Introduction
David Squires, the acclaimed cartoonist for The Guardian, has once again turned his sharp pen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His latest strip captures England's tense progress to the quarter-finals and the United States' early exit, all while introducing a bizarre Donald Trump novelty that has become a talking point of the tournament.
The Cartoon Breakdown
England's Mexican Stand-off
England’s journey to the last eight has been anything but straightforward, and Squires depicts it as a nerve-shredding classic straight out of a Mexican telenovela. With the match played on Mexican soil—a nod to the co-hosting arrangement—the cartoonist frames the Three Lions' victory as a triumph of chaos. Panels brim with exaggerated expressions, last-ditch tackles, and a manager pulling out what’s left of his hair. It’s a love letter to the drama that only knockout football can deliver, and Squires ensures every English fan sees their own anxiety reflected back at them.
USA's World Cup Woe
In stark contrast, the host nation’s slump out of the tournament is treated with a mixture of bemusement and gentle ribbing. Squires draws crestfallen American fans, their stars-and-stripes face paint smeared, wandering past empty stadiums. The irony of the world’s biggest football party moving on without its hosts isn’t lost on the artist. One frame even hints at the familiar “soccer vs. the world” narrative, as a lone supporter holds a sign reading “We invented the Super Bowl.” It’s a poignant yet humorous take on a nation still coming to terms with the global game.
The Trump Novelty
No Squires World Cup collection would be complete without a political edge, and this week he introduces a peculiar Trump-themed novelty. A cartoonish Donald Trump appears on the sidelines, trying to gatecrash the FIFA festivities with a gold-plated VAR screen and a “Make VAR Great Again” cap. The satire is cutting, poking fun at the former president’s attempts to leverage the tournament’s spotlight for personal gain. Squires also takes aim at FIFA’s cozy relationship with power, sketching officials nervously eyeing the chaos while counting their cash.
Key Takeaways
- England's resilience: Squires hails the team's gritty performance but can't resist mocking the emotional rollercoaster they put fans through.
- Hosts' heartbreak: The USA’s early exit is a rich source of material, blending patriotic despair with classic soccer outsider jokes.
- Politics meets sport: The Trump novelty highlights how the World Cup has become a stage for political posturing, much to FIFA's discomfort.
- Master of the form: Once again, Squires proves himself the gold standard of football cartooning, blending humor with sharp cultural commentary.
Quick Facts
Cartoonist: David Squires
Publication: The Guardian
Published: 7 July 2026
Subjects: England’s World Cup run, USA elimination, Donald Trump
Previous works: Chaos in the Box (book), regular Guardian strips
