Football news

Prime Minister Burnham backs UK World Cup bid for first time since 1966 triumph

Andy Burnham has told colleagues he is actively pursuing a bid to bring the FIFA World Cup back to the United Kingdom, with 2038 the earliest realistic target. The UK last hosted the tournament in 1966, when England lifted the trophy.

FIFA fines Argentina $321,000 and bans Paredes for 10 matches over World Cup final fracas

FIFA has sanctioned the Argentine Football Association and four squad members following disciplinary breaches at the 2026 World Cup final on July 19. The AFA faces a $321,000 fine and a 50% home crowd restriction, while Leandro Paredes received the heaviest individual punishment.

Paredes handed 10-match ban as FIFA punishes Argentina over World Cup final brawl

FIFA has banned Leandro Paredes for 10 matches and Nahuel Molina for seven after both were involved in a post-match brawl following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final in New York. Staff member Roberto Ayala received a three-match ban, while the Argentine FA was fined $121,000.

German fans plan mass VAR protests this weekend to demand abolition of the technology

A coalition of German supporters' groups is staging protests during the opening round of the German Cup, calling for the permanent removal of VAR from German football after nine years of the technology.

Paredes handed 10-game ban for throwing Gavi to ground in World Cup final brawl

FIFA has suspended Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 matches and fined him $90,000 after he threw Spain's Gavi to the ground in a post-match brawl following Argentina's defeat in the World Cup 2026 final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Doku ruled out for up to three weeks as City prepare to sell Savinho to Spurs for £85m

Jeremy Doku will miss Manchester City's Premier League opener against Bournemouth with a calf injury sustained in the Community Shield, while City are set to receive £85m from Tottenham for winger Savinho before the transfer window closes.

Maresca confirms City will sign replacement if Marmoush follows Savinho to Spurs

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says Omar Marmoush has not yet asked to leave Manchester City, but insists a replacement will arrive if the Egyptian joins Savinho at Tottenham, who have agreed an £85m deal for the Brazilian winger.

Andy Burnham explores UK World Cup bid to end 72-year wait since 1966

Andy Burnham is reportedly in talks with British footballing bodies about launching a bid to host the men's FIFA World Cup, which would return to the UK for the first time since England's 1966 triumph. The earliest available tournament is 2038.

McCourt in the stands at the Vélodrome to launch OM's season against Strasbourg

A rare notable presence: Frank McCourt, owner of Olympique de Marseille, will attend in person the opening Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg this Friday evening (20:45), a significant first since his takeover of the club in 2016.

Alisson named Liverpool vice-captain but Premier League rules mean he will never wear the armband

Andoni Iraola has confirmed Alisson Becker as Liverpool's new vice-captain, while explaining that Premier League regulations restricting referee communication to captains make it impractical for a goalkeeper to hold the armband.

De Zerbi names Van de Ven Tottenham captain as Romero departs for Atletico Madrid

Micky van de Ven has been confirmed as Tottenham's new captain by head coach Roberto De Zerbi, with the Dutch centre-back stepping up after Cristian Romero's transfer to Atletico Madrid. Van de Ven leads a five-player leadership group that includes Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison and 20-year-old Archie Gray.

LFP refuses to postpone Toulouse-OL, Tolisso and Fonseca speak out

The French Professional Football League rejected Olympique Lyonnais's request to reschedule their match against Toulouse, scheduled for Saturday, which falls between two Champions League playoff legs against Fenerbahçe. Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso and manager Paulo Fonseca strongly criticized the decision.

Doku ruled out two to three weeks with calf injury suffered in Community Shield

Jeremy Doku will miss the opening weeks of Manchester City's Premier League season after sustaining a calf injury at half-time of the Community Shield against Arsenal. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the Belgian winger faces two to three weeks on the sidelines.

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Barcelona's Lautaro Martinez pursuit threatens to derail Alvarez's dream move to Arsenal

Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Lautaro Martinez on personal terms, complicating Julian Alvarez's hopes of joining the Catalan club and potentially opening the door for Arsenal to sign the Atletico Madrid forward.

Chelsea charge £7.99 a pint as Premier League stadium food and drink prices soar by up to 27%

Thirteen of the 20 Premier League clubs have raised lager prices this season, with Chelsea fans paying the most at £7.99 a pint at Stamford Bridge. Bournemouth recorded the steepest hike at 27%, while pie prices have also climbed across 16 clubs.

Iraola hints at multiple signings as Liverpool face squad depth concerns before deadline

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has acknowledged specific positional needs — particularly on the wing — and hinted at multiple arrivals before the transfer window closes, as the club prepares to lose Curtis Jones to Inter Milan for around £30 million.

Aguero tips Aston Villa to gatecrash Arsenal's Premier League title defence in 2026/27

Sergio Aguero believes Arsenal remain favourites to retain the Premier League title but has singled out Aston Villa and Chelsea as the most credible threats to Mikel Arteta's defending champions in 2026/27.

Manchester United target Racing Santander teenager Salinas as Atletico Madrid hesitate over £14m deal

Manchester United have entered the race to sign Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas, 19, after Atletico Madrid stalled on a move for the Spain Under-19 international. Santander's sporting director confirmed the player will leave if his £14m release clause is triggered.

Salah flies young fan Isaac to Turkey for Trabzonspor reunion after Liverpool exit

Mohamed Salah arranged for eight-year-old Liverpool fan Isaac Kearney, who has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, to fly to Turkey this week, where the youngster served as mascot for Trabzonspor's match against Ferencvaros and walked out hand-in-hand with his hero in front of 40,000 fans.