World football

The draw for the final qualification playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has just been confirmed, creating a high-stakes knockout phase.

Thiago Almada, one of South America’s most dynamic young talents, has officially completed his move to Atlético Madrid. The 23-year-old Argentine playmaker joins the La Liga side after a standout journey that has seen him rise through the ranks in Argentina, conquer Major League Soccer, and lift both the FIFA World Cup and Copa Libertadores

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to commence on June 14 in the United States, marking a new chapter in international club football. This expanded tournament features 32 elite clubs from six confederations, divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, culminating in the

How often do you witness a defender scoring a hat-trick? It’s a rare feat, but Ashleigh Plumptre has the distinction of doing just that on her debut. Just a month after signing with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023, Plumptre made an unforgettable entrance by netting all three goals in a commanding

Barcelona loanee Vitor Roque is one step away from joining Palmeiras, after the Brazilian club and the ‘Cules’ have reached a 25 million euro deal for the player. Betis, where the young striker plays on loan, will receive compensation for the player’s mid-season departure. What initially seemed like a dream move for Vitor Roque has

Arsenal are actively searching for a new sporting director following Edu Gaspar’s resignation in November. Jason Ayto, who has been serving in the role on an interim basis, is a strong candidate for a permanent promotion after spending a decade at the club. However, Arsenal are also considering external options, as reported by The Athletic.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that he intends to have a discussion with Alejandro Garnacho regarding the winger’s reaction to being substituted in the first half of United’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League. Garnacho was withdrawn in the 43rd minute following Patrick Dorgu’s red card, with Amorim

San Francisco 49ers executive vice-president of football operations and Leeds United chair Paraag Marathe among consortium of investors in talks over multi-million-pound takeover of Scottish Premiership club Rangers; discussions are ongoing with no deal agreed yet San Francisco 49ers executive Paraag Marathe has acknowledged that they are “always exploring new opportunities” following reports that American

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, but who will win football’s biggest individual prize later this year? Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been making his case with a superb individual season that could see him break several big records. Salah, who last year didn’t make the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist, could be rivalled

Detective Constable Gordon Irikefe was found to have committed gross misconduct in acts of “unacceptable” football hooliganism at Arsenal games between October 2022 and April last year; the officer was also handed a three-year banning order from any UK football matches. A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed after engaging in football hooliganism, which included