Spain and Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup after suffering a fractured foot during domestic action on Sunday.
The 23-year-old sustained a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot as the Catalan club secured a 3-1 victory over Real Betis in La Liga.
While the reigning Spanish champions have not provided a specific timeframe for his recovery, the severe injury cruelly ends his hopes of participating in the tournament across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Another injury setback for the playmaker
The talented midfielder previously battled through two separate groin issues during a physically demanding domestic campaign.
Despite those fitness struggles, the influential playmaker remained highly productive, registering 13 goals and 17 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions.
He already holds seven senior international caps and was a near certainty for the official squad announcement scheduled for Monday.
‘Life and football can be cruel’
Taking to social media following a successful surgery, the devastated star vowed to aggressively attack his lengthy rehabilitation process.
“The operation went very well and I’m already looking forward to coming back stronger, both physically and mentally.”
He continued by reflecting on the unfortunate timing of the physical setback.
“Life and football can be cruel when you least expect it or deserve it. But you have to accept that it’s all part of the journey.”
“It’s a very tough time for me and yet another challenge in my career that I will overcome – of that you can be sure. Now it’s time to support the national team and my team-mates from home.”
Spain prepare for Group H without key figure
His absence deals a frustrating blow to a national side looking to build upon their triumphant Euro 2024 campaign, a tournament in which the promising prospect featured for 28 minutes.
The national team must now adjust their tactical plans ahead of an opening group fixture against Cape Verde on 15 June.
The European heavyweights will subsequently face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay as they look to navigate their way safely into the knockout rounds.
Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has urged Liverpool to ban Mohamed Salah from his final match at Anfield this Sunday following the forward’s public criticism of head coach Arne Slot.
The 33-year-old is preparing to conclude his nine-year tenure on Merseyside when the Reds host Brentford.
However, the Egyptian international has recently fallen out of favour during a campaign marked by declining individual performances.
Public criticism draws fierce backlash
Tensions escalated following a recent 4-2 domestic defeat against Aston Villa.
The veteran winger used social media to lament the loss of Jurgen Klopp’s renowned “heavy metal” style, which was widely interpreted as a direct attack on current tactical instructions.
“If Mohamed Salah is going to say those kinds of things, then say it when you’ve left.”
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce condemned the decision to air grievances before departing the club.
“Don’t say it when you’re still there, as if you’re bigger than the football club. If I were the Liverpool owners, I would ban him.”
Champions League qualification almost secure
The Merseyside club are virtually guaranteed to secure a place in next season’s elite European competition.
They can only drop out of the Premier League’s top five if they suffer a heavy home defeat to the Bees while Bournemouth secure a victory at Nottingham Forest.
Despite this commanding league position, Allardyce believes the former Roma attacker must take more personal accountability for his recent downturn in form.
“Salah should be looking at himself and how bad he’s been this year. Players and managers can row in the office, but they should never make it public.”
Legends echo calls for discipline
Several high-profile figures, including Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney, have voiced similar disapproval in recent days.
Given the lingering mathematical uncertainty surrounding their European qualification status, it remains unclear whether the departing star will start this weekend.
It marks a turbulent conclusion for an Anfield icon who has been instrumental to the club’s major successes over the past decade.
World football’s governing body FIFA is closely monitoring an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that threatens to disrupt the nation’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Sebastien Desabre’s squad faces major logistical hurdles following a recent United States travel ban imposed on several African nations.
The restriction currently applies to non-Americans arriving from DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan in response to the escalating health crisis.
However, the Leopards are still expected to participate in the North American tournament thanks to a planned diplomatic exemption.
Exemptions and safety protocols
A US Department of State official confirmed that authorities are actively working to accommodate the central African team.
“We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,” the official told Al Jazeera.
“We’re working to get them into the same protocol for testing in isolation that American citizens returning and permanent residents would be.”
The World Health Organization currently classifies the regional viral risk as high, though it has not declared a broader pandemic emergency.
Official medical figures indicate there have been dozens of confirmed cases, alongside nearly 600 suspected infections and 139 suspected deaths.
FIFA prioritises tournament security
In response to the domestic crisis, the national team has already cancelled a scheduled training camp in the capital city of Kinshasa.
Despite this significant disruption, a team spokesperson insisted that their broader preparation programme is proceeding as planned.
Tournament organisers are leaving nothing to chance regarding the safety of the expanded 48-team competition across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
An official statement confirmed that constant communication is being maintained with the Congolese Football Association to provide all necessary medical guidance.
“FIFA continues to work with all three FIFA World Cup 2026 host countries’ governments… as well as with the World Health Organization, to ensure a safe and secure tournament,” the governing body said.
The statement reiterated that the health of all individuals involved remains the absolute priority ahead of the opening fixtures.
Referee Michael Salisbury has been dropped from the final round of Premier League fixtures this Sunday after controversially allowing a Manchester United goal to stand despite an apparent handball.
The match official faced widespread criticism for refusing to disallow the second goal during United’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Despite being advised by the Video Assistant Referee to review a potential handball in the build-up on the pitchside monitor, he chose to uphold his original on-field decision.
Professional Game Match Officials chief refereeing officer Howard Webb subsequently contacted Forest to acknowledge that a mistake had been made.
PGMO admit on-field error
English referees traditionally adopt a more lenient approach to handball offences, but the governing body conceded this specific decision should have been overturned.
The omitted official has not been a regular presence in the top flight this season, overseeing just 13 league matches overall.
In contrast, highly experienced colleagues such as Michael Oliver have taken charge of 28 fixtures and will officiate the crucial upcoming clash between Tottenham and Everton.
Elsewhere on the final day, World Cup referee Anthony Taylor will manage the relegation battle between West Ham and Leeds, while emerging official Farai Hallam takes charge of Crystal Palace against champions Arsenal.
Further VAR scrutiny for Bell
Meanwhile, another contentious officiating appointment has placed James Bell on VAR duties for the match between Fulham and Newcastle.
This selection follows heavy criticism regarding his failure to intervene following a dangerous challenge by Kai Havertz on Lesley Ugochukwu during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley.
Match referee Paul Tierney issued a yellow card for the incident, but replays showed the German international’s studs making clear contact with his opponent’s calf.
Bell reviewed the footage but opted against recommending an on-field review for a potential dismissal.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville strongly condemned the tackle during the live broadcast.
He is miles away from the ball. I don’t like that. The height of it and the fact it is on the standing leg.
Gary Neville
The former Manchester United defender concluded that the Arsenal forward was incredibly fortunate to escape a red card when the technology failed to intervene.
Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby has joined a group of professional footballers petitioning Fifa for stronger heat protection protocols ahead of the expanded World Cup in North America.
The 30-year-old warned that the entire sport suffers if world football’s governing body fails to properly safeguard athletes from soaring temperatures.
His intervention supports recent concerns raised by leading scientists regarding the safety of playing conditions across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Protecting the planet and player welfare
The Cremonese midfielder has campaigned on climate issues within the sport for more than a decade.
“It’s also a message to Fifa – they have to do more to take care of people and the planet.”
Thorsby told BBC Sport that the organisation holds a massive responsibility but is currently falling short in utilising its global influence.
Researchers recently predicted that temperatures at 14 of the 16 tournament stadiums could exceed dangerous levels.
The impact on the sporting spectacle
The Norwegian international is expected to feature at the upcoming tournament after his nation qualified for the first time in 28 years.
Fifa previously announced enhanced heat protocols, including mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in every half regardless of the weather conditions.
However, the players’ letter demands clearer guidelines for delaying or postponing matches in extreme climates.
“For the players, it’s an obvious problem of heat impacting the performance. Obviously the intensity of the game goes down.”
He added that the entertainment value of the sport diminishes significantly when athletes cannot perform at their peak.
Calling on high-profile voices
The petition features signatures from across the men’s and women’s game, including Italy defender Elena Linari and Ipswich Town forward Chuba Akpom.
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has also added his name to the growing movement.
“We need more high-profile players to join this debate.”
The founder of the We Play Green foundation acknowledged that increased public attention often makes players hesitant to speak out on controversial issues.
Despite these fears, the push for comprehensive environmental and welfare reforms continues to gather momentum ahead of the global showpiece.
Liverpool require a minimum of a point against Brentford at Anfield on the final day of the Premier League season to guarantee their place in next season’s Champions League.
Arne Slot’s side currently hold a three-point advantage over chasing Bournemouth heading into Sunday’s decisive fixtures.
The Merseyside club will only drop out of the qualification places if they lose to the Bees and their south-coast rivals secure a victory with a six-goal swing.
Bournemouth kept their slim hopes alive by extending a remarkable 17-match unbeaten run with a draw against Manchester City earlier in the week.
Bournemouth await unlikely collapse
Andoni Iraola will take his overachieving squad to Nottingham Forest hoping for a miraculous turn of events on Merseyside.
However, the hosts possess a formidable record, having never lost to the west London outfit at Anfield in the top flight.
The home side’s prospects are further boosted by the manager hinting at the return of key attacking personnel for the final outing.
Failure to secure a top-tier European berth would cap off a highly frustrating campaign for the defending champions.
Despite heavy squad investment totalling £450m, the six-time European cup winners have been persistently derailed by injuries and tactical inconsistencies.
Aston Villa influence European places
The overall distribution of European allocations could yet be dramatically altered by Aston Villa’s upcoming continental exploits.
Should Unai Emery’s team win Wednesday’s Europa League final and finish fifth domestically, an unprecedented six English teams will enter Europe’s premier competition.
Conversely, a defeat for the Midlands club against Manchester City coupled with a Liverpool victory would elevate Slot’s men into fourth place.
Historic achievement for Cherries
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Bournemouth have already guaranteed continental football for the first time in their 127-year history.
Massive. For this club where it was, fighting in League Two. Nearly going bust, it’s amazing.
That was the verdict of midfielder Alex Scott, reflecting on a monumental season at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck after a £52m release clause was revealed in his new long-term contract.
The Premier League side have held a long-standing interest in the German international.
Despite recently signing an extension at Signal Iduna Park until 2031, the 26-year-old remains a viable target for Arne Slot’s squad.
German publication Kicker reports that the newly inserted release clause offers a straightforward path to securing his services without entering complex negotiations.
Defensive crisis deepens at Anfield
The Merseyside club have endured a challenging campaign, severely hindered by an inconsistent and injury-ravaged backline.
Summer signing Giovanni Leoni showed immense promise on his League Cup debut against Southampton, only to suffer a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Uncertainty also surrounds Ibrahima Konate, who is yet to agree fresh terms, while veteran Joe Gomez could depart at the end of the current season.
Captain Virgil van Dijk remains a talismanic figure, but the commanding Dutch international will turn 35 before the start of the next campaign.
Missed targets and statistical dominance
The Reds previously missed out on Marc Guehi, whose proposed deadline-day switch collapsed before he subsequently joined Manchester City.
While an agreement is already in place for 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet to arrive from Rennes ahead of the 2026-27 season, immediate defensive reinforcements are considered essential.
Standing at 6ft 3in, the left-footed Dortmund star offers an imposing physical presence and is widely renowned for his composure in possession.
Statistical data highlights his dominance, boasting a 62.9% success rate in aerial duels, 142 ball recoveries, and an 88.3% passing accuracy in the Bundesliga this year.
Hamann backs leadership qualities
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes his compatriot possesses the necessary attributes to succeed Van Dijk in the heart of the defence.
“He’s a natural leader,” Hamann said.
“You don’t know how long Virgil van Dijk is going to be there. The perfect situation would be to…”
Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager from 1 July, with the Spaniard reportedly set to receive a transfer budget exceeding £300m.
The 42-year-old was confirmed as the latest permanent boss at Stamford Bridge on Sunday following a chaotic period under the BlueCo ownership.
Since completing their takeover in 2022, the club’s hierarchy has already cycled through five permanent managers.
However, the leadership team appears to have offered unprecedented guarantees to secure the former Bayer Leverkusen tactician.
Greater control over summer recruitment
Reports suggest the new head coach will enjoy significant authority over player acquisitions to suit his distinct tactical approach.
The West London club have allegedly promised at least three ready-made additions to immediately elevate the first-team squad.
This aggressive recruitment strategy implies the upcoming summer spending spree could push total outlays beyond the £300m mark.
Such an investment would more than double the £270m the two-time Champions League winner has spent during his entire managerial career to date.
Building on Bundesliga success
During his highly successful tenure in Germany, the World Cup winner demonstrated an astute eye for transformative signings.
Despite a cautious start during the January 2023 window, he orchestrated a masterful summer rebuild ahead of his first full campaign.
Strategic additions like Granit Xhaka brought essential midfield leadership, while free transfer Alex Grimaldo proved to be an exceptional acquisition.
Translating the Leverkusen blueprint
The tactical mastermind combined these astute purchases with an already talented core featuring Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
His impressive recruitment record highlights a preference for targeted, high-impact signings rather than unnecessary squad overhauls.
Chelsea supporters will now be hoping their incoming boss can replicate that transformative market success in the Premier League.