WORLD CUP 2026: BIG ENGLAND PREVIEW
3 June - 58 minsWorld Cup 2026 is nearly here! Can England win it?
Has Tuchel picked the right squad, what is England's base camp like and what will be England's biggest challenge?
With inside knowledge from within the England camp our team cover it all - from which players will be most affected by the heat and who can cover at number six to secret England tactics and who starts at number ten.
Join Times Sports Editor Tom Clarke, and the Times Sport team who will be with England throughout the tournament: Matt Lawton, Jonathan Northcroft and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat as they discuss England's starting IX, how far they'll go and the choices facing Thomas Tuchel.
We'll be here every single day throughout th...
Series Episodes
WORLD CUP DAY 24: England braced for Azteca and France survive a kicking
It's time, England fans. The Azteca aura and the altitude - and a decent Mexico team - await for Thomas Tuchel's side in the round of 16. Tom Clarke previews that match with Matt Lawton and Gregor Robertson to discuss tactics, team news and make some predictions. Gregor is also excited for Brazil v Norway and has some final love for Cape Verde. In part two Tom and Gregor hear from James Gheerbrant who watched Morocco's win and Ian Whittell who was at France v Paraguay, a game blighted by ugly tactics and shocking refereeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46 mins
5 July Finished
WORLD CUP DAY 23: England kick off farce and Cape Verde drama
What a night of drama! FIFA threatened to change England's kick off time against Mexico due to storms only for discussions to break down, Matt Lawton joins Tom to offer the latest on a bizarre and farcical situation at this tournament. Drama on the pitch too as Cape Verde come agonisingly close to beating Argentina, scoring some stunning goals in a 3-2 defeat. Paul Hirst reports from that thriller and James Gheerbrant watches Egypt beat Australia on penalties. In part two Tom catches up with Martin Samuel to discuss England's hopes, French brilliance and his general tournament reflections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37 mins
4 July Finished
WORLD CUP DAY 22: Ronaldo through and Spain look strong
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup odyssey continues but he needed VAR to intervene and ensure Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a match packed with incident and drama. Ronaldo and his team face Spain in the next round after they beat Austria. Tom Clarke is joined by Ian Whittell and Peter Rutzler to discuss both of those matches and hears why Spain should be considered as one of the favourites. In part two of the show Tom chats to Jonny Northcroft about England's preparations for their game with Mexico and hears why spying fears have altered their travels plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34 mins
3 July Finished
WORLD CUP DAY 21: Harry Kane rescues England
It wasn't pretty and it was mighty tense but England are through - just - thanks to a late brace from Harry Kane. A performance lacking fluidity in attack and a defense that looked porous at times leaves Thomas Tuchel with far more questions than answers. The talking points: Kane is world class, England's right side and how does Tuchel fix the defense? Matt Lawton gives reaction live from the Atlanta stadium, before Tom Clarke joins Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant to dissect an England win and ask how can England beat Mexico at the Azteca ? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 mins
1 July Finished
WORLD CUP DAY 20: Mbappe and Olise shine, can Kane and Bellingham follow?
Is there a more iconic or productive World Cup duo than Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise? Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss another brilliant performance by France as they swat Sweden aside to reach the Round of 16. James Gheerbrant sends his thoughts on Norway's win against Ivory Coast and another goal for Erling Haaland. And Jonathan Northcroft joins Tom to preview England's clash with DR Congo - will it be another Jude Bellingham masterclass for Thomas Tuchel's side? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44 mins
1 July Finished
WORLD CUP DAY 19: Paraguay stun Germany
Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history as Paraguay produced one of the stories of this tournament so far. Tom Clarke hears from Michael Grant at the ground and is joined by Gregor Robertson to dissect that momentous win and also discuss Brazil's comeback against Japan. In part two Tom Allnutt reports from Monterrey and an astonishing penalty shootout between Netherlands and Morocco and Tom and Paul Hirst discuss Argentina's World Cup title defence so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39 mins
30 June Finished
