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Key events
England captain Harry Kane says it is “impossible” for him to be compared with Norway’s Erling Haaland. The two strikers face off in tonight’s World Cup quarter-final, with the crunch clash in Miami being billed as the battle of the two best strikers in the world.
Bayern Munich’s Kane is enjoying a record-breaking season, scoring 73 goals for club and country, including six in the World Cup, while Manchester City star Haaland has bagged 58, with his seven at the tournament firing Norway to a first-ever quarter-final.
When Kane was asked who is the better before the match, he replied: “It is an impossible one for me to answer. First of all, I think we are completely different players almost. I know we are both seen as strikers, but it is almost two different positions if I’m totally honest.
“Erling has been incredible, his goalscoring record. Physically, he’s a machine, he’s a beast. His finishing is at the highest level and obviously his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
“I see myself as a different player although I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved in play a little bit more but also can play as an out-and-out nine.”
(PA Media)
The Football Weekly podcast is here. Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Nicky Bandini for Spain’s late win over Belgium, an England v Norway preview and much (a reasonable amount at least) more.
NicK Ames has been at a pool party. Or perhaps he’s just been reporting about pool parties. Anyway, it’s all going down in Miami.
“Not even Miami will have seen a party of this nature. Around 30,000 England fans are due to converge here by Saturday but they will be given a run for their money by those baying for Norway, who have offered some of this World Cup’s enduring spectacles. A quarter-final rewards those who have been on the road for a month and is irresistible to the spontaneous too.”
A reminder that four England players are walking a tightrope marked disciplinary tonight. If any of Jude Bellingham, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly or Declan Rice pick up a booking against Norway, they’d miss the semi-final if the Three Lions get through.
Players who pick up two yellow cards across the last 32, last 16 and quarter-finals have to serve an automatic one-match ban. All are wiped after the semis so we won’t see any “have a word” warnings should a player’s chin starts to quiver if they’re cautioned in the last four. That’s a better rule. We don’t top stars to miss the final.
In the preamble, I wrote: “One of France, Spain, England, Norway, Argentina or Switzerland will win the World Cup. Did anyone predict that when this tournament started?”
Well, apparently they did. In a show of tipping not seen since Paul the Octopus in his pomp, Richard O’Sullivan emails to say: “Last 6 teams – I had them in my bracketology!”
Norway getting past Brazil and Switzerland seeing off Colombia weren’t obvious calls so fair play!
Matt Hughes
An exclusive from Matt Hughes. Quite the bonus in store if England pull this off.
England team news
Marc Guéhi, Declan Rice and Reece James should be available for England’s World Cup quarter-final with Norway. The trio all took part in training on Friday evening.
Guéhi has been managing a hamstring problem since the win over Mexico but is hopeful of starting in central defence. His place could be taken by Dan Burn if there are any late concerns.
James has missed the last three games with a tweaked hamstring but could be on the bench, while Rice should start in midfield despite feeling unwell this week. Jordan Henderson is out with a fractured wrist.
England boss Thomas Tuchel said: “We had everyone available in training, which we of course like. We have the full choice except for our suspended player Jarell Quansah, so that’s the good news.”
Quansah was given a two-match ban following his red card against Mexico as it was deemed “serious foul play” under FIFA’s disciplinary code. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was given a straight red following a VAR review of his challenge on Jesus Gallardo during the second half at the Azteca.
What a day of sport! With content-stacking and spoiler-avoiding, Emma John reckons that a fan with the right subscriptions can expect to enjoy 13 uninterrupted hours on the sofa on Saturday.
And, don’t forget, you can follow it all here with us!
In Barney Ronay’s latest dispatch from America, he says David Beckham is everywhere at this World Cup.
“Beckham stands alone among Brits who have cracked America. He has done this by basically doing nothing. This isn’t the Beatles selling back rock and roll, or JK Rowling writing books. He is just incredibly good at being famous. And something in this meets an apparently insatiable need.”
The brilliant Cold War Steve is back with the latest of his special World Cup 2026-themed collages. Look closely!
More from Thomas Tuchel. Seize the day is his message.
“We need to connect to our identity, connect to what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be brave. It’s the quarter-final and the brave will have the luck on their side. We cannot have any regrets when we play a quarter-final. We have to go for it. This is the most important thing.”
A reminder of kick-off times for the two remaining quarter-finals which take place this evening/tomorrow morning depending where you are.
⚽️ England v Norway: 5pm EDT/10pm BST/7am AEST
⚽️ Argentina v Switzerland: 8pm local time/2am BST/11am AEST
Emma Hayes says England need to be wary of Norway’s collective strength and unity rather than just focus on you know who.
The end of Belgium’s golden generation? Jeff Rueter thinks so and most would agree.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says he has “high expectations” for the semi-final showdown with France. So do we, Luis. Here’s Jeff Rueter with post-match quotes from De La Fuente and Belgian boss Rudi Garcia.
Here’s David Hytner’s latest report from the England camp. Thomas Tuchel has plenty of history with Erling Haaland.
Kane confirms he played golf with Trump
Ahead of England v Norway, let’s tee off with this. England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he once played golf with U.S. President Donald Trump, describing the experience as “surreal” and praising the president’s game.
Trump told reporters earlier this week that he had played golf with Kane, calling the England striker a great player and a good golfer.
Speaking on Friday on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against Norway, Kane confirmed the round took place in Palm Beach, Florida, about 18 months ago.
“I played all right, to be honest,” Kane told reporters in Miami. “He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach. So yeah, when the president invites you somewhere...
“It was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him. His golf is pretty good, to be honest,” Kane added. “I hope I can play as well as him when I’m his age. So yeah, unique experience and I was just grateful he invited me down to play.“
Trump had complimented the Bayern Munich forward on his Truth Social platform following England’s 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico, writing: “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!“ The following day, Trump revealed the pair had played golf together.
“I think Kane is a great player,” Trump said. “I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer. He’s really great.”
(Reuters)
Let’s start with Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium. Sid Lowe was in Los Angeles as Mikel Merino popped up with another late winner.
Preamble
One of France, Spain, England, Norway, Argentina or Switzerland will win the World Cup. Did anyone predict that when this tournament started (counts on fingers but gives up) many moons ago? That seems quite exciting for the half-dozen teams left in when it’s written down like that and this time tomorrow six will have been whittled down to four. Blimey.
The action starts tonight with the much-awaited showdown between Harry Kane’s England and Erling Haaland’s Norway in Miami before holders Argentina take on Switzerland in Kansas City. Build-up to those games and reaction to last night’s victory for Spain over Belgium starts right here. It’s fair to say we’re firmly at the business end. Let’s go!
