SOCCER

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Brazilian football superstar Neymar has been left out of Brazil's squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up matches.

Brazil is set to play France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, according to Reuters. 

The decision to leave out Neymar comes after the 34-year-old missed a recent clash for Santos FC due to muscle fatigue, a match which Ancelotti had planned to assess him in person during a scouting trip ahead of the squad announcement.

"Neymar can be at the World Cup if he's 100%," Ancelotti told reporters on Monday after announcing his squad, as quoted by Reuters.

"I didn't call him up because he's not 100%. Neymar has to be training and playing."

Neymar, at a Kings League event in Sao Paulo on Monday, said that he was disappointed and sad about being left out. "But I remain focused, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We will achieve our goal. The dream continues."

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), and Ederson (Fenerbahce).

Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), and Leo Pereira (Flamengo).

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray).

Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli

(Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

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England defender Kyle Walker has retired from international football with immediate effect at the age of 35. The Burnley full-back earned 96 caps for his country and represented the Three Lions in five major tournaments. Walker, whose final international appearance was a June 2025 friendly against Senegal, stated he was proud of his achievements but felt it was time to close the book on his England career.

"Today is the time that comes to an end. It's good for me to have a little bit of closure to my career on the international stage."

Walker made his debut for England against Spain in November 2011 and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Three Lions.

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Chelsea has been fined a record £10 million and handed a suspended transfer ban after admitting to making £47 million in secret payments to unregistered agents and third parties. The infractions occurred between 2011 and 2018. This penalty is the largest financial fine ever imposed by the Premier League, nearly doubling the previous record set by West Ham in 2007.

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Travis Kelce appears increasingly likely to return for another NFL season, but whether that comeback happens in Kansas City remains an open question.

The veteran tight end, who has spent his entire professional career with the Chiefs, is approaching free agency after his contract expired at the end of the 2025 season.

League insiders say Kelce is motivated to play a 14th year, though multiple teams are believed to have interest if he ultimately explores the market.

For now, Kansas City remains firmly in the conversation about where the future Hall of Famer might land.

Team officials still value Kelce's leadership and production, especially after a frustrating 2025 campaign that ended without a playoff appearance.

Financial realities, however, could complicate negotiations.

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Unai Emery has reached another major milestone in his time at Aston Villa after becoming the fastest manager in the club’s history to record 100 victories. The Spaniard achieved the feat when Villa defeated Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last sixteen tie, further strengthening his reputation as one of the competition’s most successful managers.

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Uncertainty is growing around the future of Edu Gaspar at Nottingham Forest after the club’s global head of football was reportedly asked to stay away from the training ground while scrutiny of his role intensifies. The development comes during a difficult campaign for the club, which is currently fighting to remain in the Premier League.

According to reports, the 47 year old executive has not been present at the club’s last three matches. Those fixtures came against Fenerbahce, Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City. His absence has fueled speculation about his position at the City Ground as the club battles to avoid relegation.

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Iran are not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup, according to Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali. The team was scheduled to play group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Los Angeles and Seattle this June. However, participation has been ruled out following the escalation of regional conflict, triggered by US and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subsequent retaliatory attacks by Iran.