Football/Soccer 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 11:52 PM ET
Managerial Updates
Italy's Roberto Mancini will miss espn.com Al-Sadd's next match due to travel complications stemming from regional conflict, the Qatari club confirmed. The former European Championship winner was unable to return to Doha for preparations, forcing assistant coach Xavi Hernandez to take charge for the upcoming fixture. Mancini's absence comes as Al-Sadd prepares for a crucial league match against Al-Duhail.
European Competitions
The Champions League group stage draw produced several intriguing matchups, with Manchester City facing Bayern Munich in a repeat of last season's semifinal. Barcelona landed in a challenging group alongside Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, while Arsenal secured a favorable draw against PSV Eindhoven, Lens, and Sevilla. The competition's new format expands to 36 teams, with matches beginning September 17.
Transfer Market
Paris Saint-Germain completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton for €50 million, adding depth to their midfield options. The 24-year-old becomes PSG's third major summer acquisition after Ousmane Dembele and Marco Asensio. Meanwhile, Manchester United rejected a €70 million bid from Bayern Munich for England defender Harry Maguire, with the German club seeking defensive reinforcements.