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WORLD CUP SPECIAL! 52 PAGES
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TEK!
WATCH THEM. RATE THEM. RANK THEM.
WHO IS THE BEST NO.10? B
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world cup emojis!
How YOU can play r!like a World Cup sta
See the back page for full safety information.
11 JUNE – 19 JULY
HARRY KANE
AGE 32 CLUB Bayern Munich POSITION Striker CAPS 116 No England player has scored more World Cup goals Keeps calm in big pressure moments – never been sent off
ENGLAND’S
No England player has scored more pens (24 in 28 attempts)
GAME-CHAN
GOING ALL IN…!
THE HEAT IS ON… so who can YOU count on? For England, the answer is easy: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Declan Rice. These are proven game-changers – the big game players that pull out a match-winning moment when the pressure is ON. Whether it’s a last-minute penalty, serving up a spicy set-piece or an overhead kick – one thing is for sure – England’s game-changers will never give up!
2
ARE YOU
1
ANSWER THESE five questions to find out!
A Point towards the captain. He can talk! B Prepare what to say and slay it!
Uh-oh. Your team played poorly and it’s the press conference.
A GAMECHANGER? YOU...
For all the latest World Cup results go to bbc.co.uk/football
JUDE BELLINGHAM
AGE 23 CLUB Real Madrid POSITION Attacking midfielder CAPS 50 Rescued England with 95th-minute bicycle kick in Euro 2024 Took control against Croatia – scoring two mins into second half First Euro player under 23 to play in FOUR international tournaments
2
It’s the 88th min. You spot the keeper off their line.
YOU...
A Play it to your
midfielder. Safety first! B Take the chance. Unleash a long-range shot!
3
The coach asks you to switch positions in extra time.
AGE 27 CLUB Arsenal POSITION Midfielder CAPS 75 Created more chances than any player in first two WC games Runs an average 11.3km a game – he’s England’s engine Set-piece superstar – no England player takes more corner kicks
4
The star striker is injured and there’s a penalty.
YOU...
YOU...
You’ll look silly. B Grab the chance!
spot. Prepare for hero status!
A Stress out.
A Start limping. B Put the ball on the
5
Stats correct as of 26 June 2026.
NGERS!
DECLAN RICE
It’s the hydration break.
YOU...
A Glug down all of the team’s water. B Give a team-talk. You’ve got this!
As You melt faster than a Magnum! Trust yourself – take a chance! ANALYSIS Mostly Mostly Bs Pressure? You drink it! Don’t forget your team-mates though!
3
THE HISTORY MAKERS!
Stats correct as of 25 June 2026.
… G N I O D GOATS
n i h t T GOA
THAT’S IT – hurl those history books in the bin! Lionel Messi has activated full World Cup GOAT mode. Three goals against Algeria saw him become the tournament's oldest-ever hat-trick scorer – then a brace against Austria crowned him the World Cup's all-time record scorer with 18 goals. Done. Dusted. GOAT! Smile, Gilbert – we're on the telly!
4 2
Watch live 2026 World Cup matches on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
RO N A L D O’S R E C O R D!
ngs!
CRISTIANO RONALDO was never going to let Messi hog all the records. The Portugal GOAT’s goals against Uzbekistan mean he is the first and only player to ever score in SIX different World Cups!
2006 2010
2014
2018 2022 2026
FUTURE GOAT?
EX-GERMANY STRIKER Miroslav Klose was the World Cup's record scorer before this tournament – he netted 16 goals between 2002 and 2014!
MESSI'S ALL-TIME goal record is already in danger – from this guy. Kylian Mbappe, who became France’s record scorer this summer, took his total World Cup tally to 16 goals from 16 games, just two behind Messi. He’s 11 years younger than Leo – so the all-time record is in his sights! 5
WORLD CUP
! S T S E R C
Ooh... I fancy a hotdog!
1 POINcTh for eaect corr er! answ
These SIX COUNTRIES loved life in North America so much – they rebranded their badges*! CAN YOU NAME THE NATIONS?
2 ANSWER
4
ANSWER
5 ANSWER 1 England 2 Netherlands 3 Japan 4 Spain 5 Australia 6 Scotland
ANSWERS! 6
3 ANSWER
6 ANSWER
YOUR WORLD YOUR CUP SCORE BRAIN n /6
ANSWER 5-6 WORLD CUP WINNER 4 CHAMPION PERFORMANCE 3 SEMI-FINAL SLAYER 2 CRASHED OUT OF THE QUARTERS 1 GROUP STAGE SHAME 0 DIDN’T MAKE THE PLANE
*They didn’t.
1
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P U C D L R WO
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p party! u C d rl o W e th to e m a ? their A-g d g e tt in o g p n s ri b U O re Y a e s v T a A h O G ls il e Th super sk ’ rs ta rs e p u s e s e th f o rself! u o How many y it y tr n e th – k te Check out their 2026
★
TEneKl MesTsiabelcokmes! THE TEK
FIRST-TIME FINISH
LIONEL MESSI
Age 39 Position Forward Country Argentina Game Argentina 2-0 Austria LIONEL MESSI has all the attacking tek. For his history-making goal, he makes a late run into the box and sweeps the ball into the back of the net with his left foot – the perfect first-time finish!
WATCHED THE TEK Watch the goal on BBC iPlayer
10
TRAINED THE TEK Now give it a go in the park or playground
Lio ime the World Cup’s alsl-tgo al top scorer with hiria! st against Au
★
T E K Tip! M
essi doesn the ball – h ’t just smash shots like te treats his he precise pasmost s!
17
rld Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
★
TPracEtisKe Tip!
runs w don’t actually wanhet thre you Drag defenders awaye ball. create space for one to team-mates to attaofckyour !
THE TEK
OFF-THE-BALL IQ
CRISTIANO RONALDO Age 41 Position Striker Country Portugal Game Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
“I’M BACK!” Ronaldo used an unseen superpower – his brain. He acts as a decoy for the free-kick goal, drags defenders away, and is always in the right place – he bags a brace!'
WATCHED THE TEK
★
!nt, ip T K E T ne po op ur Jog towards yo
hip like Lamine. Drop myoeduriately to the left, then imd explode switch to right an e! into the spac
THE TEK
BODY FEINT
LAMINE YAMAL Age 18 Position Forward Country Spain Game Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
LAMINE YAMAL has officially arrived at this World Cup! Within seconds, the teenager outsmarts the Saudi defence with his sudden body swerves – he sends them every time!
WATCHED THE TEK 12
TRAINED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World
THE TEK
CHOP
VINICIUS JR
Age 25 Position Forward Country Brazil Game Brazil 1-1 Morocco SHOW-TIME for the superstar’s signature sequence. Vini collects the ball on the left flank and attacks the space at pace. Then he slams on the breaks, shifts direction and shoots!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
TEK Tip!
Eyes on your opponent When you’ve got them ! off-balance, that’s yo moment to move andur sprint away!
THE TEK
ON-TIME TACKLES
ELLIOT ANDERSON
★
Age 23 Position Midfielder Country England Game England 4-2 Croatia
! TEwaKit forTitip to fall –
Don't off attack the ball! Leeapyour with one foot, us tion arms for eleva and aim for the highest point!
FIRST WORLD CUP game? Elliot Anderson aced it against an experienced Croatia team – putting in brave ball-winning interceptions – and some top tackles!
WATCHED THE TEK
THE TEK
HEADED GOAL
TRAINED THE TEK ★
JOAO NEVES
Age 21 Position Midfielder Country Portugal Game Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
TEK Tip!
Elliot doesn’t rus in – he uses his strenhgth stays side-on and , only engages when he’s sure!
HE’S THE smallest player for Portugal and he pops up with a huge headed goal. His springy headers are no surprise – Neves nails this tek for his club side PSG, too!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK 17
rld Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
★
TEK Tip! Hunt for goals lik Haaland – be readey to tap in rebounds and finish off any loose balls!
THE TEK
POACHING
ERLING HAALAND Age 25 Position Striker Country Norway Game Iraq 1-4 Norway
HERE’S WHY Erling Haaland is the goal-poaching GOAT – he’s always alert. He pressures the Iraq defender into a backpass to his goalkeeper – and then pounces to score!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
! TBouaEddKi’s seTcrip et? Stay
ans one step ahead. He sc cks pi the pitch first, thenss! the perfect pa
THE TEK
PINPOINT PASSING
AYYOUB BOUADDI Age 18 Position Midfielder Country Morocco Game Brazil 1-1 Morocco
THIS IS why Ayyoub Bouaddi’s passing is so accurate – he's studying for a Maths degree! The teen bossed Brazil – breaking up play and completing 91% of his passes. Top of the class!
WATCHED THE TEK 14
TRAINED THE TEK
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World
THE TEK
LONG-RANGE ROCKET
KYLIAN MBAPPE Age 27 Position Striker Country France Game France 3-1 Senegal
IT’S STOPPAGE TIME – but Kylian Mbappe stays switched on. He spots the Senegal keeper off his line and fires a long-range rocket from 30 yards out. Another worldie from the French ace!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
TEKyourTlaceips to!
Use help generate enouitgh power – and hit top bins!
THE TEK
CORNER KICK
DECLAN RICE
Age 27 Position Midfielder Country England Game England 4–2 Croatia DEC’S DELIVERED from deadball positions all season and he was at it again for England. He whips the ball in at pace into the empty space for England legend Harry Kane to head home. Goooal!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
TEK Tip!
For added whip, wrap your foot around the ball – hit it hard and true!
17
rld Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
★
TEK Tip!
Keep the ball clos take lots of small toeucand The quicker you chanhes. direction, the harderge you are to stop!
THE TEK
DRIBBLING
JAMAL MUSIALA Age 23 Position Forward Country Germany Game Germany 7-1 Curacao
GOOD LUCK stopping Germany’s Jamal Musiala in full flow. He weaves through players with complete ball control – all Curacao can do is hang onto his shirt!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
THE TEK
PRESSURE PENALTY
HARRY KANE
Age 32 Position Striker Country England Game England 4-2 Croatia HARRY KANE’S stutter-kick pen is saved. But he gets the chance for a retake. Kane keeps cool – and tweaks his tek. No stutter this time, he slams it into the same bottom corner. Calm!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
! TEPrepK, pracTtisip e and
d. don’t change your mrikine Commit to your st y. – and hit it cleanl c! No last-second pani
16
World Cup Tek
World Cup Tek
World
THE TEK
CHIP
MICHAEL OLISE Age 24 Position Forward Country France Game France 3-0 Iraq
ANOTHER MICHAEL OLISE aura move. There is no better creative player on the planet, and against Iraq he pulls out the cheekiest of chips. So close for Olise – it pings off the crossbar this time!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
TEK Tip!
Get your toe undernea the ball and lean backth to make it spin up into the air!
THE TEK
TRIVELA
GIOVANNI REYNA Age 23 Position Midfielder Country USA Game USA 4–1 Paraguay
GET READY for a footy flex! The USA are 3-1 up – and it’s showtime. Gio Reyna flicks the ball with the outside of his right boot, sending it curling into the goal. Trivelaaaaa!
WATCHED THE TEK
TRAINED THE TEK
★
TEK Tip!
Kick the ball with the outside of your boot – don’t toe poke it or you won’t get that bend! 17
s n o i L e e r h T The Cut out & keep your fave posters!
MATCH DAY DA AY OF T HE
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! N I W U L B E W E O L
E
PRIZE WORTH
£ 24 9
! R E K A E P TOOTH S
THE WORLD CUP JUST GOT SERIOUS! It’s the knockout rounds, which means it’s the end of road for some countries, but for others the party is only just starting! You can join in the celebrations with the wicked We. HEAR pro speaker by LOEWE, backed by France superstar, Kylian Mbappe. We’re giving ONE lucky MOTD mag reader the chance to turn up the volume and make this a World Cup to remember!
SCAN TO ENTER
Q
For your chance to win, answer this question: Which French club is Kylian Mbappe the all-time top scorer for? A PSG B Lens C Nantes
HOW TO ENTER SCAN the QR code, answer the question A, B or C and enter your details when prompted.
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 22 July 2026, 23.59. Open to UK residents only. Entrants under 18 require parent/guardian permission. See page 49 for full terms and conditions.
SCOUT THE S JAMAL JUDE BELLINGHAM MUSIALA
LIONEL MESSI
AAgeR39GClubEInNteTr MIiaNmi A
e Colour inbathrs! r powe
RATE HIM!
CREATIVITY SKILL VISION PASSING SHOOTING TOUCH
EAgeN23GClubLARealNMDadrid
RATE HIM!
CREATIVITY SKILL VISION PASSING SHOOTING TOUCH
GAgeE23RClubMBaAyeNrn MYunich
RATE HIM!
CREATIVITY SKILL VISION PASSING SHOOTING TOUCH
TOTAL RATING /30 TOTAL RATING /30 TOTAL RATING /30 20
Add up your scores!
STARS!
WHO'S THE WORLD CUP'S BEST No.10? Watch them. Rate them. Rank them.
KYLIAN MBAPPE FAgeR27AClubNReCalEMadrid
RATE HIM!
CREATIVITY SKILL VISION PASSING SHOOTING TOUCH
NEYMAR BAgeR34AClubZSaILntos
RATE HIM!
CREATIVITY SKILL VISION PASSING SHOOTING TOUCH
TOTAL RATING /30 TOTAL RATING /30
MY WORLD CUP RANKINGS! 1 2 3 4 5 Who's up for a game of hoofball?
21
FAN-TASTIC
TEASER!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 POINcTh for ea ct corre r! answe
Which NINE NATIONS are these fantastic fans supporting?
YOUR FOOTY BRAIN POWER
YOUR SCORE
ANSWERS!
22
9
1 Argentina, 2 Australia, 3 Egypt, 4 Norway, 5 Uruguay, 6 Japan, 7 New Zealand, 8 Morocco, 9 France
8
n /9
8-9 WORLD CUP WINNER 6-7 SEMI-FINAL SLAYER 4-5 QUARTER-FINAL KING 2-3 GROUP STAGE SHAME 1 GET ON THE PLANE
Cut out & keep your fave posters!
y t r a p o n , d n a No Scotl
MATCH DAY DA AY OF T HE
M AG A
ZINE
K ER - SPL
JUGGLIN’ JOR
Ever tried juggling in keepDerAN! Jordan Pickford shows off sogloves? England keeper me serious circus skills!
! OLL IE-BALL practising headers! pool for Ollie Watkins – he’s No diving in the
K C A W TH was RRY! HOWZeAisT,atHtheAcrease! Who knew thfoe rsskixip,pHear rry! Harry Kan ler and batsman? Hit 'em a top spin bow
HEA
LEG LIFTS!
VE E E E- HO
Most players lift weights in the gym. Kobbie Mainoo lifts… legs! And these belong to England’s Reece That’s 92kg of right-back, Kobbie! Good luck! James. 24
A SH
!
ACC
L L A S ES
ND A L G N E S A ARE
INSIDE
ENGLAN MOTD mag has gone behind Find out what the Three
!
HYDRATION BREAK!
This is one way to get first dibs on the drinks. Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers plonked themselves ON the drink crates!
KONSA KICKS BACK!
Ezri Konsa doesn't need a sun-lounger when he's got an adidas Trionda. Let’s hope it doesn’t deflate – oh…!
E T HE
BULLSEYE BUKAYO!a arrows his shot and hits Look out, Luke Littler! Bukayo Sak the target – one hundred and EIGHTYYY!
NDD CAMP! the scenes at England’s World Cup HQ. Lions get up to in their free time!
SOCKA SKILLS!!
Noni Madueke is champ at Teqball (a miix of table tenniis and football). Are stinky socks his secret tactic?
rppp u l S BURN BALL!
Finally… a ball big enough for Big Dan Burn! The centreback found a supersized Swiss ball to slalom around with !
!
COOL HEAsluDrp!s on an ice-cold slushie after
Morgan Rogers eaded braiin freeze, Morgz! dr e th re wa Be . sh se ng ni i a tra
25
L L A S CES
AC
ND A L G N E S A ARE
WORLD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS
OUR ENGLAND INSIDERS
THREE LIONS
king Who are youa-psicide? first for 5Declan says: HARRY KANE
st Who’s the fuuandn?ie in the sq Declan says:
I N O N KE MADUE
DECLAN RICE Midfielder
Ollie says:
JUDE BELLINGHAM
Ollie says: JORDA
HENDERSONN
Dan HARR Y says:
KANE
26
JORD AN HENDERSON
EZRI KONS A
Striker
Centre-back
Declan says:
Ollie says:
OLLIE WATKINS
DA N B U R N
Who woulduwizin? a football q
Dan says: JORDA
HENDERSONN
Dan says: DEAN
HENDERSON
SQUAD SECRETS!
We asked three England ballers to reveal all about their superstar teammates!
Who’s got tht?e hardest sho
Who is the fastest?
Declan says:
st in e d u lo e th ’s o h W m? the dressing roo
DDeclan says:
Declan says:
OOllie says:
Ollie says: NON
DJED HARRY SPENC KANE E
MARCUS RASHFORD
DJED SPENC E
MADUEK I E
e Finally, whofu’sl?th most skil Declan says:
MARCUS RASHFORD
Ollie says:
MARCUS RASHFORD
Ollie says:
MARCUS RASHFORD Dan says:
NY O H T AN RDON GO
Dan says:
MORGAN ROGERS
Dan says:
JORDAN HENDERSON
Dan says:
MARCUS RASHFORD 27
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M ATC H AT TA X E X T R A 2 5 / 2 6
FLIP THE SC THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS are all about the big ballers stepping up to give you a magic moment to remember – pulling off the impossible and delivering when it matters most. Topps are celebrating those top talents, but with a twist – with their Man of the Match Wildcard range, these stars’ stats have been flipped to take their cards to a whole new level! These tournament talents are just three of a massive 27 MOTM Wildcard cards from the 2025/26 Match Attax collection.
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COLLECTION
CRIPT! PT!
AVAILABLE AT TOPPS. COM
RLD CUP PICS
WORLD CUP PICS
WORLD
WORLD CUP 2026 Photo Album!
SUPERSTARS, SCREAMERS, shock saves and a duck in socks – check out our souvenir snaps of the World Cup so far!
! O R E H E H T Z E JIMEN OUTH AFRICA MEXICO
2-0
S
11 June
RAUL JIMENEZ jumps after scoring for the host nation. At 35, the striker finally gets his first start – and goal – at a World Cup!
! N N I G c M S E L G GOG SCOTLAND HAITI
0-1
14 June
GET THE GOGGLES out! John grabs Scotland’s winning goalMcGinn Haiti – he's the Tartan Army’s against goalscorer at a World Cup for first 10,224 days!
30
CUP PICS
Meep!
WORLD CUP PICS
WORLD CUP
QUACKERS! UTH AFRICA
! O S p -0 2 e O IC X E M Me 11 June
A DUCK called Merlin in a Mexico shirt and special duck socks becomes a social media star after he's spotted waddling along beside his owner during the tournament!
Balogun bags two!
! S E P I R T S S I STAR GET4S-1 H PARAGUAY USA
14 June
TAKE A BOW, Folarin Balogun! The Ex-Arsenal academy forward finds the net in Los Angeles – and becomes the first USA player to score two goals in a World Cup match since the first tournament in 1930!
Keeper hero! SNAP STAT!
12 million Vozinha now has Th at’s 22 s. er w llo Insta fo tion pu times the entire porde! la Ve pe of Ca
! N O C I T N A T S IN VERDE
SPAIN
0-0
CAPE
15 June CAPE VERDE keeper Vozinha goes from unknown to icon. The 40-year-old’s epic saves earn the tournament first-timers a huge draw against Spain’s superstars!
5
RLD CUP PICS
WORLD CUP PICS
WORLD
! E N A K G N I M O C IN CROATIA
t a e n a K ! e l b u o d the
4-2
ENGLAND
17 June
HARRY KANE’S huge thumping header sees him become England’s joint all-time top scorer at the World Cup. He’s bagged ten – so far!
! K R A P E H T F F O PLAYED -1 SENEGAL FRANCE
3
16 June KYLIAN MBAPPE celebrates the first of his two goals by pretending to play the flute. He’d promised the cele after revealing he’d learned as a kid!
SNAP STAT!
Toot toot !
’s Mbappe is now Froranerce! sc all-time top
LUK OUT!EGYPT
BELGIUM 15 June
1-1
TWENTY-TWO seconds! That’ it takes for 33-year-old strikes how long Lukaku to cause chaos – and r Romelu equaliser against Egypt. Impa nab an ct man!
32
CUP PICS
WORLD CUP PICS
Erl do it aga es in!
WORLD CUP
! S E V I R R A G N I L ER RWAY IRAQ
NO
1-4
16 June IT HAS TO be him! Erling Haaland celebrates his first-ever appearance at the World Cup with a big brace. It's 57 goals in 51 Norway games for the powerful striker!
MESSI MAGIACLG!ERIA
ARGENTINA
The GOAT!
3-0
17 June LIONEL MESSI marks his sixth World Cup with his first World Cup hat-trick – and becomes the tournament's joint all-time top scorer in the process!
LOOK BACK at the snaps! Can you find these five things!
THE BALLON D’OR WINNER
THE NAME OF TWO HOST CITIES
THE ASTON VILLA CAPTAIN
MAN. CITY’S BELGIAN WINGER
Photo: Player:
Photo: City: Photo: City:
Photo: Player:
Photo: Player:
Stats correct as of 19 June 2026.
SNAP SPOT!
33 5
ANSWERS Ballon D'or Winner: France v Senegal, Ousmane Dembele; Host Cities: Mexico v South Africa, Mexico City, Argentina v Algeria, Kansas City; Aston Villa Captain: Scotland v Haiti, John McGinn; Belgium v Egypt, Jeremy Doku
WIN!
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20 winners will each grab a £100 Amazon voucher AND 250 magazines for their school (worth approx £1,500!). Your classmates will think you’re an absolute legend. And it gets even better… one of those 20 winning schools will also receive an extra £1,000 for their library.
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National Year of Reading 2026 Explore ·
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goallin.org.uk
azine official mag
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Who is in charge of putting together a magazine?
dash diamond finish!
Race to the
ADEs Epic UPGR equipment!
Level up your
Nether es! ntur adve for this you ready n?
Are s dimensio © 2026 Mojang AB. dangerou ©2026 The LEGO Group. © & TM 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2026 Pokémon/Nintendo/Creatures/GAME FREAK. TM, ® Nintendo.
This is an industry-wide initiative celebrating the power of magazines, which offer hours of fun and help inspire reading, creativity, curiosity and so much more!
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 1. The closing date is 1 September 2026. 2. Open to UK residents only and only one entry per person. 3. Entrants under 18 require parent/guardian permission. 4. One winner will receive: a £100 Amazon voucher, and be invited to nominate a UK primary school to receive 250 Children’s magazines (worth approximately £1,500) and £1,000 cash donation to the school library, and 19 runners-up will receive: a £100 Amazon voucher and be invited to nominate a UK primary school to receive 250 Children’s magazines. 5. The magazines will all be suitable for children aged between 5 and 12 years old, and could include the following titles: Bluey, Girl Talk, LEGO® NINJAGO®, Match of the Day, MEGA!, Numberblocks, and more. Each school nominated by a winner will receive a variety of current titles and the exact number of copies of each title may vary. 6. The magazines will be sent to the nominated schools in the week commencing 12th October 2026, to celebrate National Magazine Day on 14th October 2026. 7. For full T&Cs, see entry form web page.
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s u e l B s e l z e l l A
MATCH DAY DA AY OF T HE
M AG A
ZINE
TO LAN
SCOTLAND SQU
C S S CES
C LA L A
D
We go behind the scenes with the Scotland THE INSIDERS
John McGinn Midfielder
Ross Stewart Forward
Findlay Curtis Forward
Ryan Christie Midfielder
THE JOURNEY
Scotland travelled nearly 4,000 miles in the group stage. Who’s the worst team-mate to sit next to on a flight? Ross says: “John McGinn! He can get a bit much!” John says: “Findlay Curtis. He’s like me – times a hundred. But his energy is infectious!” Findlay says: “Ben Gannon-Doak. Just doesn’t stop talking!” Ryan says: “Big Grant Hanley! Takes up GRANT HANLEY ttoo much room. Elbows everywhere!”
THE climate
It’s been hot in the USA. How do you cope with the heat? Ross says: “Stay out of it. If you can’t, plaster on the sun cream!” John says: “Find the shade. Stay hydrated and hope for a thunderstorm!” RRyan says: “Ice baths after ttraining – crucial!” RYAN CHRISTIE
Brrrr!
36
Liam Kelly Goalkeeper
UAD SECRETS! squad – to get all the gossip!
THE poser
Who hogs the bathroom mirror? Ross says: “There’s a lot of product in Anthony Ralston’s hair!” Ryan says: “Scott McTominay. He loves it!” Liam says: “McSauce (Scott McTominay). He’s handsome – but he’s a big poser!”
ANTHONY RALSTON SCOTT McTOMINAY
THE food
What’s the squad’s breakfast of choice?
! f p m o Ch
THE vibes
Finally, who’s the team’s ‘Hype Man’?
John says: “Scottie’s good. Robbo [Andy Robertson] obviously! Oh, and Liam Kelly!” Ross says: “Liam Kelly! The most positive guy you’ll meet!” Liam says: “They said me? That’s what happens when you don’t play much. I have to bring something to the party! I tell the team to ‘Go for it’!”
Ryan says: “Andy Robertson always eats tthis weird pre-match chicken sandwich thing!” John says: “Ryan Christie is a pancake man and John Souttar is the coffee maker – the base camp barista!”
LIAM KELLY
For the latest Scotland news, go to bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/scotland
Interview from BBC Scotland.
ANDY ROBERTSON
37
It's It sg going g
Penal
You place the ball on the spot. Your heart is pumping. Score and you’ll send your nation to the next round. Scuff it, sky it, or send it wide and you’ll be on the plane home. Millions are watching…
what will you do? SHOOTING, SAVING OR SHAKING? peTinackltyYOstURyle!
I’m the star – I’m taking the first pen
38
I’m in goal – staring down the oppo
I’m standing arm in arm with my team
I’m hiding ’til it’s all over
to
alties! Turn over for more penalty action!
World Cup Special
Shootout THERE WERE a record five penalty shootouts at the 2022 World Cup. With THE STORY
THE PENALTY TAKERS
1982 The year of the first World Cup penalty shootout. Before this, if a game was tied at the end, the teams played the entire 90 mins again or flipped a coin!
35 3
Total number of World Cup penalty shootouts to date!
3
Legends Lionel Messi and Luka Modric are the only two current stars to take pens in three different World Cup shootouts!
5
England hero Harry Kane has scored more World Cup penalties* than any other player in history – scoring five from the spot! (*non-shootout pens)
THE PENALTY SAVERS
Number of World Cup finals decided by penalties. 1994 Brazil v Italy (Brazil win) 2006 Italy v France (Italy win) 2022 France v Argentina (Argentina win)
3 40
Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic is the only keeper at this World Cup to make three saves in one penalty shootout (in 2022)!
1
Jordan Pickford has saved at least one penalty in every shootout he’s played in for England!
ut S Stats! more teams in 2026, strap yourselves in for extra shootout excitement! THE PLACEMENT
83% 78%
772% 93%
79% 58%%
667% 74%
sCORED
sCORED
sCORED
THE COUNTRIES Argentina have been involved in the most World Cup shootouts (7). They’ve won six!
Spain have faced five World Cup shootouts and won just one. In 2022, they crashed out to Morocco without scoring a single penalty! England ended their World Cup curse in 2018. Before then, the Three Lions crashed out three times in shootouts – 1990, 1998 and 2006!
sCORED
sCORED
sCORED
sCORED
THE ORDER Should your team go first? No! In the last 11 World Cup penalty shootouts, nine of the teams taking the first kick went on to lose! It gets scarier in the shootout! The first three penalties are most likely to be scored! The fourth penalty is most likely to be missed!
1st
2nd 3rd
4th
5th
THE WORD
PK TIME!
Stats correct as of 24 June 2026.
sCOREd
DID YOU KNOW Americans often call penalty kicks ‘PKs’? 41
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MATCH DAY DA AY OF T HE
M AG A
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It ’s time for the…
WORLD CUP
HOW CLOSELY have you been watching the action? Let's find out...
1
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in six World Cups – but which was his first tournament?
A 1998
B 2002
C 2006
D 2010
2 Who is this 2026 World Cup star? A Weston McKennie
4
B Tim Ream C Christian Pulisic D Tyler Adams
3
A Cape Verde
Who did Germany beat 7-1 in their Group E clash? C Jordan 46
B Curacao
D Qatar
He’s Scotland captain – but which club will he play for next season? A Liverpool
B Tottenham
C Rangers
D Hearts
Find the latest World Cup news and results at bbc.co.uk/worldcup
QUIZ! 5
A Jamal Musiala
Which of these World Cup stars was NOT bornn iin EEngland?
B Erling Haaland
9 Which country is wearing this kit at the World Cup? A Netherlands
B Ivory Coast
C Senegal
D Haiti
D Scott McTominay
10
What number does Marcus Rashford wear for England?
Englishman Graham Potter is manager of which World Cup team?
A No.7
B No.10
C No.11
D No.18
C Michael Olise
7
A Sevilla
B Real Sociedad
C Real Madrid
D Valencia
8
What is Croatia captain Luka Modric celebrating here?
A First hat-trick
B 40th birthday
C 50th goal
D 200th cap
A Norway
B Sweden
C Australia
D Ghana
10 GENIUS 8 PROFESSIONAL 6 SEMI-PRO 4 AMATEUR 2 SUNDAY LEAGUE 0 OH NO, DISASTER
1 C, 2 C, 3 B, 4 B, 5 A,
Which La Liga club does Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal play for?
ANSWERS! 6 B, 7 B, 8 D, 9 B, 10 C
6
47
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Issue 755 £5.50 1 – 14 July 2026