Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 5:44 PM ET

World Cup Squads and Injury Concerns

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man World Cup squad that includes teenage sensation Lamine Yamal but, notably, features no Real Madrid players, a decision that has drawn significant attention ahead of the tournament Yamal included, no Madrid. Colombia meanwhile named James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz as the marquee figures in their 26-player roster under manager Nestor Lorenzo, signaling the South Americans are banking on the Barcelona duo to lead their attack in North America James, Diaz headline Colombia. Across the tournament, injury updates have dominated the conversation after Lionel Messi left Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia with a thigh issue in the 72nd minute, prompting widespread concern over the 37-year-old's fitness for the World Cup Messi leaves with thigh injury. The worry deepened as ESPN's injury tracker flagged Messi among key players under scrutiny, while fans on social media held their breath watching replays of the moment he limped off injury tracker flags Messi. Canada, co-hosts of the tournament, called up Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies to their final training camp despite persistent injury concerns, a move that suggests selectors are willing to gamble on his availability for the group stage Davies gets Canada camp call. Separately, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed her country will host Iran's World Cup base after the United States declined to accommodate them, with Tehran's team now set to train on Mexican soil for the duration of the tournament Mexico agrees to host Iran.

Coaching Changes and Club Turmoil

AC Milan fired head coach Massimiliano Allegri and CEO Giorgio Furlani on Monday, branding the season an "unequivocal failure" after the club missed out on Champions League qualification Allegri sacked for failure. The dismissal sets up a major summer overhaul at San Siro, with transfer reports already pointing to Milan pursuing significant reinforcements including Christian Pulisic, who made a surprise appearance in the new kit unveiling as the Serie A giants prepare for a UCL push next season Milan overhaul, Pulisic in kit. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte confirmed his departure from Napoli after two years that delivered a Serie A title, though he played down speculation linking him to the Italy national team Conte exits Napoli. On the other side of the Atlantic, Phil Neville's tenure as Portland Timbers head coach ended after two-and-a-half seasons, with the club confirming a mutual parting of ways amid ongoing struggles in MLS Neville out at Portland. West Ham's relegation from the Premier League has left manager Nuno Espirito Santo in talks with the club hierarchy over his future, with sources indicating he could be on his way out before the summer transfer window opens Nuno in talks over future. Tottenham's narrow survival on the final day, escaping relegation with a last-day win, prompted non-executive chairman Peter Charrington to admit in an open letter that "football success had not been driving our decisions," a statement that has fueled expectations of a comprehensive summer rebuild Spurs admit poor decision-making.

Premier League Season Wrap and Transfer Buzz

Arsenal wrapped up the campaign as champions built on a historic defensive record, with ESPN analysis pointing to nine key statistical markers that explained how the Gunners became the best defensive team in the club's history nine stats behind Arsenal title. Manchester United's season was less tidy, with captain Bruno Fernandes publicly clashing with club legend Roy Keane after Keane made what Fernandes called a "lie" regarding his pursuit of the Premier League assists record, a row that has spilled into the pre-World Cup headlines Fernandes disputes Keane's claim. Liverpool's summer is set to be busy with reported interest in midfielders including Atalanta's Éderson, while defender Andy Robertson confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season after nine years, departing as a club legend Liverpool's busy summer window. Khadija Shaw signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City just days after it appeared she was set to leave, a last-minute reversal that keeps the England striker at the WSL champions through 2029 Shaw extends Man City stay. Wayne Rooney, now at Sky Sports, delivered a blunt assessment of the final day, calling Chelsea a "real threat" next season after their failure to qualify for Europe and praising Tottenham's narrow escape from relegation while lamenting West Ham's drop Rooney's end-of-season verdict.

Lower League and Other Football News

Notts County sealed promotion to League One for the first time in 11 years with a dominant 3-0 victory over Salford City at Wembley, with winger Jodi Jones, who once went five years without starting a league game, named man of the match for his inspirational display Notts County promote via 3-0 win. Salford's defeat was a bitter pill for co-owner David Beckham, who made an unhappy return to Wembley as his club fell short in the League Two playoff final Beckham's Salford lose final. In MLS, Inter Miami continued their strong run with a 6-4 win over Philadelphia, though Messi's early departure cast a shadow over the result, while Vancouver and Nashville topped the Power Rankings heading into the World Cup break with Utah Royals also surprising observers by soaring to the top of the NWSL standings MLS Power Rankings, Messi exit. Scotland's Graeme Shinnie is set to leave Aberdeen next month when his contract expires, with reports linking him to a move to Inverness CT, while Rangers are reportedly closing in on a free transfer for Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland Shinnie leaves Aberdeen. In a reminder of football's cultural reach, a rare Cristiano Ronaldo Panini Kaboom card fetched $1.35 million at a private sale, while Trent Alexander-Arnold's overhead kick for Scotland against Denmark has been featured on a new Scottish £20 banknote Ronaldo card sells for $1.35M.