Before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, many optimistic forecasts suggested this tournament would mark a turning point for Asian football. For the first time, the AFC has as many as nine representatives in the finals, more than ever before in history.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has officially concluded, making way for a more intense new chapter: the knockout rounds involving 32 contenders. This is the moment when strategists must unveil their most refined tactical trump cards to fight for a place in the next round.

Alex Scott, another Premier League defensive midfielder who missed this summer's World Cup, has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. The 22-year-old English midfielder, though slightly slender in build, is known as the "Guernsey Grealish" and can control games, drawing attention from Premier League managers like Carrick and Arteta, both of whom were midfielders during their playing days.

In a women's singles first-round match at Wimbledon concluding on June 30 Beijing time, Chinese player Zheng Qinwen fell 0-2 to world No. 36 Czech star Katerina Siniakova, marking her fourth straight year exiting in the opening round. This also means Zheng has suffered a first-round exit in three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments. Previously, Zheng and Siniakova had faced each other four times, with Zheng winning once and losing three times.

In the second round of 16 match of the World Cup, which concluded on June 30th Beijing time, the Japanese men's football team took the lead but was overturned 1-2 by Brazil, unfortunately stopping at the round of 32. In 28 years and eight World Cup appearances, they still have not won a single knockout match. [Watch the World Cup on Migu Video] In this game, Japan had a dream start.

On June 30, Beijing time, the knockout stage of the World Cup group phase has already begun. According to the latest schedule, three matches will be held today, adding three more spots to the round of 16. The three games are: Brazil vs. Japan, Germany vs. Paraguay, and a clash between two top-eight teams, Netherlands vs. Morocco. At 1:00 AM, Brazil takes on Japan.

On the afternoon of June 29, the Vietnam national team continued training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in preparation for a training camp in South Korea and the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2026.

Following a rest day, the Vietnam national team resumed training to continue their preparations for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. After overseas Vietnamese midfielder Khoa Ngo went back to his club to recover from injury, head coach Kim Sang Sik opted not to bring in any new players as replacements.

Juventus may be one of the few wealthy clubs in Serie A, but the Bianconeri's transfer dealings have been a complete mess, and this summer's window seems to be adding another confusing chapter. According to the latest report from French media Footmercato, the future of French striker Randal Kolo Muani has become clear, as Juventus is very close to reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for his transfer.

Football fans around the world are turning their attention to the knockout clash between the Netherlands and Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, and defender Doan Van Hau has also shared thoughts that have drawn interest by expressing his support for the "Orange Cyclone".