Four nations will make debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan set to grace the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It will be the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and all will have ambitions of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages.
Arsenal forward Noni Madueke became the target of light-hearted mockery online after squandering a glaring open-goal opportunity during England's final public warm-up match. Despite his error, Thomas Tuchel's clinical side coasted to a dominant 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando to extend their impressive winning streak.
We are now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with all 48 teams having made their way to North America with dreams of glory driving them. All of the pre-qualifying favourites made it safely through, including Spain, Brazil, England, France and defending champions Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel has downplayed a moment of apparent friction between Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon during England's final World Cup warm-up match. The Real Madrid superstar appeared ready to take a second-half penalty before being told to hand the ball over to the Barcelona's new winger.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has declared his squad fully prepared for the upcoming World Cup following a comprehensive 3-0 warm-up victory over Costa Rica in Orlando. The German tactician praised the immense cohesion and team spirit within the camp as the Three Lions look to end their 60-year wait for global silverware.
Thomas Tuchel has urged his England players to remain focused after their final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica was hit by severe weather disruption in Florida. The Three Lions saw their preparations thrown into chaos when a massive storm in Orlando forced a delay to their final outing before the tournament begins.