Soccer news

• Experimental Liverpool down Wrexham thanks to Rio Ngumoha’s winner

  30-07-2026 03:53 via theguardian.com
  Substitute’s deflected strike earns 1-0 win in New YorkChances few and far between in pre-season friendlyLiverpool turned the Empire State Building red when launching a new away kit on Tuesday but neither they nor Wrexham could illuminate Yankee Stadium 24 hours later. It was rough in the diamond, although Rio Ngumoha’s deflected goal made it two wins out of two for Andoni Iraola on his first pre-season tour as Liverpool head coach.Ngumoha, a second half substitute who Iraola deploye
  
  Read more

• WSL fixtures: London City Lionesses open 2026-27 season against Manchester United

  30-07-2026 11:45 via theguardian.com
  Big-spending club kick off season on Friday 4 SeptemberChampions Manchester City begin against BirminghamThose desperate to see what London City Lionesses will look like with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas in their ranks do not have to wait long, with the big-spending club kicking off the new Women’s Super League season against Manchester United on Friday 4 September.The Michelle Kang-owned side welcome United to Hayes Lane in the first game of the 2026-27 season, which
  
  Read more

• Football transfer rumours: Jack Grealish to make Saudi switch to Al-Hilal?

  30-07-2026 11:43 via theguardian.com
  Today’s rumours are getting out the paddling poolHaving been left behind like an unloved t-shirt by Enzo Maresca as Manchester City departed for their pre-season tour of Asia, Jack Grealish is attracting admiring glances from elsewhere. Eyeing up the England attacker’s shapely calves are Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, who would certainly have the funds to fulfil City’s desire of slapping a big ‘SOLD’ sticker on Grealish and preparing him for international shippin
  
  Read more

• Fifa wants more money for its members but that does not guarantee investment | John Duerden

  30-07-2026 11:00 via theguardian.com
  Asia and Africa are bastions of support for Gianni Infantino but Fifa’s money has not always been well spent in the regionsFifa’s justification for its proposed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors is about giving the 211 member associations more money to develop football. It’s safe to say that in the past, funds have done more developing in some places than in others, with millions either going missing or not being used for their original purpose and Fifa
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle United with Matthias Jaissle set to replace him

  30-07-2026 10:26 via theguardian.com
  Howe leaves after five years in charge at St James’ ParkAl-Ahli’s German coach in line to take over Eddie Howe has left Newcastle and is set to be replaced by the German coach Matthias Jaissle, who is currently in charge of the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.Although the timing of Howe’s abrupt departure following almost five years in charge at St James’ Park is unexpected, his position had been under intense scrutiny from Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners for some time.
  
  Read more

• England’s 1966 World Cup heroes were fun, humble and unlike today’s stars

  30-07-2026 07:00 via theguardian.com
  After lifting the trophy 60 years ago, some still supplemented their income by performing in working men’s clubs and as after dinner speakersWith each passing World Cup I am reminded of the times I spent in the company of those wonderful “Boys of 66”. What a privilege it was getting to know them in a much simpler era when, unlike today’s mollycoddled stars, household names remained unaffected by money and fame.Where were you on 30 July 1966, the day England won the World
  
  Read more

• WSL brings back Sunday evening kick-offs after indifferent viewing figures

  30-07-2026 01:01 via theguardian.com
  Move part of an overhaul of its broadcast strategySunday evening games were dropped last seasonThe Women’s Super League will bring back Sunday evening kick-offs this season as part of an overhaul of its broadcast strategy after indifferent viewing figures last season.The Guardian has learned that the WSL will offer six different TV slots to broadcasters after releasing its fixtures for the 2026-27 campaign later on Thursday in a significant change from last season, when the majority of tel
  
  Read more

• Uefa calls emergency meeting as opposition to Fifa plan hardens

  29-07-2026 21:07 via theguardian.com
  55 members to meet on Thursday to coordinate response‘Uefa knows there is significant and growing opposition’Uefa has called an emergency ­meeting of its 55 members for Thursday afternoon to discuss a coordinated response to Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. A European boycott of Fifa tournaments is among the options under consideration.As the next major event in the Fifa calendar, a boycott of next year’s Women’s
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• ‘I’m very sorry’: Mancini apologises after being reappointed as Italy head coach

  29-07-2026 20:06 via theguardian.com
  Mancini quit Italy job to take over Saudi Arabia in 2023‘Some will be against me … maybe people will forgive’Roberto Mancini issued an apology in his first public comments after being reappointed as the Italy head coach, three years after he abandoned the same job for a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia.“I’m very sorry,” Mancini said. “It was like losing the woman of your life. And it means you did something that shouldn’t have been done. So I&
  
  Read more

• Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over Falklands banner and final chaos

  29-07-2026 19:09 via theguardian.com
  Players held banner after semi-final against EnglandParedes and Molina investigated over brawl after finalFifa has opened disciplinary ­proceedings against Argentina over the Falkland Islands banner ­displayed after their World Cup semi‑final win against England in Atlanta.As Argentina celebrated ­reaching the final with their dramatic 2-1 ­victory, several players held a sign ­proclaiming “Las Malvinas son ­Argentinas” – the ­Malvinas are
  
  Read more

• Football Daily | Gianni Infantino’s big World Cup sale and Fifa’s race to the bottom line

  29-07-2026 18:14 via theguardian.com
  Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!We begin Football Daily’s 29 July 2026 edition with a trip back to 26 February 2016. Gianni Infantino has been elected as the new Fifa president on a promise to clean up a disgraced organisation. “A good day for football,” says the FA director, David Gill. “A good day for the sport,” concurs the American Fifa executive committee member, Sunil Gulati. “Who’s that bald loser on the news?” says an unn
  
  Read more

• USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, US Soccer in ‘final stages’ of agreeing on new contract

  29-07-2026 17:45 via theguardian.com
  Deal would extend Argentinian through 2030 World CupCoach would stand to earn ‘significantly’ morePochettino’s tenure has been mixed bag of resultsUSMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and US Soccer are “in the final stages” of finalizing an agreement for a new contract through the 2030 World Cup, multiple sources briefed on ongoing negotiations have told the Guardian. Those sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.Pochettin
  
  Read more

• Liverpool prepare opening offer for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola

  29-07-2026 16:48 via theguardian.com
  23-year-old open to Premier League movePSG value Barcola in the region of £145mLiverpool are preparing an opening offer for Bradley Barcola after talks with the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s representatives.Barcola is a leading target for Liverpool as they look to add a proven winger to Andoni Iraola’s squad before the new season. Yan Diomande had been wanted but is likely to join Real Madrid after PSG pulled out of a deal for the RB Leipzig winger. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Defence promises to be a central issue for Carrick and Manchester United

  29-07-2026 16:05 via theguardian.com
  Manager may have concerns over his group of five central defenders withstanding the demands of a long campaignManchester United’s central defender quintet of Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martínez: an ideal blend of youthful zest and experienced winners or a unit that may prove vulnerable and injury-prone across the long months of the campaign?In Yoro, Heaven, Maguire, De Ligt, and Martínez, Michael Carrick can talk of high potential an
  
  Read more

• Manchester City leading opposition to Premier League’s £1.5bn EFL proposal

  29-07-2026 15:31 via theguardian.com
  Meeting on Thursday to discuss landmark settlementCity have concerns about how the package will be fundedManchester City are leading the opposition to the Premier League’s plans to offer £1.5bn to the English Football League in a landmark financial settlement which will be discussed at a meeting of the 20 clubs on Thursday.The Premier League wants to put its proposed offer, which would be spread over 10 years, to a vote in the hope of getting the matter resolved before the start of t
  
  Read more

• Wolves striker Arokodare joins Ajax on loan

  29-07-2026 15:19 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare joins Ajax on a season's loan with the Dutch club having the option to make it a permanent move in the summer.
  
  Read more

• Timber leaves Arsenal camp over groin issue

  29-07-2026 15:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Jurrien Timber travels back to London from Arsenal's training camp in Spain in a move related to the groin injury that caused him to miss the end of last season.
  
  Read more

• Scotland striker Shankland named Rangers captain

  29-07-2026 15:13 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Lawrence Shankland is named the new captain of Rangers, just two months after joining the club from Hearts.
  
  Read more

• Forest close in on Ivory Coast defender Diomande

  29-07-2026 14:41 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Nottingham Forest are close to completing a deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande.
  
  Read more

• Spacey-Cale to step down at Southampton

  29-07-2026 14:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Southampton director of women's football Marieanne Spacey-Cale says she will step down this year.
  
  Read more

• Awakening giants: Dortmund add stardust to their rise through leagues

  29-07-2026 13:41 via theguardian.com
  Manuela Zinsberger and Alexandra Popp have made surprise moves to third-tier club looking to join eliteLocated in Austria during a pre-season training camp, the Borussia Dortmund women’s team, squad as well as staff, are plotting how to reach the 2. Bundesliga after missing out on promotion last season.Dortmund finished two points off the top and a place in the regional playoffs despite a goal difference of +101, and the club have wasted no time in signing big names to make sure there is n
  
  Read more

• Fifa offers $40m if nations back controversial plan

  29-07-2026 13:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Fifa has set a deadline of 19 September for member associations to access cash as FA voice disapproval of world governing body's funding plan ahead of emergency Uefa meeting.
  
  Read more

• McGregor wants Celtic to win league 'in more style'

  29-07-2026 13:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Celtic captain Callum McGregor insists he sees his future at the club and wants to win the league "in a bit more style" this term.
  
  Read more

• Rayo Vallecano to move stadium over Legionnaires risk

  29-07-2026 12:48 via bbc.co.uk
  
  La Liga side Rayo Vallecano are barred from playing at their home stadium just weeks before the new season over the risk of supporters contracting Legionnaires' disease.
  
  Read more

• Henderson nears Chelsea move as Welbeck has medical

  29-07-2026 12:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Brighton striker Danny Welbeck is given permission to have a medical at Stamford Bridge as his switch to Chelsea moves closer.
  
  Read more

• Football transfer rumours: Eli Junior Kroupi to boost Barcelona attack?

  29-07-2026 11:30 via theguardian.com
  Today’s tittle-tattle is walking on sunshineAfter waving Robert Lewandowski off into the sunset at the end of last season, Barcelona are in need of a new striker. The only one on their books scored the winner in the World Cup final. Julián Alvarez is at the centre of a Spanish tug of war this summer – he wants to leave Atlético Madrid and is wanted by Barcelona and Real Madrid, who had a £129m bid rejected in June. With Atlético suits so far refusing to sit
  
  Read more

• Barcola agrees Liverpool move - Wednesday's gossip

  29-07-2026 11:23 via bbc.co.uk
  
  PSG's Bradley Barcola verbally agrees to join Liverpool but clubs apart on valuation, Real Madrid have no plans to sell Vinicius Jr, Everton want around £70m for Iliman Ndiaye, plus more.
  
  Read more

• Palace hold talks with ex-Arsenal defender Tomiyasu

  29-07-2026 11:22 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Japan's Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is training with Crystal Palace, was named as a substitute in the pre-season friendly against Lens.
  
  Read more

• Middlesbrough sign USA midfielder Berhalter

  29-07-2026 10:30 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Middlesbrough sign Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal.
  
  Read more

• Birmingham & Preston - Barcelona's unlikely UK camp

  29-07-2026 10:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Barcelona will be training at St George's Park this week and taking on Championship sides Birmingham City and Preston.
  
  Read more

Follow @news_soccer_uk on Twitter!