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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.

It's fair to say that France's forward line has taken the 2026 World Cup by storm. After winning all three of their group games, Les Bleus defeated Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 to become the tournament's top scorers at the time of writing, with 13 goals. Unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappe has accounted for the majority of those goals, with the Real Madrid superstar striking six times in four outings so far.

Gonacalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner after a chaotic contest between Portugal and Croatia, with Roberto Martinez's side squeaked out a 2-1 victory to advance to the World Cup Round of 16. Croatia scored first, but Portugal came from behind. Ronaldo scored once from the penalty spot and was replaced by Ramos, who delivered the match's biggest moment.

Spain outclassed Austria in Los Angeles to reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win on Thursday. The European champions avoided any sort of scare by dominating proceedings from the outset, securing a comfortable victory through Mikel Oyarzabal's brace and a header from Pedro Porro as they belatedly clicked into gear at the tournament.

The NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics, brought the league's first match to Ohio as reigning champions Gotham FC met NWSL Shield winners Kansas City Current.

Jesse Marsch calls preparing for Morocco a "gory, horrible nightmare" as Canada chase a historic World Cup quarterfinal berth. GOAL breaks down five keys.

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

Erica Parkinson was just 12 years old when she laid out her goals to a mindset coach who has spent the last six years helping her plot a route to the top of the game. "I want to play for England at the World Cup," she proclaimed. Fast-forward to today and, having become the Lionesses’ youngest call-up under Sarina Wiegman and just signed for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, it’s not out of the question that the dream could be realised in 12 months’ time.

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.

Wednesday's Round of 32 provided a test the USMNT never would have wanted, but they did what had to be done to escape the Bay Area and stay in the tournament.

Belgium produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history as they came from behind to beat Senegal 3-2 in the last 32 on Wednesday. The Red Devils were awful for 85 minutes and were heading for elimination after going 2-0 down, only for Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to pull them level before Tielemans converted from the penalty spot in stoppage time of extra-time to book a place in the round of 16.

The NWSL returns from its midseason break with San Diego Wave atop the table. GOAL breaks down five key storylines as the playoff race heats up.

England came from behind to secure their place in the last 16 of the World Cup as a second-half brace from Harry Kane ensured a 2-1 win over DR Congo on Wednesday. The Three Lions were largely poor for long periods in Atlanta, but Kane's goals, which were both assisted by substitute Anthony Gordon, set up a meeting with co-hosts Mexico on Sunday.

USWNT legend Mia Hamm tells GOAL why the FIFA Men's World Cup is unlike any other tournament and reflects on making history with U.S. Soccer.

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.

Roberto Alvarado made World Cup history with three assists, while Gilberto Mora shined again as Mexico beat Ecuador to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

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

France cruised into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, inspired by a Michael Olise masterclass. At his dazzling best in New Jersey, the Bayern Munich sensation was involved in absolutely everything as a Kylian Mbappe brace and Bradley Barcola strike ensured Les Bleus progressed from the round of 32 at a canter.

Cristo Fernandez used to just be 'Dani Rojas' of Ted Lasso, but he has used lower league soccer in America to revive his childhood passion

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.

Quite predictably, Erling Haaland was Norway's hero as his late goal secured a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast to send the Scandinavians through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, setting up a showdown with Brazil. The Manchester City striker had been peripheral for long stretches but popped up to bobble home the winner with just four minutes left on the clock in Dallas, after Manchester United's Amad Diallo had hauled Les Elephants level.

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

Mexico face Ecuador with a place in the World Cup Round of 16 on the line as Álvaro Fidalgo, Julián Quiñones and Gilberto Mora headline GOAL's five keys.

Since lifting the 2014 World Cup, Germany have endured a nightmare run at the biggest football tournament on the planet. They embarrassingly exited the competition at the group stage in both 2018 and 2022, and while they made it into the knockouts this time around in 2026, they still failed to reach the last 16 after falling on penalties to Paraguay on a chastening Monday afternoon in Boston.