Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, June 21, 2026
USMNT Wins Group D at 2026 World Cup, Books Round of 32 in Santa Clara
The United States Men’s National Team sealed first place in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday — only the third time in program history the USMNT has won its group, previously in 1930 and 2010. Confirmation came when Paraguay — playing with 10 men for more than half the match — beat Türkiye 1-0, with Matías Galarza scoring just 65 seconds in for the tournament’s fastest goal. The U.S. collected all six available group stage points with wins over Paraguay and Australia, and will face a third-place finisher in the Round of 32 on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Sources: ESPN, U.S. Soccer
Pulisic Sits Out Australia Win, Expected Back for USMNT Round of 32
Christian Pulisic sat out the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia on Friday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a calf injury, a fitness concern dating to his first-half exit against Paraguay. With Ricardo Pepi starting, the USMNT scored through an own goal from Cameron Burgess — set up by Folarin Balogun — in the 11th minute, and Alex Freeman headed in a deflected shot in the 43rd to double the lead. Pulisic trained apart from his teammates all week and was never deemed fit; he is expected to return for the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara.
Sources: ESPN, U.S. Soccer
Canada on Verge of World Cup Knockout Berth After Historic 6-0 Rout; Koéné Undergoes Surgery
Canada sit atop their World Cup group following a 6-0 thrashing of Qatar on Thursday — the country’s first World Cup victory and the largest winning margin by a tournament host in history, matching six-goal tallies by Italy (1934), Brazil (1950), and Argentina (1978). Jonathan David’s hat trick was the first by a CONCACAF player at a World Cup since Bert Patenaude of the USA in 1930. Canada face Switzerland on June 24 with a knockout-stage berth all but secured. The result was marred by a horror injury to midfielder Ismaël Koéné, who underwent successful surgery for a lower limb fracture and will miss the rest of the tournament.
Sources: Canada Soccer, ESPN, Soccer America
Curaçao Earns First-Ever World Cup Point With Stunning Goalless Draw Against Ecuador
Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves Saturday — an all-time World Cup record per ESPN — as Curaçao earned their first-ever FIFA World Cup point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Ecuador’s 15 shots on goal without scoring matched the most in a FIFA World Cup match without finding the net since 1966. Curaçao deployed a disciplined 5-4-1 formation that frustrated Ecuador throughout, with forward Enner Valencia squandering two gilt-edged chances at either end. Room’s performance was extraordinary as Dick Advocaat’s side held a much stronger opponent scoreless despite sustained pressure across all 90 minutes.
Brazil Routs Haiti 3-0; Haiti Becomes First Team Eliminated from 2026 World Cup
Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 on Saturday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, eliminating the CONCACAF nation and making Haiti the first team knocked out of the tournament. Matheus Cunha scored twice — opening with a scrappy goal before adding a stunning second — while Vinicius Junior sealed the result with a superb finish one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side moved to the top of Group C with the victory. For Haiti, one of CONCACAF’s representatives at the 2026 tournament, the result ends their World Cup campaign at the group stage following an exit without collecting a point.
Sources: ESPN
World Cup — North American Host Nations
MLS Season on World Cup Break — Resumes July 16
🇺🇸 USA — Group D Winners, 6 pts (2W)
🇨🇦 Canada — Group B Leaders, 4 pts (1W-1D)
🇲🇽 Mexico — Group A Winners, 6 pts (2W)
Round of 32
USA — July 1, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Canada — Group stage continues June 24
Mexico — Group stage continues (TBD)
CONCACAF at the 2026 World Cup
Teams still active
USA — Group D 1st (6 pts)
Mexico — Group A 1st (6 pts)
Canada — Group B Leaders (4 pts)
Curaçao — 1 pt (0-0 vs Ecuador)
Panama — 0 pts after 1 game
Eliminated
Haiti — First team eliminated (0 pts)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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