North America’s top professional soccer league, 30 teams, US and Canada.
Lionel Messi has won MLS's Golden Boot for the second straight season, with 26 goals and 17 assists for Inter Miami in 2026. He leads the league in goal contributions and is set to contend for the MLS MVP as Miami edges into the playoffs.
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.
The SPFL has launched a new live domestic streaming service, SPFL Player, to broadcast William Hill Championship, League One and League Two matches outside blocked hours on a pay-per-view basis. The rollout begins with all League 1 and 2 matches on 15 August, with revenue distributed back to clubs. Further dates and details will follow as the season progresses.
Inter Miami has drawn 2-2 with Philadelphia Union. Lionel Messi has moved to second in MLS scoring with 13 goals. His father Jorge Messi, aged 68, has died. Daniel Pinter scored for Miami, while Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre found the net for the Union. The result comes amid Messi’s lighter form since returning from Argentina following his father’s death.
Esther González has joined Al Qadsiah after mutual termination with Gotham FC, prompting debate over messaging, safety, and the ethics of moves to Saudi football. The transfer follows her departure from Gotham in July for personal reasons, with Al Qadsiah signing her amid criticism from fans and LGBTQ+ advocates. NYC and Gotham FC face questions about transfer fees and career pathways for players.
European clubs race to complete high-stakes deals before deadline; Enzo Fernandez and other top targets feature in last-minute moves as windows close in England, Europe and MLS. MLS deadline aligns with European windows to boost chances for international talent.
Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team after the World Cup final loss to Spain. The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory, has said the time has come to step away from international football while continuing with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in a handwritten Instagram statement published on 31 August 2026. The 39-year-old has said he has "nothing left to give" after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and to the 2026 final. Tributes and plans for a farewell match are under way; Argentina will meet friendly opponents in September.
LeBron James has teased a collaboration with Polymarket, with a 14-second video showing the NBA star at Polymarket HQ. CNBC reports the partnership focuses on football, with more details expected next week. The deal marks James’ latest step into prediction markets, joining a cadre of athletes and leagues expanding in this space.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.
A derby week collision has NYCFC facing Red Bulls after a key win. Ferne1ndez Mercau has chosen to stay with NYCFC as he pursues his next goal: a spot with the Argentina national team. Tottenham, meanwhile, are navigating Richarlisons uncertain future as he remains sidelined amid contract talks and failed moves. Nygren insists he will stay at Celtic as interest cools.
Sports leagues have pressed regulators to permanently revoke betting privileges for anyone who threatens or harasses athletes, coaches or staff. The initiative seeks uniform rules across states to curb harassment as legal sports betting expands.
England captain Harry Kane has hinted at exploring an NFL kicker career while at Bayern Munich, with plans contingent on his form over the next five to six years. He also says a future MLS move could connect football and American football, though his Bayern contract remains the immediate focus.
Two USMNT stories converge: a rising MLS star scores in back-to-back matches, and captain Tim Ream retires after 16 years. Hall’s MLS form has propelled him onto the national stage, while Ream departs after guiding the team through a modern era; both shape the squad’s immediate future.
The United States has defeated Peru 2-1 in an international friendly at Inter.com Stadium. Trusty, 28, has faced scrutiny after a prior Rangers loss but shows solidity alongside a new defensive lineup as the U.S. returns to action following a World Cup exit. Late goals from Tillman and Hall secure the win as Peru equalises briefly before the U.S. pulls ahead.
Lionel Messi has delivered a final international performance for Argentina, guiding his side to a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires in what is being hailed as his last tango with the national team. He has provided an assist, scored from the spot, and bid emotional thanks to fans, teammates, and family before stepping away from international football.
The NFL is urging the Supreme Court to allow states to regulate sports-prediction markets, arguing these contracts are gambling rather than financial swaps. The league cites $1.8 billion in first-weekend activity and calls for safeguards including a 21-year age minimum for bettors, while defending the CFTC’s federal oversight and highlighting integrity concerns.
Dallas secures a league sweep with a 3-0 road win over San Jose, driven by Musa’s late goals and Moreno’s help; San Jose’s playoff seeding remains intact but their title bid loses ground.
TikTok is launching a standalone commerce app in Southeast Asia featuring live streams, short-form video shopping, in-app checkout and exclusive offers. The move aligns TikTok Shop with a broader push toward a super-app model, competing with Amazon, Temu, Yelp and Google Maps while expanding beyond the main platform.
The NFL’s abroad expansion runs into a fractured European league landscape after ELF meltdown and emergence of AFLE in Europe, with Madrid hosting another high‑profile game as teams seek stability and a single path to growth.
Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh has withdrawn from Scotland’s squad after a knee knock against Portsmouth; scans show no major ligament damage, keeping him in contention for Birmingham City and potential Scotland duty during the international window.