Opinion | "They accused Bellingham of being arrogant. They said that his demand to be the protagonist, his main character energy, was in danger of dragging England down. Now that is exactly what they must celebrate," writes Daniel Storey trib.al/2LcbTaS

From Djed Spence's penalty to the disallowed goal, how England got away with it Read more: trib.al/fpmFn93

Football, Guantanamo Bay and the shadow of shame that hangs over this World Cup 🏆 ⚽ Big read by @kat-lucas.bsky.social #WorldCup inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Football, Guantanamo Bay and the shadow of shame that hangs over this World Cup

Former detainees tell The i Paper about their years locked up in the notorious US prison - and how manipulative guards used football in its cages as a form of control

inews.co.uk

"In a world of AI and fakery, authenticity has never been more important," says former BBC presenter Dan Walker. "It might seem trivial but ITV are doing well because you can see Mark Pougatch’s hair being blown around. "Maybe the BBC need to invest in a wind machine..."

He lit up the Premier League with Tottenham, then won it all at Real Madrid. Now happily retired, Gareth Bale talks injuries, the Champions League and why Wales meant so much to him. Read the full interview here: trib.al/5104uqH

🗣️ “Being able to see the welcome and acceptance for queer people elsewhere can act as a powerful motivator for queer people in states and towns in which that same welcome and acceptance isn’t in evidence” - @ericwahl.bsky.social ✍️ @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @ipapersport.bsky.social #LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️

Fifa has abandoned LGBT fans - but one US city is fighting back

The World Cup has let down a community who should be front and centre of the tournament

inews.co.uk

Opinion | 'Hart is saving BBC’s coverage, and while ITV may be winning the broadcasting battle, the Beeb could yet win the war thanks to his articulate insight,' writes Michael Hincks Read more: trib.al/6VhfBCO

You would think official government transportation might offer some respite from bank-breaking prices at the World Cup Read more: trib.al/6aOX1Ey

The World Cup has let down a community who should be front and centre of the tournament Read more: trib.al/h92OwJG

Marcus Rashford is the next target on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer wish list this summer 🎯 ✍️ @petehall86.bsky.social reports #THFC #COYS inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Tottenham plot shock move for £40m Marcus Rashford

The England international may have to rethink his own transfer stance this summer

inews.co.uk

Sir Geoff Hurst is the only surviving member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final. 60 years after that famous win, he reflects on his career and reveals the incredible bond he shared with Bobby Moore. Read more: trib.al/apX0mM4

Football's staying home in a controversial bid to save licence fee money Read more: trib.al/hcpzHmZ

FREE jumbo World Cup wall chart inside today's The i Paper Plot every team's progress as they chase glory 48 teams Three host nations 16 venues 104 matches One essential jumbo World Cup wall chart FREE in The i Paper today

One 2026 World Cup wallchart to rule them all. Take down the Cézanne from your living room wall. Make space for The i Paper’s (almost) A1 wallchart, which will be published in tomorrow’s newspaper. Don’t miss it. In fact, buy copies for everyone you know. Thanks! @olyduff.bsky.social

🗣️ "I feel liberated. The BBC moved the goalposts, not me" Gary Lineker speaks to @msidouglas.bsky.social about his acrimonious BBC exit, bringing the World Cup to Netflix and his worries over an "unpredictable" Donald Trump 🎙️ #WorldCup inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Gary Lineker: I feel liberated. The BBC moved the goalposts, not me

Axed Match of the Day presenter speaks to The i Paper about his acrimonious BBC exit, bringing the World Cup to Netflix and his worries over an 'unpredictable' Donald Trump

inews.co.uk

Our chief football writer @danielstorey85.bsky.social is setting out on an epic road trip across the USA to cover the wildest World Cup in history. Ask him anything about his 7,200-mile, 49-day odyssey: trib.al/kLWoCN0

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas was the first professional rugby player to openly come out as gay. Now he wants to tackle the hidden drugs crisis affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Read the full interview here ➡️: trib.al/Gv4dKyC

Gareth Thomas: Chemsex left my friend on life support trib.al/xQ6dIKh

Gareth Thomas: Chemsex left my friend on life support

The Welsh rugby legend talks the significance of representing his country, the value of

inews.co.uk

Thomas Tuchel has named one of the most contentious World Cup squads in memory Read more: trib.al/uWPLIyA

Hull City are considering legal action over Southampton's "Spygate" chaos 🧑‍⚖️ ⚽️ Exclusive by @msidouglas.bsky.social #HCAFC #SaintsFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Hull City consider legal action over Southampton 'spygate' chaos

Questions about the involvement of Southampton manager Tonda Eckert are sure to follow after the Saints were expelled from the play-offs for spying on rivals

inews.co.uk

"Getting relegated with Tottenham was my lowest point," says Glenn Hoddle. "I was only 18, and we got relegated in 1977. "I’ve supported Tottenham since I was eight years old, and to think I was in a team that got relegated was crucifying for me as a youngster." #THFC

One of the most extraordinary moments in Premier League history - from here, Arsenal win the title. From the London Stadium. #afc #whuars inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

The most controversial VAR call in history has all but won Arsenal the title

West Ham denied 95th-minute equaliser to put Arsenal on the brink of immortality

inews.co.uk

🗣️ "I used to lose two or three pounds every morning. It's a dangerous sport. Mentally, it was tough." Frankie Dettori opens up on why he quit horse racing, surviving a plane crash and rubbing shoulders with football royalty 🏇 Read the full interview here ➡️: trib.al/g2F7by0

"I am forever drawn back to this place," writes @danielstorey85.bsky.social ✍️ Read more ➡️: trib.al/42K5FHb #GTFC

🗣️ "It was the first thing he said to me, actually. We were sat in his office" Rio Ferdinand recalls the best advice from Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Cole's strange pre-match routine and sharing a room with Roy Keane and Frank Lampard ⚽ Read the full interview here ➡️: trib.al/YZ3bnm5

Opinion | "Dragging thousands of fans from Manchester or Leeds down to London, on the same weekend of the marathon, is way beyond the illogical," writes Pete Hall trib.al/bRpMvJi

Liam Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea, with assistant Calum McFarlane taking interim charge until the end of the season trib.al/dYPyiUe

🗣️ "Everyone thought I was going to be the next Alan Shearer" Micah Richards talks to @msidouglas.bsky.social about playing up front as a kid, how he wanted to be a manager before he found TV and winding up Roy Keane 😂 Read more ➡️: trib.al/GtjZRYj

"If you purport to care about supporters, you must help all of them," writes Daniel Storey trib.al/WJvZo7I

Thursday's front page: China flexes its muscles in Gulf - as Trump seeks deal with Iran Read the full story: trib.al/Nf3VD5Z #TomorrowsPapersToday