Launched at the start of the 1907/08 season, the Football Association Community Shield has a rich history.Originally known as the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, in 1898 it pitted a team of professional players from the Professional Footballers’ Association against a selection of amateur players – the gentlemen and players tradition. But when the amateur clubs came under the aegis of the Football Association, the competition changed its name and format, becoming the Football Association Charity Shield.

Since 1930, this gala fixture (renamed the FA Community Shield in 2002 after the Charity Commission for England and Wales ruled that the Football Association was not complying with its obligations under the Charity Law, namely to inform purchasers of match tickets of the use to which their money would be put) has pitted the English champions against the FA Cup winners of the previous season (with three exceptions). Long held at the end of the season, since 1959 it has generally been held a week before the start of the Premier League season.

Since the FA Community Shield’s formation in 1908, 42 different teams have won the competition, but no side can match Manchester United‘s impressive record of 21 titles. Beaten by rivals Manchester City in 2024, the Red Devils still have a healthy lead over their main rivals.

The 2024 final was a very rare meeting between the two Manchester rivals in the competition and it has only happened a total of three times before, with previous Manchester Derby deciders occurring in 1956 and 2011.

Some specific features of the FA Community Shield over the years:

• In the absence of a replay, the trophy was shared by two teams on 11 occasions.
• The English professional and amateur teams were created solely for this match.
• In 1950, the England World Cup XI played against the England team who toured Canada that summer.
• In 1961, Tottenham faced an FA Selected XI.
• In 1971, Arsenal refused to play and Leicester City took their place.
• The title has been shared on 11 occasions, when games finished as draws.

Manchester United go down in history as the first club to lift the FA Charity Shield trophy. That success against Queens Park Rangers was achieved in two stages. Back to back at the end of their first meeting (1-1) on the 27th of April 1908, the two teams met again at the end of August for the first and, until then, last replay in the competition. It was a reunion that smiled on the Red Devils, who won by a 4-0 scoreline, thanks in particular to a hat-trick from James Turnbull.

More than a century later, Manchester United have become the most successful club in the history of the competition, with 21 titles to their name, reigning over the English Football League pyramid. An impressive record that no other club can boast, since Arsenal, the second most successful club in the competition, has ‘only’ 17. Funnily enough, Arsenal hold the record for the most FA Cups won, ahead of… Manchester United.

The most successful club in the history of the competition, Manchester United have also played in the most finals since 1908, 30. Liverpool occupy second place on the podium as of the 2025 game, but will soon be joined again by Arsenal, who contest the 2026 match against Manchester City, who have 16 Community Shield appearances to their name.

Only Crystal Palace, Brighton, Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County and the English World Cup XI have ever had a 100% win rate in the competition – having only appeared once.

Ryan Giggs is the most successful player in the history of the Community/Charity Shield, having lift the trophy on nine occasions with Manchester United. Giggs’ won the trophy in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997. He had to wait six years to get his hands on the title again in 2003, but went on to win it in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2013.

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish follows Giggs with 7 titles, though he and the Reds shared the trophy in 1977 and 1986. The list of winners is understandably dominated by players from Manchester United and Liverpool, who each enjoyed extended periods of dominance, meaning consistent appearances in the game.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of July 22, 2026.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has responded to suggestions that Lionel Messi’s bizarre pre-World Cup final tunnel speech was an indication of any internal conflict within his squad.

La Albiceleste were bidding to add a fourth star to their shirt in New Jersey on Sunday, but were ultimately beaten by a better Spain side. Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time red card was the turning point, as La Roja went on to dominate extra time and eventually find the decisive goal courtesy of Ferran Torres.

Discourse around Argentina’s aggressive approach has been rife since the showdown in the United States, while there has also been speculation about disharmony in the South American nation’s dressing room.

Footage emerged of Messi delivering a pep talk to his teammates in the MetLife tunnel, and this particular video caused a stir online.

Lionel Scaloni Reacts to Lionel Messi’s Speech

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

As Argentina emerged from the changing room inside New Jersey’s spectacular arena, Messi rallied his players to deliver a brief speech. He said:

While some suggested that this was merely a run-of-the-mill motivational pre-match pep talk from Messi, others felt its tone was off. Some speculated that the playmaker stating that ‘everything’ needed to be forgotten suggested something untoward had unfolded in the dressing room just moments prior.

This theory was further fuelled by Argentina’s approach in the game, which was far from calm. Fernandez was sent off for recklessness, while several Argentine players lost their heads at the full-time whistle.

However, speaking to journalists back in Buenos Aires, Scaloni dismissed these suggestions.

“I don’t look at social media. I don’t know anything. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said when asked about the video.

When asked if there was a lack of unity or any internal conflict in his squad, Scaloni responded: “I can’t believe what you’re asking me. We’re going in a completely different direction, guys.

“The important thing is that the guys have given their all, they’ve shown character with this jersey, and we should focus on that. Hopefully, tomorrow, when a player has to come to the national team, it won’t matter. Because it’s a sign.”

Argentina Were Simply Too Riled Up

Argentina’s Lionel Messi via REUTERS/Lee Smith

There have been some suggestions that the reason for the overly emotional tunnel footage is that Messi had just revealed to his teammates that the game in New Jersey would be his last ever in an Argentina shirt.

While this hasn’t been confirmed, if it is true, it arguably had the reverse effect to what Messi might’ve hoped. The Inter Miami star likely wanted to motivate his players to play for him in his final cap, but instead the announcement seemingly riled up his teammates.

There was fire in the bellies of the Argentina players, but this translated into rash and reckless decision-making, and it ultimately cost Scaloni’s team in the end.

A more measured approach may well have been the play for La Albiceleste, who let the magnitude of the occasion get to them.

Dustin Poirier is still dealing with backlash following his recent arrest, including losing one of his biggest sponsors.

On the 21st of June, Poirier was arrested at Harsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after bodycam footage showed the 37-year-old aggressively confronting flight attendants and staff at the airport.

The incident quickly went viral on social media and became a massive talking point in the MMA community. For years, Poirier has been regarded as one of the sport’s most respected figures, both for his achievements in the Octagon and his charitable work with The Good Fight Foundation.

The Louisiana native gained a reputation as a fan-favourite during a run that included memorable bouts against Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Justin Gaethje, making the footage from his arrest more shocking to longtime supporters.

Last year, Poirier retired from martial arts following his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318. The former fighter has since opened up about his battle with alcohol, mentioning that it had flared up again after putting down the gloves. Following his arrest for public drunkenness, Poirier has since sought help for his struggles and apologised for the incident.

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland had previously indicated that Poirier had lost a major sponsor because of his arrest, and last night, on the Ariel Helwani Show, Poirier revealed which one that was.

“They terminated my contract immediately,” Poirier stated on the show in reference to American lager company Bud Light.

Poirier had been a Bud Light partner since March 2024, regularly appearing in advertisements and campaigns for the brand.

The former interim lightweight champion continued, stating that he’s not mad that the business relationship had ended, but he is disappointed that his family will lose out on money that was left on the contract.

Dustin Poirier Confirms Sober Plans

Earlier in the show, Poirier announced that he is now a month sober, and he doesn’t plan on drinking again.

While the fallout from the arrest is still continuing, Poirier appears to be viewing the loss of the sponsorship as a larger turning point in his life as he continues his sobriety and adjusts to life after retirement.