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The big question that’s lingering among football fans across the world right now is simple: “What now?!” With the 2026 World Cup wrapped up, a month of non-stop football action has come to an end, leaving a void that many supporters are struggling to fill. And to make matters worse, domestic leagues won’t resume for another month.

Some fans have coined the term “post-World Cup depression” — not in the clinical sense, but to describe that fleeting emptiness after weeks of thrilling, can’t-miss matches. For football lovers, few things compare to the excitement of the World Cup.

But there’s good news — plenty of sports events will keep you engaged until club football returns. Spain’s La Liga restarts on 15 August, while the Saudi Roshn League kicks off even earlier, on 13 August.

So, how do you keep yourself entertained until then? Here’s a guide to what’s coming up in the world of sports over the next few weeks.

Emirates Cup

Before the 2026–27 season begins, clubs are squeezing in several pre-season friendlies. Among them, Arsenal’s annual Emirates Cup stands out, especially this year as the Gunners participate as reigning Premier League champions.

Arsenal will host Germany’s Borussia Dortmund on 9 August at 4:00 PM Mecca and Cairo time as part of the 2026 Emirates Cup.

European Qualifiers: A Chance to Watch Mohamed Salah

While early qualifying rounds of the Champions League and Europa League don’t usually draw mass attention, this year’s Europa League qualifiers might interest fans of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.

Besiktas, the Turkish club reportedly close to signing Salah this summer, will face Denmark’s Midtjylland in the first leg of the second qualifying round on Thursday at 9:00 PM Mecca and Cairo time. It’s an ideal opportunity to check out the team Salah could be joining for the 2026–27 campaign.

European Super Cup

The first official major European football event after the World Cup will be the UEFA Super Cup on 12 August. Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the Champions League, will take on Aston Villa, the Europa League champions, in this season’s curtain-raiser.

Lionel Messi: Inter Miami’s Story Goes On

Fans eager to see Lionel Messi back in action after Argentina’s loss to Spain (1–0) in the 2026 World Cup final won’t have to wait too long. His Major League Soccer journey continues with Inter Miami facing Chicago in the early hours of Thursday (Mecca time), followed by matches against Montreal on 26 July and Columbus on 2 August.

Although Inter Miami haven’t announced an official date for Messi’s return, reports suggest that the Argentine legend chose to remain in the United States instead of returning home, and his comeback is expected by early August.

Asian Elite Qualifiers: Al-Ittihad and Al-Jazira

On the Asian front, the qualifiers for the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite are underway, featuring three Arab clubs — Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Al-Jazira of the UAE, and Al-Hussein of Jordan.

Al-Ittihad will face Al-Jazira, while Al-Hussein meet Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor on 11 August.

A Major Tournament is Coming: The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Women’s football takes centre stage with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the only major international tournament of this period. The competition will run from 26 July to 16 August.

Three Arab nations — Morocco (the hosts), Egypt, and Algeria — will participate in the championship.

For Film Enthusiasts: The José Mourinho Documentary

Before switching from football to other sports, fans can enjoy a deep dive into the life of one of the game’s greatest managers. Netflix is releasing a three-part documentary on 11 August about Portuguese tactician José Mourinho, “The Special One”, exploring both his personal life and managerial journey.

Tennis: Men’s Masters Tournaments

If you’re a tennis enthusiast, this period offers top-tier action. The Canadian Masters will take place from 2 to 13 August, followed by the Cincinnati Masters from 13 to 23 August.

Formula 1

Motorsport fans can look forward to the Hungarian Grand Prix, part of the Formula 1 calendar, featuring five stages — three practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race — from 24 to 26 July.

Athletics: European Championships

Track and field lovers can mark their calendars for the European Athletics Championships, hosted in Birmingham from 10 to 16 August.