Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

European League Title Races & Managerial Movements

The title races in Europe are reaching fever pitch, with Barcelona clinching LaLiga after securing the championship in El Clásico against Real Madrid, a contest that underscored the contrasting fortunes of the two giants. Meanwhile, controversy continues to swirl around Madrid as the club lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding a fine imposed by UEFA over anti-gay chants directed at Pep Guardiola during a Champions League fixture. In managerial news, reports suggest Jose Mourinho is set for a Real Madrid return, while Manchester United executives are reportedly planning to recommend Michael Carrick for the permanent manager role after positive interim results, 39, 52.

In Serie A, Christian Pulisic offered a positive outlook on his lower back injury, suggesting the United States forward should be fit for AC Milan's penultimate league match this weekend, providing good news for both club and country ahead of international fixtures. Elsewhere in Europe, Real Betis secured Champions League qualification for the first time in twenty years by defeating Elche to clinch fifth place in LaLiga, while in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr were forced to wait for their title celebrations after a late defensive lapse resulted in a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, leaving them with a "second chance".

English Football Scandal & Championship Play-offs

The "Spygate" scandal continues to dominate headlines in the English Football League, with Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg slamming Southampton's actions as "disgraceful" and stating the saga "breaks my heart", as the fallout threatens the outcome of the Championship play-offs. An independent commission could potentially throw Southampton out of the play-offs entirely, though the club is set to contest the Hull City match in the final, while a photo emerged showing a man outside Middlesbrough's ground. Separately, former Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy expressed shock that his tenure ended with the club fighting Premier League relegation.

In other English football news, West Bromwich Albion announced they will not appeal the two-point deduction handed down by the EFL for breaching financial regulations, stating an appeal was "not in their best interests." The BBC will stream the FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United, a competition Darren Fletcher noted is inspiring for the club’s youngsters, especially with Michael Carrick watching on. Furthermore, former Spurs chief Jamie Carragher has taken up an advisory role at National League North side Marine FC.

US Soccer & International Team Updates

The NCAA has approved a significant structural change for Division I men's soccer, mandating the season shift to a fall-spring split, with the national championship tournament permanently moving to the spring starting in the 2027-28 academic year. On the international front, United States player Giovanni Reyna expressed satisfaction after ending a year-long scoreless run, as he attempts to solidify his place in the upcoming World Cup roster, while Pulisic concurrently offers a positive injury update. In a move related to global tournament logistics, the Trump administration announced it would suspend the requirement for high visa bonds for verified World Cup ticket holders, a decision that follows fan outcry over slashed World Cup transport prices in the New Jersey area.

Mexico’s manager Javier Aguirre has submitted his provisional World Cup squad, which notably excludes star Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, while the nation unveiled a rare third alternate kit following a FIFA rule change. Elsewhere, Curaçao has rehired Dick Advocaat to manage the team for the World Cup, with the nation's president denying reports of friction surrounding the exit of former coach Fred Rutten, and veteran Qatar forward Sebastián Soria, aged, is included in their preliminary squad with a chance to break the World Cup age record.

Other Football & Sports Notes

In the United States second-tier soccer, actor Cristo Fernández, known for playing Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, has officially signed a professional contract with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive after a trial period. Meanwhile, league-wide salary data confirms that Lionel Messi remains the highest earner in MLS for the third straight year, drawing an annual base salary of $28M 82, 93. In Scotland, the Premiership title fight remains incredibly tight, with Hearts and Celtic separated by just one point heading into the final two fixtures, making Wednesday's result critical for the Edinburgh club seeking its first title in 66 years. Finally, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe acknowledged that there were deficiencies that marred the Afcon final between Morocco and Senegal, damaging the organization's standing.