Last updated: August 6, 2026, 10:01 PM ET

Football/Soccer Briefing: August 12-14, 2026

FIFA Crisis Deepens

FIFA president Infantino faced mounting pressure this week as criticism intensified over his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The world players' union FIFPRO condemned Infantino's "abuse of presidential power" and called for change at the top of FIFA following his botched World Cup stake sale plans. Two senior executives, coaching great Arsène Wenger and secretary general Mattias Grafström, distanced themselves from their boss over the abandoned proposal. Canadian Prime Mark Carney said he no longer has confidence in Infantino, adding to growing pressure on the soccer leader. Portugal great Luís Figo joined calls for Infantino to step down over the failed plan to sell World Cup rights. FIFA has also been accused of blackmailing Jordan over World Cup money in return for their support for Infantino to stay on as president.

Infantino called an emergency meeting with senior FIFA staff in Morocco on Wednesday to address the crisis. FIFA said it had apologized for errors made over the failed plan and that senior staff in attendance "reaffirmed their support" for the president. However, UEFA's boycott of FIFA tournaments still stands, with the FA now joining them in opposing Infantino's re-election next year. The association of European soccer leagues called for governance reform of FIFA, adding to the mounting pressure on the president. Rivals are reportedly circling in a bid to unseat Infantino as FIFA president, with several potential candidates emerging. The Argentine Football Association announced 15 July as National Football Teams Day to mark Argentina's 2026 World Cup semi-final victory over England, a decision that further inflamed tensions.

Transfer Window Heats Up

The summer transfer window continued to deliver major stories, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri at the center of a two-club battle. Rodri given Barcelona the go-ahead to begin talks with Manchester City as they try to beat Real Madrid to a deal for the midfielder, a source has told ESPN. Barcelona are set to approach Man City for Rodri and are hopeful they can beat their LaLiga rivals to the signing of the Spain captain. Midfielder Rodri have a huge decision to make this summer on whether to join Real Madrid or Barcelona, should he decide to leave Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah completed a shock move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor on a free transfer. Salah decided to trade the Premier League for Trabzonspor, but with time running out in the transfer window, his departure leaves Liverpool with questions to answer. Liverpool reportedly looking to strengthen their attack by signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Liverpool have explored the conditions of a deal for PSG's teenage winger Mbaye. Liverpool also prepared to make Bradley Barcola their third £100m signing, with the France and PSG winger on their radar.

Arsenal agreed a £75m fee with Newcastle for their captain Bruno Guimaraes. United manager Matthias Jaissle says a decision about Bruno Guimaraes' future was "already made" by the time he first met the club's departing captain. Vinicius Junior a new six-year Real Madrid contract to put an end to Arsenal's pursuit of the forward. Vinicius Junior dream is over for Arsenal, who must now look elsewhere to improve their forward line this summer. Arsenal feel Jr is increasingly likely to stay at Real Madrid, according to Thursday's newspapers.

Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in a club-record deal. Leeds drawn up a shortlist for Trafford's understudy. Hull City Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos on a five-year deal for a club-record fee. Chelsea set to clinch a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria for a fee of around £16.3m plus add-ons. Bournemouth announced the signing of right-back Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla in a deal worth up to £11.1m.

signed midfielder Ben Whiteman from Preston on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Millwall signed Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes on a one-year deal following the end of his contract with Charlton Athletic. Swansea City free agent Ross Stewart on a three-year deal following the Scotland striker's departure from Southampton. Birmingham City France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre. Cardiff City signed Lincoln City midfielder Jack Moylan for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal. Crystal Palace set to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer following a successful trial and are considering a move for winger Solly March. Crystal Palace also in advanced talks to sign Real Salt Lake's 19-year-old wing-back Zavier Gozo.

Everton completed the signing of Denmark international Christian Nørgaard from Arsenal. signed Spanish midfielder Natalia Ramos from CD Tenerife Femenino, subject to visa approval and international clearance. Micky van Ven is close to agreeing a new five-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur. Jeremy Doku a new contract with Manchester City until 2031. Franco Mastantuono set to join Fiorentina from Real Madrid on a season-long loan. Former Mexico Hirving "Chucky" Lozano is finalizing a deal to join the LA Galaxy on loan from San Diego FC. Rangers completed the signing of winger Daisuke Yokota from Hannover.

## Preseason Friendlies and European Qualifiers

Mikel Arteta his Arsenal players were "fuming" after defensive errors saw them fall to a 3-1 preseason defeat to Real Betis in Dublin on Wednesday. Arsenal produced a sloppy performance as they were beaten 3-1 by LaLiga side Real Betis in the friendly. The defeat raised questions about Arsenal's need for additional signings, particularly in midfield. Arteta was impressed with the maturity and focus shown by Northern Ireland international Ceadach O'Neill despite the defeat.

Chelsea failed to ramp up their pre-season preparations as Xabi Alonso's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong thanks to Edon Zhegrova's stunning second-half strike. Enzo Maresca his first game in charge of Manchester City with a 3-1 win over the K-League All Stars in Seoul. Jeremy Monga his debut in the Manchester City win, having rejected Arsenal to make the £10m move from Leicester.

Rangers' Europa League hopes were dealt a blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok in qualifying. McInnes says Rangers were "guilty of beating ourselves" as he bemoaned the loss of cheap goals in the Europa League qualifying first-leg defeat in Poland. McInnes is still looking for his first win as Rangers manager after the defeat. Daisuke Yokota handed his Rangers debut against Jagiellonia Bialystok. targets "special memories" as he seals his Rangers move.

Hearts endured a predictably bruising evening in Lisbon as their hopes of progressing in Europe were all but ended by a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Benfica. Hibernian secured a vital win while Motherwell were held in Helsinki. A night of European action saw Rangers and Hearts lose, Motherwell draw and Hibernian win. Rangers need a result and Hearts need a miracle in Europe's big Scottish test.

Lionel Messi scored a stellar pair of goals to guide Inter Miami to a come-from-behind 4-2 rout of Atlético de San Luis in its first game of the 2026 Leagues Cup. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said Luis Suárez cannot be replaced as the team prepares to navigate the Leagues Cup without the forward due to his lengthy suspension.

shocked Bristol City in the Carabao Cup curtain raiser. The Carabao Cup is back for the 2026/27 season, with every first-round tie available to watch live on Sky Sports. The bulk of the EFL Cup's first-round fixtures will take place on a weekend, despite traditionally being a midweek cup competition.

The Hundred and Other Cricket

A Sikandar Raza masterclass inspired MI London to come away with the spoils to jump up to second in the table and condemn London Spirit to an early departure from The Hundred. Kerr's defiant half-century and decisive death bowling from Hayley Matthews helped MI London to a belated first win of the season against capital rivals London Spirit. SunRisers Leeds 241-2, the highest score in the history of The Hundred, before cruising to a comfortable victory over London Spirit. Sun Risers Leeds kept their faint hopes of progression from The Hundred group stage alive with a hard-fought five-wicket victory over London Spirit at Headingley. Rockets extended their lead at the top of The Hundred table with a near-perfect performance that secured their fifth win in six games, leaving Birmingham Phoenix rooted to the bottom. Rockets went top of The Hundred women's table after a fourth win on the bounce against Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge.

Rugby League

Winger Harvey scored a first senior hat-trick as Hull FC ended a seven-game losing run with a 32-18 comeback win at St Helens. Tigers head coach Ryan Carr will not be in attendance at the Hull KR game due to personal reasons. Warrington Wolves Wigan Warriors will make history in 2027 when they play the first-ever Super League fixture to be played in Ireland.

Boxing and Combat Sports

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is still expected to be announced in August, even if the all-British heavyweight clash is relocated to America. Eddie Hearn Henry Pollock has the superstar status to awaken the sleeping giant that is rugby union, but insists the England and Lions flanker must be rewarded in line with his value. Jake Paul's rematch with Tommy Fury "makes most sense" as the American star targets a return to boxing, says Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian. Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker claimed a failed drugs test that resulted in him being suspended from boxing was caused by exposure to cocaine being used by his nutritionist. Aaron McKenna not short of ambition as the Irish middleweight fights for the world title this Saturday. British boxer Chapman underwent emergency surgery for a bleed on her brain after collapsing following a sparring session in Denmark. Joe Ward the world at his feet as an amateur boxing sensation, until disaster struck repeatedly.

Tennis and Other Sports

British No 2 Cameron Norrie claimed a comfortable victory at the National Bank Open in Montreal to set up a third-round meeting with Alex De Minaur. Five years on from winning his biggest title in Indian Wells, Norrie has found his form to dump out third seed De Minaur and reach the fourth round. Jack Draper was left in tears after losing to Terence Atmane as the Brit's long-term arm injury appeared to resurface on his return to action at the Canadian Open. Carlos Alcaraz withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to an ongoing wrist injury, increasing worries over his US Open title defence. Charley Hull buoyed by how well she has played this season but admitted injuries have prevented her from performing at her best.

Max Verstappen has praised the "rock solid" performances that have taken Kimi Antonelli to the top of Formula 1's Drivers' Championship over the first half of the 2026 season. The Paddy Power PDC World Championship dates have been confirmed for Friday December 11 to Sunday January 3 with a record 180,000 tickets on offer. Several athletes "unaccounted for" after the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to Police Scotland. Eve Muirhead come out of retirement to chase another Winter Olympics gold.

Other Football News

Barcelona are hopeful of beating Real Madrid to the signing of Rodri, with the midfielder giving them the green light to begin talks. Real Madrid big to add Yan Diomande to an attack that already features Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, and the 2026 summer transfer window grades give them a B for the deal. Ferran Torres come under fire from Barcelona supporters after leaving the door open to a potential move away from the club. Spain "deserves" to host the 2030 World Cup final, according to the country's sports minister Milagros Tolón.

Manchester United appointed Eva Olid to take over as manager of their women's team, less than a month out from the WSL season. Olid, the former Hearts boss, has signed a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. Defender Gabby George has completed a move to Brighton from Manchester United before the start of the Women's Super League season. Midfielder Erica Parkinson, has been named in England's preparation squad for the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland next month.

Newcastle United appointed Matthias Jaissle, as head coach to succeed Eddie Howe. Newcastle CEO Hopkinson has called Jaissle a "rock star" with "no ceiling on where his career could go." Liverpool legend Ian Rush says new boss Andoni Iraola deserves time to succeed at Anfield but should target winning silverware in his debut campaign. Liverpool's time in the U.S. showed that coach Iraola and his staff still have a lot of work to do ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. boss Roberto de Zerbi hopes he can guide his club back up the Premier League table through his self-confessed love of the transfer window.