​Sunday could be a special day for England. The Three Lions could win the World Cup for a second time, and perhaps another Englishman could hoist the Claret Jug in Southport at Royal Birkdale.But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Even if the World Cup is resonating in players’ minds, especially those from England, this week at the 2026 Open Championship.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Obviously, we’re going to be watching,” Justin Rose said Tuesday during his pre-tournament press conference. “But at the same time, I’m going to watch it with an eye on what’s important for me as well and not get too high and low and keep my own emotions in check. We’ve got big things as well to do this week, but at the same time, it’s a match where if you think that you’re not going to watch it, you’re probably kidding yourself.More: USA Today’s World Cup hub: Odds, standings, video and more”Obviously, I’ll be rooting the boys on, but at the same time, trying to make sure I’m able to sort of rest up pretty soon after the match.”England defeated Norway 2-1 on Saturday to advance into the World Cup semifinals for the fourth time in team history, where it will face defending tournament champion Argentina at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday in Atlanta. That’s 8 p.m. in Southport, where the 154th Open begins early Thursday morning.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEnglish players, like Alex Fitzpatrick and Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin, who is hitting the first tee shot, are in the first eight games of the day. For those choosing to watch the match, it’s going to be a late night considering the early morning to come. For players like Matt Fitzpatrick, Aaron Rai and Marco Penge, the late tee time means no worries about staying up late cheering on the football team.More: Harry Kane reflects on ‘surreal’ golf with Trump1 / 19A young visitor shelters in the shade, as players practice a few days before the start of the 2026 Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale golf course near Southport in north-west England on July 12, 2026.(ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP via Getty Images)Matt Fitzpatrick, who was in the final group Sunday at the Scottish Open and had to play nearly 30 holes after a fog delay Saturday, didn’t stay up to watch the quarterfinal match Saturday night. “I take my job a little bit too seriously,” he joked Monday.”It would be nice if all the English lads were late/early. That would be great.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTommy Fleetwood, who grew up in Southport and has a mural of his celebration during the 2023 Ryder Cup painted on a building in town, has allowed himself to think about pulling off the England double come Sunday.”That would be a great day. No, I’d rather tee off late on Sunday for sure; I’ll start with that. Yeah, the lads have been doing great. It’s been great to watch,” Fleetwood said. “The World Cup’s not easy. I think they’ve done really well, and they continue to win, which is all you can do in those World Cup matches.”Stars o