Xuan Son shows positive recovery signals while the Vietnam national team still faces many personnel problems, along with a series of notable developments in the 2026 World Cup and the European transfer market.

According to multiple authoritative South Korean media outlets including Yonhap News Agency on June 28, the Korea Football Association officially stated that the South Korean men's national team, eliminated from the World Cup, will return directly on the 30th. The association will not arrange an airport welcome or hold a reception ceremony. The World Cup group stage has now concluded. Despite being placed in a relatively weak group, South Korea failed to advance.

On June 28 Beijing time, the World Cup group stage came to an end. In a decisive match of Group J's final round, Austria drew 3-3 with Algeria. This result directly caused Asian powerhouse Iran to miss out on the knockout stage of this World Cup. Notably, although the two teams eventually settled for a draw, they jointly delivered a thrilling and twist-filled storyline, with a heart-pounding process that repeatedly tested the nerves of Iran's male footballers.

DR Congo has qualified for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in history, after coming from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 on the evening of June 27.

On June 28 Beijing time, the World Cup group stage officially concluded. All 32 teams advancing to the knockout stage have been determined. Top contenders such as France, Spain, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Argentina smoothly progressed from their groups. Two Asian powerhouses, Iran and South Korea, unfortunately missed out as they were eliminated in the final moments.

On June 28 Beijing time, the World Cup group stage concluded. In a key match of Group J's final round, Austria drew 3-3 with Algeria. This result directly prevented Asian powerhouse Iran from reaching the knockout stage. In the previous day's Group G finale, Iran missed a crucial penalty and had a last-minute winner disallowed, settling for a 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Both Manchester United and many of its fans hope the club can secure Real Madrid defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni this summer. However, any belief that the 26-year-old French international can be obtained easily is naive. Given the transfer fees and processes involving Elliott Anderson and Matheus Fernandes, even if Real Madrid agrees to sell Tchouaméni, it will not come cheap.

On June 28 Beijing time, after three agonizing days of waiting, the South Korean men's national team was confirmed not to be among the eight best third-placed teams, thus failing to advance to the World Cup knockout stage. When the bad news reached South Korea, many fans who had high hopes for the team collectively lost their composure. They flooded the official Korea Football Association account with comments, fiercely criticizing the organization.

In a key World Cup Group K final round match that concluded on June 28 Beijing time, Portugal drew 0-0 with Colombia. In the first half, Ruben Neves made a goal-line clearance, Bruno Fernandes had a great chance saved, and Ronaldo's bicycle kick was blocked. In the second half, Ronaldo missed a one-on-one opportunity, finishing the match with three shots and no goals. After three rounds, Portugal secured one win and two draws for five points, finishing second in the group and advancing to face Croatia in the Round of 16.

In a pivotal Group K final-round match that concluded on June 28 Beijing time, DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1. With four points, DR Congo secured a place in the knockout stage and, in doing so, formally ended South Korea's World Cup hopes. Before this match, South Korea already sat in eighth place among the 12 third-placed teams, hanging by a thread just one step away from elimination.