Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

When the Olympique Lyonnais women's team officially became OL Lyonnes on 19 May, they came with a new mantra: New story, same legend. The eight-time European champions, now owned by Michele Kang and part of Kynisca a multi-club ownership group dedicated to women's sports that also already includes the Washington Spirit are a new project with the aim of developing as a women's club with our own model.

Iran is to be represented at Friday's draw for the 2026 World Cup. The country's FA had previously said it would boycott the draw after several members of its planned delegation were denied visas for the United States. Iran is now expected to have a delegation at Friday's World Cup draw in Washington D.C. after all. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali told state news agency Irna on Thursday that head coach Amir Ghalenoei would attend.

With GW15 on the horizon and next week's free transfer reset topping everyone back up to five ahead of AFCON, this is your chance to make those final moves count, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. If you've got a spare transfer lying around, there's no reason to let it burn - go bold and chase a one week haul! GW15 is perfect for short-term punts, where a single fixture swing or bit of form can make all the difference before the reset.

There's a very good reason why a club like us bought him: he's an outstanding, world-class player in my eyes who can only become even better but it will take a bit of time. For him he has to stay level-headed, don't get too high, don't get too low. Don't get dragged into the outside world of when it's very good or very bad and don't get dragged into the numbers game.

His lack of minutes since his move to City has pushed his career downwards and his stay at City is nother helping the club at the moment or the player. Loan moves at Ipswich Town and West Ham United have not worked either and it appears like a move to Leeds United, where he played the best football of his career, could prove to be the only catalyst that revives his career.

perhaps no surprise given two of Wolves' three top scorers from last season - Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri - have left, while the other - Jorgen Strand Larsen - is struggling with form and fitness. However, there are three teams in the Premier League with a lower expected goals total (xG) than Wolves' 12.74 this season. But those three teams have all outperformed their xG, while Wolves are struggling to make the most of the few chances they are creating.

A delayed deadline day for players to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations has implications for Celtic and Rangers, while Dundee United could lose a January transfer target to Olympiakos. A rule change by world governing body Fifa means Sebastian Tounekti of Tunisia, Michel-Ange Balikwisha from DR Congo and Kelechi Iheanacho from Nigeria will be available for Celtic's Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren before being released to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.

"We played some good football in the first half today, but the second half was more of a fight and we didn't manage to play our game. "It's difficult to string two or three passes together on this pitch. Union played a lot of long balls and there were a lot of duels. I think it was not an attractive half to watch for neutrals."

After two matches it is clear - Union Berlin is a problem for Bayern Munich. In the DFB-Pokal round of 16, the Bavarians scuffled their way to a 3-2 victory that was powered by two own goals from the Iron Ones. It was a battle from start to finish, but Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany can appreciate that type of effort from his squad.

Staged just a mile from the White House, Friday's World Cup draw will have a distinctly political feel. The glittering ceremony will take place at the Kennedy Center, the famous Washington arts venue now chaired by US President Donald Trump after he overhauled its board this year. Alongside stars from football, US sports and show business, Trump will be in attendance, as will the leaders of the other two co-hosts - Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Fast forward to today, and one of those players has been continuously asked about a potential return to German's net. The sweeper keeper was poised to be replaced by Marc-Andrew ter Stegen, but after a major injury setback, the position is once again seemingly Neuer's, if he so wants it. However, once again, Neuer has denied any interest in returning to the national team.

"When you play against such an opponent and they start playing for time from the 45th minute onwards, which was partly not penalized, then that's respect enough [they've shown us]. Yes, [they were wasting time] from the 45th minute onwards. (Aleksandar) Pavlović is obviously injured - I wish him all the best. But he lay down for two minutes. And then the ball was played, and then he lay down again. That's how he wasted time so he can make a substitution. That's not fair play. But I'm not accusing the guy; I hope he gets well soon,"

In his post-match interviews, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery almost always comes across as polite, calm and measured... but that isn't always the case on the touchline. Against Brighton on Wednesday and with his side 2-0 down after 30 minutes the Spaniard was an animated ball of rage, appearing so angry with his side's performance that he could barely deliver his half-time team talk.

Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota on what would have been his 29th birthday,

Martin O'Neill signed off with a pristine domestic record as Celtic defeated Dundee 1-0 to move level with Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Interim boss O'Neill will step aside after Wilfried Nancy was officially confirmed as Celtic's new manager. His first game in charge will be against Hearts. And O'Neill departs with a win after Daizen Maeda's 11th-minute header settled Wednesday's contest at Celtic Park.