Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: August 2, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

International Football and FIFA Matters

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned his controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private equity investors after fierce opposition from football's governing bodies. 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. The 2027 Women's World Cup was set to be the first major tournament affected by FIFA's highly controversial plans, and it's too important to the women's game to be treated with such disrespect. Real Madrid praised UEFA for helping protect football "at a decisive moment" after FIFA abandoned plans to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors. Pressure is building on Gianni Infantino, and it is questioned whether he can survive as Fifa president after the implosion of the controversial World Cup investment plan. The actual presentation of FIFA's plan to part-privatise the World Cup raises many more questions than it answers. Gianni Infantino met his Icarus moment. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has gambled unsuccessfully on questionable ideas before, but his World Cup plans were ham-fisted and delusional from both a business and political perspective. The body running African football is yet to take a side on FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors, which has been heavily criticized.

Premier League Transfers and Team News

Bournemouth finalising an £11.1m move for Sevilla right-back Juanlu as new manager Marco Rose's squad nears completion. Bournemouth have completed the signing of Portugal international defender Antonio Silva from Benfica. There was a time when Antonio Silva's rise to the top appeared an inevitability, and he was only 18 years old when he scored his first Champions League goal for Benfica in a 4-3 win over Juventus. Tottenham have made an approach for Victor Osimhen. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has had positive talks with Spurs. Arsenal manager Arteta refused to give anything away about his club's reported pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior but said he expects more moves before the end of the summer transfer window. Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United following the exit of manager Eddie Howe. Arsenal and Newcastle have agreed on a fee for Bruno Guimarães. Real Madrid open to the possibility of Vinícius Júnior leaving the club if there's no agreement on a new contract for the player, and Madrid has no plans to increase their offer. Real Madrid open to Arsenal target Vinicius Jr leaving the club. Manchester City push ahead with a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi regardless of doubts about Rodri's future at the Etihad Stadium. City's new away kit for 2026-27 has been unveiled. Xabi Alonso said the "scar" he suffered from his short tenure at Real Madrid has healed, allowing him to fully focus on taking Chelsea into the new Premier League season. Xabi Alonso "very happy" to be welcoming Mykhailo Mudryk back into his Chelsea squad, but it is "too early" to understand what he can do. Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to play after his doping ban was resolved. 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. United opted for affordable options, while Chelsea, Man City and Spurs all spent big in the transfer window. Manchester United considering a move for Arsenal's Lewis-Skelly. Mbeumo's double earned Manchester United a 2-1 friendly victory over Atlético Madrid in Stockholm. Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm. 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. Shea Lacey Tyler Fletcher are the Manchester United academy players most likely to break into the senior set-up this season. Tottenham only avoided Premier League relegation last season, but off the pitch they are thriving. Roberto de says Tottenham "don't know" whether Richarlison will stay or leave, as he "sometimes" wants to leave. Richarlison scored a 92nd-minute winner for Tottenham as they beat Chelsea 2-1 to win the Sydney Super Cup despite Kevin Danso being sent off in the second half. Roberto de says he was born an ultra, raised on the Brescia curva alongside his father, and he has carried those roots to north London.

Scottish Premiership and Other Leagues

Newly-promoted St blocked out summer "noise" to thrill fans with a goal-laden win over Kilmarnock on the Premiership opening weekend. St Johnstone gave up a lead before storming back to edge a seven-goal thriller on their Scottish Premiership return at home to Kilmarnock. new season continues with St Johnstone and Motherwell winning their opening matches. Ibrahim Said netted a late winner as Motherwell started their Scottish Premiership season as they left off by beating Hibernian at Easter Road. With significant departures on and off the field, new Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson appeared to have a daunting task on his hands this season, but he has started in fine style. Hearts’ miserable continued as they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Aberdeen in their Scottish Premiership opener at Pittodrie. What a difference a year makes as Aberdeen get the better of Hearts, but what comes next for these two sides? 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. Celtic up offer for a Serie A midfielder as Rangers open talks for a winger from a newly-promoted Premier League team. Old Firm rivals are in a chase for an Italy-based winger, with a German midfielder set on a move to Celtic. 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. West Ham are 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. Hibernian sell Cadden to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, with the 29-year-old right-back seeking "a fresh challenge" and "more game time". Scottish Premiership is back, and here is a full weekend preview. Swansea City coach Vitor Matos agrees a new contract that ties him to the Championship club until 2030. Hayden Mullins leaves his role as Fulham Under-21 boss to become the new head coach of League Two side Newport County. 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. four teams the EFL season gets under way this weekend in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup.

Club Friendlies and Pre-Season

ended their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in Philadelphia. Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead in spectacular fashion as Leeds won the final match of both teams' United States tour 4-2. On the overnight flight from Chicago back to England, Andoni Iraola will have plenty of thinking to do after the conclusion of Liverpool's pre-season US tour. Liverpool's pre-season Andoni Iraola is ramping up, and here is what was learned from the first open training session under their new boss. Manchester City 1-1 with Inter Milan in Hong Kong before losing 3-1 on penalties as Enzo Maresca took charge for the first time. New manager Maresca is a "perfect one" for Manchester City, says defender Josko Gvardiol. Despite Manchester City's penalty-shootout defeat by Inter Milan, teenager Ryan McAidoo grabbed the opportunity to show manager Enzo Maresca what he can do. Manchester City Phil Foden is aiming to "repay" the faith shown to him by the club as he looks forward to a "fresh start" under new boss Enzo Maresca. Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in a preseason friendly on Saturday, in new coach José Mourinho's first game in charge. Real Madrid England star Jude Bellingham returned to Birmingham City to watch his former club beat Barcelona on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Xabi Alonso said he is "very happy" to be welcoming Mykhailo Mudryk back into his Chelsea squad, but it is "too early" to understand what he can do. Max Dowman with a goal and an assist as Arsenal recorded a dominant 4-1 win against Girona in their pre-season game at Montilivi in Catalonia.

Player News and Transfers

Argentina international Barco has joined Chelsea from Strasbourg. Former Liverpool Mohamed Salah is set to move to Turkish club Trabzonspor. Mohamed Salah edging towards a move to Trabzonspor. Inter Miami has not expressed interest in signing Colombian national team midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero. 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 co-owner 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. Former striker Forlán has been appointed head coach of Uruguay's national team on an interim basis until March 2027. Real Madrid signed forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract.

Golf and Tennis

Shiho Kuwaki a dramatic play-off victory over Esther Henseleit after an extraordinary finish to the AIG Women’s Open. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will be left cursing a "missed opportunity" to claim a maiden major win at the AIG Women's Open. Yealimi Noh on Haeran Ryu's stumble to grab the third-round lead at the AIG Women’s Open, where Lottie Woad and Charley Hull stayed in title contention. Charley Hull insists 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. 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 the Los Cabos Open in the early hours of Saturday morning as he was beaten by Denis Shapovalov. Emma Raducanu not been selected by Team GB for September's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China.

Other Sports and Events

England will the Commonwealth Games without a medal in netball after suffering a comprehensive 68-50 defeat to Australia at the Hydro in Glasgow. England's netball fell to a 61-54 defeat to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games. Boxer Tarona has won Tuvalu their first ever Commonwealth Games medal as she took bronze in the women's 75kg boxing division. Pierce O'Leary his first professional defeat when he was stopped by Mark Chamberlain in a thrilling fight in Dublin. Blue Bolt her faultless campaign with victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. American Affair bounced back to form to claim top honours in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood. Jim Crowley called time on his illustrious riding career having failed to recover sufficiently from a serious injury he suffered in a fall at York in September. Wardley's manager Mike Ofo has launched a scathing response after Daniel Dubois' advisor Sam Jones raised doubts about the heavyweight rematch. Warrington Wolves moved up to fourth in the Betfred Super League table after recovering from a lacklustre start to claim a comprehensive 48-18 win at Castleford Tigers. 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.