FOOTBALL

Jones Lights Up Wembley as Notts County Win Promotion

Jodi Jones, Notts County, Salford City
25 May 2026

Jodi Jones inspired Notts County to League One promotion with a standout Wembley display against Salford City. The winger helped create two first-half goals and scored the third in a 3-0 play-off final victory that ended an 11-year third-tier wait.

Jones’ performance capped a long comeback after three ACL operations and years without regular league starts. He now has two promotions with Notts, while Salford’s high-profile owners watched their side miss another step up at Wembley.

Conceicao Set to Leave Al-Ittihad After Title Miss

Sergio Conceicao, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr
25 May 2026

Sergio Conceicao is reportedly set to leave Al-Ittihad by mutual consent after losing the Saudi Pro League title race to Al-Nassr. The former Porto coach still had one year left on his deal, but talks now point to an exit.

Al-Ittihad expected Conceicao to restore control and consistency, but the title challenge faded during the decisive stretch. Reports say both sides agreed to separate, with an official announcement expected soon as the club prepares a reset.

Milan Sack Allegri and Clear Out Sporting Leadership

AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri, RedBird Capital
25 May 2026

AC Milan sacked Massimiliano Allegri after missing Champions League qualification for the second straight season. The club also removed chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a wider leadership clear-out.

Milan dropped from third to fifth after a final-day defeat by Cagliari, which RedBird called an unequivocal failure. The owners said the collapse demanded change, triggering a full reorganisation of football operations before next season.

Davies Set to Miss Canada’s World Cup Opener

Alphonso Davies, Canada, Jesse Marsch, Bayern Munich
25 May 2026

Alphonso Davies is expected to miss Canada’s opening World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina because of a hamstring injury. Jesse Marsch still believes the Bayern Munich full-back will play a part later in the tournament after joining camp.

Davies was hurt during Bayern’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain and has endured an injury-hit season. Canada invited him to camp, but Marsch said he is unlikely to be ready for the 12 June opener.

McLeish Wants St Mirren Job After Survival Escape

Craig McLeish, St Mirren, Partick Thistle
25 May 2026

Craig McLeish wants to stay as St Mirren manager after guiding the club to Scottish Premiership survival. Marcus Fraser’s goal sealed a 2-1 aggregate play-off win over Partick Thistle after a turbulent league campaign.

McLeish was promoted from the youth setup after Stephen Robinson left for Aberdeen and inherited a side sliding toward relegation. He admitted talks will follow, while senior players said a full pre-season could help him.

Spain Name World Cup Squad With No Real Madrid Players

Spain, Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid, Lamine Yamal
25 May 2026

Spain named their 26-man World Cup squad without a single Real Madrid player for the first time in the country’s tournament history. Lamine Yamal was included, while Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal missed out on selection.

Luis de la Fuente selected eight Barcelona players and said club origin did not influence his choices. Madrid’s Spanish core has struggled this season, while Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several Premier League clubs supplied key names.

Shaw Makes City U-Turn With New Deal Until 2030

Khadija Shaw, Manchester City, Chelsea
25 May 2026

Khadija Shaw signed a new four-year Manchester City contract until 2030, reversing expectations that she would leave the Women’s Super League champions. Chelsea had been favourites after renewal talks broke down, but Shaw announced her stay during City’s celebrations.

The striker had just finished as WSL top scorer for a third straight season and won major individual awards. City pushed late to keep their record scorer, with Shaw saying the club still felt like home.

James and Diaz Lead Colombia’s World Cup Squad

James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Colombia
25 May 2026

James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz were named in Colombia’s final World Cup squad as the team returns to the tournament after missing 2022. Daniel Munoz, Jefferson Lerma and David Ospina were also included in Nestor Lorenzo’s group.

Rodriguez made the squad despite limited minutes at Minnesota United and a March illness scare. Colombia will prepare with friendlies against Costa Rica and Jordan before facing Uzbekistan, DR Congo and Portugal in Group K.

FIFA Faces U.S. Legal Threat Over Iran Flag Ban

FIFA, Institute for Voices of Liberty, Iran
25 May 2026

FIFA has been threatened with legal action in the United States over reported plans to ban the pre-revolutionary Iran flag at World Cup venues. The Institute for Voices of Liberty has demanded written assurances from football’s governing body.

The group argues the flag is protected symbolic speech in California and the wider United States. FIFA’s venue guidance reportedly treats the flag as political, while Iran’s federation has pushed for respect of its official national flag.

Ronaldo Card Sells for Record $1.35m

Cristiano Ronaldo, Fanatics Collect, Panini
24 May 2026

A rare Cristiano Ronaldo 1-of-1 Panini Kaboom trading card has sold privately for $1.35 million. The sale set a new record for a Ronaldo card and became one of football’s biggest memorabilia transactions.

The 2018 card shows Ronaldo during his Juventus spell and was sold through Fanatics Collect. It ranks behind a $1.5 million Lionel Messi rookie card but above a $1.33 million Pele rookie card.