FIFA World Cup 2026

2026

Will Spain bring more pain for Tuchel’s tired England?

Come Saturday, it will be 73 days since the pain and shame of Atlanta, when England, from a winning position in a World Cup semi-final, decided to do an England, and sit on their lead. What followed resembled a slow-motion crash test dummies video, Enzo Fernández first summoning the ghost of Andy Möller at Euro 96 with his high-camp cavorting celebration, and then Lautaro Martínez, unmarked, nodding home. Englishmen across the globe slumped, Croydon BoxPark fell deathly silent. Allowing Lionel Messi the freedom of Georgia on the inside-right channel had turned out to be a critical oversight. Whoops.As an avid Manchester United fan, I would love to have a clump of the hallowed turf on display in my living room for daily worship purposes (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/pints-points-arguments-for-against-booze-football-daily">yesterday’s Football Daily</a>, full email edition). However, what are the chances of my getting a piece that isn’t covered in spit and nasal blowings? I’d say highly unlikely, so I think I’d respectfully give it a miss” – Nigel Green.I wonder if Harry Kane’s desire to play in the NFL is because someone told him that as a kicker in American football every time an opposing player touched him it would be a penalty?” – Pat Condreay. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/england-spain-football-daily-newsletter">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Kieron Dyer making waves at Southend after leaving ‘hooligan’ days and ‘deathbed’ behind

Day in former England midfielder’s company reveals a chess fan and hands-on manager who will not tolerate tardinessKieron Dyer is recounting a tale from his time in Japan at the 2002 World Cup. “You have a lot of time on your hands,” he begins from behind his desk at Southend United’s training ground.Dyer, a chess fan, was looking for an opponent in the England squad. “Sol Campbell was a deep thinker, and I asked if he played. He said yes, and I told him I’d pummel him. I’m not joking, we played for an hour and he’d moved two pieces. If that was how much he was thinking so early …” Dyer belly laughs. “I was like: ‘Sol, I’m not sitting here for five hours playing chess with you, mate!’” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/kieron-dyer-southend-manager-interview">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

‘A lot of people counted me out’: Ashley Sanchez on goal records, grit and potential USWNT return

After playing zero minutes at the 2023 World Cup, the attacker embraced a new club, a new mindset and a new position. Now she’s making NWSL history in North CarolinaIt was a familiar sight: Ashley Sanchez running at the left post, controlling a lofted cross, deftly finding a window between defenders and taking a quick shot to the inside of the far post beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. It’s how the North Carolina Courage winger has scored so many of her 19 goals this year. This would be her 20th, tying Temwa Chawinga’s 2024 record for most goals scored in an NWSL season.But on Saturday against Gotham, it wasn’t meant to be. As Sanchez celebrated with her teammates and fans in the WakeMed Soccer Park stands updated their handmade “Sanchez Goal-O-Meter”, the center referee was summoned to the VAR monitor, and the goal was called off; Sanchez’s teammate Gianna Paul was a touch offside when the play began. No tied game, and no tied record. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/ashley-sanchez-interview-nwsl-record-uswnt-callup">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Top 50 USMNT players, ranked by club performance: Which Americans are in hot form?

Who are the best Americans as the new World Cup cycle begins? We rank USMNT players on club form: ESPN's Player Performance Index returns.

espn

David Beckham takes £39m dividend as World Cup deals drive record profits

Former footballer appeared in about 12 ad campaigns this summer, pushing brands revenue to $110.5m<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/sep/25/uk-consumer-confidence-burnham-bounce-bank-of-england-oil-inflation-stock-markets-bonds-latest-news-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></li></ul>David Beckham has taken a $51m (£39m) dividend from his business empire fuelled by a series of deals with brands for the Fifa World Cup.Beckham appeared in about a dozen ad campaigns across this summer’s tournament in the US, working with brands including Lenovo, McDonald’s, Bank of America, Verizon and PepsiCo’s crisps brand Lay’s. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/david-beckham-dividend-world-cup-deals-record-profits">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Mauricio Pochettino regrets not being ‘more involved’ with Balogun decision

<ul><li>US striker had red card ban suspended for Belgium game</li><li>Trump said he called Infantino asking for review</li></ul>US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets not being “more involved” in the situation surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun at this summer’s World Cup.Balogun was given a red card after a challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović, which by rule is accompanied with a one-game suspension. Balogun’s ban for the next game against Belgium was suspended after the US Soccer Federation and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/05/folarin-balogun-red-card-suspension-lifted-usmnt-belgium-world-cup">US president Donald Trump lobbied Fifa</a>, with Trump saying that he personally placed a call to Fifa president Gianni Infantino to ask the ruling be reviewed. Infantino maintains that the decision to reinstate Balogun was made independently by Fifa’s disciplinary committee. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/pochettino-balogun-comments">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Australia v Brazil: men’s international football friendly – live

<ul><li>Updates from the first of two games in Queensland</li><li>Kick-off time in Townsville is 8pm AEST</li><li>Any thoughts? Get in touch with an <a href="mailto:martin.pegan@theguardian.com">email</a></li></ul>Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international football friendly between Australia and Brazil at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.The Socceroos and Seleção both return to action for the first time since the 2026 World Cup with this the first of two international friendlies between the teams to be played in Queensland over the next few days. This is also the first men’s A international to be held in Townsville while the second game in the series will be played on Tuesday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/football-desk-australia-newsletter-sign-up-subscribe-soccer-free-weekly-email">Sign up for Football Desk Australia: our free newsletter from Jonathan Wilson</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/sep/25/australia-socceroos-v-brazil-mens-international-football-live-kick-off">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Spain are reigning world and European champions. They're just getting started

Winning the next four tournaments -- two Nations Leagues, Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup -- is something Spain will be aiming for, and it's within their potential.

espn

Transfer rumors, news: Bayern eye Barcelona World Cup-winning midfielder

Barcelona attacking midfielder Dani Olmo is on the radar of Bayern Munich. Transfer Talk has the latest.

espn

Why Spain test is 'pivotal' for Tuchel's England project

England go again. After World Cup heartbreak this summer they kick-off their Nations League campaign against Spain on Saturday at Wembley.

sky_sports

De la Fuente brings insatiable Spain to England knowing World Cup is not enough

Spain have won back-to-back major tournaments, but there is still one more to go to draw equal with feted team of 2008-2012“I’m going to tell you a story,” Luis de la Fuente said. “As soon as the game finished on 19 July, before anyone had cooled down at all, just two or three minutes after the final, one of the players – and you’ll have to forgive me for not telling you which one, but it was one of those who has been with us for the longest time – came up to me and said: ‘Mister, now what? What’s left to win?’ And I said: ‘Bloody hell, the game <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/18/trent-alexander-arnold-returns-england-squad-cole-palmer-rio-ngumoha-alex-scott-thomas-tuchel">against England at Wembley</a> on 26 September.’”It was a Friday afternoon at Las Rozas and Spain’s coach had just named his first squad since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/19/spain-win-world-cup-argentina-final-match-report">that day in New Jersey</a>. It was a familiar one, full of history makers. Of the 26 from the World Cup, only four had been left out and there was an explanation for each: Marcos Llorente has announced his international retirement; Joan García is injured; Borja Iglesias, who always felt the likeliest to leave first, is not fully fit; and Gavi is suspended for Wembley, although he could have faced Croatia and Czechia. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/luis-de-la-fuente-spain-world-keep-us-winning">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Haaland continues prolific World Cup form in Norway win over Denmark

Erling Haaland continued the stellar form he showed for Norway at this summer's FIFA World Cup, scoring two times to lead his team to a 3-2 Nations League win over Denmark on Thursday.

espn

Mancini tells Italy to forget about World Cup pain

Roberto Mancini has urged Italy to banish the memory of Bosnia-Herzegovina when they face Belgium in their Nations League clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

espn

Reyna legacy grows with Carolina named to U.S. U17 WWC roster

Carolina Reyna, sister of United States men's national team midfielder Gio Reyna, has been named to the United States' U17 Women's World Cup roster.

espn

Tuchel backs England's Kane to win Ballon d'Or

Thomas Tuchel has backed Harry Kane to win the Ballon d'Or and believes the ever-improving England star can lead the line at the next World Cup aged 36.

espn

Vinícius Júnior et al land in unlikely outpost of Townsville as Brazil reboot begins | Joey Lynch

The Seleção’s rebuild after their latest World Cup exit begins against the Socceroos in a place better known for rugby league than joga bonitoIt’s a safe bet that Vinícius Júnior, who plays week in and week out for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, doesn’t know about North Queensland Fury. Why would he? Indeed, it is likely that none of the Brazil side that landed in Townsville on Thursday are aware of Australian football’s history in the region. Nor, perhaps, the city itself, until recently.Maybe in the spirit of cultural exchange, then, Raphinha will be posting #BringBackTheFury on his Instagram page by the time the Seleção departs the Sunshine State next week. Such a post would only feel slightly more surreal than the Barcelona attacker rubbing shoulders at Townsville airport with almost 80 junior rugby league sides from around Queensland, jetting in for the Gordon Tallis Cup. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/vinicius-junior-et-al-land-in-unlikely-outpost-of-townsville-as-brazil-reboot-begins">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

Infantino under pressure to include abandoned World Cup sell-off plan in external Fifa review

<ul><li>Council members also want Balogun affair included</li><li>Fifa president says review letter been well received </li></ul>Fifa council members will demand that Gianni Infantino include the abandoned World Cup sell-off plan and the Folarin Balogun affair in his proposed external review of Fifa’s governance.In a letter sent to all 211 of Fifa’s member associations on Monday Infantino said he would ask council to commission a review of “Fifa’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives” at its next meeting, in Zurich on 15 October, but he faces an internal battle over its terms of reference. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/gianni-infantino-under-pressure-abandoned-world-cup-sell-off-fifa-review">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

'Utter nonsense' - Van Dijk slams reporter in viral exchange

Virgil van Dijk hit back at suggestions that he forced former Netherlands boss Ronaldo Koeman into changing his tactics during the World Cup.

sky_sports

The system, not Tuchel, led to World Cup failure but Euro 2028 offers new hope | Barney Ronay

England can learn from being five minutes from the final and they have home advantage and good players for Euro 2028In the end, Steve, Brian, Gaz or similar, he’s just not done the job he was hired to do. The job? The one he was hired to do? He’s not done it. How can I put this? There are three things here. The job. The being hired. The doing it. And him. Four things. And if you put those things together, there is no clear equation of … no linear semiotic cluster, he’s not, he’s just not, what I’m saying is …How many times have you heard variations on this statement in the few short, tender weeks since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/15/england-argentina-world-cup-semi-final-match-report">England’s World Cup campaign</a>? Perhaps you strayed too close to a sport-themed radio show, or accidentally ingested a celebrity football pundit podcast. Either way the verdict is pretty much universal, and delivered always with an air of finality, a sad shake of the head. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/the-system-not-tuchel-led-to-world-cup-failure-but-euro-2028-offers-new-hope">Continue reading...</a>

guardian

‘It’s not in us’: Anthony Gordon backs Tuchel over England’s possession problem

<ul><li>Barcelona winger says England cannot play like Spain</li><li>Gordon: players ‘could have done more’ in semi-final</li></ul>Anthony Gordon has sided with Thomas Tuchel’s assertion that controlling games through possession is not part of English football’s DNA. Although Gordon revealed surprise at being substituted when England were 1-0 up in their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/15/england-argentina-world-cup-semi-final-match-report">World Cup semi-final against Argentina</a>, the winger refused to blame the defeat on Tuchel’s decisions and argued that wider cultural issues influenced the side’s collapse.England’s perennial struggle to keep the ball when under pressure flared when a place in the final was within touching distance in July, allowing Argentina to fight back and go through with two late goals. The pain has not gone away and there has been intense scrutiny of Tuchel’s role in Atlanta. The head coach’s tactical choices were criticised and he faced a backlash after saying “ball possession” was not in his team’s DNA. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/anthony-gordon-backs-tuchel-over-england-possession-problem-world-cup-nations-league">Continue reading...</a>

guardian