Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

World Cup Semifinals Set with Familiar Powerhouses

The top four ranked teams in FIFA's standings—Argentina, Spain, France, and England—have all advanced to the World Cup semifinals, marking the first time this has occurred since FIFA rankings were established. England secured their spot after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice. Despite the win, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, though Bellingham defended his teammates. Norway's World Cup journey ended with a controversial quarterfinal loss to England, with Alf-Inge Haaland claiming his son's team was "robbed". Meanwhile, Spain advanced to the semifinals thanks to a late goal from Mikel Merino against Belgium, despite the presence of highly-touted youngster Lamine Yamal. France, led by Kylian Mbappé, dispatched Morocco to reach the final four. Argentina will face England in a highly anticipated semifinal clash, rekindling a historic World Cup rivalry.

Transfer Market Buzz and Player Movements

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, as transfer rumors continue to heat up. Chelsea are also exploring options for attacking reinforcements, with Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe on their radar Chelsea are looking at Bologna winger. In women's football, Ona Batlle will join Arsenal after her contract with Barcelona expires, and Manchester City have completed the signing of winger Jeremy Monga from Leicester City. Liverpool's record signing, Denise O'Sullivan, is expected to depart the club just six months after joining, with a loan deal to Gotham FC being finalized.

Individual Brilliance and Emerging Talent

Krzysztof Ratajski claimed the European Darts Open title, defeating Jermaine Wattimena 8-6 in a close final. In golf, Tom Kim ended a 1,001-day wait for a PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, while Robert Mac Intyre fell short of a home win. Rory McIlroy acknowledged areas for improvement ahead of The Open despite a strong finish to the Scottish Open. On the tennis court, Haeran Ryu secured her second consecutive major title at the Amundi Evian Championship after a playoff victory over Brooke Henderson.

Club and League Updates

In rugby league, Toulouse delivered an eight-try thrashing to St Helens, winning 46-0. Leeds Rhinos maintained their lead at the top of the table with a 28-6 victory over Catalans Dragons, powered by a Brodie Croft hat-trick. Leigh Leopards kept their play-off hopes alive with a narrow 24-18 win against Castleford Tigers.

Player Milestones and Controversies

The World Cup has seen several players make significant impacts. Jude Bellingham's performances have drawn immense praise, with Gary Neville stating he has "never seen anything like it". Erling Haaland's World Cup journey with Norway concluded in the quarterfinals against England. The tournament also saw the passing of Argentine football legend Antonio Rattín at the age of, a player whose sending-off in the 1966 World Cup led to the introduction of yellow and red cards. FIFA and FIFPRO are reportedly in discussions regarding protocols for excessive heat during matches.

Coaching Carousel and Future Prospects

Jurgen Klopp has agreed in principle to become the new head coach of Germany's men's national team. Burnley has appointed Nicky Hayen as their new head coach on a three-year deal. The England Test head coach position is also vacant following Brendon McCullum's departure, with Nasser Hussain backing Andy Flower as a potential replacement.

Miscellaneous Sporting News

In a surprising football development, a new species of sea slug has been named after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. Plans for a 64-team men's World Cup are set to be assessed after the 2026 tournament, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino emphasizing inclusivity. A study has indicated that footballers are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, with evidence of reduced brain volume in former elite players.