Find here all the latest live football news: results from Ligue 1, La Liga, Premier League, and the biggest European and international competitions. Follow the latest transfers, match summaries, standings, and upcoming fixtures. Don’t miss any of today’s football news on Aballou, your site dedicated to football enthusiasts.
FIFA has announced the total prize money for the 2026 World Cup, the first edition with 48 teams. Each participant receives an initial 1.5 million dollars just for joining the tournament. The champion could pocket 50 million, with the total pool reaching 727 million dollars. The stakes keep getting bigger, and so do the wallets, apparently.
Argentine striker Julián Álvarez has dismissed Barcelona transfer talk, reaffirming his commitment to Atlético Madrid. He credits the club and his Argentine teammates for a smooth adaptation and growth. Despite a slow start, he says the team is improving and March will be decisive. He also hopes to relive past trophy success with Atlético while competing in all competitions this season.
Cyber attackers hit Al-Ahli Jeddah's confidential data, triggering internal disruption. The hackers threaten to leak player contracts and staff details. Club officials, along with the Ministry of Sports, are assessing the damage. The incident underscores cybersecurity risks in Saudi football.
Napoli and Milan collide in the Italian Super Cup semifinal, staged in Riyadh. The piece breaks down where to watch on TV and how to stream online. Rights are held by the Thamanya network, with Thamanya 1 as the primary channel. For fans abroad, streaming options and tips are also covered, plus a quick glance at kickoff details and commentary.
Saudi Arabia faces a pivotal call on Morad Hossawi’s fitness ahead of the Arab Cup 2025 third-place match vs UAE. Renard weighs risk versus reward as a medical check could shape the starting lineup. The semis saw Jordan and Morocco triumph over their foes, heightening the pressure on the Saudi defense. All eyes are on whether the injury-graftered defense can hold, or whether a late swap could steal the show.
Jordan's head coach Jamal Al-Salami visited Yazan Al-Na'imat in Aspetar after ACL surgery to lift spirits ahead of the Arab Cup final against Morocco in Qatar. The forward, a star of Al-Arabi (Qatar) and the Nashama, enjoyed a light-hearted exchange about dreams with his mentor. The coach stressed the team's ambition to win the Arab Cup and dedicate the trophy to Na'imat, while noting his absence will be felt. The final will be staged in Qatar, with Jordan chasing glory on a big stage.
A 21-year-old former Wolverhampton Wanderers academy graduate, Ethan Macklowid, dies in a highway crash while returning home after a match. The incident occurred near Northampton, and Macclesfield FC announced the heartbreaking news. Ethan had spent ten years in the Wolves academy and had loan spells before continuing his career with Macclesfield FC and other clubs. The football community mourns a talented and beloved young player whose potential was tragically cut short.
The Kings League announces the second Kings Cup for Nations in 2026, to be staged in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from January 3 to 17 with 20 national teams including four Arab nations. The launch came via a Zoom press conference featuring Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo Nazário, and Kaká. Piqué calls the event a major global milestone while highlighting the home advantage and rising performances from Arab teams. The lineup blends world-class players and entertaining formats aimed at expanding football reach worldwide.
Sharjah FC appoints Jose Morais to lead the first team through the remainder of 2025-26 and the 2026-27 season. The move follows Morais’s departure from Al Wahda for personal reasons and signals a high-profile shift in UAE football. Morais brings a trophy-laden resume and a Mourinho pedigree, with a career spanning Asia and the Arab world. The club hopes to climb in the ADNOC Pro League and pursue continental glory, while fans react with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
A Deportivo Guadalajara forward, Borja Diaz, drew comparisons to Sergio Ramos during Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash. Social media exploded with side-by-side looks at Diaz’s features, haircut, and body language. Marca even teased Ramos with a playful nudge about the resemblance. The story blends football history with a dash of humor, highlighting how image can spark conversations beyond the pitch.
Jordan’s Yazan Al-Naimat underwent a successful ACL surgery in Doha, marking a crucial step in his rehabilitation. The operation was led by a top ACL specialist and proceeded without complications. He is now in an intensive recovery program aiming to be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Jordan’s national team, coached by Jamal Al-Salami, prepares for the Arab Cup final while the player targets a rapid return.
Following Saudi Arabia's Arab Cup semifinal exit, Hervé Renard's future remains undecided as the federation conducts a calm technical review. Fans push for a change while the federation avoids rushing a decision ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Renard has argued that titles have been scarce since 2003, and now all options are on the table as the path forward is debated. Expect careful consideration rather than impulsive moves.
Barcelona edged Guadalajara 2-0 in the Copa del Rey with Ter Stegen starting unexpectedly, ending a four-month layoff. Flick initially planned to field Szczesny but altered his decision after a pivotal conversation with the goalkeepers. The discussion convinced Ter Stegen to prove his readiness and could influence future transfer moves and World Cup plans. For now, the established order in the locker room remains, with Juan Garcia as the starter and Szczesny as the deputy. A light twist to keep things interesting: goalkeeping drama, Barca-style, never sleeps.
Massimiliano Allegri eases tensions at the Super Cup press conference while outlining Milan’s plans to face Napoli. He stresses the goal of reaching the final, balanced football, and acknowledges Napoli’s threat after a recent setback. Injury news dominates the session, with Fofana back and Jimenez set for surgery, alongside a call-up of Milan’s youth. Talks of transfers take a back seat as Milan focuses on recovering players and staging a competitive semi-final.
Real Madrid announced their squad for the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match against Talavera de la Reina. The lineup features a feared attacking trio alongside Bellingham, while several defenders are sidelined. Raul Asensio misses out with fever, and Courtois is not listed in the official squad. The team will rely on a mix of youth and experience as they chase a knockout-stage win.
Madrid presses for penalties against Barça in the Negreira affair, sparking a broader debate about who can sanction in domestic competitions. Barcelona faces allegations of paying a former deputy head of the referees’ committee to influence match results. UEFA’s jurisdiction is highlighted as the likely pathway for any sanctions, with FIFA’s role seen as more limited. The article outlines why continental authority, not FIFA, is at the center of potential penalties and what that means for both clubs.
Abdulrahman Al-Aboud emphasizes Salem Al-Dosari's pivotal role as captain and Asia's top talent. The Saudi squad shifts focus to a third-place Arab Cup clash with the UAE after a semifinal loss to Jordan. Al-Aboud praises Salman Al-Faraj but stresses Al-Dosari's impact, and promising young players get their chance. The team aims to clinch the title overall, with the UAE match serving as a stepping stone.
Ahead of the Arab Cup third-place clash, Hervé Renard pushed back at trophy-focused questions, saying titles aren’t his core issue and signaling he’s ready to step down if asked. Saudi Arabia’s semi-final defeat to Jordan exposed a gap between performance and silverware. Renard argued that judging on a single game is flawed and stressed the need to develop talent and stay competitive for winter preparations and World Cup ambitions. The coach also explained selection decisions and reaffirmed his willingness to guide Saudi football’s future. The piece closes with a touch of humor to keep the press room from turning into a statue.
Mbappe’s absence from the FIFA Best XI has ignited a broad debate, even with Real Madrid standout players still in contention for top awards. The discussion highlights balance between form, reputation, and historical recognition. The 2025 Best XI lineup includes a mix of stars and surprise inclusions, with Dembélé securing Player of the Year. The piece draws parallels with Salah’s past snubs and notes PSG’s domestic triumphs alongside Europe’s top prize hopefuls.
Youssef Belamri is one step away from joining Al Ahly after a week of intense talks. Al Ahly confirms agreement on personal terms with the player in the presence of his agent. The sticking point remains the future resale percentage, with Al Ahly offering 10% against Raja’s demand of 20%. The deal could be sealed within hours or by early next week, ahead of Al Ahly’s Cairo Capital Cup clash.
