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Saka set to start his 50th cap as Tuchel keeps England guessing for Croatia opener
Thomas Tuchel is expected to hand Bukayo Saka a start for England's World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, with Anthony Gordon edging Marcus Rashford on the left wing and Jude Bellingham likely at No. 10.
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FA chief defends Tuchel contract extension, confirms performance clauses ahead of World Cup
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has explained why England extended Thomas Tuchel's contract until 2028 weeks before the World Cup, insisting the FA had not "moved the goalposts" and confirming performance clauses are written into the new deal.
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World Cup 2026: Semifinals set as minimum target for France
As runners-up at the last World Cup, France face Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Consultant Éric Di Meco believes failing to reach the semifinals would be a disappointment given the quality of the French squad.
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FA chief Mark Bullingham defers stance on Infantino's Fifa re-election bid amid World Cup controversy
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham says the FA will decide its position on Gianni Infantino's bid for another Fifa presidential term after a board review, as dissent grows over the Swiss official's conduct and proximity to the Trump administration.
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Ireland to host USA and Japan in five-match WXV Global Series autumn programme
Ireland Women will face the USA at Tallaght Stadium on 20 September and Japan at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on 27 September, before travelling to Cape Town for a two-Test series against South Africa in October.
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BBC stands by Giroud despite fans branding his World Cup punditry 'disastrous'
Olivier Giroud has drawn sharp criticism from viewers after his debut as a BBC pundit during Belgium vs Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, with fans calling for him to be dropped. The corporation has historically backed struggling pundits, as it did with Phil Neville in 2014.
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Piardi set to referee fourth straight URC final as Leinster injury doubts cloud Bulls rematch
Italian official Andrea Piardi will become the first referee to take charge of four consecutive URC Grand Finals when Leinster host the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday, with captain Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan both racing to be fit.
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Barcelona let £26m Rashford option expire, leaving Bayern Munich as likeliest destination
Barcelona's agreed option to sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United for £26 million expired at midnight on Monday. The La Liga club would now need to renegotiate a new fee, while Bayern Munich have emerged as an alternative suitor.
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Manchester United monitoring £50m Summerville for possible West Ham double deal
Manchester United are tracking West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as a left-flank target, valued at around £50m, while also pursuing Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes — raising the prospect of a double transfer from the relegated club.
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Valencia backs Amad to thrive under Carrick — then watches him score the winner
Antonio Valencia praised Amad's development as a right-sided defender ahead of the Copa America group stage, only for the Manchester United winger to come off the bench and score a 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia.
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Maguire reveals 'awkward' Tuchel FaceTime after England World Cup squad snub at 33
Harry Maguire has described an uncomfortable video call with Thomas Tuchel after being left out of England's 2026 World Cup squad, admitting the news came as a shock and that Tuchel could not offer him a clear explanation for the decision.
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Rashford's £40m release clause bars Liverpool and City but opens door to Premier League return
Marcus Rashford has a £40m release clause in his Manchester United contract that any club can trigger this summer — except Liverpool and Manchester City. Barcelona have opted against signing him permanently after his loan spell, leaving the 28-year-old's future unresolved.
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Hervé Renard appointed Tunisia manager after 5-1 hammering by Sweden at World Cup 2026
Tunisia have turned to Hervé Renard following a 5-1 opening defeat to Sweden at the 2026 World Cup. The 57-year-old, who masterminded Saudi Arabia's shock win over Argentina in 2022, has signed a short-term deal to lead the side through the North American tournament.
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France-Senegal: French supporters set Times Square ablaze on eve of World Cup
In New York, France fans took over Times Square the day before the Blues' first match at the 2026 World Cup, crossing paths with Argentine and Algerian supporters.
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Man arrested in Valencia for racist insults against Vinicius Junior outside Metropolitano
A 27-year-old Atlético de Madrid supporter was arrested in Valencia for directing racist insults at Vinicius Junior on April 14 outside the Metropolitano stadium. He is accused of incitement to hatred.
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Neymar misses Brazil training again as calf injury puts World Cup participation in doubt
Neymar attended a clinic for further tests on his injured right calf on Monday rather than rejoining Brazil's training camp in Morristown, New Jersey. The 34-year-old has been sidelined since May and has yet to feature as Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their opener.
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Scrum-half Maude re-signs with Loughborough Lightning after first full season in 15s
Alicia Maude has committed to Loughborough Lightning for the 2026/27 season after playing all 16 PWR matches in 2025/26 — her first full campaign in fifteens following several years as a GB Sevens specialist.
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Hamilton's first Ferrari win draws Serena Williams tribute after 106th career victory
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first win with Ferrari at the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, his 106th career victory. Tennis icon Serena Williams was among the first to congratulate him, posting 'Never forget. I love you bro' on Instagram.
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Beckham's joy at Brooklyn pregnancy news contrasts sharply with today's family estrangement
David Beckham learned Victoria was pregnant with Brooklyn the night before England's ill-fated 1998 World Cup clash with Argentina. Nearly three decades on, Brooklyn's estrangement from his parents has been underlined by a DoorDash advertisement that jokes about missing the 2026 tournament.
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Lineker secures £14m Netflix deal to host Rest is Football podcast at World Cup
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will record a 40-episode run of The Rest is Football from New York City during the World Cup, after Netflix paid a reported £14 million for the rights.
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