Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Premier League Title Race & Managerial Speculation

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola indicated his side will remain "there just in case" Arsenal falter in the title race, despite resting key forwards like Erling Haaland and Jérémy Doku for the crucial clash against Crystal Palace due to player fatigue. Phil Foden echoed this sentiment, asserting that City is actively keeping Arsenal on their toes as "anything can happen on the final day" of the season . Meanwhile, the future of Manchester United's dugout remains a central topic, with senior executives reportedly preparing to recommend Michael Carrick for the permanent job, even as the club prepares to open formal talks with the interim boss. Speculation continues, however, regarding whether Carrick is the correct long-term choice, with some pundits urging the club to think twice before hiring him.

European League Dominance & Cup Context

Paris Saint-Germain secured their fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title after defeating Lens 2-0 at the Parc des Princes , bringing their total French league count to a record-extending 14 championships. Across Italy, Inter Milan cemented their domestic supremacy by capturing the Coppa Italia, completing the league and cup double for the first time since 2010 . In Spain, Barcelona clinched the LaLiga title following a victory over rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico , a triumph they will find hard to surpass in the 2025-26 season despite already setting high expectations. In contrast, Real Madrid is grappling with internal strife, though President Florentino Pérez looked ahead by praising coaching candidate Jose Mourinho and subsequently losing a UEFA appeal concerning an anti-gay chant fine directed at Pep Guardiola.

Scottish Premiership Thriller & Playoff Drama

The Scottish Premiership title race has been forced to a dramatic final day after Celtic secured a 3-2 victory over Motherwell via a controversial 100th-minute penalty awarded to Kelechi Iheanacho . Hearts head coach Derek McInnes fiercely criticized the award, calling the penalty decision "disgusting" 17, 24, asserting his team is "up against everybody" as the title chase continues. Concurrently, in the Championship playoffs, Southampton advanced to the final against Hull after Shea Charles scored a memorable winner against Middlesbrough, but the club faces potential disqualification over the ongoing 'Spygate' allegations, which could see Middlesbrough head to Wembley instead, 82. The club has stated that appealing the EFL's two-point deduction for financial rule breaches is "not in their best interests".

US Soccer & International Preparations

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Mexico unveiled a third alternate kit for the tournament, leveraging a new FIFA rule allowing teams to register three uniforms . While Mexico's provisional squad omitted star forward Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti offered a positive injury update on Neymar, suggesting the forward has "improved a lot" and might feature. On the domestic front, the NCAA approved a split men's soccer season, moving the national tournament to the spring starting in the 2027-28 academic year . In the NWSL, the San Diego Wave ascended to the top spot in the latest ESPN Power Rankings, while the Washington Spirit maintained their strong form .

Women's Football & Player Moves

In the Women's Super League, Stina Blackstenius netted a controversial late winner for Arsenal against Everton, securing a narrow 1-0 victory , though questions remain about why Renee Slegers' side has failed to capture major trophies this season. Elsewhere, Canadian coach Bev Priestman is nearing a potential trophy victory, putting her quietly on the path to career rehabilitation following her ban related to the drone scandal at the 2024 Olympics. Transfer rumors suggest that while Yan Diomande has publicly committed to RB Leipzig, the defender is aware of significant interest from clubs including Liverpool, while Bayern Munich has reportedly reached an agreement to sign Anthony Gordon.

Miscellaneous Football Updates & Off-Field News

The FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will be streamed by BBC Sport on Thursday, providing a gauge of the next generation of talent, particularly Manchester United's hopes for player JJ Gabriel. In organizational news, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe acknowledged "deficiencies" following the chaotic Afcon final between Morocco and Senegal, which reportedly damaged CAF's reputation. Furthermore, former Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy expressed disbelief that the club found itself in a relegation fight after his departure. Finally, actor Cristo Fernández, known for portraying Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, is reportedly living out his professional soccer aspirations with El Paso Locomotive .