On the plane or the sofa? How England’s 2026 World Cup squad is shaping up

On the plane or the sofa? How England’s 2026 World Cup squad is shaping up

More than half the 26 places appear to be locked down but big names are at risk with qualification secured and the tournament looming Fresh from breaking Gordon Banks’s record for consecutive England clean sheets, Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed pick in goal. A miserly defensive record is a positive for Thomas Tuchel, even if the shutouts have come against poor sides. John Stones , such an elegant centre-back, is back in the team and will start at the World Cup if he stays fit. But who will partner him? Tuchel likes Ezri Konsa , whose versatility also makes him an option at right-back, and Marc Guéhi . Big Dan Burn also looks established despite making his international debut in March. It is more uncertain at left-back but Reece James will play at right-back as long as his body does not let him down. Continue reading...

The two sides of Kemi Badenoch: how the Tory leader pivoted for political gain

The two sides of Kemi Badenoch: how the Tory leader pivoted for political gain

As her fortunes shift and change, the MP for North West Essex, who is of Nigerian heritage has embraced pragmatism and contradiction to survive • Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The day before Kemi Badenoch promised Trump-style mass deportations during her Tory conference speech, she defended Conservative MP Robert Jenrick over his complaints he hadn’t seen “another white face’ in a Birmingham neighbourhood. As the Tories shift further right, Badenoch has become aggressive about immigration, even denying her own Nigerian identity. This contrasts with her early days in politics, and her recent complaints of a creeping “ethno-nationalism” when she was labelled an “anchor baby” . As we approach the first anniversary of her troubled reign, I look at the two sides of Kemi. Continue reading...