Is FIFA selling the World Cup? What to know about Gianni Infantino investment plan UEFA says 'crosses a line' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a sensational financial success for FIFA, as the football governing body announced an incredible revenue total of $13 billion for its latest four-year cycle, over a 100% increase from the previous period.
It did not come without controversy. FIFA heavily commercialised its flagship event, vastly increasing ticket prices, introducing a new in-house ticket resale vehicle, and cozying up to the U.S. government throughout the event in North America, all of which sparked significant backlash.
With the 2030 World Cup cycle now under way, FIFA has undertaken the genesis of a new commercial venture, which, on the surface, is set to generate even more cash for the Switzerland-based non-profit.
The investment vehicle, first revealed in reports by Martyn Ziegler of The Times and in the Financial Times and shortly thereafter confirmed by FIFA, has many fans and entities fearful of the direction in which the game of football is heading.

#World #sporting #times

Subway has extended its partnership with WSL Football through a new multi-year deal that will see the League Cup rebranded as the Subway Players Cup from the 2026/27 season.
WSL Football has also introduced a new format with player welfare at the heart of the changes. The new name sees the league's commitment to putting players first while creating more meaningful opportunities across the women's game.
The Subway Players Cup will feature a Swiss-style league phase with fixtures drawn by region. Every club will play at least six matches before the knockout rounds, giving young players more opportunities while helping squads stay match-ready throughout the season.
UEFA Women's Champions League clubs will no longer compete in the tournament. WSL Football made the change to ease fixture congestion and better manage player workloads during an increasingly demanding calendar.
The changes follow a review of the competition that included feedback from clubs, players and fans. According to WSL Football, players welcomed the new format, citing more game time, greater opportunities for squad rotation and a stronger chance to compete for silverware.

#subway #season #format #player

After 14 years with FIFA World Cup-winning player and coach Didier Deschamps at the helm, the French national team is now officially under the stewardship of ex-captain Zinedine Zidane.
An appointment which had been largely expected for months, this marks the 54-year-old's first head coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he won La Liga twice and the UEFA Champions League three times across two stints in charge,
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Zidane, who won the World Cup alongside Deschamps in 1998 and reached the Final in 2006, during which he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi, admitted that taking charge of Les Bleus was a lifelong dream come true.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Argentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action

#real

Cesc Fabregas warns Como could be forced to play the Champions League with 'a squad of 16-17 players' due to their limitations, but welcomes new signings Mattia Liberali, Luis Milla and Kaiki.
The Lariani were in Serie B just two years ago, but now find themselves preparing for the biggest competition in club football after finishing fourth in Serie A last season.
This sudden ascendancy has caught them a little off guard, and means that there will be some strict limits on just who can play in the Champions League.
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Como manager Cesc Fabregas reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
"We have the UEFA list limits, so because we don't yet have a youth academy capable of providing certain things, we'll find ourselves in the Champions League with only a squad of 16-17 players," said Fabregas in a press conference.

#champions

UEFA has taken a firm stance against FIFA, declaring that soccer is 'not theirs to sell' in response to the governing body's controversial proposal. Global soccer's top authority is considering selling stakes in "event operations," presumably such as the World Cup, to private investors, as confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
The scheme could see FIFA president Gianni Infantino pocket millions should a deal be approved. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been brought into the discussions via the Kushner family.
While the proposal is still being deliberated internally, it has been met with significant opposition from UEFA, as per The Mirror.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Argentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action

#president

Is FIFA selling the World Cup? What to know about Gianni Infantino investment plan UEFA says 'crosses a line' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a sensational financial success for FIFA, as the football governing body announced an incredible revenue total of $13 billion for its latest four-year cycle, over a 100% increase from the previous period.
It did not come without controversy. FIFA heavily commercialised its flagship event, vastly increasing ticket prices, introducing a new in-house ticket resale vehicle, and cozying up to the U.S. government throughout the event in North America, all of which sparked significant backlash.
With the 2030 World Cup cycle now under way, FIFA has undertaken the genesis of a new commercial venture, which, on the surface, is set to generate even more cash for the Switzerland-based non-profit.
The investment vehicle, first revealed in reports by Martyn Ziegler of The Times and in the Financial Times and shortly thereafter confirmed by FIFA, has many fans and entities fearful of the direction in which the game of football is heading.

#investment #Event

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

Uefa has reacted furiously to reports Fifa president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the men's World Cup to investors.
Infantino is plotting a scheme whereby Fifa would retain majority control of the World Cup and the rest would be sold, partly to each of Fifa's 211 national ******* ociations, and partly to private investment, according to reports by The Times and Financial Times on Tuesday.
The plan could potentially see Infantino installed as the "commissioner" of the World Cup when his Fifa presidency finally ends in 2031, a position which would prove extremely lucrative.
Uefa, the governing body of European football and a long-term critic of Infantino, said in a statement: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross.
"UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football ******* ociation. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not ******* ets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

#fifa #national #extremely

Newcastle United have walked out of the race to sign Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie (20) with their Premier League rivals Sunderland AFC now the clear favourites to sign the France U21 international, according to The Guardian. The Black Cats, who are set to compete in the UEFA Europa League next season, have already secured an agreement on personal terms with Methalie over a five-year contract, as reported yesterday by RMC.
The 20-year-old is billed as one of the best French prospects in the left-back role, with a senior France bow expected in a few years with Lucas Digne and Théo Hernandez entering the twilight of their career. Methalie has been extensively scouted by Eddie Howe's Magpies, but the latter have opted against submitting a bid this summer. Aston Villa also enquired about the Toulouse left-back.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#back #newcastle #united

Go behind the scenes as Josko Gvardiol penned a new City contract.
Men's Team
Gvardiol has been a revelation since joining us in August 2023 from German side, RB Leipzig.
The classy defender has showcased his talent at both centre-half and left-back during that time as well as collecting six major honours in the sky blue shirt.
They include the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.

#gvardiol #josko #city

European football officials have issued a renewed directive on the use of Video ****** istant Referees (VAR), stressing that the technology should only intervene in cases of "blatantly incorrect" decisions or clear missed incidents.
The move follows a significant meeting last week involving referee chiefs from all 55 national ****** ociations and representatives from the International Football ****** ociation Board (Ifab), the body responsible for the game's laws.
The consensus reached aims to streamline officiating and reduce the impact of lengthy reviews.
A Uefa release stated: "VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, i.e. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident. VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making. Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."
VAR was a major point of contention at the World Cup (Getty)

#clear

Officials across Europe have restated the need to use VAR only to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and address clear missed incidents.
UEFA convened referee chiefs from all 55 national ****** ociations last week along with representatives from the International Football ****** ociation Board (IFAB), which sets the game's laws, in a bid to reach a consensus on the best approach to officiating.
There was "unanimous" support for further measures to speed up restarts, such as the time limits on substitutions and five-second countdowns for goal kicks and throw-ins.
However, arguably the most significant statement was a restating of VAR's original purpose.
"VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, i.e. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," a UEFA release stated.

#uefa #only #Europe #international

Teenage striker Fynn Schenten of 1. FC Köln is set to continue his development in the Netherlands with Roda JC Kerkrade. As previously reported, the season-long loan contains no purchase option, reflecting Köln's belief that the 18-year-old remains a long-term first-team prospect. Schenten joined the club at the age of eight and progressed through every academy level at the Geißbockheim before helping Köln win the German under-19 championship.
He signed a professional contract through 2030 in January and has already made seven Bundesliga appearances. The move should provide regular senior minutes before Schenten returns to challenge for a permanent place in Köln's attack.
Raised in Bonn, Schenten joined Köln's academy at eight and progressed through every youth team. Last season, he scored six goals in five UEFA Youth League matches, including against Inter Milan before a record sellout crowd at the RheinEnergieStadion. In the Köln senior team, he made one start last October.
"One of our goals is to integrate as many players as possible from the FC Academy into the professional team," Köln technical director Lukas Berg noted in a club statement. "Fynn already made this leap on a few occasions last season and showed his potential. We discussed this plan with him early on. In Roda Kerkrade, we've found a suitable club where he'll be close to home, yet still have the opportunity to take the next steps in his development."
"I got a taste of [the Kölner experience] last season," Schenten himself noted. "Playing with the pros—and especially at the RheinEnergieStadion—was a first step, but of course I want to establish myself at this level permanently. I know I still have some ground to cover in my development to get there. I'm 100 percent committed to taking on this challenge in Kerkrade and then returning to Geißbockheim a year from now, stronger than ever."

#schenten #kerkrade #club

According to Gerard Romero, as relayed by SPORT, Jorge Salinas remains determined to join Barcelona despite negotiations slowing in recent weeks.
The Catalan club are unwilling to meet Racing Santander's €16 million asking price, but those close to the player remain confident that an agreement can be reached before the summer transfer window closes in August.
Salinas, who recently won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Spain, continues to prioritise a move to Barcelona.
However, the versatile defender has no intention of forcing his departure from Racing, the club he has represented since childhood.
A product of the club's academy, he played his part in helping Racing secure promotion back to La Liga after a 14-year absence.

#salinas

France now has the leader it had dreamed of for years. The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially appointed Zinédine Zidane as the new national team manager.
The 54-year-old coach succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup following 14 years in charge of the team.
Zidane's challenge will be to match, or at least come close to, Deschamps' achievements, after he led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final in 2022.
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane now takes charge of the country he captained to both the World Cup and European Championship ***** les. His managerial résumé is just as impressive, with three consecutive Champions League ***** les and two La Liga crowns won across his two spells in charge of Real Madrid.
Zidane's first challenge will be to lead France in the UEFA Nations League before turning his focus to qualification for Euro 2028, with a squad that still boasts top-level talent such as Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and William Saliba.

#deschamps #league #titles

Paris Saint-Germain have no intention of entering the race for Manchester City's Rodri despite recent speculation linking the European champions with the Spaniard, per Sky Sports.
Reports in recent days suggested PSG could test City's resolve for the Ballon d'Or winner.
However, the French club are understood to be completely satisfied with their current midfield options and are not planning any major additions in that area this summer.
Luis Enrique's side believe they already possess one of Europe's strongest midfield units, with Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves all playing pivotal roles in last season's historic campaign.
The trio started PSG's UEFA Champions League final triumph and remain central to the club's long-term plans. They also have the talented Warren Zaire-Emery waiting in the wings.

#champions #rodri #european

LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers has led some soccer fans to make a concerning comparison.
LeBron James waited until the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to announce his next NBA team, as he chose the Philadelphia 76ers for the final chapter of his career.
James will join the 76ers, who already have Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown on the roster.
On paper, the roster looks insane, but some fans are still skeptical of the chemistry between James and his new teammates.
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

#lebron #uefa #roster

Oliver Lukic will play for TSV Egger Glas Hartberg on loan next season.
The talented midfielder moved from the youth academy of Austria Vienna to Salzburg in the summer of 2022. Since then, he has played for the Red Bull Academy's U18 team (20 appearances, 5 goals), our co-operation club FC Liefering (45 appearances, 4 goals), our UEFA Youth League team (10 appearances, 2 goals) and our first team (9 appearances).
The 19-year-old will now gain Bundesliga experience in Hartberg next season.

#appearances #Youth #oliver

Atlético de Madrid have reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of Kang In Lee, the club confirmed in an official statement. The South Korean has signed until 30 June 2031.
The 25-year-old left-footed midfielder can play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing. He stands out for his vision, close control, passing ability and striking.
Born in Incheon on 19 February 2001, Kang In Lee came through the Valencia CF academy from the age of 10. He made his first-team debut on 30 October 2018 in the Copa del Rey, a ******* le he would go on to win, and played 62 matches for Los Che before joining Real Mallorca in 2021.
At Son Moix, he was a key player under Luis García Plaza and Javier Aguirre, making 73 appearances over two seasons before moving to PSG in the summer of 2023.
In Paris, he played 124 matches, recording 16 goals and 16 ******* ists, and won two Champions Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, three Ligue 1 ******* les, two French Cups and two French Super Cups.

#super

Liverpool's first pre-season outing of the summer was already going to carry curiosity, because a new head coach always brings questions, fresh ideas and a sense of reset. Yet Saturday's meeting with Sunderland now carries something far more important. As reported by BBC Sport, both clubs will honour Kevin Keegan with black armbands and a minute's applause before kick-off.
That feels fitting. Keegan belonged to an era when footballers seemed larger than life, full of energy, swagger and personality, and he left a mark on every club lucky enough to call him their own. He died this week at the age of 75, months after it was announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. For many supporters, particularly those of a certain vintage, the news landed with real force.
At Liverpool, Keegan was central to one of the club's great periods of growth. Nearly 750 club appearances came across his wider career, but the six years on Merseyside remain a huge part of why he is remembered with such affection. Three league ****** les, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup tell their own story. So do the Ballon d'Or wins in 1978 and 1979, achieved while he was with Hamburg, proof that his standing stretched well beyond English football.
He was a footballer who played with urgency and emotion, and those are qualities supporters always respond to. Trophies matter, of course, but connection matters too. Keegan had both.
This match also opens the Andoni Iraola chapter. After the collapse of last season and the end of Arne Slot's reign in May, Liverpool head into 2026-27 needing clarity and momentum. Iraola's first game arrives with notable absentees after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departed at the end of last term.

#keegan #head #always #club

Chelsea are ready to cash in on Axel Disasi this summer and have placed a £25 million asking price on the French defender, according to The Standard.
The Blues are one of the most active Premier League clubs in the transfer market this summer as new manager Xabi Alonso continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.
After failing to qualify for any of UEFA’s three European competitions, Chelsea are wary of going into the 2026/27 season with a bloated squad.
As much as reinforcing the squad is a priority, the Blues are also focused on flogging their deadwood, and Disasi could be the next to leave the club this summer.
The Frenchman had already fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea before Alonso came in, and the Spanish tactician has no plan to reintegrate him into the team.

#squad #disasi #axel

The thing I hate about this time of year is that it means the entire soccer world becomes an Umberto Eco novel. Every little thing is weighted with significance, evidence of some larger narrative that only the most psychotically semiotic can follow. Speculation becomes rumor becomes fact until everything spirals out of control. Sweaty access merchants like Fabrizio Romanò breathlessly publish statements from agents as "news" as if there's the quid isn't vastly outweighed by the quo. It's discouraging to sift through and infuriating to write about. And alas, I have to wade into this meritless swamp to write about Moise Kean.
Let's start with the basics. Kean is in his prime at 26. He's under contract at Fiorentina until 2030 after extending last summer despite months of speculation. He's Italy's best striker and the only guy who came out of its failed World Cup qualifying campaign with an enhanced reputation. 2025-2026 was a down year at domestic level (8 Serie A goals in 26 appearances) as he dealt with ankle and calf injuries that sapped his effectiveness all year as well as a team context that polluted everyone it touched. ****** ody thinks that version of the Moose is the real one, although his outrageous 2024-2025 is probably the ceiling rather than the norm.
As Fiorentina's best player, he was always going to be a popular grist for the rumor mill this summer. New DS Fabio Paratici is tearing this squad down to the foundation, ruthlessly excising anyone with the slightest odor of Daniele Pradè in his quest to reduce the wage bill. Having nearly set the club record for most expensive transfer window in the opening fortnight of the transfer window and with numerous additions pending, he needs to find money somewhere. Kean's the highest-paid guy on the roster and its most saleable ****** et. The math is simple.
Besides being simple, the math also just got cheaper. Kean's extension last summer contained a €72 million release clause that extended for 365 days. It's now expired, intensifying speculation that he could be on the move. The consensus price that the Viola would accept hovers around €40 million. I'd say that's about reasonable, although perhaps a bit on the low side, especially factoring in Paratici's need to balance the books after spending €90 million already. And hey, he already sold Kean at Juventus in 2019 for €30 million.
Speaking of big transfer fees, Como's reportedly at the window, fueling speculation that the nouveau rich Lariani might make a bid for the striker. On the surface, it adds up: Tasos Douvikas was excellent last year but Kean represents a step up in quality from the Greek international, while Álvaro Morata is 33 and on the wane despite his popularity with his teammates. Como also needs to add more players trained in Italy to meet UEFA's registration rules for the Champions League (unless the plan is to ignore those like it does FFP). Never mind the reporting that Como's only vaguely interested; something must be

Coleraine manager Ruaidhrí Higgins says his side "contributed" to their own downfall in Thursday's 5-0 away defeat by HJK in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League second qualifying round tie.
The Bannsiders were two down at the break through goals from Liam Moller and Pyry Mentu, while Toivo Mero added a third early in the second have with a quickfire brace by Teemu Pukki completing the rout.
Higgins expressed his "disappointment" at the manner of the defeat but had no complaints as they now have a mountain to climb in next week's second leg at home.
"The manner of the goals we gave away and the timing were extremely disappointing," Higgins told Coleraine TV.
"We contributed to a lot of their goals and that's on us, so we have to accept it."

#coleraine #away #uefa

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

This time last year the young and talented Motherwell youngster Lennon Miller was a reported Celtic target, only for the highly regarded midfielder to go and crush any hopes the Celtic supporters had of seeing him in the hoops when he signed for Serie A side Udinese in a £4.5 million plus deal.
Miller who just missed out on a place in the Scotland World Cup squad has impressed at the Italian side, making 26 appearances, and scoring one goal in all competitions in his debut campaign.
In my opinion, he's a player Celtic should still be interested in, as we look to bolster our midfield, an area which will be ever so weaker come the start of the new Scottish Premiership campaign, due to the impending departures of Arne Engels, and Reo Hatate.
Mika Baur of Germany in action during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier between Germany U21 and Northern Ireland U21 at Eintracht Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Mika Baur is on the cusp of signing to plug the gap that will be created in the aforementioned players inevitable departures, but we still need a couple of more new faces to bulk up that area, even more so if our skipper Callum McGregor decides to move on.

#mika

Arsenal are exploring a free transfer move for former Man City defender John Stones
The interest follows William Saliba’s back injury, which flared up in France’s World Cup semi-final
Stones is available on a free transfer having left Man City when his contract expired this summer
Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing former Manchester City defender John Stones on a free transfer, with the Premier League champions’ interest accelerated by concerns over the fitness of their first-choice centre-back William Saliba, as per a new report.
John Stones brought to an end a decade-long ****** ociation with the Etihad Stadium this summer when his contract expired, departing as one of the most decorated defenders in the club’s history having won six Premier League ****** les, the UEFA Champions League and a string of domestic trophies across his 10 years in Manchester under Pep Guardiola.

#stones #john #league #manchester

Manchester United interested in move for £40M Tottenham defender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Summer transfer window has been a very busy time period for Manchester United as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season, a campaign that will see them return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in three seasons. This urgency has led them to acquire the likes of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and, more recently, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with both moves stripping domestic rivals of some fruitful talents.
But it appears that the Red Devils' domestic hunt might not stop with those two moves, as they've looked towards North London for their next move, according to a recent report.
As reported by Ekrem Konur, Manchester United is taking a serious look at Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence for its next move. The Mancunian side was an apparent fan of Spence's performances with the Three Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making crucial stops throughout the English National Team's third-place finish, including a crucial tackle against Argentina in the semi-finals.
The Tottenham defender would make sense for Manchester United, as their wingback department took a hit when Tyrell Malacia walked at the beginning of the window, leaving Michael Carrick down a man in his backline. While Malacia was primarily used as a left-back, and Spence is usually slotted in the right-back spot for the Lilywhites, he is capable of playing on both sides of the pitch.

#united #TOTTENHAM #spence

Kylian Mbappe’s 2025/26 season will be remembered as one of the greatest individual goalscoring campaigns in modern football.
France’s World Cup journey ended in disappointment with a semi-final defeat to Spain, but that setback did little to overshadow what the Real Madrid forward had already achieved.
By finishing as the leading scorer in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mbappe has become the first player in football history to top the scoring charts in all three competitions in the same season.
Neither great players like Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo managed to complete that remarkable treble during their careers, placing Mbappe’s milestone in elite company.
Mbappe has carried Real Madrid’s attack throughout a difficult campaign in which team success failed to match his individual brilliance.

#World #Football

Mika Baur of Germany in action during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier between Germany U21 and Northern Ireland U21 at Eintracht Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The reigning Scottish Premiership Champions are said to be locked in talks with the German U21 cap’s club SC Paderborn at present, in the hopes of finalising a deal for the midfielder.
In a bolt out of the blue earlier this week, Baur’s name hit the headlines in connection with Celtic when both Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg reported that Martin O’Neill’s side were in talks with the 22-year-old central midfield ace, having already agreed personal terms on a possible contract with the player. This meant that only a fee had to be agreed between Celtic and Paderborn.
Easier said than done, wherever Michael Nicholson is concerned many Celtic supporters immediately thought.
Nevertheless, it was a much needed update and shot in the arm for a support that has grown increasingly frustrated and even angry at the way the club slowly conducts it’s business in the transfer market for some time now.

#agreed #under21

Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly call time on his decorated international career after one more appearance for Portugal at a beloved venue.
Ronaldo, 41, scored three goals in five matches for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup including a brace against Uzbekistan in the group stage and a penalty versus Croatia in the Round of 32, playing 441 minutes at the tournament.
MORE — Will Messi win the Ballon d'Or?
That brings his international haul to 146 goals and 45 ******* ists in 233 caps. He has 87 more caps than all-time No. 2 Joao Moutinho and 99 more goals over Portugal's No. 2 scorer Pauleta.
But Goal.com's Moataz Elgammal, citing a Portuguese agent, says that Ronaldo will take the field for Portugal one more time in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Sporting Lisbon's Estadio Jose Alvalade on Sept. 24.

#ronaldo #croatia