World Cup 2026: France v Spain semi-final buildup; Atlanta police step up security for England v Argentina – live
World Cup 2026: Semi-Final Preview and Live Updates
World Cup 2026 - The expanded 48-team tournament has reached its dramatic conclusion, with all four remaining nations carrying the weight of past glory. For only the third occasion in football history, every semi-finalist has previously lifted the trophy. The previous instances occurred in 1970, featuring Brazil, Italy, West Germany, and Uruguay, and again in 1990 when West Germany, Argentina, Italy, and England reached the final four. This year's quartet—Argentina, France, Spain, and England—have collectively secured seven World Cup victories throughout their histories.
Three of the last four editions have been claimed by teams still competing: Spain triumphed in 2010, France won in 2018, and Argentina claimed the title in 2022. The final week of this tournament belongs entirely to the established powers, despite the novelty introduced by the expanded format.
Nottingham Forest's Glasner Emphasizes Daily Progress
Oliver Glasner recently addressed Nottingham Forest supporters through the club's official website, offering a refreshing perspective for those who believe managing a Premier League side operates like a video game. The manager revealed that automatic success does not exist in football.
For me it is very important that it is exciting and challenging. I really believe that us all together – the staff, the players, the fans, the leadership of the club – we can be really competitive in the Premier League which makes me excited.
Glasner emphasized that there is no single action that triggers immediate competitiveness. Instead, progress comes through consistent daily effort over the coming weeks. He expressed confidence in the people involved with the project, noting that even the finest facilities mean nothing without the right individuals.
There is no button to press that automatically makes it happen. It is a daily thing that will take progress over the coming weeks, which is what we have started.
The manager described his role as more than employment—it is his life. He praised Forest as a traditional institution with passionate supporters and an ambitious ownership group eager to advance. Finding the optimal way to collaborate remains the priority moving forward.
Manchester City Target Bouaddi
Manchester City are preparing a substantial offer for Lille's 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The proposed fee stands at €100 million, equivalent to approximately £85 million. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, City view the French-born player as a significant long-term investment. Bouaddi's performances for Morocco during the World Cup have attracted considerable attention from multiple clubs.
Political Parallels and Match Analysis
Opta recently released a humorous statistic suggesting England's win ratio under Keir Starmer surpasses that of any other prime minister. The observation proved particularly amusing given its apparent irrelevance to football. The comparison naturally raised questions about Liz Truss's brief tenure, which yielded a 0% win rate across just two matches—a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Milan and a 3-3 draw against Germany at home.
With England facing Argentina tomorrow, such reflections provide welcome distraction from defensive concerns. Kane's Ballon d'Or prospects will also be influenced by England's World Cup performance following an exceptional club season.
Semi-Final Coverage and Additional News
Revenge motivates the France versus Spain encounter. Meanwhile, the BBC—previously criticized for broadcasting from Salford rather than America—will relocate coverage for the semi-finals. Jonathan Wilson continues his insightful commentary, highlighting Argentina's "accidental" manager and his ability to extract peak performances from Messi.
Elsewhere, Liverpool's new manager Andoni Iraola addressed the media for the first time since his appointment. Social media also captured the enthusiastic reception for Norway's team during their homecoming celebrations. David Squires has prepared another cartoon for those seeking light relief.
The people are what is most important and that is what gives me a lot of confidence for this project. I have met great people – you can have the best stadium, the best training ground, but if you don't have the right people, it doesn't work.