BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Czechia face a stern challenge in their quest to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 1990 when they take on an in-form Mexico side.

The Europeans have not advanced beyond the group stage in more than three decades and see the fixture as a golden opportunity to end that long wait. However, standing in their way is a Mexican team currently making history.

Mexico have already become the first Concacaf nation to win three consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, highlighting the momentum and confidence within their squad. The achievement has strengthened the belief that El Tri can make a deep run in the tournament.

For Czechia, discipline and defensive solidity will be essential against a side that has combined attacking flair with resilience throughout the competition.

As both teams seek to maintain their World Cup ambitions, the encounter is expected to be fiercely contested from the opening whistle.

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Mexico stand on the brink of another historic milestone at the FIFA World Cup as they prepare to face Czechia in their final Group A match this Tuesday (Wednesday in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and Europe).

Having already become the first Concacaf nation to record three consecutive FIFA World Cup victories, El Tri can further cement their place in regional football history with a win over Czechia.

Victory would make Mexico the first team from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) to reach the landmark of 20 World Cup wins.

The Mexicans opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa before edging Korea Republic 1-0 in their second outing. Those results have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds and underlined their status as one of the tournament’s early success stories.

Mexico’s World Cup appearance record holder, Rafael Márquez, during his illustrious international career. The former captain featured in 19 FIFA World Cup matches across five tournaments from Korea/Japan 2002 to Russia 2018, establishing himself as one of El Tri’s most enduring and influential figures on football’s biggest stage.

Over the decades, Mexico have been Concacaf’s most consistent representatives at the World Cup, regularly advancing from the group stage and competing with the traditional powerhouses of world football. A 20th World Cup win would be another testament to their enduring presence on football’s biggest stage.

Standing in their way are a determined Czechia side still chasing a place in the knockout phase. But should Mexico emerge victorious, they will not only strengthen their position in Group A but also write a new chapter in Concacaf history as the first nation from the region to register 20 World Cup triumphs.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Africa’s hopes of seeing DR Congo make a significant impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026 suffered a setback on Tuesday as the Leopards fell 1-0 to Colombia, extending a painful record that has now lasted more than half a century.

The defeat means DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, have still not recorded a victory at the FIFA World Cup 52 years after their maiden appearance at the 1974 finals in Germany.

Despite a heroic display by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, the Central Africans were undone by a 76th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz, whose goal secured Colombia’s place in the Round of 32 and left DR Congo facing a must-win final group match against Uzbekistan.

For much of the contest, Mpasi appeared determined to frustrate the South Americans. The goalkeeper produced a series of outstanding saves to deny Colombia captain James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias as the South Americans dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities.

Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal Colombia’s all-time record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, tested Mpasi early, but the Congolese shot-stopper repeatedly rose to the occasion.

The Leopards, who earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening Group K match, showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa. However, they lacked the cutting edge needed to convert their chances.

The African side also enjoyed passionate support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, DR Congo’s famous “living statue” supporter, who made his World Cup debut in the stands after missing the opening game due to Ebola-related quarantine restrictions.

As Colombia continued to pile on the pressure after the break, Mpasi remained the outstanding performer on the pitch, keeping his side in contention until Munoz finally found a way through with 14 minutes remaining.

Wissa had come closest to putting DR Congo ahead moments earlier, but his effort was blocked before Colombia punished the missed opportunity.

The result leaves Colombia with a perfect six points from two matches and guarantees their progression to the knockout stage ahead of a final group encounter with Portugal.

For DR Congo, however, qualification remains possible. The Leopards sit on one point and must now secure a positive result against Uzbekistan in their final Group K fixture to keep alive their hopes of becoming one of Africa’s representatives in the knockout rounds.

While the long-awaited first World Cup victory remains elusive, DR Congo’s spirited performances against Portugal and Colombia have demonstrated that the continent’s newest World Cup participants are capable of competing with established football nations. Their final group match will now determine whether their 2026 adventure extends beyond the group stage.

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