World Soccer news

• The woeful qualifying record Celtic must rectify

  18-08-2026 15:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]For Celtic, failure to reach the Champions League this season would be a disaster.I know that might sound dramatic. But look at the record.Kairat Almaty last year. Midtjylland in 2021. Ferencvaros in 2020. Cluj in 2019. AEK Athens in 2018.Five consecutive Champions League qualifying campaigns. Five exits.Go back further and there were also defeats to Maribor in 2014 and Malmo in 2015, though Brendan Rodgers did buck the trend somewhat by overcoming Hapoel Be'er Sheva in 2016 and Astana in 2
  
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• Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira lands top international manager’s job

  18-08-2026 16:33 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Patrick Vieira has been appointed as Senegal's new head coach, taking over the national side following his departure from Genoa last November. The Senegal-born former Arsenal captain had been out of work since being sacked by the Serie A club.The 50-year-old succeeds Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal suffered defeat against Belgium in the round of 32 at the recent World Cup. During his playing career, Vieira won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and claimed both the World Cup an
  
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• Mourinho faces a challenge to accommodate two key Real Madrid stars in the same lineup

  18-08-2026 16:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mourinho faces a challenge to accommodate two key Real Madrid stars in the same lineupAfter a month of preparing for the season ahead, Jose Mourinho has made some key observations in his new-look Real Madrid squad.The coach has already been impressed by youngsters Mario Rivas and Alex Ciria. But as far as the first-team is concerned, that is rather inconsequential.Mourinho’s big challenge will be accomodate the six new signings into the system. But perhaps a bigger challenge will be to pla
  
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• La Liga club join race for €10 million-rated Barcelona outcast – report

  18-08-2026 16:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  La Liga club join race for €10 million-rated Barcelona outcast – reportHector Fort has known for several days that he must leave FC Barcelona and that the Catalans are now prioritizing a permanent transfer for him.Since last week, the 20-year-old La Masia graduate has been training away from the main group, with other players on the exit ramp, including Marc Casado. As already reported, the Barça full-back has attracted interest from several European clubs while awaiting a fina
  
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• Chelsea announce bizarre youth team name change ahead of new season

  18-08-2026 16:13 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Chelsea have dropped the club’s name from their age-group teams ahead of the new season, with the under-21 and under-19 sides being rebranded as Cobham Next Gen.The teams will compete as CNG in Premier League 2, with Chelsea believing the change better mirrors their academy's age profile after the under-21 squad was largely composed of players under 19 last term.The title stems from the club’s Surrey training base at Cobham, where youth sides occasionally host fixtures, although most
  
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• Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot reveals desire to win a major trophy this season

  18-08-2026 16:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot reveals desire to win a major trophy this seasonDiogo Dalot has faced a fair share of ups and downs during his time at Manchester United and the versatile full-back even had a spell at Milan some years ago.That helped his career quite a bit, as he used the game time at the Rossoneri to return to Old Trafford and become a reliable squad player for the Red Devils.The defender also played at the World Cup for Portugal, having come a long way since his time in I
  
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• Official | Werder Bremen bring Niclas Füllkrug back to the Bundesliga

  18-08-2026 16:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Official | Werder Bremen bring Niclas Füllkrug back to the BundesligaWerder Bremen have officially confirmed the return of Niclas Füllkrug. The 33-year-old German international joins his former club on a season-long loan from West Ham United without a purchase option. No loan fee is reportedly due, while Füllkrug has accepted a reduction in salary in order to facilitate the move. The veteran striker remains under contract with relegated West Ham through 2028.The transfer
  
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• Fermin Lopez talks Julian Alvarez, Rodri, Gordon, Adeyemi, Flick, No. 7 shirt, World Cup

  18-08-2026 16:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fermin Lopez talks Julian Alvarez, Rodri, Gordon, Adeyemi, Flick, No. 7 shirt, World CupBarcelona’s squad is now filled with World Champions, and the Blaugrana will soon announce the arrival of Rodri to further lengthen the list.One more player who could have had the same tag is Fermin Lopez, and the player was even set to be part of the Spanish contingent for the World Cup.A last-minute fracture to his metatarsal, however, turned his world upside down as he was forced to stay in Catalonia
  
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• Arsenal still interested in 2 top attackers this summer

  18-08-2026 16:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Arsenal still interested in 2 top attackers this summerArsenal are waiting to see if long-term targets Kenan Yildiz or Julian Alvarez become available at the end of the summer transfer window, according to a report.Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty ImagesArsenal have been on the lookout for attacking additions all summer, and the club have already added Christos Tzolis to their squad.But other pursuits involving Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa (now Chelsea) and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid proved unsu
  
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• Play BBC Sport's new Match of the Day Predictor game

  18-08-2026 16:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]Fancy testing your football prediction skills?With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the la
  
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• Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich contract talks after entering final year of his deal

  18-08-2026 16:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Harry Kane is prepared to open discussions with Bayern Munich over a contract extension with the reigning Bundesliga champions.The England captain has entered the final 12 months of the original four-year agreement he signed after transferring from Tottenham Hotspur for £86.4 million back in August 2023.In a video broadcast by Kicker, Kane said: "We obviously said we wanted to talk after the World Cup and after my holiday. So I’m not sure exactly when, but they’ll start this we
  
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• Why Sheffield United are in the High Court and what it could mean

  18-08-2026 15:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Sheffield United started the Championship season with a 0-0 home draw against Birmingham [Getty Images]Sheffield United's owners face a winding-up order in the High Court on Wednesday which could mean the club incur a 12-point deduction in the Championship this season.The case is related to the purchase of the club in December 2024 by COH Sports Bidco Limited (CSBL), an American-based consortium.CSBL agreed to buy the Blades for just over £100m but, according to the club's former owners Un
  
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• PSG have made huge Bradley Barcola decision amid Liverpool interest

  18-08-2026 15:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PSG have made huge Bradley Barcola decision amid Liverpool interestLiverpool Transfer News: Bradley Barcola Set to Remain Sidelined at PSGLiverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola appears to have reached an important stage, with the France international reportedly expected to remain outside Paris Saint-Germain’s first team plans while uncertainty continues over his future.According to RMC Sport, Barcola is unlikely to return to Luis Enrique’s squad immediately and is not expected
  
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• 'It sucks' - Driouech on late collapse of Rangers move

  18-08-2026 15:51 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]Couhaib Driouech says he is sorry to have missed "a great step" after the late collapse of his proposed move to Rangers, revealing he had mentally made the switch from PSV Eindhoven before the deal broke down.The 24-year-old winger was at Ibrox to watch the second leg of Rangers' Europa League defeat by Jagiellonia Bialystok last Thursday.However, an injury issue led Rangers to withdraw their interest."It was a roller coaster of emotions, but I am back," said Driouech, addressing t
  
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• Report: Two Liverpool stars set to leave this summer

  18-08-2026 15:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Two Liverpool stars set to leave this summerLiverpool Transfers: Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo Exit Talks Shape Andoni Iraola RebuildLiverpool could yet see two notable departures before the window shuts, with Caught Offside reporting that Curtis Jones is wanted by Inter Milan and Cody Gakpo is moving closer to Tottenham Hotspur. For Andoni Iraola, this is quickly becoming a key part of his summer rebuild.Jones has entered the final year of his deal, and that fact naturally sharpens the di
  
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• Newcastle United prowl for Milan’s Christopher Nkunku but Leipzig advance in move

  18-08-2026 15:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Newcastle United prowl for Milan’s Christopher Nkunku but Leipzig advance in moveSerie A side Milan are now keen on selling attacker Christopher Nkunku, who has attracted interest from Newcastle United. But for now, RB Leipzig are making advances over a move.MilanNewsreport that the Rossoneri are awaiting formal approaches for the Frenchman, with the Magpies and the German club in the race for him.Gianluca Di Marzio has reported further, claiming that Leipzig have made an initial approach
  
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• Striker Fullkrug exits West Ham on loan

  18-08-2026 15:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Niclas Fullkrug has scored 14 international goals for Germany [Getty Images]West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug has moved to Werder Bremen on a season-long loan.The 33-year-old, who joined the Hammers for £27m from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, scored three goals in 11 Premier League starts but spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.Fullkrug, a German international, returns to Werder for a third spell having also started his career with the Bundesliga club.West Ha
  
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• Real Madrid still monitoring two positions as Mourinho pushes for further signings

  18-08-2026 15:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid still monitoring two positions as Mourinho pushes for further signingsReal Madrid have been one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer window across Europe.Los Blancos have undoubtedly had one of their highest-spending summers in recent times, also backing it up with smart academy sales.Despite adding as many as six first-team stars to the existing squad, Jose Mourinho still seems keen on more.According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Real Madrid continue to monitor the
  
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• Anthony Gordon reveals why he chose Barcelona: ‘Was already familiar with Flick’s philosophy’

  18-08-2026 15:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Anthony Gordon reveals why he chose Barcelona: ‘Was already familiar with Flick’s philosophy’Anthony Gordon is only a few days into his Barcelona career, but the English winger already appears to be enjoying his new surroundings.Ahead of the 61st edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al-Ahly, Gordon and fellow summer signing Karim Adeyemi took centre stage for the traditional photograph with the trophy. Speaking to the club’s media after the picture, the 25-year-
  
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• Who has qualified for Champions League's league phase?

  18-08-2026 15:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]The final seven places in this season's Champions League league phase will be confirmed next week.A total of 36 teams will compete in the league phase. Of those, 29 sides have already sealed their places.They consist of the best-placed finishers across Europe's top-ranked leagues from the 2025-26 season. The best-placed teams from the lower-ranked European nations entered qualifying rounds.Qualifying consists of four rounds, with the last of those four rounds taking place across this week a
  
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• Lucumi gives first interview as a Juventus player: ‘Happy to be joining Italy’s biggest team’

  18-08-2026 15:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Lucumi gives first interview as a Juventus player: ‘Happy to be joining Italy’s biggest team’Jhon Lucumi has given his first interview as a Juventus player, speaking to the club’s official channels shortly after completing his move from Bologna.Speaking with quotes via Juventus’ website, the Colombian defender is already relishing the step up: “I’m very happy to have arrived here. I’m joining the biggest team in Italy and I’m really excited.
  
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• 'We've brought this issue upon ourselves' - fans on Blues' need to sell

  18-08-2026 15:37 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC][Getty Images]We asked for your views on the bloated squad at Stamford Bridge - which our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella (17 August, 16:54 BST) says is the main issue to solve after pre-season - and what will happen between now and the end of the transfer window.Here are some of your comments:Nick: Chelsea have done well to bring in players early in the transfer window but, as usual, have dithered over moving on those who are surplus to requirements. To avoid another 'bomb squad ', we'll
  
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• Mendes brought in to resolve Fernandez situation

  18-08-2026 15:36 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]Alexander Isak's protracted £125m move to Liverpool dominated last summer's transfer window and there are signs that Manchester City's pursuit of Enzo Fernandez could follow a similar pattern.Chelsea agreed with the midfielder's agent Javier Pastore in late May that he could leave the club for £120m - but they put a deadline of 14 August for any bids.Now that deadline has passed without any formal offers, the Blues have told Fernandez's camp that the player is not for s
  
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• I will be there for the team - Bocat

  18-08-2026 15:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Bocat is in his third season with Stoke City [Getty Images]Eric Bocat is ready to take on any role Stoke City boss Mark Robins wants him to fill.The Frenchman has started both games for the Potters so far this season, scoring his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Swansea City on the opening day of the Championship campaign.Bocat, 27, made 21 league starts for Stoke last season but is not taking anything for granted this term."When the team needs me, I will be here and always an
  
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• Hansi Flick shuts down Frenkie de Jong rift claims: ‘Our relationship is excellent’

  18-08-2026 15:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Hansi Flick shuts down Frenkie de Jong rift claims: ‘Our relationship is excellent’Hansi Flick has moved to end the speculation surrounding his relationship with Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong, insisting there are no problems between the two.Questions over De Jong’s relationship with the Barcelona manager have grown since the Dutchman returned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying a knee injury. One report even claimed that trust between the pair had broken down followi
  
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• Penrice determined to make Rangers left-back jersey his own

  18-08-2026 15:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  James Penrice scored and assisted on his Rangers debut [SNS]James Penrice hopes to capitalise on an impressive debut performance by making the starting Rangers left-back spot his own.The 27-year-old was signed on loan from AEK Athens on Saturday and featured in Derek McInnes' XI 24 hours later with Tuur Rommens out injured.The former Hearts defender went on to score and assist in the 5-1 League Cup last-16 victory over St Mirren, setting up a quarter-final with Celtic."[Rommens] is obviously inj
  
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• Monza submit offer for Derby and Sweden goalkeeper Zetterstrom

  18-08-2026 15:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Monza submit offer for Derby and Sweden goalkeeper ZetterstromMonza have submitted an offer to Derby County for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, with the Sweden goalkeeper impressing at this summer’s World Cup.According to Fabrizio Romano, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Monza want the 28-year-old on a permanent deal despite already having Thiam and Pizzignacco on their books, with the proposal worth €2.5m plus 50% of any future sale. The move comes just four days before Serie A’s season opener,
  
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• Fifa accused of ‘management by fear’ after Gianni Infantino critic sacked

  18-08-2026 15:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fifa has been accused of “management by fear” after the departure of a top official who criticised president Gianni Infantino. Kevin Lamour left his position as Fifa’s chief operating officer on Monday, just weeks after he said that Fifa staff had been “deceived” by Infantino’s plans to sell off commercial stakes in the World Cup. Lamour criticised those plans and said Fifa staff“deserve better than contempt and intimidation” after they were left i
  
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• 🚨 Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coach

  18-08-2026 15:18 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🚨 Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coachThe return to his roots is confirmed.Patrick Vieira, a native of Dakar, is the new head coach of the Senegal national team. The former France midfielder was officially appointed this Tuesday, while the dismissal process of Pape Thiaw still drags on in the background.In its brief statement, the Senegalese Football Federation specifies that “the date of the official presentation and the next steps of his appointment will be the subject of
  
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• 'Prognosis remains guarded' - Serie A's Trepy on ventilator

  18-08-2026 15:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Yael Trepy played for Cagliari in the Coppa Italia on Friday [Getty Images]Serie A forward Yael Trepy remains in hospital under "pharmacological sedation" and on a ventilator after he lost consciousness in a swimming pool in Sardinia.Trepy, 20, was airlifted to hospital after being pulled from a swimming pool at a villa on Sunday afternoon.His club Cagliari shared a statement on Tuesday from the Santissima Annunziata Civil Hospital in Sassari, where Trepy is being treated.The statement said Trep
  
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