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Switzerland news
Prediction: St. Gallen vs Benfica
Portuguese giants Benfica begin their Europa League qualifying journey on Thursday, traveling to Switzerland to face St Gallen at the Sitterstadion. Despite the World Cup only just finishing, European clubs are already back in competitive action, and this tie marks the first leg of the second qualifying round. Verdict: Away win Best odds: 2/5 Bookmaker: […] The post Prediction: St. Gallen vs Benfica appeared first on SoccerNews.
Report: Luka Modric has decided to retire from Croatia, but extend his contract with AC Milan
Despite entering as one of the favorites, Croatia were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team. However, he appears set to continue his professional career for one more season with AC Milan. Croatia have been one of the most impressive national teams in recent years, reaching a World Cup final and finishing third at Qatar 2022. However, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 edition. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team, bringing a golden era to an end. In addition, he appears determined to extend his contract with AC Milan. According to Andrea Ramazzotti, via La Gazzetta dello Sport, Luka Modrić has decided to end his international career with Croatia. He has decided to announce it at the beginning of October 2026, after the match against Spain in the UEFA Nations League. With this, he establishes as one of the greatest legends of the national team, writing his name alongside Davor Šuker and Zvonimir Boban. Despite his international retirement, Modrić has reached an agreement to extend his contract with AC Milan for one more season, joining the club’s tour in Australia, reports Andrea Ramazzotti. With this, Ruben Amorim keeps the central figure of his midfield, as he had already expressed his desire to continue working with him. However, the head coach has already made it clear that he may not play every match. Luka Modrić has proven to be a truly outstanding player at 41 years old. At the 2026 World Cup, he started all four matches Croatia played. Not only was he key in his national team’s two victories, but he also provided an assist. Despite his age, he remains in excellent physical condition, making his presence at AC Milan a guaranteed reinforcement for the 2026-27 season in the rebuild of the roster. Luka Modric of AC Milan. Modric may be key to unlocking Ricci and Jashari at AC Milan Luka Modrić was a key figure for AC Milan in the most recent season. Under Massimiliano Allegri, he played 2,864 minutes across 37 matches. As a result, he was the team’s oldest player to record the most minutes played. Amid the reconstruction under Ruben Amorim, the Croatian veteran could be key to helping develop Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari at the Rossoneri. During the 2025-26 season, Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari had very little prominence, as they raised serious doubts in several aspects of their game. With this in mind, Luka Modrić can serve as a mentor to both players, helping provide them with more tools to make a greater impact. In addition, they would once again have the opportunity to gradually take on more responsibility, allowing for a slow transition.
Gomes the latest signing in Villa's summer midfield rebuild
Aston Villa have signed Joao Gomes from Wolves for £38m - a second deal for a central midfielder in four days. The Brazil international joins for an initial £34m with £4m in add-ons, after three years and 130 appearances during his time at Molineux. Villa completed a club record deal worth more than £50m for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi on Friday after beating Newcastle to the Switzerland international.
Manzambi ushers in new Villa era
It is a new era for Aston Villa - and Johan Manzambi will be one of the poster boys. After ending a 30-year wait for a trophy with May's Europa League triumph, Villa have broken their transfer record to sign the Switzerland midfielder in a deal worth more than £50m from Freiburg. Newcastle were close to signing Manzambi last week only for Villa to step in and snatch him.
Villa beat Newcastle to club-record signing of £59.5m midfielder Manzambi
Several big-name Aston Villa players have been linked with exits, but they have now completed a club-record deal to bring in Johan Manzambi. The post Villa beat Newcastle to club-record signing of £59.5m midfielder Manzambi appeared first on SoccerNews.
Villa sign Manzambi and close on Gomes - what do you think?
The 20-year-old scored three goals for Switzerland as they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup before losing to Argentina. Villa are also close to completing the £38m signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes who left the Championship club's training camp in Portugal on Thursday to have a medical.
Manzambi could be a 'great signing' - Thompson
Former Aston Villa forward Garry Thompson believes Johan Manzambi could be a "great signing" for Villa as they close in on deals for the Swiss international and Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. Manzambi lit up the World Cup with his nation - scoring three goals and providing two assists as Switzerland made the quarter-finals - and looks set to make the move to Villa Park this summer. Gomes also looks close to making the switch to join Unai Emery's side with a £38m deal close to being completed.
Messi and Mbappé still in the Golden Boot race: How the 2026 World Cup top scorers battle stands before the final
The Golden Boot race still has Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé tied. The match that will determine the 2026 World Cup champions is the biggest event left in the tournament, but there is also an individual battle to follow as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé compete for the Golden Boot, awarded to the competition’s top scorer. The race has been one of the tournament’s main storylines since the opening match, with both players leading their teams deep into the competition. They are not alone in the race, as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain close behind, but Messi and Mbappé currently sit at the top of the standings. After seven matches each, Messi and Mbappé are tied with eight goals, with one game remaining for both players. Even if Mbappé can no longer win the World Cup after France’s semifinal loss to Spain, the third-place match against England gives him one final opportunity to add to his total. Golden Boot table RankPlayerTeamGoals1Lionel MessiArgentina81Kylian MbappéFrance83Erling HaalandNorway74Harry KaneEngland64Jude BellinghamEngland66Ousmane DembéléFrance56Mikel OyarzabalSpain58Vinícius JúniorBrazil48Ismaïla SarrSenegal48Julián QuiñonesMexico411Deniz UndavGermany311Johan ManzambiSwitzerland311Romelu LukakuBelgium311Cody GakpoNetherlands311Folarin BalogunUSA3
Amenda 'liked the project' for Coventry move
New Coventry City defender Aurele Amenda said "I felt the trust and I liked the project" as he signed for the Sky Blues from Eintracht Frankfurt. "I'm really happy and it's a privilege to be here," Amenda told club media. Amenda was part of the Switzerland squad which reached the World Cup quarter-finals, but did not make an appearance at the tournament.
Why is FIFA holding a minute of silence before France vs Spain in the 2026 World Cup semifinal?
France and Spain are facing off in one of the most competitive matches of the 2026 World Cup. Despite the significance of the game itself, much of the attention has been focused on the moment of silence that will be hold before kickoff. France and Spain are facing off in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. Battling for a place in the final, the match is expected to be highly competitive at Arlington Stadium, as both teams feature star-studded rosters. Despite the importance of the contest, much of the attention has centered on the announced minute of silence before kickoff. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed the reason behind the tribute. “Before France-Spain, a minute of silence will be observed in tribute to the victims of the Nice attack, 10 years after July 14, 2016. Thank you to the President of FIFA for responding to the request of France and of all French people who have mobilized. We will never forget,” France president Emmanuel Macron said yesterday as per Le Monde. Ten years after the tragedy in Nice, the French people continue to remember the event that claimed the lives of 86 people and left 400 others injured. After a public petition that gathered more than 10,000 signatures, FIFA decided to support the gesture and honor the memory of that tragic event. Although no player on the French national team has yet posted anything related to this tragedy, they have agreed to wear commemorative symbols during the match against Spain. If they secure a place in their third consecutive World Cup final, they may also make a commemorative gesture. So far, however, no official statement has been made by any of the team’s stars, including Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Kylian Mbappe of France shoots during the UEFA Nations League 2025. FIFA paid tribute with a minute of silence at its last two games Just as will happen in today’s match between France and Spain semifinal clash, FIFA observed a minute of silence in honor of Jayden Adams. Following his passing on July 11, 2026, the matches between Argentina vs Switzerland, and Norway vs England, also featured the same tribute before kickoff. “M99 (Norway-England) and M100 (Argentina-Switzerland): a minute of silence will be observed in both matches in memory of Jayden Adams, who unfortunately passed away at the age of 25. The South African midfielder made his FIFA World Cup debut during this tournament,” FIFA posted on its official website. While the two commemorations are unrelated, they share a clear message: Soccer can go beyond what happens on the pitch by making a social impact. In addition, FIFA has shown considerable flexibility when it comes to these kinds of tributes. As a result, the match between France and Spain will not only be significant from a sporting perspective but will also carry an emotional social backdrop.
