Italy, Andrea Pirlo and the FIGC
Friday

Reports in Italy say the national federation has settled on Andrea Pirlo as its new head coach after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the role. The deal is said to run for four years.

Pirlo would be tasked with leading Italy through Nations League matches and into Euro 2028 qualification after another World Cup failure. His appointment would bring a 2006 World Cup winner into the job during a difficult rebuild.

Per Mertesacker, Germany and the DFB
Friday

Per Mertesacker is set to become the German Football Federation’s new sporting director after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said talks had been ongoing for around 18 months.

Mertesacker spent eight years as Arsenal academy manager after retiring in 2018 and won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. His arrival adds another major leadership change alongside Jurgen Klopp’s national-team appointment.

IOC, Gianni Infantino, FairSquare and Folarin Balogun
Friday

The International Olympic Committee said it will not investigate Gianni Infantino over a political-neutrality complaint linked to Folarin Balogun’s suspended World Cup ban. Human rights group FairSquare had argued the FIFA president breached Olympic rules.

The IOC said the complaint concerned FIFA governance, government relations and football disciplinary decisions, placing it outside its ethics commission’s scope. The decision leaves FIFA’s own ethics route as the main pressure point for any further case.

Cristian Volpato, Football Australia and New South Wales Police
Thursday night in Sydney

Australia midfielder Cristian Volpato allegedly tested positive for cocaine after being stopped by police for speeding twice on the same night. His international driver’s licence was suspended for six months in New South Wales.

Police said a secondary oral-fluid sample will be analysed while inquiries continue. Football Australia and the players’ union said they are monitoring the matter and supporting Volpato after his World Cup breakout with the Socceroos.

England’s amputee football team and the EAFA
Ahead of November’s World Cup

England’s men’s amputee football team could miss the upcoming World Cup in Mexico because of a funding shortage. The team has launched a £50,000 GoFundMe campaign and has raised just over £32,000 so far.

The FA cut funding for the amputee programme in 2006, leaving the charity-run team reliant on donations and volunteers. Former coach Scott Rogers called the situation criminal, given England are reigning Nations League champions.