UEFA is backing a joint home nations bid for the 2030 World Cup with the hope of bringing the tournament back to England for the first time since 1966.

The Football Association is understood to have promised its Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland counterparts that it will consult with them before making any bid. 

Any home nations bid would face stiff opposition from a joint bid by Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, a campaign buoyed by the fact that 2030 marks 100 years since the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930.

The 2026 World Cup will be in North America.

Cristiano Ronaldo has defended Jose Mourinho as his former manager comes under pressure at Manchester United.

Ronaldo will play United as a member of Juventus in the Champions League.

"I don't know what's happening in Manchester, but wait before criticising Mou -- he's special and he's won a lot," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Luka Modric has been named the 2017-18 UEFA Player of the Year, finishing ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.

Modric helped lead Real Madrid to their third straight Champions League title and also guided Croatia to a second place finish in the World Cup.

The group stage draw for the 2018-19 Champions League occurred on Thursday. 

Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge

Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan

Group C: Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade

Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray

Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens

Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim

Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen

Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys

Ronaldo will reportedly invest $34 million in Real Valladolid and become its majority stakeholder.

Ronaldo could help facilitate a loan deal with Real Madrid for Vinicius Junior.

The 18-year-old from Flamengo has impressed many during his short time at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid has agreed to a $35 million deal to sign Mariano Diaz back from Lyon.

Mariano left Real Madrid for Lyon for $9.3 million a year ago.

Mariano is Real Madrid's first attacking signing since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus.

Real Madrid will assign No. 7 to Mariano, which was previously worn by Ronaldo.

Unai Emery has banned fruit juice from Arsenal's training ground menu.

Emery has carried on Arsene Wenger's legacy of implementing his own dietary requirements for players, cracking down on sugary juices in favour of water.

Arsenal's players were already subject to strict diet regimens under Wenger, who brought a whole new emphasis on nutrition to English football when he arrived at the club in 1996.

Monaco has signed Benjamin Henrichs from Bayer Leverkusen for €20 million ($23 million).

Henrichs is a 21-year-old right back who can also play on the left and in midfield.

"I am very proud to be involved with AS Monaco, a top European club for many years, and I will do everything I can to adapt quickly and help the team achieve many victories, with the staff and my new teammates," Henrichs said.

Anthony Martial and Manchester United are holding talks on a five-year deal.

Martial had wanted a transfer but has admitted privately it is now unlikely he will be sold before the transfer window shuts in Europe on Friday.

Jose Mourinho is open to selling the forward but his plan to bring in 30-year-old Willian from Chelsea in his place was met with resistance by Ed Woodward and the board.

Martial's time was reduced when United signed Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.

Clint Dempsey has announced his retirement at the age of 35.