GM football fans. It’s Friday, August. 1 - Brazilian fans could face difficulties attending World Cup matches in the US, League One projections as the season starts, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
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KEY FIXTURE
EFL League One: Luton Town vs. AFC Wimbledon, 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET. Kicking off Matchday 1 of the League One 2025-26 season, these sides have faced each other on 12 occasions and have four wins apiece. Despite promotion last season, Wimbledon have arguably lost three of their best players, while Luton, who faced back-to-back relegations, have made eight new signings. See every League One fixture here.
TV Channels: Sky Sports (UK) | Paramount+ (US)
Results…
Pre-season: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Match Highlights)
Premier League Summer Series: Manchester United 4-1 Bournemouth (Match Highlights) | West Ham 2-1 Everton (Match Highlights)
TOP TALKING POINTS
World Cup Visa Controversy
United States President Donald Trump is reportedly considering banning visas for Brazilians, including during the World Cup period. CNN Brazil, which first reported (in Portuguese) on the story, believes the measure is aimed at influencing Brazilian public opinion against the country’s current government. This comes after Trump issued an Executive Order on Wednesday addressing what it describes as threats from the Brazilian Government to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economy.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly aware of the possibility of restricted visas but is waiting for further developments before taking any action. In general, the CBF is considering holding meetings with the federal government to seek a resolution on the potential impact of sanctions on Brazilian fans travelling to the U.S.
Trump’s recent travel bans do include a clause that excludes athletes and staff involved in major sporting events. However, no such exemption currently exists for fans, despite Fifa president Gianni Infantino recently assuring that international fans would be welcome at the tournament.
Criminals Target Football
A new UK government report claims football clubs are vulnerable to criminals engaging in money laundering, fraud, and bribery. In its latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing report, the UK Treasury warns that financially distressed clubs are vulnerable to manipulation by “criminals who may offer easy money” in exchange for future criminal exploitation.
The report also highlights that clubs could be used as vehicles to launder funds. Criminals can clean money at clubs through various channels, including player transfers, falsified ticket or merchandise sales, and dubious sponsorship deals. Earlier this year, an assessment of Premier League clubs found that complex ownership structures could enable untraceable financial activity.
The problem is particularly pronounced when an agent represents both a player and a club in a transfer deal. The report says dual representation, and the opacity such arrangements create, “could be a convenient route by which to launder money or pay bribes.”
League One Projections
The English Football League kicks off this weekend as League One, England’s third-tier, restarts the football season. The 2025-26 campaign will feature as many as eight clubs that have played Premier League football this century. See the fixture list here.
Stockport County, who missed out on back-to-back promotions last season, are 33.9% favourites for automatic promotion to the Championship, according to Opta’s prediction model. Leyton Orient are projected to have a 25.7% chance of securing the second automatic promotion spot. Meanwhile, Blackpool (21.9%) and Wycombe (21.3%) are the top favourites to win promotion via the play-offs.
The sides relegated from the Championship last season—Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City—are also seen as promotion contenders. Luton are given the highest chance of the three, with a 10.8% likelihood of going back up.
At the other end of the table, AFC Wimbledon (32.7%), Northampton (32.3%), and Mansfield (30.9%) are most likely to be relegated. Port Vale (30.8%), Bradford (30.2%), and Burton Albion (30.1%) are also considered at risk.
POLL
Are you worried about the travel bans ahead of the 2026 World Cup?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission, two years after the FA launched an investigation (More)
> Tom Brady, Birmingham City minority owner, has questioned former manager Wayne Rooney’s “work ethic” and called some of the squad from the 2023-24 season “lazy and entitled” (More)
> Alexander Isak is training individually at his former club Real Sociedad’s training facilities amid uncertainty over his Newcastle future (More)
> The Scottish Premiership 2025-26 season gets underway on Saturday (Aug 1) as Kilamarnock host Livingston and Rangers travel to Motherwell; see full list of fixtures (More)
Americas
> Eric Trump has claimed that Chelsea wanted Donald Trump on stage with them for their Club World Cup trophy celebrations, saying that they considered it the "greatest honour of their lives” (More)
> Lionel Messi had two assists, including one in the final seconds of the match, to help lift Inter Miami over Atlas 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener (More); See all Leagues Cup results and upcoming fixtures (More)
> The NWSL returns after a month-long break with Racing Louisville vs. KC Current and Chicago Stars vs. Gotham FC on Friday (Aug 1) (Full Schedule); dive deeper into what to know as the NWSL returns (More)
> USL Championship: Western Conference leaders FC Tulsa face Loudoun United in the opening fixture of the weekend (Full Schedule)
Rest of the World
> Al Kholood have become the first foreign-owned Saudi Pro League side after the American-led Harburg Group acquired a minority stake in the club (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Should football clubs release new kits every other year instead of annually?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 ⏩ Yes (70%)
🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 👕 No (25%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (5%)
Your punditry takes:
⏩ T.H: “It would force them to be more thoughtful in their designs, to make them last longer, and fashion wouldn't nudge fans to have to buy another one every year. While club merchandise profits may drop, I don't think it would be a significant decline in overall club revenue.”
⏩ J.P: “Yes! That’s the way it used to be, and it was quite exciting waiting for a new home kit every two years, and this was back when the cost of a jersey was half what it is now.”
👕 C.S: “Sure, they are a bit of a money grab, but they're also a piece of history. If your club has a terrific year it can make a mediocre kit memorable. When you see a certain kit you think "oh that's the kit from the year we made Europe for the first time" or " that's the kit from when we got promoted after a long spell down" etc. The kit is a memory and a piece of history.”
👕 K.S: “I enjoy it. I get why they do it, sales. I don't feel obligated to get one every year though and it is totally acceptable to wear previous years, you're still supporting the team. NFL teams hardly ever change them, football kits are way more exciting for that reason.”
EXTRA TIME
Every transfer in Europe’s top five leagues. (live tracker)
How Maradona got in shape for the 1994 World Cup.
Sarr lobs Raya from the halfway line.
Burnley fans can now watch their matches with virtual reality.
Messi didn’t hold back celebrations after Miami’s last-minute winner.
Time Magazine interviews Erling Haaland.
How Premier League refs prepare for the new season.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Nine French players have scored a Premier League hat-trick. How many can you name?
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
League One
Luton Town vs. AFC Wimbledon (20:00)
Scottish Championship
Arbroath vs. Ayr United (19:45)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
Nicolas Anelka. Thierry Henry. Olivier Giroud. Eric Cantona. Anthony Martial. Jean-Philippe Mateta. Robert Pires. Louis Saha. Sylvain Wiltord.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
I like it if people call me a tap-in merchant. I love it. That means you’re doing something right.
