Sports

England Told to Ditch ‘God Save the King’ Before Matches

Published

2 months ago

June 23, 2026

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The 2026 World Cup has brought national anthems into the spotlight as the pre-game routine has seen everyone get involved in belting out their country’s chosen tune.

Each player and nation have different preferences when it comes to their national anthem. For example, Spain players no longer sing their anthem as the lyrics have been removed. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo stands sideways while singing his nation’s song.

England players stand together and sing the words to ‘God Save the King’ before matches. While the song about the Royal Family technically isn’t the ‘national anthem’, it’s effectively treated as one. But that doesn’t mean it’s popular.

Three Lions Urged Into Pre-Match Anthem Change

In fact, a poll carried out by Express Sport has suggested the majority of English supporters would rather not be subjected to the anthem before they watch their country play. When asked to vote on whether ‘God Save the King’ should be replaced, a staggering 55% believe it should.

Out of the 4,000 voters, 1,902 were in the camp that believed the tune shouldn’t be scrapped, with the remainder wanting change. Of those who are in favour of replacing the pre-match song, 15% think it should be substituted for ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.

Another 40% chose ‘Jerusalem’ by Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Edward Elgar. However, the majority (44%) went for a song written in 1901 and used at the Commonwealth Games until 2010. That is, of course, ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’.

So there’s a fairly even split between the potential replacements, but most people appear to want to see the back of the current anthem. Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, wants Oasis’ Wonderwall to be his team’s post-match song.

Why Thomas Tuchel Doesn’t Sing the National Anthem

Tuchel is unlike those asking for change, as the German boss has already labelled it ‘a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem’. Speaking in March 2025, he stated:

“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team.”

But you won’t catch Tuchel belting out the anthem before England matches, for the time being at least. Instead, the ex-Chelsea boss feels he should earn that right.

Lyrics to All England Songs and Chants (Complete Guide)

England have a long list of songs and chants, all of which will be sung at major tournaments. Check out our guide for the complete songbook.

When asked why he doesn’t join in, he said: “It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful, the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”

Sports

2026-27 Premier League Top 20 Goalscorers Predicted by AI

Published

15 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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The 2026-27 Premier League season is close to getting underway and the race for the Golden Boot award promises to be as competitive as ever.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland secured his third Premier League Golden Boot last season after netting 27 goals. The prolific Norwegian striker fended off competition from Brentford’s Igor Thiago (22 goals) to win the coveted individual accolade for the third time.

Now Pep Guardiola has left Man City, can Haaland win the Golden Boot for the fourth time, or will someone else finish top the charts instead?

Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, a four-time Golden Boot winner, has now departed the Premier League, meaning Haaland’s run could even more straightforward this term.

ChatGPT has crunched the numbers and revealed how the Premier League top scorer charts may look at the end of the upcoming season. Let’s take a closer look…

20. Callum Wilson (Brentford). Predicted Goals: 10

Callum Wilson has signed a one-year deal with Brentford after leaving relegated West Ham and will provide competition for Igor Thiago upfront. The former England international turns 35 in February and 10 goals would be a very solid return.

19. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 10

Far more was expected of Florian Wirtz during his debut campaign at Liverpool, but the German playmaker will be determined to justify his enormous £116 million transfer fee during his second season at Anfield.

18. Jeremy Doku (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 10

One of the world’s best wingers on his day, Jeremy Doku scored five Premier League goals for Manchester City last term. ChatGPT has backed the Belgian to double his tally this season.

17. Danny Welbeck (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 10

Danny Welbeck secured an unexpected move to Chelsea this summer and has been tipped to deliver 10 Premier League goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge. The 35-year-old netted 13 league goals for Brighton last term.

16. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United). Predicted Goals: 11

Dominic Calvert-Lewin enjoyed an impressive first season with Leeds United, scoring 14 goals in 35 appearances. The England international has been backed to hit double figures again in 2026-27.

15. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 12

Rayan Cherki in action for Manchester City

AI believes Rayan Cherki could finish the season with 18 Premier League goals this term if the French forward starts every week for Manchester City. However, the final figure stands at 12 predicted goals, due to the fact he’ll continue to face stiff competition for a starting berth.

14. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 12

Dominik Szoboszlai hasn’t come close to registering double figures for Premier League goals in a single season to date. The Hungarian scored three in his first season, six in his second, and six in his third. The free-kick maestro is backed to double that tally this year.

13. Morgan Rogers (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 13

Morgan Rogers will be under pressure to hit the ground running at Chelsea following his £117 million transfer from Aston Villa, which made him the most expensive British player ever. The England international bagged 10 Premier League goals last time out.

12. Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United). Predicted Goals: 14

Manchester United fans saw glimpses of Benjamin Sesko at his best last season but more will be expected from the 23-year-old striker during the 2026-27 campaign. The Slovenian, who registered 11 league goals in 2025-26, has all the attributes required to become an elite Premier League centre-forward.

11. Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 14

Considering Hugo Ekitike won’t be back in action until November at the earliest, a 14-goal return feels very optimistic. The France international impressed during his debut campaign in England, scoring 11 goals in 28 games.

10. Cole Palmer (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 14

Cole Palmer’s performance levels dipped last season but new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will be desperate to get the most out of the gifted England international. Palmer netted 22 Premier League goals in 2023-24 but has been tipped to register 14 this season.

9. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Predicted Goals: 15

Bruno Fernandes has only ever scored 15 or more goals in one of his seven seasons at Manchester United. That was during the 2020-21 campaign, when he hit the net 18 times. The 31-year-old was more focused on setting up his teammates last term, breaking the record for most assists in a single Premier League season (21).

8. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). Predicted Goals: 16

The Premier League goals have dried up a little for Bukayo Saka in the past two seasons, but ChatGPT believes the Arsenal winger can net 16 this year – which would equal his best return, set during the 2023-24 campaign.

7. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). Predicted Goals: 16

Ollie Watkins has scored 16 Premier League goals in his last two season with Aston Villa and is backed to make it three years on the bounce with the same tally.

6. Joao Pedro (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 17

Joao Pedro was unfortunate to miss out on a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad after scoring 15 Premier League goals for Chelsea. The South American is on course to end his second season with the Blues on 17 goals, according to ChatGPT.

5. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal). Predicted Goals: 18

Viktor Gyokeres scored 14 goals in 36 Premier League appearances during his first season at Arsenal – a solid enough return, but many fans thought he’d be cracking the 20-mark. ChatGPT reckons the Sweden international will get closer to that tally this season.

4. Igor Thiago (Brentford). Predicted Goals: 19

Brentford's Igor Thiago — Brentford’s Igor Thiago

Scoring 22 goals for Brentford last season was a stunning achievement. Nineteen goals would still be an excellent return for Brazil international Igor Thiago.

3. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 20

Antoine Semenyo scored a combined 17 Premier League goals for Bournemouth and Manchester City last season. He’s looked impressive in pre-season and is tipped to hit 20 goals in his first full campaign at the Etihad Stadium.

2. Alexander Isak (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 24

A combination of injuries and poor form meant Alexander Isak only managed to score three goals in 14 Premier League appearances last term following his £125 million move from Newcastle United. The Sweden international will be determined to prove he *was* worth the money as he begins his second term at Anfield.

1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 28

It’s that man again. It would be a huge shock if Haaland isn’t in serious contention for the 2026-27 Premier League Golden Boot award come the final months of the season. He’s arguably the best in the business right now and is clearly the safe bet for anyone tempted to have a flutter.

Sports

After McNeil: Crystal Palace Agree Deal to Sign Anan Khalaili

Published

37 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign Union Saint-Gilloise winger Anan Khalaili alongside Dwight McNeil, according to a report.

Sports

Ric Flair Slammed By WWE Fans For Social Media Post About Ex-Wife Wendy Barlow

Published

1 hour ago

August 10, 2026

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The wrestling world has been left baffled by Ric Flair‘s latest social media post.

The 77-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time after a glittering 50-year career, but his post sharing news of a romantic rekindling has not earned him quite the same plaudits.

Some even questioned if Flair had just a cut a promo on his partner.

What Ric Flair Posted on X

In 2018, Flair married Wendy Barlow. The pair met during Flair’s run in WCW back in 1993, where Barlow appeared as Fifi the Maid.

After four marriages, Flair had a ceremonial wedding with Barlow in 2018, though they clarified they were never actually legally married, having never applied for a marriage certificate. In January 2022 they separated, before reconciling in May that same year. They then split once again in September 2024, ending what was acknowledged to have been a 13-year relationship between them.

Now, though, they appear to have reconciled once again, with Flair sharing a snap of them together on social media with the caption: “I Told You. It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until You Came Running Back!! At Least I Know I Am In Good Hands Because You Have Always Taken The Best Care Of Me Out Of Anyone In The Whole World. She Finally Figured Out There Is Only One Ric Flair And One James Bond, And Currently Ric Flair Is Available For Any Kind Of Action. Let’s See If Wendy Still Has It! LFG!”

The post, at the time of writing, has amassed 2.2 million views, as well as widespread bewilderment and disgust from numbers of fans.

Fans Slam Ric Flair’s Post

The wrestling world was quick to flock to Flair’s post and share their thoughts, many of which were critical of the 16-time world champion‘s approach to sharing news of his romance with Barlow.

Many asked for someone to take The Nature Boy’s phone away from him, with one user appealing for him to get himself a social media team. “This is disgusting. You need a social media team to handle stuff so you don’t let your real personality shine through. Or maybe they try and you’re just this desperate?”

One even tagged Charlotte Flair, Ric’s 14-time world champion daughter, asking her to “please come get your dad.” Another expressed sympathy for Charlotte, suggesting the questions she has to deal with on a regular basis because of her father must be “exhausting.”

The nature of the post itself was critcised by many fans, with one writing: “Ric, you’re a hero to many, but you sound like a raging misogynist here who doesn’t respect his wife.”

@JamesREnglish said it was “highly offensive to someone that took care of you at your lowest” and told Flair he was better than that.

Another replied: “Speaking in this way towards a woman that took care of you when you were close to dying and this is how you talk about her. You’re f****** pathetic. This isn’t the flex you think it is, it only makes you look sad. I remember when you had the class and respect but you have lost it.”

Others even tipped the reunion to be short-lived. “I won’t be surprised if she leaves you soon again bc of this,” wrote @ThtWr3stlingFan.