La Liga
Lamine Yamal: Three Young Talent Awards and a Bigger Stage
A third consecutive Young Talent award and a Ballon d’Or podium place put Yamal back in focus. Here is the football behind the recognition.
THE FOOTBALL BRIEFING
Football news & analysis
La Liga
Mbappé Clásico Double: Madrid Win 2–1 and End Barça’s Run
Mbappé’s late winner ends Barcelona’s perfect league start and takes him to 100 Madrid goals. The match’s decisive sequence and its wider meaning.
Women’s football
Alexia Putellas Ballon d’Or 2026: A Third Award, a New Chapter
Putellas adds the 2026 award to her 2021 and 2022 wins. We look at the European season behind it and her move to London…
European football
Harry Kane Ballon d’Or 2026: The Numbers Behind His First Win
Kane’s first Ballon d’Or ends England’s 25-year wait. We explain the 61 club goals, 12 international goals and the season behind the trophy.
World football
AFC Champions League Elite November 2026: Dates and Kashima’s Trip
Two November windows frame Asia’s elite club programme. Start with Buriram–Kashima, the calendar and a clear way to follow matches across timezones.
World football
Sudamericana Final 2026: Boca, Atlético and Barranquilla
Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro meet in Colombia on 21 November. The confirmed details, contrasting semi-finals and questions worth following.
European football
Women’s Champions League November 2026: The Games to Follow
Two November rounds bring Barcelona–Arsenal, PSG–Bayern and Chelsea–PSG. Here is how to follow the fixtures and understand the table.
World football
World Cup 2030: Morocco’s Role and What FIFA Has Confirmed
Morocco, Portugal and Spain are appointed hosts. A clear guide to the centenary matches, automatic qualification and the announcements supporters should follow.
African football
AFCON 2027: East Africa Dates and the Qualifying Rule Fans Miss
Three hosts, a summer finals window and a qualifying exception worth understanding before the November international matches.
Asian football
Asian Cup 2027: Saudi Arabia–Palestine Opener and Key Dates
The AFC has confirmed the opening pairing. Here are the tournament’s key dates, host cities and the difference between friendlies and finals.