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.
Harry Kane has been backed to achieve something that no other Englishman has managed, with ex-Three Lions captain Terry Butcher telling GOAL why the record-setting striker can make more history. The evergreen frontman is considered to be Cristiano Ronaldo-esque when it comes to career longevity, meaning that a fourth World Cup finals could be graced.
England boss Thomas Tuchel is facing a nervous wait over the fitness of two of his most important players ahead of the final World Cup Group L clash against Panama. Reece James and Declan Rice both missed a key training session in Kansas City, leaving the Three Lions with major selection headaches as they look to secure top spot in the group.
Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode On Podcast, José Mourinho has backed Cristiano Ronaldo and his native Portugal to stake a serious claim for World Cup glory, while ranking England among the favourites. Having recently returned to Real Madrid for a second spell in charge at the Bernabeu, Mourinho has also explained why he is hoping to see Madrid's star names suffer early exits from FIFA's flagship event in North America.
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer has insisted he is "not crying" over his shock omission from Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad following a challenging, injury-hit campaign. The 24-year-old is instead shifting his focus entirely toward a rare, head-clearing summer break in Ibiza to fully recharge ahead of the new season.
New Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast as he exclusively discusses his sensational return to the Liga giants, the World Cup and whether England can finally end 60 years of hurt, and some of the joyous, and panful, experiences he's had in management to date. Mourinho also chats openly about his time at Tottenham, and the controversial nature of his sacking just days before the League Cup final, among many other intriguing topics in a must-see episode of the award-winning podcast.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has launched a passionate defence of the national team following their frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana at the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester United legend hit back at what he perceives as a knee-jerk media reaction to Thomas Tuchel's side after they failed to follow up their opening-day victory with another win.
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.
Harry Kane has become the talismanic captain of England, but what type of leader is he? Former Three Lions star Gary Pallister has delivered his assessment to GOAL, with the record-shattering striker considered to inspire those around him through actions - rather than words, like Chelsea and Manchester United legends John Terry and Roy Keane used to do.
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.
Harry Kane’s uncharacteristic struggles in front of goal during England's World Cup stalemate with Ghana have been attributed to more than just a bad day at the office. A renowned Ghanaian spiritualist now claims he was the architect behind the captain's misfortune, having placed a hex on the striker to protect his nation's interests.
Anthony Gordon has faced heavy criticism for his underwhelming performance during England's goalless World Cup draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Pundits have slammed the winger's lack of impact, even questioning his recent lucrative transfer to Barcelona. Former players believe Newcastle are the real winners of the summer deal after watching him struggle on the international stage.
Harry Kane has opened up on his frustrating performance in England's 0-0 draw against Ghana at the World Cup, admitting he was man-marked out of the game. The striker struggled to make an impact against a resolute defence and missed a crucial late chance to win the match, but remains positive as the Three Lions look to secure top spot in Group L against Panama.
Jude Bellingham has weighed in on the blockbuster appointment of Jose Mourinho as the new Real Madrid head coach. The England international, currently shining at the 2026 World Cup, also gave his verdict on the club’s aggressive summer recruitment as the "Special One" begins to bolster his squad at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham found himself at the centre of a post-match debate following England’s goalless draw with Ghana after images emerged of him covering his mouth while speaking to Jordan Ayew. Despite a strict new FIFA law in place for the 2026 World Cup that can result in a red card for such actions, the Three Lions star remained on the pitch.
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.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has launched a scathing attack on the officiating standards at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that the VAR officials must have been on a coffee break during a controversial moment in their 0-0 draw with England. The veteran coach was left incensed after the Black Stars were denied what he deemed a "clear penalty and red card" during the stalemate in Foxborough.
Jude Bellingham has delivered an honest assessment of his own performance after England were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana at the 2026 World Cup. Despite being named Player of the Match, the Real Madrid superstar insisted the award should have gone to his opponents for their resolute defensive display in Boston.
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
Carlos Queiroz has explained his heated exchange with Jude Bellingham during Ghana's 0-0 draw with England at the 2026 World Cup. Bellingham was seen being pulled away from the Ghana boss as tensions threatened to spill over at half-time, though Thomas Tuchel later denied that England's opponents had "got under their skin".
We're in the end game now! With only eight teams remaining, the 2026 World Cup is about to reach boiling point, with the stakes unspeakably high for each of the quarter-finalists. The next round has a lot to live up, too, after this thrilling tournament continued to deliver moments of magic on an almost daily basis.
England
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