Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 31, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

FIFA World Cup Plans and Controversy

FIFA president Infantino has scrapped his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup after widespread backlash from within global soccer's governing body and a threatened boycott by UEFA. FIFA has also started a consultation process over an expansion of the men's World Cup to 64 teams, with documents seen by ESPN aiming for a decision by August 14. Two senior officials criticized Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, with one resigning as a presidential advisor and a second stating staff were deceived. Prime Minister Burnham has described Gianni Infantino as "the wrong man" to lead FIFA, increasing the pressure on the world football president after a key advisor resigned over his controversial plan. Infantino's plans make women's football "the first casualties" according to former England defender Anita Asante. The body running African football has yet to take a side on FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. FIFA has doubled down on its World Cup plan amid UEFA's boycott threat, stating "nobody selling football." UEFA has threatened to boycott World Cups, leading to a seismic 48 hours for football and raising questions about FIFA's president's survival.

Club Management and Player Movements

Eddie Howe stepped down from his role as head coach of Newcastle United after nearly five years in charge. Newcastle set to announce Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach following Eddie Howe's exit. Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United following the departure of manager Eddie Howe. Arne Slot aiming to return to club management in Europe's major leagues, despite emerging as the leading contender to replace Matthias Jaissle at a Saudi club. Celtic have rejected a West Ham approach for Arne Engels, while there is Everton interest in Alistair Johnston. boss Martin O'Neill has reiterated his desire not to lose any more key players during the summer transfer window amid interest in Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston. West Ham in talks with Celtic over the signing of Arne Engels, with the Scottish club holding out for a deal worth around £25 million for the midfielder. Inter Miami Jorge Mas criticized Major League Soccer's Discovery List rule following the Casemiro signing dispute, stating he has pushed to abolish the rule for over two years. Real Madrid signed forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract. Former striker Forlán has been appointed head coach of Uruguay's national team on an interim basis until March 2027. Swansea City coach Vitor Matos has agreed a new contract that ties him to the Championship club until 2030. Mullins leaves his role as Fulham Under-21 boss to become the new head coach of League Two side Newport County.

Player News and Transfers

Chelsea winger Mudryk can return to playing immediately after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal" against a ban for failing a doping test. Mykhailo Mudryk not played since November 2024 and has been unable to access the club's training ground. Chelsea have been fined £10 million and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban by the Football Association after admitting 74 breaches of its agent regulations. Chelsea have been fined £10 million by the Football Association for breaching rules relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022. Scotland international Bowie has completed a loan move from Hellas Verona to Serie A side Sassuolo. Real Madrid open to the possibility of Vinícius Júnior leaving the club if there is no agreement on a new contract, with Madrid having no plans to increase their offer. Marcus Rashford said goodbye to Barcelona after returning to Manchester United ahead of the new Premier League season following the conclusion of his loan spell. labeled Lionel Messi the god of football, adding that he joined Inter Miami to help the Argentina forward add more trophies to his record-breaking career. Messi's return to action for Inter Miami is still to be scheduled, with coach Guillermo Hoyos set to discuss his availability following his 2026 World Cup participation with Argentina.

Domestic Leagues and Competitions

Scottish Premiership is back, with a full weekend preview available. McInnes insists Rangers will improve after his team's Scottish Premiership draw at Dundee United. Rangers got the Derek McInnes era off to a stuttering start as they were forced to come from behind to earn a draw at Dundee United in the opening game of the Scottish Premiership season. Heart Midlothian head coach Wouter Vrancken is looking to replicate last season's strong Scottish Premiership showing despite his players having to adapt to "a totally different style of play." It remains to be seen if any team will challenge Celtic and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title this season, as a new campaign begins. four teams the EFL season gets underway this weekend in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup. Jake Connor as Super League leaders Leeds ran in eight tries in a 46-0 rout of Toulouse, while Wigan Warriors remain just two points behind after their 20-8 win over Leigh Leopards.

Golfer and Tennis Updates

World 3 Cameron Young surged into a share of the lead of the Rocket Classic after a nine-under 61 in the second round in Detroit. Lottie Woad Charley Hull are both five strokes off the halfway lead at the AIG Women's Open, as in-form Haeran Ryu tops another major leaderboard. Charley Hull she "does not care" about criticism over her pre-major caddie prank and overcame limited sleep to remain firmly in AIG Women's Open title contention. An emotional Chiara Tamburlini faces a nervous wait to see if she has qualified for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup side after missing the cut at the AIG Women’s Open. Cameron Norrie into his first semi-final of 2026 with a 6-1 6-0 thrashing of Bernard Tomic at the Los Cabos Open.

Other Sports News

Franco Baresi legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of. J.J. Watt boosted Burnley's profile since he became a minority shareholder in the English soccer team, but even he can't have imagined he'd end up delivering milk around the town. Jude Bellingham to Birmingham City to watch his former club beat Barcelona on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Manchester City unveiled its new 2026-27 away kit. Liverpool's Curtis had a heated argument with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai after his side's win over Wrexham. James McClean Derry City's European form is not the result of a "lack of effort" but instead shows an "issue somewhere" within the club. Chris Cadden been sold by Hibernian to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, with the 29-year-old right-back seeking "a fresh challenge" and "more game time." Amanda Staveley husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi's PCP Capital Partners have made an offer to buy a 25.1 per cent stake in West Ham. Emma Raducanu not been selected by Team GB for September's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China.