World Cup 2026: England assistant coach Anthony Barry to continue half-time interview

Half-time interviews have become a new feature of broadcasts during World Cup matches, although they have been described as “a request rather than an obligation”.

While some teams have given access to managers or substitutes, the extent to which interviews are conducted varies between countries.

Asked for his half-time assessment of the Croatia game, Barry said: “Overall, a really tricky and confused first half from us. I think a lot of nerves at the start and maybe that should be taken and expected in the opening game of the World Cup.

“From there, we made some decisions where we didn’t have the energy. We played long when we played short and we played short when we really should have played long. We didn’t play in the gaps, so we weren’t letting our game accelerate the way we wanted to.

“You’d think that penalty would free us up and allow us to play more like ourselves and look like ourselves, but again we fall back into some awful patterns.

“Yes, we’ve always been able to rely on set-pieces. We got the second goal and again we’re hoping that’s our moment to break free and take the game forward. But, well, we conceded the second goal late and now we have to talk about it at half-time.”

Meanwhile, England doctors are assessing forward Marcus Rashford’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s match against Ghana after he complained of muscle discomfort following the win over Croatia.

The forward came off the bench to score England’s fourth goal in Dallas but is said to be in some pain, although there is hope the issue will not prevent his involvement against Ghana.