SportsCatch

Saliba injury sharpens Arsenal's £25m Mavropanos pursuit as PSG teenager snubs Gunners

Arsenal's need for a centre-back has grown more urgent after William Saliba was ruled out for up to five months with back surgery, with former Gunner Dinos Mavropanos available for around £25m following West Ham's relegation. Meanwhile, teenage PSG defender Emmanuel Mbemba has ended Arsenal's interest by joining Paris FC.

Football Jul 17

Guardiola opens door to Manchester City return in different role

Two months after leaving Manchester City's bench, Pep Guardiola has not ruled out returning to the club behind the scenes if asked, while also leaving open the possibility of a future coaching position.

Football Jul 17

Ex-Patriots linebacker Maluia closing in on USA Eagles debut after strong MLR campaign

Former New England Patriots linebacker Cassh Maluia is on the verge of a USA Eagles Test debut after impressing in Major League Rugby, with head coach Scott Lawrence confirming the NFL convert is developing well but needs more time.

Rugby Jul 17

Vaa'i credits Retallick for shaping his reputation as All Blacks' on-field menace

Tupou Vaa'i has opened up on how four seasons alongside Brodie Retallick at the Chiefs taught him the art of provocation, helping the 26-year-old lock establish himself as one of New Zealand's most influential forwards in 2024.

Rugby Jul 17

Pelé's 1958 World Cup Final Shirt Sells for $4.9 Million, Second Only to Maradona's Hand of God Jersey

The No. 10 shirt worn by a 17-year-old Pelé in Brazil's 1958 World Cup final victory over Sweden has sold at auction for $4.9 million, making it the second most valuable football shirt ever sold, behind Diego Maradona's Hand of God jersey.

Football Jul 17

Spain train through hazardous wildfire smoke ahead of World Cup final in New Jersey

Spain held an outdoor training session in East Hanover, New Jersey, on Thursday despite air quality reaching hazardous levels due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, raising medical concerns just days before Sunday's World Cup final.

Football Jul 17

Moorby earns All Blacks start against Ireland after impressing on Test debut

Josh Moorby has been promoted to start for New Zealand against Ireland at Eden Park after a standout debut off the bench against Italy, with head coach Dave Rennie citing the rookie's defence, aerial ability and work rate as decisive factors.

Rugby Jul 17

Australian-born MLR champion Charlie Abel set for USA Eagles debut at 34

Charlie Abel, a two-time Major League Rugby champion with the Chicago Hounds, is in line for his first USA Eagles cap at 34 after being named on the bench for their World Rugby Nations Cup clash against Spain.

Rugby Jul 16

Usman targets Strickland or Makhachev title shot with upset win over Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City

Kamaru Usman says a win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday must lead to a UFC title fight — either against Sean Strickland at middleweight or Islam Makhachev at welterweight.

MMA Jul 16

Mbappé chases World Cup all-time scoring record against England in bronze final

Kylian Mbappé enters France's third-place match against England on Saturday needing just one goal to surpass Lionel Messi as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, while a Golden Boot win would make him the first player to claim the award twice.

Football Jul 16

Sainz 'getting nowhere' as Williams upgrades fail to close midfield gap

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has criticised Williams for failing to make progress despite Carlos Sainz's efforts to drive a turnaround, with the team sitting eighth in the constructors' standings on just 11 points after nine rounds.

Formula 1 Jul 16

Mbappé scores eight goals but Spain's semifinal masterclass leaves France's captain empty-handed again

Kylian Mbappé matched Lionel Messi's Golden Boot tally with eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, yet a disciplined Spain side shut him out in a 2-0 semifinal win, sending France to the third-place match instead of the final.

Football Jul 16

Southgate tipped to replace Pochettino as USMNT coach after England axe Tuchel

Gareth Southgate has emerged as a candidate to take charge of the United States men's national team after Mauricio Pochettino's future was thrown into doubt by a 4-1 Round of 16 defeat to Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.

Football Jul 16

Bellingham weeps on father's shoulder after England's World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina

Jude Bellingham was visibly distraught in Atlanta after England's defeat to Argentina, consoled by his father Mark, mother Denise, and teammate Morgan Rogers. The loss ended England's hopes of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966.

Football Jul 16

Fernandez mocks England with Wonderwall post after stunning goal ends World Cup run

Enzo Fernandez scored a stunning equaliser and later posted a video of Argentina players laughing to the tune of Wonderwall — England's unofficial tournament anthem — after the South Americans knocked the Three Lions out of the World Cup in Atlanta. Chelsea also deleted a celebratory post of Fernandez following fan backlash.

Football Jul 16

Tsarukyan meets Covington in RAF 11 crossover title main event this Saturday

Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington headline RAF 11 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Saturday, competing for the inaugural RAF Crossover title in a catchweight bout. Ben Askren also returns to face Belal Muhammad a year after a double-lung transplant.

MMA Jul 16

Trump confirmed for World Cup final trophy presentation after FIFA backs his involvement

US President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 World Cup final in New York on Sunday, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirming the two will present the trophy together as Spain face Argentina.

Football Jul 16

Messi's two assists seal Argentina's comeback win over England as Henry calls him 'unstoppable'

Lionel Messi, 39, delivered two inch-perfect assists to overturn a 1-0 deficit against England at the 2026 World Cup, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to send Argentina into Sunday's final against Spain.

Football Jul 16

Falklands veterans demand FIFA ban Argentina players over 'Las Malvinas' banner after England win

Simon Weston, who suffered severe burns in the 1982 conflict, and Jarvis Burt, whose teenage brother was killed in the war, have condemned Premier League stars Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Julian Alvarez for parading a 'Falklands are Argentinian' banner after Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England.

Football Jul 16

Saliba played with back fracture for two months at World Cup

Arsenal's central defender competed throughout the 2026 World Cup under painkillers despite suffering a back fracture in the Premier League two months before the tournament. He was forced to leave the pitch at the 30-minute mark of the semi-final against Spain.

Football Jul 16