Day 34 of the World Cup saw former England captain David Beckham presented with his legacy cap, number 1,078, by current captain Harry Kane. Beckham visited the team at the Inter Miami training base, the MLS team he owns, ahead of England's semi-final match.
Meanwhile, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland returned home with a notable souvenir from his time in the United States. After visiting a western store in Dallas, Haaland purchased a taxidermy raccoon carrying a whisky bottle for approximately $560. The item, dubbed the 'Whiskey Raccoon,' has already sold out online, and the store has featured Haaland's image prominently on its website.
In tournament news, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford urged fans to focus on the upcoming semi-final against Argentina, acknowledging the historical rivalry stemming from events like the Falklands War and the "Hand of God" moment. Security has been intensified around the match due to the teams' history.
There has been speculation regarding England's Jude Bellingham, with Argentinian press noting he was seen clutching his shoulder after the quarter-final win over Norway. Bellingham had previously undergone surgery for a dislocated shoulder.
France's semi-final preparations were affected by a controversial statement from former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who implied that many of the French team are not truly French due to their diverse backgrounds. Spanish players have publicly disavowed the comment.
The tournament's impact is also being felt in host cities. In Dallas, remnants of the World Cup, such as art installations and souvenir lines, are visible, with some believing the event will leave a lasting imprint on the city's cultural landscape.
Statistically, England's reliance on Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane for goals has been significant. The pair have accounted for 12 of England's 13 goals in the tournament, representing 92% of their total, the highest ratio for two players on a nation with 10 or more goals in a single World Cup edition.
Looking ahead to the first semi-final, France will face Spain. This match pits France's high-scoring offense, with 16 goals, against Spain's formidable defense, which has conceded only one goal. Spain has had the upper hand in their recent semi-final encounters, winning against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and the Nations League last June. A key individual battle will be between France's Kylian Mbappe, who leads the tournament with eight goals, and Spain's Lamine Yamal, a young talent who became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history in 2024. Yamal has a history of being on the winning side in matchups against Mbappe.
England's focus remains on their semi-final, with the team scheduled for a recovery session and a flight to Atlanta for their match. Media conferences with the coaching staff and players will precede the game.