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England players during a 2026 World Cup match in the United States

National teamsRules & refereeing4 September 2026

FA to interview England players as part of World Cup review

The Football Association has launched its review of England's 2026 World Cup campaign and will hear directly from the players who took part in the tournament. The governing body has already begun the standard post-tournament process, with Thomas Tuchel and his staff involved in early sessions at St George's Park. The permanent Kansas City base and its impact on travel will also be examined.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read

Carlos Queiroz watches the pitch during a Ghana national team match at the World Cup.

National teams3 September 2026

Carlos Queiroz returns as head coach of Ghana national team

Carlos Queiroz has been confirmed once again as head coach of Ghana's men's national team, two months after his apparent farewell following the World Cup. The Ghana Football Association is betting on his experience to start a new era with the Black Stars.

varela·5 min read

Carlos Queiroz watches from the touchline during a Ghana national team match at the World Cup.

National teams3 September 2026

Carlos Queiroz returns as Ghana head coach two months after stepping down

Carlos Queiroz has been reappointed as Ghana head coach just two months after leaving the role following the team's World Cup elimination. The 73-year-old guided the Black Stars to the round of 32, where they lost to Colombia. Ghana's football federation believes his experience is key for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Natilla·4 min read

Lionel Messi wearing the number 10 Argentina national team shirt waves to fans in a stadium during an international match.

National teamsAwards3 September 2026

Argentine league to stop matches in 10th minute to honour Messi

Argentina's top flight will pause every match in the 10th minute this weekend to applaud Lionel Messi after his decision to retire from international football. The Argentine Football Association confirmed that referees will stop play for a one-minute ovation. The tribute honours the captain who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles.

varela·6 min read

Argentine fans with blue and white flags applaud in a stadium as a giant screen shows an image of Lionel Messi wearing the national team jersey.

National teamsEuros3 September 2026

AFA to Honor Messi with a Minute of Applause in Every Stadium Across Argentina

The Argentine Football Association will pay tribute to Lionel Messi with a minute of applause in every stadium hosting official matches across the country this weekend. The gesture follows the captain's announcement on Monday that he is retiring from international football at 39. The tribute covers men's and women's eleven-a-side football, futsal and beach soccer.

Natilla·5 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wearing the captain's armband for the Gabon national team during an international match.

National teamsTransfers2 September 2026

Aubameyang retires from Gabon national team after feeling humiliated: captain of the Panthers steps away

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, captain and all-time leading scorer for Gabon, announced his retirement from the national team on Tuesday. The forward said he felt humiliated by his exclusion and later reinstatement after Gabon's early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His departure leaves the Panthers without their main reference ahead of the next AFCON qualifiers.

Matt

·5 min read

Leandro Paredes, Boca Juniors midfielder, looks at the ball during a match with the Argentina national team.

National teams2 September 2026

Leandro Paredes questions his Argentina future after 10-match FIFA ban

Leandro Paredes says staying with the Argentina national team is going to be difficult after his 10-match FIFA suspension. The 32-year-old Boca Juniors midfielder also points to Lionel Messi's international retirement as a key factor and admits he has not yet spoken with head coach Lionel Scaloni about his decision.

Matt

·4 min read

Argentina number 10 Messi jersey hanging in an empty locker room, symbolizing his international retirement.

National teamsWorld Cup1 September 2026

Messi announces Argentina retirement and the nation says goodbye with tears and gratitude

Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football through a handwritten letter shared on Instagram. The decision comes after the 2026 World Cup and has sparked an outpouring of tributes, gratitude and nostalgia across Argentina. Teammates, fans, journalists and artists bid farewell to the captain who brought the World Cup home in 2022.

Matt

·6 min read

Scott McTominay playing for Napoli in a Serie A match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

National teamsSerie A1 September 2026

Scott McTominay to Undergo Minor Heart Surgery and Miss Scotland Matches

The Napoli midfielder will go under the knife to correct a benign cardiac arrhythmia. The Italian club confirmed that the Scotland international will be sidelined for several weeks, ruling him out of the first fixtures under new national team coach Sebastien Pocognoli and the Champions League opener against Arsenal.

varela·5 min read

Lionel Messi celebrates a goal in Argentina's shirt in front of a packed stand full of white and sky blue flags.

National teamsAwards1 September 2026

Beckham and Mourinho lead tributes as Messi retires from Argentina duty

David Beckham and Jose Mourinho are among the first major figures to pay tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain announced his retirement from international football at 39. Messi leaves the national team with 125 goals in 207 games, a World Cup title in 2022 and two Copa America trophies. Former teammates Angel Di Maria, Cristian Romero and Enzo Fernandez also shared farewell messages.

Javi

·5 min read