Football

• South Korea has crashed out of the 2026 World Cup, leaving the national football program in a state of crisis. • Internal turmoil plagued the camp in June, including a boycott of domestic media after personnel were caught mocking captain Son Heung-min's military exemption. • The failure is compounded by the aging squad, as star player Son turns 34 in July and may soon retire from international competition.

• Gearoid Reidy of Bloomberg Opinion argues that football's "Asian century" remains unrealized, noting that the 2026 World Cup does not yet signal a shift in the sport's global center of gravity. • The author highlights a lack of competitive success in Southeast Asia, where only Indonesia has reached the finals, dating back to the 1938 tournament. • Reidy suggests that genuine growth requires more hosting opportunities similar to the 2002 Japan-South Korea World Cup, rather than "sportswashing" projects in the Middle East.

• Harry Kane is expected to extend his contract with Bayern Munich, while Manchester City is reportedly planning a major squad rebuild. • Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, 25, has reportedly rejected interest from Newcastle United in favor of a potential move to Manchester United. • Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, 24, is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain based on his World Cup performances for France.

• South Korea has crashed out of the 2026 World Cup, leaving the national football program in a state of crisis. • Internal turmoil plagued the team, including a boycott of domestic media duties after staff were caught mocking star player Son Heung-min's military exemption. • The situation marks a potential turning point for the squad as 33-year-old Son may retire from international football following the tournament.

• South Korea's national football coach has resigned following the team's elimination from the World Cup 2026 qualifiers after failing to secure a spot among the eight best third-placed teams. • President Lee has called for a formal probe into the team's performance and the circumstances surrounding the exit. • Security forces are currently monitoring Incheon Airport and other key locations following online death threats directed at coach Hong upon his return to Korea.

Lucas Trejo of Argentina loses wife and two children while teammate’s partner dies saving their daughter‘Critical hours’ in Venezuela earthquake rescue operation – latest updatesFamily members of two professional footballers are among those killed by the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in a catastrophe that has claimed at least 1,450 lives.Among the reported victims are the wife and two children of Lucas Trejo, an Argentinian footballer signed to Club Sport Marítimo of La Guaira. He searched through rubble in the coastal city for his wife, Yanina, and their children, Aaron and Ainhoa, for three days before their bodies were recovered by rescue workers. Continue reading...

• Only two of the nine Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams successfully progressed to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. • This result marks a decline in performance for Asian teams compared to the 2022 tournament, where more teams advanced. • The outcome highlights missed opportunities for the region's top footballing nations to make a deeper impact on the global stage.

• FIFA has released the full fixture schedule for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Mexico, the USA, and Canada. • The expanded 48-team tournament will feature a total of 104 matches, culminating in the Final on Sunday, July 19. • The schedule includes key matchups in cities such as Vancouver, Foxborough, Los Angeles, and Miami, with specific UK kick-off times provided for viewers.

• As the final round of group matches for the 2026 World Cup begins, Argentina has emerged as the favorite to win the trophy with a 31% probability. • Other top contenders include Spain at 13%, France at 11%, and England at 9%, though England's quarterfinal chances vary from 30% to 50% depending on their group ranking. • Despite their lead, Argentina faces a 41% chance of elimination by opponents such as Cape Verde, Australia, Belgium, Paraguay, Colombia, or Portugal.

Some worry choosing James Purnell, former Demon Eyes teammate, would show Labour struggling for new talentThe most powerful football team in the country is getting back together.Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint James Purnell as his chief of staff should he become prime minister will reunite not only two old friends and former Labour ministers but two of the linchpins of the famous Demon Eyes team set up in the late 1990s. Continue reading...

• Arsenal and Manchester United are both tracking Alex Scott, with the Gunners also pursuing Leicester City's Jeremy Monga. • Real Madrid is reportedly interested in Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, 25, as a potential replacement should Vinicius Jr leave the club. • Manchester United is expected to make an official bid for 21-year-old West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the coming days.

• Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup knockout stages after defeating Austria 2-0 in their opening match on Monday. • Lionel Messi scored both goals in the victory, setting a new all-time record for the most goals scored in World Cup history with 17. • Despite widespread criticism from fans, players, and staff, FIFA has confirmed that hydration breaks will be implemented in every game this summer.

• Transfer rumors link Marcus Rashford to Barcelona and Crysencio Summerville to Paris St-Germain, while Manchester United reportedly have no interest in selling Benjamin Sesko. • Juventus has reportedly added Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, and former Manchester City defender John Stones, 32, to their summer transfer targets. • These potential moves signal a period of significant squad restructuring for several top European clubs as they seek to strengthen their rosters.

• Several high-profile transfer rumors have emerged, including Morgan Rogers' interest in Arsenal and Marcus Rashford's willingness to accept a pay cut to join Tottenham. • Tottenham is also reportedly confident in signing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, while both Spurs and Bayern Munich are targeting Juventus defender Bremer. • In a surprise move, Barcelona has reportedly approached 32-year-old Harry Kane to gauge his interest in leaving Bayern Munich for Spain.

• Transfer rumors link Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, while Paris St-Germain has reportedly entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville. • Manchester United is said to have no interest in selling Benjamin Sesko at this time. • Juventus has added Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (33) and former Manchester City defender John Stones (32) to their summer transfer targets.

• Juventus has set a €30m (£26m) asking price for 26-year-old Canadian forward Jonathan David. • PSG is seeking €40m (£35m) for Randal Kolo Muani, who is reportedly keen on a move to Juventus. • Juventus is also considering a potential transfer for 30-year-old Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth.

• Several high-profile transfer rumors are circulating, including Chelsea's interest in Florian Wirtz and Felix Nmecha's openness to returning to the English league. • Juventus has reportedly set a €30m (£26m) asking price for 26-year-old Canadian forward Jonathan David. • PSG is seeking €40m (£35m) for Randal Kolo Muani, who is keen on a move to Juventus, while the Italian club is also weighing a bid for Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest tournament in history, featuring matches played across North America. • Despite being a major hub for soccer fans, Chicago has been excluded as a host city and will not hold any matches. • The event marks a significant expansion of the global game, bringing the world's top soccer stars to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland have learned their opponents for the Women's World Cup play-offs to secure a spot in the tournament in Brazil. • Key matchups include the Republic of Ireland facing 100th-ranked Kazakhstan, while Wales will compete against Albania. • The play-offs are structured in two stages, with round one fixtures scheduled for October 7-13 and round two taking place from November 26 to December 5.

• Arsenal and Liverpool are both showing strong interest in signing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. • Roma is preparing a £35 million bid for 24-year-old England striker Mason Greenwood, which will include a sell-on clause to entice Marseille. • Manchester City is reportedly targeting Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a potential addition to their squad.

• The Korea Republic and Czechia are scheduled to face each other in Match 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2026. • This high-stakes international fixture will take place at the Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara. • Additionally, Sporting CP is set to play FK Bodo/Glimt in Match 169 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League on March 17, 2026.

• Sporting CP is scheduled to face FK Bodo/Glimt in a UEFA Champions League match on March 17, 2026, at the Estádio José Alvalade. • In cricket news, India has handed out two debuts for an upcoming fixture, notably excluding batter Yashasvi Jaiswal from the squad. • The Women's T20 World Cup is generating significant interest with live streaming and squad reports available for the high-profile India vs. Pakistan clash.

• Former Scotland international footballer Lou Macari and radio presenter George Bowie were among the Scots recognized in the King's Birthday Honours list. • The honors celebrate a diverse group of individuals who have worked tirelessly to improve society and contribute to their communities. • These awards highlight the achievements of public figures and unsung heroes across Scotland, acknowledging their long-term dedication and service.

Footy Addicts helps amateur players find a game at short notice – and tackles the problem of lonelinessCries of “Boss! Boss! Boss!” emerge from the pitch during a hard-fought game of football in a London park. There aren’t a lot of names used in this game, because most players only met just before kick-off. They were brought together by an app that’s injecting life into grassroots football.Footy Addicts was invented to solve an infuriating problem for amateur players – the late dropout, which can lead to unbalanced teams and ruined games. The app brings together strangers who are desperate to play football, and who can step in after a cancellation to make up the numbers at short notice. Continue reading...

Jibril Rajoub attended opening match in Mexico but becomes latest football official hit by US visa issues, he saysThe head of the Palestinian Football Association has said he is unable to travel to the United States with other federation heads attending the 2026 Fifa World Cup because he has not been issued a visa.Jibril Rajoub went to the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday. But he is among several people accredited to attend the World Cup who have been denied visas or have yet to receive them from the United States. Continue reading...

• The 2026 World Cup is preparing to kick off with an expanded tournament format, raising questions about how Asian teams will perform. • Previous success for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams included Saudi Arabia's 2-1 victory over Argentina and strong group stage performances by South Korea, Australia, and Japan. • This tournament matters as it tests whether AFC nations can translate past individual upsets into consistent deep runs within a larger competition.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest and most complex edition of the tournament to date, promising an expanded scale of competition. • Diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran have created significant logistical hurdles, leading the Iranian football federation to consider playing its matches in Mexico. • These concerns center on security, travel restrictions, and visa access for the Iranian team, casting a shadow over the event's preparations.

• Multiple international football matches are currently underway or completed, featuring teams from Europe and the Women's League A. • Key results include Sweden defeating Denmark 4-1, while Spain secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Iceland. • Ongoing matches show England leading Ukraine 2-0 and France leading Ireland 1-0, both around the 52nd to 53rd minute.