Last updated: July 31, 2026, 8:30 PM ET
FIFA World Cup Investment Plans Face Backlash
FIFA president Infantino has scrapped his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup after widespread backlash, including from within global soccer's governing body and a threatened boycott. football world governing body has abandoned plans to sell off stakes in its major competitions following widespread opposition to president Gianni Infantino's idea. Two senior officials criticized Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan on Friday, with one resigning as a presidential adviser and a second stating staff were deceived by a project that must not go forward. FIFA is preparing to sell off part of its commercial operations, a move that has spread shock and outrage across the sporting world. Prime Minister Burnham has described Gianni Infantino as "the wrong man" to lead FIFA, increasing the pressure on world football's president after a key advisor resigned over his controversial plan. UEFA will FIFA tournaments if Gianni Infantino goes ahead with his proposal to sell off a stake in the World Cup. FIFA plans to continue the consultation process after UEFA threatens to boycott World Cups. It has been a seismic 48 hours for football after UEFA threatened to boycott the World Cup and CONCACAF rejected Gianni Infantino's funding plan, raising questions about what happens next and if FIFA's president can survive. Gianni Infantino met his Icarus moment. Former England Anita Asante believes that FIFA's plans will make women's football "the first casualties." The 2027 Women's World Cup could be the first major tournament affected by FIFA doubling down on its controversial World Cup plans and countries threatening to boycott. The body running African football has yet to take a side on FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors, which has been heavily criticized. FIFA could the first lot of private World Cup cash by the end of October, as European football's governing body UEFA will hold a meeting of all 55 member associations on Thursday afternoon to discuss its position.
Managerial Movements and Player Transfers
Newcastle United confirmed that Eddie Howe has stepped down from his role as head coach. Eddie Howe down as head coach of Newcastle United after nearly five years in charge. Newcastle set to announce Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach on Saturday after Eddie Howe's exit was confirmed. John Bennett reaction to Eddie Howe's departure from Newcastle United. Howe's decision to leave is a sign of the troubles Newcastle United are facing as they aimed to become one of the world's top clubs under their Saudi owners. McInnes insists Rangers will improve after his team's Scottish Premiership draw at Dundee United. Rangers got the Derek McInnes era off to a stuttering start as they were forced to come from behind to earn a draw at Dundee United in the opening game of the Scottish Premiership season. Mullins leaves his role as Fulham Under-21 boss to become the new head coach of League Two side Newport County. Swansea City coach Vitor Matos has agreed a new contract that ties him to the Championship club until 2030. Real Madrid signed forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract. Former striker Forlán has been appointed head coach of Uruguay's national team on an interim basis until March 2027. Real Madrid open to the possibility of Vinícius Júnior leaving the club if there is no agreement on a new contract, with Madrid having no plans to increase their offer. Real Madrid open to Arsenal target Vinícius Jr leaving the club, according to newspaper reports. Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United following the exit of manager Eddie Howe. The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers indicate Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Newcastle captain Guimaraes. Arne Slot aiming to return to club management in Europe's major leagues, despite emerging as the leading contender to replace Newcastle United-bound Matthias Jaissle at a Saudi club. Celtic reject a West Ham approach for Arne Engels, while there is Everton interest in Alistair Johnston, manager Martin O'Neill confirms. West Ham in talks with Celtic over the signing of Arne Engels, with the Scottish club holding out for a deal worth around £25m for the midfielder. boss Martin O'Neill has reiterated his desire not to lose any more key players during the summer transfer window amid interest in Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston. Everton are linked with interest in Celtic's Alistair Johnston with Nathan Patterson tipped to exit, while Nadim Bajrami reportedly nears an exit from Rangers. Scotland international Bowie has completed a loan move from Hellas Verona to Serie A side Sassuolo. Sassuolo reportedly to pay Hellas Verona £10m for Kieron Bowie, as Rangers are claimed to have accepted an offer from Al-Taawoun for Nedim Bajrami. Wolves striker Arokodare joins Ajax on a season's loan, with the Dutch club having the option to make it a permanent move in the summer. Burnley winger Koleosho leaves Turf Moor to sign for Ligue 1 club Paris FC.
Player News and League Updates
Inter Miami Guillermo Hoyos stated he will be having conversatout Lionel Messi's return to action following his 2026 World Cup participation with Argentina. Brazilian midfielder labeled Lionel Messi the god of football, adding thated Inter Miami to help the Argentina forward add more trophies to his record-breaking career. Inter Miami Jorge Mas criticized Major League Soccer's Discovery List rule g the Casemiro signing dispute, stating he has pushed to abolish the rule for over two years. Vozinha, the breakout Cape Verde goalkeeper who rose to global fame duringrld Cup, will be allowed to display his nickname on his jersey when he joins Chilean football. Chelsea winger Mudryk can return to playing immediately after the Football Associd the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal" against a ban for failing a doping test. Chelsea Ukraine winger Mykhailohas not played since November 2024, and has been unable to access the club's training ground. winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to play after his doping ban was resolved. Chelsea have been fined £10 million ($13m) and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban by the Football Association after admitting 74 breaches of its agent regulations. Chelsea have been fined £10m by the Football Association for breaching rules relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022. Chelsea have been fined £10m and given a suspended two-window transfer ban by an independent appeal board after admitting breaches of Football Association agent rules. Real Madrid England star Jude Bellingham returned to Birmingham City to watch his former club beat Barcelona on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Marcus Rashford said goodbye to Barcelona after returning to Manchester United ahead of the new Premier League season following the conclusion of his loan spell. Senne Lammens cut his holiday short to return to training with Manchester United ahead of the new season. United's preseason tour of Europe is already well underway, but there is still plenty of work to be done before the new season kicks off next month. Liverpool's Curtis has a heated argument with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai after his side's win over Wrexham. Liverpool's new kit for 2026-27 draws inspiration from the glory days of the 1980s, similar to this season's home kit. Milos Kerkez down with reporters on Liverpool's preseason tour of the United States and revealed some of the changes new boss Andoni Iraola is making. Liverpool CEO Hogan spoke to BBC Sport in New York about investment, transition, and why FSG are not done yet. Liverpool set to open talks with PSG over a potential deal for Bradley Barcola. Tottenham Hotspur looking to complete "another bomba" transfer, according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Roberto de says he was born an ultra, raised on the Brescia curva alongside his father, and has carried those roots to north London. Manchester City reportedly looking to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille as a potential replacement for Rodri. Erling Haaland been enjoying his summer break, lapping up the sun and keeping the internet meme-machine fed. You could there is already plenty of buzz surrounding Manchester City's new away kit. Wrexham have completed the signing of wing-back Danny Imray from Premier League club Crystal Palace. Southern Brave their unbeaten record in this year's Hundred with a comfortable win over Birmingham Phoenix by 24 runs. Rockets beat Welsh Fire by eight wickets in Cardiff to claim their second victory in The Hundred women's competition. Jake Connor as Super League leaders Leeds ran in eight tries in a 46-0 rout of Toulouse, while Wigan Warriors remain just two points behind after their 20-8 win over Leigh Leopards. Southern Brave their unbeaten record in this year's Hundred with a comfortable win over Birmingham Phoenix by 24 runs. Rockets beat Welsh Fire by eight wickets in Cardiff to claim their second victory in The Hundred women's competition. Jake Connor as Super League leaders Leeds ran in eight tries in a 46-0 rout of Toulouse, while Wigan Warriors remain just two points behind after their 20-8 win over Leigh Leopards.
Scottish Football and Other Leagues
The new Scottish Premiership season begins on Friday, with questions about whether anyone can challenge Celtic and Rangers for the title. BBC Scotland a look at the top talking points going into the new Scottish Premiership season. Scottish Premiership is back, with a full weekend preview featuring Kris Doolan and Connor Sammon. Live TV including BBC Scotland's broadcast of the Fife derby between Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers, means a number of date changes for games in the Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Premiership. Heart Midlothian head coach Wouter Vrancken is looking to replicate last season's strong Scottish Premiership showing, despite his players having to adapt to "a totally different style of play". Hearts striker Braga has opened up on his future, insisting "every player has ambitions". Hibernian sell Cadden to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, with the 29-year-old right-back seeking "a fresh challenge" and "more game time". Gray's Hibernian were booed off in Kosovo last week, but a rousing second-leg display has his name ringing from the Easter Road rafters once more. Reaction after and Hibernian progress in the Conference League qualifiers. St Mirren Craig McLeish has been charged by the Scottish FA over comments he made about referee Sean Murdoch. four teams the EFL season gets under way this weekend in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup. Premier League have agreed a funding proposal that they will put to the EFL over the next few days. La Liga Rayo Vallecano are barred from playing at their home stadium just weeks before the new season over the risk of supporters contracting Legionnaires' disease. London City have signed Spanish youth international Daniela Arques from Sporting, subject to international clearance. Charlton Athletic signed full-back Ashleigh Neville from Leicester City on a two-year deal. James McClean Derry City's European form is not the result of a "lack of effort" but instead shows an "issue somewhere" within the club.
Golf and Other Sports
World 3 Cameron Young surged into a share of the lead of the Rocket Classic after a nine-under 61 in the second round in Detroit. Rickie Fowler Patrick Cantlay are in contention after the first round of the Rocket Classic in Detroit, as leader Peter Malnati threatened a sensational sub-60 score. Lottie Woad Charley Hull are both five strokes off the halfway lead at the AIG Women's Open, as in-form Haeran Ryu tops another major leaderboard. Jeeno Thitikul into the early lead after the opening round of the AIG Women's Open, as Charley Hull made a mixed start to her bid for an elusive major victory. Charley Hull she 'does not care' about criticism over her pre-major caddie prank and overcame limited sleep to remain firmly in AIG Women's Open title contention. Pairings tee times for the third round of the 50th AIG Women's Open, held at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire. An emotional Chiara Tamburlini faces a nervous wait to see if she has qualified for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup side after missing the cut at the AIG Women’s Open. Cameron Norrie into his first semi-final of 2026 with a 6-1 6-0 thrashing of Bernard Tomic at the Los Cabos Open. Cameron Norrie his return to form at the Los Cabos Open by beating James Duckworth in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals. England fought to beat South Africa 58-54 to reach the netball semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. dominated Tonga 94-32 in their must-win Pool A game at the Commonwealth Games at the Hydro in Glasgow. Decorated British Kayla Allen will make her professional debut in London in September after becoming the first female fighter to sign with Zuffa Boxing. Chris Eubank negotiations to fight in Nigeria this December are "coming along nicely," according to Balmoral Promotions founder Ezekiel Adamu. Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle reveals her thoughts on the big handicap of the day on Saturday, the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. Scottish speedball Affair bounced back to form to claim top honours in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood. Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle previews the best of the action on Day Four of the Goodwood Festival, with the Group Two King George Qatar Stakes headlining the action. Sports Racing’s ambassador knows what it takes to win the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, having triumphed aboard Nashwa in 2022 - here she previews Thursday’s renewal on a stellar card at Goodwood. Echo’s dazzling turn of foot once again came to the fore as it came out on top in an epic renewal of the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes.