Vietnam's national team possesses many set-piece specialists and quality aerial duel players ahead of AFF Cup 2026.

Written by Shen Mo. In the first half of this year's Chinese Super League season, the traditional structure has been completely overturned. Chengdu Rongcheng has surged ahead, which is closely tied to the contribution of their five foreign players leading the league in the first half. Traditional powerhouses like Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, and Beijing Guoan have seen noticeable declines in performance this year, with the key reason being a significant drop in foreign player contribution compared to last season. As the halfway point of the CSL season concludes, the impact of foreign player contributions varies across teams.

On June 25 at 9:00 AM Beijing Time, a crucial Group A match in the World Cup kicks off. Mexico's men's team will host the Czech Republic at the Azteca Stadium. With drastically different qualification scenarios, it will be interesting to see how both teams perform. [Qualification Situation] After two rounds, Mexico has won both matches, accumulating 6 points and securing an early group top spot. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has 1 point from one draw and one loss, facing a dire situation.

As of June 24 Beijing time, all first two rounds of the World Cup group stage have been completed, and bookmakers have updated the championship odds. France remains the top favorite, holding the No. 1 spot on the odds list. In their first two matches, France defeated Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0, securing an early advancement with one round to spare and showcasing consistent form.

Written by Han Yixi. Under the drizzle at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, USA, England played their second match of the USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup, held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana. This was the fourth goalless draw of this tournament, and also England's 23rd draw in World Cup history, as well as their 13th 0-0—both figures are tournament records.

The match between Canada and Switzerland at 2:00 AM on June 25 (Vietnam time) is not just the final group stage clash, but could also become a historic milestone for Canadian soccer. After two matches, the host nation holds a significant advantage: with just a draw, Canada will advance from the World Cup group stage for the first time and could even finish at the top of the standings.

As of June 24 Beijing time, the second round of the World Cup group stage has concluded. After two rounds, seven teams have secured their spots one round early: Mexico, the United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, and Colombia. All of them have won both of their group matches. Among these, Mexico, the United States, Germany, and Argentina have already locked in first place in their respective groups one round ahead, and have determined their positions in the knockout stage.

As of June 24 Beijing time, the second round of Group K in the World Cup group stage concluded. Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0, while Colombia edged the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0. After two rounds, Colombia leads with 6 points, Portugal sits second with 4 points (one win, one draw), Congo has 1 point (one draw, one loss), and Uzbekistan is at the bottom with 0 points after two losses. After two rounds, Colombia has secured early qualification.

By Shen Mo. "I'm Back!" On June 23, at the NRG Stadium in Houston, a brace-scoring Cristiano Ronaldo twice roared out the long-suppressed cry—this moment will surely be recorded as an iconic scene of this World Cup in FIFA's official documentary and remembered by the world. Goals are the best response to criticism, "It's always been like this, for 23 years." Ronaldo remains tough.

Coach Kim Sang Sik demonstrates that a captain does not necessarily have to always be a starter, and Do Duy Manh is the clearest proof of that notion.