Football news

Ian Cathro appointed Saint-Étienne manager to target Ligue 1 promotion

Relegated to Ligue 2 after losing a playoff to Nice, AS Saint-Étienne has found its new manager: 39-year-old Scot Ian Cathro, who is leaving Estoril to take charge of the Greens.

Iraq face Haaland, Mbappé and Jackson in World Cup 2026's toughest group after 40-year absence

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after beating Bolivia in the intercontinental playoffs, only to be drawn in a brutal Group I alongside Norway, France and Senegal.

Rashford's Barcelona future in doubt as United weigh £34m Bayern offer and June deadline

Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Barcelona is nearing its end with no permanent deal agreed. The La Liga champions hold a £26m purchase option expiring June 15, while Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to pay £34.5m for the England forward.

Iran's World Cup squad wear #168 pins on arrival in Mexico to honour school strike victims

Iran's players arrived in Tijuana on Sunday wearing gold lapel pins bearing the number 168, honouring the victims — predominantly children — killed in a February missile strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran. The gesture echoes a similar tribute the squad made in March.

Clarke urges Scotland squad to embrace World Cup atmosphere at first tournament in 28 years

Steve Clarke has called on his Scotland players to soak up the World Cup experience after the squad arrived at their Charlotte base. Scotland face Haiti in Boston in their opening group fixture.

Morocco winger Ezzalzouli faces tournament exit as knee injury clouds Scotland's World Cup group

Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli, who scored 15 goals and added 13 assists last season, is facing a three-to-four week layoff after suffering a sprained knee ligament in Morocco's warm-up draw with Norway — potentially ruling him out of the entire World Cup.

Saint-Étienne appoints Scottish coach Ian Cathro two days after Montanier's departure

AS Saint-Étienne has found its successor to Philippe Montanier in the form of Ian Cathro. The 39-year-old Scottish coach is leaving Estoril, where he has been in charge for two seasons, to join the Greens in Ligue 2.

BBC Panorama to air investigation into former West Ham chairman David Sullivan on June 8

Roy Keane threatens to emigrate to Australia if England win the World Cup

The former Manchester United captain made the tongue-in-cheek declaration during a road-trip mini-series with Micah Richards, admitting England's deep runs in tournaments make him nervous.

Ofcom warns social media platforms to stamp out abuse targeting players at World Cup 2026

UK regulator Ofcom has written to social media companies demanding they eradicate illegal hate and abuse during the World Cup, warning they will be held to account if they fail to protect players and pundits.

Van der Vaart Defends Mbappé Against Critics Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Heavily criticized for his season at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé receives strong support from Rafael van der Vaart, who sees him shining with France this summer and contending for the Ballon d'Or.

Rashford keen on permanent Barcelona move but £26m fee clause threatens to derail deal

Marcus Rashford has spoken enthusiastically about Barcelona to England team-mate Anthony Gordon, but the Catalan club are pushing to negotiate below the £26m permanent option they hold — a clause set to expire on June 15.

Arsenal lead race for Julian Alvarez as Barcelona's pursuit stalls

Arsenal have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Atlético Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, with Barcelona's rival bid reported to have stalled. The Premier League champions are targeting the Argentina World Cup winner to fill a left-wing vacancy next season.

Frank Lampard joins Rest Is Football on Netflix for 2026 World Cup coverage

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard will appear as a special guest on The Rest Is Football podcast, streaming on Netflix from June 10 alongside Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Joe Cole for the 2026 World Cup.

Mateta to AC Milan: Crystal Palace striker close to historic transfer

Author of 12 goals in the Premier League this season and selected by Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup, Jean-Philippe Mateta is reportedly in advanced negotiations with AC Milan, a year after a first agreement fell through during a medical examination.

Leao red card for punching prompts Bruno Fernandes solidarity as £43m Man Utd target eyes Premier League move

Rafael Leao was sent off for punching an opponent during Portugal's World Cup warm-up win over Chile, prompting a show of support from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. The AC Milan winger, valued at £43m, has openly expressed his desire to play in the Premier League.

Middlesbrough mourn Anthony Renton, who died aged 27 after nine-year leukaemia battle

Middlesbrough have paid tribute to former academy defender Anthony Renton, who passed away peacefully at 27 following a nine-year battle with leukaemia. The club described him as a 'beacon of positivity' who went on to coach young players across Teesside.

Eriksen collapses again on international duty, raising fresh fears over his career

Christian Eriksen was taken to hospital after collapsing during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday. The 34-year-old was conscious and reported to be in good spirits, but the incident — five years on from his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 — has renewed uncertainty about his future in football.

Jill Scott sets off on 388-mile cycling and marathon challenge for Sport Relief

Former Lioness Jill Scott has begun a gruelling five-day, 388-mile 'Coming Home Challenge' for Sport Relief, starting at Wembley Stadium and finishing at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on 12 June.

Where to watch England's World Cup 2026 games across Greater Manchester

With England's World Cup 2026 campaign kicking off against Croatia on June 17, Greater Manchester has a host of pubs and venues setting up big-screen screenings, fanzones, and matchday events for supporters.