Roberto Martinez and Portugal
After Portugal’s World Cup defeat by Spain

Roberto Martinez has confirmed he is leaving as Portugal head coach after their 1-0 World Cup defeat by Spain. The former Belgium manager said his contract ends now and that the team needs a new voice.

Martinez said his mission was to win the World Cup, making continuation difficult after elimination. His exit also follows Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance, leaving Portugal facing a major leadership reset before their next cycle.

Nottingham Forest and Oliver Glasner
Monday

Nottingham Forest have appointed Oliver Glasner as head coach, making the former Crystal Palace manager their fifth boss in less than a year. He replaces Vitor Pereira, who was removed shortly before an exit clause expired.

Glasner arrives with a strong cup-winning record after lifting major trophies with Palace and Eintracht Frankfurt. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis called him a winner, but the City Ground role carries major instability and heavy expectations.

UEFA, FIFA and Folarin Balogun
Monday before USA face Belgium

UEFA has condemned FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic red-card ban, calling it unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable. The USMNT striker remains eligible against Belgium after Donald Trump reportedly spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

UEFA said the ruling crossed a red line because automatic one-match bans are written into tournament regulations. Belgium are exploring appeal options, while Thomas Tuchel questioned whether England could now challenge Jarell Quansah’s suspension too.

Carlos Queiroz and Ghana
Sunday after Ghana’s World Cup exit

Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as Ghana head coach after their World Cup last-32 defeat by Colombia. The 73-year-old leaves after three months in charge, having guided Ghana through the group stage before elimination in North America.

Queiroz said football teaches teams to win or learn and called for better off-field foundations around Ghana’s talent. His departure follows a short rescue job after Otto Addo was sacked before the tournament officially began.

England, Mexico and FIFA
Before Sunday’s World Cup last-16 tie

England’s World Cup last-16 match against Mexico has been delayed by one hour after severe weather and lightning hit the Azteca Stadium. A shelter-in-place order was issued, with fans told to seek cover before kick-off in Mexico City.

Play cannot start until 30 minutes pass without lightning inside an eight-mile radius of the stadium. FIFA had earlier considered moving the match forward, but pushback from both associations kept the original slot before storms caused the late delay.

Carlos Queiroz and Ghana
Sunday

Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as Ghana head coach after their World Cup last-32 defeat by Colombia. The 73-year-old leaves after only three months in charge, having guided Ghana through the group stage before their knockout exit.

The former Manchester United assistant was managing at his fifth straight World Cup and framed the exit as a lesson rather than failure. Ghana now need another reset after missing AFCON qualification and changing coach shortly before the tournament.

Folarin Balogun, FIFA and the United States
Sunday before USA face Belgium

FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, making the United States striker available against Belgium despite his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The decision triggered Belgian anger and questions over consistency at the World Cup.

The suspension is deferred for a one-year probation period, with FIFA giving no detailed reasoning. Belgium called the decision astonishing, while Donald Trump thanked FIFA after reports he had asked Gianni Infantino to review the case.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
Before Portugal face Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 tournament will be his final World Cup as Portugal prepare to face Spain in the last 16. The 41-year-old said he will leave on his own terms, not because critics demand it.

Ronaldo joked with reporters about repeated questions over his future, thanked critics for helping him grow and insisted a World Cup title will not define him. Portugal must beat Spain to keep his final chase alive.

Mexico squad and Stevewilldoit
Before Mexico face England

Mexico players and staff have returned luxury watches gifted by American content creator Stevewilldoit before their World Cup tie against England. He said the Rolex gifts cost $1m, but FIFA ethics rules restrict non-trivial gifts.

The Mexican team said the watches were given on the creator’s own initiative and returned by mutual agreement. The decision avoids an ethics issue before Mexico’s biggest World Cup match since hosting the tournament in 1986.

Jurgen Klopp, Germany and Julian Nagelsmann
Sunday

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly agreed to become Germany’s new national team manager after Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation. The former Liverpool boss is set to return to coaching after working as Red Bull’s head of global football.

Germany moved quickly after their World Cup last-32 exit to Paraguay, with talks already signalled by the DFB. Final details around Klopp’s Red Bull departure remain, but his acceptance would mark a major reset for Die Mannschaft.