FootXtra – Football News & Updates FootXtra brings you the latest football news, live updates, match previews, transfer stories, and in-depth analysis from leagues and tournaments around the world. Stay connected to the beautiful game every day.

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori limped off during today’s Premier League defeat to Aston Villa and is certainly out of the next Arsenal match against Wolves.

Jhon Lucumi is an increasingly important defender for Bologna, but his entourage is stalling on a new contract, aware Sunderland aren’t the only club interested in an offer.

Cesc Fabregas reassures Como will ‘play for the win’ against Inter at San Siro and identifies the ‘engine’ of the opposing team, plus where Nico Paz needs to improve.

Cristian Chivu feels Inter can pounce on errors when Como ‘get a bit complacent’ and explains how he’s trying to help ‘timid’ Luis Henrique gain confidence.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti can ‘feel’ Jonathan David’s reaction, but will decide the Bianconeri’s XI for a game against Napoli tomorrow: ‘It has happened to me to change something during the night.’

Inter go head-to-head with Como and there are only three points separating them, as Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram take on Alvaro Morata and Nico Paz.

Fiorentina had taken the lead with Rolando Mandragora, but then crumbled to a 3-1 defeat at Sassuolo and remain rock bottom without a single victory.

Italy can hardly complain about their luck after the World Cup play-off and group stage draws, but they must now cope with the pressure and earn their place at the tournament on the pitch.

Dreams FC will hosts Bechem United in an early battle for survival after a terrible start to the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.Both teams, known for their ability to unearth new talents and still remain competitive, have found themselves struggles and currently sit in relegation places.While Dreams FC sit 16th position and Bechem United in 17th place, only a point separate the two sides. In 12 matches, the Still Believe lads have won only three and lost seven games.Meanwhile, the Hunters have recorded only two wins and lost six with four ending in draws.Ahead of their trip to Tuba, Bechem United have a good record against their hosts, having won six of their 14 meetings. Dreams FC have beaten Bechem United four times in the Ghana Premier League.Both teams made some good signings before the start of the season, with Dreams FC confirming the permanent transfer of Suraj Seidu from Hearts of Oak while Bechem United signed former Manchester City winger Mohammed Aminu. The latter is yet to make an impact at the Bechem-based club.Dreams FC and Bechem United desperately need points to revive their season and the result in Tuba on Sunday will have a huge impact on their campaign. 

Tuttosport newspaper reports that Juventus and Napoli are both interested in Tiago Gabriel (Lecce) and Rodri Mendoza (Elche), but the Partenopei are also watching Tarik Muharemović, on whom the Bianconeri hold a 50% sell-on clause.

President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Mr Fouzi Lekjaa, hosted Mr Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee and Chair of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale.The visit formed part of continued efforts to strengthen cooperation and technical exchange between Morocco and Senegal.Discussions centred on the organisation of major sporting events, with both parties sharing their experiences and approaches. They underlined the value of constant collaboration to further enhance operational and organisational capabilities at an international level.Mr Lekjaa extended an invitation to the Senegalese delegation to work closely with the Local Organising Committee for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The initiative seeks to promote practical knowledge-sharing and deepen the partnership between the two nations in the staging of high-profile competitions.He also outlined Morocco’s ongoing preparations for AFCON 2025, expressing confidence in the country’s readiness while highlighting the strong and longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation that unite Morocco and Senegal, particularly in the field of sport development.The meeting was attended by Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to Morocco.

Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi praises his former Roma teammate Nicolò Zaniolo: ‘He’s a good guy and an excellent player; sometimes we had to beat him up in training because he was too strong.’

Assistant coach of the Black Stars, John Paintsil, feels confident ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the draw held in Washington, DC on Friday, December 5, 2025.The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside former champions England, 2018 runners-up Croatia and Panama.Having failed to go beyond the group stage of their last two World Cup appearances, Painstil believes 2026 offers the team a golden opportunity to dominate the global showpiece."It was a long waiting. Everyone is happy now, myself I am happy for the group that we find ourselves in. It is a group that is a very good group. A group that will bring the best out of the team and the entire country. We are going to be where we are going to have more supporters coming to support the team and that is the most important thing," he told Sahara Football."I believe we can dominate this tournament," he added.Meanwhile, speaking on the team's chances, the former Ghana international is counting of the Black Stars' experience to navigate Group L."We can say much about our chances but we believe that we have more experience when it comes to such tournaments. We believe we will come out of the group stage and then we look forward for the next because we have to take it one at a time and the most important thing is to qualify from the group."

Evan Ferguson’s Roma future has been discussed by Italian and English media in recent days, but Giallorossi coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists it’s still ‘too early’ to assess the Republic of Ireland international striker.

Mikel Arteta has his best chance yet to win the Premier League as Arsenal manager, but it could be his final season at the club. His stock is continuing to rise, and soon, he could be on the radar of another of his former sides.