Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: June 10, 2026, 2:52 AM ET

USWNT Claims Scrappy Win Over Brazil

The United States women's national team edged Brazil 1-0 in a contentious friendly that saw eight red cards issued, with Sophia Wilson forcing an own goal in the second half. Coach Emma Hayes praised her young squad for standing up to adversity despite the chaotic finish that left Brazil playing the final minutes with nine players. The match featured excessive fouling that overshadowed the quality football, as both teams combined for 27 fouls and three separate incidents that required disciplinary review.

Referee Controversy Clouds World Cup Buildup

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States for World Cup duties after an 11-hour immigration interview, despite holding proper documentation and visas. A United States official confirmed the refusal stemmed from "association with suspected terror ties," though Artan maintains he had "the right papers." The incident raises questions about FIFA control as the organization struggles to manage staffing amid heightened security protocols, with critics suggesting the governing body has lost oversight of its own tournament operations.

England Women's World Cup Hopes Dashed

Despite a 3-0 victory over Ukraine, England's women settled for a play-off spot after failing to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. Captain Leah Williamson scored twice in the win, but results elsewhere meant the Lionesses could not climb from their third-place position in Group C. Manager Sarina Wiegman called for improvement following a recent 4-0 defeat to Spain, suggesting such setbacks are necessary for growth ahead of the play-off campaign.

Messi Makes Scoring Return Ahead of World Cup

Lionel Messi netted a penalty in his first competitive action since recovering from muscle fatigue, coming on in the 70th minute before converting six minutes later in front of 88,000 spectators in Alabama. The Argentine legend continued his comeback as La Albiceleste prepare for their World Cup opener, with Nico Paz also completing training after recovering from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Neymar made good progress in his calf injury recovery, boosting Brazil's attacking options.

Real Madrid's €150M Bid Rejected by Atlético

Atlético Madrid turned down Real Madrid's €150 million bid for Julián Álvarez, with the club's social media team mocking their rivals by saying "You make us laugh even more than Barcelona." The rejection sets up a transfer battle with Barcelona also interested in the Argentine forward, as Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez pursues marquee signings to restore the club's dominance after two trophy-less seasons. Manchester United entered negotiations for Manchester City's Savinho while exploring a deal for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.

Women's Super League Crisis Deepens

Wolverhampton Wanderers completed the signing of former England full-back Kieran Trippier and re-signed Raúl Jiménez on a free transfer, while Women's Super League 2 side Durham warned of potential closure unless a buyer emerges within three weeks. The Championship club announced Jiménez's return on a two-year contract with a one-year option after his release from Fulham, providing experience up front for their promotion push.

Spain Stars Ruled Out of Final Warmup

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will miss Spain's final World Cup warmup against Peru to recover from injuries, dealing a blow to Luis de la Fuente's preparations. The teenage sensations were rested as Spain aim to peak for their tournament opener, while Portugal's Rafael Leão defended his red-card punch on teammate Ivan Román during a friendly, insisting he "never intended to hurt" the Chile defender.

Tuchel Plays Down England Expectations

Thomas Tuchel dismissed England as favourites for World Cup glory, admitting they are "not favour