Barcelona identify three blockbuster alternatives as Julian Alvarez dream faces obstaclesBarcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez remains very much alive, but the club is already preparing for the possibility that their dream signing may prove impossible to secure.As reported before, the Argentine forward continues to be the preferred option within the club, with both sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick viewing the forward as the ideal long-term solution for the No.9 position.However, with the operation expected to be extremely complicated from both a sporting and financial standpoint, Barcelona are not putting all their eggs in one basket.According to SPORT, the club’s recruitment department has drawn up a shortlist of alternative candidates, with three names emerging as the leading options should the pursuit of Alvarez fail.Three forwards on Barcelona’s listAmong the alternatives, Harry Kane remains one of the most admired names within the club.Despite approaching his 33rd birthday, the Bayern Munich striker continues to perform at an elite level and is still regarded as one of the most complete centre-forwards in world football. The biggest obstacle, however, is Bayern Munich’s position, as the Bundesliga giants have no intention of selling one of their most important players, making any move difficult from the outset.Harry Kane is on Barcelona’s shortlist. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Another name gaining significant attention is Bournemouth striker Junior Kroupi.The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe and is particularly appreciated by Deco. However, Bournemouth’s valuation could become a major stumbling block, with the Premier League club seeking around €100 million, a figure that Barcelona will not match under any circumstances.The third candidate is Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal.Although not a traditional target man, Oyarzabal’s intelligence, versatility and ability to link play make him an intriguing option for Flick. His familiarity with La Liga and proven consistency also strengthen his case.Yet even this route would not be straightforward, with his release clause reportedly set at €75 million.Options of different profilesBarcelona are keeping an eye on Eli Junior Kroupi. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)The diversity of Barcelona’s shortlist reveals an interesting strategy.Alvarez remains the complete package and appears to be the club’s first choice for both the present and the future. Kane would offer immediate guarantees and world-class experience, while Kroupi represents a long-term investment with enormous upside.Oyarzabal, meanwhile, may be the most realistic option from a tactical and financial perspective. For now, Barcelona’s focus remains on Alvarez, but as the transfer market continues to evolve, the club is making sure they have several high-profile alternatives ready should their biggest attacking dream fail to materialise.

The inside story of how Real Madrid pulled off €60 million signing of Marc Cucurella amid Barcelona linksReal Madrid have officially completed the signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, with the Spanish international signing a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, keeping him at the club until 2032. Real Madrid will pay an initial €55 million for the left-back, with the total package potentially rising to €60 million through performance-related bonuses.Cucurella returns to La Liga after spending the last five seasons in England, where he represented Brighton and Chelsea. While his future had been heavily linked with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks, it was Real Madrid who moved to secure his signature.Notably, the operation was completed in a little more than 24 hours once the club decided to push forward with the transfer.An interesting back storyFor much of the summer, Cucurella appeared destined for a return to Barcelona.Real Madrid have signed Marc Cucurella. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)The left-back had previously indicated that a move back to Spain appealed to him, while Barcelona were frequently mentioned as his preferred destination. However, despite the strong links, a deal never advanced beyond the initial stages.One of the major obstacles was Barcelona’s financial situation. The club viewed the departure of Alejandro Balde as a necessary condition before seriously exploring a move for Cucurella. With no immediate progress on that front and the World Cup already underway, negotiations were expected to drag on.On the other hand, Real Madrid took a completely different approach.Rather than entering lengthy discussions, Los Blancos moved quickly and were willing to meet Chelsea’s financial demands. Hence, once Real Madrid decided Cucurella was the right profile, the deal accelerated rapidly.Mourinho’s call helped seal the transferCucurella always wanted to return to Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)According to Mundo Deportivo, citing sources close to the player, one conversation proved crucial in bringing the operation to life.While with the Spanish national team in Chattanooga ahead of the World Cup, Cucurella received a call from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.Following Cucurella’s willingness to join the project, the Real Madrid coach reportedly ended the conversation by saying, “If you’re on board, leave it to me.”From that moment, events moved quickly, and by the following day, news of the agreement had become public and shortly afterwards, Real Madrid officially announced the signing.Lastly, another factor that worked in Real Madrid’s favour is that his family had long planned to settle in Madrid in the future, as his wife has been a lifelong Real Madrid supporter. Hence, the opportunity to make that move earlier than expected ultimately became impossible to ignore.

Five of the biggest shocks in World Cup historyCape Verde may not have beaten Spain on Monday night, but their heroic goalless draw will nonetheless go down as one of the biggest ever shock results at a FIFA World Cup. The third smallest nation in the competition’s history took on the might of the European champions and came away with a precious point in Atlanta, largely thanks to an incredible performance from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha.He and the rest of the team attained instant legend status at the final whistle, just like so many others who upset the odds at previous tournaments. We’ve picked out some of the greatest below.The biggest shocks in FIFA World Cup history:Argentina 0-1 Cameroon (1990)Cameroon pulled off one of the all-time greatest upset victories in their very first game at a World Cup, beating the defending champions Argentina in Italy. The aptly named Indomitable Lions went out with a very simple game plan: use violence at every possible opportunity.Despite being the most-fouled player in the competition’s history, Diego Maradona was not the primary victim of this overly physical approach, but Claudio Caniggia.It wasn’t a foolproof plan, as André Kana-Biyik was shown a straight red card for tripping up Caniggia from behind in the second half. The Atalanta attacker was targeted again late on when three different players tried to halt his driving run upfield. Benjamin Massing was the one to finally bring him down with an horrendous challenge that almost chopped the forward in half, earning him his marching orders.Regardless, Cameroon completely stultified Argentina at the San Siro and totally stunned them when they scored in the 68th minute. Francois Omam-Biyik leapt high into the air to meet a cross, and though his header was fairly weak, goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea dropped a clanger and let the ball squirm away from him.Goycochea went on to redeem himself later in the tournament, saving penalties in shootout victories over Yugoslavia and Italy on the way to the final, but his howler handed Cameroon the most famous win in their history.Read – 10 of the most unforgettable FIFA World Cup momentsFrance 0-1 Senegal (2002)That was not the last time an African nation made their World Cup bow by beating the reigning champions. When Senegal rocked up to South Korea in 2002, everyone expected them to be smashed by France.Les Bleus, after all, had a squad containing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly, who had just won the European Championship two years after claiming the World Cup for the first time.Senegal had finished as runners-up at AFCON that year, but they were still very much minnows. And yet, they did the unthinkable.The late Papa Bouba Diop slid in from close range to give the Lions of Teranga a shock lead after half an hour, and they somehow held on for victory. It set the tone for a tournament full of surprises; France went out at the group stages, as did Portugal and Argentina, while Spain and Italy were eliminated in the knockouts by South Korea.Senegal had one more upset in them, beating Sweden in the round of 16 with a golden goal in extra time. It was a life changing experience for the squad, many of whom secured moves to the Premier League. El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao joined Liverpool and Aliou Cisse moved to Birmingham that summer, while Bouba Diop was later signed by Fulham.Read – The best football kits we’ll see at FIFA World Cup 2026Ireland 1-0 Italy (1994)The Republic of Ireland possessed an impressive squad of players in the nineties, containing the likes of Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, Paul McGrath and Steve Staunton. But they were heavy underdogs in their opening match at USA ’94 against Italy, considered one of the favourites that year.The Boys in Green may have reached the quarter-finals in 1990, where they were beaten by the Italians, but they hadn’t won a match inside 90 minutes in a major tournament since defeating England at Euro 88.The Azzurri were stunned just ten minutes into the game, however, when Ray Houghton tried his luck from range and lobbed the keeper with a half volley. McGrath put on a world-class display as Jack Charlton’s men defended like their very lives depended on it for the next 80 minutes to cling on for a famous victory in New Jersey.Irish fans outnumbered the Italians at Giants Stadium by a considerable margin, although as it later turned out, the FAI had secured tickets for the match from ticket tout George the Greek. The scandal was investigated by Veronica Guerin in one of the final stories she pursued before being murdered in an gangland hit.Read – The youngest players ever to feature at a World CupArgentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia (2022)When Lionel Messi rolled his penalty into the bottom in the 10th minute of Argentina’s World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia in 2022, it felt like it would be the start of a demolition job.The Albiceleste had arrived in Qatar with only one goal in mind: win the whole bloody thing. The Saudis were just hopeful they might be able to squeeze into the knockout stage.But the script was completely flipped in the second half when goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari completed the unlikeliest of comeback victories.Argentina were able to recover from the defeat to become just the second nation ever to lose their opening game and go on to win the World Cup when they beat France in the final, following Spain in 2010.Read – How to watch World Cup highlights this summerUSA 1-0 England (1950)There may never be a bigger upset in World Cup history than this one. The United States fielded an amateur XI at Brazil 1950, while England went to the tournament with notions of being the best in the world.The Three Lions had not entered the first three editions of the competition, possibly for fear of damaging the perception of the country internationally if they lost. So their participation suggests they travelled with a certain sense of confidence in their team’s ability to take home the Jules Rimet Trophy.But, in their first ever game at a World Cup, England were completely embarrassed, losing 1-0 to the Americans. The shame of that result was relived 60 years later when they were held to a 1-1 draw by the US in South Africa following a blunder by goalkeeper Rob Green.Read – The five World Cup teams to score 7+ goals this centurySee Also – Ronaldo’s redemption at the 2002 World CupFollow The Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

"Quan Martin is about to take off."That is what Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said to Logan Paulsen last season after a preseason game against the Bengals.Martin had not one, but two surgeries on both shoulders in the offseason between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Martin had played with and then undergone surgery on what the Commanders called bilateral separated shoulders. Martin worked hard and returned for action before the 2025 season began. Thus, Quinn was excited about how he thought Martin played against the Bengals and expressed anticipation that Martin was about to make great progress in his career.But then 2025 happened. There was a hamstring injury, then, you guessed it, another shoulder injury. He managed to play through all 17 games, but clearly struggled at times, too often missing tackles. Many noticed it, and Martin was criticized for it. Now, we have to wonder, "How much of that was trying to play, attempting to make tackles on a sore, injured shoulder?"On Tuesday, the first day of Washington's three-day mandatory minicamp, Martin was naturally asked about his shoulders. "I feel good, man. Just trying to get my body exactly how I want it when it comes time for the season." Of course, we are glad to hear that Martin is feeling stronger and ready to play again. But it wasn't just his shoulder in 2025. There were times Martin was clearly beaten in coverage. Was it the hamstring slowing him down? Possibly, but of course, there is just no way we are going to know how injured or how limited players really are.When Martin was asked about the 2025 team performance of 5-12 and how this 2026 team will respond, he didn't hesitate, "Just coming out every day, trying to get better. We are putting in the work right now. We talk about the reps we are putting in now that are going to help us later down the line and throughout the season. We are just putting ourselves in the best position to be successful when it is time."Martin spoke highly of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, alluding to Jones' ability to cover the details and explain the overall concepts of what he wants to see from the defense in 2026. The Commanders' safety room is crowded with nine currently on the 90-man roster. Is this the year Tyler Owens breaks through to play other than special teams? Jeremy Reaves was also extended, Percy Butler returns, and Nick Cross comes from the Colts via free agency. Martin knows there is competition this year in the preseason for roster spots at safety.This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Quan Martin speaks on 2025 struggles

🎥 Argentine madness to English rodeo: yesterday's World Cup laughs 🤣A World Cup is always different and always leaves special moments both on and off the pitch. Beyond the goals, the highlights, and the spotlight on the grass, the party is moving to the streets of the host cities. Even to other countries. Bangladesh goes crazy for ArgentinaIf there is one country in the world where the World Cup is experienced intensely even though its national team is not playing in it, that country is Bangladesh. At the last World Cup, fans in this country supported Argentina the whole way through. And this World Cup was not going to be any different. The Argentine party at Patrick Mahomes' homeYesterday, Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium looked like Buenos Aires' Monumental. The home of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs was decked out in sky blue and white to cheer on Argentina. An image that is always iconic.The 'greeting' from Australia fans to Donald TrumpFriday's USA-Australia match is heating up. Between the exchange of comments from players on both sides, the fans are already starting to play their part too. And the Australians wanted to remind everyone of the country's president, Donald Trump, and the scandals he has been involved in. In their own way, of course.New York's mayor's 'vintage' memoryFrance-Senegal was a match that brought back memories of a May morning in 2002 for true fans. The day Papa Bouba Diop toppled the reigning world champion French team. New York mayor Zohran Mamdani remembers that match too. The bifana goes internationalThe bifana is part of Portugal's identity. A tasty sandwich that you can eat almost anywhere in the country. So it had to be there alongside the national team. In Houston, a local restaurant has not hesitated to capitalize on the World Cup buzz by making a killing selling this sandwich. And good for them.The English, at the rodeoIs there anything more 'deep American' than a rodeo? England fans are adapting to local traditions and, one day before their national team's match against Croatia, they did not hesitate to go to a rodeo to sing and have fun. As long as they do not climb onto a bull, everything will be fine...The menu for this Wednesday19:00 CET: Portugal vs DR Congo22:00 CET: England vs Croatia01:00 CET: Ghana vs Panama04:00 CET: Uzbekistan vs ColombiaThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Ruben Dias sparks Portugal injury concern ahead of FIFA World Cup opener against DR CongoThe commanding 29-year-old caused a momentary panic after separating from Roberto Martínez’s core group during Portugal’s training camp.Comprehensive assessment has steered the Manchester City star toward controlled recovery and muscle activation.Despite working on individual patterns, the domestic double-winner is now ruled out for their Group K opening fixture.Portugal have been left sweating over the fitness of Manchester City’s Ruben Dias as they prepare to open their account at the FIFA World Cup.As the 48-team tournament takes centre stage across North America, head coach Roberto Martínez has been fine-tuning his squad that lands in Texas carrying significant expectations back home of international glory this summer.Yet, the tactical blueprints for Portugal’s Group K opener at the Houston Stadium were briefly thrown into concern amid physical difficulties surrounding Manchester City’s Dias within the training camp.With City’s Sporting Director Hugo Viana engineering a summer squad evolution – having recently secured a contract extension for Josko Gvardiol until 2031 – Dias’ long-term physical baseline remains a point of interest.What has happened to Ruben Dias lately?It has been reported that Ruben Dias was the only Portugal player away from the main group on Sunday, although it has been confirmed that there is little concern about his availability for their World Cup group stage opener against DR Congo.O Jogo explain that Dias was being closely monitored by national team medical staff having been placed on an individual programme, and despite an initial expectation that he would be at full strength for kick-off on June 17, manager Martinez has ruled out the player.Additional reporting from Record has confirmed Dias has since took part in lighter activities with the squad, carrying out muscle activation exercises at the team hotel and a beach recovery session in Palm Beach.Ruben Dias and Real Madrid transfer talkWhile Ruben Dias’ focus will no doubt be on achieving the best possible outcome in the United States this summer, talk continues to linger surrounding doubt over his Manchester City future.The widespread understanding is that the former Benfica man features highly on a shortlist of potential central defensive recruits being eyed by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, with the Portuguese manager represented by the same agent as Dias in Jorge Mendes.It remains to be seen what Ruben Dias’ own stance is on his club future, while it also remains unknown as to just how much Manchester City would demand in terms of transfer fee for a player contracted until 2029.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Conor McGregor attends Charity Day 2025 Hosted by the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at Cantor on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald) | Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgera UFC superstar Conor McGregor recently came under fire for using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in his recovery efforts stemming from his 2021 broken leg.Amongst UFC faithful, McGregor retiring to juice up and heal his injury was a fairly open secret for quite a while. Last week, the New York Times published an in-depth article detailing McGregor’s use of PEDs and slamming his brief foray into retirement. There were also some insinuations that McGregor’s public feud with the United States Anti-Doing Agency (USADA) may have resulted in the UFC’s 2024 separation from USADA.On Tuesday, UFC released an official statement defending McGregor on both ends. Per the promotion, McGregor did only what was necessary to heal from a “potentially career-ending injury” and did so strictly on the guidance of an orthopedic surgeon. McGregor’s extensive drug testing history was also cited, and any idea that UFC kicked out USADA because of McGregor is “categorically false.”Read the full statement below:“In 2021, Conor McGregor sustained a potentially career-ending injury and sought medical guidance from leading orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who advised the appropriate recovery and rehabilitation protocol. As a result, McGregor did not compete for five years and maintained proper communication with our team throughout, remaining in full compliance with the rules of our comprehensive drug program. McGregor has been tested 19 times over the past two years, including 12 times in 2026, making him the most tested athlete during this time.Any suggestion that UFC’s decision to end its partnership with USADA was related to Conor McGregor is categorically false. Internal communications and documentation clearly show that discussions regarding a transition away from USADA began months before any conversations involving McGregor.This narrative is a continued attempt by USADA leadership to misrepresent the facts surrounding UFC’s unilateral decision to terminate our agreement with them and instead choose to partner with a far more competent, organized, and sophisticated testing group comprised of Drug Free Sport, Combat Sports Anti-Doping, and SMRTL labratories. The health and safety of our athletes remain our highest priority. We fully support Conor McGregor and look forward to his return to the Octagon this summer.“We’re now less than one month away from McGregor’s return to the Octagon versus Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11. Barring another whereabouts violation or broken toe in the next few weeks, it would appear that the five-year McGregor drought is finally coming to an end.

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesAldon Smith’s family are searching for answers after the former NFL pass rusher’s sudden death at 36, and their next step focuses on his brain.Smith’s passing has been met with sadness across the NFL, not only because of his age, but also because of the complex path his football life took.He was once one of the league’s most explosive defensive talents, though his career and later years were also marked by personal and legal struggles.With no official cause of death released, his family’s attorneys say they are trying to understand the full picture.Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesAldon Smith’s family sends brain for CTE testing after sudden deathAccording to ESPN, Smith’s family have arranged for his brain to be examined by medical experts in Boston following his death.“As with anyone who dies so suddenly at such a young age, we understand that there is a great deal of interest in and speculation about Aldon Smith’s passing and we intend to get to the bottom of it,” ESPN reported.The attorneys added, “To that end, we have taken a number of steps, including sending his brain to Boston where medical experts will examine it for CTE as well as other damage caused by years of concussions and additional trauma.”The statement came from family attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Wayne Kendall, who are investigating the circumstances around Smith’s passing. Reports said Smith was found unresponsive in a vehicle, but authorities had not released an official cause of death at the time of reporting.The decision to pursue brain testing does not mean any conclusion has been reached. It shows the family want medical experts to examine whether long-term football trauma may have played a role in the wider story.Aldon Smith CTE examination follows years of NFL collisionsThe family’s attorneys said the testing will look beyond one possible explanation and examine the kind of damage that can follow a career built around repeated contact, collisions and head trauma.Smith’s NFL career began with rare promise. Drafted seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, he made an immediate impact, recording 33.5 sacks across his first two NFL seasons.His 19.5-sack 2012 season earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition and remains one of the most dominant early-career pass-rushing bursts of his era. He later played for the Raiders and Cowboys, but suspensions and legal issues interrupted what once looked like a long, star career.Now, after his death at 36, his family’s focus is on finding answers with care and facts rather than allowing speculation to fill the silence.Read more:What San Francisco 49ers had to say after tragic passing of 36-year-old Aldon Smith

Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty ImagesThomas Muller spent years crossing paths with Lionel Messi on football’s biggest stages — but even he was left in awe by the Argentine’s latest World Cup performance.Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria, drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s all-time top scorer.The display drew praise from across the game, including from Muller — a player who has been present for some of Messi’s most memorable moments, both good and bad.Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesThomas Muller reacts to Lionel Messi’s World Cup hat-trickThomas Muller took to Instagram shortly after Lionel Messi’s heroics against Algeria.The former Bayern Munich and Germany star shared a photo of himself alongside Messi and accompanied it with a short but powerful caption.“This guy… 🐐”While only three words and an emoji, the post quickly attracted attention given the history between the two football icons.Muller has spent much of his career competing against Messi at both international and club level, making him one of the players best placed to appreciate the Argentine’s longevity and continued brilliance.The German was part of the side that defeated Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and also faced Messi numerous times during Bayern Munich’s memorable Champions League clashes with Barcelona.Despite being on the winning side in many of those encounters, Muller appeared to join the growing list of players and pundits left stunned by Messi’s latest performance.The Argentina captain scored all three goals in a 3-0 victory over Algeria, moving level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals and strengthening his case as the greatest player the sport has ever seen.Muller knows Messi’s game better than mostThey also met regularly at club level, with Muller’s Bayern Munich enjoying several famous wins over Messi’s Barcelona.Despite those past battles, the German had nothing but respect for what he saw in Kansas City.Messi’s hat-trick took him to 16 World Cup goals, moving past Ronaldo Nazário and level with Klose atop the all-time list.He also became the first player to appear in six World Cups and marked his 200th cap for Argentina during the match.With the tournament just underway, Messi now has the chance to move clear of Klose and set the scoring record outright.Read more:IShowSpeed issues gloomy response to Lionel Messi dominating AlgeriaLionel Messi sends Cristiano Ronaldo message after World Cup hat-trickPatrick Mahomes sums up Lionel Messi’s World Cup performances with perfect emoji

TimesofIndia. com in Lucknow: It took Surendra Dubey and Jyoti Dubey nearly 24 hours to travel from Nagpur to Lucknow. A delayed train only added to the journey, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the proud parents, who had missed watching their son Harsh Dubey make his India debut in Dharamsala because they couldn't secure flight tickets at short notice. Determined not to miss his second international appearance, they left nothing to chance and booked Tatkal tickets for the Lucknow ODI."Train got delayed, but it was worth it. We missed his debut match, because we got the news of him making the debut only at 7 pm (a day before the first ODI). We tried our best but no flights were availble. So for Lucknow ODI, we didn't took the risk and booked the tatkaal tickets," Surendra Dubey, a former Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer, tells TimesofIndia. com. Much like the train journey his parents undertook to be in Lucknow, Harsh Dubey's path to the Indian team has been fascinating. It has involved several stops, each adding a new dimension to his game and helping him sharpen his skill set.It all started with an accidental turn. As an 11-year-old, Harsh Dubey accompanied his father to buy books when they took a wrong turn and found themselves outside Ruby Cricket Club in Nagpur. A young Harsh aspired to be a batter, and Sanjog Binkar, a former Vidarbha Ranji Trophy player, saw something special in him. Convinced of the youngster's potential, he assured Surendra Dubey that the boy had a bright future ahead."Bilkul golu molu sa bachha (He was a chubby kid), but very curious. From that age, he used to ask so many questions. I was also an active cricketer back then, and his questions were so pertinent that I had to come prepared before every session. He made me a coach and I can proudly say he is my first student," Binkar tells this website proudly about his ward."In his interviews, he always says that batting is his first love. It is true. He is an accidental bowler, or shall I just say he is immensely gifted that he became an excellent bowler as well," adds Binkar.Dubey picked up 69 wickets in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. It was the most by any bowler in the competition's history. The wily customer also scored 476 runs with the bat, earning the Player of the Tournament award."His basics with both bat and ball are solid. With the ball, he always used to keep bowling at one spot. It was his batting where he was adventurous. I remember a time when I was fed up with him trying to hoick every bowler out of the park. I got so frustrated that I tied a rope to his leg and put a big stone at one end of it, then challenged him to step out. That's how he improved his footwork," laughs Binkar.— BCCI (@BCCI) Between batting, bowling and fielding, Surendra Dubey and Savita Dubey balanced their jobs. Once he started doing well and was picked for the Vijay Merchant Trophy (U-16), the parents took a bold call. Mr Dubey took the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and Mrs Dubey quit her teaching job so that they could concentrate on Harsh.At 19, Harsh moved to the Nagpur Cricket Academy, which is associated with the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), and coach Madhav Bakre immediately realised they had a gem in their hands."We had heard about Harsh. His exploits in junior cricket were well known," shares Bakre.But despite performing well in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, he missed out on the 2020 U-19 World Cup team, which forced Harsh to introspect."He asked us what he was lacking. As a coach, I knew there was nothing wrong with his talent; it was his fitness. I bluntly told him to work on his fitness," recollects Bakre."From the next day, he was a changed man. After every win, we used to celebrate in our academy with samosas and jalebis, and he stopped eating them. Since that conversation, I don't think he has eaten sugar. And now he is reaping the rewards," adds Bakre.In the 2022-23 season, Dubey made his Ranji Trophy debut. He picked up 18 wickets in six matches. The next year, he took 19 wickets in as many matches.Before the 2024-25 season, Prashant Vaidya, former India seamer and the director of VCA's Cricket Academy, contacted Ramji Srinivasan, the former Head Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Coach of the India national cricket team, and asked if he could send four of their best players to Chennai to work with him."Prashant sent four kids. Harsh was one of them. The others were Prafull Hinge, Akshay Wadkar and one more boy. They spent three weeks with me in Chennai. It was an S&C session. I should not take any credit or blow my own trumpet, but those new exercise methods did wonders for Harsh," he says."Be it an off-spinner, a left-arm spinner, a leg-spinner or a chinaman, everyone has a specialised workout chart. With Harsh, we worked on how he could use the crease more so that he could bowl 25 overs in a day with the red ball. Sometimes in the Ranji Trophy, a left-arm spinner ends up bowling 35-40 overs. Their bodies need to adapt so that they can recover quickly. We work on that aspect," he adds."It was snowing in Chennai," laughs Ramji. "Jokes apart, it was hot and humid, and that boy showed great discipline in those three weeks. Now he is reaping the rewards. He understood the importance of fitness and that's why he is now playing for India."On the eve of the second ODI, India's bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule lavished praise on the youngster and tipped him to become a top all-rounder for India."Harsh definitely has a good future as an all-rounder. He has done exceedingly well for Vidarbha, and I think that's the reason he has been given this opportunity," said Bahutule."With every game, you learn. Even in the last game, he was under pressure after that first over, but the way he came back was impressive. Shubman also used him very well, made the right changes at the right time and gave him the ends that suited him."He is a player for the future. He has the skills and a good temperament, and he has proved that not only in domestic cricket. The more he plays and the more experience he gets, the more he will enhance his skills." 131787216On his debut on a flat track in Dharamsala, Dubey picked up three for 47 and showed glimpses of his potential. Now, in Lucknow, he will have a chance to perform better with his parents watching from the stands. The secret of Harsh Dubey's success is that he has had many stops in his journey, but each one has only enhanced his craft and prepared him to become an India cricketer, which he dreamt of while buying books for the fifth grade.

(Video) Reported Liverpool transfer target sends out a statement with instant World Cup impactOne reported Liverpool transfer target didn’t take long to make an impact in his first appearance at the 2026 World Cup.Whilst Andoni Iraola seemingly pushes for the signing of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, the Reds also continue to be linked with a positional alternative in Bradley Barcola, with Fabrizio Romano claiming in recent days that LFC are ‘keen’ on the Paris Saint-Germain star.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYBarcola makes immediate World Cup impactThe 23-year-old wasn’t in the starting XI for France as they began their World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, although he was brought off the bench in the 80th minute with Les Bleus leading 1-0, and his impact was almost immediate.Just a couple of minutes later, an exquisite through ball from Adrien Rabiot picked out the Liverpool-linked winger, who split the Senegalese centre-backs and dinked the ball over the onrushing Edouard Mendy to double the lead for his side, who eventually won 3-1.(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Could Liverpool offer Barcola assurances over game-time?In a game which saw Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele substituted for Barcola, the latter made a statement to Didier Deschamps by scoring within two minutes of his introduction, taking his chance with aplomb whilst he was at it.Will it be enough to catapult the 23-year-old into the starting XI for France’s next match against Iraq on Monday? Possibly, given the outrageous attacking wealth that Les Bleus boast, and their advantageous position in terms of emerging from Group I with a game to spare.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustHis cameo outing in New Jersey may well have Liverpool chiefs on even greater alert, particularly if their ongoing pursuit of Diomande were to ultimately prove fruitless.A player of Barcola’s talents would be an automatic starter for almost any team in world football, but he finds himself part of two incredibly stacked forward lines with PSG and France.If the Merseysiders were able to all but guarantee him a place in the starting XI, could that tip the scales towards luring him to Anfield? Possibly, althoug he again displayed his capability of making an impact off the bench as Les Bleus got off to a winning start at the World Cup.You can view Barcola’s goal against Senegal below (from 5:38), via ITV Sport on YouTube:

Real Madrid legend gives his verdict on Marc Cucurella signing: ‘Without a doubt, it’s a good move’Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid continues to generate discussion across Spanish football, and one former Los Blancos star has made it clear that he fully supports the club’s decision.Speaking recently, former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado offered his thoughts on the arrival of the Spanish international from Chelsea. The former-right-back believes Real Madrid have secured one of the best players available in his position and expects the signing to strengthen the squad significantly.Cucurella recently completed his transfer from Chelsea after Real Madrid moved to beat off competition and finalise the deal. While debate has surrounded both the fee and the timing of the announcement, Salgado sees only positives from the operation.Salgado hails Real Madrid’s decisionSalgado believes Cucurella is among the elite left-backs currently playing the game and highlighted both his experience and his suitability for Real Madrid.Giving his verdict on the transfer, he was quoted by Mundo Deportivo as saying, Salgado has approved Cucurella’s signing. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)“Without a doubt, signing Cucurella is a good move for Real Madrid in many ways. To me, he’s currently one of the hottest left backs in the world.”The former Spain international also pointed to Cucurella’s experience in English football and European competition as key factors behind his assessment.“He already has experience at Chelsea at the highest level, in the Champions League and in all the major competitions.“Beyond his footballing qualities, Salgado also stressed the importance of strengthening the Spanish identity within the squad.“He’s Spanish, and I think it’s also important, in a way, for Real Madrid to once again have a slightly more Spanish core. “And that’s not to dismiss other players. It’s just that, ultimately, on a team representing your country, you need a strong group of players in the locker room to bring that personality,” he added.More to the storyThe announcement of Cucurella’s signing arrived just before Spain’s opening match at the FIFA World Cup, leading some observers to question whether it could become a distraction.Real Madrid have acquired Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)However, Salgado does not see it that way. From his perspective, securing a dream move to Real Madrid is more likely to boost a player’s confidence than create additional pressure.“From a player’s perspective, I think it can have a positive effect on you. Because if you’ve signed with Madrid, it’s the best moment of your life. “That brings greater joy, not nervousness. Quite the opposite. It’s a celebration of who you are as a person and as a player. “The signing was announced on game day, just as it could have been announced tomorrow or in two days,” he noted.Recommendations for Real MadridPerhaps the most interesting part of Salgado’s interview came when he was asked which Spanish players he would bring to the Santiago Bernabeu.Without hesitation, he answered, “I’d sign a lot of them.”He then added, “The national team has the best players in the world. I’d sign Fabian, Pedri, Nico, Lamine… I’d bring them all to Real Madrid, without a doubt.”

Jordan's Mousa Altamari with Austria's Alexander Schlager during Tuesday's match in the World Cup at Santa Clara, Calif.SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When you’re in the group stage of the World Cup, it’s usually wise to play it safe.The goal is to make it out of your group and get to the knockout phase of the tournament. So when Jordan came out in a 5-4-1 formation in its Group J opening match Tuesday at Levi’s Stadium against Austria, no one should have been surprised. If you’re not scored upon, your chances of advancing improve, even if you fail to dent the scoreboard yourself.And so it was on a cool late spring evening in the South Bay. The Jordanians packing it in in the back, waiting for that one break to perhaps counter and get lucky enough to send their thousands of supporters in the stands into a frenzy.Unfortunately, it was a strategy that didn’t pay off. Austria scored in the 20th minute, again in the 76th and in the waning seconds of stoppage time on a penalty kick by Marko Arnautovic to post a 3-1 win in front of 68,527 giving the nation its first World Cup win in 36 years..If you’re Yazeed Abulaila, Jordan’s 33-year-old goalkeeper who earned his 76th cap representing his country, it meant a night of anxiousness and being under duress against an Austria side which was looking to attack and pressure him and his white-clad mates.Surprisingly, the shots were even four apiece. And Jordan’s goal was a beauty as Ali Olwan made a nice rambling run down the left side, cut across the middle of the field, then ripped a shot that Alexander Schlager was unable to stop.The goal, which came in the 50th minute, tied the game 1-1. And with plenty of time left, the Jordanians were very much in it. But An own goal in the 76th minute following a corner kick and then the late penalty awarded to Austria sealed Jordan’s fate.“No, we knew Jordan had a good team, talented players,” Schlager said. “We weren’t surprised they could mount an attack. But we were able to pressure them and we were able to win the game.”For Austria, which has to deal with Lionel Messi and Argentina in its next match on Monday in Arlington, Texas, they know they’re going to have to raise their level of play. So the three points it picked up Tuesday here were critical in the team’s hopes of advancing out of the group.“Messi, he is the best player in the world,” said Austria’s David Alaba of the man who registered a hat trick in the 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City Tuesday. “We will have to be prepared to play against him and Argentina.”But any nerves the Austrians may have had should be out of their collective system by now. They got a good test from Jordan, passed it, and now they move on to Texas and a date with Messi.

For some of the more superstitious England players, the timing was telling. The first night at their boutique Kansas City base coincided with game five of the NBA finals. A ferocious storm was whirling amid tornado warnings, with Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti also attracting attention, but a few of them made sure to be in place for tip-off. By the time the New York Knicks sealed a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs to clinch a first championship in 53 years they were jumping around. One player still had the presence of mind to point to the parallels between the storied New York team and England, from the constant noise around them to the tension of that long wait. Arsenal finally winning the title was of course referenced, too.And as superficial as all of this may seem, it can have genuine substance for players. Such ephemera fosters a belief, a feeling that stars are finally aligning, in a way that can genuinely fortify conviction in actual play.That it’s their time, too. That it’s fated, with 60 years since their last and only triumph in a World Cup.Anyone reading this could of course point to multiple previous World Cups where England thought the same, which was almost every time. It plays into a strange back and forth before every tournament. The national football culture’s collective psyche is both constantly built up and always beaten down. Excessive expectation is perpetually tempered by oppressive pessimism; the hope that this one will be different is offset by the fear it’s always the same.Those years of hurt have since been capped by a decade of even more agonising close calls. Getting so near to glory, in a manner not seen since 1966, has only made the same disappointment all the more exquisite.The usual emotions, however, shouldn’t cloud rational analysis in the moment. The view among other major countries is that English success just has to happen eventually, even amid mirth at how they never do it. The squad is too good. The country has invested too much, right up to the contract for Thomas Tuchel. It is actually a kind of reverse alchemy that it hasn’t happened yet. The basic maths should have dictated otherwise. One of the strongest and wealthiest football cultures, with a population of almost 60 million people, has somehow only ever won one major trophy and none in six decades. The banners at the Kansas base saying “Route 66” are both a nicely predictable play on numbers and a little poignant. Even that mythic Wembley win over West Germany doesn’t mean what it did. It’s been too long, the only relevance really in how England are the only World Cup winner to have only ever won that trophy, while also having gone on the longest drought of all former champions.England have settled into their World Cup base in Kansas as anticipation grows for the start of their tournament (Reuters)That wait is now all the more inexplicable since the FA have also directly followed the examples of France, Spain and Germany in using the immense wealth of a western European football nation to industrially overhaul their talent infrastructure… but still don’t have the same reward. Spain and France have instead gone through two separate cycles of victories since their revolutions. It should really have happened for England by sheer law of averages.What is often unsaid in such discussions, however, is how such widespread transformation can still require that final touch of luck, the toss of a coin, the bounce of a ball. Knock-out football is still that capricious. It is instructive that everyone around the England camp - right up to Harry Kane - believes that their best modern tournament was actually, statistically, their worst. The 2022 World Cup was the only one since 2018 where they didn’t make the semi-finals, but the level of the football was far superior. England just happened to play an elite side as early as the quarters and lost a 50-50 through a penalty miss. It happens.But might this be a competition where that same fortune falls England’s way? The squad is far from perfect but no one’s is. This is an open field, with few outstanding teams. England's defeat to France in the 2022 World Cup came by the narrowest of margins after Harry Kane's penalty miss (Getty)Spain and France are widely considered the finest but not without problems of their own. Spain displayed some of theirs in a laborious 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, while the first week of the tournament repeatedly suggested an unusually open World Cup. Other European sides have mostly struggled. If England manage to top the group, too, the indications are they will be on the softer side of the draw. The team have of course benefitted from that in recent tournaments, only to come up against familiar disappointment: to fall to the first elite side they play. That nevertheless points to how wider structural change almost makes the last human element more decisive. Gareth Southgate did an admirable job in bringing wider forces together for an actual team, but he was clearly lacking something that makes a winning team. Tuchel, by contrast, is not. As one experienced figure put it, England “finally have a coach who has been successful in knock-out football, and can instil confidence from authority”.Nobody is privately doubting whether Tuchel is “a winner”. It helps condition the same conviction that feelings about fated moments do. There is less doubt. The contrast has already formed one major difference from Southgate’s time, and fostered a more sophisticated tactical approach.In Thomas Tuchel, England finally have a coach that has been successful in knock-out football (Getty)An irony nevertheless exists in how you can go through so much change and Tuchel can still somehow face the same fundamental challenges that his predecessor did back in 2018. England, yes, must finally beat elite opposition in a big tournament match. Germany 2021 at home doesn’t quite constitute that. And, to manage it, England probably have to figure out how to control a game without a pure six. As good as Elliott Anderson is, he’s still adapting to a role. That points to another irony in England’s recent revolution. Superior coaching has produced an abundance of No 10s, but Tuchel would love just one of them to be able to translate that technical ability to a more withdrawn role.That frustration isn’t unique to England, though. France have a similar cluster in attack, but would love a Declan Rice. Spain have a similar cluster in midfield, but would love a Kane. The striker’s rare guarantee of goals may prove a significant differential, but then Argentina and Brazil would also love England’s depth.The key difference is that all of these teams have won trophies in the modern era, let alone in colour television. They don’t have the same neuroses, the same debates, the same fixations.That’s why it’s so important this tournament feels different. It’s also why there’s so much on this opening match against Croatia. It isn’t even so much about topping the group but about actually telling everyone - including the players - where England actually are.So much of the confidence around Tuchel was sparked by the 5-0 win away to Serbia, but that has since been tempered by how Mexico - potential last-16 opponents at the Azteca - also beat the same side 5-1. Maybe Serbia were just that bad. Maybe England aren’t that good. Maybe, maybe, maybe… so much uncertainty, so much of the same back and forth.It’s why England have never needed a big game to come more, with the fact this match is the penultimate of the first round only prolonging the wait, either putting off reality or building up the anticipation. It’s almost the moment. This time… surely?

Today’s Papers – Inter book Palestra, but Real Madrid want BastoniLa Gazzetta dello SportMusic MbappéHaaland scores a brace too, Norway goBastoni, there’s RealThe defender on the Galacticos’ list: Mou decidesInter ask for 70m: the same fee demanded from Barcelona. The coach, not arrived yet, has the last word.Amorim restarts from the No.9The dream is Ramos from PSG. Cardinale: ‘Attacking Milan.’Corriere dello SportMaster Mbappé, CR7 for historyPalestra bookedInter advance: after City, the full-back stops the Premier League againNo to Chelsea: he has chosen ChivuEnquiry from London: the Italian is liked by Xabi Alonso, but insists that his priority are the Italian champions. Maresca has given up too, turning to Malo Gusto. Marotta and Ausilio are looking for an agreement with Atalanta.Exclusive Capello: ‘I offered myself to Sensi.’Gila puts Napoli in poleThe agent will ask for a sale: Lotito likes Lucca, Beukema and Rafa MarinAmorim: ‘Milan, a great honour.’‘Coaching here has always been my ambition.’ Cardinale: ‘He has a strong identity.’Juve, Vicario in the race with DibuSpalletti plans the first three coups: the goalkeeper right away, then Lucumì and one between Sorloth and Kolo.TuttosportMilan confirm the appointment of the Portuguese coach: the super agent Mendes will help himRamos or Nunez for AmorimThe first target is a hitman, who can arrive from PSG or Saudi Arabia. Three-year deal for the new coach. ‘I’ve always had the ambition to lead this club.’ Cardinale: ‘His modern and attacking football fits our philosophy. ‘Carnevali: fewer virtual data, more scoutingJuve, no more algorithms!The new CEO turns Comolli’s method on its head to restore an old-style transfer market that prioritises scouting reports and human relationships. The scouting area gets amplified: Cangini arriving from Sassuolo. Arthur issue. Dragusin returns?Mbappé suddenly comes out, like the sun.Zapata ’28: agreement with TorinoFrosinone become American too?The group that controls Ipswich is in action: developments expected soonEngland, Cannavaro, CR7: thrilling debutsView this post on Instagram

Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City in £100m Premier League star battleTottenham Enter £100m Sandro Tonali Race as Newcastle Brace for BidsSpurs Join Arsenal and Man City in Transfer BattleTottenham Hotspur’s summer plans have taken on a distinctly ambitious shape, with The Telegraph reporting that Spurs have been encouraged to join Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.The 26-year-old Italian is expected to command a fee of around £100m, a figure that immediately changes the temperature of any negotiation. This is not a speculative punt. This is a deal that would require conviction, structure and, perhaps most importantly, a clear idea of what Tottenham want to become under Roberto De Zerbi.Spurs’ interest is said to be genuine, driven by De Zerbi, although Arsenal and City had previously been viewed as the more desirable destinations by Tonali’s representatives. That detail matters. It suggests Tottenham may have work to do, not only with Newcastle, but with the player’s camp too.Newcastle Hold Firm on £100m ValuationNewcastle are reportedly calm about the situation. Tonali is under contract until 2029, with the club holding an option to extend by another year, which gives them leverage.After the difficult Alexander Isak saga last year, when the striker eventually joined Liverpool for a British record £128m after refusing to train or play, Newcastle appear determined to avoid another messy exit. This time, the message seems simple, meet the price or move on.Photo IMAGOThat stance is understandable. Tonali was signed from AC Milan for £55m in 2023, but his time on Tyneside has carried unusual complexity. He served a 10-month ban for breaching gambling rules shortly after arriving in England, during which Newcastle stood by him and extended his contract.For supporters, that history colours everything.Arsenal Seen as Favourites Despite Spurs InterestInternally, Newcastle have reportedly viewed Arsenal as favourites since Tonali was first linked with the Emirates in January. Manchester City have also been kept informed, although their priority appears to be Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.Manchester United, meanwhile, have stepped away due to the combined cost of the transfer fee and wage demands.Spurs’ arrival in the race may therefore serve more than one purpose. It may be a genuine expression of interest, but it may also accelerate movement elsewhere. In transfer windows, rival interest often works as theatre, leverage and warning.For Tottenham, though, the attraction is obvious. Tonali offers control, bite, tempo and Champions League pedigree. He is a midfielder who can shape games rather than merely survive them.Tonali Decision Could Define Spurs AmbitionThe question for Spurs is whether this is the right £100m statement.De Zerbi would surely relish a midfielder with Tonali’s technical range and intensity. Tottenham have lacked that commanding central presence, the player capable of making possession feel purposeful rather than decorative.Yet there is also risk. Tonali would arrive with emotional baggage, a huge price tag and doubts about whether Spurs can offer the same immediate platform as Arsenal or Manchester City.Still, ambitious clubs sometimes need to enter difficult rooms. If Tottenham want to be taken seriously again, deals like this are the price of admission.Our View – EPL Index AnalysisFrom a Spurs fan’s perspective, this is exactly the sort of story that creates excitement and caution in equal measure.On one hand, Sandro Tonali would feel like a proper statement signing. Not a hopeful project, not a bargain market opportunity, but a player with genuine status. If Roberto De Zerbi wants him, that carries weight. He knows Italian football, understands midfield structures and will surely recognise what Tonali could bring to a Spurs side that has too often lacked authority in the middle of the pitch.But £100m is a serious figure. Tottenham cannot afford another marquee signing who looks better in theory than in reality. For that money, Tonali would need to transform the team’s rhythm almost immediately.There is also the uncomfortable question of destination. If Arsenal and Manchester City are both circling, Spurs need to ask whether they are leading this race or being used to move it along. That does not mean they should walk away, but it does mean they need clarity.For supporters, the appeal is obvious. Tonali would make Spurs feel bigger, sharper and more serious. But this deal only makes sense if it is part of a wider plan, not simply a headline to win June.

Newcastle demand £100m for wantaway midfielder Sandro TonaliNewcastle United are braced for a potential bidding war over wantaway midfielder Sandro Tonali.However, The Times reports that the Magpies will only sanction a summer exit if they receive offers north of £100 million.After forking out around £61m to bring him in from AC Milan, reports claim Newcastle are keen to make a ‘hefty profit’ on the midfielder this summer.The Magpies would only consider a deal that delivers a substantial return on their investment.Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has previously waxed lyrical about Tonali, claiming he fell ‘in love’ while watching the Italy international on the pitch.However, with the Magpies unable to offer Champions League football next season, Tonali looks primed to jump ship this summer, and a lot of clubs are lining up for his signature.Tonali has been offered to Arsenal and Manchester United, while Tottenham Hotspur are the latest to join the race for the Italian maestro.While Spurs haven’t made direct contact with Newcastle, they’re believed to have held discussions with the player’s representatives.Tonali is still considered a key part of Newcastle’s plans, but speculation surrounding his future continues to gather pace ahead of what could be a pivotal transfer window for the Magpies.Tottenham are said to be exploring a move at the behest of new manager Roberto De Zerbi, but any approach would likely require a significant financial commitment.Tonali is still under a long-term contract at Newcastle. He signed an extension earlier this year, keeping him at St. James’ Park until 2029, with the option of an additional season.The Italian made 53 appearances across all competitions last season, chipping in with three goals and seven assists as Newcastle finished in the bottom half of the table.The Magpies have already cashed in on Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona. Tonali could be the next to jump ship, while Joe Willock and Valentino Livramento are also attracting attention.

The World Cup has barely started and three of Scotland's five representatives are already having to set their sights on next season's early rounds of European qualifying.Hearts, Hibernian and Motherwell are all involved in Wednesday's draws for the Champions League and Conference League.Rangers do not enter until the third round of Europa League qualifying but will be keeping an eye on their potential opponents too.So who could the other three face when the draw for the Champions League is made at 11:00 BST and the Conference League two hours later in Nyon?Would Hearts' McInnes be 'perfect fit' for Rangers?Just's rise from Austrian second tier to World Cup breakout starHearts face Fenerbahce or Sturm GrazAs Scottish Premiership runners-up, Hearts will be playing in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time in 20 years.Back then, they defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina's Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round before losing to AEK Athens and dropping into the Uefa Cup.Hearts will enter at the same stage again and already know they will be facing one of two seeded opponents - either Fenerbahce of Turkey or Sturm Graz of Austria - in the League Path of the draw reserved for domestic runners-up.The first leg of those ties will on 21/22 July, with the reverse fixtures the following midweek.By that time they will likely be under new management, with head coach Derek McInnes seemingly poised to switch to Rangers.Should they be drawn against Fenerbahce and win, Hearts will be seeded in the third qualifying round and will face either Czech Republic's Sparta Prague, NEC Nijmegen of the Netherlands, the winner between Sturm Graz and Poland's Gornik Zabrze - or Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium.The latter scenario would pit two of the other clubs in which Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has invested against one another.However, while all three clubs use Bloom's Jamestown Analytics firm for recruitment, the gambling tycoon has kept his investment in both Hearts and Union below 30% to make sure they comply with Uefa's multi-club ownership rules.Should Hearts be drawn against Sturm Graz and win, they will be unseeded and face either Lyon, Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos or the winner of Fenerbahce against Gornik.Lose at the first hurdle and the Edinburgh side will drop into the Europa League third qualifying round.There, they would be unseeded in the same part of the draw as Rangers, who will be seeded for their first European fixture of the season.However, there are a lot of ifs and buts before that draw on 20 July.Hibs & Motherwell face greater uncertaintyTalking of ifs and buts, the Conference League's second qualifying round draw is full of them, although it became slightly clearer on Wednesday morning, when Uefa simplified the draw by placing the 86 clubs in nine groups.Despite finishing fifth behind Motherwell in the Premiership last season, Hibs find themselves seeded while the Fir Park side are not.It means Motherwell's potential opponents on 23 and 30 July have now been narrowed down to Denmark's FC Copenhagen, Finland's HJK Helsinki, Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands, or the winner of the first qualifying round tie between Wales' Caernarfon Town and Levadia Tallinn of Estonia.Meanwhile, Hibs could be drawn against Croatia's Varazdin or the winners of ties between Vllaznia of Albania and Malisheva of Kosovo, Penybont of Wales against Santa Coloma of Andorra, Mondorf-les-Bains of Luxembourg against Dinamo Tbilisi of Georgia, and Qarabag of Azerbaijan against Vestri of Iceland.Well go into the draw still considering who to appoint as manager after Jens Berthal Askou was poached by Toulouse after a successful season at Fir Park.Whoever succeeds the Dane will be hoping to avoid the ignominy of their last Conference League venture, when they were knocked out at the same stage by Republic of Ireland's Sligo Rovers four years ago.Hibs head coach David Gray will, meanwhile, hope he can take his side one step further than last season, when they lost narrowly to Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying, beat Partizan in Conference League qualifying but then were defeated by Legia Warsaw in the play-off round.

Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic in training ahead of the World Cup opener against England [Getty Images]Brighton have no immediate plans to make a fresh offer for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic.The revelation Brighton have agreed a £52m deal with Tottenham for Jan Paul van Hecke to move to north London sparked suggestions of a renewed attempt to sign Vuskovic, the 19-year-old who will be part of Croatia's squad to face England on Wednesday.Vuskovic is viewed as one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and Brighton have already had a £30m offer rejected for him.After spending last season on loan in Germany with Hamburg, Vuskovic will face more competition for the central defensive positions with the arrival of Van Hecke, although there has been speculation over the future of skipper Cristian Romero.Brighton are keeping across the situation but they will not be making another bid at the moment.Evidently, they do need a replacement for Van Hecke, who started 36 out of their 38 Premier League games last season.However, they do have time.With a year left on his contract, Brighton feel they have negotiated an excellent deal around Van Hecke, particularly as his move to Tottenham includes what is regarded as a significant sell-on clause, should the 26-year-old Netherlands World Cup star leave the club at some point.

Jenson Metcalfe swept the board at Bradford City's end-of-season awards [Getty Images]Championship side Millwall have signed midfielder Jenson Metcalfe from Bradford City for an undisclosed fee.The 21-year-old, nominated for League One player of the year last season, has agreed what the Championship club are calling a "long-term" contract."We've been tracking him for a few years now," Millwall's director of football, Steve Gallen, told the club's website."Jenson was a mainstay in the Bradford team last year and possesses a number of traits that we can feel add real value to the squad."Metcalfe becomes play-off semi-finalists Millwall's first close-season signing and is a product of the Everton youth academy.He spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Chesterfield before leaving Merseyside to complete a permanent move to Bradford last summer.Metcalfe made 49 appearances for Bradford last season in all competitions as the Bantams reached the League One play-offs.All done deals in June 2026Latest Millwall news, analysis and fan views

Official | Issa Soumaré joins RennesStade Rennais will make a return to European football next season and they are already working on adding depth to their side ahead of the campaign. The Breton club have just confirmed their first signing of the summer in the form of Issa Soumaré (25). The Senegal youth international has signed a four-year deal with Rennes. Soumaré joined Le Havre AC back in 2023 and had established himself as the leader of their attack. Last season was his most prolific for Les Ciel et Marines. The forward netted eight goals and registered a further four assists. However, there was uncertainty regarding his future with Le HAC. His deal was up at the end of the season. Soumaré ultimately opted against renewing his deal with the Normand club, instead making the switch to Rennes.At Roazhon Park, he will play UEFA Europa League football for the first time in his career. GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Jordan's Odeh Fakhoury and Austria's Romano Schmid and Austria's Xaver Schlager battle for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Austria and Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpaVeteran Marko Arnautović scored on his World Cup debut as Austria made their return to the big stage with a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their tournament opener on Tuesday.The Austrians are making their first men's World Cup appearance since 1998, while Jordan have qualified for the competition for the first time in their history.Romano Schmid fired in a stunning strike from distance to break the deadlock for Austria in the 21st minute.Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was forced into a big save to deny Ali Olwan in the 34th and saw his defence block Mousa Al Tamari's attempt on the rebound.But Jordan were level in the 50th as Olwan, their top scorer in qualifying, scored the nation's first-ever World Cup goal.Arnautović, who is playing his first World Cup at 37, thought he had scored in the 67th, but his goal was ruled out due to a handball.Austria, however, retook the lead thanks to Yazan al-Arab, who found the net after a corner in the 76th.And Arnautović eventually got his goal - thanks to a handball. Saleem Obaid's touch inside the box awarded Austria a late penalty, which was converted by the nation's record goalscorer. He is also now their oldest player and scorer at a men's World Cup."That doesn’t sound so good," Arnautović joked to broadcaster ORF about his age."But I really don’t care which records I break. I want to give it my all in my last tournament with this team."A first men's World Cup win since 1990 means Austria are second in Group J, tied on three points with title holders Argentina, who earlier defeated Algeria 3-0 with a hat-trick from Lionel Messi.Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said: "It was an extremely difficult game, they made life very hard for us. It was important that we got the win over the line."Next up, Austria face Argentina on June 22, while Jordan take on Algeria.Austria's Philipp Lienhart and Jordan's Mousa Altamari battle for ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Austria and Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpaAustria's Stefan Posch and Jordan's Ali Olwan battle for ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Austria and Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpaAustria's David Alaba, Jordan's Mousa Altamari and Austria's Xaver Schlager battle for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Austria and Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa

🎥 Get fired up for England's World Cup opener ... with the help of StormzyAfter almost a week of World Cup football, England are finally ready to make their tournament bow. The Three Lions face old foes Croatia in Dallas in what is, on paper, their toughest Group L assignment.If you're an England supporter and haven't already got World Cup Fever, well now is the time.The England social account have posted this video with the help of very special guest, Stormzy.Is it coming home? Let us know in the comments.

Scunthorpe United have signed winger Luke Brennan on a three-year contract from National League North side Buxton for an undisclosed fee.The 24-year-old came through Blackburn Rovers' youth setup and subsequently joined Wigan Athletic in 2022.Having spent time on loan with Welsh side The New Saints and AFC Fylde, he then went on to join Buxton where he made a total of 85 appearances.

France and Austria celebrate wins in World Cup openersThe French national team, featuring Bayern players Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, got off to a winning start in the World Cup against Senegal, who fielded FCB players Nicolas Jackson and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. Austria, featuring Konrad Laimer, also tasted victory in their opening match. Read on for an overview of how the opening matches went.In the FCB head-to-head on Tuesday in East Rutherford, Upamecano and Olise’s France side beat Senegal – featuring Jackson and Ndiaye – 3-1. After a closely contested first half, in which Senegal even managed to create the better chances at times, the French took control in the second half. In the 66th minute, Olise played a superb through ball to Kylian Mbappé, who finished to make it 1-0 for the Équipe Tricolore. Bradley Barcola (82') then doubled the lead for Les Bleus. Senegal pulled one back through a goal from Ibrahim Mbaye in stoppage time (90'+5), but just a minute later Mbappé sealed the victory with the third and his second goal. Olise, who was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, and Upamecano played the full 90 minutes for France; Jackson was in Senegal’s starting XI and came off in the 83rd minute, whilst Ndiaye watched the clash from the bench.The French are back in action against Iraq in Philadelphia next Monday evening (23:00 CEST), whilst Senegal face Norway in East Rutherford at 02:00 CEST on Tuesday.Konrad Laimer and the Austrian national team celebrated a 3-1 victory over Jordan in San Francisco early on Wednesday morning (CEST). Jordan managed to equalise through Ali Olwan (50’) after Romano Schmid had opened the scoring (21’). However, Austria sealed the victory thanks to an own goal by Yazan Al Arab (76') and a penalty from Marko Arnautović (90'+12). FCB's Laimer played the full 90 minutes.The Austrians’ next match is next Monday at 19:00 CEST in Arlington against the reigning world champions, Argentina, who beat Algeria 3-0 in their opening match.Follow FC Bayern's players at 2026 World Cup

“Let’s go!” – Alexis Mac Allister shares jubilant Instagram post after emphatic Argentina winAlexis Mac Allister helped Argentina to begin the defence of their World Cup crown with an emphatic 3-0 win over Algeria in the past few hours.The 27-year-old was the last of the seven Liverpool players at the tournament to enter the fray, and he played his part on a night which saw Lionel Messi hit the first hat-trick of the 2026 finals, making him the joint-top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals (alongside Miroslav Klose).DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe Reds midfielder played the full 90 minutes for Lionel Scaloni’s side as they made light work of their African opponents, avoiding the opening game ‘curse of the champions’ which has afflicted several previous holders of the trophy this century.Mac Allister buoyant after Argentina victoryAfter the match, Mac Allister took to Instagram to revel in the result, with the featured image displaying him hugging the legendary Argentina captain on a history-making night in Kansas City.Liverpool’s number 10 posted (translated from Spanish): ‘Important first step, huge effort by all. Thank you for accompanying me everywhere. Let’s go Argentina!’Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustMac Allister quietly impresses in Argentina winMac Allister came into the World Cup off the back of a difficult season at club level in which his performances levels declined drastically from 2024/25 and he was the subject of much criticism, and there has even been speculation that FSG could be prepared to offload him this summer.However, he’ll have been pleased with his own contribution to Argentina’s win over Algeria, as reflected in the figures below from Sofascore.His performance came in for widespread praise among Liverpool fans on social media, with the 27-year-old showing a marked improvement from the latter weeks of the 2025/26 campaign at Anfield.The World Cup holders will face considerably more taxing opposition as the tournament goes on, but when looking at how Spain failed to beat Cape Verde on Monday, a 3-0 victory over a decent Algeria side isn’t a result to be dismissed out of hand.Hopefully Mac Allister can build on his bright start to the competition and then carry over a resurgence of form into the new club season once he’s back at Liverpool.You can view the midfielder’s post below, via alemacallister on Instagram:View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis Mac Allister (@alemacallister)

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles has said he'd like to see quarterback Baker Mayfield take better care of himself by avoiding hits in certain situations. Mayfield doesn't think that's an issue.When a reporter started to ask whether anyone on the Bucs said anything to him about the need to protect his body more, Mayfield answered emphatically that it's a non-issue, without even letting the reporter finish the question."I've started every single game last year — for the three years. So I don't know if that should ever be a question," Mayfield said.It's true that Mayfield has started all 17 games in all three of his seasons as the Buccaneers' quarterback, but there's more to staying healthy than just being healthy enough to get on the field. Mayfield's play and the Bucs' performance as a team declined over the second half of last season, and it's reasonable to think that if Mayfield took fewer hits, he'd be in better condition to play well down the stretch.So it's easy to see why Bowles would prefer that Mayfield do more to protect himself from getting hit. Even if it's also easy to see why Mayfield doesn't want to change his playing style.

Neymar has returned to limited training as he bids to return to fitness in time to feature for Brazil at what could be his last World Cup.The superstar forward has been out of acting nursing a calf problem sustained while playing for Santos in May, and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.He is not expected to play in Brazil’s second Group C outing against Haiti on Friday, with the Selecao desperately needing an injection of attacking spark after putting in an underwhelming display in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco.Elsewhere, Lamine Yamal has stepped up his return to full fitness after making his return to action in Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde off the bench - will he start their next match against Saudi Arabia?Canada, meanwhile, were without captain Alphonso Davies in their 1-1 opening-game draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while US star Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time from their win against Paraguay. England have also suffered their first casualty of the tournament after Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw from the squad.See below for a full list of key injuries at this year’s World Cup. Neymar (Brazil) Neymar sustained a grade two calf injury just three weeks out from the tournament. The 34-year-old missed the opening match against Morocco and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.He has only just returned to partial training with Brazil and is not expected to feature against Haiti on Friday in Philadelphia.Neymar missed Brazil’s opener due to a calf injury (Getty)Lamine Yamal (Spain) The 18-year-old star injured his left hamstring and had been out since 22 April, but he has now made his return to action after coming off the bench in Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde.Spain boss Luis de la Fuente insisted he was in “perfect condition” with Yamal no doubt eager to start for the European champions against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.Fellow Spain winger Nico Williams also returned off the bench against Cape Verde, as did Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino who had been sidelined for much of the year so far.Lamine Yamal in action for Spain against Cape Verde (Getty)Christian Pulisic (United States) The co-hosts’ star player shone in the first-half of USA’s 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles but was withdrawn by Mauricio Pochettino at half-time due to a calf problem. However, the knock is not thought to be too serious. "He received a kick in his calf and he felt tight at the end of the first half,” Pochettino said. “We didn't want to take any risks. It was difficult for him to walk, but we hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one."Pulisic later told reporters: “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I'm really hoping that it's nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I'm hoping I'll be fine the next few days.”The United States next face Australia in San Francisco on Friday, with Pulisic currently in individual training. A team spokesman described Pulisic as "day to day" after his second straight day on his own.Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time in USA’s opening win against Paraguay (Getty)Alphonso Davies (Canada) Canada’s captain and star player had to sit out their 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Friday in Toronto and there are doubts whether he will be fit for their next match against Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday. Bayern Munich’s Davies sustained a hamstring injury in May and the team remained tight-lipped about his recovery during Tuesday’s training session."Mentally, it was very draining, suffering these injuries," Davies told reporters ahead of Canada's opener. "I was going ‌into a hole where I ⁠was doubting myself, but I had that time off (during the ⁠injuries) and I thought about why I'm doing this, and how important this ‌is to me."Alphonso Davies missed Canada’s opener (Reuters)Bukayo Saka (England) Saka did not start England’s friendly win against Costa Rica but did put lingering concern surrounding his fitness to one side as he came on in the closing stages. The Arsenal winger has been managing an Achilles problem. He said he is having to take a “gamble” on his fitness but is still “ready to go” ahead of England’s opener against Croatia.Thomas Tuchel will have to decide whether he is fit enough to start the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday. "He was available and made himself available in the end of the season, and did this brilliantly, but he was managed in-between matches and that continues a little bit at the very moment, so we're building him up,” Tuchel said last week. Bukayo Saka allayed injury fears after featuring for England against Costa Rica (Getty)Ruben Dias (Portugal)Manchester City defender Dias will miss Portugal’s opener against DR Congo in a hefty blow for Roberto Martinez’s side.He has been dealing with an injury in training in recent days and Martinez confirmed that Portugal “won’t take any risks” against the African nation, with Dias still “not fully fit”.Ruben Dias will miss Portugal’s opener against DR Congo (Getty)Tino Livramento (England)England have been dealt their first real injury blow of the campaign after Newcastle defender Livramento was ruled out for the tournament with a calf injury.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 Trevoh Chalobah, a centre-back, into the fold.Chalobah will not be available in England’s opener against Croatia.England’s Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) Another confirmed absentee, Tottenham forward Kudus will miss the World Cup because of a quadricep injury. The 25-year-old has not featured since January, in a blow to Ghana - who are in England’s group. Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)Wataru Endo (Japan) Liverpool defensive midfielder Endo injured his foot in February and has been ruled out of the World Cup - and the 33-year-old has immediately retired from international duty. “Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever,” he said. “From here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.” Wataru Endo has not played for Liverpool since February (Getty)Jurrien Timber (Netherlands) The Arsenal defender had been out since March due to a groin problem, but came on in the second half of the Champions League final against PSG. However, the Dutch FA believe Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” to take part in the tournament in a “medically responsible manner.” As such, Timber has left the Dutch squad and been ruled out of the World Cup. Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)Lennart Karl (Germany)The 18-year-old was expected to be one of the young stars of this tournament but suffered a torn thigh muscle in training, ruling him out of the World Cup. Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)Billy Gilmour (Scotland) It was heartbreak for Scotland’s creative midfielder Gilmour, as he suffered an injury in their warm-up victory against Curacao. The 24-year-old Napoli player picked up a knee injury in the 4-1 win, with teammate Scott McTominay saying he was “absolutely devastated” by the news. Gilmour was, however, in camp to support his teammates ahead of their opening win against Haiti on Saturday. Billy Gilmour suffered a knee injury in Scotland’s warm-up game against Curacao (PA)

Chloe Ritchie wasn't a fan of any one particular college volleyball program growing up. Her fandom was based on following the schools with Yorktown grads on the roster, like Kenzie Knuckles at Nebraska and Kylie Murr, first at Ohio State then for a year at Minnesota."I've always been up in the air," the Yorktown junior told IndyStar on Tuesday. "So as it got closer to high school and recruiting, I was struggling to narrow it down to a few schools."Ritchie began attending college camps as she got older and with some help from longtime YHS coach Stephanie Bloom and her Munciana club coaches, she eventually narrowed her focus to two schools: Louisville and Wisconsin."The cultures that both of them have really stood out to me," Ritchie said. "Culture is huge for me and both of theirs are amazing. And their coaching staffs are so amazing, so supportive."The nationally ranked libero attended camps at both schools over the past week and after giving it some additional thought, she had an idea of where she wanted to commit once the recruiting window officially opened for the Class of 2028 Monday morning. Following calls with the coaches from Louisville and Wisconsin, Ritchie made things official and verbally committed to the Cardinals."It immediately felt like home," said Ritchie, who will be the first in her family to play college volleyball. "I loved the coaching staff. They're so easy to talk to. They're amazing people. But I definitely just got that home feeling and especially being close — I can have my family there; I can even have people who support me at my home games, which is so cool.".@YVBTigers’ Chloe Ritchie hath committed to Louisville pic.twitter.com/Jj7vJVDxkQ— hank 🇰🇷 (@Brian_Haenchen) June 16, 2026Ranked 56th nationally by PrepDig, Ritchie is one of three 2028s currently committed to Louisville and will be the program's sixth Indiana recruit in as many years, following Martinsville's Molly Urban (2023), Plainfield's Ava Utterback (2024, now at UCLA), Silver Creek's Addison Makun (2025), Zionsville's Elli Strecker (2026) and current Westfield senior Carsyn Comer.Ritchie didn't have a chance to talk much with Strecker before Monday, but she played club with Comer, which "helped a lot." "It was funny, Carsyn would always be like, 'I promise, I'm unbiased,' but I knew deep down she wanted me to come to Louisville," Ritchie laughed. "She was the most helpful throughout all of it, though, and definitely made my process easier."More recruiting news: Nationally ranked libero commits to Texas: 'No way I would go anywhere else'Comer was open about her recruiting experience, Ritchie said, as well as her interactions with coach Dan Meske and his staff, all of whom were "very supportive.""That definitely stood out to me," she continued. "And being able to hear how her experience was recruiting-wise and everything, that seemed like something I wanted to be a part of."Ritchie was recruited as a libero/defensive specialist, but the most recent high school season and current club campaign mark her first at the position full-time.The 5-7 junior was an outside hitter beginning with her 12s year on the club circuit and as a freshman at Yorktown, where 2025 Texas A&M commit Addi Applegate occupied the libero spot.Ritchie is certainly a capable hitter. She garnered MaxPreps freshman All-America honors after logging 185 kills, 12 blocks, 62 aces, 439 digs and 25 assists in 2024. And she was similarly brilliant wearing the different-color jersey in 2025, recording 641 digs, 41 aces, 82 assists and 20 kills, with an average of 20.6 receptions per match for the semistate runner-up Tigers."Being able to hit has been easy, because you have control of the game. All you can do as a libero is just pass the ball," Ritchie said. "It's kind of been a struggle to not be able to put a ball away and finish the point, so (I've been) working on being good at passing, being good at defense, whatever I can do."Even though she wasn't officially at the position, it helped being able to shadow Applegate as a freshman, Ritchie continued. "Addi was a good mentor. Obviously she's at a great program now, but she was a really good player in high school, so being right behind her in the back row was really special."Looking towards the season ahead, Ritchie said getting over the semistate hump and securing a spot at Gainbridge remains the goal."As a team, we want to get in the gym every day (and to) work hard," she explained. "Personally, I want to grow into a leadership role. I'm not much of a talker on the court, so that's somewhere I can really improve my game. … But getting to state, that's one of our goals. We're gritty. We're not very big, but we're gonna outwork everybody else."Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA volleyball: Chloe Ritchie Yorktown commits Louisville Cardinals

On Thursday morning, before the start of the working day, millions of people across Uzbekistan are expected to gather around giant screens, TV sets and smartphones to watch a football match unlike any other in the country's history.Uzbekistan's national team is set to face Colombia in its 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at 7 am local time, prompting growing anticipation across the country as communities organise ways to watch together.Schools, parks and public spaces are being transformed into viewing areas, while large screens are being installed in hundreds of locations ahead of kick-off.A total of 208 schools have been selected to host public screenings, welcoming students, parents, teachers and local residents. In Tashkent, fan zones have been established across all 12 districts of the capital, including a large viewing venue at Bunyodkor Stadium with a capacity for up to 10,000 spectators.'A matter of pride and honour'Officials say the aim is to allow as many people as possible to follow the match as part of a shared national experience.“In the heart of every Uzbek, this is a matter of pride and honour,” representative of the Ministry of Education Bahrom Aminov told Euronews. School where the match will be screened - Euronews “Teachers, students and local residents can all come freely and watch on large screens. There is a special joy in expressing those feelings out loud, standing among your friends and sharing in their happiness together," Aminov said.The preparations extend beyond dedicated fan zones: across cities and towns, the national team's colours have become increasingly visible in shops, cafés and public spaces. Flags, team merchandise and images of the white wolf Bek, the official mascot of the Uzbekistan squad, have appeared throughout the country as supporters count down to kick-off.Football before workAmong those preparing for Thursday morning is Malik Karimov, Chief Marketing Officer at Korzinka and an official partner of the Uzbekistan Football Association.Karimov told Euronews that many businesses are planning to watch the match together before employees begin their workday.“As the leading food retailer, we couldn't stand aside,” he said. “The benefit of being an official partner of the Uzbekistan Football Association is that we are present nationwide, so we engage with local communities." "We produced and started selling the official merchandise so every kid and every person in the regions can support our national team.” Uzbekistan national team mascots available in stores - Euronews Karimov expects football to dominate conversations across the country on match day.“It's a huge achievement,” he said. “I think it will have a huge impact on kids and on the young population going into football. We do hope that we will be going to the World Cup annually.”Staff from Karimov's own company plan to gather at 7 am to watch the match together.“I know the same thing is happening in many organisations,” he said. “People are gathering together, even though it is early morning, to watch and support our national team.”RelatedReady to take on World Cup giants, Uzbekistan has 'nothing to lose,’ coach Cannavaro tells EuronewsSupport spreading across the regionThe anticipation is not limited to Uzbekistan.Across Central Asia, content creators and football fans have been posting messages of encouragement on social media, backing the first team from the region to appear at a World Cup.“It has united the whole country, from seven years to 70,” one supporter told Euronews. The team is being supported with slogans and chants - Euronews Another fan described qualification as an achievement in itself, saying the country's participation had already given supporters a moment they would remember for years.Uzbekistan is part of Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo.The team is coached by former Italy captain and 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, who was appointed by the Uzbekistan Football Association in October 2025, ahead of the country's World Cup debut.For supporters, progression from the group would be a remarkable achievement. But many fans say simply seeing Uzbekistan compete at a World Cup is already a milestone in itself.“Just qualifying is itself a great achievement,” one supporter said. “This is our first time. My first wish is that we make it through the group stage.”

Barcelona scrap River Plate plan as Liverpool pre-season friendly in Kenya returns to the agenda – reportBarcelona’s pre-season plans have taken yet another turn, with a proposed friendly against River Plate now officially off the table.According to Mundo Deportivo, the possibility of Hansi Flick’s side travelling to Buenos Aires to face the Argentine giants at the Monumental Stadium has been discarded. Instead, Barcelona are currently evaluating alternative options as they look to complete their pre-season schedule ahead of the new campaign.One of those alternatives could see the Blaugrana take on Liverpool in a high-profile friendly that has unexpectedly returned to the agenda.River Plate proposal no longer part of Barcelona’s plansThe idea of facing River Plate had generated considerable interest due to the stature of both clubs and the appeal of hosting the match in Argentina.However, the outlet reports that the proposal has now been ruled out and with that option gone, the club’s focus has shifted towards other potential fixtures that can better fit the team’s schedule.Barcelona will not play against River Plate. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)Barcelona have already mapped out part of their pre-season programme, but several dates remain open, and discussions are ongoing regarding possible opponents.Liverpool friendly in Kenya back on the tableOn that note, the most notable development concerns Liverpool.A proposal to stage a friendly between Barcelona and the Premier League side in Nairobi, Kenya, has resurfaced after previously losing momentum.The match had initially been placed on hold because of concerns surrounding an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries. However, with the situation reportedly improving, the possibility of organising the fixture has returned.Barcelona could face Liverpool in Kenya. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Should the plans move forward, Barcelona would gain a valuable test against one of Europe’s strongest sides just weeks before the new season begins.Lastly, it is also said that the option of playing a friendly in Rabat, Morocco, also remains under consideration.Important pre-season datesWhile discussions continue regarding additional fixtures, several key dates are already confirmed.Barcelona will hold a training camp at St. George’s Park in England from July 27 to August 3, where they are scheduled to face Birmingham City and another Championship side behind closed doors.The club will then conclude its pre-season preparations with the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy at Spotify Camp Nou on August 19, although an opponent has yet to be confirmed.

After decades of waiting, the New York Knicks' loyal fanbase will take over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, June 18 for a ticker-tape parade and a City Hall ceremony in honor of the team's third NBA championship.The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs June 13 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, clinching their first championship title since 1973. Now, the Knickerbockers will celebrate with their loyal fans in New York City in what will be one of the most anticipated championship parades in recent sports history.Despite their previous championships, this will also be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks franchise history. "For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks." In an interview with NY1, Mamdani said that he believes this could be the largest parade in the city's history. But why, just like many previous championship parades, is it being held mid-week? Here's what we know.When is the Knicks ticker-tape parade?The parade will begin around 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, near Battery Park. It will travel north along Broadway through the "Canyon of Heroes" before ending at City Hall for a ceremony honoring the team and awarding Keys to the City. City Hall and municipal buildings across the city will be illuminated in blue and orange to celebrate the victory, Mamdani said. Why is the Knicks parade being held on a Thursday? Just moments after the final game, Mamdani announced on X that the New York Knicks championship parade would be held on Thursday, June 18.If you look at the history of New York City sports parades, many of them have been held on weekdays. As detailed by silive.com, city officials typically operate on a "near-immediate" timeline following major championships.Championships won on weekends, for example, are often followed by Tuesday parades, silive.com reports. Monday is used by city agencies to coordinate street closures and crowd control.Speaking to NY1 Monday, the mayor said the city wanted to move quickly, as fans immediately began asking when the parade would take place. City officials coordinated with the Knicks to choose the date, Mamdani added. "Thursday was the best date, given everything," Mamdani told NY1. "One of the key things we wanted to make sure was that players and their families could be here. So I know there were some who may have wanted a quicker turnaround, but we had to make sure that everyone could bring everyone that meant something to them from the team to the parade itself."Many New York City residents, however, were not pleased with the decision. Almost immediately after Mamdani's announcement, students and parents launched online petitions, urging the state to move its science exams, known as Regents exams, so they could attend the parade. According to the New York Times, the exams will go on.Mamdani is recommending that students put their exams first, telling NY1, "My encouragement would be that you should still be taking the Regents. Unlike the executive order for bedtime, this is something I cannot repeal."Ticker-tape parades in New York City Ticker-tape parades are a longstanding tradition in New York City. As detailed by the New York Times, they honor people who were part of monumental moments, ranging from athletes to astronauts, members of the military, foreign dignitaries and more. The first ticker-tape parade was held in 1886 as a dedication of the Statue of Liberty.According to the New York Times, these parades got their name from scraps of ticker tape, or paper ribbon used to print stock market data by telegraph, which served as confetti. Over the past few decades, the city has held several ticker-tape parades in honor of its athletes. Most recently, on Nov. 24, 2025, New York City's women's soccer team Gotham FC took over the city streets after its NWSL championship win. Here's a look at some other notable ticker-tape parades that have been held in honor or New York City sports: World Series champion New York Mets on Oct. 28, 1986 Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers on June 17, 1994 World Series champion New York Yankees on Oct. 29, 1996 World Series champion New York Yankees on Oct. 23, 1998 World Series champion New York Yankees on Oct. 29, 1999World Series champion New York Yankees on Oct. 30, 2000Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants on Feb. 5, 2008World Series champion New York Yankees on Nov. 6, 2009 Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants on Feb. 7, 2012 FIFA World Cup champion U.S. Women's National Team on July 10, 2015 FIFA World Cup champion U.S. Women's National Team on July 10, 2019 WNBA champion New York Liberty on Oct. 24, 2024 Gotham FC NWSL champion on Nov. 24, 2025As previously mentioned, these parades are not just reserved for athletes. On July 7, 2021, a ticker-tape parade marched through the Canyon of Heroes in honor of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.To date, there have been more than 200 ticker-tape parades. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Knicks ticker-tape parade being held Thursday. Here's why

The Hidden Matchday Challenge: Why Football Tournaments Need a Backup Plan for Awards and BrandingFor football fans the best moments of any tournament are usually the goals, the trophy celebrations and the pictures that stay with them long after the final whistle. For tournament organizers however success depends on details that most fans never notice. One delayed shipment, an increase in participants or a last-minute sponsor request can create big logistical problems just days before an event starts.Whether it is a youth football cup, a regional championship or a community tournament organizers are expected to deliver an experience from the first match to the medal ceremony. That means making sure every award, badge and piece of event branding is ready on time. While teams prepare on the training ground event managers are often dealing with changing schedules registration updates and supply chain challenges behind the scenes.Football events are getting bigger and more complex every year. FIFA says that football is growing globally with organized competitions around the world. At the time research shows that delivery disruptions and inventory shortages are still major concerns for organizations that rely on physical products arriving on schedule.These challenges can affect football tournaments directly. A competition may get team registrations just before kickoff. Sponsors may ask for promotional materials or organizers may decide to introduce new awards to recognize volunteers, referees and standout players. Without a supply strategy these changes can become expensive and stressful.One simple way to make a football event better is through merchandise. Many clubs and tournament committees now use Enamel Pin Badges to celebrate participation reward volunteers and create items for supporters. These small details help build a tournaments identity and give players and fans something to take home.Collectibles are a part of football culture. Fans proudly display scarves, match programs and club memorabilia that connect them to moments. Tournament badges can do the same by marking anniversaries, cup finals or successful youth competitions. For clubs these items also help strengthen community engagement and encourage long-term support.Branding is another area where preparation matters. Football tournaments often rely on sponsors and local partners to help fund operations. If a new sponsor joins at the minute or an existing partner requests more visibility organizers may need updated uniforms, staff identifiers or promotional materials quickly. In these situations access to reliable Custom Patches can help event managers adapt fast without affecting the competition schedule.Good event planning is about expecting the unexpected. Experienced organizers know that even the best schedule can change. Weather conditions more participants or venue adjustments may require decisions. Having trusted suppliers and clear communication channels reduces the risk of problems becoming major disruptions.Many successful tournament directors have a contingency plan.They keep a reserve stock of awards and presentation materials.They work with suppliers that can handle smaller production runs.They prepare artwork and branding assets in advance.They choose logistics partners that offer tracking and priority shipping services.These precautions may seem minor. They can make a big difference when deadlines are tight. A smooth awards ceremony reflects on the entire competition. Players want to receive their medals volunteers appreciate recognition for their work. Sponsors expect their branding to be presented professionally.The importance of presentation should not be underestimated. Football has always been a sport built on tradition and ceremony. From captains lifting trophies to players receiving their first medals these moments create lasting memories. Organized events show respect for the efforts of everyone involved.Technology and better logistics have made it easier for organizers to respond to changing circumstances. Planning remains the most valuable tool. By combining preparation with flexible supply solutions tournament committees can avoid unnecessary stress and focus on delivering a great football experience.At the end of the day supporters may only remember the winning goal or the final score. The success of any football tournament depends on much more than what happens on the pitch. Professional event management, reliable branding and executed award presentations all contribute to the atmosphere that makes a competition special. Organizers who invest in these details help ensure that when the final whistle blows every player, volunteer and fan leaves, with a memory of the event.

New Zealand central contracts 2026-27: Devon Conway returns, but TWO stars dropped from list originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Devon Conway and Blair Tickner replace Adi Ashok and Muhammad Abbas on contract list.Bracewell and Chapman opt out of Test cricket, staying on as white-ball specialists.The new list arrives just after Kane Williamson's retirement from international cricket.Devon Conway, Blair Tickner earn New Zealand central contracts as Williamson's retirement reshapes squadNew Zealand Cricket has confirmed Devon Conway and Blair Tickner as new additions to its pool of 20 centrally contracted players for the 2026-27 season, and they have replaced Adi Ashok and Muhammad Abbas.NZC have made made a few tweaks to the list following Kane Williamson's recent retirement.Conway re-enters the central contract list after spending the last two seasons on a casual playing agreement. With Williamson retired and New Zealand heading into a particularly important phase of Test cricket, Conway has now made himself available for every international fixture across the upcoming contract window, running from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027."Devon has been a regular member of the side in all three formats for some time now, even whilst on a casual contract, so it's great to have a player of his calibre back on the central contract list, especially with the amount of exciting cricket coming up." Head Coach Rob Walter said.Meanwhile, Tickner's inclusion comes off the back of consistent form across all formats. He has taken four or more wickets in five of his last eight international innings and claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the one-off Test against Ireland at Stormont last month."It's been a while, so it was awesome news to hear. I've been working towards it," he said. "So, no, it was just a cool experience, I guess, for me and the family to be back on the list after a few years off. It's obviously awesome to be around the environment and then to feel like you're part of the cog going forward is always special."I just wanted to play more for New Zealand and put performances in for the team and whatever came of it, came of it. And luckily enough, you know, the contract's come my way. But it's just, like I said, awesome to be a part of the team going forward."Bracewell and Chapman step back from Test cricketNZC also confirmed that Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman had both requested not to be considered for Test selection. However, they have chosen instead to remain on the central list strictly as white-ball specialists. NZC will also make announcements regarding casual playing agreements in the coming weeks, with discussions already underway. Players such as Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are among those expected to be in contention for those deals.Central Contract List for 2026-27:Tom BlundellMichael BracewellMark ChapmanDevon ConwayJacob DuffyZak FoulkesMitch HayMatt HenryKyle JamiesonTom LathamDaryl MitchellHenry NichollsWill O'RourkeGlenn PhillipsRachin RavindraMitchell SantnerBen SearsNathan SmithBlair TicknerWill YoungFor all the latest cricket news, opinion and commentary and to share your voice head to our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Saquon Barkley has created a problem for himself, sort of. Think about the bar the Philadelphia Eagles star has set. When a player rushes for 2,000 yards, each season that follows is measured against that standard. It doesn't matter how unrealistic the comparison may be. Fans remember the historic campaign and expect something similar every time the player takes the field. That's the challenge Barkley faces entering his third season with in Philadelphia. The truth is, however, that another 2,000-yard rushing season is unlikely.NFL history tells us those performances are rare for a reason. Defenses adjust, workloads fluctuate, and circumstances change. That doesn't mean Barkley is destined for a disappointing season. It simply means expectations should be grounded in reality. So what would a successful third season look like? Well, it's good that you have asked the question.1,350 rushing yardsNo, we regret to inform you that Barkley probably won't threaten the 2,000-yard mark again. That isn't an indictment of his talent. It's an acknowledgment of how difficult that feat is to accomplish. Philadelphia will hopefully employ a more balanced rushing attack this season by including Tank Bigsby in the mix. A healthier offensive line should help create opportunities, and new offensive line coach Chris Kuper inherits one of the league's premier position groups.If the unit performs as expected, 1,350 rushing yards feels like a reasonable target for Barkley. While 1,140 (last year's total) qualifies as an off-year, adding 200 more to the bottom line should pacify everyone. 20 explosive playsBig plays are part of what separates Barkley from most running backs. A realistic expectation would be roughly one explosive play per game with a few additional splash moments sprinkled throughout the season. If the Eagles' offensive line remains among the league's best, Barkley should have plenty of opportunities to reach the second level and showcase the acceleration that has defined his career. Also, by spreading the workload, he could stay fresh all season while much of the NFL is breaking down. 250 receiving yards and 12 total touchdownsBarkley's role as a receiver often goes overlooked. Sometimes, that's because of what he accomplishes on the ground. Sometimes, it's overlooked for a different reason. There are times his hands can resemble stone or a new toaster oven. Still, 250 receiving yards feels like a fair baseline, though it would not be surprising if he exceeded that total. The Eagles have consistently looked for ways to get him involved in space, and his versatility remains one of his greatest assets.As for touchdowns, a dozen feels like a solid expectation. Jalen Hurts will continue to claim his share of goal-line opportunities, particularly through the quarterback sneak package. Even so, Barkley should remain one of Philadelphia's primary scoring threats.Another Pro Bowl seasonThe final expectation is perhaps the simplest. Barkley should make another Pro Bowl. If he reaches the benchmarks outlined above, another trip to the league's annual all-star showcase should follow naturally. Whether that also results in First-Team or Second-Team All-Pro recognition remains to be seen. The important thing is remembering that greatness is not always measured by matching historic seasons. For Barkley, a successful third year in Philadelphia won't require another 2,000 rushing yards. It will require doing what he has done throughout most of his career: remaining one of the NFL's best running backs.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Realistic expectations for Saquon Barkley's third Eagles season

The Pittsburgh Steelers' countdown to kickoff continues to roll on ahead of the 2026 NFL regular season, with fans needing to wait only 88 more days until the Steel City brand of football hosts the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.In the spirit of the countdown, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 88 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.Steelers current No. 88 wearer: TE Pat FreiermuthMUUUUTH! Okay, now that that's out of the way, tight end Pat Freiermuth is the current No. 88 wearer on the Steelers' roster and is expected to play a major role in Pittsburgh's new-look offense in 2026.Last five Steelers to wear No. 88Pat Freiermuth, 2021-presentNick Vannett, 2019Darrius Heyward-Bey, 2015-2018Emmanuel Sanders, 2010-2013John Dekker, 2007Best No. 88 in Steelers history: WR Lynn SwannThe Super Bowl X MVP himself, Lynn Swann is without a doubt the greatest Steeler to wear No. 88.Selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft, Swann went on to record 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns during his nine-year career. He won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and was bestowed many accolades, such as being named the NFL Man of the Year in 1981, earning three First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl honors, and being named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. And who could forget his electric 161-yard and one-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X?Entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, Swann changed the game as fans knew it and is the best Steeler to ever wear No. 88.For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers 2026 countdown to kickoff: Best and current wearer of No. 88

The 2026 baseball season capped an especially memorable three-year stretch for Holy Ghost Prep.Two years after winning the school’s first PIAA state championship by outlasting Indiana Area 6-5 in the title game, the Firebirds made it back to the final this spring.After outscoring its District One and Class 4A state opponents 39-4, HGP, with a senior core of seven starters from the 2024 championship team, fell to Indiana 6-5 for the title at Penn State despite a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning.“The real credit belongs to the players in our program and the assistant coaches around them,” said Holy Ghost head coach Greg Olenski, a 2010 graduate of the school. “Their commitment to each other, their work ethic and their willingness to put the team first have been the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished.”Baseball Player of Year: Bucks County baseball player of the year excelled for Conwell-EganAs for Olenski’s role, he believes it’s “to establish the vision, uphold the standards and create an environment where our players can reach their full potential.”For guiding the Firebirds to an 11-2 record over the last three postseasons, including a district playoff defeat in ’25, and playing for the title twice, Olenski is the Courier Times/Intelligencer Coach of the Year. Counting a 2022 trip to the championship game, his teams made it there three times in five years.“He’s great at helping players with fundamentals, like any good coach, but he takes lots of time with his players to make sure they are mentally strong,” said senior left fielder Tyler Bergkoetter. “He helps everyone relax and enjoy the game while still being focused and present in the moment.”Senior center fielder Eddie Rosado, who broke Olenski’s school record for career hits (110) with his 111th in the state final, especially appreciates that the coaches trusted him to be a leader for the past three seasons.“I’m super grateful to have Greg as my head coach because he and the coaching staff prepare us for every moment in practice so when we get to games it comes naturally,” Rosado said. “He always puts is in great positions to succeed.”Baseball Team of Year: Neshaminy named Bucks County high school baseball team of yearWho made all area baseball team: All-area baseball team loaded with Bucks County area talentHoly Ghost edged by Indiana: In PIAA Class 4A baseball state championship gameWhile Holy Ghost is moving to the Philadelphia Catholic League in all sports this fall, Olenski plans to keep doing what he and the Firebirds have been doing in recent years when playing an independent schedule.And hope to be competing for another state title sooner rather than later.Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Holy Ghost Prep Olenski PIAA Baseball Bucks County

Journalist isn’t ruling out Liverpool return for 2024/25 Premier League winner – it’s not NunezOne journalist hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of a return to Liverpool for a player who helped the Reds to Premier League glory in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.There had been reports from Uruguay over a potential second coming at Anfield for Darwin Nunez amid rumours of a possible exit from Al-Hilal, but Fabrizio Romano has said there’s ‘nothing ongoing’ in that regard.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYAnother player to have left Merseyside after the 2024/25 title triumph is Caoimhin Kelleher, who’s since established himself as a guaranteed starter at Brentford, a status he never enjoyed for LFC due to the continued brilliance of Alisson Becker.Kelleher return to Liverpool not completely ruled outIn an article for The Athletic assessing Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation once the Brazilian departs (his contract expires in 12 months’ time), Gregg Evans addresses the possibility of the Republic of Ireland international coming back to Anfield at a future stage.The journalist wrote of Kelleher: ‘There was no buyback clause in the deal which took him to west London, but that is not to say he would not appeal in the future – especially if he performs well again next season.‘Finding a full-time replacement for Alisson is going to be tough, but Kelleher is one of the few to have shown he is capable of fitting in. Ideally, though, Liverpool are able to promote from within, with all eyes on how the Brazilian’s understudies progress in the coming campaign.’Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustCould Kelleher viably return to Liverpool in the future?Realistically, it’s hard to envisage the Irishman returning to Anfield in the foreseeable future, even if Alisson were to depart next year and the goalkeeping berth becomes up for grabs.Kelleher has undisputed first-choice status at Brentford, where compatriot Keith Andrews has shown demonstrable faith in him, and the Bees are a stable, progressive club who enjoyed a terrific season in which they just missed out on a first-ever European qualification.If circumstances were to change and the 27-year-old were amenable to having another crack at becoming a regular starter for Liverpool, we’d 100% have him back – as Evans wrote for The Athletic, he ‘highlighted why he deserves to be the first-choice goalkeeper for a top-half Premier League club’ in the 2025/26 campaign.At present, Giorgi Mamardashvili is in line to ultimately succeed Alisson as the Reds’ number 1, although the Georgian still has a bit to prove if he’s to fully convince fans and pundits that he’s capable of reaching the levels shown by the Brazil colossus.In truth, we’ll probably get to enjoy one final campaign with the iconic 33-year-old between the sticks, and then will come the unenviable task for his eventual successor to live up to the standards shown by our current first-choice stopper.

While everyone is ready to say the Washington Commanders should sign Stefon Diggs or Brandon Aiyuk — when he's released — perhaps they like the players they already have. It's fair to say that the Commanders weren't happy with the wide receiver position outside of Terry McLaurin last season. When McLaurin was hurt for the first time in his career, it was often a patchwork unit, which forced Deebo Samuel to play out of position at times. The Commanders would need players from the practice squad to fill out the position for much of the season. In March, GM Adam Peters made an aggressive bid for Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. Pierce chose to remain with Indianapolis. Washington also made a bid for Romeo Doubs, who signed with the Patriots. Instead, Peters brought back Dyami Brown and added veteran Van Jefferson. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders selected Antonio Williams. Suddenly, Washington's wide receiver room looks much different in 2026. In addition to McLaurin, Williams, Brown and Jefferson, the Commanders also have Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks and Jaylin Lane. McCaffrey took a big step forward last season, until a broken collarbone ended his season. Burks, a former first-round pick, showed promise in his limited opportunities last season. Now that he's had a couple of months with this new group, which receivers — not named Terry McLaurin — have stood out to head coach Dan Quinn?A number of them have," Quinn said before Tuesday's minicamp practice. "I would say on the outside, Van Jefferson has been somebody that's really caught my eye. Having Dyami back has been excellent as well. I hit him up after practice the other day. There's just a good intensity about him, a good mindset of where he is at. And so, he's somebody that I've been super impressed with. Just off the bat, it's good to see Lane and McCaffrey making their jumps in. Those are a few that jump to mind. But having Dyami back full of speed, and having Van here, he's an excellent route runner going into it."Here is what Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said today when I asked him what WR's have stood out to him during practices.He mentioned Van Jefferson first and then Dyami Brown. pic.twitter.com/QTGoyoACeq— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 16, 2026It's not a surprise to hear Quinn praise Brown. Quinn was a big fan of Brown in 2024, and the wide receiver had his best NFL season that year. After one year away, Brown is back. However, it was surprising to hear Quinn praise Jefferson so heavily. On the one hand, it shouldn't, as Jefferson is a veteran, a former second-round pick, and his dad was a successful NFL player and is currently a coach. At 29, Jefferson is on his fifth NFL team. His best NFL season came in 2021, his second year, when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and eight touchdowns. He won a Super Bowl ring that year with the Rams. Last season, Jefferson played for the Titans, appearing in 16 games and making 7 starts. He caught 29 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown. When Peters didn't land a top-flight free agent, he set out to ensure the entire room had much better depth than last season. The additions of Brown and Jefferson do that. Williams is expected to have a significant role as a rookie, while Burks, McCaffrey and Lane will all compete for snaps. When Jefferson signed, he felt like a long shot to make the roster. It's clear that he's impressed Washington's coaching staff. Regardless of what happens over the next several weeks, it still seems like the Commanders will sign Aiyuk once he becomes available. That type of addition would shake up the room. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Veteran WR has impressed Dan Quinn

The PWHL is coming to Detroit, with the league's draft kicking off the expansion celebration in the city.The 2026 PWHL Draft takes place on Wednesday, June 17, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The draft begins at 5 p.m. ET and will be televised locally on WJBK-TV (Ch. 20 in Detroit) and nationally on Scripps Sports, with streaming available on the PWHL YouTube channel.The draft will feature four still-unnamed expansion teams: Hamilton, Las Vegas, San Jose and Detroit, which got the third overall pick in the draft. However, Detroit won't be picking in that slot after sending its first-round pick to Las Vegas in exchange for forward Hilary Knight.Detroit's roster has reached 10 players, including Knight, Team USA member Hannah Bilka and Canadian star Daryl Watts, after Detroit sent recent signee Ella Huber, along with its third-round pick to Boston for the Fleet's second and third-rounders. Though Detroit does not have its first-round pick, it owns six picks in this draft, with two seconds, a third (from Boston), and its fourth, fifth and sixth-rounders intact.Here's what else you need to know about the PWHL draft.MORE: PWHL Detroit roster updates: Newest hockey players on expansion squadPWHL Draft timeDate: Wednesday, June 17.Time: 5 p.m. ET.Location: Fox Theatre, Detroit.PWHL Draft channelTime: 5 p.m. ET.Channel: WMYD-TV in Detroit, Scripps Sports nationally.Streaming:PWHL YouTube channel. The 2026 PWHL Draft will air locally on Channel 20 and nationally on Scripps Sports. Detroit viewers with DirecTV won't have access to Channel 20 thanks to an ongoing dispute between Scripps and the provider, but the draft will be available for anyone to stream free on the league's YouTube channel. PWHL Detroit draft picksDetroit's PWHL team traded its first-round pick (No. 3 overall) to Las Vegas for forward Hilary Knight. Detroit still owns six picks in the draft, however.Round 2: No. 15 overall, No. 22 overall.Round 3: No. 34 (via Boston).Round 4: No. 39.Round 5: No. 51.Round 6: No. 63.Complete 2026 PWHL Draft order(2025-26 record – featuring wins, OT wins, OT losses and regulation losses – in parentheses)1: Vancouver Goldeneyes (9-3-4-14).2: Seattle Torrent (8-1-5-16)3: PWHL Detroit (expansion)4: PWHL Hamilton (expansion)5: PWHL Las Vegas (expansion)6: PWHL San Jose (expansion)7: New York Sirens (9-3-3-15)8: Toronto Sceptres (10-1-6-13).9: Minnesota Frost (13-3-5-9).10: Boston Fleet (16-5-4-5).11: Ottawa Charge (9-8-1-12; runner-up).12: Montreal Victoire (16-6-2-6; PWHL champions).Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports! You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where to watch PWHL Draft taking place in Detroit, channel and streaming

After three stellar performances for Indiana last week, Hawkeye legend and Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 5 of the 2026 WNBA season.Over the Fever's three games last week, Clark scored a combined 76 points, the most of any player in the Eastern Conference and the second-most points scored in the WNBA over the span. Additionally, she totaled 20 assists and 13 rebounds. what a week for CC ❤️‍🔥Caitlin Clark averaged 25.3 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.3 RPG and led us to a 3-0 record to earn @WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. pic.twitter.com/V11E0NmSoK— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 16, 2026During Indiana's 114-106 overtime win against the Chicago Sky on June 11, Clark recorded her 22nd career double-double, scoring 32 points while adding 10 assists, which tied her with Fever legend Tamika Catchings for the most 30-point double-doubles in franchise history with three such occurrences. In Indiana's 85-75 win at Connecticut on June 13, Clark recorded her 10th career game with at least 25 points, five three-pointers made and five assists, the second-most such games in WNBA history. Clark now trails only Diana Taurasi in that distinction.It's the fourth WNBA Player of the Week award in Clark's career and her first this season. With her selection, Clark joins Tamika Catchings (11), Katie Douglas (4), and Kesley Mitchell (4) as the only Fever players to win four or more Player of the Week awards.Clark had another strong performance on Tuesday night, registering a double-double with 21 points and 14 assists in Indiana's 113-91 win over the Toronto Tempo.Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNewsThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Neshaminy saved its best for last. After finishing fourth in the District One Class 6A baseball playoffs, Neshaminy outscored the four district champions it defeated in the PIAA state tournament 16-6 – William Allen from District 11 (4-2), La Salle from District 12 (3-0), District One champ Pennsbury (2-1) and Butler from District 7 (7-3) in the title game.The state championship was the first in school history after Neshaminy reached the final for the first time. It had made the semifinals in 1991, 2019 and 2025.“It’s the best feeling,” said Neshaminy ninth-year head coach Dan Toner.Baseball Coach of Year: Baseball coach of year guided team to 2nd state title game in 3 seasonsThe title completed a three-year progression in which Neshaminy qualified for and won a game in the state playoffs in 2024 to reaching the semifinals a year ago to winning it all this season.Neshaminy did it with strong pitching, opportunistic hitting and solid fielding at the state playoffs.Neshaminy triumphed four times at states despite a total of 23 hits, including four against Allen and two vs. rival Pennsbury. It also allowed just six earned runs in 28 innings (a 1.50 ERA) and only committed one error in four state playoff games to the opponents’ 12.Baseball Player of Year: Bucks County baseball player of the year excelled for Conwell-EganNeshaminy wins 1st state title: In PIAA 6A baseball with win over ButlerWho made all area baseball: All-area baseball team loaded with Bucks County area talent“Just finding ways to win,” Toner said.Toner believes the players’ familiarity with each other was a real factor in Neshaminy’s run for “a resilient group that had high expectations.”“A lot of these guys have played together since little league,” Toner said. “They are a very close group that enjoyed being around each other and seeing each other succeed. It wasn't a year or two of building chemistry – it's been their whole lives.”For its accomplishments, Neshaminy is the 2026 Courier Times/Intelligencer Baseball Team of the Year.It received contributions up and down the roster, led by senior left-hander Matt Gryn, who was the winning pitcher in three of the four state playoff games, including the semifinals (a complete game six-hitter on 75 pitches) and championship (2⅔ innings of relief starter Chase Bonner, the two-time SOL Patriot Player of the Year) three days later. Had he thrown one more pitch against Pennsbury, Gryn wouldn’t have been eligible vs. Butler.“It was a great performance from everyone,” said Neshaminy senior center fielder Mike Sassano, the team’s leadoff-hitter. “It means a lot (to win it all). We knew finishing fourth in our district means absolutely nothing.”As opposed to the state title, which means everything.Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Neshaminy PIAA 6A State Baseball Champion Bucks County

The major A.I. companies keep telling us how dangerous their new models can be, yet they must keep on building them.

“Voter fraud” is not about fraud. It is about who votes and how.

The plane’s crew reported mechanical problems and low fuel as they flew to Austin, Texas, from Mexico. Five of the six people on board survived the crash in Laredo.

There are just four teams left in the College World Series after the Georgia Bulldogseliminated the Texas Longhorns 2-0 in a pitcher's duel. No. 3 Georgia does not have much time to reflect on its season-saving win as the Bulldogs play the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday, June 17. Oklahoma beat Georgia 4-3 on Monday when the two teams met. Georgia and Oklahoma never met during the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament. Oklahoma had Tuesday off after defeating Georgia and has a big advantage over the Bulldogs. The Sooners only have to beat Georgia once while Georgia has to try to string back-to-back wins over Oklahoma.The Georgia-Oklahoma game will be at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN. It is unclear who Georgia will start at pitcher as the Bulldogs look to keep their historic season alive. Whoever advances between Georgia (2-1) and Oklahoma (2-0) will play the other side of the bracket in the three-game series to determine the national champion. On the other side, No. 5 North Carolina plays No. 16 West Virginia with North Carolina being 2-0 to start the double elimination format. West Virginia is 2-1 and dominated Troy to stave off elimination on Tuesday. Georgia vs. Oklahoma TV channel, timeTV: ESPNDate: Wednesday, June 17Time: 7 p.m. ETLocation: Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NebraskaCommentators: Karl Ravech, Kyle Peterson, Kris Budden and Chris BurkeFollow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia baseball coverage! This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: TV, schedule for Georgia vs. Oklahoma College World Series game

Becoming a sports reporter was something that took me a while. But the wait was worth it. Throughout college, I was passionate about hearing what factors led to the success of a game or season through the voices of athletes and coaches. Being able to experience that again, but at a seemingly closer level over the last two months, was that much better. Make your pick! Vote now for The Times-Reporter 2026 spring Team of the YearWhen I was hired here at The Times-Reporter, I wasn’t sure how important high school sports were in this area — boy, did that change quickly. Throughout my time in high school, sports were almost an excuse to hang out with friends. I saw very early by the number of people attending softball and baseball games that these events mean so much to the people of Tuscarawas County.Now, maybe I was a little lucky, but the first game I attended set the bar high. After all, it was a New Phila and Dover softball game. But no matter what game I attended, I saw myself trying to not stand in the way of crowded bleachers so I could get my photos. I got to experience firsthand the thrill of accomplishing goals and the other side of a heartbreaking end to a season. Now I know I have only been in this area for a couple of months, but what I observed from the first game is that the community cares about what their high school athletes are doing — no matter the day or time. This was all a learning experience for me as I have always been on the reporting side of sports. This time I had a camera in my hands. I gained responsibility for shooting photos to go with my articles, something I was unsure of at first. But I quickly learned just how fun it was to be the one capturing the moments throughout a game. It's been a blessing to hear all the good comments about sports coverage being back in this community.This job has taken me back to the place where some of my favorite sports memories were made: 7 17 Credit Union Park or, as I will always remember it, Canal Park. I remember going to games with my little league teams, getting to walk alongside the field with my dad and thinking just how cool this place was. Or the time when Francisco Lindor was making his way up through the minor leagues, seeing him play and tweeting him after the game. I got the rush of all rushes when he simply liked my tweet. Now, here I was, sitting in the press box and in the dugout, covering the OHSAA state baseball tournament. Covering regional and state championship events and watching athletes stand atop the podium at the OHSAA Jesse Owens State Track and Field Championships made my first season as a sports reporter everything I had hoped it would be. I can’t wait to see what the next sports season has in store — not only for me, but for the players and teams you root for. So, the pressure is on for football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and golf to deliver memorable seasons for everyone involved. As we close the chapter on the 2025-26 sports season, we now shift our focus to next season. Who should I keep an eye on this fall? Email me with the teams, athletes or storylines you'd like to see covered during the upcoming fall sports season.Jshondel@usatodayco.com; X: @JacoBShondeLThis article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County high school sports fans are passionate

The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off, as the past six days have seen the opening set of group stage games take place all across the United States, Mexico and Canada.The United States Men's National Team got off to a thrilling start to their home World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on June 12 with a 4-1 win against Paraguay, with Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna scoring exciting goals for the USMNT. And with growing fan interest in seeing what this team can accomplish this summer, plenty of eyes will be on their next group stage game against Australia, at 3 p.m. June 19.Here are five local places in Salisbury where you can watch World Cup games, including the United States' second group stage game against Australia.Specific Gravity105 E College Ave.A pizzeria and sports bar in Salisbury, Specific Gravity is known for its gourmet pizza and the many craft beers on tap. Located near the Salisbury University campus, Specific Gravity has posted the daily World Cup schedule of games on Facebook since its opening day last week.Burnish Beer Company2305 Northwood DriveLocated in north Salisbury, Burnish Beer Company offers pizza, salads, wings, tacos and more, alongside it's offerings of beer and other beverages. Burnish also has eight large screen televisions for guests to watch games.Roadie Joe's213 W. Main St.One of downtown Salisbury's most popular spots, Roadie Joe's Bar & Grill has 20 beers on tap, daily food specials and outdoor dining with a kids play area. There is also another Roadie Joe's located at 525 Main St. in Berlin for people closer to Ocean City, Maryland.Buffalo Wild Wings2734 N. Salisbury Blvd.Salisbury's location of the famous chain restaurant and sports bar is located on North Salisbury Boulevard near the Walmart and Chick-Fil-A.The Greene Turtle2318 N. Salisbury Blvd.Another great sports bar chain restaurant with a location in Salisbury, The Greene Turtle in is located right next to The Centre at Salisbury mall, and has also posted the daily schedule of World Cup games on social media that they plan to show since the tournament kicked off.More: Here are the 2026 Bayside South high school football schedulesMore: Girls Lacrosse All-Bayside Conference awards honor the 2026 season's starsThis article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Five places in Salisbury to watch the FIFA World Cup and the USMNT

CLEMSON — Clemson baseball still has needs to address in the transfer portal.The Tigers have added six players in the portal since it opened June 1. It is a critical offseason for coach Erik Bakich after Clemson (31-26) missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.The Tigers lost eight of 10 ACC series to go 10-20 in conference play and tied for last place with Duke. The only other last-place ACC finish in Clemson baseball history was 1957.Here's a look at who Clemson added and what the Tigers are still missing from the portal before it closes on June 30.Who Clemson baseball added in transfer portalClemson has secured commitments from outfielder Jamie Daly (Davidson), third baseman Troy Sudbrook (Toledo), catcher/outfielder Bennett Edwards (Georgia Southern), shortstop Isaac Incinelli (St. Johns River State College), right-handed pitcher Landon White (Bryant) and left-handed pitcher Jackson Miller (Bowling Green).All come from mid-major programs or junior colleges, and Clemson has had mixed results with these types of players in Bakich's tenure. Some transfers adjusted well to ACC play, including catcher/outfielder Nate Savoie in 2026 and pitcher Lucas Mahlstedt in 2025. Others struggled to adjust to the elevated competition like outfielder Ty Dalley in 2026 and infielder Josh Paino in 2025.Clemson's top addition has been Sudbrook. He earned third-team All-America honors in 2026 after hitting .373 with 11 home runs, 71 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.MORE: Clemson football offers $20K tailgating package in 2026. Here's what fans getWhat positions Clemson baseball should pursue in transfer portalClemson's remaining portal needs include a catcher and an outfielder.Clemson lost three starting outfielders: Savoie (transfer), Bryce Clavon (transfer) and Jack Crighton (expiring eligibility). The Tigers added two in the portal but need to pursue another to be more flexible with their lineup.The Tigers also need another catcher to split duties with Edwards after losing Savoie and Jacob Jarrell (expiring eligibility). Whoever Clemson adds should also have power.Jarrell (18) and Savoie (16) were Clemson's leaders in homers and the only players to reach double figures. Clemson is also losing its two leaders in doubles: Crighton (14) and Savoie (13).Who Clemson baseball lost in transfer portalNate Savoie (Texas A&M)Pitcher/outfielder Talan Bell (Central Florida)Outfielder/infielder Bryce Clavon (Penn State)Infielder Jason Fultz Jr.Pitcher Hayden SimmersonInfielder Collin Priest (Central Florida)Infielder Jay Dillard (Austin Peay)Pitcher Noah Samol (Austin Peay)Pitcher Peyton Miller (South Florida)Clemson will also lose notable seniors, including Jarrell, Crighton, and starting pitcher Michael Sharman.Who Clemson baseball could lose in 2026 MLB DraftClemson had three players and two signees invited to the MLB draft combine, which runs June 23-26.Starting pitcher Aidan Knaak, reliever Justin LeGuernic, second baseman Jarren Purify and pitching signees Blake Bryant and Chase Kiker were all invited.Clemson could lose all of these players if they are drafted and elect to go pro. Knaak, LeGuernic and Purify can return for their senior season. Bryant and Kiker can still attend Clemson and be eligible for the draft again in three years if they decide to not go pro.Bryant and Kiker are a part of Clemson's 2026 recruiting class that has 13 signees and ranks No. 17 nationally, according to Perfect Game.Other notable draft-eligible players are pitchers Drew Titsworth and Ariston Veasey, utility player Tryston McCladdie and first baseman Luke Gaffney.The MLB draft is July 11-12 in Philadelphia.Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson baseball transfer portal update on adds, needs, exits for 2027

🚨 Official: Bernardo Silva signs for Real Madrid!New chapter.It had been expected, and it is now official. This Wednesday, Real Madrid officially announced the arrival of Bernardo Silva.Having left Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of the season, the Portuguese midfielder signed a contract with the Madrid club running until June 2028.Strongly wanted by José Mourinho, Bernardo Silva had also been reported to be close to joining FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.So it is with Los Blancos that he will showcase all his qualities and try to take Real back to the top. It is also worth noting that he will reunite with Kylian Mbappé, with whom he won the French league title in 2017.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.