Ronaldo becomes first player to score in six World Cups; England, USA, Brazil eye knockout rounds

World Cup fever is intensifying as the group stage of the 2026 tournament nears its conclusion, with teams fiercely competing for spots in the upcoming knockout rounds. The expanded format will see 32 nations advance from the initial group phase into a single-elimination bracket, which is set to commence on June 28 and culminate in the final on July 19. Several countries, including co-hosts Mexico and the USA, along with powerhouses like Germany and Argentina, have already secured their qualification.

Meanwhile, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name further into history during the ongoing competition. On June 23, 2026, the Portuguese forward became the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups. This remarkable achievement came as Ronaldo netted two goals in Portugal's dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, also making him the oldest player to score a brace in a World Cup match at 41 years old and surpassing Eusebio as Portugal's leading World Cup goalscorer with a total of ten goals.