South African football news

Midfielder has risen from the bench to come up with the decisive goal in past two games – Spain’s first World Cup knockout victories since they won the tournament in 2010 “I look behind me and I see Mikel Merino and I think: ‘I’m calm as can be,’” Luis de la Fuente said when at last the heart rates had returned to n…

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Swirl around Fifa’s machinations and about big team and big name bias creates doubt – and that’s a dangerous game About 25 years ago, I was in the office of a sports newspaper in Bucharest on a Saturday afternoon following the Premier League games with some local journalists. With about five minutes to go, Chelsea t…

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Former Liverpool manager to replace Julian Nagelsmann Germany lost to Paraguay in last 32 of the World Cup Jürgen Klopp has “reached an agreement on the key points” to become the next Germany head coach, the German football association (DFB) has said. The 59-year-old is expected to sign a contract until 2030 to succ…

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Bates oversaw eventful 21-year period in club’s history Subsequent ownership of Leeds was hugely troubled Ken Bates, one of the most colourful and controversial figures in the history of English football, has died aged 94, Chelsea have announced. The club reported on Saturday afternoon that Bates had died peacefully…

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South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams dies at the age of 25, just weeks after featuring for his country at the World Cup.

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Adams played in South Africa’s World Cup group games Midfielder played for Mamelodi Sundowns Jayden Adams, who played in South Africa’s three group games at the World Cup, has died aged 25. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder started the tournament opener, a 2-0 defeat by Mexico, and the 1-1 draw with Czechia, being su…

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Former Chelsea and Leeds United owner Ken Bates has died aged 94, Chelsea announced on Saturday.

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Alejandro Garnacho has not yet joined up with Chelsea for pre-season as the club actively look to sell the winger.

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Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Look at it up there on the hill, shining in the sunlight, an almost imperceptible aura of melancholia surrounding it like a halo. Look at the ornate carvings, the faces etched across its flanks. There’s Davor Suker! Preben Elkjær! Ferenc Puskas! Is that … it is! It…

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Packed stadiums, record TV viewers, and an outlet for joyous multiculturalism under attack by Trump – the tournament has taken the US by storm There were plenty of reasons to believe the US hosting the World Cup would be a disaster. In the year and a half leading up to the kick-off, Donald Trump had threatened to an…

Footballers are known for their eclectic matchday rituals: Lionel Messi likes to drink maté with teammate Rodrigo De Paul at exactly 9.30am, while Harry Kane always dons the left side of his kit first. These candid photos show the 2026 World Cup’s elite players finalising their mental and physical preparations Conti…

Lionel Messi keeps rewriting World Cup history, but after his latest miss from the spot, should Argentina hand penalty duties to someone else?

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England captain Harry Kane says he once played golf with United States President Donald Trump, describing the experience as "surreal".

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Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , John Brewin and Nicky Bandini as Spain win it late on against Belgium and to preview England v Norway. Continue reading...

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Midfielder Cammy Devlin says it is "an absolute honour and privilege" to join Rangers under freedom of contract after leaving Hearts.

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Will you get today's player in as few attempts as possible?

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Manchester United's pre-season schedule begins before the World Cup final. Which so many senior players still missing, who are the youngsters who could impress?

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Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel charts Jude Bellingham's remarkable resurgence with England at the World Cup.

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⚽ All the latest updates as the quarter-finals continue ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email us The brilliant Cold War Steve is back with the latest of his special World Cup 2026-themed collages. Look closely! More from Thomas Tuchel. Seize the day is his message. Continue reading...

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Could Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi be returning to Celtic? Elsewhere, Rangers are reportedly closing in on Cammy Devlin after his Hearts exit.

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When the World Cup ends we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new football season.