Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

European Club Turmoil & Sanctions

A difficult 24 hours unfolded for major European clubs, with Real Madrid grappling with internal strife and an external legal defeat following a season without major silverware. The club's president, Florentino Pérez, called for snap elections after engaging in tense exchanges with journalists, while simultaneously, Real Madrid lost its appeal at the highest sports court regarding a fine imposed by UEFA over anti-gay chants directed at former manager Pep Guardiola during a match against Manchester City. Meanwhile, in Spain's top flight, Real Betis secured a return to the Champions League after a 20-year drought by clinching fifth place in La Liga. Elsewhere, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick addressed controversy by stating that star player Lamine Yamal was "old enough" to make his own decisions after waving a Palestinian flag during a recent celebration parade.

English Football Management & Relegation Battles

The managerial merry-go-round continued in England, with Manchester United executives reportedly preparing to recommend Michael Carrick for the permanent head coach role, initiating formal talks about his future beyond the current seasonseason. Darren Fletcher noted that Carrick's presence is inspiring the club’s youth players, who are preparing for the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City, an event that BBC Sport will streamSport will stream. In contrast, former Tottenham chief Daniel Levy expressed shock that the club had found itself fighting relegation after his tenure ended, though Spurs later missed an opportunity to pull clear of the drop zone. In the Championship, the 'Spygate' saga overshadowed Southampton's narrow 2-1 extra-time victory over Middlesbrough, which secured their place in the play-off final against Hull; Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg slammed the spying as "disgraceful," stating the situation "breaks my heart"my heart"heart". Separately, West Bromwich Albion decided against appealing a two-point deduction levied by the EFL for breaching financial regulations, preferring instead to "move on".

International Football & World Cup Preparations

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, national teams are finalizing their preparations, though not without controversy. Mexico submitted a provisional squad that notably omitted star Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano and introduced a rare third alternate kit due to recent FIFA rule changes. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti indicated that Neymar has "improved a lot" and might feature in the final squad, while veteran Qatar forward Sebastián Soria, aged, has a chance to become the oldest outfield player to participate after his inclusion in the preliminary roster. The US team is assessing players like Giovanni Reyna, who ended a year-long scoring drought as he presses his case for selection. Furthermore, the US government is suspending the requirement for foreign visitors from certain nations to pay up to $15,000 in visa bonds, provided they possess confirmed World Cup tickets. In administrative news, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe acknowledged "deficiencies" following the chaotic Afcon final between Morocco and Senegal that previously hurt the organization's standing.

Managerial Moves & Player Futures

In international management, Dick Advocaat has been rehired as Curaçao manager, which would make him the oldest World Cup coach should they qualify, while the nation's president denied speculation of friction surrounding Fred Rutten's departure. Motherwell publicly dismissed reports linking their manager, Jens Berthel Askou, to a move to French club Toulouse. Meanwhile, in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr were forced to wait to celebrate their title after a 1-1 draw gifted second-place Al Hilal a reprieve following a late defensive error. Elsewhere, actor Cristo Fernández, known for playing Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, is pursuing his soccer ambitions professionally after signing with USL Championship side El Paso LocomotiveLocomotive.

Domestic & League Updates

The Scottish Premiership title race remains intensely close, with Hearts and Celtic separated by just one point heading into the final two fixtures, putting Hearts on the cusp of their first championship in 66 years. In major league news, Lionel Messi continues to command the highest salary in MLS for the third consecutive year, earning $25 million in base salary, more than double the league's next highest earner. In the NWSL, Racing Louisville FC's ownership group is exploring the possibility of a partial sale of the team. On the coaching advisory front, former England manager Steve McClaren is considering a move to become Rotherham United's technical director, while Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is joining non-league Marine FC in an advisory capacity.