Jurgen Klopp, Germany and the DFB
Friday

Jurgen Klopp has officially been named Germany head coach after Julian Nagelsmann’s post-World Cup resignation. The former Liverpool manager signed a contract running through the 2030 World Cup and was presented at a news conference.

Klopp said the national team can unite Germans like almost nothing else and called the job special. He also brings former Liverpool assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz into a rebuild after Germany’s latest tournament collapse.

Pep Guardiola, Italy and the FIGC
Friday

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to become Italy head coach. The Italian federation had held talks with the former Manchester City manager and was willing to let him shape the role to tempt him.

Guardiola decided to continue his planned break from football to rest, travel and spend time with family. His rejection leaves Andrea Pirlo as the frontrunner to guide Italy through Nations League and Euro 2028 qualification.

Aberdeen, Scottish football authorities and supporters
Thursday

Aberdeen have been granted a permanent alcohol licence for the Richard Donald Stand lower concourse, becoming the first Scottish Premiership club to receive one after previous matchday trials.

Alcohol will be sold only for lower-risk matches and must be consumed away from sight of the pitch. The licence marks a major step in Scotland’s cautious move away from the long-standing stadium alcohol ban.

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.