Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, July 2, 2026

01

Mexico draw England for a Round of 16 showdown at the Azteca

World Cup

Mexico’s reward for beating Ecuador is a heavyweight tie, and it is now confirmed. England will travel to the Estadio Azteca on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

The matchup was settled in Atlanta, where England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1. Harry Kane rescued the 1966 champions with two second-half goals after Brian Cipenga had put Congo ahead in the 7th minute.

Kane headed in the equaliser in the 75th minute, then curled a low finish into the corner in the 86th to seal it. It was only the second time England have won a World Cup match after conceding first, the other being the 1966 final.

For Mexico, the tie is a chance to test their perfect tournament against a genuine contender. El Tri have won all four games so far and have yet to concede a goal in this World Cup.

The Azteca will again be the great equaliser. Mexico are unbeaten there across three World Cups, and the noise of a full house pushed them past Ecuador on Tuesday.

Kickoff is Sunday at 8pm ET in Mexico City. A win would send Mexico to their first World Cup quarter-final since they last hosted the tournament in 1986.

02

Three Latin American teams are through, with two still to play

World Cup

With the Round of 32 nearly complete, the Latin American picture has taken shape. Brazil, Paraguay, and Mexico have all reached the last 16.

Brazil face Norway on Sunday in New Jersey, having come from behind to beat Japan. Paraguay, the giant-killers who knocked out Germany, meet France on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Mexico complete the confirmed trio with their Azteca date against England. All three ties fall within four days of each other, from Saturday to Sunday.

Two more Latin American sides can still join them, and both play on Friday. Argentina face Cape Verde in Miami, while Colombia take on Ghana in Kansas City.

If both come through, five Latin American nations would stand in the last 16 of a 32-team knockout round. That would be a strong showing for the region on home-continent soil.

03

Argentina and Colombia aim to complete the set on Friday

Preview

Two of the region’s biggest names close out the Round of 32 on Friday. Argentina meet Cape Verde in Miami, and Colombia face Ghana in Kansas City later the same night.

Argentina arrive as one of the form teams, having won all three group games with a perfect nine points. Lionel Messi broke the all-time World Cup goal record during the group stage, and the defending champions look primed for a deep run.

Cape Verde are the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout stage, so the gulf in pedigree is huge. Argentina will still be wary, as Scaloni has carefully managed Messi’s minutes throughout.

Colombia come in unbeaten after topping a tough group that included Portugal. Daniel Muñoz scored the decisive goal in both of their group-stage wins, and James Rodríguez continues to pull the strings.

Ghana will be no pushovers, having pushed several strong sides close this summer. For Colombia, the prize is a first World Cup quarter-final since 2014.

04

Ten-man USA beat Bosnia to reach the Round of 16

World Cup

The last of the three co-hosts is through. The United States beat Bosnia 2-0 in Santa Clara to reach the Round of 16, their first World Cup knockout win since 2002.

Folarin Balogun opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, his third goal of the tournament. He was then sent off in the 64th minute after a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, leaving the hosts a man down for the final half hour.

Malik Tillman settled the nerves with a superb free kick in the 82nd minute, his first World Cup goal. The win ended a ten-game losing run against European opposition for the Americans.

The USA now face Belgium on July 6 in Seattle, a rematch of their 2014 last-16 exit. Balogun will miss that game through suspension after his red card.

05

More: DR Congo news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When and where do Mexico play England?

Mexico host England at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, July 5, with kickoff at 8pm ET. The winner reaches the quarter-finals.

Mexico earned the tie by beating Ecuador, while England came through against DR Congo.

Which Latin American teams still have to play in the Round of 32?

Argentina and Colombia are the last two Latin American sides in the Round of 32. Both play on Friday, July 3.

Argentina face Cape Verde in Miami, and Colombia meet Ghana in Kansas City.

How many Latin American teams could reach the last 16?

Three are already through in Brazil, Paraguay, and Mexico. If Argentina and Colombia win on Friday, that number rises to five.

That would be a strong return for the region in the first 48-team World Cup.