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⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanFabio Cannavaro has continued with the 3-4-3 that served Uzbekistan well in qualifying. Khusanov is the only man in the starting XI to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The promising playmaker Fayzullaev is on the cusp of bigger things at İstanbul Başakşehir, where he is teammates with the proven goalscorer Shomurodov. Everyone else in the squad is drawn from clubs in Uzbekistan, Iran, or the UAE.1 Yusupov; 18 Abdullaev, 5 Ashurmatov, 2 Khusanov; 13 Nasrullaev 7 Shukurov, 6

A late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi gave Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama as they joined England at the top of Group L. Yirenki steered in Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross in stoppage time to settle a match of few clear chances.Cecilio Waterman forced a good save from the Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the second minute as he latched on to a cross from the right, but it was a rare opening in a cagey first half in the Toronto rain. Continue reading...

Fun to watch and full of intent - this was an England we have not seen for years, writes Phil McNulty.

Jude Bellingham says the external "noise" around his place in the England team may help him find his best form during the World Cup.

The Mexican military reportedly intercepts and brings down an unregistered drone seen flying over South Korea's training base before their Group A match with co-hosts Mexico on Friday.

Liverpool are set to sign winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna after triggering his release clause.

The US star was on a ‘modified’ training schedule for the third day in a row after coming out at half-time in the opener. Other options must be consideredMauricio Pochettino now has the privilege of giving the new World Cup format a practical test.The Argentinian wisely played it safe at half-time of the United States’ 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay, pulling Christian Pulisic before his calf could be kicked any more. The attacking midfielder said after the match that he had taken similar punishment before, and he was optimistic he would be fit for the next match. As of Wednesday, he was still train

England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

Even as forwards shine, Dallas performance exposes shaky defence that may cost Thomas Tuchel and England dear come the tournament’s sharp endWhen Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 the success was built on unflinching defensive rigour and midfield discipline. Five years on, though, Tuchel’s England displayed neither of those qualities during a dreadful first half in Dallas. They kept losing the ball in dangerous areas, struggled to maintain their shape without the ball and were rocking when Croatia stung them with a second equaliser just before half-time.The vibe could

Goal against Croatia in his side’s World Cup opener was an angry one with a rising sense of inevitabilityAnd breathe again. For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that was a bit like watching one of those YouTube videos where an awkward and frightening Chinese robot has learned how to dance like Michael Jackson.Dogged and occasionally convincing, but the kind of spectacle that does generally end with the robot falling off the stage. England didn’t just play like machines in that first half. They played like

England make a winning start to their World Cup 2026 campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling match in Dallas.

Three superstars delivered for their countries at the World Cup on Tuesday. But Cristiano Ronaldo could not follow suit on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a surprise draw by DR Congo.

Harry Kane was in fine form while Dominik Livakovic stopped the scoreline running away from CroatiaJordan Pickford Could have done better with Baturina’s goal. Made crucial late save to keep England ahead but looked shaky. 6 Continue reading...

Who was England's biggest attacking threat against Croatia? Alex Howell rates the players - plus have your say.

Thomas Tuchel made it plain that when the stress came with the serious business of World Cup matches, he believed his England team would thrive. What had gone before, especially in the friendlies, was little more than a distraction. Here in the Lone Star state, which tallies with what England have on their shirts, it was time to make a statement about that second star.There was a fair helping of stress against Croatia, the 11th best team in the world and the highest ranked pot two nation in the tournament – particularly in the first half. It was down to defending that was simply too open and g

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are vying to become not just 2026 World Cup winners but also the greatest goalscorers in the history of the tournament. Here’s how they compare with others on the all-time listGolden Boot: World Cup 2026 top goalscorers Lionel Messi started his 2026 World Cup campaign with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria.The trio of strikes gave him a career total of 16 World Cup goals, equalling the existing record held by Miroslav Klose. It’s reasonable to expect the Inter Miami player to set a new mark this summer but he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappé. He scored t

Manchester United and Tottenham move for Crysencio Summerville, Chelsea monitor goalkeeper Diogo Costa and target Andrea Cambiaso.

Harry Kane was able to give England the lead against Croatia from the penalty spot - but only thanks to the video assistant referee.

The clock was about to hit 83 minutes when Roberto Martínez rolled the dice one last time. His team certainly needed extra movement up front so it hardly confounded logic that Gonçalo Ramos was stripped and ready. What made less sense was that Vitinha departed while Cristiano Ronaldo, peripheral save for two earlier half-chances, remained on and slogged his way towards the end of a draw that could check Portugal’s summer ambitions.Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol bu

Derek McInnes says "it is a real honour" to be named Rangers manager after he replaces Danny Rohl in the Ibrox dugout.

McInnes moves to his boyhood clubs from HeartsRöhl goes by mutual consent after less than a yearRangers have confirmed the appointment of Derek McInnes as their manager on a three-year contract after Danny Röhl left for RB Salzburg by mutual agreement.McInnes, a former Rangers player, joins from Hearts after leading them to second this season. He rejected the opportunity to manage Rangers in 2017 but said: “It is no secret that I grew up a Rangers supporter and I am convinced this is the right time to take on this prestigious role given the club’s structure and leadership.” Continue reading...

With Scotland's World Cup games expected to take place in temperatures of around 30C, Steve Clarke and his team will have to battle the conditions as well as Morocco and Brazil.

Click your way through the group stage and the knockouts to crown champion Continue reading...

Everything you need to know (and more) about every squad member. Click on the player pictures for more information Continue reading...