Football Articles | Mail Online

• Is this the best sports photo EVER? World Cup fans go wild for snap of Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium14 July 2026, 2:13 am
  Messi helped Argentina reach the semifinals of the competition on Saturday, teeing up Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal in his country's 3-1 win over Switzerland in the last eight.
  
• Declan Rice is FIT for England's World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina after shaking off sickness bug14 July 2026, 1:01 am
  CRAIG HOPE IN KANSAS CITY: There was concern over the vice-captain's condition coming out of the 2-1 win over Norway on Saturday, after he was forced off at half-time.
  
• 'What happened last season cannot be repeated... get ready for a new Spurs': XAVI SIMONS reveals his joy at Tottenham's influx of 'top' signings, why he loves Roberto De Zerbi already, the latest on his injury and 'big goals' he's out to achieve14 July 2026, 1:00 am
  EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MATT BARLOW: The last few months have been difficult for Xavi. 'There's been some not-so-good moments,' he admits.
  
• Jordan Pickford urges England fans to forget Argentina history ahead of blockbuster World Cup semi-final - after Lionel Messi and Co sang that they will beat the Three Lions 'for the Falklands' in dressing room chant14 July 2026, 1:00 am
  MIKE KEEGAN IN KANSAS CITY: The Everton goalkeeper was asked if he had a message for supporters given the rivalry between the nations and concerns things may boil over in Atlanta.
  
• Now use it against them! Argentina legend Diego Maradona once offered Harry Kane shooting tips to help him reach the top - now the England captain bids to end the world champions' title defence14 July 2026, 1:00 am
  Kane met Argentina legend Diego Maradona before a Tottenham match back in 2017, where he sought to offer advice to the striker on how he could remain at the top of the game.
  
• Argentina's media are convinced Jude Bellingham is INJURED as new footage emerges of England star grimacing in pain from his heavily scarred shoulder14 July 2026, 12:25 am
  New footage released today shows the Three Lions ace clutching his shoulder and grimacing while walking through the mixed zone post-match at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
  
• France star Warren Zaire-Emery hits back at racist attack from the former Spanish Prime Minister that they 'don't have any French players'13 July 2026, 11:05 pm
  He said: 'The French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, as does the country. We are a united group, a united team, and that's all that matters.'
  
• Alexi Lalas begs for England to suffer 'ultimate heartbreak' for USA's 250th birthday ahead of Argentina World Cup showdown13 July 2026, 11:02 pm
  The Three Lions are gearing up for a highly-anticipated semifinal clash with Argentina on Wednesday, when they will bid to reach the final for the first time since their only triumph in 1966.
  
• Erling Haaland returns home to hero's welcome - bringing a £560 taxidermied RACCOON with him - before joining Norway fans in one last Viking Row celebration to toast country's best ever World Cup run13 July 2026, 10:44 pm
  Erling Haaland and his team-mates touched down back in Norway to a heroes welcome after their World Cup exploits - with the forward curiously carrying a stuffed raccoon in his luggage.
  
• Micah Richards reveals plans to QUIT punditry: BBC and Sky Sports star has told employers exactly WHEN he will retire - and his surprise next steps13 July 2026, 10:39 pm
  Richards, 38 is currently working on World Cup coverage with the BBC as well as Gary Lineker's The Rest Is Football podcast. He has been to New York and back three times during the tournament.
  
• World Cup quarter-finals XI: No surprise as stats boffins choose Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to lead the line... but who's the surprise England star alongside Jude Bellingham?13 July 2026, 10:21 pm
  As the pressure builds and we gear up for the final few days of play across the pond, let's take a look at the top players of the quarter-finals, according to Sofascore...
  
• Inter Milan consider move for Djed Spence, while Arsenal keep tabs on PSG winger Bradley Barcola - as Leandro Trossard nears Turkey move: WINDOW WATCH13 July 2026, 10:17 pm
  Here are today's latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team.
  
• Andoni Iraola reveals Liverpool bosses' stark warning for him after replacing Arne Slot: 'Everything is not perfect'13 July 2026, 9:56 pm
  The former Bournemouth boss was recruited to replace sacked Arne Slot at the end of last season and is under no illusion that he is walking into a tough job at a behemoth of a club.
  
• XABI ALONSO explains his blueprint to turn Chelsea around: A 'locked in' training regime, no more 'bomb squads' to unite his squad - and his verdict on Cole Palmer and Estevao13 July 2026, 9:30 pm
  KIERAN GILL: Sitting in the Stamford Bridge directors' lounge, just Xabi Alonso and a few of the Chelsea-dedicated correspondents, the talk turned to setting standards after such a poor season.
  
• 'I have a strong desire to play in the Premier League,' says Daizen Maeda as Celtic prepare for striker's exit13 July 2026, 8:35 pm
  Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has moved a step closer to the Parkhead exit by confirming his desire to play in the Premier League.