Rome’s club of champions, a Serie A mainstay since 1927
Napoli's Scott McTominay has been pivotal in their title-winning run and is amid contract talks; Real Madrid are monitoring his situation as questions over his future intensify. The club aims to extend his stay, with talks ongoing and a potential January market move considered.
West Ham captain Bowen has reaffirmed his commitment to the club amid a summer of transfer activity. The side is rebuilding under new majority shareholder Daniel Kretínský and manager Rita Guarino, aiming to return to the Premier League after relegation. Bowen travelled to Prague for discussions and has been convinced by the club’s direction and ambition.
Manchester United have added two midfielders, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, to their squad this window to address Casemiro’s departure and ongoing injuries. The club is active in the transfer market amid a busy pre-season, with further reinforcements anticipated.
The Italian Football Federation has been exploring Pep Guardiola’s potential appointment as Italy head coach. While discussions have continued, officials say salary exceptions could be considered, though the final decision remains uncertain. Mancini and Pirlo are among other candidates amid Italy’s World Cup qualification crisis and short-term coaching search.
West Ham United have signed France international Estelle Cascarino on a permanent three-year contract after a six-month loan spell. The 29-year-old defender joined from Juventus, helped the club climb off the relegation zone, and has been recalled to the France squad. The deal confirms Cascarino’s continued stay with West Ham for the 2026-27 season.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is underway in Morocco with 16 teams, 34 matches, and a new qualification tie to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Morocco hosts; Nigeria defends the title as several debutants join the field. Kick-off times start at 17:00 GMT across venues, with the final on Aug. 16.
Socceroos midfielder Cristian Volpato has been stopped twice for speeding in Sydney and has reportedly tested positive for cocaine in a roadside drug check. His license is suspended for six months as police continue investigations across two stops on Anzac Bridge. He played in Australia’s World Cup campaign and recently switched allegiance from Italy.
Messi has returned to the field for Inter Miami amid weather delays, scoring and assisting in a Leagues Cup clash. The club remains unbeaten in eight matches, with Messi’s form continuing after the World Cup final. Other MLS actions see Suarez and Mendez scoring in Columbus’ draw as the league contends with scheduling and player welfare.
Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles has joined Fulham for £30m, becoming the country’s most expensive player. Former international Stuart Dallas backs Charles and teammate Ethan Galbraith for Premier League success, while NI boss Michael O’Neill has built the side around him.
Elliott has returned to Liverpool after a difficult Villa loan, describing it as a second chance. He has played nine league games for Villa, with a clause forcing Villa to buy at £35 million if he reached 10 appearances. He is aiming to cement his place under Andoni Iraola while remaining open to future moves.
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 arrived in Turkey and has begun medical checks as Trabzonspor negotiates a free transfer. The 34-year-old left Liverpool after nine seasons and is expected to sign a multi-year deal; hundreds of fans greeted him at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport before he travels to Trabzon for a planned ceremony.
Massey-Ellis has retired from English football after officiating in more than 150 Premier League matches and international fixtures. She will take up a senior management role at the FA to support and develop women referees, continuing a career that has broken barriers for women in football officiating.
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.
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.
Two developments in football's landscape are reshaping the sport: a high-stakes Championship season following Spygate revelations and Newport County's season-opening push under Hayden Mullins, as they look to stabilise after a managerial shake-up.
The draw for the Champions League group stage has placed 36 clubs into four pots based on UEFA coefficients. Top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid and others are in pot one. Aston Villa and Manchester United return to the competition in pot two. Pots three and four include a mix of European contenders and newcomers. The draw introduces a new rule barring teams from hosting the same opponent in three consecutive league phases.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are among the English clubs taking part as the league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League places teams into eight-match groups. PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid headline pot one, with Celtic aiming to reach the knockout rounds after a 3-0 first leg win in their play-off. The draw is set for Aug. 27, 2026, with fixtures running from September.
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson remains a key figure for Bologna as leadership duties shift under new coach Domenico Tedesco. Orsolini and De Silvestri assume top roles, Ferguson sits third, with Bologna opening the season in defeat as transfers and captaincy discussions unfold.
Guendouzi and Greenwood have been fined and banned for their roles in a mass brawl after Fenerbahce’s Champions League play-off win over Lyon. UEFA has imposed bans and fines on both players and others involved, with further sanctions on the clubs and a Lyon coach.
Sabah’s historic Champions League debut at Old Trafford is underway as Valdas Dambrauskas’s remarkable journey from a Lithuanian Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? contestant to a top coach underscores a broader rise of Azerbaijani football.
Como has risen from bankruptcy to Serie A, earning a first Champions League campaign. To honour long-serving fans, Mirwan Suwarso and other directors are surrendering their tickets for Como’s home opener against RB Leipzig, ensuring elderly supporters attend amid UEFA capacity rules.
Nepal and neighbouring regions face a devastating flood crisis after a glacier collapse triggered floods on August 26. Governments and agencies have mobilised relief, with calls for climate justice and funding to repair infrastructure and protect vulnerable communities.
Salah has opened the scoring in the fourth minute and has completed a hat-trick, with teammates contributing goals as Galatasaray slide in the league table. The match features discipline issues with Buruk sent to the stands and a red card for Ugochukwu, while Reis takes charge at Trabzonspor following Tekke’s exit.
Xavi has named a 26-man squad for Nations League matches, including Ruben van Bommel after his comeback from a knee injury. The Dutch coach aims to build a team that can dominate possession as they face Germany, Serbia, and other opponents in a busy schedule.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Marseille 2-1 at the Velodrome after a late goal from Torres, with Marseille’s Weah sent off as the match swung in PSG’s favour. The result tightens the Ligue 1 title race. Monaco, Lyon and Paris FC also win as the season gathers pace.
Argentina faces an uncertain future after Lionel Messi confirms international retirement. The 2026 World Cup icon has dominated the national team for 21 years, prompting questions about leadership, strategy, and the post-Messi era as the federation maps out its next steps.
Napoli midfiel der Scott McTominay has been cleared to resume training after a successful corrective ablation for a mild arrhythmia. He had missed Scotland fixtures while undergoing treatment and is now back with Napoli ahead of key fixtures.
Everton Football Club is moving into a new phase as its controlling owner, The Friedkin Group, explores investment options, including a potential sale. The club has moved to a new stadium and vows to build on momentum while carefully considering next steps.
Davide Nicola’s Venezia have claimed a first Serie A win of the season by defeating Napoli 1-0 at the stadio Pierluigi Penzo. Akor Adams scored the decisive goal after a deflected start to the second half, while Filip Stankovic produced a string of key saves.
Bayer Leverkusen has secured a third consecutive Europa League win, beating OFI Crete 2-0 with a Jonas Hofmann double. Juventus is held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes after a late winner is ruled out by VAR. Sunderland’s draw in Poland accompanies a busy night of European action.
Vinicius Jr. has been suspended for four La Liga matches after a red card for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in Real Madrid’s win over Villarreal. The ban rules him out of El Clasico against Barcelona and other fixtures while Mourinho defends his player’s conduct.
Real Madrid errors late in the match give way to a dramatic comeback at the Stadio Olimpico. Mbappé marks a historic 100th Champions League appearance, while Endrick and Rudiger secure a late win for Real as Roma take an early lead.
Real Madrid have overturned a 3-2 deficit in the final six minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring three goals from corners to beat Roma 4-3 in a dramatic Champions League group stage clash. Mbappe equalises, Malen nets twice, Espi and Endrick scores, Rudiger seals the win as Real move to six points from two games.