Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: March 30, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

International Friendlies & World Cup Preparations

The international break saw France thump Colombia 3-1 56 in a friendly, with Désiré Doué netting his first senior goals for the national side in the victory, while manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he has not held talks with either Madrid or Spurs 2, keeping his focus strictly on the USMNT's upcoming friendly against Portugal. Pochettino is reportedly evaluating tactical adjustments 1 aimed at unlocking the full potential of star attacker Christian Pulisic, who is seeking a return to top scoring form for the Americans. Elsewhere, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will captain 5 the side from the start in their Tuesday night friendly fixture against Zambia at La Bombonera.

European nations are facing intense scrutiny regarding their qualification campaigns, as the Italian squad's veterans recognize that the 2026 World Cup represents their final major opportunity 4 for this generation, given that the Azzurri have not appeared since their elimination in 2014. In contrast, Scotland’s John McGinn expressed an absolute commitment to qualification, stating he would happily sacrifice friendlies for a decade 6 if it guaranteed Scotland participation in every major tournament, especially as they prepare to face the Ivory Coast, a side that qualified without conceding a single goal 26. Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea stated the squad has found "closure" following their penalty shootout loss to the Czech Republic, which ended their World Cup aspirations 18.

Managers are juggling demanding schedules, exemplified by Northern Ireland & Blackburn Rovers boss Michael O'Neill, who faces a unique six-day period 3 featuring matches against Wales and Birmingham City, complicated by the confirmed absence of four key players, including Paddy McNair and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, for the Welsh friendly. Wales manager Craig Bellamy affirmed his long-term dedication, describing his role as the "best job in the world" 16, while England manager Thomas Tuchel indicated he was not angered by player withdrawals 25 ahead of their game against Japan. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti offered high praise for former Real Madrid player Luka Modric ahead of their friendly clash with Croatia, while England's John Stones is being given every chance to recover 28 for the World Cup squad by Tuchel, who views the centre-back as a key player despite his injury issues.

Managerial Turmoil & Club Business

Tottenham Hotspur is actively engaged in discussions to appoint a new head coach, with reports indicating that Roberto De Zerbi is open to taking the job immediately 45, following the disastrous six-week tenure of Igor Tudor, who is being remembered as a manager who exacerbated the club's problems 23. The debate over league scheduling continues, as fans express frustration over Premier League games being moved to difficult slots, with a survey finding three-quarters of fans oppose VAR usage 32. In Scottish football, former Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown has stepped down by mutual consent 46 as manager of Ayr United, while Rangers are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Dundee's Luke Graham 51 for the upcoming season.

Other Sports & Industry Notes

In women's boxing, Claressa Shields backed Caroline Dubois to achieve multi-weight world champion status, stating her rival can put opponents "out of lights" 52, ahead of Dubois's bout where Terri Harper intends to "humble" the younger fighter 14. On the track, former sprinter Adam Gemili is transitioning to coaching Chelsea academy players 29 following his athletics retirement. Meanwhile, the DR Congo national team is focused on ending a 52-year wait to reach the World Cup 15 as they face Jamaica in a crucial play-off match. Finally, in golf, Hyo Joo Kim repelled Nelly Korda’s challenge 47 to secure her second consecutive victory, winning the Ford Championship by two strokes.