Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: March 28, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

International Friendlies & World Cup Preparations

The international break saw mixed results for major nations preparing for the World Cup, with France edging past Brazil 2-1 in a tuneup match where Kylian Mbappé scored early to near a national goal record. Elsewhere, Germany secured a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Switzerland, powered by Florian Wirtz’s dual contribution of two first-half assists and two second-half goals. In contrast, the USMNT suffered a heavy defeat against Belgium, a match where Tim Weah reportedly struggled to exert positive influence, though Christian Pulisic admitted feeling World Cup pressure he believes he can handle despite recent club playing time issues.

The USMNT squad depth was under scrutiny, as injuries forced changes, with Miles Robinson out due to a groin issue and Chris Richards nursing a knee problem, leaving the team shorthanded for both the Belgium and Portugal friendlies according to team reports. Meanwhile, Argentina secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Mauritania, with Lionel Messi coming off the bench in the second half, though their World Cup planning suffered a major setback as forward Joaquín Panichelli sustained a ruptured ACL, ending his chances to compete at the global tournament. Furthermore, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti declined to comment on Neymar chants following their 2-1 friendly loss to France, preferring to focus on the players currently available.

Scotland & European Qualifiers

Scotland faced disappointment on home soil, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Japan at Hampden, prompting manager Steve Clarke to express surprise and disappointment after sections of the Tartan Army directed boos toward the team. The performance was described as "too flat and timid" by critics, suggesting the team must strive for the standard shown by Japan, who were the first nation to qualify for the tournament as confirmed by match analysis. On the injury front, Republic of Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics was released from hospital in Prague after being knocked unconscious during their World Cup play-off defeat to the Czech Republic, though manager Heimir Hallgrimsson still saw "growth" despite the shootout loss citing optimism for the future.

In other European play-offs, Sweden advanced to face Poland after Viktor Gyökeres starred with a decisive hat-trick in their 3-1 semi-final victory over Ukraine, leading the Ukrainian coach to praise the Arsenal striker as one of Europe’s best following the result. Canada coach Jesse Marsch defended his side after receiving a red card in a third consecutive match during their 2-2 draw with Iceland in Toronto, insisting the team is "not a dirty team" despite the disciplinary trend.

Women’s Super League & WSL Race

The Women's Super League title race tightened considerably as champions-elect Manchester City demolished second-place Manchester United 3-0, opening up an 11-point gap and demonstrating why they deserve the title based on their dominant performance. This derby loss keeps United’s hopes for European qualification under pressure, though manager Marc Skinner reaffirmed his belief they can still qualify despite the setback following the Old Trafford fixture. In a significant boost for Arsenal’s own European chase, striker Alessia Russo netted a rapid-fire first-half hat-trick to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 in the North London derby, keeping pressure on the leaders with her timely form surge.

Meanwhile, Liverpool managed to edge out Everton 3-2 in the Merseyside derby despite playing with ten players, a result that moved them eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Tottenham made a managerial move by extending Martin Ho’s contract, with the manager calling Spurs a "sleeping giant in women's football" ahead of their derby clash with rivals Arsenal.

Domestic Football & Club Finance

In the Scottish Premiership, Craig McLeish has been confirmed to remain as St Mirren's interim manager until the end of the season, providing stability for the club following recent speculation. Financial news emerged from Scotland as Hibernian chief executive Dan Barnett stated that the club’s recent financial deficits are "not sustainable," signaling an intent to transition toward a more stable financial model . Elsewhere, National League sides Southend and Wealdstone booked their trips to Wembley after both secured victories over National League North opponents, setting up the final for the FA Trophy at the national stadium.

NWSL & Record Crowds

The National Women's Soccer League established a new benchmark for attendance during the Denver Summit’s inaugural home match, drawing a record crowd of 63,004 spectators at the weekend fixture. While this specific attendance figure may not be surpassed during the current season, it sets a clear standard for future NWSL clubs and international fixtures Transfer Gossip & Managerial Movement

Transfer speculation remains active across Europe, with reports suggesting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is contemplating a return to Roma once his time at Anfield concludes, a prospect Jurgen Klopp downplayed by calling Salah an "all-time great" whose records will likely remain unmatched. Manchester United is reportedly planning a formal summer approach for Sandro Tonali, while Bayern Munich is keen to retain Michael Olise despite reported interest from Liverpool that could surpass £170 million according to Saturday's papers. Newcastle United continues to monitor Manchester City's James Trafford, and Real Madrid is among the clubs showing interest in Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who is widely expected to seek an exit from Palace this summer as transfer rumors circulate.

Golf & Other Sports

In golf, Gary Woodland maintained a narrow one-shot lead over Nicolai Hojgaard heading into the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open, sitting at 18 under par after a composed five-under, with both players aiming to secure Masters spots following strong opening rounds. Meanwhile, England’s Paul Waring unexpectedly claimed the early lead after the opening round of the same PGA Tour event, ripping up the expected form book during the Thursday action. In tennis, Aryna Sabalenka secured the Miami Open title by defeating Coco Gauff, achieving the coveted 'Sunshine Double' a feat achieved by an exclusive group of players.