MLS returned Thursday, with Commissioner Don Garber, league executives and players discussing the momentum generated by the 2026 World Cup, Christian Pulisic’s future and what comes next.
Two days before the biggest World Cup Final of our lifetime, Trevor Noah pulls up to The Late Run. He tells the story behind the photo of Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal nearly two decades before they meet in a World Cup Final, explains why the whole world is rooting for Spain on Sunday, and calls out England for playing scared.
It was all going so, so well for around 80 minutes. England went toe-to-toe with Argentina, and had a just-about-deserved 1-0 lead over the defending champions. A first World Cup final in 1966 was in sight for the Three Lions. And then, due in large part to the decisions of manager Thomas Tuchel, it was snatched away.
MLS returns from its World Cup break with Lionel Messi facing an uncertain timeline, Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann arriving, and Nashville SC setting the pace.
Atlanta did not need the World Cup to manufacture a soccer culture. Eight matches and more than half a million fan-festival visitors only confirmed what the city had spent nearly 60 years building.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
Against all the odds and pre-match conjecture, it is Spain who progressed to the final of the 2026 World Cup after overcoming France and their fabled forward line with alarming ease in Dallas on Tuesday. It was quite incredible just how routine the 2-0 victory was, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all failing to show up as the tournament favourites bowed out with a whimper.
ATLANTA -- U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson addressed the White House’s involvement in the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, saying President Donald Trump “is able to do what the President wants to do.” Trump’s call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino before Balogun’s one-match ban was suspended has drawn widespread criticism, although FIFA has maintained that its disciplinary process was independent.
President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the White House confirmed Thursday afternoon. Last year, Trump presented Chelsea FC with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy and has built a well-known friendship with Gianni Infantino. The American President, however, found himself in controversy as he acknowledged reaching out to FIFA about Folarin Balogun's red card - which was ultimately suspended.
Folarin Balogun has opened up on the "unfortunate" circumstances that saw the United States men's national team thrust into a political storm during the 2026 World Cup. The striker admitted that his team-mates were visibly affected by the outside noise after his red card suspension was sensationally overturned by FIFA, as the USMNT subsequently suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
Folarin Balogun has joined Klutch Sports following an impressive World Cup that boosted his profile on and off the pitch. The USMNT forward becomes the first footballer to sign directly with LeBron James' agency as he looks to build on his growing influence in the game.
It was a surprise, in truth, that it took reporters so long to ask Harry Kane about his future. The England striker stood there in the mixed zone, after a devastating 2-1 loss to Argentina, faced with the damning end to a remarkable season. And not until the third question did someone ask the England captain what might be next for him.
When Lionel Messi was pushed onto his weaker foot by Nico O'Reilly and Djed Spence on the right side of the box in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, England fans held their breath in unison. The Three Lions had four of their tallest players hovering around the six-yard area, and the Argentina captain needed a perfect delivery to reach Lautaro Martinez at the back post (his only realistic target) - but as we all know, Messi can conjure up perfection at any moment.
Thomas Tuchel threw away England's best chance of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 as the Three Lions allowed Argentina to come from behind to triumph 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday. Tuchel's team selection initially looked set to pay off, as surprise selection Morgan Rogers crossed for Anthony Gordon to break the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.
Every time Lionel Messi got near the ball, the crowd in Atlanta held its breath. It wouldn't take much to feel the room shift during the first hour or so of Argentina's clash with England, just a brief moment where the Argentinian icon drifted into enough space to maybe, perhaps, do something. As the game wore on, those moments became more tense. Down a goal late, the moments where the air left the crowd were less about anticipating magic and more about a potential reality setting in.
The pros and cons of Arsenal potentially making a move for Marcus Rashford have been highlighted to GOAL by ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere. The Gunners have allowed Leandro Trossard to leave Emirates Stadium, as questions are asked of Gabriel Martinelli’s future, with obvious reconstruction work to be carried out in the summer transfer window.
Marcus Rashford has rejected several lucrative transfer proposals from interested clubs as his £40 million Manchester United release clause officially expired. The 28-year-old academy graduate will now see any potential summer departure subject to direct negotiations with the Old Trafford board.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has delivered a stinging assessment of England's latest World Cup failure, telling the squad to "look in the mirror" after their semi-final exit. The legendary Swedish striker questioned the true quality of the Three Lions after they fell short against Argentina, marking yet another major tournament disappointment.
Youri Tielemans has described Manchester United as the "perfect club for me" following his £35 million move from Aston Villa. The Belgian midfielder arrives at Old Trafford with significant experience and a burning ambition to restore the Red Devils to the pinnacle of English and European football.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has firmly responded to Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta regarding the unfolding transfer saga surrounding Julian Alvarez. The forward publicly requested a summer departure during the World Cup, prompting the Catalan giants to launch a time-sensitive offer that has heightened tensions between the clubs.
Aston Villa are closing in on a major midfield reinforcement, with Joao Gomes reportedly set to undergo his medical ahead of a move from West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian midfielder has already departed Wolves' pre-season training camp in Portugal to finalise the details of his switch to Villa Park.
Michael Olise has communicated a final decision on his future to Bayern Munich following intense speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The France international, who has been a revelation at Allianz Arena since his 2024 move from Crystal Palace, is reportedly eager to extend his stay with the Bundesliga champions.
Highly-rated Colombian teenager Cristian Orozco has reportedly completed his long-awaited transfer to Manchester United. Having finally celebrated his 18th birthday, the former Fortaleza midfield prodigy is ready to integrate into the Old Trafford set-up.
It's official: Alexia Putellas is a London City Lionesses player. Michele Kang has lured some top talent to the club since taking over during the 2023-24 season, from five-time European champion Saki Kumagai to Sweden icon Kosovare Asllani, with a world-record fee paid for Grace Geyoro just last summer, too. But Putellas is a dream signing and the biggest indication yet that this project should be taken very seriously.
Kadidiatou Diani has become London City Lionesses' sixth signing of the summer, following Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps and more to a club that could be a serious threat for the Women's Super League title in just its second season in the division. Diani joins for a fee reported to be in excess of £500,000 ($670,000) from Lyon, the eight-time European champions also owned by London City owner Michele Kang.
It's here. The 2026 summer transfer window has arrived and it promises to be an extremely eventful one in the women's game, with several huge stars on the move. Alexia Putellas, Georgia Stanway and Sam Kerr are just some of those who have already completed summer transfers, with there plenty of rumours and reports of more to come and some surprises sure to be sprung, too.
It's been a hectic summer transfer window so far in the women's game, especially in the Women's Super League. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has landed in the division, as has one of the NWSL's brightest stars in Manaka Matsukubo, while Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps have returned and other England stars, such as Beth Mead and Niamh Charles, have also been on the move. None of these eye-catching deals, though, have involved Manchester United.