England news

You cannot fault Thomas Tuchel when it comes to honesty. This is a coach who said on national radio that his mother finds star player Jude Bellingham "repulsive", who told England fans at Wembley off for being "silent" in a friendly against Wales and said Bukayo Saka's goal tally for the Three Lions, the highest of any Arsenal player in history, was not good enough.

This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series following the road to the 2026 World Cup, and every week, we revisit the stories, moments, and myths that shaped the global game. This week, we revisit the extraordinary, turbulent and often unbelievable road to England's triumph in 1966. This is the rise, the redemption, and the lasting weight of '66 - the story of the only time football truly 'came home'...

How to watch the Friendlies match between England and Japan, as well as kick-off time and team news

Thomas Tuchel has plotted a diplomatic course through the storm that has followed the withdrawals of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka from the England squad, saying the optics may look bad but he has “100% trust” in their integrity. The Arsenal duo will be unavailable for the clash against Japan at Wembley after reporting discomfort following their recent club commitments.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has taken a firm stance regarding the fitness of Jude Bellingham, insistsing that he will not gamble with the player's health. Despite the anticipation surrounding the Three Lions' friendly against Japan at Wembley, the Real Madrid midfielder will remain on the sidelines to ensure he does not suffer a setback.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a significant selection headache following a knee injury to Noni Madueke during the international break. The England winger was forced off during a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, joining a growing list of Gunners stars returning to north London for urgent medical assessments. With crucial domestic and European knockout ties approaching, the club's medical team is working overtime to determine the extent of the damage.

Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has broken his silence regarding the intense speculation linking him with a high-profile move to either Man City or United this summer. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign at the City Ground, cementing himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent performers.

Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions have been dealt a scare following the premature return of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke from international duty. England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed the trio were in "clear discomfort" before being released back to their club ahead of a crucial run of fixtures. With major domestic and European knockout ties on the horizon, Mikel Arteta faces a race against time to have his key stars fit.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce has sparked a fresh debate over the Three Lions' best starting line-up by suggesting that Jude Bellingham should be dropped to the bench for the upcoming World Cup. Despite the Real Madrid superstar being widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, Allardyce believes Thomas Tuchel should look elsewhere for his creative spark.

Gary Lineker has identified the two nations he believes are ahead of England in the pecking order to win the upcoming World Cup. Despite the optimism surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, the legendary striker insists that the Three Lions remain behind the world's elite in terms of tournament readiness. While England boast a star-studded squad, Lineker suggests that historical consistency and tactical maturity give their rivals a significant edge.

Jermain Defoe has landed his first head coaching role, taking over at National League side Woking. The former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker succeeds Neal Ardley at the Laithwaite Community Stadium following a comprehensive search for a new boss.

England legend Wayne Rooney considers it to be “strange” that Harry Kane has never received greater recognition on the Ballon d’Or front. The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is the all-time leading scorer for Tottenham and the Three Lions, has never finished higher than 10th in any Golden Ball vote. That situation could change in 2026, with Kane considered to be a leading contender for the most prestigious of prizes.

Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has heaped praise on his England team-mate Reece James, labelling the injured Chelsea captain an "unbelievable" player. As the battle for England's right-back position heats up ahead of the upcoming World Cup, Livramento is determined to seize his opportunity under Thomas Tuchel while maintaining massive respect for his rival.