World Cup viewership is booming in the US as knockout rounds begin | Business

• Neymar has officially returned to action, appearing as a substitute in a match against Scotland during the World Cup cycle. • Despite Neymar's return, several high-profile players including Mohamed Salah, Reece James, Lamine Yamal, and Christian Pulisic remain on the injury tracker.

• Only two of the nine Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams successfully progressed to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. • This result marks a decline in performance for Asian teams compared to the 2022 tournament, where more teams advanced.

• India's campaign at the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships concluded on Monday, June 29, after a quarterfinal loss to Hong Kong. • The Indian team was defeated with a final score of 2-1 in the match held in Yatsushiro, Japan.

• The election campaign for Johor's state seats has officially begun following the filing of nomination papers on Saturday. • A total of 172 candidates will compete for all 56 available state seats in Malaysia's southern state.

• France defeated Norway 4-1 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match, securing the top spot in Group I. • Ousmane Dembélé led the victory with a hat-trick, bringing his total international goal count to eight.

• Norway coach Stale Solbakken made the bold decision to rotate 10 players in his starting XI, effectively conceding the top group spot to France. • By resting stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Solbakken aims to manage player fatigue ahead of critical knockout stages.

• England has officially secured qualification for the World Cup 2026, while Scotland remains in contention awaiting final group stage results. • France head coach Didier Deschamps has returned to the team following a personal bereavement, missing a 4-1 victory over Norway.

• Norway and France are scheduled to face off in a World Cup match, with viewing options available via cable and live streaming services. • The game is part of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature a total of 48 teams and 104 matches across the group and knockout stages.

• The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, marking a landmark expansion of the global tournament. • This major event serves as the centerpiece of the 2026 U.S. sports calendar, complementing the nation's established annual athletic fixtures.

• South Korean national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo is facing intense public backlash and death threats following the team's failure to advance to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. • The elimination from the tournament in North and Central America has sparked widespread outrage among fans, leading to a surge in targeted harassment against the coach.

• Only two AFC teams have advanced to the knockout rounds of the current World Cup, highlighting a significant performance gap between Asia's elite and the rest of the region. • Major contenders including South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and champions Qatar were eliminated in the group stages, with South Korea's exit leading to coach Hong Myung-bo's resignation on Sunday.