The biggest World Cup in history starts on 11 June and there are more ways to follow it on the BBC than ever before.

With 48 teams in action, up from 32, there will be a record 104 games to be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

There will be 54 matches shown live on the BBC , including the final on 19 July, with 92 games on BBC Sounds and every single match covered on the BBC Sport website and app.

On top of that, there will be new innovations, regular shows - with England, Scotland and the other 46 nations all being covered - plus more on our dedicated BBC Football YouTube , external channel.

Here is the guide on how to follow the Fifa World Cup 2026 on the BBC.

Everything you need to know about the World Cup

Published How to watch the games live Image caption, Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will be fronting BBC Sport's television coverage

There will be 54 live games shown on BBC One or Two, with all of them available on BBC iPlayer - in UHD - and the BBC Sport website and app.

They include Scotland's group games against Haiti and Brazil - and England's match with Ghana.

The Three Lions' games in the last 32, last 16 and semi-final - if they get that far - will all be on the BBC. The final, as usual, will be shown on both the BBC and ITV.

Find out who all of the BBC's pundits will be here.

For peak-time matches there will be the option of watching games with BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on the Red Button, iPlayer and website.

And if you're watching online and only start watching in the middle of the game - don't worry, every match will feature chapters, marking the best moments to catch up on instantly.

There is an all-new way to watch matches via the BBC Sport website - with the Fifa World Cup 3D experience.

You are in total control of the angles and can relive goals as your favourite player - plus watch tactics unfold in real time - with side-by-side stats and player data.

There will be live commentary on every World Cup game (except for the clashing final group games, when one of the two matches being played simultaneously will be broadcast live in full, with updates from the other) on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

The BBC will have a Football Daily podcast every day of the World Cup, released at 06:00 BST, while from then until 09:00, Rick Edwards will be live in Los Angeles for 5 Live Breakfast.

There will be two episodes of The Wayne Rooney Show every week - and a 606 every week too.

BBC Radio Scotland will will have a daily podcast every morning - plus YouTube live shows throughout the group stages - and extended programming on the radio on game days.

Special editions of The Saturday Show from Boston, Off the Ball and Breaking the News are on the agenda.

There are also offerings on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC ALBA's YouTube page.

And Sunday League manager Steve Bracknall has six World Cup specials of Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast , plus reaction to home nations games.

To find a home nations commentary, you can say to your smart speaker 'ask BBC Sounds to play the England or Scotland match' or request it to play the radio station you want.

And BBC World Service will have a Global World Cup podcast three times a week. The Sport Today (Monday to Friday) and Sportsworld (Saturday and Sunday) shows will be broadcast to more than 66 million listeners worldwide on location from host cities.

On the BBC website, all 104 games will have live text commentaries - even those at 03:00 BST for all the night owls.

As well as that, you can watch and listen to any of the BBC live games on the page. There will be highlights of every match.

There will be a daily live page every day from 07:00 BST - with reaction, talking points, polls and all the colour from the World Cup.

Plus BBC Sport will have a World Cup predictor game, with the chance to enter a prize draw to win a signed football, a daily 'name the player' quiz and player raters on every game.

We will also have a 'Shorts' video tab in the BBC Sport app , which is a new way for fans to watch bite-sized highlights, sharp analysis, explainers and get exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Users can choose this to be the app's default landing page.

And the BBC's World Cup page can be your home of following the groups, schedules, fixtures, scores and results - and even plot England or Scotland's route to the final here.

The biggest World Cup in history starts on 11 June and there are more ways to follow it on the BBC than ever before.

World Cup 2026: How to follow on the BBC

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## Paralympic Athlete's Tragic Death Leads to Corporate Manslaughter Sentencing

A sentencing hearing at London's Old Bailey has heard harrowing details surrounding the death of a Paralympic shot putter, with prosecutors describing the fatal accident as entirely foreseeable and preventable.

Abdullah Hayayei, a 36-year-old wheelchair-using athlete from the United Arab Emirates who competed in shot put and lived with cerebral palsy, lost his life in July 2017 when a training cage structure collapsed during a gust of wind at a sports facility in Newham, London. He had been preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships when a 25kg metal bar broke free from the collapsing structure and struck him on the head. He died at the scene.

## UK Athletics and Former Official Face Sentencing

UK Athletics, which organized the training event, is now being sentenced for corporate manslaughter. Keith Davies, 78, the organization's former head of sport, faces sentencing separately for breaching health and safety legislation. Both parties entered guilty pleas at an earlier hearing this year.

Prosecuting barrister John Price KC told Judge Richard Marks KC that the shot-putting cage involved in the collapse had been assembled with critical base support components missing. When the wind struck the structure, it gave way entirely, with catastrophic consequences.

Price further told the court that Davies had claimed the equipment had been put together in accordance with manufacturer instructions — a claim the prosecution challenged directly.

"At the very least, he ought to have known that it was incorrect," Price argued. "The evidence shows he actually knew it, and therefore this was not a truthful statement."

An expert who examined the Newham site following the accident confirmed that several bolts were absent from the structure. Prosecutors also suggested there existed an established "culture and practice" of assembling the cage without its required components — a pattern that made the tragedy all but inevitable.

"It was an accident waiting to happen," Price told the court.

## Widow's Heartbreaking Impact Statement

Among the most powerful moments of the hearing was the reading of a victim impact statement submitted by Badriah Rashid Zayed Al-Yahyaei, Mr. Hayayei's widow, who described the devastating toll her husband's death has taken on their family.

Left to raise five young children on her own, she recounted the shock and disbelief she experienced upon learning of his death.

"It was a huge shock to me because I was waiting for the news of his victory and success," she wrote. "Suddenly the news reached me. I could not comprehend it at first and refused to believe it, and today that moment is still in my mind."

She laid the responsibility squarely on those who failed to uphold basic safety standards.

"What happened was a result of gross negligence that could have been avoided had safety rules been adhered to. My husband went out to represent his country, raise the name of the UAE, and returned as a corpse."

## UK Athletics' Response Criticized as 'Deeply Unworthy'

The prosecution reserved particularly sharp criticism for a legal statement UK Athletics produced in the years following the incident, calling it "a deeply unworthy document by a national sporting body and one of which it should be ashamed."

According to Price, the statement attempted to deflect responsibility entirely onto Davies and even directed blame toward the Newham venue itself — an approach the prosecutor found unacceptable given the organization's own acknowledged guilt.

## Davies Expresses Remorse

Representing Davies, barrister Mark Balysz KC informed the court that his client had submitted a personal letter ahead of sentencing, expressing profound remorse over the athlete's death.

"I have woken every night thinking about his loss, and his poor family," Davies wrote. "These feelings have intensified since I found out about the investigation for manslaughter."

Davies described the process of coming to terms with Hayayei's death as "so very hard."

The hearing is ongoing, with Judge Marks expected to deliver sentencing decisions on Tuesday.

UK Athletics faces corporate manslaughter sentencing after Paralympic shot putter Abdullah Hayayei was killed by a collapsed training cage in London in 2017.

Paralympic Athlete Death: UK Athletics Manslaughter Sentenci

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Paralympic Shot Putter's Death Called 'Accident Waiting to Happen' at UK Athletics Sentencing

## The Numbers Don't Lie: Women Shut Out of French Open Night Sessions

A striking pattern has emerged at Roland Garros that is impossible to ignore. All eight night session matches scheduled at this year's French Open have been handed exclusively to male players — continuing a streak that now stretches to 32 consecutive primetime slots without a single women's match.

The last time a women's match graced the prestigious evening slot on Court Philippe Chatrier was back in 2023. Since the single-match night format was launched in 2021, only four of the 60 available primetime slots have featured women's tennis — a ratio that has drawn sharp criticism from players, governing bodies, and fans alike.

## Top Players Speak Out Against the Inequality

The frustration within the women's game has been building steadily. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka captured the mood perfectly when she admitted she doesn't even mentally connect the French Open with night matches — a damning reflection of how normalized the exclusion has become.

American world number five Jessica Pegula previously described the situation as repeatedly "hitting her head against the wall," while two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur delivered a pointed remark, questioning whether the tournament's decision-makers "have daughters" — a comment she has now repeated for the second consecutive year without any meaningful change taking place.

Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open women's champion and one of the rare female players to have experienced the night session firsthand, has added her voice to the chorus calling for reform.

"I wish women's tennis could be shown more in those spots. The men always have the priority with the scheduling — they take the most popular slots and the bigger courts," Ostapenko told BBC Sport. "I like to play at night, especially when the stadiums are full. That energy is what we all play for."

### A High-Stakes Meeting Behind the Scenes

The persistence of this issue has prompted newly appointed WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo to take direct action. During a meeting at Roland Garros this week, Camillo sat down with French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo — herself a former women's world number one — to address the imbalance head-on.

The WTA characterized the conversation as open and productive. Camillo made clear her position that women's players have consistently delivered some of the most compelling and high-energy competition in world sport over recent seasons, and that the scheduling structure should reflect that quality.

## The Tournament's Justification Falls Flat

Despite mounting pressure, Mauresmo has repeatedly defended the current approach by pointing to the risk of women's matches concluding too quickly. With night session tickets priced between €60 and €280 (approximately £50 to £240), tournament organizers have expressed concern that a brisk two-set women's match could leave spectators feeling short-changed.

Mauresmo has also ruled out expanding the format to include two matches per evening session — a model already in use at the Australian Open and US Open — citing concerns about late finish times.

This reasoning, however, rings hollow to many observers. The French Open has already resisted calls for change despite vocal opposition from players, the WTA, and reportedly from broadcasters as well.

### The Osaka-Sabalenka Test Case

Attention now turns to whether a blockbuster fourth-round clash between Osaka and world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be considered for a night slot. Osaka herself expressed uncertainty, suggesting the coveted evening position seemed reserved for what she described as "popcorn matches."

If a meeting between a four-time Grand Slam champion and the reigning top-ranked women's player in the world doesn't qualify for primetime treatment, it raises serious questions about what ever would.

Notably, some elite players — including four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek — have been known to prefer earlier scheduling, which adds a layer of complexity to the debate.

## Will Anything Actually Change?

The sad reality, as Ostapenko acknowledged, is that optimism is hard to sustain.

"I hope it will change," she said. "Even if it's not me playing, I would love to see women's matches in those slots. But honestly, I don't know that we will."

With 32 nights and counting, the French Open's scheduling choices send a message — whether intentional or not — about how much it truly values the women's game. The question now is whether the tournament will finally listen, or whether this conversation will simply resurface again in 2026.

All 32 consecutive French Open night sessions have featured men only. Players, the WTA, and fans demand answers over the glaring scheduling gender gap at Roland

French Open Night Sessions: 32 Matches, Zero Women

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32 Night Sessions and Zero Women: The French Open's Glaring Gender Blind Spot

## Liverpool Pull the Plug on Arne Slot After Two Turbulent Seasons

Just a fortnight ago, Arne Slot stood in front of reporters at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre and expressed full confidence that he would remain at the helm next season. Yet within days, that certainty was shattered. On a Saturday morning, Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG chief executive Michael Edwards delivered the news — Slot was out.

The dismissal caught the Dutchman completely off guard. His contract was not due to expire until the following summer, and right up until the final days of the campaign, Slot had been speaking openly about his plans for the club's evolution. His representatives, as recently as the day before the decision was made public, believed the manager retained the full backing of the club's leadership.

## A Season That Tested Everyone's Limits

The 2025-26 campaign will be remembered as one of Liverpool's most gruelling in recent memory. It began with the devastating and tragic loss of Diogo Jota, a moment that shook the entire football community. From there, the season descended into a series of challenges — a mounting injury crisis, 19 defeats across all competitions, and growing frustration from supporters inside Anfield, where boos became an increasingly familiar soundtrack.

Slot, who described it to BBC Sport in February as the "toughest season" of his career, handled the grief surrounding Jota's passing with dignity and composure. That alone earns him considerable respect. However, the on-field struggles proved impossible to ignore.

Perhaps the most damaging moment came when departing star Mohamed Salah appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at Slot's management style through a social media post — one that was notably liked by several of his teammates. It was a public signal that the dressing room's faith in the head coach had eroded.

### A Disconnect in Style and Authority

Sources within the club pointed to a broader issue that had been simmering beneath the surface. One insider with experience of both the Klopp and Slot eras noted: "Arne's a great person, but you always felt he lacked that authority Jurgen had — and that became more evident when results on the pitch started suffering."

The repeated flat performances — culminating in a chorus of boos during Liverpool's match against Chelsea earlier in the month, which Hughes himself witnessed — underlined a growing disconnect between the team's output and the supporters' expectations.

## The Club's Vision Demands a Different Approach

At the heart of Liverpool's decision is a belief about where the club needs to go next. Having invested heavily in the squad — bringing in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni last summer, with Jeremy Jacquet already confirmed in a £60 million deal from Rennes — the club's leadership feels the next chapter calls for a more aggressive, front-foot style of football. In their assessment, Slot is simply not the manager to deliver that vision.

The exits of seasoned figures like Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate further signal that Liverpool are entering a new phase — one that requires a different kind of leadership both tactically and emotionally.

## Questions for the Hierarchy Too

While Slot's departure may be justified on footballing grounds, Liverpool's decision-making process has not escaped scrutiny. Had the club acted sooner, club legend Xabi Alonso — widely admired by the fanbase — may have been a realistic option. Instead, Alonso signed a four-year deal with Chelsea, leaving Liverpool to pursue other targets.

Andoni Iraola, who was previously appointed by Hughes at Bournemouth, has emerged as the frontrunner for the role, with contact already made and his immediate availability reportedly a key factor in accelerating Slot's exit.

## Legacy Intact, Despite the Painful End

For all the controversy surrounding his sacking, Slot's legacy at Liverpool remains meaningful. He delivered the Premier League title in his very first season in charge — a feat that places him among an exclusive group of managers. He becomes the first Liverpool boss to be dismissed after winning the league title, a distinction that underscores just how complicated his story truly is.

As one observer noted, had his two seasons been reversed — a title-winning campaign followed by a Champions League qualification season — he would likely be celebrated as a mastermind. Instead, the numbers tell a stark story: Liverpool's points tally dropped from 84 in 2024-25 to just 60 in 2025-26, representing a swing of minus 24 — the largest single-season drop ever recorded by any ever-present Premier League side across two consecutive campaigns.

For Slot, there is reportedly no animosity toward the club. He leaves believing he was dealt an extraordinarily difficult hand. For Liverpool, the decision was made with great reluctance but, ultimately, with an eye firmly fixed on the future.

Liverpool's shock decision to sack Arne Slot after two seasons explained — from dressing room tensions to the club's bold new vision for the future.

Why Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot After Two Seasons

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End of an Era: The Real Reasons Liverpool Showed Arne Slot the Door

## From Near-Relegation to Champions League Glory: The PSG Revolution

When Qatar Sports Investments sat down to negotiate the purchase of Paris Saint-Germain back in 2011, the deal carried a very real risk. The club had finished 13th in Ligue 1 the previous season, and lead negotiator Nasser Al-Khelaifi was nervously monitoring results week by week, quietly terrified that QSI might end up owning a second-division outfit. PSG survived the drop, the takeover was completed — and nothing about the club would ever be the same again.

Today, under manager Luis Enrique, PSG are preparing to defend their Champions League title. The distance between those two realities represents one of the most extraordinary institutional overhauls in the history of modern football.

## A Club With Potential But No Foundation

In 2011, PSG were a study in contradiction. They existed in one of the world's great cities, surrounded by an enormous pool of footballing talent, yet the club itself was structurally weak, lacking prestige, stability, and any coherent footballing identity.

Despite previously fielding recognizable names like Ronaldinho, Pauleta, Ludovic Giuly, and Claude Makelele, PSG had failed to establish themselves as a credible force on the European stage. There was no sustainable model in place, no clear philosophy, and no pathway to elite competition.

Compounding the atmosphere inside the club, violent incidents among ultra supporter groups had led to their ban from the Parc des Princes. The stadium's most passionate voices were absent for the first five years of the QSI era, only returning in 2016 when Al-Khelaifi determined that the majority of supporters should not be punished for the actions of a few.

## The 'Bling-Bling' Era: Spending Their Way Into Relevance

QSI's opening chapter was defined by bold, aggressive investment. Critics quickly dubbed it the 'bling-bling era,' a label that stuck — though internally, club leadership viewed large-scale spending as the fastest available route to the summit of European football.

Like Newcastle United and Manchester City before them, PSG faced persistent scrutiny over the origins of their funding, with accusations of 'sportswashing' — the practice of using sport to rehabilitate a nation's international image — never far from the headlines.

Regardless, the strategy delivered results in terms of visibility. Signing global icons such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi forced the world to take PSG seriously. Domestic titles arrived in bulk, and the club began making deep runs in the Champions League.

### When Stars Became a Problem

Yet the star-centric model had a critical flaw: it prioritized individual brilliance over collective harmony, and the dressing room reflected that imbalance.

Powerful personalities began shaping decisions that should have belonged to coaches. Disputes emerged over seemingly trivial matters — training schedules, penalty-taking duties — but they carried real consequences for team cohesion.

Mbappe, just 18 at the time, reportedly agreed to join PSG over Real Madrid only on the condition that he would feature in every match. Neymar, meanwhile, had contractual provisions allowing him to skip certain away trips at his own discretion.

The tension became particularly visible when basketball legend Kobe Bryant visited PSG's training ground. Both Neymar and Mbappe wanted to abandon the rest schedule set by then-coach Unai Emery in order to train and impress the NBA icon. Emery held his ground and won that battle — but such clashes quietly eroded trust and left lasting marks on the club's culture.

The era successfully elevated PSG's global brand. But it also revealed the ceiling of a model built around individual stars rather than a shared identity.

## A New Philosophy: Football First, Players Second

The turning point came when Al-Khelaifi publicly declared the bling-bling era over. The conversation inside the club shifted fundamentally. Rather than asking how to win the Champions League, leadership began asking a more basic but more important question: what kind of football do we actually want to play?

The answer was clear — attacking, dynamic football with French talent at its core. That vision reshaped every decision that followed.

## Luis Enrique and the Cultural Reset

For the first time since QSI's takeover, PSG identified a footballing identity before selecting a manager. Luis Enrique was chosen to lead that new vision — and he arrived as something of a force of nature.

The club's approach was methodical and deliberate: define the identity, appoint the right coach, then construct the squad around that philosophy. No longer would a player's name carry more weight than the team's needs.

The departure of the previous era's icons — Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, Marco Verratti, and Sergio Ramos — followed. These were not acts of punishment or ingratitude. They were necessary steps in reordering priorities. The collective would now come first, without exception.

### A New PSG Is Born

What emerged from this process is the PSG that now stands on the brink of a second consecutive Champions League triumph. The transformation has been neither linear nor painless — each phase carried its own contradictions and costly lessons.

But every stage, from the desperate early days of QSI's takeover to the excesses of the superstar era and finally to the philosophical clarity of the Enrique era, contributed something essential to building the club PSG has become today.

Discover how PSG transformed from a struggling Ligue 1 side into a Champions League powerhouse through bold investment and cultural reinvention.

PSG's Rise: From Near-Relegation to Champions League

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How PSG Transformed From a Struggling Club Into Europe's Most Feared Force

## Hodgkinson Sets Sights on Breaking 43-Year-Old World Record in London

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has declared her ambition to shatter one of athletics' most enduring world records on home soil, describing this summer's London Diamond League as a potential "battle of the world records."

The 24-year-old British star, who claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is returning to London Stadium for the first time since her British-record performance in the build-up to that triumph — and she has her eyes firmly set on a landmark that has survived for more than four decades.

### Chasing a Record That Has Stood Since 1983

The women's 800m world record — one minute 53.28 seconds — was set by Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova back in July 1983. It remains the longest-standing mark in track and field, and Hodgkinson is determined to bring it down in 2025, a season that carries no global outdoor championship pressure for the first time in five years.

After an injury-disrupted year that included two serious hamstring tears, Hodgkinson has bounced back emphatically. She reports completing the strongest winter training block of her career without missing a single session — a claim backed up by her stunning world indoor record performance in February.

"Obviously I would love to have that happen on home soil," Hodgkinson said, when asked about her preferred location for a potential world record attempt. "I get really excited about London and the crowd. As a British person, competing there is so much fun. It's definitely the main thing I'm looking forward to on the calendar this year."

### A Battle of the Records?

Hodgkinson may not be alone in chasing history at the London Diamond League on 18 July. British teammate Josh Kerr has already confirmed his intention to target the men's world mile record — a mark that has stood since 1999 — at the same event.

"It might be a battle of the world records. Who can get a better one?" Hodgkinson said with a laugh.

Before London, the Bolton-born sprinter will kick off her outdoor season at the Rome Diamond League on 4 June, where she plans to test her raw speed over 400m. She will then begin building toward her world record bid with 800m outings in Stockholm and Eugene.

### Flexibility Remains Key After Injury Setbacks

Despite her clear ambitions, Hodgkinson is taking a measured approach following the physical setbacks she endured during her first year as Olympic champion.

"We obviously have a plan 'A' of what we would like to happen," she explained. "The sport has its own plans sometimes, and it is not something you can straight away plan and think 'let's do this.' If I come into the shape where I think I want to go for the record a bit sooner, or it happens to be a bit later in the season, that could just be how it goes."

Should the record remain intact by the time the London date arrives, Hodgkinson will have another opportunity to race on home turf at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham in August.

### Hodgkinson Champions London's Bid for 2029 World Championships

Beyond her personal ambitions, Hodgkinson is also a vocal advocate for bringing the World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029. The UK government has backed a bid to stage the event at London Stadium — which last hosted the championships in 2017 — though reports suggest negotiations have stalled over West Ham Football Club's reluctance to vacate the shared venue for approximately three weeks at the start of their 2029-30 season.

"I am really passionate about it. I didn't think we would get an opportunity in my career to get another global championships back in the UK," Hodgkinson said. "That would be not only amazing for our sport but also the people watching, inspiring the next generation and putting our sport out there. We would sell out that stadium every single day — I believe that wholeheartedly."

Keely Hodgkinson aims to break the 43-year-old women's 800m world record at the London Diamond League in July 2025. Here's everything you need to know.

Hodgkinson Targets 43-Year 800m World Record in London

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Hodgkinson Eyes Historic 800m World Record at London Diamond League

## No Britons Survive Into French Open Singles Third Round

Britain's French Open singles campaign has come to a premature close after Katie Boulter suffered a three-set defeat to 28th seed Anastasia Potapova in the second round at Roland Garros, eliminating the last remaining British competitor from the singles draws.

Boulter's exit follows a series of early departures from her fellow countrymen and women. Francesca Jones was also eliminated in the second round, while Emma Raducanu, Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, and Toby Samuel all crashed out in the opening round.

## Boulter's Rollercoaster Match Against Potapova

Having set her sights on reaching the third round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career, Boulter made a promising start by edging a chaotic opening set that featured no fewer than seven breaks of serve. However, Potapova steadily grew into the match, finding consistency on her serve while continuing to expose weaknesses in the British number three's game. The Austrian — born in Russia — ultimately sealed a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory in clinical fashion.

With the win, Potapova advances to the third round where she will face defending champion and fourth seed Coco Gauff, as she bids to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career.

### Serving Woes Prove Costly

Boulter had already been tested heading into this match, having needed three sets to overcome teenage American wildcard Akasha Urhobo in round one. Against Potapova, however, the same vulnerabilities proved far more costly against an opponent better equipped to punish them.

The 29-year-old's serving was particularly troublesome throughout the contest. She recorded a staggering 10 double faults compared to just a single ace, landed only 54% of first serves, and managed to win a mere 36% of points on her second delivery. In total, Boulter racked up 51 unforced errors across the match — a telling statistic that ultimately decided the outcome.

In the second set, Potapova broke twice in the opening five games, and although Boulter showed admirable resilience in clawing back from 5-1 to 5-4 and saving three set points in the process, she could not prevent the match from going to a deciding third set. Potapova, who was broken just once across the final two sets, converted both break-point opportunities in the third to close out the victory with authority.

## Boulter Remains Optimistic Despite Clay Struggles

Clay has historically been Boulter's least favourable surface — she only claimed her first WTA Tour-level win on clay as recently as 2025. Despite managing just four victories across five clay-court tournaments this season, the British player insists she is heading in the right direction.

"I have to keep reminding myself that I got my first win on clay last year and I'm here now testing some of the better players on a clay court, and that is important to me," Boulter told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm taking the steps towards where I feel like I need to be on a clay court. It's taking time, but I do think that today was one of the better matches I've played. I think I found my identity really well on the court and I just went after it."

On the subject of her serve, Boulter acknowledged the work still to be done while remaining measured in her outlook.

"I'm not necessarily holding back — I'm not just trying to push the ball in and run. It's a work in progress. It's going to be good days and bad days, and I think I'm pretty level-headed about it."

With an illness affecting her in recent days, Boulter confirmed that returning to full health ahead of the upcoming grass-court season is now her top priority.

## Sabalenka and Gauff Continue Untroubled

While the men's draw has seen several high-profile upsets — including world number one Jannik Sinner's surprise exit — the women's competition has seen its leading contenders advance comfortably.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka, chasing her first ever French Open title, overcame home favourite Elsa Jacquemot 7-5, 6-2 in a controlled performance. After racing through five consecutive games to take the first set, Sabalenka built a commanding 3-0 lead in the second. Although she was briefly broken while serving for the match, she responded immediately to clinch victory and set up a third-round clash with Daria Kasatkina.

Meanwhile, fourth seed Gauff continued her bid to defend the title she won in 2025, dropping just five games in a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Mayar Sherif.

Katie Boulter exits the French Open in round two after losing to Anastasia Potapova, ending all British interest in the Roland Garros singles draws.

Boulter Out at French Open: No Britons in Round Three

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British Hopes Dashed at French Open as Boulter Falls to Potapova in Three Sets

## Crystal Palace Plot Their Next Move After Conference League Glory

The celebrations may still be echoing around Selhurst Park, but behind the scenes at Crystal Palace, serious business is already underway. Fresh off their stunning Conference League victory in Leipzig on Wednesday night, club officials are wasting no time in mapping out the future — and finding a new head coach is the immediate priority.

### Iraola Remains the Number One Target

As previously reported by BBC Sport, Palace have set their sights on Andoni Iraola to fill the void left by Oliver Glasner, who made it clear after the historic win in Germany that he has no intention of changing his mind about leaving.

The club has formally presented the Spanish manager with a proposal and is now waiting on his response. Part of that offer includes a significant promise: Iraola would have considerable input into how recruitment is handled. Palace are reportedly keen to receive an answer before the weekend is out.

Pursuing Iraola is no small ambition. The 43-year-old has firmly established himself among Europe's most exciting managerial talents, with Bournemouth's qualification for next season's Europa League standing as compelling evidence of his ability to overachieve with limited resources.

Owner Steve Parish made the club's intentions clear following the victory over Rayo Vallecano in the final.

"We have got a taste for it now, we want to keep it going," Parish said. "We have gone up a level and we have got to try and stay there. We will have a week to celebrate and then work hard in the summer."

Palace believe they have presented Iraola with a compelling case, offering him a genuine platform to further cement his growing reputation in European football.

### Frank Lampard and Others on the Backup List

Should Iraola ultimately decline, Palace have alternatives lined up. Frank Lampard — currently in charge at Coventry — is understood to be among the leading backup options, with influential figures in the Palace boardroom holding the former Chelsea midfielder in high regard.

One potential complication is Lampard's existing contract at Coventry, which would need to be resolved before any move could proceed. However, there is cautious optimism within the club that Lampard, who is reportedly aware of Palace's interest, would be willing to make the switch ahead of the new campaign.

Other names believed to have been considered include Kieran McKenna, Pierre Sage, Sean Dyche, and Thomas Frank, suggesting Palace are casting a wide net as a precaution.

The lengthy delay in receiving a response from Iraola has, it must be said, sown some seeds of doubt internally about whether the former Bournemouth boss is genuinely ready to make the move to south London.

## Player Retention Set to Be a Summer Battleground

With managerial succession at the top of the agenda, the question of which players will remain at Selhurst Park next season is fast becoming the next major talking point.

Palace have already seen marquee names including Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Marc Guehi depart in recent years, and the club is determined to prevent another wave of damaging exits. Wednesday's triumph — which also secured Europa League football for next season — could prove a powerful incentive for players to stay put.

### Adam Wharton Attracting Elite Interest

One player whose future will command significant attention is Adam Wharton, whose outstanding man-of-the-match display in the Conference League final did little to dampen speculation about his long-term destination. Both Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs known to be keeping close tabs on the midfielder.

For now, Palace appear to be in a relatively strong position. Wharton still has three years remaining on his current contract, giving the club considerable leverage. The Eagles are reportedly open to offering him an upgraded deal, though it remains uncertain whether Wharton is eager to enter those discussions given the high-profile interest from elsewhere.

### Henderson, Cannotvot, and Mateta's Futures Unresolved

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has two years left on his deal, is attracting attention from multiple Premier League clubs and could be in line for contract talks in the near future.

Central defender Jaydee Canvot, who has impressed since stepping up following Marc Guehi's departure in January, has reportedly caught the eye of Paris Saint-Germain.

StrikerJean-Philippe Mateta's situation also needs resolving. His proposed move to AC Milan fell apart earlier this year due to a failed medical, but Mateta has made no secret of his desire to move on. Palace have already moved proactively by signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in a deal worth £48 million in anticipation of his likely exit.

Finally, reports suggest Maxence Lacroix is hesitant over a new contract, while winger Ismaila Sarr is understood to be open to discussing an extension. There is plenty for the Palace hierarchy to navigate as the summer transfer window approaches.

Crystal Palace are awaiting Andoni Iraola's decision on becoming their new head coach, with Frank Lampard emerging as a serious backup option this summer.

Crystal Palace Target Iraola With Lampard as Backup Option

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Crystal Palace Eye Iraola as Top Target, With Lampard Waiting in the Wings

## French Open Match Turns Sour Over Disputed Ball Mark

A second-round encounter at the French Open descended into controversy when German tennis player Tamara Korpatsch and China's Wang Xinyu became embroiled in a bitter dispute over a line call — a row that ultimately ended without the traditional post-match handshake.

Korpatsch emerged victorious with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 scoreline, but the result was largely overshadowed by the on-court tension that had been building from a pivotal moment in the first set.

## The Flashpoint That Started It All

The trouble began when Wang Xinyu, seeded 32nd in the tournament, crossed onto Korpatsch's side of the court to personally examine the ball mark after the chair umpire ruled her shot had gone beyond the baseline. The moment was critical — the disputed point handed Korpatsch a set point on Wang's serve at the conclusion of the opening set.

Wang's decision to cross over and challenge the call did not sit well with the crowd, who responded with audible booing. She was subsequently issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct by the chair umpire.

## Technology and Officials Back Korpatsch

Korpatsch was firm in her defence, explaining that there were two visible ball marks on the clay — one old and one fresh — but that both landed outside the line. Her version of events was backed up by both the chair umpire, who came down from the chair to inspect the mark personally, and Hawk-Eye technology, which confirmed the ball was approximately 8mm out.

"The chair umpire came down and showed the mark, and it was out. On TV, they showed the Hawk-Eye and it was like 8mm out. She came to my side because she didn't believe it," Korpatsch explained after the match.

It is worth noting that unlike the other three Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open does not use electronic line-calling technology. On clay, officials rely on the physical impressions left by the ball on the surface to make and verify their rulings.

## No Handshake as Tensions Boil Over

The atmosphere remained charged throughout the remainder of the match, and when the two players met at the net at the final whistle, both walked away without exchanging the customary handshake — a rare and pointed gesture in professional tennis.

Korpatsch explained her reasoning plainly: "At the end, we didn't have a handshake because she told me she's not OK with the ball marks. I didn't offer her my hand because that's not fair for me. She was unfair to come on my side, and I'm not an unfair player."

## Korpatsch Calls Cheating Accusation 'Embarrassing'

Following the match, Wang suggested that Korpatsch had not played fairly — a claim the German player flatly rejected with a tone of disbelief.

"I think she said something about me not being a fair player, but I don't know how," Korpatsch said. "We have one of the best chair umpires on court, and I don't know how to cheat. There are many cameras on court and they can check everything. For me, it would be embarrassing to cheat like that."

Despite the animosity, Korpatsch acknowledged that the two players had shared a positive relationship prior to the incident. "I'm a bit surprised because we have a good relationship — we're not enemies," she added.

## What's Next for Korpatsch

With the controversy behind her, Korpatsch now faces a significantly tougher challenge in the next round, where she is set to take on seventh seed Elina Svitolina. Whether the emotional intensity of this match will affect her performance remains to be seen, but the German player will be keen to let her tennis do the talking.

Tamara Korpatsch denies cheating after a fiery French Open clash with Wang Xinyu ends without a handshake over a disputed clay court line call.

French Open Cheating Row: Korpatsch vs Wang Xinyu

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French Open Controversy: Korpatsch Denies Cheating After Bitter Clash With Wang Xinyu

## A Farewell Fit for a Legend

When Barcelona laid out all 38 trophies on the pitch for Alexia Putellas' farewell ceremony, it wasn't just a goodbye — it was a statement of what one player can mean to a club. Over 14 remarkable years with the Catalan giants, the Spanish midfielder cemented her status as one of the greatest female footballers of all time.

After officially announcing her departure on Tuesday, sources close to the situation have told BBC Sport that newly promoted Women's Super League side London City Lionesses are confident they can land the 32-year-old star. While clubs from the United States are also competing for her signature, a move to London remains a serious possibility — and one that would undeniably be the most significant transfer in WSL history.

## Still at the Peak of Her Powers

Despite her age and a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in July 2022, Putellas shows no signs of decline. Just last Saturday, she captained Barcelona to a commanding 4-0 victory over Lyon in Oslo, claiming her fourth UEFA Champions League title in the process.

In 2021 and 2022, she became the first woman ever to win the Ballon d'Or in back-to-back years, a feat that coincided with Barcelona's historic first continental treble. England's all-time leading scorer Ellen White, speaking on the Women's Football Weekly podcast, suggested Putellas may actually be reaching new heights.

"I think she is getting better and better," White said. "Potentially she is in her prime now, even better than when she won the Ballon d'Or."

Putellas herself echoed that sentiment in her farewell Instagram message: "I always said I wanted my final moment to come while I was at my very best. It has been a perfect story."

The tributes that flooded in following her announcement spoke volumes. Barcelona's interim president Rafael Yuste declared his deep affection for the player, while club legends Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets both shared heartfelt messages. Spanish journalist Irati Vidal perhaps framed it best.

"Alexia is more than a footballer here," Vidal explained. "She has become the image of women's football and made kids believe they can be a girl and also be a footballer."

Vidal even drew a striking comparison to another Barcelona icon, noting: "They opened the Camp Nou for Alexia. For Lionel Messi, they just had a room — and this was more emotional."

## Why London City Makes Sense

London City Lionesses, owned by Michelle Kang, are a club with clear and urgent ambitions. On the eve of the 2025-26 season, chief executive Martin Semmens described the club's vision as "disruptive," insisting that success was "not a 10-year project" but something to be achieved rapidly.

After a mid-table finish in their debut WSL campaign, the club has been actively assembling a competitive squad. A Putellas signing would slot neatly into an already Spanish-speaking environment at the club. Head coach Eder Maestre leads the technical staff, while Barcelona exports Jana Fernandez, Maria Perez, and young striker Lucia Corrales have already made the switch to London.

However, challenges remain. UEFA's head of women's football Nadine Kessler recently reaffirmed that clubs under common ownership would be strictly barred from competing together in the Champions League — a regulation that could complicate Kang's broader footballing portfolio. Despite this, securing Putellas would dramatically accelerate London City's trajectory toward European competition.

## The Gap — and the Opportunity

The road ahead is steep. London City finished their debut WSL season a full 22 points behind third-placed Chelsea, losing five of their six matches against the top three clubs — Arsenal, Chelsea, and champions Manchester City — by a combined scoreline of 15-4. Their average home attendance of just under 3,000, while respectable, still trails every club they would need to overtake.

Yet the symbolic power of this potential signing cannot be understated. The WSL has never had a Ballon d'Or winner grace its league. The fact that a sixth-placed side could realistically attract the world's most decorated active female player speaks volumes about the growing financial clout and global reputation of English women's football.

## A Message to the World

If Putellas chooses London over the United States, it would not merely be a coup for London City — it would signal a seismic shift in the women's game. The WSL's appeal is clearly resonating beyond England's borders, drawing elite European talent at an accelerating rate.

For a player of Putellas' stature to bypass established American powerhouses in favor of a developing WSL project would confirm what many already suspect: that England's top-flight women's league is fast becoming the most exciting destination in global women's football.

Alexia Putellas is leaving Barcelona, and London City Lionesses want to sign her. Discover why this transfer would be the biggest in WSL history.

Alexia Putellas to WSL: London City's Historic Signing

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Alexia Putellas to London City Lionesses: The Transfer That Could Redefine the WSL Forever

## Barcelona Join Bayern Munich in Chase for Anthony Gordon

Barcelona have officially entered the race to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, joining German giants Bayern Munich in what is shaping up to be a high-profile transfer battle this summer.

The Spanish champions are understood to be in active discussions with Newcastle regarding a potential deal for the 25-year-old England international. Despite well-documented financial constraints in recent years, Barcelona are believed to be operating with funds generated through player sales, giving them the flexibility to pursue key targets.

## Newcastle's Strong Negotiating Position

Newcastle United are not expected to make things easy for any suitor. Chief executive David Hopkinson made his stance abundantly clear back in March, stating that the club would only part ways with players strictly on their own terms.

With Gordon's contract locked in until 2030, Newcastle are well-positioned to demand a minimum fee of £70 million for their top scorer. The Magpies hold all the cards in negotiations — and they know it.

Bayern Munich have also held formal talks with the Tyneside club, though reports indicate that the two parties remain apart on their respective valuations. The emergence of Barcelona as a genuine competitor, however, could spark a bidding war that works firmly in Newcastle's favor.

## Gordon's Future Written on the Pitch

All signs suggest that Gordon's time at St. James' Park may be drawing to a close. The former Everton forward, who finished as Newcastle's leading scorer this season, was notably left on the bench for the final four matches of the Premier League campaign — a decision widely interpreted as head coach Eddie Howe preparing for life without him.

In what many supporters took as an emotional farewell, fans in the away end at Craven Cottage briefly chanted Gordon's name following a 2-0 defeat to Fulham on the final day of the season.

When pressed on whether Gordon had made his last appearance for the club, Howe offered a cautious response.

"I don't know, as I said in the build-up to the game. You can never predict what's going to happen. He obviously goes to the World Cup now, so we wish him well."

Perhaps most telling of all, youngsters Sean Neave and Alex Murphy were introduced from the bench ahead of Gordon in that final fixture — a symbolic moment that said much about the direction the club is heading.

## Lessons Learned from the Isak Saga

This situation inevitably draws comparisons to last summer's turbulent Alexander Isak transfer saga, in which Newcastle initially held firm before ultimately selling the striker to Liverpool for a British-record £125 million on deadline day — a deal that unfolded in a climate of structural uncertainty at the club.

This time around, the landscape looks markedly different. Newcastle now have both a chief executive in Hopkinson and a sporting director in Ross Wilson operating in clearly defined roles. The absence of a sporting director last summer was widely considered a significant weakness when managing player negotiations and agent relationships.

Former chief executive Darren Eales once described selling top talent as "crazy," but Hopkinson has adopted a more pragmatic and commercially astute approach. He has spoken openly about the club's willingness to "maximise the opportunity" should key players attract serious interest.

## A Summer of Rebuilding Ahead

Following a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League, Newcastle face a summer of significant squad rebuilding. Trading established assets to fund fresh investment is not just an option — it may be a necessity.

With Barcelona and Bayern Munich potentially set to go head-to-head for Gordon's signature, Newcastle could find themselves in a powerful position to secure a substantial transfer fee and reinvest smartly in a squad that clearly needs reinvigoration.

It is also worth noting that Barcelona's summer shopping list extends beyond Gordon. The Catalan club are reportedly tracking Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez and Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. Hansi Flick's side additionally hold a £26 million option to make Marcus Rashford's loan move from Manchester United permanent — meaning competition for funds within the club remains a relevant factor.

For Newcastle, the prospect of losing their top scorer for a second consecutive summer is a real one. But with the right structure now in place and significant leverage at the negotiating table, the club appear better equipped than ever to turn a potential exit into a genuine opportunity.

Barcelona join Bayern Munich in the race to sign Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon. Get the latest on transfer talks, fee expectations, and squad rebuild plans.

Barcelona in Talks to Sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle

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Barcelona Enter the Race for Newcastle's Anthony Gordon Alongside Bayern Munich

## Frank Lampard Earns Top Managerial Honour with LMA Award

Frank Lampard has been recognised as the League Managers Association Manager of the Year, earning the prestigious accolade following an outstanding season that saw him guide Coventry City back into the Premier League.

### Championship Dominance Seals the Deal

Lampard's Sky Blues were dominant throughout the Championship campaign, finishing an impressive 11 points clear at the summit to claim the title outright. The promotion ends Coventry's absence from England's top division, with the club last competing at that level during the 2000-01 season — a wait of nearly a quarter of a century.

The achievement stands as the most significant individual honour of Lampard's managerial career to date, coming after a journey that has included both highs and considerable setbacks in the dugout.

### The Sir Alex Ferguson Award Presented by Thomas Tuchel

Lampard received the Sir Alex Ferguson Award — named in honour of the legendary former Manchester United manager — at a ceremony where England head coach Thomas Tuchel did the honours. The award is determined by a vote among managers across the football pyramid and factors in both results and the financial resources available to each candidate.

Tuchel delivered a personal message from Ferguson himself, in which the iconic Scot praised Lampard's Coventry side for playing "great football with confidence and belief." Ferguson added a warm send-off: "I have enjoyed watching you. Best of luck in the Premier League next season."

### A Career Rebuilt at Coventry

The former England international midfielder built his managerial reputation at Derby County, where his side narrowly missed out on promotion after losing the Championship play-off final in 2019. He subsequently took the reins at Chelsea — the club where he had spent 13 years as a player — before being dismissed 18 months into the role in January 2021. He later returned to Stamford Bridge in a temporary caretaker capacity.

A stint at Everton followed, during which Lampard guided the Toffees to safety from relegation before being shown the door. His appointment at Coventry, however, proved to be the turning point, as he built a free-scoring and defensively resolute side that swept the second tier aside.

### Record-Breaking Numbers

Coventry's statistical output this season was nothing short of remarkable. The club finished as the Championship's top scorers, netting 97 goals across 46 matches, while simultaneously boasting the division's best defensive record — a combination that underlined just how complete Lampard's team was.

### Strong Shortlist Across All Competitions

Lampard was far from the only manager recognised at the ceremony. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta claimed the Premier League award after leading the Gunners to their first top-flight title in 22 years. Other tier-specific honours went to Lincoln City's Michael Skubala, who won League One, and Bromley's Andy Woodman, who guided his side to the League Two championship.

In women's football, Manchester City's Andree Jeglertz took the Women's Super League award following a title-winning campaign, while Karen Hills received the WSL2 honour after steering Charlton into the top flight of women's football for the first time.

Alongside Lampard, the shortlist for the main award included Keith Andrews of Brentford, Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola of Manchester City, Skubala, and Woodman.

### Hall of Fame Inductees

The evening also celebrated two managerial legends as Steve Bruce and Martin O'Neill were formally inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame, each having reached the remarkable milestone of 1,000 games as a manager.

### Following in Distinguished Footsteps

Lampard joins a respected group of managers who have claimed the LMA's top award while operating outside the Premier League. Chris Wilder received the honour in 2019 during his transformative tenure at Sheffield United, and Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna was the 2024 recipient — a lineage that adds further weight to Lampard's achievement.

Frank Lampard claims the LMA Manager of the Year award after guiding Coventry City to the Championship title and a Premier League return after 24 years.