Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 19, 2026, 2:46 AM ET

Mourinho's Dramatic Return to Real Madrid

José Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid for a third spell at the Bernabéu, agreeing a two-year contract with the Spanish giants according to sources. The Special One confirmed his agent Jorge Mendes is in talks with Real Madrid ahead of a decisive week after his Benfica side finished unbeaten but missed out on Champions League qualification in the Portuguese league. Meanwhile, Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club after 23 years at the end of the season following two spells, while Antoine Griezmann played his final home game for Atlético Madrid setting up the winner against Girona in an emotional farewell.

World Cup Squads Take Shape

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has included Neymar in his 26-man World Cup squad for this summer's tournament, despite the forward's furious outburst the previous day when he was wrongly substituted in Santos' league game. Croatia named veteran Luka Modric, 40, in their squad as he recovers from a fractured cheekbone, while Austria included former West Ham and Stoke striker Marko Arnautovic for their first World Cup in 28 years. Spain midfielder Fermín López is likely to miss the tournament after fracturing a metatarsal in Barcelona's win over Real Betis, joining a list of players whose World Cup hopes are in doubt ahead of this summer's tournament.

Premier League Title Race Intensifies

Arsenal moved to the brink of the Premier League title with a narrow victory over Burnley that leaves them one win away from glory, though they could celebrate sooner if Manchester City fail to win their next game. The Gunners went all-out attack fielding both Odegaard and Eze in a must-win encounter. Manchester City secured the FA Cup on Saturday but face a crucial league clash with Bournemouth, with Pep Guardiola telling his players they would not be allowed "even one beer" to celebrate as their attention turned immediately to the title race. The top eight in the Premier League will now qualify for Europe with sixth potentially securing Champions League football following City's FA Cup triumph.

West Ham on Brink of Relegation

West Ham's Premier League relegation fears deepened after a 3-1 loss at Newcastle that leaves Tottenham needing just one point from their final two matches to send the Hammers down. Roy Keane slammed the performance as lacking "intensity and desire" describing it as "schoolboy" football, while the club's potential drop could cost London taxpayers £2.5m due to their lease agreement for the London Stadium. Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi said rival fans wanting his team relegated acts as "big motivation" to stay up.

Chelsea Turn to Alonso

Chelsea moved quickly to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager following the FA Cup final loss, with the former Real Madrid boss bringing fresh hope after a turbulent campaign. The club's co-owners Stan and Josh Kroenke insisted "there will be no standing still when the season ends" with the club chasing a Premier League and Champions League double. Brentford are looking to sign one of the best young talents in the Bundesliga as the transfer talk intensifies, while Chelsea are also showing interest in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers according to Monday's papers.

Celtic Crowned Scottish Champions

Celtic clinched the Scottish Premiership title in dramatic fashion with celebrations in Glasgow leading to clashes between fans and police. Two police officers were "seriously injured" and 14 arrests were made during disorder in the Trongate area as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate a fifth successive title. The title party fanzones were not possible due to cost, according to the council, while Hearts head coach Derek McInnes believes his team can use their final-day pain as a springboard for next season.

European Race Heats Up

The race for European qualification remains chaotic with nine teams fighting for four spots. Brighton's European hopes took a huge hit after a late Dominic Calvert-Lewin winner for Leeds, while Fulham were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with already-relegated Wolves to all but end their European hopes. Sunderland staged a impressive second-half fightback to beat Everton 3-1 boosting their top-eight hopes, and Dango Ouattara rescued Brentford twice to keep their European dream alive against Crystal Palace.

PFA Charity Under Fire

The PFA charity was found to have shown "serious mismanagement" with conflicts of interest putting funds to help players at risk, according to a Charity Commission inquiry. Meanwhile, Southampton face a disciplinary hearing over allegations they watched a Middlesbrough training session, with their place in the play-off final potentially at stake.

South American Developments

Neymar was involved in a heated referee altercation after being mistakenly substituted in Santos' league game against Coritiba, just a day before his World Cup squad inclusion. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr side lost 1-0 to Japan's Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, extending the Portuguese star's wait for a first major trophy in Saudi Arabia.

Transfer Market Gossip

Jose Mourinho wants Marcus Rashford at Real Madrid according to Tuesday's gossip, while Everton and Aston Villa are interested in William Osula. Manchester United midfielder Casemiro played his last game at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest in a fond farewell, with Gary Neville saying replacing the Brazilian will be one of the club's biggest summer challenges. Rasmus Højlund's permanent switch to Napoli was confirmed describing his "weird" goodbye as emotional.

Women's Football

Manchester City won the Women's Super League title with ease according to season grades giving them an A, while Mary Earps is close to returning to the WSL with her exit from PSG edging closer. Former England goalkeeper Earps is set for a homecoming, while Mallory Swanson returned to the field for the first time in over 18 months after giving birth to her first child.

Diverse Developments Across Football

Leeds United promised "lengthy stadium bans" for fans responsible for homophobic chanting during their Premier League game against Brighton. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said finishing in a European place would be the "best way" to end his time at the club, with the USMNT's Tyler Adams saying he'll miss the manager after Iraola departs at season's end. Austin FC fired head coach Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell as the team sits near the bottom of MLS standings just one season after returning to the playoffs.