Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Premier League Title Race & VAR Controversy

Arsenal moved closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years following a dramatic late victory over West Ham United, a result Mikel Arteta praised officials for by recognizing their 'bravery'. However, the controversy surrounding the disallowed West Ham equalizer continues, with West Ham reportedly planning to officially lodge a complaint with PGMOL after refereeing chief Howard Webb confirmed the decision was correct due to a "clear and obvious offence" against David Raya, a stance that has prompted debate over whether English football has a systemic problem with holding in the penalty area. Separately, Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds, leaving them precariously placed just two points above the relegation zone with two matches remaining, while West Ham and Spurs remain locked in a tense battle for survival.

Manchester United Management & Transfers

Manchester United are preparing to open formal discussions with Michael Carrick regarding his permanent appointment as head coach beyond the current season, though some analysts suggest the club should reconsider, focusing on aspects they are currently overlooking. The positive impact of Carrick's presence is already being felt, as Darren Fletcher noted that his involvement is highly inspiring for the youth setup, particularly for talents like JJ Gabriel, who is central to United's FA Youth Cup success. In transfer news, the club is reportedly monitoring Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, while also showing interest in Ederson and Mateus Fernandes as speculation mounts.

LaLiga & European Qualification

Barcelona secured the LaLiga title after defeating rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico, a victory later attributed in part to a Marcus Rashford free-kick that opened the scoring, although Hansi Flick has expressed thanks for both Rashford and Robert Lewandowski's contributions. Meanwhile, Real Madrid faces continued internal turmoil following a trophyless season, leading President Florentino Pérez to angrily call for club elections after clashing with journalists. Elsewhere in Spain, Real Betis clinched a long-awaited return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence by securing fifth place in the league table.

Championship Play-Off Drama & Spygate

The Championship play-offs saw Southampton edge Middlesbrough 2-1 in extra time to reach the final, a match overshadowed by the ongoing "Spygate" scandal, which Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg slammed as "disgraceful". The severity of the allegations against Southampton is substantial, as the club could potentially face expulsion from the play-offs entirely if found guilty by an independent commission. In the other semi-final, Hull City advanced after Mohamed Belloumi's late goal, while Millwall's season ended in defeat, though former striker Steve Morison noted significant progress made by the club.

World Cup Squad Finalizations & Player Fitness

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, several nations are finalizing their rosters, with Scotland coach Steve Clarke awaiting fitness news on Tommy Conway before Tuesday's squad deadline. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar improved significantly in recent weeks but has yet to decide on his inclusion in the final squad, which reportedly left injured Chelsea forward Estêvão off the preliminary 55-man list. Sweden's Graham Potter named Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres in his 26-man selection, while England faces injury concerns, particularly with Ben White, who is a major doubt after sustaining a medial ligament injury. Veteran Qatar forward Sebastián Soria, aged, has a chance to break the World Cup age record, while Dick Advocaat made a surprise return to coach Curacao ahead of their debut.

World Cup Logistics & Fan Experience

Organizers have been forced to slash shuttle bus and train prices for matches scheduled at the New Jersey World Cup venue following significant fan backlash over the initial high costs, demonstrating a direct response to supporter outcry regarding event logistics. Meanwhile, with 30 days remaining until the tournament begins, reporters have ranked the top 15 contenders in the latest World Cup Power Rankings, and Mexico unveiled a rare third alternate kit, one of several teams benefiting from a new FIFA rule allowing three kits.

Managerial Merry-Go-Round & Club News

Chelsea has begun contacting prospective managerial candidates, with Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso prominent names on the shortlist, while Michael O'Neill has declined the permanent Blackburn Rovers job to remain as Northern Ireland manager. In Scotland, the Premiership title race remains razor-thin, with Hearts and Celtic separated by only one point heading into the final two fixtures, and Barnsley reappointed Daniel Stendel as head coach following the departure of Conor Hourihane. In Serie B, Cesc Fabregas's Como team clinched a European spot thanks to a 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona.

MLS & Player Earnings

Lionel Messi continues to command the highest salary in Major League Soccer for the third consecutive year, earning an annual base pay of $25M, which is more than double the league's next highest earner, after he helped Inter Miami secure a four-goal victory over Toronto. In a notable crossover story, "Ted Lasso" actor Cristo Fernández has officially signed with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive following a two-month trial period.

Off-Field & Historical Notes

Referees' chief Howard Webb addressed another contentious moment, confirming that while Benjamin Sesko may have handled the ball in a Manchester United vs. Liverpool match, VAR could not disallow the goal due to insufficient evidence. Historic ground Hampden Park, recognized for its significant place in football history, has been officially designated a scheduled monument. Furthermore, the oral history concerning Lionel Messi revealed details about the intense competition between Argentina and Spain to secure the young Barcelona star's international allegiance.