The beautiful game is the most popular sport on Earth for a reason. The world eats, sleeps and breathes football, especially during a World Cup.
From the latest transfer rumours to the much maligned Ballon d’Or rankings or the crazy wages players make, we all want to know what news story or silly little viral moment is breaking about our favourite players and clubs.
We’ve created a live blog to help solve that problem, providing the best and most interesting football stories across social media from the last 24 hours.
July 20: Spain crop Donald Trump out of World Cup trophy lift
Spain’s social media team didn’t waste any time cleaning up the narrative after their World Cup final win over Argentina.
Once again, Donald Trump lingered on the podium well after presenting the trophy rather than stepping aside for the players’ celebration.
It’s a pattern watchers of last year’s Club World Cup final will recognise – Trump stood similarly close to Chelsea’s players during that trophy lift too, prompting Gianni Infantino to try and guide him away.
This time, Rodri appeared to take matters into his own hands.
Footage circulating online shows the Spain captain gently ushering Trump aside in the moments before hoisting the trophy himself, seemingly unwilling to let the celebration be overshadowed.
The official trophy lift photo posted across Spain’s channels conspicuously omitted President Trump, who had been shown multiple times throughout the game observing the final alongside Infantino.
Between Rodri’s on-pitch intervention and Spain’s federation scrubbing him from the victory photos altogether, the message from La Roja was hard to miss: this moment belonged to the team, not their uninvited guest.
July 6: Sepp Blatter slams FIFA decision to suspend Folarin Balogun red card
Sepp Blatter has waded into the Folarin Balogun row, questioning FIFA’s decision to lift the striker’s suspension ahead of the USA’s World Cup last-16 tie with Belgium.
Posting on X, the former FIFA president wrote that red cards should not be overturned by political phone calls, but by ‘rules, evidence and independent bodies’.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the USA’s round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, with FIFA subsequently confirming his one-match ban would be suspended for a probationary year under Article 27 of the disciplinary code, clearing him to face Belgium.
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the days following the Bosnia match, and Blatter didn’t shy away from the implication, asking what happens if a US President intervenes with the FIFA President and a player is suddenly cleared before a knockout match.
Belgium’s federation has already confirmed it will appeal the ruling, calling it a departure from FIFA’s own written procedures, and UEFA has separately said the governing body crossed a red line.
The controversy adds to a tournament already shadowed by disputes over security screening for visiting nations and the introduction of contested hydration breaks.
July 3: Germany hold talks with Jurgen Klopp after Julian Nagelsmann quits
Jurgen Klopp is on the verge of returning to management.
Julian Nagelsmann has departed as Germany head coach following their shock World Cup exit at the hands of Paraguay in the round of 32, with the DFB confirming they will now open discussions with Klopp to take over.
It is the third consecutive early World Cup exit for the four-time world champions, having failed to get out of the group stage in both 2018 and 2022.
The DFB stated that Klopp “has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position,” a significant step forward from his public comments earlier in the week, when he insisted he hadn’t thought about it.
Reports from The Times suggested he would “relish the chance” to lead Germany into the 2030 World Cup, though any agreement would need to be structured around his preference to avoid the relentless schedule of day-to-day club management.
Klopp has been working as head of global football for Red Bull since leaving Liverpool in 2024, though a clause in his deal is understood to allow his release for the Germany job.
July 2: Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister teases star’s retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo’s international farewell may be closer than anyone has officially confirmed.
Speaking to Sport TV ahead of Portugal’s Round of 32 clash with Croatia, Ronaldo’s sister, Kátia Aveiro, told reporters: “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance. I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. So enjoy it a lot because it will be difficult to find someone after 200 goals. I’m talking about the Portuguese national team.”
Ronaldo himself hasn’t confirmed anything. Asked about his future after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia, he said: “I don’t make reckless decisions. I will decide after the tournament, not now.”
The 41-year-old has already made history at this tournament, becoming the first player – male or female – to score in six different World Cups. He sits on 976 career goals in total, having previously stated he won’t retire until he reaches 1,000, which means at least one more club season at Al Nassr appears inevitable regardless of what happens with Portugal.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has backed him throughout, describing him as “an icon, a role model for the national team” who “tries to improve every day”.
Ronaldo has also not ruled out featuring at the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by his native Portugal – meaning even this farewell tour might not be the final chapter.
