AP World Cup Digest

Highlights of AP World Cup coverage. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, https://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, https://newsroom.ap.org. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

SOC—WCUP-POLAND-ARGENTINA

DOHA, Qatar - Lionel Messi and Argentina need to beat Poland to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the World Cup. Argentina will be eliminated with a loss -- and maybe even a draw, depending on the result of the other game in Group C between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Messi is playing in likely his last World Cup. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos, game starts at 1900 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-SAUDI-ARABIA-MEXICO

DOHA, Qatar — In danger of missing out on the knockout round for the first time since 1978, Mexico will need plenty of goals and a victory over Saudi Arabia to advance at the World Cup. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, game starts 1900 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-TUNISIA-FRANCE

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Defending champion France faces Tunisia at the World Cup in their final Group D game. By Jerome Pugmire. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, game starts at 1500 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-AUSTRALIA-DENMARK

AL WAKRAH, Qata - Australia plays Denmark in their final game of the group stage at Al Janoub Stadium. Both teams have a chance to advance to the next stage. By Stephen Wade. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos, game starts at 1500 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-WOMAN REFEREE

DOHA, Qatar - French referee Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman to take charge of a men’s World Cup game. FIFA has picked her for Germany vs. Costa Rica on Thursday in Qatar. FIFA also picked two women as assistants to Frappart to complete an all-female refereeing team on the field. They are Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina. FIFA also picked Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States to work at the Al Bayt Stadium as the offside specialist in the video review team. FIFA made the historic appointments for the 44th of the 64 games being played in Qatar. SENT: 200 words, photos.

SOC--WCUP-BRAZIL-DEFENSE

DOHA, Qatar -- For all the attacking power that Brazil brought to the World Cup, it’s been the defense impressing the most for the five-time champions in Qatar. Two matches into the group stage, Brazil is yet to concede an attempt on target, and goalkeeper Alisson has been mostly a spectator. By Tales Azzoni. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1700 GMT, photos.

SOC—WCUP-US-PULISIC-INJURY

DOHA, Qatar - U.S. forward Christian Pulisic is day to day after sustaining a pelvic injury during his team’s 1-0 World Cup win against Iran that sent the Americans to the round of 16 of the tournament. Pulisic scored the 38th-minute winning goal against Iran, but crashed into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand during the same play. The Chelsea striker was substituted at the start of the second half and taken to a hospital for tests. U.S. Soccer later posted a video showing Pulisic celebrating with his teammates at the team’s hotel. SENT: 200 words, photos.

SOC—WCUP-US-HOPES

DOHA, Qatar — American soccer hopes to be ascendant, poised to challenge the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA in the competition for U.S. market share. Reaching World Cup’s knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Iran was not a breakthrough but just another step for a team whose success is measured in television viewers and buzz along with final scores. By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 600 words, by 1700 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-ENGLAND-KANE GOALS

DOHA, Qatar - For Harry Kane the wait for a first goal at this World Cup goes on. Substituted after 58 minutes of England’s 3-0 win against Wales, the 29-year-old striker embraced his replacement Callum Wilson and made his way to the bench to watch the remainder of the game. Coach Gareth Southgate clearly thought the job was done and qualification to the knockout stage secured. Kane might not have shared that view as he still looks for his first goal in Qatar.

SOC—WCUP-VIEWER'S GUIDE

DOHA, Qatar --It’s a simple task for Germany in its final game of group stage: beat Costa Rica on Thursday or the four-time World Cup champions will go home early for a second consecutive tournament. By AP National Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 800 words by 1800 GMT.

SOC—WCUP-GERMANY-COSTA-RICA PREVIEW

DOHA, Qatar - After getting a favor from Costa Rica, Germany needs a win against the Central American team on Thursday to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages at the World Cup. Costa Rica’s surprise win over Japan on Sunday ensured Germany did not face the prospect of immediate elimination with a loss to Spain later that day. With the pressure off, Germany fought back from a goal down and drew 1-1 thanks to Niclas Füllkrug’s late equalizer to postpone its fate to its final game in Group E. Germany will qualify with a win if Spain also beats Japan in the other group game. Costa Rica controls its fate and will advance with a win.

SOC—WCUP-CROATIA-BELGIUM PREVIEW

DOHA, Qatar - When Belgium’s “Golden Generation” meets Croatia’s accomplished veterans in a decisive World Cup match on Thursday there won’t be much room on the field for younger players. The 2018 finalist Croatia and the 2018 semifinalist Belgium each rely on a vast array of experienced players. Croatia’s 20-year-old Joško Gvardiol and 25-year-old Nikola Vlašić plus Belgium’s 21-year-old Charles De Ketelaere are some of the exceptions. Croatia can secure a round-of-16 spot with either a win or a draw while Belgium needs to win to be sure of advancing. Croatia and Morocco lead Group F with four points each. Belgium has three points and Canada has zero and is already eliminated. By Andrew Dampf. SENT: 434 words, photos.

SOC—WCUP-JAPAN-SPAIN PREVIEW

DOHA, Qatar - Spain finds itself with some work left to do against Japan to guarantee its spot in the round of 16 at the World Cup. A draw Thursday will be enough and even a loss may allow La Roja to advance depending on the other Group E result between Germany and Costa Rica. Japan doesn’t have it as easy but a win will send the Japanese to the knockout stage for a second straight time. A loss will eliminate the Japanese from the tournament. By Tales Azzoni. SENT: 545 words, photos.

SOC—WCUP-CANADA-MOROCCO PREVIEW

DOHA, Qatar - Morocco is seeking to reach the World Cup’s knockout stage for the first time since 1986. Canada, already eliminated, is hoping to leave the Middle East with its first win. Morocco would advance with a victory or a draw on Thursday night, and also could reach the round of 16 with a defeat depending on the result of Belgium’s match with Croatia. The Atlas Lions opened with a 0-0 tie against Croatia before upsetting second-ranked Belgium 2-0 on goals by Romain Saïss and Zakaria Aboukhlal. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 500 words, photos.

EU—WCUP-UKRAINE-CHALLENGES

IRPIN, Ukraine - For soccer lovers in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion and the devastation it has wrought have created uncertainties about both playing the sport and watching it. For Ukrainians these days, soccer trails well behind mere survival in the order of priorities. But the sport — like elsewhere — can offer an escape from the troubles of daily life. Running around a field offers up camaraderie, churns up body heat, and in this war-battered country, says simply: Life goes on. Watching the World Cup in Qatar gives a sense of connection to the rest of the world. By Jamey Keaten. SENT: 675 words, photos.

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