The Minority in Parliament has called for separate ministerial briefings on the sustainability of the national clean-up exercise and Ghana’s participation in the World Cup, insisting that lawmakers deserve greater accountability on both issues. …
FIFA officials will look at the possibility of expanding the World Cup by another 16 teams before the 2030 event, President Gianni Infantino said in an interview. …
Plans for a 64-team men’s World Cup are set to be assessed after the 2026 tournament, with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino saying the event needs to be “for the whole world”. …
Jorge Jesus is set to be appointed Portugal coach after Roberto Martinez stepped down in the wake of their World Cup exit, a source told AFP yesterday. …
FIFA refereeing Chief, Pierluigi Collina, defended the officiating in Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16, dismissing allegations of bias and saying match officials operated with complete independence. …
Spain face Belgium today in a World Cup quarter-final that pits one of the tournament’s smoothest operators against a side emboldened by a thunderous 4-1 win over the United States that followed one of football’s most bizarre political interventions. …
… Speaking before France beat Morocco to reach the World Cup semi-finals, Klopp – who is working for Magenta TV as a pundit at the tournament – said the Real Madrid man had been wanted by Liverpool. …
Norway striker Erling Haaland says all the pressure is on England leading into their World Cup quarter-final meeting on Saturday – and with a smile, called on the media to put as much pressure on Thomas Tuchel’s side as possible. …
President John Mahama has taken a light-hearted swipe at Ghana’s Black Stars over their failure to sing the national anthem during the team’s World Cup matches, joking that players who cannot sing it should not make the national team. …
Spain defender Marc Cucurella fulfilled a promise to get a tattoo of World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente, featuring a portrait of De la Fuente holding the World Cup and Cucurella's number 26. Cucurella helped Spain win the World Cup this month after the team beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Spain defender Marc Cucurella fulfilled a promise to get a tattoo of World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente, featuring a portrait of De la Fuente holding the World Cup and Cucurella's number 26. Cucurella helped Spain win the World Cup this month after the team beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Marc Cucurella, a defender who helped Spain win the World Cup this month by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, has fulfilled a promise to get a tattoo of coach Luis de la Fuente. The portrait features De la Fuente holding the World Cup in front of the number 26.
Jurrien Timber has travelled from Arsenal's Spain training camp to London for a groin check as part of his ongoing rehabilitation. Sources indicate the visit is routine and not due to a setback; Timber is expected to return to Spain to rejoin the squad.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written to 211 member associations offering $40m if they back his plan to sell stakes in major competitions, including the World Cup, with a 19 September deadline for access to an initial $20m. UEFA accused FIFA of using football to enrich themselves and their friends.
Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber has travelled from the club's training camp in Spain to London for a groin check. Sources say the visit is part of his rehabilitation schedule, and he is expected to return to Spain to rejoin the squad.
FIFA announced plans to sell off stakes in its football competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors associated with US President Donald Trump, which Infantino characterizes as democratisation of football but which has met criticism from fans, politicians and regional governing bodies. The plan would distribute $40m in funding to FIFA member associations, with a deadline of 19 September for federations to accept in order to access an initial $20m.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations offering $40m in exchange for backing his plan to sell stakes in major competitions like the World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary. The plan, which could raise $10bn and has drawn quick condemnation from multiple regions, sets a 19 September deadline for nations to accept and receive an initial $20m.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri will be out for a "short period of rehabilitation" after undergoing back surgery on Monday, manager Enzo Maresca said, with no specific return timeline set. City said Rodri had been experiencing discomfort for some time before the procedure.
Chief refereeing officers from 55 European national football associations met with UEFA and IFAB officials to reaffirm that VAR should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions or clear missed incidents, rejecting "lengthy, microscopic reviews" that exceed VAR's original scope of "minimum interference – maximum benefit" established in 2018.
Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn as a candidate to coach the Italian national football team following backlash over his ties to Russian betting company Fonbet and appearances alongside pro-Kremlin figures. The controversy also prompted two senior Italian Football Federation officials, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, to resign.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of spreading criticism about his leadership and the World Cup. He claimed FIFA delivered the "greatest event on earth" and praised the 2026 tournament's safety and unity, including Iran's participation, contradicting accounts from Iran's head coach who said his team were the "most oppressed" at the World Cup.
Chelsea are negotiating with Brentford for England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, available on a free transfer, and with Brighton for ex-England striker Danny Welbeck, 35, as the club seeks experienced players to refine its strategy of signing young talent.
World Cup winner and Ballon d'Or recipient Rodri will have back surgery on Monday, new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca confirmed. Maresca said Rodri needs recovery time before returning, and dismissed speculation about the midfielder moving to Real Madrid.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says he has had positive conversations with captain Bruno Guimaraes but cannot guarantee his future at the club, after BBC Sport reported that Arsenal are set to make a £70m offer for the Brazil midfielder.
Jurgen Klopp, appointed Germany's head coach on a four-year deal, warned he will quit if the media does not respect his family's privacy, calling the role "the absolutely high point" of his coaching career and his first job since leaving Liverpool in 2024.
The Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee over the decision to suspend US forward Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban after he received a straight red card, following an intervention by US President Donald Trump. The federation will decide on filing the complaint at its next board meeting.
AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric, 40, has signed a one-year contract extension with the Italian club after joining on a one-year deal last summer following 13 years at Real Madrid. Modric scored two goals in 37 appearances for Milan last season as they finished fifth in Serie A.
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.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has signed a new four-year contract extending his stay until 2030, replacing a deal that was due to expire next summer. The 26-year-old expressed enthusiasm for working with new head coach Enzo Maresca.
William Saliba will miss an extended period after suffering a back injury at the World Cup with France. The 25-year-old required specialist review and will undergo a managed recovery programme rather than surgery.
Football analyst Kojo Addae-Mensah says coach Carlos Queiroz exceeded expectations at the World Cup by guiding Ghana to the knockout round and drawing with England, but warns that his defensive tactical philosophy will not change and Ghanaians should accept formations like 5-4-1 if they want to retain him.
Anthony Taylor, 47, has retired from refereeing after 20 years and 831 matches, with his final game Spain's 1-0 World Cup win over Portugal on 6 July. Taylor officiated 432 Premier League matches and 163 international games across two decades.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez has claimed his team represented their nation "in the best possible way" during the World Cup, despite being sent off in their 1-0 final loss to Spain after extra time in New Jersey. Members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players celebrating their victory, prompting FIFA's disciplinary committee to appoint a prosecutor to assess the incidents.
Bournemouth have rejected a £64m offer from Chelsea for midfielder Alex Scott and told the Blues no further approaches would be welcomed, insisting they intend to keep the 22-year-old star player despite his rejection of a new contract offer.
Chelsea are interested in signing England defender John Stones on a free transfer after he departed Manchester City, joining Inter Milan in considering the 32-year-old. The west London club are also in talks to sign Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix while looking to sell central defenders including Trevoh Chalobah.
Emi Martinez says he is considering whether it is "time to step aside" from international football after Argentina's 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain. The 33-year-old has won 67 caps and was a 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient.
Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over holders Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, ending Lionel Messi's bid for a second World Cup title in what was likely his final appearance in the tournament.
Lionel Messi said "the pain is immense" and that it "will take time to heal" after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra time. Messi has now lost two World Cup finals, and at 39 years old is unlikely to feature at the 2030 tournament.
A 13-year-old boy was killed when part of the Árbol Gordo fountain in Salamanca, northwestern Spain, collapsed during celebrations of Spain's World Cup victory. Two other young people were injured, including a child with a possible broken leg.
Wayne Rooney says the FA should retain Thomas Tuchel as England head coach unless Pep Guardiola becomes available, arguing there are few alternatives of comparable quality despite Tuchel's World Cup inexperience.