GM football fans. It’s Thursday, Sept. 4 - European World Cup qualifiers resume, Uefa warns Fifa over any biennial Club World Cup plans, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

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The European Qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup resume on Thursday (Sept 4), and Matchday 6 will run until Tuesday (Sept 9). Europe has 16 entries in the first 48-team men’s World Cup, with the 12 group leaders qualifying by the end of November and 12 runners-up scheduled for a play-off in March (see how they work here). See all the fixtures here and group standings here.

While some nations have already begun their qualification campaign, 24 of the 54 involved are playing their first match. Spain have arguably drawn the trickiest group in Group E, which includes Georgia and Turkey, two breakout successes at Euro 2024. Perhaps the hardest to predict is the four-team group of Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia and Kosovo. Switzerland was an impressive quarter-finalist at Euro 2024. Still, they face some of Europe’s most expensive forwards–Sweden's attacking line of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Anthony Elanga, and Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko were collectively signed for more than $300m this window.

Most notably, Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, currently sit nine points behind Group I leaders Norway, albeit with two fewer matches played. The Italians lost their opening game 3-0 to Norway before beating Moldova 2-0 in their second match.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has urged Fifa not to hold the Club World Cup every other year, arguing that players are already “dead” at the end of each season. In the interview with Politico, when asked whether Fifa’s increased interest in club tournaments is a potential threat to Uefa’s club competitions, Ceferin deflected by saying that “club football is not only Uefa territory.” This comes after months of tension between the two governing bodies, which Ceferin downplayed in his interview. Read the full interview here.

The next edition of the Club World Cup will be played in 2029, and Fifa has no plans to stage a tournament before then. However, Fifa is exploring ways to make it a biennial event due to pressure from clubs to expand the lucrative tournament.

Uefa, which has expanded the size of all three of its club competitions, is known (paywall) to believe that England, Italy, and Spain should reduce their top flights from 20 to 18 teams to create more room for rest periods. The Premier League has already retorted that it won’t reduce its size.

Minimum salaries are being introduced in the Women’s Super League and WSL2 this season, a move aimed at preventing second-tier players from needing part-time jobs. The new minimum “salary floor” has been set in collaboration with the PFA.

The WSL has not disclosed the exact minimum salaries for the WSL and WSL2, but described them as “full-time wages.” The level will depend on thresholds such as player age, league, and experience. In the United States, the NWSL’s minimum salary is €48,500 (£36,170) this year. Unlike the NWSL, however, there is no salary cap for higher earners in England.

In addition, clubs must meet increased criteria around high-performance environments. This comes after a multi-year partnership between WSL Football and Nike, whereby the manufacturer will provide free boots and goalkeeping gloves to all players in the WSL and WSL2 who do not have an endorsement deal.

> The FA is looking to fine Lucas Paqueta for failing to comply with their spot-fixing investigation, despite the West Ham midfielder being cleared of the charge (More) | The West Ham United Fan Advisory Board (FAB), which claims to represent 25,000 fans, have filed a letter of no confidence in the club’s board as supporters prepare to stage a protest (More)

> The German Football League (DFL) has ruled out playing matches abroad amid La Liga and Serie A attempts to do so (More)

> La Liga side Mallorca suspended their midfielder Dani Rodriguez and stripped him of the captaincy after he complained about being benched against Real Madrid (More)

> Vitesse Arnhem have won back their place in the second division in the Netherlands one month after they were kicked out of the professional ranks (More)

> USL Championship fixture between Hartford Athletic and Indy Eleven concludes shortly after publication (Live Result); See USL Championship standings (More)

> Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia could join Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with victories in the Conmebol qualifiers (More); see all the fixtures (More)

> Activists have called on Mexican football fans to end the use of a homophobic chant ahead of the 2026 World Cup (More)

> Egypt and Morocco could book tickets to the 2026 World Cup during this month's international window with victories; see a complete overview of the CAF qualifiers (More)

Yesterday’s Poll: Michael Owen believes teams shouldn't set up a wall for free-kicks that are 30+ yards out. Do you agree? 

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 👍 Yes (49%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🙅‍♂️ Nope (47%)

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (4%)

Your punditry takes:

Two players had identical farewell messages, with AI to blame.

The most valueable squads after the Summer transfer window.

The art of the free transfer–and how Real does it.

VAR audio released for Josh King’s disallowed goal vs Chelsea.

Which nationalities have featured in First Division but not EPL?

Why left-footed right wingers are so hot right now.

Grading every USMNT transfer this summer.

Portugal national team’s tribute video to Jota.

Question: Who is the only Premier League player to have scored more than 100 goals after their 30th birthday?

Scroll below for the answer.

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers

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

Answer

Jamie Vardy – 111 goals.

Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.