The World Cup 2026 draw has been made, with England set to face Croatia in the group stages, and the USMNT to take on Australia. Brazil have been drawn with Morocco, while France will play Senegal and Argentina must face Austria.
The Three Lions will soon know their opponents at next year's World Cup, as well as their route to the final, but who can they get? GOAL takes a look...
Thomas Tuchel has explained why England’s substitutes could be left in the dressing room during certain fixtures at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions are preparing to discover their group stage opponents at that event, with the draw taking place in Washington DC on Friday. Tuchel is aware that testing conditions are likely to be faced in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Arsene Wenger revealed his World Cup favourites and shared his verdict on England's chances of breaking their major tournament curse in 2026. In Wenger’s eyes, England stand on the cusp of something special, but does not deem them as outright favourites. For all the painful near misses of recent years, he believes a breakthrough is within touching distance.
Steven Heighway knew when Steven Gerrard was still only 14 years of age that the midfielder was going to "make it" as a footballer. The man himself, though, was less convinced of his quality - at least when he took his first tentative steps in the professional ranks. When Gerrard warmed up in front of the Kop for the first time ahead of his Liverpool debut on November 29, 1998, the nerve-racked teenager "could almost hear them saying, 'Who's this skinny tw*t?!'"
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has opened up about why he believes England have all the necessary “ingredients” to win the 2026 World Cup. Joining host Adebayo Akinfenwa for the latest episode of GOAL’s Beast Mode On Podcast, the Selecao manager predicts the Three Lions will go far at next summer’s showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
A leading surgeon who treated Harry Kane following his hamstring injury in 2020 has been awarded £37,000 (€42,386/$49,458) in damages from the UK’s oldest Bentley dealership after his new car was stolen. Professor Fares Haddad tended to the England captain after he underwent surgery to repair a ruptured tendon during the 2019-20 Premier League season.
Jude Bellingham has been handed a 2026 World Cup boost, with Nigel Winterburn exclusively telling GOAL that he does not expect Thomas Tuchel to overlook any “big names” when it comes to piecing together his England squad. There will inevitably be some disappointed performers when a 26-man group is named, but said selection will be loaded with talent.
Jude Bellingham’s treatment with the England national team may have put him off “from playing in the Premier League”, claims ex-Manchester City, Chelsea and Three Lions star Shaun Wright-Phillips. Bellingham has seen some of his behaviour questioned by those in his homeland, which could lead to the Real Madrid midfielder shunning a future return to his roots.
England stars will, if they are being honest, want to avoid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for as long as possible at the 2026 World Cup, says Nigel Winterburn. The ex-Three Lions defender has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing the chances of bringing 60 years of pain to a close ahead of the group-stage draw taking place on December 5.
Real Madrid legend David Beckham has joined forces with current Blancos stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to help launch the new throwback Predator Mania from adidas. The ex-England captain is mingling with Three Lions performers of the present as an iconic design is brought back to life in a stunning colourway that will stand out on the field.
A star-studded cast of sporting icons - including Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge - will join former England captain Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw on Dec. 5. The event will pair football heavyweights with stars from other sports as the 48-team groups are revealed, with Eli Manning set to host the red-carpet arrivals the night before the ceremony.
The 2026 World Cup draw takes place on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and promises to be a star-studded event. Global icon Heidi Klum will host the show alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart. The glitzy affair will also feature music and performances from Nicole Scherzinger as well as Robbie Williams, the Village People and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Jude Bellingham’s relationship with England boss Thomas Tuchel has been compared to the one that Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson once experienced at Old Trafford. Wes Brown witnessed that at close quarters and has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing Bellingham’s role in the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup group stage draw.
Former England striker Gary Lineker has signed a lucrative new deal to take his The Rest is Football podcast to streaming giant Netflix for the 2026 World Cup. The show will run daily throughout the competition in North America, Mexico and Canada and will also feature usual co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. It will be filmed in New York but will also feature reports from the England camp and fan zones across the tournament.
Thomas Tuchel has been brutally reminded that England “haven’t played anybody” yet as they prepare to discover their 2026 World Cup group stage opponents. Former Three Lions star Nigel Winterburn has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing what success - and failure - looks like for a talented squad that is looking to shake their ‘nearly men’ tag.
Harry Kane’s unique talent has been explained by Wes Brown in an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Bayern Munich striker is one of the most fearsome No.9s in world football, with the record books being rewritten in domestic and international competition. Kane is currently waiting to discover who England will face in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
A former England international, who played Premier League football, has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape. The suspect, who is said to have represented the Three Lions in the 2010s, was detained when passing through Stansted Airport following an allegation from an ex-partner that is now being investigated by the relevant authorities.
New Balance have unveiled a stunning new boot which has been co-designed by Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka. The American footwear company have launched the special edition '7egacy’ boot, featuring a custom colourway of the Furon v8, which the winger wore for the first time in the Gunners’ 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea on Sunday evening.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says he “assumes” Harry Kane will see out the remainder of his contract with the club, despite having the option to trigger an early exit in January. The England captain continues to be linked with La Liga giants Barcelona after revealing he is yet to open talks over an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2027.
England have not savoured World Cup glory since 1966, but Wes Brown has exclusively told GOAL - ahead of the group stage draw for the 2026 event - that “nobody will want to play” the Three Lions when chasing down a global crown. Thomas Tuchel’s side will head to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer sat among the favourites to go all the way.
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has been forced to defend himself from ridicule following the release of a video online that shows him holidaying in Mexico. The clip in question sees the ex-England international walking down the street with a woman, with many - including far-right activist Tommy Robinson - jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll scored a brilliant hat-trick for Dagenham & Redbridge. The 36-year-old forward, who once broke the British transfer record when moving to Anfield from Newcastle United, has made a fresh start in the sixth tier of English football after leaving French side Bordeaux in the summer. He joined the club both as a player and a shareholder.
England
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