DONALD TRUMP TO JOINTLY PRESENT FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 TROPHY TO WINNERS

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team.

Donald Trump had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy.© AFP

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team. Earlier, talkSPORT reported that FIFA has no objection to Trump handing the World Cup trophy directly to the winning captain and remaining on the podium during celebrations. "We're going to be together with US President Donald Trump, enjoying the World Cup Final and handing the trophy to the winner together," Infantino said as per Fox News.

The US president had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy to the tournament winners. Officials from Mexico and Canada are also expected to be invited to attend the closing ceremony.

Trump drew attention at the Club World Cup when he remained on the podium beside Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer appeared visibly puzzled, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially appeared to guide Trump away before later encouraging him to stay.

Under standard FIFA protocol, the World Cup trophy is typically placed on a plinth and carried by the winning team onto the stage for the presentation ceremony.

Trump did not attend the USMNT's opening victory over Paraguay due to a scheduling conflict, but is expected to be present at the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

- ANI

JOHN TERRY CLAIMS 11 ENGLAND PLAYERS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR WORLD CUP

Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images

John Terry has questioned ‘three or four’ of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup picks and claims 11 England players are not good enough to be in the squad.

The Three Lions face Costa Rica on Wednesday night in their final warm-up game before beginning their World Cup campaign next week against Croatia.

Tuchel’s 26-man squad has divided opinion and Chelsea legend Terry ‘disagrees’ with several of the players who were chosen to represent England out in the United States.

Terry believes Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw should both have been picked and says Tuchel was ‘wrong’ to omit Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

Assessing England’s squad more generally, Terry believes Tuchel is reliant on ’14 or 15 starters’ and has questioned whether the ‘rest of the squad’ can contribute to a World Cup win.

‘First of all, I really like him [England boss Thomas Tuchel],’ Terry said on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

‘Obviously, seeing his work around Chelsea, when he was there, he brought success for us in the Champions League as well.

And what I like about him, he’s not afraid to make these big decisions, and I think we’ve seen that in his squad.

‘Now, that’s something I disagree with actually, in terms of the players that he’s not picked for this World Cup.

‘Harry Maguire being one, the first one. For me, he’s a better player than Dan Burn and now if the other two get injured, whether that’s John Stones coming in, I’d much rather Harry Maguire there and be the one coming in.

‘I think he always poses a big threat from set plays as well late on, and I know Dan Burn poses that threat as well, when he can play at left-back being a left sider.

‘But I would have Harry Maguire there every day of the week. Luke Shaw is another one at left back. We’re looking at Nico O’Reilly playing there.

‘I think someone like him needs someone like Luke Shaw around the place to help him, settle him, give him a little bit of advice because he is the future of us in our next World Cups coming up.

‘Cole Palmer is the next big decision as well. So I think he’s got it wrong in three or four big decisions on the pitch, actually. I think you need your best players, the further you get in these World Cups.

‘I don’t think Djed Spence is the future for England, for me. I think he’s had a poor season, Spurs have been really poor as well, so you can definitely argue that one.

‘But for me, I just think you need to have your best players there. When I look at it, I’m looking at the team now, there’s probably 14, 15 starters… there’s only 13, 14 or 15 players that can play if we’re going to win this World Cup.

‘When I look at the rest of the squad around me, I’m not sure they’re going to push the players who are going to be playing.’

England turn their attentions to Ghana and Panama after facing Croatia in their World Cup opener as they look to get out of Group L.

The Three Lions are bidding to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, having came agonisingly close to winning a major trophy under former boss Sir Gareth Southgate.

England reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Southgate and went deep in two World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarters four years ago.

- Louis Sealey

COLE PALMER ACHIEVES HISTORIC FIRST IN PREMIER LEAGUE ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has definitively etched his name into the history of English football this Saturday (7th).

According to Opta data, he became the first player in the entire Premier League era to score a hat-trick in the first half of three different matches.

This feat was achieved in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton. The Blues’ number 10 found the net at the 13th, 35th, and 38th minutes of the first half.

The first two goals were penalties, and the third came after a low cross from Cucurella, which Palmer finished almost inside the six-yard box.

The young Englishman had already scored a first-half hat-trick against Everton and Brighton previously, and now repeats the feat, showing remarkable composure in front of goal.

While many players spend an entire career trying to achieve a “hat-trick”, Palmer settles the game before halftime.

Record at Chelsea

The three goals against Wolverhampton also saw Palmer break an important record at Chelsea.

He became the player with the most hat-tricks in the club’s Premier League history, with four.

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, all with three, are now behind him.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

- OneFootnall

CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB | ALL TIME TOP PREMIER LEAGUE GOALSCORERS

 

ENZO MARESCA REVEALS CHELSEA TARGETED THREE PSG PLAYERS IN CLUB WORLD CUP WIN

Enzo Maresca masterminded a victory over PSG (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca revealed the tactical masterstroke that inspired Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.

The Blues were the underdogs heading into Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium, but produced a stunning display to shock the Champions League holders.

Cole Palmer showed his class with two well-taken finishes before setting up Joao Pedro, whose deft chip marked his third goal in just two Chelsea games having signed from Brighton midway through the tournament.

PSG have been far and away Europe’s best team this season, and comfortably dispatched of Real Madrid with a 4-0 win to reach the final.

But Luis Enrique’s side were tactically outhought for large swathes of the match, with their frustration on show towards the end of the match and shortly after full-time.

Few teams have been able to such produce a peformance against the French side this season, and Maresca revealed that the key to unpicking PSG on the night was by exploiting the space on in behind their midfield on the left side.

‘There are three midfielders, two of them were in charge of Reece [James] and Moi [Caicedo] this point, and Vitinha was in charge of Enzo [Fernandez],’ the Italian said post-match.

Cole Palmer starred as Chelsea won the Club World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘Analysing them, we saw that was a good opportunity to exploit that space, and we scored a goal on that side.

‘It was just a game plan, as we said many times, we tried to use different game plans, and we tried to help the players to be in a position where they can give everything.

‘Today, it worked quite well. But overall, I think, as I just said, it has been the effort from all the team, all the players, and I’m very happy, especially for them, because they deserve this moment.’

Luis Enrique cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines (Picture: Getty)

Maresca continued: ‘I repeat, analyzing it, we saw that there was a lot of space on the left side of it, and that’s where we tried to win the game.

‘It went well, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes, when the team came out to demonstrate that we were here to try to win, respecting the rival, considering the rival the best team in the world at this time.

‘But I think in the end, you can give the players a plan, but in the end it’s them who have to execute it, and they did it very well.’

- Ben Fleming

DONALD TRUMP APPEARS TO BE SNUBBED BY ONE CHELSEA STAR, WHO MISSED HANDSHAKE WITH THE US PRESIDENT AT CLUB WORLD CUP TROPHY PRESENTATION

The Blues youngster decided against waiting for the US President and instead accepted the congratulations of Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly

Chelsea youngster Tyrique George skipped a handshake from United States President Donald Trump after the Blues' Club World Cup win. 

Trump was put to work by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino after watching Chelsea claim a shock 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, handing out medals to the victorious squad before taking centre stage for the trophy lift.

For the most part, his presence during this portion of the ceremony went unnoticed. That was until George, who has enjoyed a breakout year for the Blues, dodged a handshake from Trump. 

Seeing Trump occupied by the task of retrieving another medal, the 19-year-old decided against waiting and instead opted to receive the congratulations of Blues co-owner Todd Boehly. 

The snub, intentional or otherwise, was noted by Trump, who looked in the youngster's direction before returning to his temporary duties. 

Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Trump later inserted himself into the heart of Chelsea's celebrations, deciding to remain among the Blues stars as skipper Reece James lifted the Club World Cup trophy. 

It was anticipated that the Commander-in-Chief would step aside after giving the trophy to James - as is customary. However, to the bewilderment of many Chelsea players, Trump remained on stage for the entire trophy lift.

Trump took centre stage for Chelsea's trophy lift, remaining next to Blues skipper Reece James for the historic moment

England hero Cole Palmer looked especially confused by Trump's actions and appeared to utter the words: 'What's he doing?'

Trump had earlier presented Palmer with the golden ball award with the 23-year-old midfielder looking as equally baffled during that presentation.

He and First Lady Melania arrived roughly 35 minutes before kickoff at the nearby Teterboro Airport on the presidential Marine One helicopter from his local golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The 79-year-old was given VIP treatment as he soaked up the action alongside Melania, who cut a chic figure in a white dress and black blazer, and FIFA boss Infantino.

The 79-year-old was given VIP treatment as he soaked up the action alongside Melania, who cut a chic figure in a white dress and black blazer, and FIFA boss Infantino

The outing fell on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt Trump survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, and significant security measures were put in place for his arrival.

As detailed in The Athletic , secret service officials worked with organizers to put together a travel route to the venue, and it was believed he would be behind a pane of bulletproof glass at the game.

The president was put on screen at MetLife during the singing of the national anthem prior to the game, and reports emerged from the stadium that he was booed before the stadium camera cut away from him.

MetLife Stadium later echoed with more boos when Trump, joined by Infantino, made his way out onto the field to present the champions with the trophy.

Trump's involvement in the trophy presentation after the game further complicated the required security around the American Commander-in-Chief.

'When you do the threat and risk assessment, you cover anything that could go wrong: if they were at a mass gathering, what if the stage collapsed?' Nigel Thomas, a former British Special Air Service (SAS) soldier and founder of security training firm, Blue Mountain Group, told The Athletic.

'We will have a standard operating procedure for that, for example. You need to be prepared for it, and that takes communication with stadium security and emergency services.'

- TUM BALOGUN

CHELSEA SET TO SACK ENZO MARESCA IF BLUES DON'T BEAT SOUTHAMPTON AND LEICESTER AS ARSENAL LEGEND PAUL MERSEN EXPLAINS 'SUFFOCATED' COLE PALMER'S RECENT STRUGGLES

Getty

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Chelsea will sack Enzo Maresca if the Blues fail to beat relegation-threatened Southampton and Leicester City.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Merson believes that if Chelsea are unable to beat Southampton and Leicester, who are 20th and 19th respectively in the English top-flight, in their next two Premier League games, the Italian will lose his job. The ex-England international also theorised that Palmer's drop-off in form is down to not having Nicolas Jackson playing alongside him, with the striker currently out injured

Getty

.WHAT PAUL MERSON SAID

He said on Sky Sports: "If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there. They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester. So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job. Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition. They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is."

Merson added: "Even Palmer has struggled now, Palmer needs Nicolas Jackson, and Jackson needs Palmer. Without Jackson's movement, Palmer gets suffocated out of the game. He hasn't got any movement in front of him. People give Jackson stick but you can see how good he is now he's not in the team. Now, all of a sudden, they've got nothing up front, so no one's making the runs and Palmer's got no space. So he's getting deeper and deeper. Jackson's a massive miss."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Indeed, Chelsea have taken just nine points from their last 10 league matches and Palmer has failed to register a single goal or assist across his last five games. They are just one point outside the Champions League qualification spots, with fifth likely to secure a berth into next season's competition. But it is very tight in the fight for Europe and if the Blues' poor run continues, they could slide down the table quickly.

- Richie Mills

COLE PALMER VS. JUDE BELLINGHAM | STATS

 

RACE TO THE GOLDEN BOOT

 

COLE PALMER STATS ARE ON 🔥 | GOALS & ASSISTS

 

BALLON D'OR 2024 NOMINEES

 

CHELSEA'S COLE PALMER SCORES RECORD FOUR FIRST-HALF GOALS

 Cole Palmer became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match as the forward repeatedly found the back of the net in Chelsea's extraordinary game against Brighton at  on Saturday.

The 22-year-old scored four times in a devastating 20-minute spell against the south coast club as Chelsea bounced back from Georginio Rutter's opener to lead 4-2 at half time.

Palmer scored in the 21st, 28th, 31st and 41st minutes.

Cole Palmer has scored six goals in Chelsea's first six Premier League matches this season. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

He previously scored four goals in a single match for Chelsea last season in a 6-0 win over Everton in April.

Palmer has become the fourth player -- alongside Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink -- to score three Premier League hat tricks for Chelsea.

The game against Brighton was only Palmer's 39th league appearance for Chelsea after joining from Manchester City in 2023.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report

- ESPN 

REFEREE RIGHT TO SEND OFF DECLAN RICE - PREMIER LEAGUE PANEL

Declan Rice was controversially shown a red card during the second half of Arsenal's draw with Brighton. Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

The Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has unanimously supported referee Chris Kavanagh's decision to send off Declan Rice in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 31.

Rice was already on a caution when he got into an altercation with Joël Veltman and gave away a free kick. As Veltman stepped forward to kick the ball, Rice knocked it off the pitch with his foot, and Kavanagh showed the Arsenal midfielder a second yellow card for delaying the restart of play.

The findings, seen by ESPN, state that "Rice knows what he's doing, it's a gentle touch but once the referee sees it, he has no choice."

The KMI panel has five members, made up of three former players and/or coaches, plus one representative each from the Premier League and PGMOL. It was set up at the start of the 2022-23 season to give an independent assessment of decision-making rather than relying on the views of PGMOL or the clubs themselves. The judgement is intended to provide an arm's-length assessment of all major match incidents but gives weight to the decision of the referee in subjective situations, taking into account the laws of the game and the Premier League's interpretation.

There was "unanimous agreement" among the five on the KMI panel "that the actions of Rice were clear, deliberate and impactful. Therefore, the referee was correct to send Rice off for a second caution for delaying the restart."

The panel also supported the decision of referee Jarred Gillett not to show a second yellow card to Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes at Chelsea on Sept. 1. Hughes had pulled back Cole Palmer on the edge of the box, but on a split 3-2 vote the panel said "it is a holding offence but it doesn't feel like it's stopping a promising attack due to the Palace defender positioned immediately in front of Palmer."

So far this season there has been little real controversy in the Premier League, with only one VAR decision ruled to be incorrect -- when Tim Robinson intervened to disallow Dango Ouattara's injury time "winner" for handball in AFC Bournemouth's game against Newcastle United on Aug. 25.

While there have been no other VAR errors, the panel has ruled there were two penalties situations which were wrong on the pitch but didn't meet the threshold for a clear and obvious error for an intervention: Referee Tony Harrington should not have given West Ham United a spot kick against Aston Villa, while Ipswich Town should have been awarded a penalty at Manchester City.

Across 84 key match incidents looked at by the VAR across the first three matchdays, only nine votes out of a possible 420 have said the video assistant made a mistake -- and five of those came in the unanimous judgement that Bournemouth's goal should have stood.

- Dale Johnson, General Editor, ESPN FC

WHY HAS COLE PALMER BEEN LEFT OUT OF CHELSEA'S UEFA EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE SQUAD?

The England international is a noteworthy absence for the Blues, but there is a likely reason behind the decision to keep him out in the cold.

Cole Palmer has been left out of Chelsea's squad for the upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League campaign, just a day after he was nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

The England international, who helped the Blues return to continental football with his performances last term, will play no part in their adventures across Europe this season.

It is a blow for the playmaker, who starred in the UEFA Euro 2024 final off the bench, but there are reasons for Enzo Maresca's decision to leave him out in the cold.

Here's why Cole Palmer will play no part in the UEFA Europa Conference League for Chelsea.

Why has Cole Palmer been left out of Chelsea's UEFA Europa Conference League squad?

Palmer, along with Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, are the key names from Chelsea's first team that have been omitted with one eye on player load management.

Amid a revised European schedule, the Blues will also compete in an expanded FIFA Club World Cup next June, qualifying through their 2021 UEFA Champions League triumph.

If they are successful, it will mean a deep run into mid-July, effectively negating any off-season for the club's players, who will compete in five competitions this term.

The decision to leave Palmer out effectively suggests Maresca has one eye on the star being integral to Chelsea's domestic hopes, as well as next year's major tournament.

Can Cole Palmer be added back into Chelsea's UEFA Europa Conference League squad?

Up to three players can be added to Chelsea's UEFA Conference League squad in January, as rules allow for new signings to be included for teams still in Europe.

However, these slots are generally assumed to be for players who are fresh arrivals at the club, meaning that Cole Palmer's participation is unlikely to happen regardless.

Why are there limits to squad sizes for UEFA competitions?

Effectively, limits to squad sizes for UEFA competitions are intended to ensure fair play, meaning that no side with excessively large teams can field all their star players.

Many clubs operate smaller squads, and seldom have the need to leave players out, but Chelsea's excess of faces means they have needed to make some choices this year.

What are Chelsea's UEFA Europa Conference League fixtures?

Thursday, October 3: Gent (H)

Thursday, October 24: Panathinaikos (A)

Thursday, November 7: Noah (H)

Thursday, November 28: 1. FC Heidenheim (A)

Thursday, December 12: Astana (A)

Thursday, December 19: Shamrock Rovers (H)

- Andrew Steel

PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR | TOP SIX NOMINATIONS | PFA AWARDS 2024

 

EURO 2024: SPAIN COACH HAILS HISTORY MAKERS, WARNS OF MORE TO COME

Led by a new generation, Spain won a record fourth European Championship title. Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

 BERLIN -- Coach Luis de la Fuente celebrated Spain's history makers and warned there is still more to come after they became the first team to win the European Championships four times by beating England 2-1 in Sunday's final at the Olympiastadion.

Mikel Oyarzabal struck an 86th-minute winner after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams' opener as Spain made it seven wins from seven at Euro 2024 without needing penalties, scoring 15 goals in the process, which set a tournament record.

On route to the trophy, they had to beat holders Italy, hosts Germany and pre-tournament favourites France and England, but De la Fuente said he always believed in Spain's chances even if they were considered outsiders one month ago.

"It's not that I thought we were favourites, but I felt we were in a position to win the tournament and we have done," the Spain boss said in a news conference.

"It's hard to improve on what we have done here, but this group can keep growing because they do not tire of hard work, competing and trying to win.

"I am proud of them and happy about the excitement we have generated back home. These players have made history and they still have a long way to go."

Spain edge clear of Germany, who have won three European Championships, and have now won the tournament three times since 2008.

Midfielder Rodri -- who was forced off at half-time with an injury against England -- remembered the generation who won the competition back-to-back in 2008 and 2012 as well as a World Cup in 2010.

"What a day, probably the best of my sporting career," he told reporters. "We are the most decorated side in the European Championships.

"There has been talk about the previous generations that laid the path for us and now we are champions of Europe. It's an incredible day for everyone. We have made history.

"We have beaten four past World Cup winners along the way. The mentality of this team ... many of us have been European champions at youth level and now we are champions of Europe."

Rodri was named Player of the Tournament after the final, with teammate Lamine Yamal the Young Player of the Tournament, and there is a growing clamour for him to win the Ballon d'Or this year after also claiming the Premier League title with Manchester City.

"For me, Rodri is the best player in the world," De la Fuente said. "Give him the Ballon d'Or now, please."

The Spain coach also thanked his players for delivering a fourth European Championship in Berlin, stressing that they have always believed in him even if others had not after a defeat to Scotland in just his second match in charge in 2023 led to suggestions in the media his job was under threat.

"I was always sure that my players believed in me," he said. "For a year and a half, since I have been in charge, they have been infallible.

"The only thing that I was worried about was that the players believed in me and were convinced by what we said.

"Now it's all happiness, pride and enjoying this moment that we have earned because nobody gave us anything for free."

Spain's success this summer has been characterised by a more direct style of play. While they still enjoy plenty of possession, they are also dangerous in transition with Williams and Yamal on the wings.

The two combined for the opening goal, with Yamal registering his fourth assist of the tournament and Williams, named Player of the Match, scoring his second goal.

"We have more versatility in our game, taking advantage of the characteristics of the players that we have," De la Fuente said of the new-look La Roja.

"We have pace on the wings, control and possession in the middle and a very solid defence -- that has given us a lot of balance in all areas of the game.

"I think we have caught up with the demands of modern football. It is a natural change and I think it was time to make it."

Spain will remain in Berlin until Monday, when they will return to Madrid, where they will have an open-top bus tour through the city, ending at Cibeles Palace in the capital.

The celebrations were already underway on Sunday, though, with fans gathering across the country to watch the victory over England on big screens.

De la Fuente hopes employers will be understanding if people are late for work on Monday.

"That's how we are in Spain, it's still early for us at midnight and today there is a justified reason to go out and celebrate," he said when asked about the scenes back in his homeland.

"I am happy how it's been received in Spain. It's a day to celebrate and no employer will be upset in the morning because they will be celebrating as well."

- Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent

MICHAEL OLISE IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

 

SHOULD COLE PALMER START FOR ENGLAND?

NEW PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD SET FOR MORE GOALS IN A SEASON

Arsenal have been the highest scoring team in the Premier League this year. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 The Premier League record for most goals scored in a 20-team season was broken on Wednesday night.

Last season's tally of 1084 goals had been the previous record and Harry Maguire's equaliser against Sheffield United took this season's total past that mark.

After Wednesday's action, there have been 1092 goals scored in 335 games this season, with 45 more still left to play.

The average goals scored per game this season has been 3.26 and if this scoring rate is maintained, 1329 goals will be scored by the the time the season finishes in May.

Arsenal have been the highest scoring team in the league this season with 82 goals, while bottom side Sheffield United have shipped the most with 92.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Chelsea's Cole Palmer are tied in the race for the Golden Boot with 20 goals each.

- ESPN

DREAMS COME TRUE | COLE PALMER & DIDIER DROGBA