From around the league
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
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England's squad numbers point to a Bellingham-Rashford-Saka core
England's World Cup squad numbers hint at a starting XI built around Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka, with Gordon and Rogers left out of
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Billy Gilmour’s World Cup blow is as emotional as it is practical
Billy Gilmour says the injury that ruled him out of Scotland's World Cup squad has been hard to process, with support from Nathan Patterson.
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England super-fan mascot gets Orlando moment
Six-year-old England fan CJ from Blackburn will walk out in Orlando before the Costa Rica warm-up on 10 June, with Paul Clegg watching on.
Monday, 1 June 2026
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Lawrence Shankland strengthens his case for Scotland's World Cup opener
Lawrence Shankland's double against Curacao has strengthened his case to start Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti on 14 June.
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Iraq's World Cup squad blends history and a European core
Iraq's 26-man World Cup squad features Ali Al-Hamadi's Premier League first, Zidane Iqbal's European pedigree and Group I tests.
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Germany's Finland win showed more routes to goal, and more work to do
Germany's win over Finland showed Julian Nagelsmann's youngest XI, set-piece threat and Lennart Karl's emergence, but the structure still needs work.
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Scott McKenna says Scotland are finally ready to go deeper at a major tournament
Scott McKenna says Scotland now believe they can finally progress beyond the World Cup group stage, backed by Steve Clarke’s loyalty.
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England World Cup 2026 build-up puts belief and pressure in the same room
Thomas Tuchel says England have full belief they can win the 2026 World Cup, but the pressure, heat and squad calls are real.
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Carlo Ancelotti wins trust before Brazil's World Cup test
Ancelotti has 41% approval in Brazil after six wins in 11 games. Portuguese lessons, staff protection and a bold attack have shifted the mood.
Sunday, 31 May 2026
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Uruguay World Cup squad leaves out Suárez as Muslera makes history
Luis Suárez was left out of Uruguay's 2026 World Cup squad despite wanting the call, while Fernando Muslera made a record fifth tournament appearance.
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Scotland World Cup: Christie says Euro pain can drive the squad on
Ryan Christie says Scotland's Euro 2024 hurt has left the squad with a chip on their shoulder as they head to the World Cup.
Saturday, 30 May 2026
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Steve Clarke's four-year bet on Scotland's evolution
Steve Clarke says Scotland's four-year extension is about evolution, with the senior core still backing the 2028 and 2030 cycles and young players coming in.
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Neymar World Cup availability still in play after calf injury
Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar remains in Brazil's World Cup plans after a Grade 2 calf injury, with the opener against Morocco still possible.
Thursday, 28 May 2026
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Enzo Fernández one to watch in Real Madrid’s election-linked chase
Real Madrid's push for Enzo Fernández is being driven by presidential politics, Chelsea's £120m-plus asking price and talk of a player-plus-cash deal
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South Africa's World Cup squad shows Broos trusts the local core
South Africa World Cup squad is set: 19 of 26 play domestically, with Lyle Foster the only British-based player before Mexico on 11 June.
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Adam Wharton one final away from turning England omission into a bigger debate
Adam Wharton's man-of-the-match final for Crystal Palace reignited the England World Cup squad debate after Thomas Tuchel left him out.
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Steve Clarke’s new Scotland deal is a vote for continuity, not sentiment
Steve Clarke has agreed a new Scotland deal until the 2030 World Cup after leading the national side to three major tournaments.
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
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Thiago Silva backs John McGinn as Brazil's danger man
Thiago Silva has tipped John McGinn as Scotland's main threat before Brazil's Miami meeting on 24 June, praising the Aston Villa captain's all-round threat.
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Germany vs Finland preview: Neuer rested as Baumann starts
Neuer is rested, Baumann starts and Havertz misses out as Germany host Finland in their penultimate World Cup friendly on Sunday.
