The Japanese national team is receiving very high praise at the 2026 World Cup thanks to its disciplined and scientific style of play. However, the challenge for the "Blue Samurai" in the knockout stage of 32 teams is the top contender for the championship: the Brazilian national team.

Australia defeated Turkey 2-0. It was not through technical brilliance. Nor was it due to their players featuring for Europe's elite clubs. Instead, it came down to relentless intensity: they gave the opposition no time on the ball, applied constant pressure from start to finish, and fielded a lineup where every individual sprinted as if it were their final game.

Being trusted by Coach Kim Sang Sik and his teammates to be elected as vice-captain of the Vietnam national team is not only a special milestone in Nguyen Xuan Son's career, but also a well-deserved recognition of the contributions, influence, and dedication of the 29-year-old striker.

Hot Vietnamese football news today, June 29: Dinh Bac sets a record for the Vietnam national team; Thai Son Bac wins big in the National Futsal Championship.

On Sunday, Manchester United officially confirmed that Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament issue during Friday's World Cup group match against Spain. The club's medical staff are still evaluating the injury to determine the best treatment plan and recovery timeline. The short statement ended with a wish for Ugarte to recover quickly and a promise of full support.

The 2026 Wimbledon Championships are about to begin, and Chinese star Zheng Qinwen will face her "nemesis" Siniakova in the first round. On June 29 Beijing time, Zheng talked about her feelings and preparation for the first-round match against Siniakova in a pre-Wimbledon interview.

Hanoi Police FC has secured one of Vietnamese football's brightest young talents by reaching an agreement to extend striker Nguyen Dinh Bac's contract for an additional three years.

The 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico expands to 48 teams. It must be said that this edition includes too many weak teams. For instance, among AFC-affiliated teams, nine participated, but only two advanced to the knockout stage: Japan and Australia.

The 2026 World Cup continued to witness memorable yet bittersweet moments as both Jordan and Iran were eliminated in the group stage. Although they could not advance, their performances are still considered significant milestones for their respective football nations at the world's biggest tournament.

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Africa, Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final match of Group L, securing their place in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup as group runners-up. Despite the loss, Ghana advanced because they had already accumulated enough points from their first two matches. This marks the first time since the 2010 World Cup that the "Black Stars" have progressed past the group stage.