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HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA World Cup 2026, Day 4: Yasin Ayari scores brace as Sweden complete five-star rout of Tunisia

Earlier, Germany opened their campaign with a commanding win over Curacao, while Japan struck late to salvage a thrilling draw against the Netherlands.
Sweden's Yasin Ayari (18) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Sweden's Yasin Ayari (18) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026.(Photo | AP)
TNIE online desk
Summary

Day 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw Germany thrash debutants Curacao 7-1, while Japan scored late to salvage a thrilling draw against the Netherlands. Ivory Coast needed a stoppage-time goal to edge past Ecuador, and Sweden rounded off the day with a five-star rout of Tunisia.

The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.

Curacao can shock Germany on World Cup debut, says Advocaat

Curacao coach Dick Advocaat believes the tiny Caribbean island can "steal some points" from four-time winners Germany on their tournament debut on Sunday.

The 78-year-old Dutchman will also become the oldest coach in World Cup history and will take charge of a third different nation at a World Cup after the Netherlands and South Korea.

Despite his vast experience in both the club and international game, Advocaat said the team spirit that has carried a nation of just 160,000 to the World Cup is the best he has seen.

"The team spirit in this team is something I've never seen before. As a country we will give everything to win for the island, but we're not the favourite," Advocaat said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

"When you are participating with the Netherlands or a bigger team, you are one of the favourites. Now it is just amazing to be a part of this.

"We would like to show them what we can do and what we're worth. And for the island of Curacao, it is amazing what we have shown the people over the past two years."

Curacao faces daunting first World Cup game against 4-time champion Germany

Curacao made history by becoming one of four first-time World Cup qualifiers.

The tiny Caribbean nation faces a daunting task in its opener, taking on powerhouse Germany in Houston.

“Germany are of course clear favorites in the group,” said Curacao's Dick Advocaat, the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78. “They are still a big footballing country. Starting off against Germany is fantastic. We will find out immediately where we stand.”

Curacao is the World Cup's smallest country in terms of size — about the size of New Orleans — and population, with roughly 156,000 residents. It got into the 48-team bracket by going 4-0 in the opening round of qualifying and 3-0-3 in the next round.

Iran to enter US for FIFA World Cup opener amid wartime tensions

Iran's participation in the tournament was shrouded in doubt for months after the United States and Israel launched an aerial assault on the Islamic Republic that became a wider Middle East war.

But on Sunday, the team is due to fly into Los Angeles from its training camp in Mexico on the eve of its first game.

Iran take on New Zealand in the city on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country it is at war with.

But the Iran team has had to leave many of its support team in Tijuana after the US refused to grant visas to 15 administrative and management staff.

World Cup referee Omar Artan will receive full fee from FIFA despite being denied entry to the US

The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.

Germany kick off Group E campaign against Curacao

Germany strike early against Curacao in Group E opener

Underdogs Curacao strike back to equalise against Germany

Livano Comenencia scores the goal for Curacao to equalise against Germany.

Germany edge back in front after Curacao equaliser

Germany takes the lead once again as Nico Schlotterbeck scored the goal to make the score 2-1.

Germany extend lead with third goal against Curacao

Kai Havertz converts from the penalty spot just before half-time.

Germany run riot with fourth goal against Curacao

Germany strikes five times as Curacao struggle to contain the four-time champions.

Nathaniel makes the score 5-1 as Curacao struggle against the German attack.

Germany puts six past Curacao in Group E opener riot

Kai Havertz scores the seventh goal for Germany

Germany's relentless attack shows no signs of slowing as Curacao struggle to contain the flood of goals. Kai Havertz scores the goal for Germany to make it 7-1.

Germany thrash Curacao 7-1 in World Cup group match

Four-time winners Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday.

Kai Havertz got two goals and Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also scored in Houston to secure Germany's first opening-match win at a World Cup since their successful 2014 campaign in Brazil, after Livano Comenencia had briefly cancelled out Felix Nmecha's opener.

Japan fight back in 2-2 Dutch thriller at World Cup

Japan scored an 89th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Texas on Sunday to open their World Cup campaigns.

A match in front of 69,285 spectators that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half.

Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level, before winger Crysencio Summerville's delicious curled finish into the bottom corner just after the hour.

The Dutch looked like they would hold on, but Japan levelled at the death with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Amad Diallo's 90th-minute strike hands Ivory Coast winning start against Ecuador

Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years.

The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before the Manchester United winger — who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute — broke through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong run down the right side.

Making its fourth appearance in the World Cup and first since 2014, Ivory Coast took a step toward reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Ecuador saw its 19-game unbeaten streak end with its first loss since a 1-0 decision against Brazil on Sept. 6, 2024.

Sweden vs Tunisia underway as Group F action continues at FIFA World Cup 2026

Yasin Ayari strikes in seventh minute as Sweden take early lead against Tunisia

Isak finds the back of the net to extend Sweden's lead

Omar Rekik pulls one back for Tunisia just before half-time to reduce Sweden's lead

Gyokeres restores two-goal cushion as Sweden make it 3-1 against Tunisia

Mattias Svanberg makes it four for Sweden

Sweden's Mattias Svanberg (19), center, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal with teammates during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia.
Sweden's Mattias Svanberg (19), center, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal with teammates during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia.(Photo | AP)

Ayari scores in stoppage time as Sweden complete five-star rout of Tunisia

Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday to leave the North African nation's defensive reputation in tatters and take early control of World Cup Group F.

Yasin Ayari opened the scoring early in the Mexican city of Guadalupe with a thunderbolt from distance and Alexander Isak doubled Sweden's lead in the 30th minute.

Omar Rekik pulled a goal back shortly before half-time but Viktor Gyokeres restored Sweden's two-goal cushion. Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 before another stunner from Ayari.

READ FULL STORY HERE

2026 FIFA World Cup

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