Author: Eternity Lab

Italy is set to appoint legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo as its men’s national team head coach, according to multiple reports on Friday.

Italian Federation director Paolo Maldini was reportedly in talks with high-profile free agent coaches, including Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, but all signs now point to Pirlo being named the Azzurri’s new leading man through the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

Pirlo returns to the men’s national team at a tumultuous time for the program. Italy has now failed to qualify for the men’s FIFA World Cup three consecutive times. Prior to 2018, Italy hadn’t missed the World Cup since 1958.

This is Pirlo’s fifth head coaching job since he retired in 2017. He most notably coached Serie A giants Juventus for a season after coaching its U-23 side. While Juventus struggled in league play under Pirlo, he led the club to two trophies: the Supercoppa Italiana and the Coppa Italia.

Pirlo most recently coached Dubai United in the UAE First Division League.

Pirlo’s first major test will be qualifying for the 2028 European Championship. Italy won Euro 2020 after besting England in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw. Italy qualified for Euro 2024 but was knocked out in the round of 16 by Switzerland.

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As FIFA investigates Argentina’s conduct after the World Cup final, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described the incidents as “intolerable and unacceptable.”

FIFA asked one of its disciplinary prosecutors Monday to report back on testy on-field confrontations after Spain’s 1-0 win in extra time Sunday to dethrone the defending champion.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes physically tangled with Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi, and Spain captain Rodri was hit in the stomach as he ran past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina.

“It cannot be allowed,” De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, adding he did not see the incidents at the time while “celebrating with other people.”

“In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” the Spain coach said.

FIFA has given no details of the remit for its investigator, or if witness statements could be sought from Spain players and staff.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized Wednesday for his confrontation with Dani Olmo, which he described as a shove and not a punch.

2026 FIFA World Cup™ ⭐️ TOP 10 MOMENTS of the Tournament

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Coach Praises Spain’s Restraint

De la Fuente praised his players in the TVE interview for how they handled the situation at MetLife Stadium.

“I want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation,” the coach said. “Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”

The Spain squad stood in a guard of honor for Argentina players walking to the podium to get their medals from U.S. President Donald Trump. Minutes later, when Rodri lifted the trophy, most of the Argentina squad turned their backs on the ceremonial moment.

Unclear Timetable For FIFA Action

FIFA disciplinary rules allow a special prosecutor to “request the opening of disciplinary proceedings and propose that disciplinary measures be imposed on member associations, clubs and individuals.”

FIFA gave no timetable for any cases, and it is unclear when any potential bans for Argentina players would apply as the team does not have competitive games scheduled in the coming months.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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LeBron James’ decision has shifted the dynamic of the NBA season and gave a title odds boost for his next team.

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LOS ANGELES — The NFL’s newest Super Team and heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl want all the smoke.

That’s according to the Los Angeles Rams’ newest addition, reigning league Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who made that clear at the team’s unveiling of new uniforms in front of a packed house of season ticket holders at the YouTube Theater on Thursday.

When Garrett was asked which NFC West team he looked forward to playing this season, he pointed north on I-5 to the Pacific Northwest and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.

“I want the champs,” Garrett said, with a rowdy crowd roaring its approval. “They won it all, and I’ve got to see what that’s about. They feel like they’ve got the pieces to run it back, and I feel like we’ve got the pieces to take over.”

With one of the most loaded rosters in recent memory, Rams MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford said he embraces the challenge, operating in the ultra-competitive environment of Los Angeles since relocating from St. Louis 10 years ago.

The Rams took a similar approach in 2021, loading up on stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and Eric Weddle, which led to the team’s first Super Bowl victory since moving back to Los Angeles five years ago. That Super Bowl was played at their home field, SoFi Stadium, which is where this season’s Super Bowl will be played, too. 

“I’ve been around long enough to know that you have to go out and earn it every day,” Stafford said. “And that’s really the fun part, is getting to earn that, right? Not sitting here and talking about it, seeing what we look like on paper. So, well OK, let’s go out there and pump the football up, and see if we can score some points and stop some people. That’s kind of where my head’s at.” 

Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams wear the Rams’ new Classic Sol uniforms. (Photo courtesy of the Rams.)

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Rams team president Kevin Demoff addressed the most pressing question this offseason of defensive game wrecker Aaron Donald potentially returning, saying the franchise will continue to take a patient approach in the possibility of the four-time Defensive Player of the Year playing football again after retiring two years ago.

“We don’t have a ring, or a Lombardi Trophy or a banner if not for Aaron Donald,” Demoff said. “I think Sean [McVay] said it best yesterday. If Aaron wants to return, we will wait with open arms. It’s his decision, his choice. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wake up refreshing social media, seeing if there’s a post or hoping that there’s a text that says, ‘You up?”

Added Stafford: “Whatever’s right for him will be right for all of us.” 

While the team hasn’t set a timetable for Donald to decide whether to potentially unretire, a league source close to Donald told me he is leaning toward returning. Donald participated in a workout in full pads at the team’s facility two weeks ago.

As for the matter at hand on Thursday night, the two alternate uniforms the Rams introduced — “Classic Sol” and “Fearsome White” — celebrate the franchise’s championship history and iconic legacy, according to the team. 

Members of the Rams’ defense wear their new Fearsome White uniforms. (Photo courtesy of the Rams.)

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The “Classic Sol” uniform celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Rams’ 1951 championship team, while the “Fearsome White” honors the legendary Fearsome Foursome defensive line of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier that dominated the NFL during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Grier, the oldest living former Ram at 94 years old, attended the uniform unveiling. 

“These uniforms are a celebration and reminder of the moments and people that built the Rams into what and who we are today,” said Kathryn Kai-Iing Frederick, chief marketing officer for the Rams. “Every detail was intentionally designed to honor the grit and greatness of our history while delivering a modern look for today’s players and fans.” 

The Rams will wear the Classic Sol uniform — a combination of yellow jersey and white pants — for the first time in a Week 2 home contest against the New York Giants. The Rams will also wear them in a Week 13 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The debut of the Fearsome White combination will be on their Thanksgiving Eve home matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Hall of Fame running back and Rams legend Eric Dickerson was on hand for the unveiling. Dickerson told me he wasn’t a fan of the Classic Sol and still wants the franchise to return to the classic horns look on the team’s helmets. But he praised the Rams for paying respect to the team’s history with the return to the traditional all-white uniforms.

“It kind of reminds me of the Fearsome Foursome,” Dickerson said. “I wish we would have worn those uniforms.” 

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The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has appointed former Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel as the new head coach of the Red Devils. The 49-year-old Dutchman steps into the role following Rudi Garcia’s departure after the World Cup, bringing in former Chelsea and Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden as part of his technical team.

Van Bommel Takes Belgium Job

Van Bommel has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the Belgium national team on a two-year contract running through to Euro 2028. Confirming the appointment on their official website, the Belgian FA stated: “The Royal Belgian Football Association is pleased to announce that Mark van Bommel (49 years old) will become the new head coach of the Red Devils from 15 August 2026.”

The former Bayern captain replaces Garcia, who parted ways with the federation after the Red Devils were eliminated in the World Cup quarter-finals. To bolster his coaching setup, Van Bommel has brought in three experienced assistants, including former Chelsea and Liverpool winger Zenden.

Duo Excited For Venture

RBFA sports director Vincent Mannaert warmly welcomed the arrival of the tactician and his backroom staff, stating: “I am very pleased that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have accepted our challenge.

“They are hungry and ambitious, and I am convinced that, thanks to their international experience as coach and player, they will be able to perfectly help our Red Devils to continue growing, achieve results, and fully utilise their potential on an individual and collective level.”

Meanwhile, Van Bommel expressed his pride at being entrusted with the Belgian national job, saying: “It is a great honour to become the national coach of Belgium. I would like to thank the Royal Belgian Football Association for the trust they have placed in me.

“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my technical staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious, and brave enough to compete with the very best.

“Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty, and dedication are. We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I look forward to meeting the players, the staff, and the supporters and starting this new chapter together.”

Antwerp Success Highlights Credentials

The Dutchman’s appointment underscores Belgium’s ambition to remain competitive at the highest level of international football following Garcia’s tenure, which yielded 12 wins from 20 matches. Van Bommel boasts an impressive track record in club management, most notably making history by leading Royal Antwerp to a domestic league and cup double in the 2022-23 season. His vast experience as an elite player with PSV, Barcelona, Bayern and AC Milan is viewed as a vital asset to lead Belgium’s next generation.

Nations League Fixture Awaits

Van Bommel will officially assume his duties next month before guiding the team through their upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. The former Wolfsburg manager is tasked with swiftly establishing a disciplined and competitive structure to maximise the squad’s depth. His first stern test comes in an away fixture on September 25 against an Italy side recently turned down by Pep Guardiola.

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Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise surprised local football enthusiasts in New York City by unexpectedly taking part in a public recreational match. Having recently concluded his international campaign with France at the World Cup, the 24-year-old was spotted playing in socks, earning widespread praise for his grounded love for the game.

Olise Joins Street Match

Just days after concluding his international duties with France at the World Cup, Bayern winger Olise surprised New York City residents by joining an amateur football match. He took part in a recreational game organized through the community platform GoodRec on a public pitch. Remarkably, the former Crystal Palace star played without wearing football boots, turning out in socks and loose-fitting trousers instead.

Amateurs Praise French Star

Despite playing purely in socks, Olise still showcased flashes of his technical brilliance on the pitch, including his trademark move of cutting inside from the right flank onto his left foot. Following the conclusion of the match, the Frenchman posed for photographs with all participants, prompting GoodRec to share the moment on social media: “He beats us even in socks. Thank you for coming to a GoodRec game in New York City!”

Winger Shines At Tournament

This spontaneous appearance capped an impressive period for Olise, who excelled throughout the World Cup by setting a new record with seven assists for Les Bleus. That achievement builds on his sensational stats for Bayern last season, where he delivered 22 goals and 31 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions. His presence on a public pitch in New York reinforces his reputation as a footballer who possesses a genuine, unadulterated passion for the game.

Bayern Prepare For Pre-Season Restart

Olise will now enjoy a period of holiday before reporting back to Bayern’s headquarters for pre-season training. The Bundesliga giants are under pressure to swiftly manage the physical recovery of their core stars who reached the latter stages of the World Cup ahead of the upcoming domestic and European campaigns. Bayern supporters will naturally hope their winger’s extraordinary form carries seamlessly into the new season.

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Chelsea are on the verge of completing a $69 Million for Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix. The 26-year-old French international is set to undergo a medical before signing a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, while Palace actively seek a replacement ahead of the new campaign.

Blues Close On Lacroix

According to The Athletic, Chelsea are finalizing the transfer of Palace center-back Lacroix in a deal worth around $69 million. The French defender is scheduled to undergo a medical on Friday before committing to a contract that runs until 2032. Meanwhile, the Eagles have begun searching for his replacement, targeting Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima alongside Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu as an alternative option.

Lacroix has emerged as one of Chelsea’s primary transfer targets since June, alongside several other options, including Como defender Jacobo Ramon. The Blues opted to focus their pursuits on the imposing central defender following his rapid progression across two seasons in the Premier League. His sharp development is clearly reflected in his market valuation, which has surged from an initial €18m fee to a premium price tag.

French Defender Shines Bright

Standing at 190cm, the defender established himself as a cornerstone for Palace last season, racking up 55 appearances across all competitions while lifting the Community Shield and securing the Conference League trophy. His consistent displays since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2024 earned him a spot in France’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Lacroix’s arrival at Stamford Bridge could trigger a reshuffle in the defensive hierarchy, directly impacting the futures of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr.

Alonso Reshuffles Defensive Options

Once the transfer is formally completed, new manager Xabi Alonso must swiftly integrate Lacroix into his defensive setup throughout the remainder of pre-season. The Chelsea hierarchy will also need to resolve the futures of several fringe central defenders to maintain squad balance ahead of the new campaign. Meanwhile, Palace face pressure to secure a replacement before the transfer window closes to preserve their defensive stability.

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The Kansas City Chiefs will have their star quarterback ready to go when they open up training camp practices next week.

Mahomes has been cleared to participate in practice as he continues his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 last season, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Friday. 

Mahomes suffered the injury on Dec. 14 and underwent surgery the next day, immediately beginning what has turned into an aggressive recovery process. Now, just over seven months later, the Chiefs quarterback appears to be on track to take part in training camp.

It has been an aggressive recovery for Mahomes. The star quarterback opted to have surgery immediately after suffering the injury, helping speed up his timetable to where he is today.

The 2025 season was a difficult campaign for Kansas City. The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 after being eliminated with that Week 15 loss to the Chargers. At the time, Mahomes’ chances of being available for Week 1 against the Denver Broncos looked bleak.

But with this expedited recovery, it is now looking like Mahomes could be a full participant early in training camp, let alone available for the Chiefs’ season opener.

Kansas City is now looking to rebuild around Mahomes, who signed a new extension a little more than a month ago that keeps him under contract through 2033.

Tight end Travis Kelce is still around, bringing veteran leadership and remaining Mahomes’ security blanket. The Chiefs also added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who can help balance the offensive load as Kansas City looks to ease Mahomes back into the NFL season.

Mahomes threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 14 games before suffering the season-ending injury last season. 

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Ecuador squeaked out of Group E, advancing to the round of 32 as the third-place team with four points. Many believed Ecuador’s defense, led by Moisés Caicedo and Pervis Estupiñán, could carry it on a deep run. However, that didn’t prove to be true as Mexico dismantled Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca. 

Their attack didn’t help much either, as starting forward Enner Valencia couldn’t find the back of the net throughout all four matches. 

 So what’s next for Ecuador’s key players after the 2026 World Cup?

Caicedo was an anchor of Ecuador’s defensive fortress, playing every minute of all four matches. He returns to English Premier League club Chelsea for his fourth season. He’s started 70 matches over the last two seasons and is a consistent mainstay in Chelsea’s lineup. 

After injuring his ankle in the FIFA World Cup, Estupiñán will try to recover ahead of his second season with Italian Serie A side, AC Milan. 

Valencia, who wears the Capitan’s band for Ecuador, failed to score in four matches at the 2026 World Cup. However, he remains the nation’s leading goalscorer. The 35-year-old striker will return for his second season in Mexico’s Liga MX with Pachuca. 

Pacho is part of the formidable backline for French side Paris Saint-Germain, helping it to two consecutive Champions League titles. He’ll return for his third season with PSG. 

Hincapié faced off against Pacho in that Champions League final, representing Arsenal. In his first season with the England-based Giants, he helped Arsenal win its first Premier League title since 1993, while finishing second in the Champions League. He’ll return for a second season with the Gunners. 

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