Annual second-tier European club competition since 1971
Hull City has stunned Manchester United 2-0 in their Premier League return, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scoring. United’s start faces scrutiny as manager Michael Carrick signals plans to strengthen the squad ahead of the transfer deadline.
Celtic has moved ahead in their Champions League play-off after a 3-0 first leg in Glasgow, with Nygren and Durán scoring and Duran adding a third. LASK created chances; Celtic are in a strong position for the return leg in Linz.
Arsenal have agreed a four-year deal to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, adding defensive versatility as they defend the Premier League title. The move comes as William Saliba is sidelined with a back issue and Jurrien Timber faces a groin problem, leaving Arsenal short at centre-back and right-back. Konsa could debut against Coventry on Friday or at Villa on August 31. Arsenal describe Konsa as high quality with athleticism and tactical intelligence, capable of playing centrally or at right-back.
Prince William has described his father King Charles as not a football fan while discussing the World Cup and English football culture on the New Heights podcast. He notes England’s World Cup hopes, his own Aston Villa support, and ties to Taylor Swift; the interview touched on stadium sizes and beer culture in the U.S.
The Guardian, Scotsman and Independent report Ange Postecoglou has been appointed Al-Nassr head coach on a two-year deal, aiming to revive his career after a brief, troubled spell at Nottingham Forest. He will work with Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars as the Saudi Pro League champions pursue further success.
Karl Darlow has joined Manchester United on a two-year contract with an option for a third, serving as Senne Lammens’ back-up. The 35-year-old Wales international has left Leeds United after his contract expired and is set to bolster United’s goalkeeping options ahead of the new season.
Chelsea has appointed Xabi Alonso as manager, vowing to build a competitive team and target European qualification. He emphasizes a unified approach with sporting directors, hints at keeping key players, and signals a long-term plan despite recent instability.
Manchester United have secured Youri Tielemans on a four-year deal after activating a release clause; Andrey Santos has joined from Chelsea in a deal around £48m. Ederson’s move from Atalanta has stalled after a medical, prompting a shift toward younger targets as United recalibrate amid a crowded market.
Scottish clubs Hearts, Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell will learn their European paths after the draws in Nyon. Rangers face Jagellonia Bialystok in the Europa League third qualifying round; Hearts could meet Benfica if they advance from Sturm Graz; Hibs and Motherwell discover potential third-round opponents in the Conference League. The fixtures are two-legged and scheduled in August, with seedings shaping seeds and matchups.
Hearts trail 4-0 after the first leg in Austria but have moved to strengthen their squad as they bid to overturn the deficit in the second leg. Keeper Schwolow is departing for Mainz while new signings prepare for their Tynecastle bow.
A 47-year-old Manchester official has stepped aside after an illustrious spell officiating 668 professional matches in England and 163 international fixtures, including World Cups and Euros. His final game was Portugal vs Spain in the World Cup last 16. He cites the pressure and scrutiny of elite officiating as the reason for stepping away, with praise from peers and a note of personal sacrifice.
The Brazil midfielder has joined Premier League champions Arsenal on a four-year deal, with Newcastle accepting a fee after extensive talks. Guimarães has left Newcastle, where he captained the side and helped win the 2025 EFL Cup, and will bolster Arsenal’s midfield options as they defend their title.
Liverpool is pushing to reboot under Andoni Iraola after a turbulent pre-season, with Szoboszlai and Elliott reflecting on last season’s upheavals. New signings and young players are in focus as the manager shapes a cohesive unit ahead of the new campaign.
Rangers draw 1-1 away at Dundee United as new manager Derek McInnes watches from the touchline. Lachlan Rose gives United the lead; Thelo Aasgaard equalises after the break. Debutants and fresh signings feature, but no winner is found.
Celtic has secured a four-year deal with Haissem Hassan, a 24-year-old winger from Oviedo, with an option for a fifth year and add-ons totalling around £9m. The signing follows late-season interest and signals a broader transfer push as Mika Baur negotiations continue. Liverpool and Barca-linked moves also shape the summer, with new options for squads across the Premier League and La Liga.
Celtic faces LASK in a two-legged Europa League play-off-style path for a place in the Champions League groups. First legs are scheduled for Aug. 18-19 with the return a week later. LASK won the Austrian Bundesliga last season and has a track record against Scottish sides; Celtic aims to advance after last season’s exit at this stage.
MLS has named Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, with Don Garber transitioning to a chairman role by 2027. Berg will divest from LAFC and lead the league into a new calendar and media rights era following the 2026 World Cup boost.
Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool. The 34-year-old has agreed to earn €17m a season plus a 20% share of merchandise revenue; the club has scheduled a public signing ceremony at Papara Park as supporters greeted him on arrival in Turkey.
Rangers have secured the signing of 26-year-old Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota on a three-year deal with an option for a fourth. The move strengthens Rangers’ attacking options ahead of their Europa League third qualifying round match against Jagellonia, with Yokota registered in time for the tie.
Unai Emery leads Aston Villa into the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, chasing a first European trophy since 1982. PSG enter as holders; Villa face a deficit in squad stability amid talks of signings and injuries ahead of the clash.
Real Madrid have completed a €125m upfront fee plus €15m in add-ons to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, making him the club’s sixth summer arrival under Jose Mourinho. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger starred at the World Cup and becomes Madrid’s answer to long-term talent priorities.
The Argentina international has joined Manchester City from Marseille for £1.7m and will back up Gianluigi Donnarumma after James Trafford's departure to Leeds for up to £45m. Rulli has won the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina and previously spent time with Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Ajax.
Bruno Fernandes and co. see off Leeds United in a shootout after a 1-1 draw in the first Gaelic Games stadium game since 2009. The match ends amid fan invasions and a late crossbar hit as Mazraoui secures the win in the shootout.
Benfica leads 6-0 at half-time, extending to a 6-1 final in the first leg, as Hearts are overwhelmed in Lisbon. Benfica dominates with early goals and set-pieces, leaving Hearts facing an uphill second leg in Edinburgh. Vrancken laments poor defending and calls for composure in the return.
The 47-year-old referee has retired from English football after officiating 668 pro matches, including 163 international fixtures and all major domestic cup finals. He will direct elite refereeing in Turkey and has criticised media scrutiny, saying balance is needed in officiating analysis.
Benfica have overwhelmed Hearts 6-1 in Lisbon, but Hearts forward momentum is the focus as the tie ends 7-2 on aggregate. The Edinburgh side now faces a Conference League route via Rapid Vienna while Benfica progress in Europe.
Rangers have struggled at the start of the Derek McInnes era, with mixed results in domestic and European fixtures. The team is chasing improvement after a difficult run that has left them trailing Celtic in the league and facing a pivotal return leg in Europe.
Mourinho has confirmed his return to Real Madrid for a second spell, a move that reshapes the club’s coaching dynamics and expectations after a trophy-laden first era. The Netflix documentary adds fresh context, recounting a pivotal moment when a Chelsea reunion fell through after Real Madrid’s 2010-13 dominance.
Everton has confirmed a four-year deal for Johnson, with McNeil moving to Crystal Palace in a swap that mirrors a rocky June, when paperwork delays delayed a February near-miss. The move signals Palace’s continued rebuild under pressure to qualify for European competition; Johnson seeks top-flight form again after an underwhelming Palace spell.
Artan has become the first non-European official to referee the UEFA Super Cup, guiding Paris Saint‑Germain to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg. His appointment follows UEFA’s CAF cooperation and comes after a US entry denial that sparked international scrutiny. The match confirms Artan’s place among Africa’s top referees and marks a historic moment for Somali football.
A three-part Netflix series on Jose Mourinho examines a career marked by spectacular highs and ferocious rivalries. While the director highlights personal vulnerability, reviewers say the documentary covers only part of Mourinho’s story, leaving tactical details and early life largely unexplored.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened, Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue scored the winner after a VAR review awarded the goal. Somali referee Omar Artan, controversially denied a US World Cup visa, officiated the match.
Juventus has accelerated talks to sign Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, with a season-long loan including an option to buy. The move follows a summer of activity that has seen Spurs bolster the squad while Vicario seeks regular football in Italy.
PSG has boosted its squad with Ferran Torres and others as heat forces the Ligue 1 opener to move to Rennes. Strasbourg records a significant sale to Milan, with Moreira signing a five-year deal as part of a broader financial shake-up.