News, reporting and explainers from Soccer Blizzard.
Chinese companies are reportedly ending their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé following comments he made, which appeared to reference Mao Zedong. Mbappé's image has been featured in advertisements across China.
Fleetwood's Conor Haughey stated he did not practice penalties before scoring a decisive spot kick against Arsenal on Tuesday. His goal secured a Carabao Cup upset.
Kai Rooney scored four goals in Manchester United's Under-18s' 6-0 victory over Burnley on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich will face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in a match that could see them go three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Both teams currently have 17 points, with Bayern leading on goal difference.
Marcel Sabitzer scored a stoppage-time free kick to secure a 3-2 victory for Borussia Dortmund over Werder Bremen in a DFB Cup second-round tie. Niclas Füllkrug had scored two goals for Bremen to equalize after Dortmund initially led 2-0.
Despite achieving greatness last season, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal did not win soccer's top individual prize, the Ballon d'Or.
Harry Kane has been named the world's best player, an award that follows a notable year for the Bayern Munich and England forward.
Real Madrid's Clásico victory against Barcelona suggests that coach José Mourinho, despite a slow start in Madrid, still possesses his renowned coaching 'magic,' according to a report.
Eintracht Frankfurt secured a 3-1 victory over Hamburg in the DFB Cup second round. Goals from Robin Koch, Jonathan Burkardt, and Younes Ebnoutalib advanced Frankfurt to the last 16.
Vozinha, who had an unexpected rise to prominence at the 2026 World Cup, was present at Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane secured the 2026 Ballon d'Or, surpassing Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. This marks the first time an Englishman has won the award in 25 years.
ESPN Soccer suggests that Manchester United's underperforming squad will remain a challenge for the club, regardless of managerial changes.
Grounded in IFAB Law 11 (2026/27): how the five indicators distinguishing a defender’s deliberate play from an instinctive deflection alter high defensive line risk.
Grounded in IFAB Law 11.3 (2026/27) and tactical rest-defense analysis: how direct throw-in, goal-kick, and corner-kick offside exemptions interact with second-phase offside resets and conditional 3-2 buildup trade-offs.
