Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 3:05 AM ET

Major Transfers

Arsenal completed the £75m signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, with the midfielder's emotional departure described by Newcastle's sporting director. Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer, while Vinícius Júnior signed a new six-year Real Madrid contract. Barcelona increased their bid for Rodri, though Man City value the midfielder at over €70m, and Ferran Torres told Barça he wants to join PSG. Ronald Araujo agreed a surprise loan to Liverpool, and Coventry signed Caleb Yirenkyi for a club-record fee. Ipswich signed Sasa Lukic from Fulham, and Crystal Palace completed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu after a trial. LA Galaxy signed Sergi Roberto, while Hirving Lozano joined on loan from San Diego FC. Bournemouth signed Juanlu Sanchez for up to £11.1m, and Leeds signed James Trafford for a club-record fee. Man City agreed a deal for Geronimo Rulli, and Swansea signed Ross Stewart. Millwall signed Lyndon Dykes, and Birmingham signed Chancelle Effa Effa for £100k. Notts County signed Dean Campbell, and Hull City signed Jens Hjerto-Dahl. Aberdeen signed Mitchy Ntelo, and Middlesbrough signed Radek Vitek from Man United. Liverpool signed Natalia Ramos for the women's team, and Man United teen JJ Gabriel received a gold trading card. Newcastle rejected Man United's bid for Lewis Hall, and Jeremy Doku signed a new Man City contract until 2031. Tottenham are close to a new contract for Micky van de Ven, and Atletico Madrid are firm on Julián Álvarez. Franco Mastantuono joined Fiorentina on loan from Real Madrid, and Raul Jimenez returned to Wolves. Chelsea face a 41-man squad reduction, and Liverpool have high hopes for £60m Jeremy Jacquet. Arsenal were linked with USMNT players, and Man United continue to explore a move for Antonee Robinson.

Pre-Season Friendlies & Results

Chelsea bounced back with a 3-0 win over AC Milan in Jakarta, with Joao Pedro scoring a double. Man United drew 1-1 with PSG in Gothenburg, as Bryan Mbeumo equalised and Youri Tielemans impressed on debut. Arsenal lost 3-1 to Real Betis in Dublin, leaving Mikel Arteta fuming. Bayern Munich held off Aston Villa 2-1 in Hong Kong, while Udinese beat Barcelona and Nottingham Forest to win the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup. Newcastle lifted a trophy after a win over Valencia, with Matthias Jaissle starting his tenure with a victory. Lionel Messi scored a brace to lead Inter Miami to a 4-2 Leagues Cup win over Atlético de San Luis, but missed the next game after his father's death. Barcelona cancelled a friendly in Morocco due to the Ceuta border crisis.

Carabao Cup Action

Walsall stunned Bristol City in the first round, while Middlesbrough beat Wrexham 1-0 thanks to Will Lankshear's debut goal. Burnley edged Notts County on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The second-round draw takes place Monday, with 11 Premier League teams entering. Sky Sports is broadcasting every first-round tie, and the competition features some wildest scores in history. QPR vs Millwall was also live on Sky, and the bulk of fixtures took place on a weekend.

Scottish Football

St Mirren went top of the Premiership after Killian Phillips scored again in a 1-0 win over St Johnstone, defying relegation predictions. Dundee got their first points with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen, as Joe Bevan scored a double. Rangers lost 2-1 to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying, with Derek McInnes still seeking his first win. Hearts were thrashed 6-1 by Benfica in Lisbon, while Hibs secured a vital win and Motherwell drew in Helsinki. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill was released from hospital in good form. The Scottish FA scrapped its key match incident panel and is holding a summit on the future of the game. The Scottish Premiership previewed a weekend of action, and Rangers old habits haunted them under McInnes. Old Firm bids for wingers and Anderlecht holding talks over Will Ferry were among the gossip. Partick Thistle boosted their promotion bid as Ben Stanway signed a new contract. Euro navel-gazing and early troubles for title hopefuls were discussed, and a podcast previewed the weekend. Scottish clubs continued their summer malaise in Europe.

FIFA & Off-Field News

FIFA hit back at a campaign to undermine Gianni Infantino, who apologized for errors in the failed World Cup stake sale plan. Norway called for Infantino to resign, while Mexico and Argentina expressed support. UEFA's boycott of FIFA tournaments stands, and the FA withdrew support. Canada's PM said Infantino made a "fatal" call. FIFPro slammed the "abuse of power." Potential challengers to the FIFA presidency are circling. Spain claims it deserves to host the 2030 World Cup final. Argentina marked its World Cup win over England with a National Football Teams Day. The FA banned solid perimeter walls after Billy Vigar's death. England striker Ivan Toney was charged with assault. Leicester City remembered their 2016 title secrets. Southampton's Tonda Eckert said Spygate reports were far from the truth. Chris Smalling discussed his future. Mark Hughes' son died of sudden adult death syndrome. Bangor's Ben Arthurs served a cocaine-use ban. Ebbsfleet United were suspended by the National League over unpaid debts. Alexandre Pato is part of a consortium for Northampton Town takeover. Sian Massey-Ellis retired from officiating to join the FA. Phil Parkes, Wolves legend, died at. Conor Gallagher is ready to shine under De Zerbi at Spurs. Myles Lewis-Skelly pushes to start in midfield for Arsenal. Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a defining second season at Real Madrid under Mourinho. Emma Hayes urged focus on U.S. youth development, and Hayes praised Pochettino's new deal. Mauricio Pochettino signed a new deal to remain USMNT coach. Newcastle CEO called Jaissle a "rock star."

Women's Football

Algeria reached the Women's World Cup for the first time by advancing to the WAFCON semifinals. France plan to compete in the U20 Women's World Cup despite UEFA boycott threats. Mariona Caldentey said Arsenal are targeting a Treble this season. Man United appointed Eva Olid as women's manager, and Gabby George moved to Brighton. Key dates for the 2026-27 women's season were detailed. Lionel Messi will not be pressured by Argentina over Copa América. Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, died at, and Messi missed Inter Miami's next game. Ian Rush urged patience for new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola. Luis Garcia joked he hopes Xabi Alonso's Chelsea finish second to Liverpool. The National League returns, and Zeph Thomas is football's ultimate journeyman. Tech investors wanted a stake in the World Cup. Life as a Wag in the transfer window was explored. Simon Francis has a museum of footballs. Why the Premier League can't attract the world's best players is analyzed.