• A reporter shares his experience working in Los Angeles during the 2026 World Cup preparations
• The United States team faces huge pressure to succeed and grow football across the country
• England’s squad shows fresh energy with young stars performing well on the pitch
• Australia celebrates diversity after Nestory Irankunda scores a memorable goal
• Journalists live in a small bubble between hotels, swimming pools, and local supermarkets

I am writing this from Los Angeles. I came here to work on my podcast during the tournament. It has been twenty years since I last stayed in a host country for a major competition. In 2006, I drove around Germany with friends. We drank beer and watched matches. This time is different. I have professional duties here.

People at home often ask me the same question. They want to know if Americans feel excited about the World Cup. This reminds me of Cambridge in 1990. A TV crew asked locals about an upcoming FA Cup match. The people did not know the town had a football team. It also reminds me of the Ashes cricket in Melbourne. Friends ask about the atmosphere there. But I usually stay home with my young children. I clean up rice from the floor. I send thanks to all partners at home who look after families while journalists travel.

The United States is extremely large. Los Angeles seems to go on forever. Recently, I tried to ride a pedal-free bike from West Hollywood to Santa Monica. I ended up on a busy road where cycling was not allowed. One minute I enjoyed the sunshine. The next minute I pulled a heavy bike through bushes far from help.

Between matches, we stay in a small area. We visit a supermarket called Trader Joe’s. We sit at a cafe across the road. We swim in a hotel pool where social media stars talk about video apps. You can watch games in West Hollywood bars. Fans wear US shirts. People wish luck to supporters from Bosnia.

The best part of the tournament is watching American fans celebrate. They cheered loudly after the victory against Paraguay. These are not new fans. These are people who have followed football for many years. They want the sport to grow in a country that loves basketball and American football. The US team must do well. A quarter-final place could help football become truly popular. This creates pressure for the players. England does not face this problem. Football is already popular there whether they win or lose.

I also felt emotional watching Australia. Fans gathered in Federation Square in Melbourne. Nestory Irankunda scored a wonderful goal. His family came to Australia as refugees. He now represents a country built by immigrants. This is beautiful. Connor Metcalfe also made me smile. He watched his goal back and used typical Australian slang. He said it was “far out”. I love the Socceroos. This feels strange because I do not feel the same way about Australian cricket.

Being far from England has benefits. I do not hear silly arguments about the national anthem. Some people ask if manager Thomas Tuchel sings it. I do not care about this. The England team looks strong and enjoyable to watch. Harry Kane has fast players around him. Noni Madueke smiles on the pitch. Elliot Anderson stands in good positions. Djed Spence runs very fast. Fans feel hope, but it is not the usual nervous hope.

I share a room with my friend and co-host Barry Glendenning. We watch Fox Sports together. We wonder if Zlatan Ibrahimovic will argue with Alexi Lalas. The American TV coverage is mostly good. They explain basic rules, but British channels do the same for casual viewers. I do not want to see Christian Pulisic’s bank advert again during water breaks.

Living with Barry is not always easy. He gets annoyed when I eat apples too loudly. He does not like when I leave the bottle loose. I gave him advice about cutting chillies. I asked if he needed a big saucepan. I put yoghurt in a bowl. I washed too many clothes. I complained about his rude body noises. But we are managing well.

Somehow people enjoy watching our daily life on the internet. We might become famous in America. Barry even helped a TV star with her car key. Big things might happen for us here. Thank you for reading.

• England’s 4-2 win against Croatia draws a peak audience of 15.4 million on ITV
• The commercial broadcaster secures four of the five largest TV audiences in the opening week
• The BBC gambles on having first choice of matches during the knockout stages instead
• Scotland’s return to the tournament after 38 years attracts 2.8 million viewers despite a 2am kick-off
• ITV’s Brooklyn studio receives praise while the BBC faces criticism for its Salford base

ITV has taken the lead in the television ratings competition against the BBC during the first seven days of the World Cup 2026. Recent audience data from Barb, the official UK audience measurement body, shows that the commercial broadcaster claimed four out of the five largest viewing figures for the tournament so far.

The highest ratings came during England’s 4-2 victory against Croatia in Dallas. This match brought in a peak audience of 15.4 million people on ITV. The average viewership stood at more than 10 million. These numbers represent the biggest UK television audience of the year.

ITV also showed the second most-watched game of the opening round. The tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa attracted a peak of 7.7 million viewers. The match average stood at 6.6 million. The broadcaster also secured strong figures for Spain versus Cape Verde and the Netherlands against Japan, with peaks of 6.1 million and 6 million respectively.

The BBC’s best performance came with the France versus Senegal match on Tuesday. This game achieved a peak of 6.7 million viewers on television. However, when people watching on laptops and mobile phones are included, this figure rose to 7.6 million. The corporation also saw peaks of 6.7 million for Portugal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 6.5 million for Belgium versus Egypt when digital viewers are counted.

The viewing figures include people watching on main channels and through streaming services on televisions. They do not normally include those watching on computers or phones.

Traditionally, the BBC attracts larger audiences than ITV for live sport. The corporation is likely to win the ratings battle when both channels show the World Cup final next month. ITV’s early success comes from having first choice of matches during the opening week.

The BBC took a risk before the tournament started. The corporation chose to have more first-pick matches during the knockout stages. This means the BBC will choose first from the last 32, last 16 and semi-final fixtures. The BBC will also show England’s second group game against Ghana on Tuesday.

Last weekend, the BBC showed Scotland’s first World Cup match in 38 years. Their game against Haiti kicked off at 2am UK time but still attracted a peak audience of 2.8 million. This represented 78 per cent of all UK television viewers at that time. In Scotland, the share rose to 92 per cent.

ITV’s biggest matches mostly come early in the tournament. The channel will also show England’s third group game against Panama. If England reach the quarter-finals, ITV will broadcast that match too. This could be a Saturday night clash against Brazil.

Critics have praised ITV’s World Cup coverage this year. The broadcaster’s studio in Brooklyn offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Meanwhile, people have criticised the BBC for presenting from its Salford studios. The BBC says it has good financial reasons for this decision.

This week, the BBC’s new director general, Matt Brittan, started announcing major budget cuts. The corporation plans to save £500 million over three years. These savings could lead to 2,000 job losses.

The BBC has faced criticism for not showing a daily highlights programme on television. However, the corporation’s digital highlights are very popular. Fans have streamed these 11.6 million times on BBC iPlayer this week. This is an increase of 197 per cent compared to the first week of Euro 2024.

• England came from behind to defeat Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling World Cup warm-up match in Dallas, Texas
• Thomas Tuchel’s side played with aggressive, attacking football in the second half after a cautious first 45 minutes
• Marcus Rashford scored from the bench as England showcased their new high-energy tactical approach
• The victory marks a clear shift from Gareth Southgate’s defensive style to Tuchel’s proactive philosophy
• Concerns remain about midfield balance and defensive organisation despite the attacking improvements

England delivered a powerful statement in the Texas heat on Friday night, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a match that showed the dramatic difference between Thomas Tuchel’s new approach and the cautious methods of the past.

The Three Lions struggled badly during the first half at Dallas Stadium. They looked slow and predictable, falling into old habits that reminded fans of the Gareth Southgate years. Croatia took advantage of England’s stiff play to level the score at 2-2 before half-time.

However, the second half brought a completely different team onto the pitch. Tuchel’s players pressed higher up the field and attacked with speed and purpose. This aggressive change, which fans are calling “The Surge,” overwhelmed the Croatian defence.

Marcus Rashford made a huge impact after coming off the bench, scoring England’s fourth goal and terrifying the tired Croatian defenders with his pace. Jude Bellingham also enjoyed his best performance in an England shirt, showing the energy and confidence that Tuchel demands.

The German manager made bold decisions with his substitutions. Instead of protecting the lead by bringing on defensive players, Tuchel added more attackers even when the score was tight. This showed his belief in taking control of matches rather than simply holding onto results.

Harry Kane led the line effectively, converting a retaken penalty with confidence. The captain looked comfortable with runners ahead of him, creating space for others to exploit.

Not everything was perfect. England’s midfield looked unbalanced at times, and Declan Rice is carrying an injury that could cause problems. The defence also appeared rusty against Croatia’s experienced players like Luka Modric.

But the mood around this England camp feels different. Tuchel has brought a fresh, direct attitude that refuses to worry about past failures. His half-time team talks focus on tactical solutions rather than emotional speeches.

This victory suggests England can now overwhelm opponents with pure energy and pressing, something that was missing in previous tournaments. Whether this style can win a World Cup remains to be seen, but the team has finally shown they can play exciting, forward-thinking football.

• England secure 4-2 victory over Croatia in World Cup 2026 Group L opener in Dallas
• Harry Kane scores twice to equal Gary Lineker’s record as England’s top World Cup scorer
• Noni Madueke impresses on debut after starting on the right wing
• Defensive errors allow Croatia to net twice before half-time
• Marcus Rashford seals win with late goal after coming off the bench

England kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an exciting 4-2 victory against Croatia at the Dallas Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s team scored two goals in each half to secure three points in their opening Group L fixture.

Captain Harry Kane gave a brilliant performance, scoring twice to earn the man-of-the-match award. The striker calmly scored a rebound after his first penalty was saved. He then headed home his 81st international goal to equal Gary Lineker as England’s record scorer at World Cup finals. The 32-year-old even made a crucial goal-saving block with his body late in the game to stop Joško Gvardiol from scoring.

Noni Madueke impressed on his World Cup debut after being picked to start on the right flank. The winger worked well with Kyle Walker and caused constant problems for the Croatian defence with his direct running. His display gives Tuchel a difficult decision when Bukayo Saka returns from his Achilles injury.

Jude Bellingham also scored with a brilliant solo effort shortly after half-time. The Real Madrid midfielder almost added a spectacular long-range shot moments later as he controlled the centre of the pitch. He also won the early penalty that Kane scored.

However, England’s defence showed worrying weaknesses. Jordan Pickford could not stop either of Croatia’s first-half goals, though he did make a vital save from Mario Pašalić’s shot when the score was 3-2. John Stones survived an early mix-up with Pickford that led to a corner, while Levi Colwill struggled against Ivan Perišić and may lose his place to Marc Guéhi for the next match against Ghana.

Trent Alexander-Arnold showed creativity from set-pieces, including the corner for Kane’s header, and played a superb pass to release Bellingham for his goal. Yet he also made errors, including a poor pass that put Kane under pressure and bad positioning for Croatia’s first goal.

Declan Rice went close with a curling shot but left the pitch early for safety with 18 minutes remaining. Phil Foden had a quiet evening on the left wing before making way for Marcus Rashford.

The substitutes made significant impacts. Rashford calmly scored England’s fourth goal, his 19th for his country, after good work from Saka. The Manchester United forward also nearly scored immediately after coming on. Saka provided the assist for Rashford’s goal and combined well with substitute Morgan Rogers.

Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon saw little action after coming on, while Djed Spence wasted a golden chance to score his first international goal by shooting straight at Dominik Livaković. Marc Guéhi came on late and could replace Colwill in the starting eleven for the next match.

• Thomas Tuchel says tournament tension will push England to peak performance
• Three Lions face Croatia in Group L opener at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday
• Jude Bellingham expected to start ahead of Morgan Rogers as number ten
• Bukayo Saka faces late fitness test; Noni Madueke ready to step in
• Croatia rely on ageing stars Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic

Thomas Tuchel is confident that the big-match atmosphere will drive England to their best level when they meet Croatia this week.

The England manager accepts his team must raise their game. They drew with Uruguay and lost to both Japan and Senegal in recent matches against strong nations. However, Tuchel insists World Cup football creates a different mindset.

“This is not a friendly match,” the German coach explained. “We will not experiment. We will trust our own quality. The occasion and the tension will bring out the best in us.”

Tuchel wants his side to show the same energy they display in the Premier League. “We must play with courage,” he said. “We must use the strengths of our players. I can see they want this success. They win trophies at their clubs with this mentality.”

The team prepared for the heat by training in Florida for two weeks. Now they are based in Kansas City. Tuchel thinks Jude Bellingham will start instead of Morgan Rogers in the attacking midfield role.

The players understand what is at stake, according to the manager. “They know,” he stated. “We do not need extra motivation. We stay focused on what we can control. We take each day as it comes.”

England could dominate an older Croatian team. However, they must watch out for Luka Modric, who is 40, and Mateo Kovacic in the centre of the pitch. Ivan Perisic, now 37, also remains a danger. He scored against England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

“It is a tough opening match,” Tuchel admitted. “They have experience. Their coach knows tournament football. They are a top nation. They now use a back three system. Modric and Kovacic still control their midfield. They play with two central players and fluid attackers.”

“Perisic is dangerous with his crossing,” Tuchel added. “He can use both feet. He does not need much space. They are also strong at set pieces.”

England worked on their own set pieces and beat Costa Rica heavily last week.

Tuchel has few selection problems. He must decide if Bukayo Saka is fit to play. The winger has an Achilles injury. Noni Madueke might start instead. In defence, Ezri Konsa and John Stones should play ahead of Marc Guehi.

The squad will play a private match on Thursday at their training base. They might face Sporting Kansas City. This keeps the players busy who do not feature against Croatia. England play Ghana next Tuesday at Boston Stadium.

• England face Croatia in crucial World Cup group stage clash
• Tournament trends show tight, low-scoring matches dominate early stages
• Betting analysts recommend backing Croatia to fail to score
• Thomas Tuchel’s defensive organisation key to Three Lions’ solidity
• Ageing Croatia attack lacks pace to trouble organised English backline

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun with cautious tactics dominating the group stage. Many matches have produced few goals and plenty of draws. Teams appear reluctant to take risks early in the competition.

When England meet Croatia on Wednesday, expect another tight contest. The smart money lies on a low-scoring affair rather than backing either side to win outright.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has built a solid defensive unit. His team kept clean sheets throughout the entire qualification campaign. They maintain possession well and rarely leave gaps at the back.

Croatia pose a different threat, but their squad shows signs of age. They lack quick players who can break forward rapidly. This makes counter-attacks against England unlikely to succeed.

The Croatian front line also struggles to create clear chances consistently. Without speedy wingers or a prolific striker, breaking down organised defences proves difficult.

The recommended wager is Croatia to score zero goals at odds of +110. While shutouts have been rare in this tournament so far, England’s backline offers exceptional quality. They should control the tempo and restrict the Balkan side to few opportunities.

This bet requires patience, as watching a match hoping for no goals lacks excitement. However, the tactical setup strongly favours England preventing Croatia from finding the net.

• Thomas Tuchel manages his first competitive World Cup match for England against Croatia
• Recent history shows England and Croatia matches are usually decided by one goal
• Experts back the Three Lions to win by a narrow margin in their Group L opener
• Harry Kane’s duel with Croatia’s young centre-back Luka Vuskovic offers key betting interest
• England kept eight clean sheets during their perfect qualifying campaign

The Three Lions open their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L account against Croatia this Wednesday. German tactician Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first competitive tournament match. Experts predict a narrow victory for England.

Analyst Lewis Jones suggests backing the Three Lions to win by exactly one goal. He also highlights a potential betting opportunity around Harry Kane drawing fouls.

England have come close to glory for nearly ten years. They reached the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in 2018. They lost the Euro 2020 final. They suffered more pain in the Euro 2024 final. The team has clearly improved. However, fans feel this group still needs one final push to win silverware.

The Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel to solve this problem. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has won many trophies. He knows how to handle pressure situations. He offers flexible tactics and experience in knockout football. England hope these qualities will turn near-misses into trophies.

The early results under Tuchel look positive. England won all eight qualifying matches. They did not concede any goals during that run. Tougher challenges await in the tournament. However, the squad now travels with real confidence instead of just hope.

Bookmakers list England as favourites at 4/6 to win this match. A Croatian victory stands at 4/1. The draw is priced at 27/10. England are 7/1 shots to lift the World Cup trophy.

Many expect favourites to win big in their opening games. England fans hope for a strong start that warns other teams. However, this match might follow a different pattern.

Past meetings between these teams have been very close. Croatia beat England 2-1 in the 2018 World Cup semi-final after extra time. The two teams later drew 0-0 in the Nations League. England won the reverse fixture 2-1. At Euro 2020, only one goal separated them again.

Both sides understand each other’s styles. Neither team usually collapses under pressure.

England’s record in first tournament games supports this view. Only two of their last 18 opening matches finished with a margin bigger than one goal. This shows how careful teams play in their first games at major events.

Tuchel knows how to manage tournament football. He understands the need to save energy and avoid risks. His main goal is securing three points. He does not need to chase spectacular wins for the newspapers. A professional and controlled display seems more probable than a big win.

A narrow win for England looks likely. The odds for a one-goal victory are 12/5. This fits the recent history between the teams. It also matches England’s pattern in opening games. Tuchel prefers efficiency over fireworks.

Individual player markets offer good value at major tournaments. Young Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic faces a difficult task against Harry Kane. This matchup could lead to many fouls and referee decisions.

Vuskovic plays an aggressive style. This usually helps defenders. However, clever forwards can exploit this approach. The teenager has committed nine fouls in just four starts for his country.

He now faces Harry Kane. The England captain is excellent at winning free kicks. Kane moves cleverly between the lines. He drops deep to collect the ball. This forces defenders to make difficult decisions.

Kane wins many fouls at major tournaments. He averages 1.9 fouls won per 90 minutes at World Cups and European Championships. This is a high number for a striker. It shows how he forces defenders into mistakes.

• Luka Modric will earn his 199th cap for Croatia against England in Dallas
• The 40-year-old playmaker first faced the Three Lions in October 2006
• Croatia eliminated England from the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage
• The midfielder is likely to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup

Luka Modric is preparing to face England for the tenth time. The Croatian captain will lead his country in Dallas. This match marks his 199th appearance for the national team.

The 40-year-old first played against the Three Lions nearly two decades ago. That match took place in Zagreb in October 2006. At that time, Tony Blair was the British Prime Minister. Arsenal had just moved to the Emirates Stadium. The social media platform Twitter was only three months old.

England fans remember that game for a famous mistake. Defender Gary Neville passed the ball back to goalkeeper Paul Robinson. The ball hit a bump on the pitch and bounced over the keeper’s foot into the net. A billboard at the stadium was showing adverts for the comedy film Borat at that exact moment. Croatia won the match 2-0.

Modric played the full game that night. It was his 11th appearance for his country. That victory began Croatia’s rise as a major force in world football.

The two teams met again one year later at Wembley Stadium. Croatia had already qualified for the European Championship. England only needed a draw to qualify. However, Croatia won 3-2. That defeat became famous when photographers captured England manager Steve McClaren holding an umbrella on the touchline.

The most painful defeat for England came in 2018. Croatia beat the Three Lions in the World Cup semi-finals in Moscow. England took an early lead, but Croatia scored an equaliser and won in extra time. They reached the final before losing to France.

Now Modric is much older. He will turn 41 in September. Croatia currently use a defensive system with three centre-backs. They lost a recent warm-up match against Belgium. Many expect England’s speed to cause problems for the Croatian defence.

Despite his age, Modric remains a key player. He has not announced his retirement, but many expect him to stop playing after the 2026 World Cup. He will try to inspire his team to one more victory over England. Given his record, nobody will be surprised if he succeeds.

• Michael Olise leads the betting at +650 to win the Golden Ball award in 2026
• The France winger scored 15 goals during his first season at Bayern Munich
• England captain Harry Kane follows closely at +850 odds
• Kane claimed the Golden Boot prize with six goals at the 2018 World Cup

Bayern Munich attacker Michael Olise has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite to claim the Golden Ball trophy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The France international heads the betting markets at odds of +650 to be named Player of the Tournament.

The 22-year-old will team up with Kylian Mbappé in attack for Les Bleus. Olise enjoyed a stunning debut campaign in the Bundesliga, netting 15 times in 23 starts as Bayern secured the domestic championship.

England skipper Harry Kane ranks second in the betting at +850. The striker previously won the Golden Boot at the 2018 finals in Russia after scoring six goals. He remains England’s all-time leading marksman and has continued his prolific form, registering nine goals in seven international matches during 2025.

• England select a small five-star hotel with just 54 rooms in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup
• The FA accepted third choice of facilities after Netherlands and Argentina took priority
• Players will face journeys of up to 1,300 miles to group matches in Boston and New Jersey
• Each bedroom features personal bedding, family photos and Sky Sports channels
• Celebrity guests will visit the camp to entertain the squad during their downtime

The Football Association has booked a boutique luxury hotel for the England squad during the upcoming World Cup. The team will base themselves in Kansas City, Missouri, inside a compact property surrounded by expensive homes and public gardens.

This choice brings compromises. FIFA gave first pick of local facilities to nations playing group matches in Missouri. The Netherlands and Argentina secured their preferred bases before England could choose. As a result, the Three Lions accepted a smaller venue with limited private outdoor space.

The hotel sits in beautiful parkland with fountains and green lawns. However, members of the public can walk through these gardens. Wealthy neighbours live just metres from the building. A basketball hoop rises above the security fence, and a large white tent houses gym equipment for daily training.

Inside, the FA has created personalised spaces for each player. Staff will arrange specific pillows, bedding and photographs of family members in every room. All bedrooms include Sky Sports television. Famous personalities will visit regularly to perform for the squad during rest periods.

The location puts travel convenience ahead of total privacy. England will fly no more than three and a half hours to any group match. This includes trips to Dallas, Boston and New Jersey. The FA hopes reduced journey times will keep players fresh, even if the base lacks seclusion.