The Cape Verde FIFA ranking is currently locked at 63rd in the world according to the latest official metrics as the Blue Sharks prepare for their massive 2026 World Cup Matchday 2 battle against Uruguay.

Bubista’s men enter the pitch carrying significant competitive momentum after registering a historic performance to open their campaign. A heroic 0-0 opening-round draw against European heavyweights Spain proved that the African side possesses the organizational discipline and defensive focus required to completely nullify top-tier attacking forces.

Now, facing a dangerous South American opponent, matching that tactical setup is paramount to keeping their knockout ambitions alive.

Evaluating the Group H standings

While the Cape Verde FIFA ranking places them as the lowest-seeded team inside their immediate group framework, their opening-day result has disrupted pre-tournament predictions.

They must now find a way to circumvent a Uruguayan squad that sits comfortably in 18th place globally.

Group H technical standings

Spain temporarily leads the pack with four points following their subsequent victory over Saudi Arabia. Because Cape Verde and Uruguay sit perfectly level on a single point, this head-to-head clash will heavily dictate who secures the leverage needed to escape the group tier.

Historic trajectory and the blueprint for an upset

To put Cape Verde’s current position at 63rd into a clearer perspective, the nation’s footballing growth over the last quarter-century represents an astonishing evolution.

The Blue Sharks drifted at a lowly all-time bottom tier of 182nd in the world back in 2000. Through heavy tactical modernization and global diaspora recruitment, they eventually soared to a historic peak of 27th globally in February 2014.

Anchored by the veteran reflexes of goalkeeper Vozinha, who went viral for his stellar display against Spain, Cape Verde relies on a compact defensive wall and explosive counter-attacks.

Match Overview

New Zealand enters this critical second group stage match after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Iran. In that game, the All Whites showed a surprising offensive spark, twice taking the lead and registering more shots on target in the first 30 minutes than they did in the entire 2010 tournament. They are now chasing a historic first-ever victory at the finals, and a win here would put them in a commanding position to advance.

Egypt also secured a valuable point in their opener, holding a favored Belgium side to a 1-1 draw. The Pharaohs demonstrated strong defensive organization and a potent counter-attack, with Mohamed Salah providing the assist for their goal. The stakes for this clash are immense; with both teams level on one point, the winner will virtually guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds and claim a landmark victory for their nation on the global stage.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The two nations arrive at this fixture from very different trajectories. New Zealand has struggled for consistent results over the past year, with only one win in their last twelve matches. However, their performance against Iran suggests a team finding form at the perfect moment. In contrast, Egypt has been a model of consistency, losing just one of their last six games and proving they can compete with top-tier opponents like Spain, Brazil, and Belgium.

The tactical battle will likely see Egypt take the initiative. After deploying a counter-attacking strategy against Belgium, they are expected to dominate possession and apply pressure on the Kiwi defense. New Zealand, in turn, will look to remain compact and exploit their primary weapon: the physicality of striker Chris Wood. His presence on set-pieces could trouble an Egyptian defense that has shown vulnerability in dead-ball situations.

Motivation is incredibly high for both squads. A victory would not only be their first at a finals tournament but would also place them on the cusp of the Round of 32. With all four teams in the group currently tied, neither side can afford to play for a draw. Expect an open and competitive match as both teams push for a decisive, three-point result that could define their entire campaign.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, there is very little to separate these two teams, as they have only met once before. That encounter was an international friendly in 2024, where Egypt secured a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a converted penalty. This match in North America marks their first-ever competitive meeting, adding a layer of unpredictability to the fixture.

This clash is also a novelty in terms of inter-confederation matchups at the tournament. In their previous appearances, Egypt has never faced a team from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Similarly, New Zealand has never gone up against an opponent from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in their tournament history, making this a fresh and intriguing contest for both sides.

Recent trends point towards a defensively solid Egyptian side. They have conceded just three goals across recent matches against elite opposition, showcasing their disciplined structure. New Zealand’s defense, however, has been more porous, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 outings. This suggests Egypt may be better equipped to control the game, though New Zealand’s newfound attacking confidence could easily challenge that narrative.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both teams come into this crucial matchday two fixture with no new injury concerns or suspensions, allowing their managers to field full-strength sides.

Following their impressive offensive display against Iran, New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley is expected to name an unchanged starting eleven. The 4-2-3-1 formation worked effectively, with the partnership between Chris Wood and two-goal hero Elijah Just proving particularly dangerous. Sticking with a winning formula will be key to building on their positive start.

Egypt is also likely to field the same lineup that earned a hard-fought point against Belgium. Manager Hossam Hassan saw his 4-2-3-1 system frustrate a world-class opponent, and with no injuries to report, he has little reason to make alterations. The team’s structure and key players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush will be central to their game plan once again.

New Zealand Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Crocombe; Cacace, Boxall, Surman, Payne; Stamenic, Bell; Just, Singh, McCowatt; Wood.

This lineup remains unchanged after a successful outing against Iran. The focus will be on the dynamic between Chris Wood, the physical target man, and Elijah Just, whose intelligent runs and clinical finishing produced two goals in the opening match. Their ability to connect in the final third is New Zealand’s greatest threat.

Egypt Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Shobeir; El Fotouh, Fathy, Ibrahim, Hany; Lasheen, Ateya; Ashour, Salah, Ziko; Marmoush.

Expect Egypt to deploy the same disciplined and organized side that held Belgium. Mohamed Salah will operate as the primary creator, looking to unlock the defense with his vision and passing. Up front, Omar Marmoush provides a constant goal threat with his pace and powerful shooting, making him a key player to watch.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the New Zealand vs Egypt live stream on Fubo. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles, as well as web browsers and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

In addition to this match, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a host of other top soccer competitions from around the world. You can watch other games from the tournament, as well as top European leagues and continental competitions.

A subscription to Fubo costs just $14.99 per month. The plan includes access to all live and on-demand content, allowing you to catch every moment of the action.

SEE MORE: For a complete schedule of games, visit our World Cup TV schedule page.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Egypt have managed to remain one of the best African teams in recent years. Although they did not reach the final of the African Cup of Nations, they have established as one of the most solid defensive teams, relying on a compact backline that transitions quickly into counterattacks. Despite their draw in their 2026 World Cup debut, they have not dropped positions in the FIFA Men’s Ranking ahead of the match against New Zealand.

Ahead of today’s clash, Egypt are ranked 28th spot with 1,570.67 points, as per FIFA Men’s World Ranking. Despite their draw against Belgium, they escalated one spot, not losing any positions like Iran, that lost two spots. Under head coach Hossam Hassan, they have managed to significantly improve their international standing, compared to their 75th spot from March of 2013. However, they have yet to match their highest-ever ranking, which was 9th on July of 2010.

Despite their solid performances, Egypt remain the second lowest-ranked national team in their group at the 2026 World Cup. Belgium currently hold the 10th spot with 1727.88 points. Iran hold the 22nd spot with 1611.18 points. Finally, New Zealand remain the lowest-ranked national team in the group, holding the 83rd spot with 1290.04 points.

Egypt have managed to return to a World Cup after eight years of absence. While Mohamed Salah is already a veteran, they hope to fight for a victory that makes them dream of reaching the knockout stages. With New Zealand being a less competitive team than them, the pressure is on Hossam Hassan, who trusts that the scoring aspect will be boosted by Omar Marmoush and Emam Ashour.

Egypt may struggle against New Zealand’s offensive firepower

While Egypt are a fairly strong team in Africa, they are usually not a very dominant national team. Instead, they tend to wait and attack on the counterattack, taking advantage of their strength in space. However, New Zealand could surprise them, as they have shown to be a fairly dominant team that looks to attack. Given this, Hossam Hassan’s defensive solidity could be put at risk and their counterattacks could be limited.

If Darren Bazeley’s team manages to maintain their offensive power, they could press high against Egypt and limit counterattacks. In this case, Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush could be affected in terms of productivity. For this, they might need to adapt to through passes, in order to break on the counterattack and look to make the difference. In addition, Chris Wood’s aerial game could be a great threat for Egypt.

Uruguay and Cape Verde will go head-to-head on Sunday, June 21, for a critical Matchday 2 Group H fixture of the 2026 World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. With La Celeste desperately needing a decisive victory to kickstart their tournament run, the health and availability of star midfielder Federico Valverde has become the primary talking point among supporters.

Valverde has been included in the starting lineup for the crucial clash against the Blue Sharks. After logging a grueling 90 minutes in the opening match against Saudi Arabia, the Real Madrid engine participated completely in all first-team training sessions this week and has been cleared by medical staff.

The South American powerhouse enters this match following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, a game where the Middle Eastern side shocked them with an opening goal in the 41st minute. Although Uruguay completely dominated possession and controlled the tempo during the second half, winger Maximiliano Araujo was the only player able to find the back of the net in what was considered a highly disappointing result.

Conversely, Cape Verde pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the opening round by scratching out a historic 0-0 draw against tournament favorite Spain. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha stole the global headlines by setting a modern World Cup record for the most saves in a single clean sheet, and the African nation will undoubtedly employ a similar defensive strategy to disrupt Uruguay.

A potential thrilling definition in Group H

While powerhouse nations Spain and Uruguay were widely projected to dominate the section, both Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde have proven to be incredibly stubborn opponents through the opening week. Now that La Roja has secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to seize temporary control, the final matchday of the group phase will completely determine who survives.

In the final fixture of the World Cup group stage, Uruguay and Spain are scheduled to meet in what will likely serve as a direct battle for the top spot in the section. Securing first place carries immense weight, as the runner-up in Group H will be forced to cross paths with the winner of Group L, setting up a potential nightmare Round of 32 matchup against Argentina.

Confirmed lineups for Uruguay and Cape Verde

Uruguay’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Sebastian Caceres, Mathias Olivera, Juan Sanabria; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur; Agustin Canobbio, Federico Vinas, Maximiliano Araujo.
Head coach: Marcelo Bielsa.

Cape Verde’s projected lineup (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Steven Moreira, Pico, Diney Borges, Sidny Lopes Cabral; Kevin Lenini, Laros Duarte; Telmo Arcanjo, Garry Rodrigues, Ryan Mendes; Gilson Tavares.
Head coach: Bubista

Despite Uruguay not being among the top contenders for the 2026 World Cup, they are one of the most historic national teams. Therefore, their draw against Saudi Arabia raised serious doubts about their competitiveness. They face Cape Verde today, one of the most defensive teams, needing a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. Therefore, we will analyze how a win, a draw, or a loss will affect their position in the standings.

Cape Verde impressed in their debut in the competition. Relying on a defensive strategy, they managed to secure an important draw against Spain. With this in mind, they aim to repeat the same approach and take advantage of the opponent’s high press to attack on the counter. Therefore, the presence of Jovane Cabral and Livramento could be key in looking for a goal and then tightening up defensively.

Without having a goalscorer in full form, Marcelo Bielsa’s team could have serious problems scoring against Cape Verde. With this in mind, the presence of Maximiliano Araujo and Federico Valverde is key, as they could open spaces on the wings. Additionally, Darwin Núñez would have the chance to shine, scoring his first goal in the 2026 World Cup. However, the midfield could surprise with its scoring power, as they need a victory to chase the knockout stages.

What happens if Uruguay win over Cape Verde?

In case Uruguay secure a victory over Cape Verde, they would immediately guarantee a place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32. Nonetheless, they would need to win by a margin of five goals to secure first place in Group H. If they then secure a victory over Saudi Arabia and Spain lose or draw, they would have first place guaranteed, giving them an easier path to reach the final.

What happens if Uruguay draw with Cape Verde?

After the draw in their debut against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay would complicate their future in the 2026 World Cup if they draw today against Cape Verde. With only two points in Group H, they would need a victory against Spain in the last match. However, they would have a difficult task to secure the first place in the group as they would depend on the results of the other teams.

What happens if Uruguay lose to Cape Verde?

If Uruguay are defeated by Saudi Arabia, they would be left with only one point in the Group H standings. Against this, they would find it quite difficult to secure their place in the Round of 32, as they would need a victory against Spain. However, they would rule out any chance to have the first place in the group, battling to get a second place or even a best third-placed team.

Christian Pulisic managed to become as the cornerstone of AC Milan. Despite the lack of strikers, he managed to shine under Massimiliano Allegri during the first half of the season. However, he experienced a notable decline in form in 2026, going many matches without scoring. Following this inconsistent season, the 27-year-old star looks to debut with the United States Men’s National Team at the 2026 World Cup.

Christian Pulisic next game with USMNT is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, facing Turkiye in the SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California in the 2026 World Cup. As the hosts of the event and having put in a stellar performance against Paraguay and Australia, they could aim for a third consecutive victory by relying on the offensive style of play that defines them.

After already completing the 2025–26 season with AC Milan, Christian Pulisic will have a period of rest following the 2026 World Cup. However, the USMNT star will not return to action until August 2026, when he begins preseason. As announced by the Rossoneri, they will travel to Jakarta to face Chelsea FC at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Saturday, August 8.

Even though Pulisic began the season as AC Milan‘s best player, he suffered a notable drop in form. After playing 34 matches, he managed to score only 10 goals and provide 4 assists, going through the second half of the season with almost no goal contributions. Because of this, the 27-year-old star shined in these friendlies with the USMNT to get back into peak condition ahead the World Cup.

Pulisic faces career-defining test at World Cup 2026

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Christian Pulisic’s future was a rather controversial topic. With only one year remaining on his contract with AC Milan, he reportedly attracted interest from numerous Premier League clubs. However, his inconsistent end to the season raised serious doubts. With this in mind, the 27-year-old star has a major opportunity to shine at the 2026 World Cup and clear up uncertainty about his future.

Due to his poor end to the season, the reported interest from numerous Premier League clubs gradually faded. In addition, Pulisic found himself in a worse position to renegotiate his contract extension with the Rossoneri. Because of this, he could look to shine with the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, proving his true potential. With this, Christian could again be considered as AC Milan’s conerstone, recovering his all-around impact.

Naoya Inoue could soon have greater clarity over his next mandatory challenger after the IBF ordered an interim title fight at super-bantamweight. Inoue has been linked to a showdown with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez ever since his victory over Junto Nakatani last month, but the American looks set to remain at bantamweight for another fight following […]

The post Naoya Inoue’s next mandatory challenger set to be determined in interim title fight appeared first on Boxing News.

Fenerbahçe'de bağımsız denetim heyeti mali verileri incelemeye alırken, ocak ayındaki N'Golo Kante transferinin gerçek maliyeti kriz çıkardı. KAP'a bildirilen 42 milyon euro'luk resmi rakama karşılık, Aziz Yıldırım'ın bonuslar ve gizli maliyetlerle birlikte 70 milyon Avro'yu bulduğunu iddia ettiği transferin perde arkası çok can yakacak.

Aziz Yıldırım, söz verdiği gibi Fenerbahçe'nin şeffaflığını sağlamak amacıyla 2018'den bu yana olan mali verileri bağımsız denetim şirketlerine inceletmeye başladı. İncelemelerde ilk dikkat çeken, ocak ayında gerçekleşen N'Golo Kante transferinin şok eden maliyeti yer alıyor.

KAP açıklamasına göre, Kante transferinin toplam maliyeti yaklaşık 42 milyon euro olarak duyuruldu. Bildirimde oyuncuya 14.4 milyon Avro imza parası, ilk sezon için 5.5 milyon euro ve sonraki iki sezon için sezon başına 11 milyon Avro garanti ücret ödeneceği belirtildi.

Buna karşın Aziz Yıldırım, Yüksek Divan Kurulu’nda (YDK) yaptığı açıklamada Kante’nin gerçek maliyetinin 70 milyon Avro olduğunu iddia etti. KAP açıklaması ile kendi verileri arasındaki 28 milyon euro'luk farka dikkat çeken Yıldırım, toplam harcamaları eleştirerek "Kante'ye 70 diyorlar, gelip aydınlatın. Harcanan para 150 milyon Avro. Taraftarın umutları bitti" dedi.

Aradaki 28 milyon euro'luk farkın; sadakat bonusları, imaj hakları, vergiler, menajerlik ücretleri ve kolay maç bonuslarından kaynaklandığı ileri sürülüyor. Maliyet tartışmaları sürerken, Fransa ekibi Paris FC'nin Kante için kulübe yeni bir transfer teklifi sunduğu iddialar arasında.

Bu kriz, kulübün geçmişteki Kante hamlesini de akıllara getirdi. Eski sportif direktör Giuliano Terraneo, 2015-2016 sezonunda Kante’yi 8 milyon Avro’ya bitirdiğini ancak Aziz Yıldırım’ın "Ozan Tufan, Yaya Toure olacak" diyerek Ozan'ı tercih ettiğini itiraf etmişti.

Transferde limit engeline takılmayan Beşiktaş'ta Başkan Serdal Adalı'nın 'Kasada 200 milyon var' iddiası kulisleri ayağa kaldırdı! Eski yöneticilerin 'alacaklarımızı ödeyin' restiyle sarsılan siyah-beyazlılarda, kulüpten ciddi alacağı bulunan Hüseyin Yücel'in parasını istediği iddia edildi. Erken seçim durumunda başkan adaylığını ilan ederek gemileri yaktı.

Beşiktaş yönetim kurulu ve camia içinde son günlerde finansal iddialar üzerinden büyük bir hareketlilik yaşanıyor. Siyah-beyazlı kulislerde konuşulan ilk iddia, Beşiktaş’ın transfer harcama limitlerinde herhangi bir kısıtlama veya engel bulunmadığı yönünde. Limit sorununun olmaması yönetimin elini rahatlatırken, asıl tartışma kulübün mevcut nakit gücü üzerinden dönüyor.

Geçtiğimiz günlerde Başkan Serdal Adalı’nın, "Şu an kasada 200 milyon para var" şeklinde bir ifade kullandığı iddia edildi. Bu açıklamanın kulislerde yayılması, siyah-beyazlıların eski yöneticilerini hemen harekete geçirdi. Kasadaki nakit iddialarını duyan eski kurmaylar, "madem bu kadar paranız var, o zaman içeride kalan alacaklarımızı ve paralarımızı ödeyin" diyerek yönetime rest çektiği iddia edildi.

Mali kriz iddialarının merkezindeki bir diğer önemli isim ise Hüseyin Yücel. Kulüpten ciddi miktarda alacağı olduğu bilinen eski asbaşkanlardan Yücel’in, mevcut finansal tabloyu ve yönetimsel gidişatı yakından takip ettiği belirtiliyor.

Yücel'in bu alacak yükü, kulübün önümüzdeki dönemdeki mali stratejilerini doğrudan etkileyecek güçte.

Tüm bu ekonomik fırtınanın ve karşılıklı taleplerin gölgesinde, Beşiktaş'ta erken bir seçim ihtimali de masaya gelmiş durumda. Hüseyin Yücel, kısa bir süre önce yaptığı çıkışla olası bir erken seçim kararı alınması halinde başkanlığa aday olacağının açık mesajını verdi.

Bu hamle, kulüpteki güç dengelerinin her an değişebileceğini gösteriyor.

Fenerbahçe'de İsmail Kartal'dan ezber bozan transfer hamlesi geldi! Taraftarın gözbebeği Guendouzi'nin üstünü çizmişe benzeyen tecrübeli teknik adamın, gözünü Corinthians'ın 100 milyon Euro serbest kalma bedelli olan genç yıldızı André Luiz'e diktiği iddia edildi. Oyun stiliyle Kartal'ın bir önceki dönemde ısrarla aldırdığı Rade Krunic'i akıllara getiren Brezilyalı futbolcu Aziz Yıldırım yönetimi ciddi bir rakamı gözden çıkarmak zorunda.

Fenerbahçe'de teknik direktör İsmail Kartal'ın, taraftarın sevgilisi Matteo Guendouzi’nin yerine Corinthians forması giyen André Luiz’i istediği iddiası ortaya atıldı.

Oyun stili 2023-24 sezonu devre arasında Kartal'ın ısrarı ile katılan Rade Krunic’e benzetilen genç oyuncu için süreç hakkında henüz net bir bilgi yok.

100 MİLYON EURO'LUK ADAM

Deneyimli teknik adam, daha önceki döneminde de benzer bir kararla Fred'in yerine Krunic'i transfer ettirmişti. Corinthians kulübü Ocak ayında Avrupa devlerinin radarına giren André Luiz'in sözleşmesini 2029 yılına kadar uzattı. Bu hamleyle birlikte oyuncunun Brezilya serbest kalma bedeli 4 katına çıkarılarak 600 milyon Brezilya Reali (yaklaşık 100 milyon Euro) olarak güncellendi.

ELEKTRONİK İMZA KRİZİ

O dönemde genç yıldız için İtalyan devleri Milan ve Juventus da resmi olarak devreye girdi. Milan'ın, oyuncunun haklarının %70'i için sunduğu 15+2 milyon Euro'luk resmi paket, Corinthians yönetimi tarafından gelecekte daha yüksek bir kazanç beklentisiyle reddedildi. Bu ilgi taraftarlar arasında "ucuza gidiyor" tartışması başlatırken, kulüp binası önünde protestolara yol açtı.

EN AZ 25 MİLYON EURO

Transfer sürecinde Corinthians içinde büyük bir imza krizi de yaşandı. Başkan Osmar Stabile ve hukuk direktörü Pedro Soares'in elektronik imzalarını vermemesi üzerine Milan ile bitme noktasına gelen anlaşma son anda iptal oldu. Başkan Stabile "Ucuza bırakmayacağız" diyerek taraftarı sakinleştirirken, kulübün kapıyı açmak için alt sınırı 25 milyon Euro olarak belirlediği öğrenildi.

Fenerbahçe'de teknik ekibe katılacağı konuşulan Emre Kartal'ın geçmişteki cezaları nedeniyle sahaya çıkıp çıkamayacağı merak konusuydu. Galatasaray derbisi sonrası PFDK'dan 15 ay hak mahrumiyeti ve mahkemeden hapis cezası alan Kartal'ın cezalarında son durum ne?

Fenerbahçe’de teknik ekipte yer almaya devam edeceği iddia edilen İsmail Kartal’ın oğlu Emre Kartal’ın, geçmişteki olaylar nedeniyle sahaya çıkıp çıkamayacağı merak konusu.

Kamuoyundaki yaygın algının aksine Kartal, Trabzonspor maçındaki olaylardan ceza almadı; asıl yaptırımlarla Galatasaray derbisi sonrasında karşılaştı.

GALATASARAY DERBİSİ YÜZÜNDEN

Rams Park'ta oynanan olaylı derbi sonrası PFDK, kulüp görevlisi Emre Kartal’a talimatlara aykırılık ve rakip takım mensubuna saldırı gerekçesiyle toplam 1 yıl 90 gün hak mahrumiyeti ve 100 bin TL para cezası verdi.

Olayın adli boyutunda ise Galatasaray Stad Müdürü Ali Çelikkıran'ın darbedilmesiyle ilgili kamu davası açıldı.

1 YIL 4 AY HAPİS CEZASI

Aralarında Mert Hakan Yandaş ve Jayden Oosterwolde'nin de bulunduğu 5 sanıkla birlikte yargılanan Kartal, "kasten yaralama" suçundan 1 yıl 4 ay 11 gün hapis cezası aldı.

Mahkeme bu ceza için Hükmün Açıklanmasının Geri Bırakılması (HAGB) kararı verdi. Bu doğrultuda Emre Kartal hapse girmeyecek ve 5 yıllık denetim süresince kasıtlı suç işlemezse cezası adli siciline işlenmeden düşecek.

15 AY CEZA ALDI BİTTİ

Adli süreç ertelense de PFDK'nın verdiği 1 yıl 90 günlük hak mahrumiyeti cezası Tahkim Kurulu tarafından onandı.

23 Mayıs 2024 tarihinde başlayan 1 yıl 90 günlük (toplam 15 ay) hak mahrumiyeti cezası, 23 Ağustos 2025 tarihi itibarıyla resmen son buldu. Bu sayede genç antrenör saha içi görev almasının önünde engel yok.

Süper Lig'de transfer hareketliliği erken başladı. Trabzonspor'un Brezilyalı oyuncusu Felipe Augusto'nun, Rusya'nın güçlü ekiplerinden Zenit ile prensip anlaşmasına vardığı ileri sürüldü.

Trabzonspor'da, Felipe Augusto ile yolların ayrılması gündemde. Geçen sezon başında bordo-mavili kulüple 4+1 yıllık resmi sözleşme imzalayan futbolcu, takımdaki ilk yılının ardından ayrılık aşamasına geldi.

ZENIT, TRABZONSPOR İLE ANLAŞTI

Süper Lig'de çıktığı 32 maçta 13 gol atan Felipe Augusto bir süredir Zenit'in radarındaydı. Rus basını, Zenit'in Brezilyalı golcü için Trabzonspor'la anlaştığını yazdı. Haberde transferin mali detaylarına da değinildi.

FELIPE AUGUSTO'NUN BONSERVİSİ

Buna göre Zenit'in Augusto için Trabzonspor'a 18+2 milyon Euro ödeyeceğinden bahsedildi.

Süper Lig'de transfer hareketliliği erken başladı. Trabzonspor'un Brezilyalı oyuncusu Felipe Augusto'nun, Rusya'nın güçlü ekiplerinden Zenit ile prensip anlaşmasına vardığı ileri sürüldü.

Trabzonspor'da, Felipe Augusto ile yolların ayrılması gündemde. Geçen sezon başında bordo-mavili kulüple 4+1 yıllık resmi sözleşme imzalayan futbolcu, takımdaki ilk yılının ardından ayrılık aşamasına geldi.

ZENIT, TRABZONSPOR İLE ANLAŞTI

Süper Lig'de çıktığı 32 maçta 13 gol atan Felipe Augusto bir süredir Zenit'in radarındaydı. Rus basını, Zenit'in Brezilyalı golcü için Trabzonspor'la anlaştığını yazdı. Haberde transferin mali detaylarına da değinildi.

FELIPE AUGUSTO'NUN BONSERVİSİ

Buna göre Zenit'in Augusto için Trabzonspor'a 18+2 milyon Euro ödeyeceğinden bahsedildi.

Süper Lig ekiplerinden Fenerbahçe'nin yeni sezon öncesi kamp programı belli oldu.

Fenerbahçe'de yeni sezon öncesi hazırlık programı netleşti.

Sarı-lacivertliler, sezonun ilk etap çalışmalarını Topuk Yaylası'nda gerçekleştirecek, ardından hazırlıklarına Avusturya'da devam edecek.

Fenerbahçe'nin programı şu şekilde:

22-23 Haziran: Sağlık kontrolleri

24 Haziran: Samandıra'da toplanma ve Topuk Yaylası kampının başlaması

25-26 Haziran: Çift antrenman

27 Haziran: Tek antrenman

2 Temmuz: Topuk Yaylası kampının son çalışması

3-4 Temmuz: İzin

5 Temmuz: Avusturya kampı için hareket

FENERBAHÇE'NİN RAKİPLERİ

Fenerbahçe, Avusturya kampında 3 hazırlık maçı yapacak.

Fenerbahçe'nin karşılaşacağı takımlar şu şekilde:

8 Temmuz: Admira Wacker

11 Temmuz: Pogon Szczecin

14 Temmuz: LASK

Beşiktaş'ın transfer listesindeki 1 numaralı hedefi Alexander Nübel'e, Stuttgart'tan takım arkadaşı Deniz Undav'dan ezber bozan bir Türkiye uyarısı geldi. Beşiktaş'ın sık sık başkan ve hoca değiştiren kaos ortamına dikkat çeken Kürt golcünün, Alman kaleciye "Almanya'daki sakinliği İstanbul'da bulamazsın, oraya gideceğine bizim Amedspor'a git" diyerek esprili ve çarpıcı bir tavsiyede bulunduğu iddia edildi.

Beşiktaş’ın transfer listesinde 1 numaralı kaleci adayı olan Alexander Nübel için Almanya’dan sürpriz bir iddia gündeme bomba gibi düştü. Bonservisi Bayern Münih'te olan ve Stuttgart'ta harika bir sezon geçiren Alman eldivenin, Türkiye transferi öncesinde en yakın dostundan bilgi aldığı iddia edildi.

Nübel’in Stuttgart forması giyen takım arkadaşı Deniz Undav, bu transfer sürecinde devreye giren isim oldu. Geleceği hakkında karar vermeye çalışan Alman kaleci, Türkiye ligi, İstanbul yaşantısı ve Beşiktaş’ın iç dinamikleri hakkında Kürt asıllı golcüden detaylı bilgi talep etti.

İddialara göre Deniz Undav, Beşiktaş’ın son dönemdeki çalkantılı yapısına dikkat çekerek arkadaşına uyarılarda bulundu. Siyah-beyazlı kulübün sık sık başkan ve teknik direktör değiştiren istikrarsız yapısından bahseden Undav, Türkiye'deki baskının ve kaos ortamının altını çizdi. Nübel’e, Almanya’da alışık olduğu sessiz, sakin ve huzurlu futbol ortamını İstanbul’da bulmasının çok zor olduğunu açıkça iletti.

Görüşmenin en çarpıcı ve magazinel tarafı ise Deniz Undav’ın esprili tavsiyesi oldu. Türkiye'de sempatizanı olduğu ve yakından takip ettiği Amedspor’u hatırlatan golcü oyuncunun, Nübel’e "Beşiktaş'ta değil de bizim Amedspor’da oyna" şeklinde espriyle karışık bir tavsiyede bulunduğu iddia edildi.

Bu tavsiye sonrasında Nübel’in Beşiktaş’ın teklifine nasıl bir yanıt vereceği ise şimdiden büyük merak konusu. Alman basını, sakin bir kariyer planlayan başarılı kalecinin bu istikrarsızlık uyarılarının ardından Türkiye seçeneğini ciddi şekilde yeniden sorgulamaya başladığını yazıyor.

Yeniden başkanlık koltuğuna oturan Aziz Yıldırım; "pehlivan"a benzettiği Lukaku'yu, "cüce" bulduğu Aké'yi ve "paragöz" ilan ettiği Sarr'ı tek kalemde veto etti. Greenwood yerine Rashford'ı işaret eden efsane başkanın transferdeki ince eler sık dokur tarzı, yeni sezon öncesi sarı-lacivertlilerin transfer stratejisine damga vuruyor.

Fenerbahçe’de yeniden başkanlık koltuğuna oturan Aziz Yıldırım, transferden taktiğe kadar her şeyin merkezinde olacağını ilan etti.

Vedat Muriqi ile yaptığı görüşmede "bu sene şampiyon olacağız" diyerek iddiasını ortaya koyan Yıldırım, transfer listesindeki dünyaca ünlü isimleri kendi kriterlerine uymadığı gerekçesiyle tek tek veto etti.

İlk veto golcü hattına geldi. Forvet adayları arasında yer alan Romelu Lukaku’yu "pehlivan gibi" diyerek hantal bulan Yıldırım, bu transferi anında reddetti. Defans hattı için önerilen Nathan Aké ise başkanın boy kriterine takıldı; Yıldırım, "1.80'lik stoper mi olur?" diyerek Hollandalı oyuncunun üstünü çizdi.

Mali disiplin ve oyuncu karakteri konusunda da taviz vermeyen efsane başkan, Marsilya ile 1.3 milyon Euro'ya pazarlık yaparken Fenerbahçe’den 8 milyon Euro talep eden Malang Sarr’a da kapıyı kapattı. Yıldırım, bu duruma "para için gelecek adamla işim olmaz" sözleriyle sert tepki gösterdi.

Son olarak Mason Greenwood için ortaya çıkan 4 yılda 120 milyon Euro'luk fahiş maliyeti reddeden Yıldırım, bütçe yönetimini çarpıcı bir kıyasla özetledi:

- Greenwood'a o parayı vereceğime, yarı fiyatına, yani 3 yılda 60 milyon Euro'ya Rashford'ı alırım.

Fenerbahçe'nin yarından (22 Haziran) itibaren başlayacak yeni sezon çalışmaları için Vedat Muriqi dışında başka bir oyuncunun (Başkan Yıldırım seçin sürecinde 4 transfer sözü vermişti) alınmamasının altında ise Başkan Yıldırım'ın bu ince eleyip, sok dokuyan tarzının yattığı konuşuluyor.

Liverpool have rejected a fresh approach from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones as the Reds continue to stand firm over the midfielder’s valuation.

The Italian giants submitted a new verbal proposal over the last 24 hours valued at €25 million (£21 million package), which was instantly rejected by the Merseyside club.

According to prominent journalists Fabrizio Romano and Paul Joyce, there is still no agreement between the two clubs as Liverpool value the academy graduate at a much higher price and have no intention of progressing a deal under the current conditions.

? There’s still no agreement between Inter and Liverpool for Curtis Jones after new bid sent in last 24h.

£21m proposal on the table but no club to club agreement at this stage.#LFC want more, as @_pauljoyce reports. pic.twitter.com/xgXyompqtB

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2026

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Ben Jacobs on Liverpool’s change of stance on Curtis Jones

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that Inter’s persistent approaches have caused a significant shift in stance at Anfield.

Inter made a fresh approach last week to inquire whether a deal could be reached around the €25 million mark, framing the contact as an informal conversation rather than a written offer.

Liverpool immediately made it clear that they will not authorize a sale at this price point, especially when looking at the massive fees other midfielders are expected to command in the transfer market this summer.

Consequently, the club’s position has hardened. While Liverpool are prepared to sanction a sale if a suitable, significantly increased valuation is met, they are equally comfortable keeping Jones for the final year of his contract, even if it means risking losing him on a free transfer next summer.

Ben Jacobs posted the following update on X:

“Inter made a fresh approach for Curtis Jones last week asking whether a deal was possible for around €25m.

“This was a conversation not a formal or written offer. Liverpool made it clear no sale at this price, especially given numbers other midfielders are expected to be sold for this summer.

“Liverpool are prepared to keep Jones unless a suitable bid arises, even if that means losing him on a free next summer.

“Liverpool have never had concerns about Jones’ attitude or professionalism despite Inter reapproaching the club, and growing interest elsewhere.

“Understand the club’s position has hardened as a result of Inter’s latest contact. If the right offer emerges, a sale will be sanctioned, but Inter would have to significantly increase their valuation to get Liverpool to engage.

“Worth noting, Liverpool are also comfortable with Jones staying, and if that happens, and he impresses Andoni Iraola, they could yet decide to engage in new contract talks.”

Inter made a fresh approach for Curtis Jones last week asking whether a deal was possible for around €25m.

This was a conversation not a formal or written offer.

Liverpool made it clear no sale at this price, especially given numbers other midfielders are expected to be sold… pic.twitter.com/H9JMw2YEIB

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 21, 2026

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Why Liverpool are prepared to keep Curtis Jones despite transfer interest

Despite growing interest from Inter Milan and other clubs, Liverpool continue to view Jones as an important member of their squad.

The Reds have never had concerns about the midfielder’s attitude, professionalism or commitment, and the academy graduate remains highly respected within the club.

Liverpool are therefore under no pressure to cash in. Instead, they are prepared to retain Jones for the remainder of his contract if their valuation is not met.

There is also still a pathway towards a long-term future at Anfield. Should Jones impress new manager Andoni Iraola during pre-season and throughout the upcoming campaign, Liverpool could yet reopen discussions over a new contract extension.

For now, however, Liverpool’s message is clear: Inter Milan must significantly improve their offer if they want any chance of signing Curtis Jones this summer.

Curtis Jones’ stats for Liverpool

While Inter Milan may believe they can strike a cut-price deal, Liverpool’s valuation reflects Jones’ growing importance to the squad and his consistent contributions in recent seasons.

The midfielder has made more 228 senior appearances for the Reds so far since emerging from the club’s academy, contributing 22 goals and 25 assists while operating in a variety of midfield roles.

Curtis Jones Liverpool stats via Transfermarkt

His ability to play as a No.8, deeper midfielder or advanced playmaker has made him a valuable option for successive managers.

Last season, Jones featured regularly across multiple competitions, logging significant minutes despite fierce competition for places in Liverpool’s midfield. His ball retention, pressing intensity and tactical versatility have earned praise from coaches behind the scenes and helped establish him as a dependable squad member.

At 25, Jones is also entering what are traditionally considered the peak years of a midfielder’s career.

Liverpool therefore see little incentive to sell for €25m, particularly in a market where proven Premier League midfielders are commanding substantially higher fees.

The post Liverpool make transfer U-turn on 22-goal star following fresh European giants approach appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Patriots HOF WR Gushes About Difficulty Of A.J. Brown, Mack Hollins Sharing Field originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots wide receiving room quickly became one of the best in the NFL this offseason with the addition of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. But forgotten in all the luster of the two newest pieces is 32-year-old receiver Mack Hollins returning for year two in New England after the second-best season of his career. 

Hollins surpassed 500 yards last season for only the second time in his career. The receiver, who has been in the league since 2017, looked reborn in Foxboro.

At the time of his signing, Hollins was expected to be a fringe piece of Josh McDaniels' offense. The veteran soon became one of quarterback Drake Maye's trustiest options on third down, and was instrumental in the success of the Patriots' running game. 

He is once again returning to bring the grit to New England's pass game, and Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown thinks pairing him up with A.J. Brown will cause a whole bunch of problems for opposing defenses. 

"Put them on the field at the same time and 'is it run or is it pass?' Sometimes you get on a team, and they don't have those options, you see who's there, and you can say, 'They're throwing the ball on this play. This guy isn't blocking anyone.' Now with A.J. and Mack, run-action could be huge for them. And Josh (McDaniels) is one of the best at creating those run-action passes, so he should be able to create a lot of things with them," Brown said. 

ESPN's Mike Reiss, who conducted the interview with the three-time Super Bowl champion, said that Troy Brown was infatuated with the edge Hollins brings on the field.

"There were times in practice when Brown (6-1, 226) and Hollins (6-4, 221) would work together on the side, which is something that piqued Troy Brown's interest as it relates to coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheming," Reiss wrote. "He calls Hollins a 'lunch pail guy' who brings 'toughness, emotion and can make the big play when you need it.'"

More NFL: Troy Brown Shows Love To Forgotten Third-Rounder

Trackhouse Racing will lead the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup for the race at San Diego in June. Shane van Gisbergen won the pole for the 2026 Andruil 250 at San Diego this weekend. Carson Hocevar will join van Gisbergen on the front row for Sunday afternoon's event. It is van Gisbergen's second pole position of the 2026 season.

Ryan Blaney and Zane Smith will follow the two drivers on the second row. Most notably, Alex Bowman, Kevin Magnussen, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Jimmie Johnson, and Christopher Bell will all start 20th or worse for Sunday afternoon's event. Hocevar, Preece, Keselowski, and Wallace all had issues on their runs.

The full NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup at San Diego in June 2026 is below!

NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup at San Diego (June 2026)

1. No. 97 Shane van Gisbergen
2. No. 77 Carson Hocevar
3. No. 12 Ryan Blaney
4. No. 38 Zane Smith
5. No. 34 Todd Gilliland
6. No. 7 Daniel Suarez
7. No. 60 Ryan Preece
8. No. 88 Connor Zilisch
9. No. 71 Michael McDowell
10. No. 33 Austin Hill
11. No. 54 Ty Gibbs
12. No. 23 Bubba Wallace
13. No. 67 Corey Heim
14. No. 5 Kyle Larson
15. No. 16 AJ Allmendinger
16. No. 17 Chris Buescher
17. No. 45 Tyler Reddick
18. No. 3 Austin Dillon
19. No. 22 Joey Logano
20. No. 48 Alex Bowman
21. No. 91 Kevin Magnussen
22. No. 19 Chase Briscoe
23. No. 1 Ross Chastain
24. No. 35 Riley Herbst
25. No. 41 Cole Custer
26. No. 11 Denny Hamlin
27. No. 24 William Byron
28. No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek
29. No. 6 Brad Keselowski
30. No. 9 Chase Elliott
31. No. 2 Austin Cindric
32. No. 4 Noah Gragson
33. No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
34. No. 10 Ty Dillon
35. No. 21 Josh Berry
36. No. 84 Jimmie Johnson
37. No. 20 Christopher Bell
38. No. 43 Erik Jones
39. No. 51 Cody Ware

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at San Diego in June 2026

• Use 'watch & listen' tab for live radio coverage
• Iran's Taremi has offside goal disallowed from free-kick routine
• Lukaku - Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer - makes first start of tournament
• Belgium drew opening game with Egypt, Iran drew against New Zealand
• New Zealand & Egypt play at 02:00 BST

Winless Belgium being held by spirited Iran

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Stowers homered and scored on Otto López's go-ahead double to lead the Miami Marlins to a 2-1 win against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Ryan Gusto and four relievers limited the Giants to four hits as the Marlins won their eighth straight at home. Miami is a major league best 14-4 in June.

Neither team scored after López snapped a 1-all tie in the fourth when his line drive rolled to the warning track in right and scored Stowers from first. Stowers drew a two-out-walk, the only one issued by Logan Webb.

Webb (4-5) scattered five hits over eight innings for his first complete game of the season and fourth of his career. The right-hander has completed eight innings in each of his last three outings.

John King (4-1) relieved Gusto and threw 1 1/3 innings. Calvin Faucher got the next four outs and Michael Petersen threw a perfect eighth. Lake Bachar allowed a leadoff walk against Rafael Devers in the ninth but then retired Jung Hoo Lee and Willy Adames for his first save.

Casey Schmitt singled twice for San Francisco.

Stowers gave Miami an early lead with his homer to lead off the second. He drove the first pitch from Webb 426 feet into the center-field seats for his eighth homer.

The Giants tied it on Schmitt’s run-scoring single in the third.

Gusto gave up one run and three hits while striking out six over 4 1/3 innings.

Before the game, the Marlins placed slugger Liam Hicks on the injured list because of a low back strain and designated infielder Christopher Morel for assignment.

Up next

Giants: LHP Robbie Ray (5-6, 4.07) will start the opener of a three-game home series against the Athletics on Tuesday. The Athletics have not announced a starter.

Marlins: RHP Tyler Phillips (1-2, 3.10) will start the opener of a three-game home set against the Texas Rangers on Monday. The Rangers have not announced a starter.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

LAS VEGAS – Vinicius Oliveira is ready to test himself with the very best the UFC featherweight division has to offer.

"Lok Dog" called for a ranked opponent following his successful UFC featherweight debut. This past Saturday, Oliveira (23-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) bounced back from his disappointing loss to Mario Bautista by putting away veteran Andre Fili (25-14 MMA, 13-13 UFC) on the main card of UFC Fight Night 279 at the Meta Apex. It was a big statement win for Oliveira and one that he hopes can get him a big fight next.

"I think to start in this division, if UFC could give me the top 12 that I was, the point that I was in my division when I was a bantamweight, I was top 12," Oliveira said at the UFC Fight Night 279 post-fight press conference. "I mean, to be honest, I don't know who is the top 12 in this division, but if (UFC) can give me a top 12, I'd be so glad of that. If not, (UFC) can give me Josh Emmett."

Oliveira was on a four-fight winning streak before getting his first UFC main event spot against Bautista in February. Many thought he was bound to be a title contender at 135 pounds, but the Brazilian looked flat against Bautista. He attributes his bad performance to extreme weight cutting – which he won't have to deal with now fighting at 145 pounds.

"I felt strong during the fight. I didn't get tired," Oliveira said. "I didn't get weak. So in my former division, bantamweight, people usually say, 'Ah, 'Lok Dog' are weak, guys. He always get tired.' But now I can prove that I fixed some things in my weight, and now I don't get more tired. I'm feeling good. That's my division."

Apart from feeling much better in the cage, Oliveira expects to be more active now. The weight cuts down to 135 pounds required time and too much from his body, not allowing him to be active.

"Now I can fight more often inside this division," Oliveira said. "I just need to take care of my injury. So in bantamweight, I just can fight once or twice, maybe three (times a year). But this is too much because I need to lose 23 kilos. Now, I can fight often, like three or four fights a year."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Vinicius Oliveira calls for Josh Emmett or top 12 UFC featherweight

ATLANTA (AP) — William Contreras had four hits, including a three-run homer in Milwaukee's eight-run second inning, and the Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves 9-4 on Sunday to snap a three-game skid.

Sal Frelick added a two-run double off Bryce Elder (5-5) as the Brewers matched their season high for most runs in an inning. They also scored eight runs in the sixth inning of a 13-2 win over Arizona on April 28.

After blowing a ninth-inning lead in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Braves, Milwaukee salvaged one win in the three-game series between NL division leaders.

Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser (1-3) earned his first win since May 15, 2024, against Arizona. Gasser allowed two runs and four hits and one walk. His seven strikeouts and six innings matched career highs.

Atlanta's Rowdy Tellez hit a two-run homer off Chad Patrick in the ninth. Mauricio Dubón had three hits for the Braves.

Elder gave up 12 hits and eight runs in six innings. He has allowed a combined 22 hits and 14 runs in his past two starts, including six runs in four innings in an 8-1 loss at the New York Mets on June 14.

The Brewers sent 11 batters to the plate in the second. Contreras opened the inning with a single before adding the homer into the Brewers' bullpen behind the left-field wall.

Up next

Brewers: RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.60), who landed on the injured list on May 1 with right shoulder inflammation after a drop in velocity, is expected to return to the rotation when Milwaukee opens a series at Cincinnati on Monday night against RHP Brady Singer (3-6, 5.32).

Braves: RHP Grant Holmes (4-3, 4.33) is scheduled to face RHP Michael King (4-6, 3.60) when Atlanta opens a series at San Diego.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Phillies reportedly turn down Bryce Harper's outfield offer to help at trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3 with a clear need for more offensive firepower, and ideally, in the outfield.

The only issue is that finding the ideal outfielder for this team isn't going to be easy. That's why, in an ideal world, Bryce Harper could move back to right field, open up first base, and allow the Phillies to add a much more readily available first baseman.

However, even though Harper reportedly made the offer to switch back to right field to the Phillies, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the club has turned down such an offer at risk of injury.

Phillies reportedly turn down Bryce Harper's outfield offer

"Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper hasn't played right field since April 2022 when he tore an elbow ligament, but says he would be willing to move back to right field temporarily if it would help the Phillies acquire a right-handed bat," Nightengale writes.

While Nightengale the Phillies "appreciate" Harper's offer to move back to the outfield, they currently have "no interest in moving Harper back to the outfield and risking injury."

This is a fascinating situation for the Phillies, as moving Harper back to the outfield would open the door to a few potential trades, which could be a lot easier to make than finding a right-handed hitting outfielder.

MORE: Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

First basemen such as Christian Walker and Willson Contreras might be easier to trade for than a righty-hitting outfielder like Byron Buxton or Mike Trout.

This dynamic with Harper has been a fascinating one for a little while now, as a potential move back to the outfield has been pondered during the offseason and during free agency.

But, even though Harper opened the door to a move back to the outfield, the Phillies have seemingly turned down such an offer, and will instead be looking to trade for an outfielder instead of adding a new first baseman and moving Harper back to right field.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox
• Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
• Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
• Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution

Of course, there are fan festivals all over the planet during the World Cup. And there’s usually no shortage of cold drinks either. At one such event, some fans of co-host Mexico casually invented a new sport — beer-cup bridge jumping.

It’ll probably be a few more years before it makes its Olympic debut, but El Tri’s supporters have already set the bar pretty high. 

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

NEED TO KNOW

• Kyle Busch's wife, Samantha Busch, remembered the late NASCAR legend in an emotional tribute post on the first Father's Day since his death
• “Watching these memories hurts more than I can explain, but they also remind me how lucky we were to have him,” she wrote alongside sweet throwback videos of their family
• In addition to Samantha, the NASCAR driver is survived by the couple's two children: son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4

Kyle Busch's wife, Samantha Busch, is remembering the late NASCAR legend on the first Father's Day since his death. 

One month after Kyle died at age 41 from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, his wife, 40, shared an emotional tribute on behalf of herself and their kids — son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4 — on Sunday, June 21.

“This still doesn't feel real at all,” Samantha wrote on Instagram alongside a collection of videos from their family's sweetest moments together. “I was up all night thinking about what today should have looked like for Kyle and the kids. The Father's Day cards that were already made, sitting in a drawer with no one to give them to. Trying to figure out how to navigate a day that should be filled with so much joy for them.”

Emphasizing that Kyle was the kind of dad who “never missed a chance to be silly” or skipped the opportunity to “stay up a little longer” to read his kids one more bedtime story or spend “one more moment” with them before bed, Samantha went on to recall, “Nothing made him prouder than being Brexton and Lennix's dad.”

In one video included in the heartbreaking montage, the family of four could be seen hugging on the track after one of Kyle's races. Other clips feature the late racer spending quality time with his kids over the years — whether it was on a boat, at the beach or in their family home. 

“Watching these memories hurts more than I can explain, but they also remind me how lucky we were to have him,” Samantha wrote. “Kyle, the kids and I miss you every second of every day. Our hearts ache for you, but it's more than that. Your absence is something we physically feel. Our bodies hurt from missing you, from reaching for someone who isn't there, from loving someone we can't hold anymore.”

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Along with promising to always tell Kyle's stories, Samantha emphasized that she will make sure that “Brexton and Lennix always know just how deeply they were loved by their dad.”

“Happy Father's Day,” she concluded the post. “We love you and miss you more than words can say.”

Shortly after Kyle's death on May 21, his family gathered to honor his legacy at the Coca-Cola 600, which was supposed to be a major race day for him.

Kyle's parents, Tom and Gaye Busch, also joined his older brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, in gathering at the speedway's infield as NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell paid tribute to the two-time Cup Series champion with a speech. 

"Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever," O'Donnell said at the time. "Brexton and Lennix, your dad loves you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everyone watching on TV, and all those people up in that grandstand, they are your family, and we've got you."

"Kyle Busch is NASCAR," he concluded. "He was one-of-a-kind, and there will never be another."

Read the original article on People

NASCAR is gearing up for the 19th race weekend of the 2026 season at San Diego, and the Cup Series is bound to put on a show. The Cup Series hasn't competed at the venue in its history. Now, the sport will head to San Diego with a substantial amount of money on the line.

The purse for the Cup Series race at San Diego will be $11,849,963 on Sunday afternoon. NASCAR no longer releases the earnings for the winning driver, making it impossible to determine how much of the $11,849,963 will go toward the team in victory lane. Last year, San Diego wasn't on the schedule, so there's no accurate comparison to a purse.

It will be fascinating to see which NASCAR driver will earn the most money at San Diego this weekend. Denny Hamlin looks to win his fourth straight race of 2026, but Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney hope to get back to their winning ways. San Diego should put on a show, and this weekend should be no different.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at San Diego in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR purse for Cup Series race at San Diego in June 2026

2026 Slovak Darts Open: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Euro Tour heads to Slovakia, with the Slovak Darts Open marking the ninth ET event of 2026.

As usual, 48 qualifiers will battle it out, starting on Friday, in hopes of advancing to the final on Sunday night.

What to know about the Slovak Darts Open

Let's take a look at some of the specifics of the tournament.

MORE: 2026 Slovak Darts Open qualifiers

2026 Slovak Darts Open draw & schedule

Day 1 - first round (afternoon session)

Day 1 - first round (evening session)

Day 2 - second round (afternoon session)

Day 2 - second round (evening session)

Day 3 - third round (afternoon session)

Day 3 - quarterfinals (evening session)

Day 3 - semifinals (evening session)

Day 3 - final (evening session)

Tournament bracket

Here is the bracket for after the first round.

Second round

Third round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals 

Final

Prize Money

*Data via Wikipedia

Format

48 players will be in action this weekend, with 16 seeded players receiving automatic byes into the second round action on Saturday.

Each seeded player will play the winner of one of Friday's games, leaving 32 players left after Friday.

Saturday will feature only round two games, determining which 16 players will advance to action on Sunday.

The afternoon session on Sunday will consist of the round of 16 games.

The evening session will consist of the quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds.

The first round, second round, round of 16 and quarterfinal round will all be played in a best-of-11-leg format.

The semifinal round will be best-of-13 legs, and the final will be best-of-15 legs.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With Senegal in a difficult spot in World Cup group play, coach Pape Thiaw is not revealing how many changes he might make for his team's game against Norway on Monday night.

“Am I going to shake things up a bit? Well, you’ll find this out,” Thiaw said through an interpreter at a news conference Sunday.

Senegal hung in tough against tournament favorite France for the first half of its opener Tuesday before losing 3-1. Édouard Mendy allowed three goals on eight shots in that game, which included Kylian Mbappé scoring from long range moments after Senegal finally got on the board in stoppage time.

Reserve goalkeeper Mory Diaw accompanied Thiaw to the news conference, but denied his appearance may indicate he would start in place of Mendy.

Senegal has only Iraq left to play after facing Norway in Group I, so the Lions of Teranga are treating their second game as if it is a must-win final.

“We’re in a very tough group; we knew this coming in,” Thiaw said. “We obviously lost the first one, but there’s everything left to play for. We cannot get this wrong.”

Containing Erling Haaland

Whoever is in net — and on the field — for Senegal, the biggest challenge is slowing down Erling Haaland, the high-scoring striker who had two goals in a 4-1 rout of Iraq on Wednesday after leading Europe with 16 in qualifying.

“Yes, Haaland, but it's not Haaland alone,” Diaw said through an interpreter. “Haaland by himself, he can’t do anything. He needs his teammates, so it’s not how do we stop Haaland. It’s up to us to be prepared for the game against Norway.”

Diaw was echoing Thiaw, who said his plan was to neutralize Norway as a team. Of course, that begins with Haaland, who scored 27 goals in 35 Premier League games for Manchester City this past season and has 57 internationally.

“Haaland obviously doesn’t need any introducing,” Thiaw said. “We’ve got good defenders. We’ve got very high-level defenders who have played in very high-level competitions and have come across strikers of this caliber.”

Thiaw says problems have been resolved, including his contract

After reports lingered for months that Thiaw was coaching without a contract, he said he now has one. He declined to say how long it was for, calling the details confidential and the timing less than ideal.

“It took too long,” Thiaw said. “But it was not really a money issue. It was more principles and respect issue, but it’s been resolved.”

Thiaw also acknowledged players had some problems but said they have been worked out. Amid reports that Senegal is enduring food issues without a team chef at the World Cup, Diaw was asked what his complaints were and responded that the team handles issues internally.

“I don’t think we need to come and air our dirty laundry here,” Diaw said. “We’ve got a group of players, professional players, and we’re here to represent our Senegalese country and that’s what we’re here to do . And we’re trying to do the best that we can (Monday night). And all of the other problems or these scandals, there’s nothing that’s going to take away from our focus on our common objective.”

Norway can advance with a win

Haaland and his teammates would move on to the round of 32 with a victory. Norway is in the World Cup for just the fourth time and first since 1998.

Reaching the round of 16 is the furthest Norway has advanced at the tournament. It is a slight favorite against Senegal.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

One superstar who appears to be Liverpool's main target has made his preference clear according to Fabrizio Romano.

Things are really heating up right now on the transfer front. Even though the World Cup is still very much ongoing, business is being done by Premier League clubs.

We've seen Victor Munoz being signed by Liverpool, and there are other big transfers being negotiated by the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City.

Liverpool themselves are not taking a seat back. This is an important summer for Richard Hughes. Last summer, came with criticism and the Liverpool sporting director needs to restore his reputation, while there being a lot to do.

There's a new manager, coming in with a new style. Andoni Iraola is also going to need different profiles. But most importantly, Liverpool are going to need new players.

So many key superstars have departed already with Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson leaving on a free transfer. Replacing those three alone is going to be a challenge, especially when at the same time Hughes will also need to add depth.

How he goes about his business could very much determine the future of the club. This summer is about building a dynasty at Anfield and building around the foundations Hughes had laid.

These foundations are evident for all to see. They've been established when Liverpool brought in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as the building blocks of the future.

Isak and Wirtz, alongside a new team with Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet is who Liverpool have rested their hopes on.

There will be others coming in. Liverpool's biggest question is how to replace Mo Salah. Finding a replacement for the Egyptian is not going to be easy.

He's been such an important figure for the Reds for so many years, and right now the right-winger market is bleak.

There are probably only two players who can live up to his hype and that's Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise. Neither will want to move to Liverpool, nor will there clubs entertain a move to Anfield.

And let's be honest, even if they did, the overall package of such a deal adding in bonuses, agent fees and wages as well as the transfer fee would be well beyond Liverpool's current reach.

It's why Liverpool are having to search for alternative options.

And it's why they are going for potential over the final product. Because if you can't get Olise or Yamal, the next best thing you can do is to find the next one.

That is who Yan Diomande is. Liverpool have made it clear it is the Ivorian they want because of his mercurial talent. Diomande excels in one vs one situations, he is super fast and among the best right-wingers on the planet.

He's not quite in the Olise or Yamal tier yet but he is pretty close to it. A recent statistic that claimed Diomande was the first person since Lionel Messi to complete over eight dribbles at a World Cup as a teenager demonstrates just how good we is.

Recently, we've heard a lot about why Liverpool want Diomande but we've not heard much about his own stance.

Well, Fabrizio Romano may have just given it away. He posted on X, that Diomande prefers to leave RB Leipzig now, even though his club want to keep him for another year.

It's the first time Romano has gone as far as to suggest Diomande is not only open to a move to Liverpool but would prefer it, over staying in Leipzig.

That's a huge development. It sounds as though Diomande has made his mind-up.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has handed England a timely lift ahead of their World Cup encounter with Ghana.

Rashford fears

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that England were sweating the fitness of Rashford after he appeared to have sustained an injury during the nation’s opener against Croatia.

Rashford was named on the bench, with England boss Thomas Tuchel preferring to start new Barcelona boy Anthony Gordon.

But Rashford outshone Gordon as he came on to score England’s fourth in their 4-2 triumph. Rashford produced a cool finish to wrap up the victory in Dallas.

It’s said that the Carrington academy graduate complained of a tight hamstring after the final whistle.

Fellow substitutes, including Kobbie Mainoo, played in a practice game against MLS club Kansas City on Thursday, but Rashford did not feature. This sparked further fears that his injury could be serious.

However, The Guardian reveal that Rashford is set to be fit and available to Tuchel for selection against Ghana.

Rashford boost

According to The Guardian, Rashford trained with his England teammates on Saturday, which will come as fantastic news to the Three Lions.

The newspaper says that Rashford was moving freely as Tuchel led the training session.

He was also joined by Declan Rice, who is another one who was suspected of having sustained an injury. Rashford will be hoping to start ahead of Gordon when England face Ghana on Tuesday.

One player not yet ready to start is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. The winger remained indoors at England’s Kansas City training base to follow an individual programme, which leaves Noni Madueke as the strong favourite to retain his place in the starting XI.

England vs. Ghana kicks off at 9 pm.

Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Don’t expect to see Islam Makhachev in a Real American Freestyle singlet any time soon.

The UFC welterweight champion is currently gearing up for his first title defence since moving up to 170 pounds. He’s only recently stepped into the division, but the challenges are already piling up.

Makhachev looked dominant in his last fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, where he picked up his second divisional title in mixed martial arts.

To solidify his position at the top, Makhachev needs to get past Ian Machado Garry this summer. But even then, there’s a long list of contenders waiting their turn, so there isn’t much room for distractions right now.

Recently, several fighters have started taking on wrestling and grappling matches between UFC bouts to stay active.

Islam Makhachev rules out appearances outside the UFC

Arman Tsarukyan has been especially busy, with nine appearances since his last Octagon fight against Dan Hooker eight months ago.

Tweets and Instagram posts from the Real American Freestyle organisation also show that Makhachev has been approached for a match, but he doesn’t appear interested.

During a recent video on Adam Zubayraev’s YouTube channel, Makhachev confirmed he has been asked to compete in matches outside of the UFC, though he did not confirm the exact organisations.

Makhachev was also offered a spot at Karate Combat. The promotion recently featured Jorge Masvidal versus Nate Diaz 2 in an open-weight contest that went viral on social media platforms.

The trend seems like it will only continue to grow as promotions try to get more active fighters involved. But Makhachev remains clear that his focus is firmly on defending his title this summer and staying committed to MMA rather than branching into other combat sports right now.

Read more:

Patriots HOF Wide Receiver Shows Love To Forgotten Third-Rounder originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots have seven capable wide receivers to fill five, at most six, open roster slots. 

With the way the NFL is trending toward two tight end sets, teams are now carrying more tight ends than ever. The Los Angeles Rams had as many as five suit up in a game last year. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been very open about wanting to be a heavier offense in 2026.

If an extra roster spot is given to the tight end room, it has to come from somewhere. 

I say that to say this: there will be a position battle this summer resulting in at least one of your favorite wide receivers being left off of the 53-man roster. 

It is quite possible that that one receiver could be 2025 third-round draft pick, Kyle Williams. As excited as many fans are about Williams, he only caught ten balls his rookie season. No player on New England's roster -- not even one tight end or running back -- had a lower reception rate when targeted. 

Patriots Hall of Fame receiver Troy Brown told ESPN's Mike Reiss that he is still holding out on Williams's traits.

"Speedster. He can run by anyone and in a thick room, that's a good asset to have. And he can track the ball down the field. He put that on film last year - 'when I'm in the game, you have to protect the deep part of the field,'" Brown said.

"But if he wants to be on the field more, he has to be able to run intermediate routes and create separation that way on a consistent basis."

Williams's spot on the final roster may come down to whether or not wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is traded. If he is moved, Williams should have no problem landing that fifth spot in the room with all he brings on special teams. If he is not, New England will have a tough decision to make. 

More NFL: Troy Brown Says WR 'Log Jam' Will Create Unparalleled Success

At each of the first two major championships of the year, LIV players were a prominent part of the story over ithe weekend. That was not the case at the 2026 U.S. Open.

The league's two biggest stars missed the cut. More than half of its 13 players at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, went home early. In the midst of a seven-week stretch without a tournament, plenty of LIV players struggled on Long Island, but some had great finishes to move up the leaderboard.

There were some bright moments, like Peter Uihlein shooting 66 on Sunday after an 80 on Saturday. And Caleb Surratt, making the weekend in his first major start. Joaquin Niemann, who had a notable 11 on Thursday, also signed for 66 on Sunday.

Here's a look at how every LIV Golf player finished in the U.S. Open:

LIV Golf finishers at the US Open 2026

• Joaquin Niemann (1 over)
• Tyrrell Hatton (1 over)
• Dustin Johnson (6 over)
• Laurie Canter (8 over)
• Peter Uihlein (10 over)
• Caleb Surratt (13 over)

Which LIV golfers missed the cut at the US Open 2026?

• Bryson DeChambeau (5 over)
• Carlos Ortiz (6 over)
• Jon Rahm (6 over)
• Lucas Herbert (6 over)
• Cameron Smith (6 over)
• David Puig (9 over)
• Graeme McDowell (12 over)

When was the last time a LIV golfer won the US Open?

Bryson DeChambeau won the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the second (and latest) major win for a LIV player.

Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: US Open 2026: How every LIV player finished at Shinnecock Hills

The Los Angeles Lakers have not had much luck in drafts in recent years, but the team is looking to capitalize on its 25th pick this season. The 2026 NBA Draft class is touted to be one of the most talented groups of rookies in the last few years. The Lakers did not have a first-round pick last season, and in 2024, they acquired Dalton Knecht, who has had a tumultuous run thus far.

The Lakers will go this year with the hope of getting something good out of a very late first-rounder. While the front office explores options to trade the pick in a package, they certainly have some options to bolster their frontcourt. Let’s explore some options for the Lakers who can go under the radar on D-day.

#1. Chris Cenac Jr.

The Lakers have really struggled when it comes to defensive tenacity, as the team finished ranked exactly in the middle of the league in defensive rating (116.4) in the 2025-26 season. Moreover, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves handling the ball on top, the team needs some explosive frontcourt pieces who can make cuts and finish on the rim.

Houston’s 6-foot-10 two-way wing can be an instant addition to both of the aforementioned areas. Chris Cenac Jr. averaged 9.5 points, shooting 48.5% from the field and 33.3% from deep. However, his numbers don’t do justice to what he brings on the defensive ends of the floor.

Using his 7-foot-5 wing size, the forward can stick to fast guards and close them out with his size. Moreover, he averaged 7.9 rebounds in the 2025-26 NCAA season, proving his alertness in the paint.

#2. Tarris Reed Jr.

Tarris Reed Jr. has shown massive growth this year, averaging 14.7 points and 9.0 rebounds for the UConn Huskies. He shot 60.7% from the field, but doesn’t take deep shots. However, he can get to the rim in pick-and-rolls and uses his wingspan to defend players over his size.

The 6-foot-10 forward/center can develop his post game with the Lakers until he feels confident. Given the team’s situation with Deandre Ayton, he might get a good opportunity sooner than he realizes. Moreover, his average of 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks per game proves that he is also versatile on defense.

#3. Jayden Quaintance

Quaintance spent most of his last college season with the Arizona Wildcats on the bench, as he suffered from a torn ACL. However, basketball experts say he would have come out as one of the elite defenders. He can also move around the rim and get the defenders at the back in the paint.

Even though Quaintance lacks the skill set to make fadeaway jumpers and perimeter shooting, his explosive personality and defensive abilities can be beneficial to an ailing Lakers squad. He will likely go under the radar, as he played just four games.

#4. Isaiah Evans

Even though the Lakers have enough depth in their backcourt, the front office wouldn’t mind having the services of ACC’s 2025-26 Sixth Man of the Year. Shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.1% from deep, Evans has caught the eyes of basketball scouts. He can come to the Lakers and do something Luke Kennard did, coming off the bench in Round 1 of the 2025-26 playoffs.

If Evans remains available till the 25th pick, the Lakers should consider picking him, though he is just 6-foot-6. With a good mentor, he can develop his game into something Reaves is doing for the LakeShow currently, and who better to teach than Luka Doncic?

READ MORE: Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes, Celtics and Heat Could Compete For $15M Big Man: Report

Deni Avdija Subtly Disses Victor Wembanyama in Telling Message

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With the NBA draft finally happening on Tuesday, the eyes will fall on the Washington Wizards and who they will be picking as their No. 1 overall pick. Many believe it to be AJ Dybantsa, the BYU small forward who has been lighting up the stats sheets, though he does have some serious competition in Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and even Duke power forward Cameron Boozer.

However, as the draft nears, it seems many are already assuming that AJ Dybantsa will be going first. The question now is, how will the BYU star compare with last season’s No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks and thrived there?

AJ Dybantsa vs Cooper Flagg Break Down

Of course, the two did take on one another before, as Cooper Flagg’s Montverde Academy took on AJ Dybantsa’s Prolific Prep. Flagg’s Montverde Academy won that one and they went on to win the high school national title with an undefeated record, making it a legendary run for Flagg. However, Flagg was already a high school senior at that time, while Dybantsa was still a sophomore, with Dybantsa jumping one grade up the next year.

Their infamous showdown is not a very good comparison, however, so it should be a good time to check their stats. Like Flagg, Dybantsa will also be a one-and-done, playing only in his freshman year of college before entering the NBA. So who has the edge in stats?

In 37 games, Cooper Flagg scored 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, with a 48.1% field goal percentage. Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 25 games, with a 51% field goal percentage. It should be noted that Flagg played on a much more loaded Duke team than Dybantsa over at BYU.

Offensively, AJ Dybantsa has the clear edge, with Flagg being a better passer and rebounder. Dybantsa also has the edge in athleticism, with him becoming the No. 1 prospect from the Class of 2025 immediately after moving up a grade in high school based on his talent alone.

However, Flagg has been more consistent than Dybantsa in terms of leading a team, as he took the Duke Blue Devils to the Final Four, while Dybantsa’s BYU Cougars were booted during the first round by the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns in a massive upset.

One of the biggest criticisms for the BYU star is that despite his talent, he has not shown that he could win a championship. Flagg not only led Duke to the Final Four, but he also led Montverde to an undefeated national championship season. While Dybantsa has shown that he is a monster statistically, his teams have not won as much as Flagg’s.

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Tigers get updated potential trade return for Tarik Skubal amid Braves rumor originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There might not be a player more intriguing than Tarik Skubal at this year's MLB trade deadline. There is plenty of buzz and rumors floating around about the Detroit Tigers ace already this summer.

But, there's still a big question of whether the Tigers will trade the back-to-back Cy Young winner this season. If they do trade him, what could they get in return?

USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared a possible trade return for the Tigers from a team like the Atlanta Braves, who were deemed a "sleeper" for Skubal, according to predictions from several MLB executives. 

Tigers receive intriguing potential trade return for Tarik Skubal

"The sleeper in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, several executives predict, will be Atlanta," Nightegnale writes. "The cost could be two of their top-10 prospects, including one who's in the top 100 overall."

The Tigers are bound to get something good in return for Skubal if he's traded, and this potential trade return wouldn't be a terrible one for the Tigers.

According to MLB Pipeline, the Tigers would be getting two of the following prospects from the Braves in this trade idea: Cam Caminiti, JR Ritchie, Eric Hartman, Tate Southisene, Alex Lodise, Owen Murphy, Briggs McKenzie, Diego Tornes, Lucas Braun, and John Gil.

But, since the Braves would be projected to send a top-100 prospect in this deal, they would have to trade one of Caminiti, who's ranked 45 by MLB Pipeline, or Ritche at 57 overall.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

Caminiti is a 19-year-old left-handed pitching prospect who has a 3.71 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) and 126 innings in his minor league career. Ritchie is a 22-year-old right-hander who's already made his MLB debut this year and has a 4.54 ERA in 35.2 innings.

This projected return for the Tigers in a Skubal deal wouldn't be terrible, as landing a top-100 prospect, like Caminiti or Ritchie from the Braves, along with another top-10 team prospect, would be a much-better return than the Tigers would get from a compensatory pick after losing him in free agency.

Of course, a trade won't happen unless the Tigers fall well out of the postseason race in the coming month and a half. But, if they do, this potential return wouldn't be a terrible one for the Tigers.

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England and Ghana go head-to-head at Gillette Stadium this Tuesday in the World Cup. The match will be broadcast live at 21:00 on BBC One.

Last time out, England triumphed 4-2 against Croatia (World Cup 2026). In their last match, Ghana prevailed 1-0 against Panama (World Cup 2026).

Unavailable

Inglaterra

Gana

Last starting XIs

England ( vs Croatia 2026-06-17): Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane

Ghana ( vs Panama 2026-06-18): Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Marvin Senaya, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Ernest Nuamah, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jordan Ayew

In a recent report, journalist Fraser Fletcher mentioned that Sunderland are facing stiff competition for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels this summer. It has been claimed that the Black Cats would have to rival AC Milan, Roma, Lazio, Napoli, Crystal Palace, Fulham and other Bundesliga clubs in the race to sign the Belgian talent.

Engels’ Impressive Form In Scottish Football

Engels managed to shine at times with his performances at the centre of Celtic‘s midfield in the previous campaign. The 22-year-old participated in 46 matches for the Scottish outfit last season, scoring seven times and grabbing eight assists across all fronts.

The Belgian talent is currently among the best central midfielders in the Scottish Premiership. Thus, it is no wonder that Sunderland are in the mix to acquire his services later this year.

His current contract at Celtic Park will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it tough for the Black Cats to sign him on the cheap this off-season.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 11: Arne Engels of Celtic during delivers a cross during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Will Engels Be A Good Option For Sunderland Boss Regis Le Bris?

Engels is a good tackler of the ball and doesn’t mind putting in a tirless shift for his team defensively in the middle of the park. He can strike the ball with power from long range and has got the eye to play some decisive passes on the offensive end of the field.

The Belgian sensation is full of energy and running at the centre of the park. Engels is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also serve as a right-sided wide player or as a right-back if asked to do so. However, only time will tell whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Black Cats manage to sign him later this year.

We can expect Engels to add more quality and depth to Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris’ midfield. He is good enough to challenge for a regular first-team spot at the Stadium of Light next season.

At 22, Engels has got the potential to be a future star in English football, which makes him a good option for the Black Cats to pursue in the long run. Thus, the Wearside club would be wise to get a deal done for him this summer. However, Le Bris has to give him some time to adjust to life in the Premier League before he can get the best out of the player.

After cancelling his visit to Georgia, five-star running back David Gabriel Georges is still in the market, but one school in particular may be in the driver’s seat. The Ohio State Buckeyes got a massive hint at where Georges might play, and this comes after they offered his teammate and roommate at Baylor High School, Jordan Darren.

Shortly after his teammate received his Ohio State offer, David Gabriel Georges posted this, which may make Ryan Day’s day:

This does not confirm that he will be going to Ohio State yet, but this may be a hint that he may be deciding to go there. Right now Ohio State is prioritizing to recruit him and should Ryan Day secure David Gabriel Georges, his Baylor High School teammate Jordan Darren might soon follow, but that is not a guarantee, as it just makes the likelihood of getting two high school teammates to sign together more likely.

For now, David Gabriel Georges, who is part of the Class of 2027, ranked No. 10 overall and the No. 2 running back in his class (247Sports Composite) has not decided on where to go. For now, it seems that he has already eliminated Georgia from contention after he cancelled his official visit there, though Kirby Smart still has a chance, albeit a small one.

David Gabriel Georges Explains Why He Snubbed Georgia

As for my the No. 10 prospect from the Class of 2027 cancelled his official visit to Georgia, David Gabriel Georges spoke with On3’s Hayes Fawcett and explained why,stating that he does not really see himself playing under Kirby Smart at Athens.

For now, he has only officially visited three schools, and they are Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Ohio State, with these three schools being seen as the three major contenders for him. Ohio State may be getting the upper hand after that Instagram Story he posted, though that is still not yet certain.

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Lamine Yamal was the story before kick-off and is dominating conversation long after the final whistle too.

The 18-year-old returned to Atlanta hoping to start his first World Cup match, having been limited to just 19 minutes in Spain's shock goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Luis de la Fuente insisted that cameo was part of a longer-term plan, with Lamine Yamal still carefully managing his recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in April.

Fit enough to start against Saudi Arabia, his impact was immediate.

Even before his first touch, the impact he had on the atmosphere was remarkable.

Thousands of fans wore his name across their backs. Every time his face appeared on the big screen, the stadium roared.

Spain's young star had not yet touched the ball, but already lifted the occasion.

When he did, he transformed the first half of the match.

Spain had promised greater intent, to play with boldness, pace and fearlessness. They delivered that in a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia, with Lamine Yamal at the centre of it all. Where their previous outing lacked urgency, this performance was vibrant, direct and full of conviction.

"You can give a bit of advice but when you see a player like this with the confidence and freedom, he can create a lot of things that I couldn't teach," his former Spain team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta told Match of the Day.

"When he is on the pitch he knows how to create chances, take on defenders and where to get the ball. From there, he is growing every single game."

Sharp, fearless and brimming with confidence, Lamine Yamal drifted past defenders with ease and injected life into Spain's attack. There was a sense of inevitability about what would follow.

When the breakthrough came, it was fittingly his.

A low cross flashed across goal and Lamine Yamal arrived at the back post, sliding in to convert and score his first World Cup goal.

The Atlanta stadium erupted as fans cheered, danced and chanted Lamine Yamal's name. This was the superstar they had come to see.

Guillem Balague, speaking on 5 Live, said he saw Lamine Yamal walking out looking around like he had just conquered the world.

"Is it arrogance? Or confidence? A mixture of both," he said. "He is the chosen one, he wants to be the chosen one.

"He is so happy in the role he is taking on as leader of the team. He told me once that his joy when he plays football is seeing the same reaction when he used to play five-a-side.'

Lamine Yamal became the seventh player in history to score at a World Cup before turning 19, and only the second aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a match, the other being a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Wales in 1958.

Wayne Rooney was highly complementary of the teenager - the comparisons to Lionel Messi inevitable.

Lamine Yamal has broken many of Messi's records at Barcelona and now he has pipped him on the global stage, too - the Argentine was just shy of his 19th birthday when he netted his first World Cup goal in 2006, the Spaniard has done it two weeks younger.

"For Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the application and dedication they've had is the reason they are both playing in this World Cup," the former England forward told Match of the Day. "They have done everything right. Hopefully Lamine Yamal can do that.

"What is really impressive to me is when Messi came in to that Barcelona team, there was some top players and a crossover with Ronaldinho.

"[Lamine Yamal] has come in to the Barcelona and Spain team and it is his team, he is the main man.

"Everyone is looking to him to win. [He was] a big part of winning the Euros and will be a big part of this World Cup. That is what really impresses me, he is taking the pressure on at such a young age. You hope he can do that for the next 15, 20 years."

Lamine Yamal's magic set the tone and more goals followed.

"You hope he has the right team around him to help, because he is a global superstar. You hope he is allowed to keep doing what he's doing," added Rooney.

Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice in quick succession, capping a remarkable opening spell. With two goals and an assist, he became only the second player since 1966 to be directly involved in three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match.

It was a complete contrast in performance from his previous match against Cape Verde, where he had gone the opening 30 minutes without a single touch, the first player in World Cup history to do so.

This match was different. Now, Spain's dominance was reflected on the scoreboard, and they looked every bit like European champions.

Lamine Yamal's work was done by half-time, withdrawn as a precaution with one group game remaining against Uruguay.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Thomas Frank said: 'Lamine Yamal always wants the ball. The determination and application to keep playing at the highest level, but also how can he stay humble enough when he knows everyone is saying he is the new coming superstar.

"How can you stay humble enough? That is going to be the big thing."

Spain will continue to manage his fitness carefully, because a fully fit Lamine Yamal could prove decisive.

By the time he turns 19, the World Cup final will be less than a week away.

The question now is simple: will he be the reason Spain get there?

• Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia
• World Cup fixtures and group standings
• How to watch the World Cup on the BBC
• Everything you need to know about the World Cup

Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said he remains "proud" of his players as he called for realism in the wake of a 4-0 World Cup thrashing by Spain on Sunday.

The Arabian Falcons were 3-0 down inside 24 minutes in Atlanta as Lamine Yamal led a La Roja rout on his first World Cup start.

Barcelona star Yamal opened the scoring before Mikel Oyarazbal's double put the outcome beyond doubt before the mid-half hydration break in the first half.

Hassan al-Tambakti's second-half own goal rubbed salt in Saudi wounds.

"I'm proud of everything the players do every day, I am not going to lose my pride in the players after a poor result," said Donis, who only took charge in April.

"I've seen games at the World Cup that have ended 5-1 and 6-0. We are here to take the criticism, but I also expect all those that criticise us to be realists as well."

The Saudis held Uruguay 1-1 in their opening game but there was little evidence that the billions splashed to raise the level of their domestic league on foreign stars has aided the national team.

They do have a chance to make amends against Cape Verde in their final group game, where victory will likely secure passage to the knockout stages for the first time since the 1994 World Cup.

And Donis rejected the suggestion his side had been scared of Spain.

"When a match isn't going your way and you've conceded three quick goals, insecurities start to creep in," he added.

"It's obvious we were affected. We're human, but I wouldn't call it fear."

kca/jc

Brazil must find a way to overcome the loss of injured star Raphinha as quickly as possible, midfielder Lucas Paqueta said Sunday, as Carlo Ancelotti's side prepare for their final group game of the World Cup against Scotland.

Barcelona forward Raphinha came off before half-time in Friday's 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia with a right thigh injury, and the Brazil team later said he would undergo "intensive treatment" with the aim of being back in time for a possible game in the last 16 in early July.

The 29-year-old will therefore definitely miss Wednesday's last Group C match against Scotland in Miami, which could open the door to a return for superstar Neymar.

"We are all sad, especially Rafa, because of the little setback with this injury, but he can count on all of us for support. We are all by his side," Paqueta, of Flamengo, told reporters at Brazil's World Cup base in New Jersey.

"He is a dedicated kid, and I am sure he will do everything possible and impossible to be back as soon as possible. But in terms of how important he is, well, I don't think I need to say anything.

"He has had an incredible couple of seasons and has been getting better and better for the national team, so I think that when any player of that importance is missing you are going to have to restructure quickly."

Raphinha's season with Barcelona was regularly impacted by problems with his right hamstring, and he has missed a total of 24 matches for club and country since the campaign began.

A starter in both of the Selecao's games so far, he was replaced by the young Bournemouth forward Rayan when he came off late in the opening half against the Haitians.

"We all know his characteristics, his qualities, his pace, his ability to create space and his finishing ability, so I think we are losing a very important player," added ex-West Ham United player Paqueta.

"But we are not paying too much attention to how long he is going to be out. We just hope he is back as soon possible."

Ancelotti's side have four points from two games so far, and will clinch qualification for the last 32 in one of the top two places in the section if they avoid defeat against the Scots.

Neymar is being tipped to feature against Scotland after overcoming the injury which has stopped him from featuring at the tournament so far.

If Brazil's all-time top scorer does play, it will be his first appearance for his country since October 2023.

"He is a very important player for the national team, who has a marvellous history with us and can still help us a lot," Paqueta said of the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.

raa/ag/as/nf

Josh Hokit mixed a strong UFC Freedom 250 performance against Derrick Lewis with offensive comments about former US first lady Michelle Obama.

The remarks drew criticism and quickly became part of the wider conversation around him.

Now UFC president Dana White has added his own criticism, while explaining why he thinks sometimes people should be open to hear such absurd things.

Dana White calls Josh Hokit’s Michelle Obama comments disgusting

White addressed the issue after Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card, which was headlined by Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.

His response was direct, even if he also defended the broader principle of free speech.

“Disgusting. There’s always going to be people that say things that most of us don’t agree with. I mean, just the time, the place, you know…”

White then added: “I voted for Obama the first time, I didn’t vote for the second time. Then, when I was at the inauguration, he was sitting in front of me. And Obama was the only one that turned around to me, couldn’t have been a nicer guy and said, ‘Congratulations on all your success and everything that you’ve done.’ I said, ‘Thank you, Mr. President.’

“I don’t believe in this s—. Like all the people that hate Trump says, ‘He’s not my president.’ All the people, people that hated Obama said, ‘He’s not my president.’ I got some bad f—— news for you. If you’re an American, that’s your president. And I respect all presidents, present and past. Not everybody does.

“And you got to listen to f—— stupid s— like that sometimes, unfortunately, because I also believe in free speech,” he concluded.

Josh Hokit still looks set for huge UFC fights

The criticism around Hokit is serious, but it may not stop his sporting rise.

After beating Lewis, he moved to number four in the heavyweight rankings, putting him close to the title picture.

That creates a complicated situation for the UFC. Hokit has become a bigger name, but his remarks could harm the promotion’s image in the long term.

Read more:

Basking in spotless roster continuity over the last few years, the Oklahoma City Thunder are about to see the business side of things with upcoming decisions this summer. After falling short of another NBA championship, things may need to get tweaked around the complementary pieces.

The Thunder have a handful of roster decisions to make. Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams all have team options for the 2026-27 season. Cason Wallace is eligible for a contract extension. Expect that quartet to be at the forefront of OKC's mind.

Elsewhere on the roster, though, the Thunder could trade away a couple of fan-favorite role players to restock the back of their bench and draft capital. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe could find new NBA homes this summer.

"After being consistent role players for Oklahoma City throughout the past season, league sources say opposing executives have circled the wagon on Isaiah Joe andAaron Wiggins," Scotto wrote. "Both players saw limited action against the Spurs in the Conference Finals, despite being key contributors during the regular season, and would represent significant depth upgrades for most teams around the league."

With their payroll about to jump up several levels, the Thunder need to save pennies elsewhere. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are about to take up most of OKC's cap space for the rest of the decade. Such is the cost of housing a two-time MVP and two other All-NBA talents.

Examining the sheets, Joe and Wiggins could be flipped as fresh faces join the Thunder. Both have been awesome additions that have played well above their draft statuses, but finished their recent seasons on a bad note. Joe once again faded into the background in the NBA playoffs. Meanwhile, Wiggins was just flat-out unplayable for the latter half of the year.

Sitting on the outside of OKC's playoff rotation by the end of the 2026 Western Conference Finals, both could use new starts elsewhere. Joe has two years, $22.6 million left in his deal. Wiggins has three years, $25.4 million left on his deal. Both have team options in their final season. Very team-friendly salaries that any contender would gladly welcome if they need a scoring punch off the bench.

It probably makes sense — to a certain extent — to move on from Joe and Wiggins. As helpful as they are in the regular season, their production can be made up for with younger and cheaper players like Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain and whoever they add from this upcoming draft cycle. Doesn't even include mystery boxes like Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber.

That said, only if it makes sense. Joe and Wiggins should bring the Thunder back some sorta draft currency. Even with their respective years ending sitting at the end of the bench. These are the realities of the NBA's new cap space world. Ownership groups are scared to go all out with paying for stupidly-expensive rosters. Both were great role players for a handful of years, but others are knocking on the door for more opportunities.

Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, Jaylen Brown, Tyler Herro, Kawhi Leonard, trade talks for the Pistons, Nets, Timberwolves, Raptors, and Nuggets. Plus, updates on free agents and extension candidates for the Suns, Thunder, Magic, and Jazz. https://t.co/76AU2Zjbz7

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 21, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Rumor: Other NBA teams hoping to add these 2 OKC Thunder role players

Dustin Wolf is one of the pillars of the Calgary Flames rebuild. As a former two-time AHL Goalie of the Year and one-time MVP, he's yet to duplicate that level of success in the NHL. In the minors, his record was 97-32-10, and through 128 games with the Flames, he's 60-52-12. 

According to Wolf's career splits at Hockey Reference, he's already secured a victory against 24 NHL teams. Still, he has yet to pick one up against some of the league's heavyweights, including several Western Conference powerhouses. 

For the Flames to take the next step in their rebuild and become serious contenders, Wolf is going to need to slay some past demons and start piling up victories against these clubs.

Which NHL teams has Wolf not beaten yet?

Detroit Red Wings (0-2-0)

The Detroit Red Wings haven't been to the playoffs since 2016-17, when Wolf was still playing U16 AAA hockey. During their meeting on Feb. 1, 2025, he allowed two goals in a 2-1 loss, and last year, Wolf allowed four goals in a 5-1 loss on Mar. 16, 2026. Heading into next season, the Red Wings remain one of two Original Six franchises he has yet to beat.

Ottawa Senators (0-2-0)

Since becoming the Flames' number one goalie in 2024-25, the Ottawa Senators have been a playoff team, losing in the first round in each of the past two seasons. Interestingly, Wolf's first NHL loss (4-1) came against the Senators on Nov. 11, 2023, and then Ottawa defeated him a year later on Nov. 25, 2024. They didn't play against one another in 2025-26.

Tampa Bay Lightning (0-2-0)

In the past two seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning have had the NHL's fourth-best record at 97-53-14, including two wins over Wolf in his only appearances against the club. The Lightning shut out the Flames, 3-0, on Feb. 27, 2025, before defeating them 5-1 on Nov. 26, 2025. Surprisingly, in their last meeting, Wolf played a career-low 5:52, allowing three goals on just four shots. 

Washington Capitals (0-2-0)

Against the NHL's all-time leading scorer, Wolf has given up two goals to Alex Ovechkin, while the Washington Capitals remain a perfect 2-0-0 against the young netminder. He lost a 5-2 decision on Mar. 18, 2024, the night Ovechkin had two, and they followed that up with a 3-1 victory at the Saddledome on Jan. 28, 2025.

Dallas Stars (0-3-0)

The Dallas Stars are one of the top teams in the Central Division and in the Western Conference. Since Wolf's debut on Apr. 12, 2023, the Stars are 6-1-2 against the Flames, while their star has remained winless in three games. During their first meetings in 2024-25, Wolf gave up ten goals in 6-2 (Dec. 8) and 5-2 (Mar. 27) losses. In their only meeting last season, the Stars walked away with a 6-1 win, chasing Wolf after four goals and 26:02 of ice time.

St. Louis Blues (0-4-0)

Over the past three seasons, the St. Louis Blues are 124-96-26, good enough for the 16th-best record in the NHL. However, they are 4-0-0 against Wolf and are 8-0-1 overall against the Flames. In their meeting, St. Louis picked up a 5-3 victory on Mar. 28, 2024, and followed that up with a 4-1 win on Jan. 16, 2025. Last season, Wolf gave up seven goals over two meetings, losing 4-2 on Oct. 11 and 3-2 on Nov. 11. 

Toronto Maple Leafs (0-4-0)

The Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the Red Wings, remain the only Original Six franchises Wolf has yet to beat, with a 0-4-0 record against them. In their first two meetings, on Feb. 4, 2024, and Mar. 17, 2024, Wolf surrendered five goals in each contest on the way to 6-3 and 6-2 losses. Despite being the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference last season, Toronto put eight goals past Wolf, picking up a 4-3 victory on Oct. 28 and a 4-2 win on Feb. 2. 

Colorado Avalanche (0-5-0)

Over the past two seasons, no other team has won more games than the Colorado Avalanche, who are 104-45-15 and won the Presidents' Trophy in 2025-26. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are just one of two teams to collect 17 points against the Flames since 2023-24, with an 8-0-1 record dating back to the year Wolf first faced them.

His first appearance against the club was a no-decision, on Mar. 12, 2024, a 6-2 loss. In 2024-25, Wolf went 0-2-0 with seven goals against, losing 4-2 contests on both Feb. 6 and Mar. 14. Meanwhile, last season, he was 0-3-0, losing 9-2 on Mar. 30, finishing the night with a .750 SV%, his fourth-worst total of the campaign. He then lost two games 3-1 within seven days of one another on Apr. 9 and Apr. 14. 

2028 three-star cornerback Man Robinson has been a target for the Florida State Seminoles for a year and a half. They extended him an offer on Dec. 31 of 2024, and he took an unofficial visit last August when FSU played the Alabama Crimson Tide.

That was the last time Robinson was in Tallahassee, but that is set to change soon. He announced on social media that he is headed back to visit Florida State.

"Excited to head back to Tallahassee!" Robinson wrote.

247Sports has him listed as the No. 347 prospect and the No. 36 cornerback in the country. He's also the No. 51 recruit in Florida.

Robinson wasn't always in the Sunshine State. As a freshman, he attended Christian Academy of Louisville in Kentucky. That's where he put his name on the national scene as he recorded 52 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions (one pick-six), and five pass breakups. Robinson would help the Centurions go 12-3 and capture the KHSAA Class 3A state title, and he was also the only freshman named to the Kentucky Prep Gridiron All-State Defensive Team.

Before his sophomore year, Robinson transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He played in eight games and had just six tackles, but he did log two interceptions, which included another pick-six.

FSU will have to compete extremely hard to land Robinson. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder also has offers from the Miami Hurricanes, Florida Gators, Oregon Ducks, Oklahoma Sooners, Michigan Wolverines, and others.

Excited to head back to Tallahassee! @CoachJuwanFSU@ChuckCantor@evancooper2@Coach_Norvell@LaserreMatt@ZBlostein247@SWiltfong_@TomLoy247@ChadSimmons_@Andy_Villamarzo@Andrew_Ivins@JohnGarcia_Jr@Aspirationsgympic.twitter.com/PFJ9GEvSL2

— Man Robinson (@midrange_man) June 21, 2026

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Football: Florida State is hosting CB Man Robinson

As the Washington Huskies look to add depth to their offensive line in the 2027 class, Jedd Fisch's coaching staff picked up a crystal ball on Sunday morning to land one of the nation's top tackles in four-star Rashaun Lavata'i.

Following a mid-week official visit, Rivals' Brandon Huffman projected that offensive line coach Michael Switzer will land the services of the 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive tackle out of in-state Curtis High School, who is ranked as the nation's No. 118 overall prospect and No. 9 player at his position.

Lavata'i has also taken official visits to Oregon State, Utah, and Washington State from his 13 offers as he's experienced a significant uptick in interest late in the recruiting process. The Huskies have been keeping a close eye on the Tacoma product for a long time, but didn't make that public until early March when Switzer extended an offer to him following a stellar performance at the Under Armour Next camp in Phoenix, where he was named MVP.

Washington has picked up crystal balls to land three of their TOP TARGETS along the offensive line!! All the latest is coming on tomorrow's show👀

Tune in and subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts! pic.twitter.com/ErIy73M70G

— Locked On Huskies (@LockedOnHuskies) June 21, 2026

Lavata'i, who also took home MVP honors at the Avery Strong College Showcase in early June, has a unique frame for the position with plenty of room to add weight to his frame. He is an impressive athlete who already plays with good power, and with time in a college weight program, he has all the desired tools to make an impact in Fisch's offense and in the Big Ten.

On film, Lavata'i is a strong lateral mover who generates plenty of strength from his lower half, which lends to his significant rise in the recruiting rankings as his measurables and athletic profile are exactly what college programs are looking for in developmental offensive tackle prospects.

The Huskies currently hold just one commitment along the offensive line from four-star center Reis Russell, but picked up two other crystal balls from Huffman on Sunday at the position, including four-star interior lineman Gecova Doyal.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Huskies projected to land fast-rising 4-star in-state OT

Ollie Watkins believes England and Aston Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers can go “to the very top” of the game.

Rogers enjoyed another strong campaign with Villa, playing a key role, along with Watkins, in securing Champions League qualification and the Europa League title for Unai Emery’s side.

His form has unsurprisingly attracted the interest of other clubs, with Arsenal believed to be preparing an approach for the 23-year-old.

But for now, the focus for the Villa duo is on winning more silverware this summer with England at the World Cup.

And Watkins believes Rogers has the ability to play a decisive role for the Three Lions at the tournament.

“I think Morgan can go to the very top,” he said.

“You’ve seen what he can do in a short space of time, in 18 months, how he’s developed and started to perform at that top, top level which has got him all the recognition that he deserves.

“I think he’s got his head on his shoulders, he’s an intelligent guy who is hard working and very confident in his own ability.

“I think he can go to the very top.”

La Liga giants Real Madrid’s plans for the summer transfer window could well be impacted by developments in Germany’s squad at the FIFA World Cup.

As much comes with Los Blancos keeping a close eye on the situation of Nico Schlotterbeck.

Amid an ongoing search for reinforcements at the heart of defence with a view to next season, the Bernabéu brass are widely understood to have earmarked Borussia Dortmund star Schlotterbeck as a leading option.

The 26-year-old – left-footed and entering his prime – is considered the ideal profile to beef up incoming boss José Mourinho’s ranks at the back.

It therefore came as a major source of concern for Real Madrid when Schlotterbeck was forced off prematurely in Germany’s World Cup meeting with Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday.

En route to a 2-1 comeback triumph for his country, the stopper was hooked at the interval.

Fears have since spread that Schlotterbeck may have suffered ligament damage, facing up to a prolonged spell on the sidelines as a result.

Should this prove to be the case, Florentino Pérez and co. are in turn likely to look elsewhere for their final defensive addition of the summer.

Conor Laird – GSFN

• Vitor Reis enjoyed a breakthrough loan season at Girona last term
• Barcelona are interested in signing the Man City defender for the new season
• Reis is expected to join Man City’s pre-season camp towards the end of July as things stand

Barcelona are interested in signing Manchester City defender Vitor Reis off the back of an impressive season-long loan in the Spanish top-flight.

City have invested significantly in Reis since signing him from Palmeiras in January 2025, with the Brazilian having spent last season on loan at Girona before Barcelona made contact with City over his future following Girona’s relegation to Spain’s second tier.

Incoming City manager Enzo Maresca had already signalled his intention to re-integrate Reis into the first-team squad at the Etihad Stadium for the 2026-27 season, ending any uncertainty over a further loan elsewhere.

Vitor Reis engaged in physical training plan as start to Manchester City life beckons

Reis is reportedly using the off-season to focus on gaining strength and arriving in better physical condition ahead of his return to Manchester, with the 20-year-old widely expected to challenge for senior minutes once Maresca’s squad reports back for training.

Report: City plan to integrate Reis from late July

As per Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport, sources have dismissed reports in Spain claiming Barcelona are interested in Vitor Reis as pure speculation, with the plan as it stands for the defender to be an option for Manchester City next season, first joining pre-season towards the end of July.

The clarification comes after Barcelona’s sporting department, headed by Deco, reignited their interest in the centre-back earlier this month, with the Catalan club having previously tracked Reis before his move to the Etihad Stadium in 2025.

The update suggests City’s stance has not shifted despite the renewed external interest, with Reis remaining firmly part of Maresca’s plans for the new campaign.

What is the wider context for Reis’ City future?

Reis made four appearances under Pep Guardiola in the 2024-25 season before his loan at Girona, where he registered over 30 La Liga appearances and earned his first senior Brazil call-up in March. City’s defensive picture has shifted significantly this summer.

John Stones has departed as a free agent and Ruben Dias is the subject of growing transfer speculation amid interest from Real Madrid, potentially opening a clearer path for Reis to establish himself.

Barcelona sporting director makes Man City contact over Vitor Reis after Girona relegation

The timeline of a late-July pre-season arrival gives Maresca a clear window to assess the Brazilian alongside the rest of his rebuilt backline, with director of football Hugo Viana having consistently maintained that Reis is viewed as a long-term piece of City’s defensive planning regardless of the noise generated by reports elsewhere.

Serena Williams will make a surprise return to singles action at Wimbledon later this month after accepting a wildcard.

The 44-year-old has been given the final spot in the women's main draw - filling a gap left following the initial announcement on Tuesday.

Williams has played two doubles matches since making her competitive return earlier this month after a four-year absence.

She has won the Wimbledon singles title seven times but remains one short of Margaret Court's long-standing women's record of 24 Grand Slam wins.

Williams had already been given a wildcard to play alongside older sister Venus in the Wimbledon doubles.

But asked earlier this month if she would consider a singles return at SW19, she said: "You think I'm ready for singles? I need to get to work."

Williams has not won a singles match at Wimbledon since 2019, when she lost in the final to Romania's Simona Halep.

She spent 319 weeks at the top of the world rankings and has won 73 singles titles on the WTA Tour during an illustrious career.

She has also completed a career 'Golden Slam' in singles and doubles - winning all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold - and won every singles major at least three times.

Williams will discover her first-round opponent when the draw takes place on Friday, with the tournament getting under way on Monday, 29 June.

• Williams rolls back the years on return at Queen's
• Williams sisters receive Wimbledon doubles wildcard

'Who knows where I'll pop up?'

Williams won her first Wimbledon singles title in 2002 - beating sister Venus in the final - and repeated the feat a year later.

She won again in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 - with her seventh triumph meaning she equalled Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 major singles titles.

After taking maternity leave in 2017, she reached the final on her next two Wimbledon appearances, but lost in straight sets to Angelique Kerber and Halep.

Her 2021 campaign ended after just six games as she retired injured against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and there were doubts she would return.

Given a wildcard in 2022, she was two points from victory against Harmony Tan before being edged out in a final-set tie-break.

Asked afterwards if that would be her final Wimbledon appearance, Williams said: "That's a question I can't answer. Who knows? Who knows where I'll pop up?"

Williams has won 14 titles at Wimbledon, with six women's doubles and one mixed doubles among her tally.

She also won Olympic singles and doubles gold on the same courts at the 2012 London Olympics.

Williams has won 107 of her 123 singles matches on grass courts, and it is the surface she has the best record on with an 87% win-rate.

View this post on Instagram

How Williams' return has unfolded

Williams played what was widely expected to be the final match of her career at the 2022 US Open before "evolving away" from the sport.

But refusing to use the word 'retirement' always left the door ajar for a return.

She said the main motivation for her comeback was the prospect of her two daughters seeing her play.

Williams won the Australian Open while pregnant with eldest daughter Olympia and gave birth to her second child, Adira, in 2023.

Her daughters watched from the stands as their mother won the first doubles match of her return at Queen's alongside Victoria Mboko.

However, the pair had to withdraw from the tournament when Canadian teenager Mboko injured her knee in the singles.

Former world number one Williams then entered the doubles in Berlin, where she lost alongside Czech Karolina Muchova in their first-round match on Tuesday.

Afterwards, Williams remained coy when asked about the prospect of playing singles at Wimbledon, but returned to London the following day and started practising at SW19 on Thursday.

ATLANTA (AP) — After a highly criticized World Cup debut, Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal returned to Atlanta Stadium with a vengeance on Sunday.

Oyarzabal, on Monday, became the first player since 1966 to fail to record a touch in the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match.

Nearly a week later, the 5-foot-11 forward found a new home in the record books with a two-goal, one assist performance in Spain’s 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia as just the second player in World Cup history to score or assist three goals in the opening 25 minutes of a match. He's the first to achieve the feat since Hungary's László Fazekas in 1982.

“The impact Mikel has on the team is massive, probably bigger than any other player could have in the world,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said after the match. “I’m convinced that he’s a footballer that can really make history in Spanish football. His numbers are crazy, so I do celebrate his performance, and hopefully, we will be able to value him properly.”

His assist, a deep cross to 18-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal, helped Spain set the tone early with a goal at the 10-minute mark. Oyarzabal then followed with two goals spaced three minutes apart — in the 21st and 24th minutes — to give Spain a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

Oyarzabal finished the game with five shots — three on goal — in 45 minutes played.

In a World Cup debut that's been defined by peaks and valleys, Oyarzabal is shrugging off the highs and lows — and that includes Sunday's achievements.

“In the end, it’s an anecdote," Oyarzabal said after the match. "I don’t give any importance to it. It is what it is. I’m happy to have scored, to have helped the team. One way or another, I’m always trying to do what’s best for the team.”

The 29-year-old from Eibar may not have shown interest in record-book additions, but rewriting the reputation of the Spanish national team after Monday's performance was a top priority.

“When you don’t do things well, when things don’t go your way, you criticize yourself, you look internally to try to improve. We knew we could do much better than the other day," he said. “We were looking forward to turning it around. It was very important to start with the right foot, and that’s what happened.”

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AP Sports Writers James Robson and Tales Azzoni contributed to this report.

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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have agreed to bring back guards Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin after both had breakout seasons, two people familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deals, first reported by ESPN, haven't been announced.

Gillespie has agreed to a $48 million, four-year deal while Goodwin's contract is expected to be $19 million over three seasons, with a player option for the final year.

The 6-foot-1 Gillespie — who turns 27 this week — averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 80 games last season, his third in the NBA. He was undrafted out of Villanova but has emerged as one of the Suns' top offensive options after shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.

The 6-3 Goodwin was a key piece off the bench, averaging 8.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while also being one of the team's better defenders.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

The Chicago Cubs made another small trade on Saturday evening. 

The North Siders traded away Double-A first baseman Cameron Sisneros in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray. Murray was designated for assignment by the Houston Astros earlier this week, and the Cubs decided to make a move for the 29-year-old reliever. 

Chicago’s front office has been very active in adding pitchers to this organization over the last few months. Tyler Ferguson, Aaron Bummer, Liam Hendriks, Christian Roa, Eduarniel Nunez, Yosver Zulueta, and now Murray have all been added via claims, trades, or free agent signings since early May. 

Murray is an interesting pickup by the Cubs because he really struggled with the Astros in his limited Major League innings this year. He allowed 11 earned runs with eight strikeouts across 13 ⅓ innings pitched (7.43 ERA) before being designated for assignment. 

Murray didn’t show many encouraging things in the big leagues this season. He allowed multiple runs in five of his eight relief appearances and owned a poor 90.7 mph average exit velocity, 12.9% strikeout rate, 11.3% walk rate, 40.4% hard-hit rate, and a 8.5% barrel rate. 

However, the former 23rd-round pick does have a plus fastball that averages around 95.3 mph. It is by far his best pitch, and his four-seam fastball had a solid 23.2% whiff rate in his 13 ⅓ innings of work. 

The Cubs obviously have to retool Murray’s arsenal. His fastball-type pitches (four-seam, cutter, sinker) could all be slightly better, and his offspeed stuff (changeup, sweeper) could be more consistent on the mound. 

Despite the poor numbers with the Astros in 2026, Murray has thrown the ball well in the past. 

The 29-year-old had a 1.54 ERA, a 1.114 WHIP, and eight strikeouts across 11 ⅔ innings in the majors back in 2025. He had an elite 6.4% walk rate, and his 28.2% chase rate ranked around league average. 

Then, Murray posted strong numbers at Triple-A Sugar Land to start this season. He had a 1.17 ERA, a 0.783 WHIP, and a 31.6% strikeout rate in 14 appearances and saved six games for the Space Cowboys. His strikeout upside was definitely on display in those 15 ⅓ innings. 

Murray will likely now head to Triple-A Iowa. He’ll get to work with the Cubs’ pitching lab in hopes of reaching his full potential on the mound. 

To acquire the 29-year-old reliever, the Cubs had to part ways with Sisneros. The lefty-swinging first baseman was selected in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB Draft and slashed .265/.419/.422 with six home runs, eight doubles, 37 RBI across 49 games at High-A and Double-A this season. 

The Los Angeles Lakers have their franchise star in place with Luka Doncic, now it's just a matter of building around him. 

The 2024 Dallas Mavericks gave the blueprint on what is necessary to put around Doncic to be a championship-level team. The Mavericks surrounded Doncic with big men who protect the rim, set screens, and run the paint, and wings who defend, can knock down threes, and have some bounce off the dribble. 

There was also Kyrie Irving, a second superstar to take the pressure off of Doncic to ensure he didn't have to do everything on the offensive end. 

The Lakers have their second star in Austin Reaves, assuming he re-signs. They could have a third in LeBron James, if he also re-signs. 

They are still searching for the perfect complementary big, but they could add another complementary wing. 

The Lakers have reportedly checked in with OKC about a potential Lu Dort trade, per @JakeLFischer.

(h/t @RealGM) pic.twitter.com/t8y7uz26Wx

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 21, 2026

Lu Dort To The Lakers? 

According to Jake Fischer in the Stein Line newsletter, the Lakers have called the Oklahoma City Thunder about the availability of Lu Dort. 

Dort has a team option worth $17 million, that the Thunder can pick up before potentially trading him. OKC will have a number of roster decisions to make as the contract extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams will kick in, putting them well into the first apron, and they have two first round picks in the upcoming draft. 

OKC could potentially decline Dort's option, which would make him an unrestricted free agent, but it seems unlikely that they'll allow him to walk away for nothing. 

The Lakers are a potential landing spot for Lu Dort, per @MikeAScotto

“Dort has a team option for $17.22 million for the upcoming season that several front executives who spoke with HoopsHype are projecting the Thunder to exercise, then consider flipping Dort on the trade… pic.twitter.com/QuLfYH2BUt

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 21, 2026

A Good Addition?

Dort is heralded as one of the best on-ball defenders in the league, though some fans and players have criticized him to crossing the line into being too physical and dirty. Doncic has seen a lot of Dort over the years as he's been the primary defender on the Lakers superstar. 

Dort makes everyone's job easier on the defensive end as he's going to guard the top player and do so at a high-level, wearing him out throughout the game with his physicality. 

On the offensive end, he's a good but inconsistent shooter from three, with his average dropping to 34% this past season after being at 39% in 2023-24 and 41% in 2024-25. He can put the ball on the floor to an extent, but he isn't at the level of Marcus Smart when it comes to his decision-making. 

Still, he's exactly the type of player that complements Doncic and Reaves in that he's low maintenance on offense and will shoulder a big responsibility on defense. 

Iraq coach Graham Arnold has joked about a novel approach to nullify the threat of France captain Kylian Mbappé in Monday's World Cup clash.

"I asked if we could play with three goalkeepers," the Australian giggled at a pre-match news conference in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Mbappé struggled in the first half of the twice champions' opener against Senegal but then burst into life with two fine goals in the second half of the 3-1 win.

Iraq lost 4-1 to Norway first up.

Tunisia defender Ali Abdi has accused his football federation of being to blame for their early World Cup exit.

In between two defeats - a 5-1 hammering by Sweden and 4-0 loss to Japan - Tunisia switched coach Sabri Lamouchi for Herve Renard.

"We travel to a World Cup with players who have never played together. You cannot prepare for a World Cup by playing only a few matches against opponents who have been preparing for years," the defender told Bein Sports Mena on Sunday.

"We do not have time to work properly. Every time we tear everything down and build it again, instead of correcting the mistakes."

Abdi repeatedly wiped tears from his face.

Scotland's Jake Wightman and a "shocked" Sarah Calvert both struck gold at the UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Calvert repeated her shock win of 12 months ago as the Livingston AC 24-year-old again finished ahead of Olympian Laura Muir in the 1500m.

Muir, the 2020 Olympic silver medallist, was beaten into second by her compatriot in a sprint finish following a slow race in August.

Outsprinted again, the Dundee Hawkhill Harriers 33-year-old this time finished third as Calvert produced a season's best 4:07.82 - nearly nine seconds better than last year - to finish ahead of England's Katie Snowden.

Calvert, who admits "I still look up to" Muir, said: "It is really special. Last year, I was really shocked and thought this was the most incredible day.

"For the last year at meets, people have been saying 'oh you're the girl who won the British champs'. Nothing's come close to that in the last year, so to come back and do it again, I can't believe it."

Now Calvert is targeting representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games - and running the qualifying time to represent Great Britain at the European Championships.

• Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
• 'Dominant display' - Hunter Bell wins 800m in record time

"I was shocked crossing the line," she said. "It was the same plan as last year. I know my strength is a kick at the end, so a slow race with and kick with 120 to go is perfect for me.

"When the race went off slightly faster, I said 'no, this is not what I was asking for', but it was the same plan - hang on for as long as you can and don't kick until 120 to go."

Giffnock North 26-year-old Erin Wallace finished fourth for the second year running.

Wightman, the 2022 world gold and 2025 world silver 1500m medallist, produced his usual fast kick in the final straight to edge out England's Ben Pattison in the 800m.

The Edinburgh AC athlete said "I did everything I could have and I won, so that gives a real sense of satisfation and achievement."

However, fellow 31-year-old Neil Gourley finished a disappointing sixth in the 1500m final won by England's Arlo Ludewick.

Scotland's Andrew Butchart was second in the 5000m, the 34-year-old from Central AC losing out to Leamington's David Mullarkey.

There was also a silver for Scottish discus thrower Kirsty Law, of Woodford Green, behind reigning champion Zara Obamakinwa.

Meanwhile, Pitreavie's Nicole Yeargin was run out of the medals in the 400m, finishing fourth as gold was won by England's Amber Anning.

The Florida Panthers had a busy start to Fathers Day on Sunday, making a trade with Seattle in which they sent forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Kraken for a first-round pick in this weekend’s draft plus a second-round selection next year.

Samoskevich, 23, spent part of the past three seasons with the Panthers and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2025.

There had been rumblings that Samoskevich could be on the move as part of a big trade — although being sent to Seattle for a couple of high draft picks was not exactly the move that was expected.

So, why now?

First off, the Panthers were due to owe Samoskevich some money.

Last summer, he was a restricted free agent and signed for the low sum of $775,000. With the Panthers flush against the salary cap, they could not afford much.

And, as a restricted player without arbitration rights, there really was not anything Samoskevich could do.

This summer is different.

Samoskevich could go to arbitration, which means he was probably going to at least double his previous salary if not get a little more.

The Panthers are currently a shade over $13 million under the cap and need to figure out their goalie situation with Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov both pending free agents come July 1.

Florida also went into this offseason pretty deep at the forward position. Samoskevich has played throughout the lineup the past two years but mostly within the top 6.

The Panthers have, without making another trade, plenty of forwards who can slot in, including Evan Rodrigues and rookie Sandis Vilmanis.

Speaking of trades, getting two high picks for Samoskevich gives GM Bill Zito some nice ammunition going into the 2026 NHL Draft which starts Friday night in Buffalo.

Florida now has No. 9 and No. 25 in the first round, not to mention two second round picks in each of the next two drafts.

If the Panthers are going to go ‘big game hunting’ for either a new starting goalie — or Detroit captain Dylan Larkin — it does not hurt having more draft chips in your pocket.

ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFSEASON

• NHL Draft (9th/25th in First Round, Eight Picks Overall): Friday-Saturday; KeyBank Center, Buffalo
• NHL Free Agency: Opens July 1
• Panthers Development Camp: Late June/Early July; IcePlex, Fort Lauderdale
• Panthers Rookie Camp/Tournament: Late August/Early Sept.; Site TBA
• Panthers Training Camp: Early/Mid September; Fort Lauderdale 
• 2026-27 NHL Season Opens: Late September; Site, Opponent TBA

This article: NHL Trade: Why the Florida Panthers Sent Samoskevich to the Kraken originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.

It’s 2026, and Danhausen is the King of New York. These are his words, and as superlative as they sound, WWE’s breakout star makes a compelling case.

Danhausen has only been with WWE for three months. Just one financial quarter, and what a boon he’s been to their business. In short order, Danhausen has become a Top-2 merchandise mover, and after his pivotal role in the New York Knicks’ first NBA Championship in 53 years, he is now the centerpiece of a WWE/New York Knicks licensing deal celebrating the world champions. As we speak, commemorative Danhausen t-shirts are available for sale on the NBA Store.

Some are already close to selling out.

NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson—who many consider to be the current King of New York—recently acknowledged WWE’s rising star after Danhausen’s “uncursing” of the Knicks vaulted the long-suffering franchise to glory.

“At first I was a little skeptical, but you have to believe it now,” said Brunson following New York’s feel-good win.

Given his mainstream ubiquity over the span of just a few months, Danhausen seems like an overnight success. The truth is, he’s been a merchandise sensation for years—even dating back to his days on the independent scene and later in AEW. But after AEW’s mismanagement of what is now arguably pro wrestling’s biggest sensation of 2026, WWE simply picked up the pieces and amplified an already proven formula.

Danhausen Fell Into AEW’s Lap, Then They Fumbled Him

Danhausen debuted with AEW in January 2022, and given the built-in indie mindset that runs through the company’s DNA, he was an instant hit in Jacksonville. Danhausen was booked using a “more with less” formula, playing a bit role where he wrestled a handful of matches while putting his supernatural fingerprints on the product through his now-iconic curses.

AEW victims of Danhausen’s curses included Adam Cole, Jon Moxley, William Regal and The Young Bucks, who were cursed in February of 2022 ahead of AEW and the Young Bucks’ darkest day: A violent backstage fight with CM Punk following AEW All Out 2022 in September. This literal Black eye for AEW sparked a chain reaction that led to Danhausen’s eventual release in 2026. Danhausen is a noted friend of CM Punk. His signings with both AEW and WWE came after Punk’s arrival. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t The Sportster.com) even reported that Punk was a driving force behind Danhausen’s WWE arrival at Elimination Chamber, which took place in Punk’s hometown of Chicago.

Danhausen fell out of favor with AEW shortly after CM Punk’s firing in 2023. Despite recovering from an injury that year, Danhausen was not used on AEW TV in 2024 and 2025. This was hardly a coincidence given his proximity to Punk. But despite being banished to the AEW bench for two years, Danhausen defied the odds through his one-man merchandising empire.

Danhausen Outsold AEW Top Stars Despite Being Benched By Tony Khan

Despite staying in AEW against his will, Danhausen somehow managed to remain atop the merchandising charts, outselling some of the biggest stars in AEW and pro wrestling at large.

Danhausen’s only AEW-related appearance from 2024 to 2025 was a cameo at ROH Final Battle in December of 2024. Danhausen’s lack of usage led to frustration. In 2025, Danhausen requested AEW to not pick up the option on his contract. AEW President and CEO Tony Khan did the opposite, opting to add injury time to an already dormant Danhausen. Amazingly, Danhausen remained a Top-13 t-shirt seller even after vanishing from AEW TV for multiple years.

Per Pro Wrestling Tees year-end data, here are Danhausen’s merch sales during his entire tenure with AEW:

Danhausen’s Pro Wrestling Tees Rankings (2022 to 2025)

• 2022: No. 1 (Outsold CM Punk and MJF)
• 2023: No. 4
• 2024: No. 3
• 2025: No. 13 (Outsold then AEW world champion Jon Moxley and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who has a licensing deal with Pro Wrestling Tees.)

Danhausen was a ready-made star before he even bursted out of a box in WWE, which is a ready-made promotional machine. This was an obvious match made in Heaven, and the results have fed generations.

WWE is currently producing a Danhausen documentary based on his role in the Knicks’ historic championship, where he cursed the franchise, which promptly dropped back-to-back games against the Atlanta Hawks. Danhausen’s “uncursing” at the behest (and payment) of a New York Knicks fan immediately led to the Knicks’ 13-game playoff win streak. This was the second-longest NBA playoff win-streak of all time, and the dream run ended with banners (and fists) flying in New York.

AEW’s trash proved to be WWE’s treasure. This has been a theme with AEW, which has seen the likes of Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Penta, Ricky Saints, Jade Cargill and now Danhausen achieve career-defining success in AEW’s wake. But the truth is, none of these stars were ever trash. And when it came to Danhausen, he just needed the proper platform to showcase his treasures, and it has already paid of in spades.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Samsung will launch its next clamshell-style foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, at its Summer Unpacked next month. Leaks and rumors suggest the device would bring modest upgrades over the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and could be the last Flip phone from Samsung.

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: Complete phone specifications appeared first on Sammy Fans.

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The Belgium national team will square off against Iran at SoFi Stadium for a crucial Matchday 2 Group G showdown at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams searching for their first victory of the tournament. If the Red Devils can secure all three points, they will put themselves on the absolute precipice of locking down a spot in the knockout stage.

Rudi Garcia’s squad enters the match following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in their tournament opener, where veteran striker Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to rescue a vital point. While that result extended Belgium’s impressive unbeaten streak to 14 matches, it leaves them with very little margin for error over these final two group fixtures.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, the other opening match in the section saw Iran and New Zealand battle to a thrilling 2-2 stalemate in Los Angeles. Consequently, all four nations in Group G currently sit completely deadlocked with one point apiece, ensuring that the race for the Round of 32 will be decided over the coming days.

How a Belgium win affects the Group G standings

A victory for Belgium on Sunday would vault them to four points through two matches and temporarily place them in sole possession of first place in Group G. Whether they finish the weekend alone at the top depends entirely on Sunday night’s late clash between New Zealand and Egypt, as a winner in that fixture would draw level with the Belgians on points.

Securing the maximum three points against Iran would put Belgium in an incredibly advantageous position to advance, even if it does not mathematically guarantee qualification just yet. Furthermore, that result would leave the Iranian squad facing a near-impossible path to survival ahead of the group-stage finale.

How a Belgium draw affects the Group G standings

A tie against Iran would leave both nations level on two points apiece in the standings, though the Asian powerhouse would hold the crucial tiebreaker advantage over Belgium. Because total goals scored serves as a primary tiebreaker, Iran’s two goals from their opening match would keep them ahead of a Belgian side that only found the back of the net once against Egypt.

Despite dropping points, a draw would still keep Belgium’s World Cup destiny entirely in their own hands ahead of the final matchday of group play. Their objective would remain simple: secure a decisive victory in their group-stage finale against New Zealand on June 27 to book a spot in the next round.

How a Belgium loss affects the Group G standings

A shocking defeat for Belgium would drop Kevin De Bruyne and the Red Devils to the very bottom of Group G with just a single point, while Iran would assert control of the section with four points. A negative result on Sunday would severely jeopardize Belgium’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

While a loss would not completely eliminate them from the tournament, the Belgians would no longer control their own destiny and would need a favorable outcome from the New Zealand-Egypt match to stay alive. A victory in their final game would still offer a desperate lifeline, potentially allowing them to sneak through as a second-place finisher or as one of the top third-placed teams in the field.

The absence of Manchester City star Jeremy Doku from Belgium’s starting lineup to face Iran has left many soccer fans searching for answers ahead of the pivotal 2026 World Cup Group G encounter at SoFi Stadium.

Widely regarded as one of coach Rudi Garcia’s most dangerous attacking weapons, Doku was completely omitted from the matchday squad. The official reason behind his sudden absence is a recurring respiratory infection that flared up severely during the team’s stay in Los Angeles.

According to reports from the Belgian medical camp, Doku has been quietly battling breathing difficulties and a severe cold for several weeks. While the 24-year-old managed to play 86 minutes during the 1-1 opening draw against Egypt, his condition took a significant turn for the worse following Saturday night’s final training session in California.

To avoid risking long-term complications, the technical staff opted to pull him from selection and put him on a strict course of antibiotics.

When will Jeremy Doku return?

The medical team is optimistic that a week of rest and clinical recovery will have the explosive winger fully fit to feature in Vancouver on June 26.

The decision to sideline Doku today is a precautionary measure designed to safeguard his availability for the rest of the tournament. Given that Group G is fully locked in a four-way tie with every team sitting on one point, managing player workloads has become a delicate tightrope walk for the coaching staff.

“It is better to let him rest now and then work towards the last group match against New Zealand,” explained Vincent Mannaert, Belgium’s sports director.

Match Overview

Two-time champions Uruguay are under immense pressure to secure a victory against tournament debutants Cape Verde in a pivotal Group H showdown. Marcelo Bielsa’s side is reeling from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, a match they dominated statistically but failed to win. The urgency is palpable, as anything less than three points could jeopardize their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde enters this match with sky-high confidence after pulling off one of the biggest shocks of the opening round. The Blue Sharks held European powerhouse Spain to a historic 0-0 draw, showcasing an ironclad defensive strategy. With a precious point already secured, they have a golden opportunity to continue their fairytale run and take a massive step toward the Round of 32.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The two nations arrive at this fixture from opposite ends of the expectation spectrum. Uruguay, a traditional powerhouse, has stumbled out of the gate and is winless in their last five matches, a concerning trend for a team with high aspirations. In stark contrast, Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament, is riding a wave of momentum after proving they can compete with the world’s elite.

This match presents a classic clash of styles. Expect Uruguay to deploy Marcelo Bielsa’s signature high-intensity press, seeking rapid ball recovery and aggressive vertical attacks to overwhelm their opponent. Cape Verde will almost certainly counter with the same disciplined, deep defensive block that frustrated Spain, aiming to absorb pressure, clog passing lanes, and spring forward on the counter-attack through their efficient striker, Dailon Livramento.

The motivations for both squads are crystal clear. For Uruguay, this is a must-win game to get their campaign back on track and avoid a disastrous group-stage exit. For Cape Verde, this is the most important match in their footballing history. A victory would validate their defensive masterclass against Spain and put them in a remarkable position to advance to the next round.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

This will be the first-ever official meeting between Uruguay and Cape Verde, making this tournament encounter a historic occasion for both nations. With no prior friendlies or competitive matches, there is no direct history to draw upon, adding an element of unpredictability to the clash.

While they have never faced Cape Verde, Uruguay has a strong record against African opposition in the global tournament. La Celeste are undefeated in five previous matches against CAF teams, securing three wins and two draws. Their most recent encounter was a 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 2022 competition, demonstrating their ability to handle the challenges posed by African sides.

Key statistical trends from the opening matches highlight the game’s central dynamic: attack versus defense. Uruguay unleashed 27 shots against Saudi Arabia, with 22 of those coming in a dominant second half. Conversely, Cape Verde demonstrated incredible defensive resilience, conceding 27 shots to Spain without allowing a goal and committing only a single foul throughout the entire match. This sets the stage for a battle between Uruguay‘s offensive firepower and Cape Verde‘s organized backline.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Uruguay enters this crucial match hampered by significant injuries to key defensive players, while Cape Verde is expected to field the same full-strength squad that earned a historic point against Spain.

Marcelo Bielsa faces a selection headache as his defense is currently decimated. Key center-back Ronald Araújo is out with a muscle tear, joining captain José María Giménez and creative midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta on the sidelines. These absences force Bielsa to rely on his squad’s depth to maintain defensive stability against a confident Cape Verde side.

Conversely, Cape Verde manager Pedro Leitão Brito has no new injury concerns and will likely stick with the same starting eleven and formation that proved so effective against Spain. The team’s defensive cohesion and discipline were central to their success, and Brito will trust the same group of players to deliver another monumental performance.

Uruguay Projected XI (4-4-2):

Muslera; Vina, Caceres, Olivera, Varela; Araujo, Ugarte, Bentancur, Valverde; Nunez, Vinas.

Despite the injury crisis, Bielsa is expected to maintain his aggressive 4-4-2 setup. The responsibility will fall on Federico Valverde to drive the offense from midfield, while the forward duo of Darwin Nunez and Federico Vinas must be more clinical in front of goal than they were in the opener.

Cape Verde Projected XI (4-5-1):

Vozinha; Lopes Cabral, Diney, Pico, Moreira; Pina, Jovane Cabral, Monteiro, Duarte, Mendes; Livramento.

Cape Verde will again deploy the compact 4-5-1 formation that neutralized Spain. Goalkeeper Vozinha, who made seven saves in a heroic debut, will be crucial, while the backline, marshaled by Roberto “Pico” Lopes, will form a low block. Dailon Livramento will lead the line, looking to capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities.

More details on how to watch

You can watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde exclusively on Fubo. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running iOS or Android.

In addition to this tournament, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a massive library of soccer content. You can stream other major competitions, including Liga MX, LaLiga, and exclusive coverage from Champions League.

A monthly subscription costs just $14.99, giving you unparalleled access to live sports and on-demand content. This plan includes every single match of the 2026 tournament, from the group stage all the way to the final.

SEE MORE: World Cup TV Schedule Page

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

has weighed in on the Greatest of All Time debate, believing one man deserves to be recognised as the most accomplished fighter in history. On a pound-for-pound metric, many seem to regard Sugar Ray Robinson as the ultimate GOAT, as evidenced by his victories over 10 Hall of Famers. These triumphs include iconic wins over […]

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A Milli Kadın Voleybol Takımımız, 2026 FIVB Milletler Ligi'nin (VNL) ikinci haftasındaki dördüncü ve son maçında Çin ile karşı karşıya geldi. Filenin Sultanları bu mücadeleden 3-2'lik skorla galip ayrılmayı başardı.

A Milli Kadın Voleybol Takımımız, 2026 FIVB Kadınlar Milletler Ligi'nin (VNL) ikinci haftasındaki dördüncü ve son maçında Çin ile kozlarını paylaştı. Büyük bir çekişmeye sahne olan maçta Filenin Sultanları rakibini 3-2'lik skorla mağlup etti.

İŞTE PERİYOT SONUÇLARI:

1. Periyot sonucu: Türkiye 25-21 Çin

2. Periyot sonucu: Türkiye 26-28 Çin

3. Periyot sonucu: Türkiye 23-25 Çin

4. Periyot sonucu: Türkiye 25-16 Çin

5. Periyot sonucu: Türkiye 15-12 Çin

2026 Dünya Kupası G Grubu ikinci maçında Belçika, İran ile karşılaşıyor. Mücadele Türkiye saatiyle 22:00'de başladı.

2026 Dünya Kupası'nda heyecan devam ediyor.G Grubu'nun ikinci haftasında Belçika ile İran karşı karşıya geliyor.

Grubun ilk maçlarında Belçika Mısır'la, İran ise Yeni Zelanda'yla berabere kalmıştı.

BELÇİKA - İRAN MAÇI SAAT KAÇTA, HANGİ KANALDA?

SoFi Stadyumu'nda oynanan mücadele TSİ 22:00'de başladı.Arjantinli hakem Dario Herrera'nın yönettiği karşılaşma TRT 1'den şifresiz olarak yayımlanıyor.

BELÇİKA - İRAN MAÇI İLK 11'LER

Belçika: Courtois, Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper, Raskin, Tielemans, De Bruyne, Trossard, Saelemaekers, Lukaku

İran: Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Kanani, Nemati, Hardani, Hajisafi, Ghoddos, Ezatolahi, Mohebbi, Taremi

Başkan Dursun Özbek ve Abdullah Kavukcu arasındaki buzlar eridi, Galatasaray'da yeni transfer komitesi şekillendi. Transferin direksiyonuna Abdullah Kavukcu geçerken, son sözü Başkan Özbek söyleyecek. Teknik direktör Okan Buruk ile oluşturulan üçlü karar mekanizmasına Cenk Ergün, Eray Yazgan ve Mehmet Özbek de kritik rollerle destek verecek.

Galatasaray’da bir süredir devam eden yönetimsel sıkıntılar aşıldı. Başkan Dursun Özbek ile Abdullah Kavukcu, hafta içinde birçok kez bir araya gelerek pürüzleri giderdi. Yaşanan bu uzlaşmanın ardından sarı-kırmızılı kulüpte yeni sezonun transfer ve yönetim yapılanması resmiyet kazandı.

Yeni dönemde transfer operasyonlarının merkezinde üçlü bir mekanizma olacak. Süreci doğrudan Abdullah Kavukcu yönetecek, ancak son söz ve nihai karar her zaman olduğu gibi Başkan Dursun Özbek’te olacak.

Teknik direktör Okan Buruk’un raporları doğrultusunda hareket edecek olan bu üçlü, transferde tam yetkili karar verici merci olarak kulübün yeni yol haritasını belirleyecek.

Geçtiğimiz sezon transfer süreçlerinde aktif rol oynayan Maruf Güneş’in yerine yeni bir isim dahil oldu. Eray Yazgan, yeni yapılanmada Kavukcu’nun en büyük yardımcısı olacak. Yazgan’ın ayrıca Kemerburgaz tesislerinin iletişiminde ve Sportif A.Ş. bünyesinde kritik bir rol üstlenmesi bekleniyor. Sürecin mali bütçe ve finansman ayağında ise Mehmet Özbek devreye girerek transferlerin ekonomik dengesini yönetecek.

Florya ve kulüp koridorlarındaki idari yapılanma da bu doğrultuda şekillendi. Cenk Ergün, George Gardi’nin üstlendiği role benzer bir şekilde, sürece aracı menajer/sportif direktör pozisyonunda dahil olacak.

Ergün, transfer operasyonlarında yürüttüğü çalışmalar hakkında doğrudan ve aracısız olarak Başkan Dursun Özbek’e bilgi akışı sağlayacak.

Yönetim içindeki buzların erimesi ve görev tanımlarının netleşmesiyle birlikte Galatasaray’da yeni sezon çalışmaları vakit kaybedilmeden başlatıldı. Sarı-kırmızılı kurmaylar, belirlenen bu yeni hiyerarşik yapı doğrultusunda transfer listesindeki isimlerle temasları hızlandırdı.

Dünya Kupası'nda sakatlanarak turnuvayı kapatan Galatasaray'ın yıldızı Wilfried Singo'dan kötü haber geldi. Son 7 ayda aynı bölgeden 3. kez sakatlık yaşayan Fildişili oyuncunun tendon kopması şüphesiyle ameliyat masasına yatabileceği iddia edildi. Böyle bir durumda sahalardan 3-6 aya kadar uzak kalabileceği belirtilirken, bu şok gelişme sarı-kırmızılıların transfer planlarını da altüst etti.

Dünya Kupası’nda Fildişi Sahili formasıyla Almanya karşısına ilk 11’de çıkan Wilfried Singo, 82. dakikada sol arka adalesini tutarak kendini yere bıraktı. Sahayı gözyaşları içinde terk eden yıldız oyuncunun, turnuvanın kalan bölümünde forma giyme şansının kalmadığı ve Dünya Kupası'nı kapattığı belirtiliyor.

7 AY İÇİNDE 3. KEZ

Singo'nun yaşadığı bu sakatlık, son 7 ay içinde aynı bölgeden (arka adale/uyluk) yaşadığı üçüncü kas problemi oldu. Sezon içinde de Galatasaray formasıyla aynı bölgedeki tendon tahrişi ve kas gerilmeleri nedeniyle tam 66 gün takımdan ayrı kalan oyuncunun, eski hasarının nüksettiği üzerinde duruluyor.

EN KÖTÜ SENARYO 6 AY

Resmi MR sonuçları beklenirken, en büyük korku kasın kemiğe bağlandığı tendon bölgesinden ya da kendi içinde tamamen kopmuş olması. Bu kötü senaryonun gerçekleşmesi halinde cerrahi müdahale (ameliyat) kaçınılmaz olacak ve Fildişi Sahilli oyuncunun sahalara dönüşü 3 ila 6 ayı bulabilecek.

BURUK'UN ÖNGÖRÜSÜ

Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, turnuva öncesinde oyuncusuna duyulan küresel ilgiye dikkat çekerek, "Bir üst düzey kulüp Dünya Kupası bittiğinde, Singo'ya serbest kalma bedelini ödeyip transfer ederse ben şaşırmam" ifadelerini kullanmıştı.

Ancak bu ciddi sakatlık, olası transfer senaryolarını da tamamen değiştirebilir.

BEKLE-GÖR POLİTİKASI

Singo, sakatlık öncesi yaptığı açıklamada Okan Buruk ile görüştüğünü belirterek, "Galatasaray Dünya Kupası öncesinde aceleci bir transfer yapmayacak, turnuvanın bitmesini bekleyecek. Hem fırsat transferleri doğabilir hem de takıma gelecek tekliflerin değerlendirilmesi gerekiyor" diyerek kulübün rasyonel yaklaşımını aktarmıştı. Yaşanan bu son şok gelişmenin ardından sarı-kırmızılı yönetimin nasıl bir yol haritası izleyeceği merak konusu.

Kurasao milli komandasının baş məşqçisi Dik Advokat DÇ-2026-nın qrup mərhələsində Ekvador yığmasına qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların görüşündə qalib müəyyənləşməyib və debütant Kurasao yığması mundiallarda ilk xal sevincini yaşayıb.

Dik Advokat matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında komandasının göstərdiyi mübarizədən razı qaldığını bildirib:

“Məncə, göstərdiyimiz oyun baxımından bu, həqiqətən də əla matç idi. Oyunun sonunda futbolçuların ayaqlarında yorğunluq hiss olunurdu. Komandamın əzmkarlığına heyranam.

Xoşbəxtlikdən, nəticəni qoruyub saxlaya bildik. Düşünürəm ki, buna layiq idik, çünki bizim də qol vurmaq imkanlarımız oldu. Yaxşı oyun keçirdik. Kurasao üçün Ekvadorla heç-heçə etmək möcüzəyə bərabərdir”.

Ekvador millisinin baş məşqçisi Sebastyan Bekkasese isə qolsuz bərabərliklə yekunlaşan oyundan sonra nəticəyə görə məsuliyyəti öz üzərinə götürüb.

“Futbolda izahı mümkün olmayan şeylər var. Biz qalib gəlmək istəyirdik, amma bunu bacarmadıq. Buna görə məsuliyyət daşıyan şəxs mənəm. Komandama dedim ki, əgər sonadək mübarizə aparırsınızsa və bütün gücünüzü ortaya qoyursunuzsa, sizə heç bir iradım yoxdur.

Nə qədər ki, şansımız var, sona qədər mübarizə aparacağıq. Biz çox sıx birləşmiş kollektivik, bir ailə kimiyik. Heç kim bunun asan olacağını demirdi. Komanda əldə etdiyindən daha artığına layiq idi və buna görə məsuliyyəti mən daşıyıram”.

Amerika Birləşmiş Ştatları (ABŞ), Kanada və Meksikada təşkil edilmiş futbol üzrə sayca 23-cü dünya çempionatı (DÇ-2026) davam edir.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu gün daha bir oyun baş tutub.

Qrup mərhələsinin 2-ci turu çərçivəsində Ekvador və Kurasao yığmaları üz-üzə gəliblər. Kanzas Sitidə (Missuri, ABŞ) keçirilmiş E qrupunun matçında qapılara qol vurulmayıb – 0:0.

Qeyd edək ki, bu, tarixində ilk dəfə mundiala qatılmış Kurasao yığmasının dünya çempionatlarında ilk heç-heçəsidir.

Xatırladaq ki, bu qrupun digər oyununda Almaniya millisi Kot-d’İvuar yığması üzərində əzmkar qələbəyə sevinib – 2:1.

Hazırda Almaniya yığmasının 6 xalı var və bu komanda növbəti mərhələyə vəsiqəni təmin edib. Kot-d’İvuar milli komandasının 3 xalı var. Ekvador və Kurasao yığmaları isə hərəyə 1 xal toplayıblar.

DÇ-2026
E qrupu
21 iyun

Ekvador – Kurasao 0:0

Almaniya millisinin baş məşqçisi Yulian Nagelsmann dünya çempionatının qrup mərhələsində Kot-d’İvuara qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Kanadanın Toronto şəhərində keçirilmiş görüşdə almanlar əzmkar qələbəyə seviniblər.

Nagelsmann matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:

“Nəticəyə görə çox sevincliyəm. Vacib qalibiyyətə görə futbolçularımı artıq təbrik etdim. Qazandığımız 3 xal çox önəmli idi. Komandamızda yaxşı birlik var. Gördüyümüz kimi, əvəzetmədən oyuna daxil olan futbolçular da komandaya xeyir verə bilirlər. Bu, uğurun açarıdır.

Deniz Undav bu gün iki yüksək səviyyəli qol vurdu. O, anadangəlmə hücumçudur. Hər iki qolu düşünmədən vurdu. O, hara və necə zərbə endirməyi çox yaxşı bilir”.

Almaniyalı mütəxəssis “Ştutqart”ın hücumçusunun qrup mərhələsinin son turunda Ekvadora qarşı matça start heyətində başlama ehtimalının olduğunu da qeyd edib.

“O, öz rolunu əla yerinə yetirir. İndi yenidən onun əsas heyətdə oynayıb-oynamaması ilə bağlı müzakirələr başlayacaq. Amma belə də demək olar: qoy, öz yolu ilə davam etsin”, – deyə baş məşqçi vurğulayıb.

Nagelsmann həmçinin müdafiəçi Niko Şlotterbekin zədəsindən narahatlığını ifadə edib:

“Onun vəziyyəti yaxşı görünmür. Sabah MRT müayinəsindən keçəcək və bundan sonra hər şey aydın olacaq”.

Kot-d’İvuar millisinin baş məşqçisi Emers Fae də komandasının çıxışını dəyərləndirib:

“Bu, qrupda birinci yer uğrunda yüksək səviyyəli qarşılaşma idi. Biz 1:0 hesabı ilə öndə idik və ikinci hissənin əvvəlində üstünlüyə sahib idik. Təəssüf ki, ikinci qolu vura bilmədik. Yaxşı oyun keçirdik, amma bəzi detallar həlledici oldu. Bizə bir qədər təcrübə çatmır. Böyük komandalara qarşı oynayanda buraxılan qoldan heç vaxt sığortalanmırsınız.

Oyunçularımla qürur duyuram. Təəssüf ki, bir neçə real qol vəziyyətini boşa verdik. Lakin Almaniya millisi böyük təcrübəyə malikdir. Oyunun gedişində taktiki cəhətdən müəyyən dəyişikliklər etdilər və üstünlüyü ələ keçirdilər”.

Emers Fae rəqibdən daha ədalətli oyun gözlədiyini də bildirib. O, Almaniyanı qələbə münasibətilə təbrik etsə də, narazılığını gizlətməyib:

“Almaniyanı qələbə münasibətilə təbrik edirəm. Amma mən belə böyük bir ölkədən daha ədalətli oyun gözləyirdim.

DÇ-2026-nın qrup mərhələsinin İspaniya – Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı (4:0) oyununun ən yaxşı futbolçusu açıqlanıb.

Futbolpress.az FIFA-ya istinadən xəbər verir ki, mükafatı ispan hücumçu Mikel Oyarsabal qazanıb.

Mikel görüşdə iki qol, bir məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro will return to Inter after Pisa’s purchase option collapsed at the final hurdle, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the deal broke down during the exchange of documents despite the €7.5 million option having initially been exercised by the Tuscan club.

The breakdown represents a surprising development given that Pisa had been expected to make the move permanent following the young Nigerian midfielder’s loan spell.

Inter are now assessing alternative offers for the midfielder, with Sky Sport in Italy reporting, via TuttoMercatoWeb, that clubs from the Bundesliga have registered concrete interest in his profile.

Inter weigh options for Akinsanmiro as Premier League clubs also monitor situation

The collapse of the Pisa deal is an unexpected complication for all parties, though Inter will be confident of finding a suitable destination for a player who has shown considerable promise at youth level.

The Bundesliga interest suggests Akinsanmiro’s stock remains high despite the failed transfer, and Inter will look to maximise his value through either a new loan arrangement or a permanent sale to an interested party.

Romano confirmed the specifics of the breakdown, via FCInter1908: “The Akinsanmiro purchase option collapsed due to a problem between the clubs, the option had been exercised but it fell through at the documents stage. Inter are now evaluating other offers for the midfielder.”

Inter have had a fresh offer of approximately €25 million rejected by Liverpool for Curtis Jones, with the English club reportedly irritated by the Nerazzurri’s attempt to acquire the midfielder at a price significantly below their valuation.

According to The Times and confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool value Jones at around £35 million, approximately €40 million, and are also seeking a sell-on clause of between 10% and 15% as part of any deal.

The gap between the two clubs’ valuations remains significant, and the negotiations are unlikely to progress quickly at their current respective positions.

Inter backed by Jones’ desire to leave as Liverpool’s Iraola plans exclude England midfielder

Despite the rejection, Inter hold two important cards.

Jones himself wants to leave Liverpool, and new Anfield coach Andoni Iraola has made clear the Englishman does not feature in his plans, preferring to pursue a move for Elliott Anderson, or another top signing, for his midfield.

The combination of the player’s desire to move and his exclusion from Iraola’s project gives Inter confidence that a deal can ultimately be reached, even if the current figures are far apart.

Inter are targeting completion before their pre-season begins in mid-July, giving both clubs a clear deadline to work towards in the coming weeks.

Belgium vs Iran takes place in Los Angeles this afternoon, as Group G’s stalemate pushes into the second round of World Cup fixtures.

Belgium drew their opener 1-1 with Egypt, whilst Iran were held to a 2-2 draw by New Zealand. With it all to play for, both sides will be eager to secure a good result, but the pressure rests more on the European side who were expected to be able to top their group.

Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne once again stars in the heart of the Belgium attack, with Atalanta’s De Ketelaere moving to the bench after starting the opener.

Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku starts tonight after his vital involvement in his side’s goal against Egypt. Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers also starts tonight for the Belgians.

Meanwhile, former Inter forward Mehdi Taremi leads the line for Iran.

World Cup 2026: Belgium vs Iran Lineups

Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Trossard; Lukaku

Iran: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi, Hajisafi, Kanani, Mohebi, Ghoddos, Ezatolahi, Taremi

Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari.

The 21-year-old has done quite well with the Seagulls in the Premier League, and he is impressing at the World Cup with Sweden.

Newcastle are keeping tabs on his situation, and they could look to make a move in the summer.

According to Football Insider, Sandro Tonali could leave the club, and the club is looking at Ayari as a potential replacement.

Pete O’Rourke claimed: “Look, if Tonali ends up leaving Newcastle, they’re going to have to try and replace him.

“Eddie Howe ideally would like to have somebody who is Premier League proven and could come in and hit the ground running, and Ayari would fit the bill for that type of player.

“He’s a talented player and has always done a good job for Brighton which has attracted interest in the past.

The Swedish international could be excited about the possibility of joining Newcastle. They have an ambitious project and the resources to build a formidable team.

However, Brighton will not want to lose the young midfielder easily. He is a big part of their plans going forward, and he has a bright future. He could develop into a star for the club.

Brighton have an exciting project as well, and they will not want to weaken the team by selling the 21-year-old.

Newcastle might have to pay well over the odds in order to convince the Seagulls.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Ayari is a hardworking midfielder who will help create opportunities, score goals and contribute defensively. He has all the attributes to develop into a complete central midfielder.

It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can convince him to join the club in the coming weeks.

The post Newcastle want World Cup sensation with “stunning goals” to replace key star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Despite not having a first-round pick, Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman said the team is busy examining ways to improve the roster ahead of the 2026 NBA draft and free agency.

When the Magic acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason, the organization parted with significant draft capital. The group sent a 2029 top-two protected first-round pick swap and four unprotected first-round picks to Memphis, including the 18th overall pick this year, leaving Weltman & Co. with just the 46th pick in the second round.

"We have the 46th pick, and we like our team a lot," Weltman said on Thursday. "I don't know what that's going to mean. We're having a lot of conversations with teams. This is our job: We have to explore opportunities and figure out where we can get better."

Entering the summer, the Magic have 12 players under contract for the 2026-27 season, excluding free agents Jevon Carter, Jett Howard and Moe Wagner.

After narrowly avoiding the luxury tax last season, the Magic are projected to be over the first apron. Depending on future signings and additions, Orlando could also be knocking on the door of the second apron, which would significantly limit their options in free agency and in the trade market.

So, with financial constraints staring down the Magic, having the 46th pick is one way the team could look to improve the roster. However, the pick isn't necessarily guaranteed to produce an immediate rotation player based on recent history.

Of the last five players drafted at No. 46, only two were signed to multiyear standard contracts, while two agreed to two-way contracts and one was stashed overseas.

Orlando has hosted predraft workouts with several prospects projected to be second-round picks or go undrafted, who could be potential targets. That list includes Duke guard Maliq Brown, Marshall forward Wyatt Fricks, Tennessee center Felix Okpara, Georgia Tech guard Kowacie Reeves Jr. and Houston guard Emanuel Sharp, among others.

"I have spoken often about the financial compression that we're facing, so we're kind of working on margins here and ways to improve the team, but we're having a lot of discussions at different levels," Weltman said. "But at the end of the day, we're bullish on this group. We like the team. ... We'll see what comes along between now and the draft."

Sean Sweeney has arrived in Orlando pic.twitter.com/D4s5cR4rCF

— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) June 18, 2026

Weltman and the front office got an early start to reshaping the team after introducing new coach Sean Sweeney on Thursday. A longtime assistant, Sweeney joined the Magic fresh off a run to the NBA Finals as associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

Sweeney is aiming to lead the Magic to their first playoff series win since 2010 after the group squandered a 3-1 lead against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, their third straight first-round exit. The 42-year-old has forged strong relationships with some of the top players in the league during his various stops, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and, most recently, Victor Wembanyama, and is hopeful to continue that trend with the likes of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Bane and others.

With a new coach in place and some changes expected on the horizon, Weltman and the Magic are looking to position themselves for a deep run next year and beyond. Their vision should soon become clearer when the two-night draft tips off on Tuesday (8 p.m. EDT; ABC, ESPN).

"We have been quite busy, and these days, it's not really just the draft," Weltman said. "It is free agency as well. We've been plotting, ranking, and trying to figure out if-this-then-that scenarios. ... We've been at it late and doing all of the work that we need to, to try to puzzle the roster out. I do think there are some basic holes we want to punch where we can improve the roster and augment the players we have."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Magic news: Jeff Weltman reveals draft plan for 46th overall pick

'Heavy price': India's semi-final chances hit after being 'shocking on the field' in SA defeat at Women's T20 World Cup 2026 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• India's fielding was widely criticized after their six-wicket defeat to South Africa, with dropped catches proving decisive.
• Substitute fielder Radha Yadav put down Marizanne Kapp twice as she went on to make an unbeaten 81.
• Harsha Bhogle and Cricketwallah were among those who called India "shocking in the field" at a crucial stage of their campaign.

India's semifinal chances in jeopardy after shocking loss to South Africa

India's first defeat of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, a six-wicket loss to South Africa at Old Trafford, was defined as much by what they spilled in the field as by anything they did with bat or ball. A string of dropped catches let Marizanne Kapp off the hook repeatedly, and the cost to India's semi-final prospects could yet prove heavy.

Kapp was the chief beneficiary of India's lapses, dropped twice at long-on by substitute fielder Radha Yadav as the all-rounder went on to make an unbeaten 81. Both chances were straightforward, and each time Kapp punished India further, building the innings that ultimately carried South Africa home with five balls to spare.

The defeat leaves India second in Group 1 on 4 points, but the manner of it has prompted sharp criticism. Having posted a competitive 158/7 and reduced South Africa to 25/2 inside the powerplay, India had the game within their grasp before their fielding handed the initiative back to the Proteas.

Fielding remains the clear culprit for the day

The reaction from respected voices in the game was pointed. Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle was blunt in his assessment of where India fell short, identifying their fielding as the clear difference at this level of competition.

India have a lot of batting and bowling skills but at this level, you have to be an athlete and you have to catch. India have been shocking in the field.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 21, 2026

"India has a lot of batting and bowling skills, but at this level, you have to be an athlete and you have to catch. India has been shocking in the field," Bhogle wrote on X. Senior journalist Cricketwallah echoed the sentiment, framing the dropped catches as the decisive factor in the result and warning that such lapses carry an unforgiving cost on the biggest stage.

Nothing diminishes a team’s prospects of winning a match as does poor fielding. India’s catching today was appalling, a heavy price had to be paid #WOMEN’s WORLD CUP

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 21, 2026

"Nothing diminishes a team's prospects of winning a match as does poor fielding. India's catching today was appalling; a heavy price had to be paid," Cricketwallah posted on X.

The Cricket News Opinion: A heavy price for India's lapses, must bounce back against Bangladesh

The numbers underline the point. Kapp finished unbeaten on 81 from 45 balls with four sixes, an innings that might have been cut short far earlier had India held their chances. Her 97-run stand with Tazmin Brits, who made 40, broke the back of the chase after the early wickets.

Shree Charani was the standout Indian bowler with 3/24, including a double-wicket maiden in the powerplay, but her efforts were undermined by the fielding errors around her. India simply could not build pressure once the catches went down and Kapp settled.

India's next assignment is against Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Thursday, a fixture that has taken on far greater significance after this result. A win would steady their campaign, while another slip could leave their qualification hopes dependent on net run rate and the results of others.

The fielding will be the obvious focus in the days ahead. India's batting and bowling skills are not in question, but as Bhogle noted, catches win matches at this level, and on Sunday India's lapses cost them dearly at a defining moment of their World Cup.

For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

North Carolina vs. Oklahoma baseball box score: Live stats from College World Series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The North Carolina baseball team enters a must-win scenario in a Father's Day edition of the College World Series against the Oklahoma Sooners. Game 2 in Omaha carries an interesting storyline for both squads.

Oklahoma is doing something we’ve never seen in college baseball before. The Sooners finished the season with a sub .500 record in the SEC and didn’t win a single game in the SEC tournament but advanced to the big dance. Now they control their own destiny after winning nine straight.

North Carolina blazed through the tournament but are now one loss away from falling short of a championship. They'll need to win two straight to be crowned the best in baseball.

First pitch in Omaha will be at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

North Carolina vs. Oklahoma baseball box score: Live stats from College World Series NCAA Championship

North Carolina

3B: 

• Schaffner 1 (8)

RBI: 

• Schaffner 2 (50)

• Lynch 52 (33 strikes)

Oklahoma

2B: 

• Willits 1 (19)

RBI: 

• Willits 1 (53)

• Mercurius 90 (52 strikes)

How to watch: North Carolina vs. Oklahoma 2026 NCAA Baseball Championship 

Date: Sunday, June 21

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET 

TV: ABC

More College World Series News

• North Carolina vs. West Virginia baseball box score: Final stats from CWS
• Georgia vs. Texas baseball box score: Final stats from College World Series
• Ole Miss vs. UNC box score: Final stats from CWS 
• West Virginia vs. Troy baseball box score: Final stats from College World Series
• Texas vs. Texas Tech softball box score: Final Women's College World Series

Atlético unveiled a special jersey to cheer for Brazil at the World Cup.

Black and white were replaced with green and yellow, while keeping the design with vertical stripes.

On the left side of the chest, however, Galo’s crest remains.

The jersey also features a detail with the phrase “I Believe” repeated several times on the front.

See below how it turned out:

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

The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship to class of 2028 running back recruit Xander Edwards, who is ranked as a four-star recruit.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound running back plays high school football for The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. Edwards is ranked as the No. 117 recruit in the country and the No. 17 prospect in Florida. He's the seventh-best running back nationally in the rising junior class.

Edwards has recent scholarship offers from Georgia, Ohio State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and more. The talented running back has a good combination of size and speed. Edwards ripped off numerous long touchdown runs during his sophomore season and has a formidable stiff arm.

The Bolles School star put together a monster sophomore season. He posted 2,629 rushing yards and 44 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Edwards did not have a ton of receiving production, but he has a few years to work on his skills in the passing game.

"After a great workout and conversation with Kirby Smart and Josh Crawford, I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Georgia," Edwards said via social media. Edwards attended a Georgia football camp in June and received an offer during his time in Athens.

Georgia football offers Xander Edwards

After a great workout and conversation with @KirbySmartUGA and @CoachJCrawford , I am blessed to receive an offer from The University of Georgia #agtg@DeshawnBrownInc@CoachRGarth@Coachcliff904@JohnGarcia_Jr@LemmingReport@TomLoy247@SWiltfong_@BrandonHuffman@GregBiggins… pic.twitter.com/NAJS5r29v5

— Xander Edwards (@Edwards17Xander) June 16, 2026

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia football recruiting coverage! 

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football offers running back Xander Edwards

Lancashire coach Steven Croft says more of his players "need to be putting their hands up" after his side went down to a heavy defeat inside three days at Derbyshire in the County Championship.

The Red Rose were one of the pre-season favourites for promotion from Division Two but their nine-wicket loss at Chesterfield, sealed early on Sunday afternoon, means they have now slumped to third-from-bottom in the table.

And there is potential for Lancashire to fall even further as the match between bottom sides Worcestershire and Gloucestershire continues, with the Pears just six points below them.

"I thought we were outplayed by Derbyshire," Croft told BBC Radio Lancashire. "We under-performed with the bat and ball. They (Derbyshire) stuck in with the bat.

"They managed their off stump well, in and around that channel, and then the bowlers put us under more pressure than we did with them in their first innings.

"[It's] very disappointing. Yes, we've got some young lads in the side but I think more of our team need to be putting their hands up.

"We've still got quality players in the squad. Obviously, some aren't performing. Yes, we've got injuries but we are still sending sides out expecting them do a lot better than they are."

• Derbyshire wrap up big win over Lancashire
• Croft wants response from Lancashire to halt slide
• Livingstone admits Lancashire are lacking fight

Lancashire were dealt a double blow early in the season when opener Luke Wells suffered a dislocated shoulder in the field during the win at Gloucestershire and fast bowler Ajeet Singh Dale limped off in the same match with a hamstring injury which required surgery.

Regular top order batting problems has meant England international Liam Livingstone has been re-introduced into the four-day side, following his heroics for the white-ball team after Chris Green's season came to a sudden end because of a broken thumb.

But Livingstone's reintroduction has been unable to prevent Lancashire suffering heavy back-to-back defeats by Kent and Derbyshire, with the club now on a run of five County Championship matches without a win, picking up just two wins in 11 games in all formats.

"Hopefully, we do take the lessons from this phase because there has been plenty to learn from," Croft added.

"We had high hopes [at the start of the season] to be up and about in the top few. We started well in those three games but a couple of injuries came along and we've not really recovered from it.

"There's quite a few players that have had a go and no one's really grasped and held on to that opportunity. Looking back at the numbers, three centuries from the batting unit [this season] is way below par. That should hurt as a Lancashire player."

Lancashire now turn their attention to the T20 Blast where they are currently bottom of the North Group standings after six games.

With a record-breaking 106-run loss to local rivals Yorkshire still in the back of many fans' minds, the Red Rose will have to improve quickly if they are to avoid a similarly embarrassing outcome in the return fixture at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday, 10 July.

Croft said: "A couple of good weeks in white-ball cricket will definitely get the place in a buoyant mood.

"Hopefully, we've got some players coming back into the squad which is an exciting position to be in. We will give these six games our all because we need to get back up there - it is where we belong."

SEATTLE, Wash. — Even as a native of Argentina, United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t hold back feelings about the support he felt from the fans in Seattle during another dominant performance from his squad.

The U.S. secured a spot in the knockout stage with a 2-0 win over Australia on Friday, June 19, in front of an electric crowd of 66,925 fans, and it marked the first time since 1930 the team has won back-to-back games in a World Cup.

With Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye later that night, the Americans clinch first place in Group D, setting up a knockout stage matchup against the third-place team from either Group B, E, F, I or J at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1.

The USA will not know its Round of 32 opponent until the end of the overall group play, which it concludes Thursday, June 25, against Türkiye (0-2) in Los Angeles.

“Even if I am not American, after the game I was emotional because the atmosphere was amazing, the fans were amazing,” Pochettino said. “The warm reception and the way they support us and the way they celebrate the victory, they make you feel very emotional and the players are very emotional too. I think it was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy in the stands and the team, and I think this makes us feel very proud because to connect with the people is what we wanted. And if we want to achieve good things we need the support of our fan — for sure, the fans here in Seattle, but also the rest of the country. They are all supporting us, and we feel that support and it’s amazing for the team.”

World Cup: No Pulisic, no problem for U.S. in 2-0 win over Australia

Regardless of the location, it seems the Americans are fully embracing the opportunity to play on home soil in a World Cup for the first time since 1994 — two years before Major League Soccer was born. Seattle, which joined the league in 2009, has been renowned for its passionate supporter culture, two MLS Cups, four U.S. Open Cup titles, and an historic 2022 CONCACAF Champions League victory.

The USMNT is 7-0-0 all-time in Seattle, but the last time playing there was in 2016.

On Thursday, June 18, as the team held its prematch training session at the University of Washington, and on Friday, June 19, before and after the game, the city was buzzing. Fans dressed in red, white and blue filled the streets.

That passion carried into the stadium with U-S-A chants, eruptions of cheers and songs like John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” ringing out after the win.

“Special, so special,” USMNT forward Folarin Balogun said. “It’s tough to put it into words. ... The National Anthem, and then you’re seeing ... the helicopters go above. It’s extremely special ... and it just gives us that, not that we need it, but it gives us that last bit of motivation before we go out there to just go out there and really go crazy.”

Alex Freeman, who scored the insurance goal just before halftime Friday, said sometimes players don’t realize the support in the stands, but he took time after the game to soak in the experience.

“After the game, we’re just able to take it all in and realize, you know, how much of a great support system we have, and in the U.S. fans,” Freeman said. “I think for us, it just makes us, as a whole be able to play better, knowing that we have that kind of support outside. And I think for us … to come out and be able to kind of have that atmosphere, for the fans to kind of sing those songs that kind of make us calm and make us kind of accept the fact that we’re here and we have such an amazing thing to do, and now we have more to do.”

Pochettino hopes his team keeps riding the momentum from the first two wins, as the U.S. has outscored its opponents 6-1. He doesn’t plan to start looking toward the next round, having clinched a spot, but it will be interesting to see what kind of approach he takes against Türkiye with a chance to rotate and test depth or keep building energy with his starting XI.

The squad Friday saw just one change from the lineup in the opening win over Paraguay with Ricardo Pepi replacing injured Christian Pulisic. Pochettino and his staff used all five subs in the second half against the Socceroos, after turning to his bench for just three changes after Pulisic left at halftime against Paraguay.

Even with a third-place finish (by tiebreaker) in the 1930 World Cup, the U.S. has only won one game beyond group play — in 2002 with a quarterfinal appearance.

“I think we need to keep believing, believing that we can win, knowing that we need to work really hard, but at the same time enjoying the time together, building every day our journey until the next game,” Pochettino said. “It’s not changed too much, my view, my dreams or what I am seeing. It’s much better when you show a good performance and win the games. It makes easier everything, but at the same time it’s to keep believing.

“Before it was one game, three points, now it’s two games, six points. Now we need to go for the next one. To be sure we are going to arrive in good condition like the last two games, we need to enjoy, we need to work hard, we need to be responsible, we need to have discipline, we have to be tough to push to be better and not relax.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when Algeria felt at home in the small college town home to the University of Kansas.

Might have been when 500 people showed up at the airport to welcome its national team for the World Cup. Or when players for The Fennecs saw the giant Algerian flag that local artist Stan Herd had crafted of mulch and sand. Or maybe when members of the school's marching band took the time to learn "Kassaman,” the anthem of the north African nation.

“Respect,” Algeria captain and Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez told the people of Lawrence, shortly before Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and Argentina beat them 3-0 last week to start the tournament, “and thank you so much for the welcome.”

Yet the feel-good story of a town and a team comes at a complex time for Algeria. More than 5,000 miles from the World Cup, human rights advocates say, authorities have been cracking down on protests, social media and other forms of public dissent.

That includes the detention of French journalist Christophe Gleizes on what critics call trumped-up charges of “advocacy of terrorism.”

It is but another example of how politics and sports often intersect on the world's biggest stages.

“He is a soccer journalist and nothing but a soccer journalist,” Gleizes’ parents, Sylvie and Francis Godard, said in a statement. “This never-ending situation is devastating for us. We once again appeal to President (Abdelmadjid) Tebboune to grant clemency so that Christophe may regain his freedom, his family and his job as a sports journalist, as soon as possible."

Rolling out the welcome mat in Kansas

Algeria is one of four countries whose home base is in the Kansas City area, albeit 40 miles west of the metro. But while Argentina, the Netherlands and England have been treated as if they were family by the smallest host city for the World Cup, the bond struck between Algeria and Lawrence has been something else entirely.

Players shot hoops at Allen Fieldhouse, the historic home of the Jayhawks. They tossed footballs at Memorial Stadium. Signs posted in Arabic around town encourage the Algerian players, who in turn spend their free time kicking balls around with local youths.

“The more we learned of the challenges Algerians faced to get here, the stronger our commitment became to show how welcoming our city could be,” said Ruth DeWitt, the director of community relations for city's convention and visitors bureau.

“They quickly became our home team,” DeWitt said. “Businesses have Algerian flags, banners and merchandise in windows. Schools and summer camps have done projects learning about Algeria, organizations have made welcome videos and our arts programs have created public displays that focus on soccer and the international connections between people.”

Just as the Algerian players have left their mark on Lawrence, so too have the locals left a mark on them.

“That first evening, seeing the fans waiting outside our hotel, it gave me goosebumps,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said, “and it filled me with a source of pride. Then we had that opening training session as well, and we saw that there was so many U.S. citizens that had scarves for us. They showed so much support. And they really wanted to celebrate this moment.”

FIFA's president asks Algeria for a “great act of humanity”

As the World Cup was about to start, though, it was FIFA president Gianni Infantino himself who cast a spotlight on Gleizes, calling for the Algerian authorities to pardon him. The French writer has been detained since 2024 as part of a controversial seven-year sentence for “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing propaganda harmful to national interests."

FIFA granted Gleizes a media credential for the tournament and has symbolically left a seat open for him.

“I've invited his parents to a game,” Infantino said, “but I hope — I really hope — that in a great act of humanity, he will be given grace, the presidential grace, and can even join us here for the World Cup. But for the time he's not here, his seat is here for him.”

Gleizes was detained while investigating the death of an Algerian soccer player, Albert Ebosse. His appeal was rejected in December in a case Reporters Without Borders has called “unfounded and outrageous," and which critics say is an example of the way the Tebboune administration has muzzled the media, public activists and political debate.

Even while detained, Gleizes has been trying to do his job. During a recent news conference, Vincent Duluc of the daily L'Equipe told French coach Didier Deschamps that he was asking a question on his behalf about hydration breaks during the World Cup.

“Well,” Deschamps said, "as it regards Christophe, I had the opportunity during the final of the French Cup to meet his parents, and I hope for him and his family that he will be here as soon as possible, and be in a position to ask his questions himself.”

Algeria continues in World Cup with Jordan up Monday

Far from the courtrooms, prison cells and politics of Algeria, its national team — led by Mahrez, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mohamed Amoura — will take the pitch once again Monday for a crucial Group J game against Jordan in Santa Clara, California.

It has been nearly a week since Les Fennecs lost to Argentina inside Arrowhead Stadium, not far from their Lawrence base. And even though 32 of the 48 teams in the World Cup will advance to the knockout phase, there is suddenly intense pressure to win.

Algeria has qualified for the tournament five times but has never advanced past the round of 16.

It did not qualify at all for the past two World Cups.

“To tell the truth,” Petkovic said, “we are used to having hundreds of thousands of (our) fans right behind us, and that's what is great about Algerian football. They not only get behind us, they put up with us, so many people. Some of the fans are very critical but they are still very happy and proud to get behind their nation and country.”

That sounds a lot like some folks in eastern Kansas, who have chosen to adopt Algeria for the duration of the World Cup.

“I hope that all the neutrals do cheer on Algeria,” Petkovic said, “because it's been a wonderful feeling. We've had a great helping hand. Even in our open training session, they really gave us some positive vibes, not only the Algerian people but also locals from the United States living in this area. We'll try to give them something back.”

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Next Sunday, NBC will have a special guest in the Sunday Night Baseball booth to call a game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Roger Clemens will reportedly join NBC as a booth analyst for the June 28 rivalry game, joining Will Middlebrooks, who will represent the Red Sox in the booth, per a report by Austin Karp in Sports Business Journal. NBC has rotated new analysts into the Sunday Night Baseball booth alongside play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti each week, typically tapping one person with ties to each of the teams playing that evening. Bob Costas and Anthony Rizzo will hold down studio coverage for the game.

It’s not the first time Clemens has taken a spin behind the mic; the former Yankees pitcher joined the “KayRod” altcast on ESPN2 alongside Barry Bonds in 2022. He also served as a guest analyst on ESPN’s Opening Day coverage in 2023. This will mark Clemens’ first appearance on the main Sunday Night Baseball telecast.

NBC’s experiment with rotating booth analysts for Sunday Night Baseball has been met with mixed reviews so far. Securing a name like Clemens, who has made headlines recently as President Donald Trump lobbies for his inclusion in the Baseball Hall of Fame, certainly adds intrigue to what would otherwise be a run-of-the-mill regular-season game (albeit one between the two biggest rivals in the sport). On the other hand, the lack of consistency can lend itself to a disjointed feel in the booth that isn’t necessarily conducive to a polished broadcast.

It’s hard to fault NBC for securing Clemens, however, considering his stature in the sport.

The post Roger Clemens reportedly joining NBC ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ booth for Yankees-Red Sox appeared first on Awful Announcing.

An up-and-coming member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has set his sights on a move away from the club this summer.

The Blaugrana starlet in question? Dani Rodríguez.

The name of winger Rodríguez will be a familiar one to close followers of Barcelona, after the 20-year-old was afforded his first-team bow by Hansi Flick back in the 2024/25 campaign.

Considerable injury problems prevented the Spaniard from building on as much this past season, though, with Rodríguez having been forced to make do with life back at reserve level as a result.

And if the latest word stemming from the media this weekend is anything to go by, then the talented attacker would evidently not be content with a similar role for the year ahead.

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, Rodríguez is ready to push for a departure from Catalunya’s capital this summer.

Be it on loan or a permanent deal, the youngster is eager to test his talents at a higher level. Croatian heavyweights Dinamo Zagreb, meanwhile, are one of a number of clubs tipped as a potential landing spot for Rodríguez.

Conor Laird – GSFN

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

• Selected from Triple-A Reno: RHP Jose Cabrera (No. 53)
• Recalled from Triple-A Reno: LHP Kohl Drake (No. 58)
• Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: LHP Philip Abner
• Designated for assignment: RHP Yilber Díaz

I thought the bullpen chart had misfired and not loaded any data for yesterday’s game. But it’s actually accurate. The only relievers used were Diaz and Abner, who are both no longer on the active roster, plus position player Ildemaro Vargas. The currently active bullpen all got the day off, not something you often see when your team conceded 16 runs the previous day. I do feel slightly badly for Abner, who gave the team 2.2 scoreless innings. But having thrown 44 pitches, he would have been dead space in the bullpen for several days. Hence the return of Kohl Drake instead, who like Cabrera, will be making his major-league debut.

Be fun if they both did so in the same game. From what I can see, the last time the D-backs had two debuts on the same day was on April 1, 2019, when Merrill Kelly and Jon Duplantier both made their first appearance in the majors. Meanwhile, Diaz may be toast. His ERA is 94.50, tied for third on the franchise single season list. Edgar Gonzalez had a 108.00 ERA in 2005, and Matt Koch had an undefined ERA in 2017, allowing three runs without retiring a batter. The math nerd in me is amused by the exponential progression of Diaz’s ERA. 3.81 in 2024, became 9.00 last year, and now 94.50 this year. If he pitches in 2027… I dread to think.

Cabrera is actually in his 6th professional season, though if you’ve never heard of him, that’s probably not a surprise. He is not to be found on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Arizona prospects list, and was listed at #48 on Fangraphs pre-season rankings. He’ll likely have the advantage of surprise, since I doubt the Twins will have much in the way of advanced scouting information on him, but whether he can spin that into a decent outing, will have to be seen. He only needs an ERA of 6.00 to be better than Zac Gallen, so the bar for “success”, at least in relative terms, isn’t exactly high.

Today’s game is on Peacock. You have fun with that. I have to go get a haircut and call my Dad (it’s not Father’s Day in Scotland, but the principle stands, I guess), so we’ll see. Or maybe won’t see. Memo to guest recapper TheRealRamona: cancel that Instacart subscription on game completion. 🤔

Stade Rennais FC are reportedly targeting Sunderland AFC’s Elyezer Mayenda (21) in the summer transfer window, according to Foot Mercato.

Under contract with the Tyne and Wear club until 2030, the forward is a versatile player whose qualities are said to be appreciated by Les Rouge et Noir management, who could move quickly to try to prise him away from the Black Cats.

Although he is coming off a disappointing season in England, with just two goals and one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions, Mayenda remains a highly rated player on the transfer market, given his promising potential.

Rennes, keen to strengthen their squad ahead of the Europa League, are well aware of this. And it is precisely for this reason that the deal could quickly become a priority for a club that has already signed three new players since the transfer window opened: Gonçalo Oliveira (19), Issa Soumaré (25) and Adrien Thomasson (32).

GFFN | Léo Aschi

Team Germany has secured their top spot in group E and a trip to Foxborough after they beat Ivory Coast 2-1 yesterday, and Ecuador ended the match with a tie against Curaçao 0-0.

The Round of 32 match will take place happen on Monday, June 29 at 4:30 p.m.

Germany will play a third-place team from Group A, B, C, D or F.

A draw or close loss against Brazil could bring Scotland back to Boston Stadium.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The group stage of the Women's T20 World Cup has reached its final week.

BBC Sport takes a look at the tables, remaining fixtures and who needs what to reach the semi-finals.

Group 1

Remaining fixtures (all times BST): Australia v Pakistan (23 June, 18:30), India v Bangladesh (25 June, 14:30), South Africa v Netherlands (25 June, 18:30), Pakistan v Netherlands (27 June, 10:30), South Africa v Bangladesh (28 June, 10:30), Australia v India (28 June, 14:30).

Australia need two wins to guarantee their progression at this stage, but their superior net run-rate means one win is more than likely to be enough. A victory against India would also confirm their progression regardless of their other result.

India may need to win both of their remaining games to progress and even then they may need to rely on net run-rate to qualify.

South Africa and Bangladesh have to play each other so it is likely that one of them will be knocked out by defeat but two wins could see either progress, but again net run-rate may come into play.

Pakistan and the Netherlands have been eliminated.

Group 2

Remaining fixtures (all times BST): New Zealand v Scotland (23 June, 10:30), Sri Lanka v Ireland (23 June, 14:30), England v West Indies (24 June, 18:30), Sri Lanka v Scotland (26 June, 18:30), West Indies v Ireland (27 June, 14:30), England v New Zealand (27 June, 18:30).

The winner of England against West Indies on Wednesday will be guaranteed a semi-final spot. The loser may need to win their final game depending on other results. Two wins for either side would guarantee finishing top of the group.

New Zealand, Scotland and Sri Lanka all need to win both of their remaining games to stand any chance of progressing. Even then they are relying on one of England and West Indies losing both of their remaining games to have any chance of progressing.

Ireland have been eliminated.

How is NRR calculated in cricket?

Net run-rate is the common method for differentiating teams level on points in a limited-overs cricket tournament.

It is a formula that measures a team's average margin of victory, or defeat - a side with several big wins will have a positive net run-rate, while those who have suffered sizeable losses will have a negative one.

To understand net run-rate, you have to first get your head around run-rate.

That is the average number of runs scored per over by a team in the innings of one match - so, for example, a score of 140 off 20 overs for Team A equals seven runs per over.

Net run-rate is then calculated by subtracting the opposition's run-rate from the other team's run-rate.

So if Team B scored 130 off 20 overs, their run-rate would be 6.5 runs per over.

Therefore Team A would emerge from the encounter with a positive net-run rate of 0.500 (7 - 6.5), while Team B would take away one of -0.500 (6.5 - 7).

Once a side has played more than one match in a competition, these figures are calculated cumulatively.

Let's say Team A scored 160 runs from 20 overs in their next match, then they would have a tournament total of 300 runs, divided by 40 overs - a run-rate of 7.5.

If their second opponents scored 180 runs from 20 overs, we first add that to Team B's score, making 310 divided by 40 overs - that makes 7.75.

Take 7.75 from 7.5 and Team A end up with a run-rate of -0.25.

Are we done with the calculations now? Well, not quite...

If a team loses and is bowled out early, then we wouldn't want to divide their score by the overs they played, as that would potentially deliver them a higher run-rate than their opponent.

Therefore if a team is bowled out inside their allotted overs, their run-rate is calculated by dividing their runs by the maximum overs they could have batted.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Group 1, Manchester

India 158-7 (20 overs): Verma 31 (15); Kapp 2-27, Ismail 2-28

South Africa 161-4 (19.1 overs): Kapp 81 (45); Charani 3-24

South Africa won by six wickets

Scorecard, Table

Marizanne Kapp struck a powerful unbeaten 81 as South Africa beat India by six wickets to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Having taken 2-27 with the ball, the all-rounder struck seven fours and four sixes in a 45-ball innings as the Proteas chased down a target of 159 with five balls to spare.

Kapp joined Tazmin Brits at the crease at 25-2 in the final over of the powerplay and the pair began slowly, only reaching 59 at the halfway mark, before steadily beginning to accumulate.

With their partnership three short of a century Brits departed for a 36-ball 40, caught in the deep off Shafali Verma, while Kapp survived a drop by Radha Yadav later in the over.

She took advantage, hammering two sixes in Deepti Sharma's penultimate over, before Chloe Tyron edged a winning four off Nandni Sharma.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur - playing a record 200th T20 international - had chosen to bat and Shafali Verma got her side off to a strong start, striking three fours and a six in a 15-ball 31.

Her innings helped India reach 59-2 at the end of the powerplay, but by that point both openers were back in the dugout, with Smriti Mandhana bowled having missed a scoop shot and Verma gloving a short ball behind.

India were unable to press on from their platform, with none of their subsequent batters managing to outscore Shafali.

Deepti threatened for a time, striking 29 from 21 deliveries, but both she and Richa Ghosh chipped tamely to short fine leg as India closed on 158-7.

South Africa now join their opponents on four points, behind group leaders Australia on six.

They have fixtures with Bangladesh and the Netherlands to play, while the result likely makes India's match against Australia at Lord's on 28 June crucial to the outcome of the group.

• Who needs what to qualify for Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals?
• Women's T20 World Cup top run-scorers & wicket-takers
• Relive South Africa beating India to boost semi-final hopes

'Biggest of big-game players' Kapp leads chase

Having lost by 65 runs to Australia in their opening fixture, South Africa knew they had to beat India if they were to have any realistic hopes of taking one of two semi-final spots from group one.

Kapp kept them in the mix in India's innings, bowling Mandhana as she attempted a scoop shot, after which she roared with delight, then removing dangerous lower-order batter Ghosh later in the innings.

She came into bat with South Africa in a precarious position after leg-spinner Sree Charani took two wickets in three balls, grabbing a return catch off Laura Wolvaardt and then bowling Annerie Dercksen.

The required run-rate swiftly climbed to more than 10 an over, but Kapp and Brits stuck together to build a platform from which they could accelerate.

After Brits found the hands of Charani at deep square, Kapp responded with a flat six down the ground, but should have caught from the following ball when Radha shelled a chance running in from the rope at long-on.

From there Kapp was in control, twice launching Deepti over the mid-wicket ropes to set-up Tyron's winning runs.

"She is probably the biggest big-match player I've ever seen. I'm really glad she's on my team," captain Wolvaardt said of Kapp.

"Whenever something is on the line or we're playing in a World Cup she finds a way.

"She said she didn't feel great today so I hope she doesn't feel great every game! She just has that competitive nature and it brings out the best in her."

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The expanded 2026World Cup sees a record 48 teams compete to lift the biggest prize in football, but while there are plenty of new faces and potential fairytales in North America this summer, one thing remains the same – the usual suspects are favourites once again.

While 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up France will bid to make a third World Cup final in a row this summer, it’s European champions Spain who head into the tournament as favourites, with Luis de la Fuente’s side hoping to build on the success of Germany two years ago.

La Roja surprised plenty of fans and pundits in a superb run to the final at Euro 2024, and their World Cup campaign should provide a similarly comfortable route through to the knockout rounds.

Two-time winners Uruguay will provide a fairly stern test for Spain early on and will be confident of qualifying in second as they look for another surprise run to the latter stages, while third place is up for grabs – on paper anyway – between 61st ranked Saudi Arabia and 69th ranked Cape Verde, who are one of the feel-good stories of the summer after qualifying for a first World Cup in their history.

Group H fixtures

(all times BST)

15 June, 5pm: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

15 June, 11pm: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

21 June, 5pm: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

21 June, 11pm: Uruguay v Cape Verde – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

27 June, 1am: Uruguay v Spain – Estadio Akron, Zapopan (Mexico)

27 June, 1am: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia - NRG Stadium, Houston

Spain

Luis de la Fuente’s side begin the tournament as favourites after a hugely successful last few years that started with a victorious Euro 2024 campaign two summers ago. La Roja have been in fine form since beating England in Berlin, losing just once – in the 2025 Nations League final, on penalties to Portugal.

Spain have not come close to winning football’s biggest prize since their famed campaign of 2010, but there is a feeling at home that this squad is the best equipped to do so since the days of Iniesta, Xavi and co. After exiting the tournament at the round of 16 stage to Morocco in Qatar, a semi-final berth would be the minimum expectation this time round, but in private there might be questions asked if this side doesn’t go all the way.

Many of the same names from the 2024 squad will be present in North America this summer. De la Fuente has already made a bold move in selecting a squad devoid of any Real Madrid players, with both Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen left at home as La Roja go for a blend of experience and youthful verve. Lamine Yamal will once again be the focal point of the squad, supported by the likes of Rodri, Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner in Berlin two years ago.

There are some questions over defensive options and the fit of some of the attackers in the squad, but if de la Fuente can successfully adapt the game plan used in 2024, Spain may well end this summer with another star over the famous crest.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona).

Defenders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).

Star player - Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: It’s difficult to pick a star man in a team that will include the likes of Pedri and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, but teenage sensation Lamine Yamal stands out this summer as Spain’s main man. The 18-year-old was the breakout star of the tournament as Spain won Euro 2024 and he has only improved since two summers ago. He comes into his first World Cup off the back of another title-winning season at Barcelona, having scored 16 goals and registered 12 assists in just 28 games in La Liga. Yamal is at risk of missing the first two group games for La Roja after picking up a hamstring injury late into the season, but expect him to hit the ground running one he returns as he looks to add the biggest trophy of all to an already impressive cabinet.

Breakout talent - Marc Pubill, Atletico Madrid: Such is the talent in the Spain squad that most of its members are already household names, though defender Marc Pubill could be the player who has the most to gain from his call-up this summer. The 22-year-old has already impressed at times for Atletico Madrid this season - with manager Diego Simeone saying he is “growing at an enormous rate” - and while he’s not been able to nail down a starting spot at the club, his versatility at the back means he could feature for La Roja this summer in what could be the first major steps of a successful international career.

Fifa ranking: 2.

Odds to win the World Cup: 5/1, latest odds via online bookmakers.

Uruguay

La Celeste are famed as one of the World Cup’s biggest over-achievers, having won the competition in 1930 and 1950, and the 2026 crop of players will be hoping to emulate the likes of Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan as they look to advance to the latter rounds.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa is said to be stepping down after the tournament, with the former Leeds boss leading the side into a second major tournament after finishing a respectable third at the 2024 Copa America.

And while Bielsa’s squad doesn’t possess the same level of talent as the previous golden generation, that Copa run and the performance against England in March showed that they are capable of digging in and getting results against ‘better’ sides.

With plenty of defensive steel, a bit of midfield nous – including Rodrigo Bentancur and Giorgian de Arrascaeta – and potential match-winners in the form of players such as Valverde and Darwin Nunez, Uruguay could be among the dark horses this summer. Having failed to get out of the group in 2022, a place in the quarter-finals this time around would likely be seen as a successful campaign – and a repeat of 2010 would be seen as a small miracle.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Santiago Mele (Junior FC)

Defenders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastian Caceres (Club America), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Joaquin Piquerez (Palmeiras), Matias Vina (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Emiliano Martinez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Agustin Canobbio (Fluminense), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atletico San Luis), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Nicolas de la Cruz (Flamengo), Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Maximiliano Araujo (Sporting), Brian Rodriguez (Club America)

Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre (Club America), Federico Vinas (Real Oviedo), Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal)

Star player: Federico Valverde: Real Madrid captain Fede Valverde is Uruguay’s talisman, and he’ll lead the Celeste as they look to make another surprise run to the latter stages of the World Cup. Valverde is coming off the back of a disappointing season at club level but his undoubted talent and versatility mean he remains one of the most useful players in world football. He might want to improve his record of goal contributions – having scored just nine times this season at club level – but as shown with his goal against England and a hat-trick against Manchester City, the 27-year-old remains a man for the big occasion. With the help of Nunez and Gimenez, can Valverde spur his nation into another surprise performance?

Breakout talent: Maxi Araujo: The battle to be Uruguay’s breakout star this summer may well be between ‘rival’ wingers in Club America’s Brian Rodríguez and Sporting’s Maxi Araujo. The former scored 13 goals in 34 games for the Mexican club and has become known for his pace, but 26-year-old Araujo has been a key man for Sporting for a couple of seasons now. He’s hardly a nobody after winning a Primeira Liga title last season - and putting in a great performance in Sporting’s 4-1 win over Man City in the Champions League – but this could be the tournament where more fans begin to notice him.

Fifa ranking: 17.

Odds to win the World Cup: 100/1.

Saudi Arabia

2026 marks a seventh World Cup finals for Saudi Arabia, though the 2034 hosts have plenty to do if they want to equal their best-ever performance.

Saudi Arabia got to the round of 16 the last time the World Cup was held in the USA in 1994, though their previous six tournaments have all ended at the group stage. The fact that there will be some third-placed teams qualifying in this expanded tournament gives the side hope of making it out of Group H, though realistically a group-stage exit still feels the most likely outcome.

Nevertheless, this is a team that will benefit from the experience of qualifying for the last two World Cups, while new manager Herve Renard brings great international expertise having won Afcon with Zambia and the Ivory Coast previously.

A 1-0 loss to Jordan in the semi-finals of the Arab Cup at the end of last year demonstrated the limitations of this Saudi side though, and it remains to be seen if they can build on their previous tournament experience – in any case, a place in the round of 32 would be seen as a huge success.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al Owais (Al Ula) Nawaf Al Aqidi (Al Nassr), Ahmed Al Kassar (Al Qadsiah), Abdulqudus Attiah (Al Taawoun)

Defenders: Abdulelah Al Amri (Al Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al Hilal), Jehad Thikri (Al Qadsiah), Ali Lajami (Al Hilal), Hassan Kadesh (Al Ittihad), Saud Abdulhamid (RC Lens), Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (Al Qadsiah), Ali Majrashi (Al Ahli), Moteb Al Harbi (Al Hilal), Nawaf Boushal (Al Nassr), Zakaria Hawsawi (Al Ahli).

Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno (Al Hilal), Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al Nassr), Ziyad Al Johani (Al Ahli), Nasser Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Musab Al Juwayr (Al Qadsiah), Alaa Al Hajji (NEOM SC), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Khalid Al Ghannam (Al Ettifaq), Ayman Yahya (Al Nassr), Sultan Mandash (Al Hilal), Saleh Abu Al Shamat (Al Ahli).

Forwards: Feras Al Buraikan (Al Ahli), Abdullah Al Salem (Al Qadsiah), Saleh Al Shehri (Al Ittihad), Abdullah Al Hamdan (Al Nassr).

Star player: Salem Al-Dawsari: Midfielder Al-Dawsari had perhaps the best moment of his career so far when he scored the goal that beat Argentina in Qatar in 2022, and in 2026 the 34-year-old once again leads his team at a World Cup, hoping to go one better than last time in making it out of the group. He scored eight goals in just 26 games from left wing at club level this season, and he’ll need to replicate that sort of form if Herve Renard’s side are to make the round of 32.

Breakout talent - Saud Abdulhamid: Lens defender Abdulhamid – who is on loan at the club from Roma – is the only player in the squad who plays his club football outside of Saudi Arabia, and he was part of the squad that just won the French Cup to secure the first trophy in Lens’ history. It was also an immensely successful season in the league as they finished second in Ligue 1, just six points behind PSG. While Abdulhamid often featured for Lens at right wing-back, he has been used as a traditional right-back in defence at international level too. At 26 years old, this could be the stage where he takes the next step in his career ahead of potentially playing in the Champions League next season.

Fifa ranking: 61.

Odds to win the World Cup: 1000/1.

Cape Verde

2026 marks a first appearance at a World Cup for Cape Verde, with manager – and former player – Bubista leading his nation to the world’s biggest tournament with a qualifying campaign that produced seven wins from 10 games against the likes of Cameroon and Angola.

On the pitch they will be led by former Lille and Nottingham Forest forward Ryan Mendes, with a supporting cast including Omonoia’s Willy Semedo, Benfica’s Sidny Lopes Cabral and the qualification campaign’s top scorer in Dailon Livramento.

The minnows head into the tournament with nothing to prove but everything to gain, with their best previous tournament performances coming as they reached the quarter-finals of Afcon in 2013 and 2023.

The celebrations seen when Cape Verde secured qualification show that hopes are not exactly high for their performance in North America this summer, and that will not have changed when they were drawn in a group against Spain and Uruguay. However, with the expanded tournament leaving room for third-placed sides to qualify, there can always be dreams of making it to the round of 32 at the first time of asking.

Squad:

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

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

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

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

Star player - Dailon Livramento: Veteran midfielder Ryan Mendes may be the anchor of the team but forward Dailon Livramento was the key man in qualification, scoring five times in a historic campaign. The 25-year-old failed to find the net for his new side Casa Pia since joining in September, though he found opportunities hard to come by. Conversely, he scored and assisted in the 4-2 loss to Chile in March, showing that he remains a focal point of the team at international level.

Breakout talent - Sidny Lopes Cabral: Versatile Benfica defender Sidny Lopes Cabral looks certain to be Cape Verde’s breakout star this summer, helped in part by his €6m move to Benfica in January. Jose Mourinho is said to have personally approved the signing of the 23-year-old, who impressed for Portuguese side Estrela Amadora in the first half of the season. Lopes Cabral can play at both full-back and on the wing, though he may be used as a more attacking option at times this summer – something he can do to great affect, as shown with a hat-trick against Casa Pia in November and a goal and assist against Chile in March.

Fifa ranking: 69.

Odds to win the World Cup: 2000/1.

Group H prediction

Spain should face little opposition in their bid to finish first in Group H, though their match against Uruguay should be an interesting one (and perhaps a good early yardstick for how the favourites are performing early on). La Celeste should have more than enough to qualify in second, while Saudi Arabia will hope to sneak into the last 32 via a third-placed finish. It looks like it will be difficult for Cape Verde to earn any points in their maiden World Cup journey, but – as Saudi Arabia proved against Argentina in 2022 – anything is possible with enough morale and belief.

Miles Russell's father delivers unforgettable Father's Day moment at U.S. Open originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Miles Russell has spent the week proving he belongs on one of golf's biggest stages. On Sunday, though, the 17-year-old's most memorable moment at the U.S. Open had nothing to do with a birdie putt or a leaderboard position.

It had everything to do with family. The U.S. Open's social media team shared a touching video showing Russell's father, Joe, taking over caddie duties for his son's final walk up the 18th hole at Shinnecock Hills.

The caption said it all.

"Miles Russell's father, Joe, took over as caddie for his son's final walk up 18. What a Father's Day gift!"

For a teenager competing in the biggest tournament of his young career, it was the type of moment that transcended golf.

A week Miles Russell will never forget

Russell arrived at Shinnecock Hills as one of the most talked-about young golfers in the world. The Jacksonville Beach native earned his spot in the field through sectional qualifying, surviving a playoff to secure one of the final openings in the championship. Rather than receiving a sponsor exemption or special invitation, Russell played his way into golf's toughest major.

That accomplishment alone turned heads. Then he showed he wasn't intimidated by the moment.

Throughout the week, Russell displayed the poise that has made him one of the most promising amateur golfers in America. The Florida State signee consistently impressed veterans with his maturity, course management and ability to stay calm under pressure. At just 17 years old, he looked remarkably comfortable competing alongside major champions and PGA Tour stars.

🥹

Miles Russell's father, Joe, took over as caddie for his son's final walk up 18.

What a Father's Day gift! pic.twitter.com/7tfHKSrjyx

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 21, 2026

Golf's future continues to shine

Russell's rise has been building for years. He became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make a cut in 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the elite junior golfers in the country. He also earned a spot on the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team and climbed near the top of the world amateur rankings.

His friendship with fellow rising star Charlie Woods has also drawn attention. Woods even caddied for Russell during final qualifying for the U.S. Open earlier this month. But this week wasn't about rankings, records or future projections.

It was about a teenager living out a dream with the people who helped make it possible.

MORE:  Two-time U.S. Open winners: How Wyndham Clark can join exclusive club by holding on to lead at Shinnecock Hills

The perfect ending on Father's Day

Golf has always been a family game. Parents spend countless hours driving to tournaments, carrying bags, paying entry fees and supporting young players through every high and low.

That's what made Sunday's scene so special.

As Russell completed his U.S. Open journey, his father was right there beside him for the final walk up 18. No matter what comes next in Russell's career, that image will likely remain one of the defining memories from his first U.S. Open appearance. For golf fans watching at home, it was a reminder that sometimes the best moments at major championships have nothing to do with the scorecard.

MORE PGA:

• Inside Wyndham Clark's major history
• Revisiting Wyndham Clark's 2025 U.S. Open incident
• Round 4 tee times, featured groups for 2026 U.S. Open

Editor's note: Follow for the biggest updates and highlights from the final round at the 2026 U.S. Open.

The youngest player in this year's U.S. Open field, 17-year-old Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has dazzled the gallery all week with his incredible wedge play.

However, his greatest moment in Sunday's final round came on the final hole when he gave his dad, Joe, a surprise Father's Day gift.

After getting clearance before the round from the U.S. Golf Association, Russell was able to have his dad take over as his caddie for the walk up the 18th hole.

The swap occurred right after Miles hit his approach shot, allowing them the opportunity to walk to the green together.

17 year old Miles Russell just surprised his dad in the course by having him fill in as his caddie for his final walk up 18 (he cleared it with the USGA rules committee) on Father’s Day.

Getting dusty in here 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/4li1VvG6Nf

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) June 21, 2026

Father and son were both beaming as they made their way to the ball.

Russell, who's committed to play at Florida State next year, two-putted for par to finish the tournament with a score of seven over, 287.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amateur Miles Russell gets dad to carry his bag on US Open18th hole

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Not long after Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver awarded Wyndham Clark an honorary membership last year, Clark conducted a junior clinic for the members and hit the shots while the club’s director of instruction and a PGA member, served as emcee. 

Pat Coyner, 53, studied the swing of Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion who had just one PGA Tour victory in the aftermath and would go winless last season. He detected some changes in Clark’s swing since he reached the pinnacle of the game in 2023 and 2024. In particular, Clark’s swing had gotten long at the top, leading to swinging way past parallel. His lead wrist was extended or cupped. It led to an open face, a steep shaft and becoming narrow in his downswing, which meant he had to back out of it at impact and tilt away from the target at impact. That’s never a good thing for anyone but especially for a fader of the ball. Clark wound up battling a two-way miss. Clark had abandoned a swing coach for the better part of three seasons, but he was intrigued with this diagnosis and one day last fall he texted Coyner and asked him whether he could help rebuild his swing to become a champion once more. And so started the work that has Clark on the cusp of winning his second U.S. Open title as he heads into the final round of the 126^th U.S. Open on Sunday with a six-shot lead. 

“I gave him better wrist structure at the top, his arm swing is shorter even though his turn is still really big, his downswing is wider and he has much better face control and can pivot his body better through impact,” Coyner said. “Every week he gets more validation and comfort with it.”

Even at his best when he reached as high as No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Clark relied almost exclusively on a fade. But the swing changes have allowed him to move it both ways now that his clubface is in a better position.

“He can draw the ball now just as easily as he can fade,” Coyner said. “His draws are some of the best irons he’s hit.”

As evidence, Coyner pointed to the 4-iron at the 12^th hole at TPC Craig Ranch in the final round of the CJ Cup to setup an eagle en route to shooting 60 and winning his fourth career title.

“That’s the one shot this year where I thought this is really starting to take shape,” Coyner said.

Clark played in Japan, Mexico and Switzerland in the fall after he began working with Coyner but didn’t see the results he was looking for until in December at the Hero World Challenge. He shot 66 and was tied for the lead after the first round and still tied after the second round before finishing T-8. Even early this season, his ball striking began to come around but his putting was dreadful.

Coyner coached college players and mini-tour pros during his career as an instructor at Baltimore Country Club and Frederica Club before joining Cherry Hills about 18 months ago. While he’d interact with the Sea Island Mafia crew of Zach Johnson, Keith Mitchell, Harris English among others at Frederica, he’s never had a Tour pro he could call his own.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said.

With opportunity came pressure too.  “A lot of times a coach can mess up a player easier than he can fix them,” Coyner said. “You want to help them get better, but you have to make sure you don’t make them worse in the process.”

The ballstriking came first, and the putting followed. Clark switched into a Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset, a white mallet, and has been red-hot ever since. Coyner said his last poor putting week had been in Houston in March ahead of the Masters. Coyner reminded Clark he ranked 155^th in Strokes Gained: Putting at that point but has progressively improved, jumping all the way to 62^nd for the season and turning into Ben Crenshaw this week at Shinnecock, where he ranks first in that category and made an array of clutch par putts on Saturday.  

“The world saw it in Dallas. That’s when he went berserk with the putter,” said Coyner of Clark’s best putting week of his career, gaining a staggering +12.573 strokes on the field and holing 158 feet of putts in the final round of the CJ Cup alone.

Coyner was at Shinnecock from Monday to Thursday with Clark and focused less on the technical aspects of the swing and more on controlling spin and trajectory for the North Atlantic winds. Coyner returned to Denver for the Cherry Hills member-guest, which was played this weekend, and in between running around doing his day job was able to grab a few moments in the men’s grill to see highlights and the like. As for Sunday’s final round, he’ll be a very interested TV viewer.