Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 5:45 PM ET

European Football: Villa Crowned Europa Kings, Arteta Crowned Premier League Champion

Aston Villa cruised to their first trophy in 30 years with a dominant 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul, and the celebrations rippled across continents. In Ghana, a village staged a parade with 30 motorcycles and a minibus to mark the occasion, while Prince William praised the "amazing night" as Villa fans partied in Birmingham. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez revealed he broke his finger during the warm-up but still produced a heroic performance in the final. Morgan Rogers was named Europa League Player of the Season for his role in the triumph, and Villa's Unai Emery accepted the plaudits as the architect of the club's continental rebirth. Villa's triumph also has practical consequences: the club's Conference League berth next season could trigger a historic 39th Premier League game if Liverpool and Bournemouth face a playoff, and Crystal Palace's own Conference League ambitions could reshape English representation in European competition. Roads were closed across Birmingham as fans took to the streets for a victory parade.

Premier League Title Race Concluded with Arteta's BBQ Moment

Arsenal clinched the Premier League title this week, but manager Mikel Arteta did not watch the decisive draw against Bournemouth from his sofa. Instead he was barbecuing in his garden while his son relayed the result in tears. Arteta admitted he had questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy before finally proving his mettle. Paul Merson assessed that Arsenal were "also-rans" before Arteta took charge and transformed the club's fortunes. On the same night, Southampton were served notice after losing their appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-off final following a spying scandal that an independent panel called "contrived, determined and deplorable". Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert accepted responsibility for authorizing the operation, which the FA has now opened its own investigation into.

World Cup Squad Dilemmas and Injury Blowouts

England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to name his World Cup squad on Friday, but several selection decisions are already casting long shadows. Harry Maguire said he is "shocked and gutted" to have been omitted, while Phil Foden joins him among those left out. The defensive crisis deepened when USMNT defender Chris Richards suffered two torn ligaments in his ankle just five days before the U.S. roster is announced. On a brighter note, Arsenal's Martin Odegaard has been named captain of Norway's 26-man World Cup squad, Mohamed Salah is set to captain Egypt, and Germany have coaxed 40-year-old Manuel Neuer out of retirement as their first-choice goalkeeper. Sadio Mane, now playing for Al-Nassr, has been included in Senegal's 28-man squad. Meanwhile, Neymar faces a calf injury that will sideline him for Santos' upcoming