Russia

South Africa advances to FIFA World Cup playoffs

TASS English · 2026-06-25

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: South Africa's national football team advanced to the FIFA World Cup playoffs after defeating South Korea 1-0 in a group stage match, with Thapelo Maseko scoring the only goal. • Why it matters: This marks the first time in history that South Africa has reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup, highlighting a significant achievement for the team. • What to watch next: As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how South Africa performs in the playoffs and whether they can continue their historic run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

FIFA World Cup 2026South Africa advances to FIFA World Cup playoffs The team beat South Korea 1-0 and is second in the group with four pointsMEXICO CITY, June 25. /TASS/. South Africa has advanced to the playoffs after beating South Korea 1-0 in round 2 FIFA World Cup group stage match in Mexico. Thapelo Maseko netted in the 63rd minute. Meanwhile, Mexico defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in another Group A round 3 match and finished first in the group with nine points. South Africa is second with four points. They are followed by South Korea (3 points), and the Czech Republic (one point). For the first time in its history, South Africa’s national team has managed to make to it to the World Cup knockout stage. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States between June 11 and July 19. The matches are staged in 16 cities across the three countries. This is the first FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams instead of the previous 32-team format. TagsSouth AfricaFIFA World Cup 2026Bosnia-Herzegovina reaches FIFA World Cup playoffs for first timeThis became known after Brazil defeated ScotlandRead moreUkrainian army loses first BRAWLR anti-aircraft missile system in special op zoneRussian servicemen of the Battlegroup North destroyed the systemRead moreTrump says Iran making 'very big concessions' to USThe US leader made brief comments to reporters at the CapitolRead moreWest is attempting to challenge Russia's rights to its Arctic territories — MFAThe Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the issue of indigenous peoples' rights is being overly politicized by Western countriesRead moreCatastrophic consequences for West, Lavrov-Rubio contacts: senior diplomat’s statementsSergey Ryabkov emphasized that Russia would not back down from its position that all agreements reached in Anchorage should be implementedRead moreQatar loses chance to reach FIFA World Cup knockout stageThe team was defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-3Read moreUS wants Lebanon to 'secure' its territory — RubioThe US Secretary of State commented on Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement that the Jewish state does not intend to withdraw its troops from South Lebanon, even if the United States demands it toRead moreParameters of potential agreement with Ukraine outlined by Moscow — Ukraine’s ex-PMNikolay Azarov added that now the ball is in the West’s courtRead moreIN BRIEF: Lavrov's remarks on contacts with EU and faith in diplomacyAccording to the Russian foreign minister, the Ukrainian conflict can still be resolved through political and diplomatic meansRead moreBrazil, Morocco reach World Cup knockout stageBrazil tops Group C, with Morocco in second placeRead moreUS seeks $672 million for removal of Iranian uranium, nuclear inspections — TVAccording to sources cited by Fox News, the amount is part of a broader $80 billion supplemental funding requestRead moreTrump says school in Iran’s Minab was not attacked by US forcesThe US president added that "there were a lot of missiles being fired at that time"Read moreRussia not to stop on front line to start talks on Ukraine — LavrovThe Russian top diplomat recalled that Moscow had already did that when the sides had reached the agreement in IstanbulRead moreUS disappointed with UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany as NATO allies — TrumpThe US president also criticized Spanish authorities as they "don't want to pay anything"Read morePowerful earthquake rocks VenezuelaA tsunami warning was issuedRead moreOne killed, 6 others injured in Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past dayActing Governor Alexander Shuvayev said that Ukrainian troops attacked the Belgorod Region 75 times over the past 24 hoursRead moreRussian interceptor FPV drones destroy Ukrainian heavy-payload UAVs in ramming attackThe Ukrainian R-18 UAVs were uncovered by radar teams within the Battlegroup West area of responsibilityRead more'Signs of shift' in US position on Anchorage, dialogue on Ukraine: Ryabkov’s statementsAccording to the Russian diplomat, Moscow remains committed to the understandings reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in AlaskaRead moreRussian forces expand zone of control near Lyubitskoye in Zaporozhye Region — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the troops have secured positions in its eastern partRead moreMoldova cannot join EU without Transnistria — former presidentAccording to Igor Dodon, Moldova should also not join the EU alongside UkraineRead moreAl Hadath reporter killed in car blast in Yemen — TVThe incident took place in the city of Al MukallaRead moreUSGS estimates potential losses from quake in Venezuela at from 2 to 20% of GDPThe US authority also warned about probable high casualties and widespread damageRead moreTrump believes Iran to be ‘on ropes,’ willing to give in to US in all areasAccording to the US leader, by adopting War Powers Act the US Senate "has provided aid and comfort the enemy"Read moreRubio believes that Iran should let IAEA inspectors in 'as soon as possible'The US Secretary of State urged the Iranian government to immediately grant IAEA inspectors the right to enter the countryRead moreRussian artillery wipes out Ukrainian UAV control posts in Kharkov RegionThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that Giatsint-S crews delivered strikes by 152mm high-explosive fragmentation shells from sheltered positionsRead moreNo use talking to ‘vassal’ Ukraine, racism, Western piracy: Medvedev commentsAccording to the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Western elites retain the ideas of racial and national superiorityRead moreLebanon, Israel, US discussing boundaries of ‘pilot zones’ in southern LebanonThe project of the zones was proposed by the US during the fourth round of talks in Washington on June 2 and 3Read moreOver 70 ships pass through Strait of Hormuz in past day — US energy secretaryOn June 22, Chris Wright stated that oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered to the pre-crisis levelRead moreOpta supercomputer now picks Argentina to win World CupAccording to the provided figures the possibility of Argentina winning is estimated at 15.46% while France is 2nd at 15.06% and Spain is third - 12.48%Read moreBees on planet dying out for unknown reasons — scientistDmitry Boguslavsky says scientists thought that bees became disoriented after leaving the hive. However, even if a colony was confined to the hive with food, water, and the right temperature, all bees still diedRead moreInvestigation launched into von der Leyen over secret chat with Zelensky — newspaperEuropean Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho is examining whether the EC violated transparency rules by refusing to grant the Dutch organization Follow the Money access to the correspondenceRead moreRussia attaches great importance to improving relations with India — Kremlin spokesmanDmitry Peskov emphasized that the two countries were working to expand trade and economic relationsRead moreState of emergency declared in Venezuela after earthquakeCaracas’ international airport has been closed due to damageRead moreRussia shoots down 245 Ukrainian drones over dayIn particular, UAVs were intercepted over Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, Orenburg, Rostov, Ryazan, Tula, Smolensk, Moscow and Krasnodar RegionsRead moreBank of Russia set dollar rate at 74.77 rubles for June 25The official yuan rate was set at 10.97 rublesRead moreEbola death toll in DR Congo exceeds 290 — authoritiesConfirmed Ebola cases currently stand at 1,118Read moreMedvedev calls for lawfully curbing Western military bases in other countriesThe Russian politician noted that these deployments had become a significant factor undermining the collective security system and eroding the sovereignty of statesRead moreWest provided Ukraine with $66 bln since launch of Russian asset income schemeThe stated amount of $66 bln does not include deliveries of military equipment, weapons and suppliesRead morePutin inspects new Russian aviation equipment in ZhukovskyThe head of state will hold a meeting on aviation developmentRead moreMedvedev says Russia, Global South see eye to eye on many issuesAccording to the Russin politician, cooperation with Global South countries is based on a shared understanding of historical injustice and the current structure of international relationsRead morePeskov points to trend toward declining role of dollar as global reserve currencyThe Kremlin spokesman noted that the foundations of the international economic order are being depreciatedRead moreBosnia-Herzegovina reaches FIFA World Cup playoffs for first timeThis became known after Brazil defeated ScotlandRead moreCuban president accuses US of waging relentless war against republicWashington is seeking to deprive the country of the ability to meet the fundamental needs of its people, Miguel Diaz-Canel saysRead moreTrump says values Russia, China, Turkey’s non-interference into war against IranThe US president called the decision "pretty amazing"Read moreSwitzerland beats Canada, with both reaching FIFA World Cup knockout stageSwitzerland defeated Canada 2-1Read moreVictory in The Hague secures Russia's rights to waters around Crimea — MFADirector of the Legal Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maxim Musikhin highlighted that all unfounded demands had been rejected in international arbitrationRead moreRussian marathon runner Chekalina sets new world record in Backyard Ultra eventVera Chekalina managed to run 96 laps covering a total distance of 643.7 kilometers in four daysRead moreUS seeks to buy European section of Nord Streams, resell Russian gas to EU — LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister believes that it will be at a substantial markupRead moreKiev regime depends on war continuing for survival — MedvedevAccording to him, the Ukrainian problem is connected not only with external governance but also to how the will of the people in Ukraine is shaped, as well as who exactly is doing the shapingRead moreLiberation of Ivolzhanskoye in Sumy Region expands security zone along Russian borderRussia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier on June 24 that its Battlegroup North units "gained control of the settlement of Ivolzhanskoye"Read moreRussian forces penetrate 15 km into Ukraine’s defenses in Sumy Region — expertAndrey Marochko explained that this became possible after taking control of the settlement of IvolzhanskoyeRead moreWestern military bases provide no protection to states — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman added that "in case of danger, personnel of such military bases cares only about hasty evacuation with all their belongings"Read moreEuropean allies let US down during Iran conflict, Trump saysThe US president added that a proposal of assistance would have been welcomeRead moreLavrov would like to see Russia out of 'half-dead' OSCE, but it's up to Putin to decideThe Russian foreign minister explained that Moscow would not feel "any discomfort" leaving the organization on its ownRead moreMoldova, Armenia now facing same scenario as Ukraine once adopted — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman noted that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO used puppet regimes as a battering ram against RussiaRead moreRussia’s top female racquet Andreeva fails starting 2026 WTA Bad Homburg OpenThe 2nd-seeded Mirra Andreeva lost in straight sets to unseeded Yekaterina AlexandrovaRead morePress review: EU may freeze Brexit talks and Kiev to step up pressure on Russian companiesTop stories in the Russian press on Tuesday, March 28 Read moreRussia warns Japan of countermeasures over military drills — MFAThe Japanese side "was told that provocative military activity next to the Far Eastern borders of our country, conducted also in cooperation with extra-regional countries - NATO members - is categorically inadmissible"Read moreHungary once again holds up Ukraine's EU accession process — PoliticoHungary opposed sending a letter to the European Council and Commission on behalf of the bloc's 27 members that spells out the joint position of EU capitalsRead moreEscalation on Ukrainian-Belarusian border and Armenia's choice: CSTO statementsChairman of the CSTO's Permanent Council Viktor Vasilyev stressed that Armenia's membership in the CSTO would be thoroughly discussedRead morePutin signs law bringing Russia’s anti-doping legislation in compliance with WADA CodeAll-Russia national as well as regional sports federations in addition to professional sports leagues will be required to comply with anti-doping rulesRead morePower outage reported in Sevastopol as Russia downs 323 Ukrainian drones overnightTwo civilians were killed each in a Ukrainian drone attack on Gorlovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and on the Nizhny Novgorod RegionRead moreUkraine’s, collective West actions may exhaust all patience — politicianViktor Medvedchuk said that a lot of Western politicians and Vladimir Zelensky are doing everything they can to bring a nuclear apocalypse closer to realityRead morePress review: Israel-Lebanon talks reveal rift and US reassures Gulf as Iran reshapes tiesTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 24thRead moreUK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany announce intention to bring Ukraine closer to NATOAccording to a joint statement, the E5 leaders "reiterate their commitment to deepening NATO’s partnership with Ukraine"Read moreUSGS lowers estimate of potential damage from quake in VenezuelaAccording to the new estimate, the losses can amount to between 1 and 5% of the country’s GDPRead moreRussian diplomat blames Europe for complicity in Ukrainian attacks on Russian childrenUN Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya noted that Germany's defense corporation Hensoldt "openly announced cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers"Read moreRussian stock market closed in the redThe MOEX Russia Index lost 3.96%, the RTS Index dropped by 4.16%Read moreArmenia at crossroads and threats against Belarus: Kremlin's statementsDmitry Peskov noted that Russia, as an ally of Belarus, would always stand by this country in resolving economic issues and repelling various threatsRead moreUN chief’s report overlooks near-daily Ukrainian attacks on Russian children — missionAccording to Moscow’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maria Zabolotskaya, Antonio Guterres "has attributed to Ukraine only nine incidents in which children suffered severe casualties and three children were killed"Read moreRoscosmos invites NASA chief to RussiaThe US Senate unanimously voted to appoint Nelson to the post of NASA chief in late AprilRead moreKremlin highlights weakened global institutions, nuclear deterrence as core of securityNew non-nuclear weapons that are potentially comparable in destructive capacity to nuclear arms will soon appear in the world, Dmitry Peskov warnedRead moreOnly legitimate authority in Ukraine is its parliament — MedvedevAccording to Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, there is no one on the Ukrainian side to negotiate withRead moreUK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany agree to strengthen defense cooperationThe leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France reaffirmed their commitment to "a stronger European role within NATO"Read moreMoscow establishes BARS volunteer formationBARS-Moscow volunteers practice the full cycle of field operations under near-combat conditionsRead moreUS tests new aircraft for nuclear weapons trials — mediaFox News noted that NNSA specialists used artificial intelligence and 3D-printing technologies in the aircraft's developmentRead moreRussia upgrades T-90 tank using troop feedback from battlefield — RostecThe knowledge of fighters is useful for modernizing hardware and creating new models, Rostec Deputy CEO Nikolay Volobuyev saidRead moreMerz says ‘time will come to enter peace negotiations’ on conflict in UkraineAccording to the German Chancellor, EU support for Ukraine will not weakenRead moreAustralian researchers date Earth’s oldest known asteroid impactThe findings helped identify the exact age of the impact structureRead moreFormer Polish PM acknowledges Kiev's extermination of Donbass residents after 2014 coupLeszek Miller noted that it is difficult to say today how many people actually died on the Ukrainian and Russian sidesRead moreWest tries to destroy systemic integrity of international law — MedvedevThe politician noted that the peoples of the world were moving towards equality and independence "at the cost of enormous efforts through blood and tragedy"Read moreRussian troops liberate Ivolzhanskoye community in Sumy Region over past dayRussia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 215 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made surface-to-air missile system in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreUkrainian POW demands 'just punishment' for Ukraine army commanders, ZelenskyAccording to Sergey Rykov, the policy course being pursued by the Ukrainian leadership is pushing the country’s population to the brink of extinctionRead moreRussia warns about countermeasures in event of Baltic region's development by NATODeputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said a recent statement by the Nuclear Planning Group was "a reflection of the alliance’s overall super-aggressive attitude toward Russia"Read moreFederation Council expects observers from almost 150 countries at Duma electionsThe main criteria are independence, objectivity, recognition of the country's sovereignty and the primacy of the norms of national electoral law, Senator Sergey Perminov saidRead moreWest not not crazy enough to poke Russia into using nukes — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman expressed confidence that every Western politician understood the consequences a nuclear conflict could entailRead morePerpetrators of attack on bus carrying kids identified, wanted — Investigative CommitteeThe perpetrators will be arrested in absentia soonRead moreUS carries out successful test of Golden Dome missile system — top defense officialAccording to Pete Hegseth, during the test, "cutting edge directed energy was harnessed and the Dynamic Defense Autonomous Defeat system flawlessly and autonomously cued, targeted, and eliminated a multitude of incoming threats"Read moreParallel imports to Russia amount to $8.7 billion in January-May 2026The figure reached about $2.3 billion in May 2026Read moreFico states intention to do everything to keep Slovakia out of military loans for UkraineBratislava is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Kiev, the prime minister addedRead moreUK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany welcome US-Iran memorandumThey also reiterated the position that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and once again voiced support for unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation through the Strait of HormuzRead moreResolving Ukrainian conflict through diplomacy remains possible — LavrovAccording to the foreign minister, this requires specific legally binding security guarantees based on the principle of indivisibility of security, including ensuring Russia's security on its western bordersRead moreUnited Nations, UN Security Council now devaluing — KremlinAccording to Dmitry Peskov, it is even more evident that the entire system of international relations is depreciatingRead moreRussia, Laos agree on cooperation to ensure biological securityThe sides confirmed that the countries share a unified approach to biological security issuesRead moreSome European elites hope for Russia’s defeat, collapse — MedvedevAccording to Dmitry Medvedev, the belligerent rhetoric from officials in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and London stems from this very desireRead moreMedvedev outlines options for regime change in KievThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman emphasized that legitimate government institutions were crucialRead moreThailand interested in buying Russian energy resources — expertExecutive Director of the Russian-Thai Business Council Vladimir Kovalyov says Russia is the largest and most reliable supplier of energy resources to third countriesRead moreNATO unity not worth much in real war situations — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman said that the aftermath of the strikes on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz showed how quickly Washington's allies can turn their back on youRead moreAir defense forces shoot down drone flying towards MoscowMoscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said 20 drones had been eliminated since the beginning of the dayRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian aircraft surpass foreign peers — PutinAccording to the Russian leader, the new airplanes, MC-21, SSJ-100 and Il-114 "have a very good levelRead moreRussia, Thailand to move to using national currencies in trade — expertExecutive Director of the Russian-Thai Business Council Vladimir Kovalyov says the countries have already established the necessary mechanismsRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Massive damage done by earthquake in Venezuela — radio

• What happened: A powerful earthquake struck Venezuela, causing massive damage to housing infrastructure, with two significant shocks recorded at magnitudes 7....

Russia

Russia’s Battlegroup South thwarts Ukraine’s attempt to rotate troops in Konstantinovka

• What happened: Russia's Battlegroup South successfully disrupted a Ukrainian troop rotation near Konstantinovka, destroying enemy vehicles and personnel ...

Russia

At least five people injured in powerful earthquake in Japan

• What happened: A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, injuring at least five people in the Iwate and Aomori prefectures, with minor injuries re...

Russia

Parameters of potential agreement with Ukraine outlined by Moscow — Ukraine’s ex-PM

• What happened: Russia's leadership has outlined parameters for a potential peace agreement with Ukraine, as stated by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nik...

Russia

Historic 400-year-old German brewery files for bankruptcy

• What happened: Hofbrauhaus Wolters, a historic German brewery established in 1627, has filed for bankruptcy due to soaring operating costs and a decline in be...

Russia

US disappointed with most NATO members – Trump

• What happened: US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with several NATO allies, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, for not suppo...