Football Articles | Mail Online

• France 4-6 England: Three Lions secure best World Cup performance since 1966 with bonkers but brilliant performance that might just vindicate Thomas Tuchel, writes CRAIG HOPE19 July 2026, 9:13 am
  CRAIG HOPE: For Tuchel, this absurdly bi-polar victory will be vindication, silencing the boos that came before kick-off and the chorus of criticism that has followed him since Wednesday's defeat.
  
• FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED as Man United lose 1-0 to Wrexham: Harry Maguire reclaims the armband, Michael Carrick bets on youth, and new £50m signing Andrey Santos starts life in red19 July 2026, 8:56 am
  CHRIS WHEELER: With United's World Cup stars unavailable, Michael Carrick played his senior players in the first half and gave a debut to new £50million signing Andrey Santos.
  
• France's World Cup MELTDOWN after England humiliation: Furious Adrien Rabiot hits out at team-mates' 'shameful' attitude during dismal first half as L'Equipe gives THREE Premier League stars 2/1019 July 2026, 8:48 am
  The 2018 champions unravelled in spectacular fashion in the Sunshine State, shipping four first-half goals to the Three Lions in a shocking performance.
  
• World Cup final halftime show: Who is performing? How long will it take? And why is it so controversial?19 July 2026, 8:42 am
  For the first time, FIFA has controversially decided to add a halftime show to the biggest game in global soccer. Messi will be forced to share the spotlight with the likes of Madonna and Shakira.
  
• Why Arsenal are the biggest losers of the World Cup, the Bukayo Saka fitness mystery and the Man City template the Gunners should copy19 July 2026, 8:27 am
  They walked in as if they were leaving. And leaving heavily defeated. England did not wear the look of men who wanted to be here, Tuchel saying as much on Friday after arriving to thunderstorms.
  
• 'Where was this against Argentina?!': England fans demand to know why free-scoring Three Lions were able to put France to the sword just days after semi-final struggles19 July 2026, 8:26 am
  England fans were left with mixed emotions this weekend after Thomas Tuchel's side thrashed France in the World Cup third-place play-off after going out with a whimper against Argentina.
  
• Spain star says he will reluctantly shake US President Donald Trump's hand at World Cup final: 'I don't want to go to prison'19 July 2026, 8:15 am
  The United States president will be on hand at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to hand the Jules Rimet trophy to the winners on Sunday, with Spain taking on defending champions Argentina.
  
• Tottenham issue Gary Mabbutt health update after former captain, 64, was rushed to hospital following a 'serious accident' in South Africa19 July 2026, 7:15 am
  it was revealed Mabbutt would remain in South Africa until at least July 24 as he is not allowed to fly home as a result of the problem, which occurred on the eve of England's World Cup semi-final.
  
• Lionel Messi faces heir apparent Lamine Yamal in the World Cup final: The father-son symbolism could not be stronger as Argentina star comes up against a generation of players who idolised him, writes OLIVER HOLT19 July 2026, 6:36 am
  OLIVER HOLT IN NEW YORK CITY: In a way, we are all Messi's sons, those of us who love football, even those of us who are 20 years older than him.
  
• Your turn, Lionel! Kylian Mbappe passes Argentina captain Messi to become World Cup all-time top scorer after England brace, with forward having one game to reclaim crown19 July 2026, 6:35 am
  The forward, who is bidding to win his second title in a row for his country, is in a race for the Golden Boot with France star Mbappe, but now up against it in his bid for the crown.
  
• World Cup Breakfast: England finish in style as Three Lions cult hero is awarded medal and Lionel Messi prepares to take on his protege in final - plus what else to look out for today19 July 2026, 6:34 am
  Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 39 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.
  
• New Jersey governor fumes at FIFA's latest cash grab as World Cup chiefs try to sell m of MetLife grass to fans19 July 2026, 4:48 am
  'This is the final insult,' one politician said before New Jersey hosts Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at the 80,000-seater stadium near New York City.
  
• Argentina fans spark wild World Cup scenes in New York as thousands take over Times Square - despite flash floods19 July 2026, 4:34 am
  As La Albiceleste prepare to face Spain at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium in Sunday's showpiece event, thousands of fans swarmed upon the Big Apple - despite flash floods in the city.
  
• More than 500 babies named after Erling Haaland born in PERU as the South American country goes crazy for the towering Viking striker19 July 2026, 3:48 am
  Ivan Torres, a spokesperson for the country's national registry, explained that 'different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names.'
  
• Defiant Thomas Tuchel doubles down saying the reaction to England's heartbreaking World Cup loss to Argentina was like 'exiting in the group stage'... after sealing third place with chaotic win over France19 July 2026, 2:35 am
  CRAIG HOPE IN MIAMI: Tuchel was blamed by supporters, former players and media for his tactical changes during the 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday night.