OnePlus launched the Nord Buds 4 Pro in India back in March, with features such as ANC and up to 54 hours of total battery life with the charging case. The company has now confirmed the arrival of the Nord Buds 4 in the country. In a post on social media, OnePlus officially teased the launch of the Nord Buds 4 in India. The teaser also offers a first look at the earbuds, revealing an in-ear design with silicone ear tips and stem-style earbuds. The charging case for the Nord Buds 4 appears to feature a rectangular design, marking a departure from the oval-shaped case used by the Nord...

Another day brings another leak about Samsung's upcoming foldables. This time, alleged screen protectors for the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8 (wide), and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra have surfaced online. Tipster Ice Universe has shared an image comparing what are claimed to be screen protectors for Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z foldable smartphones. The leaked image highlights the differences in the size of the cover displays across the three devices. As expected, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features the tallest cover display of the trio, with proportions that closely resemble those of the...

ASUS's recently launched ROG Equalizer 16-pin cable has burned out despite being a pricey safety solution for your graphics card. It Looks Like Nothing Can Save Your 16-Pin GPUs From Burning Out As ASUS's Expensive ROG Equalizer Cable Melts A few months ago, ASUS launched its ROG Equalizer 16-pin cable based on the 12V-2x6 standard. This cable featured various technologies to prevent the 16-pin connectors on the latest graphics cards from burning out. ASUS said that its ROG Equalizer cable offered Balanced Power Delivery, Reduced Cable temperatures, and a larger load-bearing capacity, but despite all of this, it looks like […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asus-rog-equalizer-cable-was-sold-as-fix-for-16-pin-gpu-burn-outs-yet-it-just-melted/

Elden Ring, Dark Souls series, and Bloodborne creator FromSoftware is known to push boundaries whenever possible, but the Japanese developer is facing pressure from investors in its parent company Kadokawa to rely more on safe content and sequels to deliver value and improve its recent poor performance. However, President Hidetaka Miyazaki is pushing back, promising to maintain the studio's autonomy to deliver truly valuable games. "Regarding the matter you inquired about, I am aware of all the facts that have been reported. However, we are not in a position to know any further details, and there are many other people […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/elden-ring-bloodborne-developer-fromsoftware-rejects-safer-sequels/

NVIDIA has reportedly reached out to several Chinese clients to adopt its upcoming Vera CPUs & there is a lot of interest building up. Vera CPUs Will Be Available In August, NVIDIA Tells China As It Attempts To Revive Its Lost Revenue NVIDIA's GPUs have faced a hard time in China. The company saw US regulations restrict them from selling Hopper chips, while the more advanced Blackwell generation is entirely banned. NVIDIA's CEO stated a few months back that their China share has dropped to Zero, and while the US Government did resume Hopper GPU sales, they have yet to […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/nvidia-pivots-to-cpus-to-salvage-china-revenue-customers-show-interest-in-vera-cpus/

The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller is fully supported in several PC games, but only via a wired connection, which is a significant limitation over using the controller with the console that Sony doesn't seem to be interested in addressing. However, from today, PC players won't feel treated like second-class citizens anymore, as the new DSX v3.2 Beta 01 update addresses this sore point. "Added Virtual DualSense with Audio support, allowing games to send native DualSense audio and haptics through DSX over Bluetooth or USB. (Requires DSX+ to create a virtual DualSense as it always has been,)" read the official update […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/playstation-5-dualsense-haptics-pc-bluetooth-sony/

FIFA and the FBI warned of ticket scams as TRM Labs identified World Cup-themed crypto fraud operations tied to multiple wallet addresses.

As ’s search for an August opponent continues, fan-favourite four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr has advised ‘The Gypsy King’ to steer clear of two rumoured opponents, whom he believes ‘could spoil the party’ ahead of a long awaited showdown with . Whilst AJ is set to take on Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25, […]

The post Roy Jones Jr urges Tyson Fury to avoid two men before Anthony Joshua fight: “They can spoil the party” appeared first on Boxing News.

John Fury has had his say on Oleksandr Usyk’s performance against Rico Verhoeven, who he believes was always likely to pose the Ukrainian problems. The pair squared off in a surprisingly competitive heavyweight contest last month, which many had predicted would result in an emphatic victory for Usyk. In the end, the 39-year-old did emerge […]

The post John Fury sums up Oleksandr Usyk’s performance against Rico Verhoeven appeared first on Boxing News.

Aziz Yıldırım'a karşı seçimi kaybettikten sonra köşesine çekileceği iddia edilen Hakan Safi, kurmaylarıyla teşekkür yemeğinde buluşarak 2027 için düğmeye bastı.

Fenerbahçe’de kongre sürecinin yankıları sürerken, kulisleri hareketlendiren çok konuşulacak bir gelişme yaşandı. Aziz Yıldırım’a karşı girdiği seçimi kaybettikten sonra köşesine çekileceğini iddia eden çevreleri şaşırtan Hakan Safi, tam aksine çok daha güçlü bir geri dönüş için şimdiden kolları sıvadı.

Geçtiğimiz günlerde Fotospor'un da sayfalarına taşıdığı "2027 çalışmaları başladı" kulislerinin ardından, ilk somut adım geldi. Hakan Safi, seçim sürecinde birlikte yol yürüdüğü yönetim kurulu listesindeki kurmaylarıyla özel bir teşekkür yemeğinde bir araya gelerek gövde gösterisi yaptı.

Hakan Safi vazgeçmedi! 2027'de adaylık için düğmeye bastı

Yeni dönem için strateji değiştiren Hakan Safi’nin, 2027 seçimlerine çok daha güçlü bir yönetim listesi, dev bir profesyonel propaganda ekibi ve agresif bir iletişim stratejisiyle gireceği; Fenerbahçe başkanlığı iddiasından asla vazgeçmeyeceği camia kulislerinde yüksek sesle konuşulmaya başlandı.

Udinese, Nicolo Zaniolo'nun bonservisini almak için Galatasaray ile yapacağı pazarlıklarda TFF'nin yeni yabancı kuralını koz olarak kullanacak.

Udinese, geçtiğimiz sezon kiralık olarak kadrosuna kattığı ve performansından memnun kaldığı Nicolo Zaniolo’nun bonservisini almak için Galatasaray ile masaya oturmaya hazırlanıyor. İtalyan basınından Messaggero Veneto'nun paylaştığı kulis bilgisine göre; Udinese, bonservis pazarlıklarında elini güçlendirmek için Türkiye'deki yeni yabancı kuralını stratejik bir hamle olarak kullanmayı planlıyor.

Udinese Sportif Direktörü Gökhan İnler, geçtiğimiz günlerde yaptığı açıklamada Zaniolo ile her konuda anlaştıklarını ve bonservis pazarlığı için yakında Türkiye’ye gelerek Galatasaray ile masaya oturacaklarını duyurmuştu.

Real Betis, performansından memnun olduğu Sofyan Amrabat'ı kadrosunda tutmak istiyor; ancak Faslı yıldızın Fenerbahçe'deki yıllık 8 milyon Euro'luk brüt maaşı transferi çıkmaza sokuyor.

Sofyan Amrabat’ın geleceği, Real Betis ile Fenerbahçe arasında dev bir ekonomik savaşa dönüştü. İspanyol basınından Andrés Guzmán'ın haberine göre; İspanyol ekibi Faslı yıldızı kadrosunda tutmak istiyor ancak oyuncunun Fenerbahçe’deki maaşı bu transfere engel oluyor.

Geçen sezon kiralık olarak Betis forması giyen Amrabat, Sevilla'da kalmaya; teknik direktör Manuel Pellegrini de onu kadroda tutmaya sıcak bakıyor. Ancak İspanya'da sızan transfer raporu, taraflar arasındaki mali uçurumu gözler önüne serdi. Fenerbahçe ile sözleşmesi 2028'e kadar süren Faslı yıllık 8 Milyon Euro (Brüt) maaş alıyor.

Kiralık döneminde maaşın küçük bir kısmını karşılayan Betis, bonservis için büyük bütçeler ayıramıyor. İspanyol ekibinin planı ise şu şekilde... Amrabat'tan maaşını düşürmesini isteyip, bu kaybı 4-5 yıllık uzun vadeli bir kontratla telafi etmek. Oyuncunun, Fenerbahçe yönetiminden bonservis kolaylığı talep etmesini sağlamak.

2026 Dünya Kupası nedeniyle durgun geçen transfer piyasasında, Amrabat'ın durumu Aziz Yıldırım yönetiminin önündeki ilk büyük kriz olmaya aday. Kulübün geçen sezon Ali Koç döneminde yaptığı 12 milyon Euro'luk yatırımı koruma kararlılığı ile oyuncunun gitme arzusu ve yüksek maliyeti, yönetimi çetin bir pazarlık masasına zorlayacak.

Selahattin Baki'nin Aykut Kocaman'ın yardımcılarıyla ilgili "sabotaj" itiraflarının hemen ardından, bu kez de Kocaman'a, Tanju Çolak üzerinden Oğuz Çetin'in de olduğu yeni bir darbe geldi.

Fenerbahçe camiası, Selahattin Baki’nin "veri sızdırma ve halıya sarma" açıklamalarıyla çalkalanırken, akşam saatlerinde bir başka bomba da Türk futbolunun efsane golcüsü Tanju Çolak’tan geldi.

Baki’nin itiraflarının hemen ardından bir YouTube kanalına konuk olan Tanju Çolak; Aykut Kocaman ve geçtiğimiz günlerde eski başkan Aziz Yıldırım’ın "futbol aklı" olarak duyurduğu Oğuz Çetin’i hedef aldı.

Galatasaray’dan Fenerbahçe’ye transfer olduğu döneme ait anılarını paylaşan Çolak, iki ismin kendisine yönelik tavırları nedeniyle büyük bir travma yaşadığını belirterek zehir zemberek açıklamalarda bulundu.

- Oğuz Çetin ve Aykut Kocaman, ben Galatasaray'dan Fenerbahçe'ye gidince bana 'hoş geldin' bile demediler. Beni çok üzdüler, hüngür hüngür ağlattılar... Onlar kendilerini Fenerbahçe'nin patronu, kulübün sahibi gibi görüyorlar.

Özellikle son dönemde adı yeniden Fenerbahçe ile anılan ve Aziz Yıldırım'ın yeni yönetim planlamasında "futbol aklı" olarak işaret ettiği Oğuz Çetin ile Aykut Kocaman’ın kulüp içindeki rollerini eleştiren efsane forvet, bu iki ismin kendilerini kulübün üzerinde gördüğünü öne sürdü.

Sky'ın haberine göre Juventus, Bologna'dan Jhon Lucumí'yi listesine aldı. 28 milyon euro serbest kalma maddesi bulunan sol stoper için Bournemouth ve Beşiktaş da pusuda bekliyor.

Sky'ın haberine göre Juventus, Bologna forması giyen Kolombiyalı stoper Jhon Lucumí’yi radarına aldı. Geçtiğimiz dönemlerde adı sık sık Galatasaray ile de anılan 1998 doğumlu başarılı savunmacı için Türkiye'den tek ciddi talip olarak Beşiktaş kalmış görünüyor.

Bologna ile Haziran 2027’ye kadar sözleşmesi bulunan 25 yaşındaki stoperin ekonomik şartları da netleşti. Güncel kontratına göre yıllık net 1 milyon euro kazanan Lucumí’nin sözleşmesinde 28 milyon euro’luk bir serbest kalma maddesi bulunuyor. Bu rakam, oyuncuyu kadrosuna katmak isteyen kulüpler için ana hedef noktası.

Haberde Vincenzo Italiano yönetimindeki Beşiktaş’ın ise oyuncunun durumunu yakından takip etmeye devam ettiği belirtiliyor.

Çekya karşısında Güney Kore'ye galibiyeti getiren Hyeon-gyu Oh, maç öncesi 38 derece ateşle mücadele ettiğini itiraf etti.

Güney Kore, Çekya karşısında kritik bir galibiyete uzanırken, maçın kahramanı attığı golle takımını zafere taşıyan Hyeon-gyu Oh oldu. Karşılaşmanın ardından basın mensuplarının sorularını yanıtlayan yıldız futbolcu, sahaya çıkmasının adeta bir mucize olduğunu dile getirdi ve duygu dolu açıklamalarda bulundu.

- Kelimelerle tarif edilemeyecek bir duygu. Aslında bugün maçtan önce kendimi hiç iyi hissetmiyordum. Ateşim 38 dereceye kadar çıktı ve Acaba 'Maça çıkabilecek miyim?' diye çok düşündüm. Ancak buradaki tüm personelimiz benimle çok yakından ilgilendiler. Onların sayesinde bugün sahaya çıkabildim ve gol atabildim.

Beşiktaş'ın transfer listesinde olduğu iddia edilen Luis Henrique için Inter cephesinden yeşil ışık geldi. İtalyan devi, Türk kulüplerinin radarındaki Brezilyalı yıldızın kalıcı transferi için kapıyı 25 milyon Euro'dan açtı.

Beşiktaş’ta transfer hareketliliği devam ediyor. Siyah-beyazlıların Serie A devi Inter forması giyen Brezilyalı yıldız Luis Henrique'yle ilgilendiği iddia edildi.

İtalyan basınından sızan bilgilere göre Milano temsilcisi, cazip bir teklif gelmesi durumunda 24 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusunun takımdan ayrılmasına yeşil ışık yaktı.

Geçtiğimiz yaz transfer döneminde büyük umutlarla Inter'e katılan Luis Henrique, İtalyan ekibinde aradığı süreleri istikrarlı bir şekilde bulamadı.

İtalyan devinin, Brezilyalı futbolcunun bonservisi için kapıyı en az 25 milyon Euro’dan açtığı ve bu rakamın altındaki teklifleri değerlendirmeye almayacağı belirtildi.

Haberde, özellikle Türk kulüplerinin Luis Henrique transferi için oldukça istekli olduğunun altı çizildi. Bu noktada transferin en ciddi adayı olarak ise Beşiktaş gösterildi.

Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza forması giyen milli smaçör Efe Mandıracı, kulübünün tüm kalma ısrarlarına rağmen Galatasaray'ın sunduğu yıllık net 1,25 milyon Euro değerindeki iki yıllık astronomik teklifi kabul etti.

İki sezondur İtalyan ekibi Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza formasıyla başarılı bir grafik çizen ve bu sezon takımın CEV Kupası şampiyonluğunda büyük pay sahibi olan milli smaçör Efe Mandıracı, kariyerinde yeni bir sayfa açıyor. Türk yıldız gelecek sezon dönecek Galatasaray forması giyecek.

İtalyan kulübünün elinde 2028 yılına kadar sözleşmesi bulunan 24 yaşındaki forvet oyuncusunu bırakma niyeti olmasa da, transferde son sözü oyuncunun kendisi söyledi. Galatasaray'ın masaya koyduğu dev bütçeli teklif karşısında kararını veren Efe Mandıracı, kariyerine sarı-kırmızılı forma altında devam etmeyi seçti.

İtalyan medyasından sızan bilgilere göre, Galatasaray yönetimi milli oyuncuyu ikna etmek için yıllık 1,25 milyon Euro değerinde, iki senelik göz kamaştırıcı bir kontrat sundu.

İtalyan ekibine ödenecek olan erken fesih ve tazminat bedellerinin ise bu meblağa dahil olmadığı belirtildi.

Beşiktaş, Alman savunma oyuncusu Felix Uduokhai'nin baba olduğunu duyurdu.

Beşiktaş’ın Alman savunma oyuncusu Felix Uduokhai, hayatının en özel günlerinden birini yaşadı. Siyah-beyazlı kulüp, başarılı stoperin baba olduğunu duyurarak oyuncusunu ve ailesini tebrik etti.

Kulübün resmi iletişim kanallarından yapılan açıklamada, Uduokhai ailesinin yeni üyesinin sağlıklı bir şekilde dünyaya geldiği belirtildi.

- Futbolcumuz Felix Uduokhai’nin bir bebeği dünyaya geldi. Felix-Samuel Uduokhai çiftini tebrik eder, minik bebeğe sağlıklı, mutlu ve uzun bir ömür dileriz.

Jadon Sancho, sportif direktör adayı Önder Özen ve teknik direktör Vincenzo Italiano'nun ortak vetosuna takıldı.

Beşiktaş’ta yeni sezon için adı geçen Jadon Sancho’nun transferi, sportif direktör adayı Önder Özen ve teknik direktör Vincenzo Italiano’nun ortak vetosuyla tamamen rafa kaldırıldı.

Önder Özen, İngiliz futbolcunun takıma katılması durumunda ciddi riskler barındırdığını belirterek yönetime şu sert uyarıda bulundu:

- Eğer Sancho transfer edilirse, Beşiktaş’ın yeni Dele Alli vakası olur. Büyük beklentilerle gelip hayal kırıklığı yaratacak bir maceraya gerek yok. Beşiktaş'ın maceraya değil, aidiyeti yüksek ve doğrudan katkı verecek oyunculara ihtiyacı var.

Teknik direktör Italiano da taktiksel disiplinsizlik ve takım savunmasına uymayacağı gerekçesiyle bu rapora onay verince yönetim masadan kalktı.

Sancho'nun futbolundan ziyade bir "magazin figürü" haline gelmesine ve transferinin iptal edilmesine yol açan saha dışı olaylar şunlar:

Amerikalı rapçi Saweetie ile yaşadığı gizli ilişki sonrası, menajerinin Sancho'dan borcunu alamadığı gerekçesiyle yaptığı sosyal medya ifşaları gündeme bomba gibi düştü. İngiltere'de yasaklı olan "Gülme Gazı" (Azot Protoksit) kullandığına dair iddialar, İngiltere Futbol Federasyonu (FA) ve kulüp nezdinde inceleme konusu oldu.

Takımın mağlubiyetlerinden veya sakatlık dönemlerinden hemen sonra lüks gece kulüplerinde eğlenirken görüntülenmesi büyük tepki çekti.

Sabahlara kadar PlayStation/EA Sports FC (FIFA) oynaması yüzünden uyku düzeninin bozulduğu ve antrenmanlara geç kaldığı sıkça belgelendi.

2026/2027-ci illər mövsümündə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparacaq “Şəfa” heyətini Murad Musayev ilə gücləndirib.

Arena.az bu barədə Bakı klubunun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.

Bildirilir ki, müdafiəçi ilə 1 illik müqavilə imzalanıb. O, yeni klubuna azad agent kimi qoşulub.

Murad Musayev “Qəbələ” Futbol Akademiyasının yetirməsidir. Müdafiəçi 2012/2013-cü illər mövsümündə məhz bu komandanın heyətində Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında debüt edib. Musayev “Qəbələ”nin heyətində Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında və ölkə kubokunda 173 oyunda meydana çıxıb, 4 qola imza atıb, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub. Murad “Qəbələ” ilə 2023-cü ildə Azərbaycan Kubokunun qalibi olub.

31 yaşlı futbolçu karyerası ərzində “Zirə”, “Şüvəlan” və “Səbail”in formasını da geyinib.

“Şəfa” daha öncə Rauf Hüseynli, Nicat Mehbalıyev və Arsen Ağcabəyovla da güclənmişdi. Əli Həsənli, Zahid Mərdanov, Emin Zamanov, Hüseyn Mürsəlov, Aqil Nəsibov və Amir Ebrahimzade isə komandanı tərk ediblər.

ABŞ, Meksika və Kanadada təşkil edilmiş futbol üzrə sayca 23-cü dünya çempionatının (DÇ-2026) açılış matçı rekord göstərici ilə yadda qalıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk dəfə bir mundialın açılış oyununda baş hakim futbolçulara 3 qırmızı vərəqə göstərib.

Rekord göstərici Meksika – CAR qarşılaşmasına təsadüf edib. Qarşılaşmada ilk qırmızı vərəqə 49-cu dəqiqədə göstərilib. CAR millisinin futbolçusu Sfifelo Sithole rəqibi aşkar qol imkanından məhrum etdiyinə görə meydandan kənarlaşdırılıb.

84-cü dəqiqədə VAR sisteminin müdaxiləsindən sonra braziliyalı hakim Vilton Sampayo kobud oyuna görə Tembe Zvaneyə qırmızı vərəqə göstərib. Bununla da Afrika təmsilçisi oyunu 9 nəfərlə davam etdirməli olub.

90+2-ci dəqiqədə isə növbəti qırmızı vərəqə qeydə alınıb. Meksika millisinin müdafiəçisi Sezar Montes rəqibin aşkar qol imkanından məhrum etdiyinə görə meydandan qovulub.

Beləliklə, dünya çempionatlarının açılış oyunlarında göstərilən qırmızı vərəqələrin sayı üzrə yeni rekord müəyyənləşib. Əvvəlki rekord 1990-cı ildə Argentina və Kamerun yığmaları arasında keçirilmiş açılış matçında qeydə alınmışdı. Həmin görüşdə Kamerun millisinin iki futbolçusu qırmızı vərəqə almışdı.

Xatırladaq ki, DÇ-2026-nın açılış matçı meydan sahiblərinin 2:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatıb.

Meksika yığmasının baş məşqçisi Xavyer Aqirre DÇ-2026-nın qrup mərəhləsində Cənubi Afrika millisinə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, mundialın açılış oyununda Meksika yığması Cənubi Afrika Respublikası (CAR) millisinə 2:0 hesabıyla qalib gəlib.

Xavyer Aqirre matçdan sonrakı mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:

“Qələbə qazanmaq hər zaman gözəldir. Lakin etiraf etmək lazımdırsa, ilk yarıdakı çıxışımızı bəyənmədim. Bununla belə, qalibiyyət bizimdir. Növbəti matçlara baxacağıq”.

CAR millisinin baş məşqçisi Hüqo Bros da sözügedən matçdan sonra fikirlərini bölüşüb. O, məğlubiyyətə baxmayaraq, komandasının yaxşı oynadığını söyləyib:

“Məncə, komandam pis çıxış etmədi. Bəzi epizodlarda Meksikaya oynamaq imkanı vermədik. Onlar boşluq tapa bilmirdilər. Belə olduqda hər şey yaxşı gedirdi. Növbəti qarşılaşmaya daha ciddi hazırlaşacağıq. Topu özümüzdə daha çox saxlamalıyıq. Bunun üzərində daha çox çalışacağıq”.

“Sumqayıt”ın müdafiəçisi Kənan Feyziyev əməliyyat olunub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Misli Premyer Liqasının 32-ci turu çərçivəsində “Zirə” ilə matçın gedişində zədələnən gənc oyunçu Türkiyənin paytaxtı Ankarada “Acıbadem” xəstəxanasında tanınmış cərrah Prof.Dr. Mehmet Serdar Binnet tərəfindən aparılan əməliyyatı uğurlu keçib.

Qeyd edək ki, ön çarpaz bağ və menisk əməliyyatı keçirən Kənan Feyziyevin 6-9 ay sonra yaşıl meydanlara dönüşü gözlənilir.

“Qalatasaray”ın futbolçusu Barış Alper Yılmaz karyerasını İngiltərədə davam etdirə bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Arsenal” türkiyəli vingeri transfer etmək istəyir. Bu barədə “Fanatik” nəşri məlumat yayıb. Bildirilir ki, London klubu Barış üçün 50 milyon avro təklif etməyə hazırlaşır.

Barış başa çatan mövsümdə Super Liqada 30 oyunda 8 qol vurub, 11 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

26 yaşlı futbolçu Türkiyə millisinin də üzvüdür.

İspaniyalı hücumçu Alvaro Morata açıqlama verib.

Futbolpress.az xarici KİV-ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, futbolçu milli komandanın dünya çempionatı üçün heyətində yer almamasını şərh edib:

“Qərarla razıyam. Dünya çempionatında oynamağa layiq olmadım. Ümid edirəm ki, bir gün yenidən yığmaya qayıda biləcəyəm”.

Morata başa çatan mövsümdə “Komo” formasıyla 26 oyuna çıxıb və qol vura bilməyib. O, müqavilə ilə “Milan”a məxsusdur.

“Yuventus”un baş meneceri Damien Komolli klubu tərk edib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə insayder Fabrizio Romano məlumat yayıb. Funksionerlə müqaviləyə qarşılıqlı razılaşma əsasında xitam verilib.

Komolli 2025-ci ilin yayından “Yuventus”da çalışırdı.

“Qoca sinyora” A Seriyasında mövsümü altıncı sırada bitirib.

Argentina millisinin heyətində dəyişiklik olub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, məşqdə zədələnən Leo Balerdi yığmadan kənarlaşdırılıb. Onun əvəzinə heyətə “Tottenhem”ə transfer olunan Markos Senesi çağırılıb.

Argentina millisi dünya çempionatında J qrupunda Əlcəzair, İordaniya və Avstriya ilə mübarizə aparacaq.

Braziliya milli komandasının keçmiş futbolçusu Brito vəfat edib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə FIFA-nın mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Sabiq müdafiəçi 86 yaşında dünyasını dəyişib.

Brito 1970-ci ildə Braziliya yığması ilə dünya çempionu olub.

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The San Siro demolition date is edging closer after years of uncertainty surrounding the future of one of football’s most iconic stadiums.

Milan and Inter are now moving forward with plans to build a brand-new shared stadium in Milan, with the current expectation that demolition work on San Siro will begin in 2031, after both clubs relocate to the new arena.

Both Milan and Inter have been popular picks on all UK betting sites over the years, particularly during their various Serie A title-winning campaigns and Champions League runs.

When Is San Siro Being Demolished?

Current redevelopment plans suggest the San Siro demolition will take place sometime after the new stadium opens during the 2030-31 season.

Construction on the replacement stadium is expected to begin in 2027 on land adjacent to the current San Siro site. Once the new venue is fully operational, demolition work on large parts of the existing stadium is expected to begin shortly afterwards.

Despite constant speculation over the past few years, the stadium will continue hosting both Milan and Inter matches until the new ground is completed.

Why Are Milan And Inter Demolishing San Siro?

The two Serie A clubs believe San Siro is no longer financially competitive compared to modern stadiums across Europe.

Although the stadium remains one of the most historic venues in world football, both clubs have repeatedly argued that renovation costs would be too expensive and commercially restrictive compared to building a new arena from scratch.

Plans for a new stadium first emerged in 2019, but the project faced delays due to political opposition, heritage concerns and disagreements over whether San Siro should instead be renovated.

However, recent developments have significantly accelerated the process, with both clubs now fully committed to the demolition and rebuild project.

Will All Of San Siro Be Demolished?

Not all of San Siro will be demolished; current proposals suggest that parts of the stadium’s iconic exterior could remain as part of a redeveloped public space surrounding the new stadium.

However, most of the seating bowl and interior sections are expected to be demolished once Milan and Inter move into their new home.

San Siro Demolition Date Timeline

As things currently stand, the expected timeline is:

• 2027: Construction on the new stadium begins
• 2030-31: New stadium expected to open
• 2031 onwards: San Siro demolition begins

Until then, fans will still have several more seasons to visit one of football’s most legendary stadiums before the famous San Siro skyline eventually changes forever.

With Giovanni Carnevali replacing Damien Comolli as Juventus’ CEO, Gazzetta reports that the Bianconeri could resume contract talks with Dusan Vlahovic.

Juventus are ready for a new revolution, as Comolli is expected to resign today at an extraordinary board of directors meeting.

Juventus to make new Vlahovic attempt?

The French director has only spent one season at the Allianz Stadium and will be replaced by Giovanni Carnevali.

According to Gazzetta, the new director could resume contract talks with Vlahovic, whose deal in Turin expires at the end of June.

Comolli failed to reach an agreement with Vlahovic, who was offered €6m per season plus bonuses.

Vlahovic earned €12m including add-ons in his final season in Turin, and Kenan Yildiz will be the highest earner at the Allianz Stadium next season with a €7m-a-year salary if Vlahovic leaves.

According to Gazzetta, Juventus remain interested in Alexander Sorloth, Randal Kolo Muani and Emiliano Martinez, while Tarik Muharemovic, a Juventus Academy product now at Sassuolo, might return to the Allianz Stadium and reunite with Carnevali.

Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha supposedly signalled some interest in a transfer to Bayern Munich, according to Christian Falk.

Writing in his latest CF Bayern Insider column, Falk explained that Ngumoha’s brother seemed open to engaging with Bayern, but negotiations didn’t go any further as Liverpool were adamant that they don’t want to sell.

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Ngumoha is still at the start of his Liverpool career, with the 17-year-old becoming more of a first-team regular in the 2025/26 season, with 29 appearances and two goals in all competitions.

Liverpool fans will have been excited by what they saw of the teenager, though, as he looks like one of the brightest prospects in the country.

Rio Ngumoha was wanted by Bayern Munich

German football journalist Falk has now confirmed Bayern’s interest in Ngumoha, which again shows just what a top talent he is.

Liverpool are in no mood to let the England international go, though, so this is probably the end of the story for now.

“It is TRUE: Bayern Munich were concretely interested in Rio Ngumoha,” Falk wrote.

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“There were rumours that his brother, who is involved in his career around transfers, was at Säbener Straße for talks and signalled that the winger would be interested in going to Bayern Munich, and it would be no issue in sorting out contract details and the salary.

More Stories / Latest News

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Jun 12 2026, 9:58

Arsenal and Man United dealt transfer blow as San Siro return becomes clear preference

Jun 12 2026, 9:07

Arsenal eye Premier League duo, including “one of the greatest talents of his generation”

Jun 12 2026, 8:42

“FC Bayern had a very clear signal when they knocked on the door at Liverpool that there would be no time or reason for talks; there would be no negotiations. They’re so convinced about the player and his potential that they signalled he wouldn’t be sold. It won’t happen.”

Can Rio Ngumoha step up for Liverpool?

In truth, after a frustrating campaign for LFC, they could do with Ngumoha stepping up and becoming even more of an important member of the first-team next season.

The Merseyside giants have just bid farewell to big names like Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers, so there’ll be plenty of changes made to the squad this summer.

More Stories / Latest News

True: Liverpool star signalled interest in surprise transfer away before Reds blocked deal

Jun 12 2026, 9:58

Arsenal and Man United dealt transfer blow as San Siro return becomes clear preference

Jun 12 2026, 9:07

Arsenal eye Premier League duo, including “one of the greatest talents of his generation”

Jun 12 2026, 8:42

If Ngumoha can start delivering more consistently, then he’ll surely be a valuable addition to the team under new manager Andoni Iraola.

If not, Liverpool likely face paying a fortune for a top new attacking player to replace Salah this summer.

The post True: Liverpool star signalled interest in surprise transfer away before Reds blocked deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal and Manchester United may have been handed a frustrating transfer blow, with Sandro Tonali reportedly favouring a return to AC Milan if he leaves Newcastle United this summer.

According to TEAMtalk, Milan believe there is still a possible pathway to bring the Italian midfielder back to San Siro, despite Newcastle’s huge valuation.

The Magpies are said to value Tonali at around £100m, making any deal extremely difficult.

That price tag is already a major obstacle for Arsenal and United, but the player’s preference could be an even bigger problem.

Both Premier League clubs have been linked with the 26-year-old, with ESPN previously reporting interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Why this will hurt Arsenal and Man United

For Arsenal, Tonali would be an ideal midfield addition.

Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for players who can handle high-pressure matches, move the ball quickly and bring more control in big games.

Tonali offers all of that, along with Premier League experience.

For Man United, the blow is just as clear. The Red Devils are searching for midfield upgrades this summer, and they have shown strong interest in the Newcastle star.

However, if Tonali’s heart is set on Milan, Arsenal and United may find themselves fighting a losing battle.

Money matters in transfers, but player preference can often decide everything.

More Stories / Latest News

True: Liverpool star signalled interest in surprise transfer away before Reds blocked deal

Jun 12 2026, 9:58

Arsenal and Man United dealt transfer blow as San Siro return becomes clear preference

Jun 12 2026, 9:07

Arsenal eye Premier League duo, including “one of the greatest talents of his generation”

Jun 12 2026, 8:42

AC Milan are exploring a creative route

Newcastle are in a strong position. Tonali joined from AC Milan in 2023.

Sky Sports later reported his contract had been extended until 2029, with an option for another year.

That means Milan would likely need a creative package to reduce the cost, possibly involving add-ons or player exchanges.

For Arsenal and United, this is a worrying development. Tonali may be admired in England, but if San Siro is his preferred destination, Milan now have the emotional advantage.

Arsenal eye Premier League duo, including “one of the greatest talents of his generation”

The post Arsenal and Man United dealt transfer blow as San Siro return becomes clear preference appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Texas A&M's 2027 recruiting class is on track to finish No. 1 among all the major outlets, as third-year coach Mike Elko and his staff have assembled an elite group of blue-chip prospects, including a nation-high 5 five-star commits among the program's 20 commits. Heading into the weekend, the Aggies are set to host another long list of current commits and priority prospects, including five-star running back Landon Williams-Callis.

Elko's ability to match former head coach Jimbo Fisher's recruiting success was one of the primary questions after he was hired back in late Nov., 2024, spending two seasons leading the Duke Blue Devils to new heights while helping develop several future NFL players in the process. Still, it's important to note that during his tenure as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator, Elko helped shape the Aggies' 2022 historic recruiting class.

Elko's ability to connect with prospects at every position, selling his future outlook for the program, and assembling a coaching staff, especially S&C coach Tommy Moffitt, has resulted in reaching unanimous No. 1 status in the 2027 cycle, while several of A&M's 20 commitments, including five-star safety Kamauri Dorsey, have shut down their recruitment.

This offseason, Elko has gained more national respect, rising to No. 11 in Sporting News' latest college football head coach rankings, and after leading the Aggies to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, Texas A&M is slowly but surely becoming a national title contender, especially if the recruiting success continues to result in on-field success.

247Sports' Top 10 2027 recruiting class rankings

1. Texas A&M (20 commits)
2. Oklahoma (21 commits)
3. Miami (18 commits)
4. Florida (23 commits)
5. Notre Dame (18 commits)
6. Oregon (17 commits)
7. Clemson (22 commits)
8. Auburn (17 commits)
9. Michigan (16 commits)
10. USC (13 commits)

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's 2027 recruiting class now unanimously ranked No. 1

Manchester United have been told exactly what it will take to land either Eduardo Camavinga or Federico Valverde as Real Madrid plot a major overhaul this summer, according to a new report.

Chaos at the Bernabeu

The Santiago Bernabéu has been engulfed in chaos during a turbulent campaign for Los Blancos, with Xabi Alonso dismissed midseason amid fractures with the squad’s biggest stars, and Barcelona cruised to the league title. Barcelona cruised to the league title.

In response, Florentino Perez, who was re-elected as president this week, has green-lit Jose Mourinho’s return, 13 years after the ‘Special One’ left the Spanish capital during his first spell with the club. The 79-year-old businessman is willing to make a splash in the market to back Mourinho, with links already emerging to a host of options, including West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes – a priority target for United.

To fund this revamp, Real are prepared to offload any players Mourinho deems surplus to requirements, which Foot Mercato reports includes Camavinga, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia and Dani Ceballos, while Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia will be loaned out.

But the future of Valverde remains shrouded in doubt after the Uruguay international’s physical confrontation with Aurelien Tchouameni last month, which left him hospitalised. Heavy fines were handed down to both players, but Valverde is understood to have been the instigator.

Furthermore, Real are looking to sign a new No.6 to provide more control in midfield, with Manchester City maestro Rodri their primary target. If the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was to arrive in the Spanish capital, Tchouameni’s position would become uncertain.

The Red Devils will be carefully monitoring this state of flux in Madrid as all three of Camavinga, Tchouameni and Valverde are options INEOS have considered as part of their midfield revamp.

The Price is Set

Spanish reporter Miguel Serrano confirms Camavinga is available for sale, with Real said to be demanding £43 million for the 23-year-old Frenchman, who missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup after a difficult season. Serrano claims Real are hoping interest will materialise from the Premier League where the top clubs, including United, would have no trouble meeting this fee.

Camavinga is believed to want to remain at the Bernabeu as he feels he can reclaim his place in the starting eleven. But if Perez rules that a player’s future in the fabled white shirt has run its course, it usually only ends with one conclusion.

On Valverde’s future, Foot Mercato reveals a price tag of £86m has been set for the 27-year-old dynamo, who is widely seen as the most ‘complete’ midfielder in world football. Should the opportunity arise to strike a deal, it could prove transformative for United.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are closing in on a potentially record-breaking deal to sign Nottingham Forest talisman Elliot Anderson – another key target at Old Trafford, though one considered too costly to pursue.

If Anderson arrives at the Etihad, it could signal Rodri’s time at the club is coming to an end, which could have a chain reaction that ignites United’s move for Tchouameni. INEOS see the France international as a “dream” replacement for Casemiro, as the 34-year-old Brazilian’s contract expires this month.

Final Thoughts

Any one of the three Madridistas would represent a major upgrade to United’s midfield, with each of them a world-class operator regardless of recent dips in form. Camavinga appears the likeliest to leave the Bernabeu, though Tchouameni would be the best option to arrive in M16 given the hole Casemiro is leaving in the heart of Michael Carrick’s side, while Valverde is simply the best footballer of the trio.

Featured image Denis Doyle via Getty Images

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In June 2018, the architects of the United Bid gathered for the last time in London, which a month earlier had become the base for their campaign to sell the world on the first-ever World Cup shared by three countries. The following morning, they would hand over their cell phones as a security precaution before boarding a flight to Moscow, where the 211 members of FIFA were primed to vote on whether to place its 2026 tournament jointly in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Eight years earlier, soccer’s governing body had voted to award its 2022 showcase to Qatar — a tiny desert nation with not a single stadium ready for World Cup play and summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees — over the favored United States. The result stunned American soccer executives and triggered years of bitterness, suspicion and eventually federal investigations that helped bring down much of FIFA’s old leadership structure.

In a private room at the River Cafe on the north bank of the River Thames, those who had spent years plotting an American comeback participated in a ritual that carried the feel of a closing dinner before a decisive battle. Over plates of Italian food and wine, they reflected on what would be at stake in Moscow — a referendum on the United States’ place in the world of soccer.

“We didn’t know for sure what the outcome was going to be,” said Neil Buethe, then-chief communications officer at the U.S. Soccer Federation. “We felt strongly that if North America hosted 2026 we would put on the biggest and best World Cup ever, but we didn’t know for certain if the rest of the world thought the same.”

Now, eight years after that dinner in London, FIFA has kicked off a tournament far larger than any it has ever hosted before — a 48-team, three-country competition that is stretching from Guadalajara to Vancouver to the Meadowlands. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to join FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Los Angeles Friday to watch the United States play its opening match against Paraguay.

The decade-long maneuvering to bring the World Cup back to the United States represented a venture in trilateral cooperation just as other relations with Mexico and Canada were growing more fractious than they had been in recent memory. The unlikely success of that collaboration transformed the internal politics of FIFA, became a defining aspect of President Donald Trump’s second term and may permanently change the way the U.S. government participates in sporting mega-events.

This insider account of the long road to the 2026 World Cup is drawn from interviews with organizers and government officials, some of whom were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations, along with internal documents and contemporaneous notes reviewed by POLITICO. This is the story of how the U.S. government broke FIFA and then helped build the organization back into something even bigger and more politically powerful than before.

CHAPTER 1

Death in Zurich

The Americans were optimistic as they trekked through snow to enter the Messi Zurich convention center on Dec. 2, 2010. The two dozen members of the U.S. bid team took their seats in bleachers from which they would watch a consequential vote that would determine the trajectory of the sport for years to come.

Days earlier, a delegation — including executives from U.S. Bid Committee, the U.S. Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer — had presented the American case to FIFA’s leadership in the auditorium of the organization’s dungeon-like headquarters. There were four other countries in the competition, all from soccer’s Asian region: Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar.

The bid was the result of two years' work by the American bid committee, which had selected 18 U.S. cities that had the stadium facilities as prospective hosts. The bid’s technical advantage was never in doubt: The United States had shown it could stage a successful World Cup in 1994, and possessed a surfeit of the large stadiums and big-city hotel rooms along with the headquarters of many of FIFA’s leading corporate sponsors. The Americans were so confident with their chances that they arrived in Zurich already having booked a celebration venue, a restaurant bar within walking distance of the luxury Baur au Lac hotel which served as FIFA’s de-facto headquarters when foreign soccer officials were in town.

The decision rested with FIFA’s executive committee, a collection of 24 power brokers elected or appointed by their respective continental federations who would make the choice via secret ballot. It was a structure that critics had long alleged made vote trading and corruption easy. In fact, two of the committee’s members had already been suspended from the 2022 vote after a London newspaper reported allegations that they had solicited bribes in exchange for their votes in the World Cup selection process.

The U.S. Bid Committee treated its presentation as a show of political force. Former President Bill Clinton, who was in office during the last World Cup in the U.S., led the delegation as non-executive chair, joined by Attorney General Eric Holder. The 88-year-old former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a huge soccer fan who had played a crucial role promoting the 1994 tournament, was honorary chair of the bid. (He did not travel to Zurich for the final vote, but spoke of wanting to attend the 2022 tournament at almost 100.) Then-President Barack Obama had written to then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter with childhood memories of playing soccer while living in Indonesia as a way of expressing support for the U.S. to again host.

But when Blatter opened the envelope with the results of the executive-committee vote that had been taken earlier in the day at FIFA headquarters, some members of the U.S. team thought they had misheard him. Celebratory screams came immediately from the Qatari delegation seated nearby.

A shocked U.S. delegation decamped to the restaurant where they had planned to celebrate because the alcohol had already been purchased. Then Clinton and actor Morgan Freeman went to a smaller group dinner at the Savoy Hotel.

“It was so sad. It was like a death,” said Buethe. “Nobody was really talking at first.”

Later in his hotel room, Clinton reached for an ornament on a table and threw it at a wall mirror in a fit of rage, shattering the glass, the Telegraph reported.

It was hard to know where the U.S. bid had gone wrong. Obama received a courtesy call a few days before the vote and was told the U.S. was likely to lose, according to a FIFA insider’s memoir, but the result caught most of the bid team by total surprise. All the Americans knew was that they had lost 14 votes to 8.

“I was undecided with whether I never wanted to see these people ever again, because we had a pretty good idea of what had happened,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “Or if I want to start bidding the next hour.”

CHAPTER 2

The rat in Trump Tower

Events over the next year would feed American suspicions that the vote to award the 2022 tournament had never been fully on the level. In June 2011, one of the architects of Qatar’s bid was booted from FIFA’s presidential elections after whistleblowers alleged he had attempted to bribe 24 Caribbean delegates for their votes, offering unmarked brown envelopes containing $40,000 cash each.

The revelations opened up a wide-ranging probe of corruption in global soccer. FIFA Vice President Jack Warner resigned in 2011, threatening a “tsunami” of revelations and was later accused of receiving $1.65 million from Asian Football Confederation President Mohammed bin Hammam, which Warner denied influenced his vote.

FIFA responded by establishing a series of governance initiatives intended to restore confidence in the organization. Between 2011 and 2013, the organization created committees, task forces and an Independent Governance Committee, but the core power remained concentrated around Blatter and the Executive Committee. U.S. officials criticized the narrow set of reforms that were implemented as cosmetic.

The United States made reform a litmus test during the next campaign for FIFA’s presidency, making it clear the United States would put itself forward as a World Cup host again only if there were changes that made the process more transparent and accountable. Gulati, a former World Bank economist, pushed for commitments that would oblige FIFA to abide by its technical standards on issues like stadium capacity along with public disclosure of how each country voted.

In May 2015, American soccer officials threw their support behind a challenge to Blatter. Carlos Cordeiro, then a vice president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, worked for the campaign of Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein.

“We knew it would hurt us going against the favorite,” Gulati said of his federation’s decision to support Al-Hussein rather than Blatter. “There are some things more important than hosting a World Cup.” But Blatter would not remain in office long. In the early morning hours of May 27, 2015, Swiss police arrived at the Baur au Lac, where top FIFA officials had gathered for the organization’s annual congress. Guests awoke to flashing lights outside the lakeside hotel as plainclothes officers escorted bleary-eyed soccer executives through the lobby and into waiting vehicles.

The police were, it soon became clear, working at the behest of the U.S. government. Later that day, at a Brooklyn press conference, Attorney General Loretta Lynch released a 47-count indictment against 14 defendants, accusing senior FIFA-linked officials of racketeering, wire fraud and decades of systemic bribery tied to marketing rights and international tournaments. The key to the five-year Southern District of New York investigation was Chuck Blazer, a longtime American soccer executive who occupied two Trump Tower apartments, one reportedly just for his cats. After coming under scrutiny for tax evasion and financial misconduct, he pleaded guilty in 2013 and became an FBI informant as they probed world soccer’s financial workings.

Blazer covertly recorded conversations with fellow soccer officials, helping prosecutors expose a culture in which bribes and backroom deals were treated as routine business. While the initial U.S. indictment announced by Lynch the day of the Zurich raid focused largely on marketing and media-rights corruption, subsequent probes — including one initiated by Swiss authorities — came to focus on the process FIFA used to choose World Cup host countries.

Blatter went on to win reelection for FIFA president that Friday, May 29, before resigning the following Monday, as it became clear the investigation would continue and even widen. Blatter’s resignation set up a wide-open race for FIFA’s presidency early the next year.

Subsequent indictments revealed that executive-committee votes to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar had been tainted by vote-buying. Within days of the raid, FIFA suspended the 2026 World Cup bidding process, arguing that it was impossible to proceed with another host-selection process while the process was under such scrutiny.

In December 2015, FIFA’s Reform Committee issued a 12-page blueprint for overhauling the organization, including by replacing the Executive Committee with an expanded FIFA Council. Over the next year, the organization fundamentally reshaped the World Cup bidding process. The 2026 host would be chosen by all 211 member associations, replacing a system in which a small group of executives made the decision. The logic was simple: Influencing the larger, more diverse electorate would be far more difficult than swaying a handful of insiders. Bid requirements became more rigorous, while disclosure, transparency and ethics rules were tightened.

“FIFA underwent deep-rooted governance and management reforms over the last decade with a clear focus on transparency and on its mandate to develop football all around the world,” the organization said in an emailed statement.

Infantino, a Swiss-Italian lawyer who had helped lead soccer’s European confederation, used his work on the reform committee as a launchpad for a run to succeed Blatter. The United States went into the February 2016 vote again backing Prince Ali, but he finished a distant third in the first round. The U.S. then threw its support to Infantino, triggering a stampede from other countries in the hemisphere, helping deliver a conclusive 115-vote majority. A fourth candidate, former French diplomat Jérome Champagne, attributed Infantino’s victory to “a strong alliance between Europe and North America and the Anglo-Saxon world.”

One of Infantino’s earliest moves was leading the newly created FIFA Council to block European and Asian confederation members from bidding again so soon after Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup and Qatar the 2022 tournament. The move eliminated half the potential host countries, and dramatically tilted the odds in favor of the World Cup returning to North America.

CHAPTER 3

A coalition of the willing

In May 2016, FIFA gathered in Mexico City for its first annual congress under Infantino’s leadership. For the Americans, whose interest in seeking the tournament again had been satisfied by FIFA’s reforms, the Mexico City gathering represented a chance to cultivate support for an entirely different theory for how to win hosting rights.

"We knew we could host it alone, but a combined bid would be stronger," Gulati later acknowledged.

Joining with Canada and Mexico had both a practical and symbolic logic. Given the potential importance of regional blocs under the new voting system, three federations would have a stronger chance together than if they competed against one another. There also could be something powerful about seeing the United States partnering with its neighbors as a time then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was questioning whether the country should even bother with NATO, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal or Paris Climate Agreement.

That case was made by Canadian Soccer Association President Victor Montagliani, who argued that a multi-country bid would be more politically attractive to FIFA than a purely American one. There was some opportunism to the argument: Canada lacked the capacity to mount a competitive bid for a men’s World Cup of its own, and a partnership with the United States was likely the only route to getting one in the near future.

“Victor's comments, which pulled some truth, literally was: 'Listen, you guys aren't particularly liked around the world,'” said Gulati. “Canada, on the diplomatic level, was more well-liked.”

The Mexicans had different considerations. Gulati’s negotiating partner, Emilio Azcárraga Jean, was chair of the powerful mass-media company Televisa, and he had a patrimony that spoke to Mexico’s experience around the World Cup. Azcárraga’s father had served as local organizing committee chair for two World Cups, and Azcárraga sat atop the company that owned Estadio Azteca, the Mexico City stadium that had hosted Pelé’s Brazil in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986.

As Azcárraga stood next to Gulati on the pitch of one of the most iconic venues in soccer history, he mentioned to Gulati that he wanted any jointly hosted tournament’s opening match to take place there. Gulati jokingly threatened to walk away from the entire bid, leaving the Mexicans to coordinate with the Canadians alone, if Azcárraga insisted again. “You guys can do it together,” Gulati recalled telling Azcárraga, “but you can't use American airspace either.”

But the three countries still had to determine the internal balance of power between them in a joint bid. Gulati, Montagliani and Mexican Federation President Decio de María — who had taken over for Azcárraga as his country’s point person in the negotiations — debated how many matches would take place in each country. During the only other jointly hosted World Cup, in 2002, Japan and South Korea split the schedule evenly.

Over the next few months, on the sidelines of soccer-governance meetings in Zurich, Hawaii and Aruba, representatives of the three countries came to an agreement: Three-quarters of the tournament matches would go to the United States, including all decisive contests in the quarterfinals and beyond. In April, the countries’ soccer officials decided they were ready to tell the world that the United States, Mexico and Canada would jointly pursue the 2026 World Cup.

They scrambled to secure a venue for an event that would give the appearance of a carefully orchestrated international announcement. But the off-stage politics were more complicated, especially as Trump entered 2017 planning to withdraw from the primary vehicle for cooperation between the U.S. and its neighbors — the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement — and spent the year sparring with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A single negative comment from Trump about partnering with them on the World Cup could easily torpedo the bid.

Gulati asked Boston sports executive Bob Kraft, a Trump friend, to make introductions to White House staff so he could brief the administration on the intention to mount a joint bid. Gulati explained that the bid process was more transparent under FIFA’s new leadership, and stood a greater chance of success than the effort to win the 2018 cup had. The White House designated Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner to serve as its point person on the effort, and the bid committee began to prepare monthly updates on its progress to the White House. "The president of the United States is fully supportive," Gulati declared from a stage on the 102nd-floor observatory of One World Trade Center days later. “He is especially pleased that Mexico is a part of this bid, and in the last few days we’ve gotten further encouragement on that. We are not at all concerned about some of the issues that other people may raise. We looked at bidding alone and decided in the end, we wanted to bid with our partners in North America and we have strong encouragement from President Trump to that end.”

CHAPTER 4

Campaign kickoff

Veterans of the failed bid for the 2018 tournament returned to the Midtown Manhattan headquarters of Major League Soccer to begin the process of preparing a new bid. They were under a far more grueling timeline than the previous effort, which had taken more than two years to prepare. It had generated tens of thousands of contracts, thousands of pages of technical documents and countless political negotiations.

This time there would be just eight months, the result of an "expedited" bidding process imposed by FIFA even as it expanded the tournament in search of greater revenue opportunities: increasing the number of teams from 32 to 48, doubling the number of required venues from eight to 16.

The North Americans named their project the United Bid. The ultimate product it would present to FIFA would be a prospectus known as a “bid book” — a sales and marketing pitch for the three-country project filled with data addressing FIFA’s technical requirements around issues like transportation infrastructure and stadium accessibility.

For months, the United Bid proceeded without any competition. Then, on the August 2017 date that FIFA set as a deadline for countries to express interest, that changed. Morocco entered the fray, and while the country would go months without disclosing much about its plans, the North Americans knew it would rely on promises of ambitious stadium construction and new infrastructure plans they did not intend to match.

For John Kristick, who had been managing director of the bid in 2010, memories of losing out to Qatar had never fully passed. He had moved on to a successful career at WPP, the global advertising giant, where a copy of the 2022 bid book sat on a shelf in his office. Photographs from the experience still hung on the walls.

"They taunted me every day," he recalled.

The team working on the bid resembled a presidential campaign crossed with an Olympic organizing committee. Former FIFA competitions executive Jim Brown became managing director, an Al Gore speechwriter named Brian Reich took charge of communications, and former manager of stadium operations for the 1994 World Cup Jim Larkin led on stadiums. Around them grew an ecosystem of lawyers, lobbyists, communications operatives, stadium consultants and city officials. One internal presentation described the operation as encompassing more than 750 people across dozens of cities, who had to commit as prospective hosts before the bid book itself could be drafted. “The democracy that we live in required us to essentially marshal that out across the federal government. It's not like any one signature. It's a series of commitments and we had to do the same in Canada and Mexico,” Cordeiro said.

After losing the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, many of the people involved in the American bid assumed it would be difficult to persuade cities to sign up. The failed campaign had consumed years of work. Mayors had held press conferences. Sports commissions had spent money. Local organizers had rallied business leaders and stadium owners. Then they had all watched FIFA hand the tournament to Qatar.

Kristick worried that many cities would simply refuse to go through the process again. It was a weariness matched among United Bid strategists whose lingering distrust of FIFA led them to wonder whether anyone in Zurich would actually care about the hotel-occupancy rates detailed in their bid book.

"We didn't trust the competence or the process," recalled a senior participant in the bid. "I didn't think their reforms were serious reforms."

One moment stuck with that person, who traveled to FIFA headquarters in Zurich as preparations for the 2026 process slowly took shape. At one meeting, FIFA officials proudly introduced outside auditors sitting at the end of the table who were supposedly monitoring the integrity of the process.

Then the meeting broke for coffee and a smoke break.

"And the auditors disappeared for a break, too," the person recalled. "The whole thing was so obviously window-dressing.”

CHAPTER 5

The idiot ratio

Kristick’s first call was to Dallas, which had hosted matches at the Cotton Bowl in 1994. He was surprised by the speed with which Monica Paul, the longtime executive who led the city's sports commission and had been part of the failed 2022 effort, said “We’re in.”

The response repeated itself across North America, with more than 50 cities across the continent expressing preliminary interest in hosting matches, an enthusiasm that reflected how much the sport had changed since 2010. Major League Soccer had grown significantly, through television audiences and attendance in dedicated stadiums across the country. Soccer finally felt like a sport of the American present, rather than of its perpetual future, and the World Cup no longer a speculative investment.

Representatives from 32 candidate cities, a mix of sports administrators and city managers, descended on Houston in November 2017 for a host-city conference, in which United Bid staffers laid out a set of contractual requirements that FIFA treated as rigid and nonnegotiable. (The documents outlining those standards had arrived from Zurich later than expected, compressing an already impossible schedule.)

Cities had to commit to sweeping legal guarantees, transportation obligations, stadium modifications and security arrangements, while indemnifying FIFA against potentially enormous liabilities. In other words, if something went wrong during the tournament, FIFA wanted cities to absorb much of the risk. “It was sort of take it or leave it with FIFA,” one person involved in the process said.

The cities wanted to know what was in the contracts and whether they should sign them, cycling through a conference room in a series of hourlong meetings with United Bid personnel that another participant likened to “speed dating.” “We were the intermediary between the cities on the one hand and FIFA on the other,” said Michael Kuh, the bid’s top attorney, who now leads the sports practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. “I just kept telling the cities that if they wanted to participate they would have to take a leap of faith, which is advice lawyers only reserve for rare occasions.”

Three of the five finalists for the 2024 Olympics, whose countries had already spent millions to get that far, abandoned their bids before the final selection was made, in two cases (Hamburg and Budapest) once voters expressed their disapproval in referenda. Already, American candidate city Boston had withdrawn after activists aroused popular opposition.

Municipal officials returned to their cities from Houston having to sell elected officials on why they should buck that trend. Some simply struggled to explain why taxpayers should assume enormous risks without a clear guarantee of financial return. Over time, some cities dropped out. Others revolted at the terms.

Chicago, which carried scars from another failed international bid, did both. In 2009, the city had mounted an expensive campaign to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Obama had personally lobbied the International Olympic Committee to bring its games to his hometown. Nonetheless, the city was eliminated in the first round of voting. Years later, Chicago officials remained skeptical of global sporting organizations and the promises they made.

Chicago had sent its representatives to Houston, where they offered assurances the city would join the bid. But when the contractual documents were returned to the United Bid office, they included handwritten caveats next to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s signature.

"Chicago would take all the risk and FIFA would get 60 percent of the reward,” said Emanuel, who served as Obama’s chief of staff in 2009 before becoming mayor. “Only idiots do transactions with those ratios.”

FIFA disputes the characterization that host cities were asked to shoulder disproportionate risk. A FIFA spokesperson said host cities were responsible for a defined set of obligations, and noted that host cities in all three host countries received government assistance. The spokesperson added that FIFA is covering expenses including stadium and venue rentals, temporary infrastructure, power requirements, broadcasting operations, private security and venue operations. FIFA also emphasized that, unlike many previous World Cups, the 2026 tournament requires little new infrastructure investment because existing stadiums are being used largely in their current configuration.

When Emanuel was told that such changes would not pass muster with FIFA, he eventually withdrew the city from the process, releasing a public statement that criticized the bid and FIFA. United Bid strategists worried about the potential precedent: If one city publicly rejected FIFA's terms, others might follow, throwing the entire bid into jeopardy.

"We were only as strong as our weakest link," said Kristick, who assuaged the anxieties of another U.S. city that considered withdrawing after Chicago did. Kristick declined to name the city.

Vancouver, which had withstood an organized left-wing opposition to its decision to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, had its own qualms. The provincial government of British Columbia, which controlled the BC Place stadium, worried about exposure to financial risk. Vancouver asked for an extension, and got one.

Vancouver promised the paperwork was coming, but nothing made it to New York. As the late January deadline approached to finalize the 1,000-page bid book, officials printed out two different versions: one including Vancouver as a host city and one without.

A bid official was relieved to finally find a package from Vancouver arrive by mail. But when he opened it, every document was unsigned. Months of negotiations had ended with a box full of blank paperwork.

"It wasn't just that they declined to participate," the official recalled years later. "It felt like a real 'fuck you.'"

The bid book, sans Vancouver, was organized along with other necessary components of the United Bid submission. One was a letter from the U.S. State Department authorizing visa access in compliance with requirements set by FIFA, which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had signed and dated on March 12. By the time it arrived, via FedEx, the next morning in New York, Tillerson had been fired by Trump via Twitter.

Signing the official bid was likely Tillerson’s last act as secretary of State.

Chapter 6

The battle against Morocco

The American play to become a soccer power was derailed by an on-field defeat. The men’s national team lost to Trinidad and Tobago in their final match of the World Cup qualifying campaign in October 2017, denying the United States a spot at the sport’s leading tournament for the first time since 1986.

The shock result caused a leadership crisis at U.S. Soccer, the nonprofit federation that serves as the sport’s governing body in the United States. Facing criticism for the team’s failure, Gulati — who had served as the federation’s president since 2006 and had spent years laying the groundwork for the 2026 bid — decided not to seek reelection.

A wide-open race to be U.S. Soccer’s top official loomed, featuring a number of retired players who promised a break from the status quo. Cordeiro, who had served on the U.S. Soccer board since 2007, was the establishment candidate in an election dominated by reformers promising to blow up the system. When he won the presidency in February 2018, he inherited responsibility for the World Cup bid.

Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs executive, knew that the early days of his presidency would be measured on the success of the bid and approached the bid like a high-stakes corporate merger.

“There was an intensity shift,” a person working on the bid said of the change in leadership from Gulati to Cordeiro. “Carlos came in and this was going to be his thing. It was helpful in a sense — new energy, new ideas — but it was also a lot.”

The day after winning the presidency, Cordeiro flew from Orlando to New York for meetings at Major League Soccer’s offices and onward to Bratislava, where European soccer officials were gathering for a UEFA meeting. There Cordeiro heard something that startled him: The United Bid was in trouble.

North American officials felt that they possessed a stronger technical case than Morocco could offer. The United States, Mexico and Canada had stadiums, airports, training sites, hotels, transportation networks and corporate infrastructure — strengths that FIFA’s own revamped process was supposed to reward.

“Everybody knew that the infrastructure was going to be very good. All the stadiums were there, all the facilities to train were there, all the hotels were there,” said de María.

But Morocco represented serious competition, in part due to geographical advantages. The new process meant that the 2026 vote would be decided by more than 200 national federations rather than a select group of FIFA insiders. Morocco had substantial support from across the more than 50 members of the Confederation of African Football — CONCACAF, which includes North America, had just over 40 — and a foothold in the Middle East.

Morocco also seemed to be making inroads in Europe, through appeals based on ties of language, culture and colonial history. France had become one of Morocco’s most important sporting allies in Europe, Cordeiro believed, because French architects, engineers and construction firms stood to benefit from Morocco’s need to build or renovate stadiums and transportation infrastructure.

“Europe was the toughest,” Cordeiro recalled. “France was not supporting the U.S. for one particular reason: They saw a unique opportunity to get all the business that would follow had Morocco won.”

Cordeiro wanted the bid team to be more proactive in its outreach to the 211 federations who would have a say in who was awarded the World Cup. They started a tracking sheet based on where each country stood: likely United Bid supporters in green, persuadable targets in yellow and likely Morocco backers in red.

The vote would be won, Cordeiro believed, in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with crucial swing votes from the former Soviet bloc split across the regional confederations.

The North Americans could argue that their tournament would generate more revenue than any World Cup in history, producing larger distributions for FIFA member nations. But they also knew they could not rely on technical superiority alone, outlined through facts in the bid book.

To assuage members who could be worried about the impact of Trump’s policies — especially the travel ban on majority-Muslim nations upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in December 2017 — the United Bid asked Kushner to extract a commitment from Trump about free travel around the World Cup. Over three letters addressed to Infantino, Trump vowed that foreign teams, officials and fans from qualifying countries would face no restrictions entering the United States for the tournament.

But Trump’s increasing enthusiasm for securing the World Cup also risked generating backlash. “The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup,” he wrote in an April 26, 2018, social media post. “It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?”

FIFA responded by obliquely pointing out that Trump had likely defied its bidding rules, which are supposed to keep the process immune from external political influence. One member of Morocco’s 2026 bid committee told CNN, “I think the Donald Trump factor is helping Morocco.”

If they were going to sell the world on awarding its tournament to Trump’s America, they needed to launch FIFA’s first global political campaign.

Chapter 7

The three amigos

The campaign had to acknowledge the reality of the Trump era, Cordeiro concluded upon his return from Europe. He envisioned one major messaging shift: The bid that had launched at an iconic New York location would no longer present itself as a U.S.-led effort supported by its smaller neighbors, but as a North American partnership. The three countries would campaign as equals.

“We elevated Canada and Mexico presidents to co-chairs as equals with me to demonstrate to the world that this was a truly joint bid,” Cordeiro said.

From then on, the bid’s lobbying teams traveled in threes whenever possible: one representative from the United States, one from Mexico and one from Canada. Cordeiro believed the visual mattered, showing skeptical federations that the bid was not simply the United States asking for the World Cup again.

“What we were putting together was a North American face in which the three countries can work together,” said de María.

The campaign set up its headquarters in London, where strategists tailored regional approaches off the color-coded list. Cordeiro asked Brown, a former FIFA executive with African relationships, to look for places where the United Bid could pick off votes from Morocco on its home continent. In the Maghreb and Francophone Africa, Morocco’s support was locked down, but Brown saw a plausible opening beyond: English-speaking southern Africa, Portuguese-speaking countries and Spanish-speaking Equatorial Guinea.

“Get us 10 to 15 votes,” Cordeiro recalled telling Brown. “That’s all we need.”

In Europe, where the bid team had to work beyond France’s sphere of influence, the bid officials tried to get in front of all 55 members of the continental confederation UEFA to make their case. A vote from Montenegro or Malta counted exactly the same as one from Germany.

"There was a collective effort not to ignore anybody," Bluethe said. "No one was too small."

For nearly a month, the bid’s leadership team used London as the hub of a global lobbying campaign, dispatching delegations across continents for whirlwind meetings that often lasted just a day before the next flight. At one point, one team met with representatives from four countries in a single day. In Belarus, the delegation arrived without visas and was barred from leaving the airport, so federation officials came to them instead, gathering in a VIP lounge for an impromptu pitch session. The campaign soon became a blur of red-eye flights, hotel conference rooms and federation headquarters, with staffers sometimes learning their next destination only hours before departure.

"We'd come back to London and regroup," Buethe recalled. "Then we'd find out where we were going next."

Personal familiarity with the United States was a huge source of advantage. Foreign officials who had attended American universities reminisced about bars in Washington. Latvian federation president Kaspars Gorkšs, a former captain of the country’s national team, recalled watching the 1994 World Cup as a young player. When Gorkšs invoked Alexi Lalas, the defender who was among the most recognizable members of the U.S. team, Buethe promised to introduce them.

The United Bid made its first major breakthrough in the Nordic bloc. In the spring of 2018, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland convened a meeting near the Copenhagen airport to hear from both campaigns.“The fact that the U.S. was prepared to share the World Cup with its two neighbors during a time of heightened political tension was very well received,” Cordeiro said.

The Scandinavians endorsed the United Bid, which began a rush of favorable announcements. England was supportive and Germany was, too. As the June 13 vote approached, bid strategists were confident of backing from a majority of the 211 voting members. But after their experience in 2010, they worried about the possibility that some federations would change their vote at the last minute, triggering a rush away from the frontrunner.

“You lose a few dozen votes and all of a sudden it's a tie game,” Cordeiro said. In London, the United Bid delegation prepared for a trip to the FIFA Congress in Moscow, which would take place as Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation intensified its focus on the role of Russian security services in the 2016 U.S. election. Security advisers walked delegation members through the process of using burner phones, laptops and hard drives, a routine demand complicated by the large file size of the bid materials themselves.

The team, whose members had been spread across the continents, gathered for their farewell dinner the night before they would fly together to Moscow. Cordeiro arrived at River Cafe with a version of deal toys — soccer-themed Hermès ties. He handed one to each of the three federation presidents, who would dress for the FIFA Congress in identical ties but for different national colors: de María in green, Cordeiro in blue and Montagliani in red.

The final pitch to the FIFA Congress reflected the United Bid’s delicate navigation of the moment’s politics. Instead of showcasing the countries’ elected leaders — who were then frequently sparring over issues from a border wall to dairy and aluminum tariffs — the presentation featured three young players, one from each country.

This time, when Infantino read out the name of the winning bid, there were no surprises: The United Bid carried 134 votes to Morocco's 65. (In Washington, Kushner’s allies quickly claimed credit for his contributions to winning over Persian Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.)

It was not lost on any members of the bid team — who were were delighted when The Washington Post editorial page approvingly called it ”the NAFTA World Cup” — that their undertaking represented the type of cross-border venture that Trump’s vow to sever the continent’s free-trade pact could make a thing of the past. “Prior to this project, Mexico and Canada and the U.S. had the NAFTA agreement, so we worked together for many years with the U.S. and Canada on a commercial basis,” reflected de María. “What we were putting together was a North American face in which the three countries can work together to put together their abilities to handle an event like this.”

Chapter 8

Trump takes the field

Later that summer, Infantino made the first of what would be many trips to the Oval Office. He presented Trump with a referee’s red card and a soccer jersey emblazoned TRUMP 26, even though it was then unimaginable that Trump would be in office during the year when the tournament took place.

Nonetheless, it was clear from the zest with which Trump brandished the red card for the cameras and associated himself with the bidding process — “it only took one call because when I heard ‘World Cup,’ I wanted to do it,” he recounted — that he was ready to claim the tournament as his own. It was a dynamic that would repeat itself just two weeks later, when the 2028 Summer Olympics were formally assigned to Los Angeles.

FIFA turned its attention to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which had to be staged under pandemic conditions (and in the winter due to the country’s hot climate). Meanwhile, North American cities jostled for the right to be one of the 16 that would get to host matches in 2026. In 2022, Montreal withdrew from contention after the provincial government refused to fund stadium renovations, allowing FIFA to replace it with Vancouver, which was also Montagliani’s hometown. (Washington, D.C., also dropped out of contention as a solo city during this period, merging its bid with Baltimore.)

While both Mexico and Canada have sports ministries, the United States does not have a major federal office set up to coordinate the country’s participation in global competitions. In 1994, a single national committee run out of the U.S. Soccer Federation served as the domestic organization responsible for actually putting on the World Cup, leasing stadiums and selling tickets. But for the 2026 tournament, FIFA changed its approach. Each of the 11 U.S. cities selected by FIFA in June 2022 to host matches developed an individual contractual relationship with the organization, managed through a so-called host city committee. The set-up gave FIFA, which opened a Miami office to oversee tournament planning, more control and access to match revenue.

That left open the question of who would serve as a point of contact for both FIFA and the cities on nationwide policy concerns that were sure to affect tournament planning, touching on security, infrastructure and immigration. Then-President Joe Biden designated Secretary of Cabinet Affairs Evan Ryan to lead an interagency working group that would consider what role there was for the federal government to play. FIFA gingerly attempted to build relationships with Biden, hiring former administration staffers at the lobbying firm Foley & Lardner to help navigate Washington.

“There were very early discussions about visas, for example, and how would you go from one country to another country and come back in here,” said Cordeiro, who after resigning from the U.S. Soccer foundation in 2020 joined FIFA as a senior adviser to Infantino and his primary liaison to the U.S. government.

When U.S. voters decided to send Trump back to the White House in 2024, Cordeiro saw an opening for a different relationship with the federal government. Infantino joined the trail of world leaders to Mar-a-Lago during the transition period, where he told Trump about the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup that would come to the United States in the summer of 2025 as something of a logistical dry run for the World Cup a year later. The night before Trump’s inauguration, Infantino sat in the audience for a rally in Washington where Trump mentioned him by name five times. During the swearing-in ceremony the next day, Infantino sat just a few rows behind Trump, the rare foreigner visible to television cameras during the transfer of American power.

A decade after plans for it were first hatched, the 2026 World Cup would be Trump’s tournament.

Chapter 9

Meet me at the Meadowlands

In March 2025, Trump welcomed Infantino back to the Oval Office, calling him “the king of soccer.” This time, Infantino was not there just for pleasantries: He had already secured the White House’s commitment on FIFA’s first major procedural demand of his administration.

Infantino, who had overseen tournaments in Russia and Qatar, was used to dealing with a strong central authority in World Cup host countries rather than 11 different private-sector entities in communities as different as Boston, Miami and Kansas City. When Infantino asked Trump in early 2025 to establish a body within the White House that would lead the federal government’s role in World Cup preparations, the president immediately agreed.

Trump appointed Andrew Giuliani, a former pro golfer, failed New York gubernatorial candidate and son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to lead the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup. The body included Cabinet secretaries from the departments of State, Transportation and Homeland Security, where it set up an office to coordinate efforts across government at all levels.

“I think it's really helpful that the decision-makers in that room are also task force members,” Giuliani told POLITICO in January of the complexities of preparing to welcome millions of visitors with global conflicts going on.

The task force ensured that host cities could access the $625 million in security funding in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” through a grant program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It worked with the Pentagon to organize tabletop exercises anticipating security threats and FBI on counter-drone training for local law enforcement officials.

“The task force did one thing for us,” said a FIFA official, “which was it gave us a credibility that we didn't have and a visibility that we didn't have before this administration.”

Infantino, meanwhile, embarked on his own efforts to win over the American political class. Repeating the mantra “You have to be local to be global,” he set off on a campaign-style tour barnstorming governors’ mansions, city halls and tribal authorities, pledging donations to their causes along the way.

He used last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup as an occasion to raise his public profile. He hosted Trump during the tournament’s final at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, with the two men sitting together during the match and Infantino leading Trump out on the field at its conclusion. Some members of London-based Chelsea were visibly confused to find themselves sharing the winner’s platform with an American politician.

But Infantino’s sustained attention remained on the man in the White House. (The World Cup host committees abandoned their Democratic-led lobbying team in favor of one headed by former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman that specialized in outreach to Republicans.) Infantino appeared more frequently in public with Trump than any other world leader over the course of 2025, with the two men seeming to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. In December, Infantino appeared to program the lottery draw that set the World Cup’s match schedule with Trump foremost in mind, booking the Village People to perform “Y.M.C.A.” as a finale.

Most notably, Infantino used the occasion at Washington’s Kennedy Center to present Trump with a novel confection known as the FIFA Peace Prize, without first consulting the FIFA Council that is supposed to set policy, as POLITICO reported at the time. At least three of FIFA’s eight vice presidents publicly or privately expressed their concerns about the lengths Infantino was willing to go to please Trump.

“I have a great relationship with President Trump. I’m very happy about that. I got to know him during his first mandate and we have been working very closely together now in his second term,” Infantino said at a pre-tournament press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday. “Without his engagement and his involvement, I think it would have been impossible — simple as that — it would have been impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States. He understood immediately the magnitude of the World Cup, the impact of the World Cup and instructed as well, of course, the administration to help and assist.”

Infantino and Trump are likely to be back together in the Meadowlands next month, when the World Cup wraps up with its final match on July 19. At that point, both men are likely to consider themselves winners. Infantino will likely be able to claim he has staged the most lucrative single event in sports history, with estimated tournament revenues of $9 billion to his nonprofit. Trump will have been able to preside over one of humanity’s great uniting cultural pageants, a worldly complement to the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations and precursor to the 2028 Olympics.

Yet for all of Infantino’s highly personalized political outreach, he has remarkably little to show for it. The run-up to the tournament has been marred by distractions caused by Trump’s policy choices and FIFA’s financial priorities. Politicians of both parties are alleging that high prices to attend the World Cup are a function of FIFA’s manipulative and opaque ticket-selling procedures, while the global soccer establishment has been aghast to see players, team support staff and referees denied entry to the United States due to immigration rules.

“We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” Infantino said in Mexico City, one of the rare instances where he has faced adversarial questioning. “We are a sports organization. We do our best with the means that we have to do as much as possible.”

Lost on the road to the 2026 World Cup was the dream that animated the original architects of the United Bid: a truly North American experience. The World Cup has begun to resemble three separate tournaments played in parallel, due to national policy choices that FIFA has been unable to smooth out.

After the United States could not negotiate security assurances for Iran’s delegation — the first time a country has played in a World Cup while at war with its host — Mexico scrambled to set up a training camp in Tijuana, from which the team will fly to U.S. cities where they are legally forbidden from staying the night under the terms of their limited visas. When a Somali referee was turned away this week by border officials at the Miami airport without clear explanation, the B.C. premier said he was welcome to officiate a match in Vancouver.

Still, the only time Trump has appeared together with the neighboring heads of state was at the lottery draw in December. While the event began with the three leaders sharing a photo op as equals, it ended with Trump dancing to his favorite song.

Shia Kapos contributed to this article.

Ohio State’s staff stayed busy on Thursday evaluating prep recruits who flocked to their campus for another camp opportunity. Worth their while, the coaching staff offered multiple new names they were impressed with, and that of course grows the list of prospects to pay attention to moving forward.

Here’s the latest rundown…

Titus Huard – Valor Christian (Littleton, Colorado)

Making his way to campus for a chance to work out in front of Ohio State’s staff on Thursday, class of 2028 quarterback prospect Titus Huard came away with exactly what he was looking for. An impressive 6-foot-5, 205 signal caller that has a four-star ranking to his name, Huard is the No. 175 player nationally and 11th best quarterback in the upcoming cycle per the 247Sports Composite.

No stranger to the recruiting process thanks to 20 offers under his belt, Huard adds the Buckeyes to an impressive list and clearly wanted Ohio State’s attention. Quarterback always a main objective in any class, 2028 now has a new name to keep an eye on.

Maddox Porter – Battle Ground Academy (Nashville, Tennessee)

Back to looking at future wide receivers, Maddox Porter was on campus and made his trek more than worth his while leaving with an Ohio State offer. A younger prospect, Porter is a class of 2029 athlete with an impressive 6-foot-2, 175 pound frame for someone with three more prep seasons to grow and develop.

Unranked via his 247Sports profile due to his class status, offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and now Ohio State among several others show the caliber of player he is. Cortez Hankton wasting no more time, he’s a name sure to be repeated over the next couple of years.

Lorenzo McMullen Jr. – Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio)

The type of player that is a must have for the Buckeyes, Ohio State was impressed enough on Thursday with in-state prospect, Lorenzo McMullen Jr. A 6-foot-1, 170 pound wide receiver in the 2028 class, Lorenzo has the ranking and status that the Buckeyes will want to keep at home for his college career.

The No. 29 player nationally and seventh best receiver per the 247Sports Composite, McMullen Jr. told Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors that this offer from Ohio State puts the Buckeyes in his top three along with LSU and Notre Dame.

Just town the road two hours, Hankton should be a frequent visitor doing what it takes to land his commitment as one of Ohio’s very best in the upcoming cycle.

Jayshawn Mitchell – Brennan (San Antonio, Texas)

Running back the next position worth noting, 2028 athlete Jayshawn Mitchell was able to land the Buckeye offer after a strong camp at Ohio State with Carlos Locklyn keeping a watchful eye. The No. 249 player nationally and 18th best back in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Mitchell adds Ohio State to an offer list that has nearly 20 others including Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, and a host of others.

The 2027 class the main objective right now as they pursue running back, but seeing Locklyn looking ahead to 2028 shows there’s no time to waste as the future is always quickly approaching. Making the trek from Texas, Coach Lock has plenty of Ohio State to Texas ties he can mention to further boost their pitch.

Wright Martin – Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tennessee)

Keenan Bailey also liking what he saw from Thursday’s one-day camp, the Buckeyes have a new 2028 tight end prospect on their recruiting board as Wright Martin received the good news. A 6-foot-2, 250 pound athlete, Martin may not have a ranking via his 247Sports profile right now, but the latest offer from Ohio State and an earlier one coming by way of Georgia should change that soon.

A position Ohio State has really made a key to their offense over the last few years, having Arthur Smith coordinating this side of the ball only further increases it’s importance so seeing the offers be dished out isn’t a surprise.

Quick Hits

One off of the board now for Ohio State, on Thursday defensive tackle target Kasi Currie gave his commitment to Texas. A player that had gained some traction for the Buckeyes the last several weeks, the commitment elsewhere had many bringing up the NIL aspect.

If that’s the case, it continues to be a hard item to deal with when following recruiting. This staff being consistent with their NIL approach, seeing schools such as Texas land these players can’t be an easy pill to swallow, but this staff at the very least has earned some trust.

While many may lean towards the notion of upping the NIL efforts, they’ll have a chance to put their money where their mouth is with other top targets in the coming weeks.

Yaya Sithole’s World Cup opener against Mexico turned into a nightmare after WhoScored recorded him as the lowest-rated outfield player in their tournament database.

South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico at Estadio Azteca, but Sithole’s individual performance became one of the biggest talking points after the game.

That is partly because the match itself was already chaotic. Three players were sent off, Mexico took control of Group A early, and South Africa left with both a defeat and selection problems.

Yaya Sithole WhoScored rating hits World Cup low vs Mexico

As WhoScored reported, Sithole was given a 4.26 rating, the lowest mark by an outfield player in a World Cup match since the site began collecting data.

The number looks harsh at first glance, but the reasons are clear. Sithole made an error that led to Mexico’s opening goal and was later sent off early in the second half.

Julián Quiñones punished South Africa in the ninth minute, giving Mexico the perfect start in front of a fired-up home crowd.

Sithole’s night then got worse after halftime when he brought down Brian Gutierrez near the edge of the penalty area. The referee showed a straight red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

That dismissal left South Africa chasing the game with 10 men, and Mexico eventually made the advantage count when Raúl Jiménez scored the second in the 67th minute.

WhoScored’s ratings heavily punish decisive errors, red cards, and actions that directly hurt a team’s control of the match. Sithole had all of those marks against him in less than an hour.

South Africa face Czechia without suspended Yaya Sithole

The wider match was not only about one player. Themba Zwane was also sent off for South Africa after a video review, while Mexico defender César Montes saw red in stoppage time.

That made it the first World Cup opener to feature three straight red cards, an unusually wild start to the tournament.

Mexico now have three points and a plus-two goal difference, with South Korea next on June 18 in Guadalajara.

South Africa face Czechia the same day in Atlanta, and Sithole’s suspension creates an immediate midfield problem.

For South Africa, the only useful response is practical. They have to fix the midfield, absorb the suspensions, and make sure one damaging opener does not define the tournament.

Read more:

June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. men vowed to show a new aggression under coach Mauricio Pochettino at the 2026 World Cup, shedding a previous "good guy" narrative.

"I think he brings that South American spirit we've been missing," midfielder Tim Weah told reporters Wednesday. "We've always been the good guys It's kinda nice being on the other end and being the aggressor a bit. It's fun."

Star forward Christian Pulisic and the Americans will start that journey against Paraguay in their Group D opener Friday in Inglewood, Calif. The match will air at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox and Telemundo and stream on Peacock on Tubi.

The red, white and blue will play additional group-stage matches against Australia and Turkey as they attempt to reach the knockout rounds.

Unlike the unparalleled success of the U.S. women, the men have reached the quarterfinals just once since the inaugural 1930 World Cup, when they placed third. Playing in front of the home fans in the first 48-team World Cup is serving as motivation for the current 26-man squad, which hopes to inspire with its unique approach.

"I think our generation and the last generation have definitely gained the respect of the world," defender Chris Richards said. "I think a lot of people will see that this World Cup. I think whenever we go and play everywhere else in the world, it feels like we have to play twice as hard to get the respect, but so be it. We are Americans, that's what we do. We like to have that challenge.

"We are going to bring that same kind of mentality and drive to this World Cup. Hopefully, we'll show the world again why we deserve respect."

The Americans failed to advance past the Round of 16 in their last three World Cup appearances, sandwiched around their failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament. They were out in the group stage in 2006 following a 2002 quarterfinal run.

Stylistic decisions often led to strategic disadvantages for previous editions U.S. men's team, while elite soccer nations continue to succeed with consistent, patented approaches.

Under former coach Gregg Berhalter, the Americans scored just three goals while conceding four at the 2022 World Cup. German Jurgen Klinsmann and American Bob Bradley were among other recent coaches who failed to get them past the World Cup's second round.

Berhalter favored a conservative strategy based on structure, ball control and minimizing risk. Pochettino's plan shares similarities, but also lends itself to more risk, applying pressure to opponents with physicality and aggression, while encouraging freedom to attack.

"It's one that is going to bring a crazy amount of energy and enthusiasm, just an exciting brand of soccer," Pulisic toldMen In Blazers. "We are gonna press. We are gonna cause problems to other teams. We are going to fight. We are going to do all the little things and compete.

"We are going to compete our butts off and I hope that's what [fans] can really see."

Pochettino, an Argentine, was hired in September 2024, two months after Berhalter's departure. The Americans were 44-17-13 in 74 matches under Berhalter, including a 29-9-7 record in official matches. They are 14-10-2 under Pochettino.

Pochettino recently said he favors culture over strategy, with a focus on alignment, trust and confidence.

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast," Pochettino said after a 2-1 friendly loss to Germany on Saturday in Chicago.

"Here, we are not talking about the quality of the coaching staff, the strategy, the game plan, the tactics. It's about culture. When your culture and your standards and your values are aligned, that is what is going to be the thing that is going to help, after, to prepare the tactics, the strategy, the game plan and everything.

'Without that culture, that strategy, you can be brilliant, but if you don't have the energy, you don't have the commitment, you don't have the trust, the confidence, all the values that are really important in that sport, it's impossible to play well."

The U.S. men, No. 17 in the FIFA world rankings, are just a half-goal favorite to beat No. 41 Paraguay. They are outside the Top 10 betting favorites to win the tournament, behind the likes of No. 2 Spain, No. 3 France, No. 4 England, No. 5 Portugal, No. 6 Brazil and top-ranked defending champion Argentina.

They are slight favorites to win Group D, ahead of No. 22 Turkey and Paraguay. No. 27 Australia faces the longest odds to win the group.

If they win the group, the Americans would face a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J in the Round of 32. The winner of that match would face the winner of Group G or another third-place group finisher in the Round of 16. No. 9 Belgium is favored to win Group G.

Whoever advances past the Round of 16 could face Spain in a quarterfinal.

All second-place teams and the eight-best third-place teams from the 12 groups also will advance to the Round of 32 in the expanded tournament.

A second-place finish in Group D would lead to the Americans facing the second-place team from Group G in the Round of 32. That scenario could clinch a polarizing matchup with No. 20 Iran while the nations are at war.

No. 29 Egypt, No. 85 New Zealand are the other Group G contenders.

If the Americans finish second in Group D and win their Round of 32 match, co-host No. 30 Canada and No. 19 Switzerland or a third-place team are among those they could face in the Round of 32. Argentina and Portugal are among the top teams they could face in the quarterfinals.

Portugal (8), Argentina (8) and Spain (14) boast many players inside the Top 100 at the World Cup, combining for 30% of the rankings compiled by tournament broadcaster Fox. That list did not include a single American, but the U.S. roster includes several intriguing players beyond Pulisic.

Midfielders Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, forward Folarin Balogun, defender Tim Ream and Richards will be among other players to watch. Richards, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, said he is ready for the tournament, but said he couldn't predict if he will be in the lineup for Friday's opener.

"I feel good," Richards said. "I feel really good. I'm not the coach, so I can't say if I'm playing Friday or not. But me, personally, I would love to be playing the opening game."

The least-expensive tickets for the Americans' opening match of the World Cup were about $860 each on the secondary market as of Thursday afternoon. Fans who pay mightily will be among the 70,000 attendees who can expect a more experienced U.S. team with a desire to be aggressors, while keeping emotions in check.

"We are kind of at the stage where a lot of us our in our second World Cup, so we know how to manage and balance our emotions and everything," Weah said. "The most important thing is to not get too high and not get too low. I think keeping that balance is key.

"We are just focused on the main goal, and that's to start well and to put on a show for our supporters."

U.S World Cup schedule

All times EDT

Group Stage

Friday

USA vs. Paraguay at 9 p.m. in Inglewood on Fox, Tubi, Telemundo, Peacock

June 19

USA vs. Australia at 3 p.m. in Seattle on Fox, Telemundo, Peacock

June 25

USA vs. Turkey at 10 p.m. in Inglewood on Fox, Telemundo, Peacock

Round of 32

June 29

Group E winner vs. third-place team from Group A, B, C, D or F at 4:30 p.m. in Foxborough, Mass. on Fox, Fox One

June 30

Group I winner vs. third-place team from Group C, D, F, G or H at 5 p.m. in East Rutherford, N.J. on Fox, Fox One

July 1

Group D winner vs. third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J at 8 p.m. in Santa Clara, Calif. on Fox, Fox One

July 2

Group B winner vs. third-place team from Group D, E, I, J or L at 11 p.m. in Vancouver on FS1, Fox One

July 3

Group D second place vs. Group G second place at 2 p.m. in Arlington, Texas on Fox, Fox One

Group K winner vs. third-place team from Group D, E, I, J or L at 9:30 p.m. on Fox, Fox One

Round of 16

July 4 to 7

Quarterfinals

July 9 to 11

Semifinals

July 14

July 15

Final

July 19

Happy birthday to Koni De Winter, currently representing Belgium at the World Cup following a season of steady growth in the Rossoneri shirt. After arriving in Milano last summer, the defender established himself as an important part of the squad thanks to his reliability, versatility and consistent performances. With more than 30 appearances across all competitions this season, De Winter earned his place in AC Milan’s back line and became a valuable option throughout the campaign. On his birthday, everyone at AC Milan would like to wish him a very happy day and all the best for the year ahead. Happy Birthday, Koni!

ThenewAC Milan 2026/27 HomeKit is available: buy it now!

Co-hosts Canada welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Toronto Stadium tomorrow evening for their opening World Cup fixture, as they look to get off to a dream start in Group B.

It will mark the first men’s FIFA World Cup match hosted on Canadian soil, with the country also staging its own opening ceremony, headlined by Michael Bublé.

Alongside co-hosts the United States and Mexico, Canada automatically qualified for the World Cup, while opponents Bosnia secured their place after upsetting Italy on penalties to reach their second World Cup.

Canada will make their third appearance at the World Cup, having previously qualified for Mexico 1986 and Qatar in 2022.

It will be the first time that Canada have qualified for back-to-back World Cup tournaments, following their last appearance four years ago.

Canada have ever only scored twice at a World Cup, once through an own goal against Morocco and one against Croatia at Qatar 2022.

The hosts have lost their last six World Cup matches, but head into the 2026 tournament unbeaten in their last eight games, having built a strong defensive record that includes six clean sheets.

Jesse Marsch’s men will go into the match against Bosnia hoping to secure a victory on home turf in front of their home supporters tomorrow.

Alphonso Davies will be a doubt for Canada due to a hamstring injury, while Jayden Nelson has been called up as a replacement for Marcelo Flores, who has been ruled out after suffering an ACL injury.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina head into the match unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.

But they will be searching for their first win against CONCACAF side since a 1-0 friendly win over Mexico in Chicago in 2014.

Bosnia came close to progressing past the group stage at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but missed out by a single point to Nigeria.

In that campaign they won one match and lost twice in the Group stage.

In recent matches Sergej Barbarez’s men ended their recent friendlies 0-0 and 1-1 against North Macedonia and Panama.

It will be the first ever time that Bosnia and Herzegovina have faced Canada at a FIFA World Cup, although the two sides have met twice previously in other competitions.

Those meetings ended with one win for Bosnia and one draw, with their most recent encounter taking place seven years ago.

The match will kick off at 3pm local time in Toronto, people viewing in the UK can watch the match at 8pm and will be shown on the BBC in the UK, Fox/Fox one in the US and TSN/CTV/Crave in Canada.

Barcelona have taken an important step behind the scenes by appointing a new financial director as the club prepare for some of the biggest economic decisions of Joan Laporta’s presidency.

According to AS, Sergio Serrano, an executive from Banco Sabadell, will join Barcelona to lead the club’s financial restructuring efforts.

Serrano is best known for his role in the restructuring of the former Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo, a savings bank, and arrives with a reputation for handling complex financial operations.

The club have spent recent years focused on stabilising their finances and reducing operational losses.

Now, the next challenge seems to be managing the debt and securing the funding necessary to complete major infrastructure projects such as Espai Barca.

Espai Barca becomes the priority

Barcelona have appointed a new CFO. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The report states that one of Serrano’s main responsibilities will be overseeing the financial aspects of Espai Barca and the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s overall debt remains around €2 billion, while the financing required for the stadium project continues to place significant demands on the club’s resources.

Serrano is expected to work under general director Manel del Rio and incoming economic vice-president Ferran Olive as Barcelona navigate this next phase.

Perhaps the most immediate challenge will involve securing additional funding for the stadium works.

More decisions on the horizon

According to the report, Barcelona may soon call an Extraordinary Assembly meeting to request approval from members for additional financing linked to the completion of Espai Barca.

Barcelona are preparing for a major financial challenge. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The €1.45 billion financial package previously assembled by Goldman Sachs from multiple investors has already been exhausted.

Civil and infrastructure works hardly ever finish within the estimated budget, and when a project is as big as renovating Camp Nou, this comes as no surprise.

This appointment highlights where many of the club’s biggest battles now lie. Serrano’s arrival may not generate the excitement of a new signing, but his role could have a major influence on the club.

While transfer news is what will dominate headlines, it is appointments like these that will set the club up to make such marquee signings in the future.

ESPN | Enrique Rojas: The Red Sox sit in last place in the division, and even though the last Wild Card slot is currently held by the .500 Texas Rangers, there isn’t much faith in Fenway making a push to contend this year. Plenty of people expect Boston to be sellers, and they have a few short-term rentals that could entice some good returns including their closer, Aroldis Chapman, who is miraculously in the best form of his career despite now being 38 years old.

Chapman knows he’s on the trading block, and could expect to be in a different uniform by the deadline, but there’s one particular jersey he wouldn’t want to put on again unless his conditions were met. He said he would want an apology from the team, more specifically Brian Cashman, for how his Yankees tenure ended before he could feel comfortable playing for them again. This may come as a surprise to anyone who was following the team when he last played here, because that 2022 season burned every ounce of remaining goodwill the closer had with the fanbase — after years of underperformance in the playoffs and routine stretches of blowing games by not coming close to finding the strike zone, Chapman went and got a tattoo midseason that got infected forcing the team to sit him on the IL and all but handed the closer gig over to Clay Holmes. Then at the end of the year, Chapman got left off the postseason roster when he missed a mandatory practice before the ALDS.

Frankly, the Sox would never trade Chapman over to their archrivals in the first place so this is a moot point, but I also wouldn’t want him to ever come back even if he is pitching lights out nowadays and I certainly don’t think Cashman owes Chapman any sort of apology. I hardly think I’d be alone in that belief.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: The Yankees are heading north of the border to Toronto for the first time this season, and thus also returning for the first time since their brutal ALDS games last year. The team may be without Aaron Judge in the lineup for the foreseeable future, but their rotation looks to be significantly better than when they traveled up and got shelled for 23 runs in two games. They’re also facing a Blue Jays team that is much further out of the race than the last time they made their initial trip up, as last year’s first meeting was the turning point that gave Toronto a division lead that wouldn’t get relinquished following a four-game sweep.

NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: There was some friendly tomfoolery at the ballpark on Wednesday, as Cody Bellinger was subjected to a professional heckler. The content creator Trevor Gilmore has a dedicated page to heckling the road team’s left fielder with some ultimately harmless jokes alongside playfully calling them a bum, and he gets invited by several MLB teams to come and run his schtick for them with Cleveland happening to be his latest appearance. Bellinger said that he heard the chants loud and clear, but had fun with it and noted that he had some good lines.

MLB.com | Henry Palattella: Paul Goldschmidt entered this season expecting a part-time role for the first time in his lengthy career, and he openly embraced the role of the veteran backup. He kept himself productive enough in the first month and change of the season, but once injuries began to mount in the lineup and his name started appearing regularly in the lineup again he showed that there was no rust on the seven-time All-Star’s bat. He’s had a hot May and carried it over into June, hitting for a .924 OPS with seven homers and 23 RBI in 31 games played, and even though some of the regulars are set to return soon having a productive Goldy who can stay ready whether he’s sitting for days on end or has to play a week straight will be vital to this team staying in a rhythm offensively.

West Ham United midfielder Mohamadou Kanté (20) is attracting interest from Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco, as per a report from Foot Mercato.

The Athletic reported earlier this month that, following the Hammers’ relegation to the EFL Championship, Kanté could leave the club.

Kanté joined West Ham from Paris FC back in 2024. Last season, he made the breakthrough into the first team. He made 11 appearances in the Premier League, although he only accumulated 66 minutes of playing time in the league. However, he did make starts in the FA Cup. 

The Frenchman is, nonetheless, highly rated. Foot Mercato understands that around 20 clubs across Europe have been scouting the midfielder. There is unnamed Premier League interest, as well as interest in Italy, in the form of Fiorentina. 

Marseille, who are awaiting meetings with UEFA and the DNCG before setting a budget for the summer window, and Monaco are also interested. Kanté’s contract with West Ham runs until the summer of 2031. He is valued at €20m, however, Foot Mercato understands that a loan move could also be a possibility. 

GFFN| Luke Entwistle

Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Aurel Bisseck have generated interest, but Inter didn’t actively shop them, plot to keep them and have started negotiating their extensions, despite going all steam ahead in their pursuit of Oumar Solet, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

The Italian star was openly linked to Barcelona for a few months before the start of the summer. However, the two teams were never really close to agreeing on his price tag. His agent recently closed the matter (via Tuttomercatoweb).

“He’ll stay for sure. He still has two years on his contract. All the top teams like him. You can’t say what will happen down the line, but he feels at home here. His transfer isn’t a topic of conversation now.”

Bisseck has been rumored to be on the way out after Inter seemingly took Bastoni off the market, but his price tag is substantial.  Bayern Munich laid eyes on him, while a few Premier League sides bid for him last summer.

The youngster recently changed his representative, who has been spotted at the club’s HQ. The center-back is already tied to the Scudetto winners until 2029. Still, the management could tack on one or two years and bump up his salary to make sure he’s happy.

Our Take on Inter, Bastoni, and Bisseck

Signing Solet basically to replace Francesco Acerbi and/or Stefan De Vrij rather than a starter would be the way to go to really improve at the position. The Udinese man’s attainable price tag makes it very possible. There’s no rush for the latter. They can take their time in mulling over the offers and see if selling him could lead to the addition of a better player.

How the 49ers reacted to Rams trading for Myles Garrett
“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s AI or whatever,'” Jones said, laughing. “I saw the blue check and I was like, ‘No, click on his profile.’ Then I was like, ‘Shoot, that’s crazy.’ Myles is a great player.”

As the reality of Garrett’s arrival to one of the 49ers’ biggest divisional rivals set in, the reactions in San Francisco ranged from Jones’ disbelief to a shrug and a laugh, not because of a lack of respect for Garrett, but because the already difficult NFC West never seems to take a day off when it comes to its on-going arms race.“

A no-drama wideout? 49ers embrace Mike Evans as a coach, dad and ‘real dude’ (paywall)
“The six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has toggled between two teams since he signed his three-year, $42.4 million contract in March: His new team, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Mike Evans Elite AAU basketball team based outside Houston in Katy, Texas, which includes one of his three daughters.

“I feel like I’m a fair coach,” Evans said. “I coach them hard. But I coach girls – 14-year-old girls — so that’s a lot to deal with. It’s been going well. Our last tournament wasn’t a great showing, but we’ve gotten better compared to last year. I’m looking forward to finishing up the summer strong.”

Evans’ side gig is a reminder that he’s more than the most decorated wide receiver the 49ers have had since Terrell Ownens’ final season in 2003. He’s a father of four who has been married since 2016 and is a four-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award due to his work to support youth education, single moms and domestic-violence victims.“

49ers rookie Kaelon Black earns strong endorsement from Greg Cosell
“I really liked his tape a lot,” Cosell said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. “I think that he fits the way the 49ers play offense. He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s got some juice to him. He gets hard yards. It would not surprise me if he earns the job as the backup to McCaffrey, because I thought his tape was really, really good.”

Fred Warner believes the 49ers have a ‘three-headed monster’ along the defensive line
“Warner continued: “A three-headed monster at D-line in Alfred Collins, CJ West, Mykel coming off injury. I think all three of those guys have an opportunity to really take a next step. Mykel, even coming off the ACL, I think his mindset, the way that he looks right now, I think he’ll be great when he does come back; I think all those guys are going to do really good this year.”

Those three were incredible run defenders last season. The 49ers run defense allowed a 42% success rate and a 4.9% explosive run rate with Williams on the field. When he wasn’t playing, those numbers skyrocketed to 52.9% and 11.8%.

Collins and West taking on and holding their ground against double teams last year were one of the bright spots along a defense that didn’t have many. It’s a sign that those two can be building blocks in the middle.“

Yamal, Williams return to training in World Cup boost for Spain – ESPN
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams returned to full training with Spain at the team’s base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Thursday. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said last week he expects Yamal to be “ready to play” in Spain’s opening World Cup game, although he admitted that the Barcelona winger’s involvement could be limited to “just a few minutes.”

Confirmed: Wembley is the only rival to Camp Nou, and UEFA will decide in three months – Mundo Deportivo
European football’s governing body closed the deadline for submitting bids for the 2029 Champions League final on Wednesday without any last-minute surprise entrants.

Hamza will sign a contract with Barça until 2029 – Mundo Deportivo
Al-Ahly announced that Barça had activated their purchase option for 1.5 million euros, and Barça will officially announce that he will stay for three more years.

Darwin Núñez is also waiting for news from Barça – Mundo Deportivo
The Uruguayan is waiting to resolve his future with Al-Hilal and has already received news from Liverpool and that his name came up in a meeting between Jorge Mendes and the Saudi club regarding Cancelo.

Manchester United have their sights set on Lewandowski – Mundo Deportivo
The ‘Red Devils’ are studying the market opportunity represented by the Polish striker, although his salary is complicating the moves for his incorporation.

Damien Duff has joined Brentford as first-team assistant coach.

Duff, who led Shelbourne to the League of Ireland Premier Division title in 2024, will begin work with the Bees later this month.

“I’ve known Damien for a long time,” said head coach Keith Andrews.

“I’ve seen him up close throughout his coaching journey. We’ve been on courses together and worked together as coaches with the Republic of Ireland national team.

“Damien will bring experience, presence and a real level of detail to our coaching department. He will add to the great group we already have and I’m very pleased that he is joining us.”

“Damien will bring experience, presence and a real level of detail to our coaching department'

Duff enjoyed an illustrious playing career spanning almost two decades, making more than 600 senior appearances and earning 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Starring under José Mourinho, the winger won two Premier League titles, the League Cup and Community Shield during three years with Chelsea.

Duff also represented Blackburn Rovers - where he lifted the League Cup in 2002 – as well as Newcastle United, Fulham, Melbourne City and Shamrock Rovers.

After retiring from playing in 2015, Duff moved into coaching with Shamrock Rovers before joining the Republic of Ireland set-up as a coach in 2018.

He later became first-team coach at Celtic, helping the club secure a domestic treble during the 2019/20 campaign.

Duff took charge of Shelbourne in November 2021 and oversaw a significant period of progress at the Dublin club, guiding them into UEFA Conference League qualifying before delivering the League of Ireland Premier Division title in 2024 - Shelbourne’s first league championship in 18 years.

He now joins Keith Andrews’ first-team staff ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Ruben Amorim to AC Milan? Why the Portuguese Coach Remains in Demand

According to reports from Fichajes, AC Milan have opened discussions with Ruben Amorim as they continue their search for a new head coach ahead of a pivotal campaign. While names such as Oliver Glasner, Ralf Rangnick and Mauricio Pochettino remain in the frame, the former Manchester United manager has emerged as a genuine contender for one of European football’s most prestigious roles.

Milan Search for Fresh Direction

AC Milan are entering a crucial period. With sporting leadership determined to establish a new identity, the appointment of their next manager will shape recruitment, squad development and the broader direction of the club.

As reported by Fichajes, “AC Milan want a coach with personality, clear methodology and the ability to rebuild a damaged squad.”

That description naturally leads many decision makers towards Amorim. Despite his difficult spell at Manchester United, his reputation across European football remains significant. Clubs continue to view him through the lens of the work he produced at Sporting Lisbon rather than focusing solely on his struggles at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese coach built his reputation on organisation, tactical clarity and player development. Those qualities remain highly valued, particularly at clubs attempting to rebuild.

Photo IMAGO

Sporting Legacy Still Carries Weight

One of the most telling observations from the report centres on how Amorim is perceived outside England.

Fichajes notes: “His time at Manchester United was tough, but it does not destroy his reputation.”

That assessment feels accurate. Many within the game recognise the challenges he faced at United. The club was operating in a climate of instability, constant scrutiny and significant structural issues. Managers before him struggled, and others have encountered similar problems since.

In Italy, there appears to be a belief that context matters.

The report adds: “The English club was in an unstable situation, with an unbalanced squad and too many urgencies. It was not an easy environment to implement a profound idea.”

That perspective may explain why Milan are willing to explore the possibility of appointing him despite his recent setback.

Serie A Could Suit Amorim’s Approach

Italian football has often rewarded coaches capable of balancing tactical sophistication with strong squad management. Amorim’s methods could fit naturally into that environment.

Fichajes highlights that “The Serie A, moreover, can better fit with its tactical nuances.”

There is logic behind that argument. Amorim’s teams have traditionally been structured, disciplined and adaptable. His ability to work with younger players while maintaining competitive standards was a major factor behind Sporting’s success.

At Milan, he would inherit a club demanding immediate progress but also one capable of offering greater stability than he experienced in England.

As the report puts it, “At AC Milan they believe that a more orderly project could bring out a different version of the Portuguese.”

That may ultimately become the key factor in any decision.

Decision Still Remains Open

While Amorim has emerged as a serious candidate, he is not currently viewed as the overwhelming favourite. Glasner continues to attract admiration, while Rangnick and Pochettino remain under consideration.

Fichajes summarises the situation succinctly: “Nothing is closed yet. Ruben Amorim is not the absolute favorite, but he is a serious option.”

For Amorim, Milan represents an opportunity to restore momentum to his managerial career. For Milan, he offers a blend of modern coaching principles, recent success and a hunger to prove himself once again.

Whether those factors prove decisive remains to be seen. What is clear is that one disappointing chapter at Manchester United has not diminished his standing across Europe. If AC Milan decide he is their man, Amorim could soon find himself leading one of football’s most iconic institutions into a new era.

The San Siro demolition date is edging closer after years of uncertainty surrounding the future of one of football’s most iconic stadiums.

Milan and Inter are now moving forward with plans to build a brand-new shared stadium in Milan, with the current expectation that demolition work on San Siro will begin in 2031, after both clubs relocate to the new arena.

Both Milan and Inter have been popular picks on all UK betting sites over the years, particularly during their various Serie A title-winning campaigns and Champions League runs.

When Is San Siro Being Demolished?

Current redevelopment plans suggest the San Siro demolition will take place sometime after the new stadium opens during the 2030-31 season.

Construction on the replacement stadium is expected to begin in 2027 on land adjacent to the current San Siro site. Once the new venue is fully operational, demolition work on large parts of the existing stadium is expected to begin shortly afterwards.

Despite constant speculation over the past few years, the stadium will continue hosting both Milan and Inter matches until the new ground is completed.

Why Are Milan And Inter Demolishing San Siro?

The two Serie A clubs believe San Siro is no longer financially competitive compared to modern stadiums across Europe.

Although the stadium remains one of the most historic venues in world football, both clubs have repeatedly argued that renovation costs would be too expensive and commercially restrictive compared to building a new arena from scratch.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 02: General view inside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Plans for a new stadium first emerged in 2019, but the project faced delays due to political opposition, heritage concerns and disagreements over whether San Siro should instead be renovated.

However, recent developments have significantly accelerated the process, with both clubs now fully committed to the demolition and rebuild project.

Will All Of San Siro Be Demolished?

Not all of San Siro will be demolished; current proposals suggest that parts of the stadium’s iconic exterior could remain as part of a redeveloped public space surrounding the new stadium.

However, most of the seating bowl and interior sections are expected to be demolished once Milan and Inter move into their new home.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: General view outside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

San Siro Demolition Date Timeline

As things currently stand, the expected timeline is:

• 2027: Construction on the new stadium begins
• 2030-31: New stadium expected to open
• 2031 onwards: San Siro demolition begins

Until then, fans will still have several more seasons to visit one of football’s most legendary stadiums before the famous San Siro skyline eventually changes forever.

Ivan Toney reportedly scored a hat-trick as England continued their warm-up for the World Cup by beating local side Miami United FC 6-0.

The Three Lions staged the behind-closed-doors fixture on Thursday following their 3-0 win over Costa Rica in their final official friendly in Orlando.

The match was not a traditional 90-minute contest, and did not feature key players such as captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

It was held in England’s pre-World Cup training camp in West Palm Beach, before Thomas Tuchel’s team fly to Kansas City, their base for the tournament.

According to reports, striker Toney scored a stunning long-range strike as part of his hat-trick, while Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo and Marc Guehi featured.

Henderson was also on the scoresheet, along with Liverpool’s 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and Arsenal’s teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

Neither Ngumoha, who also scored a spectacular goal from distance, or Nwaneri are part of England’s final 26-man squad and will be flying home before the tournament.

England play their opening game of the World Cup against Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Texas on Wednesday 17 June. They also play Ghana and Panama in Group L.

Meanwhile, England captain Kane has admitted he may never have a better opportunity to win the World Cup than this year. The striker scored an incredible 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season.

In an interview with ITV he said: “It could be your last because you never know what happens in football. You know what I’m like, I want to play for a long, long time. I feel in my prime, as fit as I’ve ever felt, that hunger is there but it could be my last.

“The World Cup, for me, is the pinnacle of any career. This is my third tournament now and I’ll probably just say, the shape I’m in and coming off the season I’ve had it’s probably the best opportunity I’ll get in my career to win the World Cup.”

Rice scored against Costa Rica in England’s final public warm-up game, but admitted the heat and weather disruption have already shown what awaits at the World Cup.

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Declan Rice has revealed his mother “killed” him after he was photographed badly sunburnt during England’s pre-World Cup photo-shoot.

Rice played in England’s final public warm-up friendly on Wednesday and scored against Costa Rica in the 3-0 win, with people talking more about his sunburn than his performance at Inter&co Stadium.

“I think everyone has seen those photos, I was bright red in that photoshoot,” he said. “My mum was killing me!

“Honestly, the first day we came, it was just getting used to that heat. Coming from England where it’s hot-cold, all different types of weather, coming here and it’s always 30 degrees – it really does hit you in the face.

“We got into the rooms at the hotel and it was bright sunshine, you take a nap and you’re like, ‘What’s going on here?’” Rice added.

Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images

“The manager said that’s what you’re going to face at this tournament because they had it at the Club World Cup, where it’s stop-start. Even in a game, you could be playing 60-65 minutes and the next thing, thunder and lightning strikes and you have to come off.

“So, you have to adapt to everything and the manager has made us fully aware of that. It was only an hour’s difference [delay ahead of the game] today, so it wasn’t too much, but it was good to get a taste of it, potentially for what’s to come and how to deal with it, and we’re adapting to everything.”

Rice also admitted the strain of his epic season has been more psychological than physical, with the World Cup now coming straight after the emotional demands of club football that saw him win the Premier League and lose the Champions League final.

“I feel good as gold,” he said. “Feel really fit, feel really strong.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League

“Had a couple of niggles throughout the season which I managed really well with the physios and the manager, so I’ve come here in a really good place.

“I feel really confident. I think winning that Premier League for me, I have come here with a sense of confidence and a spring in my step.

“Now I have got over that line with Arsenal, it has given me that confidence that we can come here and achieve big things as well.

“I’m really in a good place at the moment.

“I think the season has been more mentally tough than physically,” he added. “Even though I have played so many games, the emotions you go through on a football pitch is ridiculous.

“Trying to win the Premier League, and then to lose the [Champions League] final. You’re up and down constantly, trying to adapt. And then full focus turns to the World Cup.

“It’s hard to think about the World Cup in a season because you have so many big games, but when you actually get here it starts to hit you.”

“So I’m happy I didn’t think about it too much ahead, and obviously now I have come here with a fresh mind, ready to go.”

In other Arsenal and England news, Ethan Nwaneriplayed in a behind-closed-doors friendly as the Three Lions finished their preparations against Miami FC, finding the back of the net in a 6-0 win.

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Before he headed over to the US, Get French Football News spoke with AS Monaco and USMNT forward Folarin Balogun (24) ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

What does it mean for you to represent your country at the World Cup this summer? 

It’s a big, big opportunity. There’s a great sense of pride. I’m really looking forward to representing America on home soil and making the country proud. 

Would you say that you have a very pivotal role to play for the US this summer? Lots of people are kind of looking at you now, even maybe more so than, say, Pulisic, as almost the leader of the attack at this year’s World Cup… 

Yeah, definitely. I think it’s an opportunity, as I said, but it’s also the biggest sporting event in the world. There are going to be millions, if not billions, of eyes watching it. This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent. It’s what you want as a child.

I think with great pressure also comes great responsibility. But overall, I’m very excited, and it’s important to take my club form into the international stage and be a pivotal player. 

What do you do to ensure that this pressure a good feeling, a good pressure, not a bad pressure? 

Yeah, I think it’s down to the work you do every day. I think if you train hard and you work hard when this opportunity comes, there’s nothing to be scared of. But if you’re not having maybe a good season and then you go into the World Cup, there’s going to be a lot of pressure. So this is why, at the beginning of the season, I said the most important thing is to focus on what I’m doing here in Monaco. And then, in the summer, when the World Cup comes, if I have a good season in Monaco (43 games, 19 goals, five assists), then it will be easier to go into the World Cup. 

The fact that you play at home, you are one of the most important players on the international team; this moment can change your life. Do you agree with that? 

Yeah, I agree. If you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far in this competition, it can change the direction of your career. So this is something to excite you. I don’t think it’s something to be nervous about. So I’m looking forward to this. 

What are your biggest memories of the World Cup? 

I would say the biggest is the most recent, France v Argentina. Of course, there are more. But the last final was one of the most amazing football matches I’ve ever watched. So it just shows the magnitude of how important the World Cup is. And I think it’s not just me, but I’m sure my teammates as well are very excited. 

The USMNT is always in the top 16 in the world, more or less. So what’s your goal in this competition? 

To go as far as possible. I’m not naive; It’s not going to be easy. But the objective is to go as far as possible. The thing we’re saying within the USA is to believe. And why not? So, the objective is to go as far as possible. But I think it’s important just to set small objectives. Of course, make it out of the group, then prepare for the knockout phase. 

Do you feel ‘soccer’ is becoming more and more a big deal in the USA?

I hope so. When I’m in Europe, you know, I only focus on European things when I’m in Europe. You know, I play in Europe. When I go to America in the summer, then I’m hoping to see the country supporting football and everybody involved. And this would make me happy. And I’m sure it’s important for the country. And this is what they want also.

Which country has the best squad?

I mean, in terms of on paper, I’d probably say France. There’s no denying the quality in their squad. But the World Cup doesn’t come down to who has the best team on paper. It comes down to different things.

Just in terms of Mauricio Pochettino and him coming in, I know he’s said a lot about, ‘Why not us?’ So he’s trying to give the squad lots of belief. What has he brought? He’s so experienced in the Premier League as well; he is such a big name…. Has he brought a lot of belief that the US can go far? 

Yeah, he’s brought belief. He’s brought a fighting mentality. He’s a top coach. I think he’s had a big responsibility coming in. The objective for him, as I said, is to go as far as we can in the World Cup. But he’s definitely had a positive impact, making the squad a lot more competitive. I’m looking forward to the summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we do and, as I said, to making the country proud. 

Tell us about Paraguay, your first opponent in the World Cup…

[They’re] very aggressive. When we played against them [last time], there was a big fight, and I think the coach ended up on the floor! So, I think this shows that it’s not going to be an easy game. But, yeah, I’m hoping, in the World Cup, for better officiating. So, it’s not going to be so crazy. 

Do you think it’s going to be more than a World Cup for American citizens? Can you also help people be happy during the summer? 

Yeah, I hope so. I hope so. My dream is also that the way that the fans are in Europe, that this is going to be the same in America. So there’s a lot more potential for football to grow in America. I hope the World Cup can be something that can help that happen. 

Okay. With all the problems we have in terms of geopolitics, do you think this World Cup can be like a break, a form of escapism?

What happens around the world, in general, as a player, you have your opinions. But I think the most important thing is to remember my job. My job is obviously to play football. And through playing football and doing my job well, I can impact many lives, and I can help people across the world. I don’t get involved in the political stuff because, as I said, that’s not my job. But I’m fully focused on having a good World Cup in America, making the country proud. And I’m sure if I do this, it’s going to provide a lot of joy to a lot of people.

This interview is a repost from Get French Football News and can be found HERE

GFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco

About six months after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt, Dino Toppmöller is understood to be nearing a return to coaching.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the 45-year-old will take charge of RC Lens on a two-year contract.

He is set to replace Pierre Sage, who is expected to move to Crystal Palace to succeed Oliver Glasner.

Sage led Lens to an impressive second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, as well as a French Cup triumph.

AC Milan, Crystal Palace and clubs from Saudi Arabia were also interested in Toppmöller, who was relieved of his duties at Eintracht Frankfurt in January.

Liverpool monitoring Arda Guler as Real Madrid star attracts growing Premier League interest

Liverpool’s ongoing squad evolution appears to have led the club towards one of European football’s most gifted young creators, with Arda Guler emerging as a player attracting significant attention ahead of the transfer window.

The 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in Spain, establishing himself as an increasingly influential figure at the Santiago Bernabeu and strengthening his reputation as one of the continent’s most exciting attacking talents.

Reports originating from Sports Boom suggest Liverpool are among the clubs closely monitoring Guler’s situation, with Arsenal and Chelsea also credited with an interest in the Turkey international.

For Liverpool, the attraction is obvious. Guler possesses technical quality, tactical flexibility and creative instincts that are increasingly difficult to find in modern football.

Photo: IMAGO

Rising influence at Real Madrid

After arriving at Real Madrid amid considerable expectation, Guler’s development has accelerated dramatically over the past season.

The attacking midfielder has contributed 20 goals and assists across all competitions while demonstrating an ability to impact matches from multiple positions. Although naturally most comfortable operating centrally behind a striker, he has also been deployed on either flank and deeper in midfield.

His performances have earned praise from some of football’s most respected figures. Perhaps most notably, former Liverpool midfielder and current Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso compared Guler to Mesut Ozil, a comparison that highlights the youngster’s vision, creativity and intelligence in possession.

Such praise reflects the growing belief that Guler is developing into a player capable of dictating matches at the highest level.

Premier League competition intensifies

According to Sports Boom, Liverpool are not alone in tracking the midfielder.

The report states: “Chelsea is not alone in this race [for Guler].

“According to sources close to SportsBoom, Arsenal and Liverpool are also closely monitoring the situation of Arda Guler.

“Both clubs want to increase their midfield depth, and this interest is fueled by the anticipation that the age, technical capacity and market value of Guler will multiply exponentially in the coming years.

“Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has always looked favourably upon young and highly technical players. Although whether Guler can adapt to the Arsenal system remains a topic of debate, it is known that the interest rests on a concrete foundation.

“On the Liverpool front, the search for a creative profile like Guler is clearly felt during the new generation rebuilding process under the new management.”

That assessment underlines why several elite clubs are monitoring developments around the Real Madrid star.

Versatility adds major appeal

Modern recruitment increasingly favours players capable of performing multiple roles, and Guler fits that profile perfectly.

His ability to operate as a number ten, right winger, left winger or central midfielder provides managers with tactical flexibility. For Liverpool, that versatility could be particularly valuable as they continue reshaping their squad.

Creative midfielders who can also influence games from wide areas are highly prized, especially in systems that demand fluid movement and positional rotation.

Guler combines technical elegance with strong decision-making and impressive productivity for a player still only 21 years old. His comfort receiving possession in tight spaces and his ability to unlock organised defences make him an attractive option for any elite side seeking greater attacking variety.

Transfer reality Liverpool must consider

Any move for Arda Guler would be far from straightforward.

Real Madrid view the Turkish international as a key component of their future and are unlikely to entertain offers unless a substantial proposal arrives. Reports have suggested a valuation approaching £100 million, a figure that would place him among the most expensive signings in Liverpool’s history.

Whether Liverpool ultimately pursue a formal move remains unclear, but their reported interest illustrates the calibre of player being considered as part of the club’s long-term planning.

With Arda Guler continuing to flourish at Real Madrid and attracting admiration across Europe, his future will inevitably remain a subject of intense speculation. For now, Liverpool’s interest appears to be at the monitoring stage, but if his development continues on its current trajectory, competition for his signature is only likely to intensify.

Someone is excited about the center position for the Washington Commanders.

This offseason got off to a shocking start when, suddenly, the breaking news was that Washington had just released starting center Tyler Biadasz. Biadasz had been the starter for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, and no one in the media was aware that the Commanders were going to move on from Biadasz.

Darnell Stapleton had been an assistant offensive line coach for those same two seasons. This offseason, he was promoted to the offensive line coach. Natalie Spala of Washington's ABC 7 caught up with Stapleton briefly this week after OTAs.

"In this day and age of free agency, it is very rare to have a group almost stay intact for three years," expressed Stapleton. "To have guys that have starting experience here, as well as other places, to keep that group together and up the level of competition, because of the skill set is unique."

Year 3 in Washington, but Year 1 as the #Commanders offensive line coach for Darnell Stapleton.

After earning a promotion from assistant, Stapleton is grateful for the opportunity to lead a veteran group with plenty of continuity.

I also asked about Nick Allegretti at center. pic.twitter.com/S169jI3EF6

— Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) June 11, 2026

Indeed, the Commanders' Sam Cosmi, Nick Allegretti, Brandon Coleman, Andrew Wiley, and Chris Paul enter their third year of the Dan Quinn era. Both starting tackles, Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly, return as well. "It's not something I take for granted," said Stapleton. "To have that baseline of guys who have been there, done that, it's good to have," laughed Stapleton, in a recognition that he is blessed to have such a group in his first season as the offensive line coach.

Regarding Allegretti moving from guard, replacing Biadasz at center? "He's a competitor. He's been in the league for a while now; scrappy, reliable, dependable, smart. You know exactly what you are going to get from Nick. He understands we are going to preach it, live it. It's going to be a competition, and he's up to the challenge. Three guys have been getting reps this offseason: Nick, Julian (Good-Jones), and the draft pick Matt (Gulbin). Personally, I am excited about that competition."

Allegretti played center as a youth and in high school and has expressed eagerness to return to center.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Darnell Stapleton believes in Nick Allegretti

2026 World Cup of Darts Day 2 live results, scores and group stage standings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The World Cup of Darts resumes on Friday, with 24 group-stage matches across the afternoon and evening sessions in Frankfurt on Day 2.

After the evening session ends, an open draw will take place to determine the round two matchups for the countries that advanced.

2026 World Cup of Darts Day 2 schedule & results

Here is the schedule and results from Day 2.

MORE: 2026 World Cup of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

Afternoon session

MORE: When do Luke Littler and Luke Humphries play for England at the 2026 World Cup of Darts?

Evening session

2026 World Cup of Darts group stage standings

Here are the standings for the group stage.

*The top country in each group will advance to the knockout stage, joining the four teams with a bye (England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland)

MORE:2026 World Cup of Darts group stage winner predictions and previews: Germany and Belgium in real danger

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group I

Group J

Group K

Group L

More Darts articles:

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• Luke Littler contract details: Teenage phenom signs richest endorsement deal in darts history
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William Saliba and Adrien Rabiot were not involved in France’s first-team training session on Thursday, as per a report from L’Équipe.

Saliba is currently managing back pain. Prior to flying to the US, there had been fears that the Arsenal defender’s FIFA World Cup dreams could be curtailed by the issue. However, the severity of the problem has been downplayed by Didier Deschamps and France’s medical staff. It is still an issue that needs managing, however, and there is a prospect of Saliba undergoing surgery on the problem post-tournament. 

In what was Les Bleus’ first training session since arriving in Boston, Saliba did laps of the pitch with physical trainer Cyril Moine. He was joined by AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot. He and Saliba were the only two absentees from the session. L’Équipe understands that there are no concerns about the fitness of either player. 

France will face Senegal in their World Cup opener on Tuesday.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Erling Haaland swapped the football pitch for the ice rink as he and his Norway team-mates took in a Stanley Cup match.

The Norway contingent provided lively support for the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the NHL play-off series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

The Manchester City forward, who will make his long-awaited World Cup debut against Iraq on 16 June (23:00 BST), cut a relaxed figure at the Lenovo Centre in Raleigh, waving to the crowd when the Norway team appeared on the scoreboard screen and swinging a Hurricanes rally towel around his head.

Arriving at the game in a grey polo shirt, he was later filmed beaming in a white and red Hurricanes jersey emblazoned with the number nine – the same number he wears for both club and country.

The Hurricanes, targeting their first Stanley Cup crown for 20 years, lead the Golden Knights 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, completing a 4-2 regulation win in game five.

Norway are playing at their first World Cup since 1998 – and their first major tournament since Euro 2000 – and have already made a mark despite not starting their campaign until next Tuesday.

The squad donned authentic Viking dress for an epic send-off photograph by acclaimed British photographer David Yarrow, titled The Vikings Are Coming, and have also paid tribute to their players' roots with a team photo featuring the shirts of their first clubs.

Norway are based in Greensboro, North Carolina – about 80 miles from the Hurricanes' Raleigh home – for the duration of the tournament, with the opportunity to watch the blue riband event of the NHL season coming less than a fortnight after the men's national ice hockey team shocked Canada in overtime to clinch the bronze medal at the World Championships.

After facing Iraq in their World Cup opener in Boston, Norway travel to New Jersey to play Senegal (23 June, 01:00 BST) before returning to Boston for a meeting with France (26 June, 20:00 BST).

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June

3 1st ODI, Jamaica

Sri Lanka won by 41 runs

Scorecard

6 2nd ODI, Jamaica (d/n)

No result

Scorecard

8 3rd ODI, Jamaica (d/n)

Match abandoned without a ball bowled (rain)

Scorecard

11 1st Twenty20 international, Jamaica (d/n)

West Indies won by seven wickets

Scorecard

13 2nd Twenty20 international, Jamaica (d/n)

Play starts at 01:30 BST (14 Jun)

Scorecard

14 3rd Twenty20 international, Jamaica (d/n) (01:30 BST, 15 Jun)

18-21 Tour match (opponents TBC), Antigua (15:00 BST)

25-29 1st Test, Antigua (15:00 BST)

July

3-7 2nd Test, Antigua (15:00 BST)

NB Fixtures and start times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made

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Nat Sciver-Brunt might be struggling to win one World Cup this summer.

In team-mate Issy Wong's football sweepstake, the England captain has drawn rank outsiders Curacao. Her prospects of success can surely only improve from there.

Because as the football kicks into gear in North America, and while Ben Stokes' England captaincy future makes headlines at home, Sciver-Brunt's side open their home T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka on Friday at Edgbaston.

With competition for eyeballs fierce, this is a significant moment for the England team and cricket more widely in the UK.

• A shock group-stage exit? T20 World Cup team guide
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It is 15 months since England turned to Charlotte Edwards, and in turn Sciver-Brunt, and we should not downplay the difficulty of the task the coach and captain are facing.

England have won all four Women's World Cups held in their home country, in a run going back to 1973. But they have failed to win any of the past six, spanning the T20 and 50-over formats.

Missing out on a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and five failures to win back the Ashes add to what has been a barren spell for England's women's side.

The talk across recent months has been of hopes to follow the success of England's Lionesses and Red Roses, who won football and rugby union tournaments at home in 2022 and 2025.

There were major obstacles in the way of those trophy lifts, but perhaps not quite as daunting as overcoming Australia's conveyor belt of female cricketers, the financial might and talent pool of India, or South Africa, who have reached three world finals in a row and believe their time is now.

This will be anything but straightforward.

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There remains a growing sense of momentum around this England side, however.

Edwards, the iconic captain brutally dropped before the last World Cup on these shores, has calmly dealt with the fitness questions which dogged the final months of the Jon Lewis regime since answering England's SOS call in the aftermath of the 2024-25 Ashes whitewash.

There was the underwhelming 50-over World Cup last autumn, but recent series wins over New Zealand and India have boosted both expectation and confidence.

Over the space of six matches in May and early June, Alice Capsey moved from spare batter to middle-order linchpin, and Wednesday's fifty for Sciver-Brunt after six weeks out with a calf injury was another timely boost.

Seam bowling all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson, the two most significant additions from last year's 50-over exit, have also added a freshness and balance to this side.

Kemp's 39 not out from 13 balls against India in Bristol, which came with England 1-0 down in the series and at 117-4 in the 17th over, could yet be a sliding doors moment to look back on.

From that position of strife, England levelled the series and then impressively won it in Taunton.

The next question is whether that is another false dawn, one similar to other bilateral wins which were followed by failings when the World Cup crunch came, or something more permanent.

More broadly, this tournament comes at a fascinating time for the women's game.

Scotland have qualified for the second time and are eyeing a first win on this stage, having beaten Pakistan and Bangladesh in recent warm-ups. Ireland, too, beat Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies.

Both are in England's group, along with the Windies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and upsets feel possible.

Emotion can also be expected over the coming weeks, with the White Ferns' great all-rounder Suzie Bates having already confirmed this month will signal the end of her international career. Australian icon Alyssa Healy retired this year earlier.

Could former England captain Heather Knight, already looking to the future with a management role in The Hundred, follow their lead? A changing of the guard feels close.

Success this summer would be a fitting final act for Knight, who has been a seismic figure in the modern game.

She led England to victory in the Lord's final of 2017, but the group stage of that tournament was held in Leicester, Derby, Taunton and Bristol.

This year, Bristol remains but is joined by fellow host grounds Lord's, The Oval, Old Trafford, Headingley, Southampton and Edgbaston – some of the most famous and largest cricket venues in the country.

Those venues reflect the epic growth of the women's game across Knight's career but also present a challenge for the tournament.

While ticket sales passed the previous best for a Women's T20 World Cup – the 136,549 sold for the 2020 edition in Australia – more than a month before a ball was bowled, empty seats could still be a talking point at some games.

Organisers still hope this tournament can cut through into the public consciousness to inspire a generation, in the way the victories of the Lionesses and Red Roses have done before.

England will look to hit the ground running to draw an initial surge of interest.

"There's extra pressure from everywhere," Sciver-Brunt said on Thursday.

"Being the host nation, my first home World Cup leading, the Lionesses and the Red Roses doing such a brilliant job in their tournaments in the last few years, the state of women's cricket, the list goes on in terms of where you could add up the pressure.

"I guess we're sat here feeling that pressure is a privilege, we're at a time in the world where women's cricket is waiting for a platform to expand and explode."

English cricket failed to truly capitalise on Knight's 2017 win.

Full-time domestic contracts were still three years away and the stage offered by The Hundred did not arrive until 2021.

As Sciver-Brunt says, the platform is there this time. This is a crucial opportunity for the game to make the most of it.

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Mexico’s World Cup opener ended in a 2-0 win over South Africa, but violent scenes outside Estadio Azteca brought a separate flashpoint to opening day.

The match itself gave the co-hosts the start they wanted. Julián Quiñones scored early, Raúl Jiménez added the second, and Mexico moved top of Group A.

Outside the stadium, though, the situation was more tense, with protests and clashes unfolding near one of football’s most historic venues.

Azteca Stadium protests turn violent during World Cup opener

As Mail Sport showed, violent scenes broke out outside Estadio Azteca during the World Cup opener in Mexico City.

Reports said protesters smashed the windows of vehicles, including a truck, and clashed with police near the stadium while Mexico were playing South Africa inside.

The demonstrations involved teachers, student activists, and relatives of missing people. Their complaints centered on local issues and claims that government attention and resources were being focused on the World Cup while domestic concerns remained unresolved.

Police were deployed around the stadium, with reports of security barriers being breached and officers using crowd-control measures as the situation became chaotic.

There were also concerns around Zócalo Square, one of the designated fan areas, where large crowds gathered and access controls came under pressure.

The timing made the contrast especially sharp. Inside the stadium, Mexico fans were celebrating the first goal of the tournament. Outside, authorities were trying to contain unrest tied to wider social tensions.

Mexico beat South Africa as red cards shape Group A

On the field, Mexico did enough to make sure the opener remained a sporting success for the hosts.

Quiñones punished South Africa early, scoring in the ninth minute after a defensive mistake. Jiménez then gave Mexico a firmer grip with a second-half goal.

The game also produced three straight red cards. Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for South Africa, while César Montes was dismissed late for Mexico.

That leaves both teams dealing with suspension issues before their next matches. Mexico face South Korea on June 18 in Guadalajara without Montes.

South Africa play Czechia the same day in Atlanta and are expected to be without Sithole and Zwane after a difficult opening defeat.

The World Cup began with noise, goals, and heavy security pressure in Mexico City. For organizers, the challenge now is making sure the focus stays on the football.

Read more:

Dodgers' Dave Roberts downplays Shohei Ohtani injury, ESPN insider reveals alarming knee history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers grew concerned Thursday night when Shohei Ohtani was removed from the game with a knee issue. Ohtani has been dominant of late, both on the mound and at the plate.

There is belief that the injury is not serious, but the Dodgers are being cautious. Manager Dave Roberts described the decision as precautionary.

“We tried to be smart about it and get him out of the game,” Roberts said. “He told the trainer that he felt a little something behind his knee, and I just didn’t see any sense in risking it.”

That is good news for the Dodgers, but it is still something to monitor. ESPN’s Alden Gonzales noted that Ohtani does have a knee history worth watching.

“Shohei Ohtani exited today’s game with what the team described as left knee inflammation, and though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Pittsburgh he expects him back in the lineup as early as tomorrow, it’s worth noting his history with that left knee,” Gonzales posted.

That history includes a rare knee condition discovered in 2019 that sidelined Ohtani for a significant portion of that season.

“Shohei Ohtani has a knee condition that is present in about 2 percent of the population and recently began to hinder him off the mound. He'll have it surgically repaired tomorrow, then resume the final stages of his 2019 throwing program in 10 weeks,” Gonzales posted.

While nothing of that severity has been reported this time, it is still something worth keeping an eye on. The Dodgers do not want to lose Ohtani, so they will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Ohtani has been a major part of the Dodgers’ success, and while this is likely something minor that will heal quickly, any mention of that knee condition is concerning. The Dodgers have yet to go an extended stretch without him in the lineup, which would make any absence a difficult adjustment.

More MLB news:

• Braves' Tyler Kinley details why Atlanta has best bullpen, led by Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias

• Braves predicted to trade Ozzie Albies, top prospects for $4.2M dynamic NL rival All-Star

• Blue Jays all-in trade prediction sends top-100 prospects for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner

• Mets predicted to part ways with $15M 2-time All-Star, 74 strikeout arm at trade deadline

Pierre Sage’s move to Crystal Palace has yet to be confirmed, however, RC Lens already look to have found their replacement in the form of Dino Toppmoller. 

Sage led Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and to the Coupe de France title, however, having won the latter back at the end of May, he sowed seeds of doubt regarding his future. Crystal Palace, in the market for a new manager following the exit of Oliver Glasner, swooped in. The Frenchman’s move to Selhurst Park is expected to be officialised soon.

But on Monday, Lens are expected to have a new man in the dugout, as per a report from L’Équipe. Toppmoller, formerly of Eintracht Frankfurt, is set to be named the new manager of Les Sang et Or on a two-year deal. 

Toppmoller’s last job came at Eintracht Frankfurt. Having joined the Bundesliga side back in 2023, he left back in January.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Real Madrid may have already strengthened their defence this summer, but their recruitment plans appear far from complete.

According to journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Benfica defender Tomas Araujo is among the names that Jose Mourinho has personally recommended to the Real Madrid hierarchy as the club continues to assess options for another defensive addition.

While no concrete move has been made at this stage, the Portuguese defender has entered internal discussions as Mourinho pushes for further reinforcements at the back.

It is known that despite the recent arrival of Ibrahima Konate and the decision to extend Antonio Rudiger’s stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid are still looking for defensive reinforcements.

Mourinho wants another elite defender

Notably, Konate’s arrival was expected to provide an immediate boost to the back line, while Rudiger’s contract extension ensured the club retained one of its most experienced defenders. 

Mourinho has shortlisted Tomas Araujo. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Even so, Mourinho believes another top-level centre-back is required before the transfer window closes.

On that note, the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Josko Gvardiol have both featured prominently in transfer discussions, and Araujo is now the latest defender to emerge as a possible candidate.

For the moment, however, Real Madrid’s interest remains at the evaluation stage rather than active negotiations.

Why is Araujo attracting attention?

At 24 years old, Araujo combines strong defensive qualities with impressive consistency, making him an attractive option for clubs seeking long-term solutions.

One of the biggest factors working in his favour is his availability. 

Tomas Araujo has a contract with Benfica until 2029. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Last season, under Mourinho himself, he featured in 39 matches across all competitions for Benfica, accumulating more than 2,700 minutes of football while contributing one goal and two assists.

Furthermore, his versatility also increases his appeal. Although naturally a centre-back, Araujo is capable of operating at right-back when required, offering tactical flexibility that Mourinho has often valued throughout his managerial career.

The defender is currently contracted to Benfica until 2029, meaning any potential transfer would require negotiations with a club that holds a strong position.

Simply put, even if Araujo is not currently the most glamorous name linked with Real Madrid, the profile fits what the club may be looking for.

Real Madrid are set to cool their interest in Manchester City midfielder Rodri, following the signing of former teammate Bernardo Silva.

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Bernardo when his contract at Manchester City expires next month. The Portugal international is set to sign a two-year contract with the option of a further season.

Jose Mourinho made the signing of the 31-year-old an immediate priority after being appointed as head coach, with Bernardo set to become the club's third signing of the summer, with deals in place for Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.

The Spanish side are keen to continue their recruitment drive, thoughFabrizio Romano has reported that interest in Rodri has now cooled. The Manchester City midfielder has just 12 months to run on his contract at the Etihad and has been linked with an exit.

Rodri is understood to be open to a return toLa Liga, though recently distanced himself from the transfer speculation. It comes after presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed the club would sign Rodri if he was elected. Riquelme was subsequently beaten in the election by Florentino Perez.

Rodri distances himself from Real Madrid transfer rumours

“To be honest, I’ve been keeping a bit of a distance. It’s true that things come up, but in the end, I don’t really know where they’re coming from,” Rodri said toCadena SCR.

“I try to focus on what I have to do now. I understand that it’s part of the game and what we do. Every time your name comes up, we accept it as such, but I haven’t thought about it and I’m not making any decisions.

“My focus is on the World Cup. I’m still under contract with my club, where I think we’ve had a good season. That’s my situation right now.”

Manchester City have tabled a contract offer to Rodri, who will make a decision on whether to extend, or leave on a free transfer in 2027.

Barcelona have missed out on one of the most interesting young midfielders in Germany, with Kennet Eichhorn set to continue his development at Bayer Leverkusen.

The 16-year-old Hertha Berlin talent had attracted attention from several major European clubs after emerging as one of the brightest prospects in German football.

Barcelona were among the teams monitoring him, alongside the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

According to SPORT, Leverkusen have now activated his release clause worth around €9 million, with Eichhorn set to sign a contract until 2031 after completing his medical.

The young midfielder has already earned comparisons to the legendary Toni Kroos because of his calmness, passing range, vision and maturity on the ball.

Barcelona admired a low-cost, high-upside opportunity

For Barcelona, Eichhorn was never presented as an immediate first-team signing, but as a smart long-term opportunity.

Deco and the sporting department had reportedly been following him for months, viewing him as a young technical midfielder who could develop into a useful rotation option in the future.

Barcelona will always need midfield profiles who excel at controlling the game and will want to surround Pedri with more such players in the future to reduce his workload.

Eichhorn’s profile makes a lot of sense on paper, and if he has earned comparisons to Kroos, who was a master at controlling the game, it is highly likely that he has what it takes to develop into an orchestrator in the future.

However, Barcelona’s interest was merely superficial, and they never really made a formal move to try to sign him.

Another reminder for Barcelona’s scouting department

Kennet Eichhorn has signed for Leverkusen. (Photo by Juergen Schwarz/Getty Images for DFB)

Eichhorn rejected interest from some of the best clubs in Europe to prioritise Leverkusen, who convinced him with a clear pathway to first-team football.

Barcelona cannot do much about such a situation. They cannot go around signing every talented youngster in the world, but should Eichhorn make rapid strides, this is one missed transfer that could sting.

La Masia remains packed with midfield talent waiting for an opportunity. Still, opportunities like this matter because elite midfielders are becoming harder and more expensive to find.

Eichhorn may have chosen to stay in Germany, but it is a welcome sign that Barcelona are constantly on the lookout for elite talents around the world.

Barcelona can still track his progress closely in case a door opens in the coming years, depending on his development.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway after the opening fixtures of the tournament on Thursday.

Co-hosts Mexico off to dream start against South Africa

Following a showbiz opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, co-hosts Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Korea. El Tri produced a professional performance at the historic Estadio Azteca, in a fixture that saw three red cards.

Julián Quiñones, fresh from a prolific campaign in the Saudi Pro League, opened the scoring for Mexico inside nine minutes, as his effort squeezed under South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

South Africa struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and their challenge was all but ended when Yaya Sithole was sent off for a last-man challenge just five minutes into the second half.

Raul Jimenez doubled Mexico’s lead on 67 minutes, as the veteran poacher headed home his first World Cup goal from close range. There was late drama as the officials handed out two contentious red cards, with Themba Zwane sent off for South Africa for a slap, reducing them to nine men. Then, in stoppage time, Mexico’s Cesar Montes became the third player dismissed for a late foul.

South Korea fight back to over come Czechia

In the second fixture of the group, South Korea staged a comeback to beat Czechia in Guadalajara.

The Asian outfit dominated the opening exchanges, but conceded an opener against the run of play. A long throw from Vladimir Coufal was met emphatically by Czech captain Ladislav Krejčí to power Miroslav Koubek’s side ahead.

South Korea kept on coming, however, and found an equaliser in style. The impressive Hwan In-beom showed brilliant composure to lift a finish over Matej Kovar and bring the Koreans level.

South Korea dominated the possession (62%) and chances, and got a deserved winner through substitute Hyeon-guy Oh. The Besiktas striker steered in the winner to get Korea off to a winning start.

Read – The best football kits we’ll see at FIFA World Cup 2026

See more – 36 stats you should know ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026

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Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has boldly claimed that he will get a tattoo of head coach Luis de la Fuente’s face if Spain win the World Cup.

Spain head into the 2026 tournament as one of the favourites, following their European Championship triumph in 2024. La Roja begin their campaign against Cape Verde on Monday, before meeting Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage.

Spain are aiming to become only the second European team to win a World Cup outside of the continent, after Germany’s success in Brazil in 2014.

Cucurella has claimed he will get a permanent tattooed tribute to head coach De La Fuente if Spain are successful.

“If we win the World Cup, I would get a tattoo of Luis de la Fuente’s face!”, the left-back told Cope.

Cucurella’s claim follows his promise to dye his famous long hair red in the aftermath of Spain’s Euro 2024 success. Though this promise feels a little braver…

Read – How to watch World Cup highlights this summer

See more – World Cup round-up: Mexico and South Korea start with wins

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in style on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico delighting a fanatical home crowd at a packed Azteca Stadium.

Mexico’s win over South Africa was followed by an impressive South Korea performance, as the Asian outfit came from behind to beat Czechia in Guadalajaram, a fixture that took place in the UK’s early hours.

Unsure how you can keep up to date with all the action in North America? Here are the details of how to watch World Cup highlights this summer.

Is there a World Cup highlights show? How to watch the tournament.

There is no official World Cup highlight show for the 2026 tournament, though you do not need to miss a single moment. The BBC and ITV have the rights to all 104 games in the UK and both broadcasters will provide highlights of every single fixture.

Both ITV and the BBC are doing their utmost to avoid spoilers from the early hours (BST) fixtures. On ITV X and BBC iPlayer, the duo’s respective streaming sites, their pre-highlight thumbnails do not include the result or spoilers.

ITV’s coverage can be accessed via the ITV X homepage, while BBC iPlayer has a specified World Cup hub.

Both broadcasters will also release short-form highlights via YouTube. However, the thumbnails and headlines can often give away a clue as to how events unfolded, or even the result. As a rule, ITV tends to be a little safer as the result is not shown on the thumbnail.

Where to watch World Cup highlights

• The BBC iPlayer’s World Cup hub can be found here
• ITV X’s World Cup highlights can be found here

Read – World Cup round-up: Mexico and South Korea start with wins

See more – 36 stats you should know ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026

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Fernando Alonso has conceded that this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will likely mark his final Formula 1 race at the circuit.

Speaking during the drivers' press conference, the 44-year-old acknowledged his fans' unwavering support while also dropping a hint regarding his retirement.

"It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1," he said.

"So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the race, hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend.

"It has always been a celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well."

When asked if it was difficult to think about this as his last race in Barcelona, the Spaniard explained that the hardest part was not being competitive. Alonso picked up Aston Martin's first point of the 2026 season with a 10th-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Silverstone outfit has faced major issues during 2026, despite its new power unit partnership with Honda and its car being the first designed under the leadership of Adrian Newey.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

"No, I mean, it's not hard. For me, the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much," Alonso added.

"I'm at peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now, welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling. I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid, or I was here, as we said again, my first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never dreamt to be a Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the paddock and stay for a very long time.

"So, everything is a plus. It is a plus now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of personal feeling, it's not too hard, or it's not anything."

Alonso has not officially announced his retirement yet, and with no Barcelona race in 2027, it is still unclear as to whether he may retire at the end of this season or next.

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The World Cup sees 48 nations divided into 12 groups for the first time in the tournament’s long history.

Co-hosts Mexico, USA and Canada are the top seeds in Groups A, B and D respectively, while Scotland are in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, and England are all the way down in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

The top two sides in each group will qualify for the World Cup’s first ever round of 32, as will the eighth best third-place teams. Just three points could be enough for some teams to reach the knockout stages.

There will be 104 matches, up 40 since Qatar World Cup 2022, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.

Here are all the fixtures, results and latest group standings:

The World Cup began in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, the site of Diego Maradona’s most famous and infamous goals against England at the 1986 World Cup.

It was also the venue for two classic World Cup finals: Brazil’s win over Italy in 1970 which included Carlos Alberto’s iconic team goal to cap a 4-1 win; and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, where Jorge Burruchaga grabbed an 84th-minute winner.

Mexico and Canada will host 13 games in each, and the United States will host 78.

From the quarter-finals onwards, the US will host all of the remaining matches, with the final in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

As the Big 12 met to discuss what's next in the Brendan Sorsby saga, and the rest of college sports treats Texas Tech like persona non grata following a judge's decision to grant the Red Raiders quarterback an injunction that allows him to play in the 2026 season, the university's leaders recorded a 21-minute podcast that reiterated their "unwavering" support for Sorsby.

During the in-house podcast, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt and associate athletic director Grant Stovall detailed Sorsby's compliance plan and addressed concerns playing a gambling addict who admitted on betting on his own team could have on the integrity of the sport.

Opinion: From envied by most, to hated by all. Texas Tech crossed a line it can’t explain away

"I understand where my colleagues are coming from and some of their comments being made," Hocutt siad. "This is a young man… he’s made mistakes. And he looked me in the eye this morning again and reassured me that he has done nothing to jeopardize the integrity of a game that he has competed in. He has not given information about a game that he has competed in. He has not jeopardized the competition or affected outcome of a game that he has competed in. So there are sanctions for mistakes. He has made a mistake."

Hocutt and Stovall were joined by TTU president Lawrence Schovanec and football coach Joey McGuire where the four repeatedly cited Sorsby's gambling addiction as a mental illness. That was at the heart of Sorsby's legal defense — a legal defense Hocutt was quick to point out Texas Tech wasn't a part of, nor paid for.

How is Texas Tech monitoring Brendan Sorsby phone, apps?

As part of his compliance, Sorsby will continue outpatient clinical care and individual and group therapy. Texas Tech has put a custodian on his personal finances, which includes a lucrative NIL deal. The school has placed monitoring software on his technology devices that prevents him from accessing gambling sites and monitors any activity on those devices.

"The morning the injunction was awarded, Brendan immediately came to the football stadium to meet with our IT department, our compliance department to put the monitoring technology on his devices that allows us to monitor the sites that he visits and block certain sites from him going to," Hocutt said. "And he does not have the ability to uninstall those programs that are on his phone."

When will Brendan Sorsby play again?

McGuire said Sorsby being around his teammates and back in the football facility is the best place for his recovery. But the Red Raiders coach said, "We have a long time before we have to think about when he's going to play football again."

"I think right now so many people are pointing the finger, ‘He’s going to play, he’s going to play, he’s going to play.’ He can play is what the judge said," McGuire said. "What we’re trying to do is get him in a healthy space where feels great about what he’s doing and deal with this addiction and it’s day-by-day."

The NCAA appealed the temporary injunction, requesting an accelerated appeal. A court date for the full case of Sorsby vs. NCAA is not scheduled until Feb. 8, 2027, as revealed in court documents — two weeks after the college football season concludes with the College Football Playoff championship game.

In the injunction, the judge included a two-game suspension for Sorsby (Sept. 5 vs. Abilene Christian, Sept. 12 at Oregon State). Sorsby's first potential game for the Red Raiders would be Sept. 18 vs. Houston.

But this saga is far from over. Stay tuned.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Tech has a compliance plan for Brendan Sorsby — here’s what it says

The gap between TSMC and Samsung in the chip foundry business has reached 11x. The latest foundry market data compiled by TrendForce reveals the revenue ranking of the global top ten foundries.

TrendForce data (via SemiconductorsX) puts TSMC at 72.3 percent market share while Samsung sits at 6.5 percent. The revenue ranking shows that TSMC is now as much as 11 times bigger than the Samsung chip foundry business.

TSMC pulled in $35.86 billion for the quarter, up 6.3% sequentially, carried almost entirely by relentless demand for AI server GPUs and xPUs. Agentic AI deployments and general-purpose server build-outs drove server CPU orders.

Samsung Foundry brought in just over $3.2 billion. Revenue dropped 5.8% quarter over quarter. Samsung held second place globally, which sounds respectable until you check the math. TSMC made eleven times what Samsung did.

SMIC posted $2.51 billion, only $700 million behind Samsung. UMC faced a 3.2% QoQ decline in revenue to $1.93 billion, securing the 4th place with a 3.9% market share.

TrendForce expects the inventory stocking tailwind to carry through Q2 2026. Smartphone vendors are entering new product build cycles. Demand for AI advanced-node production continues to outrun capacity.

Samsung’s foundry business isn’t collapsing. It’s functioning, but functioning is not the same as competing. TSMC is compounding its lead every quarter, while Samsung can’t land a major AI chip customer at advanced nodes.

TrendForce expects the inventory stocking tailwind to carry through Q2 2026. Smartphone vendors are entering new product build cycles. Demand for AI advanced-node production continues to outrun capacity.

The post TSMC is now 11x bigger than Samsung chip foundry business appeared first on Sammy Fans.

It is expected to share the Sealion 8's (Tang L) chassis and interior. The latter should not be confused with the Chinese market Sealion 08.

The post Next-gen BYD Tang spotted in China, to be launched as low-cost version of Sealion 8 (Atto 8) appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series recently received the June 2026 Android security update, which included three Galaxy AI features introduced with the Galaxy S26 series and previously excluded from the One UI 8.5 stable build for the S25 lineup. The same thing happened with the Galaxy Z Fold7, which has now received two of those Galaxy AI features with the June 2026 Android security update. The Galaxy AI features that the S25 series received are Prioritize Notifications, Summarize Notifications (Notification Highlights), and File Summaries. However, the Fold7 only got two of them - Prioritize...

Just one week after Patch 1.10, Pearl Abyss has rolled out Crimson Desert version 1.11.00 across all platforms (except for the Mac App Store, which always takes a little more time), continuing its incredible patch of post-launch updates. This new update brings expanded pet management, reworks the freshly introduced pinball minigame, adds shopkeeper recovery of lost gear, and a round of combat and control improvements. The headline addition is new challenges that allow players to raise the maximum number of registerable pets from a previous limit to 100, though players can only summon up to 50 at camp at any […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/crimson-desert-patch-1-11-00-pinball-fix-pearl-abyss/

China has stopped exporting a critical gas to Japan, leading to severe shortages in the semiconductor segment that will affect TSMC, SK Hynix & Samsung. Tungsten Hexafluoride Plays A Crucial Role In Semiconductor Manufacturing, But Japan Sees Production Drop To Zero After China's Ban Based on reports, major Japanese firms such as Kanto Denka and Central Glass have reported that they are facing severe shortages of a gas that is required for semiconductor manufacturing. These firms are responsible for supplying this crucial gas to the top three semiconductor giants, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC. With the unavailability of this […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/japan-semiconductor-gas-production-collapses-to-zero-after-china-cuts-off-tungsten-tsmc-sk-hynix-samsung/

Only the finest materials are picked by Apple to design and construct its premium products, but the underlying process can often compromise their durability. With the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the company went back to aluminum, making it exceptional for heat dissipation and lowering cost, but less favorable when holding up against scratches and drops. Fortunately, a new rumor states that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max won’t suffer from these shortcomings, and you’ll find out why. A new process to refine the aluminum is expected to be used on the iPhone 18 Pro, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-to-make-iphone-18-pro-as-clean-and-pristine-as-ever/

Eleven countries were involved in the joint operation that ended the AudiA6 crypto laundering ring and Dark2Web marketplace.

Galaxy’s Alex Thorn says a plan to scrap rules on stock orders and quotes would remove a major barrier to tokenized stocks trading on decentralized platforms.

Conty is the infrastructure for brands to manage creators at scale, from briefing to payment. Find and invite creators by niche and performance, centralize deliveries and approvals, set usage rights, and manage contracts all in one place with support for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Track real-time engagement, views, and sales metrics, pay for the portfolio only after approval, and run formats like UGC, influencers, ambassadors, clipping, and performance competitions.

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Fortem gives platform engineers one screen to see, schedule, and control every ECS Fargate environment. Per-environment scheduling turns dev and staging off when teams aren't working—weekends, nights, holidays. Most teams save 60–70% on their dev and staging compute bill in the first month.

Beyond scheduling, it offers fleet-wide visibility across regions and accounts, developer self-service so engineers can restart their own environments without Slack messages, environment templates for cloning across accounts in seconds, and AI diagnostics that read CloudWatch logs and propose fixes when tasks fail. Works with your existing Terraform and can be uninstalled in two minutes.

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Full-screen 3D clock scenes for your iPhone or Mac

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Your complete medical history privately on your device

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Sleep through the night. Wake up for the goals.

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