Last updated: July 31, 2026, 11:31 PM ET
FIFA's Controversial World Cup Plans and Leadership Shake-Up
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 by UEFA. Football's world body has abandoned plans to sell off stakes in its major competitions after widespread opposition to president Gianni Infantino's proposal. Infantino is in the eye of a storm after scrapping his attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup. FIFA has started a consultation process over an expansion of the men's World Cup to 64 teams, with documents seen by ESPN aiming for a decision by August 14. Two senior officials criticized Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan Friday, with one resigning as a presidential adviser and a second saying staff were deceived by a project that must not go forward. FIFA plans to continue the consultation process after UEFA threatens to boycott World Cups. 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's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors has been heavily criticized, but the body running African football is yet to take a side. FIFA's president Infantino's plans will make women's football "the first casualties" according to former England defender Anita Asante. Gianni Infantino met his Icarus moment. FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over potential breaches of multiple laws during the World Cup.
Managerial Moves and Transfer Speculation
Eddie Howe stepped down from his role as head coach at 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. MOTD pundit and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer explains why he is worried about what will happen next at his old club after the departure of manager Eddie Howe. Arne Slot aiming to return to club management in Europe's major leagues, sources have told ESPN, despite emerging as the leading contender to replace Newcastle United-bound Matthias Jaissle at a Saudi club. 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 agrees a new contract that ties him to the Championship club until 2030. Former striker Forlán has been appointed head coach of Uruguay's national team on an interim basis until March 2027. Roberto Mancini an apology in his first public comments Wednesday after being rehired to coach an Italy squad in crisis three years after he abandoned the same job for a lucrative contract elsewhere.
Premier League and European Transfer Activity
Arsenal Newcastle agree Bruno Guimarãenter Milan increase Curtis Jones bid, and Cristian Romero explores a Spanish move, plus more. Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Bruno Guimarães castle United following the exit of manager Eddie Howe, sources have told ESPN's James Olley. The top stories and transfer rumours urday's newspapers indicate Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Newcastle captain Guimarães. Manchester City wills/espn-soccer/real-madrid-nears-rodri-deal-city-targets-bouaddi-7c6a94ef) push ahead with a deal with Ayyoub Bouaddi regardless of doubts about Rodri's future at the Etihad Stadium, sour told ESPN. Manchester City are reportedly looking to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Three Premier League clubs are wahelsea's Liam Delap, Manchester City are closing in on rising star Ayyoub Bouaddi, plus more. Real Madridt-arsenal-transfer-news-62ef5838) open to the possibility of Vinícius Júnior leaving the club if there's no agreement on a new contract for the player, sources have told ESPN, with Madrid having no plans to increase their offer. (Real Madrid are open to Vinícius Júnior leaving the club if there's no new contract agreement. Real Madrid ned forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract, the club announced on Thursday. Real Madrid-silva-b979b210) agreed a deal with Fulham for forward Gonzalo García to join the Premier League club, sources have told ESPN, and are close to another which will see midfielder César Palacios make the mF:93) Bournemouth agree a deal worth up to almost £26m for Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva. (RElsea have completed the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £51m. Chelsea have been fined £10m and given a suspended two-window transfer ban by an indepeneal board after admitting breaches of Football Association agent rules, the FA has announced. 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 fined £10m by the Football Association for breaching rules relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022. Tottenham manager de Zerbi says he wants to convince England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club. Club-record £100m Sandro Tonali took "10 minutes" to decide to join Tottenham after meeting manager Roberto de Zerbi. 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. South Africa Olwethu Makhanya becomes Rangers' eighth summer signing, joining for an undisclosed fee from Philadelphia Union. Hibernian sell Cadden to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, with the 29-year-old right-back seeking "a fresh challenge" and "more game time". Nottingham Forest close to completing a deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande. England defender Stones joins Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan on a free transfer and signs a two-year contract. Monaco signed Matthis Abline from Nantes on Thursday, forming a potential forward line with United States striker Folarin Balogun. Chelsea sign attacking midfielder Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona on a four-year contract. Scotland international Bowie has completed a loan move from Hellas Verona to Serie A side Sassuolo. Wrexham have completed the signing of wing-back Danny Imray from Premier League club Crystal Palace, the clubs announced Wednesday.
Player News and Team Updates
Inter Miami Guillermo Hoyos said he will be having conversations about Lionel Messi's return to action following his 2026 World Cup participation with Argentina. Brazilian midfielder labeled Lionel Messi the god of football, adding that he joined 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 following the Casemiro signing dispute, stating he's pushed to abolish the rule for over two years. 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. Liverpool's Curtis has a heated argument with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai after his side's win over Wrexham. Liverpool midfielder Elliott has opened up on his "very tough" loan spell at Aston Villa and said he is still unsure about his long-term future at Anfield. Joe Gomez expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury, but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans. Jamie Carragher Liverpool do not need to buy Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, urging his former club to focus on securing a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Bradley Barcola been linked with a move to Liverpool, but in Rio Ngumoha, the Reds may have a ready-made replacement for Mohamed Salah. continued their winning start to life under Andoni Iraola by beating Wrexham 1-0 in their second pre-season contest ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Chelsea winger Mudryk has been cleared to return to play after his doping ban was resolved. Chelsea winger Mudryk can return to playing immediately after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal" against a ban for failing a doping test. Chelsea winger Mudryk has not played since November 2024 and has been unable to access the club's training ground. Chelsea England forward Aggie Beever-Jones had her "hardest" season in 2025-26 and she had a big decision to make about her future when it ended. Jurrien Timber back to London from Arsenal's training camp in Spain in a move related to the groin injury that caused him to miss the end of last season. Real Madrid Jude Bellingham returned to Birmingham City to watch his former club beat Barcelona on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Matt said he's not quite gotten over the United States' abrupt exit from the 2026 World Cup following a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of. The U.S. men's latest World Cup exit was the latest in a long string of disappointments, or was it? Let's look at the numbers behind all their tournament appearances since 1990 to get the real story. Mauricio Pochettino still coach of the United States men's national team? That's the lingering question for U.S. Soccer that needs answering soon. Son Heung-min two goals in three minutes in the first half to propel the MLS All-Stars past the LIGA MX All-Stars 4-3 in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. After the success of the World Cup in the United States, Major League Soccer is preparing for a new era that includes a transition to a summer-to-spring calendar and the departure of longtime Commissioner Don Garber. Brazil's sports suspended Víctor Gabriel until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec returns to training after sustaining a broken leg from the Inter defender's foul. Vozinha, the breakout Cape Verde goalkeeper who rose to global fame during the World Cup, will be allowed to display his nickname on his jersey when he joins Chilean football. Cole Palmer said he did watch England at the World Cup after his 26-man squad snub, but fell asleep at halftime of the game against Mexico.
Club and League News
new Scottish Premiership season begins on Friday, but will anyone match Heart of Midlothian from last term and challenge Celtic and Rangers for the title? A new Scottish Premiership season begins on Friday, but will anyone match Heart of Midlothian from last term and challenge Celtic and Rangers for the title? Scottish Premiership is back, with a full weekend preview provided by Kris Doolan and Connor Sammon. 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". Simo Valakari telling his St Johnstone players to be "solid and streetwise" if they want to make an impact in the Scottish Premiership. Steven Pressley signing a new contract with Dundee was the "right decision," despite "a lot of pain ahead" for the club. Manchester City begin their Women's Super League title defence against newly-promoted Birmingham City after London City Lionesses have opened the 2026/27 season against Manchester United, live on Sky Sports. It is clear from Tottenham's summer transfer business that they have big ambitions in the Women's Super League next season. WSL 2 Newcastle United sign Scotland forward Martha Thomas for an undisclosed fee. 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. Huddersfield twice from behind and produced a second-half fightback as they picked up a second straight Betfred Super League victory with a 22-16 win over Hull FC at the Accrington Stadium. St Helens confirmed George Delaney will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. four teams the EFL season gets under way this weekend in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup.
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