Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 28, 2026, 3:00 AM ET

Champions League Draw

The Champions League draw produced blockbuster fixtures for the 2026-27 league phase, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain handed a brutal path that includes a home clash against Barcelona and trips to Manchester City and Aston Villa. European champions PSG will face the Premier League duo in the new format, while Arsenal host Real Madrid in a marquee tie. The draw was good for Liverpool, who avoided the heaviest hitters, but bad for Barcelona, who face a gauntlet of elite opposition. Among the debutants is Sabah FK, a club from near the Iranian border that didn't exist a decade ago but now finds itself in Europe's premier competition. The seeding pots were confirmed after the final four teams clinched their places on Wednesday. Aston Villa's transformation will be tested by their PSG showdown, a fixture that highlights just how far the club has come. Meanwhile, the Conference League draw and Europa League pots were also set for Friday, with Hearts celebrating their group-stage qualification while Rangers, Motherwell, and Hibs still hope to join them. On the equipment front, Adidas has unveiled its match balls for the competition, but the iconic star ball design may be in its final season.

Premier League & Transfers

The transfer window is hurtling toward its Sept. 1 deadline with several blockbuster deals in motion. Liverpool have an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola for a package worth £120m, a deal that casts doubt on Cody Gakpo's Anfield future. Sources confirmed the $163M deal is close, with the French winger set to become Liverpool's record signing. Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, a bargain for the Argentina World Cup winner. The club is also in talks to sign 18-year-old Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor for £34.3m. Nottingham Forest have signed Liam Delap in a club-record £50m deal from Chelsea, with the striker hoping to thrive at the City Ground after a difficult spell in West London. Ipswich Town are closing in on Argentina World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios, who would become the first World Cup winner to sign for the club, with sources confirming the deal is near. Tottenham have signed Omar Marmoush from Manchester City on loan with an obligation to buy for £60m next summer, while Roberto De Zerbi has set a 10-12 goal target for new Spurs winger Sávio after his debut goal.

The Julian Alvarez saga continues to dominate headlines, with Arsenal looking like the only likely exit after Atletico Madrid refused to sell to Barcelona. The striker has not attended training since being told privately of the club's stance, and the transfer saga has sparked backlash over his desire to leave. Manchester City are confident of signing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to Friday's newspapers, while Jack Grealish's preference would be to return to Everton should he leave City. Arsenal and City are set to battle for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, with the Gunners also continuing their pursuit of Alvarez. Aston Villa have completed the signing of Leon Goretzka on a free transfer, with analysis on what went wrong at Bayern and what he will bring. Fiorentina are in talks with Manchester United over an initial loan move for Joshua Zirkzee. Hull City have signed French forward Mohamed-Ali Cho from Nice on a five-year contract, their 12th summer signing. West Brom have completed the signing of Spanish winger Kareem Tunde from Levante, while Swansea have signed Sunderland defender Jenson Seelt on loan for the season. Rangers have signed South Korean winger Kim Min-su from Girona, with the player admitting he was surprised by the interest. As the window slams shut, here are 10 players who either need a solution or promise intense speculation.

Match Reports & Results

Danny Welbeck scored on his Chelsea debut as Xabi Alonso's first competitive game at Stamford Bridge ended in a 2-0 win over Luton in the Carabao Cup second round, with the veteran striker getting off the mark against Jack Wilshere's side. Rodrigo Muniz ended a year-long drought to help Fulham breeze past Wimbledon 3-0, giving Alvaro Arbeloa his first win. Kylian Mbappé silenced his critics with an incredible hat trick as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1, with José Mourinho celebrating his Bernabeu return in style. Barcelona's Hansi Flick hailed Rodri as the "perfect" signing after the midfielder's debut in a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in LaLiga. However, the club has scrapped a planned tribute to its World Cup-winning players amid fan tension. Cole Palmer says this is the best he has felt "in ages" after starting the season strongly under Xabi Alonso, putting his tricky previous campaign behind him.

Cricket

England found themselves on the back foot as Pakistan's bowlers took advantage of overcast conditions at Lord's, reducing the hosts to 248-9 on day one of the second Test. Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali starred with the ball, while Jamie Smith top-scored with, welcoming his return to form after a tough Ashes winter. Rain had earlier delayed the start at the Home of Cricket, with the full scorecard now available.

Golf

Min Woo Lee raced into the early lead at the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship with a stunning, while Rory McIlroy made a mixed start to his Fed ExCup bid. Scottie Scheffler is chasing Lee after an opening round that left him within striking distance. Lottie Woad made a strong start to the final week before next month's Solheim Cup by shooting a four-under opening round at the LPGA Tour's FM Championship. Tom McKibbin held a one-shot lead at the British Masters before play was suspended by storms at The Belfry. In sponsorship news, Good Good Golf has withdrawn from sponsoring a PGA Tour event following a controversial video promoting a new Callaway driver.

Rugby League & Other Sports

Wigan celebrated the life of the late Sir Billy Boston by sweeping aside a weakened Hull KR side 46-0 in the Super League at a sodden Brick Community Stadium, moving back to the top of the table. York Knights have confirmed that a locally-based ownership group has agreed to take over a majority share of the club. In horse racing, dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs has been retired, with owner Audrey Turley paying a heartfelt tribute to the superstar chaser. Our racing ambassador previews a busy Saturday, with Tenability tipped for the Listed August Stakes at Windsor.

Tennis

The US Open draw has been revealed, with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on a collision course following Thursday's draw in New York. Britain's Arthur Fery has been handed a nightmare opening-round clash against an Italian opponent, with the full draw now available for both the men's and women's singles tournaments at Flushing Meadows.

Women's Football

Chelsea kicked off their season with a win over Real Sociedad in the Women's Champions League qualifier, buoyed by the performances of their new signings despite a lack of preseason. Lauren James is letting her guard down, opening up about being misjudged by her body language and quietness. Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle has entered the NWSL's concussion protocol following a head injury and will miss Friday's match against the Portland Thorns. Arsenal Women's focus is crystal clear this season as they look to end a six-year WSL title drought. Spain forward Esther Gonzalez has attracted backlash after signing for Saudi Women's Premier League side Al Qadsiah, with fans criticizing the move for a gay World Cup star.

MLS & International

Inter Miami have named Cristian 'Kily' González as their new coach, announced Thursday. The club's previous coach, Guillermo Hoyos, has been given a one-match suspension by Major League Soccer for repeated violations of the league's late kickoff policy. The Nigeria Football Federation is in crisis after its president, general secretary, and executive committee all resigned amid governance concerns, leaving a leadership vacuum.

Managerial & Club News

Derek McInnes says he takes "full responsibility" for Rangers' "embarrassing" Conference League exit at the hands of Jablonec, with the manager left "mortified" by the result. Questions are mounting for McInnes at Rangers after crashing out, with analysis on whether the expensively-assembled squad has improved at all under his leadership. David Moyes said he was surprised Everton's owners regarded missing out on Europe last season as "failure," with Phil McNulty asking if they are on the same page. Russell Martin is trying to end his own miserable period of results as he attempts to stop Leicester's downward spiral. The Sheffield United case could provide the first real test of the new Independent Football Regulator, just months after Sheffield Wednesday looked set to provide that test. Leyton Orient have criticised Wrexham and their celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for putting a badge on their new kit that mirrors their own.

Off-Pitch News

UEFA is pursuing criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the scrapped plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup, with the governing body preparing legal action. UEFA is also set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances the failed World Cup plan will not be revived. Former Liverpool and England player turned pundit Jamie Carragher faces being declared bankrupt over an unpaid tax bill. Manchester City and Puma have unveiled an AI-designed third kit for 2026-27, with fans submitting more than 180,000 designs before Elliott's was chosen. Liverpool have released their new third kit, specifically designed to shine on European nights. Ander Herrera has represented some of the world's biggest clubs, but now he is back home playing for free in Spain's third tier.

Fantasy Football & Predictions

BBC Sport FPL expert Pras looks at the biggest dilemmas facing managers heading into gameweek two, including whether to captain Haaland or Fernandes. Our top tipster Lewis Jones, aka Jones Knows, was in flying form last weekend and has his predictions for gameweek two, including more Palace pain and Man City making it back-to-back wins. BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton takes on Royal Blood drummer Ben Thatcher with his Premier League predictions. ESPN's weekend predictions look at whether the pressure is on Man United already, plus Wrexham vs Birmingham and the start of the Bundesliga. The first week of the Premier League is over, and ESPN asks: Let's overreact! What does it tell us about how Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United and the rest will do this season?

Man City & Other Club News

Manchester City had been tracking Ayyoub Bouaddi since he emerged at age; now, at, the Morocco and Lille star figures to be a major part of City's present and future after a £100m move. Rayan Cherki saved Enzo Maresca from a losing start as Manchester City manager, but will he get the game time he wants? Allan Elias' nickname as a kid was 'Mini Balotelli' – a reference to his bleached-blonde mohawk – and the Man City new boy has overcome tragedy to thrive. Benjamin Weber jokes about Chelsea winning the Champions League in 2021 – "I told Mason to turn and to play the pass" – and now leads Bundesliga overachievers Augsburg as an ex-Chelsea analyst.