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Thomas Tuchel was appointed in a blaze of publicity, stating his aim was to add a second star to the England shirt with a another World Cup win.

After years of heartache and near-misses, Tuchel was viewed as the missing piece of the puzzle, the coach who could finally end the Three Lions' decades-long wait for a major title.

Predecessor Gareth Southgate had led a talented generation of England players to two major finals, a World Cup semi-final and a World Cup quarter-final.

But each of those campaigns ended in disappointment, with a recurring theme of Southgate being accused of failing to adapt his tactics quickly enough to changing circumstances within games.

Under the tactically astute Tuchel, who had memorably outfoxed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to lead Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021, things would be different.

Yet against Argentina in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, England bowed out of the tournament in painfully familiar fashion -- failing to capitalise on a 1-0 lead before inviting pressure, surrendering the initiative and losing 2-1.

It was the third time since the 2018 World Cup that England have lost a major championship semi-final or final after taking the lead. 

All three defeats, including Wednesday's at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, followed the same template -- a solid start, going 1-0 up, a desperate rearguard action, and finally, capitulation.

Many critics and former players immediately pointed the finger at Tuchel for England's latest failure, accusing the German of switching to an ultra-defensive approach too early in the game after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead on 55 minutes.

Argentina spent the final stages of the game camped near the England area, bombarding their opponents' goal and finally winning with goals from Enzo Fernandez on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time.

- 'Deserved to get beat' -

Former England striker Michael Owen said the defeat was a missed opportunity, sharply criticising Tuchel's second-half changes.

"We are a better team than Argentina, I've no doubt in my mind," he wrote on X. "But we deserved to get beat in the end. In fact, it could have been 4-1. 

"Bringing on 3 defenders at 1-0 up. What message does that send?... Until we understand that courage and bravery is controlling possession under pressure and not booting/heading it up the field 40 yards then this will always be the end result."

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart agreed. "I think Gareth Southgate will be at home watching this game," the BBC pundit said.

"He took a lot of criticism when it came to the big moments with England, when they had the lead, about shutting up shop. But I don't think anything has changed in that big moment out there."

While Tuchel accepted responsibility for the defeat, he pushed back on suggestions that his second-half substitutions were to blame. 

The England coach, who started his job at the beginning of 2025, said the tide had turned before his tactical tweaks as Argentina grew more desperate and chased the game.

Asked if he believed he had got his tactics wrong, he replied: "No, I believe that's just the nature of the game.

"As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we had made different decisions. 

"So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism."

England captain Harry Kane said the team had "just tried to hang on a little too early".

But he refused to point the finger at Tuchel's game management after another opportunity slipped away.

"There's always going to be talk now about trying to blame people or coaches," Kane said. "It's not the time for that. We win and lose together. 

"We've done everything. He'd have been called a genius if it had worked. In the end, it didn't work for many different reasons.

"That's what we need to try and improve. We're close, we're knocking on the door, but as always in these final moments, we need to find that missing piece of the puzzle."

rcw/jw

The first six weeks of the CFL season have given us a lot of interesting information, and stacking the teams is a difficult task.

The 2026 CFL season is six weeks old, and after Week 7, one-third of the Canadian Football League schedule will already be complete. Ranking all 9 clubs is getting both easier and more difficult at the same time. Multiple teams are pulling away from the pack in both directions, but even at the top of the league, there is genuine confusion about who should be at the top. Winning a head-to-head matchup doesn’t automatically mean a team ranks higher when you have 5 games of evidence to weigh. Here’s where every CFL team stands going into Week 7.

Table of contents

• 9. Ottawa Redblacks
• 8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
• 7. BC Lions
• 6. Toronto Argonauts
• 5. Calgary Stampeders
• 4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• 3. Edmonton Elks
• 2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
• 1. Montreal Alouettes

9. Ottawa Redblacks

Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has not done enough to take this team to the next level. The hope was that quarterback Jake Maier, combined with free agent investments like running back Greg Bell and Micah Awe, would push the Redblacks toward .500 at the end of the season. That hasn’t happened, as Ottawa sits at 0-5. Dinwiddie is finding out that a high-priced running back doesn’t mean much without an offensive line to open lanes. 

Maier isn't attacking downfield enough, instead throwing short before the sticks, and failing to bail the team out when things get murky. Even when the Redblacks grabbed a 10-0 lead against the Saskatchewan Roughriders thanks to a couple of turnovers, they couldn’t sustain it. Now that Dru Brown has shown he can be successful with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the question lingers: did Dinwiddie make the right call? I’m not convinced.

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

A couple of weeks ago, Hamilton would have been ranked 1st or 2nd. Bo Levi Mitchell was cooking, throwing as many touchdowns as incompletions across a 2-week stretch. He broke and/or dislocated his ankle against the Blue Bombers, which required surgery, and everything changed. 

Jake Dolegala got the start against Saskatchewan and was terrible. The game was 18-7 at the beginning of the fourth quarter before it spiraled out of control with multiple turnovers. Coach Scott Milanovich seems confident Mitchell could return by season’s end, but if the Tiger-Cats don’t weather the storm, the playoffs won’t even be within their grasp. Despite signing this offseason to be the No. 2, Trey Ford wan't trusted enough to start, as the team chose Dolegala over him. Until Hamilton finds stability at quarterback, things will likely get worse.

7. BC Lions

Nathan Rourke has done a solid job trying to keep this team afloat despite a defense that has been dreadful. The Lions are 5th in points scored but 6th in points allowed, and that gap of scoring 30.8 while surrendering 34.3 is frustrating. Much of that damage came in a blowout loss to the Tiger-Cats, while a rouge against Saskatchewan in the season opener cost them a potential game-tying field goal. The defense needs to stop giving up big plays. If it can stabilize, Rourke, the 2025 Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, should be able to carry the offense with James Butler, Keon Hatcher, and Justin McInnis flanking him.

6. Toronto Argonauts

The Argonauts are higher on this list than they would be on most because of what Chad Kelly is doing offensively. He is attacking vertically and exploiting coverages down the field. Unfortunately, he’s making too many mistakes and has thrown almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. Even so, the explosive passing game is this team’s calling card. 

The offense is second in the league at 34.2 points per game, while the defense is the league’s worst at 36.6. If Toronto can get that number of points allowed down to around 30, the Argonauts can go on a run. It doesn't help that they won’t play a home game for another 3 weeks. Their first 7 games are all on the road, a brutal stretch partly self-inflicted by ownership’s unwillingness to invest in an alternate venue due to displacement from the World Cup.

5. Calgary Stampeders

The Stampeders have been inconsistent despite that massive game from Vernon Adams Jr. against the Argonauts, as he scored 7 total touchdowns, something Doug Flutie never did in Calgary. They are the No. 1 scoring offense, but No. 7 in scoring defense, and that inconsistency is what keeps them down this low. Right now, the Stampeders are coming off a loss to the Montreal Alouettes. The defensive line, led by Clarence Hicks, Folarin Orimolade, and Jalen Hutchings, needs to generate more pressure to make life easier on the secondary. If they put it all together, they’re a real Grey Cup contender.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

This ranking is higher than it would have been before the Dru Brown game. When Brown stepped in, he was excellent: 25-of-31 for over 300 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He would have had a second touchdown if not for a fumble inside the 5-yard line by Pokey Wilson on the opening drive. 

Brown threw with touch, zip, precision, and timing. With Zach Collaros at quarterback, he wasn't doing any of those things. Winnipeg is last in the league in points scored at 22 per game. Brown’s one start? 31 points. Collaros went down with a neck injury against the Tiger-Cats, and it looks like more of a neck strain since he’s already back at practice. This defense is tied for second in the CFL at 24.4 points allowed per game. If Brown can provide offensive consistency alongside Brady Oliveira and those receivers, the Bombers are still a Grey Cup contender.

3. Edmonton Elks

Coach Mark Killam has done an outstanding job. In previous years, the Elks were starting in brutal fashion, including a 1-7 start last year. Killam’s mandate was to stop the slow starts that forced late-season surges, and he delivered. Edmonton beat the defending Grey Cup runner-up, Montreal Alouettes, and started 4-1. Cody Fajardo is not the most dynamic quarterback, but he leads an offense that is capable, gutsy, and makes the right decisions. Justin Rankin could become the first CFL player ever to record 1,000 receiving and rushing yards in the same season. The energy around this team is different. They are explosive, gritty, and mentally tough. The Elks are real Grey Cup contenders.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders

At 40 years old, quarterback Trevor Harris is still finding receivers down the field and attacking small windows. Kian Shaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, and Keshawn Johnson are arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. A.J. Ouellette is back, and his return made a noticeable difference against the Tiger-Cats with a major explosion in the fourth quarter. The defense is third in points allowed and fourth in points scored, though it will allow opponents to sustain drives a little too often. Because so much of Harris’ game is built on pocket savvy and evasion rather than scrambling, interior pressure could be the blueprint to slow Saskatchewan down.

1. Montreal Alouettes

Davis Alexander might be winning Most Outstanding Player this year. He has been dynamite in every game, attacking vertically and finding Tyson Philpot, who has nearly 800 yards receiving through 5 games and is on pace to break records. Travis Theis has stepped up at running back, Alexander Hollins has been a capable receiver, and Tyler Snead looks like an alpha on the outside, which makes that wide receiver corps dangerous. 

Defensively, Montreal is average, allowing 30.8 points per game and ranking 5th in the CFL, which is down from their previous seasons. The Alouettes are the No. 3 offense at 34 points per game, and that has been enough to win football games, mainly due to Alexander's explosive passing. They have made things harder on themselves than necessary, including needing a late stop against Ottawa in a 27-22 win. The defense, led by Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, needs to maintain leads more consistently. Even so, this is the best team in the CFL, and it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: CFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Montreal Alouettes hold top spot, Dru Brown shakes up Winnipeg Blue Bombers

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after the Three Lions' World Cup dream ended in an agonising late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday.

England appeared poised to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead early in the second half in Atlanta.

But England then invited wave after wave of late pressure from the defending champions and goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez secured a famous 2-1 victory.

Tuchel said his team had become "too passive" after taking the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

"We're disappointed, we were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances," Tuchel told the BBC.

"We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots," the German coach added.

"We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored."

Tuchel is likely to face serious scrutiny for his substitutions, notably the decision to bring goalscorer Gordon off for defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute.

"I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players," he said. 

"We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.

"Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help."

Asked later at a press conference whether he believed he got his tactics wrong, former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel replied: "No, I believe that's just the nature of the game.

"As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions. 

"So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism."

Asked why England had shied away from a more adventurous approach when leading, Tuchel replied: "Yes, but it doesn't help if you can't get the ball. We couldn't get out.

"Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help. 

"We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely."

Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February which lasts through to the 2028 European Championships which England is co-hosting.

Asked if he expected to remain England manager after Wednesday's defeat, the German indicated he plans to honour his contract that leads up the the 2028 European Championship.

"We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and I'm looking forward to that. Even like now, it's difficult to look that far ahead," he said.

rcw/jw

Former England captain Wayne Rooney said the Three Lions “didn’t know what to do” after taking the lead against Argentina as the defending World Cup 2026 champions came from behind to book their place in the final.

Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal had England dreaming of a first men’s World Cup final in 60 years, but it was followed by a series of defensive substitutions from head coach Tuchel as England dropped deeper and deeper.

Argentina, meanwhile, did not panic. Lionel Messi’s side had come from a series of close games to reach the semi-final and produced another comeback with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

Tuchel faced criticism immediately after full-time, in what was an England defeat that felt painfully familiar to the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final against Italy - games England lost after taking the lead.

“Gareth Southgate took a lot of criticism for the big moments with England, when they had the lead in big games and shutting up shop,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said on the BBC. “I don't see that anything has changed in that big moment out there.

“For as much praise as we have given Thomas Tuchel, for him to change it as soon as he did, that is him saying he didn't believe in his team, that he didn't think they could land any more punches on Argentina.”

What were Thomas Tuchel’s changes?

Tuchel’s first change, on 72 minutes, was to take off goalscorer and forward Anthony Gordon for defender Ezri Konsa. It brought a shift in formation from England as Tuchel shifted to a back-five, with Konsa slotting into centre-back.

By that point, England were already facing waves and waves of Argentina pressure. The holders increased the tempo with their own attacking changes, including the arrivals of Nico Gonzalez, Rodrigo De Paul and, finally, Lautaro Martinez.

A further double-change from Tuchel arrived on 82 minutes with Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly replacing midfielder Declan Rice and injured full-back Reece James. By that point, England had six defenders on the pitch.

Fernandez’s equaliser followed in the 85th minute and it was a sucker-punch to England’s belief. Striker Martinez then scored the winner in the second minute of nine added on, and Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney were sent on as a last resort.

England’s approach was not dissimilar to their defensive changes in the last-16 against Mexico when Tuchel’s side, after going down to 10 men, dropped deep and sat on their lead. This time, however, it wasn’t enough, with captain Harry Kane suggesting England needed to show more ambition.

"Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone - the team, the staff, the fans,” Kane said. “We played a good game the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.”

‘We didn’t know what to do’

Wayne Rooney said England “crumbled” after going ahead and blamed Tuchel for being too negative. “Once we got the first goal, we didn't look to go for the second goal. For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make the decision it is a gamble.

“The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game. The decisions that Tuchel has made cost us tonight.”

Micah Richards, meanwhile, said Tuchel had been brought in to help England take the next step, only for the same problems at the end of major tournaments to repeat themselves.

“Thomas Tuchel was brought in to be the difference,” Richards said. “Tactically, we all thought he got it wrong today. When we went to five at the back. I thought we could have kept the momentum going and brought on wingers. Ultimately, we didn't have the answers.”

What did Thomas Tuchel say?

Thomas Tuchel said he had “no regrets” despite England falling short, even though he accepted England were too “passive” after taking the lead. England had just 12 per cent of possession between taking the lead and going behind, and Tuchel took responsibility - but denied there was a “structural problem”.

”I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players. We conceded [a chance] straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open,” he told the BBC.

"They won every header, they kept crossing and crossing so we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air. Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help.

"Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2 but we became passive, more and more passive. We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely.

"It's no problem, I can understand these discussions are out there and there are millions of coaches after the game who know it better."

England fans have been left heartbroken after the Three Lions were knocked out of the World Cup in a nail-biting 2-1 loss to Argentina.

The ecstasy after Anthony Gordon put England ahead just 10 minutes into the second half came crashing down as Enzo Fernandez equalised 85 minutes in and soured even further when Martinez put Argentina in the lead in the 92nd minute.

It followed a tense game which was littered with fouls and saw tempers flare at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.

At Boxpark in Wembley, north London, supporters were dejected after England failed to hold on to their lead. Pictures show fans with their head in their hands as they watched their team once again fail to grasp their chance to make it past the semi-final stage.

Luke and Vee Moore, twin brothers aged 33, were among those there. Vee said: “We fumbled it. I’m feeling disappointed, this was a great chance to win the World Cup and this was a weak Argentina team.

“If we got out-classed, I’d be like, okay, cool. England did not play a better team today. We were too defensive after we went one nil up.”

Luke said: “I’m disappointed, I thought it was coming home. Me and my friends were screaming out ‘you’ve got to bring on subs and attack’. Go for the game, counter, bring Rashford, Madueke, Saka on earlier and kill off the game.”

Leading the messages to the England team, the Prince of Wales said he was “gutted” but “proud” of Thomas Tuchel’s men.

“Gutted. England, you gave it everything and we are all so proud of you,” William wrote on Instagram.

“Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch, for an incredible tournament. The fight and belief you have shown has inspired us all. The most complete England team in a tournament. Hold your heads high.”

Sir Keir Starmer also said he was “gutted” but praised the team’s “passion and energy”.

“Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for, but this England team has given it their all,” he said. “The passion and energy they’ve shown representing the badge has made us all proud.”

Fans were quick to criticise Mr Tuchel’s management after he switched to defensive substitutions once England were ahead, ultimately leaving them short after Argentina scored twice in quick succession.

“England’s manager, Tuchel, should definitely take the blame for that’s loss,” one wrote on X. “Poor tactical decision making. Decided to go defensive post Gordon scoring. Can’t expect England to defend for 30 mins straight without conceding. Completely changed the momentum of the game.”

Some people were on the pitch. They thought it was all over. It was then, when Lionel Messi crossed, when Lautaro Martinez headed, when the Argentina substitutes charged towards the corner flag to celebrate. England’s bid to win the World Cup was over. Sixty years of hurt, sixty years since Hurst, England still see that tackle by Moore and Nobby dancing.

But it remains the case that the only time their men won a World Cup semi-final was when Bobby belted the ball; they have not reached a final since. For half an hour, it seemed that Anthony Gordon would join Bobby Charlton in a select band, of England players to score the winner in this stage. For a quarter of an hour, it seemed like Bobby Moore’s tackle on Pele would be accompanied by mentions of Djed Spence’s thunderous challenge to prevent Giuliano Simeone from shooting.

Jordan Pickford had his Gordon Banks moment, too, a wonderful save from Nico Gonzalez. And yet, ultimately, each came in defeat; in years to come, these will be footnotes, not moments destined for English football folklore.

For Thomas Tuchel, the comparison point is not Sir Alf Ramsey, his greatest predecessor, but his immediate one and still England’s second finest ever manager, Gareth Southgate. England have had their second best decade ever; but it would have been better if they could hold on to leads on the major stages. This completed a hat-trick: after Croatia in the 2018 semi-final, after Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Twice when it mattered, Southgate’s sides could not keep the ball. Tuchel’s team did not try. The decision was made to cede much of the pitch to Argentina, to try and reprise the heroic rearguard action in Mexico City: but with 11 men, not 10, earlier than seemed necessary.

England put their own backs against the wall. Tuchel went to a back five, but it backfired. And in a sense, it was a back six, with a sixth defender, in Nico O’Reilly, in a midfield that didn’t seem fit for purpose. They allowed Alexis Mac Allister the freedom to hit the woodwork twice, Enzo Fernandez the room to rifle in the equaliser. They liberated Messi. Just when it seemed his World Cup career was ending, he conjured two assists.

Removing Gordon, a workaholic of a goalscorer, had a logic, given his tendency to run himself into the ground, but by replacing him with Ezri Konsa, Tuchel took away England’s threat and when, including added time, there were still 27 minutes remaining. He summoned his special-ops agent, Dan Burn, perhaps sensing Messi’s nemesis might be a man about twice his height and who can head the ball half the length of the pitch. It wasn’t.

With each change, England handed the initiative to Argentina. They needed no second invitation. A nation with a historical grudge against England, a team with a fighting spirit that meant they would not relinquish their grasp on the World Cup. Argentina have a capacity to score late goals. Ask Cape Verde. Ask Egypt. Ask Switzerland. England may have been a higher-calibre of opponent but they suffered the same fate.

So Tuchel underlined how the FA’s imported managers somehow seem to end up being more English than the English. Sven-Goran Eriksson was wedded to 4-4-2. Fabio Capello was too. Tuchel changed shape but did not believe his players could keep the ball. He just looked to defend.

Different choices might not have produced a different result, but there were alternatives. Kobbie Mainoo, a passer of a midfielder, lingered unused all tournament. Adam Wharton, another, stayed at home. One winger who could have come on for Gordon, Bukayo Saka, did not get off the bench. Another, Marcus Rashford, only emerged in the 95th minute.

Tuchel could have considered the evidence from earlier on. Lionel Scaloni admitted that Switzerland’s physicality had troubled Argentina. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were booked for pulling back Brummies when Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham ran at them, but England stopped running at them. They ran scared, seeking sanctuary in their own box.

Argentina had sought to rile England. They provided echoes of the past by picking a Simeone, the winger showing that being an agent provocateur can run in the family. Yet Argentina prospered not by needling England, but by attacking them. Theirs was the response of champions.

England’s was the reaction of a team following Tuchel’s blueprint for holding on to a lead: defensive changes. Argentina could have predicted it: this was what they had done against Mexico and Norway. And, in the inquest, Tuchel may note that while Southgate was long faulted for his game management, he excelled in Euro 2024: with attacking changes, often involving Cole Palmer, another man left at home.

Maybe it is revisiting old arguments, but England ended with a limited team who showed their limitations. Leading Argentina in Atlanta was a great opportunity. For years, they will have Georgia on their mind. Perhaps for another 60 years.

Harry Kane said he was "gutted" for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Anthony Gordon's strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first men's World Cup final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.

He set up Enzo Fernandez, who blasted home from outside the area, and provided an inch-perfect cross for Lautaro Martinez's winner in stoppage time.

"Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone -- the team, the staff, the fans," England captain Kane told the BBC.

"We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough. 

"So, just gutted because we've worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears."

Bayern Munich forward Kane, who scored six goals during the tournament, said Thomas Tuchel's men had struggled to repel constant attacks from the defending champions.

"After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave," he said.

"Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn't enough."

He said England had not planned to rely on defending after Gordon's goal.

"When we went ahead the messaging was to go again and get another goal," he added.

"Then once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something but we couldn't quite get the momentum back in the game."

jw/gj

England somehow lose a place in the World Cup final, because Thomas Tuchel loses his bottle.

This dogged campaign, that had England on the brink of their greatest moment since 1966, somehow ends as the worst yet: a 2-1 defeat to Argentina that should never have happened.

They ceded the initiative, ceded the pitch, ceded the space around their box and – finally – ceded the game. The decision to go to five at the back as early as the second-half hydration break – in the 67th minute – was inexplicable at the time and now feels like it will go down as one of the most confounding moments in English football history.

The hydration break saw the floodgates open for England. The criticism will rightly be scathing. There might not have been an actual trophy on the line, as in the Euro 2020 final, but the self-inflicted collapse feels all the more needless and consequently much worse.

Gareth Southgate never did this.

It only fosters the sense that it’s just never going to happen.

Is this sackable? All that money… for this?

It is honestly remarkable that a coach appointed for his tactical acumen, for his perceived ability to get over the line, actually forces England further away from it with a response that was pure football cowardice.

Sure, England might not have beaten Spain in the final… but it would have been nice to give themselves the chance.

Instead, Tuchel’s decision actively reduced the team’s chances. It neutered every advantage that England had over Argentina, from their pace to their greater athleticism.

At a moment when England had the lead and all momentum, the manager bizarrely went for what he did in the last-16 match against Mexico.

Except, England had 11 men on the pitch. And Argentina are not Mexico. They have the greatest player in history, who now still has the chance to win his second World Cup.

A semi-final against England was not, ultimately, to be Lionel Messi's last game in the competition.

Far from being the worst thing that Argentina could have imagined, it was somehow worse than anything England could have feared. There was somehow a new way to lose.

The worst part is that it didn’t come from Messi being on his best form and making it happen.

He had been a distant force for most of the game, only ever flicking at the match and struggling to cover the expanse of the England half, but Tuchel’s inexplicable shift allowed him to have the ball in the most dangerous area.

Of course, it was Messi who supplied the assists for both Argentina goals, even if one was a simple pass for a rocket.

That was just as bad, though. Enzo Fernandez had a chasm of space around him, England having vacated the entire area at the edge of the box.

Long before then, though, even those newly arriving to the game from this World Cup – let alone this great manager appointed for his genius – could see this was only going one way.

Argentina were creating too many chances. There were too many Messi-driven one-twos around the box. There were too many crosses from similar expanses of space. There were those two headers that should have been equalisers long before Fernandez’s goal, one an admittedly fine save by Jordan Pickford from Lisandro Martinez, another Alexis Mac Allister hitting the post.

It was a question of maths. It was simply not adding up for England.

Lionel Scaloni, in complete contrast to Tuchel, further changed the equation with brave subs. Every one was right. Every one further tilted it, culminating in substitute Lautaro Martinez’s winning header.

The worst thing that actually happened for England was going ahead, as it gave Tuchel the licence to… do that.

An even greater frustration was that the opening goal was so well worked, a supreme display of discipline after an immensely difficult match.

England had been drawn into the kind of attritional game that Argentina wanted, but they held their nerve. The flowing counter that resulted in Anthony Gordon’s fine goal was the distillation of this discipline.

That it was followed by Djed Spence’s perfect and emotionally pulsating tackle made it seem like this was the day.

At one point, Messi was caught looking up at the clock on the giant screen, knowing his time in this competition was nearly up.

Argentina had barely created a proper chance. Until Tuchel’s subs...

And, worse, having ceded the lead to Argentina, the same subs meant they had no response. This manager signed for his tactical sophistication ended up getting his players to lump the ball up to Dan Burn.

There is now so much swirling around this, from questions over Tuchel to the FA’s approach and why a hugely wealthy English football culture doesn’t have a tactical idea and still couldn’t produce their own coach – not to mention the gradual proximity to Gianni Infantino.

No one could look to refereeing decisions here, though, outside the early permissiveness. That didn’t really matter by the time Gordon scored. What mattered was Tuchel’s decisions.

Amid all of that, there’s a lot of pop culture swirling around, all the memories of this World Cup.

Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you.

And since we’re in America, there’s a line that closes one of the most famous pieces of cinema, Easy Rider.

We blew it. Good night, man.

Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.

England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.

Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown shared a series of photos ahead of the game, including a selfie showing her in an England top and inside the stadium.

Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole also posted a photo and video from inside the stadium to his Instagram Stories.

And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).

Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.

Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.

At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.

Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.

England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.

And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).

Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.

Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.

At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.

England’s Jude Bellingham laughed off aggression from Argentina’s Leandro Paredes following a heated start to their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.

The opening 20 minutes of the semi-final were littered with fouls, following a big build-up to the resumption of England and Argentina’s storied rivalry.

England’s Elliot Anderson was on the receiving end of several fouls in the opening stages and was involved in a tangle with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Giuliano Simeone, son of Diego Simeone, who got David Beckham sent off in 1998, also went down after a slight push from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Argentina’s players also looked to antagonise England’s players off the ball and Bellingham found himself in the middle of a flare-up within the first few minutes.

Then, following a fair challenge from defensive midfielder Paredes, the Argentina man appeared to have words for Bellingham during the stoppage in play.

Bellingham’s response was to laugh off the apparent aggression, however, with the semi-final goalless midway through the first half.

There were 11 fouls in the first 24 minutes, with referee Ismail Elfath showing no yellow cards.

England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentinian boos and chants before Three Lions fans repaid the gesture as tensions boiled over before their seismic World Cup semi-final even kicked off.

Sharing a storied footballing rivalry, this last-four clash also has a sharp historical edge to it, with conflict over the Falkland Islands forming part of the narrative going into the match in Atlanta.

Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in 1982 but emphatically lost the Falklands War in 74 days, which claimed the lives of 907 people: 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 from Britain and three Falkland Islanders.

Argentina still vehemently believe that the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, which sits 300 miles away from its east coast, should be under its sovereignty, with the cause enshrined in much of the country’s culture, including its football.

As the players lined up around the centre-circle for the national anthems, Argentina fans were deafening with their chants of “whoever doesn't jump is English”, before heavily booing “God Save the King”.

England fans responded in toe by jeering Argentina’s anthem, setting the tone for the feisty semi-final that was being anticipated.

Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was branded “pathetic” by former England goalkeeper Joe Hart after appearing to try and get Harry Kane sent off for covering his mouth during the World Cup semi-final.

Midfielder Paredes spotted an opportunity to complain to referee Ismail Elfath after Kane briefly covered his mouth while talking to the United States official during what was a bruising first half in Atlanta littered with fouls.

This World Cup has seen officials enforcing a new rule, introduced before the tournament, which mandates an immediate red card for players covering their mouths during verbal confrontations with an opponent.

Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie and Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron were both sent off for covering their mouths during confrontations with opponents earlier in the tournament, in games against Mexico and Australia respectively.

Kane, however, was not involved in a confrontation with an opponent and the England captain appeared bemused as Paredes approached referee Elfath and complained that the striker had been covering his mouth.

Former England goalkeeper Hart was not impressed, either. “Pathetic,” he said. “He was talking to the referee. He was trying to be clear. It's so difficult to communicate out there. Harry Kane's just trying to have a conversation with the referee.

“I get it. Of course they're going to do anything they can to win this game. If you're going to go letter of the law and you see that, but come on, just win the game by scoring more goals.”

England were then urged to “give as good as they’ve got” against Argentina’s underhanded tactics after the holders committed a litany of fouls in the first half of their World Cup semi-final.

Argentina were guilty of 12 fouls in the first 45 minutes but were only shown one yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez the sole Argentinian to enter the book.

Thomas Tuchel’s men hardly looked like they were being bullied, however, with pundits Wayne Rooney and Hart delighted with how the Three Lions have so far reacted to the “wind-up” game of Argentina.

“Argentina would have definitely spoken about this before the game: ‘Let’s get into Jude [Bellingham], try and wind him up, try and make him get a yellow card, try and get him sent off’. It’s really important that we don’t take that bait, and we don't allow them to keep doing it, and we don't react badly to it,” said Rooney on BBC One.

“We have to be clever enough not to be involved. When there's a tackle there, go and win it with force, but do not get involved because the Argentina team, they do this a lot. They do this in other games, and they're used to it.”

England have been urged to “give as good as they’ve got” against Argentina’s underhanded tactics after the holders committed a litany of fouls in the first half of their World Cup semi-final.

Argentina were guilty of 12 fouls in the first 45 minutes but were only shown one yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez the sole Argentinian to enter the book.

• England v Argentina LIVE: Historic rivalry renews in massive World Cup semi-final

Thomas Tuchel’s men hardly looked like they were being bullied, however, with pundits Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart delighted with how the Three Lions have so far reacted to the “wind-up” game of Argentina.

“Argentina would have definitely spoken about this before the game: ‘Let’s get into Jude [Bellingham], try and wind him up, try and make him get a yellow card, try and get him sent off’. It’s really important that we don’t take that bait,  and we don't allow them to keep doing it, and we don't react badly to it,” said Rooney on BBC One.

“We have to be clever enough not to be involved. When there's a tackle there, go and win it with force, but do not get involved because the Argentina team, they do this a lot. They do this in other games, and they're used to it.

“ If you look at the England bench, Anthony Barry’s up, Thomas Tuchel's up. They will know what was coming. If that happens, stay on the floor. Try and get them a yellow card because this is how they want to play. We have to do the same thing. We have to be as clever as they are.

“They haven’t overreacted.  They've given as good as they've got. They have to hold their ground and do it back to them. Give them some back because otherwise, if you allow them to keep doing it, normally they'll come out on top.”

Hart added: “I've loved how the England players have reacted and stood up to the battle. Anderson has chased the great man Messi around the field and not given him an inch. He has moments, of course he had, but that set the tone.

“When they get a chance, they're smacking them back. That is exactly what you need in a game like this. You have got to stand up for yourself.”

While Hart was complimentary of England’s reaction, another former Three Lions goalkeeper in Paul Robinson was left furious by the first half, blasting referee Ismail Elfath.

“That's one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen at this World Cup. He didn't get a grip of the game from the start,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He's let so much go and the two coaches are not happy either. England have had to stick in this game because it has been tough. They have been kicked off the park at times. There's a clear game plan.

“There's been no real flow to the game.”

When Sherrone Moore was fired for conducting a relationship with executive assistant Paige Shiver, at Michigan, the university commissioned Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block to find out what athletic department officials knew about the affair before Shiver admitted to it—and when.

The university has not yet released any public findings. But certain details first reported by The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic and confirmed by Front Office Sports suggest there was widespread speculation within the department about the relationship for more than a year, and that athletic department leadership, including AD Warde Manuel, was aware of this speculation.

Ultimately, however, the university’s board has no plans to discuss the future of athletics personnel issues at its meeting Thursday, the source said. A university spokesperson echoed these comments.

The spokesperson also referred to a statement provided to FOS Tuesday saying: “Because this matter is the subject of pending litigation, the university will not comment further on issues related to that relationship.” As for the report itself, the spokesperson said the documents were private because they were “protected by attorney-client privilege.” 

Shiver’s attorney, Andrew M. Stroth, told FOS that Michigan “should immediately release the findings and recommendations from the $12 million Jenner & Block investigative report. We have been unable to get information regarding this investigation, which is why we filed several FOIAs, and why last week, Ms. Shiver filed a FOIA lawsuit against the University of Michigan. We’re just demanding transparency and accountability.”

Jenner & Block did not immediately provide comment. 

Jenner & Block conducted two separate, but related, investigations into Moore’s conduct and the athletic department’s handling of the situation. The findings raise questions about whether athletic department leadership failed to take proper action on the concerns reported to them.

The investigation found that multiple members of the athletic department, including players and staffers, voiced concerns to athletic department officials about the conduct of Moore and Shiver, the source told FOS. The details were first reported by The Athletic.

The investigation also turned up a letter that Manuel had written in a note in August 2024 that he had told Moore he could not travel with Shiver, the source confirmed. The detail was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

During an interview with Good Morning Americain April, Shiver suggested that the Michigan athletics leadership knew about the affair. “He controlled everything that was going on in my life and they didn’t do anything about it,” she said. 

Another source told FOS in December that the school had received a tip about the relationship and opened an investigation in November., but that there was no actionable evidence until Shiver herself admitted to the affair in December. 

Over the past week, multiple reports surfaced suggesting Michigan would consider whether to part ways with Manuel. The university’s board of regents will convene for a previously scheduled meeting Thursday; there are no plans to have conversations about athletics personnel, according to the source. The university spokesperson had previously said the same to FOS; public meeting minutes also don’t show any conversations scheduled regarding Manuel’s future with the Wolverines.

Manuel said Tuesday during a local radio show that he expects to continue to be Michigan’s athletic director—though he has had conversations about his future. 

The post Michigan Leaders Received Reports of Moore’s Affair, Investigation Finds appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Giuliano Simeone starts for Argentina in their World Cup semi-final against England tonight, offering a throwback to one of the fixture’s most contentious moments.

England and Argentina share a rivalry that is deeper than just the football and until this tournament have not met in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup.

England and Argentina also played in a controversial last-16 tie at the 1998 World Cup, which saw David Beckham sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone.

Diego Simeone, the combustible coach of Spanish club Atletico Madrid, is the father of Giuliano Simeone, who is Argentina’s only change for tonight’s semi-final in Atalanta.

Beckham’s red card against Argentina in 1998 came after he fell into Simeone’s trap and was provoked by the midfielder, with the Englishman kicking out at him after a foul.

Beckham was sent off, in the lowest moment of his career, with 10-man England getting knocked out by Argentina on penalties.

Giuliano Simeone, 23, is a winger who plays under his father at Atletico Madrid. He will be making just his second appearance of the World Cup as a replacement for Rodrigo De Paul.

He was born in Rome while his father was playing for Italian club Lazio but grew up in Argentina before moving to Atletico Madrid to be with his father in 2019.

Diego Simeone, who made 108 appearances for his country, has been seen watching Argentina’s matches throughout this World Cup, and was even pictured smiling with Beckham in Miami.

Nobby Stiles, the revered 1966 England World Cup winner, died from a brain condition directly caused by repeatedly heading a football, a coroner has concluded.

The ruling follows an inquest into the death of the former Manchester United midfielder, who passed away almost six years ago aged 78, suffering from severe dementia.

Stockport Coroner’s Court heard that Stiles had headed a football an estimated 140,000 times throughout his illustrious career. Expert analysis of his brain revealed that his severe dementia was a result of both Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition strongly linked to head trauma from heading a ball.

Neuro-pathology expert Dr Daniel Du Plessis told the court, “I’m quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE.”

When senior coroner for South Manchester, Alison Mutch, asked for clarification, “You are saying repeated heading of the ball is the cause of his CTE?”, Dr Du Plessis unequivocally replied, “Yes.”

Norbert “Nobby” Stiles, born in Collyhurst, Manchester, in 1942, was renowned as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder. He earned 28 caps for England and made nearly 400 appearances for Manchester United. Stiles, who resided in Stretford, south Manchester, died in a care home on 30 October 2020, having been left bed-bound by his advanced dementia.

In January 2024, his family raised the possibility of CTE contributing to his death, prompting Dr Du Plessis to examine brain tissue samples to reach his medical conclusions. Stiles’ family has been actively campaigning for football authorities to provide greater support to former players suffering from injuries they attribute to their playing days.

Stiles’ son, John, has previously stated that football had “killed” his father. During the hearing, Mr Stiles reflected on his father’s character: “My dad was very humble, he just happened to have achieved quite a lot. It never really changed him. If you went into his house, you would never know he was a footballer. He was very much a family man, football was left at the door. The family was always the first priority.”

Coroner Ms Mutch noted the poignancy of the conversation, but Mr Stiles emphasised that his father “never talked, he never bragged” about being a World Cup winner. He added: “He was proud of it but we were always much more proud of the father he was than the footballer.”

Mr Stiles told the court that his father, who joined Manchester United as an apprentice aged 15 in 1957, adored the club and the Busby Babes. He estimated that his father headed the ball around 40 times a day, five days a week, over a 17-year career, calculating a “conservative” estimate of 136,000 headers in total.

He also highlighted that footballs during his father’s era weighed approximately 16 ounces (28g) and became significantly heavier when wet. While modern balls no longer absorb water, studies indicate that heading even a contemporary ball is equivalent to about 80 per cent of the impact of a boxer’s punch.

Mr Stiles recounted how, in his late fifties and early sixties, his father began forgetting things and repeating himself. By 2010, he sold his winning medals to fund his care as his mental struggles intensified, leading to increasing anxiety and a profound sense of dread. “To be honest with you, he was frightened,” Mr Stiles said of his father.

John Stiles now leads the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) group, advocating for greater action from football authorities for ex-players. He is among dozens of former footballers and their families currently suing the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the English Football League, alleging negligence and a breach of their duty of care towards former players. Lawyers representing the claimants argue that football bodies knew, or should have known, for decades that repeatedly heading a ball in training and matches was likely to cause brain injuries.

However, in March this year, lawyers for the FA told the High Court that it has “not been established by science” that heading a ball or “occasional” concussion can lead to permanent brain damage.

The inquest into the death of former Scotland, Manchester United, and Leeds defender Gordon McQueen, who died aged 70, similarly concluded in January that heading the ball was “likely” to have contributed to a brain injury that factored in his death. McQueen was also diagnosed with CTE.

His daughter, TV presenter Hayley McQueen, remarked that England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team had been “pretty much wiped out” by neurodegenerative disease.

A 2019 study, co-funded by the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association, found that footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population. The FA is currently phasing out all heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026.

England look to end 60 years of hurt as they head into the World Cup semi-finals once again.

Tuchel’s Three Lions are set to go head-to-head with Argentina in what will be a historic clash, with captain Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his career.

Across the years, England have had plenty of highs and lows at the sport’s biggest tournament, with drama never far away.

Here, we take a look at how England have fared in previous tournaments.

Brazil 1950 – Group stage

England’s debut appearance ended in a group-stage exit after a shock defeat to the United States was followed by another loss to Spain.

Switzerland 1954 – Quarter-finals

A first taste of quarter-final heartache, Walter Winterbottom’s side lost 4-2 to Uruguay despite goals from Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney.

Sweden 1958 – Group stage

England were unbeaten in the group stage after draws with Soviet Union, Brazil and Austria, but because they could not be separated from the Soviet Union on goals scored or conceded, the two teams met in a play-off which Winterbottom’s side lost 1-0 and were subsequently sent home.

Chile 1962 – Quarter-finals

After beating Argentina to get out of the group stage, Brazil were waiting in the last eight and England went down to a 3-1 defeat in Winterbottom’s last match as manager.

England 1966 – Winners

English football’s defining moment came on home soil as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side won the tournament, thanks largely to Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick in a dramatic final against West Germany.

1970 Mexico – Quarter-final

Despite losing a memorable group game against Brazil, famous for Bobby Moore’s tackle and Gordon Banks’ save, England progressed to a quarter-final against West Germany, where they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 after extra time.

1982 Spain – Second group stage

After an absence of 12 years, England won all three of their group games, but then came unstuck in the second group stage, exiting after draws against West Germany and Spain.

1986 Mexico – Quarter-finals

Gary Lineker’s hat-trick against Poland helped England through to the quarter-finals against Argentina, where they were beaten by Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and stunning individual effort in another historic moment of English football.

Italy 1990 – Semi-finals

One of England’s best runs was defined by Paul Gascoigne’s tears as Sir Bobby Robson’s men suffered a heartbreaking semi-final penalty shootout defeat to old foes West Germany.

France 1998 – Last 16

Argentina were again the enemy again as a thrilling last-16 tie saw 18-year-old Michael Owen score a wonder goal, David Beckham get sent off and Glenn Hoddle’s side lose on penalties after Paul Ince and David Batty missed.

Japan/South Korea 2002 – Quarter-final

After Beckham’s group-stage redemption against Argentina, England, managed by Sven Goran-Eriksson, were beaten 2-1 by Brazil in the quarter-finals after Ronaldinho scored from distance.

Germany 2006 – Quarter-final

England’s golden generation flopped as they lost on penalties to Portugal after Wayne Rooney had been sent off in what proved to be the end of Eriksson’s reign.

South Africa 2010 – Last 16

Fabio Capello’s side put in a dismal showing as they finished second in a group containing the United States, Algeria and Slovenia and subsequently suffered their heaviest World Cup defeat in a 4-1 last-16 hammering against Germany, where Frank Lampard scored a ‘ghost goal’.

Brazil 2014 – Group stage

Roy Hodgson’s England were eliminated at the first hurdle after group stage defeats to Italy and Uruguay, meaning they were already out by the time they drew with Costa Rica in their third match.

Russia 2018 – Semi-final

England’s best run in 28 years saw them finally win a penalty shootout against Colombia in the last 16 before Sir Gareth Southgate’s men ran out of steam and suffered a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.

Qatar 2022 – Quarter-final

After strolling through to the last eight, England’s hopes were dashed by France as Harry Kane missed a late penalty in a 2-1 defeat.

The government is considering an extra bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, with the final set to take place next Sunday.

It is understood that Friday 24 July has been earmarked for a celebratory bank holiday if England wins the tournament, 60 years after its first and only victory in the competition.

England took a stride closer to the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Norway after extra time on Saturday night, saved again by a brace from the effervescent Jude Bellingham.

The prime minister was reticent to confirm a bank holiday when asked about the potential celebration at the Nato summit in Ankara last week, but he hinted it was on the cards.

Sir Keir Starmer told reporters on Wednesday: “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”

The comments came a week after Andy Burnham, tipped to replace Sir Keir as prime minister, called speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup “a bit premature”.

Following England’s strained win against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 1 July, he told Andrew Marr on LBC: “We do have to live in hope. I think, you know, it might be a bit premature to be speculating.

“It would be a fantastic moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray that. I’m an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don’t do it with England either."

Kemi Badenoch said on Monday she would probably not back a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, arguing the “private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off”.

“Sadly, we all know what would happen with a bank holiday – the private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off, and you’d all have to pay for it,” she said.

This isn’t the first time a bank holiday has been suggested as a celebration for an English football victory as fans called for one after the Lionesses won the Euros last year. The women’s team were instead celebrated with an open-top bus parade through central London and a visit to Downing Street.

England will still have to dispatch Argentina on Wednesday, shown from 8pm BST, to meet the winner of Spain v France in the final on 19 July. France is the narrow favourite to win over Spain on Tuesday night.

The Three Lions edged closer to the final following a nail-biting triumph over Norway last night.

Andreas Schjelderup put one past Jordan Pickford to go one up in the 36th minute, only for Jude Bellingham to equalise at 45+2” with an assist from Anthony Gordon.

A second Norwegian goal was ruled out at 57” after a VAR review. Nine minutes of stoppage time were not enough to find a winner, pushing the teams into extra time.

Jude Bellingham wasted no time in scoring again, leaving England with nearly half an hour to hold off Norway as they replaced star striker Erling Haaland with Crystal Palace’s Jørgen Strand Larsen.

England fans said the result was all that mattered after describing the Three Lions’ performance against Norway as “leggy”.

Russell Osborne, 34, from Birmingham, said: “It was very leggy from the boys, but we got it done.

“As long as we sent those boys home, that’s all that matters.”

Jamie Smith, 31, also from Birmingham, said: “Shaky first half but dug deep. Jude saved us again.”

Friends Scott Bickerton and Ashley Wager said they were confident England would go all the way in the World Cup.

Mr Bickerton said: “We’re going to win it, aren’t we? This is the year, we’re going to win it. I’m confident.”

Asked what makes him confident, Mr Bickerton said: “Bellingham. Birmingham City, world class.”

Ashley Wager added: “It’s definitely coming home. Thomas Tuchel, the big German in charge.

“We’ve got big Dan Burn at the back, last 10 minutes again, throwing everything at it.

“Come on England, it’s coming home.”

As England gears up for the World Cup semi-final Wednesday, there will be one name on everyone's lips: Jude Bellingham, the star midfielder who powered the Three Lions through to the marquee clash against Argentina.

In packed stadiums in North America and pubs back home, people belt out the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and don t-shirts with slogans like "Bend it like Bellingham" -- a play on the iconic 2000s film "Bend it like Beckham".

But nowhere is the 23-year-old midfielder more feted than his hometown of Stourbridge, a quiet market town in central England, west of Birmingham.

Wheeling his bike past the town's shopping centre, retiree Keith Hall blows a kiss towards a superhero comic-style mural of Bellingham.

"He's a local lad," Hall told AFP, adding Bellingham "keeps in touch with his roots" despite now playing for Real Madrid.

Bellingham launched his football career playing for the Stourbridge Juniors, before joining Birmingham City's youth side and becoming the club's youngest first-team player.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's become an international sensation because he's the coolest man currently living," gushed grocery store worker Sam Holden, 21.

"Harry Kane obviously can kind of save us in our time of need, but Jude Bellingham can just take us to the heights that England absolutely are capable of reaching."

A regional railway company is offering passengers named "Jude" free travel in Stourbridge this week.

"We look forward to inviting Judes from across the region for a free ride on the Stourbridge Shuttle," said Jonny Wiseman from the West Midlands Railway.

The fever has spread beyond the area, known as Black Country, with a railway station in southeast London briefly renamed to "Jude Bellingham" station.

- 'King Jude' -

In a pub in the village of Hagley near Stourbridge, Vienna Letts pulls pints and recalls the incredible atmosphere when Bellingham and England take to the field.

"Hagley is quite a niche, quiet community normally, but it's like we've all come into one space to just support Jude," said Letts.

"No one would have thought that a boy from Stourbridge could be the top scorer and England could be in the semifinals."

After two stunning goals against Norway on Saturday that fired England into the semis, Bellingham is tied with team captain Kane on six goals in the tournament.

A local shop displays a portrait of Bellingham in its window, and during an interview, a man walks past yelling "hail king Jude!"

In Birmingham, a mural has popped up showing the 23-year-old and teammate and fellow local Morgan Rogers eating local delicacy battered chips -- dipped in an orange batter and deep-fried.

"He's like a hero for other local people, local children, knowing (if) you work hard, you can meet your dreams," said Harpreet Basin, a 40-year-old teacher, visiting the mural.

Back in Stourbridge, tanning salon manager Jessica said she'd been hearing chants of "Hey Jude" around town during the World Cup.

"My children, they've now learned what that song is from it being sung at the football matches," said Jessica. "They (go) round the house singing it as well."

Bellingham appeared moved to tears after the England versus Norway game, when even football legend David Beckham joined the huge crowds serenading him with "Hey Jude" on Saturday in the Miami Stadium.

jg-aks/jkb/pi

England has been called “invaders” and “usurping pirates” by Argentina’s vice-president in a bizarre rant ahead of the teams’ World Cup semi-final clash.

Political tensions linger between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands, which boiled over into conflict in 1982.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it would be “madness” to mix up sport and politics ahead of the match, but his country’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel stoked up the rhetoric around it in a post on X.

“Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates,” the post began.

“This isn’t just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it’s always something more.

“It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s putting the brakes on the invaders. Go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we’re going to claim what’s ours!”

Las Malvinas is Argentina’s name for the Falklands, which in 2013 held a referendum where islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a UK overseas territory.

A meeting involving the FBI, Fifa, and local police addressed the deep-seated historical animosity between the nations and potential fan escalations. Atlanta has deployed additional personnel for Wednesday’s semi-final in an effort to ensure safety and security.

Scaloni did his best to steer away from any geopolitical discussion in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“It’s a football match; I can’t mix things up, out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” he said.

“It was a very sad time in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it. Mixing the two would be madness. We criticise that there was war.

“Of course people remember history and what happened. It is a game of football, we need to keep things separate.

“Yes, we remember Argentinian people and people that were lost in the war, but let’s not conflate things. What do the players of today have to do with many, many years ago?”

Meanwhile in the UK, pubs are expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said pubs would expect to sell eight million pints on an average Wednesday in July, so the extra six million equates to a 75 per cent increase.

BBPS chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Thanks to the World Cup, we’ve seen millions of extra pints sold off the back of home nations matches.

“Given the nail-biting stakes, we expect Wednesday to be the most successful night of the tournament, with more than six million extra pints potentially sold – which is a bigger boost than we’d normally see on a bank holiday or New Year’s Eve.”

French media have poured scorn on the efforts of the France team after they were knocked out by Spain in the World Cup semi-finals.

Les Bleus had been among the favourites to seal a third title at the tournament but were unable to break down an organised Spain, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring from the spot and Pedro Porro doubling their advantage, while France’s all-star attack was neutralised.

Luis de la Fuente’s European champions will face either England or Argentina, who meet on Wednesday night, in Sunday’s final.

France have been fiercely criticised for their lacklustre showing by the national press, with L’Equipe plastering a picture of Kylian Mbappe looking dejected on its front page alongside the headline “Fleeting star”.

Le Parisien also featured a picture of Mbappe alongside the headline “Fallen from a height”, with the caption reading: “Trailing from half-time, Les Bleus never found the key to unlocking the Spanish powerhouse.”

Le Figaro wrote: “Spain put an end to Les Bleus’ dream”, again alongside an image of Mbappe, while Ouest France called it “the end of the American Dream”, with the striker covering his face in disappointment.

Several players came in for particular condemnation from the French press, with three players earning two out of 10 ratings from the outlet L’Equipe.

All three of Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne - who was responsible for conceding a penalty after kicking Lamine Yamal when attempting to control the ball - and Paris St-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele were given the rating.

The paper slammed Dembele as “a huge disappointment”, writing: “Initially on the right, then moved centrally after half an hour, nothing helped: the Ballon d’Or winner did almost everything wrong. As the minutes ticked by, he gradually faded until he became almost invisible. A huge disappointment.” Digne was blasted for his “uncontrolled header and his foul on Lamine Yamal”: “he made two mistakes that resulted in a penalty”.

Olise was not spared despite having an excellent World Cup until this point, with L’Equipe writing: “[Having] risen so high in previous matches, he fell very low this time.”

Captain and star striker Mbappe was awarded a three, alongside the note: “He often seemed very isolated and tried to do everything himself, without success.”

Mbappe was equally derogatory about his side’s performance, saying after the match: “There were too many technical errors. We didn’t know how to hurt them when we needed to. It was up to us to shift the balance of power, and that’s where we failed.”

Nearly 18 million people tuned in to watch England muddle past Norway on ITV over the weekend, so it’s a safe bet that tonight’s World Cup semi-final with Argentina will comfortably top 20 million viewers on the BBC.

Some will be watching this World Cup for the first time. Some might be new to following England in tournaments. If that’s you, welcome. You’re not too late. The World Cup is a book that can be opened at any page, each chapter a distinct challenge, a new puzzle to solve. You don’t need to have watched England toil against Ghana to understand this intense showdown with Argentina.

Perhaps you’re 10 years old watching your first World Cup, in which case absorb it, it will forever be your favourite. Perhaps you don’t usually watch football but the algorithm served up reels of Wonderwall singalongs, Harry Kane’s high-pitched interview, John Stones’ party shoulder, and you thought, I need a bit of whatever this is.

Come on in. This is where we keep the memories. Mind your step, the floor is littered with trauma. That faded picture on the back wall? That’s Bobby Moore on a throne of shoulders. The dusty statuette in the corner? That’s the old World Cup trophy. Ah, yes, the rake you just stepped on is the physical manifestation of Diego Maradona’s left hand. And the handle that just hit you in the face is his left foot.

Because – and it’s only fair to give some warning here – it hurts to support your team in knockout football, pain spawned from a specific kind of angst that churns your insides. When Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland rushed behind England’s defence on Saturday night, and Norway were effectively one pass from the semi-finals, you may have experienced side effects such as rapid swearing or forgetting to breathe. Don’t panic, this is normal.

For each endorphin rush of a Jude Bellingham wondergoal, every serotonin shot of England players singing together arm-in-arm, the dopamine hit of seeing Thomas Tuchel grinning maniacally like a mad scientist in the heat of a highly dangerous experiment, the strain of watching is more intense, the lows deeper, more visceral.

England’s men have played in only two World Cup semi-finals since 1966: there were Paul Gascoigne’s tears and the heartbreak of penalties in 1990; then the extra-time defeat by Croatia in 2018. England fans serenaded the manager with “Southgate, you’re the one” and a nation ached.

This time it’s Argentina, a once-in-a-generation match against a country with which England share a bitter footballing rivalry and an emotive political history. Relations weren’t great before Sir Alf Ramsey described the Argentinians as “animals” after their 1966 quarter-final, but it didn’t help. Then came Maradona’s sin and grace at Mexico 1986, David Beckham’s brush with Diego Simeone in 1998, his restorative penalty in 2002. Twenty-four years later, animosity still simmers. Losing will hurt that little bit more.

Every defeat leaves an indelible mark, and this is the thing with England: World Cup knockout games are rarely straightforward. They never just… get beaten. In some ways we could take a 3-0 loss on the chin, Argentina were the better side, shake hands, embrace, all the best. But if there’s one thing we already know about England v Argentina in a World Cup semi-final on 15 July in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s that something will happen that people not yet born will debate in pubs 30 years from now.

It’s not so much a football match as a historic event, and historically, England’s World Cup knockout defeats have come down to fine margins, controversial decisions, freakish moments, idiotic mistakes. Sometimes it’s a red card, sometimes it’s penalties. Sometimes it’s both. VAR will probably be more influential than whoever starts at right-back.

See every knockout exit for the past 40 years. Mexico ‘86, the hand of God; Italia ‘90, penalties. France ‘98, Beckham’s red card, penalties. Japan ‘02, Ronaldinho’s lob. Germany ‘06, Rooney’s red card, penalties. South Africa ‘10, Lampard’s ghost goal. Russia ‘18, what if Kane had squared it? Qatar ‘22, what if Kane had scored it?

And because defeat is never simple, because it’s never cut and dried, because hope greets you at the door, takes you out for dinner, kisses you and then never calls, you are left reeling, pondering, wondering. It is a kind of grief for a tournament you used to know. How can they go on without us? Will they still think about us during hydration breaks?

So, if you’re just joining, welcome. The World Cup is still football’s purest form, a place where joy and pain spring fresh from the same well. For all its flaws, this tournament has been absorbing, dreamlike, a cave to happily get lost in. But it’s the hope that kills you. Following England is agony. Six down, two to go. Enjoy the game.

There's absolutely nothing boring about Pitt football in style, seasons, and wild mood swings.

That's why it's among the ACC's biggest wild cards.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi proved that Pitt can win an ACC Championship, but lately, just when it seems like something fun is about to happen ... nope.

Can the Panthers Put It All Together and Win an ACC Championship?

It wasn't all that long ago when the Panthers won the 2021 ACC Championship, and that's why it always seems like they're this close to pulling off something big.

Coming off a 3-9 clunker, the 2024 Pitt team started 7-0 and looked like a true championship contender - and then lost its last six games.

The Panthers started 2-2 last season with heartbreaking close losses to West Virginia and Louisville.

They found their quarterback in Mason Heintschel during a five-game winning streak, and everyone started to get on board. And then they closed losing three of their last four.

This season's team has enough talent back to be terrific at times, but it's Pitt. It's going to be an interesting ride.

- 2026 Pitt Schedule Analysis

Pitt Quick Hits

• Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (12th year: 80-61)
• Best Case / Worst Case: Win the ACC Championship/Struggle to stay in the ACC race
• Key Player: Mason Heintschel, QB Soph.
• 2025 Record: 8-5 
• Biggest Question: Can Pitt do all the little things right and win all of the games they're supposed to?

Pitt Key 2025 Stats

• Average Yards Per Carry: Pitt 3.5, Opponents 2.7
• Sacks: Opponents 44 for 325 yards, Pitt 31 for 274 yards
• 1st Quarter Scoring: Pitt 100, Opponents 48

Offense

Offensive coordinator Kade Bell has found his stride. 

There are plenty of things to work on, but he's got the quarterback, the style, and the pop to make Pitt a threat to crank up the production every time out.

Now the Panthers have to be more consistent, and they have to be stronger against the better teams. They have the personnel to do it.

What’s Working

Mason Heintschel. The 6-2, 215-pounder isn't all that big, and he doesn't run, but the guy can spin it.

With a big-time arm and a maturity to his game, the sophomore came up large last season with 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns, even though he didn't fully take over the job until mid-October. 

He's the franchise, and Texas State transfer Holden Geriner is coming in to be the emergency option.

The ground game will take off. Heintschel will get the spotlight and the press, but the Panther rushing attack has the potential to carry its weight after a rough season.

The 1-2 rushing punch of Ja'Kyrian Turner and Western Kentucky transfer La'Vell Wright should combine to push for 1,500 yards.

When Pitt scores, Pitt wins. It was a true feast-or-famine team, going 8-0 when scoring 30 or more, and 0-5 when scoring fewer. 

Over the last four years, Pitt is 22-1 when coming up with 30 or more, and that one loss was in the six-overtime insanity against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

What Needs Work

Third down conversions. The Panthers were explosive, and scoring wasn't much of an issue, but they were the worst in the ACC in third down conversion, hitting them just 33% of the time.

The offensive front should be better, but it still has a long way to go. Three starters are back, with 6-7, 325-pound tackle Ryan Bare the best of the bunch, and with help coming in from the transfer portal.

However, it's still going to take some work after the Panthers were among the worst in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss allowed.

Avoid the mega-turnover games. The Panthers were tied with Syracuse with the most turnovers - 23 - giving it up five times against Louisville, and five more times in the Military Bowl against East Carolina. They lost both by one score.

Player to Watch

Ja'Kyrian Turner, RB Soph.
He's only 5-9 and 180 pounds, but he's tough, lightning quick, and he'll be used even more after leading the team with 745 yards and seven touchdowns, and catching 25 passes for 150 yards.

Defense

As always, Pitt is Pitt on defense.

It's always bringing the heat as one of the best pass rushing and attacking defenses in America, and it's always giving up a ton of passing yards, and it's always coming up with takeaways.

The aggressive style doesn't stop now, especially with a relatively loaded group of veterans who should keep the production going.

What’s Working

The pass rush. Every year under Pat Narduzzi - seriously, every year.

The Panthers find the right players for the system - the statistical stars don't really translate to the next level - and they keep coming in waves.

Be stunned if Pitt isn't first or second in the ACC in tackles for loss per game again.

The defensive front will be a plus. The production comes from all sides, with ends Isaiah Neal and Jimmy Scott combining for eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss, and the defensive tackles can move, too.

Nick James and Sean FitzSimmons are veterans who should combine for way over ten tackles for loss.

The takeaways allow for the offense to take more chances. No one likes turning it over, but Pitt is almost always able to let the offense go full throttle thanks to a defensive style that takes it away every game.

The Panthers only failed to come up with a turnover in one game last year - the 61-9 win over Duquesne from the FCS.

What Needs Work

The linebacking corps. The combination of Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles was dominant, and now Louis is a Miami Dolphin and Biles is a Texas Longhorn.

Alex Sanford Jr. is a ready-made outside linebacker from Purdue, and the return of Braylon Lovelace in the middle - coming off an 80-tackle season with two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss - will be a steadying force.

Giving up yards is part of the cost of doing business for the Pitt corners, and it'll be trial by fire for the new starters.

Shadarian Harrison got his feet wet on one side with 30 tackles and an interception, and in comes big transfer Raion Strader from Auburn along with Kanye Thompson from Syracuse.

The amazing run defense has to keep holding up. Thanks to all the tackles for loss, Pitt usually has a strong statistical run defense.

When opposing ground games are working, they keep handing it off. Pitt went 6-0 when teams ran it fewer than 34 times, and was 2-5 when offenses ran it more.

Player to Watch

Alex Sanford Jr., LB Sr.
How ridiculous was Rasheem Biles last year in Pitt's Money position?

101 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions - both for touchdowns - four broken up passes, and two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery for a score.

Just do that, Alex, in that same Money spot - he came up with 46 tackles last year for Purdue.

Keys to the Season

• Keep quarterback Mason Heintschel from getting popped.
• The offense has to keep up the pressure - the scoring has to be consistent.
• Be sharper - fewer penalties, fewer turnovers, more third down conversions.

Player Who Needs To Shine

Mason Heintschel, QB Soph.
Pitt usually has a few quarterback options, but with all due respect to Texas State transfer Holden Geriner, the entire season is about Heintschel.

He had problems against Notre Dame and Miami, and his production fell off late, but when he was on - he lit up NC State for 423 yards, and cranked out 300 yards in four of his first five starts - he was special.

Biggest Concern

Running through the tape - have a good November.

Over the last three years, Pitt is 3-10 in the final month of the regular season.

Pitt lost a few early games, found their groove, got to 7-2, and then it all fell apart, losing three of the final four. 

To be fair, two of those losses were to Notre Dame and Miami, but the Panthers weren't even close.

The 2024 team started 7-0 and finished 7-6. 

What does this November look like? Florida State, at Louisville, at Cal.

Biggest Game

at Virginia Tech, October 2
As long as Pitt doesn’t biff the home games against UCF and Syracuse, it has a serious shot at starting 6-0 if it can get by the Hokies.

With the next road game at Boston College, 7-0 isn’t a crazy dream before going to Miami.

Transfer Portal

Pitt got better this offseason.

It brought in several players who fit the style - lots of help for Mason Heintschel - and went heavy with bulk talent over star power.

There were a few massive losses - there's no replacing Francis Brewu or Rasheem Biles on the defensive side - but overall it was a good run in the portal.

Best Signing

Raion Strader, CB (Auburn)
The Pittsburgh native started out his career at Miami University and was fantastic with 110 tackles and a ridiculous 31 broken up passes in two years.

He left for Auburn, but didn't do much last year. Now he's back home as a perfect fit for the Panther secondary. 

Biggest Loss

Francis Brewu, DT (Notre Dame)
Losing Rasheem Biles to Texas is every bit as big, but it's a bit easier to find playmaking linebackers than disruptive forces at tackle.

Brewu isn't massive, but the 6-1, 280-pounder can move, with 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and ten tackles for loss over the last two years. He'll be great for Notre Dame.

Other Names to Know

• Alex Sanford Jr., LB (Purdue)
• Jeremiah Warren, DT (Illinois)
• DeMarco Ward, LB (Memphis)

CFN Season Prediction

It's interesting with Pitt, because in some ways, it's among the most predictable of ACC teams.

You know what it's going to do on both sides of the ball. It's just a question of execution.

But on the flip side, it's nasty to figure out this bunch over the last few years, because it will lose to mediocre teams like 2025 West Virginia and 2024 Virginia, and Cincinnati and Wake Forest in 2023 (all of them finished with losing seasons).

CFN Prediction: 7-5

Here's the massive plus - and remember that Duke and Virginia played in the ACC Championship last year. Who do the Panthers miss?

Clemson, Duke, NC State, SMU, Virginia, and a great-looking Wake Forest team. (And Stanford, too, by the way.) 

And the biggest miss this year is Notre Dame, who was on last year's schedule.

The problem is the ACC road slate - at Virginia Tech, Boston College (both should be far, far better), Miami, Louisville, and Cal.

That doesn't even include home dates against UCF, Syracuse, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Florida State.

So like the last two years when Pitt hovered around the seven-to-eight win mark, expect that again.

Related: ACC Football Rankings 2026: Where Things Stand Before Spring

Didier Deschamps questioned whether referee Ivan Barton was the right official to oversee a World Cup semi-final after France were beaten by Spain.

A 2-0 defeat in Dallas marked a disappointing end to Deschamps’ time in charge, with the manager set to depart after Saturday’s third place play-off and expected to be succeeded by Zinedine Zidane.

Deschamps led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and reached the final four years ago, but saw his side dominated in midfield particularly during a semi-final where his forward line failed to fire.

Spain took a first-half lead through Mikel Oyarzabal from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne had struck Lamine Yamal while trying to clear a bouncing ball.

The spot-kick was awarded by experienced Salvadoran referee Barton, who was whistling his fourth game of the tournament at his second World Cup and is a regular in some of Concacaf’s biggest competitions.

A beaten Deschamps felt, though, that certain decisions went against his side in a strange swipe at the official.

“There’s obviously a lot of disappointment,” Deschamps said. “The players are devastated because we had high hopes. Even so, we have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a step behind technically against a team that played very well. It’s our fault, first and foremost.”

“Next, I’ll ask a question, but I’m not going to answer it: ‘Is the referee qualified to officiate a World Cup semi-final?’ We’ve had a few of those, and I’m not going to answer that. And it’s not because we lost that I’m saying this, but there were certain situations… Often against us too.”

Spain will face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, with France awaiting the loser of that match in the battle for third.

France captain Kylian Mbappe believes his side made a tactical error with their selection after failing to fire in their World Cup semi-final against Spain.

The European champions progressed to the showpiece decider with a strong 2-0 win in Dallas, shutting down France’s forward line and controlling much of the game.

Mbappe and the rest of the French attack had been in outstanding form at the tournament, with their skipper still in the mix for the golden boot, but Didier Deschamps’ side lacked fluency and composure in the semi-final.

Spain were particularly dominant in midfield, where Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot were outnumbered and outplayed by Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo.

And Mbappe felt it was a mistake from Deschamps not to add an extra body in that area for the game.

“We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that's hard," Mbappe admitted after the game. "Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.

"We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win. Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo. Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm.

"Because they are better than us at controlling a game. We didn't manage to do it. We were too sloppy technically. We could not hurt them when we could have."

France only really threatened late on after Spain had already gone two ahead as Pedro Porro added to Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty.

The third-place play-off will mark the end of Deschamps’ time in charge, with Zinedine Zidane expected to succeed the 2018 World Cup-winning manager.

Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister has urged his team to take inspiration from Diego Maradona as they seek to get the better of England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

The heavyweight showdown in Atlanta marks the renewal of a rivalry that peaked at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

The late Maradona scored both of Argentina's goals in the quarter-final -- the infamous "Hand of God" opener and then a dazzling solo effort that is one of the greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup.

Argentina went on to win the trophy, an achievement they matched in 2022, with Lionel Messi the inspiration and Mac Allister in the side.

"I don't know if it's just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the '86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them," Liverpool's Mac Allister told reporters on Tuesday.

"Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986," added the midfielder, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona for Argentina and at Boca Juniors.

The 27-year-old admitted Maradona's skills set him apart.

"He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things.... Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that."

Wednesday's game will be the first meeting of the nations at a World Cup since 2002, as Argentina aim to reach a second straight final, and a third in four tournaments.

Mac Allister said England had not played with Premier League intensity so far at the 2026 tournament.

"I don't know if it's to do with the heat, the climate or something else," he said. "But obviously they are a great team who we greatly respect.

"I imagine tomorrow's game will be played with a lot of intensity and obviously plenty of jitters on both sides."

raa/as/jw

Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France's World Cup dream on Tuesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to France.

Mbappe had emerged as one of the stars of the tournament during France's run to the last four, rattling in eight goals at the tip of a free-scoring attack that delighted fans worldwide.

But the 27-year-old French captain's dreams of a third straight World Cup final appearance ended abruptly as Spain outplayed Les Bleus at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Mbappe told French broadcaster M6 that the loss had been a "huge disappointment" for the French squad.

"I don't think we played the match we wanted to play -- whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level," Mbappe said. 

"And when you don't do what you're supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don't win," the Real Madrid star added. 

"Our goal was to press them high up the pitch to prevent them from settling into that slow, controlled rhythm -- because when it comes to controlling the game, they are better than us. We failed to do that." 

Mbappe pinpointed the crux of the problem in midfield, where France's duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni rapidly found themselves over-run by Spain's triumvirate of Rodri, Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz.

"We kept finding ourselves outnumbered 3-on-2 in midfield," Mbappe said. "And against Spain, that's a real problem...When you put it all together, the result is a defeat. It's a huge disappointment."

Mbappe said France's crestfallen squad were determined to bounce back after digesting the lessons of the loss.

"It was a dream for us to reach the final, to give our country the chance to keep dreaming and to make history," he said.

"Now, it is something we have to face with our heads held high. I believe that when you win, you win with your head held high; so when you lose, you have to lose with your head held high, too. 

"But right now, there is immense disappointment. I find it hard to put into words just how disappointed the squad and I are.

"Yet even if it might seem a bit robotic at times, we have to pick ourselves up, go on vacation, and move on to the next chapter. Because football waits for no one. We have to start over, put this failure behind us, and learn from it."

rcw/gj

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente saluted his players as the "best team in the world" on Tuesday after a stunning 2-0 World Cup semi-final upset of France.

De la Fuente, who had repeatedly said Spain were the best side in the tournament, was left beaming with pride as La Roja outplayed France to reach Sunday's World Cup final.

It was another tactical masterpiece by the Spanish coach, who oversaw La Roja's European Championship victory in 2024 and has now beaten France in three straight competitive matches.

"We started almost four years ago with an idea and we’ve been faithful to that idea and it's brought us here," de la Fuente said.

"Today we faced one of the best national teams in the world, but in front of them they had the best team in the world. That is different."

De la Fuente is now contemplating Spain's first World Cup final appearance since 2010.

"These players deserve everything -- day after day they’ve showed their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity, their talent," de la Fuente added of his team. "They make the difficult look easy."

rcw/gj

As the college football world turns, University of Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang remains grounded in his goals.

“I think college football has changed,” said Chang, who enters his fifth season as the Rainbow Warriors’ leader. “You have to be flexible to build a roster and compete. We’re doing that. We’re a different type of program. We’re in a different location. And that poses different factors and opportunities and challenges that we have to be able to adapt.”

Fifty-four months after inheriting a disheartened program that was in emotional turmoil, Chang is navigating an evolving landscape. The transfer portal has eased the way for players to change schools without interruption. Student-athletes may now profit from use of their name, image and likeness. The House vs. NCAA settlement requires profit sharing up to $20.5 million annually per school. (UH has budgeted $5 million for NILs and profit sharing this coming academic year, with $2.5 million earmarked for football.)

The Rainbow Warriors have been impacted living in a material whirl.

“Jackson Harris is an example,” Chang said of the wideout who received a lucrative NIL deal after transferring to LSU following the 2025 regular season. “I think he loved our program, but he left for the money.”

But the portal is accessible in both directions, and the Warriors were able to find tall and fast transfers to reload the receiver positions.

“We just focus on our program, focus on our staff, focus on getting better,” Chang said. “Those are the things we can control. We focus on building and developing young student-athletes.”

In accepting the UH job in January 2022, Chang emphasized assembling a staff that shared his vision, connecting the program with academic and administrative leaders, and taking great care of his players.

“If we want someone to come into our program, it means something,” Chang said. “You’re taking in somebody’s son. You’re taking in someone who wants to trust you. That’s the biggest thing.”

For Chang, that meant providing educational and nutritional opportunities.

“Five years ago, we fought for feeding our kids and taking care of them,” said Chang, noting such programs as the Braddahhood Grindz and Sodexo provide training tables. “We’re fed year ’round besides the days we’re truly off, like spring break or winter break. We kept them fed.”

With expanded guidelines, every team member, including walk-ons, partakes in the training table.

“Once you’re on our team, you’re part of it,” Chang said.

He also has provided some leeway for youthful mistakes.

“I made it vocal, my biggest problem is we’re very quick to move to the next thing and move off people,” Chang said. “We want to build a program where we can give people second chances to try to do things right. We want to grow and develop and build that trust with them.”

During Chang’s tenure, the pied piper has been quarterback Micah Alejado, who was born and reared on Oahu and became a standout quarterback for national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High of Las Vegas.

“Micah brings a lot to the table for our program, for our state,” Chang said of the third-year Warrior. “He’s able to attract other players, as well. When you talk about receivers wanting to come and play, they want to play with Micah. A guy who left, like Jackson, still wanted to play with Micah. It’s the style of how we recruit. We recruit people. Your talent is your talent. We recruit based on who you are as a person.”

Chang also said that standard holds for his coaches and staff. Chang has reached agreement on a contract extension, although the paper work has not been signed. As part of conversations, Chang strongly proposed rewarding his staff. Last month, the assistant coaches received new contracts — some received two-year deals.

“The most important thing is continuing to build,” Chang said. “When you look at the building part of it, it’s taking care of your coaches. The coaches are an extension of me. I want to make sure we’re taking care of them. And always taking care of the players, whether it’s revenue sharing or NILs or feeding them. That’s the biggest thing.”

The Warriors became a football-only member of the Mountain West in 2012. This month, 15 UH sports joined, making the school essentially a full member. (UH’s men’s volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo teams remain in the Big West because the Mountain West does not sponsor those sports.)

With UH as full member, school president Wendy Hensel has been appointed to the Mountain West’s Board of Directors and the league’s executive committee. Athletic director Matt Elliott will have a greater voice in decisions involving UH. And UH will receive a full share of the league’s national television revenue.

On the football field, the Warriors have a chance to fill the leadership void created by Boise State’s and Fresno State’s departure to the Pac-12.

Chang will continue to call plays for the ever-evolving run-and-shoot offense.

“I think the run-and-shoot is a wrinkle in itself,” Chang said. “It’s an offense about quarterbacks and receivers being on the same page. You start with an offense like that, it becomes challenging (for defenses) to stop.”

Chang also said defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman will continue to reload a scheme in attack mode.

“Dennis has a great understanding of how he wants to attack and what he wants to do,” Chang said. “Complicated or simple, he wants to make his defense attack. This year more than others. You lose (play-making safety) Peter Manuma and you have guys to replace him. There have been guys waiting in the wings ready to step up.”

—

So, in a state with a history of Spanish conquest, history could be repeating itself for Spain. As in Euro 2024, they beat France in a semi-final. As in 2010, they could follow victory in the European Championships by doing the double, by adding a World Cup. Deep in the heart of Texas, Luis de la Fuente’s side took a sizeable step towards greatness.

Didier Deschamps had pronounced them as the favourites to win the World Cup. It turns out that was not just kidology. As the France manager’s epic reign came in effect to an end, it was without a second World Cup or a third consecutive final. Kylian Mbappe may yet go on to become the greatest World Cup goalscorer and player; but not yet, not in Dallas, not now.

Instead, he was outscored on the day by Mikel Oyarzabal, the unheralded striker whose goal decided Euro 2024 and who set Spain towards a still greater triumph. The Real Sociedad captain had an unlikely ally. Pedro Porro, fresh from a Premier League relegation battle with Tottenham, scored a goal to take his side into a World Cup final. But Spain need no reminding that defenders can chip in: their previous World Cup semi-final victory, 16 years ago, came courtesy of Carles Puyol. Watching on, he must have remembered; so, surely, did Sergio Ramos and Xavi, alongside him.

De la Fuente’s team are less defined by tiki-taka but they nevertheless prospered by exerting control. They are borrowing from the 2010 formula, global domination secured by reigning European champions who were immune to conceding.

An almost impenetrable defence has been breached only by Belgium’s Charles de Ketelaere. France, with their previously fabulous front four, were supposed to provide the stiffest test. But they were not the unstoppable force: not when pitted against the immovable object of the Spanish rearguard. After 35 minutes, France had an xG of 0.01. By the interval, it had crept up to 0.04. The numbers showed how negligible their threat was.

Nevertheless, France may feel Spain were scarcely more potent at the start. This was a game that swung on a mistake: sadly for Lucas Digne, he committed it. The left-back has had a fine tournament but a duel with Lamine Yamal always offered the possibility of Spanish success. So it transpired, even if not in the manner that may have been anticipated.

Digne headed the ball up in the air and, preparing to clear, not noticing his opponent, volleyed Lamine Yamal instead. A day after his 19th birthday, the teenager got a kick in the ribs and Spain the gift of a penalty. Oyarzabal, who has an impeccable record of scoring in finals, this time struck in the semi-final instead, drilling in his spot kick for his fifth goal of the World Cup.

It was far from Lamine Yamal’s only contribution. The Barcelona winger has still only scored once in this World Cup – he added a terrific finish for what he thought was Spain’s third goal, only to be flagged offside – but he was excellent. He also collected a caution for hacking down Mbappe after tracking back. If nothing else, it was a sign of commitment.

Oyarzabal’s opener had put France in uncharted territory, at least as far as this tournament was concerned. It was the first goal they had conceded in the knockout stages and the first time they had been behind in the World Cup in four years. They had started slowly in the 2022 final. They did again in the 2026 semi-final. This time, their response was muted; unlike against Argentina in Qatar, there was no dramatic comeback.

Instead, they stopped resembling the best team in the tournament. They were ineffectual in attack, Michael Olise was almost anonymous, Ousmane Dembele provided one wonderful diagonal pass but little else and Bradley Barcola was kept quiet by Porro. Mbappe stirred in the second half, with two shots in as many minutes. Unai Simon had to save from Desire Doue but was largely untroubled.

He was well protected with Rodri the dominant force in midfield. Spain provided the game’s classiest move, when Fabian Ruiz could have doubled the lead after a delightful combination between a series of players, meeting Lamine Yamal’s cross only for Dayot Upamecano to deflect his shot wide.

Meanwhile, France had the sense that, bit by bit, everything was going wrong. Adrien Rabiot collected an early booking, risked a second on the stroke of half-time and was removed at the break. No sooner had Oyarzabal scored then William Saliba went off, feeling his back. No sooner had Deschamps sent for Doue then Porro doubled Spain’s lead.

The Tottenham right-back played a one-two with Dani Olmo, with no one tracking his run – Digne and Doue looking the culprits – and slotted a shot beyond Mike Maignan. And in a way, that summed it up: France were caught off guard by Spain. They lost to the cleverer, more cohesive team. It is au revoir to Deschamps’s France, with a sense of what might have been. It is Spain, though, who could regain the World Cup.

Ahead of the season opener against Baylor in Atlanta, Auburn has entered into a lucrative NIL deal with the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Peach Bowl announced Tuesday. The agreement is worth “multi-million dollars,” according to the release.

This year’s matchup between Baylor and Auburn was to take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium to conclude a home-and-home series. In October 2025, On3’s Brett McMurphy first reported the game would instead move to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Aflac Kickoff Game and Auburn athletes would be able to earn up to $5 million in NIL opportunities. The Peach Bowl did not disclose the exact figure.

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Up to 24 Tigers athletes will enter into third-party deals that include marketing assets and promotional appearances, starting in July through the Sept. 5 game, the Peach Bowl said. They will participate in social media posts, public appearances, advertisements, in-game promotions and media interviews while also appearing on signage and branding opportunities.

“In the new NIL era of college football, this will be an innovative way to create wins for the teams, programs and student-athletes,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO David Epps in a statement. “This new model is a true win-win scenario where Auburn and its student-athletes get a financial boost in the NIL space. At the same time, it’s a potential gamechanger for neutral-site games like ours who want to bring added value to participating teams and make it a more attractive and lucrative opportunity.”

How NIL led Auburn to move Baylor game

Third-party NIL deals have become an important part of the college sports landscape, especially in the post-House settlement era. While schools can directly share up to $21.3 million with athletes through revenue-sharing, outside opportunities are ways to get “above the cap.” Those deals are subject to the NIL Go clearinghouse.

After the news came out about Auburn’s decision to move the Baylor matchup to a neutral site, Tigers AD John Cohensaid third-party NIL deals are essential to future success in the modern era. While it wasn’t an easy call, he noted the broader impact.

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“When opportunities present themselves, you have to very seriously consider that knowing all the factors that we know – one of which is the fact that anytime you move a home game, you’re affecting lives,” Cohen told AuburnSports’Justin Hokanson at the time. “There are a lot of businesses in and around Auburn. Dr. Chris Roberts and I both, along with our board members, realize that taking a game away from Auburn, Ala. and moving it somewhere else can economically hurt a community and it can have an adverse effect.

“The challenge that we have is we also have to be extremely competitive in the third-party marketplace for NIL. We have to. … We have to get great, quality student-athletes.”

France have suffered a major blow in their World Cup title bid after William Saliba was forced off with a suspected muscle problem.

The influential defender went down untouched on the ball and immediately looked dejected, with it quickly becoming apparent the Arsenal man would not be able to continue.

• France v Spain LIVE: World Cup semi-final score and latest updates

Stretching out his leg, he was treated by France team doctors before being substituted, though he was able to walk off without help.

Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix replaced the 25-year-old for his second appearance this World Cup.

“That may be the end to William Saliba's World Cup,” said former England forward Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He wasn't under great pressure. He turned around and sat on the deck.”

Saliba has played every minute of this World Cup barring the 4-1 win over Norway in Group I, which saw Didier Deschamps rest numerous top stars with progression already secured.

His forced removal acts as an incredibly untimely setback for Les Bleus, who were trailing as Saliba picked up the injury.

They fell behind in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne clumsily brought down Lamine Yamal in the area, and while there were questions of whether Yamal handled the ball in the build-up, VAR did not intervene.

Mikel Oyarzabal then converted from the spot to give Spain the lead, drilling into the net to beat Mike Maignan, who dived the right way.

If France are able to turn the match around, they will face a nervy wait to see if Saliba will be fit the World Cup final in New Jersey on 19 July, where one of England or Argentina will be waiting.

Arsenal will also fear Saliba has suffered a long-term injury, whose 2025/26 season was maligned by numerous fitness setbacks which saw him miss a combined 12 matches for club and country.

Arsenal’s season starts with the Community Shield against Manchester City on 16 August before facing newly-promoted Coventry in their Premier League opener five days later.

Brighton have signed Crotia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported club record fee of £46 million ($62 million) that could yet increase.

The 19-year-old, who played against England at the World Cup, has agreed a five-year contract with the Seagulls, with an option for a further 12 months.

The BBC reported Spurs could receive an additional £4 million in add-on fees, while the deal includes a 20 percent sell-on clause.

Vuskovic joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split in 2025 and spent last season on loan at German club Hamburg.

The centre-back did not make a single competitive appearance for Spurs but Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told the Seagulls' website on Tuesday: "Luka has enjoyed a fantastic start to his career –- it's one we've followed closely. 

"Last season he demonstrated he can play at a very high level and we want to help him build on that within our environment.

"There's been a lot of external noise about Luka joining us, but he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust to the demands of playing for Brighton and the Premier League. We are confident that he will take this in his stride though."

jdg/dmc

Former Croatian international footballer Dario Simic was arrested Tuesday in an anti-corruption operation linked to a coastal campsite development, the state-run HINA news agency reported.

Simic was held in the capital, Zagreb for allegedly illegally obtaining a permit to create a campsite on the country's central coast, HINA said, citing unnamed sources.

Neither police nor the anti-graft prosecutors have confirmed the arrest, but local media published photographs of Simic in handcuffs exiting a police vehicle.

Two more people were taken into custody along with the 50-year-old Simic, according to HINA.

They include a former regional tourism official accused of helping Simic obtain the required campsite permits and a local businessman who allegedly acted as an intermediary.

In 2024, local authorities in Tisno, where the campsite is located, filed complaints against Simic over alleged illegal construction in a protected coastal zone.

The case concerns a small private campsite with 10 pitches for up to 30 people, according to media reports.

The former tourism official and four others were charged last year with allegedly issuing unlawful campsite permits.

Simic retired from international football in 2008 after becoming the first Croatian to earn 100 caps for his country.

A defender, Simic entered club football with his hometown club Dinamo Zagreb in 1992 and played his first international four years later, before going on to play a key role as Croatia took third place at the 1998 World Cup.

After six seasons at Dinamo he joined Inter Milan, later moving on to city rivals AC Milan, where he won one Serie A and two Champions league trophies before joining Monaco in 2008.

Simic returned to Dinamo two years later shortly before retiring.

He has since started a prominent bottled water company, which is stocked throughout the region.

ljv/al/ea

Jude-fever. Bellingham-mania. No one has come up with a catchy name for it yet, but it’s happening. A London train stop called Bellingham station has been renamed “Jude Bellingham”. West Midlands Railway is offering free train rides for anyone named Jude. “Hey Jude” is on the playlist after every England win with “Three Lions” and “Wonderwall”, the only player with his own ballad.

Only a couple of weeks ago, this World Cup felt like it would be Harry Kane’s tournament. It could yet be Kane’s pinnacle at the end of an extraordinary season of 72 goals and counting, a tally bettered only once, by Lionel Messi. If Messi is one of football’s deities, then Kane is the greatest mortal ever to do it. Win the World Cup on Sunday, and he will surely end the year on stage in Paris, wearing a shiny suit and holding a golden orb.

But increasingly, this tournament looks like the World Cup of Jude Bellingham. It was his goal against Croatia that sparked England’s best 45 minutes so far, his goal against Panama that broke the deadlock, his rapid double that briefly silenced the Azteca, a feat in itself. Bellingham’s first goal in the quarter-final against Norway was a moment of elite technical skill amid a shower of incompetence, his second a display of heightened instincts that earned England a victory they scarcely deserved.

And perhaps this tournament means even more to Bellingham, a player who has been publicly questioned and privately doubted by his own manager, who has been subjected to outside scrutiny unlike his teammates. “Don’t bring Jude,” ran a headline in the Daily Mail earlier this season, suggesting England would be better off without the “divisive soloist” at the World Cup.

“It’s good to put some of the noise aside, and just show my country and my teammates how committed I am to helping us win football matches,” Bellingham said after scoring in the 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas.

It seems bizarre now, but one of the decisions Thomas Tuchel stewed over before that opening match – and throughout his 18-month reign – was whether Bellingham or Morgan Rogers should be his No 10 at the World Cup. Bellingham missed last September’s qualifiers after undergoing shoulder surgery, and it was unfortunately timed. England played their best game under Tuchel, winning 5-0 in Serbia, and Rogers was excellent.

Tuchel omitted Bellingham from the following camp despite his return to fitness at Real Madrid. There was also the infamous line about Bellingham’s “repulsive” on-field behaviour, which Tuchel attributed to his mother and a slip of the tongue in his second language, and for which he later apologised.

Tuchel felt England created a “brotherhood” during those September and October camps. Could a powerful personality like Bellingham slip seamlessly into the fold?

Even when Bellingham made the World Cup squad, there was no guarantee he would start against Croatia. Tuchel was asked before kick-off: why Bellingham over Rogers? “It was really close,” the manager said. Was he picked because of his big-game appetite, that knack for scoring when it matters? “No,” said Tuchel. “A 50-50 call,” he called it, as if Bellingham had just beaten Rogers in a game of rock-paper-scissors in the dressing room.

There were a raft of other No 10s Tuchel could have chosen. Eberechi Eze has played only cameos. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are watching on TV. But then, really, what is the point of Bellingham’s unique set of powers if you don’t use them? England have a player who Real Madrid bought for €103m aged 19, who won the Champions League at 20, who is at his fourth major tournament aged 22. Steven Gerrard played his fourth at 30. Frank Lampard was 36.

And over the past few weeks, Bellingham has shown why he is not just another piece of England’s puzzle: he’s the piece, the keystone in the entire edifice of this World Cup campaign.

There are the goals, obviously, the assists, the way he bends rigid games to his will. But with Bellingham, it’s also the other bits, the intangibles, like his sheer presence in an England team and what that brings. Already at his age, Bellingham carries an aura that transmits confidence to his teammates, one that makes opponents feel a little smaller as they line up in the tunnel.

Perhaps part of that is the compelling aesthetics, the upright posture, the square shoulders, standing 6ft plenty. The cheekbones, the smile, the twinkle in his eyes. We are not supposed to objectify athletes in this job, but come on now. The Norwegian defence just went weak at the knees and now England are 2-1 up in a quarter-final.

Then there are the tackles, three in the second half against Croatia alone. They are not just toes on the ball but full slides through his opponent, comprehensive clean-outs, taking the man with him as he goes. It is the type of tackle that lifts England fans off their feet, that elicits those low-octave hums of “Juuuuuude”, a tackle that gets his teammates facing forwards, that changes the direction of the wind.

If you delve into Fifa’s enormous suite of World Cup stats, you’ll find Bellingham on top in two categories. The first is sprints – no one left in the competition has made more than his 328, or 55 per game. That’s a sprint every 110 seconds, across six games, one of which was played not far off the altitude of Mount Olympus, another played in heat and humidity that even Amazon tribesmen would describe as stifling.

The second is what Fifa catchily calls “offers to receive in between”, which are those moments when Bellingham stands in a difficult place, where opponents lurk, where defenders are near, and demands to have the ball. If his sprints show endeavour under strain and stress, the latter shows courage and sheer belief in his own ability to take possession under pressure, time and again.

But perhaps just as telling is that on a whole raft of other measures, Bellingham ranks near the top. Distance covered, pressures, turnovers, goals, off-the-ball runs, chances created, headed efforts attempted. His work is best displayed in the box, but Bellingham is a complete midfielder impacting every aspect of each game, England’s omnipresent force. It is not that he’s a “soloist”. It’s just that sometimes it takes a virtuoso to elevate the piece.

It is why the comparisons with Steven Gerrard are justified, another player who could thrive in any position on the pitch. Yet Gerrard never produced this level for England, at least not consistently throughout a World Cup. Neither did Lampard, nor Wayne Rooney, nor David Beckham, nor Michael Owen. Bellingham’s individual performance has surpassed Paul Gascoigne at Italia ’90 and Gary Lineker at Mexico ’86. It is perhaps the best by an England player at a World Cup since 1966.

There are glimpses of his potentially combustible personality in those moments when he admonishes the referee or bellows at teammates for not reading his mind. His mum repeatedly reminded him not to get a yellow card in the days before Norway in order to avoid a suspension.

The snipes at Tuchel in post-match interviews perhaps revealed Bellingham’s frustrations at his battle for his place, using his position of undoubted power to get certain things off his chest. But that edge has been channelled into performances full of commitment and purpose, delivered with an energy that has set England’s tone. Tuchel might even take some credit for that, provoking a little motivation and inspiration.

Perhaps a career path outside the Premier League’s gaze has stymied Bellingham’s appreciation in England. Perhaps it doesn’t help that he is so hard to define, a No 10 who isn’t really a typical No 10 at all. His youth coach at Birmingham City famously marvelled at how he could play three midfield roles at once – numbers 4, 8, and 10 – so added them together and assigned him No 22.

But his talent cannot be ignored this summer. Belli-monium is in full swing. Some time after the end of the Norway game, thousands of English fans belted out “Hey Jude” with feeling as he stood on the grass below, alone, drenched in sweat, allowing the adulation to wash over him. What an extraordinary experience that must be. And for the first time at this World Cup, Bellingham looked like he didn’t know what to do with himself.

The end of the 2026 World Cup is nigh, making every moment between now and Sunday’s final unmissable.

Every single game from the competition has been available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers., with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage right through to the decider.

The time difference has provided a challenge for European audiences, with some games kicking off in the early hours – though their are kinder start times for the semi-finals and final.

Here’s how you can watch every game at the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland.

World Cup 2026 TV schedule, UK

Semi-finals

Tuesday 14 July

France vs Spain (Semi-final) – 8pm BST – ITV

Wednesday 15 July

England vs Argentina (Semi-final) – 8pm BST – BBC

Finals

Saturday 18 July

Third-place play-off – 10pm BST – TBC

Sunday 19 July

Final – 8pm BST – BBC and ITV

Round-of-32

Sunday 28 June

South Africa 0-1 Canada (Round of 32)

Monday 29 June

Brazil 2-1 Japan (Round of 32)

Germany 1-1 (3-4 pens) Paraguay (Round of 32)

Tuesday 30 June

Netherlands 1-1 (2-3 pens) Morocco (Round of 32)

Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway (Round of 32)

France 3-0 Sweden (Round of 32)

Wednesday 1 July

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador (Round of 32)

England 2-1 DR Congo (Round of 32)

Belgium 3-2 Senegal A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Thursday 2 July

USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Round of 32)

Spain 3-0 Austria (Round of 32)

Friday 3 July

Portugal 2-1 Croatia (Round of 32)

Switzerland 2-0 Algeria (Round of 32)

Australia 1-1 (2-4 pens) Egypt (Round of 32)

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Saturday 4 July

Colombia 1-0 Ghana (Round of 32)

Last-16

Saturday 4 July

Canada 0-3 Morocco (Round of 16)

Paraguay 0-1 France (Round of 16)

Sunday 5 July

Brazil 1-2 Norway (Round of 16)

Monday 6 July

Mexico 2-3 England (Round of 16)

Portugal 0-1 Spain (Round of 16)

Tuesday 7 July

USA 1-4 Belgium (Round of 16)

Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Round of 16)

Switzerland 0-0 (4-3 pens) Colombia (Round of 16)

Quarter-finals

Thursday 9 July

France 2-0 Morocco (Quarter-final)

Friday 10 July

Spain 2-1 Belgium (Quarter-final)

Saturday 11 July

Norway 1-2 England A.E.T. (Quarter-final)

Sunday 12 July

Argentina 3-1 Switzerland A.E.T. (Quarter-final)

Group stage results

Thursday 11 June

Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Group A)

Friday 12 June

South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic (Group A)

Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Saturday 13 June

USA 4-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Qatar 1-1 Switzerland (Group B)

Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Group C)

Sunday 14 June

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (Group C)

Australia 2-0 Turkey (Group D)

Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)

Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Group F)

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)

Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Group H)

Belgium 1-1 Egypt (Group G)

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Group H)

Tuesday 16 June

Iran 2-2 New Zealand (Group G)

France 3-1 Senegal (Group I)

Iraq 1-3 Norway (Group I)

Wednesday 17 June

Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Group J)

Austria 3-1 Jordan (Group J)

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (Group K)

England 4-2 Croatia (Group L)

Thursday 18 June

Ghana 1-0 Panama (Group L)

Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia (Group K)

Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa (Group A)

Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Canada 6-0 Qatar (Group B)

Friday 19 June

Mexico 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

USA 2-0 Australia (Group D)

Scotland 0-1 Morocco (Group C)

Saturday 20 June

Brazil 3-0 Haiti (Group C)

Turkey 0-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Netherlands 5-1 Sweden (Group F)

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Sunday 21 June

Ecuador 0-0 Curacao (Group E)

Tunisia 1-5 Japan (Group F)

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Belgium 0-0 Iran (Group G )

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Group H)

Monday 22 June

New Zealand 1-3 Egypt (Group G)

Argentina 2-0 Austria (Group J)

France 3-0 Iraq (Group I)

Tuesday 23 June

Norway 3-2 Senegal (Group I)

Jordan 1-2 Algeria (Group J)

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan (Group K)

England 0-0 Ghana (Group L)

Wednesday 24 June

Panama 0-1 Croatia (Group L)

Colombia 1-0 DR Congo (Group K) 

Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar (Group B)

Switzerland 2-1 Canada (Group B)

Morocco 4-2 Haiti (Group C)

Scotland 0-3 Brazil (Group C)

Thursday 25 June

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico (Group A)

South Africa 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Ecuador 2-1 Germany (Group E)

Friday 26 June

Japan 1-1 Sweden (Group F)

Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands (Group F)

Paraguay 0-0 Australia (Group D)

Turkey 3-2 USA (Group D)

Norway 1-4 France (Group I)

Senegal 5-0 Iraq (Group I)

Saturday 27 June

Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Uruguay 0-1 Spain (Group H)

Egypt 1-1 Iran (Group G)

New Zealand 1-5 Belgium (Group G)

Croatia 2-1 Ghana (Group L)

Panama 0-2 England (Group L)

Sunday 28 June

Colombia 0-0 Portugal (Group K)

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan (Group K)

Algeria 3-3 Austria (Group J)

Jordan 1-3 Argentina (Group J)

Referee Ivan Barton will take charge of the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France in Dallas.

The Salvadoran official has earned a prestige appointment for the mouthwatering meeting of European heavyweights as the first place in the final is settled.

Born in Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second largest city, Barton has previously worked as a professor of organic chemistry after earning a degree in chemical sciences at university.

The 35-year-old is a regular in Concacaf’s biggest tournaments and made his World Cup debut with the whistle at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Earlier at this edition, Barton made history as the first referee to send a player off for covering their mouth during a confrontation, dismissing Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron during their game against Turkey. He was also in charge for the round of 16 clash between Colombia and Switzerland.

Barton was the referee who halted a 2023 Concacaf Nations League encounter between the United States and Mexico early in stoppage time due to homophobic chants from fans.

France vs Spain match officials

Referee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)

Assistant Referee 1: David Moran (El Salvador)

Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Pupiro (El Salvador)

4th Official: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

Reserve Assistant Referee: Mahbod Begi (Sweden)

Ismail Elfath will take charge of the World Cup semi-final clash between England and Argentina in Atlanta.

Born in Morocco, Elfath moved to the United States as an 18-year-old after winning a diversity visa lottery, and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2006.

He made his refereeing debut in Major League Soccer in 2012 before becoming a Fifa-listed official in 2016, earning selection for the U20 World Cup in 2019.

Three years later, he made his bow at the senior tournament, whistling three fixtures in Qatar including the round of 16 clash between Japan and Croatia.

This semi-final will be his fourth fixture of the 2026 World Cup, with the 44-year-old having sent off Uruguay’s Agustin Cannobio during their group stage encounter with Spain. He also took charge of Norway’s win over Brazil in the round of 16.

England and Argentina have not met since a friendly in Geneva in 2005. Their last World Cup knockout match was in 1998, with a round of 16 fixture settled on penalties as Argentina progressed.

Match officials for England v Argentina

Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)

Assistant referees: Corey Parker & Kyle Atkins (USA)

Fourth official: Maurizio Mariani (Ita)

Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England -- he will finally get the chance in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.

Messi won his 200th cap for the Albiceleste in the group-stage victory against Algeria and dreams of leading his country to the final once again.

The diminutive playmaker is surely in the final days of a remarkable international career which began when he was a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2005.

Having broken into the Barcelona team late the previous year, Messi had just starred for Argentina as they won the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

He was handed his Argentina bow by Jose Pekerman in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest that August, replacing Lisandro Lopez in the 64th minute and joining Hernan Crespo up front.  

Ninety seconds later he was sent off for what the referee saw as an elbow. It was quite the ignominious way for his Argentina career to begin.

"An 18-year-old kid who is making his debut for the national team and has so much hope -- he can't be punished like that. The referee needed to be more understanding," said Crespo.

Messi might look back now and laugh at that incident, which led to him being suspended for a friendly against England in Geneva three months later.

The nations have not met since, and so Messi will play against the Three Lions for the very first time under the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," said Messi after Argentina beat Switzerland in Kansas City in the last eight.

- Emulating Maradona -

The man who emulated Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago will now hope to leave a similar mark on England as his legendary predecessor.

Any meeting of these countries evokes memories of the 1986 quarter-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, when Maradona punched in to score the 'Hand of God' opener and then ran past half the England defence for his team's second goal -– perhaps the greatest World Cup goal of all time.

Messi has not scored one quite like that, but ahead of the semi-finals of the current tournament he had scored more World Cup goals than any other player.

With 21 goals from a tournament record 32 appearances, he led France skipper Kylian Mbappe by one after the quarter-finals.

The Inter Miami player had found the net in nine consecutive World Cup matches before the Switzerland game, when he let others -- notably Julian Alvarez -- take over the goalscoring duties.

Argentina are now one game away from reaching another World Cup final, as they aim to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu. The full-back played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002 –- even Maradona only played in two.

"Getting to another semi-final is not a normal, mundane thing, so this is something we should really enjoy because we don't know if it will happen again," Messi said.

The England players will hope to enjoy it as well.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Nico O'Reilly, who is likely to come up against Messi if he starts at left-back, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's coming towards the end of his career. For me personally, he's the best player to ever touch a football pitch. And yeah, I can't wait for the challenge."

as/gj

England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.

An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.

It is the first competitive meeting of the sides since the 2002 World Cup and the fixture conjures so many memories, from Diego Maradona and the 'Hand of God' in 1986, to David Beckham's red card after tangling with Diego Simeone in 1998, while also thrusting the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands back into the spotlight.

"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after his team's 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

There is more than enough to focus on in purely footballing terms, with England one win from a first appearance in the World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.

Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

"This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more," said Messi after the Switzerland game.

"It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semi-finals."

Remarkably, the semi-final is also the first time Messi has ever played against England.

- Epic feel -

Neither team has enjoyed a smooth passage to this stage.

Argentina cruised through the group phase, but the knockout rounds have been frenetic for the team coached by Scaloni, the one-time West Ham United full-back.

Twice they were pegged back before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time. Then they needed a late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, before requiring extra time to sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday.

That game ended Messi's streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup outings, but extended the Albiceleste's unbeaten run at the finals to 12 matches since losing to Saudi Arabia in 2022.

England began with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia but have struggled to hit the same heights since, even if their run in the knockout rounds has had an epic feel to it.

They needed a late comeback, and two Harry Kane goals, to beat DR Congo 2-1, then held on with 10 men to defeat Mexico 3-2 in the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup classic in which Bellingham notched a brace.

The Real Madrid star also scored twice, including an extra-time winner, as England fought back to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami at the weekend.

And so here they are, in a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments.

"We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can't solely rely on (stopping) Messi," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said Monday.

"We've got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of."

- Ageing lineup -

Argentina are an ageing side, and perhaps their exertions to reach this point will catch up with them –- the average age of their starting line-up against Switzerland was over 30, while England's against Norway was 26.6.

England have a doubt over Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness, as they prepare to face Messi at last, right at the end of his glorious career.

"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," said 39-year-old Messi.

The last meeting of the teams was a 3-2 friendly win for England in November 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice.

Messi was 18 at the time and had made his international debut three months earlier, but he did not play in that game.

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team plan to go on the "front foot" against World Cup favourites France when they face off in a heavyweight semi-final showdown on Tuesday.

De la Fuente told a press conference on Monday that Spain will attempt to impose their possession-based game on France in what is shaping up as a gripping clash of styles.

While France coach Didier Deschamps insists Spain remain favourites for the World Cup, betting markets overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts.

Les Bleus have powered into the last four with a scintillating brand of attacking football based around such talents as Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele. 

But De la Fuente -- whose team have beaten France in their last two meetings -- is quietly plotting another ambush at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

"We've already analyzed France in great detail, we've known each other for a while now," De la Fuente said. 

"We faced each other for a few years now and they have great players, but so do we. We have to put all of our virtues on the table and try to counteract the strengths of the opponent. 

"And that's what football is about - the team that strikes a better balance is usually closer to getting the victory.

"We'll have to think about their players. We'll try to win those duels and will try to be on the front foot during the game, imposing our style."

- France 'far better' -

De la Fuente though is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing his side. 

France, he said, have improved signficantly since Spain defeated them 5-4 in a hectic UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart last year, when the Spaniards led 5-1 before a late rally. That encounter would bear no resemblance to Tuesday's game, De la Fuente said.

"We're talking about two very different matches," he admitted.

"Tomorrow is another semi-final. I will just try to repeat the positive scenarios, but there were other details where things weren't that positive.

"We were winning 5-1, and in a few minutes they managed to make it 5-4. So we're trying to repeat what we did well and the opposite of what we didn't do well.

"We need to try and impose our game. We have completely antagonistic playing styles, so we'll try to be on the front foot and take the initiative."

De la Fuente also believes a maturing France squad will be a tougher proposition. 

"I think they are a better team, far better, because those players have grown, and what they are doing now, is better than what they were doing then," he said. 

"So they've improved their skills in the past two years, and that's the reality."

While controlling possession and tempo will be key, De la Fuente will also tell his players to savour the challenge. Asked what his final message to his team would be, he replied: "Let's get out there and enjoy it. 

"We are in a unique setting. Who knows whether we will come back? We must be the team that we know that we can be. We must be strong and try to counter the strength of the opponent."

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France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favourites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.

France take on Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday in a match widely seen as a collision of the best two teams in the tournament.

While Deschamps' side have lit up the World Cup with a string of scintillating performances, Spain's campaign has built momentum gradually following a shock 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their opening game.

Deschamps, though, maintains that France -- beaten by Spain in their last two meetings -- will be the underdog on Tuesday. 

"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said of Spain's campaign. "Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites. 

"I don't want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (de la Fuente) and their team -- he knows very well that people are expecting greatly of Spain.

"But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."

Deschamps believes Tuesday's game has all the makings of a classic.

"With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game," he said.

Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.

"We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths," Deschamps said.

"Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he's one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch. 

"And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions. 

"When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either."

Deschamps, meanwhile, confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe, who left the quarter-final win over Morocco late in the second half after taking a knock, was "100 percent" fit for the semi-final.

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Didier Deschamps insisted that Spain are the favourites in the World Cup 2026 semi-final against his France team as he predicted a spectacular game in Dallas.

France top the world rankings and have often been described as the best team in the tournament so far but Spain won Euro 2024, beating France in the semi-finals, and again defeated Deschamps’ side in last year’s Nations League.

And Deschamps, who has spent the World Cup claiming that Spain are the likeliest winners, maintained his position, even though France have scored five more goals and won all of their games.

He explained: “If you see what Spain have done in the first match against Cape Verde [a 0-0 draw], forget about that, but in the rest Spain confirmed they are the favourite. I don’t want to add extra pressure to Luis [de la Fuente, the manager] and their team, he knows very well people are expecting greatly of their team.

“They can attack and defend very well, they only conceded one goal. Luis and myself, we know how to defend well but with the quality of the two teams offensively we could think it is going to be a spectacular game.”

Kylian Mbappe had come off in the quarter-final win over Morocco and put ice on his ankle but said after the match that he was fine.

And Deschamps had no concerns about his captain, who has scored eight goals in this World Cup. “He trained today,” he said.

But the France manager has a selection decision in midfield where Aurelien Tchouameni is fit again after a groin problem. The Real Madrid player was named as a substitute against Morocco but Deschamps decided it would be too great a gamble to play him then.

“He is now available,” said Deschamps. “Even though he was on the bench for the last game, the risk was high. He is better today, I am not going to say he has been 100 percent cured. The last game he played was two weeks ago but it does not mean anything.”

The World Cup held its breath Monday on the eve of the first semi-final that pitches France's fearsome attack against a technically gifted Spain team.

France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing to Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.

They are aiming to win the World Cup for a third time while Spain -- despite their rich footballing tradition -- have lifted the famous trophy just once, in South Africa in 2010.

Many observers believe this year's Spain squad has the quality to win the tournament -- but first they need to find a way to stop France's star-studded frontline, led by Mbappe.

The Real Madrid forward has scored eight goals to lead the Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi and will give Spain's defenders a different challenge in Arlington, Texas.

France's roster of forwards also includes Ballon D'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, the English-born forward whose pace and dribbling pull defences out of shape, allowing Mbappe the space to work his magic.

Behind them, whether they start the game or come on as substitutes, France can call on Paris Saint-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.

Defeat to Messi's Argentina in the final in Doha four years ago was a bitter experience for France, and the desire for a rematch is strong -- if Messi can lead his team past England in their semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Adding to France's motivation, France coach Didier Deschamps is leaving after this tournament following 14 years in charge.

Already part of the elite club to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach, Deschamps would dearly love to collect a third title.

"It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important," he said after France comfortably beat Morocco in the quarter-finals.

"I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much."

- Upper hand -

In Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, Spain have the player who will likely succeed Messi and the far younger Mbappe as football's next superstar.

Yamal inspired Spain to glory at Euro 2024 but came into his first World Cup still recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Barcelona player initially looked less than his normal sparkling best, but he has improved steadily and won the player-of-the-match award in the 2-1 semi-final win against Belgium.

The teenager pointed out that Spain have the upper hand on France, having beaten them 2-1 in the semi-final of Euro 2024 and in a high-scoring Nations League semi-final in 2025 that finished 5-4.

"There are two possibilities -- either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens," Yamal said.

Spain's run to the final has been built on a solid defence -- Belgium's goal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was the first they have conceded in the entire tournament.

Coach Luis de la Fuente has restored the possession-based style that was a trademark of earlier Spain teams, meaning France will have to win the ball from them before they can launch their attacks.

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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is confident his team will keep their cool in the heat of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

The rivalry between the two teams is one of the spiciest in world football, influenced by events on and off the pitch.

Pickford said England had largely avoided flashpoints during the 2026 tournament and can cope with the pressure.

"I think you've seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles. We've not got into any scuffles or anything," he said Monday at England's training base in Kansas City.

"We've been very well respected within the game. Decisions go our way, they don't go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.

"I think that's what we've done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarell (Quansah's red card in Mexico), we've not had any suspensions, no second yellow cards or anything like that."

Lionel Messi will be the focus in the build-up to the semi-final in Atlanta but Everton goalkeeper Pickford talked up England's own stars.

"Everyone will talk about Messi because he's one of the GOATs (greatest of all time) of the game," he said.

"But you can't look past the ability and the talent we've got in the squad –- going forward, defensively, togetherness. We've got it all there and that's what we need to put on a show on Wednesday."

The history of matches between England and Argentina is peppered with incidents, set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The most famous encounter between the teams was a 2-1 victory for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico featuring two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever.

But the historical background is of little relevance to Pickford as England seek to get over the line in a major tournament for the first time since 1966.

"It's us against them to get a place in the final, and it's a game of football. 90 minutes, 120, penalties," he said.

"We're ready for anything, and it's us against them and it's about who comes out on top. We're fully prepared for that."

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For France at the World Cup, Kylian Mbappe has not been able to stop scoring. For Real Madrid, he has not always been able to stop the criticism.

It is one of the puzzling paradoxes of this World Cup: France captain Mbappe is shining as brightly as ever for Les Bleus ahead of Tuesday's semi-final against Spain in Dallas. 

Mbappe's superb form in the United States comes just weeks after ending a mixed second season at Real Madrid that combined individual brilliance with collective failure.

Real Madrid have won not a major trophy in the two years since Mbappe signed for the club in 2024.

Yet the Spanish giants have just set a new tournament record at the World Cup, with the club's players scoring a record 19 goals throughout the tournament so far, surpassing the previous record of 18 shared by Hungary's Honved (1954), Bayern Munich (2014) and Paris Saint-Germain (2022).

Remarkably, none of the Real Madrid players who have scored at this World Cup come from the Spain squad, which does not include a single player from the 36-time La Liga champions.

Madrid's goals tally is due in large part to England's Jude Bellingham, who has scored six, but above all to Mbappe, who has found the net on eight occasions and sits level with Lionel Messi at the top of the World Cup scoring charts. 

Mbappe, 27, has looked to be at the peak of his powers at the World Cup, the tournament he took by storm as a teenager during France's run to the title in 2018 in Russia.

Like France coach Didier Deschamps and the rest of the France squad, Mbappe is determined to deliver a third star for Les Blues, four years after their agonising defeat in the 2022 final in Qatar.

- 'A phenomenal player' -

Mbappe's World Cup form has done little to dispel the criticism he faced in Madrid towards the end of the season, where he was accused of prioritising country over club -- an act of footballing lese-majeste in the eyes of some.

In sporting terms, Mbappe's second year at the club he joined in the hope of winning the Champions League was a frustrating one, marked by an early Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich and a La Liga title race lost to Barcelona. 

Extraordinary individual numbers -- 42 goals in 44 games, including 25 in the league, enough to earn him the Pichichi trophy as La Liga's top scorer for a second straight season -- did not spare him friction at a club where trophies are the only currency that counts.

One flashpoint came in May, when Mbappe took aim at then-coach Alvaro Arbeloa for leaving him out of the starting line-up against Real Oviedo on his return from a hamstring injury.

"I haven't played because the coach told me I'm the fourth-choice forward in the squad, behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vinicius (Junior) and Gonzalo (Garcia)," Mbappe told reporters, adding he respected the decision and was "not angry." 

Arbeloa subsequently denied giving that assessment, telling reporters Mbappe had misunderstood him.

Then, in March, reports emerged of disagreements between Mbappe, his entourage and Real Madrid's medical staff over the handling of a persistent knee injury. 

The player sought to play down the affair, denying any suggestion of a misdiagnosis by the club, though he did not convince everyone.

Since then, Real Madrid have changed their medical staff. They have changed coaches, too. Determined to avoid a repeat of the short-lived Xabi Alonso experiment and the troubled interim reign of Arbeloa, the club turned to Jose Mourinho to lift them out of crisis.

Soon after his appointment, the Portuguese manager wryly remarked he hoped his players would be "knocked out of the World Cup as soon as possible." 

On a more serious note, in an interview in late June, Mourinho struck a warmer tone.

"The only thing I can say about Kylian Mbappe is that he's a phenomenal player, and I'm going to try to help him to be even better than this," Mourinho said.

Above all, Real Madrid's fans will be hoping the Frenchman can carry their team next season the way he is carrying France. 

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No pressure, Morgan Scalley, but win the Big 12, go to the College Football Playoff, and be legendary along the way.

Try this for a coaching run at Utah.

Ron McBride won 88 games in 13 years before being replaced by some Urban Meyer guy who went 22-2.

Meyer didn't coach in the Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 2004 season, but Kyle Whittingham did - he did okay for himself over 21 years before moving on to Michigan.

As good as Whittingham was, though, he never got the Utes to a College Football Playoff - Utah is one of the winningest programs never to get into the CFP.

Can Utah Keep Winning Under Morgan Scalley?

As good as he was, it's been forgotten that Whittingham needed a few years to get up to speed, going 15-10 in his first two full seasons.

Scalley will be expected to make Utah amazing immediately, with a relatively favorable schedule and ton of young talents ready to show what they can do.

For all of the discussion about Texas Tech last season, and BYU just missing out on the playoff, Utah went 10-2, was a dominant force by the end of the season, and the only losses were to the Red Raiders and Cougars.

Just do that, Morgan, and a little bit more.

- 2026 Utah Schedule Analysis

Utah Quick Hits

• Head Coach: Morgan Scalley (1st year, 1-0)
• Best Case / Worst Case: Win the Big 12 Championship/Be realistically out of the College Football Playoff hunt before October.
• Key Player: Zereoue Williams, OT Sr.
• 2025 Record: 11-2
• Biggest Question: Can the new coaches and players keep the elite production going?

Utah Key 2025 Stats

• 1st Quarter Scoring: Utah 113, Opponents 41
• Sacks: Utah 34 for 252 yards, Opponents 14 for 80 yards 
• Rushing Touchdowns: Utah 41, Opponents 18 

Offense

Utah didn't go far to get its new offensive coordinator.

Kevin McGiven made Bronco Mendenhall's offense crank out the numbers at Utah State last season.

The Aggies finished third in the Mountain West in total offense with 410 yards per game, and were second in scoring, averaging 31 points per outing.

No, he wasn't with Mendenhall at New Mexico in 2024, but it's the same sort of style that made a superstar out of ...

What’s Working

Devon Dampier. When he's on, he's among the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football.

He ran for almost 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns at New Mexico, and last season he ran for 835 yards and two scores, and threw for close to 2,500 yards and 24 scores, with the Utes. 

The running game should be even more amazing. The Utes averaged six yards per carry thanks to Dampier, and leading rusher Wayshawn Parker, a quick back who led the Big 12 averaging 6.6 yards per carry on his 981 yards.

Backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin averaged 8.4 yards per carry with 513 yards and ten scores.

The Utes landed a few wonderful receivers from the portal. JJ Buchanan took off to Michigan, but Utah State star Braden Pegan followed McGiven over to Salt Lake City.

Getting Kyri Shoels from San Jose State and Ricky Johnson from Mississippi State might not be an upgrade overall from last year's Ute receiving corps, but these guys catch passes.

What Needs Work

The offensive line. Yeah, okay, it's Utah. It's got a big front five, and it'll be just fine with upperclassmen about to step into big roles, but losing NFL blockers Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu is a problem.

Cedric Jefferson is a ready-made starting tackle from Montana State, and there has to be a spot somewhere for guard Isaiah Kema from Ohio State, but true freshman Kelvin Obot might be the new star at one of the tackle gigs.

Always dominate on third downs. This means Dampier has to be consistently accurate, and the running game has to turn in good plays early to set up easy third down chances.

Utah led the Big 12 and was third in the nation converting 53% of its third down tries, but Texas Tech allowed the Ute attack to convert 29% of the time.

That was one loss, and the other loss came to BYU when the offense had its second-worst third down day when Dampier was under center.

Be mistake-free. That's asking for way too much, and turnovers certainly weren't a problem, but again with the losses to Texas Tech and BYU, those were two of the three days the Utes gave the ball away multiple times. 

The season-high 12 penalties against the Cougars didn't help.

Player to Watch

Braden Pegan, WR Sr.
The 6-3, 210-pound veteran led the Utah State offense with 60 catches for 926 yards and five scores. He's a matchup nightmare with his size - Dampier will keep pushing the deep shots to him.

Defense

Colton Swan moves up from coaching up the linebackers to being Morgan Scalley's defensive coordinator.

He has to make this group better with a whole slew of new players.

The transfer portal isn't helping as much as it is for the offensive side. It's mostly up to in-house players to take over and improve a defense that finished a pedestrian eighth last year after ending up third in 2024.

What’s Working

The linebackers are good. Leading tackler Johnathan Hall is back after making 67 stops with six tackles for loss, and while Cyrus Polu, Trey Reynolds, and Elijah Elliss were backups, there's great upside with this group.

Utah, as always, has the beef up front. It might not be experienced, and there might need to be a decent rotation, but the tackles are full of plenty of 300-pounders to work with.

6-6, 305-pound Karson Kaufusi, 6-2, 298-pound Pupu Sepulona and transfers Jireh Moe (San Jose State) and Lucas Samsula (Wyoming) are all young, and they'll all grow into the gigs.

Scoring defense. Yes, this is a new group with a ton of new parts and lots of work to do on the depth, but for all of the flaws and yards allowed, it gave up 14 points or fewer seven times, and the team was 9-0 when allowing fewer than 24.

What Needs Work

The Utah secondary lost a ton of talent. No, the Utes didn't lose a ton of talent to Michigan, but they took a hit here.

Smith Snowden was a whale of a corner for the Utes, and Salesi Moa was an elite recruit who never saw the field.

Veteran safety Tao Johnson left for UCLA, and backup corners Don Saunders (Purdue) and Jason Stokes Jr. (Colorado) also left.

The run defense has to be far, far better. Utah was third in the Big 12 against the run, allowing 1,559 yards, and last year it was 14th, giving up 2,355 yards.

The Utes allowed over 200 rushing yards five times last season. It gave up over 200 once in 2024, and in 2023, the defense didn't let anyone get past 150 yards.

How fast can the pass rushers step up? John Henry-Daley made 11.5 sacks last year - he's off to Michigan.

Ethan Day is coming in from North Texas, and Kash Dillon was third on the team with 3.5 sacks, but there's not a lot experience-wise to count on from the other side.

Player to Watch

Johnathan Hall, LB Sr.
A bulked up safety, the 6-1, 226-pound Hall has gotten better and better over the last three seasons. He has the quickness to make 16 tackles for loss, and the upside is there to be more of a pass rusher, but no matter what, he'll be the all-around statistical star in the middle of the linebacking corps.

Keys to the Season

• Get the offensive line up to the 2025 level as soon as possible - if it's possible.
• Be better overall against the run, and be consistent about it.
• Don't get too crazy about changing up the style with the coaching changes. All the new assistants have to fit in right away.

Player Who Needs To Shine

Zereoue Williams, OT Sr.
There's a chance this is Kelvin Obot's left tackle job after fall camp, but no matter who takes this spot, it'll be asking a lot to replace Caleb Lomu.

One of them might take over for Spencer Fano at right tackle if it's not Cedric Jefferson.

Williams is a 6-8, 305-pound mountain who served last year as Lomu's understudy. He might be tall and rangy, but he can run block.

Biggest Concern

Bring back the nasty on defense.
There were times when the Utah defense was a brick wall, and the other side had no chance whatsoever. 

UCLA couldn't move a lick, Arizona State couldn't go anywhere, and to be nice about it, Utah's defense made Colorado look like it wanted to go do something else with its life.

And that needs to be more of the norm.

Utah gave up over 420 yards five times last season. It gave up more than that a grand total of zero times in 2024, and twice in 2023.

Biggest Game

BYU, November 7
You can make a case for either one of the back-to-back road games against Arizona or TCU, and the date against Arkansas in Week 2 is big, but ...

Come on. Utah needs to win the home game against the hated rival before going to Tucson and Fort Worth.

Transfer Portal

The loss of players to Michigan and Kyle Whittingham was minimal - just five players at last count. It wasn't nearly as bad as, say, Matt Campbell taking 24 Iowa State players with him to Penn State.

Overall, the portal experience was a net negative, but only slightly. The star power isn't there, but there's depth.

Best Signing

Ethan Day, EDGE (North Texas)
There was a little bit of production in his two years at Wyoming, and then he turned into a star last season at North Texas with 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss.

Biggest Loss

Tao Johnson, S (UCLA)
A key part of the Utah defense over the last three years, he leaves after making 154 tackles with six tackles for loss, three picks, and 13 broken up passes.

Other Names to Know

• James Chenault, CB (USF)
• Lucas Samsula, DT (Wyoming)
• Steve Chavez-Soto, RB (San Jose State)

CFN Season Prediction

This isn't the Utah team of last year, and the Big 12 is dangerous from top to bottom, but the chip on everyone's shoulder is for real.

Yes, there are a whole slew of backups needing to play key roles now, but they're going to bring the energy to go along with the great production from the backfield.

But, like it is for everyone, it's all about the schedule. Utah doesn't have to deal with Texas Tech.

Not playing Kansas State this season will be huge as the season goes on, and missing Arizona State is a plus, too. 

CFN Prediction: 10-2

Arkansas will be a terrific early test, and dealing with a trip to Iowa State for the Big 12 opener will be tricky. But BYU and Houston are home games, and Colorado and Cincinnati aren't bad to deal with on the road.

There will be slip-ups, and they'll likely come late at Arizona and TCU.

But the schedule progresses well enough that the team should be jelled by the time the Big 12 season starts, and there's no reason to shoot for anything less than last year's 10-2 regular season record.

By the way, do that, and it'll almost certainly be a better season record-wise than what Whittingham is about to have at Michigan.

Related: Big 12 Football Win Totals 2026: Spring Predictions for All 16 Teams

Tennessee priority target David Gabriel Georges reportedly torn between Ohio State, Vols originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff have done everything possible to make sure they land priority target David Gabriel Georges. The Volunteers have exhausted nearly every recruiting pitch available, from detailed workout plans to highlighting the impact of former Tennessee star Alvin Kamara.

Heupel understands how important it would be to secure a commitment from DGG. The good news for Tennessee is that, if he does commit, the expectation is that he will be with the program for three years.

“He’s expected to be in the $1 million range, shy of $2 million,” On3’s Pete Nakos wrote. “It will be a multi-year deal, that’s something the family has talked about. The family is very clear that it wants a multi-year deal, so they have a roadmap for his entire career.”

Just last week, there was a major surprise when a member of Gabriel Georges’ family reportedly revealed that the five-star running back had already made a decision regarding his future.

“According to Steve Wiltfong of On3, David Gabriel Georges has already made his decision. While the five-star running back is not scheduled to announce his commitment until July 22, the Baylor School standout reportedly knows where he will be continuing his football career,” All For Tennessee’s Conner Linsner wrote.

The entire college football world was sent into a frenzy when reports of DGG potentially making a silent commitment became public. However, the five-star running back recently revealed that he is still torn between two programs.

“It’s hard. You feel this way, like you know, and then it’s sort of 50-50. People will say the 22nd of July is far off, but honestly for me, it’s pretty close,” Gabriel Georges told On3’s Chris Low.

There is no doubt this recruitment will come down to the wire for the most coveted running back in the entire class. DGG is already considered a rare talent, and Tennessee is hoping it can bring him into the program.

The Volunteers are relying heavily on the strong relationships they have built with Georges and his family, especially his connection with strength and conditioning coach Derek Owings. While Tennessee’s top target remains split on his decision, Heupel hopes the Vols will ultimately have the opportunity to welcome Gabriel Georges to Knoxville.

It has been called the real World Cup final. Argentina are the reigning champions and ranked second in the world but France and Spain have been the two best teams in the tournament in North America. The winner of their semi-final in Dallas seems likely to start the New York final as favourites.

But France and Spain may be contesting a wider, greater battle. It may be an arbitrary starting point, especially for the latter, but 1998 marked a shift in football. Euro ’96 had been won by Germany; of course it had. Then the two European superpowers in international football were Italy and (West or reunified) Germany. Consider the evidence of three decades and the 15 major tournaments immediately following England’s 1966 World Cup win.

Italy won Euro ’68. Over that 15-tournament run there were two trophies for Italy, five for Germany. Between them, they played in the finals of the European Championships in 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996, and the World Cup in 1970, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.

Since then, they have a World Cup apiece, while Italy claimed Euro 2020 and Germany were the more regular presence at the business end of tournaments; until the last decade, anyway. But a third successive World Cup without Italy and a third without Germany in the last 16 has highlighted a shift in the balance of power.

Over 15 tournaments, either France or Spain will have been in the final of the World Cup in 1998, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2022 and 2026 and have been in the last game of the 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2024 European Championships.

There are differences in their respective records. For now, Spain, with four pieces of silverware, lead their neighbours in one respect; but France have been in four times as many World Cup finals and won two. Since defeat to France in Euro ’84, Spain have an immaculate record in finals.

Each can stop the other from getting there. France beat Spain in the knockout stages in 2000 and 2006. Spain responded in kind in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals and the 2024 semi-finals. They tend to be obstacles to each other’s ambition.

As with many a contrast between neighbours, there are similarities and differences. For long, it felt as if Brazil produced more players than anywhere else. Now France and Spain tend to develop the most; of high class, anyway. Each has had golden generations in the last three decades; but even in the relatively fallow periods, there have been plenty of footballers of a relatively high standard.

France benefits from its Parisian hotbed of talent, surely the greatest concentration in the world. Spain has two, one based around Barcelona and the other in the Basque country. There was a sizeable Basque influence to the Euro 2024 win, whereas the 2008-2012 trilogy of two European Championships sandwiching a World Cup was built on Barcelona; increasingly, for the latter two tournaments.

The Basque connection is part of the element of cross-pollination. Didier Deschamps’ hometown of Bayonne is near the Spanish border. A French Basque, Aymeric Laporte, who he never capped, will instead line up for Spain in Texas.

When French football reached the heights at club level, it was courtesy of a Spaniard: Luis Enrique, manager of Paris Saint-Germain for their back-to-back Champions League wins. The only other team to retain the trophy in the past three decades is Real Madrid, with a hat-trick of victories under the Frenchman Zinedine Zidane.

Club football nevertheless offers one of the fundamental distinctions. When the French founded the European Cup, a Spanish club began by dominating it. Then, over 25 seasons from 2000 to 2024, Spain had 12 Champions League victories, all courtesy of Real or Barcelona, and France none.

Yet maybe, long before PSG joined the ranks of the super-wealthy, France benefited from the experiences their players gained abroad. Only nine of the 1998 squad plied their trade at home and only two of those started the final.

By the time Spain joined the ranks of the international winners, in Euro 2008, it was with a goal from a Liverpool player, in Fernando Torres; two years later, an Arsenal player, Cesc Fabregas, assisted the winner in the World Cup final. The Real and Barca blocks were joined by a foreign contingent. Luis de la Fuente’s side have had a still greater Premier League influence, with but an added Basque group.

Now the respective captains can highlight opposing footballing philosophies: France with an electric forward, in Kylian Mbappe, Spain a passer of a midfielder, even if Rodri is rather bigger than the stereotypical kings of tiki-taka. Spain have evolved after going to an extreme in their preference for passers. When De la Fuente’s Spain won Euro 2024, it was by being less Spanish, by incorporating two fast wingers to add to their normal strength in midfield.

But Spain, more than France, have changed football: the permanent possession of Guardiola’s Barcelona and Vicente del Bosque’s national team made them revolutionaries. France did not redefine the game: they were just very good at it. The best French sides have tended to blend the artists with the athletes: they have had Zidane as well as Thierry Henry, Antoine Griezmann or Michael Olise as well as Mbappe.

Now it would seem that France have more match-winners. But Spain, with a trophy two years ago and a team who have only conceded once in this World Cup, could lay claim to the better collective. Picking between them is hard, though: for some, the best international team of modern times was Spain between 2008 and 2012, for others the France of 1998-2000. Now the contest is on to be the best now, and to be the strongest footballing nation over 30 years.

When the Lions fell to the 49ers 34-31 in the NFC Championship at the end of the 2023 season in heartbreaking fashion, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the team and told them that might have been their only shot. He didn’t say it was their only shot, or that he believed it was their only shot, but that it does happen that teams think they have a window when it turns out all they had was a clogged vent. Two years later, it’s looking a little like he might have been right on. The 2024 Lions went 15-2 and claimed the 1 seed in the NFC, but they got blown out by the Commanders in their lone playoff game. Last year, they fell further, going 9-8 and actually finishing last in the NFC North. Now, Jared Goff turns 32 in October. The offensive line has taken a step back. The secondary was the team’s weak spot before everything happened with Terrion Arnold. As of right now, the Lions are still the favorites in the NFC North, but the Packers and Bears are right there, and the Vikings could pop if Kyler Murray still has it. So the window isn’t closed. But if things don’t work for the Lions in 2026, the questions are really going to start up in earnest.

2026 Sleepers, Busts & Bold Predictions: Detroit Lions

Sleeper: Jared Goff, QB

Four quarterbacks have finished as fantasy QB1s each of the last four years. Three of them should be pretty easy to guess — Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes. The fourth is Jared Goff, who has been the QB10, QB7, QB6 and QB8 across the last four seasons. Goff is fifth in total fantasy scoring in that time, behind the other three and Lamar Jackson.

Despite all that, Goff is QB16 in early ADP this year. The reason for that is pretty simple — he doesn’t carry the ceiling of the other quarterbacks. One of Goff’s biggest virtues during is stretch of success has been healthy, because he hasn’t missed a game since 2021. In fantasy points per game, his rankings have been QB14, QB14, QB7 and QB13. But look at those numbers again. Even if you look at the numbers in the unfriendliest way for Goff, he has still outpaced his current ADP for four years in a row.

Despite all that, Goff is QB16 in early ADP this year. The reason for that is pretty simple — he doesn’t carry the ceiling of the other quarterbacks. One of Goff’s biggest virtues during is stretch of success has been healthy, because he hasn’t missed a game since 2021. In fantasy points per game, his rankings have been QB14, QB14, QB7 and QB13. But look at those numbers again. Even if you look at the numbers in the unfriendliest way for Goff, he has still outpaced his current ADP for four years in a row. At quarterback — a position where people traditionally draft only one player, hope for health, and then just find someone to fill in on the bye — availability is a phenomenal ability, and Goff provides that. John Morton proved not to be what the team wanted in replacing Ben Johnson last year, with Drew Petzing replacing him as offensive coordinator for 2026. So there’s every reason to expect the offense to bounce back in 2026, and Goff still has elite weaponry. He’s a strong candidate for another top-10 finish this year.

Bust: Jameson Williams, WR

About 15 PPR points per game last year was borderline top-10 WR numbers. Take it down to the 10.9-11.0 range, and we’re talking borderline top-40. It was basically the difference between Nico Collins and Keenan Allen. Per the FTN Fantasy NFL Splits Tool, Jameson Williams last year averaged 10.9 PPR points per game in the nine games Sam LaPorta was active, compared to 15.1 when LaPorta was out:

Williams is a DeSean Jackson-esque big-play player, not likely to command a huge target total on a weekly basis. But the difference between 4.8 targets per game (what he had with LaPorta active) and 7.4 is enormous. If LaPorta is healthy in 2026, Williams has a seriously capped ceiling, and he’ll come in well below his current ADP of WR24.

Bold Prediction: Sam LaPorta Posts a Career High in Yardage

My first draft of this prediction was that he has his best fantasy season, but betting on any individual player to surpass 10 touchdowns is a long shot. So instead we’ll go this way. LaPorta is entering his fourth season. He’s put up 889, 726 and 489 yards in those three seasons. So his rookie-year total is our target here. The thing is this: LaPorta’s rookie year being his best year is almost entirely a product of two things: Playing time and touchdowns. That rookie year was his only year playing all 17 games. And with the very known caveat that when you lower the denominator, it becomes that much easier for an average to look better, let’s look at his numbers on a rate basis:

(YPRR numbers per FTN Stats & Charting.) In short, LaPorta was better in the aggregate as a rookie, but he was far more efficient last year, and if he can stay healthy in 2026, he’s set up for success. After all, his new OC, Drew Petzing, just got an absolutely monster season out of Trey McBride in Arizona.

A former Spanish prime minister faces racism accusations from French and Spanish officials after claiming France's World Cup squad "does not have any French players."

Mariano Rajoy, of Spain’s conservative Popular Party, made incendiary remarks in a column for El Debate on 10 July, ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.

He wrote: "They’ve won every match they’ve played at this World Cup and are currently top of the Fifa rankings. They also have an exceptionally strong squad. That said, one thing they don’t have is any French players."

Condemnation from Paris was swift. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told BFM TV on Monday that "France has no skin colour. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two."

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo stated on X: "Mariano Rajoy’s remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of racism," adding that "they also raise questions about the deplorable climate that gives rise to such sentiments. Our players do not need a certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister."

Spain’s ruling Socialist government denounced the comments from Rajoy, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2018.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we’ll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."

Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares further urged Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to publicly disavow Rajoy's statements on Monday.

This is not the first time the French team has faced racially charged remarks this World Cup. Earlier this month, French captain Kylian Mbappé criticised Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for comments regarding his origins, upbringing, education, and appearance following France’s victory over Paraguay in the round of 16.

France will play Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, with the winner set to face England or Argentina in Sunday’s final.

The NFL is quickly approaching training camp, and the preseason will soon get underway. Multiple teams have key position battles ahead of the season, including some at quarterback. One retired quarterback, however, has kept the door open for a potential return in 2026.

Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has previously stated that he would come out of retirement for the right situation. He recently appeared on Good Morning Football and revealed that several teams have checked in with him.

MORE: Panthers QB Bryce Young lands on 2026 bust watch as pressure keeps building

“There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and was just gauging my interest on what I wanted to do. They were good, solid football teams,” Carr said.

“If I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it’s not guaranteed.”

Carr has made it clear that he will not come out of retirement unless he has a legitimate opportunity to compete for a championship. He retired last offseason after doctors discovered a career-threatening shoulder injury that required surgical repair.

The decision came as a surprise, considering Carr was only 34 years old at the time. Now 35, Carr could still have several seasons left if he is able to remain healthy.

MORE: NFL names AJ Brown, Patriots debut most anticipated ahead of 2026

Any team that has checked in with Carr would likely need to evaluate how his shoulder has recovered. While 35 is not considered old for an NFL quarterback in today’s game, age becomes a bigger factor when combined with a significant injury history.

When healthy, Carr proved he could be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. Despite playing for several struggling Raiders teams, he put together a solid career. Carr’s time in Las Vegas ended when the Raiders released him following the 2022 season. He later signed with the New Orleans Saints, who still hold his contract rights.

If a team decides to pursue Carr, it would likely need to acquire him via trade. Given his age, injury history, and current contract situation, the compensation would probably be minimal. Carr could potentially be moved for a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick, depending on the circumstances.

For now, Carr remains retired. The only thing that would change that is the right opportunity — what he has described as a perfect situation.

Andoni Iraola admitted he would like to add more players to his Liverpool squad as quickly as possible at his official unveiling on Monday.

Liverpool bid farewell to Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate at the end of last season, and have only added Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz to their ranks so far this summer, while transfer guru Michael Edwards announced he was leaving the club for the second time last week.

Speaking at his first press conference, Iraola insisted the club is working hard behind the scenes to get more players through the door despite the recent upheaval at Anfield.

"Obviously we've signed two players already but we need more players. We know this. The club is working on this,” Iraola said. “Me, as a coach, selfishly, you want the players here on day one, ready to train for pre-season.

“But we understand that football doesn't work like this and I know that the club is working hard to get those signings and I am trying to help also."

One player who has returned to Liverpool after a nightmare loan spell at Aston Villa last season is Harvey Elliott. Iraola made it clear that the 23-year-old will be given the chance to force his way into his plans.

Asked whether Elliott would get the chance to impress, Iraola responded: "Definitely. Harvey is here with us. I've seen him with this eagerness of showing himself and getting himself ready again. He will have a chance during pre-season. We will need him.

“It's a good sign, he came one week earlier, he has been training with the under 21s. I hope we can see him in a good place.

“Last season had to be very difficult for him. It was a strange situation where they couldn't even put him to play. And I think he uses this, the bad situation he has experienced, to make him even more eager to be a Liverpool player."

Iraola also expressed his desire to embrace the "magic" of being Liverpool's head coach, acknowledging the immense scale of the role as he prepares to officially begin pre-season.

The former Bournemouth boss, who officially commences pre-season on Tuesday with a limited squad due to World Cup commitments, admitted he will only fully grasp the magnitude of the step up from the Cherries once immersed in the Anfield environment.

Despite it being the biggest challenge of his football career, Iraola has vowed to remain true to himself. "I want to think I understand. Probably not until you are here and until you go through certain experiences, I will not fully know but I am here to experience those situations, I am ready for it," he stated during his inaugural press conference.

He acknowledged the intense spotlight that comes with the position. "I understand that this is a massive club, everything that I’m going to say now is going to have the biggest scrutiny, you have to be very aware of the mistakes," Iraola explained. However, he expressed a desire to avoid living in a "bubble," keen to explore the city as well as the club. "But I wouldn’t like to be too careful. I would like to act quite normal, I’m not going to live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like to go to the city, experience the city, I know some places, I will have to take some pictures."

He added: "But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager. I would like not to change too much."

Iraola steps into the role following the departure of Arne Slot, who was dismissed a year after securing the title, with fan sentiment turning against him after a disappointing fifth-place finish.

Addressing supporters, Iraola outlined his vision: "I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of. I think football – and especially Liverpool – is about connecting: connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters," he continued.

"We have to be a team that works hard – intense, aggressive, so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."

As France have cruised through this World Cup, their stellar attackers so empowered to play with freedom, one concern has been niggling away at Didier Deschamps. It’s why he’s actually asked journalists to point out their few flaws. Now, this week, that concern has finally become an outright problem.

What do France do with their two-man midfield when they face the three of Spain? A team that has swarmed everyone else may suddenly find themselves outnumbered in the key area.

A question that Deschamps’s staff have been asking themselves is whether to fully adapt for that, or continue to entrust the forwards to improve on a record of 16 goals in six games.

Spain, after all, are going to continue to do exactly what they do. They are the team with the most complete tactical idea at this World Cup, by an immense distance. An argument even pervades that this is one reason why Lamine Yamal hasn’t excelled in the manner of other stars, because he is in the one team closest to an elite club side. The deeper tactical integration means he has a more defined role, even if a lot of that ends up utterly exhausting his double markers. Most of them have had to go off early.

Given that, any Spanish adaptation is likely to be to move their possession shape back 20 metres so as not to expose their half to France’s searing pace.

That is the actual way they have accumulated this immense defensive record, of only one goal conceded. It’s of course complemented by the relentlessness of the counter-press. Spain win the ball back 11.57 seconds after losing it, on average, the quickest of all the quarter-finalists. It can be seen in the way they’re immediately snapping at the heels of opposition players, with an energy that roofed stadiums aid. Ultimately, though, Spain do their defending in forward areas. Hence that vast expanse in their own half, that Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will be looking at greedily.

So, while this is obviously a match between the tournament’s best defence and best attack, the modern game means it is far from that simple; that it’s obviously not backline against forward line, in the way the description conjures. There’s so much more to it, and numerous tactical layers, illustrated by how Spain will have so more of their possession closer to the opposition goal. Deschamps is meanwhile more willing to release his attackers from much further back.

That is one of many dichotomies at play, that explain why this is best defensive record against best attacking record, without that necessarily being the defining contrast.

Above all, of course, this is a derby between two neighbours with a long actual history and rich recent football history. Look at how Adrien Rabiot’s quotes about Yamal needing to “do more” from before the Euro 2024 semi-final have resurfaced.

That points to how the two have met a lot in the modern era, as both have become pioneers of talent production in very different ways.

In that last big meeting, the roles were almost reversed. Spain were viewed as the more freewheeling and fresh team, spearheaded by young talent. France looked worse than defensive, barely able to score, and it seemed a tournament too far for Deschamps already.

The two years since have shown how much can change between tournaments. Personnel have had a profound effect.

Virtually all of Spain’s most electric attackers have had fitness issues, with Nico Williams only coming back now. They can’t stretch games in the same way, which has required a more compact structure. Many watching on would say it’s far too compact, as the “boring” debate has resurfaced.

France have enjoyed the opposite. They’ve had a flood of young talent come into the side since Euro 2024, to become the great entertainers.

One of those talents has suddenly become one of the best five players in the world, in Michael Olise, while Desire Doue is among the best young stars in the world. Even some of those present in Germany are in completely different form. Bradley Barcola has gone from an impact sub to an effervescent attacker, Dembele is now a Ballon D’Or winner, while Mbappe looks liberated.

And, ever the pragmatist, Deschamps has just played to his strengths. He’s created the most anti-Deschamps team possible, at least going by his coaching history with the French team.

That is what has fostered the real dichotomy of the game, and a genuine philosophical duel.

It is the “positional game” – essentially, the Pep Guardiola game, which has long taken hold in Spain – against the evolving competing idea of “relationism”.

Whereas almost everything Spain do with the ball is dictated by the team structure’s position on the pitch in relation to the ball - outside more licence to Yamal and Dani Olmo - Deschamps has afforded his attackers infinitely more individual interpretation.

The idea of an orchestra coming up against free jazz has rarely been as applicable.

That will naturally provoke a lot of debate about future influence on how the game is played and who should win. That, also, is far from so simple.

A bit like with Guardiola, no one can come close to playing Spain’s positional game like Spain.

France’s approach can’t be anywhere near as devastating, or even that effective, without attackers of this astounding quality.

It is nevertheless natural that it’s the French who are the first to pose this specific ideological challenge in such a high-stakes game. Their model of talent production never adapted that Spanish-Dutch approach in the way that the Germans did, arguably giving them more variety of player – if also missing one archetype: the Rodri.

Deschamps has had to adapt to a more industrious two-man midfield of Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni because he does not have that classic number-six. Spain instead have two on the bench.

And that is why the onus is on France to do more, despite doing so much more damage throughout this World Cup in attacking play.

You can already see the way the game will go. Spain are going to take control of possession, gradually moving up the pitch, as France seek to pounce on any break in play.

And, almost reflecting how this defensive record isn’t actually about defence, there is a sense that the Spanish backline hasn’t been properly pressured yet.

Football figures present for the quarter-final in Los Angeles were struck by how Belgium got at them. There’s a vulnerability.

Deschamps just has to figure out how to put more even more stress on it, to get the midfield to funnel more of the play towards the attack despite Spain outnumbering them.

At the same time, Spain didn’t buckle when Charles De Ketelaere finally ended Unai Simon’s clean-sheet record. That can happen when a long record is finally broken, and there’s suddenly doubt again.

They instead kept playing.

They’re going to have to do even more of it against France, if only to limit how much those attacking stars have the ball.

For all the billing, this is much more than attack against defence.

And, in a purely tactical sense, it may end up meaning more than any modern World Cup game.

There is so much to consider.

As the beginnings of a Mexico City thunderstorm swirl high above, dark clouds circling like a slow-motion whirlpool, a pair of English fans do not give a jot.

It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium’s Cabecera Norte end, with ‘Viva Mexico’ at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.

And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup’s most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a ‘Limbo’ dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.

It is an intoxicating, smile-inducing, dopamine-hitting environment. This is the essence of the biggest event in world sport: the amalgamation of different nationalities and cultures, old and young, male and female. All coalescing, with passion and fervour, in a setting completely irrational and illogical, if it were not for two national football teams going head-to-head.

This is the premise of founder Jules Rimet’s vision when he formed the very first World Cup in 1930. In his words: “It’s about bringing together countries from around the world, people who might otherwise have nothing in common… at least for a little while.” And, mercifully, 96 years on in its 23rd edition, the tournament still fulfils this overarching ethos, despite all the factors working against those in the stands.

The message to Fifa is clear: you can take our affordable tickets, our visas, our water bottles, our stadium names, our red card suspensions. But what you can’t take, what you can’t overshadow, is the heartening blend of unique multi-culturalism; the interweaving of peoples, races and religions. And with it, the sentiment of something greater.

This was my first World Cup in attendance and, whether it be city centres, airport terminals or stadium precincts, what has been most striking is the enthusiasm, devotion and pure enjoyment on show between different groups at every turn, even in the most unlikely of environments.

A fortnight ago, Iran took on Egypt in a critical Group G clash, also dubbed the first-ever World Cup pride match, which coincided with Seattle Pride Weekend. Within a wider context of two countries with anti-gay regulations and directives in one of America’s most liberal cities, and one country at war with the host nation, the sentiment ahead of the Friday night kick-off was one of deep intrigue and, amongst local law enforcement, natural concern.

How could so many different strands of humanity – Egypt fans, Iran fans, anti-Iranian regime protestors, pro-Palestine activists, Christian preachers, Pride campaigners – co-exist as one in the pre-match festivities? The answer: quite easily.

Walking from Seattle’s spectacular waterfront amid thousands of Egyptian supporters, Iran fans playfully integrate into the crowd, posing for selfies with men wearing Mo Salah masks. Trot a few metres down on Occidental Avenue within downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square, a 5-a-side football match takes place, with the match mapped out with political placards, calling for Israel to be kicked out of Fifa. “Football is the people’s sport, despite the fact it’s been used and twisted at the top,” says Adam, a 29-year-old Palestinian campaigner. “We want to raise awareness that football can unite.”

Twenty metres down the same stretch of road lies a smaller movement of anti-Trump protestors. Then, on the street corner outside the Quality Athletics gastropub, a group protesting the Iranian regime gathers; people who support Trump and his war with Iran, a few footsteps from people with an altogether different viewpoint.

A larger anti-Iranian regime march from the south end of the stadium eventually joins them, but not before they pass a sole Christian preacher in their path. A nearby Seattle police officer twitches, telling the devotee to move on. He refuses.

The scene is so incomparable, the disparity in beliefs so stark, but the vociferous messaging from both groups continue. A few eyebrows are raised, naturally, but there is no disorder. “That is not the Iranian national team, this is the regime’s team,” says Emery, a 37-year-old Iranian living in Seattle.

“We are here to tell the world that this, killing more than 42,000 innocent people in 12 days, is not normal. They [the team] stay silent.” Emery is also one of hundreds parading the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag, technically prohibited from World Cup stadiums, but plenty make it in regardless.

The point is this: all these groups coalesce peacefully in various forms of political protest on the day. Pride campaigners, wearing rainbow attire, immerse themselves within the naturally fever-pitched atmosphere. The match itself is full of drama, with Iran’s late winner ruled out via VAR in a call which eventually eliminates them from the tournament.

But in both Seattle and Mexico City, there is not one fan arrest.

Festivities post-match also paint a picture of distinctive cultures assembling in a heartwarming blend of joyousness. After England’s 3-2 triumph amid a cacophony of deafening noise inside the Azteca, the majority of Mexicans are magnanimous. They’ve tried, they’ve toiled, they’ve fallen.

At a bar just outside the stadium’s perimeter, England fans sing ‘Wonderwall’ on the karaoke. Mexican fans smile and mouth along. A myriad of different fans assemble in the fanzone at Zocalo in the city centre. Similarly, after the match in Seattle, Iran and Egypt fans dance the night away outside the Elysian Fields microbrewery. Rivalries are put to one side. Now, there is not a police officer in sight.

And as we near the finale this week, it is worth a reminder of what the last month has brought. In football terms, it is truly unparalleled. Sporting-wise, only the Olympics are comparable. Not many events, amid a world of increasing volatility and tension, can bring together such a diverse assortment of people in an atmosphere of pure patriotism and visceral energy. Beyond the Fifa-led commercialism and “Trumpification” at this summer’s tournament, that is – and will always remain – the World Cup’s most beautiful feature.

ALS is a hot topic this summer in the wake of Chris Johnson’s diagnosis. But what can be done besides the revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge? The answer might surprise you…

Chris Johnson’s ALS diagnosis sent shockwaves through the NFL and the Nashville community, and the outpouring of support has reintroduced the Ice Bucket Challenge to a new generation. But 12 years after the original viral sensation raised millions for medical advancement, the question remains: why is ALS research still so far behind?

I sat down with Indu Navar, founder and CEO of Everything ALS, to find out what has actually changed, what hasn’t, and what people like you and me can do right now to help.

The Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness, but ALS treatment hasn’t kept pace

Navar, who lost her husband to the disease in 2019, didn’t mince words about the state of ALS care. The numbers are staggering and upsetting. Every 90 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with ALS. Every 90 minutes, someone dies from it. And the diagnostic process hasn’t meaningfully changed since Lou Gehrig’s famous speech in 1939.

“We’ve known this for 90 years,” Navar said. “And up to today, we’re still diagnosing somebody the same way and saying every 90 minutes, ‘you have 2 to 5 years to live.' That’s what we did 70 years ago!”

She pointed to the comparable diseases that have seen breakthroughs. Multiple sclerosis now has roughly 40 different treatments available. Spinal muscular atrophy, a pediatric motor neuron disease, has seen near-cure therapies developed in the 21st century.

ALS has seen nothing close to that level of progress.

The 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge generated enormous awareness, but Navar was candid about its limitations. For most people, it was a social media moment first and a genuine charitable cause second. The deeper understanding of what ALS actually does to the body, and how woefully underfunded its research remains, never fully took root.

Why ALS research keeps starting from scratch

Funding is part of the problem, but Navar identified something more fundamental about the problem: ALS moves fast. Patients deteriorate rapidly, and families are devastated. Then they walk away from the cause, because the person they loved is gone.

“You really don’t get the staying power,” Navar explained. “The movement is a revolving door. You start a movement, everybody starts something when they’re shocked, and then it dwindles down.”

That revolving door means institutional knowledge leaves with each wave of families. New patients and caregivers enter the system with no foundation, asking the same basic questions about speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and treatment options that the previous generation already answered.

That cycle is exactly why Navar founded Everything ALS as a tech nonprofit. Her organization hosts expert talks where patients and families can ask questions. The goal is to build a permanent platform of accumulated knowledge rather than letting each new family start from zero.

How technology and AI could finally change the trajectory

Here’s where Navar’s background as a tech entrepreneur shines. She argued that ALS measurement tools are stuck in the past. The current standard asks patients to rate their own speech, walking, and breathing on a scale of 0 to 4. That subjective, rudimentary scale is the primary measurement used in clinical trials.

“How do you know what a 3, 2, 1 is?” Navar asked. “It’s not like you know the disease. Everybody’s slope is different.”

Everything ALS is building objective measurement tools using AI and machine learning. Their speech study collects voice data from both ALS patients and healthy individuals of the same age, allowing algorithms to track real changes over time rather than relying on patient guesswork. That data can then be fed back to clinicians and used to optimize clinical trials.

The organization also built an AI product called Sava AI, a generative AI chatbot that helps patients find clinical trials in their region. Navar said that roughly 78% of ALS patients who want to participate in clinical trials don’t know where to go. Her tool is designed to change that.

What you can do right now

Johnson’s decision to use his platform to revive the Ice Bucket Challenge and rally donations has been impactful already. But Navar stressed that the average person can contribute beyond dumping ice water on their head. Downloading the Everything ALS app and participating in the speech study takes as little as two minutes. You don’t need to have ALS or even know someone with it. Researchers need healthy control data just as much as patient data to build the AI models that could accelerate treatment development.

The sports world, and Nashville in particular, is fired up right now. The challenge is converting that energy into something that outlasts the news cycle. Johnson gave ALS its highest-profile moment in years. What people do with that moment beyond social media will determine whether this time is any different.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Chris Johnson's ALS diagnosis sparks Ice Bucket Challenge revival, but expert says awareness alone won't move the needle

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

What’s the point of NFL training camp without arguing over the back end of a wide receiver depth chart? This year’s contenders in Titans land: Bryce Oliver, KJ Osborn, and Xavier Restrepo.

The Tennessee Titans wide receiver depth chart is taking shape ahead of training camp, and the competition for the final roster spots at the bottom of the room is shaping up to be a three-man race.

Titans WR depth is solid at the top, with Carnell Tate, Wan’Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike all locks to make the 53-man roster. But behind that group, the battle between Bryce Oliver, Xavier Restrepo, and KJ Osborne for the 6th and potentially 7th wide receiver spots is the position group storyline worth tracking this summer in Nashville.

What makes this competition extra compelling is that all three players represent completely different archetypes, and each arrived in Tennessee through completely different paths.

Xavier Restrepo: The summer star with a ceiling question

Restrepo, who came aboard as Cam Ward’s college connection last offseason after going undrafted, has been the kind of practice standout who makes it hard to look away. He’s a slot-only receiver who defies what you’d expect from him on paper given his physical measurements. In limited action on Sundays last season, he showed he can at least hang at the NFL level. He has somewhat usurped Mason Kinsey as the junkyard-dog, practice-squad-vibes-guy in Tennessee it seems, and his teammates and coaches get visibly fired up when he makes plays.

But physical limitations are real, and the common thread for all three of these players is that the Titans already have five receivers who will eat offensive snaps when healthy. The real question for a player like Restrepo isn’t whether he can contribute on offense in a pinch. It’s whether special teams coordinator Bones Fassel can carve out a role for him on those units. If Restrepo proves he’s a credit to special teams this summer, he has a real shot at one of these spots. If not, he’s likely headed for the Kinsey mold: first or second guy up off the practice squad, somebody the organization fights to keep around because of his value as a leader and weekly competitor.

Bryce Oliver: The special teams ace with a lingering question mark

Oliver is the guy I’d peg as having the upper hand in this competition if it weren’t for one thing: what happened last year?

He’s been with Tennessee for a handful of seasons as a former undrafted free agent and has established himself as a special teams ace. We know how much Fassel relies on him as a gunner. But he's not a special teams-only guy either! He brings something to the table as a receiver in rotation or in relief due to injuries, and he has a body type that works inside and outside, which is in shorter supply on this roster.

A lower body injury kept him out for most of last season, and the circumstances surrounding it left some unanswered questions. One of the things that stuck with me is that former coach Brian Callahan, in one of his final press conferences before being fired ahead of Week 7, mentioned Oliver as a guy who might be coming back soon. But we never saw Oliver catch a pass again.

Week after week, we’d see him at practice and in the locker room, and the vibe was simply that he was trying to get back to 100%. Whether there was a medical situation beyond what was communicated, a mental hurdle he was working through, or some calculated decision-making given the coaching instability, I genuinely don’t know. He’s back at practice now, and that injury situation is the only thing keeping me from calling him a roster lock.

KJ Osborne: The proven veteran filling a familiar role

Osborne is the newcomer NFL veteran in camp this year, filling the shoes of James Proche from a year ago. If you remember the offseason conversation around Proche, he was the guy who kept making plays in practice to the point where you just couldn’t ignore him. Osborne is already doing that same thing.

He has easily the most established NFL track record of these three. Earlier in his career with Minnesota, he had a 3-season stretch where he accumulated nearly 2000 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a significant contributor for a real team!

What happened after he left the Vikings, I haven’t had a chance to fully investigate. But what I’m seeing in practice lines up with those Minnesota numbers.

The real question for Osborne is the same one facing the other two: how much does this coaching staff expect to lean on its 6th or 7th receiver? If there were only four locks ahead of him, his chances would look different because that 5th receiver role demands genuine offensive ability, and he has it. But with five locks already in place, the calculus shifts toward special teams value.

The bottom line

That’s what this entire competition will probably come down to. We’ll spend the summer weeks talking about what these three do in team drills on offense, when we should really be paying closer attention to how often Fassel is using them during special teams periods. The preseason games will be the real tell. How much and how often Oliver, Restrepo, and Osborne are deployed on those units may be the clearest clue to who’s making this roster and who isn’t.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: 3 camp standouts fighting for final Titans WR roster spots face 1 harsh reality in Nashville with 5 Titans WRs locked on depth chart

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a good shot at having an elite offensive line in 2026.

The Oklahoma Sooners‘ offensive line is taking its development seriously this offseason, and the latest move should catch the attention of anyone watching this group heading into 2026.

Several Sooners linemen spent time with Brian Baldinger, the former NFL offensive lineman and renowned film analyst, at the OL Masterminds summit. For a young group facing enormous expectations, the investment in outside coaching and film study could pay dividends when the season kicks off.

The pressure on this offensive line is real

Before the 2026 season begins, there will be some uncomfortable conversations about which position groups on this Oklahoma team face the most pressure. The offensive line is right up there.

The Sooners didn’t necessarily underperform last season, but they could have been better at times. This year, they bring back many of their young guys who have shown flashes of potential as studs, and the expectations will follow.

Oklahoma is expected to play at a high level, and the schedule won’t make it easy. The Sooners will face some talented defensive fronts.

Offensive line is one of those position groups in college football (and even in the NFL) where, if things aren’t working up front, nothing else works. They’re required to block in both the pass and run games. When that breaks down, the entire offense stalls.

Who is Brian Baldinger, and why does this matter?

For those unfamiliar, Baldinger is one of the best offensive line teachers in all of football. He played at Duke, went undrafted, and still carved out an 11-year NFL career. Baldy started 47 games and appeared in 143, playing tackle, center, and guard. He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to offensive line play, and he’s become one of the most respected film analysts in the sport at that position.

Baldinger’s breakdown work has earned him credibility across the football world. He’s given credit to elite pass rushers like Maxx Crosby over the years for how they attack offensive linemen, so his understanding of the position goes both ways.

What the Sooners did at the summit

There’s video circulating right now of the Oklahoma linemen sitting next to Baldinger, watching film together. He’s breaking down plays for them and asking questions about why they’re doing certain things in certain situations. He wants to understand it from their point of view. The Sooners are explaining their reasoning, and Baldinger is teaching through that dialogue.

This is exactly the type of thing you want to see from your offensive line. It’s not flashy. It won’t produce an immediate, visible change on the field. But for a group as young as Oklahoma’s, spending time with someone who has played the position at the highest level and can dissect it on film is invaluable.

Why this matters for 2026

The Sooners’ offensive line is going to be one of the most important position groups on the roster in 2026. They’re young, they’re talented, and they’re going to be asked to grow up fast against quality competition. Seeking out a resource like Baldinger and the OL Masterminds summit shows a level of initiative that bodes well for the fall.

This isn’t the kind of offseason move that generates headlines or hype. But it’s the kind of work that builds a foundation. Oklahoma’s offensive line has the talent. Now they’re putting in the extra work to match it.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Oklahoma Sooners offensive line is showing that they really are putting in the work on ways not every position group can

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike: The Titans WR room has some very legitimate depth. And while their individual impacts on this roster may be different, they share a common theme:

The Tennessee Titans wide receiver room has clear headliners in Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, the two weight-bearing pieces LINK the front office spent big to acquire this offseason. The back end of the depth chart features Mason Kinsey, K.J. Osborn, and Bryce Oliver scrapping for roster spots through August.

But between those two tiers sits a group of three receivers who are certain to make the 53-man roster, certain to play on Sundays, and yet unlikely to be the primary targets in the Titans passing game. Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike are the middle class of this wide receiver room, and they might matter more than people think.

Ridley as the turbo boost button

Ridley is heading into his age-32 season, his third with Tennessee. His tenure has been an up-and-down ride. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in his first year catching passes from Mason Rudolph and Will Levis during a three-win campaign.

The following season brought another three-win year, but Ridley was barely a part of it. He appeared in seven games and started six, but a soft tissue injury against the Raiders pulled him out very early. After returning from a brief rehab stint, he caught a first-down pass over the middle on his very first play back a few weeks later and broke his leg in the process.

His recovery has been ahead of the medical timeline many expected, and he was already flashing his trademark movement skills during OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring in a way that suggests he should be 100% by the regular season.

The meaningful difference for Ridley in 2026 is that for the first time as a Titan, he is no longer a foundational piece of the offense. Tatum and Robinson sit ahead of him on the depth chart as steady, reliable options. If Ridley is less effective or unavailable, it is no longer the disaster it once was for Tennessee. That reality makes him icing on the cake rather than a load-bearing wall.

Here’s the thing about Ridley, though: he is the nitrous button for this offense. He has never been a superstar player, but he possesses star ability in flashes. His burst, his top speed, and his violence in and out of cuts still stand out in practice even alongside talented teammates.

When he has one of his takeover games, it raises the floor for the entire Titans offense. As long as Daboll avoids building the plane out of a play-in, play-out necessity for Ridley’s involvement (and I trust him not to), utilizing him when he’s available and at his best is a genuine credit to this roster construction. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the reduced pressure puts Ridley in a better mental spot than he’s been in since arriving in Nashville.

Dike and Ayomanor are properly slotted now

Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor can be discussed as a duo. Both were Day 3 picks from GM Mike Borgonzi’s first draft class. Both are entering Year 2 with Cam Ward, which gives them a chemistry advantage over the new additions who are still building rapport.

Last season, they were thrust into positions where they were forced to bite off more than they should have been chewing. Ayomanor finished with 515 yards on 41 receptions and four touchdowns, Dike posted 423 yards on 48 receptions with four touchdowns of his own, and they tied for the team lead in receiving scores. That production is simultaneously a mark of two overachieving fourth-round picks, and a mark of a bad team. You don’t want to be relying on Day 3 rookies as your second and third leading receivers, as it turns out!

What stands out about both players goes beyond the stat sheet. They are trusted, responsible, and process-oriented. By all accounts, they bring a steadying presence that reflects the football character Borgonzi has prioritized for this roster. I think they’re poster boys for that philosophy.

I still believe both have the potential to be No. 2-4 receivers in the NFL. I don’t see either becoming a true No. 1, but they could solidify themselves as starters in this league, whether in Tennessee or elsewhere down the road. The difference now is context. They’ve gone from being borderline emergency starters filling in for an injured Ridley, to being the fourth and fifth receivers on a properly constructed depth chart. Playing to their strengths in specific circumstances is so much better than the fire they walked into last year.

That’s the theme connecting all three of these players. Ridley, Dike, and Ayomanor feel properly slotted into a wide receiver depth chart for the first time since any of them arrived in Tennessee. Maximizing their roles rather than overextending them should lead to more efficient play from each, and I think it makes the Titans better as a whole.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Tennessee's wide receiver room finally has a real middle class, and Calvin Ridley's new role sets up a dangerous shift for this offense

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders seem to have one national outlet believing in them way more than others are. Bleacher Report seems to think this team could be a surprise playoff team.

The Las Vegas Raiders made Bleacher Report Gridiron’s list of five potential surprise playoff teams, and while they may be one of the few outlets willing to put that prediction into the ether, it raises a fair question about where this roster actually stands heading into the 2026 season.

Most expect Vegas to double its win total from last year, which sounds nice until you remember the Raiders won only three games. Jumping to six wins isn’t exactly a seismic leap. Making the playoffs, though? That’s a different conversation entirely.

The AFC West is still a gauntlet

The Raiders play in one of the toughest divisions in football. If they want to win the AFC West, they have to go through the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos. Kansas City is still a dynasty until proven otherwise, with one of the best players in NFL history in quarterback Patrick Mahomes and multiple Super Bowl titles over the last few years.

The Broncos were a few plays away from a Super Bowl appearance last season. The Chargers are always a strong regular-season team, even if they never seem to translate that into postseason success. That leaves the Raiders still trying to figure out where they fit. Even making the wild card, which likely requires finishing second in the division, feels like a stretch right now. Las Vegas could just as easily finish third or fourth again.

On paper, the talent is there

The Raiders have built a roster that looks like a potential playoff team, at least on paper. The offense features tight end Brock Bowers, who could be the best at his position in football for years to come, and running back Ashton Jeanty, who has the potential to be a top-three to top-five back in the league.

Then there’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the franchise signal-caller, who might not even play this season because veteran Kirk Cousins is still performing at a high level. Vegas also improved its offensive line depth this offseason. On the defensive side, the Raiders spent heavily in free agency and used draft capital to bolster that unit as well.

Should you bet on this team? Probably not

The honest answer is no, nobody should put their money on the Raiders making the playoffs. The roster improvements are real, and the talent is undeniable in spots. But translating that into enough wins to crack the postseason field in the AFC West requires more than on-paper potential. It requires consistency, quarterback clarity, and a lot of things breaking their way.

That said, Bleacher Report thinks Vegas is a team worth watching, and that alone has to feel good for a franchise coming off a three-win season. The Raiders have built something worth monitoring, even if the playoff conversation still feels premature.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders seem to have one national outlet believing in them way more than others are

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

In the two years of a 12-team College Football Playoff format, the Big 12 is clearly behind its Power conference compatriots.

The league has produced two CFP teams over the past two years — both times it was the conference champion — and so far, the Big 12 is 0-2 under the current format.

Since the College Football Playoff came into existence on 2014 with a four-team format, the Big 12 is the only Power conference to not produce a national champion, while the Big Ten has four, the SEC six and the ACC two.

Big Ten schools have won the past three national championships, the SEC won four straight before that and though it’s been eight years since an ACC school won the title, Miami made the national championship game last year.

Can the Big 12 make some gains in the national perspective during the 2026 season?

This past week, ESPN released its initial rankings for the Football Power Index, a predictive measure designed to project a team’s performance, and the numbers show the kind of battle the Big 12 faces in trying to catch up to the other power leagues.

Big 12 teams in ESPN’s Football Power Index

Rank — Team — FPI score

• 10. Texas Tech — 20.0
• 20. BYU — 13.1
• 31. Utah — 8.5
• 34. Arizona — 7.2
• 35. Houston — 7.1
• 37. Baylor — 6.5
• 38. TCU — 6.4
• 41. Kansas State — 5.1
• 44. Arizona State — 4.8
• 45. Colorado — 4.5
• 46. Cincinnati — 4.4
• 54. Oklahoma State — 3.3
• 55. Kansas — 2.8
• 57. UCF — 2.1
• 66. West Virginia — 0.2
• 72. Iowa State — minus-0.9

What does ESPN’s FPI project for the Big 12 race?

Unlike last year when the FPI metrics had five teams with a 10% or better shot of winning the Big 12 going into the season, there are only two teams with 10% or better odds — defending champ Texas Tech at 45.9% and last year’s runner-up BYU at 16.5%.

Utah is next at 5.9%, while three others come in with 4% or better odds — Arizona (4.2%), Houston (4.1%) and TCU (4.0%).

Could the Big 12 be a top-heavy league this year? The FPI formula only has nine Big 12 schools with a 60% chance or better of winning six games and becoming bowl eligible.

What does ESPN’s FPI think of the Big 12’s College Football Playoff hopes?

Only three Big 12 schools have better than 10% odds to make this year’s CFP — Texas Tech leads the way at 57.9%, with BYU (25.7%) and Utah (11.1%) quite a ways behind the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech won the Big 12 a year ago and earned a bye to the CFP quarterfinals, but the Red Raiders fell 23-0 to Oregon in their playoff matchup.

By comparison, the SEC has 12 schools with better than 10% odds to make the College Football Playoff, the Big Ten has seven and the ACC has four, dwarfing the Big 12.

How does the Big 12 compare to Big Ten, SEC, ACC in ESPN’s FPI?

The Big 12 has only two teams in the FPI’s top 25 rankings, with five more added in the top 40.

The SEC takes up nearly half of the top 25 in the FPI formula, with 12, led by four in the top 10 in Texas (No. 2), Georgia (No. 5), Alabama (No. 8) and LSU (No. 9).

The Big Ten has seven teams in the FPI’s top 25, including the No. 1 team in Ohio State. Two other conference programs are in the top 10, including Oregon (No. 4) and defending national champion Indiana (No. 6).

The ACC, meanwhile, has three teams in the FPI’s top 25, including Miami in the top 10 at No. 7.

After Big 12 favorites Texas Tech and BYU, the league has nine teams come in between spots No. 31 and No. 46, showing the kind of parity that’s apparent in the league.

The SEC is the only conference with all of its members in the top 50 of the FPI’s rankings.

Even with all of its representation in the top 25, the Big Ten overall is the most-top heavy power league. There are seven Big Ten teams in the FPI’s rankings from No. 60 to No. 71, after 10 made the top 39.

The ACC also has the two lowest power conference schools in FPI’s formula. Stanford comes in at No. 80 and Boston College at No. 78 — that counterbalances the ACC having eight teams in the top 36 spots.

During the 2026 regular season, Big 12 schools will have 13 opportunities to face other power conference programs. Can they improve the league’s perception — and its odds to make national noise come playoff time?

The Georgia Bulldogs are losing some recruiting battles to some pretty bad programs considering where they’re at. Now they’ve lost out on Censere Gaylord.

The Georgia Bulldogs missed on four-star cornerback Censere Gaylord, who committed to Washington over Georgia and Georgia Tech. Gaylord, a 6’1, 175-pound cornerback out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, was the top available cornerback in the 2027 recruiting class.

His decision leaves the Bulldogs without a single cornerback commitment among their 18 pledges, a glaring hole in a class that currently ranks No. 16 nationally and No. 8 in the SEC.

What Gaylord’s commitment means

Gaylord holds a 91.78 composite rating on Rivals Industry, ranks as a top-112 player nationally according to 247Sports, and checks in as the No. 13 player at his position and the No. 12 prospect in the state of Florida. By every measure, he was one of the premier defensive backs available in this cycle.

Georgia appeared to be in a strong position. The Bulldogs hosted Gaylord for three visits, more than any other program in his final group. Washington and Georgia Tech each received visits as well, but Georgia logged the most face time. Despite that investment, Gaylord chose the Huskies.

Why this stings for the Bulldogs

The visit total is worth noting. When a program leads in official or unofficial visits and still loses a prospect, it can raise questions. That said, this likely comes down to factors outside Georgia’s control. We don’t know exactly what Washington offered Gaylord from an NIL standpoint, and that package could have been significantly larger than what the Bulldogs put on the table.

Location clearly wasn’t the deciding factor, either. Georgia sits much closer to Bradenton than Washington does, separated by roughly a day’s drive compared to a cross-country flight. If proximity to home mattered to Gaylord, the Bulldogs would have had a built-in advantage. They didn’t, which suggests other elements of Washington’s pitch resonated more.

Georgia’s cornerback need is real

The bigger concern here is the positional void this creates. Georgia does not have a single cornerback in its 2027 class. Zero. Out of 18 commitments, none play the position. That’s a problem for a program that expects to compete for SEC titles and College Football Playoff berths every season.

Gaylord represented the top option to fill that gap, and now the Bulldogs will have to pivot to other targets. The 2027 cycle still has time to develop, and Georgia’s brand, coaching staff, and track record of developing defensive backs into NFL stars remain powerful recruiting tools. But there’s no sugarcoating this one. Losing the top available cornerback after investing three visits is a setback, and the remaining targets on Georgia’s board just got a lot more important.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Georgia Bulldogs miss out on an elite four-star recruit who plays the exact position Kirby Smart needs in his 2027 class

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, but first his Spain side will have to get the better of France and their superstar captain in Tuesday's semi-final.

When Mbappe scored in France's win over Croatia in the deciding match of the 2018 tournament, he was just 19 years and 207 days old. He therefore became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.

Mbappe's love affair with the World Cup began then, while this is Yamal's first experience of the competition.

He has already had his big breakthrough in a major tournament, however –- Yamal's stunning goal in the Euro 2024 semi-final against Mbappe's France helped Spain to a 2-1 victory.

That came four days before he turned 17. His birthday was the day before the final. Spain beat England, and Yamal was named young player of the tournament.

This time his 19th birthday comes on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington.

Such a young player with his best years to come. But he is clearly eager to leave a firm mark on this World Cup.

Perhaps too eager, having at one point been a doubt for the tournament after missing the end of the season with Barcelona due to a hamstring injury.

"I was afraid it might be serious and, above all, that even if it wasn't serious, I could suffer a setback and end up missing the World Cup," Yamal admitted in late May.

- Anxiety? -

After coming off the bench in Spain's opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Yamal started against Saudi Arabia and scored before being replaced at half-time in a 4-0 victory.

He has started every game since, without adding to that solitary goal -- that might be getting to him.

"I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us," Spain captain Rodri said Sunday.

"Given he was able to show that level of maturity at that European Championship, when he is two years older you are not so impressed by what he is able to do," he added.

With Yamal not as decisive, Spain have lacked the deadly verticality that made them so hard to stop at the Euros.

France, meanwhile, have rediscovered a cutting edge that evaded them at the Euros, and have the most thrilling attack at this World Cup.

Mbappe, now 27, is the talisman and seems intent on leaving a legacy as an all-time World Cup great.

With eight goals here, he is level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race and is one behind the Argentine's all-time World Cup record of 21 goals.

- Third straight final? -

Having won the trophy in 2018 and scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, Mbappe has a third straight final in his sights.

He can therefore match the achievement of the great Brazil full-back Cafu, who played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002. Pele and Diego Maradona each only graced two finals.

His apparent obsession with the World Cup may explain why he missed a chunk of the second half of the season with Real Madrid. As he nursed injuries, some supporters questioned his commitment to their club.

"I know people talk about the stats. I watch the TV too. But my only focus is on helping the team and getting us back here on July 19," he said after beating Sweden in the last 32 at the MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final.

"I have won a World Cup and been a runner-up. This team has done neither of those things, but it is the team with the greatest potential," he added after defeating Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Yamal and Mbappe are already icons in their home countries and beyond, two young men representing the modern face of multicultural Europe.

Mbappe has the greater experience, has already won the World Cup and is confident speaking publicly in English –- those factors help make him one of the faces of this tournament in the US.

The dazzling Yamal is still catching up off the field, but his record against Mbappe on the pitch is impressive.

They have met frequently across the Clasico divide in the last two years -- so far Mbappe has eight defeats and just two wins in 10 games against Yamal with club and country.

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“When you reach a semi-final you need to suffer,” said Lionel Scaloni. Although did Argentina need to suffer quite so much? Taken to extra-time by a depleted Switzerland side, just as they had been by the minnows of Cape Verde, and requiring a record-breaking comeback to see off Egypt, the defending champions’ route through the knockout stages has seemed based on suffering.

But after Switzerland were beaten in Kansas City, Scaloni kept returning to a reason why it was a struggle, one that could have pertinence for their last-four date with England in Atlanta: physicality. “Physically they are a very strong squad,” he said. “It was very difficult for us to win the duels. Switzerland are very good on a physical level.”

And perhaps Argentina are not. They have the staying power and spirit to conjure late goals – in their last three games they have scored in the 79th, 83rd, 92nd, 92nd (again), 111th, 112th and 121st minutes – but there are different types of physicality. Their most celebrated player is famously unphysical: a year from his forties, spending much of the match walking, though technically brilliant.

But his teammates may not compensate with running power. Fifa’s statistics show Argentina only 10th for sprints made, behind three teams who have played a game fewer. More remarkably, they are 48th out of 48 for average speed at which their players have moved in this tournament. Lionel Messi may be dragging them down in one respect.

Among players, he is 580th for average speed; even Cristiano Ronaldo is 501st, and some of those below him are goalkeepers or centre-backs whose job description involves less movement. But this is no indictment of Messi; the instructive element is that others are not compensating with lung-busting running.

Jude Bellingham, who they will face on Wednesday, ranks second for most sprints in the World Cup. The first Argentinian, Enzo Fernandez, is tied for 19th place. Some 20 players figure above any of Scaloni’s side in Fifa’s charts for what they term high-speed running.

The two players who have covered the most distance in the tournament are the Swiss central midfielders, Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka. Alexis Mac Allister is the only Argentinian in the top 20.

All of which could explain why Argentina laboured to turn the most obvious physical advantage – having an extra player after Breel Embolo’s red card – into greater numbers on the scoresheet. It is also worth noting that Switzerland had played 120 minutes against Colombia in the final game of the round of 16. They were down to 10 men against Argentina for an hour, stoppage time included. They only buckled in the last 10 minutes. Argentina face other European opposition next, in England, with Thomas Tuchel wanting to see Premier League pace and power from his side.

And Argentina may be susceptible to it. Both Cape Verde and Egypt were a threat on the counterattack against them; when Argentina open a game up, they risk being isolated one against one in races they may lose.

The introduction of Leandro Paredes to the side seemed designed to give a shielding presence against quick breaks. It did not entirely work against Egypt, but it may also have been a recognition that, even with the trio of Mac Allister, Fernandez and Rodrigo de Paul, Argentina had insufficient solidity in midfield.

But the policy of getting players around Messi leaves space elsewhere, primarily on the sides. Cape Verde’s first goal came from their right side, their second from their left. A feature both of Dan Ndoye’s equaliser for Switzerland and of Egypt’s disallowed second goal, and then the one that stood, was that they outflanked Argentina’s concentration of players in central areas; their full-backs can lack protection which, given the width Tuchel wants his wingers to exhibit, could offer England optimism. So, given the speed he wants, could be Argentina’s issues with quick breaks.

England’s problem may be that they are not at peak physical condition themselves. Declan Rice has been weakened by first a hamstring problem and then illness. Bukayo Saka and Reece James have had achilles and hamstring problems, respectively. John Stones’ body may be a permanent cause of concern. Like Argentina, England had to play 120 minutes on Saturday.

It is shaping up to be a semi-final between teams who have creaked but not crumbled, finding a way to find a way. Argentina have the medals to prove they can last course and distance. If they arguably have too few miles in their legs in this World Cup, they may have too many in total. Scaloni’s side against Switzerland was the oldest team in a World Cup quarter-final since Brazil in 1962; who, it may be remembered, went on to retain the trophy.

Maybe Argentina will follow suit, proving their race is not yet run; or walked, in Messi’s case. But even as they have struggled against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland, they have got better at one physical aspect of the game. A team who scored no headers in Qatar have three already. Argentina, with their mental strength, may believe the secret to success lies in the head.

1) France (no change from previous rankings)

Didier Deschamps has seen it all before and certainly does not fear even the lowest of blocks. It is clear everyone is afraid of Les Bleus, which is understandable, and they are using it to their advantage. It is admirable how teams keep France quiet for lengthy periods but the game is too long to completely silence Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Against Morocco an hour of patience was required but these forwards are used to it and Mbappé produced the magic that has powered this run, following it up with an assist. In a tournament defined by individuals, France has the best of a talented bunch.

Related: Jude Bellingham excels in parallel World Cup but cannot win trophy alone | Barney Ronay

2) Spain (no change)

Football is a simple game – you play for almost 90 minutes and then Mikel Merino pops up with a late winner. The Arsenal midfielder had only been on the pitch for 115 seconds against Belgium when he put himself in the right position at the right time. While the substitutes did their bit once again, Lamine Yamal is moving through the gears, priming himself for a matchup with Mbappé. It was hard work, harder than it had been before for La Roja but they are getting used to the quality improving each round, allowing their confidence to grow as they progress. “If anyone should be afraid it should be [France] – we knocked them out of the Euros,” Lamine Yamal said. “We have no fear.”

3) England (+1)

The unforgiving heat of Miami subdued England for much of their contest with Norway, leaving Thomas Tuchel irritated by his side’s performance. It was left to Jude Bellingham to do the business, shifting the dynamic at times when his teammates were often second best. He has forced himself into the role of England’s main man, dragging his country into the semi-finals. Tuchel’s substitutions intrigued as roles rotated, especially when they moved Bellingham out of his best position. It is clear that the No 10 needs to be as close to Harry Kane as possible if England are to stand a chance of reaching the final.

4) Argentina (-1)

The usual pattern played out as Lionel Messi used his full array of tools to chisel a way through a stubborn defence, but it was others who eventually made the difference. A first goal of the tournament for Julián Alvarez will bring confidence to the striker, especially considering the stunning nature of the strike. Every knockout game has been a battle for Lionel Scaloni’s side, the world champions unable to find consistent rhythm over 90 minutes. They tried to ease their way through against Switzerland after an early goal but that was a dangerous game they cannot afford to repeat in the semi-finals. As midfielder Leandro Paredes put it: “It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count.”

5) Belgium (+2)

Left to rue an injury to Thibaut Courtois against Spain as Senne Lammens made the mistake that resulted in defeat. Lammens was rusty, without a minute of competitive football since the end of the Premier League season in May. Maybe that is why he fumbled a shot from distance before watching the rebound fired home by Merino. It was a misfortune as Belgium had matched Spain for long periods, with Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne thriving. But the elite will punish opponents for even the smallest errors.

6) Switzerland (+2)

The turning point against Argentina was Breel Embolo’s sending-off after a second yellow for diving via a video assistant referee (VAR) review. The score was level at the time and suddenly the Swiss were on the retreat. In extra-time, they were unable to hold on with 10 men. Prior to that, Murat Yakin’s side were precise with their tactics and pressing and will depart the US ruing what could have been.

7) Norway (-1)

Unable to find Erling Haaland for almost the entirety of the match against England limited their threat, with a fluke goal by Andreas Schjelderup required to get them into the game. Things were so bad for Haaland that he was taken off by Ståle Solbakkenfor the second half of extra-time. The lack of a plan B was evident and it is hard to be one of the best four teams in the world without some variety.

8) Morocco (-3)

Seemingly accepted defeat before kick-off against France. They played in a pragmatic, yet tedious, fashion and lacked interest in venturing into the opposition half. One shot on target told the tale of Morocco’s ambition, and it was inevitable the defence would be more important than attack for the African champions. The tactics were drilled into the side but it was only ever likely to delay Mbappé settling the match, and so it proved.

• Rankings were assembled by a panel of Guardian World Cup writers and editors. They were asked to rank the teams in the quarter-finals in order, from first to worst. Final rankings were based on an average of the votes cast.

Jude Bellingham, somehow, keeps going to new levels. And it is almost by force of his will alone that a stumbling England reach just their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final.

The greatest stage in the game is now within reach, and Bellingham looks more than ready for it.

It was another double from the No 10, only escalating his excellence from Mexico that secures a 2-1 comeback against Norway. That takes him to six goals and right up there with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, but such trivia is mere detail against the manner in which he defined this game, decided it and bailed out his team.

“We need to be better,” Thomas Tuchel said. It’s hard to see how Bellingham can be.

There was even a symbolism in how poor Erling Haaland went off at half-time of extra-time, just as the fates were being decided by Bellingham.

The great striker was in tears.

Norway have done themselves proud, properly creating a national moment, but they will feel they could have done more.

That was why Bellingham’s performance was even more special than against Mexico, despite that being amid the rarefied air of the Azteca rather than the extreme humidity of Miami.

Where there’d been heavy legs, he carried the weight.

Where there’d been a problem, he offered the solution.

Where there’d been real confusion, he offered clarity.

And that last point is maybe the most important. That is where there remains significant concern for Thomas Tuchel, even as the games for those worries to be borne out run out.

Bellingham offering more supernova moments in a World Cup of stars fits an exhilarating theme of this tournament, but also a less encouraging theme of England’s campaign.

One of the reasons that such individuals are needed is because so many teams are so dysfunctional. It can be said for virtually everyone on this side of the draw, and is especially true of its first semi-finalists.

If that sounds harsh when England reaching the semi-final has been so relatively rare in history, it is relevant when you do have grander aspirations.

The very details of this game illustrate that.

England ultimately have a range of players appearing at a much higher level than Norway, with far superior technical quality, and much greater strength in depth… and yet they allowed this to become a battle where they probably deserved to go out.

They were even long periods, especially in the second half, when Norway looked better on the ball and enjoyed much more possession.

How couldn’t they when England had a centre-back at right-back, a right-back in central midfield, a No 10 out on the left and at least three different central combinations?

A slight twist on that is that it was a player who was originally a right-back, now playing at left-back, who was probably the best performer after Bellingham.

Djed Spence, who has occasionally come in for criticism in this World Cup, offered drive and purpose when England badly needed it.

He might even have brought a penalty, had that fall not been overturned.

On the whole, though, it was like Tuchel had to keep correcting his own mistakes.

That is not the first time at this World Cup but it’s never been so distinctive or self-inflicted.

With the game in the balance and Norway enjoying midfield superiority due to Declan Rice’s fitness issues, Tuchel inexplicably introduced a playmaker in Eberechi Eze.

England swiftly went from midfield inferiority to ceding the area altogether. It had a huge knock-on effect, that involved a series of subs further destabilising England.

There were so many evident problems.

England, again, just had the solution right there already on the pitch. Bellingham was there.

He didn’t just impose his individual brilliance, but his drive carried England.

That was the story of this game.

How else to describe the first goal, in particular, when England were looking especially vulnerable?

They had seemed panicked after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway a fortuitous lead, after his attempted cross wrong-footed – or perhaps wrong-handed – Jordan Pickford. The goalkeeper has played above himself over four previous tournaments for England, to the extent a sense has grown that a drop-off has been due. This, if England are lucky, might have been it.

He was never right after that.

England didn’t look right.

Bellingham corrected course.

Just before half-time, with Norway defiantly trying to just make it to the break with the lead, but Bellingham had other ideas.

He carried the ball with purpose just outside the box, held off two challenges, and powered it past Orjan Nyland.

The entire goal was a distillation of desire, of just now allowing this to happen.

There was some controversy over whether Nyland’s kick-out might have bizarrely hit the overhead TV cable but Fifa insisted the ball sensor did not pick up anything.

Whatever the truth about that, there was no doubt about Bellingham’s alertness.

With the game finally in extra-time, with everyone looking leggy, but he was still sharp.

If Pickford might have felt like he was due an error, the feeling had been all the greater with Norway’s career back-up keeper. So it proved.

When he was finally tested through a stinging Morgan Rogers strike, there was the slip, just like Senne Lammens, and there was Bellingham.

He was first to it, and beyond anyone on the pitch.

Where Haaland had been so quiet, everyone was left to belt out “Hey Jude”.

Tuchel still has so much to consider. Bellingham brings clarity – and a place in the World Cup semi-final.

After two different perspectives on the Norway game, you could have two different perspectives on this split.

On one hand, Jude Bellingham’s comments might be especially bad timing ahead of what is certain to be an emotionally intense game against Argentina. England are going to have to be all in together, and the spikiness of the match-winner’s post-game interviews needlessly risks that.

Depending on his mood, though, Thomas Tuchel might describe it as a healthy and creative tension.

Given all that emotion, it is at least worth laying out the details.

Tuchel had praised the mentality of his players in the arduous 2-1 comeback against Norway, but criticised the performance in fairly deep technical detail for such a short interview.

“It’s amazing but I’m not happy with the performance,” the German said. “In every sense. Again the commitment is there but we made life very very difficult for ourselves in the way we played, how we played: sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”

When this was put to Bellingham immediately afterwards, England’s star was curt, but his body language said even more.

“Maybe... but maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kinds of conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Odegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sorloth.”

In another interview, he added: “Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift.”

Bellingham then praised the players on the pitch.

“All the players have put in a tough shift, so my thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who were out there and put in a great shift yet again.”

The nature of the public disagreement, albeit largely through the prism of ITV’s Gabriel Clarke, could bring a lot of negative headlines. It has already brought a lot of surprise from those around the group. More than a few were declaring themselves “shocked”.

They didn’t feel there was any need for Bellingham to react, and there’s even the inferred dismissal of Tuchel’s playing career, which can be a sore point for some coaches. There have been hints of it in the manager’s past, especially in his relationship around some of the big Bayern Munich figures.

Talk could rise of the famous “brotherhood” being broken, of a split at the top.

There’s then the intensity of Argentina weighing over everything.

Another view is that this is actually the type of relationship that Tuchel has cultivated with his star, a push and pull that has gradually cajoled Bellingham into better and better performances.

And if the player’s brilliance is now rightly being praised, as he takes matters – and matches – into his own hands, so should Tuchel’s emotional intelligence. He did similar with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, drawing out the Brazil’s best season, in 2019-20, since 2015.

The initial hard line in October, when the manager outright dropped Bellingham, is now seen as a masterstroke.

It forced the player himself to face up to his own approach, as well as what was actually expected of him in an England squad.

Bellingham was seen as having “matured”, cutting a different figure to Euro 2024.

Even the much-debated omissions of Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and Phil Foden are being viewed in that context.

They assured Bellingham that he is the man, creating no confusion about his status. It’s remarkable to think now that there had initially been debate over whether it would be the Real Madrid star or an admittedly effective Morgan Rogers.

Tuchel had made his mind up before the World Cup.

Rogers’s fine form in the autumn helped, and Tuchel did greatly appreciate the way he made the team flow.

The long-term goal, however, was always to hone Bellingham; to remove the edges; to ensure England got the absolute best out of him – exactly as Tuchel had done with Neymar.

That is why this apparent regression in their relationship has surprised people.

Maybe it’s the bullishness that comes with certain competitors when they feel untouchable, like after a performance such as Bellingham’s against Norway. And the truth is that England badly need him.

Issues are again mounting for Tuchel, even as he passes more and more obstacles. Harry Kane, previously even more influential than Bellingham, looked leaden here for the first time, He was one of a few. Declan Rice’s fitness is a worry, especially with how crucial he is to the structure of the team, and how this match illustrated England have so few options without him.

Tuchel, remarkably, doesn’t seem to trust Kobbie Mainoo. This game only emphasised Reece James isn’t yet up to speed. It is like that across the defence, where Marc Guehi and John Stones looked short of their physical peak.

Bukayo Saka’s stop-start season meanwhile ensures he can only perform in flashes.

This remains a distinctly dysfunctional team for one who can rightly consider themselves one of the best four in the world, as much as just semi-finalists, but they can call themselves the latter because of one player: Bellingham.

Tuchel, for his part, may even appreciate it as much as his goals. The German is himself a captivating character because of how unfiltered he is in just speaking his mind, as he’s illustrated about Bellingham himself, so it’s possible he feels exactly the same way about the player.

Tuchel likes dressing rooms with strong voices and personality, where his squad are willing to talk to him.

But this wasn’t the dressing room. It was in public, and would normally have represented a challenge to authority. And that in a tactically fractured team.

Ultimately, though, only the opinion of one man matters: that is Tuchel.

Right now, however, only one player really matters for England: that’s Bellingham.

The Oklahoma Sooners are extremely grateful to have wide receiver Isaiah Sategna back for 2026.

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna had options this offseason. He could have entered the NFL Draft. He could have transferred. Instead, he chose to return to Norman, and he recently explained why in a video produced by the program.

“This is the place I needed to be,” Sategna said.

Given what Sategna did last season, it’s easy to see why Oklahoma wanted him back so badly. He finished 2025 with 67 catches, 965 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns, averaging 14.4 yards per catch.

The jump from his 2024 season at Arkansas, where he had 491 receiving yards, to nearly 1,000 yards in his first year with the Sooners was massive. Now the question becomes whether he can take an even bigger leap in 2026.

Sategna is the engine of this Oklahoma passing attack

There’s no sugarcoating it. Without Sategna, the Sooners will struggle offensively. He was the passing offense last season. He made the plays when it mattered most, including the game-winning touchdown against LSU. He contributed to special teams with several significant punt returns, too. He was the guy Oklahoma leaned on deep into the year, and he delivered over and over again.

The Sooners do have depth at the position. Trell Harris plays a similar style and could step up if needed, and McKenzie Alleyne provides another option in the room. But Sategna is the centerpiece. Replacing his production and his big-play ability would be a tall order for anyone on the roster.

Why 2026 could unlock another level for Sategna

The good news for Sategna is that he won’t have to carry the same burden alone this fall. Playing alongside Parker Livingstone and Harris could take pressure off him and free him up in ways he wasn’t last season. If opposing defenses have to account for multiple threats, Sategna should see fewer double teams and more favorable matchups downfield.

If John Mateer is healthy this year and improved from 2025, that only adds another dimension to the offense that benefits Sategna. With more weapons around him, a 1,200-yard season is within reach. That kind of production would make him one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. Oklahoma is glad to have him back. And if everything breaks right, this could be the year Sategna turns himself from a breakout player into a household name.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: OU star player opened up and revealed why he made one of the more important decisions he's made that will impact the Sooners

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

As England celebrated and thoughts moved to preparations for a World Cup 2026 semi-final, the manager had other things on his mind.

“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. We were lucky today,” said Thomas Tuchel after his Three Lions side secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami.

The experienced German will not want to put a damper on the result, but rather put it into context. England could well have lost this game, and there were large portions where they struggled, though once again their talisman came to the rescue as Jude Bellingham’s brace secured a narrow win.

However, while England will need to be better as a team against either Argentina in the next round, plenty of players showed up in difficult circumstances in Miami in a win that offered plenty of encouragement despite not being convincing.

“The subs were warriors, they didn't look like they were new to it,” said Jude Bellingham after the game. It felt like a pointed remark, made by a man who knew the importance of the help he received as he dragged his side into the last four at the World Cup.

It was Bellingham who got a tired England back into the game, the 23-year-old taking matters into his hands once more as he rounded two defenders before rifling in a low effort that gave Orjan Nyland little chance.

England had dominated much of the first half but anyone who expected them to come out firing in the second half would have been disappointed, with Norway controlling the game as they looked for an unlikely win.

Torbjørn Heggem thought he had put his side ahead as he bundled in from a corner, only for it to be ruled out for a push on Elliot Anderson in the build-up. Norway continued to threaten, but though it looked for some time like a goal would come, Tuchel had the answers, even if he had to stumble a bit to get to them.

In the end, the answers were many, and they came in several forms. Tuchel’s first problem came as Declan Rice was forced off at half-time, with Eberechi Eze chosen to replace him in midfield. Bellingham moved back, but still Norway were the better side.

Reece James was the next answer, the Chelsea captain as dependable as ever in midfield. But if that cameo showed why he could still be such a vital part of this England team, his performance when moved to right-back was perfect as he nullified the threat of Antonio Nusa.

Nevertheless, that move left another void in midfield, and this time it was the turn of Morgan Rogers to partner the ever-reliable Elliot Anderson. As was the case with James, Rogers brought a level of composure and energy that helped stabilise England.

And the more attack-minded Rogers eventually got his moment around the penalty box too, the Aston Villa man firing a low effort from outside the box that Nyland could only spill into the path of Bellingham.

England’s talisman needed no invitation to bundle home from close range, but while his brace will grab the headlines as he becomes the face of this England team, this was a performance where the names behind the scenes also came to the fore.

Eze might not have provided as much threat as he wanted to when he came on but he was a key man in many of England’s good periods of possession, while Djed Spence was superb in a cameo that brought plenty of energy. The Tottenham defender provided a threat down the wing and defended diligently, and was unlucky to see a penalty that he had won get overturned by VAR.

Bukayo Saka, though usually a starter in such circumstances, was also a revelation in attack once he came on, dominating the Norwegian defence and providing a constant outlet.

Along with James in particular, he provided some real star quality and reminded England fans – and perhaps Tuchel – that those better performances might hinge somewhat on whether or not a fully fit right-hand side can play together in the semi-finals.

As England move into the last four, it is another forgettable performance on what will be another unforgettable night for those in Miami.

However, not every performance has to blow the opposition away. Tuchel has previously argued the merits of picking “specialists for all kinds of scenarios”, and his players vindicated him this evening. With some tinkering – and a slice of luck with injuries – England still have one of the most capable squads left in the tournament, and they can be full of confidence when they end up facing Argentina.

Tonight’s result and the win over Mexico have proved, as Bellingham and Tuchel pointed out, that the mentality is there in this England side. What remains to be seen is whether or not they can click on the pitch enough to fulfil their potential, and they’ll get at least one more chance to do so in Atlanta on Wednesday.

England and Argentina will meet on Wednesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final infused with decades of bitter rivalry after they battled past Norway and Switzerland respectively in the quarter-finals.

The South Americans and their talisman Lionel Messi must defeat England in Atlanta to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.

England and their key partnership of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane must win to have any hope of ending a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

The winner of that game will take on the victor of France's semi-final with Spain -- they meet in Texas on Tuesday -- in the final on July 19.

The Argentina v England match comes 40 years after a seismic encounter in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Argentina secured a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca with two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" when he punched the ball into the net and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the greatest goals ever to grace a World Cup.

For Maradona's heir, Messi, it will be his 206th match in an Albiceleste shirt, but his first ever against England.

The match will also take place against the backdrop of a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, known in Spanish as the Malvinas.

Britain sent a military taskforce in 1982 to reclaim the islands after Argentine troops invaded.

After Argentina beat a dogged Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City on Saturday thanks to extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, their coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to take the political heat out of the meeting with England.

"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," Scaloni said. 

"It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach and this is a football game and that's all."

- 'Very lucky ' -

That coach, Thomas Tuchel, was angry with his England team after they needed extra-time on Saturday to end Norway's historic run in sweltering Miami.

Two goals from Jude Bellingham gave England a nervy 2-1 victory to send them into the semi-finals for only the fourth time in history.

Tuchel said his team would need to make a noticeable improvement if they were to have any chance of reaching the final.

In energy-sapping Florida heat and humidity, England's shaky defence allowed Andreas Schjelderup to unleash a rasping shot from the left to put Norway ahead on 36 minutes.

But England got a huge break in first-half stoppage time when Bellingham equalised after an attack that was initiated when a goal kick from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to hit an overhead camera cable.

Norway's players protested in vain and the goal stood. The Norwegians also had a goal controversially disallowed before Bellingham then poached the winner in extra-time.

"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," Tuchel said afterwards. 

"The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance... we were very lucky today."

While football's world governing body FIFA later said there was "no evidence" the ball had hit the cable before England's first goal, Norway coach Stale Solbakken was adamant.

"That was unlucky for us," Solbakken said. "The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction. But we can't do anything about that."

Erling Haaland, the marauding forward who scored seven goals as Norway reached uncharted waters at the tournament, said his team's performance had inspired a new generation.

"How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most," said Haaland, who failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country.

"Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it's possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt."

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