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The squad is missing some key names, forcing Mauricio Pochettino to shuffle the deck ahead of final two matches of 2025

Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal are all prominently featured among the 11 nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Player 2025. The nomination sets up another potential battle between Dembele and Yamal, who recently went head-to-head for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, an award Dembele ultimately won. And there's a showdown between England Lionesses hero Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati for the women’s gong.

Since making his professional football debut for the Soweto giants in March 2025, the 20-year-old has established himself as a regular starter for the Buccaneers. His consistency in defence has made him one of the most trusted names on the Pirates team sheet. The rise of the player from KwaZulu-Natal has not gone unnoticed, earning him a regular place in the Bafana Bafana setup and becoming a key figure.

Wolves have reportedly approached Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards after cutting ties with Vitor Pereira, whose nightmare reign ended with a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Fulham last weekend. The Portuguese manager produced no wins during this current Premier League campaign and was sacked less than 24 hours after the final whistle at Craven Cottage, which left them at rock bottom of the table.

Major technical changes are expected to take place within the South Africa setup next year, ushering the dawn of a new era for the national side. SAFA might need to begin the process of appointing a new coach to ensure continuity, stability and long-term planning. That is seen as crucial to maintaining the momentum the team has built in recent years under the outgoing Belgian coach.

The Buccaneers appear to be the complete package in 2025/26, boasting a superb defensive spine, top-quality options off the bench in all positions, and tactical versatility. The new Moroccan boss has also shown an ability to juggle his resources effectively as the fixtures come thick and fast.

Liverpool star Mo Salah risks causing huge anger in his native Egypt as he prepares for showdown talks with national boss Hossam Hassan to discuss missing a key warm-up match ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs have a friendly with Nigeria planned in early December, but lands in the same week as key matches for the Reds setting up a potential club-v-country row, which Salah hopes to avoid.

Ajax have sacked John Heitinga as the Dutch giants find themselves languishing eight points behind leaders Feyenoord. The 40-year-old has been sacked with immediate effect, just four months into his tenure, after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. It has been a horror show in Europe as they have suffered four defeats in as many games, which has placed them at the bottom of the league phase table.

Gerardo “Tata” Martino has returned to Atlanta United as manager on a two-year contract, the club announced Thursday. The 62-year-old reunites with the team where he enjoyed his greatest success, winning the 2018 MLS Cup and being named Coach of the Year. Martino aims to restore Atlanta’s status as a contender after inconsistency since his 2018 departure.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the life-changing impact Diogo Jota’s tragic death has had on him following the devastating car crash in the Zamora region of Spain which took the life of the Liverpool star and his brother Andre Silva. Ronaldo has also spoken about the personal reasons behind why he decided against attending the funeral of his Portugal team-mate.

Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson admitted to being left "exhausted" as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s side continue to chase their Premier League dream. The man tasked with turning the wild English top-flight ambition into reality has lifted the lid on the relentless pressure of managing one of the world’s most-watched football clubs.

Santiago Gimenez took to social media earlier this week and revealed that he has been battling an ankle injury for the past six months. The Mexican international, who has scored just one goal in all competitions for AC Milan this season, has confirmed that he will spend the rest of the year on the treatment table, hoping to return to his best version upon his return.

The Brazilians usually kick off their season in high gear, setting the tone to defend their league title. However, the 2025/26 campaign has lacked authority, even though the team tops the log with just three points. The man at the helm did not shy away from laying his cards on the table, acknowledging how this form has created an uneasy atmosphere within the club.

From wild training techniques to celebrating the joint-hosts, this one's a classic World Cup ad

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has fired back at Cristiano Ronaldo and urged the club to look to the future, rather than focus on the mistakes made under his regime and those made by previous managers. The United manager has also highlighted the key problem "he cannot allow" to continue holding his team back this season.

Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Ricardo Pepi are back in the U.S. men's national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday announced his roster for the final two friendlies of 2025, and it doesn't include Christian Pulisic, who headlines a list of USMNT stars who have been dealing with injuries.

Daniele De Rossi has been officially appointed as Genoa’s new head coach, replacing Patrick Vieira after the club’s difficult start to the Serie A campaign. However, the Roma and Italy legend will not be on the bench for his first match against Fiorentina. A suspension from his final game in charge of Roma, ironically also against Genoa, still needs to be served, meaning his return begins from the stands.

Didier Deschamps has recalled N’Golo Kante to the France squad for the first time in a year, hailing the veteran midfielder as “still at his best.” The 34-year-old Al-Ittihad star has impressed with his consistency in Saudi Arabia and will feature in Les Bleus’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month.

France national team head coach Didier Deschamps refrained from sparking further controversy while addressing the recent injury suffered by Paris Saint-Germain forward and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Deschamps claimed that he is "especially sad" to see Dembele's fitness struggles drag on, but added that he won't "add fuel to the fire" amid Les Blues' ongoing feud with PSG.

The South Africa senior national team coach has named his squad for the upcoming international friendly against Zambia, maintaining much of the core that featured in recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The game against Chipolopolo will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on November 14. Once again, Thembinkosi Lorch has been left out, extending his long spell away from the national team setup. The continued exclusion of the former Orlando Pirates star and Broos comments on the situation likely mean his international future under the Belgian tactician is in serious doubt.

Toni Kroos has hit out at the decision to send off Luis Diaz during Bayern Munich’s win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, insisting that "it wasn't a red card”. The German and Real Madrid legend believes referee Maurizio Mariani was influenced by Achraf Hakimi’s injury rather than the tackle itself. Diaz, however later apologised publicly, while Bayern backed their forward.

Sandro Tonali has sparked uncertainty over his long-term future at Newcastle United after admitting he is taking things “year by year” amid ongoing rumours of a potential return to Serie A. The Italian midfielder, who recently signed a secret contract extension until 2029, insists he is “happy” on Tyneside but refused to rule out the possibility of one day leaving the club.

Real Madrid “did a great job by not signing Erling Haaland”, according to former Blancos star Wesley Sneijder, with the Norwegian striker considered to be the wrong fit for a team that now has Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Sneijder, who is a big fan of Haaland, has also picked out the obvious heirs to crowns that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have worn with such distinction for so long.

Aurelien Tchouameni has been ruled out of action for Real Madrid and France after he was diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg, Los Blancos announced in a statement on Thursday. The news will come as a huge setback for both Tchouameni's club and country, as he had become indispensable under both Xabi Alonso and Didier Deschamps.

Lamine Yamal “wouldn’t suit” Manchester United, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen, with Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz being used as warnings to the Barcelona wonderkid if thoughts of a Premier League transfer cross his mind. The talented teenager has been told that Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City could be suitable landing spots.

Bayern Munich are preparing a formal offer to extend Konrad Laimer’s contract following his superb form under Vincent Kompany. The Austrian, hailed by Lothar Matthaus as a “perfect team player”, has become one of Bayern’s most trusted performers impressing with his versatility, intelligence, and tireless work rate across multiple positions.

Leroy Sane has returned to the Germany squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, with Julian Nagelsmann also handing a shock first senior call-up to Koln’s breakout talent Said El Mala. The national coach says Sane has “earned his nomination” after previously casting doubt on his future with the national team due to his summer transfer to Galatasaray.

Former England striker Emile Heskey has urged Thomas Tuchel to carefully manage Harry Kane’s workload ahead of the 2026 World Cup, warning that “running him into the ground” could be disastrous for England’s chances. Despite Kane’s blistering form for Bayern Munich, Heskey fears fatigue could strike at the worst possible time if the England captain isn’t protected.

The Glamour Boys have seemingly rediscovered their form in front of the goal after struggling to score more than one goal in the ongoing campaign across all competitions. Seemingly, the stiff competition, especially in the attacking department, is starting to pay dividends as players want to be involved regularly.