South African football news

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says the upcoming friendlies against Guinea and France provides an opportunity to "improve our possession-based football".

• FRA

Kei Kamara went from child refugee to a 20-year professional football career

• ENG

Wales and Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams has enjoyed the demands of a marathon season but is looking forward to a well-earned break.

• NOT

John McGinn packed an European plug adaptor. Lyndon Dykes follows Ryan Christie around like a dog. Liam Kelly shaves Grant Hanley's back. Often.

• SCO

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is poised to make his England debut in the forthcoming World Cup warm-up games in the United States.

• BOU
• ENG

Laura Hughes hopes to make a mark with Wales in Women's World Cup qualifying after a memorable season at club level.

• ENG

Former England defender and current pundit Micah Richards looks at some of the most memorable World Cup moments.

• ENG

BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team explains the deadlines by which teams must name their final squads for the 2026 World Cup

• SCO

England will seal a place at next summer's World Cup if they avoid defeat against Spain on Friday, but who else can secure a spot in Brazil?

• ENG
• BRA
• SPA

BBC Sport NI looks at the possible outcomes heading into the final round of fixtures.

• BRI

An eagle, a moose and a jaguar are mascots at the FIFA 2026 World Cup - how well do you remember previous World Cup mascots?

Rangers and Celtic are both interested in the same Danish midfielder, as Stephen Welsh heads for Parkhead exit in Wednesday's Scottish gossip column.

• RAN
• CEL

Aston Villa forward Kirsty Hanson is set to join Tottenham following an impressive season in the Women's Super League.

• TOT
• AST

BBC Sport visits Egypt to discover what Mohamed Salah means to the people of the football-mad country, and how a small boy from humble beginnings became a national icon.

• EGY

A look at the common attributes of World Cup Golden Boot winners and the claims of the leading 2026 candidates examined.

• CEL

The story of how Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo became the rivalry that transformed football and defined a generation.

• LIV

The Oranje had high hopes but a spate of injuries has tempered expectations This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the…

• NET

Personal terms agreed on contract until 2030 Tchouaméni and Wharton among other targets Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Éderson for an initial €40.5m (£35m), with the midfielder set to be the first signing of Michael Carrick’s tenure as the permanent manager. As reported in April ,…

• MUN
• ATA

Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder Ederson is set to become Michael Carrick's first signing after Manchester United agreed a £35m deal for the 26-year-old

• MUN
• ATA

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy believes Lewis Koumas' international future will be as a centre-forward.

• CEL

Salford City manager Karl Robinson is sacked by the League Two club nine days after their play-off final defeat.

• SCO