Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:43 AM ET

Premier League Season Wrap & Guardiola's Exit

The Premier League season reaches its climax with Arsenal celebrating a domestic triumph while Manchester City faces an identity crisis following Pep Guardiola's confirmed departure after nearly a decade at the Etihad. Guardiola confirmed he is leaving Man City, ending a run that transformed the club into England's dominant force, though the shadow of 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial rule breaches now looms over his legacy. Arsenal's coronation rests on defensive solidity — nine key stats explain how the team became one of the most defensively sound sides in league history — while Manchester City must now navigate a transition without the coach who defined an unprecedented decade. Phil McNulty reflects on how Guardiola reshaped English football, and BBC Sport charts 11 players shaped by his tenure, but the immediate question is whether the club can avoid a post-Pep collapse. Spurs enter Sunday's final fixture as one of the Premier League's most desperate sides, with Sunday's home match against Everton described as the biggest in recent history. Meanwhile, West Ham, Spurs and Forest fans share what it's like teetering on relegation's brink, and Chris Sutton offers his final-day predictions alongside Fantasy Premier League advice for gameweek.

Liverpool's Era Ends as Salah and Robertson Bid Farewell

Two of football's most enduring figures will leave Anfield against Brentford on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson — signed within weeks of each other in the summer of 2017 — concluding a chapter that rewrote Liverpool's modern history. Robertson departs as "The People's Champion" after nine transformative years, and BBC Sport captures the emotional connection between the Scotland captain and Sir Kenny Dalglish before his final game. Both men stand among the club's all-time greats, and Robertson's impact on Merseyside will be remembered as one of the most significant player-club bonds in the club's story. Liverpool's coaching situation remains fluid, with reports that the club has reached out to Jurgen Klopp while Arne Slot's future remains uncertain, and Slot himself promised his side will return to winning ways next season after a difficult title defence. The sense of closure extends beyond the pitch — the Scottish FA's KMI panel ruled that Celtic should not have been awarded a match-winning penalty away to Motherwell, a decision that dented Hearts' title hopes and raises questions about officiating consistency across the SPFL.

World Cup 2026: Squad News, Injuries and Travel Hurdles

Mauricio Pochettino will name his 26-man USMNT squad on Tuesday for a World Cup that kicks off June 11, but several fitness concerns cloud the picture. ESPN's injuries tracker identifies key players who may miss this summer's tournament, while Thomas Tuchel named his England squad — with notable omissions of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The German manager's decision to leave out three high-profile domestic stars has sparked debate about whether his "unselfish" philosophy reflects a shift in England's culture, and BBC Sport explores why the squad was effectively leaked before announcement. Wayne Rooney called Harry Maguire "very unlucky" to miss out on Tuchel's World Cup roster, while Ivan Toney is being reconsidered despite limited minutes under the German coach. On the travel front, the Democratic Republic of Congo's World Cup squad faces a 21-day isolation period before entering the United States because of an Ebola outbreak, a requirement confirmed by ESPN's Andrew Giuliani and echoed by Congo officials who warned the team must comply or risk missing the tournament. Manuel Neuer will miss Germany's cup final with a calf injury but remains in contention for the World Cup squad.

European & Global Football Moves

Elsewhere in Europe, Celtic prepare for Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic in a match that pits Martin O'Neill's side against Neil Lennon's underdogs, while the SPFL investigates two Celtic games amid a KMI panel ruling on the Motherwell penalty. Lens won their first French Cup on Friday, beating Nice 3-1 with Florian Thauvin scoring and assisting, capping a remarkable season. In Saudi Arabia, Joao Felix was named the Pro League's player of the season, edging out Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, while Forbes listed Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete on the planet with Canelo Alvarez second. Barcelona and OL Lyonnes prepare for a UWCL final rematch, with ESPN noting that the Catalans must neutralise forward Melchie Dumornay while Lyon look to block Barcelona's midfield. Harry Kane is on Barcelona's shortlist to replace Lewandowski, and Tottenham have agreed to sign Germany forward Shekiera Martinez from West Ham. AC Milan unveiled their new home kit with Christian Pulisic front and centre for a Champions League push, while Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia teased the potential arrival of Casemiro this summer. Former Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta announced his retirement from football, and Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed he will leave Real Madrid at season's end.