Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to take the prize since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich forward led his club to a Bundesliga title and scored six goals for England at the World Cup. Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or Feminin, after scoring 24 goals and providing 13 assists in her final season with Barcelona. The ceremony was held at the London Palladium on Monday night, with the men's award contested by Kane and Lamine Yamal.
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times, more than any other player. Cristiano Ronaldo is his closest rival with five wins. The prize was first awarded in 1956 and has gone to many of soccer's greatest players. Pelé and Diego Maradona never won it. The women's Ballon d'Or Feminin began in 2018, and Barcelona players have dominated since, with Aitana Bonmati winning in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Ten players have been shortlisted for the 2026 Kopa Trophy, given to the best player under 21 in the world. Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal is widely expected to win for a third time, having been named in 2024 and 2025. The Ballon d'Or ceremony is set for Monday, October 26, and will be held in London this year to honour inaugural winner Sir Stanley Matthews. A panel of 32 former Ballon d'Or winners nominates the 10 Kopa Trophy finalists.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he has the support of the vast majority of football, despite strong opposition to his now-shelved plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. In a BBC interview, he said he was elected by 211 member associations and urged respect for the views of most members. Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term, with challengers able to nominate until November 18. On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation endorsed him for another term, reversing its earlier criticism.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital on Friday after collapsing during a training session. The German club said the 40-year-old was watching the reserves train when he collapsed. Kompany had been suffering from a viral infection since last week. Club board member Max Eberl said Kompany would be given all the time he needs to recover. Bayern play Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the 2026-27 season on Sunday at Camp Nou. It marks Jose Mourinho's return to the fixture after more than 13 years away. Mourinho's Madrid played Barcelona 17 times during his first spell in charge, and a ranking of those matches has been published. The top-ranked clash was a 5-0 Barcelona win in November 2010, Mourinho's first Clasico, which he later called the biggest defeat of his career.
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has criticised the club's current players, calling them selfish and saying they behave like babies. His comments follow captain Bruno Fernandes questioning the coaching staff's tactics after a 4-1 Champions League loss to Como. Fernandes said the team failed to press hard enough and adopted a mood of defeat after conceding early. Rooney made the remarks on the United Stand podcast. Manager Michael Carrick remains under growing pressure, with the club winless in seven matches across all competitions.
The Beaudesert Rangers Soccer Club has recorded its highest participation figures, with 383 players across 31 teams, including five dedicated girls’ and women’s teams. Club president Chris Thompson attributed the growth to the success of national women’s teams and the introduction of more female-only teams. The club’s community-focused approach has also contributed to its popularity, but increasing numbers have raised questions about future facilities.
The Canungra Owls came within one goal of a perfect season, but lost the midweek soccer grand final 2-1 to Palm Beach. The side had topped the league to win the minor premiership trophy before reaching the decider. Palm Beach scored twice in the first half, leaving Canungra with a steep task. Jimmy Tomlinson pulled one goal back in the 65th minute. Canungra came close in the closing minutes, but full time sounded before they could force extra time.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 in a Champions League match at Parc des Princes. Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz scored late goals to settle the contest after Barcelona had equalised. Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez and Xavi Espart also scored in a game that saw Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leave with injuries. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scored in between. The result came a week after PSG beat Manchester City 4-2.
Team Greece has secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 All Nations Cup after beating Somalia 3-0 in the second round. The Melbourne team, representing the Greek Community of Melbourne, has now won its opening two matches, after defeating Chile first. Coach George Katsakis said the side is coming together well and is playing at a high level. Team Greece faces El Salvador in its third-round match on Sunday 25 October at 2.30pm. The team is supported by sponsor Mr Pitta.
Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez scored a spectacular long-range goal in the seventh minute of his side's 5-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. Gomez struck a 50-metre shot over goalkeeper Walter Benitez, and the strike was compared with a similar goal by David Beckham in 1996. Brighton went on to win the match at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. The victory lifts Brighton to third on the table, behind Manchester City and Arsenal.
The City of Greater Geelong is asking Victorian election candidates to fund a $5 million shortfall for the Devlins Road soccer precinct at Ocean Grove. The council has committed $8 million and the federal government has contributed $5 million. The council wants the winner of November's state election to cover the gap and wants candidates to pledge support before the result. Ocean Grove Soccer Club would move from Shell Road to the new precinct, which would include a second football and cricket oval. Council says works could start in coming months once the funding is secured.
Griffith City has won the Pascoe Cup, its first first-grade title, after signing 17 players from the former Yoogali Soccer Club senior side. The Yoogali players, along with former coach Luke Santolin, joined the club when their senior team was left without a competition following its removal from Capital Football's National Premier League. Griffith City also won the preseason tournament and the minor premiership. Santolin said the season showed that a difficult period could turn into a positive one.
The Canungra Owls Under 15 girls lost 7–2 to Northern Rivers in their final game of the season at Moriarty Park. Canungra took an early lead through Chloe Delaney, and Jasmine Thompson converted a penalty to level the score. Many of the girls have played together since they were six and still attend the same team three times a week, despite now studying at four different high schools. The team has spent more than 100 hours each season training and travelling, with the players describing themselves as a group that stands by one another.
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Oakleigh Cannons opened their Australian Championship campaign with a 4-2 win over Sydney Olympic. Sydney Olympic struck early, but Oakleigh levelled in the 14th minute and led 2-1 at half-time. Sydney Olympic equalised just before the hour, before Oakleigh scored on 83 minutes and again in stoppage time. Sydney Olympic had 62 per cent possession, but Oakleigh took 12 attempts to their opponent's six and recorded seven shots on target to three.
Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove faced media scrutiny after serving a two-game suspension in New Zealand's National League rather than the A-League. The 29-year-old Englishman, who secured the golden boot in his debut season, defended the club's use of a regulatory loophole allowing A-League players to feature in reserve matches. During a heated exchange, Cosgrove dismissed questions about embarrassment, asserting the club's right to utilise all available resources. Auckland FC, the reigning A-League Men champions, begin their season against Melbourne City this Saturday. FIFA, Football Australia and Football New Zealand have reportedly approved the suspension arrangement.
South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic and Oakleigh Cannons all feature in the second Australian Championship, each with a different goal. South Melbourne, last year's winners, face the pressure of being the main target after their Australia Cup triumph. Sydney Olympic is seeking redemption after narrowly missing the knockout stage last season, and has signed several marquee players, including Dimitri Petratos. Oakleigh Cannons are new to the tournament after winning the NPL Victoria Premiership, and their coach says the competition offers a valuable platform for younger players.
