Juventus ahead of Manchester United in pursuit of Bayern centre-back Kim Min-jaeBayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae is on Manchester United’s radar, reports Bild football chief Christian Falk.However, the German journalist adds that Juventus are currently leading the race for the South Korean international.La Gazzetta dello Sport has previously claimed that the 29-year-old has already given the green light for a move to the Serie A side, where he could reunite with former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti.Should that move fail to materialise, Manchester United could potentially open talks over a deal for the centre-back.A departure from the German champions is far from guaranteed, though, as Kim is content with his current role as a squad player.

The most important question of this World Cup has finally been answered 😍It's the question you've all been asking yourselves during this World Cup.Not 'how many goals will Lionel Messi score?' or 'how many beers does it take for a Scotland fan to get drunk?'.No, the question on everyone's lips is ... who exactly is the most handsome player at this tournament?Well that has been unequivocally answered by AI as reported by RMC Sport in France.As they reveal, DreamGF conducted a study on the 150 most searched-for players on Google, based on the 'golden ratio,' which measures facial symmetry, balance, and harmony.And the player in number one is ... Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul with a score of 74.18%.📸 Michael Steele - 2026 Getty ImagesGermany's Kai Havertz is in the silver medal position with 74.10% whilst Noni Madueke is representing England with 73.29%.Mohamed Salah (73.27%) and Endrick (73.25%) round off the top five.

The Tennessee Titans have officially wrapped up their offseason team activities and will now be on their own as they enter their downtime before training camp.But if you listen to what head coach Robert Saleh has to say, the Titans are actually entering the most crucial part of their offseason program. Saleh spoke with Jim Wyatt after the Titans wrapped up their practices, and he pointed out the importance of the next 40 days.“These next 40 days are critical. And I feel like so many players lose their season before it ever starts because of the way they handle these next 40 (days)." @Titans HC Robert Saleh stresses the importance of the break before training camp.READ https://t.co/JG6eJhWa9Apic.twitter.com/qBzocRfiKc— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 17, 2026"These next 40 days are critical," Saleh said. "And I feel like so many players lose their season before it ever starts because of the way they handle these next 40 (days). It's not a vacation. They've got to get ready to play ball. We kind of trick it by pretending the four-day acclimation period will give them a runway to get into the season – there is no runway. When you get here, we've got to go, and if you're not prepared to play, you're going to get hurt, and that's league-wide.”Tennessee has taken a different approach to offseason team activities and minicamp and will carry those differences into training camp and the preseason, with a scrimmage at Nissan Stadium and a full slate of joint practices, in hopes of changing their fortunes in 2026.Tennessee is scheduled to report to training camp in Nashville the last week of July and kick off their four-day acclimation period before donning pads in the first week of August, and then, finally, the real competition can begin.This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh says 'next 40 days are critical'

NEW YORK – Dating back to last week at Cleveland, Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a few tough at-bats, fouling pitches off his foot and lower body.Then came Thursday night’s unlucky swing. During the home fourth inning at Yankee Stadium, Chisholm fouled off a pitch that bounced up and struck him in a sensitive area, forcing him from the game after a lengthy delay. “I’m hoping he is OK’’ for Friday’s game. “I haven’t heard anything yet,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, after the Chicago White Sox’s 5-1 victory.Camilo Doval has already had his share of tough moments in close-and-late situations, and against lefty hitters, and the Yankees’ enigmatic righty reliever added to that pile.In the eighth inning, Doval gave up a tie-breaking, pinch-hit grand slam to old friend Andrew Benintendi, which helped to snap the Yanks’ four-game winning streak.Now, the Yanks will wait to see if Chisholm might be available for Friday night’s interleague series opener against the Bronx against the Cincinnati Reds.Jazz exits, Yankees stumble On a 2-and-2 count, Chisholm was replaced during his at-bat by Anthony Volpe, who walked but was erased trying to steal second base.In the seventh inning of a 1-1 game, Volpe lashed a one-out double to the left-center field wall but was out attempting to stretch it to a triple – an aggressive play that Boone felt was the right decision.“Force them to make a play,’’ Boone said of the one-out scenario, in a close game, with a rookie left fielder in Junior Perez making his MLB debut.Earlier, in the fifth inning, Jose Caballero was picked off second base with one out by Sean Burke, who followed opener Bryan Hudson and delivered 7.1 sharp innings.All the Yanks could muster offensively was Ryan McMahon’s solo homer in the third, once again continuing a trend in Ryan Weathers’ starts.In nine of Weathers’ 14 starts this year, the Yankees have provided him two or fewer runs of support – this after combining to score 22 runs in the first two series wins vs. Chicago.Overall, Weathers came away more encouraged by his 6.1 innings against Chicago, yielding only a Colson Montgomery solo shot, his third homer against the Yanks in two games.Weathers improves; possible 'pen changes on the horizonDuring the week, Weathers said he worked on the command and feel of his curveball.“That’s a big pitch in my arsenal,’’ said Weathers, who yielded seven home runs in his previous three starts (17 innings) before Thursday.“Feels nice to keep the team in the game, for sure,’’ said Weathers. “Felt like my old self again.’’Fernando Cruz helped Weathers finish the seventh, but a leadoff eighth-inning double by Sam Anontucci ended Cruz’s night.Tim Hill entered and hit the first two batters he faced, leading to Doval watching Benintendi jump on a first-pitch, 100-mph sinker.“Some mistakes have certainly hurt him in some spots, and tonight Benintendi got him,’’ said Boone, who feels the former San Francisco Giants closer is “not overwhelmed’’ in the Bronx.Through an interpreter, Doval praised Benintendi’s aggressiveness and cited his need to get ahead with the bases loaded.“In my head, the game is tied regardless,’’ Doval said of his view of any appearance. “The focus is the same.’’But things could rapidly change regarding the Yanks’ bullpen makeup.Starter Max Fried (elbow bone bruise) could be back, possibly forcing Weathers or Will Warren to the bullpen.Minor league starter and top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange is moving to the bullpen, and he could be ready to help the Yankees in a month – close to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, when they’ll be seeking more relief help for the drive toward October.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jazz exits game, Doval serves up grand slam in Yankees' loss

Hoffenheim make €15m bid for Japanese midfielderNEC Nijmegen are expected to turn down a €15 million offer from TSG Hoffenheim for Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano, according to Dutch outlet SoccerNews.The Dutch club are said to be holding out for around €20 million for Sano, who has also been linked with VfB Stuttgart.The 22-year-old is the younger brother of Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano.Nijmegen paid just €450,000 to sign Kodai Sano from Japanese side Fagiano Okayama in 2023.He scored three goals and provided eight assists in 39 appearances for the club last season.

LAKELAND — All Florida Southern head women’s lacrosse coach Maddy Mills could think about was how much of an honor it was to accept all the awards for the Florida Southern women’s lacrosse team at the 2026 PCASA (Polk County All-Sports Awards) banquet Tuesday night at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.After all, the entire night was absolutely sensational and so well put together, as the entire Polk County staff put on an absolute spectacle filled with folks in breathtaking attire, good food, a seminal setup for folks to reminisce about good times and a phenomenal production that put on an exceptional display for the hundreds in attendance. And this was deservingly so, as the Florida Southern women’s lacrosse team (21-1) created history, capturing its first national title since 2016 thanks to a 9-7 win over Maryville University on May 23. At the banquet, the team was recognized as the Female Collegiate Team of the Year alongside Warner’s flag football, which also won a national championship.Mills, who is also the head coach of Lakeland Christian’s girls lacrosse team that won a district title for the first time in school history this past year, hearkened back to the time amid the Kodak moment.“As soon as the buzzer went off to end the game at the national championship in Rochester, it all became real. All … the hard work, early morning practices (and) late night studying finally paid off. Watching our players run to each other with tears of joy in their eyes even though it was pouring rain and 30 degrees, (and) nothing could beat that moment,” Mills said.Lakeland Christian's lacrosse team: Lakeland Christian lacrosse wins first title; District highlightsMr. Golf: Winter Haven's Anthony Monteleone earns Mr. Golf, honored at Winter Haven basketballAnd the moment happened in just her third year as the assistant coach, as the final piece of the puzzle finally came together. The offense had eight different goal scorers, the defense held Maryville’s goal scorers to just two goals the first three quarters and the local program was able to show everyone that they came to play and nothing was going to get in the way of getting that trophy. The national championship trophy was well within grasp ahead of the 2026 campaign thanks to the program returning almost every starter. One major contributor in this national championship game and really all year was defensive captain Charlie Laye, who received the Collegiate Player of the Year award at the banquet thanks to being the best player on the best team, but because of her 44 ground balls and 18 draw controls, too.“Charlie not only is an incredible athlete and hard working student graduating with a 4.0, she is one of the best leaders we have ever seen. She is the glue for our defense and a voice when people get lost. Although we are excited for the next year to come, we will definitely miss Charlie so greatly,” Mills said.Laye, who is from Edgewater, Maryland, will likely miss the Polk County community showing the team so much love and support.“We would not be as successful as we are without all of the support we have received, especially from our athletic department, our president Dr. Martin and his wife Tia, as well as all of our donors,” Mills said. “We are also so incredibly grateful to our players’ families. They are nothing short of amazing. No matter where we travel, they are always there to support. We like to say, ‘No matter where we are, we always have home field advantage.’”Next year, Florida women’s lacrosse will return a lot of key contributors and All-Americans including, Audrey and Brayden Cannelli, Julia and Izzy Lucas, Kolby Cohen, and Jenna Vetter. All these players bring a ton of athletic talent back to the team, and they are also big pieces to the team’s culture.“…Our team’s culture is far greater than our incredible winning record,” Florida Southern head women’s lacrosse coach Kara Reber said. "Earning the awards at the Polk County banquet is a testament to our team's dedication and work they have put in all year. Winning the program's second title, and the department's 32nd overall is truly remarkable. It's never an easy feat and a tough road for the South teams with wins over Flagler, Tampa (three times), and then Pace and Maryville in Rochester. The team is deserving of the recognition, and I'm happy that Charlie Laye was named Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year. She was a true captain and led this team all season long."Florida Southern men’s golf team recognizedThe Florida Southern men’s golf team was also recognized as the Male Collegiate Team of the Year thanks to winning the NCAA Division II men’s golf national championship. The local program won 3-2 over Wingate University on May 22 in Boulder City, Nevada, which racked up Florida Southern’s 14 th national title in men’s golf.Helping this team win was former Winter Haven golfer Anthony Monteleone, who earned The Ledger’s Player of the Year three times and Mr. Golf.In this magical carpet ride for the program, Monteleone tied for fourth in stroke play, a -10 right behind fifth-year player Tyler Mistretta at -11. In the quarterfinal match, he executed a 20-footer for birdie on 17, which moved his match to help the team advance through the semifinals.Monteleone was on stage at the banquet for a picture shot, experiencing the magnificence with his team.“It was a great feeling knowing that we were representing a national championship team,” Monteleone said. “It’s a blessing to be able to receive the Collegiate Team of the Year. That team deserved every bit of it and worked so hard all fall and spring for the moment.”This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Pair of Florida Southern athletic programs get Team of the Year honors

Rounding out the spring all-area series voting is tennis.Below are the 2026 Athens high school all-area tennis players, which were hand selected by the coaches. Cast a vote for who you think deserves the ultimate title of "Boys and Girls Tennis Player of the Year."The polls, which will be open until Friday, June 26, at 5 p.m., will be split, one for girls and one for boys, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom.Spring all-area series | Top 2026 Athens-area high school tennis playersAthens all-area high school boys tennis player of the year pollAthens all-area high school girls tennis player of the year pollThis article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Vote for Athens all-area high school boys, girls tennis player of the year

As World Cup fever grips Mexico City, an unexpected star has emerged, captivating fans far beyond the soccer pitch. Osito, an 8-year-old rescue poodle mix, has become a global sensation after making a memorable entrance at Mexico’s opening match. Perched on the back of a cargo bicycle, sporting a Mexico jersey, sunglasses, and a cap, Osito instantly stole hearts, joining the ranks of beloved tournament figures.Osito, an 8-year-old rescue poodle mix who's become an unlikely sensation after arriving at Mexico’s opening match perched on the back of a cargo bicycle, dressed in a Mexico jersey, sunglasses and a cap (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)Thousands of fans streaming towards the stadium last week paused their journey to capture photos, pet the charming canine, and upload videos online. Within hours, Osito’s image was circulating across international broadcasts and dominating social media feeds, transforming the bicycle-riding dog into one of the World Cup’s most endearing viral stars.For his owner, Jorge Rangel, the sudden surge in attention is less about internet fame and more about the profound companionship he shares with Osito, who accompanies him almost everywhere. As thousands of fans streamed toward the stadium last week for the tournament opener, many stopped to snap photos, pet the dog and post videos online (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)For the past two years, Osito has been Rangel’s constant companion on his daily rounds, delivering household products across Mexico City."More than a dog, he’s my daily companion," Rangel, 50, shared.Their unique partnership sees them traveling together on a specially adapted cargo bicycle. Osito sits calmly in a rear compartment, greeting passersby and eliciting smiles from strangers. For his owner, Jorge Rangel, the attention is less about internet fame than the companionship he shares with the dog who accompanies him almost everywhere (AP)This arrangement began serendipitously when Rangel placed the dog in a delivery box for a short ride. Osito’s apparent enjoyment led Rangel to gradually adapt the setup with cushions, eventually integrating him into longer city trips. Soon, the pair became a familiar and cherished sight.Today, children eagerly approach Osito, while strangers frequently stop for photographs. They travel together on a specially adapted cargo bicycle, where Osito sits calmly in a back compartment, greeting passersby and drawing smiles from strangers (AP)Some initially mistake him for a stuffed animal because of his remarkable stillness, often accentuated by one of his many outfits. "He has a very gentle temperament. Everybody wants to meet him," Rangel noted.When the World Cup arrived, Rangel, a devoted soccer fan, saw an opportunity to introduce Osito — whose name translates to "little bear" — to an even wider audience. He spent weeks meticulously preparing for the tournament, gathering accessories and custom-fitting sunglasses for his canine friend. Now, children rush over to greet Osito, strangers stop to take photographs and some initially mistake him for a stuffed animal because he sits so still, often dressed in one of his many outfits (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)Dressing Osito in a national team jersey and decorating their bicycle, Rangel hoped to stand out among the throngs heading to the stadium."It exceeded all my expectations," Rangel said of the overwhelming public response.What truly resonates with fans, however, isn't just the costume or the viral fame, but the palpable connection between the man and his dog. Mexico fans celebrate after Mexico won 1-0 over South Korea, after a watch party in Koreatown which is home to large Korean and Mexican communities (Getty)Rangel adopted Osito years ago during a challenging period in his life, describing him as an emotional lifeline. "I didn’t know what it meant to love an animal until Osito came into my life," Rangel revealed.Their bond is so strong that they spend nearly every day together. Should Rangel ever leave without him, Osito expresses his rare displeasure with a bark. This deep connection is evident to those who encounter them on the streets. Mexico's Luis Romo celebrates scoring their first goal against South Korea with teammates (Reuters)Rangel often recounts people approaching him to say that seeing Osito brightened an otherwise stressful day, or simply to thank the pair for making them smile.As World Cup celebrations continue, videos of Osito circulate widely, and requests for photographs remain constant. Yet, each morning, Rangel and Osito embark on their bicycle journey through the streets of Mexico City, continuing their work, greeting strangers, and spreading moments of pure joy.For Rangel, this daily ritual remains the most meaningful aspect of their story. While television appearances and viral fame are gratifying, he emphasizes that what truly matters is that people witness the genuine affection between a man and his dog — a bond that has unexpectedly become one of the World Cup’s most enduring and heartwarming images.

June 17, 2026; Irvine, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. during training. SEATTLE – As the hours tick closer to the United States men’s national team’s second World Cup group stage game at noon Friday against Australia at Lumen Field, Christian Pulisic’s status becomes increasingly murkier.“He’s evolving. He’s much better from Friday,” USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said referring to last Friday’s opener against Paraguay, where the star forward came off at halftime due to a calf injury. “We'll see. I think, at the moment we see it, if he’s not available for tomorrow, maybe available for the next game, but I think he's doing a massive effort trying to be ready.”Pochettino said he and the medical team will assess tonight, after Pulisic was barely seen at the U.S.’s training session at the University of Washington today. Pulisic, labelled day-to-day with that calf injury, has been doing modified individual work all week long, which mostly consists of gym work during the brief media viewing periods at the start of training.Despite all the high-flying goodwill and excitement generated from the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay to launch this home-soil World Cup, the lingering concerns for Pulisic have clouded the week from an American perspective.However, everyone in the States and Australia will find out at the same time, when the USMNT and Socceroos walk out to the pitch tomorrow at noon in Seattle.“I’m sure he’ll play if he’s fit,” Australia coach Tony Popovic said. “There’s no doubt he’s one of their best players. Outstanding footballer. When injuries occur, you need another option, another solution and looking through their squad, they have plenty of options there. If he’s not there, we’ve looked at some of the players that have been playing when he hasn’t been there and looking at the various options they may have. We’ll be prepared for that.”In Thursday’s pre-match press conferences, both Pochettino and Popovic said their respective teams were prepared for their battle on top of Group D (it’d be more surprising if they didn’t), and while both were light on the actual tactics they’d employ the next day, they both acknowledged the different challenge this opponent was compared to their openers.“We were good in how we built up (against Paraguay),” Pochettino said. “But that is how we feel football, how we feel soccer. We will try to press, but we know that (Australia) try to play sometimes long passes, but it's different to play long. That's why, for us, is to put pressure, but also to be careful with the defensive transition.”“Turkiye were more European style in terms of their technical building, slower buildup, fantastic possession,” Popovic said. “I think the U.S. team has a good mix of the two. Very powerful. Very athletic. So we know it will be a different type of challenge. Playing the home nation here, as well, is a wonderful challenge, but also a wonderful opportunity for us.”Both also noted that while the friendly the two teams played in Denver last October wasn’t that long ago–or all that friendly, as Pochettino pointed out it was “tough” and “non official” games end up becoming “street games” sometimes–there wasn’t much to carry over aside from the mentality of both squads.Much had been made on the American side during the week about Pochettino’s halftime speech in that game, where he delivered an animated plea to his team to match the level of an aggressive Australian performance. The U.S. did just that in a physical second half of a 2-1 victory.It was marked as a turning point in the development of Pochettino’s USMNT, with Sebastian Berhalter remarking during the week that Pochettino had drilled the idea of “We’re American. We don’t take shit” over this World Cup cycle.“To build that mentality, or to change a little bit the mindset, that doesn't mean that it was wrong mindset, it's different mindset,” Pochettino said. “It's a great opportunity for a coach to explain what we expect for the player, or for the team on the pitch. It was a tough, tough conversation at half time, but it was necessary. I think we all need some time to wake up about some situation because always human beings, we want to be comfortable. Even if you are 54, like I am, or if you are 17, or 18, or 25. And it was, for me, it was necessary to wake up call and say that is not the right way to do the things.”Part of that “right way” that Pochettino wanted the USMNT to match that night and going forward was the belief and togetherness of the Socceroos that night. It’s part of what that “We’re American” mantra was for Pochettino, to bring the U.S. together and pull on the same rope. “For me, it’s their mentality,” Pochettino said of the Aussies. “They are a very strong team. Really believing in what they are doing. When we play the game in Denver, it was really one of the most difficult games that we play in this run (to the World Cup).”Australia will be a tough game tomorrow for their physical nature, their sound defensive structure and their long counterattack, and what makes that all the more difficult is because the Aussies are all on that same page.They believe in their system, and they believe in each other.“I don’t think that’s a short term thing. It takes a long time to grow that belief,” Socceroo captain Harry Souttar said. “Being in camp since the start of May, every training session has gotten better. The standard’s gotten better. In terms of belief side of things, it’s looking around the dressing room and looking beside you, who you’re walking out to the pitch with and seeing the thirst we got in our team.”A win for either the United States or Australia tomorrow puts them alone on top of the group and into the knockout rounds. If Turkiye loses to Paraguay later in the day, the U.S.-Australia winner wins the group tomorrow.Could the stylistic match-up, particularly without Pulisic, lead to a draw? As Pochettino said about his star forward, “We’ll see.”

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesNathan Saliba delivered one of Canada’s most touching World Cup moments shortly after coming on for the injured Ismaël Koné.Canada were already in control against Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver, but the mood shifted when Koné was forced off with a serious leg injury in the second half. Saliba came on in his place and quickly turned a painful moment into one of unity.He then stepped up to take a free kick and curled it in off the post. Rather than celebrating for himself, Saliba immediately paid tribute to Koné, holding up his teammate’s jersey and number.Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesNathan Saliba tribute to Ismaël Koné follows stunning Canada free kickESPN FC highlighted that Saliba scored just minutes after replacing Koné, then held up the No. 8 and jersey for his injured teammate.The free kick came in the 64th minute and became Canada’s fourth goal of the night. Technically, it was a brilliant strike, bent over the wall and in off the post. Emotionally, it became much more than that.Saliba threw up the No. 8 as teammates gathered around him, making clear his first thought was with Koné. Reports said Canada’s players later went to the hospital to be with the injured midfielder after the game.That is what made the moment hit so hard. Saliba had just scored a dream World Cup goal, but the chance only came because a teammate had been taken off in pain.Canada’s historic World Cup win came with painful Koné injuryCanada beat Qatar 6-0 in Group B, recording their first men’s World Cup victory in emphatic fashion. Jonathan David scored a hat trick, while Cyle Larin also found the net and Mohammed Manai added an own goal.Qatar’s night fell apart with two red cards, one to Homam Ahmed in the first half and another to Assim Madibo after the break.For Canada, the result pushed them to the top of the group and showed how dangerous Jesse Marsch’s side can be on home soil.But Koné’s injury kept the night from feeling purely celebratory. Saliba’s strike will be remembered for its quality, but his gesture will be remembered for what it said about Canada’s locker room.Read more:Official Iran statement confirms plans to complain to FIFA over World Cup ‘restrictions’How Thomas Muller surprisingly became part of the New York Knicks parade‘You know what he’s like’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex Manchester United teammates question ‘selfish’ World Cup appearance

Where is Folarin Balogun from? Hometown, nationality and more about New York roots originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After years of searching for a capable talent to take the reins of the No. 9 slot, the USMNT finally looks to have found a goal-scorer to set off fireworks in and around the net. Ironically enough, he hails from England.Folarin Balogun is one of the USMNT's biggest stars, producing goals at club and international level. The Monaco star has become one of Ligue 1's most consistent strikers, earning Player of the Season honors after a 19-goal campaign.With the Americans, Balogun has been similarly prolific. He has 11 goals in 28 USMNT caps, including a brace in the Americans' 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12.Balogun is a fixture in the U.S. setup and figures to be for a long time. But just where did he get his start? The Sporting News gives you the run down on Balogun's origins and unique journey to the top of U.S. soccer lore.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWhere is Folarin Balogun from?Balogun was born in Brooklyn. But he's a London boy through-and-through, moving to England's capital city when he was just a month old.Balogun came up in Hale End, Arsenal's famed youth academy. He spent 15 years with the club, making 10 appearances and scoring two goals. After loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims, Balogun moved to Ligue 1 powerhouse Monaco for a reported fee of €30 million, which could rise to €40 million with add-ons.Folarin Balogun hometownBalogun's hometown is a matter of perspective. He was born in Brooklyn — ESPN reported that Balogun's mother went on vacation to New York when she was seven months pregnant with him. As the story goes, the airline barred her from her return flight to England, citing her pregnancy. She stayed with a sister-in-law in Brooklyn, giving birth to Balogun on July 3, 2001."I don't believe things happened by luck," Balogun's mother told ESPN in 2023. "I think for me to have gone to America and for me to have had him there, it is just something that has really stuck with me. Even when he wasn't even thinking of making an international decision, I'd already made up my mind that he is going to play for America."Despite his Brooklyn roots, Balogun spent effectively his entire childhood and adolescence in London. His parents were living there at the time of his birth and he would've been born there had the flight crew for his mother's return flight to England let her on the plane.When asked by Soccer Bible which place he identified more with — London or the U.S. —, the 24-year-old celebrated both."London, definitely," Balogun said. "That’s where I grew up, where I spent most of my youth, and where my career started."But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve travelled more and spent more time in the US, so now it feels split. London built the foundation, and the US has shaped the later stages. MORE USMNT NEWS:Why isn't USA better at soccer by now?Meet USA's 2026 World Cup soccer teamHow far will the USMNT go in World Cup?How USA could play Iran in World CupMauricio Pochettino's flirtation with AC Milan is not his biggest issueFolarin Balogun nationalityBalogun holds citizenship in three nations: the United States, England and Nigeria. His U.S. citizenship comes from the fact that he was born in the country, his England citizenship is the result of his naturalization and his Nigerian citizenship is passed down by his mother and father.Folarin Balogun's parentsBalogun was born to Florence and Ben Balogun on July 3, 2001. His parents were born in Nigeria and lived in London at the time of Folarin's birth. They are of Yoruba heritage.The Baloguns have supported Folarin throughout his career, often making the trek from London to France to see his games. They also felt Folarin's decision to play for the USMNT was written in the stars, citing the dramatic story of his birth as the reason he was destined to play for the Americans.FIFA eligibility rulesFIFA's criteria for turning out for a national team often has been underpinned by nationality. If one holds nationality for a country, they are eligible to play for said country.There is wiggle room within that definition: in 2004, FIFA ruled that players must demonstrate a "clear connection" to a country in order to play for its national team. Players can gain eligibility through their parents or grandparents if they were born in a different country to the one the player was born in, for example.There's a residency requirement for players lacking birth or ancestral connection to a specific country, with FIFA requiring that players live in a country for five or more years after reaching the age of 18 to be eligible to play for said country's national team.It's also important to note that participating in an international friendly isn't enough to ensure a player is tied to a national team. A player is permitted a one-time switch if they have only appeared in friendly matches for one nation and meet FIFA's eligibility requirements for playing for another country (e.g., born in the other country, biological mother or father was born in the country, biological grandmother or grandfather was born in the country or have resided in country for five years after reaching 18 years old). For example, Declan Rice made three appearances for Ireland before joining England's setup in 2019.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Today’s Papers – Inter set to sign Palestra, Real Madrid angry with Nico PazLa Gazzetta dello SportBig coup: here’s PalestraMeeting with Atalanta: agreement close for a 50m deal. Chivu signs until 2028Carletto changes everything: Brazil with four strikersAncelotti with a super attack for a push against HaitiMessi beats Ronaldo, duel (almost) overCorriere dello SportAncelotti changes, Montella risksWatch Out for PazIn Madrid, the Argentine feels blocked by Bellingham and Bernardo SilvaReal Madrid and Nico at odds: ‘Bring us €60 million.’The talent has asked to play the Champions League with Como. Florentino picks the hard line: he doesn’t want to renew the loan. Cesc stunned. Premier League looming.Inter, now there’s Jones. Chivu until 2028Ausilio calls Liverpool: breakthrough for the full-back, 50m to La DeaKolo, Juve prepare the offerNew contacts with the entourage. Vicario advances in goalMilan, now Leao is a burdenThe Portuguese is disappointing at the World Cup too: Cardinale worriedTuttosportLucumì, Juventus pushThe Colombian centre-back is convincing in terms of leadership and versatility: contacts with the Rossoblu have resumed. Working on the 28m clause, the good relationship can ease the deal. Kolo Muani: Carnevali in talks with PSG. Attacking midfield: idea Zaniolo as an alternative to Brahim Diaz. Milan in the race too.Toro and Abate: project CacciamaniMontella risks flopping, asks for Yildiz’s helpAncelotti remakes Brazil, but there’s the Neymar affairMalagò is eligible, green light to Mancini

The men's tournament at Queen's is under way - and you can follow it live on the BBC.Australian world number six Alex de Minaur is the top seed while Arthur Fery is the last Briton standing after defeat for Cameron Norrie in his first singles match since picking up a rib injury in May.Carlos Alcaraz, the 2025 champion, misses the championships because of a wrist injury.Live coverage is available on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, while the BBC Sport website and app and BBC Radio 5 Live will have reports, updates and analysis.The BBC also has live coverage of the WTA 250 grass-court tournament in Nottingham across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.How to watch Queen's on the BBCMen's tournament (all times BST)Friday, 19 June 13:00-18:00 - BBC Two, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & appSaturday, 20 June 13:00-17:00 - BBC One, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & appSunday, 21 June 13:20-16:00 - BBC One, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & appFery makes Queen's quarters with 'best-ever' result'The new Emma' - positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to WimbledonRaducanu loses Queen's final as trophy wait continuesLive scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

Made in the Belgian Pro League: Canada rout Qatar thanks to players who came through the Belgian top flightCanada routed Qatar by a score line of 6-0 to grab their first win at a World Cup. The hosts demolished the 2022 hosts, who ended the game with nine men. Outside of an own goal, the other five goal scorers for Canada all have one thing in common: they have previously, or are currently playing in, the Belgian Pro League. Lets take the hat trick hero Jonathan David. It was with Gent between 2018 and 2020 that David made a name for himself in European football. Over the course of two seasons and 83 games the Canadian forward helped himself to 37 goals. His 23 goals in the 2019/2020 season earned him a move to Lille, where he once again showed his quality. David spent five successful seasons with Lille, scoring 109 goals in 232 games and winning the Ligue 1 title during the 2020/2021 season. He moved to Juventus last summer but has not experienced as much success in Serie A yet. Cyle Larin scored the equaliser against Bosnia and Herzegovina on the opening day and was at it again early against Qatar. The 31-year-old currently plays for Southampton, but like David, he has history in the Belgian Pro League. During the 2019/2020 season he spent time on loan at Zulte Waregem from Besiktas, scoring nine goals in 33 games. In 2022 he returned to Belgium after his contract in Istanbul ran out, joining Club Brugge. It did not go well for Larin with limited appearances and just one goal in 13 games. Larin left for Real Valladolid in 2023, spending time with Mallorca and Feyenoord before ending up at Southampton. The third of the Canadian goal scorers is the only one currently playing in Belgium. Nathan Saliba scored a wonderful free kick for Canada against Qatar, the first of the tournament. Saliba joined Anderlecht from Canada back in the summer of 2025, having left CF Montreal to move to Europe. He scored five goals in 45 games for the Mauves this season. Saliba has played 16 times for Canada and scored three goals, although this third goal will certainly be the best of the bunch. While not on the scoresheet, another player who had a large impact on the game for Canada was Tajon Buchanan. The winger was electric and caused the Qatari defence all sorts of problems. The 27-year-old, currently at Villareal, moved to Europe from New England Revolution back in 2022. He joined Club Brugge and played 67 games, with five goals seven assists. He earned himself a move to Italy and Inter, but like David, struggled to have an impact in Serie A. He has enjoyed more success in La Liga and is a key player for Canada. That result is likely to send Canada through to the next round for the first time in their history. If they want to go further, the quarter of players who have graced the Belgian Pro League will be important. GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

George Furbank will be aiming for his second Prem title with Northampton Saints after being part of the squad that claimed the trophy in 2024 [Getty Images]"If you were going to leave the club after 12 years, or however long it's been, with that many games and that much success, you'd want to do it the way George has done it because he's been unbelievable."Northampton captain George Furbank is hoping for "a fairytale finish" to his Saints career at Twickenham this weekend.But as far as director of rugby Phil Dowson is concerned - as his quotes above imply - it's already been a farewell to remember.Full-back Furbank will make his final appearance for his boyhood club this Saturday as he leads out the side for their Prem Rugby final against Exeter."I think he's probably sorry to go," Dowson told The Saints Show."It's difficult because we both wanted a deal to work but couldn't make it work."All you need to know ahead of Saints' Prem finalEntertaining like no other - best Saints team ever?Furbank will not be the only Saints player receiving plenty of attention at the weekend.Young flanker Henry Pollock is building a reputation for himself at the very top of the game, both for his ability on the pitch and for his personality. The latter of which, Dowson believes is misunderstood."He's always been mature, he's always understood the situation, professionalism and what he wanted," he said."Some people mistake his exuberance for arrogance - he's confident."Dowson will want to see that confidence on full display during Saturday's final, though it will be Pollock's first after missing the side's 2024 victory away on international duty with England Under-20s.His director, meanwhile, has been here before - both as a coach during the Saints' 2024 title win and as a player in 2014 - and it's a feeling he relishes despite all the pressure."You enjoy the tensions and the nerves," the former England flanker said."These are the occasions that you want to play in, that you want to coach in and these are the occasions that I'm determined to enjoy."One way in which Dowson prepares his squad for success is to look outside of rugby union."One of the best things I did was go up to Wigan [Warriors] to meet Matt Peet [Wigan's head coach]," Dowson said.Warriors are the most successful club in rugby league history and have enjoyed recent success with four Super League titles, three Challenge Cups and two World Cup Challenge trophies to their name in the past decade."How they produce that environment together, how they develop players, how they try to build success year on year," Dowson added."Going into a different environment, talking to a different coach and someone else, there is just more ideas on how you manage people."Saints ready for Prem final against ExeterNew faces but same Saints DNA - FreemanDespite such focus on victory though, the 44-year-old would not confidently say his side will be lifting the trophy at Twickenham on Saturday - and for good reason.Exeter Chiefs have already beaten Saints in the Prem Rugby Cup semi-final this season, before eventually losing out in the final to Leicester Tigers.The club have proven to be "a handful" to Dowson's side and he remains wary of the strengths of his opposition."This group is incredibly physical," he said of the Chiefs' squad."A very dangerous group. They've got outrageous athletes in Paul Brown-Bampoe and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso."While Dowson cannot guarantee his side another title, he has every intention of taking a team that will be competitive.And entertaining too."We can't sit around and go 'we need to sell more tickets, we need more people to watch on TV' and then not make it an entertainment sport," Dowson said."Because if we kick and clap, then who wants to watch that?"There will be live text commentary of the Prem final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs on the BBC Sport website on Saturday, 20 June as well as radio coverage from BBC Radio Northampton starting at 10:00 BST on BBC Sounds.

Photo by Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesCanada did not just win a men’s World Cup match for the first time, they did it with a level of dominance rarely seen in the tournament’s history.Jesse Marsch’s side thrashed Qatar 6-0 at BC Place in Vancouver on June 18, in a result that instantly became one of the most significant nights in Canadian soccer history.The scoreline told one story, but the first-half shot data told another, illustrating just how completely Canada overwhelmed Qatar long before the match was out of reach.Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesCanada World Cup record reaches back to 1994OptaJoe reported that Canada’s eight shots on target before halftime matched a record set by Romania against Argentina at the 1994 World Cup.That 32-year mark highlights the scale of Canada’s performance. By halftime, they had already turned pressure into control, chances and goals.Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Jonathan David struck twice before the break. Qatar were also reduced to 9 men when Homam Ahmed was sent off in the 33rd minute.Canada’s attack never let up. The hosts pressed high, moved the ball quickly and forced Qatar into long spells of desperate defending inside their own box.Canada’s first World Cup win featured ruthless finishingThe second half brought more punishment. Qatar went down to nine men after Assim Madibo was sent off, and Nathan Saliba then scored a brilliant free kick in the 64th minute.Mohammed Manai’s own goal made it 5-0 before David completed his hat trick in stoppage time, sealing Canada’s first men’s World Cup win in spectacular fashion.The night also carried emotion after Ismaël Koné was forced off with a serious leg injury. Saliba honored him after scoring by holding up Koné’s No. 8 shirt.Marsch later called the day historic, saying no Canadian would forget it. That felt right, because Canada’s previous men’s World Cup trips in 1986 and 2022 had ended without a win.This one was different. Canada did not sneak into history, they kicked the door down with a record-setting first-half performance.Read more:Nathan Saliba honors injured Ismaël Koné in heartbreaking World Cup moment after wonder strikeOfficial Iran statement confirms plans to complain to FIFA over World Cup ‘restrictions’How Thomas Muller surprisingly became part of the New York Knicks parade

Does good communication between a coach and her/his players lead to success?Not always, but it sure doesn't hurt.And, in the case of the Gwynedd Mercy lacrosse team, it helps. A whole lot."Bridget (Beck) makes sure that all of her players are heard and seen," Gwynedd Mercy senior Chloe Folk said. "And she's helped me grow so much as a player and a person and we've all seen her grow as a coach, and you can see how much she loves Gwynedd lacrosse."She went here and played here and just cares about everyone and wants us all to do well."That dedication, plus the fact the Monarchs (14-9 overall) reached the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A tournament, earned Beck the Courier Times/Intelligencer Girls' Lacrosse Coach of the Year honor."We have a lot of pure talent on this team and players that are not afraid to work hard," Beck said."The success we had this season comes from them doing what it takes to improve and try to get better every day."Beck took over the Gwynedd Mercy program in 2023, when this year's seniors were freshmen. In that first season, the Monarchs reached the PIAA tournament but did not get back to states again until this year.Girls lacrosse all area team: All-area girls' lacrosse team filled with Bucks County area talentGirls' lacrosse players to watch: Girls lacrosse players to watch for Bucks County, Eastern Montco"She puts so much into the team and is here to help us out," Gwynedd Mercy senior Maddie McFadden said."She recognizes when we're down mentally, too, and that's such a help. I was in a rut during the season, was upset with myself, but I didn't say anything."She recognized that something wasn't right and pulled me aside and we talked and that helped me so much." Girls Lacrosse Player of Year: See who was named our Bucks County area Girls' Lacrosse Player of YearBeck credits assistant coach and her former Gwynedd Mercy teammate Hailey Durkin as being the glue that helps hold the team together."Hailey does so much and we work well together," Beck said. "And this was my first senior class, and they've meant so much to the program."What they've done as leaders is going to keep helping this tea for a long time."Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Gwynedd Mercy Beck PIAA Girls' Lacrosse Bucks County

Lazio Tracking Out-Of-Contract Man City YoungsterLazio are reportedly following promising young midfielder Charlie Gray, whose contract with Manchester City is about to expire.Charlie Gray Could Leave Manchester City This SummerThe 20-year-old joined Man City’s academy at a tender age, climbing his way up the ranks. He has been a member of the U21 squad since 2024. This season, he made 20 appearances across all competitions, producing three goals and four assists. Pep Guardiola also handed him a brief cameo with the first team in the victory over Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.However, Gray’s contract with the Cityzens will expire at the end of the month, so this could be the time for the promising player to leave the nest and find a prominent role elsewhere, as he’s unlikely to find sufficient playing time amid the stellar competition at the Etihad Stadium.Lazio Enter the Race for GrayAccording to Footy Insider correspondent Pete O’Rourke, Lazio and Feyenoord are both monitoring Gray’s situation. The journalist also reveals that the Manchester native is also in talks with other English clubs, while renewing his MCFC contract remains possible, as the conversation between the two parties is still ongoing.Lazio insider Damiano Er Faina also reported the Biancocelesti’s interest in the young Englishman, claiming that Bologna are also in the fray.Lazio Following Several Young MidfieldersGray isn’t the only rising midfielder on Lazio’s radar. The club as reportedly reached an agreement with Real Madrid to bring 19-year-old Bruno Galassi to Formello. The Spaniard-Argentine teenager is expected to join the Aquile’s Primavera squad. Lazio are also in advanced talks with 20-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Jonathan Asp Jensen.

Mukalla, Yemen – Weeks before this year’s World Cup started, Adel Mohsen’s backup battery broke down, and he couldn’t afford to replace it, meaning he wouldn’t have power at home when the electricity regularly goes out.A fuel shortage also struck his home city of Mukalla, in eastern Yemen, leaving him struggling to secure enough for his motorbike, and restricting his ability to get around and watch games outside.Adel is frustrated. The 56-year-old football enthusiast has watched every World Cup since 1982, defying wars, economic collapse, and political turmoil. But this year, he can’t escape the reality that more than a decade of war and economic hardship has brought to Yemen.“I think this is the worst World Cup,” Adel told Al Jazeera, settling into a wooden bench as his eyes fixed on a giant public screen at a local stadium. “I might miss a lot of matches because of the power cuts.”Despite paying for a subscription to a local television service airing the games, Adel could not secure the $200 needed for a backup battery at home, nor could he afford the internet vouchers needed to stream matches on his mobile phone.The local stadium was, therefore, the best option for World Cup 2026.Shortly before the opening match between South Africa and Mexico, the sound of generators echoed through the area, and the projector flickered to life only minutes before kickoff.The courtyard was dark, its floor paved with worn stone slabs. Two men sat chewing qat, stimulant leaves widely consumed in Yemen, resting their backs against cement blocks. A few others lounged on a raised platform, scrolling through their mobiles as they chewed. The heat and humidity were intense; everyone was sweating.Adel was quickly into World Cup mode.“The Mexicans will keep attacking until they score a goal,” he said, glancing at his old mobile phone to review notes he hoped to use later in his analysis for local TV or social media.His prediction came true shortly, as Mexico scored the opening goal. “I watch matches now through the eyes of an analyst rather than as a casual fan,” he explained. “There are only a few spectators here, as you can see, since neither team is very popular. Matches between big teams, such as Brazil, or Arab teams, usually attract far larger crowds of fans.”Adel Mohsen has followed the World Cup since 1982, when he was 12, watching the tournament through decades of war, economic hardship, and political upheaval in Yemen [Saeed Al Batati/Al Jazeera]Falling in love with footballIn 1982, the FIFA World Cup was hosted in Spain, only a few years after television first arrived in Mukalla and other cities of the former People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY), more commonly known as South Yemen.Adel was 12 years old at the time, and he remembers clearly where he and other fans gathered to watch the matches.“That was like a first lover engraved in memory,” he said with a smile. “Although I was just a child at the time, I still remember the names of the players and the stadiums where those matches were played. Brazil had one of its greatest generations, with stars such as Zico, Falcao, and Eder. They delivered superb performances. The tournament was marked by the rough play of Italy’s defenders, most notably [Claudio] Gentile, whose violent tactics went unpunished.”Adel found himself glued to the television along with his father and brothers, watching the tournament together.“The atmosphere around the games was familial; we loved sports,” he said. “Those without televisions would gather at neighbours’ homes to watch together.”At that time, matches were recorded in Aden, the capital of South Yemen, and then sent on tape by bus to the television station in Mukalla, meaning fans there watched the games a day later. “Since it was the first tournament people experienced on television, they were deeply impressed and enjoyed the matches as if they were live.”Escaping homes where power cuts, intense heat and high humidity have turned rooms into ovens, football fans in Mukalla gather at public venues and cafes to watch World Cup matches [Saeed Al Batati/Al Jazeera]Football through warIn January 1986, thousands were killed and wounded in Aden when infighting erupted between rival factions of the governing Socialist Party. Months later, as the dust settled and defeated soldiers fled to North Yemen, the victors consolidated control over the country. That same year, Mexico hosted the World Cup.Adel was 16, glued to the same television in the same room of his family’s home. “I was in secondary school, and I watched the matches with a deeper appreciation of the game, not just as a spectator,” he recalled. “That tournament belonged to [Diego] Maradona.”By 1990, the year North and South Yemen united, Mohsen was a 20‑year‑old footballer playing as an amateur for local clubs. Watching the World Cup in Italy, he studied tactics and skills, replicating them during training sessions and matches across Sanaa, Aden, Hodeidah, and Taiz.But the honeymoon of unity did not last. In 1994, civil war erupted, and as the World Cup kicked off in the United States, fighting spread fear across Yemeni cities.“That was the worst World Cup I have ever watched,” he said. “It was the most difficult tournament because people were worried about the war and what would come after it. Security was unstable, and frequent power outages made it even harder to follow the games. I would watch one match and then miss three.”Watching against the oddsAs Adel got older, he settled back into his role as a spectator of the game, rather than a player.Yemen was also going through a less tumultuous period following the 1994 civil war, when then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his predominantly northern forces emerged victorious. Relative stability followed, and the tournaments of 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 were easy to watch for Adel.But then came the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, arriving just as Yemen was sliding deeper into instability. al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) intensified attacks, while the Houthi rebels expanded beyond their northern stronghold. “The country was entering a new political and economic crisis,” Adel said.Mukalla has largely avoided battles within the city in the 12 years of war that followed – with some exceptions such as the conflict at the end of 2025 between the internationally recognised government and the separatist Southern Transitional Council.It is often economic problems and a lack of services that prevent Adel from being able to watch his favourite sport.But despite the power cuts, the mounting economic pressures, and criticism from those who view sport as a luxury in a country beset by crises, Adel remains determined to continue a ritual that has sustained him for more than four decades.“I see sports as relief from hardship,” he said, shifting on the wooden bench as the glow from the giant screen illuminated his sweat‑soaked face. “People ask why we talk about football when there are so many problems. What do they want us to do – commit suicide? Sports give us a brief escape from all the hardships around us.”And Adel has a prediction for this year’s winner: France.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' countdown to kickoff continues to roll on ahead of the 2026 NFL regular season, with fans needing to wait only 86 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. 86 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.Steelers current No. 86 wearer: N/AThere is no current wearer of No. 86 on the Steelers' roster, and for good reason, as the last to don the number was arguably the greatest wide receiver in team history.Last five Steelers to wear No. 86Hines Ward, 1998-2011Mike Adams, 1997John Farquhar, 1996Eric Green, 1990-1994Preston Gothard, 1985-1988Best No. 86 in Steelers history: WR Hines WardArguably one of the most selfless wide receivers in NFL history, Hines Ward is the greatest Steeler to ever wear No. 86.Ward, selected by the Steelers with the 92nd overall pick in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, went on to play 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, recording 1,000 catches for 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns in 217 games.A two-time Super Bowl champion, the Super Bowl XL MVP, a four-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro, Ward is the best Steeler to ever wear No. 86, and it isn't even close.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. 86

LUCKNOW: One of the riveting sights in cricket is to see a fast bowler run in, unleash the ball at great speed and hustle the batsman with his pace. That’s why Gurnoor Brar has got Indian cricket excited. The 26-year-old was recently rewarded with six Afghanistan wickets in two ODIs in vastly different conditions — Dharamshala and Lucknow. More than the wickets, it was his ability to hit the deck hard by bowling over 140 kmph consistently that caught the eye.“I believe in myself and whatever I am doing, whether it is bowling the hard length or the fast-paced ball. The results don’t matter. For me, preparation matters,” the Punjab pacer said after claiming 3/60 in the second ODI here. Some Indian quickies in recent times have grabbed the limelight with bursts of speed in the IPL before fading into oblivion, but Brar seems to break the mold.His IPL appearances have been sporadic and he is yet to get a game with Gujarat Titans despite spending two seasons with the franchise. However, he seems to have taken it in his stride. “There is Nehra sir, Rabada, Siraj bhai, Prasidh bhai and Ishant Sharma. I was waiting for my chance there. But at the same time, I was observing where they were making mistakes and where they were doing well. For me, it was about how much more I could learn,” he said.The pacer believes that the India ‘A’ set-up acted as an important bridge between domestic and international cricket and added that Siraj has been a constant support. “The India ‘A’ setup is obviously a big thing. I tried to replicate the exact same thing that I did in Ranji — bowling fast, hitting a hard length, and swinging the ball — for India ‘A’. Siraj bhai was with me too,” Brar added.

Paris FC set to sign Georgian prospect from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s former clubParis FC are set to complete the signing of Georgian prospect, Andria Kvirikadze (18), who has come through the ranks at Dinamo Tbilisi, the former club of Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as per a report from Le Parisien.Kvirikadze, a promising midfielder, is set to join Les Parisiens and sign a long-term deal. He is expected to undergo his medical in the coming hours. To date, he has only played for Dinamo Tbilisi’s reserve side. It is expected that he will play with Paris FC’s youth side, rather than immediately integrating the first-team set-up at the Stade Jean Bouin. In Paris, Kvirikadze will look to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot, Kvaratskhelia, who has established himself as one of the best forwards in the world, winning the UEFA Champions League in each of his two seasons at the Parc des Princes. Like Kvaratskhelia, Kvirikadze is also capable of playing on the wing.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The 2010 novel “Super Sad True Love Story” foreshadowed our current world. So I asked its author, Gary Shteyngart, how he sees the world today and how we might find pleasure in it.

The Iran deal wasn’t about peace but answering Trump’s personal needs.

Monza Choosing Juric Completes the Serie A DominoThree teams have yet to announce their next coach, nearly a month after the end of the last Serie A season, but all the choices have been made at this point. Monza were the final piece of the puzzle, as Paolo Bianco decided to head to Pisa after the promotion. The Brianzoli have picked Ivan Juric to replace him, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.The Croatian manager is back in the saddle after being sacked by Atalanta after 11 games last year. His previous two spells hadn’t gone well either. He inherited Southampton when they were already doomed, and he lasted just eight games in the Roma dugout in 2024/2025. Instead, he had fared well at Verona and Torino, finishing in the middle of the table for five consecutive campaigns.Juric will be the ninth new boss in Serie A. Eusebio Di Francesco and Lecce struck a deal to continue together. Once Massimiliano Allegri completes his Milan exit, he’ll sign a three-year contract with Napoli, longer than initially expected. Lazio are waiting for the FIGC contracts of Gennaro Gattuso and his assistants to run out before confirming the appointment.Our Take on the Serie A Coaching Landscape in 2025/2026Juric failed to level up in bigger clubs, but he’s a rock-solid choice for a relegation struggler that should have the means to put together a gritty squad. Among the switches, Atalanta made the most interesting and ambitious choice, moving away from Gian Piero Gasperini’s shadow, but their roster will need a lot of tweaks to function well. Gattuso deserved another shot, but he took on a pretty daunting task. Bologna, Sassuolo, and Torino made calculated risks that could easily pay off big time.

The U.S. started the 2026 FIFA World Cup strong on June 12, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in its first group play match.Team U.S.A. is looking to continue its dominant performance when it faces Australia today at 2 p.m., and for fans looking to watch, there are plenty of restaurants and bars around the Pensacola area showing this game and many others during the month-long competition.The 48-team event kicked off on June 11 with two matches, and there are 104 total matches before a champion is crowned July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The U.S. team competes in group play on June 12, June 19 and June 25.Here’s our guide on where you can watch the games in the Pensacola area throughout the entirety of the tournament, and maybe even score a drink special.Mark your calendar: Palafox Market adds Wednesday Summer Pop-Ups series in July10 Pensacola bars and restaurants broadcasting the World CupAzalea Cocktail Lounge810 N. Davis HighwayPensacola’s famed dive bar, the Z, will be showing "every single 2026 FIFA World Cup match," the bar shared in a social media post."Keep your eyes peeled for drink specials all tournament long," Azalea's statement continued. "So bring your crew and settle in for non-stop action, cold drinks, and plenty of chaos in the best way possible."Seville Quarter130 E. Government St.Seville Quarter will be broadcasting all the World Cup games, with games, specials, and giveaways offered along the way.O’Riley’s Irish Pub321 S. Palafox St.O’Riley’s will have every World Cup match on its big screens, as well as watch parties for each of the three USA games on June 12, June 19 and June 25."Catch every match on 18 big screens, enjoy featured drink specials, and cheer on your team at O'Riley's Irish Pub all summer long!⁠" O'Riley's shared in a social media post. World Cup drink specials include the following:Messi Business – spicy, fruity, and ready to make plays⁠Rum to Victory – tropical vacation meets match day⁠Golden Goal – simple, crisp, and clutch⁠Midfield Manhattan – smooth, classic, and built for the long game⁠Bavaria Pensacola10 S. Palafox St.Downtown Pensacola's German-themed restaurant, Bavaria, will be broadcasting all World Cup matches with cold beer, hot food and a lively atmosphere.“From the first whistle to the final match, Bavaria is your World Cup headquarters!” Bavaria shared in a statement. “Gather your crew, grab a stein, and experience every big moment surrounded by fellow fans, authentic German food, and an atmosphere built for game day. Whether you’re cheering for Germany, USA, or your home country, we’ve got your seat ready. “Sir Richard’s Public House2719 E. Cervantes St.East Pensacola Heights dive bar Sir Richard's will offer "cold drinks, great food and a crowd full of soccer fans" to watch the World Cup's matches through July 19.“Whether you're cheering for Team USA, your home country, or just here for the love of the game, we've got a seat waiting for you!⁠ World Cup-themed cocktails⁠, matches on the big screens, Every match, all tournament long," Sir Richard’s shared in a social media statement. Sammy Barker’s875 E. Nine Mile RoadSammy Barker's will be broadcasting World Cup games all season long, and will offer special discounts for large groups getting together to watch the matches."THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SOCCER TOURNAMENT IS COMING! The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11th and Sammy Barker's is your headquarters for every match, every goal, and every unforgettable moment!” Sammy Barker’s shared in a statement. “Watch all the action with fellow soccer fans in a fun, energetic atmosphere. Great food, cold drinks, and plenty of excitement for every match!”Intermission214 S. Palafox St.“IT’S WORLD CUP TIME, PENSACOLA. The biggest tournament in the world is here, and there’s no better place to watch than Intermission!” Intermission shared in a social media statement.Intermission has 20 TVs throughout the bar, with game audio on for all USA games. Some of the drink specials available during all World Cup matches include $8.50 Casamigos margaritas and $5 Jim Beam.Odd Colony Brewing Co.260 N. Palafox St.Odd Colony will be broadcasting all World Cup matches, even opening the taproom early some days for afternoon matches. The games pair perfectly with Pensacola-brewed beer and food from the Globetrotter Street Food food truck. Follow Odd Colony on social media to see their full match airing schedule.200 South 200 S. Palafox St.200 South is looking to be a World Cup headquarters in Pensacola, with a variety of drink specials throughout the event. Follow them on social media at 200 South for updates."World Cup Mode: UNLOCKED. From kickoff to the final whistle, we’re serving up cold drinks, delicious food, & great vibes," 200 South shared in a social media statement.Badlands Roadside Bar23 Palafox Place Badlands will bring the World Cup to downtown Pensacola, broadcasting every game and offering various drink specials.Wisteria Tavern3808 N. 12th Ave.Wisteria Tavern, located at 3808 N. 12th Ave. in Pensacola, will be showing all World Cup games throughout the tournament. Guests can enjoy drink specials, food service and a lively soccer atmosphere for every match.For the USA vs. Australia match on Friday, June 19, we will be opening early and extending Happy Hour to accommodate fans for the 2:00 PM kickoff.We welcome soccer fans from across Pensacola to join us for the matches and cheer on Team USA.Team USA group play schedule:June 12: Paraguay, 8 p.m. (SoFi Stadium; Inglewood California). The U.S.A. defeated Paraguay 4-1.June 19: Australia, 2 p.m. (Lumen Field, Seattle)June 25: Turkey, 9 p.m. (SoFi Stadium)Hungry for more? Stay updated on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletters/Pensacola-eats/.This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola bars showing 2026 World Cup matches US v Australia

George North scored two tries in the 2013 British and Irish Lions series success against Australia [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Retiring great George North will play his final professional game for Barbarians against Wales at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.The 34-year-old announced in April he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season and will finish his glittering career with a first Baa-Baas appearance on Saturday, 27 June (14:00 BST)."It's always been a dream of mine to play for the Barbarians so to be invited now, for a game at Twickenham, against Wales is incredible," said North.North called time on his international career in 2024 having won 121 caps and scored 47 tries for his country, helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.The wing or centre also toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, playing three Tests and scoring two tries.After club stints with Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Ospreys, North has spent the past two seasons playing for French second-tier side Provence.Van der Merwe and Dee start for BarbariansWelsh rugby's ins, outs and re-signings for 2026-27Wales prop Assiratti ruled out of summer seriesLatest Wales star to finish career with BarbariansGeorge North played for Wales in November 2023 against Barbarians who were captained on that occasion by Alun Wyn Jones [Huw Evans Picture Agency]North will link up with the Barbarians squad in London next week after the invitational side have played South Africa on Saturday. The Wales and Barbarians occasion in Twickenham will be a double-header with the men's game at 14:00 BST followed by the women's game at 17:00 BST.On the previous occasion that Wales men faced the Barbarians, after the 2023 World Cup, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric were given a farewell to the Welsh crowd when they lined up for the invitational side at the Principality Stadium.This time North will be one of the headline acts."I have been privileged to enjoy the career I have had, and I have so many unforgettable memories from Wales and friendships to last a lifetime," said North."So to go out against my country, with some of my friends and teammates playing is so special."To also be able to play alongside some of the best and most exciting players in the world, and to enjoy that famous Barbarians spirit is something I couldn't turn down."I can't wait to link up with the boys next week and hopefully we can do something special."The Barbarians fixture is a warm-up for Wales' Nations Championship Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.

Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesBill Belichick once had to solve one of the strangest Patriots problems imaginable: replacing $5,000 worth of spoiled milk for Tom Brady.The story, which resurfaced online this week, dates back to Belichick’s account of Antonio Brown’s short stay in New England. Brown lasted just 11 days with the Patriots in 2019, but still managed to cause a very expensive problem.It all started because Brown, who was staying with Brady at the time, wanted to send him a nutrition-related gift.Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOSTom Brady $5,000 milk story resurfaces from Patriots chaosdank on X shared the resurfaced clip of Belichick explaining how the Patriots ended up replacing the spoiled delivery.Belichick said: “Tom’s very nutrition oriented. Antonio ordered this special milk for Brady. Cost $5,000”He then explained how the gift became a problem inside the building: “To make a long story short, it got mixed up and ended up in the mail room for too long. The milk went bad”That left the Patriots with a very unusual decision. Belichick said: “So we go out and get $5,000 worth of this special milk and give it to Brady from Antonio. And now we turn in an expense report for $5,000 worth of milk”The reason was pure locker-room diplomacy. Belichick added: “I didn’t want to ruin the relationship between Brown and Brady on this spoiled milk. So we spent $5,000 to replace this milk”Brady diet made absurd Patriots story feel believableThe exact type of milk has never been publicly revealed, which may be the funniest part of the story. Brady is famously strict about nutrition, but dairy has never been central to his TB12 approach.His diet has long been described as mostly plant-based and anti-inflammatory, avoiding dairy, gluten, white sugar, alcohol and processed foods. Brady has also become known for unusual staples such as avocado ice cream and intense hydration routines.That made Brown’s expensive gesture oddly logical. He was trying to connect with Brady in the language Brady cared about: preparation, health and routine.Instead, the Patriots ended up paying thousands to keep a new receiver and franchise quarterback from starting their relationship with spoiled milk.Read more:Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding likely to feature ‘enchanted garden’ and more ‘storybook’ aestheticsDak Prescott reveals what ‘sucks’ for him at Dallas Cowboys ahead of new NFL seasonNFL insider thrashes Dan Hurley for UConn vs. Duke wish at White House after UFC Freedom 250

🚨 Premier League reveal fixture list for 2026/27 seasonThe Premier League has revealed its fixture list for the 2026/27 season.The opening day will take place on the weekend of August 22 with the final matchday on May 30.Here are the opening day fixtures with reigning champions Arsenal taking on newly-promoted Coventry.Pep Guardiola-less Manchester City play Bournemouth while Liverpool travel to Newcastle.The final day sees Arsenal host Brighton, City go to Sunderland and Manchester United take on Fulham.

The 2026/27 Premier League season will kick-off when Arsenal host promoted Coventry City on Friday 21 August, followed by fellow new arrivals Hull taking on Manchester United the following lunchtime.And while it yet again turns out that all 20 teams will play each other twice across the campaign, a strong start will feel imperative for Mikel Arteta’s team as they seek to retain their title. The promoted sides will be hoping to build early momentum too to ensure the season does not become a slog and the prospect of imitating Sunderland may inspire them.On paper Arsenal have a tricky start with their meeting against Frank Lampard’s side followed swiftly by a trip to Aston Villa and a meeting with Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea at the Emirates. After that they must travel to Sunderland and Brighton.Coventry, meanwhile, must also travel to Manchester City in their third fixture after a home opener against Hull, which already seems crucial, followed by meetings against Brighton and Nottingham Forest.The East Midlands side may open their season at home to Leeds but after that they take on Liverpool away, Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground and play Villa away, with Coventry’s visit closing out a difficult opening month.Hull must play Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle in the first month, while Fulham, entering the post-Marco Silva era, face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in their first five.By contrast Liverpool have a steady start - opening their campaign away to Newcastle United prior to meeting Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and a trip to Andoni Iraola’s former club Bournemouth. The Cherries, under new boss Marco Rose, have a number of difficult tests - with trips to Manchester City and Newcastle along with visits of Everton and Sunderland to the south coast.Although there is a Manchester derby pencilled in for the weekend of 12 September, neither City nor United face overly daunting openings.All kick-off times and dates beyond the opening weekend remain subject to change pending the confirmation of broadcasting schedules.Iraola will bring Liverpool to former club Bournemouth in September (Reuters)Arsenal21 August, 8pm (all BST) - Coventry City (h)29 August, 3pm - Aston Villa (a)5 September, 3pm - Chelsea (h)12 September, 3pm - Sunderland (a)19 September, 3pm - Brighton and Hove Albion (a)Aston Villa23 August, 2pm - Brighton and Hove Albion (a)29 August, 3pm - Arsenal (h)5 September, 3pm - Hull City (a)12 September, 3pm - Nottingham Forest (h)19 September, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur (a)Bournemouth23 August, 12pm - Manchester City (a)29 August, 3pm - Everton (h)5 September, 3pm - Newcastle United (a)12 September, 3pm - Brentford (h)19 September, 3pm - Liverpool (h)Brentford22 August, 5:30pm - Tottenham Hotspur (h)29 August, 3pm - Leeds United (a)5 September, 3pm - Sunderland (h)12 September, 3pm - Bournemouth (a)19 September, 3pm - Chelsea (h)Brighton and Hove Albion23 August, 2pm - Aston Villa (h)29 August, 3pm - Chelsea (a)5 September, 3pm - Leeds United (h)12 September, 3pm - Coventry City (a)19 September, 3pm - Arsenal (h)Chelsea24 August, 8pm - Fulham (a)29 August, 3pm - Brighton and Hove Albion (h)5 September, 3pm - Arsenal (a)12 September, 3pm - Hull City (h)19 September, 3pm - Brentford (a)Coventry City21 August, 8pm - Arsenal (a)29 August, 3pm - Hull City (h)5 September, 3pm - Manchester City (a)12 September, 3pm - Brighton and Hove Albion (h)19 September, 3pm - Nottingham Forest (a)Crystal Palace22 August, 3pm - Everton (a)29 August, 3pm - Manchester City (h)5 September, 3pm - Fulham (a)12 September, 3pm - Ipswich Town (h)19 September, 3pm - Leeds United (a)Everton22 August, 3pm - Crystal Palace (h)29 August, 3pm - Bournemouth (a)5 September, 3pm - Manchester United (h)12 September, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur (a)19 September, 3pm - Ipswich Town (h)Fulham24 August, 8pm - Chelsea (h)29 August, 3pm - Sunderland (a)5 September, 3pm - Crystal Palace (h)12 September, 3pm - Liverpool (a)19 September, 3pm - Manchester United (h)Hull City22 August, 12:30pm - Manchester United (h)29 August, 3pm - Coventry City (a)5 September, 3pm - Aston Villa (h)12 September, 3pm - Chelsea (a)19 September, 3pm - Newcastle United (a)Ipswich Town22 August, 3pm - Sunderland (h)29 August, 3pm - Manchester United (a)5 September, 3pm - Liverpool (h)12 September, 3pm - Crystal Palace (a)19 September, 3pm - Everton (a)Leeds United22 August, 3pm - Nottingham Forest (a)29 August, 3pm - Brentford (h)5 September, 3pm - Brighton and Hove Albion (a)12 September, 3pm - Newcastle United (h)19 September, 3pm - Crystal Palace (h)Liverpool23 August, 4:30pm - Newcastle United (a)29 August, 3pm - Nottingham Forest (h)5 September, 3pm - Ipswich Town (a)12 September, 3pm - Fulham (h)19 September, 3pm - Bournemouth (a)Manchester City23 August, 2pm - Bournemouth (h)29 August, 3pm - Crystal Palace (a)5 September, 3pm - Coventry City (h)12 September, 3pm - Manchester United (a)19 September, 3pm - Sunderland (h)Manchester United22 August, 12:30pm - Hull City (a)29 August, 3pm - Ipswich Town (h)5 September, 3pm - Everton (a)12 September, 3pm - Manchester City (h)19 September, 3pm - Fulham (a)Newcastle United23 August, 4:30pm - Liverpool (h)29 August, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur (a)5 September, 3pm - Bournemouth (a)12 September, 3pm - Leeds United (a)19 September, 3pm - Hull City (h)Nottingham Forest22 August, 3pm - Leeds United (h)29 August, 3pm - Liverpool (a)5 September, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur (h)12 September, 3pm - Aston Villa (a)19 September, 3pm - Coventry City (h)Sunderland22 August, 3pm - Ipswich Town (a)29 August, 3pm - Sunderland v Fulham (h)5 September, 3pm - Brentford (a)12 September, 3pm - Arsenal (h)19 September, 3pm - Manchester City (a)Tottenham Hotspur22 August, 5:30pm - Brentford (a)29 August, 3pm - Newcastle United (h)5 September, 3pm - Nottingham Forest (a)12 September, 3pm - Everton (h)19 September, 3pm - Aston Villa (h)

Champions Arsenal host promoted Coventry City on 26/27 opening dayThe Premier League has released its fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign which begins on Friday 21st August as the champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City.It's very much a baptism of fire for Frank Lampard's Sky Blues on their return to the top flight but one that will give them a true test against the Gunners.Similarly, the following day (Saturday 22nd) Hull City will host Manchester United in the early kick-off while the final promoted team Ipswich Town welcome Sunderland in the 3pm kick-off –the Tractor Boys would love to emulate the Black Cats' 24/25 season.Two of the likely title challengers play on the first Sunday of the season as Manchester City host Bournemouth in what will be Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game in charge. Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola's life at Liverpool will begin at St James' Park as his side visits Newcastle United.The final game of the opening weekend sees a local derby as Craven Cottage sees Chelsea come into town.Meanwhile, among the big games early in the season the Manchester derby takes place on the weekend of 12th September with United also visiting Anfield on the weekend of 21st November.The first weekend December will give us a thriller with our first North London and Tyne-Wear derbies of the season. There's also the return of Boxing Day football later that month.Finally, the last weekend could prove decisive and if so it's always interesting to look at the fixtures. Arsenal host Brighton that day, Chelsea face Brentford, Liverpool take on Bournemouth, Manchester United have Fulham to deal with, while Manchester City face a trip to Sunderland. Could any of those teams be in with a shot of the title by then? Or will the next season spring some surprises?Explore the full 2026/27 Premier League fixture list

World Cup: Akanji wins with SwitzerlandA crucial win for Switzerland, who secured their first victory of the World Cup with a 3-0 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Manuel Akanji was among those celebrating, having been named in coach Yakin’s starting XI and playing the full 90 minutes as the Swiss picked up three vital points in their bid to reach the knockout stage.The match, which had remained mostly deadlocked in the first half, was ultimately decided by the Switzerland coach's substitutions. In the 72nd minute, he brought on Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi for Dan Ndoye and Djibril Sow. Just two minutes later, Switzerland took the lead. Following a run from Vargas, Manzambi reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and fired home a superb right-footed volley to make it 1-0. The Swiss were handed a further boost in the 80th minute when Muharemovic was sent off, and four minutes later Vargas doubled the lead with Manzambi providing the assist. The pair combined again in the 90th minute for the third goal, with Vargas pulling the ball back for Manzambi to finish. After Mahmic pulled one back for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Xhaka completed the scoring from the penalty spot.Switzerland now move onto four points from their opening two matches, temporarily taking top spot in Group B ahead of the clash between Canada and Qatar.

Ben Bowns has played 580 games for Cardiff Devils in Elite League competitions, with a save percentage of 91.35 [James Assinder]Ben Bowns is poised to join an illustrious group of Cardiff Devils players as the club celebrates his contribution in a testimonial game at Vindico Arena on Saturday, 20 June (17:00 BST).As one of the Devils' longest serving players, the 35-year-old netminder joins fellow Great Britain internationals such as Mark Richardson, Matthew Myers and Ben Davies in being granted such an honour.For a British goalie, Bowns has done pretty well."Looking back, it gives you goosebumps," he says."I think if someone had said this is what's going to happen over the next 12 years I would have said, 'no, you're joking, you're having a laugh'."You're going to have a testimonial. You're going to have played in the top division of the World Championships for GB. You're going to play in Europe and you're going to have won all these trophies."To have actually lived that and get to share that experience with my wife Jade here is unbelievable."Netminder Bowns returns for 11th Devils seasonFor Rotherham-born Bowns, one of his earliest experiences of live sport was a hockey match that involved the team that eventually became his employers."The first time I ever went to watch a game, I was six years old, Sheffield Steelers against Cardiff Devils, so Devils always had a special place in my heart," Bowns recalls."I always had a soft spot for them, wanted them to do well. "They'd come in as big bad Devils, and there'd always be a couple of fights and stuff, and I also used to love the kit as well, the flames and the BT logo and stuff like that. "It all stemmed from that first game."From youth hockey in Sheffield, Bowns played in the English Premier Ice Hockey League for Sheffield Steeldogs before signing with Hull Stingrays in 2012, aged 21.He moved to Cardiff two years later - though the club he joined was more bad than big.'What if he didn't want me?'Bowns retired from international ice hockey in May 2026 after 97 GB caps, four gold medals, two silver and five top-level World Championships [Getty Images]The 2013-14 season had been possibly the worst in Devils' history, churning through three coaches and 40-plus players.The summer of 2015 brought new owners, who recruited Todd Kelman from Belfast Giants to run the new Cardiff Devils.Bowns was one of only two players who were offered contracts to stay with the organisation, not that he was immediately aware."When the new ownership got announced, I was actually in Fuerteventura, and this was back before you had free data," remembers Bowns."I got a text from my mum saying Todd Kelman's taken over the Devils, and I thought, 'Oh, that's awesome - and then all of a sudden, I'm like, 'oh no, what if he didn't want me? I'm a 23-year-old goalie that's just played two years in a hole, he's used to winning championships with {netminder] Stephen Murphy in Belfast, so does he really want me?'." It was a question he had to stew on."We'd gone to the beach that day, so I had no signal, nothing."I didn't enjoy that day one bit, to put it politely... we got back to the villa, hooked up to wi-fi, and all of a sudden a message popped up on Facebook from Neil Francis saying 'Don't worry, your contract's safe, you're going to be our goalie next season'."It was a huge weight off Bowns' shoulders."I think it was the next day or two, Todd gave me a call, and we had to meet the fans and owners in Cardiff."When we saw the event, and we saw the crowd, the reception that we all got was amazing, you're just like 'wow, we've come to something different here now'."Success, departure and miraclesBowns has won two League titles, three Play-Offs, two Challenge Cups and the Continental Cup with Devils as well as many individual accolades [James Assinder]With a squad put together in four weeks under player-coach Andrew Lord, the Devils went on to win the club's first trophy in eight years -and five more titles in the next four.It brought with it European competition as Bowns became the first British netminder to play in the Champions Hockey League.Along with his appearances for Great Britain - who by 2019 had risen to the top level of the World Championships - it brought the Englishman to the attention of continental clubs."As a British goalie it's hard, it's hard enough as a British goalie to be a goalie in the British League, never mind in Europe, but it always had been a goal of mine to play outside of Britain," says Bowns.Two days after the 2020 Challenge Cup Final loss to Sheffield Steelers, Bowns went to see Lord and Kelman to tell them that he would be leaving the Devils to join Austrian team Graz 99ers in the central European cross-border ICEHL"Todd and Lordo were unbelievable," adds Bowns."I can remember having to come in and just say, look, there was never going to be a great time, but I've got a contract in Graz next year and I've got to initiate the clause that's in my Devils contract allowing me to leave."I expected Todd to be a bit mad at me, but he stood up and gave me a massive hug, and I think that just showed the type of guy that Todd is and the GM that he is."Bowns spell with Graz coincided with Covid - where British hockey closed down but European hockey continued - and with a potentially devastating injury.Tearing several ligaments in his knee he was told he would "need a miracle" to avoid surgery, but with the help of his physio wife, Jade, was back on the ice within 15 weeks.However, with Graz 99ers failing to make the play-off quarter-finals it was decided he would move on, joining Slovakian side Dukla Trencin where he was told he "should speak with a North American accent to fit in"."Even at Graz," remembers Bowns, "the final words at the exit meeting were, 'you're a great goalie, unbelievable teammate, your work ethic is second to none but we just need a bit more of an exotic passport'."'It's in our blood now. It's in our family. It's part of us'Last season Bowns posted career best statistics with a save percentage of 93.19 and a league-leading eight shutouts [James Assinder]Halfway through the season in Slovakia, Bowns had started looking for a return to the UK and, offered a deal by Cardiff, in May 2022 announced he was coming home.One year later the departure of Pete Russell brought another reunion, with the arrival of Paul Thompson as new head coach.The former Sheffield Steelers boss - who made it plain in 2016 he was mystified that Bowns had been allowed to leave the Steelers' feeder system - had been the netminder's coach on the international stage."It's been great. Obviously, the first time was when he was the GB coach when I was really young," says Bowns."And there were a few chances throughout my career where I could have maybe played for his teams when he was at Coventry, or when I was going through the rough patch in Slovakia and he was at Odense Bulldogs, but there were certain things that came in where it didn't quite happen."So, to finally get to work with him again last season was really good."Having announced days before his testimonial that he will return for his 11th campaign with the Devils, Bowns has no intention of leaving the club again."Cardiff as a city and Wales as a place and a country just means so much to us and we love it."It's in our blood now. It's in our family. It's part of us. The Welsh people are amazing, they're so passionate, so loyal."The way that the club has treated me and my wife Jade and my family has been unbelievable."It's something that I'll always be grateful for."Devils retire 29 jersey to honour 'Franchise' Francis

Confirmed: All of the key dates from Liverpool’s 2026-27 Premier League fixturesLiverpool’s 2026-27 Premier League Fixtures ConfirmedLiverpool will start their campaign with an away trip to Newcastle United on Sunday 23rd August, with a 4:30pm kick-off.Andoni Iraola’s side will then face Nottingham Forest (H), Ipswich Town (A), Fulham (H), AFC Bournemouth (A) and Manchester City (H) to round off their first six fixtures.An away trip to newly-promoted Hull City will be waiting on Boxing Day, followed by Aston Villa (A) and Coventry City (H) over the New Year’s period.Liverpool’s final six fixtures see them take on Leeds United (A), Chelsea (H), Manchester City (A), Brentford (H), Brighton (A) and AFC Bournemouth (H).Merseyside DerbyThe first Merseyside Derby of the season will see Liverpool travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the 28th of November.Liverpool won the first Merseyside Derby at Everton’s new stadium back in April.The return fixture currently falls on the 30th of January, when Everton will come to Anfield.Big Six FixturesHere are the dates of every ‘big six’ clash for Liverpool:10th October – Manchester City (H)31st October – Arsenal (H)21st November – Manchester United (H)5th December – Chelsea (A)19th December – Tottenham Hotspur (H)23rd January – Manchester United (A)6th February – Arsenal (A)27th February – Tottenham Hotspur (A)1st May – Chelsea (H)8th May – Manchester City (A)

NEW DELHI: Fast bowler Harshit Rana was added to the India squad on Friday, ahead of the third and final ODI against Afghanistan.The match is scheduled to be played in Chennai on Saturday, with India already having sealed the three-match series 2-0 after a dominant 170-run victory in Lucknow. Rana’s inclusion offers the team management an additional pace option as they continue to test combinations ahead of upcoming assignments.BCCI confirms Rana’s return after rehabilitationIn an official statement, the BCCI confirmed that Rana has completed his rehabilitation programme at the Centre of Excellence and has now joined the India squad in Chennai.“The Men's Selection Committee has added Mr Harshit Rana to the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan. Mr Rana, who has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has linked up with the ODI squad in Chennai,” the board said.Rana, a seam-bowling all-rounder, has also been named in India’s plans for the upcoming T20I series in Ireland and England, indicating that he remains firmly in the selectors’ long-term scheme of things.Opportunity to rebuild international rhythmRana’s return comes after he missed the T20 World Cup due to a knee surgery. As reported by TOI earlier, the team management is expected to use the Chennai ODI as an opportunity to ease him back into the international setup.With India already leading the series 2-0, the final ODI could see experimentation in team combinations, especially with an eye on building depth in the fast-bowling all-rounder department.The selectors have not named a replacement for injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya.India eye more squad depth ahead of busy seasonThe management is keen on grooming young seam-bowling all-rounders to strengthen long-term bench strength. Rana’s presence alongside Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav gives India multiple bowling combinations to explore in the dead rubber in Chennai.With confidence high after back-to-back wins, India will look to finish the series on a strong note while also integrating returning players like Rana into match readiness ahead of a packed international calendar. 131849642Updated squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana

Is this finally the year North Carolina baseball breaks through and wins that elusive first title? The Tar Heels reached the College World Series finals in 2006 and 2007, losing to Oregon State both times.Unseeded Oklahoma may be a surprise finalist at the CWS, but the Sooners have been on a heater in the tournament and bring grit and confidence into this weekend's championship series.Told you so: They called him crazy for hyping Oklahoma at CWS. Here's why he believedUNC brings a potent top of the batting order, while OU has relied on an arsenal of freshmen arms. Which will prevail? Here are our predictions for the CWS finals:College World Series finals Oklahoma vs North Carolina baseball predictions∎ Oklahoma over North Carolina in 3: This Sooners group is playing like a team of destiny. OU beat No. 2 overall seed Georgia Tech and No. 3 overall seed Georgia twice each and believes it can beat anybody. Everything has come together for Skip Johnson's squad, including a pitching staff headlined by three freshmen and a lineup that has hit 26 home runs in 10 NCAA Tournament games. A team playing with house money is dangerous. — Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman∎ North Carolina over Oklahoma in 2: UNC arrived in Omaha as the only team among the eight with top-10 marks in runs, ERA and fielding percentage. The pitching plan has gone according to plan, the defense has been stellar and the timely hits keep adding up. Nineteen years after coming up short in consecutive CWS championship series, the Tar Heels will finally get over the hump and win their first national championship. — Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer∎ North Carolina over Oklahoma in 2: It's foolish to count Oklahoma out at this point. They've been hotter than anyone the past month. But North Carolina has several key players with Omaha experience, an offense that plays perfectly at Schwab Field and a fully loaded bullpen. After lots of previous heartbreak, this seems like North Carolina's year. — Aria Gerson, The Tennessean∎ Oklahoma over North Carolina in 2: This Sooners team is battle tested. They’ve won eight consecutive postseason games and their back-to-back wins against No. 2 Georgia Tech in the Atlanta Regional started it all. It’s hard to see Oklahoma losing with the magical run it’s on. — Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NetworkCollege World Series championship series scheduleGame 1: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Oklahoma | 8 p.m. | Saturday, June 20 | ESPN (Fubo)Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Oklahoma | 2:30 p.m. | Sunday, June 21 | ABC (Fubo)Game 3 (if necessary): 7 p.m. | Monday, June 22 | ESPN (Fubo)This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College World Series finals predictions, who wins UNC or Oklahoma?

Manuel Neuer ‘certain’ the World Cup is his last tournamentAfter returning to international football for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite retiring from the German national team in 2024, Manuel Neuer expects this summer’s tournament to be his last for Die Nationalelf.“For me, it’s basically certain that this is my last tournament,” explained Neuer. “I don’t intend on being in goal at the European Championship in two years.”Neuer retired after Euro 2024 but returned to the German national team after discussions with Julian Nagelsmann, who instated Bayern Munich’s custodian as his No.1 ahead of Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann.Neuer, who has 125 caps for Germany, added: “I don’t want to dwell on the possibility that these could be my last games for Germany. I handled it the same way at the European Championship, which is why there was no statement after the elimination against Spain.”GGFN | Daniel Pinder

Picture: Canada defender visits Koné in hospital as Sassuolo star has surgeryIsmael Koné underwent surgery after suffering a broken leg in Canada’s 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar last night and was immediately visited at the hospital by his compatriot Moïse Bombito.Canada’s first-ever World Cup win, inspired by Jonathan David’s hat-trick last night, was marred by a horrific injury suffered by Sassuolo midfielder Koné.Canada reactions as Koné suffers horrific injuryThe 24-year-old was stretchered off following a reckless challenge from Assim Madibo, who was immediately confronted by some of Koné’s teammates and then received a straight red card after a VAR check.“You could hear the bone snap,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch via The Athletic.“Your heart goes out to him. Everybody’s shaken for him.”Ten minutes after Koné’s injury, Nathan Saliba scored a free-kick goal for Canada and celebrated by holding up Koné’s No.8 shirt.VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Ismael Kone #8 of Canada consoled by Jesse Marsch, Head Coach of Canada, as he is stretched off after being fouled by Assim Madibo #23 of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)“Koné means everything to this team,” said Juventus and Canada striker David.“If you ask the same question to any guy on this team, they will tell you the same. He is someone that we love a lot.”Koné immediately underwent surgery at a Vancouver Hospital and was visited by his teammate Bombito, who then shared a picture on Instagram.

Alvarez is actively working against Atletico sending him to Arsenal Julian Alvarez is reportedly opposed to a return to the Premier League despite enjoying significant success at Manchester City, with the forward said to have no interest in joining Arsenal amid growing speculation about his future at Atletico Madrid.The Argentine attacker has become the subject of interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Atletico currently involved in a complicated transfer situation involving both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Despite interest from Spain’s two leading clubs, Atletico are reportedly more open to the idea of selling him to Arsenal should he eventually decide to leave.Alvarez has a €500 million release clause included in his contract, and Atletico have made it clear that any club hoping to sign him must meet that figure. The Spanish side do not wish to lose one of their most important players and remain determined to keep him unless the clause is activated in full.Barcelona Remain Preferred ChoiceBarcelona were reportedly the first club to make a formal approach for the striker, and Alvarez is believed to favour a move to the Catalan side if he eventually departs Atletico Madrid.Real Madrid have also attempted to secure his signature and recently submitted an offer worth €150 million, although Atletico rejected it, insisting that the player’s release clause be met in full before any transfer can take place.According to Sport Witness, Atletico would rather sell Alvarez to Arsenal than strengthen one of their direct rivals in Spain should the player push for an exit in the future.Arsenal Face Major ObstacleDespite Atletico’s reported preference, Arsenal face a significant challenge because Alvarez has made it clear that he does not want to return to English football at this stage of his career.Barcelona remain the destination he reportedly favours most, although Atletico are unwilling to negotiate with the Catalans unless they activate the €500 million release clause included in his contract. As things stand, the situation remains unresolved, with Atletico determined to maintain control over the future of one of their key players._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest News ‘Normally I would never’ Tuchel discusses Rice’s substitution 19 June 2026, 9:00Dan The Scout Names His World Cup Matchday 1 Best XI – Who’s In Yours? 18 June 2026, 23:00World Cup 2026 Prediction League: Standings After Matchday 1 18 June 2026, 22:22

Second Test, day three, The OvalEngland resume on 222-6, trailing by 169 runsHosts are 1-0 up in three-match seriesDropped England captain Stokes & Atkinson playing for Durham & SurreyListen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page or overseas listeners click hereHave your say using 'Get Involved' button England rely on Cox and tail to cut into New Zealand’s lead

Crawley Town have signed centre-back Priestley Farquharson on a two-year deal after his release from fellow League Two club Walsall.The 29-year-old made 59 appearances for the Saddlers in all competitions over the past three years, 35 of them coming last season."I am so happy the deal was done so early, as I can now get ready to lock in for the season," Farquharson told the club's official website."My conversations with the manager [Colin Kazim-Richards] were really positive. We have the same morals, and he knows what he can get out of me, so I can't wait to get started."Farquharson has also played in League Two with Newport County and had a two-year spell with Cymru Premier side Connah's Quay Nomads.He began his career playing in English non-league football with Hitchin Town, Billericay Town, Hayes & Yeading United, and Bishop's Stortford.All done deals in June 2026

[BBC]Portsmouth, Preston North End and QPR have all been linked with a move for Swansea City's 26-year-old English right-back Josh Key. (Football League World)For more transfer news and rumours, read Friday's full gossip column here.[BBC]

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Former Leipzig coach Ole Werner is unhappy he wasn’t given the chance to say goodbye to staff after his surprise dismissal from the club.Leipzig fired Werner and his assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann on Wednesday after what many would consider a successful debut season – third place in the Bundesliga for Champions League.“Ole did a great job, he led us to the Champions League, but we also have to look forward,” said Red Bull head of soccer Jürgen Klopp, who made the decision with Leipzig supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff.Werner responded with a letter to the players, staff and fans of Leipzig on LinkedIn, saying “unfortunately the timing of this decision makes it impossible for me to say goodbye to all of you in person.”The 38-year-old coach looked back on what he called a “very positive” time in which he’d been asked to “give the team a new look in terms of its demeanor and style of play, while establishing a new, sustainable hierarchy within the dressing room.” He said he made many changes and thinks “together we succeeded in fulfilling this mandate.”With 20 wins and five draws from 34 rounds of the Bundesliga, Werner gained more points than any other coach at Leipzig.Werner thanked Leipzig’s sporting director Marcel Schäfer in his letter, but made no mention of Klopp or Mintzlaff.Leipzig has been linked with a move for Mallorca coach Martin Demichelis as Werner’s successor.Werner was also fired from his previous job at Werder Bremen after he refused to extend his contract with the club.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Only about 2% of Massachusetts residents claim Scottish ancestry but that has not stopped the fans of Scotland's men's national team from being welcomed in and around Boston for the past 10 days as they celebrate their team's first World Cup appearance this century.In a city and state that is known for its Irish heritage and immigration (about 20% of the population has Irish heritage), the Scots have been adopted with open arms and a toast. The Scots have been spotted walking around Boston in kilts, with some playing bagpipes in the streets and chanting "No Scotland, no party." Others have drawn attention for placing traffic cones on statues' heads, adding soap to local fountains, cheering at Fenway Park and drinking the city "out of beer." Shaun from Scotland also reviewed a hospital in Taunton after his wife went to the ER and others took on a Framingham neighborhood kilts and all.The Scotland men's national team is set to play its second of two matches at Gillette Stadium (which will be referred to as “Boston Stadium” for the duration of the World Cup), tonight, June 19. Before the team moves down to Miami for their match against Brazil on June 24.Here's what you need to know about these hardcore fans. The Tartan Army: Who are they? The Tartan Army is the name given to Scotland's famed supporters group, known for donning kilts while being loud, passionate and charitable, often getting involved with local charitable causes in the areas they visit. The Tartan Army has based themselves in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the first two World Cup matches and have chartered a fleet of yellow school buses to travel to and from Boston Stadium.Why are the Tartan Army called that? They are called the Tartan Army because tartan is the overlapping pattern of horizontal and vertical lines that is shown in many kilts, and fans will wear kilts to games. Both tartan and the kilts are cultural signifiers in Scotland.What is tartan?It is distinct from the plaid, which referred to a large blanket-like piece of Highland clothing rather than the pattern itself, according to the Scottish Tartan Museum in Franklin, North Carolina. "Typically today one thinks of 'clan tartans' — that is, tartan designs that represent certain Scottish clans and families. While this is typical, it was not always so," according to the museum.The museum says the earliest tartan found in Scotland is from the third or fourth century AD.Tartan was so much a part of Scottish Highland culture the British outlawed in 1747 as part of the post Culloden Acts targeting Highland clothes as an attempt to stop rebellion; the law was repealed in 1782. What songs do Scottish football fans singThe Tartan Army faithful often sing popular songs by Scottish artists "Yes Sir I Can Boogie at Hampden Park" and "No Scotland No Party" at football matches before. Nolan Rogalski contributed to the reporting of this story. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Scotland’s Tartan Army in Massachusetts for the 2026 World Cup

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, takes questions during a media conference at the end of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)2026-06-19T09:02:14Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans continue to disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling Iran, while his overall presidential approval holds steady, according to a new AP-NORC poll that was conducted as Trump suggested a deal with Iran had been reached.The poll points to just how unpopular the three-month war with Iran has been with Americans, even as Trump turned abruptly from threatening Iran to reopening negotiations. Support for the president’s handling of the war remains lopsidedly partisan. About two-thirds, 65%, of U.S. adults disapprove of how Trump is handling issues with Iran. But while the vast majority of Democrats and independents view Trump’s actions negatively, only 28% of Republicans are unhappy.Americans’ views on how the president is handling Iran are roughly in line with his overall job approval, which stands at 37%, unchanged from an AP-NORC poll conducted in May. The survey was conducted June 11-17, just after Trump called off threats to escalate the war with Iran. The poll was fielded as Trump announced a deal with Iran and authorized an end to the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, concluding just before the deal was signed Wednesday. Approval of Trump’s actions on Iran has been low over the last few months. But in interviews, some Republicans also weren’t pleased with the outcome of this week’s agreement, which gives Iran an immediate benefit, allowing it to sell its oil freely again. Read More The deal also reopens the strait without tolls for two months, restarts talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program and calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.David Farrington, a 79-year-old Republican-leaning independent in Fort Worth, Texas, “doesn’t have any love lost” for Iran, but he’s frustrated the agreement focused on the strait and didn’t deliver more on the country’s nuclear weapons program. “Any agreement regarding the strait is hardly what I would consider a recognizable concession on the part of Iran,” Farrington said. “So, I consider that some fluff that attempts to make this agreement look better when it’s not.” Trump’s approval on Iran remains flatOnly about one-third of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling Iran in the new poll, in line with May.Donald McBride, a 28-year-old independent in Plano, Texas, is frustrated that Trump has not maintained his campaign promise to keep America out of foreign wars. McBride voted for Trump but he opposed going to war with Iran.“I would like the war to end,” he said. “The original objective of the war was to end the Iranian regime, and that’s just not possible. I don’t really know why we’d continue fighting.”The poll suggests most Americans want action in Iran to wrap up. Even with an agreement on the horizon, 53% of U.S. adults said American military action against Iran had “gone too far,” only a slight decline from 59% in March.About 4 in 10 Republicans, though, said in the latest poll that action has been “about right,” and 37% said it had not gone far enough. Joan Jones, a 64-year-old independent in northwest Florida, believes the United States’ actions in Iran have been necessary to address the threat Iran posed.“Those attacks are ultimately to protect us from nuclear attacks,” Jones said. “I think we have to go through that … and eliminate that worry so we don’t have that hovering over us.”Few approve of Trump’s approach on IsraelAbout one-third, 34%, of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling Israel. Tensions have been rising between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump as the president criticizes recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which jeopardized negotiations between Washington and Tehran.James Huffman, a 69-year-old Republican in Medway, Ohio, thinks Trump is taking the wrong strategy when it comes to Netanyahu.“Netanyahu is not going to do everything Trump wants. He’s going to do what he wants,” Huffman said. “I just don’t think it’s effective.” Only about one-third approve on the economyAbout one-third of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s approach to the economy. That’s in line with last month, and continues a challenging stretch for Trump on the issue.Jones, the Florida independent, is more optimistic than most. She said she can hardly leave the house some hours without getting stuck in the traffic of tourists headed to the beach on vacation. She also spots lines around the block for Starbucks, McDonalds and Chick-fil-A in her community — all signs to her that the economy is doing well overall.“I think President Trump’s policies are contributing to a better economy,” Jones said. Other Republicans are more skeptical, a troubling sign for a president who prides himself on his business acumen. Only 69% of Republicans approve of how he’s handling the economy, slightly lower than the 78% who approve of how he’s handling the presidency overall.Patricia Bailey, a 42-year-old Republican in Parkersburg, West Virginia, sees an economy where prices have gotten out of control. “I just said the other night, ordering pizza is for rich people,” she said. Bailey voted for Trump but added, “He’s kind of let me down a little bit.” Even if high prices preceded Trump, Bailey doesn’t think he’s lived up to his pledge to improve the economy. “I think he got so distracted with the war that he forgot some old promises,” she said.___The AP-NORC poll of 3,040 adults was conducted June 11-17 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. LINLEY SANDERS Sanders is a polls and surveys analyst for The Associated Press. She develops and writes about AP-NORC polls, works on the AP Voter Poll and covers shifts in public opinion. twitter mailto AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Thomson-DeVeaux is the AP’s editor for polling and surveys. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

NEW YORK − As soccer booms in popularity in the United States, it’s set to be easier to watch than ever in the 2026 World Cup's de facto host city. USA TODAY has learned New York City's modernized pay-phone system, comprised of free WiFi spots, will have hundreds of 55-inch screens streaming World Cup games every Friday, beginning June 19. The kiosks, called LinkNYC, streamed the New York Knicks during their championship run, which was the first time the system broadcasted live sports, City Hall said.New York City’s free soccer viewings, across 200 LinkNYC locations, begin with the United States’ match on Friday.“New York is a city of sidewalks as much as it is stadiums, and this summer the World Cup belongs to both," Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a lifelong soccer fan, said in a statement. "Whether you’re heading home from work, meeting friends, or just walking to the bodega, you’ll have a chance to stop, watch and share in a moment that brings incredible soccer moments directly to you.” The viewings will run every Friday match day and end with showing the Sunday, July 19, World Cup final, played at MetLife Stadium, in nearby New Jersey, City Hall said. With over 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks acting as modernized phone booths with free WiFi and calling, about 10% of the system will show games in all five boroughs.In early June, dozens of LinkNYC kiosks streamed Game 4 between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Game 5, when the Knicks secured the championship during an away game in Texas, was streamed on 130 kiosks across the five boroughs.Watching sports in public, rather than home alone, is ubiquitous in the nation’s largest city. During the NBA playoffs, residents propped up televisions or projectors on porches or milk crates to allow passersby to view their Knicks. Fans crowded around bars and restaurants, peeking at screens indoors. And of course, who could forget frenzied watch parties outside the Knicks’ home in Madison Square Garden, in Manhattan?While soccer may not yet carry the same weight in New York, a storied basketball town, the games shown on LinkNYC using Telemundo’s broadcast may draw more viewers into the global sport that is creeping stateside, especially in the five boroughs. (By contrast, the World Cup final viewership in 2022 was 2.9 billion, compared to the Knicks' Game 5 peaking at a record 33 million.)City Hall earlier announced hundreds of restaurants are giving $26 dining deals for the 2026 World Cup to watch matches, along with free World Cup fan zones and 24/7 pickup soccer fields, Maya Handa, the city’s World Cup czar, told USA TODAY. The kiosks are another way to make the tournament more accessible.“This initiative is a part of bringing the world to New York City, and bringing New York City to the world,” she said.The LinkNYC screens provide a utilitarian medium for anyone to watch, albeit without sound (the kiosks have free calling capabilities, which provide audio, but not the displays on either side of the booth).LinkNYC launched in 2016, when former Mayor Bill de Blasio sought to bring the antiquated phone booths into the smart phone and internet era. They now offer free WiFi, tablets to view city maps, USB ports for charging and free domestic calls. The’ve served over 21 million residents and visitors in what officials tout as the world’s fastest free public WiFi, according to LinkNYC, which is operated by CityBridge, a joint venture from Intersection Media and Boldyn Networks.The kiosks also have sought to address more dire needs. During dangerously hot, humid temperatures recently, LinkNYC screens showed nearest public cooling centers.Now, people can watch on a screen larger than a phone while they’re waiting for a bus or a taxi, or while running errands.“That’s kind of what we’re hoping for, is just spontaneity,” Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC, said in an interview. The goal, he added, is to bring surprise and delight to people’s days, while elevating a huge moment for New York City.It’s also big for the United States’ men’s team, which looks red-hot in group play. Their game in Seattle against Australia starts at 3 p.m. EST.Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup easier to watch in NYC as soccer gains popularity in US

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) | Getty Images In what will hopefully be a sign of things to come, Everton will begin the 2026-27 season at home, on a Saturday, at 3pm, against Crystal Palace.Just six of their 19 home games were on a Saturday last season, with just three at 3pm – two of which were in December. So the chance to have a (hopefully) sunny afternoon to open the campaign is most welcome.The equivalent fixture last season saw Everton come behind to win 2-1 thanks to an Iliman Ndiaye penalty and a first Toffees goal for Jack Grealish.It will be a first competitive match in charge of Palace for Pierre Sage, who left Lens to replace Oliver Glasner over the summer. He has some big boots to fill after Glasner led the Eagles to the FA Cup, Community Shield and the Conference League in the space of 12 months.Travelling Toffees will also be delighted to see the first away game is Bournemouth on August bank holiday weekend. Who doesn’t like a summer trip to the seaside?With no early international break the Toffees will host Manchester United a week later. It is likely to be moved for TV, but fingers crossed it is not a Monday night again.A trip to Tottenham is next before newly-promoted Ipswich come to the Hill Dickinson to a relatively kind round of opening fixtures, before a three-week gap because of the new condensed international breaks.📆 Everton's 2026/27 Premier League fixtures have been revealed.Live reaction with Marva Kreel and Tony Hibbert right here. 🔽https://t.co/kmv5dcKWSupic.twitter.com/i2aOOw8Y3t— Everton (@Everton) June 19, 2026Other key fixturesUnlike last season, the two Merseyside derbies will be played in winter. The Toffees are home at first this time on the weekend of 28/29 November, with the return game at Anfield the weekend of 30/31st January.The festive fixtures are also kinder. After being away twice between Christmas and new Year last time Everton are at home twice – against Sunderland on Boxing Day and Manchester City on the 30th. The first game of 2027 is also a short trip across the Pennines to Leeds.The fixtures against the top teams are evenly spread out so there are no real nightmare runs. They host Chelsea before trips to Arsenal and Newcastle in October, while games at Manchester City and Manchester United are back-to-back in March.Former Toffees boss Frank Lampard will return to Merseyside with his Coventry side on 7 November – though I imagine that game might be moved for TV. It will be the first league meeting between the sides since early 2001.Everton make their first ever trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday 16 January.The run-inEverton’s final six fixtures are likely to involve sides with plenty fo fight for. They take on Brighton at home at the end of April before a trip to Fulham in early May – another great away day at that time of year for travelling Toffees.Hull, who are expected to battle against relegation, are next up at home, before another trip to the capital at Chelsea, where Everton haven’t won in the league since 1994.The final home game of the season is against champions Arsenal, before rounding off the campaign with the long trip to Ipswich, who are also expected to be fighting the drop.

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas.In his interview with Easton Jr., Bilas discusses his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 10-12 at Edgewood Tahoe and air on NBC and Peacock. He discussed the potential of a successful rookie class in sports and the highly praised 2026 NBA Draft class."I don't know that I'm going to play well ( in the American Century Championship), but I'm going to look good." Said Bilas, "Being in all my Peter Millar stuff, long pants, great players wear long pants, so I'll be in good shape."The 2026 NFL Draft is in the rear-view with the Kansas City Chiefs addressing several areas of need, especially on defense, with their first four picks. There is always a chance the next Hall of Famer is in this NFL class ahead of the 2026 season. As in the NBA, there are high expectations for this year's young crop, already receiving comparisons to past elite draft classes heading into the league."It's not unfair to compare them, as long as we're comparing them as of the draft, you know, sometimes when you look back from 1984 to 2003 you're talking about Hall of Fame players, and we don't know where these guys are going to wind up, so that's sort of the rub there, but as far as depth of talent, this draft is is the deep." said Bilas, "A draft of really good players that I can remember, and especially, I should say, this freshman class, is deeper than any freshman class I can recall. It doesn't mean the top five players are better than five or 10 years ago; it means the rest of the players are better. That's why so many teams were interested in having a draft pick. But having it as high as possible in this draft, because you have the chance to get a player that's really going to help you, and it's going to help you right away."The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, over $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC/Peacock and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in golf.View this post on Instagram

Where to watch Ashton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz: Live stream, TV channel & start time for 2026 boxing fight originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Joseph Diaz Jr. attempts to return to form against the exciting Ashton Sylve when MF Pro makes its U.S. debut in California.Here’s how to watch Ashton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz, including streaming options and channel to catch the main card.Where to watch Ashton Sylve vs. Joseph DiazLive Stream: DAZNAshton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz will be available on DAZN worldwide.A DAZN monthly subscription is $20.99 on a 12-month contract or $30.99 month-to-month. The annual subscription is $224.99. Ashton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz start timeDate: Friday, June 19Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT Main event start time (approx.): 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PTLocation: Thunder Studios - Long Beach, CaliforniaAshton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz is on Friday, June 19 in California. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET and the main event should begin around 10:30 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.Diaz (34-9-1) is a former IBF super featherweight and interim WBC lightweight champion. "JoJo" is on a two-fight losing streak and 1-2 in his last three fights. He last won consecutive fights between 2019 and 2020.The 33-year-old, fighting out of Covina, is a battle-tested veteran. With Freddie Roach in his corner, Diaz looks to prove he has plenty left in the tank against a young prospect."Sometimes you have to take an honest look at yourself and make changes, and that’s what I’ve done. I feel energized, focused, and ready to remind everyone that I still have a lot left to give in this sport," said Diaz via NY Fights.Sylve (13-1) was signed by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Prospects in April 2022 after a run in Mexico and has since gone out on his own. "H2O" has won two straight since getting knocked out against Lucas Bahdi in 2024.At 22, Sylve, from Long Beach, has a chance to move up in the sport if he can beat a former world champion."I’m still young, I’m still growing, and my goals haven’t changed. I want to climb back up those rankings and put myself right back in position for world title opportunities," Sylve said. "Every great journey has challenges, and this fight is another chance for me to prove I’m built for this."Ashton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz fight cardAshton Sylve vs. Joseph Diaz; Super LightweightsJ'Hon Ingram vs. Devin Cushing; LightweightsAmir Anderson vs. Jonas Sylvain; MiddleweightsDavid Lopez vs. Joey Borrero; WelterweightsKayla Gomez vs. Shayntain Creer; Super Flyweights

Where to watch Scotland vs. Morocco live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group C match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.On Friday, Scotland vs. Morocco will share the pitch at 6 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.Scotland is playing in the country's ninth World Cup, and first since 1998. The team still has yet to reach the knockout stages. On the other side of the field stands Morocco, who will be making its seventh appearance at the World Cup. The Atlas Lions are fresh off a 2022 World Cup semifinal appearance, which is their best finish at the tournament.Group C is extremely top-heavy. While Brazil and Morocco should comfortably move through to the knockout stages, the World Cup holds surprises every year. If Scotland were to be able to steal points from Morocco, they could have a chance of moving onto the knockout stages if they hold their own against Brazil in their final group-stage game.The Sporting News takes you through all the information you need to follow the game.Scotland vs. Morocco live stream, TV channelTV channel: FoxLive stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/websiteThis match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)What time does Scotland vs. Morocco start?This World Cup clash kicks off Friday, June 19, at 6 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.Here's how that time translates across the United States timezones:DateKickoff timeEastern TimeFri., June 196 p.m.Central TimeFri., June 195 p.m.Mountain TimeFri., June 194 p.m.Pacific TimeFri., June 193 p.m.World Cup schedule today and tomorrowAll times Eastern.Friday, June 19USA vs. Australia (3 p.m.)Scotland vs. Morocco (6 p.m.)Brazil vs. Haiti (9 p.m.)Saturday, June 20Turkey vs. Paraguay (12 a.m.)Netherlands vs. Sweden (1 p.m.)Germany vs. Ivory Coast (4 p.m.)Ecuador vs. Curacao (8 p.m.)MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures2026 FIFA World Cup FAQsWhen is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.When is the 2026 World Cup final?The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.What time do World Cup games start?Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.