Sixty years after lifting their only FIFA World Cup title in 1966, England are once again within touching distance of football’s biggest prize. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have navigated a challenging path to reach the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, overcoming difficult opponents, dramatic knockout encounters and moments of adversity.

Strong start in Group L

England entered the tournament in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama—a group considered one of the stronger sections due to the presence of Croatia.

The campaign began in emphatic fashion with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, giving Tuchel’s side early control of the group. However, a frustrating goalless draw against Ghana meant qualification remained in the balance heading into the final matchday.

England responded professionally, defeating Panama 2-0 to finish top of the group and secure a favourable route into the knockout rounds.

Group Stage Results

• 
  England 4-2 Croatia
• 
  England 0-0 Ghana
• 
  England 2-0 Panama

Harry Kane inspires comeback against Congo DR

England’s World Cup journey nearly came to an abrupt end in the Round of 32.

Congo DR stunned the Three Lions with an early opener through Brian Cipenga, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate England.

Azteca classic against Mexico

The Round of 16 produced one of the matches of the tournament as England faced co-host Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Jude Bellingham gave England a commanding two-goal advantage before Julián Quiñones sparked hopes of a Mexican comeback. Defender Jarell Quansah was then sent off, leaving England to play with ten men.

Harry Kane restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, but later conceded a penalty that Raúl Jiménez converted. Despite relentless pressure from the hosts, England held firm to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory and book a place in the quarterfinals.

Bellingham the hero against Norway

England’s toughest test yet came in Miami against a fearless Norway side led by Erling Haaland.

The Scandinavians took the lead through a stunning strike from Antonio Nusa before Jude Bellingham equalised just before half-time after weaving through the Norwegian defence. England pushed hard for a winner but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, while Norway also threatened through Haaland and Alexander Sørloth.

A controversial England penalty awarded in extra time was overturned after a VAR review, but Bellingham stepped up once again in the 103rd minute. Reacting quickest after Morgan Rogers’ effort was saved, the midfielder tucked home the rebound to complete his brace and seal a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory.

Semifinal showdown against Argentina

England’s reward is a blockbuster semifinal against reigning champions Argentina.

Lionel Scaloni’s side has been forced to dig deep throughout the knockout rounds. They edged Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before staging a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16.

The quarterfinal against Switzerland followed a similar pattern. Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener was cancelled out by Dan Ndoye before Breel Embolo’s red card shifted momentum. Even with a numerical advantage, Argentina needed extra time, where Julián Álvarez produced a sensational curling strike before Lautaro Martínez wrapped up a 3-1 victory.

With Lionel Messi leading the defending champions and England chasing their first World Cup final appearance since 1966, the semifinal in Atlanta promises to be one of the defining matches of the tournament.

One step away from the final

Should England overcome Argentina, they will face either France or Spain in the World Cup final.

Spain have impressed with their defensive solidity throughout the tournament, while France continue to rely on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Regardless of the opponent, England knows only two matches now separate them from ending a 60-year wait for football’s greatest prize.

Moses Itauma has been offered a beeline towards world honours, but first he must take care of business against top 10 heavyweight Filip Hrgovic.

The pair will collide at London’s O2 Arena on August 29, with many expecting this to be the youngster’s toughest assignment thus far.

Hrgovic is, after all, an Olympic bronze medallist and consensus world-level contender, whose only defeat came against Daniel Dubois in June 2024.

Back then, the Croatian gave a terrific account of himself but was ultimately stopped in round eight after sustaining severe cuts over both his eyes.

Itauma is therefore set to encounter a genuine acid test next month, determining whether he is truly capable of swimming with sharks.

If he emerges victorious, though, then the 21-year-old will more than likely secure a world title shot, possibly against IBF mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.

The pair have already been ordered to collide for Oleksandr Usyk’s old belt but, alternatively, Itauma could easily end up challenging WBA champion Murat Gassiev.

While he was supposed to face Tony Yoka last weekend, Gassiev instead defended his title against late replacement Peter Kadiru, who he handily defeated in six rounds.

Then, during the Russian’s post-fight interview, promoter Al Siesta began calling out several high-profile heavyweights, including Itauma, who was previously in early talks for a clash with the former unified cruiserweight champion.

“Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Agit Kabayel … [Gassiev] is the guy. We’re coming for you very soon!”

As the WBA’s No.1 contender, Itauma could either face Gassiev or pursue a vacant IBF title shot against Sanchez, depending on which direction his team is leaning towards.

James Dean Fury has become the latest member of his fighting family to put pen to paper, signing a long-term promotional deal with Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.

The 20-year-old is a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, now looking to make a seismic splash in the professional code.

Trained by uncle Peter Fury, the talented super-middleweight prospect makes his pro debut next month, featuring on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2.

This event, which takes place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on August 8, will also mark Boxxer’s first show on DAZN.

In typical Fury fashion, James Dean comes with no shortage of confidence as he expects to not only become a world champion, but also take the 168lb division by storm.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’d like to thank my uncle Peter, Boxxer, Ben Shalom and [manager] Mick Hennessy for making this possible.

“My goal is to go all the way. I want to win world titles and become the best fighter I can be. I train hard, I’m dedicated and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to reach the top.

“I’m excited to start this journey in Leeds on August 8 and put on a good performance for the fans. The super-middleweight division is full of great fighters, but I believe the best version of me is going to wipe everyone out.”

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As the cousin of two-time heavyweight champion Tyson, there will surely be a measure of pressure as the young Fury makes his debut in August.

Thankfully, though, his promising career is being guided by esteemed coach Peter, who comes off a remarkable performance in the corner of Rico Verhoeven in May.

In fact, the former kickboxing champion came tantalisingly close to pulling off a major upset against Oleksandr Usyk, who ultimately scored an 11th-round stoppage victory.

At the end of the 3rd Round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings opted for Caleb Tiernan out of Northwestern. The towering offensive tackle boasts excellent feet and was projected to go higher, suggesting Minnesota did well getting him at No. 97.

The Vikings evidently have some work to do when it comes to nailing down his precise position.

The criticism against Tiernan was that he had short arms. Sounds a touch silly, but the detail matters for an offensive tackle. Winning in the trenches is often a battle involving hands and feet. Mr. Tiernan moves well but are his arms long enough to get his paws onto the long-and-strong edge rushers flying off the line of scrimmage? That uncertainty lingers into training camp.

Vikings Evidently Need More Time with Caleb Tiernan

Admittedly, there’s some silliness in putting too much emphasis on the team website’s position list. The coaching staff, not the employee who adjusts the website, gets the final call on a player’s position. Still, though, the general “OL” tag is notable enough for Mr. Tiernan.

Check out where the nine-person draft class gets listed:

• Caleb Banks (1st Round) — Defensive Line
• Jake Golday (2nd Round) — Linebacker
• Domonique Orange (3rd Round) — Defensive Line
• Caleb Tiernan (3rd Round) — Offensive Line
• Jakobe Thomas (3rd Round) — Safety
• Max Bredeson (5th Round) — Fullback
• Chuck Demmings (5th Round) — Corner
• Demond Claiborne (6th Round) — Running Back
• Gavin Gerhardt (7th Round) — Center

Basically every player gets a specific position. The lone exceptions exist in the trenches. All of Banks, Orange, and Tiernan get general descriptors; Gerhardt stands out as the lonely lineman to get shoved into a specific spot.

So, is this just an instance of the large lads mostly being general? Possibly, but that doesn’t seem overly persuasive.

When it comes to the defensive line, every player is listed with a general “DL” descriptor. That’s true of Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and everybody else who is getting work alongside Ryan Nielsen.

The offensive line, in contrast, sees things get much more specific. Three centers are listed: Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gerhardt. Four offensive tackles get listed: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, and Walter Rouse. And then there are a pile of guards.

Lingering alongside those players are the riddles that need to be solved. There are a trio of UDFA rookies with the “OL” tag: Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, and Tomas Rimac. Standing alongside those unheralded rookies who are hustling to get onto the roster is Caleb Tiernan. He, too, is a young fella but arrives in the Twin Cities with much more optimism.

As of the middle of July, much is written in pencil. Players can still get shuffled around (think Golday being a LB who may get worked into OLB). Even the so-called certainty isn’t exactly that. Football is a dynamic, not static, sport.

What’s notable for Tiernan is that he entered the NFL with uncertainty and still has that uncertainty a couple of months into his career.

Even Banks and Orange have more clarity since public discussions from the coaching staff have involved comments on the expected plan. Banks, for instance, is being viewed as a jumbo defensive end, a 3T/5T who can use his unique blend of hulking size and smooth movement to generate matchup problems.

Caleb Tiernan is built like an offensive tackle as somebody who comes in at 6’7″ and 323 pounds (think Brian O’Neill but beefier). There aren’t too many guards who are so tall. Can he get low enough on the inside so as to not lose the leverage battle against the NFL’s powerful DTs? Or, perhaps, is the decision to stick at offensive tackle as he looks to prove capable of swatting away edge rushers?

Goodness, the answer could even be both as Tiernan looks to mimic Brandel’s tremendous versatility.

Vikings rookies get to training camp on Sunday, July 26th. Slowly, Caleb Tiernan will look to show where he can help the Vikings in 2026 and beyond.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

NFL players collectively believe that Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is the 72nd-best player in the business. Most take any consideration inside the Top 100 as a token of respect, but that’s just not the case in PackerLand.

Various forms of Packers-themed media and Love’s teammate, Micah Parsons, took issue with the “low” ranking this week.

Green Bay Believes No. 72 Undersells Love’s Ceiling

NFL Players: Love Ranks 72nd

It’s No. 72 for Love, as NFL.com counts down the league’s best players based on annual polling. Mike Spofford did the honors: “Packers quarterback Jordan Love has made the NFL’s “Top 100 Players” for a third straight year, coming in at No. 72. Love was ranked No. 68 a year ago and No. 34 in 2024 on the list that’s voted on by the players themselves.”

“Last season, Love set career highs in completion percentage (66.3) and passer rating (101.2) while throwing his fewest interceptions in a season (six) since taking over as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. He’s one of only three QBs in the league with 80-plus TD passes and fewer than 30 INTs since 2023, joining Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and the L.A. Rams’ Matthew Stafford.”

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers checked in one spot ahead of Love at No. 71.

Micah Parsons: Naw

Parsons, who posts on Twitter (X) a few times per month — usually a complaint about something — rushed to Love’s defense, tweeting, “71 players in the NFL aren’t better than Jordan Love!”

Love and Parsons have been teammates for just under a year, and Love has evidently earned his respect in that short period. Parsons is battling back from a torn ACL and isn’t expected to play right away in 2026 — he’ll be gone for the Vikings-Packers Week 1 showdown — but the tweet illustrated that Love is “his guy.”

The Packers passer ranked second in the NFL last year per EPA+CPOE, only bested by Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, and Packers fans absolutely insist that Love is the real deal, an argument that Parsons clearly supports.

Perhaps Love’s “problem” among onlookers and Madden in particular is that he isn’t quite as dominant as his two predecessors, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. The standard is high in Green Bay.

A Similar Response from Packers Media

The Love conundrum isn’t exclusive to Parsons’s beef.

DairyLandExpress‘s Dylan Carter wrote Friday, “One healthy season. That’s what it will take for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to prove he is who the entire state of Wisconsin thinks he is.”

“One season uninterrupted by injuries to him and his most vital weapons would make Love one of the most obvious risers in the entirety of the NFL at just 27 years old. Love was just announced as one of the players on the NFL Top 100 list for 2026, which marks the second year in a row he has made the cut.”

For now, Love is a victim of popular thinking: he hasn’t traveled deep into the playoffs and therefore isn’t all that great.

“However, Love’s ranking took a slight dip from 68th last year to 72nd in 2026 — a similar result to that of his star running back, Josh Jacobs, who plummeted from the 30s into the late-70s,” Carter continued.

“While there is a strong argument to be made that Jordan Love is slightly underrated by these rankings, there’s an even better case that 2026 is the year he breaks through the noise and finally shows who he really is by breaking into the MVP conversation with his play.”

Lamar Jackson Shaded, Too

If you think Love’s tumble from 68th to 72nd per the NFL Top 100 in a year was noteworthy, wait until you get a load of Lamar Jackson.

Jackson checked in as the league’s second-best overall player at this time last year. In July 2026, his peers ranked him No. 67 — an astounding 65-spot dip. NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack opined, “It was a trying season for the two-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player. He missed three games early due to a hamstring injury and another contest late with a back contusion, and in between didn’t move much like himself.”

“Jackson nonetheless finished the year fourth in passer rating (103.8), higher than seven Pro Bowl or Pro Bowl alternate quarterbacks. Now he hits the reset button under new head coach Jesse Minter with bouncing back in mind. The last time he fell this low in the Top 100 — No. 72 on the 2023 list — Jackson went on to earn two straight No. 2 spots.”

Jackson’s 65-spot plunge made Love’s look like child’s play.

Love and the Packers are favored to beat the Vikings by a point or two in Week 1.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Crystal Palace are eyeing Augsburg centre-half Chrislain Matsima, according to journalist Alex Crook.

Palace boss Pierre Sage could use another centre-back in his ranks. The Eagles need a new defender this summer with Maxence Lacroix potentially leaving.

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Crystal Palace have now turned to Matsima, who caught the eye in the Bundesliga last term.

He won 74 percent of his aerial and 56% of his ground duels across 18 league appearances, earning admiration from the South London outfit.

Matsima contributed a goal and an assist, helping the German side keep two clean sheets as they finished ninth on the league table.

During the 2024/25 season, which he spent on loan with the club before Augsburg made the move permanent, only four defenders won more aerial duels than Matsima.

He was the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season in January and March that season. The 6ft3in defender is ‘quick across the ground and incredibly strong.’

The 24-year-old looks every inch a fantastic pick-up for Crystal Palace if they can land him this summer. 

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A former France Under-21 international captain, he brings the leadership and organisation that the Eagles have missed since Marc Guehi left.

However, Palace will need to move quickly if they are serious about landing Matsima, as Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation.

Speaking of acting quickly, the Eagles need to pick up the pace in the summer transfer window after bungling opportunities to strengthen the squad for Oliver Glasner.

The Austrian tactician eventually grew frustrated with the hierarchy’s sluggish behaviour, and they need to avoid the same phenomenon recurring under Sage.

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Matsima fits the profile of a defender capable of thriving in the Premier League, but Crystal Palace cannot afford another slow pursuit.

If Sage wants the foundations for long-term success, the club’s hierarchy must back him decisively before bigger rivals enter the race.

Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks has yet to take an NFL snap, and he’s already on bust watch. That’s the verdict, according to Bleacher Report, which predicted one bust from each team this week.

Banks is on track to be ready for training camp after a foot injury at the NFL Combine, but that apparently doesn’t matter to Moe Moton.

Vikings’ Recent Draft History Makes the Label Sting More

BR on Banks as a Bust

It was Banks as a bust per Moton’s determination, and he explained, “According to The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, Caleb Banks broke his foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and was expected to be out until June.”

“ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that teams received a letter with confirmation of that recovery timeline. The Minnesota Vikings selected Banks with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft, and he’s yet to participate in practice.”

The Vikings announced right after the draft that Banks would heal and be ready for training camp, so it is not surprising that he hasn’t practiced yet. He wasn’t supposed to.

Moton added, “Head coach Kevin O’Connell expects the 6’6″, 327-pound defensive tackle to be ready for training camp (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). Even if Banks is on the practice field in a couple of weeks, the Vikings probably won’t ramp him up to full speed right away.”

“After missing spring practices, the rookie first-rounder may see limited reps, which may delay his start to the season and push for a prominent role on the defensive line.”

Vikings Fans’ Worst Fear

Banks as a bust — in 2026 or beyond — would be an absolute nightmare. There’s a reason general managers shied away from him during the lead-up to the draft: injuries. A bust season would make the Vikings’ decision-makers look downright silly, as the draft community would utter a collective “I told you so.”

Minnesota’s roster is dying for youthful replenishment, and another bust of any kind would feel like a curse. Teams with a string of poor draft classes — the Vikings — cannot win Super Bowls or even make modest playoff runs because the talent pool is too dry. Free agency and trades can only go so far.

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t win the Super Bowl in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford alone; it has consistently drafted well for years. The Vikings must follow suit.

Play Early and Start a Positive Trajectory

Of course, Banks doesn’t have to set the world on fire. That’s not the ask in 2026. He must merely stay healthy, play, and generally look like he belongs on a football field. He will get grace to mature and develop; Banks doesn’t need to reach the Pro Bowl in 2026.

Thankfully, Banks is on track to debut at training camp, which is less than two weeks away. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about his 1st-Rounder at minicamp in May: “Caleb is doing great. Got some more positive information here as he reported to Eagan in the last couple days, and very much looking forward to him establishing a great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff.”

“On the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? He gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up.”

There is no evidence to suggest that Banks will be held out of training camp.

“With Caleb, he doesn’t necessarily have to worry about the physical side of it right now, other than just getting healthy. So we can hopefully challenge him to learn multiple spots that coincide with his versatility to align in different impactful spots along the D-line,” O’Connell continued.

“I just think we’re happy with where he’s at, all things considered. We want to have our eyes on that end-of-July date so he can hopefully have a seamless transition into training camp.”

Too Many Draft Gaffes as of Late

Need examples why Banks can’t flop? Minnesota is mitigating these draft misses — players from Round 3 or higher who did not stick around beyond their rookie contracts in the last five years:

• Kellen Mond | QB (2021, R3)
• Chazz Surratt | LB (2021, R3)
• Wyatt Davis | G (2021, R3)
• Lewis Cine | S (2022, R1)
• Andrew Booth | CB (2022, R2)
• Ed Ingram | G (2022, R2)
• Brian Asamoah | LB (2022, R3)
• Mekhi Blackmon | CB (2023, R3)

Meanwhile, the verdict is still out on players like J.J. McCarthy and Tai Felton.

The Vikings need a draft win, and Banks is the most recent trial.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker