During this summer’s World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada, Infantino drew broader public attention and fresh criticism. The event was mired in controversy even before kickoff, as U.S. visas were delayed—and in some cases denied—for fans, coaching staff and officials. In May, Iran’s tournament base was shifted to Mexico after the United...

In May 2023, Marmoush joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. Then 24, he hit the ground running, scoring 17 goals in all competitions in his first season. In the first half of 2024–25, he exceeded expectations with 15 Bundesliga goals from 8.9 expected goals, and supplied nine assists in 17 league matches....

O’Neill said the player was likely undergoing his medical at that very moment and admitted he was naturally disappointed to lose him after all he had contributed. He noted it was difficult to change the player’s mind. Without this opportunity, he felt the player would have been content to stay. Even when Nottingham Forest made...

Willie Miller (former Aberdeen and Scotland defender) – Do we really need sweeping changes? Is the problem with academy pathways? What, exactly, is wrong with Scottish football? – We’ve reached three major tournaments, fans are backing the league structure, and the numbers are strong. – I support the authorities and clubs coming together. There are...

Youth football in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland now limits heading, and separate measures have been introduced to curb heading during training in the English and Scottish professional games. In 2019, the FA- and PFA-funded Field study reported that footballers had a 3.5-times higher risk of neurodegenerative disease. Since then, the FA has advised clubs...

After last season’s finish, the Blues will not feature in European competition this year. While a club of Chelsea’s size aims to avoid that, playing just once a week does have its upsides. Since 2010-11, when the so-called ‘Big Six’ – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Tottenham – first all finished in...

Ashton says a major takeaway from their last Premier League season is the need to recruit greater athleticism and a broader range of physical profiles. The midfield lacked strength and ball-winning presence in 2024-25, so it’s vital that newcomers Florentino Luis and Sasa Lukic – both tested at the top level – make an immediate...

Before the tournament, former Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue told the BBC he believed African teams can be vulnerable to conceding late goals because of lapses in concentration. That view seemed to be borne out as DR Congo and the Ivorians both conceded 86th-minute winners in their last-32 fixtures, while Canada struck in the second...

Former Barcelona boss Xavi has been named head coach of the Netherlands on a four-year contract. The 46-year-old ex-Barcelona and Spain midfielder becomes the first non-Dutch manager to lead the Oranje since Austrian Ernst Happel left in 1978. Ronald Koeman resigned as Netherlands manager after a last-32 defeat by Morocco at this summer’s World Cup....

In February, close to 100 club officials, scouts and agents convened at Villa Park for a networking session. Over coffee and pastries at William McGregor’s in the Trinity Road Stand, representatives from clubs such as Liverpool, West Ham, Birmingham, Preston, Derby, Aston Villa and Manchester City mingled with agents, reviewing the winter window and laying...

The Argentine Football Association has designated 15 July as National Football Teams Day, commemorating Argentina’s 2026 World Cup semi-final victory over England on that date. England, chasing a first World Cup final since 1966, went ahead in Atlanta through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute. With Thomas Tuchel’s side dropping deep late on, Argentina struck...