Germany, the DFB and Jurgen Klopp
Friday

The German football federation has called a news conference for Friday, when Jurgen Klopp is expected to be presented as Germany’s next national-team coach. Klopp has been the preferred candidate since Julian Nagelsmann resigned after the World Cup.

Germany officials had already reached agreement on key contract points with Klopp, but needed clearance from Red Bull, where he has worked as head of global soccer. His appointment would mark his first coaching job since leaving Liverpool.

Italy, Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola
Thursday

Italy technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed the federation approached Carlo Ancelotti before holding talks with Pep Guardiola. Maldini said Italy started with coaches they considered the best in the world as the national-team search continues.

Ancelotti remains Brazil coach after extending his contract to 2030, while Guardiola is reportedly expensive and still being courted. Italy want a new manager after Gennaro Gattuso resigned following another World Cup qualification failure.

Jermain Defoe and Woking
Thursday

Jermain Defoe has left Woking by mutual agreement after just four months in his first senior managerial role. The former England striker said circumstances made it impossible for him to continue at the National League club.

Defoe won two of six league games after taking charge in March, then exited two weeks before the new campaign. The timing leaves Woking searching for a new head coach late in pre-season.

Norwegian FA, FIFA, Donald Trump and Folarin Balogun
Thursday

Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness said her federation plans to discuss filing a FIFA complaint over Donald Trump’s role in Folarin Balogun’s suspended World Cup ban. She called the case serious, worrying and damaging to due process.

Trump confirmed he asked Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red-card suspension, while FIFA says its disciplinary bodies are independent. Norway argues the case raises concerns over political influence and the basic rules of football governance.

Denver Summit FC and the NWSL
Thursday

Denver Summit FC’s permanent stadium will not be ready for the start of the 2028 NWSL season as originally planned. The club now hopes to play some 2028 home games at the Santa Fe Yards venue.

Delays in acquiring the land pushed back the construction schedule for the planned 14,500-seat stadium near downtown Denver. The expansion team will meanwhile begin life at Centennial Stadium in Colorado while the new venue is completed.

France, Germany and French sports minister Marina Ferrari
Thursday

French sports minister Marina Ferrari welcomed the idea of a joint France-Germany bid to host the 2038 World Cup. She said the concept is not yet official, but fits France’s wider future major-event hosting strategy.

Any bid would need to come from the football federations, not the government alone. Ferrari’s comments are the first senior political support for a possible co-hosting push between two of Europe’s biggest football nations since the idea surfaced.

FIFA, Group of Copenhagen and Folarin Balogun
Thursday

FIFA and the Group of Copenhagen have clashed over potential betting irregularities at the World Cup. The advisory body flagged seven yellow notices and highlighted unusual prediction-market activity around Folarin Balogun’s suspended ban decision against Belgium.

FIFA’s integrity task force reported no suspicious betting activity or match manipulation across the tournament. The Group of Copenhagen has requested a written explanation from FIFA, creating another integrity flashpoint around the Balogun decision and wider tournament governance.

French Football Federation, Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane
Thursday

The French Football Federation will present France’s new head coach on Tuesday, 28 July. The announcement follows Didier Deschamps stepping aside, with several reports naming Zinedine Zidane as the expected successor to the national-team role.

The unveiling will follow an extraordinary executive committee meeting at the federation’s headquarters. If Zidane is confirmed, France will move into the next cycle with a national icon after five years away from frontline coaching.

Sir Ed Davey, FIFA, UEFA and the English FA
Wednesday

UK Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the English FA and UEFA to withdraw from FIFA, accusing the governing body of damaging football’s integrity after recent World Cup controversies.

His criticism followed disputes over Folarin Balogun’s ban being lifted, ticket pricing, half-time shows and possible expansion to 64 teams. The comments add political pressure to the growing FIFA-UEFA governance row.

Inter Miami, MLS, LA Galaxy and Casemiro
Wednesday

Major League Soccer is investigating a tampering allegation against Inter Miami after the club signed Brazil midfielder Casemiro. LA Galaxy held discovery priority for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player.

Inter Miami and LA Galaxy have reached a settlement over the discovery rights, but MLS will continue its review. The case adds scrutiny to Miami’s recruitment after a previous rules breach over Blaise Matuidi.