FIFA's plan to sell a minority stake in World Cup operations for $4.2 billion sparks outrage, with critics calling the $40 million offer to each supporting association 'pure bribery'
Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing political backlash due to his ambassadorial role with Russian betting company Fonbet, prompting evaluation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Manchester City opposes the Premier League's proposed £1.5bn, 10-year financial settlement to the English Football League, citing concerns over funding, particularly a planned increase in transfer fee levies from 4% to 6%.
FIFA seeks private investment exceeding £7.5bn for World Cup and competitions, sparking widespread criticism from Uefa, Concacaf, and the FA, with potential for a World Cup boycott.
A 23-year-old football player from Cowaramup, Western Australia, is charged with assault and choking after two incidents during a game in Kojonup, prompting police investigation and public outcry.
Manchester City excludes FIFA World Cup stars Rodri (Spain) and Erling Haaland (Norway) from their Asian tour squad, citing required rest after reaching the quarterfinals. The team, under new coach Enzo Maresca, will play in Hong Kong and Seoul without them.
Uefa criticizes Fifa's plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, offering member associations a one-off $20m payment, citing lack of transparency and governance concerns.
Hong Kong Football Festival organizers face fan backlash after slashing top-tier ticket prices by HK$1,000 for Bayern Munich vs. Aston Villa, while other matches struggle to sell out.
Neymar, 34, announces retirement from international football after 16 years with Brazil, ending his career as the nation's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances.
The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college football player, has issued subpoenas to major social media companies seeking account information and digital records, amid concerns that content may have been deleted from his Snapchat accounts before his death.
FIFA's plan to sell World Cup chunks to private investors sparks outrage; Uefa must decide by 19 September, with potential seismic implications for football's governance and future.
South Korea will play friendly matches against Venezuela (Oct 2) and Uzbekistan (Oct 6) during the FIFA international match window, amid a coaching vacancy and recent FIFA ranking drops for both teams.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić retires after officiating the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, concluding a 19-year career marked by high-profile UEFA and FIFA appointments.
Fifa has proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise, a new body that would centralize commercial rights and allow minority private investment. The plan could bring extra funding to member associations but raises questions about control and influence.
Kick It Out reports a record 1,255 discrimination incidents in English football's 2025-26 season, with racism, homophobia, and antisemitism seeing significant increases, prompting calls for tougher sanctions from CEO Samuel Okafor.
A surge in UK consumer confidence, dubbed the 'Burnham bounce', driven by optimism in economic prospects, coincides with England's strong World Cup run and policy interventions like VAT cuts. However, deep inequalities and gloomy outlooks among older Britons and the poorest households threaten sustainability.
Jermain Defoe's managerial contract with National League side Woking was terminated after 4 months due to unmet expectations, including failure to submit a requested squad report.
Lionel Messi makes first public appearance after Argentina's 2026 FIFA World Cup final loss to Spain, watching a local match in Rosario before returning to Inter Miami.
Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old South African midfielder, found football as his 'safe space' amidst a life marked by socioeconomic challenges and personal tragedies, ultimately rising to international acclaim before his sudden death.
Referee Mathilde Demoncay, 26, suffered a concussion after being knocked down while breaking up a fight between male players during a friendly match between Metz and Fortuna Sittard in France.
Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura (59) scores his first competitive goal in nearly 4 years, helping Fukushima United win 7-0 in the Emperor’s Cup, as he prepares for his 42nd professional season.
The World Cup brought a significant boost to UK pubs, with 30m extra pints sold and £150m in added sales, outperforming previous tournaments like Euro 2024, though benefits were uneven across the hospitality sector.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has worn suits in unconventional settings, from swimming to playing football, to project authority and legitimacy for socialist ideas, despite potential discomfort and criticism.
After the FIFA World Cup 2026, football returns quickly with WAFCON 2026, the UEFA Super Cup, domestic league openers and new qualification cycles across continents.
