With 200,000 tickets sold across the competition and 40,000 people attending the opening weekend, organisers expect the ICC Women's T20 World Cup to be the biggest so far. As the tournament arrives in Leeds, local businesses say they expect to benefit from the international event coming to the city.

For Hyde Park-based Chef Shabba, the world cup will bring with it a flavour of home.

"Cricket has been a big part of my family, coming from Jamaica," he says.

"My dad loved cricket so much, we used to go to all the matches - so cricket is just something that makes me happy."

His self-titled restaurant, Chef Shabba's Kitchen, serves homemade Caribbean food.

Located on Brudenell Road, the business could benefit from increased footfall in the area as supporters head to and from Headingley Stadium.

"Cricket goes well with food and we get a great crowd," he says.

"We get people from Pakistan, India, Australia - all over.

"On the day I'll be up very early preparing and I will have my West Indian flag."

He adds: "We're blessed having a business so close to the stadium, because we get so many different people and cultures - it's beautiful, it's a great vibe."

Headingley will host five ICC Women's T20 World Cup games over the next seven days:

• Australia v Bangladesh and India v Netherlands - Wednesday
• West Indies v Scotland - Thursday
• England v Scotland - Saturday
• Australia v Pakistan - Tuesday

More than 25,000 fans are expected to attend across the week in Leeds.

Self-proclaimed cricket obsessives Rameswaran Selvarathinam and Sandhiya Prasad own Munch Cafe on North Lane in Headingley.

The couple say they too are looking forward to an international competition being played right on their doorstep.

"I play cricket. My wife used to play cricket. My son is playing at the moment," Selvarathinam says.

"My youngest is going to turn four and she already watches cricket with us and is always running around at home with a small bat."

He continues: "During matches, 90% of customers are cricket fans. They come here for their sandwiches and they talk cricket with us.

"We won't be able to see the matches because we have to take care of the business, but I can hear the cheers whenever a wicket goes and the crowd roars."

The tournament is being seen as another big step forward for women's cricket, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.

There are now about 540 women's and girls' teams in Yorkshire, according to the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation - a rise of more than 70% since 2023.

It is a positive sign, says Prasad, who often struggled to play the game during her own childhood due to the way it was perceived.

"My mother used to stop me," she says.

"She used to say, 'This is not a woman's game. It's for the boys. You're not supposed to play cricket.'

"Things have changed - I love that my daughter is playing cricket. I encourage her, I want her to become a cricket player. Cricket is for everybody."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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Thomas Tuchel has explained his decision to call up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to England’s 2026 World Cup squad following an injury to full-back Tino Livramento.

Livramento sustained a calf injury in training at England’s Kansas City base over the weekend and had to withdraw from the squad.

Tuchel could have called up a raft of other full-back options, including Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.

However the England manager chose to bring Chalobah, a centre-back, into the fold.

The decision would appear to leave England light in certain areas of the squad, with only Reece James, Nico O’Reilly and Djed Spence as orthodox full-backs. But Tuchel insisted the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jarell Quansah can fill in.

“Tino has an injury of four or five weeks which is unfortunately too long to reintegrate him into the squad,” Tuchel said.

“We called Trevoh Chalobah because it frees up Jarrell Quansah to play full-back on both sides, and Djed Spence can play full-back on both sides, so it gives us full coverage in defence.”

England take on Croatia in the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday as they bid to get their World Cup off to the best possible start in Group L.

The German has been a serial trophy winner throughout his coaching career, lifting league titles in his homeland and France before leading Chelsea to the Champions League crown in 2021.

But the 52-year-old was unequivocal regarding the magnitude of the finals as he seeks to secure England's second title, 60 years after their first.

"It's up there," said Tuchel, ⁠raising his hand above his head. "Definitely. Easy. It's the best stage, ​it's ⁠the biggest tournament in the world, the biggest competition, the biggest players playing in the same tournament. This is what it is.

"I'm grateful to have the possibility to be the coach of ⁠England and to have the experience to coach in a World Cup.

"It comes with responsibility and I want ​to live ⁠up to this responsibility and push the ‌team, prepare the team and support the players to do their very best.

"We dream. We dream. We have the right to dream, but we don't want to be delusional. It comes with responsibility and with the ‌effort. We want to put the effort in and deserve the outcome. ‌We do that and it starts tomorrow."

The match sees the two nations meet at the World Cup for the first time since Croatia defeated Gareth Southgate's England side in the 2018 semi-finals, with Tuchel wary of Zlatko Dalic's squad despite their opponent's aging legs.

"I think it's quite obvious they still have the core midfield with (Mateo) Kovacic and with Luka Modric in the centre of their game," he said.

"They have a very ‌strong, a very solid back three and with Mateo and Luka Modric they still have the ​heartbeat of the team in the middle. They always provide threat with (Ivan) Perisic on the left ‌side with both legs, inswinging and outswinging.

"They have ⁠experience in tournaments, they have a very experienced coach in tournaments, they are emotional, they traditionally ⁠are a strong national team and that's what we face.

"They are very flexible between back four and back five, they are very flexible within ‌matches so we have to adapt, ​we have to get the initiative right and we ‌need a complex performance and we need all of ​it to be able to win.

"I'm confident we know what it takes. It's a strong team and we are full of respect."

There is something old-fashioned about a player defined by the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe can seem a face of sleek modernity, but perhaps he is a throwback footballer. The World Cup is his stage; perhaps no footballer for decades can say that to the same extent.

As Mbappe claimed France’s goalscoring record, and advanced past Pele and Just Fontaine’s totals in World Cups to draw level with Gerd Muller, Didier Deschamps talked of the global audience. Mbappe, he said, did not want to pass Olivier Giroud’s tally for Les Bleus in a friendly. He did it instead against Senegal in the World Cup, in the world’s most famous city. He can prosper when the eyes of the footballing planet are on one match, and one alone. And, in an ever more crowded fixture list, that is rarely the case. Mbappe started this tournament with a very different double of high class. “In this match with a global audience, he has a real aura,” noted Deschamps.

His aura, unlike his peers’, comes from such days. Some of the legends of earlier generations were defined more by World Cups. Santos and Napoli fans may disagree but Pele and Diego Maradona were. Paolo Rossi, Mario Kempes and Fontaine too. For audiences outside South America, Garrincha and Jairzinho were always going to be. For those outside England, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst are.

Then there is Mbappe; perhaps headed for a third World Cup final in a competition that is the ultimate, but not the constant in the conversation. For much of the time, it can seem the power dynamic between club and country has shifted decisively away from the international game. The Champions League has felt dominant in the age of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ballons d’Or don’t always tend to be won by World Cup winners: Messi did in 2023, for the 2022 tournament, but before him Fabio Cannavaro had been the last to do that particular double.

Now two Frenchmen have won the Ballon d’Or in the last four years; Benzema and Dembele. Their primary achievements do not lie in international football. Meanwhile, Mbappe has been on the podium as often as Jorginho and in the same spot: third.

Which illustrates the way he can appear a man out of time. Despite the 373 goals he has scored for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, his case for greatness stems more from his return for country than club. And not merely because Giroud – as well as Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry – has been left for dust as he sped past them.

At club level, though, he has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Real Madrid won three Champions Leagues when he was at Paris Saint-Germain. PSG have won two since he joined Real. There is a tactical argument that sides with players where everyone presses are likelier to conquer Europe. Of late, teams without a genuine centre-forward have done so. Real had Jude Bellingham as something approximating to a false nine in 2024, PSG used Ousmane Dembele as a deep-lying striker in 2025 and 2026.

Deschamps referenced the impression Mbappe does too little off the ball. “People will still criticise him,” he said. “On one action he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory. People say he doesn’t defend enough – well, he isn’t here to defend.”

And maybe international football, less reliant on systems and more liable to be determined by individuals, suits Mbappe better. He can play in fits and spurts. “If he wants to miss the first half again and score the two goals again in the second half of another match that is good for me,” said Deschamps.

Indeed, arguably Mbappe has been mediocre in the first half of his last two World Cup games and yet ended them with a combined five goals. They are separated by almost four years: in 2022, he joined Hurst in the select band of those who have scored a World Cup final hat-trick.

After the treble in the 2022 final, the brace in France’s 2026 opener. It is an extraordinary impact and quite a few of his Muller-equalling 14 have been spectacular. There was the devastating pace to score against Argentina in 2018, the 25-yard shot against Croatia in the Moscow final, a whipped shot into the top corner against Poland four years ago, a volley against Argentina for his second in Lusail, the arrowed finish and 30-yard thunderbolt against Senegal.

The remarkable fact is not that he has got 58 goals for France. It is that nearly a quarter have come in World Cups and that, with 48-team tournaments presumably here to stay and him young enough to play in two more, he could retire as the greatest goalscorer ever in the global gatherings. Whether or not he is ever a Champions League winner, he may be Monsieur World Cup.

Luka Modric tends to swap shirts with an opponent after every international. It means he must need a very large wardrobe or plenty of frames. He will soon have a double century of shirts. There was, Modric said in his autobiography, only one Croatia game where he was determined not to trade the checkered kit with a member of the opposition team: against France, in 2018.

Croatia lost, but even getting there was an extraordinary achievement. Their population remains below four million, less than 0.05 of the world’s. But Modric took them to the 2018 World Cup final. He won the World Cup’s Golden Ball and then the Ballon d’Or, to follow his third consecutive Champions League with Real Madrid.

In an era of diminutive passers, Modric gained personal accolades that eluded even the Spanish technicians who won a World Cup. Modric got so close to emulating them, in part because of a rivalry that will be renewed now. Croatia face England in Dallas. Their only previous World Cup game was in Moscow, eight years ago, and in the semi-final.

Croatia trailed but Modric turned the game their way; by keeping the ball and moving it. Besides highlighting what England lacked, it also exhausted them. Croatia won in 120 minutes; they often do, given they have prevailed in five knockout ties at the last two World Cups, each after two hours of football, four after a penalty shootout as well.

Modric is the short passer who has played the long game. It is why he is in the United States this summer, playing in his fifth World Cup, set to earn his 200th cap, in his forties. He made his international debut before a teammate, defender Luka Vuskovic, was born. Vuskovic is 19, the current Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac 54. Modric has played for Croatia alongside both.

He has outlasted plenty. He was Croatia’s oldest outfield player in the 2018 final but men such as Mario Mandzukic, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic all retired from international football long before him. Modric remains, along with Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric.

Logic had suggested 2018 could be his last World Cup, then that 2022 would be. Now 2026 surely will be; there are suggestions he will retire from football after the World Cup, bowing out on a stage he has come to define. Modric has lived contrasting realities for much of his career, playing for the most famous and garlanded club of all, representing a country whose size means they forever have to overachieve and which is younger than him.

The six Champions Leagues he won with Real Madrid mean he equalled a record. A season with AC Milan meant he could follow in the footsteps of a midfielder who could have been called Croatia’s greatest player, in Zvonimir Boban. Davor Suker was a contender for that tag, too; now there is no doubt it rests with Modric.

A slight figure has shown a doggedness, an artist has displayed his grit to have such longevity. Those characteristics have been reflected in the team. Croatia trailed in each of the five knockout ties they went on to win in the last two World Cups. They are the team of many comebacks.

And yet it is worth remembering that, had his career followed a more normal trajectory and been winding down at 30, he might have had a negligible impact on the World Cup. Croatia exited in the group in 2014. They did not even qualify in 2010. In 2006, Modric was a 20-year-old substitute in one of the more infamous displays of refereeing, when Graham Poll booked Croatia’s Josip Simunic three times in the draw with Australia, seemingly confused by the defender’s Australian accent.

It feels part of the distant past now. Croatia may have to look to the future now. Petar Sucic has been touted as the new Modric though, in reality, there will not be another. But the Inter Milan midfielder is further proof of Croatia’s ability to produce players.

The finest of all may take his curtain call now, though that has been said before. Euro 2024 felt a somewhat cruel end, when Modric missed a penalty, put Croatia ahead against Italy and then saw them eliminated by Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute goal. “I'd like to keep playing forever but there will probably be a time I'll have to hang up my boots,” Modric said mournfully afterwards.

Instead, those boots have been taken across the Atlantic; to Dallas, Toronto and Philadelphia, perhaps on further routes. The lesson of Croatia’s recent history is that they are the team everyone else could not shake off. England know that to their cost. Eight years on from their Moscow meeting, Modric remains the man with the ability to run a game who could torment them again.

Campaigners are calling for a statue to celebrate the life of a Victorian footballer who became one of England's first ever captains.

John Hunter was born in Sheffield in 1851 and went on to make seven appearances for England between 1878 and 1882, including leading the team out against Wales in 1881.

According to the Football Association, Hunter, who was more commonly known as Jack, was the tenth man to captain England, and is regarded by some as England's "first working class captain".

Now, Sheffield Home of Football - who recently installed a plaque in the city in honour of Hunter - say they would like a statue to commemorate his role in the game.

At the time Hunter broke into the England set-up the team was almost entirely made up of players from the upper classes and public schools.

Hunter, who worked as a cutler and a butcher during his footballing career, was among the first working class players and

Football historian Graham Curry, who has a PhD in the early development of association football, said: "Jack Hunter was the first working class captain of the England football team.

"To be captain of people with the real social power, from Eton, from Harrow, the southern amateurs, it was just incredible.

"The only thing that can I think is, he must have been a great player."

Hunter made his England debut against Scotland in 1878, losing 7-2 in Glasgow.

He went on to play six more matches for England, winning just once, and captained the side in a 1-0 loss to Wales on 26 February 1881 at Alexandra Meadows in Blackburn.

"If you look at the results against England, some of them are quite embarrassing, so Hunter was surviving on an international stage when England were not brilliant," said Steve Wood, historian and trustee of Sheffield Home of Football.

Despite his lack of international success, Wood still thinks Hunter should be celebrated.

"We put on the plaque, he's the first working class captain of England," he said.

"When you consider the game, the international side was dominated by players from the upper class. It was a fantastic achievement for a working class player to break through into the England side."

While Hunter's international achievements were limited to a handful of games, he enjoyed success at a domestic level, winning the FA Cup in 1883 with Blackburn Olympic, where he was both a player and a coach.

Olympic's victory marked the first time the competition had been won by a working class side.

"[Hunter] took a group of basically working class mill workers from the North down to London to beat the highly fancied Old Etonians," Wood said.

"Hunter was a real breakthrough, because after 1883 it was all the Northern clubs who won the FA cup from then on.

"Before 1883 football was watched by the upper class and played by the upper class."

It is this achievement, alongside Hunter's role with England, that has prompted Wood to call for a statue in Sheffield.

"Somebody who creates, or is part of the spark that creates, something followed by six billion people needs a statue," said Wood.

"When you see those photographs of people chucking beer around because England have scored, and when you see those scenes of people celebrating in the streets because their team has won, think Hunter - Hunter did that."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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Royal Ascot galloped out of the starting gate on Tuesday, with an estimated 290,000 people expected to attend this year.

The five-day event at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire is a showcase for a fabulous array of world class horses and, of course, hats.

The enclosures at Royal Ascot uphold their own distinguished dress codes, resulting in a colourful variety of outfits on day one.

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Portugal begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday night in Houston.

Cristiano Ronaldo competes in a sixth consecutive World Cup, and the Portuguese skipper will be targeting a historic triumph in the only major competition he has not won.

Having qualified from a group with Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, Portugal will be the favourites to top a group which includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.

As for DR Congo, it is their first appearance on the World Cup stage in 52 years, when they competed as Zaire. They qualified via a 1-0 win over Jamaica in an intercontinental playoff in March.

Here’s everything you need to know about this World Cup 2026 game:

When is Portugal vs DR Congo?

Portugal face DR Congo at 6pmBST on Wednesday 17 June (12pm CT) at the NRG Stadium in Houston.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on BBC 1, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with coverage starting at 5:30pm BST.

Team news

Ronaldo was sent off in his last competitive match for Portugal but had the last two games of a three-match ban suspended by Fifa. Portugal have a fully-fit squad, including the PSG trio of Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha.

For DR Congo, they have no injury concerns and have a number of notable names, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Yoane Wissa.

Predicted line-ups

Portugal XI: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto

DR Congo XI: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu

Latest odds

Portugal - 1/3

Draw - 5/1

DR Congo - 11/1

Kylian Mbappe renewed his remarkable relationship with the World Cup Tuesday as he scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, leaving him within touching distance of Lionel Messi as he bids to become the tournament's highest ever scorer.

The Real Madrid superstar notched his team's first goal at the MetLife Stadium, breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute from a superb Michael Olise pass.

After Bradley Barcola got France's second, and Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back, Mbappe smashed in his second and his team's third goal in injury time to secure the points in the Group I encounter.

It was the perfect start to the World Cup for the side seen by many as the favourites, and the brace made Mbappe his country's all-time top scorer.

He began the day one goal behind Olivier Giroud, his teammate in France's victorious 2018 World Cup campaign, but is now one ahead of the former Arsenal striker on 58 goals from 99 caps.

"I am really pleased and very happy to make a little more history for my country," Mbappe said.

"It is something I always wanted to do, although we know why we are here, so I think I will have the time to think about all these things once I stop playing."

He added: "We want to keep writing the biggest page in the history of the French national team. We know the road is very long, but we are ready."

- Two behind Messi, Klose -

France have reached four finals in the last seven World Cups, including in each of the last two.

Winners in 2018, they lost the 2022 final on penalties to Argentina after an epic contest in Doha in which Mbappe scored a hat-trick.

Now they are dreaming of winning a third World Cup, in what is the final tournament in charge for coach Didier Deschamps as he prepares to step down after 14 years at the helm.

Deschamps launched Mbappe's international career as an 18-year-old in 2017, and oversaw his explosion onto the world stage at the following year's tournament in Russia.

Scorer of four goals in 2018, including one in the 4-2 final win over Croatia, he was the top scorer in 2022 in Qatar with eight.

His brace on Tuesday takes him to 14 goals in 15 World Cup appearances overall, a strike-rate that helps explain why Deschamps described his captain as "extraordinary".

In the space of half an hour in the New Jersey sunshine, Mbappe broke away from Pele's mark of 12 World Cup goals, and overtook another French great, Just Fontaine.

Fontaine scored 13 World Cup goals, all of them in 1958 in Sweden.

Mbappe, who netted 42 goals in 44 games for Real Madrid this season, is now level with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller in the all-time list.

Ahead of him lie only Brazil's Ronaldo, with 15, as well as Lionel Messi and Germany's Miroslav Klose, who have 16 after Messi became the joint leading scorer in tournament history thanks to a dazzling hat-trick later Tuesday against Algeria.

- Olise connection -

Mbappe will still fancy his chances of getting to the current record mark before the group stage ends, with Les Bleus facing Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday before playing Norway in Boston on June 26.

"It is really incredible what he does, in every game and every training session. He never ceases to amaze us," said Barcola.

Curiously, Mbappe's World Cup tally contrasts with his European Championship record of one goal in nine matches -- a penalty against Poland at Euro 2024.

In the meantime, France's opening game suggests a man their future opponents should fear perhaps even more is Olise.

The Bayern Munich winger produced a devastating performance in his World Cup debut after moving from the right wing into a central role behind Mbappe.

"It is so easy to play with Michael. He always has his head up and you just need to try to give him the option," Mbappe said.

"He always wants to go forward and serve his teammates. I knew he would find me every time I made a run. It's super cool."

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For 66 minutes it looked like everything was going wrong for Kylian Mbappe. While France toiled in their Group I opener against Senegal, the forward’s first touch was sloppy and he was denied what everyone apart from the officials thought was a penalty. Then Mbappe came alive, scoring two stunners to ensure lift-off for Didier Deschamps’ title chasers.

Despite defeat, Senegal’s impressive performance piled some pressure on Norway to win against unfancied Iraq in the group’s later kick-off - which they duly did, courtesy of another impressive Erling Haaland performance as he bagged a brace on his tournament debut.

Argentina and Lionel Messi also began their defence of the title won four years ago in an entertaining contest versus Algeria. It was the first competitive match played between the nations and kicked off with two disallowed goals inside the opening 10 minutes. Messi then took centre stage and rattled home a stunning opener, a second half tap-in and a delightful third to boost his own World Cup tally and kick start Argentina’s pursuit of another title in superb fashion.

Here is everything you need to know from day six of the super-sized tournament:

Mbappe double follows first major VAR controversy

While Mbappe became France’s all-time record goalscorer with his double in New Jersey, a decision not to award him a penalty when the match remained scoreless was questioned by many - including several referees themselves, according to the BBC’s resident official Darren Cann.

Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani initially gave a corner – and then changed his decision to a goal-kick after watching replays. Mbappe had dribbled into the box where Senegal’s Sadio Mane slid in to make a tackle. As Mane reached Mbappe, the France captain touched the ball away from his opponent and then collapsed in a heap under Mane’s challenge.

Referee Faghani was sent to review the decision on his pitchside monitor by his VAR, and as he stepped back on to the pitch, French players and coaching staff began to celebrate. But instead of awarding a penalty, Faghani announced: “The attacker initiated the contact.”

Partey loses Canada visa appeal

Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s match against Panama after a Canadian court on Tuesday dismissed his appeal against being denied entry.

The 33-year-old had been refused a visa by the Canadian government last week, prompting his legal team to launch a last-minute challenge at the Federal Court in Ottawa.

The Black Stars play Panama in their Group L match in Toronto on Wednesday. In dismissing the appeal, judge Roger Lafreniere wrote that Partey sought "extraordinary, mandatory interlocutory relief" that would have required Canada to set aside a "lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and facilitate his entry for a specific event."

Former Arsenal midfielder Partey denies seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and is due to stand trial next year.

Injured Livramento replaced by Chalobah

Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to replace the injured Tino Livramento in England’s World Cup squad.

Livramento’s calf injury is an early blow for Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for the tournament, coming just one day before the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.

Tuchel was able to replace Newcastle full-back Livramento in the squad with a deadline of 9pm BST on Tuesday – 24 hours before England’s first game of the tournament – and Chelsea defender Chalobah was on his way to the United States on Tuesday. Chalobah will not be involved against Croatia, but will be available for subsequent group matches against Ghana and Panama.

Erling Haaland scores double on near-perfect World Cup debut

Having seen Mbappe run riot against Senegal, this generation’s other star striker clearly thought ‘anything you can do, I can do better’. Making his World Cup debut, Haaland scored twice in the first half as Norway beat a spirited Iraqi side 4-1 to end the first matchday top of Group I.

The 25-year-old is already Norway’s record goalscorer, now with 57 goals in 51 caps, and it looks like as well as duelling for top spot in Group I, he and Mbappe will be fighting for the tournament’s Golden Boot.

He only had 11 touches in the first half - the fewest of any player on the pitch - but two of them were goals. The first was a tap-in from a Moller Wolfe cutback, with the second also coming at close range as the Manchester City striker closed down Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan, who dawdled on the ball after a poor backpass by Zaid Tahseen and paid the price.

He missed a second-half chance for a hat-trick, too, and was narrowly denied an assist as he headed the ball across goal for Kristian Thorstvedt to bundle home Norway’s fourth on the night - but the strike was marked down as an Aymen Hussein home goal.

Magic Messi equals Klose’s record

Algeria were warned. A dainty pass slipped into the right side of the penalty area by Lautaro Martinez played Lionel Messi in on goal and he routinely found the back of the net by beating Luca Zidane on his near side. The crowd inside the Kansas City Stadium erupted in cheers only for the celebrations to get cut short as the football legend was ruled offside.

It was a chance taken just five minutes into Argentina’s World Cup opener and looked as though the 38-year-old had picked up exactly where he left off when winning the tournament four years ago. But it was not to be and Messi had to wait a further 12 minutes before making his mark on the 2026 edition of the World Cup.

Supplied by his close teammate Rodrigo de Paul, the little master spun towards goal before drawing a stunning effort from left-to-right, through the hands of Zidane and into the top, right corner with the pinpoint accuracy of his heydays. It is the type of goal that reminds the World Cup hopefuls that Messi may be heading into the twilight of his career but he retains all the prowess and skill of his younger self and, perhaps most importantly, the desire to achieve wonders on the biggest stage of all.

A second goal of the game caame from a fortuitous tap-in before a slick move late in the second half set him up for a driving finish that takes him to 16 goals across his six World Cup tournaments. That puts him level with record holder Miroslav Klose who he will surely surpass before this tournament is done.

Austria deny Jordan debut point

An own goal and a late Marko Arnautovic penalty denied Jordan a dream debut point as they fell short to Austria in their World Cup opener.

Romano Schmidt had given Austria the lead in the first half but that was cancelled out by Ali Olwan, who expertly bent home to score Jordan’s first ever goal at a World Cup finals.

But there was heartbreak to come for the debutants, with Yazan Al Arab putting into his own net with 14 minutes to play to give Austria a lifeline, before Arnautovic converted from the spot with the last kick of the game to seal the win.

Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria.

On a magical night at Kansas City's 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals.

The 38-year-old had started an unforgettable occasion -- his 200th international appearance -- by claiming a piece of history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina onto the field for what would become a one-sided Group J clash.

Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager during the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class on proceedings with a memorable hat-trick -- the first of his World Cup career.

A 17th minute curling strike took his World Cup goals tally to 14, putting him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings.

He then moved one clear of Muller and Mbappe to join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.

He went equal with Germany's Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish from the edge of the area before departing to a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later.

Messi later played down the significance of his milestone scoring feat.

"It's an honor to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the others -- Ronaldo is there too -- but I don't think it means anything," Messi said. "In the end, it's just a statistic and nothing more."

Argentina defeated France in an epic 2022 World Cup final in Doha, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw that saw Les Bleus striker Mbappe score a hat-trick.

- Mbappe off the mark -

France -- who could meet Argentina in the final again this year if seedings follow the form book -- launched their tournament on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal, with Mbappe scoring twice to suggest he is more than ready to deliver another big World Cup.

"There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player," France coach Didier Deschamps said of Mbappe. "Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment."

Mbappe's double against the Senegalese also saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France's leading goalscorer with 58 goals from 99 games.

Another potent scorer, Erling Haaland, marked his first World Cup finals appearance with two goals in a 4-1 romp against Iraq in France's Group I.

The Manchester City striker pounced from close range on 29 minutes in Foxborough, but Aymen Hussein's header brought Iraq level before Haaland capitalised on an Iraqi defensive error to put Norway ahead again before half-time. He took his international goals tally to 57 in just 51 matches.

Substitute Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway and they got a fourth deep in stoppage time through a Hussein own goal to secure three points in their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.

Haaland's goalscoring World Cup debut left Norway coach Stale Solbakken purring with satisfaction.

"You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn't too big for him," said Solbakken.

"I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today."

In the late game on Tuesday, Austria were given a scare by World Cup debutants Jordan before securing a 3-1 win in a Group J game at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Romano Schmid fired Austria into the lead with a rasping long-range strike on 21 minutes, but Ali Olwan scored Jordan's first ever World Cup goal in the 50th minute to make it 1-1.

But Austria regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to an own goal from Yazan al-Arab before Marko Arnautovic added a stoppage time penalty to make the game safe.

rcw/gj

Blacksburg, Virginia — Virginia Tech football gave the media plenty of material when all 12 assistant coaches were made available, offering an inside look at the team heading into the heart of summer workouts. The sessions allowed reporters to hear directly from each coordinator and position coach as they prepare for the upcoming season. The coaching staff discussed the growth they have seen since spring practice and highlighted several younger players who are starting to make a strong impression.

Quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien noted that because the playbook verbiage is no longer brand new, this summer allows them to dive into more advanced details and truly master the concepts. Meanwhile, head coach and defensive coordinator Brent Pry shared his excitement about being back in the coordinator’s chair, stating that he is incredibly energized by his staff and players. The Hokies are set to kick off their season at Lane Stadium against VMI on September 5.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.

Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.

On a night for the ages in Kansas City, the records kept tumbling for Argentina's miracle man, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

When the match kicked off at the home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, Messi became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments, in his 200th international match.

And the 38-year-old lit up the occasion with three goals in a clinical display by the reigning world champions.

Messi produced a majestic finish from distance in the 17th minute, sparking a frenzy among his adoring fans, who had turned the match into a virtual home game.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France great Zinedine Zidane, got his hands to the ball, but could not keep it out.

Messi netted again in the second half from close range, gobbling up a rebound to take him just one goal behind the all-time record held by Germany's Klose.

And he completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute.

The diminutive genius was substituted shortly afterwards, forcing Argentine fans to wait to see their hero have a shot at the outright record.

- Messi magic -

The Group J match in the open-air stadium started at a frantic pace and both sides had early goals ruled out for offside, including one from Messi.

But Argentina took the lead when Rodrigo De Paul played a beautifully measured through ball which Messi picked up before driving at goal and unleashing a fierce drive from outside the penalty area that curled away from Zidane. 

The South American team were largely in control of the match, fluid in attack with their Number 10 pulling the strings.

But as the clock ticked towards half-time Algeria enjoyed a better spell, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez forced to parry a shot from Fares Chaibi from a tight angle.

Messi curled another effort over the bar in the early minutes of the second half and Zidane kept out a shot from Lautaro Martinez.

But the crowd did not have to wait long to celebrate another goal from the veteran forward, who plays for MLS side Inter Miami.

Zidane could not handle a sizzling Alexis Mac Allister strike from distance and Messi was there to sweep home in the 60th minute.

Time stood still six minutes later as Messi was through again but this time Zidane pushed the ball over the bar.

But he was not to be denied, completing his hat-trick after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina are seeking to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil managed the feat in 1962.

Algeria are hoping to reach the knockout round for only the second time, in a group that also includes Austria and Jordan.

Earlier, the roads around the Kansas City Stadium were clogged as tens of thousands of Argentine fans streamed towards ground dressed in blue and white, many with Messi's name on the back of their shirts.

Argentina's all-time top-scorer is just the third man to reach 200 caps after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa.

Ronaldo will equal Messi's record of six World Cup appearances if he plays for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday.

jw/gj

Those in attendance at Argentina’s opening match against Algeria could be forgiven, for a moment, for thinking they were at one of the great Argentinian cathedrals of football – La Bombonera, or maybe the national stadium, El Monumental. Kansas City Stadium, awash in the colors of the Albiceleste roared with the sound of nearly 70,000 Argentine supporters serenading their team, and their hero, in rapturous song on Tuesday night.

They had plenty to sing about.

Argentina rose to the occasion, and so did Lionel Messi, who in his 200th cap took another step towards solidifying his place as the greatest footballer in the history of the sport, scoring three splendid goals and tying Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time goal scoring mark in World Cup play (16), the performance coming just hours after France’s Kylian Mbappé leapfrogged him, with 14.

The Inter Miami midfielder also became the first player to appear at six World Cups, a record that feels certain to be equalled by Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal begins play. Messi had been recovering from a muscle injury in recent weeks but any doubt surrounding the Argentine captain’s status was quickly wiped away when he was named to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni’s starting XI, and those doubts were ancient history shortly the match itself began.

Messi had very nearly nabbed Argentina’s opener just five minutes in when a through ball found him at the near side of the box. His shot was perfectly placed, but assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz correctly flagged him offside by the smallest margin. Not two minutes later, Algeria winger Farès Chaïbi had an equally clinical finish waved off after finding himself offside by a similarly narrow margin.

Messi wasted little time putting Argentina ahead, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute. His Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul found Messi 40 yards out, after which the former Barcelona star turned and took three touches towards goal. With no defenders in sight, his driven shot from the edge of the area was too powerful for Algeria keeper Luca Zidane, glancing off his fingertips and into goal.

The one negative mark on an otherwise brilliant performance came in the first half, with Messi fortunate to escape without punishment after a rash challenge in which he raked his cleats across the back of Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi’s calf. The Argentine likely deserved a yellow, and potentially even a red. He received neither, and the play was not reviewed on the field.

Messi’s second of the night was even more easily taken than his first. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s speculative effort from 30 yards was pushed away by Zidane directly into the path of Messi, who coolly slotted it home from close range. Again, Algeria’s backline was nowhere to be found. Argentina, on the other hand, were excellent defensively throughout the entire match.

The Argentine legend completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute with a vintage finish, threading his strike through a trio of defenders and just out of reach of Zidane. He left the match minutes later.

Both fanbases have been well-represented for days in Kansas City and nearby Lawrence, Kansas, where Algeria has based themselves for the entirety of their tournament. Thousands of Argentine supporters packed a local park on Monday night for a banderazo, singing, chanting and dancing into the wee hours. The party moved to the stadium on Tuesday evening, which was full of noise hours ahead of kickoff.

Algeria’s supporters have been the subject of a remarkable story in nearby Lawrence, Kansas, where residents have welcomed them with open arms. Though understandably outnumbered by opposing fans, loud, vibrant pockets of green emerged from Argentina’s blue-and-white at times, urging the underdogs on.

The 28th-ranked Algerians will have hoped for a happier return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, having been revitalized under head coach Vladimir Petkovic, who arrived after a seven-year tenure with Switzerland. Algeria earned a reputation during qualifying for their high-energy approach, glimpses of which were present on Tuesday, particularly in the closing moments of the first half. Despite some promising exchanges, they were repeatedly undone by poor finishing and never looked particularly competitive.

Algeria’s encounter with Jordan now has the makings of a must-win all of a sudden; they feel much more evenly matched with Austria.

Scaloni had tempered expectations out of Tuesday’s match in the lead-up to it, going as far on Monday as to say that a win against the Desert Foxes was far from necessary. Scaloni should know; he was at the helm in 2022 when Argentina narrowly lost in their group stage opener to Saudi Arabia, among the most shocking results in World Cup history.

Expectations aside, Scaloni will surely be pleased with three points, which bring Argentina towards the precipice of the round of 32. They’ll meet Austria in Arlington, Texas on Monday. Messi, as is his custom, will be expected to make even more history there.

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup as if it was his first, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez as he hailed the 41-year-old as "an example and a reference for football."

Armed with a richly talented generation, Portugal are among the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time.

Ronaldo's continued presence in Martinez's team has sparked debate over whether he is still a positive influence.

No one can match the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's 143 international goals. But he has failed to net in his last nine matches at major tournaments and offers little in a defensive role when the opposition are in possession.

Martinez, though, has no doubt he remains Portugal's best option up front.

"He is an example and a reference for football. For all those children on the street who begin to feel the love for sport, following the example of Cristiano Ronaldo is wonderful," Martinez told a press conference ahead of Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo.

"It is his sixth World Cup, but I can say that internally it seems to be his first World Cup in terms of intensity, in terms of emotional output, of how important it is for him to be prepared to lead the group.

"Within the team he is a vital player because he is the finisher, he is the player in the penalty area, he is the player who has those movements that can open spaces for other players. Within our attacking game, his numbers reflect the importance he has."

Bruno Fernandes said his first experience of a major tournament as a child came on home soil, when a 19-year-old Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the final of Euro 2004.

"All of us in this national team we have grown up watching Cristiano Ronaldo play and for us it's such an honour to play next to him now in the same team," said the Manchester United captain.

"We're all here to support him and to support Portugal to go as far as possible."

- 'Dreaming not forbidden' -

Fresh from winning Premier League player of the year accolades, Fernandes is part of one of the strongest midfields in the World Cup.

Vitinha and Joao Neves have recently won a second consecutive Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, while Bernardo Silva is set to join Real Madrid after a trophy-laden nine years at Manchester City.

"We have a very strong team, great individual quality, and beyond the individual quality and the strengths that we have as individual players, I think we are a very cohesive team, a very united team," added Fernandes.

"Obviously our dream is to be there (winning the World Cup) and I think that dreaming is not forbidden."

Portugal will also face tournament debutants Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

Martinez, though, warned against looking beyond DR Congo after the shock Spain suffered in being held 0-0 by Cape Verde in their opening match.

"We've got very little to win tomorrow from the outside. If you win against Congo, it's expected. If you win by one, it's a big problem. If you draw, it's a catastrophe. If you lose, this is the end of the world," said the Spaniard.

"They come with no expectations, they are enjoying being here. We've seen incredible performances from teams like Qatar, Cape Verde, exemplary performances, that shows you that there are no easy games in a World Cup."

Martinez also confirmed reports he is set to leave his role after the World Cup when his contract expires.

"My contract ends after the World Cup. This is not news, this is just a fact," he added.

"We're now focused on finishing the work that we've begun three-and-a-half years ago.

"When I came to Portugal the focus was to try to win everything, but most importantly to prepare for the World Cup."

kca/rcw

Erling Haaland opened his World Cup account with a brace on his tournament debut as Norway rolled past Iraq 4-1 in Boston.

Norway, appearing in the tournament for the first time in 28 years, took the lead after 29 minutes as Sander Berge played David Moller Wolfe in on the left of the penalty area and his low cross was turned in at the back post by Haaland.

Moments later, the Manchester City striker almost turned provider after latching on to Antonio Nusa’s fine pass and feeding Alexander Sorloth, whose shot was well blocked, with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard firing wide as Norway continued to dominate.

Iraq dealt a sucker-punch on the counter attack after 39 minutes. Ali Jasim played a clever reverse pass to Amir Al-Ammari and from his cross, Aymen Hussein planted a header low into the bottom corner.

It was a brilliant moment for the striker, who endured almost seven hours of questioning by US authorities on his arrival at O’Hare airport last week, and sparked wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.

But Iraq were level for just four minutes as goalkeeper Jalal Hassan failed to deal with a weak back pass and only succeeded in launching his clearance against Haaland, with the ball ricocheting into the net.

Iraq almost drew level in first-half stoppage time as Ali Al Hamadi was played through one-on-one, only to see Kristoffer Ajer’s last-ditch block steer his effort narrowly wide, before Akam Hashim’s volley from the edge of the box flew narrowly over the bar.

After the break, Hussein headed wide and Hussein Ali fired over as Iraq threatened an equaliser, only for Leo Ostigard to rise highest and head in an Odegaard corner after 76 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

Hassan denied Haaland his hat-trick with a good close-range save, but was powerless to prevent a fourth in stoppage-time.

Again Haaland was involved, heading the ball across the face of goal for Kristian Thorstvedt, who bundled it home - but the goal went down as a Hussein own goal as he attempted without avail to keep it out of his own net.

The result leaves Norway top of Group I, having underlined their status as dark horses in a group also containing 2022 runners-up France and Senegal, with the former winning 3-1 in their clash on Tuesday.

PA

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said star striker Erling Haaland proved the World Cup "wasn't too big" for him as he scored two goals in the 4-1 win over Iraq on Tuesday.

The Manchester City forward gave Norway the lead in their first appearance at a major tournament in 26 years and put them ahead again late in the first half after Iraq had equalised in Boston.

"You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn't too big for him," said Solbakken.

"I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today."

Haaland has now scored 57 international goals in just 51 appearances for Norway, and Iraq coach Graham Arnold believes the Norwegians go a "very long way" in this tournament.

"I'm incredibly proud to participate at the World Cup and to help win the first game for Norway in 28 years," said Haaland. 

Arnold admitted Iraq paid dearly for their errors but remained hopeful despite two more difficult games coming up against France and Senegal. 

"The boys did very well in the first half, but a couple of mistakes hurt us badly in the second half," said the Australian. 

"We have not given up hope three points could get us out of the group."

Iraq, whose only other World Cup appearance came in 1986, have now lost all four of their matches at the tournament.

Arnold though was keen to look at the bigger picture for a country whose football team has been held back for years by war and instability.

"It has been a great occasion for Iraq. So many fans here, it has been a special night. It's 40 years since Iraq have been to a World Cup."

mw/gj

Three-star Moon Area (Pa.) running back Jance Henry is the headliner in a recent wave of ineligible rules by the WPIAL. The class of 2027 prospect was ruled ineligible for the 2026 season after it was decided that his transfer from Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) didn’t meet WPIAL eligibility standards.

Originally born in Pennsylvania, Henry spent his junior year in Akron, Ohio. Helping to guide his team to a 2025 OHSAA Division 2 regional final, where they were defeated by Walsh Jesuit (Ohio.). During their season, the three-star running back put up 753 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

“Senior Jance Henry was ruled ineligible for football at Moon after transferring from Archbishop Hoban in Ohio. Henry, a running back-linebacker already committed to play in college at Bowling Green, played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Central Valley.” The Post-Gazette revealed in its report.

Following his junior year, Henry announced his commitment to Bowling Green in March. He chose them over offers from other top D1 programs, such as UNLV, UNC, Michigan State, Syracuse, Ole Miss, West Virginia, and others. He also recently completed an official visit with the Falcons in June.

Outside of Henry, several other players were ruled ineligible for next season. The WPIAL board of directors ultimately ruled eight prospects ineligible in a sport for the 2026-27 varsity season. With Pine-Richland (Pa.) duo, linebacker Zion Smith, and wide receiver Kylen Taylor are listed among them.

Also included in the ruling is senior Beaver (Pa.) quarterback Jaivin Peel. Throughout his varsity career, the quarterback has transferred over five times. As a freshman at Midland Lincoln Park (Pa.), he transferred to Central Catholic (Pa.) for just weeks before transferring back to the charter school.

During his time with Lincoln Park, he also played with Western Beaver (Pa.) in a collaborative deal. After his second stint at the charter school, he transferred to Kiski School (Pa.) before returning. Eventually, he finished his series of moves by landing in Beaver (Pa.) for the upcoming season.

 “The kids who are moving around to three and four different schools, I want to know why. Are you physically buying houses in every district you move into? Do you have rentals? Are there contracts? Are there bankruptcies involved?” WPIAL executive director Vince Sortino questioned.

Following the decision, the athletes who have been ruled ineligible are Henry, Peel, Taylor, Smith, as well as junior wrestler Ryder Carr, sophomore basketball player Amaizen Straughters, Jordyn Kelly, and Robert Mrozek. Additionally, each player will have an opportunity to appeal the decision and request a hearing.

Kylian Mbappe had just pulled level with Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer, but the glint in his eye revealed far more than the impressive finish. The French superstar whipped his head back towards a gleeful Michael Olise, grinning after the through ball that had just sliced Senegal open and banished a testing start to the World Cup 2026 for Les Bleus. It sent France on their way to a 3-1 victory, an imperfect performance but one that has confirmed perhaps the deadliest combination world football right now.

Indeed, it took a rousing second-half performance to confirm a winning start for Didier Deschamps’ side, and it stemmed from Olise, who was moved inside after starting on the right, and his appetite to control the game and change the pace at will. A moment before breaking the deadlock, Olise had drifted to the right, exchanged passes with Jules Kounde and assessed the French options buzzing around the Senegalese area. The Bayern Munich star placed a magnificent pass into a channel for Mbappe to surge onto. Merely redirecting the ball, without adding any more power, Mbappe beat a sprawling Edouard Mendy to send Les Bleus on their way.

Mbappe’s prominence will endure, but Olise can prove to be the second name discussed from this juggernaut. “[Mbappé] will always be our MVP,” Thierry Henry remarked. “But Michael Olise is starting to be our MIP... most important player.”

The noise has rightfully swirled around Mbappe in the build-up to this tournament as the 27-year-old bids to forget a turbulent season at Real Madrid. He may well complete a meteoric rise as the greatest World Cup player ahead of Pele, should he in fact win two titles and feature across three consecutive finals. His brace in this 3-1 victory in New York only underlines that trajectory.

A second, thumping finish from range moved him past Giroud as France’s top goalscorer (58) and ahead of Just Fontaine (13) for most World Cup goals by a Frenchman, with Miroslav Klose’s record (16) likely to go in the coming weeks. But despite a wealth of experience in Deschamps’ ranks, as Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue completed France’s Fab Four, while Bradley Barcola, who struck France’s second, the former Crystal Palace forward stands tall on football’s grandest stage. Mbappe’s partner in crime, the duo could resemble Romario and Bebeto’s combination that inspired Brazil’s triumph at USA 1994, though France have absurd depth and more options than that Selecao. A teammate willing to harness Mbappe’s express pace, Olise married vision and the most exquisite weight of pass to take over this Group I game and claim the Player of the Match award in the process.

“Ousmane is accustomed to playing on the right side and like Michael we can strike through the lines between a defence and a midfield,” Deschamps said when quizzed on the deployment of both players. “I did that change [at half-time] because I thought it would bring more connections between players, Michael has the ability to play both sides but the more he touches the ball the more dangerous he is. Kylian was ruthlessly efficient.”

In fact, Olise’s World Cup debut started by demonstrating his peculiar movement as one of the most creative forces in the final third, occupying the space between Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba and gazing upfield at this colossal MetLife Stadium.

“It's what he [Michael Olise] does off the ball, he’s a dream for a manager,” Thierry Henry, his coach with the French Olympic team, said. “He doesn't play the game, he thinks about the game, you can play him in a lot of positions. You don't have to change your team to adapt to him, he will fit in. Of course he does [have the potential to be the best in the world]."

Mbappe had shrugged off a scrappy first half that included several clunky touches, with France producing an all-time low of one first half shot in a World Cup group stage match since 1966, according to Opta. But it was Olise who provided the spark.

It started with a powerful run after the restart, drifting past Kalidou Koulibaly, only to see his shot blocked by Mendy’s sprawling leg. A moment later he brought back memories of Zinedine Zidane, attracting pressure in midfield before spinning in behind and laying on a majestic pass into the path of Mbappe. That potent combination was merely a step away from breaking the deadlock, but Senegal had been warned.

How you stop Olise in this form will become a fundamental part of the tournament and just how far France go. His power and stature afford him the ability to deal with aggressive tactics from opponents, while Didier Deschamps’ liberal approach to his fab four’s positions enabled the opener, too. Should teams venture forward, then Olise can come alive and punish teams in transitions, yet this was an example of what can happen if you sit off and operate a deep block.

His gluttony for production in the final third remains on a relentless pace, too, having produced 27 assists last season. And this decisive impact in a 3-1 victory for France further shows just how Olise can help take Mbappe to new heights.

Now Kylian Mbappe has accelerated past Pele. Just Fontaine and Olivier Giroud, too. A record-breaking goal in French history came during a landmark brace in World Cups. More immediately, though, it gave France and Mbappe a winning start. His quest to play in a third World Cup final at just 27 is up and running.

Mbappe’s magnificent double, sandwiching a striker from Bradley Barcola, prevented a repeat of 2002 and rewrote many a record book. Mbappe’s goals were his 57th and 58th goal for his country. He leapfrogged his old partner Giroud, who broke Thierry Henry’s France record at the last World Cup, knew he was only borrowing it before Mbappe claimed it, presumably to keep for rather longer. Some 14 of them have come in World Cups: Fontaine got 13 in one tournament alone while Pele’s dozen took four. That, too, may be another record Mbappe is destined to hold. Miroslav Klose could lose it in the next few weeks.

It is quality and quantity. A stunning opener outlined the talent in the French ranks. Michael Olise was the supplier, Mbappe the scorer. The creator got some 27 assists for Bayern Munich this season, the finisher 42 goals for Real Madrid. Everyone else could envy that firepower, even if there were precious few signs of it in a first half that felt a continuation of Euro 2024, where France struggled to score.

But if this World Cup has featured matches of four quarters, there was something pleasingly old-fashioned in this proving a game of two halves. France were impotent in the first, but not the second. Maybe Didier Deschamps’s invective at the interval worked, or perhaps talent told.

Mbappe's goals were laced with class. Olise’s reverse pass was delightful, Mbappe’s finish just as precise. It was all about the angles, each showing a geometric brilliance. Then, deep in added time, he unleased a howitzer from distance.

It meant France need not bemoan a bemusing decision. A few minutes before the deadlock was broken, Sadio Mane slid in on Mbappe, making no contact with the ball, but some with the Frenchman. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed it on the monitor, seemed to give the penalty and then did not, coming up with the strange conclusion the attacker initiated the contact. Deschamps looked unimpressed.

But officiating controversies and Senegal can go hand in hand after the final of the African Cup of Nations. This time, at least, the result is unlikely to be reversed. Senegal, though, could look at the opening period, remember the shock scoreline that greeted the start of the 2002 tournament, and feel they could have led France again.

There was almost a false start to Mbappe’s tournament. He lost the ball to El Hadji Malick Diouf, allowing Nicolas Jackson to sprint away from Dayot Upamecano and rifle a shot against the foot of the post. Jackson’s finishing can be erratic; he was inches away then and, when he thought he had hammered in an equaliser later, was offside. By the time Senegal did score, Ibrahim Mbaye powering a shot past Mike Maignan, there were 95 minutes on the clock. And it drew an immediate, superlative response from Mbappe.

The finishing was sensational at the end of the second half, but not the first. Ismaila Sarr skied a chance from six yards. It was a glaring miss from a player who has been prolific this season. It proved a turning point.

France had a lone shot before the break, their fewest in 45 minutes of World Cup football since 1966. It seemed a scant return when Deschamps had unleashed his most feared front four, with Mbappe leading the line, Ousmane Dembele behind him and Desire Doue and Olise flanking them.

With Mbappe’s touch betraying him, they looked far less than the sum of their considerable parts in the opening 45 minutes, rather more deadly thereafter. Then they could rue the excellence of a footballer born in France; Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who made two terrific saves in a few minutes, denying first Olise, when supplied by Jules Kounde, and then Mbappe, after Olise released him. After Mbappe scored, it was Doue’s turn to be thwarted by Mendy.

When Mendy was beaten again, it underlined the depth of class France possess. Bradley Barcola had just come on when, with his first touch, the double Champions League winner doubled France’s lead. Adrien Rabiot provided a defence-splitting pass, the Paris Saint-Germain winger raced on to it and dinked his finish over Mendy.

And as France flicked the switch from dull to devastating, they indicated why they may return to New Jersey for the final. Two of the other favourites, Brazil and Spain, had started with draws. But neither boasted a centre-forward of Mbappe’s calibre. And very few teams ever in the World Cup have had a man who has scored so often on the global stage.

Erling Haaland struck his first World Cup goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday in their first game at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes in Boston, but Aymen Hussein's header brought Iraq level.

Haaland pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goals tally at international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up victory. Norway got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

No team endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifiers in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

Hussein, scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was then held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq's first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players - led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard - can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a "very big impact" at his first major finals, and the City star was quick to deliver on that promise. 

Antonio Nusa's trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all their of group games on their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

Amir Al-Ammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they giftwrapped Haaland's second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly-hit backpass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland's shin and ricocheting into the net.

Iraq again responded well with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling an effort wide and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard's corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland nonetheless had a hand in Norway's late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

mw/rcw

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell observed right-hander Daniel Palencia from the dugout Monday night and thought something looked off.

Palencia didn’t feel great coming out of his outing on Wednesday in Colorado, and had four days off before getting the ball in the top of the ninth to try to keep the Cubs’ deficit at one run in their eventual walk-off victory over the Rockies. He walked the first batter he faced, then got a visit from a trainer and Counsell, who had become concerned by the body language the 26-year-old was projecting.

Palencia told them he was fine and proceeded to strike out the next three Rockies hitters, the last two batters on three pitches each. But Palencia’s elbow didn’t feel great following his outing and was symptomatic, issues that persisted Tuesday and resulted in the Cubs placing him on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Right-hander Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his roster spot.

“You’ve got to just take the feedback and make a decision,” Counsell said of his mound visit to check on Palencia. “I mean, everybody wants to compete, and Danny wants to compete. You try to read through that, just make a decision.”

There are currently no plans for Palencia to undergo imaging on his elbow. He will receive treatment and see how his elbow responds.

“Elbow injuries are always of some concern,” Counsell said. “But we want to give it some days here just to kind of see how he feels.”

This represents Palencia’s second IL stint this season after missing three weeks from mid-April into May with a left oblique strain. Palencia entered the MLB season following a heavy workload in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. His country requested permission from the Cubs to push his usage beyond the initial agreement once they reached the championship game, which Palencia closed out against Japan. He pitched in five of their seven WBC games, including three times in a four-day stretch to end the tournament.

As for whether there is a cause-and-effect situation with Palencia’s injuries and his WBC workload, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tuesday, “I don’t know, there’s no way to prove or disprove that at all.”

“I think we discussed at the time that wasn’t the most comfortable thing for the Cubs or the Brewers — there’s a lot of teams that were impacted by the schedule, I would say — but there’s no way to prove or disprove that, as with any of the WBC stuff that it is an unusual ramp up for guys. It’s an unusual time of year to be doing what they’re doing, and when guys get hurt or guys underperform early in the season or whatever, I think people ask those questions.

“It’s certainly something that people are going to ask, and I understand why they ask.”

With Palencia sidelined, there is no obvious reliever to take over the role, though given the Cubs’ struggles over the last five weeks he didn’t get many save opportunities. Between his previous time on the IL and this stretch for the club, Palencia hasn’t recorded a save since May 14 and has three total saves this season. He owns a 2.70 ERA in 19 appearances. Expect to see left-handers Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner and right-handers Jacob Webb, in particular, in high leverage spots, with right-handers Trent Thornton and Phil Maton used in certain matchups.

“The difficulty is you lose a good pitcher, I think that’s why it’s harder,” Counsell said. “The guys will have to just get their outs, and it’ll be maybe not the same order every night, but the same guys.”

Jun. 16—The 2026 West Central Tribune All-Area Softball Team is book-ended with plenty of talent.

Of the 18 players that made the first and second teams, there are seven seniors that capped off their prep careers with outstanding final seasons. They're joined by four freshmen and an eighth-grader who are at the start of what should be productive tenures.

Leading the All-Area teams are the finalists from Section 3A: BOLD and Yellow Medicine East. Both the Warriors and Sting have three All-Area picks.

BOLD went to state for the first time in school history and was the first area softball program to reach the state tournament since 2013. Going 23-8 this spring, the Warriors finished third in the Class A state tournament.

YME finished 20-7 overall and 11-2 in the Camden Conference

They're also headlined by a pair of four-time All-Area picks. For BOLD, that's sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Flann. And for YME, that's senior pitcher Bayli Sneller.

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Lac qui Parle Valley, Minnewaska, New London-Spicer and Willmar each had two picks. Litchfield and Renville County West are also represented.

The All-Area team was selected by the WCT sports staff with input from area coaches

Here is the 2026 West Central Tribune All-Area Softball Team in alphabetical order.

A six-year varsity starter for Yellow Medicine East, Almich helped the Sting reach the Section 3A championship game. In her final season, Almich hit for a .412 average with 33 hits, three doubles, two triples and 24 RBIs. On defense, she tallied 231 putouts with a .996 fielding percentage and just one error. An All-Area second-team member a year ago, Almich earned All-Camden Conference and All-Section 3A honors.

"Alana is a six-year varsity member who has shown tremendous growth in her career," said YME head coach Jen Sneller. "She has played both shortstop and catcher and has been incredibly successful at them both. At catcher, she is aware of the importance of pitch placement and calls them accordingly; her strong arm kept runners from taking additional bases this season. At the plate she was patient and selective, waiting for the pitch she could strongly put into play."

The leadoff batter and center fielder for BOLD, Beckler's speed and athleticism was on full display on a day-to-day basis. Becker was named a Class A All-State honorable mention, All-West Central Conference and All-Section 3A after putting up a .373 average, a .391 slugging percentage and .830 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Beckler had 41 hits, two doubles, 11 RBIs, 24 runs and drew 13 walks. A three-year starter and honorable mention All-Area pick last year, Beckler set a single-season school record with 30 stolen bases.

"Lila is our lefty slapper and leadoff hitter who sets the tone for our offense," said Warriors head coach Jessica Aaseth. "She understands her role perfectly: get on base, steal as many bases as possible, and pressure defenses from the first pitch. Once Lila gets on, good things usually happen for our lineup. ... Defensively, she is a difference maker in center field. Lila covers a tremendous amount of ground and has made several big-time diving plays, taking hits away from opposing hitters."

Also earning Class A All-State honorable mention as an outfielder was Conn. Playing left field for Lac qui Parle Valley, Conn hit for a .455 average and .538 on-base percentage with 35 hits, five doubles, three triples, three home runs, 21 RBIs, 43 runs, nine walks and 30 stolen bases. Conn also earned All-Camden, Academic All-State and Academic All-Camden.

"Caleigh was tough as nails for us at the plate," said LQPV head coach Scott Sawatzky. "She possesses power and excellent hand-eye coordination, and is able to hit the ball to all parts of the field. She has great instincts on the bases, and was second in stolen bases this season with 30. She has made nice improvements defensively in left field, making solid reads on fly balls. Her strong arm makes trying to take an extra base a risky move for opposing base runners. Caleigh transformed into an all-around strong player for our softball team.

Flann is back on the All-Area first team for the fourth time. She dominated in the circle for the state-bound Warriors, compiling a 23-7 record with a 0.98 ERA over 186 innings. She recorded a school 284 strikeouts to 20 walks and threw three no-hitters this season. She also holds the BOLD record for career strikeouts at 673. On offense, Flann hit .276 with a .467 on-base percentage and a .769 on-base-plus-slugging. She had two doubles, 15 RBIs, eight runs and was hit by a pitch 10 times, setting a new school record. Her post-season accolades include Class A All-State honorable mention, All-West Central Conference, All-Section 3A and the Class A All-State Tournament Team.

"Her work ethic, competitiveness, and ability to perform in big moments have made her the backbone of our team," Aaseth said. "She put up impressive numbers in the postseason against tough competition. When the competition got tougher, Kaitlyn elevated her game. Against some of the best teams in Minnesota, she pitched 71.2 innings, allowed only six earned runs, and struck out 90 batters. She posted an incredible 0.59 ERA while holding opponents to a .185 batting average. Her ability to perform at an elite level in the biggest moments was a driving force behind our run to the state tournament and eventual third-place finish."

Named LQPV's team MVP, Geiser was also tabbed a Class A All-State second team selection and an All-Camden Conference pick. Geiser hit for a .512 average and .545 on-base percentage with 42 hits, eight doubles, one triple, four home runs, 31 RBIs, 23 runs and 14 stolen bases.

"Maddie is an offensive weapon for LQPV," Sawatzky said. "She has uncanny power for a ninth-grader and quick hands, making her a tough out for any level pitcher in our area. Maddie made significant strides this season defensively, as she saved us by digging several balls from the dirt. She has a solid softball IQ and has great instincts on the bases."

A two-time All-Area second team pick, Lieser makes the jump to the first team in her final season. Named a Class A All-State second-team player, Lieser batted .453 with a .573 slugging percentage, 34 hits, six doubles, one home run, 18 RBIs and 21 runs. She holds BBE's school record for career hits (147). On defense, Lieser had a 1.000 fielding percentage with 45 putouts and four assists. She was also named All-Central Minnesota Conference first team, team MVP and was selected to play in the 2026 Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches' Association All-Star Series.

"McKenna is a very talented player who excels in all three phases of the game," said Jaguars head coach Logan Funk. "All of her high-school softball accomplishments were earned because of the work ethic she shows day in and day out. This is the reason she is our new career hits leader at BBE. Outside of the skill McKenna has, she's an unbelievable leader and person that doesn't care about her stats, but wants what's best for the team."

Nelson was a powerful player both at the plate and in the circle. The Wildcats' senior with a .500 average, 43 hits, six doubles, seven triples, two home runs, 33 RBIs, 22 runs and five stolen bases. At pitcher, Nelson went 8-6 with a 3.86 ERA with 82 strikeouts. According to head coach Jacob Beranek, she tied a state record with three triples in a game. An All-Area second teamer last season, Nelson was named All-Wright County Conference and team MVP.

Back on the All-Area first team, nothing hit the ground with Schulz in the outfield. She had a 1.000 fielding percentage on 40 attempts, tying a school record with six outfield assists. She's also tied the school record with 11 career outfield assists. On offense, Schulz hit .381 with a .444 on-base percentage, 25 hits, four doubles, six triples, nine RBIs, 24 runs, six walks and 19 stolen bases. She was named All-West Central Conference. She is verbally committed to play college volleyball at Division II Sioux Falls.

"She is a leader in the field and in the dugout," said Minnewaska assistant coach Jesse Johnson. "Besides being great statistically, she is incredibly humble, and I have never once heard her talk about or ask about her stats or awards. We are very grateful we get to have her roam the outfield for one more season.

Bayli Sneller concludes her prep career with her fourth straight appearance on the All-Area first team. Sneller tossed 167-2/3 innings and racked up 220 strikeouts to 36 walks. That's a new single-season school record and adds to her school record 933 career strikeouts. Sneller also had a .980 fielding percentage. Offensively, Sneller hit .345 with 29 hits, three doubles, two triples and 16 RBIs. A six-year starter, Sneller is a two-time Camden Conference MVP, an All-Section 3A pick and was selected to play in the 2026 MFCA All-Star Series.

"Bayli's growth and leadership over her six-year varsity career is unmatched," Jen Sneller said. "She's a threat in the circle, attacks pitches in the box and leads with confidence in the dugout."

The number three hitter in the Warriors' lineup, Ema Flann hit for a .320 average with a .391 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage. She hit for seven doubles, three triples, 15 RBIs, 24 runs and drew 10 walks. She also stole 15 stolen bases. Ema was named All-West Central Conference and All-Section 3A.

"Ema's softball IQ is exceptional and she has a unique ability to impact the game in a variety of ways," Aaseth said. "At the plate, she can hit for power, but her speed also makes her a constant threat on the bases. ... Defensively, Ema is the leader of our infield. Her range at shortstop is impressive, and she has a knack for making difficult plays look routine. Beyond her performance on the field, she brings incredible energy to our team. She is often the loudest supporter in the dugout and is always the first person celebrating a teammate's success."

The youngest All-Area performer, Guennigsmann earned All-Central Lakes Conference honors after hitting .478 with a 1.200 on-base-plus slugging percentage. She had 32 hits, three doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs, 25 runs and 15 stolen bases. As a pitcher, Guennigsmann had a 3.19 ERA with 93 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .251 batting average over 79 innings. She was named the Cardinals' defensive MVP.

Willmar's offensive MVP, Hansen hit for a .522 average and 1.396 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. She finished with four doubles, six triples, one home run, 17 RBIs, 26 runs and 19 stolen bases. Defensively, Hansen had a .850 fielding percentage. For her efforts, Hansen was named All-Central Lakes.

Hinderks struck out a Renville County West record 179 batters, giving up 94 hits and 45 walks over 97-1/3 innings. She's also RCW's career strikeouts leader with 458. On offense, Hinderks hit .372 with a 1.225 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with 17 stolen bases. She was tabbed All-Camden, All-Section 3A and team MVP.

"Mackenna has been our starting pitcher for at least two seasons and has shown why she deserves that spot," said Jaugars head coach Pamela Winzenburg. "Over this season she has learned how to refocus when the going gets tough and adapt to the thing we can't control. Her passion for this sport is raw and every day she comes to practice and games ready to learn and improve."

Named All-Wright County and All-Section 3AA, Holmgren batted .404 with eight doubles, a triple, one home run and 26 RBIs. In the circle, she had a 4.71 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 44 walks over 77-1/3 innings for Litchfield.

"On the rubber, Holmgren was the definition of a workhorse, leading the pitching staff in both innings pitched and strikeouts with her commanding presence," said Dragons head coach Nicholas Besemer. "Her impact expanded significantly this spring thanks to a breakthrough offensive season, the direct result of extensive dedication and hard work with her bat during the preseason. Holmgren's elite endurance in the circle and newly elevated offensive production made her an invaluable leader for the roster."

A right fielder for the Sting, Keller hit for a .459 average with 34 hits, five doubles, four triples, two home runs and 24 RBIs. Her efforts were enough to earn All-Camden and All-Section 3A honors.

"Emma is a second-year varsity member whose bat came alive this season," said Jen Sneller. "She led our team in average and RBIs. The time she put in (during) the off-season really showed this season."

Named NLS' team MVP, Meis batted for a .487 average with 38 hits, nine doubles, four triples, three home runs, 27 RBIs and 31 runs. She also stole six bases. In the field, Meis had a .979 fielding percentage and picked off nine base stealers. Meis was an All-Wright County pick.

A stalwart on the left side of BBE's infield, Primus batted .429 with a .532 slugging percentage, 33 hits, eight doubles, eight RBIs and 23 runs. As a fielder, Primus had 43 putouts, nine assists and a .944 fielding percentage. She was named First Team All-Central Minnesota Conference and team defensive MVP.

"Lydia is such a versatile player for our team ever since she made her varsity debut as an eighth grader and she's only getting better," Funk said. "This year served as our starting shortstop and she made some unbelievable plays and made everything look so easy. Offensively, she was one of our top hitters while being an incredible leadoff batter for our team."

An All-West Central Conference selection, Roering batted .408 with a .440 on-base percentage. She had 29 hits, eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 29 RBIs, 18 runs and 12 stolen bases. She'll head to Southwest Minnesota State to be a diver on the women's swimming and diving team.

"In her final season as a Laker, Ella took the next step we always knew she could," Johnson said. "Ella was a vocal leader and made everyone around her better. She worked incredibly hard in the offseason to prepare for the season and it clearly showed with her product on the field."

Ella Braegelman, 8th grade 1B, NLS

Brooke Johnson, Jr. C, ACGC

Avery Lewison, Jr. 2B, Minnewaska

Abbygale King, So. 1B, BOLD

Reyna Mendoza, Sr. 3B, MACCRAY

Kelsey Palmer, Sr. P/2B, Litchfield

Kourtney Peterson, Jr. 3B, YME

Allie Simon, Jr. P, ACGC

Taylor VanHeuveln, Sr. P/SS, KMS

Mya Worms, Jr. P, BBE

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said his side had paid for taking their eye off the ball at critical moments in the 3-1 defeat by France in their opening World Cup match on Tuesday.

The Senegalese regretted not taking their chances in the first-half as France found their rhythm and a double by Kylian Mbappe and a goal by Bradley Barcola saw them comfortably home in the Group I clash in East Rutherford.

Ibrahim Mbaye was on the mark for Senegal. 

Mendy said that even though they may have had the better of the first-half, the Lions of Teranga had failed to execute their game plan.  

"We were a bit sluggish in the first-half," the 34-year-old told beIn Sports. 

"We knew that in the second we had to raise our level, be more cutting edge in attack.

"We were at times, although against teams like these, you have to be totally on your game defensively and offensively.

"You cannot take your eye off the ball because you are up against pure talent."

Mendy, a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, said he did not believe there was a gaping chasm between the two teams. 

"We know what our qualities are and that we are capable of playing better," he said.

"We were especially lax when it came to retaining possession, we should have been more consistent in keeping it.

"But then again we did have a very good team as the opposition today."

Mendy, an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2021, said there was still all to play for in terms of reaching the second round.

The 2002 quarter-finalists have Norway next Monday followed by Iraq four days later. 

"As I said even if we won this match, the group would still be open," said Mendy, who plays his club football for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.  

"Today we lost but just as in 2022 (when they lost their opening group game but recovered to reach the knockout stages) we must rest and focus on Norway."

pi/rcw

Kylian Mbappe was convinced he had won a penalty in France’s 2026 World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on Tuesday, only to be left flabbergasted as Australian referee Alireza Faghani gave a corner – and then changed his decision to a goal-kick after watching replays.

Mbappe dribbled into the box where Senegal’s Sadio Mane slid in to make a tackle. As Mane reached Mbappe, the France captain touched the ball away from his opponent and then collapsed in a heap under Mane’s challenge. Mbappe could only laugh as the referee waved away French appeals and awarded a corner.

• Follow France v Senegal – live!

Referee Faghani was sent to review the decision on his pitchside monitor by his VAR, and as he stepped back on to the pitch, French players and coaching staff began to celebrate. But instead of awarding a penalty, Faghani announced: “The attacker initiated the contact.”

To rub salt into French wounds, the corner was overturned after replays clearly showed that Mane made no contact with the ball.

Pundits were aghast at the decision. “That is just rubbish,” said Pat Nevin on BBC Sport. “Utter nonsense. No chance at all. How can he [Mbappe] have initiated the contact? The most nonsensical line I have ever heard.”

“I don’t get it,” added Alan Shearer. “You can see the lunge from Mane and his left leg catches Mbappe. How can Mbappe initiate contact if he is in front of him? It’s bizarre, it really is.”

“I can’t support the referee’s decision to be honest,” said Darren Cann, an assistant referee at the 2010 World Cup final. “For me it is a clear penalty. My phone has blown up with messages from several of the world’s best referees who also can’t understand why a penalty wasn’t given. For me it is very, very clear and I am extremely surprised he did not point to the spot after a correct VAR review.”

France were not complaining for long. Minutes later, Mbappe latched on to a cleverly disguised throughball by Michael Olise and turned home a first-time finish to put France into the lead. And substitute Bradley Barcola added a second to put the French two goals clear.

The Dolton Police Department completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of professional basketball player Khapri Alston, 31, last month, but are waiting for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to review the case.

Alston was shot and killed May 21 on the 14100 block of Martin Luther King Drive in Dolton.

The Police Department’s investigative findings were sent to the state’s attorney’s office for review, the village said in a statement.

“We understand the community’s concern and the family’s desire for answers,” the statement said. “We share those concerns and recognize the importance of ensuring this matter is handled with the utmost professionalism, integrity, and transparency.”

The decision of whether to file charges will be made by the state’s attorney’s office, the village said.

The state’s attorney’s office confirmed last week it was contacted in the case, but would not comment on a pending investigation.

“As in every case, prosecutors must evaluate all of the available evidence and consider the applicable laws to determine whether we can meet the legal standard for bringing criminal charges,” the office said in a statement.

The case has drawn substantial attention, with controversial former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard among the most prominent voices calling for answers.

“He was beloved and he deserved justice,” Khapri’s father, Chenier Alston, said following the shooting. “We’re not going to stop until we get justice.”

Alston played for several basketball teams both in the United States and abroad, his father said, and won a championship in Chile.

The Club Deportivo Valdivia, whom Alston played for in Chile, posted on its social media last week that it would be holding a Khapri Alston Cup in his honor on June 28 and 29 together with Club Deportes Las Ánimas.

elewis@chicagotribune.com

Major League Baseball has cautioned players against writing on their caps after several Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night hats during a game Friday.

“The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations,” the league said in a statement.

The Giants—the first MLB team to incorporate Pride elements into their uniforms—wore hats with rainbow colors on the logo for Friday’s game against the Cubs. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote the Bible verse “Genesis 9:11–16” on their caps next to the logo, while Sam Hentges wore the standard Giants cap without the rainbow colors. All four appeared in the game.

The verses referenced rainbows, stating that God will never flood the earth and that a rainbow will be a symbol of that promise.

Roupp told reporters after the game that he meant “no hate” with his actions. Asked what he would say to anyone who took offense with it, Roupp said:

“First of all, as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible. I think God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I would be here right now if it wasn’t for him. So, like I said, there’s no hate in it at all. We live in a country where you’re welcome to believe what you want. There’s a freedom of speech and stuff like that, so that’s really all I have to say about that. I’m just thankful that God has put me in this situation and that I can go out and share his kingdom.”

Hentges told reporters he didn’t wear the cap because he felt like he was “forced to support when I don’t morally support it.”

“There wasn’t hatred behind it. I think that’s kind of something that’s misinterpreted. I don’t hate the LGBTQ community. It’s just something I believed and talked with teammates and family, and they supported it.”

The Giants apologized to fans but defended their players’ behavior.

“The San Francisco Giants are proud to support Pride Night and the LGBTQ+ community. Baseball should be a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued,” the team said in a statement. “We also respect that individuals may make personal choices about participating in team activations.

“We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community and we are sorry for that. Those choices do not change our organization’s commitment to inclusion, belonging, and creating a welcoming environment for all. We remain grateful to our fans, partners, employees, players, and coaches who help make Pride Night a meaningful celebration.”

Of the 30 MLB teams, 29 have a special Pride Night this month for the 2026 season. The Rangers are the only team that doesn’t hold a Pride-themed celebration. 

The post MLB Warns Giants Pitchers Over Writing on Pride Caps appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL supplemental draft as the highest-touted prospect in more than a decade.

After announcing Monday that he would no longer fight his gambling punishments and pursue playing at Texas Tech in 2026, the quarterback will now be available for NFL teams to acquire ahead of this upcoming season, if the league declares him eligible. 

The NFL declined to comment when reached by Front Office Sports on Monday night.

The NFL supplement draft is only held when there is a player or players deemed ineligible by the NCAA after the annual draft in the spring. It hasn’t been held since 2023, and a player hasn’t been selected in it since 2019, when the Cardinals picked former Washington State safety Jalen Thompson. No other players other than Sorsby have entered the supplement draft yet this year.

There are seven rounds, with teams giving up a corresponding selection in the same round of the next year’s draft. For example, Arizona used a fifth-round pick on Thompson, and forfeited a fifth-round choice in the 2020 draft.

Unlike the regular draft, the supplemental draft order is divided into three groups:

• Teams with six or fewer wins the previous season
• Remaining teams that missed the postseason
• 14 playoff teams

The order within each group is randomly selected.

The June 22 deadline to enter the supplemental draft was fast approaching for Sorsby. There’s no set date, but league rules state it should happen before training camp.

Money Matters

Sorsby was projected by many draft analysts to be a potential first- or second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, depending on how he played at Texas Tech in 2026.

The same rookie wage scale for the standard NFL Draft applies to the supplemental draft. So in addition to weighing the risk and reward of giving up a pick in next year’s draft, NFL franchises will also be considering how much money they would have to pay Sorsby.

First-round contracts in April were valued between $16.7 million and $57.2 million over four years. Second-round contracts ranged from $7.8 million to $13.3 million. Third-round deals were worth between $6.7 million and $7.4 million.

If Sorsby goes undrafted, he would immediately become an undrafted free agent, free to sign with any of the 32 NFL franchises.

In 2012, the Browns used a second-round pick on wide receiver Josh Gordon, who signed a four-year deal worth $5.34 million. 

The most recent quarterback taken in the supplement draft was former Ohio State signal caller Tyrell Pryor, who was picked by the Raiders in 2011 with a third-round selection. He signed a four-year, $2.746 million deal.

Former receiver Cris Carter is the only player taken in the NFL supplement draft to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

In total, 46 players have been picked in the supplement draft since it began in 1977.

The post Brendan Sorsby Brings Unprecedented Intrigue to NFL Supplemental Draft appeared first on Front Office Sports.

MLB has completed the first 12 weeks of the 2026 season. Specific players have continued producing great numbers, while a handful are missing time due to injury. Now is the time when player production starts garnering attention for All-Star rosters. Entering Week 13, here are the top ten shortstops in the league.  

MORE: MLB catcher power rankings entering week 13

1. CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

Abrams is having a strong season. Entering the week, he is second in home runs, first in RBI, and first in OPS among MLB shortstops. He is on his way to representing the National League in the upcoming All-Star game.

2. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

De La Cruz is showing improvements this season. He’s seen his batting average progress compared to his first few seasons. Entering the week, he is one of two MLB shortstops with double-digit home runs and stolen bases. The Reds need to get him back from the IL ASAP.

3. Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox

Montgomery is making a name for himself in year two. He is turning into a future superstar for the White Sox. Entering the week, he leads MLB shortstops in home runs.

4. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Witt Jr. started the season slow but has been on a tear. Entering the week, Witt Jr. is second in hits and first in stolen bases among MLB shortstops. If healthy, he can contend for the American League MVP Award.

5. Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins

Lopez is having an outstanding season. Entering the week, he leads MLB shortstops in hits. Otto Lopez leads the Marlins in batting average and hits.

6. Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers

McGonigle is having a strong rookie season. Entering the week, he ranks third in hits and first in on-base percentage among MLB shortstops. He will be a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

7. Brayan Rocchio, Cleveland Guardians

Brayan Rocchio is having a strong season. Entering the week, he is tied for ninth in hits among MLB shortstops. He leads the Cleveland Guardians in batting average.

8. Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

Neto has hit for power while striking out often. Entering the week, he is one of two MLB shortstops with double-digit home runs and stolen bases. He is on pace for a third consecutive season with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases.

9. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

Henderson has sold out for power. Entering the week, he’s tied for second in home runs among MLB shortstops. However, his strikeout rate is at an all-time high.

10. Konnor Griffin, Pittsburgh Pirates

The rookie is working his way back from a strained flexor tendon. He’s produced when on the field. He will be a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

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England defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury and replaced by Trevoh Chalobah on the eve of the team's opening match against Croatia.

The Newcastle right-back, 23, sustained the injury during a training session at the team's Kansas City base on Sunday.

Chelsea centre-back Chalobah, 26, who has one cap, will not join up with the squad until after Wednesday's match in Arlington, Texas.

"Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England's 26-player squad at FIFA World Cup 2026 after injury sadly forced the withdrawal of Tino Livramento," an England team statement said.

"Arrangements are now being made for the Chelsea defender to make the journey to the team's base camp in Kansas City, while the rest of the squad will head to Dallas, Texas for the Three Lions' opening group fixture against Croatia on Wednesday.

"Newcastle United defender Livramento picked up a calf injury in training on Sunday afternoon.

"A subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday unfortunately confirmed he could play no further part in England's tournament."

Livramento, who has six caps, missed the final weeks of the Premier League season with a thigh injury.

England's other two opponents in Group L are Ghana and Panama.

jw/jc

While the World Cup in North America is set to feature footballing titans like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, representing the sport's typical rags-to-riches narrative, Sweden's squad boasts a player from a decidedly different background.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, a 26-year-old defender who played a full match in Sweden’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia on Sunday, is a baron from one of Sweden's noble families. His father and grandfather both hold the title of count, a stark contrast to the modest beginnings often associated with professional footballers.

"I mean, it’s rare," Lagerbielke admitted in an interview before the tournament, acknowledging his unique heritage.

He grew up in Djursholm, an affluent suburb of Stockholm, and even had his family's coat of arms emblazoned on his shin pads as a child.

Reflecting on his journey, Lagerbielke stated after Sunday's match: "When I was kid, I wanted to become a professional footballer. They have taught me goals. They are very happy for me and very proud."

His aristocratic lineage has been a recurring talking point throughout a career that has seen him play for several Swedish clubs, Scotland's Celtic, and now in Portugal.

Reports in the British media once suggested he was 254th in line to the Swedish throne, a claim Lagerbielke views with a degree of scepticism.

"I don’t know if it’s true," he said, adding, "But I think for it to happen, a lot of people need to go away. And I don’t want that to happen."

For now, Lagerbielke's focus remains firmly on the pitch, aiming to help Sweden achieve glory at the World Cup.

"To have one of the biggest wins in Swedish history at the World Cup, it’s amazing," he remarked.

Sweden will be back in action on Saturday when they face the Netherlands. Ronald Koeman’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan on Sunday, leaving Sweden top of the group after the opening round of fixtures.

Sweden will then conclude their group stage campaign by playing Japan on Thursday 25 June, and they are already in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds after their huge win over Tunisia.

Look far enough down the list and eventually you will find him. Below Phil Neal and Viv Anderson, David Bardsley and Earl Barrett, Warren Barton and Danny Mills. Scroll down far enough down the English right-backs in Thomas Tuchel’s pecking order and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold’s name will appear.

Maybe, anyway. Because if two things were entirely unsurprising – that Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup and that Alexander-Arnold was not summoned to replace him – they were extraordinary nonetheless. Alexander-Arnold plays for Real Madrid. He is a triple Champions League finalist, a double Premier League winner, a player who has been in both the FIFPro World XI and the Champions League’s team of the season. He is the defender who has made the most goals in Premier League history. And he now seems, at most, England’s seventh-choice right-back.

Because he appears to be behind – perhaps in this order, perhaps not – Reece James, Livramento, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah and Trevoh Chalobah, the man summoned to replace the luckless Newcastle defender. Had Chalobah been sidelined, perhaps the ultra-versatile James Garner would have been chosen ahead of Alexander-Arnold, too. Certainly, Tuchel had begun his reign by ranking Kyle Walker ahead of the Liverpudlian; Gareth Southgate did, too, but with the significant difference that Walker was terrific then. Tuchel ignored evidence of the roadrunner’s decline until last year’s defeat to Senegal presented irrefutable proof.

All of which suggests his attitude towards Alexander-Arnold has gone beyond the sphere of logic. Tuchel seems to want fewer distractions from his supporting cast, perhaps fewer questions why they are not playing. Alexander-Arnold was not the only big-name omission from the squad.

Yet if some of the back-ups were picked in part for their role off the pitch, there were always reasons to opt for the two finest right-backs. James’ quality on the ball makes it possible to construct an argument that, unlike many another countries, England might not necessarily need Alexander-Arnold’s passing and crossing skills. But Tuchel’s old ally is no stranger to injuries himself. Should the Chelsea captain be ruled out, the job of the reserve right-back is more than merely making up the numbers in training.

And then who plays right-back? Spence, presumably, for his pace going backwards. Yet if some of Tuchel’s squad construction appeared based on the notion of choosing two players for every position, his fondness for centre-backs who can fill in on the right seems to know no bounds. Konsa and Quansah are being joined by Chalobah.

The loss of Livramento was sadly foreseeable. He deserves plenty of sympathy; even at 23, there is no guarantee he has World Cups to come. But he is sadly injury-prone and missed the last month of the Premier League campaign, even before a calf problem curtailed his visit to the United States.

Then there is Alexander-Arnold, a world-class talent left to his own devices. And that ability tends to be displayed more on the ball than off it, and if Tuchel is not alone in harbouring doubts about his defensive abilities, it is nevertheless true that Liverpool, under first Jurgen Klopp and then Arne Slot, were able to achieve a great deal with him.

His shortcomings were rarely exposed (and one of those who did trouble him, Vinicius Junior, is now a club teammate, even if Tuchel may have noted he is a potential opponent in a possible World Cup quarter-final).

The German is not the first England manager to find Alexander-Arnold a quandary; but in Southgate’s time, he had Walker and Kieran Trippier at their peaks. It nevertheless feels a waste of quality that Alexander-Arnold began Euro 2024 in midfield and faces a World Cup at home.

An England career which has only yielded 34 caps in eight years has not seen his potential realised on the international stage. Yet he was arguably England’s finest player in the Lee Carsley interregnum. That seemed a breakthrough, after the end of the Walker-Trippier duopoly. Instead, James was the ultimate beneficiary.

And amid the focus on what Alexander-Arnold can’t do – or what he is perceived to lack, anyway – there may be insufficient emphasis on what he can do: the extreme creativity, the ability to play passes that only a handful of players on the planet can execute.

Which England could require, especially if James is sidelined. The first-choice right winger, Bukayo Saka, has injury issues of his own. Cole Palmer, who can cut in off the right to create, was another who did not make the cut under Tuchel. England could face a World Cup knockout tie with a right flank of Spence and Noni Madueke.

It is Tuchel’s way. But it feels a needless way of squandering the rare gifts of a unique player and it might cost England.

Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to replace the injured Tino Livramento in England’s World Cup squad.

Livramento’s injury is an early blow for Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for the tournament, coming just one day before the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia in Dallas.

Tuchel can replace Newcastle full-back Livramento in the squad with a deadline of 9pm (BST) on Tuesday – 24 hours before England’s first game of the tournament – and Chelsea defender Chalobah is on his way to the United States.

Chalobah is not expected to be involved against Croatia, but will be available for subsequent group matches against Ghana and Panama.

Livramento, 23, who can play at right back or left back, was seen as a back-up option for Reece James and Nico O’Reilly, who are set to start against Croatia.

Nonetheless, losing Livramento’s versatility ahead of the biggest World Cup ever will be tough for Tuchel to take. Other options at wing back already in the squad include Jarrell Quansah, Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence. Centre back Dan Burn can also fill in at left back.

As for who takes Livramento’s place in the 26-man squad, Chalobah is seen as likely to step in over Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has not made a Tuchel squad since last summer.

Fifa regulations state that a player can be replaced in the 26-man squad up to 24 hours before that side’s first game of the tournament, but only from the 55-man “provisional” list submitted before the tournament.

For Livramento, it is a hammer blow. The World Cup was his first major tournament call-up and the defender has five caps to his name. He also came on in England’s warm-up win against New Zealand 10 days ago.

The Chicago Bulls are the latest NBA team to choose their leader moving forward. Billy Donovan parted ways with the team in April, and the search for the next head coach of the prestigious franchise began shortly after. The Bulls were reportedly down to four candidates: Micah Nori, Ryan Schmidt, Wes Unseld Jr., and Tiago Splitter. The nearly two-month search came to an end Monday when Chicago decided on Splitter as its next head coach.

MORE: Stephen A. Smith publicly apologizes to NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson on national television

Splitter’s Coaching History

After Chauncey Billups was arrested on gambling charges in October, Splitter became the interim head coach of the Trail Blazers, stepping into his first head coaching role since entering the NBA coaching ranks. He was previously hired as an assistant coach in Portland in June. Splitter led the Blazers to their first playoff berth since the 2020-21 season.

Prior to that, Splitter joined the Nets in 2019 as a scout and player development coach. He remained in Brooklyn until 2023 before joining Ime Udoka’s staff in Houston. There, he became one of Udoka’s top assistants, which helped earn him the head coaching job with Paris Basketball during the 2024-25 EuroLeague season. Splitter also spent seven years in the NBA as a player, helping the Spurs win the 2014 NBA championship.

Why Splitter?

Chicago could have gone in several different directions with this hire, as there were still plenty of qualified names available. It seemed like the Bulls wanted a fresh face to lead their young roster, and Splitter fits that description. While he hasn’t been a full-time NBA head coach before, he showed real promise during his interim stint in Portland and in his role with Paris Basketball.

The Bulls were also linked to Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, who is relatively young but lacks head coaching experience. They could have stayed in-house and promoted assistant Wes Unseld Jr., but Unseld already had an opportunity as a head coach in Washington and struggled to find success.

Splitter gives Chicago a little bit of everything: a successful coaching background, former playing experience, and a younger voice to connect with a developing roster.

When it’s all said and done, the Bulls may have found their coach for years to come. It could be exactly what Chicago needs to help revive a franchise in desperate need of success.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

The Football Association will decide their position on another term for Fifa president Gianni Infantino during a “board review... in due course”, according to chief executive Mark Bullingham.

A number of federations have already endorsed the controversial Swiss official, despite numerous issues around this World Cup and growing dissent within Fifa as a consequence.

The Independent reported last week that multiple sources had spoken of impressions being made on them to support Infantino.

They also come amid some misgivings about term limits, given that the Fifa president again being re-elected in 2027 without challenge would ensure he eventually completes 15 years in the role – precisely the kind of longevity that predecessors Sepp Blatter and Joao Havelange had been criticised for.

There is a growing feeling that Infantino has pushed the constants of his position too far, most notably in the proximity to the Donald Trump administration and the awarding of the Fifa Peace Prize.

Bullingham nevertheless stated that the FA have not yet set out their position.

“That’s a board review that we will do in due course,” the chief executive told media at England’s Kansas City base.

There has been some frustration within fan groups like the Football Supporters Association that the FA have not used their position to be more vocal on ticket prices, which has been one of the major issues at this World Cup. The body would insist that their lobbying helped bring the introduction of the cheaper Category 4 tickets, although a further issue is that there have been so few of them, only going to the dedicated fans that attend the majority of away games.

“All our fans are important to us but the most important fans are the top cappers who follow us everywhere,” Bullingham said. “My understanding is the vast majority of them are going to be able to make it. I think the $60 ticket has had a positive effect on that. If you add it up throughout the tournament it’s 130,000 so it is a concession.

“Among the top cappers, you certainly want them there, they generate the atmosphere and as I understand it the vast majority of them will be able to make it.

“We’re really confident this World Cup will be a success, I understand that before any major sports event – Olympics, World Cup, whatever – there’s a lot of stories that are flying around. Once the football starts in earnest it will be a success, the country will get behind it and our fans that do come out will have a great experience.”

Asked whether the FA’s position on Infantino was in any way determined by this World Cup’s success or failure, and meeting projected revenues of $14bn, Bullingham pointed to wider Fifa politics.

“It’s funny though, when you look at it through the lens of other countries, there’s a lot of countries for whom Fifa is their main source of revenue,” added Bullingham. “So their priority is raising money.

“Obviously we’re fortunate enough that the Fifa money that we get is a relatively small proportion of our money. I think it’s 0.5 per cent or something like that. For other countries, I’d say it’s probably 70-80 per cent. So if someone’s increasing their revenue, obviously it allows them to do more sport development, so they’d have a different perspective.”

Let me take you into my world in 1999. We thought the computers would take over then too. I thought I was in love with T. I also thought I was in love with L. E thought she was in love with me. Or, at least, someone kept calling my landline, palm over receiver, hanging up.

None of us loved each other like I loved the Knicks. Teenage love can’t stack up to fan heartbreak. My mother’s Canarsie bedroom was my secret haven with a mirrored wall-length closet and plush green wall-to-wall carpet. I hated the Spurs and we were facing them in the Finals via one-handed phenom Latrell Sprewell, Light-Skin-Always-In Allan Houston, and spindly-armed Marcus Camby. Larry Johnson was also on the tail end of his very decent career, and had been imported to get New York one step closer. He’d done just that.

Patrick Ewing, our Caribbean hero of the 80s and 90s, had run out of gas, and sat on the bench like a rusty tow truck on a country road.

There are no long odds when you’re young. The world unfolds like a series of wins, like my hands up T’s skirt on the L train, her grinning and breathing different. Like the doughy aroma of 6 a.m. Avenue L bagels.

Catching the bus by the straps of my backpack caught in the door. I didn’t know how to mourn yet. How disappointment sat in the lower intestine waiting to drag me to the sewer. I knew sadness through the Knicks and being Black and young and overlooked. But these were vague emotions, the kinds I recorded in the little raps stuffed in my math notebook. I knew sadness like I knew ghosts who kept me awake. They had no texture, only a chilly presence in rooms I needed to escape.

The night the Knicks won their only Finals game, I was hanging out with my mother in her beautiful boudoir, sitting on the floor. She had laid on the bed in her curlers and bonnet, invested but not as knowledgeable once Ewing, the Jamaican, had faded into his sunset. I have to look at the box scores to remember all of it, but the expansive letdown started that evening as a kernel of light in my chest and kept widening until it poured out of my ears.

They barely held on to scratch out the win. No Knick shot well. I felt stymied, like I’d been tricked into believing something unlikely and cruel. As Michael Jordan’s career had ended, I thought, “We’re up next, obviously” not realizing ‘next’ could mean ‘never.’

Then Tim Duncan entered the picture. Then LeBron James. Steph Curry. A lot of stars were better than the Knicks, and shined brighter lights. They were also giants who shunned playing for a team that had more commercial wins outside of Madison Square Garden than in it.

That didn’t stop them from celebrating on our logos, stomping out our dreams. Duncan and company grabbed their first title in New York, and it’s like the basketball world left the Orange and Blue behind while each great went to the dance. Curry lit up 7th Avenue with 54 points in his debutante performance. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant bested each other’s 50-point outpourings during the same dismal season.

We sunk to the lowest rung of sports fandom: watching home games to witness other players.

A certain forlornness can be excused when you live in a walkable city, webbed with taxi stands and bikeways, local and express trains. The Big Apple’s protective of both your anonymity and your simultaneous, constant need for attachment and noise.

No worry.

Sirens will always drown out the quiet of your soul’s saddest depths.

Then, there was the night. That night. With the greatest comeback in basketball history. The greatest comeback of my life, too, though.

Life ain’t been no crystal stair for New Yorkers, for Knicks, for me. A couple days after the president dragged his demonic sludge through the place, some magic happened.

There are those who’ll tell you magic doesn’t exist. They’ll scoff at your altars and demolish your prayers. They’ll call your hope foolishness and their cynicism wisdom.

It’s the opposite. You have to reach the far edge of life, cliffhanging, roiling in apathy and sorrow to realize that faith is the only deliverance.

The Knickerbockers delivered an entire city, bred and masted at the maw of hell, to a single ecstatic reality: no hope is too silly. No dream will flourish unwritten. With 12 minute stretches of basketball, a game where the turns of a literal sphere dictate your pulse, the New York Knicks purged an entire city’s trauma.

Your world can exist in a bounce.

Then they won the championship. I was with my boys, from post-college, from the smoke-filled rooms, from the days where some left their dreams hanging just as thick as the weed in the air. We hugged and we cried and we FaceTimed. One of my best friends has two sons who now love basketball because they watch their dad break down the game and all the life to be learned from it. The thought alone tightens my rib cage around my swelling heart and produces the flood.

This year’s been really hard. My father died and — because of our difficult relationship— I refused to ID his body. The brutal mist of funeral home formaldehyde almost sucked my pupils out of their sockets as I signed his death certificate. Then I was laid off from my job for no reason. I had to accept my reality, but not lose my spirit in the agonies of a professional game.

I wrote. I wept. I exercised. In private.

But sometimes neither life nor fantasy is enough. My love for the Knicks occupies that indefinable space between improbable imaginary wins and heavy, cold stuck-ness.

Take, for example, their contradictions:

They’re run by a famously stingy, out-of-touch owner, James Dolan, but led by a star who took an enormous, unheard of pay cut to enlist his college bros to play with him.

They preside over the “World’s Most Famous Arena” but have long struggled to bring glory to it.

Their team is staffed by 8-figure millionaires, none of them classic “stars” — more like redemption stories, grinders, and hardheads who have few individual pro awards but plenty proof of their commitment to each other.

Knick fans — and this must be said — are almost exactly like New York itself: a group of transplants, recent arrivals, and dreamers contending against a league of old diehards, long rooted residents, and tastemakers. Miami financiers and Brooklyn plumbers. Astoria graphic designers and Long Island realtors. Only abiding by the paper chase.

Yet we manage to get along in the spirit of never quitting before the finish.

We have seen the valleys, trust. Karl-Anthony Towns is a befuddling and dazzling player. Prone to foul trouble and mental absences, he stirs the ire of crazies and critics alike. At one point during this epic season, he seemed pouty, dissatisfied with his role and terrified to be traded. That seemed to coincide with his engagement to a socialite and Kardashian familiar, Jordyn Woods. When the Knicks could’ve been hitting their stride, both he and the fanbase worried about the Towns tenure. He would be just another in the litany of stars who jumped on the wagon past their prime, carrying away with him more hope refuse. Amaré Stoudemire Lite.

Mikal Bridges also seemed degraded to pure fossil fuel, unable to convert his usual shorthand flick shot against Atlanta in first round. The fans banished him to Governor’s Island despite his penchant for late-game heroics. He’d turned from stud to dud when the playoffs came. John Starks Redux.

Before he was 2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, he was tunnel-vision Brunson in my living room and others. “He can’t keep trying to shoot over everyone.” “Why does Jalen force the action so much when he can’t beat the D?” “That’s not the shot we want!” The very qualities we watched in awe became the bad luck omen we’d feared. A star-less franchise, we couldn’t afford another MacBeth-like arc. A Carmelo Anthony Incarnate.

Forget rewriting legacies. The team who entered the 2026 Playoffs looked like another reference stub for the endless index of futile years past. Hash marks on an old slab. The drudgery of real life where imaginary wins are all most of us get.

That’s how I entered my friend Shak’s place, after a Lyft Citibike ride from Greenpoint to Bed Stuy, and heavy with dread that this would be the loss that turned the series bleak. My basketball cohort has grayed so we don’t run threes in the parks anymore. Bad knees and separate lives. Things change in an instant.

So then how do we rewrite love? A reunion on championship night.

His wife, C, let us in on a spell she’d cast the other night, during the Big Comeback.

“Whatever you want to happen, just say it to the T.V. I promise this works.”

I tried it. “Jalen’s gonna get 44, 45 tonight.”

“Mitch got that rebound! Yea, let’s go Mitch!” And we forgave the players their flaws, that they flop against talented foes. We zeroed in on the Spurs pups, non-shooting bursts of vigor.

“He’s gonna miss that free throw.”

“Let him shoot that, that’s what we want.”

The tidal wave of New York magic started to lift our guys and sink theirs. Instead of preparing for the restless aches of more loss, we froze in consensus joy.

We were about to do it. As the buzzer sounded, the spell’s final chant came.

“We did it! I can’t believe we did it!”

Had we really done it?

Yes.

It’s true they had practiced, lived for the game, moved coasts and roles as athletes. But it was in order to leave the worrying, wishing, and hoping to us. Unlike Midwest industrial haunts or South Atlantic brewery hubs, New York’s powered equally by 80s gold chain hip-hop and 80s Wall Street cocaine.

We are violence and friction and maybe, by will of our pessimism — the bulky sense that nothing good is allowed to happen to you as a New Yorker — we found an exception. The Knicks should win because we need a win more than anywhere else.

We are addicted to opioids too. We’ve been priced out of our homes and jobs by corporations and their robots. We don’t know what the hell is going on but shit keeps changing without getting cheaper, easier, or smarter. Nothing feels like rest.

Until today.

I walked up to Fancy Free on Lafayette for Spike’s Annual Block Party. It was 18 hours after the Knicks had won the championship when I’d strolled Tompkins Ave in Bed Stuy. I’d never seen so many new New Yorkers like that night.

It scared me. The neighborhood had been majority Black all my life but you wouldn’t know it that Saturday.

Shit keeps changing.

As our group huddled near Herbert Von King Park, we noticed that the main people screaming “Knicks in five” were young and white with mullets. They were rolling in packs. New York looked like a small town, people remarked, but more like a college town in Iowa than a steel town in Jacksonville.

At Fancy Free the next day, the OGs sang hip hop standards. Biggie’s “Warning” and Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones.” Songs made from struggle and grit and crime. We are violence and friction so the songs from that time lay us bare. I snapped pictures of jubilation in graying locs and bamboo earrings. Nike sneakers and Oakley jerseys. I guess we were at a survivor’s rally and we could fit the whole group into a neat quarter-block right off the corner of BAM.

I wanted to let out the flood and couldn’t.

Before and since the Knicks won, I’ve made love. I’ve wept. I’ve sat one hundred percent still. Life has almost nothing left to give me, I figure. I’ve experienced so many rushes as a New Yorker, most from tragedy and sin.

Before and since the Knicks won, I’ve raged. I’ve screamed at a screen that wouldn’t let me in, composed and erased the same text, wondered if me and all the lovers ever loved each other. I’ve passed exes like commuters on a train and forced myself to forget where ecstasy lived.

But I’ll be damned if since the Knicks won, I didn’t think of the wonderful, hopeful, broken and broke-down New York loves who cursed that team with me. I’ll be damned if I didn’t spend the three nights, after the three decades waiting, holding back the flood.

I’ve constructed an entire personality on my relationship to disappointment. I have outsmarted, outfoxed, and denied hope. I have convinced the small light flickering inside me that it is the worst type of fiction: a false god ready to snatch me away. Secretly, I prepared for a humble life because I saw my child-self tearing up every time he lost. I didn’t want to do that to him so we both stopped praying.

Since the Knicks won, I don’t know what do with myself.

​College football 2026: Preseason top 25 rankings, bowl projections, All-Americans and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

College football continues to navigate extreme changes off the field. 

The debate around the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 aims at the long-term health of the sport – including NIL, the transfer portal and eligibility concerns. While college football leaders continue to debate playoff expansion, changes to the sport continue to be a challenge. 

What hasn't changed? The product on the field should be exciting in 2026. Indiana is the defending national champion – a nod to just how much that landscape has changed in the 12-team College Football Playoff era. 

What's in store for 2026? A wide-open national championship race, for starters. Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon are among the national title contenders from the Big Ten. Georgia and Texas also will be in the mix along with Notre Dame. All of those schools have top-shelf quarterbacks, too. 

The College Football Playoff begins on Dec. 18. The semifinals will be played at the Capital One Orange Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 14-15. The College Football Playoff championship game is on Jan. 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 

We're here to get you prepared for all that and more. With that, Sporting News will have preseason top 25 rankings, bowl projections, All-Americans and more to get you ready for the start of the 2025 season: 

SN Preview Magazine

The Sporting News College Football 2026 Preview magazine is available to order now. The preview magazine made its return this summer. It features more than 150 team previews from the FBS to the FCS, and it contains in-depth features on the top storylines heading into the 2026 college football season. Get your copy today! 

College football rankings: SN's preseason top 25

Sporting News' post-spring Top 25 is out, and we have defending national champion Indiana at No. 1 heading into the 2026 college football season. Here is a sneak peek at our top 10: 

• 1. Indiana
• 2. Ohio State
• 3. Georgia
• 4. Texas
• 5. Notre Dame 
• 6. Oregon
• 7. Miami 
• 8. Ole Miss 
• 9. Oklahoma 
• 10. USC 

Is that too much hype for Texas and Notre Dame heading into 2026? Who made the rest of SN's preseason top 25? How will that compare with the AP Preseason Top 25 and Coaches Poll later this summer? 

College Football Playoff expansion   

The College Football Playoff made a few tweaks to the 12-team College Football Playoff heading into 2026-27. Here is how the CFP will work this season, in terms of seeding and automatic qualifiers. What's next? Will the College Football Playoff expand to 24 teams in the future? We have a strong opinion on that. 

Ranking top college quarterbacks for 2025

Who is the best college football quarterback in 2026? It's a loaded class that features several potential first-round picks. Ohio State's Julian Sayin is a returning Heisman finalist. Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss and Oregon's Dante Moore led their teams to the CFP. Miami's Darian Mensah is the top transfer QB, and Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Texas' Arch Manning are early Heisman favorites. And there's also that Brendan Sorsby guy down at Texas Tech. Who is our top QB among that loaded field? Check out our top 25 QBs for 2026, and we also ranked the QB rooms for the ACC (and Notre Dame) , Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. 

College football coach rankings (1-138)

North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season – meaning there are 138 FBS coaches to grade during the season. How do those coaches stack up in the rankings right now? We have a new No. 1 with Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. Is that the right call over Georgia's Kirby Smart or Ohio State's Ryan Day? Where does Lane Kiffin – who left Ole Miss for LSU – fit in our ranking? Sporting News 1-138 Coach Rankings for 2026 answers the question here. We broke out the top 25 coaches on a separate list here. 

SEC, Big Ten schedule rankings 

Florida had the toughest schedule in the SEC the last two seasons. Who has the toughest slate in the conference – which moved to a nine-game conference schedule this season? What about the Big Ten? We'll have full schedule rankings for the SEC and Big Ten this week. 

2027 NFL Draft Big Board

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith's draft value has been discussed since his freshman year. Will the Buckeyes' star receiver be the first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft? Or will Manning be first among a loaded QB class for 2027? A look at our 2027 NFL Draft Big Board – which will be updated throughout the season. 

Playoff and bowl projections for 2026-27

There will be 40 bowl games involving FBS teams in the 2026-27 season – and that does not include the first-round, on-campus games for the College Football Playoff. Sporting News will have complete bowl projections and 12-team College Football Playoff picks later this month. 

SN Preseason All-American team 

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore is one of the few returners from Sporting News' 2025 All-America Team. We will release our Preseason All-America team later this summer. Remember, Sporting News is one of five outlets used to determine consensus All-American status at the end of the season. 

SN 140

Sporting News celebrates its 140th anniversary this year – and our college football coverage is a huge part of our publication's history. Later this summer, we will honor the greatest teams, All-Americans and more heading into the 2026 season as part of our celebration.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoeller has been appointed Lens coach after Pierre Sage left for Crystal Palace, the French Ligue 1 club said on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old German was sacked by Eintracht in January after four years at the helm, during which he guided them to the Champions League.

Toppmoeller, who was assistant to Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, has signed a deal until 2028 to replace Sage, who joined Palace on Monday.

"Dino has exactly the profile we were looking for," Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca said in a statement.

"His experiences in Germany, alongside international players and top-level coaching staff allowed him to enrich his career and refine his tactical approach."

Lens will play in the Champions League next season after finishing second to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last term.

rbo/ig/sbk/jc/iwd

Noni Madueke believes the World Cup could be a tournament for substitutes as England prepare for their big kick-off against Croatia on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel has strength in depth in the 26-man squad heading to Dallas on Tuesday ahead of their Group L opener.

Madueke is vying with Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka for a starting spot on the right, but there will be some big names on the bench with Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham all competing for spots in Tuchel’s starting XI.

With the heat and truncated games due to water breaks, matches could be won by players coming off the bench.

“I feel like we have such an amazing team, where everybody knows how good they are,” Madueke told talkSPORT.

“So it’s not like you’re going to be on the bench and you’re rubbish.

“It might be that the opponent suits one player better, or someone is in form.

“But if you look at the last game (against Costa Rica), how the subs came on and won the game for us so easily, that’s the strength in depth we have.

“It’s going to be crucial for this time.”

Madueke was picked for his versatility, with the England management team liking his ability to play on both wings.

He has performed well for England under Tuchel and believes he is on the way to becoming one of the best wingers in the world, knowing he needs to add more goals to his game.

“I want to be more ruthless. I feel like to go to that level where I’m one of the best wingers in the world, I need to score more, need to assist more,” he added.

“I feel like I do so much for the team, irrespective of that. But definitely, as a winger, you want to score as much as possible.

“If I could score every game, I would.

“I feel like the level I’m at now, that’s the next step to go to. And I’ll definitely get to that.”

PA

Chess legend and avid football fan Magnus Carlsen predicted on Tuesday that Norway would "hammer" Iraq in their World Cup opener -- and could go on to reach the quarter-finals.

The highest ranked chess player of all time is in Hong Kong this week to play in the World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships beginning Wednesday. 

But the Norwegian and devoted football fan will push his preparation for the tournament to one side to keep a close eye on the World Cup, despite the time difference from North America meaning some matches will kick off in the early hours. 

Norway, back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, begin their group campaign against Iraq at 6:00 am Hong Kong time on Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday).

Despite the early hour, Carlsen will be tuning in to watch his countrymen -- spearheaded by talismanic attacker Erling Haaland, who loves a game of chess when not banging in goals.

"I will be up early anyway, so I will 100 percent watch the game live," Carlsen told AFP.

Football follower Carlsen did not think the World Cup would be too distracting when his WR Team defend their world blitz crown this week and look to add the world rapid title.

"At this point I don't really wake up or stay up for World Cup games. But, when it's Norway (I do) 100 percent," added the five-time world champion, who is a huge fan of Real Madrid.

Football and chess have become surprise bedfellows in recent months, with many players at the World Cup taking to the ancient board game in their spare time.

Norway goalscorer Haaland has recently invested in a ground-breaking new chess tour.

Egypt forward Mo Salah said he was "addicted" to the game, while Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard and England striker Eberechi Eze are keen players, with the latter winning an amateur tournament in 2025.

- Chess, football crossover -

The games are more similar than people might think, said Carlsen.

"Strategy, chess and football, it's not that different really," he said.

"It's about trying to control certain areas. Of course, football is a much more dynamic game and there are certain random elements that may come in.

"But the core principles are the same -- like being able to switch from one side to another, like often overloading and then switching the play, probing certain areas and controlling the middle.

"Certain teams, like Arsenal, they like to have as little left to chance as possible and to have their gameplay resemble a game of chess.

"As much as I don't like watching that team, I can appreciate the thought behind it."

Carlsen has high hopes for Norway after they dominated a World Cup qualifying group containing Italy by winning all eight games to reach the finals for the first time in 28 years. 

Haaland bagged 16 of free-scoring Norway's 37 goals in their qualifying campaign, with many created by the midfield driven by Odegaard.

Carlsen expects the goals to keep flowing from the chess-loving Norwegians.

"First of all, we will hammer Iraq in the first game and then we'll pretty much be through after that," Carlsen predicted.

Norway then face potentially tougher Group I games against Senegal and France, but the chess grandmaster expects them to reach the knockout phase.

- 'Slight underdogs' -

"My current prediction is that we will make it to the round of 16 and, from there on, it's probably we're going to be slight underdogs," he said.

Carlsen said it would be fascinating to measure Norway's form against the world's best at the global showpiece.

"I think it's very hard to say, to be honest," said Carlsen of what to expect from manager Stale Solbakken's squad.

"I think there's a very clear first tier of a few teams," said Carlsen. 

"And then I'm not sure whether Norway is kind of towards the bottom side of that second tier or we're in the third tier.

"But I think the quarter-finals are a somewhat realistic goal and, you know, once you get there, anything can happen."

dh/lga

An England fan has quit his chef job to extend his stay in the United States to support the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Ben King, 27, said “it’s got to be done” as he and friends talked up England’s chances.

He said he had lined up a new job three months ago, allowing him to stay in Texas until after the opening Croatia fixture before returning to work.

Asked if he would return to the US if England reach the latter stages of the competition, Mr King, who is based in Portsmouth, said: “I’ve already left one job to come out here.

“I was meant to fly home yesterday, but I left my job, got a new job three months ago and now I’m going home after the England game.

“So yeah, I left it and got to stay out a bit longer. It’s got to be done.

“I’ve looked at weighing up staying a little bit longer but I just can’t with work, otherwise I would.”

His friend Joe Parrott, 28, added: “The problem is, we might just not go home. You could stay here a lifetime.”

Mr Parrott described the ticket prices to games as “outrageous”, with the friends declining to try and attend Argentina’s match against Austria at the AT&T stadium due to the cost.

Speaking from Billy Bob’s in Dallas Fort Worth, Mr Parrott said: “Obviously the tickets to a game are a disgrace, the price you pay for tickets.

“The flights are what they are – I think we paid about £900 which is expensive but it’s not overpriced – but tickets, outrageous.”

His brother Sam Parrott, 25, added: “The actual cost of stuff out here has been all right, it’s just the game tickets.”

Joe, who predicts England to win the tournament, continued: “The resale value of tickets doesn’t make it easy for anyone to go to games.

“We were thinking of going to the Argentina game but the ticket prices, what do you do?

“If you look at the Qatar World Cup and previous World Cups, they were nowhere near as expensive.”

A friend and former teammate of Rob Burrow said there is "still plenty of work we have got to do for the MND community" ahead of a charity fixture in his memory.

Ryan Hall was given a tour of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, based at Seacroft Hospital, on Monday.

It comes as the Rhinos prepare to host their annual MND Awareness game in memory of Burrow, who died with the disease in 2024 aged 41.

"Even though Rob has passed and the centre is up and running it doesn't mean the job is over," said Hall, who was a teammate of Burrow's from 2007 to 2017.

"There's still plenty of work we have got to do for the MND community," he added.

Rhinos, who currently sit top of Super League, will pay tribute to Burrow when they host Hall's former club Hull KR at Headlingley Stadium on 26 June.

The hosts will wear a specially designed shirt for the clash featuring a blue cornflower, which the club said had "become a symbol of MND because of its fragile appearance but hardy nature".

The shirt was designed by Cath Muir, an artist living with MND, with £10 from each sale going towards the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, which opened in November.

For Hall, whose mother-in-law worked as an MND nurse at Leeds General Infirmary, visiting the centre was a bittersweet experience.

'Special bond'

"It's not a great reason why his name is being used but it's used in the best way possible because everyone knows a bit more about MND now," he said.

Hall and Burrow were Rhinos teammates for a decade until the latter retired in 2017.

Hall recalled the "little things" Burrow did for younger members of the team - like covering the cost of a coffee after training for those not earning a senior salary - which "showed what sort of bloke he was".

"Them little things translate onto the pitch," said Hall, now 38 and in his second spell with the club.

"When you go through some highs and lows in your rugby career you create a special bond. The rugby doesn't finish on the rugby field, you create friends for life."

Hall added: "Kev [Sinfield] has been doing what he's been doing and we have been doing what we have been doing because it's the right thing to do for a mate."

He reserved praise for Sinfield, another former teammate, who last week received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

Sinfield has raised more than £11m to aid research and support families affected by MNDisease since Burrow's diagnosis with the incurable condition in 2019.

"It couldn't go towards a better bloke," said Hall.

"I speak for all the Rhinos that we are so proud of him for doing everything he has done."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More on this story

• Sinfield knighted and six Lionesses made MBEs
• 'Don't waste a moment' - Rob Burrow's final message
• As it happened: Rob Burrow Leeds MND centre opens doors

More shelter and extra seats will be provided at this year's Royal Ascot, with the 5-day event starting on Tuesday.

An additional 1,580sqm of shade and rain cover has been installed, while 1,789 more seats have been provided - an increase of almost a fifth from last year.

A new circular structure, which has been used at the Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium, has also been installed in the Village enclosure.

Spokesperson Will Aitkenhead said the extra seating was "due to customer feedback from last year".

In 2025, dozens of people required medical assistance because of heat-related illness.

Temperatures reached 29.7C (85F) but organisers said they were expecting it to be cooler this week.

Free water will again being provided, with 25 hydration stations on site.

• More news from Berkshire
• Watch the latest episode of South Today
• Listen to the latest news from Berkshire

More on this story

• Racecourse's 'substantial' solar system completed
• Ticket touts outside Royal Ascot to be fined

Related internet links

• Royal Ascot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who will win the World Cup?

Football’s biggest question is back – and the debate is already heating up. England’s new golden generation, Argentina’s defending champions, France’s relentless depth and Spain’s evolving young side all have strong claims to glory at the World Cup.

Now it’s your turn: who do you think will lift the trophy?

The race for the golden boot at World Cup 2026 is expected to be fierce, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal all leading contenders to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.

France captain Mbappe and England skipper Kane are the previous two winners of the award, after all. Mbappe scored eight in 2022, including a hat-trick in the final, while Kane struck six for England in 2018.

The first ever 48-team World Cup features an additional round of 32, offering the world’s top strikers an additional opportunity of bagging an extra goal as they dream of embarking on a deep run into the tournament.

If players are tied for goals, the number of assists will determine who ranks higher. If there is still a tie, it comes down to minutes played and the goals-per-minute ratio. Here are the latest 2026 World Cup golden boot standings.

World Cup golden boot standings

1. Lionel Messi, (Argentina), three goals

= 2 Erling Haaland (Norway), two goals

= 2 Kylian Mbappe (France), two goals

= 2 Folarin Balogun (USA), two goals

= 2 Elijaj Just (New Zealand), two goals

= 2 Kai Havertz (Germany), two goals

=2 Yasin Ayari (Sweden), two goals

The biggest World Cup ever has arrived, with 104 games set to take place over the next five weeks, as the US, Canada and Mexico host football’s most-prestigious competition.

Fans in the UK will naturally be keen to follow England and Scotland’s progress at the tournament, but every single game in the competition will be available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers – meaning you can watch more than just the Three Lions’ and Tartan Army’s endeavours.

Of course, you do have to factor in the time difference, with the kinder kick-off times including slots at 6pm BST and 8pm BST, while there are games throughout the night for UK viewers.

Here’s how you can watch every game at the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland.

World Cup 2026 TV schedule, UK

Thursday 11 June

Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Group A)

Friday 12 June

South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic (Group A)

Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Saturday 13 June

USA 4-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Qatar 1-1 Switzerland (Group B)

Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Group C)

Sunday 14 June

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (Group C)

Australia 2-0 Turkey (Group D)

Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)

Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Group F)

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)

Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Group H)

Belgium 1-1 Egypt (Group G)

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Group H)

Tuesday 16 June

Iran 2-2 New Zealand (Group G)

France 3-1 Senegal (Group I)

Iraq 1-3 Norway (Group I)

Wednesday 17 June

Argentina vs Algeria (Group J) – 2am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Austria vs Jordan (Group J) – 5am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Portugal vs DR Congo (Group K) – 6pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

England vs Croatia (Group L) – 9pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Thursday 18 June

Ghana vs Panama (Group L) – 12am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Group K) – 3am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Czech Republic vs South Africa (Group A) – 5pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Switzerland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B) – 8pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Canada vs Qatar (Group B) – 11pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Friday 19 June

Mexico vs South Africa (Group A) – 2am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

USA vs Australia (Group D) – 8pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Scotland vs Morocco (Group C) – 11pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Saturday 20 June

Brazil vs Haiti (Group C) – 2am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Turkey vs Paraguay (Group D) – 5am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Netherlands vs Sweden (Group F) – 6pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Germany vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – 9pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Sunday 21 June

Ecuador vs Curacao (Group E) – 1am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Tunisia vs Japan (Group F) – 5am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H) – 5pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Belgium vs Iran (Group G ) – 8pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H) – 11pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Monday 22 June

New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G) – 2am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Argentina vs Austria (Group J) – 6pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

France vs Iraq (Group I) – 10pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Tuesday 23 June

Norway vs Senegal (Group I) – 1am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Jordan vs Algeria (Group J) – 4am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

England vs Ghana (Group L) – 9pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Wednesday 24 June

Panama vs Croatia (Group L) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Colombia vs DR Congo (Group K) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar (Group B) – 8pm BST – ITV 4, ITV X

Switzerland vs Canada (Group B) – 8pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Morocco vs Haiti (Group C) – 11pm BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Scotland vs Brazil (Group C) – 11pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Thursday 25 June

Czech Republic vs Mexico (Group A) – 2am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

South Africa vs South Korea (Group A) – 2am BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – 9pm BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Ecuador vs Germany (Group E) – 9pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Friday 26 June

Japan vs Sweden (Group F) – 12am BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Tunisia vs Netherlands (Group F) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Paraguay vs Australia (Group D) – 3am BST – ITV 4, ITV X

Turkey vs USA (Group D) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Norway vs France (Group I) – 8pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Senegal vs Iraq (Group I) – 8pm BST – ITV 4, ITV X

Saturday 27 June

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Group H) – 1am BST – ITV 4, ITV X

Uruguay vs Spain (Group H) – 1am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Egypt vs Iran (Group G) – 4am BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

New Zealand vs Belgium (Group G) – 4am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Croatia vs Ghana (Group L) – 10pm BST – ITV 4, ITV X

Panama vs England (Group L) – 10pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Sunday 28 June

Colombia vs Portugal (Group K) – 12.30am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 12.30am BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Algeria vs Austria (Group J) – 3am BST – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Jordan vs Argentina (Group J) – 3am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Round of 32 (Runner-up A vs Runner-up B) – 8pm BST – TBC

Sunday 29 June

Round of 32 (Winner C vs Runner-up F) – 6pm BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner E vs Third place A/B/C/D/F) – 9.30pm BST – TBC

Tuesday 30 June

Round of 32 (Winner F vs Runner-up C) – 2am BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Runner-up E vs Runner-up I) – 6pm BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner I vs Third place C/D/F/G/H) – 10pm BST – TBC

Wednesday 1 July

Round of 32 (Winner A vs Third place C/E/F/H/I) – 2am BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner L vs Third place E/H/I/J/K) – 5pm BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner G vs Third place A/E/H/I/J) – 9pm BST – TBC

Thursday 2 July

Round of 32 (Winner D vs Third place B/E/F/I/J) – 1am BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner H vs Runner-up J) – 8pm BST – TBC

Friday 3 July

Round of 32 (Runner-up K vs Runner-up L) – 12am BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner B vs Third place E/F/G/I/J) – 4am BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Runner-up D vs Runner-up G) – 7pm BST – TBC

Round of 32 (Winner J vs Runner-up H) – 11pm BST – TBC

Saturday 4 July

Round of 32 (Winner K vs Runner-up D/E/I/J/L) – 2.30am BST – TBC

Round of 16 – 6pm BST – TBC

Round of 16 – 10pm BST – TBC

Sunday 5 July

Round of 16 – 9pm BST – TBC

Monday 6 July

Round of 16 – 1am BST – TBC

Round of 16 – 8pm BST – TBC

Tuesday 7 July

Round of 16 – 1am BST – TBC

Round of 16 – 5pm BST – TBC

Round of 16 – 9pm BST – TBC

Thursday 9 July

Quarter-final – 9pm BST – TBC

Friday 10 July

Quarter-final – 8pm BST – TBC

Saturday 11 July

Quarter-final – 10pm BST – TBC

Sunday 12 July

Quarter-final – 2am BST – TBC

Tuesday 14 July

Semi-final – 8pm BST – TBC

Wednesday 15 July

Semi-final – 8pm BST – TBC

Saturday 18 July

Third-place play-off – 10pm BST – TBC

Sunday 19 July

Final – 8pm BST – TBC

Iran show resilience after politically charged World Cup opener

Iran and New Zealand did their best to let football do the talking in their politically-charged Group G match. A Fifa ban on Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag was upheld hours before kick-off, though thousands of Iranians sported the flag at the Los Angeles Stadium, while the Iranian national anthem was booed loudly. All this just hours after US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement. The All Whites produced a deadly combination in the shape of Chris Wood's outstanding hold-up play and the box-crashing runs of Elijah Just, who hit a double. But Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi ensured a deserved point in one of the games of the tournament so far.

Lukaku bails out Belgium against Egypt

Belgium, meanwhile, emerged from their opening game with Egypt with a point and a chance to grow into a tournament with clarity in attack. Emam Ashour overshadowed Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush after producing a goal of the tournament contender with a fizzing effort defeating Thibaut Courtois.

But a frantic Belgium eventually salvaged a point after Romelu Lukuku came off the bench, amid fitness concerns, with his mere presence forcing Mohamed Hany to put through his own net. Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere had started, but now the Red Devils could pursue a familiar choice up top in Sunday's clash with Iran.

Spain slip-up opens possibility of Argentina last 32 clash

Déjà vu? Spain were left stunned in another examination of their style and whether it works without Lamine Yamal and, to a lesser extent Nico Williams. That's after Cape Verde held them in a goalless stalemate. It felt like a win for Cape Verde, a nation of approximately 500,000 people, while Spain's point feels like a loss, having entered the tournament as favourites. If not a crisis, there will be panic spreading throughout La Roja's camp. But 2010 saw them come unstuck against Switzerland and they went on to win the tournament, though 2014 was a thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands, with a more abrupt, painful consequence to end the tiki-taka era. It is too soon to dismiss Spain, but this slip pushes them towards a potential last 32 tie with Argentina in Miami, delicious for the neutral, though Spain's fans may view that prospect with outright trepidation.

Uruguay denied in reprieve for Spain

In the other Group H game, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia handed a chance to launch a bid to top the group and send Spain into a probable last 32 tie with Argentina, Miami. But after threats of lightning in the area, both teams are still searching for a thunderous finish after a 1-1 stalemate. Abdulelah Al-Amri gave the Green Falcons the lead, but Uruguay fiercely hit back in the second half and deservedly earned a point thanks to Maxi Araujo. A reprieve for Spain, then.

So... that was four draws in one day for just the second time in World Cup history and the first time for 68 years.

The Davenport North Baseball team defeated Pleasant Valley 2-1 in 8 innings in game one on June 15.

PV came back and won the 2nd game 2-1 to split their MAC doubleheader.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.

An interim heavyweight champion was crowned on Sunday in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event. Ciryl Gane stopped former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira at The White House to become a two-time interim champion. The win set up a title unification bout against champion Tom Aspinall later this year.

Following Sunday's TKO win, Gane called for a rematch against the champion to take place in his hometown. "Next, everybody knows already. Let's do that in Paris in September," the Frenchman told Joe Rogan in his post-fight UFC Freedom 250 Octagon Interview.

On Monday, Aspinall agreed to the September matchup with Gane in Paris on his YouTube channel. "Paris in September? I'll do that. I'll do that," Aspinall said. "Let me know. ... I don't mind. I'll go to Paris. Let me know. I'll be there."

Gane and Aspinall first fought at UFC 321 last October. The fight ended late in the opening round and was ruled a no contest. A double eye poke rendered Aspinall unable to continue and the champion retained his belt. He continues to recover from an eye injury suffered from the pokes but expects to be cleared to spar in the near future.

"Ciryl Gane in Paris. Let's Go," said Aspinall.

Marcelo Bielsa was involved in an awkward exchange with a reporter at the World Cup on Monday which concluded with the Uruguay coach saying: "I'm not a model."

The 70-year-old Argentine was miffed after a journalist asked him about an official FIFA portrait following his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in the Miami heat.

The colourful Bielsa -- nicknamed "El Loco" (mad man) -- was asked why he was looking downwards in the promotional video rather than straight into the lens.

There have been suggestions it might be some kind of protest.

"I don't have to give any explanation, the picture was taken the way it was taken," Bielsa fired back.

"I'm not a model."

Rather than leave it there, Bielsa continued: "No, no, I have no answer for that.

"Should I also explain why I don't look to the people who are speaking to me at this moment?"

Bielsa was then asked a different question, but he refused to let it go.

"There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain," he told his post-match press conference.

"If I'm wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses?

"You look somebody in the eye, why do you do that?

He concluded: "There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody's eyes or looking down."

Bielsa, whose long managerial career has taken in the Argentina job and club sides including Athletic Bilbao, Lazio and Leeds United, has his quirks and is known as a bit of a maverick.

They include sitting sometimes on an ice box on the sidelines during matches.

But he also widely respected among his peers, his bold attacking approach an inspiration to a younger generation of coaches including Pep Guardiola and USA boss Mauricio Pochettino.

bur-pst/rcw  

A 21-year-old man was arrested Monday for damaging a taxi in Manhattan during a wild celebratory revel following the Knicks’ victory in Game 4 of the NBA finals, cops said.

Saul Vargas of Saint Cloud, Florida was charged with criminal mischief for damaging the cab in the early hours Thursday morning.

Vargas was among a group of three men being sought for pummeling the cab parked at 36th St and Seventh Ave. around 12:35 a.m., about an hour after the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to secure a 3-1 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.

Video showed the vandals, including one man waving a Palestinian flag, jump onto a yellow cab, shattering the windshield. Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.

The group also tried to flip the taxi over, police said.

The NYPD said 56 people were taken into custody in the hours following the end of Game 4, as large crowds of unruly fans formed at various spots north of MSG between Fifth and Eighth Avenues. Out of that number, 41 received criminal court summonses and were let go, while 15 were criminally charged and sent to court.

Fans also climbed on top of four NYPD vehicles, damaging their windows. Some also broke into a tractor trailer, stealing items inside.

Other videos show fans setting off fireworks in the street and getting quickly arrested.

Fans were accused of blocking traffic, fighting in the street, climbing on top of trucks and throwing bottles at police officers.

10 cops were injured in the chaos, including one officer who was struck by a thrown bottle, police said.

Another casualty of the post-game celebration was a 17-year-old boy beaten into a coma outside a bar near Madison Square garden.

Police believe that teen was attacked by a Twitch streamer who was screaming “Spurs in 7!” to get a reaction from the throngs of Knicks fans lining the streets and cheering on every point the home team made.

It’s not every day thing that an NFL rookie can grab his father’s World Championship Wrestling title belt for a preseason photo op.

However, Saints rookie receiver Brock Rechsteiner may have potentially set a new bar for rookie photoshoots, as he paid homage to his WWE Hall of Fame father, Scott Steiner.

The name may be familiar to wrestling fans over 25, as Steiner, real name Scott Rechsteiner, was a weekly fixture on WCW television in the 1980s and 90s alongside his brother Rick as the Hall of Fame tag team, The Steiner Bros.

After disbanding from the duo, Steiner would go on to become a singles wrestler in WCW, before the company would later go under, forcing the former WCW Champion to head back to the WWF before finally settling down in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling in Florida.

MORE: Xavier Legette tells harsh truth about future with Carolina Panthers

Rechsteiner, an undrafted free agent, signed with New Orleans on May 12 after a tryout with the team following a stint at the Tennessee Titans’ rookie camp.

The 6-foot-2 receiver played three seasons at Jacksonville State, tallying 629 yards and seven touchdowns on 53 catches.

While his stats were not eye-popping, Rechsteiner has been highly regarded for his athleticism, and ultimately, was the biggest factor in landing a spot on the New Orleans preseason roster.

Aside from his father, Brock’s cousin, Bronson, the son of Rick Steiner, is a current rising star in WWE, best known under the ring name Bron Breakker.

So there’s certainly a clear path for Rechsteiner to the world of WWE if he were to make the jump from the NFL.

In fact, he’s made it clear to New Orleans media that after his time in the NFL is over, the plan for him is to pursue a wrestling career.

“I want to do football as long as I can,” Rechsteiner explained to the media, “Once that’s done, I will pursue wrestling.”

With the 2026 NFL season still on the horizon, the former Jacksonville State product will continue to prepare with the Saints, but for fans of wrestling, do not be surprised to hear about Brock Rechsteiner in the future.

• Virgil van Dijk has criticised the use of hydration breaks during World Cup matches played in comfortable conditions.
• The Netherlands captain suggested the stoppages disrupt the flow of games and television viewing.
• FIFA introduced mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup following concerns over extreme heat and player welfare.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has questioned FIFA's decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting the stoppages are unnecessary in matches where weather conditions do not warrant them.

The Liverpool defender made the comments after the Netherlands' 2-2 draw against Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a venue equipped with climate control systems and far removed from the extreme temperatures seen elsewhere during the tournament.

Asked for his thoughts on the breaks, Van Dijk indicated he was unconvinced by their widespread use.

"Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit … Not really that I like it," Van Dijk said.

"I think for the neutral watchers on TV it's also not great. If it's really hot, obviously it would be good to put them in. But I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion."

The 34-year-old then added: "But I think I've said enough already for that."

FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks in each half of every World Cup match after concerns emerged over player welfare during periods of extreme heat at last summer's expanded Club World Cup.

The policy has since generated debate across the tournament, with critics arguing the stoppages can disrupt momentum and create additional commercial opportunities for broadcasters.

Several television networks have opted to air advertisements during the breaks after FIFA approved the practice earlier this year.

The impact of the interruptions was also highlighted by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann following his side's 7-1 victory over Curaçao.

Nagelsmann revealed the first-half hydration break gave Germany an opportunity to adjust tactically after struggling against Curaçao's unusual midfield shape.

"Curacao played with a diamond today, and we adjusted how we attacked before the hydration break," Nagelsmann said.

"But even so, there were still two or three moments where it took a little while because, at the end of the day, you actually very rarely play against a diamond-shaped team these days.

"Very few teams do that anymore, and we needed a bit of time. The water break was actually good to simply reiterate what we had already adjusted on the board."

While FIFA continues to defend the measure as a player welfare initiative, Van Dijk's comments add to a growing conversation about whether hydration breaks should be applied universally or determined on a match-by-match basis.

With temperatures varying significantly across host cities during the World Cup, the debate over balancing player safety, match rhythm and broadcast considerations is likely to remain a talking point throughout the tournament.

Why Brendan Sorsby and Texas Tech are parting ways as QB enters NFL's supplemental draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Brendan Sorsby's college football career is over.

Amid legal challenges to his eligibility after the NCAA tried to keep him off the field over gambling violations, Sorsby and Texas Tech have agreed to part ways, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.

Sorsby will enter the NFL's supplemental draft, becoming one of the most notable supplemental draft prospects in recent memory as teams weigh whether to take the talented but polarizing quarterback.

Here's what you need to know about Monday night's surprise development.

Why Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech are parting ways

Sorsby and Texas Tech are parting ways amid legal challenges and intense backlash to the district court ruling that restored his eligibility last week.

While Sorsby is currently eligible and was hoping last Monday's ruling by a judge in Lubbock would allow him to play in 2026, the decision sparked a wave of backlash from administrators, coaches and media members across the college football landscape.

Athletic directors at both Georgia and Nebraska vowed to boycott Texas Tech by refusing to schedule the Red Raiders in any sport, and the Big 12 sued the school Monday in an attempt to determine whether it had the legal power to sanction the program if Sorsby played.

Meanwhile, the NCAA was still fighting to make Sorsby ineligible again after the former Cincinnati quarterback admitted to gambling violations, including betting on his own team while at Indiana.

Here are more details on how the scandal has unfolded.

Brendan Sorsby controversy

After a lucrative NIL deal brought him from Cincinnati to Texas Tech over LSU and other suitors this offseason, Sorsby shook up the college football landscape when he entered rehab for a gambling addiction in late April.

Sorsby's gambling violations included dozens of bets on his own team when he played for Indiana as a freshman, and he admitted to using accounts owned by friends and family to avoid detection.

"I lost complete control of my addiction," Sorsby said in a statement. "I now realize the apps controlled me and I did not control them."

Despite betting on your own team being a serious violation in the NCAA's eyes and the organization ruling him ineligible, a district court judge overturned the NCAA's ruling in a decision that sent shockwaves through college football. After backlash, Sorsby is reversing course and won't play for Texas Tech in 2026.

Uruguay dominated but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the sweltering heat of Miami on Monday to leave an intriguing Group H wide open.

The stalemate came hours after one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history when European champions Spain were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in the same group.

After the first round of games in the pool all four teams have one point.

Defender Abdulelah al-Amri gave the Saudis a surprise lead near the end of the first half only for Uruguay's second-half pressure to pay off with 10 minutes left through Maxi Araujo.

Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay racked up 22 shots in the second period but the Saudi defence and goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais doggedly held firm. 

"We should have won this match," said the colourful Argentine Bielsa, whose side play Cape Verde next.

"We weren't able to show the best version of ourselves," he added, admitting that his side only got going in the second half.

Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, saw their arrival in the United States from Mexico delayed by a snag with the paperwork for their plane.

In evening temperatures of more than 30C and energy-sapping humidity, both teams struggled to create much in front of goal early on.

Just after the half-hour mark the Saudi stopper Owais was called into action for a second time to parry a diving header from close range by Federico Vinas.

The Saudis, who stunned eventual champions Argentina 2-1 to start their campaign at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, looked to hit their opponents on the break.

They had their first real opportunity shortly before half-time when Amri forced Fernando Muslera to palm away his fizzing shot. 

Four minutes before the break the defender did score, reacting fastest to poke home from close range after Muslera spilled a header from a corner.

- Uruguay finally come to life -

After a toothless first period, Bielsa had seen enough, dragging off defender Matias Vina and anonymous former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.

Winger Agustin Canobbio and left-sided Juan Manuel Sanabria were introduced.

The double substitution sparked Uruguay -- who surprisingly did not play a single World Cup warm-up game -- into lift.

Saudi coach Georgios Donis, brought in just two months before the tournament, saw his team retreat farther and farther back. 

On the hour Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte pinged the ball against the foot of the Saudi post from well outside the box.

The pressure finally told late on when Owais made a mess of a routine stop and Araujo gobbled up the rebound.

There looked to be only one winner after that, but Saudi Arabia just about held on for a vital point.

bur-pst/rcw

The Texas Rangers are right in the thick of the American League West race, but they received some unfortunate news on Monday that could impact their push for the division crown or even a spot in the MLB playoffs. The Rangers announced that star shortstop Corey Seager has been placed on the injured list after suffering a concussion. Texas currently sits just one game behind the division leader, making Seager’s absence a significant blow as the team looks to gain ground in the standings. The injury occurred during the Rangers’ June 11 matchup against the Kansas City Royals, and after further evaluation, the club determined that a trip to the IL was necessary.

MORE: 5 MLB hitters underperforming based on their advanced metrics

Seager’s Impact Goes Beyond The Numbers

At first glance, Seager’s offensive numbers this season may not jump off the page. The veteran shortstop is batting just .186 through 47 games, a figure well below the standards he has established throughout his career. However, those numbers don’t tell the full story of his importance to the Rangers.

Even while struggling to consistently find hits, Seager has still provided power in the middle of the lineup, launching nine home runs while scoring 25 runs and driving in 24 more. More importantly, he remains one of the most respected players in the clubhouse and a leader on a roster filled with postseason aspirations.

Rangers Need Others To Step Up

Whenever a player of Seager’s caliber is sidelined, it creates a ripple effect throughout the lineup. The two-time World Series champion brings experience, leadership, and a calming presence during high-pressure situations. Those qualities are difficult to replace, especially for a team trying to chase down a division title.

Texas has managed to stay within striking distance of first place despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, but losing Seager adds another challenge to the equation. The Rangers will now need other veterans and young contributors alike to help fill the void until their star shortstop is ready to return.

Division Race Remains Tight

Despite the setback, Texas remains firmly in the playoff picture and well within reach of the top spot in the AL West. The Rangers have shown resilience all season long, and they’ll need more of that over the coming weeks as they navigate Seager’s absence.

For now, the focus shifts to his recovery and ensuring that one of the franchise’s most important players returns fully healthy for what the Rangers hope will be another postseason run.

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The whole world is waiting to see Lionel Messi, said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, when the defending champions begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday.

Messi is set to take part in a record sixth World Cup, four years after leading his country to glory in Qatar.

The 38-year-old suffered an injury scare last month when he left Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia with muscle fatigue.

However, he made his return in a supreme 20-minute cameo, including a goal from the penalty spot, off the bench in Argentina's final warm-up friendly win over Iceland last week.

"Everyone wants to see him out on the pitch, not just Argentinians, because of the impact he has on people," Scaloni told his pre-match press conference.

"He has always been crucial for us and now he will be even more so. He looks good."

Centre-back Nicolas Otamendi has been alongside Messi for much of his international career and will take part in his fourth World Cup.

"He's a competitive animal," said Otamendi. "He makes you keep trying, he doesn't let you relax."

The ex-Manchester City defender added: "We enjoy every moment with him. He is a humble person who enjoys the team gatherings and training sessions."

Scaloni has had other injury concerns over goalkeeper Emi Martinez and forward Julian Alvarez but both are expected to start in Kansas City.

Argentina lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia in Qatar before going on to win the World Cup for a third time.

"The last World Cup taught us that the opening game isn't decisive. It's important, sure, but we have the peace of mind of knowing it doesn't end there," added Scaloni.

"We're about to face a very good team with great players, but we're in good shape, we're confident and we're arriving in good form."

African sides have already shown the threat they pose in the first ever 48-team World Cup.

Tournament debutants Cape Verde held Spain 0-0 on Monday, while Morocco also secured a 1-1 draw against five-time winners Brazil.

"Algeria is an opponent similar to Morocco. They have great players and a great coach," said Scaloni.

"The Brazil-Morocco match is a good example of why we can't be overconfident.

"We've already seen with Spain that there are no easy opponents. Those teams have earned their place at the World Cup and Algeria concerns us because they are a great team."

kca/nf

Though the 2026 NFL Draft took place just two months ago, NFL teams and fans are already turning their attention to college football’s top prospects for 2027. Among the most closely watched positions is quarterback, a group many expect to headline the next draft class. However, similar expectations surrounded the 2026 quarterback class, and history may be repeating itself.

According to reports, Texas quarterback Arch Manning may choose not to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft. In fact, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t convinced that entering the draft is a foregone conclusion. In the NIL era, draft decisions are no longer as predictable as they once were. The ability to earn significant income in college has reduced the urgency for players to leave school as early as possible.

MORE: Top 3 most hated college football teams

“We haven’t had the discussion, but I would tell you I would not be surprised (if he returned),” Sarkisian said on Up and Adams.

“I think Arch really loves college football, I really do. I think he loves the University of Texas. He does pretty good through NIL. He’s got some pretty good endorsements going right now, which is a credit to him, and obviously, the lineage of the last name and the brand of Texas, all those things coming together.”

New era creating new paths

Sarkisian has been outspoken about both the benefits and drawbacks of NIL. One consequence NFL scouts have noted is that more players are willing to be patient before declaring for the draft. While delaying a professional career can still backfire, the financial risks are not as significant as they once were.

MORE: Big 12 officially files court case to support sanctions against Texas Tech

Today’s student-athletes can earn money through private NIL agreements as well as revenue-sharing opportunities. The financial landscape has changed so dramatically that some have called for salary caps or NIL limits in college athletics. However, implementing such measures would likely require a collective bargaining agreement.

Sarkisian also acknowledged that a return to Texas is far from certain for Manning.

“But again on the same token, I wouldn’t be surprised if he declares and decides to go to the draft. I think some of that is dependent on how we play as a team this fall, how he plays individually,” he said.

There is still plenty of football left to be played this season. Manning may ultimately have multiple appealing options when it comes to his future. He could declare for the 2027 NFL Draft and potentially become the No. 1 overall pick. Or, he could take advantage of another year of eligibility and continue capitalizing on NIL opportunities at Texas.

In March 2024, Brayan Bello signed a six-year, $55 million extension after posting a 4.24 ERA in 2023. This extension officially declared that he would be a part of Boston’s long-term future. A six-year extension was the longest contract of their 2023-2024 offseason.  

Brayan Bello is an aggressive user of his sinker and changeup, with above-average whiff and groundball rates against hitters on either side of the plate. This year, in his fifth season in Boston, he hit a breaking point. On June 4, the first inning unraveled before an out was ever recorded against Baltimore.

It wasn’t just a bad outing; it was the kind of inning that forces an organization to reflect — especially given his inability to remain as a starter. It forces them to decide who a pitcher is right now versus who they believe he can become.

MLB.com reported that Bello was officially optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

“One of the things that we asked him to do was to kind of fall in love with baseball all over again,” Craig Breslow, the Red Sox Chief of Baseball Operations, said. “He’s gonna work hard — we know that. But [we told him] to remember why you love playing this game.” 

Brayan Bello’s Demotion, and What It Really Means

Bello needed space to reset, refine his delivery, and rebuild the consistency that made him Boston’s most promising young arm. “This was no longer the best place for him to reset and work through this process,” Breslow said.

His command had slipped, his pitch sequences fell apart, and his confidence looked shaken. The demotion also revealed something bigger: Bello is still trying to figure out how to pitch like the ace Boston expects him to be, and as the arm behind Garrett Crochet in the starting rotation.

A New Role for Bello

The Red Sox decided to give Bello a new environment on May 5 when he appeared out of the bullpen against the Tigers. During his first stint as a reliever this season, Bello threw seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits while recording seven strikeouts to earn the win. His trend as a consistent reliever continued through his next three games.

Coming out of the bullpen, Bello has posted a 0.71 ERA across 25 innings. As a starter, Bello holds a 10.35 ERA in 35 innings. In these relief outings, Bello’s changeup was sharper, his velocity ticked up, and his groundball profile still translated in leverage spots. It seems like Bello works better in an environment someone creates for him, rather than in one he creates himself.

When Bello’s pitches work, they work, but when Boston is paying him to be a starter, maybe the best option is to let him figure it out with the Woo Sox. “Stop talking about bullpen and starting games…when I’ve been successful as a starter, no one asks questions about whether I should be in the bullpen,” Bello said to NBC Sports Boston after his eight-run allowance on June 4.

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Bello’s Upside is Still Real

Bello’s changeup remains his most valuable pitch, and the data backs that up. When it’s located below the zone, it produces a whiff rate comparable to top AL changeup specialists. The pitch’s vertical separation from his sinker is still elite, and hitters continue to chase it when he’s ahead in the count.

Even during his inconsistent stretch, Bello’s ground‑ball percentage stayed above league average. Pitchers who generate ground balls at that rate tend to stabilize faster because they limit damage and avoid big innings when their command is right. This is the type of profile teams invest in long‑term because it’s sustainable, not streaky.

At 25 years old, Bello is still in the developmental window where pitchers typically make their biggest leaps. Most frontline starters don’t fully stabilize until ages 26–28. His year‑to‑year improvements show that he’s trending in the right direction, even if the results haven’t lined up yet.

The Takeaway

Bello’s upside isn’t hypothetical; it’s measurable. The tools, the age, the pitch shapes, and the flashes all point toward a pitcher who can still become a mid‑rotation anchor or better. His reset isn’t a setback. It’s a step in the development curve Boston expected.

The post Brayan Bello’s Growing Pains with Red Sox Aren’t a Setback appeared first on The Lead.

Romelu Lukuku shrugged off fitness concerns to help spare Belgium’s embarrassment as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening match of the World Cup in Seattle.

Lukaku, his country’s record goalscorer, was introduced in the 66th minute and within seconds was involved in the move that saw Mohamed Hany prod in an own goal to bring the two-time semi-finalists back on level terms.

Egypt had started brightly and snatched the lead in the 20th minute when Emam Ashour lashed the ball past Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the box to give his side hope of a first ever win at a World Cup finals.

Belgium looked flat-footed for much of a first period in which they failed to fashion a shot on target, and the African side looked more likely to add to their lead with Mostafa Ziko bringing a fine save out of Courtois on the half-hour mark.

The Red Devils stepped up the pace after the interval and came close to a leveller when Kevin De Bruyne lashed a free-kick against Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s right-hand post after a foul on Jeremy Doku.

Ashour snatched at a great chance to double Egypt’s advantage before Belgium came closer, Youri Tielemans lashing just wide from his side’s first corner on the hour mark, then De Bruyne scuffing at a fine chance from the centre of the box.

Lukaku, dubbed “out of shape” by Belgium coach Rudi Garcia despite including him in his World Cup squad last month, made an instant impact as he hustled the unfortunate Hany into poking the ball into his own net in the 66th minute.

Both sides pressed for a winner in an absorbing contest, with Shobeir acrobatically tipping away a drive from Brandon Mechele, and teenager Hamza Abdelkarim not far from connecting to Karim Hafez’s deep left-wing cross.

"It was a good game for the whole team. The whole team wanted the three points, we got one point in the end but we gave it our all,” Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim told BBC One.

“We know Belgium are a good team, [they have] good quality players but we can't say it was the hardest game or easiest game, every game for us has got to be three points.

“The whole atmosphere was great, we need to thank them and we're waiting for the next match and an even better atmosphere.”

Tunisia have taken drastic measures following their 5-1 defeat to Sweden and have sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi with two World Cup 2026 group games still to play.

Lamouchi only took charge of the team in January and managed just five games before his dismissal. He won once, a 1-0 over Haiti, and the Tunisian FA announced that Mondher Kebaier will take charge on an interim basis.

Kebaier previously led the national team between 2019-2022 and will likely be in charge for the rest of the World Cup campaign in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Tunisia play Japan in their second group game on Saturday before facing the Netherlands.

The news of Lamouchi’s sacking was announced on Instagram with the Tunisian FA posting a statement which reads: "An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi.

"Plans are under way ‌to appoint ‌Mondher Kebaier as the national team ‌coach [on an interim basis]."

Rumours of discontent with Lamouchi have been growing since before the World Cup began and a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in their final warm-up match could have spelled the end for the 54-year-old then.

Tunisia decided to stick with Lamouchi but a terrible performance in their opening group stage game, in which Sweden ran riot with goals from Yasin Ayari (x2), Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Mattias Svanberg.

Managerial departures during a major tournament are not common but they have happened before with Tunisia also having set a precedent. In 1998, they sacked Henryk Kasperczak after two games with the nation failing to win them both.

Cha Bum-kun also lost his job with South Korea during the same tournament, while Julen Lopetegui was sacked by Spain just two days prior to the 2018 World Cup.

Tunisia have never made it out of the group stages at a World Cup and they now face an uphill battle needing to take points off both Japan and the Netherlands in their next two games.