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Press conference

Manager / player media briefings.

Deschamps names Spain favourites for World Cup semi-final despite France's superior record

Didier Deschamps has backed Spain as favourites ahead of Tuesday's World Cup 2026 semi-final in Dallas, despite France topping the world rankings and outscoring their opponents across the tournament. Spain beat France in both Euro 2024 and last year's Nations League.

Football Jul 13
Pickford backs England to keep cool against Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Jordan Pickford has expressed confidence that England will avoid the flashpoints that have marred previous meetings with Argentina, as Thomas Tuchel's side prepare to face the reigning world champions in Atlanta on Wednesday for a place in the World Cup final.

Football Jul 13
Rodri tells anxious Yamal to calm down as Spain star insists goals won't matter if they lift the World Cup

Rodri has urged Lamine Yamal to stop obsessing over his lack of goals at the World Cup, while the Barcelona teenager insists nobody will remember his tally if Spain go on to win the tournament.

Football Jul 13
New Portugal boss Jorge Jesus confirms Ronaldo will remain central to his four-year plan

Jorge Jesus, appointed on a four-year contract to lead Portugal through to the 2030 World Cup, has declared Cristiano Ronaldo 'never going to be a problem' and pledged to select the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward as long as he remains fit.

Football Jul 13
Rodri urges Yamal to curb anxiety as Spain face France in World Cup semifinal

Spain captain Rodri has called on 19-year-old Lamine Yamal to manage his anxiety ahead of a World Cup semifinal against France, praising the winger's maturity while identifying composure as the key area he still needs to sharpen.

Football Jul 13
Pickford vows England will not fall for Argentina's dark arts at World Cup semi-final

Jordan Pickford has pledged that England will keep their discipline against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, insisting the squad are too streetwise to be provoked — unlike David Beckham's infamous 1998 red card against the same opponents.

Football Jul 13
Reece James returns from injury and relishes England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina

Reece James came off the bench in England's quarter-final win over Norway in Miami after recovering from a hamstring strain, and says the semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta is what childhood dreams are made of.

Football Jul 13
Wolff admits Mercedes must fix reliability after nine poles yield just seven wins

Toto Wolff insists he would rather have a fast, unreliable car than a slow, dependable one, but concedes Mercedes should have converted all nine pole positions into victories during the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Formula 1 Jul 13
Alonso confirms Enzo Fernandez talks but hints Garnacho could leave Chelsea

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed he has spoken privately with Enzo Fernandez following Real Madrid's public denial of interest in the midfielder, while also revealing that Alejandro Garnacho has attracted interest from other clubs.

Football Jul 13
Alonso confirms Garnacho free to leave Chelsea while vowing to keep Fernandez

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that Alejandro Garnacho can leave Stamford Bridge this summer, while confirming he held private talks with Enzo Fernandez and wants the midfielder to stay.

Football Jul 13
Argentina media fire back at England pundits ahead of World Cup semi-final

England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with a place in Sunday's final on the line. Comments from Ian Wright, Joe Cole and Gary Neville dismissing the defending champions have drawn a sharp response from the Argentine press.

Football Jul 13
Cubarsi defies Mbappé ahead of France-Spain World Cup semi-final: "No fear"

At 19 years old, Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi says he has no fear of Kylian Mbappé ahead of the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on Tuesday evening. The two players have already faced each other six times in club football, with five victories for the Barcelona player.

Football Jul 13
Iraola calls for more Liverpool signings as Edwards exit leaves transfer plans in flux

Andoni Iraola used his first Liverpool press conference to acknowledge the club needs reinforcements beyond their two summer arrivals, while also confirming Harvey Elliott will get the chance to rebuild his career at Anfield after a difficult loan spell at Aston Villa.

Football Jul 13
Iraola tells FSG he needs more signings as Liverpool target right-back cover

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has publicly called on owners Fenway Sports Group to add to their summer business, saying the club 'need more players' despite already spending £94.5m on Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.

Football Jul 13
Kane defends Tuchel after Bellingham's outburst in World Cup quarter-final

After England's hard-fought victory over Norway (2-1 a.e.t.) in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final, Jude Bellingham publicly contradicted manager Thomas Tuchel. Harry Kane, however, sided with the coach.

Football Jul 13
Akanji accuses World Cup referees of 'giving Argentina everything' ahead of England semi-final

Former Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has sharply criticised referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro after Switzerland's 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina, claiming officials allowed Argentine fouls and dives to go unpunished — a warning England will heed before Wednesday's semi-final in Atlanta.

Football Jul 13
Tuchel bans wheat and sugar from England training camp as strict diet rules emerge

Thomas Tuchel has banned wheat and sugar from his players' meals, according to former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann, who worked under the England manager for two years. Captain Harry Kane has also outlined his own nutrition approach, emphasising carbohydrate timing and recovery.

Football Jul 13
Roy Keane's stone-faced silence during England's goals steals the show at World Cup

Roy Keane remained unmoved and silent in the ITV studio as Jude Bellingham scored twice to send England past Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals, while fellow pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright celebrated around him.

Football Jul 13
Kane backs Tuchel amid Bellingham feud as FIFA faces backlash over Balogun ban reversal

Harry Kane has defended Thomas Tuchel's critical approach after Jude Bellingham showed visible frustration with the England manager, while FIFA faces fierce criticism — including from UEFA — over its decision to lift Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension at the request of Donald Trump.

Football Jul 13
Pedri on the bench against Belgium: Unai Simon calms unease within La Roja

Left out of the starting XI for the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium, Pedri raised questions in Spain. Goalkeeper Unai Simon attempted to defuse the controversy by reminding everyone of the fierce competition within the squad.

Football Jul 13

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