The president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, said that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future should be decided by an election. This comes amid growing criticism of Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, which has led several football associations to withdraw their support.
Key Facts
Patrice Motsepe, CAF president and FIFA vice-president, supports deciding Infantino’s future through elections.
Infantino faced criticism for trying to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.
European, North and Central American, and Asian football bodies have expressed no trust in Infantino after the plan.
Some groups want Infantino to resign before the next FIFA election in March 2027.
Motsepe said all disagreements should be solved through FIFA’s official processes and votes by member associations.
The Football Association of Ireland recently withdrew its support for Infantino, joining English and Welsh football associations.
The associations cited concerns about governance, transparency, and lack of consultation in FIFA.
Infantino apologized and said lessons should be learned, but the criticism continues.
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Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons. He is known for his triple-doubles and had a highly successful career with several teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Key Facts
Westbrook retired after playing 18 seasons in the NBA.
He recorded 209 triple-doubles, including a record 42 in the 2016-17 season.
He won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2017.
Westbrook averaged a triple-double in the 2016-17 season, a feat last done by Oscar Robertson in 1961-62.
He was a nine-time NBA All-Star and scored a total of 27,176 points in his career.
Westbrook played for seven NBA teams and was part of the Oklahoma City Thunder team that reached the NBA Finals in 2012.
He won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2012.
Westbrook was known for his competitiveness and has been praised for his impact both on and off the court.
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Anthony Taylor, a top English football referee, has retired after 20 years and officiating many important matches including at the World Cup. He said the pressure, criticism, and intense scrutiny referees face affect their confidence and motivation, and that was part of his reason to stop. Taylor also shared concerns about referee criticism in the media and his plans to help football in Turkey.
Key Facts
Anthony Taylor refereed 668 professional English football matches and 163 international games.
He officiated major events including every major domestic cup final and World Cup matches.
Taylor retired shortly after the 2022 World Cup, deciding to end his career on his own terms.
He explained that constant pressure and criticism cause referees to feel self-doubt and lose confidence.
Taylor said his family has been affected by threats and abuse linked to his job.
He advised referees to be careful when publicly criticizing former colleagues.
Taylor hopes to assist Turkish football with referee issues linked to a betting scandal.
He expressed his views on the video assistant referee (VAR) system, though details were not expanded in this article.
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Dineth Fernando, a 13-year-old who moved to Melbourne six months ago from Sri Lanka, won the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi. He played 24 games against more than 130 players from 15 countries and became only the third Australian to win this title.
Key Facts
Dineth is 13 years old and recently moved from Sri Lanka to Melbourne.
He won the World Youth Scrabble Championship held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The tournament lasted three days and included players from 15 different countries.
Dineth played 24 games during the competition.
This was his third try at the world championships.
He uses words from different languages because the official Scrabble dictionary includes many languages.
He practices Scrabble three hours a day and studies words to improve.
Dineth has won several local Australian Scrabble competitions before the world title.
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La Liga, Spain’s top soccer league, starts its 2026-27 season on August 15, with most teams playing except Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona aims to win their third straight league title, while Real Madrid, led by coach Jose Mourinho, looks to return to winning after two trophyless years.
Key Facts
The 2026-27 La Liga season begins on August 15 with two opening matches.
Barcelona and Real Madrid postponed their first games due to many players participating in the recent FIFA World Cup final stages.
Barcelona will play their first match on August 23 against Elche; Real Madrid begins on August 22 against Espanyol.
Barcelona won the 2024-25 and 2025-26 La Liga seasons and hopes to win three in a row.
Jose Mourinho is managing Real Madrid for the 2026-27 season, his second time as their coach.
The Opta supercomputer predicts Barcelona has a 45.6% chance to win the league this season.
Real Madrid has a 31% chance to win, while Atletico Madrid is third with 8.6%.
Sevilla, Deportivo, and Elche have the highest chances of being relegated, meaning they might drop out of La Liga next season.
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Fabien Barthez will be the goalkeeper coach for the French national soccer team under the new head coach Zinedine Zidane. Both were teammates on the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and will now work together again.
Key Facts
Fabien Barthez was named goalkeeper coach for France’s national soccer team.
Zinedine Zidane is the new head coach of the French team, appointed on July 28, 2026.
Barthez and Zidane were teammates when France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Barthez previously worked as a consultant for France but was not part of the team under coach Didier Deschamps.
Other members of Zidane’s coaching staff include David Bettoni, Hamidou Msaidie, and Grégory Dupont.
Zidane’s first training camp as coach will be in September 2026.
France’s first game under Zidane will be a Nations League match against Turkey on September 25, 2026.
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Malawi's women's football team beat Algeria 3-1 to reach the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Chawinga sisters scored most of the goals, and Malawi will face Cameroon in the final. Both teams, along with Algeria and Morocco, qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Key Facts
Malawi defeated Algeria 3-1 in the semi-final to reach the tournament final.
Tabitha Chawinga scored two goals, and her sister Temwa Chawinga scored one for Malawi.
Malawi was considered an underdog, ranked 153rd in the world, far below favorites like Nigeria.
Malawi’s captain, Tabitha, scored an overhead kick goal in the first half.
Malawi played with 10 players for part of the match after a player was sent off.
Cameroon beat Morocco in their semi-final by winning a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Malawi, Cameroon, Algeria, and Morocco qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals.
The winner of the final will receive a record $2 million prize.
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Six Arab football associations, including Qatar and Morocco, have shown strong support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid criticism over his abandoned plan to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors. Despite opposition from European, Asian, and North/Central American confederations, these Arab federations affirm their confidence in Infantino's leadership ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.
Key Facts
Six Arab football federation heads from Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, and Mauritania jointly support FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino proposed selling 20% of the World Cup commercial rights to private investors to raise around $4.2 billion but later withdrew the plan.
The proposal included a $20 million grant to member associations, with potential to double if they joined the deal.
UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF confederations called for Infantino to step down after the plan failed.
Four of the six supporting Arab federation heads are members of the FIFA Council.
The Arab federations highlighted football’s role in uniting people and expressed confidence in Infantino’s efforts to grow the sport globally.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March next year, where Infantino seeks re-election.
The three opposing confederations represent 136 of FIFA's 211 member associations who will vote in the election.
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A friendly soccer match between Fulham and Malaga ended in confusion when Fulham’s players left the field after a last-minute penalty equalizer. Malaga then took a penalty kick into an empty net, expecting a shootout, but Fulham said both teams had agreed there would be no shootout if the game was tied.
Key Facts
The match was a pre-season friendly between Fulham (an English team) and Malaga (a Spanish team).
Malaga scored a penalty in the final minute to tie the game 2-2 after Fulham’s defender was penalized for handball.
Malaga’s coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, was sent off after the final whistle but led his team off the field, thinking the game was over.
Malaga expected a penalty shootout to decide the winner of the Costa del Sol Trophy and stayed on the pitch.
Malaga’s striker took a penalty kick into an empty net after Fulham had left the field.
Fulham said before the match that no penalty shootout would happen if the game ended in a draw.
Malaga said there had been a plan for a shootout but Fulham left the pitch, disputing that point.
Fulham will play their final pre-season match against Stuttgart before starting the 2026-27 Premier League season against Chelsea.
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This article discusses the uncertain start to the new Premier League season, with many teams under new management and unclear favorites. It also examines Barcelona’s potential signing of Rodri, a Spanish midfielder, and questions whether this move fits well with the club’s current strategy and youth development approach.
Key Facts
Half of the Premier League teams, including Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, have new managers this season.
Pep Guardiola is no longer managing Manchester City, marking the end of his era.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, is seen as a potential dominant team despite a weak preseason and some key players missing or injured.
Manchester United and Tottenham kept their managers but face challenges with leadership and rebuilding.
Several teams like Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest also have new managers, adding to the league’s uncertainty.
Barcelona wants to sign Rodri, a midfielder known for many ball touches and passes during the 2026 World Cup.
Rodri is seen as similar to former Barcelona player Sergio Busquets and could help Barcelona’s midfield.
There is concern that signing Rodri contradicts Barcelona’s recent focus on nurturing young players from their youth academy.
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Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud took six wickets for 55 runs to help Bangladesh bowl out Australia for 198 runs on the first day of the first Test match in Darwin. Bangladesh ended the day with one loss and 96 runs, trailing Australia by 102 runs.
Key Facts
Hasan Mahmud took his best career bowling figures of 6 wickets for 55 runs.
Australia scored 198 runs, their lowest Test score ever against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh were 96 runs for 1 wicket at the end of day one, trailing Australia by 102 runs.
Steve Smith was the top Australian batsman with 71 runs.
Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain each took two wickets for Bangladesh.
Australia's captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first.
Several Australian catches were dropped, including two chances for Steve Smith.
Bangladesh's bowlers maintained disciplined line and length, putting pressure on Australian batsmen.
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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Super Cup by beating Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg, Austria. PSG’s goals were scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué.
Key Facts
PSG are the current European champions in football.
The match took place in Salzburg, Austria.
Aston Villa plays in the English Premier League.
Luis Enrique is the coach of PSG.
Xavi Hernández was appointed as the new head coach of the Dutch national football team.
At the European Aquatics Championships, Sara Curtis set a new world record in the 50m backstroke semi-finals.
David Popovici won his third straight 100m freestyle title at the same championships.
French athletes won two silver medals in the European Athletics Championships on the same day.
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Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the final of the Toronto tennis tournament, where she will face Elena Rybakina. Rybakina came from behind to beat Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the final as well.
Key Facts
Iga Swiatek won against Elina Svitolina in three sets: 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
The match was delayed over an hour because of rain.
This is Swiatek’s first final of the year; her last title was in Seoul nearly a year ago.
Elena Rybakina beat Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 after losing the first set.
Rybakina previously came back from a set down to beat Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals.
Rybakina is close to moving up the rankings toward world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Svitolina was aiming for her third finals appearance at this level in the season.
The tournament is played on hard courts in preparation for the upcoming US Open.
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Malawi and Cameroon won their semifinal matches to reach the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Malawi beat Algeria 3-1, while Cameroon won a penalty shootout 3-1 against Morocco after a 0-0 draw.
Key Facts
Malawi will play Cameroon in the WAFCON final on Sunday.
Tabitha Chawinga scored two goals for Malawi; her sister Temwa scored one.
Cameroon defeated Morocco on penalties after extra time ended 0-0.
All four semifinalist teams (Malawi, Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco) qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Malawi and Algeria will make their World Cup debuts next year.
Morocco made its second World Cup appearance; Cameroon has appeared twice before.
Malawi is ranked 153rd in the world and is playing in WAFCON for the first time.
Two players received red cards during Malawi vs. Algeria’s semifinal match.
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Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina won their semi-final matches to reach the Canadian Open tennis final. Swiatek, who is having a difficult season, won her first final since last year, while Rybakina came from behind to secure her spot against Coco Gauff.
Key Facts
Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the Canadian Open semi-final.
This is Swiatek’s first final appearance this season and her first since winning Cincinnati last year.
Elena Rybakina beat Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the final.
Rybakina is the world number two and the Australian Open champion.
Swiatek and Rybakina have played 12 times before, each winning six matches.
The final match will be their 13th professional meeting.
In the men’s Canadian Open, Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima won their semi-finals and will play in the final.
Nakashima could win his first Masters 1,000 title, while Shelton aims to defend his title and win his seventh tournament.
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Lionel Messi played for Inter Miami after his father passed away last week. Messi is thinking about retiring from football but returned to support his team during a recent game.
Key Facts
Messi’s father, Jorge, died at age 68 in Rosario, Argentina after a long illness.
Messi attended his father’s private funeral and then flew back to the U.S. to play.
He came on as a substitute in the second half during Inter Miami’s 3-2 loss to Leon in the Leagues Cup.
Messi said he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football.
Jorge Messi was also Lionel’s agent since he was 14 years old.
Messi led Argentina to win the World Cup in 2022 and reached the final in 2023.
Teammates praised Messi’s return and showed strong support for him.
Inter Miami was knocked out in the first phase of the Leagues Cup for the first time since Messi joined the team.
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Lionel Messi returned to play for Inter Miami shortly after his father’s death and hinted that he might retire soon. Despite Messi scoring, Inter Miami lost 3-2 to Mexico’s Leon and were eliminated from the Leagues Cup.
Key Facts
Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, died last week at age 68.
Messi returned to Miami from Argentina and played at halftime, receiving a warm welcome.
Messi posted an emotional message expressing uncertainty about continuing his football career.
Inter Miami led 1-0, but Leon came back to win 3-2 with two goals from Daniel Arcila.
Miami were knocked out of the Leagues Cup group stage for the first time since 2023.
Teammates and opponents praised Messi’s dedication to play despite his personal loss.
Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023 soon after Messi joined the team.
Miami lost the 2025 Leagues Cup final and have had recent challenges in the tournament.
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Eddie Jones, coach of Japan’s rugby team, uses videos of geese flying in formation to teach teamwork and support play. Japan lost their first match against Australia but will make changes and try to improve in the upcoming game.
Key Facts
Eddie Jones coaches Japan’s rugby team and was formerly England’s coach.
Japan lost 35-32 to Australia in their recent match in Osaka.
Five players were changed for the second test match in Townsville, Australia.
Jones uses geese flying in formation as an example to explain how players should support the ball-carrier.
The ball-carrier leads, and the support players must follow closely, like geese flying in formation.
Australia won despite an early red card to one of their players, Miles Amatosero.
Australia's head coach is Les Kiss, who replaced Joe Schmidt earlier this year.
Jones said Japan is disappointed with the loss and wants to perform better in the next game.
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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman fell into the Kansas City Royals' dugout while trying to catch a foul ball but avoided serious injury. Freeman experienced soreness in several areas but hopes to play in the next game.
Key Facts
Freddie Freeman tumbled into the opposing team's dugout during a game on August 12.
He was replaced as a batter later in the game due to the injury.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Freeman is sore in his hand, knee, foot, and shoulder but escaped a serious injury.
Freeman did not get x-rays and hopes to play in the next game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The soreness mainly affects the right side of his body, which he used to break his fall.
Freeman is having a strong season with a batting average of .306 and 15 home runs.
He made his 10th National League All-Star team this season.
He has played almost all games this season, with only one player having more game appearances.
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Sunderland surprised many by finishing seventh in the 2025-26 Premier League season after being promoted. Despite this success, they are again considered likely to be relegated due to their weak stats, the challenge of following up a strong first season, and managing both league and European games.
Key Facts
Sunderland was promoted to the Premier League in May 2025, ending an eight-year absence.
They finished seventh in the 2025-26 season, qualifying for European competition for the first time since 1973.
Their expected goals (xG) statistics were among the worst, suggesting their good results were unusual.
Sunderland overperformed their xG by scoring more goals and conceding fewer than expected.
The team lost six players during the Africa Cup of Nations, affecting their performance in December and January.
Without the African tournament this season, Sunderland may avoid a mid-season performance drop.
"Second-season syndrome" is the idea that promoted teams often do worse in their second season, but historically only about 21% of such teams are relegated.
Some promoted teams with strong first seasons, like Ipswich in 2000-01, have been relegated the following year.
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