Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 8:55 AM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil futures dropped 1.3% espn.com in early Asian trade as OPEC+ signaled potential output increases, while gold held near $2,340 skysports.com as a weakening dollar offset risk-on sentiment. A surge in aluminum prices espn.com pushed China Hongqiao's Zhang Bo past the $48 billion mark, cementing his position among Asia's wealthiest industrialists. Meanwhile, U.S. airline bonds weakened bbc.com after jet fuel costs spiked 8% on Middle East supply fears, and Chicago's planned muni bond sale bbc.com is testing investor appetite amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Fixed Income
Japanese government bonds extended gains espn.com tracking overnight Treasury rallies as traders increasingly price in a September Fed rate cut. However, the broader market faced volatility with U.S. airline bonds weakening bbc.com and Chicago's planned muni bond sale bbc.com testing investor sentiment, reflecting mixed reactions to geopolitical risks and economic data.
Football/Soccer
Champions League struggles continued to dominate headlines, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot downplaying Premier League woes bbc.com despite his team's recent exit, while Partey denies rape charges skysports.com as the Arsenal midfielder faces court proceedings. The competition also saw Red Bull apologize to Verstappen skysports.com after labeling their pace a "disaster" in Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, contrasting sharply with Newcastle's Eddie Howe defending Gordon's omission skysports.com citing illness after criticism from Alan Shearer.
Transfer & Contract News
Chelsea secured a major signing with captain Reece James signing a six-year extension bbc.com keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2032, while Dembélé linked to Man City espn.com as Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé could be lined up for a future move from Paris Saint-Germain. Elsewhere, Red Bull's apology to Verstappen skysports.com highlighted internal team dynamics, and Wrexham's owners swap boardroom for commentary espn.com marking five years since their game-changing takeover.
League Cup Focus
Both Chelsea and Manchester United need victory in Sunday's League Cup final for different reasons, as Chelsea take on Manchester United espn.com in a clash where Man City & Barca hold Haaland talks bbc.com added transfer intrigue, while Forest booed off after home defeat skysports.com underscored the pressure on managers like Tottenham's Igor Tudor, whose tactics are questioned for relegation fears bbc.com.
World Cup & International
Brazil's stunning new away kit will be Jordan's first at a World Cup espn.com, marking Nike's Jordan brand's debut, while Harry Wilson confirmed fitness for World Cup play-offs bbc.com provided a boost for Wales. However, Neymar defends his fitness espn.com ahead of the World Cup, insisting "difficult to be me" amid persistent questions.
Other Sporting Developments
Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis set a 15th world record skysports.com clearing 6.31m in Sweden, while Maro Itoje insisted there's no crack skysports.com in England's leadership after the Italy on-field dispute. In golf, Rory McIlroy made a sluggish start skysports.com at The Players, withdrawing due to a back injury, and Sepp Straka shared the early lead skysports.com with Sahith Theegala in a five-way tie.
Tennis & Darts
In tennis, Saffron Dandy chased a hat-trick skysports.com at Southwell, while Littler won the UK Open skysports.com and Raducanu will sit out Billie Jean King Cup duty skysports.com again. Darts saw Luke Humphries compete at the European Darts Trophy skysports.com and Michael van Gerwen skip Germany skysports.com, while Scottie Scheffler made a driver U-turn skysports.com after frustration at The Players.
Rugby & Athletics
Rugby League saw Hearts boss McInnes expect twists skysports.com in the Scottish title race, while Moses Itauma looks set to challenge for a heavyweight title skysports.com in 2026. Athletics featured Duplantis' record and Tavares' rise bbc.com from Norfolk to Barcelona.
Other
The ECB lifted a ban on England players doing media interviews for counties skysports.com, while China's Zhang Bo became $48 billion espn.com due to aluminum prices. Additionally, Red Bull's apology to Verstappen skysports.com and Wrexham's owners swap roles espn.com highlighted unique sports business stories.