Had qualification for the World Cup been decided by population, Spain would only just have made it for the past seven tournaments. Ranked 31st by that metric, they lag behind Myanmar, Sudan and Colomb

On his first time back in Mexico since collecting the World Cup Golden Boot in 1986, the former England striker reflects on his career, the Three Lions’ hopes for 2026 and being inducted into the International Football Hall of Fame

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT THE FUTURE'S

Simon Kuper World Cup Fever A footballing journey in nine tournaments 352pp. Profile. £20. Jonathan Wilson The Power and the Glory A new history of the World Cup 608pp. Abacus. £25. In 1994, a column

Jamie Evans picks out the sides that will be on World Soccer’ s radar for the rest of the season

In spring 1953, Britain was looking forward. After the trauma of the war and its aftermath, people were no longer focused simply on surviving. Thanks in part to the postwar settlement and welfare stat