Football/Soccer 24 Hours

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

World Cup Final Set for Argentina vs. Spain Showdown

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a highly anticipated clash between Argentina and Spain. Speculation is rife about whether Lionel Messi will play his final World Cup match, with some analysts predicting Spain's youthful star Lamine Yamal could step into the spotlight. Argentina has made three changes to their starting lineup for the final against Spain, with Rodrigo De Paul, Nico González, and Gonzalo Montiel set to start for the defending champions. Spain's path to the final has been characterized by elite defense, a departure from their usual attacking style. Last-minute tickets for the final are commanding prices between $10,000 and $60,000. Amidst heightened security, former Spain defender Joan Capdevila has successfully gained entry to the United States for the match. The World Cup final is expected to draw an estimated 1.5 billion viewers globally. Human rights organizations have raised questions about the World Cup's integrity and are urging FIFA to strengthen frameworks for future tournaments.

England Secures Third Place in World Cup Thriller

England claimed third place at the World Cup with a. Bukayo Saka was instrumental in the win, scoring a hat-trick and expressing his desire to have played more in the tournament. Jude Bellingham set a new England record, becoming the first Englishman to score seven goals in a single World Cup with a late strike against France. Midfielder Declan Rice declared that "this is the best England group for a very long time" following their third-place finish. Argentina's head coach, Felipe Contepomi, reportedly stormed out of a press conference, accusing England of showing a "lack of respect" after a controversial.

Transfer Market Buzz and Club News

Arsenal is reportedly considering a move for John Stones as a potential replacement for the injured William Saliba . Chelsea is also in formal talks regarding a transfer for Maxence Lacroix. Swansea City is nearing a deal to sign Elijah Just from Motherwell, impressed by his performances for New Zealand at. Barcelona has set a July 31 deadline for Atlético Madrid to accept their offer for Argentinian. Manchester United teammate Tom Heaton is backing Senne Lammens to overcome his World Cup disappointment and emerge stronger. Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has voiced criticism of the Premier Sports Cup format, questioning its ability to. Hearts forward insists he is happy at his club, while a teenager has announced his exit from Celtic, and a Rangers manager has issued a challenge to a duo. Aston Villa is facing a turbulent summer with player exits and injuries following their recent silverware and Champions League qualification.

Golf and Motorsports Drama

Ryan Fox has secured his maiden major title at The 154th Open, snatching a dramatic one-shot victory over Cameron Young with a final-hole birdie. Scottie Scheffler has defended Bryson DeChambeau amid rules controversy at The Open, stating the two-time U.S. Open champion is "not a cheater". Rory McIlroy, who felt "stuck in neutral" at The Open, is now focusing on a strong finish to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour seasons. In motorsports, Lewis Hamilton expressed relief that a mechanic was unhurt after being hit during a pit-stop incident that resulted in a significant fine for his Ferrari team. Kimi Antonelli has admitted he couldn't have predicted his current dominant position in the Formula 1 world championship, having previously reached "rock bottom" during his rookie season.

Cricket and Other Sports Updates

England secured a series victory against India in the third ODI at Lord's, with Ben Duckett's century and Sam Curran's late wickets inspiring a 27-run win. England chose to bat first in the series-deciding ODI, with India's Jasprit Bumrah missing the match due to injury. Luke Littler began his World Matchplay defense in impressive fashion, firing in an average of over 109.