Press conference
Manager / player media briefings.
-
Argentina fans burn Union Jack as Scaloni urges calm before England World Cup semi-final
A group of Argentina supporters filmed themselves burning a Union Jack in Escobar ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England, while Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called for his players to treat the fixture as "just a football game".
Football -
Rice trains with England squad ahead of World Cup semi-final against Argentina
Declan Rice returned to training with England on Tuesday, boosting hopes he will start Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta after illness forced him off at half-time against Norway.
Football -
Messi fitness doubt forces Scaloni to weigh line-up changes for Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England
Lionel Messi missed a training session after taking a knock to the eye in Argentina's quarter-final win over Switzerland, with coach Lionel Scaloni also monitoring Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes ahead of the World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta.
Football -
Shearer raises VAR and referee fears ahead of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina
Alan Shearer has voiced concern that refereeing decisions or VAR could deny England a place in the World Cup final, pointing to what he sees as a shifting officiating narrative that has benefited Argentina throughout the tournament.
Football -
Sir Geoff Hurst, 84, backs England to end 60 years of hurt at World Cup 2026
The only living member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning side, Sir Geoff Hurst, says Thomas Tuchel's squad can go all the way in 2026, insisting a potential final appearance against Argentina would be "categorically" achievable.
Football -
Maradona Jr contradicts Scaloni and insists England clash is no ordinary World Cup semi-final
Diego Maradona Jr has pushed back on Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni's attempt to frame Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England as just another game, invoking the Falklands War and his father's iconic 1986 quarter-final in his response.
Football -
Barcola starts, Tchouaméni returns: Deschamps reveals his XI against Spain
For the World Cup semi-final against Spain on Tuesday, Didier Deschamps starts Bradley Barcola on the left wing in place of Désiré Doué, and recalls Aurélien Tchouaméni, recovered from injury, at the expense of Manu Koné.
Football -
Madueke 'played himself out' of England's XI as Rashford tipped to start vs Argentina
Noni Madueke's underwhelming display against Norway, which saw him hauled off at half-time, has cost him his starting spot for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, according to former Premier League strikers Gabby Agbonlahor and Darren Bent, who both back Marcus Rashford to replace him.
Football -
Bilic's return to Croatia could convince Modric to extend international career
Luka Modric was planning to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, but Slaven Bilic's return as Croatia's head coach — a man he has worked with before — could change his mind, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Football -
Kane dismisses media 'division' claims after Bellingham-Tuchel furore ahead of Argentina semi-final
Harry Kane has defended England's camp unity after Jude Bellingham's pointed response to Thomas Tuchel's post-match interview following the 2-1 extra-time win over Norway, calling attempts to stoke division 'an English mentality' at major tournaments.
Football -
CoreCtrl, hidden Lucozade pouches and ice slushies: inside England's World Cup hydration strategy
Thomas Tuchel has his England players drinking a thermoregulation beverage called CoreCtrl and a custom high-sodium Lucozade electrolyte mix during mandatory hydration breaks, with Lucozade branding concealed by stickers as the brand is not an official FIFA sponsor.
Football -
Zaïre-Emery at press conference after just ten minutes of play: a communication error criticized
On the eve of France vs Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, France's communications team presented Warren Zaïre-Emery alongside Didier Deschamps. A choice that drew criticism: the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has played only around twenty minutes since the start of the tournament.
Football -
Deeney says O'Reilly is 'getting away with murder' ahead of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina
Troy Deeney has questioned why Nico O'Reilly is escaping scrutiny despite defensive struggles, as England prepare to face Argentina and Lionel Messi in a World Cup semi-final.
Football -
Kane defends Bellingham and Tuchel rift as media 'creating division' before Argentina semi-final
Harry Kane has pushed back against suggestions of a rift in the England camp after Thomas Tuchel called his side 'lucky' to beat Norway and Jude Bellingham responded sharply to the manager's comments. Kane insists the squad's togetherness remains intact ahead of their World Cup semi-final with Argentina.
Football -
Deschamps explains why Doué and Barcola rotate on France's left wing
Ahead of France-Spain, Didier Deschamps justified the alternation between Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola on the left, emphasizing that his choices depend on the opponent's defensive profile rather than a fixed tactical system.
Football -
Deschamps acknowledges Spain as favorites ahead of World Cup semifinal
Hours before the France-Spain World Cup semifinal clash on July 14, Didier Deschamps publicly confirmed Spain's favorite status, while anticipating a spectacular match between two teams with strong offensive potential.
Football -
Keane backs Argentina to end England's World Cup dream as Neville stays bullish
Roy Keane believes Argentina will prove too strong for England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, dismissing Gary Neville's optimism and warning that France could also end the Three Lions' run.
Football -
Shearer warns England referee could be decisive factor against Argentina in World Cup semi-final
Alan Shearer has expressed concern that refereeing decisions or VAR could prove costly for England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta, with FIFA confirming American official Ismail Elfath will take charge.
Football -
Argentinian media pinpoint England's defensive frailties ahead of World Cup semi-final with Argentina
ESPN Argentina has identified four key weaknesses in Thomas Tuchel's England side — including slow starts, high-press vulnerability and over-reliance on Bellingham and Kane — ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, with reports also emerging that Bellingham is carrying a shoulder injury.
Football -
Wallabies target second-half collapse as Schmidt era ends against Italy in Perth
Australia have pinpointed the opening five minutes of the second half as a critical area for improvement ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Italy in Perth, after surrendering leads against both Ireland and France in recent weeks.
Rugby