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FIFA grants Mercedes branding exemption as England vs Argentina kicks off on schedule in Atlanta
England's World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta will start as scheduled at 8pm UK time, with stadium officials confirming the retractable roof eliminates any weather risk. FIFA has also been forced to grant a rare advertising exemption after the venue's enormous Mercedes logo proved impossible to safely cover.
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Ben Askren returns to wrestling just one year after life-saving double-lung transplant
Ben Askren will compete in a wrestling match at RAF 11 against Belal Muhammad, barely a year after a near-death experience left him comatose and requiring a double-lung transplant. The former UFC fighter and Olympian says the ordeal now feels like 'a bad dream'.
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Eliminated by Spain, France plays first third-place match since 1986
Beaten 0-2 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, Kylian Mbappé's France will face the loser of the England-Argentina clash on Saturday in Miami for third place, a situation unseen for forty years.
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Shearer threatens John Obi with lawyers after pundit's false claim on The Rest Is Football
Alan Shearer jokingly demanded an apology — or legal action — from Mikel John Obi on The Rest Is Football after the former Chelsea midfielder falsely claimed Shearer had elbowed him at St James' Park, despite never playing there while Shearer was still active.
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Davitashvili wants to leave ASSE, but €20m price tag blocks all progress
Georgian international Zuriko Davitashvili has requested to leave Saint-Étienne this summer. The Ligue 1 club's board is demanding €20 million — nearly double his Transfermarkt valuation — which is cooling interest from Atalanta, Besiktas and Olympiakos.
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England's retro 1982 World Cup shirt discounted ahead of Argentina semi-final
England's classic 1982 World Cup home shirt has been reduced to £35 at Pro:Direct Sport, with cashback deals cutting the price further ahead of Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
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Lorenzi settles it: Benatia has no role at OM after power handover
Officially presented as sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, Grégory Lorenzi formally denied rumours suggesting Medhi Benatia still had influence over the club's transfer activity.
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Topuria's shock loss to Gaethje jolts Anthony Joshua into career rethink
Anthony Joshua says watching Justin Gaethje dismantle Ilia Topuria at UFC White House forced him to reassess his own approach to boxing, cutting distractions and refocusing ahead of his July 25 fight with Kristian Prenga.
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Tchouaméni Heavily Criticized After World Cup Semifinal Loss to Spain
Starting in France's 0-2 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semifinal, Aurélien Tchouaméni delivered a heavily criticized performance, notably for his overly defensive positioning in midfield.
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At least 12 people killed in World Cup-related violence across Bangladesh
At least 12 people have died in Bangladesh during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in incidents ranging from fatal assaults and stabbings to electrocutions and road crashes, as intense rivalry between Argentina and Brazil supporters turns deadly.
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Scaloni vows to call Spain boss De la Fuente if Argentina lose to England in World Cup semi-final
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says he will phone close friend and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente to offer advice for the World Cup final if Thomas Tuchel's England knock his side out at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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Manchester United to net £10.5m from Greenwood's £33.3m Fenerbahce move after Getafe cut
Mason Greenwood has completed a £33.3m transfer from Marseille to Fenerbahce, triggering a 40% sell-on clause that will earn Manchester United roughly £10.5m — after 20% of their share is forwarded to Getafe.
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Yamal's Barcelona home targeted by burglars hours after Spain's World Cup semi-final win
Lamine Yamal's home in Barcelona was targeted by robbers shortly after Spain's 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semi-finals. The attempted burglary was foiled by the 19-year-old's security team, who spotted two hooded individuals and alerted police.
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United believe they lead the race for Diomande despite Leipzig's £102m asking price
Manchester United consider themselves frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this summer, according to German outlet BILD, though Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG all remain in contention for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international.
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Rico Lewis targets regular game time as Man City future hangs in balance
Rico Lewis has declared game time his priority for the coming season after a difficult year at Manchester City, with Nottingham Forest among the clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old despite him penning a new five-year deal in August 2025.
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DNCG threatens Girondins with exclusion after Sparta Capital failure
Without a buyer and unable to raise the 9 to 10 million euros required, Girondins de Bordeaux appeared alone before the DNCG appeals commission, which is expected to confirm their exclusion from national competitions.
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England rugby squad hides team kit in Buenos Aires ahead of football World Cup semi-final
Steve Borthwick's squad are avoiding England-branded clothing in public in Buenos Aires as football World Cup fever grips the city. Wing Tommy Freeman warns Saturday's rugby Test against Argentina could turn hostile if England's footballers beat the Pumas in their semi-final.
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Springbok legend Andre Snyman's daughter earns Junior Springbok Women call-up
Keira Snyman, 18-year-old daughter of 38-cap Springbok Andre Snyman, has been named in South Africa's Junior Women squad for a two-match series against USA Women's U20 in Stellenbosch, having previously trained with both England and USA age-grade setups.
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Faf de Klerk set for first South African club game in a decade with Cheetahs debut
Double World Cup winner Faf de Klerk will make his Cheetahs debut in the Currie Cup against the Lions on Sunday, his first club appearance in South Africa in almost ten years after stints with Sale Sharks and Yokohama Canon Eagles.
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Bellingham backed Messi for Ballon d'Or despite Argentine's Kopa Trophy snub
Jude Bellingham publicly endorsed Lionel Messi for the 2023 Ballon d'Or even after Messi ranked him only third in the Kopa Trophy vote. The two now meet as World Cup semi-final opponents, with Messi leading the tournament's scoring charts on eight goals and Bellingham setting an England record with six.
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