Paris Saint-Germain and Paris city officials.
After a Paris Council vote reopened negotiations.

Paris Saint-Germain have resumed formal talks to buy the Parc des Princes and explore a major redevelopment. The club are studying ways to expand the stadium from 48,000 seats to between 60,000 and 70,000.

City officials and PSG executives will meet weekly to assess valuation, transport, local infrastructure and construction feasibility. The project still needs a final binding council vote before any sale or expansion can move forward.

Emerse Fae, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ivory Coast.
After Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockouts.

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae criticised Bastian Schweinsteiger over comments describing African football as wild, unpredictable and less tactically conditioned. Fae said the remarks could be called racist if judged directly.

Schweinsteiger’s comments were made before Germany faced Ivory Coast, then resurfaced after the Elephants beat Curacao and advanced. Fae said he hoped it was clumsy rather than reflective of Schweinsteiger’s deeper views.

United States officials and Andrew Giuliani.
During the 2026 World Cup.

Andrew Giuliani says the United States could consider bidding to host the 2038 men’s World Cup. The country is currently co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico.

Giuliani said the US could handle an even larger event if FIFA expands to 64 teams in future. He added that officials first need to complete the current World Cup before making any formal pitch.

FIFA referees, Ghana, Brazil, Scotland, Germany and Ecuador.
After several disputed World Cup decisions.

VAR consistency is under fresh scrutiny after Ghana’s penalty claim against England, Brazil’s disallowed goal against Scotland and Germany’s controversial opener against Ecuador. Fans and pundits are questioning when video officials choose to intervene.

BBC Sport noted the World Cup intervention rate is close to the Premier League, but decisions have looked uneven. FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina wants a high bar, yet recent incidents have fuelled lottery claims.

Brentford and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ahead of the 2026-27 Champions League season.

Brentford are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over hosting the Ukrainian club’s Champions League home matches at the Gtech Community Stadium. Shakhtar will enter the league phase directly next season.

Shakhtar cannot play European home fixtures in Ukraine because of Russia’s ongoing invasion. The club used venues in Slovenia and Poland last year, but Brentford could now offer a London base.

Ecuador, Daniel Noboa and the national football team.
After Ecuador beat Germany at the World Cup.

Ecuador president Daniel Noboa declared Friday a public holiday after the national team came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 20 years.

Noboa praised the players and coach for recovering from criticism and delivering national joy. Goals from Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata completed the comeback after Germany had taken an early lead.

Argentine football clubs, young prospects and ESPN investigators.
After ESPN released a long-running investigation.

An ESPN investigation alleged widespread exploitation and neglect in Argentina’s youth football pipeline, including unregulated boarding houses, hunger, extortion and sexual predation risks. The investigation began after Independiente disclosed sexual assaults involving children in youth accommodation.

ESPN said it reviewed thousands of pages, interviewed more than 100 people and visited youth boarding facilities. The report raises serious questions for Argentine football authorities over oversight, safeguarding and the hidden cost of chasing professional contracts.