Pickford among Golden Glove frontrunners as Tuchel handles Saka with care

Pickford's Golden Glove odds

Jordan Pickford is priced among the frontrunners for the World Cup Golden Glove, with bookmakers rating the Everton and England No.1 behind only a handful of contenders. Emi Martinez, Unai Simon, Alisson and Mike Maignan are also in the mix, but Pickford's reputation for stepping up in tournament football keeps him firmly in the conversation. (1)

Tuchel nursing Saka carefully

Thomas Tuchel is taking a cautious approach with Bukayo Saka ahead of the World Cup. The England boss has acknowledged the need to manage the winger's workload, saying the squad must "take him into account" and not rush him into full intensity too soon. Saka remains central to Tuchel's plans, but the priority is having him fully fit when the tournament kicks off. (2)

England TV schedule confirmed

Every England match at the 2026 World Cup will be shown live on free-to-air television, with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage across the group stage and beyond. Full listings, kick-off times and live stream details have been published, giving fans a clear picture of where to watch every game. Scotland's fixtures receive the same treatment. (3)

Bellingham: the man for any role

Jude Bellingham's unique blend of physicality, technique and intelligence means he can slot into practically any midfield or attacking role Tuchel asks of him. Whether as a No.8, No.10 or even drifting wide, the Real Madrid star has proven at club level that his adaptability is a weapon, not a compromise. England go into the World Cup with one of the most positionally fluid superstars in the game. (4)

Eze names his World Cup heroes

Eberechi Eze, heading into his first World Cup, has revealed the two players who defined the tournament for him growing up. The Crystal Palace forward told FourFourTwo which icons shaped his earliest World Cup memories, adding a personal touch to England's pre-tournament build-up. (5)

Rice anchors it all

Declan Rice's presence alters the entire shape of any midfield he occupies, and for England that means a shield in front of the back four who can also break lines with his passing. The Arsenal man has become one of the first names on Tuchel's team sheet, bringing balance whether England set up with a single pivot or a double. (6)

Women's team face tougher path to 2027

England Women have seen their route to the 2027 World Cup grow harder after a costly defeat, with Denmark, Spain and France among the sides already booking their places. The Lionesses now face an uphill battle to secure qualification, with fewer spots left and stronger opponents already through. (7)

Fan reactions

The mood among England fans online is a mix of nostalgia and gallows humour as the World Cup approaches. On Reddit, supporters are preemptively reminding the wider football world that singing "It's Coming Home" has always been laced with irony, not arrogance – a running joke born in 1996 that outsiders often take at face value. Meanwhile, other threads see fans looking back on past tournaments, swapping memories of England's World Cup history. Join the discussion