Paul Merson

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here! No doubt that this tournament will have value in terms of entertainment. But I have a problem with it.

The individual awards at the 2022 FIFA World Cup were won by three Argentinians and Kylian Mbappe, who finished second to them in the final. It is clear that players who enjoy a deep run in the tournament have the best chance of taking these accolades home.

Sky Sports' Paul Merson: "It's back to reality. You can't score four in every game, but you'd expect to break them down in the end. That's something for Tuchel to look at, but you're not winning the World Cup in the second game of the tournament. We need to have trust in the manager."

Sky Sports' Paul Merson: "Thomas Tuchel now has a major problem after Jude Bellingham's performance in a deeper role against Panama. Bellingham really impressed, but that is where Declan Rice plays, and if fit, he plays. When we come up against the bigger teams, you'll need Rice"

England face co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday; Paul Merson calls it a 50-50 game; Thomas Tuchel's side will not only have to play at altitude in the Mexican capital, but in front of a passionate home crowd; Merse also praises 'phenomenal' Harry Kane

What a game last night between Argentina and Cabo Verde in the FIFA World Cup! Super entertaining stuff. Some people said there are too many teams at the World Cup this year, but Cabo Verde have justified the inclusion of 48 nations.

We're heading towards the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what a tournament it has been so far. There are just eight teams remaining in the competition and by the end of the weekend, we will be down to the last four!

Sky Sports Paul Merson: Teams win leagues. X-factor wins tournaments. We have an X-factor player in Jude Bellingham, and also Harry Kane. We have X-factor in abundance with those two. When you have players like that, you always have a chance of winning tournaments.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been absolutely amazing. There were 48 teams to begin with and the final four consists of the sides that sit from one to four in the world rankings.

Chelsea are set to sign Morgan Rogers for £117m - a record for a British player; the Aston Villa forward is moving to Stamford Bridge despite Arsenal making him his No 1 target; Merson: "Crazy money. Bringing Morgan Rogers in for £117m isn't what Chelsea needed."