Google released the May 2026 core update today, the company announced.

This is Google’s second core update of 2026. It follows the March 2026 core update, and then the March 2026 spam update and the February 2026 Discover update.

What Google is saying. Google updated its Search Status Dashboard to state:

• Released the May 2026 core update. The rollout may take up to 2 weeks to complete.

Google posted on LinkedIn saying:

• This is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites. The rollout may take up to 2 weeks to complete.

About core updates. Core updates roll out several times each year. They introduce broad, significant changes to Google’s search algorithms and systems, which is why Google announces them.

• Google also releases some smaller, unannounced core updates.
• It has been a long time since the last core update. While many expected Google to roll out core updates more frequently, that didn’t happen.

What to do if you are hit. Google didn’t share new guidance specific to the March 2026 core update. However, Google has previously offered advice on what to consider if a core update negatively impacts your site:

• There aren’t specific actions you can take to recover. A negative rankings impact may not mean anything is wrong with your pages.
• Google provided a list of questions to consider if your site is hit by a core update.
• You may see some recovery between core updates, but the biggest changes tend to follow another core update.

In short: write helpful content for people, not for search engines.

• “There’s nothing new or special that creators need to do for this update as long as they’ve been making satisfying content meant for people. For those that might not be ranking as well, we strongly encourage reading our creating helpful, reliable, people-first content help page,” Google said previously.

For more details on Google core updates, you can read Google’s documentation.

Previous core updates. Here’s a timeline and our coverage of recent core updates:

• The March 2026 core update was on March 27 and ended on April 8.
• The December 2025 core update was on Dec 11 and ended on Dec. 29.
• The June 2025 core update was on June 30 and ended on July 17.
• The March 2025 core update was on Mar. 13 and ended on Mar. 27.
• The December 2024 core update was on Dec. 12 and ended on Dec. 18.
• The November 2024 core update was on Nov. 11 and ended on Dec. 5.
• The August 2024 core update was on Aug. 15 and ended on Sept. 3.
• The March 2024 core update was on March 5 and ended on April 19.

Why we care. With any core update, you often see significant volatility in Google search results and rankings. These updates may improve visibility for your site or your clients’ sites, but you may also see fluctuations or declines in rankings and organic traffic. We hope this update rewards your efforts and drives strong traffic and conversions.

Conversion signals are disappearing from your marketing data, and it’s probably costing your business money.

Ad blockers, aggressive privacy laws, cookie deprecation, and a host of other converging factors have combined to mask significant conversion data, costing businesses up to $203 million in revenue annually, according to one Deloitte study.

For most brands, the path from discovery to purchase is no longer clear.

This signal decay is more than an annoying data quirk. Left unchecked, it can make it harder for new customers to discover your brand.

Most marketers don’t realize they’re making decisions based on incomplete data. Instead, they see top-of-funnel campaigns that aren’t pulling their weight and reallocate those budgets elsewhere.

The algorithm inevitably responds by pulling traffic back further, investment continues to shrink, new customer acquisition dries up, and suddenly, a brand is in a downward spiral that’s difficult to correct.  

The solution to avoiding the negative feedback loop isn’t better creative or larger budgets. Instead, data hygiene will be the competitive advantage in 2026. By feeding better information to Google’s hungry algorithm, you’ll transform your top-of-funnel activities and drive new customers through their purchase journey. 

Why signal loss hurts discovery channels first

YouTube often sits near the top of the funnel, where attribution is weakest, and budget scrutiny is highest. That makes it one of the easiest channels to cut when performance data looks incomplete, even though it plays an important role in product discovery and brand research.

According to Google research:

• “YouTube is the No. 1 platform viewers turn to when they want to research, vet, or make a decision about a brand or product.”

Despite this popularity, conversion signal decay has an outsized impact on YouTube’s perceived performance as a marketing channel. It’s often the first touchpoint for product discovery, but users then leave the platform to make purchases, breaking the signal chain.

Google’s own advertising tools underreport YouTube’s true marketing impact by 70% or more, a Haus Research study found. Fortunately, advertisers can recover some of those missing signals with a better measurement setup, making it easier to more fairly evaluate YouTube and other discovery channels.

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Closing the cross-device gap with enhanced conversions

You’ve probably watched TV while holding your phone in your hand. You’ve also probably seen a commercial on TV, looked up the product on your phone, and then made the purchase on your desktop three days later. This new device-spanning purchase journey is a common way to buy, but it’s also impossible to track under the standard cookie-based tagging that most brands still rely on to measure conversions.

Enhanced conversions help close that gap. They add a layer of hashed first-party data, like an email address or phone number, to every captured conversion. Google then securely matches that hashed data against its own user information to connect the conversion to an ad interaction.  

Including enhanced conversions in your analytics unlocks insights into purchase journeys that began on YouTube and continued off the platform to the final purchase. Without this information, you’d never really understand how effective YouTube is at driving conversions down the line. 

Training the algorithm with offline conversions

Here’s another scenario you’ve probably experienced: You see a YouTube Ad for a high-ticket item you’ve thought about purchasing, like a car or a new piece of furniture. It costs more than you’re comfortable spending online, so you close the ad, pick up the phone, and call the seller directly. Cookie-based tagging has no way to track these valuable conversions back to their source.

This tracking blind spot also applies to lead-generation campaigns because standard conversion tracking cannot provide insight into the full path from completed form to purchase. This is the gap offline conversions fill.

Offline conversions connect customer relationship management software and call data back to Google. This data layer trains the algorithm on which leads actually close rather than just tracking who filled out a form and disappeared. With this information, smart bidding can then optimize for revenue outcomes rather than just top-of-funnel actions.  

Defining new top-of-funnel signals with micro conversions

Enhanced conversions and offline tracking recover existing signals you haven’t had the ability to see before. However, sometimes top-of-funnel activities like YouTube don’t generate enough conversion data for the algorithm to learn from. In those instances, micro conversions can feed the algorithm the data it needs to optimize your ads.

Micro conversions send intermediate signals — such as watching half of a video, adding a product to cart, or lingering on a landing page — into campaigns that wouldn’t otherwise generate enough purchase-level data to effectively optimize. You can weight these signals as primary or secondary, depending on where the campaign sits in the funnel. Engagement signals like view times might feed prospecting data, while add-to-carts inform remarketing.

Without these intermediate signals, it becomes much harder to separate productive upper-funnel activity from wasted spend. Micro conversions will enable you to treat your top-of-funnel activities like any other campaign and make data-backed decisions on what’s really working. 

Recovering lost signals with Google Tag Gateway

The final piece of the data-hygiene puzzle is recovering conversion signals that get blocked before they ever reach Google. Browsers like Safari and Firefox aggressively restrict third-party tracking, which contributes to the massive signal decay found in online purchases.

Google recently introduced a new tool, Google Tag Gateway (GTG), that can help you reclaim some of this lost data. GTG is a server-side technology that loads tracking tags from your website’s domain rather than Google’s. The gateway acts as a proxy, converting third-party requests into first-party requests, thereby bypassing some ad blockers.

Google reports that GTG users “saw an 11% uplift in signals” over advertisers who did not use the technology. GTG also offers advertisers important secondary benefits, including faster page load speeds, which improve Google’s landing page experience score and can lower costs per click.

While server-side tracking may sound like it’s difficult to implement, setting up GTG is actually a straightforward process if you’re on a content delivery network like Cloudflare.

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Your data infrastructure is your competitive advantage

Every brand selling online today is affected by conversion signal decay. Most won’t recognize the real problem: Cross-device browsing, offline conversions, ad blockers, and low top-of-funnel signal volume are combining to distort our view of actual purchase behavior.

With inaccurate data in hand, most will respond by changing creative directions, reducing budget, or — even worse — cutting channels like YouTube that are secretly driving discovery. The downward spiral begins.

The advertisers that will win in 2026 won’t work around the edges. Instead, they’ll implement sophisticated data-hygiene layers that feed all that lost data back into Google’s algorithm, effectively outsmarting their competitors.

If you want to run more successful ads this year, focus on fixing your data first. Everything else will quickly follow.

AI adoption appears to be diverging between professional and consumer audiences, according to Rand Fishkin’s new analysis of Datos desktop-panel data and SparkToro audience comparisons.

The data highlights a sharp divide in how people talk about AI use: broader consumer adoption may be slowing, while professional and B2B audiences appear far more likely to use tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini.

Why we care. There’s no one-size-fits-all AI strategy. Your audience may behave very differently from broader AI trends, so you need to understand whether your audience is actually using these tools — and which ones.

ChatGPT desktop growth slowed. Fishkin, SparkToro’s cofounder and CEO, said Datos’ U.S. desktop data showed ChatGPT and OpenAI usage had largely plateaued over the past six to seven months, even as Claude and Gemini continued to grow.

• At its peak, about 37% of U.S. desktop users visited OpenAI or ChatGPT in September 2025, according to the data Fishkin cited. That figure fell to 34% by March.
• Fishkin said the same general pattern appeared in the EU and U.K., though desktop usage there was roughly 10% higher than in the U.S.

Claude gained with professionals. Claude showed the strongest recent momentum in the Datos data, with four straight months of growth from December through March. Fishkin said the trend supports his theory that consumer AI adoption may be plateauing while professional and business use continues to grow.

• To test that idea, Fishkin used SparkToro audience comparisons to analyze business professionals and, separately, a broad consumer audience centered on retail shopping behavior.
• The business-oriented audience showed substantially higher overall AI tool usage. Claude usage overindexed especially strongly among B2B professionals, with SparkToro showing a 373% lift versus the average U.S. population, according to Fishkin’s analysis.

Consumer audiences look different. Fishkin said ChatGPT was 15% less likely to be used by the retail-shopping consumer audience than by the average American. Claude didn’t rank among the top four AI tools for that group.

• This may help explain why AI usage can feel far more dominant in professional online communities like LinkedIn than in broader consumer behavior, according to Fishkin.

The research. Watch Fishkin’s LinkedIn video here.

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Bungie has just announced that Destiny 2 is receiving its final (and free) content update on June 9, after which there will be no more expansions or additions of any other kind. The developer admitted that, following the underwhelming release of the 2024 expansion, The Final Shape, only an episode in the slow but steady decline of the online first-person shooter game, it became clear that it was time to move forward and look toward new projects, which will now begin "incubation" work. The update, called Monument of Triumph, is designed as a comprehensive celebration of player achievements that integrates […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/bungie-pulls-the-plug-destiny-2-after-decade/

Samsung, who was once regarded the pioneer of foldable smartphones, has now been receiving labels as a company that cuts corners with its premium devices, and with consumers getting tired of these trade-offs, Chinese competitors saw the opportunity to capitalize heavily, capturing a sizable gap left behind while bringing their own innovations. With the iPhone Fold scheduled to launch later this year, Apple’s first foldable flagship will undoubtedly be compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but looking at the compromises that Samsung is making, it’s best to assume that there isn’t going to be a competition this year. To hear […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/galaxy-z-fold-8-is-proof-that-samsung-has-lost-its-foldable-smartphone-battle-with-apple/

Intel has confirmed that its next-gen Clearwater Forest "Xeon 6+" CPUs are now in full production, targeting a launch this year. Intel's Next Big 18A Chip Is On Its Way As Full Production of Clearwater Forest "Xeon 6+" CPUs Commenced Clearwater Forest will be the latest product utilizing the 18A process technology. While the first products, Panther Lake "Core Ultra Series 3" and Wildcat Lake "Core Series 3", aim at the client segment, Clearwater Forest "Xeon 6+" will be positioned within the data center segments, mainly at 6G and Edge AI workloads. In its latest oneAPI Toolkit briefing, Intel confirms […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/intel-18a-full-production-clearwater-forest-288-darkmont-cores-576-mb-cache-xeon/

At the recent Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced hands-on event organized by Ubisoft in San Francisco, California, Wccftech had the opportunity to interview Richard Knight, the Game Director of this highly anticipated remake. Knight, whose Ubisoft Singapore credits include Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Mirage, and Skull and Bones, said the goal was to focus the remake on Edward Kenway’s story and adventure. That meant modern technical upgrades, a more seamless open world, and a handful of new gameplay additions, while trimming elements such as multiplayer and the original game's modern-day stuff. The result, he said, is meant to feel like a […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-6-extra-hours-content/

It is a round-the-clock leaks galore for Samsung's next-gen Galaxy S27 series today, with major tidbits getting disclosed one after the other, demystifying the camera setups on two key members of the S27 family: the base Galaxy S27 and the Galaxy S27 Pro. Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro might sport a 200MP surprise, as the base S27 is now tipped to get a big upgrade on at least one secondary camera lens We reported yesterday that Samsung was working on four Galaxy S27 models, with the Pro variant constituting a new addition. As per the details, the Galaxy S27 Pro is […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-galaxy-s27-pro-tipped-to-steal-the-ultras-200mp-sensor-as-the-base-s27-finally-gets-a-50mp-ultra-wide-telephoto-upgrade/

StraviaX is a forex analysis tool that tells you which pairs have macro backing this week and which don't. It pulls together COT positioning, retail sentiment, central bank stances, seasonality, and economic momentum, then scores each currency pair automatically. Pairs where multiple signals agree are flagged as high-conviction setups, while conflicting pairs are filtered out. You get a clear weekly bias instead of seven tabs and a headache. A free tier covers three major pairs, and Pro unlocks everything including a Prop Firm Mode that flags news events funded traders need to avoid.

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Google has updated its AI Ultra subscription plans to make them more affordable and useful. The top Ultra plan price is reduced from $250 to $200 per month. A new cheaper Ultra plan has also been introduced at $100 per month for more users.

The new $100 Ultra plan gives better access to the Gemini. It allows up to 5x higher usage compared to the Pro plan. This helps users do more coding, writing, and creative tasks without limits getting in the way.

This plan also includes 20 TB of cloud storage for saving files, projects, and data. Users will also get early access to new AI features before others. It is designed for people who want advanced tools at a lower price.

The benefit of the free subscription is YouTube Premium. This lets users watch videos without ads, play videos in the background, and download content. It adds extra value to the plan.

These changes make Google’s AI plans more flexible and easier to choose. Users can pick a low-cost plan or a high-end plan depending on their needs. It is helpful for students, developers, and creators who use AI in their daily work.

With improved pricing and expanded benefits, the updated plans make it easier to access powerful AI tools based on their needs and budget.

The post Google just slashed AI Ultra prices and added a new $100 plan appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Wear OS 7 is official, and it would make its public debut with the next-gen Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup. The new wearable platform introduces widget support, Live Updates, and improvements driven by Gemini AI.

Samsung has already completed the rollout of Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch software update. With Wear OS 7 becoming the latest, Samsung would also jump to the new version, starting with Beta Program soon.

If history is an indication, Samsung will launch One UI 9 Watch, based on Wear OS 7. The software will officially arrive with the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 later this year, but the Beta testing would open early.

Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic are the strongest contenders for the One UI 9 Watch Beta Program. Users in select countries, including the US and Korea, may be invited to test the latest changes and help developers shape the software.

Samsung Galaxy Watch eligibility for Wear OS 7

Samsung will not just keep the Wear OS 7 limited to the next-gen Watch models. The company will bring it to plenty of compatible versions launched so far. The list is pretty significant now and carries almost a dozen variants.

Confirmed

Samsung Watch models released in the past three years are confirmed to receive the Wear OS 7 update later this year. The list includes:

• Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, 44mm, and 46mm)
• Galaxy Watch Ultra
• Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch FE
• Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm and 47mm)

Likely (uncertain)

Samsung’s OS support spans four years, making the Galaxy Watch 5 also compatible with the Wear OS 7 upgrade, though the upgrade remains uncertain.

• Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Unlikely

One UI 8 Watch was already a surprise on the Watch 4 series, and another major upgrade isn’t very likely until Samsung amends its support strategy.

• Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm and 46mm)

Wear OS 7-based One UI 9 Watch may be released on July 22. New features and changes of this version may gradually expand to older models later this year.

Disclaimer: The wearable device list and release date are prepared by SammyFans staff purely based on Samsung’s software release pattern and industry (supply chain) inputs. Neither the device list nor the release date is confirmed by Samsung.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch eligibility for Wear OS 7: What we know so far appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Back in April rumors started going around saying Samsung would be adding a fourth member to its Galaxy S27 family, and yesterday a new rumor told us what screen size the Galaxy S27 Pro would have. Today yet another rumor is talking about its cameras. Based on the previous rumors, we were under the impression that the S27 Pro would be an S27 Ultra without an S Pen and smaller in size. However, this new rumor contradicts that, saying the Pro and Ultra will have a different telephoto camera. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra The Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to only have three cameras on the...

Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 just a couple of days ago, and it comes with some changes to the UI. One notable update is the media app switcher - it's no longer a carousel. New media app switcher in Android 17 While Android 16's current media app switcher that shows up in the notification shade requires you to swipe left and right to switch between active media apps, Android 17 will bring a new, more convenient and obvious switching style. In the new UI, Android minimizes the other media apps into tiny cards that expand when you tap on them. This makes it not just...

Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez is fresh off capturing the UEFA Europa League title following Aston Villa’s commanding 3-0 victory over Freiburg, a match where he shockingly admitted to playing with a broken finger. However, what initially threatened to become a major crisis for Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup appears to be a false alarm.

According to ESPN Argentina national team insider Gustavo Yarroch, Martinez will undergo further medical scans on his hand, but the finger injury will not sideline the goalkeeper or impede his ability to play.

Consequently, Martinez is expected to feature without issue in Aston Villa’s final Premier League match of the season away against Manchester City. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, he will be fully available for Argentina’s upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies and the marquee tournament in North America.

Following the Europa League trophy celebration, Martinez confessed that he actually broke his finger during the pre-match warm-ups. Defying the pain, the Argentine played the full 90 minutes between the posts for Villa, proving crucial in securing the continental silverware.

Scaloni reportedly considering extra goalkeeper for World Cup squad

While Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has yet to officially unveil his provisional roster for the 2026 World Cup, Martinez’s spot as the undisputed starting goalkeeper is set in stone. Nevertheless, ESPN reports suggest that the manager is considering bringing a fourth goalkeeper along with the delegation.

The player in question is River Plate’s Santiago Beltran, who has showcased remarkable composure and consistency since being promoted to the first team—a rare feat for such a young keeper. In 24 appearances, the 21-year-old prospect has conceded just 15 goals while racking up 12 clean sheets, guiding his team to 15 wins, four draws, and five losses.

Crucially, Scaloni’s intention is to call up Beltran primarily as a training partner to work alongside the senior squad throughout the World Cup campaign, effectively serving as the 27th member of the delegation.

Under official FIFA regulations, final tournament rosters are strictly capped at 26 players, meaning Beltran would only be eligible to enter the official matchday squad if one of the three primary goalkeepers suffers a tournament-ending injury.

Thomas Tuchel has yet to formally announce the 26-player squad that will represent England at the 2026 World Cup in North America, but the culling process has already begun. One of the most surprising names on the chopping block is Harry Maguire, whose exclusion has caught many off guard ahead of the tournament in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The official squad announcement is scheduled for Friday, May 22, but Tuchel has been quietly delivering the difficult news to those who will not be making the trip. The report of Maguire’s omission was first broken by talkSport‘s Alex Crook and subsequently confirmed by the Manchester United defender himself.

In a statement posted to his social media, Maguire made his feelings clear: “I was confident I could of played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players, all the best this summer.“

Since Tuchel took charge of the Three Lions at the start of 2025, Maguire was initially unavailable due to a calf injury, and once fit, he went on to miss eight additional international fixtures before finally working his way back into contention during the March break.

He played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Uruguay before making a brief seven-minute appearance in the shocking 1-0 defeat to Japan. Those cameos marked his first appearances for England since September 2024 under interim manager Lee Carsley, but they were not enough to persuade Tuchel to include him in the World Cup plans.

Since his debut against Lithuania in October 2017, Maguire accumulated 66 international appearances, contributing seven goals and two assists, and was part of the squad that reached the 2018 World Cup semifinal and finished runners-up at Euro 2020. Now 33, and likely to be 35 by the time Euro 2028 comes around, his international career may well have reached its end.

Who will take Maguire’s place in the squad?

With Maguire out of the picture, attention turns to who will cover the center back positions for England at the tournament. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Manchester City’s Marc Guéhi are expected to be Tuchel’s two first-choice starters in that department, leaving limited room for additional options.

Dan Burn has also been a regular in Tuchel’s setups and is widely expected to make the final squad. Meanwhile, the status of John Stones remains uncertain, and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill is also believed to be in contention for a place despite dealing with injury issues this season, according to talkSport.

Senegal surprised many after unveiling a 28-player squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup rather than immediately naming the standard 26-man final roster. The announcement sparked questions across the soccer world, especially with several major nations already beginning to finalize their tournament plans for the competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Lions of Teranga are preparing for another important World Cup campaign under head coach Pape Thiaw, and the squad list has already generated discussion about possible tactical decisions, late cuts, and emerging talents hoping to secure a place on the plane to North America. However, according to the BBC, the 28-player list is not the country’s official final squad but rather a provisional selection ahead of FIFA’s submission deadline.

Under FIFA regulations, national teams are permitted to announce preliminary groups before reducing them to the official tournament limit. In fact, federations can initially register significantly larger pools before confirming the final 26-player roster required for the competition.

That flexibility has allowed Senegal to take extra players into training camp while the coaching staff continues evaluating fitness levels, tactical balance, and overall squad chemistry. The final decision must still be made before the official FIFA deadline in early June. “Thiaw will have to trim his squad to the FIFA-mandated 26 players ahead of the final deadline on 2 June,” BBC’s report explained.

Why Senegal wanted extra players

The decision to include two additional players gives the coaching staff more room to assess the squad during preparations. Senegal is expected to use training sessions and friendly matches to determine which players are fully ready for the tournament. “The extra two players give the coaching staff a buffer to assess player fitness, tactical cohesion, and form during the preparatory training camp and initial friendly matches,” the BBC added.

This approach is especially important ahead of a long and demanding competition. Injuries, fatigue from club soccer, and travel schedules all play a role when national teams prepare for a World Cup tournament expected to last from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded roster also protects Senegal in case any late injury concerns emerge before the official submission deadline. Rather than scrambling for replacements at the last minute, the staff already has additional players integrated into camp.

Two players will eventually miss out

Although the announcement created excitement, it also means that difficult decisions are approaching. Senegal must reduce the group from 28 players down to the final 26-man squad before the tournament officially begins. For the players involved, the coming weeks will carry enormous pressure. Every training session, friendly match, and tactical exercise could influence the coaching staff’s final judgment.

The nation’s preparation schedule also explains why the national team preferred to keep a larger group together for the early stages of camp. The Teranga Lions are set to play important pre-tournament friendlies before finalizing the roster.

Senegal will face the United States on May 31 before taking on Saudi Arabia on June 10. Those matches are expected to provide valuable tactical insight for Thiaw and his coaching staff ahead of the World Cup opener.

Once the final squad is confirmed, Senegal will turn full attention toward a challenging Group I campaign. The African giant has been drawn alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, creating one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.

The man who helped to mastermind ‘s victory over has made his prediction for the Mexican’s upcoming battle against Christian Mbilli. Alvarez was last in action in September when he was defending his undisputed super-middleweight crown against Crawford. Despite ‘Bud’ moving up two weight divisions, he was able to pull off the upset and claim […]

The post Terence Crawford’s trainer BoMac assesses Canelo’s chances of beating Mbilli after a year out appeared first on Boxing News.

Milan Skriniar'ın sezon sonu mesajı, sarı-lacivertli camiada "Veda mı ediyor, kalıyor mu?" tartışmalarını alevlendirdi. Slovak stoperin kullandığı "Hikayemiz henüz bitmedi" ifadesi, ayrılık dedikodularına son noktayı koydu.

Fenerbahçe’nin tecrübeli savunma oyuncusu ve kaptanı Milan Skriniar, geride kalan sezonun ardından sarı-lacivertli camiaya seslendi. Sezonu değerlendiren ve gelecek döneme dair iddialı mesajlar veren Slovak stoper, "Hikayemiz henüz bitmedi" diyerek şampiyonluk sözü verdi.

- Bu sezon bize gurur duyabileceğimiz anlar yaşattı; özellikle de Süper Kupa’yı kazanmamız. Fenerbahçe ile bir kupa kaldırmak büyük bir onur.

- Ancak kaptanlık pazubandını taşımak, bu kulübün her zaman daha fazlası için mücadele ettiğini bilmeyi de gerektiriyor. Sorumluluk alıyoruz, her zorluktan ders çıkarıyoruz ve daha güçlü geri dönüyoruz.

- Gelecek sezon yeniden, daha büyük bir tutkuyla, daha fazla hırsla ve tek bir hedefle mücadele edeceğiz: taraftarlarımızı gururlandırmak ve hayalimizi birlikte gerçekleştirmek. Tüm sezon boyunca yanımızda olan her taraftarımıza teşekkür ederim. Hikayemiz henüz bitmedi!

Başkanlık seçimi öncesi Paolo Maldini'yi "futbol aklı" olarak işin başına getirmek isteyen başkan aday Hakan Safi beklenmedik bir yanıtla sarsıldı. İki gün boyunca Milano'da "Yeni Fenerbahçe" için yoğun bir mesai harcayan ve İtalyan efsaneye servet değerinde danışmanlık ücreti ödeyen Safi, 1 yıllık seçim takvimi engeline takıldı. Maldini resmi görevi reddedip sadece dışarıdan destek sözü verdi.

Fenerbahçe’de yaklaşan başkanlık seçimi öncesi kulisler hareketlenirken, başkan adayı Hakan Safi'nin Paolo Maldini hamlesinin altı "beklendiği" gibi dolmadı. Sarı-lacivertli kulübin yönetimine talip olan Safi, dünya futbolunun efsane ismi Maldini’yi projesine dahil etmeyi başaramadı. Kulübün çehresini değiştirecek bir futbol aklı ile anlaşmak isteyen Safi, bu hamle için adeta paraya acımadı ama elleri boş kaldı.

İtalyan futbol efsanesi, Hakan Safi ile Milano'da bir araya geldi. İki gün boyunca Fenerbahçe’nin geleceğine dair yoğun bir mesai harcadı. Görüşmelerde; "Ne yapılmalı, nasıl olmalı, ne olmalı?" soruları üzerinden kulübün kısa ve uzun vadeli futbol stratejileri, altyapı projeleri ve transfer politikaları masaya yatırılarak kapsamlı bir yol haritası çizildi.

Maldini, Fenerbahçe’de 1 yıllık bir süre içinde yeniden başkanlık seçimi olacağını hatırlatarak, bu aşamada resmi olarak kulüp bünyesinde tam zamanlı çalışamayacağını Hakan Safi’ye iletti. Ancak İtalyan efsane, Safi’ye kapıları tamamen kapatmadı.

Dışarıdan "danışman" olarak her türlü desteği kesintisiz sürdüreceğinin sözünü verdi. Safi’nin bu kritik dokunuş ve vizyon planlaması için Maldini’ye şimdiden çok ciddi bir danışmanlık ücreti ödediği gelen bilgiler arasında.

Hakan Safi’nin Maldini için düşündüğü formül, dünya devlerinin uyguladığı modern yönetim modellerine dayanıyor. Kulüp başkanına veya yönetim kuruluna doğrudan bağlı, haftanın belirli günlerini kapsayan ya da uzaktan yürütülen "Başdanışmanlık" rolü üzerinde duruluyor. Bu yapının bir benzeri, şu anda Zlatan Ibrahimovic tarafından AC Milan’da başarıyla uygulanıyor

Bu seviyedeki bir "Başdanışmanlık" rolünün yıllık maliyeti net 1 ila 2.5 milyon Euro civarında seyrediyor. Sözleşmede ayrıca Şampiyonlar Ligi vizesi veya kupa şampiyonlukları gibi başarıya bağlı dev bonuslar da yer alıyor.

Maldini gibi figürlere ödenen bu paralar sadece "futbol bilgisine" değil; onun dünya çapındaki menajerler, kulüpler ve federasyonlarla olan doğrudan bağına ve kulüp markasına katacağı küresel saygınlığa ödeniyor.

Futbol dünyasında Maldini’nin referansıyla takıma kazandırılacak tek bir genç yetenek veya onun adıyla çekilecek küresel bir sponsorluk, kulübe ödenen danışmanlık ücretini tek kalemde amorti edebilecek güçte kabul edilebilir.

Fenerbahçe'de başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım'ın yerli hoca ısrarı ve kongre öncesi hamle planı Aykut Kocaman... efsane başkan ile kurmayları arasında adeta "vizyon" mücadelesi var. Listesindeki genç yöneticiler Arne Slot'u getirmek için büyük bir operasyon başlattı. Yıldırım da genç ekibine kongreye kadar süre verdi. Slot işi kongreye kadar biterse ne ala yoksa Yıldırım seçilirse yeni hoca Aykut Kocaman olacak.

Fenerbahçe’de yaklaşan seçim öncesi başkan adaylığını açıklayan Aziz Yıldırım ve ekibinde, yeni sezonda takımın emanet edileceği teknik direktör konusunda tartışmalar devam ediyor. Yerli ve yabancı hoca formülleri arasında kararsızlık yaşayan Yıldırım'ın kurmaylarıyla yaptığı toplantılarda fikir çatışmaları öne çıkıyor.

Gelen son bilgilere göre, efsane başkan kulübün genetiğini yakından bilen ve daha önce önemli başarılara imza atan efsane teknik adam Aykut Kocaman'da ısrar ediyor. Yıldırım’ın, kongre üyelerinin karşısına çıkmadan önce Kocaman’ı resmen açıklayarak camiayı bu isim etrafında kenetlemek istediği belirtiliyor.

Buna karşın Yıldırım’ın yönetim listesine dahil ettiği genç ve dinamik yönetici adayları vizyoner bir yabancı hocadan yana tavır koydu. Genç ekibin, Liverpool macerası hayal kırıklığıyla sonuçlanan ve yakın zamanda ayrılacağı konuşulan Arne Slot için nabız yokladıkları konuşuluyor. Genç yöneticilerin yürüttüğü bu operasyonda önemli bir mesafe katettiği ve Slot ile görüşmeleri belirli bir noktaya getirdiği sızan bilgiler arasında.

Gençlerin masaya getirdiği Arne Slot ismi için "olursa çalışırım" diyerek yeşil ışık yakan Yıldırım'ın, bu büyük operasyonun zorluğunun bilincinde olduğu ve aceleci davranmadığı kaydedildi. Ancak zamanın daralması nedeniyle kurmaylarına kesin bir dille uyarılarda bulunan deneyimli futbol adamı, kongreye kadar süre tanıdı.

Yıldırım’ın ekibiyle yaptığı zirvede, "anlaşırsanız ne ala... ben de onunla (Slot) çalışırım. Eğer kongreye kadar bu işi resmiyete dökemez ve anlaşamazsanız, hocamızın Aykut Kocaman olacağını açıklarım" diyerek son sözü söylediği öğrenildi.

Fenerbahçe'nin efsane ismi Rıdvan Dilmen, Aziz Yıldırım'ın kendisine yaptığı organizasyon teklifini "görevlerde sadece eski futbolcu olmanın değil, liyakatin esas alınması gerektiğini" belirterek reddettiğini açıkladı.

Fenerbahçe’nin eski oyuncularından Rıdvan Dilmen, eski başkan Aziz Yıldırım’ın kendisine yönelik yaptığı iş birliği teklifine ilişkin çarpıcı açıklamalarda bulundu.

Dilmen, teklifi kibarca reddettiğini belirterek görevlendirmelerde "liyakat" vurgusu yaptı.

- Aziz Başkan bana teklif yaptı, ‘Böyle bir organizasyon yapacağım, sen de ol’ dedi. Ben de kendisine teşekkür ettim ve bu görevde sadece eski Fenerbahçeli futbolcu olmanın değil, liyakatin esas alınması gerektiğini söyledim.

Fenerbahçe camiasındaki konumundan ve taraftarın kendisine duyduğu sevgiden duyduğu memnuniyeti dile getiren Rıdvan Dilmen, kulüpte herhangi bir resmi makam veya koltuk beklentisi olmadığını net bir dille ifade etti:

- Bana Fenerbahçeli Rıdvan Dilmen olmak yetiyor. Başka hiçbir şeyde gözüm yok.

Fenerbahçe'nin tecrübeli orta sahası Fred için Brezilya'dan resmi hamle geldi! Atletico Mineiro, eski oyuncusunu kadrosuna katmak için sarı-lacivertlilerin kapısını çaldı.

Fenerbahçe'de transfer hareketliliği erken başladı. ESPN’in Brezilya kaynaklarına dayandırdığı son dakika haberine göre; Atletico Mineiro, sarı-lacivertlilerin tecrübeli orta saha oyuncusu Fred için kulübe resmi transfer teklifini iletti.

Kariyerine Atletico Mineiro altyapısında başlayan 33 yaşındaki Sambacı için Brezilya ekibinin uzun süredir devrede olduğu ve bu hamleyle "rüya transferi" gerçeğe dönüştürmek istediği belirtildi.

Fred, ülkesine dönmeye oldukça sıcak bakıyor.

Fenerbahçe ile kontratı devam eden yıldız oyuncu, geçtiğimiz günlerde sosyal medya hesabından yaptığı sezon sonu paylaşımında, "İstediğimiz hedeflere ulaşamadık. Şimdi dinlenme zamanı, gelecek sezonda görüşmek üzere" ifadelerini kullansa da, gelen resmi teklif sonrası ayrılık ihtimali ciddi şekilde masaya gelmiş durumda.

Gece yarısı saat 03.00 sularında İstanbul'a dönen Fenerbahçe Başkan Adayı Aziz Yıldırım, ilerlemiş yaşına ve sağlık sorunlarına aldırmadan, ayağının tozuyla kurmaylarını acil toplantıya çağırdı. Güney Amerika ile 7 saatlik zaman farkı nedeniyle sabaha karşı 04.00'te "online" olarak gerçekleştirilen gizli zirvede Vitor Roque için resmen düğmeye basıldı.

Fenerbahçe'de yaklaşan seçin öncesinde transfer hareketliliği hız kazandı. Başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım ve kurmayları, futbol kamuoyunda uzun süre konuşulacak sıra dışı bir transfer operasyonuna imza attı. Gece yarısı İstanbul’a (02:30-03:00 gibi) dönen Yıldırım ve kurmayları ayaklarının tozuyla sabaha karşı 04.00'te acil bir transfer zirvesi gerçekleştirdi.

7 SAATLİK FARK YÜZÜNDEN

Yıldırım, ilerlemiş yaşına, sağlık sorunlarına ve yorgunluğa aldırmadan apar topar çalışma arkadaşlarıyla bir araya geldi. Toplantının ana gündem maddesi ise herkesin merakla beklediği "santrfor" transferiydi. Hedefteki ismin Güney Amerika'da bulunması ve aradaki 7 saatlik zaman farkı nedeniyle görüşme sabaha karşı online olarak gerçekleştirildi.

O İSİM VITOR ROQUE İDDİASI

Gece yarısındaki bu kritik zirveye katılarak Aziz Yıldırım, hem oyuncu ve hem de menajerine adeta, "Seni ne kadar çok istediğimizi gör ve anla" diyerek gövde gösterisi yaptı. İddialara göre, Aziz Yıldırım ve ekibinin sabaha karşı pazarlık masasına oturduğu isim Vitor Roque'ydi!

ALEX GİBİ AVRUPA'DA YAPAMADI

Barcelona'da beklenen çıkışı yapamayarak ülkesine dönen ve şu anda Palmeiras forması giyen genç golcü için tüm şartlar zorlanacak gibi duruyor. Roque’nin transfer profili, Fenerbahçe’nin unutulmaz isimlerini hatırlatıyor...

Tıpkı zamanında Avrupa'da (Parma'dan dönmüştü) dikiş tutturamayıp Türkiye'de efsaneleşen Alex de Souza gibi, Roque'nin de Barcelona sonrası İstanbul'da yeniden doğması hedefleniyor.

TFF'NİN STANDARTLARINA DA UYGUN

Genç yıldızın oyun tarzı, Aziz Yıldırım'ın bir kaç gün önce isimlerini verdiği simge golcüleri Marcio Nobre ve Deivid de Souza'nın yırtıcı ve bitirici özelliğine benziyor.

Roque, yeteneğinin yanı sıra TFF'nin genç oyuncu kriterlerine de birebir uyum sağlıyor.

Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonu (TBF), A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımı'nın, 2027 FIBA Basketbol Dünya Kupası Elemeleri C Grubu'nda İsviçre ile oynayacağı maçın biletlerinin tükendiğini açıkladı.

TBF'nin internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamada, karşılaşmanın 6 Temmuz Pazartesi günü oynanacağı hatırlatılarak, biletlerin 46 gün kala tükendiği vurgulandı.

Açıklamada, "Yoğun ilgi gösterilen müsabakanın bütün biletlerinin kısa sürede satışının tamamlanması millilerimize verilen desteği bir kez daha ortaya koydu. A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımı'mıza gösterdikleri ilgi ve destek için tüm halkımıza teşekkür ederiz." denildi.

Konyaspor Teknik Direktörü İlhan Palut, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda Trabzonspor ile oynayacakları final maçı öncesi düzenlenen basın toplantısında konuştu.

Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nın finalinde Trabzonspor ile karşılaşacak olan Konyaspor'da teknik direktör İlhan Palut, düzenlenen ortak basın toplantısında soruları cevapladı.

Avrupa kupalarına gitmek istediklerini belirten İlhan Palut, "Ülkemizi Avrupa kupalarında temsil etmek istiyoruz. Umuyorum ki güzel bir final olur. Trabzonspor ve Konyaspor gibi takımlar sahaya büyük mücadele koyar. Bütün umudumuz, inşallah kupayı bizim kazanmamızdır" dedi.

Kupayı kazanmak istediklerinin altını çizen İlhan Palut, "Bu finali oynayacak olmaktan dolayı gerçekten mutluyuz. Her final oynayacak takım gibi buraya gelmişken kazanmak istiyoruz. Mücadelemizi taçlandırmak için istiyoruz" sözlerini dile getirdi.

Final maçı ile ilgili İlhan Palut, "Trabzonspor bu senenin en başarılı takımlarından biri. Zamana ihtiyacı olan bir takımın nasıl başarılı olabileceğini takip ettik. Çok fazla silahları var. Güçlü bir rakip. Hazırlıklarımız tamamlandı. Nasıl oynamamız gerektiğine çalıştık. Ne sadece savunma ne de sadece hücum ederek kazanılmaz. İyi mücadele etmeli ve finalin her dakikasını konsatrasyonla oynamamız gerektiğini biliyoruz" açıklamasını yaptı.

Türkiye Kupası finalinde Konyaspor ile karşı karşıya gelecek Trabzonspor'da teknik direktör Fatih Tekke düzenlenen ortak basın toplantısında açıklamalarda bulundu.

Ziraat Türkiye Kupası finalinde Corendon Airlanes Park'ta Konyaspor ile karşı karşıya gelecek Trabzonspor'da teknik direktör Fatih Tekke düzenlenen ortak basın toplantısında açıklamalarda bulundu.

"UMARIM HAKEM KONUŞULMAZ"

Kupayı hak ettiklerini söyleyerek cümlelerine başlayan Fatih Tekke, "Konyaspor’u da tebrik etmek lazım, güçlü ekipleri eleyerek buraya geldiler. Ayrıca çok net söyleyeyim, takımda 14 aydır hiç görmediğimiz bir istek ve coşku var. Biz bu kupayı çok istiyoruz, oyuncularım bunu hak etti." ifadelerini kullandı.

FotoSpor (@fotosporcom)'in paylaştığı bir gönderi

Hakemin konuşulmadığı bir karşılaşma istediğini belirten Fatih Tekke şu sözlerle devam etti:

"Oyuncularım, ben, ekibim ve tüm camia bu kupayı çok fazla istiyoruz. Yarın takım olarak en güçlü halimizle sahada olacağız. Yarın umarım kazasız, belasız sakatlıksız, herkesin futbol konuştuğu, eğlendiği, hakem konuşmadığı bir maç yaşarız. Camiamıza bu kupayı hediye etmek istiyoruz. Umarım istediğimiz gibi olur."

"KUPA GELMEZSE BAŞARILI DEĞİLSİNİZ"

Son olarak kupayı kazanamazlarsa başarılı olamayacaklarını söyleyen Fatih Tekke şu sözlerle cümlelerini noktaladı:

"Finalin Antalya'da olması çok mühim değil. Önemli olan sahanın ve hakem yönetiminin iyi olması. Ortada bir kupa varsa ve onu alamazsanız başarılı değilsinizdir."

“Qəbələ”nin baş məşqçisi Kaxaber Sxadadze Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 33-cü turunda “Şamaxı”ya qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Qəbələdə baş tutmuş görüşü meydan sahiblərinin 3:1 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.

Kaxaber Sxadadze qarşılaşmadan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:

“Futbolçuları qələbə münasibəti ilə təbrik edirəm. Turnir cədvəli baxımından oyunun ciddi əhəmiyyəti yox idi. Amma azarkeşləri sevindirmək istəyirdik. Sona qədər dəstək olduqları üçün onlara təşəkkür edirəm. Gözəl qollar vurduq. Özünəinam baxımından son oyunlar bizə kömək olmalıdır. Amma pley-off matçından qabaq heç bir halda arxayınlaşmaq olmaz. Qarşıdakı oyuna ciddi hazırlaşmalıyıq. Rəqibimiz sabah məlum olacaq. Bir həftə ərzində həmin görüşə hazırlaşacağıq.

Bütün rəqiblərə hörmətlə yanaşırıq. Futbolçularıma bunu demişəm. Onlar da çox yaxşı başa düşürlər. Bizim öz məqsədimiz var. Arxayınlaşa bilmərik. Tam fərqli matç olacaq. Final oyunudur. Belə qarşılaşmada hər addım çox vacibdir. Bunu başa düşürük. Son oyunlar turnir cədvəli baxımından bizə heç nə vermirdi. Amma biz bu görüşlərə pley-offa hazırlıq kimi baxırdıq. Futbolçuların gözünə baxanda görürəm ki, onlar qarşıdakı oyuna nə dərəcədə ciddi yanaşırlar. Ümid edirəm ki, qarşılaşma Premyer Liqa səviyyəsində stadionda, təbii ot örtüklü meydançada olacaq. Bakıda, Sumqayıtda, Tovuzda yaxşı stadionlar var. Bildiyim qədərilə Tovuz şəhər stadionu təmirə bağlanıb. İnanıram ki, oyun yaxşı stadionda keçiriləcək”.

Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 33-cü turunun “Qəbələ” – “Şamaxı” matçı meydan sahiblərinin 3:1 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatdı.

Arena.az Qəbələdə baş tutmuş bu matçın yekun protokolunu və icmalını təqdim edir.

Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası
33-cü tur
21 may

“Qəbələ” – “Şamaxı” 3:1
Qollar: Seydina Keyta, 4. Domi Massumu, 33. Nicat Əliyev, 36 – Karim Rossi, 15.
Sarı vərəqələr: Eşqin Əhmədov, 90+2 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti) – Arsen Ağcabəyov, 11 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti). Oruc Məmmədov, 12 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti).
Artırılan vaxt: Birinci hissədə yoxdur, ikinci hissədə 2 dəqiqə.
Saat 18:30. Qəbələ şəhər stadionu, 700 tamaşaçı.

Baş hakim: Kamranbəy Rəhimov.
Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: Cəmil Quliyev, Şirmamed Mamedov.
Dördüncü hakim: Niyaz Əhmədov.
VAR: Rəvan Həmzəzadə.
AVAR: Vüsal Məmmədov.
Hakim-inspektor: Ramil Diniyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Mübariz Hüseynov.

Qəbələ: 1. Səlahət Ağayev, 28. Murad Musayev (k), 13. Nicat Əliyev (66. Nuğay Rəşidov, 78), 10. Şahin Şahniyarov, 27. Eşqin Əhmədov, 33. Seydina Keyta (74. Süleyman Damadayev, 86), 12. İbrahim Sanqare, 50. Adriel Ba Lua (30. Prins Ovusu, 63), 6. Xayme Syerra (22. Fərid İsgəndərov, 78), 16. İsaak Amoa, 14. Domi Massumu (70. Paulo Kimbila, 86).
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 93. Rza Cəfərov, 94. Həbib Hüşənov, 26. Elnur Mustafayev, 21. Ziya Şəkərxanov, 3. Eduardo Kunde.
Baş məşqçi: Kaxaber Sxadadze.

Şamaxı: 99. Səlim Həşimov, 5. Arsen Ağcabəyov (k), 2. Abdulla Rzayev, 80. Həbib İsmayılov (17. Rafael Məhərrəmli, 68), 27. Emil Süleymanov (8. Alfons Msanqa, 68), 97. Oruc Məmmədov, 82. Rüfət Abbasov, 7. Edqar Adilxanov (19. Abdullahi Şuaybu, 68), 9. Karim Rossi (48. Ramiz Muradov, 78), 3. Vladislav Veremeyev (14. Ravil Qafarov, 78), 11. Dioqo Balau.
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 66. Salih Məmmədli, 21. Bilal İsmayılov, 77. Nihat Mehralıyev, 90. Davud Mənsumov.
Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov.

Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün sonuncu – 33-cü turuna start verilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.

Turun açılış oyunu Qəbələdə keçirilib. Burada “Qəbələ” və “Şamaxı” komandaları mövsümdəki son oyunlarına çıxıblar. Dörd qolluq görüşdə meydan sahibləri inamlı qələbəyə seviniblər.

Qeyd edək ki, turun qalan görüşləri mayın 22-də, 23-də və 24-də keçiriləcək.

Premyer Liqa
33-cü tur
21 may

“Qəbələ” – “Şamaxı” 3:1
Qollar: Seydina Keyta, 4. Domi Massumu, 33. Nicat Əliyev, 36 – Karim Rossi, 15.
Hakimlər: Kamranbəy Rəhimov, Cəmil Quliyev, Şirmamed Mamedov, Niyaz Əhmədov.
VAR: Rəvan Həmzəzadə.
AVAR: Vüsal Məmmədov.
Hakim-inspektor: Ramil Diniyev.
Qəbələ şəhər stadionu. 18:30.

Qəbələ: 1. Səlahət Ağayev, 28. Murad Musayev (k), 13. Nicat Əliyev, 10. Şahin Şahniyarov, 27. Eşqin Əhmədov, 33. Seydina Keyta, 12. İbrahim Sanqare, 50. Adriel Ba Lua, 6. Xayme Syerra, 16. İsaak Amoa, 14. Domi Massumu.
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 93. Rza Cəfərov, 94. Həbib Hüşənov, 22. Fərid İsgəndərov, 74. Süleyman Damadayev, 66. Nuğay Rəşidov, 26. Elnur Mustafayev, 21. Ziya Şəkərxanov, 3. Eduardo Kunde, 70. Paulo Kimbila, 30. Prins Ovusu.
Baş məşqçi: Kaxaber Sxadadze.

Şamaxı: 99. Səlim Həşimov, 5. Arsen Ağcabəyov (k), 2. Abdulla Rzayev, 80. Həbib İsmayılov, 27. Emil Süleymanov, 97. Oruc Məmmədov, 82. Rüfət Abbasov, 7. Edqar Adilxanov, 9. Karim Rossi, 3. Vladislav Veremeyev, 11. Dioqo Balau.
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 66. Salih Məmmədli, 17. Rafael Məhərrəmli, 21. Bilal İsmayılov, 48. Ramiz Muradov, 77. Nihat Mehralıyev, 14. Ravil Qafarov, 90. Davud Mənsumov, 19. Abdullahi Şuaybu, 8. Alfons Msanqa.
Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov.

“Aston Villa”nın hücumameyilli yarımmüdafiəçisi Morqan Rocers Avropa Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün ən yaxşı oyunçusu seçilib.

Arena.az bu barədə UEFA-nın mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.

Yarımmüdafiəçi turnirin artıq geridə qalmış mövsümündə 15 matçda 3 qol və 5 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb. O, “Frayburq”a qarşı keçirdikləri final görüşündə də 1 qol və 1 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə komandasının 3:0 hesablı qələbəsində önəmli rol oynayıb.

Qeyd edək ki, Morqan Rocersin İngiltərə klubu ilə müddəti 2031-ci ilin 30 iyununa qədər qüvvədə olan müqaviləsi var.

Yeri gəlmişkən, Avropa Liqasında mövsümün rəmzi komandası da açıqlanıb. Rəmzi heyətdə turnirin qalibi olmuş İngiltərə təmsilçisi “Aston Villa”nın dörd futbolçusu yer alıb. Finalda 0:3 hesabı ilə məğlub olmuş Almaniya “Frayburq”u isə rəmzi komandada iki oyunçu ilə təmsil olunur.

Avroliqada mövsümün rəmzi heyəti aşağıdakı kimidir:

Qapıçı: Emiliano Martines (“Aston Villa”);

Müdafiəçilər: Viktor Qomes (“Braqa”), Mattias Ginter (“Frayburq”), Morato (“Nottingem Forest”), Oskar Minqesa (“Selta”);

Yarımmüdafiəçilər: Con Makqinn (“Aston Villa”), Maksimilian Eggeştayn (“Frayburq”), Morqan Rocers (“Aston Villa”);

Hücumçular: Antoni (“Betis”), Emiliano Buendiya (“Aston Villa”), İqor Jezus (“Nottingem Forest”).

Bitcoin whales and investors shift to distribution as realized losses surge past $600 million, as BTC price declines toward $76,000.

There are reports Inter could hand the gloves to Josep Martinez as the heir to Yann Sommer, but bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Arsenal as his understudy.

The Nerazzurri are looking for their next goalkeeper after Sommer walks away this summer, and the plan had been to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the steep asking price and the impressive performances of Martinez have prompted a rethink in the Inter camp.

Kepa can be Inter idea

There had already been suggestions that Martinez could be given the gloves and a more prominent role next season, despite making only 10 competitive appearances this term.

Now La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the idea would be to provide him with an experienced understudy who can help guide the 27-year-old former Genoa shot-stopper.

The name they mention is Kepa Arrizabalaga, who at 31 has seen a lot more of world football, but is also content to be a back-up.

This is the role he had with Arsenal this season, having just 11 games after his €5.8m transfer from Chelsea.

His CV is enviable with two Champions League trophies, the Europa League, a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Premier League, LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup.

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is expected to miss out on the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, along with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Phil Foden.

The final list is set to be announced by manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday May 22, cutting down the 55-man preliminary group to just 26 names.

Tomori won’t get World Cup opportunity

Manchester United defender Maguire confirmed today that he has not made the cut, noting on social media that he was “shocked and gutted” at the decision.

While Maguire and Tomori have often been in contention for the same spot, it looks as if both of them are going to be left out this time, according to BBC Sport.

Milan centre-back Tomori had hoped to get the nod after starting the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay on March 27.

That was his sixth senior cap for England, the first since November 2023.

He made the move to Serie A in 2021 from Chelsea for a transfer fee of nearly €36m and has been a regular in the starting XI for the Rossoneri.

Others left at home include Manchester United’s Shaw and Foden of Manchester City, but Newcastle United veteran Dan Burn does get a call-up at age 34.

Inter President Beppe Marotta sniped at rivals Milan during an event to present the new kit. ‘We are the team of this city, the only one’ with at least 20 Serie A titles.

The Nerazzurri had already won the race to 20 back in the summer of 2024, leaving their neighbours behind on 19, but added a 21^st this month along with the Coppa Italia trophy for a Double.

When a club wins 10 editions of the Scudetto, they get to keep a star on their jersey in perpetuity, so only Inter and Juventus have two stars forever on their shirts.

Inter have more Serie A titles than Milan

This was referenced by President Marotta when speaking to the fans during an event at the Arena Civica, which was used as their stadium from 1930 to 1947.

“If Inter are up there, it is thanks to all the Presidents who held this role before me, so I’d like to remember the Moratti family, Fraizzoli, Pellegrini, Zhang, all those who over the course of 100 years held the reins of this club,” said Marotta.

“It’s a special evening and we wanted to crown it in this venue, an icon of the city, because we are the team of this city, the only one that has two stars in the city of Milano, and this makes us very proud.”

This was the presentation of the new 2026-27 kit, which will also have the two stars upon it, along with the Scudetto symbol and the target badge representing the Coppa Italia.

“L’unica società che ha 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐢 𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐢”

La frecciata di Marotta al Milan, direttamente dall’allenamento aperto all’Arena Gianni Brera #Marotta #Inter #DAZN pic.twitter.com/5YIdYXFeT1

— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) May 21, 2026

Italy may well have received a boost in their hopes of calling up Nicolò Tresoldi, as the Club Brugge striker has been left out of the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The 21-year-old centre-forward was born in Sardinia and moved to Germany with his family at a very young age, but has dual citizenship.

He spent his entire career at Hannover until the €7.5m transfer to Belgium and Club Brugge, where he absolutely flourished this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists in 56 competitive games.

Italy could still call Tresoldi

Tresoldi has played his international football for Germany at various youth levels, including 12 goals in 24 caps for the Under-21 side, but is still technically eligible for the Azzurri.

That situation will continue for the next few months, because he has not been included in the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Instead, Nick Woltemade got the nod from coach Julian Nagelsmann.

“Tresoldi was very, very close to making the squad. He’s not a classic target man, but he’s a classic striker. He was extremely close, but in the end he didn’t make the squad because in that case we had to leave someone else out. It’s not easy,” said Nagelsmann in his press conference.

It could give Italy a crucial opportunity to convince Tresoldi that he’d get more regular playing time with them than Die Mannschaft.

It’s reported that his decision to play for Germany was fuelled by a rejection from the Italy national team scouts at Under-17 level, who thought he was not up to their standards.

Meanwhile, there is the possibility that Argentina could also try to get him to play for them.

Jonathan Rowe impressed for Bologna against Aston Villa, and now the Europa League winners want him for next season, claims Telegraph Sport.

The only three games that Bologna lost in the entire Europa League campaign were to the eventual victors, who lifted the trophy in Istanbul last night after beating SC Freiburg 3-0.

That success also means that Villa have qualified for the Champions League next term and are ready to invest heavily to reinforce Unai Emery’s squad.

Rowe wanted by Aston Villa

According to Telegraph Sport, one of their primary targets for the summer is Bologna winger Rowe.

An England Under-21 international who turned 23 in April, he came to the Stadio Dall’Ara in late August at a cost of €17m plus add-ons, including a 10 per cent cut of the future sale.

His departure from Olympique Marseille was because of a locker room brawl with teammate Adrien Rabiot, which saw both of them sold to Serie A clubs, the France international going to Milan.

Rowe is a product of the Norwich City youth academy and made the switch to Marseille in 2024.

He scored eight goals with five assists in 42 competitive games for Bologna this season, but doesn’t have the best relationship with coach Vincenzo Italiano.

They have often expressed frustration with each other, the player at being benched, the coach at how Rowe doesn’t have the same intensity in training that he does in a match situation.

If Aston Villa do want to secure Rowe, then it will cost them in the region of €40m.

Manchester United are looking to sign the Brazilian midfielder Ederson Dos Santos at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old has been outstanding for Atalanta, and he could prove to be a very useful acquisition for the Red Devils. They need someone who can add control and composure in the middle of the park.

The Brazilian is a hard-working midfielder who will help out defensively as well. He has consistently shown his quality in Italy, and he will now look to make his mark in English football. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he could be a player for Manchester United.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United will make contact to sign the player in the coming days, and he could cost around €45 million. The player is interested in the move, and it remains to be seen. Whether all parties can come to an agreement.

“New contacts will take place in the next days for Ederson’s future with Manchester United interested,” revealed Romano on X.

“He’s one of the names on the shortlist for midfield, not the only one + more options are being considered.

“Ederson would be open to joining #MUFC as Atalanta ask around €45m.”

Manchester United have secured Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they need quality midfielders at their disposal. They will look to dominate the contest in the middle of the park, and a reliable central midfielder like Ederson would be a wise addition.

They should look to invest in a quality defensive midfielder as well, who will protect the back four and help them win the ball back in the middle of the park.

The €45 million asking price is certainly affordable for a club like Manchester United, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done.

The post Romano confirms talks scheduled “in the next days” to seal €45m Man United signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United is very interested in signing Maximiliano Araujo from Sporting CP during the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old left back has had an impressive campaign with the Portuguese outfit, and he will cost around €80 million. According to a report from Correio da Manha, Manchester United is ‘crazy’ about signing the defender and is leading the race for his signature.

The player has 12 goal contributions across all competitions, and he could prove an excellent acquisition for Manchester United. They need a replacement for Luke Shaw, and the 26-year-old Uruguayan international would be the ideal investment for them.

He is at the peak of his career, and he could settle in quickly and make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Manchester United have secured Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, but they need to improve their team. Adding a quality fullback should be a priority. Shaw is a quality player, but his availability is concerning. They need a reliable defender who can contribute at both ends of the pitch and play every week.

Araujo will also be attracted to the idea of joining Manchester United. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to compete for major trophies. The asking price could be an issue.

He has an €80 million release clause in his contract, and Manchester United might not want to pay that amount for a player. They need to improve the midfield immensely, and they will not want to overpay on the defender. It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can agree on a reasonable deal.

The post Manchester United ‘crazy’ about signing £69m star with 12 goal contributions appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham Hotspur is looking to sign the Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis during the summer transfer window. 

According to a report from Correio da Manha, the North London club is dreaming of signing the Greek international striker. Pavlidis has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season, and he could prove to be an excellent acquisition for the North London outfit.

It is no secret that they need more quality in the attacking unit, and Pavlidis could be a very handy option for them. The report further claims that the player is highly appreciated by the newly appointed Tottenham manager, Roberto De Zerbi.

Dominic Solanke has found the back of the net just three times in the Premier League this season. Tottenham cannot hope to win major trophies with the 28-year-old leading the line. They need a more reliable goal scorer, and it is no surprise that they are keen on the Greek International.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the Benfica striker as well. He is at the peak of his career, and he will look to test himself against world-class players in the Premier League. Regular football in England could bring out the best in him.

Pavlidis has picked up six assists along with 30 goals this season.

The player has been linked with a Premier League move in the past, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham can get the deal done. They will need to secure safety in the top flight before making a move for quality players like Pavlidis. They are currently fighting for survival, and it remains to be seen whether they can stay up.

The post Tottenham dream of signing deadly 30-goal machine as concerns grow over 28-year-old appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing the Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand.

According to a report from Correio da Manha, the two Premier League clubs are leading the race for his signature, and he could cost around £34 million. The player has a release clause set at double that, but the Portuguese club is willing to sell him for a more reasonable price.

Hjulmand has been an excellent performer for Sporting CP, and he could prove to be a very handy option for Arsenal and Manchester United.

The 26-year-old Denmark International is a defensive midfielder who will help break up opposition attacks and control the tempo of the game from deep.

Arsenal need someone like him, and he could be the ideal upgrade on Christian Norgaard. They have won the Premier League title this season, and they will look to build on it and further improve the team so they can dominate English football.

Hjulmand will add more physicality and defensive steel in the middle of the park for Mikel Arteta.

On the other hand, Manchester United need a replacement for Casemiro. The Brazilian has decided to leave the club, and they will need to find a quality alternative. It remains to be seen whether they can convince the 26-year-old to join the club. He is a boyhood Arsenal fan with a tattoo of the Gunners. If there is an attractive proposal on the table from Arsenal, he could be tempted to join them instead.

Meanwhile, the £34 million asking price is reasonable for a player of his quality and experience. He could prove to be a bargain at that price.

The post Arsenal and Manchester United chasing boyhood Gunners fan with £34m price tag appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Google began rolling out the May 2026 core update, the second broad core update this year. It may take up to two weeks to complete.

The post Google Begins Rolling Out May 2026 Core Update appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

The Indiana Fever are taking a lot of heat for the way the team handled things that led to the late scratch of Caitlin Clark ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Fire. Now, prominent sports personality Rachel DeMita has gone as far as to suggest that Clark should leave the Fever when she gets the chance.

Less than two hours before Wednesday night’s game, Fever head coach Stephanie White announced that Clark had been ruled out for Wednesday night’s matchup because of soreness in her back. The suddenness of the announcement, combined with the inconsistent messaging from the team, has led to a lot of criticism from fans and the media.

On her podcast on Wednesday, DeMita joined the chorus of criticism directed at the Fever.

Clark’s Injury Situation

In a press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s game, White claimed that Clark simply woke up with soreness, and they did not want to take a chance on her health.

“Just woke up with some stiffness and some soreness,” White said during the press conference, via ESPN. “For us, it’s not the time to take a chance. We just really want to be cautious.”

Although White said that Clark simply “woke up” experiencing soreness in her back, she also revealed that Clark did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, instead receiving treatment on her back. Conflictingly, White insisted that Clark was healthy, while also claiming that the decision had “absolutely not” been related to load management.

“She’s healthy,” White said. “We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready.”

The inconsistent messaging surrounding her injury led to some strong criticism for White and the Fever, as fans have correctly pointed out that Clark can’t both be healthy and injured at the same time. There’s also a possibility that the Fever could face punishment for what appears to be a violation of the league’s injury reporting policy.

Could Clark Leave the Fever?

During her podcast on Wednesday, DeMita did not hold back as she criticized the Fever for the way they handled Clark’s injury situation. In fact, she called for coaches to be fired and went as far as to question whether or not Clark should even stay with the organization in the long run.

“I don’t know if Caitlin staying with the Indiana Fever makes sense,” DeMita said on the podcast. “I think if this were an NBA franchise, an NBA organization, people would be fired by now.”

“This is the face of the league, your franchise player, your star player who never had injuries. People would be fired by now. People would be fired expeditiously. Even if it’s not the coach’s fault, even if it’s not the training staff’s fault, somebody has to go down for it. That’s what happens literally in every other league. We literally just saw Jason Kidd get fired by the Mavericks because they had a horrible season and they have Cooper Flagg. We see this happen so often,” she continued.

At this point, it’s not clear what’s going to happen, nor is it clear what Clark felt about her late scratch. But it’s clear that this has turned into quite a media firestorm for the Fever early in the season.

The post ‘I don’t know if Caitlin Clark staying with the Indiana Fever makes sense’: Rachel DeMita does not hold back appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

New York Knicks playoff tickets at Madison Square Garden are a hot item, as you can imagine, and the get-in prices for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals are soaring after their series-opening win on Tuesday night.

According to Gametime, the get-in price for Thursday’s night Knicks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers will cost you $740.

Once the series shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 beginning on Saturday night, there is a significant drop-off in cost. In fact, if you wanted to buy tickets for all three of the Cavaliers’ home games in series, it’ll be cheaper than you heading to MSG for Thursday’s Game 2.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

The get-in price for Game 3 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is currently $180, while Game 4 is $161 and Game 6 is listed at $288.

That’s a total of $629 for three games in Cleveland compared to $740 for Game 2 in New York City.

The Knicks hold a 1-0 lead after their 115-104 comeback victory in Game 1 on Tuesday. New York trailed by 22 at one point in the second half, but ripped off a 44-11 run to force overtime, which saw the Knicks outscore the Cavaliers 14-3 to secure the win.

Real Madrid will look to end their season on a positive note as they take on Athletic Club in their final game of the season.

Heading into this game, Vinicius Jr. was one of three Real Madrid stars who were absent from training, sparking chatter about them already jetting off for the World Cup.

Vinicius Jr. won’t play vs Athletic Club

Now, those rumours have been addressed by ESPN, which confirms that Vinicius Jr. indeed won’t participate in the upcoming clash against Athletic Club.

Can Vinicius help Brazil win the World Cup this year? (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It appears Real Madrid have granted their star forward permission to leave the camp and head to Brazil before the World Cup, where he will play a key role for the Selecao.

The report adds that Vinicius will directly join the Brazilian national team camp and train with former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

This is a big boost for Brazil, who are hoping to end their World Cup curse and secure their first triumph since 2002. Vinicius Jr. is one of the faces of the Selecao, alongside Barcelona’s Raphinha.

Vinicius’ preparation plan for the World Cup

Brazil’s big faces for the World Cup. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)

According to the report, Vinicius will resume training next week, when he will have to report to Ancelotti as Brazil begin their preparations at the CBF training centre in Granja Comary, Teresópolis, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian players, including Vinicius, will arrive on Wednesday, May 27, four days before the friendly match against Panama.

The Brazil camp will then depart for the United States on June 1, with the Selecao slated to play against Morocco in their first match of the tournament on June 13, in New Jersey.

Craig Woodson Reveals How Patriots Newcomer Will Help Him Get Better originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots had a busy offseason, and one of their additions could help Craig Woodson develop into an even better player.

The Patriots signed All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to a one-year deal in the offseason, and the veteran will start alongside Woodson in the backend of the secondary. Woodson had a strong rookie season, but recently spoke on how Byard can help him get even better.

“I know he’s going to help me out there when it comes to seeing things, allowing the game to slow down even more than it’s starting to already,” Woodson said on Wednesday, per MassLive's Mark Daniels. “So, I mean, once we get to the practice and on the field, I’m sure he’s going to give me some keys and some tools that are going to help me.”

Byard has played in 140 NFL games and has played at a high level in his eight-year NFL career. His experience will play a huge role in making the Patriots' defense great. Woodson is not the first Patriot to point out how Byard will help the team, either. Marcus Jones also recently said that Byard's experience in the NFC over the last few seasons will help the Patriots' game plan for uncommon opponents.

Byard spent the last two years with the Chicago Bears, and the Patriots face the NFC North next season. Jones thinks Byard will help the team game plan for those teams, having played against them twice last year.

More Football: NFL Insider Reveals There Is No Deal In Place For A.J. Brown To Join Patriots Yet

Following arguably the most aggressive offseason in Cincinnati Bengals history, some have expected the Bengals to explore the possibility of restructuring contracts for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, or Tee Higgins. Restructuring is a common practice for NFL teams to essentially convert a player’s salary into a bonus, thus clearing up salary cap space.

With questions on the Bengals’ roster at linebacker, slot corner, and potentially swing tackle, some have wondered if the Bengals would follow the trend of restructuring their franchise quarterback to address those areas. With the Bengals breaking away from so many of their norms in recent years, Duke Tobin made it sound like a possibility.

According to WLWT’s Charlie Clifford, there have been no discussions between the Bengals and Burrow about a restructure ahead of the 2026 season.

If the Bengals don’t restructure Burrow ahead of the season, they are likely done signing significant players from outside of the organization. Perhaps the right person becomes available, and they do decide to pull the trigger, Burrow would likely be open to a restructure. As of now, it doesn’t appear that anything is imminent.

A restructure for 2026 isn’t on the horizon, but a restructure in 2027 could be on the table.

CLEBURNE, Texas — After dropping the first four games of the season-opening homestand against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, the Cleburne Railroaders offense found its footing behind the biggest offensive output of the year. Delino DeShields Jr. finished 3-for-4, 2 extra-base hits (HR, 2B) with 4 RBIs, while Cody Thomas found his first two RBIs as a Railroader.

Cleburne (3-4) has won three straight. Carter Aldrete continued a strong start to the season at the plate, finishing 12-for-30 with 6 RBIs, one double, one home run and a .400 batting average in the opening series of 2026. Frankie Tostado finished the homestand batting .409.

Tuesday, May 19 – Cleburne Railroaders 5-1 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks

Tostado followed up a three-hit day on Monday with three more hits Tuesday in a 5-1 Railroaders win. Two doubles, two runs and an RBI for the California native has him pegged as one of the catalysts for the Cleburne offense through the first week of the season. Caleb McNeely provided a 1-for-3 day with two RBIs.

Catcher Oscar Hernandez rounded out a three-run fourth inning with an RBI single, his second run driven in of the season. Aldrete continues to pace the offense, adding two more hits on Tuesday.

Opening day starter Andrew Bellatti had another strong outing across four innings of work. Bellatti struck out five, allowing just one hit and issuing his first walk of the season. Bellatti currently sits tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 12. He has yet to allow a run in either start.

Conner Richardson relieved Bellatti, allowing Fargo’s (4-3) only run of the game, a solo home run by Jose Sermo, his league-leading 5th of the season.

But Richardson bounced back to strike out two hitters and gave three strong innings. Richardson handed the ball to Jace Miner, who in two innings of work, shut down the RedHawks offense, allowing no hits and striking out three to secure the win.

Wednesday, May 20 – Cleburne Railroaders 14-12 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks

An offensive explosion on Wednesday night saw the Railroaders pick up a third straight win at home. Every Railroader batter except for Caleb McNeely registered a hit, but McNeely drove in an important run.

Cleburne jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first before Fargo rallied for a combined seven runs in the third and fourth innings. The Railroaders answered with six runs in the fourth and five runs in the seventh. DeShields Jr. launched his second home run of the season in the fourth, a 3-run shot to give Cleburne a 9-7 lead.

Christian Almanza set a new season high for himself with three RBIs. Brantley Bell had a 3-for-5 night at the plate, featuring a double and an RBI.

Scott Ellis (1-1) picked up the win for Cleburne with 2.1 innings, while Davis Smith picked up the save, his first of the season.

Cleburne will have a travel day on Thursday, embarking on a 9-game road trip starting against the Gary SouthShore RailCats Friday, May 22, in the first of a 3-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

The Roaders will then hop over to the Windy City to face the Chicago Dogs for three games before heading back to Gary for three games to wrap up the road trip.

The Railroaders return home June 2 to host the Kane County Cougars in a 6-game series.

The Wisconsin Badgers are scheduled to begin hosting official visits next week, as around 30 recruits will be making their way to campus over the next few weeks.

Wisconsin has had a strong start in the 2027 class, primarily due to its in-state recruiting efforts, but there are still a number of recruits they’re looking to close on as the summer begins.

Before the frenzy begins, where does Wisconsin’s recruiting class rank in the country?

With 13 commits, the Badgers have the No. 17 overall class in the nation, according to 247Sports. On3 has them with the No. 24 class right now.

Of Wisconsin’s 13 commits, there are five who are four-star commits in either the 247 rankings or the Composite rankings. Four-star running back Kingston Allen, considered a top-10 running back and the No. 1 player in the state of Wisconsin, leads the way for the Badgers.

Behind him, four-star tight end Korz Loken, seen as a top-10 tight end and the No. 2 player in Wisconsin, is also one of the best players in the country. Four-star offensive lineman Cole Reiter was a key addition back in March. And quarterback Jack Sorgi and Hunter Mallinger are both four-star recruits on the Composite rankings.

Currently, Wisconsin’s class is ranked ninth in the Big Ten behind UCLA, USC, Penn State, Ohio State, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Michigan. Now, in that group, only Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan have fewer commits than the Badgers.

After posting top-30 classes in both 2024 and 2025, the Badgers had a much lighter 2026 class, headlined by a lot of flips, as they took only 13 players in the cycle. That group ended up as the No. 61 class in the country last year.

Now, head coach Luke Fickell and his staff are looking to get back into that top-30 range, and it’ll come down to how the Badgers fare in June, with their additional resources already starting to pay off.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg says his trust in "doing the right thing" has been restored after Southampton's expulsion from the Championship play-offs over the Spygate scandal.

Boro and Hellberg were left fuming after they caught Saints intern William Salt filming their training session 48 hours before the first leg of the sides' play-off semi-final.

But with Southampton thrown out by an independent disciplinary panel, Hellberg admitted to a sense of relief that, as he sees it, footballing justice has been done as he prepares for the play-off final against Hull City on Saturday (15:30 BST).

"It's a feeling of relief, happiness, a little bit of trust in doing the right thing and humanity," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"The right way to do it is working hard, not doing something else when everyone will see with the evidence and everything we know.

"It is quite clear what has been done and that should never be allowed in football."

• Southampton lose appeal against play-off expulsion
• Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying
• Charles sends Saints past Boro and into play-off final

Hellberg spoke emotionally after Boro's defeat in the semi-final second leg at St Mary's about spending time away from his family to watch hours of video in the build-up to the play-offs, while he believed Southampton had cut corners in a way that challenged football's integrity.

But after a rollercoaster seven days in which he says his emotions were all over the place and included a break to his native Sweden, he was out for dinner with his young family when he found out he would be leading his team out at Wembley.

"You try to balance how much time you can give the players off but keeping them ready to come in," he said.

"It was better to give them as many days off as possible and try for them to do other things, so you don't just think about it, wait for it, talk about it. But it's been very, very tough."

After a day of sorting out travel arrangements and tickets for family members, Thursday was the first clear day to focus on the task at hand against the Tigers.

But Hellberg says his team will be ready, despite this chaotic and unprecedented preparation.

"There's no excuses for us," he added. "We feel we'll be ready.

"The game is going ahead on Saturday, that's what everyone wants. It's best for English football in general. That's what we'll do."

• Spygate: Who is Tonda Eckert and can he keep his job?
• How Southampton allegedly spied on Middlesbrough

Belgium's Alec Segaert claimed his first stage win on a Grand Tour as his Bahrain-Victorious team-mate Afonso Eulalio extended his overall lead in the Giro d'Italia.

The 23-year-old Segaert won stage 12 - a 175km race from Imperia to Novi Ligure-after a surprise late attack denied the sprinters their chance of a bunch finish.

Eulalio, 29, extended his lead over pre-race favourite Jonas Vingegaard to 33 seconds by claiming intermediate sprint points.

Key sprint rivals Jonathan Milan and Paul Magnier were dropped on the final Bric Berton climb.

Asked when he thought about making his attack, Segaert said: "I would say yesterday evening.

"I had it always in mind, I was really happy with how the race was going, a hard pace on the climb and then team-mates of the sprinters who were left had to ride hard and this was my chance to go in the final when they were all on the limit."

• Narvaez wins Giro stage 11 as Eulalio retains lead

Results

Giro d'Italia stage 12 results

1. Alec Segaert (Bel/Bahrain-Victorious) 3hrs 53min 00 secs

2. Toon Aerts (Bel/Lotto-Intermarche) +3 secs

3. Thomas Silva (Uru/XDS-Astana) same time

4. Ethan Vernon (GB/NSN Cycling Team) same time

5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel/Soudal-Quick Step) same time

6. Orluis Aular (Ven/Movistar) same time

7. Madis Mihkels (Est/EF Education-EasyPost) same time

8. Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu/UAE Emirates-XRG) same time

9. Edoardo Zambanini (Ita/Bahrain-Victorious) same time

10. Sakarias Loland (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) same time

Giro d'Italia general classification results after stage 12

1. Afonso Eulalio(Por/Bahrain-Victorious)48 hrs 10 min 38 secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +33 secs

3. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Netcompany Ineos Cycling) 2 min 3 secs

4. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-CMA CGM) 2 min 30 secs

5. Ben O'Connor (Aus/Jayco-AlUla) 2 min 50 secs

6. Jai Hindley (Aus/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 3 min 12 secs

7. Michael Storer (Aus/Tudor Pro-cycling) 3 min 34 secs

8. Derek Gee-West (Can/Lidl-Trek) 3 min 40 secs

9. Giulio Pellizzari (Ita/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 3 min 42 secs

10. Chris Harper (Aus/Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro-cycling) 4 min 15 secs

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is expected to miss out on the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, along with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Phil Foden.

The final list is set to be announced by manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday May 22, cutting down the 55-man preliminary group to just 26 names.

Tomori won’t get World Cup opportunity

CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Manchester United defender Maguire confirmed today that he has not made the cut, noting on social media that he was “shocked and gutted” at the decision.

While Maguire and Tomori have often been in contention for the same spot, it looks as if both of them are going to be left out this time, according to BBC Sport.

Milan centre-back Tomori had hoped to get the nod after starting the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay on March 27.

That was his sixth senior cap for England, the first since November 2023.

He made the move to Serie A in 2021 from Chelsea for a transfer fee of nearly €36m and has been a regular in the starting XI for the Rossoneri.

Others left at home include Manchester United’s Shaw and Foden of Manchester City, but Newcastle United veteran Dan Burn does get a call-up at age 34.

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly eyeing Duke head coach Jon Scheyer as they weigh up their next move after Jason Kidd.

Kidd’s exit is not a minor change. Dallas have parted ways with him after five seasons, making the next appointment a major decision for the franchise.

Scheyer is intriguing for obvious reasons. Yet the Mavericks cannot allow his Mike Krzyzewski connection to become the whole argument.

Jon Scheyer’s Coach K pedigree makes him an obvious name for Dallas to study

Scheyer is not just another college coach with a famous programme behind him. He is Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, a former Blue Devils player who won the 2010 national title under Krzyzewski.

That history matters because Duke did not hand him the programme by accident. Scheyer was named as Krzyzewski’s successor before taking over for the 2022-23 season.

Krzyzewski’s public backing also strengthened the handover. He said Scheyer was clearly ready for this opportunity, which explains why NBA teams would study him seriously.

Dallas must judge Scheyer on NBA fit, not Duke legacy

The danger for Dallas is letting pedigree do too much work. Scheyer has been shaped by one of college basketball’s defining figures, but the Mavericks job would ask different questions.

The NBA is not built around recruiting, campus culture, or long-term programme control. It is built around star management, professional pressure, roster limits, and immediate results.

That is why Scheyer would be an intriguing candidate rather than an obvious one. His Duke résumé opens the door, but it cannot answer every question Dallas need to ask.

There is also the practical issue. Duke and Scheyer agreed a two-year extension in October 2025, so this is not a clean or simple pursuit.

Dallas should absolutely be curious. But if they move beyond curiosity, the decision has to be about Scheyer’s NBA fit, not simply the shadow of Coach K.

Read more:

Newly added pitcher Eric Lauer is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ response to their recent run of injuries, but there are questions about his willingness to be flexible.

Lauer arrived via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, whom the Dodgers faced in the 2025 postseason. Toronto designated Lauer for assignment, and the Dodgers responded by sending out cash considerations.

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The lefty has been really bad in 2026, enough so that his former team cut bait rather than let him ride out his troubles, which he has been prone to in his career.

Instead, they put him on waivers and allowed him to go to a possible World Series opponent. The Dodgers are hoping to turn another man’s trash into treasure, like they have done time and time again.

His tumultuous time with the Blue Jays had more to do than just what happened on the field.

Lauer’s tricky time in Toronto

Lauer entered arbitration after the 2025 season, hoping to get a $5.75 million salary for 2026, but the arbitration judge ruled that he would receive only $4.4 million.

The hurler said his time in the bullpen cost him the raise, which would have been more than $1 million, expressing a clear desire to be a regular starter rather than serve as a swingman who moves between the rotation and the bullpen.

During the season, the Blue Jays used Lauer as an opener after he struggled as a regular starter, prompting a set of viral comments that were seen as a dig at the organization.

“It’s definitely different,” Lauer said. “To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it. But you work with what you got.”

A new chapter in Los Angeles

During his introductory media scrum, Lauer was asked about his willingness to move to the bullpen for the Dodgers if needed, which prompted a reference to his previous comments.

He clarified that his comments were “taken out of context” and that he spoke with Blue Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker about his comments to clarify things and make it clear that they were not meant how they were perceived.

“There was no ill will there, there was no hurt feelings,” Lauer said.

“It was a very simple question, I thought, ‘How do you feel about an opener?’ I think if you ask most starters in the league, they would probably have the same response: that they don’t like it.

“But it doesn’t mean that I’m not willing to do it. It doesn’t mean that I’m not a team player. I’m not gonna have a problem if there is somebody in front of me. It’s part of the game, it’s become part of the game, and we’re all here to win ball games.”

The Dodgers are expected to utilize Lauer as a starter for now, as Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are injured.

Once they return, though, the Dodgers will have a great rotation already in place, and the team will likely need Lauer to move into the bullpen.

His willingness to enter a reliever role will be tested as the team gets healthier, and his earlier comments could resurface if he expresses any issues with his role.

The Pittsburgh Steelers full 2026 training camp schedule is here.

The Steelers will report to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on Tuesday, July 28. Their first practice will take place Wednesday, July 29. The team’s first full padded practice will take place on Monday, August 3. The annual night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium will take place Saturday, August 8 with an approximate start time of 6 PM.

Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!

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When the time was right

pic.twitter.com/8FUcgq7I2u— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) May 21, 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is aiming to make the upcoming FIFA World Cup accessible to the everyday fan, as ticket prices on resale sites continue to soar.

As of Thursday, the cheapest ticket available on FIFA’s official resale site in the U.S. for the opening game at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium between Brazil and Morocco was listed at $1,236.25.

On Thursday, as Mamdani briefed New Yorkers on preparations for the tournament, which is set to kick off in Mexico City on June 11 and end in New Jersey on July 19, during which he revealed that the local organizing committee is making 1,000 gameday tickets available to New Yorkers for a fixed price - all while taking a sneaky dig at Philadelphia.

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Noting how “ticket prices for this tournament have soared into the thousands of dollars,” Mamdani went on to reveal, “I said we had to make it cheaper for New Yorkers to attend these matches. And today, I am so proud to stand here alongside so many leaders in our city and in our region to make it clear that we are doing exactly that.

“We are making sure that working people will not be priced out of the game that they helped to create. And that is why we stand together today to say that we have partnered with the New York-New Jersey Host Committee to secure a thousand affordable tickets for New Yorkers to the World Cup.”

“These 1,000 tickets are going to be split into batches of 150 tickets for each of the five group stage matches, and two knockout round matches in New York-New Jersey, and tickets will cost only $50. To put that into perspective, that is five lattes in New York City.

“And since it is not just ticket costs that make this tournament unaffordable, but the cost of travel as well, we will be providing free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife for those who get a ticket.”

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

Mamdani added that an individual’s chance of winning tickets would not be down to “who you know,” with the committee set to utilize a lottery system which will begin on Monday, May 25 at 10am ET. Only New Yorkers will be able to enter, and can only do so once daily, with the total number of daily entrants limited to 50,000. The lottery will last “a few days.”

The 34-year-old then took his opportunity to take a playful swipe at fans from Philadelphia after the New York Knicks recently swept the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semi finals, saying, “Now, I know that Philly fans may try to crash this lottery and get revenge for the home games that the Knicks won, but New York is actually a sports town and we are giving our tickets to sports fans.

“So, we will verify eligibility using a variety of methods to make sure that only New Yorkers are purchasing these tickets.

“We want to open the tournament to working people who couldn't otherwise afford it, not to scalpers. That's why we're making tickets non-transferable and will dispense them directly to winners at the bus boarding location.”

Michigan AD Warde Manuel sends strong message of support to Kyle Whittingham originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Michigan Wolverines are undergoing a new era in Ann Arbor. To do so the right way, they are putting all their eggs in one basket by their hiring of Kyle Whittingham last winter.

Whittingham, who will enter his first season in Ann Arbor this fall, has received exceptional praise from AD Warde Manuel for the job he has done thus far regarding the program's identity.

In doing so, Manuel told ESPN's Pete Thamel about why Whittingham is the right play for the program's long-term success.

"I always aim for steadiness, believe me," Manuel told reporters at the Big Ten spring meetings. "This is not anything that I've desired or wanted or hoped for, but I deal with it, and then you know my goal as a leader is to provide the steadiness to the rest of the department, and my staff, and student-athletes, and I think I and we have done that as a department in the organization. I don't take any of it lightly."

Having that "steadiness" is why Manuel suggests that the way Whittingham carries himself is what the Wolverines need long-term.

MORE: Why the College Football Playoff field should expand to 16

"Listen, the vibe's been awesome," Manuel said. "And I take the cue from a lot of our student-athletes and their feedback about how things are going. They really enjoy Kyle, the staff and the way things are going."

Despite speculation that the Wolverines may do their own thing as college football continues to progress, Manuel said he is happy with where things stand in the sport overall.

"You know, the world changes," Manuel said. "You just have to be prepared, but I'm happy and Michigan is happy being a part of the Big Ten."

We'll see if Manuel continues to praise Whittingham as the season draws closer to fruition. But, for now, things appear status quo.

MORE: NFL Draft analyst makes highly likely proclamation for Jeremiah Smith's NFL future

"My goal is to limit the impact that it has on the great people that we have in our department," Manuel said of past program faults. "But we deal with it. And we learn from it. And we get better. That's what I've always tried to do. That's what I was taught to do by my mom and dad, and Bo Schembechler and a lot of great leaders along the way."

For now, only time will tell.

More Big Ten news

• Illinois 2026 football schedule

• Michigan 2026 football schedule

• Ohio State 2026 football schedule

• Indiana 2026 football schedule

Tough task at leaders flawless at home

The ADMIRAL Women's Bundesliga season is entering its final stretch, and the penultimate round of the championship group could prove decisive. On Saturday, our RBS women aim to derail FK Austria Vienna's potential title celebrations at 14:00 CEST. The hosts would clinch the championship tomorrow if SKN St. Pölten drops points against SK Sturm. Otherwise, a home victory against our team would mark Austria Vienna's first ever women's title, dethroning St. Pölten, who have dominated the league since the 2014/15 season.

Lucia Orkic and her teammates are well aware of the quality of the Violets, especially at home, as the Viennese team has yet to drop a point at their own ground – with a combined goal difference of 34-5! After our girls suffered a heavy defeat (0-6) there in September, a significant improvement was evident in the three subsequent matches: two narrow 0-1 losses (including the UNIQA ÖFB Cup final a few days ago) were offset by a respectable 0-0 draw at the beginning of May.

Although fourth place in the final standings is already secured, our team is naturally aiming for a victory – also to break their league goal drought that has lasted since the end of March. This clash will be officiated by Lara Anderson and broadcast on ÖFB TV.

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We know what's at stake for Austria. But we're going to Vienna to be ourselves again – courageous, proactive, and with a clear mindset. That will be crucial.

Dusan Pavlovic

Mohamed Salah on Sunday will play his last-ever match for Liverpool.

The Egyptian King is leaving one year ahead of schedule - after reaching an agreement with sporting director Richard Hughes to rip up his £400k per week contract.

Focus will now turn to which player can come into Anfield in order to replace one of Liverpool’s finest players in history. There have been links with Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande - among others.

Liverpool looking at Jarrod Bowen

It’s now clear that Jarrod Bowen is featuring heavily in the club’s thinking. Bowen, 29, looks set to be relegated with West Ham United come Sunday.

The England international has been a consistent force for the Hammers since joining from Hull City back in 2020. He has been doing it once again this season in an underperforming team - scoring eight goals and grabbing 10 assists.

The left-footer has long been on Liverpool’s radar as a potential Salah replacement. And according to a report in the Guardian Bowen could now be moving closer to an Anfield move.

West Ham will require major sales if they are relegated - and even if they stay up a top performer like Bowen could be sacrificed.

West Ham need sales - even if they don't go down

“Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in Jarrod Bowen as rival clubs prepare to capitalise on West Ham’s financial problems by targeting their best players,” the report reads.

“West Ham will need to raise more than £100m if relegated from the Premier League and there is growing interest in Bowen from a host of top sides.

“Liverpool have long been admirers of Bowen and could target him as they look to boost their forward options.

“It is unclear how much West Ham would want for Bowen, whose contract does not expire until 2030, but they will be under extreme pressure to make sales if relegation is confirmed this week.

“West Ham made a £104.2m loss in the last financial year and will need to make sales even if they stay up.”

Bowen is a sensible transfer

So this looks like a sensible deal for a robust, Premier League-proven talent. Bowen could come into the lineup and do a job immediately - requiring no acclimatisation to the English top flight.

Although his age is a little outside the range of players that FSG usually go for he has enough quality and experience to hit the ground running - having scored 84 times for the Irons.

Rather than waiting for a player like Diomande or Barcola to flourish the outgoing Premier League champions would be getting a good stylistic match - and a leader in attack.

Grabbing the offensive rebound, Hartenstein was rewarded for keeping the important possession alive. Catching the ball at the baseline, the 28-year-old flicked up the floater over Wembanyama's reach as it rattled in. The Thunder bet on him to make an impact on this series and he backed up their vote of confidence.

The Oklahoma City Thunder saved their season with a 122-113 Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs. They tied this year's epic Western Conference Finals at 1-1.

Hartenstein finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 13 rebounds and three assists. He shot 2-of-4 on free throws.

After Game 1's gutpunch, how the Thunder handled Hartenstein was the million-dollar question everybody waited for. Would they stick with the starter after playing just 12 minutes or pivot to single-big lineups? Considering Victor Wembanyama's legendary 41-24 double-double game, most fans wanted to see the latter. But nope. The Thunder stuck to their guns.

And it paid off. Apologizing for his limited playing time, the Thunder decided it's not going to pretzel itself into changing their identity. Hartenstein has been a key piece since he arrived last season. Since then, OKC has turned into a juggernaut. You don't go away with that from a knee-jerk reaction. They decided to put the seven-footer on San Antonio's seven-footer.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault went through self-indulgent guilt over Hartenstein's short playing time in Game 1. He even apologized to the 28-year-old in the aftermath. At a fork in the road, he decided to stick with the group that helped them win an NBA championship last season.

"I grabbed him yesterday to tell him. I didn't start at halftime, so I wanted to grab him yesterday, tell him he was starting, tell him he was starting on Wembanyama so he would go to bed last night with that in mind," Daigneault said about Hartenstein. "I said, 'I didn't feel great about you playing 12 minutes last night.' He said, 'I'll do whatever the team needs to go do.' Even with me almost telling him that I was not loving how that felt. So I thought it was the right thing at the moment. Tonight, I thought the right thing was rolling with him a little longer."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander backed up Daigneault's decision to lean in on Hartenstein. The two have been teammates for two seasons now. He listed off all the intangibles he helps with. No denying that the Thunder are just a different and better team when he's on the floor. He brings elements that nobody else on the roster is capable of.

"He's changed our dynamic since the first game he's played. He's our physicality and our backbone. He's our bruiser, sets screens, rebounds for us, physical. He is obviously very skilled in pass play in the pocket. Makes the next play. He helps us a lot out there," Gilgeous-Alexander said about Hartenstein. "We saw his effectiveness tonight, for sure. Very high stage, very high stakes in this game. Coach didn't call his numbers much in the first game. Called it tonight. He just stood up to the challenge."

Daigneault went a step further. He called Hartenstein the perfect modern-day big. If you were going into the science lab to build your own, he'd be the result. His old-school build paired with his playmaking-feel has helped the Thunder go from an up-and-coming team to being at the top of the mountain right now.

"If you listed all the skills you wanted for a modern center, a true center, he checks every box. That’s why I love him," Daigneault said. "The other thing I love about him is that I played him 12 minutes and he doesn't bat an eye. He turns around tonight and plays a great game."

The daring plan worked out — as best as you could hope for, at least. Hartenstein was physical with Wembanyama from the jump. He utilized his size to get at the lanky seven-footer. With just 21 points and 16 shot attempts, he didn't have the same impact that had the entire NBA universe wonder if it was time to crown him as the best player in the world despite just being 22 years old.

What an adjustment the Thunder made. To keep Hartenstein in the starting lineup was a gutsy decision most wouldn't have made. To make him Wembanyama's primary defender? It was a stroke of genius. We'll see how repeatable this formula is, but for one game, you could tell that the physical defensive style bothered the Spurs' best player.

"If you want to play on a great team and want to affect winning, you have to really put your ego aside. It's harder said than done, but I think we have a great culture. Mark does a great job of communicating. I think that's one of his biggest strengths. I think one of the biggest things the NBA coach has to know is how to work with the egos of the team," Hartenstein said. "I think that's something he does better than any coach I've been a part of. So, whatever Mark needs me to do, I'm ready to do. Whether it's play in five minutes, play 48 minutes or set seven million screens. Whatever he needs me to do. I trust him."

Reflecting on his decision to join the Thunder, Hartenstein recalled what Sam Presti pitched to him. Viewed as the biggest outside addition in OKC history, you saw why the seven-footer was highly coveted and has been synonymous with their pure basketball domination. This Game 2 win over the Spurs was the latest example.

"When Sam Presti came to Eugene, Oregon, the first thing he said was, 'I can't promise you minutes, I can't promise you your role, but I can promise you a culture.' What I saw from afar, it's exactly how it is," Hartenstein said. "I think they make it so easy for you to come to work and just focus on basketball."

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: How a self-indulgent guilt trip turned Hartenstein into OKC's Wemby stopper

The NHL’s decision to make Jelly Roll the official theme song artist for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has led to immediate backlash from fans across social media. While the league promoted the collaboration as a major cultural crossover, many hockey fans were not impressed with the choice.

The NHL and Amazon Music are now going to push the collaboration heavily throughout the postseason. Jelly Roll’s new track “Rise Up” will appear during broadcasts, in arenas, and across league social media platforms. A music video featuring the singer alongside the Stanley Cup debuted during Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.

MORE: Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon assigns blame after Game 1 loss to Vegas

NHL Public Relations announced the partnership on X, writing, “The NHL and Amazon Music team up to debut theme song, ‘Rise Up,’ for the 2026 #StanleyCup Playoffs by Grammy-nominated superstar Jelly Roll along with other exclusive content.”

The reaction quickly turned negative, a majority of it.

One fan posted, “Right, so keep my playback device on ‘mute’ unless the puck is in play. Got it. Thanks for the warning.”

Another user added, “I refuse to believe that there are real human beings out there that listen to this guy.”

A third fan went even further, writing, “I’ve heard multiple accounts, with proof, that that dude is a piece of s**t.”

“Should’ve picked literally any other Grammy-nominated artist,” a fan mentioned.

One user wrote, “Jelly Rollification has to be stopped.”

A fan joked, saying, “Maybe the Sabres NOT advancing to the ECF isn’t as bad now.”

Meanwhile, one fan pointed to the late timing of the song’s release, saying, “Releasing a theme song for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs… halfway through the postseason. 😅”

NHL chasing broader entertainment reach

From a league perspective, the move reflects the NHL’s continued effort to expand beyond traditional hockey audiences. The league has spent years trying to create crossover appeal through celebrity partnerships, outdoor games, and music integrations.

Steve Mayer, NHL President of Content and Events, defended the decision. “Jelly Roll doesn’t just make music. He sets a tone, and it’s exactly right for the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Mayer said. “Watching him experience the Stanley Cup for the first time was a special moment.”

Still, the backlash highlights a larger issue for the NHL. Hockey fans often value authenticity over spectacle, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unlike the NFL or NBA, the NHL rarely centers its postseason around celebrity-driven marketing, and it had no official theme song in the 2023, 2024, or even 2025 playoffs.

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs already in the Conference finals

The criticism comes during an intense playoff run. The Carolina Hurricanes remain undefeated through eight postseason games and are rested to face the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals.

On the other hand, the Vegas Golden Knights lead the Colorado Avalanche with a 1-0 series score in the Western Conference Final.

So, the league’s music decision is indeed late, especially with the action on the ice already quite intense.

The NBA combine is the first up-close look a lot of teams have at prospective draft targets each year. Scouts may be able to follow the live game action and even scrimmages of top college and overseas prospects, but the combine provides a window into several areas of a player, their capabilities, and measurements that aren't available otherwise.

And there is also the ability to speak with these prospects that helps in learning about the character of those players, all of which was like candy to a baby for new Boston Celtics scout Isaiah Thomas. The former King in the Fourth recently spoke about his experience in Chicago scouting for Boston for the 2026 NBA Draft on his "Point Game" podcast. "It was dope because I got to sit in on the interviews which are very important," explained IT

"It brought me back to when I went through the NBA draft process of trying to impress a team," he continued. "All you need is one team to fall in love with you, and to go through that interview process as a player is hectic."

"You're a little nervous, you don't know what they know actually," said Thomas. You know that they know a lot, but you don't know what they're going to ask."

"So just being in that in that space as obviously not the player and being able to ask questions and really relate to these kids because they know me – they don't always know anybody in the front office. They know the face of the organization, but they don't know everybody else that that's involved in the front office. So, it's easy for me, man. I'm able to chop it up with these guys because I can relate to them. Obviously I'm a lot older than them, but I'm still a part of the game, in the game. I still work out daily. So these are kids that I could still bust their ass as well. So they have that respect for me and I have that respect for them. And it was super cool just being in that space and sitting back. I wasn't the one really taking control of the room."

"I was sitting back trying to learn, just seeing what they what they want to know, hearing these young men out and seeing them push themselves to be the highest pick possible," said IT.

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Isaiah Thomas on scouting for the Celtics at the 2026 NBA Combine

House Republicans have proposed barring the National Park Service (NPS) from using federal funds to house migrants without legal status, part of a wider spending measure that would set new limits on how public lands can be used.

The provision is included in the fiscal 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill released this week by the House Appropriations Committee.

Why It Matters

It comes as hardline Republicans have proposed a series of policies aimed at limiting federal resources available to migrants, both those entering the country without authorization and those seeking legal pathways.   

What To Know

The proposal is part of a much wider funding package that serves as Congress’s annual budget for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and dozens of related agencies overseeing public lands, conservation, and tribal programs. The bill would provide about $38.9 billion in discretionary funding, according to the committee summary.

Appropriations measures of this type typically fund the NPS, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the EPA and programs supporting Native American communities, according to congressional research.

GOP Chair Tom Cole said in a press release, “America’s public lands and natural resources are not just part of our heritage – they are strategic assets that support recreation, connect our communities, grow opportunity, and reinforce our way of life.”

The House Republican proposal emphasizes energy development and regulatory changes, while reducing funding in some areas. It includes a $1.8 billion cut to the EPA, about a 20 percent reduction, and seeks to expand domestic mining and energy production on federal lands, according to the committee summary.

At the same time, the bill prioritizes funding for wildfire response and tribal programs. It includes increased resources for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs and continues support for wildland fire management, which lawmakers regularly fund to address increasingly severe fire seasons.

The measure also fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which compensates local governments for the loss of property tax revenue from federally owned land. The program supports services such as emergency response, road maintenance, and law enforcement in rural communities, according to federal budget documents.

Like many appropriations bills, the legislation includes a range of policy provisions, sometimes referred to as riders, that limit how federal funds may be used. These include restrictions on certain environmental rules and programs, as well as the provision targeting NPS funding for migrant housing.

The debate over that issue follows a high-profile episode in New York City, where federally owned land managed by the National Park Service was used as temporary emergency housing for migrants.

In September 2023, New York City entered into a lease with the National Park Service to use about 30 acres at Floyd Bennett Field to provide shelter and services to migrants. The site housed up to roughly 2,000 asylum-seekers at its peak and operated as part of the city’s response to an increase in migrant arrivals.

The site was used to construct a temporary encampment that housed asylum-seekers during a surge in arrivals under the Biden administration. The arrangement involved rent payments and oversight provisions under a formal lease between the city and the federal government. The Floyd Bennett Field shelter has since been closed.

Republican lawmakers later launched oversight inquiries into the lease, arguing that using national park land for housing was inconsistent with the National Park Service’s mission and questioned whether such use was supported by federal law.

House Republicans have previously advanced legislation seeking to block the use of federal lands for migrant housing, including a bill passed by the House in 2023 that did not become law. The new appropriations language reflects a similar approach by restricting how federal funds can be used.

There is no single federal statute that expressly authorizes or prohibits the use of national park land as temporary migrant housing. Any such use would be governed by the applicable NPS leasing and special-use authorities, the park’s enabling laws, and other legal and administrative requirements.

NPS rules allow leases and special use permits in limited circumstances, including certain temporary residential uses, and FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program provides funds for shelter and services for noncitizen migrants who were recently encountered and released by DHS.

What Happens Next

The legislation remains in the early stages of the budget process and must still advance through committee markups, House passage, and negotiations with the Senate before it can become law.

In a statement, the businessman informed the Electoral Board of his intention to run in the elections for president of Real Madrid.

A decision had to be made, and Enrique Riquelme has finally made official his intention to run for the presidency of Real Madrid.

In a statement, the businessman made public to the Electoral Board his intention to run against Florentino Pérez in the elections.

Once this process has been completed, Riquelme has until this Saturday to officially register his candidacy and complete everything necessary for the election of the president of Real Madrid to take place. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is set to miss out when Thomas Tuchel names his 26-man England squad on Friday for this summer's World Cup.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will also be left out, with the 33-year-old saying he is "shocked and gutted" at the decision.

Both were named in Thomas Tuchel's previous squad in March, for the friendlies against Japan and Uruguay.

In a post on Instagram, Maguire confirmed: "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best."

Maguire's Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw is also set to be omitted despite his impressive season.

Shaw was named in Tuchel's 55-man provisional squad and there had been a clamour for his inclusion.

But, with Newcastle's Dan Burn and Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly in line to be called-up, Shaw is expected to miss out.

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is also expected to be left out, though Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is expected to make the cut - joining team-mates Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

Maguire and Tomori's omission could open the door to John Stones' inclusion in the squad, despite his injury-disrupted campaign.

Tuchel views Stones as a key player but has been concerned about the departing Manchester City man's fitness.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who has recently returned from a long-term knee injury, is also hoping for a call-up after being included in the preliminary squad.

There is an expectation that Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a mainstay under Tuchel, will keep his place.

The World Cup, which takes place across the US, Mexico and Canada, starts on 11 June.

• The World Cup squad dilemmas facing Tuchel
• In, or out? The joy and despair of World Cup squad selection

Speaking to BBC Sport last month, Maguire, who has played 67 times for England and scored seven goals, said he was "desperate" to go to the World Cup.

"I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I've been to two, I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really. So I'm desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for," he said.

"Whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on. I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's to question really."

England warm-up for the tournament with friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

They then start their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June, before further group games against Ghana and Panama.

More to follow.

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s hopes for another national title run received a massive boost when standout center Rueben Chinyelu announced he will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return for his senior season.

Chinyelu’s decision gives coach Todd Golden one of the nation’s most imposing frontcourts and solidifies the Gators as an early favorite in the SEC and national title races entering the 2026-27 season.

Chinyelu tested the NBA waters after emerging as one of the nation’s premier rebounders and defenders. The 22-year-old participated in the recent NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where his stature drew attention of decision-makers with the league’s 30 teams.

The native of Nigeria measured 6-foot-9 ¼ without shoes, weighed 259 pounds and recorded a combine-best hand length of 10 inches and winspan of 7-foot-7 ½. He also fared well during scrimmages, finishing with 15 points and 14 rebounds in one of them, and was solid during shooting drills despite the need to expand his offensive game.

But Chinyelu ultimately decided another year at Florida provided him the opportunity for long-term development and a chance to add a second national championship to the program’s 2025 crown.

His return gives the Gators a dominant interior trio also featuring All-SEC forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, who each declined professional opportunities to stay at Florida.

Chinyelu averaged 11.2 rebounds last season to lead all power-conference players while setting a school record with 19 double-doubles. He also earned Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors as Florida finished sixth nationally in defensive efficiency, according to Ken Pomeroy’s metrics.

But Chinyelu is still considered a second-round prospect until he expands his offensive repetoire and shooting ability. Yahoo Sports now projects him to go with the 14th pick of the second round to San Antonio.

Chinyelu averaged 10.9 points last season, up from six per game in 2024-25, while shooting 58.4% from the field and 69.5% from the free-throw line. He showed improved discipline on the defensive end last season, fouling out just three times after being disqualified six times as a sophomore.

But Chinyelu ended his breakout season on a sour note. In a 73-72 loss to Iowa during the second round of the NCAA Tournament, he finished with zero points, one rebound and four fouls in 20 minutes.

He’ll now return to a Florida roster loaded beyond the frontcourt.

Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland is expected to run the offense and among the SEC’s best defenders. Denzel Aberdeen transferred to Florida after the leaving the 2025 national champions for Kentucky, where he shined as a full-time starter. SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavzar also is back.

Golden added two intriguing international prospects: 6-foot-10 forward Arturas Butajevas of Lithuania and 6-foot-9 Domen Petrovic of Slovenia.

With Chinyelu back in the fold, Florida now possesses the size, experience and continuity few programs can match.

And after helping deliver a national championship, Chinyelu made clear he is returning to Gainesville with high expectations.

“We were going out there, and the mindset is to get it all,” Chinyelu said during the draft process. “If I go back, I’m not settling for less.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Onlookers keeping tabs on Cincinnati Bengals workouts right now might notice things like new faces in new places and Joe Burrow’s win-now commentary. And Burrow’s thoughts on Trey Henrickson, even. 

But what they won’t notice? Ja'Marr Chase. 

Chase has been absent from voluntary workouts this week with the Bengals. But as far as anyone can tell, it’s a simple matter of training preference. 

According to WLWT’s Charlie Clifford, Chase’s absence “appears to be a veteran star transitioning to a new offseason plan and it wouldn't be a surprise if Chase continues to work on his own until Cincinnati's mandatory three-day minicamp.”

Bengals mandatory minicamp starts June 16, so Bengals fans might not see him until then. 

Not a big deal, really, but it is a departure from normal operating procedure for Chase. Even so, it’s not uncommon for specialists at certain positions to no thanks the possible bonus money for attending voluntaries while focusing on positional stuff away from the team this time of year. 

A Triple Crown winner the season he missed a chunk of the offseason with the team anyway, there’s little in the way of concern over this small blip for Chase. 

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Ja'Marr Chase absent from Bengals workouts, explained

The countdown to USC's 2026 football season is officially on! Believe it or not, the Trojans' season opener is exactly 100 days away.

100 days from today marks August 29. That day, USC will host San Jose State at the Coliseum to kick off the 2026 college football season.

The game will be played in Week Zero, meaning that the Trojans and Spartans will open the year a week before the majority of teams do. It also means that with few other games on that weekend, the national spotlight will be on USC.

The 2026 season is set to be a highly anticipated one in Los Angeles. After coming up short of reaching the College Football Playoff last year, USC is bringing back the majority of its core from the 2025 team, while also adding a loaded recruiting class and several notable transfer portal additions. Entering the year, there is significant pressure and expectations for head coach Lincoln Riley to finally break through and take the Trojans to the playoff.

In the coming weeks and months, USC will have summer workouts, Big Ten Media Days, and fall camp. For now, though, it is time to sit back, relax, and let the countdown begin.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: The 2026 USC football season is 100 days away

First, the temporary installation of real grass. And now this. AT&T Stadium is already making a major concession to FIFA in order to host World Cup matches this summer by laying down a short-lived sod playing surface, something Cowboys players have wanted for years. Now comes word that at least one match will see the venue break out its rarely-seen curtains (yes, they exist) in order to minimize the blinding glare that pours in through the glass walls in the west end zone. It's FIFA's call, not a Jerry Jones decision... but expect the Cowboys owner to hear new blowback over the recurring (and easily-remedied) issue.

Jones also made headlines this week by downplaying the brutal travel schedule that will affect either end of the team's Week 3 trip to Rio de Janeiro. It's probably wise to start getting used to long plane rides and jet lagged prep weeks, though; a new rule tweak will prevent future opponents from "blocking" a lucrative home date with the high-profile Cowboys when it comes to games staged internationally. That will likely mean more foreign travel for the Cowboys as the visiting team if the league deems it desirable.

Also in Wednesday's news, a closer look at how the Cowboys will be better-rested than their opponent in every game but one this season, a deep dive into what Kenny Clark brings to the table in his second season as a Cowboy, big predictions for Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, and a premiere date has been set for the new season of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Netflix series this summer.

We'll also take a trip through the NFC East. One NFL insider is so sure of an A.J. Brown trade in Philly that he's booking his personal time off around his prediction. The Giants' Cam Skattebo is making bold plans to do something only nine other men in league history have ever done, and Washington's Terry McLaurin is excited about a serious increase in his workload, as publicly promised by none other than his new offensive coordinator. (Opposing defenses should also take note.)

Wednesday's league headlines were dominated by Aaron Rodgers... for what will be one of the last times; the 42-year-old has announced that 2026 will be his final year in uniform. The Raiders, meanwhile, are getting their first look at their brand-new quarterback... and he's everything that's been advertised. And finally, Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba left plenty of his opponents in a blender last season, but he also created some big-time confusion for whoever typed out the nameplate on his year-end trophy. After further review, the Seahawks receiver will get a do-over.

Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines

• World Cup will block notorious Dallas glare for at least one game :: Front Office Sports (Link)
• NFL decision could clear path for Cowboys to play more international games :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
• Jerry Jones laughs off Cowboys having no rest before, after Rio trip :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Did NFL give Cowboys a sneaky advantage in the 2026 schedule? :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
• OC, DC aren't ready yet, but could be in demand before Cowboys cash in :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• 3 Points: What Kenny Clark brings in Season 11 :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
• ESPN predicts Cowboys rookies Downs, Lawrence to lead class in stats :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Where does Cowboys' offense rank even without Dak Prescott? Higher than you think :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Netflix sets premiere date for season three of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders show :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)

Latest Updates from the NFC East

• Adam Schefter left no doubt on when Eagles will trade A.J. Brown with his plans :: Inside the Iggles (Link)
• Cam Skattebo set a ridiculous goal for himself when he returns from injury this season :: SI.com (Link)
• Commanders' Terry McLaurin offers 3-word response to 10-target comment from OC :: The Sporting News (Link)

News & Headlines from Around the NFL

• Steelers' Aaron Rodgers says he plans to retire after season :: ESPN (Link)
• Klint Kubiak on Fernando Mendoza: 'As advertised' :: NFL.com (Link)
• NFL sending Jaxon Smith-Njigba new Offensive Player of the Year trophy after typo :: The Athletic (Link)

Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys News: Curtains for World Cup; more international travel soon?

Final World Cup rosters are beginning to take shape as national teams across the globe announce squads for the biggest tournament in soccer history. While some countries have already unveiled preliminary rosters, federations must submit final 26-man rosters to FIFA by the June 1 deadline.

Several teams have also confirmed when they plan to announce their rosters, including the U.S. men’s national team, which is set to unveil its squad May 26 in New York. Morocco and Germany are among the next nations expected to announce squads on Thursday.

Below is every confirmed 2026 World Cup squad, along with roster announcement dates where available. This page will continue to update as additional squads are released and changes are made ahead of the tournament.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

Jump to a group or country

Group A: Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Group B:  Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye, United States
Group E: Curaçao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast
Group F: Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal
Group J: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Colombia, Congo DR, Portugal, Uzbekistan
Group L: Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama

Group A

Czechia (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Matej Kovar (PSV), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague), Martin Jedlicka (Banik Ostrava), Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Antonín Kinský (Tottenham Hotspur), Jan Koutny (Sigma Olomouc), Jakub Markovic (Slavia Prague)

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton Wanderers), David Zima (Slavia Prague), Jaroslav Zelený (Sparta Prague), David Jurásek (Slavia Prague), David Douděra (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (TSG Hoffenheim), Václav Jemelka (Viktoria Plzen), Martin Vitík (Bologna), Štěpán Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Vlček (Slavia Prague), Matěj Hadaš (Sigma Olomouc), Adam Ševínský (Sparta Prague), Karel Spáčil (Viktoria Plzen)

Midfielders: Tomáš Souček(West Ham United), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague), Pavel Šulc (Lyon), Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Karabec (Lyon), Michal Beran (Sigma Olomouc), Lukas Sadílek (Gornik Zabrze), Krystof Danek (LASK), Matěj Ryneš (Sparta Prague), Patrik Hellebrand (Gornik Zabrze), Tomáš Ladra (Viktoria Plzen), Lukas Ambros (Gornik Zabrze), Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati), Ondrej Kricfaluši (Banik Ostrava), David Planka (Banik Ostrava), Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Denis Višinský (Viktoria Plzen)

Forwards: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Matej Vydra (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Hložek (TSG Hoffenheim), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Prague), Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kliment (Sigma Olomouc), Vasil Kušej (Slavia Prague), Václav Sejk (Sigma Olomouc), Christophe Kabongo (Mlada Boleslav), Ondřej Mihálik (Hradec Kralove), Vojtěch Patrák (Pardubice)

Manager: Miroslav Koubek

Final roster TBA.

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Mexico (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao), Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Tijuana), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca)

Defenders: Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar), Julian Araujo (Celtic), Israel Reyes (America), Richard Ledezma (Chivas), Everardo Lopez (Toluca), Denzell Garcia (FC Juarez), Jesus Alberto Angulo (Tigres), Bryan Alonso Gonzalez (Chivas), Victor Guzman (Monterrey), Ramon Juarez (America), Alejandro Jesus Gomez (Tijuana), Eduardo Aguila (Atletico San Luis), Luis Rey (Puebla)

Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Chivas), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Efrain Alvarez (Chivas), Diego Lainez (Tigres), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Sanchez (America), Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca), Jesus Ricardo Angulo (Toluca), Jeremy Marquez (Cruz Azul), Jordan Carrillo (Pumas), Isaias Violante (America), Kevin Castañeda (Tijuana), Alexis Gutierrez (America)

Forwards: Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Julian Quiñones (Al Qadsiah), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Armando Gonzalez (Chivas), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls), German Berterame (Inter Miami)

Manager: Javier Aguirre

Final roster TBA.

South Africa

TBA

South Korea

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai)

Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Jo Yu-min (Sharjah), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC), Lee Ki-hyeok (Gangwon FC), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana)

Midfielders: Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş), Son Heung-min (LAFC), Cho Kyu-sung (Midtjylland)

Manager: Hong Myung-bo

Group B

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (FC St. Pauli), Martin Zlomislić (HNK Rijeka), Osman Hadžikić (Slaven Belupo)

Defenders: Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta BC), Amar Dedić (SL Benfica), Nihad Mujakić (Gaziantep FK), Nikola Katić (Schalke 04), Tarik Muharemović (US Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljić (HNK Rijeka), Dennis Hadžikadunić (UC Sampdoria), Nidal Čelik (Lens)

Midfielders: Amir Hadžiahmetović (Hull City), Ivan Šunjić (Pafos FC), Ivan Bašić (FC Astana), Dženis Burnić (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmić (FC Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirović (Bröndby IF), Amar Memić (FC Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigović (BSC Young Boys)

Forwards: Kerim Alajbegović (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV Eindhoven), Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukić (FC Universitatea Cluj), Samed Baždar (Jagiellonia Białystok), Haris Tabaković (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Edin Džeko (Schalke 04)

Canada

Final roster to be announced May 29.

Qatar

Goalkeepers: Shehab Elleithy (Al Shahania), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail), Meshaal Barsham (Al Sadd), Mahmoud Abunada (Al Rayyan)

Defenders: Boualem Khoukhi (Al Sadd), Pedro Miguel (Al Sadd), Sultan Al Brake (Al Duhail), Tarek Salman (Al Sadd), Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain (Al Arabi), Ayoub Al-Alawi (Al Gharafa), Bassam Al-Rawi (Al Duhail), Rayyan Al-Ali (Al Gharafa), Issa Laye (Al Arabi), Lucas Mendes (Al Wakrah), Mohammed Waad (Al Shamal), Niall Mason (Qatar)

Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Jassim Gaber (Al Rayyan), Assim Madibo (Al Wakrah), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Karim Boudiaf (Al Duhail), Mohammed Mannai (Al Shamal), Homam Al-Amin (Cultural Leonesa)

Forwards: Almoez Ali (Al Duhail), Akram Afif (Al Sadd), Tahsin Mohammed (Al Duhail), Edmílson Junior (Al Duhail), Ahmed Al-Ganehi (Al Gharafa), Ahmed Alaa (Al Rayyan), Sebastián Soria (Qatar), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al Sadd), Mubarak Shannan (Al Duhail), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Yusuf Abdurisag (Al Wakrah)

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Marvin Keller (Young Boys)

Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz), Miro Muheim (Hamburger SV), Aurèle Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Cömert (Valencia), Luca Jaquez (Stuttgart)

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Denis Zakaria (Monaco), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Djibril Sow (Sevilla), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Rubén Vargas (Sevilla)

Forwards: Breel Embolo (Rennes), Noah Okafor (Leeds), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf)

Manager: Murat Yakin

Group C

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).

Manager: Carlo Ancelotti

Haiti

Goalkeepers: Jhony Placide (Bastia), Alexandre Pierre (Sochaux), Josue Duverger (Cosmos Koblenz)

Defenders: Carlens Arcus (Angers), Wilguens Paugain (Zulte Waregem), Duke Lacroix (Colorado Springs Switchbacks), Martin Experience (Nancy), Jean-Kévin Duverne (Gent), Ricardo Ade (LDU Quito), Hannes Delcroix (Lugano), Keeto Thermoncy (Young Boys)

Midfielders: Carl Fred Sainté (El Paso Locomotive), Leverton Pierre (Vizela), Danley Jean Jacques (Philadelphia Union), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves), Woodensky Pierre (Violette), Dominique Simon (FC Tatran Prešov)

Forwards: Don Deedson Louicius (FC Dallas), Josue Casimir (Auxerre), Derrick Etienne (Toronto FC), Ruben Providence (Almere), Duckens Nazon (Esteghlal), Frantzdy Pierrot (Çaykur Rizespor), Wilson Isidor (Sunderland), Yassin Fortuné (Viezla), Lenny Joseph (Ferencváros)

Manager: Sébastien Migné

Morocco

Final roster to be announced Thursday.

Scotland

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), John Souttar (Rangers), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Anthony Ralston (Celtic).

Midfielders: Scott McTominay (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers).

Forwards: Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton), Ché Adams (Torino), George Hirst (Ipswich), Ross Stewart (Southampton).

Manager: Steve Clarke

Group D

Australia

TBA

Paraguay (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Roberto Fernández (Cerro Porteño), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gastón Olveira (Olimpia), Carlos Coronel (São Paulo), Santiago Rojas (Nacional), Juan Espínola (Barracas Central)

Defenders: Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras), Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro), Fabián Balbuena (Grêmio), Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Juan Cáceres (Dynamo Moscow), Blas Riveros (Cerro Porteño), Alan Benítez (Libertad), Agustín Sandez (Rosario Central), Mateo Gamarra (Cruzeiro), Saúl Salcedo (Newell’s Old Boys), José Canale (Lanús), Diego León (Manchester United), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), Alcides Benítez (Belgrano), Ronaldo Dejesus (Lanús), Alan Núñez (Nacional)

Midfielders: Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Mathías Villasanti (Gremio), Kaku (Al Ain), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ramón Sosa (Palmeiras), Diego Gómez (Brighton & Hove Albion), Damián Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City), Matías Galarza (Atlanta United), Robert Piris Da Motta (Cerro Porteno), Alvaro Campuzano (Libertad), Diego Gonzalez (Atlas), Hugo Cuenca (Burgos), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras), Lucas Romero (Universidad de Chile), Enso González (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ruben Lezcano (Olimpia)

Forwards: Óscar Romero (Huracán), Ángel Romero (Boca Juniors), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Gabriel Ávalos (Independiente), Carlos González (Independiente del Valle), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Adam Bareiro (Boca Juniors), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Libertad), Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino), Ronaldo Martínez (Talleres), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth), Robert Morales (UNAM), Adrián Alcaraz (Olimpia), Rodney Redes (LDU Quito)

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro

Türkiye (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır (Manchester United), Ersin Destanoğlu (Beşiktaş A.Ş.), Mert Günok (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Muhammed Şengezer (Rams Başakşehir FK), Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray A.Ş.) 

Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Ahmetcan Kaplan (NEC Nijmegen), Çağlar Söyüncü (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Eren Elmalı (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton & Hove Albion), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli), Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Mustafa Eskihellaç (Trabzonspor A.Ş.), Ozan Kabak (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydın (Çaykur Rizespor A.Ş.), Yusuf Akçiçek (Al-Hilal), Zeki Çelik (AS Roma) 

Midfielders: Atakan Karazor (VfB Stuttgart), Demir Ege Tıknaz (SC Braga), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Internazionale), İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Orkun Kökçü (Beşiktaş A.Ş.), Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Aral Şimşir (FC Midtjylland), Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gül (FC Porto), İrfan Can Kahveci (Kasımpaşa A.Ş.), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Oğuz Aydın (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Yusuf Sarı (Rams Başakşehir FK)

Manager: Vincenzo Montella

Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images

United States

Final roster to be announced Tuesday, May 26.

Group E

Curaçao

Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC).

Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon Van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Jurien Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam).

Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Igdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zurich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar'Jany Martha (Rotherham United), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk).

Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Kenji Gorré (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jurgen Locadia (Miami FC), Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren).

Manager: Dick Advocaat

Ecuador

TBA

Germany

Final roster to be announced Thursday, May 21.

Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Clement Akpa (AJ Auxerre), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Guela Doue (Racing Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossonou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray)

Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), Christ Oulai (Trabzonspor), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (NK Maribor)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (AS Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (Nice)

Manager: Emerse Faé

Group F

Japan

Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)

Defenders: Yuta Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen)

Midfielders: Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Keito Nakamura (Reims), Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg)

Forwards: Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Kento Shiogai (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Netherlands

Final roster to be announced May 25.

Sweden

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby County)

Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Emil Holm (Juventus), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga), Victor Lindelöf (Aston Villa), Erik Smith (St. Pauli), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Elliot Stroud (Mjallby), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Taha Ali (Malmo), Yasin Ayari (Brighton), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Jesper Karlström (Udinese), Ken Sema (Pafos), Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg), Besfort Zeneli (Union St-Gilloise)

Forwards: Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic)

Manager: Graham Potter

Tunisia

Goalkeepers: Sabri Ben Hessen (Etoile Sahel), Abdelmouhib Chamakh (Club Africain), Aymen Dahman (CS Sfaxien)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Nice), Adem Arous (Kasimpasa), Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (Esperance), Dylan Bronn (Servette Geneva), Raed Chikhaoui (US Monastir), Moutaz Neffati (Norrkoping), Omar Rekik (NK Maribor), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Young Boys Berne)

Midfielders: Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa), Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich City), Ismael Gharbi (FC Augsburg), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Khalil Ayari (Paris St Germain), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Hannover 96), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic)

Manager: Sabri Lamouchi

Group G

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Belgium

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Strasbourg).

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP), Maxim de Cupyer (Brighton), Koni de Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona).

Forwards: Charles de Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).

Manager: Rudi Garcia

Egypt

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), El-Mahdy Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (Gouna).

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (ZED FC), Rami Rabia (Al-Ain), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek SC), Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek SC), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Karim Hafez (Pyramids FC).

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids FC), Nabil Emad Donga (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids FC), Mostafa Zico (Pyramids FC), Ibrahim Adel (FC Nordsjælland), Haissam Hassan (Real Oviedo), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool).

Strikers: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona).

Manager: Hossam Hassan

Iran

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor), Hossein Hosseini (Sepahan), Payam Niazmand (Persepolis), Mohammed Khalifeh (Aluminium Arak)

Defenders: Danial Eiri (Malavan), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal), Hossein Kanaani (Persepolis), Shoka Khalilzadeh (Tractor), Milad Mohammadi (Persepolis), Ali Nemati Omid Noorafkan (Foolad), Ramin Rezaeian (Foolad)

Midfielders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Saeid Ezatolahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Mehdi Ghaedi (Al-Nasr), Saman Ghoddos (Kalba), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender), Mohammad Mohebi (Rostovv), Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia (Esteghlal), Mehdi Torabi (Tractor), Aria Yousefi (Sepahan)

Forwards: Ali Alipour (Persepolis), Dennis Dargahi (Standard Liege), Hadi Habibinejad (Chadormalou), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor), Amirhossein Mahmoudi (Persepolis), Kasra Taheri (Paykan), Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos)

Manager: Amir Ghalenoei

New Zealand

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdańsk), Michael Woud (Auckland FC).

Defenders: Tyler Bindon (Nottingham Forest), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree Town), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers).

Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), Joe Bell (Viking FK), Matt Garbett (Peterborough United), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle).

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Eli Just (Motherwell), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest).

Manager: Darren Bazeley

Group H

Cape Verde

Goalkeepers: Vozinha (Chaves), Marcio Rosa (Montana), CJ dos Santos (San Diego).

Defenders: Stopira (Torreense), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Joao Paulo (FCSB), Diney (Al Bataeh), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica), Kelvin Pires (SJK).

Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimaraes), Laros Duarte (Puskas Akademia), Yannick Semedo (Farense).

Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Igdir), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), Willy Semedo (Omonia), Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora), Gilson Tavares (Akron Tolyatti), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Helio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul Basaksehir).

Manager: Pedro Leitão Brito

Saudi Arabia

TBA

Spain

Final roster set to be announced Tuesday, May 26.

Uruguay

TBA

Group I

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France

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes), Robin Risser (Lens).

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Théo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Iraq

TBA

Norway

TBA

Senegal (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre).

Defenders: Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismaïl Jakobs (Galatasaray).

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris St-Germain), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace).

Manager: Pape Thiaw

Group J

Algeria

TBA

Rich Storry via Getty Images

Argentina (Preliminary roster)

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid), Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace FC), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Santiago Beltrán (River Plate)

Defenders: Agustín Giay (Palmeiras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid), Nicolás Capaldo (Hamburger SV), Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint Gilloise), Lucas Martínez Quarta (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors), Zaid Romero (Getafe CF), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Marcos Acuña (River Plate), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club)

Midfielders: Máximo Perrone (Como 1907), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Guido Rodríguez (Valencia CF), Aníbal Moreno (River Plate), Milton Delgado (Boca Juniors), Alan Varela (FC Porto), (Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest), Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa), Valentín Barco (RC Strasbourg)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (Como 1907), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid), Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors), Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid), Matías Soulé (AS Roma), Claudio Echeverri (Girona FC), Gianluca Prestianni (SL Benfica), Santiago Castro (Bologna FC), Lautaro Martínez (Internazionale), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid), Mateo Pellegrino (Parma Calcio)

Manager: Lionel Scaloni

Final roster to be announced Saturday, May 30.

Austria

Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz (Brondby), Alexander Schlager (RB Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Pilsen)

Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Kevin Danso (Tottenham), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Stefan Posch (Mainz), Alexander Prass (Hoffenheim), Michael Svoboda (Venezia)

Midfielders: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alessandro Schopf (RZ Pellets WAC), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade), Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (LASK)

Manager: Ralf Rangnick

Jordan

Goalkeepers: Yazid Abulaila (Al-Hussein), Abdallah Al Fakhouri (Al-Wehdat), Mohamed Al-Emwasi (Al-Najaf), Nour Bani Attiah (Al-Faisaly)

Defenders: Mohammad Abualnadi (Selangor), Yousef Abu Al Jazar (Al-Hussein), Husam Abu Dahab (Al-Samiya), Mohammad Abu Hashish (Al-Karma), Yazan Al Arab (Seoul), Abdallah Nasib (Al-Zawraa), Saleem Obaid (Al-Hussein)

Midfielders: Mohammad Al Dawoud (Al-Wehdat), Nizar Al Rashdan (Qatar SC), Noor Al Rawabdeh (Selangor), Rajaei Ayed (Al-Hussein), Amer Jamous (Al-Zawraa), Yousef Qashi, Ibrahim Sadeh (Al-Karma)

Forwards: Mahmoud Al-Mardi (Al-Hussein), Mohannad Abu Taha (Al-Quwa), Yazan Al-Naimat (Al-Arabi), Mousa Al Tamari (Rennes), Ali Olwan (Al-Sailiya), Ibrahim Sabra (Lokomotiva Zagreb)

Manager: Jamal Sellami

Group K

Colombia

Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional), Álvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield), Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul), 

Defenders: Johan Mojica (RCD Mallorca), Cristian Borja (Club América), Junior Hernandez, Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Esporte Clube Bahia), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Yerson Mosquera (Wolves), Juan Cabal (Juventus)

Midfielders: James Rodríguez (Minnesota United), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Jhon Arias (Fluminense/Palmeiras), Richard Ríos (Palmeiras/Benfica), Juan Fernando Quintero (Racing Club), Jorge Carrascal (Dinamo Moscow), Kevin Castaño (Krasnodar), Yáser Asprilla (Girona)

Forwards: Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich), Jhon Jáder Durán (Aston Villa), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar), Rafael Santos Borré (Internacional), Luis Sinisterra (AFC Bournemouth), Juan Camilo Hernández (Columbus)

Manager: Nestor Lorenzo

Congo DR

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre).

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United).

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).

Manager: Sébastien Desabre

Tim Clayton via Getty Images

Portugal

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho ( Gençlerbirliği)

Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), João Neves (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincão (Sporting Lisbon).

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Uzbekistan (Preliminary squad)

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Nazarov (Pakhtakor), Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Botirali Ergashev (AGMK), Abduvokhid Nematov (Nasaf)

Defenders: Ibrohimkhalil Yuldoshev (Neftchi), Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo Samarqand), Rustamjon Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Mukhammadkodir Hamraliev (Pakhtakor), Umarbek Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba Al Fujairah), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Muhammadrasul Abdumajidov (Pakhtakor), Behruz Karimov (Surkhon), Diyor Ortikboev (Khorazm)

Midfielders: Kuvondik Ruziev (Neftchi), Sherzod Esanov (Buxoro), Nodirbek Abdurazzokov (AGMK), Odiljon Khamrobekov (Tractor), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (Sabah), Alisher Odilov (Neftchi), Sardor Rakhmonov (Nasaf), Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor), Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (Sogdiana), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh)

Forwards: Abbosek Fayzullaev (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Oston Urunov (Persepolis), Ruslanbek Jiyanov (Navbahor), Azizbek Amonov (Buxoro), Khusain Norchaev (Navbahor), Sherzod Temirov (Erbil), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir)

Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Group L

Croatia

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (FC Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City).

Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburger SV).

Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka).

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg).

Manager: Zlatko Dalić

England

Final roster set to be announced May 22.

Ghana

TBA

Panama

TBA

It’ll be an unfamiliar foe facing the Diamond Heels when they take Truist Field for the first time this ACC Tournament, namely the Virginia Tech Hokies. The 7th-seeded Hokies beat Notre Dame 17-10 during Wednesday’s action to advance in the bracket, and now UNC will get a look at one of the ACC teams they didn’t play this regular season.

The two halves of Virginia Tech’s season, particularly in conference play have been wildly disparate. They opened ACC play with series losses to Georgia Tech, Virginia, Stanford, Miami, and Boston College, sandwiching a weekend win over Duke. Other than Stanford, those are all pretty good teams, but starting out 7-11 in conference play was still far from ideal. Since then, they’ve won 4 straight series, against N.C. State, Clemson, Pittsburgh, and Cal — a much easier schedule, to be sure, but they’ve also just looked better. They win a lot of Sundays thanks to a deep bullpen and have had a knack for getting timely contributions with the bat without having a real star in their lineup, and should make the Field of 64 fairly comfortably.

That said, the contributions they got on Wednesday were more than timely, as they put up a 17-run explosion for their highest scoring total of the season. ACC All-Freshman team member Ethan Ball reached base 6 times, with 2 home runs, 2 walks, and 2 HBPs, while DH Hudson Lutterman drove in a team-leading 4 while recording a 3/5 line. Everybody in the lineup got a hit as they quickly erased a 4-0 first-inning deficit by putting up a bunch of crooked numbers while reliever Logan Eisenrich calmed things down with a masterful 4.2 innings of 1-run work. The Irish fought back, pulling the score to 12-10 at the stretch, but VT put up a run in the bottom of the 7th, worked a 14-pitch scoreless 8th, and then scored 4 more in the bottom of the 8th to take the air fully out of Notre Dame’s sails.

The win means that the Hokies will have Friday ace Brett Renfrow available to throw against the Heels. Renfrow is a legit MLB Draft prospect with a high-octane fastball that touches 97 to go with a cutter/slider/curve/change mix, and while he’s had an uneven season with a decent-but-not-fantastic 4.65 ERA, he’s gone at least 7 innings in his last 3 ACC starts and allowed 2 runs across them. The righty stays in the zone, with an impressive 86:21 K/BB ratio, and teams that have gotten to him have done so via contact rather than by taking walks — his issues tend to be related to leaving balls in the zone, not with losing command. I said something similar about Pitt when UNC played them, and the Heels responded by being more aggressive at the plate than they had tended to be all season and getting their only home ACC sweep of the year by punishing mistakes in the zone. A similar approach will be needed against Renfrow.

Behind Renfrow, things change in that regard. Other than Renfrow and Saturday starter Griffin Steig, just one of the Hokies’ regular arms — Chase Swift — has a walk rate below 10%, which means they’ve dealt with consistent traffic throughout the season and has led to a lot of pretty high-scoring games. The Hokies have walked the 5th-most batters in the ACC, and while they have decent strikeout numbers, that many free passes helps explain the staff ERA of 6.74, third-worst in the conference. Like I said earlier, they have a lot of arms they can go to, so they can wear down teams in a three-game series if the bats are going, but they have been getting pretty well lit up. They’ve tightened up more than a little during this hot streak, it must be said, but part of that is level of competition — you can see from the fireworks Notre Dame put up that those issues aren’t quite behind them.

Offensively, the Hokies have been pretty mediocre with a knack for doing just enough when things are going well. The aforementioned Ball has been awesome, hitting .304/.403/.607 with 17 doubles and 13 home runs, and he’s playing his best baseball of late. He’s struck out 70 times on the year, but has been a lot better at the plate recently and looks like a problem. They’ve got a few solid bats besides him, including Lutterman, first baseman Ethan Gibson (.927 OPS, 18 XBH), and shortstop Pete Daniel (.470 OBP). They don’t stick out in any one particular area, with lackluster speed, power, contact, and walk/strikeout numbers compared to the conference, but they’ve got some grit and some clutch factor to them that isn’t really quantified by the stats. Add that they’ve played so much better in the back half of this season than the front and it’s a team that’s more dangerous than they look on paper.

The game is currently scheduled for 3:00 PM on Friday on ACC Network, but there’s a chance it gets moved up due to weather.

Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown, with the Gunners reportedly considering a summer approach for the defender.

The German youngster has emerged as one of the standout players in his position in the Bundesliga this season and is widely expected to attract major interest during the upcoming transfer window.

Arsenal have continued to monitor his progress closely and reportedly view him as one of the top talents currently playing in the German top flight.

Real Madrid Enter The Race

Despite Arsenal’s strong interest, they are not the only club pursuing Brown ahead of the summer transfer window.

As reported by Fichajes, Real Madrid have now joined the race for the defender and are also considering a move to bring him to Spain.

The report claims Brown is among the players Jose Mourinho has recommended to the Spanish giants ahead of the next transfer window.

Mourinho is reportedly expected to become the next manager of Real Madrid, and the club are preparing to strengthen the squad with several new additions before next season begins.

Brown is believed to be one of the players Mourinho wants added to his team as part of Madrid’s plans for the future.

The growing interest from two of Europe’s biggest clubs highlights the level of progress Brown has made during his time in Germany.

Arsenal Hope Success Can Help

Arsenal will hope their recent achievements can strengthen their position in the race for the defender’s signature.

The Gunners have just secured the Premier League title and continue to receive praise for the style of football implemented by Mikel Arteta.

That success could make Arsenal an especially attractive destination for young players looking to continue their development while competing for major honours.

Brown may also view the opportunity to work under Arteta as a positive factor, particularly given Arsenal’s reputation for improving emerging talent in recent seasons.

Although Real Madrid remain one of the biggest clubs in world football, Arsenal will believe they can convince Brown to choose north London instead when the transfer window officially opens this summer.

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Jannik Sinner has kept his grip on the ATP Tour, recently adding a sixth straight Masters 1000 title to his growing list of achievements.

The world number one remains the leading force in men’s tennis right now, while Carlos Alcaraz’s absence is still being felt across the tour.

Alcaraz won’t be available for Wimbledon due to a wrist problem that already forced him out of Roland Garros earlier this year.

Sinner, meanwhile, is heavily favoured to take home the title in Paris – a win that would see him complete the career Grand Slam, matching Alcaraz’s feat from earlier this year.

More concerning for his challengers and everyone else on tour, Sinner has hinted that he still hasn’t reached his ceiling. He believes there’s even more to come.

Jannik Sinner’s take on his own game is a warning for Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev

Speaking to L’Equipe, with comments translated from French, Sinner said: “I don’t think you can be at 100% of your potential at 24. I aim to be there in a few years.”

Sinner didn’t hold back when explaining what the best version of him would look like: “A player who serves very well. Aggressive while also being able to read every situation. But I don’t have the power to predict the future.”

Sinner already tops the ATP in serving stats, and that assessment won’t do much to lift the spirits of Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev, who sits just behind them in the rankings.

Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals, including one at Roland Garros, and stands out as Sinner’s main competition outside of Alcaraz.

You could still make a case for Novak Djokovic being part of that discussion. But with Djokovic nearing his 39th birthday and Sinner only just starting out at 24, it feels like things are heading in a new direction.

Tim Henman names Jannik Sinner’s biggest challenge at Roland Garros

Sinner is just 24, but his CV already puts him among the game’s best. He has four Grand Slam titles and two runner-up finishes, along with 29 ATP titles. He has four Grand Slam titles to his name, having also lost two finals, while his current ATP title tally sits at 29.

Another piece of silverware could be added at Roland Garros, where he is considered the strong favourite to come out on top in the eyes of Tim Henman.

Henman told TNT Sports: “If it’s Sinner against the field, and if you give me the choice of Sinner or the other 127, I’ll take Sinner every day of the week,” said Henman, as quoted by TNT Sports.

“He’s playing that well, and he’s that confident. I think that his challenge is physical; that’s the only sort of way I can see him losing, if he were to get injured or ill.

The former British number one continued: “Best of five sets, it’s going to be, can somebody win a set? Yeah, they can win a set. Can they win two sets? I think it’s pretty unlikely. Can they win three sets? I don’t see it.

“I haven’t seen this sort of clear favourite at the French Open since Rafa [Nadal].”

Nadal owns a record 14 Roland Garros titles across his career – still comfortably an all-time high – with Novak Djokovic second with three trophies in Paris.

Read more:

It was an exciting third round series for the Colorado Eagles which saw the squad advance to the AHL’s Western Conference finals for the first time in their history. As we know the Eagles won the Kelly Cup multiple times in the ECHL but this is the first time they have progressed this far in the AHL postseason. They await the winner of the Chicago Wolves-Grand Rapids Griffins series and will feature a traditional best-of-seven format.

Trent Miner was a standout again, pitching his fourth shutout of the season in Game 1 against Coachella Valley in a 3-0 win. With the series victory now secured Miner has improved his stats to a 8-2 record, a 1.26 Goals Against Average, which leads the AHL, and a .947 save percentage. The netminder has been a big reason for the Eagles’ success and advancement to the final four teams in the AHL.

What else is going right is the Eagles might have found the right mix of veterans and contributions from sone youths. Gavin Brindley scored the game winning goal last night securing the comeback from a 2-0 deficit which turned into a 3-2 victory to take the third round series over Coachella Valley. He ended with three points in the four-game series. Another prospect standout is Ivan Ivan who had four points in the series. He leads the team in postseason production with 10 points, which is one fewer than the AHL leader, who was from Coachella Valley.

Another interesting note on the prospect front is that the Kitchener Rangers won the OHL championship in dominant fashion going 16-2 including a finals sweep and will be participating in the Memorial Cup held in Kelowna, BC starting this weekend. Avalanche prospect forward Christian Humphreys is a big part of this successful Rangers squad and scored the late third period game winning goal to clinch the OHL title.

Humphreys is third on the team in playoff scoring with 22 points including nine goals in 18 games. Catch this versatile forward in action on national television starting on Friday, May 22nd as he aims to lift one more trophy. He is committed to the University of Minnesota for next season.

• Phil Foden has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s definitive 26-man England squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament.
• The decision comes amid growing speculation that the attacking midfielder has received a contract extension and signed onto such at Manchester City.
• Foden’s omission comes after a disruptive season at the Etihad Stadium, characterised by fluctuating performances and a failure to capture his peak form.

Manchester City’s Phil Foden will not be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this summer, having been excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s squad list.

Just two days after City’s agonising 1-1 draw at Bournemouth to mathematically surrender the Premier League trophy to Arsenal, fans have been dealt a secondary sporting blow.

With Pep Guardiola also set for an emotional final match against Aston Villa on Sunday, despite suggestions of showdown talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak over his future, a major international omission adds a new layer of drama in media reporting.

The realisation that Foden will now spend the summer months on vacation rather than representing the Three Lions’ Group L campaign against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana acts as one of the major talking points in Thomas Tuchel’s definitive selection.

Phil Foden receives England’s World Cup decision

The information comes according to The Times’ Paul Hirst among various other sources on Thursday evening, revealing that Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man World Cup squad list for the North America tournament this summer.

Phil Foden joins exclusive Manchester City 100 club for Premier League goal involvements

The justification underpinning Tuchel’s decision points directly toward an inability to select Foden may also stem from the exemplary performances from direct competitors for the midfield positions.

Why Foden has not been selected for England

Phil Foden has often struggled to impose his talents on international tournament football, and the England manager will point out that there is simply no room for profiles who have endured the sort of physical fatigue and difficulty in consistent showings over the last few months.

The decision may also impact City’s pre-season and summer training, and instead of facing the challenge of the United States, Mexico, and Canada-based tournament, Foden will now be granted an extended rest period before returning to duties at the City Football Academy.

Enzo Maresca begins work on Manchester City transfer plans and pre-season

While the player will likely be disappointed by the national team decision, it could provide Enzo Maresca – who is expected to become Manchester City’s new manager this summer – with a fully recharged, highly motivated player determined to reclaim his status as the club’s leading creative force.

Detroit Tigers (20-30) vs. Cleveland Guardians (29-22)

Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (2-2, 2.43 ERA) vs. LHP Joey Cantillo (3-1, 3.40 ERA)

Rafael Nadal has opened up about the mental toll playing at the elite level and dealing with injuries had on him. The Spaniard has revealed how he dealt with the weight of the pressure by seeking help and attempting to prioritize his mental health.

Rafael Nadal Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles During Playing Career

Regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Nadal won 92 ATP Tour titles over the course of his glittering career. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was one of the leading players in tennis for two decades, and formed the famed ‘Big 3’ alongside rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

However, playing at the top level over a career spanning so long certainly took its toll on Nadal’s mental health, as he revealed in an interview with CNN. Nadal had to deal with several injuries throughout his career, including chronic knee and ankle problems that forced him to take extended spells on the sidelines.

“Probably because I went through a lot of injuries, a lot of pressure, and arrived in a moment where, in some way, you are not able to handle all of this – even if in my mind I was able to handle all of this,” he said.

Nadal revealed that he visited a psychiatrist around 2015 and took medication to help with his mental health, which helped him get back on track on the court.

“But it arrived at a point where your mind fails, and that’s what happened. I needed to find help and that’s what I did… I started with some medication for a while and I was able to start feeling improvements after a couple of months. That was for around a year and then, of course, I recovered,” he added.

MORE: ‘Made Me Emotional’ – Novak Djokovic’s Wife Jelena Reacts To Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton’s Teary ATP Moment

Nadal went two years without a Grand Slam title in 2015 and 2016, but returned to the top in 2017 by winning the French Open and the US Open. That was his longest spell without a Grand Slam triumph until the very end of his career, when he was frequently sidelined with injuries.

The ‘King of Clay’ called time on his playing career in 2024 and has since focused on venues outside the sport. But he remains connected to the sport through his academy, and recently also helped Iga Świątek pick Francisco Roig as her new coach.

At just 18 years old, Yonis Anane is already one of the most exciting young Muay Thai fighters on the planet.

The youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion has recorded nearly 50 professional victories and quickly emerged as one of the faces of the sport’s new generation.

The Team Mehdi Zatout phenom will face Freddie Haggerty in a highly anticipated strawweight Muay Thai showdown at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22. The blockbuster event airs live exclusively for members via live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.

Outside the ring, however, Anane is still very much a part of Gen Z.

Fresh off finishing school and growing up fully immersed in the digital era, the younger brother of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane spends much of his downtime doing exactly what many teenagers around the world do — playing mobile games, scrolling through social media, and watching anime.

The French-Thai striker is also well known for his close friendship with fellow Team Mehdi Zatout athlete PTT Apichart Farm. According to Anane, gaming has become one of the absolute best ways for him to mentally reset from the nonstop grind of elite-level training.

He said:

“I play with PTT a lot, and it’s fun. I play every day before sleeping.

“Gaming helps me relax my mind. If you get angry, you make mistakes. Staying calm is better. It’s similar to Muay Thai.”

That mindset may sound simple, but for Anane, it directly translates to his approach inside the ring.

The teenage striker recently suffered the first setback of his ONE Championship career in a thrilling firefight against Zhao Zhengdong at ONE Friday Fights 147 this past March. Since then, the young star has spoken candidly about learning to stay calmer and avoiding the trap of fighting emotionally under immense pressure.

Oddly enough, he firmly believes gaming teaches similar, highly applicable lessons. When he is not training, sparring, or recovering from grueling sessions, Anane often jumps into Arena of Valor with his teammates.

Just like his fighting style, his in-game approach is anything but passive. He vastly prefers playing aggressive attacking roles rather than sitting back as a support character.

He added:

“I play attacker. I don’t like healer characters because they’re too weak.

“I like Raz because he’s like a Muay Thai boxer. I like his attacks.”

Gon Freecss And The Anime Character Yonis Anane Relates To Most

Beyond mobile gaming, anime has also become a massive pillar of Yonis Anane’s life away from the heavy bags.

While his older brother, Nabil, is widely known as a massive One Piece fan, Yonis prefers timeless classics like Hunter x Hunter and Bleach.

For the teenage striker, however, one specific character stands head and shoulders above the rest: Gon Freecss.

Created by legendary manga artist Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter follows Gon’s epic journey as a young boy searching for his missing father while growing stronger through unbreakable friendships, daunting challenges, and perilous battles against increasingly dangerous opponents.

The series has become one of the most universally beloved anime franchises in the world, particularly among Gen Z fans, thanks to its emotional storytelling, iconic characters, and deep themes of loyalty, perseverance, and self-improvement.

Anane sees many of those exact qualities in Gon himself.

The 18-year-old explained:

“Hunter x Hunter is my favorite because it was my first anime.

“I like Gon because he’s brave, he never gives up, and he’s kind. I think he’s like me. I like his motivation.”

Rather than relying on reckless aggression, Anane has painstakingly built his reputation through supreme composure, surgical timing, technical precision, and an in-ring maturity far beyond his years. Those elite qualities continue to make him one of the brightest teenage martial artists in Muay Thai today.

Anane also enjoys comparing the people around him to characters from Hunter x Hunter, noting that his older brother reminds him most of Leorio Paradinight.

Much like the outspoken and fiercely protective Leorio in the anime, Nabil has consistently acted as both a supportive older brother and a mentor figure throughout Yonis’ fighting journey — expertly guiding him through rigorous training, life in Thailand, and the immense pressures of competing on the global stage at such a young age.

Like many diehard anime fans online, Yonis is also patiently waiting for new Hunter x Hunter episodes to drop, despite the series’ notoriously long hiatuses.

He concluded:

“I finished watching all episodes already. I’m waiting for new episodes, but I don’t think they will come soon.”

Source

Ed Orgeron is back.

Back at Louisiana State, where he coached the Tigers to a 15-0 record and a national championship during the 2019 season.

And back with Lane Kiffin, the new LSU head coach who now has made Orgeron a member of his staff at three schools following their stint together as USC assistant coaches under Pete Carroll.

LSU announced Wednesday that the 64-year-old Louisiana native is returning to the Tigers as a special assistant for recruiting and defense.

Read more:LSU's Lane Kiffin said Ole Miss players wanted him to stay for playoffs. Not so, some Rebels say

“I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “He brings us tremendous value with his ability to recruit elite players nationally, but especially the impact he can have for us recruiting the great state of Louisiana.”

Orgeron played defensive line for four years at Northwestern State, then started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1984. After spending the next decade-plus as an assistant on a variety of coaching staffs, including at Miami and Syracuse, Orgeron joined USC coach Paul Hackett’s staff as the defensive line coach.

Read more:Former USC wideout Marqise Lee returns to school and fulfills a dream

When Carroll replaced Hackett before the 2001 season, he retained Orgeron on his staff and eventually also made him recruiting coordinator. Also in 2001, Carroll hired Kiffin, who started as tight ends coach and eventually worked his way up to offensive coordinator.

After winning two national championships under Carroll, Orgeron was hired as head coach at Mississippi before the 2005 season. He offered Kiffin a job on his staff as offensive coordinator, but the then-Trojans passing game coordinator turned it down (Kiffin would much later serve as the Rebels head coach from 2020-2025).

Read more:Here's the advice Lane Kiffin received from former USC boss Pete Carroll before LSU move

Orgeron went 10-25 at Mississippi and was fired after the 2007 season. After a year as the New Orleans Saints defensive line coach, Orgeron joined Kiffin’s staff at Tennessee as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

When Kiffin returned to USC as head coach in 2010, Orgeron joined him as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. On Sept. 29, 2013, Kiffin was fired by USC. Orgeron was named interim head coach but left the team at the end of the season after Steve Sarkisian became the permanent head coach.

Orgeron joined LSU as the defensive line coach in 2015. He became interim head coach the following September after Les Miles was fired and got the full-time job at the end of the season.

Read more:Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby sues NCAA for 2026 eligibility despite gambling infractions

The undefeated 2019 season, with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, was the peak of Orgeron’s stint with the Tigers. The team’s fortunes dipped after that, with Orgeron and LSU parting ways following the 2021 season. In six seasons with the Tigers, Orgeron went 51-20.

Less than five years later, Orgeron is reunited with the Tigers and his old friend Kiffin.

“Coach O understands my expectations and commitment to being a championship program,” Kiffin said. “I look forward to seeing him with recruits and his intensity working with our defensive players.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

FC Bayern Munich will face VfB Stuttgart at the Olympiastadion in Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final. The Rekordmeister are hoping for a first domestic cup triumph since 2020 against the current holders.

FC Bayern

The Bavarians were German champions in 13 of the last 14 Bundesliga seasons, but their best Pokal result in the past five years was reaching quarter-finals in 2023. They had a tough run of fixtures this term, although Vincent Kompany’s men have dealt with recent winners RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen with 2-0 victories in the last two rounds.

Despite their record-breaking Bundesliga season, Bayern once again fell short of expectations in the Champions League. Although there would be no more party at Marienplatz because of players having to immediately leave for the World Cup, they will seek to end the barren spell.

Team News 

Manuel Neuer's availability is still uncertain. Jonas Urbig could replace him if there are doubts over the 40-year-old goalkeeper. Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry are unavailable due to injuries.

Bayern are expected to repeat the lineup from the return leg of the PSG tie. Raphael Guerreiro, Leon Goretzka and Nicolas Jackson are hoping to at least come off the bench for one last time in Bayern colours.

VfB Stuttgart

After winning their first Pokal in nearly three decades, Stuttgart have now reached the final in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the club's history. Sebastian Hoeneß’s successful stint and attractive playing style made him one of the sought-after coaches in European football.

The holders played their first four games away from home this term before an extra-time victory against Freiburg at MHP Arena in the semi-final. The 44-year-old coach is now one game away from becoming the first non-Bayern coach to win the competition in back-to-back seasons since Huub Stevens at the start of the millennium.

Team News

There are no injuries in Stuttgart's squad for the final. Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich will hope to end the season on positive notes after missing out from Germany's World Cup squad. 

Meanwhile, Alexander Nübel will probably play his last game for VfB against his current parent club before Stuttgart entrusted Dennis Seimen, who will be back from his own loan at promotion chasers Paderborn. The goalkeeper is joined by fellow teammates Angelo Stiller and Deniz Undav in Julian Nagelsmann's selection.

Head-to-Head

Bayern have won the last five head-to-head fixtures against Stuttgart, including three times since this season's curtain-raiser, Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. Stuttgart have lost both of their previous finals against Bayern (1986 and 2013).

Probable Lineups

Bayern: Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich ©, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Luis Diaz; Kane

Stuttgart: Nübel; Hendriks, Chabot, Mittelstädt; Leweling, Karazor ©, Stiller, Führich; El Khannouss; Demirović, Undav

NASCAR fans woke up to shocking news Thursday after Kyle Busch’s family announced the two-time Cup Series champion has been hospitalized with what was described as a severe illness.

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The statement confirmed Busch will not compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend as he undergoes treatment. Few additional details were released immediately, but the announcement spread across the racing world almost instantly because of how sudden and serious the situation appears to be.

And honestly, this is the kind of news that stops the NASCAR garage cold.

Busch’s Family Confirmed the Situation

According to the statement shared Thursday, Busch is currently receiving medical treatment while his family asks for privacy as they navigate the situation.

No exact illness or diagnosis was publicly disclosed.

That uncertainty immediately triggered concern throughout NASCAR because Busch is one of the sport’s biggest names and one of its most recognizable personalities of the modern era. Drivers missing race weekends due to injury is not uncommon in motorsports, but sudden hospitalization for a severe illness always feels different.

Especially when it involves somebody as durable and constantly active as Kyle Busch.

One of NASCAR’s Biggest Stars Suddenly Sidelined

Busch has been one of the defining figures of NASCAR for nearly two decades.

The Las Vegas native captured Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 while building a reputation as one of the most aggressive, polarizing, and talented drivers of his generation. Whether fans loved him or hated him, Busch became impossible to ignore almost the moment he entered NASCAR’s top levels.

That’s part of why this story is hitting so hard.

Kyle Busch has always raced through almost everything. Injuries, criticism, pressure, controversies, bad seasons, team changes, and brutal crashes never seemed to keep him away from competition for long. Seeing him suddenly hospitalized and ruled out entirely immediately changes the tone around the garage.

Charlotte Is One of NASCAR’s Biggest Weekends

The timing also makes this news feel even heavier.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts one of NASCAR’s most important stretches of the season, and Busch missing the weekend instantly becomes one of the sport’s biggest stories. Charlotte races carry enormous visibility for teams, sponsors, and championship momentum.

And Busch desperately needed momentum.

He currently sits 24th in the Cup Series standings with only two top-10 finishes through the opening portion of the season. While Busch remains one of NASCAR’s most dangerous drivers when things click, the last couple years have been far more difficult than fans became accustomed to during his championship peak.

That pressure was already building before Thursday’s announcement.

Busch Has Been Fighting Through a Difficult Stretch

Since joining Richard Childress Racing, Busch has experienced flashes of the old dominance fans remember, but consistency has remained elusive.

His last victory came in 2023 during his first season with RCR. Since then, questions surrounding performance, equipment, and long-term competitiveness have followed both Busch and the organization constantly.

Still, nobody expected the conversation to suddenly shift toward his health.

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That changes everything immediately because racing results stop mattering once hospitalization enters the picture. Rivalries disappear. Criticism fades. The entire NASCAR world tends to rally together quickly when situations become personal.

And that appears to be happening already.

NASCAR Fans Flooded Social Media Immediately

Within minutes of the family’s statement appearing online, NASCAR fans flooded social media with support, concern, and prayers for Busch and his family.

Even longtime critics of Busch appeared shaken by the news.

That says a lot about the respect he commands inside the sport despite his reputation as one of NASCAR’s most controversial competitors over the years. Busch built his career playing the villain role at times, but he also earned enormous admiration through toughness, raw talent, and relentless competitiveness.

Fans recognize that quickly when real life interrupts racing.

Busch’s Legacy Is Already Secure

At 41 years old, Busch remains one of the most accomplished active drivers in NASCAR history.

The statistics alone are staggering.

Two Cup Series championships. Dozens of victories across NASCAR’s national divisions. A reputation as one of the fiercest racers of his era. Busch became one of the rare drivers capable of dominating across Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup competition simultaneously for years.

And he did it while carrying the pressure that comes with being one of the sport’s most recognizable names.

That’s why this story immediately feels bigger than standings or playoff points.

The NASCAR Garage Knows How Quickly Things Change

Motorsports carries a strange emotional reality.

One weekend, fans are debating finishes, rivalries, and championship hopes. The next, the entire industry can suddenly find itself focused on somebody’s health or family situation instead of racing itself.

That shift happened immediately here.

Nobody knows yet how serious Busch’s condition ultimately is or how long he could remain sidelined. At this point, the lack of details is likely fueling even more concern throughout the fanbase because uncertainty almost always does.

Especially involving somebody this prominent.

Right Now, Racing Takes a Back Seat

For the moment, NASCAR fans are not focused on playoff scenarios, Charlotte predictions, or where Busch sits in the standings.

They are focused on hoping one of the sport’s biggest stars gets healthy.

Because regardless of where fans stand on Kyle Busch the driver, moments like this remind everyone there are real people underneath the helmets, rivalries, and headlines. And suddenly, one of NASCAR’s toughest competitors finds himself facing something bigger than racing itself.

Continue Reading: Tail of the Dragon Turns Deadly as Florida Riders Killed in Harley Trike Crash on Infamous Tennessee Highway

Manuel Neuer is still carrying calf problems and did not train with the team today either, which was reported by Sport BILD.

Despite missing out on the team session in preparation for Saturday, Neuer was at Säbener Straße for treatment and rehab.

It's believed that a final decision on his DFB-Pokal availability will be made tomorrow, but the chances are currently said to be 50-50.

The 40-year-old has just come out of retirement for Germany wants to avoid any unnecessary risks ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

If Neuer is not fully fit by tomorrow and the Bayern medical staff are still unsure, Jonas Urbig will start the Pokal final against Stuttgart. 

Just two weeks ago, Tonda Eckert was a head coach who had the world at his feet.

The German had transformed Southampton from relegation candidates to favourites to win the Championship promotion play-offs.

It was a remarkable turnaround.

And then came Spygate, the explosive controversy which would result in the south-coast club being thrown out of the play-offs and deducted four points for next season.

No-one knows exactly who was complicit with William Salt - an intern analyst - embarking on spying mission to Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training base, or similar visits to watch Oxford United and Ipswich Town.

The written reasons from the English Football League will provide the trail of evidence. Until then, we don't know Eckert's role, or whether he was involved.

Eckert looked like he was the man to build a new era for Southampton in the Premier League.

But many supporters and those connected with the club have made their minds up. He is intrinsically linked to a dark period in the club's history, whether he knew about the spying or not.

Why was the 33-year-old so highly rated? Is there a future for him at St Mary's?

And who exactly is Eckert?

From no-one to someone: the academy coach who took his chance

When Will Still was sacked by Southampton on 2 November, Saints were in 21st place - three points outside the Championship relegation zone with one win in 13 games.

That is when the club turned to Eckert, who had only arrived at St Mary's in July 2025 when he replaced a Chelsea-bound Calum McFarlane and took charge of the club's under-21 team.

He appeared perfect for that academy job.

Eckert's career had largely involved youth football, in his homeland with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. He had also helped the under-18s at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg win the Uefa Youth League.

Four months after moving to Saints, he would replace Still and manage a club in one of the biggest leagues in Europe.

Eckert's only prior work in senior football came through 15 months as the number two at Barnsley, and three years as assistant boss at Italian club Genoa.

But he was well known to Johannes Spors, Southampton's sporting director, as they were at Genoa together.

So Eckert, at the age of 32 and with no previous managerial experience, stepped into Still's shoes on an interim basis which became permanent a month later.

Eckert won a hat-trick of Championship manager of the month awards - for February, March and April - as Saints not only stormed into play-offs but finished within four points of the automatic places.

Southampton (68) won more points after Eckert took charge than any other club - including champions Coventry City (67).

But just 48 hours before Saints were due to play Middlesbrough in the first leg of the play-off semi-final, Southampton's world came crashing down.

Salt was discovered observing a Middlesbrough training session, and the saga known as Spygate began.

If he is found to have been involved, Eckert potentially faces not only losing his job but he could be banned too after the Football Association opened its own investigation.

Who really is Tonda Eckert?

Dan George is a BBC Sport journalist who covers Southampton. He has closely watched Eckert over the past few months, from news conference to pitch-side.

Eckert is quite a unique personality, someone that comes across as a very different person to the likes of previous Saints managers Still and Russell Martin.

He is softly spoken, clearly intelligent and typically takes his time when responding to questions, measured and articulate in his responses.

The German was keen to make a good impression with the media after his first matches, shaking the hand of each reporter and camera operator in his press conferences.

This continued for a number of occasions before he was probably told this was not a weekly requirement.

After being asked a question, he often pauses before diving into his answer, causing an awkward silence. He would then dive into his answers with a cool but intense eye contact.

Despite Southampton's success and progress under Eckert, he never got too far ahead of himself. The next match was always his sole focus, an answer that would sometimes get repetitive but displayed his mindset.

That intensity clearly crosses over, some players highlighting his meticulous attention to detail and work ethic.

One player who played under Eckert before he was at Southampton described him as an individual who is fixated with football.

"He's a good coach that's obsessed with details, a really impressive football man and good guy," they told BBC Sport.

• 72+ EFL Pod: Southampton no saints as Boro back in
• A just or harsh punishment? Reaction to Southampton expulsion
• 'It's been messy' & 'no winners among fans' - play-off final chaos

As is the way with most managers, you got to see a glimpse of his true personality on the touchline during games.

Eckert bonded well with the Saints fans early on, often fist-pumping the Northam Wall at St Mary's after wins and near enough always doing a lap of applause with the players.

The two biggest displays of his emotion came in the second leg of Southampton's play-off against Middlesbrough, a game his side won 2-1.

He was seen in a heated exchange with Boro boss Kim Hellberg. At one point when being spoken to by the referee he even had to be restrained by an official.

It was a side to Eckert we had not really seen before.

Later he sprinted down the touchline - Jose Mourinho-style - when Shea Charles netted in extra time to, so it seemed, send Saints to Wembley.

The players liked him and were keen to see him named manager permanently. Leo Scienza went on record as saying "give the man the job" after a 3-0 win over Leicester City at the end of November.

Midfielder Flynn Downes also highlighted attention to detail with Eckert in a quote that some have highlighted the irony of following the Spygate situation. The truth of Eckert's involvement - or whether he even know about the goings-on - should soon become known.

"His attention to detail is unreal. Literally every little thing he just gives you," Downes told BBC Sport in November.

"It makes it so easy. You go out on a Saturday and you know what you're doing, you know what the other team are doing."

Does Eckert have any chance of keeping his job?

Former Southampton managers, players and the club's fans have spoken of feeling badly let down.

That Saints also admitted to spying on Oxford and Ipswich suggests a wider problem.

Jo Tessem, who made 130 appearances for Saints between 1999 and 2005, thinks Eckert may have to go.

"Something has gone seriously wrong if you have continued to break the rules," Tessem told BBC Radio Solent Sport.

"Then you are breaking the reputation and disrespecting the game of football, and I don't think the club has anything else to do and they might have to get rid of him.

"To rescue something you've got to make tough decisions, and I think this is one of those decisions that unfortunately will happen. I don't think there's any way around it."

Nigel Adkins, who managed the club for three years and earned back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, said he did not know "what they're going to gain from spying".

"If you talk about the integrity of Southampton Football Club, that's now been tarnished," Adkins told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's going to take a long time to come back from this."

BBC fan writer Martin Sanders says he always felt Eckert was too inexperienced for such a big job.

"It's easy to say in hindsight, but I was always unsure about giving the job to somebody with no experience of managing a men's team," Sanders said.

"Obviously, through these last six months, it must have felt like they'd got everything right."

Sanders predicted: "Tonda Eckert will never manage a game for Southampton Football Club ever again."

Thunder’s bench delivers game-changing spark in Western Conference Finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the Western Conference Finals with plenty of attention centered on league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the team’s young core. Through two games against the San Antonio Spurs, however, one of the biggest storylines has emerged from a less glamorous but equally important area: Oklahoma City’s bench production. If Game 2 proved anything, it is that the Thunder’s depth may ultimately become one of the defining strengths of their championship hopes.

After dropping Game 1 in a difficult double-overtime loss, Oklahoma City needed more than a star-driven response. It needed energy, scoring and lineup flexibility. The Thunder got exactly that from their reserves, who overwhelmed San Antonio’s second unit by a staggering 57–25 margin. That bench advantage dramatically shifted momentum and helped fuel Oklahoma City’s 122–113 victory to even the series at one game apiece.

Veteran guard Alex Caruso led the way with 17 points off the bench, delivering the kind of playoff performance contenders value this time of year. Known primarily for his defense and toughness, Caruso provided offense at critical moments and gave Oklahoma City another reliable scoring option outside of its starting lineup. His experience and versatility continue to make him one of the roster’s most valuable role players.

Thunder’s young bench core emerging as a difference-maker in West Finals Run

The Thunder also received major contributions from younger players. Rookie guard Jared McCain scored 12 points and brought instant energy whenever he entered the game. Fellow guard Cason Wallace matched him with 12 points of his own, continuing to show maturity beyond his years. Wallace’s two-way impact and defensive pressure have become increasingly valuable throughout the postseason.

Championship teams often require more than elite stars. They need role players capable of changing games, particularly in long playoff series where adjustments and fatigue become factors. Through two games, Oklahoma City’s bench has done exactly that.

For a Thunder team pursuing an NBA Finals appearance, their reserves may be becoming just as important as their stars.

Raiders CB Eric Stokes switched numbers this offseason. He wore 22 last season for the Raiders and this offseason took the number...5?

It's an interesting choice for a DB, but more and more DBs are going with single digits these days since the league opened up single digits to positions other that quarterbacks, kickers, and punters.

But why 5?

He didn't wear that number in the pros or in college. It wasn't even part of his number. According to Stokes, he went back to his childhood for his inspiration.

“My high school number was number five, but the biggest reason was I was a big Reggie Bush fan growing up, so I wanted number five growing up," said Stokes. "I wanted to throw up the Trojan, I wanted to go to USC because I was a big Bush fan. Growing up, I was a running back doing all the stuff, I wanted five, and that was just memorable to me. So, it's just bringing back childhood memories, just bringing back some of the other little things. I just love number five.”

Stokes was just six years old when Reggie Bush had his electric Heisman Trophy season at USC. But that apparently left an indelible mark on Stokes. Enough to make him want to find his football career on the other side of the country.

The Georgia native ultimately stayed in state for college, finding his niche as a defensive back, becoming a first round pick. And after three years in Green Bay, he would make his way to the West anyway. Wearing the number of his childhood football hero.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders CB Eric Stokes has surprising inspiration behind number switch

, the No. 5 car he had been working with during the previous week and which he used to qualify was left unusable for the most important race on the calendar.

Arrow McLaren has had to turn to the backup car, though it is a car O’Ward has never raced at the Brickyard, he does have experience with it. The chassis that was damaged last Monday is the one that has accompanied him in all previous occasions while fighting for the victory."Obviously, like anyone, I do have my nerves because it's not the car we've been using all month, it's not the one I qualified, and I haven't done any race simulations," O’Ward said in an interview with Motorsport.com, courtesy of his sponsor Electrolit.

However, the Arrow McLaren driver is confident that the setups studied can be transferred and find immediate success, especially since he has already achieved success with that chassis.

"It is a car that I have used, it's a car I've already won with and with which I've been very fast, so it's a car that has treated me very well. That gives me peace of mind, it gives me that neutrality I need to head into the race knowing that what is behind what I'm going to be sitting in is competitive. I am sure the team will set it up exactly how I want it."

A stroke of luck? 

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

O’Ward has been close to victory on several occasions, finishing second in 2022 as well as in 2024, while in 2025 he finished third, all of it with the same chassis named "Lana."

Now, with the switch to the new car, with which he has had strong performances on short ovals, it could be the stroke of luck he needs to finally climb into the winner's circle at the Brickyard.

"The car I crashed, that car is the one I've done all my Indy 500s with. With the new car, it's my first Indy 500 with a car that isn't the one I crashed, with Lana, because that's the car's name. This will be the first time I don't do the Indy 500 with Lana."O’Ward preferred not to mention the name of his current car, but left a promise. "If I win the race I'll tell you what it's called, because the name is a bit 'Rated R' (restricted), but it's a good car, a very good car."

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

AI search doesn’t just translate or localize results. It decides which sources, institutions, and versions of reality get surfaced in the first place.

Catalonia offers a useful stress test for that system. Two languages share the same geography, which makes retrieval patterns easier to spot. 

When the same queries are run in Catalan and Spanish across Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT, the differences go far beyond wording — and reveal broader problems that extend well beyond multilingual regions.

Catalonia as a stress test for AI search

Did you know that if you search for Tradicions de Sant Jordi — Saint George’s Traditions, written in Catalan — Google Translate will identify the source language as Occitan?

Probably not. Most Catalan speakers don’t know it either, partly because Translate’s language guess isn’t exactly wrong: Catalan and Occitan share a common Romance ancestry, and some classification systems group them together. 

The answer is technically defensible. It’s also, statistically, an odd call — and the kind of small anecdote that points at a much larger problem in the infrastructure underneath.

Occitan has roughly 200,000 speakers, mostly in southern France. Catalan has roughly 9 million speakers and is the co-official language of Catalonia, one of Europe’s wealthier regions and home to a city Google has operated in for over 20 years. 

Asked from a Barcelona IP, Google’s translation product decides that the more plausible source language is the one with more than an order of magnitude fewer speakers, in another country. Translate then renders Sant Jordi into Spanish as San Jorge — castilianizing the proper name of the patron saint of Catalonia, a name that doesn’t need translating in the first place.

This single Translate quirk is anecdotal. What it points at isn’t. It’s a language-identification problem that has lived inside Google’s infrastructure for years — and Google itself has publicly acknowledged it. 

In January 2023, the company’s Search Liaison account responded to a wave of complaints from Catalan-speaking users about Catalan results being downgraded in favor of Spanish ones. Google called the issue “a priority” and committed to keep investigating. The acknowledgment was even posted in Catalan — a tacit admission that the affected audience was real and large enough to warrant a direct response.

Google later pushed updates that year that measurably improved Catalan visibility in classical SERPs. But the underlying language-identification layer was never structurally repaired. When a Catalan speaker today watches Google’s AI Overview answer a Catalan-language query in Spanish, it isn’t a new bug. It’s an old bug now sitting underneath a synthesis layer that propagates it.

AI search, when it arrives, inherits the assumption that the language of the query is unreliable in the first place. The retrieval pipeline that flattens Catalan into Spanish today is the same pipeline that will, in modified forms, flatten sub-national jurisdictional context in markets where the surface language never changes.

I have spent the last several months documenting how AI search collapses Hispanic markets — treating 20+ Spanish-speaking countries as a single statistical default. That work is severe in its consequences, but at least the geography is clean: Spain is one country, Mexico is another, the model just fails to tell them apart. 

What happens inside Catalonia is more revealing because the geography doesn’t change. Two languages share one territory, and the system produces two parallel realities — when it can identify the languages at all.

Multilingual regions are where the architectural defaults of retrieval become visible, because users in those regions can switch languages and watch the system reassign meaning, authority, and sometimes even the answer’s language.

The same defaults will surface inside markets that look monolingual on the surface, in different forms and with different mitigations. Catalonia is a leading indicator.

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How I tested this

The patterns I’m about to describe are familiar to any practitioner who has worked on Catalan-language SEO over the last decade — my own experience, and the experience of many colleagues working under similar conditions. 

Anyone who has tried to do keyword research in Catalan has watched Google Keyword Planner report essentially zero volume for terms catalan-speakers query daily, or return volumes that are clearly mixed with Spanish-language data and impossible to use cleanly. 

Anyone who has run multilingual sites has watched their Catalan variants underperform their Spanish ones for reasons standard tooling can’t explain. The small experiment I describe below is one specific, reproducible illustration of this broader, well-known systemic situation — not the foundation of the claim.

The setup was deliberately simple. From a residential IP in the Barcelona metropolitan area, I ran a set of paired queries in Catalan and Spanish across two surfaces: 

• ChatGPT (logged out, fresh session, no personalization).
• Google web search with its AI Overview enabled when the system chose to generate one. (Google doesn’t generate an Overview for every query — itself a signal worth noting.) 

Sessions ran in incognito mode. I ran the queries twice, roughly a week apart, to test whether what I was seeing was a stable pattern or a single-session artifact. Both dates are documented. Screenshots are available with location footers visible.

I chose five intent pairs, each designed to test a different layer of the retrieval stack:

• A politically loaded factual query about Catalan independence, chosen because it has academic precedent in Walker and Timoneda’s 2025 study (Department of Political Science, Purdue University) of language-conditioned LLM output, published in Cambridge University Press’s Political Science Research and Methods. The replication of their method on a Barcelona IP gives the section editorial cover.
• A transactional commercial query about local accountants for freelancers, chosen because it sits squarely inside the everyday SEO economy and is identical in intent across languages.
• A cultural-tradition query about Sant Jordi, chosen because it has clear native authority (regional government, municipal authorities), low political temperature, and centuries of documented history independent of any particular brand.
• A regulatory query about Catalan rental subsidies, chosen because it requires hyper-local jurisdictional precision and is administered by the Generalitat de Catalunya directly.
• A language-identification stress test — a mix of casual and formal Catalan queries — to see whether the surface even recognized the input as Catalan.

The findings below are reproducible existence proofs rather than statistical evidence. These specific failures occur on these specific platforms today — from this specific location — and any practitioner can replicate them in under 15 minutes. 

The broader claim — that these patterns generalize — rests on the community evidence the Google Search Liaison acknowledgment implicitly confirmed three years ago, and the lived experience of practitioners working in Catalan and other minority languages over the last decade.

Four patterns emerged. The first three describe retrieval. The fourth describes identification, and it underpins the other three.

Finding 1: Vocabulary and source plurality diverge

I asked both ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overview about the main arguments around Catalan independence. 

In Spanish, both surfaces produced a legalistic frame anchored in the 1978 Constitution and the 2017 referendum’s illegality. In Catalan, both surfaces foregrounded dret a decidir (right to decide) and autodeterminació as named conceptual blocks, with historical references to the loss of institutions after the Decrees of Nova Planta. 

The Catalan output wasn’t more ideological. It was more complete. It retained anti-independence arguments, including framings absent from the Spanish version.

The divergence sharpens in the citations. The Spanish AI Overview pulled from BBC, Wikipedia (ES), Fundación Espacio Público, and France 24. The Catalan AI Overview added El Punt Avui, VilaWeb, Reddit r/catalunya, and Wikipedia (CA), while still citing BBC and El País.

Same engine, same geography, same question. Two non-overlapping retrieval pools, triggered by the language string. The language isn’t labeling the answer. It’s filtering the corpus.

Finding 2: Commercial retrieval shifts, and the engine doubts the minority language

The transactional pair was simple: Millors gestories per a autònoms a Barcelona / Mejores gestorías para autónomos en Barcelona. Best accountants for freelancers in Barcelona, in two languages, from the same city.

ChatGPT recommended largely the same physical firms in both versions, but the online providers diverged: the Catalan response surfaced Openges and Gestasor; the Spanish response surfaced Gestoría Online and Gestorum. Same intent, same geography, two parallel commercial universes for the digital-first segment.

Google’s organic SERP showed a more pronounced split. The Catalan version elevated locally bilingual sites (Gremicat, Calders Assessors, Gestumm, barcelona.cool). The Spanish version led with aggregators and generalist directories (Legify, Zaask, bcngest).

Two secondary signals matter more than the rankings.

First, Google autocorrected the Catalan query. Above the results, the engine offered: Quizás quisiste decir: Millors gelateries per a autònoms a Barcelona. Did you mean ice cream shops? The system, sitting on a Barcelona IP, declined to believe a commercial query in Catalan was genuine and proposed a homophone-adjacent alternative.

Second, the Spanish results carried paid ads — Talenom, Declarando, Horus Firm. The Catalan results carried zero. The SEM market treats Catalan as territory without bidders, and the absence of a commercial signal is itself a signal. Models trained on click and engagement data read that absence as evidence that the language isn’t commercially serious and weight retrieval accordingly.

The mechanism teaches itself. Less commercial bidding produces less commercial visibility. Less commercial visibility produces less commercial signal. 

The language is steadily deprioritized for transactional intent — even though every user typing in Catalan from Barcelona shares the same geography as a user typing in Spanish. This will become relevant again when we look at language identification itself.

Dig deeper: How AI search defines market relevance beyond hreflang

Finding 3: Cultural authority gets reassigned

The Sant Jordi pair shows it most clearly, and the specific reassignment changes between sessions in a way that is itself revealing.

In the first session, the Spanish-language AI Overview for Tradiciones de Sant Jordi led with two hotel chains as primary citations — Casa Llimona Hotel Boutique and Sumus Hotels. The Catalan version cited the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the city council that has formally stewarded the tradition for centuries.

In the second session, a week later, the same queries returned a different reassignment. The Spanish version now cited the Ajuntament alongside Spain.info, the state tourism portal aimed at foreign visitors. The Catalan version moved up the institutional hierarchy entirely — its primary citation became the Generalitat de Catalunya, the regional government, with a footer link to the Guia Oficial de la Diada de la Generalitat de Catalunya. The Ajuntament was absent.

What stays stable across both sessions is the structural pattern: the cultural custodian credited by the system changes with the language. Catalan-language queries surface regional and municipal government, the institutions native to the tradition. Spanish-language queries surface state tourism, commercial entities, or municipal government framed as a tourist destination.

ChatGPT reinforces the same pattern in its prose. The Spanish version describes Sant Jordi externally: Día del amor “a la catalana,” oportunidad para conocer el patrimonio cultural catalán. The Catalan version uses native terminology without distance. The same 600-year-old tradition is described as exotic-from-outside in one language and as tradition-from-inside in the other.

The model isn’t lying in either language. It’s producing the most statistically plausible synthesis given its retrieval pool. But the retrieval pool itself is constituted differently by language — and one constitution treats government as the cultural custodian, while the other treats tourism marketing as the cultural custodian.

For brands, this isn’t a translation problem. It’s a question of who the model thinks owns the answer.

Finding 4: Language identification was already broken before LLMs touched it

This is the finding that reframes the rest. The reassignment patterns above all depend on the system correctly identifying the language of the query in the first place. Often, it doesn’t.

The Google Translate finding — Catalan misclassified as Occitan from a Barcelona IP — is one face of it. Another is what happens when you type a query that is unambiguously Catalan into Google Search. 

The query receptes de calçots — recipes for calçots, a vegetable that exists only in Catalonia and retains its Catalan name in every other language — produces a banner above the results: Sugerencia: Mostrar resultados en español. También puedes consultar más información sobre cómo filtrar por idioma. 

The system suggests that the user filter Catalan results out. No AI Overview is generated for the query. The infrastructure has decided that a recipe search for a Catalan-only vegetable, in Catalan, is more usefully answered in Spanish.

In Google’s AI Overview, the query Tradicions de Sant Jordi sometimes returns a Spanish-language answer despite being written entirely in Catalan, citing Spain.info. In other sessions, the same query is correctly identified and answered in Catalan. 

The behavior is inconsistent across sessions, which is worse than consistently wrong: it is undiagnosable. A site owner can’t fix something that breaks intermittently for reasons the system itself doesn’t surface.

The failure isn’t universal. Queries like festivitats de Catalunya or poetes catalans contemporanis — slightly more formal or erudite phrasings — are correctly identified as Catalan and answered with Catalan-language synthesis, citing regional sources (Pimec, Gencat, El Temps, Lletra UOC). 

The system can identify Catalan. It just doesn’t do so reliably for commercial or popular queries, which is where the cost of getting it wrong is highest for site owners.

This is where Findings 2 and 4 close a loop. The same commercial categories that show zero SEM bidding in Catalan are the categories where language identification fails most often. A language with no commercial signal teaches the system that it doesn’t need to be treated as commercially serious — and so, for commercial queries, the system permits itself to identify it less reliably. The two failures reinforce each other.

None of this is new. Google Search Liaison publicly acknowledged the Catalan demotion problem in January 2023 and later that year pushed visible improvements to classical SERPs. 

The synthesis layer that now sits on top has not inherited those fixes. AI search is built on these pipelines. It inherits their defaults, their training-data composition, and their decisions about when a language deserves to be treated as the language of the answer.

The slop loop closing on minority languages

A second, slower mechanism makes all of this worse over time, and it is worth flagging because it is starting to be visible elsewhere.

LLMs trained on web-scale corpora are now generating significant quantities of low-quality content in minority languages — both directly (via translation features) and indirectly (via downstream tools that produce SEO content, social posts, and automated articles). 

That generated content gets indexed, gets crawled, gets fed back into the next generation of training data. The model that doesn’t understand Catalan well produces the Catalan content that trains the next model.

This isn’t theoretical. A 2024 Princeton study by Brooks, Eggert, and Peskoff found that over 5% of newly created English Wikipedia articles showed signs of being AI-generated, with lower but still measurable rates in German, French, and Italian editions. 

By extension — though outside the Princeton team’s measurement scope — minority-language editions with thinner editorial oversight are likely to absorb a greater proportional impact.

The minority-language damage is now well-documented. MIT Technology Review reported in September 2025 on a linguistic “doom loop” in vulnerable-language Wikipedias. 

• Volunteers working on four African-language editions estimated that between 40% and 60% of their articles were uncorrected machine translations.
• The Inuktitut edition contained machine-translated portions in more than two-thirds of substantive pages.
• Some Hawaiian-language entries had 35% of their words flagged as incomprehensible by native speakers. 
• The Greenlandic edition, where virtually no articles had been written by actual speakers, was ultimately recommended for closure in 2025, with the Wikipedia Language Committee citing AI tools that had “frequently produced nonsense that could misrepresent the language.” 

Wikipedia was estimated in 2022 to be the sole easily accessible source of online linguistic data for 27 under-resourced languages — meaning these errors don’t stay on Wikipedia. AI systems train on them next.

This is the loop. Bad language identification produces bad retrieval. Bad retrieval surfaces bad content. Bad content gets generated at scale by LLMs that don’t fully understand the language. Bad content gets indexed. The next model trains on it. 

The mechanism doesn’t need malice to degrade quality — it needs only volume. And volume in minority languages has never been easier to manufacture.

What Wikipedia decided to do about it

The clearest institutional signal that this problem is real comes from one of the few platforms with both the experience and the incentive to take it seriously.

On March 20, the English Wikipedia community formally voted to prohibit LLM-generated article content across its 7.1 million articles. Editors are still permitted to use LLMs for basic copyediting and for supervised translation of articles from other-language editions, but generating or rewriting article content with LLMs is prohibited outright. 

The decision was a response to years of mounting concern: ChatGPT-era articles were appearing with the “as a large language model” prompt left in the text, with entirely nonexistent citations, and with the kind of fluent-but-empty prose that reviewers were spending disproportionate volunteer time cleaning up.

Wikipedia isn’t a typical SEO concern. It’s a curated knowledge platform with strong volunteer governance and explicit neutrality policies. If a platform with that level of structural defense against low-quality content has concluded that AI-generated text damages knowledge integrity, the SEO industry should not assume that retrieval pipelines downstream of Wikipedia will produce better answers than Wikipedia itself was willing to publish.

The institutions building defenses against AI-generated content in minority languages — Wikipedia, the Aina Project in Catalonia, the Latxa models in the Basque Country — aren’t being defensive for ideological reasons. They are responding to a measured degradation in quality. That degradation is now part of the training data of the next generation of AI search.

Dig deeper: How to use Google and LLM insights to improve international SEO

Why this happens, mechanically

Motoko Hunt has documented how AI systems collapse geographic boundaries by treating language as a proxy for markets, a phenomenon she calls geo-identification drift. The mechanism is the same here, with one extra constraint that exposes it more clearly. 

When two languages share one geography, the system can’t quietly default to “the country the language belongs to.” It’s forced to choose something else. The choice usually goes to whichever corpus is larger, more recent, or more commercially tagged.

The Walker and Timoneda study above grounded this empirically. Their finding — that anti-independence framings appeared roughly twice as often in Spanish output as in Catalan — wasn’t a finding about politics. It was a finding about how training-data composition determines output. Catalan-language texts in the training corpus carry one distribution of perspectives; Spanish-language texts carry another. The model inherits both and surfaces whichever it is currently reaching for.

This compounds with what researchers call semantic collapse: when retrieval embeddings can’t reliably separate sub-national signals, the system flattens them into the dominant variant. In monolingual countries, the dominant variant is the country itself. In a region like Catalonia, the dominant variant is the larger linguistic neighbor — Spain — pulling Catalan-specific meaning toward a generic Spanish default unless something explicit pulls back.

Sub-national governments have noticed. The Aina Project and the Latxa models aren’t isolated efforts: they are direct attempts to build language-resource sovereignty because standard global LLMs perform measurably worse on Catalan and Basque than on Spanish. When governments start training their own LLMs, the SEO industry should treat that as evidence the underlying mechanism is real and structural.

The pattern isn’t unique to Catalonia. 

• Quebec users querying in French routinely receive Parisian-French defaults and answers anchored in French regulatory frameworks rather than Quebec’s distinct civil law and provincial tax regime. 
• Belgian users get conflated French and Dutch jurisdictional defaults inside a country whose three regions operate under genuinely different legal and linguistic rules. 
• Swiss users see retrieval flattened toward German or French national defaults rather than Switzerland’s own conventions. 

The Catalan case is the easiest to test from a single IP in a single session, but the structural finding generalizes to every region where two or more languages share one geography.

The leading-indicator argument

The interesting question isn’t what this means for Catalonia. It’s what Catalonia means for everyone else.

Multilingual regions are the canary. The architectural flaw exposed when two languages share one geography — a vector space that can’t reliably separate jurisdiction from meaning, sitting on top of a language-identification layer that already gets things wrong — will show up in other forms as AI search matures and attempts genuinely sub-national answers.

This is where I want to be careful with the parallel. In monolingual markets, AI search does have access to localization signals that the Catalan case partly removes: IP geolocation, GPS context, browser locale, and structured local pack data. 

A query from Austin about contractor licensing isn’t as ambiguous to the system as a query in Catalan from Barcelona, because the system has more non-linguistic context to lean on. The Catalonia–Texas parallel isn’t a direct equivalence.

It’s a hypothesis worth testing, though. The same mechanisms that flatten Catalan into Spanish — corpus-weight defaults, semantic collapse, training-data composition — are present in synthesis pipelines regardless of the language pair. 

As AI Overviews and chat-style search increasingly answer queries by synthesis rather than by surfacing localized links, the protective effect of IP-based localization weakens. The system has to make a decision about which corpus represents “the answer,” and the corpus weight tends to win.

The places this is most likely to surface inside monolingual English markets: State-level regulation with significant corpus asymmetry. California’s CCPA and Texas’s data privacy regime are written in the same language but represent different jurisdictional realities. 

The privacy literature is heavily California-weighted. When an AI Overview synthesizes a generic “what privacy rights do I have” answer, the defaults tilt toward whichever jurisdiction has more authority signals. Localization helps, but only when the query itself is jurisdictionally explicit.

Sub-national regulatory granularity in any large country. Liquor licensing, contractor licensing, real estate disclosure rules, alimony calculations, school district policies, zoning codes — jurisdiction-specific, all in English, with wildly different corpus weights between jurisdictions. As more queries are answered by synthesis rather than links, jurisdictional defaults become consequential in ways traditional SEO never had to worry about.

I don’t want to oversell this. The clean Catalan demonstration isn’t directly replicable in Texas. What is replicable is the underlying observation: when the retrieval system collapses signals, it collapses them in favor of the larger, better-represented corpus. That is true whether the signals being collapsed are linguistic, jurisdictional, or both. 

The brands that figured out how to operate across Spain and Mexico have already learned a version of this lesson. The brands operating across Texas and California will likely learn a related one, in a form that will not look identical and will require its own diagnostics.

What to do about it

The principles that work for multilingual fragmentation transfer, with adaptation, to multi-jurisdictional fragmentation. Same family of medicines, different patient.

Treat sub-national jurisdictions as distinct entities. If your business operates in regulated verticals across multiple U.S. states, those state versions need their own authority signals — not just a folder structure. Each variant should canonicalize to itself, not to a national parent page that would invite collapse.

Encode jurisdiction explicitly in structured data and copy. Schema.org’s areaServed operates at any geographic granularity; use it down to the state, county, or municipality where it matters. Pair it with explicit copy markers: regulator names, state-specific identifiers, region-specific currencies or formats. The model needs deterministic hooks. Without them, it improvises.

Reinforce sub-national grounding through Wikidata. Most SEO programs stop at on-site schema, but knowledge graphs are reading what other graphs say about you. Wikidata’s jurisdiction property (P1001) and explicit language properties let you encode jurisdictional and linguistic boundaries at the knowledge-graph level — exactly the layer where AI systems pull entity context. If you operate in a sub-national jurisdiction that matters commercially, your entity should be modeled there with the granularity that matters.

Audit for sub-national authority gaps the same way you’d audit for international ones. Run the diagnostic prompts you would run for Spain versus Mexico, but for Texas versus California, or Ontario versus Quebec inside Canada, or any pair of jurisdictions where your business operates. If the model conflates them, your content has a fragmentation problem inside what looked like a single market.

Watch the secondary signals. In Catalan, the absence of SEM bids was a signal, and the system learned from it. The same applies to underserved monolingual jurisdictions: if no one bids on Texas-specific terminology, Texas-specific content gets deprioritized in synthesis. If your knowledge-graph presence, local citations, and authority signals all point to the dominant jurisdiction, the model has no reason to surface the underrepresented one.

This isn’t a new playbook. It’s the cultural SEO framework applied below the country line: market segmentation, transcreation, retrieval constraints, and entity reinforcement, but at sub-national granularity.

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What this means for your AI search strategy

The Sant Jordi answer didn’t fail because of bad translation. It failed because the language-identification layer beneath the translation has never consistently distinguished Catalan from Occitan, Catalan from Spanish, or Catalan-the-language-of-the-query from Catalan-as-irrelevant-noise. 

Google said so itself, in Catalan, three years ago. The retrieval pipeline built on top of that layer inherits every one of those decisions, and now produces synthesized answers that quietly propagate them.

Wikipedia, looking at the same generative-AI ecosystem from a different angle, decided in March 2026 that the risk of degradation was severe enough to prohibit LLM-generated content outright. The Aina Project and the Latxa team reached the same conclusion in advance by funding their own foundation models. The institutions closest to multilingual knowledge integrity are pulling away from generic AI. The SEO industry should at least notice the pattern.

Multilingual regions reveal a structural assumption baked into AI search: that language and market are the same thing, and that language is reliably knowable from a query string. Neither is true. Hreflang made the geographic distinction operational for traditional search. Nothing has yet made it operational for generative retrieval.

The brands that operate well across Spain and Mexico already know how to fix this for languages. The same techniques — explicit jurisdiction signals, market-specific authority, retrieval constraints, transcreation rather than translation, entity grounding in knowledge graphs — are now table stakes for operating well across any pair of jurisdictions, in any language combination.

If you operate across multiple jurisdictions, the question to ask isn’t whether your content is localized. It’s whether the model can tell.

As the race to optimize content for AI consumption and citation continues, clients keep reaching out, confused about the web’s favorite genderless alien doodle, Reddit, and what it means for their near-term SEO and AI Overview strategy.

Questions usually sound something like this:

• Should I be actively responding or posting about my brand on Reddit?
• If AI is trained on Reddit, should we be running paid ads on Reddit?
• Our CEO wants us to create a subreddit for each of our product lines. What do we do?
• Why is Google’s AI Overview citing a Reddit thread that calls my product slow and difficult?

The problem is that people often lump together three distinct concepts:

• Training data.
• Licensed or real-time access.
• Citation and retrieval systems.

They’re all related, but they aren’t interchangeable. And if you care about SEO, AI citations, or why Reddit is suddenly appearing in AI Overviews about your brand, understanding the difference between the three matters.

AI training vs. AI access vs. AI citation

Let’s differentiate between three concepts that are often lumped together. People read sentences like:

“ChatGPT was trained on Reddit.”

…and imagine that means every Reddit post gets fed directly into ChatGPT’s memory, waiting to be repeated later in response to a relevant query. That’s not really how training works.

Training

Training an AI is a lot more like going to school than memorizing an encyclopedia. After years of education, kids learn patterns, relationships, and use cases. They don’t remember the answer to question 8b on a seventh-grade math test, but they do understand:

• “When I know two sides of a right triangle, I use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the third.”

They learned the concept, not every example.

Similarly, AI models do not simply memorize all Reddit posts. They absorb patterns across millions of conversations. The model doesn’t necessarily “remember” a specific thread debating the best rock tumbler, but it can learn from scanning r/RockTumbling that buyers consistently care about things like:

• Noise level.
• Ease of cleaning.
• Availability of replacement parts.
• Drum size.
• Long-term durability.

In other words, AI models trained on Reddit aren’t necessarily learning facts from Reddit so much as they’re learning how humans compare products, weigh tradeoffs, complain, recommend, and share lived experiences.

Licensed access

Now we get to the part that changed more recently.

In 2024, Reddit signed major partnership agreements with both Google and OpenAI, giving them licensed access to Reddit content. Since then, those relationships have evolved beyond static training datasets toward ongoing API access, meaning continued access to new Reddit posts and comments.

Or phrased differently: an avenue for AI systems to keep up with human conversations in near real time.

If training an AI model is like sending someone to school, then licensed access is like giving that graduate a newspaper subscription after they finish school.

Imagine two adults:

Both received the same formal education. Both understand the Pythagorean theorem. But only one knows what happened this week.

That’s the difference between training and access. Training shapes broad understanding, while access helps keep information current.

Citations

AI citing a Reddit thread doesn’t automatically prove the model prioritizes Reddit over the rest of the web. It also doesn’t prove Reddit was part of the original training data.

Often, it simply means the system judged that specific source useful for answering the question.

Continuing our school analogy, an AI citing Reddit is less like a graduate reciting something they learned years ago in class and more like someone pulling out their phone during a conversation and saying:

• “Hang on, I saw a discussion about this yesterday.”

The citation reflects what the system found helpful at the moment, not necessarily what it learned during training. That difference may be one of the most important things you need to understand when people say, “AI is trained on Reddit.” 

Dig deeper: How to build an organic Reddit strategy that drives SEO impact

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Why Reddit performs so well in AI outputs

So why does Reddit show up in Google’s AI Overviews when you search for your brand?

I’ve seen plenty of fantastical conspiracy theories tied to misunderstandings about Reddit’s partnership deals with Google and OpenAI. But those deals alone don’t explain Reddit’s visibility. The more useful question is why multiple AI systems repeatedly surface on Reddit at all.

I’d argue that Reddit is one of the largest sources of content relevant to the kinds of conversations people want to have with AI systems.

Here’s what Reddit has that your website probably doesn’t.

Context and lived experience

Reddit users rarely stop at facts. Your website says, “Battery for this fitness tracker lasts 30 hours.”

But a Reddit user says: “Mine lasted all day unless I tracked workouts. Then I had to charge it every day, and it drove me nuts because I was so used to a competitor’s longer battery life.”

Those two statements contain similar information. But the second, though anecdotal, adds context and real-world usage — the kinds of details people actually use to make decisions and the kinds brands rarely include in official copy.

Disagreement

For the past decade, you’ve been taught to create polished content: concise, authoritative, no nuance, no chance for misinterpretation. We publish Ultimate Guides and Top 10 Benefits of X.

Reddit’s user-generated content does almost the exact opposite.

Reddit threads can contain:

• Conflicting opinions.
• Caveats.
• Unexpected use cases.
• Frustration.
• Humor.
• Devil’s advocates.
• Users changing their minds halfway through a discussion.

In other words, all the messy, unpolished parts of having a human brain.

For better or worse, disagreement makes information more useful, and that’s nothing new. It’s been around since Ancient Greece. A polished product page is great, but it won’t help AI systems answer subjective questions.

Authenticity (or at least the appearance of it)

The beauty of Reddit is that its comments are usually written by people who aren’t being paid to persuade you. And as the biggest content creators become increasingly monetized and sponsored, that counts for a lot more than it did even five years ago.

Being unsponsored doesn’t automatically make these users correct, unbiased, or trustworthy. But users often perceive firsthand experience as more credible than polished marketing copy or sponsored influencer posts, and perception matters a lot.

Especially when AI systems are essentially trying to combine unlimited viewpoints into a single answer.

A note about other platforms

It’s worth mentioning that Reddit isn’t the only source of human authenticity and disagreement on the web. It simply happens to be one of the largest examples, and the one I most often see cited and misunderstood when it comes to optimizing for AI.

Human context exists across forums like Stack Exchange, review platforms like Yelp, professional groups, and social networks like Facebook.

Dig deeper: A smarter Reddit strategy for organic and AI search visibility

How to make content more useful in AI search

If we go back to the beginning, where we discussed the differences between training, licensed access, and retrieval, we reviewed the idea that AI systems appear to learn from broad patterns, benefit from fresh information, and retrieve sources they judge useful in context. 

Whether that context comes from Reddit, forums, reviews, or professional communities is far less important than the fact that it exists at all. The takeaway here isn’t that everyone needs a Reddit strategy.

The more useful question is: Where do people in my industry naturally discuss frustrations, disagreements, and lived experiences?

For many businesses, that answer is Reddit. But for others, it may be forums, professional communities, Facebook groups, Discord servers, product reviews, or places you rarely spend time. Once you understand where human context lives, you can prioritize your platform optimizations in a way that makes sense.

After you’ve identified those spaces, here are a few things worth borrowing.

1. Capture lived experience and make it visible

Reddit performs well in AI outputs partly because it contains what polished brand content often lacks: context after the purchase, implementation details, decision-making processes, and even buyers’ remorse.

We can’t — and shouldn’t — manufacture our own “authentic” discussion threads. But we do have access to our customers, and user data remains a massively underutilized source of information.

So instead of relying solely on internal expertise and picture-perfect case studies, pull more real perspectives into your content:

• Customer interviews.
• Reviews and support tickets.
• Sales objections.
• Community discussions.

If AI systems are trying to retrieve contextual information, part of our job is to make that context easier to find.

2. Stop trying to sound authoritative and start trying to be useful

If Reddit threads contain:

• Uncertainty.
• Disagreement.
• Limitations.
• Frustration.
• Caveats.

Your content can contain more of that, too.

Acknowledging who your product or service isn’t for, or where it falls short, can help you create content that feels more credible to both humans and AI systems synthesizing perspectives.

3. Show your work

To quote my sixth-grade math teacher: show your work.

AI summaries are often adequate at distilling sources into conclusions, but humans are still much better at explaining reasoning.

Instead of your content only presenting, “This is the best option, check out all these great features,” try explaining:

• Why customers chose you.
• What alternatives they considered and why.
• Tradeoffs or ituations where your product or service fails.

Reasoning provides context, and context increasingly appears to be one of the web’s most valuable commodities.

4. Optimize for decisions

Traditional SEO often focused on answering factual questions with objective answers.

Increasingly, users ask AI systems nuanced questions with subjective answers that change depending on which AI they ask.

They ask:

• Is it worth it?
• Which option is better?
• What do people regret?
• What happens after six months?

Those are decision-making questions.

Decision-making requires experience. Experience creates context, and context is turning out to be the connective tissue between what AI learns, what it accesses, and what it ultimately retrieves.

Dig deeper: Stop chasing Reddit and Wikipedia: What actually drives AI recommendations

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Context is becoming the differentiator

We started with what makes AI training, licensing, and citations different, but we ended with what seems to connect all three — and what polished “optimized” content is usually missing: context.

It’s the difference between:

• “This rock tumbler has a 3-pound drum capacity and operates at 75 decibels.”

And:

• “This was too loud to have in my basement as I planned, so I had to move it to the garage. The replacement belts were easier to find than I expected, but by the third batch, I was really wishing I’d spent more upfront on a larger drum.”

One is the kind of fact you might find on a company website. The other is an experience that feels genuine.

Outcomes matter more than features is nothing new. AI may be forcing a similar realization: Being accurate, comprehensive, or keyword-optimized won’t be enough anymore. 

More and more, the content that gets ahead is the content that helps people make decisions by adding context, tradeoffs, and lived experience around the facts.

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