2026 — The Tournament Of A Lifetime

World Cup News

Batson says US federation will ‘take a break’ Sporting director role unfilled after Crocker exit The US men’s national team leaves the World Cup with some considerable gaps in their organizational chart. Mauricio Pochettino’s future is undetermined as his contract – funded in part by billionaire donors – ends with the conclusion of this tournament. In April, Matt Crocker resigned from his role as sporting director to take a similar position with Saudi Arabia. Despite these crucial positions being open, there may not be resolutions for some time. “We are going to take a break after the World Cup and rest and recuperate,” US Soccer chief executive JT Batson said at a roundtable with media on Thursday when asked about Pochettino. “I didn’t get to do too much resting and recuperating, but we’re excited about the discussions. [Pochettino and his staff] have been active about long-term planning. As a recent example, [they] were active in our discussions with Steve [Cherundolo] around the U-23 role. We’re feeling good about where we are overall, and we’re looking forward to the discussions.” As for Crocker’s abdicated role, Batson cited a federation workforce of more than “600 people” working toward achieving their ultimate aims, rather than one figurehead executive. Both Batson and USSF chief operating officer Dan Helfrich, who was also at the roundtable, declined to clarify whether another sporting director would be among “a number” of impending hires. “We feel confident we have a great team, and that great team has soccer expertise from deep within the American system and soccer expertise from other parts of the world,” Helfrich said. “As we are talking about and making strategic choices, we have [vice-president of sporting] Oguchi Onyewu and [head of development] Barry Pauwels and [head of women’s youth development] Tracey Kevins and Emma Hayes who are part of the discussions we’re having, both about near-term choices and about longer-term structure. “I anticipate, in the months to come, there’s a little more clarity on structure, but the fundamentals of the team are there.”

World Cup News

2 Comments A shirt worn by Pele during the 1958 World Cup final has sold for $4.9m (£3.6m) at a Sotheby's auction in New York. It is the second most valuable football jersey sold behind the Argentina shirt Diego Maradona wore when he scored the 'Hand of God' goal against England at the 1986 World Cup - which went for £7.1m in 2022. Having received a total of 10 bids from more than five bidders, Pele's shirt from the 1958 final is his most valuable item of memorabilia ever sold at auction. This very shirt sold in 2004 for $105,600 (£70,505). Pele scored twice against Sweden as a 17-year-old in the 1958 World Cup final to win the first of his three World Cups. He still holds the record for the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. "Today's result is a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of one of the greatest footballers of all time," said Brendan Hawkes, Sotheby's head of sports strategy and development. "This shirt is not only a lasting reminder of one of the most important moments in football history, but is principally connected to the very moment that catapulted Pele into a global sporting icon." Other items sold in 'The Beautiful Game' auction on Thursday included the captain's armband worn by Maradona during the 1986 World Cup - including when he scored the 'Hand of God' goal against England - which sold for $512,000 (£380,000). A shirt worn by Lionel Messi during Barcelona's dramatic 6–1 comeback victory over Paris St-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2017 sold for $217,600 (£161,482), while David Beckham's shirt from his 50th England cap at the 2002 World Cup sold for $51,200 dollars (£37,996). 'A true miracle of destiny' - Messi and Lamine Yamal's incredible first meeting How coach-on-pitch Messi undid England's tactics on the fly

World Cup News

The UK government has said "the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are," after Argentina players celebrated their victory over England by waving a banner in support of their country's territorial claim.

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An England fan who was so convinced the Three Lions would win the World Cup that he got a huge tattoo celebrating the "win" has decided to add the words "only joking" underneath. Sean Carrington got the foot-long £550 inking of the trophy with the words "England World Cup Winner 2026" written below it after the team beat DR Congo. But along with millions of other supporters he was left railing at another frustrating England exit after Wednesday night's late defeat against Argentina in the semi-final. The 36-year-old, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said he had "no regrets" about having it done and was now considering how to have it amended. However, he admitted he was pleased he rowed back on his original plan - which was to get "It's Coming Home" emblazoned across his chest. Sean watched the match at Manchester's Depot Mayfield fanzone and said he was "buzzing" when England took the lead with Anthony Gordon's neat strike in the 55th minute. "The atmosphere was crazy until the very end. But we sat back and gave it away," he said. "It was depressing - it ended up so flat." Regarding his tattoo, he said: "I'll probably get 'only joking' added to it." He said the team at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish talked him out of his original idea. "That was more of a laugh but the World Cup trophy - in my heart I thought we'd do it," he said. "I'd so love them to win it." He admitted he was a "bit of a joker" but added: "I've not done anything like this before". Sean, who has eight other tattoos, mainly the names of family members, said he was "impulsive" but has no plans for any more ill-advised inks. The roofer, who said he was "too tender" to go to work on Thursday morning, said he was shocked at how much attention his tattoo got. "It went viral. I'm even on social media," he said. He earlier told the BBC how he got the idea for the tattoo when he was watching the tournament on holiday in Tenerife and was egged on by friends. But he had to wait until he returned before a studio could fit him in. Holy Trinity's manager Jamie Taylor said: "I was dubious at first and told him it was permanent and wouldn't wash off. "He was adamant, though," she said. Jordan Stringfellow, who also works at the studio, said: "Sean has a great sense of humour and won't be bothered. "He always knew it was a joke and a good craic. "He wanted to get 'it's coming home' across his chest but I said that was taking it too far." The 34-year-old said Sean was not the first England fan to be premature with tattoos. "It happened in the Euros.They got an England flag and 'it's coming home'," he said. Tell us which stories we should cover in Greater Manchester Contact formContact formMore on this storyFan has huge £550 tattoo declaring England World Cup winners

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King Charles III hinted at England's World Cup semi-final loss as he poured a pint in a pub.

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The son of England's 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles is predicting an "epidemic" of brain injuries among players who head footballs, especially women. John Stiles spoke after an inquest on Wednesday into the death of his father, Nobby Stiles - the 78-year-old ex-Man Utd and England midfielder - heard thousands of headers during his career had caused his chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Senior Coroner Alison Mulch is writing a prevention of future deaths report after recording Stiles' cause of death in 2020 as Alzheimer's disease, contributed to by CTE. The Football Association (FA), which has been asked to comment, is phasing out all football heading up to under-11s this year. Stiles died with severe dementia in 2020 aged 78 and had headed a football about 140,000 times in his career, Stockport Coroners' Court heard during the inquest into his death, held on Wednesday. Neuropathology expert Dr Daniel Du Plessis told the court: "I'm quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy]." John, who founded campaign group Football Families for Justice, said afterwards that women's football was "a particular concern" that "really needs to be addressed". He added: "Tragically the brain injuries epidemic will grow as so many more girls play football: women's brains are even more susceptible to damage from heading." However, he also said: "Anybody who heads the ball is very likely to get this disease and, for God's sake, we must do something about it now." He said a "proper fund" was needed for when ex-players go into a care home, adding funding form the Premier Leaguer and players union, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), was not "adequate". Six years ago, former Southampton and England player Sue Lopez, one of the pioneers of the women's game, revealed she had dementia and cited heading as the likely cause. Four other members of England's 1966 winning team died as a result of dementia-related illnesses - Sir Bobby Charlton and his brother Jack along with left back Ray Wilson and midfielder Martin Peters. Stiles, who was born in Collyhurst, Manchester in 1942, was capped 28 times by England and played nearly 400 times for Manchester United. He lived in Stretford, Greater Manchester, and died in a care home on 30 October 2020, having been left bed-bound by his dementia. His family has campaigned for football authorities to do more to help ex-players cope with injuries they claim were caused during their playing days. Wednesday's inquest into his death heard that Old Trafford used to have a ball that would hang down from the stand and the players were encouraged to head it. The coroner recorded the cause of Stiles' death as Alzheimer's disease with "high stage" CTE, and also said a condition known as "stage three limbic predominant age related TDP-43" had been a contributing factor, as well as cerebrovascular disease. The FA co-funded, with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), a 2019 study that found footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population. The PFA, which has also been contacted, said previously it had set up several services to support players with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tell us which stories we should cover in Greater Manchester Contact formContact form Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook , external , X , external , and Instagram , external . You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Headers caused Nobby Stiles' brain disease, coroner finds Coroner rules inquest needed into Nobby Stiles' death Nobby Stiles' son calls dementia group 'transformative' Meet the 25-year-old who's trying to stop footballers getting dementia 'I think my dementia has been caused by heading' Video, 00:01:56'I think my dementia has been caused by heading'

World Cup News

You might ask what's the point in the play-off? Well, here are five reasons why.

World Cup News

Former England captain David Beckham and his wife Victoria were captured looking downcast after the World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina in Atlanta.

World Cup News

Ex-England striker Michael Owen has criticised Thomas Tuchel for his negative 'pub team' tactics following their World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina.

World Cup News

I watched the curtains fall on England's World Cup chances in a pub near Trafalgar Square with my wife, brother and friends. After Anthony Gordon's opener, the tension rose and the chatter ground to a halt as England sat back and Argentina pushed for an equaliser. Once Enzo Fernandez broke us down in the 85th minute, it seemed inevitable that Argentina would win and our dreams of bellowing out Wonderwall to celebrate an historic victory wouldn't come to pass. It's not a new experience to me as an England fan - anticipation, joy, frustration and ultimately, dejection. But the chaotic pub scenes, WhatsApp chats and conversations with friends across the world have reminded me that supporting England in the World Cup connects me with people in ways few other events do. England in major tournaments have defined many summers in my lifetime. One of my earliest memories was making my four-year-old brother stand still in the back garden while I tried to flick the ball over his head and volley it into the net, just as Gazza had done against Scotland the day before in Euro 96. Excitement was low within my social circles ahead of this World Cup - partly because of anger over sky-high ticket prices that priced out so many fans. But all apathy disappeared as we beat Croatia 4-2 in the first game. Watching Harry Kane welling up as fans serenaded the team with a rendition of Wonderwall compounded the excitement. "THIS IS OUR YEAR," I wrote on one WhatsApp chat with three friends who all live in different countries, only half joking. "One foot in the final," one responded, almost certainly joking. Feeling gutted? Five ways to cope with England's World Cup defeat AttributionSportPublished2 hours agoWe got a sharp reality check after a 0-0 draw with Ghana. The WhatsApp group descended into a discussion about taps that dispense boiling water without having to boil the kettle. "God this conversation is almost as boring as that first half," someone noted. We then got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Panama, topping the group and setting us up to face DR Congo in the first knock-out round. This was when things started to get stressful. The 5pm kick off meant I had to watch the first half at home on the sofa with my bewildered cat as I didn't clock off until 6pm. (Note to my bosses: I was keeping an eye on emails). DR Congo took the lead within seven minutes. England created plenty of chances but just couldn't stick the ball in the net, while DR Congo also hit the post. At half-time I hopped on the bus to West Norwood, where my friends Tomal and Char were watching it in a pub full of kids who had just finished school. Some were locked into the game, while others ran around necking soft drinks while their parents nervously nursed pints. As the half went on, WhatsApp groups went into meltdown. But Harry Kane stepped up, scoring two in quick succession to see us over the line. Cue Three Lions at the final whistle and my friend celebrating with his happy five-year-old daughter on his shoulders - the first tournament she will remember. Anyone who stayed up for Mexico at the Azteca will never forget it. Scheduled for 1am in the UK, it got pushed back an hour due to poor weather in Mexico City. I watched it in a packed Crystal Palace pub. After a cagey start, Jude Bellingham scored two in two minutes to send us into a frenzy. Mexico hit back almost immediately and half-time was spent outside, with my fellow frustrated fans bemoaning why we always have to do it the hard way. The tension was almost unbearable as Jarell Quansah got sent off and Mexico pulled it back to 3-2 after Harry Kane's penalty. It was 4am when the final whistle blew. As the sun started to rise over the London skyline, my friends and I acknowledged that we had witnessed one of the great England nights. For the Norway quarter-final I raced from work to a bar in Brixton for kick-off. After Norway's freak opening goal, the place erupted to the strains of Hey Jude after Bellingham equalised. England struggled in the second half and the relief was palpable when Bellingham grabbed his second in extra-time. After sticking around for a raucous rendition of Sweet Caroline, I headed back home, content that the dream was alive for another few days. I'm still so gutted about the Argentina semi-final. Scenes of joyous chaos on the streets of London replaced by grown men sitting on the kerb miserably eating fried chicken give me a distinct feeling of déjà-vu. My friends and I feel deflated today but the World Cup has also made me reflect on the people I watch football with. A memorial Whatsapp group for one of my best friends, Daniel "Beamer" Beames, who tragically passed away in 2021 aged just 32 has once again reignited with messages. He was a huge England fan and a group of us bought Euro 96 shirts with his name and the No 32 printed on the back. This competition, more than any other, has made me think of him and what it would have meant to him to see England win a major tournament. While we're still waiting 60 years on, I still dream of one day wearing my Beamer shirt while celebrating the night football finally came home.

World Cup News

Football tactics correspondent Umir Firfan examines how Argentina overcame England to reach the final of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

World Cup News

Fans paused refurb for pub due to throwing pints