GM football fans. It’s Wednesday, Sept. 3 - United States host cities are concerned about World Cup costs, WSL projections have been released ahead of the new season, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
World Cup Cost Concerns
Cities hosting World Cup matches in the United States have raised concerns about costs, with at least two cities confronting Fifa over its lack of support for expenses like staging and entertainment. In addition, local and state governments don’t believe Congress’s $625m allocation for security is sufficient to cover their costs. The overall price tag for hosting matches is expected to range between $100m and $200m per city.
Host committees are responsible for financing public-facing costs, including policing, transportation, and free entertainment in the form of ‘FanFest’ events, which have become a hallmark of the World Cup. However, local organisers are already cutting back on FanFests to reduce costs. While host cities in Canada and Mexico have committed to hosting these watch parties for the full duration of the 39-day tournament, fewer than half of those in the US have. The size, scope, and duration of FanFests will vary significantly from city to city.
Part of the problem is that host cities are struggling to raise funds through commercial sponsorships. Fifa has claimed most of the lucrative commercial sponsorship avenues, like beverages and autos, for itself. Therefore, host cities are targeting less consumer-oriented sectors, such as real estate and utilities. Fifa argues that the local committees knew what they were taking on when they signed host agreements.
WSL Projections Released
The 2025-26 Women’s Super League kicks off on Friday, 5 September–see the fixtures here. Chelsea are 72.4% favourites to win the title again this season, according to Opta’s prediction model. Sonia Bompastor’s side became the first WSL team to record an invincible season in a 22-game campaign, finishing 12 points clear of Arsenal, the largest margin in the competition’s history. Read a preview of Chelsea’s team here.
Manchester City (13.6%) are the closest contenders despite recording their lowest points per game (1.95) last season–read a City team preview here. Arsenal, despite their Women’s Champions League victory, are given just a 10.1% chance of winning the WSL title. Not only did they score the most goals last season (62), but they also enter the new campaign with forward Olivia Smith, signed for a then-world record fee of £1m. Read an Arsenal team preview here.
This season, the club who finish bottom of the 12-team table will not be relegated automatically but will instead contest a play-off against the third-placed side in the WSL 2. Leicester City are the team most at risk of falling into the relegation play-off, with a 25.7% probability of finishing bottom. West Ham (15.4%), London City Lionesses (15%), and Brighton (14.4%) are also relegation contenders.
Editor’s note: As the WSL kicks off this weekend, the NWSL is entering the halfway stage of its season. Our team recommends diving deeper into this article about the league’s viewership numbers. Read here.
Guehi Unhappy with U-Turn
Marc Guehi is reportedly unhappy with Crystal Palace’s decision to cancel his £35m transfer to Liverpool at the last minute. The deal had been so far advanced that Palace had already prepared a farewell video that has since been leaked online—see here. One source (unverified) claims Guehi is now considering whether to continue as captain.
Guehi had completed the first part of his medical, and a deal sheet had been submitted before Monday’s 7 pm transfer deadline. However, multiple sources have confirmed that Palace manager Oliver Glasner threatened to leave if the club sold Guehi, resulting in chairman Steve Parish pulling the plug on the transfer.
Liverpool could return for Guehi in the January window, but they are expected to face greater competition as he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus have all expressed interest in the England international.
POLL
Michael Owen believes teams shouldn't set up a wall for free-kicks that are 30+ yards out. Do you agree?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Manchester City have sold goalkeeper Ederson to Fenerbahce and allowed defender Manuel Akanji to join Inter Milan on a season-long loan (More)
> Turkish side Galatasaray have signed Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City on a free transfer (More)
> Grimsby Town fielded an ineligible player against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and have been fined £20,000 (More) | Wrexham took its spending in the summer transfer window to around £30m by signing Ben Sheaf from fellow Championship side Coventry (More)
> Fifa has been urged by leading supporters’ groups to block domestic league matches from being played abroad (More)
Americas
> Angel City earned a 2–1 win against NorCal rivals Bay FC, following goals by forward Riley Tiernan and midfielder Maiara Niehues (More); see NWSL standings (More)
> The Argentina national team is set to face Venezuela in a friendly on Oct. 10 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida (More)
Rest of the World
> Nigeria and Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala has signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal in the Saudi Women's Premier League (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Does Mikel Arteta have to win a trophy with Arsenal this season in order to keep his job?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👍 Yes (51%)
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 🙅♂️ Nope (47%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (2%)
Your punditry takes:
👍 H.B: “If you are a legitimate Gooner and you vote No, you drink the Arteta kool aid or even worse, you are satisfied with mediocrity. This manager, despite not winning a substantial trophy, has been there while the club has spent over a billion dollars. The worst is that he does not improve players, his training sessions cause too many injuries, and he is incapable of making critical adjustments in games. Ask him to break down a low block, and don’t tell me that he has not had the personnel to do it. 77 years a Gooner this year. He may be gone by Christmas if they get knocked out of the cups, don’t keep up with the ‘Reds’ in the EPL, or have poor results in the Champions League.”
🙅♂️ A.T: “He has enough credit in the bank with the majority of Arsenal fans due to what he’s built here. We’ve improved each year, and this team is capable of competing at the highest level now. It’s only a matter of time until we win something, and Arteta deserves that time while we are still being competitive. If we start not to be competitive, then that is the time that he will go.”
✍️ J: “Five years since the FA Cup win in his first year. Since then, neither he nor his Board have demonstrated the ruthlessness or strategy needed to succeed. There seems to be an acceptance that a bridesmaid role is sufficient. Is that sustainable for a club of the standing of Arsenal? Perhaps this season will see a change in attitude or an actual trophy. Or perhaps not....”
EXTRA TIME
Isak’s Newcastle farewell video—with statement.
Which Premier League teams won and lost in the transfer window?
… and how Liverpool funded their £446m transfer window.
Atletico release new third kit with chest crest.
How former players lost millions in investments.
ESPN updates its NWSL power rankings.
Chelsea re-sign player after 33 days.
The toughest pitch to play on in the world.
GAME FACE ON
Question: What club links Fabinho, Michael Essien, and Nuri Sahin?
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
CAF World Cup Qualifiers
Seychelles vs. Gabon (14:00)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Real Madrid.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I'd like to play for an Italian club, like Barcelona.
