FIFA has approved a record budget of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from the previous tournament. The champion will receive $50 million, while group stage participants will each get $9 million.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to UEFA and European governments with a demand for a complete ban on the participation of Belarusian national teams and clubs in international tournaments. It is also proposed to restrict the entry of Belarusian athletes until the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty.
FIFA has announced the launch of a new competition for players under 15, open to all 211 member associations. This decision effectively lays the groundwork for the return of Russian teams to world football after their suspension in 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine.
Russia's return to international competitions under the auspices of UEFA, even at the youth level, is impossible until a peaceful settlement of the war. UEFA refused to admit Russia to the U-17 competitions in 2023.
The UAF has decided on the venue for the potential two play-off matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Ukrainian national team will play its home games in Valencia, Spain, at the "Ciutat de València" stadium.
UEFA fined the Ukrainian Football Association 34,000 euros for fans running onto the field, using pyrotechnics, and displaying a banner with political content during the match between the Ukrainian national team and Iceland. The UAF has three days to appeal.
Donetsk "Shakhtar" won its second consecutive victory in the group stage of the Conference League, beating Irish "Shamrock Rovers" with a score of 2:1. The Ukrainian team has 9 points after four rounds and has practically guaranteed itself a place in the playoffs.
Ukrainian Aonishiki Arata, 21-year-old Danylo Yavhusyshyn, became the first wrestler from Ukraine to win the highest tournament in professional sumo. He defeated Mongolian sumo wrestler Hoshoryu at the prestigious Kyushu tournament.
UEFA fined Polish "Legia" 25,000 euros for a banner about the Volyn tragedy and offensive chants by fans during the Conference League match against "Shakhtar". Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar condemned the provocations of Polish fans.
Film company Paramount has won the tender for Champions League television rights in the UK and Germany. This is the first time an American media group has made a major move into international sports.
Real Madrid is demanding 4. 5 billion euros in damages from UEFA over the Super League dispute. This comes after UEFA lost an appeal in a Madrid court regarding abuse of a dominant position.
President of the Turkish Football Federation, Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, stated that 371 out of 571 active referees in professional leagues have registered betting accounts. 152 of them actively placed bets, with volumes sometimes reaching tens of thousands of transactions.
Russia has submitted a bid to replace Italy as the host of Euro 2032, citing the outdated infrastructure of Italian stadiums. However, Russia is not eligible to participate in the tournament due to its invasion of Ukraine.
On October 23, Ukrainian clubs will play matches of the second round of the Conference League: "Shakhtar" will play against Polish "Legia" at 19:45, and "Dynamo" will meet Turkish "Samsunspor" at 22:00. Bookmakers consider "Shakhtar" the favorite, while in the "Dynamo" match, the advantage is on the side of the Turkish team.
State bodies and the Russian football union continue the illegal integration of Ukrainian clubs into Russian domestic competitions. The Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) is protesting against the fictitious "Shakhtar". An appeal has been sent to UEFA.
The fourth round of the Futsal Extra League brought fans many goals and exciting play. The central match of the round between Kyiv Futsal and Athletic Futsal ended in a tense 1-1 draw.
On October 2, Ukrainian clubs will begin their first-round matches of the 2025/26 Conference League. Kyiv's "Dynamo" will host "Crystal Palace" in Poland, and Donetsk's "Shakhtar" will play away against Scottish "Aberdeen".
A vote by UEFA members on whether to exclude Israel from European football has been postponed as US President Donald Trump pushes his 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. European football leaders believe that imposing sporting sanctions on Israel is not the right move during peace negotiations.
Sergio Busquets will end his professional career after his contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season. The footballer leaves the sport with numerous trophies, including 9 La Liga titles and victories at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Most UEFA members support banning Israel from participating in European football tournaments next week. The decision is being considered amid protests and the UN Commission's finding of genocide in Gaza.
Israel will retain its UEFA membership thanks to the intervention of the US and football structures. The issue of exclusion has been removed from the agenda, which will allow Maccabi Tel Aviv to play in the Europa League.
Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has been officially included in Nottingham Forest's squad for the Europa League group stage. This happened after defender Ola Aina was ruled out for 2-3 months due to a hamstring injury.
Portuguese club Benfica sacked head coach Bruno Lage after their defeat to Azerbaijani club Karabakh in the Champions League. Club president Rui Costa stated that it was time for a change, and insider Fabrizio Romano reports on negotiations with Jose Mourinho.
The UEFA Champions League final of the 2026/2027 season will take place on June 5, 2027, at the home arena of Madrid's Atlético – the Metropolitano. This will be the second Champions League final at this stadium and the sixth for Madrid overall.
The Football Association (FA) has brought 74 charges against "Chelsea" regarding alleged violations in working with agents between 2009 and 2022. The current owners of the club are cooperating with regulators and emphasize transparency.
FIFA has updated the International Match Calendar for the next 4-8 years, canceling the September and October international breaks. The new schedule provides for only a two-week break in September-October 2026.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin spoke out against holding Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A matches outside Europe. He believes that European teams should play in Europe for their fans.
Former defender of Kyiv "Dynamo" and the Ukrainian national team Yevhen Khacheridi joined Odesa "Chornomorets", which plays in the First League. Earlier, Khacheridi worked as a scout at "Dynamo", from where he was dismissed.
Shakhtar's post-match penalty shootout with Panathinaikos (3:4) became the 8th defeat for Ukrainian clubs in European competitions. In total, this is the 12th football lottery for Ukrainian teams.
French club PSG won the UEFA Super Cup 2025, defeating English club Tottenham. The Parisians came back from 0:2 down and won 4:3 in a penalty shootout.
