Dutch slay the Welsh Dragon
Netherlands 3 Wales 0
July 5 – Netherlands cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Euros debutants Wales in Lucerne, giving the Dragons a first, if slightly bitter, taste of the challenge that Group D poses.
Barca agree €424m refinance package with Goldman Sachs
July 4 – FC Barcelona has refinanced €424 million of debt tied to its ambitious Espai Barça stadium redevelopment project, issuing bonds in partnership with Goldman Sachs just days before the close of its fiscal year. The move effectively pushes back key repayment deadlines and gives the financially strained club much-needed breathing room.
Aston Villa agrees deal with bitcoin-based private bank Xapo
July 4 – Aston Villa has announced a new partnership with Xapo Bank, a bitcoin-first private bank, marking another high-profile entry from the crypto and fintech space into Premier League football.
Germany overcome Polish resistance but lose captain Gwinn in the battle
Germany 2 Poland 0
July 4 – With second-half goals, Germany laboured to a 2-0 victory against debutants Poland in Group C in St Gallen, but lost their captain Gulia Gwinn to injury.
Danes lose momentum as Sweden take the Group C points
Sweden 1 Denmark 0
July 4 – Under unfamiliar conditions in the sweltering Geneva sunshine, Sweden fought hard for an opening 1-0 victory over neighbours Denmark in Group C, with midfielder Filippa Angeldal shooting her side to the top of the group.
Gold Cup sell outs break attendance records all the way to the final
July 4 – With just three days to go before the final of the 2025 Gold Cup in the NRG Stadium in Houston, Concacaf is reporting that there are less than 4,000 tickets left for the 72,200 capacity stadium that will host Mexico and the USA.
Denmark seek revenge in Group C opener, but Sweden have momentum
July 4 – Denmark will be out to restore some Nordic pride tonight as they face neighbours Sweden in Geneva, in their opening Group C clash. The scars from their last meeting in June’s Nations League are still fresh — a bruising 6-1 defeat in Solna where Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius netted a hat-trick, including a goal inside the opening minute.
NWSL to shut down in June for men’s 2026 World Cup
July 4 – The NWSL has delivered its verdict on the 2026 men’s World Cup: if you can’t beat them, take a holiday. The league announced Wednesday it will shut down for the entire month of June when football’s biggest circus rolls into town, predominantly across the United States.
FIFA’s American dream becomes a sweltering nightmare
July 4 – The Club World Cup was supposed to be FIFA’s grand statement. Instead, it’s turning into a cautionary tale about what happens when world domination ambition meets meteorological reality.
Vicky Lopez announces her Spanish arrival and is hungry for more
July 4 – It took just seven minutes for Vicky Lopez to announce herself on the big stage. With her first goal at a major tournament, the 18-year-old was a headliner for Spain in the world champions’ 5-0 victory against Portugal.
The Gold Cup red card conundrum
July 4 – Here’s a curious twist that’ll have you scratching your head: get sent off in the Concacaf Gold Cup as a player from Canada, the United States, or Mexico, and you won’t be cooling your heels during the World Cup. Instead, you’ll be benched for your country’s next friendly.
Giroud’s California dreaming ends goalless and trophy-less
July 3 – When Olivier Giroud packed his bags for Los Angeles, it looked like another coup for Major League Soccer (MLS). Here was France’s all-time leading scorer, a man who had won everything from the World Cup to the Champions League, ready to grace American pitches with his elegant finishing.
Udinese agree training kit deal with local snack maker Crich
July 4 – Serie A’s Udinese Calcio has signed Italian snack manufacturer Crich as their Official Training Kit Partner for the 2025/26 season, expanding their commercial portfolio with a regional brand ahead of what is expected to be a financially cautious campaign.
Germany confident of going all the way. Poland are first obstacle
July 4 – With no injury concerns, Germany will look to back up their credentials as title contenders at Euro 2025 with a convincing showing against Poland in their opening match in Group C.
Winbet agrees regional Eastern Europe regional partnership with AC Milan
July 3 – Italian giants AC Milan has agreed a deal with Bulgarian betting company WINBET who will become the club’s Official Regional Betting Partner. The long-term partnership was signed in Sofia in the presence of Maikel Oettle, chief commercial officer of AC Milan, club legend Alessandro Costacurta and WINBET’s COO Viktor Perenovski.