2026 World Cup: June 26 Full Match Results

Ivory Coast locked in their knockout stage qualification with a solid 2-0 shutout against Curaçao. The Elephants controlled possession throughout the fixture, limiting Curaçao to minimal threatening chances.

Sebastien Haller opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner delivery in the 35th minute, before veteran winger Max Gradel sealed the three points with a composed low finish inside the penalty box in the 72nd minute. Curaçao exit the tournament without a single point after three group stage losses.

The biggest shock of the 2026 World Cup group stage arrived on June 26, as Ecuador beat four-time champions Germany 2-1 to claim top spot in Group E. Veteran striker Enner Valencia delivered a clinical double to sink the German side.

Valencia struck first in the 18th minute with a cool counter-attack finish, then doubled his tally in the 56th minute after exploiting Germany’s defensive gaps. Joshua Kimmich pulled a late consolation goal in the 85th minute, but Ecuador’s disciplined backline held firm for a famous group stage victory. Germany crash out of the tournament early with only 4 group points.

Japan and Sweden played out a balanced 1-1 draw that sent both nations through to the knockout rounds, with Japan securing second place via superior goal difference.

Takumi Minamino opened the scoring for Japan in the 42nd minute with a curling edge-of-box strike, before Sweden’s star forward Alexander Isak equalized with a powerful headed finish from a wide cross in the 78th minute. Both sides created multiple clear-cut chances but failed to find a match-winner in the closing minutes.

Cody Gakpo delivered a sensational match-winning hat-trick as the Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to finish Group F with a perfect 3 wins from 3 games, claiming top seed in the group.

Gakpo opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a calm one-on-one finish, doubled his tally just two minutes after halftime, and completed his treble in the 68th minute with a clinical strike inside the penalty area. Wahbi Khazri grabbed a late consolation goal for Tunisia in the 89th minute, but the North African side finish bottom of Group F with zero points and exit the tournament.

Paraguay and Australia contested a tight, goalless draw that secured the Socceroos’ passage to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup.

Both sides created multiple half-chances throughout the 90 minutes, but solid defending and sharp goalkeeping prevented any goals. Australia’s Mathew Ryan made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet, and the single point was enough to lock second place in Group D. Paraguay finish bottom of the group with only one point and exit the competition.

Turkey secured top spot in Group D with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the USA in the highest-scoring fixture of June 26’s matchday three.

Hakan Calhanoglu was the standout performer, scoring two fantastic long-range strikes to put Turkey in control. Calhanoglu opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Christian Pulisic equalized for the USA ten minutes later. Burak Yilmaz restored Turkey’s lead right before halftime, and Calhanoglu added his second in the 61st minute. Timothy Weah pulled one back for the USA in the 75th minute, but Turkey held on for the win and finish group stage undefeated. The USA finish third and fail to advance to knockouts.