World Soccer news

• 📹 He gets to referee the biggest match, final ref's emotional reaction

  17-07-2026 12:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📹 He gets to referee the biggest match, final ref's emotional reactionAt the World Cup final on Sunday, countless dreams will once again come true. For most of the Spanish and Argentine players on the pitch, it will be by far the biggest match of their careers — one that will end either in the bitterest disappointment or the most incredible joy. Of course, that doesn’t apply only to the players. Surely every referee also dreams of one day officiating the biggest football
  
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• No contact between Roma-Kessie

  18-07-2026 16:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  No contact between Roma-KessieAfter Juventus’s snub with the unexpected signing of Celik, it seemed Roma were ready to return the favor to Frederic Massara by decisively entering the race for Franck Kessié. The Ivorian made a name for himself at the World Cup, and a return to Serie A could be a real possibility for him. As Alfredo Pedullà reports, the Roman club currently has no intention of focusing on the midfielder’s signing. In fact, to date there are no signs of a
  
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• Report: Chelsea told to pay €65m to sign top transfer target

  18-07-2026 15:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Chelsea told to pay €65m to sign top transfer targetChelsea Transfer News: Maxence Lacroix Fee Rises as Arsenal Threat GrowsChelsea have identified Maxence Lacroix as a major target, but this is where transfer windows get messy. The interest is real, the player appears open to the move, and yet the deal is not moving at the speed Chelsea would want. According to Caught Offside, there has been a “lack of progress” despite the club’s continued push.The key detail is
  
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• Gasperini holds first pre-season press conference: “Summerville and Greenwood are financially unsustainable for us.”

  18-07-2026 15:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Gasperini holds first pre-season press conference: “Summerville and Greenwood are financially unsustainable for us.”Trigoria has been rocked in recent hours by Zeki Celik’s about-face, deciding to sign with Juventus. Gian Piero Gasperini clarified the situation today, surprisingly speaking to the media from the Trigoria press room. He addressed the transfer market and spoke about the Turk: “There’s a slow pace in closing deals. Celik’s contract was expiring, b
  
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• Barcelona change return plans for their 10 remaining World Cup players

  18-07-2026 15:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona change return plans for their 10 remaining World Cup playersWith the FIFA World Cup drawing to a close, FC Barcelona have already mapped out the return of the ten first-team players still competing in the tournament, aiming to have them back sooner than originally planned, reports SPORT.The Blaugrana remain the club with the highest number of players still involved in the World Cup, with 10 representatives set to feature in the tournament’s final weekend.The competition concludes
  
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• Corinthians hit with third transfer ban

  18-07-2026 15:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Corinthians hit with third transfer banCorinthians’ financial crisis has gained yet another chapter.According to ge, the club has received a new transfer ban that prevents it from registering new players for six months.This time, the sanction was imposed by the National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD) of the CBF due to a delay in paying an installment of approximately R$ 8 million.With immediate effect, this is the third transfer ban imposed on the club in just two months.⚠A
  
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• Hornchurch sign ex-Maidenhead midfielder Yearwood

  18-07-2026 15:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Hornchurch have signed midfielder Asher Yearwood following his departure from Maidenhead United.The 29-year-old will be playing in the National League for the first time after working his way up through non-league.He made 40 National League South appearances for Maidenhead last season to help them reach the play-offs."He is a totally different type of profile in midfield to what we already have at the club," manager Daryl McMahon told the club website."He is someone who instantly lifts the sessi
  
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• Superb midfielder jets in for Liverpool medical

  18-07-2026 15:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Superb midfielder jets in for Liverpool medicalLiverpool are on the brink of signing a fantastic playmaker as he jets in for his medical.Liverpool are about to sign a Colombian playmaker. It potentially marks their second signing of the summer after Victor Munoz - though, it's unclear whether he'll immediately join the Reds.Samuel Martinez is the player in question. It was first reported back in May that Liverpool were on the brink of agreeing a deal for the teenager, something that came complet
  
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• Zinédine Zidane to take over from Didier Deschamps as France manager on September 1st

  18-07-2026 15:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Zinédine Zidane to take over from Didier Deschamps as France manager on September 1stZinédine Zidane will officially take over from Didier Deschamps as France’s national team manager on September 1st, according to L’Equipe. The former Real Madrid head coach was the overwhelming favourite to replace his former France and Juventus teammate as Les Bleus boss. Deschamps will put an end to his 14-year tenure tonight in overseeing his 185th and final Franc
  
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• Leeds United in talks with Lyon for Pavel Šulc, but…

  18-07-2026 15:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Leeds United in talks with Lyon for Pavel Šulc, but…Leeds United are reported to have entered into talks with Olympique Lyonnais regarding the situation of Pavel Šulc (25), according to Foot Mercato.Having joined the Rhône-based club last summer from FC Viktoria Plzeň for a fee of €7.5m, the Czech quickly established himself as a key member of Paulo Fonseca’s squad. A starter in 24 of his 38 appearances for Les Rouge et Bleu, Šulc has repaid the
  
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• Buongiorno injury pushes Napoli towards Tiago Gabriel and Milan battle

  18-07-2026 15:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Buongiorno injury pushes Napoli towards Tiago Gabriel and Milan battleNapoli’s transfer plans have been thrown a curveball by an injury to Alessandro Buongiorno, and the fallout could pit them against Milan for one of Serie A’s brightest young defenders.According to Calciomercato.com, the former Torino centre-back will miss the club’s Dimaro training camp after a right-knee problem, with Napoli confirming he must undergo a consultation to decide whether surgery is required.The
  
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• 🎥 Defensa y Justicia kids recreate Enzo's goal against England

  18-07-2026 15:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Defensa y Justicia kids recreate Enzo's goal against EnglandThe pre-youth categories of Defensa y Justicia recreated Enzo Fernández’s goal against England in the final play of the match. The video of the recreation has gone viral on social media.The original play, scored by Enzo Fernández wearing the Argentina national team jersey, has become one of the most celebrated images of the World Cup. The club’s youngest players from Florencio Varela repeated every de
  
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• Barcelona delay announcement of €22 million summer signing until Laporta and Deco return

  18-07-2026 15:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona delay announcement of €22 million summer signing until Laporta and Deco returnKarim Adeyemi will have to wait a few more days before officially becoming a Barcelona player, with the club postponing the announcement until president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco return from the United States.This report comes from Mundo Deportivo, who state that the official announcement of the German international’s signing will not take place this weekend as was expected previously
  
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• “A real coup” – Liverpool praised for beating Chelsea in the race for defender

  18-07-2026 15:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  “A real coup” – Liverpool praised for beating Chelsea in the race for defenderJeremy Jacquet to Liverpool looks like a real coup for Andoni IraolaLiverpool have committed serious money to Jeremy Jacquet, and the immediate reaction from parts of the game is clear, this is a signing with substance. Tthe Reds moved decisively to win the race for the 21-year-old Rennes defender, agreeing a £60m deal at the end of the winter window before completing the move at the start of Ju
  
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• The Bronze Final - the unwanted tie or a match with a 'golden layer'?

  18-07-2026 15:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The winners of France v England will be given bronze medals [Getty Images]It's a match that has been played at every Fifa World Cup for the past 72 years.The third-place play-off - known by Fifa as the Bronze Final - and on Saturday it is the turn of England and France.France head coach Didier Deschamps summed up the mood in his camp before the game in Miami when he said: "The best for France and England would be for this match not to exist."England manager Thomas Tuchel had a similar view after
  
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• Imps progressing as fans await Honohan debut

  18-07-2026 15:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC][Getty Images]So, another pre-season trip for Lincoln City draws to a close.And although the result would not have been what they would have liked as they lost 2-0 to Leyton Orient, the message from head coach Tom Shaw was certainly a positive one in his post-match interview.He told me he was happy with how things are progressing three weeks into pre-season and the players will now start to build up their minutes, beginning this week with two behind-closed-doors friendlies as preparations c
  
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• Real Madrid prodigy to join pre-season training on Monday after U19 Euro success amid uncertain future

  18-07-2026 15:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid prodigy to join pre-season training on Monday after U19 Euro success amid uncertain futureReal Madrid academy midfielder Thiago Pitarch is set for a defining few weeks after earning a place in Jose Mourinho’s pre-season plans, with the Portuguese coach expected to make the final decision on whether the teenager stays at the club or leaves on loan.According to AS, Pitarch will report for first-team training next Monday following Spain’s triumph at the UEFA Under-19 Europea
  
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• Huge rise in harmful social media posts this World Cup

  18-07-2026 15:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup began on 11 June and concludes with the final on Sunday, 19 July [Getty Images]There have been 14 times more harmful posts and comments during the 2026 World Cup compared to the 2022 tournament, Fifa's social media protection service has found.A total of more than seven million messages have been identified and removed this summer.That is a significant increase from 470,000 such posts and comments at the previous World Cup.Fifa has also reported more than 200,000 abusive and t
  
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• Notts County bring in Newport defender Baker

  18-07-2026 15:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Matt Baker made 144 appearances for Newport County, initially on loan from first club Stoke City before joining the Exiles permanently in 2024 [Getty Images]Central defender Matt Baker has joined Notts County on a two-year contract with the option of another year in the club's favour.The 23-year-old, who came through the Stoke City academy, spent three and a half years with Newport County before leaving as a free agent this summer."I think here is the perfect place for me," Baker said. "We can g
  
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• Manchester City make progress in Ayyoub Bouaddi pursuit as Lille name asking price for permanent transfer

  18-07-2026 15:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester City make progress in Ayyoub Bouaddi pursuit as Lille name asking price for permanent transferMan City have made progress in their pursuit of Lille & Morocco midfielder Ayyoub BouaddiLille want £84M for immediate transfer, with package drop option for loan-back or pre-agreementTalks ongoing between the two clubs since June meeting involving Man City CEO Ferran SorianoManchester City have made progress in their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French club
  
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• Burton sign Dundalk forward Arubi

  18-07-2026 15:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Gbemi Arubi leaves Dundalk sitting fourth in the Irish Premier Division [Getty Images]Burton Albion have signed Dundalk forward Gbemi Arubi on a three-year deal, with the option of an additional year, for an undisclosed fee.The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 23 Irish Premier Division appearances in the 2025-26 season, helping earn him a Republic of Ireland Under-21s debut in their 2-2 draw with Croatia in June.Though the move will be Arubi's first outside his home country, he has previous
  
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• The classroom moment that bonds finalists De la Fuente & Scaloni forever

  18-07-2026 15:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC Sport]The teacher against the student.Spain manager Luis de la Fuente and Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will contest the World Cup final having got to New Jersey by different means - but they will always have one thing that bonds them together.Back in 2017 in Scaloni's post-playing limbo, he enrolled at the Spanish federation to study for his Uefa Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in European football. It was there that he first met De la Fuente, who was teaching the technique
  
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• Mauricio Pochettino to make a decision about USMNT future 'next week'

  18-07-2026 14:58 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mauricio Pochettino told a Spanish radio station that will make a decision on his future with the United States men’s national team next week.The Argentinian manager has been in discussions with U.S. Soccer about a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup. A new deal was reportedly offered to the 54-year-old Pochettino before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which saw the USMNT win its group and reach the Round of 16 before falling to Belgium.“We are evaluating it, looking at it
  
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• Report: Tottenham Hotspur star wanted by European giants

  18-07-2026 14:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Tottenham Hotspur star wanted by European giantsPedro Porro transfer interest leaves Tottenham alert, but Barcelona move looks unlikelyPedro Porro has emerged as a player of interest to Barcelona after an impressive Club World Cup campaign, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that senior figures at the Catalan club have taken note of the Tottenham Hotspur full-back.The Spain international has featured five times in the competition and found the net twice, further underlining the attacking out
  
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• Barcelona icon hails Messi, backs Lamine Yamal to shine at World Cup final: ‘He enjoys pressure’

  18-07-2026 14:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona icon hails Messi, backs Lamine Yamal to shine at World Cup final: ‘He enjoys pressure’Gerard Pique believes Lamine Yamal is made for occasions like the World Cup final, with the former Barcelona defender insisting the teenager has already shown he can thrive under the biggest pressure football has to offer.Yamal will carry Spain’s attacking hopes when Luis de la Fuente’s side face Argentina on Sunday, and praise for the Barcelona winger continues to arrive from
  
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• Simeone Targets Oyarzabal as Álvarez Saga Reshapes Atlético’s Attack

  18-07-2026 14:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Simeone Targets Oyarzabal as Álvarez Saga Reshapes Atlético’s AttackAl-Nassr have offered Barcelona the chance to sign striker Jhon Durán as an alternative to Julián Álvarez, according to Diario Sport, while El Chiringuito report separately that Diego Simeone has identified Mikel Oyarzabal as the man he wants this summer – a development that adds a new dimension to one of La Liga’s more tangled transfer sagas.Al-Nassr Push Durán Towards
  
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• Lionel Messi on viral photos of him bathing baby Lamine Yamal: 'What a crazy picture'

  18-07-2026 14:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Spain’s Mikel Merino was like many of us this week when he first saw the viral photos of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing a five-month old Lamine Yamal during a 2007 calendar photoshoot for UNICEF.“The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn’t even real,” Merino said Friday.The photos are real and only resurfaced this week because Messi’s Argentina and Yamal’s Spain will meet on Sunday in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
  
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• Barcelona determined to avoid another “Dro” situation with two La Masia jewels

  18-07-2026 14:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona determined to avoid another “Dro” situation with two La Masia jewelsAccording to Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona are working to secure the futures of academy prospects Pedro Villar and Pedro Rodriguez, whose contracts expire in 2027, as the club looks to avoid repeating the circumstances that led to Dro Fernandez’s departure.Learning from the Dro caseDro emerged as one of the biggest surprises of last summer’s pre-season.After spending most of the previous campaig
  
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• Ben Jacobs: Liverpool leading the race to sign World Cup star

  18-07-2026 14:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ben Jacobs: Liverpool leading the race to sign World Cup starLiverpool Lead Bradley Barcola Race as PSG Set £128m Asking PriceLiverpool have been here before, circling elite talent, weighing up value, need and timing, then deciding whether to go all in. This time the name under the spotlight is Bradley Barcola, and according to Ben Jacobs, the Reds are currently at the front of the queue.That matters, because Barcola is no speculative link. He is one of the most coveted young forwards in E
  
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• Official: Roma announce Mancini & Cristante renewals

  18-07-2026 14:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Official: Roma announce Mancini & Cristante renewalsRoma have confirmed contract extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante, securing two of the club’s longest-serving players on the same day.According to the club’s official announcements, Mancini has committed until 2029 and Cristante until 2028.The pair have become fixtures of the Giallorossi side over the best part of a decade, Mancini since 2019, Cristante since 2018, and both extensions underline Gian Piero Gasperin
  
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