A total agreement has been reached for Xabi Alonso to become the new Chelsea manager. Alonso, 44, visited London early last week and has accepted the opportunity. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Antoine Semenyo’s delightful flick proves the difference for Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Victory in 2026 comes almost eight years since his debut in the competition - a 2-0 first-round win over Metropolitan Police.

It is third time lucky for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in the FA Cup final. After losing at this stage in the two previous editions, City beat Chelsea 1-0 to win their third FA Cup under Guardiola. It takes his trophy total with Manchester City to 20 - but is that plenty for Pep?

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is wearing a skull cap in the FA Cup final after his clash with Morgan Gibbs-White in the recent game against Nottingham Forest. Remind you of anyone?

Jose Mourinho is set to meet Real Madrid president Florentino Perez next week with an expectation he will complete a deal to become the club’s new head coach. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana

Few places carry the presence of New York. But this summer, the stage will stretch beyond the city into New Jersey, where eight World Cup games, including the final, will be played. Dean Jones on all you need to know about the New York New Jersey Stadium. Supported by Stub Hub bit.ly/4eLisJR

Aston Villa will return to the Champions League next season. Their 4-2 victory over Liverpool, wrapped up with a beautiful finish from John McGinn, secures their place in the competition for the 2026/27 season.

Two goals at the start of the second half mean Aston Villa now lead Liverpool 2-1. Virgil van Dijk headed Arne Slot’s side level before a slip from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Morgan Rogers to play Ollie Watkins through on goal to restore Villa’s lead.

Manchester United and Michael Carrick have reached a broad agreement for the Englishman to become the club’s permanent head coach. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Nottingham Forest plan to show their faith in Vitor Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

🚨 Nottingham Forest intend to hand Vitor Pereira new long-term contract. #NFFC hierarchy & players said to be happy with 57yo + talks planned over extension (current deal June 2027). Club also aim, as things stand, to keep all key players 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Soccer was once an afterthought in Atlanta. Now, it is one of the most exciting sports in town. Eight World Cup matches, including a semifinal, will be played there this summer. @felipecardenas.bsky.social guides you through the city. Brought to you by Capital One. bit.ly/4ud0i8u

Shakira, Madonna and BTS are not being paid to headline the half-time show during the men’s World Cup final in the United States this summer. More from @dansheldon.bsky.social and @adamcrafton.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Bolton Wanderers will face Stockport County at Wembley for a place in next season's Championship. Xavier Simons came off the bench and scored just five minutes later as Steven Schumacher's side beat Bradford City 1-0 at Valley Parade and 2-0 on aggregate.

France, one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer, have announced their star-studded squad for the tournament. Manager Didier Deschamps named a squad filled with an eye-catching array of attacking talent on Thursday. 🔗 nyti.ms/4npO0XO

Colombian singer Shakira, American artist Madonna and South Korean boyband BTS will headline the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show 🎤 Who are you most excited for? www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Katie McCabe will leave Arsenal at the end of the season following the expiration of her contract after more than a decade at the club. 🔗 nyti.ms/3RFmDx6

Sam Kerr will leave Chelsea at the end of the 2025-26 season after six-and-a-half years with the Women’s Super League champions. Kerr is set to leave upon the expiration of her contract. More from @charpur.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

The independent hearing into Southampton allegedly spying on their Championship play-off opponents Middlesbrough will be heard by Tuesday next week, the EFL has confirmed. More from @dankp.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4dpIKii

Nobody can say FIFA hasn’t THOUGHT about ways to mitigate the health risks associated with the N American summer. But FIFA still won’t say what its threshold is for postponing games when it’s simply too hot to play (or watch) football safely. The show must go on? www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Eight areas for Michael Carrick to focus on at Manchester United if he takes the job permanently. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

“He is not fazed. Playing in big games for Chelsea or leading the line for Brazil…it’s his natural habitat.” Big read on #CFC’s Joao Pedro as he prepares to play in his first #FACup Final. Those that knew him best as a youngster knew he’d go to the top: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

In spite of Celtic's 3-2 win over Motherwell at Fir Park, Hearts remain on the brink of history. Derek McInnes' side must avoid defeat against the Champions at Celtic Park to clinch the SPFL title. The last team outside the Old Firm to win the Scottish top flight was Aberdeen in 1984–85.

There was huge controversy at Fir Park as Celtic were awarded a last-gasp penalty against Motherwell. Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled the ball after a VAR intervention. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to score from the spot and give Celtic a 3-2 win after Hearts had beaten Falkirk 3-0.

Manchester City maintain their title chase after a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho mean Pep Guardiola's side trail Arsenal by two points. Arsenal can extend their lead to five points against Burnley on Monday.

Inter complete the double after beating Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the Coppa Italia final. An own goal from Adam Marusic and a Lautaro Martinez strike - his sixth cup final goal - secure a second domestic trophy for Cristian Chivu's Scudetto winners.

Stockport County will face either Bolton Wanderers or Bradford City at Wembley for a place in the Championship. Dave Challinor's side ease past Stevenage 3-0 on aggregate to book their place in the League One play-off final.

Manchester City keep the pressure up on Arsenal. Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush have put Pep Guardiola's side in command against Crystal Palace at the break. As it stands, they remain two points behind the league leaders.

Hearts are keeping to their end of the bargain at Tynecastle. Two goals in four minutes from Frankie Kent and Cameron Devlin have put Hearts 2-0 up against Falkirk. Celtic had fallen a goal behind against Motherwell, but Daizen Maeda has since equalised at Fir Park.

Rafael Nadal has dismissed reports linking him with a bid for Real Madrid’s presidency after Florentino Perez called for an election for the position. More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4nrSehz

Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis allegedly made reference to Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling’s speech impediment during Tuesday’s Championship play-off semi-final decider at St. Mary’s. Full story which is free to read below.

Manchester United’s football leaders are set to recommend Michael Carrick be offered the permanent head coach role during an executive committee meeting this week. Full story from @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social ⬇️

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr were seconds away from winning the Saudi Pro League title. But in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Brazilian goalkeeper Bento fumbled a long throw into his own net to rescue a point for Al Hilal. Ronaldo was substituted in the 83rd minute with his side leading 1-0.

The EFL Championship play-off final is set. Southampton will meet Hull City at Wembley Stadium for a place in the Premier League. Shea Charles' late goal in extra-time gave Tonda Eckert's side a 2-1 aggregate win over Middlesbrough. Who will win promotion?

Southampton are level against Middlesbrough and it has been coming. Ross Stewart leaps highest after Sol Brynn had denied Ryan Manning. It's finely poised at the break at St. Mary's.

Middlesbrough have had to travel almost 300 miles, but they lead after just five minutes at St. Mary's. Riley McGree has given the visitors the lead after sweeping home Callum Brittain's cross. The perfect start for Kim Hellberg's side in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Howard Webb says the correct decision was made to rule out a West Ham United equaliser in Arsenal’s crucial 1-0 victory on Sunday due to a “clear and obvious” foul on goalkeeper David Raya. Free to read ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4nmCmNo

Arsenal fans’ desire to watch their team potentially secure a first Premier League title in more than 20 years has seen their final-day opponents Crystal Palace implement “enhanced security measures” for ticketing of the fixture. Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social is free to read here ⬇️

Sweden have announced their 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski missing out after his knee injury struggles. Premier League players Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Lucas Bergvall and Victor Lindelof are included. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez called for fresh elections at the club and says he intends to stand again during a rare and hastily arranged appearance in front of the media on Tuesday. Free to read here ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4dfJsyB

After almost nine months of drama, the Premier League season will be decided in the next 12 days. 👑 When can the title be won? ⬇️ How can West Ham and Spurs avoid relegation? 🇪🇺 And what about the tussle for up to five league European spots? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Ethan Ampadu was peerless once again last night. Nobody's played more this season. Nobody's been more consistent. He's kept improving into a proven Premier League performer. With survival secured, he needs a statement contract. Latest round of talks planned before the end of the week. #lufc

NEWS: United States men’s national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso will undergo ankle surgery and is expected to miss the World Cup.

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most diverse and sports-obsessed regions in the United States. @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social has the lowdown on a region where the passion for sport is as synonymous as the morning fog. Brought to you by Capital One. www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

Hull City are in the Championship play-off final. Hull, who finished sixth, won 2-0 away against Millwall, who finished third, to book their place at Wembley. Second-half goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt were enough after a goalless first leg.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United means Roberto De Zerbi’s side are now two points clear of West Ham United in the relegation zone. Spurs, who now don't play until next Tuesday, could find themselves back in the drop zone if West Ham win away at Newcastle United on Sunday.

Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach. The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided. Outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is also a strong contender. ✍️ @david-ornstein.bsky.social

Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez has named his squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Edin Dzeko and teenage winger Kerim Alajbegovic the standout inclusions. More from @colinmillar.bsky.social bit.ly/4toRETr

Monday, so time for the Premier League briefing: * the corner-kick grappling that made the West Ham v Arsenal VAR incident a season-defining moment in more ways than one * #AFC champions-in-waiting, #WHUFC Championship-in-waiting * Slot losing Anfield faith #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

Morgan Rogers has started every PL game, over 3000 mins, is the most fouled player in the league's most fouled team & covers lots of ground. John McGinn is similar, yet is often taken off. They are tired, but #AVFC need a final few big efforts from them. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...