Last updated: August 8, 2026, 9:01 PM ET
FIFA Leadership Crisis
FIFA has hit out at what it called "a concerted and ongoing effort to undermine" world soccer's governing body and president Gianni Infantino amid growing calls for his resignation. The Norwegian federation has called on Infantino to step down, saying there is "no trust" in him, while Mexico and Argentina have expressed their support for the embattled president. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said Infantino made a "fatal" call with his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, adding he no longer has confidence in the FIFA leader. Infantino has apologized for "errors" made over the failed plan, and FIFA senior staff have reaffirmed their backing. Rivals are reportedly circling to unseat Infantino, with potential challengers emerging from various federations. UEFA's boycott of FIFA tournaments still stands, and the FA has withdrawn its support for Infantino's re-election. The players' union FIFPRO has slammed FIFA's "abuse of power" as the crisis deepens.
Major Transfers
Bruno Guimaraes has completed a £75m move from Newcastle to Arsenal, with the emotional midfielder telling the club he "wanted this" transfer. Newcastle's sporting director confirmed the club did not plan to sell their captain, but his desire to join Arsenal was overwhelming. Where Guimaraes fits into Arsenal's midfield is now the key tactical question. Manchester City value Rodri at more than €70m (£60m) amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Barcelona making a second bid for the midfielder. City will not sanction a cut-price departure for the Spain international. Ferran Torres has told Barcelona he wants to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer after agreeing personal terms with the French club, a source told ESPN. Mohamed Salah has joined Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer, trading the Premier League for the Super Lig in a stunning move. The LA Galaxy have confirmed the signing of former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto on a deal through 2027, while also acquiring Hirving "Chucky" Lozano on an initial loan from San Diego FC.
Transfer Rumors and Gossip
Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito, according to reports. The same two Premier League giants are also monitoring Shakhtar Donetsk forward Kauã Elias. Manchester United continue to explore a move for USMNT left-back Antonee Robinson. Newcastle have rejected an approach from Manchester United for full-back Lewis Hall, telling the club he is not for sale. Atletico Madrid are in talks with Tottenham over signing their captain Cristian Romero, while Spurs are close to agreeing a new five-year contract with Micky van de Ven. Liverpool have agreed a surprise loan deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo for the season. Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille. PSV have rejected an improved Rangers offer for winger Couhaib Driouech as Scottish clubs chase wide players.
Pre-Season Friendlies and Results
Marcus Rashford is set to rejoin Manchester United's squad at their preseason camp in Ireland to begin preparations for the new season, sources have told ESPN. Bryan Mbeumo earned Man Utd a 1-1 draw with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg, a pre-season friendly which left boss Michael Carrick encouraged by the "good signs" from his side. Chelsea bounced back from back-to-back pre-season defeats with a convincing 3-0 win over AC Milan in Jakarta, as Joao Pedro's double boosted Xabi Alonso's era. Bayern Munich held off a late fightback from Aston Villa to secure a 2-1 victory in Hong Kong. Udinese beat Spanish champions Barcelona and Premier League side Nottingham Forest to win the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup. Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal players were "fuming" after defensive errors saw them fall to a 3-1 preseason defeat to Real Betis in Dublin. Barcelona have cancelled a pre-season friendly in Morocco because of the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta.
Carabao Cup Action
The Carabao Cup first round produced dramatic results across the board. Will Lankshear's debut strike ensured Middlesbrough made a winning start as they beat Wrexham 1-0, with Boro advancing past the Hollywood-owned club. Kyle Walker struck the winning penalty as Burnley edged out Notts County 4-3 in a shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. Walsall stunned Bristol City in the curtain-raiser of the competition. The second-round draw will take place on Monday, with 11 Premier League teams entering the competition. The bulk of the first-round fixtures took place on a weekend, despite traditionally being a midweek competition. BBC Sport has looked at some of the wildest games and scorelines the EFL Cup has produced over its history.
Scottish Football Roundup
St Mirren, tipped for relegation, have started with two opening wins in the Scottish Premiership and are defying expectations as they sit top of the table. Killian Phillips scored again to keep St Mirren on top with a 1-0 win over St Johnstone. Joe Bevan tormented Aberdeen as Dundee got their first Premiership points with a deserved 2-0 victory at Dens Park. Hearts endured a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Benfica in Lisbon, all but ending their Europa League hopes. Derek McInnes is still looking for his first win as Rangers manager after a 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been released from hospital and is in "good form" after a procedure. The Scottish FA has scrapped its key match incident review panel and is to hold a "critically important" summit on the future of Scottish football.
Domestic League Transfers and Signings
Ipswich Town have signed Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. Premier League newcomers Coventry City have completed the club-record signing of Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi. Leeds United have signed goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in a club-record deal. Bournemouth have announced the signing of right-back Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla in a deal worth up to £11.1m. Middlesbrough have signed Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek for an undisclosed fee. Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu following a successful pre-season trial. Millwall have signed Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes on a one-year deal. Swansea City have signed free agent Ross Stewart on a three-year deal following the striker's departure from Southampton. Aberdeen have signed Belgian forward Mitchy Ntelo from Swiss side Yverdon-Sport for an undisclosed fee. Hull City have signed Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl from Tromso on a five-year contract. Notts County have signed Northampton Town midfielder Dean Campbell. Wrexham have signed Preston captain Ben Whiteman on a three-year contract. Winger Jeremy Doku is the latest Manchester City player to commit his future to the club after signing a new contract until 2031.
Women's Football
Algeria have reached the Women's World Cup for the first time after becoming the first team to reach the WAFCON semifinals, with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham securing victory. U.S. women's coach Emma Hayes said she is "delighted" that Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new deal to remain the U.S. men's team coach, and she also urged US Soccer to prioritize the U.S. Under-20 Women's national team at this year's World Cup. France say they are still planning to compete in the Under-20 Women's World Cup despite a threat from UEFA to boycott FIFA competitions. Defender Gabby George has completed a move to Brighton from Manchester United ahead of the Women's Super League season. Liverpool have signed Spanish midfielder Natalia Ramos from CD Tenerife Femenino. Manchester United have appointed Eva Olid to take over as manager less than a month out from the WSL season. Midfielder Mariona Caldentey has explained why Arsenal, strengthened by seven new players, are talking up their chances of winning the Treble this season. Birmingham City have signed France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre for £100K.
Boxing News
Ireland's Aaron McKenna defeated Etinosa Oliha to become a middleweight world champion in a dream homecoming at the 3Arena in Dublin. McKenna wants to unify at 160lbs and then eventually fight at heavyweight. Callum Walsh maintained his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision victory over Tyler Denny, overcoming cuts and a knockdown to take the win. Joe Ward rescued his career with a valiant unanimous decision win over Artjom Kasparian after 10 ferocious rounds. Dana White has revealed that the long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will take place "where the money is," and Hearn says the fight should be finalized by the end of August. Jake Paul is seeking a boxing return by January with Tommy Fury as his top target. Joseph Parker claimed a failed drugs test was caused by exposure to cocaine being used by his nutritionist. Sam Hickey has been described as Britain's best boxing prospect and a real showman.
Rugby Union
South Africa scraped past Argentina 17-10 in Test rugby in Buenos Aires, but at the possible expense of inspirational captain Siya Kolisi who suffered an injury. Australia held on for a tight 35-32 victory over Japan, despite a first-half red card, as new head coach Les Kiss made a winning start. New Zealand's first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years began with an underwhelming 38-21 win over the Stormers. Eddie Hearn has said Henry Pollock has superstar status to awaken rugby union but insists the flanker must be rewarded with a £1m salary.
Cricket and The Hundred
Trent Rockets pair Mitch Santner and Tim David helped steer their side into the knockout stage with a 78-run partnership in a six-wicket win over MI London. Phoebe Litchfield hit the fastest fifty in the history of The Hundred women's competition as Sun Risers Leeds chased down Birmingham Phoenix's total. A win for Sun Risers Leeds saw the elimination of Birmingham Phoenix from the men's competition as well. Trent Rockets booked a place in the knockouts of The Hundred women's competition with a thumping nine-wicket win over MI London. Melie Kerr's defiant half-century and death bowling from Hayley Matthews helped MI London to a belated first win of the season against London Spirit. Sikandar Raza's masterclass inspired MI London to condemn London Spirit to elimination.
Other Sports
Charley Hull surged up the leaderboard at the PIF London Championship after a brilliant course-record 62 in the second round at the Centurion Club. Ryan Moore bagged a Shergar Cup double on his return to the competition to help Great Britain and Ireland win the team event. Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld has been fined and suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority for inappropriate behaviour and offensive language. Big Buck's, one of the greatest staying hurdlers of all time, has died at the age of 23. Undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King ran in on the final play to give the Carolina Panthers a 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Hall of Fame game. Jack Draper has been confirmed for next week's Cincinnati Open despite arm injury fears following his Montreal defeat. Cameron Norrie stunned third seed Alex de Minaur to reach the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Montreal. Eve Muirhead has come out of retirement to chase another Winter Olympics gold in mixed doubles at the 2030 Games.
Tributes and Off-Field News
Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Monterrey following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died at 68 at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Phil Parkes has died at the age of 79. Alex Hughes, the son of former Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes, died of sudden adult death syndrome, an inquest has found. England striker Ivan Toney has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm following a nightclub incident in December 2025. Uganda international David Owori was killed by suspected robbers in a street gang attack. The Football Association has banned solid perimeter walls around pitches after a safety review following the death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar. Assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis has retired from officiating and will take up a new role with the Football Association. Former AC Milan and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato is a member of a consortium set to buy a majority stake in League Two club Northampton Town. The Argentine Football Association has announced 15 July as National Football Teams Day to mark Argentina's 2026 World Cup semi-final victory over England. Spain "deserves" to host the 2030 World Cup final, according to the country's sports minister Milagros Tolón.