Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 15, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

World Cup 2026: Squads and Finales

Romelu Lukaku has been named in Belgium's 26-man World Cup squad despite playing only an hour of competitive football this season after his injury struggles Belgium select Lukaku. Coach Roberto Martínez clearly felt Lukaku's recovery warranted a place, even though the Napoli striker has barely featured for his club this campaign Lukaku in Belgium WC squad. The inclusion caps a remarkable turnaround for a player who looked set to miss the tournament entirely. Meanwhile, several other headline selections have raised eyebrows, with former Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha omitted from Ivory Coast's squad despite his reputation Zaha omitted from Ivory Coast squad, while Japan left Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma out after he sustained a hamstring injury that has also put him in doubt for Brighton's remaining matches Mitoma left out of Japan squad. France's squad saw Youssouf Fofana drop out with Christopher Nkunku in, and goalkeeper Robin Risser rewarded with a call-up following his impressive recent form France WCup squad assembled. Across the tournament, Shakira and Burna Boy have been confirmed as the official song artists for "Dai Dai" Shakira, Burna Boy combine for WC song, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was named as an official tournament sponsor Saudi PIF signs WC sponsorship. The Trump administration also waived a $15,000 visa bond requirement for fans from certain countries holding World Cup tickets, though African supporters still face significant travel hurdles Trump admin waves visa bonds.

FA Cup Final and Cup Drama

Manchester City and Chelsea are set for Saturday's FA Cup showpiece at Wembley, with Pep Guardiola's side holding the favourite tag after a season in which they've produced a squad that could see Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki all on the bench for the final Haaland, Doku start on bench. Marc Guéhi, meanwhile, has described his own FA Cup journey as "crazy" after a rollercoaster 12 months that has seen Leeds reach the semi-final Guéhi: 'Crazy' FA Cup journey. Enzo Fernández was pivotal in Chelsea's semi-final win over Leeds, delivering the kind of big-game performance that has defined his season Fernandez key to Chelsea FA Cup hopes. Guardiola will be a huge loss to English football if he departs at season's end, a point underscored by managers across the game Pulisic on Guardiola's departure. The FA has also arranged for artist Ben Mosley to paint personalised portraits of the England squad at their World Cup base, adding a cultural touch to the preparations FA wants artist for England WC base. In other cup news, three more VAR errors were confirmed by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel, taking the season total to, a figure that has fuelled ongoing debate about the technology's reliability Three more VAR errors confirmed.

Manchester United: Carrick, De Ligt and the Transfer Market

Manchester United are in advanced talks with Michael Carrick about extending his contract as permanent head coach, with sources indicating a two-year deal is on the table Man Utd offer Carrick two-year deal. Carrick, who has only been in charge for 15 league matches, is also on the shortlist for the Premier League Manager of the Season award Carrick on manager shortlist, while he himself says his future will be decided "pretty soon" amid the ongoing negotiations Carrick future to be decided. The club has also rolled out their 2026-27 home kit ahead of next season and their return to the Champions League Man Utd unveil new home kit. On the player front, centre-back Matthijs de Ligt will miss the 2026 World Cup after finally accepting that surgery is necessary for his long-standing back issue De Ligt to miss World Cup, while midfielder Kobbie Mainoo admitted he considered leaving United after Ruben Amorim froze him out but ultimately prioritised staying at Old Trafford Mainoo on Amorim experience. Bruno Fernandes remains open about his feelings on Declan Rice's move to Arsenal, telling ESPN he was "really sad" when Rice chose not to join Manchester United Fernandes: Rice should have signed for Man Utd. Arsenal are now set to join PSG, Atlético Madrid and United in pursuing West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, while Manchester United are monitoring several other targets including Ander Barrenetxea and Lamine Camara Arsenal join Man Utd in Fernandes race.

Scottish Premiership Title Decider

Hearts will host Celtic at Celtic Park on Saturday in a final-day showdown for the Scottish Premiership title, with Hearts needing a result to claim their first league crown since 1960 and the first for a club outside Glasgow in over four decades Hearts ready to 'rip up script'. Celtic secured their place in the decider after Kelechi Iheanacho scored a controversial 100th-minute penalty in a 3-2 win at Motherwell, a decision that has drawn SFA backing despite Falkirk rejecting an offer from the English Championship Celtic take title race to final day. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill believes "everybody wants Hearts to win" O'Neill on Hearts title hopes, though Derek McInnes remains confident his side can "rip up the script" and prevail in what he called a "pure box office" finale McInnes confident Hearts can win. The pressure on officials has been immense, with referee John Beaton and his family placed under police protection after his personal details were leaked online following a contentious penalty decision Beaton under police surveillance. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have demanded Southampton's expulsion from the Championship play-off final over spying allegations, a claim that has thrown the fixture's scheduling into doubt as the EFL investigates Boro call for Saints expulsion.

Transfer Departures and Club Futures

Seamus Coleman is set to end his 17-year Everton career this summer when his contract expires, marking the departure of a player who arrived from Sunderland for just £60,000 and became a club legend Coleman to end Everton career. Sam Kerr will also leave Chelsea at the end of the season, bringing to an end the Australian striker's stint that was once the biggest transfer in Women's Super League history Kerr to leave Chelsea. Katie McCabe is confirming her departure from Arsenal when her contract expires, while Gemma Bonner and Gemma Evans are leaving Liverpool McCabe to leave Arsenal. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon could be playing his final match for the club after Eddie Howe admitted a summer move to Bayern Munich is a real possibility Howe hints at Gordon exit, and Gordon's reported agreement with Bayern was confirmed by Friday's gossip roundup Gordon agrees to Bayern move. Daniel Farke told Leeds he is "not the right choice" to remain unless the club matches his ambition, following a season in which he kept them in the Premier League after their relegation scare Farke tells Leeds he's not right choice. Farke also deserves significant credit for the transformation that kept Leeds competitive Farke deserves more credit.

Women's Football and Emerging Talent

Sam Coffey underwent minor knee surgery earlier this week and will begin rehabilitation, ruling her out of immediate contention with Manchester City Coffey starts rehab after surgery. Khadija Shaw leads the eight-strong shortlist for the Women's Super League Player of the Season award Shaw leads WSL shortlist, while Stina Blackstenius scored a controversial stoppage-time winner for Arsenal in a 1-0 victory over Everton Blackstenius scores late winner. Tottenham are pursuing Aston Villa forward Kirsty Hanson for the summer window Tottenham pursuing Hanson, and the San Diego Wave have been installed as ESPN's new No. 1 in the NWSL Power Rankings despite Washington Spirit's strong recent form San Diego takes top NWSL spot. Emma Raducanu's decision to reappoint Andrew Richardson has been backed by Tim Henman, who believes the coaching change comes at the perfect time ahead of a huge summer Henman backs Raducanu's coaching change.

Financial and Administrative Developments

Sir David Beckham has become Britain's first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, though co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe saw his wealth decrease Beckham is first UK billionaire sportsman. Championship clubs have voted in favour of adopting new Squad Cost Rules from next season, a framework designed to improve financial sustainability across the division Championship clubs back new squad rules. Middlesbrough's Spygate demand and Southampton's response have thrown the play-off final into