Author: Rowan Clarke

Tino Livramento’s calf injury, sustained in training ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Thomas Tuchel’s defensive planning. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as Livramento’s replacement, adding further scrutiny to selections that already carried considerable risk before a ball was kicked. Livramento’s injury record should perhaps have raised concerns earlier, given the Newcastle full-back missed most of the end of last season with a thigh problem and had also suffered hamstring issues. England now have three natural full-backs remaining in Reece James, Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly,…

Football Supporters Europe chief Ronan Evain has warned that the absence of fan segregation at the World Cup represents a serious and growing risk. Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, told BBC Sport that the situation shows Fifa has “lost control of their ticketing” ahead of the tournament’s latter stages. Most group games so far have featured fans of both competing nations mingling freely inside venues, representing a significant departure from standard football practice at major tournaments. Evain was speaking in Dallas, where BBC Sport witnessed pockets of Dutch and Japanese supporters mixed together during Sunday’s match between…

Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento faces a race against time to save his World Cup campaign after picking up a muscular injury in training. The 23-year-old suffered the problem during a training session on Sunday and is currently being assessed by England’s medical staff. His situation is made more precarious by the fact he had already been carrying concerns into the tournament following a thigh injury that ruled him out for the final five weeks of the club season. England open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday night, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 BST. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah,…

Marcus Rashford showed no visible signs of anxiety about his club future as he trained in sweltering heat above 30C in Kansas City. For now, his sole focus is on England’s World Cup campaign, with Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas demanding his full attention. Training sessions have seen Rashford link up with Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Djed Spence, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon as Thomas Tuchel’s squad prepare for the tournament. The deadline for Barcelona to trigger a £26m clause to convert Rashford’s loan into a permanent deal has now passed without the option being activated. Nobody…

In the stands and outside the stadium, Iran’s match against New Zealand became a battleground far beyond the pitch at Los Angeles Stadium. For many Iranian-Americans in attendance, the game represented something much deeper than a group stage fixture at the 2026 World Cup. Hundreds of pre-revolutionary flags bearing the Lion and Sun emblem were visible both inside and outside the ground, despite Fifa banning the symbol inside stadiums as a political gesture. A few hundred protesters gathered outside the venue, angry at Fifa’s decision and at what they see as a national team that represents the Islamic Republic rather…

Saudi Arabia secured a creditable 1-1 draw against two-time world champions Uruguay in their Group H opener at the Miami Stadium. It was a result that will be seen as a significant achievement for Saudi Arabia, who faced relentless pressure throughout the contest from their South American opponents. Uruguay, who have won the World Cup on two occasions, were unable to find a winning goal despite pushing hard for one across the duration of the match. The draw means both sides share the points at the end of what was an absorbing Group H encounter in Miami. Saudi Arabia showed…

The mood inside Scotland’s World Cup camp has shifted dramatically following their historic victory against Haiti in Boston on Saturday. Assistant coach Steven Naismith joked that head coach Steve Clarke was “doing cartwheels down at breakfast” after Scotland claimed their first World Cup win in 36 years. Naismith was speaking in jest, but the comment captures the genuine change in atmosphere that has taken hold among players and staff alike. Clarke himself has openly admitted he “didn’t enjoy” the first two major tournaments he led the country through, vowing this time to “soak it up” stateside. That message has clearly…

Cape Verde made history at the Atlanta Stadium as goalkeeper Vozinha kept a clean sheet against European champions and World Cup favourites Spain. The 40-year-old was in tears at the final whistle as the magnitude of what his nation had achieved began to sink in. Thousands of Cape Verde supporters erupted in the stands, hugging, dancing and celebrating what is the most remarkable result in their country’s football history. Even neutral spectators had been swept up in the occasion, with many celebrating alongside Cape Verde fans by the time the referee blew for full time. Vozinha, born Josimar Dias, became…

Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new head coach, signing the Frenchman on a three-year deal. The 47-year-old arrives at Selhurst Park after an impressive spell at Lens, where he was named Ligue 1 manager of the year. Sage replaces Oliver Glasner, who departed the Eagles at the end of the 2025-26 season following two and a half years in south London. The Austrian left behind a remarkable legacy, having guided Palace to three trophies during his tenure at the club. Glasner’s achievements included the FA Cup in 2025, the Community Shield, and the Conference…

Twelve games into the 2026 World Cup, clear tactical patterns have emerged that reveal how international managers are adapting to unique pressures on football’s biggest stage. The influence of the Premier League and Champions League means many nations are borrowing ideas directly from club football when constructing their World Cup approaches. One of the most striking trends has been the unexpected resurgence of the classic 4-4-2 formation, a shape that defined Premier League football in the early 2000s. Teams including Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Brazil, Haiti, Scotland and Japan have all used a 4-4-2 out of possession at various points…