Updated June 25, 2026, 12:57 PM EDT By Greg Rosenstein What to know about the World Cup todayThe United States faces Türkiye at 10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Mauricio Pochettino's team is 2-0 and already the winners of Group D. Germany plays Ecuador and Curaçao takes on Ivory Coast at 4 p.m. ET. Later, Tunisia-Netherlands and Japan-Sweden square off a 7 p.m. ET. All matches are live on Fox and streamed on Peacock. Sign up for The Sports Desk newsletter for daily recaps, previews and analysis. Just nowRainbow flags allowed at World Cup match between Egypt and Iran, FIFA says Fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags when Egypt faces Iran in Seattle’s designated “Pride Match” at the World Cup, FIFA said on Thursday, setting up an awkward collision between local celebrations and two nations where homosexuality is criminalized.Friday’s group game falls on Seattle’s Pride weekend, a scheduling quirk that emerged only after December’s draw pitted the two Muslim-majority countries against each other.Egypt and Iran objected ⁠after the ​draw, with Egypt’s Football Association saying such events clashed with its cultural and religious values. Both countries impose severe penalties on LGBTQ people.20m ago / 12:37 PM EDTHow a duck named Merlin became the face of Team Mexico during the World Cup While the World Cup has brought the biggest names in soccer back into the international spotlight, one particular feathered fan is drawing just as many headlines.Merlin, a 2-year-old duck, has taken the internet by storm, captivating fans with his tiny form-fitting Team Mexico jersey and confident waddle around his home of Mexico City.The duck — who skyrocketed to internet fame in early June after he was seen reveling in the festivities following Mexico’s first victory in the tournament — has since become a proud symbol of the team, overshadowing FIFA’s official Mexico mascot, Zayu the Jaguar.20m ago / 12:37 PM EDTSweden fans to march through Arlington, Texas, ahead of crucial match against Japan Thousands of Sweden fans are expected to march through Arlington on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Group F match against Japan at Dallas Stadium this evening.Organizers said they’ll gather at about 1 p.m. near Choctaw Stadium, the former home of the Texas Rangers; the march starts around 3:30 p.m. and ends near Dallas Stadium in Arlington at about 4:30 p.m. They held a similar march in Houston, but they’ll be looking for a more positive result compared to that match, where they lost to the Netherlands 5-1.