Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: July 8, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

International Football Shake-ups and Transfers

Portugal's Football Federation is poised to name Roberto Martinez's successor by week's end, with veteran coach Jorge Jesus emerging as the leading candidate to take the helm. The confirmation follows the federation's official announcement of Martinez's departure after Portugal's round of 16 exit from the World Cup to Spain. Meanwhile, the Egyptian FA has declared it "cannot remain silent regarding the refereeing decisions" following their controversial round of 16 loss to Argentina at the World Cup, lodging a formal complaint with FIFA and demanding an investigation into perceived "double standards" in officiating during the match. Separately, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has stepped down after nine years in charge, concluding his tenure following their World Cup defeat to Portugal.

In a seismic development for women's football, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has signed a three-year deal with London City Lionesses. This sensational move, described as one of the biggest scoops in the sport's history, comes after London City made a significant bid earlier in the summer, finally striking a deal for the highly sought-after player who joins from Barcelona. Elsewhere, Arsenal have secured the signing of Switzerland midfielder Geraldine Reuteler, who joins following her departure from Eintracht Frankfurt. Celtic's transfer business is also expected to accelerate, with Camilo Duran nearing a move to become the club's first new summer signing, a deal manager Martin O’Neill is confident will spark further activity.

World Cup Quarter-Finals and Player Focus

The World Cup field has narrowed to its final eight teams, with the quarter-finals set to commence on Thursday, marking a stage where individual superstars' influence becomes paramount in the tournament's progression. Expect a clash of styles and narratives in the upcoming quarter-final matchups, including a potentially significant striker duel and a chance for Qatar to seek revenge against their opponents. Among the standout performers, Johan Manzambi has emerged as one of the tournament's breakout stars, attracting attention from clubs like Newcastle United. The Premier League's financial dominance is also evident at the World Cup, with a significant number of players representing teams from England's top flight at the tournament.

to England's quarter-final against Norway, the Three Lions face a defensive challenge, particularly at right-back, as they prepare for their match in Miami with a patchwork back-line. This fixture revives memories of a famous commentary from past encounters between the two nations, adding another layer to their footballing rivalry on the pitch. Meanwhile, the USMNT's performance at the World Cup has raised questions about the coach's impact, with some suggesting player performance was a more significant factor than the expensive, famous coach leading the team. The tournament has also seen the departure of Mohamed Salah, who leaves the World Cup as a legend in his own right, distinguishing himself from other players who have been compared to Lionel Messi in the past.

Transfer Rumors and Club Business

Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea