News
9255 stories
-
United target third midfielder if Ugarte sale funds Mateus Fernandes pursuit
Manchester United are prepared to sell Manuel Ugarte this summer and reinvest in a third midfielder, while a decision on their primary target Mateus Fernandes could come as early as this weekend, with Tottenham also in the race for the West Ham winger.
Football -
Aaron Smith hails Dave Rennie's 'straight and direct' style as All Blacks rebuild begins
Veteran halfback Aaron Smith, who played under Dave Rennie at New Zealand U20 and Manawatu level, says the new All Blacks head coach's attacking philosophy and transparent communication set him apart from his peers.
Rugby -
Ugarte stretchered off at World Cup with serious knee injury to leave Man United facing summer blow
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was carried off on a stretcher during Uruguay's World Cup group match against Spain after an awkward collision with team-mate Mathias Olivera left him in clear distress with an apparent serious knee injury.
Football -
Fernandes decides to stay at Man United as Dortmund set £86m price for Nmecha
Bruno Fernandes has told Manchester United team-mates he intends to remain at Old Trafford, rebuffing renewed Saudi interest. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund have valued midfield target Felix Nmecha at £86 million with no release clause.
Football -
Harvard grad Matt Freese rejected Man Utd to study economics — now he's USA's No.1 at World Cup 2026
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese turned down a Manchester United apprenticeship to attend Harvard University, graduating with an economics degree in 2022. The 27-year-old is now the United States' first-choice keeper at World Cup 2026, having conceded just once in two group-stage victories.
Football -
Kai Rooney cleared to wear Puma boots at Man United after age-group promotion ends kit rule
Kai Rooney, 16, can now wear his Puma sponsorship boots for Manchester United after ageing out of the U16s, where all academy players are required to wear identical footwear regardless of personal deals.
Football -
Cape Verde stun football world to become smallest nation ever in World Cup knockouts
Cape Verde secured a historic 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia on Friday to advance from Group A at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the smallest nation — population just over 500,000 — ever to reach the knockout stage. The Blue Sharks, making their World Cup debut, now face reigning champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.
Football -
Cape Verde make World Cup history as smallest nation ever to reach knockout stage, face Argentina
Cape Verde became the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage after Spain's win over Uruguay sealed second place in Group H for the Blue Sharks, who now face reigning champions Argentina in the round of 32.
Football -
Harvard grad Matt Freese snubbed Man United to become USA's World Cup No.1
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese turned down a Manchester United apprenticeship to stay in education, graduated from Harvard with an economics degree, and is now the United States' first-choice keeper at World Cup 2026, having conceded just once in two group-stage wins.
Football -
Spain top Group H as Cape Verde make history and Scotland cling to World Cup lifeline
Spain edged Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara thanks to Alex Baena's 42nd-minute goal, sending the South Americans out of the World Cup. Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia secured their place in the knockout rounds — the smallest nation ever to do so — while Scotland's last-16 hopes remain alive.
Football -
Arsenal prepare second Guimaraes bid while £60m Scott emerges as midfield alternative
Arsenal are set to submit an improved offer for Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes after an initial £55m approach was rejected, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott identified as a £60m alternative should the pursuit stall.
Football -
Canobbio's late red card sparks touchline brawl as Spain eliminate Uruguay from World Cup
Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card in the closing stages of Uruguay's defeat to Spain, triggering a touchline confrontation between both benches. The result ends Uruguay's World Cup campaign and sends Cape Verde through to the knockout stages.
Football -
Debutants Cape Verde to face reigning champions Argentina in World Cup round of 32
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, will meet Lionel Messi's Argentina in the round of 32 on July 3 at Miami Stadium after finishing as runners-up in Group H with three points from three matches.
Football -
Marciniak, referee of the 2022 World Cup final, appointed for Egypt vs Iran in Seattle
Poland's Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, has been appointed to take charge of the Egypt vs Iran Group A clash at Lumen Field in Seattle. Both sides can still reach the knockout stage, though only one is likely to advance.
Football -
Venezuelan under-20 international Yimvert Berroteran, 18, dies in earthquake
The Venezuelan Football Federation has confirmed the death of 18-year-old under-20 international Yimvert Berroteran following two earthquakes in the country. Berroteran had represented Venezuela at the Under-17 World Cup last year.
Football -
Georgia stun New Zealand U20s in warm-up as Junior World Championship looms
Georgia edged New Zealand 22-19 in a pre-tournament hitout ahead of the World Rugby Junior Championship, with All Blacks coach Kane Jury prioritising new combinations over the result after a mixed Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign in South Africa.
Rugby -
Bielsa substitutes Muslera at half-time as Uruguay's World Cup campaign unravels against Spain
Marcelo Bielsa hauled off 40-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at half-time of Uruguay's must-win World Cup group game against Spain after Muslera gifted Alex Baena the opening goal. Bielsa then removed Federico Valverde before the hour, deepening a crisis that had already seen players reportedly clash with their coach over training methods.
Football -
Adham Makhadmeh to referee Belgium vs New Zealand in crucial World Cup Group G clash
Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh will take charge of Belgium vs New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, a Group G fixture that could determine which side advances to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup.
Football -
Bielsa hauls off Muslera at half-time after third World Cup howler hands Spain opener
Fernando Muslera was substituted at half-time by Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa after mishandling Alex Baena's shot to gift Spain the opening goal, becoming the first goalkeeper to contribute three error-led goals in a single World Cup campaign since records began in 1966.
Football -
Deschamps to return for France training Saturday after mother's death disrupted World Cup campaign
Assistant coach Guy Stephan confirmed Didier Deschamps will rejoin the France squad on Saturday, a day after overseeing a 4-1 win over Norway in which Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick from just 0.29 xG — the lowest for any hat-trick scorer in World Cup history.
Football
