Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

World Cup Quarterfinals Loom, Transfer Rumors Swirl

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to its final eight teams, with the quarter-finals set to begin on Thursday. Morocco will face France, looking to reach the semi-finals once again. France has failed in their bid to overturn Michael Olise's yellow card, while Morocco will be without Ismael Saibari for the match. England faces Norway, with Chris Sutton predicting the ties. Four England players are currently walking a disciplinary tightrope with yellow cards that could see them miss a potential semi-final. The race for the Golden Boot is intensifying, with Messi currently leading the pack. Discussions are underway about potentially granting England a bank holiday if they win the World Cup. Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's chief refereeing officer, stated that the integrity of World Cup referees cannot be questioned.

A number of transfer updates are also making headlines. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to battle for Norway's RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa. Chelsea has announced the signing of Sporting winger Geovany Quenda for £40m, with the young player hoping to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's career path. Manchester United has reportedly agreed to a £50m deal with Chelsea for midfielder Andrey Santos. Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes has informed the club of his desire to join Arsenal. Celtic is reportedly pursuing a Scottish striker in Italy and an Egyptian winger in Spain. Barcelona is reportedly interested in Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi.

Club and National Team News

Manchester United has revealed the location for their proposed new 100,000-seater stadium. The club is also facing a decision regarding Marcus Rashford's future. Ruben Amorim has apologized for his lack of communication with Manchester United fans since his dismissal in January. England manager Thomas Tuchel granted his players a day off after their victory over Mexico. England faces Norway with a patched-up defense, as their right-back crisis continues.

In international football, Rafael Márquez has been appointed as the new head coach for the Mexican national team, with a contract running up to the 2030 World Cup. Zlatko Dalić has stepped down as Croatia's manager following their exit from the World Cup. Portugal's Football Federation is reportedly targeting Jorge Jesus as the successor to Roberto Martínez. Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn has signed for the San Jose Earthquakes after his release from Nottingham Forest. Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie expressed his determination to help Scotland reach more major finals.

Other Sports and League Matters

Dame Sarah Storey has announced her retirement from competitive sport, concluding a career that made her Great Britain's most successful Paralympian. In rugby league, Catalans Dragons captain Benjamin Garcia will retire at the end of the season and transition into a sporting director role. The R&A has introduced a new fan code of conduct for The Open at Royal Birkdale to prevent misbehavior. The heavyweight boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would need to start at either 1 am or 2 am if it were to be held at Wembley Stadium. Beau Greaves has made history by becoming the first woman to qualify for a European Tour darting event, and she has done so twice. Former bantamweight world champion Jason Moloney has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

The Premier League's dominance at the World Cup is being examined, with a look at how many players from the league are participating. The issue of pay-to-play youth soccer in America and its impact on player development is also being discussed. Leeds has completed a deal to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer after his departure from Fulham. Blackburn Rovers faces proceedings of £500k from kit suppliers following a breakdown in negotiations for a renewal deal.