GM football fans. It’s Thursday, May. 22 - Fifa plan to use dynamic pricing for the 2026 World Cup, Mexican clubs demand promotion and relegation, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

Enjoy reading Route One? Share with one click using this link (or copy URL here).

KEY RESULT

Europa League Final: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United. Tottenham Hotspur have lifted their first trophy in 17 years, and it’s the club’s third UEFA Cup/Europa League trophy (1972, 1984, 2025), with only Sevilla winning more (7). Plus, in winning the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has maintained his record of winning a trophy in his second full season with a club. Meanwhile, Manchester United have suffered their 20th defeat in all competitions this season, their most in a season since losing 22 in 1973-74 in a season they were relegated from the top-flight. Read the full match report here.

TOP TALKING POINTS

World Cup Dynamic Pricing

Fifa plans to sell general sale tickets for the 2026 World Cup under a dynamic pricing model, whereby prices will fluctuate based on demand. The governing body reportedly plans to sell general sale tickets in the third quarter of 2025.

The United States, Canada and Mexico–the countries co-hosting the tournament–estimate they will make around $1.8bn in ticket sales, which they claim is a “conservative” estimate. The bulk of revenue from ticket sales will go to Fifa, rather than the host city committees.

The dynamic pricing model has received criticism at club level. When La Liga’s Valencia announced they were introducing dynamic pricing, a supporters’ group said they were “radically against it” as it would price out some fans.

Mexico’s Promotion-Relegation

Ten second-division clubs in Mexico have filed a claim with sport’s highest court against Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The clubs have demanded the return of promotion and relegation for the 2025-26 campaign.

In 2020, clubs from the top two divisions and the FMF agreed to a six-season suspension of the promotion and relegation system. The aim was to help stabilise teams after the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liga MX's next General Assembly is set to take place on May 26, one day after the second leg of this season's 2025 Clausura final between Toluca and Club America. The possible return of promotion and relegation is scheduled to be discussed by stakeholders.

Valencia Threaten Netflix

La Liga side Valencia have threatened to sue the producers of Vinicius Junior’s Netflix documentary. The club argues that the documentary’s portrayal of the racist abuse suffered by the Real Madrid forward at their stadium “does not correspond with reality.”

In the documentary, crowd footage is used and subtitles suggest that fans were chanting “mono,” or ‘monkey’ in Spanish, at Vinicius. Valencia say that most supporters were instead chanting “tonto,” or ‘stupid’. It’s unclear whether this is an accurate depiction of the events.

The incident, which took place in May 2023, witnessed three fans receive prison sentences and stadium bans. Nevertheless, Valencia demand that Netflix correct this part of the documentary.

In related news, five Real Valladolid fans who racially insulted Vinicius in 2022 have been found guilty in the first ruling in Spain. Their jail time is suspended on condition that they don’t commit any offence for three years.

POLL

ON THE BALL

Europe

> Uefa says Euro 2028 joint-hosts England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will have to come through qualifying to participate in the competition, unlike in previous years (More)

> The new Women’s World Seven tournament has kicked off in Portugal and will conclude on Friday (May 23), and it includes a purse of $5m (More)

> A family of burglars who raided Alexander Isak’s home have been jailed (More) | Former Arsenal player admits plot to smuggle cannabis (More)

> Blackburn Rovers have withdrawn from the Women’s Super League 2, formerly the Championship, citing an inability to comply with updated regulations for clubs in the second tier (More)

> Jude Bellingham will miss at least the first six weeks of next season when he has shoulder surgery after the Club World Cup (More)

> The Scottish Premiership play-off final first leg between Livingston and Ross County takes place on Thursday (May 22) at 20:00 BST (More)

Americas

> The trial of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of Diego Maradona has been suspended for a week after a judge’s impartiality was questioned, and he reportedly authorised a documentary about the hearings (More)

> In the opening games of the US Open Cup Round of 16, San Jose Earthquakes beat Portland Timbers 1-0 (Report), while Chicago Fire beat New England Revolution 3-1 (Report); Remaining fixtures to be concluded shortly after publication (See Results)

Rest of the World

> Wuhan Jiangda will face Melbourne City in Saturday's (May 24) Asian Women's Champions League final after their respective wins on Wednesday (More)

ROUTERS’ VOICE

Yesterday’s Poll: Would winning the Europa League be enough to save the season for Man United or Spurs?

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 🏆 Absolutely... (44.6%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅‍♂️ Nope... (50.9%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other... (4.4%)

Your punditry takes:

• 🏆 G.T: “Both have been dire, but a major trophy and Champions League qualification is nothing to diminish.”

• 🙅‍♂️ A.M: “For me, I think it depends on how you define success. Yes, it is a major trophy and honour to win the Europa League. But does that cover up/atone for the obvious flaws and mediocrity apparent in both sides? Exposed week in and out in the domestic league and other cup competitions. That's a no IMO.”

• 🙅‍♂️ J.P: “Neither of these sides have done enough to make winning this competition erase their totally horrible seasons. They are 16th and 17th for God’s sake!!! Levy definitely needs to go. For Man Utd, as a Liverpool supporter, I will admit to some delicious Schadenfreude. But, that club should be better. MUCH better.”

• ✍️ E.W: “Spurs lift a European trophy—something Arsenal still lack—marking real progress. For United, silverware masks deeper issues. One club rises, another stagnates, and the third clings to faded prestige. Not all trophies weigh the same.”

EXTRA TIME

Player scores winner after surviving a heart attack. (Goal here)

The trillion-dollar football club you haven’t heard of.

Club fined for scouting via DMs.

The impact of goalkeeping before gloves existed.

Roy Keane joins the CBS studio for the first time.

ESPN updates its MLS power rankings.

Real Madrid 25-26 kit leaked with brown shorts.

Which countries export the most footballers?

GAME FACE ON

Question: Who are the two missing players from the names below? (In alphabetical order by surname)

Dani Carvajal, ____ , Paolo Maldini, Luka Modric, ____

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Bundesliga Play-off

• Heidenheim vs Elversberg (19:30)

Scottish Premiership Play-offs Final

• Livingston vs Ross County (20:00)

*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.

Answer

Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo. The sequence: players with six Champions League final appearances.

Want more? Try our daily football Wordle – guess the name of a current or former player in six tries. Play it here.