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Good morning football fans. It’s Tuesday, June. 30 - FIFA’s suggested penalty change has been rejected by football’s lawmakers, new data shows hydration breaks are killing momentum at the World Cup, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURES
2026 World Cup round of 32 (June 30): Ivory Coast vs Norway, 13:00 ET / 18:00 BST. Ivory Coast came into the tournament on a four-game winning streak and have secured three clean sheets in five matches, with two coming from the World Cup group stage. Having kept just one clean sheet in their past 10 games, Norway will rely on Erling Haaland’s scoring, with the Man City striker on 59 goals in 52 caps. France vs Sweden, 17:00 ET / 22:00 BST. France were one of three nations with a perfect group stage, but they have a tough path to the final with Brazil, then potentially Morocco or the Netherlands, and then potentially Spain or Portugal. Sweden were not convincing in their group, finishing third with four points after beating Tunisia, losing 5-1 to the Netherlands and drawing 1-1 with Japan. Mexico vs Ecuador, 21:00 ET / 02:00 BST (July 1). Mexico won all three group-stage matches without conceding a goal, and they are unbeaten in nine World Cup matches at their home stadium. Ecuador, meanwhile, endured a turbulent group stage before ultimately securing their passage through as one of the best third-placed sides on four points from Group E. See the World Cup bracket here.
Results…
World Cup last 32: Brazil 2-1 Japan
Germany vs Paraguay and Netherlands vs Morocco to conclude shortly after publication (Live Result)
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TOP TALKING POINTS
Momentum Breaks, new data
Hydration breaks are changing the momentum of 2026 World Cup matches, a new analysis finds. Data from Opta, analysed by The Times, show that 32% of group-stage games had an above-average shift in momentum after the first-half hydration break, and 26% after the second-half break. In this context, momentum refers to a measure of a team's likelihood of scoring, calculated from the ball’s location and the team's actions in possession.
The data also suggest that hydration breaks slow games down, as there tends to be less overall “momentum” in the first five minutes after a hydration break than in the five minutes before it. The team with the most momentum before a hydration break saw its momentum fall by an average of around 38%, a larger decrease than its opponent. Across both teams, total momentum was, on average, 17% lower in the five minutes after a hydration break than in the five minutes before it during the group stage.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said the organisation will consider retaining hydration breaks at future World Cups, suggesting they may be helping to sustain the intensity of matches. Fox is estimated to make at least $250m (£189m) from commercials shown during the breaks in the United States, although Fifa says it receives no additional revenue from them.
Penalty Change Rejected
Football’s lawmakers, Ifab, have refused Fifa’s request to change the rules on penalty shootouts from the knockout stages at the 2026 World Cup. Ifab was reportedly reluctant to alter the laws after the tournament had begun, although the proposal could be revisited later.
Fifa submitted a proposal earlier this month to change the rules so that there is just one coin toss before a shootout instead of two. Under the current rules, a referee is required to conduct two coin tosses before a penalty shootout: the first determines which end to shoot from, and the second determines who shoots first or second. Under Fifa’s proposal, the winner of a single toss would choose either the end or whether to shoot first, with the losing team making the remaining choice. The aim was to prevent one team from gaining both potential advantages, as happened when Arsenal lost both tosses before their shootout defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in May.
If the law had been altered mid-competition, it would have likely been under the guise of a trial. It would therefore not have been mandatory in other competitions that have shootouts.
Man City’s New Manager
Enzo Maresca has been confirmed as Manchester City’s new manager, signing a three-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2029. The Italian returns to the club where he worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant for 12 months during the club’s 2022-23 treble-winning season. His first matches in charge will be a friendly against Inter on August 1, followed by the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16 and a Premier League match against Bournemouth on August 23.
Insiders at the club have reportedly spoken highly of Maresca and view him as the man to continue Guardiola’s philosophy — dive deeper into Maresca’s tactical style here. "This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands, and I know the expectations,” Maresca said. “The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.”
Shortly after Maresca’s announcement, his former employer, Chelsea, released a statement to confirm that a confidential settlement had been reached with Maresca, citing his "decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities.” Maresca had resigned from Stamford Bridge midway through his contract on 1 January 2026 to pursue the City job, and Chelsea said both the club and Maresca have paid compensation as a result. Unconfirmed sources say Man City paid around £17m ($22.4m) in compensation to Chelsea.
POLL
Do you think Enzo Maresca will be successful at Manchester City?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Barcelona are reportedly exploring a way to finance a possible deal for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (More); other reports say Kane is likely to sign a new contract at Bayern (More)
> Sought-after Ivorian winger Yan Diomande reportedly prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool, with both clubs interested in the 19-year-old (More) | Everton have agreed a fee of up to £25m with Middlesbrough for midfielder Hayden Hackney (More)
> The English referees’ body, the PGMOL, will reportedly rebrand to be known as ‘Pro Ref’ as part of a modernisation process (More) | West Ham have launched a new consultation so that fans can give their thoughts on the club’s official crest (More) | Football officials say it will cost £150m to deliver the facilities the game needs across Wales (More)
> Former Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is in talks with Paris FC over a two-year contract to replace Antoine Kombouare as new head coach (More) | Ivan Juric has been appointed as head coach of AC Monza, the newly promoted Serie A club (More)
Americas
> MLS side Chicago Fire have signed Robert Lewandowski, who has more than 700 goals for club and country, as a Designated Player (More) | Inter Miami have completed the deal to sign Casemiro, who wants to play with Lionel Messi (More)
> Boston’s World Cup host committee has closed its Fifa Fan Festival after its schedueld run despite Boston Stadium having two World Cup matches left to host (More) | One person was shot and killed at an entertainment spot in San Jose, California, near a World Cup Fan Zone (More) | Political campaigns and committees spent $740,330 on World Cup advertising during the first two U.S. matches (More)
> The Argentine FA and the national team head coach Lionel Scaloni reached a verbal agreement before the World Cup for him to remain in his position until 2031 (More)
> NWSL’s Gotham FC have signed Australian captain Sam Kerr through the 2030 season as a free agent following the expiration of her Chelsea contract (More)
Rest of the World
> Juan Mata will become a shareholder in the Australian A-League club Melbourne Victory when he decides to retire from professional football (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Following the group stage, who do you think will win the 2026 World Cup?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🇫🇷 France (49%)
🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🇦🇷 Argentina (23%)
🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🇪🇸 Spain (10%)
🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🏴 England (14%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (4%)
Your punditry takes:
🇫🇷 S.F: “France look the most complete team so far in this World Cup. They have a deadly forward line which will be able to overcome most defences.”
🇦🇷 L.M: “Argentina have the same players from the previous World Cup, plus added other young great players. They also have a great, well-synchronised, brotherhood-like team. It is very important to be in the same state of mind to be able to win this tournament. Argentina will win.”
🏴 M.F: “The better the opposition we face, the more opportunity we will have to use our pace and power to counterattack. So unlike the other teams, I only expect us to get better throughout this tournament.”
🇺🇸 K.S: “Why not the US? They looked electric in their first two games, of course, against much lesser competition than what they'd have to get through to win, but why not? This group feels special, and I'm ready to see them make a run. That run won't be easy, and they'll need to prove themselves right away.”
EXTRA TIME
More goals than usual are coming from throw-ins at the World Cup.
The World Cup is causing a massive surge in dating app activity.
Jesse Marsch's full-time speech to Canadian players.
Meet the 91-year-old journalist covering his 18th World Cup.
How the Premier League & Champions League were born.
Reranking Europe's top clubs by player performance at World Cup.
Why does Chelsea play in Fulham?
GAME FACE ON
Who Am I…
I played every minute in France’s 2018 World Cup win.
I started my career at Lens.
I’ve won an FA Cup.
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
When I watch Kylian Mbappe, he reminds me of myself in my prime.
Answer
Raphael Varane.
