Could 60 years of hurt come to an end this summer at the 2026 World Cup? England hopes, but perhaps this time England does not expect the heat of a summer in North America and the drain of a long Premier League season to be enough to convince the football public back home that this will probably not be their time.

Portugal begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday night in Houston. Cristiano Ronaldo competes in a sixth consecutive World Cup, and the Portuguese skipper will be targeting a historic triumph in the only major competition he has not won.

ESPN's Tom Hamilton previews Croatia as England's 2026 World Cup campaign finally gets under way in Dallas after a turbulent week of preparation.

Zlatko Dalic warned his Croatia team over the enduring goal-scoring qualities of Harry Kane as the 2018 World Cup runners-up prepare to take on England in their Group ​L opener at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.

England forward Bukayo Saka has admitted he is continuing to "gamble" on his fitness ahead of the Three Lions' 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas. The 24-year-old is desperate to feature for Thomas Tuchel's side despite managing a nagging Achilles issue that has severely limited his playing time over the last three months.