Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

World Cup Semifinals Set

The FIFA World Cup semifinals are set, featuring the top four ranked teams for the first time in the tournament's history. Argentina, Spain, France, and England have all advanced to the final four, with the South American and European giants now two wins away from claiming the championship. England booked their spot after a dramatic extra-time victory over Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win. Erling Haaland's World Cup journey concluded in that quarterfinal match, though his father felt Norway was "robbed". England's grit has been a hallmark of their campaign, with a belief system strengthened by comeback victories. Argentina also advanced, with their supporting cast stepping up after Switzerland managed to stifle Lionel Messi. Messi is now set for his first career match against England in the semifinal. The intense rivalry between England and Argentina, marked by historic moments, will add another layer of intrigue to their upcoming clash. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino is also considering plans to assess the feasibility of a 64-team World Cup after the 2026 tournament, emphasizing the need for the sport to be "for the whole world".

Transfer Rumors and Player News

Transfer talk continues to swirl as clubs look to bolster their squads. Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, while Aston Villa may be looking to hijack Newcastle's pursuit of Johan Manzambi. Chelsea are also in the market for attacking reinforcements, with Jonathan Rowe of Bologna on their radar. Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Alex Barron is attracting interest from Italian and German clubs, and Celtic are considering a move for Manchester United goalkeeper. Denise O'Sullivan, Liverpool's club-record signing, is expected to depart this summer, just six months after her arrival. In other player news, actor Fernández made his USL debut, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute for El Paso against New Mexico United.

Other Sporting Headlines

In golf, Tom Kim secured his fourth PGA Tour title at the Genesis Scottish Open, ending a 1,001-day wait for a win, while Robert Mac Intyre narrowly missed out on a home victory. Rory McIlroy acknowledged areas of his game needing improvement ahead of The Open but found positive signs in his performance. Scottie Scheffler is also to The Open, which will feature new events and significant changes. Haeran Ryu claimed her second consecutive major title at the Amundi Evian Championship in a playoff victory over Brooke Henderson. In darts, Krzysztof Ratajski won the European Darts Open title, defeating Jermaine Wattimena 8-6 in the final. Danny Noppert, however, revealed he received social media abuse following his loss in the same tournament. In rugby league, Toulouse secured a dominant 46-0 victory over St Helens, with Mathieu Jussaume scoring a hat-trick. In horse racing, Thesecretadversary added the Prix Jean Prat to his Royal Ascot gains with a front-running performance. Finally, a study has indicated that footballers are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, with evidence of reduced brain volume in former elite players.