Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 27, 2026, 8:55 AM ET

World Cup 2026: Squad Announcements and Injury Concerns

Mauricio Pochettino named his 26-man USMNT roster for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie heading the lineup. The squad marks a departure from recent setups, with Pochettino calling on midfielder Gio Reyna's "amazing talent" as a reason for his inclusion. Meanwhile, Brazil's Lionel Scaloni faces a dual concern heading into the tournament, with Messi's recovery capturing global headlines but other players also requiring attention ahead of the group stage. Spain's World Cup squad was also confirmed, with Lamine Yamal included as the youngest option in a 26-man list announced ahead of the June 1 deadline. ESPN's World Cup injuries tracker reveals several key names remain uncertain, including Neymar, who dismissed his calf injury as no issue for the tournament despite mounting questions. Ghana included Thomas Partey in their preliminary squad, while Panama tapped Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba as their lone UK-based player. Morocco named captain Achraf Hakimi despite the injury he sustained in the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich. In a more troubling development, DR Congo fans face travel restrictions after the US imposed new rules following an Ebola outbreak, complicating ticket purchases for the team's World Cup return. Over 200 managers and coaches lost their jobs last season in English football, a "hire and fire culture" the LMA chief says "undermines the profession".

Transfer Market: Barcelona, Manchester, and the Hunt for Stars

Barcelona have entered the race to sign Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon, joining Bayern Munich in the pursuit of the 24-year-old winger. Barcelona's sporting director Deco framed the moment as the start of a new era for the La Liga champions, hinting at a broader overhaul after back-to-back title wins. On a separate front, Manchester United are close to finalizing a deal for Atalanta goalkeeper Ederson, with the club's latest financial results showing a positive trajectory despite a £16.7 million payout to sacked Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff. Manchester City, meanwhile, are prioritizing Elliot Anderson this summer and have no intention of pursuing Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, with the Blues demanding a £100 million price tag for the Argentine midfielder. City are also ahead of United in the race for Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder reportedly preferring a move to the Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid's upcoming presidential election has delayed José Mourinho's potential return, with sources warning the club could end up paying significantly more to appoint him. Real Madrid candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he has "two international stars" lined up to strengthen the team if elected, though he declined to name them. Juventus are also monitoring the market, with the club reportedly interested in signing Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah on a free transfer.

Retirements, Departures, and High-Profile Moves

Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement at 39 after failing to recover from a serious shoulder injury, ending a distinguished career with both Celtic and Denmark. Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona captain, confirmed she is leaving the club after 14 years as her contract expires, with London City Lionesses already making an offer. London City are also pursuing another high-profile signing, with sources indicating they have made Manchester City's Khadija "Bunny" Shaw one of the highest-paid players in women's football just weeks after she finished as WSL Golden Boot winner. On the men's side, Rangers completed the signing of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland in a deal the Scottish striker described as fulfilling his "dream" of joining his boyhood club. Hearts confirmed the departures of Beni Baningime and Frankie Kent, while Cammy Devlin and Craig Gordon remain at Tynecastle. Former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is leaving Cremonese when his contract expires this summer, saying he wants to continue his career. Southampton and Royal Antwerp paid tribute to Victor Udoh, a former academy player who died at.

Club News: Spurs, West Ham, and the WSL Shake-Up

Tottenham will remain in the Premier League next season but face a major summer rebuild, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham calling for a "complete reset" in a wide-ranging interview. The club is launching a review into its unusually high number of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, including an investigation into whether the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's retractable pitch is a contributing factor. Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Season, though Frank Lampard beat him to the LMA manager of the year award after guiding Coventry City back to the top flight. West Ham's Nuno Espírito Santo will stay on as manager despite relegation, tasked with leading the club's immediate return to the Premier League. In women's football, Puma unveiled the official match ball for the 2026-27 Premier League season just days after the