Dan Sheldon

FIFA has put the onus on clubs competing in next summer’s Club World Cup in the United States to resolve any outstanding player contract issues. World football’s governing body has already adjusted its rules to allow for an interim transfer window between June 1 and June 10, paving the way for players whose contracts expire on June 30 to join another team, including those participating in the tournament that begins on June 15. If an agreement is reached between two clubs during those 10 days, then a player can be released early from their existing deal. But if a transfer isn’t completed,...

The Athletic breaks down FIFA’s agreement with DAZN and what the $1billion deal means for the clubs participating next summer…

The U.S. is already hosting the 2025 edition of the tournament, which will be the first of its kind.

England will face Serbia in qualifying for the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Thomas Tuchel officially begins his role as England manager in January and his first competitive matches will come in March. As well as Serbia, England will face Albania, Latvia and Andorra in Group K. Wales have been drawn against Belgium while Scotland will be in a group with the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark. The Republic of Ireland will face the winner of that tie while Northern Ireland will take on the winner of the Germany vs...

Thomas Tuchel says he will “reach out” to Ben White over his ongoing absence from the England national team. The Arsenal defender, 27, has not played for his country since leaving the World Cup in Qatar mid-tournament in 2022. The Football Association pointed to “personal reasons” in the wake of that decision while The Athletic have reported that White found it difficult being out of the side and struggled to settle a long way from home. White has grown into one of the Premier League’s standout right backs and is an integral member of Mikel Arteta’s...

England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he needs to “prove himself” after the mixed reaction to his appointment. Tuchel, 51, does not officially start his role in charge of the men’s England team until January 1 but was in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday for the European qualifying draw ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. England were drawn into Group K, where they will play against Serbia, Andorra, Latvia and Albania. Responding to a question about what he thought of the reaction following his appointment to replace Gareth Southgate, which split opinion in...

Southampton did not want to have to make the call to part ways with their manager but in the end they had little choice

Saudi Arabia will play in the 2025 and 2027 editions of the Gold Cup as one of 16 teams participating in the tournaments organised by CONCACAF. The Athletic reported this month the Gulf nation was in talks over an invitation to the 2025 tournament in the United States and Canada, and on Thursday it was confirmed by the governing body of North and Central American football that Saudi would also play in the 2027 edition. Saudi — who this month was awarded the 2034 World Cup with an unopposed bid — involvement in the Gold Cup follows on from a year of significant investment from the state...

Southampton have confirmed the appointment of Ivan Juric as their new manager. The Athletic reported on Friday that the Premier League club had agreed a deal with Juric and the Croatian has now signed a one-and-a-half-year deal. “I’m very pleased. I think it’s a really big challenge but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better,” said Juric. “It’s important to immediately be connected with the fans. I want an aggressive team and I think that fans of Southampton will like that.” Juric is viewed by Southampton as a strong character who is good at...

Aaron Ramsdale had a modified goalkeeper glove to deal with an injury he picked up in his last match