Former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was favoured for the national coaching post, expressed his bitterness on Monday over the debate which has led to him no longer being a candidate.

In a long open letter published on Monday, Infantino urged detractors to "take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray" after a tournament marked by controversies ranging from ticket pricing to visa issues.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on Monday said Morgan Rogers was "a great signing" who would make the club more competitive and expected the England midfielder to "link really well" with Cole Palmer.

Pieter Coetze has underlined his dominance in the pool, claiming a second gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 59-year-old former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura scored his first competitive goal in almost four years when his Fukushima United side strolled to a 7-0 win at the weekend.