Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

Club Football News

Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat to LaLiga side Real Betis in a pre-season friendly held in Dublin, displaying a sloppy performance. Real Madrid reached a £120m agreement for Yan Diomande, while Liverpool are exploring a move for Ibrahim Mbaye, and Aston Villa have agreed to sign Matteo Ruggeri. Arsenal target Vinicius Junior is expected to remain at Real Madrid following positive contract renewal discussions on Wednesday. Wrexham has signed midfielder Ben Whiteman from Preston on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Crystal Palace reportedly set to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer after a successful trial and is also considering a move for winger Solly March. Premier League side Crystal Palace is in advanced talks to sign Real Salt Lake's 19-year-old wing-back Zavier Gozo, a source confirmed to ESPN. Chelsea is on the verge of clinching a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria for approximately £16.3m (€19m) plus add-ons. Chelsea experienced a lackluster 1-0 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, with Edon Zhegrova scoring the decisive goal in the second half. Arsenal has agreed to a £75m fee with Newcastle for their captain Bruno Guimaraes. Liverpool has explored the conditions of a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Mohamed Salah reportedly set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer after mutually agreeing to terminate his Liverpool contract a year early. Rangers have finalized the signing of winger Daisuke Yokota from Hannover. Arsenal has unveiled its new third kit for the 2026-27 season, which bears a resemblance to a previous design.

Transfer Rumors and Gossip

Liverpool is reportedly aiming to bolster their attack by signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, according to Transfer Talk. Real Madrid has reportedly agreed to a £120m deal for Yan Diomande, while Liverpool is exploring a move for Ibrahim Mbaye, and Aston Villa has reached an agreement to sign Matteo Ruggeri. Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in Tijjani Reijnders, Tottenham is eyeing Savinho and Nicolas Jackson, Real Madrid is resuming contract talks with Vinicius Jr, and other transfer news is available. With Liverpool prepared to make Bradley Barcola their third £100m signing, BBC Sport examines what the France and Paris Saint-Germain winger would bring to Anfield. Monga's £10m transfer from Leicester to Manchester City this summer may have gone unnoticed, but the teenager's career trajectory is expected to be significant as he aims to emulate Eden Hazard. Tottenham manager de Zerbi hopes his affinity for the transfer window will help guide his club up the Premier League standings. Celtic is reportedly pursuing a deal for Ghedjemis, while the Scottish champions' former left-back has moved to Houston Dynamo.

Managerial and Club Appointments

Newcastle United has appointed Matthias Jaissle, as their new head coach, succeeding Eddie Howe. Manchester United appointed Eva Olid, formerly of Hearts, as their new women's manager on a two-year contract with an additional 12-month option. Celtic manager O'Neill is currently in the hospital following a "small procedure," according to a club announcement.

International Football and Governance

The president of Brazilian club Remo accused Santos star Neymar of provocation following Tuesday's Brazilian Cup match. Pakistan concluded their eight-match away Test losing streak emphatically on Wednesday with an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies. Tomas Albornoz has been suspended for four matches after receiving a misconduct charge following Argentina's Nations Championship defeat against England last month. The association of European soccer leagues has called for governance reform within FIFA on Wednesday, increasing the pressure on president Gianni Infantino following his unsuccessful plan. Portugal great Figo has joined the growing chorus calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down due to his failed plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is scheduled to face senior leaders of the sport's world governing body on Wednesday, with expectations surrounding the proceedings. Two senior executives, coaching legend Arsène Wenger and secretary general Mattias Grafström, distanced themselves on Tuesday from their superior Gianni Infantino's failed strategy to sell stakes in the World Cup. FIFA has been accused of blackmailing Jordan over World Cup funds in exchange for their support to keep Gianni Infantino as president. The United States men's national team will play their first matches since the 2026 World Cup during the September/October FIFA international window, hosting Peru, Chile, Canada, and Mexico.

Other Football News

The new season of "Ted Lasso" featured filming at a real NWSL club in the U.S., incorporating a cameo that plays a significant role in the show's plot. Larry Berg will take over as the new MLS commissioner next year, succeeding Don Garber, and questions remain about what he should do to improve the league. Mauricio Pochettino will continue as the U.S. men's national team coach through the 2030 World Cup, but his future could be impacted if a major club makes an offer before then. Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos stated that Luis Suárez cannot be replaced as the team prepares to compete in the Leagues Cup without the suspended forward. EFL Cup's first round fixtures are predominantly scheduled for a weekend, deviating from its traditional midweek slot.

Rugby League

Tigers head coach Ryan Carr will not be present at the game against Hull KR due to personal reasons. Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors are scheduled to play in Dublin in April 2027, marking the first-ever Super League fixture to be held in Ireland.

Tennis

British No 2 Cameron Norrie secured a straightforward victory at the National Bank Open in Montreal, advancing to a third-round match against Alex De Minaur. Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a persistent wrist injury, raising concerns about his defense of the US Open title, which commences on August 30.

Boxing

British boxer Raven Chapman underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed after collapsing during a sparring session in Denmark. Callum Walsh, an undefeated contender from Ireland, is aiming to break into the elite middleweight division and does not shy away from challenging bouts. Joseph Parker announced his intention to resume his boxing career "soon" after his suspension was lifted following a positive drug test last year.

Other Sports

Trent Rockets secured a top position in The Hundred women's table after achieving their fourth consecutive win against Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge, virtually guaranteeing them a place in the tournament's later stages. Max Verstappen has commended the "rock solid" performances that have propelled Kimi Antonelli to the lead in Formula 1's Drivers' Championship during the first half of the 2026 season. Slica Bay Sea Suite, and Ben Nevis are set to compete in the Brighton Mile this afternoon, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.