Football news

Sudan's teenage girls defy civil war to make historic return to international football

Sudan's under-17 women's team made the country's first appearance in international women's football since civil war erupted in 2023, travelling to Casablanca for Olympic qualifying matches despite having trained together for only a matter of weeks.

Mourinho's admiration for Mateus Fernandes complicates Man United's £80m pursuit

Manchester United are preparing a bid for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but face competition from Real Madrid, whose newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho holds the 21-year-old in high regard.

DR Congo supporters blocked from entering United States due to Ebola ahead of Portugal clash

Due to a resurgence of the Ebola epidemic, Congolese supporters have been denied entry to the United States. DR Congo faces Portugal on Wednesday in Houston for its return to the World Cup, 52 years after its last appearance.

Nico Paz tells Real Madrid he wants another season at Como as Mourinho closes door

Nico Paz has informed Real Madrid he wants to remain at Como 1907 for a further season, reversing what had been widely reported as a near-certain return to the Bernabéu. José Mourinho's inability to guarantee regular minutes and Como's Champions League qualification are understood to have driven the 21-year-old's decision.

Rashford's Barcelona return hinges on Raphinha's potential Saudi exit this summer

Marcus Rashford could yet secure a permanent move to Barcelona after the club declined to trigger their £26m purchase option, with Al-Hilal now pursuing Raphinha in a deal that may prompt the Catalans to reopen talks with Manchester United.

Michael Oliver cleared to referee Netherlands vs Sweden after World Cup injury scare

FIFA has confirmed that Premier League referee Michael Oliver will return to duty at the 2026 World Cup after being forced to withdraw from his opening assignment against Ecuador and Ivory Coast through injury. Oliver will take charge of the Group F clash between the Netherlands and Sweden in Houston on Saturday.

Ivana Knöll accuses England of arrogance ahead of England-Croatia World Cup clash

Iconic Croatia supporter Ivana Knöll has branded England arrogant ahead of the opening match between the two nations at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday. She predicts at least a quarter-final finish for her country.

BBC apologises after mixing up Saliba and Upamecano in France's World Cup line-up graphic

The BBC was forced to apologise after incorrectly displaying Dayot Upamecano's photo in place of William Saliba — and Ibrahima Konate's image instead of Jules Kounde — during pre-match coverage of France's 3-1 win over Senegal at the 2026 World Cup.

Negreira Affair: Real Madrid Appeals to UEFA, Demands Immediate Sanctions Against Barcelona

Real Madrid has officially submitted a letter to UEFA's disciplinary bodies to reopen the Negreira affair, citing new evidence of opaque payments made by FC Barcelona to a former Spanish refereeing official between 2001 and 2018.

Greenwood agrees Roma move as Man Utd face rival bid for Summerville

Mason Greenwood has reportedly agreed personal terms on a permanent move to Roma after a 26-goal season at Marseille. The deal carries a financial sting for Manchester United, who hold a 40 per cent sell-on clause from his £26m departure in 2024.

Haaland nets twice on World Cup debut but defers to Kane and Mbappe in best-striker debate

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup opener, taking his international tally to 57 goals in 51 appearances. Despite winning a second Premier League Golden Boot, the Man City striker insists Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe outscored him this season.

Manchester United target Summerville and Fernandes in double West Ham raid

Manchester United are weighing a double swoop on relegated West Ham, with winger Crysencio Summerville and midfielder Mateus Fernandes both identified as summer targets as the club reshapes its squad.

Liverpool's failure to include buy-back clause in Kelleher sale leaves Iraola short of goalkeeper options

Liverpool sold Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford for an initial £12.5m last summer without securing a buy-back clause, a decision that now complicates new head coach Andoni Iraola's plans as Alisson's long-term future at Anfield grows uncertain.

Poor New Jersey pitch alarms France and Brazil ahead of England's Panama clash

Adrien Rabiot described the surface at New York New Jersey Stadium as feeling 'more like an artificial pitch — quite hard and quite rigid' after France's game against Senegal. England play their final group-stage match against Panama on the same grass, having already lost Tino Livramento to a calf injury.

After Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid target Bastoni for €70m

Real Madrid has officially confirmed the arrival of Bernardo Silva and is now targeting Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, valued at €70 million according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Raphinha's potential Al-Hilal move reopens Barcelona door for Rashford

Marcus Rashford's hopes of a permanent Barcelona move appeared dead after the club let their £26m option expire and signed Anthony Gordon instead. But reported Saudi interest in Raphinha could force the Catalans to revisit a deal for the Manchester United winger.

Haaland names Kane and Mbappe above himself after brace on World Cup debut

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup opener, yet the Manchester City striker insisted Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe rank ahead of him as the world's best, citing their superior goal tallies this season.

Carragher unsurprised as Tuchel snubs Alexander-Arnold for World Cup squad again

Jamie Carragher says Thomas Tuchel is prioritising squad harmony over quality after Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of England's World Cup squad, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah called up instead following Tino Livramento's calf injury.

Gascoigne's raw memoir and Southgate's leadership book headline World Cup audiobook collection

Palace x Nike England pre-match top still available as World Cup 2026 campaign nears

Most of the Nike x Palace England collection sold out within minutes of launch, but the pre-match top remains available in men's, women's and kids' sizes, priced from £34.99, ahead of England's World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia on 17 June.