Sports
Roy Keane Rules England Out of World Cup Contention
Roy Keane has cast doubt over England’s chances of bringing football home this summer, just weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.
The Irishman has stated there are three countries better placed to lift the biggest prize in world football in the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament. Thomas Tuchel caused a major stir with some of the selections he made in his 26-man squad, and Keane has identified a clear ‘weakness’.
5 Years Later, Roy Keane’s ‘Cheerleader’ Comment About England Star Rings True
Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad has caused a lot of debate… but we already know Roy Keane’s feelings about one England star.
The Three Lions will face Ghana, Panama and Croatia in the group stage, and are among the favourites to win the whole tournament. However, the former Manchester United captain is far from convinced.
Roy Keane Names His Three World Cup Favourites
Keane will be part of ITV’s team of pundits covering the 2026 World Cup this summer. Ahead of a busy schedule, the 54-year-old has given his honest prediction when asked who he thinks can go all the way.
Snubbing England, he first put France forward, saying: “The French, that squad’s fantastic.” Keane then suggested reigning European champions, Spain, are also leading contenders. He continued:
“Spanish, with the conditions over there, the way they look after the ball and how brilliant they were at the Euros, if they can back that up, which I’m sure they can.”
“I’m going to throw Argentina in there as well, obviously, one of the South Americans will always turn up,” he concluded. Lionel Messi will be looking to retain the trophy he spent his whole career pursuing, and Keane believes the South Americans are in with a good chance.
Keane ‘Worried About England’ at the World Cup
There’s one area of the pitch where Keane believes the Three Lions will struggle against other major nations. That being the backline. Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold were the notable defensive absentees when Tuchel announced his squad in May.
“I’m worried about England defensively,” Keane told The Sun. He even thinks that will be what ‘holds England back’ in the knockout stages. He said:
“I can’t shake that off. I just think defensively, in the knockout stages against a top nation, that’s what could hold England back.”
Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Reece James appear to be the strongest contenders to start in Tuchel’s backline when all fit. Despite his reservations about the defensive side of the game, Keane did admit Harry Kane could be key at the other end of the pitch.
“They obviously have a brilliant player in Kane. I think when you’ve got Kane, you are always in with a chance, but I think defensively they might come up short,” he explained. That’s a lot of pressure on the 2026 Ballon d’Or contender’s shoulders this summer.
Sports
Rangers Transfer for Couhaib Driouech Collapses After Failed Medical
Rangers have suffered a major transfer blow on Friday morning after their move to sign Couhaib Driouech collapsed following the player’s medical.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been looking to add to his squad following a disappointing start to the season, which has seen them take only one point from their opening Scottish Premiership matches and get knocked out of the Europa League at the qualifying stage by Jagiellonia Białystok.
The Glasgow giants had agreed a deal to sign PSV winger Driouech, who had travelled to Scotland to undergo a medical, but the club has now pulled out of a deal following issues flagged up in his medical.
The agreement with the Dutch club was worth £6.5m, with the winger due to sign a four-year deal at Ibrox, but now Gers will have to look elsewhere after pulling the plug on the deal as McInnes looks to add more flair and quality to his attack.
Driouech was even present at the game on Thursday night as Rangers were eliminated from the Europa League following their 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia Białystok.
But McInnes has decided he can’t afford to have a player not available immediately, especially after a disappointing beginning to his reign, according to Rangers Review.
The former Hearts boss suggested post-match that his team aren’t ready to compete in the Europa League this season.
He said: “I do think we’re lacking a cutting edge.
“Obviously, losing Youssef doesn’t help matters. We are looking at a No.9 position as well in terms of trying to get somebody in.
It’s clear, I’ve been saying since we came in, we’d like to try and get good wingers to the club to try and bring that creativity.
“Because I think a club like Rangers, a team like Rangers, certainly my team, is something that we’d like to try and address.”
Rangers Advancing on Two Other Transfers
While there has been disappointment over a move for Driouech, Rangers are advancing on two other deals to boost McInnes’ squad.
Rangers Review add that Rangers are closing in on a deal to bring AEK Athens full-back James Penrice back to Scotland, with GMS sources confirming that it will be a loan deal with a €2m buy option for the 27-year-old.
The Scot will provide cover following an injury issue suffered by Tuur Rommens, while the Ibrox outfit are also closing in on an agreement to find a replacement for another injured player in Youssef Chermiti.
Rangers are also advancing on a deal to sign Kevin Kelsy, who plays for the Portland Timbers and the Venezuela national team.
They are said to have submitted an offer worth around £7.5m for the 6ft 4in centre-forward, who looks to be an ideal profile to replace Chermiti.
|
Kevin Kelsy for Portland Timbers |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
61 |
|
Goals |
19 |
|
Assists |
5 |
Sports
Arsenal In Talks to Sign Bayer Leverkusen and England Star Jarrel Quansah
Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal to sign England defender Jarrel Quansah.
The Gunners are keen to bolster their defensive options this summer after losing William Saliba to a back injury, with the France star unlikely to return before the end of the year. Arteta has already added Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, and Bruno Guimaraes to his Premier League-winning squad, but a defender is now believed to be among his top priorities.
The club have been in talks with Aston Villa over a move to sign Ezri Konsa, with an initial offer rejected earlier in the window, but it now seems that they are looking at alternative options too.
According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are in talks with Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen over a deal for Konsa’s England teammate Quansah to come to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
The defender, who can play at right-back or centre-back, only moved to Germany last summer from Liverpool in a deal worth £35m. The Anfield club retain a buy-back option in the deal, but GIVEMESPORT sources understand they have no intention of triggering it at this stage.
Speaking live on air, host Peter Graves revealed the details behind the Gunners’ interest in Quansah.
“Some exclusive transfer news just reaching us, Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible deal for England defender Jarrel Quansah,” he said.
“Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his defensive options and sees Quansah as a good addition with his versatility in both centre-back and right-back positions.”
The 23-year-old, who has been described as ‘incredible’, enjoyed a fine debut season in the Bundesliga, making 39 appearances across the league and Champions League, which earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. He started three games in the tournament, but most notably was sent off against Mexico for a lunge.
|
Jarrel Quansah Bundesliga Stats 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
25(3) |
|
Minutes |
2302 |
|
Tackles (per 90) |
1 |
|
Interceptions (per 90) |
1 |
|
Clearances (per 90) |
3.2 |
|
Blocks (per 90) |
0.5 |
Tuchel Loves Quansah
Having come through the academy at Liverpool, Quansah has developed into a bona fide first-team player at Leverkusen and England, appearing regularly in squads under Tuchel.
The England boss even had him above Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while he has played centrally on occasion too. Speaking prior to the World Cup, Tuchel explained why he’s such a fan of the 23-year-old.
“I have a lot of trust in Jarell. I see his talent, but I see the package.
He is tall, he is fast, he is strong in build-up. He is strong in the air. I saw him very strong playing for Liverpool in this position [right-back]. So I always wanted to try.
“And he plays every minute for [Bayer] Leverkusen since the Under-21 Euros. So he is at the moment a tiny bit ahead [of Alexander-Arnold].”
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 14/08/2026.
Sports
Bryson DeChambeau’s Honest Verdict on Donald Trump’s Golfing Ability
Donald Trump is not exactly renowned for underselling himself. Whether it is his business, politics, or ability with a club in his hands, the 47th President of the United States is always number one – in his eyes anyway.
Golf, in particular, has become something of a specialty for Trump. Just last week, he claimed to have posted a two-under 70 to win the Senior and Super Senior Men’s Club Championship at his Bedminster golf course in New Jersey. According to the president, this is the 43rd Club Championship he has won across his collection of golf courses.
His response to his emphatic win?
“It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t!”
Any chance at subduing his ego, however, was squashed as world No. 34 and two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau pandered to the 80-year-old’s vanity after they played a round together a couple of years ago.
Bryson DeChambeau Analyses Donald Trump’s Golfing Ability
The American golfer spoke highly of Trump, calling him a “great golfer and even better human being.” He also insisted that the American people are ‘so lucky to have him as the President of the United States.’
The pair have formed a close bond over the past few years, with Trump even going so far as to name DeChambeau the chair of the Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
Back in 2024, after playing several rounds of golf together, the LIV Golf star was extremely complimentary of the president’s game, even going so far as suggesting there were parts of it where Trump was better than him.
“Man, his iron play was great,” DeChambeau said.
“I can’t tell you the number of times he stuffed it on the green within 30 feet. His driver swing is the most repeatable thing I have ever seen. I wish mine was that repeatable. Really, I do.“
Perhaps Trump has finally found the one arena in which repetition is considered a virtue.
DeChambeau is not the only golfing icon to have these opinions either.
Jack Nicklaus Praises Donald Trump’s Golf Game
Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers to ever grace the course, described Trump as the best president he ever played against.
“Well, the ones I’ve played with, actually Trump is probably the best player,” Nicklaus said.
“Trump plays pretty well. He plays a little bit like I do. He doesn’t really ever finish many holes. But he can hit the ball, and he goes out and plays and just enjoys it. But he’s won several club championships. He can play.”
This, however, must be taken with a pinch of salt. The 18-time Major winner wrote in 2020: “You might not like the way our president says or tweets some things – and trust me, I have told him that! – but I have learned to look past that and focus on what he’s tried to accomplish.
“This is not a personality contest; it’s about patriotism, policies, and the people they impact. His love for America and its citizens, and putting his country first, has come through loud and clear. How he has said it has not been important to me. What has been important are his actions.”
Trump may have many doubters when it comes to his ability as a president and his all-round brain coherence, but according to Nicklaus and DeChambeau, we may have been wrong to doubt his ability on the golf course.
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