England news

Jude Bellingham has admitted he took more satisfaction from creating a piece of history than finding the net himself during England's 2-0 win over Panama to ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side secured top spot in Group L. The Real Madrid superstar was at the heart of everything positive for the Three Lions, scoring the opener before turning provider for arecord-breaking second goal.

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, it was 'Hey Jude' that rang out the loudest following the full-time whistle. England's players had trudged off the pitch following a but unspectacular 2-0 win over Panama that sealed top spot in Group L at the World Cup. Jude Bellingham was still on the pitch, though, jogging to the far end for his media duties, and the fans sung for the man who had made all the difference on Saturday.

Gary Neville has delivered a scathing assessment of England's World Cup displays, insisting that Jude Bellingham is the only member of Thomas Tuchel's squad currently performing at the expected level. Despite the Three Lions securing their place in the round of 32 by topping Group L, the former Manchester United captain believes the rest of the team must drastically improve to avoid a premature exit in the knockout stages.

Harry Kane has cemented his status as a Three Lions legend after officially surpassing Gary Lineker to become England's all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history. The Bayern Munich marksman reached the historic milestone during a 2-0 victory over Panama, continuing his relentless pursuit of football's most prestigious individual records.

Jude Bellingham was the star of the show as England secured top spot in Group L at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday. The midfielder broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark before assisting Harry Kane soon after as Thomas Tuchel's side produced an otherwise uninspiring display despite the positive result.

How to watch the World Cup match between Panama and England, as well as kick-off time and team news

Our expert offers his best Panama vs England Predictions, Lineups, Odds & Tips for their World Cup clash this Saturday night (27/06/2026)

Former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has revealed his preference for Harry Kane over Erling Haaland, praising the England captain's superior tactical intelligence and link-up play. The legendary Uruguayan forward highlighted how Kane's unique ability to read the game and look for his team-mates sets him apart from other modern number nines.

England will be without Reece James for Saturday's World Cup group-stage clash with Panama after the Chelsea defender suffered a hamstring injury. James started matches against Croatia and Ghana but did not travel with the squad for the final group fixture. He is expected to miss England's next two matches in a significant blow for Thomas Tuchel.

Declan Rice’s £105 million ($139m) switch to Arsenal is considered to have helped him step up “two or three levels”, with ex-England captain Terry Butcher telling GOAL why a big-money transfer helped a Three Lions star of the present to join the global elite. Rice is considered to sit inside that talent pool as a Premier League title winner, World Cup hopeful, Ballon d’Or contender and future skipper of his country.

Manchester City have taken a massive step toward securing their midfield future by agreeing a staggering British record transfer fee for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson. The England international is set to become one of the highest earners at the Etihad as the club prepares for life after Pep Guardiola.

The sight of Terry Butcher soaked in blood is forever etched into the memory of England supporters, but which member of the Three Lions’ class of 2026 is most likely to recreate that image? The man himself has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as warriors such as Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Harry Kane chase down World Cup glory.

Thomas Tuchel definitely didn't want to be in this situation. After England's tournament-opener, in which the Three Lions rather comfortably saw off Croatia, it was presumed that the German coach would be thinking about rotation by now. His hardest opponent was out of the way, meaning another win, over Ghana, would secure top spot with a game to spare. Instead, he has to stick with the big guns after an incredibly frustrating draw with the Black Stars.