Who could take a penalty for England if World Cup quarter-final against Norway goes to a shootout?

England have also been far, far better in penalty shootouts of late. But who might take a spot-kick if there is a shootout later? Lawrence Ostlere digs into the data.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 July 2026 14:45

England’s tortured relationship with quarter-finals is over – but beating Norway would break new ground

England and quarter-finals never used to be a turbulent tournament relationship – not so much recently. Richard Jolly explains how the narrative was changed.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 July 2026 14:30

Poll: Should there be a bank holiday if England win the World Cup?

With Sir Keir Starmer hinting at a day off for the country if the Three Lions go all the way, we’re asking readers whether a bank holiday would be the right way to mark England’s first World Cup win in 60 years

The Independent11 July 2026 14:15

World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals

How do England and Norway stack up with the rest of the competition heading into the World Cup quarter-finals? Read our last-eight power rankings below:

Will Castle11 July 2026 14:00

O’Reilly dismisses Haaland’s ‘mind games’

Nico O’Reilly knows Erling Haaland is playing mind games by saying England are “clear favourites” to win their World Cup quarter-final with Norway.

Asked about the striker’s comments, he said: “Yeah, mind games.

“But they’re a good team as well. They’ve showed that throughout the whole tournament.

“It’s not just certain players that we need to worry about. They’re good collectively, and it’s going to be a good game.

”Erling’s Erling. We all know what he’s like. He can score goals. He’s dangerous in the box, and he’s a real threat. But they need to get him the ball in first. A lot goes into it.

“I think keeping Erling quiet gives us a real chance to win the game.

“We know the threat he can cause – unbelievable striker, world class and he showed that throughout the tournament, scoring every game he’s played in.”

(Getty)

Will Castle11 July 2026 13:50

World Cup 2026 statistics: What the numbers reveal about the quarter-finalists

The round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup is over, and it serves up a chance to delve into the numbers behind our quarter-finalists.

Who has taken more shots than Kylian Mbappe? Who has run further than Harry Kane? Who has pressed more than Elliot Anderson? Here is a look at some of the standout statistics from the last eight’s first five games at the World Cup.

Lawrence Ostlere11 July 2026 13:30

Erling Haaland is Norway’s humble hero – and England might not be able to stop him

There have been a few times at Norway’s World Cup base in North Carolina when Erling Haaland has noticed kids playing football nearby, often in a World Cup shirt or a club like Manchester City. In other words, they’d know who he was, they just didn’t know he was there.

The two scenes sum up Haaland’s World Cup so far. Off the pitch, a childlike joy. On it, a shark-like seriousness.

Miguel Delaney in Miami11 July 2026 13:20

‘Unbelievable support!’: The inside story of the viral Harry Kane interview, told by presenter Kelly Somers

Sunday night in the UK. A nation goes to bed with bated breath (unless, that it is, you decided to stay up). England would play Mexico in the third round of the World Cup at 1am UK time (or 2am, as it turned out, thanks to a weather delay prolonging the agony).

Let’s be honest, we’d not been playing brilliantly. The match against DR Congo was a major scare. Then there was the formidable atmosphere at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium, which some feared might just blow us all away. And what about the altitude? Everyone was saying it would turn the players’ legs into lead.

But the nation woke up in delirium. We’d actually done it! The England men’s team had delivered an absolute all-timer, and we hadn’t even had to go to extra time or penalties. Could it get better? It could. As we were brewing our morning coffees, we watched BBC presenter Kelly Somers have a word with the captain.

Quickly, it became apparent that belting out “Wonderwall” with the fans had left Harry Kane almost completely hoarse. “We had to fight!” he squeaked as he explained England’s gameplan to Somers. The pair dissolved into giggles as they delivered TV gold. Kane, our national saviour, our sweet angel, seemed to have no idea what sound – if any – was going to come out of his mouth next, understanding his fate as a meme in real time.

Jessie Thompson11 July 2026 13:10

Listen to the latest episode of Copa Independent

On the latest edition of our World Cup podcast, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and Kieran Jackson to react to France’s 2-0 win over Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé central again to an imperious performance. After looking ahead to Friday’s quarter final of Spain vs Belgium, they preview England v Norway in the Miami heat and humidity, debating Tuchel’s selection—especially John Stones and Reece James—how to limit Erling Haaland, and whether England could realistically hope to beat France or Spain in a final should they get that far, before giving score predictions.

Copa Independent | Can anyone stop France? Plus our bold England vs Norway predictions

Will Castle11 July 2026 13:00