The football just does not stop! Welcome to Wednesday, where we’ve already had our first taste of the 2025-26 season with the arrival of the Premier League fixture list. There’s still the Club World Cup, Gold Cup, and more to anticipate.

📺 Footy fix

All times U.S./Eastern

Wednesday, June 18
🏆 CWC: Manchester City vs. Wydad Casablanca, 12 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 CWC: Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🇪🇺 U21 Euros: England vs. Germany, 3 p.m. ➡️ Vix
🌎 Gold Cup: Costa Rica vs. Dominican Republic, 7 p.m. ➡️ FS1

⚽ The Forward Line

🇪🇺 Europeans underwhelm in Club World Cup

Getty Images
For all that is new about this reformatted Club World Cup, one thing seems strikingly familiar: the players’ indifference toward the event compared to the eagerness exhibited by other teams.

Chivu lamented that his team faced significant challenges, particularly after a grueling European season and changes within their coaching staff. Inter’s recent draw against Monterrey exemplifies the struggle.

Chivu: “We are never embarrassed by what we do on the pitch. We respect the opponents. Our strong squad often struggles to control matches when fatigue sets in.”

Notably, many other European teams, including Benfica and Borussia Dortmund, have shown signs of waning enthusiasm as they contend with dynamic South American sides.

🔗 Midfield Link Play

🇺🇸 Pressure mounts for USMNT’s rivals

The US men’s national team’s next challenge comes against Saudi Arabia in the Gold Cup, a situation filled with pressure for both teams as they prepare for what lies ahead in their respective competitions.