Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

World Cup Semi-Final Showdowns Loom

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni of his team's performance, stating they are "not as bad as some people say" heading into their World Cup semifinal against England. Guillem Balague examined how the Argentine squad is built around Lionel Messi, who has seen his goal tally surge from six in four World Cups to 15 in 2022 and 2026 thanks to Scaloni's tactical approach. England, facing what BBC Sport's Phil McNulty describes as their "biggest match since 1966," are considering man-marking Messi, with coach Thomas Tuchel weighing the option. Alan Shearer, still feeling the sting of Argentina's 1998 World Cup victory, believes this England team has a chance to achieve immortality. Argentina will also draw inspiration from Diego Maradona for the crucial clash. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister noted his Premier League experience with Liverpool could be beneficial against England. Only Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah are unavailable for England.

Spain declared themselves after booking their spot in the World Cup final with a decisive 2-0 victory over France. Spain's win meant France's World Cup campaign ended with a loss, prompting head coach Didier Deschamps to admit his team "wasn't good enough to beat Spain." Kylian Mbappé, however, seemed to question Deschamps' tactics following the defeat. Deschamps will have a farewell game in the third-place play-off, a scenario BBC Sport notes he would not have wanted. Spain now awaits the winner of the Argentina-England semifinal.

USMNT Looks Ahead Amidst Criticism

Despite the sting of their 2026 World Cup exit, the USMNT is already looking towards the 2030 tournament, with a list of potential players identified. Goalkeeper Matt Freese expressed that the criticism following their 4-1 round of 16 loss to Belgium "hurts my heart." However, some argue that the USMNT's struggles at the World Cup cannot be solely fixed by overhauling youth development, suggesting that progress might be occurring even without luck.

Transfer Market and Managerial Moves

Manchester United continue to be active in the transfer window, adapting their summer plans with more signings anticipated. In other news, new Chicago Fire signing Robert Lewandowski stated he could not imagine playing for another European club after his tenure with Barcelona, explaining his move to MLS. Meanwhile, Leeds United have agreed to a £34.1m fee for defender Tarik Muharemovic. Reports also suggest Arsenal are considering a swap deal involving Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez, while Liverpool have initiated contact with Paris St-Germain regarding Bradley Barcola. Atlético Madrid has reportedly ended talks for Mason Greenwood, who is nearing a deal with Fenerbahçe. New Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri expressed regret over his final spell at AC Milan.

World Cup Format and Logistics Under Scrutiny

The effectiveness of soccer's format for deciding tied cup games, particularly extra time and penalties, has been questioned, with alternatives being explored. Since the shootout's 1982 debut, 39 knockout games have been decided from the spot, leading to detailed preparation for goalkeepers. FIFA's mandated three-minute hydration breaks have been a notable feature of the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, the half-time interval in the World Cup final is expected to be extended to between 20 and 25 minutes. The reasons behind FIFA's decision to change the match ball after 100 games of the tournament have also been a topic of discussion. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly facing a complaint to the International Olympic Committee regarding his dealings with Donald Trump.

Domestic Football and Player Praises

In Scottish League Cup action, Montrose stunned Dundee United and Ayr shocked Falkirk in group stage matches, leaving their progression hopes in doubt. BBC Sport also noted that England captain Harry Kane is described by his teammates as one of their greatest-ever players and captains.