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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.

Iraq national football team training ahead of World Cup playoff
World Cup Playoffs

Iraq’s World Cup Qualifier: A Lasting Hope, A Strategist’s Plan, and a Dash of Faith

Iraq’s football leadership convened to map the final stretch of preparations for the decisive 2026 World Cup playoff. The meeting focused on a comprehensive plan of camps, friendlies, and logistical support to maximize readiness. The draw places Iraq in the second playoff path, with Guadalajara and Monterrey hosting the semifinals and final. Leaders stressed unity, fan support, and a return to the World Cup after four decades, while considering league adjustments to facilitate camp preparation.

Italy vs Northern Ireland World Cup playoff Gattuso photo
World Cup Playoff

Gattuso Warns Ireland: Italy Ready, But No Relaxation Ahead of World Cup Playoff

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso warned that Northern Ireland are a physically tough opponent, insisting the Azzurri must treat the playoff with focus despite acknowledging fragility. The draw places Italy in Path A with the first leg at home on March 26 and a potential final on March 31 away against the Wales‑Bosnia winner. He praised Ireland’s fitness and resolve, stressing that the team must stay cohesive and confident amid a congested schedule. The coach also touched on training logistics and the ongoing conversation about Chiesa’s availability.

Dayot Upamecano renewal at Bayern Munich
Transfer

Bayern’s Bold Stance: Upamecano May Stay as Barca and Real Madrid Circle

Bayern Munich’s president signals optimism about Dayot Upamecano’s future as his contract runs through 2026. He told Sky Sports that a renewal is possible and highlighted the defender’s happiness and fit within Vincent Kompany’s squad. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been linked with a move, while Bayern monitor the situation closely. The club also has key fixtures on the horizon after the international break. Mbappe’s comments and Madrid’s defensive plans add to a busy transfer narrative around Europe’s top clubs.

Saudi football coaching landscape evolves as Tariq Diab highlights Jorge Jesus and other top coaches shaping the Kingdom's game.
Saudi Pro League

Saudi Legends on the Bench: Tariq Diab Names the Best Coaches in the Kingdom

Former Al Ahli Jeddah star Tariq Diab names the coaches who left a lasting imprint on Saudi football, with Jorge Jesus leading an exceptional shortlist. He recalls Khalil Al-Zayani as the pioneer who opened doors for Saudi coaches. Other names like Ramón Díaz and Cosmin Olăroiu are praised for their influence in club football. The discussion touches Al Ahli, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr, and even weighs in on Simone Inzaghi’s start. The piece closes with a light nod to the evolving coaching landscape in the Kingdom.

Lampard leads Coventry City to the top of the Championship with England coaching chatter in the air
Championship

Lampard’s Upgrade: Coventry City’s Climb, England’s Coaching Puzzle, and a Light-Hearted Look at the Tempting England Job

Lampard is guiding Coventry City to the top of the English Championship, proving their attack is light-years ahead. The success fuels talk of him taking England’s helm, a twist given Tuchel’s past Chelsea connection. He stresses the importance of system over ego, while England’s future options at number 10 multiply the possible permutations. Coventry’s style blends ruthless finishing with a growing sense of team identity. The piece ends with a warm look at locker-room camaraderie and a couple of light, snappy punchlines.

Nicolas Jackson Bayern Munich loan Getty Images
Bundesliga

Nicolas Jackson’s Bayern Bet: A Loan That Could Rewrite Chelsea’s Buyout Playbook

Nicolas Jackson arrives on loan at Bayern Munich with a clear goal: prove himself and help Bayern chase trophies. The deal is worth 14.2 million pounds, and a 40-appearance clause could force Bayern to buy. Chelsea watches closely as Jackson settles in, scores, and builds chemistry with teammates like Louis Diaz. The looming buyout of 56.2 million pounds remains a talking point as Bayern lead the table and chase European glory.

Ahly files five urgent complaints after bank official’s remarks; ahead of CAF Champions League fixtures, with international players returning and travel to Rabat in focus.
Egyptian Premier League

Ahly Hits Five-Point Complaint Drive After Bank Official’s Provocative Remark

Ahly has filed urgent complaints to five government authorities following remarks by Yahya Abu Foutou. The club accuses officials of bias and seeks accountability to protect fans and unity. The action comes as the team readies for CAF Champions League fixtures and awaits the return of international players. Preparations include travel plans to Morocco and updates on key players, with a touch of light humor to keep spirits high.

World Cup 2026 European playoff draw with Path A-D featuring Italy, Wales, Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Romania, Denmark
World Cup Playoffs

Italy’s World Cup Gambit: A Brutal European Playoff Road to 2026

The European playoff draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup unveiled four high-stakes paths for 16 European nations. Knockout single-match semi-finals and finals will decide four spots, to be played between March 26–31, 2026. UEFA’s revamped format aims to balance competition with a fair chance for countries of various ranks. As the drama builds, heavyweight teams like Italy, Denmark, Turkey, and Poland can’t afford a slip.

Egyptian fans preparing to secure FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets through official FIFA portal
World Cup 2026

Egypt Opens Official Roadmap to World Cup 2026 Tickets: How Fans Can Secure Seats

Egypt’s football federation unveiled the official process for buying World Cup 2026 tickets. Fans must use FIFA’s official ticketing platform, with a December 11, 2025 to January 13, 2026 window and a Random Selection Draw for Egypt. Tickets will be digital with QR codes, and there are limits to prevent hoarding. Fans are urged to arrange visas early and use only official channels to avoid scams. Expect a few laughs along the way, because even a passport photo can feel like a penalty shootout.

Haaland Italy World Cup playoff Capello interview
World Cup Playoffs

Capello Eyes Haaland’s Shadow: Italy’s World Cup Playoff Quest Goes On

Veteran coach Fabio Capello weighs in on Italy’s looming World Cup playoff, comparing Erling Haaland’s impact to Gigi Riva. He discusses Italy’s tricky campaign, the shift to Gattuso, and why the mental edge may prove decisive. The playoff draw could pit Italy against North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden, or Ireland/Northern Ireland. Capello stresses belief, recovery of form, and the challenge of facing a fearsome opponent in a one-off semi-final. The road to Qatar 2026 remains tense, but Italy is determined to rebound with confidence.

World Cup 2026 intercontinental playoff draw sets Iraq’s route and rivals in a Mexico-hosted knockout to decide two final berths.
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

World Cup 2026 Playoff Draw Sets Iraq’s Path to the Global Finals

The intercontinental playoff draw for the 2026 World Cup was held in Zurich, revealing two high-stakes paths. New Caledonia and Jamaica battle in Path 1, with the winner facing DR Congo. Bolivia and Suriname meet in Path 2, with the winner facing Iraq. The two path winners will join the six seeded teams in the World Cup race, in a mini-tournament hosted by Mexico in March 2026. Expect drama, tension, and perhaps a few surprises as qualification hinges on a single knockout round.

Manchester United duo Amass and Vitik eye first-team breakthrough on Championship loan
transfers

Rising United Duo Eye First-Team Breakthrough

Two Manchester United youngsters, Harry Amass and Radik Vitik, are undergoing a serious internal check as they chase a pathway to the first team next season. Amass is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Vitik at Bristol City, both excelling in the Championship. United believes success in the Championship can translate to opportunities in the senior squad and are adjusting contracts to protect potential profits. Patience and strategic planning, including buy-back clauses, shape the club’s long-term approach.

Trippier open to England return under Tuchel as left-back plans take shape
Premier League

England’s Trippier Might Unretire to Help Tuchel Fix Left-Back Crisis Ahead of World Cup 2026

Kieran Trippier has signalled he could return to England duty after telling Thomas Tuchel he can help solve the left-back problem. The 35-year-old Newcastle United veteran retired afterEuro 2024 but is open to a comeback if summoned. Tuchel appears ready to experiment with different profiles for the left flank, leveraging a wider pool of players. The situation adds a fresh twist to England’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Alexander-Arnold’s future also in play.

UAE Pro League Round Eight historic games preview

Round Eight Sparks: Historic Encounters Set UAE Pro League Alight

Three matches on Friday light up the ADNOC Pro League’s round eight, with a clash between Dibba Al-Fujairah and Al Wahda, and more high-stakes fixtures across the league. Al Wahda sits in second with strong form, while Dibba eyes a spark to climb from the bottom. The weekend also features Sharjah vs. Bani Yas and Khorfakkan vs. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, plus a Thursday opener between Khorfakkan and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai. Historic head-to-heads underline the narratives, alongside sharp shooting and defensive records that shape the weekend’s expectations. Expect goals, surprises, and a few moments where the scoreboard may need sunglasses.

Al-Sadd Mancini Qatar 2025 photo
Qatar Stars League

Mancini's Qatar Era Begins: Al-Sadd Face a Manageable Test

Roberto Mancini begins his tenure at Al-Sadd with a reachable test against Al-Sailiya, aiming to stabilize domestic form and push for progress in Asia. The club hired the Italian coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal to right the ship after a rough spell under Felix Sanchez. Al-Sadd has shown some spark lately with big domestic wins under interim coach Sergio Allegri, lifting them to sixth. The league landscape remains tight with Gharafa leading, while other title contenders chase, as the AFC Champions League looms.

Neymar apologizes after a controversial penalty for Santos vs Mirassol in Brasileirão 2025
Brasileirão

Neymar's Latest Slip-Up at Santos: A Public Apology Sparks Fresh Brazilian Drama

Neymar Jr. apologizes after inadvertently causing a new trouble for Santos in a Brasileirão match against Mirassol. The game ended in a 1-1 draw as Mirassol leveled at the 60-minute mark, keeping Santos precariously placed near the relegation zone with four rounds to go. Neymar posted a thoughtful message on Instagram, praising his teammates and fans while accepting responsibility for the disputed penalty. His future with Santos remains uncertain as contract talks loom with the season nearing its end.

Historic World Cup qualification for Curaçao makes it the smallest nation to reach the finals, led by Dutch coach Dick Advocaat in a milestone for Caribbean football.
World Cup Qualification

Tiny Island, Big Dream: Curaçao Clinches Historic World Cup Spot for 2026

Curaçao, a small Caribbean island with Dutch roots, has qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals for the first time in its history. The achievement makes it the smallest nation to reach the finals. The road to this milestone reveals a Dutch-dominated squad and a veteran coach guiding a rising football nation. Celebrations echoed in the Netherlands, where fans and royalty acknowledged the milestone. The team now faces a challenging journey to the finals while inspiring a nation and a few joke-worthy headlines.