From around the league
Thursday, 11 June 2026
-
Bellingham as England's No. 9: how Tuchel is reshaping the attack
How Tuchel's Bellingham No. 9 experiment and the omission of Foden and Palmer reshape England's World Cup approach with athleticism and pressing.
-
Spain World Cup preview: Yamal fitness and a rare squad shape define the case
Spain head to the 2026 World Cup as joint favourites, with Lamine Yamal's fitness, a unusual squad and a tricky bracket shaping the story.
-
Morocco's injury headache before Brazil is bigger than the opener
Morocco face Brazil with Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli out, while Andy Brassell says their real test is how they respond to AFCON pressure.
-
Scott McTominay misses Scotland training but Haiti worry looks limited
Scott McTominay missed Scotland training with a stomach issue, but reports say he should still be available for the Haiti opener.
-
Germany players pay for 600 fans to travel to Ecuador match
Germany's players are paying for buses for 600 fans to the Ecuador group match in New Jersey after World Cup transport prices sparked backlash.
-
USA vs Paraguay: Pochettino's opening-night defensive call
USA open World Cup 2026 against Paraguay with Chris Richards a major doubt, Matt Freese established as No 1 and pressure on the hosts to start with three
-
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: Davies likely to miss the opener
Jesse Marsch says Alphonso Davies will miss Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia & Herzegovina, but could return later in the group stage.
-
Mexico open the 2026 World Cup against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca
The 2026 World Cup opens with Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, a rematch of the 2010 opener and the start of a 48-team tournament.
-
Thomas Tuchel picks form over names in a ruthless England World Cup squad
Thomas Tuchel leaves Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England's World Cup squad and recalls Ivan Toney.
-
Craig Gordon one world cup appearance from history
Craig Gordon says making the World Cup at 43 is already a triumph, and if he plays he could become the second-oldest player in World Cup history.
-
Manuel Neuer's World Cup comeback flips Germany's goalkeeping order at 40
Manuel Neuer, 40, has reversed his retirement and returns as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup, displacing Oliver Baumann.
-
Cole Palmer omission is Rio Ferdinand's main England squad gripe
Rio Ferdinand says Cole Palmer should have been in Thomas Tuchel's England squad as an impact option, despite being left out for the World Cup.
-
Lionel Messi back in training as Argentina manage his fitness before the World Cup
Lionel Messi says he feels great after a muscle issue, and Scaloni says the Argentina captain will play against Iceland with his minutes managed.
-
Anthony Gordon backed to start for England against Croatia
Roy Keane says Anthony Gordon should start for England against Croatia after a strong warm-up showing, while Thomas Tuchel admits a penalty mix-up against
-
Declan Rice sunburn and England’s World Cup heat problem
Declan Rice joked his mum was 'killing' him over World Cup sunburn, while saying England's 30C training heat hits you in the face.
-
World Cup weather will test teams before the football settles
World Cup weather will shape the opening week, from Mexico City's 2,200m altitude to Miami's 30C WBGT and hot conditions in Dallas.
-
South Korea vs Czech Republic points to a tight World Cup opener
South Korea’s unbeaten qualifying run and Son Heung-min’s record chase meet Patrik Schick’s scoring form and Czech Republic’s playoff resilience in a
-
Declan Rice under heat and leadership pressure
Declan Rice jokes about being sunburnt in Florida, while Thomas Tuchel, Stuart Pearce and Roy Keane discuss his England vice-captain role.
-
Thomas Tuchel says England set the tone for World Cup bid in Costa Rica win
Thomas Tuchel said England set the tone after a 3-0 win over Costa Rica and an hour-long thunderstorm delay in Orlando.
-
Canada World Cup preparations are about depth, not certainty
Canada’s final World Cup tune-ups have put Moïse Bombito’s fitness, Maxime Crépeau’s No. 1 role and Luc De Fougerolles’ rise under scrutiny.