England’s national football stadium and landmark of English football
Fernandes has broken the Premier League assists record with 21 assists and scored nine goals as Manchester United finish third. Shaw has top-scored for City with 21 goals as they win the Women’s Super League. The awards are decided by the Football Writers’ Association and PFA, with additional honours for players across Arsenal, City and United. The teams also celebrate multiple winners and a host of youth awards.
Sir Billy Boston, one of rugby league’s greatest players, has died aged 92. A Cardiff-born winger who starred for Wigan, Boston was the first Black player to tour with Great Britain and the sport’s first knighted player. Tributes praise his pace, power and trailblazing role in diversifying the game.
England midfielder Georgia Stanway has joined Arsenal after spells with Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The move adds experience and leadership to Arsenal’s midfield as they chase trophies after last season’s second-place finish in the WSL and a Champions League semi-final.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have married in a private ceremony at Madison Square Garden, their publicist has confirmed. The couple did not use bridesmaids or groomsmen; Austin Swift served as Man of Honor and Jason Kelce as Best Man. Adam Sandler officiated and both wore Christian Dior Haute Couture; Swift wore Cartier and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Across multiple reports, football clubs reveal major stadium developments: Swansea City intends to buy Swansea.com Stadium from the council to safeguard the club’s future, while Manchester United advances a 100,000-seat stadium plan near Old Trafford as part of a broader Trafford Wharfside development. The initiatives aim to spur investment, jobs and regeneration, though debt and funding are under scrutiny.
Slaven Bilic has returned to lead Croatia, taking over a team that exited the World Cup in the Round of 32 after a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Dalic has stepped down after nearly a decade in charge, and Bilic is set to guide Croatia toward Euro 2028.
Ken Bates, the controversial former Chelsea owner and chairman, has died at 94. He bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982, steered the club back to the top flight and helped shape its stadium and ownership model before selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003.
England suffers a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final, with late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez overturning an early lead from Anthony Gordon. England will play the bronze match against France; Kane contemplates the next steps in his international career as the team shifts focus to Nations League.
Luke Combs headlines Wembley with a high-energy, theatrical country show. The run features multiple acts, big pyrotechnics, and a crowd roaring to a mix of new hits and fan favorites. Critics note the show’s immersive spectacle but find some sound issues and uneven pacing amid the stadium-scale production.
Kevin Keegan has died at 75 after battling cancer. The former England manager and star, who won two Ballon d’Or awards and led Newcastle to top-flight success, has been mourned by clubs and fans. The family says he passed away in the company of his wife and daughters.
Spain has claimed a 1-0 World Cup final victory, driven by a historically strong defensive record and an extraordinary central midfield performance from Rodri, who dominated passes, tackles, and possessions while Argentina’s Messi pressed. The win follows Spain’s pattern of controlled play and efficient finishing, aligning with their record of conceding only one goal across seven games.
Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper has confirmed his retirement from international soccer after a storied 20-year career spanning six World Cups, three as starter, and a trove of CONCACAF titles.
Joshua has come from an early knockdown to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round in Jeddah, preserving a potential all-British blockbuster with Tyson Fury. Fury had earlier stopped Mariusz Wach in seven rounds in Thailand. Contracts are reportedly signed, with venue and date still unsettled.
Andrea Pirlo has announced he is no longer a candidate for Italy’s national team head coach, following political concerns over his sponsorship deal with Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Maldini’s backing for Pirlo is under scrutiny as Italy’s football federation reshuffles its leadership after missing a third World Cup.
Italy has reappointed Roberto Mancini as men’s national coach and named Claudio Ranieri technical director after a chaotic selection that prompted Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo to resign. Mancini will lead a team still reeling from a third consecutive World Cup failure and will begin with Nations League fixtures in September.
David Robert Mitchell has released The End of Oak Street, a 1982‑set sci‑fi horror that transports a suburban neighbourhood into a dinosaur‑infested prehistoric landscape. Critics have praised Anne Hathaway’s performance and the film’s technical craft, but they have criticised its uneven tone, derivative Spielberg pastiche and an undercutting finale. Reviews started publishing 12 August 2026.
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, facing Filip Hrgovic. The title win would crown Itauma as the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. The bout is part of a broader heavyweight landscape shaped by Usyk’s vacating of belts and ongoing negotiations for future super-fights.
Arsenal’s young prospects are set to feature more in the 2026-27 season, with Dowman and Salmon highlighted as early breakthroughs, while Villa, Bournemouth and Brentford push their own youth paths and market interest grows around Abdul Abdulmalik and Milambo.
Sir Rod Stewart has undergone a routine coronary stent procedure and is taking four weeks to recover. Promoters say remaining US and Mexico dates are cancelled; he has resumed daily life and looks forward to returning to the stage.
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 Carabao Cup second round has been drawn, with Chelsea and Tottenham entering the competition alongside other Premier League clubs not in Europe. The draw is sectional (north and south) and ties will be played the week of 24 August. The nine top-flight teams in Europe this season join in the third round.
Jimmy Rimmer, former England goalkeeper who helped Aston Villa win the European Cup in 1982, has died at 78. Tributes flow from Villa, Manchester United, Arsenal and others. He played for United, Arsenal, and Villa, and earned one England cap.
The prime minister has told Manchester mayors that a British Isles bid for the World Cup is possible, potentially spreading hosting duties across multiple nations as part of a broader sporting push.