Football

• 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.

‘Gender norms explain some of it, but not all of it’ says Tiya Banerjee, an economist at the e61 InstituteGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn about a week’s time, the Socceroos will step up against Turkey, their first opponents in this year’s World Cup.Winning their first match will be a big ask; progressing beyond the first round will be a bigger one. Continue reading...

Former pornographer, who owns 38.8% of club, has been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviourThe football regulator could force David Sullivan to sell his stake in West Ham United after the former pornography billionaire was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour against women over several decades.The 77-year-old announced his resignation as a director and co-chair of the football club on Saturday, ahead of a joint investigation by the BBC and the Times reporting on seven women accusing him of sexual misconduct. Continue reading...

• Sports Illustrated is providing analysis and odds for tonight's College Football National Championship game between Miami and Indiana. • The College Football Playoff (CFP) is facing criticism from the SEC, as a recent presentation suggested the committee may overvalue dominant records in weaker conferences over survival in tougher leagues. • Experts argue that the CFP's primary strategic priority moving forward should be scheduling postseason games to avoid direct competition with the NFL.

• Football writers are providing live updates and a countdown leading up to the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony scheduled for Thursday. • The coverage includes a current ranking or listing of 48 competing nations, featuring top teams like Argentina, France, and Spain, as well as Scotland and Norway. • Recent reports highlight tensions between teams, specifically noting that Norway has labeled Scotland as "unprofessional."

• For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup final will feature a full-scale halftime musical show, mirroring the format of major U.S. sporting events like the Super Bowl. • The final match is scheduled to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. • This addition aims to leverage the tournament's expanded scale, which now includes 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations to maximize global reach.

Sullivan hoped football would legitimise him but claims about historical conduct have led to his resignation from West Ham• Sullivan steps down at West Ham to fight claims about private lifeWhen David Sullivan was growing up in a council house in Cardiff, he dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. Short and squat, he would never be a player, but later in life the fortune he built through the pornography industry and the property world gave him a route into the sport. The only problem, Sullivan discovered, was finding a club willing to roll out the welcome carpet for him and his business partners, David and Ralph Gold.They were fans of West Ham United and bought a stake in the east London club in 1991, only to find entry to the boardroom closed. “We had no contact with the board,” the late David Gold wrote in his autobiography. “They simply did not want David Sullivan and the Golds at their football club.” Continue reading...

• Real Madrid is reportedly preparing a £130m bid to sign winger Michael Olise from Bayern Munich. • Former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is currently the favorite to succeed the AC Milan coaching position over Mauricio Pochettino. • Arne Slot has allegedly turned down a move to Fulham following his departure from Liverpool.

• England and Scotland are preparing for World Cup 2026 warm-up matches, while Sarina Wiegman’s national team faces a critical qualifier in Mallorca. • Sweden has been placed in Group F for the World Cup, where they will compete against the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. • The report highlights the strong performance of Belgium's Alexis Saelemaekers during his current loan spell at Roma.

• Atletico Madrid is targeting the signing of Chelsea and Spain left-back Marc Cucurella during the upcoming summer transfer window. • The move is driven by sporting director Mateu Alemany, who previously attempted to bring the defender to Barcelona during his tenure there. • This potential transfer highlights Atletico's desire to strengthen their defensive line with established international talent.

• High-ranking figures from global sport, finance, and foreign investment funds gathered for an exclusive behind-the-scenes summit dinner ahead of the Champions League final. • The meeting focused on the "evolution of the global sports ecosystem," discussing the intersection of professional athletics and international capital. • This summit highlights the growing influence of sovereign wealth funds and private equity in shaping the future of football's financial landscape.