Football Articles | Mail Online

• FIFA's World Cup plot turns to rubble: Deluded Gianni Infantino's controversial plan is dead as key allies rebel and more nations unite to oppose bid to sell off football31 July 2026, 10:41 pm
  Gianni Infantino's divisive plan to sell stakes in the World Cup appears to be dead after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and Concacaf in opposing the plot. 
  
• Rangers boss Derek McInnes rues 'basic mistakes' as Premiership title challenge begins with a whimper31 July 2026, 10:33 pm
  Derek McInnes last night admitted that Rangers' error-strewn performance cost them the chance to start the campaign with a victory away at Dundee United.
  
• Erling Haaland and Michael Jordan cross paths in the Mediterranean as fans joke Norway striker 'looks like a minion' next to basketball legend31 July 2026, 10:17 pm
  Michael Jordan's annual summer cruise of the Mediterranean has crossed paths with Erling Haaland's own voyage, resulting in a memorable photo of the two.
  
• DUNDEE UTD 1 RANGERS 1: Derek McInnes fails to get off to winning start as old failings befall Ibrox men31 July 2026, 10:08 pm
  It didn't exactly require deep insight to ascertain why Rangers supporters flooded into Tannadice feeling both enthused and anxious at the outset of the new campaign.
  
• A Man United wonderkid keen to impress Michael Carrick, Chelsea's Brazilian star and the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer... five teenagers primed to shine this season31 July 2026, 10:00 pm
  Many of those youngsters are there to make up the numbers while first-team stars return from the World Cup, and several will then head out on loan to the EFL.
  
• How Glasgow's hometown hero Josh Kerr is relishing his battle for Commonwealth gold after shattering fastest mile world record, writes NIK SIMON... as Georgia Hunter-Bell cruises to 800m glory31 July 2026, 9:44 pm
  NIK SIMON: Step off the train at Glasgow Central and one of the first things you see is an enormous billboard of Josh Kerr. It is a giant image of the hometown hero, letting out a cathartic roar.
  
• Jude Bellingham gets a hero's reception on his return to Birmingham City... as England superstar's boyhood club beat Barcelona on penalties!31 July 2026, 9:44 pm
  Jude Bellingham was welcomed back to Birmingham City like a hero on Friday night as he watched his boyhood club triumph on penalties against Barcelona.
  
• Revealed: Chelsea avoided sanction that would have RELEGATED them from the Premier League as secret talks get six-point deduction overturned following 'illegal' signings under Roman Abramovich31 July 2026, 8:51 pm
  In the written reasons document in the case between Chelsea and the FA, the governing body said a 'starting point of 15 points is appropriate'.
  
• Newcastle agree deal for goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, Como back in for Trevoh Chalobah, David Moyes makes call over Celtic star... and Inter Milan will go to £30m for Liverpool's Curtis Jones: WINDOW WATCH31 July 2026, 8:38 pm
  The transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season. Here are today's latest developments.
  
• Inter Milan willing to pay £30m for Curtis Jones - but Liverpool are holding out for more after rejecting initial offer31 July 2026, 8:13 pm
  SIMON JONES: Inter Milan have intimated they are willing to pay £30million for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones. Liverpool dismissed Inter's last offer of £21.75m.
  
• The Preview: Early days, but new Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson looks primed to build on Jens Berthel Askou's success31 July 2026, 6:57 pm
  So much for Motherwell being a team in transition. You wouldn't have known it given the way they swatted HB aside on Thursday to seal progression in the Europa Conference League.
  
• Andy Burnham calls for Gianni Infantino to RESIGN: Prime Minister tells under-fire FIFA president he is 'the wrong man' to lead football in wake of World Cup backlash31 July 2026, 6:24 pm
  'The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA president is the wrong man to lead the organisation,' said Burnham.
  
• Gianni Infantino's most bitter rival: Meet UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin - the Slovenian lawyer taking on FIFA's plan to sell the World Cup31 July 2026, 6:06 pm
  Few voices have been as forthright in their disapproval of Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell off the World Cup as UEFA's president Aleksander Ceferin.
  
• 'Some people prefer Manchester or London... but I love Burnley': How 0m NFL star JJ Watt has embraced his role as Clarets co-owner - and even designed their new shirt31 July 2026, 5:59 pm
  JJ Watt wants to restore the Burnley of old. For a man used to the glitzy environs of America's NFL, he comes across remarkably in touch with this humble corner of Lancashire.
  
• Paddy Power predict under-fire Gianni Infantino WILL remain as FIFA president at the end of the year - despite huge backlash over controversial World Cup scheme31 July 2026, 5:52 pm
  Infantino, 56, is facing a rebellion from his members and is under pressure to quit but is odds-on at 1/4 with Paddy Power to keep his job.