ernie Clement, SS Bobby Witt Jr., 3B Junior Caminero, DH Yordan Alvarez and an outfield of Mike Trout, Byron Buxton and Aaron Judge to Philadelphia. 

The National League counters with C Drake Baldwin, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS CJ Abrams, 3B Max Muncy, DH Shohei Ohtani and an outfield trio of Brandon Marsh, Juan Soto and Andy Pages.

From a loaded Dodgers contingent to first-time starters finally getting their due to a hometown hero taking the field in his own ballpark, this year’s group of starters offers plenty to unpack heading into the Midsummer Classic on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park. 

Here’s a closer look at the biggest takeaways behind the names.

1. Mike Trout Is Back At The Midsummer Classic

As long as he’s healthy enough to take the field, this will be Trout’s first All-Star start since 2019, breaking a stretch of injury-shortened seasons that had removed the future Hall of Famer from the summer festivities. 

Before landing on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, Trout was putting together a genuinely excellent season. He has a 145 OPS+, 17 home runs and 2.8 WAR through 74 games. His 12 career All-Star selections lead all active players.

Mike Trout is enjoying a resurgent 2026 season that has him back at the MLB All-Star Game. (John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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There’s a storybook element to it, too. Philadelphia’s Midsummer Classic is just 40 miles from Trout’s hometown of Millville, New Jersey. The 34-year-old outfielder actually grew up a supporter of Philadelphia sports, best known as a die-hard Eagles fan. 

Trout has said he’s hoping to be healthy enough to play in front of that hometown crowd. Judge, by contrast, won’t be back from his rib injury until after the All-Star break, making Trout’s potential return timeline all the more meaningful for the AL lineup.

2. The Dodgers’ Quartet Takes Centerstage

The Dodgers are sending four starters to Philadelphia, headlined by Shohei Ohtani, who extended his All-Star record by earning a sixth consecutive fan election at designated hitter after winning Phase 1 of the voting outright. Before this streak, no player had been the starting DH at the All-Star Game for more than three years in a row. Hall of Famer David Ortiz was the last, starting as DH from 2011-13. Joining Ohtani as fan-voted Dodgers starters are first baseman Freddie Freeman, third baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Andy Pages.

Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman will be joined by teammates Andy Pages and Max Muncy at the Midsummer Classic. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

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This is Freeman’s 10th All-Star selection and the sixth start of his career after comfortably leading Matt Olson throughout Phase 2 of the voting. It’s also a milestone for Muncy, who earned his first All-Star selection as a starter (third of his 11-year career). Muncy is the first Dodgers third baseman to start the Midsummer Classic since Ron Cey in 1977. Pages rounds out the group after a last-minute jump from fourth place to third place in the NL voting process. 

It’s a continuation of the Dodgers’ outsized presence at the All-Star Game in recent years, with the four starters reflecting both the club’s star power and its fan base’s voting muscle. Four starting nods give Los Angeles more representation in the NL lineup than any other team. The only other teams to have multiple All-Star Game starters are the Atlanta Braves (catcher Drake Baldwin and second baseman Ozzie Albies) and the Toronto Blue Jays (first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and second baseman Ernie Clement).

Shohei Ohtani launches homer, extending Dodgers’ lead over Blue Jays

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3. Bobby Witt Jr. Earns First All-Star Start

It’s pretty stunning that this is the first time in his five-year career Witt was voted in as an All-Star Game starter. Given his MVP-caliber performances since he jumped on the scene in 2022, you’d think Witt had accumulated a few of these already. 

Witt lost the starting shortstop job to Gunnar Henderson in 2024, and he was a reserve once again in 2025, narrowly missing out on the starting lineup to Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson last year. This year, Witt overwhelmingly held off the runner-up, Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez. He’s just the third Royals shortstop to start the Midsummer Classic, joining Freddie Patek (1978) and Alcides Escobar (2015).

Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. hits inside-the-park homer vs. Tigers

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Witt, who recently celebrated his 26th birthday, is finally getting the recognition his numbers have long deserved. This season, he leads the AL in WAR (4.7) and stolen bases (29) to support a .290/.362/.470 slash line and 135 OPS+. His 93 hits are the fifth-most in the AL, continuing his rise as one of the brightest young stars in the game. 

Witt’s first-career ASG selection comes in the same year he suited up as the starting shortstop for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

4. Philly’s Only Starter: Brandon Marsh

Marsh is making his first career All-Star start, and he’ll do it in the best possible spot: right at home, in front of Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park. 

Marsh beat out teammates Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner as the only starter to represent the Phillies. Schwarber made the team, as did Harper, who was a “Legend” pick by commissioner Rob Manfred. 

Marsh led all NL outfielders in a crowded field through much of the fan voting process, ultimately knocking out other serious contenders at the position. Andy Pages and Juan Soto are the other starters in the outfield, while Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood, Corbin Carroll and Jordan Walker are the reserves.

Phillies’ Brandon Marsh ROBS Ronald Acuna Jr. of leadoff HR on first pitch of the game against Braves

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This is Marsh’s sixth MLB season, and the lefty-swinging outfielder is quietly riding a career year that’s made him one of the most productive NL outfielders in the first half. Marsh’s .315 batting average is among the top-five best marks across all qualified major-league hitters. He has 15 home runs, an .870 OPS, and 46 RBI through 83 games. Besides being known for his perpetually wet hair, Marsh wasn’t in the national spotlight much before this season. Now, the best season of his career is being validated in the starriest way possible.

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In 1776, the French played a pivotal role in helping the Americans gain independence. 

Now 250 years later, on the fourth of July and in the city of Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed, France used that as a motivator and, through hard work and perseverance, it came out victorious against a stubborn Paraguay with a hard-fought 1-0 win thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s penalty shot. 

This wasn’t a classic French win, but it was a gritty one, born out of necessity as opposed to style. There was some drama and an unnecessary scuffle, but the two-time champions came through. 

As a result, France is once again in the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup. It is its fourth straight appearance in the last eight. And now comes a tasty matchup against Morocco on Thursday in Boston.

For Paraguay, it leaves with its head high, with the remarkable win over Germany as a great gift to take back to Asunción. 

Here are my takeaways.

1. Great Teams Find A Way To Win

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I will get to Paraguay’s plan and how it made it difficult against France in a moment, but there’s no doubt that, despite the win, today was a wake-up call for France. It knows that it has to do more in order to persevere.

France won but struggled to find its identity. Think about this. Per FotMob, France attempted the most shots outside the box at the World Cup due to Paraguay’s low-block. France has to figure out how to break these teams faster than in this match. 

I think this win came as a result of Deschamps halftime talk, pushing his team to be more adventurous. That’s why Désiré Doué’s introduction in the 61st minute was key. The PSG star won the penalty with a wonderful, individual dribbling run inside the box and forced the foul inside the box. 

Sometimes, you have to let your players express themselves and be risky in attack. And that’s exactly what happened. 

2. Good On Mbappé For Staying Cool

The French superstar and captain scored the penalty that made it 1-0 and sealed the victory for his team. It was his 7th goal of the tournament, making him level with Lionel Messi but also, and amazingly, he is now one goal behind Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record (20) with 19 goals. The fact that it’s Messi’s sixth World Cup and this is only Mbappé’s third is unbelievable. 

But was also impressive is Mbappé not falling into some of the gamesmanship of Paraguay’s defenders. He kept his composure at the end of some tough physical contact that was meant to fluster and throw off the star. He often did it with either a smile or a smirk, knowing that it was all part of the strategy to get under his skin.

3. Paraguay’s Defensive Strategy Was Right Call

Paraguay knows who it is and what it can and cannot do. And against France, clearly a stronger team with the ball, it decided to create a formidable wall, denying the two-time World Cup champion from making a shot on target until the 55th minute.

It packed the box with six to seven players and never allowed Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé to get into rhythm. It often broke passes and did a lot of off-the-ball work to keep the French at bay, relying fully on the counter.

The Guaraní ended up losing as, due to the heat and France’s inevitable talent, it was just too hard to continue with the same level of vigor and resilience. Regardless, even though it bows out of the competition, it can be very proud of what it achieved at this tournament. 

4. Do Les Bleus Need A Plan B As It Goes Further? 

Next for France is Morocco, a team that loves to play with the ball, so the Atlas Lions will be a better-suited matchup than Paraguay due to the opponent’s philosophies.

But after that, who knows? Deschamps knows that other teams might prove to be extremely stubborn in the final third and make it very difficult to get the ball moving. France is the kind of team that doesn’t need to adjust just because of its core of talent, especially the attacking line. 

However, if any other opponent takes on France and imitates Paraguay’s strategy, Les Bleus have to find a more direct approach in the future. It also has to protect the ball in a better way as the latter stages showed careless work in the midfield. I think Morocco – who lost to France in the 2022 semifiinals – will look at this and take multiple notes. 

Paraguay vs France Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 started on a high note Saturday, with the first pair of matches resulting in a rematch of one of the 2022 World Cup’s most memorable matches in the quarterfinals.

Here is everything you might have missed on Day 24 of the tournament:

BEST OF THE DAY

Moment Of The Day

Mbappé Reaches 19

Kylian Mbappé remains hot on Lionel Messi’s tail. Not only did the 27-year-old superstar score his seventh goal of the tournament, bringing him level with Lionel Messi in the World Cup Golden Boot race, but he is also now just one goal away from tying Messi’s record for the most goals ever at the FIFA World Cup.

The good news for Mbappé? All signs point to it being a matter of when, not if, he has the record all to himself.

Goal Of The Day

Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring for Morocco with a stunner from outside the box that Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was unable to get a hand on.

Assist Of The Day

Ounahi’s second goal was a product of Brahim Diaz’s brilliant holdup play in the box. Once Ounahi was in place, Diaz just dumped it off to the 26-year-old midfielder.

Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill can leave the World Cup with his head held high. He continued his strong tournament with a four-save outing against France, the best of which came with Mbappé charging toward goal with a full head of steam.

Canada vs. Morocco

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• Morocco advanced to the round of 16 with a decisive 3-0 win over 2026 World Cup co-hosts Canada at Houston Stadium. Morocco is the first African team to reach back-to-back quarterfinals at the World Cup. It will play France in the quarterfinals, a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals.
• Morocco is the first African team to win two knockout stage matches outright— excluding penalty shootouts — at a single World Cup. Morocco now accounts for four of the eight African knockout stage victories in World Cup history; Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, and Senegal each have one.
• Morocco has not lost in their last 34 games with 25 wins and eight draws. Its last loss was in August 2025, a 1-0 result vs. Kenya.
• Azzedine Ounahi became the first Moroccan player to score twice in a World Cup match since Salaheddine Bassir in 1998 against Scotland. He also became just the third African player to score two goals in a knockout stage at the World Cup, after Roger Milla (1990) and Henri Camara (2002).
• Canada lost its first Round of 16 appearance ever at the World Cup. A CONCACAF team has not reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup since Costa Rica in 2014.

Canada vs Morocco Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

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Paraguay vs. Morocco

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• France moved on to the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Paraguay at Philadelphia Stadium. France has won 18 of its last 21 knockout-phase matches at the World Cup.
• Kylian Mbappé scored today, extending his record for most World Cup knockout-stage goals with 11. He now has 19 World Cup goals, one behind Lionel Messi (20) for the most ever. He also joined Messi as the only player to score seven or more goals in back-to-back World Cups (2022 and 2026).
• Since the 2018 tournament, Mbappé has scored more goals in the knockout stages of the World Cup (11) than Brazil (10), England (10), Portugal (nine), and Spain (four).
• This was Mbappé’s 19th World Cup game, a France record for an outfield player; only goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (20) has played in more for France.
• Paraguay failed to record its first win ever in the World Cup knockout stage.

Paraguay vs France Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

Check out the full game highlights between Paraguay and France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Announced by John Strong and Stu Holden.

]–>

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Major League Baseball has unveiled the All-Star Game rosters, and you’re probably wondering how one (or more) of the best players from your favorite team didn’t make it. 

But don’t fret yet. 

Remember, this is just the initial list. There will be replacements and changes before the All-Star Game takes place July 14 (8 p.m. ET on FOX) in Philadelphia.

Fans voted for the starters, while pitchers and reserves were picked through a mix of player ballots and commissioner’s office selections. Every team needed to be represented by at least one player.

Each team typically has 20 position players and 12 pitchers on the roster (32 total), though an exception was made this year as Bryce Harper was named a “legend pick,” giving the National League a 33rd player. 

For now, here is every team’s biggest All-Star snub, ranked from 30 to 1. 

The One-And-Done Teams

The teams in this section only have one All-Star rep in the game. It’s difficult for the Mets, Rockies or Angels to have expected more, given the way they’ve played in the first half. The Padres, Cubs and Astros have three of the best All-Stars in the game in closer Mason Miller, outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, respectively, but there wasn’t a great argument for another player from their team. 

Two-And-Through

These are all teams with losing records who got two All-Star nominations. A third would seem excessive. Even coming up with another candidate for the Twins beyond OF Byron Buxton and SP Joe Ryan was difficult. Jeffers was at least on an All-Star pace before getting hurt and has started a rehab assignment. 

The Giants (2B Luis Arraez and SP Logan Webb were picked as All-Stars) and Royals (SS Bobby Witt Jr. and SP Michael Wacha) were lucky to get even two candidates in, given their disastrous seasons. 

First-Time Cases

Gavin Williams, who’s third in the AL in strikeouts, could have been considered the Guardians’ snub here, but Rocchio ranks third in fWAR among AL shortstops. 

The defending AL champion Blue Jays have four All-Stars despite having a losing record, so asking for a fifth would have been rich. Okamoto, however, is the reigning AL Rookie of the Month and ranks third among AL third basemen in home runs. 

Ginn ranks seventh among qualified AL pitchers with a 3.04 ERA, a particularly impressive feat for someone who plays his home games at Sutter Health Park. Griffin is also top 10 in ERA on the NL side after spending the last three years in Japan. 

Missing Innings

Every player in this section has a case as is, but it would be a lot stronger if they hadn’t missed time in the first half. Peña has the highest batting average among all AL shortstops with at least 200 plate appearances (closer Josh Hader is also making a case for himself in just a month of action). 

It might seem odd not seeing Tarik Skubal’s name here as the Tigers’ candidate, but Mize has the fourth-lowest ERA among AL pitchers who’ve thrown at least 60 innings. Lower the minimum to 50 innings, and Miller has the lowest ERA in the AL. 

De La Cruz was on an All-Star pace before suffering a hamstring injury, yet even after missing nearly a month, he is still tied for second in fWAR among NL shortstops. 

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is one of the most exciting players in MLB. (Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Five-And-Dive

The Phillies, Dodgers and Braves will be well-represented in Philadelphia, with each team getting five players named to the NL All-Star team. But they could have had more. 

Wrobleski, who’s having a breakout year as the Dodgers’ sixth starter, is tied for the NL lead in wins and ranks eighth in ERA. Harris ranks fifth in batting average and eighth in OPS among qualified NL outfielders. Wheeler had a late start to the year but is 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA.  

Former All-Stars

There are at least seven National League second basemen who would have a strong case to start the game if they played in the American League, so Chisholm’s spot here is with his competition in mind. Despite having one of his worst offensive seasons, he still has 12 homers, 26 steals and ranks first in fWAR among all AL second basemen. 

Alonso is having a strong first season in Baltimore with 19 homers. He ranks in the top three in the AL in RBIs, but he plays a tough position to get in. DeGrom and his teammate Josh Jung, who has the highest batting average and most hits among qualified AL third basemen, both have an All-Star case. DeGrom ranks fifth in strikeouts and WHIP among AL starters. 

Overstuffed At Second

There were far too many worthy candidates among the NL second basemen for all of them to make it, especially after Ozzie Albies was named the starter. 

Arraez, who’s having one of the best all-around seasons of his career, was named the reserve at the position. That meant Wetherholt, who leads all NL second basemen in WAR, Marte, who has 17 home runs, and Edwards, who leads all NL second basemen in on-base percentage, all missed the cut. 

JJ Wetherholt has been a revelation for the Cardinals this season. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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As you’ll see later on this list, these weren’t the only surprising omissions at the position…  

The Deserving Veteran Arm

5.

Where would Tampa Bay be without its starting pitching? Both Martinez and Shane McClanahan have an argument about joining All-Star teammate Drew Rasmussen in Philadelphia, but Martinez’s season is especially noteworthy. He’ll be 36 next month, has never made the All-Star team and ranks third among qualified AL starters in ERA. He should be one of the first calls as an AL pitching replacement. 

The Tandem Snubs

All of these teams have multiple players who are probably wondering where their invite went. 

The White Sox turnaround is one of the biggest stories of the MLB season, so it’s surprising to see them have just one All-Star (Miguel Vargas). Davis Martin ranks in the top 10 among qualified starters in ERA, while Montgomery is first in home runs, RBIs and slugging among qualified AL shortstops. You could add first baseman Munetaka Murakami to the list of snubs here, too, though he hasn’t played in more than a month, and first base is a tough spot to get in. 

Just ask Contreras, who was the victim of voting. Guerrero getting in as a starter meant first basemen Ben Rice and Nick Kurtz were named All-Star reserves, leaving Contreras on the outside looking in despite him having the fifth-highest OPS in the American League. The Red Sox are bad, but their pitching is not. Among AL starters who’ve thrown at least 80 innings, Gray ranks fourth in ERA. 

Willson Contreras has been a bright spot for the Red Sox this season. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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Based on first-half performances, you could argue that Lowe, Reynolds and Graham Ashcraft were the Pirates’ most deserving All-Stars. The fact that only Paul Skenes made it is rather baffling, especially considering Lowe leads all NL second basemen in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage, while Reynolds ranks fourth among all qualified NL players in on-base percentage. 

Turang would have been my pick to start at second base in the NL among the throng of deserving candidates, and I’m stunned he’s not in at all. Harrison ranks second in strikeout rate among all NL starters who’ve thrown at least 70 innings, behind only his teammate Misiorowski. 

Most of the players from this final section should eventually find their way to Philadelphia.

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SEATTLE — As the story goes, Ricardo Pepi hung up the phone on former U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter when he was informed he didn’t make the 2022 World Cup roster.

Less than four years later, Pepi was driving in the car with his father when he received a WhatsApp notification from Mauricio Pochettino. The message? He was part of the 26-man squad heading to this summer’s tournament on home soil.

“I showed it to him, and he immediately started crying a little bit,” said Pepi — who was coached by his dad when he was a kid — back in May ahead of the USA’s World Cup campaign.

“Being left off is obviously not nice, but [I’ve been] using that in a good way to be able to be in this World Cup. I felt like it helped me grow. It matured me a little bit. So it was part of the process.”

Ricardo Pepi will be the main candidate to start vs. Belgium (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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Pepi has appeared in all four of the USA’s World Cup games so far, starting two. He may get a massive opportunity on Monday against Belgium in the round of 16 matchup at Seattle Stadium due to starting striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension after being shown a controversial red card in last week’s resilient win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There are a few different ways Pochettino could adjust his lineup to account for Balogun’s absence. The simplest option would be to keep the other 10 starters intact and plug in either Pepi or Haji Wright up top, even though each brings a different skill set. Or Pochettino could opt for a more creative tweak, similar to when he paired Pepi and Balogun together against Australia after Christian Pulisic was sidelined with a calf injury.

We won’t know Pochettino’s tactical approach until kickoff, but if Pepi gets the start, his teammates have full confidence in him.

Haji Wright is another option to start up top for th euSA. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images) –>

“His tenacity and energy has been unreal to be honest,” Tyler Adams told reporters ahead of training this week on the campus of the University of Washington. “I’ve played with Pepi quite a bit, but what he’s done against the ball has been huge for us and also for our wingers so they don’t have to do necessarily as much work. He’s holding the ball up really well and when he gets in front of goal, we know he can score. 

“Obviously he hasn’t done it yet, but we know that he’s a good finisher in and around the goal.”

Pepi had a chance in the second half against Paraguay, but otherwise has struggled to make much of an impact this tournament. His recent club form, however, suggests that could change. The 23-year-old Texan is coming off a stellar season with PSV Eindhoven, helping the Dutch club win a third straight Eredivisie title. He scored 19 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions despite missing most of January and February with a broken arm. Before the injury, he had scored in six consecutive league matches.

Ricardo Pepi is still looking for his first World Cup goal. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) –>

He regained his form after returning from injury, finishing the club season with six goals in his final five appearances. He carried that momentum into the Americans’ pre-tournament friendly against Senegal, and although he didn’t score, his chemistry with Pulisic was evident as he recorded an assist and helped spark the attack.

“Pepi is a killer,” Pochettino told reporters in May. “He’s a player that has the capacity to read where the space is to the ball, arrive to the ball, and have the possibility to score and to create chances, sometimes, from nowhere.” 

And big European clubs have noticed. Earlier this year, for example, rumors swirled about a potential summer transfer to Fulham. It never materialized, but a strong performance against Belgium could reignite interest.

“His finishing is really good — he can be really important with his finishing for us,” Sergiño Dest, who plays with Pepi at PSV, said Saturday. “And also he’s comfortable playing. He played some great games already. He fits in the team well. He’s a different type of striker, but now, if he plays [against Belgium], it’s his chance to show what he’s capable of.”

United States vs Belgium Preview: Tim Ream on USA’s Development In 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Losing your leading goalscorer during the knockout stage of a World Cup might sound like the worst-case scenario, but the Americans aren’t stressed. Pochettino has built the group to value the team over individuals, and it’s seeped into their identity.

“One man’s down, the next steps up,” defender Chris Richards said after the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We’re more than just one player.”

Balogun, who spoke to the media on Friday, said he will do everything to support the team – and Pepi in particular if his name is called.

“Whatever he needs, whatever he needs,” Balogun said. “I’m not the sort of person who’s going to bombard you — I’m quite a reserved person in general — but whatever he needs. And not just him, but anyone in the team. They need any advice or anything in any way I can help. I’m more than happy to do that.

“I’ve always said the team comes first, so whether I’m out there or not, it will be no different.”

Bob Bradley unveils his Top 5 USA Men’s Goals in FIFA World Cup History 🇺🇸️

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This weekend, England faces the ultimate road game at this World Cup.

Sunday’s round of 16 matchup against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium will present challenges above and beyond what the Three Lions have faced so far. The altitude, the hostile atmosphere, plus whatever extra gamesmanship might await — it’s all part of the experience of taking on El Tri in Mexico City.

It’s also gripping theatre.

There’s nothing quite like a big World Cup match involving the host nation, and when that team has a famously impressive home record — which Mexico certainly does at the Azteca — there’s a real intimidation factor. Six times the men’s tournament has been won by the country playing at home, most recently in 1998. But there is hope for England. Some of the most famous matches in World Cup history were games the home team actually lost.

Here’s a look at home field advantage through the years:

Italy, 1934

(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

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The first two World Cups were won by the hosts — Uruguay in 1930 and then Italy in 1934. The latter gained infamy because of Benito Mussolini’s use of the tournament as a political tool — and perhaps his impact on the officiating?

“The fascist regime made a political abuse of the event,” Italian writer Marco Impiglia said nearly 80 years later. “It was a questionable win and it raised many doubts at the time.”

It should be acknowledged that four years later, Italy became the first team to win a World Cup away from home, prevailing in France.

Brazil, 1950

(Photo credit should read STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)

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The Brazilian men have won a record five World Cups, but have never triumphed at home. The hosts needed only a draw against Uruguay to take the title in 1950 — there was a final group stage instead of a singular title game — but with maybe 200,000 on hand at Rio’s Maracanã Stadium, the Brazilians went down to an unthinkable 2-1 defeat.

Alcides Ghiggia, who scored the winning goal, once said only three people had silenced the Maracana: “The Pope, Frank Sinatra and me.”

That 1950 loss hovered over the proceedings when Brazil hosted again in 2014 — and the team’s semifinal loss to Germany may have been even more embarrassing. At least that time, the suspense was removed early when the visitors scored a flurry of first-half goals on their way to a 7-1 rout.

England, 1966

(Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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England’s lone World Cup championship came on home soil, and not without controversy. In the final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium, Geoff Hurst’s shot in extra time bounced down off the crossbar. Did it go in or not? Goal-line technology was still decades away.

Officials awarded the goal, which put England up 3-2. Hurst later scored again to complete a hat trick, and the final score was 4-2.

Argentina, 1978

(Photo by Mirror Syndication International/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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The Netherlands lost back-to-back finals in 1974 and 1978 — both times losing to the host country. In 1974, the Dutch scored early, but lost 2-1 to West Germany. Four years later, they had to take on Argentina in front of a frenzied crowd in Buenos Aires. The Argentines took the field several minutes after the Dutch, leaving the visitors by themselves in front of the hostile fans. Then there was a row over whether Rene van de Kerkhof would be able to play with a cast on. Argentina eventually won 3-1 in extra time.

The Dutch nearly faced Brazil in that final. Argentina needed at least four goals against Peru in its final match in its second-round group to make the final. The Argentines won 6-0, leading to plenty of conspiracy theories.

Italy, 1990

(Photo credit should read PASCAL GEORGE/AFP via Getty Images)

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Sometimes, it’s not all that clear who the home team really is. At least that’s what Diego Maradona was hoping when Argentina prepared to face Italy in the 1990 semifinal in Naples. A club star for Napoli, Maradona was beloved there, but would the local fans really cheer for him and Argentina against their own country? Maradona certainly tried to stoke divisions between northern and southern Italy.

“After so much racism, only now they scurry to remember that Naples is part of Italy,” Maradona told Corriere dello Sport. “Now that they have slapped the Neapolitans in every possible way, someone tells them they are Italians, that only Italy counts. It is incredible, absurd, offensive.”

Ultimately, fans cheered for Italy, but Argentina became the first team all tournament to score against the Italians, forging a 1-1 draw. Then Argentina won the penalty shootout to eliminate the Azzurri. In the final in Rome, Argentina received an unpleasant reception and lost to West Germany.

France, 1998

(Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)

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The most recent host country to win the title was France, which had never gone all the way until 1998. The French hadn’t even qualified for the 1990 or 1994 World Cups, but at home they reached the final, where they denied Brazil a repeat championship.

South Korea, 2002

(Photo by PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL / AFP via Getty Images)

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The 2002 World Cup was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, with the latter making a remarkable run to the semifinals. Italy and Spain saw little to celebrate about the Korean breakthrough.

After the Italians lost to South Korea in extra time in the round of 16, FIFA said it received hundreds of thousands of emails from Italy fans furious about the officiating. In the quarterfinals, South Korea beat Spain on penalties after the Spaniards had multiple goals disallowed.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter denied any conspiracy, but acknowledged some bad calls.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Sunday at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup features two very unpredictable games in the round of 16. Brazil and Norway will open the day in New Jersey with Erling Haaland looking to continue his impressive scoring run against the five-time champions who suffered a real scare in the round of 32 against Japan. 

The second game takes us to Mexico City where England will need to play much better than it has so far at the tournament against a Mexico team that has won all four of its games without conceding a goal. 

Here is all you need to know for Sunday at the World Cup. 

When: Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. ET

Where: New York/New Jersey

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

This will be a matchup of elite attacking teams when Brazil and Norway meet at New York New Jersey Stadium in the round of 16.

When looking at their histories against each other and at this stage of the tournament, there are lot of conflicting trends. 

Beginning with its 2-1 win over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup, Norway enters this game unbeaten in its last four games (two wins, two draws) against the five-time World Cup champions. Brazil, meanwhile, has won nine of its last 10 round of 16 games at the World Cup but has lost all six of its World Cup knockout games (including the 2014 third place game) against European opponents following its win over Germany in the 2002 final. 

Norway enters this game with the strongest team it has ever had. At this World Cup, Haaland is playing in his first major international tournament and has not disappointed, having scored five goals in three games, and he now has 60 goals for Norway in just 53 caps. 

Erling Haaland Delivers Late Go-Ahead Goal for Norway Against Ivory Coast | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

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In this game, the task for Norway is to absorb Brazil’s pressure and look to break out quickly on counter attacks. Ståle Solbakken’s team will likely sit in a mid-block and look for central midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge to lead quick transitions that typically are fed out wide before looking to set up Haaland.

While Haaland has been excellent at the World Cup, the key to Norway’s success to this point has been its excellent play from out wide, especially on the left side. Left winger Antonio Nusa and left back David Møller Wolfe have both been dangerous in creating opportunities for themselves and for Haaland. 

Another issue for Norway is the current heat wave currently hitting the eastern part of the United States. Will that play a role? Can Norway handle the physical demands of playing in high temperatures?

For Brazil, the team will likely need another big performance from Vinícius Junior, who has been excellent at this World Cup with four goals and an assist. While Vini Jr. featured four years ago in Qatar, this World Cup was when he was supposed to spearhead Brazil’s attack. So far, he lived up to expectations. 

Brazil To Round of 16 🇧🇷 Casemiro & Gabriel Martinelli Complete Second Half Comeback vs Japan

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The problem for Norway, is that Brazil is historically always deep, and this team is no different. Even if Viní Jr. is held off the scoreboard, Brazil boasts several other top scoring options. In the narrow 2-1 win over Japan in the round of 32, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro were the goal scorers while Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal’s Gabriel picked up assists.

On the injury front, Brazil is missing two starters as both Lucas Paqueta and Raphinha are sidelined with hamstring injuries.

The biggest question heading into this game is how Brazil will defensively try to stop Norway in transition. If Carlo Ancelotti’s team struggles with that, Norway can definitely pull off the upset. The problem for Brazil is that it is no secret how Norway plays. No team has been able to stop the Scandinavian side when it fields a top lineup. Haaland has scored goals in the last 13 consecutive competitive internationals he has played for Norway, scoring 25 goals in that run.

This is a clash of two top offensive teams, but it will be decided on which team plays the best defense. 

Player to Watch

While Brazil has many ways it can beat opponents, Norway is far more limited. Fortunately for The Vikings, its main weapon, Haaland, is one of the best forwards of his generation. If he can find openings in Brazil’s defense, it might be enough to spark an upset. He is certainly going to be the most consequential player in this game. 

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When: Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. ET

Where: Mexico City 

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

Sunday’s nightcap between Mexico and England features a matchup between two teams who have deep aspirations of making a deep run in this tournament. Played at the iconic Mexico City Stadium where Pelé and Diego Maradona were crowned World Cup champions, this will be the biggest test either team has faced so far in this tournament. 

Entering this game, Mexico has been flawless at this World Cup, defeating all four of its opponents with clean sheets in every game. It has outscored its opponents 8-0 during the tournament. 

Mexico’s HOT START Julián Quiñones & Raúl Jiménez Score Two Goals In First Half vs Ecuador

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Mexico’s star player has been winger Julián Quiñones, who was the leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League for the 2025-26 season with 33 goals in 31 games for Al Qadsiah. But here at the World Cup, Quiñones has three goals and an assist, with his best performance coming in the 2-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 32 where he shined against a team that conceded just five goals in 18 World Cup qualifiers in South America. 

But Mexico has several different scoring options. At age 35, forward Raul Jiménez has two goals and has been playing as if he was a decade younger. Chivas attacking midfielder Roberto Alvarado has three assists in this tournament and has been critical to keeping Mexico on the front foot in each game. Then there is midfielder Gilberto Mora, who at age 17 is the youngest player in the tournament and is a budding star. Mora earned the start against Ecuador and was dangerous throughout the first half. 

For Mexico to be successful against an English team that hopes to lift the trophy on July 19, it is going to require another big effort from its defense, which has been the best in the tournament. This will be, by far, the best attack Mexico has faced. 

Central defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez, along with fullbacks Jorge Sánchez and Jesús Gallardo deserve a lot of credit for the team’s defensive success for posting four clean sheets has been a total team effort. Javier Aguirre has his team playing with so much raw intensity that no team has been able to match it.

England has a very tough assignment in this game. Mexico has not lost a competitive home game since 2013. The venue for this game gives Mexico one of the sport’s greatest home field advantages.

The Three Lions have struggled since its 4-2 win over Croatia in its opening game. The scoreless draw with Ghana showed an offense that can sputter when Harry Kane in not on the top of his game. The win over Panama was pedestrian. In the round of 32 against DR Congo, England needed two late goals from Kane to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win and avoid an embarrassingly early exit. 

For England, the team is deep with wingers, but none of the options have been consistent at this tournament and that makes it hard for head coach Thomas Tuchel to know who to start. For example, in the win over Croatia, starter Anthony Gordon struggled while Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford were excellent off the bench to propel England to the win. Then against DR Congo, England was on the verge of a loss before Gordon replaced Rashford in the 60th minute and assisted on both of Kane’s goals.

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Tuchel faces a difficult task of getting his starting lineup right and, aside from the expected win over Panama, Tuchel has yet to do so in this tournament. Playing Mexico in Mexico City will be England’s toughest challenge so far, and Tuchel cannot afford to have England start the game poorly as digging out of a hole might be too difficult. 

Another difficult challenge for England in this game, apart from a good Mexico team and a large and mostly hostile crowd, is altitude. That has not been an issue with the location of its first four games, but now England will have to play at 7,220 feet above sea level and that has historically been very, very difficult for opposing teams to handle. 

It is not going to be easy for England, and Tuchel will need to be prepared with a starting lineup that is very fit and a roadmap of when to strategically use its substitutes. 

Player to Watch

Along with Haaland, Kane is one of the best center forwards of his generation. Thus far in the tournament, Kane has been very effective in bailing England out of otherwise subpar performances. In this game, Kane will face the tournament’s best defensive team that will be highly focused on stopping him. 

But even if Kane can be stopped from scoring, he can also be very valuable drifting back into midfield and helping create plays. If Kane struggles in this game, it could be a very long day for the Three Lions. On the other hand, if Kane can find the back of the net early, it will make life easier for England to deal with the crowd and the altitude the rest of the way. 

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Was this going to be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup game? 

That was a thought that entered both John Strong’s and Stu Holden’s minds as they braced themselves for history while calling the epic round of 32 matchup between Argentina and Cape Verde on Friday in Miami.

Cape Verde pushed the reigning champions to the brink of a penalty shootout before Argentina ultimately pulled off the 3-2 victory in extra time. It was an all-time thriller and showcased what both Strong and Holden describe as the “true beauty of the World Cup.”

“Even beyond my expectations, they performed at a level that will be remembered for years,” Holden said of the debutant Blue Sharks. “I think that’s why this game has become such a talking point.”

(Photo by Wu Zhizhao/VCG via Getty Images)

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Saturday, we caught up with Holden and Strong — who were in a car together on their way to the France-Paraguay match — to discuss their perspectives on the game, its place in history and how they approached the match broadcast.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Stu, that thank-you note to Cape Verde — “on behalf of the world” — was that something you planned to say or was it totally off the cuff? 

Holden: No, it just came out in the moment. I think over the years, John and I have done a lot of these types of games where you have the underdog story. We take a lot of pride in being able to tell their stories and, I think, not just focusing on the big team in those matchups. 

Last night was just one of those games where both of us are just kind of looking at each other and laughing and smiling and just enjoying what was an incredible moment on the field and captivated by the story. I think we try to convey with our words and our emotions and our inflections and calls of what we’re experiencing, so that was kind of just genuine from the heart.

Backing up a little bit, how did you prepare to cover this match, and what kind of storylines were you anticipating?

Holden: It goes back to even the first game against Spain — and John and I talk about this a lot — just being ready for the unexpected. … We recognize, too, that these moments are once in a lifetime for these players, and it’s our responsibility, I think, to tell the world about these players’ stories and especially the American audience, who won’t have a clue. It makes people care, and it makes people more invested about what the game actually means. So that’s something we take great pride in.

Strong: It’s not just about, OK, this is Argentina’s inexorable march. It’s, what if? And being prepared for that, and if it doesn’t come off, and if Argentina wins the game comfortably, then OK, fine. But that’s something, as Stu said, we take an immense amount of pride in. 

I think that’s a mark of professionalism, is being prepared for all the eventualities. What if the left back scores an incredible goal? What if, multiple times, Cape Verde is coming from behind? All of those sorts of things, just being prepared. But then also reacting in the moment, and, I think, not getting caught in the trap of, well, this is how this game is supposed to play out, so we’re just going to prepare for that, and allowing yourself to come in with a bit of a blank slate, be surprised, be amazed. Yes, give context to the fact that it is remarkable what Cape Verde is doing without disrespecting them by being bewildered by it, and not having any context to give on what they do.

(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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How would you describe the atmosphere in the stadium and what you saw from fans?

Strong: We’re out amongst fans in the tribunal. That’s something that’s different in a World Cup. We’re not in a TV booth; we’re at a desk that’s constructed in the stands, surrounded by fans, and so you’re just using the restroom with the fans, and it was sort of a bemused bewilderment from these Argentine fans of, wait, what is going on here? 

And then that exuberant, incredulous joy from the Cape Verde fans, and that’s what’s wonderful. What is wonderful about this sport is when it does surprise and amaze you. If things happen the way they are supposed to — in air quotes — it can be great, but it could also be kind of boring. That was so much more an enjoyable night than a professional routine 2-nil Argentina win.

(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

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What were the feelings and vibes between you two as you’re watching this game unfold? Are you gesturing at each other? Silently making facial expressions to each other?

Strong: We’re doing it live on television. At one point, I think we were both giggling. That’s the thing: We don’t hide our genuine emotion in the moment. 

Holden: But yes, we’re constantly in sync in those ways, but we’re matching each other’s energy. I just kept saying how much I love this game because I felt fortunate to be in that moment in that stadium, experiencing that, being on the call for that, being wrapped up in the emotion of it. 

(Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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I can’t remember a game — I know the US games, certainly this tournament, have been some of our most fun ones to call. But that one stands right next to those because it’s just a great example, as John said, of the beauty of this sport. The unpredictability, the emotion, how it can bring people together after the game, seeing the fans kind of from both sides hugging and celebrating and just reveling in what was an incredible moment. That’s why we love being in those tribunals. You’re surrounded by other broadcasters, and you’re close to fans, and you’re watching their reactions, and that enhances your experience and your reactions. You’re bouncing off that. We’re kind of jostling with each other and elbowing and laughing.

As the game goes to extra time, and we sprint to the bathroom and come back, it’s like, “What is happening right now?” At halftime the first time, we’re thinking, “Oh, this is Argentina just kind of cruising through. We’re just going to manage this second [half] as well and try to keep our energy levels up.’ And that quickly turned into, “Holy crap, we’ve got to shift the gear,” and that’s our main responsibility, is to be able to meet the moment in the right way.

Was there a moment when you realized that this game was going to be much closer than everyone else thought?

Holden: John asked me in my pregame hit, “What were the chances for Cape Verde?” And I said something to the effect of, “In their biggest game, they have to have a perfect game.” But I would say as they got into halftime at 1-0, it didn’t feel like Argentina were going to blow them out. And we came out at the start of the second half saying, “Look, if you keep them hanging around, there is that chance that they could do something.” And they had shown in the group stages that they were not a team that was just going to fold. …

It got to a point, I think, in extra time, and John says, “Well, what happens next?” And I said, “I don’t even want to pretend to know what’s going to happen next because Cape Verde have achieved beyond expectations.” 

So I think, as John also alluded to, you have to give respect to the Cape Verdean players without being patronizing or dismissive of their abilities. And I think, while they were such an underdog, they had shown signs, and we had set that up early in the game about this is a team that doesn’t lose often. They’d only lost one game in their last 18, but still, they’re going up against the reigning World Cup champions. Even beyond my expectations, they performed at a level that will be remembered for years. I think that’s why this game has become such a talking point.

As you were shifting gears, were you preparing for the possibility that you were calling Lionel Messi’s last World Cup match?

Holden: That’s in our minds. 

(Photo by Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) –>

Strong: That was my lede into kickoff, was it could be his last. You’re always mindful of that, you’re always aware. We’ve done three World Cups. We’ve done a lot of these types of games where things become unexpected. We’re very experienced, thankfully, in these moments. 

It would be disingenuous to sit here and say, “Oh, we knew that was going to happen.” But I think it would also be us not doing our jobs if we were completely bewildered and taken by surprise and unprepared for that eventuality. And for that matter, we were fully prepared, as we always are, for if it goes into a penalty shootout. That’s that’s what we do. That’s our job. That’s what it requires, and you just then hold on for dear life and follow the game where it takes you.

Holden: John nailed it, and it’s something we talked about even in the World Cup final. I’ve heard him give this speech at broadcast journalism schools. You have to be willing within the game to throw all your notes, what you’d prepare for, out the window. And I think that’s the case where, in the late stages of that game, we’re not relying on our notes. We’re just relying and reacting on what’s happening. And, of course, we have stats and superlatives and different things, but we’re more so just being fans at that moment and taking the viewers along for a ride and living in it.

(Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) –>

What moment from that match stands out the most to you less than 24 hours later?

Holden: I got in the car about 30 minutes ago, and I said, “I’ve been replaying that goal from Cape Verde in my head for the last, whatever, 16 hours straight.” We had a perfect view of it, [Sidny Lopes] Cabral’s second goal that tied the game. I think, just under the circumstance where everybody’s like, “OK, Argentina scored that game over now,” and then they pulled off one of the best goals in World Cup history — that moment stands out for me. When they tied it and just seeing him running into the stands, celebrating with — what I think we all assume at this point is — his girlfriend. 

Strong: One of my favorite things of Argentina games — and it’s unique to Argentina’s fan base — is the shirtless male, and it was like, dads and sons. And it was wonderful just being on the concourse after the game, seeing the fans and sort of their exhausted exuberance, that emotionally spent joy. And the fact that in so many ways, everyone comes out of there with a smile. Obviously, Cape Verde, disappointed they didn’t win but, I think, immensely proud of what they had done. And everyone from Argentina [looked] terrified by what has happened but thrilled they’re going to the next round.

What did you think of Vozinha’s performance, especially for someone whose nickname basically translates to Granny?

(Photo by Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) –>

Strong: That’s the power of the World Cup, first of all. He could have had a wonderful performance in a league game in the Portuguese second tier, and no one would have noticed. You put together a great performance in the World Cup, and it changes your life. I think it also, again, comes back to not just our preparation, but our approach in general to these games is to not fall in the trap of, “Oh, this guy doesn’t play for a big-time European club. Oh, this guy isn’t already a big star, so we’re not going to worry about him, and we’re not going to worry about his story and his background, and we’re not going to be prepared to celebrate him.” 

You need to be prepared for any player on the field to be the star. And he did that in that first game against Spain. You assume when you’re playing Messi and when you’re playing Argentina, you’re going to have to come up with a couple big moments when you’re a goalkeeper. So that’s what’s very fun, is to try to, even if I’m not launching into a very long soliloquy about his whole life story, just to be able to celebrate his performance and celebrate him. 

Holden: We talk about these players who get on this big stage that they can normally get moves into big clubs or change their transfer value. For a 40-year-old goalkeeper, the moves are probably not there. So he has, in fact, changed his entire life commercially, sponsorship wise. He’s going to make a lot of money off this tournament, and I just think that that’s awesome for a guy who’s pretty much a journeyman and was previously not known around the world and has become this viral sensation, and that is, as John said, the true beauty of the World Cup.

Is this one of the best World Cup matches you’ve ever called?

Strong: Oh, for sure. Until the next one.

Holden: Until the next one. But that’s our challenge, honestly. We have all these amazing games, and yet, now we’ve got to turn around much like players would, in essence, and just move on to the next one. And I think we’ll have much more time after these [games] are done to process and enjoy what it was. 

But we are trying to live in the moment and recognize when we see brilliance, because you still have to have that wonderment and to be able to convey that. But if we act like we’ve seen it before and that we aren’t understanding what that is, then we’re not going to convey that genuine type of emotion like we did [Friday] night.

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In the last 2026 World Cup match in Philadelphia, Paraguay played a style that has been seen many times before at the city’s football stadium.

La Albirroja’s physical approach in their 1-0 loss to France in the Round of 16 looked more like what might be seen on a Sunday in the fall from the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, who play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles coach Nick Siranni might have liked what he saw. Les Bleus sure didn’t.

“I had never played a match like this, with so many hits,” France midfielder Manu Koné said. “I mean, cheap shots, shoves in the back. So, yes, it was complicated.”

Paraguay seemed to target star forward Kylian Mbappé, who converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute.

Andrés Cubas grabbed Mbappé in the offensive third, resulting in mass confrontation in the 35th minute. Later in the first half, Matias Galarza made contact with Mbappé off the ball, sending him sprawling to the turf. And in the 77th minute, Juan José Cáceres kicked the France forward in the right shin. None of these fouls resulted in yellow cards.

In fact, France received the only three yellow cards issued during the match. Paraguay got one after the final whistle for dissent toward the referee.

Paraguay’s tactics came as no surprise to its opponent.

“We knew what kind of match it was going to be,” Mbappé said. “We can also get our hands dirty. We know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready. Even at that kind of game, we were better than them.”

(Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Things remained heated — both figuratively and literally, with the game played in scorching temperatures — after the match. Players from both sides converged near the center circle, and Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill threw a ball at Mbappé’s back.

“I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn’t pay me any attention, I lost my temper,” Gill said.

Tempers weren’t exactly under control during the match, either. La Albirroja planned to make it tough.

“From the very first moment, we set out to make our presence felt on the pitch — to play hard,” Gill said. “If the ball gets through, the man doesn’t. And, honestly, I think the team handled itself well.”

France felt otherwise.

“They pull out every trick in the book,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “It’s not the kind of football that draws people to the stadium. Each team played the way they want. But there were insults from the other bench that I could do without.”

There also appeared to be bad words flying on the pitch, with Mbappé and Galarza verbally sparring at one point.

It seemed, at times, as if the referee could have used some yellow flags, like in American football, in addition to yellow cards.

“We fought a battle,” France’s William Saliba said. “We won the battle.”

Paraguay vs France Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

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Reporting by The Associated Press.

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