Argentina scored two late goals to secure their spot in the final against Spain in Atlanta, after England’s Anthony Gordon netted a 55th-minute goal following a scoreless first half.

The Prince of Wales has expressed a strong passion for football, often seen cheering on Aston Villa FC.

“Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch, for an incredible tournament,” his statement said.

The Royal Family joined in reacting to England’s loss.

“Commiserations to Harry and the team,” a post on its social media read, sharing a photo of England captain Harry Kane sombrely embracing Jude Bellingham.

The statement continued: “While you Three Lions may be licking your wounds today, you remain the pride of a nation – and will rise again.”

Sir Keir’s final address to the House of Commons as prime minister on Wednesday had also featured multiple references to the English side’s nervous build-up to the knock-out match.

“Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for,” Sir Keir said in a statement after the full-time whistle was blown. “But this England team has given it their all.”

The popular bar will use the venue for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Belfast Pride

One of Belfast’s most famous bars has announced it will be utilising a previously unused space for two major events.

Lavery’s has announced the exciting plans to take over a listed Belfast City Centre building for the Fleadh and Belfast Pride.

The bar complex will be taking over the Belfast Electric Light Station on Chapel Lane, which was the city’s very first municipal power station, built to generate electricity for a city taking its first steps into the electric age.

Although it was soon outgrown by larger facilities, it remains the oldest surviving civic power station of its kind in Northern Ireland and a rare piece of Belfast’s industrial heritage.

Organisers have said: “For one incredible week, we’ll bring this historic space back to life. A building that once powered the city will become a home for music, culture and unforgettable nights throughout the Fleadh.”

The first event held in the make-shift venue will be an all-day party over Pride weekend to celebrate Belfast Pride.

A special one-off takeover of Lavery’s Comedy Club will also arrive at the Electric Light Station. For one night only, one of Belfast’s biggest comedy nights swaps its iconic home for an atmospheric new venue, bringing a huge lineup of laughs to a truly unique setting.

On Sunday, July 26, comedians like Ciaran Bartlett, Diona Doherty and Aaron Butler will take to the stage in a one-off night of laughs.

Following this, they will then open up the venue for a series of events across the week of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Over 800,000 visitors are expected to attend events between Sunday, August 2, and Sunday, August 9.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture.

The eight-day festival will bring musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers and visitors from across the world to Belfast for All-Ireland competitions, concerts, céilí bands, civic events, fringe activity and spontaneous street sessions.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

The football World Cup is often seen as an opportunity to bring different groups within a nation together as they celebrate their team’s achievements. And while the performance of the England side’s young and dynamic squad may not have taken them to the final, there remains something to celebrate.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad has offered a vision of England that stands in stark contrast to Downton Abbey-type cultural representations that often feel nostalgic and parochial. And it challenges, head on, claims that have been made recently regarding Englishness and ethnicity.

Selected by a German manager, the 26-man squad featured 20 players who had the option to play for another country. This is because the heritage rules of football’s governing body Fifa allow players to represent the nation of their parents’ or grandparents’ birth.

But those options – Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana, Ireland and Kenya, to name just some – are not a happy accident. They represent a rollcall of England’s (and subsequently Britain’s) imperial engagements. To quote Sri Lankan novelist A Sivanandan: “They are here, because you were there.”

These representatives of the English nation have generated huge, broad support and excitement. Viewer data indicates that the team’s progress has been watched by record audiences and the beer-throwing antics of fans across the country have been dominating social media.

And yet the exploits of a team led by the grandson of Irish immigrants in Harry Kane and driven forward by the son of Kenyan and Irish immigrants in Jude Bellingham might seem like an anomaly given the nation’s political climate. The rise of rightwing populists has seen heritage and country of birth thrust into the spotlight.

English or British?

The team also seems to represent a vision of Englishness at odds with wider public attitudes. On one hand, official polling data has consistently shown that identifying as English is much less attractive to ethnic minorities than categorising themselves as British. This may be because, outside football, Englishness for many minorities represented a more exclusive identity that focuses on ethnic rather than civic forms of belonging.

And on the other hand, these questions of identity are also exemplified by those who lean right politically. These groups are much more likely to define themselves as more English than British.

Both sets of data link to my work on national hierarchies of belonging. These put forward the argument that there are some groups within a nation who are seen to belong more than others. It is those who unquestioningly believe and are treated as if they “really” belong who position themselves as the rightful arbiters and managers of the nation.

This not only gives them an important sense of agency, in an era where growing numbers of people feel disenfranchised, but also informs powerful claims to key social, economic and cultural resources. There is a strong link between belonging and entitlement, so that “I belong more than you” can also come to mean “I deserve more than you”.

The struggles between groups within the same nation are not new. But they have been supercharged by growing inequality and the undermining of collective institutions, including those associated with politics and the media. The rise of nativist views and policies, which prioritise the rights of people born in a country over those of immigrants, is a feature of these processes.

A new England?

But it could be possible for England to address these issues. It’s worth noting that ethnic minorities in both Wales and Scotland are much more likely to identify as Welsh or Scottish. This is because these national categories are primarily defined in relation to the dominant group in the UK (that is, the English).

In other words, the “English question” (the debate over whether MPs from the other home nations should be allowed to vote on English-only affairs) still needs to be answered. This was first raised more than 40 years ago with the prospect, and then the reality, of devolved politics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Increased devolution to the English regions may go some way to addressing grievances in the south-west, the Midlands and the north. And specific English cultural institutions – why not have an English national museum, library and broadcaster, for example – could generate new forms of belonging.

But above all, England and the English need to start telling some more convincing – and relevant – stories about who they are. These can move beyond the past and an obsession with former “glories”.

One of those stories may well involve this English football team. After all, it may ultimately not have won this World Cup, but it still offers a different, and highly visible, inclusive representation of the nation.

Local developer Believe Housing’s application to redevelop land in Newton Hall, near Durham, was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday. 

The development will replace the former properties at the site on a one-for-one basis, meaning there will be no increase in the number of homes on the site.

New properties due to be built as part of the estate include three two-bedroom bungalows, 10 two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses. All 22 properties will be designated as affordable housing.

Mark Wilkes, Liberal Democrat member for Framwellgate and Newton Hall, praised the plans and thanked the housing developer for listening to local concerns around parking. 

Access to the development will be from Farnham Road, with each home provided with off-street parking.

In its planning statement, Believe Housing said the scheme would replace outdated housing with “attractive affordable homes” while helping to meet housing demand across County Durham.

It said: “The proposed development of 22 dwellings would provide a sustainable community that is responsive to local character and community aspirations, whilst being fully policy-compliant and contributing to Durham’s county-wide housing targets, particularly through the provision of 100 per cent affordable dwellings.”

Believe Housing said the redevelopment would improve parking, as existing residents previously relied on on-street spaces.

“The current parking situation at the site is that all vehicles have to park on the street, whereas the proposed development will be significantly improved by providing in-curtilage off-street parking spaces for all properties,” the statement added.

Additional visitor parking bays are also proposed to help ease pressure on nearby roads.

Councillors unanimously approved the planning application at Tuesday’s committee meeting. 

By LIAM MORGAN, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 00:11 BST, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 00:39 BST, 16 July 2026

Micah Richards has revealed he was told of the death of his father, Lincoln, moments before going on air for the BBC‘s coverage of England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

Richards, 38, wrote an emotional post on Instagram shortly after the BBC programme ended. He had been working as a pundit for the BBC’s broadcast of the match live from Atlanta and covered the game despite receiving the heartbreaking news.

‘Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away,’ he wrote, alongside a picture from his childhood. 

‘His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.

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‘He was my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.

‘I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else. I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.

Micah Richards’ father Lincoln, right, has died, the pundit said in an emotional social media post

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Richards revealed he was told of the death of his father just before working as a pundit for the BBC’s coverage

‘Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration.’

Richards received a string of messages of support from players and former team-mates.

Ex-Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart, working alongside Richards in Atlanta, wrote: ‘Sending love Meeks … here for you all. RIP Lincoln.’

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Spurs midfielder James Maddison said: ‘Sending love mate.’ 

Jamie Carragher, who works with Richards on Sky Sports and CBS, said: ‘Sending love to you & all the family.’ 

Jill Scott added: ‘Thinking of you and your family Micah.’

Former England and Manchester City star Richards has regularly spoken of the influence of his father, who immigrated to the UK from St. Kitts in the 1960s, in his career.

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‘I grew up in Chapeltown, a rough area of Leeds,’ Richards said in 2007. ‘There was all sorts of stuff – drugs and fighting. There is a point when you are 15 or 16 when you might want to get involved in it. There was definitely a temptation but I stayed grounded.

‘I have been able to deal with all the stuff that has come my way. That’s down to Dad. He’s brought me up well. My Dad is a strong character. He is very principled. He’s a Rastafarian. He has set standards for me.

‘It’s been great to have that sort of person behind me but at the same time I learned how to be my own man. Dad’s always been here for me. He has missed only one game I have ever played in and that was my debut at Arsenal when I wasn’t even been supposed to be in the squad.’

In 2023, Richards described his father as ‘my rock and my hero’ but said their relationship had changed after his dad and mother, Heather, separated. 

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Around 400 workers are due to walk out for a second time in weeks at the bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis’ Scarborough factory in a dispute over wages.

​Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said she recognises the concerns being raised by staff who rejected a four per cent offer from the company after “the cost-of-living crisis was compounded by years of sub-par pay increases”.

​The first round of strike action took place from June 25 to July 1, and staff are set to strike again, shutting down the factory’s operations from July 16 to 20.

Union officials have warned that further strikes are possible if the dispute is not resolved.

​Ms Hume said: “I recognise the concerns being raised by employees at Alexander Dennis and understand the strength of feeling among staff during this dispute.

“They play a vital role in making Scarborough a centre of excellence for bus manufacturing, and their voices deserve to be heard.

​“Alexander Dennis is a major employer in Scarborough, supporting hundreds of local livelihoods and playing a vital role in our economy.

“While the company faces intense competition from overseas manufacturers, the workforce, without doubt, remains its greatest asset.”

​The union Unite said that between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by approximately 35.1 per cent and factoring in pay rises increases to date, the wages of workers had fallen 19.8 per cent behind the cost of living.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the MP said her priority was to see a fair resolution that protected jobs and gave people confidence about the future.

Ms Hume added: “I urge the company and the union to continue constructive dialogue and find a solution that works for employees – therefore securing even greater opportunities moving forward for the Scarborough site.

“More broadly, I have consistently pressed for more weight to be given to social value in public procurement decisions. When taxpayers’ money is being spent on new buses, we should be supporting British buses and British jobs.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These workers have seen their pay plummet in real terms. Enough is enough.

“Alexander Dennis must come back with a pay offer that matches their hard work and commitment. Strikes will not end until that happens.”

A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis previously said it was “one of the top-paying employers in Scarborough” and had made “a very fair and above-inflation offer of a four per cent pay rise”.

They added: “The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure – costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas. Against this backdrop, it is incredibly disappointing that our offer has been rejected.

“We are committed to working with the union and our team members to bring this matter to a resolution. We do not expect customer deliveries to be affected in the meantime.”

TVD Group launched the purpose-built facility at its headquarters on July 13, designed to showcase complete commercial outdoor AV solutions.

Located outdoors, the centre lets customers and industry professionals experience the technology in lighting conditions and scenarios that reflect real-world use.

Lucia Maguire, managing director of TVD Group, said: “Our original Experience Centre has always been about helping customers visualise what’s possible.

The facility displays a full suite of integrated AV technologies, including weatherproof televisions, outdoor LED walls (Image: Supplied)

“The addition of our outdoor AV experience centre gives customers, consultants and specifiers the opportunity to experience AV technologies operating cohesively in a real-world environment.

“They can compare different solutions, ask technical questions and understand how every element can work together to deliver the best outcome for each project.”

The facility displays a full suite of integrated AV technologies, including weatherproof televisions, outdoor LED walls, professional audio systems, and control solutions, all designed to function seamlessly in external settings.

Visitors can explore how AV infrastructure, networking, control, and mounting systems combine to create impactful and reliable environments for hospitality, leisure, and entertainment.

Designed to be interactive and hands-on, the centre lets users engage with the technology, evaluate visual displays in daylight, test audio coverage, and examine the infrastructure that underpins successful outdoor AV installations.

These elements can help demonstrate how underused external areas can be turned into revenue-generating spaces.

Applications include live sport, entertainment, digital signage, and background music for hospitality and leisure venues.

The centre is open whatever the weather, and is designed for customers, consultants, project specifiers, and commercial end users.

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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 22:06 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 00:13 BST, 16 July 2026

Wayne Rooney led the criticism of Thomas Tuchel‘s substitutions in England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat after the Three Lions collapsed against Argentina.

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England had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Anthony Gordon, but opted to try and hold on to their advantage rather than add to it.

Tuchel went to a back five that served him so well in the last-16 win over Mexico, with Ezri Konsa coming on for the goal scorer in the 72nd minute to join Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence.

They found themselves on the defensive, and Dan Burn was later introduced too when Reece James left the field injured.

England were then heavily under the cosh, and Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez scored to break English hearts once again.

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Speaking after the game, an emotional Rooney suggested England were unable to deal with the pressure of going ahead in the game. 

Wayne Rooney admitted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics backfired as England were dumped out of the World Cup

Rooney blamed England’s defeat on the manager’s decision to go defensive early doors

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‘We got ourselves in such a good position and we didn’t know what to do,’ he said on BBC. ‘We sat back, allowed them to come on to us. They put us under pressure and we cracked. As soon as they got the first goal, it was inevitable they’d get the second.

‘When you go on top, you have to stay on top. We go 1-0 up, then sit back, make changes, go five or six at the back. If you allow (Lionel) Messi and Argentina to come onto you, you’re asking for trouble.’

He later added: ‘When we had the ball, we had no outlet. We kept kicking it long.

‘When Tuchel made those changes, the players on the pitch would’ve been thinking, “oh no”. They’d have known what was coming. They would’ve needed a massive amount of luck to see the game out.’

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England had enjoyed success with a defensive set-up against Mexico when they went down to ten men, but faced a tougher task against the world champions.

The likes of Messi were able to get more control of the game, and England suffered the consequences.

Former Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart added: ‘They went back to what they did against Mexico and Norway and locked the door. but that freed up Lionel Messi and he absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes.

‘As soon as that first goal was scored, and England had made the changes they’d made, it was only going to go one way.’

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Tuchel made defensive changes when the Three Lions were ahead, with his side losing 2-1

Alan Shearer agreed that Tuchel’s changes cost his side in the game, with England struggling to create chances even after they went behind.

The Three Lions will now face France in a third-place play-off on Saturday. 

‘What has worked so many times throughout this tournament, the manager’s decisions and going to that back five, it’s backfired in the last 10 or 15 minutes. It’s been backs to the wall, they’ve not been able to get out at all. They’ve been punished.’

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England captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, said after full-time that ‘trying to hold on’ is ‘not enough at this level’.

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Before the last-four tie, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had said he was “not going to mix” football and politics.

“The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” Scaloni had said.

“It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it, that’s the reality.

“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match – we shouldn’t confuse the two.”

Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel, however, cited a chant which the players sang following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16 which referenced the Falklands and Argentina greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

“This is not just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct – against the English, it’s always something more,” wrote Villarruel in a post on X., external

“It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s about putting the invaders in their place.

“Long live Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will reclaim what is ours!”

The semi-final, which England lost to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, was held under increased security measures because of the historical tensions between the two nations.