Key events
With Fifa and Infantino arguably the biggest topics in worldwide football news at the moment, Matt Hughes has explained exactly what is going on, in case you have missed anything…
While Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have all called for Gianni Infantino to resign, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has declared its support for the Fifa president.
After a meeting of its executive committee in Fiji on Wednesday, the OFC issued a statement on Friday praising “the progress achieved over the last decade” by Fifa in its first public comments since the abandoned World Cup sell-off plan emerged this month.
However, New Zealand, the OFC’s biggest member and only nation to qualify for the World Cup this summer, withdrew backing for Infantino.
Europe’s leading clubs threatened not to participate in future Club World Cups unless Gianni Infantino withdrew his Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, issuing their ultimatum hours before the plan was scrapped.
In a letter to the Fifa secretary general, Mattias Grafström, the influential European Football Clubs (EFC) group warned that its cooperation with future tournaments would hinge on Infantino backing down.
Anthony Burgess has messaged in from Malta with his thoughts on Cristian Romero’s move to Atlético Madrid…
“Feels like the right move, at the right time, to the right place. He has the priceless ability to rise to the big occasions, as seen in his Man of the Match performances in every final (bar the last one) he’s played in. Madders for club captain, with Micky VdV as VC, surely?”
And League Two…
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Newport County v Rochdale
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Oldham Athletic v Port Vale
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Barnet v Salford City
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Grimsby Town v Exeter City
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Gillingham v Walsall
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Accrington Stanley v Colchester United
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York City v Bristol Rovers
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Chesterfield v Fleetwood Town
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Northampton Town v Swindon Town
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Crawley Town v Crewe Alexandra
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Tranmere Rovers v Shrewsbury Town
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Cheltenham Town v Rotherham United
Let me take a break from transfer news to let you know – as if you needed reminding – that the EFL returns today!
Here are the opening fixtures of the League One campaign:
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Reading v Luton Town
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Oxford United v MK Dons
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Notts County v Leicester City
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Cambridge United v Wigan Athletic
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Barnsley v Bromley
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Leyton Orient v Sheffield Wednesday
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Huddersfield Town v AFC Wimbledon
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Blackpool v Wycombe Wanderers
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Bradford City v Peterborough United
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Plymouth Argyle v Stockport County
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Mansfield Town v Doncaster Rovers
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Burton Albion v Stevenage
Just a reminder that you can keep up to date with everything happening in the transfer market with our men’s transfer interactive…
As always, be sure to message in today with any thoughts, feelings, predictions or observations.
What are your thoughts on Romero’s move from Tottenham? Where does that leave Spurs? Who will be the club’s new captain? Let me know!
I’m also keen to know what your plans are for the day – are you off to a match? If so, which one? I want to hear from you!
Email in at matchday.live@guardian.co.uk or leave a comment below the line.
Max Rushden has perfectly summarised Romero’s time at Spurs here. Be sure to give it a read…
Atlético Madrid confirm signing of Cristian Romero
Atlético Madrid have this morning confirmed the signing of Cristian Romero in a £34.1million transfer from Tottenham.
The centre-back has penned a five-year deal with the Spanish side.
In a statement, Spurs thanked Romero for his contributions to the club. It read: “We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero.
“Signed from Atalanta in 2021, ‘Cuti’ was a key player in our UEFA Europa League triumph of 2024/25 and was named captain for the 2025/26 campaign. His 32 appearances in all competitions last season took his tally to 156 in our colours.
“A Copa America winner just before his arrival, Cuti became only the second Spurs player to win the World Cup when Argentina beat France in Qatar in 2022. He won the Copa America again in 2024 and reached a second World Cup Final this summer.
“Born in Cordoba, Cristian began his career at Belgrano and had spells at Genoa and Juventus before signing for Atalanta.
“We wish Cuti all the best for the future.”
Let’s take a look at what’s happening in the Championship today…
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Bolton v Preston North End
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Middlesbrough v Lincoln City
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Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers
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Stoke City v Swansea City
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Norwich City v West Brom
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Charlton Athletic v Derby County
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Bristol City v Millwall
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Sheffield United v Birmingham City
In case you missed it, returning hero Raúl Jiménez scored a late penalty to salvage a point for Wolves against Blackburn in the Championship opener last night. Peter Lansley was at Molineux for the match.
Preamble
Hello, good morning and welcome to another Matchday live! The Championship returned last night and the EFL is back in full swing today as League One and League Two kick off. While it might not be time for Premier League action just yet, the annual curtain-raiser of the Community Shield takes place tomorrow, so we’ll be looking ahead to that.
Be sure to stick around for all the latest updates from the football world and the most exciting transfer developments as we edge closer to the end of the window.
Join us!