2026 World Cup: Key Players Emerge Amid France's Heartbreak
WHO:
Yahoo Sports - Thomas Tuchel is the coach of England's national team.
bundesliga.com - Michael Olise plays for Bayern Munich.
bundesliga.com - Harry Kane is the captain of England's national team.
The New York Times - Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Pedro Porro, Achraf Hakimi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Vinicius Jr, Lamine Yamal, Dayot Upamecano, Anthony Gordon, William Saliba, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Marc Cucurella, Ismael Saibari, Diogo Costa, Julian Quinones, Fabian Ruiz, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Trossard, Roberto Alvarado, Bruno Guimaraes, Ismaila Sarr, Alexis Mac Allister, Dani Olmo, Cristian Romero, Folarin Balogun, Brahim Diaz, Unai Simon, Luis Diaz, Andreas Schjelderup, Lisandro Martinez, Desire Doue, Gregor Kobel, Martin Odegaard, Charles De Ketelaere, Adrien Rabiot, Lautaro Martinez, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka, Youri Tielemans, Joshua Kimmich, Davinson Sanchez.
WHAT:
bundesliga.com - Michael Olise has five assists at the World Cup, leading all players in that category.
bundesliga.com - Harry Kane has scored six goals in the tournament, surpassing Gary Lineker's record as the highest-scoring English player in World Cup finals.
Yahoo Sports - England's third-place playoff against France is scheduled for Saturday night.
The New York Times - Lionel Messi is now the clear favorite to win the World Cup's Golden Boot, having scored eight goals, while Kylian Mbappé is tied with Messi at the top of that chart.
Yahoo Sports - England's Thomas Tuchel is considering starting Kobbie Mainoo, who has not played in the tournament yet, in the third-place playoff against France.
Yahoo Sports - Jarell Quansah, who was sent off against Mexico, has completed his two-match ban and is available for selection in the third-place playoff.
FOX Sports - Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old Mexican player, became the youngest Mexican to play at a World Cup and the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, finishing the tournament with four appearances and three starts.
The New York Times - Spain defeated France in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The New York Times - Lionel Messi is the favorite to win the World Cup's Golden Ball and has a chance to win the Golden Boot.
The New York Times - Kylian Mbappé will have an opportunity to win the World Cup Golden Boot in the third-place playoff.
The Guardian - France suffered a semi-final defeat against Spain, marking their third consecutive loss to the European champions.
The Guardian - Mbappé expressed frustration over the defeat and the missed opportunity to face Argentina in the final.
WHERE:
The New York Times - The World Cup final will take place in New Jersey.
The Guardian - The semi-final match occurred in Miami.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The third-place playoff is scheduled for Saturday.
WHY:
The Guardian - France's defeat was attributed to being outnumbered in midfield and tactical failures.
HOW:
bundesliga.com - If Olise sets up another goal in the bronze medal match, he would level Pelé's all-time record for the most assists at a World Cup, which is six.
The New York Times - Player rankings were informed by a player ratings model assessing contributions in matches.
Thomas Tuchel is now the coach of England's national team, with Harry Kane serving as the captain. At the World Cup, Michael Olise leads all players with five assists, and if he sets up another goal in England's upcoming third-place playoff against France, he could tie Pelé's all-time record for the most assists at a World Cup. Meanwhile, Kane has made headlines by scoring six goals in the tournament, surpassing Gary Lineker's record as the highest-scoring English player in World Cup finals.