An international competition of this fashion is a great moment, rallying the US-Europe rivalry. But conflicts of interest and leagues bending the knee to Fifa’s schedule risk undermining the impact of the Cup

It has been a busy year! The Epstein files were released, Prince Andrew is no longer a prince, The Lionesses won the Euros and Ozempic has taken hold of Hollywood. And they are just a few non-Donald Trump related headlines.   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Jeevan Vasagar, Poppy Bullard and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the year.    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Giles Whittell     Producer: Casey Magloire    Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore    To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Britain’s rising and returning champions hope to break the medal barrier and score wins in snowsports and on the ice

It's been a huge year for British sport: the Lionesses roared to victory in the Euros this summer, the Red Roses won the Women's Rugby World Cup and Lando Norris won Formula 1 drivers' championship.   In such a record-breaking year across the sports, who deserves to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year? This year's contenders are: Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Ellie Kildunne, Luke Littler, Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris.   Andrew Butler is joined by The Observer's Assistant Sports Editor Jess Hayden, alongside sports reporters Jessy Parker Humphreys and George Simms, as they go head-to-head to debate who deserves to take home SPOTY.   Vote for who you think should win here: https://www.smartsurvey.com/t/observersport/    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Andrew Butler   Producer: Amalie Sortland   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

After an injury-hampered 2025, the 28-year-old is aiming to surpass Mo Farah’s record in April’s London Marathon

The Iranian leader said the water problem in the capital “cannot be solved” and has suggested evacuating the city's nearly ten million residents. Iran and Egypt, two countries that criminalise homosexuality, were picked to play the World Cup's Pride Match in Seattle. And some councils are now regularly paying more than £250,000 a year to support children with special educational needs. Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer reporters Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Jessy Parker Humphreys, and Fronts Editor Evan Moffitt, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.  **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky  Host: Rebecca Moore Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Gary Marshall To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Gap closes between London clubs as Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor left speechless in defeat

David Lammy has proposed scrapping jury trials in England and Wales for all but the most serious offences. Paramount Global has obtained exclusive streaming rights to the UEFA Champions League - a move that could redefine how football fans follow the sport in the future. Revelations that MAGA-supporting accounts on X are operated from countries like North Macedonia, Pakistan and Poland raise concerns about foreign-driven influence and its impact on political discourse.   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Head of Investigations Alexi Mostrous, sports reporter Jessy Parker Humphreys, and journalist, author, and presenter Jenny Kleeman as they compete to pitch the day's top stories.   While we've wrapped up our live editions of The News Meeting for 2025, keep checking https://observer.co.uk/our-events if you'd like to join us at recordings in 2026.   **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Giles Whittell   Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy Bullard   Executive Producers: Matt Russell and Rebecca Moore    To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Fifty years on from Curry’s gold, his life is a reminder that acceptance of LGBT+ people in sport and society is not a linear process

Donald Trump has threatened to move football World Cup games from liberal US cities. Could his friendship with FIFA's President Gianni Infantino make it happen?  

The wily wizard of Wishaw overcame world No 1 to remind us of the magic of snooker

As more and more people turn to AI for news, how should journalists fight back and protect the human by-line? Will Donald Trump's cosy relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino allow him to dictate which cities the World Cup will be held in the US? Will the British Museum win its £3.5 million battle to keep a rare gold Tudor Heart pendant?   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Alex O'Connell, Vanessa Thorpe and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they pitch their top story of the day.  

New manager earns first league win, but that’s far simpler than navigating a path between disgruntled fans and demanding owners

What proof has Israel provided to support their claim that Anas al Sharif ran a Hamas cell in Gaza? Why has the partnership between Premier League Football and Stonewall ended? And will Putin's visit to the US bring an end to the war in Ukraine?    Giles Whittell is joined by NPR's International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer's Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.   

Tottenham manager on the brink as Callum Wilson wins it for West Ham in the 93rd minute

The England women’s football team won the Euros for a second time, after they defeated Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final, having drawn 1-1 after extra time, two years after they lost to the same opponent in the World Cup final.

Veteran manager Keith Boanas knows impact a win could have in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup

Is Belgium paving the way for more international action over Gaza? Have the Lionesses paved the way for a permanent change in English football culture? What’s going on at Unite?

The explicit drama is drawing new fans to the NHL in droves, and also asking the sport some difficult questions

England’s women’s football team heads into the Euros without three key stars.

Despite a new contract, Renée Slegers could find herself in trouble if season goes awry

How will Labour’s immigration legislation affect the UK’s care sector? What are the potential conflicts of interests if Trump accepts a jet from Qatar? The Indian Premier League is set to return after the competition was suspended amid rising tension in Kashmir, but what does this tell us about India's power in international cricket? Rebecca Moore is joined by Orwell Prize winning Pete Apps, alongside The Observer’s Patricia Clarke and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

Snooker star on dealing with pressure and snooker’s need to stay global

Forward passed away in a car accident as he was travelling back from Macclesfield’s away match at Bedford Town

The sport’s leaders hope the hit film, along with the world championships in London, will inspire a surge of interest

18-year-old produces a dominant display to beat Gian van Veen 7-1 to claim second world crown

England know that they must win the title to cash in properly on hosting this year’s T20 Women’s World Cup

Pep Guardiola’s side turn up the heat after an undercooked, off target first half

Mark Scott was the first black commentator to appear on Match of the Day – 10 years on, how much has changed?

The Team of the Year is a public vote at the Sports Personality of the Year awards – here’s one option…

The first half of the WSL season has gone under the radar but City look like they will be the team to beat