The FIFA World Cup 2026 first semifinal pits rivals France against Spain in Dallas. The match features stars Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. France has a slight edge in predictions, but Spain boasts a strong defense.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino received a call from US President Donald Trump before Folarin Balogun's red card suspension was lifted, allowing him to play against Belgium. The decision, challenged by UEFA, was upheld by Fifa.
Uefa has accused Fifa of crossing 'a red line' by lifting Folarin Balogun’s suspension, putting European football on a war footing with the world governing body. This escalates a long-standing power struggle, fueled by financial interests and governance disputes.
Fifa and European Football Clubs (EFC) have formed a joint venture to operate the Club World Cup, aiming to expand the lucrative tournament to 48 teams by 2029. This collaboration could lift country caps, increasing European club participation and commercial value, despite ongoing delays in solidarity payments from the last event.
West Ham faces relegation after a season marred by poor planning, questionable recruitment, and internal dysfunction. Despite European success, the club's financial woes and strategic missteps under major shareholder David Sullivan have led to a crisis, with fears of further financial rule breaches and a difficult future in the Championship.
Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea's failure to qualify for European competitions next season will make them a "real threat" in the Premier League, citing a less congested fixture list and new manager Xabi Alonso as key factors.
Brighton secured Conference League football for next season despite losing their final match, relying on results elsewhere. Manchester United secured a win, with Bruno Fernandes setting a new Premier League assist record.
Bournemouth secured European football for the first time in their history, finishing sixth in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola. Despite a strong season, their Champions League aspirations were dashed by results elsewhere, settling for the Europa League.
Bournemouth secured Europa League football for the first time in their history, finishing sixth in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola. Despite a strong season and a late push, they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.
Bournemouth must upgrade Vitality Stadium to host European football next season. UEFA granted a provisional license, but hospitality and broadcasting facilities need improvement. Plans for expansion are under review.
Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Manchester City guarantees them European football next season, potentially in the Europa League or even the Champions League through various Premier League and Europa League final outcomes.
Arsenal wins the Premier League title after 22 years, ending Pep Guardiola's decade of dominance at Manchester City. Bournemouth secured European football with a draw against City, whose manager is set to depart.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late goal secured a home victory for Leeds against Brighton, potentially harming Brighton's European qualification hopes. Brighton now needs a win against Manchester United to secure a Conference League spot.
Right-back has unique skill but there is more to his game as he targets European football and an Italy call-upThere is only one place to start with Brentford’s Michael Kayode: his unique baby gender reveal at an empty Gtech Community Stadium in February. The 21-year-old walked towards the West Stand, the frame of the goal covered in balloons, and after wiping the ball with a towel, it was time for his trademark long throw, though on this occasion only from the edge of the D. After the ball rippled the net, pink smoke confirmed his partner, Eleonora, is expecting a girl.Given Kayode launched the ball 65.4 metres last September – further than any other player in the Premier League since Opta began recording such data in 2019-20 – it is hard not to think he was underselling himself. “I didn’t want to miss,” he says, breaking into laughter, “so I just kept it easy.” Family, friends, a videographer and photographer, plus the couple’s pomeranian, Kiri, were the only ones present. “It was a really special moment and celebrating like this was unbelievable … I just have to say thanks to Brentford for giving me use of the stadium.” Continue reading...
⚽ Updates from the 8pm BST kick-off; agg 3-1⚽ Villa v Forest – live | Scores | Mail NiallBack in April 1962, Crystal Palace hosted Real Madrid in a friendly to christen Selhurst Park’s new floodlights. Alfredo Di Stéfano graced the pitch with “effortless ease at walking pace” (according to the Croydon Advertiser) and his team ran out 4-3 winners.Save for a solitary Intertoto Cup tie and a few Anglo-Italian Cup outings, that was pretty much it for Palace and European football, until this very season. It’s been a steep learning curve – demoted from Europa to Conference League, Palace had to progress via the playoff round while planning for the summer departure of Oliver Glasner. Continue reading...
⚽️ Champions League news, 8pm BST kick-off (first leg: 1-1)⚽️ Today’s Football Daily | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail ScottThe two biggest names in European football never to win the continent’s biggest prize meet for a place in the final. It’s 20 years since Arsenal found themselves 14 minutes from glory, only for Barcelona to hit them with a couple of sucker punches; their continental roll of honour (one Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, one Cup Winners’ Cup) is absurdly short given the size and status of the grand old club. Atlético Madrid have made more of an imprint in Europe, with three Europa Leagues, a Cup Winners’ Cup and three Super Cups, but the big one has eluded them as well: they’ve suffered the trophy being snatched from under their nose in excruciating circumstances not just once but three times, in 1974, 2014 and 2016, insult being bundled up with injury on the latter two occasions by good old Real Madrid.We’re not quite at the Something’s Got To Give stage, seeing this is just the semi, and whoever gets through will be strong second favourites against either Bayern Munich or PSG. But something’s got to give at some point, surely, and reaching the final is the necessary step in making that dream possible. So here we are. Atleti were the better side last week in Madrid, yet Arsenal were nevertheless a contentious penalty decision away from a priceless victory. Mikel Arteta’s men were certainly the better side when the teams met during the league phase last October, though, scoring four goals in 14 second-half minutes. So both teams will fancy their chances. Kick-off is at 8pm BST. Extra time and penalties not beyond the realms. It’s on! Continue reading...
Brentford are on the brink of European qualification in what has been a remarkable season, sitting sixth in the Premier League with three games remaining. Despite losing manager Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and star forward Bryan Mbeumo over the summer, the Bees have exceeded expectations under new manager Keith Andrews. Sixth place could earn Champions League qualification if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, with up to nine English teams potentially qualifying for Europe next season.
João Cancelo is on the brink of a unique European football milestone, with a potential La Liga title at Barcelona set to make him the first player to win four of Europe’s “Big Five” leagues. Having already lifted trophies in Italy, England and Germany, the achievement would surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross-league record and underline Cancelo’s unusual, globe-spanning career path.
Ryan Sessegnon's first-half strike leads Fulham to a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa at Craven Cottage in the Premier League, to strengthen Marco Silva's side's push for European football next season.
Premier League survival stakes reach boiling point as winless Tottenham travel to already-relegated Wolves, while West Ham host Everton just two points above the drop zone. Liverpool attempt to avoid becoming first side in history to lose four times to Crystal Palace in a single season across all competitions.
Hong Kong will host four major European football clubs - Manchester City, Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan - at Kai Tak Stadium in August for the second Hong Kong Football Festival. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said the event demonstrates Hong Kong's ability to attract major international events and positions the city as a global destination for world-class sport.
