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• New USA coach Pochettino aims for World Cup glory as countdown to 2026 begins

  New United States boss Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his ambition to win the World Cup with the co-hosts in two years' time and is excited by the opportunity.

  Pochettino was named the manager of the USA on Tuesday in his first role since parting company with Chelsea in May.

  The Argentine, who previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell in charge of Tottenham, leading them to a Champions League final, oversaw a sixth-placed Premier League finish in his only season at Stamford Bridge.

  And with the USA acting as hosts alongside Canada and Mexico for football's most prestigious tournament in 2026, Pochettino believes his players should harbour ambitions of winning the entire event.

  "We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game but the World Cup," Pochettino said.

  "If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big. That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge."

  The USA women's team won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and claimed Olympic gold this summer in Emma Hayes' first tournament as manager.

  Pochettino, who knows Hayes from the period in which they both managed Chelsea's senior teams, reserved special praise for her, while also wanting his players to be inspired by how successful the women's team had become in recent times.

  "In Emma, we have the best coach in the world," said Pochettino.

  "The women's team has won everything. We need to match them. They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge and the culture.

  "We want to create something special."

  Pochettino's first game in charge will be a friendly versus Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12.

• Guardiola 'happy' Man City hearing begins next week

  Pep Guardiola says he is "happy" Manchester City's hearing into 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules begins on Monday.

  Following a four-year investigation, the club were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023.

  Man City strongly deny all charges.

  The alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules relate to a period between 2009 and 2018, with the trial expected to run for 10 weeks and a verdict likely to come in early 2025.

  While some are dubbing it sport's 'trial of the century', Guardiola is just pleased that it is now close to the start date.

  "It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon," Guardiola said of the hearing. "An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward to the decision.

  "I'm happy it's starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumours, new specialists about the sentences. We're going to see.

  "I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect, I know what I read for many, many years.

  "Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. So, we'll see."

  On the pitch, City are beginning a busy period that will see them play seven games before the October international break.

  With the start of their Champions League campaign and their EFL Cup third-round tie scheduled between their Premier League matches, Guardiola said he would not be using the hectic calendar as an excuse.

  "It is going to happen many times when teams play in all competitions," he added.

  "We will do our job anyway because we love to do it. I'm not a specialist about the calendar. We follow it. Everyone knows the schedule will be tight this season, so you just have to accept it."

  They will have to play those games without defender Nathan Ake, who was stretchered off during the Netherlands’ Nations League meeting with Germany.

  "We are unlucky with Nathan - every time he goes there [to play for the Netherlands] he comes back injured," Guardiola said.

  "I think it will be until the next international break."

  City's next game is at home to Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday as they look to continue their perfect start to the campaign. 

• Vinicius backed to return to best form by Ancelotti

  Carlo Ancelotti is unconcerned about Vinicius Junior's current form and fully expects him to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face Real Sociedad.

  Vinicius has scored once and registered one assist in LaLiga so far this season, while he has created 15 chances, the most of any of his team-mates.

  However, he has been criticised for a slow start to the season with Madrid, and for lacklustre performances for Brazil in a narrow win over Ecuador and a shock loss to Paraguay during the international break. 

  Ancelotti acknowledged that Vinicius has yet to hit the heights of his previous seasons, but stressed that the player needs support.

  "He's not at his best, but he's still very important for us," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday. 

  "We're in no hurry because the team has managed to score, and he has been important... and the last concern for me is Vinicius' condition, but we have to take good care of him.

  "He always works well, and it's a matter of just time for him to reach his best level. I can't fool myself into thinking that I'll have all players at 100% at all times.

  "I don't want to go into his problems in Brazil, but what I see is a more general issue, because they are not managing to bring out their best version as a group.

  "Here we are delighted with Vinicius because although he is not at his best right now, no one can forget that with Vini, we have been able to win two Champions League titles... We have to be very fond of him at Madrid."

  Ancelotti said that he will have to evaluate the fitness of Vinicius and his Brazil team-mates Rodrygo and Endrick after a long trip back from international duty, in order to minimise the risks of injury as his side gear up for a busy schedule with seven games in the next three weeks.

  The Italian will face a selection headache ahead of Saturday's clash at La Real with defender David Alaba and midfielders Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni still recovering from injuries.

  "With the way the calendar is built, we will have injuries, it is just the way it is, so rotating is a good thing," Ancelotti added.

  "We are used to playing that many games but need to be vigilant in monitoring the players' fatigue so they can rest when they need.

  "The players who have just come back from the international break, like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Endrick, who had long travels with Brazil, are under observation because they haven't had time to rest or train.

  "We have to try to avoid injuries. Last year we had a lot of injuries, but we managed to cope very well. With this schedule, it's normal to have injuries, and we have to face it."