Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

International Player & Club Moves

The departure of Mohamed Salah from Liverpool continues to dominate headlines, with former manager Jurgen Klopp hailing him as "one of the all-time greats" whose Anfield legacy will be hard to match, even as MLS commissioner Don Garber expressed a desire to see the Egyptian star join the league. Further transfer speculation surrounds Arsenal, who are reportedly monitoring PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Anthony Gordon as they seek a left-winger this summer, while Manchester United are tracking USMNT left-back Antonee Robinson and considering Iliman Ndiaye amid speculation that Barcelona may listen to offers for Ferran Torres. Elsewhere, Paul Pogba’s return to fitness could boost AS Monaco’s Champions League bid as he scored in a recent friendly, while Manchester City's Rodri admitted that "you cannot turn down the best clubs in the world" amid ongoing links to Real Madrid though Vini Jr. affirmed his own desire to remain at the Spanish giant "for a long time."

England International & Domestic Football

Thomas Tuchel has publicly addressed the situation surrounding Ben White, stating the defender must "clear the air" with his England teammates following his recall to the squad for the first time in over three years, while other players seek to impress in upcoming friendlies for their World Cup chances. In North London, manager Mikel Arteta’s grip on control was evident as Arsenal inflicted a commanding 3-1 first-leg victory over Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League, though Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor claimed the women’s game requires "more respect" regarding officiating after a controversial disallowed goal. Meanwhile, Premier League refereeing standards are under scrutiny after data showed that mistakes via the pitch and VAR have risen across most categories this season, even as Manchester United’s Harry Maguire confirmed contract talks are underway and praised former boss Ruben Amorim's "great ideas".

World Cup Qualification Drama

The race for the 2026 World Cup intensified across Europe, with Türkiye closing in on a spot after a 1-0 victory over Romania, setting up a potential decider against Slovakia or Kosovo, which would mark their first finals appearance since 2002. The path is more fraught for the home nations; Northern Ireland faces a difficult semi-final trip to Italy whose manager Gattuso called the match "the most important game", while the Republic of Ireland, urged by John Egan to carry winning momentum into Prague against the Czech Republic, hopes their new generation can overcome past play-off pain, according to captain Seamus Coleman who insists they are not scarred. Furthermore, FIFA is preparing for the final sales phase, announcing that over one million tickets were already sold ahead of general sales starting April 1, even as European fans filed a formal complaint with the European Commission regarding pricing structures for the expensive tournament.

Managerial & Off-Field Governance

Off the pitch, the fallout from allegations of corruption continues, as FIFA is actively investigating the Congolese FA boss who was sentenced to life imprisonment for embezzling $1.1 million in federation funds, with Jean-Guy Mayolas remaining a fugitive. In domestic management news, Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has been granted compassionate leave for the remainder of the season, while in Scotland, reports suggest St Mirren is poised to retain caretaker Craig McLeish until the end of the campaign. On a historical note, German football saw a breakthrough as Sabrina Wittmann coached FC Ingolstadt at the men's professional level becoming the first woman to do so, establishing herself as a trailblazer who has not yet reached her managerial ceiling.

League News & Disciplinary Actions

In disciplinary matters, Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery received a four-game suspension for simulation which wrongly led to a red card for a St Mirren defender, while a man was sentenced for sending abusive social media messages to an England women's defender during the 2025 Euros. Meanwhile, UEFA levied a fine against Benfica due to racist chants from supporters during a Champions League fixture against Real Madrid where Vinícius Júnior was allegedly targeted. In the English lower leagues, Bromley manager Andy Woodman has upgraded his internal objective from 'Project 73' to 'Project Champions' following an extraordinary unbeaten run, and in the National League, KSI announced he would live stream a Dagenham fixture to his 17.8 million YouTube subscribers.

Player Milestones & Personal Tributes

Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah’s impending exit has prompted widespread reflection on his career, with Jamie Carragher placing him just behind Thierry Henry among the Premier League's greatest overseas players, while fans are being tested on their knowledge of his time at Anfield via a comprehensive quiz. Adding to personal tributes, Erling Haaland has donated a rare 16th-Century Viking saga book valued at £100,000 to his hometown library in Bryne, and Everton forward Katja Snoeijs spoke openly about her struggle with endometriosis, describing the pain "like being stabbed in the stomach" before receiving a diagnosis. In sad news, former Liverpool and Wales international John Toshack was diagnosed with dementia confirmed by his son Cameron.