Bay FC tab England's Emma Coates as head coach

Thomas Tuchel expressed confidence in England's chances at the upcoming World Cup, emphasizing the team's spirit and fighting attitude as they prepare for the draw in Washington DC. He noted the team's successful qualification campaign, which included eight wins and eight clean sheets, as a foundation for their aspirations.

Emma Coates has transitioned from her role as the head of England Women’s Under-23 national team to become the new head coach of Bay FC in the NWSL, succeeding Albertin Montoya. Montoya announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2025 season after the team finished 13th in the league standings.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for at least two months due to a torn left thigh muscle, confirmed by a medical scan. This injury occurred during a match against Athletic Bilbao, where he had previously contributed an assist before being substituted. His absence will also affect Real Madrid's upcoming fixtures, including a crucial match against Manchester City.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup is approaching, with potential worst-case scenarios for teams like England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia being analyzed. Croatia, ranked 10th, is highlighted as a formidable opponent from Pot 2, which could complicate England's chances of facing other strong teams like Norway and Italy, depending on playoff outcomes.

TNT Sports has faced significant setbacks, losing broadcasting rights for the Champions League to Paramount+ and experiencing a disappointing performance in the Ashes cricket series, where England suffered a two-day defeat against Australia. This follows a series of challenging rights negotiations that have left the broadcaster feeling 'absolutely gutted.'

In a gripping second Ashes Test, Mitchell Starc emerged as Australia's standout performer, taking six wickets for 71 runs, while questions arose over the decision to omit spinner Nathan Lyon from the lineup. Starc's efforts were crucial in maintaining Australia's competitive edge against England, especially as he became the sole member of the fast-bowling trio to make the starting lineup.

Zak Crawley played a pivotal role in stabilizing England's innings during the Ashes series against Australia, showcasing his perseverance after a challenging start in the first Test. Despite initial setbacks, including a pair of ducks in the previous match, Crawley's performance helped England regain composure on the field.

Joe Root achieved his 40th Test century, and notably his first in Australia, during the second Test at the Gabba, contributing to England's score of 325-9 despite Mitchell Starc's impressive bowling performance of 6-71.