It wasn’t the World Cup that Germany had hoped for following an early exit in the round of 32, thus stretching its drought of not reaching at least the semifinals to three tournaments. 

The four-time champions weren’t tabbed to win it all, but there’s always expectations of a deep run for this team. Things started off on the right foot with 7-1 win over debut side Curaçao in their Group E opener. That followed a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast, but then 2-1 loss to Ecuador to close group stage play set the Germans back. Then it was a loss on penalties after a 1-1 draw to Paraguay in the round of 32 that sent the Germans home. 

So what’s next for Germany’s top players after the 2026 World Cup?

Havertz finished with three goals for Germany, including two in the 7-1 victory over Curaçao. He scored the equalizer in the game against Paraguay, but his penalty attempt against Oscar Gill was saved. 

Havertz was key to Arsenal’s Premier League winning campaign and scored in the Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. He’ll be back in action for the Gunners, who’ll look to defend its league crown.

Things have been rocky lately for Germany’s talented attacking midfielder, who saw his first season at Liverpool fall short of lofty expectations. He scored just five goals in Premier League action amid questions on which position best suited him.

At the World Cup, he finished with three assists but couldn’t find the back of the net. He’ll now head back to Liverpool under new manager Andoni Iraola, where Wirtz will look to get back on track for both club and country.

Undav was Germany’s best player at the tournament despite being used as a substitute for most of it. He finished with three goals and two assists, including bagging a brace in the win over the Ivory Coast. 

A well-traveled veteran at age 30, Undav returns to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, where he has been one of the team’s most consistent scorers.

Regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of all-time, Neuer became the oldest Germany player to feature at a major tournament, breaking the record previously held by Lothar Matthäus at 40 years and 79 days. 

Neuer was the sole player on this squad who was part of the 2014 Germany team that won the World Cup. With four editions on his résumé and with the most World Cup games played by a goalkeeper, he’ll go down as a legend of the game.

Neuer retired from international duty after this summer, the second time he did so after initially saying he was done after the 2024 European Championship tournament. He continues to play for Bayern Munich, where he equally holds numerous records. He has a staggering 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles to his name.

Before North Carolina played its first game under Bill Belichick, off-field headlines largely drowned out the football conversation.

Now, as fall camp ramps up ahead of the former NFL coach’s second season, questions are again swirling about matters away from the field. UNC officials confirmed earlier this week that general manager Michael Lombardi had been placed on leave pending an investigation. School officials announced Thursday that the probe had formally begun.

Details of the investigation remain sparse, and Belichick did little to clarify matters, appearing to sidestep questions about how Lombardi’s indefinite absence could affect the team.

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North Carolina Tar Heels general manager Michael Lombardi talks with head coach Bill Belichick before a college football game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)

During a news conference, Belichick declined to directly address the situation. “We’re working through some things,” he said.

“We’re at a particular time of the year now where there are certain things that are in play, and certain things that are in play that will happen later in the calendar year. So we’re taking it day to day and work through the things that are on the table right now.”

Shortly before Belichick made those comments, UNC issued a statement saying that “as a result of concerns behind allegations that led to the personnel action regarding Michael Lombardi announced on July 27, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through its Office of University Counsel, is in the process of investigating this matter.”

General manager Michael Lombardi of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on before a game against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 31, 2025. (Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

The investigation is being treated as a human resources matter, with no timeline set for a resolution. Athletic director Steve Newmark acknowledged the need for a thorough process but added that the school hopes to complete it “as quickly as possible.”

“From our perspective, and I think there’s a recognition across the board, that the university counsel’s office is going to have this go as quickly as possible,” Newmark said. “But I think it’s also important they do it the right way and they gather all the information they need.”

Newmark did not say whether the probe involved anyone else in the athletic department and declined to comment on reports of a separate College Sports Commission investigation into the Tar Heels’ football program.

NCAA ROCKED BY COLORADO JUDGE’S 2022 CLASS ELIGIBILITY RULING THAT COULD RESHAPE COLLEGE SPORTS THIS YEAR

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts initially opted against weighing in on Michael Lombardi’s situation after a regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. But he recently expressed some frustration with the attention surrounding the issue.

“I’m disappointed that we’re talking about this,” Roberts said before a recent media session wrapped up. “We should be focusing on our student-athletes and on their success. … It’s distressing to me and everyone else in the administration entrusted with leadership at this remarkable university that this is something we have to spend time on.”

North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi look on from the sideline against TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2025. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

The Tar Heels went 4-8 in Belichick’s first season at North Carolina.

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Lombardi has hired attorney Tom Mars, 247Sports reported.

Mars released a statement Friday. “Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media,” the statement read.

“He is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation will be swift, thorough, and fair. Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions about the nature of the investigation or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged.”

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That could change if there is a move for Joshua Zirkzee and Juventus are interested in a deal, although, as Notebook reported last week, it is likely to be a loan with an option or obligation to buy.

United are happy with Benjamin Sesko, who has stepped up his return to training over the last week or so, and expect a more prominent role for the Slovenian this season. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can also play through the middle.

So while signing another striker remains a possibility if Zirkzee departs, it isn’t a high priority for the recruitment department at the moment, which is why an emotional homecoming for Welbeck this year was never on the cards.

Hall an option

One area that is almost certain to be addressed this summer is left-back, especially if Harry Amass leaves, either on loan or in a permanent deal.

Luke Shaw is the only senior left-back at the club and for all that Amass has impressed in the early weeks of pre-season, it is considered a big step up to play a potentially prominent role in a Champions League season.

Noussair Mazraoui is another option on the left, but he covers right-back as well, and with Shaw’s fitness record always a nagging concern, further strength in depth is required on the left.

United do have Patrick Dorgu, who can cover left-back as well as left-wing, and if Marcus Rashford ends up staying at Old Trafford, which looks likely at the moment, then his role could shift, but there are a lot of variables down this flank.

One of them is the availability or otherwise of Lewis Hall. He fits the profile of left-back United have looked at. He is still only 21, but has plenty of Premier League experience, and could become a long-term solution in that role.

The issue is Newcastle have no need to sell and, if anything, they need to stop the exodus of star players this summer. United could test the waters with a bid, but if a deal is to happen, it is believed Hall will have to make it clear to his employers that he wants the move.

Belgians return

Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans rocked up together for their first day at Carrington in pre-season on Thursday and the duo had returned to the club earlier than expected.

While players are being offered three to four weeks off after the World Cup, Lammens and Tielemans returned less than three weeks after Belgium were knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals.

Both had their reasons for doing so. Lammens didn’t play much during the tournament but came on as a late substitute against Spain and made the error that led to his country getting knocked out. Tielemans missed that game with a minor injury and is keen to make a strong early impression at his new club.

It is expected that the Portuguese duo of Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will return to Carrington at some point in the next few days as their own pre-season campaigns get underway. Fernandes has been a hit on social media recently, wearing a Scotland shirt with Scott McTominay’s name on it for summer workouts and a Croatia jersey with Luka Modric’s name on the back.

A friendly relationship

Tyler Fredricson posted an emotional goodbye to the only club he has ever known on Friday but his permanent move away from Old Trafford comes with a helping hand, with Lausanne-Sport co-owned by Ineos. The two clubs are starting to build a positive and helpful relationship.

That means the Swiss Super League side can get all the data and reports on Fredricson they need and they are delighted to have landed the 21-year-old centre-back on a three-year deal.

Fredricson was close to joining Celtic in January, only for injury to scupper that move. He has been training with United in pre-season, but missed the games against Wrexham and Rosenborg in preparation for his transfer.

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While the fee hasn’t been disclosed, United have included a high-percentage sell-on and a buy-back clause into the deal, and there is hope that Fredricson will now really kick on for exposure to high-level first-team football.

Carrington dispatch

Things are starting to heat up for United, and after a couple of friendlies against relatively low-key opposition, in what have felt like relatively low-key events, the standards climb considerably now.

Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will provide a better test, but it will be interesting to see what the atmosphere around the games is like. There is no getting away from the fact that the crowds in Helsinki and Trondheim have been below what is expected.

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Late this week, at almost every block in Stockholm’s 50,000-capacity Strawberry Arena, tickets were still available for today’s game.

Quote of the week

“I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me. I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead.”

Marcus Rashford took to social media on Thursday to say what looked to be a final farewell to Barcelona. The 28-year-old had made no secret of the fact that the Nou Camp was his dream destination, but that chapter looks to be closed.

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Rashford will return to United in a couple of weeks and, at the moment, all roads lead to reconciliation and another chance at his boyhood club.

What to look out for next week

Dalot and Fernandes are due to return to Carrington next week and we can expect the intensity in training and around the facility to start going up a notch. Fernandes is club captain and Dalot is seen as a leader as well.

There has been a drip of World Cup stars returning to pre-season over the last week or so, but things will start heating up in the next couple of weeks and by the time United head to Wroclaw for their final assignment of pre-season, it is expected the squad will be back together.

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Manchester City take on Inter Milan in their first pre-season fixture of the summer in Hong Kong today.

Manchester City return to action this afternoon as they face Serie A giants Inter in Hong Kong. This weekend marks Enzo Maresca’s first match as the Blues’ head coach and supporters will be looking out for signs of what is to come from their new boss.

In his press conference on Friday, Maresca explained that the most important thing from this match was to raise the fitness levels of his players. And with only two weeks until the first competitive fixture of the season in the Community Shield, we can expect City to field a strong starting line-up this afternoon.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will be the Blues’ first choice this season and will start in goal. The back four in front of him will look very different. Matheus Nunes links up with the squad later today, so this game is a chance for Rico Lewis to get some minutes in at right-back. Fresh off their new contracts, Abdukodir Khusanov should start alongside Josko Gvardiol in the centre, with Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back.

Nico Gonzalez was not picked for the World Cup and, in Rodri’s absence, should start in midfield. The 24-year-old will be key for City this season if the Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot winner leaves. Maresca is keen for Rodri to stay, but a succession plan is needed and Gonzalez will hope he can be part of that.

Alongside him could be either Mateo Kovacic or Tijjani Reijnders. Like Gonzalez, Reijnders looks to be at the start of an important season. His debut campaign was mixed and City will expect him to be more consistent this year.

Should Maresca stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, there could be a chance for Ryan McAidoo against Inter. McAidoo was chosen, alongside Phil Foden and Khusanov, to model the club’s new away kit in Hong Kong and this could indicate his standing at the club, heading into the new season.

The 18-year-old made two senior appearances during the 2025/26 campaign. This included scoring in the 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City. Today could be a big test for him.

Maresca has spoken at length about getting Foden back to his old self. Playing down the middle should see Foden dictate the game, when he is at his best.

Up front, City are running low on centre-forwards. Omar Marmoush arrives on tour too late for this game and Erling Haaland remains on his break. Therefore, the Blues could start Antoine Semenyo as the striker. Ahead of another congested season, it could be wise for Maresca to try out an ‘in case of emergency’ tactic. Having another player who can start at centre-forward would be no bad thing.

City’s predicted line-up vs Inter: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders; McAidoo, Foden, Savinho; Semenyo

Mason Mount’s departure from Manchester United in order to reunite with a familiar face has been proposed

Mason Mount has been touted as a realistic signing for Premier League newcomers Coventry City – because of one man.

A reunion with his former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard could be on the cards, suggests Sky Blues legend Gary McAllister. The Manchester United midfielder has yet to consistently impress in his three-year spell at Old Trafford, which has been hampered by injury.

Mount – who has been a regular presence for United during pre-season this summer – made just 12 league starts for United last season. A return to regular football and a reunion with Lampard, with whom he worked at Derby County and Chelsea, makes the potential move practical, says the former Liverpool star.

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Speaking to Lottoland, McAllister said: “This one could happen! Mason Mount’s not playing football, and he got on really well with Frank. You know, as a player, Mason Mount has been at two massive clubs.

“Financially, he’s probably sorted, so he’s not necessarily playing for money. Getting minutes and playing Premier League football on loan, I know it sounds massively extreme, but it’s doable because I think there’s a lot of respect between the pair.”

It’s not just Mount who could consider a switch to Coventry on account of Lampard, with a number of his former Chelsea team-mates also being mentioned. The ex-Scotland international suggested: “I think [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek has been mentioned as well.

“[Fikayo] Tomori has also been linked. I think Frank will be using all these connections. You know, the association he had with Everton as well, he could probably use that. I’ve seen Ben Chilwell mentioned as well.

“I think they mentioned that left-back might be a place where they need to strengthen. Again, there’s a Chelsea connection and a strong one to Frank there. I think they’re going to try to do everything to get the best players they can get into that building to survive.”

Mount was given the captain’s armband in the second-half of United’s 5-0 win over Rosenborg last week. Seemingly entrusted by United boss Michael Carrick to be one of the leaders of the squad, Mount said in April that it’s a role he relishes.

He said: “Having the pressure of performing and winning games is what we love as players. If it’s a start or coming off the bench, I’m ready. You have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal, but I see myself as one who leads by example and never stops working.

“I’ve been captain previously, years ago, so I love the role. Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch, and off it as well, being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable, it’s something I really like.”

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Infantino became Fifa president in 2016 when he beat AFC president Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa by 115 votes to 88.

Fifa’s next president will be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March. Candidates have until 18 November to put their names forward.

Prior to this week, it had been anticipated Infantino would be re-elected unopposed. Associations around the world, including some in Europe, had already confirmed their intention to vote for him.

It remains to be seen if the events of this week will result in a mass withdrawal of their support.

In his statement, Infantino reiterated his plan was designed to strengthen members associations, “especially in countries where support is most needed”.

He added: “Our purpose has always been – and always will be – to unite and improve.”

However, the proposal clearly created division within Fifa itself.

Cordeiro, who represented the world governing body on the White House taskforce for the 2026 World Cup, is the first senior figure at Fifa to resign over the plans.

In a lengthy statement, Cordeiro said he “unequivocally” opposed the plans and said he “did not accept the proposition” Fifa needed outside investors to “unlock greater value”. He added he had no involvement in the proposal.

It is understood Infantino even left some of Fifa’s eight vice-presidents in the dark about his plan, which it is claimed could have raised $10bn (£7.5bn).

Lamour called it “the project of one person” and said “a president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them” but this was “the opposite”.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he added. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Neeraj Chopra (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra added another medal to his glittering career at the Commonwealth Games, but the silver medal was not the only reason for his smile. The Olympic champion said sharing the podium with fellow Indian Yashvir Singh made the moment even more special.Neeraj finished second in the men’s javelin throw with a season-best effort of 85.83m, while Commonwealth Games debutant Yashvir Singh clinched the bronze medal with a personal best throw of 85.41m in his final attempt. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage claimed the gold with a best throw of 89.75m. Competing in only his second event of the season, Neeraj battled difficult weather conditions to throw 85.83m in his second attempt. The effort, his season best, was enough to earn him the silver medal in his second Commonwealth Games appearance. He had won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

The CWG 2026 silver added to an already impressive medal collection that includes Olympic gold and silver, World Championships gold and silver, two Asian Games gold medals, a Commonwealth Games gold and silver, the Diamond League title, the Asian Championships gold, the South Asian Games gold and the U20 World Championships gold.

Neeraj Chopra’s medal record

‘It feels great to be on the podium together’

Neeraj was full of praise for Yashvir, who produced the best throw of his career under pressure, and said sharing the podium with another Indian reminded him of the Asian Games medal double.“It brings back memories of the Asian Games, where Saurav and I both won medals. I’m really happy that Yashvir achieved a personal best at such a crucial moment. It feels great to be on the podium together. It’s always a joy to hear the national anthem play. That said, I also achieved a season-best, and my comeback is progressing well. There are more competitions ahead, so I’m very happy,” Chopra told reporters.

Yashvir shines on Commonwealth Games debut

Yashvir emerged as the surprise package of the competition. The 24-year-old produced a personal best throw of 85.41m on his sixth and final attempt to win the bronze medal on his Commonwealth Games debut.He improved his previous personal best of 83.72m and finished ahead of several established names, including Anderson Peters and Arshad Nadeem.Reflecting on his medal-winning throw, Yashvir said he kept believing he could produce something special despite a slow start.“This is my first international medal, and I am overjoyed. Everyone supported me, my family, my parents, everyone… I am truly happy about this… things were going a bit sluggishly at the start. At one point, my throw was around 81.3 meters. I saw that the bronze medal mark was sitting at 82 meters. I told myself, ‘I’ve already thrown 82 meters–my personal best–in this competition, so I can definitely go beyond that.‘ Things weren’t going well up to the fifth throw, so for the final attempt, I decided to just go for it and see what happens. That last throw turned out really well,” Singh said.

A surprising WWE star decided to acknowledge Roman Reigns ahead of SummerSlam. Reigns will be defending the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Night 2 of the PLE this weekend.

IYO SKY won the Queen of the Ring tournament last month and will be challenging Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam 2026.

Ahead of the PLE, WWE shared a video featuring The Genius of the SKY acknowledging Reigns as his entrance theme played. You can check it out in the post below.

Roman Reigns will be defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. The two stars had their final face-to-face ahead of their title match this past Monday night on WWE RAW.

Rollins claimed that he owned Reigns in the ring and stated that he wanted The Tribal Chief’s family in attendance at the PLE so he could make them cry. This angered The Head of the Table, and he leveled Rollins with a Superman Punch.

Reigns then brought a steel chair into the ring, but it backfired. Rollins connected with a Stomp to Reigns on top of the chair and is heading into SummerSlam with the momentum on his side.

WWE star opens up about betraying Roman Reigns in the past

Seth Rollins recently opened up about betraying Roman Reigns in 2014 while they were both members of The Shield alongside Dean Ambrose, now known as Jon Moxley in AEW.

Speaking on WWE’s YouTube channel, The Visionary stated that he had no idea about the domino effect his betrayal would cause for Reigns’ career.

“While I think the chair shot itself and the decision was probably made in haste and made without the foresight of what it would become, I never imagined Roman Reigns would become the Tribal Chief based on the resentment, the pain, and the PTSD from that chair shot. And I never imagined exactly how our paths would go, but I think what it did was give us a chance, right? It gave us both an opportunity to step out on our own and become the things that we were meant to become,” Rollins said.

Only time will tell which star walks out of SummerSlam as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.