It was all there for England on Friday, as they faced Spain in Mallorca with automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup on the line. Avoid defeat and the Lionesses would punch their ticket to Brazil, forcing one of their biggest rivals for next summer’s title to have to navigate the play-offs. It was a huge opportunity, but one they spurned in incredible circumstances, suffering a 4-0 loss that stands out as the biggest for this team under Sarina Wiegman.
Tournament favourites Spain wrapped up their final preparations ahead of the World Cup with a convincing 3-1 friendly victory over Peru in Puebla. Real Sociedad attacker Mikel Oyarzabal continued his magnificent individual form by netting for the sixth successive international match, setting a confident tone for La Roja's upcoming campaign.
Manchester United remain determined to sign Elliot Anderson despite Manchester City being viewed as favourites for the Nottingham Forest midfielder. Forest have already rejected an £80 million bid, with the 23-year-old valued at around £100m. The Red Devils believe they can still convince the England international to choose Old Trafford.
The USWNT face Brazil for a second time in June as Emma Hayes’ side look for a response after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat. GOAL breaks down the biggest storylines ahead of kickoff.
Former Arsenal and France star Olivier Giroud has officially agreed a one-year contract extension with Lille, ensuring the legendary striker will continue playing top-flight football into his 40s. Giroud will lead the line for Les Dogues next season under the guidance of newly appointed manager Davide Ancelotti, son of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Newcastle are on the verge of confirming their first arrival of the summer transfer window as Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen heads to Tyneside. While initial reports suggested a hefty price tag, the Magpies have successfully negotiated a deal that sees them pay significantly less for the highly-rated 20-year-old.
Michael Olise scored three and France overcame a brief scare from Northern Ireland to wrap up their pre-World Cup friendlies with a comfortable 3-1 win. The Bayern Munich star was effective throughout and good value for his hat-trick as Les Bleus saw off the visitors without really getting out of second gear. It's hard to imagine a better result before France move to the U.S.
Arsenal have sent shockwaves through their backroom staff by sacking head doctor Zafar Iqbal just days after the conclusion of a historic season. Despite the Gunners finally ending their 22-year drought to claim the Premier League title, the campaign was marred by a series of high-profile injury setbacks.
Newcastle are reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of Sandro Tonali this summer as they look to proactively manage their squad value and avoid the complications that surrounded Alexander Isak's future. The Italian midfielder has become the subject of intense interest from the Premier League's elite, sparking what could become one of the biggest transfer sagas of the upcoming window.
Kobbie Mainoo continues to establish himself as one of the most technically gifted players in the England setup, even leaving his teammates in awe during training. The Manchester United midfielder has been singled out for his incredible close control as Thomas Tuchel’s side prepares for World Cup action in the United States.
Dan Burn is ready for the World Cup after a preparation period that involved more than just tactical drills and fitness tests. The Newcastle United defender has revealed that a family trip to Walt Disney World served as the perfect warm-up for the global showpiece.
Nottingham Forest have slapped a staggering price tag on Elliot Anderson as Manchester City look to rebuild their midfield following the departure of Pep Guardiola. While the former Newcastle man has emerged as a top priority for the Etihad hierarchy, questions are being asked about whether any club will realistically match the current demands.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has opened up on the moment he thought he had secured football’s most prestigious individual honour, only to see it slip away. The teenager admitted that failing to beat Ousmane Dembele to the Ballon d’Or actually served as a vital catalyst for his recent personal growth and maturity.
Cristiano Ronaldo is often depicted as a superhuman figure whose obsession with perfection separates him from the rest of the sporting world. However, former team-mate Danilo has offered a refreshing glimpse into the reality of sharing a dressing room with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, insisting that the Portuguese icon is far more grounded than his public persona suggests.
The U.S. responded well to going 1-0 down against Germany, but settled for little more than a hard-working loss against a better opponent - an eerily familiar outcome.
Kylian Mbappe is currently navigating the intense scrutiny that comes with being the focal point of the Real Madrid attack, a burden previously carried by club legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite a prolific start to life in Spain, the Frenchman has faced accusations of arrogance and claims that his presence disrupts team balance, much like the debates that once surrounded the Portuguese icon.
Netherlands' World Cup preparations have been rocked by the news that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been forced to withdraw from the squad. Despite travelling to the United States with Ronald Koeman's side, the versatile defender has failed to overcome a persistent injury in time for the tournament opener.
FIFA has officially reached a settlement with former France and Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, bringing an end to a long-running legal battle that threatened to upend the global transfer system. The dispute followed a landmark court ruling that found certain FIFA regulations to be in breach of European Union law.
Scotland's World Cup preparations have been hit by an incredible war of words following the late cancellation of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Norway. The decision has left Scandinavian officials fuming, with stinging accusations of unprofessionalism directed at Steve Clarke and the Scottish FA.
Manchester United have officially opened negotiations with West Ham for midfielder Mateus Fernandes as the club accelerates its summer recruitment drive. Following the departure of Casemiro, the Red Devils are determined to overhaul their options in the middle of the park under the guidance of Michael Carrick.
Neymar is pulling out all the stops to ensure he is fit for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign, including the use of specialised space-age equipment. The Selecao icon, who is undergoing intensive rehabilitation for a chronic calf injury in New Jersey, was spotted sporting a fresh haircut.
Christian Eriksen has broken his silence to reassure supporters that he is recovering at home following a terrifying on-pitch collapse during Denmark’s clash with Ukraine. The 34-year-old midfielder was discharged from the hospital after his internal defibrillator was triggered during the international friendly on Sunday.
The race for Julian Alvarez has taken an explosive turn as reports link the Atletico Madrid star with a controversial move across the capital. Speculation is mounting that the Argentine forward has become the primary target for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in a deal that could rock La Liga.
Alyssa Thompson has enjoyed an electric start to life in London, quickly establishing herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the Women's Super League. The USWNT international made a bold jump from the NWSL to Chelsea last summer and has already surpassed her own internal goals for her debut campaign.
Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in shaping his new era at Real Madrid following the re-election of Florentino Perez. The Portuguese tactician is reportedly set to bring a familiar warrior back to the Santiago Bernabeu to bolster his backroom team.
Luis de la Fuente has robustly defended Gavi after the Barcelona youngster faced a backlash for a heavy challenge on team-mate Rodri during a Spain training session. Despite the tackle causing a brief injury scare for the Manchester City anchor, the national team boss insisted he has no desire to see the midfielder tone down his aggressive style.
Real Madrid have sensationally called for Barcelona to be stripped of their historic titles as the fallout from the Negreira scandal reaches a definitive breaking point. Following his dominant re-election victory, Florentino Perez has taken the offensive by submitting an extensive legal dossier to UEFA's headquarters.