Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new contract with the United States national team until 2030.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager led his team to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup which was hosted in North America with Belgium eventually eliminating the hosts after a 4-1 victory.
However, performances were much improved from the US who have now tied down their manager until the 2030 World Cup.
"Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men's National Team program even stronger," Pochettino said after signing his new deal.
"The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here.

#until #manager #mauricio #united

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Mauricio Pochettino is staying with the U.S. soccer team, agreeing Monday to a four-year contract to coach the Americans through the 2030 World Cup.
A 54-year-old who took over in October 2024, Pochettino led the U.S. to the World Cup round of 16, where the tournament co-hosts were eliminated with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Still, he helped the seeded U.S. to a pair of firsts in the expanded 48-nation tournament, clinching advancement from the group stage with a game to spare and winning three games in a single World Cup.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soc...

#pochettino #year #tournament #mauricio

Eintracht Frankfurt have officially announced the signing of Raphael Onyedika from Belgian champions Club Brugge, with the Nigerian international becoming the club's new midfield anchor ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 25-year-old has signed a long-term contract after Frankfurt reached an agreement with Brugge following weeks of negotiations. According to reports, the transfer package is worth up to €21 million, making Onyedika one of the club's biggest signings in club history: he is as expensive as Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Doan and is therefore sharing rank 4 in Frankfurt's most expensive signings with them.
Frankfurt had identified Onyedika as their top target for the defensive midfield role thanks to his physical presence, ball-winning ability, and extensive Champions League experience. The Nigerian made 183 appearances for Club Brugge, winning two Belgian league ******* les as well as the Belgian Cup and Super Cup during his four-year spell in Belgium.
The Eagles beat competition from several clubs, including teams from Saudi Arabia, to secure Onyedika's signature. His arrival is expected to give head coach Adi Hütter a commanding presence in midfield as Frankfurt aim to return to European competition after missing out last season.

#onyedika #club #midfield #year

Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be part of the Napoli project under new head coach Massimiliano Allegri and the latest reports indicate that MLS side Atlanta United are interested in picking up Belgium's all-time record goalscorer.
Lukaku is into the final year of his contract with Napoli having joined on a three-year deal from Chelsea during the summer of 2024. He went on to play a major role on Napoli's route to the 2024-25 Scudetto but was limited to just five league appearances in an injury-ridden campaign in 2025-26.
The 33-year-old is no longer a guaranteed starter at the Stadio Maradona, particularly with Rasmus Hojlund in the equation, and his agent has recently made it clear that the Belgian "isn't the kind of person who stays where he's not wanted."
Now, according to reports from Belgian expert Sacha Tavolieri, MLS side Atlanta United are 'pushing hard' in an attempt to sign Lukaku from Napoli this summer.
Talks between the relevant parties are reportedly already underway and Lukaku has supposedly given his approval to a move away from Napoli this summer, but at this stage, negotiations are still at an 'early stage'.

#summer #atlanta #united #stage

A couple weeks after losing draft pick and development player Justine ******* ott to the Las Vegas Aces, the Indiana Fever filled their second development spot.
The Fever announced Friday that they have signed Ugonne "Michelle" Onyiah to their development roster, joining Bree Hall on the Fever's development squad.
Onyiah, a 6-3 forward, played at the University of California-Berkeley from 2020-25. She was a key rotational player for all five of her years at Cal, and shot a conference-leading 60.3% from the field as a full-time starter in her final season in 2024-25. She was not picked in the 2025 WNBA Draft, then spent a year overseas playing in Belgium with Basket Namur Capitale, averaging 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
She got her first shot in the WNBA in New York this year, signing a rookie-scale contract with the Liberty ahead of 2026 training camp, but she was not able to make either of the Liberty's preseason games because of overseas commitments and was ultimately waived ahead of the regular season on May 7.
Onyiah then signed with the Upshot League, a new women's basketball league that started in 2026. She played on the Charlotte Crown, averaging 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.

#fever #draft #league #signed

Goalkeeper Beau Reus says he chose to join Hearts in the hope he and Wouter Vrancken can replicate their respective success stories last season in Belgium.
While Vrancken led Sint-Truiden to a third-place finish in the Pro League, and a second manager of the year award, 24-year-old Reus won the second-tier ******* le and promotion with Beveren.
"I didn't know the manager personally, but I know him of course from the great story he wrote in Belgium with Sint-Truiden," the Dutchman said.
"It was an unbelievable story. I only spoke with him one time because we had a friendly game against Sint-Truiden, but he's one of the biggest coaches in Belgium for sure.
"I think last year he made it clear why. He's a really big name in Belgium. I think, if you choose a club, especially if you're a free agent, you look at so many factors in the club, but of course the head coach is one of the biggest points in this. A lot of factors are in his favour."

#Belgium

Outgoing Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber believes American football can challenge Europe and South America as the world's most valuable league in the future.
MLS is looking to build on the momentum created by the 2026 FIFA World Cup as it pursues its long-term goal of becoming one of the world's leading football leagues.
The World Cup was a major commercial success across the United States, with each game attracting huge crowds, strong television audiences and widespread interest in football.
While the United States' men's national team were eliminated in the round of 16 following a heavy defeat against Belgium, the World Cup highlighted football's growing popularity across the country.
League officials now want to ensure that the excitement generated by the World Cup continues for years to come, much like the impact of the 1994 tournament.

#World #commissioner

Romelu Lukaku is about to return from his post-World Cup vacations, and the conversations to sort out his Napoli future, involving also Massimiliano Allegri, will ramp up. The parties are distant from finding a solution, Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
The striker has no plans to spend a campaign backing up Rasmus Hojlund, who was recently bought out for over €40M. The new Partenopei gaffer has exclusively rehearsed schemes featuring just one striker so far. The gaffer has frequently utilized 3-5-2 in his career, but they have a few wingers to employ.
Napoli can't give Lukaku the prominent role he aspires to. At the same time, they have no interest in keeping a reserve with a €11M gross salary. The center-forward seemed surely destined to leave after last season's events, but he had changed his tune earlier in the summer.
The Azzurri suggested extending his contract to dilute his wages to make them more manageable, but they were rebuffed. His exit isn't easy to orchestrate, considering his age, demands, injury history, and €10/12M valuation. The side aims to avoid a loss on its balance sheet. The team is hoping his performances across the pond will help in that regard. He wasn't a full-time starter for Belgium, but still made his presence felt with three goals and one ******* ist.
He's proven he can be dangerous in small doses, but the club also has to weigh other stuff, especially the economic side. Everything points toward an exit, with perhaps Saudi Arabia or the MLS coming to the rescue, if the Azzurri aren't too rigid on his price tag. But, as often happens with him, it'll get messy first.

#striker #time #exit #side

Akbar Majeed takes a deep breath as he considers the legacy of the 2026 World Cup and, in particular, the effect of the US team's collapse against Belgium for a last-16 exit.
"Unfortunately, that performance in the last game did not help at all," he says.
"You have to be careful what you ask for, right?" he says. "You want people to watch the sport. You got the most people in America to watch that game and that is the product we put out there? It reinforced a lot of the thoughts about soccer."
Related: Arsène Wenger: US soccer development will depend on 'consistency' and 'education'
Majeed has a lot of thoughts about soccer. As the director of Can We Kick It?, a feature documentary released this summer, he has also heard the thoughts about soccer from a cast of players, coaches, administrators, parents and fans. The project explores how the sport has engaged – and often not engaged – with Black communities in the United States.

#majeed #people #engaged

PSG have no interest in making a move for AFC Bournemouth winger Rayan (19), according to Le Parisien. The Brazilian international was rumoured to be of interest for the back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners, but those rumours have been quashed by the Ligue 1 champions. PSG had an interest in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomandé, but the Ivory Coast international appears destined to join José Mourinho's Real Madrid side.
More movement is expected for PSG to bolster Luis Enrique's attacking options until the end of the summer transfer window. Les Parisiens have reached a €50m agreement with Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco to sign Maghnes Akliouche. The versatile France international is expected to replace Lee Kang-in – who joined Atlético de Madrid in a €40m move – and bring competition for the right-winger to Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola.
However, the latter could be sold with Liverpool expressing an interest. The Reds are expected to submit a bid to PSG. Meanwhile, the Ligue 1 champions also need a back-up striker after parting ways with Gonçalo Ramos. 2026 World Cup winner Ferran Torres and Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere are billed as the favourites to bring depth.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#champions #international #back

RC Lens goalkeeper Hervé Koffi (29) is reportedly set to join Union Saint-Gilloise, according to La DH. The move is expected to take the form of a loan with an option to buy.
Having already been on loan last season, the Burkinabé goalkeeper enjoyed a top-class campaign with SCO Angers, where he established himself as one of Ligue 1's very best goalkeepers. Back at Lens this summer, however, the Dobo-Dioulasso native is not expected to stay there for long, as he appears to be blocked by competition from Robin Risser (21).
In Belgium, Koffi will thus return to a league he knows well, having previously played for Royal Excel Mouscron in 2020-21, then for Royal Charleroi SC from 2021 to 2024. With the Unionists, the 29-year-old goalkeeper will also have the opportunity to experience the Champions League, as he faces the daunting task of replacing Kjell Scherpen (26), who moved this summer to Ipswich Town, newly promoted to the Premier League.
GFFN | Léo Aschi

#goalkeeper #koffi #royal #union

Arsenal have developed a strong relationship with Lille in recent years, completing several deals with the Ligue 1 club. The Gunners have signed players such as Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel from Lille, with the Brazilian defender remaining an important member of their squad.
The current **** nal team is considered one of the strongest in football after achieving success in the league and reaching the Champions League final last season. The Gunners continue to prove they are among the teams to beat and are determined to strengthen their squad further before the new campaign begins.
Arsenal are now considering another potential deal with Lille, with a report from L'Equipe claiming that they have shown strong interest in attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo as they look to improve their squad.
The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive season last term, with his performances helping him earn recognition from Belgium as he was included in their World Cup squad. He could now find himself competing for a place in **** nal's team if the transfer is completed.
The Gunners have been monitoring Fernandez-Pardo for several months and believe he has the qualities needed to become a valuable addition to their squad. The report suggests that **** nal could approach the player in the coming week as they continue their recruitment plans.

#arsenal #squad

Brentford are moving decisively in the market, with Evening Standard reporting that the club are "closing in on a deal to sign Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare as a replacement for Jordan Henderson". It is understood the Bees are making real progress, with talks described as advanced and confidence growing internally that an agreement can be reached.
The proposed package is significant. Sangare "would cost around €45million (£38.5m)", a figure that would place him among the biggest investments in Brentford's history and potentially make him the club's record signing. That alone underlines how seriously Brentford are treating this next step, particularly after Henderson's situation shifted quickly. The report adds that Brentford have alternatives in mind if negotiations hit a snag, but for now Sangare appears the leading option.
The 24-year-old brings a strong profile. He has four years left on his contract, has already earned 16 caps for Mali, and made five appearances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. At club level, he helped Lens lift the Coupe De France, with Pierre Sage, now at Crystal Palace, also linked to the player. Palace's interest is said to be ongoing, which may sharpen the timetable if Brentford want to get this over the line.
Photo: IMAGO
Sangare's journey has been steady and upward. He made "his senior debut at Red Bull Salzburg", took in loan spells in Austria and Belgium, moved to Rapid Wien, then earned his switch to Lens. Last season, he "scored three times in 33 appearances", suggesting his game offers more than simple ball-winning. Brentford will likely value mobility, tactical discipline and room for further growth as much as the headline numbers.

#lens #earned

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract to coach the United States men's national team, and that's good enough reason for us to dig into the "what's next" for the USMNT under the ex-Spurs and Chelsea boss.
MORE — Zidane takes over France national team
Pochettino could become the first USMNT coach to work consecutive World Cups since Bruce Arena, and he'll have the opportunity to lead the team through qualifying, a Gold Cup, and likely the 2028 Copa America in the United States.
And so Pochettino will look to have the team better prepared to show up against elite competition the next time a Belgium-level opponent is across the pitch in a tournament game.
Pochettino found plenty of success with a back three during the last year with the USMNT, but fullbacks Alex Freeman or Joe Scally were often slid into that back three.

#united

Mauricio Pochettino contract, salary with USMNT: What we know about coach's new deal through 2030 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The United States men achieved a respectable but not exceptional result at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, eliminated in the Round of 16 at the hands of Belgium as they were pummeled 4-1 in Seattle.
At the tournament on home soil, the group was led by Mauricio Pochettino, whose coaching experience and leadership were expected to help elevate the profile of the USMNT throughout his time in charge, and he was paid handsomely for such talents.
While it didn't quite translate to tangible growth at the World Cup, the USMNT has still made strides under Pochettino from a federation standpoint.
It now appears likely that U.S. Soccer has convinced Pochettino to stay long-term, warding off interest from the club level and other national teams to keep him around as the focus turns to the next four-year cycle, finishing with the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

#usmnt #fifa #preferred #source

Aston Villa are still awaiting the outcome of their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as they try to register Brian Madjo, who joined from Metz for £10m in January and does not turn 18 until January next year.
Under-18s cannot complete international transfers, but Villa have argued Madjo was born in London and should be exempt, despite having three caps for Luxembourg.
Fifa does allow some exemptions for minor players to make moves, including if a 16 or 17-year-old transfers within the European Union - something the UK is no longer part of.
At 6ft 4in, Madjo has already been compared to Belgium's Romelu Lukaku and his leveller against Real Sociedad to make it 2-2 after 56 minutes was simple enough but showed a predatory instinct.
He was a handful for Real, with strength and power unsettling the visiting defenders and, with Ollie Watkins still on a break following England's World Cup campaign and Tammy Abraham returning from a shoulder issue, Madjo has the chance to impress.

#january #real #transfers #aston

HNB are reporting that Antwerp are considering bringing former QPR striker Michael Frey back to the club. The Swiss forward enjoyed a prolific time with the Belgian side but left during their **** le winning season after being replaced by Vincent Janssen. However, his move to QPR didn't go as planned and after a few months back in Switzerland he is now a free agent. Janssen has since departed Antwerp and the side could certainly do with having an experienced physical presence like Frey up front. It is not clear yet whether or not Frey is open to the return, given he did not leave Antwerp on the best of terms.
After coming through with Young Boys, Frey moved to Lille in 2014. After just 21 games and three goals, with a loan spell back in Switzerland with Luzern, he returned to Young Boys in 2016. Spells with FC Zurich and Fenerbahce followed, as well as a loan to FC Nurnberg, but Frey could not replicate the success he had had in Swiss football. That was until he joined Beveren, then Waasland-Beveren, on loan for the 2020/2021 season. Despite the sides relegation from the Pro League, Frey impressed with 17 goals in 31 games.
The following season Antwerp brought Frey to Belgium permanently. Frey enjoyed a fantastic first season with the club, scoring 24 goals in 46 games. However, after nine goals in 23 games the following season, Frey wanted to leave, with Janssen having taken his starting spot. Frey joined Schalke 04 initially on loan for the back end of the 2022/2023 season, but failed to score in 15 appearances.
In January of 2024 he left Antwerp permanently, joining QPR. After one goal in nine games, Frey entered the 2024/2025 season hoping to push on. He had a decent if not spectacular first full season for QPR, with nine goals in 31 games. However, he fell down the pecking order and after 13 games without a goal left to join Grasshopper back in Switzerland. Frey ended last season with the Zurich based side, scoring two goals in 16 games.
GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

#season #games #however #loan

The 2026 FIFA World Cup proved to be a controversial one. The United States joined Canada and Mexico as a host nation for the event, but it was the only country that saw its President, Donald Trump, involve himself in the goings-on on the pitch.
By his own admission, Trump stepped in to help get USMNT star Folarin Balogun's suspension postponed after the electrifying goal scorer was **** sed a red card, resulting in him being deemed eligible for the U.S.'s round of 16 match against Belgium. Many people pointed toward Trump's connection to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who lobbied for Trump to receive the **** el Peace Prize and gave him the newly established FIFA Peace Prize, as a reason why Balogun's suspension was overturned.
Now, The Times' Martyn Ziegler is reporting on a **** ing "scheme" involving Infantino and people with close ties to the Trump administration.
"EXCLUSIVE: Fifa's president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors under a scheme that could potentially earn him tens of millions of pounds. Investor discussions held with figures close to the Trump administration, say sources," Ziegler reported.
"FIFA has now confirmed to The Times this Infantino plan is under discussion with Josh Kushner as proposed lead investor."

#president #peace #prize

Lyon have signed Loïs Openda (26) on loan from Juventus, both clubs have announced. The Belgium international is back in Ligue 1 after taking France by storm three years ago. Openda logged 21 league goals in a single season with RC Lens, paving the way for him to join RB Leipzig in a €50m deal in 2023. Openda asked to leave the Bundesliga side a year ago with the latter failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Juventus pounced and signed him on loan with a €42m obligation to buy, which has been triggered on July 1st. However, Openda only scored two goals with Juventus last season in all competitions. He is now set to sign for Lyon on loan to get his career back on track after failing to make Rudi Garcia's Belgium squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Lyon were in the market for a reliable centre-forward after parting ways with Real Madrid loanee Endrick, who returned to his parent club, and Roman Yaremchuk, whose option to buy has not been triggered.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#loan #signed #goals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Goalkeeper Matt Freese admits he's not quite gotten over the United States' abrupt exit from the 2026 World Cup following a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
And quite frankly, he's not sure he ever will.
"Big losses in tough moments are things you never really get over because they stay with you for the rest of your career," Freese told The **** ociated Press ahead of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game coming up Wednesday in Charlotte. "They continue to motivate you for the rest of your career."
Freese made a costly mistake in the loss when he rushed well out of his box to clear a long ball, then hesitated under pressure to kick it away.
Belgium quickly converted the miscue into a goal to take a 3-1 lead in the 57th minute, all but sealing the Americans' fate.

#charlotte #Belgium #rest #goalkeeper

World number 10 Taylor Fritz captured his 250th hardcourt victory on Monday by defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the first round of the ATP and WTA Washington Open.
The American third seed, seeking his 11th ATP tour ******* le and first Eastbourne last year, needed only 79 minutes to complete a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.
Wimbledon quarter-finalist Fritz will next face either countryman Tommy Paul or Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.
"He had a few break chances, but when I served out the first and went up a break in the second, I felt like the momentum was on my side," Fritz said.
"It's really good to get out of those games and to finish the match unbroken."

#fritz #first #World #Monday

The dates, kick-off times and venues for all of Italy’s upcoming Nations League fixtures have been confirmed, including a re-match against World Cup semi-finalists France in San Siro.
While discussions over a new head coach for the Italy national team continue – Andrea Pirlo now looking like the frontrunner after missing out on Pep Guardiola – preparations for the upcoming Nations League campaign are underway.
The Azzurri are in Nations League Group A with Belgium, Turkey and France and will face all three nations home and away between September and November.
Italy’s Nations League campaign will begin with a visit from Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on September 25, before jetting out to take on Turkey in Bursa three days later.
Italy will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 victory from 2024 when they take on France in Paris again on October 2. Bologna’s Dall’Ara stadium will host the following game against Turkey on October 5.

#league #turkey #upcoming #campaign

HNB are reporting that Club Brugge have had a bid of around €9m for AZ Alkmaar midfielder Peer Koopmeiners rejected. AZ have already seen one midfielder leave this summer, with the talented Sven Mijnans depart for Eredivisie champions PSV. They are hoping to receive a fee of around €17m for Koopmeiners, well above the €9m that Club Brugge initially bid. Koopmeiners is said to be keen on a move to Belgium and for Club Brugge he would provide a replacement for Aleksandar Stankovic, who returned to Inter, and Raphael Onyedika who is also likely to depart this summer.
Outside of loan spells with Excelsior and Almere City, Koopmeiners has spent his entire career with AZ. Since making his debut in 2020, he has played over 100 games for the club, scoring six goals. The previous two seasons have been the best of Koopmeiners career so far. During the 2024/2025 season he returned from a loan spell with Excelsior to play 53 games for AZ, scoring twice and providing seven ***** ists. Last season he played 50 games for AZ, scoring four goals and providing two ***** ists.
Club Brugge, after selling Christos Tzolis and Stankovic this summer, certainly have enough money to pay the fee AZ are asking for, but the club will likely try and bargain for a lower price.
GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

#koopmeiners #brugge #scoring #excelsior

South Korean contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Samsung Biologics has been on a steep upward growth trajectory since receiving its first licence to produce biologic drug substances in 2015.
That FDA approval was followed in 2016 by a Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance from the EMA for biologics drug substance and drug product, and the company now has over 450 approvals from regulators around the world. The expansion of Samsung's manufacturing licences is mirrored in the growth of its performance, which saw it achieve revenues of $3.1bn (Won4,557bn) in 2025, a 30% increase from the previous year.
Until now, that work has been centred on the Songdo Bio Cluster in the South Korean city of Incheon, where Samsung will have three campuses, having recently acquired land for Bio Campus III, which will be set aside for future modalities including work on cell and gene therapies and vaccines. The cluster will also be the location for Samsung's forthcoming open innovation centre, which is due to open in 2027 and is being built in partnership with Lilly Gateway Labs. But a key part of the company's plans for continued growth involves adding capacity outside its home country.
On 20 July 2026, Samsung unveiled its plans for the $1.8bn (SFr1.46bn) acquisition of PolyPeptide Group, which specialises in peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and produces one third of the commercially approved peptides in the world. In addition to expanding Samsung's capabilities beyond antibodies and ADCs and into peptide therapeutics, including GLP-1s, its deal with the Swiss CDMO also comes with a network of sites across Sweden, Belgium, France, the US, and India, together with a corporate office in Switzerland and an innovation centre in Strasbourg, France.
The PolyPeptide deal is expected to close before the end of 2026, when it will build on Samsung's first major M&A transaction of the year. That saw the South Korean CDMO complete its $280M acquisition of GSK's Rockville, MD, US facility on March 31, 2026. The agreement gave Samsung its first US manufacturing presence and an additional 60,000L of drug substance capacity, increasing its global capacity to 845,000L.

#south

NEW YORK — Norwegian soccer officials plan to file a complaint formally protesting President Trump's phone call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which preceded the surprising reversal of U.S. star Folarin Balogun's suspension from World Cup play.
Balogun received a red card penalty for committing a hard foul against a Bosnia and Herzegovina player during a July 1 match in California. FIFA rules called for the striker from Brooklyn to be barred from participating in Team USA's next game against Belgium. But after Trump spoke to Infantino, with whom he has a friendly relationship, Balogun's suspension was not enforced.
Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness told The Times of London its important that the international soccer community has an "honest" discussion over what transpired.
"We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process," she said. "We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error."
Even with Balogun on field, the U.S. was handily defeated by the Belgians. Belgium lost the following game to the Spanish team, which won the tournament. Norway was knocked out of the World Cup by England in a thrilling quarterfinals match.

#infantino #suspension

Arsenal have not simply signed one of Europe's most productive attacking players, they appear to have recruited someone who thrives when the pressure is at its highest.
Following the official announcement of Christos Tzolis' arrival from Club Brugge, ****** nal have taken a closer look at why the Greek international became one of Belgium's standout performers over the past two seasons.
We recently reported that Tzolis was keen to make the move to North London before later covering reports that an agreement between ****** nal and Club Brugge had been reached. Those reports have now been followed by official confirmation, with the 24-year-old becoming Mikel Arteta's latest addition.
One of the qualities ****** nal appear to value most is Tzolis' ability to deliver when trophies are on the line.
Belgian football journalist Tomas Taecke, who has covered Club Brugge since 2011, highlighted the winger's remarkable performances during the Belgian Championship Play-offs, where the league ****** le is ultimately decided.

#appear

U.S. women's national team legend Megan Rapinoe said the U.S. men's national team had a good vibe at the 2026 World Cup — until Donald Trump got involved.
Earlier this month, the U.S. president revealed he pushed FIFA president Gianni Infantino to reverse Folarin Balogun's red card suspension ahead of the Belgium match in the round of 16.
Though Infantino has insisted that Trump did not influence FIFA's Disciplinary Committee, which operates independently, Balogun's suspension was lifted at the 11th hour in controversial fashion.
Even with its best forward available, the USMNT turned in a dismal performance against Belgium, losing 4-1 to crash out of the tournament.
"It didn't give them the boost that they were thinking it would or that Trump was hoping that it would," Rapinoe said on The Daily Show this week. "It seemed like it threw them off their game."

#Belgium #national #team #president

Hull City tried their luck. It failed. Nicolas Raskin has flatly turned down an approach from the newly-promoted Premier League outfit, despite the Yorkshire side putting a hefty sum on the table. According to reports from the Daily Record, Hull were ready to meet Rangers' valuation in principle, but the player's camp slammed the brakes on the whole thing. He simply has no interest in moving to the MKM Stadium.
It leaves the Tigers stranded. TEAMtalk and the Yorkshire Post suggest Hull put forward somewhere between £12m and £14m. Rangers, however, are clinging to a valuation north of £20m. That is a massive gap in Scottish football terms. Hull might have the cash from their promotion, but they face a steep mountain if they think a second attempt will change Raskin's mind. Money is only half the battle here. The player wants elite European football, and his representatives are working overtime to land a move to a far bigger stage.
To understand the Belgian's ambition, you only have to look at his last 12 months. It was a standout year. Across 33 Scottish Premiership outings during the 2025/26 campaign, he notched six goals and seven ***** ists. He clocked nearly 2,800 minutes in domestic action, finishing as the top-rated player in the entire Rangers squad with an average rating of 7.54. Throw in eight appearances in the Europa League, and it becomes clear why he was the engine driving Ibrox.
Then came the World Cup. Raskin took that domestic form straight to North America, starting every group match for Belgium. His display in the 4-1 thrashing of the USA on 4 July turned plenty of heads across the continent. Now, the suitors are lining up. Real Betis, Atalanta, Bologna, and Tottenham Hotspur are all monitoring the situation. Teams across La Liga and Serie A have sniffed around, along with several established Premier League sides.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Nico Raskin of Rangers is seen during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Rangers FC and AS Roma at Ibrox Stadium on November 06, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

#rangers

Sport Bild reports that new Hoffenheim acquisition Nathan De Cat possesses an expensive release clause in his freshly signed contract. The 18-year-old talent already maintains an estimated €27m value in the latest Transfermarkt listings. In his new working papers – valid until 2031 – it is anticipated that the teenager’s market value will continue to rise exponentially.
Sport Bild claims that De Cat may potentially leave Hoffenheim one day via a €70m release clause. The former Anderlecht professional’s estimated market value stood at €7m less than a year ago. His rapid rise reflects both his development in Belgium and the considerable expectations attached to his Bundesliga move.
Should the young defensive midfielder perform well in Germany, interest from wealthier European clubs will inevitably follow. Hoffenheim have nevertheless protected themselves against losing another valuable prospect for a modest fee.
An expensive departure as early as next summer could therefore become a realistic possibility if De Cat adapts quickly and establishes himself as a regular starter.
GGFN | Peter Weis

#expensive #clause #year

Arsenal have signed "extremely versatile attacking player" Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m.
The 24-year-old Greece international has joined the Premier League champions on what they describe as a "long-term contract".
Tzolis scored 43 goals and provided 45 ******* ists in 108 appearances for Club Brugge.
He joins ******* nal after the departure of Belgium forward Leandro Trossard to Besiktas earlier this month
"Christos naturally operates on the left but is comfortable across the front line," said ******* nal sporting director Andrea Berta.

#leandro