… European soccer body UEFA said Artan will referee the August 12 game between Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, the Europa League winner. …
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who is unable to take part in the World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. …
Somali referee Omar Artan, the World Cup match official refused entry to the United States due to visa issues, has been appointed by UEFA to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Aug. …
… Now 34, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023. …
… Now 34, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023. …
… Questions have also been raised over the future of Uruguay international, Manuel Ugarte, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for around £50 million. …
… Fans watched the UEFA Champions League final live on a giant screen as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a cagey contest at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, to successfully defend their European crown. …
A total of 219 people have been injured in clashes between football fans and police across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League final against Arsenal. …
Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over selling squad members, with Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri among players they are inviting offers for. Martinelli, subject to a €45m verbal offer from Galatasaray, is reluctant to move to Turkey, while the 19-year-old Nwaneri has interest from AC Milan, Fulham, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over selling squad members, with Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri among players they are inviting offers for. Martinelli, subject to a €45m verbal offer from Galatasaray, is reluctant to move to Turkey, while the 19-year-old Nwaneri has interest from AC Milan, Fulham, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
Spain's World Cup winner Ferran Torres has been given permission to miss Barcelona training as his move to Paris Saint-Germain nears completion, with the deal likely worth more than £40m. Torres, 26, has one year remaining on his Barcelona contract.
French left-back Lucas Digne has left Aston Villa to rejoin Paris Saint-Germain after PSG triggered his £6 million release clause. Digne, who represented France at the World Cup, spent three years at PSG previously and returns after ten years away.
Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi died at age 68 following a long illness in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Jorge, who served as Messi's agent since the player was 14 years old, played a significant role in his son's football career; Inter Miami and Barcelona both honoured him with moments of silence.
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at age 68 in Rosario following treatment for an unspecified illness. Lionel Messi's emotional performance at this year's World Cup was attributed to personal difficulties related to his father's health.
Real Madrid have reached agreement on personal terms with 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from negotiations. Real Madrid are expected to pay more than £100 million to secure the winger from RB Leipzig.
Manchester City hope to renew Rodri's contract, which expires in June, but Real Madrid are preparing a bid after his impressive World Cup performance. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain may also pursue the midfielder.
Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids appeared at the football World Cup final half-time show alongside Burna Boy and Shakira, performing in the game between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The young dancers, who come from humble beginnings in Kampala, described the experience as life-changing.
Chelsea signed England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117 million, a reported UK record fee for a British player. The 23-year-old has signed a contract until 2033, and the deal surpasses the previous record of £116 million paid by Manchester City for Elliot Anderson.
Cameroon qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 through CAF's expanded 16-team tournament format after being eliminated in the final qualifying round. Under new head coach Valentine Nguele, the Indomitable Lionesses aim to reclaim their place among Africa's elite and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Belgium international Leandro Trossard will move permanently from Arsenal to Turkish club Besiktas, with the 31-year-old forward heading to Istanbul for a medical. The forward scored 36 goals in 174 appearances for Arsenal after joining from Brighton in January 2023.
France and Spain meet in a World Cup semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with France led by Kylian Mbappé (eight goals in six games) and Spain relying on possession-based football under Luis de la Fuente.
Algeria has qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after an impressive qualifying campaign that included a 3-1 aggregate victory over Cameroon. Under coach Farid Benstiti, the team aims to build on their historic quarter-final appearance from 2024 and challenge the continent's established powers.
France won all three group games at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, with Ousmane Dembele scoring the second-fastest World Cup hat-trick of all time. Dembele broke his major tournament goal drought this week and now has four goals on the world stage.
Tieme Music, founded in 2022 by Franck Osei-Mensah and Charlène Osei-Mensah with bases in Accra and Paris, has become the #1 music distribution platform in Ghana by 2025 and reached over 6,000 artists while signing seven major talents to its label services. The company has earned 17 nominations at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards and international recognition including nominations at the Trace Music Awards, the Headies, and two nominations at the Les Flammes Awards in France.
Norway meet France at Gillette Stadium on Friday evening in the final round of group stage matches for the 2026 World Cup. Norway sit second in Group I behind France due to goal difference, though can claim top spot with victory, while France need only avoid defeat to confirm first place.
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is reportedly set to sign with Italian third-tier side Ravenna at age 46, marking a potential comeback more than a decade after his last professional appearance in 2015. Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida acknowledged the move is largely aimed at boosting the club's profile rather than strengthening the squad.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial on a rape charge after France's Versailles appeals court rejected his appeal against referral to criminal court. Hakimi, 27, said he welcomes the opportunity to present his case and denies the allegations.
England winger Bukayo Saka said he is prepared to risk his fitness and play through an Achilles problem for Thomas Tuchel's team at the World Cup, despite coach Tuchel noting he has been unable to train on successive days because of the issue.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup after US authorities cited his alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations," but FIFA will pay him his full tournament fee despite his inability to participate.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US and barred from World Cup duty by American authorities, has been selected by UEFA to officiate the August 12 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, barred from the World Cup by US authorities despite holding a valid visa, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, following a cooperation agreement between European soccer's governing body and the Confederation of African Football.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duty due to visa and vetting concerns, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
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.
Neymar is "recovering well" from a calf injury sustained late last month and is making good progress in treatment ahead of Brazil's World Cup campaign, which begins against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Neymar is "recovering well" from a calf injury ahead of Brazil's World Cup campaign, with an MRI scan on Monday showing "good progress in his treatment," the Brazilian Football Confederation said. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated the 34-year-old will be ready for either Brazil's first or second game.
Manchester United have agreed a £35 million deal with Atalanta for 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder Ederson, who is expected to undergo a medical in coming weeks with the transfer likely finalised in early July. The signing comes as United seeks to strengthen midfield following Casemiro's departure.
Luv FM and Nhyira FM hosted a "Rep Your Jersey" UEFA Champions League final viewing event at SG Mall in Kumasi on May 30, 2026, where hundreds of football fans watched PSG defeat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties and had chances to win prizes including appliances and electronics.
After PSG won the Champions League final against Arsenal, clashes between football fans and police across France injured 219 people, including 57 police officers. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, 780 people were arrested, with more than 450 in custody, and violence disrupted transport services in Paris.