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.

Bangladesh have kept Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud lined up, with the latter having flown back from his LPL stint yesterday.

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.

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.

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes Australia's decision to name a full-strength squad for the upcoming two-Test series is an achievement in itself for the Tigers, saying it reflects the respect they have earned in the format.

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.

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".

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.

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.

Fortis will host Kyrgyzstan’s Muras United FC at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka, while Police will face Syria’s six-time league champions Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC in Jordan on August 11.

Enzo Maresca said Friday it is a "privilege" to follow Pep Guardiola as manager of Manchester City.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reached an agreement with former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo to become the national team's coach on a four-year deal, Italian daily La Repubblica reported on Friday.

Mark van Bommel is the new coach of the Belgian national football team, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) announced on Friday.

Former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to coach the Italy national team, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Friday, confirming media reports.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player also backed Lionel Messi to continue his international career for as long as he wishes.

With the World Cup hangover still lingering, fans barely have time to catch their breath before Europe's top five leagues return for the 2026-27 season, bringing the world's biggest stars back to their familiar battlegrounds as supporters once again don their club colours.

Germany have appointed Juergen Klopp as head coach on a four-year contract, the country’s football association (DFB) said on Friday, handing the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager the task of leading the national team into a new era after another disappointing World Cup campaign.

Bangladesh have secured a direct place in the knockout stage of the men's cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Nagoya, Japan, in September.

Since 1962, Argentina have come closer than any team to breaking that pattern, holding the record as the only nation to reach a World Cup final as holders twice

Former Argentina striker Mario Alberto Kempes has urged fans to reject conspiracy theories that have circulated on social media following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.