Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

International Friendlies & World Cup Preparations

As the World Cup build-up intensifies, Scotland faces scrutiny following a flat 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden Park, prompting manager Steve Clarke to express his surprise and disappointment after some home fans reacted with boos Clarke disappointed as Scotland fans boo team after Japan defeat. The Japanese performance set a high standard that the Tartan Army must strive for Japan showed standard Scotland must strive for, though captain John McGinn stressed he would "happily lose friendlies for the next 10 years" if it guaranteed qualification for every major tournament McGinn would 'happily lose friendlies' to qualify for every tournament. Meanwhile, the USMNT suffered a heavy defeat to Belgium, with Tim Weah delivering a poor showing Weah poor as USMNT suffer heavy Belgium defeat, although manager Mauricio Pochettino is considering tactical shifts to re-energize Christian Pulisic considering tactic shift to get Pulisic on track, and Matt Turner earned a start in goal, potentially challenging Matt Freese for the World Cup starting role Turner gets chance in goal for USMNT vs. Belgium. Elsewhere, France showcased attacking flair as Désiré Doué netted his first senior goals in a stylish 3-1 friendly victory over Colombia Doué double sees France down Colombia in style, while Argentina confirmed that talisman Lionel Messi would start their friendly against Zambia Argentina to start Messi for Zambia friendly.

The international break is also proving challenging for several nations attempting to finalize their World Cup spots. Ghana made a dramatic coaching change, dismissing Otto Addo just 72 days before their World Cup opener against Panama following four consecutive friendly losses Ghana fire coach Addo 72 days before WC opener. Additionally, the Republic of Ireland's World Cup aspirations ended with a penalty shootout loss to the Czech Republic, though defender Dara O'Shea stated the squad has now found "closure" O'Shea ready to park Czech loss, and for Italy, veterans recognize the 2026 tournament represents their "last chance" to feature prominently, given that the entire generation under 15 has no memory of their last appearance in 2014 Italy veterans aware 2026 WC is their 'last chance'.

Managerial & Transfer Market Rumors

The managerial merry-go-round is spinning, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly in active discussions to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next head coach, a move the former Brighton boss is open to undertaking immediately De Zerbi open to joining Tottenham to become new boss immediately. This speculation comes as former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino refuted claims he has held talks with either Real Madrid or his former club, insisting his focus remains on the USMNT’s immediate fixtures Pochettino: No talks with Madrid, Spurs. In other transfer gossip, Real Madrid has placed Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández on their shortlist should their pursuit of Rodri fail Real Madrid eye Fernandez if Rodri pursuit fails, while Juventus is reportedly eyeing Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte Juventus are eyeing Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte.

The financial health and stability of Newcastle United are under review after the club announced record revenues reaching £335.3m for the year ending June 2025 Newcastle announce record revenues. Despite this financial success, CEO David Hopkinson stated that discussions regarding head coach Eddie Howe's future would occur "when the time is right," though he added the club is "not looking to make a change at the moment" Howe's future will be discussed "when the time is right"; meanwhile, Newcastle remains interested in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford Newcastle still keen on Trafford - Sunday's gossip. In Scottish club news, former Celtic captain Scott Brown has stepped down as Ayr United manager by mutual consent Celtic legend Brown leaves Ayr by mutual consent, and Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo is rumored to be nearing a move to Norwegian side Brann Rangers to release Matondo to join Brann - gossip.

Women's Football & League Action

The Women's Super League title race tightened after Chelsea edged a seven-goal thriller against Aston Villa, winning 4-3 thanks to a late Sjoeke Nusken goal, which propelled them back into second place Chelsea edge seven-goal thriller against Villa to reclaim second place, though manager Sonia Bompastor lamented the defensive showing despite the victory Chelsea not 'good enough' in Villa win. In the North London Derby, Alessia Russo secured a quickfire first-half hat-trick to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2, keeping Arsenal’s title hopes alive Russo hat-trick sees off Spurs as Arsenal stay in WSL title race, while league leaders Manchester City established an 11-point lead over second-place Manchester United after thrashing them 3-0 Man City show why they are worthy WSL title winners. In the US, the Portland Thorns maintained their position atop ESPN's NWSL Power Rankings, contrasting sharply with the continued struggles of the Washington Spirit Portland Thorns sit proudly atop ESPN's NWSL Power Rankings.

NWSL action also saw a landmark moment as the Denver Summit’s inaugural home game drew a record crowd of 63,004, setting a new benchmark for future attendance figures in US soccer record NWSL crowd sets new standard for what's possible. In other league news, the Canadian Premier League is planning an innovative trial of Arsene Wenger's proposed 'daylight' offside rule starting in 2026 innovative Canadian league is trialling daylight offside rule.

Other Sports Briefings

In Formula, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff denied actively blocking Christian Horner's return to the paddock, but suggested his rival could face "repercussions" for having broken "quite a lot of glass" in recent disputes Wolff says 'broken glass' could prevent F1 return for Horner. This follows Max Verstappen's recent comments suggesting he is seriously considering quitting F1 after the Japanese Grand Prix realistic prospect of Verstappen quitting F1?, though Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies expressed confidence that the team will deliver a faster car for the remainder of the season Mekies 'confident' Red Bull can give Verstappen faster car. Meanwhile, the FIA confirmed it will assess F1 regulations in April following Oliver Bearman’s heavy crash during the Japanese Grand Prix, though the young driver reported he was "absolutely fine" FIA to assess F1 regulations after Bearman crash.

In boxing, Ellie Scotney is on the cusp of becoming Britain’s youngest ever undisputed world champion of the four-belt era; promoter Jake Paul has offered to buy her a car if she secures the victory If you win, I'll buy you a car!, while Claressa Shields expressed belief that Caroline Dubois can emulate her success by becoming a multi-weight world champion Dubois can put people's lights out!. In golf, Alex Fitzpatrick achieved a historic feat by winning the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour just one week after his brother Matt triumphed at the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship Alex Fitzpatrick wins week after brother and 'idol' Matt, and Tiger Woods faces "much bigger challenges" than competing at The Masters following his recent car crash Woods facing much bigger challenges than The Masters.