https://www.theguardian.com/football Latest Football news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:49:56 GMT 2026-08-23T20:49:56Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/newcastle-liverpool-premier-league-match-report <p>Before kick-off a banner was raised in the Gallowgate End inscribed with a quotation from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/20/kevin-keegan-obituary">the late Kevin Keegan</a>. “I want people to dream about their football,” it read. “We should all be dreamers at heart.”</p><p>Out on the pitch it swiftly became apparent that both Matthias Jaissle, Keegan’s latest successor in the Newcastle dugout, and Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola are on individual missions to create forms of organised chaos capable of subjecting the best opponents to torrid nightmares.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/newcastle-liverpool-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Newcastle United Liverpool Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:43:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/newcastle-liverpool-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Louise Taylor at St James' Park 2026-08-23T17:43:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/unai-emery-feels-ollie-watkins-should-explain-absence-from-aston-villa-loss-brighton <ul><li><p>England forward is considering move to Al-Hilal</p></li><li><p>‘This question is for him … I answer only with silence’</p></li></ul><p>Unai Emery did nothing to deny that Ollie Watkins had refused to play for Aston Villa in their sobering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/brighton-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report">4-0 defeat by Brighton</a> at the Amex on Sunday. The head coach had a selection crisis up front with Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham injured. However, he did not include Watkins in the matchday squad as the England striker considers a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.</p><p>Emery was forced to rely on the attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendía as an emergency striker and his team disappeared without trace on the south coast. They were 4-0 down after 31 minutes and had their new signing João Gomes sent off on his debut in the 40th minute. Gomes kicked up and out at the Brighton striker Georginio Rutter after being dispossessed by him.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/unai-emery-feels-ollie-watkins-should-explain-absence-from-aston-villa-loss-brighton">Continue reading...</a> Aston Villa Unai Emery Brighton & Hove Albion Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:04:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/unai-emery-feels-ollie-watkins-should-explain-absence-from-aston-villa-loss-brighton Photograph: Steve Bardens/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Steve Bardens/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Steve Bardens/AMA/Getty Images David Hytner at the Amex Stadium 2026-08-23T17:04:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/enzo-maresca-concedes-manchester-city-work-in-progress-bournemouth <ul><li><p>Gvardiol’s stoppage-time strike gives City points</p></li><li><p>‘I’m looking for solutions. When you win games it helps’</p></li></ul><p>Enzo Maresca said Manchester City remain a “work in progress” after Sunday’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/manchester-city-bournemouth-premier-league-match-report">last-gasp win over Bournemouth</a> at the Etihad Stadium.</p><p>Marc Guéhi’s 85th-minute equaliser and Josko Gvardiol’s 91st-minute winner gave City’s new manager victory in his first game, after Marcus Tavernier’s first-half strike for the visitors.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/enzo-maresca-concedes-manchester-city-work-in-progress-bournemouth">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Enzo Maresca Bournemouth Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:32:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/enzo-maresca-concedes-manchester-city-work-in-progress-bournemouth Photograph: Dave Thompson/AP Photograph: Dave Thompson/AP Photograph: Dave Thompson/AP Jamie Jackson at the Etihad Stadium 2026-08-23T16:32:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/manchester-city-agree-deal-lille-ayyoub-bouaddi-transfer <ul><li><p>Signing will take City’s window spending to nearly £200m</p></li><li><p>Moroccan stood down from Lille’s game against Angers</p></li></ul><p>Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lille worth €95m (£81.4m) plus €5m in potential add-ons for Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Morocco midfielder’s arrival to take the club’s summer spend to nearly £200m after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/23/elliot-anderson-manchester-city-116m-nottingham-forest-transfer-premier-league">Elliot Anderson’s £116m signing</a> earlier in the window.</p><p>The 18-year-old was stood down from Lille’s Ligue 1 match against Angers on Sunday before a medical with City and his transfer becoming official in the next few days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/manchester-city-agree-deal-lille-ayyoub-bouaddi-transfer">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Transfer window Lille Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:32:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/manchester-city-agree-deal-lille-ayyoub-bouaddi-transfer Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Jamie Jackson 2026-08-23T12:32:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/european-football-psg-rennes-torino-milan-elche-barcelona-bayern-munich-harry-kane <ul><li><p>Atlético’s Julián Alvarez booed by fans in draw</p></li><li><p>Harry Kane named player of year in Germany</p></li></ul><p>Mohamed Salah scored his first goals for Trabzonspor with a brace in their 2-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir.</p><p>The former Liverpool forward joined the Super Lig side on a two-year deal at the start of August and made his debut for the club from the bench in their 1-1 draw at Kasimpasa last week.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/european-football-psg-rennes-torino-milan-elche-barcelona-bayern-munich-harry-kane">Continue reading...</a> European club football Mohamed Salah Trabzonspor Istanbul Basaksehir Serie A Juventus Frosinone Atlético Madrid Villarreal Bayern Munich Harry Kane Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:27:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/european-football-psg-rennes-torino-milan-elche-barcelona-bayern-munich-harry-kane Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Guardian sport and agencies 2026-08-23T18:27:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/west-brom-burnley-championship-match-report <p>West Brom’s head coach, James Morrison, insisted his side must “stay humble” after Isaac Price inspired them to a 3-1 comeback win against promotion favourites Burnley in the Championship at the Hawthorns. The Northern Ireland international scored twice in the second half after setting up Harry Whitwell’s equaliser to cancel out Callum Styles’s early own goal.</p><p>“I felt it was a top performance. I enjoyed it at times for the intensity with the lads willing to run for each other,” Morrison said. “We did the basics really well – we won tackles, and when we lost the ball, we ran back and when the opportunities were given to us, we took advantage.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/west-brom-burnley-championship-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Championship West Bromwich Albion Burnley Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:24:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/west-brom-burnley-championship-match-report Photograph: Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images Photograph: Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images Photograph: Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images PA Media 2026-08-23T13:24:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/hull-punish-manchester-united-defence-michael-carrick-attack-bigger-concern <p>Manchester United again struggled against a back five as the promoted hosts exploited a set-piece weakness</p><p>Hull scored nine league goals from set plays last season, the joint-fewest in the Championship. Yet two in 21 minutes earned them a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/hull-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report">victory over Manchester United</a> on Saturday.</p><p>It was a disastrous start to the campaign for the visitors. While Michael Carrick said before the game <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/michael-carrick-rejects-talk-of-easy-start-to-season-for-manchester-united">it would not be easy</a>, he would not have expected victory being so straightforward for Hull. It was a match United simply had to win given the gulf in resources and expectation. Opta rated their chance of victory at 68.9% before kick-off.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/hull-punish-manchester-united-defence-michael-carrick-attack-bigger-concern">Continue reading...</a> Hull City Manchester United Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:07:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/hull-punish-manchester-united-defence-michael-carrick-attack-bigger-concern Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Andrew Beasley 2026-08-23T15:07:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jean-philippe-mateta-dispute-crystal-palace-contract-transfer-window <ul><li><p>Striker wants move and said final year of deal was invalid</p></li><li><p>29-year-old took his case to tribunal and Fifa but lost</p></li></ul><p>Jean-Philippe Mateta is in dispute with Crystal Palace over the final year of his contract but failed in an attempt to have it ruled invalid by an independent Premier League tribunal and Fifa. The France striker signed a four-and-a-half-year contract when he joined permanently from Mainz in January 2022 after an initial loan, in a deal that also included the option of a 12-month extension. That was activated by Palace in 2024, with Mateta’s contract now due to expire at the end of this season.</p><p>But it is understood the 29-year-old and his representatives have disputed whether that extension was valid and took the case to an independent tribunal under Premier League regulations last season. Official confirmation of the outcome has not been disclosed, although Palace insist Mateta’s contract remains binding and he played in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/everton-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report">their defeat at Everton</a> on Saturday. Fifa also rejected his claim after ruling it did not have jurisdiction over the dispute. Mateta’s representative has been approached for comment.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jean-philippe-mateta-dispute-crystal-palace-contract-transfer-window">Continue reading...</a> Crystal Palace Transfer window Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:49:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jean-philippe-mateta-dispute-crystal-palace-contract-transfer-window Photograph: Craig Galloway/ProSports/Shutterstock Photograph: Craig Galloway/ProSports/Shutterstock Photograph: Craig Galloway/ProSports/Shutterstock Ed Aarons 2026-08-23T10:49:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-2-aston-villa <p>Defensive tightness and replacing a key goal scorer are Natalia Arroyo’s focus in her second season in charge</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>9th (NB: this is not necessarily Sophie Downey’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>9th</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-2-aston-villa">Continue reading...</a> Aston Villa Women Women's Super League Women's football Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:01:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-2-aston-villa Photograph: Aston Villa/Getty Images Photograph: Aston Villa/Getty Images Photograph: Aston Villa/Getty Images Sophie Downey 2026-08-22T23:01:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/mens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-europes-top-five-leagues <p>All the latest Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A deals and a club-by-club guide</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/womens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-worlds-top-six-leagues">Women’s transfer window interactive guide</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/mens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-europes-top-five-leagues">Continue reading...</a> Transfer window Football Sport Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:29:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/mens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-europes-top-five-leagues Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Niall McVeigh, Will Magee, Billy Munday, Yara El-Shaboury and Garry Blight 2026-08-13T10:29:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/womens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-worlds-top-six-leagues <p>Every deal in the NWSL, WSL, Liga F, Frauen-Bundesliga, Première Ligue and Serie A Femminile as well as a club-by-club guide</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/mens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-europes-top-five-leagues">Men’s transfer window interactive guide</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/womens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-worlds-top-six-leagues">Continue reading...</a> Transfer window Football Sport Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:29:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/08/womens-transfer-window-summer-2026-all-deals-from-worlds-top-six-leagues Composite: Getty Images and London City Lionessess/Guardian Design Composite: Getty Images and London City Lionessess/Guardian Design Composite: Getty Images and London City Lionessess/Guardian Design Sarah Rendell and Garry Blight 2026-08-13T10:29:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/gianni-infantino-fifa-football-politics-world-cup-election <ul><li><p>Gianni Infantino used opportunity to lobby for support</p></li><li><p>Fifa president was asked to stay away from CFU meeting</p></li></ul><p>Gianni Infantino has risked alienating numerous Concacaf nations, whose support he is seeking in his re-election campaign, by hijacking a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) to announce Fifa-funded development projects for the region with millions of dollars that had been delayed for months.</p><p>Multiple sources attending the CFU meeting in the Dominican Republic said many of the Concacaf members were infuriated by Infantino’s behaviour, particularly as he had been asked to stay away by their president, Victor Montagliani.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/gianni-infantino-fifa-football-politics-world-cup-election">Continue reading...</a> Fifa Football Gianni Infantino Football politics Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:02:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/gianni-infantino-fifa-football-politics-world-cup-election Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA Exclusive by Matt Hughes and Nick Ames 2026-08-22T18:02:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/carrick-manchester-united-shock-defeat-by-hull <ul><li><p>Bruno Fernandes: ‘We gave too much of the ball to them’</p></li><li><p>Sergej Jakirovic happy Hull proved critics wrong</p></li></ul><p>Michael Carrick says he will not overreact, but has called for improvement after Manchester United started the season with a 2-0 defeat at Hull. United lost their opening game for the fourth time in the past seven years as Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy took advantage of poor defending from set-pieces.</p><p>The United head coach presented a professional exterior despite United’s performance not reaching the desired standard as they were deservedly beaten by Hull, who finished sixth in the Championship last season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/carrick-manchester-united-shock-defeat-by-hull">Continue reading...</a> Michael Carrick Hull City Manchester United Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:41:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/carrick-manchester-united-shock-defeat-by-hull Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA Will Unwin at the MKM Stadium 2026-08-22T15:41:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/everton-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report <p>Andy Burnham was in the posh seats to see how his beloved Everton would fare without the key additions that even the prime minister has voiced an opinion on. No right-back, no new centre-forward, no problem: Everton contained enough quality to overcome a wasteful Crystal Palace.</p><p>Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye delivered a timely reminder that, despite the missing pieces in the squad, there is pedigree and Premier League knowhow available to David Moyes as he attempts to sustain a challenge for European qualification this season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/everton-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Everton Crystal Palace Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:12:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/everton-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Andy Hunter at Hill Dickinson Stadium 2026-08-22T16:12:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/nottingham-forest-leeds-premier-league-match-report <p>For Anton Stach, another sweet direct free-kick to add to the back catalogue, this one souring Oliver Glasner’s first match in charge of Nottingham Forest. Only Dominik Szoboszlai eclipsed Stach’s record of three direct free-kick goals in the Premier League last season, one of those coming against Glasner’s Crystal Palace.</p><p>Stach’s latest right-foot strike earned Leeds, fresh from a near-flawless pre-season and an expensive and exciting summer in the market, a divine opening-day victory with a couple of minutes of normal time remaining.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/nottingham-forest-leeds-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Nottingham Forest Leeds United Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:13:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/nottingham-forest-leeds-premier-league-match-report Photograph: David Klein/Reuters Photograph: David Klein/Reuters Photograph: David Klein/Reuters Ben Fisher at the City Ground 2026-08-22T16:13:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/ipswich-sunderland-premier-league-match-report <p></p><p>It would be fascinating to know which algorithms or eagle-eyed staff in Ipswich’s recruitment department spotted the potential in Emersonn to score the goals to keep them in the Premier League.</p><p>Thirteen games, no goals and a serious knee injury at the Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense; two league goals in 17 games at Turkish side Goztepe; then six in 28 at French side Toulouse. A modest return and not one that screams he would be ready to break down doors in the English top flight.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/ipswich-sunderland-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Ipswich Town Sunderland Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:23:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/ipswich-sunderland-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images Sam Cunningham at Portman Road 2026-08-22T16:23:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up <p>Kick off your afternoon with the Guardian’s take on the world of football</p><p>Every weekday, we’ll deliver a roundup the football news and gossip in our own belligerent, sometimes intelligent and – very occasionally – funny way. Still not convinced? Find out what you’re missing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/thefiver/latest/email">here</a>.</p><p>Try our other sports emails: there’s weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>, and our seven-day round-up of the best of our sports journalism in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">The Recap</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">Continue reading...</a> Information Football Newsletter sign-up Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:05:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2022-11-14T09:05:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts <p>Get our roundup of women’s football for free twice a week, featuring the insights of experts such as Ada Hegerberg and Magdalena Eriksson</p><p>Join us as we delve deeper into the wonderful world of women’s football in our weekly newsletter. It is informative, entertaining, global, critical – when needed – and, above all, passionate. Written mainly by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/julia-belas-trindade">Júlia Belas Trindade</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sophie-downey">Sophie Downey</a>, expect guest appearances from stars such as Anita Asante, Ada Hegerberg and many more.</p><p>Try our other sports emails: as well as the occasionally funny football email <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up">The Fiver </a>from Monday to Friday, there are weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>, and our seven-day roundup of the best of our sports journalism in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">The Recap</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts">Continue reading...</a> Football Women's football Sport Newsletter sign-up Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:57:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Suzanne Wrack 2022-03-22T16:57:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos <p>Our editors’ favourite sporting images from the past week, from the spectacular to the powerful, and with a little bit of fun thrown in</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:00:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2025-10-01T11:00:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage <p>The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s action</p><p>Subscribe to get our editors’ pick of the Guardian’s award-winning sport coverage. We’ll email you the stand-out features and interviews, insightful analysis and highlights from the archive, plus films, podcasts, galleries and more – all arriving in your inbox at every Friday lunchtime. And we’ll set you up for the weekend and let you know our live coverage plans so you’ll be ahead of the game. <a href="https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2020/11/16/TheRecap.pdf">Here’s what you can expect from us.</a></p><p>Try our other sports emails: there’s daily football news and gossip in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up">The Fiver</a>, and weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">Continue reading...</a> Sport Information Newsletter sign-up Mon, 15 May 2017 11:00:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2017-05-15T11:00:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/meet-the-new-spurs-same-as-the-old-spurs <p>Canny Brentford show it will take more than a few new players to restore any sense of stability to Tottenham</p><p>This was supposed to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-20-tottenham">New Spurs</a>. Daniel Levy, such a magnet for fan apathy, has been sidelined. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/roberto-de-zerbi-tottenham-transfer-spree-brentford-premier-league">Roberto De Zerbi’s recruitment drive</a> has won the transfer market. The stadium is still nice. But Spurs and ambition were always an awkward combination and all those cash-fuelled dreams were shattered within an hour of the new season. A few headed for the exits after Brentford’s third goal on 49 minutes. There were not many left by the time those in freakish purple made their way over to that corner of the Gtech at full time.</p><p>There was no escaping the irony that the best player on the splendid opening-day pitch was the only new face in Brentford’s starting XI. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/01/transfer-news-welbeck-joins-chelsea-brentford-complete-record-sangare-deal">Mamadou Sangaré, signed for a club-record fee from Lens</a>, made sure his Premier League debut was played at his pace – faster and more dynamic than any of Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall or Conor Gallagher could deal with in midfield. The Mali international ran off Bergvall to set up Keane Lewis-Potter’s first and struck the shot that led to Michael Kayode’s third.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/meet-the-new-spurs-same-as-the-old-spurs">Continue reading...</a> Tottenham Hotspur Roberto De Zerbi Brentford Premier League Football Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:04:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/meet-the-new-spurs-same-as-the-old-spurs Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Billy Munday at the Gtech Community Stadium 2026-08-22T20:04:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-romance-espanyol-la-liga <p>The old master is back at Madrid as he begins with celebrations, frustrations and relief in a 2-1 win at Espanyol</p><p>José Mourinho says he is calmer now so when the rest of the bench emptied, sprinting down the touchline to celebrate the 90th-minute goal that finally delivered victory on his first game in charge of Real Madrid in 4,380 days, he did not set off with them. Instead, he clenched his fists, got to his feet and walked down the touchline behind the subs, watching them head, shouting, towards Carlos Espí. As they piled on down in the corner, he pulled over his captain Fede Valverde for a word. Which might just have been: <em>phew</em>.</p><p>For all those stars; for all that Mourinho’s main task might just have been to find a way to fit Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham together; for all that he had introduced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/05/real-madrid-agree-club-record-115m-deal-for-yan-diomande-and-want-to-keep-vinicius">Yan Diomande, the most expensive player in the club’s history</a>, it was a 21-year-old, unknown six months ago and unexpectedly signed from Levante, who got the goal that secured victory upon the coach’s second coming.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-romance-espanyol-la-liga">Continue reading...</a> José Mourinho Real Madrid Espanyol Football Sport La Liga European club football Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:21:58 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-romance-espanyol-la-liga Photograph: Pablo Morano/Reuters Photograph: Pablo Morano/Reuters Photograph: Pablo Morano/Reuters Sid Lowe at the RCDE Stadium 2026-08-22T23:21:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/lincoln-spirits-soar-despite-defeat-on-second-tier-return-65-years-in-the-making <p>The Imps have not been at this level since 1961 and even a 3-1 loss to Portsmouth could not spoil the sense of joy</p><p>There is optimism to be found in almost every corner of the footballing landscape at this time of the year, but you would do well to find anyone without a smile on their face on this sunny Saturday lunchtime in one of Britain’s most picturesque cities.</p><p>Football may not necessarily be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Lincoln. After all, Sincil Bank sits in the shadow of the imposing cathedral, high on the hill and a building that symbolically represents the importance of this area stretching back hundreds of years.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/lincoln-spirits-soar-despite-defeat-on-second-tier-return-65-years-in-the-making">Continue reading...</a> Lincoln City Portsmouth Championship Football Sport Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/lincoln-spirits-soar-despite-defeat-on-second-tier-return-65-years-in-the-making Photograph: Chris Vaughan/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Vaughan/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Vaughan/Getty Images Aaron Bower at the ProAmpac Stadium 2026-08-23T07:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/us-soccer-wants-excitement-after-the-world-cup-the-open-cup-provides-it <p>MLS wants to build on the momentum of the World Cup. America’s top domestic cup competition is an obvious place to start</p><p>The new commissioner of Major League Soccer, Larry Berg, isn’t keen on the idea of promotion and relegation, but he is a fan of jeopardy. When asked the obligatory pro/rel question in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/04/mls-larry-berg-promotion-relegation-comissioner">his introductory press conference</a>, Berg responded, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for our league, but I think there are other ways to create jeopardy during the regular season, [and] again in the playoffs.”</p><p>He referred to this summer’s World Cup, which was co-hosted by the US, and the excitement it provided, adding, “Millions of people across North America experienced that passion firsthand. They fell in love with the drama, the atmosphere, the supporter culture and the emotion that makes soccer unlike anything else. In the World Cup, we all enjoyed knockout games after the group stage. I call those games of consequence or games of jeopardy.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/us-soccer-wants-excitement-after-the-world-cup-the-open-cup-provides-it">Continue reading...</a> US Open Cup Football US sports Sport Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/us-soccer-wants-excitement-after-the-world-cup-the-open-cup-provides-it Photograph: Eric Gay/AP Photograph: Eric Gay/AP Photograph: Eric Gay/AP James Nalton 2026-08-22T09:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/aston-villa-rachel-daly-womens-super-league-england-lionesses <p>Former England striker on retiring from the Lionesses, being a role model, and taking on Chelsea in the WSL</p><p>A year after taking up golf, Rachel Daly has already reached a handicap of 19. “I think that’s too generous, I was playing really well in the summer,” she point outs before politely declaring that further questions about her pastimes are out of bounds. “I’m not that exciting, to be honest,” Daly says. “I walk the dogs, play golf. I don’t do a whole lot. I don’t lead a very exciting life.” Instead, Daly wants to talk about the new Women’s Super League season, which is more than fair enough.</p><p>Coincidentally, by next summer, 19 will be the number of seasons Daly has played at the top level, ever since breaking into Leeds’ first team as a 16-year-old in 2008, and therefore it feels reasonable to disagree with her view that a former Olympian, who played 84 times for England and was the WSL’s player of the season only three years ago, does not lead an exciting life. Yet there is another number on Daly’s mind as she discusses her role as Aston Villa’s captain.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/aston-villa-rachel-daly-womens-super-league-england-lionesses">Continue reading...</a> Aston Villa Women Women's Super League Women's football Football Sport England women's football team Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:48:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/aston-villa-rachel-daly-womens-super-league-england-lionesses Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian Tom Garry 2026-08-21T12:48:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/ronaldinho-46-serie-c-ravenna-unveiling-comeback <p>Brazilian legend pledges excitement at his unveiling for a comeback that is winning over initially disbelieving fans</p><p>It seemed like a joke, a hoax, when at 10pm on 19 June, Ravenna <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/ronaldinho-ravenna-serie-c-age-46">broke the news of Ronaldinho’s signing</a>. The Brazilian, a former Ballon d’Or winner and one of the most recognisable figures in world football, had played his last official match in 2015 for Fluminense; a professional signing in Serie C at 46 years of age seemed unrealistic, to say the least. With football’s attention taken by the World Cup, the game was shocked by this bolt from the blue. For the most part it remained in disbelief.</p><p>There was much discussion, in the city and around the world, about the real value of this operation, and we talked about it too, speaking with the mayor, the fans and the president of Ravenna, Ignazio Cipriani, scion of the family known globally for Harry’s Bar, who is giving his city much more than a dream.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/ronaldinho-46-serie-c-ravenna-unveiling-comeback">Continue reading...</a> Ronaldinho European club football Italy Football Sport Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:27:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/ronaldinho-46-serie-c-ravenna-unveiling-comeback Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters Emanuele Giulianelli in Ravenna 2026-08-20T21:27:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-20-tottenham <p>Optimism abounds that De Zerbi and new signings can lead to a big improvement after two 17th-place finishes</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>6th (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>17th</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-20-tottenham">Continue reading...</a> Premier League previews 2026-27 Tottenham Hotspur Football Premier League Sport Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:00:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-20-tottenham Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images John Brewin 2026-08-21T11:00:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-19-sunderland <p>Sunderland fans hope Régis Le Bris and his talented squad can continue to surprise the pundits and Opta</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>14th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>7th</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-19-sunderland">Continue reading...</a> Premier League previews 2026-27 Sunderland Football Sport Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:01:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-19-sunderland Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Louise Taylor 2026-08-20T23:01:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-18-nottingham-forest <p>After a chaotic season under four different coaches, Forest fans will be hoping Oliver Glasner can bring some stability</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>11th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>16th</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-18-nottingham-forest">Continue reading...</a> Premier League previews 2026-27 Nottingham Forest Premier League Football Sport Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-18-nottingham-forest Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Will Unwin 2026-08-20T11:00:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-17-newcastle <p>After the departure of the manager and some of their best players, fans on Tyneside are braced for a transitional season at best</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>17th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>12th</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-17-newcastle">Continue reading...</a> Premier League previews 2026-27 Newcastle United Football Sport Premier League Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:01:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-2026-27-preview-no-17-newcastle Photograph: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United/Getty Images Photograph: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United/Getty Images Photograph: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United/Getty Images Louise Taylor 2026-08-19T23:01:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/20/premier-league-season-preview-hull-city-to-tottenham-football-weekly-video <p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/maxrushden.bsky.social">Max Rushden</a> is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Jordan Jarrett-Bryan for the second of our Premier League preview podcasts.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/20/premier-league-season-preview-hull-city-to-tottenham-football-weekly-video">Continue reading...</a> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:59:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/20/premier-league-season-preview-hull-city-to-tottenham-football-weekly-video Photograph: AMA/Getty Images Photograph: AMA/Getty Images Photograph: AMA/Getty Images 2026-08-20T07:59:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/21/our-writers-predictions-for-the-2026-27-premier-league-season <p>Our writers gaze into their crystal balls and deliver their predictions for the Premier League season ahead</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/21/our-writers-predictions-for-the-2026-27-premier-league-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:02:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/21/our-writers-predictions-for-the-2026-27-premier-league-season Photograph: Guardian Photograph: Guardian Photograph: Guardian 2026-08-21T11:02:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/jul/20/ugly-scenes-argentina-lose-world-cup-final-video <p>There were ugly scenes at the end of the World Cup final as Argentina’s Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were seen throwing punches at Spain players after their 1-0 defeat.</p><p><br>Paredes was then sent off after shoving Spain's Eric García by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground. He had already been booked during the match.&nbsp;The antics after the final whistle were quickly condemned by UK broadcasters, with the former England goalkeeper Joe Hart labelling Argentina’s behaviour 'disgusting' on the BBC and ITV's Gary Neville calling it 'a disgrace'&nbsp;</p><p></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/20/lionel-messis-world-cup-fairytale-ends-with-pitiful-argentina-as-final-villains"><strong>Lionel Messi’s World Cup fairytale ends with pitiful Argentina as final villains</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/20/world-cup-2026-final-spain-argentina"><strong>At the World Cup of superstars, a team take home the trophy</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jul/20/world-cup-2026-best-30-photographs-gallery"><strong>Top 30: from half a million World Cup photos, why I love these the most</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/20/luis-de-la-fuente-spain-manager-coach-world-cup-win"><strong>‘We had a date with destiny’: De la Fuente lauds Spain players after World Cup victory</strong></a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/jul/20/ugly-scenes-argentina-lose-world-cup-final-video">Continue reading...</a> World Cup World Cup 2026 Spain Argentina Football Sport World news Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:21:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/jul/20/ugly-scenes-argentina-lose-world-cup-final-video Photograph: Reuters Photograph: Reuters Photograph: Reuters 2026-07-20T11:21:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2026/jul/20/trump-and-infantino-booed-at-world-cup-final-video <p>Boos descended from the stands as Donald Trump and the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, took to the field for the World Cup trophy ceremony at New York New Jersey ⁠stadium on Sunday. Spain beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 to win the title. After the US president presented Spain with the trophy, he attempted to stand with the team at the side of the podium as they celebrated, before Infantino quietly ushered him away. It was a repeat of last summer’s Club World Cup at the same stadium after Trump presented the trophy to champions Chelsea <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/13/trump-club-world-cup-final-chelsea-psg">and tried to crash the celebrations</a>, to the bemusement of the players</p><p></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/19/donald-trump-world-cup-final"><strong>Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino booed before US president attempts to crash Spain celebrations</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/19/spain-win-world-cup-argentina-final-match-report"><strong>Spain win World Cup after Ferran Torres breaks 10-man Argentina’s resistance</strong></a></p></li></ul><p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2026/jul/20/trump-and-infantino-booed-at-world-cup-final-video">Continue reading...</a> Sport World Cup Spain Argentina Donald Trump Fifa Gianni Infantino Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:43:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2026/jul/20/trump-and-infantino-booed-at-world-cup-final-video Photograph: DPPI/Shutterstock Photograph: DPPI/Shutterstock Photograph: DPPI/Shutterstock 2026-07-20T10:43:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/maracana-to-host-opening-game-and-final-at-next-years-womens-world-cup <ul><li><p>Stadium has hosted two men’s World Cup finals</p></li><li><p>Arena Itaquera in São Paulo will host 10 matches</p></li></ul><p>The Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro will host the opening game and the final of next year’s Women’s World Cup. The 78,838-capacity stadium, which hosted the finals of the 1950 and 2014 men’s World Cups as well as the finals of the Olympic football competitions in 2016, will be the venue for Brazil’s opening Group A match on 24 June, before staging the final on 25 July.</p><p>Fifa released the schedule for all 64 matches for the tournament, which features 32 teams. The draw will take place after more of the qualification playoffs have been contested.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/maracana-to-host-opening-game-and-final-at-next-years-womens-world-cup">Continue reading...</a> Women's World Cup 2027 Women's World Cup Women's football Football Sport Brazil Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:25:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/maracana-to-host-opening-game-and-final-at-next-years-womens-world-cup Photograph: Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images Tom Garry 2026-08-20T15:25:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/serie-a-preview-inter-milan-juventus-como-roma-napoli <p>Milan, Napoli and Atalanta all have new head coaches as Italian football hopes to return to the spotlight</p><p>And so, <em>calcio’s</em> “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/01/italy-miss-out-world-cup-qualify">third apocalypse</a>” has passed. A lot of Italians enjoyed the World Cup more than they expected. Without a team to cheer for, again, a country turned its attention to different sports. And found its athletes dominating them.</p><p>On the day <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/19/spain-win-world-cup-argentina-final-match-report">Spain defeated Argentina</a> in New Jersey, Kimi Antonelli, the first Italian to win a Formula One race in 20 years, extended his lead in the standings by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/19/kimi-antonelli-f1-title-grip-belgian-grand-prix-george-russell-formula-one">triumphing again at the Belgian Grand Prix</a>. A week before that, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/12/jannik-sinner-alexander-zverev-wimbledon-2026-mens-singles-final-match-report">Jannik Sinner defended his men’s singles title</a> at Wimbledon.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/serie-a-preview-inter-milan-juventus-como-roma-napoli">Continue reading...</a> Serie A European club football Football Sport Como Milan Napoli Internazionale Juventus Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:00:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/serie-a-preview-inter-milan-juventus-como-roma-napoli Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images Nicky Bandini 2026-08-20T11:00:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/alessandro-circati-benfica-portugal-primeira-liga-transfer-news-move <ul><li><p>Defender completes transfer for reported fee of 20m euros ($33m)</p></li><li><p>Ten Australian players have now made post-World Cup moves</p></li></ul><p>Young Socceroo Alessandro Circati has become the latest Australian international to be snapped up in a money-spinning European transfer, as he hailed his move from Parma to Benfica as a “privilege”.</p><p>Following Lucas Herrington’s move from the MLS to become Australia’s only Premier League player at Hull City, and Nestory Irankunda joining Benfica’s great rivals Sporting from Watford, Circati has been signed by the Portuguese giants for a reported 20m euros ($33m).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/alessandro-circati-benfica-portugal-primeira-liga-transfer-news-move">Continue reading...</a> Australia national football team – Socceroos Benfica Parma Football Australia sport Sport Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:58:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/alessandro-circati-benfica-portugal-primeira-liga-transfer-news-move Photograph: LucaDiliberto/LaPresse/Shutterstock Photograph: LucaDiliberto/LaPresse/Shutterstock Photograph: LucaDiliberto/LaPresse/Shutterstock Australian Associated Press 2026-08-19T23:58:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/xisco-malaysia-new-invincibles-football-johor-darul-tazim <p>Royal family-backed Johor Darul Ta’zim are on the verge of a world-record 109 league games unbeaten and their former Watford manager is aiming higher</p><p>Many Watford fans felt Xisco Muñoz was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/03/watford-sack-head-coach-xisco-munoz-after-negative-trend-of-performances">dismissed too soon</a> after leading them into the Premier League as Championship runners-up in 2021, only to be ousted less than two months into the new season. He is remembered fondly at Vicarage Road, an emblem of the churn-and-burn of the Gino Pozzo era.</p><p>But unless you continued to follow the Spaniard’s career closely, you would struggle to guess where he manages now. The life of a football manager is varied and unpredictable, but how has the former Watford head coach ended up in charge of a club 6,500 miles away and on the verge of an extraordinary world record?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/xisco-malaysia-new-invincibles-football-johor-darul-tazim">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:00:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/xisco-malaysia-new-invincibles-football-johor-darul-tazim Photograph: Ashok Kumar/Getty Images Photograph: Ashok Kumar/Getty Images Photograph: Ashok Kumar/Getty Images Sam Cunningham in Johor 2026-08-19T07:00:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/martin-degaard-of-old-is-back-with-the-pass-that-makes-the-pass <p>His goal was like something from It’s A Knockout, but the Arsenal captain showed signs of recovery from an injury-wrecked campaign</p><p>We’re back, baby. Welcome to the content zone. And yes, we did actually go away for a bit. Seriously. Check back. We really did.</p><p>In the lead-up to this Premier League opener, Sky Sports had been trailing the fact it will show a total of 1,500 live games this season. Lay these end-to-end and that adds up to about 3,000 hours, or 125 whole days doing nothing but watching football. Chuck in the endless over-gorge of clips, highlights, noises off, VAR rage, furious punditry shemozzles, and that’s pretty much the next eight months spent slumped in your memory foam chair, cramming in those great dripping handfuls of sweet, sweet football-derived product.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/martin-degaard-of-old-is-back-with-the-pass-that-makes-the-pass">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Coventry City Football Sport Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:43:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/martin-degaard-of-old-is-back-with-the-pass-that-makes-the-pass Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Barney Ronay at the Emirates Stadium 2026-08-21T22:43:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/manchester-united-may-regret-not-backing-michael-carrick <p>Another left-back has been a priority all summer, but there seems to be no sign of one coming to Old Trafford</p><p>After <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/29/manchester-united-complete-45m-signing-of-aaron-wan-bissaka">signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka</a> in 2019, Manchester United’s PR machine boasted they had scouted 804 right-backs before landing on the Crystal Palace player. At the time it felt like an&nbsp;unnecessary brag, designed to&nbsp;convince fans and journalists the&nbsp;club were doing their due diligence when it came to scouting and data.</p><p>Now, as the search for a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw drags on with less than two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining, there seems to be a lack of credible targets.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/manchester-united-may-regret-not-backing-michael-carrick">Continue reading...</a> Manchester United Transfer window Football Sport Michael Carrick Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/manchester-united-may-regret-not-backing-michael-carrick Photograph: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Dominic Booth 2026-08-20T07:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-returns-arsenal-sense-opportunity <p>New managers galore suggest many of the usual suspects will struggle to dethrone the champions, but their own hunger could be the key</p><p>Mikel Arteta wants to get his messaging absolutely right. According to him, Arsenal are not about to defend their Premier League title. They are set to attack another one.</p><p>Remember Win the dog, who the manager brought in to the club’s training ground a few years back? She must now be called “Won”. But it is when Arteta quibbles over another bout of semantics that he highlights why he is entering the new season with such energy and optimism.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-returns-arsenal-sense-opportunity">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Arsenal Liverpool Manchester United Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur Aston Villa Chelsea Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-returns-arsenal-sense-opportunity Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images David Hytner 2026-08-20T19:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/peps-final-act-of-passion-amazons-revealing-guardiola-series-pulls-no-punches <p>From the manager’s divorce to tension with the club hierarchy, new documentary is an honest portrayal of his difficult last two seasons</p><p>Having occupied a front-row seat for the final two seasons of Pep Guardiola’s gilded Manchester City tenure, the subject of Amazon’s A Beautiful Obsession, the surprise to me is how unfiltered the four-part series is.</p><p>Particularly, the telling of the torrid 2024-25 campaign when the wheels came clattering off in the bleakest of mid-winter plunges that featured nine defeats and one victory in 13 aura-shattering games.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/peps-final-act-of-passion-amazons-revealing-guardiola-series-pulls-no-punches">Continue reading...</a> Pep Guardiola Manchester City Football Sport Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:00:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/peps-final-act-of-passion-amazons-revealing-guardiola-series-pulls-no-punches Photograph: Tom Flathers/Amazon Photograph: Tom Flathers/Amazon Photograph: Tom Flathers/Amazon Jamie Jackson 2026-08-18T19:00:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/aug/18/david-squires-new-managers-causing-stir-premier-league-return <p>Our cartoonist on the nine fresh faces in club dugouts and their potential impact as they begin work</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://guardianprintshop.com/collections/david-squires/products/products-2026-08-18-13-12-10-david-squires-on-new-managers-causing-a-stir-before-premier-league-s-return"><strong>Buy this cartoon</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/04/david-squires-picks-his-favourite-cartoons-of-2025"><strong>Some of David’s favourite works</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://guardianbookshop.com/chaos-in-the-box-9781783352838/?utm_source=editoriallink&amp;utm_medium=merch&amp;utm_campaign=article"><strong>And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now</strong></a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/aug/18/david-squires-new-managers-causing-stir-premier-league-return">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Premier League Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:38:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/aug/18/david-squires-new-managers-causing-stir-premier-league-return Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian David Squires 2026-08-18T10:38:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-1-arsenal <p>After an underwhelming season, Arsenal have made major changes with club legends departing and top talent from all over Europe arriving</p><p><strong>Guardian writers’ predicted position: </strong>2nd (NB: this is not necessarily Suzanne Wrack’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)</p><p><strong>Last season’s position: </strong>2nd</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-1-arsenal">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Women Women's Super League Women's football Football Sport Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:01:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/womens-super-league-2026-27-preview-no-1-arsenal Photograph: David Price/David Price, Arsenal FC/Getty Images Photograph: David Price/David Price, Arsenal FC/Getty Images Photograph: David Price/David Price, Arsenal FC/Getty Images Suzanne Wrack 2026-08-21T23:01:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/new-rules-managers-pundits-premier-league-season-2026-2027 <p>A crackdown on time wasting, a record number of new people in charge, and some new faces on Match of the Day</p><p>The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday and while the familiar rivalries return, the English top flight has some alterations this campaign. From evolved rules to new faces and broadcast changes, there is plenty to catch up on before a ball is kicked.</p><p>Marco Rose – Bournemouth</p><p>Xabi Alonso – Chelsea</p><p>Pierre Sage – Crystal Palace</p><p>Álvaro Arbeloa – Fulham</p><p>Gary O’Neil - Ipswich Town</p><p>Andoni Iraola – Liverpool</p><p>Enzo Maresca- Manchester City</p><p>Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle</p><p>Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/new-rules-managers-pundits-premier-league-season-2026-2027">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Laws of football Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/new-rules-managers-pundits-premier-league-season-2026-2027 Composite: Getty images Composite: Getty images Composite: Getty images Sarah Rendell 2026-08-21T07:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/barcelona-snatch-rodri-from-madrid-and-make-him-new-busquets <p>Spain’s World Cup-winning captain has completed his move to Camp Nou where he is a natural successor to club legend</p><p>By the time Flight PTN27B started its descent into El Prat a bit before 8pm on Monday evening, a small crowd had gathered by the terminal doors, waiting for it to land. A few people stood and watched the sky, cameras out to capture its arrival. A lot more watched on their phones. In the two hours it had taken to get there from Manchester, taking off at 5.11pm, 101 minutes behind schedule, the Pilatus PC-24 had become the most tracked plane on the planet. Everyone knew that Rodrigo Hernández was on board. Unless, of course, he had been sneaked away in a catering cart.</p><p>Five days earlier, Rodri had been seen, and recorded, at Barajas airport waiting to get on a flight back to Manchester from Madrid. He wheeled a small RFEF (Spanish&nbsp;football federation) case with his name on, stood alone in the queue, the World Cup-winning captain just a bloke in shorts and T-shirt, and his stay in the UK was supposed to be brief, just long enough to say goodbye. The plane he was boarding was a Ryanair one: that was the detail everyone homed in on, something extraordinary in the ordinariness. This time, though, he came on a private jet, one way. His family travelled with him. He came to sign for FC Barcelona.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/barcelona-snatch-rodri-from-madrid-and-make-him-new-busquets">Continue reading...</a> Barcelona Manchester City Transfer window Football Sport Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:49:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/18/barcelona-snatch-rodri-from-madrid-and-make-him-new-busquets Photograph: Quique García/EPA Photograph: Quique García/EPA Photograph: Quique García/EPA Sid Lowe 2026-08-18T19:49:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-newcomers-newcastle-arsenal-brentford-everton-leeds-villa-coventry-hull-ipswich-transfer-window <p>Newcastle, Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Leeds, Coventry, Aston Villa, Hull and Ipswich have all brought in exciting players</p><p>By <a href="https://theanalyst.com/">Opta Analyst</a></p><p>Anthony Gordon will be a difficult act to follow at Newcastle, but Touré could be a shrewd replacement. Blessed with electric pace, the 20-year-old is a bit more of an old-fashioned winger in that he predominantly plays from the left and is left-footed. As a result, he was more of a creator than a goalscorer for Hoffenheim last season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-newcomers-newcastle-arsenal-brentford-everton-leeds-villa-coventry-hull-ipswich-transfer-window">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Newcastle United Arsenal Brentford Everton Ipswich Town Aston Villa Coventry City Hull City Leeds United Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/premier-league-newcomers-newcastle-arsenal-brentford-everton-leeds-villa-coventry-hull-ipswich-transfer-window Composite: Guardian Pictures; Everton FC; Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock; PA Composite: Guardian Pictures; Everton FC; Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock; PA Composite: Guardian Pictures; Everton FC; Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock; PA Ryan Benson 2026-08-20T07:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/the-balogun-affair-premier-league-referees-newsletter <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up"><strong>Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!</strong></a></p><p>While Football Daily remains open to the idea that Stanley Kubrick directed the moon landings and the Pentagon is hiding grey aliens in Area 51, we have never had much truck with tinfoil hat-wearing conspiracy theorists when it comes to officiating in football. While refereeing a match in which all 22 participants are expert gaslighters will inevitably lead to mistakes, we’ve always presumed these gaffes can be attributed to good old-fashioned incompetence and not some shadowy cabal who have devoted their life’s work to keeping [insert your team’s name here] firmly in their place. Sadly, a random trawl of assorted Social Media Disgrace platforms on any given day during the season proves there is no shortage of paranoid fans, while “the Folarin Balogun affair” at the Geopolitics World Cup will have added no end of grist to their mill. After all, if an entitled president can successfully agitate to have a player’s suspension swept under the rug, who’s to say dark forces aren’t also at play when it comes to deciding whether the ball went out for a throw-in off Gabriel Martinelli or Enzo Le Fée?</p><p>May I be among 1,057 others born in the 1980s to mention that one of Orson Welles’ final film roles was as the voice of Unicron in Transformers: The Movie. His character was an enormous planet which travelled through space, devouring other planets. If that isn’t a suitable metaphor for the Premier League and its transfer windows, I don’t know what is” – Luke Davydaitis (and no others).</p><p>I wonder if West Ham and Wolves fans are regretting ever complaining that they had to wait for the last day of Big Website’s Premier League previews? And if Tottenham fans will take it as a hint that said complaining may lead to no preview at all” – Doug Peters.</p><p>If Carlos Baleba ends up at Manchester United, I hope we can rely on their fans to finally deliver the ‘Daydream Baleba’ chant the world deserves” – Chris Jersan.</p><p><em>This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version,<a href="https://preview.gutools.co.uk/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up"> </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">just visit this page and follow the instructions</a>.</em> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/the-balogun-affair-premier-league-referees-newsletter">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Referees Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:04:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/the-balogun-affair-premier-league-referees-newsletter Photograph: Jon Super/AP Photograph: Jon Super/AP Photograph: Jon Super/AP Barry Glendenning 2026-08-20T17:04:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/17/marescas-man-city-opener-was-startlingly-bad <p>The Community Shield isn’t always a sign of things to come, but City’s form in their defeat to Arsenal is concerning in the wake of Pep Guardiola’s departure</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://ablink.editorial.theguardian.com/ss/c/u001.HesXJ57d0x1owJZ-aZPL3dMFWr92HeUFQk2v_wBSJ_UtgE-pwHb4UgXNOWZZo0YVZJBNA466czTQIHYkKVqTI9FbndSRgUGOn_atIxvHB4OIEEz2m_wGI6wjCftko7YS9MMFdV2V2kej0xcmOmoBXmjbB--qhVJJ5qYS1-blYec6qn7YrMvVgCdNtafv_bZnI2C22P8nR2Rexupn_Kff5t15-sUKGxOuuLsjzueYCOKMkIRH0y3TM50zFWg3eiySB_f0OrUZW20MKwQijEPxWM8j8K8FgJUDFq0UBsSz7fnxZVOdvQNFPkRWUP6d8_9G5DXeJwMkZmOK2nDVkWwaprqFe7oD_XiAObNLhzOvUzWIv9H0aboremLyZFd-PFrqgbWPGxXbMvoBUTjZQozEP0cOw-jaCxSN3M-vdBTGcW3y2-_KcncD2qH0YFXyyDbKvzCqHYRVxUoZRnmPJu7yrk8LYAEszMRBv70bjEt6gzCe_cpGyeU_cycgKwMcy6XY0gx1QJQ42RDqnEJbkbMqWV6qQ8dJ1snYcJoJgGNpIFQwT_v2gWCsQL4YLycdy8LimuEE93d19KPm7YcAfeRkkdpIYqOA_4RjTIfljhfPWQiZ2Zku3o4YLgbYmCI4Q8amrlmfcHZBRjnlSa0aSWAcl2_C-LdgSNSjzp3UVJEoK5ErbGB7y2wMmYFW4XFuMsJwY39cNnuXtai0KUScOWEq_Kazcl-h-Q8aW9ZW8_kYjKd3o-v-xB3F8FiPmzgxUPpPhXzlgWyafN5Lousau1MeUsj7F2t8D9bz-htDSJBhxa3UzV_KYASEfu8I-BP1Lcu5vgIyBHiCZ-d4AOkxlnYmJfmEk9bchuQOTSteSmobBqSVj9lACDD28THVzr-9Jiir4pCTRLvQdP6RSosk5IU4RRB3uvpLbJCiyPPEnDWdoDQ/4sv/_cL6eyULTK-hnMecuCHjAA/h4/h001.Pgd0JYAKUKFYteb42uadCRY_3qTaxXbiO2ZbBifYHV8"><strong>Sign up for our free newsletter here</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>There are caveats. It was only the Community Shield – and no side has gone on to win the league after lifting the Community Shield since 2018. It was against the league champions, whose pre-season has involved far less strenuous travel than their own. By the time the season really gets going, there will be greater clarity in central midfield, with Rodri <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/16/rodri-set-to-complete-barcelona-move-after-manchester-city-accept-654m-bid">set to complete his move to Barcelona </a>imminently. But this was a startlingly bad opening for Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.</p><p>Succeeding a manager of Pep Guardiola’s stature is never easy, as numerous clubs have found. But it’s not just Guardiola’s stature, the sense that whoever follows him stands in his shadow. It’s that his style of play is so idiosyncratic that the transition process inevitably becomes more difficult. Even though Maresca was Guardiola’s assistant at City in 2022-23, and his football is Guardiola-inspired, it is not identical, not least because Guardiola was always evolving. Even allowing for all that, though, it was remarkable how poorly City defended in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/16/arsenal-manchester-city-community-shield-match-report">their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday</a>.</p><p><em>This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/20/sign-up-for-soccer-with-jonathan-wilson-his-free-weekly-newsletter-on-european-soccer">Subscribe for free here.</a></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/17/marescas-man-city-opener-was-startlingly-bad">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Manchester City Enzo Maresca Premier League Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/17/marescas-man-city-opener-was-startlingly-bad Composite: Guardian Design, Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design, Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design, Getty Images Jonathan Wilson 2026-08-17T15:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/sensible-soccer-clubs-signing-players-transfers-football-daily <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up"><strong>Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!</strong></a></p><p>In the 1941 RKO Radio Pictures/Mercury repertory theatre production Citizen Kane, Orson Welles essayed a man who began as a whirlwind of prolific energy, only to spectacularly fizzle out, to the extent that near the end, stubborn pride his only remaining fuel, he could barely move around or achieve anything of note at all. Football Daily isn’t sure how any of this relates to Charles Foster’s namesake Harry, or his recent Geopolitics World Cup campaign; nor are we sure what bit of Welles’ career <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/football-transfer-rumours-al-hilal-eye-moves-for-harry-kane-and-ollie-watkins">Harry’s mooted move from Bayern Munich to Al-Hilal</a> would be comparable with. The flawed masterpiece The Magnificent Ambersons, perhaps, or that thing where he loses his mind over Findus peas.</p><p>Don Revie and his merry henchmen [Tuesday’s Memory Lane, full email edition] getting ready for a night on the lash, as it was back then. Lest we forget: one-club man Jack Charlton once said ‘I cant play football, but I can stop those that can’. Diamond geezer eh?” – Alvin Jordan.</p><p>It was bewildering to read in Tuesdays’s Football Daily that ‘Kevin Lamour was a lone dissenting voice inside Fifa’s lair when Gianni Infantino’s plot to flog part of the World Cup to private investors – potentially on the cheap – was rumbled’. He was far from lone. Fifa’s secretary-general, Mattias Grafström, called the FFE plans a ‘sad and reproachable series of events’ in an email to staff. Fifa’s chief of global development, someone called Arsène Wenger, pronounced the withdrawal of FFE ‘absolutely necessary and beyond question’. Above all, Infantino’s right-hand man, the Fifa senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, stated: ‘I cannot stand by while Fifa considers selling a stake in the World Cup. Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for Fifa’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.’ And unlike Lamour, Grafström, or Wenger, Cordeiro put his money where his mouth was and resigned” – Simon Skinner.</p><p>Talking of players’ wages, my Middlesborough friend who knew Wilf Mannion told me that when he was chosen to play for England at Wembley that they gave him a third-class rail ticket to get there. Unfortunately the train was so crowded that he had to sit on his suitcase in the corridor the whole way to London (not an unusual situation in those days)” – Bob Hopper.</p><p><em><strong>This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version,<a href="https://preview.gutools.co.uk/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up"> </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">just visit this page and follow the instructions</a>.</strong></em> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/sensible-soccer-clubs-signing-players-transfers-football-daily">Continue reading...</a> Transfer window Football Sport Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:51:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/sensible-soccer-clubs-signing-players-transfers-football-daily Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Scott Murray 2026-08-19T14:51:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/19/wafcon-2026-review-glory-for-cameroon-nigeria-flop-and-malawi-cause-a-stir <p>Monique Ngock starred as Cameroon triumphed for the first time in a tournament of compelling surprises, even if crowd figures disappointed</p><p>Cameroon became only the fourth country to lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title following Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, and only the third to have both a men’s and women’s continental champion, after a 3-0 win over Malawi in Rabat last weekend. The result was significant for several reasons, not least because it gave the competition a new winner after the former champions Nigeria and South Africa were eliminated in the quarter-finals to mark a changing of the guard in the African women’s game.</p><p>It is worth remembering that Cameroon did not directly qualify for this edition of the Wafcon and were only added when the tournament was expanded to 16 teams last November. That gave them the opportunity to compete, but almost no one would have picked them as champions based on reputation and results. Cameroon had not reached a Wafcon final in a decade and had never even scored a goal in the final, but had three before half-time against a Malawi side that seemed destined to complete a fairytale.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/19/wafcon-2026-review-glory-for-cameroon-nigeria-flop-and-malawi-cause-a-stir">Continue reading...</a> Sport Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/19/wafcon-2026-review-glory-for-cameroon-nigeria-flop-and-malawi-cause-a-stir Photograph: Jalal Morchidi/EPA Photograph: Jalal Morchidi/EPA Photograph: Jalal Morchidi/EPA Firdose Moonda 2026-08-19T10:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/football-transfer-rumours-endrick-to-liverpool-arsenal-to-swap-martinelli-for-yildiz <p>Today’s fluff does not do Sudoku </p><p>Since Vinícius Júnior signed a shiny new deal at Real Madrid, Arsenal have been having to look elsewhere for a new winger. Turkey’s and Juventus’s <strong>Kenan Yildizm</strong> is of interest to Mikel Arteta and the Gunners hierarchy. One potential way of getting the deal done is to send <strong>Gabriel Martinelli</strong> in the opposite direction.</p><p>It is all fun and games at Manchester City, where they are trying to rebuild a midfield inside a week. <strong>Adam Wharton</strong> is supposedly on their wishlist but, with a £100m price tag, the expense could be a little too much. City have reportedly put in a call to Selhurst Park but received a swift rebuffing in response. Considering the proximity of that Sainsbury’s to the Palace ground, any potential purchase of a midfielder would come with a lot of Nectar points. With <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/tottenham-hotspur-close-on-deals-for-manchester-city-savinho-omar-marmoush">Savinho on his way to Tottenham</a>, City could replace him with <strong>Allan Elias</strong>, a left-footed right-winger at Palmeiras – a team not keen on selling. Ruben Amorim is eager on a return to Manchester but only to take <strong>Rúben Dias</strong> to Milan.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/football-transfer-rumours-endrick-to-liverpool-arsenal-to-swap-martinelli-for-yildiz">Continue reading...</a> Transfer window Football Sport Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:41:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/football-transfer-rumours-endrick-to-liverpool-arsenal-to-swap-martinelli-for-yildiz Photograph: David S Bustamante/Real Madrid/Getty Images Photograph: David S Bustamante/Real Madrid/Getty Images Photograph: David S Bustamante/Real Madrid/Getty Images Will Unwin 2026-08-21T07:41:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-as-new-season-kicks-off <p>Manchester United’s new-look midfield, Ipswich’s ambition is tested and Kevin Keegan tributes at Newcastle</p><p>While Myles Lewis-Skelly looks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/20/arteta-desire-ambition-title-defence-myles-lewis-skelly-will-stay-arsenal">likely to remain at the Emirates</a>, the same can’t be said for Ethan Nwaneri. The 19-year-old was outstanding in his breakthrough season for Arsenal in 2024-25 but barely featured last season and was sent on loan to Marseille. That didn’t really work out and Arsenal are now exploring another temporary move to ensure Nwaneri gets regular football this season. Milan, RB Leipzig, Dortmund and Fulham are all thought to be interested, with Nwaneri unlikely to feature on the bench for Friday’s opener against Coventry as a result. Whether Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are available remains to be seen as Arsenal attempt to find suitors for the Brazil duo. <strong>Ed Aarons</strong></p><p><em>Arsenal v Coventry City, Friday 8pm (all times BST)</em></p><p><em>Hull City v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm</em></p><p><em>Everton v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm</em></p><p><em>Ipswich Town v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm</em></p><p><em>Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Saturday 3pm</em></p><p><em>Brighton v Aston Villa, Sunday 2pm</em></p><p><em>Manchester City v Bournemouth, Sunday 2pm</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-as-new-season-kicks-off">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Premier League Arsenal Manchester United Ipswich Town Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City Newcastle United Liverpool Fulham Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:01:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/21/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-as-new-season-kicks-off Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Guardian sport 2026-08-20T23:01:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/march-may-and-more-footballers-scoring-in-months-that-match-their-names <p>Plus: goalkeepers sent off far from their penalty area, and the fastest spot-kicks ever awarded</p><ul><li><p><a href="mailto:knowledge@theguardian.com">Mail us</a> with your all of your questions and answers</p></li></ul><p><strong>“Birmingham’s August Priske scored the only goal at Swansea in the League Cup on 8 August. Can you think of any other examples of players scoring in their namesake months?”</strong> wonders Paul Tiffen.</p><p>Our wonderful readers have managed to cover the entire year, pretty much, so let’s get going. The list below includes just some of the many examples you sent in.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/march-may-and-more-footballers-scoring-in-months-that-match-their-names">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:00:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/19/march-may-and-more-footballers-scoring-in-months-that-match-their-names Photograph: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans/Shutterstock Photograph: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans/Shutterstock Photograph: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans/Shutterstock Guardian sport 2026-08-19T07:00:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/12/which-footballer-played-for-most-clubs-knowledge <p>Plus: players whose names appear in their clubs, big leaps and the top tier short of title-winning managers</p><ul><li><p><a href="mailto:knowledge@theguardian.com">Mail us</a> with your all of your questions and answers</p></li></ul><p><strong>“Which footballer has played for the most clubs?”</strong> asks Paul Gage.</p><p>Surprisingly, throughout the more than two decades of the Knowledge, this question has not been answered before. But, fear not, it will be now.</p><p>Arsenal: Alan Sunderland, Tony Alexander Adams</p><p>Chelsea: Michael Essien; Ruben Ira Loftus-Cheek</p><p>Celtic: Carlton Michael Cole</p><p>Leeds: Eddie Lewis</p><p>Leicester: Kasper Peter Schmeichel</p><p>West Ham: Matthew Upson</p><p>Ben Barnett (Barnet) 1993-94</p><p>Lewis Bradford (Bradford City) 1940s</p><p>Arthur Blackburn (Blackburn Rovers) 1899</p><p>Ronnie Bolton (Bolton Wanderers) 1898</p><p>Frank Burton (Burton Swifts) 1898</p><p>Jimmy Shields (South Shields) 1961</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/12/which-footballer-played-for-most-clubs-knowledge">Continue reading...</a> Sport Football Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:00:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/12/which-footballer-played-for-most-clubs-knowledge Photograph: Ivan Franco/EPA Photograph: Ivan Franco/EPA Photograph: Ivan Franco/EPA Guardian sport 2026-08-12T07:00:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025 <p>Ousmane Dembélé becomes our seventh winner as he beats Lamine Yamal into second and Vitinha into third on our list of the best players on the planet</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/19/the-premier-league-dominates-guardians-top-100-male-footballers-again-can-anyone-catch-up">Premier League dominates list</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/19/see-how-every-judge-voted-for-the-100-best-male-footballers-in-2025">How every judge voted</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/15/how-the-guardian-ranked-the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Our methodology</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">The top 100 female players for 2025</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/17/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2024">2024 edition</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/dec/19/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2023">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/jan/24/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2022">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/dec/21/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2021">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/21/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2020">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2019/dec/17/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2019">2019</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/dec/18/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2018-nos-100-71">2018</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/dec/19/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2017-interactive">2017</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive">2016</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/dec/21/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2015-interactive">2015</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2014/dec/21/the-top-100-footballers-2014-interactive">2014</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2013/dec/100-greatest-footballers-2013">2013</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/interactive/2012/dec/20/top-100-footballers-in-the-world-interactive">2012</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:04:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025 Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Pamela Duncan, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-12-19T10:04:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top <p>The Frenchman, who has been named the best male footballer in the world by the Guardian, has benefitted from PSG’s focus on the team rather than individuals</p><p>What makes a good player great, and a great player the best? This question has been occupying me since 2014, when the Guardian first asked me to contribute to its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/ng-interactive/2014/oct/14/next-generation-2014-40-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">inaugural Next Generation feature</a>. My job was to look for a France-based talent born in 1997 who could go on to have a stellar career.</p><p>After a great deal of research, I narrowed it down from my shortlist&nbsp;of five by asking questions&nbsp;not about the players’ football ability, but about other attributes: resilience, adaptability, decision-making, creativity, work ethic, response to feedback and willingness to learn. Qualities we cannot see, and are harder to&nbsp;measure.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Ben Lyttleton 2025-12-20T08:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025 <p>Aitana Bonmatí has been voted the best female player on the planet by our panel of 127 experts ahead of Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024">2024 list</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/jan/09/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2023">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/dec/21/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2022">2022 </a>| <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/dec/07/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2021">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/08/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2020">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2019">2019</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/dec/04/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2018">2018</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/30/how-the-guardian-ranked-the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Meet the judges</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/04/see-how-every-judge-voted-in-the-100-best-female-footballers-for-2025">See how every judge voted</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts">Subscribe to Moving the Goalposts, our free newsletter</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Continue reading...</a> Football Women's football Sport Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:00:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025 Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Rich Laverty 2025-12-04T10:00:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title <p>The margin may have got smaller but the brilliant Spanish midfielder makes it a hat-trick of No 1 finishes</p><p>They say the best things come in threes, and Aitana Bonmatí has written herself into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">the Guardian’s top 100</a> history as the first player to finish at the top of the tree for a third consecutive year.</p><p>Last year the majestic midfielder emulated her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024">winning for a second year running</a>, but the 27-year-old has now gone one better, establishing herself once again at the top of the women’s game.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title">Continue reading...</a> Aitana Bonmatí Women's football Football Sport Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:00:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Rich Laverty 2025-12-05T08:00:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football <p>From PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye to Brazil’s next hope, we select some of the most talented players born in 2008. Check the progress of our classes of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/oct/15/next-generation-2024-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2024</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/11/next-generation-2023-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/sep/28/next-generation-2022-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/07/next-generation-2021-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/08/next-generation-2020-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/oct/10/next-generation-2019-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2019</a> … <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/next-generation">and go even further back</a>. Here’s our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">Premier League class of 2025</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:59:56 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-10-14T09:59:56Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs <p>We pick the best youngsters at each club born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, an age band known as first-year scholars. Check the progress of our classes of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/oct/14/next-generation-2024-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2024</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/10/next-generation-2023-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/sep/27/next-generation-2022-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/06/next-generation-2021-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/07/next-generation-2020-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2020</a> … <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/next-generation">and go even further back</a>. Here’s our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2025 world picks</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:10:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-10-13T09:10:16Z