Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

World Cup Final Showdown: Spain vs. Argentina

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to be a captivating clash between Spain and Argentina on Sunday. Spain, known for their "beautiful game," have reached the final on the back of an elite defense. They will face an Argentina side led by Lionel Messi, who is aiming to cement his legacy as the greatest male athlete in history. The final will also feature a fascinating generational battle between the veteran Messi and Spain's young sensation. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé has equaled Messi's all-time World Cup goal record with 22 career tournament goals, and is currently leading the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, two ahead of Messi. Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez admitted he has been playing through pain in his right hand throughout the. Spain's final training session before the match was cancelled due to thunderstorms. Last-minute tickets for the final are priced between $10,000 and $60,000. Despite concerns about the air quality from Canadian wildfires, thunderstorms are expected to clear the smoke ahead of kickoff.

England Secures Third Place, Squad Reflections

England claimed third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, defeating France in a thrilling bronze medal match. Bukayo Saka was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick and earning a 9/10 rating. Saka expressed his desire to have played more at the. Midfielder Declan Rice declared this England group to be the best in a long time. Jude Bellingham set a new England record for goals in a single World Cup campaign with his late strike against France, reaching seven goals. Despite the third-place finish, questions remain about England's future direction, particularly regarding their attacking options after Harry Kane. Argentina's head coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of a press conference, accusing England of a "lack of respect" following their Nations Championship clash.

Transfer Market Buzz and Club Moves

In transfer news, Barcelona has set a July 31 deadline for Atlético Madrid to accept their offer for striker Julián Álvarez. USMNT striker Folarin Balogun is also rumored to be on the move this summer. Tottenham is reportedly hopeful of signing Savinho from Manchester City, while Real Madrid has cooled their interest in Rodri. Chelsea has agreed to a club-record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers. Aston Villa has also completed a club-record deal for Johan Manzambi, believed to be. Hearts forward is happy at the club, and a teenager has announced his Celtic exit. Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt has been sold to Turkish club Samsunspor.

Club Soccer and Pre-Season Action

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is facing significant decisions in his first week on the job. Paul Lambert believes Celtic is "nowhere near good enough" and requires further recruitment, though he. Martin O'Neill is optimistic about bringing new faces to Celtic's squad. Manchester United lost their opening pre-season fixture 1-0 to Wrexham, with Andrey Santos making his debut. In other club news, Northants claimed their first Vitality Blast title in a decade with a thrilling 14-run victory over Hampshire. Ten-man Kilmarnock secured a late win against Elgin City in the.

Other Sports News

In horse racing, Johanna Walsh delivered an effortless victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks. At The Open golf championship, Ryan Fox joined an exclusive club with a '62 round', while Rory McIlroy criticized Bryson DeChambeau's behavior during a rules. Luke Littler began his World Matchplay defence with a strong performance. Sky Sports Champions League covered ongoing horse racing action from Newton Abbot and Chantilly.

League and Coaching Updates

There has been a significant increase in harmful social media posts during the World Cup, with 14 times more instances compared to 2022. The NWSL implemented extra hydration breaks in a Gotham FC game due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke. Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós is taking a five-week. Scot Gemmill is departing his role as Scotland Under-21 head coach after 13 years. Mauricio Pochettino will decide on his future as head coach of the United States national team next week.