England’s main mission at the World Cup is to bring the trophy home however, there is a separate crusade currently ongoing in the US.
Last year, FA officials introduced a ‘legacy cap’ to honour every player who has represented the country in a senior international since the first official match against Scotland 154 years ago. Each player is given a number, with goalkeeper Robert Barker viewed as the first in 1872. The red velvet caps are being handed to the person in question or the close family members of those who are no longer with us.
Around 300 have been distributed so far and the Three Lions’ travelling party has brought a number across the Atlantic with them. Rodney Marsh, Peter Ward and Stephen Warnock received theirs in Tampa on Saturday night, and others have been produced for Florida-based players including Danny Thomas, Gary Bailey and Alan Smith (ex-Leeds and Manchester United).
The FA are also seeing the tournament as an opportunity to hand the mementos to pundits and there are caps for both Neville brothers, who are expected to cross paths with England. There is also one for Sir David Beckham, although whether a time slot can be found for a meeting remains to be seen.
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Rodney Marsh received his England ‘legacy cap’ in Tampa when the Three Lions faced New Zealand on Saturday
Green-fingered Guardiola’s parting gift to Man City
There is a corner of Manchester City – or at least their training ground – which will be forever Pep Guardiola. The Catalan departed the club at the end of the season following a decade in charge but has left a reminder behind.
Inside Sport understands green-fingered Guardiola donated all the pots and plants from his Manchester apartment to the Etihad Campus. Indeed, the ex-manager even went to the length of hiring a gardener to dig them out and transport them across town. A wide selection now takes pride of place around the City Football Academy.
Meanwhile, Guardiola’s highly-regarded assistant, Pep Lijnders, is taking some time out of the game following his departure from the Etihad. Some believe his next step will be to reunite with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, should he take the Germany job at some point.
Three Lions’ close call
England’s West Palm Beach training camp is nestled in the middle of a public pickleball and tennis club and one of their two practice pitches backs on to a children’s playground.
Such is the intimacy that on one occasion a wayward shot sailed over the adjoining fence and landed perilously close to a group of toddlers enjoying the water fountains.
An apologetic official was despatched to go and ask the mums if they could have their ball back.
England’s West Palm Beach training camp is nestled in the middle of a public pickleball and tennis club
One of the pitches backs onto a children’s playground, with a wayward shot landing perilously close to a group of toddlers enjoying the water fountains
Dubois’ Derby mix-up
WBO world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois was invited to the Betfred Derby – but missed the big race on Epsom Downs because he went to Ascot by mistake.
Dubois was a guest of promoter Frank Warren, whose Queensberry Promotions ran DerbyFest – a free to enter fan zone on The Hill with performances from Pixie Lott and The Hoosiers.
But the champ missed Britain’s most prestigious Flat race and most of the King and Queen’s visit on Saturday after heading to Ascot first and battling traffic to get from the Berkshire track to the Surrey venue 30 miles away.
‘We went all over the country to get to this place,’ Dubois explained when he finally arrived. ‘It’s my first time at Epsom – at least I made it with a few races to go.’
A source said: ‘He couldn’t work out why there were no cars in the car park when he arrived at Ascot. When the penny finally dropped he headed straight to Epsom.’
Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois missed the Derby at Epsom after going to Ascot by mistake
World Cup earns ‘sensory inclusive’ status
A positive move from FIFA, no less. The 2026 version of the World Cup has earned the first ‘sensory inclusive’ status, with sensory spaces to be provided at all 16 stadiums across 104 matches. Each room will be equipped with technology from sponsors Hisense designed to support relaxation and sensory regulation.
Channel 4’s World Cup rerun raises Alzheimer’s Society funds
Channel 4 made around £150,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society from its colour screening of England’s 1966 World Cup final victory.
The broadcaster showed the match in full, with Sir Geoff Hurst featuring heavily. Five of the hat-trick hero’s teammates who started at Wembley developed dementia – and viewers were urged to donate during breaks in play.
IOC President’s latest PR misstep
IOC President Kirsty Coventry’s PR woes continue with an ill-judged interview expressing her views on why athletes should not be paid prize money for Olympic success.
Coventry, herself a two-time Olympic champion in swimming, made a subsequent clarification via social media which only seemed to make matters worse – upsetting several Olympian athletes and leaving her allies calling for a stronger PR team to help Coventry sidestep further mis-steps.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
