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Lacroix targeted for £35m as Cucurella transfer request forces Chelsea defensive rebuild
Chelsea are plotting a significant defensive overhaul ahead of Xabi Alonso's first transfer window at Stamford Bridge, with Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix emerging as a £35m target and Marc Cucurella reportedly pushing for a return to Barcelona.
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Iraola eyes £80m Alex Scott move as Liverpool plot first signing of new era
New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is targeting Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as his first Anfield signing, with the Cherries placing an £80 million price tag on the 23-year-old to fend off interest from multiple top clubs.
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World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11 with 48 teams and 104 matches at expanded tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 when co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face 47 rivals across a tournament expanded to 104 matches over nearly six weeks.
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Barcelona ditch Rashford after La Liga title season, leaving Real Madrid move in play
Barcelona have decided against signing Marcus Rashford permanently despite his 14-goal, 14-assist loan season, with the Spanish champions opting for Anthony Gordon instead. The 28-year-old's next destination remains unclear, though Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs have been linked.
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Klopp confirms punditry role at World Cup 2026 after teasing fans with sideline return
Jurgen Klopp will work as a pundit for German broadcaster Magenta TV at the 2026 World Cup, beginning his duties at the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City.
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Rashford scrubs Barcelona from Instagram bio as £26m permanent move collapses
Marcus Rashford has removed all mention of Barcelona from his Instagram bio after the La Liga champions decided against triggering their £26m buy option, with Anthony Gordon's arrival from Newcastle effectively ending his hopes of a permanent move to the Camp Nou.
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Fernandes forced his way out of Southampton once — and United hope he repeats it to beat £85m asking price
Manchester United are in contact with Mateus Fernandes' representatives over a potential move from relegated West Ham, who are demanding £85million for the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder — more than double the £42m they paid Southampton last summer.
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Arsenal close in on head doctor signing as Rogers addresses Gunners transfer links
Arsenal are set to appoint Arnaldo Abrantes as their new head doctor after his departure from Aston Villa, while Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers has spoken openly about how transfer speculation affects his performances.
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Bellingham silences doubters to seal World Cup starting spot in England's final rehearsal
Jude Bellingham delivered a commanding all-round display as England beat Costa Rica in Orlando, effectively ending the debate over whether he or Morgan Rogers should start at No 10 against Croatia on June 17.
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Wenger backs Mbappé to shed 'scapegoat' label and shine at World Cup 2026
Arsène Wenger has defended Kylian Mbappé against criticism of his Real Madrid form, arguing the forward has been made a scapegoat for a weakened squad and will arrive at the 2026 World Cup physically fresh and ready to deliver.
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Mexico open as heavy -245 favourites against South Africa in World Cup 2026 opener
Betting markets have moved sharply in Mexico's favour ahead of Thursday's World Cup 2026 opener against South Africa, with El Tri now priced at -245 — up from -185 at opening — as one-way public money floods in on the tournament co-hosts.
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Haiti forced to alter World Cup shirt after Fifa flags political imagery rule breach
Haiti have changed their World Cup 2026 kit after Fifa ruled that imagery depicting a scene from the country's independence war violated its regulations on political speech. The revision was confirmed by manufacturer Saeta ahead of Saturday's Group C opener against Scotland in Boston.
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Infantino defends FIFA as barred referee, Trump absence and storms cloud World Cup opening day
FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged critics to 'chill' after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on security grounds, while President Trump is set to skip the USA's opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles and severe weather delayed England's warm-up friendly in Orlando.
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PSG ready to sacrifice Barcola and Ramos to land Olise from Bayern
PSG are targeting Michael Olise, Bayern Munich's winger under contract until 2029 and valued at €150 million, and are considering selling Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos to finance this ambitious transfer.
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World Cup debut patches worn by Haaland and Yamal will become Topps trading cards from 2031
Players making their World Cup debut at the 2026 tournament will wear a commemorative patch on their shirt. After each debut game, the patch will be removed and converted into a Topps trading card — though collectors must wait until at least 2031 to own one.
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Infantino tells critics to 'chill and relax' over Somali referee's US entry ban
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended his organisation's handling of the Omar Artan visa controversy, telling critics to 'chill and relax' while also revealing he personally promised Iran their place at the 2026 World Cup.
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ITV's Brooklyn studio outshines BBC's virtual backdrop as World Cup 2026 coverage begins
ITV Sport has launched its 2026 World Cup coverage from a custom-built studio in Brooklyn, New York, offering panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline — a stark contrast to the BBC's Salford base, where presenters work in front of LED-recreated host cities.
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Richards declares himself fit to anchor USA defence for Paraguay World Cup opener
Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards has cleared his sore left ankle in time to start the United States' World Cup campaign against Paraguay on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium, two days after confirming his availability at a press conference in Irvine.
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John Barnes warns Ronaldo's dominance will stifle Bruno Fernandes at World Cup 2026
Former England winger John Barnes believes Cristiano Ronaldo's outsized presence in the Portugal squad will prevent Bruno Fernandes and other talented teammates from performing at their best at the 2026 World Cup.
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How Christian Eriksen's implanted heart device saved him during his second collapse
Christian Eriksen walked off the pitch after collapsing during a recent friendly, protected by the implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 in 2021. The Danish midfielder confirmed the device "did exactly what it was designed to do."
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