Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: July 25, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

World Cup Reflections and FIFA's Changes

The recent World Cup, despite its conclusion, continues to spark discussion. FIFA's alterations to the tournament format have drawn mixed reviews, with some innovations earning praise and others falling flat. From a South American perspective, while the continent may not have dominated the 2026 tournament, several players enhanced their reputations and are positioned for potential moves in the upcoming transfer window. In a notable post-tournament development, Argentina's veteran center-back Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international duty at the age of 38. The International Olympic Committee has opted not to investigate allegations that FIFA president Gianni Infantino breached Olympic rules on political neutrality in his dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Club Transfers and Squad Movements

The transfer market remains a hotbed of activity. Atlético Madrid is reportedly considering including Viktor Gyökeres in any deal with Arsenal for striker Julián Álvarez. Manchester United is said to be pursuing Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, while Arsenal is eyeing a player-plus-cash deal for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. Celtic has agreed to a club-record transfer fee of £11 million plus add-ons for striker Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt, with Daizen Maeda completing a £10 million move to Ipswich Town. Inter Milan has expressed interest in signing Tottenham captain Cristian Romero. Crystal Palace is reportedly interested in signing 19-year-old Brest center-back Raphael Le Guen. Barcelona has secured the signing of German forward Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid has reportedly had an £85.4 million bid rejected by RB Leipzig for striker Yan Diomande. Newcastle has completed the signing of midfielder Aladji Bamba from Monaco. Leeds United is in discussions with Manchester City regarding a deal for goalkeeper James Trafford.

Midfield Maneuvers and Defensive Reinforcements

Midfield reinforcements are a key focus for several clubs. Manchester United is strongly considering Roma's Manu Kone and Brighton's Carlos Baleba for their third midfield signing. Real Madrid is reportedly confident of signing Rodri from Manchester City. However, Rodri is set to undergo minor back surgery and may miss the start of the Premier League season. Chelsea is looking to strengthen their defense by signing Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. Chelsea has agreed a deal with Crystal Palace to sign Maxence Lacroix. Arsenal is reportedly interested in signing center-backs John Stones and Ezri Konsa following an injury to William Saliba.

Managerial Changes and Team News

Several clubs are undergoing managerial shifts and dealing with player availability concerns. Jürgen Klopp has concluded his nine-year tenure as Liverpool manager, citing exhaustion. Mark van Bommel has taken over as the head coach of Belgium's national team following their World Cup quarterfinal run. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong faces a potential multi-month layoff due to a knee ligament injury. USWNT and Gotham FC defender Emily Sonnett was stretchered off the field during Gotham's 2-2 draw with the Portland Thorns due to a non-contact injury.

League Updates and Player Performances

In Liga MX, Francisco Iturbide has been announced as the new president of the Mexican top-flight, replacing Mikel Arriola, who will now serve as commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation. The Mexican women's top-flight, Liga MX Femenil, has rebranded to Liga Femenil BBVA and introduced a new regular season format. The USL Super League and the USL Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on key terms for their first collective bargaining agreement. In MLS action, Luis Suárez scored twice as Inter Miami CF defeated Chicago Fire 3-2, spoiling Robert Lewandowski's debut for Chicago. Major League Soccer is investigating Inter Miami over a tampering allegation related to the signing of Brazilian defender Casemiro. Denver Summit FC's new stadium will not be ready for the start of the 2028 NWSL season as originally planned.

International and Women's Football News

Senegal's appeal against the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title is scheduled to be heard on October 8. The Norwegian Football Federation president intends to ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint regarding Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban suspension. England's men's amputee football team could miss the 2026 World Cup due to a lack of funding, a situation described as "criminal" by former head coach Scott Rogers. Nigeria's Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene stated that social media users make players "feel bad" about getting married and having children, emphasizing that "motherhood should not be the end of anyone's story". Seven players to watch at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations have been highlighted, with the tournament set to be the largest ever. The USWNT faces questions about their potential participation in the 2027 Women's World Cup, one year out from the event.

Boxing and Other Sports

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua's highly anticipated heavyweight bout is increasingly likely to take place in America rather than the UK. Eddie Hearn has urged Anthony Joshua to swiftly defeat Kristian Prenga to maintain plans for a fight against Tyson Fury. Anthony Joshua weighed in at 251lbs for his fight against Kristian Prenga. 6lbs heavier than his previous bout. Tyson Fury remains skeptical about Anthony Joshua's willingness to fight him, questioning his "guts". Promoter Eddie Hearn has countered Tyson Fury's claims about a potential fight withdrawal, stating that Anthony Joshua has never backed out of a bout. Tyson Fury secured a seventh-round TKO victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand.

Formula 1 and Motorsports

Fernando Alonso reported that his Aston Martin performed "much better" after the team introduced a significant upgrade package during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix. George Russell acknowledged that Mercedes' concerns about Ferrari's pace were realized during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was dominated by their rivals. George Russell expressed optimism that Mercedes has identified and resolved engine issues affecting his car ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Formula 1 bosses are reportedly in discussions with Malaysian Grand Prix organizers about a potential return to the calendar in 2026 as a replacement race.

Golf and Other Individual Sports

Michael Kim achieved a rare sub-60 score on the PGA Tour, shooting a 12-under-par 59 at the 3M Open to climb the leaderboard. Scottie Scheffler rebounded from putting struggles at the Open with a strong start at the 3M Open, carding a six-under-par 65. Jenny Shin held a five-shot lead at the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open on Friday, with Lottie Woad, Charley Hull, and Nelly Korda facing challenging windy conditions.

Rugby League and Other Team Sports

Paul Rowley has stepped down as head coach of St Helens with immediate effect. Bevan French was the standout performer in his return as Wigan Warriors defeated St Helens 38-16 in Super League. Jon Wilkin of Sky Sports Rugby League stated that Paul Rowley's departure from St Helens was not surprising, attributing it to fan dissatisfaction.

Other Noteworthy News

The English Football Association has stated that a fight between two players at an England Under-16 camp was due to an "internal