On the list of great players missing the 2026 World Cup is Cole Palmer, who wasn't called by England for this competition. The list of talented players who will not be part of the 2026 World Cup always includes some big names. A clear example this time is England, where Cole Palmer has been left out of the squad. Palmer is missing the competition because Thomas Tuchel did not call him up. The decision, which surprised many, was not due to a sudden injury, but rather a tactical choice based on form and fitness. After a difficult season with Chelsea, Palmer went through a dip in form and some lingering fitness issues. Tuchel ultimately decided that the midfielder was not sharp enough for a tournament of this level and left him out of the final squad. Palmer’s season with Chelsea It was a frustrating season for Palmer. After a brilliant first year at Chelsea, where he scored 25 goals in 45 matches, the creative midfielder was more inconsistent, just as the club was too in the next two years there. Palmer did not play at his best this year (Stu Forster/Getty Images) With Chelsea struggling for consistency and finishing the Premier League season in 10th place, Palmer was unable to repeat his previous heroics. He still managed 10 goals in 26 league appearances, but he lacked his usual clinical edge in the final months of the campaign. Even though Palmer proved to be important for England at Euro 2024, with an assist for Ollie Watkins in the semifinal against the Netherlands and a goal in the final against Spain under Gareth Southgate, Tuchel did not value that experience enough. The midfielders Tuchel preferred players with more pace than a possession-based midfielder like Palmer. The midfielders chosen by Tuchel were Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, and Eberechi Eze.
Iraq and Norway will face againsrt each other in their Group Stage opener at the FIFA World Cup. Here's all the information you need to watch the action live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Iraq vs Norway on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Iraq vs Norway WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT • Tuesday, June 16, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Marking their first appearance in the global tournament since 1986, Iraq enters their opening match as a significant underdog, but with the pride of a nation behind them. The journey to this stage was long and arduous, requiring 21 qualification matches. This game represents a monumental occasion for Iraqi soccer, a chance to test themselves against elite European competition on the biggest stage. For Norway, this clash is loaded with urgency. Returning to the finals for the first time since 1998, they arrive with a perfect qualification record and one of the world’s most feared strikers in Erling Haaland. With powerhouse nations France and Senegal waiting later in the group stage, securing a convincing victory against Iraq is not just expected—it’s essential for their chances of advancing. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The contrast between these two teams’ paths to the tournament could not be starker. Norway stormed through their European qualifying group, winning all eight games and showcasing a devastating attack that averaged 4.6 goals per match. They are a team brimming with confidence and accustomed to dominating opponents. Iraq, meanwhile, navigated a grueling campaign, ultimately securing their spot via an intercontinental playoff, demonstrating resilience but also revealing vulnerabilities against higher-caliber teams. The tactical battle is expected to be a classic case of attack versus defense. Iraq is likely to deploy a deep, compact defensive block, ceding possession and aiming to frustrate the Norwegian attack. Their game plan will revolve around absorbing pressure and hoping to strike on the rare counter-attack. In contrast, Norway, powered by a Premier League-quality midfield featuring Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge, will control the tempo, dominate the ball, and patiently work to dismantle Iraq’s low block. Motivation for both sides is clear and distinct. For Norway, this opening fixture is a must-win to build momentum and, crucially, goal difference before facing the group’s tougher opponents. A comprehensive victory is the primary objective. For Iraq, the goal is to be competitive and prove they belong at this level. Avoiding a heavy defeat and putting up a spirited fight against a formidable European side would be considered a success for the Group I minnows. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This 2026 tournament match will be the first-ever official meeting between Iraq and Norway. The two nations have never faced each other in either a competitive fixture or a friendly, making this a completely fresh and unpredictable encounter from a historical perspective. The lack of direct history extends to their experiences against teams from the opposing confederations on this stage. Norway has never played against a team from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in their three previous tournament appearances. Similarly, Iraq has only faced a UEFA opponent once in the finals, a narrow 2-1 defeat to Belgium during their 1986 campaign. While historical data between the two is nonexistent, their qualifying campaigns offer clear trends. Norway was an offensive juggernaut, averaging an incredible 7.68 shots on target per game in European qualifying. Iraq, meanwhile, was defensively sound against their regional opposition, conceding just 0.67 goals per game, but their attack will face a monumental step up in class against the Norwegian defense. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both nations enter their opening match with nea
Martin joins Leicester after relegation to League OneEx-Gil Vicente coach Peixoto replaces Rob EdwardsLeicester have confirmed Russell Martin’s appointment as manager, on the same day as Wolves unveiled César Peixoto as head coach, replacing Rob Edwards.The two Midlands clubs were relegated from the Championship and the Premier League respectively last season and have moved quickly to restructure their setup, with Martin joining Leicester eight months after his nightmare 123-day stint in charge of Rangers came to an end. Continue reading...
Arsenal are set-piece masters, and no club supplied more players for England's World Cup squad than the Gunners - so it is understandable that Thomas Tuchel will look to play to the Premier League champions' strengths. Here in the United States, Mikel Arteta's dedication to perfecting Arsenal's routines is an approach England head coach Tuchel is looking to replicate. In a tournament environment, when the margins can be so small, Tuchel is keen to take a leaf out of the Arsenal playbook that he admires, and has impressed on his players the importance of exploiting dead-ball situations.
