Mexico and South Africa are about to play the opening match of the World Cup for the second time in history. 16 years apart. Exact same calendar date. Completely reversed host roles. In 2010, Mexico pulled up to Johannesburg to spoil South Africa's party. In 2026, South Africa is pulling up to the Estadio Azteca to return the favor. This is officially the most unique, historic opener we’ve ever seen. Football always finds a way to repeat itself.
🚨💥 EXCL | Assan Ouedraogo will be called up to Germany’s World Cup squad as the replacement for Lennart Karl.
As revealed, the 20 y/o RB Leipzig top talent only narrowly missed out on the original squad. Now he will travel from his holiday in Spain to Chicago. Julian Nagelsmann has already informed him. Leipzig informed as well.
A World Cup dream comes true for Ouedraogo. @berger_pj@kerry_hau@SkySportDE 🇩🇪
🚨 JUST IN: Florentino Pérez is ALREADY working on signing Michael Olise.
He is working BEHIND THE SCENES, speaking directly to people involved in the deal. @FabrizioRomano
🚨❌ Jürgen Klopp’s agent denies any chance to become next Real Madrid manager.
Enrique Riquelme claimed contacts next week with Raúl for Klopp to become Real new manager if he wins the elections.
Klopp’s agent Kosicke: “It’s annoying. He’s not planning to return to coaching a club and happy at Red Bull”, told @SkySportDE@plettigoal.
🚨 NEW: Florentino Pérez believes that signing Michael Olise is VERY IMPORTANT for the system José Mourinho wants to implement at Real Madrid.
He believes he would turn Real Madrid's attack into THE BEST ATTACK IN THE WORLD. @FabrizioRomano
Florentino Perez became Real Madrid president on 17th July.
🗣️ Florentino: “Figo? Do I look worried? I am calm. I promise to refund 75,000 season tickets if it does not happen.”
🗣️ Figo, 19th July: “I am not going Real Madrid.”
24th of July, Figo is presented by Florentino.
🚨 Rafa Leão: “I want a new challenge out of Serie A. I follow the Premier League with great attention. If I have the opportunity to play there or La Liga I would be really happy because my talent would be exulted there”.
“Let’s see what will happen this summer”, told SportTV.
🚨 BREAKING: Lennart Karl suffered an injury in training today, announces Julian Nagelsmann.
“It doesn't look good. He went to the hospital and will have scans. We have to wait for the diagnosis and see if he can play at the World Cup or if we have to call up a replacement”, says Nagelsmann.
🗣️ Mauricio Pochettino on Brenden Aaronson missing training to get married. "The human being is always at the front of my mind.
"Players need to plan their lives, and the decision [to get married in late May] was made more than two years ago before I took charge.
"At the time, FIFA didn't allow a national team to play a warm-up game before 1 June and that was why they planned [the wedding].
"I wanted to allow Brenden to go. I know the type of professional player he is. It’s a good thing to let him celebrate...
"In the past, maybe people thought we [coaches] are all dictators. Maybe when I was a player, it was impossible. My old coaches would have said, 'I don’t care about you and your kids' [laughs].
"But today's society has evolved. Now we think about these things in more human terms than in the past.
"We were all happy. I am happy. He’s happy. His wife is happy."
🚨💛💙 Fenerbahçe presidential candidate Hakan Safi: “We have reached an agreement with Mason Greenwood”.
“The deal is ready until June 2030 if I win the elections”, Safi added — same as Luís Suárez.
Greenwood liked and followed Safi on social media.
AS Roma are also keen. 🇮🇹