IN ENGLAND
Both Liverpool and Manchester City will face 15-time winners Real Madrid in the league phase of the Champions League, while Tottenham and Newcastle must both play holders Paris Saint-Germain.
The 36-team league, introduced last season will see six Premier League teams in action for the first time, but they can not face each other until the knockout stages.
And coming up against Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real at Anfield, six-time winners Liverpool face Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan in their eight games, with Pep Guardiola’s City taking on Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea face giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich while Arsenal also play Harry Kane’s Bayern and Inter Milan.
Newcastle’s return to the competition includes a trip to St James’ Park for Barcelona, while Tottenham who qualified by winning the Europa League play Dortmund and Monaco.
The first matches will be played on Tuesday, 16th September and the last round of league games take place on 28th January 2026, with exact scheduling to follow in the coming days.
This season’s final will be held in Budapest.
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Crystal Palace has booked its spot in the league phase of the Conference League despite an unconvincing showing in the second leg of their play-off tie against Fredrikstad.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal in the first leg at Selhurst Park proved the difference on aggregate as the English Premier League side struggled to make much of an impression in Norway.
The success also earned Palace, who dropped down to the Conference League after their demotion from the Europa League for breaching multi-club ownership rules, a first appearance in the group stage of a European competition.
They will find out their opponents on Friday, following the Europa League draw.
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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is understood to retain the support of the club ownership despite the team’s shock Carabao Cup defeat at League Two Grimsby.
Amorim has provoked question marks over his tenure with his own statements following the penalty shootout loss at Blundell Park, before which his side had to come back from two goals down having been outplayed for an hour.
Sources with an understanding of the situation are adamant this uncertainty does not exist from the top down.
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Former Southampton striker, Charlie Austin has advised Manchester United to make an urgent move for former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as replacement for manager Ruben Amorim.
He made this known after the Red Devils crashed out of the Carabao Cup to fourth tier Grimsby.
Austin stated that Zidane would make a big difference with Man United.
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Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will have surgery on a knee injury, but is not expected to be out for a significant amount of time.
The 26-year-old featured in the opening win over Manchester United from the substitutes’ bench, but missed the five-nil victory over Leeds with the problem.
The hope is that the Germany international will be out for weeks rather than months.
Arsenal face champions Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield with both sides having won their opening two league matches of the season.
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Chelsea has agreed a forty million pounds fee to sign Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho.
The 21-year-old Argentina international was told to find a new club by head coach Ruben Amorim at the end of last season.
Sources from United say the initial Chelsea offer was twenty-five million pounds, but Garnacho’s transfer which includes a ten percent sell-on clause, will now be the club’s fourth largest ever sale after Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel di Maria.
Garnacho’s move comes as forward Christopher Nkunku closes in on a move from Chelsea to AC Milan.
Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson is also in talks over an initial loan switch to Bayern Munich, which could include an obligation to buy the 24-year-old.
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Newcastle United is closing in on the signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade in a move that could have a huge impact on Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak.
The Germany international, is understood to be en route to Tyneside after a deal was struck with the Bundesliga side.
Woltemade, who has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich this summer, will undergo a medical ahead of completing a move to St James’ Park.
There is no confirmation of the fee, but a source suggested it would constitute a club record after Newcastle previously spent sixty-three million pounds to make Isak the most expensive player in their history three years ago when he arrived from Real Sociedad.
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Wolves has completed the signing of Girona defender Ladislav Krejci on an initial loan deal.
The 26-year-old centre-half, who can also play in midfield, will complete a twenty-six million pounds permanent move until 2030 once certain clauses are met.
The Czech Republic international moved to Girona last summer and made thirty-five appearances in all competitions as they finished 16th in La Liga, surviving by a point.
Wolves, who have lost their opening two Premier League games, have already signed full-backs Jackson Tchatchoua and David Moller Wolfe and forwards Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias this summer.
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West Ham has agreed a deal in excess of forty million pounds to sign Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old has been granted permission to travel for a medical in London.
Fernandes would become West Ham’s third-biggest signing, behind Sebastien Haller forty-five million pounds and Lucas Paqueta fifty-one million pounds.
The move will be a boost for under-pressure Hammers manager Graham Potter, whose side have lost their first three matches of the season in all competitions.
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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says he is confident midfielder Carlos Baleba will remain at the club this season.
Manchester United made enquiries about the cost of signing the 21-year-old, but called off their pursuit earlier this month amid the Seagulls’ refusal to sell.
Baleba has started both of Brighton’s Premier League games so far and has made eighty appearances for the club since joining from Lille in 2023.
Brighton signed six players this summer, including defenders Maxim de Cuyper from Club Brugge, Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer and Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee.
Midfielder Tom Watson joined from Sunderland, winger Yoon Do-young was signed from Daejeon Hana Citizen and forward Charalampos Kostoulas was recruited from Olympiakos.
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England international Patrick Bamford says he feels raw after leaving Premier League newcomers Leeds by mutual consent after seven years at the club.
Bamford scored sixty goals in two hundred and five appearances after joining from Middlesbrough for seven million pounds in 2018.
He was involved in two promotion-winning campaigns for Leeds and scored seventeen goals during the club’s first stint back in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.
The 31-year-old, who made one England appearance in 2021, was told by manager Daniel Farke last month that he was not part of his plans this season and would have to train with the under-21 squad if he remained at the club.
Full-back Isaac Schmidt and winger Largie Ramazani will also spend the 2025-26 season away from the club on loan.
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A man has been arrested over disgusting and appalling racist abuse sent over social media to England footballer Jess Carter.
Police began investigating after receiving reports that the messages had been sent to the 27-year-old defender during the UEFA Women’s Euros in July.
A 59-year-old man from Great Harwood was arrested earlier by Lancashire Police on suspicion of malicious communications and has since been released under investigation.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police, which led the investigation, said the messages sent to Carter were appalling and nobody should be subjected to such racist abuse.
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IN NIGERIA
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed dates for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Falcons and She-Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
Benin Republic will host the first leg against Justine Madugu’s Super Falcons, before Nigeria play host to the return leg.
Both matches have to be concluded within the window of 20th and 28th October.
The winners of eleven final qualifying fixtures will join hosts Morocco in the final competition that has been scheduled for March 2026.
All four semi-finalists at the competition will pick tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Two additional slots are available for Africa through a play-off tournament, as was the case before the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand.
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Bafana Bafana of South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled his final squad for the Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Super Eagles.
Broos made the announcement as his team prepares for the two crucial fixtures at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
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Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana of South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has warned his players to be wary of the Super Eagles.
Broos’ side will confront the three-time African champions in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchday eight encounter at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 9th September.
South Africa is currently top spot in Group C with thirteen points from six matches.
The Super Eagles sit in fourth position with seven points from the same number of matches.
Bafana Bafana will also confront the Crocodiles of Lesotho in a matchday seven encounter at the Free State Stadium on Friday, 5th September before taking on Nigeria.
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Former Nigerian international Austine Eguavoen says he cannot question former Remo Stars captain Junior Nduka’s decision to join the Iraqi League.
Nduka was part of the Remo Stars squad that won the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, title last season and also the Home-based Super Eagles that crashed out from the CHAN tournament.
Reacting to his transfer, Eguavoen stated that a lot might have contributed to Nduka’s decision to move to Iraq.
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Nigeria forward Gift Orban is excited with his move to Serie A club Hellas Verona.
Orban linked up with Hellas Verona from Bundesliga outfit TSG Hoffenheim on a season-long loan deal.
Hellas Verona has the option to sign him for eight million euros next summer.
The powerful striker is looking forward to a successful stay with the club.
The ninth edition of the National Youth Games begins in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, with Team Lagos aiming to set the pace with their 416 athletes contingent.
Following the conclusion of the Digital Registration Management process, a total of 6,382 athletes have been confirmed by the National Sports Commission to represent all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Asaba.
Screening of athletes took place on Thursday with the official opening ceremony and the commencement of games billed for today.
Some of the events that will start today are table tennis, para table tennis, weightlifting, and karate.
Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, emphasised the state’s readiness to deliver a standout performance to rival perennial champions Delta State and other contenders.
D’Tigress captain, Amy Okonkwo’s seven-day hardship contract has come to an end, having played her final game for WNBA franchise Dallas Wings in their 101-95 defeat against the Connecticut Suns.
The three-time African champion and two-time women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player, had joined the Texas-based outfit on a short-term deal last week, to help fill in for the Wings team that had suffered notable absentees.
Former heavyweight champion David Haye believes rising star Moses Itauma is already capable of defeating established heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with only undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk posing a threat to the 20-year-old prospect.
Haye’s bold assessment comes after Itauma’s devastating knockout victory over former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in mid-August, a performance that has sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division.
Haye speaking in an interview was asked if Itauma could already best the division’s ageing top contenders, including Fury, Joshua and Usyk.
Nigeria’s senior women’s cricket team, the Female Yellow Greens, are scheduled to arrive in Namibia on Friday, ahead of their campaign in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, which will run from 28th August to 7th September.
The 14 players and their officials departed Nigeria on Thursday night via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Coach Leke Oyede announced his final 14-player squad on Monday with super bowler Peculiar Agboya as captain. Other top players in the team include Piety Lucky, Salome Sunday, wicket keeper Sarah Etim among others.
Nigeria are in Group A of the qualifying tournament, where they will face Sierra Leone, hosts Namibia and Zimbabwe.
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OTHER LEAGUES
Ten-man Aberdeen has dropped into the Conference League as a frustrating first-half red card and FCSB penalty turned the Europa League play-off tie in favour of the eventually comfortable Romanian champions.
The already-cautioned Alexander Jensen was caught scrambling in his own box as David Miculescu snuck in behind to scoop up a searching ball, which, on review, struck the hand of the Aberdeen defender.
Aberdeen will now play in Europe’s third-tier competition and will learn their opponents in Friday’s draw while FCSB will enjoy the Europa League.
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Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked by Turkish club Besiktas.
The 52-year-old took charge of the Istanbul club in January and steered them to a fourth-placed finish last season.
After a defeat by Swiss side Lausanne in the Conference League play-offs on Thursday meant the club would not be playing European football this season, the club dismissed the Norwegian.
Nuri Sahin, the former Borussia Dortmund player and manager, has been linked with the job.
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AC Milan has agreed a thirty-six million pounds deal, including add-ons to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku as the Blues close on a deal for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Nkunku is expected to accept a pay cut in order to join the Italian side on a five-year contract and has been given permission to travel for a medical.
The Blues have also included a sell-on clause as part of the deal, which will end Nkunku’s two-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
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Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out of the squad for the World Cup qualifier away to Kazakhstan on 4th September.
The 34-year-old midfielder came off the bench last week for new club Pumas UNAM, playing his first minutes for the Mexican side since suffering a hamstring injury in Cardiff City’s two-one victory over Luton on 11th March.
Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu is also absent after suffering a knee injury in their one-nil Premier League win against Everton in mid-August.
Rubin Colwill misses out on a call-up despite impressing for Cardiff in their unbeaten start to the season in League One and the EFL Cup.
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Former Uefa president Michel Platini and ex-Fifa boss Sepp Blatter have been fully cleared of corruption charges, with a long-running case against the pair now closed.
The Swiss Attorney General’s Office has confirmed it would not challenge a ruling from March which acquitted both men.
Earlier this year, an appeals court cleared Platini, and Blatter of impropriety over a payment of one point six million pounds Blatter made to the France legend in 2011.
Both men had denied any wrongdoing.
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OTHER SPORTS
In Tennis, Defending champion Jannik Sinner beat world number 36 Alexei Popyrin in straight sets to secure a safe passage through to round three of the US Open.
The world number one, had lost just four games in a dominant first-round victory over Vit Kopriva.
Sinner produced another efficient display against Australian Popyrin, who upset Novak Djokovic in the third round of last year’s tournament but did not threaten a repeat here.
The Italian broke Popyrin’s serve early in each of the three sets and wrapped up a clinical 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium in just over two hours.
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In Formula one, Lando Norris says he is ready to go for what he expects to be a long, tricky, challenging second part of the season as Formula 1 resumes after its summer break.
The Briton trails his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by nine points heading into this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix with no other driver realistically in the fight.
Norris has won three of the past four races, riding his luck at times, but dismissed the idea that he had momentum in the championship.
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In Cycling, Jay Vine is powered to victory in stage six of the Vuelta a Espana as Torstein Traeen came second to take the overall race lead.
Vine led a solo attack in the final twenty kilometres after breaking away from a 10-man group which got away early on the one hundred and seventy point three kilometres stretch across the Pyrenees from Olot in Catalonia to Pal in Andorra.
It was a third individual Vuelta stage win for the 29-year-old Australian, who lives in Andorra.
Norway’s Traeen, finished fifty-four seconds behind Vine but the Bahrain Victorious rider jumped from 26th to first in the general classification.
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Also, Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has been airlifted to hospital after sustaining multiple injuries in a crash in southern France.
The 40-year-old Briton was taken to hospital by helicopter following a crash near Toulon, about one hundred and seventy kilometres from his home in Monaco.
Froome’s team described the crash as serious but said he was in a stable condition and did not sustain any head injuries.
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In Cricket, Southern Brave has become the first team to win all of their group games in The Hundred as they warmed up for Sunday’s final with a 29-run victory over Welsh Fire.
Brave, already guaranteed to finish top and therefore progress directly to Lord’s, made only 106-8 batting first but applied the squeeze as bottom-of-the-table Fire crumbled in pursuit of one hundred and seven.
The visitors reached 50-1 from fifty-five balls before Tammy Beaumont holed out for a 33-ball 28, having taken only six singles from her previous fourteen balls.
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SOCCER ACTION RESUME THIS WEEKEND
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IN ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
ON SATURDAY
Chelsea vs Fulham
Manchester United vs Burnley
Sunderland vs Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Bournemouth
Wolvers vs Everton
Leeds United vs Newcastle United
ON SUNDAY
Brighton vs Manchester City
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
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IN SPANISH LA LIGA
ON SATURDAY
Alavés vs Atlético de Madrid
Real Oviedo vs Real Sociedad
Girona vs Sevilla
Real Madrid vs Mallorca
ON SUNDAY
Celta Vigo vs Villarreal
Real Betis vs Athletic Club
Espanyol vs Osasuna
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona
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IN ITALIAN SERIE A
ON SATURDAY
Bologna vs Como
Parma vs Atalanta
Napoli vs Cagliari
Pisa vs Roma
ON SUNDAY
Genoa vs Juventus
Torino vs Fiorentina L
Inter Milan vs Udinese
Lazio vs Hellas Verona.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
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