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In the days after the Brexit referendum the jokes wrote themselves. An undignified second exit from Europe inside five days. Mock-ups of Roy Hodgson and David Cameron queuing outside a job centre. Pictures of Wayne Rooney steering the “Vote Leave” campaign bus.

It was June 2016 and England had crashed out of the European Championship in the last 16 – their biggest humiliation since being knocked out of the 1950 World Cup by the USA. Iceland, with a population of 330,000 and a manager who still practiced dentistry part-time, overcame a toothless English attack despite being ranked 34th in the world.

Panama, this weekend’s opponents, have a similar gulf to overturn – 42^nd in the world, playing in just their second ever World Cup. They suffered a 6-1 defeat in their first in 2018 – to England, courtesy of a Harry Kane hat-trick.

The truth about Kane rumours

In Reykjavik, I speak to Kari Arnason, the centre-back who was key to engineering one of the biggest upsets in major tournament history.

“With Premier League players who were established and that level of expectation on them, it almost felt like it was a disadvantage to England that they had so much pressure,” he tells The i Paper.

“Perhaps there was a little bit of complacency as well – I think there was definitely a complacency issue for them going into it. But at the same time, we gave them a hell of a game. And I don’t think they expected that.

“I think they just thought they would have the ball the whole time and could control the narrative. But we weren’t going to let that happen.”

After just four minutes, England took the lead through a Rooney penalty. Their undoing came via a long throw that would not look out of place in the Premier League of 2026. Arnason nodded it to Ragnar Sigurdsson for the equaliser before Kolbeinn Sigthorsson’s shot crept through Joe Hart’s hands.

“There was a rumour that Kane wasn’t willing to swap shirts [at full-time] – that’s a load of bollocks,” says Arnason. “They were nothing but graceful in defeat, no bad blood. They just weren’t happy with losing, so that’s completely understandable. It was just us over the moon and running towards our fans, and them being absolutely distraught.”

‘It wasn’t rocket science’

The question is how another small nation like Panama can replicate those heroics. To secure top spot in Group L, England have to beat them and better Ghana’s result against Croatia – meaning Thomas Tuchel’s side could still finish as runners-up if they cannot score more against Panama than Ghana do against Croatia.

It is part psychological. Iceland’s joint management team of Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson made a point of telling their players that England “were to be got at – they weren’t as good as they thought themselves and what people made them out to be”.

Ghana certainly felt so, denied a late penalty for a foul on Prince Kwabena Adu, head coach Carlos Querioz claiming the VAR had “gone for a coffee”.

And part of it is tactical. For an underdog, Arnason insists “the tactical part is massive. If you get it right, you give the lesser teams a great advantage. If you get it wrong, the lesser team has no chance”.

“Especially as a unit, we were a lot better than people gave us credit for. So we weren’t afraid going into it. We were very strong on set pieces, both for and against. We almost never conceded goals through set pieces, but we scored a lot through corners and long throws and free kicks.

“From one cross I had Wayne Rooney marking me so it was quite a mismatch in that regard, it was just a no-brainer. It’s not rocket since, I’m 6’3” and he’s not 6’3”. He’s a fantastic footballer but it was a mismatch when it comes to aerial duels – throwing it long to me and I would flick it as far as I could and my centre-back partner [Ragnar Sigurdsson] was on the back stick just waiting for Kyle Walker to take his eyes off him and then was free for the tap-in.”

Of Panama’s World Cup squad, 24 of 26 play outside the Liga Panamena de Futbol (LPF) – for Iceland in 2016 it was the entire squad. Iceland had no professional clubs, whereas Panama’s LPF – the top flight – is entirely professional.

Panama are priced at 14-1 and that feels generous. It is an unlikely chance at glory – but one which would make World Cup history if they can pull it off.

Read more

• Pete Hall: My England XI to face Panama – with no Rice, Bellingham or Pickford
• Daniel Storey: The World Cup’s pointless rule change has ruined the next week of football

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KANSAS CITY — If England do tumble out of this World Cup earlier than any of us would like, the Netherlands could be the natural temporary switch. Ronald Koeman, once of Everton and Southampton, has picked no fewer than 20 current or former Premier League players in his squad. Nine of the XI who brushed past Tunisia in the Kansas City storms currently call England home.

But it’s one of the exceptions who catches the eye most. Denzel Dumfries has done many excellent things in Serie A and the Champions League in recent seasons, not least playing in two finals. He has also become a specialist tournament player: fabulous in Euro 2020, a goal and two assists at the last World Cup and flying again in 2026.

Dumfries might not have been in this team at all, had Jurrien Timber recovered from injury in time. As it is, Koeman has given Dumfries the entire right flank. The Dutch play a natural central defender at left-back – Micky van de Ven or Nathan Ake – and they all shuffle over to cover for Dumfries.

To say that he gets forward is underselling it. In the first 50 minutes against Tunisia, Dumfries had three shots and created a goal. He had no defensive contributions, but so what? The two Dutch central defenders had the most touches, but next came Dumfries. He is the outlet and the fire starter.

It works and it makes this team piping hot fun. The Netherlands are the joint highest-scoring team at this World Cup, level with a Germany side who scored seven of their 10 against Curacao. They have also conceded in every game. Perhaps that makes them the best embodiment of the group stage as a whole.

Dumfries is now 30, one of the senior professionals in Koeman’s squad. Only two players have more caps. Memphis Depay is increasingly a fringe figure given the Brian Brobbey renaissance. Virgil van Dijk is the captain and has 20 more caps, but he is also four years Dumfries’ senior.

The most fascinating aspect of Dumfries’ career? That he has never come to England.

After leaving PSV Eindhoven for Inter, there Dumfries remained until this summer. It is now Real Madrid – and new manager Jose Mourinho – who are reportedly likely to sign him this summer.

Dumfries would be perfect in the Premier League. He is fast, he is physical, he has an excellent final ball, he is capable of playing in a back four, as a wing-back or – as here – as an entire right flank on his own that allows a wide forward to roam infield.

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It isn’t for the want of trying. Last September, when on international duty, Dumfries was asked about transfer speculation and talk of a move to England. His response was… not subtle:

“The Premier League is a fantastic league, but right now I play in Serie A. But if the opportunity were to present itself, I’d jump at it. I’m happy at Inter, but I think I could do well in the Premier League as well.”

A move has been rumoured repeatedly over the last half decade. In 2021, Dumfries came close to a move to Everton but Rafael Benitez reportedly disagreed with Marcel Brands and the deal never happened. A year later, Chelsea were in talks but again pursued other targets.

As recently as April, Manchester United were credited with serious interest. Liverpool were mentioned in passing last year, when Arne Slot was replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold. They signed Jeremie Frimpong instead; Dumfries got into this squad ahead of Frimpong.

We all have those mystical, mythical players, linked with our clubs so often that we aren’t quite sure whether they actually exist: Leandro Damiao, Nicolas Gaitan, Yoann Gourcuff. But I’m calling it now. For his attributes, wanton desire to move here and number of linked clubs, Denzel Dumfries is the most Premier League player who never was.

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So far, Ineos are really sticking to their promise that from now on, Manchester United will be sensible in the transfer market. So much so that their expectant fanbase are starting to get a little restless.

A midfield rebuild is in the works, one that is long overdue. Brazilian midfielder Ederson has already been secured from Atalanta, a move that will be completed after the World Cup.

United have otherwise been frustrated in their pursuit of other top targets and remain no closer to bringing in that marquee name in midfield to give them a chance of challenging for the title next season.

The i Paper understands that despite stepping up talks with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes, United could walk away from the deal as they believe the asking price is too high, leaving Tottenham free to secure the in-demand Portuguese starlet’s signature.

An alternative midfield target

As a result, they have turned their attentions to Bournemouth livewire Alex Scott. No contact has been made as yet, but talks are ongoing with Scott’s representatives.

It is understood that Bournemouth have no desire to sell at this stage, so would also need to be tempted by an inflated offer – just what Ineos are trying to keep United away from.

Sources insisted United believe a fee under £80m – the amount West Ham are demanding for Fernandes – could still be agreed with Bournemouth for the talented 22-year-old.

United had hoped to secure as many as three midfielders this summer, with Fernandes brought in before splurging on a marquee name. The price tag for a midfielder relegated twice in two seasons may force a change of tact.

The Man City problem

Elliot Anderson was their dream target, but not at the British record fee Manchester City have just agreed with Nottingham Forest. Several sources indicated City could in fact bring in Anderson and Sandro Tonali this summer, given midfield is where they are desperately short.

By cashing in on Savinho and several other unwanted fringe players, City could position themselves into a powerful financial position, where they can afford an outlay of over £200m on two central midfield options.

That could mean two more United targets are gone from the market. Premier League experience is a key prerequisite for the club’s hierarchy, but the options are set to dwindle.

Three outgoings

Selling Marcus Rashford, Radek Vitek and Manuel Ugarte would enable the club to loosen the purse strings somewhat.

Rashford is currently a target for Tottenham but, as it stands, the England forward does not want to move to another Premier League club. United are looking to recoup £40m, but several sources insisted a fee closer to £25m is the best they can hope for. Barcelona are monitoring the situation and ready with another loan offer.

Senior officials had hoped to have at least two midfielders in by now, so they could focus on strengthening three other key areas – full-back, left-wing and reserve goalkeeper.

Five more targets

United are looking at a host of understudy goalkeepers, such as Leeds stopper Karl Darlow and Wolves’ Sam Johnstone, who represent good value for money.

Crysencio Summerville and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye are two wing options being explored, at the right price, while Alejandro Balde from Barcelona is an option at left-back.

It is in midfield where the club surely will be forced to act sooner rather than later. Fernandes is understood to be keen on the Spurs move, and with champions Arsenal also targeting Scott, United need to act fast or face missing out on another top target and further frustrating the fanbase.

Read more

• Pete Hall: Inside ‘bullied’ Marcus Rashford’s World Cup revival after escaping Man Utd hell
• Transfers: Tottenham’s £250m summer plans – and what next for Tonali deal

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SEATTLE – You may have seen social impact messaging at World Cup stadiums on your television screens. These were launched in May and are present at every stadium across a range of issues: peace, uniting the world, racism, education and being active. All are clearly appropriate. This is the biggest televisual event – what better time to send a message?

“Unite for inclusion” was missing from the May launch on social media, a collaboration between Fifa and Gianni Infantino. Its presence remains on Fifa’s website, together with the muti-coloured striped heart. It shows that Fifa are “committed to protecting and promoting all human rights and fighting all forms of discrimination, at all levels”.

During the Women’s World Cup in Australia in 2023, the “Unite for Inclusion” logo was present on big screens before each match and the messaging was visible throughout the tournament, where I travelled. In the USA, Mexico and Canada, it is deliberately nowhere.

There is one exception, an inclusivity island. This weekend, Seattle hosts its annual Pride Weekend and has designated Friday’s World Cup fixture in the city as a Pride match. It will be colourful, it will be aspirational, it will be proud and it will be brilliant.

“Seattle and Washington State have a long history of welcoming people from different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences, and Pride Weekend is an important part of that story,” Hedda McLendon, the senior vice-president of legacy for Seattle FWC26, tells me.

“Our goal has never been to create something separate from the community. Instead, we’ve worked alongside LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, businesses, and organisations to elevate the Pride celebrations that already exist and help connect visitors to them. We want people who come here for the World Cup to experience the authenticity, creativity, and inclusiveness that define our region.”

Unsurprisingly, the initiative has been welcomed by the community, particularly in a tournament where visibility of inclusion messaging has been dropped. Eric Wahl is the brother of the late football journalist Grant Wahl. He serves on the Seattle Pride+ Match Impact Council.

“Pride month is critically important to me, particularly as someone who grew up gay in Kansas,” Wahl says. “Being able to see the welcome and acceptance for queer people elsewhere can act as a powerful motivator for queer people in states and towns in which that same welcome and acceptance isn’t in evidence.”

The match isn’t universally popular, given the two nations who play in Seattle on Friday. Egypt’s Football Association sent a letter to Fifa in which they “categorically reject any activities promoting LGBTQ+ during the match,” because they could “provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans”.

To which my response would be: don’t turn up then and forfeit the match. Before and during the World Cup in Qatar, when rainbow flags were being taken off supporters and Wales fans had rainbow bucket hats confiscated, we were told that we had to respect the culture of the host nation, even when it victimised the LGBTQ+ community. So…respect the host city and their Pride Weekend.

“Seattle has shown the courage and clarity that Fifa has too often lacked,” says veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. “The city and its organisers deserve great credit for making LGBT+ inclusion visible around the 26 June match, despite objections from the participating teams, Egypt and Iran.  They have sent an important message that LGBT+ fans are welcome, and that rainbow flags should not be treated as provocative, disruptive or dangerous.”

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It is undeniable that inclusivity messaging would be appropriate at this World Cup. Almost a quarter of the competing nations at the tournament severely enforce anti-LGBTQ+ laws or restrictions. There are no openly gay footballers at this tournament. There has been a significant rise in anti-trans discrimination in the US, to the extent that England’s official LGBTQ+ supporters group, Three Lions Pride, announced it would not travel for the tournament.

“Global soccer has long needed to directly confront racism, discrimination, and homophobia to protect players, fans, and children,” says Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “Any cancellation of Fifa’s well-established campaigns to eradicate hateful actions in sport is an inexplicable and inexcusable step backward.”

If Fifa believe that their other social impact initiatives and slogans make a difference (which they clearly do, given that they are using them at this World Cup), logic dictates that inclusivity and anti-discrimination messaging on hate based around gender and sexuality would also make a difference.

But presumably at least Fifa are embracing the Pride match organised by Seattle, right? They might have dropped their own messaging but they wouldn’t distance themselves from inclusivity work? Well, about that…

“I must clarify that there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the World Cup,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche in January. “There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle and, on the same day, events organised by external organisations will be taking place in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”

The question, then, is why?

“After Qatar 2022, I noticed Fifa rolling out new inclusivity initiatives, but they have almost all been focused on race; I haven’t seen anything highlighting the LGBTQAI+ community,” says Wahl.

Read more

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“I think some of this absence is a reflection of the current regime in the United States and the degree to which large organisations like US Soccer and Fifa, just don’t want to risk poking the hornets’ nest by more openly staking out their anti-bigotry stances lest they experience any of the wrath that the US’s current leader is already known for in his pro-bigotry administration.”

I can’t disagree with a word of that assessment. In Qatar, it felt like the inclusivity messaging was reduced to please the hosts. It came back for the Women’s World Cup. To lose it again for the next men’s World Cup can only be a tactical retreat to appease the regime in charge of the major host country.

There is another layer to this: the message it sends to players. Tatchell has forged a campaign to demand answers from Fifa whether the 11 countries competing in this tournament where homosexuality is criminalised would select an openly gay player. If not, how does that tally with their own anti-discrimination rules? He has had no direct response to that question.

“Fifa is retreating from the very principles it claims to uphold,” Tatchell says. “They have clear rules prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. But it is allowing eleven countries that criminalise homosexuality to compete in the World Cup without requiring them to confirm that they would select a gay footballer if his performance on the pitch merited inclusion.

“They shifted responsibility back to the national associations, saying player selection is a matter for them. That is a flagrant abdication of responsibility. These associations are bound by FIFA’s own statutes when they enter the World Cup. FIFA cannot claim to champion inclusion while refusing to check whether gay footballers are being excluded from the biggest tournament in the world.”

This is all inarguable on every level. Fifa, and football, has to be better than this. If this is truly a game for all, that message means the most when it is most at risk of being ignored. It might only be a small climbdown on paper. In reality, it lets down a vast community. Let’s celebrate Seattle, their Pride and all it stands for. But it is disgraceful that Seattle is a mere island in an ocean of inaction.

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NEW JERSEY — The soundtrack to this World Cup is not Brazilian samba rhythms, ersatz American “soccer” chants or even the Scottish bagpipes that seemed to bewitch Bostonians last week.

No, if you are sitting through this tournament in a living room – or you are one of the wealthy or lucky few who manage to get into one of the stadiums – it is the squeak of Sir David Beckham’s Estuary accent.

Now it is not news that Beckham is a star. He was recently crowned Britain’s first billionaire athlete, with an estimated fortune of some £1.3bn. But it is truly staggering just how big his brand remains in the US – and how freely he uses it to flog stuff he surely knows nothing about.

You see, the man once known as “Goldenballs” is everywhere at this World Cup.

When he is not turning up at stadiums – beamed on the big screen glugging red wine in Miami while watching Scotland the day after he was pictured in Boston for England’s draw with Ghana – he is omnipresent in the many advertising breaks that feature on FOX.

Think this is an exaggeration? It really isn’t. At the last count he is involved in eight campaigns during this tournament, for Home Depot, Lenovo, Lay’s, Bank of America, Adidas, McDonald’s, Pepsi and Verizon. And the adverts replay endlessly, each one more excruciating than the next.

For Home Depot he plays an everyman, rolling a trolley through a DIY store, buying saws and constructing beehives, just like you or I would. The advert concludes in his fake back garden with a big screen and a mini football pitch, Beckham reclining on a seat to watch the big game.

Except you and I know he would be too busy suckling at Fifa’s teat to do something quite as normal as “building it like Beckham.”

The Bank of America adverts are even worse. Think this is about flogging bank accounts? Try again.

He is “inspiring the youth of the nation to create a soccer legacy”, which means slow motion footage of kids playing football, frothy monologues and an oh-so-serious-mission that has nothing to do with the huge cheque landing in his bank.

I could go on. There is another one where he goes through a McDonald’s drive-through praying he will get himself as one of the limited edition number of “World Cup legend” plastic cups that come with a Big Mac meal.

I don’t suppose American audiences will quibble but legend? He got that penalty against Argentina in 2002, I suppose.

But England never made it further than a quarter-final with him as captain and that era is best remembered as a generation where there were too many egos desperate to make it all about themselves. So perhaps little has changed on that front.

Beckham’s love of playing for his country is not up for debate so he got a good reception on Tuesday, as you would expect from a majority English crowd. But he would not get away with this sort of all-out advertising assault at home.

Which is why, you suspect, he has concentrated on the US market like a real-life version of Bill Murray’s character flogging Japanese whiskey for millions of dollars in Lost in Translation.

Read more

• Predicted XI: How England could line up to face Panama
• Opinion: The World Cup’s pointless rule change has ruined the next week of football

Surely, though, even American audiences will tire of Becks by the end of this super-sized World Cup. There are only so many times you watch him eat Lay’s crisps before you wonder whether he really needs the money.

The saddest thing is the most talked-about Beckham advert out here is not actually David’s. Instead, it is the one his son Brooklyn filmed for fast food delivery company Doordash, in which he seems to be monetising the schism that has developed with his dad by sending the World Cup tickets they had together “somewhere fun”, that has garnered much buzz.

Apparently he got $1m for the spot. Proof that he is a chip off the old block, even if the pair are not talking.

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Thomas Tuchel’s next team selection is about so much more than simply picking players for one match against an international backwater.

Had England carried their momentum forward from their rip-roaring opening victory Croatia and similarly put Ghana to the sword, the need for experimentation would be stymied.

Limping to a goalless draw, as England again suffered from a severe bout of second-game syndrome at a major tournament, Tuchel now has to find answers quickly to the plethora of questions posed in Boston, before the knockout stages are upon us.

Given the calibre of his understudy, Jordan Pickford should be in the running to miss out against Panama on Saturday after a second successive shaky display.

James Trafford is an exceptional goalkeeper, one who, crucially, does not have a propensity to race from his line needlessly and put his team in danger. It would be a bold call, but Tuchel is not afraid to rock the boat. A change in goal could do both keepers the world of good.

Djed Spence as a left-wing combination with Anthony Gordon should never see the light of day again. Nico O’Reilly’s emergence has perhaps been taken for granted, to have such a gifted attacking player who is so adept as a full-back at England’s disposal. When he came off the bench, the difference between Spence and the City starlet was night and day.

John Stones could come back in for Marc Guehi, if Tuchel wants the veteran to be the defensive figurehead he planned pre-tournament.

Ahead of Stones, Declan Rice needs taking out of the firing line. There are clearly injury concerns, but most worrying is his profligacy on the ball, and a newfound tendency to delay for too long and be dispossessed. Kobbie Mainoo’s composure is the perfect panacea.

Another player who may benefit from a break is Jude Bellingham. After his all-action display against Croatia, Bellingham wore his frustrations on his sleeve in Boston.

Bellingham is capable of being got at, emotionally. With a perfectly able deputy to come in, Morgan Rogers is primed, the Real Madrid midfielder should be given a week to cool off, for long-term gain.

Read more

• Daniel Storey: The World Cup’s pointless rule change has ruined the next week of football
• England: Don’t believe the rumours about England fans at this World Cup

In 20 second-half minutes off the bench, Tuchel got his best news of the night against Ghana – Bukayo Saka is back and ready for more.

Gordon has not mustered a meaningful attack in two starts while Saka forced a fine save in Boston within minutes of stepping off the bench.

Barcelona must be looking for the receipt down the back of the sofa. Gordon’s work rate was there for all to see at the home of the New England Patriots, but in an attacking sense, he has never looked more blunt.

Noni Madueke was a surprise starter against Croatia, but with so many alternatives available to Tuchel, the Arsenal winger could not let his levels drop. Ghana did not even have to over-exert to keep him out.

Marcus Rashford and Saka could be Tuchel’s go-to wing pairing for the rest of the tournament, should they excel in the final group encounter. They both deserve the opportunity to showcase a potentially burgeoning attack.

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KANSAS CITY – The good news for Scotland’s vast travelling horde of have-a-good-time heroes is that those with the deepest pockets and lots of annual leave can spend another week on the pop while they wait to see if their national team has qualified for the knockouts. The bad news is everything else.

Scotland have been a brilliant addition to this tournament as a cultural experience. Boston has fallen in love with their droves. The Boston Globe released a statement thanking them for their kindness and generosity. There is talk of city twinning with Glasgow and the New England Patriots playing a regular season game in Scotland.

On some level, this is exactly what World Cups are supposed to entail. But focusing only on that presents Scotland as a competition winner; to do so would be patronising and inappropriate. World Cups are also about displaying a level of competence.

Scotland have offered none of that, barring a 15-minute period when they put Morocco under pressure and even that failed to produce a shot on target. In fact, they didn’t manage one of those between John McGinn’s goal against Haiti and a Scott McTominay header that was easily saved by Brazil’s Alisson in the 49th minute in Miami.

Against Haiti, Scotland recorded a lower xG figure than their opponents. Against Morocco they conceded within the first two minutes. Against Brazil, they blended those two forms of ineptitude into one display. Scotland gifted Brazil goals at both ends of the first half, were fortunate not to be further behind and barely laid a glove on their opponents. Spirit of the underdog? More like the performance of a minnow.

The list of flaws is embarrassing. Scotland have tried to play their way out of defence with short, risky passes that they have repeatedly proven themselves incapable of doing without error. The attacking impetus has been missing, not least because the line-leader has changed often and the best striker – Oli McBurnie – is at home.

One great frustration is how the best players have been blunted. McTominay has looked clunky, played either too high up the pitch and isolated or roaming too far from goal to try to actually touch the ball. McGinn and Lewis Ferguson have also been too deep, largely to collect those risky passes from central defenders.

But the soundtrack to it all, the underlying beat to this shonky rhythm, is the abject lack of intensity with and without the ball. Where was the high energy of the Denmark win that brought them here? Certainly the absence of Hampden atmosphere is not applicable given the tens of thousands who made Boston and Miami a temporary summer home.

This matters because of what happened before. Scotland have won one of their last nine matches at major tournaments. At Euro 2024 they took one point and finished bottom of the group. On the eve of this tournament, Steve Clarke said that he hadn’t enjoyed his previous two tournaments and that we would see a different version of him in the US. We haven’t.

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And this matters because of what happens next. Clarke signed a new contract before this tournament. It was supposed to be a symbol of trust in him, motivation and certainty for the squad to finally take steps forward. They might still get lucky and qualify. The round of 32 might provoke a revelation. But it needs to for that contract extension to be justified.

Those of us who follow our clubs and countries far and wide quickly learn that allowing the result to spoil the day is a fool’s errand. Scotland are the best example of that this summer: no Scotland, no party – no shots on target, still party.

That should not let Clarke and this squad off the hook. Scotland look like a team unready for this tournament, undercooked tactically and in both penalty areas. Which is completely unacceptable when you have waited 28 years for these weeks.

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