Lists

Television presenter Laura Woods is due to return to screens following her dramatic collapse live on air ahead of the Lionesses' friendly win over Ghana at the start of December. Woods subsequently issued a positive update, allaying fears over her health and thanking all those who had helped her at St Mary's Stadium. The popular star is now heading back to work and is set to be part of this week's Champions League coverage.

Florida State ended Stanford’s 17-match unbeaten run on Monday, winning its fifth national championship with an 87th-minute winner at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. The No. 3 seed defeated the top-seeded Cardinal in the College Cup final for the second time in three years, adding a third national title in five seasons.

Neymar is all set to visit the 'miracle doctor' in Brazil in a bid to overcome injury and make it to Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad in North America next summer. Neymar has struggled for fitness throughout the calendar year; however, he saw a late resurgence into the season as he scored and helped Santos avoid relegation, finishing 12th in the Brazilian top division league.

The U.S. women’s national team will close out January with a friendly against 45th-ranked Chile in Santa Barbara, Calif., marking the program’s first international match in the city. The USWNT will face Chile at UC Santa Barbara, the same campus where the team first held a training camp in 1991 before winning the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

A formal complaint has been submitted to FIFA regarding issues related to political neutrality during last week’s World Cup draw. FairSquare, a non-profit advocacy organization, sent an eight-page letter to FIFA’s Ethics Committee outlining four alleged infringements by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the event, including the presentation of the FIFA Peace Prize.

Chelsea are set to learn the outcome of a hearing into the club's alleged breaches of agent regulations during the Roman Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge. An independent regulatory commission is hearing the case which is due to conclude this week. If the Blues are found guilty, they could face sanctions ranging from a fine to a possible points deduction or transfer ban.

Since co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze took charge following Nasreddine Nabi’s exit, Amakhosi fans have intensified their calls for management to appoint the decorated coach; a move many believe could stabilise the club, restore its competitive edge and fill one of South African football’s most demanding yet coveted roles.

Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale has sent out a message to club legend Son Heung-min ahead of his return to Spurs on Tuesday. The South Korea international will make his first trip back to north London for the team's Champions League match against Slavia Prague where he will be given the chance to say a proper goodbye to fans following his summer exit.

Tottenham Hotspur have added Mathys Tel to their Champions League squad as they were forced to remove the injured Dominic Solanke from their European roster. The star striker has been restricted to just three competitive club appearances this term owing to an ankle problem sustained in pre-season. Tel was initially not included in the squad for the league phase of the Champions League.

The 29-year-old has been conspicuously missing from the Sea Robbers during matchdays, and his absence has only generated speculation around his future. Given that he is Bucs' prolific striker, many expected that he would remain a primary figure for the club, but that has not been the case. His coach has now addressed the issue and, in the process, explained why the attacker has not been used on a more regular basis.

The Argentine deserved his second straight MVP award, but might face more competition for the honor next year - and Miami, too, could feel the heat

Arsenal have announced that teenage starlet Max Dowman has been dropped from their Champions League squad and will not be eligible to play in the competition again until February 2026. The Gunners have replaced Dowman in their European squad by calling-up fit-again striker Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian is back in action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Netherlands legend Marco van Basten took a swipe at Mohamed Salah as he said the Liverpool star has the 'brains of a beetle' in a brutal response to him 'attacking' Reds boss Arne Slot. After being left out on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game against Leeds United last weekend, Salah went on an explosive rant as he hinted he could even exit Anfield in January.

Lionel Messi has been named Landon Donovan MLS MVP for the second straight season. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced 48 goal contributions - the second-highest total in league history - and carried Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference. He is the first player to win the award in back-to-back years.

The assistant coach has voiced frustration at FIFA’s ruling that clubs may delay releasing players until just before the Africa Cup of Nations. Moving away from the long‑standing policy of earlier release dates has sparked concern, with questions over fairness, respect and how such decisions impact preparation for Africa’s premier football tournament.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has taken a fresh swipe at Mohamed Salah ahead of the team's Champions League clash with Inter at San Siro on Tuesday evening. Salah has been left out of the squad for the game in Milan following his critical comments after Saturday's draw with Leeds, and his future at the club remains in doubt. Carragher has already branded Salah a "disgrace" for his outburst and has now followed that up with a fresh post on social media.

This will be the final friendly game for South Africa before they completely switch their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations. Already, Bafana have engaged in one pre-AFCON friendly game; they faced Zambia and defeated them by a 3-1 margin in November in Gqeberha. Hugo Broos has already named his 25-man final squad, and what now remains is to sharpen them further before the continental finals start later this month.

The Sea Robbers have been excellent in local competitions since the 2025/26 season began, already netting two crowns. This weekend, they have a chance to win another one, although unofficial, when they come up against a team selected by the fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Amakhosi and Masandawana have each produced four players in the starting side as voted in.

Cristiano Ronaldo could, if he extends his international career beyond the 2026 World Cup, be in line for a reunion with Jose Mourinho. That is because the self-anointed ‘Special One’ is considered to be a guaranteed pick as next manager of the Portugal national team. Mourinho is currently with Benfica, with his recent struggles on the trophy-winning front being explained.

Manchester United legend Paul Parker has revealed a "big worry" about summer signing Matheus Cunha. He arrived at Old Trafford with a price tag large enough to command immediate attention and expectations. However, only a few months on from his £62.5 million move from Wolves, the Brazilian forward finds himself with only a single Premier League goal to his name, which came during October’s frenetic 4-2 victory over Brighton.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has travelled to Tel Aviv on a "spiritual journey" to aid his physical and mental recovery following a difficult period at the club, a decision that has been fiercely defended by club legend Gerard Pique who has called for a radical change in how fans treat players after admitting the Uruguayan "raised his hand and said enough" regarding the abuse he receives.

Raheem Sterling remains out of sight and mind at Chelsea, with the Blues opting against wishing a happy birthday to the England international on the occasion of his 31st birthday. The experienced forward has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca and remains part of the infamous ‘bomb squad’ in west London. The expectation is that he will push for a transfer in the January window.

Senne Lammens has been hailed as a "massive upgrade" on Andre Onana after a "dominant" start to his Manchester United career. The Belgian was brought in from Royal Antwerp over the summer and has since made the No.1 shirt his own, with the error-prone Onana shipped off on loan to Trabzonspor after losing the faith of head coach Ruben Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes has been warned off a move to Barcelona that would see him link up with Lamine Yamal and Pedri. The Manchester United captain continues to see a transfer in 2026 speculated on, with leading teams in Europe and Saudi Arabia said to be monitoring his situation. Pedro Mendes has told his fellow Portuguese why a switch to Camp Nou would be the wrong choice.

Mohamed Salah has, as he generates plenty of headlines at Liverpool, been nominated for a top award that has previously been won by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. The Egyptian superstar, who is facing questions of his future at Anfield, is one of the nominees for a prize that will be handed out at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year gala.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has finally been included in the Barcelona matchday squad for their Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, marking the end of a nightmare seven-month exile that has been plagued by a serious injury and intense speculation regarding a behind-the-scenes conflict with the club's hierarchy over his long-term future.

In the last transfer window, Bucs signed more than ten players, and that meant there would be stiff competition for starting positions. Some of the players who were regular starters under Jose Riveiro have found themselves snubbed at times, even when they are fit and available. Although Abdeslam Ouaddou has perfected a rotational policy to accommodate every member of his playing unit, even then, some players have been rarely involved.

Lionesses and Tottenham Women's star Jessica Naz has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a devastating ACL injury - the second of her career. The 25-year-old limped off during Spurs’ Women’s Super League victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, and scans confirmed a rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament of her right knee.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.