Designing new football boots can start as early as two years before launch, and brands often look to trend forecasters like WGSN to predict which colors, themes, and styles will resonate when the boots hit stores. There are also clear reasons pink has taken off in football. Today’s players are more comfortable wearing bold, attention-grabbing...

Venkatesham and the club’s revamped leadership team now face their first big decision: making their inaugural managerial appointment. They must decide whether to bring in a caretaker until the summer before naming a permanent coach, or move straight to a long-term hire. An interim solution is under serious consideration, given how dramatically the coaching market...

England forward Freya Godfrey has committed to London City Lionesses on a new three-year deal. The 21-year-old was a standout in the club’s inaugural Women’s Super League season, earning multiple England senior call-ups in 2025-26. Godfrey initially arrived on loan from Arsenal in January 2025 and made the move permanent last summer. She was voted...

Ecuador have lodged a complaint with World Cup organizers after local supporters gathered outside their team hotel and made noise ahead of their last-32 match against co-hosts Mexico. Local media said roughly 1,000 Mexico fans staged a loud “serenade” in Mexico City on Monday. The game is scheduled for Wednesday (02:00 BST) at Mexico City...

Players sent off at the 2026 World Cup will be banned for one match. This applies to both straight red cards and dismissals for two cautions in the same game. FIFA may also issue additional penalties if it considers them warranted. Three players were shown red cards in the tournament’s opening match. As a result,...

Reece James sat out England training on Thursday, casting doubt on his availability for the Three Lions’ final Group L match against Panama. The 26-year-old right-back picked up a hamstring problem during Tuesday’s goalless draw with Ghana and missed England’s penultimate session before Saturday’s 22:00 BST kick-off. It is unclear whether the Chelsea defender will...

Belgian football consultant and podcaster Scott Coyne says Hearts have pulled off something of a coup by appointing Vrancken. He believes Vrancken had opportunities in France and Germany but chose Hearts for the chance of Champions League football and the appeal of Edinburgh. Coyne feels last season’s success gives Vrancken a blueprint to build on...

Jordan Pickford: Smart first-half stop to deny Jose Luis Rodriguez soon after the first drinks break, though a few shaky clearances. 6 Jarell Quansah: First World Cup start at right-back. Lacked Reece James’ passing range but defended well; subbed off with an ankle issue after the break. 6 Ezri Konsa: Hit a fine diagonal to...

Hearts forward Claudio Braga says his sole focus is on Champions League qualifiers and reaffirms his commitment to the club despite mounting transfer speculation and links to France. Falkirk are working to finalise a loan move for 21-year-old Ipswich Town midfielder Finley Barbrook. Celtic are set to confirm the appointments of coaches Mark Fotheringham and...