England has reappointed Joe Root as the captain of their Test cricket team and hired Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand player, as the new head coach. Root will lead the team in an upcoming series against Pakistan, while Fleming will officially start coaching after that series.
Key Facts
Joe Root is England’s top run scorer in Test cricket and has captained the team 64 times before.
Root returns as captain after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket last month.
Stephen Fleming, former New Zealand captain and ex-coach of the IPL team Chennai Super Kings, is the new head coach.
Fleming replaces Brendon McCullum, who remains coach of England’s white-ball cricket teams.
Root led the team in a Test match this summer when Stokes was unavailable.
Fleming is excited to work with Root and help build a strong team environment.
Fleming will start officially after the Test series against Pakistan; Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach until then.
England’s team is in a rebuilding phase due to recent poor results and off-field issues that led to McCullum’s departure from the Test coaching role.
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Scottish athlete Melanie Woods won the women’s 1500m T54 race at the Commonwealth Games but must race again after officials decided to replay the event following protests and an appeal. The original race had a crash, and several teams questioned the results. The medals will be awarded after the rerun on Friday.
Key Facts
Melanie Woods won the women’s 1500m T54 race and set a new Games record.
The race had a crash during the first lap involving multiple athletes.
Canada’s Nandini Sharma was disqualified for involvement in the crash, and their appeal was rejected.
Australia and Mauritius protested the results, leading to the decision to rerun the race.
The Commonwealth Games Para-athletics authorities ordered the race to be replayed, not the event organizers.
The medals ceremony was delayed until after the rerun, so no medals have been awarded yet.
Melanie Woods will compete in the 400m event later on Friday.
The rerun race is scheduled for Friday, about 90 minutes before the 400m heats begin.
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Matthias Jaissle is likely to become the new Newcastle United head coach, replacing Eddie Howe. Jaissle, a German coach aged 38, has a record of success with RB Salzburg and Saudi club Al-Ahli, winning league titles and cups.
Key Facts
Eddie Howe is leaving Newcastle United after nearly five years as head coach.
Matthias Jaissle has coached RB Salzburg in Austria and Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Jaissle won the Austrian Bundesliga twice and the Austrian Cup once with RB Salzburg.
He led Al-Ahli to back-to-back Asian Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.
Jaissle was a former player for Hoffenheim and represented Germany at Under-21 level.
He is known for leading teams that play aggressive, high-pressing football.
Newcastle United finished 12th in the Premier League last season and missed European competition.
Newcastle’s ownership is Saudi-based, and Jaissle’s success in Saudi Arabia is seen as relevant.
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British surfer Arran Strong, 28, went missing in the sea off the coast of Portugal on Monday while crossing between two beaches. After a search lasting four days, Portuguese authorities called off the rescue efforts. Strong had competed internationally for Great Britain and was widely respected in the surfing community.
Key Facts
Arran Strong disappeared on Monday near the southern coast of Portugal.
He was crossing from Monte Clerigo beach to Carrapateira when he got into trouble.
His friend and coach, Jose Maria Pyrrait, was with him and was rescued by a fishing boat.
The Portuguese Maritime Authority started searching right after the incident and stopped on Thursday.
Strong had competed in the World Surf League for 10 years and represented Great Britain in the World Surfing Games.
His coach described him as like a son and said they searched for hours after he went missing.
Many teammates and fellow surfers shared tributes to Strong, highlighting his kindness and enthusiasm.
The search was called off without finding Strong, and his family, friends, and fans expressed deep sadness.
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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president criticized FIFA for not consulting regional groups before announcing a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. He called the move unacceptable and urged member countries to wait for further discussions before deciding on the proposal.
Key Facts
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa called FIFA’s plan to sell World Cup stakes without consultation "totally unacceptable."
The plan involves creating a $20 billion commercial company to manage the World Cup and other FIFA events.
AFC was surprised and disappointed FIFA did not consult its 47 member associations before announcing the plan.
Sheikh Salman said FIFA’s actions could harm the structure and cooperation between football regions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered $40 million to each football association if they approved the plan by September 19.
AFC asked its members not to approve the plan until more legal and governance discussions happen.
The AFC covers football in Asia, the Middle East, and Australia and manages regional competitions.
FIFA has not yet responded publicly to the AFC’s letter.
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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has resigned just weeks before the new Premier League season starts, ending his five-year term. German coach Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Saudi club Al-Ahli, is the front-runner to replace him.
Key Facts
Eddie Howe stepped down immediately as Newcastle manager, five years after joining the club.
Howe led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 70 years by winning the League Cup in 2025.
Newcastle qualified for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025 under Howe’s leadership.
The club finished 12th in the Premier League last season with 17 losses in 38 games.
Howe’s last game was a 4-1 preseason defeat to Bristol City.
Matthias Jaissle, currently Al-Ahli manager, is expected to take over at Newcastle.
Both Newcastle and Al-Ahli are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Newcastle’s new Premier League season begins at home against Liverpool on August 23.
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Chelsea has signed Maxence Lacroix, a 26-year-old French defender, from Crystal Palace for £52 million. Lacroix has a contract with Chelsea until 2032 and will be part of the team for the upcoming season under new coach Xabi Alonso.
Key Facts
Maxence Lacroix played for Crystal Palace after joining from Wolfsburg in 2024 for £15.5 million.
He helped Palace win the UEFA Conference League, the club's first major European trophy.
Lacroix played for France in the 2026 World Cup, appearing in three matches including the third-place game.
Chelsea is preparing for its first season with Xabi Alonso as head coach.
The club has signed three players this summer, including Lacroix, Morgan Rogers, and Marco Palestra.
Chelsea is also negotiating to sign other players, including Brighton’s Danny Welbeck and Brentford’s Jordan Henderson.
Lacroix is the oldest player signed under Chelsea’s current ownership group.
Chelsea aims to add experienced players to a mainly young squad after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season.
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FIFA plans to sell part of the business side of the World Cup and other tournaments by creating a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise. FIFA will keep control but wants to raise $4.2 billion by selling small shares to long-term investors. These plans have caused strong negative reactions from many people.
Key Facts
FIFA is creating a private company called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
This company will handle the business operations of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments.
FIFA plans to keep majority ownership and control of this company.
FIFA aims to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority shares to selected long-term investors.
The investors will not have controlling rights in the new company.
FIFA announced the plan on Tuesday, July 29, 2026.
Many people and groups have strongly criticized and opposed this move.
The backlash happened quickly after FIFA revealed these plans.
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Stephen Fleming, former New Zealand cricket captain, has been named England's new Test cricket coach. Joe Root returns as England's Test captain, replacing the previous coach Brendon McCullum, who was dismissed earlier this month.
Key Facts
Stephen Fleming is 53 years old and was a captain for New Zealand cricket.
Fleming has never coached a national team before but led Chennai Super Kings to five Indian Premier League titles.
Brendon McCullum, the former England Test coach, was fired due to poor team performance and off-field issues.
Joe Root, 35, returns as England's Test captain; he previously captained from 2017 to 2022.
Root led England to 27 Test wins in 65 matches during his first captaincy period.
Fleming will not coach the upcoming Test series against Pakistan; assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach.
Fleming plans to start coaching officially in the UK later this summer and prepare for the South Africa Test tour in December.
Root said working with Fleming motivates him and praised Fleming’s leadership and knowledge of cricket.
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South African swimmer Chad le Clos has won his 21st Commonwealth Games medal, setting a new record for the most medals won by any athlete in the history of the Games. He earned a bronze medal in the men's 4×100 medley relay at the 2026 Games, adding to his previous silver and bronze medals at the same event.
Key Facts
Chad le Clos is 34 years old and represents South Africa in swimming.
He now holds 21 Commonwealth Games medals, breaking the previous record held by Australia’s Emma McKeon.
His total medals include seven gold, five silver, and nine bronze across five Commonwealth Games starting from 2010.
In the 2026 Commonwealth Games, he won a silver in the mixed 4×100 medley relay, a bronze in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay, and a bronze in the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
Le Clos won his first Commonwealth medals at age 18 in the 2010 Delhi Games, where he earned five medals.
He is also an Olympic champion, having won the 200-meter butterfly gold at the 2012 London Olympics by beating Michael Phelps.
Le Clos has competed in four Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020/21, and 2024) and aims to qualify for his fifth Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
His career includes multiple Olympic medals, and he has consistently performed at a high level over many years.
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The 2026-27 Women’s Super League (WSL) season starts with London City Lionesses hosting Manchester United on September 4. Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, will make her debut for London City. The season features new teams, varied match times, and increased TV coverage by the BBC.
Key Facts
London City Lionesses finished sixth in the last WSL season.
Alexia Putellas, a top Spanish midfielder, is among eight new signings for London City.
The opening match is on September 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM BST between London City and Manchester United.
Chelsea will play all home league matches at Stamford Bridge for the first time in nine years.
The WSL expanded to 14 teams, with Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace promoted.
BBC will show 25 WSL matches and some Women’s Champions League games including the final.
Match times are more varied, with games on Friday evenings, Saturdays at lunchtime, and Sunday afternoons and evenings.
The season leads up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with extensive BBC coverage planned.
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Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi wants England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club despite transfer interest from other teams. Spurs have spent a lot of money this summer to improve their squad and are still looking to sign more attacking players.
Key Facts
Djed Spence, a 25-year-old England defender, signed a long-term contract with Tottenham last year.
Spence has been linked with moves to Inter Milan and Everton.
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi considers Spence important but also mentioned that if Spence wants to leave, the club will allow it.
Spurs spent a record £237 million this summer to rebuild their team after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
Spain’s Pedro Porro currently plays in Spence’s preferred right-back position and is praised by De Zerbi as "the best in the world" in that role.
Tottenham recently signed several players including Mateus Fernandes (£85m), Sandro Tonali (£100m), and Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), as well as some free transfers.
The club is still looking to add new attackers and is in talks for Manchester City’s Savinho and another unnamed player.
Captain Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are expected to leave Spurs.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to allow private investors to take part in the commercial side of the World Cup, including some connected to President Donald Trump's family. This plan has caused strong criticism from football organizations. Meanwhile, Neymar hinted he might stop playing for Brazil, Italy hired Roberto Mancini as its new coach, and France’s women’s sabre team won bronze at the fencing World Championships.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino wants private investors involved in World Cup commercial activities.
Some investors linked to President Donald Trump’s family are reportedly interested.
Football confederations and federations have strongly criticized this investment plan.
Neymar said he likely will not play for Brazil again but has not officially retired.
Roberto Mancini was appointed Italy’s national football coach until 2030.
France’s women’s sabre fencing team won bronze at the World Championships in Hong Kong.
Arthur Gea advanced to the second round of an ATP tennis tournament in July.
NBA player Luka Doncic will hold a Lakers training camp in Slovenia before the season.
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Newcastle United's manager, Eddie Howe, is leaving the club immediately. Howe faced criticism after a poor season and was unhappy with player transfers this summer.
Key Facts
Eddie Howe became Newcastle manager in November 2021.
Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season, losing 17 of 38 games.
Howe’s final game was a 4-1 defeat in a pre-season friendly against Bristol City.
Howe was surprised and frustrated by player sales this summer, including striker Alexander Isak leaving for Liverpool.
Newcastle spent about £240 million on new players last year.
Two key players, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, left the club this summer, and Arsenal is interested in captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Howe led Newcastle to win the 2025 Carabao Cup, their first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
Under Howe, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025 but had a disappointing league season in 2025-26.
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Saudi Arabia will host the next three Asian Champions League Elite finals. The event includes quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final played in one central place, and the league will grow from 24 to 32 teams.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia’s hosting rights for the next three Asian Champions League Elite finals were confirmed as permanent.
Saudi Arabia hosted the first two editions of the event.
The tournament is organized by the Asian Football Confederation.
The matches from quarterfinals to final are played at one central location.
The competition’s league phase will expand from 24 to 32 teams.
The qualifying rounds start on August 11, with the league draw on August 18 in Kuala Lumpur.
Saudi club Al-Ahli won the last two finals hosted in Jeddah.
Saudi club Al-Hilal has won the competition four times, the most by any team.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the plan to sell shares of the World Cup is only a suggestion, not a requirement. FIFA wants to create a company worth $20 billion to manage the World Cup and sell up to 20% to outside investors, but some football groups are unhappy about this.
Key Facts
FIFA plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events.
FIFA may sell up to 20% ownership of this subsidiary to private investors.
Some regional football organizations criticized the plan, saying they were not consulted.
Infantino described the plan as a proposal to start a consultation process, not an obligation.
FIFA generates billions from broadcast rights, sponsorships, and commercial deals tied to the World Cup.
Infantino emphasized that football fans will remain central to the sport.
FIFA will continue to govern football independently without outside control.
The FIFA World Cup and Women’s World Cup will remain flagship events under FIFA’s management.
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The Premier League title race for the 2026-27 season looks more open and unpredictable than recent years. Many top clubs have new managers, key players are injured, and some teams face challenges from playing many matches in different competitions.
Key Facts
Premier League had clear winners in recent years, but the next season could see many clubs competing closely.
Three of the "big six" clubs—Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool—have new managers this season.
Pep Guardiola left Manchester City after winning many trophies; Enzo Maresca is the new manager.
Arsenal’s defender William Saliba will miss much of the season due to a back injury.
Arsenal won most matches when Saliba played, but their winning rate dropped without him.
Five of the six biggest clubs have new managers compared to last season; Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is the only long-term manager remaining.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, and others have different match schedules and face different challenges with European competitions.
Playing more games in other tournaments does not always mean worse league performance; some teams manage both well.
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Lionel Messi has returned to training with Inter Miami ten days after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final. He missed a few games after the tournament but is now back, while his team continues to perform well in the MLS.
Key Facts
Messi returned to practice for Inter Miami 10 days after the World Cup final loss.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the World Cup final.
Messi missed two MLS matches during the World Cup break, both of which Inter Miami won.
He did not play in the MLS All-Star Game to visit his father, who is ill.
Messi scored 8 goals and had 4 assists in the World Cup, playing in his sixth tournament.
He broke the record for career World Cup goals with 17, but Kylian Mbappe finished with 22.
Inter Miami has 37 points and is close to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
It is unclear if Messi will play in the next MLS game against Columbus Crew.
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Elliot Anderson recently transferred to Manchester City for £116 million, similar to Kalvin Phillips’ earlier move to the club in 2022. Phillips struggled with injury and competition for his position, leading to multiple loan moves, while Anderson will join during a period of change at City with a new manager and several key players leaving.
Key Facts
Elliot Anderson moved from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City for £116 million.
Kalvin Phillips transferred to Manchester City in 2022 from Leeds United for £45 million.
Phillips had injuries and struggled to get playing time at City, leading to several loans.
Phillips was criticized publicly by City’s coach Pep Guardiola over his fitness.
City won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League after Phillips’ arrival.
Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola left, and Enzo Maresca is the new coach.
Several experienced players are leaving Manchester City, including John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
There is uncertainty about Rodri’s future, with potential interest from Real Madrid.
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The Seattle Storm apologized after one of their co-owners used offensive language toward two teenage girls who held signs supporting Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham’s views on women’s sports. Cunningham recently spoke out in favor of keeping women’s sports female-only, a topic that has sparked debate and protests during a Storm vs. Fever game.
Key Facts
A Seattle Storm co-owner verbally insulted two teenage fans for holding signs that supported Sophie Cunningham’s stance on women’s sports.
The signs said, “Thank You Sophie for speaking up for girls!” in support of restricting women’s sports to females only.
The Storm’s majority owner issued an apology and said all fans should feel welcome and respected.
Seattle players and some fans made negative gestures and booed the girls during the game.
Sophie Cunningham said she wants to protect young girls in sports from competing against biological men, while also expressing respect for transgender people.
The WNBA game ended with the Fever defeating the Storm 105-95.
The Storm have the worst record in the league with 6 wins and 24 losses this season.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings allow states to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports, fueling public debate.
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