FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE scores, day 18: South Africa vs Canada results, highlights, latest news; Stephen Eustáquio goal sends Canada through; ‘Utterly baffled’: South Korea president calls for ‘inves

United States President Donald Trump has bizarrely posted about the ‘FIFA Numbers’ on his social media profile Truth Social.

“The FIFA Numbers are far greater than any World Cup in History.”

“This is a Great Tribute to the United States of America. Thank you to all!”

I’ll be honest, not sure anyone know what ‘Numbers’ we’re speaking about - broadcast, attendance, economical value of the game - but he seems quite happy to be co-hosting.

We’re now into the Round of 32.

After the World Cup is over, the Socceroos won’t have long to wait to face up against a formidable international opponent at home.

Football Australia has announced two games in Brisbane and Townsville with Australia versing five-time World Cup winners Brazil.

“Brazil are a world-class football nation, and we look forward to facing them in Australia,” head coach Tony Popovic said.

“While my immediate focus remains firmly on our 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, I’m delighted that we are locking in fixtures of this calibre, because we want to consistently test ourselves against top-tier opposition moving forward.”

The first game will be set for September 25 at Queensland County Bank Stadium in Townsville and the second game on September 29 at Suncorp Stadium.

“Having Brazil come to Australia to play the CommBank Socceroos is a significant moment for Australian football and for football fans across the country,” said Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler.

“These marquee fixtures are key in our strategy - to inspire our football fans, young and old, across Australia and to showcase the strength and ambition of our national teams at the highest level.

“The two friendlies, against Brazil, are a great opportunity to show the rest of the world what a passionate football nation we are and to give Australians the opportunity to see one of the best teams in the world compete against our best.”

Chants are some of the most exciting things to come out of any World Cup.

It’s a fun example of national patriotism, community and unites thousands of fans together.

So what happens when the chant becomes a helpline?

After watching hero Lionel Messi in Arlington, Texas take victory over Jordan 3-1, Argentinian fans helped a fan who lost their wallet in the chaos.

They shouted out the name on his ID card to hopefully find the rightful owner of the lost belonging.

Chants rung out in the concourse and the story goes that Juan Manuel Montero was reunited with his wallet.

Success!

Many of the Socceroos squad can remember their “ruined” dream when they were knocked out of the Tokyo Olympics by Egypt.

Connor Metcalfe, Harry Souttar and Cameron Devlin were beaten by Egypt 2-0, the result knocking them out of the 2021 competition.

Now their time for “revenge” has arrived.

“I remember that,” Metcalfe said.

“It actually feels like a blur, to be honest.

“They were quite a big physical team. I just remember it being really humid and hot and we didn’t play our best game.

“They ruined our dream. So, yeah, I guess you could say it’s a bit of a revenge, personally.”

Egypt’s team will be led by superstar Mo Salah, but for Australia, the group is banking on the committed belief in their status as the “underdog”.

“We’ve come so far. I don’t think anyone expected us to even get out of the group,” Metcalfe explained further.

“We’re all buzzing just to have this amazing achievement and be able to be in this knockout stage.

“We’re fully confident and after our performances, I think we’ve got a really good shot.

“We thrive as being the underdogs, I feel like we always have, but I mean whatever the odds are - it doesn’t bother us.”

Canada has a new hero and his name is Stephen Eustaquio.

After breaking the stalemate between South Africa with a 92nd minute goal to send Canada to the Round of 16, Eustaquio fought back emotions in his post-match interview as he spoke about his recent journey.

“Everything I do is for my family, for my parents, for my girlfriend, for my daughter, for my brother, for my friends back home, for all of them,” he said, with his head in his hands.

“Canada says thank you, Stephen,” the interview added.

The 29-year-old, who was named man of the match on Monday morning AEST, tragically lost both his parents recently.

His mother first passed away following a battle with brain cancer in 2023, before his father suffered a heart attack in 2024.

“We worked a lot to get this victory. We really want to give this win to all the Canadians,” Eustaquio said further.

“We kept believing and kept pushing. We couldn’t image it any other way.

“It was an amazing goal but when I shot, I felt everybody shot with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it and it went into the back of the net.

“When it comes to a knockout at the World Cup, the belief brings a big part to it.

“Now we’re going to get Morocco or the Netherlands and who knows on a good day, we can make things happen.

“If we keep believing and keep working, things might go our now.”

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after the team’s quick elimination from the World Cup drew a harsh condemnation from the country’s president, who called the coach “incapable” and ordered a complete review of the national team program.

South Korea won their opening match against Czech Republic, then lost their next two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico.

South Korea hoped they would qualify for the next round as one of the third-placed teams to advance in this year’s expanded tournament.

That ended when Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 at the weekend.

The quick exit for a team that expected to advance left the national team program in turmoil and drew a sharp rebuke from president Lee Jae Myung.

“As a former honorary professional football club chairman and, at heart, a member of the Red Devils, I feel not just surprise but deep bewilderment at this unexpected result,” the president said.

The president criticised the national team structure and oversight, and the coach’s appointment in the first place.

“Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire,” the president said.

Hong, 57, announced his resignation with an apology to Korean fans before the team left their base camp in Mexico, where South Korea had played all three of their group matches.

President Myung called for the national Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review the national team and the team’s failures.

“I sincerely apologise to the public for the deep disappointment caused by this absurd situation. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure this does not happen again,” Myung said.

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