Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: March 27, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

International Team News & World Cup Build-up

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted that superstar Lionel Messi remains undecided on playing in the 2026 World Cup, with only 81 days remaining before the defending champions begin their tournament run. Elsewhere in CONCACAF, USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter faces questions about squad depth, an area historically plaguing US World Cup sides, though there is optimism that the current crop of reserves offers more quality than previous iterations. Meanwhile, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is concentrating on the available talent, as he prepares for upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Belgium without twelve regular starters. The pressure to qualify remains high across various confederations; for instance, Sweden’s Viktor Gyökeres delivered an incredible hat trick in a 3-1 play-off victory over Ukraine, setting up a final showdown against Poland for a coveted World Cup spot as detailed by BBC Sport.

The path to the final qualification round proved difficult for several European sides, with Wales seeing their World Cup aspirations extinguished despite fierce effort following a playoff loss, contrasting with Bosnia-Herzegovina’s win where 40-year-old Edin Dzeko demonstrated remarkable longevity by contributing to the victory. Italy managed to secure their place in the final playoff match after goals from Tonali and Kean defeated Albania, meaning the four-time champions are now just one win away from avoiding a third consecutive qualification failure as reported by ESPN. In contrast, Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed optimism for the future despite a painful shootout defeat to the Czech Republic, though midfielder Sammie Szmodics required serious attention after being stretchered off unconscious following a heavy collision during the match.

As preparations intensify, international friendlies are providing crucial tests; France defeated Brazil 2-1, with Kylian Mbappé scoring the opening goal and moving closer to a national scoring record, while Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti chose to ignore crowd chants directed at Neymar during the match in Gillette Stadium choosing to focus on current players. Scotland faces a significant challenge in their World Cup warm-up against Japan on Saturday, marking their first match since qualifying, with the Japanese side being the first nation to secure their spot in the tournament. Furthermore, England manager Thomas Tuchel has publicly stated that defender Ben White must now work to clear the air with teammates following his return to the squad after an extended absence spanning over three years.

Club Football & Transfer Speculation

The women’s game sees a high-stakes showdown this weekend as Manchester City and Manchester United clash at Old Trafford, where the contest is about more than just bragging rights, being vital for both the WSL title race and European berths. Ahead of that derby, Tottenham Hotspur received a major boost as manager Martin Ho signed a new long-term deal, emphasizing the club’s potential as a "sleeping giant in women's football." In the men’s game, attention is turning to the summer window, with reports suggesting Phil Foden might seek a move away from Manchester City in pursuit of guaranteed first-team minutes, while Arsenal is reportedly monitoring both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Anthony Gordon as potential options for a new left-winger according to transfer gossip. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich is reportedly resisting interest, including a potential bid exceeding £170 million, to retain Michael Olise, even as Manchester United prepares a formal approach for Sandro Tonali as detailed in Friday's papers.

The managerial merry-go-round continues in the Championship, where Bristol City sacked Gerhard Struber and immediately appointed former England boss Roy Hodgson, now 78 years old, to take charge. In managerial commentary, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp lauded Mohamed Salah, declaring him "one of the all-time greats" whose legacy at Anfield will be hard to surpass. The importance of current success was stressed by Rangers captain Nicola Docherty, who stated that winning silverware in the upcoming Sky Sports Cup final against Glasgow City is mandatory for the season to be deemed successful.

Off-Field & Other Developments

Issues surrounding international football administration persist, as FIFA has launched an investigation into the president of the Congolese FA, Jean-Guy Mayolas, who is currently on the run after being sentenced for embezzling $1.1 million in FIFA funds. In African football, Senegal plans to parade their stripped Afcon trophy before a friendly against Peru, with the federation boss terming the decision to award the title to Morocco a "robbery" despite the official ruling. Furthermore, Morocco’s government confirmed that the nation was "ready to host" the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations this month, even following the official postponement until July as stated by a senior official. Iran has implemented a new travel restriction, banning its sports teams from visiting nations deemed "hostile," a decision announced just ahead of Tractor FC’s scheduled match in Saudi Arabia according to state media reports.

In domestic Scottish football, Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery received a four-game suspension for simulation that resulted in an opponent receiving a red card, while Arsenal captain Kim Little, aged, committed to the club by signing a new one-year contract extension. Finally, dedicated England supporter Andy Milne has taken the extraordinary step of selling his house to fund his trip to watch the Three Lions compete in the World Cup this summer.