Analysis

GOAL is putting on the perfect festival of soccer for the World Cup, and Week 1 is rife with ideal programming to highlight the beautiful game

GOAL spoke to the Tillman family about their rollercoaster summer, the nerves that come with a World Cup and a mother's love for her two little boys.

"Football's coming home again, with Tommy Tuchel" were the words that rang around the exterior of Atlanta Stadium as tens of thousands of fans walked out into the Georgia heat following England's 2-1 win over DR Congo. The mood was jubilant. Everyone was happy. England won, DR Congo lost. England are now four victories away from ending 60 years of hurt and winning a long-coveted World Cup.

The USMNT's quietest star delivered the loudest moment of their Round of 32 win - and proved his breakout has been years in the making

Harry Kane delivered in an England shirt in a massive way against DR Congo on Wednesday, but the Three Lions will have to be much better in order to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup. Right now, they are nowhere near the levels required to beat the very best teams.

The red card given to Folarin Balogun could have ended the USMNT's run in the World Cup, but the Americans' dream continues as they refused to cave in.

The USMNT are at a point when football really starts to matter, and they will have to be at their best against a tough Bosnia and Herzegovina side.

Another summer, another Chelsea move for a high-potential, young star. This one, though, might just be different. The Blues sprung into life to hijack Inter's move for Atalanta prospect Marco Palestra, who has become the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era in a deal worth a cool €55 million (£47m/$62m).

When Portugal play Croatia on Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to do something he's never managed before: score a goal in the knockout stage of the World Cup. The Portuguese is one of the finest forwards the game has ever seen and, against Uzbekistan last week, became the first man to score in six different editions of the game's most prestigious tournament, which is testament to his remarkable longevity and work ethic.

There's no more room for error for the USMNT and, despite that fact, the general feeling around camp is a sense of calm.

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.

After mixing things up to close the group phase of this tournament, there's no room for error now. Here is who GOAL thinks should start.

EXCLUSIVE: GOAL sat down with the American goalkeeper to discuss the memories he wants to make and why now isn't the time to think about making them

Jude Bellingham had a pretty good excuse to cut his interview with ITV off slightly early. There he was, on the pitch in New Jersey, waxing lyrical about Harry Kane's impact for England when, in the background, voices started to swell up from one end of the stadium, signing 'Hey Jude' in unison.

Signing a striker was a top priority for Chelsea in this summer transfer window. Catarina Macario left the club in March before Sam Kerr departed at the end of the season, leaving the Blues with Mayra Ramirez, who played just one minute of football last term, and Aggie Beever-Jones, for whom an update on her future, as her contract approaches its expiry, still hasn't been announced. But with Chelsea's top three targets now committed elsewhere, what is next for the club in their search for a top centre-forward?

EXCLUSIVE: GOAL sat down with the 21-year-old rising star to discuss his big moment, how he got there, and the responsibility he feels to chase more

Just three games into the 2026 World Cup, England find themselves shorn of all three of their named options at right-back, making what was once an abundant area of the pitch for the Three Lions a real problem position at the worst possible time. Reece James, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah are all out injured, and Thomas Tuchel is now under significant scrutiny for some bizarre selection calls.

The Golden Boot may not always lead to team success, but the race for the individual award this summer might be one of the most compelling in recent memory

There are very few players left who play like the 25-year-old, and Pochettino has given him a role that lets him attack without fear

It’s time for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, which means it’s time for penalty shootout drama. Generally, England have a terrible reputation when it comes to spot-kicks, winning just four of the 11 shootouts they’ve participated in. But the signs suggest the tide is turning, with three of those wins coming in their last four.

Hydration breaks are mandated at every single game of the 2026 World Cup, which has led to mixed reactions from coaches, players and fans alike.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, as Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria to qualify for the knockout stage while simultaneously eliminating Iran, who had been set to progress as one of the tournament's third-placed finishers. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi came off the bench to help Argentina maintain their 100 percent winning record with a 3-1 victory over Jordan and, in doing so, the No.10 extended his record-breaking goals tally at the finals to 19.

Finding a rich vein of form at the 2026 World Cup, there is a sense that Vinicius Jr has finally arrived on the international stage, delivering consistently for Brazil when it matters most to propel the Selecao through the group stage. As Carlo Ancelotti's side clicks into gear, it is now a question of what they are capable of with the Real Madrid superstar leading the way.

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.

Canada have reached uncharted territory, and Davies' uncertain role looms over everything as Jesse Marsch manages his return with knockout stakes and questions rising.

GOAL breaks down the lessons learned from the first three games of the World Cup

Nathan Saliba and Luc De Fougerolles boosted their stock, while Jesse Marsch and Tajon Buchanan face questions as Canada prepare for the World Cup knockout rounds.

GOAL breaks down which players helped and hurt their cases of contributing in the knockout rounds

All three host nations have impressed at the 2026 World Cup, and there is reason to believe that deep runs could be on the cards this summer