World Cup news: Bank Holiday for England fans, drastic Norway change, angry FIFA appeal
England fans are beginning to get excited with Thomas Tuchel's side and it appears special things may happen if they go on to win the competition
July 20, 2026, will be a bank holiday for England if the Three Lions win the World Cup. If Thomas Tuchel's side beat Norway this Saturday in their quarter-final clash, they will only be three wins away from ending 60 years of hurt for the men's team.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer dropped a major hint he will make the following Monday a bank holiday, by saying "ask him if we get to the final". Meanwhile, the Three Lions' opponents have had a difficult week, having to prevent an illness from spreading to the players while also moving hotels.
While some members of the Norway set-up were coughing and spluttering, other stars were struggling to sleep as a result of their hotel being near a busy road and construction site. In addition, FIFA have been trying to contain some issues of their own.
After suspending Folarin's one-game ban for a year, France issued an appeal in a bid to get Michael Olise's controversial booking suspended. However, Les Bleus have failed, meaning they'll be without the ex-Crystal Palace ace for their clash against Morocco.
The quarter finals are set to begin tomorrow when France takes on Morocco at 9pm at Boston Stadium. France are considered to be the favourites with Kylian Mbappe seeking to leap frog Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot.
Here, Mirror Football provides the latest updates on everything that happens at the World Cup today...
Key Events
And that's that! While there was no World Cup action, there have been plenty of big stories emanating from the tournament today.
Here are some of the biggest tales to break today:
England fans on course for a bank holiday if Three Lions win the World Cup
World Cup power rankings ahead of quarter-finals as clear favourite emerges
Justin Bieber and Madonna set for World Cup final show - but the BBC won't show it
Argentina stoke England fires with chant about Falklands after epic World Cup comeback
England trio miss training ahead of Norway clash as Thomas Tuchel sweats on fitness
England are not the only ones who have players at risk of suspension. Here is the full list of quarter-final players who will have to tread a disciplinary tight rope in their World Cup quarter-final clashes.
- Issa Diop - Morocco
- Achraf Hakimi - Morocco
- Redouane Halhak - Morocco
- Bilal El Khannouss - Morocco
- Manu Kone - France
- Michael Olise - France
- Granit Xhaka - Switzerland
- Denis Zakaria - Switzerland
- Miro Muheim - Switzerland
- Ferran Torres - Spain
- Antonio Nusa - Norway
- Brandon Mechele - Belgium
- Gonzalo Montiel - Argentina
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hinted he will give the country a bank holiday if England win the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel's side are just three victories away from ending 60 years of hurt for the men's team.
When asked if he would make July 20th 2026 a bank holiday, if the Three Lions were victorious at the Met Life Stadium, Starmer said: "On the question of a bank holiday, I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
(Image: Richard Pelham, Getty Images)
Belgium have demanded from FIFA the right to relocate their training centre to LA Galaxy after they were left disappointed by the pitch.
The Belgians had been training at Loyola Marymount University ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash against Spain. However, they want a new training base after they stated the pitch "did not meet the minimum standards required".
(Image: ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Reece James trained on his own as England returned to training. Thomas Tuchel's side started preparing for this weekend's quarter-final clash against Norway.
James has not featured since the 0-0 draw with Ghana as he has been struggling with a hamstring injury. However, there is hope he may be fit to face Erling Haaland and co.
Pop star Justin Bieber has announced he will perform at the World Cup final half-time show on Sunday, July 19 in New Jersey.
FIFA have confirmed the show will last for 11 minutes.
(Image: Getty Images for Coachella)
"Has anyone ever stopped him? His numbers, the things he does, you're in awe at how good he is. Maybe we have to stop how the ball goes into him and how he gets his chances because he is so deadly.
"They have other good players as well who they play against on a regular basis in the Premier League. They're a really good team, as a unit.
"The Harry Kane vs Haaland debate? They're two completely different strikers. Both, are the two for me at the top of their game, they've been two of the best players in the tournament. It'll be a spectacle for the fans."
Djed Spence has inserted himself into the press pack. He has taken the microphone and asked: "Is it true Djed Spence is the fastest in the squad?"
Amused, Rogers replied: "I wouldn't bet against you. But there is a couple saying they might have you, Anthony Gordon being one of them."
"He's a massive leader, a massive character here and at Villa. He helped me in difficult moments, just a quiet word. He's a good person to lean on, not just at the club but here as well.
"He's always someone I look up to at club and here as well. He's a big player to help me considering what he has done and the level he competes at. It's nice to have him around.
"He's one of the best centre backs at this World Cup. He can do everything, never gets beaten, unbelievable on the ball. I don't know a flaw in his game.
"It's helped us that a bigger club hasn't taken him in the last few years. I don't know a problem in his game so it's nice that he gets the recognition that he can compete on the world stage. He does go under the radar massively."
"Erm, maybe. We're happy to do what's required in that moment. We'd probably bring a different quality if me or Jude, Ivan and Ollie phave different qualities, if we were to play that position.
"That's what a squad is about. It's about everyone utilising whatever the game needs, it may determine what type of player is needed in that moment."
"I'm not surprised at how he's played and taken key moments in games. Like the game the other day. In five minutes he put his fingerprints on the game and took hold of the game.
"That's the players you need in tough environments. You need your best players to stand up. We're not surprised and nobody else should be."
"That shows what he is like as a person. I think he can still be involved with us for the rest of the tournament. The belief he has, the way he is and what he represents is massive for us.
"He's the heartbeat of the group, smiling as happy as he normally is, no matter what happened. It's nice for us to see him and hopefully he can be back on the pitch as soon as possible."
"It was about showing everyone else. I think we knew we had that extra bit, what it takes. Everyone can win games off ability but we knew we had that grit which hadn't been shown in the previous games.
"So to win that was we showed to the world we can win in different ways and different environments. That gives us a lot of confidence but gives the fans back home that bit of belief that we have the ability to find a way to win."
"You could see, everyone was given everything. We were down to ten men, everyone played for an extra person, giving their all. A few players played a lot of minutes this season.
"I'm sure everyone will be fit and raring to go. It's another opportunity for us to go again and we'll be ready for that."
"I think everyone would say it's the best way to win, in the sense of adversity, tough moments, to come out on top and the relief of backs against the wall for 20 minutes.
"That feeling when the final whistle goes, that relief and joy of what we did, the changing room was a great place to be after that.
"We were a bit tired and a bit dead afterwards. It took a lot out of us, but it was a lovely moment to be a part off."
Morgan Rogers will be the England star who speaks to the press today.
Those who want to tune in can do so live on Sky Sports News - he will be live very soon!
Arsenal are showing a transfer interest in Morgan Rogers.(Image: Richard Pelham, Getty Images)
Brazil icon Neymar is considering retiring from international football, according to reports from his home country.
The Samba star scored in his most recent World Cup match; an injury time penalty in his country's 2-1 World Cup round of 16 defeat to Norway.
It's now been claimed the ex-Barclona and PSG icon may call time on his international career, after 15 years, 130 appearances and 80 goals.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Reece James, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi missed training for England. The Three Lions took part in their first training session since their heroic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Azteca.
They face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals this weekend. However, Thomas Tuchel is sweating on the fitness of the aforementioned trio after they missed training today. Rice has been playing through a lower back injury, while Guehi is understood to have a muscle injury.
Meanwhile Reece James has not featured since the 0-0 draw against Ghana as a result of a frustrating hamstring injury, although he was fit enough to make the bench in Mexico City.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Jordan Pickford is still beaming from England's World Cup round of 16 clash triumph against Mexico. The Three Lions shot-stopper had one of his best matches in an England shirt in the Azteca, making save after save and punching crosses away like superman.
During a training session ahead of this Saturday's quarter-final with Norway, Pickford was still smiling about the occasion. He said: "That was unreal.
"You'll never get moments like that again in football. Come to the Azteca, it is once in a lifetime. A bucket list memory. Everyone is talking about altitude. It was us against them."We rolled our sleeves up and we got the victory. It was an all-round gutsy togetherness performance. That is what we are. We're England and that's what we do.”
Jordan Pickford's England shirt could have read 'Pigford' instead(Image: Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah's red card will earn him a one-match suspension - unless King Charles can take a leaf out of Donald Trump's book and ring Infantino to suggest they take another look.
As this is more than unlikely, Quansah will have to sit a one-match suspension which rules him out of this Saturday's World Cup quarter-final battle with Norway. But should England win, Quansah will be available to compete in the semi-final, where one of Switzerland or Argentina will be waiting.
(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Norway have switched hotels after the players complained about noise and disruption from a road outside of their hotel. It's also understood a nearby construction site was also causing a lot of racket in their original hotel.
Not long after they submitted a complaint to FIFA, Stale Solbakken's side have left their hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Their decision has also been made after illness ran rampage through the squad.
They have switched to a venue which is believed to be closer to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where they will face England in the World Cup quarter-final.
For the full story follow here
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
France manager Didier Deschamps thought his pre-match press conference before his country's World Cup quarter-final clash with Morocco was over.
However, one Moroccan reporter, peturbed he did not get a question, was determined to hear from the French boss. As Deschamps rose to his feet to leave, the reporter stood up and demanded to ask his question.
As the press officer gestured for him to ask, Deschamps looked unhappy, insisting he had already fielded around 15 questions before.
FIFA have rejected France's appeal to have Michael Olise's ban be overturned. The Frenchman was booked after a Paraguayan player threw himself to the floor after a light, off-the-ball touch from the former Crystal Palce ace.
After Folarin Balogun saw his red card suspension be suspended forn a year, after President Donald Trump made a phone call to FIFA, France made an appeal to FIFA for Olise's ban to be overturned.
However, this request is understood to have been turned down byt FIFA.
England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway may face disruption as a result of the weather. While the weather is set to reach 34 degrees this weekend, thunderstorms are also being anticipated.
These are expected to take place before kick-off, which could result in the 10pm BST kick off being delayed. England's quarter-final clash against Mexico was delayed by one hour after thunder and lightning struck by the Azteca Stadium.
FIFA protocol is a minimum 30-minute delay due to thunderstorms, with the governing body adhering to rules set by local authorities during the tournament. That means if any lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a staidum, the match has to be stopped.
TO READ THE FULL STORY, PRESS HERE
(Image: Getty Images)
Sir Alf Ramsey was so calm, he famously told his staff to calm down after Sir Geoff Hurst's fourth goal for England in the World Cup final. However, a story of Sir Ramsey having a blazing row with the iconic Billy Wright has been detailed.
It involved Wright, Sir Ramsey and a non-league manager named Charlie Phillips. The latter introduced Ramsey to the mysterious world of freemasonry. Details of this row was revealed by Graham Phillips, the son of Charlie.
Speaking to Mirror Football, he said: “That the true story of what happened behind the scenes, on the pitch and in the dressing room at the Hungary game in 1953 was significantly different to what was reported at the time, and subsequently, and involved a final break between Alf and Wright.”
It's claimed Wright was given specific instructions during England's 6-3 loss to Hungari in 1953, bit ignored them, leading to a horrendous row between the two. Graham added: "After the game Wright stood up, went over to manager Walter Winterbottom, put his arm around his shoulder and said: ‘Never mind, if you had picked a different team perhaps things would have been better’.
"Ramsey heard this and was furious on two counts. Firstly that Wright had broken a confidence on the team selection issue and secondly that he was absolving himself of any responsibility for the performance.
"Ramsey in as measured tones as he could manage, blamed Wright at some length for undermining the strategy that they had been asked to play. Not once but twice. Once that had let to the first goal and secondly after the team had played so well within the strategic plan to get the equaliser. This time it was personal and Wright knew it.
"Ramsey was standing with his back to the dressing room door as he was speaking standing two or three feet away from Wright and Winterbottom.
"Shortly after he began to speak he noticed that both men were not making eye contact but were looking behind him. He turned round to see that two men and suits had entered the dressing room while he had been speaking."
TO READ THE FULL STORY CLICK HERE
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson has uploaded a picture of himself with the hospital stuff who worked with him. The England international broke his wrist in a freak incident after the Three Lions beat Mexico.
He tried to vault an advertising boarding, only for his hand to slip as he jumped, causing him to fall on top of his wrist. The Brentford ace required wrist surgery after the distressing incident.
Henderson wrote: Surgery done! Let's get ready for the big one Saturday. Thank you to all the staff that looked after me at Kansas city orthopaedic institute.
Especially the three surgeons who carried out the operation. Dr. Kenneth P. Unruh, Dr. Mark J Winston, Dr. Kirk McCullough."
Thomas Tuchel is already without Jarell Quansah and Jordan Henderson for England's quarter-final clash against Norway. However, he also has many players who are at risk of a suspension, if they pick up another yellow card.
They are:
Jude Bellingham
Nico O'Reilly
Declan Rice
Marc Guehi
England v Norway in a World Cup quarter-final is serious business.
As is the task set for England's defence - stopping Norway's deadly striker Erling Haaland.
Here's some Haaland stats:
- Haaland has seven goals in his debut World Cup
- Four of those goals have been match-winning strikes
- He is averaging a goal every 14 touches this tournament
- Haaland has scored his seven goals from just 18 shots - a 39 per cent conversion record
- Haaland has scored 62 goals in 54 senior internationals - averaging a goal every 71 minutes. Only six of those were penalties
- He has now scored in each of his past 14 competitive appearances for Norway, claiming 27 goals in that run.
So, how scared are you of the big man?
How much do you fear the Norwegian?(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are ready to reignite their interest in Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson - whose performances at the World Cup have put him back on their radar.
The Norwegian has been a key figure in their run to the last eight, where they will now face England. That comes after an impressive season with Dortmund, who don't want to lose him and are keen to discuss a new deal.
Despite that Bild understands that the Bundesliga outfit would consider his sale if they received a bid in the region of €30million (£25.6m) for a player who provided 15 assists last season with initial talks taking place.
His combination of pace and strength in one-on-one situations are seen as perfect for the Premier League with United also looking to prepare themselves for a far busier season following a return to the Champions League.
United have big plans this summer and are committed to bolstering several areas of their squad. Midfield is their priority but, if they have sufficient budget, they would also seek to add another attacker and a full-back - with Ryerson ticking the final box.
Michael Carrick currently has the likes of Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw as regulars in those areas, but more quality and depth is being sought. Dortmund have ultimately shown themselves to be a selling club if they receive the right fee for their players.
READ MORE: Man Utd hold talks with £25.6m World Cup hero as transfer plans take shape
Julian Ryerson of Norway looks on during the Round of 16(Image: getty)