Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:45 AM ET

Premier League Title Decided

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years on Tuesday night after Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth, settling a topsy-turvy title race that had gripped the sport for months secured first PL title in 22 years. A 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium sealed the outcome, handing the trophy to Mikel Arteta's side and ending City's bid for an unprecedented fourth straight title City's title hopes over. The 2025-26 campaign has been hailed as the most dramatic season in Premier League history, and few would dispute that claim given the staggering swing of fortune across the final matchweek most dramatic PL season ever. Wayne Rooney called Pep Guardiola the Sir Alex Ferguson of his generation, but the Spaniard's era at the Etihad appears to be drawing to a close after he confirmed he will hold talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak before deciding whether to step down this summer Guardiola set for exit talks. The bombshell arrived within 24 hours of City conceding the title, creating what BBC Sport described as a period of "pain" for the club 24 hours of pain for City. Arteta, meanwhile, transformed Arsenal from perennial "nearly men" into league winners through a season that BBC Sport traces through ten decisive moments, culminating in a celebration at the Emirates that both players and fans savoured for every second Arteta's transformation complete.

Spurs Relegation Fight Goes to Final Day

While Arsenal celebrated, Tottenham's season descended into crisis. Roberto de Zerbi declared that Sunday's final match against Everton was "a bigger match for the club than last season's Europa League final" as Spurs fought to preserve their top-flight status Spurs' dignity on line. A 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge handed 18th-place West Ham a lifeline while leaving Tottenham needing points from their last game to avoid the drop beat Spurs to keep West Ham alive. The London derby result compounded a relegation battle that had raged all season, with Sky Sports reporting that the outcome of the title, relegation, and even Liverpool's Champions League place could hinge on that final matchday final day decisions. BBC Sport's chief football writer described a controversial split-second call as potentially denying Spurs safety, while de Zerbi insisted that rival fans willing the club down served as "big motivation" to stay up controversial call leaves Spurs fighting. As Arsenal lifted the trophy 22 years in the making, Spurs remained in real danger of dropping to the Championship Arsenal celebrate, Spurs in trouble.

Southampton's Spygate Scandal

Southampton's season ended in ignominy after the club was expelled from the Championship playoff final days before kick-off for spying on multiple opponents during the 2025-26 season expelled for spying on opponents. The EFL ruled the Saints guilty of systematic espionage, booting them out of the competition and denying the club a chance at promotion to the Premier League Southampton expelled from play-offs. BBC Sport confirmed the club admitted to spying on three clubs, while Sky Sports reported the expulsion from the playoffs over the "spygate" scandal admitted spying on three clubs. The fallout left Southampton preparing for a Championship playoff final that would never take place, and ESPN's explainer detailed the league's ruling and the questions it raises about sporting integrity spygate explainer.

Aston Villa Targets Europa League Glory

Aston Villa aim to end a 30-year trophy drought when they face Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday Villa aim to end 30-year drought. Manager Unai Emery brushed off talk of being the "king" of the competition even as he bids to win it for a fifth time, insisting his focus is purely on the task ahead Emery denies king talk. Villa's journey to the final has been remarkable given they finished eight places higher than expected, making them the most overperforming team in the Premier League this season overperforming return to Europe. Sky Sports framed the final as a chance for Emery to add another chapter to his European pedigree, describing him as a "master" who knows exactly what is required on this stage Europa League master Emery.

World Cup Squads and Selections

Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar as the centerpiece of Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad, marking the forward's return to the national team ahead of the tournament in North America Neymar returns to Brazil squad. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was selected for a record sixth World Cup after being named in Portugal's squad, extending his own participation record at the highest level Ronaldo record sixth WC squad. Scotland's Steve Clarke named a 26-man squad that includes 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon, teenage winger Findlay Curtis, and Ross Stewart, with BBC Sport charting Stewart's remarkable rise from Scottish juniors to World Cup contender Scotland's 26-man squadStewart's rise to World Cup. Clarke believes Gordon "deserves" his place despite missing most of Hearts' season, while Curtis will be Scotland's youngest player at the tournament Gordon deserves WC place. ESPN's USMNT Player Performance Index ranked the 50 best Americans by club form, producing a new No. 1 ahead of World Cup selection top 50 USMNT players ranked. England's women's setup also moved forward, with Ella Toone and Aggie Beever-Jones returning to the squad for the final Women's World Cup qualifiers in June Toone and Beever-Jones return.

Off the Pitch

A Czech women's coach was handed a lifetime ban by UEFA for secretly filming players in the locker room and showers, a ruling that sent shockwaves through European football women's coach given lifetime ban. Ryan Garcia announced a September 12 blockbuster welterweight fight against Conor Benn in Las Vegas for the first defense of his WBC title Garcia announces Benn fight. Jose Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid, with sources confirming a two-year contract agreement that would see him replace the departing coach next season Mourinho to return as Real Madrid boss. West Ham's relegation fears deepened after a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle left the club on the brink of the drop, less than three years after lifting a European trophy in Prague West Ham relegation fears deepen.