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World Cup 2026 Power Rankings

WC26 Power Rankings: France flex as England & U.S. falter

There really is nothing like the World Cup. Even just qualifying generates a level of nationwide excitement that the club game simply cannot match, which is why we witnessed truly joyous scenes all across the globe during the March international break, as the final six qualifiers were confirmed for this summer's festival of football in North America.

Power rankingsWorld Cup
England v Japan - International Friendly

Guehi makes worrying admission after England's loss to Japan

England concluded their March international break on a disappointing note as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Japan at Wembley, with Marc Guehi making a worrying admission about the pressure of playing for the Three Lions after the final whistle. Despite dominating possession, the hosts were undone by a first-half strike from Kaoru Mitoma.

M. GuehiEngland
England Japan W+Ls GFX

Jude must start for England - but Kane is the key to WC26 glory

It's never easy with the England men's national team. On paper, they should have enough quality, experience and firepower to blow most sides on this planet to smithereens. Then you sit down, watch them and wonder whether they are actually a team of total strangers assembled purely out of spite to mildly annoy the fans who had hoped so much of them. On the basis of their March friendlies, it would be a fair assumption to make.

Winners & LosersEngland
GFX Thomas Tuchel Declan Rice Bukayo Saka

Tuchel defends Rice and Saka withdrawals

Thomas Tuchel has plotted a diplomatic course through the storm that has followed the withdrawals of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka from the England squad, saying the optics may look bad but he has “100% trust” in their integrity. The Arsenal duo will be unavailable for the clash against Japan at Wembley after reporting discomfort following their recent club commitments.

EnglandT. Tuchel
England Training & Media Activity

Tuchel confirms Bellingham to miss Japan clash

England manager Thomas Tuchel has taken a firm stance regarding the fitness of Jude Bellingham, insistsing that he will not gamble with the player's health. Despite the anticipation surrounding the Three Lions' friendly against Japan at Wembley, the Real Madrid midfielder will remain on the sidelines to ensure he does not suffer a setback.

J. BellinghamT. Tuchel

Betting spotlight

Manchester United vs Leeds Predictions: Red Devils hold onto third spot
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England v Serbia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Arsenal trio among eight to leave England squad

Thomas Tuchel’s experimental international break has taken a significant hit with the news that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have returned to Arsenal for medical assessment. Despite only joining up with the squad on Friday after being rested for the 1-1 draw against Uruguay, the pair will play no part in the upcoming clash with Japan. The Football Association confirmed their departure alongside six other players, leaving the squad noticeably thinner for the Wembley encounter.

D. RiceB. Saka
Trent Alexander-Arnold England

Beckham reacts to Alexander-Arnold England absence

England legend David Beckham has confessed he would find it "very hard" to overlook Trent Alexander-Arnold for a World Cup squad after the Real Madrid star was hit with another international snub. He waded into the debate after Alexander-Arnold became the headline omission from Thomas Tuchel’s latest 35-man selection for clashes against Uruguay and Japan.

T. Alexander-ArnoldEngland
Foden-Littler

Foden scores darts 180 on day Littler visits England squad

The England squad received a unique masterclass this week as double world champion Luke Littler visited St. George’s Park to host the 'Three Lions Darts Championship'. While Littler was expected to provide the fireworks, it was Manchester City’s Phil Foden who stole the show by landing a maximum 180 during the informal tournament.

P. FodenEngland
England Training & Media Activity

Man Utd bench regular called up to England training by Tuchel

Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven has been handed a surprise opportunity to impress Thomas Tuchel after being drafted into England senior training. The teenage defender was originally selected for the Under-20 squad but has now found himself rubbing shoulders with the nation's elite at St George's Park.

EnglandA. Heaven
kazuyoshi-miura

Miura to play beyond 59th birthday as Japan legend signs for new club

Japan legend Kazuyoshi Miura, who will celebrate his 59th birthday in February, has agreed a six-month loan move to Fukushima United, extending a professional career that now stretches into a remarkable fifth decade. The agreement means Miura could feature in the J.League, encompassing Japan’s top three divisions, for the first time in five years.

K. MiuraTransfers
FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw - Red Carpet Arrivals

England confirm opponents for March international break

England have confirmed their opponents for the March international break, which they are set to play their final games before Thomas Tuchel picks his final squad for the 2026 World Cup. They have been drawn in Group L and will face Croatia, Panama and Ghana at the finals, where they will be looking to break their major trophy curse, which has extended to 60 years.

EnglandT. Tuchel

Frequently asked questions

Manchester United were founded in 1878, although under a different name at first - Newton Heath LYR. The name Manchester United was born in April 1902, beating alternative suggestions like Manchester Central and Manchester Celtic.

Manchester United are currently co-owned by the Glazer family, as well as INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. In February, Ratcliffe bought an initial 25% stake in the club, ganing control over all the sporting operations.

Manchester United play their home games at the Old Trafford, which is also known as the 'Theatre Of Dreams' among fans and pundits.

Old Trafford has a capacity of 74,310, making it UK's second-biggest football stadium in terms of capacity (behind Wembley).

Manchester United have an impressive haul of 68 trophies in their prestigious history, which includes 20 league titles, three Champions Leagues, as well as 13 FA Cups.

Manchester United have won a record 20 English top flight titles. They have won 13 titles in the Premier League era, all of them coming under Sir Alex Ferguson. United, though, haven't lifted the Premier League trophy since the 2012-13 season.

With 963 appearances to his name, Ryan Giggs holds the record of making the most appearances for Manchester United. Giggs made his debut for the club in March 1991 and spent his entire professional career, spanning 23 years, at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 games for the club. He spent 13 years at the club, from 2004 to 2017.

Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel Di Maria, and Denis Irwin are some of the most famous players to have donned the Manchester United colours.

Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, David Moyes, and Louis van Gaal are among the most famous to have been at the helm at Old Trafford.

Manchester United are famously known as The Red Devils among their fans and rivals alike. The term was introduced by the legendary Sir Matt Busby in the 1960s – after the tragic Munich air disaster – seeking inspiration from a local rugby club from Salford, who were referred to as "Les Diables Rouges" (The Red Devils) when they toured France in 1934.

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