Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

Managerial Moves and Backroom Changes

Manchester City has formally announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager, signing a three-year deal after he agreed to pay compensation to former club Chelsea. Chelsea issued a statement criticizing Maresca's "unexpected exit" and claiming the Italian will personally pay compensation for the move. Meanwhile, Burnley's search for a new manager continues after Rob Edwards turned down their approach. At Arsenal, head of sports science performance Tom Allen is the latest member of the backroom staff to depart for a European team.

World Cup Knockout Stage Takes Shape

As the World Cup group stage concluded, the knockout rounds are set to begin. France, despite some uncertainty around Didier Deschamps' brief absence, remains a strong contender, with Ousmane Dembélé's explosive hat-trick against Norway highlighting their attacking prowess. The Netherlands, led by Virgil van Dijk, is also considered a key team to watch as they pursue World Cup dreams. In contrast, African football has enjoyed success, while Asia is left reflecting on its failures. South Korea faces a crisis after their exit, with the coach resigning amid criticism and a presidential call for an investigation into World Cup loss.

Player Transfers and Speculation

In the transfer market, Barcelona is reportedly exploring a deal to sign England captain Harry Kane, though Bayern Munich is also interested. Paris Saint-Germain appears to be closing in on Yan Diomande, with sources indicating he prefers a move to PSG over Liverpool, despite Liverpool's interest. Former Everton defender Ben Godfrey has joined Rangers on loan from Atalanta, with an option to make the deal permanent next summer. In a significant move for Australian football, Juan Mata has agreed to purchase a stake in A-League club Melbourne Victory after reaching an agreement.

International Fixtures and National Team News

The Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixture against Israel has been moved and will be played in Serbia, a significant relocation from Dublin. For England, the focus remains on improvement despite topping their group, as manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledges they need to improve to win the World Cup. Questions linger over Scotland's performance, with fans debating who should replace Steve Clarke as head coach after their group stage exit following the World Cup campaign.

Women's Football and Individual Accolades

Australian international Sam Kerr has joined NWSL side Gotham FC on a four-year deal following her departure from Chelsea in a notable move. In individual achievements, Haeran Ryu secured her first major title by winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship by two shots. Valentine Delon earned invites to major championships with her victory in the Women's Amateur Championship after an impressive performance.

Other Football News and Developments

The World Cup group stage has provided numerous storylines, with analysis ongoing into whether the new format truly worked despite a lack of jeopardy. The debate continues over the performance of teams like Belgium, who have finally kick-started their campaign, and the United States men's national team, with a panel assessing their potential to be a surprise package in the tournament. On a more somber note, Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered knee ligament damage during Uruguay's World Cup defeat.

Golf and Tennis

In golf, Viktor Hovland defeated Scottie Scheffler in a Monday play-off at the Travelers Championship after Scheffler botched a short putt. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship saw Haeran Ryu take a one-shot lead into the final round after solid play. In tennis, British star Jack Draper has been ruled out of Wimbledon due to a recurrence of an arm injury prompting concern. Naomi Osaka's Wimbledon preparations also faced a setback when she retired from the Bad Homburg final with a foot issue leading to Wimbledon concern.

Boxing and Other Sports

In boxing, Jose Valenzuela secured a second-round knockout victory over Edwin De Los Santos in their rematch, with Valenzuela now targeting Stevenson. Frank Sanchez anticipates a fight against Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF heavyweight title as he prepares for a title bout. In darts, Luke Humphries retained the US Darts Masters title after a thrilling final against Luke Littler in a deciding leg.