Tuchel criticises England’s ‘freestyle’ approachPlayer guide | Bracketology | Wallchart | Mail WillIf you think Messi is knocking on a bit, he’s not even one of the 10 oldest players at the 2026 World Cup. Modern science, eh.FIFA published the top 20 last week and it’s an early win for Scotland. Continue reading...
In today’s newsletter: the Pacific islands hoping to enter World Cup qualifying before ocean level increase wipes them from the map“This is not just about football, it’s about building something from scratch,” Eriati Reebo, the Kiribati football president, explains. “A legacy, a story, that the world will always remember.”Kiribati, a group of Pacific islands south of Hawaii with 138,000 inhabitants, is seeking entry into World Cup qualifying for the 2030 tournament. Becoming a recognised international football team would help to bring attention to the only nation on earth that sits within all four hemispheres, and one that is rapidly disappearing from the map. It could be the first, but certainly not the last, country to be engulfed by sea water, leaving it uninhabitable. And before that happens, it wants to professionalise the football setup and become a full member of the Oceania Football Confederation. This would both create a route to competing with bigger nations and help to keep the Kiribati spirit alive. Continue reading...
England likely to face World Cup qualification playoffsManager calls for a reaction in final group matchSarina Wiegman said she wants to see a reaction from her Lionesses after England suffered their heaviest defeat in 17 years against Spain.It was a humbling evening for Wiegman and her team, who needed a win or a draw to qualify for the World Cup. Even a defeat by a single goal would have kept the chance of topping their qualifying group alive. Continue reading...
Joint investigation run by NY and NJ attorneys generalSubpoena seeks information on Fifa’s ticket practicesInvestigation centers on games at MetLife StadiumThe attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into Fifa’s ticketing practices around the 2026 World Cup, focusing specifically on the matches due to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The investigation, announced Wednesday by New York’s Letitia James and New Jersey’s Jennifer Davenport, centers on fans who say they were misled about the location of the seats and on claims that Fifa’s own public messaging around tickets has contributed to the inflated prices seen throughout the tournament. Continue reading...
