Author: James Brooks

England manager Thomas Tuchel has brushed aside fears over hostile treatment in Mexico City, describing the reception from home supporters as “friendly and respectful.” Tuchel’s side face Mexico in a World Cup last-16 tie on Sunday, with kick-off set for 18:00 local time, broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer and Radio 5 Live. The England squad departed their hotel for a training session on Saturday to a mixed reception from local fans, all under noticeably enhanced security arrangements. Ecuador, who were beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the last 32, previously lodged a formal noise complaint with Fifa after supporters with…

For the first time since their infamous 1986 World Cup elimination, England are set to walk out at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stadium sits in the south of Mexico City, a sprawling metropolis perched atop a high-altitude valley surrounded by mountains, pulsing with energy and history. Few sporting venues on earth carry the weight of moments that the Azteca does, having witnessed the defining glories of both Pele and Diego Maradona. Pele lifted his third World Cup trophy there, while Maradona produced what many consider the most dominant individual tournament performance in the history of the…

England’s upcoming clash with Mexico has been tipped to bring out the very best of Thomas Tuchel’s side by a trio of respected football analysts. BBC Sport’s World Cup pundits have been assessing the potential matchup, and the verdict is an encouraging one for England supporters heading into the tournament. Thomas Hitzlsperger, Joe Hart, and Micah Richards have all weighed in on how this particular fixture could suit England’s style of play under their German head coach. The three pundits believe the way Mexico set up and approach matches could play directly into the hands of Tuchel’s tactical system and…

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has emerged as one of the most sought-after young midfielders in English football, attracting interest from four top-flight clubs. Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all reportedly keen on signing the 22-year-old English midfielder, according to Talksport. Scott has been a standout performer for Bournemouth, and his profile has clearly caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs in the country. Arsenal are simultaneously moving in the opposite direction with one of their own players, having agreed to sell Belgium forward Leandro Trossard to Turkish side Besiktas for £17m. The 31-year-old Trossard has been…

England are sweating on the fitness of right-back Reece James ahead of their crucial World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico on Monday. James missed the team’s final training session in Mexico City on Saturday, raising significant concerns over his availability for the knockout clash. The Chelsea defender, 26, has been absent from England’s last two matches after picking up a hamstring injury late in the goalless draw with Ghana. The Football Association told BBC Sport that James was following his own individual programme away from the training field. He has yet to train fully with the squad since suffering the…

BBC Sport journalists have ranked all 16 remaining teams at the 2026 World Cup, judging them purely on their performances in the tournament so far. France sit at the top of the pile, having looked utterly unbeatable with Kylian Mbappe in outstanding form throughout the group stages. Spain come in second despite a shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opener, with the feeling that they have plenty more to offer as the tournament progresses. Argentina are third on the strength of Lionel Messi’s leadership alone, though they were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde before edging through…

Fenerbahce have completed the signing of Netherlands international defender Nathan Ake from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £8.5m. The Turkish club have paid approximately £7m upfront, with the remainder dependent on various add-ons being triggered throughout the deal. Ake, 31, featured three times for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup before their exit at the last-32 stage, where they were beaten by Morocco. The defender spent six years at the Etihad Stadium, accumulating an impressive haul of honours during his time in Manchester. During his City career, Ake won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups,…

Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise is lighting up the 2026 World Cup with France, establishing himself as one of the most exciting players on the planet. The 24-year-old, born and raised in London, has become the first player to assist five goals at a single World Cup since Germany’s Thomas Hassler in 1994. Going into France’s last-16 tie with Paraguay, Olise carries that record alongside a club season that produced an extraordinary 25 goals and 28 assists for the Bundesliga champions. Yet despite his growing status, Olise remains one of football’s most private figures, shunning interviews, rarely celebrating goals, and…

Celtic are preparing to open contract discussions with Anthony Ralston as the club looks to secure the defender’s long-term future at Parkhead. Ralston has emerged as a more central figure in Martin O’Neill’s plans than many had anticipated at the start of the season, with his importance growing significantly in recent weeks. The 27-year-old was previously considered fourth in the right-back pecking order, but his status has shifted dramatically as injury and availability issues have affected those ahead of him. Julian Araujo, who had impressed during the early stages of his loan spell from Bournemouth, has been sidelined for over…

The BBC Sport team has launched a daily footballer guessing game timed to coincide with growing excitement around the FIFA World Cup 2026. The quiz challenges players to identify a mystery footballer using as few clues as possible, with points awarded for early correct answers. Each day brings a brand new player to identify, keeping the game fresh and encouraging fans to return regularly for a new challenge. The rules are straightforward, as players make a guess and unlock a new clue with every wrong answer they submit. Scoring fewer correct guesses earns more points, making it a competitive game…