One of England’s players proved he must start at the 2026 World Cup after putting in an electric performance against Costa Rica.

The Three Lions played their final match ahead of this summer’s tournament on Wednesday as they took on the CONCACAF outfit at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Thomas Tuchel fielded a very strong XI for the match against Fernando Batista’s side, with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham all starting from the outset.

England were expected to blow their opponents away and that’s exactly what they did as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Rice got the Three Lions off to a flyer as he found the net after just nine minutes. Anthony Gordon doubled his side’s lead in the 68th minute as he netted from the penalty spot, before Ollie Watkins scored the game’s final goal with three minutes remaining.

England Star Excels Against Costa Rica

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

While some players, including Noni Madueke, flattered to deceive in Orlando, others put in impressive displays.

Tuchel has a number of decisions to make for this summer’s tournament, including who should start at left-wing. Marcus Rashford and Gordon have been the two players vying for the spot on the left of England’s three-pronged attack.

While Rashford started in England’s match against New Zealand on June 6, it was Gordon who was given the nod from the outset against Costa Rica.

And the 25-year-old, who completed a £69.3 million move from Newcastle to Barcelona this summer, took his opportunity with both hands.

Gordon put in a terrific display as he terrorised the opposition defence throughout. He set up Rice’s opener with a superb piece of wing-play, getting past his man and then pulling the ball back for the Arsenal midfielder to sweep home.

He impressed again when he thought he had won a penalty for his side, only for VAR to needlessly get involved and overturn the decision.

When England were given a spot-kick, Gordon stepped up and dispatched his effort with aplomb, capping off what was a superb display from the former Newcastle winger.

Gordon was given the Player of the Match award in recognition of his display. SofaScore also gave him a rating of 8.5/10, the highest of any player on the pitch.

Gordon’s performance, as well as Rashford’s struggles against New Zealand and when he came on against Costa Rica, means it must be the former who starts against Croatia on June 17.

The former Newcastle winger is simply in much better form than Rashford. His willingness to run in behind, something that is very much needed with Kane at his best when he drops deep, as well as his energy and ability to get up and down the field, means he would be the much better option to start.

That’s not to say Rashford can’t have an impact off the bench and replace Gordon if he is struggling, though. Rashford may actually be better suited to being a super-sub against tired legs.

Roy Keane: Gordon Will Start Over Rashford

Speaking after England’s victory, Roy Keane thinks it will be Gordon who starts alongside Kane against Croatia on June 17.

He said: “I think Thomas Tuchel will be pleased. There was more intensity tonight in terms of the opposition. A good urgency from England that I enjoyed. You want players to give you a headache.

“A dream scenario for the manager. The players driving each other on.”

England are looking to end their 60-year trophy drought and become world champions for a second time this summer. They are the third favourites to lift the trophy on July 19.

FIFA have forced one nation competing at the 2026 World Cup finals to change their kit design hours before the tournament gets underway.

Mexico and South Africa kick-off the showpiece international tournament on Thursday (8pm BST). FIFA president Gianni Infantino caused another stir on Wednesday during his pre-tournament press conference, urging reporters to “chill” and “relax” after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States.

The 2026 World Cup – co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada – has attracted various negative headlines for matters off the field in the days leading up to the tournament.

As well as the ongoing issue over Artan, who received a hero’s welcome on his return to his home country, there’s also been backlash over the treatment of Iran’s national football team, the ‘scandalous’ cost of drinks at one stadium, and how US security reportedly dealt with the Senegal and Uzbekistan national teams following their arrivals.

Meanwhile, Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was held and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after arriving with the squad.

2026 World Cup Nation’s Kit Banned

Troy Taormina via IMAGN

Now, just days before their opening World Cup match against Scotland this weekend (Sunday, 2am BST), Haiti have been instructed by world football’s governing body to change their kit design.

The Haiti shirt design, depicting a war scene, fails to comply with FIFA rules and has effectively been banned.

The jersey features an illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the country’s flag. The shirt was worn in both of Haiti’s World Cup warm-up friendlies against New Zealand and Peru.

Per BBC Sport, FIFA’s equipment regulations prohibit the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on kit.

Colombian manufacturer Saeta said in a statement that its original design “was a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future” and “was not intended as a political statement”. It added:

Investigative Journalist Reacts to FIFA Decision

Benoit Tessier via Reuters

In response to the decision, French investigative journalist Romain Molina described FIFA’s stance as “double standards” on X (Twitter), adding: “On the occasion of the most politicised World Cup in history, where a Somali referee and an Iraqi photographer were turned away by one of the host countries for political reasons (in total contradiction to the signed contracts), FIFA imposed on Saeta, the kit supplier for the Haitian national team, to modify the jersey that had been made due to its political nature.

“At issue: a representation of the Battle of Vertieres (November 1803), which marked the culmination of the Haitian Revolution and the proclamation of independence a few weeks later (January 1, 1804) of the world’s first Black republic.

“A symbol of national pride, this battle was chosen by Saeta as a tribute to those men and women who enabled the emancipation of a country raising its flag toward the sky.

Haiti, competing in their first World Cup campaign in 52 years, face Brazil and Morocco in their other two Group C fixtures.

The Caribbean nation last qualified for the World Cup back in 1974. In what was their only previous appearance at the tournament, Haiti lost all three group matches, conceding 14 goals in the process.

Liverpool have already lost some key players from their dressing room this summer, and Alexis Mac Allister could be joining them through the exit door, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Just 12 months on from winning the Premier League title, Liverpool look set for a summer of wholesale changes, which has started with a switch in the dugout.

The Reds opted to appoint Andoni Iraola following the sacking of Arne Slot, impressed by how the Spaniard performed at Bournemouth, leading them to the Europa League this season.

The Merseyside outfit are already confirmed to be losing Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah this summer, with the former duo leaving Anfield on the expiry of contracts.

Make no doubt about it, those are three top players and big personalities in the dressing room, and Iraola will need to work out how to replace three players who were key to the Premier League title success in the 2024-25 campaign.

The trio may not be the last high-profile exits from Liverpool this summer, with Romano hinting that there is a chance that Mac Allister joins them.

Romano: Mac Allister Leaving Liverpool ‘Could be a Topic’

via Reuters

Liverpool had a number of players who underwhelmed this season compared to the 2024-25 season, and £55m man Mac Allister was undoubtedly one of them.

Dominik Szoboszlai often showed him up with his consistent performances, with the ‘world-class’ Argentine and Ryan Gravenberch often a shadow of the players that were so impressive in the title win.

Now, according to Romano, speaking in his latest YouTube video on Wednesday night, Mac Allister could leave Anfield if Liverpool and the player receive a proposal that is attractive, as clubs begin to circle.

The journalist said: “I wanted to mention another name, because there are some clubs starting to look at the situation of Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool.

“Mac Allister’s situation could be interesting this summer. In case of good proposals for Liverpool, for the player, I will not exclude changes in midfield for Liverpool.

“This obviously doesn’t mean that McAllister is 100 percent leaving. This doesn’t mean that McAllister is out of the Liverpool project. I’m not saying this. I’m saying that in case of a good proposal for the club and for the player, the situation of McAllister could eventually develop during the summer transfer win.

“So, I’m telling you today, this could be a topic. It’s not guaranteed, it’s not close, it’s not advanced, but could be a topic.”

Liverpool Eyeing Adam Wharton Move

via Reuters

If Liverpool do sell Mac Allister this summer, then Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton might be the ideal replacement for the World Cup winner.

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, the Reds really appreciate the England international, who didn’t make Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the North American World Cup.

Wharton isn’t the only player on Iraola’s shortlist currently, with Liverpool working on a deal to bring RB Leizpig wing sensation Yan Diomande to Anfield.

The Merseysiders are making progress on player side as they look to land their ideal Salah successor, but the Bundesliga outfit are demanding a huge fee to let him leave.