Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 28, 2026, 9:27 AM ET

Champions League Draw

The Champions League league phase draw delivered blockbuster fixtures, with European champions Paris Saint-Germain handed a daunting path that includes home clashes against Barcelona and Manchester City. Arsenal will host Real Madrid in a marquee tie at the Emirates, while Barcelona travel to PSG in a repeat of recent knockout meetings. The draw produced clear winners and losers, with Liverpool appearing to receive a favorable path while Barcelona face a brutal slate, and the newly-expanded format ensures every club plays eight different opponents before the knockout rounds begin. Among the debutants, Azerbaijani side Sabah FK — a club that didn't exist a decade ago — will face Arsenal and Barcelona in their debut campaign, a remarkable rise for a team near the Iranian border. For Aston Villa, their PSG showdown will provide a barometer of how much the club has transformed under their project.

In a side story with significant off-pitch implications, UEFA is pursuing criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over scrapped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. The governing body flexed its muscles at Thursday's draw in Monaco, escalating the legal battle between Europe's football governing body and FIFA's leadership, an effort to gain jurisdiction over contentious commercial agreements.

Transfer Deadline Drama

The transfer window is closing with frantic activity. Arsenal appear to be the only likely destination for striker Julián Álvarez, who has skipped training since being told Atletico Madrid would not sell him to Barcelona. The Argentine forward missed his latest training session Friday due to reports of illness, though the transfer speculation continues to swirl. Meanwhile, Arsenal continue their direct pursuit of the 19-time Argentina international, with the Gunners attempting to beat out Atletico's refusal while Barcelona lurk on the fringes.

Chelsea have been busy on multiple fronts, agreeing a £7.5m fee to sign Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa, with sources confirming that would be the cost. The Blues are also prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City at an acceptable price, with City eager to strengthen their midfield. City have confidence in landing Fernández, though any deal appears to be tied to their ability to move other players. Manchester City has also completed a dramatic move to sign teen star Ayyoub Bouaddi for €100 million, making the 18-year-old Morocco midfielder a fully-fledged piece of their present and future after tracking him since age.

Jack Grealish's preference is to return to Everton if he leaves Manchester City before the deadline, with City reportedly looking at Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and the midfielder exploring options away from the Etihad. Liverpool remain keen on Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr, even after agreeing a deal for Barça winger at the request of the Spanish giants. In other moves, Tottenham have signed Omar Marmoush on loan from City with an obligation to purchase.

Rangers picked up the Korean winger Kim Min-su from Girona as they continually bolster their options, while they remain in talks aiming for Brighton winger Adrian Cozier-Duberry, as they continue their move to strengthen the forward lines. Sending Scottish young talent around the country, West Brom signed Spanish winger Kareem Tunde from Levante, and Sheffield United's Jenson Seelt moved on loan to Swansea. Hull City have also completed a move for forward Mohamed-Ali Cho on a five-year contract as their 12th summer signing.

Ipswich Town secured Argentina World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen. Fiorentina have opened talks with Manchester United over an initial loan move for Joshua Zirkzee. Villa also completed the signing of Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich on a free move.

Premier League

The Premier League begins its second weekend with major questions, with the biggest clubs needing critical answers before their dying rotation. Arsenal's title rivals are facing an enormous challenge to catch the Gunners who look as strong as ever — our assessment of what each team still needs in this transfer window highlights the specific gaps across the top challengers. The league's top tipster Lewis Jones, for his performance on gameweek one second-week predictions suggests more Palace pain potentially Manchester United edge toward a home win against the Eagles. While for fantasy, albeit the FPL dilemmas are already concerning into whether managers should drop or keep Man United players that proved devoid in round one, and advise your side captain Erling Haaland or Bruno Fernandes — though perhaps better undervaluing is needed.

Chris Sutton was again at the prediction desk, taking on Royal Blood drummer Ben. As for a serious man who cares about the art of refereeing, the referees are now being prepared through a rigorous pre-season regime( in Spain including full-time in preparation at moving the physical bar for the season.

Carabao Cup & EFL Cup

Danny Welbeck scored his first Chelsea goal on competitive debut for Xabi Alonso's side as they hurt Luton Town 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup, with the striker handed a start against a familiar old Villa enemy Jack Wilshere, a day into second round. Similarly Lopez scored on his Chelsea debut in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win, going through the blue link of their debut. Meanwhile, in a first win in his tenure, Rodrigo Muniz ended a year-long drought in Fulham’s 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, Alvaro Arbeloa's side saw the result to give his reign three points.

EFL & Scottish Football

The EFL weekend promises drama — BBC Sport picks out five highlights to watch across Saturday's programme, as managers who have endured slow starts face growing pressure. In Scotland, a busy day as the Cam Wallace Fife derby sees Doug Imrie's unbeaten Raith Rovers taking on Dunfermline at East End. Sunderland's Darcy with their Dunfermline v Raith on live television the images show. The European debrief and weekend lookahead features on the latest Scottish podcast, examining the Premiership pressure mounting after a cataclysmic European week.

The spotlight falls heavily on Rangers and manager Derek McInnes after their continental exit. McInnes is 'mortified' and takes full responsibility for the embarrassing exit, while the expensively-assembled squad remains under fire for improvement under his control with Tom English's assessment questioning if they’ve improved at all. Professional Scottish broadcaster and referee response arguably one to watch. Also there's the debate: What next for McInnes and Rangers after the European exit, with a key looking to solve a failure and Celtic now out of Europe entirely.

Cricket

England resumed on day two at 248-9 against Pakistan after a topsy-turvy first day at Lord's in the second Test. Beset with under, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali (and three of it) cut through the visitors on a devilish pitch, as England was reduced to 248-9, coming in Pakistan's bowlers shined at gloom. Jiza Smith struck a crucial 61 on return to form after a tough Ashes winter, easing England from deep trouble.

International

Ronnie O'Sullivan's defeat at the Wuhan Open makes headlines in the snooker world, as the frustrated legend died 3-6 to Chang Bingyu and left the table being eliminated.

In the US and MLS, Inter Miami announced “Kily” González as the new coach in the announcement Thursday to replace highly recognized Warriors. Kickoff delayed another piece of stiffness however as a distinct the MLS suspended him for the one-match suspension for repeated violation of the league's late kickoff rule law.

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WNBA & Tennis

In the women's circles, United States' footballer, as she had entered a concussion protocol with Gotham FC and will miss the match against the Thorns. Tottenham has “under the radar” defender, Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa, earning it as the WSL’s smartest transfer singing.

The US Open begins as the full draw is released with Carlos Alcaraz, Irian Fery handed a nightmare opener against Italian players, while Djokovic and Serena are on collision course. Test our US Open tennis quiz to see how much you remember from the tennis events!

Golf

At the TPC Boston, Min Woo Lee holds lead at the Tour Championship after a 62, while Rory McIlroy made a mixed start to his Fed ExCup run. Steve Scheffler chases Ray. Fitting in line with. They've already properly.

Lacking adaptation: we cd occur jealous: alternately tough Australians. T. Also back home, Tom McKibbin leads the British Masters at the Belfry, as was the first year with the dark fine begin. Star attention, Re the women’s game, thefī L when his return was disaster at the. world class.

Transfer Deadline Day

It’s Deadline Day — and here’s the BBC's complete guide to the unplete focus via “Ask Me Anything” upcoming telesto.

Meanwhile, Bayern Otto's season begins, who is claimer faced by Kompany and Harry Kane, the squad set with expectations putting.

The big date offers no unhappy: Her "Perfect" Rodri debuts as AS debuts does completion in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Athletic Club.

Injury News, Financial and Other

In the football, Graham as Carragher faces bankruptcy claim in unpaid tax debt. A corruption retains the presidency, and the whole federation leadership of all of these.

Larne’s European devastating exits: Haveron described the Conference League League play-off exit as “heartbreaking, the story tells. From the NWSL, a statement is missingwhy says was.

Kits and Culture

Role out pics: Man City & Puma AI — more than 180,000 fans across the globe's—there's Jersey and City unveiled their as with AI, us as importantly the old. And Liverpool have produced a third kit engineered as fling-y European designed for ideal flame lights. Scottish Premiership.

More Important Matches

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Final Notes

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Boxing

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Contract Wins West at Old

Sunderland returns from Season North to the Championship: yes news rounds.

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