Ken Early: Did Tuchel really think he could talk like that about Jude Bellingham and get away with it?
While harmony is notable among semi-finalists France, Spain and Argentina, that quality appears absent in the England camp
Ken Early: Why have Protestants historically been so bad at winning the World Cup?
Some 76 per cent of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad were Evangelical Christians, compared to their footballing peak when they were majority Catholic
Ken Early: Referee helps while Tuchel hinders as England sink Norway to move into World Cup semi-finals
Jude Bellingham struck twice for England while Erling Haaland played a peripheral role
Ken Early: Norway’s superhero Erling Haaland can punish England’s defence
‘The question is, can Norway stay afloat long enough for Haaland’s firepower to send England down?’
Ken Early: France stick to the script to reach World Cup final four
Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé provide the goals as Les Bleus crack Morocco
Lionel Messi ignites Argentina’s stunning comeback to beat Egypt
When you have Messi, it’s never really over as flawed Argentina are a dark and brilliant alliance of plot armour, destiny and genius
Ken Early: The World Cup is an epic battle between prudent precision and superhuman instinct
Both styles of management and play can get results, but only one is unashamedly, joyously human
Norway into quarter-finals as Nyland keeps Brazil at bay and Haaland delivers killer blows
Outstanding display by goalkeeper and two excellent finishes from striker seals win in New Jersey
Ken Early: Travelling around the US for World Cup, it is clear why many Americans distrust politics
As the US celebrates its 250th birthday, the official rhetoric of freedom and democracy grows further from the facts of daily life
Harry Kane double rescues England after DR Congo threaten huge World Cup shock
England captain turned the game in his side’s favour late on after African side led through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute strike
Something surprising and strange will have to happen to stop France winning this
Michael Olise provides a challenge to Kylian Mbappé’s status as France’s superstar
Dismal Germany’s World Cup exit raises questions about Wirtz
Paraguay defy odds and set up last-16 meeting with France or Sweden
Uruguay exit World Cup in tears, but will they cry for departing coach Marcelo Bielsa?
Bielsa’s man-management style is akin that of Stanley Kubrick – the players are subordinate to the auteur’s vision
Ken Early: Cristiano Ronaldo’s decline leaves Portugal paying the price against Colombia
Roberto Martinez’s loyalty to his 41-year-old captain is becoming an increasingly expensive indulgence at World Cup 2026
Ken Early: My friend is right, TV replays from the World Cup are different this time
Goals are almost secondary to emotion, celebrity and spectacle