July 2026 - Soccer Wiretap

Thomas Tuchel said he has considered using man-marking against Lionel Messi on Wednesday when England meets Argentina in the World Cup semifinals.

"I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old school man-mark [on Messi]," Tuchel said in his prematch news conference on Tuesday.

"I'm not sure if we follow through with this idea but it crossed my mind. I think everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. It's just like, you analyse the matches, you feel he just sees stuff earlier than anyone else on the field."

Messi has eight goals and two assists during the 2026 World Cup.

"It's just like the ball drops to him, he finds the gap, he makes himself the space for his left foot and then executes the solution on the very highest level," Tuchel added. "I think we found some patterns in their game of course but if we close the patterns he will find a new one or create a new one.

"It is his super strength, it is just what it is. It is an exciting setup, it is very unique to play against the reigning champions, it is very unique to play against Leo Messi and his team. It is unique to play with England against Argentina. It is just a big match in every department."

Thomas Tuchel said he has considered using man-marking against Lionel Messi on Wednesday when England meets Argentina in the World Cup semifinals.

"I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old school man-mark [on Messi]," Tuchel said in his prematch news conference on Tuesday.

"I'm not sure if we follow through with this idea but it crossed my mind. I think everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. It's just like, you analyse the matches, you feel he just sees stuff earlier than anyone else on the field."

Messi has eight goals and two assists during the 2026 World Cup.

"It's just like the ball drops to him, he finds the gap, he makes himself the space for his left foot and then executes the solution on the very highest level," Tuchel added. "I think we found some patterns in their game of course but if we close the patterns he will find a new one or create a new one.

"It is his super strength, it is just what it is. It is an exciting setup, it is very unique to play against the reigning champions, it is very unique to play against Leo Messi and his team. It is unique to play with England against Argentina. It is just a big match in every department."

Kylian Mbappe was critical of France's tactics following their 2-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday in Dallas. France was attempting to reach a third consecutive World Cup final.

"We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that's hard," Mbappe said after the game. "Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us."

Spain took an early lead when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty following a foul drawn by Lamine Yamal against Lucas Digne.

"We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically," Mbappé said. "When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win. Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo. Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm.

"Because they are better than us at controlling a game. We didn't manage to do it. We were too sloppy technically. We could not hurt them when we could have."

Mbappe also blamed mistakes made by the players.

"Even when we recovered the ball, our first touches were not good enough. That gives a defeat. It is a huge disappointment. But if we are objective, we didn't put all the ingredients to go to the final," Mbappé said.

Spain defeated France 2-0 Tuesday in the World Cup semifinals in Dallas, reaching the final for the first time in 15 years, per ESPN. Spain held a 1.63 to 0.31 edge in expected goals.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted a 22nd-minute penalty after Lamine Yamal drew a foul from Lucas Digne in the box. The goal was Oyarzabal's fifth of the tournament and 30th in 60 international appearances for Spain. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute, finishing a give-and-go with Dani Olmo. Yamal had a goal disallowed shortly after on a close offside ruling.

It marked the third consecutive summer that Spain eliminated France in a major tournament semifinal, following a 2-1 victory in the 2024 European Championship and a 5-4 Nations League win last year.

France, the top-ranked team in FIFA's world rankings, had been seeking to become just the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus will instead play in the third-place match Saturday in Miami Gardens.

Spain advance to the World Cup final Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where they await the winner of Wednesday's Argentina-England semifinal in Atlanta.

Andoni Iraola acknowledged Liverpool still needs additional signings as preparations begin for the 2026-27 season. The 44-year-old addressed the transfer market during his introductory press conference Monday.

"Obviously we've signed two players already but we need more players, we know this," said Iraola. "The club is working on this. Me as a coach, selfishly I want the players here from day one ready to train for preseason but understand football doesn't work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I'm trying to help also."

Liverpool have added center-back Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais for an initial $73.7 million and Victor Munoz from Osasuna for $46.2 million this summer. The club has also seen Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate depart.

Iraola was appointed Liverpool's new head coach last month on a two-year contract, replacing Arne Slot following a fifth-place Premier League finish that came just a year after the club won the title.

Asked about expectations for the upcoming campaign, Iraola declined to set specific targets but acknowledged the challenges facing his rebuilding squad.

"I think we have to accept there are difficult situations right now in terms of both sides, a lot of very important senior players leaving that have achieved almost everything here and also some of the very important players injured," said Iraola. "We haven't started training and we already have Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni with long injuries. So in terms of improving the team we have to consider we have to replace very important players that were making very good numbers and also we have a situation, especially with those three that are going to miss some time, that we also have to find a way to replace."

Iraola also addressed the disconnect some supporters felt with the team at Anfield last season, an issue he hopes to resolve through his squad's style of play.

"I would like to give them (the supporters) a team that they can feel proud of," said Iraola. "I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting, connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters. I've been on the other side at Anfield. You can feel the stadium and I would love to have this every time we play but that has to come from us, from inside the pitch. We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."

Folarin Balogun, striker for the U.S. men's national team and Ligue 1 club Monaco, has signed with Klutch Sports Group for off-field representation. Balogun emerged as a breakout star at this year's World Cup, scoring three goals to help lead the U.S. to the round of 16.

Klutch Sports Group founder and CEO Rich Paul addressed the signing in a statement.

"Folarin Balogun is one of the most talented and influential players in global football today," said Paul. "His relentless ambition and cultural impact represent the standard of excellence we hope to continue to bring to the sport. We are incredibly proud to welcome him to KLUTCH and excited about everything we can build together."

Klutch entered the global soccer business two years ago by acquiring European football agency ROOF. Balogun becomes the first soccer player to sign directly with Klutch itself.

Balogun, 25, drew significant attention during the tournament beyond his play on the field. President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino in an effort to have a red card issued to Balogun reviewed, and the striker was ultimately cleared to play in the round-of-16 match against Belgium.

Klutch's roster includes prominent athletes such as LeBron James and Jalen Hurts, and the agency has increasingly expanded into entertainment ventures and endorsement deals for its clients as athletes take on larger roles as public figures.

Xabi Alonso praised Cole Palmer's talent during his press conference introducing him as Chelsea's new manager. Palmer has trained under Alonso at Cobham after being left out of England manager Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.

Alonso described his early impressions of the forward's ability.

"We've had a few training sessions already, and from the first day you can see he's a special talent, a special player," said Alonso. "It's not easy to have one of those. You can notice his quality, how he's able to make the right decision in the right spot.

"I'm happy that he is in a good mood, with a good mindset to have a great season. We are looking forward to getting the best from him. We are able to build a strong team, with the proper stability to find the key players. For sure, Cole is going to be one of those key players in the attacking part."

Alonso was officially unveiled as Chelsea's new manager on a four-year contract during the press conference at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso confirmed he wants Enzo Fernandez to stay at Chelsea during his official unveiling as the club's new manager. Fernandez's future has remained uncertain throughout the summer, a situation further complicated this month when Real Madrid publicly denied any interest in signing him this window.

Alonso addressed the matter during a press conference at Stamford Bridge marking his appointment on a four-year contract. He confirmed he had spoken directly with Fernandez but declined to share details of their conversation.

Asked whether he wants the Argentina international to remain at the club next season, Alonso responded directly.

"Yes," said Alonso.

Fernandez remains under contract at Chelsea through 2032. The Athletic previously reported the club would seek around $161 million for the Argentine midfielder should he depart.

Alonso also confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho is not currently training with the squad as he works to finalize a departure from Stamford Bridge. Sources close to Chelsea said the club will only consider a permanent sale rather than a loan agreement for the winger.

Chelsea values Garnacho at roughly $53.6 million, slight above his transfer from united, a deal that yielded just 22 appearances across all competitions.

Alonso addressed the ongoing situation surrounding Garnacho's future.

"The situation with him is I've spoken with the sporting directors and there's interest in him from other clubs, so let's see how it develops, but hopefully it finishes in the best way for all parties," said Alonso.

Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. United plan to trigger a $47 million release clause in the Belgian midfielder's contract.

Aston Villa hope to retain the 29-year-old, but sources said Tielemans has expressed a desire to join Manchester United. He has spent three seasons at Villa Park, playing a key role in the club's Europa League title last season.

Tielemans also impressed for Belgium at the World Cup, scoring twice in a 3-2 round-of-32 win over Senegal that helped the team advance.

United view Tielemans as part of a broader midfield rebuild that also includes Andrey Santos. A $67 million deal for Santos has already been agreed with Chelsea, with both clubs finalizing formalities before an official announcement. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is also nearing a move from Leeds United to compete with No. 1 goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Sources told ESPN that United are no longer pursuing a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson. The two clubs had agreed a $47 million fee for the Brazil international before the World Cup, but the deal is not currently moving forward. United sources have not disclosed the reason for the holdup and have not ruled out revisiting talks later this summer.

Gianni Infantino confirmed that FIFA will discuss expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams once the 2026 tournament concludes. The current event, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marked the first expansion from 32 to 48 teams.

Infantino addressed the possibility in an interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport.

"This is certainly an issue that will be looked at and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," said Infantino. "When you organize a World Cup, it's important that you organize it for the whole world. It's not just Europe and South America, but the entire world, effectively. Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup.

"We can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher everywhere in the world. If you don't give smaller countries the chance to participate in the World Cup, they also lose the incentive to keep improving."

The idea of a 64-team tournament first surfaced in March 2025, when South American confederation CONMEBOL proposed the format for the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the competition's 100th anniversary. Infantino met with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez and several South American football officials in New York last September to discuss the proposal.

Dominguez expressed support for the idea at the time.

"We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup," said Dominguez. "We want to call for unity, creativity and believing big. Because when football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global."

Not all confederations have embraced the concept. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani voiced opposition to the plan in April 2025.

"I don't believe expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues and players," said Montagliani.

A 64-team format would double the number of matches played compared to the 32-team era, rising to 128 games from the 64 held between 1998 and 2022. This year's 48-team tournament features 104 matches. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also criticized the proposal, previously calling it a bad idea.