World Soccer news

• Leonardo surprising new Italy advisor for technical director Maldini

  12-07-2026 18:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Leonardo surprising new Italy advisor for technical director MaldiniThe big surprise for Italy is the arrival of Leonardo as a special advisor, as FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals it was ‘Paolo Maldini’s suggestion’ he be involved.There were weeks of talks before Maldini finally accepted the role of technical director at the Italy camp, which has been created especially for him to give some structure and consistency to the Nazionale.It was no secret that he was the
  
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• Spanish defender talks about his growing chemistry with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal: ‘Things are going really well with him’

  13-07-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Spanish defender talks about his growing chemistry with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal: ‘Things are going really well with him’Few players have developed a stronger understanding with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal during the FIFA World Cup than Pedro Porro. After beginning the tournament on the bench, the Spain international has cemented his place in Luis de la Fuente’s starting XI and has become one of the most important pieces alongside the teenage winger.The growing Pedro Po
  
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• Reece James ready for World Cup ‘crunch time’ as he sets his sights on Argentina after injury woes

  13-07-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Reece James has expressed his relief and satisfaction at recovering from injury just in time for England’s crucial World Cup semi-final clash against holders Argentina. The Chelsea captain made a timely return to action by featuring as a second-half substitute in the Three Lions’ 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway after extra time on Saturday.James had been sidelined for three matches due to a hamstring problem sustained during the second group stage fixture against Ghana. His re-
  
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• Gianni Infantino hints at expanding World Cup again to 64 teams

  13-07-2026 09:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Gianni Infantino has opened the door to further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams.Infantino successfully pushed for the growth of the World Cup to 48 teams as has been seen at this summer’s edition, a move which initially drew significant scrutiny but has brought little debate since the tournament began.The Fifa president says the success of the 48-team World Cup means the world governing body now have reason to consider further expansion ahead of the 2030 tournament held across Spain, P
  
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• 📲 Sweating on the bench: Argentina star reveals his stress data

  13-07-2026 09:13 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📲 Sweating on the bench: Argentina star reveals his stress dataHow stressful it can sometimes be to sit on the bench and not be able to help the team was something Nico Paz experienced in the quarterfinal against Switzerland (3-1 after extra time). The Argentine spent the entire match on the bench and later shared the reading from his stress-monitoring app on Instagram. In his story, he posted a screenshot of the app, whose scale ranges from 0 to 3.0. Paz’s reading in the quar
  
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• Merino pounces on Lammens mistake to score late winner for Spain

  13-07-2026 09:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fairytale goodbyes are a rarity in football.Belgium's 2-1 defeat by Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup is likely to have marked the final bow of the four remaining members of the Red Devils' golden generation.Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel have been mainstays of the national team since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but their final chance of winning football's biggest prize ended with a mistake from one of their successors.The injured Courtois, replaced
  
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• Jose Mourinho handpicks Real Madrid academy talents for crucial pre-season test – report

  13-07-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jose Mourinho handpicks Real Madrid academy talents for crucial pre-season test – reportReal Madrid pre-season officially gets underway today, but behind the scenes, Jose Mourinho has already been laying the foundations for what he hopes will be a successful new chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to MARCA, the Portuguese manager has spent the past few weeks analysing detailed reports on his squad while also identifying the academy players he wants to evaluate personally durin
  
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• Full list of Barcelona academy talents training with the first team during pre-season this summer

  13-07-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Full list of Barcelona academy talents training with the first team during pre-season this summerThe wait is finally over as Barcelona pre-season officially gets underway ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with Hansi Flick welcoming his players back to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. While several first-team stars remain away following international duty at the World Cup, the opening week of preparations offers a valuable opportunity for some of La Masia’s biggest talents to impress the
  
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• Barcelona defender Gerard Martin talks Flick, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Cubarsi, Messi, Joan Garcia

  13-07-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona defender Gerard Martin talks Flick, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Cubarsi, Messi, Joan GarciaAs Barcelona pre-season gets underway, Gerard Martin has offered an honest insight into his rapid development under Hansi Flick. The versatile defender reflected on his new role as a centre-back, the trust shown by the Barcelona manager, Lionel Messi’s performances at the FIFA World Cup and the changes inside the dressing room ahead of the new campaign.Speaking in an extensive interview wit
  
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• Borrowed shoes, no Golden Boot - the story of the World Cup's greatest scorer

  13-07-2026 08:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]Just Fontaine's record 13 goals at a single World Cup is remarkable in itself. Now consider that he wasn't wearing his own boots, and wasn't supposed to be starting France's games.He didn't even get a Golden Boot trophy for being the 1958 tournament's top scorer - instead he was awarded an air rifle by a Swedish newspaper for being a "sharp shooter".His name comes up every four years as the benchmark for the latest crop of players - but for the rest of the time he is a great pub qu
  
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• Report: Liverpool have opened talks to sign World Cup forward with a £10.4m release clause

  13-07-2026 08:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Liverpool have opened talks to sign World Cup forward with a £10.4m release clauseLiverpool Enter Haissem Hassan Race as Real Oviedo Stand FirmLiverpool have reportedly joined the developing chase for Haissem Hassan, with Real Oviedo’s valuation emerging as the central issue in any prospective deal. According to El Gol Digital, the Merseyside club have opened talks with the Spanish side over the 24-year-old winger, who has already attracted serious attention from Celtic earli
  
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• 🗞️ Just one day to go: France-Spain, all-out showdown on Monday's back pages

  13-07-2026 08:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🗞️ Just one day to go: France-Spain, all-out showdown on Monday's back pagesThe sports front pages are heating up on the eve of the big 2026 World Cup semifinal between Spain and France, blending La Roja’s blind confidence with the absolute respect of the French.The football world comes to a halt for the most eagerly awaited clash. Monday’s newsstands reflect the huge anticipation surrounding a duel that will decide the tournament’s finalist, marked by Spanish op
  
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• Merino the unlikely hero for Spain again

  13-07-2026 08:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Any side looking to be successful need match-winners throughout the team - and Spain are proving they have them as Mikel Merino delivered in his role as super sub once again to send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals.The Arsenal midfielder stepped off the bench for the second successive game to score the decisive goal - this time securing a 2-1 victory over Belgium.There are just two examples of a player scoring the winning goal for Spain in the knockout stages of the World Cu
  
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• Several Premier League clubs interested in exit-linked Real Madrid star – Romano

  13-07-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Several Premier League clubs interested in exit-linked Real Madrid star – RomanoReal Madrid’s pre-season is set to begin today, and one of the first-team players who will be working with Jose Mourinho from day one is Eduardo Camavinga.The French midfielder has not enjoyed the best years of his career recently and has had a lot of ups and downs in terms of both form and fitness.As a result of his inconsistency and dip in form, Los Blancos have labelled him as a transfer
  
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• Richard Hughes has the chance to give Liverpool the perfect parting gift

  13-07-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Richard Hughes has the chance to give Liverpool the perfect parting giftRichard Hughes seems destined to leave Liverpool by the start of the 2026-27 season. Talk of the Englishman looking for a way out of Anfield has been rife for a while now.Most people thought that his main chunk of work was done last summer but, since the vast majority of his signings failed to make a difference, the former Bournemouth man is on the hunt for new talent once again.However, the fact that this is likely to be Hu
  
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• Barcelona president Joan Laporta addresses Ferran Torres future in the wake of PSG links: ‘I’ve heard about it’

  13-07-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona president Joan Laporta addresses Ferran Torres future in the wake of PSG links: ‘I’ve heard about it’Barcelona transfer news continues to be dominated by uncertainty surrounding Ferran Torres after Paris Saint-Germain emerged as serious admirers of the Spanish attacker. The development has gathered momentum following the club’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, a move that could influence Hansi Flick’s attacking options before the new
  
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• Celtic boss resigned to losing Engels and Maeda - gossip

  13-07-2026 08:38 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expects to sell Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels this summer as Rangers counterpart Derek McInnes admits he needs departures before more signings.Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is resigned to losing 28-year-old Japan forward Daizen Maeda and 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Arne Engels this summer. (Daily Record)Martin O'Neill would love to keep Daizen Maeda at Celtic this summer and allow him to run down the final year of his contract, as club legend Henrik Larsson did mo
  
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• Why Trump and Fifa, try as they might, will never overshadow World Cup’s most beautiful feature

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  As the beginnings of a Mexico City thunderstorm swirl high above, dark clouds circling like a slow-motion whirlpool, a pair of English fans do not give a jot. It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside t
  
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• Roma have agreement with Tresoldi, continue talks with Brugge

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Roma have agreement with Tresoldi, continue talks with BruggeRoma has identified Nicolò Tresoldi as the right candidate to serve as Malen’s assistant. The Club Brugge striker has clear ideas and has already made his decision: he wants to wear the Giallorossi jersey. The 2004-born player has already given the green light to a move to the capital, confident he can work and grow under Gian Piero Gasperini. Tresoldi finished the season with extraordinary numbers: 23 goals and 9 assists
  
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• Real Madrid working on a third contract renewal beyond Vinicius Jr. and Tchouameni – Romano

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid working on a third contract renewal beyond Vinicius Jr. and Tchouameni – RomanoAt this point in the transfer window, Real Madrid are making purposeful advances in terms of securing arrivals and ensuring player departures, although there is still a need for more progress on the latter front.A third concurrent objective for the administration, needless to say, is extending the contracts of players who are nearing the end of their deals. After all, the Vinicius Jr.
  
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• It seems that a key man for Manchester City will be ready for next season after all

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  It seems that a key man for Manchester City will be ready for next season after allIt was reported at the end of June that Rodri would miss the beginning of the 2026-27 season for Manchester City due to an unknown injury. Jack Gaughan reported for the Daily Mail that Rodri would undergo surgery on a mysterious injury following Spain’s participation at the World Cup. That news did come as a blow for Enzo Maresca’s side given how important Rodri is to City’s play. However, a new
  
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• How France and Spain’s World Cup clash of contrasts could decide football’s tactical future

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  As France have cruised through this World Cup, their stellar attackers so empowered to play with freedom, one concern has been niggling away at Didier Deschamps. It’s why he’s actually asked journalists to point out their few flaws. Now, this week, that concern has finally become an outright problem.What do France do with their two-man midfield when they face the three of Spain? A team that has swarmed everyone else may suddenly find themselves outnumbered in the key area.Spain and F
  
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• Hoffenheim admit talks underway for Barcelona-linked striker as departure looms

  13-07-2026 08:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Hoffenheim admit talks underway for Barcelona-linked striker as departure loomsBarcelona’s search for attacking reinforcements continues to throw up names, and one long-standing target could be edging closer to a summer move.Fisnik Asllani, the 23-year-old Hoffenheim striker who has been on Barcelona’s radar for months, appears increasingly likely to leave the German club after their sporting director openly admitted his exit is being considered.Hoffenheim confirm the interestAsllani
  
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• Wales to profit from 'massive' U19s Euros legacy

  13-07-2026 08:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Spain players celebrate winning the Uefa Men's Under-19 Championship following their 2-0 win over Germany at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground [FAW]Spain are chasing World Cup glory in the United States but their under-19s have already achieved success this summer.The Spanish youngsters were the standout team in the Uefa U19s Euros held in Wales over the past fortnight.Playing an impressive brand of football, they scored 19 goals and their 2-0 win over Germany in the final secured their 10th title at
  
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• Slaven Bilic set to return as Croatia manager

  13-07-2026 08:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Slaven Bilic set to return as Croatia managerSlaven Bilic is set to make a sensational return as Croatia manager, with the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) preparing to officially announce him as Zlatko Dalic’s successor on Monday.The HNS Executive Board is scheduled to meet at 13:00 local time, with Bilic expected to be presented to the media one hour later if his appointment receives final approval.Before the board meeting, the federation’s Professional Commission, led by Bozidar
  
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• Liverpool give Andoni Iraola the £125m star to build his team around

  13-07-2026 08:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Liverpool give Andoni Iraola the £125m star to build his team aroundMohamed Salah’s departure from the club has left the door open for Liverpool to go and sign another elite right winger. But replacing the goals and assists isn’t that simple.However, the Reds may already possess the player capable of becoming the team’s new focal point.Alexander Isak has shown he can produce top levels of goalscoring in England, netting 54 times in 86 appearances during his spell at Newca
  
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• Diego Forlan appointed Uruguay manager following Marcelo Bielsa’s exit

  13-07-2026 08:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Diego Forlan appointed Uruguay manager following Marcelo Bielsa’s exitUruguay have turned to one of their greatest-ever footballers to lead the national team into a new era.The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) president Ignacio Alonso confirmed Diego Forlan will be appointed as interim head coach following Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.The former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal forward will take charge of La Celeste until March 2027, with the federation set to review his position the
  
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• Bellingham hits back at Tuchel as Switzerland rage over unprecedented VAR decision

  13-07-2026 08:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Bellingham hits back at Tuchel as Switzerland rage over unprecedented VAR decisionWorld Cup drama reached new heights as England and Argentina booked their places in the semi-finals, though not without controversy.The latest flashpoints only added to the growing debate over refereeing decisions that has followed this tournament from the outset, and there’s no time to catch your breath. Trouble in paradise?England clinched a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in the quarter-final, comi
  
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• Barcelona president Joan Laporta fires fresh warning in Julian Alvarez pursuit as Atletico stand firm

  13-07-2026 08:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona president Joan Laporta fires fresh warning in Julian Alvarez pursuit as Atletico stand firmBarcelona president Joan Laporta has once again stoked speculation surrounding a potential move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.He insists the Catalan giants have already made an offer but will not be drawn into an endless negotiation.Laporta arrived in Dallas ahead of the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain.However, questions quickly turned towards Alvarez, who has been one
  
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• Pellegrini nears two-year extension with option

  13-07-2026 08:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Pellegrini nears two-year extension with optionRoma are in contact with Pellegrini’s agent to formalize the agreement for the midfielder’s new contract.According to today’s edition of Leggo, the midfielder’s future won’t be far from Roma, as demonstrated by the latest (positive) discussions between Lorenzo’s entourage and sporting director Tony D’Amico. A salary of €2.5 million per season plus bonuses is expected, but the real sticking point so far
  
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