Former England midfielder Nicky Butt has warned Jude Bellingham that manager Thomas Tuchel will ruthlessly ignore player reputations at the upcoming World Cup. Butt believes the Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers possesses the ultimate X-factor and could completely outshine established superstars like Bellingham and Harry Kane on the global stage.
"Who else?!" Those were the words of Jude Bellingham as he careened away in celebration after his quite remarkable bicycle kick had drawn England level in the 95th minute of their Euro 2024 round-of-16 game against Slovakia. The Three Lions had been terrible up to that point, but Bellingham’s heroic moment had kept them alive, continuing a season where he had been the difference-maker for Real Madrid again and again.
Jordan Pickford has declared himself ready to take a penalty for England if required at the World Cup. The Everton goalkeeper is balancing his goalkeeping duties with penalty practice as the Three Lions prepare for the tournament in the United States, where he hopes to play a decisive role at both ends of the pitch.
There's just one week to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off on June 11. If you haven't already caught a serious case of World Cup fever, what better way to get in the mood than by checking out the very best kits that will be on show in North America this summer.
Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was never short of a good quote, but one of his best offered an insight as to how exactly a football team should be run: "A football team is like a piano - you need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing." It’s a punchy line, and in modern-day international football, it rings painfully true.
Kobbie Mainoo has credited Michael Carrick with saving his international career after being named in England's 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. The Manchester United starlet admitted he is "very grateful" to the newly-permanent Old Trafford boss for the faith shown in him since he took the reins.
Former England striker Alan Shearer has urged manager Thomas Tuchel to make a bold decision by starting Morgan Rogers over Jude Bellingham in the coveted number 10 role. Backed by stunning club statistics and a European trophy, the Aston Villa star's exceptional form and superior match fitness could give him the definitive edge heading into the World Cup.
Ollie Watkins has revealed that being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad earlier this year was the catalyst for the best form of his career. The Aston Villa striker saw his World Cup dreams hang in the balance after missing the March camp, but he believes the setback provided the necessary fire to prove his worth on the big stage.
Recently retired England stalwart Kyle Walker has cast doubt on Thomas Tuchel’s maiden tournament squad by naming three players he believes were unfairly omitted. The 36-year-old, who earned 96 caps for the Three Lions, suggested that the German manager has taken a massive gamble on the fitness and form of his defensive line.
Harry Kane will “half want to come back” to the Premier League once his adventure at Bayern Munich is over, Peter Reid has told GOAL. An England icon of the past would like to see one of the present make his way to Everton, but appreciates that may be slightly ambitious and has explained what makes the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer special.
Thomas Tuchel is preparing to hand Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott his international debut during England's final World Cup preparations. Despite not being named in the final 26-man tournament squad, the 22-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight for the upcoming friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Harry Kane will be leading England’s quest for World Cup glory in 2026, but can the prolific Bayern Munich striker make history by becoming the first man to win two Golden Boots? Ex-Three Lions frontman Robbie Fowler has told GOAL that target can be hit while moving ever closer to an exclusive club that is currently occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Harry Kane has enjoyed a landmark moment in his career off the pitch after being immortalised at Madame Tussauds London. The England captain described the unveiling of his waxwork as a "proud moment" for his family as he prepares to lead the Three Lions into the upcoming World Cup.
Jordan Henderson has spoken out to defend Thomas Tuchel’s controversial selection decisions as England begin their World Cup preparations in the United States. The veteran midfielder, a questionable inclusion himself, addressed the public outcry regarding the absence of several high-profile Premier League stars from the final 26-man roster.
Jude Bellingham at Liverpool is a transfer that could be agreed at some point in the future, Reds legend Robbie Fowler has told GOAL, with the England international midfielder being told where his game can still improve. The all-action 22-year-old remains on the books of Real Madrid for now, but a Premier League challenge may be sought once his Spanish adventure comes to a close.
Cole Palmer appears to be making the most of his unexpected summer break, having been spotted relaxing in Ibiza alongside Wayne Lineker following his omission from the England squad. The Chelsea star was a high-profile absentee from Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man selection for the upcoming World Cup.
When Marcus Rashford first attempted to speak Spanish, Lamine Yamal fell over laughing. It came during the Manchester United loanee's first training session in Catalunya - or, at least, the first one made public - and after chasing shadows in a rondo, Rashford said something pretty much unintelligible to the Ballon d'Or favourite. Contrast that, then, with the first impression made by Barca's latest English arrival, Anthony Gordon, whose almost fluent Spanish shocked those tuning in for his introductory press conference.
The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. In just over a week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.
Steven Gerrard has been used to explain why Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice cannot be considered a Ballon d’Or contender “just yet”, with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler telling GOAL why the Gunners talisman “needs to go up a notch” in order to join the global elite. That path is still being trodden by the all-action 27-year-old, who will soon be on World Cup duty with England.
After an outstanding season, Harry Kane rates himself as "one of the favourites" for the coveted Ballon d'Or. He also defended Thomas Tuchel, who has faced recent criticism.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is not convinced the 2026 World Cup will mark the end for veterans like 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, defending champion Lionel Messi, 38, and Luka Modric, 40. The Portuguese centre-back discussed the immense motivation his squad feels to capture the only major trophy their iconic captain has failed to win.
Steffen Freund believes England are currently better equipped than Germany to challenge for the 2026 World Cup, though he has warned of a potential stumbling block for Thomas Tuchel. The former Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund midfielder suggests that while the Three Lions possess superior squad depth, the manager's history with man-management could pose a threat to their pursuit of silverware.
Bayern Munich star Harry Kane believes he will be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or if he leads England to World Cup glory. Following a spectacular season where he scored 61 goals across all competitions, the prolific forward is fully confident that lifting the ultimate international trophy will solidify his claim for the sport's top individual prize.
England's squad numbers appear to offer an early indication of Thomas Tuchel's thinking ahead of the World Cup. Marcus Rashford has been handed the iconic No.11 shirt, a move that could point towards a starting role, while Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Pickford retain key numbers.
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