Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the long-awaited revival of one of CAPCOM's most beloved dormant franchises. Developed and published in-house, it's the first mainline entry in the series since 2006's Dawn of Dreams, which means fans have been waiting for exactly two decades. Built on the studio's proprietary RE Engine (the same technology behind all of CAPCOM's most recent games), Way of the Sword aims to modernize the series' signature blend of visceral sword combat and dark supernatural horror for a new generation of players. The original Onimusha games sold over 9 million copies combined, making it a sizable […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/roundup/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-everything-you-need-to-know-about-capcoms-20-year-return-to-its-samurai-action-series/
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and its 5,088mAh battery for the eSIM version were already a force to be reckoned with in terms of runtime compared to the competition, but the iPhone 18 Pro Max could surpass its predecessor’s ceiling by a decent margin thanks to a slew of upgrades. One tipster says that Apple’s top-end flagship will end up lasting as long as Android smartphones equipped with a silicon-carbon battery. An Android flagship with a 7,000mAh battery will last around the same time as an iPhone 18 Pro Max, claims rumor The 5,567mAh battery for the eSIM model of […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-18-pro-max-to-deliver-runtimes-equal-to-silicon-carbon-android-flagships/
Fenerbahçe, ezeli rakibi Galatasaray'ın altyapısında yetişen 2008 doğumlu genç yetenek Yiğit Çolak'ı kadrosuna kattı. Florya'nın kalbinden transfer edilen genç futbolcu, yeni sezondan itibaren sarı-lacivertli U19 takımının formasını giyecek.
Transfer çalışmalarına hız kesmeden devam eden Fenerbahçe, ezeli rakibi Galatasaray’ın altyapısından geleceğin yıldız adayını kadrosuna kattı. Sarı-lacivertli kulüp, Florya'nın kalbinden yetişen genç yetenek Yiğit Çolak ile resmi sözleşme imzalandığını duyurdu.
Kulüpten yapılan resmi açıklamada, "Galatasaray Futbol Akademisi'nin 2008 doğumlu oyuncusu Yiğit Çolak ile sözleşme imzalanmıştır. Genç futbolcumuz, 2026-2027 sezonundan itibaren U19 Takımımızın formasını giyecektir" ifadelerine yer verildi.
Sarı-kırmızılı akademide gösterdiği performansla dikkat çeken 2008 doğumlu futbolcu, yeni sezondan itibaren sarı-lacivertli renklerin başarısı için ter dökecek. Geleceğin kadrosunu kurmak için kolları sıvayan Fenerbahçe, bu hamlesiyle ezeli rakibinin altyapısındaki en parlak yeteneklerden birini renklerine bağlamış oldu.
Çolak'ın ilk açıklaması:
"Fenerbahçe gibi büyük bir camianın parçası olmak benim için büyük bir gurur ve onur. Bu profesyonel imzanın ve şanlı formanın taşıdığı sorumluluğun farkındayım.
Sahada terimin son damlasına kadar mücadele edeceğime, bu arma ve büyük Fenerbahçe taraftarı için son düdüğe kadar savaşacağıma söz veriyorum.
Birlikte büyük başarılara ulaşmak için şimdi daha fazla çalışma zamanı. "
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası son 16 turunda Kanada ile Fas karşı karşıya geliyor. Zorlu mücadele 4 Temmuz Cumartesi günü TSİ 20:00'de başladı.
Kanada, 2026 Dünya Kupası Son 16 Turu maçında Fas ile karşılaşacak.
KANADA - FAS MAÇI SAAT KAÇTA?
NRG Stadyumu'nda oynanan mücadele TSİ 20:00'de başladı. İngiliz hakem Michael Oliver'ın yöneteceği karşılaşma TRT 1'den şifresiz bir şekilde yayımlanıyor.
KANADA - FAS MAÇI İLK 11'LER:
KANADA: Crepeau, Johnston, Fougerolles, Bombito, Laryea, Sigur, Eustaquio, Ahmed, Buchanan, Oluwaseyi, Jonathan David.
FAS: Bounou, Hakimi, Halhal, Diop, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, El Khannouss, Ounahi, Diaz, Saibari.
Beşiktaş, dünyaca ünlü yıldızı kadrosuna katmak için Arsenal ile 20 milyon Euro'ya el sıkıştı! The Athletic, Leandro Trossard transferinin perde arkasını ve merak edilen tüm detayları yazdı.
Beşiktaş, transfer piyasasını sallayacak dev bir hamleye imza attı. Siyah-beyazlılar, Premier Lig devi Arsenal forması giyen Belçikalı kanat oyuncusu Leandro Trossard’ın transferi için kulübüyle kesin olarak anlaşmaya vardı.
Dünyaca ünlü spor yayın organı The Athletic'in paylaştığı bilgilere göre; taraflar bu transfer için 20 milyon Euro bonservis bedeli karşılığında el sıkıştı.
Kariyerinde yeni bir sayfa açmaya hazırlanan 31 yaşındaki yıldız hücumcunun, önümüzdeki günlerde İstanbul'a gelerek sağlık kontrolünden geçmesi ve kendisini Beşiktaş'a bağlayan resmi sözleşmeyi imzalaması bekleniyor.
Transfer çalışmalarını sürdüren Galatasaray, Chicago Fire forması giyen ve Dünya Kupası'ndaki performansıyla devlerin dikkatini çeken 2005 doğumlu sol stoper Mbekezeli Mbokazi'yi gündemine aldı. Cimbom'un bu transferdeki rakibi ise İtalyan devi Napoli.
Transfer çalışmalarına hız kesmeden devam eden Galatasaray’ın, savunma hattı için sürpriz bir ismi gündemine aldığı iddia edildi. Sarı-kırmızılılar, ABD Major Lig (MLS) ekiplerinden Chicago Fire forması giyen 2005 doğumlu genç yetenek Mbekezeli Mbokazi’yi radarına aldı. Hem sol stoper hem de sol bek olarak görev yapabilen çok yönlü oyuncu, transfer piyasasında son saatlerin en çok konuşulan ismi haline geldi.
Son Dünya Kupası’nda sergilediği etkileyici performansla turnuvanın parlayan yıldızları arasına giren Mbokazi, Avrupa’nın elit kulüplerinin dikkatini çekmeyi başardı. Genç savunmacı için sadece Galatasaray’ın değil, İtalya Serie A’nın güçlü ekiplerinden Napoli’nin de devrede olduğu ve oyuncunun gelişimini yakından takip ettiği bildirildi.
Oyuncunun menajeri Basia Michaels, Stile TV’de katıldığı bir programda transfer iddialarına ilişkin önemli açıklamalarda bulundu. Süreci doğrulayan Michaels, şu ifadeleri kullandı:
- Oyuncuya yönelik çok büyük bir ilgi var. Napoli durumu yakından takip ediyor. Kulübü Chicago Fire da yaşanan bu gelişmeleri ve süreci büyük bir ilgiyle izliyor.
Beşiktaş'ın transfer görüşmeleri için prensip anlaşmasına vardığı İlhan Fakılı, sağlık kontrolleri ve son detayları görüşmek üzere bu akşam 23.05'te İstanbul Havalimanı Dış Hatlar Terminali'nde olacak.
Beşiktaş, kadrosunu güçlendirme çalışmaları kapsamında genç oyuncu İlhan Fakılı transferinde mutlu sona çok yakın. Siyah-beyazlı kulüp, resmi görüşmeler ve sağlık kontrolleri için oyuncuyu İstanbul’a davet ettiğini duyurdu.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamaya göre; İlhan Fakılı’yı taşıyan uçak bu akşam saat 23.05’te İstanbul Havalimanı Dış Hatlar Terminali’ne iniş yapacak.
Genç futbolcunun, İstanbul'a ayak bastıktan sonra hızlıca sağlık kontrollerinden geçmesi ve ardından resmi sözleşmeyi imzalaması bekleniyor.
Beşiktaş'ın transfer görüşmeleri için prensip anlaşmasına vardığı İlhan Fakılı, sağlık kontrolleri ve son detayları görüşmek üzere bu akşam 23.05'te İstanbul Havalimanı Dış Hatlar Terminali'nde olacak.
Beşiktaş, kadrosunu güçlendirme çalışmaları kapsamında genç oyuncu İlhan Fakılı transferinde mutlu sona çok yakın. Siyah-beyazlı kulüp, resmi görüşmeler ve sağlık kontrolleri için oyuncuyu İstanbul’a davet ettiğini duyurdu.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamaya göre; İlhan Fakılı’yı taşıyan uçak bu akşam saat 23.05’te İstanbul Havalimanı Dış Hatlar Terminali’ne iniş yapacak.
Genç futbolcunun, İstanbul'a ayak bastıktan sonra hızlıca sağlık kontrollerinden geçmesi ve ardından resmi sözleşmeyi imzalaması bekleniyor.
Galatasaray ile sözleşmesi sona ererek serbest kalan Mauro Icardi için İtalya'dan Lazio bombası patladı. Çizme'ye dönmek isteyen Arjantinli golcü, Juventus, Brezilya ve Suudi Arabistan kulüplerinin de yakın markajında.
İtalya'dan sadece Lazio değil, köklü kulüp Juventus da Icardi'nin durumunu yakından takip ediyor. Yıldız golcüye ayrıca Brezilya ve Suudi Arabistan liglerinden de çok sayıda resmi teklif ve ilgi bulunuyor.
Söylentilere rağmen bu transferin gerçekleşme ihtimali şu an için oldukça düşük görülüyor. Anlaşmanın önündeki en büyük bariyer, Icardi'nin Türkiye'de kazandığı yıllık net 10 milyon Euro civarındaki devasa maaşı.
Icardi'nin talep ettiği bu yüksek ücret, başta Lazio olmak üzere mevcut ekonomik şartlarda neredeyse tüm İtalyan kulüplerinin bütçe tavanını fazlasıyla aşıyor.
Durumu çıkmaza sokan nihai faktör ise Lazio'nun uymak zorunda olduğu mali kısıtlamalar. İtalyan ekibinin "sıfır bakiyeli" transfer politikasını uygulaması, yani yalnızca oyuncu satışından elde edeceği gelir kadar yeni yatırım yapabilmesi gerekiyor.
Trendyol Süper Lig ekiplerinden RAMS Başakşehir, geçen sezon İtalyan ekibi Roma'dan kiralık olarak kadrosuna dahil ettiği Özbek santrfor Eldor Shomurodov'un satın alma opsiyonunun kullanıldığını duyurdu.
Turuncu-lacivertli kulübün sosyal medya hesaplarından yapılan açıklamada, "Kulübümüz, geçtiğimiz sezon kiralık olarak kadromuza kattığımız Eldor Shomurodov'un sözleşmesinde yer alan zorunlu satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmıştır. Özbek milli futbolcumuzun satın alma opsiyonunda yer alan iki yıllık sözleşmesi devreye girmiştir. Eldor Shomurodov'a turuncu-lacivert formamız altında başarılarının devamını diliyor, anlaşmanın kulübümüz ve oyuncumuz için hayırlı olmasını temenni ediyoruz." ifadeleri kullanıldı.
2025-2026 sezonunda Süper Lig'de forma giydiği 34 maçta 22 kez ağları havalandıran Shomurodov, gol krallığı ünvanını Trabzonspor'un Nijeryalı oyuncusu Paul Onuachu ile paylaştı.
FIFA dünya çempionatının (DÇ-2026) 1/16 finalında Argentina və Kabo Verde milliləri arasında keçirilən oyunun rəsmi protokolunda dəyişiklik edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə FIFA-nın mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Qurum Argentinanın üçüncü qolunu əvvəlcə müdafiəçi Kristian Romeronun aktivinə yazsa da, sonradan epizodu Kabo Verde millisinin futbolçusu Borxes Dineyin avtoqolu kimi rəsmiləşdirib.
Bu qərar Lionel Messinin dünya çempionatları tarixi ilə bağlı daha bir rekordunun qeydə alınmasına mane olub. Belə ki, üçüncü qol Romeronun adına yazılsaydı, məhsuldar ötürmənin müəllifi olan Messi mundiallarda assistlərinin sayını 9-a çatdıraraq bu göstəricidə mütləq rekordçu olacaqdı.
Lakin qolun avtoqol kimi təsdiqlənməsindən sonra Messinin aktivindəki məhsuldar ötürmələrin sayı 8 olaraq qalıb. Beləliklə, o, bu göstəricidə 1986-cı il dünya çempionu, əfsanəvi argentinalı Dieqo Maradona ilə rekordu bölüşməkdə davam edir.
Buna baxmayaraq, 39 yaşlı hücumçu dünya çempionatları tarixinin iki əsas rekordunun yeganə sahibidir. Messi mundiallarda keçirdiyi 30 oyunla ən çox matç keçirən, 20 qolla isə turnir tarixinin ən məhsuldar futbolçusudur.
Qeyd edək ki, Argentina Kabo-Verdeni əlavə vaxtda 3:2 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək DÇ-2026-nın 1/8 finalına yüksəlib.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “İmişli” belaruslu qapıçısı Andrey Sinenka ilə yollarını ayırdığını bəyan edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə əyalət klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
29 yaşlı qolkiperlə müddəti bitmiş müqavilənin yenilənməsinə ehtiyac duyulmayıb. Klub ona xidmətlərinə görə təşəkkür edib, gələcək karyerasında uğurlar arzulayıb.
Andrey Sinenka 2024-cü ilin yayından “İmişli”nin uğurları üçün çalışırdı. O, daha öncə Azərbaycanda “İrəvan”ın da formasını geyinib. Belaruslu qolkiper “Lida”, “Energetik” (Minsk), “Smorqon”, “Dinamo” (Minsk), “İsloç” (Minsk) kimi klublarda da çıxış edib.
Xatırladaq ki, “İmişli” daha öncə Xəzər Mahmudov, Həzrət İsayev, Elmir Rəhimzadə, Riad Abbaszadə, Orxan Fərəcov, Lətif Rzayev, Rafael Vyeqas və Abbas Ağazadə ilə də yollarını ayırmışdı. Tuncay Yusifli, İdris İnqilablı və İmam Əli ilə yeni müqavilə bağlamış klub Seyxan Fərəcovu transfer etmişdi.
“İmişli”də ayrılıq gerçəkləşib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bölgə təmsilçisi qapıçı Andrey Sinenka ilə yollarını ayırıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Belaruslu qolkiperlə müddəti başa çatan müqavilə uzadılmayıb.
Today's Argentina vs Scotland live stream in the 2026 Nations Championship sees two perennial dark horses go head-to-head at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba for both sides' opening game of the tournament.
It's a replay of one of the most exciting matches of the last 12 months. The Scots led 21-0 at halftime when these sides met at Murrayfield in November, before the Pumas roared back to win 33-24. In doing so, the South Americans nudged their way to a one-win advantage in the overall head-to-head between these sides and into the top five of the world rankings. Santiago Carreras starts at full-back, with the evergreen Julian Montoya captaining the side at hooker.
Since then, coach Gregor Townsend has led the Scots to third in the Six Nations, including fantastic wins against France and England. Unfortunately, he'll have to do without Finn Russell, one of the most dynamic, inventive No10s in world rugby, through injury. Powerhouse backs Sione Tuipulotu and Kyle Steyn are a stern test for even the greatest defenses on the planet, though, while lock Jonny Gray returns after missing the Six Nations through injury.
Read on below for our guide on where to watch Argentina vs Scotland on TV and get Nations Championship 2026 free streams online.
Saturday's game – along with every other match of the 2026 Nations Championship – will be streamed live and free across the US, UK and Ireland. The Argentina vs Scotland live stream is set to be shown on:
🇺🇸 US: Rugbypass TV
🇬🇧 UK: ITVX & STV Player
🇮🇪 Ireland: Virgin Media Play
What if you're abroad? Rugby fans from the UK and Ireland can use NordVPN to watch their usual streaming service from anywhere.
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual streaming services. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 75% discount now.
🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.
TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.
✅ 75% Off Today
✅ 3 Extra Months Free
✅ Unlocks Rugbypass TV, ITVX & Virgin Media Play
Get NordVPN and stream Argentina vs Scotland from anywhere.View Deal
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting Canada and want to view your usual US service, you'd select a United States server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch the rugby.
Argentina vs Scotland and all 2026 Nations Championship matches will be live streamed for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.
The dedicated rugby streaming platform can be watched on its website or mobile app, and through Chromecast, Airplay, AppleTV and Android TV.
Outside the US for Argentina vs Scotland? Use NordVPN to access your usual streams.
Rugby fans in the UK can watch Argentina vs Scotland for free on ITV.
TV coverage for Argentina vs Scotland is on ITV4 while you can also stream it live and on demand via the free ITVX website and mobile app.
Up in Scotland? Online coverage is provided by STV Player.
If you're outside the UK but want to tap into your usual coverage, check out NordVPN and follow the instructions above.
ITVX is a free service, though you need to be in possession of a valid UK TV licence to watch its live streams, as this covers digital content consumption, too.
As mentioned above, all Nations Championship 2026 games will be on free-to-air TV in Ireland.
Virgin Media 1 is showing Argentina vs Scotland, which means it will also be available to stream on the Virgin Media Play platform.
Not in Ireland right now? Check out NordVPN.
In Australia, Argentina vs Scotland will be on Stan Sport.
It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.
Away from Australia right now? Use a VPN to watch Stan Sport from abroad.
Sky Sport is the Nations Championship 2026 TV rights holder in New Zealand.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month and watch Argentina vs Scotland.
Missing the Argentina vs Scotland game? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
The scheduled Argentina vs Scotland kick-off time on Saturday, July 4 is 4.10pm local time in Cordoba, Argentina. That's 8.10pm BST in the UK and 3.10pm ET / 12.10pm PT in the US.
It's 5.10am AEST on Sunday in Australia.
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, ITVX, Rugbypass TV and VM Play all have dedicated apps.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Anthropic has introduced Claude Science – a new, beta AI workbench it says will let scientists consolidate fragmented research workflows into one unified environment.
With model capabilities no longer holding back AI adoption, the Claude-maker’s solution is to respond to today’s challenges, including limited use cases, struggles deploying AI in real-world environments and difficulties integrating multiple tools.
Claude Science represents this response, packaging existing capabilities into a purpose-built application for life sciences and scientific computing, following earlier work on MCPs, skills and other partnerships. An FAQ on Claude Science’s web page reiterates this: “Claude Science is a public beta app, not a model.”
Anthropic’s clearest message in the announcement is that scientific research is largely held back by workflow fragmentation, not model intelligence, with scientists already juggling tools like PubMed, Jupyter, R, a cluster terminal and more.
“Claude Science brings these fragmented tools into a single research environment where scientists can conduct all stages of their work,” the company summarized.
The platform should help scientists handle everything, from literature review and hypothesis exploration to analysis, figure generation, manuscript drafting and publication.
“Scientific research is inherently visual,” Anthropic wrote, acknowledging that many researchers are being held back in quickly and accurately producing visuals, which could need multiple revisions and finetunes before reaching production.
For full auditability, Claude Science also includes underlying source code, message history and plain-language explanations within AI-generated outputs for scientists to review and audit progress.
“It runs on your lab’s own infrastructure,” Anthropic added, referencing enterprise-grade laptops, Linux boxes or HPC login nodes, “so large or sensitive datasets never have to leave the systems they’re already on, and only the context needed for each step of the analysis is sent to Claude
Anthropic says early testers have already used Claude Science for single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, CRISPR screen design, protein structure prediction and cheminformatics, by the likes of Manifold Bio, Allen Institute neuroscientist Jérôme Lecoq, and UCSF Brain Tumor Center associate professor and epidemiologist Stephen Francis.
The new tool represents a growing area of interest for AI developers, who are now targeting sectors with industry-specific tools rather than continually upgrading model capabilities without offering clear use cases. Until now, finance and legal have been a major focus for the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, and this new science-focused initiative could mark the next stage.
It follows rival company OpenAI’s introduction of Prism earlier this year, described as an “AI-native workspace for scientists to write and collaborate on research” that launched with GPT-5.2 – the then-current model.
Claude Science is a separate app that’s available in beta for macOS and Linux installations to Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise subscribers.
The company has also committed up to $30,000 in credits for 50 lucky projects.
An executive for Chinese robotics firm Agibot has said the company believes its humanoid robots could replace certain human workers — and that “in some jobs, they want to be replaced.”
Agibot, founded in 2023 by two ex-Huawei engineers, makes humanoid, quadruped, and cleaning robots for the business-to-business (B2B) sector, advertising use cases like manufacturing, cleaning, entertainment, and construction.
The company recently rolled its 15,000th unit off the production line and announced its expansion into the UK market at an event in London on June 30.
In a press conference at the event, attended by TechRadar, the president of AgiBot Europe and America, William Shi, told reporters that “we’ve got to factor people doing dangerous, boring, and repeatable jobs — these kinds of jobs can be very easily replaced.”
Shi added: “For some job descriptions, they want to be replaced, because it’s very boring, very dangerous, and very high-risk — nobody wants to do this [kind of job]”.
Agibot's product range includes the full-sized A3 humanoid robot, the half-sized X2 humanoid robot, and the D1 range of quadruped robots (with form factors resembling dogs, though the company never describes them as such).
Though the company has just landed in the UK, its robots have been successfully deployed in manufacturing facilities in China. A recent YouTube livestream shows the G2 industrial robot ‘at work’ at the Longcheer electronics factory, where the humanoid robots are deployed alongside human employees.
Speaking about Agibot's deployment with Longcheer, Shi said: “They have a lot of workers standing for eight hours per day. They take a smartphone, turn it around, and put it in a box. And then they take the box and move to the next production phase.”
“These kinds of steps can be easily — and are expected to be — replaced by robotics,” he continued, “because that doesn’t create value or create happiness for people. They don’t learn when they do this job. They don’t invent things.”
At present, Agibot's products are not autonomous, but each is equipped with a three-part AI model, with each part controlling interaction (with people), locomotion (moving around), and manipulation (of the local environment — i.e., picking stuff up), respectively.
The company is actively aiming for autonomy, powered by the collection of usage data and further AI development, but Shi emphasizes that Agibot humanoids will remain “under the control and expectation of the human.”
As well as manufacturing, Shi highlighted baristas, live entertainment workers, and even teachers and nurses as professions that could be occupied by robots: “There’s a big lack of nurses in every country, from China, to America, to Europe, and also a big lack of teachers.”
“Most of children’s questions can be responded to [by robots] — phonics, science, and mathematics questions, or even some common conversations. You ask for the weather, the humidity; you can ask these questions to all the robots, because they’re based on large language models.”
Still, there’s some distance between using ChatGPT to conduct research and allowing a humanoid robot to teach children — and according to 2025 research by KPMG and the University of Melbourne, while almost three quarters of UK adults use AI at work, less than half say they trust it.
With the B2C market a distant target for Agibot and an array of business partners — including Nvidia, which provides chipsets for the robots — backing the company's UK launch, it's clearly expecting to make big progress in B2B industries first and foremost. But Agibot isn't ruling out a future in which robots are part of our everyday lives.
“What we want in the future is that the robot can take some responsibility in daily life,” said Shi, “but they will never make the decisions instead of a human.”
We’re approaching the first anniversary of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which means it won’t be long before we see the phone (or phones, as the case may be) that will replace it in Samsung’s lineup.
As someone who has relied on the Fold 7 as my daily driver since it landed, I couldn’t be more excited to see what the next generation holds, and I have a few wishes I hope Samsung will make come true — with leaks teasing some of them just might…
Before we get into that, vote in our poll to tell me which upgrade you most want to see in the Z Fold 8 when it’s finally announced.
The Z Fold 7 has been my go-to every day since I first received it, but for the past six months I’ve also consistently carried a second phone in my pocket — becoming the kind of kind of tech journo I hoped I never would, one obsessed with tech perfection no matter how inefficient and niche my collection of gadgets is (just you wait, I’ll be wearing two smartwatches next).
The reason I mention this is that the second phone is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and its primary purpose is as a camera, because it frankly puts my Z Fold 7's shots to shame.
If you want a clearer sign that 200MP sensors aren’t made equally, see this pair’s photos side by side. Couple that with the Ultra’s superior zoom cameras — further amplified by its boasting dual 5x and 3x telephotos compared to the Fold 7’s lonely 3x — and for photo enthusiasts, it’s clear the S26 Ultra has an edge.
My hope is that if the Z Fold 8 is getting an Ultra moniker, as some leaks suggest, it’ll boast identical cameras, or risk feeling like a subpar alternative, despite having a price point that demands excellence in every category.
Speaking of price, the reality I’m preparing for is that the Z Fold 8 will cost more than the Fold 7, thanks to RAM and storage cost increases. There’s a chance Samsung could avoid this by having its memory-producing arm give its mobile division a discount, although there are conflicting reports about a cost-saving collaboration based on leaks and Samsung’s own comments.
Regardless, I think the Z Fold 8 design could hint at a slight discount. I’m not talking about the wider display — though it does seem to have a smaller area, which should reduce costs somewhat — I’m referring to the lack of a third camera.
With it being rumored to boast 12GB of RAM and a top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset — essential components for Samsung’s top-tier AI — it’s yet to be seen if the display and camera downgrades will bring the cost down in real terms or merely counteract the cost increases we would have faced thanks to the RAM crisis. I have my fingers crossed we might see the cheapest Samsung Fold yet with the 8 (defeating the reigning champ: the $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,499 Galaxy Z Fold 3).
The Z Fold 7 boasts a 4,400mAh battery just like the Z Fold 6 before it, but thanks to software and chipset optimizations, Samsung promised the battery life of the 7 would be a little longer. My anecdotal evidence, however, as someone who used the Z Fold 6 as my main handset before the 7 launched, is that the battery seems to disappear faster on the newer model.
Now, this isn’t based on any tests, but speaking to a few other regular Z Fold 7 users who had upgraded from the 6, my perception of worse battery life was echoed. Thankfully, leaks tease a bigger battery for the 8, taking us up to a whole 4,800mAh. The Ultra will apparently stretch to 5,000mAh.
Considering some reasonably priced Chinese brands are delivering phones powered by silicon-carbon batteries with capacities over 7,000mAh, the leaked specs leave me underwhelmed. However, considering my usage currently forces me to charge my phone in the middle of the day — or risk it running dry before I get home — I’ll be happy with any upgrade in the battery department.
The star of the show on the S26 Ultra is the privacy display, but after spending more time with it, the tech does need a little tweaking. An easy software update would be to add app controls that let me choose which software uses maximum privacy mode. I don’t want to use it all the time, but I would love for it to come on automatically for password entry and mobile banking. However, it is still impressive.
Seeing it on the Z Fold 8 would be fantastic, especially on the Z Fold 8 Ultra, as, like the cameras, it would bring the Fold Ultra on par with the unbending Ultra, though I’m willing to accept the tech only showing up on the outer screen.
Unfortunately for me, leaks don’t tease this addition making its way to Samsung’s latest foldables, but maybe I’ll get lucky!
I’ve come around a little on the S Pen after experiencing it in the S26 Ultra, though I’m still not keen to see it return to the foldable line.
Why?
There’s no space to add it without making the phone thicker again. Frankly, the supreme thinness of the Z Fold 7 is what makes it infinitely more manageable than Samsung’s previous foldable phones.
With the Wide design being more tablet-like, I 100% see the appeal of a stylus to make the design perfect for casual digital artists, but I don’t think the S Pen’s positives outweigh the negatives. I hope it stays gone when the Z Fold 8 debuts.
Walk deep into Walt Disney Imagineering’s sprawling, surprisingly unassuming Glendale campus, and you’ll eventually find Studio C.
It’s where Imagineering mixes the audio for its attractions, but when I recently stepped inside, I quickly realized it was much more than a recording studio. The room is lined with dozens upon dozens of speakers designed to recreate the sound field of Disney attractions, letting Imagineers hear a ride long before guests ever do.
During my visit, I watched a live mix session for Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, Shanghai Disneyland’s trackless dark ride, and the experience was almost uncanny. Sound moved seamlessly around the room, tracking the ride vehicle as though I were actually inside the attraction.
That same room became the proving ground for one of Imagineering’s most unusual engineering challenges yet: figuring out how to mix the audio for Soarin’ Across America.
The reimagined version of Disney’s iconic flight simulator debuted this summer at both EPCOT at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, timed for America’s Semiquincentennial celebration. Disney’s Unscripted behind-the-scenes video confirmed that Imagineers used the Apple Vision Pro during production of Soarin’ Across America, but it left one obvious question unanswered: why? That’s what I wanted to find out.
So I spoke with Greg Lhotka, Sr. Manager, Audio Media Design at Walt Disney Imagineering, who walked me through the surprisingly complicated process behind mixing one of Disney’s most technically demanding attractions.
“For Soarin’ Across America, we utilized Studio C not only as a production facility, but as a proving ground for an entirely new field-mixing approach developed specifically for this film. On the sound design side, we partnered with Skywalker Sound, and together we used Studio C to prototype and validate a custom speaker configuration that closely mirrors the unique audio architecture of the Soarin’ theaters.”
If you’ve ridden Soarin’, you already know why that matters. Riders are lifted into the air in three stacked rows facing a massive curved projection screen, while sound moves not only around the theater but above and below you as well. As Lhotka explained, the attraction uses a four-tiered speaker system — upper, mid-level, lower, and a dedicated floor array — creating an audio environment that’s far more complex than a traditional movie theater.
Having now ridden Soarin’ Across America several times, it’s easy to appreciate the result. The updated film sweeps from New York Harbor and the Grand Canyon to California’s rolling hills and countless landscapes in between through soaring aerial cinematography, practical effects, and a soundtrack that glides almost effortlessly alongside you. The audio shifts just as fluidly as the visuals, making each transition feel natural as the ride carries you across some of America’s most recognizable landmarks and scenic vistas.
Studio C could simulate much of that during production, but not all of it.
“For Soarin’ films, mixing historically required the construction of scaffolding inside the theater to reach the appropriate listening height for final mix decisions,” Lhotka explained. “Even then, the process was far from ideal, as the ride canopy significantly influences the acoustics. For this project, one of the key requirements was that the theater remain fully operational and open to guests throughout production — eliminating the possibility of scaffolding altogether.”
How do you mix a show with over 1,000 audio tracks and an extremely complex panning matrix while seated in a ride vehicle?
That constraint forced Imagineering to rethink its entire workflow.
“The challenge was clear: how do you mix a show with over 1,000 audio tracks and an extremely complex panning matrix while seated in a ride vehicle? The solution came through an innovative use of new AR technologies. By leveraging advanced screen-sharing capabilities, we were able to remotely control our production system — directly connected to the theater — while seated in the ride vehicle itself. This allowed us to place virtual screens in our field of view, effectively bringing the mixing console into the theater environment.”
Before anyone tested it inside the attraction, Studio C became the test lab.
“Studio C once again played a critical role as our testbed. Over the course of a week, we evaluated multiple configurations to confirm that things could be controlled precisely in this way, and that the AR headset’s external cameras would allow us to view the film clearly in the theater’s low-light conditions while simultaneously monitoring the virtual screens. The final configuration exceeded expectations.”
Once validated, the workflow moved from experiment to production.
“This workflow was ultimately used as the solution — and it became the method by which Soarin’ Across America was mixed. The result is a soundtrack that was shaped directly from the guest’s perspective, using tools and techniques that reflect our continued commitment to innovation, immersion, and storytelling.”
Having experienced Studio C for myself, that revelation immediately clicked. The room is already designed to recreate the feeling of sitting inside a Disney attraction with remarkable accuracy. But even a purpose-built facility couldn’t perfectly replicate Soarin’s unique acoustics. The only place left to finish the mix was inside the attraction itself.
It’s an elegant solution that solved two problems at once. Guests never lost access to Soarin’ during production, and Imagineering’s audio team was able to shape the soundtrack from the exact seat every future rider would occupy. Rather than approximating the experience from scaffolding or even Studio C, the final mix was crafted where it mattered most: inside the attraction itself.
It's July, I'm fresh off writing my 2026 cameras half-year review, and in the process something became clear to me — neither Nikon nor Fujifilm has released a new camera this year (the Instax mini Evo Cinema instant camera doesn't count).
So while I've personally tested standout models from other manufacturers in recent months, such as the Sony A7R VI and Canon EOS R6 Mark III mirrorless cameras, plus the Ricoh GR IV and Panasonic Lumix L10 premium compacts, we're yet to see new Z-mount or X-mount bodies.
I'm sure the question on many a camera fan's lips is this: can we expect new Nikon and Fujifilm cameras later this year?
I've reviewed every major camera release over the last few years, attended countless events, and have studied the timeline and cadence of previous releases to form a picture of what could happen next.
I've considered which bodies could be due for an upgrade, and what direction each brand has been headed recently. So let's see what could happen next for 2026's quiet camera manufacturers, Nikon and Fujifilm.
The last Nikon camera body was the Nikon Zr from September 2025, which was its first cinema camera co-branded with RED. It packed super-impressive video specs, many of which were borrowed from the superb Z6 III, into a particularly small body with an epic 4-inch touchscreen and stellar audio features.
For a true mirrorless hybrid with viewfinder, we need to go even further back, over a year in fact, to the Nikon Z5 II in May 2025. This was a decent upgrade of Nikon's affordable Z5, which delivered a raft of performance improvements to redefine what entry-level full-frame models can do, and went on to bag our Camera of the Year 2025 award.
Currently, the range of Nikon cameras includes the Nikon Z30, Z fc and Z50 II APS-C bodies, and the Z5 II, Z6 III, Z f, Z7 II, Z8 and Z9 full-frame bodies, plus the ZR cinema body.
The most heavily rumored Nikon cameras are the Nikon Z9 II — what with the Z9 being over four years old — and new cinema camera bodies; potentially a premium and larger option with pro-grade connectivity that could sit above the ZR, plus an even more affordable version with an APS-C sensor.
We could get a new Z f-series model — both of the retro-styled bodies have been around for a while now. Personally, I'd like to see a Nikon camera in the Z f style, but as a compact camera version with a fixed fast aperture prime lens.
Tipsters believe we're unlikely to see another Z7 camera; the Z6 III (and obviously the Z5 II) is too recent for a replacement, while the Z8 has aged well and still holds its own today. CoolPix compact cameras have seemingly been sunsetted — besides refreshing its old 125x zoom bridge camera with the CoolPix P1100, we haven't seen a true new CoolPix in several years.
For me, having been hosted by Nikon at IBC 2025 in Amsterdam last September around the launch of the ZR, it was clear that Nikon has its head in cinema camera gear, so a high-end cinema body to follow the ZR is highly plausible, though I don't know what it would be called.
A new Nikon cinema camera with an APS-C sensor is also highly likely. In theory, it would effectively render a direct Z30 successor redundant, although it would cost a fair whack more than a potential Z30 II would. That would be a shame — the Z30 is Nikon's cheapest mirrorless camera, and Nikon has otherwise largely ignored truly affordable cameras for beginner photographers.
As for Fujifilm cameras, the X-T30 III was its most recent X-mount release, back in October 2025, which followed the classy X-E5 from June 2025.
Those launches meant that practically every current X-mount model is fitted with Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 chip, besides the X-Pro series, with a range of 26MP and 40MP options.
I wouldn't bank on an X-Pro 4 until the next generation of processor is out in the wild, if at all, and usually each new processor comes with the latest high-end X-T model, the most recent of which was the X-T5.
It comes as no surprise then that the X-T6 is the most-rumored Fujifilm camera, which is being tipped for a September release when Fujifilm typically hosts its once- or twice-yearly X-Summit.
I've written about what upgrades I'd hope for in an X-T6, especially improved autofocus performance and an all-new processor, but otherwise it's hard to see where Fujifilm can better the X-T5 without treading on the toes of the high-speed XH-series.
Elsewhere in the range, the X100VI premium compact continues to sell well, and so I'd be really surprised if a seventh generation model comes this year — a new processor needs to come first, too.
Stepping outside of new gear and into photography, it's worth noting that Fujifilm recently shared its new 'Look Up' campaign (see below), encouraging people to look up from their screens and connect with the world around them, saying:
'Our cameras bring you back into the moment, giving you agency over how you see, how you feel and how you remember. They allow you to turn emotions into images — a grounding force that doesn’t tell you what to think, but helps you stay focused and present.'
Are you a Nikon or Fujifilm photographer? Which camera would you like to see next, and what are the upgrades that would benefit your photography the most? Have your say in the comments.
Cristian Volpato impressed at the 2026 World Cup with Australia and admits he would be enthusiastic about joining Fiorentina. ‘It’s a great club, but right now I am a Sassuolo player.’
The 22-year-old midfielder was born in Australia to Italian heritage and moved back to Italy in January 2020 to join the Roma youth academy.
He climbed the ranks and earned a €7.5m transfer to Sassuolo in the summer of 2023, but after representing Italy at various youth levels, he accepted the call to play for Australia at the 2026 World Cup.
That experience ended with the Round of 32 defeat to Egypt in a penalty shoot-out last night.
“I felt we dominated the game and we’re disappointed because we gave our all,” Volpato told Diretta.it and the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I am proud of my teammates, the staff and the whole country that woke up at 4am to watch us. We wanted to make them proud and we came really close, but at the end of the day, the details made the difference.
“It was my first World Cup and I am happy, proud of myself and my family. It was not an easy choice for me, but I felt within me that it was the right one.”
This experienced helped raise Volpato’s profile and could serve him well on the transfer market, where it is entirely possible he will leave Sassuolo this summer.
There have been reports of interest from Fiorentina, where he would reunite with coach Fabio Grosso, who was in charge of Sassuolo for two years.
“I will go on vacation now and unplug for a bit, then my agents will take care of it, and I trust them,” replied Volpato.
“Fiorentina are a great club. They had a bit of a difficult year, but they’ve got the players, the Viola Park is a top level structure, and I also know the coach well.
“There might be many reasons to choose them, but right now I am a Sassuolo player.”
As part of the original transfer from Roma, Sassuolo would owe the Giallorossi a 15 per cent cut of the future sale fee.
His contract with the Neroverdi only runs to June 2028, and last season he contributed two goals with four assists in 24 Serie A appearances.
As expected, Sassuolo see Besiktas abandon their pursuit of Armand Laurienté, as Vincenzo Italiano’s side have instead agreed an €18m plus €2m bonus deal for Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard.
There had already been warnings in the Turkish media over the last 24 hours that Besiktas were only prepared to invest in one important attacking winger.
They had been in advanced negotiations with Sassuolo and already agreed personal terms with Laurienté, who was eager to make the transfer.
However, the asking price of €30m proved a stumbling block.
Instead, the Turkish side turned to Trossard, who is down to the final year of his contract with Arsenal.
The Athletic now confirm the original reporting from Turkiye that the proposal was worth €18m plus €2m in add-ons, which the Gunners have accepted.
Now they must negotiate personal terms with Trossard, but he is expected to take a contract worth €9m per season in wages, a significant increase from his Arsenal deal.
It is a big reinforcement for Italian coach Italiano, who took the Besiktas job this summer.
This does feel like history repeating itself for Laurienté, who was already left frustrated when a move to Sunderland collapsed in the summer of 2025, as Sassuolo’s demands are proving too high.
Juventus striker Jonathan David starts for Canada in the World Cup Round of 16 clash against Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui’s Morocco.
It kicks off in Houston at 18.00 UK time (19.00 CEST).
The winners will go on to face either France or Paraguay in the quarter-finals on July 9.
Although he struggled badly in his first Serie A season since the free transfer to Juventus, David’s performances for Canada have shown why the club fought to sign him last summer.
He scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Qatar, but the co-hosts were also held 1-1 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, then lost the final group game 2-1 to Switzerland.
Canada needed a last-gasp Stephen Eustaquio goal to squeeze past South Africa in the Round of 32.
Alphonso Davies is still not fully fit after his serious injury problems, so starts from the bench, but former Inter winger Tajon Buchanan plays on the right.
Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone is cheering on his teammates again, despite the tournament ending early with a broken leg.
Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations in controversial fashion after the chaotic Final with Senegal, which is still subject to an appeal.
They held Brazil to a 1-1 draw, then beat Scotland and Haiti, eventually eliminating the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out.
Roma midfielder El Aynaoui has really made a name for himself at this tournament and hopes to further boost his profile this evening.
Former Inter full-back Achraf Hakimi, Roma-owned Anass Salah-Eddine, former Milan man Brahim Diaz and ex-Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat are also in the squad.
Defender Chadi Riad limped off in the Round of 32 game and was therefore in doubt today.
Canada: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, De Fougerolles, Laryea; Buchanan, Sigur, Eustaquio, Ahmed; David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss
Como are ready to make a new offer for Trevoh Chalobah after the €28m plus €2m add-ons was rejected by Chelsea, as the fight with Inter goes on.
The two clubs have been competing for several different transfer targets this summer and Chalobah is the latest in this tug of war.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Como had made the opening offer at €25m plus €2m in bonuses, rejected because Chelsea are asking for €30m plus €5m add-ons.
A second bid was improved to €28m plus €2m add-ons, but again turned down.
Inter are considered the favourites, even though Italian media suggest they have not yet made a formal proposal to the Stamford Bridge side.
However, Calciomercato and Sky Sport Italia now suggest Como are preparing a new bid for Chalobah that should get them closer to the price tag.
It could meet the €30m plus €5m demand and get the deal over the line.
This could be a problem for Inter, who seem to be working primarily on convincing the player first, and then entering talks with Chelsea.
There are reports Celtic would turn to Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis if selling Arne Engels, who is wanted by Roma, while San Lorenzo raise the asking price for Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The Granata need sales to raise funds and a significant profit could be achieved by Gineitis, who joined their youth academy from SPAL in January 2022.
According to La Stampa and Tuttomercatoweb, Celtic have set their sights on the Lithuania international as a potential heir to Engels.
The 22-year-old is under contract with Torino until June 2029, with an option to extend for another year, and made 80 competitive appearances for the club with three goals and as many assists.
Engels is known to be a transfer target for Roma, so this could be a midfield merry-go-round within Serie A.
It’s reported that Toro hope to get €15m from the sale of Gineitis.
Meanwhile, the Granata also continue their pursuit of impressive Paraguay international goalkeeper Gill, who has been remarkable at the 2026 World Cup.
Sky Sport Italia claim that his asking price has soared to over €6m and San Lorenzo are not going to even consider offers until they see just how far his World Cup campaign goes.
Brian “Biscuit” Watson, a game developer whose work spans four decades, recently went on YouTube to tell some of his stories. One of the most interesting revelations he shared on The Retro Collective was the existence of the PlayStation 1 controller prototype, called the PlayStation Puga, that housed an entire PlayStation 1 console. Watson said that this “handheld” was specifically built for the Brazilian market, which had tight import regulations, and was also intended to be manufactured within the country. It was also supposed to come with 4GB of memory that could hold 10 games, and four AA-sized batteries apparently power it and connect to your TV via an included cable.
The prototype was working really well, but it encountered issues with game titles that were intended for inclusion. “The unfortunate problem is that Sony licensing couldn’t get their act together about the royalty terms for each of the games. So, it’s like they’re trying to get in touch with Rockstar and a few other places, and they were wanting way too much in the way of royalties,” Watson said. “But what really stuck in my craw with that one was even if it was a Sony game, they had to negotiate with a separate unit of Sony, and they were never happy about how much royalty they were getting.”
Since the gaming controller and console combo was designed to sell at a low price, they expected to make only 10 cents per unit sold and were unhappy with the pricing. Since it seemed Sony would not be able to ship any games with the PS1 controller console, it canceled the entire project.
Watson actually showed the completed controller to the present audience, but it unfortunately doesn’t run. It does boot into the debug stub, but he doesn’t have any of the other required software to make it run. Still, it’s equipped with an Arm-based processor running at 650 MHz and emulated the PlayStation 1 pretty well. It also lasted about 20 hours on a single set of four AA batteries, which is an impressive feat for the time (and still is today). Nevertheless, the project was not wasted at the emulator built for that system eventually found its way into the Sony Xperia Play.
As the memory and storage chip crisis continues to squeeze the market, some PC manufacturers began looking at alternative sources earlier this year just to meet consumer demand. Notebookcheck discovered in its review of the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G9 IPL that it came with a 512GB YMTC M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. What’s more interesting is that the laptop is readily available in the U.S., and you can order it on Amazon for $1,124.25 at the time of writing.
This is the first recorded instance that a laptop from a major OEM is being sold in the United States with a YMTC SSD, which is particularly curious given that the company was added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List in 2022. While this prevented the company from acquiring goods and services that were made with or contained American technologies, it does not prevent Lenovo, whose headquarters are in China, from importing such drives into the U.S.
Major PC manufacturers have traditionally relied on established storage chip makers such as Samsung, SK hynix, Kioxia, Micron, and SanDisk, but the ongoing AI buildout has driven prices through the roof. Even Apple, which previously held significant influence over suppliers, is now seeking a blessing from the U.S. government to buy memory chips from the Chinese firm CXMT. Although it’s not on the Entity List, it’s still designated as a Chinese military company, meaning that doing business with it would carry some risk for an American company.
Notebookcheck says that the YMTC drive’s performance “is below average for an SSD in an office laptop,” meaning it could not compete against the best SSDs you can buy today. Most buyers likely won't care about this, especially since the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G9 IPL is marketed as an office laptop for everyday use. This means that its target market will likely be unfamiliar with specifications like read/write speeds and will probably be satisfied as long as it’s faster than a hard drive.
Lenovo’s deployment of YMTC drives is particularly important because it’s one of the largest laptop brands in the U.S. by volume. In fact, even as PC shipments fell by 7% in the first quarter of 2026, Lenovo’s market share actually grew by 1.2%, making it the third largest desktop and notebook brand after Dell and HP. Since the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G9 IPL is a relatively affordable laptop designed for office use, it would likely sell many units through enterprise purchases and help increase the adoption of Chinese storage solutions in the U.S.
Since YMTC is also listed as a Chinese military company, institutions looking to buy this particular model may face procurement challenges, especially if they operate in sensitive industries or are government agencies. However, it seems that the memory chip crisis has grown to the point where it’s willing to offer a model it won’t be able to sell in some instances. Nevertheless, this helps ensure that buyers without restrictions have a more affordable option.
Gimba is NFPA 70B compliance software designed for facilities managers and electrical contractors. It generates a complete, audit-ready Electrical Maintenance Program in one click, no consultants or long delays. Technicians run AI-guided condition assessments equipment by equipment, photograph nameplates to auto-populate asset records, and get inspection schedules tied directly to NFPA 70B requirements. Electrical contractors can white-label the platform and sell compliance as a recurring annual service. It offers flat-rate pricing, same-day onboarding, and no per-user fees.
Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard is reportedly closing in on a €20m transfer to Besiktas, as our previous exclusive is confirmed.
The Belgium international, currently with his country at the 2026 World Cup, has previously been in advanced talks over joining Besiktas.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
We reported a few weeks ago that Trossard to Besiktas for €20m looked to be advancing, and all the key details of this have now also been confirmed by the Athletic in their report today.
It seems personal terms are still not quite complete, but the clubs have reached an agreement on the fee we initially reported, which is made up of an initial €18m plus a potential €2m in add-ons. We understand these add-ons will be straightforward and very likely to be met.
As the Athletic note, Trossard’s participation at the World Cup could slow down the final details of this deal, but it is expected that the 31-year-old will complete the move once his time at the tournament comes to an end.
Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
Trossard has not at any point really been one of the best players in the world, but he joined for relatively cheap midway through the 2022/23 season and made a tremendous impact.
It’s easy to forget that the Gunners effectively only signed him as a backup after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea (as per ESPN and others), and it’s fair to say he’s ended up being by far the better signing.
| Trossard at Arsenal | Mudryk at Chelsea | |
| Transfer fee | £21m | £89m |
| Appearances | 174 | 73 |
| Goals | 36 | 10 |
| Cost per goal | £583,333 | £8.9m |
Trossard played his part in Arsenal’s 2025/26 title victory, scoring a crucial late winner away to West Ham towards the end of the season, ensuring three points in one of the north Londoners’ toughest remaining fixtures.
The former Brighton man also scored other important goals last season: the winner away to Fulham, the opening goal in the North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium, and a superb long-range strike in a 2-2 draw away to Sunderland.
The post Exclusive now confirmed: Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard close to €20m transfer exit appeared first on CaughtOffside.
We could see developments on the Alex Scott transfer saga in the coming days, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Posting on X, the reporter stated that Arsenal and Manchester United are among Scott’s main admirers, with clubs expected to test Bournemouth’s resolve over the player imminently.
Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
Jacobs has previously discussed Scott’s future on talkSPORT, stating that Bournemouth’s asking price could be as high as £80m for the 22-year-old.
Our latest information is that Arsenal are now looking at both Scott and at Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes as priority targets despite links with Ayyoub Bouaddi.
See below for the latest as it seems Arsenal could face likely competition from Man Utd for Scott…
Bournemouth have been clear with Alex Scott that they don’t wish to sell.
Understand a new contract was offered in March/April and talks set to continue this summer.
Bournemouth content whether Scott signs a new contract, likely with a release clause, or continues on the… pic.twitter.com/5OqOsnNOcU
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 4, 2026
Jacobs posted: “Bournemouth have been clear with Alex Scott that they don’t wish to sell. Understand a new contract was offered in March/April and talks set to continue this summer. Bournemouth content whether Scott signs a new contract, likely with a release clause, or continues on the existing one.
“Manchester United expected to explore a move. Scott also on Arsenal’s radar. Andrea Berta already made an approach and was told Bournemouth don’t want to sell. Scott also appreciated by Manchester City and Chelsea. Clubs set to test Bournemouth’s resolve in the coming days.”
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Scott looks like he has a bright future in the game, but this could be a crucial summer for him, and he needs to make sure he chooses the right path.
For now, that looks like making the move to the Emirates Stadium instead of Old Trafford, if it does come down to a decision between those two.
Arsenal have done well to improve players in recent times, and could quickly give Scott a key role, whilst also giving him the chance to learn from an experienced elite midfielder in the form of Declan Rice.
United might also look tempting and they’d also surely play him often, but it’s been a chaotic period at the club, and so many of their high-profile signings have gone backwards there.
Arsenal are reigning Premier League champions and will surely add more silverware to their collection soon, whereas MUFC still look like a work in progress, so Scott would likely do better for his career with a move to north London over Manchester.
The post Developments in “coming days” as Man United rival Arsenal for £80m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
There have been some stories going around about Arsenal being ready to accept Lille’s terms for Ayyoub Bouaddi, but I thought I should set the record straight as far as what I’m hearing.
Of course I respect what other journalists report and their sources may well prove to be right on this one, but for now I have double and triple checked this with well-connected figures I trust very highly and I don’t have it confirmed that Arsenal are going ahead with a deal for Bouaddi.
There has been contact in the past, yes, and there is a strong appreciation for the player. However, Lille’s desire to keep the Morocco international for one more season does not suit Arsenal, and from what I’m told it’s not accurate that they’ve agreed to any kind of a deal to loan him back there or to sign him in 2027.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
At one point it looked like Andrea Berta would push strongly for Bouaddi, and if the player’s circumstances change then perhaps a deal could be back on this summer, but for now it looks like Arsenal’s recruitment team have moved on to other targets.
We know, for example, that Arsenal have had more recent contact over both Bruno Guimaraes and Alex Scott. These are not easy deals either, but for now that’s where we are. Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Newcastle for Guimaraes, thought to be in the region of £55m-60m, while they’ve enquired to Bournemouth about Scott and been told that he’s not for sale.
Arsenal want a new midfielder now, so will not wait until 2027 to sign Bouaddi. As things stand, Manchester City have signalled the most willingness to agree to Lille’s request that he spend one more season in Ligue 1. To get the 18-year-old now would cost crazy money, and AFC feel there is better value elsewhere.
I’m tentatively told that Arsenal remain confident they could come in with an offer that satisfies Newcastle’s demands on Guimaraes, but there has been no second bid at the time of writing.
Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
Scott looks trickier, with Bournemouth adamant they won’t sell and pushing for talks over a new contract, while the 22-year-old also has strong interest from Chelsea.
Arsenal remain confident in their transfer strategy and won’t over-spend even if prices are looking majorly inflated this summer.
In the end, they were not so obsessed with the idea of signing Jeremy Monga, who is instead set to sign for Manchester City for over £10m.
Arsenal feel this was excessive and will only go ahead with signings that they’re 100% sure represent value for money.
There is no panic despite other clubs spending big and making a fast start to the summer.
The post Sources: Update on two Arsenal midfielder transfer targets and debunking myths appeared first on CaughtOffside.
© <p>izusek/Getty Images</p>
© Getty Images
© Courtesy of Delta
Since the Los Angeles Rams acquired Myles Garrett last month, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the possible return of Aaron Donald. He has yet to commit to anything, but he’s hinted at the idea of teaming up with Garrett and the Rams for one more season in 2026.
As he weighs his options, Donald once again fueled the rumors about his return on Instagram. He commented under Clutch Points’ post on Instagram with one emoji: the eyeballs.
It’s the most speculative, ambiguous emoji around, causing a stir among fans that he’s teasing a return to the Rams.
Here's the post in question, which features an edited version of Donald with two Super Bowl rings on his fingers.
Brighton have seen this film before. A young player develops fast, attracts the right kind of attention, and the bigger clubs start circling. This time the focus is on Yasin Ayari, the 22-year-old Sweden international whose rise has put Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham on alert.
According to Caught Offside, Brighton have already opened discussions over a new long-term contract. That matters, because Ayari’s current deal runs until 2027 and this is the point where smart clubs act early. Delay it, and the market takes over.
His numbers are solid rather than spectacular, 29 Premier League appearances, three goals and three assists last season, but that misses the wider point. Ayari has become the sort of midfielder coaches trust. He is mobile, technically clean, and comfortable across multiple roles. In a market where adaptable midfielders cost serious money, that profile travels quickly.
Photo: IMAGO
The source report says Chelsea and Liverpool are both seeking more youthful energy in midfield, while Tottenham and Newcastle are also watching developments. That sounds plausible. Every top club wants legs, intelligence and flexibility in the middle of the pitch. Ayari ticks those boxes, even if he is not yet a headline name.
Fabian Hürzeler has called him a “bright player”, and that is the key phrase here. Brighton know what they have. They also know his value can move fast if two or three clubs decide to test the situation seriously. Transfermarkt values him at €35m, which in the current market feels like the starting point, not the finish line.
Brighton are “not in a weak position”, which is true on paper. Contract length gives them leverage, and they are trying to protect it. Yet leverage only lasts if the player buys into the next stage. The crucial issue is simple, does Ayari believe regular football at Brighton remains the best route, or does he think the moment has arrived?
He fits “the familiar Brighton model”, and that can work both ways. It increases his value to Brighton, and it makes him attractive to clubs who want ready-made development. If one of Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham or Newcastle pushes hard, this will become “one of the summer’s most competitive midfield races”. That is the real story here.
From a Chelsea perspective, this report lands in a familiar place, another young player, another rising valuation, another argument about potential. That is exactly why there should be caution.
Ayari may be talented, and Brighton usually know what they are doing, but Chelsea do not need another transfer driven mainly by projection. They need players who clearly improve the first team now, not names who sound clever in a data meeting and need a season or two before anyone knows what they really are.
If the price is around €35m, or higher once the usual bidding starts, then the question becomes obvious. Is he genuinely better than the midfield options already at the club, or is this another stockpiling exercise dressed up as strategy? Brighton selling well does not automatically mean Chelsea buying well.
The line that he is “energetic, technically tidy and capable of playing in different midfield roles” is fine, but plenty of players fit that description. The issue at Chelsea has never been collecting versatile midfielders. It has been building a balanced side and giving it clarity.
Supporters have heard enough about upside. They want certainty, personality and immediate impact. If Ayari arrives, he may turn out to be excellent. But from an unconvinced Chelsea fan’s point of view, this feels like a move that needs far more proof before it deserves real excitement.
Source: Caught Offside
Real Madrid are embarking on a new era this summer, with Jose Mourinho having returned as manager 13 years after his first spell in charge. As it turns out, he may not be only club icon to make a Bernabeu comeback, as there are also chances for midfield maestro Luka Modric to be heading back.
Modric, who left Real Madrid last summer and spent the 2025-26 season with AC Milan, has just bowed out of the 2026 World Cup after Croatia lost to Portugal in the last 32. At 40, his international career is now certain to come to an end, although it has been reported that the decision has already been made for him to retire after the ongoing tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
If Modric hangs up his boots, he could be set for a return to Real Madrid, with MD reporting that he has been offered a non-playing role at the Bernabeu. At this stage, it’s not clear what the exact role would be, but it could transpire that he joins Mourinho’s coaching staff in some capacity, given the Portuguese was the one that brought him to the Spanish capital initially in 2012.
The possibility of returning to Real Madrid is one that Modric will surely consider, but he could also remain at Milan. He will be offered a new playing contract if he decides to continue his career, but even if he opts to retire, the Rossoneri are prepared to keep him on in a non-playing capacity.
Modric will take time to come to his final decision on whether to retire or not. He has earned the right to mull everything over, and in the coming weeks, it should be known whether a return to Real Madrid could be on the cards later this summer.
Juventus striker Jonathan David starts for Canada in the World Cup Round of 16 clash against Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui’s Morocco.
It kicks off in Houston at 18.00 UK time (19.00 CEST).
The winners will go on to face either France or Paraguay in the quarter-finals on July 9.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Jonathan David #10 of Canada celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Although he struggled badly in his first Serie A season since the free transfer to Juventus, David’s performances for Canada have shown why the club fought to sign him last summer.
He scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Qatar, but the co-hosts were also held 1-1 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, then lost the final group game 2-1 to Switzerland.
Canada needed a last-gasp Stephen Eustaquio goal to squeeze past South Africa in the Round of 32.
Alphonso Davies is still not fully fit after his serious injury problems, so starts from the bench, but former Inter winger Tajon Buchanan plays on the right.
Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone is cheering on his teammates again, despite the tournament ending early with a broken leg.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Jonathan David #10 of Canada celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations in controversial fashion after the chaotic Final with Senegal, which is still subject to an appeal.
They held Brazil to a 1-1 draw, then beat Scotland and Haiti, eventually eliminating the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out.
Roma midfielder El Aynaoui has really made a name for himself at this tournament and hopes to further boost his profile this evening.
Former Inter full-back Achraf Hakimi, Roma-owned Anass Salah-Eddine, former Milan man Brahim Diaz and ex-Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat are also in the squad.
Defender Chadi Riad limped off in the Round of 32 game and was therefore in doubt today.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with his teammate Donyell Malen during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Canada: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, De Fougerolles, Laryea; Buchanan, Sigur, Eustaquio, Ahmed; David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss
As expected, Sassuolo see Besiktas abandon their pursuit of Armand Laurienté, as Vincenzo Italiano’s side have instead agreed an €18m plus €2m bonus deal for Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard.
There had already been warnings in the Turkish media over the last 24 hours that Besiktas were only prepared to invest in one important attacking winger.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Armand Laurienté of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
They had been in advanced negotiations with Sassuolo and already agreed personal terms with Laurienté, who was eager to make the transfer.
However, the asking price of €30m proved a stumbling block.
Instead, the Turkish side turned to Trossard, who is down to the final year of his contract with Arsenal.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 01: Leandro Trossard of Belgium looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The Athletic now confirm the original reporting from Turkiye that the proposal was worth €18m plus €2m in add-ons, which the Gunners have accepted.
Now they must negotiate personal terms with Trossard, but he is expected to take a contract worth €9m per season in wages, a significant increase from his Arsenal deal.
It is a big reinforcement for Italian coach Italiano, who took the Besiktas job this summer.
Vincenzo Italiano is the new coach of Besiktas (@Besiktas)
This does feel like history repeating itself for Laurienté, who was already left frustrated when a move to Sunderland collapsed in the summer of 2025, as Sassuolo’s demands are proving too high.
The Williams sisters reunion will have to wait.
Serena and Venus Williams withdrew from Wimbledon doubles competition Saturday due a knee injury Serena sustained during her singles match Tuesday against Maya Joint.
Williams posted a video of her walking gingerly and photos of several syringes of fluid removed from her knee on Instagram on Saturday morning
“Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside [Venus] once more meant the world to me,” she wrote. “I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
On Tuesday, Serena fell in three sets to Joint, 20, in the first round of the women’s singles competition, though Serena received mass support from the crowd at Centre Court.
After the match, she did not participate in mandatory media availability, instead issuing a statement saying she was “really glad to be back at Wimbledon.” The next day, Serena’s agent Jill Smoller released a statement saying Serena “tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set,” and was excused from her media obligations by Wimbledon officials.
The pair—which won six Wimbledon doubles titles together from 2000 to 2016—received a Wimbledon doubles wild-card entry and were set to compete as a team for the first time since the 2022 US Open.
The match was supposed to be the first time that Serena, 44, and Venus, 45, teamed together since the 2022 US Open, which was also the last tournament Serena played in singles. Serena said then that she was “evolving away” from the sport.
Serena made her official return last month, playing in a pair of doubles matches in tune-up tournaments leading up to Wimbledon. But she made her singles return after nearly four years at Wimbledon, receiving a wildcard entry late last week that was widely believed to be left vacant for her.
It’s not clear when Serena will compete again, though the WTA calendar moves to its North American leg later this month. The US Open starts in late August, but there are a few warm-up tournaments before that she could participate in including the National Bank Open in Montreal, DC Open, Cincinnati Open, and the returning Memphis Classic.
On Thursday, the National Bank Open, which starts July 31, announced it had granted Venus a singles wild-card entry.
The post Serena Williams Withdraws From Wimbledon Doubles With Knee Injury appeared first on Front Office Sports.
One of the biggest sports media spectacles of the Fourth of July is the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. After missing the 2024 competition, Joey Chestnut returned in 2025 to reclaim his throne. Now, he is back in 2026 despite some off-the-field drama.
According to multiple reports, Chestnut, known as “Jaws,” will compete despite currently serving probation. The probation stems from a plea deal he accepted following a bar incident in March 2026.
MORE: Taylor Swift will change her name following marriage to Travis Kelce
Chestnut entered the plea in April and is serving 180 days of probation. However, an Indiana judge granted him permission to travel out of state to compete in this year’s contest.
Major League Eating also confirmed earlier this year that the incident would not affect Chestnut’s eligibility. As a result, he remains set to compete in the annual event despite his probation.
Chestnut returns in 2026 looking to defend his title. He has won the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 17 times, including last year’s victory, when he consumed an incredible 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The performance marked a triumphant return after his one-year absence.
Chestnut missed the 2024 contest after violating the terms of his competition agreement by partnering with a plant-based food company to sponsor his competitive eating career.
MORE: Tom Brady narrates epic sports video commemorating USA’s 250th birthday
After returning to the contest last year, Chestnut enters the 2026 competition as the overwhelming favorite to win yet another title.
The 2026 event marks Chestnut’s 19th appearance in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. He has won every competition he has entered except for the 2015 contest, when Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi pulled off a remarkable career comeback.
Chestnut also holds the contest record after eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2021. More recently, he set another competitive eating record by consuming nearly 16 pounds of bologna at the 2025 Ultimate Bologna Showdown.
The 2026 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest begins at 12 p.m. ET on July 4, as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Blake Hartford did it again. He held off a strong field to secure the 2026 Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur Championship title at Zanesville Country Club.
The win adds to Hartford’s already impressive run in the event, reaffirming his status as one of the area’s top amateur golfers. He entered the final round with the lead and maintained his edge to close out the championship.
In honor of his wins − and with this year's Junior Amateur tournament just around the corner − the TR is looking back at the tournaments from 2016.
How many of the golfer do you recognize?
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: In Blake Hartford's honor, TR looks back at ZDGA tournaments from 2016
High school coaches throughout the Eugene-Springfield area took their teams to incredible heights during the 2025-26 school year.
Numerous local squads won state titles over the past year, while many others also made deep postseason runs.
Now, it's time for you to decide which coach was the most accomplished in Lane County during the past school year.
Vote for who you think should be The Register-Guard 2025-26 coach of the year, sponsored by Active Chiropractic.
Nominees for the 2025-26 Register Guard Coach of the Year are:
Vote for your favorite at registerguard.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Wednesday, July 15.
It was a breakthrough postseason for Marist Catholic baseball under seventh-year coach Noah Breslaw.
The Spartans fell in the 2024 and 2025 state title games but bounced back in 2026 to win a long-awaited Class 4A championship. Breslaw's squad finished 25-4 overall and 11-1 in the Sky-Em League.
Junction City's boys and girls track and field programs both shone at the state meet this spring under coach Jared Brougher.
Led by a talented group of sprinters and jumpers, the Tigers' girls took second at the Class 4A state championships at Hayward Field. On the boys side, record-setting shot-putter Kaleb Moore won his third consecutive state title.
It was a sensational year for South Eugene's distance runners, who flourished under renowned coach Jeff Hess in his first year back leading the Axe distance program.
The Axe saw standout junior Yosuke Shibata win both the Class 6A state cross-country title and the 1,500-meter track title. Freshman Eva Johnson Hess established herself as the fastest ninth-grade girl in the nation. South Eugene's girls cross-country team placed second at the state championships despite being seeded much lower.
Also, that same Axe girls squad delivered a historic 1-7 sweep at the Southwest Conference championship meet.
It was a historical year for Thurston swimming, which won its first-ever boys state title in a dominant performance at the Class 5A championships.
Led by coach Sarah Keim, the Colts, who operated in a co-op with Mohawk, broke two Class 5A state meet relay records and also produced three individual winners.
As Willamette football made the leap to Class 6A, second-year head coach Josh Line led the program to its best-ever season.
The Wolverines reached the state semifinals for just the third time in school history and the first time since 2007. Along the way, Willamette showcased plenty of star power on both sides of the ball while steamrolling its way to the Southwest Conference title.
Thurston baseball and longtime head coach Dennis Minium navigated the deepest baseball league in the state and overcame some early season hurdles before catching fire in the postseason.
After finishing third in the Midwestern League, the Colts orchestrated multiple upsets in the Class 5A bracket and reached the state title game before falling to Central.
One of the winningest coaches in state history claimed her fourth state title last fall.
In her 33rd year leading the Marist Catholic program, Shari Pimental led the Spartans to the Class 4A championship and a 25-1 overall record. It was Marist Catholic's second title in the last three years.
Under 15th-year head coach Bart Pollard, Marist Catholic tactfully navigated its way through the Class 4A state tournament field to win a long-awaited state title.
That came in spite of the fact that the Spartans had just one returning varsity contributor from their 2024-25 squad. Marist Catholic won its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups in blowouts before beating La Grande, 57-55, in the state final.
In his first year at the helm of the Junction City football program, Tye Rauschert led the Tigers to one of their best-ever seasons.
Junction City beat longtime rival Marist Catholic — on the road no less — to capture its first Sky-Em League title since 2014. From there, it beat Stayton in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs before falling to eventual champion Cascade in a close-fought 28-20 result.
It was another year filled with hardware for Marist Catholic girls soccer under seventh-year head coach Stefan Schroffner.
The Spartans captured their third Class 4A state title in four years and finished the campaign 17-1-1. Don't expect them to slow down anytime soon; Schroffner's squad is slated to return multiple all-state players in 2026.
After 23 years of chasing a state title, longtime Thurston head coach Mike Simons and the Colts boys wrestling program broke through in thrilling fashion in 2025-26.
Thurston won its first Class 5A state title since 2002. Additionally, on the girls side, the Colts sent five wrestlers to the state finals and finished sixth overall.
One of the more historically successful girls basketball programs in the state rolled on this season under Joe Williamson.
The Springfield girls basketball team, led by freshman forward Nuari Filipe, surged to the Class 5A state title game before losing a close-fought showdown with West Albany. The Millers finished the year 25-4.
It is difficult enough for a coach to lead one team to a state semifinal. To take two in the same season is nearly unheard of; but that is exactly what Creswell's Brandi Wittenborn did in the fall of 2025.
Wittenborn coached the Bulldogs' girls soccer team to the Class 3A state semifinal and a 15-2-2 record before falling to state champion Amity. At the same time, Wittenborn helped Creswell's boys to a 15-3 record and a final four appearance.
The winningest soccer coach to ever come through Lane County delivered arguably the best season of her decorated career in 2026.
Brandy Wormdahl led North Eugene girls soccer to a 17-1 overall record and an appearance in the Class 5A state title game, where the Highlanders fell in a 1-0 nailbiter against Bend. Wormdahl has since announced her retirement after 30 years at NEHS.
She ends her career as the third-winningest girls soccer coach in state history with a record of 219-130-43.
Jarrid Denney is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at jdenney@registerguard.com or on X @jarrid_denney
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Vote! Who is The Register-Guard high school Coach of the Year?
Justin Gaethje returned to the scene of his most triumphant MMA moment on Friday when he visited the White House grounds in Washington DC.
Nearly three weeks after his stunned Ilia Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) to capture the undisputed lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250, Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was invited back to the White House alongside his family to greet President Trump and other members of his cabinet.
Trump first revealed the visit on social media, praising Gaethje for his massive win as a sizeable underdog against Topuria to close the historic event in positive fashion on the American side (via X):
Justin Gaethje came to the Oval Office to celebrate, with his parents, his Great Victory two weeks ago. It was one of the Highest Rated Fights in the History of Television, and what a Fight it was! Great Honor to see The Champ – He beat another truly Great Fighter who had never… pic.twitter.com/vLQZBhr6Ct
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 3, 2026
Shortly after, Gaethje shared his side of the experience with a photo slideshow on Instagram (not embeddable), where his family apparently shared a lunchtime meal with the U.S. leader.
Check out some more footage and images from the visit below.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Gaethje returns to White House with UFC title, meets Trump
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League
According to Adam Leventhal and James McNicholas of The Athletic, “Besiktas have agreed a €20million (£17.1m) deal with Arsenal to sign Leandro Trossard.”
It is widely accepted that Arsenal will upgrade their left flank this summer, with the futures of Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both in doubt and potentially set for an exit.
According to The Athletic, it is Trossard who now has one foot out of the door, with the deal understood to be worth €18m plus €2m in add-ons.
The 31-year-old scored eight goals and provided 11 assists last season, continuing the consistent output he has delivered since arriving in 2023 after Chelsea hijacked Arsenal’s deal for Mykhailo Mudryk.
Arsenal spent the winter of 2022-23 pursuing Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, agreeing personal terms and believing they were in pole position before Chelsea made a higher offer and completed an £88m transfer.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
With days left in the window and a gap in the forward line, Arsenal moved for Trossard instead, paying around £24m to £27m to Brighton for a player with four seasons of Premier League experience.
Trossard went on to win the Premier League while Mudryk has been suspended from playing for four years for a doping offence.
There is no word at the time of writing if Trossard will also be will to accept what Besiktas are offering.
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
France remain the team to beat in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, having comprehensively beaten Sweden in the Round of 32 to advance to the next round.
The 2018 world champions are set to face Paraguay in the Round of 16. But heading into that fixture, France will have to deal with a fresh absentee in the form of Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Real Madrid midfielder had picked up a knock during training and is likely to be ruled out for the Paraguay match.
According to RMC Sport, MRI scans have shown that Tchouameni’s injury is minor and there is nothing to be worried about.
Tchouameni has been a key player for France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, the injury will require special caution and vigilance from the medical team, meaning he is sure to be out for the Paraguay game.
This is a concern for the French national team given that Tchouameni has been a regular starter for Les Bleus so far in this tournament.
The report adds that Tchouameni will be out for four days and the medical team will continue to monitor his fitness during this period.
Everything suggests the Real Madrid midfielder will be replaced by Manu Kone in the middle of the park for France, though N’Golo Kante and Warren Zaire-Emery are also options for coach Didier Deschamps.
Tchouameni will not be available for the Paraguay match. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
If Tchouameni is indeed sidelined for four days, he might only be able to play the quarterfinal round, which, if France qualifies, will take place on July 9.
But given his knock and caution around his fitness, there could be serious question marks over his ability to feature for the entirety of ninety minutes. A safer bet, therefore, will be the semifinals.
As far as Real Madrid are concerned, they should feel safe as Tchouameni’s knock is not too serious and the player should be able to return to full fitness by the time he returns to Santiago Bernabeu.
It will be interesting to see how new coach Jose Mourinho utilises the French international in the middle of the park, as he looks to usher in a new era at the Bernabeu.
Stevie Mallan has forced St Mirren manager Craig McLeish to consider giving him a contract after joining pre-season training following the midfielder's release by St Johnstone.
The 30-year-old only managed 11 starts and eight substitute appearances after joining the Perth club last summer after nearly two years out of football through injury and was released following their Scottish Championship title win.
"Stevie did pre-season with us last year as well off the back of a longer-term injury when I was taking the 19s," McLeish told BBC Scotland's Sportsound.
"The plan initially was that he would come in and train and then, when we were away to Spain, he would train with the under-19s.
"But he did that well in the first week that we thought we have to take a look at this and seriously consider it and he's been fantastic.
"He's come back and he's so fit and he's been really good around the place, really energetic and shows his quality on the ball has never left him.
"He just needs a run at it - a run of games."
Former Scotland youth midfielder Dylan Reid,the 21-year-old who was sold by St Mirren to Crystal Palace in 2024 but released this summer, is also on trial.
St Mirren have lost captain Mark O'Hara to Kilmarnock, sold defender Miguel Freckleton to LASK, while striker Mikael Mandron has rejected a new contract and moved on.
"We lost big players - Mark, our captain, decided to move on and Mika as well, they are big shoes to fill, but we still have a core group of experienced players," McLeish said.
"We are still in a really good place with where the squad is.
"We still have to add to our forward line and it depends on whether some of the boys move on - there's some interest in some of our players."
Max Verstappen complained over the team radio about unusual engine behaviour on his RB22 during British Grand Prix qualifying.
The Dutchman currently sits fifth behind his team-mate, who had also come out on top in Q1 by setting the fastest time of the opening session.
"This engine is not responding normal," Verstappen reported over the team radio to his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, as he waits to see where he will ultimately qualify.
"Ah this is... what a disaster. Unbelievable," he later added after completing his lap, insisting that the issues are still affecting his runs.
Follow British GP qualifying here.
Cole Davies was more than one second quicker than the field during the morning qualification sessions for the RedBud National in Buchanan, Michigan, posting a lap of 2:19.661 compared to second-place Caden Dudney's 2:21.048.
Davies' time would have been faster still if he had not failed sound and lost his best lap.
The 250 divisional points leader, Levi Kitchen (2:22:081), was another second back on a track that was pummeled by rain on Friday.
Ryder DiFrancesco (2:22.082) and Michael Mosiman (2:23.517) rounded out the top five.
That means the other two riders ahead of Davies in the championship standings will start outside the top five with Julien Beaumer (2:23.607) qualifying seventh and Jo Shimoda (2:24.082) posting only the 11th fastest time.
Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon title defence was ended by the Philippines' Alexandra Eala in a third-round shock on Saturday, while "heartbroken" Serena Williams was forced to withdraw from the doubles tournament.
Kazakh second seed Elena Rybakina also crashed out, leaving the bottom half of the women's singles draw wide open.
Swiatek slipped to a 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 defeat on Centre Court as 29th seed Eala reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
It is six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek's earliest exit from a major tournament since another third-round defeat, by Yulia Putintseva, at Wimbledon two years ago.
Eala had already made history for the Philippines by becoming the first player from the Southeast Asian nation to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open era.
"I'm really emotional and maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many Slams, or someone like Serena or Venus (Williams), this achievement might seem small," Eala said.
"But for someone who grew up in the Philippines... I trained with my mother and my grandfather every day after school with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks... so this is everything."
The left-hander, who had only won one match at a Slam before this week, will next face former Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini on Monday.
The 25-year-old Swiatek failed to bounce back from a disappointing last-16 defeat at the French Open, where she is a four-time winner.
She made 44 unforced errors as she struggled to regroup after missing two set points in a dramatic tie-break which decided an 84-minute first set.
- Rybakina out early -
Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina also suffered a surprise exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens on Court One.
Rybakina was hoping to follow her Australian Open triumph in January by winning Wimbledon for the second time.
The world number two was unable to emulate her 2022 victory at the All England Club as Belgian 25th seed Mertens produced a major upset.
"Definitely not happy," said the Kazakh, whose hopes of taking the world-number-one ranking from Aryna Sabalenka next week were also dashed.
"I just try to move on. I mean, I lost so many times. I'm sure I'm still going to keep losing. It's impossible to win everything."
Rybakina, 27, also endured a disappointing early departure from the recent French Open, losing to Yuliia Starodubtseva in the second round.
Mertens will play Czech 21st seed Marie Bouzkova for a quarter-final place.
- Williams sisters withdraw -
Williams and her sister Venus were due to play in the doubles first round on Saturday, but Serena announced just hours before the match that her knee had not healed enough to play.
The 44-year-old Serena suffered the injury during her first-round singles defeat by Maya Joint on Tuesday.
That was her first singles match since the 2022 US Open after four years in retirement.
Tournament organisers delayed the Williams sisters' first-round tie until Saturday to give Serena "as much time" as possible to recover.
"I'm heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles," the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said on Instagram.
Serena and Venus last played the women's doubles at the All England Club in 2016, when they won their 14th and most recent Grand Slam title as a duo.
- Zverev eyeing deep run -
Men's French Open champion Alexander Zverev continues his title bid against American Marcos Giron.
The German second seed has never got past the last 16 in nine previous appearances at Wimbledon.
He has a golden opportunity to do that this year, with title favourites Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in the opposite side of the draw.
Grigor Dimitrov goes up against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini later on Centre Court in a battle of two wounded warriors, after enjoying an emotional second-round victory over Czech rising star Jakub Mensik.
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur booked his place in the fourth round for a third consecutive year with a four-set win over American Zachary Svajda.
jc/smg
Nations Championship
Fiji (10) 24
Tries: Sowakula, Canakaivata, Ravutaumada Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 3 Pen: Armstrong-Ravula
Wales (10) 39
Tries: Morgan 2, Carre, Adams, Elias, James Cons: Edwards, Costelow 2 Pen: Edwards
Six-try Wales recorded consecutive international wins for the first time in three years by defeating Fiji 39-24 in the Nations Championship opener at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Two tries from flanker Jac Morgan allowed Wales somehow to keep a rampant Fiji side to 10-10 at half-time.
Wales showed their fitness by scoring second-half tries from prop Rhys Carre, wing Josh Adams, hooker Ryan Elias and centre Eddie James.
Fiji managed tries from flanker Pita Gus Sowakula, number eight Elia Canakaivata and wing Selestino Ravutaumada, with fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicking nine points.
Wales followed up the Six Nations win against Italy at the Principality Stadium in March to win back-to-back Tests for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.
Morgan was named player-of-the-match for his two-try exploits and brilliant defensive display.
Fiji dominated the attacking statistics but Wales managed to contain them, while their set-piece superiority resulted in three of the six tries coming from driving mauls as head coach Steve Tandy's game plan proved successful.
The only negative for Wales was the match was played in front of a disappointing crowd of 16,456 in the first rugby international played at Cardiff City's football stadium.
This victorious Wales side, who beat a team two places above them in the world rankings, deserved to have celebrated that success in front of more fans.
Wales scored six tries in a game for the first time in a Test for five years which also came against Fiji.
Wales will now travel to face Argentina and South Africa, while Fiji face England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Scotland at Murrayfield.
The build-up had been hampered by a dispute between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the players about match fees, which was only resolved three days before kick-off.
Captain Dewi Lake and former centre and current WRU board member Jamie Roberts both stated that should not have happened, but head coach Tandy insisted no training was missed.
This was officially a home game for Fiji, 10,000 miles from home, with Wales the visitors in their own capital city.
The Fijians are playing the three matches in July in the UK because they currently do not have a stadium to meet the Nations Championship criteria.
It is hoped the revenue raised from staging home games in Europe during the next two tournaments can help build that ground by 2030.
Tandy made six changes from the team that defeated the Barbarians that included the return of four English and French-based club players including Louis Rees-Zammit, who lined up on the wing rather than the full-back position he occupied during the Six Nations.
There was a special Fiji celebration provided before the match and their team demonstrated an immediate intent from the kick-off with a flowing move before captain Tevita Ikanivere lost possession.
It was a warning Wales did not heed and Fiji's second attack resulted in the opening try.
A wonderful offloading move involved powerhouse centre Josua Tuisova and scrum-half Frank Tomane, before Sowakula was released to score with Armstrong-Ravula converting.
Wales responded with a more traditional approach as prop Rhys Carre won a scrum penalty and Morgan was driven over for a try in his first international since November.
Fiji demonstrated their attacking superiority, which included an outrageous between-the-legs pass from full-back Salesi Rayasi, but wing Selestino Ravutaumada failed to ground the ball under pressure from Blair Murray.
Fiji prop Tim Hoyt also knocked on following more resilient and desperate defence from his opposite number Dillon Lewis and Joe Hawkins.
Bordeaux full-back Rayasi was rampant in the opening quarter, demonstrated by a scything counter-attack before his loose pass went astray.
Wales regrouped and inflicted some rare pressure as returning flanker Alex Mann dropped the ball over the Fiji line.
Fiji lost centre Semi Radradra to injury following a tackle by opposite number Eddie James.
After the long break, Wales kept their composure as Morgan was driven over from another rolling maul as Tandy's side found themselves in the lead.
Fly-half Dan Edwards missed a second conversion, perhaps the effect of a difficult afternoon as he found himself the victim of thunderous tackles.
Hoyt was also forced off the field and Wales won another scrum penalty just before half-time to set up an attacking platform.
But after Wales lost possession, star wing Jiuta Wainiqolo surged away with a second searing break in a few minutes to allow Fiji to force a final onslaught on the Welsh line.
When Wales transgressed, Fiji opted for an Armstrong-Ravula penalty to level the half-time scores.
The first-half attacking disparity between the two sides was demonstrated with Fiji having 25 offloads, 104 carries and 469 metres made compared with 0, 322 and 66 for Wales.
But Wales demonstrated how to be clinical early in the second half when breaks from Murray and scrum-half Tomos Williams, were finished off by Carre who scored a fourth try in five internationals.
Fiji were rocked and following a speculative Hawkins kick, Ravutaumada was inexplicably caught napping by Adams as he picked the pocket of his opposite number to score.
Fiji responded with a driving try of their own with Canakaivata driven over, before Edwards restored the advantage to more than one score with a first penalty.
Wales coughed up possession from the kick-off and when the ball went wide, Ravutaumada made amends by sprinting over to score to reduce the deficit to one point.
Tandy made a raft of replacements, including a first cap for Ospreys prop Ben Warren, and the Welsh bench made a crucial impact.
Fellow replacement Elias was driven over, with fly-half Sam Costelow converting.
It was left to the Scarlets centre partnership to finish the victory with Hawkins setting up James.
Fiji: Rayasi; Ravutamada, Radradra, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Armstrong-Ravula, Lomani; Mawi, Ikanivere (capt), Hoyt, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Sowakula, Salawa, Canakaivata.
Replacements: Togiatama, Natave, Ravai, Vocevoce, Yato, Kuruvoli, Botito, Ravouvou.
Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, Beard, Mann, Morgan, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Warren, Plumtree, Botham, Hardy, Costelow, Mee.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Co-hosts Canada face Morocco in the opening Round of 16 fixture at the 2026 World Cup. Jesse Marsch's troops will not have the home advantage as Houston is the host city for the game.
FC Bayern's new signing Ismael Saibari will hope to continue his stellar performance after officially joining the German giants. Morocco’s attacker scored in all group stage games before converting the winner in the penalty shootout win over Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss has also been influential for the 2022 semi-finalists as he keeps his place in midfield. Meanwhile, FC Bayern's Alphonso Davies will start on the bench once again after impressing in his first appearance of the tournament against South Africa.
Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, De Fougerolles, Laryea; Buchanan, Sigur, Estaquio ©, Ahmed; David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi ©, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari
Wigan Athletic have signed forward Hindolo Mustapha on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace.
The 19-year-old had loan spells with German side FC Nuremberg and West Bromwich Albion last season.
He has played three times for Sierra Leone, making his debut in 2024.
Mustapha told Wigan's website: "I am more than happy - I am really excited to get going and show what I can do in a Wigan Athletic shirt.
"The gaffer [Gary Caldwell] seems very genuine, and his vision really excites me. I am really looking forward to working with him."
Just when it seemed the noise surrounding Aaron Donald’s NFL future had begun to slow down, the future Hall of Famer, himself found another way to reignite it.
Donald recently responded to a post from the ClutchPoints NFL social media account that envisioned him lining up next to Myles Garrett on the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line. While it wasn’t an official announcement or even a direct declaration of his intentions, it was enough to send Rams fans into another frenzy. Considering Donald has largely remained quiet throughout retirement, any public interaction related to a comeback immediately becomes headline-worthy.
"👀"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 4, 2026
Retired NFL star Aaron Donald's reaction to the possibility of returning to join Myles Garrett in Los Angeles, forming a potentially dominant Super Bowl-chasing duo 😅
(via @ClutchPointsNFL/ Instagram) pic.twitter.com/MOoWYxkN93
The timing is also impossible to ignore.
Ever since the Rams acquired Garrett earlier this offseason, reports have consistently suggested that Donald has at least entertained the possibility of returning. Donald previously admitted he was “flirting” with the idea of coming back and said Garrett’s arrival made him wonder whether he still had the competitive fire to play again. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later stated that league insiders believed a return remained a legitimate possibility, while Sean McVay has repeatedly made it clear the Rams would welcome Donald back with open arms if he decided to return.
Donald didn’t need to write a lengthy statement this time. Simply acknowledging the ClutchPoints post was enough to keep the conversation alive.
It’s easy to understand why.
The image of Garrett rushing off one edge while Donald collapses the pocket from the interior is almost unfair to imagine. Offensive coordinators would face impossible protection decisions, while younger pass rushers such as Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske would all benefit from the attention those two future Hall of Fame talents would command.
For Donald, the situation is uniquely appealing.
Unlike many retired stars who contemplate comebacks, Donald has nothing left to prove individually. He’s already won a Super Bowl, collected three Defensive Player of the Year awards, earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections and established himself as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. A return wouldn’t be about personal accolades nearly as much as it would be about chasing another championship with one of the most talented Rams rosters Sean McVay has assembled.
The Rams also happen to be positioned perfectly for one last run. Matthew Stafford returns at quarterback, Davante Adams joins Puka Nacua on offense, and Garrett transforms an already ascending defense into one with legitimate championship aspirations. Adding Donald would elevate expectations from contender to perhaps the most feared defense in football.
Of course, it’s important not to overreact to a social media interaction.
Donald has not announced that he’s returning. He hasn’t signed a contract, participated in team activities or publicly committed to playing in 2026. Reading too much into one response would be premature. However, it’s equally fair to acknowledge that Donald continues to leave the door open rather than shutting it completely. Every interview, every workout video and now every social media response seems to reinforce one message: retirement may not be as permanent as everyone once believed.
Whether this latest tease ultimately leads to Donald putting the pads back on remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: every time Aaron Donald hints at the possibility—even in the smallest way—the NFL world stops to pay attention. Until Donald definitively says “no,” Rams fans will continue believing that one more dominant season alongside Myles Garrett is still within the realm of possibility.
With the Los Angeles Rams training camp set to begin in exactly three weeks on July 25th, the Rams organization and fans should have their answer soon enough…
While Ireland are without several big-name players this summer, the returning Hugo Keenan gave Andy Farrell reason to smile in Saturday's dramatic 33-31 win over Australia in Sydney.
With much of the pre-match focus on Farrell handing Jamie Osborne a surprising run-out on the left wing, Keenan's first Ireland appearance in 16 months flew under the radar.
Osborne had deputised superbly at full-back for the injured Keenan in the Six Nations, scoring four tries in five starts as Ireland won the Triple Crown.
But such is the esteem in which Keenan is held, he immediately slotted back into the 15 jersey for the start of the Nations Championship.
After his British and Irish Lions heroics in Australia last year, Keenan underwent hip surgery and was set to return in time for the Six Nations, only for a fractured thumb in a training ground incident to extend his spell on the sidelines.
Having watched Mack Hansen star at full-back against Australia in November before Osborne's impressive Six Nations campaign, Keenan looked determined to tighten his grip on the 15 jersey during a man-of-the-match display on Saturday.
Characteristically solid in the air and sharp with ball in hand, Keenan shone at both ends of the field.
It was his crucial intervention that stopped Australia surging into a 31-12 lead before half-time when he hauled Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii down in front of the Irish tryline.
It wasn't the Leinster back's only defensive contribution, but it came at a critical time when the game was in danger of slipping away from the Irish, and laid the platform from which Jamison Gibson-Park scored Ireland's third try to leave just five points between the sides at the break.
Then, seven minutes after the restart, Keenan scored Ireland's fourth, elusively slipping between two Wallaby defenders after Garry Ringrose's offload.
In a see-saw game that went to the wire, the 30-year-old's contributions did not go unnoticed.
"Hugo Keenan was just so important, a proper game changer in that game," Ireland and Ulster centre James Hume said on the Ireland Rugby Social.
"It was 33-31 and you had a guy who made three last-ditch tackles and a great try as well, a great line for that try under the sticks.
"You have players like that in your team who show up in big games like that and they can be the difference."
With fly-half Jack Crowley, key prop Andrew Porter and captain Caelan Doris among those sidelined, this month's Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand offer Farrell the chance to build depth.
And with the World Cup just over a year away, former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray is pleased with where the squad sits before returning to Australia next year for another crack at the sport's showpiece.
"We spoke about it being proven over the Six Nations when we had to select different front rows or centres," said former Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray.
"It's so pleasing to see because there were questions of the Irish team, people saying there wasn't the strength in depth we need.
"But now we have three or four players in each position who can go out and perform. That was the beautiful thing about the Six Nations."
He added: "When [Tadhg] Furlong was out injured and Tom Clarkson came in, you're aware of the media chat that Furlong is the lock in the team and without him we're under pressure, but Clarkson has come on so well underneath Tadhg and has become a serious player."
The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again vying for LeBron James’s services in free agency and could be in the driver’s seat for doing so. However, they may have to wait a couple more days to figure out whether James is coming back home.
James’s agent, Rich Paul, told Mark Medina of Forbes that he doesn’t “think this happens anytime soon.” When asked whether that means it’s days or weeks away, Paul said, “I don’t think it’ll be the next few days.”
This timeline lines up with when James made most of his other free agency decisions.
The Decision to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010 came on July 8. The return to Cleveland in 2014 came on July 11. The second week of July is when James usually makes his free agency decisions, which lines up with what Paul is hinting at. The one exception to this was when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. That was decided on July 1.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
There’s a lot of speculation and rumors out there about what direction LeBron may be leaning. At this point, those are just that. James is supposedly valuing happiness and a chance to compete for a title on his next team. Both of those characteristics are pretty subjective. Only LeBron knows what makes him happy and what he values from an on-court fit on his next team.
The other teams that are reported to be in the mix for James’s services are the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Denver Nuggets.
We’ll see how this drawn-out free agency process plays out for the Cavs. Does this force them to make a move to try to impress LeBron? Trading for Anthony Davis or someone else close to James could be a way of doing that. Or are the Cavs going to stand pat, confident in their current group’s ability to compete for a title if James were added to the fold? After all, we’re talking about a core that did just make a conference finals run without James.
LeBron has spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers. The 41-year-old averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds on .513/.317/.737 shooting splits last season.
Former Houston guard Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, has signed his rookie contract with the Atlanta Hawks, the team announced.
He will make $7,348,680 next season, according to Spotrac.
Flemings was a consensus second-team All-American, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 38.7% from 3-point range in 37 games. He was the first freshman in program history to earn an All-America selection.
The 6-foot-3 guard led the team in scoring average, field goals (222), 3-point percentage, assists (192), steals (56) and 20-point games (12). He set the Cougars' freshman scoring record after recording 42 points and six assists on Jan. 24 in a loss to Texas Tech.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered ✅✅✅ pic.twitter.com/G9QYdKDxcD
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 2, 2026
Flemings established himself as a lottery pick this year because of his scoring, playmaking and maturity as a lead guard with the Cougars. He also committed just 1.8 turnovers per game, ranking fifth in the Big 12 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9).
The 19-year-old drew high praise from Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson throughout the season for his work ethic and demeanor on and off the court. Those were also key traits that intrigued the Hawks, along with his athleticism and potential as a future starting point guard.
Flemings will suit up with the Hawks in the Salt Lake City Summer League, which tips off on Saturday against the Utah Jazz (5 p.m. EDT; ESPNU, Prime Video).
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Hawks sign 8th overall pick Kingston Flemings to rookie scale contract
As this uniquely tumultuous summer transfer window continues, having already guaranteed the loss of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté, the rumour is that captain Virgil van Dijk may be next. The 34-year-old Dutchman has been the backbone of this Liverpool team since he arrived in January 2018.
Apparently some at the club are regretting the lucrative new contract that he signed last year and are now said to be open to offers from other clubs. Blame for Liverpool’s poor title defense seems to be landing on his shoulders now that Arne Slot is out of the picture. It is said that van Dijk is no longer “untouchable” in the eyes of the higher ups making these decisions.
To no one’s surprise, there’s interest around Europe at the prospect of acquiring the veteran Dutch captain. AC Milan is the team being bandied around the most, with new manager Ruben Amorim sending out feelers for what Liverpool are looking for in a potential deal. Other interested parties are the Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Then there is the usual interest from MLS and the Saudi Pro League, who always have their eyes on big name players over 30-years-old.
While the door has been opened for a possible move, reports have stressed that the club isn’t actively looking to sell, but just that the option is now on the table, should a lucrative enough offer appear. With the departure of Konaté, should van Dijk — and possibly even Alisson Becker — leave as well, it would give Iraola the responsibility of creating a whole new defense for the team.
It isn’t often that a team changes over the summer in such fundamental ways as Liverpool will be. The World Cup has hindered the early deals that Liverpool usually tries to make, but in a few weeks when the tournament wraps up, it will be fascinating to watch how Andoni Iraola and the transfer committee reshape the squad to prepare for this season.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls on as we kick off Fourth of July Weekend with a doubleheader of action to kick off the Round of 16.
The action kicks off in Houston at 1:00 p.m. ET, with the evening game in Philadelphia set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET.
MORE: Lionel Messi further solidifies GOAT credentials with another World Cup feat
In the opening game, host nation Canada looks to keep its historic run going when they face off against Morocco in an intriguing matchup, while Kylian Mbappe and France set out to prove why they are the tournament favorites when they face Paraguay, which hopes to build off of an incredible upset over Germany on penalty kicks.
June 29, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.; Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez and teammates celebrate winning the penalty shootout as Paraguay qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: David Butler Ii-Imagn Images
Every game for the remainder of the tournament will air live on FOX, with a Spanish broadcast available on Telemundo, and live streaming available for every match on Fubo.
When and where will your favorite team be taking the field?
A full look at the TV schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, July 4, can be seen below (all times Eastern).
MORE: How to watch World Cup for free without cable: Live stream every match
France forward Kylian Mbappé (10) and France defender Dayot Upamecano (4) high-five after drafting Sweden 3-0 during a 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
| ate | Time | Round of 16 | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | 1 p.m. | Canada vs. Morocco | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 4 | 5 p.m. | Paraguay vs. France | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 5 | 4 p.m. | Brazil vs. Norway | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 5 | 2 p.m. | Mexico vs. England | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 6 | 3 p.m. | Spain vs. Portugal | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 6 | 8 p.m. | U.S. vs. Belgium | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 7 | 12 p.m. | Argentina vs. Egypt | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 7 | 4 p.m. | Switzerland vs. Colombia | Fox, Telemundo |
| Quarterfinals | |||
| July 9 | 4 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 10 | 3 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 11 | 5 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 11 | 9 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| Semifinals | |||
| July 14 | 3 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| July 15 | 3 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| Third place | |||
| July 18 | 5 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
| Final | |||
| July 19 | 3 p.m. | Teams TBD | Fox, Telemundo |
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Auburn football is on a tough stretch, having lost seven games in four straight seasons. Despite the recent rough stretch, Auburn has been one or two different results away from being on a completely different trajectory.
ESPN's Bill Connelly feels Auburn's rebuilding efforts are near completion and the Tigers are "on the brink of a breakthrough." Results have rarely gone the way of the Tigers lately. Still, Auburn has been strong on the recruiting trail, and several of those players, including linebacker Elijah Melendez and running back Jeremiah Cobb, are developing at a steady rate and are ready to lead the team to success.
Beyond recruiting success, Connelly feels that Auburn's hiring of Alex Golesh to lead the program was a smart move, as Golesh has a proven track record of turning programs around quickly.
"(Golesh) immediately turned South Florida around in his first head coaching gig, improving the Bulls from 114th to 85th in SP+ in his debut season and bringing them up to a stellar 30th in his third. Offense was the driving force in USF's improvement, and he brought 11 former Bulls with him to the Plains in an attempt to assure a swift transition this time around. Meanwhile, he's trying to keep a good thing going by keeping incumbent defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin in place after Durkin fielded back-to-back top-20 defenses (per SP+)," Connelly wrote.
Ahead of the season, ESPN's Football Power Index shows that Auburn will find success early. The Tigers open the season ranked No. 26 in the ESPN SP+ rankings, and are projected to win 6.5 games with the nation's No. 15 strength of schedule and the nation's No. 18 defense.
ESPN also gives Auburn a 73.9% chance to win at least six games this season. If the forecast is correct, Auburn will earn a bowl bid for the first time in three seasons. Auburn is one of 13 SEC teams expected to win at least six games this season under the SEC's new nine-game format, and every SEC team has a top-25 strength of schedule ranking.
Auburn will face plenty of talented teams this season, including Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss, all of which participated in the College Football Playoff in 2025. Their tough stretch begins on Saturday, Sept. 5, in Atlanta against the Baylor Bears at the Aflac Kickoff Game.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: ESPN analyst projects Auburn to reach a 'breakthrough' in 2026
It’s easy this time of year to turn an eye away from the Southern California circuit: the racing at Los Alamitos is largely filled by lower-level claimers and starter allowance types. For horseplayers, these races offer us a ton of opportunities to chase longshots. In the eyes of those looking for high level quality, however, the L.A. County Fair meet is largely one to look past.
The Grade 2 Great Lady M. is a sprint for fillies and mares, and this rendition features a runner going for a 3rd consecutive win in this race: Sweet Azteca, a lightly-raced 6-year-old who will make only her 10th career start.
Let’s meet the field, and put together our weekly wager. If you’re wagering in Southern California, be sure to check out AmWager, where they have a deposit match for new customers.
Grade 2 Great Lady M. 6 ½ furlongs, dirt. Fillies & mares 3+up. $200,000.
1. Sweet Azteca. 3/5. Jockey: Armando Ayuso. Trainer: Richard Baltas.
Sweet Azteca is the obvious class here, a winner of 5 graded stakes in 6 starts. She’s won this race twice, and should be able to win it against this field with a B+ effort.
2. Magnificat. 8/1. Jockey: Antonio Fresu. Trainer: Richard Mandella.
Magnificat is the most likely other winner in the race, despite the morning line. Her most recent effort in the Desert Stormer should give the connections a ton of confidence. She’ll have to be faster than she’s been to keep pace with Sweet Azteca, but she’s the most likely if you’re wanting to beat the favorite.
3. Prancingthruparis. 15/1. Jockey: Edwin Maldonado. Trainer: Peter Eurton.
The connections of Prancingthruparis clearly think the move from turf to the Los Alamitos surface will be a fruitful one. This has worked numerous times in the past, so the move from surface to surface shouldn’t be considered a detriment. I think she’s simply not fast enough to compete in this group.
4. A.Z. Wildcat. 12/1. Jockey: Hector Berrios. Trainer: John Sadler.
A. Z. Wildcat is making only her 6th lifetime start, all of them sprinting on dirt. She broke her maiden here at Los Al in June of 2024, and is running for the third time this year. She’s an early speed type, and will likely try to be quick out of the gate to win this gate-to-wire. Jockey Hector Berrios is a solid addition for just that, but I’ll let her beat me here without lasix and against graded company for the first time.
5. Grand Slam Smile. 7/2. Jockey: Billy Antongeorgi. Trainer: Sean McCarthy.
Amongst the best Cal-breds running right now, Grand Slam Smile is a logical choice for this spot. She’s 5-for-9 on dirt, and has won at Los Al over this distance, as well. She’s a step slower than Sweet Azteca, but if for some reason the favorite doesn’t fire, GSS will be ready. She’s a solid runner whose best runs have come in state-bred stakes company.
6. A Thousand Miles. 30/1. Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo. Trainer: Vann Belvoir.
A Thousand Miles has the same morning line on the paper as I have in my head: I’m at a loss to determine how this filly wins this race. Her best win was last year in the Zia Park Oaks; her best performances around one turn simply don’t exist. Perhaps the pace will fall apart and she can pick up the pieces, but her recent form says 6 ½ is far too short.
7. Nooni. 6/1. Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez. Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Nooni is an interesting entry here - and the most likely to scratch, too. She’s a $1.8M purchase, winning on debut and following it up with a win in the Grade 3 Sorrento. That was at Del Mar in August of 2024, and she hasn’t won since. She lost her previous two races by a combined 32 ¼ lengths, proving completely irrelevant in both starts. I’ll let her beat me here.
The Sporting Tribune Wager:
$2 Late Pick 4, Starts Race 5 ($48):1,5 / 1,2,3,4 / 1 / 3,4,5. Good Luck!
Happy birthday, America. I tried to get you a tie, but then the Marlins scored 7 extras runs. Tonight you will be treated to lots of fireworks, and I don’t mean from Jeffrey Springs pitching.
But enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home — I have it on good authority (ok fine, Lawrence Butler) that it’s the ballpark’s fault and not the fault of the players who can’t match what opposing players can accomplish. Funny how it wasn’t “the ballpark’s fault” when the A’s were forced to play their home games in a venue that often had 90% of its seats empty and sometimes had sewage seeping into the clubhouse, yet the A’s often had one of the best home records in MLB.
Anyhoo, when I say “enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home” I mean I’m going to continue talking about it for a while, because let’s face it: if the A’s could just have matched their 22-21 road record with similar “just mediocrity” at home, they would be sitting tied for 1st place right now.
Unfortunately, mediocrity is currently a pipe dream for the Sacrammerlin A’s. Here are some stats you might find interesting, and by interesting I mean they might make you want to put a firecracker up a defenseless kitten’s ass and walk away.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #1: The A’s home ERA this season is now 6.25. This is partly due to the fact that their ERA in the top of the 1st inning this season is 8,423.65 (give or take).
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #2: A’s pitchers, at home, have served up 86 HRs in 45 games. That means that any home game in which the staff gives up 2 HRs is called “just another day at the office”.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #3: Jeffrey Springs has thrown 54.1 IP at home this season and he has coughed up 16 HRs. This is an even more impressive pace of 1 HR every 3.4 innings. It only seems like it’s 3.4 HRs every 1 inning.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #4: The A’s are 15-24 at Sutter Health Park, which is a robust .385 winning percentage.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #5: In their 39 games at Sutter Health Park, the A’s have given up 8 runs or more in 14 of them. That’s about 36% of their games.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #6: It’s not enough just to lead the majors in HRs allowed at home, the A’s also lead all of MLB in issuing walks at home: 199 walks, 10 more than their closest competitor (Houston) and more than twice as many as the Rays (98).
I would go on but the last thing I’d want to do is belabor the point. What I will say is this: until the A’s figure out a way to play halfway decently at home, rather than playing horrifically and then blaming the situation, the team cannot compete for anything because they play half their games at home. Simple math tells you that you can’t win enough games if you give up “6 and a quarter runs” half the time and can’t outscore the other team even 40% of the time in half your games.
To make that work the A’s would have to be true road warriors, dominating and winning about 2/3 of the time. In reality the A’s are hitting, as a team, .229/.304/.359 on the road and that’s not likely to win you 2/3 of your games.
So it’s not even a matter of the A’s now being too buried to contend. They are 6 games under .500, which means if they win 6 in a row — and any team can in a week where they suddenly get hot — they would be at .500 in a division and league where .500 gives you as good odds as anyone to make the post-season.
The A’s record, and the standings, are not the problem. The complete and utter inability to pitch or play well at home is the back breaker. And it shows no signs of slowing down on what is currently a 1-3 homestand in which the A’s have served up another 31 runs — 9 or more runs in 3 of the 4 games.
Enjoy tonight’s fireworks show! And then try to enjoy the post-game festivities as well.
Why did Serena Williams withdraw from Wimbledon? Tennis legend cuts comeback short with last-minute scratch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite being just hours away from playing a doubles match with her sister, Serena Williams announced on social media that she was forced to withdraw from this year's Wimbledon because of a knee injury.
According to the star, her "knee just isn't ready to compete." This most likely is not the end of the road for Williams, however, as she told fans to stay tuned for a city near them, potentially hinting at a return to the U.S. Open in August.
Here's the latest on why the American star withdrew from Wimbledon.
MORE: When is Coco Gauff playing at Wimbledon?
On Saturday, Williams announced on her social media that she would be unable to continue doubles play at Wimbledon. The 23-time Grand Slam winner had just returned to the sport she dominated in June. Prior to that, she had not played since the 2022 U.S. Open.
"I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me," Williams said on her Instagram page. "I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete."
At the moment, it is unclear whether or not Williams will be able to return to the sport she loves. She has withdrawn from Wimbledon, and the star will have a tough decision to make regarding just how long her return to tennis will be.
On Saturday, Williams was forced to withdraw from doubles play with her sister, Venus, at Wimbledon. The American reportedly picked up an injury during her singles match earlier this week, according to the Associated Press.
Prior to the doubles match, Wimbledon's organizers pushed it back to give Williams more time to deal with a knee injury she fell victim to during her singles loss, per ESPN.
The star also told viewers that another return could be imminent.
"Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…"
MORE: When is Novak Djokovic playing next at Wimbledon?
It is unclear, at the moment, whether or not one of tennis' most storied careers will officially be done following this withdrawl. However, Williams mentioned in her post that fans could expect to see her sometime soon.
"Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful," Williams said. "All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…"
Williams seems to be referring to a potential return to the U.S. Open this August. The 2022 Flushing, Queens-based tournament, prior to this year's Wimbledon, was her most recent appearance.
No, due to her sister's withdrawal, Williams cannot get a new partner for Wimbledon doubles play.
According to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Samantha Murray Sharan and Lanlana Tararudee will now face the Williams sisters' original opponents, Solana Sierra and Camilla Osorio.
MORE: When is Taylor Fritz playing next at Wimbledon?
Williams was born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan. This makes the star 44 years old.
Her sister, Venus, is 46 years old.
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has argued that Lewis Hamilton's spectacular return to form in 2026 is down to the seven-time champion finally building trust with Ferrari.
After a highly anticipated but difficult 2025 campaign, in which Hamilton failed to secure a podium, the 41-year-old has silenced his critics in 2026. He currently sits 49 points clear of his team-mate Charles Leclerc.
A maiden podium with Ferrari, with third place at the Chinese Grand Prix, was followed by consecutive second-place finishes in Canada and Monaco. Hamilton then ended his victory drought by securing his 106th career win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
His strong form has continued at this weekend's British Grand Prix, where he secured pole position for the sprint race before finishing in second behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Reflecting on the contrast between Hamilton's current confidence and his struggles throughout 2025, Brundle explained during the Sky Sports F1 broadcast: "He lives for it. He's so dedicated to being a Formula 1 driver.
"What was unusual last year was, not only did Lewis thrash himself openly, but he was making mistakes and spinning the car off.
"He looked completely lost and struggled to integrate at Ferrari. He had been at McLaren and Mercedes - two UK-based teams - all of his life almost. He joined McLaren when he was 12.
"So a different culture and, to an extent, a different language, he really struggled. He wasn't able to take a big team of people with him like a Bono [Peter Bonnington]."
The former Tyrrell driver added: "When Michael Schumacher went to Ferrari, he had Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, Jean Todt. He was part of a package whereas Lewis largely went as an individual.
"It's just taken him a while to trust Ferrari and vice versa."
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
We say it over and over how competitive women’s tennis is, and examples keep coming to prove it. On Saturday, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, the 2022 and 2025 Wimbledon champions were defeated by Elise Mertens and Alexandra Eala, respectively.
Mertens and Eala have registered big wins before but getting into the second week of Wimbledon at the expense of Rybakina and Swiatek is shocking. Do they have what it takes to continue the run into next weekend?
That leaves Barbora Krejcikova as the only Wimbledon champion left in the draw. The 2024 champion was injured much of last year and could not make a deep run in defense of her title. Krejcikova is no one title wonder. She also won the 2021 French Open, Olympic gold in doubles at Tokyo, and has seven doubles and three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles
MORE: Serena, Venus withdraw from Wimbledon doubles
Rybakina’s section of the draw has been blown wide open.
Amanda Anisimova is the highest seed left, at sixth. She plays Madison Keys.
The winner of that match will face the winner of the Linda Noskova and Sorana Cirstea match.
The quarterfinalist who advances from that group will face either the 21st seed Marie Bouzkokva or 23rd seeded Mertens in the quarterfinal.
Jul 1, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic returns a shot during her match against Mirra Andreeva on day three at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
MORE: Emma Navarro health issue is revealed at Wimbledon
Krejcikova, Keys, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka are the only Grand Slam champions in the draw.
Will we continue the trend of the 2026 French Open and crown a maiden Grand Slam champion, or will one of these ladies hoist the trophy in a week?
It is so unpredictable; no one can know.
Watch Wimbledon on ESPN each morning and replays and analysis on Tennis Channel in the evenings between now and July 12.
Here come the round of 16!
This Saturday at 7 p.m., the first Round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup will be played in Houston.
Canada take on Morocco.
The official lineups are in. Here they are!
Canada: Crépeau - Johnston, Bombito, De Fougerolles, Laryea - Eustaquio, Sigur, Buchanan, Ahmed - David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco: Bounou - Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui - El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Ounahi - El Khannouss, Diaz, Saibari
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
Como are ready to make a new offer for Trevoh Chalobah after the €28m plus €2m add-ons was rejected by Chelsea, as the fight with Inter goes on.
The two clubs have been competing for several different transfer targets this summer and Chalobah is the latest in this tug of war.
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 20: Trevoh Chalobah #12 of England. during training on June 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
According to Sky Sport Italia, Como had made the opening offer at €25m plus €2m in bonuses, rejected because Chelsea are asking for €30m plus €5m add-ons.
A second bid was improved to €28m plus €2m add-ons, but again turned down.
Inter are considered the favourites, even though Italian media suggest they have not yet made a formal proposal to the Stamford Bridge side.
However, Calciomercato and Sky Sport Italia now suggest Como are preparing a new bid for Chalobah that should get them closer to the price tag.
This could be a problem for Inter, who seem to be working primarily on convincing the player first, and then entering talks with Chelsea.
Juventus have decided to part ways with Michele Di Gregorio and are already scouring the market for potential replacements. According to Calciomercato, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has emerged as a top candidate to replace the Italian star.
Di Gregorio had a disappointing season. At one point, he even lost his starting berth to Mattia Perin, failing to convince manager Luciano Spalletti to keep him between the sticks next term. Therefore, Juventus have put him on the chopping block and will listen to offers for the former Monza ace.
Mile Svilar had been the club’s dream signing, only for Roma to turn down their substantial €42 million bid. Gian Piero Gasperini has no intention of offloading his starting keeper, especially now that the Giallorossi are preparing for their first Champions League appearance in nearly a decade.
With Roma reluctant to discuss Svilar’s sale, Juventus have switched their attention to Martinez.
Currently away on World Cup duty with Argentina, Martinez continues to impress on the grandest stage. Lionel Scaloni’s men have qualified for the round of 16, with the Villa stalwart conceding just three goals in the tournament so far.
In addition to his brilliant form for Argentina, Martinez has been nothing short of impressive for Villa. His heroics in goal helped Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League trophy last season and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
However, Martinez’s contract at Villa Park runs until 2029, with Villa slapping a €15 million price tag on their star. Juventus have already deemed Villa’s demands excessive, knowing the Argentine will turn 34 in September. Still, he’d be a superb short-term option for the Bianconeri.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 03: Aerial view of Science World after the completion of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball installation on June 03, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Built as the signature Expo Centre for Expo 86, the landmark's geodesic dome has been transformed with 131 custom-shaped panels into a giant recreation of the Adidas Trionda, the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup 2026, ahead of the tournament's arrival in Vancouver. (Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to 16 teams, which means every remaining country is four wins from lifting the trophy, and many of them have a real chance to do it. But that chance is not measured as a single fixed number. It changes with the prior assumptions, the evidence being weighed, and the system used to turn both into a probability.
The tournament has already produced excitement and uncertainty with an expanded knockout stage and resulting group stage incentives that make the World Cup feel bigger than its bracket. All three host nations made it to the Round of 16 and have broken long-held streaks of poor international performance. The U.S. entered its knockout match against Bosnia and Herzegovina having lost 10 straight games against European opponents, then won 2-0 to reach the Round of 16. While Mexico ended a 40-year drought of winless knockout competition in the World Cup.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Raul Jimenez #9 of Mexico celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe remaining rounds ahead are uncertain, but that uncertainty is being priced from multiple angles. FIFA rankings, betting odds, and prediction markets are all assigning probabilities to the same outcome: which team will win the World Cup. In a Bayesian sense, those differences are expected. The probabilities differ because each source weighs different evidence and uses a different mechanism to translate uncertainty into a forecast.
The remaining World Cup field can be evaluated from three probability perspectives. FIFA rankings provide a team-strength view. Betting odds provide a sportsbook view. Prediction markets provide a tradable market view. All three assign a probability to the same question: which team is most likely to win the World Cup?
For this analysis, I used FIFA ranking points to represent team strength, DraftKings odds to represent sportsbook pricing, and Kalshi championship market prices to represent prediction market pricing. FIFA ranking points are useful because they can be treated as Elo-style ratings. In an Elo-style framework, the rating difference between two teams can be converted into an estimated win probability for a head-to-head match. The higher-rated team receives a higher probability of advancing, while the lower-rated team still has a chance to win.
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 23: Daniel Munoz #2 of Colombia reacts after a missed chance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Colombia and Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe simulation starts with the remaining 16 teams in the World Cup bracket. For each match, the model compares the two teams’ FIFA ranking points, converts the rating difference into a win probability, and randomly selects a winner using that probability. The winner advances to the next round. The process repeats through the quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match, and final. Each team’s title probability is the share of simulated tournaments in which that team won the World Cup. The same simulation also tracks how often each team reaches each stage of the bracket, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, final, third-place match, runner-up finish, and championship.
DraftKings odds were converted into implied probabilities and normalized to remove the sportsbook overround. Kalshi prices were read as market probabilities and normalized when needed. This created three comparable estimates for each team: a FIFA rankings-based probability, a sportsbook-implied probability, and a prediction-market probability.
The FIFA rankings-based simulation provides a baseline view of the remaining World Cup field. It uses one transparent input, FIFA ranking points, to estimate team strength and then applies that input across the remaining bracket. From that perspective, the title race is concentrated near the top. Argentina and France form the leading tier, with model-based championship probabilities of 25.2% and 24.5%, respectively. Spain follows at 14.1%, with England and Brazil also remaining central contenders
FIFA rankings-based World Cup title probabilities. A 5,000-run Monte Carlo simulation using FIFA ranking points as Elo-style ratings places Argentina and France in the leading tier, followed by Spain, England, and Brazil. Percentages show the share of simulated tournaments won by each team.
Image created by author.The next question is whether the markets assign probability in the same way. Broadly, they identify a similar group of contenders. The rankings-based model, sportsbook odds, and prediction-market prices all place the title race around a relatively small set of teams. The disagreement is in the allocation of probability within that group.
Championship probabilities across the Elo model, sportsbook odds, and prediction market. The top 10 teams by model title probability show similar broad tiers across platforms, but several teams shift meaningfully by source. France receives a higher probability from both market sources than from the Elo model, while Argentina and Morocco receive higher probabilities from the model than from the markets.
Image created by author.The comparison across platforms shows that the same team can carry meaningfully different championship probabilities depending on the source. France is the clearest example of a market premium. The rankings-based simulation gives France a 24.5% chance of winning the World Cup. The sportsbook-implied probability is 31.5%, while the prediction-market probability is 34.1%. In other words, the market view is 7.0 percentage points higher than the model in sportsbook odds and 9.6 percentage points higher in the prediction market.
That difference is not necessarily an error. It may reflect information that is not included in a simple rankings-based simulation. France’s tournament pedigree, roster depth, public confidence, and perceived bracket path may all influence market pricing. Sportsbook odds can also reflect risk management and bettor demand, while prediction markets can be influenced by liquidity and trader composition.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Ousmane Dembele #7 of France scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesArgentina moves in the opposite direction. The FIFA rankings-based simulation gives Argentina a 25.2% title probability, compared with 16.3% from sportsbook odds and 16.5% from the prediction market. That creates the largest model-favorable gap in the analysis: 8.8 percentage points relative to the sportsbook and 8.6 percentage points relative to the prediction market. The Argentina case is important because it shows how a team can be viewed differently by a ratings-based model and by market platforms. In this framework, Argentina’s FIFA ranking strength and bracket path produce a higher championship probability than the markets assign. That does not establish that Argentina is underpriced in a definitive sense. It identifies Argentina as the team where the model-market disagreement is most pronounced.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMorocco is another model-favorable case. The gap is smaller than Argentina’s, but it is consistent across both market comparisons. The model assigns Morocco a higher probability than either the sportsbook or the prediction market, with gaps of roughly three percentage points in both cases. That suggests the simulation is more favorable to Morocco’s rating strength and bracket path than the market-implied probabilities are.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 13: Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe United States and Mexico show the reverse pattern. Both are priced more favorably by the markets than by the FIFA rankings-based model, especially in the prediction market. The United States is 1.8 percentage points higher than the model in sportsbook odds and 2.6 percentage points higher in the prediction market. Mexico’s largest gap appears in the prediction market, where its implied probability is 2.9 percentage points higher than the model.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side's first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSpain provides a useful contrast. Its championship probability is relatively stable across platforms: 14.1% in the model, 13.1% in sportsbook odds, and 12.2% in the prediction market. Spain is therefore less of a disagreement case. Across the three probability systems, it appears more like a consensus contender.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Pedro Porro #12 of Spain scores his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Spain and Austria at Los Angeles Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesTaken together, the three sources tell a similar story about the structure of the World Cup title race. The leading group is broadly consistent across the FIFA rankings-based simulation, sportsbook odds, and prediction-market prices. The differences emerge in the relative weight assigned to individual teams. Different platforms produce different championship probabilities, even when they are evaluating the same bracket.
The comparison shows that the World Cup title race is broadly recognizable across all three sources, but the probabilities shift depending on how they are produced. The FIFA rankings-based model uses a relatively fixed team-strength input, last updated in early June, and applies it to the remaining bracket. Sportsbook odds and prediction markets are more fluid. They can adjust as results, injuries, betting demand, liquidity, and sentiment change. For some teams, those views line up. For others, including Argentina, France, Morocco, the United States, and Mexico, the choice of probability source changes the interpretation of their title chances.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Former Paraguay goalkeepoer José Luis Chilavert has caused a stir with a social media statement deemed as racist in the direction of their next World Cup opponents France.
Ex-France player Christophe Dugarry had said on RMC radio that Paraguay would "get thrashed" later on Sunday in the round of 16 because "they are incapable of creating any play."
Chilavert responded on X, saying: "Christophe, you are right, at the 1998 World Cup we played against France and now Paraguay face a team from Africa."
It was not fully clear whether Chilavert's statement was in reference to several France players being of African descent, but it was considered racist by media outlets and social media users.
Chilavert was the keeper when France beat Paraguay in the same round of 16 at the 1998 tournament. He made plenty of headlines for his unorthodox play but later also for homophobic and anti-trans statements.
The issue is not new.
Two years ago Argentinian players were heard in a video shared on Instagram by midfielder Enzo Fernández making racist chants against French players of African descent on the team bus after winning the Copa America. Fernández later deleted the video and apologised.
Early at a current tournament an Argentinian sports commentator said that his original commentary of the France v Senegal match was manipulated.
The right-wing portal La Derecha Diario published a video clip in which the commentator says: "The first half in New Jersey is coming to an end: nil for France, nil for Senegal. The two African nations are currently level."
The last sentence is believed to have been added with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) because it is not part of the original DSports broadcast.
Some Right wing groups refer to the French team as African because several French players have African roots. La Derecha Diario for instance said after the match that "France won the African classic against Senegal 3-1."
Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback is over after she withdrew from her doubles match.
Williams and sister Venus, given a wild card into the women’s doubles, were due to play their first-round match on Saturday evening.
But the 23-time grand slam singles champion suffered a knee injury during her singles comeback match against Maya Joint on Tuesday.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me.
“I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Williams made a shock return to the sport she dominated for more than two decades at Queen’s last month and was announced as the final women’s singles wild card last week.
The 44-year-old was competitive against Joint, a player 24 years her junior, in a 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 defeat on a packed Centre Court.
The sisters, who are six-time doubles champions at Wimbledon, were due to reunite at a grand slam for the first time since 2022.
But Williams posted footage of her limping in a heavy bandage, as well as some syringes full of fluid, as she confirmed her withdrawal from the Championships.
However, the American superstar hinted her comeback to the sport is far from complete.
“I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here,” she added.
“Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…
“The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes!
“The good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to get it ready for doubles.”
Venus Williams, 46, played in the mixed doubles with German partner Kevin Krawietz on Friday afternoon, but they were beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Lloyd Glasspool and Tereza Mihalikova.
The biggest move president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane made this offseason to improve the Buffalo Bills’ offense was trading for veteran wide receiver DJ Moore. It’s a move that gives former NFL MVP Josh Allen another talented weapon while reuniting Moore with head coach Joe Brady, who was Moore’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021 with the Carolina Panthers.
Moore has a chance at reclaiming his position as a clear No. 1 wideout with the Bills, and today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing Moore’s potential output in his first year catching passes from Allen.
Check out the assessments and then be sure to leave your thoughts on what a successful first season could look like for Moore in the comments section.
DJ Moore comes to Buffalo having surpassed 1,150 receiving yards in a season in four of his eight years in the league, including a personal-best 1,364 yards on 96 catches in 2023, his first year with the Chicago Bears. But last year, Moore’s productivity dipped, as he finished with only 682 yards on 50 catches, both career-low figures.
One reason for Moore’s low output last year: Caleb Williams and the Bears only threw the ball Moore’s way 85 times, compared to an average of 135 targets per year from 2019-2024.
In acquiring Moore, Beane is expressing his confidence that last year’s productivity was an outliner, and the hope is for Moore to become Buffalo’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Stefon Diggs during the 2023 season. The sports book, DraftKings, set the over/under total for Moore’s receiving yards at 824.5 yards, a figure Moore easily eclipsed every season from 2019-2024.
Since coming into the league as the 24th overall pick out of Maryland by the Panthers in the 2018 NFL Draft, Moore has caught 608 passes for 8,213 yards (an average of 13.5 yards per reception) with 41 touchdowns.
With Brady as his OC in Carolina, Moore averaged 1,175 receiving yards on 140 targets per season in 2020 and 2021. Allen is clearly a marked improvement at quarterback for Moore, who caught passes from Teddy Bridgewater in 2020 and from Sam Darnold and Cam Newton in 2021, and it doesn’t seem too far-fetched for Moore to add another 1,000-yard season to his resume.
Examining how Jim Leonhard’s new defensive scheme could help unlock the full pass-rushing potential of Greg Rousseau. Plus, news that the annual Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage will be for season ticket holders only; running through the biggest reasons why Buffalo will dethrone the New England Patriots and reclaim the AFC East title; breaking down ESPN’s offseason grade for the Bills; and more!
Savanna football has released its 2026 schedule.
8/28: vs. Wilson Henryetta
9/4: BYE
9/11: vs. Arkoma (Homecoming)
9/18: @ Wetumka
9/25: vs. Gans
10/2: @ Wesleyan Christian
10/9: vs. Quinton •
10/15: @ Strother •
10/23: vs. Velma-Alma(Senior Night) •
10/30: @ Elmore City •
11/6: @ Caddo
11/13: Playoffs begin
• Indicates district games
To see your varsity football team’s schedule in the McAlester News-Capital, email it to htucker@mcalesternews.com.
76ers' VJ Edgecombe dazzles in FIBA World Cup qualifier originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the NBA season is well in the rearview mirror and players around the league are resting up for the campaign to come, some are choosing to hone their craft for their national team in the meantime. This has been the case for Philadelphia 76ers' star VJ Edgecombe, who has been with the Bahamian national team for their qualification campaign for the FIBA World Cup.
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone keyed into Edgecombe's social media, as he's been busy posting snippets from the team's training sessions, including some shots of former Sixers rotation pieces, Eric Gordon and Buddy Hield. It's worth noting that the team's Sixers roots run a bit deeper; former two-way star Kai Jones also sits on the national team roster.
On Saturday afternoon, Edgecombe and the Bahamian team would take to the court against Jamaica for the fifth game of qualification.
VJ Edgecombe did everything on the court ⚙️
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 4, 2026
26 PTS | 9 REB | 5 STL 🔥#FIBAWCpic.twitter.com/wc00QLWbjF
The Sixers' rookie would show off his talents against his opponents on Saturday, dropping 26 points and eight rebounds, shooting the lights out with 66.7 percent accuracy from the field, as well as 60 percent from beyond the arc. While this point tally doesn't sound like too much, it was the highest total in the game, with Jamaica's Andrew Thelwell's 24 points coming as a close second.
But just as Edgecombe showed during his rookie year in Philadelphia, he isn't just a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the court, as he was more than a defensive anchor, recording four steals in the Bahamian victory. During his rookie campaign, the Bahamian star recorded an average of 1.4 steals per game, but recorded four or more strips in a game on four occasions.
The next chance the basketball world will have to look at Edgecombe's talents for the Bahamian national team will come on Monday, when they're set to take on Puerto Rico for the sixth qualifying match.
More Sixers news:
The Baltimore Orioles catching group has dealt with plenty of big setbacks this year. Breakout rookie Samuel Basallo has avoided the injured list but has dealt with a string of minor injury scares, including left wrist discomfort as recently as June and some left knee issues as well.
Two-time All-Star backstop Adley Rutschman has dealt with more serious setbacks, landing on the 10-day injured list back in April due to left ankle inflammation and then suffering a concussion after being hit in the head by an errant throw in June that forced him to miss several games.
As a result, the Orioles have had to rely on some unorthodox options behind the plate. One of them has been journeyman Sam Huff, who has served as the third-string catcher and been called up each time Rutschman hit the injured list. Huff previously suited up for the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants before joining Baltimore on a minor league deal this season.
He has made nine appearances this year and although he has struggled at the plate, posting a .174 batting average, .174 on-base percentage and .435 OPS, he has done what the Orioles needed most, which is manage the pitching staff and provide a capable option behind the plate.
Huff was designated for assignment earlier this week in a roster move as the Orioles no longer needed three catchers on the depth chart. He cleared waivers and elected free agency, but he had no interest in going elsewhere.
"The Orioles have re-signed catcher Sam Huff to a minor league contract, Triple-A Norfolk announced," reported Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
The Orioles have re-signed catcher Sam Huff to a minor league contract, Triple-A Norfolk announced.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 3, 2026
Good news for Orioles’ catching depth since they could lose Chadwick Tromp, who was DFA’d today.
This is not the first time Huff has gone through this process with Baltimore this year, and it appears he is committed to the organization for now.
The Orioles also designated catcher Chadwick Tromp for assignment on Friday, which likely gave Huff additional motivation to return given that he is now the next man up once again if either Rutschman or Basallo goes down.
For a Baltimore team that has leaned heavily on its catching depth this season, having a reliable option like Huff available at Triple-A Norfolk provides a layer of insurance that the organization clearly values.
It is a quiet move, but given everything this catching group has been through in 2026, it is the kind of depth decision that could matter more than it looks on paper.
Liverpool and Egypt icon Mohamed Salah has picked between Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, as a favoured opponent in his final appearance at the World Cup.
Salah is of course fresh off booking his spot in the Last-16 of this summer’s North American showpiece.
After his native Egypt were forced to a penalty shootout by Australia, the veteran winger held his nerve to slot home a key spot-kick en route to victory.
The Pharaohs, in turn, are facing up to a clash with reigning champions Argentina in the competition’s next round.
And Salah, it would appear, is relishing the opportunity to line up against eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and current Golden Boot race leader Lionel Messi.
Drawn on his dream opponent for his ‘Last Dance’ at the World Cup this summer, given the options of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, the 34-year-old did not hesitate in confirming:
“Messi.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
The Golden State Valkyries (13-7) look for a fourth straight win on Saturday when they visit the Atlanta Dream (12-8), who open a four-game homestand after an 0-4 road trip, at the Gateway Center in suburban Atlanta.
Jun 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) dribbles upcourt against the New York Liberty in the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Atlanta went quiet offensively in the second half on Thursday night, shooting just 32.4% after the break in an 81-76 road loss to the Washington Mystics. Rhyne Howard scored 24 points to go with five steals for the Dream, who forced 28 turnovers, while Allisha Gray finished with 17 points and Angel Reese added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jordin Canada went for 10 points and seven assists, as well.
The Valkyries held the visiting New York Liberty to just 29 first-half points and never trailed in a 76-67 win on Sunday night. Kaila Charles came off the bench for 13 points, matching a season high, while Kayla Thornton tossed in 11 points and Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaün scored 10 points each. Veronica Burton dished out eight assists.
Gabby Williams averages 15.8 points for Golden State, with Salaün getting 12.5 points per game, Burton posting 12.2 points and 5.4 assists a night, and Thornton grabbing 5.2 rebounds per contest. Howard paces the Dream with an average of 18.9 points, Gray scores 18.3 points per game, Reese nets 14.8 points and 11.7 boards per outing, and Canada contributes 11.4 points and 7.0 assists per game.
This is a great WNBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live stream Golden State Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream on Fubo: Start your free trial!
You can live stream WNBA games all season long with Fubo, who offer a free trial. They carry all of the channels you will need to never miss your favorite team’s games, including nationally broadcast channels like CBS, ION and NBA TV, as well as local team coverage.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
The Las Vegas Aces battled through overtime without superstar A’ja Wilson on Friday night, overcoming the Chicago Sky 98-90 to earn the 500th win in franchise history.
NaLyssa Smith led the way with a season-best 29 points and 8 rebounds, while Chelsea Gray came through in the clutch, knocking down two crucial jumpers in the final minute of overtime to help seal the victory. Despite being short-handed without Wilson for a second straight game, the Aces found a way to outlast Chicago and continue their strong season.
The Aces faced the Sky in T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip on Friday night. It was a tough one that led to overtime, but the Aces were able to pull off the win.
This win was the franchise’s 500th victory. According to the Aces’ IG page, “The Las Vegas Aces become the fourth franchise in WNBA history with 500 wins.”
In addition to Smith scoring 29 points, Gray added 18 points, Jewell Loyd scored 19, and Jackie Young had 16.
For the Sky, Skylar Diggins led the team with 19 points, Kamilla Cardoso scored 16 points, Natasha Cloud had 15 points, and Azura Stevens and Courtney Vandersloot both scored 11 points.
Star player Wilson is no stranger to winning awards. Earlier this week, she was honored with the BET Sportswoman of the Year award.
Wilson continues to set the standard in women’s basketball. She became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP all in the same season. She also earned a record fourth MVP award while leading the Aces to a 16-game winning streak and a championship sweep of the Phoenix Mercury.
Wilson’s BET Award adds to her long list of accomplishments, that also includes AP and Time Magazine’s Female Athlete of the Year.
It was also just announced that Wilson was named Western Conference Player of the Month for the month of June. This ups her league-record of Player of the Month honors to 15!
On June 16, Wilson earned the 30th Western Conference Player of the week honor in her career. She’s trailing Tina Charles who is a 33-time WNBA Player of the Week awardee on the all-time list.
It was announced on Thursday that Wilson will be one of the starters for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game. This will be her seventh starting nod in eight All-Star Game appearances.
According to a press release sent to The Blast, “Wilson’s 8th All-Star nod ranks tied with Seimone Augustus, Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Lisa Leslie, and 2026 All-Star Breanna Stewart for the fifth most in league history, trailing Sue Bird (13), Diana Taurasi (11), Tamika Catchings, Brittney Griner, and Nneka Ogwumike (10 apiece) and Tina Thompson (9).”
Starters for the All-Star Game were chosen by votes from fans, players, and select media members. Also starting: Aliyah Boston (Indiana), Paige Bueckers (Dallas), Natasha Howard (Minnesota), Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana), Jessica Shepard (Dallas), Breanna Stewart (New York), Gabby Williams (Golden State), and Caitlin Clark (Indiana).
The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be played in the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, July 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Last week, Prime video announced that Gray will be joining WNBA on Prime as a player contributor. She will make select appearances during the 2026 WNBA season.
In a press release sent to The Blast, Gray shared her thoughts about joining WNBA on Prime. “Basketball is a big part of my life and joining WNBA on Prime gives me a chance to share a different perspective with viewers,” she said. “I want those watching at home to experience what it’s like to be on the floor: the reads, the adjustments, and the small moments that can impact a game.”
Amina Hussein, Prime Video Sports Head of On-Air Talent and Development, added, “Chelsea’s résumé speaks for itself. Four championships. A Finals MVP. Two Olympic golds. What excites us most is her authenticity and natural ability to connect with fans. Chelsea brings a genuine perspective that makes the game accessible to everyone, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our team.”
Throughout the 2026 season, Gray will join the WNBA on Prime studio team to provide on-court insight and highlight key storylines around the league alongside studio host Allie Clifton, analysts, and fellow player contributor Kelsey Plum.
Prime Video’s studio covers features WNBA on Prime Pregame, The Half, and WNBA Nightcap.
The Aces have one more home game before hitting the road for a game. They’ll face the Indiana Fever on Sunday, July 5 at 4 p.m. PT and then the Portland Fire on Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. PT in Portland.
Then they are back at home to play the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, July 11 and then the Fever again on Sunday, July 12.
See the Aces’ full schedule on the website.
The Las Vegas Aces Make Franchise History With Friday Night’s Win Over Chicago Sky first appeared on The Blast
I hope by the time you read this, the Yankees have snapped their seven-game losing streak. The Minnesota Twins are usually the salve for whatever ails this team, but New York has been dead, dull, and boring for the last week. That last indictment is the worst one for me: If you’re going to be bad you have to be entertaining. Every team goes through dry spells — yes, I promise, every team — but you can’t bore me. The Colorado Rockies are my B-team purely because they just do things that nobody else in baseball does and that is entertaining even as they’re arguably 15 years behind the rest of the sport.
In this bad, bad week, the closest we got to interesting were two Jazz Chisholm Jr. stolen bases and an OG Anunoby-esque tip of the baseball over the fence by Spencer Jones. It’s not exactly been a comedy of errors despite the 14 the Yankees have made in their streak, more of a funeral dirge of errors.
At the same time, this will be published a little under an hour before the most important men’s soccer game in Canada’s history begins. They are playing Morocco and they will likely lose. Indeed, it probably won’t be close. I do not care.
Canada’s men’s team is certainly not as polished as most in the Round of 16, down several of their best players and playing like a Doberman puppy who is not yet aware quite how big his paws are. I do not care.
Before this World Cup, Canada hadn’t earned a point in tournament play in two previous trips. Prior to 2022, they had only even qualified for one World Cup in its history, back in 1986. To jump from “never recording a point” to “winning a knockout game” has this second knockout match against a much better team mean that, for me, there are no stakes. Everything I could have reasonably hoped for this side has already been accomplished. Whatever happens on Saturday, successful World Cup for les rouges.
That these two things came at the same time — the team I think about more than I think about my like, extended family, and the team that the entire nation turns its eyes to a couple times a decade have wildly divergent runs — makes me think about the nature of fandom itself. I’ve always appreciated the way Meg Rowley, managing editor of FanGraphs, has defined it: a low-stakes way to feel emotion.
There’s so much in the world that can make us feel so many things. In more recent years those feelings have often been of anger, frustration, injustice, fear … and these feelings bring high stakes with them. Sports shouldn’t be a distraction from the very real things with very real stakes that exist out there, because sports are downstream of broader culture and can indeed be useful object lessons for talking about how things like rampant corruption, courts oriented toward profit instead of justice, and protected monopolies allow the Los Angeles Dodgers to pay less than their fair share of revenue back to the league. Hmm, what possible parallel could I be drawing to here?
Anyway, downstream of culture.
Instead, let sports be a low-stakes way to engage with those feelings, and hopefully the good feelings too. When Aaron Judge comes back, because he will come back, and hits that first home run and it’s something stupid like 117 mph off the bat, and Statcast insists that it somehow only went 428 feet and not 828, I’ll let myself giggle. When Alphonso Davies gets his first touch today, I’ll allow myself to laugh. And when Anthony Volpe fails to turn yet another double play and look skyward as if the correction to his messy footwork is written in the clouds, I’ll grind my teeth. If only for a moment.
It’s just sports, after all.
While the majority of us can wonder just what’s going on with Brandon Aiyuk, let’s get a more divided argument going back into these parts: Brock Purdy.
Pro Football Focus released its quarterback rankings for 2026. Obviously, we can already divide on specifically how PFF ranks players. They said their analysts put this together, asking one question: Which quarterback would they want leading their team in 2026?
Their answer, putting Purdy at 10th, behind:
No. 6 Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
No. 7 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
No. 8 Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
No. 9 Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
Here’s what PFF said about Purdy’s rank:
The 49ers were hit by the injury bug harder than almost any other team in 2025, and their franchise quarterback didn’t escape that misfortune. Purdy missed eight games with a turf toe injury but was highly effective when he was on the field. His 85.4 PFF grade ranked sixth among NFL quarterbacks, while his 65.8 passing grade under pressure ranked third. He has now ranked among the NFL’s 10 highest-graded quarterbacks in each of the past three seasons.
Purdy’s 9.0% pressure-to-sack rate was the best in the league in 2025, reflecting an ability to process and release the ball before the pocket fully collapses, and his accuracy percentage of 78.7% was among the highest marks among qualifiers.
10th isn’t so bad. I’d put Purdy in the top 10. To be at the end of the top 10 is high, but I’m a homer and going to put him at No. 6.
What I respectfully disagree with is who is ahead of him. Rather, two names: Prescott and Love. We’ve seen those two lead their squads. Especially when their teams are loaded. Love finished his third season in the league, but his 2023 campaign—the first as the starting quarterback—can be argued as his best.
Then there’s Prescott. A man whose contract has become a meme for being so overpriced and a “is he/isn’t he” worth it. Prescott has always been someone who can shut things down at a moment’s notice.
Other than those two, I’d be fine with Purdy at 8. That sounds about right. In fact, 10th isn’t bad either, just not with those two in front of him. I can make an argument that I don’t want to have Patrick Mahomes (fourth) leading my team since he’s returning from major knee surgery (not to mention his worst season as a pro in 2025), but I get the thinking there.
PFF can pull metrics and data out of a hat to silence me, so my homer take should be taken with a grain of salt. Where do you (objectively) place Purdy on this list?
Declan Rice is currently managing an injury issue that has affected him throughout 2026, although he continues to feature regularly for England during the World Cup despite limited recovery time between matches.
The midfielder remains one of England’s most important players, and the national team are keen to ensure his availability as they continue their campaign in pursuit of the trophy. Rice has continued to perform strongly when selected, demonstrating resilience and commitment despite ongoing fitness concerns.
However, his condition has also raised concern at club level, with Arsenal expected to monitor his workload closely. The Gunners will be wary of any potential aggravation of the issue as he continues to play through the tournament, particularly given his importance to their squad.
Rice has been given limited recovery time between matches, with his situation requiring careful management as England progress through the competition. Following the elimination of other players, additional rest periods are expected to be introduced, but his immediate focus remains on remaining fit for selection in each game.
An expert has provided insight into the situation, highlighting the importance of careful recovery and match management at this stage of the tournament.
According to the Metro, Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs, said:
‘Him being substituted off at that point in the game against DR Congo where England felt like they were in control and using the ice packs was him doing the right things to ensure he gets to the next game.
‘He’s looking after himself, his job at that point is to get to the next game and he will probably do that after every game.
‘Neural pain is felt differently than muscular pain and the sensation is generally much higher. With Reece James’ hamstring injury, that is muscular tear, it is the fibres that have been damaged.’
Rice’s workload is also a concern for Arsenal, who will be closely tracking his fitness ahead of his return from international duty. Any worsening of the issue could have implications for his availability at club level, making his management during the tournament particularly significant.
For now, however, Rice remains fully focused on England’s World Cup campaign, with his presence continuing to be viewed as vital to their chances of success as the competition progresses.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
More Stories / Latest News
Expert gives more detail about Declan Rice’s injury struggle
Arsenal gets flexible in bid to beat Liverpool to World Cup talent
Anthony Gordon has given Thomas Tuchel a major decision to make before England face Mexico in the World Cup round of 16.
According to SPORT, the new Barcelona winger arrives at the knockout tie in his best moment of the tournament after changing the game against DR Congo from the bench.
England were losing when Tuchel introduced Gordon, and the 25-year-old responded with two assists for Harry Kane in a 2-1 comeback win.
That performance has reopened the debate on England’s left wing. Marcus Rashford had looked like the safer option, but Gordon’s speed, pressing and ability to attack space have made the decision much less obvious.
For Barça fans, this is exactly the Gordon that Hansi Flick will want to see. He is not just a winger who waits for the ball. He runs, presses, stretches defences and creates chaos in the final third. Those qualities explain why the club moved for him.
Gordon did well against DR Congo. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Tuchel values his defensive work, tactical discipline and intensity without the ball, while Rashford offers more international experience and a stronger goalscoring profile.
That is the balance England must weigh before facing Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The altitude could also influence the decision.
If England need energy, pressing and repeated runs, Gordon’s physical edge may become even more important.
Tuchel has not yet settled on his ideal XI. He has made 10 changes across England’s four World Cup matches, with only a few players considered untouchable.
Will Gordon start against Mexico? (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
That leaves the left-wing spot open, and Gordon has chosen the right time to make his strongest argument.
Of course, one strong cameo does not guarantee a starting role. Rashford still has status, experience and quality.
However, Gordon has turned the debate into a real one. He gave England depth when they lacked it, service when Kane needed it and intensity when the match was slipping.
Whether he starts against Mexico or not, his World Cup is now moving in the right direction, and he will keep finding a way to add value to his team.
Mexico and England are due to face off in the Round of 16 at the World Cup.
However, there have been some issued forecast heading into this game.
Indeed, severe thunderstorms are forecast in Mexico City around the game, and that could cause issues for this match.
FIFA rules state that if any lightning strikes are detected within an eight mile radius of the stadium the game will be suspended for a minimum of 30 minutes until there has been half an hour with no lightning strikes detected.
Of course, it’s impossible to know for sure how long a delay will be, and while we’ve seen games paused for up to two hours in the past, if this lasts long enough, the match could be abandoned.
So, if the game is abandoned, what will happen?
IFAB rules are clear on what will happen if the Mexico vs England game is abandoned.
“An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise. In principle, where a team is responsible for a match being abandoned because it has fewer than seven players, the match will be forfeited by that team.” The rulebook states.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the entire game will be replayed though.
Indeed, the game state will be taken into account, so if the game is 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, the teams would come back at a different time to play out the final 10 minutes with the scoreline at 3-0.
Of course, finding the time in a packed schedule for a re-arranged game is a logistical issue, but it’s a problem FIFA may have to navigate if the weather is as bad as it’s forecast to be for this game.
Regardless of whether there’s a delay or an abandonment, this game will be played one way or another.
The stakes have dramatically heightened at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as an ambitious Canada squad prepares for a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown against a high-flying Morocco team in Houston.
Having successfully cleared the opening hurdle of the knockout phase with a gritty 1-0 win over South Africa courtesy of Stephen Eustáquio’s injury-time winner, Jesse Marsch’s side is now just three wins away from an unthinkable final appearance.
Heading onto the pitch to fight for a spot in the quarterfinals, Canada occupies the 30th position in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking with an official baseline pool of 1,571.34 points. The tactical obstacle standing in the way of a historic Canadian victory is an elite African powerhouse operating at the highest level of its modern history.
Morocco commands the 6th spot globally on the Inside FIFA leaderboard, sitting comfortably on a world-class foundation of 1,788.86 points.
Canada validated their tactical progression under Marsch by securing a historic knockout milestone in the Round of 32, building upon their runner-up finish in the initial phase.
Morocco, meanwhile, survived an incredibly tense penalty shootout against the Netherlands to lock in their presence among the final 16 teams.
The table below breaks down the baseline global rankings and tournament metrics for the two remaining challengers:
| Country | FIFA Rank | Total Points Baseline | Previous Round Outcome |
| Canada | 30th | 1,571.34 | Advanced (1-0 vs. South Africa) |
| Morocco | 6th | 1,788.86 | Advanced (Won on Penalties vs. Netherlands) |
To contextualize Canada’s presence inside the global top 30, the program’s structural evolution over the past decade has been remarkable. The national team bottomed out at an all-time structural floor between August and October 2014, when they plummeted to a lowly 122nd in the world.
Following extensive tactical developments, they scaled a historic competitive peak of 26th globally in September 2025 before consolidating their position among the world’s top 30 footballing nations.
The stakes have dramatically heightened at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a formidable Morocco squad prepares for a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown against a high-flying Canada team in Houston.
Having successfully cleared the opening hurdle of the knockout stage with an epic, nerve-shredding penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, the African heavyweights are now just three wins away from another deep tournament run. Stepping onto the pitch at Houston Stadium to fight for a place in the quarterfinals, Morocco commands the 6th position in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking with an official baseline coefficient of 1,788.86 points.
The tactical obstacle standing in the Atlas Lions’ way is an ambitious North American co-host playing with immense confidence and momentum. Canada occupies the 30th spot globally on the official Inside FIFA leaderboard, sitting on a steady foundation of 1,571.34 ranking points.
Morocco validated their elite pre-tournament billing by advancing out of a grueling group before showing immense defensive composure to block out the Dutch in the Round of 32.
Canada, conversely, extended their dream summer campaign by navigating past their own sudden-death opponent, establishing a highly competitive mid-tier profile in the process.
The table below breaks down the baseline global rankings and tournament metrics for the two remaining challengers:
| Country | FIFA Rank | Total Points Baseline | Previous Match Outcome |
| Morocco | 6th | 1,788.86 | Won on Penalties vs Netherlands after 1-1 draw |
| Canada | 30th | 1,571.34 | Won 1-0 over South Africa |
Morocco’s placement at 6th in the world marks a monumental high-water mark for the nation, representing the highest official position the Atlas Lions have ever held since the ranking system’s inception in 1993.
This elite baseline highlights an incredible multi-year evolution from their absolute structural floor in September 2010, when a severe rebuilding phase saw them plummet to a lowly 95th globally.
Canada and Morocco are colliding in a massive 2026 World Cup Round of 16 showdown, and the stakes for both nations couldn’t be higher. As two resilient squads in the midst of absolute dream runs prepare for a winner-takes-all clash, every single moment on the pitch carries monumental weight. Whoever survives this high-intensity clash will dramatically reshape the tournament landscape, and the path to the quarterfinals becomes much clearer once we break down the bracket scenarios.
Canada arrives in Houston after making history with its first-ever men’s World Cup knockout victory, while Morocco continues another impressive campaign after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties. With both national teams chasing a place among the world’s final eight, the stakes could hardly be higher.
The Reds have enjoyed their best-ever men’s World Cup campaign. Jesse Marsch’s side secured its maiden knockout-stage victory by defeating South Africa 1-0 thanks to Stephen Eustáquio’s dramatic stoppage-time winner, extending the nation’s growing reputation on the international stage.
Morocco, meanwhile, has once again demonstrated why it remains one of the tournament favorites. The Atlas Lions advanced after surviving a tense penalty shootout against the Netherlands and have now stretched an impressive unbeaten run while continuing to impress under new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
| Pos | Team | Points | Record (W-D-L) | Status |
| 1. | Switzerland | 7 | 2–1–0 | Advanced |
| 2. | Canada | 4 | 1–1–1 | Advanced |
| 3. | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 4 | 1–1–1 | Advanced |
| 4. | Qatar | 1 | 0–1–2 | Eliminated |
The North African nation has also evolved considerably since its historic semifinal appearance in Qatar four years earlier. Ouahbi has introduced a more possession-based philosophy, relying on a younger squad that has combined technical quality with tactical flexibility throughout the tournament.
| Pos | Team | Points | Record (W-D-L) | Status |
| 1. | Brazil | 7 | 2–1–0 | Advanced |
| 2. | Morocco | 7 | 2–1–0 | Advanced |
| 3. | Scotland | 3 | 1–0–2 | Eliminated |
| 4. | Haiti | 0 | 0–0–3 | Eliminated |
A Canadian victory would represent another historic milestone for the co-host nation.
Canada would advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history, continuing an unforgettable tournament that has already produced several national firsts. After reaching the knockout stage and securing its maiden knockout victory, another triumph would place Canada among the competition’s final eight.
Should Canada emerge victorious, it would advance to the quarterfinals in Boston on July 9, where it would face the winner of France versus Paraguay. That matchup would present another enormous challenge, but Canada’s performances throughout the tournament have shown that the squad is capable of competing with higher-ranked opponents through organization, discipline, and relentless work rate.
Technically, a draw cannot stand as the final result in the Round of 16.
If Canada and Morocco are level after the regulation 90 minutes, the match will continue into 30 minutes of extra time. Should neither side break the deadlock, the contest would then be decided by a penalty shootout.
In other words, a draw only delays the decision; it does not change the bracket. Eventually, one national team will advance while the other sees its World Cup campaign come to an end.
Should Morocco prevail, the Atlas Lions would book another place in the World Cup quarterfinals and continue building on the remarkable consistency the nation has displayed over recent tournaments.
Victory would send Morocco into a quarterfinal against either France or Paraguay, keeping alive hopes of matching, or even surpassing, the country’s memorable run from the 2022 World Cup.
The North African side enters the match as one of the tournament’s strongest possession-based teams. Mohamed Ouahbi’s players have controlled matches through accurate passing, creative movement, and the attacking influence of players such as Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, and Brahim Diaz.
A win would also reinforce Morocco’s growing reputation as one of world soccer’s elite national teams. Beyond that, the road becomes even more challenging, with traditional powers such as Brazil, England, Norway, or Mexico among the potential semifinal opponents depending on how the rest of the bracket unfolds.
Esteemed trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre believes Canelo Alvarez could be in for a rude awakening when he faces Christian Mbilli in October. The two super-middleweights will square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Canelo entering his first outing since losing to Terence Crawford last September. This unanimous decision relieved the Mexican of his crown at […]
The post Terence Crawford trainer sends strong warning to Canelo on Christian Mbilli fight appeared first on Boxing News.
Acer's Nitro 65 arrives at a time when the PC market is undergoing major stress caused by RAM, storage, and other component shortages.
Nevertheless, the Nitro 65's pricing remains reasonable, its performance is spot on, the case is far better than I expected, and it uses (mostly) regular parts that you can upgrade or replace yourself without much effort.
I've been using the PC for a couple of weeks, and while it's mainly been a positive experience, there are a couple of quirks that you need to know about before buying.
Acer sent Windows Central a review unit on loan for testing. It had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.
The Acer Nitro 65 model I'm reviewing, with Ryzen 9 9900X CPU, RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD, costs $2,304.99 regularly at Best Buy, although it seems to enjoy frequent sales that drop it closer to $2,100 or less.
I'm always curious to see how that compares to building your own system, so I went ahead and put something together using the same (or as similar as possible) components.
You're looking at a similar cost compared to building your own system.
I used a $150 HYTE X50 case (because it's awesome), a $120 motherboard, and left about $200 to $300 for a 1TB SSD. That comes out to $350 to $450 on top of the $1,611 cost at PCPartPicker. Add some RGB case fans and other small accessories, and you're looking at a similar cost compared to building your own system.
If you like the look of the PC but don't need quite as much performance, models with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700F CPU and either an NVIDIA RTX 5060 or an AMD Radeon 9060 XT range from $1,100 to $1,600, depending on available discounts.
Here's a closer look at the specs in the unit I'm reviewing.
Acer Nitro 65 | |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5070 (12GB, Gigabyte WindForce) |
RAM | 32GB DDR5 (Kingston Fury Beast) |
Storage | 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe (Lexar NQ7A1) |
Motherboard | Gigabyte B850M C |
PSU | 850W 80+ Gold (non-modular) |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Dimensions | 18.4 (W) x 9.6 (D) x 17 (H) inches |
Warranty | 1 year |
Acer is definitely making money on the Nitro 65, but as I laid out above, the margin isn't as big as some might expect. So, where are the corners being cut to make up the difference?
The first thing that stands out to me is the no-name PSU. It's non-modular, making it harder to upgrade, and it's tough to judge what sort of quality it is.
Acer lists it as 850W 80+ Gold, which just means it's fairly energy efficient and has plenty of power for the installed hardware and for future upgrades. Its actual durability remains questionable. If I were buying this PC, I'd definitely replace the PSU with something else before the one-year warranty ran out.
The other off-brand piece is the Nitro-branded CPU air cooler. But as we'll see, it does a decent job of keeping the 9900X cool under load. If you prefer liquid cooling, the 35L case can easily accommodate the extra hardware.
The good news is that the PC is otherwise well put together and uses standard components that you can buy yourself for upgrades and repairs. No wacky motherboard designs. No off-brand GPUs. No sketchy memory.
Acer uses Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000 RGB RAM here in a dual-channel config, the RTX 5070 is a standard Gigabyte WindForce option, and the M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is from Lexar.
Now, there's no guarantee that these exact same components will be used in your model, but I did run some benchmarks to see how the specific parts in my review unit perform. More on that below.
Rounded cases seem to be coming into style lately, and the Nitro 65's custom 35L tower is quite attractive. Tempered glass runs from the front to the back along two sides, rounded at the corners. Just below the glass is an embedded RGB strip that diffuses light. It's completely customizable and syncs up with the rest of the lighting.
The other RGB lives in the two main intake fans, the RAM, the CPU cooler fan, and the single exhaust fan. It's more than enough for me, and I appreciate that it can be turned off entirely if not customized to your liking.
The Nitro 65's custom 35L tower is quite attractive.
Front I/O includes dual USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) and a single USB-C 3.2 (Gen 1) port, all running at 5Gbps. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack next to the power button. It would be nice to have 10Gbps ports here, but it's not a dealbreaker. The rear I/O is, like a normal PC, dependent on the motherboard and GPU.
Something I love is the inclusion of a magnetic dust cover on the top of the PC. It'd come in most handy with an AiO, but I appreciate it here anyway. The side intake fans have a dual-screen setup — one directly behind the fans and another on the back panel — while the PSU has its own dust cover on the bottom.
These small additions help keep dust out of your PC, and because they're removable, they're much easier to clean than something fixed.
Some pre-built PCs skimp on connectivity, but not here. The Gigabyte motherboard offers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for cutting-edge wireless, and there's a 2.5Gb Ethernet port to handle wired connections.
The Nitro 65 comes packed with expanding foam around the CPU cooler and GPU, with an extra foam insert around the GPU to keep it stable; it otherwise has no additional support.
There are no evident problems with assembly, and because it's packed in so tightly, I made no adjustments before booting the PC for the first time.
Pulling off the back panel reveals rather tidy cable management. Zip ties are used, so you'll likely need to clip and replace those if you decide to make some internal changes, but there are a couple of Velcro strips thrown in around the main channels.
Because the PSU isn't modular, there's some snarl below the internal riser, but it's not visible from the front.
As for the visible cabling, it's all properly installed with no extra slack that could block airflow. The GPU power cable has its own exit in the PSU riser, and plenty of cutouts around the motherboard should make for easy upgrades in the future.
Overall, it's a clean look behind the glass, and the cabling that's hidden is actually a lot better than I was expecting.
The Nitro 65 has some solid performance hardware inside, and I'm happy to report it keeps its cool under load. The two intake fans point toward the side of the case, but the rounded front glass helps curve that air toward the back.
I ran a Speed Way stress test on components first with the side glass panel removed. The CPU was able to remain between about 60.8 and 61.6 degrees Celsius, while the GPU sat at about 68 to 70 degrees. It came out to 99.2% frame stability.
The Nitro 65 has some solid performance hardware inside, and I'm happy to report it keeps its cool under load.
With the glass panel back in place, I reran the same test. CPU temps climbed to roughly 63 to 65 degrees Celsius, while the GPU hit about 70 to 72 degrees. That's an expected rise, and it's not out of the ordinary. Frame stability fell slightly to 98.8%.
One note on the CPU cooler: the single fan gets a bit louder than I'd like when it's under load, but it seems to even off with sustained effort. Still, it'd be better if Acer used an AiO liquid cooler here as the standard.
I'm focusing less on performance here since the PC uses standard components. The RTX 5070 and the Ryzen 9 9900X perform just like they should.
Here are some benchmarks so you can see how the hardware compares to other stuff we've recently tested.
Note that I've included two Ryzen 9 9900X scores in one graph. The higher score comes from testing we did on an open test bench using an NZXT Kraken AiO liquid cooler. That could explain some of the multi-core performance difference.
As for the Lexar GPU, it reached 6,052MB/s read and 5,063MB/s write speeds in my testing. These aren't the fastest speeds ever for a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, but they're perfectly acceptable for gaming.
I found this PC to load everything quite quickly, no doubt aided by 32GB of DDR5 RAM. I'm also happy to see that there's a minimum of bloatware on the PC, arriving with a rather clean version of Windows 11 Home.
✅ You're in search of a capable mid-size gaming desktop with decent cooling and strong performance.
✅ You're a fan of RGB lighting.
❌ You'd rather save a bit of money and build your own system.
❌ You'd rather take your games on the go with a laptop or handheld.
Acer's Nitro 65 impressed me in more ways than one. The custom case is gorgeous, especially with that rounded glass front, and it has lots of room inside for future upgrades. The diffused RGB strip around the case adds some flair.
Assembly and cable management are, I'd say, above average for a pre-built, and Acer using standard parts (other than the PSU) is a definite boon for those who like to keep their PC running as long as possible.
👉 Best Desktop PCs of 2026: Our top-rated pre-builts for gaming, work, and home use
Extra touches like removable dust screens, internal RGB lighting, and magnetic panel clasps don't go unnoticed.
Bottom line? If you'd rather not build your own gaming PC, Acer's Nitro 65 is something I recommend. It won't cost much more than buying the parts yourself, and it arrives ready to go as soon as it's unboxed. Acer even tosses in an RGB keyboard and mouse to get you started.
Acer's Nitro 65 surprises with a clean build, a gorgeous case, (mostly) regular components, and a competitive price compared to building your own similar system. It has some quirks, but they don't keep me from recommending it as an above-average pre-built option.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Being limited to older-generation DUV equipment hasn’t deterred Huawei’s efforts to develop and mass produce competitive chipsets, as the Kirin 2026 will be a prime example of the company’s next-generation packaging. Now, in the latest paper, the Chinese giant has detailed how a hybrid bonding process will allow for SoCs to flaunt a 3D stacking approach, which is the first step of removing one of the major obstacles of mobile silicon innovation; lack of access to advanced lithography. Despite having no access to advanced chipmaking equipment, Huawei’s mastery in smartphone chipset packaging for the Kirin 2026 looks promising During Huawei’s […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/huawei-kirin-2026-paper-shows-hybrid-bonding-for-3d-stacking-to-boost-competition/
Vivo has already released a bunch of vivo X300 phones and it's seemingly going for a sixth release under the X300 series and it's called X300e. We first heard about the vivo X300e back in February thanks to a leaked IMEI number in the GSMA database. And now, the well-known Digital Chat Station tipster from Weibo revealed most of the handset's hardware. vivo X300 FE The vivo X300e is said to offer a 6.59-inch OLED screen with flat design, while a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset is tasked to run the show, same as the vivo X300 FE. The camera system is expected to cover all bases with a...
Manchester City, Hollandalı stoper Nathan Ake'nin Fenerbahçe'ye transfer olduğunu duyurdu.
Yeni sezon hazırlıklarına başlayan Fenerbahçe'den transfer konusunda önemli hamleler gelmeye devam ediyor. Sarı-lacivertliler Nathan Ake transferini resmen bitirdi. İngiliz devi Manchester City, Nathan Ake'nin Fenerbahçe'ye transfer olduğunu doğruladı. Mavi beyazlılar, resmi siteden Hollandalı oyuncuya veda etti.
Manchester City'nin veda paylaşımında şu ifadeler yer aldı:
-Nathan Ake, uluslararası izinlere tabii olarak, Türk takımı Fenerbahçe'ye katılmış ve Manchester City ile geçirdiği son derece başarılı altı yıllık dönemi noktalamıştır.
Thank you for everything, @NathanAke ?? pic.twitter.com/Zc6flHsmzk
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 4, 2026
Galatasaray'da devre arasında Yaser Asprilla'yı kiralamıştı. Oyuncunun satın alma opsiyonu kullanılmadı. Şu anda Nice Kulübü'nden Mohamed-Ali Cho düşünülüyor. Ve Fransız ekibi çok sayıda futbolcusunu satmak zorunda...
Fransa'da Nice Kulübü'nün bonservis ödeyerek transfer yapabilmesi için 40 milyon euroluk satış gerçekleştirmesi gerekiyor. Bu sebeple de takımdaki birçok isim satış listesine konuldu. Onlardan biri de Mohamed-Ali Cho... 22 yaşındaki sağ kanat oyuncusu da ayrılmak istiyor.
ALTERNATİF AÇIĞI OLUŞTU
Galatasaray, devre arasında kiraladığı Yaser Asprilla'nın satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmamıştı. Bu sebeple sağ tarafta alternatif açığı oluştu. Sarı-Kırmızılılar'ın, Nice Kulübü'nün özel durumunu değerlendirmeyi düşündüğü öğrenildi. Cho'nun tahmini piyasa değeri 15 milyon euro civarında...
TFF'NİN KRİTERİNE UYUYOR
2004 doğumlu Mohamed-Ali Cho, Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun genç yabancı kriterini karşılıyor. Fransız futbolcunun, Nice ile 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavelesi var. Geçen sezon Ligue 1'de 24 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 1.681 dakika kaldı. 4 gol ve 3 asist üretti. Galatasaray'ın kafasındaki teklif 10 milyon euro civarında... Nice cephesi buna olumlu yaklaşırsa iş bitecek. Aksi halde süreç uzayacak.
Beşiktaş, Gökhan Sazdağı'nın transferi için Çorum FK ile anlaşmaya varıldığını açıkladı.
Beşiktaş Kulübü, kanat oyuncusu Gökhan Sazdağı'nın Trendyol Süper Lig'in yeni ekiplerinden Arca Çorum FK'ye transfer olduğunu duyurdu.
Siyah-beyazlı kulübün açıklamasında, "Profesyonel futbolcumuz Gökhan Sazdağı'nın nihai transferi hususunda Çorum FK ile anlaşmaya varılmıştır. Gökhan Sazdağı'na yeni kulübünde başarılar diler, kamuoyunun bilgisine saygılarımızla sunarız." ifadeleri kullanıldı.
Gökhan Sazdağı, Beşiktaş'ta geçen sezon 18 müsabakada forma giydi.
Dünya çempionatında (DÇ-2026) 1/16 final mərhələsinin Kabo Verde ilə oyunu Argentina millisinin baş məşqçisi Lionel Skaloni üçün əlamətdar olub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, o, vaxtda 3:2 hesabıyla məğlub etdikləri Kabo Verde ilə görüşdə yığmanın sükanı arxasında əlamətdar yubileyə imza atıb.
48 yaşlı mütəxəssis bu görüşdə Argentina millisinin baş məşqçisi kimi 100-cü oyununa çıxıb. O, 2018-ci ilin avqustundan komandaya rəhbərlik edir və bu müddətdə yığmanı dünya futbolunun ən uğurlu kollektivlərindən birinə çevirib.
Skaloninin rəhbərliyi altında Argentina 100 oyunun 73-də qalib gəlib, 18 heç-heçə edib, cəmi 9 dəfə məğlub olub. Komanda bu qarşılaşmalarda 209 qol vurub, 52 qol buraxıb.
Onun rəhbərliyi dövründə Argentina millisi dörd nüfuzlu titul qazanıb. “Albiseleste” 2021 və 2024-cü illərdə Amerika Kubokunun qalibi olub, 2022-ci ildə İtaliya üzərində qələbə qazanaraq Finalissima kubokunu əldə edib, elə həmin il Qətərdə keçirilmiş dünya çempionatında da çempionluğa sevinib.
Skaloninin dövründə millinin ən məhsuldar futbolçusu Lionel Messi olub. Təcrübəli hücumçu baş məşqçinin rəhbərliyi altında keçirdiyi oyunlarda 59 qol vuraraq komandanın əsas liderinə çevrilib.
100-cü oyununda qələbə qazanan Lionel Skaloni, həmçinin Argentina millisinin tarixində bu həddə ən sürətli çatan məşqçilərdən biri kimi də diqqət çəkir. Bununla belə, yığmanın tarixi rekordları hələ də əfsanəvi çalışdırıcı Gilyermo Stabileyə məxsusdur. O, 1939-1960-cı illərdə Argentina millisini 127 oyunda meydana çıxarıb və 85 qələbə qazanıb.
Qeyd edək ki, Argentina millisi DÇ-2026-nın 1/8 finalında Misir yığması ilə qarşılaşacaq.
İngiltərənin “Tottenhem” klubu Çexiya Respublikasından olan gənc qapıçısı Antonin Kinski ilə müqavilənin müddətini uzadıb.
Arena.az bu barədə klubun rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
23 yaşlı çexiyalı qolkiperlə yeni anlaşma əldə olunub. Yenilənmiş müqavilənin 2031-ci ilin 30 iyununadək nəzərdə tutulub.
Bildirilib ki, yeni sözləşmə Kinskinin maaşının artırılmasını da nəzərdə tutur. Bu addım klub rəhbərliyinin gənc qapıçıya olan etimadının göstəricisi kimi qiymətləndirilir.
Antonin Kinski “Tottenhem”ə göstərdiyi sabit çıxışdan sonra əsas komandanın gələcək planlarında mühüm yer tutan futbolçulardan biri hesab olunur. London təmsilçisi onun inkişafını davam etdirməsi və uzunmüddətli perspektivdə komandanın əsas qapıçılarından birinə çevrilməsi üçün yeni müqavilə təklif edib.
Kinski peşəkar karyerası ərzində “Dukla” (Praqa), “Slaviya” (Praqa), “Vışkov”, “Pardubiçe” kimi klubların şərəfini qoruyub. “Tottenhem” onu 2025-ci ilin yanvarında “Slaviya”dan 16,5 milyon avro müqabilində transfer edib. Çex qolkiper London klubunun əsas komandasında 20 oyuna çıxıb, 29 qol buraxıb, 6 matçda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlayıb.
Antonin Çexiyanın müxtəlif yaş qrupları üzrə yığmalarında oynasa da, əsas millidə debüt şansı qazanmayıb.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 23 yaşlı qapıçının transfer dəyərini 15 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
If you’re looking for a small, portable projector for business presentations or just to sit back and relax and watch a movie, this Google TV-enabled 1080p projector is a superb option. What I really liked about this projector was that as I fed a presentation from my 4K output through the projector, it was downscaled without any issue, no black screen or flickering it just worked.
Essentially, with Google TV installed, linking it to my selection of mobile phones, be that Android or iOS, was straightforward, all done through the Google Home app. Once you’ve run through that initial setup process, along with all the updates, you’ll be up and running within a few minutes.
Since it's based on Google Home, you can install any native apps you want. If you are primarily using this for entertainment, you can download Amazon Prime, Netflox, 4oD, and any other apps you want, although iPlayer and the BBC apps do need to be cast. There's also a slight compatibility issue with iPhones when trying to cast from Apps like iPlayer, but for the most part it's simple enough. It’s all very simple, as ever with anything that runs on Google Home, and the connection speeds provide fast downloads in most situations.
When the unit arrived, it came in a semi-hard case, which is great for portability, especially if you’re going to business meetings or are running a workshop, as I was. In which case, it makes it a very neat and easy way to carry. The other point that I like about the design is that it has a 90-degree rotating body, which means you can very easily tilt the projection at will, no need for book to prop it up, and with the auto keystone correction, it automatically corrects the verticals. If, however, you want to mount it onto a tripod, then there is a quarter-inch thread on the base, making things especially easy.
Considering the size, the 750-lumen projection brightness is pretty decent for a portable model, although you do still need to present in slightly subdued lighting. In midday daylight, it’s worth just pulling down the blinds so you can see the projected image clearly. But if you’re viewing this later in the evening or at night, then that projection clarity is superb, and the uplift to Full HD, not just HD as many portable projectors are, really does make a difference to the quality.
The one thing I would say is that it has an integrated 5W speaker, and whilst that is actually pretty decent and was fine for my presentation, it’s a little low on the volume stakes. However, as you’ve got a 3.5mm audio output jack, if you do want to plug in a louder soundbar, then thankfully, that’s very easy to do.
The point here is that, alongside the Home integration, which is great for entertainment, when it comes to business use, you also have the HDMI input. So, you can connect it straight into a laptop, in my case, the MacBook Pro M1 Max, or there’s a USB Type-A port as well, so USB keys can be plugged directly in.
There’s also the built-in 66Wh battery, which is rated for up to three hours, which is enough to watch most films and get through most presentations without too many issues, but you can be cutting it a little bit fine. I found that just plugging it in via USB-C into the mains was the best way to keep the projection topped up and running, and, when out in the field, I used the Jackery 1000 V2 power station, which proved a great option.
The TCL PlayCube is widely available in the US, UK, and beyond, from retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Argos, and Richer Sounds. I generally found it selling for around the $799 / £799 mark.
CPU: MT9630 processor
Graphics: DLP projector, 0.33-inch DMD chip, RGB LED light source
Rear / main ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x 3.5mm audio output, USB-C power connection, IR input
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, Google Cast
Audio: Integrated 5W speaker, Dolby Digital Plus, four EQ sound modes
Size: 5.9 x 3.8 x 3.8 inches / 150 x 97 x 97mm; 2.87lb / 1.3kg
OS Installed: Google TV
Accessories: Power cord and user manual
I absolutely love the design of the PlayCube portable projector. It just looks great once you remove the semi-hard case it arrives in, unzip it, and the cube-like projector inside is revealed, along with the remote, plug, and USB cable that supplies AC power when not utilising the battery.
The design is somewhat unique, earning it the PlayCube name: part of the body rotates 90° to let you tilt the projector up onto a wall when it’s on a desktop, making it extremely portable and easy to use in different locations.
I used a workshop I was running to fully test this projector and even the set up process that was as simple as popping it onto a desk, tilting the body to project onto a wall was extremely quick and straightforward.
With the auto keystone and focus correction, I could literally get on with setting up without worrying too much about the projector. It’s just a very nice, neat design.
At just 5.91 x 3.82 x 3.82 (150 x 97 x 97mm) and weighing 2.87lb (1.3kg), it’s also relatively light, so you can easily position it on a desk if giving a presentation. Equally, if you’re at home or out camping and want to watch a movie, it’s very easy to position and place. Great if you’re just taking it with you to watch a sporting or music event this summer, or to kick back and watch a movie at the end of the day.
In my case, it’s brilliant for workshops because you never know how much room you’ll have or what you can project onto. Just having something small and versatile like this is especially useful, even more so when it has a quarter-inch thread on the base, letting you mount it on any standard tripod.
Design-wise, it looks ultra-modern, extremely stylish, and well-made, and with that semi-hard case, it feels good and durable. So, if you are using it as a professional piece of kit rather than just for entertainment, then, stashed away in a Peli case for transport, it should survive more than a knock or two. it feels well made and robust, and durability has certainly been a consideration.
Considering this is a portable projector, the feature set is quite impressive, with a step up to 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, which is far better than the standard 720p resolution we often see with this style of portable projector. What’s more, it also supports 4K input, so if you’re outputting from your laptop at 4K directly to the projector, or from a media player, it will downscale it to the correct resolution without issue.
The other point here is that 750lm is exceptionally high for a small portable projector, which means you can use it in slightly brighter conditions than you would usually consider. For myself, running a workshop, that brightness was just enough to produce a clear image in daylight conditions that was easy for everyone attending to see.
The brightness was matched by decent clarity and sharpness, and the autofocus really does lock on. Again, with that auto keystone correction, you’ve got a nice rectangular visual, even when you’re projecting up at an angle towards the wall.
The size of the projection is dependent on how far you move the projector back from the wall, you can go from a relatively small 30-inch projection to a 150-inch one. Obviously, the closer you are to the wall, the brighter the projection, so during the day you’re probably going to want that close-range projection of just 30 inches, which is still relatively large in small workshop situations, all the way up to about 150 inches if you’re kicking back of an evening and watching a movie.
Checking the quality of the projection, the image is produced via an Aura RGB LED light source, which the company claims has a 124% Rec.709 colour gamut. I’m also pleased to see that it’s got autofocus, auto keystone correction, auto screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance, meaning the screen will actually resize to avoid certain obstacles like light sockets and doors, all helping to make the setup nice and straightforward.
As we see with quite a few of these projectors now, safety guards, including the TOF active guard eye safety feature, help reduce the risk of direct eye exposure. As a multi-use projector, you get Google TV, Netflix certification, Google Assistant voice control and Google Cast, meaning you can cast directly from an Android phone to the projector, making things ultra-simple.
When it comes to connectivity options, if you don’t want to use Google Home and just want to use it as a straight projector, there are HDMI and USB ports, and I was pleased to see a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting external speakers. You also have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity to stream to online services and connect to external devices such as speakers.
Getting started with the PlayCube is extremely easy. After all, it has Google TV, and the setup and installation process is exceptionally quick. The only thing I would say is that during use, my home internet connection completely failed, so I had to rely on a mobile network. Still, the connection speeds were exceptionally good using the D-Link G572 5G router, which I highly recommend as a backup for your home internet if it’s slightly temperamental.
Once I’d run through the setup process, installed all the apps that I wanted, connected my Google account and run all of the updates, which did actually take some time, I was then able to use Google TV to project from all of my favourite streaming apps, and this all worked as expected, with a few notable exceptions.
While the projector works with most main stream apps, there's no option to download iPlayer and trying to cast to the projector from my iPhone through the iPlayer app also proved a non event. All other apps worked incredibly well.
What I liked here was that the remote control is really well thought out and very responsive in use. The quality of the projected image was also exceptionally good, and compared with some of the portable projectors that I normally use for workshops, the higher-resolution 1920 x 1080 display, alongside the 750lm brightness, really did make a difference to the clarity and internal gradation, even in relatively bright daylight conditions.
As the afternoon and evening drew in, the quality of the projection really stood out, and for presentations and workshops, this projector is an ideal solution. Coming in that small semi-hard case, this is easy to transport and even easier to set up.
There are several things that really appeal to me. First, the semi-hard case keeps everything neat and tidy, and the second is just how easy and quick it is to set up. Essentially, place it onto a desktop, rotate the cube around so you get the tilt onto the wall that you want, power on, and then you can connect whichever device you want, be that through the Wi-Fi connection for streaming services or, in my case, connecting my MacBook Pro through HDMI directly into the back of the projector so that I could project my presentation as well as examples.
The speakers are only 5W, and while they’re relatively decent quality, I did plug into an old pair of Fostex monitors just because they gave me better, louder audio.
I also found that, as I was setting up, the autofocus, keystone and object avoidance all happened automatically and extremely quickly. Once you get enough distance from whichever surface you’re projecting onto, it is very easy to get it to sit within a projection screen or wall, from the relatively close quarters of the workshop to pulling the projector right back for watching a movie later on that evening.
The fact that it’s got that quarter-inch thread on the base, enabling me to mount it onto a tripod, just made it far easier to manoeuvre around, and whilst the battery does last a good two and a half to three hours, for safety, especially while I’m watching the movie, I plug it into a Jackery 1000 V2 power station just to ensure it doesn’t power down right at the end of the movie.
Through the tests, the projector just worked exceptionally well, and whilst there is quite a bit of fan noise, especially in these weather conditions, it’s just about bearable, and in workshops where there’s plenty of chatter, so that fan noise really wasn’t an issue. However, when I was watching a few movies, the fan's background noise was a bit distracting at first, but you soon get used to it and kind of block it out.
When it comes to the visuals, they are clear and bright, and for such a small projector, it certainly packs in a great deal of power. For entertainment on the move, on holiday, or at home, the small projector is a great option because it packs away easily, unlike larger home projectors that take up a lot of space.
You can use it at home when you want to watch a film big on the screen or a sporting event, and then just simply pack it away in a cupboard when that’s over. Likewise, if you’re off on holiday, you can easily pack it, take it with you, and it doesn’t add too much weight to your luggage.
More importantly, if you’re away on business or you’re running a workshop, then having a small projector like this is an ideal solution. It enables the entire group to easily see what you’re talking about without needing to connect up to a TV screen, monitor or large projector. Because it’s small, lightweight and extremely versatile when it comes to connectivity options, it gives you plenty of flexibility.
The ease of connection really won me over during the test, as did the image's brightness and clarity. What I also really liked was that it would last for a good two and a half hours without issue, and with most of my workshops lasting around three hours, it meant that I wasn’t having to be too precious about switching the projector on and off, of which the boot-up process can take up to a minute.
When the projector does indicate that the power is running low, it can always be powered via USB-C. For the most part, because I have other kit that also needs to be plugged in, I take the Jackery 1000 V2 along with me just to have some extra power when needed.
For both home and business use, the small projector, with its premium build quality and matching pricing, makes a great option. It might not be as bright as the larger desktop projectors, but if you’re looking for one of the best portable options on the market at present, then this certainly fits the bill.
From the outset, the TCL PlayCube impressed, firstly with a semi-hard case that instantly gives it an ultra-portable, premium feel. As it was opened, the projector inside had a decent weight and build quality, and it looked pretty stylish too.
As I ran through the test, checking out how Google TV and all the apps worked, it all seemed very fluid, exactly what I expect from anything based on the Google TV system. But then, branching out from just pure entertainment and streaming, I checked it out for the more serious business of work.
Connected out to my MacBook Pro M1 Max and a couple of the mini PCs that I’ve had on test recently, I was impressed to see that it was able to scale the video output instantly, ready for projection. There was no fiddling around with options or settings. It adjusted automatically, ready to project on the wall as and when needed.
Setup was exceptionally easy, with battery power, which provided plenty of projection time. This is one of the easiest projectors I’ve used: just set it on a desktop, project it onto the wall, plug in the HDMI, and off you go. If I wanted a little more audio volume than those 5W speakers provide, I could simply plug in a set of monitors and aim to vastly improve the output volume.
As ever there are a few issues with app compatibility for the likes of BBC iPlayer which isn't available, and trying to cast from iPlayer to the device from my iPhone just wasn't possible.
However, that aside as a compact and highly versatile portable projector, the PlayCube is a superb design and ideal for entertainment, both at home and away, as well as for business use, presentations and workshops.
Value | Expensive for a portable projector, but equipped with good brightness that makes it suitable for home and business. | 4/5 |
Design | clever design with its twistable casing that enables you to easily position it or mount it on a tripod. | 4.5/5 |
Features | Using Google TV, everything is very straightforward, and if you just want to use it as a straight projector, then just plug in the HDMI. It’s all well thought out and easy to use. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | 750lm portable brightness does make a real difference, and the clarity and colour of the image are also superb. | 4/5 |
Overall | This is a well-rounded package that’s equally suited to home as well as business use, and you do pay extra for the quality it provides. | 4/5 |
You need a projector for business
The compact, semi-hard case that keeps everything neatly together, and the easy setup and use without a power supply make it a good portable business solution.
You stream content
After work, it is great to know that you can easily stream content from Google TV, Netflix and other streaming services without too many issues.
You need daylight
Even with a powerful projection, 750lm can still be drowned out by daylight, so if you do need to display content through the day, a TV screen might still be a better option.
You demand cinema
Whilst for business and light entertainment use, 1080p and a 5W speaker might be adequate, if you want true cinema, then you might need something with a higher resolution and louder audio.
For more top performers, we've tested the best portable projectors you can get.
Co-hosts Canada will take on Morocco at NRG Stadium in Houston as the first match of the round of 16 gets underway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Canada’s route has been a little rocky, with Jesse Marsch's side relying heavily on their defensive solidity. After finishing second in their group, the Reds edged past South Africa 1-0 in the round of 32 – their first-ever World Cup knockout win – thanks to Stephen Eustaquio's injury-time winner. This is already Canada's best tournament after a disappointing group-stage exit in 2022 in which they coincidentally lost 2-1 to today's opponents. Alphonso Davies could be in line for his first start of the tournament after returning from a hamstring injury in the previous match.
Morocco, on the other hand, endured a dramatic round-of-32 clash against the Netherlands, eventually prevailing 3-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw that featured Issa Diop's late equalizer. Depending on whether you count the controversial awarding of the 2025 AFCON final to The Atlas Lions, Mohamed Ouahbi's side are 33 games unbeaten and continue to show the resilience that took them to the 2022 semi-finals. A lot will rely Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari – who scored the winning penalty against the Dutch, after bagging in every group-stage game – to provide the early breakthroughs.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Canada vs Morocco for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Canada XI: Crepeau; A. Johnston, Bombito, L. de Fougerolles, Laryea; T. Buchanan, N. Sigur, Eustaquio, A. Ahmed; J. David, T. Oluwaseyi
Morocco XI: Y. Bounou; Mazraoui, Diop, R. Halhal, A. Hakimi; N. El Aynaoui, A. Bouaddi; B. El Khannouss, A. Ounahi, B. Diaz; I. Saibari
Canada vs Morocco is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN – more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Canada vs Morocco stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:
▶︎ Norton VPN MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guarantee
Watch your free World Cup stream without limits. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.
💰 60-day money-back guarantee
🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
US viewers can watch Canada vs Morocco on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Canada vs Morocco on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Canada vs Morocco for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV1 and ITVX.
You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Canada vs Morocco will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN and free-to-air channel CTV will be broadcasting Canada vs Morocco.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
CTV will require your TV provider login details, but is also available via pay-TV streaming platform Crave if you want an alternative.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Canada vs Morocco kicks-off at 6pm BST / 1pm ET on Saturday, July 4. That's 3am AEST on Sunday, July 5 in Australia.
Canada
Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), Moise Bombito (Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Jacob Shaffelburg (Toronto), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG)
Morocco
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces)
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Marwane Saadane (Al Fateh), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk)
Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt), Amine Sbai (Angers), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Stage | Canada | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
Group stage | Group B: 2nd, 4 points | Group C: 2nd, 7 points |
Round of 32 | vs South Africa: 1-0 | vs Netherlands: 1-1 (3-2 on penalties) |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının (AGF) regionlarda güləşin inkişafı və idman infrastrukturunun gücləndirilməsi istiqamətində həyata keçirdiyi tədbirlər çərçivəsində Qazax rayonunun Daş Salahlı kəndində sərbəst güləş zalı istifadəyə verilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Daş Salahlı 1 nömrəli tam orta məktəbin 2006-cı il məzunlarının maddi dəstəyi ilə inşa edilən və Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyası tərəfindən güləş xalçası və digər zəruri idman avadanlıqları ilə təchiz edilmiş bu idman ocağında 120-yə yaxın yeniyetmə güləşin sirlərinə yiyələnir.
İyulun 3-də güləş zalının açılış mərasimi keçirilib. Tədbirdə gənclər və idman naziri Fərid Qayıbov, Qazax Rayon İcra Hakimiyyətinin başçısı Rəcəb Babaşov, Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyinin İdman şöbəsinin müdiri Elnur Məmmədov, AGF-nin vitse-prezidentləri Namiq Abdullayev və Fərid Mansurov, AGF-nin baş katibi Pərvin Piriyev, AGF-nin Etika və İntizam Komitəsinin üzvü Firdovsi Umudov, U17 milli komandanın böyük məşqçisi Hacı Əliyev, Qərb bölgəsinin idman ictimaiyyətinin nümayəndələri, məşqçilər, veteran güləşçilər və kənd sakinləri iştirak ediblər.
Güləş zalında yaradılmış şəraitlə tanış olan qonaqlar yeniyetmə güləşçilərlə söhbət edib, onlara öz tövsiyələrini çatdırıblar. Bildirilib ki, yeni idman obyekti regionda güləşin inkişafına, uşaq və yeniyetmələrin sağlam həyat tərzinə cəlb olunmasına, gələcək çempionların yetişməsinə mühüm töhfə verəcək. Dövlətin idmana göstərdiyi diqqət və qayğı, eləcə də Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının bölgələrdə idman infrastrukturunun inkişafına yönəlmiş fəaliyyəti xüsusi vurğulanıb.
Qeyd olunub ki, Qazaxın 2026-cı il üçün Azərbaycanın İdman Paytaxtı elan edilməsi rayonda idmanın inkişafına yeni təkan verib. Daş Salahlıda istifadəyə verilən yeni güləş zalı da bu əlamətdar il çərçivəsində idman infrastrukturunun genişləndirilməsinə, gənc nəslin sağlam həyata təşviqinə və idmana cəlbinə xidmət edən mühüm layihələrdən biridir.
Tədbirdə İslam Həmrəyliyi Oyunlarının mükafatçısı, Daş Salahlı güləş zalında məşqçi-müəllim kimi fəaliyyət göstərən Əsgər Məmmədəliyevin rəhbərliyi ilə nümunəvi məşq keçirilib. Olimpiya mükafatçısı, dünya və Avropa çempionu Hacı Əliyevin iştirakı ilə imza mərasimi də təşkil olunub.
Qeyd edək ki, bu idman ocağının fəaliyyətə başlaması Daş Salahlı və ətraf yaşayış məntəqələrində güləşlə məşğul olanlar üçün daha əlverişli məşq şəraiti yaradacaq, regionda bu idman növünün inkişafına əlavə stimul verəcək.
Bu gün dünya çempionatında 1/8 finala start veriləcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, günün ilk matçında ev sahiblərindən Kanada Mərakeşlə üz-üzə gələcək.
Turnirin favoritlərindən hesab edilən Fransanın rəqibi Paraqvay olacaq.
DÇ-2026
1/8 final
4 iyul
21:00 Kanada – Mərakeş
01:00 Fransa – Paraqvay
Heyətini gücləndirməkdə davam edən “Səbail” PFK növbəti transferini reallaşdırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, son olaraq Premyer Liqada “İmişli”də çıxış etmiş Abbas Ağazadə ilə 1+1 illik müqavilə imzalanıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
27 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçi Premyer Liqada 33 oyuna çıxıb və 1 qola imza atıb.
“Səbail” növbəti mövsüm I Liqada mübarizə aparacaq.
The ongoing component crisis has skyrocketed the cost of PC building, with most hardware being overpriced to oblivion as we speak. However, some product segments remain unaffected, such as gaming monitors. We've found a deal on an awesome 27-inch QD-OLED screen from Asus featuring 1440p resolution and a 240 Hz refresh rate for just $349 at Walmart right now. That's about 34% off its usual retail price of $529.
A 3rd Gen QD-OLED panel powers the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMESZ, so it has better color vibrance than similar WOLED panels. If you play in a lot of ambient light, the panel will show higher black levels that look purple, so just keep that in mind before making your purchase. It's also very glossy, which helps with perceived contrast and punchiness, but has worse reflection handling.
The claim to fame for this model in particular is the inclusion of a ''Neo Proximity' sensor that can automatically turn off the display if you step away from it. This is meant to help alleviate the infamous burn-in issue associated with OLED technology without you having to baby the monitor consciously. The proximity sensor is located in the chin of the display, so it can detect if someone is sitting in front of it. ASUS also includes its OLED Care Pro functions, which provide software-based mitigations in the OSD.
Featuring a 27-inch 1440p panel running at 240 Hz, this monitor is perfect for competitive and single-player gaming, as well as media consumption. Thanks to the proximity sensor, you don't even need to take any preventive measures against burn-in.View Deal
Spec-wise, we're looking at 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space and an average Delta-E of less than 2, so it's suitable for professional work out of the box. The monitor has one DisplayPort 1.4 port and one HDMI 2.1 port, with a headphone jack. Since it's an OLED, it has an instantaneous response time of 0.03 ms, and Asus has a bunch of anti-flicker features built in, along with Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB).
We've already mentioned that it's a 27-inch 1440p panel with a 240 Hz refresh rate, so it strikes a balance between cost and performance. It's plenty sharp and absurdly fast without breaking the bank. For just $349 on Walmart right now, you can't find another OLED monitor that's as feature-rich as the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMESZ.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities has stopped accepting industrial wastewater from data center fill-and-flush and closed-loop cooling operations after tracing a rare bacterium in the city's reclaimed water to Goat Systems LLC, the entity Meta uses to build its Cheyenne campus. In a notice reported by Cowboy State Daily, the Board said Goat Systems was in significant noncompliance for discharging water carrying Cupriavidus gilardii, a metal-resistant bacterium that interfered with two water reclamation plants and pushed the reuse system offline for months of cleanup. The Board revoked the contractor's fill-and-flush discharge privileges on March 24, and a wider suspension now covers every data center connected to city services.
Fill-and-flush is a commissioning step in which crews fill a cooling loop's piping with water, flush it to clear debris before the system is run, and then send the used water to drain. Goat Systems routed that flush water, which contained Cupriavidus gilardii, into Cheyenne's sanitary sewer, Frank Strong, the Board's engineering and water resource division manager, told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Strong said the fill water had been purchased from the Board itself and that the origin of the bacterium remains unknown, but said that lab staff caught it in February during routine fecal-bacteria sampling. "This isn't something we normally test for," Strong told the paper.
Microsoft and Nvidia market sealed liquid loops as a near-zero-water alternative to evaporative cooling, an approach that is spreading quickly as AI data centers expand into more communities. Microsoft describes cooling systems that are filled once during construction and then recirculate the same water, while Nvidia's Rubin platform runs a coolant that is 75% water and 25% propylene glycol. That one-time fill, however, is the step that produces a discharge, and the flush water leaves the site before the loop is sealed.
Strong went on to add that the Board's concern extends past the finding of the bacterium, because closed-loop systems can carry glycol and other chemicals that municipal treatment plants aren't built to process. Cheyenne sprays its reclaimed water on parks, golf courses, and other green spaces, and the Board worried the bacterium could become an aerosol hazard during irrigation. Cupriavidus gilardii isn't a regulated contaminant, yet the discharge disrupted treatment sufficiently to trigger pass-through and interference findings under the Cheyenne City Code and federal pretreatment rules.
Meta said that it's supporting its general contractor, Fortis, which stopped discharging and began hauling wastewater offsite, and that independent testing found no trace of the substance. Testing at the Dry Creek and Crow Creek facilities cleared in late June, and the reuse system is back online. Cheyenne City Councilman Pete Laybourn called the disclosure "a very, very unpleasant surprise." The Board hasn't said how the suspension affects other Cheyenne data centers still under construction.
In the enthusiast market, the most shopped-for monitor category is, without a doubt, 4K, specifically in the 27- and 32-inch sizes. The density of 3840x2160 pixels in these two screen formats is, put simply, where you stop seeing the dots. This makes anything look better, be it graphics, photos, documents, videos, or games. And once you’ve experienced it, you can’t go back to QHD or FHD.
The hurdle to resolution nirvana used to be price, but today there are plenty of 4K monitors available for less than $500. But for gamers, the question of frame rates remains. Yes, you can buy a fast 4K monitor, but how much will you have to spend on an equally fast video card? Moving 8.3 million pixels at 200fps is expensive. Luckily, there is a solution – the dual-mode display.
This is a fairly new trend where you get one of the best 4K gaming monitors that can switch to FHD and double its refresh rate with the push of a button. I’ve already reviewed a number of them, and here's AOC’s latest entry, the U27G4XM. It’s a 27-inch IPS screen with 160 Hz, 320 Hz in FHD, Adaptive-Sync, a full-array local-dimming Mini LED backlight with 1,152 zones, wide-gamut color, and DisplayHDR 1000. Let’s take a look.
Panel Type / Backlight | IPS / Mini LED |
Full Array Local Dimming | |
1,152 zones | |
Screen Size / Aspect Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
Max Resolution and Refresh Rate | 3840x2160 @ 160 Hz |
1920x1080 @ 320 Hz | |
FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible | |
Native Color Depth and Gamut | 10-bit (8-bit+FRC) / DCI-P3+ |
HDR10, DisplayHDR 1000 | |
Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
Brightness (mfr) | 450 nits SDR |
1,200 nits HDR | |
Contrast (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
Speakers | None |
Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 w/DSC |
2x HDMI 2.1 | |
Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
USB 3.2 | 1x up, 4x down |
Power Consumption | 33.9w, brightness @ 200 nits |
Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 24.2 x 15-20.3 x 9.4 inches (615 x 381-516 x 239mm) |
Panel Thickness | 2.3 inches (58mm) |
Bezel Width | Top/sides: 0.3 inch (8mm) |
Bottom: 0.75 inch (19mm) | |
Weight | 15.65 pounds (7.1kg) |
Warranty | 3 years |
The U27G4XM maximizes the nit-to-dollar ratio with a full-array Mini LED IPS panel that has 1,152 local dimming zones. There are three different settings that reduce the black level to increase contrast. This gets the monitor closer to the broad contrast delivered by an OLED at a lower cost, and with higher brightness. DisplayHDR 1000 means a 25% window pattern will exceed 1,000 nits peak, and the U27G4XM achieves this with over 1,100 nits measured from my review sample. Black levels can go all the way down to the backlight being turned off (unmeasurable), but with local dimming on medium, I saw just over 13,000:1.
There’s plenty of color saturation that covers a measured 109% of the DCI-P3 gamut, and that’s without the benefit of Quantum Dots. The U27G4XM is reasonably accurate out of the box, but a quick calibration takes it to reference-level. And there’s a spot-on sRGB mode that’s suitable for color-critical tasks.
The dual-mode feature is a one-button affair that switches between 4K/160 Hz and FHD/320 Hz. It’s great for systems without a high-end video card. To run 160 fps at a game’s max detail level in 4K will require a GeForce RTX 4090. But you can run 320 fps in FHD with a cheaper GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super. So, what you save on the video card will buy you the U27G4XM with a few bucks left over for a nice mouse and keyboard.
At this writing, that price is $350, which gets you terrific performance and a bright, colorful image. It also includes aiming points, sniper modes, and a frame counter. There are plenty of image modes and HDR support, with four presets for HDR10 content. You even get side USB ports, which I haven’t seen in a long time. The only things missing are LED lights and internal speakers. But you get a 3.5mm headphone jack alongside the HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, all of which support Display Stream Compression (DSC). On paper, the U27G4XM is an impressive package. Let’s see how it performs.
The U27G4XM comes in fully recyclable packaging, with molded pulp that protects the contents. The panel, upright, and base assemble without tools into a lightweight setup that fits easily on the average desktop. The accessory bundle includes IEC for the internal power supply, plus nice HDMI and DisplayPort cables.
The U27G4XM goes for a chiseled look with flat, angular surfaces making up the back of the panel and an all-screen configuration in the front. Bits of red trim outline the stand’s fulcrum and the offset cable hole in the upright. This is unique in that it’s turned to the side, so you don’t see through it if you’re not using it. The base is cast aluminum with a wide stance and solid construction. The panel snaps on, and though the fulcrum looks large, it’s a little wobbly. It’s perfectly secure, but there is some play when you tilt or rotate the screen. Ergonomics include a 5/23-degree tilt, 20-degree swivel, a 90-degree portrait mode, and a 5.3-inch height range. If you want to use an arm, there’s a 100mm VESA mount with fasteners included.
The front bezel is thin and flush with just a small AOC logo at the bottom. The OSD is controlled by buttons rather than a joystick, a move that probably helped drop the price a tad. A tiny LED indicates power status with a soft glow. The anti-glare layer has a 3H hardness and is free of visible grain.
The input panel is up and under and features two HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 hookup. All ports have DSC and work at full resolution and refresh. There are two USBs here, too, an upstream and a downstream. Three more downstreams grace the right side for easy access. This is a rarity nowadays, and I’m glad to see a nod to convenience from a budget display. There are no internal speakers, but you get a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
The U27G4XM’s OSD is controlled by a row of buttons, which, by modern standards, is a little old-school. But you get one-button access to the refresh mode switch, which is nice.
The dual-resolution feature is up first in the U27G4XM’s Game Setting menu. The easier way to do it is with the second control key, which pops up a little selector. The switch takes a few seconds once you’ve set it up in Nvidia or AMD’s control panel. Also, there are seven picture modes, Standard is the default and best. You also get shadow control to brighten up dark parts of the image, general color saturation, aiming points, sniper modes, a five-level overdrive and a frame counter.
The Picture menu has eight more image modes, which is a bit confusing since you can theoretically combine them with the Game modes for hundreds of combinations. I recommend sticking with Standard/Standard for all content. There are three gamma presets plus fixed color temps and RGB sliders. HDR gets four modes, three of which can be used as emulators for SDR content. HDR10 signals add a mode called Display HDR, which is fairly accurate for color and luminance tracking. Local Dimming gets three levels of aggressiveness. Each further lowers the black level while leaving peak brightness unchanged. Strong turns off the backlight completely under zero signal conditions. You can also choose the sRGB color space here. This mode is very accurate and can be used for critical applications. The U27G4XM also has a PIP/PBP feature for the viewing of two sources at once. The PIP window can be sized and moved.
The U27G4XM can be used without calibration in its Standard picture mode. You can use local dimming for SDR and HDR content if you like. The medium setting increases the contrast ratio to around 13,000:1 for HDR and 1,600:1 for SDR content. I improved grayscale tracking to reference level with a few tweaks to the RGB sliders. I also noted that the sRGB mode is spot-on out of the box if you need the smaller gamut. The native color space covers just over 109% of DCI-P3. Local dimming does not change peak brightness, only black levels, so the brightness values below work in all dimming modes.
Picture Mode | Standard |
Brightness 200 nits | 64 |
Brightness 120 nits | 34 |
Brightness 100 nits | 28 |
Brightness 80 nits | 20 |
Brightness 50 nits | 9 (min. 27 nits) |
Contrast | 48 |
Gamma | 2.2 |
Color Temp User | Red 52, Green 47, Blue 53 |
After spending time with the U27G4XM playing games and getting through some work, I found that I only had two minor complaints. The stand, while secure, has a wobbly fulcrum where the panel attaches. This isn’t a big deal except when operating the OSD, which ties into my second nitpick. I am so spoiled by joysticks that on the rare occasion I get control buttons, I am sad. I realize that this is a budget monitor and at that vocation it excels. But pressing the arrow keys while the panel jiggles about is annoying.
These things aside, the U27G4XM is close to flawless. I’ve noticed that budget 4K screens have been getting quicker with each new model I review. This is the fastest one I’ve seen to date with extremely low input lag and smooth panel response from an excellent overdrive. Though 4K tops out at a mere 160fps, it is free of blur or phasing artifacts. In-game movement is precise with instantaneous reaction to control inputs. It seems counterintuitive to pair a $350 monitor with a $1,600 video card, but the U27G4XM qualifies as a competitor’s tool. It’s a frag master for sure.
The dual-refresh feature was seamless in operation once I set it up in the Nvidia Control Panel. I had to set the options for UHD and FHD just once, 160 and 320 Hz, respectively, then it worked every time. I noted that each mode retained its HDR status, on or off. So, if I was in HDR/160 Hz and switched to 320 Hz, it wouldn’t stay in HDR mode if I hadn’t set it that way previously; no complaint, but just to make you aware. Fortunately, I was fine with running at 160 fps in 4K, so I had no real need for 320 Hz. If you have a slower video card, though, it’s a great alternative to backlight strobing, which usually brings phasing artifacts.
The image is gorgeous in both SDR and HDR. The native color gamut covers over 109% of DCI-P3, so there were always vivid hues to enjoy. When I needed the correct color space for SDR, I could reach for the very accurate sRGB option. The U27G4XM is qualified for color-critical apps.
Work tasks were accomplished with a clear and bright picture that made small fonts and graphical details easy to see. I could sit as close as I liked thanks to the U27G4XM’s 163ppi pixel density. The local dimming worked well on its medium setting. It didn’t increase the peak output, which was nice because then there was no need to change the brightness setting. Rather, it lowered the black level, so contrast was increased with no clipping of detail.
Other things of note were the U27G4XM’s USB ports, three of which are on the right side of the panel. Many budget screens forgo USB ports entirely so to find them here at all is a bonus. I also made use of the gaming aids, aiming point, sniper mode and frame counter. The only thing missing is internal speakers. I had to use headphones to hear game sounds.
Takeaway: The U27G4XM is a superlative value. For $350, you get 4K, 160 Hz, dual-refresh flexibility and a bright, colorful picture. It’s accurate out of the box and calibrates to a high standard. Video processing is top-notch with smooth response and super low input lag. Aside from the OSD buttons and the stand wobble, I have no complaints.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
To compare the U27G4XM’s performance, I’ve rounded up dual- and single-refresh 4K 27-inch monitors. The dual models are Titan Army’s P2712V, Acer’s XB273K V5, and ViewSonic’s VX2730D-4K. Single-mode displays include TCL’s 27R94 and Gigabyte’s GS27U.
Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.
The monitors in the response time chart are different because it’s unfair to compare LCDs and OLEDs in this test. OLED’s black-to-white transition is much faster, which is why they are smoother at lower refresh rates. On planet LCD, the XB273U F5, a G-Sync Pulsar monitor, shares the speed crown with the ViewSonic VX2730D-4K in its 288 Hz FHD mode. The U27G4XM is a bit behind at 3.58 and 3.74 ms, respectively. Doubling the refresh rate does not halve the response time. This is with the overdrive set to medium, which is the smoothest option that doesn’t have ghosting artifacts.
In the lag test, the U27G4XM takes the win at 320 Hz with a 14ms average of 25 mouse clicks. At 160 Hz, it’s 16.5ms, which is faster than nearly every other screen, including two that are running at 320Hz. So, if you can run in 4K, you’ll have one of the quickest examples available.
Test Takeaway: The U27G4XM has an average panel response for a gaming LCD with an overdrive that removes most motion blur. It’s one of the quickest in my lag test with 14ms at 320 Hz and 16.5ms at 160 Hz. That puts it above all the other 27-inch 4K LCDs I’ve tested except for the ViewSonic VX2730D-4K at 288 Hz. It is certainly the quickest 4K monitor you can buy for $350.
The U27G4XM’s off-axis image quality is a little better than most of the IPS panels I’ve photographed. The side view has a slight red tint but no change to brightness or gamma. The top view is also a bit red with reduced brightness and gamma. This is a very shareable monitor.
To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.
It’s safe to say that IPS glow is a thing of the past. Today’s panels, like the U27G4XM, show excellent uniformity with no visible issues whatsoever. My sample had no problems in any part of the screen and was uniform in all field patterns, color and neutral.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.
The U27G4XM has more than enough light output for any indoor or outdoor environment. With nearly 500 nits peak available, it could be used at a location shoot or turned down to 50 nits for dark room gameplay. The panel’s native contrast is 923.3:1, a bit below the IPS average of 1,000:1. With local dimming set to medium, it delivers around 1,600:1 for SDR content with no clipping in shadow or highlight areas.
Calibration bumps the contrast up to 989.2:1, a slight improvement. With local dimming on medium, it’s around 1,600:1. If you set it to strong, the backlight is shut off, making measurements impossible. ANSI contrast stays relatively consistent at 922.1:1, which is average for IPS panels with either full-array or edge backlights.
Test Takeaway: The U27G4XM offers effective local dimming for SDR content, which sets it apart from some other screens that only dim for HDR. It has nearly 500 nits peak available, making it good for brightly lit environments. Native contrast is just below 1,000:1, and dynamic contrast is 1,600:1 with local dimming on medium. Image depth and texture are exemplary at this price point.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
The U27G4XM ships in its Standard picture mode. In the OSD’s parlance, that’s the Standard Game Mode and Standard Eco Adjustment. There are gamut selections available and accuracy is high both before and after calibration.
Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.
The U27G4XM’s default grayscale is a tad cool, but errors barely crack the 3dE threshold, the point where they become visible. Most are below the line, so this monitor can be enjoyed right out of the box. Gamma is right on the 2.2 reference line as well, with no visible issues.
Calibration takes grayscale tracking down to a pro-level 0.42dE. It doesn’t get much better than that. Gamma gets a shade light from 50-90%, but the change is barely visible in actual content. This is excellent performance.
The sRGB gamut mode cannot be calibrated, but it has visually perfect grayscale tracking and slightly light gamma that closely tracks the 2.2 reference. It is suitable for color-critical tasks.
The top three screens, including the U27G4XM, are visually identical in the grayscale test. 2.40dE is a solid result. After calibration, there is no visible difference among the monitors. The U27G4XM’s 0.42dE is a standout result. In the gamma test, the range of values is fairly tight at 0.11 from smallest to largest. Overall tracking is a tad light with a 3.18% deviation representing an actual value of 2.13.
Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.
The U27G4XM is a very colorful monitor with extra punch across the entire gamut triangle. The default is close to perfect with slight oversaturation and hue errors in red and green. The points track linearly, so there is no loss of detail in any part of the image. Calibration only makes a slight difference that will be hard to see in a before-and-after comparison. But it’s worth doing for the improvement in grayscale tracking. The sRGB mode is better than many pro monitors I’ve tested with an average error of just 0.80dE.
As impressive as the U27G4XM’s accuracy is, it is competing with some equally precise displays. 2.27dE is a great score, but others score better. Is that a difference worth paying for? Not in my opinion, especially when you consider gamut volume, which is the U27G4XM’s main advantage. Amazingly, it does not have a Quantum Dot layer, but it does a great impression of that tech with over 109% coverage of DCI-P3. You will see that in the brightest content where primary colors dominate. There is a good deal of extra red, green, and blue. The sRGB result of 97.93% is nearly ideal and qualifies the U27G4XM for critical tasks.
Test Takeaway: The U27G4XM can be enjoyed without calibration, but a few tweaks take it to reference levels. Gamma is a touch light, but color is exemplary and richly saturated. It has more coverage than the competition, which is a difference that can easily be seen. The sRGB mode is very precise with nearly perfect color and grayscale.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.
Mini LED displays like the U27G4XM are great for HDR content thanks to their bright backlights and full array zone dimming (FALD). This monitor is rated for VESA DisplayHDR 1000, which is something rarely seen in the OLED category. The signal switch is automatic, and you get four additional picture modes.
It’s easy to identify which screens are Mini LED in the first chart above. The U27G4XM exceeds its HDR1000 rating, reaching a peak of 1,107 nits. I measured that from a 25% window pattern, and it is extremely bright. Only the TCL is brighter. Local dimming can be used to make the contrast ratio unmeasurable at its highest setting. On medium, the ratio is 13,061.4:1, which is excellent for an IPS panel. I noted that different local dimming settings did not change the peak value, only the black level.
In the HDR grayscale test, the U27G4XM is slightly warm in tone from 70% brightness and higher. The error is hard to spot in content, but it would be nice to have RGB sliders available. Of the four HDR modes, Display HDR delivers the best EOTF with values a little below the reference until 60%, where it goes a bit light. These are small variations that will not negatively impact the image. The tone map transition is at 75%, which is correct for the measured white and black levels.
In the color test, the U27G4XM’s large gamut is used to full effect with general oversaturation in all colors. This gives HDR content some extra punch that isn’t strictly accurate, but it is pleasing. The BT.2020 test shows the same response with color running out at 90% red, 80% green and 95% blue. In both charts, hue targets are on point for all six colors.
Test Takeaway: The U27G4XM is a superb HDR display with bright highlights and deep shadows. The Mini LED backlight effectively increases contrast to over 13,000:1 with no penalty. Color is pleasingly oversaturated with vivid hues that deliver great impact to game and video content.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
With OLED commanding the premium market, it has driven down the prices of other premium technologies, namely 4K and Mini LED. It is now possible to buy a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor with wide-gamut color, 160 Hz, premium video processing, accurate imaging, and high brightness, and that is a clear sign of progress. The U27G4XM exemplifies that design goal for $350 and offers performance we’d have paid over $1,000 for just a few years ago. And did I mention the Mini LED backlight with 1,152 dimming zones? Yeah, it has that too. For perspective, Acer’s X27 from 2018 had 384 dimming zones, 4K, and 144 Hz for an eye-watering $2,000. Check out that review here if you’re curious.
The AOC U27G4XM is better than that Acer in every way. It has 1,152 dimming zones. It has 109% coverage of DCI-P3 color. It has 160 Hz and a 320 Hz FHD mode. It has lower input lag and better panel response – and it’s $350. That’s what eight years of progress looks like. My only complaints are that the OSD is controlled by buttons instead of a joystick, and the stand is secure but a little wobbly. But performance and image-wise, there are no flaws. For the money, I can’t fault it at all. It games with the very best and provides a bright, colorful, and accurate picture for work and play alike.
If you’re looking for an affordable 4K monitor that pairs well with budget and premium video cards alike, the AOC U27G4XM is well worth checking out.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test PC Monitors
MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor
Fiorentina have announced a pre-season tour of England, including friendly matches against Queens Park Rangers and Watford.
The Viola are revamping under new coach Fabio Grosso and have considerably higher ambitions after a campaign where they struggled to get out of the relegation zone in Serie A.
The squad will get together at the Viola Park complex in Florence on July 10 to begin pre-season training, starting with three days of physical tests and nutritional planning.
The real training begins on July 12, with two sessions per day, the afternoon ones open to the public.
Following an in-house match against the Under-20 side on July 19 and facing Gubbio on July 22, the team will fly to England for the second phase of preparation.
They will be based in England from July 24 to 31, playing friendly games against QPR at Loftus Road on July 25, then Watford at Vicarage Road on July 29.
Cagliari have announced the arrival of teenage sensation Demi Akarakiri, who spent time at the Arsenal and Everton youth academies.
The midfielder is from London and set to celebrate his 19th birthday in September.
Originally in the Arsenal academy, he joined Everton in 2024 and made the formal switch to Cagliari today.
Akarakiri has signed a contract to June 2030, the maximum possible for a player of his age in Italy, but it does give the club an option to extend for a further three seasons.
Last season, the English player made 33 appearances for Everton at Under-18 and Under-21 level, scoring three goals with two assists, where he was scouted regularly by the Cagliari officials.
It was during several visits to watch him in action that the Sardinians decided to swoop for the player, convincing him to come as a free agent.
Everton had offered him a new contract to stay on, but he rejected the personal terms, instead making the step up to Serie A.
Check the latest Serie A done deals and official transfers on our Liveblog.
Carlo Ancelotti has fired back at supporters criticising his footballing know-how at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson is perhaps the only person on the planet better qualified to give their opinion on the sport: ‘There’s only one person who has taken charge of more games than me’.
Ancelotti and his Brazil national team squad are through to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan in the round of 32.
Despite finishing top of their group, ahead of 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, it has not all been smooth sailing for Ancelotti during the tournament.
The Italian tactician came under fire after the opening 1-1 draw against Morocco and has faced criticism from supporters over his team selection, whether it be the opinion-dividing decision to take a half-injured 34-year-old Neymar to the tournament or his choice to leave the popular Endrick out of the starting XI.
However, Ancelotti has had an opportunity to hit back at those who have criticised his decision-making at the World Cup, and claims that there is only one man better qualified to give their opinions on football.
During an interview with Folha de Sao Paulo in Brazil, it was put to Ancelotti that some fans ‘changed’ their opinions on the coach after the 2-1 win over Japan and that they were ‘surprised’ at his level of tactical prowess.
He replied: “I don’t know whether I understand football or not, but, nobody else can judge whether or not I understand it.
“The only thing that is certain is that I’ve already prepared more than 1,400 matches. That might not be enough to ‘understand’ football, but it’s definitely good experience.
“And nobody, no-one, maybe only one person has prepared more games than me: Alex Ferguson, who has taken charge of more than 2,000 matches. Obviously I take advice from everyone, but the only person who would be better suited to give me advice would be Alex Ferguson.”
PhoneGuide App is a mobile application for self-guided audio walking tours, available for iOS and Android. Download a tour to your phone to get offline maps, GPS navigation, and audio narration that starts automatically at each stop. Explore at your own pace, pause whenever you like, and continue right where you left off.
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has named Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes as an ideal signing in midfield.
The Red Devils could do with strengthening in the middle of the park this summer after the departure of Casemiro at the end of his contract.
Meanwhile, there could even be room for a second midfield signing as Manuel Ugarte has been below-par and is now also out with what looks like a potentially serious injury.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
With a deal already agreed for Ederson, according to BBC Sport, there could be room for someone like Guimaraes to come in as well.
For now, it seems like the most concrete interest in Guimaraes is coming from Arsenal, but nothing has advanced so far, so Man Utd could get involved too.
Another BBC Sport report has claimed that Arsenal have an interest in the Brazil international, and Saha has now spoken to the Metro about why he’d be so keen to see him at Old Trafford.
“That person (who replaces Casemiro) will have to adapt to something we loved last year but is also someone that is going to give a bit more balance and that needs experience,” Saha said.
Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
“Maybe someone who has already played in the Premier League would have been better. (Elliot) Anderson would have been better. Maybe someone like Guimaraes would be better.
“Players who have this guarantee because next year is going to be tough and we need those midfielders to be right on the spot right away.”
Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer, while Alexander Isak left in a big-money move to Liverpool last year.
In short, the Magpies are surely now going to do everything they can to hold on to a key player like Guimaraes unless crazy money comes in for him.
It would be a bit of a disaster for the club to lose another important part of their team, so it’s not surprising that Newcastle have so far rejected £55m and could hold out for as much as £100m for the 28-year-old.
The post Former Man United star urges them to beat Arsenal to signing that gives “guarantee” appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Detroit Pistons' Kevin Durant stance revealed in latest offseason update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The honeymoon period between Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets appears to be facing early turbulence. After entering the 2025-26 season with high expectations, Houston's season ended in disappointment following a first-round playoff exit to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, speculation surrounding Durant's long-term future with the franchise has continued to intensify.
Reports indicate that multiple teams have already contacted the Rockets to inquire about Durant's availability this offseason, with the Detroit Pistons among the interested franchises. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Detroit has explored the possibility of pairing Durant with franchise star Cade Cunningham, although those conversations have not advanced beyond preliminary interest.
“To this point, there have not been continued, active discussions regarding Durant on the trade block. Pistons have shown interest in the idea of adding him next to Cade. Nothing has progressed past such,” Siegel reported.
Houston has already been involved in high-level trade discussions that included Durant. Reports revealed that the Rockets, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Pistons previously explored a blockbuster three-team framework before Boston ultimately traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal.
Under the proposed structure, Durant would have landed in Detroit, franchise center Alperen Sengun would have joined the Celtics, and Brown would have been sent to Houston.
For now, Durant remains a member of the Rockets. But uncertainty continues to surround his future. Houston must now decide whether to move forward with its current core for the 2026-27 season or capitalize on Durant's significant trade value before he moves closer to unrestricted free agency in 2027.
On the night from Sunday to Monday, Mexico and England will face off at the legendary Azteca Stadium for a place in the World Cup round of 16. It really doesn’t get more football heritage than that!
The Three Lions will not only be up against eleven in-form Mexicans and almost 90,000 spectators, but rather an entire country.
In recent days and weeks, the supporters of "El Tri" have stopped at truly nothing to help their team. On the night before the round-of-32 match, they showed up outside Ecuador’s hotel and made a huge amount of noise.
The English Football Association (FA) feared a similar fate ahead of the round-of-16 match. For that reason, the federation was notably secretive about its choice of accommodation. Rumors even circulated on social media that the FA had booked a total of 15 hotels to confuse potential troublemakers.
This story is hard to verify. What is already clear, however, is this: the title contender’s game of hide-and-seek was truly unsuccessful. As soon as they arrived, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Co. were "welcomed" by a loud Mexican crowd.
It is almost inevitable to assume that this group will stop by the English team’s hotel once again on the night before the match — or at least try to. Perhaps the local security forces will step in as well.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
Spurs quietly end Rui Hachimura pursuit for one major reason – here's why originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Antonio Spurs made significant changes to both their roster and coaching staff following their recent playoff run. Among their biggest offseason additions was veteran forward Tobias Harris, who was brought in to add experience and leadership to the team's young core.
Before signing Harris, the Spurs had been heavily linked to Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura. However, NBA insider Brett Siegel recently reported that San Antonio is no longer pursuing the Japanese forward and has officially exited the Hachimura sweepstakes.
"Although the San Antonio Spurs were brought up as a potential suitor for Hachimura earlier this offseason, he wasn't viewed as a realistic option for the franchise, sources said,” Siegel reported.
“While the organization did speak with Hachimura's representation, the Spurs were targeting experience and veteran leadership on a short-term contract rather than a long-term commitment. That is why Tobias Harris was the Spurs' top target, and they didn't have much interest in Hachimura."
Because Hachimura's camp was seeking a longer-term contract that reflected his market value, the Spurs ultimately shifted their full attention to Harris. San Antonio later finalized a two-year, $31 million deal with Harris.
Harris arrives in San Antonio with more than a decade of playoff experience, providing valuable leadership for one of the NBA's youngest rosters. Additionally, his two-year contract allows the Spurs to strengthen their rotation while preserving long-term salary cap flexibility.
Hachimura remains one of the most uniquely skilled, mid-sized forwards in the league. Last season he averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds with the Lakers. He averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 10 games in the 2026 playoffs.
The Lakers star would have added another talented young piece alongside Victor Wembanyama. However, San Antonio ultimately prioritized proven veteran leadership, immediate stability, and financial flexibility over making a long-term investment in a developing player.
The 2026 Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race crowned its champions Saturday as elite runners and wheelchair athletes raced through Atlanta in the annual Fourth of July tradition.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
In the Shepherd Center Wheelchair Division, Daniel Romanchuk successfully defended his title for the ninth consecutive year, crossing the finish line in 19:00. Romanchuk, the course record holder, continued his dominance of the event with another first-place finish.
On the women’s side, Tatyana McFadden returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2021. McFadden captured her eighth Peachtree victory with a winning time of 23:02.
In the women’s elite field, Tsigie Gebreselama secured her place in race history, claiming the championship in 31:02 to become the 2026 Peachtree Road Race women’s winner.
The men’s elite race saw Patrick Kiptoo Kiprop break the tape in 27:37, earning his second consecutive Peachtree Road Race title.
SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
TRENDING STORIES:
As we inch closer and closer to the start of the 2026 college football season, it is beginning to be the time of the summer where we start puting our money where our mouths are with some preseason predictions. While we will hold off on bigger predictions for the upcoming Penn State, Big Ten, and college football season, why not sprinkle in some early picks for some of the Big Ten's top players of the year? To start, our staff at Nittany Lions Wire is sharing our picks to be the Big Ten's offensive player of the year.
The Big Ten has some truly special players on the offensive side of the football this upcoming season, and it has become a bit of a routine to expect one of those top players in the conference to be playing wide receiver for Ohio State. As our picks below show, that is once again the case this fall.
Here are our early picks for the Big Ten's offensive player of the year in 2026.
Picking Jeremiah Smith to be Big Ten offensive player of the year is easy pick, but it also feels like the most likely one. The rare receiving prospect finished last season with 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns and he likely would have far exceeded his 2024 totals had he played an equal number of games. Smith has the whole package — a complete route tree, top-tier athleticism and sure hands — so defenses are truly at his mercy every game.
He’s already projected to be one of the top picks in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft, but there’s no doubt he wants to put on a show in what is more than likely his final college season. Don’t be surprised to see Smith explode and put together a historic season as he stakes his claim as one of the greatest college receivers of all time.
There can be no other answer than the all-world Ohio State wide receiver. The former five-star recruit has lived up to that billing with a combined 2,558 receiving yards and 29 total TDs in just two seasons. His final one in Columbus could be the best one to date, with his connection with Julian Sayin important to the Buckeyes' success. The only question now is what he can do next.
There is no question in my mind that Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a logical pick for this preseason prediction, and I most certainly would not bet against him being the Big Ten's top offensive weapon this season overall. But I'll go against the grain here and side with a quarterback whom I believe may be lining up a pretty big season in the northwest corner of the country. That would be Oregon's starting quarterback Dante Moore.
Moore passed for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and only Indiana managed to get the best of him in their two meetings last year in the regular season and in the College Football Playoff. I'm fully anticipating another big season from him as he guides Oregon back on the Big Ten championship hunt as the Ducks look to finish the job it left incomplete last season.
Penn State is probably lacking in the kind of star power and statistical production that will be needed to have a player seriously considered for the Big Ten's offensive player of the year. The top candidate will probably be quarterback Rocco Becht, who was a former Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year winner under Matt Campbell at Iowa State.
Becht passed for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for 8 more touchdowns during the 2024 season. A year like that would put him in the conversation. While Becht is expected to perform well with his new team this season, it may not be enough to make a run for the Big Ten's top offensive player honor.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten football offensive player of the year predictions for 2026
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAlthough LeBron James’ agent remains unsure which NBA team he will join for next season, Rich Paul sounded confident on when to expect the NBA’s oldest active player will finalize his future.
“I don’t think this happens anytime soon,” Paul told me.
Should teams be prepared for James to make a decision in weeks instead of days?
“I don’t think it’ll be the next few days," Paul said.
On his latest “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul included 10 teams on a whiteboard that James may consider joining, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. But Paul strongly suggested James would not join the Knicks since they just won an NBA championship and would not want to disrupt their chemistry. James already told the Los Angeles Lakers directly that he did not plan to end his career with them after playing for them in the past eight seasons.
Other than that, Paul stressed that James believes that “everything is a blank slate” and that “he’s taking his time.” James has vacationed with family and has gone on different golf outings. James also vacationed recently with former Cavaliers teammates on the 2016 NBA championship team, including Kevin Love, Richard Jefferson, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye.
“This is the first time he’s making a decision that is truly for him. There is no pressure,” Paul said. “When he left Cleveland [in 2010 for Miami], he had to win a ring. When he came back [in 2014], he had to deliver on the promise. This is at this stage where he can decide what he wants to do and how he wants to do it.”
With the Lakers prioritizing their future around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the 41-year-old James faces question marks on what his market value and his role entails entering his 24th and possibly final NBA season. In the 2025-26 campaign, James earned $52 million while averaging 20.9 points while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range along with 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games.
Although he missed the Lakers’ first 14 regular-season games with sciatica in his right hip, James avoided a major injury afterwards. He also adapted as the Lakers’ No. 3 option behind Dončić and Reaves in both shots and ball-handling duties, while also elevating his role to account for Dončić and Reaves nursing overlapping injuries throughout the season.
Dončić missed the entire postseason and the final five regular-season games with a Grade 2 strained left hamstring). Reaves played in the Lakers’ final two playoff losses to Oklahoma City in the second round after missing the last five regular-season games and first eight playoff games with a Grade 2 left oblique strain.
Although it’s not clear when or if James will decide his future, one rival NBA executive believes he will choose the Warriors for various reasons.
The Warriors could sign James at a nontaxpayers mid-level exception at $15 million. He has a close bond and respect for Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after once servings as adversaries in four consecutive NBA Finals against Cleveland (2014-18). Since winning the 2022 NBA title, the Warriors have lost twice in the second round (2023, 2025) and in the NBA’s Play-In tournament (2024, 2026). But they could theoretically be in the mix so long as Curry, Green and James stay relatively healthy. It is possible that James would be able to mostly live in Los Angeles because of the one-hour flights to the Bay Area and coach Steve Kerr likely reducing practices and shootarounds to manage his veteran-laden roster.
James could experience a more organic farewell tour in his third stop in Cleveland, but he has fielded skepticism that he would join the Cavaliers on a veteran’s minimum deal. He’s expected to view the Miami Heat as a more viable option after they acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat could also offer a taxpayer mid-level exception between $11 or $12 million per years.
As he showed on the whiteboard during his latest podcast, however, Paul stressed that he can’t currently handicap which teams that James most favors.
“I’m on his schedule,” Paul said. “I can’t tell the man how fast to move. When he’s telling me what he’s deciding, that’s when I’ll let you guys know.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — After a mostly chalky first week, Wimbledon got its biggest upset of 2026 Saturday when Elise Mertens, the No. 25 seed from Belgium, knocked out 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, 7-6(4), 6-1, on Centre Court for her second career win against the world No. 2 in nine tries.
Rybakina’s loss not only affects the draw, but the WTA singles rankings, as well. The world No. 2 needed to reach at least the quarterfinals to have a chance at overtaking Aryna Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking. Instead, Sabalenka will continue her reign.
Though Mertens is no hack on a Grand Slam stage, the loss says more about Rybakina than anyone. Mertens is 3-14 against top-10 players at Grand Slams, a top-35 stalwart with a career as steady as her baseline game.
She has 10 WTA titles to her name, but she hasn’t had a real breakthrough at a major since making it to the U.S. Open quarterfinal in 2020, and her best result at a Grand Slam tournament was eight years ago, when she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open. She also had a terrible record against Rybakina, who entered Saturday’s match with a 7-1 record in their head-to-head matchups.
But after a strong start to the year that included a win at the Australian Open and a appearance in the final at Indian Wells, Rybakina has struggled with her biggest weapons lately, her serve and forehand.
She hit just 42 percent of her first serves in Saturday, which isn’t usually a problem for her when she can blast opponents off the court with her groundstrokes. But she couldn’t get her teeth into Mertens’ first serve at all on Centre Court and allowed the Belgian to control nearly all match, despite how close the score was in a nervy first set.
Mertens will play No. 21 seed Marie Bouzková of the Czech Republic in the fourth round.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Tennis, Top Sports News, Women's Tennis
2026 The Athletic Media Company
England and India are set to lock horns in the second of their five-match T20I series at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4, after the opener in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday ended without a result due to persistent rain.
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat. It was a decision that paid off as the skipper and Abhishek Sharma both brought up their respective half-centuries to set a solid platform.
Shivam Dube then came in and played a devastating cameo to push India to a challenging 189 for 7. England's Saqib Mahmood was outstanding with the ball, claiming three wickets to stand out as the pick of their attack.
The weather, however, had the final say, with rain arriving before England could step out to bat.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Live Scorecard
After 10 overs, India 96/2
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer steady the ship after back-to-back setbacks inside the powerplay.
After 6 overs, India 65/2
Abhishek Sharma misses out on his half-century after a fiery start as India lose their openers inside the powerplay.
After 5 overs, India 50/1
Will Jacks does the trick for England as Sooryavanshi departs for just 14.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is all set to debut in Manchester, Shreyas Iyer confirmed. The youngster replaces Sanju Samson in the starting lineup.
Toss: India won the toss and opted to bat first.
MORE: All you need to know about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut
India playing XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), 5 Tilak Varma, Harshit Rana, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
England playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Butler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood
| Team | Win probability |
| IND | 44% |
| ENG | 56% |
England are the favourites to win this match according to Dafa.
* Odds are correct at time of publish but subject to change.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| IND | 2.14 |
| ENG | 1.68 |
Miki Sudo is the woman to beat in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, as the 40-year-old has won the Fourth of July event the last 11 times she competed.
Sudo first won in 2014 by eating 34 hot dogs and buns, and she only elevated her game from there. She eventually reached the 40s three times before eating a world record-breaking 51 hot dogs and buns in 2024. In last year's win, Sudo ate 33 hot dogs, lower than usual for her but still over 10 more than second-place Michelle Lesco.
It's widely expected to be another Sudo win this year. She'll face competition from Lesco, Larell Marie Mele, Tandra Childress and Katie Prettyman, however.
Sudo isn't the only competitive eater in her family. Let's explain.
Sudo is married to fellow competitive eater Nick Wehry. The couple lives in Port Richey, Florida with their 4-year-old son, Max. They met at a hotel gym in 2018 and married in 2021. Wehry, a former bodybuilder, is best known for downing 50 hard-boiled eggs in three minutes and four seconds in 2021.
The women's competition begins at 10:45 a.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Who is Miki Sudo's competitive eater husband?
Benjamin Weber had worked under Thomas Tuchel for 13 years before leaving for pastures new and now Augsburg sporting director, the 40-year-old backs his former boss to succeed with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I believe not only because of the players but also because of Thomas, that they can win the World Cup,” Weber told Get German Football News.
“They have several opponents that can hurt them but they are one of the favourites.”
Weber worked under Tuchel at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2022, before his departure.
Praising his former boss, Weber told us: “To summarise Thomas in one word, it is adaptation, because he’s a genius in the sense of being able to adapt in every moment in a game. He comes into a club and thinks about the players we have, saying we can do this, or that, and then he will be successful and over the season’s he’s won, so he’s right to do that.”
England play Mexico in the World Cup last 32 on 6 June (01:00GMT) with a quarter-final place against Brazil or Norway on the line.
The Oklahoma Sooners have made an addition to their recruiting and scouting teams, with a new hire to start July. OU has hired Manaia Brown as a scouting coordinator in their recruiting department.
Brown was most recently the assistant director of recruiting at Fresno State. The former Nebraska and BYU defensive tackle also spent a year as the defensive line coach at Northeastern State following a stint at Garden City Community College, the alma mater of head coach Brent Venables. He also has over ten years of coordinator experience. As a player, he was a two-time All-Mountain West selection, and even signed a free-agent contract with Washington in the NFL.
His hiring is far from the only support staff move the Sooners have made this offseason, and he'll help to replace the loss of scouting coordinator T.J. Lynn, who left for a job as a graduate assistant at UCLA coaching cornerbacks.
Built for the grind. Hungry for the challenge.
— Manaia_Brown (@Coach_Brown5) July 2, 2026
Proud to be part of Oklahoma Football. Time to go compete for championships, build relationships, and chase greatness every single day.
Let’s get to work.
Boomer Sooner. #OUDNA#HardToKillpic.twitter.com/R38OwSKtiJ
The Sooners will begin their 2026 season at home on Friday, September 4th against the UTEP Miners. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners make new recruiting department hire
Red Bull Junior driver Fionn McLaughlin scored his first points in Formula 3 in the sprint race at Silverstone.
The teenager, from Northern Ireland, finished in ninth place to collect the first two points of his debut season.
Hitech Racing's McLaughlin stepped up to Formula 3, which supports Formula 1 on Grand Prix weekends, after winning the British F4 title last year.
American driver Ugo Ugochukwu won the race ahead of Yevan David and Theophile Nael.
McLaughlin will start from sixth place for the feature race at 08:25 BST on Sunday, when British driver Freddie Slater will start from pole position.
In Formula 2, title challenger Alex Dunne finished in ninth place in the Formula 2 sprint race.
Bulgaria's Nikola Tsolov won his fifth race of the season ahead of championship leader Gabriele Mini and Mexico's Rafael Villagomez.
Dunne, who is an Alpine junior driver, will start the feature race from second on the grid behind Rafael Camara.
The Formula 2 feature races takes place at 11:15 BST before the British Grand Prix.
One of the UK's biggest fencing clubs is looking for a new venue after two decades at its current home.
Reading Fencing Club has been based at Reading Blue Coat School (RBCS) in Sonning, Berkshire, for 20 years but, from September, the school will cease all external lettings.
In a statement on its website, the club said it would "need to find a new home after many very happy years based at RBCS".
But it said the "disappointing news" presented an opportunity to find "improved facilities and support the club's future growth".
Reading Fencing Club was founded in 1948 and was previously based in Winnersh before moving to RBCS in 2006.
It is run by ex-international fencers and has about 100 members.
A club spokesperson said: "We're currently looking at several options, including schools, sports centres, and other potential training spaces.
"Our priority is to find a venue that can accommodate our sessions, equipment, and the needs of all members."
Club sessions will continue as normal.
India vs England 2nd T20I 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Manchester originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the live blog for the India vs England 2nd T20I 2026 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Stretford, Manchester, England.
Toss result: India won the toss and chose to bat first
India Innings:
| Team | Win percentage |
|---|---|
| India | 46% |
| England | 54% |
India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarty
Englandplaying XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
The weatherman predicts rain in Manchester on Saturday.
Hourly forecast (local time):
| Date | Match | Venue | Start Time (Local) | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | 1st T20I | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street (Durham): Match called off. | 5:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| July 4, 2026 | 2nd T20I | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | 2:30 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| July 7, 2026 | 3rd T20I | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | 5:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| July 9, 2026 | 4th T20I | County Ground (Seat Unique Stadium), Bristol | 5:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| July 11, 2026 | 5th T20I | The Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl), Southampton | 2:30 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Former champion and second seed Elena Rybakina is out of Wimbledon after a third-round defeat to Elise Mertens in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Rybakina, the women’s singles champion in 2022 and this season’s Australian Open champion, had won her previous six matches against the Belgian 25th seed Mertens, but was beaten 7-6 (4) 6-1 on Court No 1.
The 27-year-old arrived at Wimbledon following a difficult run of form, including a second-round defeat in Berlin to wildcard Alexandra Eala and a quarter-final defeat to Katie Boulter at Queen’s.
Rybakina, who won her second grand slam title by beating Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open in January, also suffered a second-round defeat at last month’s French Open, losing to the unseeded Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Rybakina needed to reach at least the quarter-finals to have a chance of overhauling Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings. But she produced a flat performance on Court One against the wily 30-year-old Mertens whose greater variety proved decisive in her only her second win over Rybakina in nine meetings.
Mertens, a reigning Wimbledon doubles champion, won nine points in a row during one dominant spell in the second set and although she showed a few nerves when serving for the match she ended the contest with an ace. She will fancy her chances of posting a best-ever Wimbledon run with Czech Marie Bouzkova up next.
Includes reporting from Reuters
Hibernian have signed Aoife Colvill, with the former Glasgow City forward returning to Scotland after two seasons with Standard Liege.
The 25-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Scottish Women's Premier League club.
Head coach Joelle Murray said: "She's a player who already knows the SWPL well and that experience will be a real asset to us as we continue to strengthen the squad.
"Aoife gives us a strong attacking presence and has the versatility to play through the middle or in the wide areas, which is something that will be really valuable over the course of the season.
"She's an intelligent player who works hard for the team and gives us different options in the final third."
Australia-born Colvill spent four seasons with City until 2024 and was part of two title-winning squads.
"When Aoife last played in the league, her goals-to-games ratio was extremely impressive and that's a reflection of the quality she possesses in front of goal," Murray added.
Colvill won the Belgian Cup when with Liege and said: "What every team wants is to be playing in Europe and competing for cups and for trophies.
"I really think we can do that here."
Carlo Ancelotti has fired back at supporters criticising his footballing know-how at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson is perhaps the only person on the planet better qualified to give their opinion on the sport: ‘There’s only one person who has taken charge of more games than me’.
Ancelotti and his Brazil national team squad are through to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan in the round of 32.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, chats with his assistant coach Davide Ancelotti during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Despite finishing top of their group, ahead of 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, it has not all been smooth sailing for Ancelotti during the tournament.
The Italian tactician came under fire after the opening 1-1 draw against Morocco and has faced criticism from supporters over his team selection, whether it be the opinion-dividing decision to take a half-injured 34-year-old Neymar to the tournament or his choice to leave the popular Endrick out of the starting XI.
However, Ancelotti has had an opportunity to hit back at those who have criticised his decision-making at the World Cup, and claims that there is only one man better qualified to give their opinions on football.
During an interview with Folha de Sao Paulo in Brazil, it was put to Ancelotti that some fans ‘changed’ their opinions on the coach after the 2-1 win over Japan and that they were ‘surprised’ at his level of tactical prowess.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 13: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Imag
He replied: “I don’t know whether I understand football or not, but, nobody else can judge whether or not I understand it.
“The only thing that is certain is that I’ve already prepared more than 1,400 matches. That might not be enough to ‘understand’ football, but it’s definitely good experience.
“And nobody, no-one, maybe only one person has prepared more games than me: Alex Ferguson, who has taken charge of more than 2,000 matches. Obviously I take advice from everyone, but the only person who would be better suited to give me advice would be Alex Ferguson.”
The reaction of the Manchester United hierarchy to Thomas Tuchel’s odd treatment of Kobbie Mainoo at the World Cup has emerged.
As England prepare to face Mexico in the last 16, Mainoo remains the only England midfielder yet to get a taste of the action at the tournament.
His inclusion in the squad was warranted by an outstanding second half of the campaign, in which he established himself as a pivotal figure under Michael Carrick, guiding United to a third-place finish and ending their two-year exile from the Champions League.
Mainoo’s performance even saw United reward him with a new contract. Yet, for all the quality of England’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Jude Bellingham, Tuchel has still overlooked him, even as the team continues to struggle in that area of the pitch.
Darts sensation Luke Littler publicly demanded an explanation for Mainoo’s ongoing omission.
United legend Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also admitted being puzzled by Tuchel’s thought process and now, the feeling within Old Trafford regarding the situation has been revealed.
Pete Hall of The i Paper writes, “There is, however, bewilderment among senior figures at Manchester United over Mainoo’s lack of game time, with even Jordan Henderson coming on ahead of him against Panama.”
Mainoo will be hoping for some minutes against Mexico and Gary Riley, a former scout who discovered him and remains close with the player and his family, is confident the midfielder is ready if called upon.
He told the news outlet, “Nothing overawes Kobbie.”
“That’s what makes him so special. It is all well and good having lots of talent, plenty do, but it is his calm temperament, and how he approaches any game the same, whether a youth match or a World Cup final, that sets him apart.”
Riley added, “He is so quiet and unassuming that he just doesn’t think about the occasion.”
“Anything is in a day’s work. He would love to play in Mexico. Thomas Tuchel has a tough decision, but if he is needed, Kobbie would be ready.”
Mexico vs. England kicks off at 11 pm on Sunday.
Featured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Milan mean business this summer under Ruben Amorim, who has already contacted Luka Modric to convince him to stay put. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 40-year-old could make an unexpected U-turn on his initial decision and commit to one more year at San Siro.
Modric joined Milan as a free agent from Real Madrid last summer and quickly became the cornerstone of Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield in 2025/26. However, after the Rossoneri failed to secure Champions League qualification, the veteran playmaker bid farewell to the club.
Indeed, Modric signed a one-year contract with the 19-time Serie A winners with an option to extend for a further year. Despite passing the deadline, Milan could still persuade the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner to stay for another season. That’s largely thanks to Amorim, who reportedly views Modric as an indispensable figure in his rebuild.
Age is just a number in Modric’s case. Last season, he emerged as Milan’s driving force in the engine room, making as many as 34 Serie A appearances. The diminutive midfielder also amassed two goals and three assists, forging a formidable partnership with Adrien Rabiot.
However, the Frenchman could leave San Siro in the coming months, with Allegri eager to reunite with his protege at Napoli. On the other hand, Milan will seemingly do everything to secure Modric’s services for another season.
Players of Modric’s quality and vision are a dying species. It would be nearly impossible for Milan to find a way to replace the Croatian superstar. Therefore, Amorim’s idea of building his midfield around him next season makes perfect sense.
LONDON (AP) — Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was upset in the third round by Elise Mertens 7-6 (4), 6-1 at the grass-court Grand Slam on Saturday.
At No. 2, Rybakina is the highest seed on the women's side to be eliminated and her loss ensures that Aryna Sabalenka will keep her No. 1 ranking after the tournament.
Rybakina faces Naomi Osaka in the fourth round on Sunday.
Belgium's Mertens is the No. 25 seed at Wimbledon, where she's won two doubles titles.
Later Saturday, Serena and Venus Williams were set to play a doubles match against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. Organizers hadn't assigned a court, only saying that it will be played after 4:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT).
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
River Plate announced, this Saturday, the signing of Rafael Santos Borré as a new member of the first team.
El Comandante begins a new chapter at the millionaires’ club, signing until December 31, 2029.
Borré had already been a key figure during Marcelo Gallardo’s era, with the 2018 Copa Libertadores as his main title won in red and white. His return comes after spells in Europe (Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen) and in Brazil (Internacional), and after being left out of Colombia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
It remains to be seen whether the Colombian will be available for the team’s next official match or whether he will need some time to adapt after joining outside the squad’s preseason. River must also determine his place in Coudet’s system, in an attack that already has other signings for this transfer window.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Welcome to the short-hair club, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Playing for the first time since the Oklahoma City Thunder fell in a Game 7 loss in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, the NBA superstar debuted a new look. He ditched the braids and opted for a textbook buzz cut.
Gilgeous-Alexander helped Canada pick up an 110-84 win over Puerto Rico in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier. He had a stress-free 26 points that looked too easy. He reminded folks why he's been a walking 30-point machine over the last five years.
That's all cool and dandy, but Gilgeous-Alexander's new look went viral on social media. The 27-year-old had short hair for the first time in his NBA career. Even Jalen Williams joined in on the fun. He took to Instagram to put a bald filter on his face to say he'll jokingly join his teammate in the new-look trend.
Some have hypothesized that the new look is supposed to symbolize Gilgeous-Alexander flipping the page of his Hall-of-Fame career. The two-time MVP winner has one championship ring on his hand. He hopes to add more jewelry as he remains at the peak of his powers.
"I'd figure I'd try something new," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Nothing more than that."
Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a sly smile across his face. Sunglasses blocked us from seeing any facial expressions, as his eyes were covered. Amid an offseason filled with roster changes, the Thunder hope the cast of new characters could help them keep their championship window wide open for the rest of the decade and then some.
Of course, none of this matters without Gilgeous-Alexander. OKC's championship ambitions start and stop with him. He's ascended into one of the game's all-time greats. And as he helps Canada clinch a spot for the next two summers' FIBA World Cup and the Olympics, his scoring domination seamlessly translating over to the international scene is the latest reminder of that.
A new look for SGA: pic.twitter.com/fA9E0hQtg9
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 3, 2026
Jalen Williams on SGA’s haircut lmao pic.twitter.com/1ZvwzZ8LTk
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 4, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explains viral haircut: 'I'd figure I'd try something new'
The Pittsburgh Pirates are celebrating the 4th of July by facing off against the Washington Nationals in the nation’s capital. It’s an early start for both teams to give fans an early and bright start to their Independence Day festivities.
Braxton Ashcraft is taking the mound for the Pirates. He’s won his last three starts, including his most recent appearance on June 29 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched six innings and gave up five hits and five runs. The Pirates’ offense had his back in the 11-7 victory.
He pitched against the Nationals at home on April 16, going 5.2 innings while giving up five hits and two runs in an 8-7 loss in 10 innings.
Zack Littell is getting the ball for the Nationals in the middle game of the series. Littell won his last start on June 28 against the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched five innings, giving up three hits and two runs in a 6-4 victory at Camden Yards. The Nats are 9-8 this season when Littell pitches, and he has won seven of 13 decisions he has been a part of.
If the Pirates play like they have in Ashcraft’s last three starts, they should be able to walk away with a win.
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Braxton Ashcraft (8-3, 3.33 ERA) vs. Zack Littell (7-6, 5.29 ERA)
BD community, chime off in the comments section below.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has been whittled down to 16 teams after a dramatic and entertaining round of 32 in North America.
We’ve ranked all of the remaining nations ahead of the next batch of games based on rolling performance and results.
Paraguay’s reward for completing the shock of the round of 32 by beating four-time champions Germany is a meeting with France. La Albirroja are easily the weakest team remaining in the competition and will be lucky to avoid a hammering at the hands of Didier Deschamps’ men.
Realistically, Canada are probably on par with Paraguay, maybe even a little worse, but the difference is they have Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich full-back made a huge impact when he came off the bench against South Africa, but is he fit enough to play significant minutes against Morocco? If the answer is no, their hopes of advancing fall to zero.
This Egypt team continue the long tradition of being the most boring team to watch in international football. Perhaps they can reach the quarter-finals by lulling Argentina to sleep.
Well, this was unexpected. Belgium’s comeback from two goals down against Senegal was truly incredible, but Rudi Garcia’s side benefited from a couple of poor goalkeeping errors. Their aging squad is lucky to still be alive in the competition, but probably not for much longer.
Switzerland have come a long way from that turgid opening draw with Qatar in which they squandered a heap of opportunities before conceding a late equaliser. Inspired by the youthful exuberance of Johan Manzambi, they have now won three games on the trot, including their first World Cup knockout win in 88 years.
On paper, England have one of the best squads at the World Cup. In practice, they don’t play like it. After failing to beat Ghana and struggling to victory over Panama, they required the individual brilliance of Harry Kane to get them over the line against DR Congo.
It was the first time the Three Lions have come from behind to win a World Cup match since 1966. Now they head into the cauldron that is the Azteca to face co-hosts Mexico at altitude with storms overhead.
Read – The only players to score 5+ goals at two World Cups
Portugal have played their way into this tournament. They played poorly against Congo before stomping on Uzbekistan, and were probably a tad fortunate to come away with a point against Colombia.
After a strong first-half against Croatia, they allowed their opponents back into the game after the break. But they burst back into life to secure a dramatic late comeback win.
Four games, four wins, no goals conceded. Mexico are yet to face a stern test at the World Cup, but they have done a professional job in each of their matches. They will feel they have it in them to pull off a shock win over England and reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years.
This might be the best USA team we have ever seen at a major tournament. Like Mexico, we have yet to see face a major challenge, but Mauricio Pochettino has them playing like one of the top ten sides in the world.
Folarin Balogun’s suspension is a massive blow after scoring three goals this summer, but they will be confident enough in their ability to create chances against Belgium that his absence hopefully won’t matter.
Read – The players to score and be red carded in a World Cup knockout match
Colombia are all gas, no brakes. They play a fun brand of football that puts the opposition under real pressure. The one concern you would have about them is the lack of a clinical edge. After beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in the opening week, they have found the net just twice in the following three games.
If this team had a lethal striker, there’s no telling how far they could go.
Despite winning a knockout match at a World Cup for the first time ever, Norway drop a couple of places in our rankings. That is partly due to the performances of other nations, but it’s also down to the fact that their defence is not convincing.
Their star power in attack means they can hurt any team on any given day, but their liabilities at the back mean they might have to come out on top of a straight shootout with the biggest teams.
In retrospect, Morocco were ranked far too low last week. Netherlands will be kicking themselves because they had victory in sight, but the Moroccans were worthy of the win via penalty shootout. Substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross for Issa Diop’s equaliser was absolutely perfect and he might have played his way into the starting lineup against Canada.
Read – World Cup 2026 Round of 16 fixtures, kick off times and TV channels
Brazil are gradually coming together with every passing game as Carlo Ancelotti figures out how best to configure his lineup. They came through a big test against Japan and will need to go up another level against Norway.
Vinicius Junior remains the focal point of everything they do in attack and their full-back situation is a huge concern. While I’m confident in saying they are one of the five best teams at the World Cup, I am unsure they have what it takes to reach the final.
What are we. meant to make of Argentina after just squeaking past Cape Verde in the round of 32? Firstly, it has to be recognised that the Blues Sharks were brilliant against the reigning champions, as they have been throughout the tournament.
Secondly, Argentina seemingly did not take their opponents seriously, and that complacency led to them needing extra-time to advance to the next round. Their lack of width is startling and will be a real problem when they face better teams.
Spain have finally arrived. Following a sleepy group stage from which they progressed by doing the bare minimum, they put in a strong showing against Austria to win 3-0 in Los Angeles.
La Roja now face a tricky tests against Portugal and, if they both get through, co-hosts USA, but I do believe it will be Luis de la Fuente’s side who face France in the semi-finals.
Speaking of, France put in arguably the most complete performance we have seen this summer, beating Sweden 3-0 in New Jersey. Their forward line is frankly terrifying. Kylian Mbappe is the star of the show, but he is surrounded by a cadre of superstars. Michael Olise is possibly the best footballer on the planet right now, too.
Who can stop them? No one. Not a single team in the world can stem the blue tide.
Read – It took Cristiano Ronaldo 20 years to score this World Cup goal
See Also – Every record broken in the 2026 World Cup group stage
It's been a busy offseason for all four AFC East teams.
The New York Jets are rebuilding with a temporary solution like Geno Smith at quarterback, with an eye pointed towards their three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Their division rivals have also been active.
The Buffalo Bills traded for wide receiver DJ Moore. The New England Patriotsmatched them by acquiring A.J. Brown. The Miami Dolphins are in full-blown rebuild mode. With that in mind, we've ranked all four AFC East teams after a busy offseason.
Here is Jets Wire's current ranking of teams in the AFC East:
The Patriots won the AFC East division title in 2025, but they are a slight regression candidate after shocking the NFL world with a Super Bowl appearance one season after a 4-win campaign. The Bills have dominated the division for the better part of the decade and we expect them to retake the throne this season.
The Patriots will appreciate their chances to win the division again. They've made big-time offseason acquisitions like Brown and Dre'Mont Jones. The Mike Vrabel offseason distraction was unfortunate, but they'll believe in their ability to repeat their 2025 successes.
The Jets are still rebuilding, but they're undoubtedly ahead of the Dolphins. A stellar supporting cast is in place on offense, with the likes of Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, and draft picks Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. The Jets are headed in the right direction.
After trading Jaylen Waddle and releasing Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins are closer to competing for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft than they are for the AFC East division title. The Dolphins are in full-blown rebuild mode. They'll set their sights on quarterbacks Arch Manning and Dante Moore in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Ranking all 4 AFC East teams best to worst after the offseason
Colombia midfielder Gustavo Puerta was everywhere in the World Cup last-32 win over Ghana and that is just how he and his coach like it.
The 1-0 victory for Nestor Lorenzo’s side in Kansas City on Friday set up a last-16 clash with Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver.
Puerta is part of a dynamic midfield trio having edged out expected starter Richard Rios to be centre stage at the tournament.
"The coach wants me to be as versatile as possible," Puerta told FIFA on Saturday.
"He’s deployed me on the right, on the left and sometimes as a holding midfielder. To be honest, I feel really comfortable. I just try to help the team in any way I possibly can."
His football journey has gone from Colombia’s second division, via Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, Hull City in England and now Spain's Racing Santander. Playing for smaller teams appears to have moulded him into an all-round player.
Many football pundits feel Colombia have gone under the radar in North America so far and could end up being this edition's dark horses.
"We’re all fully on board with the coach’s system. We can all play in different positions, and I think that gives the coach more options when it comes to setting up the team," Puerta, 22, added.
Colombia would face holders Argentina or Egypt if they get past the Swiss and Lorenzo would have no qualms fielding Puerta against the defending champions in a quarter-final.
"He’s having a great World Cup," the Colombia coach said.
"We’ve always seen him as a complete midfielder: intelligent, full of character and very mature for his age. He reads the game superbly. He knows exactly when to take the sting out of it, when to inject pace into the game and always keeps everything ticking over nicely."
India reach 96-2 off 10 overs against England in second T20
Shrewsbury Town have signed midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke from National League club Halifax Town.
The 22-year-old scored five goals in 39 appearances for the Shaymen last season.
It was his only campaign with Halifax, having joined them in the summer of 2025 after being released by Newcastle United.
Shrewsbury manager Gavin Cowan said Turner-Cooke, who has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third, was a highly sought-after transfer target this summer.
"Jay is a player I've monitored for some time, both during his time at Newcastle and more recently at Halifax," Cowan told the club website.
"He is a high-level performer. He's not come here simply to compete – Jay has come here because he wants to dominate at the level."
Pro Football Focus put together their 2026 PFF Annual report, revealing 10 big NFL takeaways from across the league heading into next season.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen makes an appearance.
Specifically, Allen's known ability in western New York to make something out of nothing is referenced. PFF notes that "Allen and the Bills turned average throws into exceptional value" once again last year.
PFF breaking revealing exactly how Allen managed to do that can be found below:
As we mentioned above, the PFF grading scale runs from −2 to +2 in 0.5-point increments, and a zero grade represents an expected NFL pass.
On 335 zero-graded throws, the Bills quarterback averaged 0.173 EPA per attempt and 6.59 yards per attempt, both the best marks among qualifying starters. Jared Goff ranked second in EPA per attempt on those throws at 0.090, while Davis Mills (-0.391), Joe Flacco (-0.273) and Spencer Rattler (-0.252) occupied the bottom of the pool.
The historical context matters, too. Since 2006, the quarterbacks near the top of the yards-per-attempt leaderboard on zero-graded throws have often been attached to elite offensive ecosystems: Goff in Ben Johnson’s 2024 Lions offense (6.94), Matt Ryan in Kyle Shanahan’s 2016 Falcons offense (6.74) and Jimmy Garoppolo in Shanahan’s 2021 49ers offense (6.71). Allen’s 6.59 mark belongs in that same conversation.
That does not diminish his season. It frames it properly. Allen still had to operate the offense, distribute accurately and avoid turning neutral plays into negative ones. But the Bills’ infrastructure also deserves credit. Their 2025 offense consistently turned ordinary throws into efficient production, giving Allen one of the most favorable environments of the PFF era.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: PFF offers one big takeaways from Bills QB Josh Allen in NFL annual
Elena Rybakina became the highest seed to fall at Wimbledon so far in a straight-set defeat by Elise Mertens.
Second seed Rybakina, who won the All England title in 2022, was beaten 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 in the third round by her Belgian opponent.
It is the second successive year that Kazakhstan's Rybakina - who was crowned Australian Open champion in January - has failed to reach the second week at Wimbledon.
Her defeat on Court One also means Aryna Sabalenka will remain as the women's world number one, regardless of how deep into the tournament the Belarusian goes.
For Mertens, a fourth-round meeting with Marie Bouzkova awaits after the Czech 21st seed came from behind to defeat Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
"I have no words, actually. I'm very happy I won that first set and kept the momentum going," said the 30-year-old, a two-time women's doubles champion at SW19.
"[Rybakina's] an incredible player, she's won Wimbledon in the past so a really tough opponent.
"I think you could see the nerves. A couple of little faults but eventually after so many 40-alls I tried to keep a little pleasure and a little smile just to relax myself a bit.
"This is definitely one of the biggest wins of my career, especially here at Wimbledon. I've had some success here before. I'm just very pleased with my performance today."
With just 947 points separating Sabalenka and Rybakina in the world rankings prior to the start of the grass-court Grand Slam, 27-year-old Rybakina had to reach at least the quarter-finals to stand any chance of challenging for top spot.
After her triumph in Melbourne at the start of the year, Rybakina slumped to a second-round exit on the French Open clay in May before early defeats on the grass of Queen's and Berlin followed in the lead up to Wimbledon.
She was taken to a deciding set by France's Lois Boisson in her opening match but faced no such issues against American Caty McNally in the second round, dropping just three games on her way to a comprehensive victory.
But Mertens proved her undoing, and after a tight opening set went in the Belgian's favour on the tie-break, Rybakina failed to recover.
Mertens won nine points in succession in a dominant second set before defying late jitters on serve - which led to two wasted match points - to clinch victory with an ace.
Adrian Kempe remains one of the most consistent Kings players, finishing the season with 73 points, the same total as the year before. He also led the Kings in points and goals, so he remains one of the best Kings players, if not the best.
Kempe once again had a great season, leading the Kings in points. In 81 games, Kempe registered 36 goals, 37 assists for 73 points. After adding Artemi Panarin, Kempe's offensive game improved playing alongside Panarin, and Kings fans should be excited for next season as that duo continues their strong play.
Kempe has been the player the Kings look to for offensive help, and this season, offence was the Kings' weakest point, as they ranked 4th last in goals per game at 2.68. While Kempe had 36 goals, the Kings' second-highest scorer was Byfield with 24.
Kempe, who usually is the Kings' biggest offensive star, got help from Panarin, and now the Kings can have more scoring rather than having Kempe carry the offensive load. Adrian Kempe was the Kings' best forward this season, with his numbers similar to those of seasons past. Looking ahead to next season, the Kings will not need to worry about his play, as they trust he will continue his strong, consistent play.
Looking forward to next season, Adrian Kempe's extension kicks in, and he starts his 1st year of an 8-year deal with the Kings. With the hiring of Peter Laviolette, Kempe's offensive numbers may improve under the new system that Laviolette brings to the Kings.
Overall, this season was another strong one for Kempe. With the new coaching changes and the addition of players who have a big impact on offence, Kempe could find more success, as the Kings have more offensive changes that can provide scoring up and down the lineup, rather than relying on Kempe to be the primary goal scorer night in and night out.
If the Cincinnati Bengals still make a move in free agency over the summer, it figures to happen at the linebacker spot with well-known names.
That, or moves in response to training camp injuries before Week 1, though the waiver wire might be even more realistic.
As a blatantly all-in contender, though, the Bengals won’t stop getting suggested as fits with big names. That’s even the case at running back, with Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggesting that Najee Harris is a bargain-bin option who might fit the Bengals.
“On the back end of his prime years, Harris can still be an early-down contributor in a running back duo or platoon," Moton wrote. "He's not an explosive rusher, but his 6'1", 242-pound frame can be featured in short-yardage and goal-line situations.”
Harris is now 28 years old and was an ironman in Pittsburgh before suffering multiple issues last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, including a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 3.
Written another way, the Bengals probably wouldn't be interested in the risk there. More importantly, they view Chase Brown as an every-down back now and veteran Samaje Perine is the pass-blocker and receiver they like. They have a draft investment in Tahj Brooks, too, plus some interesting back-of-depth-chart guys like Kendall Milton.
That’s not to say the Bengals would totally rule out Harris or another veteran. But the depth chart there is pretty carefully constructed and it would take an injury or other factors to get them looking at free agents at all.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals shouldn’t go after suggested bargain-bin free agent
“Lap one was just chaos with the energy usage,” said McLaren’s Oscar Piastri after finishing seventh in Saturday’s sprint race at Silverstone.
“Pretty dangerous at some points, to be honest, but that’s what we’ve got… Then after that the following [other cars] was just very, very difficult in terms of staying on top of the car.
“Some things to look at, for sure, but at least we know what to expect tomorrow – which is chaos.”
The competitors have known for almost two years that the first race at Silverstone under Formula 1’s new technical rules would be one of the most problematic tests of this format, given the layout of the track. And this prediction came to pass in the form of a harum-scarum series of opening laps dictated by different energy deployment strategies.
As with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix back in March, the action-packed nature of those opening laps pleased the paying spectators in the grandstands, but the drivers themselves were frustrated that so much of it was dictated by battery charge levels rather than skill and bravery. It also made for some sketchy moments caused by sudden changes in speed.
The FIA had acted to mitigate this after Oliver Bearman’s accident in Suzuka, where the Haas driver crashed heavily while trying to avoid Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, which was deploying far less electrical boost at that point of the lap. But the package of changes, which included amendments to boost levels and the option to cut how much energy could be harvested each lap, was essentially a sticking-plaster solution.
Read Also:
FIA confirms 2026 F1 rule changes ahead of Miami Grand Prix
Silverstone’s layout, where much of the lap consists of straights and fast corners in which cars need more energy than they can harvest, was always going to expose the fundamental limitations of hardware which cannot be changed. Hence Piastri’s complaint that he spent most of his opening lap “trying to avoid crashing into the back of people”.
This problem has been largely absent from the past four grand prix weekends because the track layouts in Canada, Monaco, Barcelona and Austria are more deterministic in terms of electrical strategy. The ratio of straights to corners, and the nature of those corners, tends to push teams and drivers towards the same approach to harvesting and deployment.
“The pace wasn't too bad,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started fourth but lost ground at the start, then got the better of Max Verstappen and Piastri in the yo-yo battle to finish fifth.
“The tricky thing is that when you were in a fight, we were very vulnerable because we have a very different deployment than others. And so it was very difficult for me to overtake.
“On my way to Turn 15 [the Hangar Straight towards Copse], I was very, very slow compared with the cars around. Max was even slower, to be honest.
“But there was just huge differences, and it’s been quite a few races where we haven't seen this amount of differences between cars, which makes the fighting a bit tricky.”
Part of the concern derives from differences in closing speeds, such as when Verstappen made an early move on George Russell on the front straight and appeared to catch the Mercedes much quicker than expected, requiring a reflexive swerve. He and Piastri then almost tripped over one another later in the lap.
The contra-argument put forward by some observers is that these are the best drivers in the world, and having quick reactions is a prerequisite for racing at this level. Likewise there is a point of view – memorably espoused by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali earlier this year when he said “overtaking is overtaking” – that action-packed racing entertains the crowd and looks good in a highlights package, so it is axiomatically a good thing.
But this is partly a factor of the electrical deployment being largely invisible to the naked eye. Racing purists and the drivers themselves view passing manoeuvres dictated by different battery levels as fundamentally unearned and superficial. As to the safety factor, risk is an element best judged by the competitors themselves rather than the armchair-expert opinionati.
Interestingly, those who emerged from the hurly-burly of the opening laps in a good position took a slightly more nuanced view. Lando Norris, who had a relatively lonely race to third place, said the racing was “better than I expected”.
Given that the hardware cannot change this year, but will be revised over the following seasons to step down the level of electrical contribution, many of the drivers have reached the stage where they have given up complaining. Max Verstappen is one of these.
“I’ve decided for myself to not say anything about that anymore,” he said.
Read Also:
"No point going to a race knowing you'll lose four places" – Isack Hadjar slams Red Bull starts
McLaren explains fuel error that nearly cost Lando Norris in F1 British GP sprint
F1 British GP: Kimi Antonelli takes first sprint win with pass on Lewis Hamilton
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
By adding Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili, as well as No. 24 overall draft pick Cameron Carr, the Los Angeles Lakers have improved offensively, at least on paper, this offseason. But the big question is whether they have improved defensively enough.
Simply adding Kessler, whom the Lakers are acquiring in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz, may improve the team's defense. But Los Angeles still has a lack of plus defenders on the perimeter, which is a weakness it has had for quite some time.
The general consensus around the NBA seems to be that, overall, the Lakers are at least a little worse as a team than they were this past season when they finished 53-29. However, one Eastern Conference coach seems to see strong potential in their new roster, even on the defensive end, per Heavy Sports.
“I look at this defensively, and Kessler can be a monster rim protector, they’re going to count on him for that, but he could work well with a guy like Sandro because Sandro is going to be active, he is going to play with a lot of hustle, he is going make some hustle mistakes–but I want him doing that if he has Kessler behind him,” the coach said.
“It’s the same with Grimes. He is going to get after it defensively. He is going to be streaky offensively, but he is going to be great for you defensively. Now, you need more players. They’re thin. They’ll have to figure that out. But you can see those three guys really playing together a couple of years and coming together as a defensive group.”
Right now, the only plus perimeter defender L.A. has in its projected rotation is Grimes. Perhaps forward Jake LaRavia could be considered somewhat of a plus defender, although his 3-point shooting fell from 42.3% during the 2024-25 season to 32.1% this past season.
However, the whole is often greater than the sum of the parts for good teams, and one has to see how this new-look squad performs for the Lakers before ultimately judging it. Of course, the process isn't complete and the roster still has needs, particularly a two-way starting wing or forward, and the franchise may have to wait until a later transaction cycle to obtain the final piece to a potential championship puzzle.
For now, there is the potential for Los Angeles to be very good offensively and perhaps have spurts of solid defense this coming season, especially once this group has had some time to coalesce.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: NBA coach can see new Lakers 'coming together as a defensive group'
Joey Chestnut is back yet again to reclaim his crown at the 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Friday for July 4.
It's the crown that he's had for the past nine years -- he was last defeated in 2015, when Matt Stonie beat him 62 to 60. But it'll be interesting to see if someone else competing can break Chestnut's record from 2021 of 76 dogs.
And if you're here, you might be wondering something about the legendary competitive eater: What Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest records has Chestnut set and broken over the years when he's won? Fun fact: ALL of the top-10 records of all time all belongs to him.
Let's run through the list.
We'll have to see if he'll break that mark in 2026.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest men's records: Joey Chestnut is a legend
Kaleb Jackson arrives in Chapel Hill as a reclamation project with upside.
Once a top-10 running back recruit and a bruising four-star signee at LSU, the 6-foot, 234-pound back is betting that a change of scenery can revive a career that never quite matched the early hype in Baton Rouge.
Jackson’s track record is a mix of flashes and frustration — highlight runs and strong grades in spots, followed by dwindling carries and stalled development. North Carolina is hoping the tools that once made him a coveted SEC prospect can translate into steady production in the Tar Heels’ backfield.
Here is a breakdown of Jackson’s debut season — from basic stats and advanced analytics to his PFF grades — and a brief look at what North Carolina can realistically expect from him in 2026.
Jackson transferred from LSU before the 2026 spring semester. He played three seasons there and took a redshirt year before leaving Baton Rouge. There were flashes of his potential in 2023, when he finished with 31 carries for 165 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 5.2 yards per rush. His biggest highlight of his freshman season was trucking a Mississippi State defender in a 41-14 win.
The 2024 season wasn’t as kind after high expectations were placed on him. He got more carries early, but a lack of production and the emergence of Caden Durham meant fewer and fewer touches as the year went on. He finished with 44 rushes for only 150 yards — 3.4 yards per carry — with no touchdowns, just two runs of 10 or more yards, a 12.7 breakaway percentage and a 38.2 elusive rating.
By 2025, he had received little to no action, appearing in only four games and recording seven carries for 16 yards, an average of 2.3 yards per attempt.
| Yr | Ovr | Rush | Fum | Run Blk | Rec | Drp | Pass Blk |
| 25 | 58.6 | 63.5 | 71.9 | 42.3 | 65.1 | 49.8 | 78.3 |
| 24 | 61.4 | 59.1 | 81.4 | 58.7 | 65.4 | 77.5 | 83.9 |
| 23 | 80.0 | 77.7 | 80.1 | 59.5 | 80.7 | 53.4 | 18.7 |
Among the running backs in the current room at the Kenan Football Center, Jackson was the highest-rated recruit coming out of high school, a consensus four-star and a top 10 running back in the country for the class of 2023.
While he didn’t pan out at LSU for a multitude of reasons, ranging from a lack of development to LSU’s offensive line issues, maybe the move to Chapel Hill could help him find his way.
Expect Jackson to be part of the rotation. While he may not be the No. 1 option, it would be hard not to include a 6-0, 234-pound tailback with SEC experience in the rotation.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: 2026 UNC Football Breakdown: RB Kaleb Jackson
While the Los Angeles Rams are experiencing a bit of downtime, newly acquired star defender Myles Garrett has not taken his foot off the gas as he continues his preparations for the 2026 NFL season.
Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was recently recorded working out with fellow All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., under the tutelage of coach Brandon Jordan.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry delivered on his promise to make a “heavy investment” in the offense during the recently completed off-season.
Berry rebuilt the entire offensive line, highlighted by first-round selection Spencer Fano at left tackle, along with veteran additions Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins, and Zion Johnson. And, for good measure, they added tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford later in the draft.
The pass catchers also received an extreme makeover with the selections of wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan, to go with incumbents Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr.
Put all those together with returning running backs Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders, and the Browns appear to have a solid core on offense. They may not be fully unlocked until Berry solves the quarterback position in 2027 (or later, since this is still the Browns), but, overall, it looks like the Browns are on track.
While the offense appears to be on the upswing, it is fair to ponder who will still be on the roster when the Browns pull up stakes and move to their new stadium in Brook Park for the start of the 2029 season.
The NFL is a league, after all, where the average career is just a little more than 3 years for the players, so let’s run through the current roster and make some educated guesses.
Fano plays a premium position and will still be on his rookie contract, so he is as close to a lock on offense as you will find. And the early reports about Barber have been positive, so if he lives up to expectations, he should be in the starting lineup along with Fano.
Everyone else is in the very soft maybe category, as Howard and Jenkins will both be 33, and Johnson will be entering his age-30 season. None of them will be old for an offensive lineman, but younger and better replacements should be in place by then.
Concepcion and Boston are in. After them? It’s not so clear.
Jeudy’s contract runs through 2027, and if Concepcion and Boston are the real deal, it is hard to see Berry signing Jeudy to another contract. That becomes even more dicey if second-year wide receiver Isaiah Bond can up his game after being involved in a full offseason of work. Bond is no guarantee to still be with the Browns in 2029, but his chances are higher than Jeudy’s, for what that is worth.
Expect to see Fannin in the marketing materials as the Browns prepare for the new era in Brook Park. After him, it is a bit of a crapshoot. Royer has good hands – always a plus when catching passes is part of the job description – and Ryan has potential, but this is a position group that will look much different come 2029.
Judkins appears to be the most likely among the group to still be here in three years. He was on his way to 1,000 rushing yards before being injured last season, so if he can continue to be a reliable option in the run game, he could hit the field in 2029 with a new contract in his pocket.
Running back is a position where the roster churns each season, probably more than any other position, so Judkins is the only player we feel safe saying will still be with the Browns in three years.
There is almost zero chance any of the four quarterbacks currently on the roster will still be with the team in 2029, let alone 2027—or even this fall.
So who made the final cut?
Fano, Barber, Concepcion, Boston, Fannin, and Judkins are in, which is more than the number of players on the defensive side of the ball, so that is at least promising.
Falling in the “maybe category” are Bond, Royer, and Ryan, with Howard, Jenkins, and Johnson landing on the “possibly but not likely” list.
There is still a long way to go before the Browns move to their new home, but it looks like they are finally building a solid core on offense, which is a good enough start for now.
What do you say, Browns fans? Did we get this right, or did we horribly botch the assignment? Let us know which current players on the offense will still be around in 2029 in the comments!
Broncos Wire's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at sixth-year wide receiver Michael Bandy, No. 83.
Before the Broncos: Bandy (5-10, 190 pounds) went undrafted out of the University of San Diego in 2020, and he spent two seasons playing for the TSL Conquerors in The Spring League before landing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. He spent the majority of his first NFL season on L.A.'s practice squad, appearing in just one game, returning four kickoffs for 88 yards. Bandy saw more time on the field in 2022, playing in 10 games (two starts). In those 10 appearances, Bandy was targeted 21 times, catching 10 passes for 89 yards. Following his time with the Chargers, Bandy spent the 2023 spring season with the XFL's Houston Roughnecks.
Broncos tenure: Bandy signed with the Broncos prior to the 2023 season, quietly making his way onto the practice squad. Bandy appeared in only one game in his first season with Denver, with zero catches. In 2024, Bandy spent his entire season on the practice squad. In 2025, Bandy again was on the practice squad, but played his first impactful snaps for the Broncos. Bandy, coming off the bench, appeared in four games, catching four passes for 50 yards and his first career pro touchdown.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely a practice squad candidate. After catching his first career touchdown, Bandy has a chance to remain with the Broncos as a member of the practice squad. He's unlikely to crack the active roster in Denver, but Bandy could very well find himself on one of the other 31 NFL rosters if he doesn't want to compete on the practice squad again in 2026.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos roster: WR Michael Bandy (No. 83) competing to get off practice squad
The backdrop is dramatic, and the timing divine. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, a host of veterans will battle it out on Golf Channel as part of the inaugural Liberty Cup.
The event, held at Liberty National Golf Club on July 4, will feature some of the best veteran golfers from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, coordinated through the Veteran Golf Association.
Among the special guests who took part in the event are Urban Meyer, John Smoltz, Gary Sheffield, Josh Donaldson, Ron Harper and John Starks.
The taped event will receive national attention with a two-hour Golf Channel special airing from 3-5 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4. Featuring reporting and storytelling from Brandel Chamblee, Damon Hack and Jimmy Roberts, the broadcast will go beyond the competition itself, spotlighting the veterans who earned their place in the field and showcasing how the VGA uses golf to enrich the lives of veterans and their families.
The Veteran Golfers Association has grown into the nation’s largest competitive golf community for veterans and their families, serving more than 46,000 members across the country. Through more than 2,500 local tournaments each year, as well as regional championships and national events, the nonprofit organization provides opportunities for competition, camaraderie and connection, bringing together veterans of all eras and branches through a shared passion for golf.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Veterans face off in inaugural Liberty Cup golf event
The Boston Red Sox improved to 38-48 on the season after kicking off their nine-game road trip with a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Aroldis Chapman logged his 17th save of the season in the win, but more importantly, he made major league history in the process, further stating his case for Cooperstown.
Rookie lefty Jake Bennett gave the Red Sox a career-high 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six and walking none, before giving way to Garrett Whitlock in the eighth.
With the Red Sox leading 5-2, Whitlock recorded the final out of the eighth, paving the way for Chapman to take the mound, needing just one strikeout to pass Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm for the most strikeouts by a reliever in major league history, with 1,364 punch outs.
Your all-time leader in relief strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/QOmzH71VIY
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 4, 2026
The 38-year-old made quick work of the first batter he faced, Los Angeles third baseman Denzer Guzman, punching him out on three pitches and hitting his signature stare-down to celebrate the achievement.
“Very happy, very happy,” Chapman said after the win, describing a video montage with highlights from his career that was shown in the clubhouse. “I feel very proud of what I have accomplished; I just feel very satisfied right now,” he continued.
Chapman allowed a pair of singles after the record-setting strikeout to Los Angeles shortstop Zach Neto and second baseman Vaughn Grissom before getting right fielder Jo Adell to ground into a game-ending double play to lock down his 17th save.
Along with his pursuit of Wilhelm, Chapman has continued to climb up the all-time saves leader list. On May 18, the 38-year-old flamethrower recorded the 378th save of his career, passing former Twins closer Joe Nathan for the 10th most saves in history.
Chapman figures to continue climbing the saves leaderboard in 2026, needing only eight saves to reach 391 and pass former Red Sox pitcher - and Hall of Famer - Dennis Eckersley for the ninth-most in history.
Chappy's No. 1 all-time for relief strikeouts! ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/pQaEt35Qhx
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 4, 2026
After a dominant start to the season, Chapman has looked human of late, allowing five earned runs on 11 hits over his last five innings. Overall, Chapman has remained one of the best closers in baseball in 2026, posting a 2.10 ERA over 25.2 innings.
The Red Sox will look to secure a series win over the Angels on Saturday night. Sonny Gray will get the start for Boston opposite Sam Aldegheri for Los Angeles. First pitch from Angel Stadium set for 9:38 p.m. ET.
Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
One of the Houston Rockets’ biggest issues last year has still yet to be fully resolved. Even with the additions of Marcus Smart and Bruce Thornton, there’s still a question mark lingering over Fred VanVleet's health.
As covered on Roundtable, we still don’t have a real timeline or any updates on his injury recovery. Fans and analysts alike speculated over whether or not he’d be able to return last season, only to be disappointed by the time the playoffs came.
That’s all fine and dandy, as the most important thing is his health. Nobody wants to rush a player back on the court when they’re not ready, but when will he be ready? Can the Rockets afford to wait? Or would it be better to move on?
I’ve already looked over a couple of ambitious mock trades to swap former All-Star guards here‼️ on Roundtable, but I have my doubts on whether or not Rafael Stone would pull the trigger on any trade.
The Durant trade felt like a no-brainer, even if you did have to give up your highest draft selection since Yao Ming in 2002. This one would feel a bit different than trading Jalen Green though.
VanVleet came to a tanking team in Houston as a free agent and helped them turn things around. The money probably helped, but he did take a risk by coming into a losing situation.
I think the human side of things is impossible to ignore too, as it’d be harder to trade someone who’s dealing with a traumatic injury. I won’t be surprised if we don’t see any movement here.
It’s still pretty unclear what the Houston Rockets’ plans are moving forward, as they've seemingly backed away from any blockbuster trade talks. Even if they wanted to do a deal, most of the players are off the table at this point, as covered on Roundtable.
That doesn’t mean Rafael Stone couldn’t still make a swing for a big time player they could help Houston this season. I previously discussed a swap with Kyrie Irving here on Roundtable, and I still do like that idea.
While Irving had an ACL injury and missed all of last season, he's had six more months to heal compared to Fred VanVleet. Kyrie looks fully healthy again.
He also has a prior relationship and chemistry with Kevin Durant, along with being an underrated plug-and-play guy. With Massai Ujuri joining the Dallas Mavericks earlier this offseason, he already has a prior relationship with Fred VanVleet too.
We just saw another Toronto Raptors reunion with Kawhi going back up north and Kyle Lowry soon to join for a retirement contract. Maybe nostalgia will win and spark another trade? Ime Udoka and Marcus Smart proved that it can happen in Houston.
That brings me to another reunion I’ve seen floating around, again with another former Boston Celtics guard. Two time NBA champion Jrue Holiday is reportedly not on the trade block, despite the Portland Trailblazers’ overabundance of point guards, but that could change.
Damian Lillard is returning from an Achilles tear and Ja Morant just got to the team. It’s already been reported that those two are starting, but what about Scoot Henderson?
With a player drafted higher than any of the Rockets’ young guys, it seems obvious that they should give him playing time. Jrue Holiday is set to make $34.8 million though, followed by a $37.2 player option, so it’d be odd to see him riding the bench.
It might be better for them to take the smaller contract of Freddy and let him heal up, rather than deal with the heavier logjam with Holiday.
If I’m being honest though, I find both of these trades to be unlikely. It might only require the contract of FVV after the DFS trade opened up some cap flexibility, as covered on Roundtable. Along with whatever draft capital, obviously, but it would also require both teams to accept.
We have seen the Luka trade and now the Jaylen Brown trade, so nothing is impossible, but it does feel unlikely. Neither Irving or Holiday are actively being shopped, and it doesn’t look like Rafael Stone is doing much bug time shopping.
It seems more likely that we go through the same dilemma and constant questions about VanVleet’s health, as much as that sucks to imagine.
It appears that Washington Huskies wing Jasir Rencher has been cleared to return to basketball activities.
In a video shared by the official team account across social media, the former four-star recruit out of Archbishop Riordan High School in Northern California can be seen going through defensive drills, a positive sign for coach Danny Sprinkle's roster after he was limited to just eight games with an accelerated heartbeat during his first season in the Big Ten.
In mid-February, Sprinkle acknowledged that although the 6-foot-5 Rencher was in good spirits, the ailment could be career-threatening.
"Anytime you're dealing with your heart, obviously it's a serious deal," the head coach said in mid-February, while adding that Rencher experienced two instances of the issue, while alluding to the same cardiac ailment that hospitalized Lebron James Jr. during his one season at USC.
Day one, done 😤 pic.twitter.com/7trXG4NFSt
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) June 30, 2026
Before Rencher eventually underwent surgery in February, which ended his season, he appeared to be developing into a promising rotational piece both in the backcourt and on the wing. He averaged 3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, while collecting 2 blocks across 66 total minutes of action, and as injuries piled up for the 2025-26 Huskies, he almost certainly would've taken on a much larger role late in the year.
If Rencher can prove that he's healthy and ready to return to action, he has a promising ceiling as a 3-and-D player.
"I told the team in the locker room I was proud of him; he's gotten lost in the details of winning," Sprinkle said of Rencher after a win over San Diego in December. "He's not thinking about scoring; he's not hunting his shot. Everybody else, when you're kinda going through a funk, they think the way out is to shoot and get shots up. He's not doing that, and that's why he's playing really well. All he's focused on is guarding, working on his closeouts, which we've been doing a lot of."
"He's that big wing that he can guard one through four, even fives at a time, and he's capable of making some threes now, too. It's a matter of time before he really breaks out and we really get the ball moving, and it finds him. He's going to be a terrific player, but I'm just really proud of how he's bought into his role, and it's going to help us, and he's going to get a lot more minutes because of it."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington guard returns to practice after surgery
The last 16 of the 2026 World Cup starts with two compelling ties that deserve your attention for different reasons. Canada face Morocco in a match that will see the co-hosts play another match outside their own country (work that one out) while France can further cement their favorite status against Paraguay.
Had Jonathan Tah’s header stood in the previous round, France might have come up against Germany in the round of 16. As it is, Paraguay will face Kylian Mbappe and co. looking to recycle the game plan that frustrated, and ultimately got the better of, the four-times World Cup winners.
France and Morocco might be on a collision course to meet each other in the quarter-finals with both teams favored to get through their respective round of 32 ties. However, nothing is guaranteed. Canada and Paraguay also have their sights set on the next round.
Here is your complete guide on how to watch today’s World Cup games, including kick-off times, broadcast networks, and online streaming options.
Complete guide to all the players | A visual guide to every stadium | Standings | Golden Boot leaders
***
Time (ET): 1pm
Stadium: NRG Stadium (Houston)
United States: FS1 / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC Two (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
***
Co-hosts Canada are on the road again, this time travelling to Houston to take on Morocco. Jesse Marsch’s side needed a stoppage time winner from Stephen Eustaquio to overcome South Africa, but could find that the tactical match-up of Saturday’s match suits them better. Canada will have more space to exploit in transition.
Morocco repeated their giant-killing trick from the 2022 World Cup by seeing off the Netherlands in their last outing. The Atlas Lions are a more rounded team than they were in Qatar and have the players to control Saturday’s match. Morocco still have another level to reach at this tournament.
Player to watch: Alphonso Davies, Canada - The Bayern Munich left back finally made his first appearance of the World Cup off the bench against South Africa. If Davies is fit enough to start or even to play a sizable chunk of the match off the bench again, the tie might swing towards Canada.
Time (ET): 5pm
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
United States: FOX / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC One (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
***
France might be unstoppable. Didier Deschamps’ side have flattened every opponent they have faced at the 2026 World Cup so far with their forward line of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise scoring and creating goals for fun. Les Bleus are playing like favorites.
Paraguay, however, know what it takes to upset the odds having already knocked out Germany. The South Americans have never beaten France in four previous meetings spanning 68 years, but have a game plan that could make it difficult for the World Cup favorites to break them down.
Player to watch: Michael Olise, France - By registering a brace of assists in the win over Sweden, Olise highlighted his importance to France as their creator-in-chief. He might be even better as a number 10 than a right winger.
Welcome to the Bavarian Football Works daily Men’s World Cup match thread! Every day during this tournament we will have a feature thread for discussion of the day’s matchups.
The Round of 32 is done and dusted. Sixteen teams remain.
Today’s matches:
Yesterday’s results:
Just for fun! Drop yours below.
Beautiful feature on Paraguay:
How many times have you seen the replay on this goal? Not enough:
Finally — happy Fourth!
TV/streaming: Fox One (USA), Peacock (USA en Español), Find Your Country
Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!
Sign up for a user account and get:
BYD Seal 08 electric flagship sedan secures 65,000 orders within just over 30 hours of launch while facing cell production bottlenecks.
The post BYD Seal 08 hits 65,000 orders in just over 30 hours with 694 hp dual motors appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Canada stands just one victory away from reaching the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, but a formidable Morocco side now stands in its path. With Alphonso Davies returning to fitness at a crucial stage of the tournament, attention has shifted toward whether the captain will play a decisive role as the co-host looks to extend its unforgettable run.
The Round of 16 clash in Houston promises to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the knockout stage. Canada arrives full of confidence after breaking new ground, while Morocco continues to prove that its remarkable performances on the global stage are far from a one-time achievement.
The Reds have already rewritten their soccer history during the 2026 World Cup. After reaching the knockout rounds for the first time, Jesse Marsch’s side secured its first-ever World Cup knockout victory by defeating South Africa 1-0 thanks to Stephen Eustáquio’s dramatic stoppage-time winner.
That victory extended Canada’s impressive attacking form, with the team scoring nine goals while conceding only three throughout the tournament. The squad has also found the net in six consecutive matches, giving supporters genuine belief that another upset may be possible.
The challenge, however, becomes significantly tougher against a Morocco team that has established itself among the world’s elite over the past four years.
Morocco enters the Round of 16 carrying momentum of its own after eliminating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout following a tense draw. The Atlas Lions have now stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches, reinforcing their reputation as one of international soccer’s most difficult teams to overcome.
Since taking charge earlier this year, coach Mohamed Ouahbi has introduced a more possession-oriented style while maintaining the defensive discipline that made Morocco one of the biggest stories of the 2022 World Cup. Their remarkable passing display against the Netherlands showcased a side increasingly comfortable controlling matches rather than relying solely on counterattacks.
The North African nation is also hoping to build on its historic semifinal appearance in Qatar by making another deep run in North America.
Much of the pre-match discussion has centered around Alphonso Davies, who recently returned from a lengthy hamstring injury. The Bayern Munich defender made his first international appearance since March 2025 by coming off the bench against South Africa, immediately providing greater attacking energy down Canada’s left flank.
Although his substitute appearance lasted only around 15 minutes, Davies created one of the team’s best opportunities and forced South Africa to adjust defensively whenever he received possession.
Canada enters the match with few injury concerns apart from the long-term absence of Ismael Kone, giving Marsch several options as he considers whether to introduce Davies from kickoff or preserve him as a second-half weapon.
Canada projected XI (4-4-2): Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Morocco projected XI (4-2-3-1): Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
| WHO | Canada vs Morocco |
| WHAT | 2026 World Cup |
| WHEN | 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT • Saturday, July 4, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
For Canada, this match represents a historic moment. After advancing from the group stage for the first time ever, Jesse Marsch‘s side secured their place in the Round of 16 by defeating South Africa. However, by finishing second in their group, they surrendered home advantage and now face their toughest test of the tournament against a formidable Moroccan team. This is a chance for Canada‘s ‘golden generation’ to prove they can compete with the world’s elite.
Morocco enters this clash with immense confidence and a wealth of experience. As the reigning African champions and semi-finalists in 2022, they have lived up to expectations, navigating a difficult group that included Brazil before eliminating the Netherlands on penalties. The Atlas Lions are on a remarkable unbeaten streak and possess the tactical discipline and star power to dismantle any opponent, setting the stage for a compelling knockout battle.
The two teams have arrived at this stage via different paths. Canada benefited from a relatively favorable schedule to build momentum, with their only loss coming against a strong Switzerland side. Their attacking statistics are impressive, but they have yet to face an opponent of Morocco’s caliber. In contrast, Morocco is battle-hardened, having already faced top-10 ranked teams in Brazil and the Netherlands, proving their resilience under pressure.
The tactical clash will likely pit Canada‘s high-energy, aggressive pressing style under Jesse Marsch against Morocco‘s technically gifted and organized approach. Canada has generated a high volume of shots throughout the tournament, while Morocco combines a stout defense with lethal counter-attacks orchestrated by creative players like Brahim Diaz. The game could be decided by whether Canada‘s attack can breach a defense that frustrated some of the world’s best forwards.
Motivation is sky-high on both sides. For Canada, this is a legacy-defining match with the opportunity to achieve an unprecedented quarter-final berth. For Morocco, the objective is clear: build on their 2022 success and prove they are a consistent global powerhouse. With a potential quarter-final against France on the horizon, the Atlas Lions will be determined to avoid an upset and continue their impressive run.
Historically, Morocco has had the upper hand in this fixture, winning both of the previous meetings between the two nations. This provides a psychological edge for the African side, who have demonstrated their ability to defeat the Canadians on the biggest stage.
The most relevant encounter took place during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. Morocco secured a 2-1 victory after racing to a 2-0 lead within the first 23 minutes. That result was crucial in helping them top a group that also included Croatia and Belgium, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
Across their two meetings, Morocco has outscored Canada 6-1. The data points to Morocco‘s offensive strength and Canada‘s past struggles to contain their attack. While Canada has improved significantly since their last meeting, they will need a flawless defensive performance to reverse this historical trend.
Canada receives a significant boost with a key player returning to fitness, while Morocco heads into the match with the advantage of a fully available squad.
Canada‘s midfield depth has been tested with Ismael Kone ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to injury. However, the big news is the return of star player Alphonso Davies, who made his first appearance of the tournament as a substitute against South Africa. Coach Jesse Marsch will be hopeful that the Bayern Munich star is fit enough for a larger role in this crucial match.
Morocco’s manager, Mohamed Ouahbi, faces no new injury concerns. Having a complete and healthy roster at this stage of a major tournament is a massive advantage, allowing him to field his strongest possible lineup and utilize his bench effectively to adapt to the game’s demands.
Canada Projected XI (4-4-2):
Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Millar; David, Oluwaseyi.
This lineup reflects Marsch’s trust in the defensive unit that has performed well so far. The key will be the midfield battle, where Eustaquio‘s control will be vital. Up front, the partnership of Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi provides a direct threat, with the potential introduction of Alphonso Davies adding a world-class dynamic.
Morocco Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
This formation allows Morocco to leverage its biggest strengths: world-class full-backs in Hakimi and Mazraoui and a creative midfield trio led by Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi. Ismael Saibari, who scored in all three group stage games, is expected to lead the line, posing a constant threat with his intelligent movement.
You can watch the Canada vs Morocco match on Fubo. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running iOS or Android.
In addition to the 2026 World Cup, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to other top soccer competitions from around the globe. Enjoy coverage of leagues like the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League.
The subscription costs $14.99/month, offering comprehensive soccer coverage as part of the package. This plan ensures you don’t miss any of the key moments from the tournament in North America and beyond.
SEE MORE: Schedule of World Cup games on US TV
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.
has been called out for a clash under Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing banner as reports suggest he will soon confirm he is joining the new promotional outfit. The 29-year-old’s last outing saw him dethrone Teofimo Lopez in January, becoming a four-division world champion by unanimously outpointing his fellow American. But despite claiming the WBO super-lightweight […]
The post Former world champion calls out Shakur Stevenson after stunning KO: “I’m his kryptonite” appeared first on Boxing News.
On Windows 11, even though the operating system is designed to use all the memory installed on your computer, you can limit how much RAM the operating system uses if you need to test software, troubleshoot issues, or simulate a lower-memory system.
However, the system doesn't include a simple setting to tell it to "only use 4GB of RAM." Instead, you have to use the legacy System Configuration tool (msconfig), which is intended primarily for testing and debugging.
In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to restrict the amount of memory that Windows 11 can use.
⚠️Important: This setting limits the amount of memory available to the entire operating system. It's not meant for everyday use because it can significantly reduce performance and cause some apps to run slowly or stop responding. You have been warned.
To restrict the amount of memory available to Windows 11, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will only use the amount of memory you specified. Any remaining installed RAM will be ignored until you remove the restriction.
While I was testing this configuration, I noticed that Task Manager reported 3GB when I set the memory to 4GB, because the operating system doesn't get the full 4GB, as part of the physical address space is reserved for other components.
If your goal is to test the operating system with exactly 4 GB available, you may want to reserve an extra 1GB. For example, 5120 (5GB) to see 4GB in Task Manager. However, depending on how much memory you want to allocate, you may want to try different sizes.
To restore the amount of memory available to Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the operating system will once again detect and use all available RAM.
This feature is primarily intended for testing rather than everyday use. Some common scenarios include testing how an app performs with limited memory, troubleshooting memory-related software issues, simulating older or lower-end hardware, and software development.
For instance, we recently tested out how using 8GB of RAM on Windows 11 in 2026 works for performance.
If your goal is to reduce overall memory usage or free up RAM, it's better to turn off unnecessary startup apps, close background applications, or upgrade your system instead of limiting the operating system's available memory.
On some modern computers, particularly those using UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, the "Maximum memory" setting may be unavailable or ignored.
If this happens, you may need to temporarily disable Secure Boot before applying the memory limit.
⚠️Warning: Disabling Secure Boot lowers your computer's protection against boot-level malware and may prevent some security features from working as expected. Only disable Secure Boot temporarily if you're testing, and re-enable it afterward.
Disable Secure Boot
To disable Secure Boot, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, restart the device, then configure the "Maximum memory" setting in System Configuration (msconfig).
Enable Secure Boot
Before proceeding, make sure to restore the memory settings from the System Configuration settings, and then to enable Secure Boot, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Secure Boot will be enabled on your computer.
These are common questions about the process for limiting memory usage in Windows 11.
No. It reduces the total amount of RAM the operating system can access. All apps share the reduced memory pool.
No. Windows 11 doesn't include a built-in feature to assign a maximum amount of RAM to an individual application.
No. Your RAM remains physically installed. The operating system simply ignores the portion above the configured limit.
No. This feature is intended for testing and troubleshooting. Running the operating system with less memory than your system has available can significantly reduce performance without providing any real benefit.
I've used the Maximum memory option in MSConfig before, but it's one of those features that is easy to overlook because it's not intended as a consumer setting. For developers, network administrators, and anyone who writes about this operating system, though, it's a surprisingly useful way to test how a device behaves on lower-end hardware without physically removing memory or creating a separate virtual machine.
That said, I wouldn't recommend using this to "save RAM" or improve performance. Windows 11 is designed to manage memory efficiently, and artificially limiting it can only slow the system.
It's also another reminder that many of the most useful troubleshooting tools are still buried inside decades-old utilities like msconfig. Microsoft continues to modernize the operating system, but some of the diagnostic features remain hidden in legacy tools.
What are your thoughts about using MSConfig to limit RAM on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.
Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
It's been a few days since PlayStation announced the end of physical games, and to say the reception has been bad would be an understatement. While we here at Windows Central also reported that Xbox's Project Helix is expected to drop the disc drive, we also covered fresh details on Xbox's disc-to-digital scheme, which could give players a way to preserve their physical game libraries while still enjoying the benefits of digital ownership.
Following those stories, we asked you one simple question: "How do you feel about PlayStation ending physical game discs?" The response was overwhelmingly in favor of one option. Of the 1,577 votes cast, 71% of you said you'll miss buying physical games, while just 13% said you're happy to embrace a fully digital future.
I also spent some time reading through the comments because, while the poll shows how you voted, the discussion reveals why. Concerns over ownership, game preservation, the rising cost of digital storefronts, and calls for optional disc drives all came up time and time again. There was also plenty of discussion surrounding Xbox's Positron system, so let's take a look at what stood out most from the community.
Moving over to the comments, many of you echoed the results of the poll, saying you'll miss buying physical games, and to be fair, it's hard to blame you.
I've been guilty myself of embracing the convenience of the digital era, relying heavily on services like Game Pass. That said, when a game really means something to me, I still make the effort to buy a physical copy.
Halo: Campaign Evolved, which launches later this month, is a perfect example. I'll be picking it up on disc because, for me, it comes down to ownership. I want a physical copy sitting on my shelf, regardless of whether I also have access to a digital version.
That brings us nicely to our first comment, from Obi74 here on Windows Central:
“I'm not much of a gamer, so my opinions in this aren't strong. However, I have worked closely with product designers for many years and every time changes were made, we used to ask two questions:
What problem does this change solve for our customers?
Do our customers see this problem as important enough to be solved?
I can't come up with answers that make sense when I apply those questions to removing disc drives on consoles.
It's not a Microsoft issue. It just shows how those corporations moved from serving customers to mostly serving themselves.
Not a trend I like.”
Whilst Obi74 looked at it from the perspective of whether removing disc drives actually benefits consumers, Floyd Smertnitch took things a step further by looking at why Sony might be making the move in the first place. They wrote:
“The decision doesn't just make sense from the perspective of preventing reselling. There's also the 30% margin to consider: Sony takes 30% from every transaction made through the PlayStation Store. This is not the case for physical game sales. Sony takes a cut, but it is often smaller, and retailers can negotiate directly with publishers”
Whatever Sony's reasoning may be, a recurring theme throughout the comments was trust, or rather, the lack of it. Many of you worried about what happens when everything is tied to a digital license, with reader Goose UK sharing their own experience:
“They can still pull your rights whenever they feel like it... I prefer my media to be on a disk somewhere, and then digitized if possible, as I've had digital rights pulled in the past (including from a disc based game I currently own).”
That comment really sums up what many of you were saying throughout the discussion. It wasn't necessarily digital gaming that worried you; it was the thought of losing ownership and putting even more trust in platform holders to safeguard your purchases for years to come.
One thing that actually surprised me while reading through the comments was just how many of you weren't completely against digital gaming, especially given the outrage over Sony’s decision to end physical media. Like myself, it seemed as though quite a few readers admitted they'd already made the switch years ago, but still didn't want physical games to disappear altogether.
Reader RagingTyga summed it up rather well, saying:
"It's unfortunate but I've been mostly all digital for nearly 3 generations now, starting with the PS3, and now the Xbox Series."
They went on to argue that Microsoft's original Xbox One vision, despite being heavily criticized at the time, could have offered "the same benefits of Play Anywhere and Digital convenience WITH the preservation and collection aspect of Physical."
Looking back, Xbox may well have been ahead of its time in some respects (a common theme for Microsoft), but in typical Xbox fashion, they completely fumbled the messaging. Fast forward to today, and many of us seem to be heading towards that same digital future anyway, only now we run the risk of getting far fewer of the benefits that were originally promised.
Judging by both the comments and the poll, the issue doesn't seem to be digital gaming itself. It's the loss of choice. Many of you have embraced digital purchases for years, but that doesn't mean you want physical ownership to disappear entirely.
Perhaps that's why one of the most common suggestions wasn't for Xbox or PlayStation to abandon digital or whatever, but to meet somewhere in the middle.
Several of you suggested optional external disc drives, multiple console SKUs, or Xbox's reported Positron disc-to-digital system as ways of preserving physical collections without giving up the convenience of digital gaming.
Reader Xirathi put it simply:
"Why not just sell an external drive for dirt cheap?"
Others shared similar ideas, with fatpunkslim suggesting Helix could launch with "an optional external reader," while GraniteStateColin argued Microsoft could offer an external USB disc drive for those who still wanted one, rather than forcing every buyer to pay for hardware they might never use.
Looking back at the poll, I actually think that ties in quite nicely with the 16% of readers who said they were still undecided and simply wanted more options. Rather than choosing between an all-digital future or sticking entirely with physical media, many of you seem to believe the industry can, and perhaps should, support both.
Interestingly, each social platform had a slightly different take on the news. Here on Windows Central, the discussion largely centered around ownership, game preservation, and consumer choice.
Over on X, many of you were more interested in the technical side of Xbox's reported Positron system, asking how it might work with older Xbox discs, backward compatibility, and lending games to friends. Reddit, meanwhile, was far more divided. Some argued physical media is no longer relevant because most people already buy digitally, while others felt the real issue wasn't the disc itself, but losing consumer choice and giving platform holders even more control.
No matter where the discussion took place, one thing stood out to me. This debate was never really necessarily about the plastic disc you purchase. It's about ownership, preserving the games we buy, and having the freedom to choose how we play them.
Personally, I think it's a sad direction for the industry. Whether you actively buy physical games or not, having fewer options is rarely a good thing. As the industry continues shifting towards digital ownership, we're placing more trust in platform holders to maintain access to the games we've paid for, and that's something I don't think should be taken for granted.
This is especially true, as Sony have just revoked over 500 purchased movies from PlayStation users.
Thank you to everyone who took part in our poll and joined the discussion here on Windows Central, as well as over on X and Reddit. It genuinely means a lot to us. If you have any more thoughts on the future of physical games, be sure to share them in the comments below:
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
I imagine that Sony knew its recent announcement that it's ending physical disc production in 2028 would cause backlash, but not likely to this extent. Indeed, the amount of pushback from gamers and game historians is astounding, and the debate is spilling out into adjacent communities.
Browsing the r/pcmasterrace subreddit last night, I came across one thread basically asking "what the point of a console is becoming" now that Sony is going digital-only and Xbox might not be far behind.
That's an excellent question, and one that I've also been pondering for some time. If consoles no longer have a physical library of media that can be owned, shared, and resold, what's the main appeal?
A mid-range PC-esque device that's locked down to one store? That requires subscription fees just to play online? Running software you can't control? Sounds fun!
I know, I'm not exactly being fair to consoles. As the top reply to OP's subreddit question about the point of consoles, it's "ease of use and low barrier to entry" that remain the selling points of Xbox and PlayStation.
Those are good points, but the foundation on which they're built is also quickly eroding.
Microsoft's Xbox Mode for Windows 11 effectively turns your PC into a console experience, exactly as the name suggests. SteamOS, Valve's custom Linux effort that runs on the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and increasingly other devices, is as smooth as any console UI I've used.
Next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony won't likely be affordable, at least not in the traditional sense. Nearly all components that make up a "PC" are far more expensive than they used to be, and the crisis isn't likely to see any easing AT ALL until early 2028, never mind a complete return to normal.
Unless something miraculous happens, I can't imagine next-gen consoles launching for less than $1,000. You might be effectively paying PC prices for console problems like license revocations, store closures (in the case of PS3 and PS Vita), and other overarching issues with game preservation.
The running joke in the PC gaming community is that we'll spend anything just to keep playing, and there's definitely some truth in that. This willingness to spend has kept the PC market going through recent rough times, and it's why it feels like Valve gets a bit of a pass when it comes to the Steam Machine's pricing.
Launching at $1,049 for the base model, it's a refined gaming PC that offers a console-like experience for the living room. Valve straight out said the price is caused by component shortages and a lack of subsidies that are found in the console market, and it still sold out immediately.
Free online multiplayer. Access to any storefront you want. Deep sales on games, old and new. Freedom to use the device as a regular PC. Excellent emulation abilities to play old games. I could go on, but I'm sure you see the perks of a PC compared to a console.
It's no wonder that the Steam Machine has already spawned a new market of $1,000-ish compact gaming PCs and custom SFF projects. There's a real audience for this sort of thing, and I expect it will only continue to grow as jaded console gamers make their exit.
Even if a game vanishes from the GOG storefront, it never leaves your library.Exactly as digital ownership ought to be.July 1, 2026
Even if you dislike Steam for its own digital ownership rules (or lack thereof), other PC game stores like GOG make it clear that you own whatever you buy, forever. Besides, there are plenty of ways to get your Steam games working without Steam.
And although Xbox is much more geared toward game preservation than PlayStation, it's still not on the same level as PC. The reality is that digital ownership on PC is not the same as digital ownership on console.
I understand that there's a lot of anger right now regarding game preservation and the overall state of the console market. There are probably going to be a lot of console gamers making a switch to PC in the near future.
However, that doesn't mean I think the console market is going anywhere anytime soon. Sony and Xbox are going to sell a ton of consoles between now and the next generation, and whenever that next gen arrives, it had better be an incredible piece of hardware with some can't-miss exclusives that draw gamers in.
Xbox has already signaled that its next device will be more like a Windows 11 gaming PC than ever before, capable of handling Xbox games, legacy games, and PC software.
I think that's the right move forward, but whether it can actually pull it off remains to be seen. Many will claim that exclusives are still the point of consoles, but if Project Helix is "like a PC," how exclusive will those games really be?
When the physical disc market disappears, and console exclusives increasingly end up on PC anyway, the argument for buying a closed box rather than an open box gets tougher to make.
Why buy a device that will only work while a corporation keeps the servers running? Who wouldn't want to own something you can build, upgrade, and keep going as long as you'd like?
Am I way off the mark here? Am I overlooking other perks of consoles not mentioned here? Let me know in the comments section below!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
The new mini PC is an affordable device for those who want decent performance for day-to-day operations. Beelink Debuts EQi 304, Featuring Core 3 304 Processor and 16 GB/512 GB Configuration at Just $509 The Intel Wildcat Lake has made producing affordable systems possible. After Wildcat Lake's debut, vendors have been introducing their budget offerings, equipped with 1+4 or 2+4 core chips that utilize the Cougar Cove performance and Darkmont LP-E cores from the Panther Lake series. Despite being weaker on paper, these are excellent chips for day-to-day computing while maintaining great power efficiency. Beelink, which is a popular mini […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/beelink-launches-eqi-304-wildcat-lake-mini-pc-featuring-16-gb-ram-and-512-gb-storage-at-509/
This is one of the most expensive GeForce RTX 5090s we have ever gotten, and of course, it's from ASUS. ASUS Lists its ROG Astral RTX 5090 Edition 20 At LDLC for $7,435, Reminding That ROG Matrix Edition isn't the Most Expensive RTX 5090 ASUS never fails to surprise us, particularly when it comes to pricing its premium components. The RTX 5090 Edition 20 has been priced ridiculously, as if the GPU wasn't expensive enough at $4000. We know that the GPU has been listed for nearly $4000 or more on major retailers, which comes as a result of the […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asus-rog-astral-rtx-5090-edition-20-listed-at-eu-retailer-at-a-whopping-7435/
The company confirmed it in an unusual way, but it seems legit, and as per the announcement, the coolers should arrive soon. Noctua Announces NL-LC1 Chromax.Black AIO Series Despite Exclusion From the Roadmap; The New Variant is Expected to Arrive This Year The Noctua's latest and first-ever AIO cooler series was dropped two weeks ago. The NL-LC1 is what Noctua aims for, superior cooling, which is available in various form factors. Whether you want to cool a mid-range or a high-end CPU, it offers the AIO in various sizes, including 240mm, 360mm, and 420mm for enthusiast-grade PCs. Built using the […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/noctua-confirms-nl-lc1-chromax-black-aio-series/
This might be the lightest gaming laptop with a GeForce RTX 5070, weighing just 1.6 Kg, which makes it very portable. Thunderobot Debuts ZERO Air 16 Gaming Laptop That Weighs 1.64 Kg, but Still Brings GeForce RTX 5070 onboard The new ZERO Air 16 is the world's lightest 16-inch gaming laptop with the GeForce RTX 5070, according to Thunderobot. The manufacturer announced ZERO Air 16 recently, which runs on a Panther Lake CPU, paired with the GeForce RTX 5070 mobile GPU. Thunderobot has been able to cram this hardware inside a thin body that also weighs much less than its […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/thunderobot-packs-an-rtx-5070-into-a-1-64-kg-carbon-fiber-body-undercutting-lg-and-asus/
Samsung is giving the Warranty and Care section in One UI 9 a major overhaul. Instead of simply displaying warranty status, the redesigned page becomes a central hub for warranty information, scheduled repairs, troubleshooting, diagnostics, and Samsung Care+ management.
It also introduces a refreshed interface, a new app icon, and tighter integration with Bixby and Samsung Members, making after-sales support much easier to access.
The redesigned experience introduces several noticeable improvements. Credits – GalaxyTechie.
The first thing users will notice is a completely redesigned Warranty and Care icon that better matches One UI 9’s refreshed visual language.
The interface has also been reorganized with larger cards, simplified navigation, and dedicated sections for support services instead of scattering them across different Samsung apps.
One UI 9 will automatically display all Samsung devices linked to your account in one place.
This includes:
Each device will display its current warranty status, making it easier to check which products are still covered without manually searching through Samsung’s website.
One UI 9 adds a Scheduled Repair section that lets users keep track of upcoming service appointments directly inside Warranty and Care.
The page can display:
Samsung is combining several support tools into a single experience. Instead of jumping between multiple apps, Warranty and Care will include direct access to:
First-time users will see a redesigned welcome page explaining the app’s main functions.
The introduction highlights four primary features:
The post One UI 9 gives Samsung’s Warranty and Care a complete redesign with smarter repair tracking appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has appeared in Geekbench, giving us our first look at the phone’s CPU and GPU performance. The benchmark confirms Samsung is testing the device with the Exynos 2500 chipset, 8GB of RAM, Android 17, and the Xclipse 950 GPU.
Geekbench listing shows the Galaxy S26 FE (SM-S741B) is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset. It scored 2,104 in the Geekbench 6 single-core test, 7,148 in the multi-core test, and 22,100 in the Vulkan GPU benchmark.
The listing also confirms Android 17, 8GB RAM, and the Xclipse 950 GPU.
A pair of Geekbench entries for Samsung’s SM-S741B, widely believed to be the Galaxy S26 FE, have surfaced online.
The CPU benchmark reveals:
The listing also confirms:
The CPU consists of four clusters:
The second Geekbench entry focuses on graphics performance.
The Galaxy S26 FE achieved a Vulkan score of 22,100, while confirming the presence of Samsung’s Xclipse 950 GPU, which is integrated into the Exynos 2500 chipset.
This is the same GPU architecture expected to power one of Samsung’s most recent flagship Exynos platforms, bringing hardware-accelerated ray tracing and modern graphics capabilities to the Fan Edition lineup.
Source – Geekbench
Based on these early Geekbench numbers, the Galaxy S26 FE should deliver a noticeable performance upgrade over previous FE models.
A 2,104 single-core score suggests improved everyday responsiveness, while the 7,148 multi-core result indicates stronger sustained performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
Meanwhile, the 22,100 Vulkan score points to healthy graphics performance that should comfortably handle modern Android games and Galaxy AI features.
As always, benchmark results represent pre-release hardware and software. Samsung could further optimize performance before the phone reaches consumers.
The post How fast is Samsung Galaxy S26 FE expected to be? appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Fenerbahçe, Manchester City'den Nathan Ake'yi kadrosuna kattı. Hollandalı futbolcu, eski takım arkadaşı Ederson'la defalarca görüştü. Brezilyalı eldiven olumlu refarans verdi. Böylece Ederson'un geleceği de bir anlamda belirlendi.
Ederson ve Nathan Ake, uzun yıllar boyunca Manchester City'de birlikte oynadı. Ve Ake transferi farklı bir gerçeği de gözler önüne serdi... Hollandalı savunmacı, transfer sürecinde eski takım arkadaşını defalarca aradı. Brezilyalı eldiven, kulüple ilgili olumlu referanslar verdi.
AYRILMAYI DÜŞÜNÜYORDU
Ederson'un bu yaz satılacağı düşünülüyordu. Fakat başkanlığa seçilen Aziz Yıldırım sonrasında durum değişmiş gibi gözüküyor. Yıldırım, tecrübeli eldiveni kazanmaları gerektiğini ifade etmişti. Ederson'un, Ake'ye Fenerbahçe'yle ilgili olumlu konuşması aynı zamanda takımda kalacağı anlamını da taşıyor.
PARA HARCAMAK İSTEMİYORLARDI
Ederson'un ayrılığı halinde Fenerbahçe Yönetimi bir de kaleci transferi yapmak zorunda kalacaktı. Doğal olarak ekstra harcama çıkacaktı. Ederson'un kalması bu bakımdan da önem taşıyor. 32 yaşındaki file bekçisinin Sarı-Lacivertliler'le 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi var. Kontratta ayrıca +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut...
Çaykur Rizespor'un yeni transferleri Fildişi Sahili asıllı Fransız oyuncu Siaka Bakayoko ile Fas asıllı Fransız futbolcu Zakaria Ariss, açıklamalarda bulundu.
Çaykur Rizespor'un yeni transferleri Fildişi Sahili asıllı Fransız oyuncu Siaka Bakayoko ile Fas asıllı Fransız futbolcu Zakaria Ariss, transfer süreçleri ve hedeflerine ilişkin değerlendirmelerde bulundu.
Siaka Bakayoko, Mehmet Cengiz Tesisleri'nde gazetecilere yaptığı açıklamada, transfer teklifini aldığında ilk olarak takımın lig tablosuna baktığını söyledi.
Çaykur Rizespor'un geçen sene ligi sekizinci sırada tamamladığını belirten genç stoper, "Çaykur Rizespor hedefleri olan bir kulüp. Bu sene bu hedefleri daha yukarı taşıyacaklarını söylediler. Bu benim için çok önemli bir şey. Süper Lig gibi önemli bir ligde oynayacağım. Çaykur Rizespor gibi önemli bir takımda hedeflere gideceğim için buraya gelme kararı aldım." dedi.
Bakayoko, Rize'yi çok beğendiğini ifade ederek, "Aynı zamanda çok gelişmiş bir tesisle karşılaştım. Bu bizim çalışmamız için çok büyük avantaj olacak. Takımla beraber çalışmalara başladım. İlk günlerden itibaren teknik heyet ve takım arkadaşlarımla çok iyi bir çalışma ortamı yakaladım." diye konuştu.
Geçen seneyi geride bıraktığını vurgulayan Bakayoko, şu değerlendirmede bulundu:
"Bu sene Çaykur Rizespor'a katkı sağlamak için buradayım. Takım arkadaşlarımla birlikte kulübümüzü ve Rize'yi en iyi şekilde temsil etmek için buradayım. Bunun için elimden geleni yapacağım. Genç bir oyuncuyum. Kariyerimdeki adımları teker teker atmak istiyorum. Her seferinde daha yükselmek ve daha başarılı olmak istiyorum ve bunu yaparken de keyif almak istiyorum. Burası bunu sağlayabileceğim bir ortam."
"Transfer teklifini hiç düşünmeden kabul ettim"
Yeşil-mavili takımın kadrosuna kattığı sol bek Zakaria Ariss ise kulüp yöneticilerinin kendisiyle temasa geçtiğini ve projelerini anlatıklarını söyledi.
Transfer teklifini hiç düşünmeden kabul ettiğini anlatan Ariss, "Çok çabuk ve hızlı bir şekilde transfer süreci gerçekleşti." dedi.
Ariss, Süper Lig'in sürekli gelişen önemli bir lig olduğuna dikkati çekerek, şunları kaydetti:
"Şimdi burada, bunun bir parçası olmaktan çok mutluyum. Buraya geldiğimde karşılaşmış olduğum grubun pozitif bir enerjisi var. Onun bana yansıması olarak görüyorum ama normalde de zaten pozitif bir insanım. Sanırım buradaki arkadaşlarımla beraber yakalamış olduğum ambiyanstan kaynaklanan bir pozitif durum. İkinci ligde tanıdığım insanlardan bir, iki tanesiyle görüşme şansım oldu. Buranın çok iyi bir lig olduğunu ve burada oynamamın bana çok şey katacağını söylediler."
Mücadeleci bir oyuncu olduğunu vurgulayan Ariss, "Forması için her şeyini veren, agresif oyun stili olan bir oyuncu izleyeceksiniz. Aynı zamanda umuyorum ki takım arkadaşlarımla birlikte bir mücadele ortaya koyarak, burada çok güzel bir sezon geçiririz." ifadelerini kullandı.
Ariss, Çaykur Rizespor'un geleceğe dair sunduğu projeye inanarak 4 yıllık sözleşmeyi imzaladığını anlatarak, "Buna gerçekten çok inanıyorum bütün kalbimle. Şehri, tesisleri, stadı gördüm. Şimdi taraftarla tanışmak istiyorum. Burada dört yıl içerisinde çok güzel şeyler yaşayacağımı düşünüyorum." diye konuştu.
Geçen sezonu Eyüpspor'da kiralık olarak geçiren Jankat Yılmaz büyük ihtimalle yeniden kiralık gönderilecek. Fakat bunun yaşanması için öncelikle Galatasaray'la yeni mukavele yapması gerekiyor.
21 yaşındaki genç kaleci Jankat Yılmaz'ın Galatasaray'daki sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de tamamlanacak. Yani kontratının son senesine girdi. 1.93 boyundaki eldiven, geride bıraktığımız sezonu Eyüpspor'da kiralık olarak geçirmişti. Eyüp, oyuncuyu yeniden kiralık olarak kadrosuna katmak istiyor.
EYÜP VE 2 KULÜP DAHA
Bu arada Eyüpspor dışında Süper Lig'den 2 kulübün daha Jankat'la ilgilendiği öğrenildi. Fakat Galatasaray hiçbir kiralama teklifine yanıt veremiyor. Çünkü bunun için öncelikle genç kalecinin sözleşmesinin yenilenmesi gerekiyor. Mevcut koşullarda Jankat 2027 yazında boşa çıkacak.
HAZIRLIK KAMPINDA
Galatasaray ve Jankat Yılmaz cephesi, yeni sezon hazırlıklarında masaya oturacak. Tarafların anlaşmaya varmaları bekleniyor. Sonrasında ise oyuncunun yeni takımı belli olacak. Jankat, Eyüpspor'da çok iyi maçlar çıkarmıştı. Kümede kalan İstanbul ekibinde unutulmaz performanslara imza attı.
Galatasaray'ın, Arsenal'in 10 numarası Martin Odegaard ile ilgilendiği iddia edilmişti. Fakat oyuncunun sadece senelik kazancı bile bu transferin ihtimalini gözler önüne seriyor.
10 numara arayışındaki Galatasaray'da favori isim Can Uzun... Ancak alternatifler de bulunuyor. Son günlerde ortaya Martin Odegaard iddiaları atıldı ancak bu transferin gerçekleşme ihtimali açık konuşmak gerekirse yok... Bunun önünde bazı önemli engeller var.
İŞTE O MADDELER
Norveçli yıldızın durumu şu şekilde:
1- Arsenal'in satış listesinde değil
2- İngiliz ekibi satışa razı olsa bile astronomik bir bedel talep edecek
3- Oyuncunun senelik maaşı bonuslarla 16 milyon sterlin (Yaklaşık 18.7 milyon euro)
4- Martin Odegaard ayrılmak istemiyor
Akıllara Osimhen'e ödenen maaş gelebilir. Fakat onun özel bir durumu var. Galatasaray Yönetimi, benzer rakamları farklı bir oyuncuya ödemek istemiyor.
MÜMKÜN DEĞİL
Özetle, 27 yaşındaki 10 numaranın Galatasaray'a transferi mümkün gözükmüyor. Arsenal onu 2021 yazında Real Madrid'den transfer etmişti. O dönemde 35 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. Martin Odegaard'ın İngiliz ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor.
Bayern Münih, Chelsea'den kiraladığı Nicolas Jackson'ın opsiyonunu kullanmadı. Senegalli forvetin adı Fenerbahçe ve Beşiktaş'la anılıyordu. Peki son durum ne?
Alman devi Bayern Münih, sezon başında 16.5 milyon euro gibi inanılmaz bir kiralama bedeliyle Nicolas Jackson'ı kadrosuna katmıştı. Senegalli forvetin satın alma opsiyonunun kullanılmadığı resmen açıklandı. 25 yaşındaki santrfor, Chelsea'ye döndü. Ancak gelecek sezon planlamasında düşünülmüyor.
NEWCASTLE UNİTED SÜRPRİZİ
Oyuncunun adı Fenerbahçe ve Beşiktaş'la da anılıyordu. Fakat sürpriz bir gelişme yaşandı... Newcastle United, 1.87 boyundaki futbolcu için temaslara başladı. Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea'de beklediği süreleri alamayacağını biliyor. Bu sebeple de bütün ayrılık opsiyonlarına açık...
SATMAK İSTİYORLAR
Chelsea onu 2023 yazında Villarreal'den transfer etmişti. O dönemde 37 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. Nicolas Jackson'ın İngiliz ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2033 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi bulunuyor. Süre bakımından kiralanmasının önünde engel yok. Fakat Chelsea onu satmak istiyor. Newcastle ile görüşmeler de bonservis bedeli üzerinden yürüyor.
Yeni sezon hazırlıklarına başlayan Galatasaray'ın gündemine gelen isimlerden biri de Liverpool forması giyen Virgil van Dijk gelmişti. Galatasaray'da bu transferden kötü haber geldi.
Okan Buruk yönetimindeki Galatasaray, yeni sezon öncesi transfer çalışmalarına başladı. Sarı-kırmızılılar savunma bölgesine takviye yapmak istiyor. Bu konuda gündeme gelen isimlerden biri de Liverpool'un 34 yaşındaki savunma oyuncusu Virgil van Dijk.
The Athletic'te yer alan habere göre, Virgil van Dijk, ülkesi Hollanda'nın Dünya Kupası'na veda etmesinin ardından tatile çıktı ve yeni sezon öncesi Liverpool ile çalışmalara katılacak. Teknik direktör Andoni Iraola'nın, Van Dijk'a güvendiği ve Liverpool'un, 34 yaşındaki futbolcu için gelecek teklifleri değerlendirmeye almayı düşünmediği belirtildi.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool'da kalacak ve ayrılmayı düşünmüyor. Galatasaray bu transferden vazgeçmek zorunda kalacak.
Liverpool forması altında geride kalan sezonda 55 maçta süre bulan deneyimli yıldız, savunma performansı ile birlikte 8 gol, 3 asist ile skor katkısı da verdi.
Beşiktaş Genel Sekreteri Uğur Fora, kulübün basketbol şubesine dair açıklamalarda bulundu.
Beşiktaş Genel Sekreteri Uğur Fora, kulübün basketbol çalışmalarına dair açıklamalarda bulundu. Forsa, satılan forma sayısını ise büyük bir şaşkınlıkla açıkladı.
Uğur Fora'nın açıklamaları şöyle:
-Geçen ay Domagoj Vida'nın menajerine 109 milyon ödedik. Çeklerin bir kısmını başka yönetici ciroladı, senetlerin bir kısmını ben ciroladım. Almıyordu. Sistem yürüyecek. Burada biz oturuyorsak yürürken de buraya parayı da koyacağız, işimizi de koyacağız, yapacağız geçeceğiz.
-10 yıldır çatının bir vidası değişmemiş. Çatı garanti kapsamından çıkmış, risk altında maç yapıyoruz. İlgili departmanın idarecisi ve yetkili arkadaşı, bunu yapalım mı diye yönetime getirmedik. Raporlar, faiz, para ihtiyacı, günlük ödemeler falan... Böyle bir şey olabilir mi, Beşiktaş bu riske girer mi! Hemen fiyat araştırmaları, statik hesaplamaları, kimsenin haberi yok. 1 milyon Euro'ya yakın buraya masraf yapacağız. Dile kolay geliyor.
-Hepimiz basketbol şubesinin ne kadar iyi yönetildiğinden, bütçesinin optimum gittiğinden bahsediyoruz. Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü prensipleriyle yönetiyoruz basketbol şubesini.
-Fenerbahçe - Beşiktaş final maçı. Full Sinan Erdem dolu, Beşiktaş'ın kazandığı para 3 milyon TL. 1.5 milyon salona veriyorsun, güvenlik, yemeği, elektriği, ulaşımı topluyorsun, Passolig'e yüzde 10 veriyorsun, 3 milyon kalıyor.
-2025/26 yılı, TV yayın gelirleri 486 milyon, UEFA gelirleri 96 milyon, sponsorluk ve reklam 1 milyar 375 milyon, maç hasılatı 2 milyar 93 milyon, lisanslı ürünler 2 milyar 6, futbolcu satış gelirleri 3 milyar 796, ve diğer kalemler 700-800 milyon. Toplam gelirimiz 10 milyar 563 milyon. Geçen sene elde ettiğimiz...
-Ücret giderleri, bonservis giderleri, lisanslı ürün giderleri, Futbol AŞ'nin giderleri, vergisi, SGK'sı 14 milyar 646 milyon. Çıkar ikisini birbirinden geçen sene 4 milyar zarar etmişiz. Hiç transfer yapmasak, elimizdeki mevcut kadroyla maç yapıyoruz desek zaten her sene buradan 4 milyar zarar edeceğiz. Amatörleri diğer kalemleri saymıyoruz.
-Biz bilmiyor muyduk Fenerbahçe ile o son periyotta zorlanacağımızı. Bilim denen bir şey var. 2 günde 1 basketbolcu maça mı çıkar! Dertlenmedik mi, federasyon düzeyinde, bakanlık düzeyinde yapmadık mı! Ne elimizi kolumuzu bağladı, basketbol milli takımının maç takvimi. 10 güne düşürtebildik. Takımın yüzde 25'i sakatlandı, diğerleri yoruldu.
-Sizce basketbol formamız kaç adet satıldı? Sıkı durun söylüyorum! 810 adet. Hepimizin çıkıp ağzından düşürmediği basketbol şubemize sahiplenmemiz ve aidiyetimiz 810.
Bunun birinci sorumlusu benim. Hayatımda basketbol forması aldım buraya gelene kadar. Bunu hepimizin, özellikle divan üyelerimizin bilmesi ve ortak akılla bulması lazım. Bir formülüm yok ama bunu bilmeliyiz.
Bitcoin price strength could "break" the entire downtrend if the reversal pattern completed, John Bollinger suggested in light of the BTC rebound.
2026/2027-ci illər mövsümündə də Birinci Liqada mübarizə aparacaq “Səbail” heyətini daha bir futbolçu – Abbas Ağazadə ilə gücləndirib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə paytaxt klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, növbəti mövsüm üçün transfer çalışmalarını davam etdirən “Səbail” son olaraq Premyer Liqada “İmişli”də çıxış etmiş Abbas Ağazadə ilə 1+1 illik müqavilə bağlayıb.
“Qəbələ”nin yetirməsi olan Abbas, karyerası ərzində MOİK, “Sabah”, “Turan Tovuz” və “Şamaxı”da da forma geyinib. 27 yaşlı dayaq yarımmüdafiəçisi 2024-cü ilin yayından “İmişli”nin uğurları üçün çalışırdı. O, ötən mövsüm əyalət klubunun heyətində meydana çıxdığı 35 oyunda 1 qol və 1 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.
“Səbail” bu yay sabiq oyunçularından Bahadur Həziyev, Rubin Seyidov, Vüsal Məsimov və Zeynəddin Abdurrahmanovu heyətinə qaytarmış, həmçinin “Sumqayıt”dan Mehdi Cənnətovu, “Mingəçevir”dən isə Kənan Quliyevi transfer etmişdi.
Madrid “Atletiko”sunun və Fransa milli komandasının müdafiəçisi Kleman Lanqle İspaniya klubunu tərk edərək “Benfika”ya keçib.
Arena.az bu barədə Portuqaliya klubunun rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Lissabon təmsilçisi 31 yaşlı futbolçu qarşıdakı 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümünün sonunadək icarəyə götürüb. Tərəflər arasında əldə olunmuş razılığa əsasən, mövsümün sonunda Lanqlenin transfer hüququ Portuqaliya nəhənginə keçəcək və o, klubun tamhüquqlu futbolçusuna çevriləcək.
Məlumata görə, daimi transfer rəsmiləşdirildikdən dərhal sonra fransalı müdafiəçi ilə 2 illik yeni müqavilə imzalanacaq. Beləliklə, Lanqlenin “Benfika”dakı gələcəyi uzunmüddətli olacaq.
Təcrübəli müdafiəçi peşəkar karyerasına Fransanın “Nansi” klubunda başlayıb. Daha sonra “Sevilya”, “Barselona”, İngiltərənin “Tottenhem” və “Aston Villa” klublarında çıxış edib. O, 2025-ci ildə “Barselona”dan ayrıldıqdan sonra “Atletiko”ya keçmişdi.
Kleman Lanqle 2019-cu ilin iyununda debüt etdiyi Fransa yığmasının heyətində 16 oyun keçirib, 1 qol vurub. Lanqle “xoruzlar”la 2021-ci ildə UEFA Millətlər Liqasını qazanıb.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 31 yaşlı mərkəz müdafiəçisinin trasnfer dəyərini 4 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Kəpəz” köhnə-yeni baş məşqçisi Azər Məmmədov ilə müqavilənin detallarını açıqlayıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Gəncə təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, 50 yaşlı mütəxəssislə 1 illik müqavilə imzalanıb.
Xatırladaq ki, “Kəpəz” bir neçə gün öncə əsas komandanın baş məşqçi postuna yenidən Azər Məmmədovun gətirildiyini açıqlasa da, onunla müqavilənin daha sonra imzalanacağını bildirmişdi.
Məmmədov bu postda ötən mövsüm başa çatan kimi komandadan ayrılmış və “Şamaxı”nın “sükanı arxasına” keçmiş Azər Bağırovu əvəz edib.
Xatırladaq ki, Azər Məmmədov Gəncə təmsilçisi üçün tanış simadır. O, 2023-cü ildə də “Kəpəz”i çalışdırıb. Məmmədov 2023/2024-cü illər mövsümünün əvvəlindən “Kəpəz”ə rəhbərlik etsə də, noyabrda istefa verib. O, həmin dövrdə bu komandanı bütövlükdə 12 oyuna çıxarıb. Gəncə təmsilçisi bu görüşlərdə cəmi 1 qələbə qazanıb, 3 heç-heçə edib və 8 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Həmin dövrdə “Kəpəz” Azər Məmmədovun baş məşqçi kimi çalışdırdığı ilk komanda olub. O, daha öncə “Qarabağ”ın futbol akademiyasında və “Zirə”nin ikinci komandasında çalışmış, “Səbail”də köməkçi məşqçi olmuşdu. “Kəpəz”dən ayrılandan sonra isə o, bir müddət “Səbail”də də baş məşqçi kimi çalışıb. Məmmədov 2024-cü ilin noyabrında “Səbail”dən ayrılandan bəri işsiz idi.
- Was renewed ahead of season 1's finale
- Lead stars and executive producers Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser seem set to return
- A new showrunner has yet to be announced
- No confirmed release date, plot or supporting cast
In the least surprising news known to man, Dutton Ranch was renewed for a second season before season 1 had even had time to air its penultimate episode (let alone that explosive finale).
According to Paramount+, season 1 amassed 12.9 million viewers globally in its first seven days following the Yellowstone spinoff's premiere, making it the biggest original series launch in the streamer's history.
But having nailed so many aspects of Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip's (Cole Hauser) new life in Rio Paloma, the numbers make complete sense.
But with Dutton Ranch season 2 now official, what do we know about its development so far?
Currently, there's no confirmed word on when Dutton Ranch season 2 will air. However, it wouldn't be surprising for it to adopt the production of other Taylor Sheridan-produced shows like Landman, which gives us a rough guess.
The best-case scenario is that season 2 will film in late 2026, bringing episodes to the small screen in the first half of 2027. However, we could easily be left waiting until the latter half of the year, too.
Don't be silly. It took us until early May 2026 to get one for season 1, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around two weeks before the second season does.
We're expecting the following main cast members to return for Dutton Ranch season 2:
We can also expect new faces to join the cast, so watch this space.
Spoilers for season 1 ahead.
While no specific plot points have been confirmed (and likely won't be for a while), it makes sense for Dutton Ranch season 2 to pick up exactly where the season 1 finale left off.
Obviously, there are quite a few questions that need answering here. The most pressing is whether Carter will survive his kidnapping, and whether Beth and Rip can get to him before anything bad happens.
Then we'll have the fallout of Rob-Will's death, which will definitely have messed with Joaquin's mind. This is also going to affect Mariano's standing in the 10 Petal business, arguably likely to see even more power than he had before.
Beulah, meanwhile, has absolutely nothing to her name. She needs to grieve Rob-Will, but Everett wants nothing to do with her, so her next moves cannot be immediately guessed.
Then, there's Oreana. Will she keep the baby? Will Beth be there to support her? And will Rio Paloma ever be the same again?
However, because there's set to be a change in showrunner (more on that below), a major shift in narrative tone and/or direction can't be ruled out. We'll know more on this once a replacement has been announced.
As you might have heard, season 1 showrunner Chad Feehan exited the series a few weeks before its launch, after alleged on-set tension with Reilly, Hauser, and executive producer Taylor Sheridan.
Industry rumors have suggested that another writer would take over as lead showrunner, but this has so far been unconfirmed.
Sheridan has not directly led a Yellowstone spinoff since 1883 and 1923, but you can read more about why he'd be my ideal choice (because I won't stop going on about it).
Discore is currently offering a nine-in-one DVD Drive Hub on a Kickstarter campaign with backer pricing now available for $39 (a 50% discount on the anticipated $79 RRP), making it a steal before you even consider its unique upgrades.
The campaign, which launched on June 28 2026, had set itself a goal of reaching $500 in backing before going into production, but within less than a week the project now has more than $45,000 in funding from over 750 backers.
The key difference and the reason why backers are so intrigued with this cut-price optical drive? Unlike most external drives, it’s designed to work with iOS and Android devices as well as PCs, allowing users to access and even burn discs from their smartphones and tablets (with suitable software).
Highlighted specifications include CD read/write speeds at up to 24X and DVD read/write speeds at up to 8X, but being a nine-in-one device, it also houses an SD card reader, a microSD card reader plus USB and USB-C ports, making it an all-inclusive hub for on-the-go connectivity.
Annotated images show four USB-A ports and one USB-C port, with the company claiming speeds of up to 10Gbps and 160MB/s for SD cards using UHS-I.
Discore is clearly targeting creators with this new optical drive hub, including photographers and videographers who still need optical media alongside removal storage like portable hard drives. Acting as a single hub, it eliminates the need to carry multiple expensive adapters, and even at the $79 anticipated retail price, it still represents strong value.
The hub itself connects to smartphones, tablets and PCs via an integrated cable with both USB-A and USB-C connections, rated at USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Its enclosure is finished in a silver-white aluminium-alloy to keep it light, but also to support optimal heat dissipation.
In the campaign’s documentation, Discore highlights the hub’s support of “iPadOS and Android devices with OTG functionality, allowing connection with iPad Pro, Android tablets, and smartphones for accessing disc content, transferring photos, and managing files.” Most PCs are supported, including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Linux.
Discore is also keen to position the hub as a bridge between old and new, with optical drives phasing out but many distant memories already being stored on CDs and DVDs. Its portability and compatibility with certain smartphones and tablets, as well as PCs, is notable here.
Pricing for early backers dropped as low as $35, but Super Early Bird prices of $39 per unit remain available at the time of writing. Multibuy discounts are also available at $69 per two and $89 per three. Additional worldwide shipping fees of between $7-15 per package also apply.
Pre-shipping availability follows more than half a year of research, planning, design, prototyping and testing, per a timeline posted to the campaign. Mass production is on track to start this month, with shipping beginning in August.
The campaign closes on July 13.
- Set to be released next December
- Trailer not expected until mid-2027
- Some actors already confirmed to appear
- Unclear how Avengers: Doomsday will impact its story
- Source material offers some clues about its plot
- Expected to reboot the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Avengers: Secret Wars is set to bring down the curtain on Marvel's wildly inconsistent Multiverse Saga. And, even though the much-anticipated movie isn't due to land in theaters until December 17, 2027, some details about its plot, cast, and eventual impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have already been confirmed by those involved in its production.
Luckily for you, I've rounded up the latest and biggest news on the sixth Avengers film in this guide. So, if you simply can't wait to get the lowdown on the sequel to this year's Avengers: Doomsday, read on.
Avengers: Secret Wars will be jettisoned into theaters worldwide on December 17, 2027.
Originally, it was supposed to come out on May 7, 2027 — Marvel confirming as much during its Hall H panel at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). However, in May 2025, Marvel announced Doomsday and Secret Wars would be delayed by seven months. The former, which was due out on May 1, 2026, will now drop on December 18, 2026, with Secret Wars debuting almost exactly one year later.
Marvel has never explained why their launches were pushed back. However, the sheer scale of these productions, plus the criticism leveled at Marvel Studios over the varying quality of its Multiverse Saga projects, means they need as much development time as possible to be as good as we hope they'll be.
No, and we definitely won't see one before Avengers: Doomsday is released. After all, Marvel isn't going to spoil what happens in the aforementioned film before we get to see it.
My best guess is that a brief teaser will receive its worldwide premiere during Marvel's Hall H panel at SDCC 2027, before a full trailer is unveiled much closer to Avengers: Secret Wars' release date. In short, we'll be waiting a long time to see some footage.
Avengers: Secret Wars' cast hasn't been confirmed because — again — that would spoil who'll survive the events of Avengers: Doomsday.
However, some actors have already ruined the surprise by confirming they'll be back in Avengers 6. Additionally, some respected news outlets have also reported on other individuals who might appear. Potentially huge spoilers immediately follow for Secret Wars, so read on at your own risk:
It goes without saying that Downey Jr's Doom will return. He's the Big Bad of the Multiverse Saga's two-part concluding, so he'll be back for round two.
Meanwhile, Evans confirmed he'll be part of proceedings in a video call with a fan. Serial MCU leaker Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk in Marvel's cinematic franchise, has also let slip that Hemsworth's Thor will show up in Secret Wars.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who portrays Ben Grimm/The Thing, announced his involvement by saying filming will begin this August, so, we'll see at least one member of The Fantastic Four in Secret Wars. Speaking to people.com, Simu Liu also revealed Shang-Chi is involved in Avengers 6, while Letitia Wright told ScreenRant she'll show up, too.
Furthermore, Paul Bettany told The Telegraph that he's "got some Avengers duties" to do, which all but confirms he's part of the cast. Lastly, rumors abound that Sadie Sink will have a role to play in Secret Wars following the debut of her mystery character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
There are bound to be more cast announcements, including confirmation that one of Marvel's most bankable stars, Tom Holland, who portrays Peter Parker and his superhero alias Spider-Man, will appear (NB: For what it's worth, Holland has already teased he'll be involved). Once further details about this film's ensemble come to light, I'll update this section.
Predictably, Marvel hasn't unveiled Secret Wars' story synopsis yet. Nonetheless, directors Joe and Anthony Russo have dropped hints on what we can expect.
For starters, the Russo brothers, who are also helming Secret Wars' predecessor — for more on that, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday — exclusively told me they "will draw inspiration" from both of Marvel's Secret Wars comic book storylines.
The literary pair, which came out in 1984 and 2015, shares some narrative similarities (for instance, both explore the Marvel Multiverse), but mainly tell distinct tales. Expect the Russos to cherry-pick elements from both comic book runs, then, to help them tell their own original story.
Again, it's unclear how its narrative will play out. However, last March, a major Marvel concept art leak appeared to give us our very first look at what could happen in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The images were only live for a brief spell before they were pulled offline, which suggests they were legitimate. That said, the vast majority of pre-vis artwork is never used in a film or TV show, so it's possible they were never used further during the development process.
On the recent rumor front, the final Marvel Phase 6 project won't be split into two. There was speculation that, given the significance and scale of its plot, plus how many characters could be involved, Avengers: Secret Wars could be turned into a duology of its own. Marvel has stayed quiet on this, but numerous reliable industry insiders have shot down this particular piece of gossip since it emerged in February, so it's highly unlikely to happen.
Anyway, once Avengers 5 is released, we'll have a clearer idea of what Secret Wars' plot will entail. Until then, the above is the best information available to us.
The likeliest scenario would involve something of a reset of the MCU as we know it.
There's no denying that Marvel's cinematic juggernaut has become more unwieldy with each phase. The introduction of more and more heroes and villains (not all of whom have proven to be popular with audiences), plus the laborious amount of homework required of viewers before they watch one of Marvel's new movies in theaters or TV shows on Disney+, means a rebooting of the comic giant's cinematic franchise would be welcomed by diehards and newcomers alike.
It seems like we'll be getting that, too. The Russos have suggested that the next two Avengers films will be a "new beginning" for the MCU. Additionally, Marvel President Kevin Feige told Variety that the MCU 2.0 will return to a "singular timeline" that, among other things, will introduce viewers to a brand-new version of the X-Men, aka the comic titan's famous mutant superteam.
It remains to be seen which established characters will make the leap to the new MCU, but I'd be surprised if fan favorites like Spider-Man aren't a part of it. Throw in the likely recasting of Black Panther, the retention of The Fantastic Four, and the introduction of new heroes who are currently popular in Marvel Comics, and the MCU won't be going anywhere anytime soon after Avengers: Secret Wars.
2026 is almost over — well, not quite, but given we're already halfway through the year, it won't be long before those year-end awards are in sight again. And with the 2026 progress bar hitting 50% this week, we decided it was a good time to look back on the last six months and pick out the early 'gadget of the year' contenders from everything we've tested since January.
And we've been testing a lot — 639 products, to be precise, have passed through our labs and the real, unvarnished lives of our experienced testers this year. Those hundreds of gadgets span everything from coffee machines and smartphones to life-boosting accessories like portable DACs, fans and smart Lego.
So if you've just woken up from a six-month nap (we don't blame you) or are looking for some gadget inspiration, the list below will make for some fascinating reading. It doesn't contain every five-star product we've tested this year (check out our separate five-star review roundup for those), but it is a temperature check of all the products our reviewers haven't been able to stop talking about over the past six months...
The Google Fitbit Air is the highest-profile, most exciting fitness release of 2026 so far, and it’s generated plenty of buzz online. A screenless Whoop-style band weighing just 12 grams (including strap!) and with up to a week of battery life, the Fitbit Air is the most exciting thing we’ve seen from Fitbit since Google brought the brand.
The hardware is excellent, proving to record heart rate accurately in our comparison tests, and it’s eminently comfortable to wear. I had no problems wearing it virtually 24/7 during my testing period, including to shower and sleep in. It looked great, was super-light, felt comfortable and delivered accurate, insightful metrics.
The app is another story. While its AI-powered premium functionality is good, not everyone’s going to jive with the chatbot format of the AI Coach, and existing Fitbit users are irked that their community features and historic badges were deleted, replaced by an AI Coach to help you ‘celebrate your achievements’ in a different way. The app is uniformly recognized as being messy and cluttered, too. But away from the app’s design, the tracker is still the boldest, most interesting release in the fitness tech world this year.
Matt Evans, Senior Editor, Fitness, Wellness & Wearables
Look me in the eye and tell me you have no cassette tapes hiding anywhere in your home. Right, there’s a shoebox somewhere. But where to play them? That’s where the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player comes in.
Not only is it brand new gear to play these old tapes, but it works with your favorite Bluetooth headphones; I found it the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern audio pleasure. Even its imperfect functionality, like flaky Bluetooth support, was somehow charming.
I wish it had recording like my old portable cassette player, but it was still kind of wonderful to get to hear old mixtapes, recordings, and even classic releases from 1980s music icons (The Traveling Wilburys!) again.
Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large
Up until a month ago, the MacBook Neo was my favorite laptop of 2026, and I didn’t think there’d be any other new laptop this year that could beat it. With a launch price of $599 / £599 / AU$899, it was the cheapest MacBook you could get, and despite its budget price, it offered the kind of build quality, design, screen and performance that you just didn’t expect from laptops and Chromebooks around that price point.
It certainly made a big impact. Running on the A18 Pro chip, it could run pretty much any macOS app that more expensive Macs could, offered excellent battery life and a bright and vibrant display (something a lot of budget laptop makers often neglected to keep prices down). It sold like hot cakes, and gave a kick up the bum to rivals. Since its launch, both Acer and Dell have announced laptops (the new Acer Swift Air and Dell XPS 13) that the companies are very open about how they’ve been designed to take on the MacBook Neo.
However, last month Apple announced a raft of price increases for some of its products, including a $100 / £100 increase in price for the MacBook Neo. While not a massive increase (unlike what the MacBook Air and Pro got), it’s enough to make the MacBook Neo less of an instant recommendation, and some of its compromises, such as slow USB-C ports and no backlit keyboard, are suddenly harder to forgive.
Matt Hanson, Managing Editor, Core Tech
The toy brand introduced a new technology-fueled piece in its iconic build block system this year at CES 2026 — and while some reactions have been mixed online we here at TechRadar have fallen in love with the system. If you’re a kid who loves playing with your sets and not just admiring them it hits the mark (almost) perfectly.
Out the gate it featured in a handful of Star Wars themed builds adding iconic starship noises, blaster fire effects, and flashing lights as the model moves and its play features are used. It does this thanks to motion and color sensors in the brick which perform different effects based on the special NFC tiles the smart brick is placed onto — the tile effectively programs the smart brick’s lights and speakers while they touch.
Admittedly it wasn’t perfect at launch, but Lego has already started to solve some of our issues with the builds and the brick’s interactiveness in its upcoming Pokémon Smart Play sets — helping to cement the smart brick as one of the best gadgets of the year, and we’re confident it’ll only get better.
Hamish Hector, Senior Staff Writer, News
Some hi-res products require careful tinkering and compatibility testing. This isn't one of those. Instead it's a no-fuss, super-small headphone DAC (which stands for digital-analog-converter) to effectively take the job away from the small and likely pretty basic DAC and amp stage in your smartphone or laptop, do the conversion job a lot better, and deliver the improved audio to your wired earbuds or headphones (and thus, to your shell-likes) of choice.
Did I mention it's also super-cheap? This thing costs just $59 / £59 and it essentially turns your source device's sound into something you'd get from hi-res player — and those can cost thousands.
It's smaller and lighter than the iFi options that came before it too. The Go Link 2 will happily slip into your pocket or bag along with your smartphone without issue, and if you're looking to get in on the wired trend (hey, lots of people are) it's a very good way to add wired headphone support to devices that have long since dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack.
OK, its amp stage won't be enough to drive high impedance planar magnetic cans (and those would probably come toting a 4.4mm jack anyway, which this doesn't have) but provided you're just looking to level up with closed-back dynamic solutions, this is little money, well-spent.
Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor
Android XR and Meta might be stealing the smart glasses spotlight in 2026 with their announcements, but here at TechRadar we think the best new pair to launch so far this year is something a little different: the RayNeo Air 4 Pro.
The biggest difference between the RayNeo and those other specs is they don’t bother with AI — instead they’re effectively a portable display for your compatible phone, tablet, laptop, console, essentially anything that can output video and audio via USB-C.
The Air 4 Pro don't reinvent the wheel but add important new tools like being the first specs of their kind to support HDR10 — leading to more accurate and vibrant colors from their micro-OLED displays. Couple that with solid sound, a comfy fit, and optional Batman/Joker stylings for DC mega fans (plainer designs are available) and you have something incredible.
Hamish Hector, Senior Staff Writer, News
The MacBook Air is, in some ways, the portable most other laptops aspire to; it’s thin, light, surprisingly powerful, and has simply outstanding battery life.
At the time of review, Apple had doubled that storage space (far more important than you might think), finally upgraded connectivity to the future (Wi-Fi 7 and BLE 6) and, of course, slipped in the new M5 silicon.
The price rose a bit, and some wished for more colors (heck, maybe they'll think about Citrus for the next Air), but none of this really detracted from the MacBook Air’s sizable qualities, including a fantastic keyboard, huge ForceTouch trackpad, and Thunderbolt 4 ports. MacBook Air was the laptop that lured me away from Windows, and the M5 model is what’s keeping me here.
Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large
If you're in any doubt about whether the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the best camera phone on the market right now, just look at the devices we've compared it to. In our Oppo Find X9 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison, the Chinese flagship came out on top in almost every category, and in our Oppo Find X9 Ultra vs Lumix TZ300 vs Nikon Z8 comparison, we found that its telephoto capabilities "render most travel zoom compact cameras redundant." High praise indeed.
So, yes, the Find X9 Ultra — which is the first Ultra-branded Oppo phone to ship outside of China (albeit not in the US) — is the new camera phone king. But it comes with plenty of other flagship bells and whistles, too. There's the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the 12GB of RAM, the 6.8-inch OLED display, and the enormous 7,050mAh battery. And Oppo's software has also come on leaps and bounds in recent years.
If we're talking 'the best phones of 2026 so far', the Find X9 Ultra is a must-include.
Axel Metz, Phones Editor
The Audeze Maxwell 2 isn't the gaming headset that's received the highest score from our team of reviewers so far this year on TechRadar Gaming, but it's still one of the absolute best to release this year. And it gets that mantle on sound quality alone.
The 90mm planar magnetic drivers produce the finest gaming audio I've ever experienced, and I can't imagine using anything else now (unless I have to for pesky work reasons). Audeze's patented SLAM tech means the bottom end is even better than ever, and so the whole soundscape is much more rounded and fulsome, while being exceptionally detailed and immersive.
It's a chunky headset, yes, but it has all the modern features you realistically need to get the most out of a headset for single-player immersion and gaining edges in multiplayer games: a robust mic, reliable connectivity, good design and build, all supporting that brilliant audio quality.
After nearly a decade of testing and reviewing gaming headsets of all stripes, I have not been treated to audio this good. It's proven so good that I disagree with our own review (sorry, Phil) and have written about how, after a few months of living with the Maxwell 2, I think it's a five-star gaming headset. If you want to consider any new gaming headset of 2026 thus far to upgrade your audio game, then this has to be it.
(Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming)
It's been a long time since I saw a vacuum that truly made me do a double-take, but that was the case with the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones. Instead of the chunky dust cup / battery / filter configuration usually found at the top of a stick vacuum, the PencilVac has... nothing. There's just a broom-shaped handle. In fact, this handle houses all those components, except they've been shrunk down to an almost impossibly small size, and hidden away. That makes the PencilVac incredibly light, nimble, and easy to wield.
The floorhead is equally unique, with its two pairs of cone-shaped, fluffy rollers, rotating in opposite directions to whisk away dust from hard floors and clear hair without tangling. This head pivots ultra-smoothly, can be used either way around, and enhances the incredible maneuverability on offer here. A truly innovative design from Dyson, and a useful one at that.
Ruth Hamilton, Collections Editor
It's not just because the Dali Sonik 1 are clearly the cat's miaow — although that never hurts!
The Dali Sonik 1 are the smallest in the Danish brand's ever-expanding new line of passive stereo speakers, but while this February 2026 proposition might be bijou, they sound easily twice their size. And for this money, that's a huge win.
We love them for their clear-mindedness, sparkling vocal reproduction, textured transients and remarkably deep, thumping robustness. They’re also low-distortion, with a sonic profile that never falls foul of overstating itself, apart from a very occasionally overzealous bass reflex (but that's largely down to placement).
You might be thinking you've seen this all before: small passive stereo speakers, they must all basically be the same, no? The Dali Sonik 1 are better than that — in fact we think they're currently the absolute best in their size and price category. It could well be the Sonik 1’s use of Dali’s trademarked Clarity Cone technology (taken from the Kore range before it), or the “SMC” (Soft Magnetic Composite)-assisted magnet systems that constitute the driver.
However it has been achieved, collectively this in-house wizardry has created a fulsome yet supremely natural-sounding set of standmount speakers. And they'll easily fit into your home (for a refreshingly palatable fee).
Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor
At first glance, Apple's March-issue second-generation flagship headphones probably didn't receive too many hugely excited whoops and cheers from the Cupertino giant's noted fanbase. Why? Because they arrived looking exactly the same as the first pair.
And they still come out on top in any mid-year headphones roundup. The ANC is just that good. We may sometimes be harsh at TechRadar, but we're always fair…
Put them on your head, engage the ANC and get them playing music. Suddenly it's impossible to knock them. There's a new H2 chip in each ear cup (plus a new amplification module) and that combination is a bona-fide game-changer.
OK, so you can use the Digital Crown as a remote and yes, you can now use Live Translation, nod or shake your head to control call-handling, or pipe up and the headphones now adjust playback accordingly. But none of these under-the-hood improvements is what seals the deal for me.
No, it's all about the sound, underpinned by the noise cancellation performance that is 1.5 times better — and anyone who owns the inaugural set will know how big a deal that is. Also, the overall sonic profile is punchier, more vibrant and with an extra ounce dynamic nuance across the frequencies.
The only reason I couldn't give them the full five stars? The stamina, at only 20 hours with ANC deployed. The thing is, when the cocoon of silence is this good, I'll take a hit on battery life.
Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor
It can be hard to mess with near perfection, but that was the task facing Samsung when it built the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s a follow-up to the best Android flagship I'd ever used and, thankfully, the S26 Ultra did not disappoint.
The excellent, solid design (despite losing titanium) is a perfect showcase for Samsung’s vast OneUI 8 and all that AI. Plus it has a built-in S Pen that’s endlessly useful and new privacy screen feature that's so cool I wonder when Apple will copy it.
The just-short-of-perfection is mostly because it wasn't a full redesign some wished for and the frustrating lack of any kind of MagSafe charging capabilities. Those were, obviously, minor niggles in what is otherwise a powerful, big-screen handset that should be on everyone’s Android shortlist.
Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large
It's no surprise that in a year of spiraling energy costs one of the big trends has been home batteries that can cut chunks out of your electricity bills — and this powerful, balcony-friendly unit is the most complete we've tested so far.
The EcoFlow Stream Ultra X isn't cheap and, at the time of writing, isn't available in the US (although its lower-capacity Stream Ultra X sibling is). But with its 3.84 kWH capacity and AI-powered energy management, it is a glimpse of a smart home genre that will soon become mainstream.
In short, this lithium iron phosphate battery charges from the sun via solar panels or from cheap grid power during the day, then powers your home at night. In our tests, we estimated that it could easily pay for itself in three years — and that's without connecting it to solar panels.
On its own, the Stream Ultra X isn't powerful enough to power your whole home during a power cut — it's more like the first rung on a ladder that can take you to solar or a bigger home energy system. But you can connect five more Stream series units to hit 23 kWh of power, and its versatility makes it one of the best examples so far of what the Germans call 'Balkonkraftwerke' (or 'balcony power plants').
Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News (UK)
The year Sony debuted its first open-back gaming headset with the Inzone H6 Air, and it’s the best such model that we’ve tested, blowing strong competitors like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air out of the water.
Underpinned by the same studio quality drivers found in the audio giant’s ever-reliable MDR-MV1 studio monitor headphones, now reworked for additional bass, it delivers crystal-clear, well-balanced sound that’s perfect for both gaming and music listening.
That open-back design lends itself to a wonderfully wide soundstage that adds depth to your favorite games — the detailed weapon sound effects of Battlefield 6 have never seemed so real, while we found that more narrative driven titles like The Last of Us Part 2 or Assassin’s Creed Shadows benefit from a whole new level of aural immersion.
They’re incredibly light and comfortable, coming in at 7oz / 199g, but that doesn’t mean that they feel cheap. The premium aluminum earcup shells are hardwearing and we’re certain that the durable fabric headband will last us for many years to come.
Dashiell Wood, Gaming Editor
The big new trend for drones in 2026 is 360 models. A bit like flying versions of cameras like the Insta360 X5, these all-seeing aerial gadgets let you reframe your aerial videos and photos after you've landed, so you don't need to be so precise or decisive up in the sky.
The DJI Avata 360 isn't the first 360 drone we've seen — that was the Antigravity A1 — but it is our new favorite thanks to its unrivaled versatility. Yes, you can shoot 360 videos thanks to its dual 1-inch sensors, then edit that footage using DJI Fly mobile app or the DJI Studio desktop software.
But switch to the drone's single-lens mode, and you effectively have a DJI Avata 2, an FPV drone that can perform aerial acrobatics and get some very different footage. Because you get to choose between using FPV goggles and a standard RC2 two-stick controller, you also don't always need to bring along a spotter friend to fly it legally either.
Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News (UK)
Heatwaves have been another big theme of 2026 — and if you've been baking under a 'heat dome' in the past few months, you might well be interested in the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, a tiny fan whose performance is as good as its name.
Dyson’s first portable fan excels for two main reasons. Firstly, the fan’s powerful motor reaches a staggering 65,000rpm, and the shape of the HushJet nozzle concentrates the airflow so it’s all directed right at you. Even on the lowest setting you can really feel it, but dial it up to maximum and you’d think you’re using a hairdryer.
You also don’t just have to use it as a hand-held fan — you can wear it around your neck, attach it to clothing or a bag strap, or stand upright on your desk, so it’s pretty versatile to boot. But we know what you’re thinking; it's a Dyson, so isn’t it going to be ridiculously expensive? Fortunately not, so that's why we awarded it a rare five stars.
Rowan Davies, Editorial Associate
When I fired the JBL Go 5 up for the first time, it genuinely blew me away. See, its predecessor was already a very solid-sounding speaker given its minuscule size, and it had great build quality and features to match.
But JBL really outdid itself with this sequel. The Go 5 has even more open and expressive sound than what came before, with clean and agile bass, enhanced detail and clarity in the mid-range, as well as articulate and controlled treble. Pair that with new, customizable edge lighting, improved IP68 dust and waterproofing, and options like USB-C lossless audio, and the Go 5 is easily one of the best small speakers on the market.
It’s also drop-proof, comes in a range of funky colors, and has personalizable EQ, enabling you to find the perfect sound for any occasion. At less than $55 / £40, it’s also sensational value for money, and it couldn’t be more deserving of its five-star rating.
Harry Padoan, Senior Writer, Reviews
As far as entry-level coffee makers go, the Philips Baristina is simple, stylish, and just as easy to use as any pod coffee machine. Basically, it’s the best affordable bean-to-cup espresso machine we’ve tested.
Like a manual espresso machine, the Baristina uses a portafilter handle. All you need to do is push the empty handle into place, select your drink, and the Baristina will grind the right dose of coffee into the filter basket, so you don’t even need to weigh the coffee beans before brewing.
Using a simple set of three buttons — one for single espresso, one for a lungo, and one to boost the intensity by increasing the dose of ground coffee — it’s incredible value for money. While it doesn’t come with a steaming wand for milk and is very much espresso-first, the Baristina remains an excellent beginner-friendly espresso machine that's perfect if you're new to fresh beans.
Rowan Davies, Editorial Associate
I've tested just about every major camera release spanning the last 15 years, and I don’t use the word 'perfect' lightly — but that's what the Sony A7R VI is. For me, it’s the winning combination of raw quality and speed — thanks to a stacked 66.8MP full-frame sensor with ludicrous dynamic range, lightning-fast burst-shooting and reliable autofocus performance. I really pushed the A7R VI, shooting everything from landscape photography to wildlife and portraits, and it didn’t skip a beat.
The A7R VI is also a seriously well-designed professional mirrorless camera, with an immersive high-resolution EVF and multi-angle touchscreen, plus it packs an all-new higher-capacity battery that bags more shots. Sure it costs a lot, but considering it’s capable of 95% of what the A1 II can do, with more resolution, for a much lower price, I think it’s decent value.
I've never owned a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera, but the A7R VI has me seriously tempted, especially since Sony has made my favorite lenses over the last 18 months. If I could keep a hold of a single new camera from 2026, the A7R VI would be it, and that’s why it’s my top pick.
Timothy Coleman, Cameras Editor
The LG C6 is the best TV I’ve tested this year so far. Impressively, it makes huge improvements over its predecessor, the LG C5. Thanks to its new, flagship-level processor, the C6 delivers brilliant, vibrant colors, powerful contrast and crisp detail, delivering better picture quality over the C5: which is no mean feat. When I tested the C6 next to the C5, the C6 proved to be more accurate too, eliminating a green tint that was noticeable on the C5.
The C6 is a gaming powerhouse, continuing the LG C-series’ legacy as one of the very best gaming TVs on the market. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 165Hz, full VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync, Dolby Vision and ALLM all supported, plus an ultra-low, measured 9.2ms input lag time, gaming is fantastic on the C6.
The C6 covers all the bases, offering solid built-in sound, an intuitive smart TV system that gets better each year and it’s generally the most competitively priced OLED as well. The C6 will take some beating in 2026.
James Davidson, TV Hardware Staff Writer
Things could get worse before they get better for England, who face back-to-back world champions South Africa at Ellis Park in the opening round of the inaugural Nations Championship 2026.
After a second-string team thumped the Barbarians last weekend, Rassie Erasmus has named a formidable lineup for the Springboks' tournament opener. All the heavy artillery, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende, is involved, while Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will earn their 50th caps. Erasmus and the Boks love nothing more than getting one over the English and they'll be gunning for blood today. Manie Libbok starts at fly-half.
If the Rugby World Cup weren't so close, Steve Borthwick would almost certainly have been out on his ear. After 11 wins in a row in 2025, England lost four of their five Six Nations games to finish second from bottom, but the RFU's reluctance to start afresh has left the team in a sort of limbo. An improved display in the final round against France probably saved Borthwick's job. Skipper Maro Itoje has been granted time off, while injured duo Sam Underhill and Elliot Daly are also absent. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns on the wing, as Henry Pollock is once again on the bench seeking to make an impact.
England famously haven't won at Ellis Park, which sits 1,753 meters above sea level, since 1972.
Read on as we explain how to watch South Africa vs England for free in the 2026 Nations Championship.
Yes. South Africa vs England is being shown on free-to-air Rugbypass TV in the US, on ITVX in the UK, and on Virgin Media Play in Ireland.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch South Africa vs England for free as if you were right at home.
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.
TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.
✅ Up to 75% off today
✅ 3 extra months free
✅ Unlocks Rugbypass TV, ITVX & Virgin Media Play
Get NordVPN and stream South Africa vs England from anywhere.View Deal
South Africa vs England, along with all 42 Nations Championship games, is available to live stream for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.
You can tune in via the Rugbypass TV website or app, and it works with Chromecast, Airplay, AppleTV and Android TV.
Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
In the UK, South Africa vs England is free-to-air on ITV4, with live streaming available via ITVX.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g.HA9 0WS). Sign up here!
If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
South Africa vs England is free-to-air on Virgin Media One in Ireland, with live streaming available via the Virgin Media Play platform.
Outside Ireland? You’ll need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to tap into your free Nations Championship stream from abroad.
In Australia, South Africa vs England is exclusive to Stan Sport.
Stan Sport costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$12/month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch the action as if you were back home.
In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is showing the South Africa vs England game.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.
Those outside of New Zealand for any part of the Nations Championship can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.
The Springboks vs England game is being shown on Supersport in South Africa.
You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch the Nations Championship, with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you're back home and you'll be good to go.
In Canada, South Africa vs England is being shown on Premier Sports.
It costs CA$29.99 a month. You'll need either the CA$79.99 six-month pass or the CA$139.99/year annual subscription to tune in to the whole tournament.
If you're out of Canada but still want to catch the action, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
The scheduled South Africa vs England kick-off time on Saturday, July 4 is 5.40pm SAST local time in Johannesburg, which is 8.40am PT / 11.40am ET / 4.40pm BST.
That's 1.40am AEST on Sunday, July 5 in Australia.
The Springboks have won 29 of their 47 previous encounters with England. England have won 16, and there have been two draws.
In South Africa, the head-to-head stands at 11-4-1.
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, ITVX, Rugbypass TV and VM Play all have dedicated apps.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Google Maps may soon offer you the option of ordering food from a restaurant ready to pick up, as well as directing you to that restaurant on the map, according to hidden code found inside the latest version of Google Maps for Android.
The code was found by the team at Android Authority, and includes text strings such as "ask Maps to order food", "say what you're craving", and "Maps will order for you — even while you're on the go".
This feature isn't live yet, so it's difficult to say exactly how it would work, but it certainly looks as though you would be able to quickly request something on the menu at a restaurant and then pick it up yourself.
Presumably there might be the option to dine in, or to have your food delivered to you if you weren't traveling — so maybe this will work in partnership with apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats rather than replacing them.
The 'Ask Maps' feature referred to in the code leak is the recently introduced Gemini-powered tool that lets you have a natural conversation with Google Maps about anything you've found or are looking for.
It appears that this same part of the interface is where the food ordering will be placed as well, using Gemini's agentic capabilities to take action for you — though as Android Authority points out, it's not clear just how much autonomy the AI would have.
It might even be restricted to certain phones, like the Magic Cue feature that's currently exclusive to the Pixel 10 series. However, it seems more likely that Google would want to make this as widely available as possible.
We'll have to wait and see how this works, if it does make it to the app at all. The next big announcements from Google should come along with the Pixel 11 launch, which is expected sometime in August.
Blink has become the brand you recommend to people who don't really want a security camera. Cheap, painless, owned by Amazon, and a forgiving field of view. The catch was that previous 1080p pictures turned to mush the moment anything moved, or the sun went down.
The Outdoor 2K+ fixes this by capturing would-be crims at 2560 x 1440 in its top "Best" setting. There's 4x zoom for closer inspections, noise-cancelling two-way audio making doorstep conversations less of a shouting match, and an improved low-light sensor that holds color as the light fades before switching to infrared black-and-white. Drop to 1080p 'Standard' or 720p 'Saver', and you'll claw back a bit of battery life.
Blink quotes up to two years from a pair of AA lithium cells, and while I can't fast-forward through two summers to prove it, a fortnight’s daily use barely dented the gauge. There's a USB-C port if you'd rather wire it to the mains with Blink's separately sold weather-resistant adapter, an IP65 rating shrugs off wet weather, and it’s compatible with the existing Outdoor 4 accessory range, so floodlight mounts and battery packs carry over.
Setup should be the usual Blink doddle. Scan the code, follow the app, pair the Sync Module, done in under 10 minutes with no cabling and no electrician. For a first-time buyer, it's about as low-friction as home security gets, although we did encounter some teething problems connecting the kit to a home Wi-Fi network.
Then you discover the real kicker. The Outdoor 2K+ ships with a new Sync Module Core rather than the old Sync Module 2 we were supplied with, and the Core has had its USB port removed. That port was the whole point for subscription-averse buyers: plug in a flash drive, store clips locally, pay Amazon nothing.
Without it, the free experience reduces to live view and motion alerts, while saved recordings, person and vehicle detection and the smarter notifications all sit behind a Blink subscription that starts at £2.50 (about $3.50 / AU$5) a month and rises to £8 (about $10 / AU$20) for unlimited cameras. An older Sync Module 2 still works if you own one, but most people buying this won't.
It leaves the 2K+ in an odd spot. As a camera, it's the best budget outdoor option Blink has made. As a package, it's less optimal. Judge it on the camera and battery life alone, and it's a comfortable recommendation. Judge it on the small print, and you’ve got a new monthly bill the old model didn’t demand.
Pitched at the affordable end as ever, the Outdoor 2K+ slots in alongside the cheaper Mini 2K+ and the Blink Arc — a mount that pairs two Mini 2K+ cameras for a panoramic view — as part of the brand's 2K refresh. The one-camera kit includes the Sync Module Core, two AA lithium batteries, and a mount, so nothing essential to buy on day one — unless you want your footage saved anywhere, at which point the maths changes.
That's the rub. The headline price buys you a very capable camera and a deliberately hamstrung storage situation. Anyone who bought the Outdoor 4 specifically to dodge a subscription should know the goalposts have moved, because the bundled module no longer takes a USB stick. Frequent discounting means the camera itself rarely costs full RRP for long, which softens the blow, but the ongoing cost is the number to watch.
Blink has two subscription tiers to choose from, both offering unlimited cloud storage for recordings for up to 60 days (up to 30 days in the EU and UK). Monthly or yearly billing is available.
Blink Basic includes support for one device, motion-event recording, live-view recording, instant video access, video sharing, person detection, and photo capture. Blink Plus includes all Basic features, along with unlimited device inclusion, moments capture, notification snoozing and 10% off Blink devices.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Resolution | 2K QHD (2560 x 1440) |
Field of view | 130° Diagonal |
Night vision | Color Night Vision (up to 30 ft) & Infrared |
Power source | Rechargeable Battery (up to 6 months) or Solar Panel compatible |
Connectivity | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |
Storage options | Local MicroSD (up to 256GB) & Cloud Storage |
Audio | Two-Way Audio with Noise Cancellation |
Smart integration | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Weather resistance | IP65 Weatherproof |
Motion detection | AI Person/Vehicle/Pet Detection |
Smart home | Amazon Alexa |
Camera dimensions | 70 x 70 x 41mm |
Sync Module Core dimensions: | 81 x 45 x 21.55mm |
Weight: | 142g (camera); 43.6g (Sync Module Core) |
There's nothing here to frighten the neighbours. The 2K+ keeps Blink's small, squared-off black housing, the kind of camera that disappears into a porch corner or sits on a windowsill without announcing itself. It's light, the bundled mount screws to a wall, and you can equally stand it on a flat surface and forget about it.
The IP65 rating earned its keep through sporadic summer showers and wind with no fogging or dropouts. Power comes from two AA batteries hidden behind a sealed cover, or bypass them with USB-C and an optional weather-resistant power adapter, if you'd rather not think about batteries at all.
Like the Sync Module 2, Blink’s bundled Sync Module Core is a similarly small puck minus a USB connection.
The Blink Outdoor’s 2K output greatly enhances the chances of identifying strangers. I set it to watch a back garden, and it did an able job of capturing my faux break-in attempts. The 4x zoom is digital, so it softens as you push in, but it's enough to pick up distinguishing features or marks.
Low-light performance is the other win. An improved sensor holds color as daytime fades, while garden lights and street lamps keep footage useful. Let the light go entirely, and it reverts to black-and-white. For genuine color after dark, you can add Blink's separate Outdoor Floodlight Mount.
Motion detection was razor-sharp, even if the default settings felt overzealous. Definitely adjust sensitivity and activity zones in the app to avoid being swamped with notifications about plump pigeons and swaying flora… unless you’re aiming for Springwatch in forensic form.
This is also where the subscription cost bites again: person and vehicle detection — the features that stop your phone buzzing every time a fox crosses the lawn — only switch on with a Blink plan.
Run it free, with the Core module, and you're left with motion alerts and a live view, which is a thinner experience for a 2K camera. As ever, there's no way to view footage on a computer or browser; it's the phone app or nothing.
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | A capable 2K camera at a low price, undercut by the storage you'll need to pay for. | 3.5/5 |
Design | Compact, weatherproof and dead simple. | 4/5 |
Performance | Sharp 2K video and useful color night vision, with the best features locked behind a subscription. | 4/5 |
You want a sharp camera for very little cash
The 2K upgrade is real, and the entry price stays low, especially during Blink's frequent sales.
You value a two-year battery life
Set it, mount it and largely forget it — the AA lithium endurance is still a standout at this price.
You're a first-time buyer in the Blink or Alexa world
For someone starting from scratch, this is the easiest home security addition going.
You bought Blink to avoid subscriptions
The bundled Sync Module Core no longer takes a USB drive, so free local storage is off the table unless you own an older module.
You want Matter or HomeKit
Blink remains its own walled garden — Alexa only, with no Matter, Apple Home or Google Home.
You need top-tier image quality
2K is a welcome leap, but premium rivals shooting 2K HDR or 4K will still out-resolve it.
If you're not sure whether the Blink Outdoor 2K+ is the right home security camera for you, here are two others to keep in mind.
Blink Mini 2K+
The wired indoor sibling with the same 2K sensor and smarts, for less money — handy if you mainly want eyes inside, or outside with the weatherproof adapter.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
If it's the front door you care about, Ring's head-to-toe doorbell covers the same ground with a visitor in mind, albeit with its own subscription.
I lived with the Blink Outdoor 2K+ as a normal household would, mounting it to watch the back garden. I ran it through all three resolution modes, checked color night vision against lit and unlit spaces, and held two-way conversations to judge the audio. The two-year battery claim is, by definition, untestable in weeks, so I've reported Blink's figure and my short-term experience rather than pretending otherwise.
For more details, see how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.
At long last, Valve has finally announced the Steam Machine price to the world, and it's upset a fair amount of people. Originally billed as a console-sized (and performing) rival, many prospective buyers were expecting an MSRP in line with the likes of what Microsoft and Sony had done. Given the ongoing RAM crisis, and the continued price hikes of key components, chiefly RAM and flash storage, things haven't quite panned out that way.
That's because the cheapest Steam Machine configuration available will cost you a staggering $1,049 / £879 for the 512GB configuration, and up to $1,349 / £1,149 for the 2TB variant. That's shipping just as is, meaning you don't get the new Steam Controller bundled in, and you can forget about a Valve-branded keyboard and mouse for that rate as well. It isn't controversial to say that it's overpriced given the specs inside, the projected performance, and the longevity, which is a far cry from the otherwise pro-consumer (and more cost-effective) Steam Deck / Steam Deck OLED.
Factoring in the price-to-performance of the incoming Steam Machine, things aren't looking too good for Valve's second crack at the home computing hardware market. I'm showing you how you can build a far more viable and capable computer, going over the expected performance capabilities and other considerations that you can make instead.
The Steam Machine positions itself as a mid-range gaming PC that's wrapped up in a small form factor chassis. Specifically, the "cube" measures in at just six inches. The size comes at the cost of what you can actually put in the box, though. Valve has opted for a "semi-custom" approach, going all-in on AMD hardware, specifically, the previous-generation RDNA 3 architecture for its APU, which is, sadly, now outdated.
Here are the full Steam Machine specs that you need to know as our baseline here:
CPU | Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T |
GPU | Semi-custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs |
RAM / VRAM | 16GB DDR5 / 8GB GDDR6 VRAM |
Storage | 512GB - 2TB NVMe SSD + microSD slot |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet; Integrated Steam Controller wireless adapter |
Operating System | SteamOS 3 (Linux) |
When the Steam Machine was first revealed, Valve confidently claimed that its little black cube could deliver 4K60 due to it having "six times the horsepower of the Steam Deck". If you go to the Steam Machine page in its current iteration, however, it's a different story. The new listing, which also includes a strict waitlist policy, now states "Up to 4k gaming with FSR 4.1". This is a far more realistic depiction of what the rig can actually do, and it sounds as though AMD's FSR will be doing the bulk of the heavy lifting to achieve those lofty claims.
It's the same technicality that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have touted since they were both released nearly six years ago. Those systems are technically capable of outputting in 4K, sure, even if it is checkerboarded (dynamically scaled) and sent to your gaming TV or monitor through the HDMI 2.1 port. The same can be said of the Steam Machine.
Unless you're running an indie or a select AA game, you're very unlikely to achieve true 4K, let alone consistent 4K at 60FPS or above. An older AMD iGPU just can't deliver the same level of performance as the best graphics cards, and discrete GPUs will always be more capable due to the increased power draw, die size, advanced cooling, and faster VRAM, among other considerations.
Fundamentally, the Steam Machine is severely limited by having just 8GB of slower GDDR6 VRAM, even if it is bolstered by 16GB DDR5 RAM, the bare minimum in 2026. Recent benchmarking results, such as those conducted by Gamers Nexus, have confirmed as much. Sticking just to gaming, the PC appears to be CPU-hamstrung. Baldur's Gate 3 in 1080p and Low settings achieved an average of only 60fps stock. Black Myth: Wukong fared a little better with averages of 73FPS in 1080p and Low settings. Considering that Steam Machine Verified games only need to hit 1080p at 30FPS for the green tick, this is not massively surprising.
This is where things get tough. Building a viable Steam Machine alternative means taking a few considerations into account. Chiefly, opting for an AM4 build in combination with a newer GPU, to prioritise graphical performance without much bottleneck from the CPU side. I've outlined everything inside of this entry-level machine which should offer superior performance to what Valve's incoming computer can do for less.
Component | Name | MSRP / Street Price |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (6C / 12T) | $150 |
CPU Cooler | Silverstone SST-KR03 | $19.99 |
RAM | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 | $109.99 |
Motherboard | ASRock A520M-ITX | $149.99 |
Storage | KingSpec 512GB Gen 4.0 NVMe SSD | $88.99 |
Case | Silverstone Technology SUGO 16 | $95.03 |
PSU | MSI MAG A650GL 650W Fully Modular ATX | $75.99 |
Operating System | SteamOS (Linux wrapper) | Free |
Total Cost | $1,039.97 |
If you want a current-generation, no-compromises 2TB Steam Machine killer, you can get one for about the same price as Valve's black box. This build gets you the stellar Ryzen 5 9600X, a more powerful Be Quiet! Pure Rock LP air cooler, and superfast DDR5 memory that's ready for the future of PC gaming. Here's my full build below, along with the real-world street price, since the components are now available.
Component | Name | MSRP / Street Price |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | $198.99 |
CPU Cooler | Be Quiet! Pure Rock LP | $39.99 |
RAM | Patriot Memory Viper Venom DDR5 16GB RAM | $209.99 |
GPU | Gigabyte RTX 5060 8GB | $349.99 |
Motherboard | ASRock A620AI Wi-Fi AM5 Mini ITX | $129.99 |
Storage | Fanxiang 2TB NVMe SSD Gen 4.0 | $249.99 |
Case | Silverstone Technology SUGO 16 | $95.03 |
PSU | MSI MAG A650GL 650W Fully Modular ATX | $75.99 |
Operating System | SteamOS (Linux wrapper) | Free |
Total Cost | $1,349.96 |
If you choose an alternative, similarly priced processor then you will need a motherboard with the correct socket. I've suggested a competitive Intel (LGA 1851) and an older (but still powerful) AM4 CPU and motherboard combo which comes under budget, too.
While I've outlined two viable build alternatives to the Steam Machine, the great thing about PC gaming is that you aren't limited to what you can put inside a rig, provided space (and cash) aren't a problem. If you're looking for some alternative hardware to slot into the build instead, these are some viable and cost-effective, combinations you can try as well.
The real-world performance difference between DDR4 and DDR5 for gaming, including a generational uptick in FPS from the CPU isn't going to be as big of a difference when comparing the two Steam Deck alternative builds. The largest deciding factor when looking at gaming performance is the RTX 5060 and 16GB RAM. If the Steam Machine Verified games only need to reach 1080p at 30fps for the green tick, then the hardware inside these builds will eclipse that and then some.
If we look at how the RTX 5060 performs with a similar configuration to this one, in the benchmarked games as previously mentioned, we can see how much better these SFF builds can do. We can see the instant performance increase natively, with Black Myth: Wukong running at an average of 65 FPS with High settings, rather than struggling in minimum settings (via Gamers Nexus).
Baldur's Gate 3 also sees a huge uplift in performance, averaging 121 FPS averages in 1080p and 87 FPS in 1440p. 4K, it falls just short at a still playable 46 FPS (via TechPowerUp). These are native numbers, so using Nvidia DLSS 4.5's Multi-Frame Generation will help get you those smoother frames. Either build is considerably more capable, and retains the compact nature that the console-friendly look of the Steam Machine is catering to.
“Çelsi”nin futbolçusu Kol Palmer açıqlama verib.
Futbolpress.az “The Times”ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, hücumçu dünya çempionatı üçün İngiltərə millisinə çağırılmamasına münasibət bildirib:
“Hər futbolçu mundialda iştirak etmək istəyər. Lakin bu, mənim verəcəyim qərar deyil və artıq nəyisə dəyişə bilmərəm. Kimsə sizə yaxşı olmadığınızı deyirsə, çalışırsınız ki, onların səhv düşündüyünü sübut edəsiniz”.
İngiltərə yığması dünya çempionatında 1/8 finalda Meksika ilə qarşılaşacaq.
Palmer ötən mövsüm Premyer Liqada 26 oyunda 10 qol vurub.
“İmişli” daha bir futbolçusu ilə vidalaşıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bölgə təmsilçisi müdafiəçi Rafael Vieqaşla yollarını ayırıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
32 yaşlı braziliyalı müdafiəçinin müddəti bitən müqaviləsi uzadılmayıb.
Uşaqlıqdan qalan ənənədi – DÇ-lərdə Argentina, AÇ-lərdə İspaniyaya azarkeşlik edirəm.
Kabo Verde ilk oyunda “La Roja”dan xal aldı. 3 “sülh” ilə pley-offa yüksəldi.
Dünən Argentina əllərindən gücbəla qurtuldu…
***
DÇ başlayandan ən xoşladığım futbolu Kabo Verde və Mərakeş oynayıb.
DÇ iştirakçıları haqda yeganə məqalə yazdığım ölkə də Kabo Verdedir. Ölkənin hekayəsi xoş təsir bağışlamışdı deyə…
Təkcə Çezaria Evoranon “Besame mucho” ifasına görə sevilməyə dəyər ölkə…
Qoy okeanın biləyində qumlu sahillərlə bələnən bu ilğım vətən sülhü ilə qanıqara dünyanın əhvalına “öpüş qondursun”…
Elçin Cəlilov
P.S.
16 yaşlı meksikalı Konselo Velaskes ikinci cahan müharibəsi başlayanda bəstələdiyi “Besame Mucho”nu (Məni çox (doyunca) öp) yazarkən hələ heç kimi öpməmişdi…
Memory prices will keep climbing through the third quarter of 2026, but the blistering increases of the past few quarters are set to cool as consumer buyers reach the ceiling of what they can afford, according to a detailed TrendForce report. The research firm's latest memory pricing survey projects conventional DRAM contract prices to rise 13% to 18% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) in Q3 2026, with NAND Flash contract prices increasing 10% to 15%; substantial gains, but a marked slowdown from the roughly 60% jumps recorded in the second quarter.
According to the report, the cooldown is driven by consumer electronics manufacturers' unwillingness and inability to absorb higher memory costs after months of relentless price increases, rather than by improved supply. In other words, memory remains in short supply, but consumers are no longer willing to keep paying ever-higher prices.
AI continues to be the market's driving force. Demand for AI inference systems and hyperscale data centers remains strong enough to keep both DRAM and NAND supply constrained, while memory manufacturers continue shifting production capacity toward higher-margin server products. This leaves less capacity available for consumer memory, preventing prices from falling even as demand from PCs and smartphones weakens.
As a result, the memory market is increasingly split between enterprise and consumer customers. On the server side, TrendForce expects demand to remain healthy through 2027 as improving CPU availability supports continued deployments of AI servers built around x86 processors and registered DIMMs (RDIMMs). Although server DRAM is expected to remain undersupplied during the third quarter, price increases should moderate because a portion of purchases is covered by long-term supply agreements.
Consumer markets appear to paint a very different picture. Notebook manufacturers are expected to keep replenishing inventories, but higher memory costs are gradually feeding through into retail pricing, a trend TrendForce believes could weigh on PC shipments for the rest of the year. Smartphone vendors face similar pressure, with many expected to raise handset prices to offset persistently high LPDRAM (low-power DRAM) costs while simultaneously becoming more cautious with production plans as consumer demand softens.
The same pattern is beginning to emerge across storage products. PC manufacturers accumulated substantial client SSD inventories during the first half of 2026, reducing their willingness to accept another round of price increases. Suppliers have responded by taking a more flexible approach during contract negotiations, helping to moderate SSD pricing even as enterprise storage continues to benefit from AI infrastructure spending.
Not every segment is seeing the same level of demand. TrendForce notes that NVIDIA's RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell has yet to generate the expected wave of GDDR7 demand, while weaker notebook shipments have also softened demand for graphics memory. At the opposite end of the market, retail products such as USB flash drives and memory cards remain sluggish as higher upstream costs become increasingly difficult to pass on to consumers.
For PC builders, the report suggests that meaningful price relief is still some way off. Memory prices are continuing to rise because AI infrastructure remains the industry's top priority. However, the pace of those increases is slowing as consumer demand reaches its breaking point.
There is no such thing as future-proofing, especially in technology, where it evolves so rapidly. However, Alienware Area-51, which wields some of the best hardware that's available today, will get you through a few years of high-end 4K (3840x2160) gaming without a sweat. The formidable gaming desktop usually sells for around $8,579.99, but Dell has slashed the price by 30% to bring the price down to $5,999.99.
The Alienware Area-51 is the closest thing to a perfect gaming system by today's standards. Equipped with a Core Ultra 9 285K processor, it has 24 cores (eight P-cores and 16 E-cores) at its disposal. That's more than enough firepower to move any AAA games at 4K. While the chip is impressive in its own right, the GeForce RTX 5090, Nvidia's current flagship gaming graphics card, is the best technology has to offer for 4K gaming right now.
Despite being in the middle of a memory and storage shortage, the Alienware Area-51 doesn't compromise on either aspect. It has 64GB (2x32GB) of high-speed DDR5-6400 memory that exceeds the memory requirements of modern titles. As for storage, the gaming system provides a 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD that will suffice for a long time while you grow your gaming library.
The Alienware Area-51 has no weaknesses in processing, graphics, memory, or storage performance. It leverages a Core Ultra 9 285K, GeForce RTX 5090, 64GB memory, and a 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.View Deal
The gaming system resides inside Dell's custom Alienware case with a tempered glass side panel to show off the internals. It also uses a 360mm AIO liquid cooler to cool the Core Ultra 9 285 K. Meanwhile, a 1,500W 80 Plus Platinum-certified power supply keeps every component in the Alienware Area-51 well fed and provides headroom for future upgrades, whether it's more memory, a bigger SSD, or even a next-generation graphics card.
With the most affordable GeForce RTX 5090 starting at $3,999 and memory and SSD prices spiraling out of control, the Alienware Area-51's current $5,999 price tag looks pretty good if you're not into building your own system from scratch. The Alienware Area-51 features top-tier hardware and comes with Dell's Alienware Care 24/7 customer support with on-location repairs.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.
Windows development guru Dave W. Plummer has shared a brief video demonstrating a novel cooling solution for his AMD Threadripper chipset. While not a real solution to an overheating chipset, the physics behind the Stirling Engine suggest that it does something, as it clearly converts waste heat energy to power a piston propelling a flywheel. We found what looks like the same Stirling Engine on Amazon for $39.99, and there’s currently a $10 off coupon if you feel like giving this chipset cooling tech a spin for yourself.
Cooling my Threadripper chipset with a Stirling Engine! pic.twitter.com/2JG6i70zBnJuly 3, 2026
Patented in 1816 by Robert Stirling, the eponymous engine was positioned as a safer alternative to the steam engines of the day. It found some niche applications in water pumping and domestic tasks. Nowadays, the technology is useful in the fields of solar power, CHP, cryocooling, and submarine applications.
Briefly, a Stirling Engine converts heat energy to mechanical work. A heat source causes its gas piston (attached to a heatsink here) to expand, and that turns the flywheel, cooling the gas (reducing pressure). Momentum continues the flywheel cycle, and we get quite an efficient energy conversion going on. “The Stirling engine is characterized by its closed-cycle process involving a fixed amount of gas. The basic components include a heat source, a heat sink, a power piston, and a displacer piston,” explains Modern Physics, somewhat more scientifically. “The engine operates in four main phases: isothermal expansion, cooling at constant volume, isothermal compression, and heating at constant volume.”
You can see Plummer get the flywheel started right at the beginning of the video to help the process begin. In the Amazon listing for the Sunnytech Low Temperature Stirling Engine Motor Steam Heat Education Model Toy Kit For mechanical skills (LT001), you can see what looks like an identical item perched atop a hot beverage, as its power source. The listing suggests that the flywheel will spin up to about 200 RPM in a 20C/68F environment when placed on top of a hot cup of coffee. One Amazon user reports that the engine is sensitive enough to spin up from just the heat of your hand. In that case, a Threadripper motherboard chipset should definitely be enough.
We’d like to see Plummer share some chipset temperature details from before and after the Stirling Engine ‘installation.’ Also, we can see him running Cinebench on his 32-core, 64-thread AMD Threadripper 3970X right at the beginning of the video clip. Did it improve his benchmark scores? I guess we will probably find out in a longer-form video on the legendary dev Dave’s Garage YouTube channel.
Alberto Aquilani explains why Sassuolo felt like ‘a natural choice’ for his first Serie A coaching experience, but warned the squad is ‘lacking in some positions.’
This is the first Serie A management experience for the coach who turns 42 next week, yet is also a return to the Mapei Stadium, where he played for six months in 2017.
After hanging up his boots in 2018, Aquilani worked in the Fiorentina youth academy, then impressed in Serie B at Pisa and Catanzaro, narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-offs to Monza last season.
Now he takes on the mantle left empty by Fabio Grosso, who left Sassuolo for a new experience at Fiorentina.
“I am happy and honoured to be here, a place that I got to know as a player, and was able to appreciate all the qualities that are so rare in the world of football,” said Aquilani at his presentation press conference.
“I’m a few years older, a few more grey hairs, and there is a state of the art training facility that wasn’t there before. I bring enthusiasm and hunger, the ambition to coach in Serie A since I was a little kid, so it’s a dream come true.”
Sassuolo have traditionally adopted a 4-3-3 formation, and the new coach insists he is not going to stray too far from those concepts.
“I have clear ideas, but not a specific style of football, because football is constant evolution. This team is accustomed to playing with four at the back, so I’m not going to come here and say I want to move to a three-man defence.”
Nonetheless, Aquilani is planning something of a revamp after taking over the Neroverdi.
“It all starts from a concept of how you want to play, so we need players who have those characteristics. We’re rather lacking in some positions, but I have clear ideas on what this team needs, and those are shared ideas with the club.”
There were also negotiations with Torino and others, but Aquilani decided to begin his Serie A experience as a coach at Sassuolo.
“I spoke to other clubs, but felt closer to Sassuolo and the Squinzi family, so it felt like a natural choice. I had many coaches over the years and learned a lot from them all, but if I had to choose one I admire and felt particularly inspired by, I’d say Roberto De Zerbi.”
He confessed to receiving congratulatory messages from fellow Serie A coaches Daniele De Rossi and Cesc Fabregas, of Genoa and Como respectively.
Reports in Italy claim that newly-promoted Venezia have secured a deal with Real Zaragoza to sign teenage centre-back Ale Gomes from Real Zaragoza following their relegation to the Spanish third tier.
According to the latest updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, the 18-year-old defender will join Venezia in Serie A for a fee of €2m plus bonuses. The financial details have reportedly been agreed between the two clubs, and now all that is missing is for them to put their respective signatures on the necessary documents.
Gomes is a Spain U18 youth international and made 13 appearances in the Spanish second division in 2025-26, plus two in the Copa del Rey and a further eight outings in the fourth tier with Zaragoza’s reserve side.
He is one of several new faces set to join Venezia, who were promoted after winning the Serie B title at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The Serie A newcomers have also secured deals for Arnel Bella-Kotchap, Toma Basic, Thorir Johann Helgason, Kornel Lisman, Lorenzo Berardi and Thierry Correia. Gianluca Di Marzio adds that Sparta Prague defender Albion Rrahmani is set to have a medical with Venezia at the beginning of next week.
Fiorentina are in negotiations with Trabzonspor for Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Oulai, also wanted by Brentford, while Fenerbahce have reportedly requested Moise Kean.
The Viola are revamping their squad after a dismal season that saw them narrowly avoid relegation, and the arrival of new coach Fabio Grosso this summer.
Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio claims they are in talks with Trabzonspor for impressive Ivory Coast international Inao Oulai.
He only turned 20 in April and impressed for his country at the 2026 World Cup.
After time at SC Bastia, the midfielder moved to Trabzonspor a year ago for €5.5m and contributed two goals with four assists in 25 Super Lig appearances last term.
There are many clubs interested in Inao Oulai, including Brentford and Nottingham Forest, with an asking price reported to be in the region of €23-25m.
Meanwhile, Fanatik in Turkiye maintain that Fenerbahce have enquired after Fiorentina striker Kean, whose future at the Stadio Artemio Franchi remains uncertain.
His injury record last term caused problems and his contract runs to June 2029, but there is a release clause worth €62m valid only from July 1-15.
Reports in Italy claim that Serie B outfit Sampdoria are eyeing a potential move for former Napoli icon Lorenzo Insigne on a free transfer following his recent experience in the Italian second division with Pescara.
Insigne returned to playing in Italy earlier this year following his three-year spell in MLS with Toronto FC, joining Pescara on a short-term deal until the end of the 2025-26 season back in January.
The diminutive attacker, who turned 35 at the beginning of June, went on to score five goals from 13 outings, which was not enough for Pescara to avoid relegation to Serie C at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Insigne is now available as a free agent after seeing his contract with Pescara expire on June 30, and the latest reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Sampdoria are interested in picking up the former Napoli star for the 2026-27 campaign.
Samp are prepared to offer the 54-time Italy international a one-year contract with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there could also be another option in Greece, specifically with Iraklis FC, who are coached by Insigne’s former Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri. The Thessaloniki outfit were promoted to the Greek top flight after winning Super League 2 in 2025-26.
Reports in England assure that Liverpool have no intention of letting Virgil van Dijk go, despite rumours of potential Milan interest from new coach Ruben Amorim.
The centre-back will turn 35 next week and his contract at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the season.
This could in theory make him available for a cut-price fee, which intrigued Milan directors and coach Amorim.
However, The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce assures that Liverpool are not prepared to even consider offers for their captain.
The arrival of new coach Andoni Iraola has not changed the situation, and the Netherlands international will have to remain an intriguing dream only for the Rossoneri.
Van Dijk is truly a fixture at Anfield, having joined from Southampton in January 2018 for €84.65m, going on to make 374 competitive appearances for the Reds.
Instead, Milan are on the verge of securing Mario Gila from Lazio and are in talks for Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio as well.
Roma have made it clear that they do not wish to part company with youth product Niccolo Pisilli this summer, and have reportedly set his price tag at €35m in order to fend off interest from the likes of Inter and Porto.
Pisilli is among the list of players who have been linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimpico in order to help Roma’s FFP situation. The likes of Manu Kone, Evan Ndicka and Mile Svilar have also been linked with the exit in order to help raise funds.
However, as per the Corriere dello Sport, Roma are keen to keep hold of their star assets, even if this means taking on further restrictions and fines from UEFA.
If Roma were to sell Pisilli, any fee would be recorded as a 100% profit given that the 21-year-old came through the club’s academy system.
However, the Giallorossi seem unwilling to part company with the midfielder, who began to impress with consistent performances and more regular opportunities during the second half of the 2025-26 season.
In fact, the Corriere dello Sport suggests that it will take an offer in the region of €35m to convince Roma into selling Pisilli this summer.
That is a significant increase on the €25m that had been mentioned when Inter had reportedly expressed an interest in signing the young Italy international this summer.
The Corriere dello Sport claims that Pisilli is also of interest to the likes of Milan, Juventus and Porto, but none of these clubs have presented any formal offers and are unlikely to do so if the asking price is €35m,
Trevoh Chalobah’s agents are in Italy to hold talks with Inter and Como, but the latest updates point towards the Nerazzurri having the advantage in the race to land the England international from Chelsea. Here’s why.
Inter have already crossed paths with both Chelsea and Como this summer: The West Londoners beat the Nerazzurri to the signing of Italy talent Marco Palestra in June, and though Cristian Chivu’s side had considered reinvesting the funds they had set aside for the right-back on Nico Paz instead, the Argentine has re-committed to Como, at least for the 2026-27 season.
The three clubs are again connected by centre-back Chalobah, who is reportedly of interest to both Como and Inter this summer, both on the lookout for defensive reinforcements ahead of their respective Champions League campaigns in 2026-27.
According to reports from Alfredo Pedullà, Como have already held discussions with Chelsea over the potential signing of Chalobah, whilst the Corriere dello Sport claims that an offer of €30m including bonuses has been turned down. Inter and Como are both aware of the fact that Chelsea are seeking a package of €35m with at least €30m in guaranteed fees.
Various reports suggest that Como are unlikely to satisfy those demands in the near future, especially after spending €60m on the re-signing of Nico Paz. A further €14m has gone on the signing of Kaiki and Cesc Fabregas is hoping to strengthen in several other areas of the pitch, which makes Chalobah start to look a touch on the expensive side.
Inter, meanwhile, have not yet spent the €50m they were prepared to spend on Palestra, and with Denzel Dumfries set to head off to Real Madrid for €20m, the funds are available to strike a deal with Chelesa and potentially also with Union Saint-Gilliose for right-winger Anan Khalaili.
The latest updates from Calciomercato.com indicate that Chalobah’s agents have given their ‘approval’ to the idea of moving to Inter as well following the latest rounds of talks over the last few days.
Legion AI gives small businesses an AI sales rep that cold calls leads, takes inbound calls, sends follow-up texts and emails, and books appointments directly onto your calendar 24/7, without hiring anyone. Most SMBs lose leads because they can't follow up fast enough. Legion responds in under a minute, handles objections naturally over the phone, and keeps nudging prospects across channels until they book. Legion remembers every interaction, so follow-ups are always in context and no lead feels like they're starting over.
Marcus Rashford has made it clear that his Manchester United future will have to wait until after the World Cup, with the forward fully focused on England’s push for glory.
The quotes, provided by Fabrizio Romano, come at an interesting time for United.
Rashford returned to the club after Barcelona decided not to activate the buy option in his loan deal, leaving his long-term future uncertain once again.
Speaking about his situation, Rashford said:
“I was very clear…. I wanted any move done before the World Cup. If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment”.
He added: “We’re fighting for something special.”
That message matters for Manchester United. According to TEAMtalk, United have held direct contact with Rashford’s camp and are open to reintegrating him into Michael Carrick’s squad for pre-season.
This is a big shift from where things stood under Ruben Amorim, when Rashford seemed far away from the first-team picture.
Now, with Carrick in charge, United appear willing to give the 28-year-old a route back.
Manchester Evening News reports that Rashford wanted any move sorted before the World Cup, but once that did not happen, he chose to focus completely on England.
That is probably the right call. England are preparing for a huge knockout clash with Mexico, and Rashford knows strong World Cup performances could also strengthen his position, whether he stays at Old Trafford or attracts fresh offers.
Man United should keep the door open for Rashford. If Carrick believes he can get him motivated and confident again, there is still a very useful player there.
United need wide options, pace and goals. Rashford can provide all three when he is sharp. But the club also need clarity.
They cannot afford another season where his future becomes a distraction.
The smartest approach is simple: let Rashford finish the World Cup, bring him back for talks, then make a calm decision.
A sale may still happen, but a proper United comeback no longer feels impossible.
Sky Sports issues game-changing update on Man United midfield targets
The post Marcus Rashford sends clear Man United message as Carrick door reopens appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Nations Championship
Australia (24) 31
Tries: Pietsch, Campbell, Canham, Lonergan, McDermott Cons: Gordon 3
Ireland (19) 33
Tries: C Prendergast, Van der Flier, Gibson-Park, Keenan, Clarkson Cons: S Prendergast 4
Replacement Australia fly-half Ben Donaldson missed a last-gasp penalty as Ireland claimed a comeback bonus-point win in an enthralling Nations Championship contest in Sydney.
With the clock in the red, Donaldson kicked his long-range penalty to the right of the posts as the Wallabies were denied a first win over the Irish since 2018.
A 77th-minute try from replacement prop Tom Clarkson proved decisive for Ireland, who carved out a hard-fought victory despite operating nowhere near their maximum.
Joe Schmidt's Australia led by five points at the break after tries from Dylan Pietsch, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham and Ryan Lonergan in an energetic first-half display.
Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park crossed for the Irish in the opening 40 minutes, with Hugo Keenan delivering the bonus-point before Tate McDermott hit back for the Wallabies.
Ireland were denied a fifth try when Dan Sheehan's effort was ruled out following a television match official (TMO) review with 20 minutes left, but Clarkson popped up to score his second international try and ultimately seal a dramatic win for Andy Farrell's side.
Already without Mack Hansen, Ireland's wing shortage worsened an hour before kick-off when Rob Baloucoune - who starred in the Six Nations - was ruled out with a hamstring injury and replaced by Jimmy O'Brien.
While Ireland could only offer glimpses of quality in the first half, Australia were sharp and cohesive in a dramatic improvement from the disjointed and error-strewn display that led to a 46-19 loss in Dublin in November.
Australia pounced quickly on unsettled Irish nerves when Pietsch scored in the third minute after the home side's attack was kept alive by Campbell's pick-up and quick pass.
With Carter Gordon missing the conversion, Ireland hit back to lead when Sam Prendergast converted his brother's try.
But Australia were undaunted, continued to attack with abandon and moved ahead again when Campbell marked his first Test appearance in nearly four years with a well-taken try.
Van der Flier replied for Ireland when captain Sheehan flicked the ball into the former world player of the year's path from a tap-and-go penalty close to the Australian line.
But Ireland struggled to contain a hard-carrying, enterprising Australian effort, and Canham crashed over after a stunning Rob Valetini carry caused havoc in the Irish ranks.
With Ireland already up against it, their cause was not helped when Sam Prendergast tossed a pass into Max Jorgensen's hands. The rapid Australia wing scampered clear and fed Lonergan for the home side's bonus-point score.
While Australia deserved their half-time lead, momentum shifted in Ireland's favour in the final exchanges before the break which left a five-point gap between the sides.
Gibson-Park darted through the gold shirts to score after Keenan produced a superb try-saving tackle to deny the rampaging Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii a certain try.
Ireland appeared rejuvenated in the second half and got their noses in front again when Keenan marked his first appearance in green since the 2025 Six Nations with a well-taken try.
But the Irish were guilt of falling asleep in defence when quick-thinking replacement scrum-half McDermott crashed over after a tap-and-go penalty.
That proved to be Australia's final score on 53 minutes as Ireland found a second wind.
Despite a creaking line-out, Sheehan sniped through for what he thought was his 21st international try only for it to be ruled out with James Ryan adjudged to have prevented Valetini from making a potentially try-saving tackle.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, Dondaldson dragged a penalty which would have taken Australia 34-26 clear to the left of the posts.
Thanks to the increasing influence of Tadhg Beirne following the British and Irish Lion forward's 52nd-minute introduction, Ireland pushed for a late score and the pressure told when Leinster prop Clarkson burrowed his way over the line for a try converted by Sam Prendergast.
That put Ireland two points clear, but the Wallabies were handed an opportunity to steal victory when Bundee Aki conceded a penalty.
Despite his earlier miss, Donaldson went for the shot from a tight angle on the right and failed again, sparking ecstatic celebrations from Ireland as outgoing Australia boss Joe Schmidt was denied a win over his former side.
Ireland face Japan in Newcastle, Australia, next week while Australia host France.
Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.
Sin-bin: Shaw (76)
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Watch Wimbledon: Defending champion Swiatek faces Eala, Rybakina plays Mertens
Cape Verde lost to Argentina in extra time and bowed out of the FIFA World Cup. The painful result, however, did not affect the admiration for... Lionel Messi.
So much so that, after the match, Cape Verde defender Diney Burgos interrupted the Argentine star’s interview in the mixed zone to ask for a photo.
A Messi fan, Burgos played all 120 minutes as a starter. He made two tackles. And he scored an own goal after the ball deflected off his arm in extra time.
Cape Verde ended its World Cup campaign unbeaten in regular time.
There were four draws in four matches — with the only defeat coming against Argentina in extra time.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli caught and passed Lewis Hamilton to win an action-packed sprint race at the British Grand Prix.
While McLaren's Lando Norris, Mercedes' George Russell and Red Bull's Max Verstappen staged a frantic place-swapping scrap in the opening laps at Silverstone, Antonelli bided his time before homing in on Hamilton at the front.
The 19-year-old Italian let the race settle down before remorselessly homing in on the Ferrari and blasting past Hamilton on the Hangar Straight on lap eight after strategically saving his battery charge.
He made one attempt at Brooklands corner at the end of the Wellington Straight only to be rebuffed, before blasting past Hamilton on the Hangar Straight on lap eight after strategically saving his battery charge.
Hamilton hung on bravely but could do nothing to stop Antonelli extending his championship lead still further to 43 points over Russell.
"It was a very fun first 10 laps with Lewis," Antonelli said. "We were both pushing very hard. When I got into overtake (mode), I knew my chance was coming.
"I got a good run out of (Turn) Four. He went a bit wide and I think he used boost to defend and I just waited and then used it out of (Turn) 13, everything I had, and made the move."
Hamilton said: "Tough race to keep the Mercedes behind, as I said it might be. And with it being so windy today, big headwind down the back straight, he came flying past. I didn't have anything left.
"I was pushing as hard as I could to keep the gap to more than one second, but in my tow he was just closing, and once he got the overtake mode, I couldn't get rid of him. He came flying past on the straight to Stowe."
Hamilton nevertheless said he had been happily surprised by how close Ferrari were to Mercedes at Silverstone.
"The guys were talking about it being a 0.6-0.7secs deficit on the straights. Last race we were losing 0.4secs on the straight. I imagine it was something similar here today. It was less yesterday, but in the race it increases with deployment."
Behind them, Norris drove an excellent race to blast up from sixth on the grid to third on the first lap, and briefly got past Antonelli for second before the Italian retook the position.
There were a few hectic laps as Norris, Russell and Verstappen swapped places before Norris managed to consolidate third place and move clear of the the battle behind him.
"It was a very good race," the world champion said. "I'm very, very happy, good start, good first lap, not the pace to go with these guys but had a good battle with George. Pleasantly surprised.
"I was fighting the car everywhere to be honest. It wasn't a straightforward race and I knew George would be catching, like he was towards the end of the race. We're not on a similar level to these guys (Mercedes and Ferrari) on car performance. "
Russell had briefly got up to third from fifth on the grid on the first lap, passing Verstappen around the outside of Turn Four, losing out to McLaren's Oscar Piastri on the Wellington Straight and then getting both McLarens before the end of the lap.
But he then lost two places on the next two laps as first Norris and then Verstappen went past.
He said: "Lap one was great, did two great overtakes in two corners. Then I got a bit left vulnerable on the next straight and got overtaken by the McLaren. So I need to sort of understand how I managed to pull the moves off but then I lost the positions again anyway.
"P3 is where I probably should have finished. Finished up P4, one point less. Not ideal."
Russell managed to re-pass Verstappen on lap nine before the four-time champion fell back into the clutches of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who moved past the Red Bull a lap later.
Verstappen dropped back but managed to hold off McLaren's Oscar Piastri to take sixth.
Racing Bull's Liam Lawson held off an attack from Red Bull's Isack Hadjar in the closing laps as they took the final points positions.
Qualifying for Sunday's main grand prix is at 16:00 BST on Saturday.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
Cape Verde star Sidney Lopes Cabral netted arguably the goal of the World Cup when his extra-time strike from the edge of the penalty area curled past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to tie the Round of 32 clash at 2-2 in the 103rd minute.
The Cape Verde national side, which came in as heavy underdogs, was within 20 minutes of a penalty shootout against Argentina, the defending World Cup champions. The match was played under the watchful eye of a massive TikTok-famous dog in the stands.
Lopes Cabral's World Cup celebration revealed what the moment meant to him: the 23-year-old broke away from a swarm of teammates to rush into the stands and celebrate with his family. In total, his celebration lasted several minutes but he managed to avoid receiving a card.
• Lionel Messi speaks out after Argentina narrowly avoids historic World Cup upset
• World Cup fans react after camera cuts to gigantic dog in stands wearing headphones
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) clearly states that any form of "excessively" celebrating a goal warrants a yellow card.
"Excessively celebrates a goal, e.g., by taking off their shirt, jumping onto a fence, going into the crowd, mocking opponents, wearing a mask or covering their face with their shirt," the law reads for what constitutes a card.
Lopes Cabral persevered but was helpless when Argentina center-back Christian Romero's 111th-minute header deflected off Diney Borges of Cape Verde for the decisive goal. Nevertheless, Lopes Cabral's strike seized the spotlight.
He's among the more prominent figures in his national squad, having represented Benfica in the Primera League last season before securing a €10 million ($11.44 million) transfer to Trabzonspor.
"Sidny Lopes Cabral, what a goal," BBC announcer Aly McCoist said on the call. "Oh wow, he opens his body up and smashes it into the top corner, honestly. That was a different class."
Cape Verde's remarkable World Cup journey, which also included draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, has now officially concluded. Former England striker Ian Wright described the team's performance as a "Herculean" effort.
"That's what you're ideally hoping will happen around the world and this is why Fifa have to do so much to make sure the funds they get do reach everybody," Wright said on ITV.
"What this does show people is that when you give people the opportunity, they can get onto the biggest stage, no matter how small they are, and they can have it with the world champions, with one of the greatest players in the world. It was a Herculean effort from them, absolutely."
Argentina will meet Egypt, the victors over Australia in penalties earlier on Friday, in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
College football fans and gamers will once again flock to get their hands on EA Sports College Football 27 when it is released worldwide on July 9 and becomes available to MVP+ members on July 2.
For Colorado fans hoping to step into the virtual shoes of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders after the coach was absent from the game in the previous two editions, there is more disappointment waiting when you open up a CU dynasty save.
Coach Prime, one of the sport's most high-profile figures, is among seven head coaches who have declined to have their likenesses included in this year's game. Sanders joins Mario Cristobal (Miami), Bill Belichick (North Carolina), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Bronco Mendenhall (Utah State), Blake Anderson (Southern Mississippi) and Neal Brown (North Texas).
The number is down from last year's edition, when 12 coaches opted out. Sanders, Belichick, Cristobal, Ferentz and Mendenhall were not included in last year's game either.
It is not at all surprising to see Sanders sit out, especially after he has not been in the game the past two years. Known for doing things his own way, Coach Prime has previously been selective about licensing deals, preferring to control his brand tightly. While he remains a central figure in the national conversation in college football, his absence from College Football 27 is disappointing, albeit unsurprising.
Although the Colorado coach won't be in the game, his playstyle will be. When creating a Road to Glory cornerback, one of the five foundational templates is Deion Sanders as the "bump and run" cornerback. Other options are Rod Woodson (boundary), Antonio Cromartie (Field), Aqib Talib (Field) and Richard Sherman (Zone).
Deion Sanders NOT in CFB '27 but his DNA is... pic.twitter.com/FgCH6tKEUw
— EverythingEACollege (@ETGEACOLLEGE) July 3, 2026
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders opts out of EA Sports College Football once again
The Atlanta Braves continued to shuffle things around and kicked off Friday with a few moves in the bullpen. First, the club announced that righty Anthony Molina was recalled to Atlanta, fellow righty James Karinchak was optioned to Triple-A, and lefty Danny Young was reinstated from the injured list. Finally, righty Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Anthony Molina to Atlanta after optioning RHP James Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game. The club also returned LHP Danny Young from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and designated RHP…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 3, 2026
The moves provide the Braves with a fresh look in the bullpen as they continue searching for consistency in the late innings. Molina returns after a strong stretch in Triple-A, while Young gives Atlanta another left-handed option following his stint on the injured list. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s DFA opens a spot on the 40-man roster as the club continues to reshape its pitching staff ahead of the second half.
Matt Olson homered twice during Atlanta’s 5-3 defeat of the New York Mets.
The Seattle Mariners have placed outfielder Julio Rodriguez on the 7-day concussion injured list.
The Baltimore Orioles have placed righty Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. The move is retroactive to June 30.
The New York Yankees placed lefty Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. The move is backdated to June 30.
Cast your vote for Braves Player of the Game here!
The Southeastern Conference is well known for its athletic dominance, especially in football. The conference is also an academic powerhouse. The SEC has over 620,000 total students with many schools reaching record enrollment figures.
The SEC has some of the largest student enrollments in the country. In fact, Texas A&M has the second-biggest undergraduate enrollment of any school in the nation.
Thirteen of the SEC's 16 schools have over 30,000 enrolled students. The average SEC school has over 40,000 students enrolled. It is no wonder that with such large enrollments that the SEC is also home to some of the largest college football stadiums in the country.
Enrollment figures include both graduate and undergraduate students and in many cases part-time students. We used the most recent enrollment totals from every SEC school's official website. These enrollments numbers are primarily from the 2025, but it varied among schools.
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X, or Threads for more SEC coverage!
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Ranking SEC schools by student enrollment
When it comes to the Colorado Rockies and the Trade Deadline, expect the unexpected. The perennial cellar-dwellers have at times conducted the types of fire sales familiar to teams without a shot at the ostseason, attempting to restock their prospect pool while punting on the current group. But they’ve also had deadlines where they hedged, most infamously in 2021 when they held onto Trevor Story and Jon Gray, two valuable assets on expiring contracts who ended up leaving in free agency after the season.
Perhaps with Paul DePodesta now leading baseball operations, they will take a more normal approach. Assuming the Rockies do, in fact, sell, they have some pieces.
A trio of veteran starters — Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, and Tomoyuki Sugano — are on expiring deals. Freeland and Lorenzen have been dreadful, but given the Coors effect and a constant need for starting pitching around the league, they might have low-end value. Sugano’s been more encouraging in his first year in Colorado, pitching to a 102 OPS+, and could be a viable rotation piece for a contender.
Given their roster construction, it’s more likely the Yankees will target one of Colorado’s relievers. Longtime starter Antonio Senzatela has been a revelation in his first year pitching out of the bullpen, posting a 3.07 ERA and 160 ERA+ in 44 innings. Taking advantage of shorter outings, his fastball is up two ticks. Senzatela’s also transformed his cutter from an afterthought into his secondary pitch, to great effect (opponents are hitting .196 against it). The 31-year-old will be a free agent after this season and is a virtual lock to be moved.
Another option is Jimmy Herget, a journeyman who’s caught on in Colorado and pitched at a high level in a year and a half there. The Yankees have swung deals for two Rockies relievers (Jake Bird and Angel Chivilli) in the past year and, while neither has panned out thus far, that shouldn’t hold GM Brian Cashman back from kicking the tires on Senzatela and Herget.
On the other side of the ball, veteran utilityman Willi Castro holds value and is under contract through 2027. He’s picked things up after a slow start, slashing .292/.388/.472 in July. He could be on the Yankees’ radar, though his skill set is a bit redundant to Amed Rosario’s. Mickey Moniak, also under team control through next year, could be moved as well. After grading out as one of the worst outfield defenders in baseball last year, he’s stabilized a bit this year. But it’s his bat that plays — the lefty has a .990 OPS against right-handed pitching this year.
The biggest question mark for the Rockies is whether they’ll shop Hunter Goodman. The 26-year-old broke out last year, making the NL All-Star team while taking home a Silver Slugger at catcher. Goodman has been just as dominant offensively this year; his 27 home runs are seven ahead of the next-best catcher.
While the jury’s still out on him defensively, and his below-average framing rate flies in the face of the Yankees’ well-established philosophy at the position, their catchers have struggled so mightily at the plate that they’d have to ask after Goodman if the Rockies make him available. The bigger wrinkle is that, with three more years of club control after this season, Colorado make take their best player off the table, at the very least preferring to hold onto him until he’s closer to free agency.
As we approach the deadline with so few teams truly out of contention, those teams will garner more than their fair share of attention. Count the Rockies, on pace for their fourth straight 100-loss season, squarely in that group. If the Yankees link up with them on a trade, the most likely scenario is that they acquire one of their veteran relievers, with Hunter Goodman lurking as a higher-impact dark horse.
David Alaba was one of two Real Madrid veterans who left the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of last season, following the expiry of his contract.
Alaba’s departure came against the backdrop of a disappointing spell at the Bernabeu, which was marred by injuries and a lack of game time.
However, Alaba remains grateful to Real Madrid, as admitted by the player himself in the wake of Austria’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup Round of 32.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t AS), Alaba reflected warmly on a chapter of his career that, despite its difficult ending, delivered enormous success.
Alaba’s Austria lost to Spain in the World Cup Round of 32. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“I have wonderful years with me. It was a very important stage in my career and in my life: I learned so much and experienced special moments, especially because my time in Madrid was a great success,” Alaba said.
The veteran did not shy away from the challenges that marked his final seasons in the Spanish capital, with injuries cruelly disrupting the latter part of his stay.
“Of course, the end was difficult. First, the serious knee injury, then some muscle problems prevented me from having the consistency and rhythm I would have liked.
“Ultimately, I only have wonderful memories, and now we’ll see what the future holds: all we can do is wait,” he added.
During his time at the Bernabeu, Alaba featured in 132 competitive matches for Real Madrid, notably securing two Champions League titles and two La Liga titles.
Alaba wants to keep playing at the highest level. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Alaba is currently a free agent and has not ruled out starting a new adventure, as far as his future is concerned.
“A new chapter begins, and I’m open to everything, without ruling anything out, but I want to stay at the highest possible level,” the defender said.
It appears the former Bayern Munich star is keen on remaining in Europe, for now, with Italian clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan being linked with a move for the veteran.
Premier League and Saudi Arabian clubs have also sounded out a move for the Austrian international, as he looks to take the next step in his career.
Reports in Italy claim that Serie B outfit Sampdoria are eyeing a potential move for former Napoli icon Lorenzo Insigne on a free transfer following his recent experience in the Italian second division with Pescara.
Insigne returned to playing in Italy earlier this year following his three-year spell in MLS with Toronto FC, joining Pescara on a short-term deal until the end of the 2025-26 season back in January.
The diminutive attacker, who turned 35 at the beginning of June, went on to score five goals from 13 outings, which was not enough for Pescara to avoid relegation to Serie C at the end of the 2025-26 season.
(@Lega_B via X)
Insigne is now available as a free agent after seeing his contract with Pescara expire on June 30, and the latest reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Sampdoria are interested in picking up the former Napoli star for the 2026-27 campaign.
Samp are prepared to offer the 54-time Italy international a one-year contract with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there could also be another option in Greece, specifically with Iraklis FC, who are coached by Insigne’s former Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri. The Thessaloniki outfit were promoted to the Greek top flight after winning Super League 2 in 2025-26.
Bryson DeChambeau has some big decisions to make at the end of this year.
The two-time US Open winner will see his current LIV Golf contract expire after this season, and his future is far from certain.
LIV Golf has lost its Saudi funding, raising major questions about whether the tour will even exist in 2027 and beyond. DeChambeau was seen speaking to PGA Tour officials about his future at The Masters, and he’s floated the possibility that he’ll do content creation full-time and only play the majors next year.
DeChambeau is currently on a practice run for that idea. He will not play competitive golf in between the US Open and The Open Championship because of the cancellation of LIV Louisiana, so right now he’s out of the spotlight.
But what has happened in the world of golf with DeChambeau not playing is great news for his future.
YouTuber Brad Dalke’s performance on the DP World Tour this week is one of the shocks of the golfing season. He was given a sponsor’s exemption to play the BMW International Open, and he’s two shots off the lead through 36 holes.
Dalke is an exceptional golfer, having played at The Masters and the US Open in 2017, but he doesn’t keep a full tour schedule and is instead a full-time content creator on YouTube.
So the fact that Dalke can turn up for his professional debut on the DP World Tour and compete immediately gives DeChambeau a template. It is possible to perform at your best in competitive golf while creating content.
This isn’t a weak field on the DP World Tour. Joaquin Niemann, who was in the top 10 at the US Open, and Sergio Garcia are just two of the highly regarded names competing in Germany this week.
So Dalke’s efforts so far are some much-needed encouragement for DeChambeau ahead of The Open in two weeks’ time. Now, if he can compete at Birkdale, then he’s laid out the blueprint for 2027, and we might see him step away from full-time golf.
As World Cup tournaments go, the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has not disappointed in terms of quality. A good number of major results were probably changed by controversial refereeing calls and disallowed goals, but there was certainly no shortage of entertaining football. Matchday 23 offered major fixtures — a good mix of dark horse sides and renowned heavyweights. First, Egypt faced underdogs Australia to advance via penalties. Then, perhaps the most anticipated fixture of the night was newcomers Cabo Verde facing Argentina. Africa mourned the defeat of their own, as the underdogs lost by an extremely narrow margin. Following this is the story of another African nation facing a South American side — Ghana vs. Colombia.
An interesting outcome of these three games was that this saw the elimination of two of the three African sides. The group stage saw nine of the ten CAF representatives make it through — a glorious statistic. This statistic however met its unfortunate end tonight, as only two of those nine sides will be headed to the round of 16, and both via penalties! One of them was from tonight. Let’s talk about the goals that got Egypt across while sending Cabo Verde and Ghana back home.
After the set piece, Karim Hafez finds Emam Ashour to put Egypt ahead over Australia 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BMSmdOFr8x
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
Mohammed Salah’s free kick effectively sets Egypt up for their first goal. Salah, from the side of the box, flicks the ball into the box. Ashour attempts to shoot but the ball takes a deflection off an Australian defender. From the right side, outside of the box, Hafeez crosses to Ashour who’s at the back post and he heads it past the Australian keeper to make it 1-0.
Off the set piece for the Australia equalizer 🇦🇺
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
The own goal brings the Socceroos level in Texas! pic.twitter.com/N9ts0kKij9
In the second half, Australia picked up a free kick after Aiden O’Neill was fouled outside the box. He then sets up a free kick, curling into the box. Unfortunately for Egypt, their own Mohamed Hany was on the receiving end and he headed it into the top right corner. Even more unfortunate, is the fact that this is Hany’s second own-goal in this tournament. He had earlier scored an own-goal against Belgium in the group stage.
He has now set the record as the only player to have two own goals in one World Cup.
🇦🇺 ❌✅✅❌
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
🇪🇬 ✅✅✅✅
EGYPT WINS IN PENALTIES! pic.twitter.com/woUruGlBbL
Egypt hunted for chances to offset their earlier error, but all in vain. Even past extra-time, they tied 1-1 with the Soccerroos. They managed to score all four penalties as opposed to Australia’s meagre two. Egypt have now advanced to the round of 16.
8 straight FIFA World Cup matches with a goal for Leo Messi 😱
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
He extends his incredible record to give Argentina the lead pic.twitter.com/5bdFNwZlGR
Who but him?
The Argentine had attempted twice to score, but in vain. Then, in the 28th, he made it 1-0, firing past Cabo Verde’s Vozinha. A cross from Lisandro Martínez, who was a few feet from the midway line, came to Messi. He received it within the box and shot into the top of the net. What was incredible about this goal was the Argentine legend’s first touch and ball control. A goal worth watching.
THE DREAM IS ALIVE FOR CAPE VERDE 🇨🇻
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
What an equalizer from Deroy Duarte after the Ryan Mendes nutmeg! pic.twitter.com/gOOQarejC1
Cabo Verde’s performances at the group stage made one thing very clear — you do not count them out even if they’re in a deficit. The African side emerged in the second half with a befitting answer, a goal by Deroy Duarte. Morrera, who’d won the ball from a midfield battle, passed it to Mendes. On the right wing, Ryan Mendes gets the ball, stumping multiple Argentine players, to Duarte. From within the box, he shot it effortlessly into the left bottom corner while goalkeeper Martinez could do nothing but watch.
LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ IS THE HERO FOR ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
ARGENTINA LEADS 2-1 IN EXTRA TIME pic.twitter.com/LenhUDvOwC
Argentina had no answers for Cabo Verde’s equaliser. Attempts by Paredes, Messi — all in vain because of how well the Cabo Verde defense and Vozinha responded. This all changed at extra-rime. At the 91st minute, Messi delivered a corner kick from the left, which was headed by Mac Allister towards the right. From the right corner emerged Lisandro Martínez who brought the ball to his feet, and smashed it into the left top corner.
Sidny Lopes Cabral with an ABSOLUTE GOLAZO to bring Cape Verde level with Argentina in extra time 😱
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
INCREDIBLE SCENES pic.twitter.com/ox1DColGJv
The curl on the shot needs to be studied.
The build-up began at the back, from keeper Vozinha. It looked a string of meaningless passing for a while, until in the final third, this changed. Sidny Cabral brought the ball into the final third, passing to Hélio Varela. Another string of passes here brought the ball back to Cabral, who dribbled into the left corner of the box. The shot that followed had the perfect curl and hit the top right corner. Perhaps, a contender for goal of the tournament and a lesson on team effort.
ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD ONCE AGAIN IN EXTRA TIME 🇦🇷
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
Cristian Romero scores off the Messi corner in the clutch! pic.twitter.com/Np6XApGffF
In the 110th minute, Messi stepped up to take a corner kick, which landed perfectly into the box. Christian Romero received the ball and directed a header across, but the ball had taken a touch off Cabo Verde’s Diney Borges to land in the back of the net.
Merely a tiny deflection. One that changed the outcome of the tournament altogether.
However, the story of Cabo Verde and their resilience, and their game tonight — the way they have relentlessly tested every opponent and fought for their wins, has certainly won the hearts of fans across the globe.
COLOMBIA TAKES THE LEAD IN KANSAS CITY 🇨🇴
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
Jhon Arias finds the scoresheet and the stadium is LOUD! pic.twitter.com/VoT7sJLxir
Colombia was the better side through this fixture, as Ghana’s best could not stall the South Americans. Nor did the African side register any shots through the 90. Perhaps the Ghanaian Achilles heel is South America — for in the last two World Cups, they were eliminated by Uruguay and Colombia.
Coming to the goal, it was set up by substitute Luis Suárez. Jhon Cordoba was replaced due to an injury in the 7th minute by the electric Suárez, whose profile fit Colombia’s needs for this game. The substitute’s first cross was blocked, but he picked up the rebound t0 cross to Luis Díaz. Lucho missed this but Jhon Arias did not — who secured a clean finish from the back-post. Further Colombian attempts did not succeed and Ghana’s attempts were all foiled. The game ended a 1-0, getting Colombia across to the round of 16.
Honorary mention: Bayern’s own Luis Díaz secured two shots on target, but was denied by the flag on both accounts.
Sign up for a user account and get:
We are 72 days away from the Kansas City Chiefs‘ season-opening game against the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1.
The No. 72 jersey has been donned by offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick, who is originally from Nigeria and fills a roster exception as an International Pathway Program player. He started three games for the Chiefs last season.
He will need more than a few starts to be remembered as easily as some of these 72s:
There’s no question, to me, that the team’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the pick that started head coach Andy Reid’s tenure, is the franchise’s all-time best No. 72. It took him a few years to cement himself on the blind side of quarterback Alex Smith, but Fisher settled into becoming a reliable, underappreciated presence at left tackle through the triumph in Super Bowl LIV and the following year’s AFC title.
He took over the uniform from another top-5 pick, Dorsey, who didn’t realize his potential despite a similarly rocky start to his NFL career as Fisher’s.
It wasn’t the highest on the team among the running backs, but Kareem Hunt’s 72% on 25 targets is just barely lower than the rate held by former Chiefs, now Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (73%), who saw 26 passes thrown his way.
It highlights the difficulty the team has had hitting “easy button” plays, like quick passes to a running back, compared to previous years. In 2022, the last season offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy led the unit before his three-year absence, three running backs topped these marks:
In the season before that, Edwards-Helaire caught 83% of the 23 passes thrown to him, and running back Darrel Williams matched that number on 57 targets.
Will the return of Bieniemy also be the return of the running backs as dependable targets in the dropback game? We’ll find out in 2026.
Former FSU baseball infielder Kelvyn Paulino Jr. has found his new home, committing to the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday.
Paulino spent just one season with the Seminoles and was one of the top players in the 2025 recruiting class, being seen as a major get for the Seminoles. He was ranked as the No. 53 overall player and No. 3 third baseman by Perfect Game.
He will have four seasons of eligibility at Indiana but will be eligible for the 2027 MLB Draft. The move completes a trade of sorts between the two programs. FSU landed former Indiana starting shortstop Cooper Malamazian in the portal, who is expected to start for the Seminoles next season.
Paulino played in 32 games for FSU with 26 starts, mostly serving as their designated hitter. He finished the year hitting .275 with one home run, six doubles, two triples, and 21 RBI. He had a .356 on-base percentage and struckout 22 times to 12 walks.
His usage decreased during May, and he did not see the field during the postseason as his bat cooled off and they could never find a position for him on the field. He was one of the first FSU players to enter the portal after the season ended.
Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Former FSU infielder transfers to Big Ten program
Antonio “The Flash” Cesar is fully prepared to make the absolute biggest leap of his young mixed martial arts career.
The surging Brazilian powerhouse will face Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang in a high-stakes flyweight MMA battle at ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video. The blockbuster event broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17.
[IG BOUT ANNOUNCEMENT EMBED]
Cesar may be new to the global stage, but he arrives in the world’s largest martial arts organization boasting a stellar 13-2 professional record, an eight-fight winning streak, and back-to-back submission finishes. Before he attempts to derail the Filipino veteran’s march toward the flyweight MMA elite, here are five things to know about the promising newcomer.
Cesar was born on January 14, 2004, and made his professional MMA debut on October 30, 2021 — more than two months before his 18th birthday.
“The Flash” began his pro tenure with an emphatic second-round TKO victory and quickly returned to competition less than two months later. Although that sophomore appearance produced his first career defeat, Cesar continued competing regularly, remarkably accumulating nine professional bouts before turning 20.
That hyper-active early start completely separates him from many fighters entering the global stage at a similar age.
Cesar will be only 22 when he shares the ring with Adiwang, but he already possesses 15 professional appearances and nearly five years of elite experience. He may be a promotional newcomer, but he is far from a raw prospect taking his first steps under immense pressure.
Cesar proudly fights out of Manaus — the capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state and a historic cradle for world-class martial artists — where he represents Fight Academy JMF.
Much of his rapid development came through the notoriously shark-tank regional circuit in northern Brazil, where he cut his teeth for premier promotions such as Mr. Cage, Jungle Fight, Arena Strikers Combat, and Coari Champions.
His meteoric rise also took him far beyond local audiences.
In July 2025, Cesar earned a dominant unanimous decision victory at Coari Champions 7, a massive open-air event promoted as one of the largest MMA spectacles of its kind in South America. The card received major national exposure through a live broadcast.
After sharpening his skills close to home, “The Flash” will now carry the pride of Manaus onto the global stage in Bangkok.
Despite his youth, Cesar has already competed in high-stakes fights that demanded extreme patience, composure, and the vital ability to perform well beyond the opening exchanges.
In May 2023, the resilient Brazilian completed a grueling five-round championship contest before suffering a narrow unanimous decision defeat. Showing the mindset of a true champion, he rebounded just two months later to capture the Mr. Cage Interim Flyweight Championship.
Capturing regional gold at only 19 years old provided Cesar with invaluable, mature experience long before his ONE Championship debut. He has learned exactly how to manage the intense emotions surrounding a title fight, respond positively after a difficult result, and maintain his tactical effectiveness against opponents prepared for an extended war.
That deep stamina could prove crucial against Adiwang, whose explosive starts and sudden bursts of offense have ended each of his past two contests inside the very first round.
Cesar has not tasted defeat since May 2023. His current eight-fight winning streak has featured victories by decision, knockout, and submission across multiple Brazilian promotions, proving he can seamlessly prevail through any phase of an MMA contest.
Most recently, “The Flash” has become particularly dangerous once he successfully claims an opponent’s back.
He brilliantly submitted two consecutive opponents with rear-naked chokes within just a two-month span in 2026, earning a swift first-round finish in March before securing another tap in the third frame of his April appearance. Those clinical results paved his direct path to the global roster.
Cesar also placed third in the advanced adult division at a prestigious beach-wrestling competition in Manaus, another clear indicator of the elite grappling base he brings into his matchup with Adiwang.
Perhaps the most impressive statistic attached to Cesar’s name is that his two lone professional defeats both came strictly via the judges’ scorecards. Across 15 career appearances, the Brazilian has never been knocked out or submitted, despite competing through multiple three-round wars and a grueling five-round battle.
That durability will face its ultimate examination at ONE Fight Night 45.
Adiwang enters the matchup with an 18-6 professional record and a staggering 75 percent finishing rate. Since leaving the strawweight division behind, “Thunder Kid” has looked absolutely unstoppable, scoring consecutive first-round TKOs against Mauro “Dinamita” Mastromarini and Eko Roni Saputra.
Cesar must therefore withstand the fastest and most dangerous phase of the Filipino’s opening attack while systematically searching for opportunities to impose his own lethal grappling game.
At ONE Fight Night 45, Adiwang will try to become the first athlete to stop “The Flash,” while Cesar looks to extend his eight-fight winning streak with an unforgettable promotional debut.
Former Hibernian and Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson has put himself forward for the job as Scotland head coach leading a dream team of Ally McCoist, Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson.
The 64-year-old, who has previously managed the Kenyan and Ugandan national sides, admits "I'm not going to excite the Tartan Army" but thinks his backroom team could.
McCoist managed Rangers and previously assisted Walter Smith with Scotland, Brown won much silverware captaining Celtic, while Thomson helped Rangers to a Uefa Cup final.
"I tried to get through to [Scottish FA chief executive] Ian Maxwell and the president, but it's not happened and I've obviously got someone else working on that to see if it is worth pursuing," 64-year-old Williamson told BBC Radio Scotland.
"I am not going to excite the Tartan Army, I know that for a fact, but maybe with these future international coaches getting a go at it, that might excite them because of what they achieved with Scotland and their club sides."
Former Rangers, West Bromwich Albion, Rotherham United and Kilmarnock striker Williamson has been out of football management for 10 years.
However, reading reports from his home in Nairobi about Steve Clarke's resignation as national head coach set his mind racing.
"I've been out of the game for a while, but I was looking at the newspaper reports about who's favourite to get the job and I thought my CV stacks up very well," he said.
"I've managed two national teams here in Africa. In Uganda, we were getting 60,000 every home game - very passionate fans - and I handled that pressure okay.
"I know the passion of the Scottish fans well and they don't want to be let down and I thought 'could I give it a go?'."
Williamson was a team-mate of McCoist's at Rangers, while Brown and Thomson were young midfielders when he managed Hibs.
"So my first text message was to Alistair McCoist and I said I am thinking about doing this and he said 'I'm in'," he revealed.
"So I started thinking 'who else?' and I'm thinking long term for Scotland's benefit - bring in some younger coaches so they get the international experience.
"Both of these guys - Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson - have played numerous games for Scotland, they have played at the top level.
"They certainly have that knowledge, but they have not really experienced the coaching side of the game at that level and I thought, if I could help these guys, it would give Scotland options down the line and maybe some continuity."
As a manager, Williamson led Kilmarnock to Scottish Cup glory in 1997, led Plymouth Argyle to the Championship, won the 2011 CECAFA Cup regional tournament with Uganda and led Gor Mahia to the Kenyan league title.
Williamson, though, admits "it is a big if" as he puts himself forward as a possible Scotland head coach.
"They probably have wheels in motion and have identified candidates anyway," he added.
Life is not a linear path. Ask anyone who’s dealt with setbacks and heartbreaks. Perspective comes with a cost: through time and trials. And as we get hit with life’s roadblocks, it’s fascinating to see when acceptance and even a change of heart comes into play for an individual.
Kelly Gorman was dealt a disability at birth that some doctors said wouldn’t allow her to ever walk, and yet she has not let it stop her from playing a non-adaptive sport, lacrosse, in high school at an extremely high level while capturing six golf club championships as an adult..
Now that’s embracing what life has dealt you.
Gorman, from Pelham, N.Y., will compete in her first U.S. Adaptive Open beginning Monday at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., in the division for those with lower limb impairment. The William & Mary grad was born with a clubfoot and arthrogryposis, a condition that causes joint stiffness and underdeveloped muscles. To this day, the 31-year-old still has no control of her toes and feet, which are much smaller than most.
Despite undergoing five surgeries on her feet and knees as a child, the second youngest of five active kids got intensely connected in sports, learning golf from her grandfather and, most notably, playing goalie for her Hackley High School lacrosse team in Tarrytown, N.Y., that won three state championships.
“Playing sports is how my family and I bonded,” Gorman recalls with a smile.
“Kelly never saw herself as any different than her siblings,” Gorman’s mother Lorri says. “Whatever she didn’t have in speed she made up for in grit and found another way around it.”
Lacrosse was a way to toughen up with twin sister Trish.
“Trish was the center, I was the goalie and it worked out well because she would shoot on me and I would practice my saves and, man, we were lucky to be a part of amazing teams together,” Gorman says.
How does someone with a disability in their legs even find a way to play on a traditional lacrosse high school team?
“Lacrosse is uniquely situated for it because it doesn’t require you to move far distances,” Gorman says. “It’s only three steps across a goal, so that worked for me. … I’ve always had excellent hand-eye coordination and have had a ton of upper body strength, and I would be able to throw it to the midfielders at half-field to give us a leg up on offense. My strength and accuracy in my throw are the same things that allow me to excel at golf.”
Kelly Gorman was the lacrosse goalie for three state high school championship teams. (Courtesy of Gorman family)
Gorman experienced immense support in Pelham through middle school, but in high school and college that understanding from her peers just wasn’t there. The first time Gorman walked down the halls at Hackley High with her fore-arm crutch, the whispers began.
“It was scary, it really shook me,” she says. “I was like, ‘wait, that's not who I am.’ And honestly, from that day on, I was, like, ‘I will not be known as the girl with the crutch.’ But I also didn't want anyone to feel bad for me.
“I didn't want anyone to go and beat someone else up. Like, no one was being mean. and they just didn't know better.”
After high school and two years into her time at William & Mary, Gorman encountered another situation she wasn’t ready for: a diagnosis by doctors that she should use a wheelchair. She was only 19 and already experiencing anxiety about being the only disabled person in her college classes.
The idea of being constrained to a chair in front of her peers hardened Gorman’s heart toward her situation, and she rejected using a wheelchair.
“I'd never seen someone in a wheelchair be active and enjoy their life. I’d only seen in a hospital, like when you’re close to death,” Gorman recalls. “I wasn’t even 20 and I was like ‘my God I have so much life to live.’ I don't wanna be confined to a wheelchair and deal with a lot this stigma.”
But three years ago, Gorman’s eyes were opened to a new, refreshing outlook. This came through sled hockey and an inspiring individual named Stefon Stillwell DeSantis, the captain of the Capital District Sled Warriors, a program of Stride Adaptive Sports.
“In a lot of ways, he was that older-brother figure that I needed to show me that a wheelchair is liberating,” Gorman says. “I was, like, ‘wow, I'm kind of a punk for never seeing it that way before.’ I really needed that nudge.
“Sled hockey and the adaptive community has really helped me develop a different relationship with both my disability but also using a wheelchair as a tool for a more full life. Choosing it can be really empowering, and I think that's a narrative that's not out there at all in society.”
Gorman, the director of the office of health promotion at the University of Albany, has enjoyed getting beers and wings with her new community after sled hockey games, and the close-knit adaptive competitors she experienced at her U.S. Adaptive Open qualifier in Akron, Ohio, were a thrill for her as well. She earned medalist honors in the competition by shooting 82.
“To meet more people in the adaptive community here at this championship is something that I’m really excited about,” Gorman says of this week.
A young Kelly Gorman (in yellow) poses with family members, including her twin sister Trish and grandfather, Don Gorman. (Courtesy of Gorman family)
Gorman’s grandfather, Don Gorman, introduced her to golf at the age of 8 at Wethersfield Country Club, where the two wore out the range and practice green. Grandpa and Kelly teamed in matches against her eight cousins and the two loved to drive the tree-lined fairways in a cart together.
“Grandpa just really believed in his Kelly,” Gorman’s cousin Jimmy Hughto said. “She was his pride and joy and watching her and the other cousins succeed at shared passions with him like golf gave him the biggest smile.”
So, what would grandpa think of his Kelly qualifying for the most prestigious Adaptive championship available at this week’s U.S. Adaptive Open?
“He would be tickled pink to know that I'm playing in a USGA championship,” she said. “Golf was really his life passion, and his big dream was that one day I'd win a club championship. I'm really proud to say I've now won six.”
Say Hughto, “If grandpa knew that Kelly was playing in the U.S. Adaptive Open, it would be the first time in his life that he would be speechless.”
Gorman also was nearly speechless the moment she qualified for the championship on May 7. She called Hughto, and knowing he has a 2-month old daughter at home and is short on time, she still felt compelled to ask him to caddie in the biggest golf championship of her life.
“He cut me off before I could finish and said yes,” Gorman recalls.
“It was a no-brainer for me,” Hughto says. “It’s the honor of a lifetime caddieing for my cousin in this championship.”
It’s fitting that these two get to share this stage at Woodmont because for so many family vacations they were the two cousins who skipped the beach and teed it up at sunrise at whatever local course they could find, scarfed down a quick breakfast, and then completed another 18 or 27.
Gorman now drives a cart on the course and uses a forearm crutch to steady herself approaching every shot. She then lays the crutch down and swings while standing on both feet, with drives between 200-210 yards and a mean draw.
Gorman’s mother Lorri feels a deep satisfaction watching her daughter compete on this stage. When asked the emotions she anticipates feeling this week, Lorri answered not with words of this moment, but with an anecdote from Gorman’s infant years that resonates deeply about her life’s potential.
When Kelly was five weeks old, numerous doctors in the New York area told Lorri and her husband Matt that their daughter would never walk with her condition. However, Dr. Stephen Burke at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City told Gorman’s parents that no one can tell you for certain that she’ll never walk. Instead, he encouraged them by saying he knew “she will make you very, very proud.”
And that’s the overwhelming feeling Lorri has for Gorman at Woodmont.
As Gorman continues her deep reading of Bob Rotella’s books on the mental side of the game, the competitor in her is also feeling an incredible sense of gratitude as she gets set to begin this championship.
“It’s amazing how meaningful this experience is and how grateful I am to have the opportunity to even be preparing for a championship like this right now,” Gorman says. ”I’m like a kid in a candy shop.”
Nothing says 4th of July like fireworks (and an Ohio festival in Poland) and, in the NFL, fireworks is a code word for an explosive offensive display. Sadly, the Cleveland Browns have not had a ton of them. In an era of big offense, big passing stats, and big plays, the Browns have been mired in the mundane or worse.
In the past, Cleveland’s rushing attack was the big deal. Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Nick Chubb, Kevin Mack, and so many others made their names with the ground game. Perhaps HC Todd Monken will bring a return of the rushing attack this season with RB Quinshon Judkins.
Thinking back to the most recent fireworks display being put on by the Browns offense, the 2020 matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys comes to mind. In that game, a homecoming of sorts for QB Baker Mayfield and DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland scored 49 points despite Mayfield only throwing for 165 yards.
The boxscore tells an interesting story of WR Odell Beckham Jr.’s excellence:
RB D’Ernest Johnson led the team with 95 yards rushing while RB Kareem Hunt added 71 yards and two rushing touchdowns. WR Jarvis Landry caught 5 passes for 48 yards and threw one of OBJ’s touchdowns for 37 yards.
The receiver-to-receiver touchdown and Beckham’s 50-yard touchdown run were two of the more explosive plays in the game, one that was tight (3-points) with less than four minutes left. Beckham’s long run put the nail in the coffin: Browns 49, Cowboys 38.
You can see the highlights here:
What are some fireworks from the Browns offense that you remember vividly?
Share your memories belowin the comment section
Sign up for a user account and get:
Green Bay Packers quarterback Tyrod Taylor is set to begin his 16th NFL season.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedThe Green Bay Packers were arguably the most disappointing team in football last year. And perhaps no one did less with more than Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur.
Green Bay headed into the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s top rosters, then traded for star defensive end Micah Parsons 10 days before the year began. Suddenly, Packer Nation was dreaming of their first Super Bowl appearance since 2010.
Instead, Green Bay went a remarkably unsatisfying 9-8-1 overall and was the NFC’s No. 7 seed for a third consecutive year. The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.
“No way you should lose games in this league when you’re up that much,” running back Josh Jacobs said.
Green Bay, which began the year 9-3-1, finished the season with five straight losses. The Packers now enter 2026 with the league’s fourth-longest losing streak.
Collapsing late in games was the story of Green Bay’s 2025 campaign.
Green Bay had double digit leads in the final minutes twice against Chicago and also vs. Cleveland and somehow went 0-3 in those games. The Packers’ odds of losing all three contests were 1-in-250,000, yet they somehow did it.
“That (expletive), it’s starting to get damn-near embarrassing,” safety Javon Bullard said.
Rebounding won’t be easy as the Packers were hit hard in free agency and didn't have a first round draft pick.
Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 29. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2026 campaign.
At No. 25 is quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor started four games and played in six contests with the New York Jets last season, completing 80-of-134 passes (59.7%) with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw for 779 yards and finished with a passer rating of 72.9 — the lowest of his career in the years he’s thrown at least 100 passes.
Taylor also carried 27 times for 143 yards (5.3) and had one rushing touchdown.
Taylor, now in his 16th season out of Virginia Tech, is the only quarterback in NFL history with 10,000-plus passing yards, 2,000-plus rushing yards, 70-plus passing TDs, 20-plus rushing TDs and fewer than 35 interceptions.
Taylor has played in 100 career games while suiting up for Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland,, the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston, the New York Giants and the New York Jets. He’s completed 1,165 of 1,886 passes (61.8%) for 13,033 yards, 73 touchdowns, 34 interceptions and has a passer rating of 87.7.
Taylor has also rushed for 2,424 yards and 20 touchdowns on 434 carries (5.6.).
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has missed two starts due to injury each of the last two seasons and couldn't finish three other contests. Green Bay had one of the NFL’s elite backups, though, in Malik Willis — who threw six touchdowns, no interceptions and posted a 134.6 passer rating.
Willis will be the starter in Miami this season, while Taylor turns 37 the first week of training camp. It would be impossible to expect Taylor to perform as well as Willis did, but the Packers need him to at least be serviceable.
“It’s been great. Tyrod is a pro, he’s a vet, he’s been at it for a long time, so it’s nice to have a guy in the room that’s played a lot of ball,” Love said of Taylor. “He’s been in a lot of different offenses and just somebody that you can piggyback off and pick his brain – you know, what are seeing out there? What am I seeing?
“Those kind of things and just have those conversations. Just the way he handles his business, comes into the building and just goes about his work. It’s cool to watch, and it will be great to have him around all season.”
“The cool part when he walked in the room, you could feel the presence, the confidence, the composure. He's seen a lot. He's been in a lot of different systems, so that part of it just … how quickly he's able to pick up on things. He showed up when we're going right to drills and stuff and he's a true pro and it was pretty cool to see. As far as the juice, he's definitely still got that.” — Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy on Taylor
“Tyrod, yeah, he's been awesome, man. He's really come into the room and is absorbing everything. He does have a little bit of familiarity with our system. Obviously, he's played a long time in this league, but it is good that he was with [Nathaniel] Hackett a couple years ago, or two years ago, in New York, and so it's not foreign to him.” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Taylor
“This is our first time working alongside one another. It’s about learning one another for sure, but also just having open communication whether it’s us watching film, bouncing ideas off one another. On the field, just talking through certain things. I’ve been through a few offenses. I was in this offense a couple years ago. There’s some familiarity with it. Just being able to bounce ideas and keep an open line of communication, it’s been good. Just expect for us to continue further strengthening that bond as the year goes on.” — Taylor on how he can help Jordan Love at this point in his career
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Reports in England assure that Liverpool have no intention of letting Virgil van Dijk go, despite rumours of potential Milan interest from new coach Ruben Amorim.
The centre-back will turn 35 next week and his contract at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the season.
This could in theory make him available for a cut-price fee, which intrigued Milan directors and coach Amorim.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
However, The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce assures that Liverpool are not prepared to even consider offers for their captain.
The arrival of new coach Andoni Iraola has not changed the situation, and the Netherlands international will have to remain an intriguing dream only for the Rossoneri.
Van Dijk is truly a fixture at Anfield, having joined from Southampton in January 2018 for €84.65m, going on to make 374 competitive appearances for the Reds.
Instead, Milan are on the verge of securing Mario Gila from Lazio and are in talks for Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio as well.
Thiago Alcantara’s playing days might already be behind him, but he continues to be involved in the football circuit, and rather extensively.
The talented Spanish midfielder took to coaching after hanging up his boots and spent last season as part of Hansi Flick’s coaching staff at Barça.
Thiago left at the end of the season to build his own path, but his time with the Catalan club offers a lot of insight into some players during training.
Speaking with Rio Ferdinand on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, Thiago was asked whether he thinks Lamine can become the best player in the world.
Here is what the former La Masia graduate said: “Yeah, he was about to last year, so why not? Now with the World Cup, he’s playing good, he made a massive change for Spain and why not next years?”
On his way to the top of the mountain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Thiago did not stop there. He spoke about training against Lamine in small-sided matches at Barcelona and what that experience is like.
He said: “I was in the pitch to train with him to see how good players are or what patterns they have and talking about small-sided games, he made a difference in those games.
“You know when he’s on one side of the two or three teams, the team will win.”
Lamine may be just 18 years old, but he is already being spoken about as one of the best in the world.
From Thiago’s words, one can get an insight into what it is like to face the teenager in training and how much of a difference he makes.
Spain’s World Cup hopes hinge on Lamine. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Lamine may have scored just one goal in four World Cup games so far, but he has already made a difference since coming into the team.
The Spaniard was awarded MOTM for his display against Austria a few nights ago. He might still not be at 100 percent, but Lamine still finds a way to be important.
Spain’s hopes of making a deep run in the tournament are directly dependent on the Barcelona star, as stated by the legendary Andres Iniesta. In Nico Williams’ injury absence, La Roja need Lamine even more.
It remains to be seen whether the 18-year-old can continue to do what he does best and impress for Spain in the upcoming Portugal game and beyond.
In the coming weeks, Jose Mourinho will take charge of his first pre-season since returning as Real Madrid head coach. The Portuguese made his triumphant return to the Bernabeu 13 years after his first spell in charge came to an end, and he hopes to be the one that turns things around after a dismal couple of years.
The last major trophy won by Real Madrid was the 2023-24 Champions League over two years ago. Since then, they have been comfortably second-best to Barcelona in La Liga, while they were bested by Arsenal and Bayern Munich in Europe, both times at the quarter-final stage. They cannot afford to go another season without success, which is why Florentino Perez has turned to Mourinho.
Many current Real Madrid players have welcomed Mourinho’s return, and now former star Joselu Mato has had his say on Iker Casillas’ Bajo los palos podcast. As per MD, the veteran striker also believes the Portuguese can be the right man at the right time, given that he will command a lot of authority in the dressing room.
“Mourinho is a coach with a lot of character, with ideas that Madrid need because they need a change and he is a coach who has what it takes to put people in their place. Can he be the best option? We won’t know that until the months go by. But Real Madrid need discipline, especially within the dressing room. A club like Real Madrid cannot afford to go two years without winning any title.”
The last 12 months under Xabi Alonso and the Alvaro Arbeloa showed that Real Madrid need a manager that can manage a dressing room – especially one with big egos. Mourinho is very capable of this, but it remains to be seen whether that is enough to get things back on track at the Bernabeu.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Aroldis Chapman became the major leagues’ career leader in strikeouts as a reliever Friday night, toppling a record that had stood for more than half a century.
The Boston Red Sox’s 38-year-old left-hander didn’t do it with one of the triple-digit fastballs that have made him one of the most imposing pitchers of his generation and one of the most accomplished relievers in baseball history.
Instead, his high pitch to the Angels’ Denzer Guzman was clocked at a mere 98.6 mph — and Guzman still couldn’t get around in time.
“I feel very happy, very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “I just feel very satisfied right now.”
The strikeout was the 1,364th in Chapman’s 17-year career. It broke the record long held by Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Famer whose 21-year career ended back in 1972, just five days shy of his 50th birthday.
Chapman paused and soaked in the moment only briefly after fanning Guzman, aware of the significance of the strikeout while also knowing he still had to get two more outs. He promptly gave up two hits, but escaped the jam with a double-play grounder to secure Boston’s 5-2 win over Los Angeles and his 383rd career save.
The Red Sox celebrated Chapman’s achievement in their Angel Stadium clubhouse, showing a video retrospective of Chapman’s career to his younger teammates — everything from his debut with Cincinnati in 2010 to his two World Series championships with the Cubs and Rangers.
“It’s cool. We’ve been waiting for that one,” Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. “What a career he’s had. The cool thing is watching the video, and you’re seeing him at a young age throwing 102, and he’s still doing it. It’s just incredible.”
In his 889th major league appearance — all of them in relief — Chapman saved a deserved victory for Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett, who was making his seventh appearance.
“It’s incredible,” said Bennett, who tired in the eighth. “It’s incredible to even just be a part of a team that it happens on.”
Chapman hadn’t pitched since he tied the strikeout record last Sunday while blowing a save against the Yankees, with whom he spent parts of seven seasons before an acrimonious split four years ago. He has pitched for seven teams since he defected from Cuba in 2009, earning eight All-Star selections and moving up to 10th on the majors’ career saves list.
This record spanned across a half-century of baseball history and a fundamental change in the way pitchers are used.
Among the 14 pitchers in major league history who have recorded 1,000 strikeouts as a reliever, only Lindy McDaniel was a contemporary of Wilhelm, a World War II veteran and a pioneer in relief pitching. The crafty knuckleballer was among the first pitchers to be used regularly as what’s now known as a high-leverage reliever, coming into close games and tight situations regardless of whether the starter was tired or not.
Chapman has spent his entire career in those tight spots, and he has usually excelled when healthy, often with a fastball that has topped 105 mph at times during his career.
He has even been in a renaissance since joining the Red Sox before last season. After earning AL Reliever of the Year honors in 2025 with a minuscule 1.17 ERA, he has 17 saves in 19 chances this season, still taking high-leverage assignments and usually succeeding.
“I was just focused on doing the job, day in and day out over the course of the last few weeks, getting to this point where I had the opportunity to break the record,” Chapman said. “I had some highs and some lows, but I’ve just tried to stay positive throughout.”
Jul. 4—Former Washington State football coach Jim Walden, who in 1981 led the Cougars to their first bowl appearance in 50 years, died Thursday in Coeur d'Alene, the school announced. He was 88.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Walden," WSU athletic director Jon Haarlow said in a release. "He will forever be remembered as a great Coug who deeply loved Washington State. Our heart is with coach Walden's family, friends and all the former players whose lives he positively impacted."
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Walden, who was inducted into WSU's Hall of Fame in 2009, led the Cougars from 1978-86, compiling an overall record of 44-52-4 before moving on to the same job at Iowa State. He was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year in both 1981 and 1983, leading the Cougars to an 8-3-1 record and to the 1981 Holiday Bowl, which at the time was WSU's first postseason bowl game since the 1931 Rose Bowl.
Walden, whose WSU team went 7-4 in 1983, left for Iowa State in 1987 and compiled a 28-57-3 record over eight seasons. Much of his time with the Cyclones was impacted by scholarship reductions, some because of infractions by ISU's previous coach and others by overall reductions in Division I-A in 1988. In 1989, Walden had just 47 scholarship players when ISU traveled to Nebraska, which won 49-17.
Walden retired from coaching in 1994 and returned to the Palouse as Bob Robertson's broadcast sidekick for 11 seasons. In that time, Walden became beloved by Cougar fans for his verbose commentary.
Advertisement
Walden, an All-American quarterback at Wyoming, was inducted into the Cowboys' Hall of Fame in 2011. As a player, Walden was drafted by both Cleveland (of the NFL) and Denver in the first AFL draft in 1960. Walden opted to sign with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, going on to play several seasons in Canada.
Walden started his coaching career in 1964, when he was named head football coach at Amory High School in Amory, Miss., not far from his hometown of Aberdeen. Five years later, Walden ascended to the college ranks, accepting a role at Nebraska, where he worked on back-to-back national championship teams in 1970 and 1971. Walden then spent the 1973-76 seasons at Miami, where he assisted in the offensive backfield and as defensive coordinator.
Walden's first year at WSU was 1977, when he coached the Cougars' backfield. A year later at age 39, he became WSU's head coach, going on to coach some of the greatest players in program history: QBs Jack Thompson and Mark Rypien, OL Daniel Lynch, safety Paul Sorensen, RBs Rueben Mayes and Kerry Porter and others.
"There is no way to tell you how excited I am," Walden said shortly after accepting WSU's head coaching job, speaking to the Spokane Daily Chronicle. "I've waited 14 years for this."
In 1985, WSU won its third Apple Cup in four seasons, which the Cougars have accomplished only two other times, in 1954 and in 2007. Before the 1985 Apple Cup, in which Washington was a heavy favorite, Huskies coach Don James quipped: "I'm a 2,000-word underdog," a reference to the loquacious Walden. The Cougars went on to capture a 21-20 upset in Seattle, which was caked in snow and frigid temperatures at the time.
Still, Walden has said that his favorite Apple Cup victory came in 1982, when UW was favored by a 24-point margin. To earn a 24-20 win, the Cougars overcame a rash of injuries and got sterling performances from players like QB Clete Casper, RB Tim Harris and defenders Keith Millard and Mark Plies.
The next season, the Cougars earned another Apple Cup win, this one a 17-6 decision at Husky Stadium in Seattle over the No. 15 Huskies. With that win, Walden's bunch knocked UW out of contention for the Rose Bowl behind an impressive defensive showing, holding the hosts without a touchdown all game.
Despite the Cougars' 7-4 record in 1985, they were denied a bowl bid.
"I missed out on three," Walden said in 2018, shortly before WSU played Iowa State in the Holiday Bowl, a matchup of his two former squads. "I had a 7-4 team and two 6-5s that didn't go. Under today's present style we should've been in four bowls. The one that hurt the most was (in 1983) when we went 7-4 in the Pac-10 Conference. To not get picked to go was pretty much a slap in the face. ... It took away from the effort of the players, but it also gave fodder for the schools that would use that against you: 'You can win seven games at Washington State and not make it to a bowl game.'"
Under Walden's watch, the Cougars made that an exception to the rule, soaring to heights rarely reached in years prior.
The Guardians beat the White Sox 4-3 behind 5 and 1/3rd scoreless from the Cleveland bullpen. Franco Aleman, up for Daniel Espino, was impressive as were the other usual suspects. Nice to see Erik Sabrowski look like his old self, especially.
Jakhob has your recap here. Shoutout to Travis Bazzana and Kahlil Watson for excellent at-bats against a tough lefty reliever to win the game.
The White Sox decided to whine after the game, Anthony Kay blaming the Guardians for the timing of the rain delay (which they don’t control) and Will Venable blaming the grounds crew for his fielders’ sloppy play.
Zack Meisel looks at 12 potential trade targets for the Guardians in an article today.
Happy 250th birthday to the United States!
AROUND MLB:
Twins and Royals lost.
Former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new one-year contract with Celtic.
The 32-year-old had joined the Glasgow club in February following six months out of football after Besiktas terminated his contract.
He made a goalscoring debut with a last-minute winner against Livingston and went on to make 12 Celtic appearances.
Seven of them were as a substitute, but Oxlade-Chamberlain played his part in their revival under then-interim manager Martin O'Neill.
Celtic retained the title with a final-day victory over long-time leaders Heart of Midlothian and also lifted the Scottish Cup.
And that was enough for O'Neill to hand Oxlade-Chamberlain an extended stay after the Northern Irishman was given the job permanently.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool star's partner, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, had gone public on social media about her desire for an extended stay with Celtic in Scotland and the player himself expressed his delight about his new deal on the club website.
"It was an incredible time last season and to be part of that success in winning the league and Scottish Cup was so special," said Oxlade-Chamberlain, who won 35 caps for his country.
"I'm really excited to be back and I'm looking forward to meeting up with the boys and getting to work ahead of what will hopefully be another successful season."
O'Neill's squad head out to Ireland this weekend before their first pre-season match against Shelbourne on Tuesday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started his career at Southampton and won the Premier League, Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup with Liverpool, will join Celtic at their training camp in Portugal.
Celtic have yet to make any new signings this summer.
In just over a week, Roma will officially meet at Trigoria to kick off the new season.
The training camp is scheduled for July 13th, when Gian Piero Gasperini will begin working with the group, including physical tests, initial tactical guidance, and preliminary assessments of the available squad.
The Giallorossi coach arrives at the meeting with a fairly clear idea of the team’s needs, especially in terms of transfers.
Specifically, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the main objectives is to add a left-back, a role considered crucial to completing the attacking lineup.
In this context, the management remains focused on several areas, while working to arrive at the training camp with at least some final guidelines already in place.
Gasperini, in fact, hopes that by July 13th there will be concrete news not only regarding the attacking department, but also regarding other situations currently being evaluated.
Among the names being monitored is Greenwood, cited as one of the potential additions to enhance the quality and depth of the attack.
His arrival would be a significant sign of ambition, especially as Roma seeks to build a technical project more in line with the demands of their new coach and is preparing to compete in the Champions League after seven years.
Alongside the more well-known names, however, there is also growing interest in an emerging young talent.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Kerim Alajbegovic’s stock is rising. The young winger is considered an attractive prospect due to his technical abilities and growth prospects, and could represent a useful solution in both the short and medium term.
The Giallorossi are said to have rekindled their contacts with the player’s agents.
However, the demands of Bayer Leverkusen, the club that owns him, are not particularly favorable: evaluations are underway at Trigoria.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes became the youngest winner of a Formula One sprint on Saturday when he passed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton to triumph at the British Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian achieved his first sprint win with a well-managed drive after starting second, following the 41-year-old seven-time champion for seven of the 17 laps before powering into the lead.
Hamilton, who enjoyed a dominant Friday when he topped all the practice and qualifying sessions, had no answer to the outright power of his young rival.
Antonelli finished 2.745 seconds clear of Hamilton at the front to extend his lead in the title race ahead of George Russell in the second Mercedes.
World champion Lando Norris of McLaren came third, 9.783sec behind the winner.
On a bright warm day, Russell finished fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari, followed by four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.
Liam Lawson was eighth for Racing Bulls ahead of a frustrated Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull and Arvid Lindblad in the second Racing Bull.
- 'Flying past' -
Hamilton said there was little he could do.
"It was a tough race for me to keep that Mercedes behind and there was such a big head wind on the back straight," said the Briton. "He just came flying past. Well done to Kimi!"
Norris was happy with third.
"It was a good race. I didn't have the pace to keep up with these guys, but I am still pleasantly surprised," he said.
Hamilton made a strong start from pole, but he needed to squeeze Antonelli at Abbey, the first corner, to stay in front as Verstappen, who started sluggishly, dropped to sixth while Norris passed both McLarens on the opening lap.
The race quickly developed into a furious scrap for places behind Hamilton and Antonelli, who had pulled clear of the rest by the end of lap two. The leading pair were separated by less than a second with the young Italian refusing to allow his old hero any respite.
Norris was third by lap four, but under attack from Verstappen with Russell and Leclerc close behind as the so-called yo-yo racing, a characteristic of the new 'hybrid era' power management, continued.
Out in front on his favourite track, Hamilton was weaving on the straights to avoid giving any slipstream to the Mercedes man, but it was clear by lap eight that the 'silver arrow' had the speed to beat Hamilton, if Antonelli could find a way.
After one blocked attack, the Italian blasted past to seize the lead on Hangar Straight with a surge of superior power, Hamilton having used much of his battery in defence on the previous lap.
Power conservation and deployment was the invisible component in the frantic fighting for positions as was proved again when Leclerc passed Verstappen at Stowe for fifth behind Norris, in third, and Russell.
At the front, Antonelli was unable to escape Hamilton who was 1.7 behind and 5.4 ahead of Norris by lap 13. Ferrari, learning from Leclerc's move, advised Hamilton to switch strategy and seek a similar move.
After a breathless opening 12 laps, the race began to stretch out as tyre wear and pure car performance emerged as main factors in what had been a strategic race of power-management tactics.
It was dramatic stuff, but Antonelli had it under control to pull away and lead Hamilton home.
str/pb
England's early morning World Cup match against Mexico will kick off as originally planned at 01:00BST (18:00 local time) on Monday, after Fifa U-turned on a plan to bring it forward by six hours.
Sources had told BBC Sport on Friday the fixture at Mexico City Stadium was set to be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday - but within hours football's governing body decided against this.
With the last-16 knockout match going ahead in the early hours of Monday morning, businesses, schools and the emergency services in the UK are continuing to prepare for the knock-on effects.
On Thursday Sir Keir Starmer said pubs would be able to stay open until 05:00.
On Friday evening it had emerged that an earlier kick off was being considered after sources said there was concern about storms being forecast around the stadium at the time the match was due to take place.
The Football Association had also been involved in planning and security discussions after four people died following Mexico's last-32 victory over Ecuador in Mexico City on Tuesday.
An earlier kick-off time time would have allowed the match to begin before the worst of any thunderstorms but would have ruined the plans of some England fans arriving in Mexico City.
But within hours and after talks, including between the Football Association and Fifa, it was announced in the early hours of Saturday that the game was going ahead as originally planned at 0100BST on Monday.
England fans travelling to Mexico City for the match may be relieved they do not have to move their plans around at short notice.
More than 3,000 England fans are set to attend the fixture at the Azteca, which holds 87,000.
Owen Pickering, who is travelling to Mexico with his sons, aged seven, 16 and 23, told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme it was "lucky it all changed".
If the kick-off had moved to 12:00 local time he said they "wouldn't have made the match", he said.
His journey includes a flight to Orlando, Florida and then from Tampa to Mexico on Sunday, landing around 11:00 - which would have meant he and the eight others he is travelling with would have missed the game.
Pickering arranged for his children to miss school, costing £160 each, and he "took a gamble" on England winning the group stage spending £1,300 on the flights.
"The whole thing has been very expensive," he added.
On how Fifa handled the U-turn, he said: "It's rubbish. There's no thought about anybody travelling to the game... they don't care if they spoil it for everybody".
In the UK it is rare for pubs to be allowed to stay open into the early hours of Monday morning.
Sir Keir called the move "good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together".
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said it was a "very welcome announcement".
Pubs have to apply for extended licensing hours to sell alcohol as they plan for the one-off change in opening times.
Pub chain Greene King said more than 600 pubs across England will be staying open late to show the match.
But Wetherspoons has said only five of its more than 800 pubs will remain open for the match.
Martha Gallagher-Scovle, bar manager at the Prince of Wales pub in Hammersmith, told the BBC Fifa's U-turn on kick-off timing meant "everything felt very up in the air".
"We had just sorted staffing and then it was like 'oh, you're going to have to change everything you just spent the last 12 hours sorting out,'" the 20-year-old added.
She said people had already been coming into the pub this morning to change their bookings back, and ask what happens if the times change again.
President of the UK Bartender's Guild (UKBG) Claudia Carrozzi told the BBC hospitality staff working until 05:00 should be given plenty of notice, breaks and it should be considered how they get home.
"Planning is key," she said.
While pubs have only had since Thursday to prepare and Friday night's mixed messaging over start time may have confused matters, Carrozzi said pubs may have already had a "contingency plan" in place.
She said it is important customers remember people working in pubs during the match are "going the extra mile" and need to be treated with respect.
"Without the staff, this celebration couldn't happen."
Police have already criticised the timing of the decision on pub opening hours made only days before the match.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said the "late announcement" meant officers would have to be taken away from other duties and work longer hours, even though the team's likely route through the tournament had been known for a considerable time.
It asked that fans drink within sensible limits and be considerate while watching the match.
The impact of the late-night opening hours will trickle into Monday morning as the working week gets under way.
Some schools told the BBC they are planning to open their gates late on Monday morning.
A number of primary and secondary schools in areas including London, Salford, the Midlands and County Durham said they are moving openings to around 10:00.
England squad manager Thomas Tuchel called on schools to let children watch the match.
But Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said while she was "not going to seek to control what schools are doing" it was "important" for pupils to be in school on Monday.
And, some workplaces are also taking a more relaxed approach to the start of the week.
A TUC spokesperson said: "Chopping and changing of kick off time for a crucial England match could be difficult for workers and employers alike."
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director of policy Kate Shoesmith said for some jobs, such as those with shift work, it will not be possible to work flexibly".
Travelling to work or doing the school run on Monday morning is also raising some concern.
Motoring organisation the RAC warned people who stay up for the match "shouldn't drive until they're fully rested and hydrated".
Transport for London (TfL) - who operate the London Underground, buses and London Overground in the capital - said services would be operating as usual on Sunday into Monday morning. This means there will be no night Tube.
TfL advise customers to check their journey before they travel and to familiarise themselves with how to travel safely at night.
Similarly, Manchester's Bee Network said normal service patterns are in place for Monday. It noted the first buses and trams will start before 05:00 and said customers can make use of their night buses.
Ireland’s Nations Championship campaign got off to a winning start after a dramatic finish against Australia.
Andy Farrell’s side trailed with three minutes remaining before replacement tighthead Thomas Clarkson crossed from short range after sustained pressure to draw them level. Fly-half Sam Prendergast then held his nerve to put Ireland two points ahead.
Ireland conceded a penalty with the clock in the red, giving Ben Donaldson the opportunity to snatch victory with a kick from over 50 metres out on the angle.
However, Donaldson’s attempt never threatened the posts, allowing Ireland to extend their winning run against the Wallabies to six matches on the bounce.
More to follow...
Australia: Campbell, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch, C. Gordon, R. Lonergan, Bell, Nasser, Alaalatoa, Williams, Canham, Valetini, McReight, Wilson.
Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Slipper, Tupou, Shaw, T. Hooper, McDermott, Donaldson, T. Wright.
Ireland: Keenan, Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Osborne, S. Prendergast, Gibson-Park, O’Toole, Sheehan, Furlong, J. McCarthy, Ryan, C. Prendergast, van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, Loughman, Clarkson, Beirne, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, Aki.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
That brings our coverage of Ireland’s win over Australia to an end, but there is plenty more rugby coming up, with Wales taking on Fiji and England facing South Africa. Thanks for joining us!
Ireland become the first European team to claim victory on the opening day of the inaugural Nations Championship:
Former Ireland centre Darren Cave on BBC Radio: “Unbelievable stuff! I’m so impressed with Ireland’s resilience.
“The Wallabies were brilliant. Joe Schmidt will be lying in his bed tonight wondering how they’ve lost that game.
“Ultimately it just came down to the Australian goal kicking. Three from five. That was the difference between the two sides.”
What an epic contest to start the two teams’ Nations Championship campaigns. They scored five tries each but it was the visitors who edged it thanks to an extra conversion.
Australia led from the 53rd minute but Clarkson’s 77th-minute try and Prendergast’s subsequent conversion won it for Ireland.
Donaldson steps up for Australia, from more than 50 metres out at an angle out wide to the right, but his kick sails to the right of the posts and it’s victory for Ireland!
The clock ticks into the red as Australia earn the penalty advantage just inside Ireland’s half.
It doesn’t take long for play to be brought back and the hosts will kick for the posts! It’s a long way out from out wide.
Australia have possession but they are struggling to break into the Irish half as the clock ticks over past the 79-minute mark.
Australia 31 Ireland 33 (Clarkson) Ireland can make the most of the extra man!
They tap and go with the penalty in the corner down their left and it’s Clarkson who makes the decisive surge over the line.
Prendergast holds his nerve to edge Ireland ahead by two points! Can they hold on?
The referee brings play back for a previous foul from Australia in the corner. Ireland go for the tap and go and quickly earn another advantage for an offside.
The ball is spilt by the visitors but play is brought back and Shaw is given a yellow for his infringement. Can Ireland capitalise on the extra man?
Hooper is penalised for an offside in the centre of the park and Prendergast produces a sensational kick, finding touch right in the corner down Ireland’s right.
Ireland work the ball from right to left and are pushing for the line in the corner. The visitors look to spray it back out to the right but Frawley is left isolated and can’t find space in the corner.
O’Brien is penalised for obstruction, with Australia chasing the box-kick, and tempers flare for a moment, with Frawley playing on after the whistle.
Australia opt to kick for the posts from out wide on their right, looking to move eight points ahead, but Donaldson drags his kick slightly across the face of the target.
Australia have the scrum just in front of their line and they win the penalty at the set piece once again.
Donaldson’s subsequent kick is a good one, taking his team close to halfway.
Ireland work the ball inside following the line-out and are within a couple of metres of the line but Ryan spills it just in front of the posts and a massive chance goes by.
That pass probably wasn’t met for the second row there, with Gibson-Park waiting just behind.
Ireland are building nicely down their left before Timoney breaks a wonderful line-breaking run, thanks to an excellently timed pass from Prendergast, to get the visitors into the Australia 22.
The replacement is tackled 10 metres out but the home side are penalised at the breakdown and Ireland will have another line-out in the corner down their left.
Australia attack well done their left once again, but Keenan makes a big tackle on Jorgensen, forcing him into touch and earning the line-out.
The full-back then competes well following the box-kick, allowing his team to regain possession in the Australia half.
Australia work the ball from left to right following the line-out but the final pass out to the flank has far too much height on it and Ireland will have the line-out in their half.
It’s a poor kick from Gibson-Park, allowing Australia to come straight back at Ireland, but the ball runs loose as they look to attack down their left.
Loughman is forced to make way after just getting his head on the wrong side of Valetini in the tackle. O’Toole is back on the for visitors.
Ireland are penalised at the Australia scrum and the home side can kick for touch down their left.
Loughman is caught heavily in a collision with Valetini so there will a break in play here as the replacement receives treatment.
Australia 31 Ireland 26 There was such a wide gap for Sheehan to cross following the maul, and it turns out that was partly down to some obstruction from Ryan on Wilson at the last moment.
So the try is disallowed! Australia remain ahead.
But hang on, just before play restarts, there is going to be a TMO check for potential obstruction in the move for the try.
Australia 31 Ireland 33 (Sheehan) There is another Australia foul, so Ireland will have another line-out in the corner down their right and this time they get it right.
The visitors maul well and eventually it all just opens up for Sheehan to have an easy passage for the line.
Prendergast is accurate from the tee again, so the lead passes back into the hands of the visitors.
Ireland win a penalty and can kick for the corner down their right but it’s another line-out lost by the visitors and the chance is wasted.
Australia 31 Ireland 26 (McDermott) Australia retake the lead once again, and Ireland will be disappointed with that one.
Australia have the scrum just in front of the line, but McDermott opts for the tap and go before darting round the side of the scrum and over the line. Ireland were caught out there.
Gordon makes the conversion and Australia move five ahead.
Australia are pushing for an immediate response and as they push for the line, a couple of metres out, they earn the penalty.
But first, Farrell makes a host of changes to his forwards, with Beirne among those coming on.
It was Keenan who made the try-saving tackle when Ireland were trailing 24-12. How fitting then it is that it’s the full-back who gives Andy Farrell’s men the lead.
Australia 24 Ireland 26 (Keenan) Ireland, as they did in the first half, go for the tap and go with the penalty from a couple of metres out.
The ball is worked from left to right and Keenan comes in on a wonderful line to break through the Australia defence and cross for a fourth Irish try.
The conversion is there and Ireland are back in the lead.
Williams is penalised for an illegal infringement at the line-out and Ireland can kick for the corner down their left.
Australia win it back at the subsequent line-out but it wasn’t done fairly, with the hosts are penalised yet again.
Ireland win it back following the line-out and McCloskey goes on a fabulous surge forward after selling a couple of Australian defenders with a dummy.
Gibson-Park then opts for a kick in behind but Gordon is covering well and kicks clear.
There is a scare for Gibson-Park as his box-kick from inside the Ireland 22 is charged down, but Prendergast sweeps up and produces a massive kick that dribbles into touch, well in the Australia half.
Ireland then give away a foul following the Australian line-out, though, with McCarthey penalised for a slightly high tackle.
We are back underway in Sydney with Gordon and Australia kicking things off, going from right to left in this second period.
Japan have beaten Italy 27-10 in the second match of the day, following New Zealand’s 34-32 victory over France in Christchurch.
Former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray on BBC Radio: “We want this competition to be exciting and have lots of viewers. This is already a great advertisement for it.
“I’m excited to see Ireland come out in the second half. They look a bit more comfortable and they might feel like they’re together again.
“Australia look dangerous. Joe Schmidt will be really happy at half-time with what he’s seen, but he’ll also be a bit frustrated with the Hugo Keenan tackle.”
That conversion brings the opening period to an end and it’s all to play for in the second half in Sydney.
Australia 24 Ireland 19 (Gibson-Park) Ireland have the scrum then as the clock ticks into the red, and they look to create something from their own 22 at the end of this opening period.
They make good progress, quickly getting up to the Australia 22, and a slick combination from outside to in releases Gibson-Park in behind the home defence for an easy passage to the line.
The conversion is made by Prendergast and that could be a crucial score from Ireland right at the end of this first half.
There is some more slick passing from Australia down their left, but the move comes to an end with a knock-on on the flank, with Jorgensen seemingly caught out by the quick hands from his team-mates.
Sua’ali’i breaks through a gap in the Irish defence and is darting for the line, but Keenan gets back to make a crucial tackle, which forces a knock-on from the Australian centre.
That’s a huge intervention from the Ireland full-back.
Lonergan has an issue and makes way for McDermott, appearing to make his way down the tunnel for some treatment. It looks like a blood replacement, perhaps.
Australia have the first scrum of the match following an Irish knock-on but McDermott’s subsequent kick isn’t the best, slicing off into touch, well before the halfway line.
Ireland earn a line-out high up down their right this time as they look to bounce back from a difficult 10-minute spell.
They shift the ball over to their left but Van der Flier is penalised at he breakdown, with Sua’ali’i showing good intelligence to force the foul.
Australia 24 Ireland 12 (Lonergan) Australia have nicked a fourth try as they secure a bonus point.
Ireland are working the ball from left to right, but a pass from Prendergast is too close to Jorgensen, who makes the interception.
The wing bursts clear down Australia’s left before offloading to the supporting Lonergan, who has an easy passage over the line.
The conversion is there again and the hosts have a healthy lead.
Australia 17 Ireland 12 (Canham) The lead changes hands once again!
Some more strong running from Australia’s back line allows them to penetrate Ireland’s 22 once again.
The visitors manage to get numbers back, stopping the hosts a couple of metres out, but Canham is able to collect power over.
Gordon makes the conversion this time so the lead is up to five points.
Australia 10 Ireland 12 (Van der Flier) It’s another good response to going behind from Ireland.
The visitors tap and go with the penalty from a couple of metres out, and Sheehan just pops the ball off to his inside to Van der Flier, who drives over the line.
The conversion is wide this time from Prendergast, but Ireland are back in front.
There’s a feeling of deja vu, with Ireland winning the penalty and finding touch in the corner down their left flank.
They maul for the line following the line-out and again, find themselves a couple of metres out.
The ball is fumbled by Ringrose but the visitors had the penalty advantage so play is brought back.
Australia 10 Ireland 7 (Campbell) What an enthralling start to this match!
There is some really powerful running from Gordon shortly after the restart and he takes his side into Ireland’s 22.
Again they attack down their right and some slick passing creates an overload on the flank. Campbell has support on his outside but he doesn’t need it, darting over in the corner.
Again, the conversion is missed so the advantage remains at three points.
Australia 5 Ireland 7 (C. Prendergast) It’s a good response from Ireland.
They win a foul at the breakdown as they make progress into Australia’s half and it’s a really accurate kick into the corner down their left.
The visitors are quickly within a metre of the line following the line-out and it’s Cian Prendergast who makes the decisive surge over.
Cian’s brother Sam makes the conversion and Ireland move ahead.
Ireland nearly find an instant response as they get into the Australia 22 before the ball runs loose just in front of the line but the hosts manage to parry the ball behind.
A few moments later and Australia win a foul at the breakdown but the attack eventually comes to an end with an Irish turnover.
Australia 5 Ireland 0 (Pietsch) Australia have an early lead!
The home side drive to within a couple of metres of the line before shifting the ball out to the right flank with some really slick passing and Pietsch crosses with ease in the corner.
Gordon misses the conversion from out wide.
The match starts with an exchange of kicks from either side and comes to an end with Gordon sending a big one a long way down the field and into touch down Australia’s right.
The home side turn it over following Ireland’s line-out and are quickly into the visitors’ 22.
We are underway in Sydney, with Ireland kicking things off going from right to left in the opening period.
It’s time for the national anthems, starting with Ireland. It looks like a decent atmosphere in Sydney for the visit of Andy Farrell’s men.
The teams are gathering in the tunnel in Sydney and we are now just five minutes away from kick-off.
In the opening game today, New Zealand edged a 34-32 victory over France in Christchurch. Not a bad first match in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt on ITV Sport: “It is an opposition I know really well and have a lot of respect for.
“That respect, I think it is mutual. I would like to think we can turn up today and put on our best performance so far.
“We need to open the game up and play. Ireland may do the same, so we have to work really, really hard.
“The ball could be in play for long moments, and we have to stay as aggressive and strong as we can be.”
England have suffered a late injury blow before their Nations Championship match against South Africa after full-back George Furbank was taken to hospital with appendicitis, Telegraph Sport understands.
Furbank was in line to start his first Test match in nearly two years but started suffering painful symptoms following Friday’s captain’s run. England have yet to confirm who will fill the No 15 shirt in his absence, but Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith is the most obvious replacement with Freddie Steward, the other specialist full-back in the squad, carrying an ankle injury.
It is a devastating setback for Furbank, who has suffered wretched luck with injuries since making such a positive impression during the 2024 Six Nations and tour to New Zealand before breaking his arm at the end of that year. He has since suffered recurring calf and knee injuries. A concussion meant he was not available for the start of this year’s Six Nations in which he did not feature.
4 July: Australia v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
11 July: Japan v Ireland, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
18 July: New Zealand v Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland
On Jamie Osborne’s switch to the left wing:“Obviously, he’s been playing really well. He’s a bloody good rugby player in whatever position he’s playing in.
“With how we want to play the game with having our wingers involved, he’s a smart player. He gets that straightaway. Pretty good in the air, good left boot, that all comes into the pot.”
On starting brothers Sam and Cian Prendgerast:“Cian has come a long way in the past 12 months. The learnings he took from the autumn into the start of the Six Nations and how that progressed, I think he’s been outstanding for Connacht.
“Sam, the way he’s handled the last month is a credit to him in regards to taking responsibility for the shirt and his chance to build through the last few games and finish with a big performance in the final (for Leinster), so he’s earned the right.”
Ireland coach Simon Easterby expects Australia to try and “impose themselves” in this morning’s fixture in Sydney.
“We’re expecting a side who have probably got a chance to go and lay down a bit of a marker leading into a World Cup year, playing at home for the first time in a while,” Easterby said.
“They are a physical team who will look to try and impose themselves on the opposition.
“It’s something that we’re well aware of, their threats and attack and their ability to attack in a way that can create opportunities.”
Ireland winger James Lowe is absent from the squad, and it is likely to remain that way, according to Andy Farrell, with the New Zealand-born player heavily linked with a move to Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
Apart from Johnny Sexton during his two-year spell with Racing 92, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) policy is to only select players who feature for one of the four provinces.
“You know that we’ve held the line with that for many, many years and whatever, but we’ll see how that plays out in the next 12 months,” Farrell said.
“I mean, if we don’t develop someone and bring someone through... I mean, push come to shove, we probably could have brought him out here. But is it the right thing to do to not develop someone and give people a chance?
“I think it’s the right thing to do, to have a look and give people a bit of space to be able to do that. We’ll see how that goes.”
Farrell said that Lowe will be “thoroughly missed” but “we have to move on”.
“Somebody has to step up and take that mantle that James has done over the last number of years, superbly for Ireland.
“But at the same time, it’s the same every campaign, every year. Something happens that takes you by surprise a little bit, and I suppose it’s the same as us missing Caelan Doris on this tour, Ryan Baird on this tour, Paddy McCarthy, all of that.
“That’s just rugby and that’s just life and the stars didn’t align for whatever reason.
“I certainly wish him all the best. I have done. I thanked him for everything that he’s done for Irish rugby.”
Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt, who will be succeeded by Les Kiss later this summer, has selected Jock Campbell at full-back in his first Test appearance since 2022.
Meanwhile, Wallabies record cap holder James Slipper is named as a replacement loose-head prop after reversing his retirement.
Your Wallabies to face Ireland in our first-ever Nations Championship Test 🦘 pic.twitter.com/JETyr1rmOG
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 2, 2026
There has been a late change to the Ireland team, with Rob Baloucoune ruled out through injury and Jimmy O’Brien taking his place on the right wing.
Sam Prendergast’s form with Leinster has earned a recall to the Ireland starting line-up, with Jack Crowley out through injury.
With Tommy O’Brien sidelined and James Lowe leaving Irish rugby, Andy Farrell has selected Jamie Osborne on the left wing, while Tom O’Toole starts at loose-head propin the absence of Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy all missing.
Stuart McCloskey has recovered from a hamstring injury to start in midfield alongside Garry Ringrose, but Tadhg Beirne is only fit enough only for the bench.
Our team for Saturday night in Sydney. 👊 pic.twitter.com/5rIlrCTM0c
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 2, 2026
On Saturday, rugby’s inaugural Nations Championship begins. It is a global, biennial competition which replaces the summer and autumn Tests.
The theory is that adding structure and a name will deliver greater narrative and formality to matches which had technically always been friendlies, even if they were often far from that.
The championship will take place in even years to avoid clashes with the World Cup and British and Irish Lions tours. Organisers promise that it will “decide the dominant nation and balance of power between the rugby hemispheres, every two years”.
The Six Nations sides – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales – along with the four Rugby Championship countries – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa – will be joined by Japan and Fiji, two invited nations.
The Six Nations sides are in a European conference with the rest in a SANZAAR and Pacific conference. On Saturdays throughout July and weekends in November, each Six Nations side will play the teams in the other conference once in a round-robin format.
From November 27-29, there will then be a finals weekend at the Allianz Stadium. On the Friday night, the two teams ranked sixth in each conference will play each other for 11th place in the final table; that will be followed by the fifth-placed final for the teams that finished third in their respective conferences. On Saturday, the ninth and third-placed finals will take place, followed by seventh and first (the Grand Final) on Sunday.
The winner of the Grand Final will be crowned the inaugural champion.
You can read Charles Richardson’s full explainer here.
Good morning and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Australia vs Ireland from rugby’s inaugural Nations Championship, the new biennial competition in which the six dominant forces from both the northern and southern hemispheres will face off.
Each team will play six round-robin fixtures, coming up against each of the teams from the opposite hemisphere, with three games in July and the other three in November, when the finals weekend will also take place.
For the first leg of matches this month, Andy Farrell’s men have travelled to Australia to face Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies in Sydney and Japan in Newcastle, before their trip to Auckland to face New Zealand.
Ireland come into this new tournament following a second-placed finish in the Six Nations in Spring. Farrell’s men started their campaign with disappointment with a defeat to France, but went on to win their four remaining games, eventually losing out to Fabien Galthié’s side only on bonus points.
Ireland captain Dan Sheehan has said this week that the team must focus on “hitting the ground running”, having also started their most recent autumn campaign with defeat.
“We’re a very diligent group that preps very well,” said Sheehan, who captains Ireland in the injured Caelan Doris’ absence. “Trying to think back to the Six Nations, we hit the ground running in Portugal [in the pre-tournament training camp] and thought we did a great week’s prep, but obviously didn’t give the best version of ourselves on the day in that first game in France.
“We need to make sure the prep is the same, and we have that same feeling, turning over all stones… A big focus has been on us continuing that form from the end of the Six Nations. I think we’ve got the tone of the week right.”
Neil El Aynaoui is making a name for himself for Morocco during the World Cup in the United States.
The performances of the midfielder, who arrived in Rome last summer, have attracted the attention of several international scouts, particularly from the Premier League.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United and Liverpool have included the 2001-born player among their prospects for the upcoming transfer window.
The two English clubs have reportedly been impressed by the midfielder’s performances, a result of a very convincing campaign thus far.
The interest, however, is not limited to the two English giants. In fact, reports from England indicate that intermediaries have also initiated exploratory discussions with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Sunderland, and Everton to assess the player’s situation.
There are currently no official negotiations or offers presented to Roma, but El Aynaoui’s performances continue to increase his market value.
The Giallorossi club is closely monitoring developments, aware that they have a midfielder in their squad who is attracting the interest of numerous Premier League clubs.
Real Madrid have done a very good job of retaining ownership of youngsters they sell to other clubs, and it looks like they could be in line for another windfall.
Los Blancos could be watching Sergio Arribas’ future with interest, as Benfica are keen on signing the former academy talent.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola (h/t AS), Benfica want to sign Arribas from UD Almeria, who are asking for around €20 million.
The important detail for Real Madrid is that the club still own 50% of Arribas’ rights. That means any transfer could bring useful income back to the Bernabeu.
Arribas left Real Madrid to find the minutes he was unlikely to get in the first team, and his development away from Valdebebas has kept his market value alive.
This is exactly why Real Madrid often structure academy exits carefully. Not every La Fabrica player can stay, but the club can still protect future value.
Arribas likely to leave Almeria. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
If Almeria sell Arribas for €20 million, Real Madrid’s 50% stake would become very relevant, leaving them with a €10 million windfall.
It could be a meaningful financial return without needing to move a player from the current squad.
That matters in a summer where Madrid are trying to balance arrivals, exits and squad planning under Jose Mourinho.
It also shows that letting academy players leave is not always a loss. Sometimes the smart move is allowing them to grow elsewhere while keeping control of part of their future.
For Arribas, Benfica would be an exciting step. The Portuguese club are known for giving technical players a platform, and they regularly compete in Europe.
Real Madrid stand to benefit from Arribas’ transfer. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
His profile fits that kind of environment: creative, left-footed, intelligent between the lines and capable of making things happen in the final third.
The key now is whether Benfica meet Almeria’s asking price.
If a €20 million deal happens, Real Madrid will have another example of good academy asset management. Los Blancos have already earned over to €100 million this summer from deals involving former players.
Arribas may no longer be at the Bernabeu, but his next move could still help Real Madrid.
The LeBron James free agency sweepstakes is one of the most competitive in recent memory.
This shouldn't come as a surprise given James' fame and talent even at age 41. While not every organization has a serious shot at landing the 22-time All-Star, a handful of teams are seriously in the mix for him, including the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers got James' attention after a blockbuster trade for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown.
NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor recently ranked the 10 best teams James should sign with. O'Connor ranked the 76ers at No. 5, with the Golden State Warriors (No. 4), San Antonio Spurs (No. 3), Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 2), and Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 1) slotting in ahead of Philadelphia. The teams behind the Sixers in O'Connor's list are the New York Knicks (No. 10), Boston Celtics (No. 9), Dallas Mavericks (No. 8), Denver Nuggets (No. 7), and Miami Heat (No. 6).
No. 5 feels low for the 76ers in terms of James' potential fit with the team as well as his odds of winning a fifth championship.
In Philadelphia, James would have little to no pressure to act as an offensive engine. The Sixers have plenty of scorers in the rest of the players in their starting lineup (Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid). Where James' talent would benefit the team the most is through his strong playmaking, as he averaged 7.2 assists last season.
Unless the four-time NBA champion still desires a high-profile scoring role, the fit in Philadelphia is seamless.
The 76ers are already among title favorites without James, so the addition of him would simply push them over the top. Their blend of offensive talent, defensive prowess, and athleticism would be unmatched across the association.
Not to mention, President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey is doing a solid job bolstering the second unit.
The 76ers even hearing their name considered in talks surrounding James is a win, but the hope is undoubtedly to secure a signing from him.
Join The 76ersRoundtable
Head over to the 76ersRoundtable page and hit the "Join" button under the featured story... it's completely FREE! You'll have the opportunity to engage with other 76ers fans who live and breathe the team, share your thoughts on the organization, and more. If you're asked to sign up or download the Roundtable app... that's free too.
Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.
After one of their biggest 2028 commitments to date, the Nittany Lions lost an opportunity to make an even bigger splash. Five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison was seen as a premier prospect in this cycle that the Nittany Lions simply couldn't ignore due to his in-state credentials. However, legacy seemed to play a big role in Harrison's July 1 commitment to Penn State's biggest rival, Ohio State.
Harrison was the No. 4 recruit in the country in his class and No. 2 receiver, proving to be highly coveted. Still, the Harrison family name is intrinsically linked with the Columbus school. He is, after all, the brother of Marvin Harrison Jr., one of OSU's best receivers over the past couple of years. While he wasn't explicit about how he made his decision, Jett will now try to follow in his footsteps.
For Penn State, focus may now shift more towards internal development, as they welcome transfer receivers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, as well as returner Koby Howard. It may be up to those three players to boost Penn State's standing amongst potential recruits. However, in the 2027 cycle, the Nittany Lions are still holding out hope that they can land four-star prospect Khalil Taylor. This decision will sting, but it doesn't mean the Nittany Lions should lose hope on the recruiting trail.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Five star receiver spurns Penn State for Ohio State
The New York Mets have moved Kodai Senga to the bullpen, which is good news for the starting rotation. Senga pitched out of the pen last night for the second time against the Atlanta Braves, and he gave up a run in 2-2/3 innings via a homer from Matt Olson in the Mets’ 5-2 loss last night.
“He’s been throwing the ball really, really well,” said interim manager Andy Green, who has inherited the job as the latest Senga apologist. “I know he’s given up a couple home runs, but honestly, I think you have to like the look of it.”
If you’ve seen Senga out of the bullpen, you already know that his relief efforts resemble his starts. He starts out strong by featuring his fastball, which got up to 98.5 mph last night according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, then remembers that he has multiple pitches that absolutely have to be part of his latest pitching masterpiece.
Consider his relief outings the short-form version of these works of art, but sooner or later you know Senga is going to cough up a meatball. His strengths are his fastball and his ghost forkball, but all of his other pitches have below average metrics according to all the analytics.
The Mets have been trying to change this, according to DiComo, but it’s a work in progress. Somtimes he complies, the writer noted, but other times he hasn’t, citing “the difficulty of navigating major league lineups with only two pitches.”
His other comment was to state that things have become “more simple out there on the mound” for him, which is the Senga equivalent of a hitter spitting on a bait pitch out of the zone. Taking a simple approach simply isn’t what he does.
So what’s the plan here? We still don’t know, but it feels ominous that the Mets have an opening in their rotation starting next Tuesday after their four-game set with the Braves.
Mets fans would probably prefer a simpler plan. Showcase Senga in relief, get more outings like the first two that lower his ghastly ERA, and ship him out and make him someone else’s problem.
It’s hard to imagine him having any kind of a future in New York, especially given the innate thorniness of the team’s ongoing interactions with Senga, who has at least been able to acknowledge that simpler can be better.
“Previously, I felt like I had to make the perfect pitch to get guys out,” Senga added. “But I know that it doesn’t have to be perfect. Hitters are going to make mistakes just like pitchers are going to make mistakes. I don’t have to throw every pitch precisely and perfectly. [I’m] going out there and just giving it what I’ve got.”
What Mets fans don’t want to see is Senga giving what he’s got starting games. Putting him back in the rotation would be a rope-a-dope move, and one that will only result in more ugly losses going forward. It’s time to end this messy, complicated relationship, and it really can’t happen soon enough.
Welcome to the Round of 16! Those of you who were blessed to watch the match last night between Argentina and Cape Verde were witness to what is probably one of the best World Cup matches in recent history. Watching tiny Cape Verde not only go toe-to-toe with the best team in the competition, but actually take the ball straight at them and not just play ultra-defensive bunker-ball was incredible. And while David came up slightly short of Goliath, I can tell you that they put the fear of God in that Argentine team, and every member of that Cape Verde squad will very likely never have to buy a drink at home for the rest of their lives.
Related — I’ve been very critical of the expanded World Cup as a cynical FIFA cash grab, and it is absolutely that, but damn it if it is hasn’t given us some spectacular games and performances, especially from smaller countries that normally wouldn’t make the tournament. It’s big there are too many games but this World Cup has been fantastic (reluctantance).
We’re down to 16 teams left. Here’s your daily recap and upcoming matches for today.
Goals: Hany [OG] (55’) | Ashour (13’)
The funniest thing about this match was watching an old balding Australian guy chuck his inflatable kangaroo in disgust after the Aussies missed the first penalty kick.
Goals: Messi (29’), Lisandro Martinez (92’), Borges [OG] (111’) | Duarte (59’), Cabral (103’)
How do I summarize this match? I can’t. You had to be there, or at least watch the highlights. Cape Verde lost the match, but they’re absolute heroes. Cabral’s goal was the best goal of the tournament thus far and might not be beaten the rest of the way. Insane match.
Goals: Arias (14’)
I was emotionally spent after the Argentina game so didn’t watch and went to bed.
1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST
NRG Stadium, Houston, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), ITV 1 (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. BST
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), BBC One (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
Colombia next World Cup match: Fixture schedule, start time, draw bracket as Los Cafeteros face Switzerland originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Colombia will hope to embrace the tag of World Cup 2026 dark horses when they continue their knockout phase after topping Group K.
Copa America runners-up two years ago, Nestor Lorenzo's team finished third in the highly competitive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying section and were unbeaten for a year until their March friendly defeats to Croatia and France.
Los Cafeteros reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 2014 in Brazil and will be targeting another run to the latter stages this time.
Here is everything you need to know about Colombia's appearance at the World Cup, including the latest results from the tournament.
Colombia edged past Ghana in the last round to set up a Round of 16 clash with Switzerland.
The match is set for Tuesday, July 7 at 4 p.m. ET from Vancouver.
| Date | Time (ET) | Match / Result | Location |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | 10 p.m. | Group stage: Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | 10 p.m. | Group stage: Colombia 1-0 DR Congo | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Group stage: Colombia 0-0 Portugal | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | 9:30 p.m. | R32: Colombia 1-0 Ghana | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | 4 p.m. | R16: Switzerland vs. Colombia | BC Place (Vancouver, CAN) |
BUY NOW:Tickets for FIFA World Cup matches
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Colombia - Q | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| 2. Portugal - Q | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| 3. DR Congo - Q | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| 4. Uzbekistan - E | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 11 | -9 |
TV channel: FOX, FS1
Live stream: fubo,FOX One,FOX Sports app/website
FOX is the main English-language FIFA broadcast partner in the United States, and will have the rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The broadcaster has announced that all 104 matches of the tournament will be televised throughout the competition. 69 matches from the competition will air on the main FOX network channel, while 35 others will be televised on FS1.
For Spanish-language coverage, all 104 matches will stream live on Peacock, with 92 matches airing on Telemundo and 12 on Universo.
All those channels, both English and Spanish, are available to stream in the United States on fubo, who are offering a FREE trial for new users.
Every match will also stream live on FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sun, Jun. 28 | 3 p.m. | M1: South Africa 0-1 Canada | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | 1 p.m. | M4: Brazil 2-1 Japan | NRG Stadium (Houston, TX) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | 4:30 p.m. | M2: Germany 1-1 (3-4 on pens) Paraguay | Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | 9 p.m. | M3: Netherlands 1-1(2-3 on pens) Morocco | Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe, MEX) |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | 1 p.m. | M6: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX) |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | 5 p.m. | M5: France 3-0 Sweden | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | 9 p.m. | M7: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | 12 p.m. | M8: England 2-1 DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | 4 p.m. | M10: Belgium 3-2 (AET) Senegal | Lumen Field (Seattle, WA) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | 8 p.m. | M9: United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina | Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | 3 p.m. | M12: Spain 3-0 Austria | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | 7 p.m. | M11: Portugal 2-1 Croatia | BMO Field (Toronto, CAN) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | 11 p.m. | M13: Switzerland 2-0 Algeria | BC Place (Vancouver, CAN) |
| Fr, Jul. 3 | 2 p.m. | M16: Australia 1-1 (2-4 on pens) Egypt | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX) |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | 6 p.m. | M14: Argentina 3-2 (AET) Cape Verde | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL) |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | 9:30 p.m. | M15: Colombia1-0 Ghana | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO) |
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sat, Jul. 4 | 1 p.m. | M2: Canada vs. Morocco | NRG Stadium (Houston, TX) |
| Sat, Jul. 4 | 5 p.m. | M1: Paraguay vs. France | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA) |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | 4 p.m. | M3: Brazil vs. Norway | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | 8 p.m. | M4: Mexico vs. England | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX) |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | 3 p.m. | M5: Portugal vs. Spain | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX) |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | 8 p.m. | M6: Belgium vs. United States | Lumen Field (Seattle, WA) |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | 12 p.m. | M7: Argentina vs. Egypt | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | 4 p.m. | M8: Switzerland vs. Colombia | BC Place (Vancouver, CAN) |
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Thu, Jul. 9 | 4 p.m. | QF1: Winner, R16 M1 vs. Winner, R16 M2 | Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA) |
| Fri, Jul. 10 | 3 p.m. | QF2: Winner, R16 M5 vs. Winner, R16 M6 | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA) |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | 5 p.m. | QF3: Winner, R16 M3 vs. Winner, R16 M4 | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL) |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | 9 p.m. | QF4: Winner, R16 M7 vs. Winner, R16 M8 | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO) |
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Tue, Jul. 14 | 3 p.m. | SF1: Winner, QF1 vs. Winner, QF2 | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX) |
| Wed, Jul. 15 | 3 p.m. | SF2: Winner, QF3 vs. Winner, QF4 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) |
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sat, Jul. 18 | 5 p.m. | Loser, SF1 vs. Loser, SF2 | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL) |
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sun, Jul. 19 | 3 p.m. | Winner, SF1 vs. Winner, SF2 | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
Today, we look at former USC linebacker Anthony Sarao.
Position: Linebacker
Years played at USC: 2011-2015
Career highlights: After redshirting as a true freshman in 2011, Sarao served as a key backup linebacker during his redshirt freshman season in 2012. Sarao moved into the starting lineup midway through the 2013 season, and remained there for the rest of his time at USC. As a redshirt senior in 2015, he was named a team captain.
Sarao finished his career in Cardinal and Gold with 216 total tackles, seven sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one touchdown.
After USC: Sarao was not selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. He did, however, have a brief career in the Canadian Football League in 2017 and 2018.
Sarao currently works on the strength and conditioning staff for the Buffalo Bills.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans LB Anthony Sarao
The Seattle Seahawks offense, for most, is centered around receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after his All-Pro year in 2025.
But as Brian Fleury takes over from Klint Kubiak, it is paramount that he finds someone else to get the ball to in order to limit the pressure on No. 11.
On face value, it is hard to see anyone on Seattle's roster post over 800 yards alongside JSN, but that is for Fleury to figure out as the offseason rolls along.
We know that Fleury will be bringing some of what San Francisco has done to Seattle, meaning more motion and shifts at the line of scrimmage, but the Seahawks need more firepower in the passing game rather than relying on Smith-Njigba to do the heavy lifting.
And it appears they have found that player this offseason.
READ MORE: Seahawks Weapon Set For Second-Year Leap Under Brian Fleury?
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, speaking on NFL Live, after making some calls around the Seahawks, came away with one name we should all be on the lookout for in 2026.
And that's Rashid Shaheed.
"More motions and shifts in the offense, they will have that with Brian Fleury I'm told," Fowler said. "Rashid Shaheed, we know he's fast, he had a major spring I was told, he and Sam Darnold hitting it off, there going to give him more.
"Some of those routes you saw that Jaxon Smith-Njigba was running so well last year, he'll do those, but they're going to give more short to intermediate stuff to Rashid Shaheed. He's going to be a big-time player for them."
READ MORE: Seahawks' Ernest Jones Finally Makes NFL Top 100 Debut
Last season, Shaheed was a bit-part player on offense, posting just 188 yards from 15 receptions after being a mid-season trade. He also caught three passes for 78 yards in the playoffs.
But Shaheed's biggest contribution came on special teams, where his lightning speed led to a punt return for a touchdown, a kickoff return for a touchdown (both in the regular season), and a kickoff return for a touchdown in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers.
But going by Fowler's comments, Fleury sees value in getting Shaheed more involved in the offense, as he played just 48 percent of offensive snaps under Kubiak, and 30 percent on special teams.
His speed is a dangerous weapon, and he is a home-run threat on any given play, and it is clear Fleury wants to utilize that for the Seahawks.
A big-time player? We'll see about that.
Kimi Antonelli handed Lewis Hamilton’s army of fans a reality check with a controlled victory in Saturday’s sprint race at the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton had sent Silverstone’s grandstands into raptures on Friday when he claimed a dramatic sprint pole, by just 0.011sec, from Italy’s precocious teenage championship leader.
But despite a good start, in which Hamilton had to defend robustly from Antonelli into turn one, the seven-time world champion was powerless to prevent the Mercedes from cruising past him into Stowe on lap eight.
Antonelli feinted as if to overtake into Brooklands, forcing Hamilton to deploy energy to defend, and then powered past him on the back straight.
And Antonelli take the lead! 🔀#F1Sprint#BritishGP | LAP 8/17 pic.twitter.com/I3JwlMSrmj
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
Antonelli wasted little time in breaking the one-second gap to Hamilton – in which drivers can deploy “overtake mode” and was able to surge to victory by nearly three seconds, setting the fastest lap on the final lap.
“Kimi, well done. Did the fastest lap make you happier at the end?” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff asked him.
“Yeah it made me happier,” came the response.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was a distant, albeit encouraging third, ahead of George Russell, who will be increasingly concerned at his inability to match his Mercedes team-mate so far this weekend.
The fans at Silverstone will also be a bit deflated at what this result might mean for Sunday’s feature race.
“It’s tough race to keep the Mercedes behind,” Hamilton admitted. “I did say that would potentially be the case, and also [there was] a big big headwind down the back straight and he came flying past.
“Once he got the overtake mode I couldn’t hold him back. As soon as that was lost, I knew he was coming.”
Qualifying for the main race takes place at 4pm UK time.
He does not specify. “Just something that we should be doing a better job on,” he says. “Just some things we need to better as a team,” he adds.
He is then asked about whether there should be a Russell grandstand...
“I just have more passionate fans and I think better fans,” Norris says. “Mine [the ‘Landostand’] was just more wanted from a public point of view,” he says.
Hamilton says there is more time to find from himself, the drivers say the quality of the racing was pretty much how they expected it to be if not a little better. Hamilton surprised that Ferrari were strong. Norris pleased in his sprint race performance.
“It was a very fun first 10 laps with Lewis, we were both pushing very hard. When I got into overtake I knew my chance was coming and that lap was very close I went alongside in Brooklands. I decided to wait and going into Stowe I used everything I had. From that point on I tried to get into my rhythm and tried to break the overtake I had and tried to bring it home.
“The momentum is there and we are doing a great job together with the team. We cannot let our guard lower because Lewis and Ferrari are doing an incredible job, red bull and McLaren are going and obviously George is super quick. We just need to keep raising that bar and keep delivering performances.”
“Tough race to keep the Mercedes behind. With it being so windy today, big headwind down the back straight he came flying past. We’ve got work to do to try to close that gap so we can keep up.
“They were particularly quick up to turn six so I had to sometimes use the boost there. One of the biggest places is turn 15... you get on the power and there’s no power. Once he got the overtake mode I couldn’t hold him back. As soon as that was lost, I knew he was coming.”
“That was a very good race, I am every happy. Good start, good first lap... not the pace to go with these guys but I had a good battle with the guys behind me. It’s just a sprint so we have to do it all again tomorrow. There was a couple of things we can do better for later and tomorrow. Good race, good points. George was catching me pretty quickly at the end.”
Asks his team to “just get it right”. Not sure what he is referring to exactly. Or even generally.
Antonelli gets the fastest lap on the final lap, for what it’s worth. 2.745sec his winning margin.
He crosses the line to take his first sprint win and extend his championship lead. Just too quick for Ferrari and Hamilton in the end.
Not sure we will see a change of position anywhere here. Possibly Lawson and Hadjar might swap.
Hadjar is fighting Lawson for the final point! ⚔️#F1Sprint#BritishGP | LAP 16/17 pic.twitter.com/1wGicfkmfQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
I don’t think Russell has the pace to trouble Norris for third. Hamilton appears to have settled for second now; 2.5sec behind he is.
He says Lawson moved under braking “so hard” into Stowe. He very much did, though how much of it was him just taking the corner. Think Hadjar has a point, though. Can he get eighth and take a literal championship point, though?
One second is the gap now and 0.6sec faster the Mercedes was on the last tour of this track.
Antonelli leads Hamilton by more than two seconds.
Bodes well for a competitive Sunday, this. Mercedes look to have the ultimate pace, though.
A proper Noah’s Ark look to the bottom half of the order: Alpines in 11th and 12th, Audi in 13th and 14th, Haas in 15th and 16th, Williams in 17th and 18th and Aston Martin in 20th and 21st. Perez is a lap down, not sure what happened to him.
1.7sec the gap to leader Antonelli now. Norris a further 5.4sec behind. Not sure Hamilton has the pace to challenge for victory here. But he does close the gap by a few tenths by the time the lap is done.
He is back to within a second at the start of the lap, but then that stretches to 1.2sec by the end of the lap...
The RUS-LEC-VER battle continues to yo-yo. Positions not changing yet, but it is closing up. Norris 2.5sec or so ahead of Rusell and in the final podium spot.
The battle for P4 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
Russell ⚔️ Verstappen ⚔️ Leclerc#F1Sprint#BritishGP | LAP 10/17 pic.twitter.com/7GmJ22PYWk
Russell forces Verstappen wide at the start of the lap and onto the Wellington Straight. He has the track position into Brooklands and Luffield. Verstappen now vulnerable to Leclerc behind.
Hamilton has dropped back to outside of a second behind Antonelli. Is the race done and dusted now?
Leclerc then overtakes Verstappen up the inside as they head into Stowe. Russell has just moved a little further ahead of that battle now.
0.9sec ahead of Hamilton now. He hasn’t dropped back dramatically since being overtaken. Russell and Verstappen having a strong battle for third and Russell then gets fourth place without too much fuss. I don’t think that will be the end of that battle, though. Norris next up the road...
Antonelli is closer than he has been before. He goes onto the Wellington Straight but Hamilton defends well. That was as vulnerable as Hamilton has been so far. Might just be a case of biding his time as he closed up on the Hangar Straight.
Has he got the power into Stowe? Yes, he has. Well, in fact a long time before that... Hamilton evidently used up his battery to defend and Antonelli took the lead out of the corner...
The battle behind them is closing up to Norris. Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc, to a lesser extent, are gaining ground.
Here is the top eight:
Antonelli manages to close up in the middle sector but he cannot get quite close enough to consider a move. He is been around 0.7-0.9sec behind consistently, though.
Antonelli looking marginally faster. The top two have separated themselves from the rest of the pack, a five-second gap back to Norris.
More positions switching, it is hard to keep up frankly.
Lots of chopping and changing in the early laps behind the race leader Hamilton
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
Here's Russell getting past Piastri 👀#F1Sprint#BritishGP | LAP 3/17 pic.twitter.com/u0A6XMjXgP
Russell has dropped back from the battle for third and Leclerc is closing in on him for sixth.
And he gets him, back into third... Hamilton leads Antonelli by 1.2sec, meanwhile.
Leclerc down into seventh...
Verstappen’s turn to make progress, overtakes Russell and moves into fourth. Yo-yo racing is well and truly back.
It’s not a brilliant start from Hamilton and it is a better one from Antonelli. Hamilton goes around the outside and manages to make it stick. He was ahead, just about, but he had to defend. Verstappen has slipped down the order into sixth from third...
The McLarens are charging... Norris is through into second! Piastri into fourth behind him... Antonelli back through, though into second, which helps Hamilton.
Russell makes progress, though and gets Norris for third, with Antonelli ahead... a dramatic opening lap.
Everyone away cleanly...
Not much variation in the top 10. Everyone but Lawson, on the softs, is on the mediums. In fact only three other drivers are on the softs: Bottas, Alonso and Stroll.
Full house on the grid! 😅#F1Sprint#BritishGPpic.twitter.com/DfCspRzK84
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
565,000 is the predicted attendance this weekend, which would be an F1 record... not sure how many are on the grid, though. Or indeed whether team members and media count as attendees. They are attending, though, so surely they must.
Anyway, about six or seven minutes until we get going...
It is difficult to gain too much from a sprint race, but you can lose a chunk if something goes wrong. It might be damage limitation for Russell and a couple of others today. Hamilton, meanwhile, will be looking to overtake Russell and put himself back into second in the standings after a tough week in Austria last weekend.
1. HAM 2. ANT
3. VER 4. LEC
5. RUS 6. NOR
7. PIA 8. HAD
9. LAW 10. LIN
11. GAS 12. BOR
13. HUL 14. COL
15. SAI 16. ALB
17. OCO 18. PER
19. BOT 20. ALO
21. STR
PIT LANE: ALB
Albon is starting from the pit-lane for these reasons: “Alex will start today’s sprint from the pit lane, allowing us to make setup changes and gather learnings for the rest of the weekend and season,” Williams report.
The chart above is inclusive of sprint races as well as main grand prix qualifying sessions. It is all relatively close between the team-mates. The closest-matched pairs are Russell and Antonelli and Ocon and Bearman, with just 0.83 places on average between them whilst the biggest gap is between Albon and Sainz, an average of two places. It has not been a good season for Williams, and especially Albon.
Good morning from Silverstone! 🇬🇧
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2026
We have a green light in the pit lane 🤩
T-minus 30 mins until the start of #F1Sprint ⏳#F1#BritishGPpic.twitter.com/sizNuS1fRv
A little more cloud cover today than yesterday. Air temperature is around 22C and track temperature at 35.2C. Only the lightest of breezes around in the air.
It has not been a happy season for Charles Leclerc. In fact, it is arguably his trickiest season in Formula One to date, and a significant contrast to last year. He trails team-mate Hamilton by 46 points after eight rounds and is being beaten 7-5 by Hamilton in qualifying. Across the entirety of last season, he only beat Leclerc seven times, so he has already matched that.
Worse than that is the recent trend. Post Miami, Leclerc trails 5-1 in qualifying and has lagged behind in races (a consequence of the former issue) too. The Monegasque does not look quite as lost as Hamilton was last season, but he is struggling to understand what is happening (beyond struggling with the brakes), let alone being able to reverse it
Take it away, Crofty...
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 4, 2026
Comms cam for that Lewis Hamilton Sprint pole at Silverstone! 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/tI8lmKxraE
Mercedes have not often been beaten over one lap this year, but this lap was worthy of that.
Aston Martin are in a real pickle.
Welcome to our live coverage for the Saturday of the 2026 British Grand Prix, which is an action-packed day. First up is the sprint race, at noon, where Lewis Hamilton will start on pole position.
This is a track he knows so well and where he has triumphed more than anybody else in F1. Still, it was at least a little surprise to plenty here to see him take pole. He did not expect it and I am not sure many others here expected it. Mercedes were thought to be too strong on a track that places a strong premium (or so we thought) on energy recovery.
The question is whether Hamilton and Ferrari have the pace over a sprint race distance to hold onto the win. Supplementary questions are whether Mercedes can overcome their deficit (which, admittedly was small) to take pole in qualifying for the main grand prix later today. As for the race tomorrow, well, there are so many unknowns. As strong and surprising as Hamilton’s lap was, let us not get too far ahead of ourselves. He may not even finish on the podium this weekend.
There was more frustration for George Russell, who was down in fifth and more than 0.3sec adrift of his team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Italian has been better at hitting the ground running this season, and that sets up nicely for a sprint race weekend. Again, he did not seem to be able to explain the size of the deficit. That said, he was not the only one of the front-running teams’ drivers who struggled relative to their team-mate.
The problem for Russell is not just the gap, but these types of performances. Plenty of time to turn it around, though. Starting with the sprint, which starts in around an hour.
The Boston Red Sox kicked off their nine-game road trip heading into the All-Star break with a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels, improving to 38-48 on the season. It was another fantastic outing for 25-year-old rookie left-hander Jake Bennett.
Bennett made light work of an Angels lineup that entered Friday night's series opener with a weighted runs created+ of 84 at home, trailing only the Red Sox for the worst mark in the league.
The 25-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced before surrendering a single to former Red Sox second baseman Vaughn Grissom in the bottom of the fifth inning. After seven shutout innings, Bennett began to falter in the bottom of the eighth, allowing two runs on three hits, including a solo home run by Los Angeles center fielder Jose Siri, cutting Boston's lead to three, 5-2.
Jake Bennett. 99th percentile Chase%. pic.twitter.com/klCL04eJOY
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) July 4, 2026
Overall, Bennett allowed just the two runs on five hits while striking out six and walking none in a career-high 7.2 innings.
"He was awesome," interim manager Chad Tracy said of Bennett's outing. "He was in the zone, early and often... Couldn't have asked for more, it was a really, really great performance," he continued.
Since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester on June 10 to fill the rotation spot left by the demoted Brayan Bello, Bennett has dominated in five starts, flashing much better stuff than in his first stint in Boston in early May. The rookie lefty has allowed just nine earned runs on 22 hits across 30.1 innings since taking Bello's spot in the rotation, while striking out 27 and walking only three batters.
All Six Ks from Jake Bennett outing in tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/IaPeefrHAz
— Lucas Parmenter (@Lucasparmenter0) July 4, 2026
Overall, Bennett is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 40.2 innings across the first seven starts of his major league career.
Your all-time leader in relief strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/QOmzH71VIY
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 4, 2026
En route to his 17th save of the season, Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman logged the 1,364th strikeout of his career, passing Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm to become the all-time leader in reliever strikeouts.
Left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval will make what is likely his final rehab appearance on Saturday with Double-A Portland, where he hopes to bring his pitch count to 70. The 29-year-old left-hander has yet to appear in a game for the Red Sox after signing a two-year, $ 18.25 million deal with Boston while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in the offseason ahead of the 2025 season. If all goes well in Portland, Sandoval is a candidate to take the open spot in the rotation after rookie left-hander Connelly Early was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.
The Red Sox will look to secure the series win over the Angels on Saturday night in game two of three at Angel Stadium. Sonny Gray (9-1, 2.69 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Sam Aldegheri (3-3, 4.85) for Los Angeles. First pitch set for 9:38 p.m. ET.
Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Thiago Alcantara didn’t join Liverpool’s new coaching team due to not ‘having the badges’.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The former Red detailed how he played a role in helping develop teammates during his final season at Anfield.
The 35-year-old recently departed Hansi Flick’s backroom team at Barcelona in pursuit of his ‘own plans’, in the German’s words.
There was plenty of speculation around Thiago’s next move after his departure from the La Liga giants at the end of the 2025/26 season.
In comments made to Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Meets show (via X), the former Spain international said: “I don’t have the badges. I don’t have enough of the badges to be a coach [at Liverpool].”
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
While it’s not clear if Liverpool would have been open to the reunion, we have to think that’s still something of a shame.
Particularly given how highly Flick spoke of the former midfielder during his time in the Spanish top-flight.
“That is what I appreciate about working with him. He has a top level attitude and he is incredible,” the Barca boss was quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“He helped me a lot here in my work at Barça and over the last two years he has been amazing. We will miss him, but I understand that he has his own plans and that is a good thing.
“I hope one day he can come back because football needs people like him.”
The Telegraph recently reported that Thiago Alcantara is “said to be keen” on a role at L4, while Ian Doyle at the Liverpool Echo noted that “it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back at Anfield“.
However, if we’re ultimately waiting on the ex-Bayern Munich star to pick up the right badges, it seems we’ll be unlikely to catch him back on the red half of Merseyside in the near future.
Of course, if we see potential in his coaching future, we’d like to think that Liverpool will make some efforts to support his development as they have previously with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jay Spearing.
Would he be able to be given a role with one of the club’s youth teams, for instance?
Something to consider at the very least.
More Stories / Latest News
Thiago Alcantara opens up on Liverpool reunion after Andoni Iraola appointment
Open to Anfield move: Liverpool could complete surprise RW transfer; scouted since 2024
Liverpool’s Anfield expansion – a better stadium that kept its soul
Former Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho could be on his way to Italy after an approach from AS Roma, it has been reported.
Garnacho departed United last summer under somewhat acrimonious circumstances, joining Premier League rivals Chelsea. He fell out with then-manager Ruben Amorim after he was named on the bench for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Angered by the decision, he spoke to the media and blasted the manager while openly casting doubts over his United future. Amorim responded by informing him to leave United immediately. He was also placed in the infamous bomb squad.
After weeks of speculation over his next transfer destination, he sealed a switch to Chelsea. The Blues forked out £40m to secure his signature. But things have so far not gone according to plan for either Chelsea or Garnacho.
The Argentina international struggled in his maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge as they finished in 10th place. He managed just one goal and four assists in 24 Premier League appearances.
Before the end of the season, there were already rumours that the London club has seen enough and would be open to offloading Garnacho.
Now, Alfredo Pedulla claims that AS Roma are eyeing the United academy graduate.
Pedulla reports, “Roma are looking for two attacking wingers, one on the right and one on the left. We told you about Greenwood this afternoon, but we can add that a player they like is Alejandro Garnacho, a 2004-born Argentine owned by Chelsea.”
“Garnacho plays on the left and has long been a hot topic.”
“Roma have inquired about him (currently for a loan) because they need two specialists alongside Malen.”
It remains unclear whether Chelsea would entertain a loan move for Garnacho, though United are expected to monitor the situation closely, given that a sell-on clause ensures they would profit from any permanent departure.
Garnacho made 144 first-team appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals.
Featured image Alex Broadway via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Antoine Semenyo and Ghana’s FIFA World Cup campaign has come to an end in the last-32 of the competition at the hands of Colombia.
Colombia marched confidently into the World Cup Round of 16 after delivering a dominant performance to eliminate Ghana in the heat of Kansas City.
Despite an early setback when forward Jhon Córdoba was forced off with a groin strain just eight minutes in, Néstor Lorenzo’s side adapted instantly.
Substitute Luis Suárez made an immediate impact, driving down the right wing in the 14th minute to deliver a perfectly placed cross for Jhon Arias, who timed his run brilliantly to side-foot home a first-time volley at the back post.
Los Cafeteros completely dictated the tempo from that moment onward, routinely exposing the Black Stars’ backline while remaining completely untroubled defensively.
Though Luis Díaz saw a second-half goal chalked off for a marginal offside and Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi pulled off a string of exceptional saves to keep the scoreline respectable, the African side never looked capable of mounting a true comeback.
Ghana ultimately bowed out of the tournament without registering a single shot on target all evening, allowing a disciplined Colombia to comfortably secure a 1-0 victory and book a highly anticipated date against Switzerland in Vancouver.
90 Minutes38 Touches13 Accurate Passes68% Pass Accuracy6 Ground Duels Won3 Was Fouled3 Touches In Opposition Box2 Recoveries2 Successful Dribbles (Most)1 Tackle1 Chance Created1 Aerial Duel Won1 Pass Into Final Third
Data courtesy of FotMob.
Aurelien Tchouameni may, after all, not be Manchester United’s marquee summer 2026 midfield signing.
That much was clear in The Peoples Person’s detailed analysis: “Real Madrid’s latest statement dashes Man United’s Aurelien Tchouameni hopes.”
Now, the Manchester Evening News has published a much more sober update supporting those claims about Manchester United’s pursuit of the French superstar, and it does not make for promising reading.
The reputable Manchester United news source reports, “Aurelien Tchouameni remains an unlikely deal despite mixed messages from Madrid.
“United would be interested if the France international became available, but so far, there has been no signal that he will be on the market this summer.”
If accurate, that surely shatters any hope The Red Devils had of striking a deal for Tchouameni.
In fact, it appears that the same Mateus Fernandes transfer saga is playing itself out all over again. Manchester United opted not to spend heavily on the Portuguese star, given he was not clear in talks that Old Trafford was where he wanted to move.
Manchester United are trying to avoid transfer sagas; the Frenkie de Jong blunder years ago must have taught them that lesson.
Now wiser, the 20-time English champions reportedly want to pursue only players who prioritise them, much like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko did.
So if Tchouameni ever wants to represent the kings of Manchester, the route is obvious. He needs to make his desire to move clear and have Real Madrid, who are said to be somewhat open to a sale, sanction his exit.
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, and primed as the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo, Tchouameni would have been United’s strongest response to recent transfer setbacks.
His arrival could have healed the wounds of missing out on other top targets such as Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
Featured image Denis Doyle via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
When the T20 World Cup begins on Friday, it will be the first women's World Cup in the UK since England famously won the 50-over title in 2017.
Everyone remembers the iconic final at a sold-out Lord's - one of the most significant days in the history of the women's game.
But leading up to it there was the dropping of legendary captain Charlotte Edwards, a poor opening-day defeat by India, a tense group stage and a nail-biter of a semi-final against South Africa.
This is the story of England's 2017 World Cup triumph, told by those who were at the centre of it - captain Heather Knight, openers Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill and bowler Anya Shrubsole.
Knight was named captain a year before the World Cup after coach Mark Robinson moved on from Edwards and experienced batter Lydia Greenway. However, two months before the tournament, Knight broke her foot on a training camp and spent much of the build-up in a protective boot.
Beaumont: "After those two were left out of the squad in 2016, Robbo and Heather pitched it brilliantly.
"From that moment it was about the whole squad going on a journey and that journey was about eventually singing our team song at Lord's.
"It started 12 months out on horrendous fitness sessions at Bradgate Park near Loughborough carrying logs up and down hills.
"That shared suffering really brought us together to the point that going into the tournament we knew the entire team inside and out."
Knight: "I remember it clearly, being pretty stressed I wasn't going to be fit or have enough time to prepare.
"I even got sent to an A game to play against Sri Lanka to try and get time in the middle.
"I remember seeing the psychologist before the first game and voicing that I was worried and stressed about my form.
"I wanted to find a way to let go and be at my best. It was a really good conversation and allowed me to free up."
Build-up was also disrupted when Lauren Winfield-Hill was hit on the wrist by New Zealand bowler Lea Tahuhu in their final warm-up match and ruled out of the tournament opener against India. England lost by 35 runs.
Knight: "It wasn't a great day. The stewards at Derby wouldn't let us in the ground because we didn't have the right accreditation."
Winfield-Hill: "We were completely caught off guard and shell-shocked in that first game. It almost brought us the wake-up call we needed."
Beaumont: "I also spoke to the sport psychologist about the 'what ifs' that could derail me.
"Then in the first week, all of my what ifs went wrong.
"I wasn't going to be opening with Loz, my favourite bat broke – all silly things that I look back on now, but as a 25-year-old they were really, really important."
After waiting only three days to play again, England found their groove by piling up 377-7 against Pakistan with, crucially, Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt hitting centuries. Victories followed against Sri Lanka, South Africa and, for the first time at the World Cup since 1993, Australia.
Knight: "I knew I had to lead from the front and be quite aggressive. Myself included, we got a bit safe in that first game.
"The big one was that game at Bristol when we beat Australia. It was when there was real belief.
"We had a few tight games where we managed to get the job done and loads of different people contributed at different times."
Winfield-Hill: "You never underestimate how much that feeds into the group, when your captain is performing.
"It was not necessarily the stats but Heather leading with bravery.
"That was the big turning point.
"We spoke about going into our shells and playing safe and Heather embodies being courageous and brave which is so infectious for a group."
Beaumont: "We were always more than the sum of our parts.
"Alex Hartley - The Destroyer - had a knack of getting out the big batter of the opposition.
"She got Meg Lanning, Suzie Bates, Harmanpreet Kaur. It was almost like every single game she got the big wicket, found that way."
With momentum building, victories against New Zealand and West Indies set up a semi-final against South Africa. England were going well at 139-2 in pursuit of 219 until an announcement on the PA system that the final at Lord's had just officially sold out. Almost from that moment, England lost 4-34 to leave their chase in peril.
Winfield-Hill: "I remember hearing that and thinking if we're not there it's going to be an absolute disaster.
"You are just trying to fake it, look all chilled, but inside I remember feeling so sick that the dream could be over.
"The psychologist was in the dugout and just trying to keep the language really strong and positive.
"There was an undertone of gut-wrenching anxiety of whether it is slipping from our grasp."
Beaumont: "I was sitting on the balcony sitting next to Sarah Taylor after she got out and we had far too much nervous energy.
"We were dancing in our seats every time the music came on.
"It looked a bit relaxed but the minute the camera was off I was shouting 'Hartley get your thigh pad off! You'll run faster'.
"She was looking scared."
Knight: "It was the worst 40 minutes I have ever had in my life watching cricket. I just felt sick.
"I was next to Sarah and Tammy who were being very annoying. They were bundles of tension and I like to be quite calm and relaxed.
"Robbo had this thing in a chase in a big game where he would knock the bottles over and each bottle would be 10 runs..."
Beaumont: "You hated that..."
Knight: "I wasn't a huge fan but that day I was loving it.
"It was an awful 40 minutes knowing you couldn't do anything about the result and you knew what was at stake."
Jenny Gunn and Fran Wilson put on a crucial 40 but the loss of more wickets meant Shrubsole emerged with England needing two runs from the final three balls with two wickets left.
Winfield-Hill: "I play that carve through the off side in my mind all of the time..."
Beaumont: "The best thing is we all knew that is what Anya was going to do.
"She is going to walk into channel, cannot be out lbw, and she is going to get bat on it."
Shrubsole: "Genuinely, Jen and Fran set the game up for us and [Shabnim] Ismail bowled it in the one place I could have hit it.
"If it was anywhere else I might have struggled. I don't even know what to call it."
Winfield-Hill: "The bunt..."
Shrubsole: "Why they didn't have a deep cover I will never know.
"It was a terrible piece of captaincy."
Knight: "Talking of Jenny Gunn, it was Val that day.
"Jen has an alter ego called Val. When her bun is a bit skew-whiff it is Val not Jenny. Val was always going to get the job done."
Winfield-Hill: "Jen wouldn't have got the job done but Val definitely would."
The win confirmed England's place in the final. India joined Knight's side by stunning Australia in the second semi-final two days later. England had five days to prepare for the biggest match of their lives.
Shrubsole: "I love musicals and we were in London so I went to watch Wicked and The Lion King. It was quite nice to get to London and watch the other semi-final unfolding."
Knight: "The night before the final we didn't know what to do with ourselves and were spending hours trying to decide what we were going to have for dinner, decide what film to watch.
"We picked Saving Private Ryan which is three hours long and we started at 9pm so all had a panic that we weren't going to sleep.
"We cut the movie off and everyone went to bed. I certainly laid there and had no chance of sleeping for a little while. The build-up was worse than the day."
Winfield-Hill: "The thing I remember is pulling my kit out of the laundry and it was really crinkled and I was like 'oh yes, this is fine'.
"Courtney [Winfield-Hill's wife] was like 'no, Loz, you can't play a World Cup final with your shirt like that.'
"I remember her doing the ironing to make sure we at least looked the part. I also remember her cutting hair.
"It was quite good because she's a bit of a clown so it took your mind off. Courtney doing my ironing and opening a salon in the bathroom."
A capacity crowd of about 25,000 attended the final at Lord's - the historic home of cricket where women were not allowed to enter the Long Room as members until 1999. Before the final there were various ceremonies to celebrate the women's game.
Beaumont: "We had the minute's silence for [legendary former England captain] Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who passed away six months before, and then [former England bowler] Eileen Ash ringing the five-minute bell.
"That is the closest I have come to tears. I had to go and open the batting in a World Cup final and was saying 'pull yourself together'.
"That is probably the proudest moment of my life.
"That day wasn't about the XI or 15 going onto the pitch. It was about any woman that has ever played for England or will in the future."
Winfield-Hill: "I remember pulling in and [touts] were selling tickets outside.
"I had never played in a game or been to many female sports where you are getting people trying to get last-minute tickets outside.
"We went out to bat first and I remember thinking in a World Cup final the tone is so important.
"I remember thinking 'be really calm and portray some good composure for the changing room'."
Beaumont: "That moment and the first ball of the game will stick with me forever.
"There is that moment of silence and a moment where Loz, I and the 11 on the pitch know what has happened and then the crowd reacts.
"That split second of silence is the feeling you can never get again. It was just the best feeling in the world."
England battled to 228-7 but India looked destined for glory at 191-3, needing 38 from 44 balls. Up stepped Shrubsole. The seamer took 5-11 in 19 deliveries to finish with 6-46 as India were bowled out for 219. Even when Gunn appeared to have dropped a crucial chance, Shrubsole wrapped up the win next ball to seal jubilant scenes.
Knight: "The original plan was to get a couple of overs out of Anya and then go to Katherine to be honest.
"Anya just had this look in her eye where I didn't need to say anything.
"It was like no nonsense, 'don't say anything to me, don't distract me, let me get on with my job. I will bowl straight with the odd slower ball.'
"I didn't do anything at all. Anya ran the show. She was very calm even when Jenny dropped the World Cup."
Shrubsole: "When I came back on for that spell they hit a wide ball over point for four and a full ball for four.
"From that point on I went as simple as possible.
"Veda [Krishnamurthy] was trying to be attacking and I thought I was going to try and bowl slower balls to the batters that are in and if we get new batters in bowl full and straight and make the batters make a mistake.
"It was as simple as that.
"Poonam Yadav missed a straight one which always helps.
"Hartley got a wicket in the next over and then we got two wickets in the next, Veda, which was a massive wicket, and Jhulan [Goswami] with a ball which was not what I was trying to bowl."
Beaumont: "I love that the girl who gets 6-46 in a World Cup final didn't mean any of it. It is just so Anya..."
Shrubsole: "I meant some of it...
"We had got through those games that were really tight whereas India had won really comfortably or lost badly. They didn't have those close games.
"It felt like we were more battle hardened than they were."
Bob Arum believes he has the next on his books, or at least a world champion who can become one of boxing’s “major stars”. The veteran Top Rank promoter was heavily involved in Leonard’s career, including his first world title reign at 147lbs. Back then, in 1979, the all-time great dethroned Wilfred Benitez with a […]
The post Bob Arum says world champion with 85% KO ratio can become the next Sugar Ray Leonard: “Sky’s the limit” appeared first on Boxing News.
Nigel Benn believes there is one British boxing legend who would have been able to overcome the iconic quartet known as the ‘Four Kings.’ The famous group consists of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran, and saw the fighters each involved in epic battles against one another throughout the 1980s. Fans […]
The post Nigel Benn says one unbeaten fighter would’ve beaten all the Four Kings: “We’ll never see his like again” appeared first on Boxing News.
The A19 and A19 Pro were Apple’s last 3nm chipsets for the iPhone lineup, as the company has set its sights on the A20 and A20 Pro next year, making it the first time that we will witness SoCs designed on TSMC’s 2nm process in action. Apart from sporting the next-generation lithography, both silicon will also offer a bevy of technological advancements when Apple announces the iPhone 18 family. Here is everything you need to know about the A20 and A20 Pro. A brief look at TSMC’s 2nm ‘N2’ node and how it stacks up against the older 3nm ‘N3E’ and […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/roundup/apple-a20-pro-first-iphone-2nm-chipsets-here-is-everything-you-need-to-know/
We invited our colleagues from Versus to do a blind video test with one of the top-tier flagships of 2026 - the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Pixel 10 Pro XL and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Will from our video team and Olive from Versus sit down and go through a series of blind video tests in an attempt to guess which video belongs to which phone and also share their opinions on which phone takes the best videos. This video blind test is an extensive one, though. The three phones go head-to-head in various scenarios like indoor and outdoor daylight scenes, portrait videos, zooming,...
Fenerbahçe, Manchester City'den Nathan Ake'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. Hollandalı stoperin kupa sınavları hariç geçen sezon 90 dakika sahada kaldığı maç sayısı 6'ydı... İngiliz ekibi, kalması halinde durumun daha da kötü olacağını oyuncu cephesine iletti.
Sol ayaklı bir stoper arayan Fenerbahçe, Manchester City'den Nathan Ake'yi kadrosuna kattı. 31 yaşındaki futbolcunun gelişi sonrasında bu bölgedeki boşluk kapatıldı. Transferin bir anda bitmesinin arkasında ise İngiliz ekibinin bulunduğu öğrenildi. Oyuncuyla yapılan görüşmelerde, kalması halinde yeni sezondaki sürelerinin daha da düşeceği iletildi.
LİGDEKİ DURUMU
1.80 boyundaki savunmacının geride bıraktığımız sezonda 90 dakika sahada kaldığı maçlar ise dikkat çekti.
Premier Lig:
Everton (2-0): 90 dakika
Sunderland (0-0): 90 dakika
Manchester United (0-2): 90 dakika
Brentford (3-0): 90 dakika
Ake, 2025-2026'da ligde 18 mücadelede toplam 688 dakika görev yaptı. Bu süre içinde skor katkısında bulunamadı.
GALATASARAY GALİBİYETİNDE VARDI
Şampiyonlar Ligi:
Bayer Leverkusen (0-2): 90 dakika
Galatasaray (2-0): 90 dakika
Hollandalı, Devler Arenası'nda 5 mücadelede toplam 238 dakika forma giydi. Bu kulvarda da gol veya asist üretemedi. Ancak Nathan Ake, Fenerbahçe'de maç temposunu bulduktan sonra farklı bir hikaye yazabilir.
Ultra maraton yüzücüsü Aysu Türkoğlu, Tsugaru Kanalı'nı geçen en genç Türk oldu.
Açık su yüzücüsü 25 yaşındaki Aysu Türkoğlu, Japonya'daki Tsugaru Kanalı'nı 13 saat 44 dakikada geçerek bu başarıya ulaşan en genç Türk sporcu oldu.
Aysu Türkoğlu'nun sponsor firması Vestel'in ABD merkezli X şirketinin sosyal medya platformundaki hesabından yapılan açıklamada, "Açık su yüzmenin en zor parkurlarından biri olan Tsugaru Kanalı'nı güçlü akıntılara ve yüksek dalgalara karşı 13 saat 44 dakika süren inanılmaz bir mücadelenin ardından yaklaşık 45 kilometre yüzerek başarıyla tamamlayan Aysu Türkoğlu, bu kanalı geçen en genç Türk sporcu oldu." denildi.
Açıklamada, Aysu Türkoğlu'nun Okyanus Yedilisi (Oceans Seven) yolculuğunda artık geriye sadece 1 parkurun kaldığı bildirildi.
Yeni sezonda orta sahasını güçlendirmek isteyen Galatasaray tanıdık bir ismin kapısını çaldı. Galatasaray için Raphael Onyedika iddiası bir kez daha gündeme geldi.
Galatasaray'da yeni sezon öncesi transfer hareketliliği başladı. Gündemine her geçen gün yeni bir isim gelen sarı-kırmızılılar için bu sefer de tanıdık bir isim gündemde.
Gelecek sezonda orta sahasını güçlendirmek isteyen Galatasaray'ın gündemine bir kez daha Raphael Onyedika geldi. Africa Foot'ta yer alan habere göre, Galatasaray, geçtiğimiz dönemlerde de ilgilendiği Nijeryalı orta saha oyuncusu ile yeniden ilgileniyor.
Sarı-kırmızılıların, Club Brugge'de forma giyen 25 yaşındaki futbolcuyu transfer döneminde öncelikli hedeflerinden biri olarak belirlediği öne sürüldü.
Yine aynı haberde Club Brugge'nin, Onyedika'yı satmaya istekli olmadığı ancak 15 milyon euro'nun üzerinde bir teklifi değerlendirmeye alabileceği öne sürüldü. Club Brugge forması altında geride kalan sezonda 42 maçta süre bulan Onyedika, 3 gol attı ve 2 asist yaptı.
Revolut notified some customers it will delist USDT after Aug. 31, with remaining holdings automatically converted into users’ base currency.
It's almost impossible to contemplate Tadej Pogacar not breaking every major Tour de France record going, but with arch-rival Jonas Vingegaard and new kid on the block Paul Seixas each in superb touch for the 113th edition of La Grande Boucle, the reigning champion is going to have to bust a gut for it.
Aged 27, Pogacar already has four TdF titles to his name – only Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have won five. The Slovenian is on course not just to draw level with those four greats but, eventually, leave them in the dust. Mark Cavendish's record haul of 35 stage victories is in his sights too.
This year's race, however, has the potential to be one for the ages, and not just because of the calibre of the Tour de France favourites. With extreme heat set to impact proceedings like never before, teamwork is going to be vital.
Pogacar has won four Grand Tours despite regularly being at odds with the rest of his UAE Team Emirates XRG stablemates, but things could be different this time around, with youngster Isaac del Toro eager to play his part as he steps up his development.
Vingegaard would arguably be the dominant rider in any other cycling era, but up against Pogacar the 29-year-old knows that his strength is the Visma-Lease a Bike collective. It's how the Dane bested Pogi in 2022 and 2023, and both men have arguably hit new levels since.
Here's how to watch Tour de France 2026 from anywhere in the world. We've also listed the schedule, route and recent GC winners below.
Yes. Tour de France 2026 is being shown on free-to-air SBS in Australia, with live streaming available through SBS on Demand.
Free highlights are available in the UK daily, courtesy of Channel 5 and 5.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch Tour de France for free as if you were right at home.
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.
TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.
✅ Up to 75% off today
✅ 3 extra months free
✅ Unlocks SBS on Demand & 5
Get NordVPN and stream Tour de France 2026 from anywhere.View Deal
All 21 stages of the 2026 Tour de France are being shown on Peacock in the US.
The Peacock price starts at $10.99/month or $109.99/year for a plan that carries live sports. However, you can access Peacock virtually for free with a Walmart Plus 30-day trial for $1.
Stage 8 and Stage 20 will also be available to watch live on NBC, which is available through Sling – specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99/month. It includes NBC, ABC and Fox in select locations, plus FS1, USA Network, FX and more.
Alternatively, NBC is also carried by Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, each of which offers a free trial to new users.
If you're traveling outside of the US, you can make use of NordVPN to catch the action.
In the UK, live coverage of every Tour de France stage is exclusive to TNT Sports channels.
You can add TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or get an HBO Max plan that includes TNT Sports. Prices start at £25.99/month if you commit to a year.
Alternatively, free-to-air Channel 5 will air a daily Tour de France highlights show each evening, with streaming available via the 5 platform.
If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
Free-to-air SBS is showing Tour de France 2026 in its entirety in Australia, with live streaming available via SBS on Demand.
Just create an account, using a valid Australia postcode (e.g. 2042).
Not in Australia right now? You can use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action as if you were back home.
In Canada, FloBikes is showing every stage of the 2026 Tour de France.
A subscription costs CA$49.99/month or CA$216/year.
Visiting Canada from Australia? Use NordVPN to watch free-to-air TdF coverage.
Tour de France 2026 schedule
(All times BST)
Saturday, July 4, 3pm
Stage 1 (TTT) – Barcelona - Barcelona | 19km
Sunday, July 5, 12pm
Stage 2 – Tarragona - Barcelona | 182km
Monday, July 6, 10.30am
Stage 3 – Granollers - Les Angles | 196km
Tuesday, July 7, 11.30am
Stage 4 – Carcassonne - Foix | 182km
Wednesday, July 8, 12pm
Stage 5 – Lannemezan - Pau | 158km
Thursday, July 9, 11am
Stage 6 – Pau - Gavarnie-Cèdre | 186km
Friday, July 10, 11.30am
Stage 7 – Hagetmau - Bordeaux | 175km
Saturday, July 11, 11.30am
Stage 8 – Périgueux - Bergerac | 182km
Sunday, July 12, 11.30am
Stage 9 – Malemort - Ussel | 185km
Monday, July 13
Rest
Tuesday, July 14, 11.30am
Stage 10 – Aurillac - Le Lioran | 167km
Wednesday, July 15, 12pm
Stage 11 – Vichy - Nevers | 161km
Thursday, July 16, 12pm
Stage 12 – Magny-Cours - Châlon-sur-Saône | 181km
Friday, July 17, 11.30am
Stage 13 – Dole - Belfort | 205km
Saturday, July 18, 11.30am
Stage 14 – Mulhouse - Le Markstein | 155km
Sunday, July 19, 11.30am
Stage 15 – Champagnole - Plateau de Solaison | 184km
Monday, July 20
Rest
Tuesday, July 21, 11.30am
Stage 16 (ITT) – Evian-les-Bains - Thonon-les-Bains
Wednesday, July 22, 11.30am
Stage 17 – Chambéry - Voiron | 175km
Thursday, July 23, 11am
Stage 18 – Voiron - Orcières-Merlette | 185km
Friday, July 24, 12pm
Stage 19 – Gap - Alpe d'Huez | 128km
Saturday, July 25, 10am
Stage 20 – Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez | 171km
Sunday, July 26, 2.30pm
Stage 21 – Thoiry - Paris | 130km
Recent Tour de France GC champions
2025 – Tadej Pogacar
2024 – Tadej Pogacar
2023 – Jonas Vingegaard
2022 – Jonas Vingegaard
2021 – Tadej Pogacar
2019 – Tadej Pogacar
2018 – Egan Bernal
2017 – Geraint Thomas
2016 – Chris Froome
2016 – Chris Froome
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsində Qana millisini 1:0 hesabı ilə məğlub etmiş Kolumbiya yığması ölkə futbolu adına tarixi rekorda imza atıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Nestor Lorensonun rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda mundiallar tarixində ilk dəfə ardıcıl üç oyunda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlamağı bacarıb.
Kolumbiyalılar bu uğurlu seriyanı qrup mərhələsinin son iki görüşündə və Qana ilə keçirilən pley-off qarşılaşmasında reallaşdırıblar.
Kolumbiya DÇ-2026-da keçirdiyi dörd oyunda cəmi bir dəfə qol buraxıb. Bu yeganə qol qrup mərhələsinin ilk turunda Özbəkistanla oyunda qeydə alınıb. Bundan sonra komanda ardıcıl üç matçda rəqiblərinə qol imkanı verməyərək müdafiədə etibarlı çıxışı ilə seçilib.
Baş məşqçi Nestor Lorenso da Qana üzərində qazanılan qələbədən sonra müdafiə xəttinin oyununu xüsusi qeyd edib. O, komandasının rəqibə demək olar ki, ciddi imkan vermədiyini və turnirdə az qol buraxmalarından məmnun olduğunu bildirib. Təcrübəli mütəxəssis qarşıdakı mərhələdə İsveçrə ilə oyunun isə daha çətin keçəcəyini vurğulayıb.
Hazırda DÇ-2026-da qapısından ümumiyyətlə top buraxmayan yeganə komandalar İspaniya və Meksika yığmalarıdır. Kolumbiya isə cəmi bir buraxılmış qolla turnirin ən etibarlı müdafiəyə malik komandalarından biri hesab olunur.
Qeyd edək ki, Kolumbiya yığması 1/8 final mərhələsində İsveçrə ilə üz-üzə gələcək.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “İmişli” sağ cinah müdafiəçisi Rafael Vyeqas ilə yollarını ayırdığını bəyan edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə əyalət klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
32 yaşlı braziliyalı müdafiəçi ilə müddəti bitmiş müqavilənin yenilənməsinə ehtiyac duyulmayıb. Klub ona xidmətlərinə görə təşəkkür edib, gələcək karyerasında uğurlar arzulayıb.
“İmişli” ötən gün “Zirə” ilə müqavilə bağlmış qapıçısı Hüseynəli Quliyevlə də yolları ayırdığını açıqlayıb. Qolkiper “Zirə” ilə 2 illik müqavilə imzalayıb. 26 yaşlı futbolçu daha əvvəl “Sumqayıt” və “Səbail”də də çıxış edib.
Rafael Vyeqas “İmişli”yə ötən ilin yayında Portuqaliyanın “San Juan de Ver” klubundan gəlmişdi. O, əyalət klubunun heyətində 32 oyuna çıxıb, 1 qola imza atıb.
Tam adı Rafael Ferreyra Vyeqas olan futbolçu Braziliyanın “Real Braziliya” klubunun yetirməsidir. O, Portuqaliyada “Aqueda”, “Şaveş”, “Salqyeros”, “Felqeyras”, “Vilaverdense”, Çexiyada “Znoymo” kimi klubların da formasını geyinib.
Xatırladaq ki, “İmişli” daha öncə Xəzər Mahmudov, Həzrət İsayev, Elmir Rəhimzadə, Riad Abbaszadə, Orxan Fərəcov, Lətif Rzayev və Abbas Ağazadə ilə də yollarını ayırmışdı. Tuncay Yusifli, İdris İnqilablı və İmam Əli ilə yeni müqavilə bağlamış klub Seyxan Fərəcovu transfer etmişdi.
Futbol üzrə Kabo Verde millisi dünya çempionatında (DÇ-2026) çıxışını başa vursa da, turniri diqqətçəkən statistik göstərici ilə tamamlayıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, debütant Afrika təmsilçisi dünya çempionatında keçirdiyi heç bir oyunun əsas vaxtında məğlub olmayıb.
Komanda yalnız 1/16 final mərhələsində son dünya çempionu Argentina yığmasına əlavə vaxtda 2:3 hesabı ilə uduzaraq mübarizəni dayandırıb. Oyunun əsas vaxtı isə 1:1 hesabı ilə başa çatmışdı.
Bubiştanın rəhbərlik etdiyi kollektiv qrup mərhələsində də bütün görüşlərini heç-heçə ilə başa vurmuşdu. Kabo Verde ilk turda İspaniya ilə qolsuz bərabərə qalıb (0:0), ikinci turda Uruqvayla 2:2 hesablı heç-heçə edib, son turda isə Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı ilə qapılara qol vurulmadan ayrılıb (0:0).
Bu nəticələr sayəsində Afrika təmsilçisi H qrupunda ikinci yeri tutaraq tarixində ilk dəfə dünya çempionatının pley-off mərhələsinə yüksəlib.
Kabo Verde millisi daha bir tarixi göstəriciyə də imza atıb. Təxminən 525 min nəfər əhalisi olan ada dövləti dünya çempionatları tarixində pley-off mərhələsinə yüksələn ən az əhalisi olan ölkə kimi tarixə düşüb.
Qeyd edək ki, Argentina əlavə vaxtda qazandığı 3:2 hesablı qələbə sayəsində 1/8 finala vəsiqə qazanaraq növbəti mərhələdə Misir millisi ilə qarşılaşacaq.
“Barselona” futbolçusu Jul Kundeni “Mançester Yunayted”ə təklif edib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “TEAMtalk” portalı məlumat yayıb. Kataloniya təmsilçisi fransalı müdafiəçini 50 milyon funt-sterlinq qarşılığında satmağa hazır olduğunu bildirib.
“Qırmızı şeytanlar” bir müddətdir, müdafiəçi axtarışındadır. Lakin Kunde klub üçün prioritet hədəf deyil.
Futbolçu hazırda Fransa yığması ilə dünya çempionatında iştirak edir.
Creator Zac Builds wanted to hide a desktop PC in plain sight in their living room setup. But instead of just placing a discrete mini-PC behind their TV, they decided to build a custom case that allows them to mount it on their living room fan. They shared the project on their Facebook page, where they started with a Dreo 519S Tower Fan as the base of the unit. Aside from serving as the perfect hiding spot for the computer, the setup also served a secondary purpose by adding more air cooling to the system. At its maximum setting, the Dreo 519S can hit wind speeds of 28 feet per second, which is more than enough to help keep the mini-PC’s fans slow and keep the system’s temperature in check.
Posted by zacbuilds on
The first thing that Zac Builds did was to disassemble the mini-PC — an AtomMan G7 PT — to take measurements and 3D-print the base that will hold the components to the back of the fan. They then disassembled the fan’s rear cover and 3D-printed four heavy-duty brackets to hold the mini-PC’s base to the fan while also guiding the airflow through the computer. While the initial base was a single flat sheet of plastic with standoffs to hold the various PC parts, the final version had cutouts to help improve airflow.
With the computer mounted on the Dreo 519S, Zac Builds 3D-printed the brackets and external case that will protect the components and ensure that air goes through the system. They initially made this into four parts (two parts for the brackets and two more for the face plates) but discovered a gap between the two face plates where air could seep through, thus ruining the flow. So, for their second iteration, they 3D-printed the face plate as one single unit and also added vent holes over the PC’s heatsink for more efficient cooling. The face plates also feature five I/O ports to allow the PC to connect to their TV and other peripherals, although we imagine that they preferred wireless connectivity as it’s kind of weird to have a bunch of wires plugged into your living room fan. Finally, to avoid having a power brick dangling from the back of the appliance, Zac Builds added a 3D-printed base that hid the power unit and threaded the mini-PC’s power cable inside the fan’s housing.
The completed build successfully hid the mini-PC, with the only hint from the front that there’s something different with the living room fan being the tiny box attached to its side and the single HDMI cable connecting it to the TV. It also had the added benefit of reducing the computer’s fan noise by around 10 to 15 dB because of the additional airflow that the stand fan brings to the table. The only issue that we see here is that you can’t use the fan elsewhere if you want to play games on your living room TV.
You can watch the complete build here:
Ampera, a nuclear tech startup, just revealed its first full-scale, 3D-printed nuclear reactor module that it says could be used to power AI data centers. According to the company’s press release, this module is the “world’s first subcritical, solid-state, factory-built thorium nuclear reactor.” It’s also the nuclear part of the company’s Integrated Energy Architecture, which comes with a Waste Heat Recovery module that could also be paired with either this 3D-printed nuclear reactor module or a Conventional-Fueled Power Generation module.
"This next-generation nuclear core and pressure vessel sets the foundation for factory-built, mass-produced nuclear energy," said Ampera CEO and founder Brian Matthews. "The advanced technology and additive manufacturing used demonstrate a clear commercial path for new nuclear technology coming to market in an accelerated manner."
The company’s description for its groundbreaking product is quite a mouthful, but it shows how advanced this nuclear reactor is. Subcritical means that its fuel does not reach criticality on its own, requiring an external source to jump-start the fission process. This is inherently safer because it reduces the chance of a runaway reaction that could lead to a meltdown. It also features a “solid-state” core, meaning it does not have any moving parts, making maintenance and operation simpler.
Factory-built suggests that the nuclear module could be manufactured relatively quickly in a production line. This would make it easier to scale for mass production and transport via shipping containers, thus cutting production costs to make it more affordable. Lastly, it uses thorium as its primary fuel source. Thorium is more abundant than uranium, so it’s easier and cheaper to acquire. It’s also not inherently fissile, requiring an external neutron source to produce protactinium-233, which then decays into U-233. While it could still be used for nuclear weapons, it’s relatively harder to do so, which is why the World Nuclear Association says that it “is sometimes promoted as having excellent non-proliferation credentials.”
While the startup unveiled the finished nuclear module, it didn’t mention turning it on and producing electricity with the system yet. This is in contrast to Valar Atomics, which turned on its Ward 250 nuclear microreactor recently and produced electricity to power an Nvidia RTX Spark desktop. Its CEO, Isiah Taylor, also announced that it’s partnering with Nvidia to power a 30MW data center using its technology.
Ampera is also targeting a 30MWe output with its complete system using a proprietary closed-loop, supercritical CO2 Brayton-cycle turbine to produce energy. One advantage of its modular approach to developing its power solution is that customers can purchase them as necessary. It can match the turbine module with its Waste Heat Recovery module to supplement power production in data centers, or it could attach a Conventional-Fueled Power Generation unit to the entire unit as a site’s primary power source. Once the nuclear module becomes available, operators could then easily swap that out to reduce their carbon footprint.
The company did not give a timeline for when it expects to start producing power with their solution, but it seems that they’re confident that they could deploy it soon in various applications. "Our reactors are built for the markets that need power the most: AI data centers, defense, industrial and maritime," Matthews said. "We expect to be the first company to industrialize factory-built nuclear power with near-term deployment timelines."
Reports in Italy claim that Daniele De Rossi wants a reunion with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk at Genoa, that the Giallorossi are keen to shift the Ukrainian, but that a deal between the two clubs may still prove challenging to pull off.
Dovbyk joined Roma in a deal worth €30.5m plus add-ons in the summer of 2024, going on to score 12 goals from 32 league appearances during his first season at the Stadio Olimpico. His 2025-26 campaign was plagued by injuries, though limiting him to just three starts in the league across the season.
Roma are now looking to move on: Donyell Malen impressed with his tally of 14 goals from 18 appearances during the second half of the 2025-26 season, and reports over the last few weeks indicate that Mason Greenwood is Gian Piero Gasperini’s first choice to come in and bolster the Giallorossi attack.
With Marseille holding out for a €50m fee for Greenwood, and if Roma are able to land a deal with the Ligue 1 outfit, it is likely to spell the end of Dovbyk’s days at the Stadio Olimpico.
There have also been reports earlier this week that Roma are interested in Italian-born Germany youth international Niccolo Tresoldi, but that this would specifically require a sale of Dovbyk first.
According to the latest reports in Italy, former Roma head coach De Rossi is keen to bring Dovbyk to Marassi for 2026-27, but this might be easier said than done.
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia and TMW, representatives from the two clubs are in contact, but Dovbyk’s €3.5m-per-season salary is expected to be too high for Genoa to handle. His signing would only be possible if Roma are able to ‘do them a favour’ from a salary standpoint.
Roma are keen to shift Dovbyk, but the latest TMW update claims that they feel a move abroad is more likely, and if possible, they would prefer to sell the striker outright rather than sending him on loan with an option to buy.
Dovbyk remains under contract with the Giallorossi until the summer of 2029.
Turkish side Trabzonspor has also been touted as a potential destination for the 29-year-old this summer.
Mario Gila is close to completing a move from Lazio to Milan and the latest reports claim that Lazio are already eyeing two potential new centre-backs to replace the Spaniard and Alessio Romagnoli.
Gennaro Gattuso has recently been appointed as the new head coach of Lazio, and his recruitment will be immediately tested as Lazio go in search of new defenders to replace Gila, who looks set to join Milan and Romagnoli, who is expected to join Al-Sadd.
There are several options on the cards for the Biancocelesti this summer: According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Oliver Provstgaard could be ‘promoted’ to a new role as a go-to starter with Patric and Samuel Gigot as reserve options, but this still leaves the club needing to bring in at least one new starting centre-half, if not more.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that 21-year-old Sergi Dominguez from Dinamo Zagreb is the leading option. The former Barcelona youth player has been based in Croatia for the last 12 months and could be available for a fee as low as €7m-€8m according to the latest updates.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reports that Brighton are open to the idea of sending out Diego Coppola on loan with a potential option or obligation to buy, just one year after he joined the Seagulls in a €12m move from Hellas Verona.
Reports in Italy claim that Juventus have a clear price in mind when it comes to defender Gleison Bremer, but the Bianconeri are willing to entertain offers below the €58m release clause that is written into the centre-back’s contract.
Juventus are still looking at the possibility of selling one of its big-name stars this summer; Tuttosport reporting that Bremer, Khephren Thuram and Andrea Cambiaso are among the players that could be sacrificed in the event of an enticing offer.
Bremer has a €58m release clause in his contract, but despite being Juve’s first-choice centre-back over the last few seasons, finding a suitable buyer for the Brazilian is not as straight-forward as it may seem.
The former Torino man is now 29, has had a series of knee injuries, and has spent the 2026 World Cup watching on from the sidelines behind Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and PSG’s Marquinhos, which hasn’t exactly helped to put him in the shop window.
With this in mind, and a release clause of €58m, there are only a handful of clubs in Europe that could feasibly consider a move.
Previous reports claimed that Tottenham Hotspur were interested, but after deals for Marcos Senesi and a particularly expensive deal for Jean-Paul van Hecke makes this seem unlikely. Reports earlier this week claimed that Bayern Munich are also interested in the Brazilian as they look to strengthen their back line this summer.
The latest updates from Tuttosport claim that Juventus are willing to listen to offers below Bremer’s release clause, potentially in the region of €45m-€50m. The club remain adamant, however, that they will not sell for anything under €40m.
CryptoRanks Wiki is an independent crypto research hub for comparing exchanges, coins, liquidity, fees, security signals, and market risks. It combines exchange rankings, asset pages, and practical guides to help users make better decisions before trading or choosing a platform.
Browse detailed exchange profiles, compare market data, read DeFi and wallet explainers, and use practical checklists to understand liquidity, volatility, and platform reliability.
Liverpool’s search for a new wide forward has taken another interesting turn, with Chelsea winger Pedro Neto reportedly open to a surprise move to Anfield this summer.
According to claims from a source on X, Neto would be keen on joining Liverpool if the opportunity became realistic.
The Portugal international is not currently the easiest player to sign, but the fact he would reportedly welcome the move gives the Reds something to think about.
Liverpool are still looking at different attacking options after being linked with several wingers in recent weeks.
Bradley Barcola, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Said El Mala have all been mentioned, but Neto would be a more Premier League-proven option.
Chelsea signed Neto from Wolves in 2024, with Chelsea’s official website confirming he agreed a seven-year contract. That long deal means the Blues are under no pressure to sell cheaply.
From a Liverpool point of view, Neto is an attractive profile.
He is quick, direct, left-footed and capable of playing on either flank. That flexibility matters because Liverpool need more variety in wide areas and cannot rely on one attacking solution.
Neto also knows the Premier League well from his time at Wolves and Chelsea.
Reuters reported that Chelsea paid around £54m including add-ons to sign him, so any deal with Liverpool would likely require a serious offer.
The difficult part is obvious: Chelsea rarely like selling important players to direct rivals unless the price is right.
Liverpool would need to test whether Neto is genuinely available or simply one name on a wider shortlist.
Neto would be a smart signing for Liverpool if the numbers make sense.
He has pace, creativity and experience, and he could make an immediate impact rather than needing years to develop.
However, Liverpool must be careful not to overpay. Neto’s injury history and Chelsea’s likely asking price make this a deal that needs proper caution.
If Neto is truly open to the move, Liverpool should explore it.
But unless Chelsea show real willingness to negotiate, the Reds may be better keeping him as an exciting option rather than making him their only focus.
Romano confirms Chelsea starter is waiting or ‘club to club talks’ to seal high-profile move
The post Chelsea winger Pedro Neto green lights shock move to Premier League rivals appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Captain Joshua Kimmich should retire from the Germany team following their World Cup last-32 exit, former national team midfielder Dietmar Hamann has said.
"He has had five tournaments in a leadership position and five times he hasn't managed to achieve anything," Hamann told the TOMorrow Business Podcast, also referring to Kimmich's previous role as vice captain.
The 31-year-old is a midfielder for Bayern Munich but played right back for Germany in the United States.
"It has nothing to do with running away. It has to do with taking responsibility," Hamann added. "If he is supposed to be this top player, he should take responsibility and say: 'Right, it was wonderful here. I thank you for the support. I tried everything.'"
Keeper Manuel Neuer has already returned to international retirement and Jürgen Klopp looks poised to replace coach Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned. But no other Germany figure has yet announced their future plans.
Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss the World Cup last-16 match with Paraguay later on Saturday due to injury, French media reports said.
The Real Madrid midfielder is suffering from a thigh problem, RMC and L'Equipe said.
The 26-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in three of France's four matches so far at the World Cup. He was rested in the 3-0 group win against Iraq and replaced by Manu Koné.
The 25-year-old from Roma could now again start in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot.
While Matthew Stafford spends most of his time preparing for game days, he also makes the most of his time away from football. One of the more respected players in the NFL, Stafford has a knack for forming long-lasting relationships, and as a result he has often found himself in the many circles that make up the football community.
With the Los Angeles Rams taking time away from football, Stafford used his break before training camp to attend the wedding of music superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The ceremony, which has drawn the attention of many, took place at Madison Square Garden and was attended by some of the most notable faces in the country.
Stafford attended the event with his wife Kelly, along with other members of the NFL and football media. Also in attendance was fellow Super Bowl LVI champion Cooper Kupp, who joined the event with his wife Anna, along with former Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Stafford and the Rams are set to begin training camp later this month at Loyola Marymount University. In August, they will face Kelce’s Chiefs in the preseason, and then again in Week 13 of the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp attend Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s wedding
Michael Olise is not your typical footballer.
Born and raised in England, he is setting this World Cup alight with France.
The Bayern Munich forward, via Reading and Crystal Palace, usually shuns the spotlight, loves chess, barely celebrates goals and avoids interviews - and does not have a deal with any sportswear or boot companies.
After a season with 25 goals and 28 assists for the Bundesliga champions, the 24-year-old is now seen as one of the world's best players.
Going into Saturday's last-16 tie with Paraguay, Olise has become the first player to assist five goals at one World Cup since Germany's Thomas Hassler in 1994.
Those who have known him since childhood say his reserved nature should not be seen as arrogance - it's just "Michael being Michael".
It is what he has always done.
Born in London to a French-Algerian mother, Mina, and a Nigerian father, Vincent, Olise stood out from a young age.
"The sports coaches came to me one day and said have you seen this boy... in year two?" Daniel Coker, Olise's sports teacher at Dr Triplett's CE Primary School in Hayes, London, told BBC Sport.
"When I saw him play...I knew that he was going to be something special."
Coker recalled how Olise - already on Chelsea's books at the time - excelled in every sport he tried.
"At age 10 and 11 that's when I'd get him in everything I could," he added. "He'd come and have a go and just blow us out the water with how good he was."
And already the young Olise did not like any fuss.
"Michael was a quiet and shy boy. He gave so many assists to our team, he'd score loads of goals, but he didn't used to celebrate, he just used to get back straight in and want to go again," said Coker.
"He's not one of those ones to dwell on it and take that moment in. He didn't like the limelight. So when I see that on camera now, when he doesn't celebrate or he runs back, it's just what he's always done."
Headteacher Rachel Anderson remembers it being hard to get Olise back into class after football, particularly if his team hadn't won.
"He would be still kicking the ball around the classroom and it would be like, 'Come on Michael, it's enough now'," she said.
"I think other schools used to sigh and look quite depressed when we turned up with Michael on our team for so many things [different sports] because they knew they didn't stand much of a chance.
"He was a perfectionist and over-analysed everything. He was a bright boy so he did well academically."
It was also at this early age that Olise, who could also have played for England, Nigeria or Algeria, showed signs he would be picking France.
"Rachel said, 'Do you reckon he'll play for England?' I said, I don't know if we'll be lucky enough to have him play for England," Coker added.
"I think Michael really enjoyed that French culture, he went there to visit, he liked learning the language."
But it was not a straightforward path to get there.
Olise's younger brother Richard, 21, is also a professional footballer, although released this summer by Chelsea - just like Michael a decade ago.
Having briefly been at Arsenal, Olise spent seven years with Chelsea's academy before being released aged 14. He then had a short spell at Manchester City, but they too let him go.
Enter Reading, then in the Championship.
However, Brendan Flanagan, the club's head of recruitment, said he had to persuade bosses to recruit the 16-year-old in the summer of 2018.
"Because of the biases that go on in football, it took me a little bit longer to convince people in the building to bring him in because [he was] released from Chelsea, released from Man City - some people would see that as this is going to be a big problem," he told the BBC.
"What might have been deemed as Michael being problematic at other clubs, because he's quiet, he's shy, he's reserved, but we can work with those kids because that doesn't make them a bad kid, it just makes them a little bit different."
But Flanagan was afraid the Royals were going to miss out when Olise's mother said they needed some time to rebuild his confidence after the setbacks.
"She said we're going to do some work with a mentor because he's obviously low in confidence - he's been released from Chelsea, released from Man City - and we just want to make sure that when he comes in to you he's ready for you," added Flanagan.
"I thought to myself, 'That's it, end of - next time I see him he'll be playing against us somewhere'.
"Four weeks later Mina rang me to say right we're ready to go. She was true to her word - that's the kind of people they are, honest genuine people.
"He came in and we never had a single problem with him. He was without a shadow of a doubt the best player that I've ever bought into this building."
Olise was so keen to be on time for training that he would sometimes miss the start of it.
"He would come in at 7 o'clock in the morning for training, that starts at 9, and be asleep in his car when training started," Flanagan said.
Olise made his Reading debut in March, 2019, against Leeds at the age of 17 - days after joining first-team training - and went on to make 73 appearances, scoring seven goals, over three seasons.
It was also there that he got called into the French youth-team set-up.
"It wasn't a surprise that he chose France for me because they were the ones that were first in contact with him," added Flanagan.
"In that 2001 England year group, they generally tended to come from Manchester City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs - not so many from the likes of Reading.
"Michael would be one of those that say, 'Well they chose me first, you didn't want me when I was younger, so that's where I'm going to go'."
At Reading, Olise had a release clause of £8m which Crystal Palace - managed then by France legend Patrick Vieira - activated in July 2021.
His Premier League quality with the Eagles was evident but initially he was much more of a provider - with 19 assists and six goals in his first two seasons.
In the summer of 2023 Chelsea activated a £35m release clause to re-sign the player they released as a kid.
But to the surprise of nearly everyone, Palace announced Olise had signed a new deal with them instead.
His final season at Selhurst Park was where he really found his shooting boots - netting 10 times, plus six assists, in only 19 games - and 14 starts - in a season disrupted by two different injury spells.
At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, he played for France at the Paris Olympics - under boss Thierry Henry and assistant Gael Clichy.
Former France, Arsenal and Manchester City full-back Clichy told the BBC: "I was really hoping City could actually bring him back, because he was part of the club.
"This is where I actually started to hear about him [at City]. And when he was injury-free at Palace, I started to realise who he was, what kind of player he was.
"I finally met him just before the Olympics and now the world is discovering a player that was always there, but had his own route to get there."
Before the Olympics began, Bayern announced the signing of Olise for about £50m.
Clubs can refuse to let players feature in the Olympics and the German side had done so with his France team-mate Mathys Tel.
But Clichy said Olise told Bayern "he had one wish - to finish the adventure of the Olympics".
"This is really the moment that stood out for us," added Clichy.
"Of course many other moments on the pitch did, but outside of the field a young player who is getting his first big move asking for that was something you don't really see.
"This is the moment we realised that he was a great player, but even more important he was a top man."
Olise helped France reach the Olympic final, where they lost to Spain in extra time.
Olise has kicked on to another level since joining Vincent Kompany's Bayern - and broke into the senior French team almost immediately.
Playing on the right wing, he followed up a campaign with 17 goals and 18 assists with one that saw 25 goals and 28 assists - a total of 88 goal involvements in two seasons.
Former France striker and BBC World Cup pundit Olivier Giroud said: "He's working hard for the team on the pitch, he's got talent but he's a team player.
"He's so relaxed when he's coming inside on his left foot, you know what he's going to do, basically like Arjen Robben back in the day."
Plenty of Olise's viral moments at Bayern include things like trying to stay out of celebrations, avoiding a TV interview and a half-hearted Bundesliga trophy lift.
He likes to walk on to the pitch with sandals before a game to check the surface.
"It's funny to see him walk with the flip-flops on the pitch casually, but this is who he is," said Clichy.
"He's very much a casual guy who has magic in his feet and knows how to express his magic."
Olise's success means he cannot avoid the limelight - and prompted talk of being a potential Ballon d'Or winner.
His chances will improve further if he can help France to glory this summer - he is only one goal off equalling Pele's record of six assists in a World Cup.
"One day Michael could be a contender for the Ballon d'Or," Giroud said.
"If you win trophies, a Ballon d'Or will come, but I think he thinks more collectively than a selfish player, and it's his personality.
"You can see on the pitch, if he can assist, he will assist, even if he could have shot to the goal. So that's what I like. He's a playmaker, but a team player, so it makes him different, special, and he can reach the top of the top."
Texas A&M marches into the third season under head coach Mike Elko with the offensive firepower to reach the College Football Playoff, but one of the most difficult schedules in the nation could prevent the Aggies from surpassing last year's historic run.
According to CBS Sports, Texas A&M has the eighth-toughest stretch in college football, facing Tennessee (Nov. 14), at Oklahoma (Nov. 21) and closing out the regular season with the Lone Star Showdown against Texas (Nov. 27). The Aggies face five teams ranked in ESPN's preseason top 25, which includes all three teams in the grueling November stretch.
That isn't saying this year's team doesn't have the talent to achieve another 10-win season, however. Elko achieved the No. 4 transfer portal class in the country, per On3 Sports, while hauling in the No. 7 high school class. While the departure of five starting linemen raises some concerns, junior quarterback Marcel Reed will have transfers like Tyree Adams (LSU), Wilkin Formby (Alabama) and Trovon Baugh (South Carolina) with SEC experience protecting him this year.
Will the loss of production in the trenches haunt the Aggies against the difficult conference slate? How will Reed progress as a signal-caller against elite SEC defenses?
Here are Texas A&M's three most challenging opponents in 2026:
Rivalry games with in-state supremacy on the line always hold much higher stakes. For Texas A&M, this year's Lone Star Showdown against the Longhorns couldn't be more important. After dropping the last three contests to Texas, including 27-17 and 17-7 losses under Elko, the pressure on the Aggies to secure their first win in the rivalry since 2010 is immense.
Texas boasts one of the most talented teams of the Steve Sarkisian era entering the 2026 season, which includes a returning Arch Manning and standout transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman. The result of this year's showdown between the two college football powerhouses will be determined by how well Texas A&M's defense can perform against Manning and the Longhorns' electric offense.
Texas A&M owns back-to-back wins over LSU, but there is a new sheriff in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who could lead the Tigers back to an elite level. Lane Kiffin became the first coach in college football history to be at the helm of three SEC schools in his career when he made the jump from Ole Miss to LSU and didn't waste any time reeling in the No. 5 portal class in the nation, featuring talented gunslinger Sam Leavitt.
Traveling to Death Valley and escaping with a win is no easy feat, but Elko managed to lead the Aggies to their first road victory against the Tigers last year for the first time since 1994. Despite Kiffin's extrinsic personality, he is one of the elite head coaches in college football. The offensive guru and his talented team are gunning to get back on the right track against Texas A&M in 2026.
For the first time since 2022, the Aggies are headed to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This marks the first contest between Texas A&M and Alabama since 2023, in which the Tide rolled to a 26-20 win. This time around, the Maroon and White will be facing a head coach not named Nick Saban.
While dealing with the backlash of becoming the predecessor of arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, Kalen DeBoer led Alabama to the second round of the playoff last season. The Crimson Tide has many question marks in terms of production entering DeBoer's third year at the helm, including a battle for the starting quarterback position, but they still have the talent to be one of the elite teams in the conference again in 2026. Bryant-Denny Stadium will be an electric factory when Texas A&M rolls into town on October 24.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football's three toughest games on the 2026 schedule
The New York Giants selected Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Schmitz is a talented center who has flashed his potential on multiple occasions over the first three seasons of his career. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman will play a critical role in protecting quarterback Jaxson Dart this year, and Schmitz could quickly begin to shine throughout his fourth season on the Giants’ offensive line.
Schmitz was recently asked about Dart’s progress over the course of the offseason, with the big man claiming that Dart has taken his game to an even higher level.
“I think Jaxson’s taken the next step in his game, and he’s understanding the defense a lot better—understanding if the safety tilts, man pressures, where the pressure might be coming from,” he told Giants Huddle. “Just little things in his game that he’s picked up this offseason that have made a tremendous impact already.”
Dart recorded 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns across 14 total appearances in 2025. The star quarterback could quickly begin to dominate once again this year, and Schmitz’s comments regarding Dart’s progress are an excellent sign moving forward.
Schmitz played a critical role in Dart’s success throughout his rookie campaign, and the duo will once again look to shine on the Giants’ offense in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Michael Schmitz: Jaxson Dart has taken 'next step' in his game
While the Philadelphia 76ers have been busy in the offseason looking to retool around their star core, one of those core pieces is getting busy in FIBA World Cup action.
Young guard VJ Edgecombe went to work early and often as he led Bahamas to a 123-74 win over Jamaica. The win is part of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers for 2027 and Edgecombe made sure Bahamas didn't mess around as he scored 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including 6-for-11 from deep. He played 27 minutes and also pulled down nine rebounds with five steals in the effort.
Edgecombe had some explosive plays as he showed off his ability to get easy buckets. He has such an innate knowledge of finding open spots within the defense and that allows him to find easy shots while also being able to bolt up and knock down jumpers with ease.
VJ Edgecombe was hoopin in tonight’s 123-74 win over Jamaica for Bahamas. Edgecombe had 26 points on 10/16 shooting and was 6/11 from deep. Great night for the young guard. #Sixerspic.twitter.com/2D9E00OF9V
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) July 4, 2026
Edgecombe and Bahamas will take on Puerto Rico on Monday to continue the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' VJ Edgecombe performs well in Bahamas win over Jamaica
BLUFFTON, S.C. – Anson Point, the latest design to open by the architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is a welcomed change of pace in today’s market of high-profile course introductions. Its subtlety and Lowcountry charms offer a sense that the course has been there for decades.
Those sensations run contrary to most recent course openings in the Southeast. The past 10 years have seen a huge boom in high-profile private golf in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. In Florida we have seen Panther National, Apogee, High Grove, Soleta, the soon-to-open Miakka and a host of other developments. Georgia has welcomed Ohoopee Match Club and Fall Line. South Carolina has had The Tree Farm, Old Barnwell, Broomsedge, 21 Club and more come online. These offerings are all welcome additions to the golf scene, and they all feel big, bold and new.
Where those courses zig, Anson Point zags. The private course is located near the southern tip of Palmetto Bluff, a 20,000-acre waterfront development with three golf courses, a marina, two village centers, a Montage hotel and a wide selection of nature activities. The course plays inland through mostly pines and oaks before offering marshland views from multiple holes on the back nine.
Opened early this year, Anson Point wasn’t ready in time to qualify for the various 2026 course rankings within this magazine, but it’s easy to anticipate the layout landing coveted spots on the lists as enough raters play it. Palmetto Bluff’s two other courses are the Jack Nicklaus-designed May River, which opened in 2004, and the non-traditional, nine-hole Crossroads by Tad King and Rob Collins, which opened in 2024 and offers a reversible layout.
Unlike many courses within such large developments, including May River, Anson Point is void of surrounding homes. This adds greatly to the tranquility of the experience. Hats off to South Street Partners and Henderson Park, owners of Palmetto Bluff, for taking such an approach on their newest course.
“The scale and conservation ethos of Palmetto Bluff provided South Street with a unique opportunity to site Anson Point on 500 dedicated acres within which Coore and Crenshaw could design a ‘core golf course’ without any single-family homes fronting the course,” said Chris Randolph, managing partner at South Street Partners. “While direct golf frontage real estate has historically driven premium pricing that developers seek when justifying the cost of golf course and clubhouse construction, South Street believes proximity to a world-class golf experience alone should drive even higher premiums across the entirety of the community.”
This approach, which has been the model at several new courses but not all, works well for both golf and homeowners. Residents receive easy access and increased home values with the close affiliation to the course, yet they are not bothered by mowers early in the morning or golfers in their backyards. Most important, the homes don’t impact the golf.
In an era of frequently wide-open golf, Anson differs from many other new developments in that most internal holes — those away from Savannah River’s marsh with its long views toward Georgia — are framed by trees so that the longest view across the course is about 500 yards. This provides an intimate feel that showcases the subtle features incorporated by Coore and Crenshaw.
Coore spent ample time at Anson Point discovering a routing that takes golfers through the woods and out to the marsh on multiple occasions. Coore and Crenshaw associate Ryan Farrow was the on-site lead and handled much of the shaping. The green-to-tee walks are short, the fairways and greens hug the ground, the bunkering is sparse, and areas between the fairways and the woods vary based on what was there at the outset of the project. The design embraces all the features that were available, starting at No. 1.
“There was a really special little quarry area with exposed sand and mossy edges, and we sited No. 1 green right there and used that feature as our guiding light for how to best showcase the land,” Coore said. “That and the beautiful trees and marsh edges.”
There is a mixture of holes, long and short with doglegs left and right. A pair of three-hole stretches on each nine showcase the best of Anson Point.
The par-5 seventh starts wide and gently narrows all the way to the green – players have choices off the tee, on the second shot and all around the green. The long par-4 eighth looks straight in planning, but on the ground players should favor moving the ball left to right. The tiny par-3 ninth plays across a low sandy area to a green set on a diagonal from front-left to back-right.
On the back nine, the par-4 15th is drivable for many players, with a small bunker that looks greenside but is well short and must be avoided. The par-5 16th moves from right to left and is reachable for long hitters, but the hole location dictates how to attack. The long par-3 17th plays toward the marsh, starting in a narrow shoot before the hole opens up to a green with a strong flash at the back edge, all with views of Savannah some 10 miles across the water.
These are all the types of holes that would play differently day to day, and a member would learn the subtle nuances and strategies in time. If it were a resort course, Anson Point might feel a bit underwhelming, as it lacks elevation change, multiple water features and expansive bunkering. But as a member’s course, it is a shining example of the long-term relationship one would seek out.
“We worked hard to uncover and incorporate little details throughout, and I believe it is a golf course that will reveal itself over time,” Coore said. “I imagine members will like and appreciate it even more after years of play.”
At a time when golf development in the Southeast is booming, it is nice to see that a low-profile layout is still welcome in Lowcountry. Gwk
- Jay Blasi is a golf course architect based in California who writes occasional stories for Golfweek and hosts groups of Golfweek’s Best course raters around the world.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: New course offers low-profile distinction in South Carolina Lowcountry
During a recent podcast episode of NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov, NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler revealed his past desire to work for an NFL team and his decision to pass on an opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"In 2015, John Dorsey, he gave me my first interview back with the Packers; he's now with the Chiefs, and he brought me in for an interview. Still obviously had that relationship," said Brugler. "I felt really good about this one. I really wanted to work for the Chiefs, and where they were at that point, Chris Ballard was part of the organization; they just had a really healthy organization. And so, I was like, 'This is the fit. This is what I want."
Brugler is the author of The Beast, via The Athletic, a highly praised annual draft preview, but his life could've been very different if he had made a different decision.
In 2015, the #Chiefs wanted to hire Dane Brugler to their front office — and joining an NFL team had always been his dream.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 30, 2026
But as he explains below, the timing wasn’t right, and he ultimately had to pass. It was one of the toughest decisions of his career.
Here’s his story: https://t.co/eP0KKImc4wpic.twitter.com/eUdAOCmGfJ
"I'm making this decision about this time, like mid-to-late June in 2015, I have to make this decision about, 'Okay, my wife is about to have a baby in a month-and-a-half, and I can't leave her by herself obviously in North Texas.' She didn't really want to go back to Ohio by herself, where she didn't have her doctors and all that," said Brugler. "Our house and everything, we couldn't move in that quick period. She would have went to Kansas City, but that would have been hard to do that in such a short time period while she's pregnant."
The Chiefs were making strides in 2015 under head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith. The dynasty was being assembled years before the arrival of Patrick Mahomes.
"I made the tough decision and told Dorsey and Ballard," said Brugler. "I was heartbroken about it. This is what I had sacrificed for was to get this opportunity, but I had to tell them no. Family comes first, and the timing just wasn't right."
Brugler's content and analysis are top-tier in the industry, but he could have been part of the Chiefs' eventual Super Bowl-winning dynasty.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: NFL Analyst explains his decision to pass on a Chiefs front office job
EA Sports College Football 27 is just days away from it's general release, so it's time to see how things are looking in the Big Ten.
The defending National Champions, Indiana, are a top-three team in the game, but fans may be surprised to see the Hoosiers aren't the highest-ranked team.
There are a few surprises in the mix, but ultimately these rankings are par for the course and echo how each team, the Wisconsin Badgers included, performed last season.
For those looking to do a potential dynasty rebuild in the Big Ten, this article gives you a look at just how wide the gap is between the lowest-ranked team compared to the video game's No. 1 overall team.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Jordon Lawrenz on X @jordonlaw_pxp.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Ranking every Big Ten team in College Football 27 from worst to first
Jaylen Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers has already drawn mixed reactions from the NBA community, but the discussion on the Boston Celtics trading away the 2024 Finals MVP is far from over.
Meanwhile, Andscape’s David Dennis Jr. believes the change of scenery will bring out a more aggressive and intimidating version of Brown on the court.
Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
That ended the Celtics’ star’s decade-long time with Boston, which culminated in a championship in 2024. The sensational trade was marred by controversies, including some bold claims across the league.
Colin Cowherd said in his show that he had spoken with two high-ranking NBA sources, an executive and a scout, who raised concerns about Brown’s personality and conduct off the court.
Cowherd said those issues reportedly created friction with both the front office and teammates.
Brown later responded during a Twitch livestream, rejecting those claims while explaining how he was processing the trade and expressing disappointment with the way the Celtics handled his exit.
During an appearance on the “First Take” podcast, Dennis defended Brown, saying that he consistently answers criticism with elite play on the court.
“One thing that we do know about Jaylen Brown is that whenever he finds himself in a position where he feels he’s being slighted or has something to prove, he goes out there and takes things to another level. He’s the Michael Jordan meme of like, ‘I took that thing personal,’” Dennis asserted.
“Now you have a situation where he’s looking at Boston trading him within the division… The next time this man walks into Boston, he is going to be on demon time,” he continued.
“He is going to go there looking to drop 50 on him. And the entire season, he’s going to look like the MVP… and he can send a care package to Boston for putting that batter on his back.”
Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this past regular season, finishing sixth in MVP voting and earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
He carried the Celtics to the No. 2 seed while Tatum struggled with injury, which is why many thought Boston wouldn’t move on from Brown.
Instead, Brown now joins a talented 76ers roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
His contribution to the team will be a thing to watch next season, and he made it clear in his live stream that he is ready to fully embrace being the NBA’s “villain” when he suits up for Philadelphia.
There is also speculation that LeBron James might join the 76ers following Rich Paul’s comments regarding the 41-year-old’s preferred free-agent destinations.
If James ultimately lands with the 76ers, Philadelphia could enter next season with one of the NBA’s most formidable rosters.
Where to watch Paraguay vs. France live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Round of 16 match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
And just like that, the 2026 World Cup is onto the Round of 16. The knockout stage continues with a matchup between Paraguay and France on Saturday.
Few expected Paraguay to make it to this point, especially considering the opponents they've had to face. The South American country narrowly avoided elimination in the group stage, but pulled off a massive upset of four-time champions Germany in the Round of 32, winning 4-3 in penalties.
Lining up on the other side of the pitch will be a powerhouse French squad looking to continue their streak of dominance. The Blues have truly been unstoppable throughout this tournament, with stars Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele already combining for 10 goals.
Will the underdog story continue, or will power prevail?
Here's everything you need to know to watch the Paraguay vs. France World Cup match, including where to watch on TV or live stream, what time the game starts and more.
Paraguay vs. France will be broadcast on FOX in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Paraguay vs. France kicks off Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Here's how that time translates across the United States time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Saturday, July 4 | 5 p.m. |
| Central Time | Saturday, July 4 | 4 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Saturday, July 4 | 3 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Saturday, July 4 | 2 p.m. |
All times Eastern.
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men's World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA's tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico. They are into the Round of 16.
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 29: Shane Bieber #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout in the bottom of the fourth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Rogers Centre on August 29, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Toronto Blue Jays knew there would likely be an adjustment period when Shane Bieber returned to the rotation after missing the first three months of the season with an elbow injury.
While the former Cy Young Award winner has shown flashes of his old form, he's off to a relatively poor beginning as he works his way back, posting a 6.00 ERA across nine innings in his first two starts so far.
In his most recent outing, which came with five and one-third innings against the Texas Rangers last week, he struggled from the very first.
“The game didn’t start in an ideal fashion,” Bieber said after the start, which included his 1,000th career strikeout as well as a first-pitch home run, according to MLB.com’s Matt Betts. “I knew that coming in, and first pitch of the game, I was put on my heels. It was a frustrating start to the game, but that’s baseball. It’s an interesting game at times and it tends to work in stretches like that. We can definitely be a little more sharp from the get-go.”
Bieber turned some heads when he opted back into his contract with the Blue Jays for this season, after he returned from a previous injury in an impressive run with the team that could have earned him more money with a new deal. But after he was sidelined with another injury in preseason, it seemed he might have skipped that potential opt out to avoid undergoing additional medical evaluations, as he may have never been entirely healthy.
Though his sample size for the ongoing season has been small, it might cause growing concerns among Blue Jays fans given his extensive injury history.
But there was also some reason for optimism as his latest start went on, particularly as it marked some progress after a poor debut against the Houston Astros.
“Bieber got off to a rocky start Sunday, giving up a home run to Joc Pederson on the first pitch he threw in the game,” CBS Sports reported. “However, he managed to settle in and hold the Rangers without another run until the sixth inning. It's certainly a step in the right direction for Bieber, who gave up four runs on nine hits (including three homers) in just 3.2 innings in his first start of the season against the Astros after he spent the first three months of the year on the IL with an elbow issue.”
And for the star pitcher’s part, there seems to be plenty to be optimistic about. As a nine-year big-league veteran and two-time All-Star, he has made midseason adjustments successfully in the past.
Following a concerning start to this season, Bieber sent an update about how he expects to continue recovering from his injury with some mechanical changes going forward.
“Mechanically, I’m working on a few things and that’s always hard midseason,” Bieber told the 6ix Inning Podcast. “There are small mechanical cues that I think I can sharpen with my pitch shapes and, hopefully, my execution in the near future.”
The comments provide additional context for a return that has included both encouraging signs and understandable growing pains. But after a less-than-ideal start to his season with the Blue Jays, Bieber seems to think he can continue to improve after returning from injury.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Friday.
Jakub Dobes yesterday on Habs players signing team-friendly contracts:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 3, 2026
“At the end of the day, I feel like everyone wants to win, which is really important to get the deals done and keep the guys together…I’m just excited that everyone is on the same page. We want to do what’s… pic.twitter.com/fHBeoEU0BB
De Hage, à Zharovsky… C’est doux pour les yeux, ça. pic.twitter.com/VnnG8ZfakZ
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) July 1, 2026
Juraj Slafkovsky training with Erik Cernak in Slovakia 🇸🇰 pic.twitter.com/ijqhtlxZCB
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 3, 2026
Related Headlines
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced yet more drama as Cape Verde took holders Argentina to the limit in the round of 32.
Here is our recap of all the action from Friday, including what you might have missed overnight.
What many predicted would be one of the most one-sided matchups in the knockout phase turned out to be one of the most competitive, enthralling and exciting matches in the history of the competition.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring after half an hour in Miami, his eighth consecutive World Cup match with a goal, with a frankly outrageous touch and finish. The floodgates, however, did not open as expected, with the Cape Verdeans holding their own in the first half.
Argentina brought no intensity to the second half when they emerged from the break, sleepwalking through the game until they were jolted awake when Deroy Duarte slotted the ball past Emi Martinez on the hour mark.
From there, the Blue Sharks defended like their very lives depended on it, which they have done all tournament. Vozinha put in another incredible performance between the sticks, and even showed off his ball playing skills several times.
They simply did not allow Argentina to break their resolve before the final whistle, taking the game to extra time. Unfortunately, Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez found a way through almost immediately after the restart by firing the ball into the roof of the net.
Despite this setback, Cape Verde could not be shaken. They took the game to the reigning champions, putting them on the back foot until they found another equaliser in the most astonishing way possible.
Full-back Sidny Cabral picked the ball up on the left flank, sent Liverpool’s Alexis MacAllister for a sandwich before curling the ball into the net with a world-class strike from the corner of the box.
Cabral had no clue what to do with himself, putting his hands on his head as he sprinted away in disbelief, before running into the stands to unite with his partner. It was up there with the most amazing moments ever seen in the sport.
Argentina were like a deer in the headlights and desperately needed to reset at the halftime break. The lottery of penalties had to be avoided at all costs.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute. Messi whipped in a corner to Spurs defender Cristian Romero, whose header deflected off the hand of Diney Borges and into the goal.
A cruel, unjust way for their magical run to end, but Cape Verde captured the hearts and minds of every football fan the world over. They ended the tournament unbeaten in normal time and almost pulled off the greatest upset of all time.
Argentina advance, but with major question marks hanging over their defence now.
Read – World Cup 2026 Round of 16 fixtures, kick off times and TV channels
Egypt benefited from one of the biggest blunders ever committed by a head coach in international football as they eliminated Australia via penalty shootout.
The Pharaohs opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Emam Ashour nodded in Karim Hafez’s cross into the box. They should have doubled their lead immediately after the halftime break when Omar Marmoush missed a glorious chance.
The Socceroos pegged them back 10 minutes later when Mohamed Hany diverted Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick into his own net. It was the 30-year-old full-back’s second own goal of the tournament.
Neither side could be separated after 120 minutes of action as penalties were required to decide a winner. Australia manager Tony Popovic evidently took inspiration from Louis van Gaal’s famous decision before the Netherlands defeated Costa Rica on penalties in 2014, replacing Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul.
Popovic took Pat Beach off in the final minute of extra time, sending on former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Maty Ryan to face the spot kicks. Perhaps he was thinking back to last June when Ryan saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia to seal qualification to the World Cup, but the decision backfired spectacularly.
Ryan got close to the first penalty attempt, but Mahmoud Saber’s strike was simply too powerful to stop. He proceeded to let in the following three kicks from Egypt, moving too early on each occasion to make the job all too easy for his opponents.
It was a disastrous move by Popovic, made all the more confusing by the fact that Beach was having a very good tournament in goals. Australia will forever wonder about what might have been, while the Egyptians advance with their first ever win in a World Cup knockout match.
Read – The only players to score 5+ goals at two World Cups
The scoreline doesn’t really tell the story of this match. Colombia battered Ghana all night long and should have won by a far greater margin, but they find themselves in the round of 16 regardless.
Sporting CP forward Luis Suarez drove a cross into the box for former Wolves midfielder Jhon Arias, who put it away with a tidy first-time finish to send Los Cafeteros through.
Ghana have not been great to watch this summer and this match was no exception. Only two of their eight shots were from inside the box as they struggled to create openings, while they gave up five big chances to the Colombians.
Read – The players to score and be red carded in a World Cup knockout match
See Also – It took Cristiano Ronaldo 20 years to score this World Cup goal
The F1 silly season has a habit of dragging on until someone blinks. According to Motorsport Italia, several drivers have now blinked simultaneously, and the ripple effects are already reshaping what’s available to Max Verstappen as he potentially looks outside of Red Bull Racing.
Lewis Hamilton is the headline. Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari covers two guaranteed seasons, with a clause giving him the personal right to extend that arrangement into a third year. Per reporting from Bild and AutoRacer.it journalist Giuliano Duchessa, that extension clause has now been activated – potentially keeping Hamilton at Maranello through 2028.
Neither he nor Ferrari officially confirmed the contract’s precise length when the switch was announced in February 2024, with both parties using the deliberately vague “multi-year” language. But Hamilton has been unambiguous about his intentions. At a press appearance in Canada, he addressed speculation about his future directly:
“I’m still in contract. So everything’s 100% clear to me. And yeah, I’m still focused. I’m still motivated. I still love what I do with all my heart. And I’m going to be here for quite some time. So get used to it. There’s a lot of people that are trying to retire me. And that’s not even on my thoughts. I’m already thinking of what will be next. And planning for the next five years.
His form backs that up. Hamilton struggled through his first year with Ferrari, regularly finishing behind Charles Leclerc and ending the season sixth in the standings, but the new regulations have revitalized his form. He’s currently sitting third in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, which per Duchessa’s reporting may itself have been enough to automatically trigger the extension clause.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has been equally bullish, noting that even through difficult patches, Hamilton “had even when he had a tough moment in the last part of the season” remained solution-focused rather than retreating. Whether the extension is automatic or Hamilton-initiated, the message is the same: he’s not going anywhere.
Mercedes announced that its 2026 driver lineup will consist of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. More significantly, Russell has revealed the mechanism behind it. “It is something I haven’t actually said publicly,” he told The Telegraph, “but the deal is, if I’m performing [next year], we have a specific clause that if I reach [a certain target], we will automatically renew for 2027. So my seat for 2027 is in my hands.”
Russell acknowledged that waiting paid off financially, adding he had initially been ready to sign as far back as October 2024 before choosing to delay. The reported figure is £30 million per year, per The Independent. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff kept things terse on the announcement itself – “Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if” – which is about as close to a victory lap as he gets.
The consequence for Verstappen is real. Norris sits 98 points adrift of standings leader Antonelli after eight races, having claimed only two podium finishes while occupying seventh place in the 2026 championship. His average qualifying position of 7.4 tells a similar story. Reports from The Mail Online suggested his camp had engaged in preliminary conversations with McLaren CEO Zak Brown, but The Race was quick to clarify that those talks, to the extent they happened at all, are about 2028 at the earliest – not a near-term move. Zak Brown made his position clear to Sky Sports F1: “I would be very surprised if Lando or Oscar went elsewhere because they are very happy.”
He left the banana peel comment hanging as a hypothetical, not an invitation.
Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen denied any McLaren deal is in the works, and Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that Verstappen has told the team he wants to stay – while also flagging that “he needs a fast car for him to be happy.” Red Bull’s upgrade package for the Austrian Grand Prix showed enough pace for Verstappen to challenge for the win, which changes the calculus somewhat. Motorsport.com reports a theory circulating in the paddock that the McLaren noise is leverage – an attempt to push Red Bull toward offering Verstappen an ownership stake, which would make him the most powerful figure the sport has ever seen in a cockpit.
With Hamilton confirmed at Ferrari, Russell locked into Mercedes, and McLaren not actually in play, the realistic options for Verstappen outside Red Bull have effectively collapsed. Whether that was always the plan – or whether the market simply moved faster than anyone expected – the driver market for 2027 and beyond just got a lot less dramatic.
Virat Kohli's former teammate shares what cricket should copy from the FIFA World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A former India international and Virat Kohli's ex-teammate at RCB and from his India Under-19 days, Shreevats Goswami, has pointed to one of football's greatest strengths and asked why cricket cannot do the same.
Goswami argues that the sport is giving away one of its most powerful assets by running major tournaments too frequently.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivering one spectacular moment after another, the former cricketer used the occasion to make a pointed comparison between how the two sports manage their biggest events.
MORE: 'Remember the name': Ashwin praises Cape Verde's historic run at FIFA WC 2026
His argument is simple: that the FIFA World Cup happens once every four years, and that gap is not a flaw in the system but the very thing that makes the tournament feel monumental.
When something only comes around every four years, it carries a weight that simply cannot be manufactured any other way.
🗺️🏆 #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/afw6wKVQx4
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026
In cricket, that weight is being steadily eroded. Between 2023 and 2027 alone, the sport will have hosted four World Cups: two in the 50-over format and two T20 editions.
A T20 World Cup now comes around every two years, which means supporters are barely finished processing one tournament before the next cycle of qualification and preparation begins.
"2026 FIFA wc’s been outstanding so far. One thing cricket could certainly learn from football is the value of “ anticipation “The FIFA World Cup comes around only once every four years," he wrote on X.
"The “wait” is what makes it feel so special. In cricket, a World Cup every two years takes away that excitement. When something happens too often, it naturally feels less exclusive. The anticipation is part of the magic, thoughts?"
2026 FIFA wc’s been outstanding so far. One thing cricket could certainly learn from football is the value of “ anticipation “The FIFA World Cup comes around only once every four years, The “ wait” is what makes it feel so special. In cricket, a World Cup every two years takes…
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) July 4, 2026
The 50-over World Cup has maintained its four-year cycle and still commands genuine reverence when it arrives.
The T20 World Cup, by contrast, has been on an accelerating schedule that has made it harder to feel the same level of gravitas before every edition.
One can argue that more cricket means more opportunity, more revenue and more access for fans, and those things matter. But there is a real cost to cheapening your flagship events, and cricket is paying it.
Attendances, broadcast interest and social media engagement all spike harder for rarer events. The FIFA World Cup is proof of what genuine anticipation does to a sporting occasion.
Cricket does not need to copy every element of football's model, but borrowing the simple wisdom that less is sometimes more when it comes to the biggest prizes would be a good place to start.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
This article features our predicted lineups for the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it a useful resource for Fantasy World Cup managers looking for likely starters, key players and potential differential picks.
Below, you’ll find the expected lineups for each round of 16 fixture.
Canada vs. Morocco – Predicted Lineups
Paraguay vs. France – Predicted Lineups
Brazil vs. Norway – Predicted Lineups
Mexico vs. England – Predicted Lineups
USA vs. Belgium – Predicted Lineups
Portugal vs. Spain – Predicted Lineups
Our countdown to the New Orleans Saints' 2026 regular season opener with the Detroit Lions is on Day 71, and that means this 71-yard punt return touchdown by Reggie Bush is our pick for the Saints Play of the Day. You can see the big play for yourself right here.
Bush nearly rallied the Saints back to beat the Minnesota Vikings by himself on Monday Night Football way back when; this was the first of two punt return touchdowns he scored in the second half, cutting into the 10-point lead Minnesota built before halftime. On this one, Bush dodged a couple of tackles, followed his blockers to the sideline (helped by a big hit from linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar), and then outran the entire Vikings coverage unit. Saints fans in the sold-out crowd just about tore the roof off the Superdome cheering him on.
All told, Bush racked up a career-high 176 punt return yards in this game, becoming just the twelfth player in NFL history to score two touchdowns on punt returns in a single game. The feat has since been repeated twice, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. The fact of the matter is that Bush came through when the team needed him. It's just a shame it wasn't enough to win the day. The Saints outgained the Vikings offensively by 105 yards, but too many turnovers and too many decisions to kick field goals cost them. Of Martin Gramatica's four tries, one was blocked and returned for a Minnesota touchdown, while another missed the goalpost, resulting in a 30-27 loss in prime time.
It was a lesson a young Sean Payton wouldn't soon forget. A year later, he and the Saints would get the last laugh by ending the Vikings' season in the NFC championship game.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Reggie Bush's 71-yard punt return TD is the Saints Play of the Day
Liverpool’s summer recruitment is heading towards a familiar truth. Talent matters, ceiling matters, age matters, but price matters too. If the club are weighing up how to reshape their attack under Andoni Iraola, Antonio Nusa looks far more realistic than Yan Diomande, and there is a decent argument that he may also be the smarter buy.
According to Fussballdaten, RB Leipzig have a clear number in mind for the Norway international. The report states, “The club’s current stance is not based on an urgent need to sell the player.” It adds, “However, Leipzig is very open to negotiations if a suitable financial offer is received.” Most importantly, the price point is laid out plainly, “The German club is preparing to give the green light for the player’s departure if an offer in the region of €50 million is received.”
That figure changes the conversation. Diomande may have drawn bigger headlines and bigger excitement, but a deal in the region of €120 million would have pushed Liverpool into a different type of gamble. This is not about saying one player is better in absolute terms. It is about asking whether the extra £59.8 million really buys enough certainty.
Nusa, at 21, is younger than many established wide forwards and older than many raw prospects. That matters. He has already handled Bundesliga football, has been trusted regularly by Leipzig, and is producing on an international stage with Norway at the 2026 World Cup. There is less mystery here. He looks like a player further along in his development, and that usually reduces risk.
Photo: IMAGO
He has mainly operated from the left, which raises an obvious squad-building question. Liverpool already have options in that area. Yet modern attacking units do not stay in fixed lanes for 90 minutes. Iraola’s teams demand intensity, movement and adaptability. If the coaching staff believe Nusa can work from the right or in rotating attacking roles, then the positional concern becomes manageable rather than fatal.
There is also the simple matter of squad construction. Liverpool do not need one glamorous purchase that eats the budget. They need several good decisions. After a disappointing 2025-26 campaign and a fifth-place finish, the rebuild has to be practical. Spending €50 million on a wide attacker with proven top-level exposure leaves room to strengthen elsewhere.
Nusa’s output is respectable rather than explosive, and that should be acknowledged. He is not arriving with outrageous numbers that remove all doubt. But transfer fees should be assessed against role, age, availability and room for growth. In that context, €50 million for a high-upside Bundesliga winger is easier to defend than €120 million for a teenager still carrying more projection than certainty.
This is where clubs get caught if they are not careful. They chase the most fashionable name, pay the premium, then spend the next two years insisting the fee was irrelevant. It is always relevant. Liverpool should know that better than most.
If Nusa is genuinely available at this level, then Liverpool should at least be in the discussion. He offers pace, youth, senior experience and tactical flexibility. He may not have the same aura as Diomande in the market, but aura does not help the balance sheet or the squad list.
There is a sensible deal here if Liverpool want it. Not cheap, not risk free, but sensible. In this market, that already counts for a lot.
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is the sort of report that grabs the attention because it sounds believable. Antonio Nusa feels like the kind of signing the club could actually make, rather than the kind endlessly discussed online and never completed. At €50 million, or about £42.8 million, he sits in that space between premium talent and manageable investment.
The attraction is obvious. He is young, quick, technically sharp and already used to playing at a high standard. There is substance to him. Supporters can accept a player who still has rough edges if the fee leaves room for more business across the squad. That is the key point. Liverpool do not need to throw everything at one attacker. They need depth, variety and players who can fit a new coach’s demands quickly.
The concern is also obvious. Nusa is naturally a left-sided player, and that is not where Liverpool are shortest. If this move happens, fans would want clarity on how he fits, whether that means right-wing minutes, tactical rotations, or a broader attacking role. Still, if the recruitment team believe the versatility is there, this feels like a smart-market move rather than a vanity move. And after last season, smart should be the priority.
ENG vs AUS: Who wins the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 title if the final is washed out? Rain and reserve day rules explained originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
England and Australia meet in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final at Lord's on Sunday, and with the English summer being what it is, the rain rules and reserve day protocols are just as important to understand as the cricket itself.
Both sides head into the final without a single defeat to their names. Australia, six-time T20 world champions, have been in devastating form, chasing down a tournament-record 171 against India at Lord's and then dismantling the West Indies by eight wickets in the semi-final.
England have their own history to lean on, having won every women's World Cup, across all formats, that they have hosted, a record stretching back to the inaugural 1973 ODI event.
However, in this specific fixture, England have beaten Australia just twice in seven meetings, including three final appearances. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has vowed her side will go toe-to-toe with the Australians, but the numbers make uncomfortable reading for England fans.
Throwing it back to the 2018 #T20WorldCup Final where Ash Gardner was instrumental in her Player of the Match performance against England 🤩
— ICC (@ICC) July 4, 2026
Can she repeat history in Sunday's decider at Lord's? pic.twitter.com/xqWFvbjjYK
MORE: Australia women record in World Cup: Complete list of their ICC titles in T20, ODI formats
Before anyone even thinks about a reserve day, officials will do everything in their power to get the game completed on Sunday.
The final has been allocated an additional 150 minutes of playing time on the scheduled day, allowing the match window to be extended significantly to account for weather delays.
Umpires are instructed to treat Sunday as if no reserve day exists at all, maximising every available minute to achieve a result on the original date.
Having said that, there is a reserve day on Monday, July 6.
MORE: Women's WC winner compares MS Dhoni to Novak Djokovic
Each team must face a minimum of ten overs before the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method can be applied.
The minimum requirement to draw a result was five overs during the group stages of the tournament.
MORE: How fielding coach's wife's 'disco jacket' transformed England to fire them into T20 World Cup final
If the ten-over minimum cannot be achieved on Sunday despite all the extra time available, the match moves to the reserve day on Monday, July 6.
Play on the reserve day is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm local time, with a further 150 minutes of additional playing time available.
The match will not restart on Monday but will simply continue from the previous day. So both teams will resume play and not restart.
If overs had already been reduced on Sunday, the match will continue with the same reduced overs and the same target on Monday.
MORE: Women's T20 World Cup final 2026: Australia's opponents, date, venue, time and full schedule
Both England and Australia will be declared joint winners of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup if the match is abandoned due to rain. If the game is tied and no super over can be played due to rain, they will also be declared joint winners.
There is no other tiebreaker available. The ICC has put every structural safeguard in place to prevent this outcome, from the extended playing time to the reserve day, but if all options are exhausted and the required overs simply cannot be bowled across both days, the title will be shared.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
LeBron James has ignited an absolute frenzy across the 2026 NBA free-agency market. But the latest shockwave is coming straight from Minneapolis. The 41-year-old veteran is looking for a new home for his historic 24th NBA season.
James’ agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, Rich Paul, recently made it clear on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that “10 to 12 teams” have already contacted him about the four-time champion.
Paul referenced these names on the whiteboard during his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, where he showed every possible destination for his client while jotting down the pros and cons.
Amid this, league sources told The Athletic that the Timberwolves “have ramped up their push for LeBron James, with full belief that they are very much in the hunt to land one of the greatest players in NBA history.”
The Wolves represent an undeniably unique wild card compared to other pursuers like the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors.
The franchise underwent a massive summer roster reshuffle, trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets and Naz Reid along with a package of draft picks and swaps to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green last month.
KEEP READING:LeBron James Rumors: Rich Paul Heard From 27 Teams As NBA Legend Weighs Free Agency Decision After Lakers Exit
They have gathered a team built on youth, skill, and endless potential and are now looking for the final piece to fit this puzzle.
As per the Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, “Timberwolves have been in contact with James’ representatives with a bold pitch: team up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to go after the kind of championship that could end any discussion about who is the greatest player of all time.”
After entering free agency this summer, the four-time MVP seems to be formally emphasizing that he refuses to be written off and that there’s still a lot left in him.
Last season with the Lakers, James faced an evaporating role. The front office made it clear during this year’s draft how they are prioritizing youth in the gold and purple jerseys.
With Luka Dončić as the primary playmaker and Austin Reaves locked in on $185 million, the franchise is hoping for a deep postseason run in 2026-27.
They have also signed Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million deal, Quentin Grimes on a four-year, $60 million deal, Sandro Mamukelashvili on a four-year, $52 million deal, and Collin Sexton on a two-year, $19 million deal.
The Timberwolves’ proposal is very compelling, and according to them, if LeBron James were to join, it would end the interminable debate about who is the NBA’s true “Greatest Of All Time.”
“The people of Minnesota are desperate for a championship,” Krawczynski notes.
“The Wolves think if James picks them over all the other suitors — cold weather and lack of spending power be damned — it would be the biggest possible statement he could make in the long-running greatest player of all time debate between him and Michael Jordan.”
Helping a franchise starving for a championship title, alongside the league’s brightest young stars, would provide the 4-time NBA champ with not only his 5th title but also the ultimate, undeniable mic-drop moment to seal his legacy.
Whether this ambitious blueprint becomes reality or remains an ultimate NBA “what-if” scenario, one thing is certain: a lineup of this caliber would instantly shift the balance of power in the league, not just the Western Conference, and would leave a lasting mark.
Formula 1 returns this weekend with action from the British Grand Prix. A sprint weekend at Silverstone provides plentiful opportunity for upsets with Lewis Hamilton seeking to ignite a title challenge against the dominant Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona, his first driving for Ferrari, gave some hope that the 41-year-old could mount a charge to close the gap on championship leader Antonelli but it was Russell who performed strongest in Austria and claimed his second grand prix win of the season to close the gap on his teammate to 40 points.
However, Hamilton won every session on Friday by topping the leaderboard in practice before clinching pole position for the sprint race by just +0.011 seconds ahead of Antonelli.
Also in the mix is Max Verstappen. Despite a slow start to the season, Verstappen finished second in Austria and raised questions over a possible Red Bull resurgence that could continue at Silverstone especially following his P3 in sprint qualifying.
Here’s everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix.
1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
11. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
16. Alex Albon (Williams)
17. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
18. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
19. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
All times BST
Saturday 4 July
Sunday 5 July
The British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:55 pm (BST).
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action from Silverstone on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch, then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 171 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 131 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 125 points
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 80 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 79 points
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 79 points
7. Max Verstappen(Red Bull) - 73 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) - 42 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 30 points
11. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 18 points
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 16 points
13. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) -14 points
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 6 points
15. Alex Albon (Williams) - 5 points
15. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 3 points
17. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1 point
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
21. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points
1. Mercedes - 302 points
2. Ferrari - 204 points
3. McLaren - 159 points
4. Red Bull - 115 points
5. Alpine - 57 points
6. Racing Bulls - 44 points
7. Haas - 21 points
8. Williams - 11 points
9. Audi - 2 points
10. Aston Martin - 1 point
11. Cadillac - 0 points
ROUND 9 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July
Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July
Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August
Monza Circuit - 4-6 September
Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September
Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November
Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November
Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December
Formula 1 heads to Silverstone in Great Britain for round nine of the 2026 F1 season in a sprint weekend that could play a key role in the drivers’ championship title race.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli still leads the way but since claiming a fifth consecutive victory with a victory in Monaco the impressive 19-year-old has seen his lead cut to 43 points.
A DNF in Barcelona helped Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton close the gap, as the seven-time champion claimed a first grand prix win for the Italian team, before Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell earned victory at the Austrain Grand Prix last time out.
Antonelli limited that damage with a place on the podium but it was the eye-raising performance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who swept through to finish second, that makes the prospect of three teams competing at the top such an exciting one as F1 descends on Silverstone.
Here’s everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix.
All times BST
Saturday 4 July
Sunday 5 July
The British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:55 pm (BST).
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action from Silverstone on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch, then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 179 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 136 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 132 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 85 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 83 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 82 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 76 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 42 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 31 points
11. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 18 points
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 16 points
13. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) -14 points
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 6 points
15. Alex Albon (Williams) - 5 poins
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 3 points
17. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1 point
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
21. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points
1. Mercedes - 315 points
2. Ferrari - 215 points
3. McLaren - 167 points
4. Red Bull - 118 points
5. Alpine - 57 points
6. Racing Bulls - 45 points
7. Haas - 21 points
8. Williams - 11 points
9. Audi - 2 points
10. Aston Martin - 1 point
11. Cadillac - 0 points
ROUND 9 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July
Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July
Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August
Monza Circuit - 4-6 September
Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September
Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November
Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November
Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December
Tennis fans know that Emma Navarro was dealing with health issues that kept her off the court for a few months.
It was serious enough to cause her to miss her home tournament, the Charleston Open.
Navarro won the Strousbourg Open and is battling at Wimbledon, at press time, against Marta Kostyuk. During ESPN’s coverage of that match, Navarro’s diagnosis was revealed by Chris McKendry.
MORE: Jim Courier proposes best idea for WTA Finals and ATP Finals year end events
Hyopthyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid.
Early symptoms can go unnoticed but over time, fatigue, depression, and weight gain are among the most prominent.
Though we do not know Navarro’s treatment, she is likely under the supervision of an endocrinologist who is montoring her bloodwork and using prescription medication to treat her.
Hypothyroidism is a life-long issue, occurs mainly in women, and medication and levels need to be closely monitored. It can morph into hyperthyroidism where the thyroid gland is overperforming. That provides opposite symptoms including rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and sleeplessness.
MORE: Jasmine Paolini, Sara Errani withdraw, Serena & Venus still in Wimbledon doubles
McKendry revealed that Navarro used the time off not only to heal her body, but also to learn how to balance life and tennis.
Jul 2, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Emma Navarro (USA) serves against Oksana Selekhmeteva (ESP) (not pictured) on day four of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
She rose in the rankings quickly after turning professional and was World No. 8 in 2024. With that success comes a lot of pressure for the former NCAA Champion out of the University of Virginia who is among the new generation of players playing some college tennis before turning pro.
Formula 1 heads to Silverstone in Great Britain for round nine of the 2026 F1 season in a sprint weekend that could play a key role in the drivers’ championship title race.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli still leads the way but since claiming a fifth consecutive victory with a victory in Monaco the impressive 19-year-old has seen his lead cut to 43 points.
A DNF in Barcelona helped Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton close the gap, as the seven-time champion claimed a first grand prix win for the Italian team, before Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell earned victory at the Austrain Grand Prix last time out.
Antonelli limited that damage with a place on the podium but it was the eye-raising performance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who swept through to finish second, that makes the prospect of three teams competing at the top such an exciting one as F1 descends on Silverstone.
Here’s everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix.
All times BST
Saturday 4 July
Sunday 5 July
The British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:55 pm (BST).
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action from Silverstone on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch, then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 179 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 136 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 132 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 85 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 83 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 82 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 76 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 42 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 31 points
11. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 18 points
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 16 points
13. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) -14 points
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 6 points
15. Alex Albon (Williams) - 5 poins
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 3 points
17. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1 point
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
21. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points
1. Mercedes - 315 points
2. Ferrari - 215 points
3. McLaren - 167 points
4. Red Bull - 118 points
5. Alpine - 57 points
6. Racing Bulls - 45 points
7. Haas - 21 points
8. Williams - 11 points
9. Audi - 2 points
10. Aston Martin - 1 point
11. Cadillac - 0 points
ROUND 9 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July
Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July
Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August
Monza Circuit - 4-6 September
Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September
Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November
Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November
Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December
'How sustainable is it?': Matthew Hayden on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's power-hitting, compares teen to Shubman Gill originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former Australia opener and Gujarat Titans batting coach Matthew Hayden has raised questions about whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brand of explosive power-hitting can hold up over a sustained period.
Sooryavanshi took the IPL 2026 by storm and scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237. He also broke Chris Gayle's longstanding sixes record as he smashed 77 maximums during the course of the tournament.
However, Hayden's central point goes beyond any individual innings or tournament. He believes that the real test for any young player who draws attention through a dazzling body of early work is whether that approach can be maintained across a long career under the scrutiny and pressure that come with sustained international exposure.
Speaking to PTI, he said: "The challenge, I guess, for any youngster that's watching this video, uh, and following the profile of a young player like a Sooryavanshi, is how is that sustainable over a long period of time?"
VIDEO | Reflecting on the contrasting batting styles of Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Hayden said there is room for both approaches in modern T20 cricket.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2026
"We're talking about two very unique personalities and characters. Can… pic.twitter.com/bdNkMlmDbz
While reflecting on the contrasting personalities of Gill and Sooryavanshi, Hayden was clear that both styles can co-exist in modern T20 cricket and have already done so.
He held Gill up as the reference point, noting that, despite also being young, Gill has already answered those questions.
"Shubman Gill has had the answers to that. Even though he's a young player, he's now a player of international standing. And, you know, in my head, that's still the premium product," Hayden said.
The former Australian opener was equally firm on the coaching philosophy he believes in, pushing back against the idea of asking any young cricketer to model themselves on someone else.
"Very much support the philosophy, coaching philosophy of finding one's best inner warrior," he said.
"You know, Sooryavanshi, as you rightly pointed out to Shubman Gill, you know, they, they're very distinctive characters and distinctive personalities with distinctive upbringings, uh, regional differences. That's the beauty of our game because it's a skill-based game, and you arrive at the platform with very different nuances in technical capacity."
[BCCI/Creimas]
Sooryavanshi drew on his own experience of growing up admiring Brian Lara without ever trying to become Lara, saying his career was built on developing instincts and a game that was entirely his own.
"I, for example, grew up loving watching Brian Lara. But am I Brian Lara? No, I'm not," he argued.
"Am I West Indian? No. I grew up in a very small village in, in regional country Australia in Queensland, where sport was a primary focus. I lived on a 10-acre house block, and I developed a game which arguably at the time was, was the best in the world, based on my own instincts, and that's a great part about sport. And that's across codes."
Hayden's sustainability argument is worth taking seriously, but it also needs reconsideration given the circumstances.
Every player who has ever burst onto the scene with an outrageous strike rate and aggressive instincts has faced this question, and many have found ways to evolve their game without losing what made them special.
Sooryavanshi is 15. He doesn't need to have all the answers right now. What he has already shown, in domestic cricket and the IPL, suggests the raw material is extraordinary.
Hayden is right that Gill offers a more proven template at the international level, but comparing a teenager with limited senior exposure to an established international player is slightly unfair.
Give Sooryavanshi his debut, let him face real pressure, and then the sustainability question becomes worth asking properly.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Despite having the 2025-26 season as one of his best and most influential campaigns on the pitch, the Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is not going through a very enviable moment.
The end of the last season saw him involved in controversy, as he was one of the main characters in the dramatic dressing room fight, along with Federico Valverde. This episode made its way to the media and ended up costing the Frenchman quite a lot of money as the Merengue club fined both the players for their disciplinary misconduct.
After the end of the season, the midfielder got to play in a changed environment, as he is participating in the World Cup 2026 with the French national team. However, even there he is facing some issues.
These issues are mainly of physical nature. He previously had to miss the group stage game against Iraq, when Didier Deschamps decided to replace him with Manu Kone.
Now, ahead of the Round of 16 game against Paraguay, the Real Madrid midfielder is again facing some physical problems. According to Diario AS, Tchouameni has suffered a recurrence of a thigh muscle injury, and is set to miss a week’s action because of this problem.
This injury comes at a very delicate time for the Frenchman, as his country would be playing some crucial matches in the coming days. He is sure to miss the match against Paraguay, which is set to take place today, on Saturday, while his availability for a potential quarter-final match is also in doubt. There is no doubt that this would be a significant blow for the French side.
Hopefully, Aurelien Tchouameni would be able to recover from this issue as soon as possible, and help his national team in the coming knock-out games, beginning with the one against Paraguay, and ultimately to World Cup glory this summer, along with his Real Madrid teammate, Kylian Mbappe.
France have come through this tournament with minimal fuss. No drama, no panic, no sign that the heat in North America has seriously slowed them down. Now comes Paraguay in Philadelphia, a side that did well to get here after dumping Germany out on penalties, but this is a very different level of test.
Didier Deschamps has a decision to make. France are expected to reach the World Cup quarter-finals and the bigger threats are likely waiting beyond this tie, with Morocco, Spain or Portugal all possible later opponents. That means rotation is sensible, provided it does not become complacency.
The shape is familiar and the options are deep. Mike Maignan should continue in goal. Jules Kounde, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano look the safest calls across the back line, though Theo Hernandez is well placed to come in at left-back for Lucas Digne. Maxence Lacroix is another option if Deschamps wants to manage minutes in central defence.
Midfield is where the workload matters. Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have carried heavy minutes, so Manu Kone could be a potential change. Fresh legs now can matter later.
Up front, there is one name that does not invite much debate. Kylian Mbappe starts. Simple as that. He is the reference point, the finisher and the player opponents fear most.
Photo: IMAGO
Around him, changes are more realistic. Ousmane Dembele may be protected, with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola ready to step in. Rayan Cherki offers another creative option, though Michael Olise appears the safest bet in the No 10 role.
Paraguay deserve credit for surviving the last 32 and punishing Germany from the spot after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. That took nerve. It also took plenty out of them. Against France, they will need another near-perfect night.
The expectation is straightforward. France should have too much, even with changes. If Deschamps gets the balance right, this ought to be efficient rather than chaotic.
Predicted France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Kone, Tchouameni, Doue, Olise, Barcola, Mbappe
Kick-off is set for 10pm BST on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Philadelphia Stadium.
Last month, Real Madrid submitted a dossier to UEFA as part of their plans to seek punishment for Barcelona over the Negreira case. The club, spearheaded by president Florentino Perez, believe their arch rivals committed wrongdoing during the period in which they made payments to former Referee’s Committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, and they are also appearing as an injured party in the ongoing legal case.
At this stage, UEFA are not prepared to rule on the dossier, while La Liga president Javier Tebas has now criticised the move made by Real Madrid during comments made during a press conference this week (via MD).
“I have not seen it yet, but I really want to read it. I want to see since what year they complain, if they complain about the mistakes that have been made with all the clubs, including Real Madrid itself. If anyone can’t complain about refereeing errors, it’s Real Madrid.”
Tebas was also asked whether he would be willing to speak at a Real Madrid presidential inauguration, as he did with Barcelona earlier this week – an event that Joan Laporta used to take aim at Perez and the Bernabeu club.
“If it were an inauguration, of course I would go, I would take the floor and of course I would say the same thing I said yesterday. That there are periods of differences, complicated, that each one defends certain circumstances, but the important thing is to work with respect for the institutions. In fact, every weekend I am invited to the box, but for personal reasons I do not go, because I have family issues to attend to.”
Real Madrid are unlikely to regard Tebas’ comments, and they will continue to push towards seeking any sort of punishment for Barcelona over the Negreira case.
Reports in Italy claim that Daniele De Rossi wants a reunion with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk at Genoa, that the Giallorossi are keen to shift the Ukrainian, but that a deal between the two clubs may still prove challenging to pull off.
Dovbyk joined Roma in a deal worth €30.5m plus add-ons in the summer of 2024, going on to score 12 goals from 32 league appearances during his first season at the Stadio Olimpico. His 2025-26 campaign was plagued by injuries, though limiting him to just three starts in the league across the season.
Roma are now looking to move on: Donyell Malen impressed with his tally of 14 goals from 18 appearances during the second half of the 2025-26 season, and reports over the last few weeks indicate that Mason Greenwood is Gian Piero Gasperini’s first choice to come in and bolster the Giallorossi attack.
With Marseille holding out for a €50m fee for Greenwood, and if Roma are able to land a deal with the Ligue 1 outfit, it is likely to spell the end of Dovbyk’s days at the Stadio Olimpico.
There have also been reports earlier this week that Roma are interested in Italian-born Germany youth international Niccolo Tresoldi, but that this would specifically require a sale of Dovbyk first.
According to the latest reports in Italy, former Roma head coach De Rossi is keen to bring Dovbyk to Marassi for 2026-27, but this might be easier said than done.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Daniele De Rossi of Genoa FC looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Genoa CFC at Gewiss Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia and TMW, representatives from the two clubs are in contact, but Dovbyk’s €3.5m-per-season salary is expected to be too high for Genoa to handle. His signing would only be possible if Roma are able to ‘do them a favour’ from a salary standpoint.
Roma are keen to shift Dovbyk, but the latest TMW update claims that they feel a move abroad is more likely, and if possible, they would prefer to sell the striker outright rather than sending him on loan with an option to buy.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma misses a penalty during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and LOSC Lille at Stadio Olimpico on October 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Dovbyk remains under contract with the Giallorossi until the summer of 2029.
Turkish side Trabzonspor has also been touted as a potential destination for the 29-year-old this summer.
Former NFL general manager Scot McCloughan hasn't worked in the league in an official capacity since he was fired as GM of the Washington Commanders in 2017. Since that time, McCloughan has worked as a consultant for different NFL teams while running his own scouting agency.
Before McCloughan's two-year stint as Washington's GM, he had previously served as the GM of the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to being a two-time former NFL GM, McCloughan has also worked in the front offices for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
While we are in the quiet part of the NFL year, weeks before training camp, one story has dominated the league: Brandon Aiyuk's saga with the 49ers. Aiyuk and the Niners have been at odds for a while, and San Francisco voided some of his guaranteed money.
McCloughan is in a unique position to discuss the situation. He's no longer affiliated with either franchise, and he scouted Aiyuk ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. He joined the "Kevin Sheehan Show" on Team 980 in Washington, D.C., where he discussed Aiyuk.
"When they drafted him, I said he is a No. 1 receiver talent-wise, but you be very, very careful with the character, very careful," McCloughan said. "At Arizona State, he got in trouble there, too. Herm Edwards was the coach, and I knew Herm very well, and he's like, 'Listen, he's a wildcard. We don't know if he's going to show up. We don't know if he's gonna do anything, or he might come and have the best day of his career.'"
"It's all about him. It's not about anybody else."
— The Team 980 (@team980) July 2, 2026
Former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan delivers a big warning about possible Commanders target Brandon Aiyuk (via The Kevin Sheehan Show) pic.twitter.com/B13mBMbnsX
McCloughan's words carry weight. He still has strong connections to every NFL front office. He acknowledges Aiyuk's massive talent. But he then offered a warning to the Commanders or any other team that would sign Aiyuk once he's free from San Francisco.
"What he's done, from a GM standpoint on the outside looking in, to the 49ers, is embarrassing. Embarrassing," he said. "And what you're getting in your building is going to be the same thing. There will be good days. There's going to be bad days. First year, he'll be fine. Then all of a sudden, you get the comfort zone; then you better hold on, and if you have a locker room that can control that, then power to you. But if you don't, he'll eat you up. It's all about him."
Everything McCloughan said here would run counter to what Washington GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have preached since arriving in 2024: brotherhood, culture, character, team-first.
The most interesting part here is McCloughan's reference to Edwards, a former NFL head coach for the Jets and Chiefs. He was Arizona State's head coach when Aiyuk and Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels played for the program. Edwards is a respected voice. He loves Daniels and has spoken highly of the star QB's talent and character. It's interesting to hear that McCloughan's perspective on Aiyuk came from Edwards.
You can bet other NFL teams will reach out to Edwards again once the 49ers release Aiyuk.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Former Washington GM warns of potential interest in Brandon Aiyuk
Most analysts have penciled Iowa in for a win in its season-opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5. On paper, it makes a lot of sense why.
The Hawkeyes are an upper-half Big Ten team, with future NFL draft picks on both sides of the ball. The Huskies are making the move to the Mountain West Conference next season and will have a new head coach as well. Despite that, this game may not be as black-and-white as many originally thought.
The Huskies made a major addition to their roster on Friday, landing quarterback Taron Dickens out of the transfer portal.
Northern Illinois has signed Western Carolina QB transfer Taron Dickens, a source tells @247Sports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) July 3, 2026
Dickens, who signed with North Carolina earlier this offseason, threw for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns against just 2 INTs in 2025.
Was the top available QB in the portal.… pic.twitter.com/oVNpOf29i3
Dickens transferred in from Western Carolina, where he had a monster sophomore season in 2025. He completed 74.2% of his passes for 3,508 yards and an incredible 38:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The 5-foot-11 signal-caller landing with the Huskies is an insane feat of its own.
Dickens originally committed to Bill Belichick and North Carolina back in February. He was only in Chapel Hill for a few months before being released from his contract and re-entering the portal. The main speculation was that academics played a role in his contract ending.
Regardless of the reason why his time at North Carolina was short-lived, Dickens immediately became the most highly-coveted quarterback in the portal. And now he's landed with the Huskies and will most likely start on September 5 inside Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa should and still will be the favorite to win that game. But a brand-new defense that's replacing a lot of talent will now get an immediate test. Dickens will be one of the more talented quarterbacks the Hawkeyes play in 2026. This game will be a bigger challenge than initially anticipated.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football's Week 1 opponent lands transfer portal QB
Rich Paul said on the latest episode of the “Game Over” podcast that the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the teams that could land LeBron James.
The Wolves put themselves in the running to sign the four-time MVP after significant offseason moves saw them acquire LaMelo Ball and pair him with resident superstar Anthony Edwards.
Shortly after Paul shared his views on James’ free agency, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski mentioned that the T-Wolves “are ramping up” their efforts to land the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
Krawczynski’s report quickly caused a buzz in the NBA world.
In 2016, James gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their first and still only championship. The title ended a 52-year title drought for the Cleveland.
The 22-time All-Star could replicate that feat by helping the Timberwolves lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time.
By taking his talents to Minnesota, James could also boost his already all-time great legacy. Krawczynski reported:
“The Timberwolves have been in contact with James’ representatives with a bold pitch: team up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert to go after the kind of championship that could end any discussion about who is the greatest player of all time.”
The report sparked strong reactions from NBA observers.
“Holy smokes, it’s happening,” auser posted.
“We now live in a world where LeBron James to Minnesota is being mentioned,” Sports journalist Evan Porter wrote.
According to a Timberwolves supporter: “The League is shaking.”
An X site that regularly features Edwards commented: “GIVE ME THE GOAT NOW.”
The Playmaker Society posted: “This is going to be the opening scene of an ESPN 30 for 30: ‘How LeBron Saved Minnesota.’
Paul, in his talk with co-host Max Kellerman, underlined how the Timberwolves’ ownership group, led by Marc Lore and former MLB superstar Alex Rodriguez, could be a factor in signing James.
The Klutch Sports Group CEO also mentioned the importance of Tim Connelly, Minnesota’s president of basketball operations.
Kellerman responded that there’s “a different level of achievement and credit” if James wins in Minnesota.
On the court, James could fill a gaping hole in the Timberwolves’ roster. The Julius Randle and Naz Reid trades have thinned out their wings and frontcourt. Minnesota expects McDaniels to take a leap, but having James, a do-it-all 6-foot-9 forward, in the lineup solves multiple problems for coach Chris Finch.
The league’s all-time leading scorer showed in the 2026 playoffs that he still has enough left in the tank to be an impactful contributor.
A starting five of Gobert, James, McDaniels, Edwards, and Ball could rival any quintet in the NBA.
There are also many other interesting subplots if James takes his talents to Minnesota. He can help push Edwards to the top and mentor Ball, whose maturity has been much criticized.
The Timberwolves finished the 2025-26 season with a 49-33 record and earned the No. 6 spot in the loaded Western Conference.
After dispatching the third-seeded Denver Nuggets, they went down to the No. 2-ranked San Antonio Spurs.
Connelly acknowledged in May via ESPN, after the Timberwolves’ playoff exit, that they were not good enough. He vowed to be “as aggressive as possible” in the offseason to address their weaknesses. After shipping Randle and Reid out and bringing in Ball, he could shock the world by landing James.
Good morning, BBN, and happy 4th of July!
Fun fact: July is the only month in the calendar year without any University of Kentucky sporting events.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t activity. The basketball teams are hard at work in practice, and the football team is doing summer training.
However, it all stops this weekend as we celebrate the USA’s 250th year of independence. What an awesome milestone for our country, and we are thankful every day for the brave men and women who have made it possible.
As you get ready to hang out with family and friends at the pool today, let’s check out some of the top headlines.
Best fans in the nation 👏 pic.twitter.com/J6TQNl9jNc
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 3, 2026
Love to see it, BBN.
Djokovic wins 105th match at Wimbledon to equal Federer record – ESPN
Another record for Joker to beat.
Here for all of the McCarthy-Murray drama.
I wonder if she’ll be able to play this year.
A tad surprising, considering they didn’t really address their issues on defense and overall athleticism.
Sources: Lakers trading Ayton to Wizards for Hardy, future picks – ESPN
AD finally gets his Center.
This is funny.
Alex Ovechkin returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Capitals – NBC Sports
How does he keep doing it!
Braves sign former NL MVP, veteran OF Andrew McCutchen to minor-league deal – Yahoo Sports
Crazy to see how he has fallen.
Sources: 76ers enter mix for LeBron James after Jaylen Brown add – ESPN
This would be… kind of awesome?
Hilarious headline.
As per Ferran Correas of SPORT, Frenkie de Jong finished the 2026 World Cup carrying a knee problem, with the Barcelona midfielder playing the closing stages of the tournament despite persistent pain in his right knee.
The Netherlands were eliminated in the Round of 32 after losing to Morocco on penalties, bringing an end to Ronald Koeman’s tenure as head coach.
De Jong played 110 minutes in that match and is understood to have been dealing with discomfort throughout the game.
Sources from the Netherlands suggest De Jong also played through pain during the final two group-stage matches against Sweden and Tunisia.
De Jong ended the World Cup with an injury. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Some have even claimed the midfielder received pain-relieving injections before those fixtures, with both games proving crucial to the Dutch campaign.
Victory over Tunisia secured qualification for the knockout rounds before the decisive encounter with Morocco, who had reached the semi-finals of the previous World Cup.
Despite the discomfort, Barcelona are not believed to be concerned about De Jong’s condition.
The issue is not considered a serious injury, and the expectation is that a period of rest will allow the midfielder to recover fully before the start of pre-season.
Barcelona’s World Cup participants are entitled to three weeks of holiday after their international campaigns conclude.
As a result, De Jong is expected to report back to Hansi Flick shortly before the squad departs for its pre-season training camp in England at the Football Association’s training centre.
Barcelona not worried as the injury is not serious. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
At this stage, there are no indications that his knee issue will delay his preparations for the new season.
De Jong is not the only Barcelona player to have experienced fitness problems during the World Cup in North America.
Ronald Araújo suffered a calf injury before the World Cup began and even made a brief trip back to Spain to receive treatment from a trusted physiotherapist while also being assessed by Barcelona’s medical staff.
Although he later rejoined Uruguay, he did not feature during the tournament, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side failing to progress beyond the group stage.
Raphinha has also been sidelined after suffering a muscle injury during Brazil’s second group match against Haiti. The winger missed Brazil’s following two games and is also expected to sit out the Round-of-16 clash with Norway.
Brazil remain optimistic, however, that the Barcelona forward could return in the quarter-finals should Carlo Ancelotti’s side advance.
How much of the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 salary cap space is devoted to the defensive end position?
For this season, the league-wide salary cap was set at $301.2 million, and of that, $23.312 million will go towards the defensive end unit for the Colts, according to Over the Cap.
Compared to the rest of the NFL, this ranks 23rd and accounts for 7.7% of the Colts' allotted salary cap space.
At a position that can command big salaries, the Colts don't have any big deals on the books at defensive end for the 2026 season.
Arden Key, who signed a three-year, $21 million free-agent deal, has the largest cap hit on the team at this position of $6.75 million. Among all defensive ends, this ranks 40th in the NFL.
Laiatu Latu is still on his rookie deal, so he comes with a modest cap hit of $4.645 million. Free agent Micheal Clemons is just behind him at $4.47 million. He signed a three-year, $17 million deal with the Colts in the offseason.
Jaylahn Tuimoloau, George Gumbs Jr., and Caden Curry are all on rookie contracts as well, which keeps the overall cap hit costs down.
Whether or not the Colts have enough pass rush juice to pair with Latu is one of the bigger unknowns facing this team.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Salary cap breakdown: Colts in bottom third of NFL in spending at edge rusher
Barcelona are blessed to have one of the most talented squads in the world, with many of their best players yet to enter their prime years as footballers.
In attack, they have Lamine Yamal, who is considered one of the best right-wingers in world football. In defence, they have Pau Cubarsi, who is slowly entering that conversation, if he is not already there.
In midfield, they have Pedri. The Spanish midfield star has made the position his own, with performances that defy logic.
The Canary Islander’s performances have seen him receive appreciation from the greats of the game, and the latest one to join the hype train is Thiago Alcantara.
Speaking with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents, Thiago was asked to build a three-man midfield of current players. And his first name was Pedri.
Best in the world, reckons Thiago. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
“Pedri – best midfield player for me in the world right now,” started Thiago.
Waxing lyrical over the Spanish international, Thiago added: “When I was a player and played with him and when I was a coach now, I had the same feeling that I had with Iniesta at that time.
“Of this plasticity while playing, like moving all the time in diagonal, and while you’re moving, you see what’s happening around you and taking the right decisions.”
The praise for the Barça man cannot get much better. Thiago is one of the best midfield exponents of the modern generation.
He has seen Pedri at close quarters during his time with Hansi Flick’s coaching staff last season.
Starting to come into his own at the World Cup. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Pedri’s recent performances for Spain at the World Cup have become so routine that they do not feel spectacular anymore.
The best feeling for a player, especially in a midfield like La Roja’s, is when he does not seem to break a sweat doing what he does.
Pedri has reached that flow state. He and Rodri are paramount to how well Luis de la Fuente’s side fare in this tournament.
Barcelona fans are extremely lucky to have the Spaniard in their ranks, and the hope is that they get to enjoy him for seasons to come.
The Yankees got two key position players back on Friday in Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon, but the injury-plagued club also placed another starting pitcher on the injured list.
The team announced before their 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins that left-handed starter Carlos Rodon was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) with left elbow inflammation.
Rodon (4-2, 3.30 ERA) was slated to pitch Saturday against the Twins, but instead it looks like the team will use an opener, possibly Brendan Beck.
Rodon told reporters he was experiencing discomfort in between starts and when he went to throw in the outfield he did not feel 100%. An MRI revealed inflammation, not structural damage with his UCL, per Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network.
“It could be one of those things where it’s up to a week of no-throw, but it might not be that long,” Rodón, who plans on getting PRP and orthovisc injections, told reporters, per the Daily News. “It’s based on how I feel.
“I want to be back as soon as I can, whenever I’m ready.”
“Hopefully this is something that gets cleaned up and gets him in a better place so that he can return for the stretch drive and be even more of a factor for us,” Aaron Boone told reporters.
Rodón underwent left elbow surgery on October 15, 2025, to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone.
The left-hander also missed the beginning of the regular season while recovering from the surgery He did not make his first start of the 2026 season until May 10.
The Yankees are already down two starters in Max Fried and Clarke Schmidt, along with hitters Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
As for Beck, a second-round draft pick in 2021, he is expected to join the team off the taxi squad on Saturday and could be the opener depending on how much the bullpen is used Friday.
MORE BY ADAM ZAGORIA
He is 7-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 88 innings in Triple-A this season.
Grisham made an immediate impact in his return, homering in the first inning Friday to tie the game at 1-1 before it went into a weather delay.
He had been on the IL with a hamstring strain since June 13.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Iga Świątek continues her Wimbledon title defense with a third-round clash against Alexandra Eala on Saturday. The Pole showed glimpses of her best form in her second-round win over Karolína Plíšková but could be in for a tough test against the in-form Eala.
Date: July 4, 2026
Tournament: Wimbledon Championships 2026
Round: Women’s Singles Third Round
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England
Surface: Outdoor Grass
Category: Grand Slam
Live Telecast: ESPN, BBC, TSN
These two players have met twice on the WTA Tour. Eala pulled off a stunning upset at their first meeting in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open last year. Świątek gained a measure of revenge a few weeks later in Madrid, albeit in three sets.
Eala arrives in this match in slightly better form. She started her grass-court season with an impressive triumph at the Birmingham Classic before a second-round exit at Queen’s Club. The 21-year-old also made the semifinals in Berlin, earning impressive wins over Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina in the process.
At Wimbledon, Eala started her campaign with a comfortable win over Renata Zarazúa. She had to come from behind against Maya Joint in the second round but managed to get her serve on track after losing the first set.
Świątek lost in her grass-court opener and was nearly sent packing in the first round of Wimbledon by Taylor Townsend. However, she showed her mettle in the deciding set to clinch a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 win.
In the second round, Świątek appeared to be at her imperious best as she saw off Plíšková 6-1, 6-3. The world No. 3 broke her opponent’s serve six times and won an impressive 83% of the points on her first serve.
Eala is playing with plenty of confidence and finally finding some consistency after a difficult start to the year. She has overcome all expectations on grass courts this season, with her sharp footwork, solid returns, and flat groundstrokes proving to be very effective on the surface.
Świątek’s recent struggles and lack of confidence will give Eala confidence in pulling off an upset. The key to this match could well rest on how much rhythm she can find in her service game, which has quickly become a weak point for her.
MORE: ‘I Needed To Avenge This Court So Badly’ – Jessica Pegula Admits After Wimbledon Third Round
Both players have shown a tendency to lapse in concentration, and Eala’s past performances against Świątek will give her the belief that she can come out on top again.
Still, we believe that Świątek’s experience, overall consistency, and excellent return game could help her edge out Eala.
Pick- Świątek to win in three sets
Mario Gila is close to completing a move from Lazio to Milan and the latest reports claim that Lazio are already eyeing two potential new centre-backs to replace the Spaniard and Alessio Romagnoli.
Gennaro Gattuso has recently been appointed as the new head coach of Lazio, and his recruitment will be immediately tested as Lazio go in search of new defenders to replace Gila, who looks set to join Milan and Romagnoli, who is expected to join Al-Sadd.
There are several options on the cards for the Biancocelesti this summer: According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Oliver Provstgaard could be ‘promoted’ to a new role as a go-to starter with Patric and Samuel Gigot as reserve options, but this still leaves the club needing to bring in at least one new starting centre-half, if not more.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that 21-year-old Sergi Dominguez from Dinamo Zagreb is the leading option. The former Barcelona youth player has been based in Croatia for the last 12 months and could be available for a fee as low as €7m-€8m according to the latest updates.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reports that Brighton are open to the idea of sending out Diego Coppola on loan with a potential option or obligation to buy, just one year after he joined the Seagulls in a €12m move from Hellas Verona.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Diego Coppola of Brighton & Hove Albion in action during the warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham at Amex Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are in the market for a new midfielder, and one of the most prominent links has been to Enzo Fernandez. The Chelsea and Argentina star is a player that Bernabeu officials have been aware of for some time – back in 2023, they even tried to sign him when he was still at Benfica, but he ultimately ended up in London.
It’s taken for granted that Fernandez will leave Chelsea this summer, after the Premier League side failed to secure European qualification of any kind following a dismal 2025-26 campaign. Real Madrid were reported to have made moves towards signing the 25-year-old, whose agent Javier Pastore spoke to Marca earlier this week to clarify the situation.
“Today the player is calmly thinking about the National Team, he is playing in a World Cup, he is very close to going through to the round of 16… He is thinking only about that and we are looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea. He has many friends (in Madrid), and he is very good friends with Julián Álvarez, and in the end all the time they can spend together they are together there. And I’m also living in Madrid. Every time he travelled, he travelled to see me and to fix work things, but aside: who doesn’t like Madrid? I didn’t play in Madrid… I even live there.”
Pastore’s comments came prior to Real Madrid releasing an official statement to clarify their own stance on a move for Fernandez, in which they confirmed that no move had been made for the Chelsea man, nor was one planned. That will be a disappointment for a player that is reportedly very keen on continuing his career at the Bernabeu, although it will be interesting to see who ends up being the one to join Mourinho’s squad.
Reports in Italy claim that Juventus have a clear price in mind when it comes to defender Gleison Bremer, but the Bianconeri are willing to entertain offers below the €58m release clause that is written into the centre-back’s contract.
Juventus are still looking at the possibility of selling one of its big-name stars this summer; Tuttosport reporting that Bremer, Khephren Thuram and Andrea Cambiaso are among the players that could be sacrificed in the event of an enticing offer.
Bremer has a €58m release clause in his contract, but despite being Juve’s first-choice centre-back over the last few seasons, finding a suitable buyer for the Brazilian is not as straight-forward as it may seem.
The former Torino man is now 29, has had a series of knee injuries, and has spent the 2026 World Cup watching on from the sidelines behind Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and PSG’s Marquinhos, which hasn’t exactly helped to put him in the shop window.
With this in mind, and a release clause of €58m, there are only a handful of clubs in Europe that could feasibly consider a move.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Bremer of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Previous reports claimed that Tottenham Hotspur were interested, but after deals for Marcos Senesi and a particularly expensive deal for Jean-Paul van Hecke makes this seem unlikely. Reports earlier this week claimed that Bayern Munich are also interested in the Brazilian as they look to strengthen their back line this summer.
The latest updates from Tuttosport claim that Juventus are willing to listen to offers below Bremer’s release clause, potentially in the region of €45m-€50m. The club remain adamant, however, that they will not sell for anything under €40m.
Roma has decided to lock down Niccolò Pisilli, effectively keeping the young midfielder off the market at least until a possible offer deemed “impossible to refuse” is received.
This clear stance confirms the club’s desire to invest in the talent developed through the Giallorossi’s youth academy.
The valuation set by the club is significant: approximately €35 million, a figure that reflects the player’s growing importance within the coaching project and the confidence placed in his development. In recent months,
Pisilli’s name has been pursued by several top clubs.
Among the teams that have shown interest are Inter, Juventus, Milan, and Porto, all of whom have monitored the midfielder’s profile for the present and future.
However, none of the interested clubs has made a concrete offer. These have been mostly preliminary inquiries and evaluations, never escalating into a full negotiation.
Roma’s stance therefore appears clear. The club considers Pisilli a key player for the team’s present and future, part of a development program that aims to develop the young players already in the squad.
Last January, the Under-21 midfielder was the subject of transfer rumors, but Gasperini himself announced during a press conference that he would remain at Trigoria.
According to today’s edition of Il Corriere dello Sport, only an exceptional offer could change the situation, but there are currently no signs of this happening. The club has no intention of parting ways with the player unless he receives an offer outside the market.
Former Germany defender Per Mertesacker says he is willing to take on a job at the German Football Federation (DFB).
A member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad, Mertesacker also has a background in youth football having run Arsenal's academy for eight years.
Jürgen Klopp looks poised to replace Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's early World Cup exit, while DFB managing director for sport Andreas Rettig is also leaving in December.
"Somehow working for the DFB one day, giving something back to German football that I also owe so much to - if that is wanted - I am of course available for that," the 41-year-old Mertesacker told ZDF, where he is a pundit for the World Cup.
It remains unclear whether Rudi Völler will stay on as sporting director at the DFB.
The FIA banned Mercedes‘ qualifying power trick after the Japanese Grand Prix. Three months later, Mercedes has it back – just wearing different clothes.
Per reporting from The Race, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have been deliberately lifting off the throttle before crossing the timing line during their flying laps at Silverstone. On the surface, that looks like a driver error or a setup quirk. In reality, it’s a calculated workaround that gets Mercedes back to the same place the FIA told it to vacate.
Both Mercedes and Red Bull had discovered a method to sustain the maximum 350kW output far longer than intended, rather than adhering to the required step-down sequence that demands power be reduced at 50kW per second to avoid abrupt cuts – a technique that handed them a 50kW-100kW power advantage over competitors whose systems were already bleeding off energy.
A regulatory clause allowed teams to bypass the ramp-down rule whenever the MGU-K was deactivated due to a technical issue or emergency situation – and that exemption formed the foundation of Mercedes’ approach.
The catch was a mandatory 60-second lockout on the MGU-K after the shutdown. That’s catastrophic during a race, but completely irrelevant at the end of a qualifying lap when drivers are simply crawling back to the pits.
The problem was what happened when the cooldown lap didn’t go to plan.
Williams driver Alex Albon stopped on track entirely at Suzuka as a consequence, while Max Verstappen was left cruising at low speed after his own moment in Japan.
The FIA decided cars grinding to a halt in live sessions wasn’t an acceptable tradeoff for a few hundredths, and the trick was outlawed ahead of Miami.
The Silverstone version doesn’t touch the MGU-K at all.
Mercedes is instead exploiting separate allowances in the technical regulations that let teams bypass the 50kW-per-second drop if the driver’s power demand turns negative and the ERS-K output needs to be cut further to match that demand. Provided drivers lift off before the battery runs dry at 350kW, they stay fully within the rules.
According to FIA sources who spoke with The Race, the technique is fully within the rules, provided power has not already dropped by more than 50kW in a single second prior to the throttle lift.
The data from Silverstone sprint qualifying tells the story clearly.
Data from the car reveals Antonelli exits Club Corner with a 7-8km/h edge on Lewis Hamilton, generated by the additional deployment, until he eases off the throttle – after which Hamilton, maintaining full throttle the entire time, recovers to cross the line 5km/h faster.
Antonelli entered the final sector trailing Hamilton by 0.125 seconds, trimmed that deficit to just 0.002 seconds at one point, then crossed the finish line 0.011 seconds behind.
Had Antonelli stayed flat, he would likely have taken pole on track – but he’d have risked breaching the ramp-down rules in the process.
Silverstone’s relatively compact run from the final corner to the start/finish line makes the gain more accessible here than at many other venues, which is probably why this is the first race where Mercedes has deployed it. The tactic has now been clocked by rival teams, though, so expect this particular wrinkle to become a paddock-wide conversation before long. Mercedes didn’t invent rule exploitation in F1, but it does have a habit of finding doors the FIA thought it had already closed.
How much 2026 salary cap space do the Jacksonville Jaguars have devoted to the defensive tackle position?
For this season, the league-wide salary cap was set at $301.2 million, and the Jaguars have $40.772 million invested in the defensive tackle position, according to Over the Cap.
Compared to the rest of the NFL, this ranks 13th and accounts for 13.5% of the Jaguars' allotted salary cap space.
Editor's note: Arik Armtead is still listed as an edge rusher by OTC, so we added his cap hit for 2026 to the Jaguars' defensive tackle position to come up with the total above.
Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton account for a large portion of the salary cap space at this position. Armstead has a cap hit of $19.38 million, and Hamilton's is $12.448 million, which rank as the third and sixth largest cap hits on the team, respectively.
Among all defensive tackles league-wide, Armstead's cap hit ranks 11th, and Hamilton's ranks 26th.
Albert Regis and Ruke Orhohoro are both on rookie deals and have cap hits below $2 million.
Matt Dickerson's contract is a veteran minimum deal, with a cap hit of $1.225 million, while TJ Bollers, Keivie Rose, and Jalen Hunt are either first or second-year UDFAs.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Salary cap breakdown: Jaguars spending at defensive tackle is top heavy
I can't tell you where the recent trend of shop-simulator games began. It feels like another one is being released every minute, with little to differentiate them beyond the superficial coating of what your in-game shop is selling. Does Gacha Capsule Slot Simulator - Akihabara do anything to flip that script and make itself stand out? It's recently launched into early access, so let's have a look and find out. History lesson first. The first game I remember playing that really sold me on the joys of running my own shop was Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale. Over a decade […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gacha-capsule-slot-simulator-akihabara-early-access-hands-on/
The DRAM supply situation is predicted to worsen for consumer electronics next year, with multiple industry watchers believing that a grim future for budget handsets could materialize in 2027. Thanks to AI centers gobbling up existing DRAM shipments, which could account for more than 60 percent in the near future, phone makers will have a negligible supply to work with, forcing them to have little option but to raise prices. DRAM prices have surged by as much as 700% since 2022, with three memory makers controlling 90% of the total supply Even with a class-action lawsuit aimed directly at Samsung, SK […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/budget-smartphone-vanishing-in-2027-ai-hardware-accounting-for-60-percent-dram-supply/
Beşiktaş, Leipzig'den Arthur Vermeeren konusunda bir süredir temaslarda bulunuyor. Genç Belçikalı ile kişisel konularda anlaşma sağlandı. Ancak Alman ekibiyle henüz orta yol bulunamadı.
Beşiktaş bu yaz döneminde orta sahasını kesinlikle güçlendirecek. Bunu yaparken de TFF'nin 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanına uyulmaya çalışılıyor. Siyah-Beyazlılar bir süredir Leipzig'in 21 yaşındaki ön liberosu Arthur Vermeeren konusunda temaslarda bulunuyordu. Belçikalı futbolcuyla kişisel şartlarda anlaşma sağlandığı öğrenildi.
SATIN ALMA OPSİYONLU KİRALAMA
Kartal'ın kafasındaki plan; satın alma opsiyonlu kiralama... Leipzig bu seçeneğe sıcak bakıyor. Fakat kiralama bedeli ve opsiyondaki rakam konusunda henüz taraflar el sıkışamadı. Temaslar devam ediyor. Arthur Vermeeren, geride bıraktığımız sezonu Marsilya'da kiralık olarak geçirmişti.
GELECEK PLANLAMASINDA YOK
Genç futbolcu, Ligue 1'de 20 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 823 dakika kalabildi. Bu süre içinde 1 asist yaptı. Leipzig onu yeni sezon planlamasında düşünmüyor. Arthur Vermeeren'in Alman ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi var. Beşiktaş ve Leipzig arasındaki temasların kısa süre içinde olumlu veya olumsuz şekilde sonuçlanması bekleniyor.
Beşiktaş'ın satış listesine koyduğu Wilfred Ndidi, sosyal medyasından, "Kilitlendim. Önümdeki mücadeleye hazırım" paylaşımında bulundu. Bu hareketle takımda kalacağı yönünde bir mesaj verdi. Nijeryalı, senelik 4 milyon euro civarında maaş alıyor.
Beşiktaş, geride bıraktığımız sezonun başında Leicester City Kulübü'ne 8 milyon euro ödeyerek Wilfred Ndidi'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. Nijeryalı ön liberoyla 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar sözleşme yapıldı. Mukavelede ayrıca +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu bulunuyor (çift taraflı).
YİNE TRANSFERE KULLANILACAK
29 yaşındaki futbolcu, Süper Lig'de 25 maça çıktı. Sahada 2 bin dakika kaldı. 2 gol ve 1 asist üretti. Beşiktaş Yönetimi, iyi bir teklif gelmesi halinde onu satmayı düşünüyor. Elde edilecek rakam yine transferlerde kullanılacak. Ancak şu ana kadar Siyah-Beyazlılar'ı memnun edecek bir öneri gelmedi.
AVRUPA'DAKİ VERGİ ORANLARI
1.83 boyundaki oyuncu, sosyal medya hesabından, "Kilitlendim. Önümdeki mücadeleye hazırım" şeklinde paylaşımda bulundu. Bu hareketle birlikte Beşiktaş'ta devam edeceği mesajını ilettiği konuşuluyor. Ndidi, Kartal'dan senelik 4 milyon euro civarında maaş alıyor. Avrupa'daki vergi oranları malum... Onu isteyen Avrupa ekipleri, net 4 milyon euro verebilmek için bunun çok daha fazlasını gözden çıkarmalı... Bu sebeple Suudi Arabistan ve Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri takımlarından teklifler bekleniyor.
Fenerbahçe'de sezonun ilk transferi Vedat Muriqi olmuştu... Kanarya'da bir forvet hamlesi daha yapılacak. Ancak bu isim, Muriqi tarzında olmayacak. Ortada dolanan Ollie Watkins iddiaları aslında İsmail Kartal'ın tercihini yansıtıyor.
Fenerbahçe, eski oyuncusu Vedat Muriqi için Mallorca'ya 15.5 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödedi. 32 yaşındaki futbolcuyla 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Yeni sezon hazırlıklarında sakatlanan 1.94 boyundaki futbolcunun ağustos başı gibi düzelmesi bekleniyor.
TAMAMEN FARKLI PROFİL
Kanarya'ya bir forvet daha alınacak. Ortada ciddi şekilde Ollie Watkins iddiaları dolaşıyor. 30 yaşındaki futbolcunun Aston Villa ile 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavelesi var. Watkins, tarz olarak Vedat'tan tamamen farklı... 1.80 boyundaki santrfor, daha hareketli bir bitirici...
YİNE PİVOT OLMAYACAK
Fenerbahçe Teknik Direktörü İsmail Kartal, Vedat sonrasında yeni bir pivot santrfora sıcak bakmıyor. Kafasındaki profil; Ollie Watkins'e tam olarak uyuyor. Bu sebeple de İngiliz yıldız, Sarı-Lacivertliler'le anılıyor. Watkins gelir veya gelmez ancak bu tarzda bir isim kadroya katılacak.
Fenerbahçe'nin devre arasında kadrosuna kattığı N'Golo Kante konusundaki hareketlilik devam ediyor. Paris FC'nin, Dünya Kupası'nın ardından Kanarya'yla masaya oturacağı öğrenildi.
Fenerbahçe kış döneminde Al-Ittihad'dan N'Golo Kante'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. Fransız orta saha oyuncusu, 14 milyon euro imza parası aldı. Yıllık maaşı ise 11 milyon euro... Ancak bu paranın çok daha yüksek olduğunu iddia edenler de var... Sonuçta 35 yaşındaki futbolcunun maliyeti hayli yüksek...
ÇEKİLDİKLERİ DÜŞÜNÜLDÜ
Fransız ekibi Paris FC, haziran ayı gibi nabız yoklamıştı. Daha sonra ortadan kayboldular. Transferden çekildikleri düşünülse de aslında durum bunun tam tersi... Paris FC yetkililerinin, Dünya Kupası'nın ardından Fenerbahçe Yönetimi'yle masaya oturacağı öğrenildi.
2015'TEN BERİ DIŞARIDA
Şu andaki mevcut kadroda Fenerbahçe'nin orta sahası hayli kalabalık... Kante konusunda uygun şartlar sunulursa, Sarı-Lacivertliler'in transfere onay vermesi bekleniyor. N'Golo Kante, 2015 yılında Caen'den Leicester City Kulübü'ne transfer olmuştu. Bu tarihten beri de kariyerini yurt dışında sürdürüyor. Paris'le birlikte tekrar memleketine dönebilir.
Manchester City ile kontratının son senesine giren Mateo Kovacic'le Beşikaş'ın ilgilendiği söyleniyordu. Tecrübeli orta sahanın menajerler aracılığıyla Kartal'a önerildiği öğrenildi.
Manchester City Yönetimi, yeni sezonda Mateo Kovacic'le devam etmek istemiyor. 32 yaşındaki orta saha oyuncusu, çok sayıda sakatlık yaşamıştı. Şu anda sağlık problemi bulunmuyor. Ancak kontratının son senesine girdi. Hırvat yıldızın sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de tamamlanacak.
MESAFELİ YAKLAŞIYOR
City ondan az da olsa para kazanmak istiyor. 1.78 boyundaki futbolcuyla Beşiktaş'ın ilgilendiği iddia ediliyordu. Ancak oyuncunun, menajerler aracılığıyla Kartal'a önerildiği ortaya çıktı. Siyah-Beyazlılar, sakatlık geçmişi sebebiyle Mateo Kovacic'e mesafeli yaklaşıyor.
BAŞAKŞEHİR SÜRPRİZİ
Sağlık Heyeti'nden onay çıkması halinde durum değişebilir. Mateo Kovacic, merkez orta saha dışında ön libero ve 10 numarada da görev yapabiliyor. Yani orta alanda tam bir joker... Şu andaki tahmini piyasa değeri 10 milyon euro seviyelerinde... Bu arada Başakşehir'in de oyuncunun şartlarını araştırdığı konuşuluyor.
Galatasaray'ın genç orta saha adayları arasında Valentin Atangana da bulunuyor. 20 yaşındaki futbolcu, 2025 yazında da gündeme gelmiş fakat Suudi Arabistan'a gitmişti. Sarı-Kırmızılılar yeniden resmi hamle yaparsa, bu kez şansları yüksek...
Galatasaray'ın 2025 yazındaki hedeflerinden biri Valentin Atangana'ydı... Ancak Reims Kulübü'nün beklentisi yüksekti. Al-Ahli, talep edilen 25 milyon euroyu ödeyerek işi bitirdi. 20 yaşındaki merkez orta sahayla 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar mukavele yapıldı...
GENÇ KRİTERİNE UYUYOR
Fransız futbolcu, Suudi Arabistan Ligi'nde 23 maça çıktı. Sahada 1.893 dakika kaldı. 5 gol üretti. Genç yeteneğin, Suudi Arabistan'dan ayrılmak istediği konuşuluyor. Galatasaray'ın geniş listesinde Valentin Atangana da bulunuyor. TFF'nin genç kriterine uyan oyuncu tekrar gündeme gelebilir.
BAŞKALARINA BAĞLI
Ancak resmi hamlenin yapılması için, listedeki diğer isimlerden olumsuz yanıt alınması gerekiyor. Özetle Valentin Atangana'nın Sarı-Kırmızılı formayı giyme ihtimali var... Ancak bu ihtimal, başka futbolculara bağlı... Valentin Atangana, Fransa U21 Milli Takımı'nın da bir parçası... Al-Ahli'nin beklentisinin 20 milyon euro seviyelerinde olduğu belirtiliyor.
Galatasaray'da fazla şans bulamayan ve yeni sezon planlamasında da düşünülmeyen Ahmed Kutucu, kiralık olarak ayrılmak üzere... Yeni takımı da belli...
Galatasaray 2025'in Ocak ayında Eyüpspor'a 5.96 milyon euro ödeyerek Ahmed Kutucu'yu kadrosuna katmıştı. 1.81 boyundaki kanat oyuncusuyla 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar sözleşme yapıldı. Fakat 25 yaşındaki futbolcu, Sarı-Kırmızılı forma altında Eyüpspor döneminden görüntüler sergileyemedi.
SADECE 10 MAÇA ÇIKTI
Örneğin Ahmed geride bıraktığımız sezonda sadece 10 Süper Lig maçına çıktı. Onlarda da 102 dakika görev yaptı. 1 asist üretti. Yeni sezon planlamasında da düşünülmüyor. Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanı kararı sonrasında yerli isimlerin önemi iyice arttı.
ÇORUM FK YOLCUSU
Süper Lig'e yükselen Çorum FK da gaza bastı... Kadrolarına Süper Lig tecrübeli bulunan oyuncuları kazandırmak istiyorlar... Galatasaray'la yapılan pazarlıklarda sona gelindiği öğrenildi. Ahmed Kutucu çok büyük bir ihtimalle yeni sezonu Çorum'da kiralık olarak geçirecek.
Galatasaray'ın, Brighton forması giyen Carlos Baleba'yla ilgilendiği konuşuluyor. Durumu şöyle açıklamak gerek: Manchester United'ın yaptığı toplam 6 teklifin hepsi reddedildi. Bonservisi ise 3 hane!
Orta sahasını güçlendirmek isteyen Galatasaray'ın, Brighton'dan Carlos Baleba'yi istediği konuşuluyor. 22 yaşındaki ön liberonun İngiliz ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar sözleşmesi var. Açık konuşmak gerekirse, Kamerunlu yıldızın Türkiye'ye gelme ihtimali bulunmuyor.
100 MİLYON STERLİNİN ÜZERİNDE
Durumu şöyle açıklayabiliriz: Manchester United şu ana kadar Brighton'a toplam 6 teklif yaptı. Bunların tamamı geri çevrildi. Brighton Kulübü'nün beklentisi 100 milyon sterlinin üzerinde (evet euro değil, sterlin). Yani bu hamle yapılırsa, kayıtlara tarihin en pahalı transferlerinden biri olarak geçecek.
KÖTÜ ÖRNEK MANCHESTER CİTY
Brighton onu 2023 yazında Lille'den almıştı. O dönemde 27 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. Genç yetenek, aradan geçen zamanda piyasa değeri oldukça yükseltti. Öte yandan Manchester City, Nottingham'a 135 milyon euro vererek Elliot Anderson hamlesini tamamlamıştı. Ve Anderson transferi, birçok takıma kötü örnek oldu... Brighton da bu sebeple Carlos Baleba için dünyaları bekliyor.
Beşiktaş'ın yeni Teknik Direktörü Vincenzo Italiano, Vaclav Cerny konusunda olumlu rapor verdi. Ancak Çekyalı futbolcunun forma süreleri hakkındaki belirsizlik sürüyor.
Beşiktaş sezon başında Wolfsburg Kulübü'ne 6 milyon euro ödeyerek Vaclav Cerny'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. Çekyalı kanat oyuncusuyla 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Kontratta ayrıca +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut (çift taraflı). Cerny'nin bir süredir takımdan ayrılabileceği konuşuluyordu.
RANGERS FAVORİYDİ
Glasgow Rangers'ın, bir dönem kiralık olarak formasını giyen 28 yaşındaki futbolcuyu bonservisiyle istediği öğrenilmişti. Fakat sıcak bir gelişme yaşandı. Beşiktaş'ın yeni Teknik Direktörü Vincenzo Italiano'nun, 1.82 boyundaki futbolcunun kalması yönünde rapor verdiği belirtildi.
PLANLAR YOLUNDA GİDERSE
Bugün itibarıyla Cerny kalacak gibi gözüküyor. Ancak Beşiktaş, kanat bölgesi için çalışmalarına devam ediyor. Eğer planlar yolunda giderse, Cerny yeni sezonda ağırlıklı olarak rotasyonda kullanılacak. İşler planlandığı gibi gitmezse, Çekyalı futbolcu ilk 11'e monte edilecek.
Beşiktaş Kulübü Divan Kurulu Başkanı Ahmet Ürkmezgil, kulübün 2026 Yılı 2. Olağan Divan Kurulu Toplantısı'nda konuştu.
Beşiktaş Kulübü Divan Kurulu Başkanı Ahmet Ürkmezgil, yönetim kurulundan mali disiplini sağlamasını beklediklerini söyledi.
Ürkmezgil, Beşiktaş Belediyesi Süleyman Seba Kültür ve Sanat Merkezi'nde gerçekleştirilen 2026 Yılı 2. Olağan Divan Kurulu Toplantısı'nda konuştu.
Beşiktaş'ın gelecek nesillerin emaneti olduğunu belirten Ürkmezgil, "Beşiktaş hiçbirimizin değildir. Babalarımızdan aldığımız, çocuklarımıza devredeceğimiz bir emanettir. Arsalarımız, tesislerimiz, markamız bir yönetim döneminin bütçe kalemi değil, gelecek nesillerin varlığıdır. Bir emanetçinin ilk sorumluluğu da emaneti aldığından daha güçlü şekilde teslim etmektir." ifadelerini kullandı.
Ahmet Ürkmezgil, kulübün ancak kazandığı kadar harcadığında ayakta kalabileceğini dile getirerek, şunları kaydetti:
"Tek seferlik gelirlerle günü kurtarmak mümkündür ama geleceği kurtarmak düzenli ve kalıcı gelirlerle sağlanır. Endişemiz, bugünün rakamları kadar yarının kaynaklarının da bugünden tütetilmesi ihtimalidir. Yarının gelirini bugün harcayan yarına borç bırakmış olur. Beşiktaş'ı büyük yok yapan kişiler değil değerlerdir. Hangi yönetim gelirse gelsin mali disiplin, şeffaflık ve hesap verilebilirlik değişmeyen kurallar haline gelmelidir. Kimseyi işaret etmiyoruz. Kişileri değil, sistemi konuşuyoruz. Beşiktaş, en zor günlerinde dahi değerlerinden taviz vermeden ayağa kalkmış bir camiadır. Aynı basireti bugün de göstereceğimize olan inancımız tamdır. Herkes gibi bizler de çok iyi transferlerle zirve mcüadelesinden kopmayan bir takım oluşturulmasını istiyoruz. Ancak mali istikrar her şeyin önünde gelmelidir. Kulübümüzün son yıllardaki en büyük sorunu mali yapısını sürdürülebilir hale getirememesidir. Yönetim kulumuzdan beklentimiz nettir. Mali disiplinin kalıcı olarak oturtulması ve kulübümüzün istikrarlı, öngörülebilir bir finansal yapıya kavuşturulmasıdır. Bütçe hedeflerine bağlılık, harcama kalemlerinde şeffaflık ve gelir-gider dengesinin gözetilmesi bundan sonraki sürecin temek önceliği olmalıdır. Bu tek bir yönetimin değil kulübün tamamının benimsemesi gereken bir anlayış olmalıdır."
Siyah-beyazlı kulübün gelecek nesillere daha güçlü şekilde devredilmesi gerektiğini aktaran Ürkmezgil, "Beşiktaş, bize emanettir. Bu emanete sahada kazanılan kupalar kadar mali disiplin ve güçlenen kurumsal yapısıyla geleceğe taşımak zorundayız. Yönetim kurulundan beklentimiz bu anlayış doğrultusunda kararlılıkla hareket etmesidir. Bizlere düşen ise birlik ve beraberliğimizi koruyarak Beşiktaş'ın yanında durmak, bu büyük emaneti gelecek nesillere daha güçlü şekilde devretmektir." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.
Galatasaray 2026/27 sezonu formalarını görkemli bir lansmanla tanıttı! Kulübün köklü tarihine sadık kalınarak hazırlanan tasarımlarda, kulübe özel tasarlanan "Galatasaray" yazı fontu ve ensedeki "Welcome to hell" detayı şimdiden futbol kamuoyunun en çok konuştuğu konular arasına girdi.
Galatasaray, 2026/27 sezonunda giyeceği yeni formalarını ve antrenman ürünlerini görkemli bir lansmanla taraftarının beğenisine sundu. GS Store tarafından yapılan açıklamada, "Bir asrı aşan mirasın tarif edilen renkleri, bu sezon özündeki tonlarına yeniden kavuşuyor" ifadesiyle yeni tasarımların kulübün köklü tarihine sadık kalınarak hazırlandığı belirtildi.
Yeni sezon formalarında en dikkat çeken unsur, sırt numaraları ve isimlerde kullanılacak olan yazı stili oldu. Kulübün kimliğini yansıtacak şekilde tamamen özel olarak tasarlanan ve adı direkt “Galatasaray” olan bu yeni font, lansmanın ardından futbol kamuoyunda en çok konuşulan detaylar arasına girdi.
Sarı-kırmızılı ekibin yeni sezon formaları için hazırladığı tanıtım videosu büyük ses getirdi. Teknik direktör Okan Buruk’un yanı sıra kadronun yıldız isimleri Osimhen, Sara, Barış Alper, Sane, Abdülkerim, Nhaga, Arda, İlkay, Singo, Jakobs ve Yunus klipte rol aldı.
Yeni sezon. Yeni forma. Yeni imza.
Galatasaray için özel tasarlanan Galatasaray Font, ilk kez 2026-2027 sezon formalarında. ????
Yeni font ile tanışmak için linke tıkla??
?? https://t.co/tb5BAGHiz5 pic.twitter.com/EHptAL8yDA
Yeni sezonda klasik parçalı ve beyaz alternatif formayı kullanacak olan Galatasaray, formaların ense kısmına kulübün dünyaca ünlü “Welcome to hell” (Cehenneme hoş geldiniz) sloganını yerleştirdi. Öte yandan lansman klibinde taraftara büyük bir sürpriz yapılarak, 2026/27 sezonunda dördüncü bir alternatif formanın daha çıkacağının sinyali resmen verildi.
Taraftarlardan gelen yoğun talep üzerine yeni sezon formaları, klasik modellerin yanı sıra uzun kollu seçeneğiyle de mağazalardaki yerini aldı. GS Store'larda satışa sunulan ürünlerin fiyat tarifesi ise şu şekilde açıklandı:
Standart Taraftar Forması: 6.249 TL
Uzun Kollu Forma Seçeneği: 7.249 TL
Profesyonel Maç Forması: 9.499 TL
Yeni sezon formaları ve antrenman ürünleri, bugünden itibaren tüm GS Store mağazalarında ve online satış kanallarında sarı-kırmızılı taraftarları bekliyor.
Samsunspor Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım, transfer piyasasını sallayacak flaş açıklamalarda bulundu. Karadeniz ekibinin başarılı stoperi Rick Van Drongelen için Trabzonspor resmen devreye girdi.
Samsunspor Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım, Radyospor’a yaptığı özel açıklamalarda Trabzonspor ve transfer gündemine dair çarpıcı detaylar paylaştı. Hollandalı savunma oyuncusu Rick Van Drongelen’in çok değerli bir isim olduğunu belirten Yıldırım, Galatasaray iddialarını yalanlayarak resmi tekliflerin Trabzonspor ve Panathinaikos’tan geldiğini açıkladı.
ERTUĞRUL DOĞAN BİZDEN İZİN İSTEDİ
Transfer sürecinin perde arkasını anlatan Başkan Yıldırım, "Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan ile bizzat konuştuk. Oyuncuyla transfer görüşmesi yapabilmek için bizden izin istediler, biz de bu izni verdik. Şu an Drongelen’in menajerinden haber bekliyoruz" dedi. Transferin son güne de kalabileceğini hatırlatan Yıldırım, geçtiğimiz yaz Dimatta’yı da son gün gelen cazip teklif üzerine Pafos’a sattıklarını belirterek açık kapı bıraktı.
SAMSUNSPOR'DA İMZALAR PEŞ PEŞE GELDİ
Kırmızı-beyazlı ekibin diğer transfer hamlelerine de değinen Yüksel Yıldırım, Kayserispor’dan kaleci Bilal Beyazıt ve Gençlerbirliği’nden Samet Onur ile resmi sözleşme imzaladıklarını duyurdu. Yurt dışından da 3 gurbetçi oyuncuyu kadrolarına kattıklarını belirten Yıldırım, Galatasaray’dan Kazımcan Karataş’ı istediklerini ancak şartlar oluşmadığı için bu transferi şimdilik askıya aldıklarını ifade etti.
Pazartesi günü başlayacak kampın ardından teknik direktörün raporuna göre hareket edeceklerini söyleyen Yıldırım, "Acelemiz yok, zaten geniş bir kadromuz var. Kamptan sonra 4 transfer daha yapmayı planlıyoruz" diyerek sözlerini noktaladı.
A Wall Street Journal investigation has found that crypto prediction market platform Polymarket paid dozens of social media creators to post videos showing what appeared to be large, profitable bets on its platform, even though many of those trades never […]
The post Polymarket paid influencers to fake winning bets in 140 million-view marketing campaign, WSJ investigation finds first appeared on Tech Startups.
It’s Friday, July 3, 2026, and the foundations of the AI era are shifting in real time. OpenAI is floating an equity stake to the US government, Meta is preparing to rent out its own AI compute, Google’s data centers […]
The post Top Tech News Today, July 3, 2026 first appeared on Tech Startups.
China’s AI investment boom just got another major vote of confidence. Kling AI, one of the country’s most popular AI video generation platforms, has secured more than $2.8 billion in fresh funding from a group of investors led by tech […]
The post Kling AI raises $2.8B at $15B valuation with backing from Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu first appeared on Tech Startups.
Today's Fiji vs Wales live stream in the 2026 Nations Championship features two of the tournament's outsiders looking to make the perfect start. Despite being part of the so-called Southern Hemisphere Series with Fiji as the notional home team, this curtain raiser is set to take place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales.
That shouldn't cause Fiji too much consternation, though. Last time these sides met in November 2024 was also in front of a partisan Cardiff crowd (across town at the Millennium Stadium) and the Flying Fijians stormed to a 24-19 victory. The New Zealand-born Caleb Muntz was the main man that day with 19 points, but the fly-half has only just joined up with the squad after the domestic season and will miss out. Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova form a powerful partnership in the center.
Wales suffered the ignominy of a third straight wooden spoon during this year's Six Nations and find themselves two rungs below Fiji in the current world rankings. Head coach Steve Tandy has a heck of a job on his hands to turn the team around, but there were some embers in the ash when Dan Edwards inspired a consolation victory against Italy in the final game. Could it be the start of something? Louis Rees-Zammit switches from full-back to his preferred position on the wing.
Read on below for our guide on where to watch Fiji vs Wales on TV and get Nations Championship 2026 free streams online.
Saturday's game – along with every other match of the 2026 Nations Championship – will be streamed live and free across the US, UK and Ireland. The Fiji vs Wales live stream is set to be shown on:
🇺🇸 US: Rugbypass TV
🇬🇧 UK: ITVX & S4C via BBC iPlayer
🇮🇪 Ireland: Virgin Media Play
What if you're abroad? Rugby fans from the UK and Ireland can use NordVPN to watch their usual streaming service from anywhere.
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual streaming services. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 75% discount now.
🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.
TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.
✅ 75% Off Today
✅ 3 Extra Months Free
✅ Unlocks Rugbypass TV, ITVX & Virgin Media Play
Get NordVPN and stream Fiji vs Wales from anywhere.View Deal
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting Canada and want to view your usual US service, you'd select a United States server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch the rugby.
Fiji vs Wales and all 2026 Nations Championship matches will be live streamed for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.
The dedicated rugby streaming platform can be watched on its website or mobile app, and through Chromecast, Airplay, AppleTV and Android TV.
Outside the US for Fiji vs Wales? Use NordVPN to access your usual streams.
Rugby fans in the UK can watch Fiji vs Wales for free on ITV.
TV coverage for Fiji vs Wales is on ITV1 while you can also stream it live and on demand via the free ITVX website and mobile app.
For those who prefer to watch with Welsh commentary, the game will also be shown live on S4C and through that channel on the BBC iPlayer.
If you're outside the UK but want to tap into your usual coverage, check out NordVPN and follow the instructions above.
ITVX is a free service, though you need to be in possession of a valid UK TV licence to watch its live streams, as this covers digital content consumption, too.
As mentioned above, all Nations Championship 2026 games will be on free-to-air TV in Ireland.
Virgin Media 1 is showing Fiji vs Wales, which means it will also be available to stream on the Virgin Media Play platform.
Not in Ireland right now? Check out NordVPN.
In Australia, Fiji vs Wales will be on Stan Sport.
It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.
Away from Australia right now? Use a VPN to watch Stan Sport from abroad.
Sky Sport is the Nations Championship 2026 TV rights holder in New Zealand.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month and watch Fiji vs Wales.
Missing the Fiji vs Wales game? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
The scheduled Fiji vs Wales kick-off time on Saturday, July 4 is 2.10pm BST local time in Cardiff, Wales.
That's 9.10am ET / 6.10am PT in the US.
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, ITVX, Rugbypass TV and VM Play all have dedicated apps.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Windows 11 is being fixed, you heard it here first.
Of course, we're all very much aware that Microsoft is busy addressing a plethora of issues with Windows 11, and has been for some time now. In fact, the campaign to right the wrongs of the OS began late in March 2026, and so Microsoft has now had three full months to get its act together with the initial work towards making Windows 11 better.
So, what's been done to that laudable end throughout April, May and June? And how has Microsoft fared in general during this first quarter of the effort to mend the operating system? This will be my first quarterly report on how fixing Windows 11 is going, and hopefully, I'll have plenty of good things to say about the initiative as it rolls onwards throughout 2026.
I'll pick out my highlights of the top changes made to Windows 11 so far – those moves that are really going to make an impact – and then provide my evaluation of how Microsoft is progressing overall. Then finally, I'll talk about what else the company might do, and what's notably missing thus far.
There's been a lot of work done in this first quarter of Microsoft's campaign, with some huge moves for the Windows 11 interface that spring immediately to mind.
For starters, Microsoft has delivered what many Windows 11 users have been asking for since the OS first arrived – the ability to move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen (just as you can in Windows 10). As well as taskbar repositioning, we'll also get the ability to make it more compact, too.
Microsoft is revamping the Start menu to allow for a much greater level of customization – which is a theme with the interface changes in this fixing campaign – and that includes turning it into a compact, streamlined box with not a 'recommendation' (read: advert) in sight, if you want. This is one of the absolute highlights for me, and it comes alongside a lot of smoothing over of interface wrinkles, including modernizing legacy parts of the UI that look jarringly old.
The widgets board is also being made a calmer place, with no MSN feed (which comes with ads) by default, and Windows 11 search results are being tuned so you no longer have to suffer websites being surfaced in them, removing that clutter and unnecessary promotion (those results were opened in Bing, of course).
Windows updates have been heavily worked on, including something I must admit that I never thought I'd see Windows 11 Home users get the choice to do – namely to delay an update indefinitely. More updates are going to be bundled together, too, meaning you won't have to reboot to install them quite so often. On top of that, Microsoft is putting mechanisms in place to ensure that installation failures don't happen so often with updates.
Performance in Windows 11 has been another major focus for Microsoft in these early days, and that includes boosting the responsiveness of File Explorer with various optimizations and 'foundational' tuning to speed up this critical part of the Windows 11 interface (which drives the folders on your desktop). This includes a faster overall launch speed for File Explorer, as you might hope.
Away from File Explorer, another key performance enhancement is a 'Low Latency Profile' trick to give the CPU a brief boost when launching apps or Windows 11's menus, to make sure they run in a much snappier manner. Additionally, Microsoft is honing the contemporary framework employed by Windows 11's interface (WinUI 3) to be more performant, and the sum total of all this fine-tuning is that it should make a big difference to the overall feel of how Windows 11 runs in general, eliminating the sluggishness experienced in certain scenarios.
Other notable introductions include a 'turbo mode' for a much quicker installation of Windows 11, and a new 'Driver Quality Initiative' to usher in improvements with OS drivers (including ensuring that they don't excessively drain laptop battery life). A new point-in-time restore feature also gives you an extra recovery option to roll back your PC to a previous state when things go wrong, and that could be very useful should disaster strike.
As you can see, there's been a lot going on in terms of revamping, honing, and new features. Granted, a good deal of this is still happening only in testing, but of course it takes time to bring through this work, and it's best not to rush vital changes to the innards of Windows 11.
What's also good to see is that Microsoft is engaging with the broader Windows community online, taking on feedback, and acting on it too (in some cases). The company really does appear to be listening, and sessions where it actively solicits the opinions of testers on certain aspects of the desktop OS are a commendable move.
Beyond this, Microsoft has set up a system of panels whereby certain testers are brought in to contribute to studies designed to improve various facets of Windows 11.
Overall, I'm pleased with the scope of the work Microsoft has taken on here, and I'm impressed with the changes, as well as the new attitude towards feedback. All in all, what Microsoft has done in this first quarter of fixing Windows 11 is to resolve a lot of the most pressing issues with Windows 11 (or at least kicked off those resolutions).
Not all of them, mind, and I'll come onto that next.
On the subject of what I think is missing from the drive to fix Windows 11, my biggest issue here is that there's not been much talk of how Microsoft is tackling bugs.
Yes, we've heard about working towards a more reliable Windows 11, an OS with better stability – the mentioned driver quality program is part of that, of course – but what about the actual core quality assurance processes?
The fact is that there are still too many bugs creeping through with each monthly update for Windows 11, and while some may be niche in their impact, they're happening too regularly, and some glitches are very odd in nature.
Just in the last couple of weeks we've seen the Recycle Bin weirding out, leading to accusations of 'well Microsoft, this is what happens when you get AI to code', and a strange bug with a Windows component eating up storage space in a mystifying manner (the fix is coming in the July update, and is in preview now, in case you were curious).
These kinds of oddities shouldn't be happening in the first place, though, and what I want to see from Microsoft is some concrete information on how it's revamping QA and bug fixing to be a more organized, thorough, and successful set of processes. This is absolutely key to fixing Windows 11 in my book, so get to it, Microsoft.
As far as crowd-pleasing features that are not yet on the boil, I'd like to see more ditching of 'recommendations' (those pesky ads that pop up here and there), the option to install Windows 11 with a local account should you wish, and the ability to switch off all telemetry with the Home version of the OS (well, save for the barest of details that need to be sent back to Microsoft's servers for security reasons).
And while you're at it, Microsoft, have a word with the marketing team responsible for Windows, and get them to tread a bit more carefully around AI. Overall, though, I can't complain, and as I recently discussed, I'm a lot more optimistic about the future of Windows 11 given what's happened so far in 2026.
Keep it up, Microsoft – but let's not forget about the bugs and QA stuff.
Smeg is best known for its bright, fun appliances that add a splash of color to your kitchen. Its new Musa collection takes a different tack, however, using shades of black with a fun twist that’s only visible when you get up-close. Musa — which includes ovens (both full-size and compact), warming drawers, and induction hobs, with an extractor hood coming next year — is the work of Milan-based studio BorromeodeSilva, which has a background in automotive design. I spoke to co-founder Carlo Borromeo to find out how the studio is bringing that experience to your kitchen, and the challenges experienced along the way.
This isn’t the first time BorromeodeSilva has worked with Smeg — in 2012, the two brands, along with eyewear company Italia Independent, teamed up to create a special-edition denim-clad version of the Smeg Fab 28 fridge. The resulting product didn’t just look cool; it was designed to be practical as well, withstanding regular use in an ordinary kitchen.
So how did an automotive design agency get involved in creating such an unusual product? According to Borromeo, the project came about from a relationship with Smeg’s founder, Roberto Vittorio, who pitched the initial concept.
“I'm like, 'No, but that's a terrible idea, you know? It will get dirty,' and they're like, 'Ah, you find a way,'” says Borromeo. “And so we took the project very seriously, and we developed a plasma treatment for the fabric that allowed us to coat it with a protective surface. So, if you touch it, it feels normal, but it's actually stain-resistant, odor-resistant; it doesn't pick up mold or stuff like that. And the fridge came out, and it was a mega success — they sold thousands of them.
“So, that was the beginning of a very fun relationship with the Bertazzoni family and Smeg at home, especially with the Vittorios’ father, Roberto, who became kind of like a mentor. And we kept the relationship going more as a friendship. But then, in recent years, we got back in touch, and they asked me to come and design a few products for them, and it was an absolute joy to rekindle that relationship.”
The brief for the Musa collection was very different. Rather than experimenting with novel materials, the goal here was to make an appliance with the fun personality and character of a Smeg product, but that would also fit into a modern kitchen.
“These kitchens tend to be quite understated nowadays, so we need to figure out a way to add our flair, our fun, our playfulness, but in a context where it doesn't explode too much, but fits in,” says Borromeo. “And this was the challenge about this project.”
There has definitely been a trend towards using natural materials and neutral colors in kitchens recently, exemplified by products such as KitchenAid’s stand mixer with a walnut wood bowl, and Pantone’s color of the year, Cloud Dancer. It’s a far cry from Smeg’s pastel-colored retro appliances, so I asked Borromeo how his team went about designing something that would suit.
“Was it a challenge kind of working with that, to create something unique?” he asks. “I mean, we wanted to do that right away, but as you see, the Musa, it's black and gray. This was done by design because we thought, let's try to see if we can make a product that is Smeg, even if we take away the color, which is the primary thing that identifies Smeg.
It becomes like a little portal into your kitchen, into your food
Carlo Borromeo
“We said, if we have to reduce it to its minimum components, let's try to take away the color as well, and see if we can create a product that is still connecting, that is still fun, that makes you smile, that has a sort of magnetic aura. And I think we achieved it, because I noticed it during [Milan] Design Week. There was a wall with all these different ovens, and Musa was one of them, and immediately, you would notice it. So, it's a product that doesn't scream for attention, but captures it anyway.”
Although the Musa oven might look plain at first glance, get closer and you’ll see the elements that make it interesting and different, despite the lack of color. For example, it has an unusual texture, which comes from BorromeodeSilva’s automotive background.
“We work a lot with classic cars, modernizing them. And so this method of taking character traits and applying them to objects is something that stems from there,” says Borromeo. “Then there’s also a practical thing that helps us a lot, which is our knowledge of CMF — color, materials, and finish — in developing the texture that we use to decorate the objects.”
He turns to the Musa oven. “If you look at it from far away, the window is like a solid, but as you get closer, you notice this stripey texture, which is playful, it's nice to the touch, it gives you more. And also, it gives you a little surprise as you get closer, which is a playful element.”
The other playful element is the window, which is smaller than usual, with rounded corners, prompting you to peek inside. Borromeo called it the portal — or “hublot”, in Italian.
“I think it's a fun idea that kind of defines the spirit of the product,” he says. “Usually, when you have these ovens, you try to have the largest possible opening because it's functional; it makes sense. In this case, we tried to actually reduce it, and we created like a portal — a smaller window that maybe looks not logical, but in the end, it invites you to peer in. So, it's trying to communicate to you in a certain way. It becomes like a little portal into your kitchen, into your food.”
He explains that the oven established a “design language” for the whole collection, and four of the studio’s 15-person design team already have it in their homes — including him. If you want your own, prices start at £399 (about $530 / AU$770).
I'm not sure what tipped me off first, but as someone who writes about wearable technology for a living, I can definitely see the signs. Wearables are, frankly, uncool, and manufacturers have to work to make them cool again by earning back their customers' trust and embracing the sense of fun we used to have.
Maybe it was the celebrities that clued me in — millennials, Gen Z and Gen X alike — when they were sparking trends for wired headphones and digital Casio watches, a conscious symbol of Big Tech rejection that's carried over from the resurgence of vinyl and cassettes. I'm now seeing plenty of people around my local town opting for wired headphones over earbuds and AirPods. While there are still plenty of smartwatches on wrists every day, I'm noticing stylish people are returning to rotary, analog, and digital.
Perhaps it was the backlash to the Diary of a CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett, when a clip resurfaced in May, that he could tell how a couple of glasses of wine "ruined three days of his life" by relying on the information collected by his Whoop band. While giving up alcohol is universally considered an admirable thing to do, he was also resoundingly mocked online for his slavish adherence to hustle culture, sparking further questions and a wider conversation about whether we're over-optimizing with biohacking technology.
Discourse online is shifting away from gamifying health and fitness and prioritizing higher physical statistics, and returning to the now-nostalgic idea of living in the moment — of dancing the night away at a wedding without worrying about the impact on your sleep score.
Maybe it was the one-two punch to Meta recently. First came the announcements that some features of its AI glasses will be locked behind a soft paywall, joining Whoop, Garmin, Oura, and almost every other wearable introducing subscription-based features over owning and accessing your data. While I understand data centers need to cover running costs in perpetuity, subscriptions aren't cool. Not owning your own data isn't cool, which is again partly why physical media is enjoying a welcome resurgence — and why companies ranging from Spotify to Sony are determined to stamp it out. And Meta, after all its privacy controversies, definitely isn't cool.
These problems join the growing backlash to Meta's AI-powered specs being used to covertly film people — especially women — in public and private spaces alike, with the recording notification LED easily covered, drilled out or disabled. Being considered a creep is definitely not cool, even though plenty of people wear Meta glasses for a whole vista of non-creepy reasons.
The Meta Glasses controversies above coincided with the Kylie Jenner-designed debut of the Meta Starfire model, a collaboration with EssilorLuxottica attempting to make the Metas cool by association. She's even the voice of the onboard AI.
Kylie Jenner was, of course, declared the youngest-ever 'self-made' billionaire in 2019, who got there by standing on the shoulders of a family of multi-millionaires and being heir to another fortune. While Jenner is undoubtedly an ultra-famous influencer, this collaboration between two billionaires — Jenner and Zuckerberg — isn't going to be the move that makes the smart glasses format finally cool.
Coolness and counterculture have always run concurrent to each other. The Conquest of Cool, a book by cultural critic Thomas Frank about how youth culture in the 1960s was co-opted by capitalism to sell more stuff, argues that "hip and square are now permanently locked together", each dependent on the other for meaning, culture, and profit. This revolution, Frank argues, turned coolness into a product you can buy to separate yourself from the herd and express individuality. Now, cool is defined by products that are new and shiny, something everyone desires, but not everyone has.
Of course, once enough people have it, the counterculture that made it cool becomes the mainstream culture, and a different counterculture evolves in its place. 15 years ago, the original Fitbit, a digital pedometer, was a novel idea to help tech geeks get active, using the newfound power of Bluetooth and the internet. By contrast, the Google Fitbit Air is now a screenless Whoop clone made by data-hungry Google, in which all community features have been axed and the device is beholden to an AI chatbot requiring a monthly subscription. It's eminently more useful, but definitely not cool.
I believe this is why we're starting to reject the culture of endless subscriptions, the rise of AI, and the expectation to contribute to surveillance capitalism, and are expressing a nostalgic wish to return to a more analog era. Wearable tech, while very useful for athletes and those who need to monitor their health, isn't cool anymore because of its widespread adoption, its associations with dreary, dull, optimization-led behaviors, and its implied contribution of your data to ultra-capitalist Big Tech, which dominates every facet of our lives.
The prospect of Apple putting cameras in AirPods, or Samsung adding a premium subscription element to its watches, is now profoundly uncool. Digital watches and wired headphones show that the wearer is choosing not to participate in surveillance capitalism (up to a point — we've all got smartphones) and being a rebel has always been cool.
Wearables will always have a place in health, wellness, and athletic situations, and people are now more conscious of their health and wellness than ever. The best smartwatches and their ilk aren't going away any time soon: they're useful devices for monitoring all sorts of athletic and recovery metrics. I'll still be seeing smart devices in the gym, on the start line, and on the wrists of everyday people for a long time yet. But they'll no longer be considered neat, fun gadgets.
My main thesis on 'how to make wearables cool again' is twofold. One is to dial back on the monetization of health, earning user trust by prioritizing privacy and user ownership, and reducing the need for subscription models where possible. We should own a product once we buy it.
The other is to make devices fun and joyful to wear, rather than functional. Forget Kylie Jenner pouting into the camera lens while wearing spyware specs: instead, let's embrace the dorkiness of strapping an advanced calculator watch to your wrist and get back to hacking our way to health.
My Garmin watch is incredibly useful. It helps me track my runs, gym sessions, and recovery. However, the most fun I had with it in years was when I downloaded the Walk With Frodo app and got to see the milestones from my favorite book linked to my step count. Walk With Frodo was created by RoboleoApps, which appears to be a single-person team that released it for free on the ConnectIQ store. While it's incredibly nerdy, when showing a couple of my (equally nerdy) friends, they both squealed, 'That's really cool!' To quote Marie Kondo, it sparked joy.
The upcoming Pebble Core 2 and Time 2 smartwatches share similarities with these DIY apps — Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky has made the watch and app's operating systems completely open-source, allowing users to create widgets themselves using the source code and share them freely online. They're sporting digital watch-style MIP screens, so they look delightfully retro, and you can tell where any information they collect is going by virtue of the source code being freely available. It's antithetical to Big Tech's approach by design, but still fundamentally a useful smartwatch.
The internet used to be a place of infinite possibilities, where people shared ideas, code, widgets, and worked together to create cool stuff. If 'cool' is about both having what others don't and bucking trends, making fun, lower-tech, consumer-friendly wearables that lean into this customizable approach might be the way to harness this countercultural movement.
Existing app stores from Apple and Google are great places to start looking beyond the big brands for widgets and apps made by enthusiasts, but that DIY ethos should extend to hardware too.
Wearable tech needs to change if it wants to avoid being seen as square, rather than hip. Boutique watch straps and designer smart glasses won't make tech cool if the principles the devices are rooted in don't prioritize the user, rather than the producer. Let's get back to the consumer-first, joy-first, DIY approach of early wearables, turn our backs on anti-consumer practices, and embrace the build-it-yourself geek chic of it all.
This week we saw the return of Anthropic’s Fable, and PlayStation set the gaming world ablaze by announcing the end of physical discs for its consoles in 2028.
To catch up on these two mega stories and several more, scroll down to read our recaps of the biggest tech news stories from the past seven days. You’ll find links to the longer original stories under each entry if you need to know more.
Before you catch up with this week’s tech news, why not test yourself on last week’s seven biggest tech stories to see how good your memory is? Take the quiz below, or scroll on for the biggest tech news of the week...
Tired of music made by text-prompt infiltrating your recommended feeds? You're in fine company; it seems the tide is finally turning on AI-generated audio.
This week, in what must be hugely welcome news for recording artists (and their parents, landlords, loved ones, and just lovers of original musical works with human vocals and instruments) hi-res music streaming giant Tidal has drawn a line in the sand.
The platform published a new comprehensive AI policy with the strapline "Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music". The key bit is that as well as working with what the platform told TechRadar is “an external partner to manage detection”, the site will also be excluding wholly AI-generated music from all royalty payments.
The news follows huge strides in this area made by Deezer, with its free AI-detection tool that works on any streaming platform, Bandcamp's strong and concise anti-AI stance set out in January, Qobuz’s announcement of a proprietary AI-detection system in February, Apple Music’s March-issue 'Transparency Tags' (which unfortunately rely on record labels and distributors to tag AI content), and Spotify's… er, Verified by Spotify badge, which certifies that an artist is human, but doesn't help filter the remaining AI slop from your playlists.
All of this makes Tidal's stance, while not before time, particularly firm.
A handful of Netflix users have noticed a new in-app pop-up that requires each member in a shared account to add individual email addresses to their individual profiles, instead of using the account owner’s email address as the primary one. One of the most jarring parts about it is that the pop-up doesn’t clear unless the request is fulfilled.
Netflix households accounts have always been built on the traditional 'one email, one password’ foundation, but why Netflix has decided to roll out yet another crackdown is the question that everyone is asking.
Though Netflix says it’s to make room for more convenient log-ins and more personalized recommendations, users believe it will give the streaming giant another way to better distinguish between the activity of individual profiles, or even shift them to individual accounts later down the line.
Netflix said that the rollout began on June 15, we imagine a global rollout is in the way.
We’ve taken this new Garmin running watch for a spin. While it offers some clear upgrades over the Forerunner 55 that came before it, these enhancements come at a cost ($249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399) which makes this gadget less budget or entry level and more mid-range.
The trouble isn’t with this smart watch specifically. In fact, with new training and smartwatch features, a vibrant AMOLED display, and with solid compatibility across Android and iOS the watch is pretty solid. What we’re concerned about with the Forerunner 70 is that at this price (or for only a handful of bucks more) you can snatch up watches from rival brands that boast richer features and newer hardware.
At four stars it’s definitely good, but if you’re after the best, or even simply the best at this price point, the Garmin Forerunner 70 might not be it.
The upcoming Valve gaming PC-console hybrid has launched and the reality is it’s a pretty terrible deal on the face of it — though that hasn’t stopped it from selling out in Japan, and from scalpers asking for ridiculous prices for their reservation spot (allowing people a better chance at snagging the device).
Instead of battling with preorder disappointment, or the high costs of the proper machine, some have looked to alternatives but you’ll need to be careful. For every Stim Machine which presents itself as a sensible alternative (with some admittable downsides) there’s a flurry of cheap alternatives propping online that are frankly too good to be true.
Boasting components that wouldn’t actually fit inside the pictured chassis, a combination of parts that wouldn’t function together, and the plethora of never before seen companies proposing Steam Machine alternatives at impossibly cheap rates hints that a majority of these options are likely some kind of scam.
Anthropic’s Fable 5, the public version of its Mythos model, is returning after the US government lifted export controls that had forced the company to suspend access to it, and Mythos 5, earlier in June. The models were pulled after officials raised national security concerns linked to a possible jailbreak, a method of bypassing an AI model’s safety restrictions.
Anthropic pushed back strongly, saying it believed the issue was “a misunderstanding” and arguing that it had not been shown evidence of a broad or universal jailbreak. The company said governments should be able to block unsafe AI deployments, but only through a process that is transparent, fair, clear, and grounded in technical facts.
The return of Fable 5 matters because it shows how frontier AI launches may increasingly be shaped by governments, not just tech companies. Powerful models can now be launched, restricted, negotiated over, and restored within weeks.
WhatsApp has revolutionized its platform this week by introducing usernames — allowing you to build your contact information without sharing your phone number. They won’t take over completely for a while but folks are already reserving their username so that they’re ready for when the update goes live fully.
While many are fairly positive about the change, many fear this could increase the presence of cybercrime fraud and scams as bad actors reserve and use names that attempt to mimic politicians, celebrities, and businesses. This issue isn’t new to social media, but given the more direct nature of WhatsApp, and that businesses do use the platform to chat with customers, potential scams could have an easier time.
WhatsApp has hit back against this saying “only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names" however it’s unclear if, with enough imagination, people will find ways to reserve names that the Meta-owned platform hasn’t been able to account for.
Just days after Grand Theft A 6 pre-orders opened with purely digital versions and code-in-a-box releases, PlayStation rocked the gaming world this week by announcing it is ending all releases of new PlayStation games on physical discs from January 2028. It also comes just days after Sony deleted select films from users' accounts that were bought digitally, and offered no compensation.
Claiming that the move “will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” Sony looks to be reflecting recent statistics which show the vast majority of game purchases are indeed digital.
The move has not gone down well with fans, gamers, and the wider industry, as it likely paves the way for an all-digital future, and possibly a critical, maybe terminal blow to the second-hand game market, the ability to share games with others, and from a game preservation perspective
It also means that the PS6 will likely be all-digital by default — perhaps with an optional disc drive — and won’t release until 2028 at the earliest. With rumours that Xbox could follow suit with its next-generation console, the future looks increasingly digital, and game collectors such as ourselves are deeply worried and sad about it.
Argentina millisi DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 finalında Kabo Verde ilə qarşılaşmada dünya çempionatları tarixinə düşən daha bir göstəriciyə imza atıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Kabo Verde ilə görüşün əsas vaxtı 1:1 hesabı ilə başa çatdığı üçün komandalar əlavə vaxta yollanıblar.
Beləliklə, Argentina yığması dünya çempionatları tarixində 12-ci dəfə əlavə vaxt oynayaraq bu göstəricidə rekordu təkrarlayıb.
Bununla da Cənubi Amerika təmsilçisi mundiallarda ən çox əlavə vaxta çıxan komanda kimi uzun illər bu rekordu təkbaşına əlində saxlayan Almaniya millisinin göstəricisinə şərik olub.
Argentina millisi əlavə vaxtda rəqibini 3:2 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək 1/8 finala yüksəlib. Lionel Skaloninin rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda növbəti mərhələdə Misir yığması ilə qarşılaşacaq.
Qeyd edək ki, DÇ-2026 ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikada keçirilir. Turnir iyulun 19-da başa çatacaq.
DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsinin Kabo Verde yığması ilə oyunu Argentina millisinin ulduz hücumçusu Lionel Messi üçün əlamətdar olub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, o, əlavə vaxtda qazandıqları 3:2 hesablı qələbədə bir neçə tarixi nailiyyətə imza ataraq dünya çempionatlarının rekordlar kitabını yenidən yazıb.
39 yaşlı hücumçu mundial tarixində 30 oyuna çıxan ilk futbolçu olub. O, bununla da 26 oyunla ikinci pillədə qərarlaşmış Portuqaliya millisinin kapitanı Kristiano Ronaldonu daha da geridə qoyub.
Lionel Messi görüşdə vurduğu qolla dünya çempionatlarındakı qol sayını 20-yə çatdıraraq öz rekordunu yeniləyib. O, mundiallar tarixinin ən məhsuldar futbolçusu kimi ən yaxın izləyicisi, Fransa millisinin hücumçusu Kilian Mbappeni (18 qol) iki top qabaqlayır.
Bununla yanaşı, argentinalı ulduz dünya çempionatlarında ardıcıl səkkiz oyunda qol vuran ilk futbolçu kimi rekordunu da inkişaf etdirib. Onun möhtəşəm seriyası DÇ-2022-nin 1/8 finalından başlayır. Messi bu müddətdə 12 qol vuraraq mundiallar tarixinin ən məhsuldar bombardiri statusunu möhkəmləndirib.
Təcrübəli futbolçu Kabo Verde ilə oyunda məhsuldar ötürmə də edərək dünya çempionatlarında assistlərinin sayını 9-a yüksəldib. Beləliklə, o, Argentina futbolunun əfsanəsi Dieqo Maradonanı geridə qoyaraq mundiallar tarixinin ən çox məhsuldar ötürmə edən futbolçusuna çevrilib. Qeyd edək ki, dünya çempionatlarında assist statistikası 1966-cı ildən aparılır.
Lionel Messi Kilian Mbappeni bir göstəricidə qabaqladı, digər göstəricidə…
Lionel Messi həmçinin DÇ-2026-da vurduğu 7-ci qolla turnirin bombardirlər siyahısında yenidən təkbaşına liderliyə yüksəlib. O, 6 qolu olan Kilian Mbappeni qabaqlayıb. Bununla belə, məhsuldar hərəkətlərin (qol+assist) sayına görə Messi 8 məhsuldar hərəkəti olan Mbappedən sonra ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıb.
Argentina millisinin kapitanı daha bir tarixi göstəricini də təkrarlayıb. O, dünya çempionatlarının pley-off mərhələsində ardıcıl beş oyunda qol vuran futbolçular sırasına qoşulub. Messi DÇ-2022-də Avstraliya, Niderland, Xorvatiya və Fransa ilə oyunlardan sonra DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 finalında Kabo-Verdeyə qarşı da fərqlənərək 63 illik rekordu təkrarlayıb.
Bundan əvvəl yalnız Braziliya futbolçuları Leonidas (1934 və 1938), Vava (1958 və 1962) və Macarıstan millisinin sabiq hücumçusu Dyerd Şaroşi (1934 və 1938) pley-off mərhələsində ardıcıl beş oyunda qol vurmağı bacarmışdılar. Messi isə 1962-ci ildən bəri bu nailiyyəti təkrarlayan ilk futbolçu olub.
Qeyd edək ki, Argentina millisi 1/8 finalda Misirlə qarşılaşacaq. DÇ-2026 ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikada keçirilir. Mundiala iyulun 19-da yekun vurulacaq.
“Mançester Yunayted”in və Kamerun milli komandasının qapıçısı Andre Onana 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümünü də “Trabzonspor”da keçirəcək.
Arena.az bu barədə Türkiyə klubunun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.
Tərəflər futbolçunun ödənişsiz icarəsi ilə bağlı razılığa gəliblər. Beləliklə, 30 yaşlı qolkiper ardıcıl ikinci mövsüm Qara dəniz təmsilçisinin formasını geyinəcək.
Andre Onana ötən mövsüm də icarə əsasında “Trabzonspor”da çıxış etmiş və komandanın ən sabit oyunçularından biri olmuşdu. Onun etibarlı çıxışı klub rəhbərliyini razı saldığından tərəflər əməkdaşlığı daha bir il uzatmağa qərar veriblər.
“Trabzonspor” heyətini Türkiyə millisinin müdafiəçisi Samet Akaydın ilə də gücləndirib. “Rizəspor”la müqaviləsinin müddəti başa çatmış 31 yaşlı mərkəz müdafiəçisi yeni klubu ilə 2+1 illik müqavilə imzalayıb. Müqavilənin son ili klubun seçim hüququna əsasən qüvvəyə minəcək.
Akaydın 2025-ci ilin yanvarından “Rizespor”da çıxış edirdi. O, 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümündə bütün turnirlərdə 30 rəsmi matçda iştirak edib, 4 qol və 2 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb. Təcrübəli futbolçu daha əvvəl “Fənərbağça”, “Adana Dəmirspor” və digər Türkiyə klublarında da forma geyinib.
Trabzon təmsilçisi eyni zamanda belçikalı cinah hücumçusu Kazem Olaiqbenin İsveçrənin “Bazel” klubuna icarəyə verildiyini də açıqlayıb. Razılaşmaya əsasən, futbolçu 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümünü İsveçrə təmsilçisində keçirəcək. Müqaviləyə 3,75 milyon avro məbləğində məcburi olmayan satınalma hüququ da daxil edilib.
“Bazel” bu hüquqdan istifadə edəcəyi təqdirdə əldə olunacaq transfer gəlirinin 50 faizi əvvəlki razılaşmaya uyğun olaraq “Konyaspor”a ödəniləcək. Qalan hissə isə “Trabzonspor”un büdcəsinə daxil olacaq.
Bundan əlavə, İsveçrə klubu gələcəkdə Olaiqbeni başqa komandaya satarsa, “Trabzonspor” həmin transferdən əldə ediləcək xalis gəlirin 10 faizi həcmində pay almaq hüququna malik olacaq.
ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikanın birgə ev sahibliyi etdiyi futbol üzrə dünya çempionatının (DÇ-2026) 1/8 final mərhələsinin bütün cütləri müəyyənləşib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu raundda üz-üzə gələcək bütün komandaların adlarına 1/16 finalın son oyunundan sonra aydınlıq gəlib.
Bununla da turnirin 1/8 final mərhələsinin bütün cütləri rəsmən bəlli olub.
Beləliklə, DÇ-2026-nın 1/4 finalına vəsiqə uğrunda aşağıdakı qarşılaşmalar keçiriləcək:
4 iyul
21:00. Kanada – Mərakeş
5 iyul
01:00. Paraqvay – Fransa
6 iyul
00:00. Braziliya – Norveç
04:00. Meksika – İngiltərə
23:00. Portuqaliya – İspaniya
7 iyul
04:00. ABŞ – Belçika
20:00. Argentina – Misir
8 iyul
00:00. İsveçrə – Kolumbiya
Qeyd edək ki, tarixdə ilk dəfə 48 komandanın iştirak etdiyi dünya çempionatı iyulun 19-da başa çatacaq.
“Mançester Siti” heyətini yeni futbolçu ilə gücləndirməyə hazırlaşır.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Şəhərlilər” “LEester”dən Jeremi Monqa ilə anlaşıb. Bu barədə “The Athletic” nəşri məlumat yayıb. “Mançester Siti” 16 yaşlı hücumçu üçün 10 milyon funt-sterlinq ödəyəcək.
Monqa ötən mövsüm “Lester”də 30 oyunda 1 qol vurub, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
Bu gün dünya çempionatında 1/8 final mərhələsinin oyunları keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az qarşılaşmaları canlı yayımlayacaq telekanalların siyahısını təqdim edir:
DÇ-2026
21:00 Kanada – Mərakeş (İctimai TV, TRT 1)
5 iyul
01:00 Paraqvay – Fransa (İctimai TV, TRT 1)
Yesterday, Sony announced it will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting in 2028, sending a shockwave across the industry. If the news weren't already upsetting enough, companies on social media are now taking advantage of the opportunity with a barrage of corporate satire. Multiple high-profile brands have chimed in with sarcastic announcements of their own that mirror Sony's decision in an absurd fashion.
The Domino's Pizza UK account on X is probably the most prominent inclusion on this list — they went viral earlier for mocking God of War: Laufey by remarking that "God of War without Kratos is like Pepperoni Blast is without pepperoni." For this occasion, the account posted an official (satirical) statement saying the company is stopping production of all physical pizzas in the UK by April 1, 2027.
BREAKING NEWS pic.twitter.com/i28QZd7Z2gJuly 2, 2026
The company joked that customers would still be able to buy them in a "digital format" where their imagination would have to do the heavy lifting. Apparently, you'll have to download the pizzas to "enjoy them in an entirely virtual sense," and there are pizza codes available for further convenience.
Then there's the Spanish KFC account which made a similar joke-announcement but with a heightened sense of urgency. They're not even waiting for next year; KFC España will stop offering chicken in "physical format" starting right now. The account explained that customers need to now buy the chicken in "fake PNG format," accompanied by a screenshot of their app showing the newly listed digital chicken.
🚨ÚLTIMA HORA: KFC dejará de ofrecer su formato físico a partir de hoy. Sus productos solo se podrán consumir a través de su app en formato falso png. pic.twitter.com/7BBC2uqXHOJuly 2, 2026
KFC is actually referencing the NFT craze from a few years ago, where people would often joke about how they could just download the image others are paying a fortune for. The company even replied to a comment that said it'll just get the digital format chicken from Pinterest by warning them not to pirate the items.
Somehow, the bit kept going with another tweet laying out the ground rules for KFC España's new PNG chicken. Right away, they announce that a DLC is already in the works for sauces, where each sauce will be sold separately. They urge customers to pre-order "Los Glaseados" because the codes are running out — throwing another jab at GTA VI, this time, and its digital-only release.
Gracias por todas vuestras preguntas. Dejadme que os saque de dudas:1. 🛜 Dentro de un mes sacaremos un DLC con las salsas. Cada una irá por separado. 2. 💶 Podeis reservar en preventa de los PNGs de "Los Glaseados" antes de que se acaben.3. 📆 Dentro de un año sacaremos el… https://t.co/tu0NGs0rfBJuly 2, 2026
Lastly, we have GameSir, a popular name in the PC controller space, who also announced a shift to a digital-only model. If you buy a GameSir controller now, you won't receive anything physical in the box. Instead, you'll get an activation code to download the controller via the GameSir app and use quantum entanglement to control your games. The statement ends by reminding us that "true pro-gamers don't need a controller in their hands; they need a controller in their souls."
pic.twitter.com/KpfMdtzElcJuly 2, 2026
Clearly, these posts highlight the sheer absurdity of the situation. Digital games account for a vast majority of all game sales, so Sony is not opening a Pandora's box by itself here. But the core of the issue resides with choice — the consumer should have the right to choose whether they want a physical or digital copy. By mandating it for them, Sony (and those that will follow) is institutionalizing a race to the bottom where ownership will mean nothing. Furthermore, by eliminating the used hardware market, Sony ensures that gamers on a budget won't be able to buy titles at cut prices on the pre-owned market, relying instead solely on the goodwill of developers and Sony to set prices on the PlayStation Store.
Japan’s Fire Hydrant Sign Co., Ltd. has demonstrated an expansive Wi-Fi network that melds its established infrastructure of street signs with Starlink satellite broadband antennas. The big idea is that this network could provide important, if not essential, fallback connectivity in the event of a natural disaster knocking out fiber, mobile masts, and so on. Japan sits on the intersection of multiple tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions – as well as some extreme weather.
On Thursday, the Fire Hydrant Sign Co. completed a technical demonstration of a Starlink-supported Wi-Fi network in the vicinity of its Kanagawa Branch. Each sign, a common item of street furniture in residential neighborhoods, can become a dual-purpose emergency water supply sign and ‘communication hub.’ In the top image, you can see two example installations with the Starlink antenna atop a pole beside the traditional circular fire hydrant signage.
One of the key strengths of this initiative is that where the Fire Hydrant Sign Co. has a sign, no extra land or structures are required to set up the pole to host a Starlink antenna. Japan has 120,000 fire hydrant signs nationwide, with the trial taking place near Kanagawa province, near Tokyo.
Somewhat surprisingly, fire hydrant signs are largely maintained by private companies in Japan. They make some money via the advertising space on a sign directly below the one indicating the emergency water source location. Adding Starlink to them could provide the aforementioned disaster relief, as well as other monetization opportunities.
The Fire Hydrant Sign Co. behind this trial says that it will consider collaboration with local governments, regional companies, and related organizations to roll out this initiative, now proven to be useful. It isn’t only going to be useful in the event of a disaster; the company foresees demand during power cuts, local large-scale events, and other opportunities where more Wi-Fi connectivity options are desirable.
In some press release ‘small print,’ the firm says that its successful trial doesn’t mean that a Wi-Fi service will eventually be launched. It was a technical demo, and it also states that Starlink wasn’t a partner or collaborator in any official capacity.
Milan have officially announced that Sergio Navarro Barquero has been appointed as head coach of the club’s Futuro side ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Milan Futuro are onto their third head coach since the side’s inception at the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Daniele Bonera was the first man to take the role, but was dismissed in February of 2025 with the well on their way to relegation from Serie C in their first season.
Massimo Oddo took charge a day later and stayed on for the 2025-26 season, but left his post on June 30 and has since been appointed by Spaniard Navarro.
The 26-year-old is a former left-back who played in the lower Spanish divisions after representing Villarreal as a youngster and has since held coaching positions with Castellon’s youth sides, Rubin Kazan as an assistant, Karpaty Lviv in Ukraine, Levante and Athletic Bilbao as an assistant and most recently with Debrecen in the Hungarian top flight.
“AC Milan is pleased to announce the appointment of Sergio Navarro Barquero as Head Coach of Milan Futuro,” read a statement on the club website.
“Appointing Sergio represents the ideal blend of qualities we were looking for: a Coach who already understands the demands of professional football and who, above all, has focused on developing young talent in one of Europe’s leading football environments,” said Milan’s sport development director, Jovan Kirovski.
“We believe these qualities make him the ideal person to help shape our project, whose primary objective is to develop and maximise talent.”
The latest reports claim that Roma’s Manu Kone is in line to start for France in their 2026 World Cup round of 16 match against Paraguay on Saturday evening as Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni has been ruled out through injury.
France are among the favourites to go all the way at the 2026 World Cup and have a 100% win rate in tact after group stage victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway and a 3-0 win over Sweden in the round of 32 on Tuesday.
Didier Deschamps’s side will have to do without the services of Madrid’s Tchouameni, who reported a thigh injury during France’s most recent training session according to updates from the likes of l’Equipe and RMC (via Gianluca Di Marzio).
Roma’s Kone is the expected replacement for the Madrid man, given that he already has two starts to his name at the tournament in North America.
Thus far, France have rotated between three different combinations of Kone, Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in their midfield double pivot behind the frightening front four of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Kylian Mbappe.
Kone started alongside Rabiot for France’s 3-0 group stage victory over Iraq and alongside Tchouameni for the 4-1 win over Norway, but came out of the line-up for the round of 16 victory against Sweden.
The round of 16 clash between Paraguay and France will kick off at 22.00 BST, taking place in Philadelphia.
Reports in Italy claim that Roma already have an agreement on personal terms in place with Marseille forward Mason Greenwood, and now the Giallorossi are ready to submit their first formal offer to the Ligue 1 side.
The Giallorossi have been linked with a move for the controversial former Manchester United striker for much of the summer, and according to reports from various outlets on Saturday, already have an agreement on personal terms in place with the 24-year-old.
According to Calciomercato.com, there is already an agreement over a five-year contract worth around €4.5m in guaranteed salary per season between Roma and the player’s representatives. That €4.5m figure would likely increase over the years and be bumped up by performance-related bonuses.
Now, according to reports from the likes of Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, Roma are readying a first formal offer to Marseille for Greenwood. Reports elsewhere claim that the Giallorossi are prepared to bid €45m including bonuses and a sell-on clause for the Englishman.
It is believed that Marseille will request a fee of €55m, meaning a difference in valuations of around €10m, but Calciomercato insists that the two clubs will be able to find a meeting ground somewhere in the middle.
England made it through after a scare against DR Congo, and now they face the tough test of a last 16 tie against World Cup 2026 co-hosts Mexico.
BUY MEXICO VS. ENGLAND TICKETS HERE
We perhaps haven’t seen the very best of England yet at this tournament, and they’ll need to produce something better against a Mexico side who’ve started brilliantly with four wins and four clean sheets.
This could be a tough game, but also potentially a classic that will give us some idea of how serious England’s World Cup credentials are, so it’s sure to be one fans will be desperate to make sure they don’t miss.
If you want more information on how to buy World Cup tickets, you can always try the link here for FIFA’s official website, but there might be quicker and simpler ways as well.
We can highly recommend our dedicated tickets hub here which offers competitive prices for all the big games, and the security of a 150% money back guarantee if for whatever reason you’re not satisfied.
BUY MEXICO VS. ENGLAND TICKETS HERE
Co-hosts Mexico have a ticket hub on their official site here, but we would again recommend having a look around for alternatives.
Be sure to make use of our link here which gives you access to this big game with an easy-to-use and reliable site that has earned hugely positive reviews from fans.
Thomas Tuchel might need to rethink a few things for this game, which will likely be a lot harder than DR Congo.
Anthony Gordon made a big impact when he came on to replace Marcus Rashford, while it’s also surely time to start Bukayo Saka over Noni Madueke, even if the former doesn’t seem to be fully fit.
Reece James’ fitness will also be key, as he’s been missed at right-back, and he’s given some slightly positive noises about his situation, perhaps suggesting he’ll be able to make it back for this one.
England predicted line up: Pickford; James, O’Reilly, Guehi, Konsa; Rice, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Gordon, Kane.
Mexico predicted line up: Rangel; Vazquez, Montes, Sanchez, Chavez; Alvarez, Mora, Romo; Quinones, Alvarado, Jimenez.
BUY MEXICO VS. ENGLAND TICKETS HERE
England and Mexico have only played each other nine times, with the first meeting coming in 1959 and the most recent one prior to this coming in 2010.
And if you’re interested in omens, England’s only other World Cup game against Mexico was a 2-0 win in that 1966 campaign.
Overall, England have by far the better record in this fixture, winning six times, drawing once and losing twice. The last four games between these sides have all been wins for England, with 12 goals scored and just one conceded.
Predictions for this one? Let us know in the comments!
Maintouch is an SEO and AI search platform that uses autonomous marketing agents for strategy, content, backlinks, and ads. It connects to your knowledge base, CRM, analytics, and ad accounts to create a shared context, then plans topics, drafts and optimizes pages, fixes technical issues, and manages outreach to earn high-authority links. The platform tracks rankings, traffic, and ROI, refreshes declining pages before they drop, and can run paid campaigns that learn from organic data. Maintouch offers SOC 2 Type II security, SSO, and role-based access control.
Login