World Cup qualifier suspended after sinkhole opens up on pitch

Play was brought to a standstill during Austria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus after a sinkhole suddenly appeared on the pitch late in the second half.

The bizarre incident occurred around the 75th minute, when Danish referee Jakob Kehlet halted the match after noticing the gaping hole near Austria keeper Alexander Schlager’s box at the Raiffeisen Arena, in Linz.

The opening was wide enough to swallow an entire football, prompting ground staff to rush on with buckets of sand in a frantic attempt to patch it up.

After more than seven minutes of repairs, Kehlet finally gave the green light to resume, with Austria eventually sealing a 1-0 win thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s second-half penalty – scored before the ground gave way.

The win means Austria are now second in Group H qualifying, having won all three of their games so far, behind also unbeaten Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Remarkably, this isn’t the first time Austrian football has flirted with the earth caving in. Back in 2022, a Nations League clash against Denmark, which Austria lost 2-1, at the Ernst Happel Stadium was also interrupted by a huge sinkhole opening up on the pitch.

At least this time Austria still managed to dig out the three points – though maybe someone in should be calling a geologist before the next fixture.

Austria v Cyprus - FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifierAustria v Cyprus - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

The sinkhole appeared near the end of the match. / Guenther Iby/GettyImages

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Wirtz, Pogba, Marcelo show off eye-catching new adidas x BAPE boots

In one of the most daring collaborations of recent years, adidas has joined forces with Japanese streetwear powerhouse BAPE to create a football collection that fuses pitch performance with high-octane style.

The collection is led by two standout football boots: the Predator Elite FT Firm Ground and the F50 Elite Firm Ground.

The Predator Elite, instantly recognisable for its fold-over tongue, is reimagined in BAPE’s signature green ABC CAMO with gold stripes, a shark graphic on the lteral, alternating gold logos on the tongues, and ABC CAMO sockliners.

Meanwhile, the F50 Elite features a striking blue-to-pink gradient ABC CAMO upper, shark graphic on the medial, and clear star prints across the surface. Both pairs are showstoppers built to turn heads on and off the pitch.

Paul Pogba styles adidas and BAPE's new collection.Paul Pogba styles adidas and BAPE's new collection.

Paul Pogba styles adidas and BAPE’s new collection. / BAPE

Beyond the boots, the collaboration extends to footwear and apparel, including reimagined adidas Sambas with a BABY MILO skull face in rubber, ABC CAMO jerseys, shorts, tights, and a BABY MILO football tee.

Accessories complete the set, with an ABC CAMO duffle bag and a BABY MILO shoulder bag rounding out the collection.

Fronted by Real Madrid and Brazil legend Marcelo, known for his flair on and off the pitch, the ‘adidas x BAPE’ football collection is a truly global statement piece, appealing to fashion fans and football enthusiasts from Asia to the Americas and Europe.

The collection drops September 6th via Confirmed, adidas.com, select adidas retail partners, BAPE.com, and BAPE STORE locations worldwide.

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Liverpool, New Era team up to drop curated headwear collection

Fresh off the back of the record signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, Liverpool have added another big signing to their ranks – but this one comes off the pitch.

The Reds have announced iconic cap makers New Era as their official headwear provider, marking the brand’s latest move into the world of football.

Founded in 1920 in Buffalo, New York, New Era has long been a staple in sportswear, creating headwear for Major League Baseball, the NBA and beyond. Known for its cultural clout, premium craftsmanship and instantly recognisable designs, the company now turns its focus to Anfield.

To celebrate the new partnership, New Era and Liverpool have dropped a curated collection featuring a range of signature styles — including the 9FORTY curved visor, 9FIFTY snapback, bucket hat, unstructured 9TWENTY, 19TWENTY golfer, trucker and beanie.

Every piece comes dressed in the club’s famous colours, with dual branding across the range and details such as the club crest, founding year, and even the words of the anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ stitched proudly into select designs.

Lee Dwerryhouse, senior vice-president of merchandising at LFC, said: “We’re excited to work with New Era, an iconic brand with a rich history in headwear. Their expertise and reputation in this space make them a great addition to our retail offering, especially in such an important product category for our fans.”

The full Liverpool x New Era collection is available now exclusively via the club’s official store.

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Footballers caught out posting identical farewell messages – fans suspect AI copy-paste job

These days, it’s standard practice for footballers to bid farewell to their old clubs with a heartfelt social media post – a little thank you to the fans, some warm words about the club, and a nod to the future.

But when Fábio Silva left Wolves for Borussia Dortmund and Christantus Uche departed Getafe to join Crystal Palace, their goodbye notes looked a little too familiar.

Silva’s Instagram post on Aug. 29 began: “When I arrived at Wolves, I did so full of ambition, dreams, and a desire to make my mark. I know I didn’t live up to expectations. But football and life are about more than numbers or moments on the pitch.”

Uche’s post, just five days later?

“When I arrived at Getafe, I did so full of ambition, dreams, and a desire to make my mark. I know I didn’t live up to expectations. But football and life are about more than numbers or moments on the pitch.”

From there, the wording was identical right up until the final lines. Silva signed off with “I will always be a fan of this club. Thank you, Wolves. With all my heart,” while Uche simply swapped in Getafe.

Naturally, fans and reporters alike were quick to put two and two together, suggesting the messages were churned out by the same AI template rather than penned by the players themselves.

Whether it was a case of convenience or copy-paste, one thing’s for sure – when everyone’s farewell looks the same, the sentiment hits a little less.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold stars in Calvin Klein’s latest underwear campaign

Calvin Klein has unveiled its Autumn-Winter 2025 underwear and denim campaign – with Real Madrid and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold as its headline face.

Shot by Gordon von Steiner, the 26-year-old full-back poses in a mix of the brand’s classic underwear, crisp denim fits and outerwear, with a series of sleek locker-room inspired visuals that showcase the campaign’s theme of strength and confidence.

By stepping in front of the lens, Alexander-Arnold joins an exclusive group of footballers to model for Calvin Klein, following the likes of David Beckham, Freddie Ljungberg and Hidetoshi Nakata. He also finds himself in the company of global celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Michael B. Jordan and, more recently, Jeremy Allen White.

Speaking to DAZED about the project, Alexander-Arnold admitted it was a surreal experience: “Being the face of Calvin Klein is amazing, following in the footsteps of some iconic faces.”

He also reflected on the campaign’s message: “Confidence is all about believing in yourself, and your own ability. You get confidence from the work you’ve put in on the training ground, so preparation is key.”

From securing a dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu to becoming the latest face of one of the most iconic brands in fashion history, right now, Trent Alexander-Arnold is winning, both on-and-off the pitch.

Trent Alexander-Arnold for CK.Trent Alexander-Arnold for CK.

Trent Alexander-Arnold for CK. / Calvin Klein

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