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⚽ Sports ⚽ Sports Center Thursday, March 19, 2026 3 min read 5 sources Multi-Source

Sports Roundup: England's World Cup Hopes, Lakers' Winning Streak, and Rugby's Top Four

Updates on England's World Cup squad, Lakers' seventh straight win, and the top four in the Prem rugby league

By Emergent News Desk

England is gearing up for the World Cup, and Thomas Tuchel's squad selection for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will provide a major hint about who will make the cut for the tournament. With seven players almost certain to start, Tuchel still has some tough decisions to make.

What Happened

  • England's World Cup squad selection is imminent, with Tuchel set to name his penultimate squad on Friday.
  • LeBron James led the Lakers to their seventh straight win with six dunks against the Houston Rockets.
  • Northampton Saints and Bath are currently leading the Prem rugby league, with just 11 points separating sixth place from first.

Why It Matters

England's World Cup hopes hinge on Tuchel's squad selection, with the team looking to build on their perfect qualifying record. The Lakers' winning streak is a significant boost to their playoff chances, while the top four in the Prem rugby league is still up for grabs.

Key Numbers

  • 7: The number of England players who are almost certain to start in the World Cup.
  • 6: The number of dunks LeBron James made in the Lakers' win against the Houston Rockets.
  • 11: The number of points separating sixth place from first in the Prem rugby league.

Background

England cruised through World Cup qualifying with a perfect record of eight wins out of eight, while the Lakers have been on a tear with seven consecutive wins. The Prem rugby league has taken a break for the Six Nations, but the top four is still highly contested.

What Comes Next

Tuchel will reveal his England squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday, while the Lakers look to extend their winning streak. The Prem rugby league will continue with eight rounds remaining before the top four is finalized.

Key Facts

  • Who: Thomas Tuchel, LeBron James, Northampton Saints, Bath
  • What: England's World Cup squad selection, Lakers' winning streak, Prem rugby league top four
  • When: Friday (England squad selection), ongoing (Lakers' season), remaining eight rounds (Prem rugby league)
  • Where: USA (World Cup), Houston (Lakers' game), various (Prem rugby league)
  • Impact: England's World Cup hopes, Lakers' playoff chances, Prem rugby league top four

What to Watch

The upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will be a crucial test for England's World Cup squad, while the Lakers' winning streak will be put to the test in their next game. The Prem rugby league top four is still highly contested, with several teams vying for a spot.

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LeBron's 6 dunks key Lakers' 7th straight win

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espn.com

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Tuchel's dilemmas as he picks last squad before World Cup selection

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feeds.bbci.co.uk

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Saints and Bath lead race for top four as Prem returns

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feeds.bbci.co.uk

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England still in good position for fifth Champions League spot despite exits

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skysports.com

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Van Veen pulls out of Premier League Darts in Dublin with kidney stones

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