Soccer analysis: Japan’s World Cup dream - Why the Samurai Blue are the ultimate dark horses
For decades, Japan have been viewed as an emerging football nation: competitive, technically gifted and tidy on the ball.
But they have also been perceived as ultimately lacking the physical power, ego mindset and conviction to truly challenge the traditional powers.
However, heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Samurai Blue may be closer than ever to breaking that narrative, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shuei Ishii.
World Cup 2026: 10 players to watch in Group F - Cody Gakpo, Kaishu Sano and more
The first Group F match of the 2026 World Cup is set to start in two weeks, and here are some players to keep your eyes peeled for.
Group F features four talented nations, including Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, each with players capable of changing games on football's biggest stage.
While household names such as Victor Gyökeres, Virgil van Dijk and Frankie De Jong will attract most of the attention, a number of underrated players could prove just as influential.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Shuei Ishii looks at 10 players from Group F whose recent club and international performances suggest they are worth keeping a close eye on throughout the tournament.
Shocking hires: The Premier League's worst appointments this season and what's gone wrong
It has been a season of managerial chaos in the Premier League.
Trigger-happy owners, panic appointments, and spectacular misfires have defined the 2025/26 campaign. Here is a look at the worst of the lot.
Serie A news: AC Milan’s season leaves more questions than answers
AC Milan barely made it to the finish line on the last day of the Serie A season, losing their final match against Cagliari and missing out on Champions League qualification. The campaign was meant to be Massimo Allegri’s comeback story, but it turned into a difficult slog for many reasons.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer and AC Milan fan Luca Salmasi takes a look at five key takeaways from the club’s latest poor season.
Players who scored in both the semi-final and final of the same World Cup
Few achievements in international football are as rare as scoring in both a World Cup semi-final and the final itself. To do so requires not only individual brilliance but the consistency to deliver it across the two biggest occasions in the sport, with a country's hopes resting on every touch.
Browsing the current World Cup winner odds ahead of the 2026 tournament, it is a reminder of just how much weight is attached to performances at this level. Across the entire history of the tournament, only a handful of players have managed to score in both knockout rounds in the same year. Here are the players who achieved it.
Champions League final: PSG vs Arsenal betting tips - Can Mikel Arteta achieve what Arsene Wenger never could?
Mikel Arteta is already an 18-karat Arsenal legend after leading Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
But this weekend, he gets the opportunity to do something even Arsene Wenger was unable to do during his legendary spell in north London - win the Champions League.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the Champions League final on Saturday, May 30, from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher.
Unai Emery's Unique Achievement: How the Spanish Coach Managed to Win the Europa League Five Times
Discover how Unai Emery became the most successful Europa League coach in history, winning the tournament five times through tactical discipline and elite match management
Manchester United's Long-Awaited Return to the Champions League After a Brilliant Season
Manchester United secured a Champions League return after finishing third in the Premier League. Discover how the team transformed under Michael Carrick and what awaits the Red Devils next season.
Premier League news: Five key factors that helped Daniel Farke and Leeds United avoid relegation
As the 2025/26 season comes to a close, Leeds United can look back on it as one of their most successful campaigns this side of the millennium.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Fawcett examines how a phenomenal season was masterminded.
Premier League analysis: Five players who enjoyed a breakout season in 2025/26
While plenty is made of the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, and Declan Rice, which players really kicked into gear this season to become proven Premier League assets?
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Gabriel Mills highlights five players who have gone above and beyond in the league, from teenagers bursting onto the scene to reliable players finally hitting their peak.
Premier League betting tips: Bruno Fernandes to break assists record, a tense Tottenham vs Everton fixture, and more Gameweek 38 betting tips
The title race has been run, but the final relegation place is still up for grabs, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the final round of Premier League games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including huge fixtures for Tottenham and West Ham.
Premier League news: Five talking points ahead of the final day of the season
With the title wrapped up in Arsenal’s favour following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, there remains plenty to sort out as the Premier League concludes on Sunday.
From European battles to relegation scraps, the final day still offers immense drama with plenty at stake, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
European football news: Aston Villa triumph in Europa League final as English teams dominate the continent
With Unai Emery’s side making light work of Freiburg in a 3-0 win on Wednesday, May 20, Arsenal and Crystal Palace will look to follow suit with European finals of their own in the coming weeks.
Arsenal will face PSG in the Champions League final where a famous Double could be secured for Mikel Arteta and his team, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Palace have navigated their way through to the final stage of the Europa Conference League and will face top-half La Liga side, Rayo Vallecano.
Europa League news: Aston Villa end 44-year wait for European glory with dominant final victory
Aston Villa were crowned UEFA Europa League champions on Wednesday night after a commanding 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in Istanbul.
This victory ends the club’s 44-year wait for European silverware and secures their first major trophy since 1996.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce explores how Unai Emery’s side have pulled off this incredible achievement.
Premier League analysis: Key takeaways for Chelsea after defeating Tottenham again
In a London derby that had huge implications at the bottom of the table, Chelsea managed to defeat Spurs 2-1 in the final game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal reviews the key takeaways from the match from a Chelsea perspective.
EFL Championship news: Southampton expelled from Championship play-off final after multiple breaches
Following a review by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL have announced that Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to multiple rule breaches regarding observation of opposition training.
Man Utd analysis: Old Trafford celebrates 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest, but Roy Keane still had something to say
On a remarkable afternoon at Old Trafford, Roy Keane found a way to cast a shadow over one of the most joyous days of Manchester United's 2025/26 season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
Soccer analysis: The key parts of Xabi Alonso’s appointment
After the disappointment of the FA Cup final defeat to Man City, there was at least something for Chelsea fans to smile about.
Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Spaniard Xabi Alonso would be the club’s next manager.
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal reviews this appointment and looks ahead to what might be in store for Chelsea fans with Alonso at the helm.
Premier League news: Man Utd overcome Nottingham Forest as Bruno Fernandes equals assist record
Manchester United overcame a spirited Nottingham Forest side 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to secure third spot on the Premier League table. Goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo got the job done for Michael Carrick’s charges while Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White struck for the Tricky Trees.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore reviews the final home game of the season for the Red Devils.
Premier League news: Aston Villa thrash Liverpool at Villa Park to seal Champions League return
Aston Villa produced one of their finest performances of the season in defeating Liverpool 4-2 at Villa Park to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In front of a packed and electric home crowd, Unai Emery’s side delivered a ruthless second-half display that exposed Liverpool’s defensive frailties and underlined Villa’s remarkable rise under the Spanish manager. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce reviews Friday’s clash.