Soccer news

• Scotland's fateful 1978 World Cup campaign still resonates

  09-06-2026 08:20 via bbc.com
  
  There's a mesmeric quality to this story of '78, a legend of how a man and a country lost the run of itself, writes Tom English.
  
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• World Cup 2026 news: Iran claim ticket allocation pulled; Platini files complaint against Infantino; Olise dazzles – live

  09-06-2026 12:37 via theguardian.com
  Latest news as World Cup countdown continuesPlayer guide | Bracketology | Wallchart | Mail TomAway from the World Cup, the latest allegations against the now former West Ham chairman have alerted the new regulator, as PA Media reports:The football regulator is in contact with West Ham after allegations were made against co-owner David Sullivan that he had pressured aspiring models for sex.The 77-year-old recently quit as chairman of the east London football club to fight what he claimed were &ld
  
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• Australia v Mexico: women’s international football friendly – live

  09-06-2026 12:37 via theguardian.com
  Updates from the Matildas match in SydneyAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailAfter tonight we won’t see the Matildas in action again for another four months … and then the 2027 World Cup won’t be far away at all!Time for the national anthems. There appears to be a strong Mexican contingent in the crowd in Parramatta. Continue reading...
  
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• Football regulator could force David Sullivan to sell West Ham stake

  09-06-2026 12:24 via theguardian.com
  Former pornographer, who owns 38.8% of club, has been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviourThe football regulator could force David Sullivan to sell his stake in West Ham United after the former pornography billionaire was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour against women over several decades.The 77-year-old announced his resignation as a director and co-chair of the football club on Saturday, ahead of a joint investigation by the BBC and the Times reporti
  
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• World Cup 2026 preview: Groups E-H | Football Weekly – video

  09-06-2026 12:01 via theguardian.com
  Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson, Paul Watson and Sid Lowe to preview Groups E-H.Subscribe to The Guardian Football Weekly ► https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast?sub_confirmation=1On the podcast today; the second of our World Cup previews. We begin at Group E. A group that features Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. It also features a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a 78-year-old manager. The panel debate whether Germany’s recent poor pe
  
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• A (very) beginner’s guide to the World Cup: how does it work and the players to look out for

  09-06-2026 12:00 via theguardian.com
  The tournament kicks off on Thursday in Mexico City. Here’s what newcomers can expect from one of the world’s largest and most watched eventsIt is! Every four years the best men’s teams on the planet gather to see who will be crowned world champions. This year’s tournament will be co-hosted by frenemies Canada, Mexico and the United States in 16 cities as different as Vancouver, Kansas City and Guadalajara. The 48 teams are initially divided into [does arithmetic] 12 four
  
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• ‘It was madness in Baghdad’: René Meulensteen on coaching Iraq and helping Ronaldo

  09-06-2026 11:44 via theguardian.com
  Iraq’s No2 discusses his recipe for a World Cup shock, the players’ singing and his time assisting Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United Iraq’s journey to their first World Cup in 40 years involved sacrifices unmatched by any other side. After 20 qualifiers, the team faced a decisive playoff in the Mexican city of Monterrey but, with Iraq dragged into the Middle East war and airspace closed, several staff and players had an arduous job getting there.“They had to travel f
  
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• Out-of-contract XIs: players in their 20s versus players in their 30s – who wins?

  09-06-2026 11:18 via theguardian.com
  There are young stars and golden oldies available on a free transfer this summer. But which team is stronger?Goalkeeper Illan Meslier, aged 26, contract expiring at Leeds United
  The goalkeeper joined Leeds as a teenager but departs the Yorkshire club having not made a first-team appearance since March 2025. Meslier was recently seen alone on the Elland Road pitch, seemingly contemplating his departure. Continue reading...
  
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• Why France's Olise is moving into Ballon d'Or picture

  09-06-2026 10:05 via bbc.com
  
  After a first international hat-trick against Northern Ireland, former France striker Louis Saha believes Michael Olise can move into Ballon d'Or contention.
  
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• 'Diogo will be with you' - Jota's widow writes to Robertson

  09-06-2026 09:21 via bbc.com
  
  Diogo Jota's widow urges Scotland captain Andrew Robertson to carry his former Liverpool team-mate "in your heart" when he plays at the World Cup.
  
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• Portugal World Cup 2026 team guide

  09-06-2026 09:00 via theguardian.com
  A last World Cup – surely – for Cristiano Ronaldo, and Portugal are in great shape for a long run in the competitionThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
  
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• Podcast: Summing up Scotland’s strikers & war of words with Norway

  09-06-2026 09:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  We assess Scotland’s strikers at the World Cup and there's disagreement with Norway.
  
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• ‘I didn’t think I’d be playing at 40’: Edin Dzeko on defying age to lead his country at the World Cup

  09-06-2026 09:00 via theguardian.com
  After helping to shock Italy in the playoffs, the Bosnia and Herzegovina captain is out to upset co-hosts Canada in their opening match on Friday“Sometimes there is an end for all of us, maybe mine is coming soon,” says Edin Dzeko, though first there is the small matter of captaining Bosnia and Herzegovina at only their second World Cup, lessons learned. “When I was 17, 18, people were telling me: ‘Experience is something you get by playing for so many years,’&rdquo
  
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• 'Mazadona', 'Einstein', 'The Ant' - 20 new players to watch at the 2026 World Cup

  09-06-2026 08:42 via bbc.com
  
  BBC Sport TV and radio commentators pick the players they think could be the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup.
  
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• Tottenham remain keen on Hearts' Wilson - gossip

  09-06-2026 08:39 via bbc.com
  
  Hearts forward remains in thoughts of Tottenham as Hibs attacker is due back for pre-season.
  
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• Football regulator contacts West Ham over 'serious allegations' against Sullivan

  09-06-2026 08:39 via bbc.com
  
  Multiple women accuse the billionaire of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, in some cases when they were in their late teens.
  
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• Two brothers, two nations, one World Cup & how grief bound them

  09-06-2026 08:14 via bbc.com
  
  In July 2022, brothers Harry and John Souttar lost their hero, but as both prepare to represent different nations at the World Cup, his influence lives on.
  
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• Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost

  09-06-2026 07:57 via bbc.com
  
  Whatever one's perspective, it seems certain that away from the on-field spectacle, this super-sized World Cup could be among the most contentious ever.
  
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• Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 2

  09-06-2026 07:52 via bbc.com
  
  Will you get today's player in as few attempts as possible?
  
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• 'You're paid to make that decision' – Eriksson's midfield dilemma

  09-06-2026 07:14 via bbc.com
  
  Former players and coaching staff from England's 2006 'Golden Generation' reflect on how manager Sven-Goran Eriksson struggled to get the best out of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in a star-studded midfield.
  
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• Jordan World Cup 2026 team guide

  09-06-2026 01:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Jamal Sellami’s first-time qualifiers come up against Lionel Messi and Argentina in a challenging Group JThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
  
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• Wolves sign Trippier and in Jimenez talks

  09-06-2026 00:38 via bbc.com
  
  Wolves sign former England full-back Kieran Trippier and are in talks to re-sign former striker Raul Jimenez on a free transfer.
  
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• Top African referee Omar Artan refused access to US and will miss World Cup

  09-06-2026 00:17 via theguardian.com
  Was going to be first Somalian to officiate at a World Cup‘He deserves the support of the football community’A Somali referee, who was set to become the first person from his country to officiate at a World Cup, has been denied access to the US and will not work at the tournament.Fifa confirmed that Omar Artan “will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026” in a statement issued to media on Monday. The governing body passed responsibility for the situat
  
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• O'Neill praises 'fantastic' departing Deschamps

  09-06-2026 00:16 via bbc.com
  
  Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill praises outgoing French boss Didier Deschamps as a "fantastic national team manager".
  
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• Olise scores hat-trick as France beat Northern Ireland

  08-06-2026 23:59 via bbc.com
  
  Bayern Munich's Michael Olise scores a hat-trick in France's 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their final World Cup warm-up match in Lille.
  
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• Somali referee Artan to miss World Cup after being barred from entering US

  08-06-2026 23:42 via bbc.com
  
  Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, is dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.
  
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• Spurs close in on Man City's Savinho - Tuesday's gossip

  08-06-2026 23:36 via bbc.com
  
  Spurs make progress with negotiations to sign Manchester City winger Savinho, Manchester United are battling their city rivals for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona eye Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella, plus more.
  
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• ‘Luckily I play with my feet’: Spence talks up World Cup hopes despite broken jaw

  08-06-2026 23:30 via theguardian.com
  England defender getting used to protective brace and hopeful of contributing to Tuchel’s tournament effortIn the disorientation of the moment, as Djed Spence lay on the turf, the pain radiating from the left side of his jaw, it was tempting to wonder what flashed through his mind. The Tottenham full-back had been cleaned out by the elbow of Chelsea’s Liam Delap in the closing stages of the penultimate game of the Premier League season. Spence had eyes only for the high ball while De
  
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• McGinn in the form of his life and now dancing to Scotland's tune

  08-06-2026 23:00 via bbc.com
  
  If Scotland hit the mark in their upcoming matches the way John McGinn does in front of the media then this could be a special World Cup for Steve Clarke's side, writes Tom English.
  
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• Palace hold initial talks with Lens manager Sage

  08-06-2026 22:47 via bbc.com
  
  Crystal Palace hold talks with Lens manager Pierre Sage about becoming their new head coach.
  
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