Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

World Cup Tournament Update

Lionel Messi made history by becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in men's World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record with a brace against Austria. The Argentina captain's double secured their passage to the knockout stages, adding another chapter to his storied career as he continues to defy age and deliver on the global stage. Meanwhile, Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to an ankle injury, a blow for the German side. The tournament also saw Egypt secure their first-ever World Cup win, with Mohamed Salah inspiring a 3-1 victory over New Zealand. Cape Verde continued their remarkable debut campaign by securing another draw, this time a 2-2 tie against two-time winners Uruguay, solidifying their status as a feel-good story of the tournament.

Managerial Moves and Club News

Manchester City are nearing an agreement to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager, with a compensation package framework agreed with Chelsea. Maresca is set to succeed Pep Guardiola, who himself once remarked that his own departure would be irreplaceable. Elsewhere, Rangers manager Derek McInnes faces a touchline ban for his criticism of match officials following a disciplinary charge, stemming from comments made about a penalty awarded to Celtic. In transfer speculation, Morgan Rogers is reportedly keen on an Arsenal move, while Tottenham are also rumored to be interested in both Marcus Rashford and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali. Manchester United have secured the majority of land needed for their proposed 100,000-seater stadium, a significant step towards building the largest football facility in the United Kingdom.

Player Fitness and Squad Updates

The United States men's national team received a boost with Christian Pulisic returning to full training after recovering from a left calf injury sustained on June 11. For England, Thomas Tuchel is leaving team selections late for their World Cup matches, preferring to make final decisions on game day. Bukayo Saka has also trained with the squad, providing a potential fitness lift for England's upcoming game against Ghana. Ghana's Thomas Partey has declared himself ready to face England, having previously been denied entry to Canada for their World Cup opener.

Off-Field Issues and Controversies

Former Atletico Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has issued an apology for racist comments directed at black players during a World Cup broadcast on Serbian television. In a separate incident, Iran left a message of peace in their dressing room after their draw with Belgium, thanking Los Angeles for their hospitality and expressing a hope for friendship among nations. The World Cup has also seen issues with Puma shirts tearing during matches, with four instances reported so far.

Other Sporting Developments

In boxing, Caroline Dubois stated that a fight with Alycia Baumgardner is unavoidable and undeniable. Former Premier League players Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie failed in their attempts to qualify for The Open golf championship. The Italian football federation has elected Giovanni Malagò as its new president amidst a period of crisis. Meanwhile, in tennis, a former Wimbledon champion has received a four-year ban for refusing an anti-doping test. Jack Draper, under the guidance of new coach Andy Murray, won his opening match at the Eastbourne Open. England has also seen the call-up of all-rounder James Coles for the upcoming T20I series against India.