The Guardian’s live World Cup 2026 blog focused on the build-up to the semi-finals rather than any on-pitch action, with attention on England’s preparations and other developments around international football. It matters because it captures the wider atmosphere before the last-four matches, including team news, crowd management concerns and coaching changes that could shape the tournament’s final stages and its broader football context.

Key updates included Reece James training with England before their semi-final, police urging England supporters to maintain the “exemplary” behaviour seen so far, and Slaven Bilić returning as Croatia head coach. Away from the tournament itself, London City Lionesses signed Spain defender Mapi León on a three-year deal, Sunderland and Fulham were reported to be interested in Roma winger Matías Soulé, and Dutch referee Rob Dieperink died aged 38, two months after being removed from the World Cup VAR panel following a London police case that was later dropped for lack of evidence.