Each of the eight teams has at least one key strength, from Swiss speed to Spanish defenceThe World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage and the favourites to reach the last four in descending order of likelihood, according to Opta, are France, Spain, Argentina and England. All eight remaining teams have positive data in their favour from the tournament, …

Using a digital flat-bed scanner, our picture editor Jonny Weeks adapts some of his favourite images from the tournament and explores the trend of alternative photographyAlthough I’ve edited thousands of football photographs over the years, I’ve never attended a World Cup match. I envy those who get to be pitchside with their cameras for such big events. …

One of the Bayern and France playmaker’s early coaches tells the story of how a move to Reading kickstarted a careerIf Michael Olise wins the World Cup, there will be a corner of a Hayes housing estate that is for ever France. It is Olise’s corner, a scrap of parkland grass among the west London suburban homes where a seven-year-old practised his …

Tottenham’s strategies have changed over the years and this summer’s transfer splurge marks a sharp turn away from the Levy yearsA couple of weeks ago, Sotheby’s in London concluded one of its biggest art auctions. In all, the sale of 25 modern and contemporary works raised almost £300m. Seated Nude With Necklace, by Modigliani, went for £41.5m; La …

With the World Cup down to eight teams, our writers assess who’s left, identify the biggest remaining threats to France and make calls on who will lift the trophyLionel Messi. As he proved in thrilling style against Egypt, Argentina’s No 10 still has magic in his boots even at the age of 39. While his penalty record of four from eight attempts is much …

Inquest to restart on 7 December, coroner saysSheffield United midfielder died in 2023, aged 27An inquest into the death of the Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has been adjourned again, nearly three years after she died on 20 September 2023, aged 27. The coroner told the court the inquest would restart on 7 December and apologised to the family.The …

News from 186.2km stage from Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre Stage-by-stage guide | Stage five report | Mail AndyBold bicycle placement by Rod in that photo below. A strong gust of wind away from his steed ending up at the bottom of a ravine.The bunch is bimbling south-east, about to start stage six. Christian Prudhomme waves the flag from his car. Continue …

⚽ All the latest as we look ahead to the quarter-finals⚽ Player guide | Bracketology| Golden Boot | Email usOur very own Jonny Weeks has been doing clever things with photos from across the World Cup.Check them out! Continue reading...

England are gearing up to face Norway this weekend and the World Cup continues to spark major talking points

CoCo Vandeweghe lost teeth in a nasty fall while travelling to Wimbledon.

A legend of the sport now looks unrecognisable six years after retiring.

Wayne Rooney has been working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup.

Ben Stokes has issued a message after it emerged that the ICC had contacted the England & Wales Cricket Board over an alleged rule breach

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has undergone surgery on a serious wrist injury.

The blockbuster heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would need to take place at 2am if it is to be held at Wembley Stadium.

Count Bezukhov looks the one to beat in our feature contest from Doncaster today - live on Sky Sports Racing.

Two of the world's best strikers - Harry Kane and Erling Haaland - meet in the World Cup quarter-finals - but who would you rather have?

The Boston Stadium hosts the first World Cup 2026 quarter-final showdown

Australia call up flyhalf to face back-to-back Six Nations championsJock Campbell replaced by Tom Wright in starting XV in BrisbaneDeclan Meredith will debut against France as the reconfigured Wallabies paper over the cracks created by more soft-tissue injury carnage in Brisbane.The ACT Brumbies flyhalf will wear the No 10 against the back-to-back Six …

JACK GAUGHAN: How do you stop this guy? With great difficulty. England know it, Thomas Tuchel knows it. Anybody who watches the Premier League knows it. Crucially: Haaland knows it.