GM football fans. It’s Tuesday, Mar. 25 - International break is ending, Chelsea’s ownership could split, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

Enjoy reading Route One? Share with a friend using this link.

CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Argentina vs Brazil, 00:00 / 20:00. Argentina have won seven of their last eight home World Cup qualifiers and are unbeaten in their last four matches against Brazil–who have won just one of their last five qualifiers. Bolivia vs Uruguay, 20:00 / 16:00. Uruguay have won just one of their last seven World Cup qualifiers, but sit comfortably in the top six. However, they’ve lost on their last two visits to Bolivia. See all the results and fixtures of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers here.

Results…

The international break ends today (Mar. 25), and there will be no more until 2 June, after most European domestic seasons finish.

In Europe, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and France advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League finals. Dive deeper into these fixtures here. Meanwhile, Mexico won the CONCACAF Nations League championship with a stoppage-time penalty against Panama from Fulham striker Raul Jimenez (see highlights here).

Elsewhere, 2026 World Cup qualifiers have been played across each continent. In Europe’s qualifiers, Groups G to L are playing two matches—some have completed both, while others play their second today—with Poland, Bosnia, and England leading their respective groups after Matchday two. In South America, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia are leading the qualification table (see here). Europe’s (here) and South America’s (here) remaining fixtures of this international break take place today.

In Asia, New Zealand became the second team to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 3-0 win over New Caledonia, joining Japan who beat Bahrain 2-0 last week to become the first to qualify.

Premier League clubs will discuss closing the summer transfer window this year on August 14, two days before the start of the 2025-26 season. The proposal is scheduled for a vote requiring backing from 14 of the 20 clubs, but the league is using Thursday’s shareholder meeting to test the waters before putting it to a formal decision.

Amongst European leagues, only the Serie A is willing to join the Premier League in closing the window early. If they can’t convince the other leagues to align their windows, it would leave both leagues at risk of losing players to other countries without the ability to replace them.

It’s thought that closing the window before the start of the season would be better for managers, allowing them to have their squads settled from the opening weekend.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has suggested that the consortium that owns the club could split if an agreement on the situation surrounding their stadium isn't reached. The Boehly-Clearlake consortium bought the club in May 2022 with a condition of the sale that a new stadium be built or Stamford Bridge be redeveloped. See a diagram of who owns Chelsea FC here.

Boehly reportedly favours a relocation to Earl’s Court, roughly a mile from the current stadium. The idea is that expanding Stamford Bridge's 41,875-capacity is expensive and time-consuming, with no guarantee that Chelsea can continue to play at the ground while work is undertaken. However, should the club follow Boehly’s desire, it would need permission from the Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), who control the freehold for Stamford Bridge, to continue using the name ‘Chelsea FC’. Clearlake’s preference remains unknown.

Fractures between Chelsea’s ownership have been known ever since both parties offered to buy each other out at the beginning of the season.

> Chelsea are expected to sign Jadon Sancho permanently despite the emergence of a get-out clause existing in the deal to sign him from Manchester United (More)

> The Italian top flight Serie A will trial in-stadium VAR announcements (More)

> Lucas Perez is reportedly the player in PSV’s squad who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis (More/translated)

> Police are investigating reports of assault on a ball boy during a Northern Ireland Football League match (More)

> Newcastle United's women's side broke the Women's Championship attendance record on Sunday, drawing 38,502 fans against Sunderland (More)

> Ednaldo Rodrigues has been elected to head the Brazilian Football Association for a second term (More)

> San Diego FC sporting director revealed he has held talks with Kevin De Bruyne over a possible transfer to the MLS (More) | CF Montreal’s Laurent Courtois becomes the first MLS manager to be sacked this season (More)

> NWSL side Washington Spirit has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with CVS Health worth more than $2.5m a year (More); the club’s general manager Mark Krikorian, has stepped down (More) | Manchester United Women forward Geyse completes a loan move to Gotham FC, citing loneliness and discomfort (More)

> New Zealand became the second team to secure qualification for the 2026 men’s World Cup after a 3-0 win over New Caledonia; Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood picked up a hip injury (More)

Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think betting companies should be banned from sponsoring football clubs?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 ❌ Absolutely... (74%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🎰 Nope... (23%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other... (3%)

Your punditry takes:

How the 1974 World Cup changed football forever.

The first club to launch its own mobile network.

The Szoboszlai and Guler social media feud explained.

Is Mateta’s comeback video too dramatic?

Thierry Henry’s ‘controversial’ take on Christian Pulisic. (via X)

Comparing Mbappe’s 500th game to greats.

Why African teams are playing football against Russia.

Chelsea’s 25-26 leaked away kit.

Predicting the Premier League team of the season.

Question: Who is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa America, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d’Or?

Clue: Joga Bonito.

Scroll below for the answer.

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

*All time in UK. ET -4. CST -5. PDT -7. MDT -6. CET +1.

Answer

Ronaldinho. Player achievements here.