FootballBoard
James Wright
Senior Editor

James Wright

James joined FootballBoard as senior editor after thirty years covering the English game — first on regional papers, then in the broadsheet press. He owns the long view: the retro features, the era-defining columns, the 'best ever' lists that frame today's stories against everything that came before. He prefers context to controversy, paragraph rhythm to hot takes, and proper full stops to tweet-bait.

Opinion & commentRetro featuresAll-time listsLong-form columns

By James

30 articles
Internationals

McGlynn Warns Falkirk Face Stiffer Test in Second Premiership Season

John McGlynn acknowledges that replacing departed top scorers and managing greater opposition respect will make Falkirk's second Premiership campaign their toughest yet.

By James Wright · 12 Jul 2026
World Cup

Pubs Can Stay Open for Full England v Norway Quarter-Final

The government has extended pub licensing hours in England and Wales to ensure fans can watch every minute of the World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

By James Wright · 11 Jul 2026
World Cup

How Norway Built a Golden Generation for the World Cup

Artificial pitches, gambling revenue and a coaching revolution spanning two decades explain how Norway — a nation Scotland's size — reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

By James Wright · 11 Jul 2026
World Cup

England Fans Flood Miami Ahead of Norway World Cup Quarter-Final

Around 30,000 England supporters have descended on Miami Beach as the Three Lions prepare for a World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

By James Wright · 11 Jul 2026
World Cup

Fifa Opens Investigation Into Alleged Racist Abuse of IShowSpeed at World Cup

Fifa has launched an investigation after American influencer IShowSpeed allegedly suffered racist abuse from a supporter during Argentina's win over Cape Verde in Miami.

By James Wright · 8 Jul 2026
World Cup

Mbappe condemns 'despicable' racist abuse after France's World Cup win

Kylian Mbappe has hit back at a Paraguayan senator over racist posts made after France knocked Paraguay out of the 2026 World Cup last 16.

By James Wright · 7 Jul 2026
World Cup

USA Crash Out of World Cup 2026 as Belgium Run Riot 4-1

The tournament co-hosts were knocked out of the World Cup last 16 by a commanding Belgium side, who ran out 4-1 winners in a deeply disappointing display.

By James Wright · 7 Jul 2026
World Cup

USA Collapse Against Belgium as Freese Error Gifts 3-1 Lead

A catastrophic goalkeeping blunder from Matt Freese and defensive disorganisation sealed a 4-1 defeat for the USA against Belgium in the World Cup last 16.

By James Wright · 7 Jul 2026
World Cup

USA Crash Out of World Cup After 1-4 Thrashing by Belgium

The United States were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the last 16 after a calamitous 4-1 defeat to Belgium, with goalkeeper Matt Freese's costly error summing up a dire defensive display.

By James Wright · 7 Jul 2026
Transfers

Brentford Close In on Burnley's Jaidon Anthony for £15m

Brentford are set to sign Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony in a deal worth £15m rising to £17m, with a medical provisionally scheduled for Monday.

By James Wright · 5 Jul 2026
World Cup

Cape Verde Push Argentina to the Brink in World Cup Classic

Cape Verde came agonisingly close to the greatest World Cup upset of all time before Argentina survived a breathless round-of-32 tie in Miami.

By James Wright · 4 Jul 2026
World Cup

USMNT's World Cup Run and the Question of Patriotic Discomfort

As the United States men's national team close in on a historic World Cup quarter-final, some Americans are wrestling with whether to cheer them on at all.

By James Wright · 4 Jul 2026
World Cup

Cape Verde: The Blue Sharks Making World Cup History

Cape Verde face Argentina in Miami on Friday, becoming the smallest nation ever to play a World Cup knockout match — and back home, the islands have never felt prouder.

By James Wright · 3 Jul 2026
World Cup

Ronaldo's equaliser ruled out as Portugal face Croatia at World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo saw a potential equaliser disallowed for offside as Portugal took on Croatia in their World Cup round of 32 tie in Toronto.

By James Wright · 3 Jul 2026
Champions League

Uefa Rejects Red Card Rule for Mouth-Covering in Club Competitions

Uefa has confirmed it will not adopt the Fifa-backed red card rule for players who cover their mouths during confrontations in European club competitions.

By James Wright · 2 Jul 2026
World Cup

Tielemans Penalty Sends Belgium Into World Cup Last 16

Youri Tielemans converted a dramatic late extra-time penalty as Belgium edged Senegal 3-2 in Seattle to book their place in the World Cup last 16.

By James Wright · 2 Jul 2026
Internationals

Alessandro Bastoni under investigation for underage prostitution in Italy

Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation by Italian prosecutors over alleged underage prostitution linked to a luxury events agency in Milan.

By James Wright · 1 Jul 2026
Internationals

Who becomes Scotland's next head coach after Steve Clarke?

Steve Clarke's departure after Scotland's World Cup exit leaves the Scottish FA with a significant appointment to make before September's Nations League campaign begins.

By James Wright · 28 Jun 2026
Transfers

Fulham Make Kusi-Asare Move Permanent After Successful Loan Spell

Fulham have signed Swedish teenager Jonah Kusi-Asare on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich, rewarding a productive loan stint at Craven Cottage last season.

By James Wright · 27 Jun 2026
Internationals

Celtic's Summer Drift Raises Questions Ahead of New Campaign

Martin O'Neill has called last season a 'wake-up call' for Celtic, yet the club's slow transfer activity is at odds with the urgency his words imply.

By James Wright · 27 Jun 2026
World Cup

Netherlands' World Cup Dream: Maths, Animals and a Point to Prove

From a German mathematician's formula to the ghost of Paul the Octopus, the signs are stacking up for the Netherlands at World Cup 2026 — and the football is backing them up.

By James Wright · 26 Jun 2026
World Cup

Mbappe vs Haaland: Who Matters More to Their Nation at the World Cup?

France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland meet at the 2026 World Cup with four goals each — but which superstar is the more indispensable figure for his country?

By James Wright · 26 Jun 2026
Transfers

Hearts Close In On Wouter Vrancken As New Head Coach

Heart of Midlothian are on the verge of appointing Belgian coach Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach following Derek McInnes's departure to Rangers.

By James Wright · 25 Jun 2026
World Cup

Scotland's World Cup Hopes Hang in Balance After 3-0 Brazil Defeat

Scotland were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Miami, with costly defensive errors leaving their last-16 prospects deeply uncertain at the 2026 World Cup.

By James Wright · 25 Jun 2026
World Cup

Scotland's World Cup hopes hang by a thread after Brazil defeat

Scotland were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Miami, with defensive errors proving costly as Steve Clarke's side now await their last-16 fate.

By James Wright · 25 Jun 2026
World Cup

South Korea's Son Gamble Backfires at World Cup 2026

South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo dropped captain Son Heung-Min against South Africa and paid an immediate price, losing 1-0 to leave their World Cup progress in serious doubt.

By James Wright · 25 Jun 2026
World Cup

Son Heung-Min Dropped as South Korea Lose to South Africa at World Cup

Hong Myung-Bo's decision to drop captain Son Heung-Min backfired as South Korea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa, leaving their World Cup progress in doubt.

By James Wright · 25 Jun 2026
World Cup

Aguirre Refuses to Hand Ochoa World Cup Farewell Start vs Czechia

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has resisted growing pressure from fans and players alike to give veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa a farewell World Cup start.

By James Wright · 24 Jun 2026
World Cup

How America's Patchwork Football Culture Became Its Greatest Strength

Rather than finding a single footballing identity, the United States men's national team has thrived precisely because of its diversity of backgrounds, cultures and development paths.

By James Wright · 24 Jun 2026
World Cup

Tyler Adams Ready to Play Against Türkiye Despite Yellow Card Risk

USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams insists he wants to start Thursday's group-stage finale against Türkiye, even though a second yellow card would rule him out of the round of 32.

By James Wright · 24 Jun 2026

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