How can England qualify for 2026 World Cup?

World Cup qualifying: Latvia v England

Venue: Daugava Stadium, Riga Date: Tuesday, 14 October Time: 19:45 BST

England are one win away from securing their spot at the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Serbia’s 1-0 defeat by Albania on Saturday means Thomas Tuchel’s England can qualify by winning in Latvia on Tuesday, with two matches of their campaign still to play after that trip.

The Three Lions have not missed a major tournament since 2008, when they fell short in qualifying for the European Championship under Steve McClaren.

Tuchel’s side have won all five of their Group K fixtures to date without conceding a goal.

What happens if England fail to win in Latvia?

Anything but victory in Latvia on Tuesday would leave England still looking for a win against Serbia in November to guarantee qualification.

A point in Latvia, though, would mean a draw with Serbia would all but secure their spot because England have a vastly better goal difference than second-placed Albania.

England travel to Albania for their final group fixture on 16 November.

The 12 group runners-up in the European section of qualifying will participate in the play-offs.

They will be joined by the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024-25 Nations League that did not finish in the top two of their European qualifying groups.

The 16 teams who enter the play-offs will be drawn into four play-off paths, with four teams featuring in each.

England players walk on WembleyGetty Images

When could England find out who is in their World Cup group?

Should England qualify for next summer’s finals over the coming weeks, they will learn their opposition very quickly.

The World Cup draw takes place on 5 December at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

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Cardiff edge out Connacht after Williams injury

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United Rugby Championship

Cardiff (7) 14

Tries Bowen 2 Cons Sheedy, I Lloyd

Connacht (3) 8

Wales lock Teddy Williams sustained a serious-looking ankle injury in Cardiff’s 14-8 United Rugby Championship win against Connacht sealed with two Tom Bowen tries.

The Blue and Blacks ended a five-game losing streak against the Irish province, although the loss of the Williams in the first half took some shine off.

The lock landed awkwardly on his right ankle after claiming a line-out and a lengthy lay-off looks likely.

Cardiff led 7-3 at half-time thanks to try by elusive wing Tom Bowen, who went over for a hat-trick to earn a pair of consolation bonuses at Munster seven days earlier.

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After starting with a bonus-point win against Lions and then leaving Limerick with a pair of points, Cardiff picked up another win as they cope with the loss of head coach Matt Sherratt to the Wales management team.

Connacht opened the scoring with an 11th-minute penalty from centre Cathal Forde after a scrappy start by both sides.

Cardiff responded swiftly with a seven-pointer when nine phases in the 22 were followed by Callum Sheedy finding Bowen on the left wing with a kick-pass, which the fly-half had used for two assists at Munster seven days earlier.

Sheedy then curled in his effort from the tee to make it 7-3, but the rest of the half was a tale of missed chances for the Blue and Blacks.

They wasted two trips to the Connacht 22 and then blew another opportunity after 26 minutes when Sheedy broke through, but Bowen could not hold on to his pass when a run-in looked likely.

Cardiff needed to make their dominance count on the scoreboard, but endured a blow in the 33rd minute when Williams sustained his injury.

The hosts kept hammering away at the line, but endured more frustration when number eight Alun Lawrence was held up over the line.

The second half was delayed because of a communications issue for the officials, but the same, scrappy pattern continued after the restart with play taking place between the 22s.

Connacht blew a shot at taking the lead in the 65th minute when they worked space down the left only for replacement back Finn Treacey to drop the pass just outside the 22.

They went even closer in the 70th minute when Treacey powerfully burst to the line down the right only to knock on inches short under Sheedy’s tackle.

Connacht were suddenly looking threatening against a Blue and Blacks side clinging on and with scrum-half Johan Mulder as a makeshift centre.

Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, Millard, S Emanuel, Bowen; Sheedy, Mulder; Southworth, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, T Williams, Donnell, D Thomas, Lawrence

Replacements: D Hughes, Barratt, Sebastian, Nott, Basham, A Davies, I Lloyd, Darwin-Lewis.

Connacht: Naughton; Mullins, Hawkshaw, Forde, Bolton; Carty, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Aungier, Murray, Joyce, Predergast (capt), S O’Brien, Jansen.

Replacements: de Buitlear, Duggan, Illo, D O’Connor, Hurley-Langton, Devine, Gavin, Treacy.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear, Lucas Yendle (WRU).

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Diane Keaton posed with beloved dog in touching final Instagram before shock death

The acting and Hollywood worlds are in mourning following the death of Oscar winning actress Diane Keaton who passed away in California on Saturday at the age of 79

Diane Keaton showed her affection for her beloved pets in the final social media post that she shared before her shock death. The iconic actress died on Saturday with a representative sharing the news in a short statement.

As fans around the world mourn the Oscar winning star – who was 79 at the time of her death – they have been taking to social media to share their shock and devastation. Many have flocked to Instagram to leave messages of condolence on Diane’s final post – where she posed with a smile alongside her pet Labrador.

In a post shared with the retail company Hudson Grace, the post stated: “Proof our pets have great taste too! Happy National Pet Day from HG & @diane_keaton. #nationalpetday.”

READ MORE: Diane Keaton dead: Godfather and First Wives Club actress dies at the age of 79READ MORE: Diane Keaton’s tragic health battle in her own words as Oscar-winning icon dies at 79

The message was shared on April 11 – exactly six months before her sudden passing. Diane’s death was announced by People magazine.

A spokesperson revealed she had died in California on Saturday, October 11, and added: “There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness.”

Fans have flooded her Instagram post with heartbroken messages. One fan wrote: “A true legend. Thank you for your talent, your animal advocacy, your immeasurable charm. You will be missed.”

And another typed: “Dearest Diane, I will miss your style, humor and grace. You are a true queen who paved the road for so many. We love you.”

The actress shot to fame in the 1970s with her role as Kay Adams in The Godfather trilogy, as well as her collaborations with Woody Allen. She won an Oscar for Allen’s influential film Annie Hall and became associated with the title character’s menswear-centric wardrobe.

Her many beloved films included The First Wives Club, Father Of The Bride, The Family Stone and the Book Club movies. She was nominated for Oscars for her roles in Something’s Gotta Give, Marvin’s Room and Reds, in which she starred opposite Warren Beatty.

Her film debut was in 1970’s Lovers and Other Strangers but her big break came in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, as the girlfriend of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone, in 1972. She reprised her role in 1974’s The Godfather Part II and also for 1990’s The Godfather Part III.

Much of her career was defined by her many collaborations with Allen, her one-time boyfriend, and Annie Hall was the signature character of her career to many of her fans.

People speculated that the movie was based on Keaton and Allen’s relationship and Keaton told told The New York Times in 1977: “It’s not true, but there are elements of truth in it.”

Other collaborations with Allen included Manhattan, Sleeper, Manhattan Murder Mystery, and Play It Again, Sam. She remained supporter of Allen after the accusation by Mia Farrow that he had abused their adopted daughter, Dylan.

Keaton also frequently worked with Nancy Meyers, starting with 1987’s Baby Boom. Their other films together included 1991’s Father of the Bride and its 1995 sequel, as well as 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give.

In 1996 she starred opposite Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club, about three women whose husbands had left them for younger women.

More recently she collaborated with Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen on the Book Club films. Keaton never married. She adopted a daughter, Dexter, in 1996 and a son, Duke, four years later.

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‘English Teacher prove why they’re in a class of their own with flawless War Child gig’

English Teacher were always destined for big things, but their gig on Friday night for War Child’s Day of the Girl was a reminder of just how talented the band are

Discovering a new artist’s work and wanting more music fans to listen to the songs you have on repeat can be a double-edged sword.

You want them to achieve mainstream success and all the accolades that come with it, knowing you face the prospect of seeing them perform inside often soulless arenas rather than more authentic venues.

While English Teacher have already enjoyed phenomenal success, watching them on stage at Hanger 34 on Friday night, I got the feeling it might just be the last time I see them perform in Liverpool in such an intimate setting.

Made up of Lily Fontaine, Lewis Whiting, Douglas Frost, and Nicholas Eden, the indie rock band proved why they are such critics’ darlings during their performance supporting War Child’s Day of the Girl fundraiser.

English Teacher left no instrument unplayed as they belted out tunes from their award-winning debut album, This Could Be Texas, alongside a few new tunes. One minute, you’re focusing on the song’s beautiful lyrics, the next, you’re left energised by the lengthy instrumentals that got everyone in the crowd moving.

It’s impossible to compare the quartet with any other bands on the scene right now; in terms of their sound, it’s truly original and fresh.

I first saw – and learned of – English Teacher at the Northern Music Awards. As a millennial rapidly becoming uncool by the day, Spotify DJ has yet to send me their music.

But before their set had even ended inside Albert Hall, Manchester, in April 2024, I was adding them to my playlists and googling their story.

I was thrilled when they won the Mercury Prize a few months later. Despite being in the throes of a brat summer and a massive fan of Charli XCX (again, an uncool millennial), I was delighted to see the four-piece band win the prize for numerous reasons.

English Teacher’s victory was entirely deserved based on musical merit alone, but it also offered hope to any artist wanting to pursue a music career who dares to live outside of London.

While the UK music scene is filled with talented artists, English Teacher winning the Mercury Prize in 2024 marked the end of a 10-year run of London-based acts honoured exclusively.

Such statistics mean bands from outside London can get lumped with lazy stereotypes, with English Teacher laughing with me before their set about how northern acts are often described as ‘gritty’ for no other reason than their geographical location.

Thanks to government funding for the arts being consistently cut, beloved music venues are closing down and producing a song that can trend as TikTok audio seemingly a requirement for emerging musicians, the fact that English Teacher managed to not only have the hope to form a band but to create a beautiful body of art with their debut album is awe-inspiring.

“I say it is really important that people from all different backgrounds just keep doing it,” lead vocalist Lily told me backstage when I asked the band if they had any advice for aspiring musicians disheartened by the current state of the industry.

“Try not to let all of that stuff [impact you] because we actually really need art. The music industry is such a big part of our economy – the reason it is so good is because of voices from different backgrounds, and it won’t sustain unless people keep doing it, so it’s really important.

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“I’d say to people, even if it feels like you haven’t got the funding in school, or they’ve cut your GCSE music lessons, etc, keep going because we need it. Otherwise, the diversity in the music industry will reduce, and then it will reduce the quality of music being put out and then.”

English Teacher are indeed in a class of their own at the moment, but hopefully a new generation of talent heeds their advice and many more join them soon.

Diane Keaton’s incredible A-lister love life – and why she hasn’t dated in 35 years

The Godfather actress Diane Keaton has died aged 79, and her loved ones said she died in California as a spokesperson asked for privacy while the family navigated their grief

Hollywood legend Diane Keaton had an incredible A-lister love life, but admitted she hasn’t been on a date since her early 40s.

The Godfather, Annie Hall, and Father of the Bride actress has died aged 79, it’s been confirmed. Diane’s loved ones shared that she had died in California as a spokesperson asked for privacy as the family navigate their grief.

Despite her illustrious career in romantic comedies, her own personal life lacked in romance. The 79-year-old star, who never tied the knot, last went on a date in her early 40s, but did admit to having “a lot of male friends”.

In a 2023 interview, when asked if men “ask her out”, Diane responded: “Never. All right? Let’s just get that straight. That one’s important.”

With a chuckle, she added: “I haven’t been on a date in, I would say, 35 years. No dates.” Chatting with InStyle magazine, she said: “I have a lot of male friends. I have a lot of friends, but no dates. No mwah-mwah.”

READ MORE: Diane Keaton dead UPDATES: Bette Midler leads tributes as Oscar winner dies at 79READ MORE: Diane Keaton’s tragic health battle in her own words as Oscar-winning icon dies at 79

Incredible love life

Despite the absence of romantic interest in recent years, Diane was previously linked to several A-list celebrities.

Back in 1969, she began dating Woody Allen and they briefly cohabited during production. However, by the time their film of the same name was released in 1972, their living situation had become less formal.

It was Diane’s sense of humour that won over the film director and she has stated that he remains one of her closest pals.

She also had an on-again, off-again relationship with her Godfather co-star Al Pacino, which concluded after they wrapped up filming The Godfather Part III.

In a 2004 interview with Barbara Walters, she gushed: “Al was simply the most entertaining man. To me, that’s, that is the most beautiful face. I think Warren [Beatty] was gorgeous, very pretty, but Al’s face is like whoa. Killer, killer face.”

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Diane was in a relationship with Warren Beatty in 1979, around the time they both starred in Reds. Their romance was the talk of the town, but it fizzled out shortly after filming for Reds concluded.

Issues with the production, including financial and scheduling hiccups, are believed to have put a strain on their relationship, but Diane remains pals with the actor.

Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend’s damning eight-word response to Lostprophets paedo’s killing

Jo Mjadzelics, who had an on-off relationship with Ian Watkins, is the whistleblower who first told cops about the singer’s dark fantasies with children but was repeatedly ignored

The former girlfriend that exposed sick rock pervert Ian Watkins has revealed she is shocked it took lags so long to kill him.

Jo Mjadzelics, 48, is the whistleblower that first told cops about the singer’s dark fantasies with children but was repeatedly ignored. Watkins, 48, died after being attacked in prison where he was serving a 29-year jail term for multiple sexual offences, including serious crimes against young children and babies at HMP Wakefield, in West Yorkshire.

He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed. West Yorkshire Police said detectives from the homicide and major inquiry team are investigating after prison staff reported the assault on Watkins, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

READ MORE: Ian Watkins killer ‘given bonus points’ by inmates after stabbing Lostprophets paedo to death

The whistleblower had an on-off relationship with Watkins from 2006 after the rocker sought her out on MySpace and confessed his dark sexual fantasies. She tried to warn the authorities about his lust for young children for four years but was repeatedly ignored.

He was only finally arrested when police raided his Pontypridd home using a drug warrant in September 2012. Jo told The Sunday Mirror: “I was shocked having the news out of the blue as I would with anyone who’s died, there were tears but only because of the shock, not tears for him.

“As I said before though, I’m only surprised it’s taken nearly 13 years to happen, it was crazy how he was protected this long. I was worried sick he’d get out and track me down or something.”

The former Lostprophets frontman was eventually jailed in December 2013 for a string of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. The monster was sentenced to 29 years in prison with a further six years on licence, but he will be eligible for parole after serving two thirds of the prison term.

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His two co-defendants, the mothers of children he abused, were jailed for 14 and 17 years. During sentencing, Mr Justice Royce said the case broke “new ground” and “plunged into new depths of depravity”.

Watkins admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape. Judges rejected an appeal by Watkins in 2014 reduce his sentence by half. As a rock star in his 20s, he sold millions of albums around the world and commanded huge arena crowds.