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He announced himself at the World Cup with two goals for co-hosts the United States as they beat Paraguay in their opening game.But Folarin Balogun only represents the USA because of a quirk of his birth.And the irony is the nation's prized striker is the type of person President Donald Trump says should not be eligible for citizenship under his hardline immigration agenda.As Balogun prepares for their second group game against Australia in Seattle on Friday (20:00 BST), it comes against a backdrop of a World Cup already fraught with immigration and visa controversies.The US Supreme Court is due to rule on the president's executive order - and the fundamental meaning of citizenship - within weeks.Balogun, 24, is a product of Arsenal's youth academy and could have pledged his allegiance to England or Nigeria.However, long before that, circumstances conspired to give him the opportunity to represent the US.Balogun's Nigerian parents were living in London when they took a trip to New York in the summer of 2001.The trip proved fateful. Balogun's mum was not allowed on the flight home when airline attendants realised she was heavily pregnant, and instead of being born in the English capital, he arrived into the world in Brooklyn, New York on 3 July 2001.Being born in Brooklyn meant Balogun was automatically granted US citizenship under the country's birthright citizenship laws - based on the 14th amendment to the US Constitution.Trump's executive order seeks to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or on temporary visas (such as tourist visas).Part of a broader effort to overhaul the nation's immigration system, the administration claims it is to combat what they have called "significant threats to national security and public safety".There was no doubt who was the most dangerous asset in the US ranks against Paraguay last week.Speaking after the co-hosts made a dominant start, AC Milan midfielder Christian Pulisic said what everyone else was thinking - that the US were "really lucky" to have Balogun."The kid's insane," he said. "He's lethal right now in front of goal. Let's just hope it keeps going like this."Kenny Cooper - a former US men's national team player - believes the team, with Balogun as "a proven goalscorer at the highest level", can go on a historic run."He's obviously a really special talent and he showed that with two exceptional goals," Cooper told the BBC. "He has been so impressive."I think there's just so much confidence that I'm sure the players have in him playing with them, and us, his fans, have in him."Cooper is a club ambassador for FC Dallas, who have been hosting watch parties of the World Cup at the outdoor Simpson Plaza in Frisco, Texas, near the National Soccer Hall of Fame. More than 2,000 fans watched the Paraguay match.One of those was Tommy Marcos - the New York president of American Outlaws, the largest fan group for Team USA. He says supporters have been waiting decades for someone like Balogun, who plays for Monaco in France's Ligue 1."We haven't had that type of player - a top-five league striker that you can just put in there and know he's going to score," he said. "That's pretty hard to do in the current football environment and we're lucky to have him."Until three years ago, there was no guarantee Balogun would end up playing for the United States.Having appeared for the US and England at Under-18 level, he was at the heart of Lee Carsley's England Under-21 plans - scoring seven goals in 13 appearances as they geared up for the 2023 Under-21 European Championship.But his performances on loan at Reims from Arsenal during a prolific 2022-23 campaign - which earned him a £35m move to Monaco - had US officials circling.There was also a huge swell of public support for him to commit to the US at a time the route map to England's senior side appeared far more complicated.Having withdrawn from an England Under-21s camp, a secret rendezvous to meet US Soccer officials was instead plastered all over social media and he was courted with NBA tickets and trips to Florida.There was also reportedly an invite to the New York Yankees to watch training, and several senior US internationals were dispatched to take him out to dinner to convince him to make the switch."When I committed, and throughout the whole cycle, and the whole journey to me being at this point, I've always said the fans gave me so much motivation and showed me so much support," Balogun said on Friday."For me, the most important thing has always been to be able to repay that. I just want to continue to show the fans I made the right decision."As much as Team US want to keep politics off the pitch and focus on their game, it's hard to ignore the fact Balogun joining the team would've been impossible under President Trump's proposed order.If the Trump administration were to win the Supreme Court case, it would create uncertainty not just for Balogun but plenty of others, says Ilya Somin, George Mason University law professor and the chair in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute.The administration has said they will not actually move to retroactively deprive birthright, but the logic of their argument - that those people are not actually citizens - will hang over them."Trump's promises and guarantees often are not worth very much, but even if he were to stick to that resolution, a future administration might not," said Somin.Still, Somin believes the high court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, will not rule in President Trump's favour given their scepticism during oral arguments in April.When the administration argued the ease of modern travel necessitated reinterpreting the constitution, Chief Justice John Roberts quipped: "It's a new world. It's the same constitution."It may be coincidence that the World Cup, the birthright Supreme Court decision and the country's 250th anniversary are happening at the same time. But with international turmoil and domestic division on a range of polarising issues, the confluence of events is holding up a mirror to the American people.A majority of Americans believe all babies born in the country should automatically be granted citizenship, according to a Reuters poll from April.But there is a split along party lines. The poll found only 9% of Democrats agree with ending birthright citizenship compared to 62% of Republicans.Balogun is hardly the only player on Team USA with a blended identity.Marcos said fans were used to that, and the team is uniquely built to represent the nation's melting pot."I think that's what makes the team really unique in terms of the football landscape," he said. "But it's also what makes it special and it makes it very American."In 10 of the previous 12 editions of the World Cup, six goals would have been enough to win the Golden Boot.On that basis, and only one game in, Balogun is already a third of the way to one of the most prized individual accolades in world football.He may not be a household name in the country yet, but he's well on his way to becoming a new talisman for US soccer fans to pin their hopes on.Additional reporting by Pratiksha Ghildial.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameEverything you need to know about the World Cup

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London City Lionesses have announced the signing of former England goalkeeper Mary Earps.The 33-year-old will officially join on a two-year contract on July 1 when her contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires.Earps is returning to the WSL two years after leaving Manchester United. Across her five seasons at United, she made 102 appearances and kept 45 clean sheets.She retired from a glittering international career last summer in a shock announcement just five weeks out from the Euros after losing her place as starting goalkeeper to Hannah Hampton.Earps played a crucial role in England's Euro 2022 success and in their route to the World Cup final a year later."I'm over the moon to join this club and I'm really looking forward to it," Earps said."I feel the club aligns with what I stand for. I can't wait to get started and to get down to business."London City appear determined to make a number of statement signings this summer, and have a strong interest in Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas.Speaking in a statement confirming her arrival, Earps explained her reasoning behind joining London City, who were promoted to the WSL for the first time last season and finished sixth.Earps continued: "The club's values represent what I want to represent and they are passionate about what I want to achieve and change the game in a positive way. All the conversations have been really positive and every time I spoke with the club I wanted to hear more."The vision and ambition, including the new training facility, is incredible and I'm looking forward to seeing that develop. It shows what our owner, Michele (Kang), and everyone at the club want to do in terms of really going for it."It's about putting a marker down and saying we want to be competitive in a short space of time."I'm looking forward to working alongside Elene (Lete) and the goalkeeping unit. Elene made some great saves and interventions last season. Hopefully, we can bounce off each other and work hard and enjoy it."My message to the fans is that I'm really excited to get started and make some memories together. I can't wait to play in front of you all."I'm looking forward to getting to know the players, the style of play and club culture, and trying to give everything I can to help the club achieve its collective goals and be as successful as possible."I feel I still have so much left to give to the game, and that's exactly why I chose London City."It won't be easy, the WSL is extremely competitive. The team had a brilliant 2025/26 season, finishing mid-table in their first season, now it's about climbing the table and working towards finishing as high as possible."Another coup for London City. The big-name signings continue to mount - and likely won't stop at Mary Earps either. Ambition even extends as far as trying to land former Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas on a free this summer. That really would be the GOAT of signings.It's a star-studded cast for a team that has only been in the English top-flight for one season, propped up by the riches of free-spending owner Michele Kang.One might question how all these superstars are going to gel under one roof. There is plenty of modern-day examples of that formula flopping, albeit most obviously in the men's game. I'm thinking Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at PSG - the vibe was completely off.Nonetheless, there is no doubt Earps is a huge signing for London City and one that significantly improves them.Eder Maestre's side shipped 35 goals last season, above the league's average (32). They have got to address that if the plan is to try to break up the division's traditional top four.

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BBC Sport women’s football news reporterPublished5 minutes agoFormer England goalkeeper Mary Earps has joined London City Lionesses on a two-year deal after leaving Paris St-Germain. The 33-year-old left France after two seasons upon the expiry of her contract, having made 22 appearances in the Premiere Ligue this season.She kept 12 clean sheets as PSG finished third in the table, 13 points behind champions Lyon."I feel the club aligns with what I stand for. I can't wait to get started and to get down to business," said Earps"The club's values represent what I want to represent and they are passionate about what I want to achieve. All the conversations have been really positive and every time I spoke with the club I wanted to hear more."The vision and ambition, including the new training facility, is incredible and I'm looking forward to seeing that develop. It shows what our owner Michele [Kang] and everyone at the club want to do in terms of really going for it."It's about putting a marker down and saying we want to be competitive in a short space of time."Two-time Fifa Best Goalkeeper of the Year award-winner Earps played a crucial role in England's victory at Euro 2022 and their route to the 2023 World Cup final.She spent five years at Manchester United, making more than 100 appearances, and helped them win their first major trophy in 2024 as they lifted the Women's FA Cup.The goalkeeper earned many individual accolades during her successful international career before she announced her retirement in 2025.She became one of the country's most recognised and influential players, though her book - released in November - caused controversy and dominated headlines in the media for several weeks.However, on her return to Old Trafford earlier this season in the Women's Champions League, Earps was given a warm applause at full-time by home fans.There is a mural of Earps painted outside Old Trafford celebrating her spell at the club.London City Lionesses are demonstrating their summer ambition in the Women's Super League transfer window as they pursue several high-profile players.As well as Earps' return to England, they are set to sign Spain defender Mapi Leon and are in ongoing talks with two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas following her exit from Barcelona.London City Lionesses, who are backed by wealthy American businesswoman Michele Kang, finished sixth in their first season in the WSL in 2025-26."I feel I still have so much left to give to the game and that's exactly why I chose London City," said Earps."It won't be easy - the WSL is extremely competitive. The team had a brilliant 2025-26 season finishing mid-table in their first season, now it's about climbing the table and working towards finishing as high as possible."Earps' arrival will shake things up for London City Lionesses as they continue to prove their desire to sit among the WSL’s elite.She will provide stiff competition for current number one Elene Lete, as well as bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge of the league.Another bonus is the Earps brand, which will no doubt attract attention and publicity, in turn helping to grow London City’s name.That is a focus for the club - to capitalise on gaps in the commercial market and to grow their fanbase, as well as building an identity.To impact development on the pitch, their recruitment plans include attempts to bring in several big names as well as a healthy blend of youthful talent.This summer they are hoping to bring in up to seven players if they can persuade their key targets.After a solid debut campaign in the WSL, they will be hoping to challenge for a top-four spot this year but they are not the only ambitious club as Tottenham are also promising a strong transfer window.New episodes of Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed

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England v Croatia got year’s highest UK TV figuresBBC opted for more first-pick games in knockout stagesITV is winning the UK television ratings battle after the first week of the World Cup. Viewing figures obtained by the Guardian from Barb, which measures audience numbers, show the commercial channel had four of the five highest TV audiences, topped by England’s 4-2 win over Croatia.England’s victory in Dallas attracted a peak audience of 15.4 million on ITV and an average of more than 10 million, the highest UK TV viewing figures of the year.ITV also had the second-highest viewing figures on TV of the first round of group games, with the opening match between the co-hosts Mexico and South Africa getting a peak audience of 7.7 million and a match average of 6.6 million. The BBC’s live coverage of France v Senegal on Tuesday obtained a peak audience of 6.7 million and match average of 5.9 million.ITV’s coverage of Spain v Cape Verde and the Netherlands v Japan complete the top five, with peak audiences of 6.1 million and 6 million respectively.The Barb viewing figures include those watching on main channels and streaming services through a television but not those watching on a laptop or mobile phone. When viewers watching the BBC stream on laptops and mobiles are added, its peak viewing figures for France v Senegal increased to 7.6 million, and it got peak audiences of 6.7 million and 6.5 million respectively for Portugal v the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Belgium v Egypt.The BBC traditionally attracts better viewing figures for live sport than ITV and is likely to get a higher audience when the channels go head-to-head in broadcasting the World Cup final next month, with the initial match selections the key to ITV’s success in the opening week.The BBC gambled in pre-tournament negotiations with ITV by opting to have more first-pick games in the knockout stages. It will have the first choice of fixtures in the last 32, last 16 and semi-finals, as well as England’s second group game against Ghana on Tuesday.The BBC also showed Scotland’s first World Cup game in 38 years, against Haiti last weekend, which attracted a peak audience of 2.8 million despite a 2am UK kick-off. The audience watching live on BBC One comprised 78% of UK TV viewers at the time, rising to 92% in Scotland.Most of ITV’s biggest games come at the start of the tournament, though it also has England’s third group game, against Panama, and any England quarter-final. That could be a tie against Brazil on a Saturday night.ITV’s World Cup coverage has been well received critically, largely owing to its stunning studio in Brooklyn with views of the iconic Manhattan skyline. The BBC has been criticised for basing its presentation from its studios in Salford, although it has sound financial reasons for doing so.The new BBC director general, Matt Brittan, has this week begun announcing significant efficiency savings that could lead to the loss of up to 2,000 jobs at the corporation as it attempts to reduce its budget by £500m over the next three years.The BBC have been criticised for not offering a daily highlights programme on television but its digital highlights are proving popular and have been streamed 11.6m times in the BBC iPlayer this week, an increase of 197% from the first week of Euro 2024.

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Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape, French prosecutors have confirmed. A woman accused the Paris St-Germain defender of raping her at his home in the French capital in 2023, when she was aged 24.The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, began a preliminary investigation in March 2023.An investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026 and French media report that Hakimi, 27, failed with a recent appeal to have the trial dismissed.Hakimi, who is set to lead his side out for their second World Cup fixture against Scotland on Friday (23:00 BST), has consistently denied the accusations."The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case,'" Hakimi wrote on social media on Friday."I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made."Today, a story that isn't mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes feel like I've become an easy target."I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I'll be able to speak."Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff's lawyer said in a statement: "After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi's defence, this decision brings her relief and hope."Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial."Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men's football."A date has not yet been set for the start of the trial.All three of Morocco's group stage fixtures are being held in the United States, where the team are currently based.But should Morocco progress to the knockout stages, Hakimi could face difficulties in entering Canada or Mexico if their matches are scheduled outside the United States.Last week, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey missed his country's opener against Panama after being denied entry to World Cup co-hosts Canada.Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.Canada's government website states that they can deny entry to any person that has "committed or been convicted of a crime".The World Cup is being held across all three co-host countries until the quarter-final stage, when it will be held exclusively in the US.Hakimi, who has won 97 caps for Morocco, made his international debut in 2016 at the age of 17.He was a key figure in the Morocco side that became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.The defender joined Paris St-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021, and has won 13 pieces of silverware during his time at the club - including back-to-back Champions League titles in the past two seasons.Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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2 CommentsFour minutes and 20 seconds per match. Or seven hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds across the tournament.That's how much extra TV advertising some football fans around the world are watching during mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup.While viewers in the UK watching on BBC and ITV are seeing players refuel and hearing extra tactical insight from pundits, spectators elsewhere are taken away from the football to see companies selling their products.The ads are allowed to begin 20 seconds after the referee blows the whistle for the three-minute pause midway through each half, and must end 30 seconds before the actions starts again.That works out as a potential eight extra 30-second ad slots per match for each broadcaster in each country - 832 between the start and end of the competition.Experts have told BBC Sport that an average 30-second World Cup ad slot on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 (£152,000) and $300,000 (£227,000), rising to $750,000 (£567,000) during USA matches and the final stages.That means advertising during hydration breaks is likely to generate more than $250m (£189m) in the USA alone.The breaks have brought heavy criticism from managers and players, while drawing loud jeers from the supporters at almost every venue.But, in which countries are the ads being shown, how do they work, and what could it mean for the future of football?But they have been widely derided as unnecessary momentum-killers by fans, pundits, players and managers, and are having a tactical impact on matches.Fans in the UK have been protected from ads during hydration breaks because the BBC does not use advertising, and ITV's ability to show ads during play is restricted by Ofcom regulations governing how many adverts can be used in a 60-minute period. If ITV used slots during mid-match breaks, they would have fewer available at half-time, for example.But elsewhere broadcasters have the ability to choose how to use the breaks, and most have used them as an opportunity to bring in extra money from advertising, whether by cutting away to a full commercial break or showing ads in split screen.Fox Sports, the US broadcaster, has been using the maximum amount of advertising time it can during the pauses and displaying them full screen.It has also been introducing the ad break itself as "sponsored by" a brand, and with Fifa sponsor Coca Cola providing branded drinks for players, the advertising US viewers are faced with during hydration breaks is effectively three-fold."Amercians have been used to in-play ads for 40, 50 years, so culturally this fits right in," says Rob di Gisi, lecturer in sport management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School."There is very little pushback here. Any changes which make games more Americanised will be embraced without people noticing."Fellow US broadcaster Telemundo, which shows matches in Spanish and is aimed at Latino Americans, is one of the few broadcasters which has decided not to show ads during the breaks.During Canada's opening match last week, its commentator said: "We prefer the old school way. We should be able to see what the players do."We show fans, people enjoying themselves, not the corporate direction of football."BBC Sport has contacted Fox Sports and Telemundo for comment.In other big markets around the world ads are being used too, including in Mexico, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.The broadcasters in those territories will not be able to charge prices as high as Fox Sports, and not all are running them for the maximum duration allowed, but the total amount accrued will be huge."When you start scaling that up over all the rest of the countries, it's probably a billion dollars (£756m) from hydration break ads across the globe," Di Gisi adds.Having eyeballs on products during in-game breaks doesn't necessarily guarantee success, however."Will advertisers in the hydration break be met with enough discontent that it negates the value of the advertising?" says T. Bettina Cornwell, head of marketing at the University of Oregon."It is the case that when brands violate the expected experience, in this case the flow of the game, fans can react negatively."The broadcasters in each territory act independently when they sell advertising slots, meaning Fifa does not directly gain financially.But the extra income makes purchasing rights to show the World Cup more valuable to broadcasters, meaning Fifa can theoretically charge higher prices when negotiating over future tournaments."The rights for this World Cup, Fox Sports got for only $485m (£367m)," says Dennis Deninger, author of Live Sports Media: The What, How and Why of Sports Broadcasting."If they're making $250m (£189m) just on the hydration breaks, that rights fee is a real bargain."When Fifa goes into rights negotiations next time, they can say their product is worth more, because broadcasters can sell sponsorship in these hydration breaks, have more advertising, and there is the increased amount of matches, so they can charge every broadcaster in every country more money."There is never any going back – when there is an opportunity to make more money, nobody ever says 'let's make less money'."The more casual football fan demographic the World Cup attracts has made introducing the ads easier."I think this is here to last, especially in Fifa-organised tournaments," says Thomas Peeters, professor of strategy economics at the Erasmus School of Economics."The World Cup is an event that attracts non-traditionalists, people tuning in who don't watch every game. A very general audience."There is a trend for those people to watch clips rather than entire games, so in that sense you can build in breaks yourself [and show ads to them without them caring]."It breaks the game into shorter bits which, as we see with other forms of entertainment, helps with younger audiences who typically consume content in smaller portions."But whether other major football competitions would take on hydration breaks for the economic benefit is doubtful.The Premier League would be restricted in the UK by Ofcom rules and likely face a huge backlash from fans, while Uefa has sought to create clear distance between itself and Fifa on policy matters in recent months, including pledging not to use dynamic ticket pricing at Euro 2028."When a game is watched by diehard fans of both sides, they don't want a break after 25 minutes," Peeters adds."For Uefa and the Premier League this idea is less of a concern because they are in very mature markets compared to Fifa."

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The Clarets have contacted the Football Association of Wales (FAW) as they target their former coach in their search for Scott Parker's replacement.No deal has been agreed yet and compensation would need to be negotiated.Bellamy previously worked under Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor, helping the club to promotion in 2023, and was briefly named acting head coach after Kompany's move to Bayern Munich in 2024.The 46-year-old has two years left to run on his contract with the FAW but could now part company with his home country midway through his four-year deal.The Clarets have been searching for a new boss since Parker left by mutual consent in April, little more than a week after the club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.Ex-Wales forward Bellamy was swiftly identified as a contender to replace Parker.Prior to Wales' June friendly fixtures with Ghana and Romania, Bellamy confirmed he had received interest from club level, but went on to commit his future to Wales.Wales must be better after Romania woe - Bellamy"Links? I understand it but I don't look too far. I love what I have here."I've been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already."Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven't managed before. Wales have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful for that."I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money but there's a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn't feel that time."Prior to the June international camp, FAW bosses told BBC Sport Wales they were "very confident" Bellamy would see out his contract - which runs until the end of Euro 2028.Bellamy - who was recently linked with the Celtic role - was assistant to Kompany during the former Belgium international's time as head coach at Burnley between 2022 and 2024.The Clarets clinched the 2022-23 Championship title with 101 points to gain promotion to the top flight.But they were relegated from the Premier League in 2023-24 - with Kompany leaving Lancashire to join Bayern Munich while Bellamy later departed to take the Wales job.Wales were unbeaten in Bellamy's first nine games as he guided them to promotion into Nations League A, where they will face Portugal, Norway and Denmark later this year.But they missed out on World Cup qualification after losing a penalty shootout in the play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina and have won just three out of their past 11 games.Bellamy's former Norwich and Wales team-mate Iwan Roberts told Radio Cymru: "I'm not sure if it would be a big loss [to Wales] if he did go, because Bellamy still has a lot of questions to answer as Wales boss. He's very inexperienced, but I do see why he'd be a good fit for Burnley."

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Bournemouth will kick-off the 2026/27 Premier League season away at Man City on Sunday August 23, live on Sky Sports.New Cherries boss Marco Rose then takes his side, who finished sixth last term and qualified for the Europa League, then host Everton at home on August 29 before travelling to Newcastle on September 5.Bournemouth will get their first taste of European football with the Europa League campaign getting underway on September 16/17. Before Matchday 1, Bournemouth will host Brentford on September 12 with a reunion with Andoni Iraola after their firxt European fixtures as Liverpool visit the Vitality Stadium on September 19.The Cherries are set for a busy December with six fixtures scheduled in total, including a trip to Arsenal on December 12 and a clash with Tottenham on Boxing Day. The busy festive period continues with a home game against Aston Villa on Saturday January 2 and a trip to Brighton on Wednesday January 6.Bournemouth, who have a difficult looking run-in, face trips to Hull (May 1) and Sunderland (May 15) and face Man Utd (May 8) and Chelsea (May 23) at home. Rose's side close out their season against former boss Iraola as they travel to Anfield to end the campaign against Liverpool on Sunday May 30.Play-offs: 18 and 25 February 2027 Round of 16: 11 and 18 March 2027 Quarter-finals: 8 and 15 April 2027 Semi-finals: 29 April and 6 May 2027 Final: 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt, GermanyNot got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you're already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.August 22/23/24: Premier League campaign startsAugust 28: Europa League league phase drawSeptember 16-17: Europa League league phase startsJanuary 28: Europa League league phase endsFebruary 18: Europa League knockout phase beginsMay 26 Europa League final, Waldstadion, Frankfurt

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Crystal Palace's new manager Pierre Sage will take charge of his first Premier League match at Everton as the Eagles have been handed a challenging start to the 2026/27 campaign.The Frenchman was officially appointed by Palace on Monday and he will oversee a trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday August 22, while the south Londoners will then host Manchester City in their opening home game on Saturday August 29 before a trip to Fulham on Saturday September 5.Palace, who will play in the Europa League after winning the Conference League, will resume their rivalry with Brighton with a visit to the Amex on Saturday October 17, but must wait until Saturday May 15 before the Seagulls arrive at Selhurst Park.The Eagles head to Sunderland as the festive schedule starts on Saturday December 19, while they host champions Arsenal on Boxing Day and then Bournemouth on Wednesday December 30 before starting 2027 with a trip to Brentford on Saturday January 2.In the closing weeks of the campaign, Palace head to Nottingham Forest on Saturday May 8 before hosting Brighton and will follow that derby match with a visit to Newcastle United on Sunday May 23.Their final-day clash comes against Leeds United at home on Sunday May 30.Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contractNot got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you're already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.August 22: Premier League campaign startsAugust 28: Europa League league phase drawSeptember 16-17: Europa League league phase startsJanuary 28: Europa League league phase endsFebruary 18: Europa League knockout phase beginsMay 26 Europa League final, Waldstadion, Frankfurt