It hasn't always been pretty, but England have achieved their aim of winning their World Cup group to set up a favourable last-32 tie. They will face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday after eventually seeing off Panama last time out, but form and fitness mean Thomas Tuchel's team selection is far from certain as the knockout stage gets underway.
Jordan Pickford has sounded a defiant battle cry ahead of England's World Cup knockout campaign, claiming the squad is prepared to "go to war" for manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions are looking to build on their group stage momentum as they prepare for a high-stakes last-32 encounter against DR Congo in North America.
After Real Madrid wonderkid Endrick sparked a wave of viral memes for sitting on Brazil's bench, Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo is now the main subject. England boss Thomas Tuchel's decision to keep the 21-year-old out of his starting lineup at the 2026 World Cup has triggered internet jokes, making the midfielder a meme sensation.
England have received a significant fitness boost ahead of their World Cup last-32 showdown against DR Congo, with Declan Rice expected to return to the starting line-up. The Arsenal midfielder sat out the victory over Panama to manage a calf issue but is now ready to anchor the midfield again in the knockout rounds.
Wayne Rooney has warned Thomas Tuchel that he must avoid repeating a critical mistake made by former manager Gareth Southgate regarding the fitness of Harry Kane. Despite the captain finding the net again in a 2-0 victory over Panama, the Three Lions' all-time leading scorer remains at the centre of a debate concerning his workload during major tournaments.
England fans have seen Cole Palmer produce the goods for the national team before. Indeed, he almost saved an otherwise poor performance in the Euro 2024 final, scoring an equalising goal and providing a spark when the Three Lions looked dead in the water against Spain. They did, of course, still go on to lose that game, as they have done at countless tournaments over the years.
England are sweating on the fitness of right-back Reece James ahead of Saturday's World Cup group encounter against Panama. The Chelsea captain is being closely monitored by medical staff after reporting a tight hamstring, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel facing a potential defensive reshuffle with several alternative backline options on standby.
Thomas Tuchel has leaped to the defence of Harry Kane after the England captain endured a night to forget in a goalless World Cup stalemate against Ghana. Despite dominating possession, the Three Lions were left frustrated by a resolute Black Stars defence in Foxborough.
After England's opening 4-2 win over Croatia, the vibes surrounding the Three Lions' World Cup hopes were pretty good. England played fun attacking football in Dallas and looked pretty assured in doing so, even if there were some question marks about their defending. Tuesday's goalless draw with Ghana, however, has changed the narrative once again
Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly locked in a transfer battle for Bournemouth sensation Alex Scott, who has seen his stock soar after a brilliant Premier League campaign. The 22-year-old was a standout performer for the Cherries last term and narrowly missed out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup.
Bukayo Saka has returned to full England training after concerns over the Achilles issue that affected the closing stages of his season with Arsenal. Thomas Tuchel remains cautious over the winger's workload, with England focused on keeping one of their key attacking players fit and ready for the latter stages of the World Cup.
England made a winning start to their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, but the performance was a bit mixed, even if the dominant start of the second half will have sent fear through some of the Three Lions' main rivals for global glory. For the most part, Thomas Tuchel seemed to get his selection mostly right. Jude Bellingham more than justified his place in the team, while having Anthony Gordon start so that Marcus Rashford could provide an X-factor off the bench paid off.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has shown his ruthless side at the World Cup after a video emerged of him screaming at Djed Spence during a training session. Tuchel was heard telling the Tottenham full-back to "wake up" as intensity builds ahead of the Three Lions' second group-stage game against Ghana.
Danny Mills has told GOAL that “some kind of personality clash” has taken place between Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel, but the former is expected to learn from that as the latter makes it clear who is “the boss”. Real Madrid’s midfield ‘Galactico’ has been handed England’s No.10 shirt at the 2026 World Cup and started in that role for a tournament opener against Croatia.
Roy Keane has firmly dismissed the glowing praise directed at Thomas Tuchel following England's dramatic 4-2 World Cup victory over Croatia in Group L. While several players lauded the manager for an inspiring half-time team talk that seemed to change the game, Keane insists Tuchel was merely fulfilling the basic requirements of his role and believes the reaction has been entirely blown out of proportion.
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