We are just three hours away from kick-off as England sink their teeth into their first bit of World Cup knockouts action.
Think it’s time for some score predictions…
Will Castle1 July 2026 14:00
Harry Kane falling behind in race for golden boot
After Kylian Mbappe’s brace against Sweden saw him join Lionel Messi on six goals for the tournament so far, it appears we have our two clear frontrunners for the golden boot.
That’s not great news for Harry Kane, whose tally after the group stage is half of that – not a bad showing by any respect, but perhaps not enough.
Here are how the odds for the golden boot are stacking up, via AceOdds:
Kylian Mbappe – 1/1Lionel Messi – 6/4Harry Kane – 16/1Erling Haaland – 20/1Ousmane Dembele – 20/1Vinicius Jr – 33/1
Will Castle1 July 2026 13:54
The lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but can US go where they’ve never gone before?
Twenty days into the World Cup and the figures are in. The main takeaway? A star-spangled soccer popularity surge is engulfing this 50-state land and, so long as the No 1 act is in town, it shows no signs of relenting.
FOX Sports, who spent $485m to acquire the American television rights for the biggest World Cup of all time, have made no secret of their lofty viewership statistics after the group phase. Even withstanding the contrived punditry from the much-maligned Alexi Lakas, the numbers across the board tell the story of a nation gripped by football in an unprecedented manner.
USA’s opening-game triumph against Paraguay, primetime on Friday night, raked in 19 million viewers, topped up to 26 million when including Spanish-language viewers on Telemundo and Peacock. For their other two group games, that total number did not drop below 23 million. For context, Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration last year drew in 24.6 million viewers across all 15 major US networks. And the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals series win, clinched the day after the US victory over Paraguay, drew in 20.6 million per game across ABC and ESPN.
Kieran Jackson1 July 2026 13:42
POLL: Do you think Jude Bellingham is judged more harshly than other England stars?
Will Castle1 July 2026 13:30
Tino Livramento has surgery after World Cup injury heartbreak
England defender Tino Livramento has undergone surgery after being forced to withdraw from the World Cup squad, his club Newcastle United has confirmed.
The full-back sustained a calf injury just days before England’s opening match of the summer tournament against Croatia.
Livramento was subsequently replaced in the squad by Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and returned to Newcastle for treatment.
Will Castle1 July 2026 13:06
England fans take over Atlanta
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Will Castle1 July 2026 12:54
POLL: Who will win the golden boot?
Will Castle1 July 2026 12:45
World Cup golden boot standings
1. Kylian Mbappe (France), 6 goals, (2 assists)
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 6 goals
3. Erling Haaland (Norway), 5 goals
4. Ousmane Dembele (France), 4 goals (2 assists)
5. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)
6. Deniz Undav (Germany), 3 goals (2 assists)
= 7. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 7. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 7. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 7. Julian Quinones (Mexico), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 10. Jonathan David (Canada), 3 goals
= 10. Ismael Saibari (Morocco), 3 goals
= 10. Matheus Cunha (Brazil), 3 goals
= 10. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands), 3 goals
= 10. Elijah Just (New Zealand), 3 goals
= 10. Harry Kane (England), 3 goals
= 10. Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), 3 goals
= 10. Kai Havertz (Germany), 3 goals
Will Castle1 July 2026 12:42
Who doesn’t love an early kick-off? Well, pretty much every English fan when it comes to club football, but this is a different kettle of fish.
England kick off at 5pm BST today, a nice change to the late-night starts we’ve been used to at this World Cup.
It means even the young’uns will get to tune in and watch the clash live, something Thomas Tuchel is delighted about.
“Everyone who is allowed to watch tomorrow, because they have to go to bed early normally, hopefully they feel the spirit,” Tuchel said.
“Hopefully they feel how much it means to this team. I see it every day, I feel it every day, and hopefully we can transmit it through the TVs and make them proud and happy.”
Make sure to enjoy it while it lasts, though. Should England get through, the last-16 clash against Mexico will kick-off at 1am…
Will Castle1 July 2026 12:30
POLL: Are hydration breaks ruining the World Cup spectacle?
Will Castle1 July 2026 12:18