Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

Leagues Cup Action and Transfers

Lionel Messi ignited Inter Miami's Leagues Cup campaign with two brilliant goals, leading them to a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory over Atlético de San Luis in their opening match. The absence of Luis Suárez due to a lengthy suspension is a significant blow for Inter Miami, as head coach Guillermo Hoyos stated the forward is irreplaceable and the team must find a way to navigate the tournament without him. Wrexham has bolstered their midfield with the signing of Ben Whiteman from Preston on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Everton has officially completed the signing of Danish international Christian Nørgaard from Arsenal, with the clubs announcing the transfer on Wednesday. midfielder Jack Moylan has joined Championship rivals Cardiff City following an impressive season in League One. Crystal Palace is nearing a deal to sign Real Salt Lake's 19-year-old wing-back Zavier Gozo, with the Premier League club in advanced talks. Crystal Palace is also considering a move for winger Solly March and is set to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer after a successful trial period. Real Madrid reached a £120m agreement for Yan Diomande, while Liverpool is exploring a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, and Aston Villa has agreed to terms for Matteo Ruggeri. Liverpool has also explored the conditions of a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Liverpool is reportedly looking to strengthen their attack by signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Nottingham Forest is targeting Tijjani Reijnders, while Spurs are interested in Savinho and Nicolas Jackson, and Real Madrid is resuming contract talks with Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid is prepared to make Bradley Barcola their third signing worth £100m, with BBC Sport examining what the France and Paris Saint-Germain winger would bring to Anfield. Chelsea is on the verge of securing a deal for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria for approximately £16.3m (€19m) plus add-ons. Mohamed Salah is expected 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 agreed to a £75m fee with Newcastle for their captain Bruno Guimaraes. Monga's £10m transfer from Leicester to Manchester City has been completed, with the teenager aiming to emulate Eden Hazard and not go unnoticed. Strasbourg has received a B- rating for the signing of Reyna in the men's transfer window. Franco Mastantuono is reportedly set to join Fiorentina from Real Madrid on a season-long loan.

Club and Managerial News

The new season of Ted Lasso featured filming at a real NWSL club in the U.S. for a cameo that is a crucial plot point in the show. Arsenal's new third kit for the 2026-27 season has been revealed, bearing a resemblance to previous designs. Plenty of top clubs have already unveiled their 2026-27 kits ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, which is still a few weeks away. Arsenal produced a disappointing performance and was defeated 3-1 by LaLiga side Real Betis in a pre-season friendly held in Dublin. for a player like Bruno was raised following Arsenal's loss to Real Betis. Chelsea experienced a setback in their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, with Edon Zhegrova scoring the decisive goal in the second half. Liverpool's U.S. tour revealed that coach Iraola & Co. still have significant work to do before the 2026-27 campaign begins, highlighting areas for improvement. Enzo Maresca secured his first victory as Manchester City manager with a 3-1 win over the K-League All Stars in Seoul. Newcastle United has appointed Matthias Jaissle, as their new head coach, succeeding Eddie Howe, and fans are curious about what the German manager will bring to the club. Manchester United appointed Eva Olid, formerly of Hearts, as their new women's manager on a two-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is currently in the hospital after undergoing a "small procedure," as announced by the club. Motherwell and Hibernian are being assessed to see if they can advance towards the Conference League. Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi hopes to leverage his fondness for the transfer window to guide his club higher in the Premier League standings.

International Football and Governance

FIFA has issued an apology for errors made regarding Gianni Infantino's unsuccessful plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, with senior staff at a summit in Morocco reaffirming their support for the president. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed a lack of confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, citing his abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes as a "fatal" decision and adding to the pressure on the soccer leader. Portugal great Luís Figo has joined the growing chorus calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign over his failed proposal to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. The association of European soccer leagues has demanded governance reform within FIFA on Wednesday, intensifying the pressure on president Gianni Infantino following his unsuccessful plan. FIFA has been accused of blackmailing Jordan over World Cup funds in exchange for their support of Gianni Infantino's continued presidency. Gianni Infantino FIFA president, is scheduled to face senior leaders of the world governing body for football on Wednesday, with expectations surrounding the outcomes of these discussions. An unnamed former FIFA vice president has accused President Infantino of blackmail. The United States men's national team will play its first matches since the 2026 World Cup during the September/October FIFA international window, hosting Peru, Chile, Canada, and Mexico. Mauricio Pochettino is set to continue as the head coach through the 2030 World Cup, but his future could be uncertain if a major club makes an offer. The president of Brazilian club Remo has accused Santos star Neymar of provocation following a Brazilian Cup game on Tuesday. Tomas Albornoz received a four-match suspension after being charged with misconduct following Argentina's Nations Championship defeat against England last month. Midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, has been named in England's preparation squad for the Under-20 Women's World Cup, which will take place in Poland next month. Kyle Walker former England defender, has stated he is "at ease" with his decision to retire from international football and hopes it will lead to a longer club career, similar to that of James Milner.

Other Sports News

The Trent Rockets extended their lead at the top of The Hundred table with a dominant performance, securing their fifth win in six games and leaving Birmingham Phoenix at the bottom of the standings. Rockets claimed the top spot in The Hundred women's table after achieving their fourth consecutive victory against Birmingham Phoenix, virtually guaranteeing them a place in the tournament's later stages. British boxer Raven Chapman underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed after collapsing during a sparring session in Denmark. Joseph Parker has announced his intention to resume his boxing career "soon" following the lifting of his suspension related to a failed drug test last year. Max Verstappen praised Kimi Antonelli's "rock solid" performances that have propelled him to the top of the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship in the first half of the 2026 season. Callum Walsh, an undefeated contender from Ireland, is aiming to break into the elite middleweight division and does not shy away from dangerous situations. 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 begins on August 30. British No. 2 Cameron Norrie secured a straightforward victory at the National Bank Open in Montreal, setting up a third-round match against Alex De Minaur. Charley Hull stated that while she is pleased with her performance level this season, injuries have unfortunately hindered her ability to play at her absolute best.

Pre-Season Friendlies and Cup Competitions

The EFL Cup's first round fixtures are scheduled to be played on a weekend, deviating from its traditional midweek slot. Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors are set to make history in April 2027 by playing the first-ever Super League match to be held in Ireland.