According to reports, the schedule for England’s game against Mexico is set to be changed. The game was supposed to take place at 6pm local time in Mexico City, but will be moved.
There were fears that thunderstorms could cause delays on the day of the last 16 fixture. According to the Met Office forecast, the storms are expected to begin an hour before kick-off and last one hour into the World Cup clash.
As such, the game is now set to be moved to Sunday at 12:00 PM, six hours earlier than the intended kick-off. As such, if the change goes through, viewers in the UK wiill now watch the game at 7pm (GMT).
Even England’s best player understands the task ahead.
England Set To Have New Kick-Off Time vs Mexico
Hannah Mckay via Reuters
A report from Mexican news outlet Claro Sports explained that FIFA will change the kick-off time ‘due to the risk of a thunderstorm. A post on social media noted:
Claro Sports has learned that the round-of-16 match between Mexico and England is changing its schedule due to the risk of a thunderstorm. The match will take place this Sunday at 12:00 PM, in a key adjustment for one of the most anticipated clashes of the World Cup.”
Canada boss Jesse Marsch has firmly ruled out the possibility of becoming manager of the United States national team in the future.
The former Leeds United boss has guided Canada to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history. He oversaw a 1-0 win over South Africa to book his side a meeting with Morocco on Saturday (July 4th).
Marsch took over the Canucks back in May 2024 and has fully immersed himself in the role. So much so that some of his man-management tactics, including an impassioned post-match speech to his players, have irked American fans.
“Never” – Jesse Marsch on USA job
Lisi Niesner via Reuters
The USA nearly appointed Marsch back in April 2023, and he turned down a lucrative contract offer from Leicester City believing he had the job in the bag. He waited for another opportunity to enter international management, and that came with Canada almost a year later.
Marsch has since earned plaudits for transforming Canadian football, and he has become the first coach to lead them to two World Cup victories. There are some who feel the Wisconsin-born tactician should be a contender for the USMNT managerial role further down the line.
Asked by TIME whether he’d ever consider taking charge of his country of birth, he responded:
“I never will coach the U.S. national team. Ever. And that’s no problem. There was the possibility of me at one point, but I’m done with it. I don’t even care anymore. I don’t wish ill will against the U.S. I want the U.S. to do well. I like Pochettino, and I like a bunch of the players. But people need to stop making a deal out of me in the U.S.”
Marsch signed a new four-year contract extension in May, keeping him tied to the Canada national team until June 2030. The USMNT, meanwhile, landed Mauricio Pochettino as their manager in September 2024, and the former Tottenham Hotspur boss has been equally impressive while leading the Stars and Stripes.
The Argentine has taken the co-hosts to the Round of 16, where they face Belgium next Tuesday (July 7th). SportsMole reports that he has been offered a new four-year deal which would run until the same date Marsch’s new deal with the Canadians expires.
Why USA turned Jesse Marsch down
Matthew Childs via Reuters
Marsch admitted he was “devastated and angry” after the USMNT made a U-turn over appointing him as Gregg Berhalter’s successor three years ago. The Americans turned back to Berhalter who lasted just one year into a second reign before being sacked after his nation crashed out of Copa America in the group stages.
The USA conducted an independent investigation into Berhalter’s off-field behaviour at the time. They lined Marsch up as his replacement but the American federation trusted in the bond built between players and Berhalter.
“All I’d say is that it was made very clear to me by U.S. Soccer that I was going to be the [USMNT] coach, and then it was made very clear to me that I was not. At the time, I was devastated and angry, but now I am thankful and really happy to be where I’m at.”
Jesse Marsch – Canada
From
To
Matches
Won
Drawn
Lost
Win %
Major Achievements
May 13, 2024
Present
22
8
6
8
36.36%
• 4th Place at 2024 Copa América
• First-ever World Cup knockout stage win (2026)
Marsch is becoming a hero in Canada amid a stellar World Cup campaign, and a win over Morocco would be the stuff of dreams for the Great White North. They head into that game as underdogs, up against Africa’s strongest nation, who made the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now confident that they can sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer.
Tottenham have already agreed six new signings this summer, with the latest additions of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali setting the club back a huge £185m outlay.
Spurs’ ambition is showing no signs of slowing down yet, and while their defensive and midfield options are looking stronger ahead of next season, we could see new faces arrive to boost the attack too.
The north Londoners remain in talks with Manchester City over a deal for left-winger Savinho, following their failed attempt to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 12 months ago.
However, Tottenham are also considering other options for that flank too, with links to a second raid on West Ham United for Crysencio Summerville, while they have been offered the chance to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan by Jorge Mendes during the Fernandes transfer talks.
Spurs are also considering signing a new striker with doubts over the future of Richarlison, who has long been linked with a move away from the north London outfit.
Tottenham are seemingly ready to make their move to try and bring Junior Kroupi to the capital from the south coast.
Tottenham Believe They Can Sign Junior Kroupi
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebratesvia Reuters
Tottenham are one of many top Premier League clubs linked with a move for Junior Kroupi this summer, following an outstanding and record-breaking debut campaign in the English top flight for the Frenchman.
The 20-year-old scored 13 goals in 33 Premier League games for the Cherries as they qualified for the Europa League, and the club are determined to keep hold of him for next season for their first ever European campaign.
However, according to a top Tottenham source on X, Spurs officials are confident that they can complete a deal for the youngster this summer.
The same source claims that Spurs have already scheduled talks with the Frenchman’s representatives soon, although Bournemouth would want at least £90m to sell him in this window.
Kroupi Junior is also said to be open to a move to Spurs, following previous talks between the parties in March.
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Tottenham Also Want ‘One of the Best Players in the World’
The England international has been described as ‘one of the best players in the world’ on his day by Three Lions teammate Anthony Gordon, and it is hard to disagree when we see what he has done over the years for the Red Devils and then on loan at Barcelona last season.
The 30-year-old is said to prefer a permanent move abroad following his spell with Barca, although it appears as though Spurs are positioning themselves right at the front of the queue should he end up remaining in England.
There was significant controversy as Portugal just about beat Croatia to make it into the next round of the 2026 World Cup. The two sides appeared to be destined for extra time before VAR intervened to rule out Josko Gvardiol’s late strike, sparking a strong reaction in the media.
Ivan Perisic opened the scoring before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled things from the penalty spot with 22 minutes remaining. Goncalo Ramos then gave Portugal the lead in stoppage time, but there was still time for Croatia to put the ball in the back of the net once more.
This time, however, the goal was chalked off. VAR deemed that Igor Matanovic had the slightest of touches on the cross that found Mario Pasalic, who was standing in an offside position before he touched the ball for Gvardiol to score.
An official FIFA explanation revealed that, thanks to ‘data provided by Connected Ball Technology’, it was proven that ‘contact was made’ by Croatia’s Matanovic in the build-up to the goal. Despite this, footage from the game looked inconclusive, leaving many baffled by the ruling.
Pundit offered up a theory that FIFA were intent on having Ronaldo and Portugal meet Spain in the next round:
“It was a fantastic match ruined in the end by VAR. I see nothing irregular about the 2-2 goal; VAR disallowed it, but for me, it was a robbery. Either the sensor in the ball wasn’t working or something went wrong, because Renato Veiga touched the ball, which means there was no offside. Look at the angle: Croatia’s number 20 doesn’t touch the ball, nor does he change its trajectory in the slightest. It’s Portugal’s number 13 [Veiga] who touches it! How can it be offside?
“An opponent touches it, and suddenly the Croatian goalscorer is offside? Absurd! The Croatians, who had fought with all their heart, were denied a dream moment at this World Cup. To disallow a goal in the 90th minute, the decision must be crystal clear. Here, it wasn’t at all. This wasn’t refereeing. It was an outright theft. For me, it’s clear they [FIFA] wanted Portugal and Ronaldo to reach the Round of 16 to face Spain.”
Ivana Knoll Reacts to Croatia Defeat and Ibrahimovic Theory
But now having attended the match, on her Instagram stories she first called out the referee, who ‘did such a sh** job,’ before then sharing a link to the Gazzetta story from Ibrahimovic, agreeing with his comments as she wrote: ‘exactly’
Screenshot of Zlatan Ibrahimovic via @Knolldoll/Instagram
She then spoke to the camera in another post, saying ‘it was a complete robbery’ and finally appeared to take aim at Ronaldo and co, saying ‘Karma will hit you’.
