Besides MLS, the 37-year-old player revealed in an interview with DSports that he also has offers from Mexico and a club in Europe. “There are offers from the United States, from Mexico, and one from Europe that isn’t confirmed yet, but there are talks… Right now I’m waiting on proposals, but for the moment I’m not ruling out the FPC (Professional Colombian Football),” Cuadrado revealed.

While Cuadrado hasn’t revealed any of the clubs that have shown interest in him, Inter Miami could easily be one of the MLS sides in the mix for several reasons. The Colombian is currently a free agent, which would make any move straightforward from a contractual standpoint.

Since he wouldn’t need to be signed as a Designated Player, the Herons wouldn’t have to touch their salary cap structure to fit him in — a detail that matters given how tightly Miami already manage their DP slots around Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame.

There’s also a clear on-field need he could fill. Facundo Mura, the Argentine right back Inter Miami signed as a free agent from Racing Club, has yet to find the level he showed during his time in Argentina.

Cuadrado, who can also operate as a right-sided midfielder, would give Hoyos both direct competition for that spot and extra depth on the right flank, something the squad could use as the fixture list piles up.

Cuadrado brings a wealth of experience

Then there’s the experience factor. Cuadrado cuenta con muchos partidos con una alta carga de presión, having played in a Champions League final. There, he came on as a substitute for Juventus in the 2016-17 decider against Real Madrid, where they lost 1-4 in Cardiff.

On the international stage, he featured for Colombia at two World Cups, 2014 and 2018, and across five editions of the Copa America, helping the team to third-place finishes in 2016 and 2021 over more than 110 caps for La Tricolor.

None of that guarantees a move to Fort Lauderdale, but between the financial fit, the positional need, and the pedigree he’d bring to the dressing room, Inter Miami have plenty of reasons to keep an eye on Cuadrado’s situation as he weighs his options between MLS, Mexico, Europe and Colombia.

In his resignation letter, posted to LinkedIn, Cordeiro didn’t hold back. “I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup. I want to be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It’s a bad deal for FIFA’s member federations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of this sport,” he wrote.

“…After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect,” Cordeiro added, making clear he is stepping down from his post effective immediately.

Cordeiro’s objections carry particular weight given his background. He served as U.S. Soccer Federation president from 2018 to 2020 before Infantino named him Senior Advisor for Global Strategy and Governance in 2021.

In his letter, Cordeiro pressed FIFA for answers on basic accountability questions, asking who stands to benefit from the deal, whether there was a competitive process, and why member federations are being asked to decide on something this consequential in just 50 days.

FIFA’s response to the backlash

The FIFA Forward Enterprise plan hasn’t gone over well with the different confederations. UEFA has already announced its national federations won’t take part in FIFA-run competitions if the plan goes through, while CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have voiced similar opposition.

FIFA pushed back on the criticism Friday, insisting the plan doesn’t amount to selling off the sport. “Nobody is selling football. This is something FIFA would never contemplate,” the governing body said in a statement, denying that private investors would gain control over the game.

FIFA framed the proposal as merely consultative, arguing no single confederation can decide on behalf of its 211 member associations and that any changes would require majority backing from that full membership.

The organization also brushed off some of the reporting around the plan as “erroneous information” that it said distorted the nature of the consultation. Still, FIFA acknowledged the concerns raised in recent days and said the discussion process remains open, even as UEFA’s boycott threat and Concacaf’s rejection continue to pile pressure on Infantino’s proposal.

The latest reports suggest UEFA officials have been searching for a heavyweight candidate capable of challenging Infantino when FIFA members elect their next president in March 2027. While one prominent name has repeatedly surfaced, new developments have now provided greater clarity about where the Paris Saint-Germain president stands.

The political landscape inside soccer has shifted dramatically following FIFA‘s proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary that would allow minority private investment in FIFA’s competitions.

The proposal has drawn fierce criticism from UEFA and several continental confederations, prompting European soccer leaders to begin discussing whether a credible rival should stand against Infantino at the next FIFA presidential election.

According to multiple reports, Nasser Al-Khelaifi quickly emerged as one of the preferred candidates because of his influence across European soccer and his long-standing relationships within UEFA.

Why Al-Khelaifi became UEFA’s preferred option

Al-Khelaifi has built one of the strongest profiles in modern soccer administration. Besides serving as president of Paris Saint-Germain, he also chairs Qatar Sports Investments, leads beIN Media Group, sits on UEFA’s Executive Committee, represents the European Soccer Clubs (EFC), and has attended FIFA Council meetings in recent months.

Those roles have made him one of the sport’s most powerful executives, leading some UEFA officials to believe he would have enough international credibility to mount a serious campaign against the current FIFA president.

Reports from several European outlets, such as Telegraph Sport and Politico, claimed senior soccer officials had privately discussed encouraging Al-Khelaifi to stand in 2027, especially after FIFA’s commercial proposal sparked widespread opposition.

Infantino’s proposal to open FIFA’s commercial business to outside investors has transformed what had appeared to be a straightforward re-election campaign. UEFA has strongly opposed the initiative, arguing that the World Cup should remain under the full control of soccer’s governing institutions rather than attracting private investment.

As criticism spread across Europe, the search for an alternative candidate accelerated, with Al-Khelaifi’s name consistently appearing near the top of the list. According to the reports, some officials believed “the stars have aligned” for the PSG president to enter the race.

Al-Khelaifi finally makes his position clear

Despite months of speculation, Al-Khelaifi has ruled out any intention of challenging Gianni Infantino in the 2027 FIFA presidential election. His representatives moved quickly to dismiss growing reports linking him with the position.

According to his spokesperson: “Nasser has absolutely no ambition, no intention, no interest in the FIFA role, and he will continue to discreetly support all the institutions of world and European soccer.”

Another statement reinforced the message. “Mr Al-Khelaifi has no ambition, intention or interest in this position at FIFA or in all this media hype.” Those comments effectively ended speculation that the PSG president would become UEFA’s preferred challenger.

The growing conflict stems from FIFA‘s proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial subsidiary designed to manage the governing body’s major competitions. While FIFA insists the project would generate billions for soccer development, critics argue the plan risks changing the identity of the World Cup and weakening trust between the sport’s governing bodies.

The controversy began after FIFA unveiled plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company valued at roughly $20 billion, which would oversee commercial rights linked to the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments.

Under the proposal, up to 20% of the company could be sold to private investors, with FIFA hoping to raise approximately $4.2 billion. According to FIFA, the additional revenue would significantly increase financial support for its 211 member associations, with some federations eligible to receive as much as $40 million if they approve the proposal before the September deadline.

Spain and Portugal find themselves at the heart of the dispute

The situation has become especially sensitive because Spain, Portugal and Morocco are scheduled to host the 2030 World Cup, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will stage the tournament’s opening centenary matches.

Although Spain and Portugal have not individually announced they are withdrawing, Spanish newspaper El Español indicates that both countries are considering abandoning their hosting role if FIFA refuses to change course.

The reports are directly connected to UEFA’s collective position, rather than independent decisions by the two countries. Because both federations belong to UEFA, they are expected to follow the confederation’s stance if the dispute remains unresolved.

UEFA threatens boycott as FIFA refuses to back down

The major turning point came when all 55 UEFA member associations unanimously voted to oppose FIFA’s proposal, warning they would boycott FIFA competitions if the project continues.

According to UEFA: “The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product.” The governing body added: “It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”

That position means Spain and Portugal could ultimately be prevented from participating in, or even hosting, the very tournament they are preparing to stage, should UEFA carry out its threat and FIFA move forward with the proposal. Such a scenario would be unprecedented in World Cup history.

As criticism intensified, FIFA publicly defended the proposal and rejected suggestions that it intends to privatize the World Cup. FIFA stated: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”

The organization also insisted that the consultation process would continue despite widespread opposition. FIFA added: “Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification, but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 Member Associations around the world.”

Morocco remains cautious

Unlike Spain and Portugal, Morocco is not a UEFA member and therefore is not bound by the European confederation’s collective position. The African nation has remained publicly silent throughout the controversy while continuing preparations for its first men’s World Cup.

Massive investments are already underway, including the construction of the Grand Stade Hassan II and upgrades to stadiums, transport infrastructure and tourism facilities. That cautious approach leaves Morocco in a unique position if disagreements between FIFA and UEFA continue to escalate.

The Portuguese superstar has spent the past few weeks enjoying family time after an emotional end to his international career, while Al-Nassr has been conducting its preseason camp in Lisbon under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. Although many expected Ronaldo to return once his mandatory rest period ended, the latest developments point toward a different timetable.

The 41-year-old recently shared a glimpse into his vacation by posting photos from Mallorca alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., who is now part of Al-Nassr’s youth academy. The father-son images quickly went viral, especially as the 16-year-old appeared taller than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner while displaying a similarly athletic physique. The Instagram post featured Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr. posing shirtless on a rocky beach, accompanied by the playful caption, “Not yet.”

The holiday also included Ronaldo’s fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, with the family enjoying time together following what has been a demanding year on and off the field. Earlier in the vacation, Rodriguez also shared footage of the couple swimming in a scenic underground pool, offering fans another rare look into their private lives.

Ronaldo’s vacation followed Portugal’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where the national team suffered a narrow defeat against Spain on July 6. The tournament marked the conclusion of the legendary striker’s international career, making the emotional aftermath even more significant.

New report explains Ronaldo’s delayed return

Following that defeat, the veteran stepped away from soccer to recharge physically and mentally before beginning preparations for another campaign with Al-Nassr.  While many expected Ronaldo to report back to Al-Nassr after completing the standard 21-day post-tournament recovery period, fresh information from Saudi journalist Rtiban Al-Dosari paints a different picture.

According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ronaldo will not rejoin Al-Nassr during the club’s training camp in Lisbon. Instead, the Portuguese forward is expected to wait until after the squad returns from Portugal, meaning his comeback has been pushed back beyond the conclusion of the overseas camp.

Al-Nassr’s preseason camp officially ends on August 5, after which the delegation will travel back to Riyadh. The players are also expected to receive a brief period of rest following their return, meaning Ronaldo’s first training session is now likely to take place only shortly before the start of the competitive season.

That schedule would leave the club’s biggest star with roughly one week of full training before Al-Nassr begins the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15 against Al-Fateh.

Al-Nassr squad gradually coming together

Although Ronaldo remains absent, the rest of the squad has gradually been reassembled during the Lisbon camp. Abdulelah Al-Amri has already returned after arriving earlier this week. At the same time, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane were also expected to report to the Portuguese camp, leaving Ronaldo as the final notable absentee.

Earlier reports suggested the Portuguese captain could still arrive in Lisbon for the closing stages of preseason. Still, the latest update indicates that his return will instead happen once the club has completed its work in Portugal. The coaching staff appears willing to prioritize Ronaldo’s recovery rather than rushing him back, particularly after a long season that ended with another demanding World Cup campaign.

Match Overview

Haiti and El Salvador square off in a pivotal Group A clash at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship with knockout-round implications at stake. Haiti boosted its qualification chances with a key victory over Cuba and can secure a place in the next stage with another positive result.

El Salvador, meanwhile, is fighting to stay alive after back-to-back 3-0 losses to Cuba and the United States, leaving little room for error. With both teams carrying plenty to play for, this promises to be one of the most important matchups of the group stage and a game fans won’t want to miss.

Messi returned to training in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, July 29, but Hoyos stopped short of confirming his captain would be included for the visit of Columbus, leaving the door open without making any promises.

Speaking to reporters after the training session, Hoyos was asked directly about Messi’s chances of featuring. “We’re talking along those lines. He arrived not long ago, so we haven’t really had the space yet to talk properly, but we’re very happy that he’s back,” the coach said.

Rodrigo De Paul finds himself in an identical spot, having rejoined the squad at the same time as his compatriot, meaning his availability for Inter Miami’s next MLS clash is also in doubt.

Notably, Inter Miami haven’t needed either of them to keep winning. The club beat Chicago Fire 3-2, with Luis Suárez scoring a brace, and followed it up with a 1-0 win at CF Montreal with the Uruguayan finding the net again, stretching their run to six straight victories.

Messi’s potential return to the pitch with Inter Miami

If Saturday comes too soon, the more realistic target for Messi’s first appearance since the World Cup final is Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup opener against Atletico San Luis on August 5.

That date would also line up with games against Monterrey on August 8 and Leon on August 12 to close the group stage, giving Hoyos a clearer runway to manage Messi’s reintegration than a compressed turnaround against Columbus would allow.

The controversy has quickly evolved into a global debate over the future of the sport. While several federations believe the proposal could permanently alter the sport’s biggest competition, FIFA argues that every member association deserves the opportunity to study the plan before making a decision.

The governing body confirmed it would continue consulting its 211 member associations regarding the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed commercial subsidiary that would oversee the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

The project would reportedly create a business valued at around $20 billion, with up to a 20% minority stake offered to outside investors. According to FIFA, Thrive Eternal, a fund linked to Thrive Capital founded by Joshua Kushner, is expected to lead the proposed investor group.

FIFA insisted recent reports had disrupted discussions but maintained that the consultation process would continue as planned. “We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA (Member Association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts,” FIFA said.

FIFA insists ‘nobody is selling football’

The governing body also directly addressed the growing criticism surrounding the proposal, rejecting suggestions that it intends to commercialize ownership of soccer’s biggest tournaments. “Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain,” the organization stated.

FIFA further emphasized that no final decision will be made without majority support from its member associations, arguing that every federation should have the opportunity to evaluate the proposal independently. “Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world. Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future.”

UEFA leads unprecedented backlash

The strongest resistance has come from UEFA, whose 55 member associations voted unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal moves forward. European soccer’s governing body believes the World Cup should remain entirely outside private investment, arguing the competition represents one of soccer’s greatest shared legacies.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.” The boycott threat could eventually affect several FIFA competitions, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while uncertainty also surrounds youth tournaments scheduled later this year if the dispute remains unresolved.

Other confederations also raise concerns

UEFA is no longer standing alone. CONCACAF, representing 41 member associations, rejected the proposal during its own meeting, although it stopped short of committing to a boycott. Instead, the confederation cited concerns over governance, transparency and what it described as an unusually short consultation timetable.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued one of its strongest public statements in recent years, warning that the proposal could never succeed without support from all six continental confederations.

The AFC described the situation as damaging for the sport itself. “Football should never have been placed in such a position.” The organization also called on FIFA to review its consultation and decision-making process, arguing that such a significant proposal should have involved wider discussions from the beginning.

Despite headlines framing this as a “transfer ban,” the reality is far less immediate: Chelsea remain free to sign players right now, and understanding why requires breaking down exactly what the FA actually imposed.

The breaches themselves date back to a period between 2009 and 2022, largely concentrated during Roman Abramovich’s ownership of the club between 2010 and 2016.

When Chelsea’s current ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, took over in 2022, they inherited the club’s historical records and uncovered the irregularities themselves.

Rather than concealing them, the new ownership self-reported the misconduct to the FA, which formally charged the club and saw Chelsea admit to all 74 breaches before any hearing took place.

FA sanction explained

An independent Regulatory Commission initially responded with two penalties: a six-point deduction and a £10 million fine. Crucially, though, that points deduction was suspended until June 30, 2027, meaning it wouldn’t actually cost Chelsea anything in the standings unless the club committed further violations before that date.

Chelsea then appealed specifically against the points penalty, and an independent Appeal Board sided with the club, scrapping the suspended deduction entirely. In its place, the Appeal Board imposed a different sanction: a registration ban covering two complete, consecutive transfer windows. But just like the points deduction it replaced, this ban is also suspended until June 30, 2027.

In practical terms, that means Chelsea can continue signing players normally through this window and beyond, as things stand. The ban only becomes real if the club breaches similar regulations again before the suspension period ends, at which point both this window ban and potentially further sanctions could be triggered.

The only part of the punishment that isn’t suspended, or appealable, is the £10 million fine, which the FA has confirmed will go entirely toward funding grassroots football.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City is targeting Rulli from Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille. The plan calls for the veteran Argentine to serve as the primary backup under manager Enzo Maresca while Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma holds down the starting job.

City’s interest in Rulli comes as secondary goalkeeper James Trafford nears a permanent transfer to Leeds United. As reported by The Athletic, the prospective deal carries a £40 million ($53 million USD) fee plus add-ons, a figure that would make Trafford the fifth-most expensive goalkeeper in history behind Kepa Arrizabalaga ($91M), Alisson Becker ($71M), Gianluigi Buffon ($60M), and André Onana ($60M).

Rulli, who currently serves as the primary backup for the Argentina national team, remains under contract with Marseille through June 2027. According to Argentine transfer expert Uriel Iugt, Manchester City has already agreed to personal terms on a two-year contract with the keeper, leaving Trafford’s formal departure and club-to-club negotiations as the final hurdles.

Rulli positioned for long-awaited City debut

Rulli built his European career through consistent stints in Spain, France, and the Netherlands. However, his history with Manchester City remains a notable curiosity: despite formally belonging to the club nearly a decade ago, he never played a single minute for the Sky Blues.

A product of Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata academy, Rulli completed a €3.5 million move to Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado in 2014, a club frequently utilized as a transactional bridge for player rights. That same window, he joined Real Sociedad on a two-year loan before Manchester City purchased his rights for €4.7 million in 2016, immediately loaning him back to the Spanish club.

During the January 2017 transfer window, Real Sociedad triggered a €7 million buy option to sign Rulli permanently, ending his first stint at Manchester City before he ever put on the shirt. The Argentine keeper came close to returning to the Etihad Stadium later that year, but a personal decision kept him in Spain.

Ahead of the 2017-18 campaign, Mundo Deportivo reported that Manchester City considered activating a €14 million buyback clause. Manager Pep Guardiola envisioned Rulli sharing goalkeeping duties with Claudio Bravo, but Rulli opted to remain at Real Sociedad to secure guaranteed playing time ahead of the 2018 World Cup, a tournament he ultimately missed following an untimely injury.

Following his starting run with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Casemiro opted to join Inter Miami in free agency, providing the Herons with a proven defensive anchor in the wake of Sergio Busquets’ retirement. Although the 34-year-old made his club debut last Saturday, logging a full 90 minutes in a 1-0 road victory over CF Montreal, his formal unveiling took place Thursday at Nu Stadium.

During Thursday’s press conference, as reported by journalist José Armando, Casemiro spoke passionately about teaming up with Messi: “I am living a dream to play with one of the greatest of all time. I want to enjoy it, I want to help him continue winning because he is a winner. He teams up with another player who wants to win, who wants to compete. In the end, the margin between winning and losing is always very close, we know that, but we want to compete, and we want to compete.“

Casemiro expressed gratitude to managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham, noting that despite lucrative interest from European suitors, South Florida was his top priority. “I had many options—I had offers in Italy, I had many teams reaching out—but I am exactly where I want to be,” he stated.

He concluded by placing Messi among the most influential figures in sports history: “I want to enjoy that, being with him, making him win, making him greater; he is one of the gods, if not the god of football. So I want to enjoy it with him and keep winning with him.“

Since Busquets hung up his boots, Inter Miami struggled to replicate the midfield balance that drove their previous championship runs, a vulnerability Casemiro’s presence is expected to resolve. The five-time Champions League winner inked a deal through June 2027 that includes a club option through 2029.

Casemiro joins exclusive club to play alongside Messi and Ronaldo

During their prime years in Europe, Messi and Casemiro shared an intense rivalry on opposite sides of El Clasico, featuring in epic Barcelona–Real Madrid clashes alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as heated international battles between Argentina and Brazil. Now in the twilight of his career, the decorated midfielder finds himself partnering with the player he once spent years trying to suppress.

With the move, Casemiro becomes just the 28th player in soccer history to play alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also the eighth former Real Madrid player to subsequently share a locker room with Messi, joining Angel Di Maria, Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Achraf Hakimi, Keylor Navas, Pablo Sarabia, Fernando Gago, and Ezequiel Garay.

Complete List of Players to Play with Both Messi and Ronaldo

1. Angel Di Maria
2. Gerard Pique
3. Sergio Ramos
4. Paulo Dybala
5. Gonzalo Higuain
6. Carlos Tevez
7. Achraf Hakimi
8. Keylor Navas
9. Deco
10. Vitinha
11. Henrik Larsson
12. Martin Caceres
13. Miralem Pjanic
14. Arthur Melo
15. Nelson Semedo
16. Andre Gomes
17. Danilo Pereira
18. Nuno Mendes
19. Renato Sanches
20. Francisco Trincao
21. Pablo Sarabia
22. Alejandro Garnacho
23. Lisandro Martinez
24. Gabriel Heinze
25. Fernando Gago
26. Ezequiel Garay
27. Gonzalo Martinez
28. Casemiro

On Thursday, July 30, Santos inaugurated a newly designed wing honoring Neymar Jr. inside the Memorial das Conquistas (Memorial of Achievements), the museum located inside the club’s iconic stadium. The brand-new attraction showcases a bronze bust, a statue, and an autographed blue Santos No. 10 jersey.

It was a landmark day for soccer fans worldwide and a deeply personal homecoming for the former Menino da Vila (“Village Boy“). Santos FC officially opened the dedicated space to celebrate the career of the idol long affectionately referred to by local supporters as the “Prince of the Vila.“

Renato Guedes, the lead sculptor behind the artwork, reflected on the challenge of capturing the essence of a living legend. “The intention was always not just to portray the athlete, but to portray the role model he is for the new generation, for the boys who dream of playing football and will see in him the benchmark of futebol arte (beautiful game),” Guedes stated in the club’s official website.

Neymar expressed his gratitude in an emotional social media post following the ceremony: “Today I was caught by surprise… being honored by your beloved team is incredible. Being part of the history of Santos is an honor! I thank God first and foremost, my family, and the entire Santista nation that supported me from my first steps in SANTOS FC’s youth academy!“

He closed his message by reaffirming his devotion to the club that launched his career. “We’ve had many emotional and unforgettable moments… but we’ve also had bad times, and all of you were by my side. I’m a fan on the pitch, fighting, battling, and giving everything I can at every moment; I’ve made mistakes countless times and I’ll make mistakes again (hopefully not), but always wanting what’s best for Peixão! Thank you, SANTISTA NATION, for everything,” he wrote.

Engraved at the base of the bust are Neymar’s major achievements with Santos, including three consecutive Campeonato Paulista titles (2010–2012), the 2010 Copa do Brasil, and the 2011 Copa Libertadores. During his initial run with O Peixe, he also won the 2011 FIFA Puskas Award, scored 136 goals in 225 official matches, and secured the largest transfer fee in club history via his historic €88 million move to FC Barcelona.

The Prince joins the King

On its official website, Santos formally dubbed Neymar the Príncipe da Vila (“Prince of the Village“), the title bestowed upon him as the heir to O Rei Pele. While the museum features team exhibits honoring historic eras like the 1960s “Os Santásticos” squad and the “Sereias da Vila” women’s team, Neymar and Pele stand as the only two individual players with dedicated personal galleries inside the facility.

Pelé’s legendary gallery, known as “The King’s Space,” houses iconic memorabilia including game-worn jerseys, boots, personal trophies, and a symbolic crown and scepter honoring his status as soccer royalty. It also features his personal locker, which has remained locked and untouched since his final match for Santos in 1974, one of the most sacred sites at Vila Belmiro.

Announced on Tuesady, July 28, FIFA Forward Enterprise would function as a new commercial subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s tournament operations and commercial rights, including those tied to the World Cup and the Club World Cup.

According to valuations from J.P. Morgan, the entity would be worth roughly $20 billion, with FIFA looking to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling stakes to outside investors.

Among the private investors reportedly involved is Thrive Eternal, a firm launched by Joshua Kushner. Gianni Infantino has given national federations until September 19 to back the plan, reportedly sweetening the deal with a $40 million incentive for associations that agree to support it.

Amid the criticism arriving from Europe and Central America, FIFPRO president Sergio Marchi’s idea is to coordinate a meeting that allows the project to be properly analyzed, stating in the official announcement that “great transformations require great debates“.

FIFPRO’s official announcement

“As President of FIFPRO, I have learned, along with the entire football community, of the announcement made by FIFA regarding the project known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)…

“…Decisions that could influence the future of our sport must be debated with the participation of those who are part of its governance and those who contribute daily to its development: the confederations, the leagues, the clubs, and, of course, the footballers, the true protagonists of the game…

“…With that in mind, as President of FIFPRO, I have today proposed a multi-sector meeting with the top authorities of FIFA, UEFA, CONMEBOL, the European Club Association (ECA), and the World Leagues Association (WLA). Great transformations require great debates. And few initiatives have the capacity to influence the future of world football as much as the one announced today.”

Where the different confederations stand

The reaction across football’s governing bodies has been sharp and, so far, far from unified. UEFA has taken the firmest stance, stating that no European national team will participate in any FIFA competition while the proposal remains in effect, unless it is fully abandoned and FIFA provides binding guarantees that it will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

The confederation already held an emergency virtual meeting with its 55 member associations, with a potential boycott of FIFA competitions reportedly on the table.

CONCACAF has aligned itself with UEFA’s opposition, with all 41 of its member federations voting to reject the project outright. CONMEBOL, meanwhile, remains the outlier: as of now, South America’s governing body hasn’t issued any public position on FIFA’s proposal.

According to reports from outlets like La Razón, more than 30 separate campaigns have popped up online calling for the foundation to reconsider or revoke the honor before its official ceremony in October.

It’s worth being clear from the outset: none of this is official. These are online petitions, not a formal review process, and as of now, the Fundación Princesa de Asturias haven’t issued any statement responding to the campaigns. Still, the scale is notable — one of the more prominent petitions has already surpassed 1,500 signatures in just over a week, and the sheer number of separate campaigns circulating suggests this isn’t a fringe complaint.

The 2026 World Cup final involved

The grievances cited in these petitions center on specific moments from the final and its aftermath: Messi appearing to push for a red card against Marc Cucurella and showing little concern after accidentally striking Mikel Merino in the head with the ball.

There is also broader frustration tied to the flag controversy that arose during Argentina’s semifinal win over England involving the Falklands Islands. Petitioners argue these episodes run counter to the values of respect and fair play the award is meant to recognize.

Messi joins a short list of honorees

Messi’s award makes him the only individual footballer to win the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on his own, joining Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez as the only other footballers to be recognized, though the two Spaniards received the honor jointly in 2012 rather than individually.

Football has also been recognized at the national team level twice before: Spain’s national side won the award in 2010 following their first World Cup title, and Brazil’s national team took the honor in 2002 after securing a record fifth World Cup crown.

FIFA officially unveiled plans this week for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a corporate spin-off entity designed to oversee commercial and operational delivery for premier tournaments, including the World Cup. The proposal involves selling up to a 20% minority stake to private investors, valuing the new venture at roughly $20 billion. The move met immediate resistance from UEFA, whose 55 member associations signaled an outright boycott of FIFA competitions, including future men’s and women’s World Cups, should the project proceed.

CONCACAF, the governing body representing North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, issued a scathing statement Thursday formally rejecting the global federation’s proposal.

Echoing CONCACAF‘s stance, the U.S. Soccer Federation released a joint statement and amplified the message across its official X account, aligning itself directly with regional leadership. “U.S. Soccer stands with Concacaf and its members,” the federation posted.

In its sharp rebuke, CONCACAF emphasized that its member federations remain united “by the love of our game” as an “organization founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football“. The statement served as a direct salvo toward Zurich: “History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values“.

CONCACAF now becomes the second major confederation to publicly oppose Infantino and the FFE initiative alongside UEFA. However, unlike its European counterpart, North America’s governing body stopped short of issuing an explicit boycott threat regarding upcoming FIFA tournaments.

How many votes does Infantino need?

With UEFA and CONCACAF formally closing ranks against the proposal, the block of opposing member associations has grown to 90. Still, if Infantino can hold the line across the remaining confederations, the FIFA Forward Enterprise project could still secure enough support to pass.

FIFA currently comprises 211 member associations, meaning Infantino requires a simple majority of 106 votes to ratify the proposal. To officially block the project, the UEFA-CONCACAF opposition bloc needs to recruit at least 15 additional votes from rival confederations.

The voting breakdown across FIFA’s 211 member associations by confederation is structured as follows:

• UEFA (Europe): 55 votes
• CAF (Africa): 54 votes
• AFC (Asia): 46 votes
• CONCACAF (North America, Central America, Caribbean): 35 votes
• OFC (Oceania): 11 votes
• CONMEBOL (South America): 10 votes

While CONCACAF represents 41 total member associations, only 35 hold full FIFA voting privileges. Attention now turns to CAF, the AFC, OFC, and CONMEBOL, whose member federations have yet to release official statements or reveal how they intend to vote on the contentious proposal.

Match Overview

Mexico U20 have already secured a place in the next round and now look to wrap up the group stage with a perfect record. Guatemala U20, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for qualification after recovering from an opening loss to Costa Rica U20 with a victory over Antigua and Barbuda U20.

A draw could be enough to keep Guatemala’s hopes alive, raising the stakes for this decisive group-stage encounter. With advancement and momentum on the line, this is a matchup fans won’t want to miss.

Match Overview

A spot in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 is at stake as Boca Juniors and O’Higgins meet in a decisive second-leg clash in Chile. Boca, one of South America’s traditional powers, carries a 1-0 advantage after winning the first meeting following its Copa Libertadores exit.

O’Higgins, however, remains within striking distance and will have home-field advantage as it looks to overturn the deficit and secure a historic qualification. With everything on the line, expect an intense battle from start to finish.

According to SPORT journalist David Bernabeu, the renewal offer Barcelona plan to present to Torres doesn’t fully satisfy the forward. Ferran believes he deserves greater recognition after two strong seasons, in which he finished with 40 goals and 10 assists combined.

With his contract nearing its end, the forward’s situation is being closely tracked by several clubs. “Ferran knows that in a few months he could leave for free, and there are two clubs interested in him, above all, PSG and Atletico Madrid. The Atleti interest could be related to Julian, but as of today, I repeat, it seems most likely that he stays,” MARCA‘s Matteo Moretto explained.

This situation could actually work in both clubs’ favor, since a potential Torres move to Atletico Madrid could open the door for Julian Alvarez to arrive at Camp Nou. The Argentine forward made clear during the 2026 World Cup that he wants a transfer, though Madrid’s stance remains that any deal would need to meet his €500 million release clause.

However, Bernabeu noted that Barcelona don’t want to let go of Ferran Torres unless the forward himself requests to leave, and that the odds of the Spaniard staying or departing are now “50/50,” since the final decision rests with the player.

Atletico Madrid’s players reportedly pushing for Torres to join

The push for Ferran Torres to join Atletico Madrid isn’t only coming from the boardroom — it’s reportedly being driven from inside the locker room too.

“I’ll tell you that there are also Atletico Madrid players who are very close friends with Ferran Torres who tell him every day, ‘hey, come here, you’re going to be our number nine, you’re going to be our idol.’ But well, there are still things pending,” Moretto said in his report for MARCA.

PSG reportedly shift toward Maghnes Akliouche

PSG have also been mentioned throughout this saga as suitors for both players, adding a third club into the mix around Ferran’s future and, separately, around Alvarez’s.

However, the Parisians appear to have shifted direction in their pursuit of both forwards. PSG have reportedly made real progress on a separate deal for Maghnes Akliouche, with reports suggesting a fee close to €50 million to pry him away from Monaco.

While Ferran and Akliouche could be seen as two targets PSG want simultaneously rather than one replacing the other, the advancing talks for the French forward could still be read as a signal that PSG’s priorities are shifting elsewhere in the final stretch of the window.

After finding himself on the outside looking in under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Rashford emerged as a prime bargain on the transfer market. Barcelona jumped at the opportunity, securing the winger on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. During his stay in Spain, Rashford rediscovered his form, worked his way back into the England national team picture, and delivered a strong statistical campaign, though Barcelona ultimately decided against triggering his permanent transfer.

With his return to the Camp Nou officially off the table, Rashford took to Instagram to post a heartfelt message to the fans: “I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me.“

Accompanied by a pair of photos, one showcasing his shirt and another on the pitch, the winger closed his post by wishing the club well moving forward. “I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead. Visca el Barça,” he wrote.

According to ESPN, Barcelona held a €30 million ($35 million USD) purchase option for Rashford that expired on June 15. However, after the Catalan club invested heavily to land Anthony Gordon for €70 million plus €10 million in add-ons alongside Karim Adeyemi, a permanent move for Rashford became financially unfeasible.

Rashford leaves Barcelona, the third club of his professional career following stints at Manchester United and Aston Villa, after making 49 appearances, tallying 14 goals and 14 assists. During his single year in Spain, he lifted two trophies, capturing the Spanish Super Cup and a La Liga crown, marking the first domestic league title of his career.

Could Rashford join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr?

Even with Michael Carrick now at the helm at Old Trafford, Rashford hasn’t completely closed the door on a permanent departure from Manchester United. Speculation briefly hinted at a potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has previously lured high-profile European talent to Saudi Arabia. Recent reports from transfer insider Pedro Almeida claimed Al Nassr was preparing a formal bid for the English star.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quickly squashed those rumors, reporting that Rashford has no intention of leaving Manchester United for Al-Nassr, even if the Saudi club submits an official proposal. Romano revealed that a move to non-European leagues is simply not part of the forward’s short-term plans.

Instead, Rashford’s primary goal is to remain in Europe’s spotlight to safeguard his spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. While remaining at Manchester United remains a distinct possibility, he will reportedly only consider a departure if a top-tier European contender comes calling.

At first glance, the contrast appears striking. One superstar has resumed training less than two weeks after the World Cup final, while the other continues to recover away from his club. However, the explanation goes far beyond commitment or motivation, with the circumstances surrounding each player’s return telling a much more complete story.

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami‘s training facility on Wednesday, ending a short break that followed Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The Major League Soccer club shared images of the Argentine captain arriving at the Fort Lauderdale complex alongside Luis Suarez, confirming that the 39-year-old had resumed preparations for the remainder of the season.

Before heading back to Florida, the 39-year-old spent time with his family in Rosario following one of the most emotional moments of his career. Argentina narrowly missed the chance to defend its World Cup crown after suffering a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in New Jersey.

The key difference between Messi and Ronaldo’s situations

The biggest difference between the two superstars is their respective club calendars.

Inter Miami immediately resumed competitive action after the World Cup, forcing the MLS club to continue its domestic schedule without Messi. During his absence, Miami played league matches against Chicago Fire and CF Montréal before preparing for another MLS fixture against Columbus Crew and the upcoming Leagues Cup.

Because the American season continues throughout the summer, Messi’s return to training became necessary even after such an exhausting international campaign. Major League Soccer also exempted him from the All-Star Game because of the short turnaround following the World Cup.

Ronaldo remains away as Al-Nassr follows another plan

Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation is very different. Although Portugal was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Spain on July 6, more than three weeks before Messi returned to Inter Miami, Al-Nassr has deliberately allowed its captain additional recovery time before integrating him into preseason preparations.

Rather than reporting immediately to training camp, Ronaldo has continued following an individualized recovery program after a demanding World Cup. According to reports, the decision was made jointly by the coaching staff and club management, who want him to begin the new campaign fully refreshed.

The Portuguese forward featured in four World Cup matches, scoring twice against Uzbekistan before Portugal’s tournament came to an early end. Instead of rushing him back, Al-Nassr has focused on carefully managing his workload ahead of another demanding domestic and continental season.

New coach prioritizes long-term fitness

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou has also influenced the approach. Reports indicate that the Australian manager has remained in regular contact with Ronaldo throughout his extended break, requesting physical tests and monitoring his conditioning remotely before welcoming him back to preseason training. Several other international players have also been granted additional rest after their World Cup commitments.

Ronaldo was absent as Al-Nassr opened preseason with a 2-1 friendly defeat against Benfica B and a 2-0 win over Merida, while the club continues preparations in Europe ahead of two remaining exhibition matches against Estrela Amadora and Almeria. Current expectations suggest the August 4 meeting with Almería could become Ronaldo’s first appearance under Postecoglou, provided his recovery continues according to schedule.

The winger’s return comes with optimism despite the physical setback that ended his tournament. Milan remains confident that one of its most influential attacking players will be ready to make an impact early in the new campaign, although the club is taking every precaution before clearing him for competitive action.

Pulisic arrived at Milanello on Thursday morning, one day later than originally scheduled after being granted additional time by the club for logistical reasons. He underwent the customary medical examinations before beginning individual work aimed at rebuilding his fitness after the injury sustained during the World Cup.

The American international is not traveling with the Rossoneri on their preseason tour of Australia, instead remaining at the club’s training center to focus entirely on rehabilitation. Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez also returned to Milanello as he continues recovering from his own ankle injury suffered while representing Mexico.

Pulisic suffered leg fracture in World Cup defeat to Belgium

The recovery program follows an injury Pulisic suffered during the United States’ Round of 16 defeat to Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.  According to The Athletic, the injury occurred when the American attempted a shot before colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans.

Although Pulisic initially tried to continue playing, he was eventually forced off the field after struggling with the pain. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” the 27-year-old explained after the match.

Subsequent medical examinations revealed a bone bruise and a microfracture in his right leg, specifically around the tibia-fibula junction, with earlier Italian reports also describing a microfracture to his right fibula. Doctors reportedly believe the injury requires weeks rather than months of recovery, offering encouragement ahead of the domestic season.

Milan’s cautious recovery plan revealed

Rather than accelerating his return, Milan has opted for a carefully managed rehabilitation program designed to maximize Pulisic’s long-term fitness. Italian outlets including La Gazzetta dello Sport and MilanNews report that the initial phase focuses on rest before gradually introducing rehabilitation exercises and individual training sessions.

The winger is currently working separately from the main squad while recovering from bone edema around the tibia-fibula junction. The club has deliberately avoided placing unnecessary pressure on one of its most important attacking players. Instead of rushing him back into full training, Milan intends to increase his workload only when medical staff are fully satisfied with his progress.

Despite the cautious approach, there is growing confidence that Pulisic could be available for Milan’s opening Serie A fixture against Torino on August 23. Reports suggest new head coach Ruben Amorim expects the American to remain one of the team’s key attacking figures this season. However, neither the coaching staff nor the medical department is willing to compromise his long-term condition simply to accelerate his preseason preparations.

Italian media indicate the club is even prepared to delay his return beyond the opening weekend if additional recovery time significantly reduces the risk of recurrence during what is expected to be a demanding campaign.

Match Overview

Costa Rica U20 head into this key group-stage matchup knowing a victory would secure their place in the next round. Despite their recent loss to Mexico, they remain in control of their qualification hopes.

Antigua and Barbuda U20, meanwhile, are on the brink of elimination after a 4-0 defeat to Guatemala and likely need a convincing win to keep their slim chances alive. With both teams still playing for something important, this is a game fans won’t want to miss.

One week after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium, the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) officially announced Vincic’s retirement, celebrating his milestone assignment: “A week after the World Cup final in the USA, Slavko Vincic has officially concluded his historic refereeing career at the very top of the world.“

In an interview with Slovenian outlet Sport, Vincic admitted that hearing of his final assignment initially came as a shock. However, representing Slovenian officiating on the world stage was a profound honor, especially “when your entire refereeing career comes down to a single match.“

The match itself featured several critical refereeing moments, highlighted by Enzo Fernandez receiving a second yellow card late in the second half following a tackle on Pau Cubarsi. Despite the high pressure, Vincic praised the officiating crew’s performance: “We were not the main topic of conversation after the match, which shows that we did our job well overall. I think our refereeing strategy was the right one.“

Vincic’s exchange with Messi

With Spain controlling the tempo, Argentina struggled to generate late momentum. One notable moment saw Marc Cucurella covering his mouth to speak to Messi, prompting the Argentine forward to call out the gesture to officials.

When asked about his direct interactions with Messi during the match, Vincic kept the specifics confidential while praising the superstar’s conduct. “I will leave that conversation on the pitch. But I can say that Messi behaved in a completely sportsmanlike manner,” he stated.

Messi’s tough luck with Vincic on the whistle

Despite a long international career beginning in 2010, Vincic rarely crossed paths with Messi in European club competitions. Vincic officiated a Barcelona match against Inter Milan in October 2022 after Messi had joined PSG, and later refereed a PSG-AC Milan fixture in October 2023 after Messi had already moved to Inter Miami.

Instead, the pair’s only encounters came on the World Cup stage, and both ended in heartbreak for Messi. Their first meeting occurred during Argentina’s shocking 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022, followed by Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the 2026 final, marking the only two World Cup losses of Lionel Scaloni’s managerial tenure.

The Saudi champion has entered a new era following the appointment of Postecoglou, who is preparing the team for the 2026/27 campaign after replacing Jorge Jesus. Although the Australian coach has already started implementing his ideas during the training camp in Portugal, Ronaldo has yet to report back after being granted an extended break following international duty.

Al-Nassr opened its preseason schedule with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Benfica B in Lisbon, but the result was far from ideal. The Saudi side took an early lead through Abdulmalik Al-Jaber before conceding twice to suffer a 2-1 defeat in Ange Postecoglou’s first match in charge.

The match followed an unusual format of two 30-minute halves, allowing both coaching staffs to carefully manage workloads during the opening stages of preseason. Despite the disappointing outcome, the coaching staff viewed the fixture as an important opportunity to assess players and begin building fitness ahead of the new season.

Following the defeat, reports indicated that Postecoglou immediately ordered an additional training session, underlining his determination to quickly raise standards before competitive football returns.

Why Ronaldo has not returned yet

The biggest talking point surrounding Al-Nassr’s preseason has been Ronaldo’s absence. Rather than joining the squad immediately after the end of the World Cup, the 41-year-old has remained on vacation while continuing his recovery from a demanding international campaign with Portugal.

Portugal’s World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 after a defeat to Spain, bringing another disappointing conclusion to Ronaldo’s pursuit of football’s biggest prize. Instead of rushing their star player back into action, Al-Nassr’s management and coaching staff have opted for a cautious approach, allowing him additional recovery time before beginning preparations for another long campaign.

According to the latest reports, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to rejoin Al-Nassr training next week, starting July 27, where he will begin a specialized conditioning program designed to prepare him for the physical demands of the new season. The club believes the extra rest will leave its captain fresher for the months ahead.

The Saudi Pro League champion has already begun a new chapter following Postecoglou’s arrival, but the squad remains without several key names. As preseason gathers pace in Portugal and Spain, attention has shifted from the opening results to when Ronaldo will finally make his first appearance of the summer.

Al-Nassr entered preseason looking to build momentum after winning the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title, with Ange Postecoglou taking charge following his appointment as the club’s new head coach.

The Australian manager’s first outing ended in a 2-1 defeat to Benfica B in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Lisbon. Despite Abdulmalik Al-Jaber giving Al-Nassr an early lead, Benfica’s reserve side responded with two goals to hand Postecoglou his first defeat since taking over.

The match followed an unusual format of two 30-minute halves, allowing both coaching staff to carefully manage workloads during the early stages of preseason. Reports also indicated that Postecoglou ordered an additional training session immediately after the defeat as preparations continued.

Why Ronaldo isn’t playing against Merida

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the friendly against Merida because he has not yet returned to Al-Nassr following Portugal’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The veteran forward has been granted an extended post-tournament break and is continuing his scheduled recovery before rejoining the squad. Rather than rushing their captain back into action, Al-Nassr’s coaching staff has opted to prioritize his fitness ahead of another demanding season.

Portugal’s World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 after a defeat to Spain, bringing Ronaldo’s international campaign to a close. With the summer schedule still in its early stages, the club believes additional recovery time will better prepare its biggest star for the months ahead.

Ronaldo’s expected return timetable

Current reports suggest Ronaldo is expected to rejoin Al-Nassr training next week, where he will begin a carefully managed conditioning programme. The club has not officially confirmed the exact date of his return to match action, but the focus remains on gradually rebuilding his fitness rather than accelerating the process.

The aim is to ensure he is fully prepared once the competitive fixtures begin. Following the meeting with Merida, Al-Nassr still has two more preseason fixtures scheduled in Europe. The remaining matches are:

• August 1 – Estrela Amadora
• August 4 – Almeria

Based on current reports, Ronaldo’s availability for Estrela Amadora remains uncertain because of his conditioning programme. The friendly against Almeria on August 4 is widely viewed as the most likely opportunity for his preseason debut, assuming his recovery progresses according to schedule.

The proposal has triggered widespread criticism from governing bodies, leagues, player representatives and politicians, with many arguing that soccer’s most prestigious tournament should remain protected from outside commercial ownership. While FIFA insists the initiative is designed to strengthen the global game, opposition continues to grow as more details emerge.

Earlier this week, FIFA unveiled plans to establish a new commercial entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would oversee the organization’s major competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, FIFA would retain majority ownership while selling up to 20% of the company to private investors, with the venture reportedly valued at $20 billion.

The governing body hopes to raise approximately $4.2 billion, arguing that the additional funding would be redistributed among its 211 member associations to improve soccer development worldwide. According to FIFA, every association would receive significantly increased financial support if the proposal is approved before the September deadline.

Infantino defended the initiative, insisting it remains optional rather than compulsory for member associations. “It’s part of a democratic process — a consultation process — and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,” Infantino said. He also described the proposal as “a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally.”

UEFA’s historic decision revealed

The mystery surrounding Europe’s response ended on Thursday following an emergency virtual meeting involving all 55 UEFA member associations. Every single UEFA member voted unanimously to support a boycott of FIFA competitions, including future men’s and women’s World Cups, if FIFA proceeds with selling ownership stakes in its tournaments to private investors.

The unprecedented decision represents one of the strongest collective actions ever taken against FIFA by a continental confederation. Following the meeting, UEFA released a lengthy statement explaining why it believes the proposal threatens the future governance of soccer.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of soccer’s greatest sporting legacies… No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”

UEFA also confirmed the consequences if FIFA refuses to abandon the project. “No UEFA national team will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety.”

Europe warns soccer cannot become an investment asset

UEFA’s criticism went well beyond procedural concerns, arguing that allowing outside investors into FIFA competitions would permanently change how soccer is governed. According to the European governing body, investor involvement would place commercial expectations ahead of sporting priorities, influencing everything from tournament formats to scheduling decisions.

“The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, soccer changes forever,” UEFA wrote. The organization added that “football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.”

According to Fabrizio Romano, Jaissle is “the top candidate and in advanced talks to become Newcastle’s new head coach,” with the Italian journalist adding that “he’s the number one candidate to replace Eddie Howe“.

The move comes after Howe informed Newcastle of his desire to step away from the game for a break following five years in charge. Newcastle and Al Ahli share the same ownership structure, both being majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has made the transition between the two clubs notably smooth from an administrative standpoint.

Jaissle’s departure would mark the end of a hugely successful spell in Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old German, once tipped as the “new Julian Nagelsmann,” led Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles, becoming the only manager in history to win the competition in consecutive seasons.

Ronaldo facing Jaissle’s Al Ahli

For Ronaldo and Al Nassr, Jaissle’s Al Ahli represented one of the club’s most competitive rivals in the Saudi Pro League, where, since Jaissle’s arrival in the summer of 2023, the sides have met seven times.

Al Nassr has won four of those meetings, drawn one, and lost one in normal time, with an additional penalty-shootout defeat in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup final after a 2-2 draw. Across those seven encounters, Ronaldo managed to score five goals, with his most recent coming in the 2-0 win on April 29, 2026.

Arne Slot emerges as a candidate for Al Ahli

With Jaissle’s departure looking increasingly likely, Al Ahli have reportedly identified Arne Slot as a primary target to take over. The Dutch coach has been out of work since leaving Liverpool in May, a spell of just over two years at Anfield that included a Premier League title in 2025.

Complicating matters, Slot is simultaneously being linked with the vacant Netherlands national team job, according to Fabrizio Romano. Slot emerged as the leading candidate to replace Ronald Koeman after the Dutch federation began searching for a successor following the Oranje’s disappointing Round of 32 exit to Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

The controversy centers on a proposal that FIFA says could unlock billions in new funding for the sport. While the governing body insists the initiative represents an opportunity to strengthen soccer worldwide, critics argue that the manner in which the plan has been introduced threatens the principles of transparency, consultation and collective decision-making.

FIFA recently announced plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial entity valued at approximately $20 billion that would oversee the organization’s commercial rights and flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Under the proposal, FIFA would retain majority control while selling a minority stake, reportedly up to 20%, to private investors in an effort to raise around $4.2 billion.

According to FIFA, the additional funding would be redistributed across its 211 member associations, allowing more investment in soccer development around the world. Infantino has described the proposal as part of a wider strategy to expand opportunities for nations and grow the sport globally.

“This is about the democratisation of football worldwide,” Infantino said while defending the proposal. He later emphasized that the initiative was “an offer, not an obligation,” insisting the consultation process remains democratic.

CONCACAF and AFC reveal where they stand

As criticism intensified, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) both publicly voiced their concerns, focusing primarily on FIFA’s governance process rather than immediately rejecting the proposal itself.

CONCACAF stated that it first became aware of the initiative through media reports rather than direct communication from FIFA. “CONCACAF was only made aware of this matter through media reports… We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,” the confederation said.

The organization added that decisions affecting global soccer should always be guided by good governance, robust consultation and long-term stewardship, expressing disappointment that such a significant proposal became public before discussions with soccer’s governing bodies had taken place.

The AFC echoed similar concerns while making clear that it supports innovation only when accompanied by proper consultation: “The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels.”

The continental body also stressed that initiatives of this scale should be based on transparency, meaningful consultation and sound governance before member associations are asked to take a position.

AFC president intensifies pressure on FIFA

Opposition grew even stronger after AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa circulated a letter to the confederation’s 47 member associations criticizing FIFA’s handling of the proposal. According to multiple reports, Sheikh Salman described the lack of consultation as “totally unacceptable” and questioned why member associations were given such limited time to evaluate a project that could reshape soccer’s commercial future.

He also warned that FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the foundations of continental soccer, arguing that the existing soccer structure depends on solidarity, cooperation and transparency between FIFA and its regional confederations. The AFC president reportedly advised member associations not to commit to the proposal until further discussions and legal, financial and governance reviews are completed with FIFA.

While CONCACAF and the AFC focused largely on governance concerns, UEFA adopted the toughest position among soccer’s continental confederations. The European governing body accused FIFA of crossing a fundamental line by exploring private investment in the World Cup and warned that soccer’s governing institutions should never treat the sport’s most prestigious tournament as a commercial asset available for sale.

His original contract only covered the buildup to this summer’s tournament, leaving his future as a subject of speculation even as talks with the federation had reportedly already begun before the World Cup kicked off.

According to Telemundo’s Andres Cantor, the extension is close to being finalized, a report subsequently confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The deal is said to be in its final stages, though it still requires formal approval from US Soccer’s board of directors before it can be made official.

Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone has spoken publicly about the progress of the negotiations, describing conversations with Pochettino as “going well” and suggesting an announcement could come in the near future.

The push to keep Pochettino in place comes despite a tournament that ended in some disappointment on the pitch, with the U.S. eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium in a lopsided 4-1 defeat. That result, however, doesn’t appear to have shaken the federation’s confidence in the Argentine coach, whose overall body of work with the program has been used to justify locking him in for another cycle.

Pochettino’s numbers as USMNT manager

Since taking over, Pochettino has posted a 18-1-12 record across 31 matches in charge of the USMNT. His World Cup campaign specifically produced a string of historic results: the U.S. topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia, racking up six points, the most in a group stage in program history, and the first time the U.S. had won two group-stage matches since 1930.

That form carried into the knockout rounds, where a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 marked the team’s first knockout-stage victory since 2002.

Between those results, Pochettino became the winningest head coach in USMNT history at a single World Cup, with three victories in the tournament, while the team also set a new U.S. scoring record with 11 goals across five matches before finishing 12th overall.

The Portuguese superstar joined Al-Nassr in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United, a transfer that initially raised questions across the soccer world. Instead of marking the closing chapter of his career, the move became the spark for unprecedented commercial growth, worldwide exposure and a wave of elite talent heading to Saudi Arabia.

When Ronaldo signed for the Knight of Najd, the Saudi Pro League was largely followed within the Middle East and had only a limited international presence. His arrival immediately increased global interest and gave the league a platform it had never enjoyed before.

According to widely reported figures, league broadcasts expanded from just three territories to more than 140 countries, dramatically increasing worldwide visibility. Saudi Pro League chief executive Carlo Nohra also confirmed that league revenue experienced an extraordinary 650% increase, driven largely by new broadcasting agreements and commercial partnerships.

The financial growth was accompanied by a significant rise in sponsorship opportunities and international recognition. Reports also indicate that league revenue climbed by approximately $105 million, reflecting the commercial momentum generated after Ronaldo’s transfer.

The remarkable numbers behind Ronaldo’s influence

The statistics surrounding Ronaldo’s impact paint an impressive picture of how quickly the landscape changed after his arrival. Al-Nassr’s social media following exploded from fewer than one million Instagram followers to around 30 million, transforming the club into one of the most-followed teams outside Europe. Across multiple platforms, the club’s overall digital audience has continued to grow, further strengthening its global profile.

His move also inspired several of soccer’s biggest names to follow a similar path. Players including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio Mane and N’Golo Kante all joined the Saudi Pro League after Ronaldo’s arrival, helping raise the league’s competitive level and international appeal.

Success on pitch matches commercial growth

Ronaldo’s influence has extended well beyond marketing, with his performances helping Al-Nassr achieve several important milestones. The Portuguese captain guided the club to its first Arab Club Champions Cup title, scoring twice in the final to secure the historic trophy. He also played a leading role as Al-Nassr captured its first league title since 2019, and reached its first AFC competition final since 1998.

Individually, the Portuguese superstar continued breaking records despite entering his forties. He scored 35 league goals during the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season, setting a new single-season scoring record while helping the club embark on a 20-match unbeaten run across competitions.

League transformed by global attention

Ronaldo’s presence helped the Saudi Pro League gain credibility among fans and players worldwide. One memorable moment came shortly after his arrival, when a Riyadh Season All-Star team faced Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile exhibition match featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Although PSG won 5-4, Ronaldo scored twice and was named Man of the Match, further reinforcing his ability to perform on soccer’s biggest stages.

His arrival also increased exposure for Saudi players, who suddenly found themselves competing alongside some of the biggest names in world soccer. Young domestic talents benefited from greater international scouting, while the league itself became part of soccer conversations far beyond the region.

Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions receive major boost

Ronaldo’s influence has extended into Saudi Arabia’s wider sporting strategy. The country has hosted several globally recognized events, including WWE, UFC and major boxing cards, with Ronaldo frequently appearing as one of the event’s most recognizable faces. His popularity has helped promote Saudi Arabia as an emerging destination for international sport and entertainment.

A dedicated CR7 Museum was also opened in Riyadh, celebrating the Portuguese star’s career and highlighting his connection with the country. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s visit to Iran during the AFC Champions League created extraordinary scenes, with thousands of supporters gathering simply to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo.

The Brazilian star leaves behind a career filled with unforgettable moments, individual records and emotional highs and lows. His influence stretched across more than a decade, helping shape an era for the national team while becoming one of the most recognizable faces in world soccer.

The 34-year-old officially ended any remaining speculation after Santos defeated Universidad Central 4-2 in the Copa Sudamericana. Speaking after the match, Neymar made it clear that he has no intention of returning to represent Brazil following the country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life, I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore,” Neymar said.

His comments reinforced the emotional message he first delivered after Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16. That match saw Neymar come off the bench to score a stoppage-time penalty, a goal that ultimately became the final strike of his international career.

Brazil prepares special farewell

Although Neymar insists his international days are finished, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly considering organizing an official farewell match to celebrate his contribution to the Selecao. According to O Globo, discussions are underway, although no date has been established because the forward remains an active player at club level.

The proposal remains in its early stages, but it reflects the enormous respect Neymar commands within Brazilian soccer. Rather than allowing his final appearance to come in the disappointment of World Cup elimination, the federation hopes supporters could eventually have the chance to celebrate his achievements on a dedicated occasion.

Career filled with records

Neymar’s international résumé places him among the greatest players ever to represent Brazil. After making his senior debut in 2010, he accumulated 130 appearances and scored a record 80 goals, surpassing Pelé to become the country’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer.

He also became only the second Brazilian after Pele to score in four different FIFA World Cups, finding the net during the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions. Those accomplishments came despite injuries repeatedly interrupting his biggest tournaments.

His international journey also included one of Brazilian soccer’s most emotional victories. Neymar captained the national side to its historic first Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, scoring during the final before converting the decisive penalty in the shootout against Germany.

Last week, Italy technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed during the search for a new head coach that Ancelotti manager was contacted alongside Pep Guardiola. “Guardiola? We can’t share any news; you have identified one of our targets, but we have also spoken with Ancelotti. It felt right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability,” Maldini said during a press conference with FIGC officials.

Ultimately, Andrea Pirlo emerged as a top candidate for the role, but controversial ties to a Russian betting company led FIGC president Giovanni Malago to walk away from negotiations, a dispute that prompted Maldini’s resignation. Claudio Ranieri was subsequently named technical director, with Roberto Mancini selected as the new head coach, leaving Ancelotti firmly rooted in Brazil.

Ancelotti’s reasons for turning down Italy

After a legendary playing career, Ancelotti got his coaching start as an assistant for the Azzurri under Arrigo Sacchi from 1992 to 1995, reaching the 1994 World Cup final. After conquering domestic titles across all of Europe’s top five leagues, the 67-year-old manager had the opportunity to come full circle by taking over as Italy‘s head coach.

In an interview with ESPN’s Pedro Ivo Almeida, Ancelotti clarified his stance: “The truth is… why? Because it is not a contract issue, that’s not it. It is because I have a commitment to the CBF and to this country, because this country welcomed me so well during this first year. I want to continue here.“

While acknowledging the FIGC’s formal approach, Ancelotti reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the Brazil project. “And I obviously thanked the Italian Federation, but I want to stay here because I believe it is right and fair to stay in a country that welcomed me so well, at an institution that gave me the opportunity to work,” he stated.

Ancelotti currently ranks as the highest-paid manager in international soccer, commanding an $11.3 million annual salary alongside perks such as private aviation access. The Italian federation reportedly prepared a comparable package, but neither a lucrative contract nor the pull of his homeland was enough to lure the former Real Madrid manager away from Brazil.

Ancelotti remains under contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) through June 2030 after extending his deal prior to the 2026 World Cup. The commitment ensures the Italian tactician will oversee the Selecao’s transition into the post-Neymar era, guiding the squad through CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, the 2028 Copa América, and ultimately the 2030 World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup was always envisioned as Neymar’s final international objective, an ambition so driving that he returned to Santos to escape the European spotlight and rebuild his match fitness. But a heartbreaking Round of 16 exit brought a abrupt end to his time with the Selecao, ushering in a changing of the guard as Ancelotti turns his focus toward a total program rebuild ahead of 2030.

Speaking Wednesday with ESPN’s Pedro Ivo Almeida, Ancelotti made it clear that a new chapter has arrived for the five-time World Cup champions: “I think that players like Neymar, who already commented yesterday, and with all due respect to his decision. I believe that in history, one generation ends and another has to come, and it has to be better than the last one.”

Addressing Neymar specifically, Ancelotti offered a candid assessment of the frustration surrounding the forward’s physical condition heading into the tournament, particularly the lingering injuries that kept him sidelined for the group stage. “The only thing that bothered me is that Neymar could have prepared himself better during that lead-up period. He could have been ready for game one instead of game four. That was the only disappointing part.“

Arriving at training camp with muscle discomfort, an MRI revealed a Grade 2 calf strain that ruled Neymar out of Brazil‘s first two group matches against Morocco and Haiti. Still, Ancelotti praised the star’s professionalism, noting his attitude “was perfect,” highlighting his focus on rehab, support for younger teammates, and work ethic in training.

“I think he didn’t contribute on a technical level as it was hoped he could, because he couldn’t. But, in terms of attitude, it was a very positive attitude. I have a lot of affection for him, I thanked him for his attitude, for his behavior, and I think it was the right decision to include him on the 26-man roster,” Ancelotti concluded, maintaining that bringing the veteran to North America was no mistake.

Ancelotti hints at further roster turnover

Since taking charge in May 2025, Ancelotti has demonstrated a commitment to reshaping Brazil’s national team pool, blending emerging domestic talent with experienced veterans. With Neymar moving on, several other longtime pillars are approaching the end of their international careers; while a select few will be retained to provide veteran leadership, others will be phased out entirely.

While developing young talent remains the cornerstone of the 2030 cycle, Ancelotti confirmed that a select group of leaders will remain in the fold: “Some of these will be there, obviously. Marquinhos, for example. Alisson, we’ll see. Obviously, we have to look at the young goalkeepers, because there are young goalkeepers who are already playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro, and other very young ones who are playing who could be there.”

When asked specifically about stalwarts like Casemiro, Danilo, and Alex Sandro, whose international careers may have reached their natural conclusion in North America, Ancelotti didn’t mince words. “I think so. It is a period that is coming to an end. Obviously, we have to thank all of them, and I have a lot of affection for all of them. But I think the idea that a player over 30 is done means that we have to think about the future,” the Italian stated.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will not feature in the 2026 All-Star Game after receiving official load-management clearance from Major League Soccer. The decision stems directly from their grueling summer run at the 2026 World Cup, where the Argentine duo played through the final on July 19, leaving them without an adequate offseason recovery window.

Having pushed through to the final against Spain, Inter Miami worked with league officials to coordinate an authorized rest period for the pair. Thanks to this special exemption, neither Messi nor De Paul will face disciplinary action or league-mandated suspensions, avoiding the situation Messi encountered last season following an unsanctioned absence.

Having been granted time off from the midsummer exhibition, both Argentine stars received extended downtime following their international duties. Messi officially returned to Inter Miami’s training facility on Wednesday to begin his ramp-up period, while De Paul has yet to rejoin the squad under manager Guillermo Hoyos.

With the superstars sitting out, rookie midfielder Yannick Bright will serve as Inter Miami’s sole representative on the MLS All-Star squad. Even without Messi, the roster boasts plenty of star power, headlined by LAFC’s Son Heung-min and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Muller making their All-Star debuts, alongside forwards Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) and Petar Musa (FC Dallas).

Noteworthy absences for the MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game

Messi and De Paul lead a high-profile list of missing marquee names for tonight’s exhibition, particularly notable given that Messi has yet to participate in an All-Star Game since arriving in MLS in 2023. However, several other featured stars from both leagues will also sit out tonight’s contest.

On the MLS side, Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was ruled out following his World Cup run with South Africa. Liga MX suffered notable hits as well: Pumas UNAM goalkeeper Keylor Navas will miss out due to a knee injury setback, while 17-year-old Tijuana prodigy Gilberto Mora was dropped from the squad without an official explanation from his club or the league.

One notable absence looms over the occasion: Lionel Messi won’t be suiting up for MLS. The Inter Miami captain is still working through his mandated rest period following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.

His teammate Rodrigo De Paul finds himself in the same situation, also sidelined for the exhibition as part of that same post-tournament recovery window. Neither player will face any sanction over their absence, since the league was informed of their unavailability well in advance and both were left off the roster from the start.

Their absence opens the door for other players to headline the occasion, and MLS has no shortage of star power to lean on. Son Heung-Min, Thomas Muller, and a mix of proven MLS regulars and rising prospects make up a 29-player squad selected through a combination of coach’s picks, commissioner’s selections, and fan voting.

On the Liga MX side, the Mexican league has put together a 24-player roster under coach Antonio Mohamed, the reigning Coach of the Year, featuring five players who took part in the World Cup and a dozen Liga MX champions.

MLS All-Star roster

• Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC).

• Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC).

• Midfielders: Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Muller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC).

• Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire).

• Coach: Dean Smith (Charlotte FC).

Liga MX All-Star roster

• Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca).

• Defenders: Bruno Mendez (Toluca), Federico Pereira (Toluca), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Omar Campos (Cruz Azul), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Garza (Tigres), Luis Rey (Guadalajara), Nathan Silva (Pumas).

• Midfielders: Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Jose Paradela (Cruz Azul), Fernando Gorriaran (Tigres), Juan Brunetta (Tigres), Franco Romero (Toluca), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), Kevin Castaneda (Guadalajara).

• Forwards: Javier Ruiz (Necaxa), Robert Morales (Pumas), Salomon Rondon (Pachuca).

• Coach: Antonio Mohamed (Toluca).

According to The Athletic, MLS owners are set to hear a presentation this week on a significant overhaul of the league’s roster rules, centered around a far more open salary cap structure.

The board of governors will meet Wednesday in Charlotte, just ahead of the MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX, with the league’s sporting and competition committee expected to present a preliminary proposal that would remove many of the current restrictions on how teams spend across their rosters.

Reworking spending rules is being treated as the last, and arguably toughest, box left to check in that broader plan. “It’s a must-do; it’s not a maybe-do,” commissioner Don Garber told The Athletic in the run-up to the World Cup final. “… And that’s not ripping everything up that got us here. It’s evolving it. It’s making a couple of bold steps“.

There’s genuine urgency behind all this. As Messi’s runway in the league gets shorter, MLS has to show it can keep pulling in marquee international talent without hinging its visibility on one man.

Complicating matters, any rule changes will almost certainly need to be woven into a new labor deal with the MLS Players Association, whose existing agreement doesn’t expire until January 2028 — a tight runway if the league wants everything squared away before the calendar flip in 2027.

Keeping the Designated Player slot intact

Loosening the rules doesn’t mean scrapping everything, and there’s wide consensus that the Designated Player structure has to stick around in some fashion.

“You have to keep DPs, in my opinion, because you can’t have a rule structure that will prevent you from signing the next Messi or Son (Heung-min),” one chief soccer officer said in an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic. “So you would need to keep that. But then, essentially, I would like to see the salary cap work where we can invest in players across our entire roster, rather than just a handful of players and then let teams pick their strategy“.

The wave of stars that followed Messi to MLS

Messi’s arrival back in 2023 kicked off a run of blockbuster signings that’s only accelerated since. LAFC broke the league’s transfer fee record to land Son Heung-Min from Tottenham for $26.5 million, while Inter Miami itself added Rodrigo De Paul for a $15 million fee and, more recently, Casemiro.

Thomas Muller joined the Vancouver Whitecaps and Robert Lewandowski made the jump to MLS as well, though he ended up at Chicago Fire rather than reuniting with Messi in Miami as many had speculated.

Antoine Griezmann has also made the move, joining Orlando City as another marquee name betting on MLS’s next chapter. Between all of that, the league has built exactly the kind of star-studded depth it hopes can carry it once Messi eventually moves on.

After a legendary nine-year run at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah‘s tenure with the Reds came to an end after player and club mutually agreed to part ways. Holding an estimated €22 million (around $25M)market value on Transfermarkt, the 34-year-old winger has drawn interest from the Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, and several European contenders as he ponders his next chapter.

Despite his status, Salah ranks second on the market value leaderboards behind former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who tops the list at €35 million ($39 million USD). The 26-year-old Serbian international departed Turin after four seasons with La Vecchia Signora, and while recent reports out of Spain linked him to Beşiktaş and Barcelona, he has yet to finalize a deal.

Holding down the third spot is winger Jadon Sancho, who currently carries an estimated valuation of €18 million ($20.5 million USD). Sancho’s market value has suffered a dramatic steep decline over the past five years; Manchester United originally acquired him in 2021 when he was valued at €90 million, reflecting an 80% drop in market value over that span.

The profiles of seasoned veterans like James Rodriguez and Dani Carvajal present a stark contrast. The 35-year-old Rodriguez is currently valued at €1.5 million after a brief, quiet stint with MLS side Minnesota United, while 34-year-old decorated right-back Dani Carvajal stands at €4 million following his departure from Real Madrid.

One high-profile name off the board is English defender John Stones (€12 million / $13.7 million USD). According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the former Manchester City center-back has reached a verbal agreement with Inter Milan, with only a medical exam and final contract signatures remaining before the deal becomes official.

Top 20 Free Agents by Market Value

1. Dusan Vlahovic – €35M ($39M) – Juventus
2. Mohamed Salah – €22M ($25M) – Liverpool
3. Jadon Sancho – €18M ($20.5M) – Manchester United
4. Bamba Dieng – €15M ($17.1M) – FC Lorient
5. Julian Brandt – €15M ($17.1M) – Borussia Dortmund
6. Diogo Leite – €12M ($13.7M) – 1. FC Union Berlin
7. Franck Kessie – €12M ($13.7M) – Al-Ahli SFC
8. Fabinho – €12M ($13.7M) – Al-Ittihad
9. Leon Goretzka – €12M ($13.7M) – FC Bayern Munich
10. Yves Bissouma – €10M ($11.4M) – Tottenham Hotspur
11. Lorenzo Pellegrini – €8M ($9.1M) – AS Roma
12. Oleksandr Zinchenko – €8M ($9.1M) – Arsenal
13. Marcelo Brozovic – €8M ($9.1M) – Al-Nassr
14. Dani Ceballos – €7M ($8M) – Real Madrid
15. Dennis Cirkin – €6M ($6.8M) – Sunderland
16. Krépin Diatta – €6M ($6.8M) – AS Monaco
17. Musa Barrow – €6M ($6.8M) – Al-Taawoun
18. Ryotaro Ito – €6M ($6.8M) – Sint-Truidense V.V.
19. Adama Traore – €6M ($6.8M) – Fulham
20. Darlin Yongwa – €5M ($5.7M) – FC Lorient

The 2030 tournament will mark a century since the first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. That competition featured only 13 teams, with Uruguay defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo to become the first world champions.

Since then, the tournament has grown dramatically, expanding from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 teams before moving to a 48-team format at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA is now considering another expansion that could increase the 2030 edition to 64 teams.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has already discussed the possibility of a larger tournament after praising the success of the expanded format. “It will be examined and discussed,” he said when asked about the probability of increasing the number of participating teams.

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has also supported the idea of a bigger tournament, describing the centenary edition as a major opportunity for soccer. “In 2030, the World Cup comes to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, a great opportunity for soccer to celebrate the World Cup Centenary with a 64-team tournament,” Domínguez wrote.

FIFA’s historic decision gives Argentina automatic qualification

The 2030 World Cup will be unlike any previous edition, as the tournament will be played across six countries and three continents. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will serve as the main hosts, while the South American trio will receive a special role because of their historical connection to the competition’s origins.

Argentina will automatically qualify for the 2030 World Cup because it has been selected as one of the six host nations involved in the centenary edition of the tournament. While Spain, Portugal and Morocco will stage the majority of the competition, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will each host one opening-round match as part of FIFA’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup.

Argentina’s automatic qualification comes from its involvement as a centenary host, even though it will only stage one match. Uruguay was selected because it hosted and won the first World Cup in 1930, while Argentina’s inclusion recognizes its role as the finalist in that historic tournament. Paraguay will also participate because it is home to CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation.

“Uruguay will host a match in recognition of staging the inaugural World Cup in 1930, while Argentina’s game will acknowledge its role as runner-up in that tournament. Paraguay will also host a game as the home of CONMEBOL, the only continental soccer confederation in existence at the time,” FIFA explained.

The decision means Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will join Spain, Portugal and Morocco as the first six nations confirmed for the 2030 World Cup. The remaining 42 places will be decided through the usual continental qualification campaigns.

Argentina’s place secured despite only one scheduled match

Traditionally, countries hosting the World Cup receive automatic qualification because they are responsible for organizing the competition. However, the 2030 edition has created a completely new situation because the hosting duties are split between multiple countries.

Argentina will not need to compete through South American qualifiers to reach the tournament. Instead, Lionel Messi’s national team has already secured its place four years before the competition begins because of FIFA’s decision to classify the centenary matches as official hosting duties.

The move has drawn comparisons with other international tournaments, particularly UEFA Euro 2028. England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will host that competition but are still expected to enter the qualification process rather than receiving automatic places.

The difference highlights how FIFA has approached the 2030 World Cup as a special anniversary celebration rather than a traditional single-country tournament. The governing body wanted the nations connected to the first World Cup to have a direct role in the historic event.

Match Overview

Canada U20 can secure qualification with another win after a dominant start to the tournament, defeating Panama U20 3-0 in what was considered its toughest group-stage test. Honduras U20 enters under pressure after a 2-1 loss to Jamaica U20.

The Central American team knows that another defeat could seriously hurt its knockout-stage hopes. With Canada looking to extend its momentum and Honduras fighting for survival, this is a matchup fans won’t want to miss.

Al-Hilal has continued to strengthen its squad in an attempt to challenge at the highest level, while Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the biggest attractions in Saudi Arabian soccer with Al-Nassr. Dembele’s name has emerged at the center of the latest transfer speculation as the league looks to attract another Ballon d’Or winner.

According to reports from journalist Sacha Tavolieri, via Sky Sport Switzerland, Al-Hilal opened initial discussions with Ousmane Dembele’s representatives after identifying the Paris Saint-Germain forward as its top attacking target.

The Saudi giant has already completed the signing of Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United but remains determined to add another elite attacker before the transfer window closes. Head coach Simone Inzaghi reportedly views Dembele as the ideal player to strengthen the club’s frontline ahead of the new campaign.

With PSG enjoying another successful season under Luis Enrique, convincing one of the club’s biggest stars to leave was always expected to be a difficult challenge. Nevertheless, Al-Hilal explored the possibility of completing one of the most high-profile transfers of the summer.

Dembele makes his position clear

Now, in a recent update from Sacha Tavolieri, Dembele rejected Al-Hilal’s offer and informed club officials that he wants to remain at Paris Saint-Germain rather than pursue a move to Saudi Arabia. The journalist also reported that the France international is instead focused on extending his contract with the Ligue 1 champion, with negotiations over a new agreement expected to continue.

The development represents a major setback for the Blue Waves, who had hoped to convince the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner to become the latest superstar to join the Saudi Pro League. Instead, Dembele has chosen to continue his project in Paris, where he remains under contract until 2028. What’s more, the Ligue 1 champions reportedly have little interest in losing one of their most important players after another outstanding campaign.

Luis Enrique has built his attack around Dembele, who has become one of the club’s undisputed leaders both domestically and in Europe. The French international produced 20 goals and 11 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, playing a decisive role as PSG successfully defended its UEFA Champions League crown. He also impressed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, contributing six goals and two assists in eight matches for France.

After several injury-hit years earlier in his career, Dembele has developed into one of Europe’s most reliable attacking players. His resurgence has made him indispensable for PSG, explaining why the club is now eager to reward him with an improved long-term contract.

Al-Hilal forced to consider alternative targets

Missing out on Dembele means Al-Hilal must quickly reassess its transfer strategy before the market closes. The Saudi club remains determined to recruit another elite winger, with Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye among the leading alternatives under consideration, as per Fabrizio Romano.

The Riyadh-based side has shown throughout the summer that it is willing to invest heavily in strengthening its squad. Even after completing the arrival of Summerville, club officials remain focused on delivering another marquee signing capable of competing at the highest level in both domestic and continental competitions.

Since making the switch in late 2022, Ronaldo has become the face of Saudi soccer, helping the club attract worldwide attention while inspiring a wave of elite talent to follow. His impact stretches far beyond goals and trophies, influencing broadcasting, sponsorship, attendance and global interest in the competition.

When Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr, many viewed the transfer as the final chapter of an extraordinary playing career. Instead, it became the beginning of an entirely new era for soccer in Saudi Arabia.

His arrival immediately accelerated the country’s Vision 2030 sporting ambitions, turning the Saudi Pro League from a largely regional competition into one followed by supporters across the globe. The Portuguese superstar quickly became the league’s biggest attraction, encouraging several world-class players to make similar moves.

Among the stars who followed Ronaldo into Saudi Arabia were Karim Benzema, Neymar, N’Golo Kante and Sadio Mane, further strengthening the league’s reputation. Their arrivals helped validate the ambitious project that Ronaldo himself has often spoken about, with the veteran forward previously expressing his belief that the competition could eventually become one of the world’s strongest.

New earnings record emerges

Beyond his influence on soccer itself, Ronaldo has now reportedly become the highest-paid player in history through his Al-Nassr contract, setting a new benchmark for player earnings. According to multiple reports, the Portuguese legend has earned approximately $730 million in wages and performance bonuses during his first three and a half years with Al-Nassr.

The figure comes from a combination of guaranteed salary, goal bonuses, assist incentives, and rewards linked to individual and team success. The reported breakdown includes:

Together, those incentives have created what many describe as the most lucrative contract ever awarded to a soccer player.

Extraordinary contract keeps growing

The financial package became even more valuable after Ronaldo signed a two-year contract extension in June 2025, keeping him at Al-Nassr until 2027. Reports indicate the agreement is worth well over $235 million per season, while also including commercial rights, signing bonuses, luxury travel arrangements and extensive support staff.

Several outlets have also reported that the deal includes a 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr, although details surrounding that aspect have varied between sources. Those extraordinary terms underline how valuable Ronaldo has become to both the club and Saudi soccer as a whole.

Match Overview

North American soccer’s biggest annual showcase returns as MLS and Liga MX renew their growing rivalry in a clash featuring many of the region’s brightest stars. The competition could not be more even, with the leagues splitting the previous four meetings and each side claiming two wins.

Packed with high-level talent and plenty of attacking firepower, this edition is expected to deliver another entertaining battle from the opening whistle to the final minute. Which league will gain the upper hand and break the deadlock? Be sure to tune in and catch every moment of the action.

The beloved comedy has built its reputation on heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and soccer, and the upcoming season appears determined to preserve that winning formula. The club enters a completely different era, bringing new challenges while maintaining the warmth and optimism that made the series a worldwide success.

Season 4 premieres on August 5, with new episodes arriving weekly through October 7. After spending time back in the United States, Ted returns to England for what Apple describes as his biggest challenge yet, taking charge of a new project that changes the focus of the series.

Rather than continuing with the familiar men’s setup, the story now revolves around AFC Richmond’s newly formed women’s soccer team, marking a significant shift for the franchise. The decision follows the ending of Season 3, when the idea of launching a women’s side was first introduced.

Apple’s official synopsis explains that Ted will be “taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team.” The synopsis adds that the coach and his players will learn to take risks throughout the season as they embrace an entirely new journey.

The familiar faces staying at the heart of the story

Although the series is entering new territory, several of the show’s biggest stars are returning to guide Richmond into its next chapter.

Jason Sudeikis reprises his role as Ted Lasso, once again leading the series as the endlessly optimistic American coach. Joining him are Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton, Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard, Juno Temple as Keeley Jones and Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins.

The trailer makes it clear that these characters remain central to the story, even as the soccer project changes direction. Their relationships, leadership and personal journeys continue to form the emotional backbone of the series.

Several Richmond favourites step away

One of the biggest surprises surrounding Season 4 is that many of the well-known men’s team players will no longer be regular cast members. Characters including Jamie Tartt, Dani Rojas and Sam Obisanya are expected to play little or no role in the new season as the focus shifts toward Richmond’s women’s side. While cameo appearances remain possible, reports suggest they will no longer drive the main storyline.

Sudeikis explained why conversations with departing cast members were especially difficult. “Because I didn’t want them to hear it on the internet,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “And because I love those guys and we all went through something together.”

Nick Mohammed’s Nate Shelley is also expected to appear in a reduced capacity rather than as a full-time regular. Cristo Fernandez, whose energetic Dani Rojas became one of the show’s most beloved personalities, is also expected to sit out the new season. The trailer even includes a touching callback to his famous catchphrase.

Coach Beard tells one of the new players, “But football is life,” before she replies, “No, life is so much more than football.” The exchange serves as both a tribute to Dani and a reminder that the series has always used soccer as a backdrop for larger themes about life, friendship and personal growth.

Meet the new generation of Richmond

The biggest additions to Season 4 arrive through Richmond’s new women’s team, introducing several fresh characters who are expected to become the emotional center of the club’s latest adventure. Among the most prominent newcomers is Tanya Reynolds, who plays assistant coach Alice Chilton. Reynolds described her character as someone struggling to hide her softer side.

“I think Alice is trying really hard to be a version of herself that she is not,” Reynolds explained. “She wants to be taken seriously to the point that she has lost all sense of humor and sense of softness.” She added that Alice’s journey gradually allows that protective shell to disappear. “Her journey on Ted Lasso is about her very, very gradually and gently peeling back a hard, outer shell to the softness that’s underneath.”

Joining Reynolds are Abbie Hern as ambitious striker Gemma, Jude Mack as goalkeeper Boots, Faye Marsay as determined defender Lizzie, and twins Niamh and Siobhan, played by Aisling Sharkey and Rex Hayes. The actresses underwent weeks of soccer training before filming began, working alongside professional coaches and experienced players to make the action feel authentic.

Following his campaign with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, Messi traveled back to his hometown of Rosario to spend extended downtime with his family. During his stay in Argentina, local news outlet TN reported that the superstar visited his father, Jorge Messi, and made a public appearance at a match for Leones FC, a local club presided over by his brother, Matias.

After spending a week recharging back home, Messi was spotted at the airport with his family Tuesday night, greeting fans before boarding his flight, as captured in video footage published by ESPN. The Argentine icon landed back on American soil Wednesday and immediately reported to Inter Miami‘s training facility, as confirmed by photos shared across the club’s social media accounts.

Having been granted extended rest by MLS following his World Cup run, Messi was excused from participating in Wednesday night’s MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game in Charlotte. As a result, rookie midfielder Yannick Bright stood as Inter Miami’s sole representative at the midsummer exhibition showcase.

Roster reinforcements arrive in South Florida

Beyond Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami received a major boost with the return of both German Berterame and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. The news comes as a massive relief for the club; Berterame received medical clearance after a frightening head collision in his previous match, while St. Clair rejoined the squad following his World Cup stint with the Canadian national team.

The return of the trio comes at a critical juncture for an Inter Miami squad currently battling a depth crisis due to an injury bug that has sidelined David Ayala, Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Lujan, and Maxi Falcon. Meanwhile, status updates remain pending for Messi’s Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who has yet to rejoin the club following the World Cup final.

Will Lionel Messi play against the Columbus Crew?

Despite reporting back to the facility Wednesday, it remains unlikely that Messi will take the pitch Saturday, August 1, against the Columbus Crew. With Messi having not played a competitive match since July 19 and lacking recent training reps, the Herons’ medical staff is unlikely to rush the 39-year-old superstar back into action.

However, the outlook for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup opener appears far more promising. The Herons are set to host Mexican side Atletico San Luis on Wednesday, August 5, at Nu Stadium, where a full week of training sessions should position Messi to return to the starting XI and anchor Inter Miami’s attack.

Match Overview

Liverpool and Wrexham meet in a preseason matchup as both clubs continue preparations for important campaigns ahead. Wrexham are aiming to reignite their push for a historic Premier League promotion after narrowly missing the Championship playoffs last season.

On the other hand, Liverpool are using these summer contests to sharpen a squad expected to compete for trophies on multiple fronts. Although it’s only a friendly, this game offers an early look at two teams with big ambitions. Don’t miss the action.

The Moroccan midfielder, still just 18 years old, has emerged as one of the standout young talents to come out of the 2026 World Cup, and City appear determined to get a deal over the line.

Bouaddi’s rise has been rapid. He featured in five of Morocco’s six matches at the tournament before the team was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals, and that performance has only intensified interest from Europe’s biggest clubs.

City are said to have gotten ahead of their fiercest Premier League rival in the race, Arsenal, who previously were viewed as favorites to sign him but have reportedly shifted their attention toward Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes instead.

Whether Bouaddi arrives now or waits until June 2027 hinges largely on what happens with Rodri. According to Romano, if Rodri stays at the Etihad, City could delay Bouaddi’s arrival until next summer; but if Rodri departs for Real Madrid, City may move to complete the deal within the current transfer window instead, bringing the Moroccan in immediately rather than waiting a full year.

Where things stand with Rodri and Real Madrid

Bouaddi’s timeline at City is reportedly tied directly to what happens with Rodri, which makes the ongoing Real Madrid negotiation the key variable. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks over the Spanish midfielder have advanced, and Florentino Perez has now given the green light for the clubs to negotiate directly.

City, for their part, are said to be in no rush to accept, hoping PSG or Barcelona push the price higher before any deal is finalized. Manchester knows it will be very difficult to hold on to the Spanish midfielder, meaning he could depart either in this transfer window or next year, when his contract expires.

Match Overview

River Plate and Gimnasia will both be looking to recover after disappointing starts to the tournament when they meet with three important points at stake. River enters the match following a surprising home loss to Barracas Central, the first defeat against that opponent in club history.

On the other hand, Gimnasia suffered a hard-fought 2-1 setback against Racing in its opener. With both teams eager to get back on track and build early momentum, this showdown carries plenty of importance. Don’t miss this matchup between two rivals determined to respond after opening-round defeats.

In a statement released Wednesday, FIFA confirmed that its Disciplinary Committee launched an official investigation into the AFA for potential breaches across four separate articles of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The charges include “using a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature,” “inappropriate behavior,” “discrimination and racist attacks,” and failure to maintain “order and security at matches.”

FIFA cited a series of infractions spanning the entire tournament, not just the chaotic scenes after the final whistle against Spain, including “discriminatory chants and gestures, delayed kickoffs, non-compliance with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators, and the throwing of objects by spectators across multiple matches,” such as a controversial flag displayed following their win over England.

Players, coaching staff face potential suspensions

FIFA also singled out key figures involved in the postgame scrum following the final whistle. The list of investigated individuals includes Argentine players Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada, along with assistant coach Roberto Ayala. Midfielder Pablo Martin Paez Gavira, universally known as Gavi, was the sole Spanish player named in the proceedings.

Paredes faces the most severe scrutiny, with proceedings opened for three counts of assault following his physical altercation with Eric Garcia and Gavi. Fellow Argentina defender Nahuel Molina faces two counts of assault, while assistant coach Roberto Ayala was charged with one count stemming from a heated confrontation with Dani Olmo.

Beyond the assault allegations, FIFA initiated separate proceedings for potential violations regarding unsporting behavior. The governing body levied single charges of unsportsmanlike conduct against Molina, Almada, and Spain’s Gavi for their involvement in the melee.

No rulings issued yet as parties prepare defense

Despite opening formal proceedings, FIFA has not yet handed down any fines or suspensions to the players, coaches, or the AFA. Under the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Argentine federation and the individuals named have been granted time to submit evidence, present their accounts of the incident, and file a formal response to the charges.

Once the Disciplinary Committee reviews the submitted defenses alongside broadcast footage and official match reports, FIFA will issue its final rulings and penalties. Potential sanctions will be evaluated on an individual, case-by-case basis.

The latest developments have placed FIFA under intense scrutiny, with several soccer associations, leagues and stakeholders questioning both the proposal itself and the way it has been introduced. UEFA has now escalated the conflict with a fresh public statement after learning of FIFA’s latest deadline, signalling that opposition across Europe is continuing to gather momentum.

FIFA sets September deadline for member associations

According to reports from The Times and multiple media outlets, Infantino has informed every FIFA member association that they have until 19 September to decide whether to support the organization’s proposed commercial restructuring.

Under the proposal, associations that back the project could receive funding packages worth up to $40 million each, while those rejecting it would instead receive funding through FIFA’s existing development programme, a significantly smaller package.

In a letter seen by The Times, Infantino wrote: “The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you.” He added: “Should you wish to proceed, this $10 billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together.”

Infantino also outlined the alternative available to associations unwilling to support the proposal, writing: “Should you wish to retain the status quo and reject this proposal, we still have our planned expansion of the Forward programme of $2.7 billion as previously presented.”

UEFA delivers fresh criticism after learning of FIFA deadline

UEFA had already condemned FIFA’s intention to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary that would oversee broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing and other revenue streams linked to FIFA competitions. After learning that member associations had effectively been given a deadline tied to funding, UEFA issued another strongly-worded statement, arguing that the latest development reinforced its concerns about the entire project.

UEFA said: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.”

The European governing body went even further, adding: “But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”

Those remarks represent one of UEFA’s strongest public attacks on FIFA in recent years, highlighting the growing divide between the organizations.

The debate centers on FIFA’s proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial subsidiary that would oversee the World Cup, Club World Cup and other major competitions while selling minority stakes to private investors. With member associations facing a September 19 deadline to decide whether to support the project, the political battle surrounding soccer’s biggest tournament continues to intensify.

According to reports from The Associated Press, Sky News and several other outlets, FIFA is seeking approval from its 211 member associations to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company valued at around $20 billion. Under the proposal, FIFA would sell minority, non-controlling stakes worth approximately $4.2 billion, while maintaining overall control of soccer governance, international competitions and the global calendar.

In a letter to member associations, Infantino described the proposal as “a singular and unique funding opportunity.” He added: “It is my duty and responsibility as FIFA president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members.”

Should the project receive majority approval, each member association could receive funding packages worth up to $40 million, significantly increasing the financial support available for infrastructure, grassroots soccer, coaching and national team development.

The first European association publicly breaks ranks

While UEFA has led fierce resistance to FIFA’s plans, the Czech Republic has emerged as the first European nation to publicly support Infantino’s proposal. David Trunda, president of the Czech Football Association, believes the additional investment could benefit soccer development in his country despite widespread criticism elsewhere across Europe.

Speaking to Sky News, Trunda said: “I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech soccer from working in close co-operation with Gianni Infantino and his team.” He continued: “Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA’s intentions.”

Trunda also highlighted his own experience working alongside FIFA since taking office last year. He added: “I was elected a little more than a year ago and for me personally all the projects I have experienced in cooperation with FIFA have been very positive for the development of European soccer.”

His comments represent the first major public endorsement of FIFA’s proposal from within UEFA’s membership, potentially complicating the confederation’s attempt to maintain complete unity.

Why FIFA believes the proposal is necessary

Infantino has consistently argued that the proposal is designed to benefit soccer globally rather than outside investors. According to FIFA, FFE would consolidate broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, ticketing, licensing and commercial operations, allowing the governing body to generate far higher income for member associations over the coming decade.

Infantino said: “Football is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development.” He also insisted that FIFA would retain exclusive authority over governance, competitions, regulations and the international calendar, even after outside investment enters the new company.

The report indicates Al Nassr are set to attempt an approach for the Manchester United forward, whose future at Old Trafford continues to look increasingly uncertain.

After a loan spell at Barcelona that ran through the 2025-26 season, the Catalan club opted not to activate the €30 million option that would have made the move permanent, and reports indicate United have no plans to negotiate a fresh loan arrangement either. That left Rashford with no clear role in the club’s plans, and little indication his situation will resolve itself without a transfer.

According to the report, Al Nassr are well-positioned financially to meet Rashford’s salary demands, and could offer him a prominent, guaranteed role in their attack. Notably, Al Nassr aren’t alone: According to The Telegraph, more clubs from the top of the Saudi Pro League are said to be monitoring Rashford’s situation.

There’s also an issue with the forward moving to Saudi Arabia: Rashford is reportedly prioritizing a move to a club competing in the Champions League, which raises the question of whether a move to Saudi Arabia fits what he’s actually looking for at this stage of his career.

Ronaldo and Rashford’s history at Manchester United

Rashford has long cited Ronaldo as his boyhood idol, having grown up watching him during United’s earlier era, and the pair actually got to share a locker room when Ronaldo returned to the club in 2021 for his second tenure in Manchester.

Across that stint, Rashford and Ronaldo played together 39 times, with Cristiano taking an active role in mentoring the younger forward on positioning and movement during that period.

When Ronaldo’s second spell at United came to an end, Rashford didn’t hide how much the experience meant to him: “It’s been an unbelievable experience to play with him. He’s one of my idols and someone I’ve always looked up to, so to have the opportunity to play with him was unbelievable,” he said during a 2022 press conference at England’s World Cup base in Doha.

Match Overview

Jamaica U20 and Panama U20 square off in a pivotal Group C clash with major implications for the knockout race. Jamaica boosted its chances of advancing with a 2-1 victory over Honduras U20 and can lock up a spot in the next round with another win.

Panama, meanwhile, is under pressure after a 3-0 setback against Canada U20 despite entering the tournament among the group favorites. With plenty on the line for both teams, this is a game fans won’t want to miss.

“We will begin putting together a new team, looking at young players, but without ruling out some of the soccer players who were at the World Cup and who still have a lot to contribute to the national team,” Ancelotti revealed in a CBF statement. With this in mind, not only will Neymar Jr. leave Brazil, but also some other veterans, betting on young stars as his new project.

Carlo Ancelotti could give prominence to Endrick and Rayan as the new future leaders of the attack, alongside Vinicius Jr. In addition, Ederson could have more importance as a defensive midfielder, as Casemiro could leave the project by moving to Inter Miami. However, the biggest changes could come in the full-back positions, as Brazil could bet on talent from the Brazilian league, since Danilo and Douglas Santos are already veterans.

Amid the transformation of the project, Ancelotti could keep certain veterans such as Marquinhos, Alisson Becker, and Raphinha. Playing in top European leagues, they remain among the best players in their positions ahead of the 2028 Copa América. However, their presence at the 2030 World Cup would depend on their physical continuity and the level they demonstrate.

Brazil’s scoring issues become Ancelotti’s biggest challenge

Since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival, Brazil have notably improved their game, solidifying their defense and midfield. With this, they have recovered their impact in CONMEBOL, becoming difficult to score against. However, the Canarinha still have a major problem to solve: The lack of attacking power. With this in mind, there are very few key pieces to redirect the project.

Ahead of the 2030 World Cup, Brazil’s biggest hope would become Endrick. Despite still not managing to become a starter, he returns to Real Madrid looking to become a key figure in the future. If he becomes consistent, he could be the starting striker, as he has already shown he can be differential in the collective game and in his goalscoring ability. However, this scenario depends on his evolution throughout his professional career.

Matheus Cunha is the favorite option in attack, as he was Ancelotti’s choice at the 2026 World Cup. However, he is not the most prolific goalscorer, so his differential role would be more as an attacking midfielder. Therefore, Igor Thiago seems to have a new opportunity to shine. After disappointing, he can fight in friendly matches to earn his starting spot. For this, he needs to maintain the great level he demonstrated in the Premier League.

Real Madrid have now made their intentions clear. According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms between Rodri and Madrid were already fully agreed some time ago, and the next step has now been taken.

“Florentino Perez gave the green light to Real Madrid’s sporting management to open direct talks with Manchester City, starting formal negotiations. Until now, there was a total agreement between Rodri and Real Madrid on personal terms, now the clubs are negotiating,” Romano reported on Wednesday through his YouTube channel.

On the financial side, Romano indicated Madrid are prepared to go beyond the €50 million mark, closer to €60 million, though no formal bid has been submitted yet. “Real Madrid are willing to put forward a figure above €50 million, closer to €60 million, although there hasn’t been a formal offer yet. Manchester City is expected to ask for more than that €60 million, and will speculate on the possibility that other clubs also make formal offers,” he added.

That last point is central to how this is playing out. With Pep Guardiola no longer in the dugout and Rodri clearly on his way out sooner or later, City’s calculation has shifted entirely toward extracting the maximum possible fee rather than trying to convince him to stay.

Manchester City’s stance with PSG and Barcelona

City are well aware that keeping Rodri beyond this year is unlikely, whether it happens in this transfer window or next summer on a free. That reality has shaped their approach to Madrid’s interest: rather than rushing to accept an offer in the €50-60 million range, City are reportedly prepared to put it on standby, hoping PSG and Barcelona come forward with higher bids of their own.

The logic is straightforward — with limited time left on Rodri’s contract, City want to create competition among suitors to drive the price as high as possible before letting him go.

“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life, I always fought for the yellow shirt, but now I no longer want to do it,” Neymar Jr. revealed after Santos FC’s last match. With this, he puts an end to the numerous calls from fans who wanted him for the 2028 Copa América, making way for a new era led by Carlo Ancelotti.

Unlike his previous spells, Neymar Jr. no longer saw himself at his physical peak, battling to play consecutive matches with Brazil. While his talent as an attacking midfielder could be differential, Ancelotti showed that he does not trust him for the new era. Because of this, he decided to step aside, before no longer being called up. In his retirement, the 34-year-old star’s legacy becomes even more impressive.

Neymar Jr.’s place among Brazil’s all-time soccer greats

Throughout the last few years, Neymar Jr. has been Brazil’s most representative player of the last decade. After making his debut at 18 years old, he remained a regular in every project, being differential as a left winger. With his dribbling and pace, he used to be very influential in the goalscoring aspect. He even remains the all-time top scorer, surpassing Pelé after scoring 80 goals.

Although Neymar Jr. did not manage to win a World Cup or a Copa América, he led Brazil to a Confederations Cup title in 2013 and an Olympic Gold Medal in 2016. In addition, he remained the most differential player in every tournament, shining on his own, but without having a competitive project around him. After playing 130 matches, he is the second player with the most appearances, surpassed only by Cafu.

Neymar Jr.’s legacy goes far beyond the statistics. With his vision of the game and generational talent, he inspired numerous players such as Vinicius Jr., Endrick, Rodrygo, Lamine Yamal, and others. Because of this, he was Brazil’s greatest example, with the national team being truly competitive only when he was on the field. With this in mind, he will be remembered as a legend alongside Ronaldo Nazário, Ronaldinho, Romário, Rivaldo, Pelé, and others.

Alonso said: “Everyone has to learn. Everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are young, if you are more experienced. This is what happens in the game. This is the quality that you need. You can be quick, you can be good at dribbling, but you need to have this game intelligence to do the things. And we will need to do it quick, because the competition is in just a month, and we want to get ready for that. But we need to manage that. That’s so important in football nowadays.”

Despite scoring six goals, Chelsea also conceded four times, something Alonso will look to address before the competitive campaign begins. With only a month remaining until the new season, the manager emphasized that his squad must improve quickly in several areas.

Alonso addresses Chelsea’s transfer plans

Chelsea continue to be linked with several players before the transfer window closes, including experienced Premier League names Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. The Blues are looking to add balance to the squad as Alonso prepares for his first competitive season in charge.

The club have been connected with a number of potential signings in recent weeks, but Alonso avoided discussing specific transfer targets. Instead, he focused on building a balanced squad capable of competing throughout the season.

Alonso said: “I’m sure that from today to the last day of the transfer window there will be a lot of links, a lot of rumors, so to be commenting on all of them, it’s going to be a hard task. But for sure, we need proper balance in terms of qualities, in terms of positions, in terms of balance. We want to have a complete squad and we want to make a good team.”

Alonso hails Joao Pedro after hat trick

One of the biggest positives for Chelsea was Joao Pedro, who scored a hat trick in just nine minutes during the victory. The Brazilian continued his impressive form and gave Alonso another reason to be optimistic ahead of the new season.

Alonso said: “Very hungry. João is really, really determined to have a great season. He wants to, after a great last year, when he scored many goals. He wants to keep scoring more and more.”

Since taking the helm in May 2025, Ancelotti remained hesitant to rely on Neymar, repeatedly citing the star forward’s lack of match fitness as a primary concern. Despite ongoing debate among fans and local media, the Italian manager ultimately selected the former Barcelona icon for the 2026 World Cup roster, marking Neymar’s first call-up under Ancelotti’s tenure.

Neymar made limited appearances during the tournament, featuring in a group-stage win over Scotland and coming off the bench in a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, where he converted a late penalty kick in the closing minutes. Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, the visibly emotional forward signaled that his international career had run its course: “I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here; I finished here.“

Ancelotti turns attention to the 2030 cycle

The 2026 World Cup represented Ancelotti’s first major international tournament in charge of Brazil. Armed with a recent contract extension through June 2030, the former Real Madrid manager remains tasked with leading the five-time champions into the next cycle. Following a brief vacation in Canada, the manager returned to work to outline his vision for the squad’s complete structural revamp.

According to a press release from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ancelotti arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday to meet with executive leadership and his coaching staff at CBF headquarters. The meeting served to establish a unified operational roadmap across all technical departments, positioning Ancelotti as the central figure of the federation’s long-term strategy.

Addressing the national team’s transition phase, Ancelotti outlined his player-selection strategy on the official CBF website: “We are going to begin assembling a new team, scouting and testing young players, while not giving up on certain athletes who were with us at the World Cup and still have plenty to contribute to the National Team.”

A primary focus of the summit involved establishing tighter integration between the senior national team and Brazil’s youth development ranks. Additionally, the CBF confirmed that Ancelotti and his assistants will resume scouting domestic and international fixtures, traveling extensively to monitor candidates in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa do Brasil.

Brazil’s upcoming calendar

With the World Cup in the rearview mirror, Brazil’s immediate focus shifts toward the two remaining FIFA international windows on the 2026 calendar. The initial phase begins in September during the extended FIFA window, where the Selecao is expected to play up to three international friendlies.

Brazil is scheduled to travel down under for a pair of exhibition matches against Australia on Sept. 25 and Sept. 29 in Townsville and Brisbane, with a third opponent yet to be finalized. Another international window follows in November, while CONMEBOL’s qualifying campaign for the 2030 World Cup is slated to kick off in the second half of 2027.

The 2030 qualification process will operate under modified regulations due to the automatic qualification of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, who are set to host the opening matches of the centennial tournament. Attention will then turn to the 2028 Copa America, with the 49th edition of the South American championship expected to take place in the United States.

The 40-year-old shot-stopper, who turns 41 next March, earned a contract extension with Bayern Munich and a surprise return to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup. His current deal runs through June 2027, marking what he expects will be his final month between the posts.

Speaking to reporters from Bayern’s preseason training camp in Tegernsee, Neuer opened up about his future: “In 85% of cases, I probably would have retired, but with this team, the staff, and the coaching staff, it’s simply a joy. We always have the opportunity to compete for every title. We are right at the top with this team.”

The veteran captain emphasized that the culture inside the Bayern locker room ultimately convinced him to return for one last run. “That’s why this squad, the team, and the structure we have at the club are part of the 15% that made me say: ‘I definitely have to keep going.’ It’s simply too much fun. I’m doing it for myself because I know I am still capable of helping the team when I’m needed. And I have the full support of my family and friends,” he added.

While young keeper Jonas Urbig was expected to gradually take over the reins, the veteran once again shouldered the bulk of the workload during the 2025-26 campaign. In a season where Bayern captured a domestic treble, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and German Super Cup, and reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals, Neuer logged 37 appearances, conceding 40 goals while keeping 11 clean sheets.

Despite maintaining his status as Bayern’s undisputed No. 1, Neuer acknowledged that he is treating the upcoming season as a farewell tour. “I don’t go into matches thinking: ‘This is my last game,’ regardless of whether it might be my final appearance in one stadium or another. But certainly this time, it really does feel like I’m going to retire,” he affirmed.

Neuer’s legacy as a World Cup legend

Following Euro 2024, Neuer originally stepped away from international duty, seemingly closing a storybook chapter with Die Mannschaft that peaked with a 2014 World Cup title. However, his enduring form prompted head coach Julian Nagelsmann to recall him for the 2026 tournament in North America, a stint that etched his name into the record books.

By taking the field in Germany’s group-stage match against Ivory Coast, Neuer became the all-time leader for World Cup appearances by a goalkeeper with 21. That performance pushed him past former French captain Hugo Lloris, who previously held the record with 20 matches across four tournaments.

He also tied Lothar Matthaus’ national record by appearing in his fifth career World Cup, spanning from 2010 to 2026. Furthermore, at 40 years and 79 days old, he surpassed Matthaus as the oldest German player ever to feature in a major international tournament.

Goalkeepers with the most FIFA World Cup appearances

1. Manuel Neuer (Germany): 21 games
2. Hugo Lloris (France): 20 games
3. Claudio Taffarel (Brazil): 18 games
4. Sepp Maier (Germany): 18 games
5. Iker Casillas (Spain): 17 games
6. Peter Shilton (England): 17 games
7. Fabien Barthez (France): 17 games
8. Dino Zoff (Italy): 17 games
9. Andoni Zubizarreta (Spain): 16 games
10. Fernando Muslera (Uruguay): 16 games

The Saudi Pro League champion has spent much of the summer dealing with reports of financial difficulties while trying to strengthen its squad under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. Although questions remain over the club’s spending restrictions, recent developments suggest there is finally a path forward.

Al-Nassr entered preseason under intense scrutiny after multiple reports claimed the club was facing financial liabilities exceeding 800 million Saudi riyals (approximately $213 million). Those reports suggested delayed salary payments, restricted transfer activity and growing pressure from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns a majority stake in the club.

According to Saudi media, PIF responded by introducing stricter financial controls, requiring any future transfers to be supported by club-generated income rather than direct funding. The reported measures also included exploring the possibility of selling a minority stake in the club to private investors in an effort to improve liquidity.

The uncertainty affected Al-Nassr’s transfer plans throughout July, with negotiations for several targets reportedly stalling as club officials worked to comply with financial regulations. It also created concern among supporters, who feared the reigning league champion could fall behind rivals in the transfer market.

Financial clearance changes the picture

The situation has since taken a dramatic turn. Al-Nassr has officially obtained its Financial Compliance Certificate, allowing the club to register new players during the current summer transfer window after resolving its outstanding financial obligations. Saudi outlet Al-Riyadhiah reported that the certificate represents a major step toward restoring normal transfer operations.

Additional reports from Al Kass indicated that the club has also secured its AFC Club Licence, one of whose requirements is that participating clubs must have no outstanding debts owed to players, coaches, other clubs or government entities.

That development has cast doubt on earlier claims suggesting Al-Nassr remained burdened by unresolved financial problems. While spending restrictions imposed by the Saudi Pro League’s Financial Control Committee are reportedly still being finalized, the club has cleared one of the biggest regulatory hurdles before the new season.

What it means for the Samu Costa transfer

The biggest beneficiary of the latest update could be Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa. Al-Nassr has completed all internal procedures to sign the Mallorca midfielder on a four-year contract and is now awaiting final approval from the Saudi Pro League’s Financial Control Committee before announcing the transfer. The financial clearance has effectively reopened the door for the move after weeks of uncertainty.

Reports indicate that all parties have already reached a full agreement, leaving league approval as the final step before the transfer becomes official. Various outlets have placed the deal’s value between $10-25 million, depending on the structure of the agreement and performance-related clauses.

Costa has reportedly been identified as Marcelo Brozovic’s long-term replacement, giving Postecoglou an important addition in central midfield ahead of his first full season in charge. Further reports also suggest the Portuguese made personal sacrifices to help complete the move. According to multiple sources, the midfielder agreed to waive part of his contract to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, despite interest from another Saudi Pro League club.

The veteran forward remains the biggest name at Al-Nassr after extending his contract earlier this year, but reports indicate the club is already planning how to maximize his influence over the coming months. The latest claims have sparked discussion about how Ronaldo’s career could evolve as he approaches his 42nd birthday.

Cristiano Ronaldo helped guide the club to the Saudi Pro League title during the 2025-26 campaign, ending the club’s long wait for the championship and reinforcing his importance to the project.

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou has opened a new chapter, with the Australian coach beginning work on defending the league crown while also targeting success in continental competition. The manager faces the challenge of balancing experienced stars with emerging talent as he prepares the squad for another demanding campaign.

The 41-year-old veteran has yet to fully rejoin preseason after Portugal’s participation at the 2026 World Cup, where the national team was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Spain. The club has already confirmed that the captain is being gradually reintegrated into training following his extended post-tournament break.

Reports suggest surprising new approach

According to several Saudi media reports, including Al-Riyadhiah and Okaz, Ronaldo is reportedly planning to feature in only around half of Al-Nassr’s matches during the 2026-27 season.

The reported strategy is designed to reduce his workload, preserve his fitness and allow him to prioritize his commitments with the Portugal national team as he continues chasing success on the international stage. If implemented, it would represent one of the biggest changes to Ronaldo’s role since arriving in Saudi Arabia.

The reports also suggest the veteran forward views careful workload management as the best way to extend his career while maintaining his ability to perform at the highest level for both club and country.

What it could mean for Postecoglou

If the reported plan becomes reality, Postecoglou may have an opportunity to rotate his attacking options more frequently throughout the season. The Australian coach inherited a title-winning squad and is expected to compete on several fronts, including the Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup and AFC Champions League Elite.

Having Ronaldo available for the most important fixtures while giving other forwards increased opportunities could become part of his long-term strategy. Such an approach would also allow the coaching staff to better manage the physical demands placed on one of football’s oldest active superstars.

The veteran goalkeeper heads to Chile after helping the national team enjoy the greatest tournament in its history, while the club strengthens its squad with one of the standout performers from the World Cup. Yet, despite all the excitement surrounding the transfer, a little-known domestic regulation could create an unusual dilemma before he even makes his debut.

World Cup hero earns dream move

The 40-year-old goalkeeper, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, entered the 2026 World Cup without a club after leaving Portuguese side Chaves. By the time the tournament ended, he had become one of its biggest success stories, attracting worldwide admiration for a series of spectacular displays.

Cape Verde enjoyed a historic campaign by reaching the knockout stage for the first time, and Vozinha played a central role throughout the tournament. His performances earned him widespread recognition, transforming him from an experienced free agent into one of the most sought-after goalkeepers on the market.

His finest moment arrived during a memorable 0-0 draw against eventual world champion Spain, where he produced seven outstanding saves to frustrate one of the strongest attacks in international soccer. The display immediately turned him into a fan favourite across the globe.

Vozinha continued to impress throughout the competition, recording another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia before delivering another heroic performance in the Round of 32 against Argentina. Although Cape Verde eventually lost 3-2 after extra time, the goalkeeper made eight saves, including several outstanding stops to deny Lionel Messi and keep his side alive until the closing stages.

By the end of the tournament, the veteran shot-stopper had made 18 saves in four matches, secured a place in FIFA’s Team of the Tournament, and watched his social media following explode from around 50,000 followers to nearly 30 million.

Colo-Colo confirms agreement

The goalkeeper’s remarkable World Cup displays quickly attracted interest from clubs around the world, but Colo-Colo ultimately won the race for his signature. The Chilean powerhouse has agreed to sign Vozinha on a free transfer after his contract with Chaves expired. Club president Aníbal Mosa confirmed the agreement and explained that the goalkeeper would soon complete the final formalities.

“Vozinha will be a Colo Colo player. In the coming days, he will travel to Chile, undergo the usual medical examinations and then be presented here at the Estadio Monumental,” Mosa said. The president also admitted that the signing offers benefits beyond the pitch, with the goalkeeper’s worldwide popularity expected to boost the club’s international profile following his unforgettable World Cup campaign.

The unusual rule that could change everything

Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Vozinha may not be allowed to wear the famous nickname that made him internationally recognisable. The issue stems from Chilean Primera Division regulations, which require players to display their official surname on the back of their shirts instead of nicknames. Under the current rules, players may only use one or both surnames, with the option of adding the initial of their first name.

That means the goalkeeper could be required to wear “Dias,” “Evora,” or “Evora Dias” instead of the name “Vozinha,” which has accompanied him throughout his professional career. Article 36 of the ANFP regulations states: “For the personal identification of players, the paternal and/or maternal surname must be printed on the upper back of the shirt… Nicknames, aliases or codenames will not be allowed.”

Ge Globo also indicates that using an unauthorized nickname could result in a yellow card for the player and a financial fine for the club, making compliance particularly important unless an exemption is granted.

The controversy has quickly spread beyond soccer executives, drawing reactions from national associations and former players. What began as a commercial proposal has now evolved into a debate over who truly controls the world’s biggest sporting competition.

According to multiple reports, FIFA plans to create a separate commercial company, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to oversee competitions such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup. The governing body is reportedly planning to sell more than 20 per cent of the new company to private investors, in a move that could raise approximately $4.2 billion while valuing the venture at around $20 billion.

According to Sky News and several other reports, the Football Association was not informed about the proposal before FIFA publicly confirmed its intentions. The plan was also reportedly absent from discussions held with Football Associations shortly before the recent World Cup final, adding to frustration among European officials.

UEFA prepares emergency talks

The strongest reaction has come from UEFA, whose 55 member associations are preparing to hold an emergency virtual meeting to discuss their response. In its official statement, UEFA said: “This crosses a line that soccer’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously.”

The European governing body continued with even stronger criticism. “So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.”

UEFA also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the proposal. “The soul and governance of soccer are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

How Europe plans to respond

As opposition intensified, reports emerged that European Football Associations are considering boycotting future FIFA World Cup tournaments if the governing body proceeds with the proposed sale.

According to Sky News, the possibility of a boycott will be one of the topics discussed during UEFA’s emergency meeting. The reports suggest that several national associations are prepared to consider the unprecedented measure if FIFA refuses to change course.

Such a move would create enormous challenges for FIFA. Europe remains home to many of soccer’s strongest national teams, biggest television markets and highest-profile competitions, making UEFA’s participation crucial to the success of any World Cup.

The threat is also backed by precedent. In 2021, FIFA abandoned plans to stage the World Cup every two years after UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warned that European nations would refuse to participate.

The veteran forward remains under contract with the Saudi club until 2027, but tension has reportedly been building behind the scenes following a series of disagreements involving both the coaching staff and the club’s hierarchy. As preparations continue for another demanding season, uncertainty surrounding Benzema‘s long-term future has become one of the biggest talking points in Saudi soccer.

Reports from several outlets indicate that relations between Benzema, head coach Simone Inzaghi and Al-Hilal‘s management have reached a difficult stage, with neither side showing signs of backing down. The situation reportedly extends well beyond performances on the pitch. Instead, it revolves around the striker’s perception of his role within the squad, his influence inside the dressing room and how he believes he is viewed by the club.

According to 365Scores Arabic, Benzema has become frustrated by several internal decisions, leaving him feeling underappreciated despite arriving as one of the biggest stars in the Saudi Pro League. The disagreement has gradually developed into a broader conflict that now threatens to reshape his future only months after making the move to Al-Hilal.

Tactical disagreement with Simone Inzaghi

One of the biggest reported sticking points concerns Simone Inzaghi’s tactical plans for the former Ballon d’Or winner. The Italian manager is said to prefer Benzema operating almost exclusively as a traditional striker inside the penalty area, focusing primarily on finishing attacking moves.

That represents a significant change from the role the Frenchman enjoyed during his legendary spell at Real Madrid, where he frequently dropped into midfield, linked play with teammates and helped create opportunities throughout the attack.

Goal reports that the difference in soccer philosophy has created a serious divide, with both Benzema and Inzaghi remaining firm in their respective positions. As things currently stand, neither side appears willing to compromise.

The reported path that mirrors Cristiano Ronaldo

The latest reports suggest Benzema has instructed his agent to begin exploring possible opportunities outside Al-Hilal, opening the door to a potential departure if the right sporting project emerges.

That development has inevitably drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, whose own time in Saudi Arabia has included periods of frustration regarding leadership roles, squad planning and club ambitions before ultimately continuing with Al-Nassr.

According to 365Scores Arabic, Benzema has also been disappointed by Al-Hilal’s seniority-based policy for awarding the captain’s armband, believing his achievements throughout his career warrant a more prominent leadership position within the squad. The report claims the French striker has privately compared his situation with Ronaldo’s experiences in Saudi soccer, making the similarities difficult to ignore.

Al-Hilal open to offers, but what’s Benzema’s stance?

Despite the growing tension, Al-Hilal has not completely closed the door on Benzema’s future. Goal indicates the Saudi club would consider allowing him to leave if an appropriate financial proposal arrives, although no official offer has yet been submitted.

The board reportedly remains focused on protecting the club’s financial interests rather than forcing an immediate exit. Without a serious bid, the Frenchman is expected to continue with the squad while discussions continue behind closed doors.

The club that Stones preferred to play for is Inter, according to Sky Sports in Italy. After leaving Manchester City following a year in which he barely played, the defender arrives at another giant club with aspirations. The report suggests that he has verbally agreed to join on a free transfer after receiving interest from Premier League clubs.

Stones arrives after a solid World Cup with England, where he featured in the lineup in every knockout match and showed that he can compete at a high level despite becoming a free agent. The medical part could be important for the player, with the report saying that the examinations are scheduled for Thursday.

Inter continue interest in Cristian Romero

Inter are also working on a possible move for Cristian Romero from Tottenham, with the Argentina international emerging as another defensive target for the Serie A club. The Italian side are looking to strengthen their back line and have identified him as a player they would like to bring to Milan.

Romero’s situation has attracted attention because the player has made clear that he wants to leave the club in this window after some friction with the fans. However, Inter would need to negotiate a transfer with Tottenham to complete the signing.

The defender remains an important player with a strong history in Italy, where he played for Genoa and Atalanta and was even named the best defender in Serie A. The price tag is one of the reasons why the move has not been completed yet, with Tottenham reportedly looking for around €45 million.

Inter sporting director confirms Romero interest

Fabrizio Romano reported that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed the club’s interest in Romero. The Italian executive explained that they have already spoken with the player’s agent and the club. Ausilio said: “We are interested for sure, it’s true. We spoke to the agent and Tottenham. We will see what happens.”

While Chelsea have characterized themselves by investing heavily in young players in recent years, their strategy could see a slight change by adding experienced figures to balance out the squad. Sky Sports reported that the Blues are interested in signing Henderson after failing to bring in Granit Xhaka.

Henderson has impressed since returning to England with Brentford and remains an experienced option in midfield. The former Liverpool captain has one year remaining on his Brentford contract, but Chelsea are exploring the possibility of adding him to their squad.

Chelsea hold talks for Welbeck

The midfield is not the only area where Alonso wants to add more experience, as Chelsea have also explored a move for Welbeck to strengthen their attacking options.

This outlet also reported that the club have held positive talks over a possible transfer for the Brighton striker, who has remained a reliable player for his team despite being at a later stage of his career.

Welbeck has one year remaining on his contract with Brighton and would bring Premier League experience to Chelsea’s attack. His versatility and experience are among the reasons why he has become a name followed by the club.

Garcia becomes a name to follow for Chelsea

Chelsea are also monitoring Garcia as they look for defensive reinforcements, according to reports reproduced by Marca. The Barcelona defender has emerged as a player to follow, with his situation attracting interest from clubs looking for defensive depth.

Garcia’s ability to play as a center-back and cover other defensive positions makes him an attractive option. Chelsea could face competition for his signature, with AC Milan also reportedly interested in the player.

According to a report from 365Scores Arabic, at Ronaldo’s request, Al Nassr‘s management will meet with Felix to discuss a new deal, with the Portuguese forward said to be open to staying and continuing his project with the club.

Felix arrived at Al Nassr last summer in a permanent move from Chelsea, in a deal reportedly worth €30 million, joining forces with his national teammate Ronaldo as part of the club’s ongoing project to build a competitive squad in the Saudi Pro League.

Since then, the Portuguese forward has become one of the standout attacking pieces alongside Ronaldo, reigniting a career that had stalled during difficult stints in Europe.

Joao Felix’s current contract at Al Nassr

His current contract runs through June 2027, but reports indicate Al Nassr have already moved to secure his future beyond that. With Ronaldo reportedly pushing for renewed talks, the club appears to want that commitment locked in well ahead of schedule rather than letting speculation around his future linger.

That speculation has been real: Felix’s name had recently been linked with a possible departure, with Besiktas showing interest and reports also connecting him to Manchester United as a potential destination.

Al Nassr, however, appear determined to keep him in Riyadh, and Ronaldo’s direct involvement underscores how much the club values the partnership between the two Portuguese internationals.

Joao Felix’s numbers at Al Nassr

In his first season with the club, Felix delivered immediately, scoring a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut in a 5-0 win over Al-Taawoun. He went on to finish the 2025-26 campaign with 20 goals and 14 assists in the league alone, and 26 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr.

On the team front, Felix’s arrival coincided with major success: Al Nassr won the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title, their first league championship since 2019 and 11th overall, sealed with a 4-1 win over Damac.

According to Ben Jacobs from talkSPORT, via X, Liverpool have Bradley Barcola as their main target and has reached a personal agreement with the player. After this, they have decided to pursue negotiations directly with PSG, which values the player at €170M. However, they consider this valuation to be far above reality. Therefore, they are closer to paying €85-100M, counting on the player’s pressure in their favor.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Barcola managed to accumulate 2,971 minutes, in which he scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists. Even though he was not usually a starter in the Champions League, he was a regular in Ligue 1, something essential for Luis Enrique. However, he has the great opportunity to become a central figure at Liverpool, replacing Mohamed Salah on the right or left wing.

Bradley Barcola has a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028 and has decided not to renew it. Because of this, they risk having to sell the French star for a lower value in 2027, as he would have only one year left on his contract. With this in mind, Liverpool are in prime position to negotiate his transfer for a significant fee, but much lower than the initial €170M valuation, as Barcola is pushing to be a star at the English side.

Bradley Barcola would be ideal solution for Liverpool’s wingers

Liverpool are living through one of the most important rebuilds of the recent era. After parting ways with Arne Slot and letting Mohamed Salah leave, they have decided to give Andoni Iraola the keys to the team. Despite already signing Victor Muñoz for the left wing, they still need a world-class right winger. With this in mind, Bradley Barcola would be the preferred option to become the central figure of the attack.

Without Salah on the right wing, the Reds only have Federico Chiesa as a natural profile, along with Harvey Elliott. Therefore, Barcola would arrive as an undisputed starter on the right wing, as his dribbling, change of pace, and goalscoring ability are superior to those of his teammates. In addition, he comes from winning two consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, giving the Reds a winning mentality as they go through a rebuild.

Match Overview

El Salvador U20 finds itself in a must-win situation after falling 3-0 to Cuba U20 in its tournament opener, leaving little margin for error against one of the group’s strongest teams. Standing in its way is a confident United States U20 squad that kicked off its campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Haiti U20.

This result puts the Americans on the verge of locking in a quarterfinal berth. With the USA looking to keep its perfect start intact and El Salvador desperate to stay alive, this showdown has all the ingredients for an entertaining battle you won’t want to miss.

The controversy stems from a Feb. 17 Champions League fixture between Real Madrid and Benfica, when Vinicius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of uttering a racial slur. Because the Argentine midfielder covered his mouth while speaking, officials lacked definitive proof, spurring soccer governing bodies to consider mandatory discipline for players who cover their mouths during altercations.

Under the trial guidelines, any player who covered their mouth while confronting an opponent faced an automatic ejection. The policy made its global debut at the 2026 World Cup, where Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the first players sent off under the criteria, though the trial failed to convince Spanish officiating leadership.

During pre-season meetings ahead of the 2026–27 La Liga campaign, Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) elected to align with UEFA guidelines rather than implement the “Vinicius Rule.” As a result, players in Spain will not face match sanctions simply for covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.

In an interview with Diario AS, CTA president Fran Soto explained the committee’s reluctance: “Leaving a team with ten players without having clear proof of whether he said it or not… We have to see if we can fight against such behavior this way or through other measures.“

La Liga targets delay-of-game tactics

The 2026 World Cup served as a testing ground for several rule adjustments, most of which focused on eliminating delay-of-game tactics and preserving match flow. Looking ahead to the new domestic season, Spanish refereeing officials plan to follow the Premier League’s lead by targeting specific time-wasting techniques.

According to Diario AS, the CTA has formally petitioned the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to trial new penalties for goalkeepers who feign or exaggerate injuries to stall play. To curb these prolonged stoppages, Spanish officials aim to mirror English soccer’s approach by requiring an outfield teammate to temporarily step off the pitch for one minute while the goalkeeper receives medical attention.

The initiative builds on similar pace-of-play enforcement introduced in the Premier League. In addition to the goalkeeper protocol, La Liga plans to adopt strict countdown timers on throw-ins and goal kicks, a 10-second limit for substituted players exiting the pitch, and a mandatory one-minute sideline wait for outfield players evaluated by medical staff.

Hours after the IFAB’s circular acknowledged an error in how the “mistaken identity” clause was used, a FIFA spokesperson issued a statement defending the decision and disputing the framing that anything went wrong.

The controversy took place when the referee booked Leandro Paredes for committing a foul, before VAR intervened under the mistaken identity clause and corrected the call, determining Embolo had dived. This resulted in the caution being switched to the Swiss player, which was his second yellow card, resulting in a sending-off.

The IFAB’s circular stated that this specific escalation fell outside how the clause is meant to function, since it’s designed only to correct which player receives a card, not to reclassify or add consequences to the underlying offense.

Full statement from the FIFA spokesperson

“FIFA’s interpretation of Mistaken Identity was consistently applied during the FIFA World Cup. There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow card offence and the VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by the opponent’s simulation.

The simulation itself cannot be disputed and it should not result in a disciplinary sanction against an opponent that may then lead to further consequences, such as a sending off for a second yellow card or a match suspension for accumulated cautions.

We do not consider this to have been a referee or VAR error and the decision restored justice. We note IFAB’s comments in its Circular, we have been in contact with them throughout and they confirmed that this interpretation is valid, that it was well received and that it will form part of the discussion on revisions to the VAR Protocol, as discussed at the last AGM,” the statement read.

The other case referenced in FIFA’s statement is the near-identical situation from the group stage between the United States and Paraguay, where Tim Ream was originally booked for a foul on Miguel Almiron, before VAR corrected the identity and Almiron was booked for simulation instead.

FIFA’s framing suggests it views both instances as properly handled applications of the rule, rather than as procedural errors, setting up a disagreement with the governing body that actually writes the Laws of the Game.

Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are determined to reinforce their roster in a major way. To do this, they are fully committed to pursuing the signing of Luis Diaz. Therefore, they are open to making an offer between €125-150 million to convince Bayern Munich to let him leave. In addition, the Saudi side is looking to tempt the Colombian star with a net salary of €25M per season. However, he has decided to reject the offer.

According to Florian Plettenberg, via X, Luis Diaz has informed Al Hilal of his formal rejection of their €25M-per-year salary offer. Instead, the Colombian star has decided to prioritize his stay at Bayern Munich, as he will be key for head coach Vincent Kompany. In addition, the German side continues to consider him indispensable to its sporting project, so they will not sit down to listen to any more offers for his transfer.

Along with this report, Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen publicly denied the Colombian player’s departure: “We’d be stupid, wouldn’t we? We have such a fantastic squad, honestly. Let’s just get the season underway and start scoring some goals,” he said, via Kicker. With this in mind, Luis Diaz will remain as the stellar complement of Harry Kane and Michael Olise, chasing the 2027 UEFA Champions League trophy.

Luis Diaz may target a historic tenure at Bayern Munich under Kompany

Despite not winning the UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich are coming off an impressive season. Under head coach Vincent Kompany, they established a brilliant style of play that dominated offensively. Therefore, Luis Diaz is facing the best opportunity of his career: To establish a historic legacy with Harry Kane and Michael Olise at the German side, while aiming to win a treble in the 2026-27 season.

In case he repeats his performances in the 2026-27 season, Luis Diaz could write his name into the history of the German side. With this, he would end the club’s seven-year drought since its last UEFA Champions League title and deliver its first treble in 14 years. With a contract until 2029, the Colombian star is aiming to be a star once again, looking to become a clear Ballon d’Or candidate.

The club said: “Manchester City can confirm Rodri has undergone successful minor back surgery. The midfielder had been feeling discomfort for some time but has now undergone a procedure to address the issue and will now begin a short period of rehabilitation. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and mancity.com will bring you updates regarding his rehabilitation.”

While the surgery is not ideal news for Manchester City, Rodri is not expected to be sidelined for long. The Athletic reported that the midfielder is expected to return before the end of August if his recovery continues as planned.

Real Madrid could make an offer for Rodri

Rodri’s future continues to be linked with Real Madrid despite his recent surgery. According to Nicolo Schira, in a report later replicated by Marca, the Spanish club are considering an offer worth between €50 million and €60 million for the Manchester City midfielder.

The Spain international’s current contract expires next year, making his situation one to watch during this transfer window. Manchester City have already presented Rodri with a contract extension offer, but the midfielder has not yet responded as he waits to see whether Real Madrid make a move.

With his contract entering its final year, Real Madrid could have an opportunity to negotiate a lower transfer fee for Rodri than Manchester City would have previously demanded for one of their most important players.

Manchester City’s asking price for Rodri

Real Madrid could also face a significant financial obstacle if they decide to pursue Rodri. According to journalist Sergio Valentin of esRadio, in a report later reproduced by Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City are demanding €80 million for the midfielder despite his contract entering its final year.

Match Overview

Santos enter the second leg with a comfortable advantage after a dominant road performance against Universidad Central. Neymar’s side lived up to expectations by earning a 4-1 victory away from home, putting themselves in a strong position to advance.

The visitors now face a difficult comeback challenge in Brazil but will look to make the hosts work for their place in the next round. Don’t miss this decisive matchup as Santos look to complete the job in front of their fans.

The move comes as little surprise given how his standing at the club had shifted over the past year, going from captain to a player Tottenham now seem ready to move on from.

The clearest signal of that shift arrived with Tottenham’s signing of Jan Paul van Hecke for €60 million, a deal that effectively confirmed the club’s plan to replace Romero as their starting right center-back.

Despite wearing the armband last season, his relationship with the fanbase had cooled in recent months, further reinforcing the sense that a transfer was only a matter of time once the 2026 World Cup wrapped up.

Inter Milan have moved quickly to take advantage. According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari of TV Dello Sport, the Nerazzurri have already agreed terms with Tottenham for the transfer. The only step left before the move becomes official is for Inter to finalize personal terms with Romero’s representatives, something that could be resolved in the coming days.

A move to Italy would mark a return to familiar territory for Romero, who has previous experience in Serie A with Juventus and Atalanta, though he only ever featured for the latter across a couple of seasons before making his name in the Premier League. For now, all signs point toward Inter Milan being his next destination once the paperwork is settled.

Where does Barcelona fit into Romero’s situation?

Despite the growing momentum behind an Inter Milan move, Romero’s name has also continued to circulate around Barcelona, though reports frame that interest as something closer to the player’s personal preference than a genuinely viable path forward.

Barcelona are said to be keeping tabs on his situation, but their transfer priorities this summer lie elsewhere, with signing a new striker sitting at the top of their list and Julian Alvarez still viewed as their ideal target.

Barca do have Romero on their list, but the club has already made clear it won’t take a concrete step forward unless one of the center-backs or full-backs currently in the squad departs first. That leaves Barcelona on the periphery of Romero’s next move rather than an active competitor for his signature, with Inter Milan remaining the far more concrete option.

The marquee exhibition takes place Wednesday, July 29, at Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC. Coming just 10 days after the World Cup final, the All-Star match will serve as the first action back on the pitch for many returning international players, particularly those representing the three North American co-host nations.

The USMNT presence on the MLS squad includes goalkeeper Matt Freese (New York City FC), veteran defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) who’s expected to sign for Middlesbrough according to The Ahtletic, and wing-back Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew). Representing the Canadian national team, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City) and defender Richie Laryea (Toronto FC) will both suit up.

Liga MX‘s World Cup contingent relies heavily on El Tri‘s domestic core. The Mexican national team members featured on the Liga MX All-Star roster include goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), defender Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), defender Israel Reyes (Club América), and midfielder Erik Lira (Cruz Azul).

Rising Mexican prodigy Gilberto Mora (Xolos de Tijuana) was initially named to the Liga MX roster before being ruled out alongside veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. They join Inter Miami superstars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul on the list of high-profile absences for Wednesday’s clash.

Meanwhile, South Korean icon Son Heung-min will make his MLS All-Star debut following his World Cup campaign with his national team. Notably, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Muller, though omitted from Germany’s World Cup squad, stands as the sole former World Cup champion participating in Wednesday’s midsummer showcase.

Complete List of 2026 World Cup Players in the All-Star Game

• Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City SC) — Canada
• Matt Freese (New York City FC) — United States
• Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) — United States
• Richie Laryea (Toronto FC) — Canada
• Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids) — Australia
• Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) — Cape Verde
• Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) — United States
• Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) — United States
• Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) — Paraguay
• Son Heung-min (LAFC) — South Korea
• Petar Musa (FC Dallas) — Croatia
• Brian Rodríguez (Club America) — Uruguay
• Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna) — Mexico
• Jesus Gallardo (Toluca) — Mexico
• Israel Reyes (Club America) — Mexico
• Erik Lira (Cruz Azul) — Mexico

With his contract at FC Barcelona expiring after four years, Zahavi admitted in an interview with Diario AS that Barca president Joan Laporta wanted to keep the forward, but sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick opted to move in a different direction. Despite interest from Serie A clubs and FC Porto, the Chicago Fire ultimately won the race to secure the legendary striker’s signature.

When asked about the decision to head to North America, Zahavi lauded the persistence of the Fire’s front office: “The Fire executives fought harder for him than anyone else. It’s rare for a team to want a player so badly. It’s hard to imagine: they were patient, determined, and creative. They did everything possible to convince Lewandowski. Everything!“

Zahavi capped his comments by revealing the eye-watering financial package the Fire put on the table to seal the blockbuster deal. “They weren’t pretending; they were truly crazy about him. And they offered him the second-highest contract in MLS, surpassed only by Leo Messi’s. Chicago really wanted Robert,” Zahavi concluded.

Questions originally hovered over how head coach Gregg Berhalter would tweak his tactical setup to feature both Lewandowski and star forward Hugo Cuypers, who led MLS with 13 goals prior to the 2026 World Cup break. However, the Belgian striker handed over the No. 9 jersey to the former Barcelona star before completing a transfer to CF Monterrey, shedding his $3.2 million annual salary from the books, according to the MLSPA Salary Guide.

Robert Lewandowski vs. Lionel Messi: Salary comparison

Lewandowski’s arrival serves as yet another statement of intent for Major League Soccer as it continues to lure global icons during their twilight years. For the Polish superstar, the move secures a massive payday while continuing his career in a major North American market.

According to DAZN, Lewandowski earns a net base salary of €15 million (around $16.2M USD) per season with the Chicago Fire. His current contract runs through June 30, 2028, guaranteeing him €30 million (around $32.5M USD) over his two-year stint in MLS.

In addition to his base pay, Lewandowski’s deal features incentive structures that could push his total earnings up to €20 million (around $21.6M USD) annually. That places him well ahead of LAFC’s Son Heung-min ($11M) and Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul ($9M), who hold the third- and fourth-highest total compensation packages according to MLSPA data.

The only player in North America outpacing Lewandowski on the payroll is Lionel Messi, who holds a base salary of $25 million and $28.3 million in total guaranteed compensation per the MLSPA Salary Guide. However, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously revealed to Bloomberg that Messi’s total annual take-home package sits between $70 million and $80 million when factoring in equity, revenue-share agreements, and commercial endorsements.

According to Aritz Gabilondo, via Diario AS, PSG have contacted Rodri and his entourage directly, looking to reach an agreement to sign him. However, the 30-year-old star has decided to directly reject the French side, as his plans are to return to Spain for family reasons. After this, he appears to be getting closer to a move to Real Madrid as a star signing. However, his departure from Manchester City may not be easy.

Rodrigo Hernandez is one of the most important players in Manchester City’s recent history. For this reason, he still has a contract until 2027, and they do not seem very open to letting him leave for free. With this in mind, Real Madrid would have to pay a transfer fee that is expected to be between €45-55 million, as the 30-year-old star is pushing strongly to play for José Mourinho’s side.

Unlike many teams, the Citizens do not usually hold onto their stars, instead opening the door to negotiations. With Rodrigo’s only objective being to play for Real Madrid, both parties seem destined to reach an understanding. However, they have not reached a contractual agreement or a definitive transfer. Therefore, Manchester City continue trying to renew the contract of its captain and key figure.

Report: Rodri medical procedure won’t stop Real Madrid transfer

After the end of the 2026 World Cup, Rodrigo Hernandez felt physical discomfort in his back. As a result, fans appeared to be concerned about his move to Real Madrid. Ahead of the 2026-27 season, the 30-year-old star decided not to undergo surgery, but he did decide to have a medical procedure. Despite this, the possible signing by the Spanish side is not at risk.

According to Rodra from ESPN, via X, Rodrigo has undergone a spinal injection, which will be an outpatient procedure. With this, he will wait for the discomfort to subside. However, his physical condition will have to be evaluated during the medical tests, which should determine whether his back problems will continue in the near future. Despite this, the 30-year-old midfielder is positive about his physical condition.

Speaking on Fox News, Garber didn’t hold back on how big a signing he believes Pulisic would be for the league. “I hope that they could sign a Christian Pulisic. I believe he would be great in our league, and I believe our league would be great for him,” Garber admitted.

“Give him an opportunity to do what Landon Donovan did – come to Major League Soccer, spread your wings, be a star,” Garber continued, adding that Pulisic “would be a game changer for our league“.

For now, though, Pulisic remains at AC Milan, where his contract runs through June 2027, with the Italian club also holding an option to extend it an additional year. His name has been tied to transfer speculation more than usual this summer, following a rough 2026 World Cup with the United States that ended at the Round of 16 after a loss to Belgium.

That speculation gained real traction in June, when NYCFC made an approach to sign Pulisic and try to bring him back to his home country. Milan rejected it outright, making clear the winger wasn’t available, a stance club officials have repeated consistently since.

Milan’s resolve was tested again more recently when Galatasaray reportedly reached out to gauge Pulisic’s availability, according to Tuttomercatoweb. The Turkish club’s contact amounted to an informational inquiry rather than a formal offer, and Milan gave the same answer they gave NYCFC: Pulisic isn’t for sale.

Landon Donovan’s MLS legacy

Garber’s comparison points to one of the clearest success stories of an American star returning home in his prime. Landon Donovan originally signed with Bayer Leverkusen in 1999, but he struggled to adapt to life in Germany and spent much of that six-year spell on loan back home with the San Jose Earthquakes.

He later returned to Europe for brief loan stints with Bayern Munich and twice with Everton, in 2010 and 2012, impressing enough in the Premier League to leave some wondering whether he’d ever commit to a permanent move abroad. He never did.

In 2005, Donovan chose to return to the United States for good, signing with the LA Galaxy, and that decision defined the rest of his career. Rather than chasing a bigger European move, he became the face of MLS: he retired with 145 goals, a tally that stood as the league scoring record until Chris Wondolowski later surpassed it, and he won six MLS Cup titles along with two Supporters’ Shields with the Galaxy in 2010 and 2011.

He was named to a record 14 consecutive MLS All-Star Games and won MLS Cup MVP honors twice, in 2003 and 2011, retiring as a champion in his final match, the 2014 MLS Cup final.

According to an initial report by The Times‘ Martyn Ziegler, FIFA plans to sell minority equity stakes tied to World Cup commercial rights to private investors. The deal would center on establishing a new commercial subsidiary responsible for managing business and event operations across top men’s and women’s competitions.

Hours after the news broke, FIFA confirmed the project, claiming the objective is to expand global soccer development funding to over $10 billion. As part of the pitch, FIFA offered a sweetened incentive for its 211 Member Associations, providing access to up to $20 million in immediate, one-off capital funding for special projects under the newly established FIFA Fast Forward Program (FFFP).

To execute the plan, soccer’s global governing body created FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a controlled subsidiary designed to handle commercial and operational delivery. FIFA insisted it will retain full operational authority over FFE, assuring member nations that outside money will not influence “football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.“

UEFA strongly opposes FIFA’s commercial push

As soon as reports surfaced, UEFA, European soccer’s governing body and Infantino’s primary political opposition, came out in full defiance. Coming off lingering friction surrounding the execution and politics of the 2026 World Cup, the news provoked immediate outrage across the European confederation.

UEFA released an official statement slamming the proposal, delivering an uncompromising message to FIFA: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.“

The Aleksander Ceferin-led organization concluded by warning against the dangers of privatizing the sport for short-term corporate capital. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,” the statement concluded.

FIFA defends its independence and governance

As reported by sports journalist Ben Jacobs, FIFA aims to raise up to $4.2 billion in capital and has already approached Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital as well as American investment banking titan J.P. Morgan as key anchor partners. While any final proposal requires formal approval from the 211 Member Associations during a consultation phase, FIFA maintains that its institutional independence remains intact.

In its statement addressing the external investment strategy, FIFA sought to downplay concerns over corporate influence. “The FIFA President and the FIFA administration have a duty to control the development of this project. Outside investors will have only a minority stake in FFE and will not play any operational role. Equally, they are investing in a subsidiary of FIFA, and not in FIFA itself. For FIFA, nothing changes,” the organization stated.

“He is our player until anything changes, the team comes first. It is not too complicated, for me the team is the most important thing… I will speak with Rafael, with [Goncalo] Ramos, with [Alexis] Saelemaekers, with all the players returning from the World Cup to explain what we will do. I know there is a lot of speculation about some of our players, but they remain ours until anything changes,” Ruben Amorim said, as per Gianluca Dimarzio.

At the end of the 2025-26 season, Rafael Leao publicly announced his desire to leave AC Milan. However, he has a contract with the Rossoneri until 2028, so his departure is not easy at all. Instead of creating more noise around the star’s future, Ruben Amorim has looked to keep the focus on the team, opening the door to his continuity if he wants it himself.

Amid the criticism, Leao established as one of the Rossoneri’s most important players. In 31 games, he scored 10 goals and provided 3 assists, playing out of position. However, Ruben Amorim could find his best version again, using him as a left winger and giving him more prominence. In addition, he has reportedly not received any offers from the Premier League or LaLiga, his two preferred options.

Report: Fenerbahce chase Rafael Leao in a €42M move from AC Milan

Rafael Leao was determined to leave AC Milan, looking to move to the Premier League or LaLiga. However, he has not received concrete offers from either of the two leagues, as teams are prioritizing other moves in different positions. Therefore, the 27-year-old star only has one real possibility left: Fenerbahce. The Turkish side is reportedly pursuing the Portuguese player in a €42M move.

According to Sport Mediaset, Fenerbahce have made a formal offer to AC Milan for Rafael Leao, in a €42M operation. They are proposing a loan deal with a mandatory purchase option worth €35M, along with a €5M fee and €2M in performance-based add-ons. However, the Rossoneri remain firm: A direct transfer worth €50M. In addition, the Turkish side has not yet secured its place in the Champions League, preventing Leao from accepting.

Match Overview

A spot in the next round could be on the line when Cuba U20 and Haiti U20 square off in a crucial group-stage matchup. Cuba heads into the contest with momentum after a surprising 3-0 victory over El Salvador U20 in its opener, and another win would secure qualification.

Haiti, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to tournament favorite USA U20 and needs a positive result to keep its hopes alive. With both teams playing for so much, this is a game you won’t want to miss.

The Swiss forward was sent off in the 72nd minute after a VAR review resulted in a second yellow card for simulation, a decision that shifted the momentum of the game.

The sequence began when referee Joao Pinheiro had booked Leandro Paredes, believing he had committed a foul on the Swiss forward. The play was reviewed under the “mistaken identity” concept, but upon noticing how blatant the simulation was, the Portuguese official showed Embolo the second yellow card, something that, according to the governing body of the Laws of the Game, was mistaken.

In a circular published on Tuesday, the governing body clarified that a yellow card, when it isn’t already a second yellow, can only be reviewed to correct the identity of the offending player, explaining the offense itself cannot be reviewed or altered once the identity has been fixed.

That distinction is what made Embolo’s dismissal improper: the process was designed to fix who gets the card in case of booking someone who didn’t commit the foul, not to reclassify the type of infraction that led to it.

A similar situation happened earlier at the World Cup

A practically identical sequence played out earlier in the tournament, during the group stage clash between the United States and Paraguay. American defender Tim Ream was originally booked for a foul on Miguel Almiron, and VAR intervened to review the play.

Just as with Paredes and Embolo, the review corrected the identity of the offending player, Ream’s card was rescinded, and Almiron was booked instead for simulation. It’s the same mechanism the IFAB has now flagged as improperly applied in the Embolo case, underscoring that the issue wasn’t isolated to a single match.

“You will soon see my style; we will have a press conference in September. I am passionate about soccer. I played as a number 10, what motivates me is scoring goals. I lived in Spain for 25 years, you already know what that means. On the pitch, I was a leader. Today, I am becoming a leader thanks to my experience,” Zinedine Zidane reveals in the press conference.

Even though he was not direct about his playing style, Zidane did make it clear that his approach will be offensive. With Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, France aim to be the top candidate to win UEFA Euro 2028, competing against Spain. However, the main challenge he will have will be the midfield, as he does not have players like Toni Kroos or Luka Modric, making this a major problem for his intentions.

Being his first experience as a national team coach, Zidane will have all eyes on him at UEFA Euro 2028. To give consistency to his game, he could return to the use of three midfielders, something that has not been usual recently. There, new young players could emerge, along with a possible return of Eduardo Camavinga to give meaning to his style of play.

Zidane opens up on ‘the difference’ between France and club jobs

Zinedine Zidane has established as one of the best coaches in Real Madrid’s history. After winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, he decided to leave the project in a surprising move. Despite always having offers on the table, he decided to wait for France, making it clear that it was his only possibility. In his presentation, he revealed the difference between both experiences.

“I always saw this team as my future. I did not sign for a club for that reason. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was manage the French national team… It is something different from what I do at the club. But I am not afraid of it. It is what I wanted to do. I will have a balance between my personal life and the French national team, and that suits me wonderfully,” Zidane concluded.

Being a job that is a little slower, Zinedine Zidane will have many more chances to create a long-term project. In addition, he has decided to praise Deschamps’ work, making it clear that he will have a close relationship with him. Therefore, the French legend aims to have a long-term role with the national team, seeking to chase titles again after years of drought.

“I am talking to Mancini because he is the new coach… We’re waiting for him to sign,” Giovanni Malagò revealed, as per The Athletic. With this in mind, Roberto is set for a second spell in Italy, looking for another UEFA Euro title. In the recent years, he has been coaching in Middle Eastern, having tenures at Saudi Arabia national team and Al Sadd, his recent team.

After his appointment, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo Araujo remain firm in leaving their positions in Italy, reports The Athletic. Far from being a tantrum, they do not seek to continue in a project in which they do not believe in its head coach. Although Mancini is the last one who gave the national team a title, he does not represent a ‘new era’ of playing style and commitment to young players, making Maldini resign.

President Giovanni Malagò seems to have decided on an ideal replacement for Paolo Maldini as Technical Director: Claudio Ranieri. According to The Athletic, the 74-year-old veteran will be the new sporting leader of Italy, leading the reconstruction. With this duo, they seek to be top contenders for UEFA Euro 2028, as they have a great relationship and a similar idea of the game.

Italy opt for a slight adjustment instead of a major overhaul

Despite failing to qualify for three consecutive World Cup editions, Italy seemed to need a deep reconstruction. With this in mind, Paolo Maldini was looking for a new offensive style of play, together with a real commitment to young players. Instead, Giovanni Malagò has decided to make a conservative choice, giving Roberto Mancini another chance, which is a continuation of the same style of play and little commitment to young players.

Under Mancini, Italy will return to their greatest strength: Defensive solidity and brilliance on the counterattack. Far from this being a problem, it will make it easier for the team to compete directly for titles, as it will not have to learn a new way of playing. However, young players may not have much space to shine, as the head coach usually bets on veterans who have already excelled at the elite level.

Liga MX released its preliminary roster weeks ago with both Navas and Mora included on the squad. However, in an official roster update released Monday, July 27, the league confirmed several notable changes, officially scratching the Costa Rican icon and the Mexican prodigy from the final lineup.

In Keylor Navas‘ case, the Pumas UNAM goalkeeper will not travel to Charlotte after suffering a minor setback with a knee issue sustained at the start of the Apertura 2026 campaign. While the injury is not considered severe, the Mexico City side opted against risking their veteran star with both the Liga MX season and the Leagues Cup kicking into high gear. Club Pachuca’s Carlos Moreno has been called up as his replacement.

As for Gilberto Mora, an official reason for his omission has not been disclosed by either Liga MX or his club, Club Tijuana. Still, the 17-year-old rising star is continuing his ramp-up period with Xolos following a busy World Cup campaign with the Mexican national team and a subsequent vacation, prioritizing long-term fitness ahead of the upcoming season.

Inter Miami duo also set to miss All-Star clash

The annual summer showcase has built immense momentum in recent years thanks to both leagues pulling in elite, world-class talent. However, Liga MX will now be without Mora, Navas, and Armando “La Hormiga” González, while MLS will be missing its biggest draw in Lionel Messi alongside his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

The Inter Miami duo received special medical permission to rest following an grueling 2026 World Cup run that culminated in the July 19 final. With neither Messi nor De Paul having re-joined the Herons for full training yet, both MLS stars will sit out Wednesday’s midsummer exhibition at Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC (8 p.m. ET).

Liga MX All-Star Roster

• Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna) and Carlos Moreno (Pachuca).
• Defenders: Bruno Méndez (Toluca), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Federico Pereira (Toluca), Israel Reyes (América), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jesús Garza (Tigres UANL), Luis Rey (Guadalajara), Nathan Silva (Pumas UNAM), Omar Campos (Cruz Azul), and Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul).
• Midfielders: Alexei Domínguez (Pachuca), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Elías Montiel (Pachuca), Fernando Gorriarán (Tigres UANL), Franco Romero (Toluca), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), José Paradela (Cruz Azul), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), and Kevin Castañeda (Guadalajara).
• Forwards: Javier Ruíz (Necaxa), Robert Morales (Pumas UNAM), and Salomón Rondón (Pachuca).
• Head coach: Antonio Mohamed.

MLS All-Star Roster

• Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City), and Brian Schwake (Nashville SC).
• Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
• Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Muller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), and Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)
• Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) ,Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), and Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire)
• Head coach: Dean Smith, (Charlotte FC)

In the days leading up to his return to action, Neymar raised eyebrows by attending the BSOP Winter poker tournament, the fourth leg of the 2026 Brazilian Poker Championship, while Santos was in Venezuela facing UCV in the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian superstar fired back against public criticism over his absence, but the incident reportedly left a sour taste among his teammates.

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, tensions boiled over Saturday during a match against Chapecoense, where Neymar berated youngsters Bontempo and Ananias in the dressing room following a disappointing draw. His behavior at halftime and after the final whistle at Vila Belmiro frustrated players, coaching staff, and Santos front-office executives alike.

Things initially started bright for Santos, with Neymar opening the scoring in the 36th minute after a crisp team buildup, celebrating by mimicking a card dealer shuffling a deck. However, Santos collapsed early in the second half, conceding two goals in a 10-minute span before Neymar salvaged a draw late in the match by converting a penalty.

According to Globo Esporte, Neymar took an overly sharp tone when criticizing midfielder Bontempo and center-back Ananias, directly questioning the skill level of the young defender, who scored an own goal during the second-half collapse.

Through his PR team, Bontempo downplayed the rift, describing it as a standard halftime team dressing-down rather than a targeted personal attack. Ananias also released a statement denying any direct confrontation with Neymar, though he confirmed a team-wide reprimand took place. The incident follows another recent training-ground clash where Neymar slapped teammate Robinho Jr., an episode for which the former Barcelona star later issued a public apology.

Neymar and Santos reach a breaking point

Neymar’s homecoming to Santos in February 2025 was pitched as a win-win: the forward would stay match-fit for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign, while the club reaped major sponsorship deals and star power on the pitch. But the partnership has proven turbulent, with both sides growing increasingly dissatisfied.

Santos management remains unhappy with Neymar’s leadership style and his treatment of younger players. That frustration was exacerbated by his appearance at the poker event on the very night Santos kicked off its South American cup fixture.

Neymar, meanwhile, has voiced frustration with the club’s infrastructure and what he perceives as a lack of media protection at the CT Rei Pele training facility. Despite funding ongoing upgrades to the facility himself, Neymar and his father have openly questioned the quality of Santos’ roster as the club fights a relegation battle for the second straight year.

To make matters worse, Globo Esporte reports that Santos owes Neymar over R$ 90 million ($17.5M USD) in unpaid debts, having fallen up to three months behind on image-rights payments this year. With the 34-year-old under contract through late 2026, a contract extension is now considered highly unlikely by both camps.

Titled “Day 1s,” the upcoming drama series features Ronaldo in both a behind-the-scenes executive role and a featured on-screen performance as production gets underway. The storyline explores the cutthroat world of British soccer, pulling back the curtain on the business, power struggles, and high-stakes relationships driving a fictional elite agency.

The series is being produced by UR•Marv, the independent media venture launched jointly by Ronaldo and Vaughn in April 2025. The studio’s brand fuses Ronaldo’s personal “UR” moniker, featured heavily across his media platforms like his UR Cristiano YouTube channel, with Vaughn’s established MARV production banner.

According to a report from The Sun, the show follows the high-flying career of fictional sports agent Stanley Dalton, played by star Damian Lewis. The narrative is built on a concept co-created by real-life soccer agent Darren Dein, who represents Henry and serves as an executive producer on the series.

The Arsenal legend turned television analyst was recently spotted on set in London, filming scenes at Barnet FC’s ground in North West London. British hip-hop star Dave is also slated for a prominent multi-faceted role, leading a starry ensemble of celebrity cameos and guest appearances.

Reflecting on the joint venture when it was first unveiled, Vaughn praised Ronaldo’s flair for the dramatic. “Cristiano has created stories on the pitch that I could never have written, and I look forward to creating inspiring movies with him—he’s a real-life superhero,” the Kingsman director told Variety, with “Day 1s” marking their flagship project.

Soccer legends who made the leap to the screen

While Ronaldo previously starred in his self-titled 2015 documentary Ronaldo and made recurring appearances in his wife Georgina Rodríguez’s Netflix docuseries Soy Georgina, “Day 1s” will mark his scripted acting debut. He joins a select club of iconic soccer figures who have crossed over into traditional acting roles.

The gold standard for soccer icons in cinema remains the 1981 cult classic Escape to Victory, which starred Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine alongside world-class legends Pele, Bobby Moore, and Osvaldo Ardiles, as well as international stars Kazimierz Deyna, Paul Van Himst, Hallvar Thoresen, and Werner Roth.

More recently, Neymar made a cameo as a monk in Netflix’s hit drama Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) and appeared in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Lionel Messi has landed high-profile promo spots for Hollywood blockbusters like Bad Boys and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while also making a guest acting appearance on the Argentine comedy series Los Protectores.

Several other soccer stars have famously logged acting credits over the years:

• Vinnie Jones: Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
• Eric Cantona: Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric
• David Beckham: Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
• Zinedine Zidane: Asterix at the Olympic Games
• Ally McCoist: A Shot at Glory

Match Overview

Quarterfinal positioning could be on the line when Mexico U20 and Costa Rica U20 square off in a pivotal group-stage showdown between two teams that began the tournament with wins. Costa Rica earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Guatemala U20.

Meanwhile, Mexico opened with a solid 3-0 result against Antigua and Barbuda U20, making this a key opportunity for either side to take control of the group and move closer to the knockout stage. With so much at stake, this is a matchup soccer fans won’t want to miss.

According to Fabrizio Romano and other media outlets, Zidane will be announced as the new France head coach this week, with the announcement expected on Tuesday, July 28. Under his leadership, Les Bleus will begin a new process, looking to establish a clear playing identity. However, he will face a major challenge: Maintaining the winning spirit, reaching World Cup finals.

In a recent interview with Konbini, Karim Benzema was asked about Zidane’s possible return to France. Acknowledging his legacy, he chose to praise him unequivocally: “He is a legend, he is like a big brother to me. Am I happy about him coaching the France national team? I don’t know if it’s him, but if it is him, I’m extremely happy,” he said, showcasing his deep support to his former head coach at Real Madrid.

Throughout their spell together at Real Madrid, Karim was coached in 217 matches by Zidane, where he elevated his figure to legendary levels. In his first spell, he was the connection between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. However, Zinedine brought out his best version in the second spell, being the team’s goalscorer. Therefore, both have an incredible relationship, which is demonstrated in the support between them.

Report: Zinedine Zidane wants 8-year France contract

Zinedine Zidane’s arrival to France has been an open secret for several months. After his historic spell at Real Madrid, he arrives as a true legend on the sidelines. Therefore, the expectations of a winning project are high, with the support of all the players and legends. Even though he is reportedly set to be presented this Tuesday, July 28, he seems to be seeking an eight-year long-term project.

According to Ramón Fuentes, via Mundo Deportivo, Zidane has made a direct proposal to the FFF to build over eight years. With this, he would have the chance to manage the next two UEFA Euros, along with the next two World Cup editions. Although it has not been confirmed whether this proposal was accepted, he has already made his objective clear: An immediate winning project, but with a long-term vision.

With this in mind, the return of veteran figures such as Karim Benzema seems ruled out. Instead, Zidane would look to keep Kylian Mbappé as his central figure. However, he could make major changes in midfield: The weakest and most criticized area of France ahead of UEFA Euro 2028, his first real objective.

After making back-to-back World Cup final appearances in 2018 and 2022, France entered the 2026 tournament as a top title contender. Despite Mbappe posting historic numbers throughout the competition, France fell to eventual champions Spain in the semifinals before dropping a wild 6-4 thriller to England in the third-place match.

A week after the conclusion of the World Cup, Mbappe took to Instagram to share a poignant message with French supporters: “We’re not bringing a collective trophy home. It hurts, and it will hurt for a while. I won’t pretend otherwise. I’m proud to have won the Golden Boot, but it would have meant far more with the World Cup beside it. Maybe we owed you a better ending.“

With 10 goals in eight matches, Mbappe captured his second career World Cup Golden Boot, matching his award from the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The 27-year-old superstar also became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 22 career goals, eclipsing Lionel Messi’s mark of 21.

Directing praise toward his teammates, France’s backroom staff, and long-time manager Didier Deschamps, Mbappe voiced immense pride in captaining his country while expressing deep gratitude for the fans who followed their run from afar. “So many of you stayed up up late, some of you deep into the night, to watch us play an ocean away… Men and women of every background and every generation, united by the simple joy of sharing the moment,” he wrote.

He concluded his statement with a promise to French fans, reminding them that the team’s international ambitions remain bright. “This World Cup has come to an end, but the story goes on. There will be other matches, other nights in summer and in winter when we’ll all come together again over this same game, with the same undiminished excitement. Our journey together is far from over.“

Mbappe’s full statement:

“Thank you.

“A month of emotion. Of pushing beyond our limits. Of pride in wearing the colors of France. And above all, of passion: the same passion that drives us on the pitch and that drives you, whether you were watching from home or cheering in the stands. That’s what we experienced together. An incredible story.

“We’re not bringing a collective trophy home. It hurts, and it will hurt for a while. I won’t pretend otherwise. I’m proud to have won the Golden Boot, but it would have meant far more with the World Cup beside it. Maybe we owed you a better ending. But we don’t always get to choose how the story ends. We do get to choose what we put into it, and we gave it everything. That much we can be proud of.

“Thank you to my teammates. Without their work, their runs, their passes, without the spirit that carried us from the first match to the last, I could never have scored so many goals. This award belongs to the team as much as it belongs to me.

“As a kid, I dreamed of playing in a World Cup. Just one. I’ve now played in three, won one, and this year I’ve had the immense honor of captaining my country. I will never forget it.

“So many of you stayed up up late, some of you deep into the night, to watch us play an ocean away. You gathered at home, in bars, with family and friends, in France and far beyond it. Others were there with us in the stadiums, draped in the French flag. Children with stars in their eyes. Men and women of every background and every generation, united by the simple joy of sharing the moment.

“And you never stopped believing in us. Not in the hardest moments. Not even when we deserved it least. This story was written by millions of hands, not just by the eleven on the field, all of them carried by the same passion.

“I’ve already said to Didier what I needed to say. He knows. Thank you to him, to his entire staff, to the physios, the chefs, the fitness coaches, the drivers, and to everyone working behind the scenes whom no one ever sees and without whom none of of this this would have been possible. And thank you to everyone who welcomed us and supported us across the United States.

“At its heart, football is still a game. A game we take very seriously, one we spend a lifetime trying to master, but a game all the same, and it still comes down to what it came down to when we first started playing: a ball, a goal, and the desire to score. That’s why it brings us together the way it does.

“This World Cup has come to an end, but the story goes on. There will be other matches, other nights in summer and in winter when we’ll all come together again over this same game, with the same undiminished excitement. Our journey together is far from over.

“Thank you for everything.

“Kylian Mbappe.“

As reported by sports journalist Ben Jacobs, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to roll out the trial for the upcoming 2026–27 season.

PGMOL is the governing body responsible for overseeing match officials across English professional soccer. Consequently, the new rule will be enforced across the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL), major Football Association (FA) cup competitions, and the Women’s Super League (WSL).

How the new rule works

Goalkeepers going to ground to feign injury has grown into one of soccer’s oldest time-wasting tactics. Because keepers cannot easily be removed from the pitch for medical evaluation, a stoppage forces the match to grind to a halt, offering teams a prolonged breather or a chance to gather along the touchline for tactical instruction.

Under IFAB’s newly approved trial, anytime a match is stopped for a goalkeeper to receive medical treatment, an outfield teammate must temporarily leave the pitch for one minute of active play. This builds on recent player-evaluation protocols, but since a keeper cannot leave the field without forcing a stoppage, a teammate must serve the temporary exile outside the touchline instead.

Once the head referee signals team physios onto the pitch, the manager has 10 seconds to select an outfield player to step off the field and report his choice to the fourth official. If the manager fails to nominate a player within that 10-second window, the team captain is automatically required to leave the field.

Similar to general player-treatment rules, several exemptions will apply. An outfield teammate will not be required to leave the pitch if:

• The goalkeeper says they do not need the physio and they have not caused play to stop.
• The goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided.
• A goalkeeper is fouled and needs immediate treatment.
• A goalkeeper is bleeding.
• A goalkeeper suffered a serious injury (has to be substituted) or concussion.

Additional World Cup-inspired rules for 2026-27

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, English soccer introduced an eight-second possession cap on goalkeepers to deter delay-of-game tactics and keep matches moving. Now, additional pace-of-play initiatives showcased at the 2026 World Cup will be integrated into the domestic calendar.

Under the updated guidelines, players will face a strict five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks, while substituted players will have a maximum of 10 seconds to exit the pitch. The complete package of rules is set to debut Saturday, Aug. 1, during the Carabao Cup preliminary round matchup between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale.

Throughout the summer of 2026, PSG had set their sights on Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. Being one of the biggest prospects, they were willing to pay a transfer fee of around €100M, plus add-ons. However, they have officially decided to pull out of the deal due to the high financial demands, with him now close to becoming a new Real Madrid player. Therefore, Ferran Torres seems to be the new priority.

According to Luis Miguel Sanz, via Diario Sport, PSG are looking to reach a verbal agreement with Ferran Torres in the coming days. For this, they are open to offering him a four-season contract, along with a higher salary than the one he receives at Barcelona. If they manage to convince him, they would only have to negotiate with Barcelona, which would be open to selling him for a fee close to €50M.

Despite the optimism of the French side, Barcelona continue working to convince Ferran to renew his contract. However, he is not very happy with his situation, as he reportedly feels left. In addition, the Spanish side would not be very open to matching the salary offer made by PSG, making it quite difficult. Along with this, the good relationship of the 26-year-old star with Luis Enrique would be a key factor in taking him away.

Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche are PSG’s backup options

Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Paris Saint-Germain keep their offensive commitment clear: Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, the departures of Gonçalo Ramos, Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in mean they must reinforce the squad. Along with them, Bradley Barcola also seems decided to leave. Therefore, Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche are reportedly the clear options to give depth to the bench.

According to Luis Miguel Sanz, via Diario Sport, PSG already have an agreement with Maghnes Akliouche, who could leave AS Monaco for €50M. Both he and Ferran are capable of playing in the three attacking positions, making them essential for Luis Enrique. With this, they could be very important in Ligue 1, while also getting many minutes in the Champions League.

Neither Ferran nor Maghnes would arrive to be starters at PSG, but rather to fight for a place in the starting lineup. However, the 26-year-old striker could be the one with the most doubts, as he would once again be a substitute. Despite this, the French side wants to finalize these agreements in the coming weeks, looking to have a complete roster from the start of the season.

Match Overview

Antigua and Barbuda and Guatemala meet in a crucial Group Stage clash, with both teams needing a win to keep their tournament hopes alive. After opening their campaigns with defeats, another loss would leave either side relying on the race for the best third-place spots.

Antigua and Barbuda fell 3-0 to Mexico in a respectable effort against a stronger opponent, while Guatemala suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica. With no room for mistakes, both teams enter this matchup looking for a vital three points.

Despite being under contract until 2028, Dembélé is looking to improve his contractual conditions with PSG, as winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or changes his status. However, the French side was not willing to reach a salary of €50 million per season, making his departure a strong possibility, reports L’Équipe. As a result, Al Hilal and several Premier League clubs were looking to sign him as a marquee addition.

According to Marc Mechenoua, via Onze Mondial, PSG and Dembélé have reached an agreement for an extension of his contract, agreeing on the main issues. Once Ousmane returns to training, the talks will continue to finish this matter as soon as possible. While details regarding his salary or the duration have not been specified, a noticeable improvement in his conditions is expected so that he can continue to be a central part of the project.

While Ousmane Dembélé is coming off a season marked by injuries, he remained a difference-maker with PSG. He was the central figure in Luis Enrique’s team during their recent Champions League title, scoring three goals against Bayern Munich and one goal against Arsenal in the final. In addition, he was the team’s top scorer and top assist provider, making his renewal a top priority for the French side.

Ousmane Dembélé’s PSG legacy reaches legendary heights

After a disappointing spell at FC Barcelona, Ousmane Dembélé arrived at Paris Saint-Germain with many doubts surrounding him. However, he has managed to turn the criticism into praise, leading Luis Enrique’s era in great fashion. Not only did he win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but his statistical impact is undeniable, already recording 103 goal contributions in 135 matches.

Luis Enrique has managed to transform Ousmane into an all-around talent, pressing high, recovering balls, and creating play. In addition, he has been the central axis of the best era in the club’s history, winning two consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, adding many domestic titles such as league titles, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.

If he manages to finalize his renewal soon, Ousmane Dembélé could be a clear candidate to become the greatest player in PSG’s history. While there are legends such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Ronaldinho, George Weah, Kylian Mbappé, and others, the 29-year-old star has left an eternal legacy, full of titles. In addition, he has made collective work the central axis of his game, earning the affection of all the fans.

In a release on its official website, the NZS confirmed the end of the 46-year-old referee’s storied career on the pitch: “A week after the World Cup final in the USA, Slavko Vincic has officially concluded his historic refereeing career at the very top of the world.“

The Slovenian FA emphasized that calling the World Cup final solidified “his status as one of the greatest match officials in history.” The praise coincided with major honors, as the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the best referee of the 2026 World Cup, while Italy’s Referee Association (AIA) awarded him the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award.

An international referee since 2010, Vincic built a distinguished résumé overseeing high-stakes fixtures, including 50 UEFA Champions League matches. In European club competition, he was selected to handle the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, followed by the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.

When FIFA officially assigned Vincic to the final, the moment proved overwhelming for the Slovenian, who was visibly moved upon receiving the news. Officiating the World Cup final served as the absolute zenith of his career, the exact high point at which he chose to hang up his whistle.

Vincic at the 2026 World Cup

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar marked Vincic’s debut on international soccer’s grandest stage, where he refereed two group-stage fixtures: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia and Wales vs. England. For the 2026 edition, however, his assignments extended well beyond the group stage, placing him in control of crucial knockout moments.

His first two games of the tournament came in the group stage, starting with a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco. He followed that with a group-stage clash between Jordan and Algeria, which saw the North African side capture a 2-1 victory.

His knockout duties began in the Round of 32 at Estadio Azteca, overseeing a match between co-host Mexico and Ecuador. In a 2-0 win for Mexico, Vincic made headlines late in stoppage time by issuing a straight red card to Piero Hincapié under FIFA’s new rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontational exchanges.

His defining career assignment came on July 19 in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. During La Roja’s 1-0 victory, Vincic showed a second yellow card to Enzo Fernandez following a foul on Pau Cubarsi, an ejection that sealed Albiceleste’s fate against a dominant Spanish squad.

According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key.

With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim.

Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career.

Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez

Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation.

Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.

“…I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all… To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world…While you divide, we unite,” Infantino said, via Instagram.

Amid the 2026 World Cup, FIFA received a great deal of criticism due to its closeness to United States President Donald Trump, while leaving Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney in the background. In addition, many fans had problems with their visas, feeling heavily targeted. However, Infantino decided to turn his attention to one fact: It was a very safe event, with no violence.

Far from all the changes being negative, the 2026 World Cup was full of positive surprises. After increasing the number of national teams, there were several records in the knockout stage, such as Norway, Switzerland, Cape Verde, among others, who delivered solid performances. In addition, the level of competitiveness on the field increased significantly, also leading to higher tournament revenues.

Folarin Balogun red card controversy fuels FIFA-UEFA conflict

Folarin Balogun emerged as the USMNT’s best player at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals in four matches. However, he received a red card that ruled him out of the Round of 16 match against Belgium. Surprisingly, that suspension was overturned before the game, generating major controversy. Following this, UEFA and FIFA have reportedly faced tensions regarding the transparency of the tournament.

“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line. Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition,” UEFA expressed in a release. As a protest, president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the Argentina-Spain final.

Despite these harsh words from UEFA, Gianni Infantino made his stance clear: The imposition or withdrawal of yellow and red cards is something common in soccer. With this, he makes it clear that it was not a FIFA mistake to favor the USMNT, but that it was a soccer decision. Therefore, the relationship between both entities seems not to be the best and could worsen with the possible future changes to the World Cup format.

According to Sky Sports Italia, the FIGC and Andrea Pirlo were very close to reaching an agreement for him to become Italy‘s new head coach. However, he has been ruled out due to his association with a Russian sports betting platform, which led to significant political pressure. Because of this, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò decided not to give the green light to his appointment as head coach, forcing the federation to look elsewhere.

Amid these reports, Andrea Pirlo released a statement on his social media, seeking to clarify everything. “After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify certain matters… The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature,” he said, via Instagram.

Paolo Maldini expected to step down as Italy technical director

Amid the rebuild of the sporting project, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, his assistant, emerged as the key duo behind the major decisions. As a result, the rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti left Andrea Pirlo as their only option. Following President Giovanni Malagò’s rejection, the Italian legend has reportedly decided to resign from his position as technical director.

According to Sky Sports Italia, Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from the FIGC if Italy’s new head coach does not align with their vision of the game. While both are seeking a revolution, the potential candidate represent a continuation of the old approach. As the leaders behind these decisions, they believe that remaining in their roles without believing in the head coach would be a waste of time.

Report: Antonio Conte emerges as Malagò’s top Italy candidate

Without Paolo Maldini and Leonardo by his side, Giovanni Malagò appears to be the sole decision-maker in the selection of Italy’s new head coach. As a result, he is reportedly leaning toward a more conservative decision, seeking immediate impact. Antonio Conte is reportedly the absolute priority to become Italy’s new head coach. With this, Malagò is taking a completely different path from the one Maldini wanted.

Although the narrative of the rebuild pointed toward a new process, Conte represents a continuation of the old one. Basing his style of play on defense and counterattacking soccer, Italy appear determined to give the past another chance. In addition, the development of young players could be put on hold, as the head coach tends to rely on veterans, taking an approach that is focused only on winning in the short term.

Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, when the Herons host the game against the Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium. However, the presence of the Argentine legend remains a huge question since he’s yet to return to the team after his World Cup campaign.

As for his next game with Argentina, there is no game scheduled yet, but the next matchups will be in the upcoming international break in September. Still, his continuity at the helm of the Albiceleste remains a question since he hasn’t spoken after the 2026 World Cup final over his future.

During the World Cup, Messi featured in all eight matches for Argentina scoring eigth goals to cement his legacy as the second all-time top scorer in the torunament with 21 career World Cup goals. As for the 2026 MLS campaign, Messi has featured in 16 official matches so far across all competitions for Inter Miami, scoring 13 goals with 7 assist registered thus far.

Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title

The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time.

Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas.

The Argentina FA has announced that the national team will base itself in Kansas City during the tournament, though training facilities have yet to be confirmed. Expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will have a chance to add to his record haul with a squad coached by Lionel Scaloni that remains one of the strongest in international soccer after winning the last World Cup and back-to-back Copa América titles.

Scaloni dominated headlines in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, first by casting doubt on his future as national team boss and then by cutting his postgame press conference short after breaking down in tears. Despite the painful finish, the team’s relentless march to the World Cup final in North America earned widespread praise from Argentine supporters.

Upon receiving a hero’s welcome back home, Scaloni traveled to his hometown of Pujato near Rosario to spend time with his family, where fans spent the past five days gathered outside his house for photos and autographs. Before boarding a flight Sunday to rejoin his wife and children at their residence in Mallorca, Spain, the manager left behind a moving farewell note.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Scaloni addressed the fans directly to process his feelings. “All I can say is I am sorry for not having been able to bring you another cup and give you a new reason to rejoice that, even if only for a few days, might have made you forget all the ugly things in life,” part of the message said.

Scaloni also praised his squad of “warriors” while landing a subtle jab at the barrage of recent media criticism: “But I want you to hold onto what we have tried to show you through this group of players—my warriors, as I used to define them when I spoke about them to my wife. The effort, the desire, the will, the ‘I can,’ the not giving up (even when everything gets uphill), the giving it your all (even when you have nothing left), enduring buckets of cold water thrown at us (BY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW US), knowing how to conduct oneself, wanting to stay on your feet when your legs no longer obey your brain… That is the true trophy.“

He closed by expressing gratitude to his coaching staff, squad members, federation personnel, and the fan base that stood behind the team throughout their journey. “Whoever has an Argentine friend has a treasure,” Scaloni wrote.

Lionel Scaloni’s full statement

“After an intense week where sadness and joy have interwoven, tears with a smile, anguish with peace of mind, nerves with calm, I can finally sit down to write a few words—which, even though you know I’m not very fond of social media, might be the best medium to get this across to you.

“All I can say is I am sorry for not having been able to bring you another cup and give you a new reason to rejoice that, even if only for a few days, might have made you forget all the ugly things in life. But I want you to hold onto what we have tried to show you through this group of players—my warriors, as I used to define them when I spoke about them to my wife.

“The effort, the desire, the will, the ‘I can,’ the not giving up (even when everything gets uphill), the giving it your all (even when you have nothing left), enduring buckets of cold water thrown at us (BY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW US), knowing how to conduct oneself, wanting to stay on your feet when your legs no longer obey your brain… That is the true trophy.

“Eternally grateful to my coaching staff, the players, the AFA staff—those who work quietly so that we are comfortable—and to every single one of you for the affection received. Lionel Scaloni.“

“P.S.: Whoever has an Argentine friend has a treasure.“