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World Cup LIVE: Bank holiday for England fans, Norway chaos, quarter-finals start TODAY

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England fans watching the match at a fan zone

LIVEUpdated 20 mins ago

France will face Morocco in the first quarter-final match of the 2026 tournament but the clash has been mired in controversy while England face Norway on Saturday but Haaland's side face issues

England fans could get a bank holiday if the Three Lions win(Image: Getty Images)

The quarter-finals of the World Cup will kick-off today with a huge match between France and Morocco.

This match has already been surrounded in controversy with football fans slamming FIFA after an all-Argentinian officiating team was announced for the clash. Eyebrows were raised as France lost to Argentina in the 2022 final and a repeat of this World Cup final line-up remains possible, with both countries still in the tournament. The match will kick-off at 9pm UK time.

Despite this, France head coach Didier Deschamps played down the referee fury and said: "I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee."

Elsewhere, Keir Starmer yesterday hinted an England World Cup win could mean an extra bank holiday for Brits. Asked whether he would back a bank holiday if England managed to win, Sir Keir told reporters: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final."

England will face Norway in the quarter-final clash this Saturday but the Norwegians have seen their problems stack up. Their camp was hit with a sickness bug and the team were forced to move out of their Miami hotel due to various disruptions.

Here, Mirror Football provides the latest updates on everything that happens at the World Cup today...


Today10:55 BST

Martin Odegaard opens up on Norway's plan to beat England - 'We know them'

Martin Odegaard is aiming to use his Premier League experience to claim England as another shock World Cup scalp.

Norway take on the Three Lions in Miami on Saturday evening with the victor securing a spot in the semi finals.

The game will also see a number of familiar faces come together, with Odegaard and Erling Haaland set to take on some of their club teammates and domestic rivals.

And Norway captain Odegaard is hoping to use that familiarity to his advantage as the Scandinavians eye a spot in the last four.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash, Odegaard said: "Obviously we know the quality they have. I know them really well. Outstanding players, world-class players, playing for probably one of the best national teams in the world at the moment, so it's going to be a big test for us.

"But I think Brazil was the same. We were the underdogs and, as you saw, anything can happen in football, so, yeah, we're going to give it a good try and see what we can do and looking forward to it.

"It's true that a lot of us play in England, so we know them quite well. Obviously, we've been playing against a lot of these players in the league, so we know them but it's about the whole team. We have to be prepared, we have to analyse the opponent like we always do and we have to have the belief in ourselves."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Today10:34 BST

Dan Burn would relish a battle with Erling Haaland

Dan Burn believes England must be far better than they were against Mexico to beat Norway and would relish the challenge of keeping Erling Haaland quiet.

England overcame hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card later that day to beat Mexico 3-2 at the electric Estadio Azteca, where Burn played a key role off the bench.

The towering defender helped Tuchel’s 10 men batten down the hatches and knows far more is required if they are to avoid an agonising quarter-final exit to Norway.

Haaland has scored seven goals this summer, just one behind Golden Boot leader Lionel Messi, but has only managed to score once in his previous contests with Newcastle defender Burn.

Burn, speaking to talkSPORT, said: "Yeah, I don’t want to jinx it. But, yeah, one goal. I do enjoy playing against Erling purely just from a physical point of view.

"I quite like that sort of physical battle, and I get on well with him on the pitch. We do get on quite well, although you'd have to ask him if he thinks the same thing. If I'm asked to do that, I'll be more than ready and more than happy to do that.

"But obviously I also know that we've got sort of four other centre halves here who are also top-quality players and have played this whole tournament because of that too."

Dan Burn blocking an overhead kick by Raul Jimenez

Dan Burn blocking an overhead kick by Raul Jimenez during the England v Mexico match(Image: Getty Images)

Today10:09 BST

England fans soak in the Miami sun ahead of Saturday's clash

Three England fans pose for a picture in Miami

England fans Arthur Toynton, 35, from Dubai, Arun Niijar, 33, and Vivek Patel, 29, from London(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

Fan waving the England flag by the beach

England fan Anastasi Estrada, 28, from New York(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

England fans sat at a table having a drink

England fans having a drink by South Beach in Miami(Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

Three England fans holding up the flag and smiling for a picture

Lee Owen, 58, Robert Stearn, 54, from Bucks, and Jack Cooper, 27, from London(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

Today09:36 BST

Who is playing tonight?

The quarter-finals of the tournament will kick off tonight as France face Morocco.

They will play at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The clash will start at 9pm UK time and will be shown on ITV.

Kylian Mbappe celebrating a goal

France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates during the round of 16 match against Paraguay(Image: Getty Images)

Today08:56 BST

Justin Bieber to perform at World Cup half-time final show - but BBC won't show it

Justin Bieber has been confirmed as one of the co-headliners for the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19 - however, the BBC are set to ignore him.

Instead, the Beeb are set to focus on analysing the action of the first half rather than cutting to the show.

Bieber has been announced alongside Madonna, Shakira and South Korean boy band BTS for the performance at the final, in New York New Jersey Stadium.

The show has been pencilled in for 11 minutes during the interval but the BBC will likely not show it.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Today08:45 BST

Morgan Rogers backs Aston Villa team-mate Ezri Konsa to muzzle Erling Haaland

Morgan Rogers has called Ezri Konsa "one of the best centre-backs in football" and has backed his Aston Villa team-mate to keep Erling Haaland quiet in England’s World Cup quarter-final with Norway.

No player has played more minutes under Thomas Tuchel than Konsa, who has opened mainly at centre-back but also in both full-back positions.

Rogers, who leans on his Villa team-mate for support, says that Konsa is under-rated and one of the best defenders on show.

Asked whether Konsa gets enough credit, Rogers replied: "No, nowhere near. I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest, I think at this World Cup.

"I think the ability that he’s got, he can do everything as a centre-back, never gets beaten in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball.

"Honestly, I don’t know a flaw in his game, and I think that's helped Villa that probably a bigger club has not taken him in the last few years. I think that’s helped us, because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game, really.

"It's nice that he gets the recognition and he can compete on the world stage, and everyone can see how good he actually is. I think he does go under the radar massively and in these conversations of the best centre-backs, he is right up there."

Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa celebrating a goal

Morgan Rogers (L) with Ezri Konsa (R) while playing for Aston Villa(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Today08:31 BST

Moment chaos stops Brahim Diaz during press conference

Morocco's Brahim Diaz was left shocked after an argument broke out during a press conference, ahead of tonight's clash with France.

The Forward was distracted mid sentence after two people in the press pack were heard bickering.

The two can be heard saying "Why did you hit me" as officials tried to calm down the spat. Diaz smiled as the chaos was controlled then said "I forgot the question."

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Today08:15 BST

Iconic referee defends officials after Egypt-Argentina controversy

FIFA's referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has defended officials at the World Cup after Egypt claimed "serious" mistakes had been made by the referee in their last-16 loss to Argentina.

The Egyptian Football Association called for French referee Francois Letexier and his team to be sent home after being left angered by key decisions in Tuesday's match, when they conceded three late goals to lose 3-2 to the defending champions.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan appeared to suggest there was favouritism shown towards Argentina by FIFA, saying: "Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition."

In comments published on FIFA's website, chief refereeing officer Collina insisted his officials could not be influenced by anyone.

He said: "Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport. Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials.

"When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right. Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president."

Pierluigi Collina looks on ahead of a match

Pierluigi Collina pictured in 2025(Image: Getty Images)

Today08:11 BST

Starmer hints at potential England World Cup win meaning extra bank holiday

An England World Cup win could mean an extra bank holiday, Sir Keir Starmer has hinted ahead of a quarter-final clash with Norway at the weekend.

The Prime Minister hailed Monday’s win over Mexico as “one of the best England performances I’ve ever seen” and victory against Norway would take them a step closer to a first World Cup win for 60 years.

The Three Lions fans in Miami for the quarter-final tie still had the Mexico game at the forefront of their minds, with one saying that even if the team wins the tournament, “it won’t be that”.

Asked whether he would back a bank holiday if England managed to win the tournament, Sir Keir told reporters at Wednesday’s Nato conference: “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”

With the final taking place on Sunday July 19, it is thought the following Friday has been earmarked as the most likely date for a celebratory bank holiday.


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