Not convincing, but victorious: England, Argentina, and Brazil pass pre-World Cup tests

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in just four days, and the national teams from all around the globe have already arrived in the USA, where they are using the remaining time to play friendly matches and fine-tune their preparations for the prestigious tournament.

Last night, three giants, England, Argentina, and Brazil, were on the pitch, and all three sides came away with victories, though none of them impressed.

The Three Lions faced another World Cup team, New Zealand, in Tampa, Florida, and notched a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Harry Kane's first-half added-time goal, despite meeting a team whom Haiti destroyed 4-0 just four days ago.

Thomas Tuchel's squad dominated the game but failed to create many chances, highlighting what appears to be the German's biggest concern at the moment - a lack of clinical finishing.

England made 23 attempts (compared to the rivals' three), Dan Burn hit the post after the break, while Tuchel rotated his entire team at half-time.

Before the start of the World Cup, the vice-champions of Europe will face Costa Rica in three days in another warm-up match.

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Argentina faced much the same problem against Honduras in Texas, yet Lionel Scaloni's side was a bit more convincing, claiming a 2-0 victory.

The 48-year-old strategist decided to shuffle the lineup and keep some key players fresh, as Lionel Messi did not play. In those circumstances, Lautaro Martinez shone with a 37th-minute opener from the spot and an assist for Giuliano Simeone's goal 17 minutes later.

Just like England, La Albiceleste will also have another friendly challenge prior to the World Cup - against Iceland on June 10.

Finally, Brazil had the toughest rival of the three and therefore had to work the hardest for their triumph - 2-1 against Egypt.

Unlike Scaloni, Carlo Ancelotti lined up a pretty powerful XI, offering a glimpse of the lineup that could start the Selecao's World Cup opener against Morocco (June 14).

The clash against the Pharaohs was Brazil's dress rehearsal, and it went well thanks to Bruno Guimaraes' opener and Endrick's winner, both scored seven minutes into the first and second half, respectively.

On the other hand, Egypt gave a good account of themselves, as their only goal came through Mostafa Ziko in the 11th minute.

Still, the highlight of the match played in Cleveland, Ohio, and a potential headache for Ancelotti isn't related to the outcome, but to Wesley Franca's injury. The AS Roma wing-back left the pitch in tears in the 17th minute, and his participation at the World Cup is now in serious doubt.