Sarah Rendell

Al-Hilal is reportedly exploring moves for England strikers Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, although Kane may prefer to stay at Bayern Munich and no formal bid has yet been made for Watkins. Manchester United face possible departures involving Gavi and Joshua Zirkzee, while Napoli are pursuing several forwards. Other reported developments include Milan rejecting Coventry’s bid for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Manchester City considering Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton after Rodri joined Barcelona, and Everton showing interest in Jack Grealish.

The live blog previews France v England’s third-place playoff and Spain v Argentina’s World Cup final while reporting on Donald Trump’s criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in England’s semi-final defeat. Commentators debate England’s lack of possession, reliance on Harry Kane and Declan Rice, and Tuchel’s defensive approach. Spain are portrayed as the favourites after an unbeaten run, though former manager Vicente del Bosque warns that Argentina’s experience and resilience make them dangerous. The coverage also highlights FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Trump, criticism of World Cup-related treatment of homeless people, Joan Capdevila’s denied entry to the United States, and broader concerns about ticket prices and the tournament’s adoption of American sporting traditions.

The Guardian’s live coverage follows France and Spain’s preparations for their World Cup 2026 semi-final and England’s buildup to its meeting with Argentina in Atlanta. Declan Rice is recovering from illness and expected to be available, while all England players except Jordan Henderson train in Kansas City. Atlanta police have increased security, and FIFA has moved VAR officials on-site for the semi-finals after quarter-final criticism. The liveblog also covers England’s internal media tensions involving Thomas Tuchel, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane; France’s player-led tactical discussions; refereeing controversies surrounding Argentina; confirmed closing-ceremony performers; and a series of transfer updates involving Manchester City, Brighton, Arsenal and other clubs.

A Guardian interactive guide tracks women’s football transfers during the summer 2026 window across the NWSL, WSL, Liga F, Frauen-Bundesliga, Première Ligue and Serie A Femminile. The visible entries include loans, free transfers and undisclosed-fee deals involving clubs such as Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Brighton and Madrid CFF. The database reports 555 completed deals with a combined listed value of £1.9m, while Arsenal’s transfer balance is shown as £0.

Naomi Osaka defeated top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final, producing a performance praised as one of her best in years. Novak Djokovic also progressed, while Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame Alejandro Davidovich in a five-set classic. The live coverage tracked further matches involving defending champion Jannik Sinner, Hubert Hurkacz, Jan-Lennard Struff, Karolína Muchová and Jessica Pegula.

Day six at Wimbledon features Elise Mertens’ upset win over Elena Rybakina, while Iga Swiatek battles against Alexandra Eala in a tense match. Alex de Minaur advances after defeating Zachary Svajda, and Marta Kostyuk reaches the fourth round with a strong performance against Emma Navarro. Alexander Zverev opens play on No. 1 court following his French Open win, and Arthur Fery continues the British challenge on court 18. Mixed doubles and other singles matches round out a packed day across the tournament grounds.

Liv Apps is named the standout player of the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby season after driving Saracens’ success, with Meg Jones and Alex Matthews also recognized. Alex Austerberry wins best coach for guiding Saracens to the title, while Trailfinders’ run to their first final is highlighted as a major achievement. The article criticizes Saracens and Trailfinders for allowing captains Marlie Packer and Kate Zackary to leave, identifies Gloucester’s post-Six Nations collapse, Bristol’s poor season and an uncompetitive final as the biggest shocks, and praises Liana Mikaele-Tu’u as the best signing. It calls for league expansion and television match officials in every game, while noting financial and scheduling constraints.

Saracens defeated Trailfinders 52-14 at the Twickenham Stoop to win their first Premiership Women's Rugby title in four years. Marlie Packer scored twice in her final Saracens appearance, while Alysha Corrigan, Sydney Gregson, Jess Breach and Zoe Harrison also contributed tries. Trailfinders, appearing in their first final after eliminating Gloucester-Hartpury, struggled to convert early chances against Saracens' defence. The final drew 8,099 spectators, underscoring the growth of women's rugby.

The Guardian’s live coverage follows developments ahead of the next World Cup group matches. Reece James is expected to miss England’s game against Panama with a tight hamstring, while Declan Rice is also doubtful and Ezri Konsa may deputize at right-back. Norway are reported to be rotating heavily against France, potentially resting Erling Haaland, and France are without Didier Deschamps, who returned home after his mother’s death. Bastian Schweinsteiger defended comments describing Côte d’Ivoire’s football as “unorthodox” and “wild,” while coach Emerse Fae and others criticized the remarks as potentially racist; German broadcaster ARD supported Schweinsteiger. The blog also covers confirmed lineups, knockout-stage qualification, Ecuador’s celebrations after advancing, World Cup fan culture, Seattle’s Pride-match controversy, and football transfer activity during the tournament.

Trailfinders will make their first Premiership Women's Rugby final appearance against six-time finalists Saracens at Twickenham Stoop. Despite never having beaten Saracens and no fourth-place team having previously won the title, Trailfinders enter with confidence after eliminating three-time defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury. Both teams will also say goodbye to key players, including Trailfinders captain Kate Zackary and Saracens stalwarts Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan, while Holly Wood is set to referee just 86 days after giving birth.

Côte d’Ivoire defeated Curaçao 2-0 through two Nicolas Pépé goals, securing a place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history. Curaçao created chances and mounted late pressure but could not score, finishing bottom of the group despite a historic tournament campaign. Côte d’Ivoire will face France or Norway in the last 32.

Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 at the 2026 World Cup, moving top of Group K. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to end a goal drought, while Nuno Mendes, an own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov and Rafael Leão completed the rout. Portugal produced a much-improved performance, although Uzbekistan continued to create opportunities and exposed some defensive weaknesses. Uzbekistan’s tournament hopes remained alive pending the result between DR Congo and Colombia.

England have lost Tino Livramento to a training injury and called up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah as his replacement. Ghana is pursuing legal action in Canada to overturn the refusal of a World Cup visa for Thomas Partey, who faces rape and sexual-assault charges in Britain and denies the allegations. Iran has complained of oppressive treatment and disruptive travel arrangements imposed by US authorities and FIFA, while South Korea’s players have boycotted media duties after reporters allegedly mocked Son Heung-min’s military service. The live coverage also previews France v Senegal and other fixtures, discusses coaching changes and squad selection, and highlights emerging players including New Zealand’s Elijah Just.

The live coverage follows preparations and early matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA’s discrimination monitor urges the removal of Australian video-review official Shaun Evans over a hand gesture resembling a far-right “white power” symbol. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin faces criticism from several national associations after reportedly calling some expanded-tournament matches “uninteresting.” Iran arrive in Los Angeles amid protests, visa disputes, heightened security and tensions linked to the country’s conflict with the United States, while striker Mehdi Taremi says the situation undermines FIFA’s message of peace. UK authorities warn that 114 football-banning-order recipients have not surrendered their passports and could be arrested or stopped from attending matches. The blog also previews the day’s fixtures, reports strong early scoring rates, and covers team news involving Spain, Cape Verde, Belgium, Egypt, England, Scotland, Australia and Norway.

Ealing Trailfinders stunned three-time defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury 29-26 to reach the Premiership Women’s Rugby final. Saracens joined them after overcoming Exeter 40-38 in a volatile semifinal, with Olivia Apps scoring twice, Zoe Harrison delivering a decisive kicking performance and Jess Breach sealing the win late. Saracens will face Trailfinders on 28 June, seeking a fourth title and aiming to capitalize on avoiding Gloucester-Hartpury, who had beaten them twice in the league and in last season’s final.

Jo Yapp is preparing the inaugural British & Irish Lions women’s tour to New Zealand in 2027 and has consulted Andy Farrell, whose experience leading the men’s winning 2025 tour was considered valuable. She is still selecting her coaching staff and intends to bring together trusted, high-quality personnel. Although concerns remain that the squad could be dominated by England players, Yapp says she will select the best performers across the unions. Lions chief executive Ben Calveley defended New Zealand as the right destination while leaving open the possibility of future tours to other countries. Separately, Matt Smith resigned as Warwickshire RFU chair after disciplinary action over a sexist comment about Maggie Alphonsi.

Exeter defeated Sale 50-24 at Sandy Park, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scoring four tries and reaching 14 Premiership Women's Rugby tries for the season. The victory secured Exeter's playoff semi-final against Saracens on 13 June, while Gloucester-Hartpury will face Ealing Trailfinders in the other semi-final. Sale finished their best league campaign since 2022-23 but will miss the playoffs, despite strengthening their squad for next season. Flo Robinson marked her 100th Exeter appearance, and Exeter's second-half performance built momentum ahead of the playoffs.

Rugby Football Union council member Matthew Smith was suspended from RFU privileges for seven months after posting a disparaging Facebook comment questioning Maggie Alphonsi’s knowledge of men’s rugby. An independent panel imposed a one-year ban but reduced it because of his support for a girls’ rugby festival and service to the sport. Smith will lose access to RFU premises, match tickets and travel expenses until 14 December, while retaining his voting rights and ability to attend meetings virtually. Alphonsi criticized the outcome as inadequate and said it demonstrated that sexism and misogyny remain entrenched in rugby. Smith apologized and described the post as an error of judgment made during personal stress.

Premiership Women’s Rugby has explored expanding beyond its current nine teams, with English clubs such as Bath and unions from Wales, Scotland and Ireland expressing interest. Expansion is excluded from the 2026–27 season, and the next timetable remains uncertain. Players and coaches broadly support growth because it could improve international competition, develop other nations and eventually lead to a European women’s competition. However, many players remain non-professional, making Friday or Monday travel difficult; expansion would therefore require careful scheduling, stronger financial backing, suitable facilities and sustainable business plans.

Jo Yapp has been appointed head coach of the first women’s British & Irish Lions touring team, which will visit New Zealand in 2027 and play three Tests against the Black Ferns. Preferred over England head coach John Mitchell, Yapp will initially work part-time for the Lions before taking a sabbatical from her Rugby Football Union role to lead the tour full-time. The former England captain brings experience from playing, coaching in England, and leading Australia to the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. The Lions’ remaining coaching staff has yet to be announced, and the appointment is presented as a significant step for women’s rugby and the promotion of female coaches.

Mo Hunt discusses recovering from a season-ending medial collateral ligament injury suffered while playing for England in the Women's Six Nations. Although forced to watch from the sidelines, she welcomed Lucy Packer's performances as England secured an eighth consecutive title and fifth straight grand slam, including a win over France in Bordeaux. Hunt attributes Gloucester-Hartpury's sustained success to its strength in depth and expects the club to cope with further injuries while pursuing another Premiership Women's Rugby title. She is targeting a return for England's WXV fixtures in September and October and hopes to put herself in contention for the inaugural women's British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2027.