Lewis Hamilton gave a surprising response after being asked if he would be supporting England at the 2026 World Cup which gets underway on Thursday.

The 41-year-old, who is a lifelong football fan, has already enjoyed success this year after his beloved Arsenal won their first Premier League title in more than 20 years last month.

Thomas Tuchel’s men have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Their campaign gets underway on the 17th of June when they face Croatia in Arlington, Texas.

However, Hamilton, knighted in 2021, won’t be completely behind the Three Lions.

Lewis Hamilton Favours One Team Over England at the 2026 World Cup

Quizzed about his allegiances ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted that he would be supporting two teams at the tournament, stating:

“For me, it’s tied with England. Honestly, Brazil has always been my favourite team. Growing up in England, I used to love watching Brazil play. I think it’s the colours, the culture, and the players just looked the most skilled; they were so cool.

“I just appreciate where they come from. Many of the players come from the streets where they played with no shoes, and there’s something quite special about Brazilian culture.”

Alongside Hamilton’s love for the Brazilian national team, when he was growing up, the future champion idolised Brazilian Formula One legend and three-time world champion, Ayrton Senna, who tragically lost his life in a fatal crash in the 1994 season.

Hamilton paid tribute to Senna as he waved the Brazilian flag in the air from his cockpit following his incredible victory at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. Prior to that tribute, Hamilton received a race-worn Ayrton Senna helmet as a gift from the Senna family.

In 2022, the now 41-year-old received honorary citizenship of Brazil, strengthening his love and connection with the country.

England’s Poor Record Against Brazil

Predicting how the World Cup is going to play out is very difficult due to the unpredictable, surprising nature of football, but we could potentially see England take on Brazil at some point during the month-long extravaganza.

England have never defeated the Brazilian national team at a major tournament, with the last encounter between the two sides coming at the 2002 World Cup when Ronaldinho chipped David Seaman from a free kick and sent England home at the quarter-final stages.

The Three Lions have a poor record against Brazil throughout history, with only four wins from a possible twenty-seven, so if the two sides do clash in America, history suggests that the South American side will be victorious.

Newcastle’s midfield stalwart Sandro Tonali is a player in demand, but it seems that Manchester United have emerged as the favourites to sign the Italian this summer.

Tonali has been one of the most consistent midfield performers in the Premier League since arriving on Tyneside in 2023. Newcastle splashed out €70million on the then 23-year-old, making him the most expensive Italian player of all time. Despite a controversial betting suspension in 2024, Tonali has managed to attract a number of high-profile suitors, with United, Man City, and Arsenal reportedly in pursuit of his signature.

United want to sign at least two midfielders this summer and they have already shown their intent by agreeing a £38million deal for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfield maestro Ederson.

Tonali a Top Transfer Target for Man United, Man City, and Arsenal

Tonali has long been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer, with United one of the front-runners to sign him and he has been earmarked as a top transfer target by new permanent boss Michael Carrick and INEOS, with a report from Caught Offside suggesting United are preparing an offer between £70million and £80million.

Elliot Anderson has been United’s number one priority this summer, but they face competition from Manchester City, who are confident of sealing a deal for the Nottingham Forest man, despite having seen an initial bid rejected.

But City, and Arsenal, could also make a late move for Tonali, too. Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Tonali in the January transfer window, and may go back in for the Italian this summer. Keen to build on their Premier League success, they will also be hoping to go one better in the Champions League after narrowly losing the final to Paris Saint-Germain. Tonali would no doubt form a formidable trio with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi or Martin Odegaard , but the Italian’s versatility would also provide great rotational cover throughout the season.

An exit for Tonali looks to be dependent upon a significant offer. Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and the Magpies have still yet to plug the attacking void created by Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool last summer. The departure of Tonali would leave Eddie Howe with a substantial summer rebuild on his hands. Recognising the damage this latest exit would wreak on their squad, Newcastle have reportedly valued Tonali at £100million.

Tonali gets the Paul Scholes Seal of Approval

And with United reportedly the favourites to land the industrious Italian, they already have the approval of one of the club’s greatest ever midfielders. Speaking on The Overlap last year, Paul Scholes was given the difficult task of picking the best midfielder in the Premier League at the time. The Man United legend eventually settled on the Newcastle star. “I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point,” said Scholes.

“Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice, but I think he’s better than Rice. I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything. Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.

“He can do everything, but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali, but they’re both good players.”

“I was trying to think of a player, Tonali, especially. He can run. I think he’s been brilliant. Guimaraes as well. Very good. I’d probably choose Tonali at this point.”

At 26, Tonali is entering into the peak years of his career. Newcastle slipped to a 12th place finish this year, failing to secure European football. Like Gordon and Isak before him, surely the lure of European football with either United, City, or Arsenal will prove tempting to the Italian.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is already making moves in the summer transfer window, with Andy Robertson arriving at the club on a free transfer from Liverpool.

A number of other players have been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and one could be Como midfielder Martin Baturina.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio, two Premier League sides have made approaches to Como to sign the 23-year-old, with offers between €50million (£43million) and €55million (£47million) prepared. Di Marzio does not name the Premier League sides who are preparing to make an official bid, but confirmed that Como have slapped an €80million (£69million) price tag on his shoulder. Tottenham have been named elsewhere as potential suitors for his signature.

Baturina to add bite to Tottenham’s toothless midfield

Spurs have endured a pair of dreadful Premier League campaigns, finishing 17th in the past two seasons. Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, securing their Premier League status for 2026/27 on the final day of the season at the expense of London rivals West Ham.

One area that contributed heavily to Tottenham’s struggles this season was a midfield sorely lacking creativity. Long-term injuries to both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski rid Spurs of much of their attacking steel, with the pair contributing 27 goal contributions during the 2024/25 league campaign.

Baturina, who turned 23 in February, has enjoyed a fruitful season in Cesc Fabregas‘ Como side. The Croatian international scored six times and assisted a further three in 29 Serie A appearances, helping Como to achieve an incredible fourth place finish and qualification for their first ever Champions League campaign.

Nothing but praise from Cesc Fabregas and Zlatko Dalić

Upon signing for Como last summer, Fabregas was quick to praise his intelligence and adaptability in midfield. “Martin is a player of immense quality. He’s intelligent on the ball, strong in duels, and has the personality to make things happen in key moments. He fits exactly the kind of football we’re building here.”

Baturina’s ability to contribute both going forward and defensively would clearly be of huge benefit to De Zerbi. As well as faltering in front of goal, Tottenham often failed to keep their opponents out. With 57 goals conceded, they had the fourth-worst defence in the Premier League last season, with their record only better than the three relegated teams.

The midfield prospect’s impressive form has also caught the eye of the Croatia manager, Zlatko Dalić. Following the side’s recent defeat against Belgium ahead of the World Cup, Dalić singled out Baturina as a real standout during the friendly. “He was very good, very committed and in excellent form. He was probably our most dangerous player in attack tonight.”

Baturina perfect for De Zerbi’s midfield rebuild

The 23-year-old remains a promising player with plenty of room to grow, and crucially, one that matches the profile of Tottenham’s recruitment strategy and market pull. Following two disappointing campaigns, Spurs have lost much of their ability to compete with Europe’s biggest teams for established talent.

But with De Zerbi at the helm, Baturina presents an affordable option who is both a first-team option today and an investment for the future. With proven quality in Serie A under the tutelage of Fabregas, who is similar in style to De Zerbi, Baturina will likely prove well suited to Tottenham’s midfield blueprint.