Scott Trotter

Mikel Arteta was seen giving goalkeeper David Raya an intense but apparently non-confrontational tactical message shortly after Kai Havertz doubled Arsenal’s lead against Manchester City in the Community Shield. Arsenal had taken an early lead through Riccardo Calafiori, with Raya making notable saves to deny Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Martin Odegaard later made it 3–0, securing Arsenal’s 18th Community Shield win.

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to pay Jorge Salinas’s €16 million release clause as they seek defensive reinforcements. The 19-year-old Racing Santander full-back, who helped the club earn promotion to La Liga, has also attracted interest from Atlético Madrid after Matteo Ruggeri’s impending move to Aston Villa. Racing officials and manager Jose Alberto want to retain Salinas but accept that a club paying the clause could force his departure.

A brawl broke out among supporters in the away section during Wolves' 3–0 Carabao Cup victory over Port Vale at Molineux. Police intervened after punches were exchanged and fans moved through the stands, with children reportedly nearby. Port Vale said it was investigating the incident with Wolverhampton Wanderers and relevant authorities. Wolves scored all three goals in the first half, while Port Vale manager Jon Brady praised his team's bravery and performance despite the loss; Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto welcomed the win but said the squad still needed strengthening.

FIFA dismissed as “pure fiction” reports that Gianni Infantino had contacted Donald Trump or his administration for support amid backlash over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. The proposal to sell a minority stake in FIFA tournaments was withdrawn after criticism and threats from UEFA. England, Wales and Serbia have withdrawn support for Infantino’s re-election, while Qatar, Morocco and several other associations continue to back him and praise his decision to abandon the plan.

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose future could become uncertain if Arsenal sign Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Arsenal would prefer to retain the 19-year-old, while more established players such as Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are viewed as likelier departures. Lewis-Skelly’s versatility could address United’s need for another midfielder and left-back cover, although the club is also pursuing Newcastle defender Lewis Hall.

CONCACAF has rejected FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise and sell a minority stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors, citing inadequate due process, a short deadline and insufficient governance review. UEFA has also unanimously opposed the plan and said its national teams would boycott FIFA competitions unless the proposal is abandoned, with the Football Association and Scottish FA backing that position. FIFA argues the scheme could raise £3.1 billion and provide immediate funding to member associations, but critics question why private equity is needed after the most profitable World Cup in history and insist that football’s major competitions should remain under football institutions’ control.

Manchester United are reportedly considering using Marcus Rashford as part of a deal to sign Roma midfielder Manu Koné, whose club values him at £51 million. Roma want a left-sided forward and may accept Rashford in a loan or swap arrangement, but his £325,000 weekly wages would likely require substantial salary support from United. United would prefer a permanent exit after loan spells at Barcelona and Aston Villa failed to produce a transfer, while Michael Carrick has indicated he would work with Rashford if he returns to Old Trafford.

Chelsea are reportedly pursuing surprise moves for experienced players Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as new manager Xabi Alonso reshapes the squad. Henderson could leave Brentford on a free transfer despite having a contract through 2027, while Chelsea previously failed to advance its interest in Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka. Alonso says further arrivals and departures are possible, with the club seeking a balanced squad capable of handling injuries, multiple competitions and the Premier League season.

Manchester United’s interest in Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni could become more expensive after Real Madrid agreed a three-year contract extension that improved his salary and strengthened their negotiating position. United reportedly conducted background checks on the Frenchman and remain interested if he becomes available. The transfer may depend on whether Real Madrid can sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri and whether it needs to raise funds through major sales, including possible moves involving Vinícius Júnior. Manchester United have already added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to a midfield group featuring Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount.

BBC Sport has ended Fantasy 606, later known as the FPL pod, ahead of the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season. Presenter Alistair Bruce-Ball announced the decision with co-presenters Chris Sutton and Statman Dave, thanking listeners, contributors and producers after 108 episodes. The cancellation comes amid wider BBC reductions to commissioned programming, including reported cuts to hundreds of hours of audio content. Fans expressed widespread disappointment, while Bruce-Ball said he would continue running the BBC Sport fantasy football league.

Paul Scholes criticizes England manager Thomas Tuchel for his comments following England’s World Cup semi‑final defeat to Argentina, suggesting the coach may be trying to engineer his dismissal. Scholes and Nicky Butt question Tuchel’s public remarks, treatment of players, and squad decisions, raising concerns about his suitability to lead the team into Euro 2028 despite his contract and England’s best World Cup performance since 1966.

Pep Guardiola has held talks with the Italian Football Federation regarding their vacant national team coaching role as part of a wider leadership overhaul following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met with him in Barcelona amid interest also from England and Brazil. Guardiola currently holds an advisory position within the City Football Group, though reports suggest it would not prevent him from accepting a new coaching job. Other candidates linked include Roberto Mancini, while recent departures from Italy’s setup include Gennaro Gattuso, Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon.

Scottie Scheffler defended Bryson DeChambeau following DeChambeau’s two‑shot penalty at The Open, arguing that enforcement of rules needs more consistency and that DeChambeau acted carelessly rather than intentionally. Scheffler stressed that DeChambeau is not a cheater and noted how televised scrutiny can distort incidents. The penalty sparked delays after DeChambeau disputed the ruling with R&A officials. Rory McIlroy criticised DeChambeau’s behaviour, saying the penalty was justified and that his prolonged challenge disrupted the tournament.

Scottie Scheffler showed visible frustration after a wayward tee shot on the 17th hole at The Open led to a complex rules situation and a dropped ball. Despite recovering with a birdie on the same hole, he was unable to gain enough momentum to contend for the lead, finishing with a final‑round 67 and a total of seven under par. Scheffler reflected positively on his fight and ball‑striking throughout the week but noted missed opportunities, particularly with his putting. His performance marked an improvement from missing the cut at the Scottish Open the previous week.

Michael Owen called for a ban on foreign coaches managing international teams following England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, criticising Thomas Tuchel’s defensive tactics after taking the lead. Robbie Fowler and Chris Sutton also questioned Tuchel’s suitability to lead England forward. Despite the criticism, Tuchel reaffirmed his commitment to continue through Euro 2028 and received backing from FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who praised the team’s efforts and acknowledged the disappointment of the exit.

Argentina’s stoppage‑time winner against England sparked controversy after Lionel Messi appeared to stamp on Djed Spence in the buildup, prompting claims that VAR failed to review a potential foul. Fans highlighted inconsistencies in officiating and referenced previous incidents involving Messi, while Argentina dismissed accusations of preferential treatment. The win sent Argentina to the World Cup final against Spain, with England set to face France in the third‑place match.

Footage shows Jude Bellingham confronting Valentin Barco after England’s World Cup defeat to Argentina, sparking a brief scuffle involving players from both teams. The tension stemmed from Barco’s earlier provocations during Argentina’s equaliser. England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactical decisions and praised his squad’s resilience despite the loss.

England will keep Thomas Tuchel as manager through Euro 2028 despite a World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina and widespread criticism of his tactics. The Football Association is standing by Tuchel, who recently signed a contract extension. Former players including Chris Sutton, Iker Casillas and Thomas Muller condemned England’s defensive approach after taking the lead, while Tuchel defended his decisions and insisted he had no regrets.

Micah Richards learned of his father's unexpected death shortly before appearing on the BBC's coverage of England's World Cup match against Argentina but chose to continue the broadcast in his father's honour. He described Lincoln Richards as a devoted supporter who rarely missed a game throughout his life. Tributes from across the sporting world, including messages from Jamie Carragher, Joe Hart and other athletes, expressed condolences and support. Richards has previously spoken about his father's strong influence on his upbringing and career.

Princess Catherine celebrated Wimbledon with an Instagram post featuring highlights of the tournament including champions Jannik Sinner and Linda Noskova, though runner‑up Alexander Zverev was not shown in her images. She attended the finals with her family and presented trophies to the finalists. Zverev, who had praised the honour of playing before royalty, was absent from the shared photos. Sinner later spoke warmly about the royal family's enthusiasm for tennis after meeting them following his victory.

A White House official, Andrew Giuliani, expressed support for England to win the World Cup, highlighting the appeal of the team securing victory in the United States during its 250th anniversary year. With the U.S. eliminated, he praised England’s balanced squad and the influence of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Donald Trump’s admiration for Kane, including a past golf outing, was noted as he is set to participate in the trophy presentation.

Micah Richards plans to leave mainstream football punditry by age 46 to focus on grassroots work aimed at supporting young people in under‑resourced communities. Despite his success across major broadcasters, he intends for the 2034 World Cup to be his final major media involvement. Richards cites his background in Leeds and his desire to create meaningful opportunities as motivation for the career shift, while reflecting on key decisions from his playing days that shaped his extensive broadcasting workload.

Kylian Mbappe’s missed penalty against Morocco sparked frustration after a prolonged delay before the kick, with Roy Keane criticising the three‑minute wait as unfair and advantageous to the defending team. The stoppage, reportedly linked to a VAR review, led to a weak attempt saved by Yassine Bounou, prompting Mbappe to confront the referee. Ally McCoist criticised both the delay and Mbappe’s run‑up. FIFA’s decision to assign an all‑Argentine officiating team fuelled criticism and conspiracy claims, though Pierluigi Collina defended the referees’ integrity.

Clare Balding questioned Linda Noskova’s pre-match superstition of drinking oat matcha before Eugenie Bouchard urged her to accept it given Noskova’s success in reaching the Wimbledon final. Noskova discussed her extensive superstitions after defeating Marta Kosyuk to set up an all-Czech final with Karolina Muchova, while Annabel Croft reflected on similar habits from her playing days.

Jannik Sinner reportedly moved his practice session to avoid training alongside Novak Djokovic ahead of their Wimbledon semi-final, aiming to keep his preparation private. Djokovic trained for an hour despite a taxing quarter-final, stressing the need to recover before facing the world number one. Both players acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, noting the unique challenges posed by Wimbledon’s conditions.

Chelsea are reportedly willing to sell Alejandro Garnacho after leaving him off their not‑for‑sale list, opening the door for Manchester United to benefit from a 10 percent sell‑on clause. Garnacho struggled for regular playing time during his first season and faces further competition following new signings. United could also profit from potential transfers involving Mason Greenwood and Facundo Pellistri, both of whom were sold with significant sell‑on clauses.

Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup, but a VAR decision disallowing a goal for Egypt triggered widespread controversy and online claims of a rigged match. Critics argued the review went too far back in play and contradicted the tournament’s refereeing standards. Messi’s volley and a late header from Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback, while journalists questioned the use and scope of VAR in the disallowed goal.

Emmanuel Macron publicly supported Kylian Mbappe after the footballer denounced racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla following France’s win over Paraguay. Mbappe condemned the comments as racist, prompting Macron to praise him for standing against discrimination. Amarilla later demanded an apology, threatened legal action, and claimed she faced similar insults as a mixed‑race person. The French Football Federation also condemned the remarks as criminal and stated it would refer the matter to prosecutors, reaffirming its stance against racism.

Portugal exited the World Cup after a stoppage‑time defeat to Spain, prompting head coach Roberto Martinez to resign as his contract expired. He said continuing without winning the tournament would not make sense and emphasized that it marked the end of a cycle. Martinez thanked Portuguese football leadership for their support and praised Cristiano Ronaldo for his leadership and impact in what was likely his final World Cup. Portugal’s campaign included inconsistent performances despite a strong win over Uzbekistan before falling short against Spain.

Jordan Henderson is expected to miss the remainder of the World Cup after suffering a suspected broken arm during England’s celebrations in Mexico, yet he intends to rejoin the squad after surgery to support teammates. His leadership, professionalism and influence within the group are highlighted as invaluable, with coaches and players keen to keep him involved despite his injury. The situation reinforces perceptions of his future potential in management.

Belgium’s football association plans to challenge Folarin Balogun’s eligibility after FIFA rejected its appeal over the striker’s suspension being lifted. Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA suspended his ban for a year. The decision sparked criticism after Donald Trump confirmed calling FIFA’s Gianni Infantino regarding the matter, though Infantino insisted he played no role in disciplinary decisions. Belgium accused FIFA of procedural failures, including withholding documents and mishandling appeal communications, and vows to continue contesting the issue to defend fair competition principles.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino denied influencing the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red‑card ban after receiving a call from U.S. President Donald Trump. He emphasized the independence of FIFA’s judicial bodies amid criticism from figures including Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp. Trump praised the reversal, arguing the punishment was unfair, while Belgium expressed frustration after their appeal was ruled inadmissible ahead of their World Cup match against the United States.

Marcus Rashford impressed England teammates during a training session in Mexico City with a skillful nutmeg on Ezri Konsa ahead of their World Cup last‑16 qualification match against Mexico. Players reacted with laughter and praise, highlighting Rashford’s reputation for technical ability. Thomas Tuchel downplayed concerns about noise disturbances near the team hotel and expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation. Rashford aims to retain his place in the lineup as competition continues for the left‑wing position.

Chelsea are willing to consider offers of around £50 million for midfielder Andrey Santos, attracting interest from Manchester United as they look to reinforce their midfield following departures and injuries. Several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, are monitoring Santos, whose opportunities may diminish as Chelsea plan further midfield recruitment. Chelsea maintain a similar stance on Enzo Fernandez but a move appears unlikely after Real Madrid ruled out pursuing him. Rio Ferdinand urged Manchester United to target Aurelian Tchouameni should he become available.

Portugal advanced past Croatia after a controversial VAR intervention ruled out a late equaliser, prompting anger among Croatian players and staff. Cristiano Ronaldo comforted a distraught Petar Sucic after the match, while Croatia questioned the technology used to determine a touch by Igor Matanovic in the buildup. FIFA defended the call using data from the Trionda match ball, though players remained unconvinced. Croatia’s coach criticised the refereeing and VAR’s impact on the sport as Portugal secured a last‑16 meeting with Spain.

England advanced to the World Cup last 16 after Harry Kane led a second‑half comeback to defeat DR Congo 2‑1, setting up a match against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, where the hosts hold an imposing record. Victory would send England to a quarter-final against Brazil or Norway, followed by a potential semi-final in Atlanta. Their possible semi-final opponents remain undecided as several round‑of‑32 fixtures continue across the tournament.

Naomi Osaka advanced to the Wimbledon third round with a straight-sets win over Anastasia Gasanova but downplayed her performance during her post-match interview, citing nerves and areas she hoped to improve in practice. She expressed relief at securing the victory ahead of her daughter's birthday and looked ahead to facing either Janice Tjen or Daria Kasatkina for a place in the fourth round.

Riot police deployed water cannons and made arrests across several Dutch cities after celebrations by the country’s Moroccan community turned violent following Morocco’s World Cup penalty shootout win over the Netherlands. Officers in The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam faced fireworks, stone‑throwing and overturned barriers while attempting to disperse crowds. Order was restored by early morning. The loss intensified criticism of manager Ronald Koeman, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic condemning the team’s performance and tactical approach.