The 2026 World Cup is finally here, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride for supporters of various nations trying to travel over to watch their teams in action.

Despite also being hosted in Canada and Mexico, the majority of problems have been caused by the United States of America’s visa policies. It’s not only fans having a tough time, either, as Iran’s entire team has been forced to train in Mexico and will only be allowed in the States for 24 hours around their group games.

Meanwhile, top African referee Omar Artan was denied entry and sent home as the White House claimed he had links with a terrorist group. Now, a statement has revealed that a group of supporters were not allowed to travel and told by the US government that they ‘do not want to see’ them.

Supporters Left ‘Deeply Hurt’ By United States Ban

Luc Gnago via Reuters

Iranian supporters have not been permitted to travel due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries, while Scotland fans have even been caught up in the chaos, with travel permits being withdrawn at the last moment.

The latest participants to face the prospect of not seeing many of their fans in the stands are Ivory Coast. The African country is on Donald Trump’s travel ban list, and have reportedly been banned from making their way over to America.

Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE), claimed the US government told the Ivory Coast supporters group that they were not welcome. He stated (per The Sun):

“This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team,” Kouadio continued.

Not stopping there, the president was highly critical of the policies and the specific countries impacted. He added: “It’s a form of segregation that doesn’t dare speak its name, but the proof is there. No European country has faced this kind of restriction. Why Africa?”

Three Other Nations Impacted By Travel Issues

Mandel Ngan via Reuters

Ivory Coast aren’t the only ones impacted by the travel ban list. Iran, Haiti and Senegal were also blocked from getting visitor visas for their supporters.

All four countries are set to play matches in the United States, where 78 of the scheduled 104 fixtures in the entire competition will take place. Along with heavily criticised ticket prices, it’s been a difficult journey to the World Cup for many fans, while some have been forced to watch from home instead.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has claimed that England will have to make a deep run into the World Cup to deem the tournament a success this summer.

The Three Lions are already based in North America for the competition, with Thomas Tuchel naming his 26-man squad that is aiming to win the competition for just the second time in the nation’s history.

After reaching two consecutive European Championship finals, as well as a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, there is some hope that England can get across the line this time around.

It all kicks off on June 17th for the team, who take on Croatia first up in Dallas, with plenty of predictions flying in ahead of the tournament truly kickstarting.

Speaking to GMS at the unveiling of London Heritage Quarter’s Pride in the Quarter, Redknapp has discussed England’s chances and just how far they can go in the World Cup.

World Cup Win Is England Success

London Heritage Quarter

England head into the World Cup craving another trophy, having come so close, yet so far to ending the wait spanning back to the 1966 triumph.

A mixture of players at the peak of their career such as Harry Kane and Declan Rice, combined with fresh talent such as Nico O’Reilly, could give the Three Lions a good chance of going all the way.

That said, the threat of major nations such as France, Spain, Argentina, and Brazil could stand in the way of ending the 60-years of hurt the nation has endured.

With all that to weigh up, many are torn over whether England are expected to win it or not, and what would be a good tournament as a result.

For Redknapp, the answer is simply winning the tournament, as he said: “We’ve got some amazing talent, you know. Declan Rice has had a great season at Arsenal. He could have a great tournament, and he’s a leader.

“There’s so much talent in the squad really, when you look at it, that I’m looking for us to really go far. We’re going to have to go far, yeah.

“We’ve got to win it really, to be a success. We’ve been to the semi-finals, and it’s time we won it with this group.”

The England camp will certainly fancy their chances, though the route to the final isn’t looking particularly easy if things play out as many expect them to.

England’s World Cup Route To The Final

England may be leaning on the tactical expertise and experience of Tuchel to get the side all the way to the final, in what could prove to be a tricky bracket in the World Cup.

The tournament could throw out some surprises, but if things go as many predict them to, then the Three Lions will have to face some tough opponents in the coming weeks.

Assuming England finish top of group L, they are set to face off with a third-placed team from one of group E, H, I, J, or K, making it tough to predict exactly who they could face in the round of 32.

Potential tough opponents could include the likes of Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Uruguay, Norway, Senegal, Austria, and more, which will become clearer as the tournament progresses.

Beyond that, the round of 16 appears primed for England to take on hosts Mexico in Mexico City, a match that is made tougher due to that home advantage.

If they get beyond them, the remaining games could read as Brazil in the quarter-final, Argentina in the semi-final, and one of Germany, France, or Spain in the final.

Of course, things may play out differently, but it could be a tough trek for the Three Lions to make it all the way to lifting the iconic trophy this summer.

That said, it’s never stopped the nation dreaming before, and it won’t stop them again this summer.

London Heritage Quarter’s city-wide lion trail, unveiled by Harry Redknapp and Fara Williams MBE to celebrate England’s summer of international football, will run until 10th August 2026. Visit www.london-hq.co.uk for more information.

Liverpool are short of centre-back options heading into next season after Ibrahima Konate left the club at the conclusion of his contract.

The Frenchman has since joined La Liga giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both in the final 12 months of their respective contracts at the club, leaving Andoni Iraola short of long-term options in the heart of defence.

Jérémy Jacquet is poised to arrive this summer while Giovanni Leoni’s likely recovery timeline for his ACL injury will see him return to action between August and October.

However, Liverpool must sign a replacement for Konate if they want to challenge under Iraola next season.

With that in mind, here are three options for the Reds as they explore the market.

Castello Lukeba

The RB Leipzig defender won’t come cheap, with a reported release clause in his contract in the region of £77m. The 23-year-old is one of the most in-demand centre-backs in Europe with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all linked with the player.

The Reds need to target younger players with Van Dijk in his mid-30s and it unclear if he will sign fresh terms to keep him at the club beyond the end of his contract.

Lukeba has been described as a ‘defensive goliath‘ and the attention from several of Europe’s top clubs indicate the potential for him to become one of the world’s best defenders.

At the age of 23, he could give his best years to Liverpool. Signing him would prove costly but if the Reds have the funds then it would be straightforward given the player’s release clause.

Jan Paul van Hecke

via Reuters

The Brighton and Hove Albion defender is attracting serious interest from Tottenham Hotspur, with the North London club already seeing two bids rejected for the Dutchman.

Van Hecke played under Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Hove Albion, with the Italian hailing the defender as ‘incredible’ after he penned a fresh contract with the Seagulls in 2023.

Liverpool could look to him for his Premier League experience and his relationship with Van Dijk. The pair have already played together 11 times for the Netherlands.

He has made 106 appearances in the Premier League, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

He is out of contract in 12 months too.

Murillo

Sticking with the Premier League, Nottingham Forest star Murillo would prove a shrewd addition to the Reds central defence.

The 23-year-old has been at Forest since 2023 and still has age on his side. He recently signed a new deal at the City Ground, keeping him at the club until 2030.

Forest could prove to be tough negotiators this summer, highlighted by the fact they have yet to accept an offer of £106m from Manchester City for midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Murillo is seen as another key figure in the Forest side and he is not somebody they would part with easily. He opened the scoring for Forest when they beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield earlier in the campaign.

He has become a much-loved figure at the City Ground with his unrelenting and passionate defensive style. All three players would prove incredible additions for Liverpool – if they can tempt any of them to Anfield.