The latest World Cup 2026 news, headlines and analysis from The NE Times.
The Aston Villa striker says England must chase top spot in their World Cup group rather than assume qualification will take care of itself before a testing clash with Ghana.
The Chelsea defender was summoned to Thomas Tuchel's squad after Tino Livramento's injury, turning a summer on the outside into a chance on the biggest stage.
The Arsenal midfielder says he has managed hamstring nerve pain since Christmas, sharpening concern over the demands placed on England's key players.
Reports that Brooklyn Beckham earned a seven-figure fee for a World Cup DoorDash advert have reignited debate over a campaign many read as a nod to his rift with David and Victoria Beckham.
Thomas Tuchel's England head into their World Cup opener against Croatia full of confidence after beating New Zealand and Costa Rica in their Florida warm-up matches, with Declan Rice and a deep, settled squad fuelling genuine optimism.
The expanded 48-team World Cup is under way across three nations, with Mexico christening the tournament at the Azteca, the USA thrashing Paraguay and a string of early results setting the tone for a sprawling festival of football.
John McGinn's deflected first-half strike gave Steve Clarke's side a 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston — Scotland's first victory at a World Cup finals since 1990 and a result that briefly put the Tartan Army top of Group C.
Trailing at the Guadalajara Stadium, South Korea responded through a moment of individual brilliance and a late winner to begin their campaign with three points.
Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez settled the tournament's opening match, but it was the three red cards in front of a fervent Mexico City crowd that grabbed the headlines.