Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

World Cup Semifinals Set for Epic Showdowns

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to its final four, with a blockbuster semifinal clash between England and Argentina dominating headlines. England captain Harry Kane has stated that the team cannot get caught up in the historical animosity surrounding the fixture, emphasizing the need for focus ahead of what he called "as big as it gets". Former England striker Wayne Rooney has lauded Jude Bellingham as the tournament's best player so far. On the Argentina side, manager Lionel Scaloni has pushed back against criticism of his team's play, asserting they are "not as bad" as some suggest. Guillem Balague examined how the Argentina squad is built around Lionel Messi, noting his remarkable goal-scoring evolution in recent World Cups. England coach Thomas Tuchel is considering man-marking Lionel Messi in the semifinal, while Jamie Carragher believes England can exploit Messi's presence. This historic encounter, the biggest for England since 1966, will feature American referee Ismail Elfath, and will have increased security measures. Meanwhile, the other semifinal pits Spain against France, with Spain's Luis de la Fuente declaring his team is "feeling unbeatable" after reaching the final. France's Didier Deschamps acknowledged his team wasn't technically sound enough to beat Spain, while Kylian Mbappé reportedly questioned the team's tactics in the loss. Deschamps' tenure with France will conclude with the third-place play-off. FIFA has also announced that the half-time break in the World Cup final will be extended to between 20 and 25 minutes, and hydration breaks have been a talking point throughout the tournament.

USMNT Looks to the Future Amidst Criticism

Following their 2026 World Cup exit after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of, USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese admitted the criticism received "hurts my heart". Despite the disappointment, discussions are already turning to the 2030 World Cup, with projections of potential roster selections. There's a sentiment that perhaps the U.S. is making progress and has simply faced bad luck, questioning if the focus on fixing the team is misplaced. Forward Folarin Balogun has signed with LeBron James' agency, Klutch Sports, following his breakout World Cup performance.

Transfer Window Buzz and Club Moves

The summer transfer window is active, with several clubs making moves. Manchester United are reportedly still seeking another midfielder, even with the signing of Andrey Santos and the impending arrival of Youri Tielemans. They have also agreed on a deal for Manchester United striker Melvine Malard with Chelsea, for approximately £850,000. Leeds United have agreed to a £34.1m fee with Sassuolo for defender Tarik Muharemovic. Bournemouth have announced the signing of striker Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche for up to £25.7m Bournemouth sign. In other news, Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne is returning to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £10 million ($13. release clause fee. Arsenal are reportedly considering a swap deal involving Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez, though Barcelona are also keen on signing Alvarez. Mason Greenwood is nearing a four-year deal with Fenerbahçe after Atlético Madrid dropped their pursuit.

Other Football News

In the Scottish League Cup, Dundee United and Falkirk face uncertainty in the group stage after being defeated by lower-league opponents. Celtic, despite winning the league again, face uncertainty this summer. Elsewhere, Aston Villa have been warned about sportswashing following their new £20m-a-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.

Other Sports Briefings

In cricket, Shubman Gill's 80 off 75 balls led India to a six-wicket victory over England in the first one-day international at Edgbaston. Stuart Broad believes England needs to trial an extra seamer ahead of the next Cricket World Cup. In golf, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have dismissed concerns about their legacy ahead of The Open.