Kobbie Mainoo started for England as the hosts slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley on Thursday evening. Rejuvenated under Michael Carrick, Mainoo had returned to international action after coming off the bench in England’s 1–1 draw with Uruguay and was picked in Thomas Tuchel’s XI against Japan.

The 20-year-old began well, seeing plenty of the ball and using his close control to spin away from markers and deliver tidy passes from around the halfway line. He recycled possession, helped defend in transition and attempted to kickstart attacks. His early highlight was an inch-perfect ball to Palmer—whose heavy touch squandered the chance.

Problems arrived in the 23rd minute when Palmer had his pocket picked by Kaoru Mitoma. Mainoo chased the winger and made a last-ditch tackle inside his own 18-yard box but could not prevent what was ultimately a goal for the visitors. Trailing, England pushed higher and Mainoo moved closer to the opposition box, searching for a pass to unlock the defence.

The front line offered little penetration without Harry Kane, and Mainoo’s accurate passes had limited effect in the final third. He only misplaced two passes in the opening 45 minutes, but one wayward attempt was intercepted by Kaishū Sano, who drove forward and found Ayase Ueda. Ueda’s effort struck the crossbar just before halftime.

Japan dominated the restart and the hosts scrambled early in the second half. Mainoo was caught ball-watching when a through pass released Junya Ito down the right; Mainoo was late to recover but got the slightest of touches as Jordan Pickford collected the resulting cross. He avoided further errors, made several recoveries and interventions before being replaced in the 71st minute.

Mainoo can take pride in an elite passing display but will want to eliminate the lapses on and off the ball that influenced the outcome.

Statistics
Goals 0
Assists 0
Accurate Passes 83/88 (94%)
Touches 97
Successful Dribbles 2/2 (100%)
Passes Into Final Third 9
Accurate Crosses 0/1 (0%)
Accurate Long Balls 1/3 (33%)
Dispossessed 0
Tackles 2
Clearances 3
Headed Clearance 3
Recoveries 9
Chances Created 0
Shots on Target 0

Marco Rossi moved quickly to dismiss reports of a falling-out with Liverpool manager Arne Slot, calling the idea implausible and urging respect for the national team after Hungary’s friendly schedule.

“If we had to save his energy, whether it was for him or anyone else, he could do it,” Rossi sniffed ahead of Hungary’s friendly against Slovenia. “However, for us, the national team is the priority, now it is to play good games.”

Dominik Szoboszlai and his Liverpool colleague Milos Kerkez both started Hungary’s 1–0 win in Budapest on Saturday. Rossi was at pains to explain his substitutions and to push back against suggestions of tension with Slot.

“I’ve read nonsense in the press,” the Hungary boss fumed. “You can’t imagine that I would be so arrogant, conceited and stupid as to compare myself to a coach who manages a team in the Premier League .

“I am not comparable to the Liverpool manager, I had no intention of that happening at all. Arne Slot said he hoped his players wouldn’t play two games. I saved Dominik Szoboszlai 10 minutes and Milos Kerkez 20.

“Slot is a coach of a top club. He deserves maximum respect. I am nobody. But since I am the head coach of the Hungarian national team, I think the Hungarian national team also deserves respect, at least because of its past.

The article’s match details list minutes played by several internationals, correct as of March 30, 2026: Giorgi Mamardashvili 180, Dominik Szoboszlai 87, Milos Kerkez 76, Jeremie Frimpong 0, Virgil van Dijk 90, Ibrahima Konaté 90, Andy Robertson 71, Alexis Mac Allister 76, Ryan Gravenberch 82, Florian Wirtz 90, Cody Gakpo 82 and Hugo Ekitiké 93.

Slot’s wider concerns over his international contingent extend to other players who have travelled and logged minutes in recent friendlies. The French pair Ibrahima Konaté and Hugo Ekitiké started one of France’s March friendlies before travelling to the U.S. for matches against Brazil and Colombia. Alexis Mac Allister undertook a near 14,000-mile round trip to Buenos Aires, a journey Rossi suggested can complicate player recovery and form.

The 2026 World Cup will still be the benchmark for how careers are remembered. This piece identifies 15 players who, on the evidence of recent form detailed below, are likely to dominate the tournament in North America.

Portugal’s midfield will be a central concern for opponents. Bruno Fernandes, who wears the captain’s armband in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, has produced a Premier League campaign that merits PFA Player of the Year consideration. Vitinha has been the metronome for Paris Saint-Germain and will sit at the base of Portugal’s midfield, often combining with clubmate João Neves. When he is not disrupting pressing schemes, Vitinha has a habit of producing decisive goals from the edge of the box.

Lionel Messi remains an outstanding presence. His legacy, sealed in Qatar, has not prevented him from proving he can still compete — most recently at last summer’s Club World Cup — and he has continued to dominate Major League Soccer. “A final decision hasn’t been made, but Messi has come this far in the latest cycle.”

Thibaut Courtois is back in the international picture under Rudi Garcia and will look to replicate the goalkeeping excellence he has shown for Real Madrid on football’s biggest stage.

Federico Valverde has rediscovered his best form under Álvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid. The Uruguayan’s blend of defensive diligence and forward surges makes him one of the most complete midfielders in world football and a natural leader for Uruguay.

Raphinha has been a model of efficiency, contributing 60 goal involvements in 57 matches during Barcelona’s treble season, and remains a key attacking option for Brazil when fit.

Erling Haaland led Norway’s qualifying with 16 goals and will be central to their ambitions; an upturn in form would make Norway genuine dark horses.

Vinicius Junior is framed as Brazil’s obvious superstar to watch, praised by his coach as “extraordinary talent.” Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé also feature for their recent influence at club and international level.

This selection is driven by recent performances and available form, and it highlights the players most likely to shape narratives at the 2026 World Cup.