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Champions LeagueRules & refereeing26 August 2026

Champions League 2026-27 draw: pots, format, rules and how the 36-team league phase works

The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League keeps the 36-team single-league format introduced two seasons ago, with eight matchdays per club. The league phase draw takes place on Thursday 27 August at 18:00 CET using a hybrid system of manual balls and computer software. Each team plays four home and four away games against two opponents from every pot.

Javi

·5 min read

Kylian Mbappé celebrates one of his three goals against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu.

LaLigaReal Madrid26 August 2026

Mbappé hat-trick sinks Real Sociedad as Mourinho returns to winning ways at the Bernabéu

Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, in their first home game since José Mourinho returned as head coach. The French forward put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute, but Luka Sucic levelled shortly after. After the break, the hosts ran away with it thanks to two more goals from Mbappé and one from Vinícius Júnior.

Javi

·6 min read

The Carabao Cup trophy placed on a podium on the pitch with stadium floodlights glowing in the background.

Premier LeagueEuropa League26 August 2026

Liverpool to host Tottenham in third round of Carabao Cup

The third round draw of the Carabao Cup has paired Liverpool with Tottenham in the standout tie of the stage. Teams competing in European competitions enter at this point, with matches scheduled across the weeks of 7 and 14 September. Holders Manchester City will face Norwich, while Manchester United take on Brighton.

Matt

·5 min read

Adama Traoré poses with the Deportivo de La Coruña shirt after signing his contract until 2028.

Transfers26 August 2026

Adama Traoré signs for Deportivo through 2028

Deportivo de La Coruña confirmed on Wednesday the signing of Adama Traoré, a 30-year-old winger who has agreed to a two-year deal running until June 2028. The Spanish forward arrives with extensive Premier League experience and will reunite with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, his former Barcelona teammate. The move strengthens Deportivo's project with a proven international profile.

varela·5 min read

Ollie Watkins celebrating a goal in an Aston Villa shirt during a Premier League match.

TransfersPremier League26 August 2026

Al-Hilal agree £50m deal with Aston Villa for striker Ollie Watkins

Saudi side Al-Hilal have reached an agreement worth around £50m with Aston Villa for England forward Ollie Watkins, aged 30. Chelsea are considering Bournemouth's Alex Scott as a replacement if Enzo Fernández leaves, while Sunderland have made a loan offer for Manchester City's Jack Grealish.

Natilla·5 min read

Kylian Mbappé celebrates one of his three goals against Real Sociedad in a LaLiga EA Sports match.

LaLigaFC Barcelona26 August 2026

LaLiga 2026-27 Pichichi: Mbappé takes lead with hat-trick vs Real Sociedad

Kylian Mbappé has moved to the top of the LaLiga 2026-27 Pichichi standings after scoring a hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the second round of fixtures. The French forward, who failed to score on the opening matchday, now overtakes Aubameyang, Raphinha, Fermín, Mariano and Roberto Fernández, all level on two goals. Mbappé is chasing the top scorer award for the third consecutive season.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaking during an official event at a football stadium.

World CupRules & refereeing26 August 2026

UEFA keeps up push to oust Infantino despite dropping FIFA boycott

UEFA dropped its threat to boycott FIFA competitions on Wednesday but will keep working to remove Gianni Infantino as president. The 55 European member associations will receive a letter on Thursday confirming that the Fifa Forward Enterprise project will not be revived.

InfoBlaugrana

·6 min read

Dejected Celtic players on the pitch after the 5-1 defeat to LASK that eliminated them from the Champions League in Austria.

Champions League26 August 2026

Celtic suffer historic collapse: LASK overturn 4-0 deficit to knock them out of Champions League

Celtic endured a nightmare night in Austria. Despite carrying a 4-0 aggregate lead from the first leg, they lost 5-1 to LASK and crashed out of the Champions League play-off 5-4 on aggregate, missing the main draw for a second straight season.

Matt

·5 min read

Julian Alvarez warms up on the touchline in an Atletico Madrid shirt as fans at the Metropolitano react from the stands.

Atlético MadridFC Barcelona26 August 2026

Atletico Madrid tell Barcelona there is '0% chance' of signing Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid have hit back at Barcelona once again over Julian Alvarez. After Joan Laporta repeated the club's interest in the forward, Atletico insist there is no possibility of selling the Argentina international to the Catalan side. The row between the two boards is escalating with the transfer deadline just days away.

varela·6 min read

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during a Premier League match.

ChelseaTransfers26 August 2026

Chelsea in talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez

Chelsea have been offered the chance to add Emiliano Martinez to their squad after the Argentine's representatives approached the London club. Aston Villa are ready to move on the World Cup winner following the arrival of Japan international Zion Suzuki, who is seen as their long-term first choice. The interest has grown after Robert Sanchez's costly error in the win over Fulham.

Matt

·6 min read