The 2026 World Cup group stages are coming to a close, and many countries have already bowed out of the 48-team competition.

The biggest international tournament in world football was expanded this year, meaning a record 32 teams make it through to the knockout rounds at the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted event.

However, it means only 16 nations bow out in disappointment after the first stage. One of the more high-profile countries to fall short at this hurdle, alongside Scotland and Turkey, were Uruguay.

Players Punished For Shocking World Cup Display

Eloisa Sanchez via Reuters

The two-time champions were expected to progress through the group stage after being matched up against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Especially with legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa at the helm.

However, it all unravelled very quickly for the South Americans. A disappointing draw against Saudi Arabia was followed by a hectic tie with Cape Verde. That left them needing maximum points against European champions Spain to ensure qualification for the next round.

To make matters worse, reports of unrest between the players and Bielsa surfaced in the days leading up to the final group match. In the end, a Fernando Muslera mistake sealed a 1-0 defeat, and Uruguay were out with not so much as a whimper.

Reports in Uruguay (via The Sun) have claimed the AUF have responded by punishing their players by cancelling their private flight home from Mexico. Each member of the staff and playing squad had to arrange their own way home as a result.

The exact reason for this decision hasn’t been officially confirmed, but it appears an easy link to make when they exited the competition in such a poor way.

Marcelo Bielsa to Leave Uruguay After Angry Outburst

Bielsa wasn’t in the mood for media duties after becoming the first South American nation to be eliminated from this year’s competition. He had an angry outburst in a post-match interview, making his frustrations clear.

It’s also been made clear that he will be leaving his role with the national side following their exit. An emotional Bielsa claimed he had left ‘nothing’ in his spell with the South Americans.

He said (per The Guardian): “I have not left anything to Uruguayan football. A coach who has been in a country for three years and not got results cannot say he has made a contribution. Fourth place in the qualifiers has no value and nor does third at the Copa América and there is no need to even define this performance [at the World Cup]. My time doesn’t say anything.”

He then explained his reasoning for bringing off Muslera and talisman Federico Valverde. Claiming his side could’ve earned seven points instead of just two, he fumed:

“I am responsible for what Uruguay did at this World Cup. [Your] questions do not seek answers but a chance to attack me. I am responsible for all the disappointment because of the job I did. But if I have to analyse what happened, I also have to include the errors. Muslera was the one who decided to depart and I took Valverde off because I wanted to strengthen the attack.”

England limped over the line in the 2026 World Cup group stages with a cagey 2-0 win against Panama. The result sees the Three Lions finish first in Group L, but one player’s performance hasn’t gone down well.

Thomas Tuchel’s men are supposed to be among the favourites to win the whole competition, but while they are progressing to the Round of 32, many fans have been left worried after this performance.

The German coach made five changes from the previous disappointing draw against Ghana. Jarrel Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford all came into the starting XI. However, one of them has received strong criticism online.

England Fans Unimpressed With Morgan Rogers

Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Before the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament got underway earlier this month, there was a huge debate regarding who would start between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers.

Many felt the latter would get the nod as the most attack-minded midfielder after some issues between Tuchel and Bellingham. Rogers was brilliant for Aston Villa last season, and appeared in pole position to start in the opening game.

However, his Real Madrid compatriot started against Croatia and scored an important goal. Bellingham was then named Man of the Match against Ghana and scored the winner vs Panama.

Rogers started alongside him in this game, but failed to deliver. The 23-year-old was outclassed by his rival No.10 and it would be a surprise to see him start the first knockout match.

Fans were quick to criticise his display, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. “You could’ve told me Rogers wasn’t playing and I’d believe you. Completely useless against a low block,” one England supporter posted on X.

Another claimed: “Stocks falling on Rogers, been dreadful,” while the Aston Villa man was even labelled ‘non-existent’: “Rogers has been non-existent.”

Marcus Rashford got some stick alongside him as another X user said: “Not playing well at all. Rashford is no better than Gordon. Rogers waste of space.”

Some were critical of Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection. There were fans quick to point out that Cole Plamer could’ve thrived in such a game. One said: “England needed a Cole Palmer today, not Saka or Rogers,” while another added: “Feels like this performance is once again showing that this team needs a Palmer more than it does a Rogers.”

“I don’t care how good a season Rogers had, you can’t tell me Palmer wouldn’t be infinitely more effective in this team.”

Everton have made contact with Premier League rivals over a move for a striker, according to Football Insider, as the club aim to give some fresh options to David Moyes.

It comes as the Toffees look to improve on last season’s 13th-placed finish, which saw the team in the conversation for European football, but falling away late in the campaign.

Several areas could be addressed in the market to help give Everton a fighting chance of landing a return to Europe next time, but the forward ranks remain the most prominent in the club’s focus for this summer.

via Reuters

According to the report from Football Insider, Everton have made contact with Chelsea in an effort to sign Liam Delap, as work for a deal accelerates.

The 23-year-old is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, following a difficult debut campaign with the club last time around.

A mixture of injuries and poor form meant the striker looked a shadow of the player he was in his time with Ipswich Town the season before, having been described as a “beast” when at top form.

Everton are looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s decision to try and get Delap back to his very best, with plenty of potential clearly there.

The forward could offer a presence at the top end of the pitch, which would suit Moyes’s style of play, where the strikers often have to fight for the right service towards them.

It’s unclear exactly how much Everton value the striker at, with other reports claiming that £40 million could be enough to persuade the Blues to part ways this summer for the star who has been described as a “beast”.

That switch could prove to be the first deal of many for the Toffees, which could bring about some change in the forward departments.

Everton’s Forward Changes

Everton are expecting a few ins and outs when it comes to the forward areas, with some possible deals being lined up in both directions this summer.

RB Leipzig have made contact over a deal to sign Thierno Barry, which may open up the possibility of Delap making the switch to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Beyond the French striker potentially leaving, reports have stated that Everton are interested in Jarrod Bowen following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.

It would see Moyes reunite with the forward following their time together in the capital, which had plenty of success for the forward and the head coach.