The summer of soccer continues after the best World Cup ever. This time, select teams from Major League Soccer and their Liga MX counterparts will kick off the Leagues Cup in the latest edition of the tournament.Here’s what to know as 36 teams featuring star players like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi square off in the Leagues Cup. The action begins on Wednesday with a full slate of games, including the Seattle Sounders taking on Toluca (10 p.m. ET on FS1).Which MLS and Liga MX Teams Are Playing? Club America will be one of the Liga MX powerhouses in the Leagues…

Following the announcement of Mauricio Pochettino extending his contract with the U.S. men’s national team, FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas shared his perspective on the state of the program and the expectations facing the head coach heading towards the 2030 World Cup.Reflecting on the recent tournament performance, Lalas noted that the job ultimately comes down to winning matches in the knockout stages. “When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino and his job and role, it was to win the game against Belgium, and in that moment, he and this team failed,” Lalas said on his “State of the Union” podcast. Lalas emphasized that…

Clint Dempsey didn’t hesitate.When I asked arguably the greatest American soccer player of all time what the U.S. men’s national team must do to keep its fans engaged and create new ones before the next World Cup arrives in 2030, Dempsey — the USMNT’s all-time co-scoring leader and a FOX Sports analyst during the 2026 tournament — was unequivocal.”Win,” Dempsey told me during a post-World Cup interview. “Score goals, keep clean sheets, get the people excited and out of their seats because you’re fighting for your country, making them proud. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, right?” Right. And…

With its superstar striker Erling Haaland and its fans doing the Viking Row in the stands, Norway was one of the better storylines at the 2026 World Cup.Norway’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇳🇴 The team reached the quarterfinals after last appearing at the tournament in 1998. Spurred by Haaland’s goalscoring prowess, Norway finished second in Group I with wins over Iraq (3-1) and Senegal (3-2) before losing to France 4-1. In the round of 32, a 1-0 win over the Ivory Coast was followed by a 2-1 win over five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16. England…

It wasn’t the World Cup that Germany had hoped for following an early exit in the round of 32, thus stretching its drought of not reaching at least the semifinals to three tournaments. The four-time champions weren’t tabbed to win it all, but there’s always expectations of a deep run for this team. Things started off on the right foot with 7-1 win over debut side Curaçao in their Group E opener. That followed a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast, but then 2-1 loss to Ecuador to close group stage play set the Germans back. Then it was a loss…

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer of captain Bruno Guimarães after raising their bid to €90m plus add-ons. The Brazilian midfielder has already agreed personal terms on a long-term contract and requested a delay in his pre-season travel to finalize the high-profile move.Gunners close in on Guimaraes agreementArsenal are on the verge of completing a blockbuster deal for Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes, as per L’Equipe. After seeing initial offers of €70m and €80m turned down by the Magpies, the Gunners raised their proposal to a base fee of €90m plus performance-related bonuses. The 28-year-old Brazil international…

Vozinha is cashing in on his newfound fame by promoting the new Spider-Man film. The 40-year-old World Cup star’s arrival to his new club in Chile, however, was caught up in old-fashioned paperwork.The Cape Verde goalkeeper was scheduled to be with Colo Colo by Wednesday, but Chile’s biggest and most successful club says Vozinha’s trip has been delayed because of paperwork. They’re hopeful of a Thursday arrival.Vozinha was still able to wear a jersey Wednesday though — by donning Spider-Man gear as part of a Sony Pictures Brazil campaign promoting “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” On Instagram, Vozinha encouraged his 29.6…

FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina’s soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals.A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also include “discriminatory chants and gestures” by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and “throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches” at the World Cup.Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain’s 1-0 win on July 19,…

In Brazil’s journey to a sixth World Cup title under first-year coach Carlo Ancelotti, their trip fell short in the round of 16. Brazil currently has five World Cup trophies all-time, and a sixth would’ve extended its record mark. Brazil dominated their group after two wins and a draw, which earned them first in Group C, but not even a star-studded roster and a talented coach could get the job done. Brazil’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇧🇷 Notably, their 2-1 comeback win over Japan kept the Seleção’s sights of a title that much closer. However, against star forward Erling Haaland…

Real Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign winger Yan Diomande for a transfer fee exceeding 100 million euros.The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international will travel to Madrid this week to undergo medical evaluations and complete a contract running through June 2031, per Fabrizio Romano.Diomande recorded 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig which earned him the league’s Rookie of the Season award before representing Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup. Diomande started all four matches for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, recording an assist against Curaçao in…