Mixed results for Bermudian Women across Europe & NWSL
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s top female footballers were back in pre-season action, featuring across top-flight European friendlies, English non-league encounters, and an entertaining North American clash in California.
From the mountains of Aosta to PayPal Park under the California sun, here is how the island's contingent fared.
Midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth and her Como Women teammates suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Swiss outfit Young Boys in their second pre-season outing at the Centro Sportivo in Montjovet.
Young Boys took control of the contest through Jelcic, who bagged a brace with goals in the 43rd and 63rd minutes. Como responded almost immediately through substitute Ginevra Moretti in the 65th minute, but the Italian side were unable to find an equalizer despite late pressure.
Over in North America, Mia Fishel made an immediate impact for Seattle Reign FC as they claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bay FC in a pulsating contest.
It took the Reign just five minutes to open the scoring after pressing aggressively from the opening whistle. Maddie Dahlien drove down the left wing before cutting a precise cross into the box, where Fishel displayed superb footwork to tap the ball past her marker and the goalkeeper for her first run-of-play goal of the campaign.
Dahlien then doubled the lead with her second goal of the season before Bay FC fought back into contention. However, Reign legend Jess Fishlock sealed the win with a dramatic goal in the dying minutes of the match.
It was a productive day for Bermudian players across the English pre-season circuit:
Sutton United Women: K'Shaela Burch-Waldron helped Sutton United secure an impressive 3-1 away victory over QPR Women in West London.
AFC Sudbury Women: Midfielder Eva Frazzoni played a key role as AFC Sudbury earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Billericay Town Women.
Newport Pagnell Town Women: Featuring Bermudian forward Jasmine Spence, Newport Pagnell Town claimed a 2-1 win over Hitchin Belles to continue their pre-season momentum.
Sunday, August 02, 2026
Majors Takes Charge of CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Final
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Mount Pleasant FA of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, are the 2026 CFU Club Shield champions, defeating Delfines del Este FC of the Dominican Republic 1-0 in Sunday's final at the Ato Boldon Stadium. A goal from Shaquiel Bradford in the 52nd minute sealed the win.
With both teams already assured of places in the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, the match began cautiously as each side sought to gain the upper hand. Delfines del Este created the first clear opportunity in the eighth minute when captain Christopher Almonte unleashed a swerving effort from distance that narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Adding distinction to the occasion, the match was officiated by Bermuda’s FIFA referee Amaury Majors, he became the first Bermudian to do a Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final.
It marked Majors' first major final at this international level—a milestone appointment that reflects years of dedicated work and progress within the regional refereeing ranks.
The Dominican Republic side kept pressing. Jhon Ramos Mata delivered a dangerous cross to Emmanuel Gomez, but a last-ditch intervention by the Mount Pleasant defense kept the forward from getting a decisive touch. Moments later, Gomez's close-range effort was deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner, Aries Bonita Balanta escaped his marker but headed wide.s
Mount Pleasant gradually settled into the contest and began creating chances of their own. Trayvone Reid forced goalkeeper Pedro Espinal Almonte into a save with a well-struck free kick in the 19th minute before testing the Delfines custodian again seven minutes later with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The Jamaican side continued to apply pressure, but the determined Delfines defense held firm to keep the score level heading into halftime.
Mount Pleasant emerged with greater intent after the restart. Kyle Ming should have given his side the lead in the 50th minute, but his free header failed to trouble Almonte. The breakthrough came shortly after when Bradford reacted quickest to turn home the rebound after Almonte parried Christojaye Daley's initial shot.
Daniel Green came close to doubling the advantage after being picked out unmarked at the back post by a well-delivered cross, but he fired wide.
Delfines’ head coach Jose Rodriguez turned to his bench in search of an equalizer, but Mount Pleasant continued to control possession and dictate the tempo. As the Dominican Republic side committed more players forward, the Jamaicans almost punished them on the counterattack in the 80th minute, only for Tajay McIntosh and Bradford to squander a numerical advantage.
McIntosh threatened again three minutes later, narrowly missing the target after connecting with a cross from Ricardo Thomas.
Mount Pleasant, the defending Concacaf Caribbean Cup champs, remained composed through the closing stages, successfully protecting their one-goal advantage to secure a historic 1-0 victory and lift the 2026 CFU Club Shield trophy at the final whistle.
Saturday, August 01, 2026
Wells, Trott, & Lambe shine as Bermudians star across the UK
IslandStats.com
It was an action-packed afternoon of pre-season fixtures across the UK, with several Bermudian internationals taking centre stage—headlined by stellar performances from Nahki Wells, goalkeeper Nathan Trott, and veteran attacker Reggie Lambe.
Here is how Bermuda's finest fared as final preparations for the new campaign continued.
Wells on target again as Hatters cruise
Nahki Wells continued his lethal fine form in front of goal, netting for the second consecutive match as Luton Town sealed a comfortable 4-1 victory over Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles B at Kenilworth Road.
Following training ground work at The Brache earlier in the day, the Hatters proved far too strong for their visiting opposition on the main stage.
Wells capped off a dominant team display with a cool finish. The goal was crafted after George Saville pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area and played in Jayden Luker, who squared unselfishly for the Bermuda international to roll into an empty net.
Heroic Trott keeps Dybala at bay in Cardiff rout
In one of the most eye-catching results of the day, goalkeeper Nathan Trott produced a sensational performance to help Cardiff City dismantle Italian giants AS Roma 4-1 in their final pre-season tune-up.
Trott was the hero of the first half after Roma were awarded a penalty following a rapid counter-attack. World Cup winner Paulo Dybala stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Trott read the Argentinian superstar brilliantly, diving low to his right to keep the effort out.
The visitor’s pressure mounted shortly after, but Trott proved unbeatable once more:
Made a stunning reaction save from close range during a two-chance barrage.
Commanded his box from the resulting corner, watching a goalbound header glance wide under pressure.
Lambe sparks stunning comeback for Ipswich Wanderers
Further down the pyramid, Reggie Lambe produced a moment of magic to spearhead a thrilling comeback for Ipswich Wanderers, who erased a two-goal deficit to defeat Ely City FC 3-2.
With Wanderers trailing 2-1 and pressing for a route back into the game, Lambe took matters into his own hands. Collecting a short corner routine, the winger whipped in a wicked, curling cross-shot that completely baffled the keeper before slotting inside the far post to restore parity, setting the stage for a dramatic late winner.
Willie Clemons and his Leiston FC teammates drew 1-1 against Lowestoft Town, Leiston took a 30th-minute lead before a 88th-minute penalty leveled it.
Keziah Martin and his Hereford FC teammates picked up a 1-0 against Bromsgrove Sporting, Martin featured prominently in a hard-fought away victory.
Milan Butterfield and his Halesowen Town teammates went down 3 - 1 to West Bromwich Albion, suffering a tough defeat against higher-tier opposition.
Kane Crichlow and his Dagenham & Redbridge teammates went down 1 - 0 to South Shields FC, Crichlow came off the bench, but couldn't prevent a second pre-season loss.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Infantino's Decade at FIFA Faces Fresh Scrutiny
IslandStats.com
A decade after Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president with a mandate to restore trust in world football, his leadership is once again at the center of intense debate.
Infantino took office in 2016 following one of the darkest periods in FIFA's history. The organization was engulfed by corruption allegations after United States federal prosecutors unveiled a series of investigations into officials and associates connected to football's world governing body.
The scandal led to the resignation of former president Sepp Blatter and ushered in promises of greater transparency and reform.
Over the past 10 years, Infantino has overseen significant changes, including the expansion of major FIFA tournaments, increased investment in member associations and record commercial revenues. Supporters argue those initiatives have strengthened the global game and broadened opportunities for developing football nations.
However, his latest proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary and allow outside investors to purchase stakes in FIFA's flagship competitions has sparked fresh controversy.
The plan has attracted widespread attention after reports linked it to an investment fund backed by American businessman Joshua Kushner. Critics have questioned whether greater private investment could alter the governance and long-term direction of international football.
The proposal has also fueled political discussion because of the well-documented relationship between Infantino and United States President Donald Trump. Their public appearances together and close working relationship during preparations for major FIFA events in the United States have drawn scrutiny from some observers, who have questioned whether politics and football are becoming increasingly intertwined.
The Kushner family's political connections have further intensified debate. Charles Kushner, the father of Jared and Joshua Kushner, was convicted in 2005 on charges including tax evasion, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions before being pardoned by Trump in 2020. He later served as the United States ambassador to France.
FIFA has maintained that its proposed commercial structure is designed to generate additional long-term investment for football worldwide, with billions of dollars potentially being redistributed to its 211 member associations.
Nevertheless, the proposal has prompted criticism from some football stakeholders, including regional governing bodies, who have called for greater consultation and transparency before any fundamental changes to FIFA's commercial model are approved.
As Infantino approaches the second decade of his presidency, the organization that once promised sweeping governance reform again finds itself facing searching questions over the future direction of the global game.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Concacaf, Bermuda & Associate Members Reject $40m Payday
CONCACAF President in Bermuda
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Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organization founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.
With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.
The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.
For these reasons, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have:
Rejected the proposal;
Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing vast FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and
Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.
Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football's future—and its greatest asset—must remain in the hands of our football family.
