Excitement is building as England gears up for a friendly match against Costa Rica, just a week before their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17 at 9 PM BST. David Hytner, reporting from Tampa, provides the latest insights from the England camp ahead of this competitive encounter.
Key players seem to be solidifying their spots in the lineup, with Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guéhi, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane expected to take the field. However, the inclusion of Jude Bellingham remains uncertain as he faces off against Morgan Rogers for a potential spot.
Meanwhile, the World Cup team guide highlights the defending champions, Argentina, emphasizing their depth beyond superstar Lionel Messi. Almost two-thirds of the squad from 2022 remains intact, complemented by emerging talents like Nico Paz, who has impressed with his performances at Como, and seasoned players including Lautaro Martínez, who aims to be fit after struggling in Qatar.
In their recent friendly, Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Honduras, thanks to a penalty scored by Martínez. Notably, Messi was rested as a precaution due to experiencing some hamstring fatigue during his time with Inter Miami on May 24.
In a separate yet concerning development, Christian Eriksen’s health has taken a positive turn following his collapse during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine. The ex-Manchester United midfielder, who previously suffered a cardiac arrest in 2021, received prompt attention from medical staff in Odense, leading to the match’s early abandonment.
Morten Boesen, Denmark’s national team doctor, reported that Eriksen was briefly unconscious but quickly regained awareness and was able to leave the pitch unaided. After his previous cardiac incident, Eriksen had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) installed, which enables him to resume playing professionally.
“The pacemaker responded as it should,” Boesen stated. “He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine the cause of the incident. We are in ongoing contact with him and the hospital staff. But Christian is doing well, and he asked me to send his regards to all the players and inform them that he is okay.”
In a more uplifting note, Spanish football fans can breathe easier as rumors about Lamine Yamal missing the first two group matches of the World Cup appear to be unfounded. The young Barcelona winger had been sidelined for the last six matches of the season due to a hamstring injury but is reportedly making significant progress in his recovery.
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, shared an optimistic update, stating, “He’s getting better quickly, hitting all the targets sooner than expected. I think he’ll be ready for the first game, but we will assess whether he plays or waits for the second match.”
On the diplomatic front, Iran’s World Cup squad arrived in Mexico amid tensions caused by the United States’ refusal to issue visas for certain support staff. After nearly three weeks of training in Turkey, the players were finally granted their US visas just before their departure, but issues remain for 15 administrative and management staff members.
All of Iran’s Group G matches will take place in the United States, with the ambassador to Mexico revealing that the squad must enter and exit US territory on the same day as their games, a stipulation that has added to the ongoing tensions. The head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, was reportedly among those denied entry and has condemned the situation as “political interference in sport at its most severe.”
The World Cup excitement is palpable as we count down to the opening match on Thursday at 8 PM UK time, featuring Mexico against South Africa. With just three days and eleven hours to go, fans are gearing up for a thrilling tournament of 104 matches over the next 39 days.
As England reflects on their recent 1-0 victory over New Zealand, they look forward to the upcoming friendly against Costa Rica, not participating in this World Cup. The anticipation continues to build for this summer’s 2026 tournament across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with additional news, features, and previews emerging from various teams.
