Besiktas/Alanyaspor

Chelsea Football Club has landed in Hong Kong, marking the second phase of their 2026 pre-season tour, following initial preparations in Australia. The squad, under manager Xabi Alonso, is set to face Italian side Juventus in a key friendly.

Kabras Sugar RFC clinched the 2026 Dala 7s title, overcoming Menengai Oilers 17-5 in a compelling final at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium. This victory marks their first circuit title of the season and reclaims the Dala 7s crown.

Kabras Sugar RFC secured the 2026 Dala 7s title with a commanding 19-5 victory over Menengai Oilers, a win that saw head coach Carlos Katywa laud his team's fearless young talents. This triumph propels Kabras to the top of the National Sevens Circuit standings.

Lithuanian champions Gintra will face Scottish titleholders Heart of Midlothian in a UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying semi-final, marking Hearts' debut in the prestigious competition.

Chelsea FC Women have immersed themselves in New Zealand's rich Māori culture as part of their pre-season tour, participating in a traditional pōwhiri ceremony ahead of a landmark friendly match.

New captain Kayci Odhiambo has ignited hope among AFC Leopards supporters, declaring that "Something is cooking" as the club targets the Kenyan Premier League title after a strong second-place finish last season.

Premier League champions Arsenal are set to meet UEFA Champions League qualifiers Real Betis today in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, marking the first-ever encounter between the two clubs.

Kwanele Kopo has publicly backed Pitso Mosimane to take over as Bafana Bafana head coach, advocating for continuity following Hugo Broos's departure after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mosimane has officially applied for the position and is considered a frontrunner.

The South African Football Association is set to announce the new Bafana Bafana head coach on August 8, following Hugo Broos's successful five-year tenure. Four prominent names are in contention for the role, with immediate focus on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds has called for a brave performance from his squad as they prepare for a challenging UEFA Conference League third qualifying round first leg against Danish club FC Midtjylland. The Irish side aims to make history by progressing further in European competition.

The Confederation of African Football will host the preliminary round draws for its premier club competitions on Thursday, marking the official start of the 2026/27 season. Teams from across the continent will discover their initial opponents in Cairo.

Hibernian Football Club's manager, David Gray, has issued a stern warning about the intensity required in European competition, following a challenging start to their UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign. The Scottish side narrowly advanced after overcoming a first-leg deficit.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will miss the opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to a CAF suspension, presenting an early challenge for the Atlas Lions.

Mamelodi Sundowns are actively seeking international bids for winger Thapelo Maseko, signaling a clear preference for an overseas move over a domestic transfer to avoid strengthening local rivals.

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has lauded the efforts of both Nick Mwendwa and Hussein Mohammed in advancing Kenyan football, particularly in national team management. He also highlighted critical areas requiring further investment for sustained growth.

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior has reportedly declined Real Madrid's latest contract extension proposal, fueling speculation that Premier League champions Arsenal are preparing a substantial offer to secure his services.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again secured the top position in global football salary rankings, with an estimated weekly base salary of £3.42 million. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi re-enters the list at 13th, highlighting a significant financial shift influenced by the Saudi Pro League.

Kenya's Harambee Starlets concluded their 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign without a point or a goal, prompting players and coach to reflect on the significant gap separating them from the continent's top teams.

Express Football Club were officially declared champions of the 2020/2021 StarTimes Uganda Premier League by the Federation of Uganda Football Association, securing their place in the CAF TotalEnergies Champions League.

Martin O'Neill, now the permanent manager of Celtic, has publicly accepted full responsibility for the club's upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign. His leadership will be pivotal as the Scottish champions navigate the play-off rounds for a coveted group stage spot.

Newly promoted Hull City has entered the race to sign Nigeria-eligible German forward Justin Njinmah from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. Championship club Southampton also maintains a keen interest in the versatile attacker.

Leandro Trossard is reportedly on the verge of joining Besiktas, with the Belgian international having agreed to personal terms and a transfer fee settled between Arsenal and the Turkish club.

Premier League champions Arsenal are making a renewed push to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid while progressing on a deal for Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, signaling a determined effort to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

Lazio is reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign Dutch centre-back Danilho Doekhi, who became a free agent after his contract with Union Berlin expired. This move is central to the Roman club's defensive restructuring under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Liverpool is reportedly at the forefront of securing RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida, as new head coach Andoni Iraola looks to bolster the squad's defensive options. The move comes as the club navigates a significant overhaul following a fifth-place Premier League finish.

Lionel Messi secured his second consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup in 2025, while Erling Haaland's formative years in Norway and rapid ascent in European football are highlighted.

As the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds approach, Celtic has secured a seeded position in the play-off draw, with several potential opponents now emerging for the crucial two-legged ties.

Lincoln Red Imps secured a significant 3-1 victory over Inter Club Escaldes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie. The result places the Gibraltarian champions in a strong position ahead of the decisive second leg.

England's national team players stand to share a substantial £15 million bonus if they secure victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a significant financial incentive as they prepare for a crucial quarter-final clash.

Jürgen Klopp has reached an agreement in principle to become the new head coach of the Germany national team, following Julian Nagelsmann's resignation. This pivotal move comes after Germany's disappointing Round of 32 exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Arsenal have emerged as the leading contenders to secure the signature of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who is reportedly open to a move to the North London club. Villa's valuation, however, presents a significant hurdle in negotiations.

Gabriel Muresan, a former Romania international and Champions League midfielder, has tragically died at the age of 44 after drowning in a lake in Apold, Transylvania. Muresan was also serving as the mayor of the town.

Zira secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Torpedo Kutaisi in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie, establishing a significant advantage ahead of the return fixture.

The Royal Belgian Football Association successfully compelled FIFA to approve a training ground relocation, citing subpar conditions at their initial Los Angeles base. This marks a rare concession by the governing body during a major tournament.

Fulham Football Club has officially appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as its new head coach, succeeding Marco Silva, who departed for Benfica. Arbeloa signs a three-year contract, bringing a fresh tactical approach to Craven Cottage.

European football revenues surpassed €40 billion for the first time in the 2024-25 season, a significant financial milestone, yet Deloitte's latest report highlights growing concerns regarding the sport's long-term sustainability amidst projected slower growth.

Arijon Ibrahimović has committed his future to Bayern Munich until 2028, earning a full integration into Vincent Kompany's senior squad for the upcoming 2026-27 season after three years on loan.

Burnley Football Club is reportedly in advanced discussions with Nicky Hayen, the former manager of Club Brugge and Haverfordwest County, to become their new head coach. This move follows the club's recent relegation from the Premier League and the departure of Scott Parker.

Rudi Völler has extended his contract as the German Football Association (DFB) sporting director, committing to the role through to UEFA Euro 2028. This decision provides crucial continuity as Jürgen Klopp takes over as the new national team coach.

Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps are set to host Andorran champions Inter Club d'Escaldes today in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie, marking the inaugural competitive encounter between the two clubs.

Dundee United have secured the services of 24-year-old forward Idjessi Metsoko on a season-long loan from Czech side Viktoria Plzen, with an option to make the move permanent. The Togo international brings a notable scoring record and UEFA Champions League experience to Tannadice.

Head coach Chris Gunter has offered his insights into the Wales National Football Team's recent UEFA European Championship campaign, highlighting the unique experience of competing in a major continental tournament on home soil.

UEFA has issued a strong condemnation of FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, allowing the U.S. striker to play in the World Cup Round of 16. The European governing body stated that the ruling "crossed a red line" and jeopardizes the integrity of the game.

German police have conducted raids across several cities, including the DFB headquarters, as part of a corruption probe into alleged unauthorized ticket allocations for the UEFA Euro 2024 Championship.

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale has shared a candid reflection on his illustrious career, expressing a desire to have savored his significant achievements more deeply.

Despite an exceptional 2025/26 season marked by prolific goalscoring and domestic triumphs, Harry Kane's commercial brand presence remains notably more subdued than his superstar status suggests.

Celtic have advanced significantly in their efforts to sign Qarabag striker Camilo Duran, with discussions ongoing for a deal reportedly valued at £2.5 million. This potential acquisition aims to bolster their attacking options ahead of their UEFA Champions League play-off campaign.

Speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's international future has intensified after his sister, Katia Aveiro, indicated the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his "last dance" with Portugal. Ronaldo, however, has stated he will not make a hasty decision regarding his retirement.

Football's governing bodies have introduced significant rule changes for the upcoming 2026/27 season, aiming to enhance match flow, reduce time-wasting, and improve player conduct globally.

Czech side MFK Karvina has been disqualified from the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League due to a match-fixing scandal, leading to a reshuffling of European qualification places for other domestic clubs. Viktoria Plzeň will now take Karvina's place in the competition.