Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 26, 2026, 9:19 PM ET

Champions League Draw & Format

The countdown to Europe's premier competition continues as the Champions League league phase draw approaches, with UEFA confirming the date and format for the revamped 36-team competition. Meanwhile, a notable restriction will apply for one of the tournament's marquee fixtures, as Real Madrid cannot play at Anfield during the league phase due to UEFA's protection of host city fan zones. The draw for the Europa League also takes place Friday, and our Europa League pots summary breaks down which clubs are in each seeding tier.

Champions League Match Action

Kylian Mbappé delivered a statement performance as his hat trick powered Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, with José Mourinho celebrating his Bernabeu return in style. The match ball itself could soon change, as Adidas unveiled its league-phase balls and the famous star ball may be entering its final campaign. Elsewhere, Celtic's shortcomings were brutally exposed again — they have now failed in Champions League qualifying in six of the last eight years, and Callum McGregor's scathing assessment of his own teammates laid bare a night of pain. A deeper dive at where it went wrong for Celtic examines the club's recurring qualifying collapses, and the club now face competition for a Bosnia star with PAOK emerging as suitors, according to Scottish football gossip. The Scottish Football Podcast also discusses the Celtic humbling and Hearts' Europa test.

Hearts, however, produced a heroic consolation in Vienna. In a dramatic shootout, goalkeeper Beau Reus made two penalty saves as the Jambos withstood Tomas Magnusson's red card to pull off a stunning win, with manager Vrancken voicing pride after his side's Conference League progression via penalties. The night saw another angle through the 10-man Hearts spot-kick heroics that booked their return to Europe.

Carabao Cup Third Round

The Carabao Cup second round delivered drama and an eye-catching third-round draw. Liverpool will host Tottenham in one of six potential all-Premier League ties. Tottenham found an unexpected catalyst, with Savio delivering a goal and assist on a dream debut as Spurs thrashed Charlton 5-1 to progress. The matches were live, too, as Spurs went ahead at quick-fire intervals early.

Harvey Barnes was the hero as Newcastle survived a scare, scoring twice to seal a 3-2 win over West Brom and reach the third round. The Barnes double fired Newcastle past West Brom, with Toure and Woltemade starting for Newcastle in the live coverage of the WBA tie. Bradford produced one of the upsets, eliminating Burnley on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes. Thierno Barry delivered a hat trick and an assist for Everton as they sauntered past Preston 4-0 with a Barry hat-trick in the highlight reel. The original live updates from that tie are available, too.

Premier League Transfer Window Frenzy

The final days of the window are proving frantic. Tottenham and Manchester City have agreed a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for £60m ($82m) for Omar Marmoush, per ESPN Transfer Talk. Manchester City have also completed an £86m club-record signing for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, a record-breaking move, and they are considering a bid for Chelsea's Fernandez, with Man City weighing an Enzo bid. City are also set to make an opening offer for the £120m-rated midfielder, reportedly a target for Pep. City won't give up on that signing, per the latest gossip saying they aren't ready to walk away.

Newcastle have also been busy, confirming the signing of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City for £50m, with the manager declaring "He's the one we wanted" in official comments. Crystal Palace’s Pierre Sage has insisted that Sarr will stay at the club despite Liverpool’s approach, while another source says that Liverpool have made contact about the winger.

The Gunners are preparing to challenge for another title, but Arsenal’s title defense faces tougher obstacles, at least per the likes of former champions. The Premier League’s opening weekend has produced overreactions by design—Matchweek 1 overreactions set the table for the season ahead.

West Ham accepted a £40m bid for El Hadji Malick Diouf and the Senegal defender is now set for a medical at Brentford. Aston Villa have moved for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Nicolas Jackson, with the start of window gossip covered in the latest Wednesday transfer gossip round-up. Chelsea are also making moves, considering a late bid for Emi Martinez. The round-up includes Newcastle and Aston Villa being near a record for transfer sales in one window.

Sunderland are exploring a potential deal for Jack Grealish, while Tottenham have added Omar Marmoush’s move aligned with their own. On the pitch, Joao Pedro scored in 31 seconds against his former club, breaking a number nine curse.

Champions League Transfer & European Threads

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr staged a remarkable comeback after he was substituted at half-time from two goals down, winning 4-3 with 10 men. In Spain, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has warned Alejandro Balde must improve to stay at the club.

Euro Leagues fans, meanwhile, can listen to the Alvarez to Arsenal podcast, as Barcelona and Arsenal weigh up a move for the Atlético star, who has faced backlash. The chasing pack includes a number of players expected to move before the window slams shut on Sept. 1, including Barcola, Álvarez, Fernández. Crystal Palace have also attempted to hijack Villa's move for Ordonez with a long-term interest in the defender, and Rangers are closing in on Kim Min-Su from Girona, while Raskin nears exit as Rangers close in.

Domestic and Lower-League Football

The EFL Podcast takes you inside the world of Tranmere Rovers with manager Darrell Clarke. In League One, Wrexham are close to sealing two deals for Ekomie and Kabore. Newport County have completed their eleventh signing, adding a new midfielder on loan, while Coventry have added a center-back from Brentford for £6m with the arrival of Pinnock.

The law catches up on the latest: Ebbsfleet have paid their tax yet remain suspended from progression, and Forfar player has no major damage after the abandoned match due to injury.

Women’s Football

Chelsea showcased their new signings in a dominant UWCL qualifier win over Real Sociedad, showing preseason absence is no obstacle. The bigger question is survival: our UWCL shock watch examines whether Chelsea, PSG and Wolfsburg are one two-legged defeat from elimination. In the WSL, Tottenham have plans to break the elite with a sensible WSL breakthrough plan after a successful window. The NWSL Power Rankings has Gotham still No.1 after a draw.

Everything to know about the continent’s brightest prospects also features: USMNT U21 prospects bound for Europe sees Zavier Gozo already in the Premier League, and lessons for South America via Mastantuono and Estêvão. Man City’s scouting network shows its depth with Allan Elias as a target.

Golf, Darts, Boxing, F1 & Tennis

Luke Humphries beat Brendan Dolan in the final to win a third Player’s Championship title, on course to deny Luke Littler a historic clean sweep. In the changing world of European football, UEFA’s decision to end its FIFA boycott over the failed World Cup investor plan, per our report.

In boxing, Mikaela Mayer is fully confident: she says she feels unbeatable and her unification fight vs Chantelle Cameron won't be close. Full workouts are now live for the world title fight - Watch the free stream preview.

The golf world braces for change: Luke Donald expects "new faces" for Team Europe at Adare Manor, and the PGA Tour revealed new event changes for 2027. For now, Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist will retire after the FM Championship, a surprise announcement.

Racing & Motorsport

The FIA has confirmed that Mercedes is granted engine upgrades for the season despite Red Bull complaints. Toto Wolff says he is not at all disappointed that Max Verstappen extended his commitment to Red Bull until 2030. On the flat, the racing action tomorrow comes from Newbury and Wolverhampton.

Tennis

Roger Federer rolled back the years with a pair of exhibition victories over Andy Roddick at Arthur Ashe on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Serena and Venus Williams will team up again as they have received a wild card for the 2026 US Open women’s doubles, the duo paired for the wildcard.

Rugby League & Other Sports

St Helens legend Jonny Lomax will retire at the end of the 2026 Super League season, as he announced on Tuesday.

Legal & Community Stories

Raheem Sterling will appear in court next month over charges of dangerous driving after his car crashed into the M3 barriers in May. Meanwhile, the Irish League embraces gambling finds its commercial links under new scrutiny.

Podcasts to Follow

The Euro Leagues podcast new episodes, and the More than the Score podcast reviews the Wafcon 2026 signals for African women’s football.

And the Final Whistle

The Premier League’s opening matchday has thrown up plenty to digest, from all 20 teams overreacting, to Olivia Smith rising via taekwondo and record move. As the window edges closer, more names could still move before the deadline, with Joao Pedro’s instant impact keeping the curse storyline alive.