Scotland and Morocco meet in their 2026 FIFA World Cup second group stage match on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. ET from Boston Stadium.
Scotland won their opening match, with John McGinn finding the net and the side keeping a clean sheet, while Morocco drew their opener one-all, with Ismael Saibari scoring for the Atlas Lions.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook and Jalen Brunson, basketball player for the New York Knicks, during the first day of in-store sales of Apple’s latest products at Apple’s Fifth Avenue store in New York, Sept. 19, 2025.
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For the past few years, consumers have been swarming to AI chatbots and agents, taking advantage of powerful new artificial intelligence models that are transforming how we live and work. They’re now paying for it, but not in the way they probably expected.
The AI boom has led to unconstrained demand for memory, creating a worldwide shortage that’s leading to increased prices. It’s a big enough problem that Apple is finally telling consumers to get ready to open their wallets.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal, in an interview published on Wednesday, that the company plans price increases on its products due to the ongoing memory shortages. He called the hikes “unavoidable” and the memory situation “unsustainable.”
“The world is being disrupted by AI and, at the same time, even before we start reaping the benefits of AI in our devices, we are already paying the bill,” said Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst at IDC, in an interview.
AI chips, largely made by Nvidia, are taking all the memory and storage that a handful of vendors can produce. Smartphone, PC, and other device makers have to get in line, or pay more for expedited access. But Apple’s surprising disclosure, less than three months before Cook steps down as CEO, underscores the widespread impact of the shortage. To date, the iPhone maker has been viewed as particularly insulated from price increases due to its market power.
“It tells you the depth of the problem,” said Ranjit Atwal, an analyst at Gartner. “Even Apple can’t be safe, as much as they have all the expertise and long-term planning, and everything else. This is beyond their capacity to limit the impact.”
Cook declined to say in the interview when price increases would go into effect and on which devices and models. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment to CNBC.
One possibility is that Apple will reserve the price hikes for its premium devices, such as the Pro-series phones, because higher-end customers are more likely to be able absorb the hit. IDC’s Jeronimo expects Apple to boost the price on the $999 iPhone Pro and $1,199 iPhone Pro Max by $100, and to leave lower-end devices alone.
Analysts at BofA Securities, in a note on Thursday, agreed with that assessment, and said they’re also expecting price increases for most Mac and iPad models.
But there’s another potential approach, one that involves taking advantage of the situation to capture more market share.
Apple has in recent months been targeting budget-conscious consumers with recent launches of the $599 MacBook Neo and $599 iPhone 16e. Some analysts expect Apple could benefit as manufacturers of Android devices cut specs or raise prices. Average smartphone prices are expected to increase by 20% this year, according to IDC.
“This could be an amazing opportunity where Apple could say Android is going to face a real challenge with the price of chip increases,” said Simon Bryant, an analyst at research firm CCS Insight. “And maybe Apple could really use this to squeeze a lot of market share from Android.”
Typically a price increase from Apple comes with new features. For example, the company lifted the starting price of the Mac Mini desktop computer to $799 from $599 in May while adding storage.
For on-device AI, Apple is currently packing more RAM into each phone. Upgrades like a new custom Siri voice and dictation feature expected to launch this fall will be limited to a small number of newer iPhones, iPads, and Macs because the older and lesser-expensive ones can’t handle the memory-hungry options.
In the Journal interview, Cook talked about the kinds of memory Apple needs, namely DRAM, which is used for short-term data storage, and NAND, which is often referred to as a solid state drive and is used for long-term data storage.
AI chips for data centers use high-bandwidth memory, which is faster and requires more power than smartphone memory. One Nvidia Blackwell B200 chip has 192GB of high-bandwidth memory. Eight of them can go into a single server, and over 2,000 servers can be arranged into a single cluster.
An Apple iPhone, by contrast, comes with 8GB or 12GB of DRAM.
The problem is that all of it requires production capacity from three primary suppliers: Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung. When a supplier like Micron makes one unit of HBM memory, it has to forgo making three units of more conventional smartphone memory, CNBC previously reported.
Memory suppliers are buildingnew factories, called fabs, but much of the additional capacity could still go to the more profitable HBM memory, and the capacity is expected to take years to come online.
Cook told the Journal that Apple could use its cash reserves to help increase supply.
“We’re willing to use our balance sheet to help be a part of the solution,” he said.
– Esta Copa do Mundo é mais longa do que a Copa do Catar, de 2022, e precisamos administrar o torneio inteiro. Nós não viemos para os Estados Unidos só para jogar contra o Brasil, viemos para enfrentar o Brasil, ter um ótimo jogo, e também seguir depois disso. Fizemos o que viemos para fazer. Estamos aqui para ir longe, para ir mais longe do que fomos no Catar-2022, e cada jogo conta. Nós vamos entrar em qualquer jogo com a mesma vontade, com o mesmo espírito. Vocês vão ver amanhã.
French manager Didier Deschamps said it was “splitting the halves” in a way that could disrupt momentum.
“It’s almost four quarters, and before we had two halves,” Deschamps said. “So the players and obviously the coaches are adapting, but it’s a two-pronged approach.”
There are situations where hydration breaks make sense. Players have welcomed them in hot, open-air venues such as Boston and Kansas City, and temperatures reached 90 degrees during Belgium’s draw with Egypt in Seattle.
But many World Cup matches are being played in climate-controlled stadiums, and the breaks are mandatory regardless of conditions. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged as much before his team’s draw with Cape Verde in Atlanta, saying the pauses were useful in extreme heat but less necessary inside a cooled stadium.
This article gives you the lowdown on all today’s games, but with the bonus of some friendly competition…
Throughout the tournament, we will have two Athletic writers (Andy Jones or Elias Burke — with help from our experts from each of the 48 countries) pitting our soccer knowledge against a different Athletic subscriber each day and “Algo”, the shiny new algorithm from The Athletic, which is making its computerised debut during the 2026 World Cup.
Oh, and a dog called Stanley and a six-year-old called Wilfred (who some of you may remember from last season’s Premier League predictions).
Our guest subscriber today is Jayden from Canada, who supports Canada and Barcelona. Good luck!
Having had the opportunity to watch every team at the World Cup once, this “predictions” lark should be getting easier — but matchday eight threw up a four-game slate full of surprises and goals.
The Czech Republic and South Africa started the action, looking to post their first points after losing their opening matches. Calling on the height difference and the savviness of an experienced Czech side, we tipped them to get the better of South Africa, who looked particularly poor in the tournament’s curtain-raiser against Mexico. And after Michal Sadilek put the Czech Republic in front inside six minutes, we looked to be on our way to a crucial point in our mission to prove we know more about football than a robot.
The Czech Republic looked set to see out the win without many issues, but a lapse in concentration late in the second half allowed South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena to pull level from the penalty spot. Credit to reader Greg and to six-year-old Wilfred for hitting the mark, and for proving that tournament experience doesn’t mean all that much after all.
Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina met in the second match of the day in a game that was in the running for the worst at the tournament so far until it burst into life late in the second half. It was a turgid and cagey affair right up until 20-year-old midfielder Johan Manzambi, a player many consider to be the future of Switzerland’s national team, put Murat Yakin’s side 1-0 up in the 74th minute. Fast forward 20 minutes or so, and Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot to seal a 4-1 win for Switzerland.
Results from June 18, 2026
Wilfred was spot on here again, with Algo and us (the experts) getting on the board for the day.
Canada received unanimous backing from us, but few would have anticipated such a dominant scoreline and performance from the co-hosts. Jesse Marsch’s side wasted no time against unfancied Qatar, with striker Cyle Larin, who was left out of the starting line-up against Bosnia and Herzegovina, netting his second goal of the tournament.
It was one-way traffic from there, after attacking talisman Jonathan David scored his first, second, and then third late in second-half stoppage time to leave with the hat-trick ball as Canada crushed the 2022 hosts 6-0 in Vancouver. Smiles all around at World Cup Predictions HQ, though we’re wishing Canada midfielder Ismael Kone all the best in his recovery after suffering a leg break in the second half.
The final game of the day was a much cagier affair, with Mexico narrowly beating South Korea 1-0 to book a knockout spot. Forecasting a tight game, the experts and Wilfred lose out to the Algo, Greg, and Stanley the dog, who must be feeling much more paws-itive after a bit of a ruff day. (I’ll see myself out.)
Heading into matchday nine, the algo (17) leads the experts (15) by two correct predictions, with Wilfred and the readers (14) hot on our tails.
Overall accuracy
Correct picks
Best streak
The algorithm
61%
17
6
TA experts
54%
15
4
Wilfred (age 6)
50%
14
5
Reader picks
50%
14
2
Stanley the dog
32%
9
3
How do the predictions work?
It’s pretty simple: we will give you some background on each game, players to watch and facts on the two teams. Then we will predict the outcome: either a WIN for one of the two teams, or a DRAW.
We will maintain a leaderboard of how everyone gets on with their predictions (ranked by the percentage they get correct) but we’ll also keep a record of “streaks” — the number of predictions everyone gets right in a row. These streaks also form a crucial part of The Athletic’s interactive Soccer Pick’Ems feature, allowing you to make your own picks every round as well.
So come along and get involved, and check back each day to see how we are getting on in the leaderboard, and probably more importantly, whether you, the subscribers, or Stanley or Wilf are beating us.
Or, worst of all, whether ‘Algo’ can prove data and statistics know all when it comes to predicting.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Why not try The Athletic’s World Cup Tracker, where you can find a forecast projecting the likelihood that each team will progress through each stage of the tournament, along with a bracket projecting the most likely round of 32 matchups, current standings, and a bunch of other neat forecasts and scenarios.
Predictions for Matchday 9
United States vs Australia, Group D, kick-off 3pm ET, 8pm BST
Where to watch: FOX (U.S.) BBC (UK)
Streak Risk Factor: 4/5. Australia were one of the bigger surprises from the opening fixtures. Despite the United States getting off to the perfect start themselves, this looks set to be a more competitive game than many may have thought.
Watch Rating: 5/5. The USMNT’s performance has been one of the standouts so far and if they can repeat those levels then it will be another entertaining game. Australia showed they can withstand pressure and offer a significant counter-punch.
The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Buoyed by a loud home crowd, Mauricio Pochettino’s side could not have started the tournament better. From the first minute, they overpowered a poor Paraguay side with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun irresistible in attack. The former was substituted at half-time because of a left calf injury and is in a race to be fit for this game.
“If the U.S can replicate the intensity and continue to attack with dynamism, they can cause Australia more problems than Turkey. And they possess an in-form No 9 in Balogun.
“One of our USMNT reporters, Henry Bushnell, says: ‘There is, naturally and obviously, a confidence around this team now after the best performance in U.S. men’s World Cup history. But I don’t think it’s overconfidence. There’s awareness that Australia will present a tougher test. I think the game will be tighter than last week’s, but the U.S. will gut out another win, 2-1.”
Folarin Balogun could be crucial for USMNT (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
“Australia only had 28.3 per cent possession in their victory over Turkey, demonstrating that they have grit and determination to scrap their way to a result. They were organised and compact but then picked their moments, scoring two counter-attacking goals, the best of which was scored by danger man Nestory Irankunda. This tournament has been defined by outstanding goalkeeping performances and Pat Beach produced one of them in the opening game.
“This is an opportunity for both sides to secure passage into the knockout stages and put them in control of Group D. “
The Athletic Experts: UNITED STATES WIN
Guest subscriber Jayden:UNITED STATES WIN
Six-year-old Wilfred:DRAW
Stanley the Dog:AUSTRALIA WIN
Algo:UNITED STATES WIN
Our picks for June 19, 2026
Scotland vs Morocco, Group C, kick-off 6pm ET, 11pm BST
Where to watch: FOX (U.S.) ITV (UK)
Streak Risk Factor: 3/5. Scotland picked up a first World Cup victory for 36 years, but face a step up against Morocco.
Watch Rating: 3/5. Morocco were enjoyable to watch against Brazil, as they combined intensity with attacking football. Scotland will need to stifle that, and try to get their own match-winners involved.
The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Morocco arguably deserved more than a point from their opening game. They were the better side for long periods.
“Ayyoub Bouaddi starred on the world stage and Morocco have the potential to go deep into the tournament as they did four years ago.
“Scotland are still basking in the glory of their first victory at a World Cup since 1990 after John McGinn’s deflected effort sealed a 1-0 win over Haiti. It gives them an excellent chance of reaching the knockout stages. Another positive result would reinforce that.
“As good as Scotland’s victory will have felt, it was not particularly convincing. Haiti threatened throughout and had a great chance to equalise in the closing stages. Ben Gannon-Doak was a bright spot in a disjointed performance that left questions as to whether Scotland need to tweak the 4-4-2 system deployed by head coach Steve Clarke which proved ineffective against one of the lower-ranked teams in the tournament.”
Ben Gannon-Doak impressed against Haiti (Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
The Athletic Experts: MOROCCO WIN
Guest subscriber Jayden:MOROCCO WIN
Six-year-old Wilfred:MOROCCO WIN
Stanley the Dog:DRAW
Algo:MOROCCO WIN
Brazil vs Haiti, Group C, kick-off 8:30pm ET, 1:30am BST
Where to watch: FOX (U.S.) ITV (UK)
Streak Risk Factor: 2/5. Haiti showed they carry a threat but even though Brazil were far from their best against Morocco, they should have more than enough attacking quality to overpower their opponents.
Watch Rating: 3/5. This might be a bit more of a contest than many would have predicted before the tournament began. When Vinicius Junior is on his game, he is worth the admission fee by himself.
The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Brazil recovered well from their sluggish start against Morocco to emerge with a hard-fought point.
“As he did so often under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr produced the moment of magic. Yet he will need more help from his team-mates as the tournament progresses. Igor Thiago, Raphinha and Casemiro, who was substituted at half-time, all struggled.
“The good news for Ancelotti is he has a deep squad which should help him solve the imbalanced nature of the first half performance. There were some green shoots in the second half.
(Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)
“Haiti were inches away from snatching a point from Scotland as Frantzdy Pierrot headed wide after 84 minutes. Despite being ranked 83rd in the world, they are capable of competing at this level and surprise results by fellow underdogs should add encouragement.
“Haiti can’t afford to bring the wastefulness in the final third that plagued them in their opener. They can counter-attack at speed, and should use Morocco’s goal against Brazil as inspiration to pose problems.
“Our Brazil reporter Jack Lang says: ‘There has been a minor inquest in Brazil after the 1-1 draw with Morocco, with many questioning the side’s direction of travel. They should, though, still have enough about them to beat Haiti in Philadelphia.’”
The Athletic Experts: BRAZIL WIN
Guest subscriber Jayden:BRAZIL WIN
Six-year-old Wilfred:BRAZIL WIN
Stanley the Dog:BRAZIL WIN
Algo:BRAZIL WIN
Paraguay vs Turkey, Group D, kick-off 11pm ET 4am BST
Where to watch: FS1 (U.S.) ITV (UK)
Streak Risk Factor: 3/5. This feels like a must-win for both sides. Turkey have a stronger and deeper squad but it is unclear which team will bounce back better from their opening game defeat. If there is a fear of losing from either team it could lead to them cancelling each other out.
Watch Rating: 3/5. Both teams need victory. Risks will have to be taken at some stage.
The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Turkey did a lot of things right against Australia but the lack of a reliable goalscorer was evident. They will also be hoping they don’t find themselves on the wrong end of another excellent goalkeeping performance following Pat Beach’s display against them.
“Surprisingly, Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz was named on the bench before being introduced at half-time. As one of Turkey’s young, creative stars alongside Arda Guler, it is difficult to see how he can be left out of the starting XI again.
“As Paraguay found out, starting a World Cup campaign against a host nation is never easy. They were blown away by the USMNT and looked shocked when Damian Bobadilla diverted the ball into his own net after seven minutes.
“They need to be better in every area. Their defensive fragility was exposed and they need their creative players like Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso and Diego Gomez to offer more.”
