… Long tipped for success since making a name for himself in the Bayern Munich academy, Yildiz has come into his own at Juventus and is poised for a breakthrough on the world stage this summer. …
… Nine clean sheets in 13 matches before the pre-tournament friendlies is even more impressive when you factor in that Moïse Bombito, their star centre-back from Nice, and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, did not play a single minute in any of those matches because of injury. …
… Their first was in 2019-20 when they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in Portugal. But by winning a second Champions League title PSG also became the best-performing French club in the competition, going clear of rivals Marseille who have one title. …
… The England forward, 25, has signed a contract with the La Liga champions until 2031 after a fee was agreed upon between the two clubs following advanced talks earlier this week – and amid interest from Bayern Munich. …
… Davies, 25, suffered a hamstring injury in Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris St-Germain on 6 May, with the German club saying at the time he was expected to be out of action “for several weeks”. …
… It’s natural now.” In the season prior to taking charge at Bournemouth, Iraola’s Vallecano forced more high turnovers that led to shots (68) than any side in the top five European leagues, more than Bayern Munich (73). …
… ea fans, and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams,” he told the BBC in 2015. “I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.” William was born 26 days after Villa’s European Cup final win against Bayern Munich …
Harry Kane scored twice as England defeated Croatia 4-2 in a World Cup Group L match, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also scoring. The victory came in a heavyweight clash at Dallas Stadium, with Croatia twice drawing level before England pulled away.
Harry Kane scored twice as England defeated Croatia 4-2 in a World Cup Group L match, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also scoring. The victory came in a heavyweight clash at Dallas Stadium, with Croatia twice drawing level before England pulled away.
Thomas Tuchel threw the first pitch at Kansas City Royals' stadium as England's squad enjoyed downtime following their 4-2 victory over Croatia. Squad members not used in the match played a separate 5-1 friendly against Sporting KC, with Ivan Toney scoring a hat-trick.
England captain Harry Kane scored twice in England's 4-2 World Cup victory against Croatia, equalling Gary Lineker's record of 10 World Cup goals. Lineker called Kane "the greatest English striker we've ever had," noting Kane's all-round game as exceptional.
Harry Kane used a deliberate stuttered run-up in England's World Cup opener against Croatia, knowing it might draw goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic off his goalline; after his first penalty was saved, VAR ruled Livakovic had moved too early, and Kane scored on the retake.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel's two-year contract extension through Euro 2028 is subject to a performance clause, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has revealed. Tuchel was appointed in 2024 with the remit to win the World Cup, and the FA faces criticism for extending his deal before knowing the outcome of that mission.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who has one year left on his current contract. The deal includes a significant sell-on clause for Brighton.
Defender Josko Gvardiol has agreed a new contract with Manchester City until summer 2031, extending his previous deal that was set to expire in 2028, and ending speculation about moves to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored three goals in France's 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to praise his form and confidence ahead of the tournament.
France coach Didier Deschamps praised Bayern Munich's Michael Olise after he scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Northern Ireland, backing him to make an impact at the tournament. William Saliba returned from injury as France prepare for their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16.
Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu has built a squad capable of defeating elite teams, backed by recent wins over Germany, Spain, Brazil, and England. The team features striker Ayase Ueda, who scored 25 goals in 31 Eredivisie appearances in 2025-26, and operates with strong squad depth despite injuries to Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma.
Turkey qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 24-year hiatus, ending their absence by eliminating Romania and Kosovo in playoff matches. Coach Vincenzo Montella has assembled what is considered their strongest squad ever, featuring young talents Arda Guler of Real Madrid and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus.
As a co-host, Canada enter the World Cup with high expectations despite never winning a previous tournament match. Under coach Jesse Marsch, appointed in May 2024, Canada has lost just one of 15 matches since March 2025, including victories over Colombia, Ecuador, Ukraine and twice over the USA, with the team employing a 4-4-2 formation focused on pressing and pace in wide positions.
Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz managed his first game as Black Stars head coach on Tuesday in Ghana's 1-1 draw with Wales. Caleb Yirenkyi scored for Ghana before Wales equalised late, extending Ghana's winless run, with Queiroz saying the team let a winning position slip but learned valuable lessons ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Paris St-Germain beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Champions League final in Budapest, becoming only the second club to win back-to-back titles and the first since Real Madrid's three-peat from 2016 to 2018. Since the start of last season, Luis Enrique's team have won eight of the ten trophies available to them.
England forward Anthony Gordon has signed with La Liga champions Barcelona until 2031 after a transfer from Newcastle United worth more than 80m euros. Gordon, 25, said he had dreamed of playing for Barcelona since he was three years old.
Forbes' annual list values Real Madrid as football's most valuable club at $9.5bn, with Barcelona second at $7.5bn and Manchester United third at $7.2bn. The Premier League has the most clubs in the top 30 with 11 sides.
Barcelona has agreed a deal worth more than £69 million (over €80 million) with Newcastle United for England international Anthony Gordon, beating interest from Bayern Munich. Gordon's contract with Newcastle runs until 2030, and Everton will receive 15 percent of the transfer fee via a sell-on clause from Gordon's 2023 move to the Magpies.
Captain Alphonso Davies is expected to miss Canada's opening World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 12 June due to a hamstring injury sustained in May, though head coach Jesse Marsch believes Davies will feature later in the tournament.
Andoni Iraola has left Bournemouth after three years in charge, with the club finishing sixth in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League. Iraola took over when Bournemouth were 15th in 2022-23 and elevated them to a club record 57 points, though they fell short of Champions League qualification.
Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday, securing their first European trophy since 1982. Prince William, a Villa fan, celebrated the victory and posted congratulations to the team.
Forward Ousmane Dembele was substituted as a precautionary measure during PSG's 2-1 defeat to Paris FC on Sunday due to a muscle strain in his right calf and will receive treatment over the next few days ahead of the Champions League final on 30 May.
Manchester City is preparing for Pep Guardiola's exit at the end of the season, with sources telling BBC Sport the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium. Enzo Maresca, a former Chelsea manager who worked under Guardiola at City, is the front-runner to replace him.
Ousmane Dembele was withdrawn as a precaution during PSG's 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Paris FC on Sunday due to a muscle strain in his right calf, and will receive treatment over the next few days. The 29-year-old forward faces upcoming Champions League and World Cup commitments.
Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea manager on a four-year contract, beginning July 1 after the season ends. The 44-year-old Spanish coach, recently fired by Real Madrid, said he shares Chelsea's ambition to compete at the highest level and win trophies.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior's replacement, Xabi Alonso, was announced following the club's 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City. The 44-year-old former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss will begin his contract on 1 July and be unveiled in pre-season.
Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea manager on a four-year contract starting in July. The 44-year-old Spaniard previously led Bayer Leverkusen to its first Bundesliga title in 2024 and replaces Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, who were the club's two permanent managers this season.
Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 to cut Arsenal's lead at the top to two points with two rounds of the Premier League season remaining. Phil Foden provided assists for two first-half goals in the win.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez held a tense press conference calling for elections, insisting he will stand again despite a trophyless season and Barcelona's back-to-back La Liga titles. The 79-year-old, in office since 2009, rejected suggestions he is too tired for the role and challenged critics to contest the election openly rather than through anonymous briefings.
Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain won Ligue 1's player of the season award for the second consecutive year, limiting him to nine league starts despite injuries. PSG has claimed the award for the 10th straight time.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has agreed to a contract extension until 2028, with the option of an additional year. The extension comes after Flick's team secured their 29th La Liga title on Sunday, his second title in two years in charge.