Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh earned her 100th senior cap for England Women during Tuesday’s 2027 World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley.

The 29-year-old becomes only the 15th player in history to reach a century of appearances for the Lionesses.

Despite achieving this prestigious milestone under the iconic Wembley arch, the national team orchestrator still has a considerable way to go to challenge the all-time appearance record.

Fara Williams holds all-time Lionesses record

Legendary midfielder Fara Williams currently stands alone at the summit, having represented her country a staggering 172 times across an 18-year international career.

The former Everton and Liverpool star featured in three separate global tournaments during her distinguished tenure in the national side.

She is closely followed in the historic rankings by fellow midfield dynamo Jill Scott, who retired with 161 international appearances.

They remain the only two female players in English football history to have surpassed the 150-cap threshold.

Lucy Bronze closes in on historic milestone

Among active squad members, veteran defender Lucy Bronze is the nearest challenger to the long-standing benchmark set by Williams.

The 34-year-old full-back made her 146th international appearance during the high-profile fixture against the reigning world champions.

Meanwhile, Manchester City defensive stalwart Alex Greenwood also sits securely within the centurion club, boasting 108 caps for her country.

Walsh will now look to build upon her own century as the squad continues its qualification campaign for the 2027 tournament.

Javier Mascherano has unexpectedly resigned as head coach of Inter Miami for personal reasons, just four months after leading the club to MLS Cup glory.

The Argentine tactician steps away after a little over a year in charge of the Florida-based franchise.

His sudden departure comes less than two weeks after the Herons inaugurated their brand-new stadium near Miami International Airport.

A brief but successful tenure

The former defensive midfielder took charge at the beginning of 2025, reuniting with his former Barcelona and national team colleague Lionel Messi.

During his stint in the dugout, Mascherano oversaw 67 matches across all competitions.

He secured 38 victories, registering 15 draws and suffering 14 defeats while establishing a dominant style of play.

“I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments.”

Searching for a successor

Inter Miami must now search for a new leader following a mixed start to their 2026 domestic campaign.

The Eastern Conference outfit currently sit third in the standings, having collected 12 points from their opening seven fixtures.

Despite the managerial upheaval, their talismanic captain remains in scintillating form.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already found the net six times in eight appearances this term.

World Cup looms for Messi

Speculation continues to mount regarding whether the 38-year-old forward will participate in this summer’s World Cup.

The global tournament will be jointly hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

La Albiceleste arrive as defending champions following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in Qatar four years ago.

Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has highlighted fresh racial abuse directed at him on social media, posting a screenshot of the latest offensive comments.

The 26-year-old shared an image to his Instagram story on Monday featuring a screenshot of abusive messages sent by a particular account.

“It’s started again,” the Ghana international wrote alongside the offensive post.

It is understood his current club are offering the attacker all the care and support he requires following this latest isolated incident.

The Premier League and the Football Association have both been approached for official comment regarding the situation.

Previous allegations and upcoming trial

This recent social media post follows an alleged racist incident involving a spectator during the opening weekend of the current top-flight campaign.

While playing for former club Bournemouth, the forward reported receiving abuse from the stands during a 4-2 defeat against Liverpool in which he scored twice.

Following that August fixture, Merseyside Police arrested and charged 47-year-old Mark Mogan with a racially aggravated public order offence.

The accused denied the offence at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in December, meaning a trial is now scheduled to take place on 22 April.

Wider problem across English football

The abuse directed at the former Cherries player is part of a concerning and growing trend of racism targeting professional footballers this season.

During a single weekend in February, four separate top-flight players were subjected to discrimination, prompting an active investigation by the UK Football Policing Unit.

That investigation covers incidents involving Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana, and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare.

Earlier on Monday, Sunderland also officially condemned racist abuse aimed at their forward Brian Brobbey following a 1-0 league victory over Tottenham.

Eberechi Eze insists Arsenal will play without fear when they defend a one-goal lead against Sporting Lisbon in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg.

The Gunners head into the decisive European fixture following a turbulent domestic period that included a Carabao Cup final defeat and a damaging Premier League loss to Bournemouth.

Despite those recent setbacks, their dynamic number 10 remains supremely confident that the squad can still secure major silverware this season.

Embracing the European stage

The 27-year-old playmaker recently returned from a frustrating calf injury just in time for the demanding run-in.

Growing up as a passionate admirer of Europe’s elite competition, the former academy graduate views this tie as the realisation of a lifelong ambition.

We all know the position we are in and the opportunity we have and we know what is at stake.
Loads of confidence, loads of belief in the group, and in our team and it is special to be around.

Channelling the spirit of 2006

The North London side are aiming to secure a historic back-to-back Champions League semi-final appearance.

Having joined the club’s youth setup shortly after their famous run to the 2006 final, the England international draws inspiration from the legendary generation led by Thierry Henry.

I think there was a certain level of confidence and not arrogance, but belief within that squad.
For me that’s what football is about, going onto a pitch and believing you’re that guy.

Focusing on the task ahead

Mikel Arteta’s side must successfully navigate past their Portuguese opponents to keep their continental dreams alive.

The attacking midfielder believes the current squad possesses the exact same special mentality as their illustrious predecessors.

To be in a position where we can win the competition, we’ve got the actual opportunity that’s the most special thing and I’m grateful to God for it.

Matt Crocker has unexpectedly resigned as sporting director of the United States Soccer Federation to take up a new role in Saudi Arabia just two months before the World Cup.

The 51-year-old’s sudden departure comes at a critical juncture for the upcoming tournament co-hosts.

Reports indicate the former Southampton executive will join the Saudi Arabian football federation, though his exact position remains unconfirmed.

A statement from the governing body confirmed immediate structural changes to manage the transition.

“Dan Helfrich will provide executive oversight and support across the federation’s sporting operations.”

The newly appointed chief operating officer will be supported by assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and women’s youth development head Tracey Kevins.

Surprise exit creates uncertainty ahead of crucial summer

The timing of the resignation will cause significant concern within the American setup ahead of a home World Cup starting on 11 June.

Adding to the uncertainty, men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino will see his current contract expire immediately after the global tournament concludes.

The federation is also scheduled to open a massive new 200-acre training and office complex in Fayetteville, Georgia next month.

A legacy of high-profile managerial appointments

During his two-year tenure, the experienced administrator orchestrated several major coaching decisions across both senior national teams.

He initially chose to rehire Gregg Berhalter as men’s head coach in June 2023, before ultimately dismissing him following a disastrous Copa America group-stage exit.

Following that disappointment, he secured the high-profile signature of former Tottenham boss Pochettino to lead the men’s squad into their home tournament.

His most successful move proved to be the appointment of Emma Hayes to the women’s national team, with the renowned manager subsequently guiding the Americans to Olympic gold.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has revealed he experienced suicidal thoughts during a severe battle with depression following Brazil’s quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup.

The 28-year-old opened up about the immense pressure he faced after his nation was unexpectedly eliminated by Croatia in Qatar.

Despite scoring three times at the tournament, including a stunning bicycle kick against Serbia, the aftermath took a heavy emotional toll on the former Everton player.

Spiralling thoughts and seeking help

“One day, while driving, I thought about crashing into a wall,” Richarlison told France Football.

“Today, when I think about it, I tell myself it’s pointless.”

The Brazilian international endured a difficult transition to life in north London following his blockbuster transfer from Goodison Park in the summer of 2022.

He managed just a single Premier League goal during his debut campaign amid mounting personal issues.

The turning point and professional support

“After the 2022 World Cup, I fell into a depression,” the attacker continued.

“Every possible misfortune befell me: the elimination, my agent’s betrayal, family problems, physical setbacks.”

Seeking professional psychological assistance proved crucial in helping the South American rediscover a positive mindset.

“In all that chaos, I met an honest lawyer who put my affairs and assets in order,” he explained.

“I worked with a psychologist and, most importantly, I met my wife.”

Advocating for mental health awareness

This is not the first time the Spurs talisman has spoken candidly about his mental wellbeing.

During a heartfelt interview with ESPN Brasil earlier this year, he urged others in the sporting world to overcome the stigma surrounding therapy.

“Today I can say, look for a psychologist, if you need a psychologist, look for one because it’s nice for you to open up like that.” Richarlison

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, the forward plans to heed advice from Manchester United midfielder Casemiro to avoid social media if selected for the national squad.

Chelsea plan to stand by head coach Liam Rosenior despite a severe slump in form that seriously jeopardises their Champions League qualification.

The west London side currently sit sixth in the Premier League table with just six crucial matches remaining.

They have secured a mere one victory in their last seven domestic outings, dropping out of the coveted top-five spots.

This dismal streak includes winning only two top-flight fixtures since the beginning of February.

Financial implications of missing elite football

Failing to secure a place in Europe’s premier competition could spell significant trouble for the club’s broader stability.

Parent company BlueCo has reportedly recorded staggering financial losses amounting to £1bn over the last two years.

The lucrative revenues generated by continental qualification are desperately needed to help balance these massive accounts.

The English manager was appointed in January to succeed Enzo Maresca but has visibly struggled to reverse the team’s downward trajectory.

Board commitment amidst growing supporter unrest

Despite the concerning metrics, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy insists their head coach remains part of a long-term vision.

Executives reportedly intend to retain his services through the summer even if they miss out on top-tier European football.

However, the loyal fanbase is becoming increasingly vocal about the lack of fighting spirit and character displayed by the squad.

Rosenior’s got to convince his players that he’s the right man for the job.

The internal pressure will only intensify if performances do not dramatically improve during this critical final stretch of the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur players face a staggering 50 per cent reduction in their basic salaries if the struggling club is relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2026-27 season.

The North London side currently sit 18th in the table and are two points adrift of safety with just six games remaining.

A recent 1-0 defeat to Sunderland saw the Lilywhites officially drop into the relegation zone for the first time this campaign.

Strict financial clauses in place

Senior club executives have inserted mandatory relegation protection clauses into player contracts to ensure long-term financial stability.

This 50 per cent salary drop is significantly higher than the industry standard, which typically sees wages fall by around 20 to 30 per cent upon demotion to the Championship.

The drastic measure would severely impact top earners such as summer arrival Xavi Simons and club captain Cristian Romero.

Both stars reportedly earn £195,000 per week, a figure that would immediately plummet to £97,500 if top-flight status is lost.

Managerial changes fail to spark revival

Spurs have already dismissed two managers this season in a desperate attempt to halt their slide down the division.

The recent appointment of Italian tactician Roberto De Zerbi has so far failed to produce a much-needed turnaround in form.

Incredibly, the team has not registered a single league victory since the turn of the calendar year in 2026.

Their on-pitch woes were further compounded at the weekend when the Argentine skipper limped off the field in tears.

Potential squad exodus

While the stringent salary cuts ease the pressure on the board to hastily sell players, an enforced mass exodus remains highly probable.

Several high-profile squad members are expected to push for transfers rather than accept a life in the English second tier on half-pay.

Other notable figures facing drastic wage reductions include England international James Maddison, whose weekly income would drop from £170,000 to £85,000.

The projected weekly wage drops for key squad members highlight the harsh financial realities of a potential demotion: