CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina’s soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after…

Real Madrid agreed to sign 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig on Sunday in a transfer worth over €100 million, reports transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.Diomande will reportedly sign a contract with Real Madrid through 2031.Los Blancos previously had…

Italy consulted with Pep Guardiola about his interest in joining the four-time World Cup champion, a source told ESPN’s Sam Marsden.The Italian Football Federation, which recently welcomed legendary defender Paolo Maldini as its technical director, met with Guardiola in Barcelona…

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi joined Champions League-bound Aston Villa on Friday in a record transfer deal for a Swiss player.Manzambi had an offer to join Newcastle but a viral clip after Switzerland’s quarterfinal loss…

Argentina produced another incredible late comeback to reach its second straight World Cup final and leave England in shock. Relive the action below.(function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})();Full-time analysis 📋➡️ Heart of a champion: Resilience. Perseverance. Mental…

Harry Kane said he was “gutted” for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.Anthony Gordon’s strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a…

Erling Haaland brought home a unique souvenir after his World Cup participation in North America.The Norwegian superstar, who put on a show this summer, went viral Monday after sharing a photo of himself leaving an airplane in his home country…

The stars are shining like never before at the 2026 World Cup.Some of the game’s best forwards are delivering a Golden Boot race for the ages, each outshining the other in an enthralling example of one-upmanship.Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Erling…

Pandora’s box is officially open.England’s Football Association is considering appealing defender Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico, sources told James Olley of ESPN.Quansah was sent off after a VAR review in the second half of England’s thrilling 3-2 win over…

Erling Haaland is on a mission.Norway’s superstar striker scored two late goals Sunday to eliminate five-time champion Brazil and send his nation to the quarterfinals of the men’s World Cup for the first time with a 2-1 victory.Haaland broke the…

With the final round of group stage fixtures beginning today, we’re getting to the business end of the 2026 World Cup. Here are the permutations for every group, with a breakdown of who’s already reached the knockouts, who’s going home,…

England suffered a World Cup setback on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still do as they bid to progress to the knockout stage as Group L winners.Nico…

Julian Alvarez wants out.Amid swirling rumors about his future, the Argentina forward said Monday he would like to leave Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window.”I don’t think it’s the right moment to talk, but I also don’t want to…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Belgium’s Jérémy Doku will not play in his team’s World Cup match against Iran on Sunday due to illness.The Manchester City winger was ruled out Saturday by the Red Devils for the match at SoFi Stadium…

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals, including one off a defensive blunder, and added an assist in his tournament debut Tuesday to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I.It…

With the summer transfer window opening, we’re teeing up the wheeling and dealing by presenting players who could earn big money by shining at the World Cup, along with the best free agents available on the market.👉 Jump to: World…

Thomas Partey is unavailable for Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday after he was denied entry to Canada.FIFA confirmed to The Athletic’s Dan Sheldon that the Canadian government refused Partey’s visa application. The Villarreal midfielder is therefore unable…

Our soccer writers share their observations and insights throughout the 2026 World Cup.(function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})();Mexico inspires home crowdCo-host Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup with a solid 2-0 win over South Africa at…

Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as their coach on Thursday on a three-year deal, with the Portuguese veteran making a sensational return to the Spanish capital after 13 years away.The 63-year-old replaces Alvaro Arbeloa after Madrid finished a second consecutive…

RIVERSIDE, Mo. (AP) — Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was held out of training Wednesday, two days after hurting his hip in a collision during a tune-up match with Uzbekistan, leaving his status in question for the team’s World Cup opener…

Real Madrid stunned the soccer world on Tuesday, announcing that they made a €150-million offer to Atletico Madrid for star forward Julian Alvarez.The surprise reveal also said Atletico, one of Real Madrid’s biggest rivals, rejected the bid.”After reviewing and evaluating…

NEW YORK (AP) — Dutch defender Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the World Cup on Monday because of a groin issue that had limited the 24-year-old Arsenal standout since mid-March.Timber managed to play 55 minutes for Arsenal in the…

Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch and was briefly unconscious during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine on Sunday.The 34-year-old, who plays for German club Wolfsburg, appeared to clutch his chest before falling to the ground in the 65th minute.”Christian is doing…

Liverpool named Andoni Iraola as their new manager on Thursday after sacking Arne Slot following a calamitous Premier League title defence.Iraola quickly emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, whose two-year reign came to a shock end when he…

Lifelong dreams will become reality for the 1,248 players called up to represent their nations at this summer’s supersized World Cup.But, as is always the case with the quadrennial showpiece, the occasion is also marked by severe disappointment for those…