Spain play possession-based football, not 'tiki-taka': De la Fuente

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS following Spain's World Cup triumph, the 65-year-old coach reflected on the tactical identity that carried his side to a flawless tournament, while also reiterating the values that have shaped one of the most successful international teams in recent years.
27 July 2026

Russian betting company ties spark resistance to appointing Pirlo as Italy coach

The 47-year-old World Cup winner had emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Gennaro Gattuso after former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly turned down the position.
26 July 2026

Kyrgyzstan invites Bangladesh for tri-nation tournament in Sept-Oct

The BFF president had previously stated that Bangladesh would hold a 10-day training camp for the September-October window, beginning on September 21.
26 July 2026

Female referee suffers concussion after being knocked to the ground

A female referee suffered concussion when she was knocked to the ground as she tried to break up a melee between male players during a friendly between French club Metz and Fortuna Sittard of the Netherlands on Saturday, media reports said.
26 July 2026

'King Kazu' Miura scores first competitive goal after four years at 59

Japanese soccer icon Kazuyoshi Miura scored his first competitive goal in nearly four years on Saturday, finding the net at the age of 59 as Fukushima United thrashed Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 to advance in the Emperor's Cup.
26 July 2026

Iraola begins Liverpool reign with pre-season win over Sunderland

Liverpool claimed a 4-2 pre-season victory over fellow Premier League side Sunderland on Saturday in Andoni Iraola's first game in charge, but it came at a cost after defender Joe Gomez sustained an injury.
26 July 2026

Neymar answers critics with poker-themed celebration

Neymar responded to criticism over his appearance at a poker tournament in the best way he knew how -- by scoring twice for Santos before mocking his detractors with a card-dealing goal celebration.
26 July 2026

Bangladesh football's rise sparks SAFF rethink

A logo inspired by Bangladesh's traditional Jamdani weaving and Nakshi Kantha embroidery was unveiled at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka yesterday, carrying the colours and identity of South Asia's seven nations as the symbol of the upcoming SAFF Championship.
26 July 2026

Messi makes first public appearance in Rosario after World Cup heartbreak

The Argentina captain attended a Primera C league match between Leones FC -- a club run by his family -- and Central Córdoba on Saturday at the Antonio Di Giacomo Stadium in Arroyo Seco, near his hometown of Rosario, where he is spending time with his family before resuming club duties with Inter Miami.
26 July 2026

Messi-less Miami win on Casemiro debut

Luis Suarez converted a penalty in the 81st minute to secure the victory after Miami's Mexico international German Berterame was injured in a sickening clash of heads.
26 July 2026

Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS

Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week's Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday.
26 July 2026

Varane concussions motivate Como to ban heading in academy teams

Italian Serie A club Como have announced they are banning heading until the under-11 team after consultation from board member the former France star Raphael Varane.
25 July 2026

Understanding autism: How Cucurella’s curls changed the conversation

Sometimes awareness campaigns arrive in official leaflets. Sometimes they arrive via a 28-year-old left-back flying down the touchline at the “greatest show on earth”
25 July 2026

Rodri to Real? How his potential transfer could transform Madrid and Man City tactically

Should Rodri complete his return to Madrid, one club would gain arguably the game's outstanding midfield organiser. The other would lose an irreplaceable individual but could ultimately discover a more flexible collective identity.
25 July 2026

Can Klopp revive Germany?

Jurgen Klopp has been given the task of putting the German national team back on the road to success. After three disappointing World Cups in a row, Germany have lost their reputation as a ‘tournament team’. Having failed to make it out of their group in 2018 and 2022, their most recent campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
25 July 2026

Brazil in advanced talks for historic Kolkata friendly: Reports

The Brazil national football team could be heading to the subcontinent for an international friendly later this year, with Kolkata emerging as the likely host city for a match in early October.
25 July 2026

'Mind your own business': Neymar hits back at critics over poker controversy

The 34-year-old came under fire after photos emerged of him taking part in a poker tournament in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, the same day Santos thrashed Venezuela's Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) 4-1 in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana play-off for a place in the round of 16.
25 July 2026

IOC reject complaint against FIFA chief Infantino over 'political neutrality'

The FairSquare complaint alleges that Infantino has "repeatedly breached IOC's rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for US president Donald Trump".
25 July 2026

New Germany coach Klopp says he'll quit if media targets his family

The 59-year-old German, known for his high-intensity football and direct communication style, has been tasked with leading the four-times world champions into a new era after another disappointing World Cup campaign.
25 July 2026

Cape Verde World Cup hero Vozinha agrees move to Chile's Colo Colo

Vozinha, who left Portuguese second-tier side Chaves before the World Cup, was voted into FIFA's fan-selected World Cup dream team after helping tournament debutants Cape Verde hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw and pushing eventual runners-up Argentina into extra time in the last 32.
25 July 2026