Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: March 27, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

International Friendlies & World Cup Qualifiers

World Cup warm-up matches provided mixed results for global powerhouses, as France secured a 2-1 victory Mbappé leads France past Brazil in Foxborough over Brazil in Foxborough, with Kylian Mbappé Mbappé leads France past Brazil in Foxborough scoring the opener. Meanwhile, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior Vini Jr: Brazil can't be favorites for World Cup stated his side neither deserves nor wants the favorite tag heading into the tournament. In other international action, Sweden advanced Gyokeres' 'incredible' hat trick gives Sweden win to the World Cup play-off final after Viktor Gyökeres Gyokeres' 'incredible' hat trick gives Sweden win netted a stunning hat trick in a 3-1 win over Ukraine, a performance that led Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov Gyokeres' 'incredible' hat trick gives Sweden win to praise the striker as one of Europe's best.

The qualification path proved heartbreaking for several home nations, with the Republic of Ireland suffering a penalty shootout loss Pain' - Irish heartbreak as Czech Republic win on penalties to Czechia after conceding a two-goal lead, a defeat compounded by midfielder Sammie Szmodics Szmodics knocked unconscious in Ireland loss being stretchered off unconscious following a heavy collision. Northern Ireland’s What next for Northern Ireland as World Cup wait continues? World Cup ambitions were also dashed by a play-off defeat to Italy in Bergamo, prompting manager Michael O'Neill What next for Northern Ireland as World Cup wait continues? to express positivity for the future despite the immediate disappointment, though Ali McCann Northern Ireland's McCann out of Italy semi-final was ruled out of the decisive fixture. Similarly, Wales' Spiky and unforgettable, Wales went 'full gas' but paid the price intense effort against Bosnia and Herzegovina fell short of qualification, allowing 40-year-old Edin Dzeko Dzeko, 40, could join oldest players in World Cup history to continue his pursuit of World Cup longevity after helping his side advance.

International team management saw Iran impose a travel ban Iran bans sports teams' travel to 'hostile' nations on its national teams to nations deemed adversarial, announced just ahead of Tractor FC’s scheduled fixture in Saudi Arabia. Separately, USMNT attacker Giovanni Reyna Reyna felt 'fortunate' to get March USMNT call admitted he felt "fortunate" to receive his latest call-up given his limited recent playing time at the club level. In a high-profile friendly, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti Ancelotti on Neymar chants: 'Focus on who is here' chose not to comment on chants directed at Neymar from the crowd during the loss to France, while France's Kylian Mbappé Mbappé: 'Can't imagine' World Cup without Neymar stated he "cannot imagine" the coming World Cup without his former PSG teammate.

Transfer Rumors & Club News

Transfer speculation is intensifying across Europe, with reports suggesting Manchester United Papers: Man Utd expected to make summer approach for Tonali will launch a formal summer bid for Sandro Tonali Papers: Man Utd expected to make summer approach for Tonali. Furthermore, Bayern Munich Bayern dismiss £170m Olise link - Friday's gossip has dismissed links suggesting they would entertain bids exceeding £170 million for Michael Olise Bayern dismiss £170m Olise link - Friday's gossip, even amid reported interest from Liverpool. Arsenal Kvaratskhelia and Gordon among Arsenal forward targets is actively monitoring forwards, positioning Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Kvaratskhelia and Gordon among Arsenal forward targets and Anthony Gordon Kvaratskhelia and Gordon among Arsenal forward targets as potential targets for a left-wing reinforcement this summer.

In contract and managerial news, Manchester City's Rodri Cannot turn down best clubs in the world' - Rodri comments on Real Madrid links conceded that "you cannot turn down the best clubs in the world" when questioned about speculation linking him to Real Madrid. At Old Trafford, Harry Maguire Maguire confirms Man Utd contract talks and opens up about Amorim confirmed he is in discussions regarding a new contract, with a final decision expected while also offering praise for former interim manager Ruben Amorim Maguire: Amorim deserves 'credit' for Utd's form. Elsewhere, Arsenal captain Kim Little Arsenal captain Little signs contract extension, aged, secured a one-year extension to her deal with the North London club.

Miscellaneous Football & Governance

The integrity of the game remains under scrutiny; refereeing mistakes Referee and VAR errors increase in Premier League in the Premier League have reportedly risen across most categories this season, covering both on-field decisions and VAR reviews. In a governance matter, FIFA has opened an investigation Fifa investigates Congolese FA boss jailed alongside wife and son into the head of the Congolese FA, who is currently on the run after being sentenced to life imprisonment for embezzling $1.1 million in FIFA funds. On the pitch, Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery Motherwell's Slattery gets four-game ban for simulation - watch the incident received a four-game suspension for simulation that resulted in an opponent's dismissal.

Football Managerial & Player Milestones

Jurgen Klopp Salah one of the all-time greats - Klopp, speaking after his departure from Liverpool, declared Mohamed Salah Salah one of the all-time greats - Klopp as "one of the all-time greats," suggesting his legacy at Anfield will be hard to surpass, while speculation continues regarding Salah's next destination, listing options from the Saudi Pro League to MLS Saudi Pro League, MLS or elsewhere: Where could Salah go next?. In Germany, Sabrina Wittmann Germany's first woman coach at men's pro level is chasing her dreams has broken ground as the first woman coach at the men's professional level with FC Ingolstadt, asserting she has not yet reached her ceiling. In France, Paul Pogba Pogba scores in Monaco friendly ahead of return scored in a friendly, boosting AS Monaco’s prospects for securing a Champions League berth next season upon his return from injury.

Global Sports Update (Non-Soccer)

In golf, England’s Paul Waring England's Waring stuns PGA Tour stars to grab Houston lead unexpectedly claimed the early lead after the opening round of the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open. Meanwhile, in Formula 1 practice, George Russell Russell just fastest in first Japan practice as McLaren show promise too set the fastest time in the first practice session at Suzuka, hinting at Mercedes' potential strength, though he later claimed it was "not right" that rivals were attempting to slow his team down Russell: 'Not right' everyone is trying to slow Mercedes down. McLaren teammate Lando Norris Norris makes 'best car' prediction as McLaren plot fightback expressed optimism that the team will possess the best car later in the season despite current challenges.