Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

World Cup Semifinals Set

The FIFA World Cup semifinals are locked in, featuring the top four teams in the current FIFA rankings: Argentina, Spain, France, and England. England reached the semifinals thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in a comeback 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway. Despite Norway's Erling Haaland being unable to lift his team past England, Alf-Inge Haaland claimed Norway were "robbed" in their quarterfinal match but expressed hope that England would go on to win the tournament. England's path to this stage has been marked by resilience, with their belief strengthened by comeback wins against Mexico and Norway, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Argentina and Lionel Messi in the semifinals. Argentina, meanwhile, advanced thanks to a standout performance from Julián Álvarez, who stepped up after the Swiss defense effectively neutralized Lionel Messi on the night. The rivalry between Argentina and England, steeped in history including matches like the "Hand of God" and Beckham's red card, is set to reignite in their upcoming semifinal clash.

Player and Club Transfer Buzz

In club news, Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, with the player also being a target for other European clubs. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are looking to hijack Newcastle's pursuit of Johan Manzambi in the transfer market. Chelsea are also active, scouting Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe as they seek reinforcements for their attack this summer. Liverpool's record signing, Denise O'Sullivan, is expected to depart the club just six months after joining this summer. In Scotland, Rangers midfielder Alex Barron has attracted interest from Italian and German clubs, while Celtic are reportedly considering a move for Manchester United goalkeeper this summer.

England's Tournament Resilience and Coaching Outlook

Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, has expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performances despite their continued success in the tournament. He revealed that Declan Rice was sidelined for nearly three days prior to the Norway game due to a sickness bug before the win. Despite tactical concerns, the team's ability to win under pressure is seen as a major strength, with a record of four semifinal appearances in the last five international tournaments. The "battle of wills" between manager Tuchel and star player Jude Bellingham is considered healthy for the team dynamic. Following Brendon McCullum's departure as England Test head coach, former England coach Andy Flower has been backed as a potential replacement, though other candidates are also being considered for the role.

Other Football and Sports News

In a unique football development, actor Jason Sudeikis, known for his role in "Ted Lasso," made his debut in the USL, coming on as a substitute in El Paso's match against New Mexico United on Saturday night. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that plans for a 64-team men's World Cup will be evaluated after the 2026 tournament, emphasizing the need for football to be "for the whole world" globally. Discussions are underway between FIFA and global players' union FIFPRO to establish protocols for managing games played in excessive heat conditions during tournaments. In rugby league, Toulouse delivered a dominant performance, scoring eight tries in a 46-0 victory over St Helens to secure their second consecutive win in the Betfred Super League this season. In darts, Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Jermaine Wattimena 8-6 in a close final to claim the European Darts Open title in Leverkusen, though Danny Noppert faced social media abuse following his own loss on the European Tour earlier.

Golf and Tennis Updates

Tom Kim secured his fourth PGA Tour title at the Genesis Scottish Open, ending a 1,001-day winless streak by finishing two shots clear of the field, while Robert Mac Intyre narrowly missed out on a home victory at the event. Rory McIlroy acknowledged areas in his game that need improvement ahead of The Open, despite finding some positive signs during his strong finish at the Scottish Open this week. The Open is set to feature new events and significant changes at Royal Birkdale this year for players. In tennis, Jannik Sinner reflected on the sacrifices made to achieve his Wimbledon triumph this year, and Haeran Ryu won her second consecutive major title at the Amundi Evian Championship after a playoff victory over Brooke Henderson this weekend.