Football may finally be coming home, but when national teams are shaped by global movement and immigration, “home” takes on a different meaning. This piece dives into the long, complex relationship between sport and national identity, and asks whether football success can usher in a new, more inclusive appreciation of “Englishness”.

While I called it “soccer” until a couple of weeks ago, I’ve really gotten into the spirit of cheering on England’s football team – and last night’s match certainly didn’t hurt! Plus, I can’t get that song out of my head. There are even mental health and social benefits from a tournament success – I think the past year and a half (and counting) certainly calls for a bit of a national “therapy session”.

But you won’t have long to bask in the stress-free glow before COVID infections could surge to 100,000 cases a day, with the UK government announcing that all restrictions in England will probably be lifted on July 19. It’s a tough political and health decision that could be Boris Johnson’s biggest gamble yet. While the nation is divided over whether it’s the right time to lift restrictions, this piece paints a picture of what “living with the virus” will look like.

And with the Euros final not the only big event now taking place, we hear how scientists are tracking whether such mass gatherings are helping spread the virus.

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