FIFA, national teams and domestic clubs
Late September to early October

FIFA’s calendar will now include a three-week international break across late September and early October, with countries playing four matches instead of two. The change replaces the usual September and October two-week windows.

FIFA approved the move after discussions on player welfare, travel reduction and the late 2026 World Cup final. The change also gives domestic leagues an extra week of club football later in the calendar.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and CAF
Tuesday

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations. The Niger Football Federation said CAF has approved the trio’s expression of interest.

The three Alliance of Sahel States countries are the first declared candidates for the 2032 edition. Their bid would bring Africa’s biggest football tournament to a new collective host group if successful.

CAF, Morocco and 16 African women’s teams
From Sunday, 26 July

The delayed 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will now begin on 26 July in Morocco after a late CAF schedule change. The tournament was originally scheduled for March but was postponed just 12 days before kick-off.

The expanded 16-team event will run until 16 August and double as World Cup qualifying. All four semi-finalists will reach the 2027 tournament in Brazil, while losing quarter-finalists enter an intercontinental play-off route.

Spain and Luis de la Fuente
After Sunday’s World Cup final

Spain set an all-time international football unbeaten record after beating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final. La Roja extended their run to 38 matches without defeat, surpassing Italy’s previous mark of 37.

Spain’s streak began after a friendly defeat to Colombia in early 2024 and now includes Euro 2024 and World Cup triumphs. Their final win also made them the first World Cup winners to concede only once.

Hearts, Fenerbahce, Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz
Monday

Hearts will face Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze in Champions League qualifying if they beat Sturm Graz. The third-round ties are scheduled for 4 or 5 August and 11 or 12 August.

The draw also mapped possible routes for Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian in European qualifying. Hearts last played Champions League qualifiers in 2006-07, making this route a significant early-season test for the Edinburgh club.

Kylian Mbappe, France and Lionel Messi
After the World Cup final

Kylian Mbappe officially won the World Cup Golden Boot after Messi failed to score in Argentina’s final defeat. Mbappe finished with 10 goals, becoming the first player since Gerd Muller in 1970 to hit double figures.

Mbappe moved ahead by scoring twice in France’s 6-4 bronze-match defeat by England. He also became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, one ahead of Messi, sealing another historic individual tournament.

Rodri, Spain, Unai Simon and Pau Cubarsi
After Sunday’s World Cup final

Rodri won the World Cup Golden Ball after captaining Spain to the title. Unai Simon claimed the Golden Glove, while 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi won the Young Player Award after playing every minute of the tournament.

Rodri started all eight Spain matches and controlled their midfield as they conceded just once all tournament. Simon kept a record six clean sheets, while Cubarsi formed a dominant partnership with Aymeric Laporte in Spain’s defence.

USWNT, Spain and U.S. Soccer
Monday

The United States women’s national team will host world No. 1 Spain in two October friendlies. The matches are scheduled for 10 October at Audi Field and 13 October at Subaru Park before USWNT begin World Cup qualifying.

Emma Hayes called the fixtures perfect tests before qualifying, with Spain available after securing direct entry to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The meetings give the Olympic champions two rare matches against the current world champions.

Austria, Algeria, Iran, Riyad Mahrez and Sasa Kalajdzic.
In the final Group J World Cup match in Kansas City.

Austria and Algeria drew 3-3 in a dramatic finale that sent both teams into the knockout stage and eliminated Iran. Mahrez appeared to have won it for Algeria late, before Kalajdzic equalised almost immediately for Austria.

Austria finished second and will face Spain, while Algeria advanced as a third-placed team to meet Switzerland. Iran would have gone through if either side had won, making Kalajdzic’s stoppage-time header the decisive blow.

Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Vozinha and Argentina.
After Cape Verde’s final Group H match in Houston.

Cape Verde became the smallest nation by population to reach the men’s World Cup knockout stage after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. The debutants finished second in Group H, unbeaten, and will face defending champions Argentina in Miami.

Vozinha made key saves again as Cape Verde held firm, then Spain’s win over Uruguay confirmed their passage. Coach Bubista said the island nation had shown the world that a small country can still fight for huge goals.