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World Football
Argentina Turn Messi’s Final Match Into a 12-Hour Farewell
Lionel Messi faces Benin for the final time tonight, with Argentina turning an October friendly into an all-day goodbye to their captain.
Latest from Touchline
Latest News & Analysis
The newest Touchline Sport reporting and analysis, in one place. League of Ireland news sits alongside tactics, club strategy, recruitment and the business behind football.
Irish Football
Greg Bolger to Retire After Almost 20 Years in League of Ireland
The 38-year-old will finish his career at Turner’s Cross on Friday, nearly 20 years after making his League of Ireland debut against Cork City.
World Football
Saudi Arabia’s $2.5bn NEOM World Cup Stadium Put on Hold
The 46,000-seat stadium inside The Line was one of the standout venues included in Saudi Arabia’s successful 2034 World Cup bid.
Irish Football
Athlone Town Women’s Rise to Be Captured in New Documentary Series
The Town will follow Ireland’s three-in-a-row champions through European football, managerial change and the part-time reality behind their success.
World Football
Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves Portugal Camp After Jorge Jesus Row
The 41-year-old has walked out of Portugal’s camp after being left unused against Norway, with his role under Jorge Jesus suddenly looking far less certain.
Irish Football
FAI to Defend Israel Fixture Decision Before Oireachtas Committee
David Courell faces questions over Gavin Bazunu, the player vote and how the FAI handled an extraordinary week around the Ireland squad.
World Football
Nasser Al-Khelaifi Wants to Take Europe's Club Power Model Global
World Football Clubs is only a proposal for now, but EFC's rise in Europe gives a good idea of the ambition behind it.
World Football
FIFA Accuses UEFA of ‘Misinformation Campaign’ as Investment Row Reaches Court
UEFA is seeking evidence for a potential Swiss criminal complaint as FIFA’s abandoned private-investment plan continues to cause problems months after its collapse.
World Football
Sheffield United’s £11m Loan Adds New Twist to Ownership Dispute
The company used to buy Sheffield United has been wound up. The club’s accounts show it was also owed £11m by the Blades.
World Football
Roma’s New €1bn Pietralata Stadium Gets Final Approval
The 60,605-seat stadium could give Roma something they have spent decades without: a home built around the club.
World Football
Bari Face €11.1m Fight for Future as €250m Stadium Plan Lands
Filmauro has committed fresh capital before a crucial court hearing, while a €250m proposal has emerged to transform Bari’s famous San Nicola.
Irish Football
Racism Allegation and Referee Response Overshadow Ireland-Israel Win
Apparent monkey chants towards Adam Idah were reported from the Israeli support, but Jayson Molumby's attempt to alert officials brought no intervention.
Irish Football · Academy
The Club With No First Team and 240 Internationals
From Real Betis and Atlético Madrid to a World Cup meeting with Messi, the tales of a schoolboy club with a big history.
Irish Football
Gavin Bazunu Explains Why He Withdrew From Ireland-Israel Games
The Ireland goalkeeper has spoken publicly after a remarkable day in Debrecen ended with the squad voting to fulfil Sunday’s Nations League fixture.
World Football
Manchester City Reportedly Found Guilty on 114 of 115 Charges
The reported verdict covers financial reporting, sponsorship, payments and cooperation, but Manchester City’s punishment has not yet been decided.
World Football
£1.8bn, the Carabao Cup and 3pm Blackout: Inside the Premier League's EFL Offer
The Premier League is offering considerably more money to the EFL, but changes to spending rules, the Carabao Cup and 3pm blackout come with it.
Irish Football
Sligo Rovers Members Back Restructure That Could Bring Private Investment
The Showgrounds will remain in member hands, while a new football company could eventually allow Sligo Rovers to bring in outside investment.
World Football
David Alaba Joins Udinese Until 2027 After Real Madrid Exit
The four-time Champions League winner insists he is not winding down as Udinese add vast experience to Kosta Runjaic’s defence.
World Football
Hibs Appoint Marink Reedijk After Unbeaten Belgian Title Season
The 35-year-old arrives at Easter Road after winning 28 of 32 league games with SK Beveren without losing once.
World Football
Why Andy Burnham Wants Football’s 41-Year Alcohol Ban Reviewed
From WSL trials to policing concerns and club revenue, the case for changing one of English football’s longest-standing matchday rules is back on the table.
World Football
Christian Eriksen Leaves Wolfsburg After Contract Terminated Early
The Denmark international will continue his rehabilitation closer to his family after bringing his eventful spell in Germany to an early end.
World Football
Enzo Le Fée Signs New Sunderland Contract Until 2031
The French midfielder arrived for a Championship promotion push. Twenty months later, he is scoring European winners and staying until 2031.
World Football
Valencia Appoint Javier Aguirre After Early-Season Collapse
The experienced Mexican takes over with Valencia 19th as Braulio Vázquez returns to rebuild the club’s football operation.
World Football
Cristiano Ronaldo Considered Portugal Retirement After World Cup
The 41-year-old thought about stopping this summer but has decided to continue, with career goal number 1,000 now 21 away.
World Football
Harry Kane Considers MLS and NFL Double Act for Later Career
The Bayern Munich striker says becoming an NFL kicker is something he wants to seriously explore, potentially while finishing his football career in Major League Soccer.
Irish Football
Sligo Rovers Members Vote on Private Investment Restructure
The proposal could open the football operation to outside money while keeping the Showgrounds and majority control with members.
Culture
Do National Football Styles Still Exist?
Brazil had joga bonito, Italy had catenaccio and the Netherlands had Total Football. So what happened to football’s great national styles?
World Football
Manchester United Post Record £677.6m Revenue Despite £43m Loss
United made more money than ever without European football, while lower costs, higher finance charges and £63.5m of stadium land shaped the year.
World
Cherries Picking: How Bournemouth Keep Finding Football’s Best Value
Bournemouth have gone from Steve Cook and a 17-point deduction to developing players for Real Madrid, Liverpool and PSG. It has been some upgrade.
Irish Football
Shamrock Rovers Teen Jayden Marshall Signs Three-Year Como Deal
The 16-year-old centre-back has joined the Serie A club after a rapid rise through Shamrock Rovers and the Republic of Ireland underage setup.
World Football
Mikel Arteta Agrees New Arsenal Contract After Premier League Title
The Arsenal manager has agreed improved terms after ending a 22-year title wait and taking the club back to a Champions League final.
World Football
Borussia Mönchengladbach Appoint Alexander Blessin Until 2028
The former St Pauli coach takes over with Gladbach bottom of the Bundesliga after the worst start in the club’s history.
Irish Football
Stephen Bradley Emerges as Leading Candidate for Hibernian Job
The Shamrock Rovers boss is firmly in the running to replace David Gray, with his record developing young players helping bring him onto Hibs’ radar.
World Football
German FA President Calls Infantino FIFA Reform Offer a ‘Ploy’
Bernd Neuendorf says FIFA needs reform after the collapse of its private-investment plan, but Gianni Infantino should not be leading it.
Irish Football
Kerry County Council Seeks FAI-IFA Talks on All-Ireland Team
More than a century after Irish football split in two, Kerry councillors want the FAI and IFA discussing whether it still has to stay that way.
Irish Football
Bohemians to Save Up to €400k by Staying at Dalymount Until May 2027
Four extra months in Phibsborough will protect matchday income before Bohs begin a complicated spell across several temporary grounds.
World Football
Daniel Levy’s $1bn Tottenham Stake Deal Stalls Over Payment
The former Spurs chairman is still waiting to complete his ENIC exit while the Lewis family continue putting fresh money into Tottenham.
World Football
Wrexham Exchange Contracts to Buy Historic Turf Pub
The deal would bring Wrexham AFC, the Racecourse Ground and the pub where the club was founded under common ownership.
Irish Football
160+ Irish Athletes Urge Ireland Players to Boycott Israel Games
The Stop The Game campaign has appealed directly to Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad with Ireland’s first meeting with Israel six days away.
Irish Football
Brian Sørensen Confirmed as Republic of Ireland WNT Assistant
The former Everton manager joins Carla Ward before the World Cup play-offs, with Ireland four matches away from Brazil 2027.
World Football
Spain Extend Luis de la Fuente Contract Until 2032
Spain have handed their World Cup-winning coach another six years after a relationship with the national-team system stretching back to 2013.
Irish Football
Home Farm DCU: Could One of Irish Football’s Great Names Be Back?
Home Farm DCU have started fast in the National League. Could the League of Ireland be next?
Irish Football
Ireland Midfield Injuries Could Open Door for Late LOI Call-Up
Bosun Lawal, Jamie McGrath and Harvey Vale are all fitness concerns before Kosovo, with Heimir Hallgrímsson already familiar with several domestic options.
World Football
Legia Warsaw Owner Nears Reported €50m Sale of 40% Stake
An American investor could take a major minority stake in Legia, with financial stability reportedly ahead of any spending spree.
Irish Football
Hallgrímsson Questions UEFA as Ireland Strips Back Israel Fixtures
Ireland’s manager has questioned why Russia remains suspended as the FAI and RTÉ remove much of the usual machinery around the Israel games.
World Football
Barcelona Members Approve €510m as Camp Nou Bill Keeps Growing
Barça will borrow another €300m for Spotify Camp Nou and raise €210m against future La Liga and UEFA media income.
World Football
Court Blocks Corinthians Statute Vote Before 2026 Election
Members were due to vote on electoral rules and expanded voting rights before the courts intervened for a fourth time.
Irish Football
Alan Reynolds Questions Dawson Devoy Ireland Omission After Bohs Winner
The Bohemians captain struck in the 90th minute against Drogheda after being left out of Ireland’s latest squad.
Irish Football
Bohemians to Remain at Dalymount Park Until May 2027
Bohs will stay in Phibsborough into next season as part of a phased redevelopment designed to cut the cost of their time away.
Irish Football
Ireland U19 Squad Features Bologna, Hoffenheim and Strong LOI Core
Noel Hunt’s latest Ireland squad stretches from Dublin to Bologna, but League of Ireland academies have helped produce many of the players now moving abroad.
World
Lionel Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal in Campeones Cup Win
The 39-year-old reached 100 goals in 115 appearances as Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0, the same side he scored his first Miami goal against in 2023.
Football Club Strategy
Clearlake Takes Full Control of Chelsea as Todd Boehly Exits
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are selling their stakes for a reported £950m, leaving Clearlake in charge with Chelsea’s stadium question still unresolved.
Touchline Tactics
Inside Stephen Bradley’s Successful Shamrock Rovers
Bradley’s Rovers dominate the ball, move the spare man and make opponents rethink their shape.
Irish Football
Markuss Strods Earns First Latvia Call-Up as Ireland Question Emerges
The Bohemians winger has been named in Latvia’s senior squad after a breakthrough season at Dalymount, with Alan Reynolds flagging possible Ireland interest.
Irish Football
Liam Kitching Earns First Ireland Call-Up as Rocco Vata Returns
Nathan Collins and Séamus Coleman are absent as Heimir Hallgrímsson names a changing Ireland squad for four Nations League games in 11 days.
World
JJ Gabriel Left Out by Man Utd After Exit Request
The 15-year-old had been lined up to make Manchester United history. Six days after a Youth League hat-trick, he wasn’t even in the squad.
World
Inter’s Dario Baccin Outlines Recruitment Plan After Piero Ausilio Exit
Inter’s new sporting chief wants to retain the club’s Italian core while continuing the younger recruitment model already taking shape under Oaktree.
Irish Football
Shelbourne Confirm Keith Long as New Academy Director
The former Bohemians and Waterford manager will oversee a Shelbourne academy that has already undergone major investment in facilities and staffing.
World
Newcastle United: Why PIF Wealth Hasn’t Led To Unlimited Transfer Spending
PIF gave Newcastle access to extraordinary wealth. Five years later, the strange part is that Newcastle still have to earn enough money to spend it.
Irish Football
Céadach O’Neill Named in Northern Ireland Squad Amid Republic Interest
The Arsenal teenager and Everton’s Braiden Graham are both in Michael O’Neill’s Nations League squad as the FAI monitor their international futures.
Ireland
James Abankwah Scores First Serie A Goal for Udinese Against Inter
The Republic of Ireland defender headed Udinese in front at San Siro as his strong return to Serie A continued.
League of Ireland
Michael Noonan Set for Nottingham Forest Move From Shamrock Rovers
The 18-year-old could leave for compensation just months after Rovers accepted a €1.8 million bid from Hoffenheim.
League of Ireland
Sligo Rovers: Can Fan Ownership Still Compete?
The Bit O’Red have the history, the support and the structure. What they may not have is the same access to capital as everyone else.
Republic of Ireland
Liam Delap Leaves Door Open to Republic of Ireland Switch
Nottingham Forest striker tells Shay Given “I don’t know” when asked about playing for Ireland after scoring his first goal for the club.
League of Ireland
FAI Opens Investigation Into Shamrock Rovers Over Noonan Transfers
FIFA referred agency agreements involving Michael and Alex Noonan back to the FAI for examination under third-party ownership rules.
League of Ireland
St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Shamrock Rovers: Ryan Sheridan Shines at 17
Stephen Kenny’s side cut the Premier Division gap to three points as Sheridan impressed on his first league start.
Touchline Tactics
Inside Cesc Fàbregas’ Como Game Model
How Como bait the press, manufacture the free player and use possession to keep asking defenders questions they don’t really want to answer.
World
Chelsea’s Transfer Machine: Will The New Model Finally Work In 2026?
Chelsea are still buying and selling at a ridiculous rate. In 2026, the question is whether all that churn is finally building a proper team.
Ireland
Braywatch: The Seaside Club Bringing Young Talent Back to Life
Bray were once a proper Premier Division nuisance. Their route back now runs through teenagers, second chances and a ground where young players are trusted early.
Everything Else
Football Needs More Boredom
Why the modern game is addicted to instant reaction, hot takes and permanent crisis
World
Who Are Sabah FK? Meet Manchester United’s Champions League Wildcard
They were founded in 2017, have already dethroned Qarabağ and scored more goals than anyone in Champions League qualifying. Now Old Trafford is next.
Ireland
Grow Your Own: Why LOI Clubs Must Back The Academy
The League of Ireland is finally making serious money from young players. If that’s where the game is heading, why aren’t more clubs spending now to produce the next Mason Melia?
World
Aldershot Town's Complete Rebuild: 21 Signings, 25 Departures
Most clubs call five or six new players a rebuild. Scott Davies arrived at Aldershot Town and found himself replacing practically everyone except the ground keeper.