Manchester United have struck an agreement for France international.

The Red Devils have kicked off their summer rebuild under new manager Michael Carrick with four new signings and a couple of failed pursuits, as the club prepares for a return to the Champions League.

While Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes have ended up with rivals, Manchester United have brought in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Tynan Thompson – and look to be making further in-roads to strengthen their midfield.

Manchester United strike agreement for Manu Kone, ahead of the likes of Arsenal

According to Thursday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, United have reached an agreement in principle with Manu Kone over a move to the Premier League.

FourFourTwo understands that the Roma star is also on Arsenal's radar in the event that a move for Bruno Guimaraes doesn't come to fruition, while Kone is courting interest from the Saudi Pro League.

The Italian outlet cites a fee of €60m for Kone, with that figure likely to come down further and Sport Witness claiming that €45m plus bonuses may be enough to secure the Frenchman's signature.

The 25-year-old is currently on holiday, having been a consistent performer for France during the World Cup.

After Eduardo Camavinga was surprisingly omitted from Didier Deschamps' final tournament selection as Les Bleus boss, Kone was given the nod in midfield against Paraguay and Morocco in the knockout stage ahead of the likes of youngster Warren Zaire-Emery and veteran N'Golo Kante.

The central midfielder impressed, too, and has enjoyed a rise to prominence in the last year since moving to Serie A from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Having already signed two midfielders this summer in Santos and Tielemans, Carrick is said to be interested in a third, with a move for Atalanta's Ederson having broken down in the 11th hour.

The move away from a back three has placed more emphasis on Kobbie Mainoo's talents in the centre of the park, though Casemiro's exit from the club – combined with a return to European competition next term – means that Carrick would like extra depth across the side.

United are also said to be in the market for full-backs, while another forward to cover the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko may be signed, too.

Kone is worth €50m, according to Transfermarkt. Manchester United kick off the 2026/27 Premier League season away to Hull City.

James Trafford’s second spell at Manchester City looks certain to be brief. After just four Premier League appearances, the former Burnley goalkeeper is heading for the Etihad Stadium exit.

Man City brought Trafford back to the club from the Clarets last summer but immediately jumped at the opportunity to sign Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Azzurri skipper played the other 34 league matches last season and 23-year-old Trafford’s belief that he was returning to Manchester as Pep Guardiola’s number one quickly crumbled.

Newcastle ‘no longer considering’ Trafford as other options are explored

According to The Athletic, Newcastle United previously saw Trafford as their first choice to succeed Nick Pope but are ‘no longer considering a move’ for the England goalkeeper, preferring instead to review alternatives reportedly including Brighton & Hove Albion’s former Coventry City loanee Carl Rushworth and Parma stopper Zion Suzuki having also moved to sign French U21 goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims in early June.

Premier League rivals Leeds United are closing in on Trafford instead. They’re in the market for a goalkeeper after Karl Darlow’s move to Manchester United, though that move was likely informed in part by Leeds’ plan to bring in a number one regardless.

As talks progress between Leeds and Man City, Daniel Farke can be confident that Trafford will be persuaded that Elland Road is the right destination for him. Trafford’s desire for first team football and an international opening are goals Leeds can help with.

“It is no secret Trafford wants to play far more regularly than he did with City last season and he would be the undisputed No.1 at Elland Road,” reports Leeds correspondent Beren Cross.

“The West Yorkshire outfit will also lean on the platform they gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach in returning to their national teams.

“Leeds will hope Trafford can be their long-term solution between the sticks. Illan Meslier has finally moved on after a prolonged demise of his Elland Road career.

“Lucas Perri endured a difficult first season in England. Meanwhile, Karl Darlow has left, but even if he had stayed, it is unlikely he would have been No.1 in the upcoming campaign.”

Should the transfer be completed, Trafford wouldn’t return to the Etihad Stadium until Leeds’ visit to Man City in the Premier League fixture in December.

Although he struggled for league minutes there, playing only the first three matches and the last against Aston Villa, Trafford was ever-present in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. City won both competitions while conceding just five goals in their 12 ties. Trafford kept clean sheets in both Wembley finals.

The Cumbrian goalkeeper joined City’s junior ranks from Carlisle United in 2015 and made his name at Burnley after loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers. He played 28 times for the Turf Moor club in his debut Premier League season.

"I'm an entertainer" says KSI, with zero hint of David Brent parody, as he speaks to FourFourTwo in between bites of Nando's chicken, inside the unassuming boardroom at Dagenham & Redbridge.

In the politest way possible, we've just asked him to describe himself, and essentially tell us who he is – it's a valid question, given that certain sections of the Daggers' fanbase might have been forgiven for asking after it was revealed in March that the 32-year-old, who made his fortune on YouTube, had joined their club as a part-owner.

So, what does a vlogger know about non-league football club ownership? How much money is he actually planning to invest? What's his plan? What's a KSI? We're in the bowels of the club's Victoria Road stadium in east London to meet the game's latest celebrity investor and get some answers.

Knowledge, Strength, Integrity

KSI is an acronym for Knowledge Strength Integrity, taken from a video game group he was part of, and gaming is where his journey to the Dagenham boardroom began.

In the 28 days that preceded our meeting, no YouTuber in the UK had amassed more subscribers than KSI, who added 200,000 more to a number that currently sits at around 45 million across his channels. All those eyes on screens make for stratospheric viewership – in total, his videos have been watched over 16 billion times.

“You can argue my YouTube career launched because of FIFA,” he points out, referencing the popular video game franchise. "Race to Division One was this series I did, where I started in Division 10 [of the competitive online mode], and my goal was to reach Division One, kind of similar to Dagenham now.

"The goal is to reach the Premier League, and we're in National League South right now. That series on YouTube got more and more people watching me, subscribing to me, so it's like a full circle moment, the way I'm now doing it in real life. I never thought I'd be able to do this.”

Raised in Watford by Nigerian parents, the Arsenal fan was privately educated at Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire, along with younger brother Deji, who's also a YouTuber. The Olatunji family weren't well-off, but education was the ultimate priority for their children.

After failing his A-levels, KSI went full-time with YouTube. The turning point came when he asked a teacher if he should quit education and make the jump. Explaining that he was making around £1,500 a month from his videos, the teacher revealed that figure was more than they were earning in education. KSI's mind was made up.

By 2012, aged 19, he'd reached one million subscribers. The following year, he joined forces with six other British creators to form the Sidemen, who revolutionised the UK YouTube scene via high-production challenge videos, travel vlogs and reality-TV style series. By 2015, KSI was testing the water with music releases.

Debut single Lamborghini reached number 30 in the UK singles chart, and he realised his audience would follow him beyond the platform that made him. To date, he's amassed five million UK single sales, three billion global streams, nine top 10 singles and four Brit Award nominations. His second album All Over the Place immediately hit number one in 2021.

In the middle of all that, KSI forever influenced internet culture by bringing the YouTube boxing phenomenon to life, stepping into the ring himself, having previously been an unfit, out-of-shape bedroom vlogger with zero fighting experience.

He fought fellow YouTuber Joe Weller inside a sold-out Copper Box Arena and won. A second amateur bout, against American YouTuber Logan Paul at Manchester Arena, generated one million pay-per-view sales. The fight was declared a draw.

In November 2019, the pair turned professional for a rematch at the Staples Center in LA, promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. KSI won that contest – the cruiserweight fought in five more bouts before hanging up the gloves in 2023 to focus on other endeavours.

He launched a drinks company, Prime Hydration, alongside Logan Paul – the pair's influence was so strong that it sparked unprecedented demand across the globe, with widespread shortages, supermarket frenzies and barmy resale markets that KSI himself criticised. Prime has since become the official sports drink for Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, UFC and WWE.

Doors continued to open, and KSI strode through them unflinchingly. He went mainstream last year by joining the Britain's Got Talent judging panel – initially as a guest, then as a permanent addition alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, propelling him to new levels of fame. Everything he touches seems to turn gold.

Next stop, the moon

Now, here he is in Dagenham. Has KSI parted with hard cash to be here, or is his investment the 75.3 million followers sitting in his pocket across all his social platforms, available to leverage at the tap of a screen?

“I haven't really talked to anyone about the financials,” he says, having become a minority shareholder in the club. “For me, it's mainly about putting my name to this club and going, ‘I'm gonna take it to the Moon.' I think with most things I touch, it kind of spirals upwards.

"I focus on things I care about. That's the trick. I've been offered stakes in all types of things, and I say no to a lot because if I don't care for them, then I'm not going to be interested.”

KSI might have timed his arrival at Dagenham perfectly. In 2010, the club were in League One under John Still, the most successful manager in their history. But in their most recent campaign, they finished 13th in National League South, England's sixth tier. It was the lowest placing since their formation 34 years ago, when Dagenham FC merged with Redbridge Forest. The only way is up.

Joel Page, a supporter who follows the club home and away, also running fan site Dagnificent, describes the mood a year ago as “the absolute lowest ebb”. Dagenham had just suffered relegation from the National League. “I've never had my love for the club diluted as much as it was then,” he admits.

“Obviously, that love will never go away. Football's meant to be an escape, something that provides joy, but it was just one thing after another. KSI has injected a new lease of life into the club.”

Aged 23, close to the heart of KSI's audience demographic, you might well expect Page to be excited by a wealthy, world-famous YouTuber investing in his football club. “I'm not much taken in by that kind of thing,” he admits, however. “I knew of him. I didn't really have much of an opinion on him either way. But I knew that he was massive. I'd seen him everywhere. We all knew he was one of the most well-known people, probably among my generation.”

How about the rest of the Dagenham fanbase? “Our demographic is fairly old, so I think the majority wouldn't have known who he was,” Page says. “I saw a lot of comments on forums about people becoming acquainted with him through their grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren. But a lot of people that age were still open to it, because it didn't take them long to see what he could bring to the club.”

Shortly after the announcement, a fake news story went around suggesting the Daggers sold £3,760,428 worth of shirts in just four hours. That would translate to something in the neighbourhood of 77,000 shirts for a club that rarely sell more than 1,000 in a season.

The reality of the situation was that the club had actually sold out of shirts after it was confirmed on the eve of the 2025-26 season that they'd signed Andy Carroll. The former England striker, by then 36, was returning to the area where he'd once played for West Ham, following a spell in the French lower leagues with cash-strapped Bordeaux.

Carroll simultaneously became an investor in the Daggers, and scored six goals in 12 league games before injury ended his season during the winter. Despite Carroll's lengthy injury lay-off, a reorder of the club's Umbro shirts was made for Christmas, and they continued to sell well into the new year – by March when KSI arrived, there were none left, so Dagenham's sales figure on the back of their new celebrity investor was, in fact, zero.

A larger order has been made for the 2026-27 campaign, expected to be at least double, but the club won't be drawn on exactly how many.

The KSI effect was pretty immediate, though, in terms of bums on seats, clicks on streams and eyes on Dagenham. Three days before the announcement, only 1,247 people had been present for a home loss to AFC Totton, at a ground that can hold 6,000. Four days after the announcement, 2,281 fans were there for a 1-0 victory over Dorking.

KSI live-streamed himself watching that match – the broadcast involved a cameraman following him around for three hours, from his arrival at the stadium to his departure after full-time, with the footage going out on his own YouTube channel.

KSI was able to read viewer comments as they flooded in on the stream's live chat. “That video hit more than 300,000 views, which for a non-league side is crazy numbers,” he tells us proudly. “Normally, the most you'd get for a game in non-league is probably 10,000 people, if that, watching online or just on TV. So to get 300,000… yeah, it was wild.”

KSI was sat next to co-investor Carroll as he celebrated Dagenham's goal with an enthusiasm akin to someone who'd just watched his club secure promotion to the Premier League. Carroll was more restrained. “It's crazy,” KSI admits. “I remember playing as him on FIFA, and now he's part of the club with me, there just chilling. I'm like, ‘Wait, what is my life?' I pinch myself so many times.”

Only one point followed from the next two games, however – with the club sitting a lacklustre 12th in the league, former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury was sacked as manager, just 15 days into the KSI era. Carroll stepped in for the rest of the season and guided the team to successive home wins over Torquay and Hampton & Richmond.

The only way is up

On the latter occasion, the match itself was live-streamed, rather than just the reactions of KSI in the stand, after permission was granted by DAZN, the National League's broadcaster – that game took place during a weekend of international fixtures, when British football's Saturday 3pm blackout rules don't apply.

At the time of writing, the streams of those two games had an almost identical number of views, at roughly 350,000, even though one of them showed the match and the other did not, illustrating that the draw was very much KSI rather than the match.

In Dagenham's final five games of the season, they picked up just two points and received a 7-2 thrashing at Worthing. Right now, the Premier League feels a long, long way away.

“I can't control the players using my keypad or controller,” says KSI. “But that doesn't change the passion I have. You can see it with the amount of content I put out on my YouTube channels – I'm active. Just today alone I've got quite a few interviews, and I'm doing a lot of content pieces with creators. I love it.”

Five promotions to go

KSI has already been putting his stamp on things. While he doesn't have a job description, the club are keen to lean into his expertise when it comes to media, marketing and content.

One of the first requests he made was a tweak to the line-up graphics that the club posted on social media – rather than it just appear as a list of names and numbers, he wanted them in formation order, so fans could learn about the players. “He honestly doesn't miss a post – none of this is passive,” explains a club insider.

On the morning of FourFourTwo's allotted three hours with KSI, he's the main guest on Chris Evans' Virgin Radio show, during which Evans describes him as “the most popular man in the UK today”. Afterwards, he's driven from the station's London Bridge studio to meet us in Dagenham, arriving a whole hour early for the photoshoot and interview.

Hellos, handshakes and booming laughter quickly fill the room. The KSI laugh has become one most recognisable sounds on the internet – it's loud, chaotic and high-pitched, punctuated by short, sharp giggles. Completely contagious, he uses it to start and finish sentences, emphasise points and even mask any awkwardness – such as when FFT asks if he ever went to any Arsenal games during his childhood. “No, I was never able to afford it,” he laughs. Today, he owns a box at the Emirates.

Bouncing from photoshoot to interview to selfie and back to another interview with ease, he takes everything in his stride, not least FourFourTwo's concept for our cover photos, inspired by Bryan Robson's unveiling as Middlesbrough's player-manager in 1994.

This summer, KSI has been actively involved in the appointment of Lee Allinson as the club's new gaffer. The son of winger Ian Allinson, who played more than 100 games for Arsenal in the 1980s, the new manager is seen as an up-and-coming boss with good knowledge of the non-league scene in the South East. During 2025-26, he guided Hemel Hempstead to fifth in National League South, a full eight places higher than Dagenham.

He's now managing a full-time professional club for the first time, and although he's not a headline name – Carroll's former Newcastle and West Ham team-mate Kevin Nolan was falsely linked with the job – fans seem happy.

“Lee Allinson feels like a Dagenham appointment,” says Page. “Somebody who has the capacity to achieve, who's coming from a lower level in terms of stature of club, and who really wants to make a go of it. We've always been a club that's thrived on delving down the pyramid, whether that's signings or managers, being able to pluck a little gem. Hemel were one of the teams who impressed me most last season. I like the appointment.”

In a somewhat unconventional setup, Carroll will be Allinson's assistant manager, as well as a registered player and part-owner of the club. It's a scenario that could present a potentially awkward situation if Allinson's reign as manager hits choppy waters and the ownership group, including Carroll and KSI, have to discuss sacking the boss that Carroll is assisting.

Neighbours Billericay Town previously followed a similar route when local businessman Glenn Tamplin bought the club in 2016, having failed to take over Dagenham, and later named himself as manager.

Chaos ensued – at one point the owner sacked and then rehired himself as manager within two days – and some Dagenham fans might have twitched when they heard their club were signing Tamplin's son Archie this summer. However, the 23-year-old has established himself as a gritty, hard-working midfielder at National League South level and is viewed as a solid signing from Chelmsford.

At the time of writing, all of the club's summer signings have arrived on free transfers, with just one dropping down from the Football League. “I don't want people to think, ‘OK, KSI is here, there's a load of money,'” insists the content creator, who recently announced that he was leaving the Sidemen.

“No, it's not all about that. We want players to join the club because they want to be part of an amazing journey. We want you to be devoted. We don't want it to be like, ‘Oh, there's money here, I'm gonna get a bag, play for a few games, then peace out.' I don't want to throw money and just buy my way to the top. There are smarter ways you can do it.”

Operationally, things at Dagenham seem stable. FFT speak to the club's American CEO, John Grabowski, who arrived at Dagenham in January 2025, and is relaxed about the prospect of Carroll combining his roles as player, assistant and part-owner.

“With Andy, at this moment in his career and his life, he's been successful enough that he's able to invest in the club,” the CEO says. “He's still fit enough that he can play and, having spent the time out injured that he did last season, he gained that interest and desire to feel like he could help the boys in the dressing room – not just by playing with them, but leading them as the interim manager. What we collectively feel is that to have somebody with the knowledge, experience and ability to participate in each of those levels – I agree, it's very unique – is an opportunity you must take.”

Portugal to Indonesia

Grabowski had previously overseen a failed attempt to buy Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship, prior to leading the investment group takeover of Dagenham this February.

Discussions began in November about KSI joining the ownership group, even though the influencer had turned down investment opportunities at a handful of other clubs before. “I spoke to his manager about what would be involved in getting KSI to come on board,” the CEO explains.

“He said, ‘If we're really serious about getting into this, he's got to come down and see the place, this isn't the Emirates.' To his absolute credit, I got a text from him saying, ‘Hey man, I heard you had a good call, can I come down this weekend?'”

Grabowski invited KSI to Victoria Road for a tour, forgetting that the venue was hosting a West Ham women's game that day. A photograph appeared of KSI in an executive box, and rumours began circling. “That was like the only moment where it kind of crept out,” Grabowski says. “But I got a call the following day from his manager saying, ‘Hey, let's make it happen.'”

Four months later, the announcement was finally official – KSI was the latest celebrity with a stake in a football club. By his standards as a trendsetter, he's a little late to the party.

Why is it that so many celebrities are investing in clubs? Taking another bite of his Nando's, KSI shares his theory. “Because it's a growing industry and everyone wants to be a part of it,” he says.

“People also just want to call something their own. For me, having my own club and being like, ‘This is mine…', there's just some pride about that, something cool about it.

“For some people, it could be financial as well, it could be about being able to reach a different audience. But I think what separates me from a lot of what I guess we can call my competitors is that I'm very involved, and I know my unique selling point is my marketing.

"I keep saying that I want Dagenham & Redbridge to be a worldwide club, and obviously that takes time, but I'm able to reach an international audience. I can have Dagenham fans from Texas, Spain, Portugal, Indonesia…”

Much of the success and popularity currently surrounding Wrexham can be attributed to the telling of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's story via their Disney Plus documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which has already had five seasons charting their rise to the second tier.

The first episode of KSI's Dagenham documentary is now out, but rather than selling the production to Disney or an equivalent, he'll be publishing it on his YouTube channel. “That series is going to be groundbreaking, it's going to be revolutionary, because I'm dubbing it in different languages,” he explains. “There aren't many clubs in non-league, let alone in the Championship or even the Premier League, who would go that far to try to reach an international audience. But we're doing that here because we know how important it is.”

Build it and they will come seems to be the basic strategy, and the ball is already rolling, with attendances rising and more than 300,000 watching KSI watch his new football team. It must be very strange for the existing fanbase.

“There's an element of caution,” Page admits. “An element of, ‘This could become something really big.' The club could completely lose its soul, in a way. I'm not saying KSI would do that on purpose, but it's a natural consequence of expanding beyond just Dagenham and becoming, dare I say it, a global entity in the way that Wrexham have. They might play in Wrexham, but it's not a club necessarily based around Wrexham any more. With us being such a small, intimate family club, you don't necessarily want that. But at the same time, beggars can't be choosers, and we aren't going anywhere fast as a club.”

What do fans want then? “If I'm being honest, it's players,” says KSI. “But that's every fan. Even with Arsenal, it's like, ‘We need a better attack.' So the Dagenham fans, they're all like, ‘We need a better team, get rid of everyone!'”

KSI knows footballers – he recently posted a picture of himself with Erling Haaland on his Instagram. “He knows I've invested in a club… it doesn't mean I'm going to sign him or anything like that!” KSI laughs. “But he does think it's cool, really cool.”

Does KSI intend to use his fame and popularity to attract big names to the club? “Maybe,” he chuckles. “Look, I think me being at the club has helped a lot. I know, directly and indirectly, what I bring to the table, and I think in the next few seasons, fans will see how much of an impact it makes.”

Along the way, KSI's plan seems just to be himself. It's served him pretty well so far. “Everyone wants to know, ‘Cool, what's the plan?'” says Grabowski. “It's naive to think we have too grand a long-term plan, but it would also be foolish not to think long-term given the opportunity.

"We all know that in KSI's announcement, he said, ‘We're going to get to the Premier League.' The first time I heard that, I sort of went ‘Uhh!' and did a little gut check, but it's not my job to tell him that's not possible. He followed it up quite quickly, saying, ‘It might take time, it might take 20 years,' and I think in that context, it is absolutely possible – why not us?

“Phase one is to get out of the National League and back into the Football League, then once we're in the Football League again, we'll regroup. We've got other plans, but I think talking about those other plans before achieving phase one risks us getting out a little over our skis.”

Celebrity ownership: has the game gone? Or is the game just going places we could never have imagined? All we can do is sit back and stream.

KSI is an owner of Dagenham & Redbridge – you can watch Race To The Top on the KSI Originals YouTube Channel

Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard is incredibly unlikely to depart the Emirates Stadium this summer.

That's according to one source in Denmark, which says the 32-year-old is so committed to life in North London that he would “play for free” if he could and turn his back on a previously mooted transfer.

Norgaard only made seven Premier League appearances in his first season, and was previously considered a dead cert to leave Arsenal after just 12 months – though apparently, it's “not a possibility in this transfer window”.

Christian Norgaard is living his 'lifelong dream' at Arsenal - despite the lack of gametime

Tipsbladet journalist Farzam Abolhosseini has insisted that Norgaard will not leave Arsenal this summer, going so far as to say it's “not a possibility”.

“I will be shocked if it happened,” Abolhosseini claimed on the outlet's podcast Podimo. “I think people sometimes forget just how big an Arsenal fan he is. You just have to look at those photos from a year ago, when he was introduced.

“His lifelong dream is coming true, and he gets to see his son wear the Arsenal jersey, when he himself has supported the club his whole life.

“I’m almost convinced he’d play for them for free. It means so much to him. From that perspective, I just can’t see him being willing to leave.”

The comments come as some surprise, with Norgaard having gone from playing 34 times as Brentford captain in Thomas Frank's final season at the Gtech to starting just once in the Premier League all season, when Arsenal won the title.

The Dane signed a two-year contract last summer but confirmed in October last year that the Gunners would be his final club overseas before returning home to Brondby.

“I can guarantee that Arsenal will be my last club abroad: I still want to return to Brondby when my contract at Arsenal expires,” Norgaard claimed.

“My contract is two years with an option for a further year. And I would be happy to stay at Arsenal for the extra year if things develop in that direction. If it turns out that it wasn't the right match, we'll go home to Denmark after two years.”

FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal's recent move for Bruno Guimaraes is still alive and that manager Mikel Arteta remains keen to add another midfielder to his ranks before the season begins, with Norgaard one of four central midfielders alongside Englishmen Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as well as World Cup winner Martin Zubimendi.

Norgaard is worth €5m, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal take on newly-promoted Coventry City in their 2026/27 Premier League curtain-raiser.

Experts have cast doubt on FIFA’s claim that World Cup 2026 passed without any ‘suspicious betting activity’ or indications of match-fixing relating to any of the tournament’s 104 matches in June and July.

The governing body’s Integrity Task Force went public with its findings on Tuesday, celebrating a squeaky-clean tournament with no dodgy gambling issues.

Contradictory findings by the Group of Copenhagen, an independent body linked to the Council of Europe with a remit of preventing match-fixing in sport, were reported by The Athletic on Wednesday.

Group of Copenhagen flag seven in-game notices

The Group of Copenhagen report is due to be published soon but sources told The Athletic that ‘potential irregularities’ were flagged by its ‘integrity monitoring operation’ at the World Cup.

In all, seven yellow notices – instances raising “several different indications of [betting] irregularities” – resulted from the monitoring.

“The Group of Copenhagen’s notices can be explained by atypical behaviours such as changes in odds or hedging liquidities, there are many explanations that are not manipulations,” betting expert Christian Kalb told The Athletic.

“The major problem is when there may be a conflict of interest and potential inside information on those issues.

“When we speak of prediction markets, we can detect some unusual behaviours but we must be very careful as they can be used for hedging markets.”

The seven yellow notices reportedly included a market on whether Folarin Balogun would play for the United States against Belgium after he was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina with 14 other players sent off at the World Cup, and no similar markets observed.

The Group of Copenhagen has also flagged Themba Zwane’s red card in South Africa’s opening fixture against co-hosts Mexico and the lengthy VAR review that eventually disallowed Ferran Torres’ goal for Spain against Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

Polymarket, the cryptocurrency prediction market behind the flagged Balogun line, reportedly received more than £3.5 million in bets on Cape Verde beating or drawing with Spain in the group stage, a match that resulted in a shock 0-0 draw.

There’s no direct allegation that the seven notices demonstrate undue influence over matches, nor that the handful of matches ‘under increased surveillance’ in the last round of group stage fixtures raised the alarm.

“The Group of Copenhagen estimates that $240bn was placed in bets across the World Cup, approximately twice the amount from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” reports The Athletic.

The increase in betting is explained in part by the growth of the World Cup from 64 matches in 2022 to 104 matches in 2026 and such a vast total makes the prospect of irregularities inevitable almost by accident.

A total of even flagged examples is near enough par for the course in such a colossus of a tournament. FIFA’s own claim that no iffy betting patterns were observed is far from convincing on that basis alone.

Istanbul. It’s not just the home of Turkey’s most famous clubs but a city whose very name carries huge historical weight for football supporters far and wide.

Aston Villa joined their ranks in May. Mention Istanbul in earshot of a Villa supporter now and their mind will instantly conjure up memories of Besiktas Stadium, Freiburg, the Europa League final and a first European trophy for 44 years.

Two of Villa’s scorers in their 3-0 win have been sold in the last week. Youri Tielemans, whose thumping volley broke the deadlock, is now a Manchester United player. Morgan Rogers prodded in Villa’s third and has since signed for Chelsea.

Why are Villa signing Alejandro Garnacho?

Tielemans’ departure was lubricated by a £35 million release clause. If Villa had any choice in the matter, it was when the Belgium captain signed rather than when he was sold.

Rogers attracted a British record transfer fee of £117 million. For a club in dire need of a windfall to help ease the pressure of complying with financial regulations and their agreement with UEFA, the practical reality of a boost like that speaks for itself.

No sooner had the sale of Rogers been confirmed than speculation about a loan deal for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho crystallised. It’s understood that Villa have agreed terms with the Blues for a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy him at the end of the season.

That wording is important. Under UEFA transfer regulations, a permanent transfer for Garnacho would be considered as a swap deal if it were agreed in this summer transfer window and within 45 days. In this case, those criteria are one and the same.

By agreeing an obligation that will be triggered somewhere down the road, Villa and Chelsea hope to avoid the Rogers and Garnacho transfers being linked. There’s no guarantee they will succeed.

Reporting around the Garnacho agreement has referred to the positive relationship between the two clubs and the implications are obvious, but none of the neatly tied-off ends answer the biggest question. Do Villa actually want Garnacho?

To say Garnacho will arrive at Bodymoor Heath with some baggage would be an understatement.

The 22-year-old played 144 times for Manchester United but was effectively exiled under Ruben Amorim, joining Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony in the so-called Bomb Squad.

Could Garnacho be the ultimate Emery project?

He will become the third of those players to link up with Unai Emery and Villa on loan. Rashford and Sancho were brought in with question marks over their professional suitability and both left having answered those doubts.

Rehabilitating unwanted Man United wingers is an unusual hobby, but Emery is an unusual manager. Garnacho wouldn’t be a Villa player without his blessing.

There will be expectations on Garnacho at Villa that he’ll have to grow up to meet. After a brief layover at Stamford Bridge, the Argentina international has been deemed talented enough to warrant the risk.

Loans for Rashford, Sancho and Garnacho aren’t examples of Villa seizing on opportunities to bring in players they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to attract, but gutsy statements that Emery believes he’s a better manager than Amorim and Michael Carrick.

Almost every player who’s pulled on a Villa shirt since Emery was appointed in 2022 has improved and the manager clearly fancies himself to do what United and Chelsea couldn’t.

Garnacho’s reputation suggests he could be Emery’s greatest loan challenge yet, notwithstanding last season’s Harvey Elliott debacle.

Villa have a robust dressing room culture capable of keeping troubled and troublesome younger members in check but Tielemans, Rogers and Lucas Digne were respected leaders in the squad.

Their departures have already presented Emery and Villa with a test of their substance at the same time as rebuilding the team without stopping. Throwing Garnacho in at the same time is bold, to say the least.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, the best-case scenario is worth the effort. If Emery can Garnacho playing at his best, he’ll offer something Villa need in wide areas but haven’t had for some time.

In Emery’s two-man midfield and line of three behind a striker, Villa are morphing into a new proposition; Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes are different than the players they’ll succeed.

An unpredictable, incisive, fiery winger looks like an exciting addition on paper. Emery’s job is to make sure that the ‘Garnacho’ on the back of his shirt doesn’t still imply in May what it does in July.

New Germany manager Jurgen Klopp is assembling his coaching set-up at Die Mannschaft.

The legendary Liverpool boss was appointed as head coach of his country, following the Germans' devastating defeat to Paraguay in the last-32 stage of World Cup 2026.

With Klopp leaving his role at the Red Bull group to enter international football for the very first time, the 59-year-old is set to appoint a couple of former friends for the task, as attentions turn to Euro 2028.

Jurgen Klopp to welcome familiar face to his Germany coaching team

Ahead of his official unveiling as Julian Nagelsmann's replacement, The Mirror have relayed information from Sky Germany that Klopp is set to appoint Pep Lijnders to his coaching team.

Lijnders famously worked with Klopp at Liverpool, helping to bring the Premier League back to Anfield for the first time in 30 years and winning a sixth Champions League title – but made the somewhat eyebrow-raising move of crossing the divide and joining Manchester City last summer.

Having left Merseyside at the same time as the German, Lijnders took charge of Red Bull Salzburg in 2024, with his tenure lasting just 29 matches and Die Roten Bullen's 10-year streak as Austrian Bundesliga champions ending after his appointment.

The Dutchman returned to football in 2025 to join Pep Guardiola's City coaching staff, facing questions about Klopp's opinion on the move – though his former manager ultimately told him, “If you don’t do it, I will take the job.”

“The moment Pep called, and the feeling he gave me about what he wanted to do with the team by bringing me in, the trust he already had before we discussed how it would look, that made the decision much easier,” Lijnders said of his conversation with Guardiola.

“But you cannot put away 10 years of Liverpool that easily.“

Lijnders is not the only former Liverpool coach set to be appointed to Klopp's team, with Peter Krawietz expected to take a role in Die Mannschaft's set-up, too.

World Cup 2026's disaster means that Germany have failed to win a knockout game at the competition since they lifted the trophy in Rio De Janeiero for the fourth time in 2014.

Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick for Euro 2024 on home soil, with his 26-man squad ultimately eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals, while the previous Euros saw long-serving Joachim Low bow out a round earlier at the hands of Gareth Southgate's England.

After exiting the World Cup, Nagelsmann resigned from his role, pre-empting a potential sacking.

Spain’s players will kick off the 2026-27 season as world champions for the second time in 16 years and the opportunity to sign them could be too tempting for the biggest clubs to refuse.

Real Madrid suffered the ignominy of a Spain squad being named for the World Cup without a single one of their players. Marc Cucurella subsequently joined from Chelsea and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appears to be willing to add at least one more.

Recent reports indicate that the capital club have agreed terms with Spain’s captain and the World Cup Golden Ball winner, but doubts remain over the possible transfer.

‘Little substance’ in Rodri to Real Madrid rumours

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been heavily linked with a return to Spain to join Los Blancos. According to TEAMtalk, Rodri has decided to leave the Premier League and prefers a move to Real Madrid.

“Sources with knowledge of the situation have told us that the Spain international has decided he wants to embark on a new challenge,” reports Graeme Bailey.

“Rodri believes he still has plenty to offer at the highest level and feels the opportunity to join Real Madrid has come at the right stage of his career.”

Yet while the prospect of the 30-year-old lining up in a white shirt in August appears to be coming into view, doubts are emerging in Madrid.

AS reports that a deal is far from done and that club sources have been clear that there is ‘little substance’ to claims that Rodri and Real Madrid have already agreed on terms.

“Club officials grew frustrated by the repeated use of Madrid’s name despite there being no contact between the parties,” writes Jose Felix Diaz. “Sources indicate that Madrid executives even reached out to their counterparts at City to deny the alleged discussions.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, is admired by senior figures at Real Madrid but AS suggests that one in particular plans to shape the team in a way that casts doubt on the viability of a move for the former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid midfielder.

Real Madrid returned to a familiar face to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa as manager. Jose Mourinho is back after three seasons in charge at the Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, and his appointment could be the biggest obstacle between Rodri and a move back to Spain.

“Mourinho’s Madrid is currently moving toward a different footballing model, one that is less possession-oriented and less dependent on the kind of cerebral, controlling midfield presence Rodri provides,” reports Diaz.

“That said, the club continues to hold the Spain international in the highest regard.”

Real Madrid have been active in the transfer market this summer after two trophyless seasons.

Cucurella and Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries have both been acquired for fees along with the free transfers of ex-Liverpool central defender Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva, Rodri’s former teammate at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur may be handed a favour by Arsenal in the transfer market, as they shop for an attacker to complete their frontline.

The North London rivals had contrasting campaigns last season, with Tottenham scraping relegation with survival secured on the final day, while Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy.

But with the Gunners and the Lilywhites looking to strengthen this summer, one Hale End attacker could prove to be the key man in Spurs landing a top forward.

Tottenham Hotspur looking at star forward – with long-time Arsenal man on the move

Arsenal are biding their time in the transfer market this summer, with FourFourTwo understanding that the Premier League champions are refusing to budge on their internal valuations of targets, as sporting director Andrea Berta looks to strengthen across the side.

Spurs, meanwhile, have already completed several signings in goal, in defence and midfield, with Norwegian hero Andreas Schjelderup – who scored against England in the World Cup quarter-finals – eyed to fill Roberto De Zerbi's left-wing role.

The £43 million Benfica man moving to the Premier League would have a knock-on effect, according to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, with new boss Marco Silva trying to convince Schjelderup to stay in Lisbon.

The report states, however, that should the star depart the Primeira Liga, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is high on Silva's wishlist, with the former Fulham gaffer having worked with the 26-year-old at Craven Cottage, during a loan spell in 2024/25.

Nelson started Mikel Arteta's first game in charge of Arsenal in 2019, and has sporadically appeared across the Basque's tenure, most notably netting a 97th-minute winner against Bournemouth in 2023 when the North Londoners were on course for the title – though injuries have limited his development, with the former England youth player going on loan not just to Fulham, but Brentford and Feyenoord since Arteta took the reins.

The winger is the last player still under contract at Arsenal to have appeared under Arsene Wenger – making his first-team Premier League debut in 2018 – and has since played under the likes of Arne Slot and Julian Nagelsmann while out on loan.

Schjelderup's future appears to be far from straightforward, however, with Benfica president Rui Costa claiming this week that it has “not been communicated to us” that the Norway international will leave Estadio Da Luz.

“[Schjelderup] is on holiday and will soon return to Benfica. As of today, Benfica have not received any proposal,” O Jogo quotes the legendary no.10 as having said.

FourFourTwo understands that Spurs are still also targeting Savinho from Manchester City, with the Brazilian capable of playing on either flank.

Nelson is valued at €8m, as per Transfermarkt.

We've got another quiz for you.

To win the World Cup is one thing, but do also have a Ballon d'Or in the locker is pretty rare territory.

Just 13 have ever done it, three have won one World Cup and more than one Ballon d'Or, and one guy has won two of each.

Consider that your warm-up, now on with the quiz – you only have three minutes!

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Ready for more quizzes? To see if your mental stamina can survive a summer of back-to-back matchdays, we've drawn up a lineup of teasers designed to test your awareness of the modern masterminds pulling the strings and the icons who have defined the grandest stage on Earth – courtesy of Kwizly.

Moving away from the Ballon d'Or and World Cup, can you name every player to have registered 15+ assists in a Premier League season?

Looking for something more long haul? Can you guess these 100 players from their career paths?

Are you pressed for time but still want to try another quiz? Try this quickfire quiz and see if you can answer 10 questions in 90 seconds?

Or if you have a little more time, have a go at naming the team that wore these shirts?

To lower your pulse after navigating that massive statistical workout, find a quiet spot in the dugout for FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 59, featuring a brilliantly niche focus on 80s heroes, midfield maestros, and non-FIFA nations. To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as the knockout rounds loom, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

The World Cup treated us to historical moments, unbelievable matches and some incredible stadiums across Mexico, Canada and the USA. It was a dream come true for me to travel around presenting games for the host broadcaster, Fox Sports, and covering the matches in Mexico was an experience I’ll never forget. The fans, stadiums, culture and atmosphere encapsulated everything the tournament is about.

I was lucky enough to see multiple matches in all three of the Mexican host cities – Guadalajara, Monterrey and of course Mexico City. Each was completely different to the other, but all had one thing in common: passionate, emotional and seriously loud Mexican fans at the very heart of them.

From the moment you landed in the country, green shirts were everywhere you looked. Men, women, kids, babies, dogs and even ducks were all wearing the jersey. Mexican players’ faces were on billboards on the street, on juice cartons and sweet packets in the shops, and there was World Cup signage around every corner. It’s a football-mad country – the atmosphere was infectious and brilliant.

I got the true taste of what football means to Mexicans by working on all of the games there with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, who still holds the record as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. In a nation that treats football like religion, Chicharito is revered as a god.

Around Europe I work with some of the biggest names in the game and fans get excited when they see them. Many ask for selfies, autographs, or just stop to say hi. But getting around Mexico with Hernandez was something from another planet. Peter Schmeichel was also with us, and even he said, “You never see this in England.”

Fans would chase Hernandez down and scream his name when they saw him, all desperate to get as close as possible to touch him or get his signature. Moving around the stadiums, a police escort was required to get us from A to B. I’ve never seen anything like it before, but that’s how much football means to Mexicans; it’s everything to them. Their passion was contagious and they were a true example of a 12th man for their team.

Then there were the stadiums. The Azteca is iconic. As you approached the area in Mexico City, you could see it rising up in the distance. Its bright colours stood out, yet it was imposing – old but grand. The area was gritty, which gave it an edge, and the streets were lined with taco vendors.

There aren’t many stadiums that you can walk into and feel an atmosphere, even when it’s completely empty, but the Azteca had a rare, magical feeling when you stepped inside. Fill it with thousands of Mexican supporters and the noise was indescribable. When a goal was scored, you were lucky if you weren’t completely drenched in beer! It was wild and crazy – exactly how football should be enjoyed.

When you looked around, you could picture the historical moments – Pele and Carlos Alberto, plus Diego Maradona’s Hand of God and his incredible solo goal that followed. I was there for three games, including the tournament’s opening match, and no other stadium topped it throughout my travels. It had already hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, and would have been a deserving setting for this summer’s showpiece as well.

Estadio Guadalajara was unique. It was built to almost look like a volcano, the external walls covered with grass up the sides making it appear as if the stadium was growing out from the ground, but then with a large, futuristic ring for its roof. Picturesque from the outside and spectacular within.

Monterrey was simply exquisite – the pictures don’t do it justice. The whole area surrounding the stadium is a postcard backdrop of green mountains. Not only was it a modern arena on the inside, if you were lucky enough to have a seat on one side of the stadium, there was the most stunning view of the mountains through the roof. Even in person, it didn’t look real.

After Mexico’s games, the street parties filled with thousands of fans were some of my greatest images from the World Cup. There were cars driving past and feeding passers-by with tequila out of the window, loud music blaring from bars and a party atmosphere into the early hours of the morning.

Football is deeply rooted into the culture of Mexico and the country fully embraced its role as one of this year’s hosts. They made it a special, unforgettable experience.

Ready?

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Still thirsty for trivia? Let us pour you a new one. From international football to domestic, women's, European and everything in between, there is no shortage of stuff for you to test your knowledge on, thanks to Kwizly.

Starting here by naming every player who scored 2+ goals at World Cup 2018.

If that's not up your alley, or simply too easy for you, then try our Pre-Match Poser no.35 which scientists have proven only one per cent of football fans are capable of getting.

Our World Cup True or False quiz promises to give you sleepless nights. As are the eight sovereign nations that are NOT members of FIFA.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

Liverpool have joined the race to sign a successor to right-winger Mohamed Salah but face serious competition from back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.

The Reds have made an ‘initial approach’ to Monaco regarding France winger Maghnes Akliouche, who has spent the last five seasons as part of the first team squad at the club where he completed his youth football.

PSG are understood to have made a number of formal bids for the 24-year-old, all rejected by Monaco. The World Cup winger was a regular in Ligue 1 under now-departed head coach Sebastien Pocognoli last season.

Liverpool have checked on ‘the potential availability’ of Maghnes Akliouche

Monaco, who have just appointed former Brazil, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea defender Filipe Luis as their new head coach, won’t let Akliouche leave on the cheap but he has two years left on his deal and this summer is likely to be their best chance to convert their efforts in developing him into a healthy profit.

Liverpool hold the significant advantage of not being a league rival but face a high asking price if their pursuit is being conducted with intent. PSG have reportedly had a bid as high as £34 million rejected.

“Liverpool were interested in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande but RB Leipzig would only be open to selling the Ivory Coast international for an estimated £112m,” reports Sky Sports.

“The Reds indicated they were willing to pay £86m. Other options, such as Akliouche, are now being explored.

“Sky Sports News understands the club have checked on the potential availability of the 24-year-old France international.”

Akliouche, who is from the suburbs of north-eastern Paris, moved south to join the youth ranks of the Monegasque club nine years ago.

He ascended to first team status in 2021 and has now played 139 times for Monaco in all competitions, scoring 23 times and establishing a formidable reputation that culminated with his selection by Didier Deschamps for France’s World Cup squad in May.

The winger played seven minutes as a substitute in Les Bleus’ 3-0 win in their final group stage match against Iraq. He has now won 10 senior caps for the national side.

Akliouche produced a goal or assist every 200 minutes in Ligue 1 last season and operated primarily on the right wing, where the end of Salah’s time at Anfield has now left a gap that Iraola will be desperate to fill.

Liverpool have already made two signings for big fees this summer.

Spanish winger Victor Munoz has come in from Osasuna for a similar fee to the figure rejected by Monaco for Akliouche.

French defender Jeremy Jacquet cost the Reds a reported fee in the region of £54 million and will form part of new manager Andoni Iraola’s defensive corps after the departures of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid and Andrew Robertson to Tottenham Hotspur.

Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough are to reap the rewards of a sell-on clause agreed in 2024.

Middlesbrough signed former West Bromwich Albion junior Morgan Rogers from Manchester City just six months earlier. He played 26 games in the Championship before Aston Villa made their move.

Rogers, from Halesowen, headed back to the West Midlands to sign for Villa and went on to star in the Champions League and Premier League. He was one of Villa’s most influential players as Unai Emery ended their 30-year wait for silverware by winning the Europa League.

Middlesbrough make fortune on Morgan Rogers

The 23-year-old scored Villa’s third goal in the final against Freiburg in Istanbul in May and was included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, where he played 335 minutes as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals and won the third-place play-off against France.

After a year of speculation about interest from former club Man City as well as Arsenal and Chelsea, Villa accepted a British record bid of £117 million on Saturday to set the wheels in motion for a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

The deal was announced on Tuesday evening and is a rare example of a transfer appearing to work for all parties.

Chelsea acquire a player capable of the highest of highs, at an age that leaves ample room for him to be shaped in their image. They’d be well advised not to over-engineer that process.

Rogers gets the move he wanted and links up with a manager he’s clearly excited to work with. If the Xabi Alonso project is a compelling reason to choose the Blues, a lack of European football next season is less convincing.

Villa lose another player after the unexpected departure of Youri Tielemans but bank a huge transfer fee for a player whose future would have remained in doubt for as long as he stayed at the club.

Operating under UEFA restrictions and needing to be watchful over their compliance with financial regulations, a nine-figure fee could be a game-changer as Villa embark on a necessary squad refresh.

The vast transfer fee works in Middlesbrough’s favour too. They booked a £15.5 million fee for Rogers six months after spending around £1 million to secure his services from Man City, and there’s much more to come.

Middlesbrough and Villa agreed a sell-on clause in 2024. Despite reported discussions to buy out the clause last summer, Boro are now entitled to a serious chunk of change.

According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, the 20% clause means another £20 million into Middlesbrough’s coffers courtesy of Villa’s profit in the ballpark of £100 million.

The only higher transfer fees collected by Championship clubs this summer were from West Ham United’s £85 million sale of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, Villa’s reported £38 million purchase of Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Maxime Esteve’s £27 million switch from Burnley to RB Leipzig.

All of those selling teams were relegated from the Premier League in May.

Donald Trump has reportedly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino to be the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

The current holder of the UN’s highest office is Antonio Guterres, who will depart the role in December. The latest reward for Infantino’s apparently bottomless appetite for Trump’s approval is his recommendation for the role.

Infantino has been criticised for his friendship with Trump, not only because of his politics but because of its limiting effect on FIFA’s ability to act with any authority on the United States of America’s serial breaches of the agreed expectations of a World Cup host.

Trump helped Infantino tear the fabric of the World Cup and now it’s time for a reward

World Cup 2026 was played primarily in the United States in June and July but there were repeated instances of controversy.

Iran’s ability to compete on a level playing field was destroyed by FIFA’s inaction against United States policy overruling World Cup rules.

Somali referee Omer Artan was robbed of his World Cup dream, turned away at the border and sent home. Because of Infantino’s alliance with Trump, FIFA was powerless to stop it and shameful in its silence.

During the tournament itself, the suspension of the automatic ban that should have been imposed on in-form United States striker Folarin Balogun as a result of his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was widely reviled.

So poor is the impression of Infantino under Trump’s thumb that it really doesn’t matter whether the US president’s boast about making a call to Infantino to kill the ban was truth or bluster. It was believable either way and that’s a problem.

Now, the man upon whom the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize was bestowed months before a war reportedly wants to return the favour by calling for Infantino to be given the top job in the UN.

“Mr Infantino would need to be endorsed by the UN Security Council and receive confirmation from the General Assembly to become the next secretary-general,” reports Lily Shanagher for The Telegraph.

“Sources said he could secure multiple nominations alongside Mr Trump’s. It was unclear whether Mr Infantino wanted the job or whether Mr Trump had broached the topic with him.”

The embarrassing nature of Infantino’s clinging to Trump is overshadowed by the very real prospect of the president of FIFA, and therefore FIFA itself and football by extension, being implicated in Trump’s political manoeuvres.

By apparently naming him as a preferred candidate for the UN, Trump is leveraging his influence over Infantino – the man who is supposed to represent football’s interests globally – in a purely political realm.

“Mr Trump has frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with the UN, accusing it of contributing to ‘uncontrolled migration’ and ‘sabotage’ while cutting funding and mandatory payments to the board.”

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, the very fact that Infantino’s name has been mooted in that context is evidence that his friendship with Trump is problematic and directly contravenes FIFA’s stated values.

Five years ago, whilst working at Newcastle’s main newspaper, ChronicleLive, I put together a long read that involved interviewing four former Newcastle United youth team players. They were the class of ‘94. Talented and successful, they won things at youth level but were ultimately victims of a very cold decision by Kevin Keegan.

Speaking to them decades later about their time at the club, at the height of Keegan mania, each had a curious mix of gratitude and bitterness. Despite being first- and second-year pros fresh out of high school, they were afforded the privilege of rubbing shoulders with Premier League stars like Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole, training with them almost daily, and often with Keegan, who would join in regularly.

Yet their pathway to the first team was effectively blocked by the man they idolised as kids, a man worshipped by an entire fanbase.

Strong-minded, assertive, tough

You don’t reach the pinnacle of world football without being strong-minded, assertive, and tough. Keegan was all those and more, as some of his actions while managing Newcastle showed.

The sale of Andy Cole to Manchester United was one. A player who had scored 41 goals in 46 appearances during the 1993/94 season (34 in the league). Think of the confidence and belief it takes to sell a player like that to your closest rivals the very next season, and then stand on the steps of the stadium, look angry, devastated supporters in the eyes and explain why you did it.

His passionate outburst live on Sky Sports in April 1996 showed the anger and frustration that burned inside him, that Newcastle’s best chance to win a top-flight title since 1927 was slipping away.

A lesser-discussed Keegan act was his decision to completely scrap the club's reserve team in 1996. Keegan had a stubborn side; he could be temperamental, knee-jerk, and he was unapologetically passionate.

He worked a lot on instinct; for example, his decisions to leave as Newcastle manager in 1997 and 2008 shocked people, as did his decision to quit as England boss immediately after losing to Germany in the final game at the old Wembley Stadium.

His decision not to operate with a second-string team was certainly unexpected, and ultimately boiled down to the condition of the St. James’ Park pitch.

Newcastle youth-teamer during this time Stuart Elliot explained to me in 2021: “Pontins sponsored the league, and because of the money they’d put in they wanted a bit more glamour to it, so they asked every club to play 50% of their home reserve games in the club stadium.

"Bear in mind there was about 14 teams in the league, so you’re talking about six, seven home games max.”

Keegan dug his heels in. Newcastle already had issues with the playing surface at St. James’ Park without extra games taking place. Both Roy Evans and Alex Ferguson agreed at the time that they would also reject the request. Both spoke to Keegan, and it was decided they would stand their ground as three of the biggest clubs in the league at the time.

But while Keegan held his nerve, Evans and Ferguson eventually relented. At the time, Alex Ferguson’s reserve team had just produced David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt.

“It came down to the last week; the club had to sign documents. Liverpool and Man United did it.”

Paul Brayson would be the only player from Newcastle’s class of ‘94 to ever taste first-team action (one appearance vs Bristol City in the Coca-Cola Cup). Speaking in 2021, he told me: “It [scrapping the reserves] was probably the worst decision ever.

"If a decision like that was made by a Premier League club these days, there’d be hell on – outrage. We were just told: ‘There’s not going to be a reserve team this year’.”

Another player admitted, “It sounds awful this, and people will probably hang me for it, but because of Keegan there was nowhere to go in that club. It sounds terrible because he’s an idol for people who I sit and work with every day.

"He wanted rid of the junior team; he wanted rid of the reserve team at the time. We were sitting there thinking ‘Where do we go?’ I lost a bit of interest towards the back end of my time there; most of us were let go at the end of that season.”

The same player also told the tale of the day Keegan threatened to 'knock him out'. But rather than speak to HR, he admitted: “It was fantastic!”

The incident happened during a game in training. Newcastle at the time shared Durham University’s Maiden Castle sports facilities, training on hockey pitches that the public could walk up to and observe. This meant that sessions were often watched by thousands. Quite intimidating for a teenage youth teamer.

“We were playing 7-a-side, in front of the crowd. Keegan was marking me and kept going down the back of my ankles, winding me up. It got to the point where I thought ‘f*** this!’

So next time he got the ball, honestly, I went through him so badly. He must have went about four feet in the air, and he took a bad landing. He got up, picked me up by the scruff of my neck in front of everyone. I thought ‘I’m going to get sacked here.'

“To be fair to him, he knew afterwards I was petrified; he called me into the manager’s changing room. I went in, tail between my legs, and he just said, ‘I really appreciate you did that, because I was winding you up, I was going down the back of you.’”

Stu Elliot confirmed what is widely known. Keegan’s style was based more around motivation than tactical acumen. “I don’t like using the word old school because it makes you sound old, but did I ever see a tactics board when I was an apprentice, in the reserves or on first team match duty? No.

"Kevin would get up and do a chat before the game: ‘We’re better than them’ A lot of first team players from the time will tell you.”

Elliot also told a jaw-dropping story that underlined Keegan's cut-throat approach to management.

“He never came and watched reserve games. When Kenny (Dalglish) came in, he watched every game, home and away; he was unbelievable. Once, Kevin came to watch us at Gateshead Stadium. He came in the dressing room after a game; we’d been beaten, we hadn’t played well.

"I can’t remember his exact words, but it was along the lines of: ‘You know you lot, you might as well f*** off now.’ He said, ‘Do you think I need any of you lot? Do you think any of you are going to get anywhere near my first team?’ And we’re like ‘Eh? What!’

“We were hoping he was going to come in and say ‘Listen, it’s one of them, don’t worry, there’s always the next game’. Instead, he went: ‘I’ve got this,’ and he pulled a cheque book out. He said: ‘I can sign anyone I want around the world, you lot might as well not even be here’ and walked out. We were sat there thinking ‘Is this a wind-up? Really!”

It’s a reminder that Kevin Keegan was ultimately a working-class man from Doncaster who had to start at the bottom and fight his way to the top. He backed himself one million per cent, and that is a quality that set him apart from the rest.

He’s known for winning back-to-back Ballon d’Ors, a European Cup and multiple league titles, for his famous perm, for falling off his bike while taking part in BBC Superstars, for doing headers with Tony Blair in a school playground, and for singing ‘Head Over Heels in Love’ on Top of the Pops.

But behind all of that was proper working-class steel and ruthless determination. It all combined to make a true force of nature that you rarely see in life.

Amit Bhatia’s bid to acquire a stake in 2024-25 Premier League winners Liverpool could gain one of the biggest hitters of all thanks to the consortium’s invitation to billionaire Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.

Bhatia, the son-in-law of Queens Park Rangers co-owner and steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, is working on buying a 30 percent stake in the Merseyside club that values Liverpool at more than $6 billion.

He has unloaded his own stake in QPR and is reportedly in talks to buy into Liverpool as the leader of a consortium of investors that doesn’t yet include Bezos but could soon, if Bhatia’s overtures are persuasive enough.

Bezos has been approached to back Amit Bhatia’s plan to buy a stake in the Reds

Bezos has an estimated net worth of around $257 billion. He’s the fourth-richest person in the world after Elon Musk and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

“An investment consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed an interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club,” according to a statement provided to BBC Sport by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns the club.

FSG bought Liverpool for £300 million 16 years ago. They have won the Premier League twice and the Champions League once since the takeover, which was fronted by John W. Henry before he elected to step back from the front line.

Bhatia’s ‘strategic investment’ has been likened by some commentators to Ineos’ role at Manchester United, where Jim Ratcliffe and his team are a minority shareholder but are charged with the operational side of running the club day to day.

The 46-year-old businessman and former investment banker is married to Mittal’s daughter and his Loftus Road exit was unexpected.

Sky News revealed on Wednesday that Amazon founder Bezos, who enjoys firing things into space and starting meetings with half an hour of silent reading, had been tapped by Bhatia as a potential fellow investor in the bid to grab a slice of Liverpool.

“A source cautioned that he was not certain to proceed with an investment in Liverpool FC,” reported Mark Kleinman.

“He has reportedly explored bids in the past for the Seattle Seahawks, this year's Super Bowl winners, and the Washington Commanders, another NFL team, although he did not proceed with either deal.

“About half of the 20 Premier League clubs are owned by predominantly US-based investors, although one of those – Crystal Palace – is currently exploring a sale.”

Liverpool are set to begin a new era next month after former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola succeeded Arne Slot as the club’s head coach. Slot delivered the Premier League title in his first season in 2024-25 but Liverpool faltered last season and had to settle for fifth place.

FSG’s previous tangible successes at Liverpool were achieved under the management of Jurgen Klopp and the German can also claim some of the credit for Slot’s title win.

With Klopp and his successor both now departed, FSG must devise and implement a strategy to challenge at the top of the Premier League again. Building that is likely to have been high on Bhatia’s agenda in his talks with the Reds owners.

Newcastle United are laying the foundations for life after Bruno Guimaraes and are reportedly pushing to sign a replacement for their captain.

Guimaraes has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Arsenal. It was reported last week that the Gunners had been given the erroneous impression that the Brazil midfielder would be available for a bargain fee of £50 million.

It’s understood that Arsenal are still sweet on the idea of signing the 28-year-old and that Newcastle won’t ‘stand in his way’ if their true valuation is met by Arsenal as they progress their bid.

Newcastle ‘intensifying’ transfer interest in a Guimaraes replacement

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are targeting 22-year-old Swedish international midfielder Hugo Larsson, who has spent the last three seasons playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany’s Bundesliga.

“Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes may have been handed a boost by the fact that Newcastle United are working to replace him with Hugo Larsson,” reports Mark Brus.

“Sources with close links to the agents industry have informed me that Newcastle are ‘intensifying’ their interest in Larsson as they look to strengthen in midfield this summer.

“Sources suggest there is an acceptance that Guimaraes will end up leaving, and the club want to have a replacement lined up.”

Brus reports that Newcastle face competition from Manchester United, who are understood to be eager to add Larsson to their midfield ranks along with new signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

Larsson has played 87 times in the Bundesliga and has three years left on his contract, which is understood to not have a release clause.

Eintracht have valued him at €60 million and have no immediate need to sell him beneath their asking price, which may have dropped from that high point after a less impressive season and Larsson’s omission from the Sweden squad for the World Cup.

With the German club reportedly willing to listen to bids closer to €40 million, Larsson’s destiny and that of Guimaraes could be connected.

Arsenal want the Newcastle captain to strengthen their midfield as they attempt to defend the Premier League title in 2026-27 and Newcastle’s ability to cost-effectively acquire a replacement they assess as suitable could grease the wheels.

The Magpies hierarchy will also be wary of putting themselves in a similar situation to the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, which turned the relationship between club and player sour and was completed late in the summer after both parties dug in.

Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali in this summer transfer window, bringing in big fees for both and getting the deals done in good time to start working on successors.

Midfielder Sean Steur has been signed from Ajax and the Tynesiders won the race for winger Bazoumana Traore from Hoffenheim.

Selling Guimaraes too would create an obvious need to recruit in his position and Larsson appears to be top of the list.

“Larsson is a profile they really like, so that’s one to watch,” said a Caught Offside source.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare was at the centre of an incident that led to the full cancellation of Monday’s first team training, according to reports.

Arokodare had a poor first season at Wolves, scoring three times in 33 matches having signed from Genk in a deal worth £23.4 million. The Black Country club suffered relegation from the Premier League.

New manager Cesar Peixoto arrived in the summer, and soon omitted him from the team’s pre-season training trip to Portugal for reasons that aren't yet fully clear.

Arokodare forces the cancellation of Wolves training

The former Genk striker is expected to leave Molineux this summer. Reports in Turkey indicated that interest from Serie A side Fiorentina had fizzled out, leaving Trabzonspor in pole position despite Arokodare reportedly rejecting the move after Wolves accepted a bid.

Arokodare and Wolves are understood to be deadlocked on his transfer situation. The player wants to leave, but the Championship club want to mitigate their losses by bringing in a significant fee.

Genoa and Pisa, relegated from Italy’s top flight in last place last season, have also been linked with the 25-year-old, who joined Wolves as a freshly minted Nigerian international last summer.

Wolves are now back at their Compton Park training ground and Arokodare has been instructed not to train with the first team, sparking a dramatic confrontation and ultimately forcing the cancellation of the session.

“Understand Wolves training was cancelled [on Monday] following Tolu Arokodare’s refusal to leave the pitch,” journalist Nathan Judah posted on social media.

“Cesar Peixoto seemingly not tolerating ‘player power’ and poor discipline levels. Extra security enforced at Compton Park [on Tuesday] to make sure he was not at training ground.”

Wolves risk becoming a test case for FIFA’s refreshed transfer regulations and protections for players under contract.

They have brought Mexico centre-forward Raul Jimenez back to the club, and it’s evident that Arokodare is not part of Peixoto’s plans, but he no longer has the right to isolate the striker or anyone else from the first team set-up with the aim of forcing him out.

“Clubs are no longer allowed to force contracted players to train separately from the main squad or place them in so-called ‘bomb squads’ as a way of pressuring them into accepting transfers,” according to Soccernet.

“Players must continue training with the first team unless there is a genuine sporting reason or a documented medical issue preventing their participation.”

Arokodare’s apparent disruption of Monday’s training could work against him in any future case but Wolves’ decision to freeze him out is not without risk.

“Clubs found guilty could face financial penalties, transfer bans and other sporting sanctions. Any unpaid wages would also attract an automatic eight percent interest charge,” reports Soccernet.

“[Players] may also seek contract termination and leave on a free transfer instead of generating a transfer fee for their club.”

Arokodare had joined Genk from Latvian club Valmiera in 2023 after spells on loan at Cologne and Amiens, before joining Wolves last summer.

Time to get quizzing.

No-one ever remembers who finished third at the World Cup... or do they? FIFA have insisted on playing a 3rd/4th place playoff at every tournament since 1934.

In the inaugural tournament in 1930, the third-place team was based on overall records, as no third-place match was played. Losing semi-finalists traditionally dislike playing in it, but is is a tie that has produce some memorable and historic moments nonetheless with random starting XIs and less pressure often lending to extremely entertaining encounters.

We're giving you five minutes to name all 23 bronze medalists.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

If World Cup trivia is your thing, there's plenty more where that came from. We have countless quizzes designed to test your awareness of the players who starred on the biggest stage and the arenas in which they created history – courtesy of Kwizly.

There's nothing more tense than penalties and we can all remember the players who fluffed their lines from 12 yards when the pressure was on. But can you name every player to score in a World Cup penalty shootout this century? When it comes to World Cup icons, certain players always spring to mind, but can you remember the best at each tournament? If you think you can, have a go at naming every Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bronze Ball winner at the World Cup.

This summer's World Cup has been played in some incredible stadiums that provide a stunning backdrop to the artistry on the pitch. Every tournament seems to have one or two iconic venues that are different from the rest, but can you name every World Cup stadium of the 21st century? And for something a bit different while you wait for kick-off, why not try our Prep-match Poser No.34?

If all of that isn't enough for you, why not try tackling FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 60, which covers a range of topics including scandals, shootouts and sackings. To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as we approach the end of the tournament, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports.

The Argentinian, 22, had a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge following his £40m move from Manchester United last August, starting just 22 games in all competitions and failing to make his country's World Cup 2026 squad.

But Villa look set to hand Garnacho the opportunity for a fresh start away from Chelsea, with the two clubs reportedly in advanced talks over a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy.

Aston Villa close in on Alejandro Garnacho signing

Garnacho joined United's academy from Atletico Madrid in October 2020 and made his first-team debut in April 2022, going on to score 26 times in 144 appearances - including an acrobatic effort against Everton that was named 2023/24 Premier League goal of the season.

But he fell out with former Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim towards the end of the following campaign and last summer joined Chelsea, where he has struggled to hold down a starting spot.

Garnacho made just 14 starts in the Premier League, scoring once, although he did manage a further seven goals in cup competitions.

Nevertheless, Villa boss Unai Emery remains a big fan of the eight-cap Argentina international and is pushing for the move to happen, according to The Athletic.

The report adds that the deal is currently a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy although that can still change, with no agreement yet in place.

Italian club Roma are also keen on Garnacho, but The Athletic states that Villa believe Emery - who was also interested in signing him from United last summer - has convinced him to move to Birmingham.

The winger has reportedly been allowed to miss the start of Chelsea' pre-season training by new manager Xabi Alonso in order to secure a move.

The Athletic reports that the deal is separate from the £117m transfer of England forward Morgan Rogers from Villa to Chelsea, with the desire to sign Garnacho on loan stemming from the fact that a permanent transfer would be viewed as a 'player exchange transaction' by UEFA.

Under UEFA rules, if Villa signed Garnacho permanently within 45 days of the Rogers move, the profit they make on the Three Lions star would be reduced to the net difference in the fees paid for Rogers and Garnacho.

Villa will play in the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League last term, while Chelsea will miss out on European football completely after finishing 10th in the Premier League in 2025/26.

Ready?

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Too quick? Need more quiz? You're in the right place. From international football to domestic, women's, European and everything in between, there is no shortage of stuff for you to test your knowledge on, thanks to Kwizly.

Starting here by naming every African side to have reached the World Cup

If that's not up your alley, or simply too easy for you, then try our Pre-Match Poser no.35 which scientists have proven only one per cent of football fans are capable of getting.

Our World Cup True or False quiz promises to give you sleepless nights. As are the eight sovereign nations that are NOT members of FIFA.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

There have been plenty of difficult seasons in Sheffield Wednesday's long and proud history, but few have left supporters feeling as deflated as last term – one that ended with relegation to League One.

For Owls legend Mel Sterland, the disappointment wasn't simply about dropping out of the Championship.

It was about watching one of English football's great clubs dragged down by years of off-field turmoil.

"Horrendous, absolutely horrendous"

"Oh, it was horrendous, absolutely horrendous," Sterland tells FourFourTwo on behalf of Lucky Rebel Sportsbook. "I felt sorry for the fans, because they were treated like dirt. It was all down to a chairman who knew nothing about football.

Sterland is referring to former owner Dejphon Chansiri, who owned the side between 2015 and May 2026. When the Thai businessman arrived at Hillsborough, there was genuine optimism. Significant investment took Wednesday to the Championship play-off final in his first full season before another top-six finish followed a year later. But what came next was a slow, painful decline.

Managerial upheaval became commonplace, recruitment lost direction and financial problems steadily mounted. The controversial sale of Hillsborough to a company owned by Chansiri in an attempt to comply with the EFL's Profitability and Sustainability rules ultimately resulted in points deductions, while transfer embargoes and growing supporter unrest became recurring themes.

More recently, delayed wage payments, mounting debts and questions over the club's financial stability only deepened the worry across the terraces. As 18 points were docked by the EFL last term, fans were left with little choice but to stay away in protest.

"But the fans stuck by the team, even when they boycotted the games,” says Sterland. “Obviously they were disappointed, but they showed their support for the players in their own ways.

"I was proud of the supporters because they made their feelings known. They said, 'Hold on, we've had enough of this – we've had enough.'

"Not having fans there can be tough for the players as well, for the team spirit and everything, and it was just frustrating for the fans not to be able to show their support like that. The whole situation was absolutely disgusting.

"We've been very disappointed for so long. Not through the players, though, I must admit. It was the fault of one man."

Now, though, there is finally a sense that the dark clouds are beginning to clear. With new ownership in the form of US consortium Arise Capital Partners providing fresh direction behind the scenes, optimism has returned to Hillsborough for the first time in years. After so much uncertainty, Wednesday can finally focus on football again.

"I can't wait for the season to start,” says Sterland. “It's exciting. We've got new people behind the scenes now. We've got some smashing players in. But it's not going to happen overnight, even with the good players we have.

“We've got Barry Bannan back, we've got Liam Cooper, who's been about a bit. I know him from Leeds United. We've got experience there. Now we've got to get it together and get a roll going and start winning football games."

Perhaps the biggest sign that belief has returned is in the stands. With around 24,000 season tickets already snapped up, Wednesday fans have once again demonstrated the remarkable loyalty that has carried the club through years of frustration.

"As a fan, I'm looking forward to this season," he says. "It's going to be really good, exciting. There are new players coming in and we've already seen 24,000 season tickets being sold."

Manchester United have reportedly expressed their interest in Ismaila Sarr following the Crystal Palace forward's impressive displays at the World Cup.

Sarr scored four goals in four games for Senegal as the Lions of Teranga reached the last 32 of World Cup 2026, where they lost to Belgium.

It followed an excellent domestic season with Palace for the 28-year-old, who scored 21 goals in all competitions and won the Conference League, and his consistency has caught the eye of United.

Manchester United explore Ismaila Sarr transfer

Sarr has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Palace since arriving from Marseille for £12.5m in August 2024, winning the FA Cup in his first season and adding the Community Shield and Conference League last term.

His prolific form in 2025/26 included nine goals in the Conference League, which saw him named player of the tournament and finish as the top goalscorer.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Sarr has attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe with United among those to enquire about the forward.

While the report adds that the Palace star is not the Red Devils' 'top priority' in terms of attacking reinforcements, he is one of the players being considered.

Sarr is a United fan and did not hide his feelings about a potential switch in comments to Senegalese media earlier this summer.

He said: "My dream club? Honestly, there is only one club. I love Manchester United with all my heart, and I am one of its biggest fans."

The former Watford player has three years left on his Palace contract, so the Selhurst Park club are in a strong negotiating position - with some reports suggesting they value him at £50m.

The Eagles also have the pull of playing Europa League football next term, thanks to their Conference League triumph, although that is likely to be trumped by the opportunity to feature in the Champions League with United.

Carrick is looking to add strength in depth to enable the Red Devils to compete on four fronts, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow and midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans already arriving this summer.

The United boss can call on several forwards including Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, but may yet need to bolster his attacking options with the futures of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee uncertain.

Arsenal have revived their pursuit of Nico Williams after suffering setbacks in their attempts to land two other major transfer targets, according to reports.

The Gunners have a longstanding interest in the World Cup 2026 winner but this appeared to cool as they chased other forwards.

However, after missing out on Chelsea-bound Morgan Rogers and with uncertainty surrounding the future of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, Arsenal have returned their focus to Williams.

Nico Williams release clause revealed as Arsenal revive interest in Spain star

Williams arrived at the World Cup carrying an injury and did not start a single game for Spain as they lifted the trophy for the second time.

He still left his mark on the tournament, though, setting up Ferran Torres' extra-time winner in the final against Argentina with a clever header.

According to TEAMtalk, the Athletic Club winger - who turned 24 on July 12 - has re-emerged as a serious target for Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen the left side of his attack.

The Gunners have made fresh contract with the La Liga outfit, with sporting director Andrea Berta holding discussions to assess whether a deal is possible.

A key factor that could work in Arsenal's favour appears to be the release clause in Williams' Athletic Club contract, which he signed last summer and runs until 2035.

TEAMtalk states that the clause is worth around £77million, which is well within the Gunners' reach and £40m less than Chelsea will pay for England international Rogers.

The report also claims that Spanish sources have indicated that Williams is attracted by a move to the Premier League and sees Arsenal as an 'attractive destination'.

Arteta is keen to strengthen after guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

The Gunners have lost one left winger in Leandro Trossard, who has joined Besiktas, although they are set to sign Greece international Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in his place.

However, the capture of Euro 2024 and now World Cup winner Williams would be a huge statement of intent from the Premier League champions.

The next World Cup could feature 64 teams after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez confirmed plans are under way to expand the tournament for the second successive edition.

This summer's competition in USA, Mexico and Canada saw 48 countries participate for the first time, up from 32 at World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

But the number of nations could rise once more for World Cup 2030 when Spain, Portugal and Morocco will share hosting duties, with one match each in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate the tournament's centenary.

World Cup 2030 could have 64 teams as plans announced

The 48-team tournament was the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with world football's governing body approving the expansion of the 2026 competition back in 2017, one year after he took office.

Earlier this month, Infantino suggested FIFA would assess plans for a 64-team World Cup, saying: "It's important to organise it for the whole world...if you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."

And less than 48 hours after the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina, Dominguez - president of South American confederation CONMEBOL - confirmed the 2030 tournament could be even bigger than this summer's edition.

He posted on X: "We are working to ensure that the 2030 World Cup is held with 64 national teams in homage to the Centenary of the World Cup.

"International football grows when it opens up to the world. The expansion to 48 teams demonstrated that greater participation generates more opportunities, boosts the development of football, and turns the World Cup into a true global celebration.

"The Centenary offers us a historic opportunity to Dream Big. May the World Cup be the greatest celebration that football has ever known."

CONMEBOL put forward an official proposal to increase the number of teams at World Cup 2030 to 64 back in April 2025, but no decision has been reached and would need to be approved by the majority of members on the 37-strong FIFA Council.

Dominguez's counterparts at other confederations have been less enthused by the idea, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin joining the chiefs of CONCACAF - which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean - and AFC (Asia) in speaking out against the plans.

A 64-team World Cup would be comprised of 16 groups of four countries each, with the top two qualifying for the last 32 and no third-place teams reaching the knockout stage as lucky losers, unlike this summer.

There would be 128 games in total, up from 104 at World Cup 2026, and would likely mean the competition lasts even longer than the five-and-a-half-week tournament that took place in North America.

Although the format would be easier to follow and teams reaching the final would play the same number of games, there would be several logistical issues that would come with a 64-team World Cup.

The number of stadiums would need to rise from the 16 that hosted matches this summer, while the infrastructure would need to be in place to accommodate the increase in participating nations and fans.

But after Infantino proudly declared the 48-team World Cup a success, do not be surprised if it is even bigger in four years time.

Alex Scott has rejected a new contract at Bournemouth amid strong interest from several Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

The England Under-21 midfielder is a target for multiple Premier League big-hitters this summer, with the Cherries turning down an approach from Arsenal last month.

Bournemouth are determined to retain Scott as they prepare to embark on their maiden European campaign in 2026/27, in the Europa League, but this latest development will only increase interest in the 22-year-old.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United on alert after Alex Scott contract decision

Scott has become one of the most sought-after young talents in the Premier League since signing for Bournemouth from Championship side Bristol City for £25million in 2023.

He helped England win the European Under 21 Championship in 2025 and received his first senior call-up last November before joining Thomas Tuchel's squad for their pre-World Cup 2026 camp in Florida, although he is yet to make his debut.

Scott played 37 Premier League games last season to help Bournemouth qualify for Europe with a sixth-place finish, the highest in the club's history, but he has now rejected the contract offer that had been on the table for at least two months, according to BBC Sport.

His decision is likely to put several top-flight teams on alert, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur joining champions Arsenal in holding an interest in the Cherries star.

United have even made Scott one of their top summer transfer targets, despite Bournemouth insisting he is not for sale.

The midfielder has two years left on his Cherries deal and could command up to £80m, but the report adds that the south coast club are under no pressure to let him leave after receiving well over £200m in transfer fees since last summer.

Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Dango Ouattara all departed in the summer 2025 transfer window, before Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City in January.

However, Scott's decision to turn down a new deal could test Bournemouth's resolve, with any transfer fee likely to eclipse the club-record £65m they received for Semenyo.

The youngster was among the travelling party as the Cherries squad flew to Austria on Monday for their 10-day pre-season camp.

It is a chance for new manager Marco Rose to step up his preparations for the new campaign after replacing Andoni Iraola at the end of last season.

Liverpool are interested in Spain's World Cup final hero Ferran Torres, according to reports.

The Barcelona forward scored the only goal of the World Cup 2026 final against Argentina in New Jersey, rifling home from inside the penalty area in the second half of extra-time.

After helping Spain win the tournament for a second time, Torres now has a decision to make as he enters the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp - with Liverpool reportedly among the clubs vying for his signature.

Liverpool interested in Ferran Torres after World Cup heroics

Torres' heroics off the bench in New Jersey were fitting for a player who has struggled to hold down a starting place throughout his career.

He joined Manchester City from Valencia aged 20 in August 2020, arriving for £20.8million on a five-year deal, but departed for Barcelona just 17 months later after scoring 16 goals in 43 games.

The Catalan club paid £49.5m for Torres in January 2022 but only 113 of his 207 appearances since then have been from the start.

It is why Barcelona had been prepared to let the versatile forward leave for a "low-cost" fee this summer, according to L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, but his goal in the World Cup final and a growing number of suitors have pushed up his price tag.

Tanzi reports that Liverpool are one of the clubs who have recently expressed an interest in Torres, with back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain also in the race.

Both teams are managed by Spaniards, with the 26-year-old having previously played under PSG head coach Luis Enrique with his national team, and former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola taking over at Anfield last month.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Torres is due to meet Barcelona next week to discuss his future, although the club are unlikely to open talks over a new contract until September due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.

The Valencia academy graduate can play anywhere across the front line, so would be a useful option for Iraola, although he may want to cement his place as Barcelona's first-choice centre forward following Robert Lewandowski's departure to Chicago Fire at the end of last season.

Liverpool have already signed one member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad this summer, with winger Victor Munoz joining from Osasuna for £34.5m.

Munoz did not play a minute for La Roja during the tournament, though, so Iraola may be keen to add more experience to his forward line.

Manchester City are auctioning items from Pep Guardiola's office that give a unique insight into the mind of the legendary manager.

Guardiola left City at the end of last season, bringing the curtain down on a glittering decade in which he won 15 major trophies.

The 55-year-old's haul of silverware included six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in 2023, when he led the club to the Treble.

These are some of the items you can buy from Pep Guardiola's office

Guardiola has been one of the most fascinating characters in world football for almost two decades, owing to his revolutionary tactics and intense personality.

Now, fans can get inside the mind of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager after City launched the auction, with some of the proceeds reportedly going to the club's charity, City in the Community.

The online auction offers the chance to take a 360-degree virtual tour of Guardiola's office, with the items up for auction all on display.

Souvenirs include 'Pep's Note Collection', which consists of two pitch pads with the coach's original tactics written down, plus two pens and a notepad. As of 10am BST on Tuesday, the highest bid was already £641.

Other interesting items include Erling Haaland's commemorative football - of which only three were ever produced - to celebrate the City striker reaching 100 Premier League goals in record time, with the bidding already around the £5,000 mark.

You can also bid for some of Guardiola's clothing, including his manager's jacket, the whistle he used during training sessions and several framed photos and collages celebrating his achievements.

There are pictures of the City manager with the trophies he won and alongside various members of his backroom staff, some of which include a section of the goal net from his final home game, a 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on May 24.

Some of the more unique items up for auction include Guardiola's coffee cup set, his incense collection, a selection of trinkets (two small turtles, a pebble and a painted star, in case you were wondering) and his desk lamp, all of which currently have bids well into three figures. The auction closes at 4pm BST on Sunday, July 26.

Guardiola has not committed to his next job but a move into international management could be on the cards, with reports emerging that he has held talks over becoming the next Italy head coach.

He has been succeeded at City by former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca, who was part of the coaching staff at the Etihad between 2020 and 2023.

We've got another quiz for you.

... and if you know your geography, that might help. There are 211 nations playing under the FIFA banner, but 127 of them have NEVER qualified for a World Cup

The expanded format in 2026 has increased their chances, and rumours of a further increase to 64 even more so. But still more than half have never played in the tournament.

Cape Verde, Haiti and Curacao all made their bow at this year's event; who will be next to debut?

You have 25 minutes to name as many of the hopefuls as you can.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Need more quizzes? See if your mental stamina can survive any of these?

Our Pre-match Posers are notoriously brutal trivia affairs, with scientists estimating only one per cent of football fans are capable of solving them.

For something slightly less difficult, can you name every World Cup hat-trick scorer since 1998?

If you need something more recent, our Big World Cup 2026 Quiz tests knowledge on the summer showpiece that a record number of fans were able to watch.

A more leisurely quiz experience can be found in our Weekend Crossword. This one features shocks, sharpshooters and schadenfreude.

We've heard a lot about this guy lately – see if you can get 10 correct answers in our Erling Haaland quiz.

Or if you'd rather not think about Big Erl for the time being, see if you're able to name every nation to have hosted the World Cup in order.

To ensure you stay one step ahead of the late tactical shifts as the knockout rounds loom, subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia. To truly secure your legacy this summer, make sure you've joined The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, fight for the top of the global leaderboards, and join the debate in the comments section as the tournament drama unfolds.

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Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Too quick? Need more quiz? You're in the right place. From international football to domestic, women's, European and everything in between, there is no shortage of stuff for you to test your knowledge on, thanks to Kwizly.

Starting here by naming every African side to have reached the World Cup

If that's not up your alley, or simply too easy for you, then try our Pre-Match Poser no.35 which scientists have proven only one per cent of football fans are capable of getting.

Our World Cup True or False quiz promises to give you sleepless nights. As are the eight sovereign nations that are NOT members of FIFA.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

Pep Guardiola has spoken to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) about becoming their next national team head coach.

Reports claim that Guardiola is seen as the man to turn around the Italians' fortunes, after they failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.

Whether or not Guardiola wants the job remains to be seen, but the ex-Manchester City man is reportedly top of the list.

The Italian Football Federation is desperate to turn around the team's fortunes

Sky Italy are claiming that a contingent, including the new Italian Football Federation's technical director Paolo Maldini and his assistant Leonardo have flown to Barcelona to meet with Guardiola.

Talks were held over a three day period, suggesting that Guardiola hasn't flat out rejected the approach.

Maldini and Leonardo are part of a big shake up by the FIGC to bring success back to Italy, who have failed to qualify for a World Cup since 2014.

They have immediately identified Guardiola as the man who can get their country's football team back on track.

After winning the Euros in 2021, Italy have had a difficult five years, after they were knocked out of the 2024 Euros by Switzerland.

Guardiola isn't the only man on their list to replace former boss Gennaro Gattuso, however.

Reports claim that Roberto Mancini, the man who masterminded their 2021 success, is also an option.

Andrea Pirlo is another potential option for the role.

Guardiola would take some persuading to take the role, given that he told Sky Sports he had "no plans for coaching for a while" and said: "I need to step back."

However, he has previously shown an openness to taking on an international position, reportedly agreeing to take over as England boss after Gareth Southgate's departure.

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina may not have been a classic, but Spain were very worthy winners on the day and the most consistent performers throughout the competition.

Once Donald Trump was eventually ushered from the winners' podium, the Spanish team wildly celebrated its second-ever World Cup victory.

You can celebrate Spain's World Cup win too with this full-size replica of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy that's just been revealed by Lego. Pre-order yours now at Lego.com for €199.99

Built from 2845 Lego bricks, this fantastic recreation has the same dimensions as the real World Cup Trophy. Spain's name is featured on the base along with past World Cup winners.

The Lego recreation is superb, and it's definitely an object of desire that any football fan would go nuts for – even more so if they support the Spanish team.

Unlike FIFA's 18-carat gold version, this Lego one has a hinged flap in the globe that opens up to reveal a removable Lego Minifigure of the World Cup and a recreation of the winner's podium.

At €199.99, it doesn't come cheap though. That said, the price is the going rate for premium Lego builds and this 2026 World Cup Trophy is definitely one of them. It's only available from Lego Spain too, but can be shipped elsewhere.

Whether this will sell out on pre-order, we cannot know. But if you want to get your hands on your very own Champions Edition Lego World Cup, we'd suggest signing up to buy one as soon as you can.

For more football-related Lego, check out our feature on the fantastic Lego World Cup and player-themed sets already released.

The football world has been reacting to the sad news of the death of Kevin Keegan at the age of 75 this afternoon.

The ex-Newcastle, Liverpool and England man touched the hearts of all of the clubs he represented, both as a player and manager, leading to an outpouring of emotion from former teams, colleagues and friends from throughout the game.

Among those to pay their respects was former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who idolised Keegan from the Gallowgate terraces at St James' Park as a child, before later joining the Magpies to play for his hero.

A hero, a manager and a friend

In a brief message, Shearer simply wrote: "My Hero. My Manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss."

Shearer's former teammate Shay Given was another ex-Newcastle player to pay their respects, writing: "It’s hard to put into words what this man meant to to me, an unbelievable player and manager but most importantly an incredible human being, the world has lost one of the greatest."

Keegan's former clubs have been paying tribute too, with Liverpool, where Keegan won three First Division titles, the European Cup, the FA Cup and two UEFA Cups, writing: "His indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on."

Newcastle United's statement described Keegan as "more than a legendary footballer and manager" and "the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters" and said that the club was "carefully considering how we shape a lasting tribute to Kevin’s remarkable life and legacy".

Hamburger SV, where Keegan won a Bundesliga, as well as two European Player of the Year awards, said they will "always cherish the memory of our former title-winning player and two-time Ballon d’Or winner" while Manchester City, who Keegan managed for four years, described him as: "A transformative manager who brought optimism and vibrancy to City."

Keegan both played for and managed the England national team, with the FA stating they were "incredibly saddened by the news that Kevin Keegan has passed away."

A tribute will be paid to Keegan at Wembley when England host Spain in the Nations League in September.

Touching tributes have also been left by the wider footballing world, including from former Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler, who said: "Whenever you were given the chance to cover a Newcastle game as a commentator, you knew you were in for a rollercoaster of an evening. It was always special being in his company. He never disappointed. Never."

Ex-Newcastle defender Warren Barton added: "He made you feel like the best player in the world. For me, I owe him everything."

Newcastle United have requested fans wishing to pay their respects with flowers, scarves and other tributes leave them at the South West Corner of the stadium, with a book of condolence to be opened. The scheduled launch of the new away shirt has been postponed until Friday following the news.

The 2026 World Cup was the first to contain 48 teams, with Canada, Mexico and the United States of America pitching in to share hosting duties.

The next tournament, in 2030, will also be held across multiple countries, with Spain, Portugal and Morocco the main hosts, although the tournament will also have three matches held in South America.

In honour of the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will each host one match, paving the way for Saudi Arabia to be the sole hosts in 2034.

Saudi Arabia will use 15 stadiums across five cities

That will make it the first country to host an expanded World Cup tournament on its own.

Whether or not it will have the capacity and infrastructure to handle hosting duties in time for the 2034 competition remains to be seen, but not all of the proposed tournament stadiums have been built yet.

That includes the 92,000 capacity King Salman International Stadium, which is slated to be completed by 2029.

Currently, work on the stadium, which will be in the Saudi capital Riyadh, is yet to properly start, although it is expected to begin by the end of the year.

However, that is merely one of 10 new stadiums that need to be built between now and the beginning of the tournament. Of those 10, work has only started on three, so there is a great deal of construction required between now and 2034.

What's more, the five stadiums already in existence require a lot of refurbishment to make sure they are in line with what Saudi Arabia promised when they submitted their hosting bid.

Currently, the 2034 tournament has no start date and many are predicting it could be moved to the winter once again, as it was in 2022 in Qatar, to avoid the Middle East's blistering summer temperatures.

Already the 2034 tournament has drawn some controversy and criticism from Human Rights campaign groups, despite it being eight years away.

In May 2025, FairSquare and Human Rights Watch reported the deaths of numerous migrant workers, including from, but not limited to, decapitation, electrocution, and falling to their deaths. They also claimed that Saudi authorities were failing to protect workers from preventable deaths and weren't investigating workplace incidents, nor were they ensuring compensation for the families of those workers who died.

Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic and charismatic figures in the history of British football, has died at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer.

A two-time European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d’Or winner in 1978 and 1979), Keegan was a global superstar whose electric style of play, infectious enthusiasm, and famous perm defined an era of English sports culture.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and his two daughters, with Gosforth-based SkySports Presenter Pete Graves breaking the news via social media on behalf of the family.

The King

Born in Armthorpe, Yorkshire, in 1951, Keegan began his career at Scunthorpe United before earning a fairytale move to Liverpool after Bill Shankly spotted him in 1971. At Anfield, he transformed from promising youngster into a world-class forward, scoring 100 goals in 323 appearances and winning three First Division titles, two UEFA Cups, an FA Cup, and the 1977 European Cup.

In an unusual move for English players at the time, he signed for Hamburg in 1977 and set about cementing his status as a titan of European football. While in Germany, he won back-to-back Ballon d'Or trophies and led the German side to a Bundesliga title. He returned to England in 1980, shocking everyone by signing for Lawrie McMenemy at Southampton, who were just establishing themselves as a top-flight club.

He shone on the south coast before capping his playing career with an unforgettable, promotion-winning spell at Newcastle United — the club that his Geordie father Joseph supported, and a club with which the name Keegan would forever be entwined.

At international level, Keegan earned 63 caps, scored 21 goals, and captained his country, embodying the heart and pride of the national side throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

The Entertainer Years

Keegan’s managerial career was as utterly romantic and dramatic as his playing days, if not as successful. Returning to Newcastle United as manager in 1992, having completely cut himself off from football for seven years, he saved the club from relegation to the third tier on the final day of the 1991/92 season before assembling his famous "Entertainers" team at St James’ Park.

Keegan demanded total commitment to attacking football from his players, reminding them regularly that supporters spending hard-earned money on match tickets deserved to be entertained by what they saw.

He brought Newcastle to the brink of the Premier League title in 1995-96 (it would've been their first top-flight title win since 1927), famously blowing a 12-point lead to Manchester United that culminated in his famous “Love It” interview live on SkySports as the title slid out of his grasp. Speaking to FourFourTwo years later he said “I don’t regret it even now.”

He had a unique relationship with the club's supporters, became renowned for signing autographs for hours after training on the public grounds of Maiden Castle in Durham and even addressed fans' concerns over the sale of Andy Cole on the steps of St. James’ Park.

He later went on to manage Fulham, Manchester City, and of course, the England national team. He announced his retirement from the game in 2005 and worked at the ‘Soccer Circus football school’ in Glasgow.

A man of constant surprises, Keegan was persuaded to return to manage Newcastle United in January 2008, sparking scenes of jubilation across the city. After a tough start, he recorded wins over Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, maintaining his perfect record over the club's local rivals in the Tyne-Wear derby, and putting Newcastle on top of the league's form chart.

However, rumours of tension with owner Mike Ashley and Director of Football Dennis Wise grew over the summer. Shortly after the transfer window closed, he released a statement confirming he had left the club, stating "A manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want." Keegan later successfully sued Ashley for unfair dismissal. It would be his last job in management.

In retirement, Keegan almost completely withdrew from football and public life. In occasional interviews, he admitted to not watching the game much and becoming disillusioned with aspects of modern football. Recent years have seen him tour UK venues with Pete Graves as part of an ‘Evening With’ series. He was due to appear at 11 venues across the country between November and February.

His last public appearance came on 31 May, fittingly in Newcastle at the Tyne Theatre, where he told the audience: “I want to say goodbye [to Newcastle fans]. I didn’t get the chance when I left last time.”

Responding to calls from fans for a statue of Keegan to be built outside St James' Park, Keegan distanced himself from the idea, saying: “My statue is the way people receive me. You will have to wait until I die, I'm afraid."

How did Spain eventually overcome Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final? Was it tactics? Was it superior players? Or was it in fact down to a lucky object?

Well, that depends who you ask, but for 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila, the object certainly played a part.

Capdevila, who was a part of the last Spain squad to win the World Cup, urged the 2026 cohort copy the ritual he performed 16 years ago prior to his successful final appearance, and he seems pretty convinced it did the trick.

Marc Cucurella copied Capdevila's ritual to help Spain win the tournament

In a post on X, Capdevila revealed that he had buried a coin pitch side before his final in 2010, and that he had urged Cucurella to do the same this time around.

He wrote: "Now I'll let you in on a little secret. Back in 2010, I buried a coin in the grass before the match started.

"I’ve told that story a million times. I asked Cucurella to do the same thing yesterday... Marc, I love you so much. YOU’RE A WORLD CHAMPION!"

That post was accompanied by a video of the now Real Madrid full back walking to the side of the pitch and clearly burying something in the grass, presumably the coin that Capdevila instructed him to hide.

The win was a celebratory culmination of a tricky few days for Capdevila, who at first looked as if he wouldn't be able to attend the game.

The former defender's ESTA was denied, forcing him send messages to Donald Trump on X, saying: "I’ve just been told I can’t travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA was denied.

"I can't believe I'm not being allowed into the USA... and that I'll miss out on a moment like this with my kids - we love football so much. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be eternally grateful."

Fortunately he had his issues sorted and he was able to be there to see Cucurella bury a lucky coin before sealing Spain's second ever World Cup victory.

He later added: "How could it not have been worth it... I deserved to be here with my family, enjoying this moment, and justice was served.

"Thank you to everyone who pushed to make this possible; heartfelt thanks to you all."

When referee Slavko Vincic blew the final whistle at the World Cup on Sunday evening, it didn't just signal the end of one of the worst tournament finals in living memory, it also signalled the end of a competition that has met, and in many cases exceeded, a whole host of pre-tournament worries.

While there have undoubtedly been some great stories on the pitch, they are very much outweighed by the negatives that this tournament has produced, with controversy and allegations of corruption at the heart of a World Cup like no other before, and one that could have set football down a worrying path.

Though it seems churlish to rain on Spain's parade quite so immediately, there are a number of issues that have been dragged up at this World Cup that simply cannot be ignored.

Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump and FIFA's problematic relationships

Chief among those issues is the amount of power seemingly being given to external influences like U.S. President Donald Trump, who was able to persuade FIFA to have Folarin Balogun's suspension magically suspended, despite all of the game's rules and laws stating that it should not be permitted.

Not only did this bring FIFA's increasingly problematic governance into sharp focus, but it also put the US Men's National Team and Balogun himself at the heart of a controversy they didn't ask to be a part of, eradicating any of the positivity they had earned through their impressive performances. Their humbling at the hands of Belgium was seen as a karmic realignment by most neutral fans, and though it was difficult not to smile as the USMNT spectacularly crashed out, FIFA and Gianni Infantino still have yet to sufficiently answer questions surrounding their contribution to what is arguably the most overtly grim moment in modern World Cup history.

It sadly came as no surprise either, with Infantino showing early on at the tournament that he was more or less completely unable to influence the competition he was supposed to be in charge of in any meaningful way.

Somali referee Omar Artan should be heading home today, proud of having performed his duties on the biggest stage possible. Instead, he was embarrassed and barred entry for some fairly flimsy reasoning and forced to watch from home like most others.

He wasn't the only one to have problems getting into the country, either. Fans had visas rescinded at late notice, the Iranian team had to leave games in the USA immediately after they had finished and relocate to Mexico, while other supporters had to use life savings to pay exorbitant ticket prices.

All Infantino could muster when asked about these issues was to tell people to "relax and chill" before doing seemingly nothing to address any of these concerns as the tournament went on.

Should these issues be forgotten, or if people simply move on from this, then it sets a dangerous precedent. Infantino already has the backing of more than 200 FIFA members for re-election at the upcoming presidential vote in March, which shows just how willing to forget about these incidents FIFA members are. Hoping for any reform seems beyond naive at this point, and this tournament has only served to prove that he needs to be held to account externally, because internal repercussions are unlikely to ever arrive.

Away from these obvious failings, the tournament itself was also riddled with problems caused simply by poor choices.

The expanded team format was fun for a while, but eventually wore thin, meaning that fans had grown weary of the number of games by the end of the tournament. It seems, however, that this is only going to go one way, with a 64-team World Cup already proposed for the near future, with decision makers seemingly incapable of doing things that are genuinely in the best interest of the sport.

What's more, the fact that the MetLife Stadium was selected over options like the Azteca, or Sofi Stadium as the venue for the final is a borderline dereliction of duty, with the New York/New Jersey-based stadium unable to hold a candle to the history and reverence of the Mexico City arena when it comes to football.

The spectacle inside was dismal as well, in particular the half-time show, rightly panned as "crap" by Wayne Rooney and something that should never be a feature of a World Cup final ever again.

Yet, with Donald Trump eyeing up further hosting duties in the future, stating "we will be requesting it again immediately" after the final had ended, it's not hard to see a world where FIFA hands it to them on a retainer and Shakira and Justin Bieber become as synonymous with World Cup finals as Maradona and Marco Tardelli. It doesn't even seem that farfetched a suggestion at this point.

Such nonsense had begun long before half-time at the final, prior to which, actor Tom Cruise bafflingly told us all that football "brought the world together". Yet, this was arguably the most divisive tournament in history, turning participants against the hosts, splitting fan groups into those who could and couldn't afford to attend and treating some people entirely differently to others based on little evidence or reasoning.

This is not what a World Cup should be. We should expect better, and it shouldn't be too much to hope that the game respects everyone involved. Instead, we were served pantomime theatrics, watered down quality and a complete misunderstanding of the game by a governing body that time and time again is incapable of understanding what is right for the game. We deserve much, much better, but I fear things will only get worse from here.

Arne Slot, prior to his sacking, spoke about Liverpool’s upcoming summer and anticipated the squad undergoing “another little transition” but “probably not as drastic as it was last summer.”

Last summer, the Reds spent over £400 million, twice breaking their club record transfer fee, adding eight players to the first-team squad and seeing five first-team players depart.

The departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, two players who made 75 starts between them in the title-winning campaign the year before, only became more apparent as the season progressed.

Key replacement

Replacing Alexander-Arnold and Diaz is something that, over a year on, the Reds have still not been able to do.

And now, new head coach Andoni Iraola not only seeks to replace those two key players but also Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

That’s five of the starting XI that won the title 15 months ago gone from Anfield, plus Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Jarrel Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott potentially adding to the departures this summer.

Welcome to Liverpool, Andoni. No wonder owners FSG warned the incoming Spaniard that “everything is not perfect” during initial talks, with an admission that he would face “some challenges.”

Those challenges are clear. Liverpool’s squad, and coaching staff, has been completely dismantled in the last year. There hasn’t been a period of transition so deep as this in a long time.

Liverpool’s Squad Situation

The squad that Iraola inherits is one that certainly doesn’t look capable of challenging for the title.

“We need more players. We know this,” admitted Iraola at his first press conference. “The club is working on this.”

The Spaniard also arrives with five players unavailable due to long-term injuries; Hugo Ekitike isn’t expected to be involved this side of Christmas, Conor Bradley won’t be available any time soon, centre-back Giovanni Leoni isn’t back from an ACL injury, and youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns remain out with hamstring issues.

Jeremy Jacquet, the £60m signing from Rennes, is a vastly inexperienced replacement for Konate, having played fewer league minutes in his young career so far than his fellow Frenchman played in the Premier League last season alone.

Victor Munoz is a similarly inexperienced signing. The 23-year-old has never played in European competition and his natural position on the left is one of the few where Liverpool actually have some depth in Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha. Continued links to Bradley Barcola add to the puzzle, with the PSG winger also most comfortable on the left.

It’s on the other side of attack where Liverpool lack any clear first-choice winger following Salah’s departure. “It is clear we need a player there, I wouldn’t say to replace Mo Salah, but we need one more winger,” outlined Iraola

As Liverpool fly to Chicago, where they’ll be based during their pre-season US tour, Iraola’s options for the right wing are Harvey Elliott, Jeremie Frimpong, Federico Chiesa or a youngster such as 16-year-old Josh Abe.

Given that Frimpong is the only right back in the squad, he’ll be needed there during the early friendlies, with the Reds taking on Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham in New York, and Leeds in Chicago.

Chiesa is the only first-team centre-forward on the tour, so he’ll be needed there. Beyond him, with Danns still sidelined, 18-year-old Will Wright, a £200,000 signing from Salford last summer, should get plenty of opportunity.

Abe, meanwhile, is a prodigiously talented winger who could have an Ngumoha-like breakthrough in the next two seasons. Still, having just turned 16, he isn’t a solution for Iraola’s debut season.

It’s clear that a right-sided attacker is Liverpool’s clear priority this summer, with Yan Diomande having been the first-choice target but he seemingly prefers a move to Paris over Merseyside.

“It is not easy; it has to be players who have shown a good level,” says Iraola, who has the unenviable task of replacing Salah’s output, with the Egyptian contributing 22 goal involvements despite a poor final season.

From the title-winning squad of just over a year ago, 81 goals have been removed with the loss of Salah, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Alexander-Arnold and Konate.

What Liverpool Need This Summer

It’s clear that right wing is the priority, by a distance, but there are other areas of huge need for Liverpool to address.

Of course, much depends on whether Iraola can get more from the current options than they performed last season, but Liverpool’s midfield looked incredibly open throughout last season.

Most supporters would like the club to add a true No.6 to finally replace Fabinho, who left three years ago and whose arrival transformed the midfield under Jurgen Klopp. A player whose primary role is to protect the defence and has instincts to do so is missing in this squad.

Slot changed Ryan Gravenberch’s role last season, encouraging the Dutchman to get forward more, which only led to bigger gaps in midfield and less protection for a defence that conceded a whopping 78 goals in all competitions.

Adam Wharton was linked and seemed like a strong candidate, but links to the Crystal Palace man have quietened since Slot’s sacking and he isn’t exactly a combative player with defensive instincts.

Meanwhile, right back was a problem position last season, with Frimpong proving to be far from an adequate replacement for Alexander-Arnold. Most fans aren’t sure where the Dutchman fits in; he isn’t a full-back, but equally he isn’t a right winger. That’s the problem you get when you sign a wing back for a team that doesn’t play with wing backs.

Frimpong, Bradley, Szoboszlai and Jones all played right back, with Szoboszlai arguably the best of the lot but the Hungarian clearly isn’t happiest playing there and wouldn’t be expected to do so under Iraola.

Bradley, even if able to return from his serious injury, won’t be in a position to play every week. A robust, reliable solution is needed.

And yet, there are few credible links to right backs so far. Given that three of the regular back four from 16 months ago have left, you’d expect it to be a priority to get a right back in sooner rather than later in order to build some sort of relationship with Jacquet.

Iraola may opt for a more solid right back, given Kerkez’s attacking qualities on the other side. A player like Brentford’s Michael Kayode would have been ideal, but he signed a new contract. Marco Palestra was also linked before he moved to Chelsea.

And while Jacquet, Leoni, Joe Gomez and Van Dijk make four centre backs; two of them (Jacquet and Leoni) have never played in the Premier League, Leoni has been out for 10 months with an ACL injury, Gomez cannot be relied upon to remain fit, and 35-year-old Van Dijk just played the most minutes of his career, clocking over 6,000 minutes for club and country.

An experienced centre-back would surely be advantageous, reducing the reliance on Van Dijk and also not needing to rush Jacquet and Leoni. Marcos Senesi seemed an ideal candidate, leaving Bournemouth on a free transfer, an experienced Premier League player who knows Iraola’s methods, capable of stepping into Van Dijk’s role when the Dutchman leaves next summer. But he moved to Tottenham, who also have Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven. Such strong options are something Liverpool would dearly like.

It could be that Liverpool look to a versatile option capable of playing more than one position in defence. There’s also an argument that Kostas Tsimikas, who is returning from a disappointing loan spell at Roma where he started just six league games, isn’t of the quality required.

Then there’s the centre-forward conundrum, with Ekitike’s injury meaning only Alexander Isak can be considered as a first-team No.9 - and the Swede’s injury record doesn’t exactly instil confidence.

As things stand, beyond Isak, Liverpool’s options going into the season would be Chiesa (should he not leave), and youngsters Danns and Wright. And Danns isn’t currently fit.

Again, a versatile option might be the solution; somebody can play wide and also through the middle in attack. But it would surely be a risk to go into the new season with the current central options.

All this, without mentioning the effect that the loss of the experienced trio of Salah, Robertson and Konate will have around the training ground, plus a change in goalkeeper coach for the third summer in a row and a new coaching staff for the second time in three years.

Interestingly, Iraola says “we are here to solve these kinds of problems and to try to maximise what we have” - possibly hinting at in-house solutions to the problems he inherits.

“I trust myself a lot, and I’m ready for the challenge that I know is very big,” says the new head coach.

The challenge is certainly bigger than many may realise.

Had qualification for the World Cup been decided by population, Spain would only just have made it for the past seven tournaments. Ranked 31st by that metric, they lag behind Myanmar, Sudan and Colombia – plus England, for that matter.

Instead, their men’s and women’s teams both currently sit top of the FIFA rankings, having now won three World Cups and three Euros between them.

No country consistently produces as many exceptional players as Spain, so FourFourTwo flew to the Canary Islands to find out exactly why, and try to spot the players who’ll help them dominate the globe once more a decade from now.

Futures Bright (and on TV)

We’re in Las Palmas for La Liga’s latest FC Futures tournament – several of the events take place throughout the year, and this one is particularly prestigious, welcoming all of Spain’s biggest clubs and others from across Europe to Gran Canaria each winter.

Despite it being an under 13s tournament, all three days are shown live on the sports channel of RTVE, Spain’s equivalent of the BBC, plus DAZN, YouTube and other platforms. This year it’s been switched to the 32,000-capacity home of UD Las Palmas, currently pencilled in to host matches at the 2030 World Cup. It’s hard to imagine such prominence ever being given to a youth event in the UK.

A big reason for its reverence is the list of alumni – Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres, Gerard Pique and Lamine Yamal are just a few of the greats who once shone at the tournament. If you want to see the next Spanish superstar, this is the event to watch.

That’s a great source of pride for former journalist Jose Ramon de la Morena, who founded the tournament in 1992, when it took place on the outskirts of Madrid. He’s seen it grow to a status he never imagined, aided by La Liga getting on board. The fact that so many graduates of the event went on to win the World Cup with Spain in 2010 is something he remains emotional about.

“I still feel it,” he tells FFT. “All those players who were champions in South Africa, they all played in this tournament. I can still picture Iniesta when he was nine years old – we chose him as the best player at the tournament. A great friendship was born – I followed him when he was 10, 12, 14, then 16, when they took him to train with the first team in Barcelona. Then I saw him become a world champion, and I’m still friends with him now. Great pride.”

Launching the tournament wasn’t easy. “We didn’t have money, and I had to put my own in,” he explains. “We had to prepare the field ourselves, there was no advertising, nothing. The first two or three years were difficult, then we started broadcasting it and things worked out. Canal Plus started taking care of everything.

“When we started, it was just after the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, so a lot of facilities had been created in the country, and there was a very good climate for sports. We came up with the idea of this championship for children – for a few days, they felt like professional footballers, because it was on TV, and they saw themselves in the newspapers, and they started to grow and grow.”

Not that things went smoothly for every future superstar at the tournament. “Iker Casillas was very good, but one year he didn’t play,” De la Morena remembers. “Real Madrid came to train at the field where the tournament was being played, and they saw a kid, the son of a local petrol station employee, who was playing as a goalkeeper. They told us ‘Hey, we want to try out that kid’, so that kid played instead of Casillas. Later, Casillas came to me with his father. His mother was very angry and told me ‘You’ve blocked my son’.”

Thankfully, when he sees Casillas these days, they’re able to joke about it. “I had nothing to do with him not playing, but he still doesn’t forgive me, he’d been very excited to play in that tournament, he still says it was my fault!” De la Morena chuckles.

The founder remembers Yamal playing in FC Futures events, too. “He was the top scorer at a tournament in Villarreal five years ago, then he played in New York and Abu Dhabi as well,” the 69-year-old says. “I remember going for a walk with all the teams alongside the Hudson River. Lamine came up to me and asked if I was going to take him to see some rap – his father had told him there was very good rap music in New York, and he should see some. I said ‘Rap? No, you’re here to play football!’ I met him again two months ago for an interview, and showed him all the goals he scored at the tournament. It was really nice to see him again.”

De la Morena breaks off to take a call from David Villa, whose son Luca is playing for Atletico Madrid in the latest tournament. The former striker has phoned to accept an invitation to present the prizes at the end of the event.

We ask De La Morena if there are particular players we should watch out. “A lot,” he says. “For Atletico Madrid, a kid called Toro, and another called Mario. For Real Madrid, the number 10, Hugo Fernandez. For Barça, their number 11, Mounirou. For Inter, their number nine (Leonardo Bolzoni).”

Modric 2.0

Inter are one of six non-Spanish clubs taking part in the 16-team tournament, together with Juventus, Dortmund, Benfica, Sporting and Paris Saint-Germain, who play Real Betis in the first game we take in.

PSG have been praised for bringing through young players who helped them win the Champions League last year, but they didn’t reckon with the might of Spanish youth academies – Betis incredibly go 5-0 up inside eight minutes, aided by two goals each from forwards Ivan Calderon and Eric Villalba. Matches are seven-a-side and 12 minutes each way on a reduced-size playing surface, with Betis enthusiastically cheered on from the stand by what appear to be mum ultras, a small group who sing the entirety of the club’s official anthem in support of their sons. They eventually win 6-0, making this PSG’s most challenging visit to Spain since the Remontada.

Betis coach Edgar Agudo is delighted. “An experience like this tournament is immense for our players,” he says. “For two or three years now, they’ve been playing in tournaments – a boy who’s been at Betis since he was eight will have played many tournaments at this level. Perhaps not with this media exposure, but against this level of opponent, so they’re used to it. They’ve played a lot of seven-a-side, too, from the age of six to 12, even though they’ve been playing 11-a-side for six months now.

“At Betis, our academy is important to us, to bring players to the first team, and we’re proud that Spanish clubs are also contributing to the success of the national team. Our players were at an event yesterday where there was a presentation showing all the elite footballers who’ve passed through this tournament previously – it inspires them that there’s a path to follow.”

Juventus captain Andrea Ortoncelli impresses against Benfica – the right-back also scores and goes straight to the camera to show off the Dybala-esque hand gesture he’s prepared to celebrate. Some of these youngsters haven’t played on live TV before, and a few have devised special celebrations for the occasion – including Valencia’s Luca Sanchez, in a 3-0 win over Inter.

Atletico Madrid take on hosts Las Palmas, who are backed by a number of the most ardent fans of the club’s first team. The group make a grand entrance into the stadium banging drums and waving giant flags, then sing virtually non-stop and throw confetti, which all feels rather surreal for an under 13s tournament. They even whistle their disapproval at refereeing decisions.

Despite being the middle of winter, it’s nearly 20 degrees and more than 1,000 have been tempted into the stands – including David Villa, who’s sitting with the rest of the Atletico Madrid parents.

Barcelona beat neighbours Espanyol despite many of their players being noticeably small – there can be big height differences, with some still awaiting growth spurts. If anything, we’re most impressed by the smaller players who show talent, since they already have the technique to compete against taller opponents, and will become even better when they grow. Barca’s composed centre-back Claudio Ruiz looks like he could be one such player.

Real Madrid captain Hugo Fernandez isn’t the biggest either, but against Athletic Bilbao, we can immediately see why De la Morena mentioned him earlier – and why another of our contacts had told us to look out for him, too. The number 10’s idol is Luka Modric and he’s already got a similarly flowing mane of hair, plus many of his technical skills – albeit unlike the Croatian, he’s left-footed. He sets up one goal and scores another, while left-winger Nacho – complete with orange boots that give off a vibe that he knows he’s good – is a dangerous dribbler who delivers the most outrageous piece of skill we see all day.

Of the six overseas sides, only Juventus make it out of the group stage and into the quarter-finals, such is the strength of the Spanish teams. “Year after year, they show they’re the best,” smiles Cristina Sanchez, one of La Liga’s representatives at the event. “We have many tournaments, and the Spanish academies are the ones that really stand out.”

Dortmund coach Jannik Pleschke has been impressed. “You can tell that Spanish teams live football in a very special way,” he says. “Every team has players who’ve stood out for their dribbling, skills and solutions in pressure situations. They produce many footballers who have a high understanding of the game and are artists with the ball.

“Seven of the teams in the quarter-finals are Spanish, and that’s partly also because they defend well. It’s a highlight for us to compete at this level with top international opponents – it’s great experience for our team.”

“Our best generation ever”

In the quarter-finals, rangy right winger Aly Nestor Fofana shows plenty of ability as Villarreal beat Espanyol, but the beaten side have still relished being part of the tournament. “It’s been fun, we’ve had a very good time,” says dreadlocked defender Max Novas, after Espanyol invite us to speak to two of their players. “It’s been my first time in the Canary Islands – I was very motivated to come here to play in such an important tournament,” adds midfielder Issa Sigue.

They’re both understandably shy – this is more or less their first time speaking to any type of media, and talking to them reminds us just how young the footballers at this tournament are, even though they’ve spent the day playing and behaving like impressive mini professionals. “The coaches at Villarreal have been teaching me a lot,” explains Yellow Submarine midfielder Raul Perez. “My dream is to be a professional player, and to win this tournament.”

Atletico Madrid join them in the semi-finals after victory over Juventus, when talented dribbler Viti deploys his hammer of a left foot to smash home a goal from outside the box. Goalkeeper Inigo even scores, giving the ball an old-fashioned punt upfield and seeing it bounce over the head of his opposite number.

Barcelona lose a penalty shoot-out to Valencia, then Betis goalkeeper Gaby Oseremen Anorh is in tears at the end of their quarter-final with Real Madrid, after he can only parry a shot into the path of Modric lookalike Fernandez, who tucks away a difficult chance with aplomb for the only goal of the game. “That kid’s got aura,” another pitchside journalist remarks of the goalscorer – Thibaut Courtois regen Andres Estaire had previously thwarted Betis with several fine saves.

In the semi-finals, our interviewee Raul Perez does a panenka for the decisive spot kick as Villarreal beat Valencia on penalties, then David Villa’s son scores as Real Madrid are eliminated by city rivals Atletico, prompting a beaming smile from his dad in the stand.

In true Atleti fashion, they win the final 1-0, after Jaime’s solitary goal. Delighted at the result, and wearing an Atletico shirt underneath his hoodie, Villa strides on to the pitch to present the champions’ dribbling king Viti with the tournament’s MVP award. Real Madrid’s Modric 2.0 gets the top scorer honour, with Valencia’s Ibai Garcia named the best goalkeeper.

Finalists Villarreal must content themselves with runners-up medals, but it’s all part of a learning process that coach Paco Peris hopes will lead some of them to the club’s senior side one day. “We sign players at a very young age, because it gives them time to develop within our training model, and we’re a club who promote a lot of players to the first team,” he says.

Why have Villarreal and Spain had so much success with bringing players through to senior level? “Because of their quality, and because we trust them,” Peris adds. “When they’re good enough, trust your players, give them opportunities.”

Tournament founder De la Morena is confident that Spain’s conveyor belt of quality footballers will continue, based on what he’s seen here. “We have probably the worst generation of politicians we’ve had in years, but the best generation of footballers we’ve ever had, and over a prolonged period too,” he smiles.

The players we’ve seen in Gran Canaria won’t be ready for the 2030 World Cup on home soil, but given that this event gathered together all of the best under-13 footballers in the country, it would be little surprise if at least one or two of them are representing La Roja by the time 2034 comes around.

Spain have climate advantages that allow them to play tournaments all year round – even three-day tournaments on Las Palmas’ home pitch, without severely damaging it – but they’re the envy of the world right now when it comes to youth development, and with good reason.

In 10 years’ time, one can only guess at the total financial value of the players we’ve just witnessed.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni broke down in tears after his country's World Cup final defeat to Spain.

While facing questions from the press, the man who guided his nation to World Cup victory in 2022 was unable to continue, overcome by the disappointment of failing to defend the title.

He also admitted questions would have to be asked over his future as national team coach.

Scaloni's strange comments about his side's manner of defeat

As he sat and faced questions after the game, the manager was overcome with emotion and said: "Bear with me, I don't know if I can continue."

He then stood up and added: "It's really painful, I am very sorry" before leaving the room.

Perhaps Scaloni's emotion had clouded his judgement because his opinion on how his side performed was very different to how other people felt Argentina had played in the match, and reacted after it.

Leandro Paredes was sent off after the full-time whistle, after he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and threw Gavi to the floor, as he responded angrily to the loss. Enzo Fernandez also saw red for a ridiculous challenge.

"I’ll cherish the memory of my players, what they achieved and the effort it took to reach this stage,” Scaloni said.

"We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose. If the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country."

Scaloni's current contract as Argentina boss runs until December and he said that might be a good time for him to leave his role.

He continued: "I will talk to the president. I have an idea of what I would like to do. I will see out my contract. I don't know if something big needs to be done. We need to speak this through.

"I am thankful to the president for bringing me this chance of being in this place where I am at the moment. It was a dream for everyone. We have tried up until the very last minute to give our best, the staff and players. I believe it's only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through."

Spain won the World Cup for the second time in 2026, defeating Argentina in extra time in New Jersey, but what can you remember about the rest of the tournament?

If you were awake at all hours, absorbing football's greatest show in all its glory, you'll be in a great position to smash the FourFourTwo Big World Cup 2026 Quiz!

We've got 20 questions covering the headline moments, biggest matches and star turns of the summer tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. You'll be tested on your knowledge from the group stage to the final, and there's no time limit. Take your time, and don't forget to let us know your score below.

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

FourFourTwo has a whole host of quizzes to enjoy, all courtesy of Kwizly. First up, can you name every nation to have hosted the World Cup in order? You should be getting through them all so we're primarily interested in how quickly you manage to compete the set.

We also want to know if you can name every team from every men's and women's World Cup final, and the English league winner in every World Cup year. More broadly, can you sort these 30 players in order of their international goal tallies?

Scotland's previous World Cup was now 28 years ago but it was memorable nonetheless. Can you answer all 20 questions in our Big World Cup 1998 Quiz and name every Frenchman to play in a World Cup final? If line-up quizzes are more your speed, how about telling us who started in Ghana's defeat against Uruguay at the World Cup in 2010?

The FourFourTwo Weekend Crossword 62 has clues on controversial defenders, free kicks, famous stands and more. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of football trivia and analysis, and don't forget to join The Club: our free membership portal where you can secret hints and get on the leaderboard.

Ready?

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

Too quick? Need more quiz? You're in the right place. From international football to domestic, women's, European and everything in between, there is no shortage of stuff for you to test your knowledge on, thanks to Kwizly.

Starting here by naming every African side to have reached the World Cup

If that's not up your alley, or simply too easy for you, then try our Pre-Match Poser no.35 which scientists have proven only one per cent of football fans are capable of getting.

Our World Cup True or False quiz promises to give you sleepless nights. As are the eight sovereign nations that are NOT members of FIFA.

Don’t let your encyclopedic knowledge of the beautiful game evaporate as a passing thought; turn your trivia triumphs into an official matter of record by joining The Club, our free digital community hub. It is the perfect central repository to log your scores, claim exclusive digital badges for your profile, and see precisely where your footballing IQ sits when stacked against the sharpest minds in the global fanbase. To ensure your mental reflexes sharp, get the weekday newsletter, which drops a freshly prepared dose of high-intensity trivia straight to your inbox every single afternoon so you are always primed for the next kickoff.

If the summer of 2024 was a 'Brat Summer' inspired by Charlie XCX's album then the summer of 2026, it was a case of it being 'New York or Nowhere'. Anything and everything was happening in the Big Apple.

From The Knicks winning their first NBA title for 53 years, July 4th being the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tying the knot at Madison Square Garden, Jay Z’s residency at Yankee Stadium and of course the small matter of the World Cup.

I was fortunate enough to be based in New York for the duration of the World Cup and the questions I was asked more than any other from people back home was: “Do the Americans ‘get’ the World Cup? Are they buying into it?” Well the answer was a resounding 'yes'.

New York is a sports-mad city, although the start of the World Cup coincided with the NBA Finals – the New York Knicks were going for their first championship since 1973 and so understandably everyone was gripped by it - the World Cup definitely cut through in a city where there is a lot going on.

New York’s sports fans had been starved of recent success. The Yankees have not won the World Series since 2009, the Mets have gone even longer with their last triumph coming the year after Live Aid in 1986. The New York Giants last won the Super Bowl in 2011 and the New York Rangers last lifted the Stanley Cup in 1994 - coincidentally when the USA last hosted the World Cup.

In fact, the last sports team to win a major title was New York City FC when they won the MLS Cup in 2021.

So when the Knicks went into Game 5 3-1 up and knowing they were one win from history it is understandable that New Yorkers focused on their team.

The reaction was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Cars, buses, lamp posts… nowhere was safe from celebrating fans. The NYPD closed down the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden for fear of overcrowding, and used horses to break up large groups of fans. An estimated two million people descended on the streets of downtown Manhattan for the open-top bus parade days later. And so for the first week the World Cup took a back seat.

That passion then spilled across into football. Every bar, barber shop and bodega had the football on the TV, and New York had five official fan parks, one in each borough. All were packed. Further giant screens around the city showed every game.

New York is a hugely diverse city and Queens is known as the ‘World’s Borough’ – I watched Colombia play in a Colombian bar in Jackson Heights, Ecuador in Little Ecuador in Corona and Argentina in the Boca Juniors steakhouse in Elmhurst - each an experience I will never forget and all with extremely knowledgeable and passionate fans.

The Boca Juniors steakhouse was wrapped in a giant Argentina flag and I was in there when Lionel Messi scored twice against Austria to break the World Cup goalscoring record and the celebrations and happiness in the building was unlike anything I have ever experienced when watching football.

In Times Square, right at the heart of Manhattan, billboards delivered a sensory overload dominated by the World Cup. Messi promoting Michelob Ultra lager, Christian Pulisic flogging deodorant and Argentina players fronting a campaign for prediction market company Kalshi. One night, a barge carried a 50ft cutout of Lamine Yamal down the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, to promote the newest pair of Adidas boots.

Shop after shop had football shirts – real and fake – for sale. In any 10-minute period, you could walk the streets and see jerseys of all 48 nations at the tournament.

Times Square became the unofficial home of fan takeovers. If a country was playing at the MetLife Stadium, a few miles away in New Jersey, fans would descend on the intersection, singing and dancing. In the group stage alone, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Norway and Panama all turned up in numbers. The Norwegians even did the Viking Row.

American supporters were just as passionate. I witnessed the USA’s last-32 clash with Bosnia in a new Brooklyn bar called Socceria, and New York mayor Zohran Mamdani even turned up to watch. He was one of the biggest winners of the tournament, by doing a deal to provide cheaper tickets for locals.

When there were big VAR calls, bars would fall silent as people waited to hear the decision, this was a nation of sports fans gripped by the World Cup. When the USMNT were eventually knocked out by Belgium it did feel like someone had let the air out of the balloon, but the fans picked themselves out and got stuck into the rest of the tournament.

Even right at the end of the tournament, the 'game of shame' or Bronze medal match between France and England - with a 6-4 scoreline to the Three Lions was one of the games of the tournament - and one of the city's most popular haunts to watch the World Cup, Houston Hall, was packed with fans watching on a Saturday evening.

The city’s famous landmarks leant themselves to the World Cup. Classic Football Shirts took over the Empire State Building with an exhibition, the Atlas statue outside the Rockefeller Centre replaced the globe with a giant adidas football to promote the final ball. A giant lego replica of the World Cup trophy stood where the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree usually stands, I watched Spain beat Belgium on the Top of the Rock and Netherlands vs Japan under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. While fans packed into Central Park to watch Spain beat Argentina in the final.

Shop windows were dressed in World Cup memorabilia. Ahead of the final, drones lit up the Manhattan skyline with the World Cup trophy. The city gave itself to the World Cup and the world came to play in New York City.

There was plenty not to like about this World Cup - unnecessary advertising hydration breaks, dynamic ticket prices, political interference and a half time show at the final. But when it came to the fans adopting football, there was not a better place to be than America and New York.

So don’t be fooled by people saying that America didn’t ‘get’ the World Cup. I spent six weeks there, and can confirm they absolutely did and there is nowhere I would rather have experienced it than New York.

Let's get quizzical.

Some flags are so synonymous with World Cups that they require no geographical knowledge. We're thinking of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy... maybe not Italy, actually. But there are others that are far more obscure, particularly in 2026, when the World Cup expanded from 32 countries to 48.

So do you know your Cape Verde flag from your Curacao flag? We want you to correctly identify every flag from every team at this year's tournament. There are 48 answers, and you have just four minutes. Get quizzing!

Handpicked football quizzes we know you'll love

We've reached the end of World Cup 2026, but we have plenty more quizzes on football's greatest tournament to keep you occupied between now and the start of the domestic season. If you're feeling some World Cup withdrawal symptoms already, how about testing your knowledge – courtesy of Kwizly.

If you know your goalkeepers, this one might be up your street. We're asking you to name every World Cup Golden Glove winner since the award's inception in 1994. Every goalkeeper needs a tactically astute team of outfield players in front of them, and that is largely the responsibility of elite managers. We reckon you should try to name every World Cup winning manager in the tournament's history. This goes back all the way to 1930, so it's a real test of your knowledge.

The World Cup is of course often remembered for it's star performers, with Lionel Messi lighting up the tournament once again in 2026, but can you name every Golden, Silver and Bronze Ball winner since 1982? Following that, you could challenge yourself with a quiz that doesn't necessarily require such a long memory and name every Spain player with over 50 caps. How many of La Roja's greatest players do you remember?

The true trivia titans aren't content with just quizzes, which is why we can offer you FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 61, featuring clues on wonderkids, wondergoals and 1-0s. As the World Cup fades into memory and the new club season approaches, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for your daily afternoon briefing of hand-picked trivia so you are armed with everything you need to know. To completely cement your legacy this summer, join The Club, our free membership hub that serves as your digital dugout, where you can unlock secret hints for the toughest quizzes, climb our global leaderboards, and engage in tactical debates in the comments section as the matches play out.

We no doubt all feel a little bit like losers after England crashed out of the World Cup against Argentina, but it could certainly be worse than getting to a semi-final.

None are likely to go home completely happy, but there have been plenty of positive stories from Thomas Tuchel’s camp.

Here’s how we see the split…

Winners

Harry Kane

England’s captain showed exactly why he has the armband, proving himself (were any demonstration needed) that he’s one of the Three Lions’ only true world-class talents.

A demon from the spot, able to take the country on his back as against DR Congo and comfortable creating and finishing.

More could have been asked of him in that semi-final against Argentina, but he’s not alone there.

Jude Bellingham

Tuchel’s other world beater – if it wasn’t a clutch moment from Kane, then it was probably Jude Bellingham.

England’s top scorer at the tournament – albeit via a top-up in the third-place play-off – once again showed his big-game-player qualities.

Still just 23 years old (!), there are plenty more opportunities to come for the Real Madrid man.

Djed Spence

The jury’s out on whether a player turning 26 this summer can be labelled a breakout star, but if deemed possible, then Djed Spence is the blueprint.

Perhaps not able to show his full repertoire of skills in a stuttering Spurs outfit, they certainly all came to the fore in this tournament, almost single-handedly saving England on multiple occasions against Argentina, before they were ultimately undone.

Neil Warnock famously once said he’d end up in the Premier League or non-league – that debate may just now be ready for bed.

Elliot Anderson

A £116million move to Manchester City did nothing to take the eyeballs off Elliot Anderson, which could have even made an already heavy England shirt weigh even more.

Not that you’d have noticed from the former Forest man’s performances, consistently one of the best players on the pitch throughout.

It suggests he may have what it takes to take that next step at the Etihad, and he certainly has plenty of time on his hands to develop.

Dean Henderson

Perhaps a rogue inclusion in this list, especially given he let in four goals in 90 minutes of football, but his outing against France, a sixth career cap, was his first appearance at a major tournament.

And it may well be his last, now aged 29 with the younger James Trafford growing in stature.

It will be a big bucket list item ticked off for the Crystal Palace gloveman, after years of stoic deputisation.

Losers

Thomas Tuchel

The simple maths says Tuchel went into this tournament with more backers than he leaves it with.

Getting to a semi-final, and being half an hour away from a World Cup final, means he’s probably done enough for a second chance at Euro 2028, but his handling of that game against Argentina will mean proving himself all over again.

However, Gareth Southgate survived lower moods and kept improving, so don’t write off the old Schnauzer just yet.

Jordan Henderson

Played six minutes against Panama and flies home with a celebration-induced broken arm.

He might be great for the dressing room, but an explanation as to why he needed a squad number to fly over with the group has not yet been forthcoming.

Kobbie Mainoo

There are moments when England probably could have used Kobbie Mainoo’s calm composure to link defence with attack.

Having been called up, he certainly does not deserve to be heading back to England without a World Cup minute to his name.

That being said, there’s still plenty of time for the Manchester United man to make his mark on coming editions of the competition.

Anthony Gordon

Much like Cole Palmer at Euro 2024, Anthony Gordon was robbed of a history-defining moment.

His goal against Argentina would have been seared into the memory of Three Lions fans had it been the nation’s ticket to the showpiece in New Jersey, but it wasn’t to be.

Nevertheless, that goal and three assists may see some of the eyebrows raised at his Barcelona move begin to drop slightly.

Ivan Toney

A shootout specialist thwarted by the lack of shootouts.

At 30 years old, now in the Saudi Pro League, this was highly likely to be Ivan Toney’s last World Cup appearance, and he was unable to impact it.

Even as the starting striker in the 10-goal thriller with France to wrap up the tournament, he never really imposed himself on the game.

If one good thing emerges from the inaugural World Cup final half time show, I hope it is that it is a one-off, confined to the history books and never seen again.

It was odd, completely out of place at a World Cup final and more than anything else it was boring.

Ahead of the game, the media, stadium workers and volunteers queued for up to three hours in the baking sun to get into the stadium due to additional security checks because of President Trump’s attendance. And that painful process was more enjoyable than whatever that halftime monstrosity was.

Madonna spent the majority of her performance in the bowls of the stadium, only appearing on the side of the pitch towards the end of her song Music flanked by Brazilian duo Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in what looked more like a scene from the new Ali G film than a live performance. Even then she only bowed. Odd.

Which aside from being a strange decision for what was supposed to be a spectacle, it was more suited to those watching at home on TV rather than those in the stadium who had paid upwards of $4,000 to be there.

Shakira and Burna Boy then performed the official World Cup anthem Dai Dai, which if you have not heard it, is exactly how you would imagine a FIFA commissioned song to sound. And then K-pop band BTS performed their hit Dynamite, which was not my thing, but no notes.

But then things got strange again when Justin Bieber was subbed on by Ted Lasso - a nice plug for the new series - and then proceeded to sing his acoustic song Everything Hallelujah which was dull and tedious. He did change the words to ‘It's the World Cup, Hallelujah’ but that did not make it any better. It was still slow and monotonous.

If the half time show was supposed to get people up and off their seats and dancing a long to then Bieber got his song choice all wrong. It was more likely to send fans to sleep than get them out of their seats.

To be fair to Biebs his performance did see him make more entries into the penalty box than Lionel Messi in the first half.

During the whole half time show I kept asking myself ‘who is this for?’ It was certainly not for football fans. Football fans want a p*ss and a pint at half time, not a weird pop medley that makes the Eurovision Song Contest look vaguely entertaining.

Then there was Pele on the big screen from his New York Cosmos days talking about ‘Love’ and then we were subjected to children on the pitch waving flags and displaying the word ‘LOVE’ in yet another completely pointless act.

The whole thing felt like a weird fever dream combined with an episode of Lip Sync Battle rather than the live extravaganza it was billed as.

All the bookings felt odd and didn’t seem to fit or work together. Earlier in the World Cup Bon Jovi’s hit Livin’ on a Prayer was played during the hydration breaks. And fans were genuinely clapping and singing to the chorus. Given Bon Jovi are in the middle of a nine night residency at Madison Square Garden, they would have been a far better booking than what we were subjected to with this peculiar series of acts..

The only part of the ‘show’ that had some participation was when Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes was played, and that was 'performed' by Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Animal, because, why not? At least they know they are Muppets.

Comparisons between this half time show and those at the Super Bowl were made beforehand. But the Super Bowl half time shows are slick and entertaining, they have become ‘must watch’ moments in sport and entertainment. Whatever this was, was not that. Well not for any good reasons anyway. It was neither slick nor entertaining. It was confusing, dull and pointless.

After 20 minutes of watching it, I was left scratching my head wondering what I had just witnessed and why I had witnessed and again the great unanswered question, 'who is this for?'

FIFA must have been delighted when Argentina made the final and not England, because you can be sure of one thing, just like Mexican Waves, the England fans would not have stood for this nonsense and would no doubt have booed the whole farce.

Whoever had the bright idea to introduce this to the world’s biggest sporting event has some questions to answer, because in my opinion this was a poorly judged and poorly executed waste of time. But it will no doubt be lauded a success by FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino and the suits in Zurich.

And let’s not forget the players in all this. For all their careers footballers have trained and played on the basis that there is a 15 minute break for half time and yet on the biggest stage of all they are made to wait longer and their bodies would have cooled down and heightened the risk of injury - when the football did finally resume.

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been an undoubted success but that is in spite of FIFA and not because of them. Hydration breaks, dynamic ticket prices, political interference and now this half time show have no place in football.

Let the game flow and let the fans enjoy the game - stop trying to force fun onto them.

This was more than a victory for Luis de la Fuente and his wonderful players like Lamine Yamal, the outstanding sub Nico Williams, and Ferran Torres, who struck a fractious final’s decisive blow. This was a victory for football.

This was a victory for those who believe the game should be about expression, not aggression. Argentina’s street fighters were put to the sword by the matadors of Spain. “Ole, ole,” chanted their fans as the game closed with a sweeping passing move and never has it sounded more fitting.

Spain kept playing the way they’ve traditionally done, passing and moving, caressing the ball, treating it as a friend. By contrast, Argentina came to destroy and few, beyond their immense support here in New Jersey, eight miles from Sinatra’s birth-place, will mourn their loss.

'Argentina wasted the regal presence of Lionel Messi'

The world champions were an embarrassment at times. Enzo Fernandez was sent off for dissent and a foul and he still disputed it. Even after the final whistle, as tempers spilled over, Leandro Paredes was still picking fights. What a waste of the regal presence of such a maestro as Lionel Messi.

He had little service, few touches, no real opportunity to impose those sublime skills. It was a shame that his wonderful World Cup should end in such circumstances, but it was his team-mates’ fault. They came to fight, not play.

Spain’s many supporters railed against the Slovenian referee, Slavko Vincic, for not clamping down on Argentina’s very obvious spoiling tactics. They especially blamed the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, for a perceived favouring of superstars. “Infantino – you’re not a Christian” was one of the more printable chants. From a parochial perspective, English frustration bit deeper at the second-half tactics and substitutions that invited Argentina to look like Brazil 1970.

Spain, meanwhile, looked like the European champions they are, simply on a world tour. How fitting that amongst the full house at the MetLife were many of Spain’s 2010 champions, the Andres Iniesta generation, who also had to endure some rough-house tactics from their final opponents, the Dutch, in their final in Johannesburg.

Spain will never forget their journey to New Jersey. As the heat rose, so did the prices, shamelessly, ranging from $9,715 to $49,384. Capitalism in real time. Many ticketless Spanish and Argentinians came anyway, dodging the loose checks on the outer rings to get close to the MetLife party. Hundreds held up signs hoping for tickets, even more ambitiously seeking them at face value.

Inside, a truly American spectacle briefly broke out, the Super Soccer Bowl. Tom Cruise delivered some sub-Shakespeare seize-the-day, save-the-world rhetoric. Cruise did well, given that it was almost a mission impossible to compete with the deafening Argentinian choirs. Some of their football left one speechless.

Spain did well surviving some of the uncompromising Argentinian tackles. This is far from a great Argentinian team, beyond the genius of Messi, but they are packed with world champions and tough nuts.

Spain were in a dogfight, but they stayed composed, controlled the game and were thwarted only by the outstanding Emi Martinez in the Argentinian goal. Yamal was a test down the right, worrying Tagliafico. When he did get close, threatening a goal, Martinez saved with his legs. Over on the left, Marc Cucurella was enjoying himself, linking with Dani Olmo, even backheeling the ball past Gonzalo Montiel, who recovered with a magnificent sliding challenge. Cucurella shot wide, then Oyarzabal had his 20-yarder saved by Martinez.

Spain were trying to play football, trying to build from the back. Rodri dropped deep, triggering the press from Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Alllister under the watchful gaze of Messi. Mac Allister flew in on Olmo, and was granted clemency by Vincic. The Slovenian was clearly in the mood to let things go, but there’s a fine line between trying to let the game flow and allowing some rough-housing. He eventually drew the line at some more leg-tangling from Lisandro Martinez, who was booked. He also had to withdraw, limping, to be replaced by Nicolas Otamendi.

A show finally broke but it proved the much-anticipated half-time show. Madonna and Shakira strutted their stuff, Ted Lasso gave a pep talk to Justin Bieber, just as President Trump had offered some tactical advice to Thomas Tuchel about Harry Kane and defense. The highpoint of the show was Ronaldo and Ronaldinho flanking Madonna. Where was Rivaldo? Half-time stretched to 27 min 22.15sec, a new FIFA world record. The celebratory merchandising is surely on its way.

Back to the football, back to Spain dodging tackles. Nico Williams came on and soon delivered a cross met by the head of Aymeric Laporte. Martinez clutched the ball rather theatrically. Enzo Fernandez tumbled, but was booked for dissent. The mind rolled back to past finals that took time to come to life, to 2014, USA 94, even Italia 90. It was a hard, hot watch and it got feisty as the game staggered like a punch-drunk boxer through added time. Messi found Laporte shut.

Then Enzo Fernandez, racing in, eyes only on the man, sent Pau Cubarsi into orbit. He walked, eventually, reluctantly, and one wonders whether that will affect his price when Chelsea come to sell him.

Martinez continued to defy Spain, pushing away a Yamal free-kick, then denying Mikel Merino’s header. Giuliano Simeone came on and annoyed people. Paredes took Merino out in mid-air. But then came the moment that saved the game, that saved the World Cup, and what a move and goal it was. Yamal laid the ball back to Pedro Porro who steeped his cross to the far post to Williams. The livewire winger nodded the ball back for Ferran Torres to kill off Argentina and make football lovers celebrate.

Rodri has denied Lionel Messi a second successive Golden Ball, after Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Final.

The Golden Ball is often used as a predictor for the Ballon D'or, having gone to Messi and Luka Modric in the last two tournaments.

Messi was expected to receive the award, having bagged eight goals for Argentina, but the Spanish midfielder, and 2025 Ballon D'or winner, has claimed it.

Rodri denies Lionel Messi and claims Golden Ball, after Spain prevail 1-0 against Argentina in the World Cup Final

Messi will instead receive the Silver Ball, to sit at home next to his two previous Golden Ball wins, in 2022 and 2014.

Kylian Mbappe received the Bronze Ball, bagging 10 tournament goals en-route to becoming the highest ever World Cup goalscorer.

Pau Cubarsi, who was the victim of a ridiculous Enzo Fernandez tackle that earned the Argentinian a second yellow card, will take home Young Player of the Tournament.

Unai Simon, who conceded one goal all tournament, the least ever en-route to a World Cup victory by any nation, was awarded the Golden Glove.

Argentina and Messi put up a defensive fight, but were clearly the inferior side in every moment of the game.

They failed to register even a single shot in the 90, played the entirety of extra-time with 10 men, then fell to a Ferran Torres dagger.

That came in the 106th minute, which led to Argentinian pressure for the remainder of the match, including many previously elusive shot attempts, that continuously fell short.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when Uruguayan Diego Forlan was the Golden Ball winner.

Leandro Paredes was sent off after throttling Eric Garcia at the full-time whistle of the 2026 World Cup Final.

Spain prevailed 1-0 against Argentina via a 105th-minute Ferran Torres strike, after playing all of extra-time with 10 men.

Argentina failed to register a single shot attempt in the initial 90 minutes, and were thoroughly outplayed by the victors.

Leandro Paredes throttles Eric Garcia after Argentina lose 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final

Paredes became the second Argentinian to be sent off in today's game after Enzo Fernandez committed an absurd challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

The Argentina international grabbed Garcia by the neck after losing the World Cup final, and many others in the Argentina squad joined in with abhorrent antics.

Joe Hart, working as pundit for BBC, described the event as "disgusting" after Lionel Messi's Argentina fell in the final.

Argentina already had the most World Cup Final dismissals in history with Enzo's red card, enduring two others in 1990.

Those three sending-offs were enough to secure the record, but that total has now extended to four.

Hart said: "Disgusting. There's one player in that squad who had a bit of class and that's Lionel Messi, who went around and shook the hands of all the Spanish players."

Paredes' antics were stopped briefly by Lionel Scaloni, before he broke free and shoved yet another Spanish player to the ground.

The Argentinians are no strangers to committing harsh challenges, and escaping punishment, as Ian Wright discussed at half-time.

But Paredes' violence was a different level, leading ITV pundits to also condemn his actions, and much of the Argentina squad's antics after losing.