World Cup 2026: Mexico v England buildup, France battle past Paraguay, Morocco march on – live

Key events

Talking of Harry Kane, here’s Jacob Steinberg’s piece on the England striker. Can he be the difference maker again when the Three Lions take on Mexico?

“This is a modern great who stands the test of time. They had this debate on the Stick to Football podcast this week; it did not feel ridiculous when Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Jill Scott had Kane up there with Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton in England’s top three.”

Kylian Mbappe has pulled level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot charts. Both icons have seven after the Frenchman tucked away the winning penalty against Paraguay.

Erling Haaland (5), Harry Kane (5) and Vinícius Júnior (4) all have the chance to close the gap in the next 24 hours. And also look out for Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (4) creeping up on the rails.

Seven has already beaten the top scorer’s tally from 10 of the last 12 World Cups.

Brazil star Rodrygo is back home after sampling the World Cup in the United States. In his latest column for us, he notices the differences between a country enjoying the World Cup and one obsessed by it. A reminder that Brazil play Norway in the last-16 today. Kick-off 9pm BST.

“The rhythm of life in Brazil – the “land of football” as we call it – is dictated by the team’s progress in the World Cup. Work schedules are affected, as are the operations of certain public services. Daily life doesn’t stop, but we go to great lengths to shape it around Brazil’s matches. Afterwards, as one of our sayings goes, we “play catchup” with everyday life.”

Maybe life doesn’t begin at 40 but it doesn’t mean the end for a world-class footballer. So says Emma Hayes in her latest World Cup column.

It’s Q&A time with none other than Luis de la Fuente! Spain’s manager answers your questions on advice for Lamine Yamal, the hardest thing about being a coach and how the current team compares to the winners of 2010. Sid Lowe has pieced it all together.

Canada boss Jesse Marsch is a polarising figure. In fact, you’d be forgiven for thinking his first name is ‘Theinsufferable’ if scrolling and asking around. Were Canada the better side, as he claims here? You have to enjoy the response of Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi. “It takes some nerve to say that when you lose 3-0.” Quotes here after Morocco’s clinical display of finishing.

It’s just gone 1.30am in Mexico City. Is there a cacophony of noise outside the hotel? Are England’s players managing any sleep? The game kicks off at 6pm local time or, as those in the UK know, 1am BST. Here’s David Hytner’s latest report from Mexico City.

“England stepped off their seventh flight in 12 days on Friday and are about to play their fourth game in 13 days. The period was always going to be a grind; one simply to plot a course through.”

Our reporters are in Mexico City for the big one and between running 5ks to show the effects of altitude, they’ve also written some words. Let’s start with Nick Ames, who has quotes from both managers: England’s Thomas Tuchel and Mexico’s Javier Aguirre.

Morocco end run of co-hosts Canada

Jonathan Wilson was at Houston Stadium to witness 2022 semi-finalists Morocco beat Canada. Three second-half goals settled this one as Mohamed Ouahbi’s side became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice.

“This wasn’t really about the new style. This was a very old-fashioned Morocco performance, dogged and dour, admirably competitive, and with the undoubted ability of the more creative players seen almost entirely in counterattacks. Whether their cagey start was by design or because they were forced into it by Canada’s ferocity, though, was unclear.”

France battle past Paraguay to reach quarter-finals

Let’s start with Paul MacInnes’ match report from a hot and sweaty Philadelphia Stadium. The 1-0 win for France was a repeat of the scoreline from their last-16 tie in 1998 and we all know how that World Cup ended.

“The World Cup favourites were forced to drop a gear or two but still had too much for a Paraguay team that set out for a fight but were ultimately no more than a nuisance.”

Preamble

Good morning/afternoon/evening wherever you are! It feels like we’re getting to the business end of the World Cup now as highlighted by the first two quarter-finalists emerging. Morocco were too clinical for co-hosts Canada while France came through a bruising encounter with Paraguay.

We’ll have all the reaction to those two last-16 ties and build-up to the much-anticipated clash between Mexico and England in the Azteca. There’s also the little matter of Brazil v Norway this evening so, yeah, the serious stuff is really happening now. Ready for day 25 of the World Cup? Let’s do it!