Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant Italy job after expressing a strong desire to lead the Azzurri. The Spanish tactician, who is currently a free agent, has publicly flirted with the idea of taking over the national team as they look to rebuild following a catastrophic period on the international stage.
UEFA are preparing to radically overhaul the international football calendar from the 2028-29 season, replacing traditional qualifying stages with a Swiss-style league format. Mirroring the newly updated Champions League structure, European nations will play fewer double-headers and face a wider variety of opponents in a tiered system designed to heighten competition and eliminate repetitive fixtures.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has once again stepped in to defend the astronomical pricing of tickets for the 2026 World Cup. Facing an onslaught of criticism from supporters who have labelled the costs as "shameful," the head of world football's governing body claims the move is a financial necessity.
