Sports
The deeper question England must answer after latest World Cup failure
England might have gone out of the World Cup with the kind of performance that would cause deep introspection in other countries, but there was none of it from the Football Association.
After a bland public statement about how “the players and Thomas gave it everything”, there were strong private indications that no consideration was being given to change – or much else.
The FA are all in, even more assured that Tuchel is the manager to finally guide England to victory at a home Euro 2028.
The deeper arguments about the future are for another day but, even in this moment, there is actually a real danger in Tuchel’s spell being broken with the players.
He was specifically appointed because of his reputation as a tactical genius who is a “winner”, well versed in getting teams over the line. And yet here were the most rudimentary tactics possible, that have cost the players a chance at history, amid inferred criticism about their “belief”.
It isn’t exactly hard to see how this could go wrong.
For now, those around the England camp are left to lament what happened at this World Cup. Some are even feeling a sense of cosmic injustice, that it will simply never be them, that it’s somehow going to go at least 62 years without a major trophy.
That failure represents almost a reverse alchemy, especially when the FA invested so much money. And yet that is precisely why there is actually a football justice to this outcome.
This will be hard for many England fans to hear but some – especially in the FA – arguably need to.
It is probably a good thing for international football that one of the wealthiest countries – already blessed with so many advantages – do not win just because they can afford to appoint the most expensive coach available.
What, after all, would the message be? What would the lesson be? That wealth is enough? That you can just bolt on a “winner” if you have enough money?
There’s already too much of that in the club game. It is a good thing that it doesn’t infect international level in the same way, that deeper ideas are needed, and it would actually be a better thing for the FA if they were forced to properly think about this.
But will they?
The response so far suggests not.
The greater frustration is that they’ve done most of the work.
English football has used its immense wealth to create a talent production system that is the envy of most of the world. There is a conveyor belt of players, especially in certain positions. The Elite Player Performance Plan has worked.
It is still a plan, however, that is not really within a bigger idea.
This is where the very appointment of Tuchel is central to a wider debate, and why it is arguably just that the FA fail – for now.
What they should actually be thinking about is what they want the English team to look like; about what the identity of the national team should be.
What are the cultural football qualities they want to enhance and build on, within a coaching framework that fits with the modern game?
The only person that actually seemed to be thinking about that, for his part, was Tuchel. He at least talked a good game about wanting England to play with “a Premier League style”. In other words, the kind of intensity that does actually fit with some of the more positive attributes of the English game.
The reality was just completely different, something that does happen with Tuchel a bit. He may have talked a good game but, outside 15 minutes against Croatia, he didn’t play one.
Rather than performing with a Premier League style, his very appointment just reflected another model of Premier League thinking.
If you have an issue, just buy your way out of it. Don’t think it through.
It is damning, if possibly inevitable, that the FA have pursued that same approach in the same era when they have institutional freedom from the Premier League.
And, to also make some allowances for Tuchel, it’s impossible not to link at least some of his performances to these wider issues.
England still don’t produce that key type of midfield controller, which may well be connected to this argument that the team still didn’t have the belief; that there’s something tactically shallow about the game intelligence of English teams.
It really is incredible how we’re back here again, as if it was 2016 or 2010 or 1998: England unable to control a game and losing to the first proper team they play.
That may sound harsh when they were on the brink of a second successive major tournament final and third in four, but that’s exactly where the line lies between success and failure.
English football is so wealthy that it can of course produce the critical mass of quality players that get you so far. But to go the distance? That rightly requires something deeper.
By the same token, this came very close to being the fourth successive year where Spain met England in major tournament finals – a women’s World Cup, a men’s Euros, a women’s Euros and now not, ultimately, a men’s World Cup.
And for all that some will bristle at the idea of including the women’s game with the men’s, it is acutely relevant here because of how they speak to the football cultures.
All three of those games followed exactly the same pattern, and this alternative World Cup final would have been the exact same: Spain dominating, England scrabbling around the edges and trying to force any response.
England did win one under Sarina Wiegman, but that was largely down to her in-game acumen, a lot of luck and the strength in depth that came from substitutes.
Again, it doesn’t exactly say much for England as an idea of play.
By contrast, consider the two managers to now have knocked England out of the most recent men’s competitions, who also happen to be those in the final. They are two classic national federation men: Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente.
In other words, the kind of coaches that the FA wouldn’t dream of looking at. Where is their Champions League, after all?
The FA are actually correct not to look at them, but only because their actual value comes from knowing their own football cultures so well. De la Fuente has worked with the majority of the Spanish players as kids.
He fits an idea that England don’t have.
And while it is also correct that the English system isn’t producing coaches in the same way it is producing players, there is talent coming through. England arguably even have their own De la Fuente in Lee Carsley. His six matches ended up producing a better idea of football more frequently than Tuchel.
And for all that it may seem preposterous for England to appoint such a lowly name, this was exactly the reaction others had when Scaloni and De la Fuente were appointed, respectively.
There is one final point worth repeating in all of this.
This is absolutely nothing to do with Tuchel being a German, or any other nationality.
It is about the national game’s authorities not having a proper idea about what it is to be an English team.
The Nike swoosh will be absent from the World Cup final, a stark indicator of rival Adidas’s dominance on the tournament’s biggest stage.
Argentina’s semi-final victory over England on Wednesday extinguished the sportswear giant’s hopes of sponsoring a team in Sunday’s ultimate match.
Amid a fierce brand battle both on and off the pitch, the outcome represents a significant visibility boost for Adidas, which outfits both finalists: Argentina and Spain. Adidas had sponsored a total of 14 national teams in the tournament, while none of Nike’s 12 teams, including semi-finalists England and France, managed to secure a spot in the final.
This outcome arrives as Nike grapples with years of steadily shrinking market share, having heavily relied on the tournament for a much-needed boost in sales and visibility.
The company signaled last month that CEO Elliott Hill’s turnaround strategy faces significant obstacles, with persistent weakness in China and a cautious outlook overshadowing a modest fourth-quarter revenue beat. Nike’s shares have lost nearly a third of their value this year as investors grow impatient with Hill’s progress.
Morningstar analyst David Swartz underscored the deeper challenges facing Nike, stating, “There are more important issues, such as footwear innovation, inventory control, and stabilizing sales and margins in China.” He added, “Adidas got more publicity, but that’s just the way it goes.”
A Nike spokesperson maintained the company’s long-term perspective, asserting that “our vision for football has never been tied to a single moment.” Meanwhile, Adidas called the World Cup final a “proud moment” for the company, though it declined to share specific sales projections.
Despite its teams not reaching the final, Nike invested significantly in the tournament. It unveiled two new Mercurial soccer boots, partnered with local streetwear designers, and refreshed soccer merchandise at over 5,000 Nike and wholesale stores globally. Its “Rip the Script” World Cup campaign, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe and Kim Kardashian, garnered 1.5 billion views in its first week, with national team kits selling 2.5 times more than during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
However, Adidas, an official World Cup sponsor, has emerged as the “clear winner” in the athletic footwear and apparel market, according to Drake MacFarlane, a research analyst at M Science. Stronger momentum in the U.S. and Europe helped the brand gain share from Nike in the second quarter. While World Cup demand offered a lift, Adidas’ improvement extends beyond the event, whereas Nike continues to face pressure in Europe.
M Science data shows Adidas’s share of the footwear market rose to 19.2% in June, up from 16.0% a year earlier, while Nike continued to shed share. Adidas executives reported robust bookings for World Cup products, totaling around 250 million euros (\$292 million) in the first quarter, with similar figures anticipated for the current quarter.
Sports
Virat Kohli breaks Ricky Ponting’s record, enters all-time top-five elite list | Cricket News
Virat Kohli added another milestone to his glittering career during the second ODI against England, moving past Australian great Ricky Ponting to become the fifth-most capped player in the history of international cricket. The match marked Kohli’s 561st international appearance, taking him ahead of Ponting’s tally of 560 matches. Only four players now stand above the former India captain on the all-time list, with Sachin Tendulkar continuing to hold the record.
Most international appearances
| Player | Span | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989-2013 | 664 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 1997-2015 | 652 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2000-2015 | 594 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 1989-2011 | 586 |
| Virat Kohli | 2008-2026 | 561 |
| Ricky Ponting | 1995-2012 | 560 |
| MS Dhoni | 2004-2019 | 538 |
Kohli celebrated the landmark with another composed innings, scoring 65 off 66 balls before falling to Jofra Archer for the second successive ODI in the series. Archer, reintroduced into the attack to break India’s flourishing partnership, struck with a back-of-a-length delivery that forced Kohli into a mistimed pull. The ball flew off the top edge and Adil Rashid completed a comfortable catch running in from third man. Before his dismissal, Kohli played a key role in stabilising India’s innings. He first added 60 runs with Rohit Sharma after the opener made 26, before stitching together a 67-run stand with Shreyas Iyer to put India in a commanding position. The half-century also saw Kohli achieve another notable feat. It was his 14th score of 50 or more in ODIs against England, drawing level with West Indies legend Viv Richards for the second-most such scores against the opposition. Only Kumar Sangakkara, with 15 fifty-plus scores against England, sits ahead of the Indian batting star. Kohli’s latest milestone further underlines his remarkable longevity across formats. Since making his international debut in 2008, the 37-year-old has amassed more than 28,000 international runs while becoming one of only a handful of cricketers to feature in over 560 matches for their country.
CommBank Stadium will play host to Thursday’s
Round 20 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and
Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs.
Brisbane Broncos
game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday July 16, 2026 at 7:50 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos Odds
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
Both sides return from the bye with plenty to play for, but for very different reasons. Penrith remains firmly in the premiership hunt, while Brisbane is running out of chances to revive its season. The Broncos regain a host of representative stars, including Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh, giving them their strongest side in weeks.
Nathan Cleary returns to club football after earning the Wally Lewis Medal and shapes as the key to Penrith controlling the contest. His kicking game and composure should gradually wear Brisbane down, although the Broncos’ returning firepower makes them capable of causing an upset if they can stay in the arm wrestle early.
First Try Scorer
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos Teams
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cole 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Billy Scott 20. Sione Fonua 21. Kalani Leuluai-going 22. Luron Patea
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Preston Riki 17. Grant Anderson 18. Va’a Semu 19. Hayze Perham 20. Billy Walters 21. Luke Gale 22. Thomas Duffy
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The “Most Marketable” independent professional wrestler on the scene presently, Richard Holliday, is set to take on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) star Elijah at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s (ACW) Indypendence Day on Saturday night in New York.
Holliday’s rumored WWE signing has been the talk of the pro wrestling landscape since Fightful Select first mentioned it earlier this month.
COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL
Ben Bishop offers support to Richard Holliday at Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
Since then, he left his boots in the ring after a match with Game Changer Wrestling and embraced his fellow wrestlers Ben Bishop, Jack Vaughn and Tommy Invincible in their own version of the “Curtain Call” following a match at Fight Factory Wrestling’s The War on the Shore 3.
Tommy Dreamer, who will also have a match at Indypendence Day, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital about the possibility of Holliday going to WWE.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Awesome Championship Wrestling star Richard Holliday was in action at Reckoning on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Fox News Digital)
“I hope so. I think he’s a really, really good wrestler. I like him personally,” Dreamer said. “He’s really worked hard on every indie to try to get his name out there and if he gets that opportunity, he’ll have to work even harder.”
The Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) legend also lauded Elijah’s work ethic.
“And Elijah, I worked with him very, very closely in TNA. He is a superstar. He is very unique in his songwriting and his wrestling,” he said. “Always wanting to be better. When you meet him, you will be like, ‘Holy crap, I didn’t think this guy was this big.’ He’s always meal prepping. You see him in the back, not only is he playing guitar, but I mean he takes his craft very, very seriously and just overall should be a good match.”
Still, Dreamer implored that fans should get out to see Holliday while the ticket to get in the door is reasonably priced.
Tommy Dreamer makes his way down the ring (Provided to Fox News Digital)
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“But if the rumors are true, for Richard Holliday, it’s awesome. And it’s another way to see somebody before you can’t see them anymore because then they’re under a whole other regime if that is the case,” he said.
Ocean Protect Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 20 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Newcastle Knights
game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 17, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Where: Ocean Protect Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Odds
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Preview
Cronulla enters Round 20 in ominous attacking form after producing another 50-point performance, with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall continuing to steer one of the competition’s most dangerous offences. The Sharks have found their rhythm at the right time and will be confident of extending their momentum at home.
Newcastle faces a tougher assignment after losing Jacob Saifiti, with the veteran forward’s absence leaving a significant hole through the middle. The Knights have shown they can trouble quality sides, but they’ll need to match Cronulla’s physicality before their playmakers can have an influence. If the Sharks dominate possession again, they should create enough opportunities to secure another important victory.
First Try Scorer
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Addin Fonua-Blake 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Billy Burns 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Sandon Smith 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Harrison Graham 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Tyson Gamble
Argentina’s victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final sparked massive celebrations across Buenos Aires, but some fans drew criticism after burning England flags and displaying coffins decorated with the St George’s Cross. Videos and photos also showed supporters chanting songs linked to the Falklands War, while some carried Falklands-themed flags during the celebrations.The Falkland Islands became a major talking point before, during and after the match. Ahead of the game, Argentina’s Vice President referred to England as “usurping pirates”, while President Javier Milei reiterated his country’s claim over the islands, saying, “We are doing everything humanly possible to bring the Falkland Islands back into Argentine hands. Sovereignty is not negotiable.”During the match, fans from both countries booed each other’s national anthems. Following the match, however, it was the clips of Argentina fans burning England flags that have been making the rounds on social media.Watch:After Argentina’s 2-1 comeback win in Atlanta, several players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine). Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso were among those seen posing with it. Argentina had previously been fined by FIFA in 2014 for displaying a similar banner before a friendly.Lionel Messi helped Argentina overturn an early deficit by setting up two late goals to send the defending champions into the World Cup final and eliminate England. After the game, midfielder Leandro Paredes reinforced Argentina’s stance, saying the Falklands “will always be Argentine”.The celebrations also extended to Ushuaia, where fans gathered near a Falklands War veterans’ memorial. Britain and Argentina fought the 1982 Falklands War after Argentina invaded the islands. The conflict claimed the lives of hundreds on both sides, and the islands have remained a British Overseas Territory since then. Reports suggest FIFA could again review Argentina’s post-match celebrations over the political banner.
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From the show
World Cup Debrief
Reading time
1 min
The defending champions strike again. Led 1-0 after Anthony Gordon opened the score for England, Argentina kept believing and turned the game on its head. Guided by Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni’s men sealed a 2-1 victory after an injury-time winner saw them book a spot against Spain in the final. England manager Thomas Tuchel opted to defend after taking the lead, a choice that backfired as the Three Lions’ time in the United States comes to an end.
Produced by James Vasina and Guillaume Gougeon
Watch all 11 winning goals scored in stoppage time at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Allianz Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 20 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and
Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs.
Melbourne Storm
game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 17, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Where: Allianz Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Odds
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Preview
The Roosters sit comfortably inside the top four but know there’s still another level to their football after an unconvincing win over Parramatta. Errors and missed opportunities prevented them from putting the Eels away, though the return to Allianz Stadium offers a chance to build momentum.
Melbourne arrives without key playmakers Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster, placing even more responsibility on Harry Grant to spark the attack. Grant is capable of producing moments of brilliance, but the Roosters will back themselves to limit his influence and capitalise on the Storm’s disrupted spine. Their recent record against Melbourne adds another layer of intrigue to one of the round’s marquee clashes.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Roosters team: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Hugo Savala 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Tommy Talau 20. Toby Rodwell 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Robert Toia
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Trent Toelau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Gabriel Satrick 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Stanley Huen 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 20. Davvy Moale 21. Manaia Waitere 22. Hayden Watson
EDINBURGH, Scotland — Scotland’s 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon announced his retirement from soccer Thursday after being the oldest among more than 1,250 players picked for the World Cup.
“It has been a privilege to represent you,” Gordon, the Heart of Midlothian and former Celtic and Sunderland goalie, said in a video message on social media.
“I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Gordon did not play at the World Cup as backup in three group games to Angus Gunn, who last week joined the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.
Gordon made his Scotland debut in 2004 and played 84 times to be fifth on the national team’s all-time list.
The oldest player to get on the field at the World Cup was Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 41 in February.
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