Overview
- France and Norway meet in Boston for the last match of Group I with a France win or draw securing top spot, and assistant Guy Stéphan leading the team after Didier Deschamps returned to France for a family bereavement.
- The Netherlands secured first place in Group F and will face Morocco in Monterrey while Japan finished second and drew Brazil, creating two high-profile round-of-16 ties.
- Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top Group B, leaving Canada second and due to open the knockouts in Los Angeles against South Africa.
- South Africa qualified for the World Cup last 16 for the first time after a 1-0 win over South Korea, producing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
- Neymar returned from a long knee layoff as Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 on June 24, a timely boost for the Seleção ahead of their match with Japan.