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[Michael S. Schmidt @nytmike]

NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The White House secretly pressured arm of the govt that is supposed to be independent and protect federal workers from unfair political firings. After WH pressure the board made monumental decision in Trump’s favor, expanding his power to fire fed employees like DOJ prosecutors.

https://t.co/n4GmDgosFd

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: South Korea president Lee Jae Myung says he is “utterly baffled” at the national team’s World Cup group-stage exit and called for the country’s sports ministry to investigate. https://t.co/rKE7hK3E2C

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: The conclusion of the group stages brought some late drama, and Lionel Messi became the first player in history to score in seven successive World Cup matches.

We re-ranked every World Cup team based on their performance so far: https://t.co/KXmu2XpMFU

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: After 72 games played, 215 goals scored, and only 16 countries eliminated, the World Cup group stage is complete. So, who is the best team left? Who is going to be in the final? Here are our writers' predictions: https://t.co/WWxVYw10TR

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez used 22 members of his squad in the World Cup group stage, rotating everyone apart from one.

Cristiano Ronaldo played every minute.

Against Colombia he was offside for his best chances. He did not track back, only breaking into a jog when a corner needed defending. His first act after the initial hydration was also to give the ball away.

But his coach is standing by him.

📝 @JamesHorncastle

🔗 https://t.co/GjBviGPtyK

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

The last 32 for the 2026 World Cup...

🇿🇦🇨🇦 South Africa vs. Canada
🇧🇷🇯🇵 Brazil vs. Japan
🇩🇪🇵🇾 Germany vs. Paraguay
🇳🇱🇲🇦 Netherlands vs. Morocco
🇨🇮🇳🇴 Ivory Coast vs. Norway
🇫🇷🇸🇪 France vs. Sweden
🇲🇽🇪🇨 Mexico vs. Ecuador
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇩 England vs. DR Congo
🇧🇪🇸🇳 Belgium vs. Senegal
🇺🇸🇧🇦 USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇪🇸🇦🇹 Spain vs. Austria
🇵🇹🇭🇷 Portugal vs. Croatia
🇨🇭🇩🇿 Switzerland vs. Algeria
🇦🇺🇪🇬 Australia vs. Egypt
🇦🇷🇨🇻 Argentina vs. Cape Verde
🇨🇴🇬🇭 Colombia vs. Ghana

Reply with your picks for the last 16... ⤵️

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: Before the Mets' loss to the Phillies, Steve Gelbs delivered a somber report on Carlos Mendoza's firing. Mr. Met couldn't have been more oblivious to the misery. https://t.co/vQyca1ATBL

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: At least one death has been reported in Kentucky, where heavy rains have caused flooding and prompted evacuations. https://t.co/aL65MDoZQU

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: What was supposed to be a summer-long celebration of Caitlin Clark has instead become a season shaped by injuries, flagrant fouls and nonstop discourse around the league’s biggest star. https://t.co/1t6agjeabC

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week surpassed 1,400 people. Follow live updates. https://t.co/iilFHuZuqm

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: There will be 104 matches at this World Cup, and we are ranking them all as the tournament goes on.

We ranked every match from worst to best. https://t.co/slLZcErDtm

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: The World Cup’s third-place qualifying rule is complicated. Our tracker helps you see which sides have — and who could progress through this route. https://t.co/aWphPPxOuj

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: Might we have seen the most dramatic end to a group at this year’s World Cup? The standings in Group G changed multiple times during a dramatic final round of matches. This is how it played out — and the ramifications: https://t.co/sOXlCpp8o4

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for their handling of his country’s World Cup campaign. “It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster,” he told reporters on Friday. https://t.co/UCXa8Qb4N0

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Was a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia more entertaining than some of the games ranked below it? 𝐍𝐨.

Do we care? 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭.

Maybe it’s the giddy feeling towards the end of the group stage. Maybe it’s the 100 hours we've already watched at the World Cup - with many more to come.

But we had to honour Cape Verde’s brilliance. Our epic match rankings, updated daily, has a new number one.

✍️ @anantaajith

🔗https://t.co/w8v2iBHqzI

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: Can Ousmane Dembele retain the Ballon d’Or at World Cup of stars? Is Norway resting Haaland OK? Does Mauricio Pochettino’s offer show why he’s such a steal for the U.S.? Here’s everything you need to know about day 16 of the World Cup. https://t.co/geq4Nb6MdG

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for their handling of his country’s World Cup campaign.

After a third group stage draw left Iran waiting on other results before they learn whether they have progressed to the round of 32, Taremi described the World Cup’s logistical challenges as a “disaster”.

The team had initially been due to be based in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament, but moved their base camp to Tijuana in Mexico at the end of May as the military conflict between the United States and Iran continued.

“It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster,” Taremi told reporters at full time on Friday.

“I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said, ‘It’s just the beginning…’ but the group stage finishes tomorrow.

“We don’t have our logistic people here — they don’t have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana?”

✍️ @Simon_Hughes__

🔗 https://t.co/2sNyd3ZJHB

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Iran’s stoppage-time effort against Egypt being ruled out for offside denied Amir Ghalenoei’s a top-two finish in Group G, and an automatic place in the World Cup knockout stages.

But it still looks likely that Iran will make it through as one of the top third-place finishers.

Three draws from their three group matches has left them in a good position, with The Athletic’s tracker giving Iran a 92 per cent of reaching the round of 32.

Things are looking bleak for Scotland - Steve Clarke’s side have less than a one per cent of making it through.

https://t.co/cAApJPO2M4

[Edward Wong @ewong]

NEW: The devastating quake in Venezuela will test its ties with the US. Venezuelans are grappling with a dire economy, and some see Trump as pillaging the country and its oil. But the US has sent rescue teams and committed funding for aid efforts. Will that change perceptions?

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

A turgid affair between Spain and Uruguay is decided by Fernando Muslera's fumble after an awkward bounce from Alex Baena's shot.

Uruguay are 𝗼𝘂𝘁.

A brief but embarrassing World Cup campaign for Marcelo Bielsa's team ends in acrimony as Agustin Canobbio is shown a straight red for a dreadful tackle.