3 h. ago World Cup qualifying roundup: Germany crush Slovakia to seal spot as Dutch progress

Woltemade on target as Germany cruise to 6-0 victory Netherlands secure place with 4-0 win against LithuaniaGermany secured a place at next year’s World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier, pummelling them into submission with four goals in the first half and sending their opponents into a playoff in March.The four-time world champions, who went out in the first round of the last two editions of the World Cup, finished top of their group, three points clear of Slovakia. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Florian Wirtz sends Liverpool message after being labelled 'problem' for Arne Slot

Liverpool star Florian Wirtz was in scintillating form for Germany as he produced two fine assists in their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia

Politics

3 h. ago Northern Ireland bounce back from Slovakia defeat to end World Cup qualifiers on a high. The play

Northern Ireland 1-0 Luxembourg: Donley’s solitary strike proved sufficient to settle a largely uninspiring encounter

Politics

6 h. ago Denmark boss insists his team are more ‘fired up’ than Scotland for crucial World Cup qualifier

Scotland and Denmark are battling for automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup

Events

7 h. ago Tuchel knows perfection is an illusion but England have reasons to dream | David Hytner

The team’s qualifying record is impressive but not as important as their burgeoning confidence and momentum“Right now, I could say that everything played out perfectly,” Thomas Tuchel says, as he reflects on having led England through qualifying to the World Cup finals: phase one of the mission complete. It does not feel incongruous for the head coach to talk about perfection – partly because he is constantly chasing it and also because, well, the results have been perfect.When Tuchel’s team beat Albania 2-0 in Tirana on Sunday, it meant they topped their group with eight wins out of eight and with eight clean sheets. Never before has a European nation gone through World Cup qualification, playing at least six ties, without conceding. Spain will emulate them if they beat Turkey at home and keep a clean sheet in their sixth and final qualifier on Tuesday night. The only thing is that Tuchel knows perfection is unattainable – particularly in international football. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Scotland dealt injury blow ahead of decisive World Cup qualifier against Denmark

Scotland can book their place at next summer’s World Cup if they beat Denmark on Tuesday

Economics

10 h. ago When is the World Cup draw, who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, date and how to watch

Scotland will hope secure qualification to the World Cup next summer - and here’s when the draw takes place.

Politics

14 h. ago Thomas Tuchel reveals why he ‘almost got emotional’ after England’s perfect World Cup qualification

Thomas Tuchel admitted he ‘almost got emotional’ after England made it eight wins from eight in World Cup qualifying by beating Albania on Sunday

Politics

15 h. ago England winners and losers: Jude Bellingham influential in bad week for Arsenal star

Good camp for Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly but Morgan Rogers suffers setback in bid to seal World Cup spot

Politics

16 h. ago World Cup qualifier descends into chaos as furious coach rushes to confront rivals amid penalty shootout ‘voodoo’ row

DR CONGO have denied that they were "doing some voodoo" after claims from Nigeria manager Eric Chelle following the dramatic World Cup play-off on Sunday. Nigeria were beaten by their opponents in the Confederation of Africa (CAF) final on penalties after a 1-1 draw but the game descended into drama. The defeat ends their hopes...

Events

27 h. ago Harry Kane lays down World Cup gauntlet to England rivals after record

Harry Kane scored both goals as England beat Albania in their eighth and final World Cup qualifier to go into next summer's tournament with maximum points and no goals conceded

Politics

28 h. ago What Man City star Erling Haaland did as Norway secure World Cup qualification

The Manchester City star continued his goalscoring streak for his nation in their comeback against Italy in the World Cup qualifier

Politics

28 h. ago Jude Bellingham handed fresh England warning after moment at end of Albania win

England beat Albania to round off a perfect qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup but midfielder Jude Bellingham didn't look too happy about being substituted

Events

30 h. ago Thomas Tuchel responds after Jude Bellingham's angry reaction to England sub

Jude Bellingham was unhappy after being brought off by England boss Thomas Tuchel during their World Cup qualifier against Albania

Politics

30 h. ago Three England stars immediately prove Thomas Tuchel wrong in Albania win

England beat Albania 2-0 in their final World Cup qualifier to complete a perfect campaign under Thomas Tuchel and some stars sent the manager a message in Tirana

Politics

30 h. ago England player ratings vs Albania as Three Lions head to World Cup with perfect record

Harry Kane bagged a brace in England's 2-0 win over Albania in their final World Cup qualifier, while a number of his team-mates were well below their best

Sport

30 h. ago England win every group game without conceding after Kane’s double sinks Albania

For Thomas Tuchel, there was an unmistakable circularity, a pleasingness to the narrative arc. The England head coach began his tenure with a World Cup qualifying victory against Albania at Wembley last March. And he finished the first phase of the mission to add a second star to the shirt with another one – by the same scoreline in Tirana.It is surely worth taking a moment to digest the headline numbers. This was England’s eighth qualifying win out of eight and an eighth clean sheet. Never before has a European team gone through World Cup qualification – playing at least six ties – without letting in a goal. It is a record to fire hope, which has sent out a message. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago England player ratings vs Albania as two 8/10 stars secure perfect World Cup qualification

ALBANIA 0-2 ENGLAND: Two goals from captain Harry Kane ensured the Three Lions completed a perfect qualifying campaign for next summer's World Cup

Sport

31 h. ago Albania vs England live: Kane brace secures perfect record in World Cup qualifiers

Albania 0-2 England: Kane’s brace secures unbeaten World Cup qualification campaign for Three Lions

Politics

31 h. ago Albania vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, latest updates and reaction after narrow Three Lions win

Thomas Tuchel continues to fine-tune the Three Lions

Politics