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UEFA Have Secret Plans To Break Away From World Cup

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UEFA’s secret plans to create a new tournament to rival the World Cup have been leaked this week after Wales, England, and Serbia became the first three nations to withdraw their support for seemingly doomed FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Since announcing plans to sell stakes in football’s showpiece tournament, the latest edition of which concluded just two weeks ago with Spain crowned champions for a second time following a 1-0 win over Argentina, Infantino has come under increasing pressure to resign.

European football’s governing body has been the most vocal opponent of the 56-year-old’s money-grabbing scheme, issuing a series of explosive statements. The backlash has become so intense that Infantino reportedly called close friend Donald Trump for help on Monday afternoon, only to be completely snubbed by the US president.

It now looks increasingly likely that the Swiss millionaire will either step down or lose his position in March’s elections. But with five nations still backing him, UEFA are leaving nothing to chance, and their plans to create a breakaway tournament have come to light this week.

UEFA’s Secret Plan To Create New Tournament That Would Rival World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

According to Sky Sports, UEFA is in a position to launch its own World Cup-style competition to challenge Infantino’s vision if the embattled FIFA president manages to survive the current crisis and remain in office.

The proposal, put forward by Aleksander Ceferin, centred on a Global Nations League featuring eight-team finals tournaments after regional qualifying competitions. The concept was originally designed to take place in odd-numbered years when there is no men’s European Championship or World Cup.

The plans were first drawn up in 2017, just a year after Infantino left his role as UEFA’s General Secretary to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, but they were never put into practice. The format included seven separate finals competitions, each made up of eight teams divided into different tiers based on rankings.

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Alongside the main tournament, mini World Cups would have been staged across multiple host countries, with each competition beginning at the quarter-final stage. In Europe, qualification would have come through the Nations League format that UEFA ultimately introduced in 2018, featuring four-team finals.

Under the proposal, each top-tier Global Nations League finals would include three European teams, two from South America, and one each from Africa, Asia and North America. Oceania, the smallest and weakest confederation, would only have been represented in the fourth-tier finals. However, the project never progressed after Infantino pressed ahead with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.

Infantino’s Chances of Being Dethroned Continue To Increase

Gianni Infantino REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Although UEFA and CONCACAF have enough backing to trigger a vote of no confidence, they currently fall short of the numbers needed to remove Infantino from his position ahead of March’s elections.

As things stand, public opposition accounts for 43 per cent of FIFA’s membership, below the majority required to unseat him. That said, the undeclared associations are under no obligation to vote in line with their confederations.

If just 16 nations were to break ranks and side with the opposition, Infantino’s presidency would suddenly be hanging by a thread. The trio of nations that have withdrawn their support is a good start to a campaign that could rage on for weeks, if not months, before a resolution is made.

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Details of Mauricio Pochettino’s Record-Breaking USMNT Contract

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The full details of Mauricio Pochettino’s new contract as USMNT boss have now emerged, with the former Tottenham and Chelsea head coach staying on after leading the Stars and Stripes at the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT won their opening two games of this summer’s tournament, which they co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. Back-to-back victories over Paraguay and Australia were something they had only achieved once before, at the inaugural 1930 World Cup, and football fever quickly swept across the nation as fans began to dream.

But their fairytale run came crashing back down to earth in the Round of 16, where a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium burst the bubble in brutal fashion.

To add insult to injury, their elimination came in the same week it emerged that Donald Trump had personally tapped up Gianni Infantino in an attempt to have Folarin Balogun’s red card overturned for the tie.

Mauricio Pochettino Signs New USMNT Contract

United States boss Mauricio Pochettino Daniel Cole via Reuters

Political interference and widespread backlash towards certain players – most notably Christian Pulisic – delayed any plans Pochettino’s bosses had to renew his deal.

It had been reported that an extension to his current terms was already being drawn up before this summer’s tournament, and the fallout from an otherwise promising campaign should not overshadow the commendable job he has done at the helm of a nation not traditionally known for its football.

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While his predecessors struggled to take the USA beyond qualification, ‘Poch’s’ charisma and tournament know-how proved to be a breath of fresh air. He also guided the USMNT to their first World Cup knockout victory since 2002 with their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the new Round of 32.

On top of that, he broke US records for the most World Cup wins (three) and the most goals scored (11) by a national team manager. It felt as though his footballing identity had truly rubbed off on the side throughout June and July, and with a new deal now agreed, his reign should still be only just getting started.

Full Details Of His Staggering New Deal

United States Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino Kirby Lee via Imagn Images via Reuters

As per ESPN, Mauricio Pochettino signed a two-year contract and will receive $6 million a year (roughly £4.4 million). He’s the highest-paid USMNT coach ever as a result and, in comparison, Gregg Berhalter earned $2.3 million in 2022 including World Cup bonuses.

Pochettino’s new deal runs through the 2030 World Cup, meaning he will also take charge of the 2028 Copa America. Long-time assistants Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino and Toni Jimenez, as well as more recent additions Sebastian Pochettino and Silvia Tuya, will remain on his staff list.

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Liverpool Interested in Galatasaray Full-back Wilfried Singo

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Liverpool are one of the sides showing an interest in signing a new full-back during the summer transfer window.

It’s been a fairly slow start to the summer transfer window for Liverpool, who have confirmed just one new addition so far.

Jeremy Jacquet did arrive from Stade Rennes this summer, but that deal was pre-agreed previously.

This summer, Liverpool have signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna, activating the Spanish winger’s release clause.

Outside of that, we’ve seen minimal business from the Merseyside club, who undoubtedly need reinforcements to help Andoni Iraola implement his style.

The former Bournemouth manager arrived this summer to replace Arnaud Slot, and there’s every chance he would have been hoping to see more incomings at this point in the window.

Liverpool eyeing full-back

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

According to a report from Football Muse, Liverpool are one of the sides showing an interest in signing Galatasaray full-back Wilfried Singo.

It’s claimed that the Ivorian defender has an agreement with Galatasaray that he will be allowed to leave if a club meets his £35 million asking price.

Liverpool are among a number of clubs who are showing an interest in signing Singo, who has turned down an approach from Inter in order to pursue a Premier League move.

Galatasaray are fully supporting his ambitions to play in the Premier League, as long as an interested party meets the asking price.

Singo, described as a freak athlete by Como scout Ben Mattinson, could be a smart pick-up for many clubs at £35 million.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Liverpool prioritising forward move

Bradley Barcola (France) Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

Alongside a possible move to sign a full-back, Liverpool are prioritising bringing in a new forward during the summer transfer window.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are working on a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

It’s claimed that PSG have been demanding in the region of €170 million for the French international, and Liverpool are trying to agree a deal for a lesser fee.

It remains to be seen whether PSG and Liverpool can come to a mutual agreement, but the Reds are working on trying to secure his signature.

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West Ham Increases Pursuit of Celtic Midfielder Arne Engels

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An update has emerged on West Ham signing Celtic midfielder Arne Engels after he was named in their squad to face Dundee on Monday evening.

The Hammers have been pushing to sign the Celtic midfielder in the summer transfer window and have even seen two offers rejected.

West Ham were recently relegated from the Premier League, and they are now looking to build a squad capable of gaining promotion from the Championship.

Assigning a midfielder is likely to be one of their major priorities after Mateus Fernandes was sold to Tottenham earlier in the window.

It’s been a slow start for West Ham in the summer market in terms of incomings, failing to bring in a new addition so far.

Update on West Ham signing Engels

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels takes a shot vs Aberdeen

According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, West Ham are now stepping up their pursuit of Celtic midfielder Engels after already submitting two offers.

The English club are yet to reach an agreement with the Scottish giants, although Engels has verbally agreed to join West Ham until 2031.

It’s certainly a positive for West Ham that they already have an agreement with Engels to join the club, but Martin O’Neill isn’t fazed by their interest.

The Celtic boss named Engels in the starting XI to face Dundee in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

West Ham eyeing double Sunderland raid

Simon Adingra celebrates
Simon Adingra celebrates

West Ham are also interested in making a double raid on Sunderland in the summer transfer window.

Reports have claimed that they are interested in signing Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, while they have also opened talks to sign winger Simon Adingra.

It appears that a move for Isidor could be a little more difficult, but Sunderland were willing to allow Adingra to leave the club on loan last season.

West Ham are believed to have made an approach to sign Adingra on loan, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the Black Cats are happy to allow him to depart on loan once again.

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