The world of sport never fails to demonstrate its penchant for drama and intrigue, and this week is no different as we have the swan song of a legend, a defining moment in World Cup history, and a vital game for the Three Lions on the way for another bumper midweek.

Monday, 29th June Test Series: England v New Zealand

England faces a tough task on the final day of proceedings against the Black Caps in what will be a momentous day for English cricket.

Captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket in showstopping fashion on Sunday during the fourth day, with many fans left stunned in their seats at Trent Bridge.

It may not be the perfect bow out for the cricket legend, however, who is already out after a good display of tempo and heart went unrewarded.

New Zealand battled back from a losing position after day two to leave England needing 269 runs to claim a series win.

Daryl Mitchell's century helped England climb the mountain they needed to conquer.

With the news of Stokes leaving behind the international game, all attention will likely be on that in the last day of the series.

The celebration of a man who has significantly impacted the game of cricket in this country overshadowed the score.

Date: 29/06/2026

Time: 10:15

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket.

 

Wednesday 1st July FIFA World Cup: England v DR Congo 17:00

The World Cup knockout stage is finally here, with the Three Lions facing off with DR Congo in a first-ever meeting between the two sides.

The group stage ended for England in the way most expected, with a top-spot finish after wins over Croatia and Panama, as well as a draw with Ghana.

After an exciting 4-2 win against Croatia in the opening match, spirits were high and excitement was rife before they were somewhat dashed by a lackluster draw against Ghana.

It was a tale of two halves in the final group game against Panama, with many fearing the worst after it was a goalless stalemate at half time.

The second half brought the goals, with a Jude Bellingham finish from a corner preceding a Harry Kane header to double the lead and become England’s highest scorer in World Cup matches.

DR Congo began their campaign with an unexpected 1-1 draw against Portugal, followed by a challenging match against Colombia, where they emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline.

Their only victory in the tournament so far occurred in their final group match against Uzbekistan, a team making their World Cup debut, which the Central African side dominated with a 3-1 win.

They'll need all the confidence from that match to beat one of the tournament favourites, England. With Tuchel’s side still looking to be in need of tweaks to look more convincing.

The return of Reece James from injury could be a huge boost if he is ready for the knockouts, as well as the reintroduction of Declan Rice, who was rotated against Panama.

Date: 01/07/2026

Time: 17:00

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

The match will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

 

Friday, 3rd July: FIFA World Cup Argentina v. Cape Verde, 23:00


Now for a bit of a left-field knockout to watch, as two of the most endearing and dramatic stories of the World Cup collide as Messi’s continued legacy comes face-to-face with a nation's dream.

Cape Verde has stunned the world with their heroics in the tournament thus far, becoming the smallest nation to ever qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup.

No one gave them hope of making it through in a group that included former world champions Uruguay and Spain, alongside a burgeoning footballing nation in the form of Saudi Arabia. Their opening day 0-0 draw with Spain set the stage for them to capture hearts.

Shutting out a team with established superstars in every position gave them the confidence to continue on as two more draws followed, with two goals scored in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay before another 0-0 with Saudi Arabia.

With Spain needing to beat Uruguay to see Cape Verde through in third on three points, tensions were high as the players waited on the pitch after the Saudi match, erratically refreshing their phones to see if the dream would become reality.

It was to be for Cape Verde as Spain got the win to see them face off with defending champions Argentina, teeing up the fourth time Cape Verde will be playing in the biggest match in their history over the past few weeks.

Argentina has a legacy to cement as they take on the task of becoming back-to-back champions, as all signs look promising with maximum points gained in the group.

They were tipped to be strong once again, with the most prolific World Cup scorer of all time, Lionel Messi, retaining a spot and looking more than deserving of a starting place, with the 39-year-old continuing to be electric while leading the Golden Boot race with six goals.

If Messi maintains his current scoring rate, Cape Verde will face an even greater challenge in neutralizing a team with winning experience and household names.

For Cape Verde, the match will be a proud moment in their history no matter the result, and with almost everyone predicting an Argentinian walkover, the stage could be set for one of the biggest upsets in the history of football.

Date: 03/07/2026

Time: 23:00

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

The match will be shown on ITV 1 and ITVX.