NEW DELHI: Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his impressive start to ODI cricket with a match-winning century against Afghanistan in Chennai on Saturday, achieving a milestone faster than Indian stars Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.The left-handed opener scored an unbeaten 110 as India thrashed Afghanistan by nine wickets in the third ODI to complete a 3-0 series sweep. The hundred was Jaiswal's second in ODIs and it came in just his sixth innings, making him the fastest Indian to reach two ODI centuries.Fewest innings by an Indian to score two ODI hundreds6 - Yashasvi Jaiswal7 - Shikhar Dhawan9 - Kedar Jadhav17 - Virat Kohli18 - Shubman GillJaiswal's achievement puts him ahead of some of India's biggest ODI names, including Kohli and Gill.Chasing 219, India were always in control. They began with an unusual score of 5/0 after Afghanistan were penalised five runs during their innings.Jaiswal wasted no time and attacked from the start. He hit three boundaries in the opening over and reached his fifty in just 38 balls. Rohit Sharma also looked in fine touch and completed his half-century in 47 deliveries.The duo added 170 runs for the opening wicket in only 22.5 overs.While Rohit entertained with his trademark strokes, Jaiswal played with confidence throughout the innings. He struck a six off Fareed Ahmad and played some elegant drives against the spinners.Rohit eventually fell for 79, but Jaiswal carried on and reached his century in 83 balls. The knock also placed him among the fastest players to score an ODI hundred against Afghanistan.Fastest ODI centuries against Afghanistan (by balls faced)57 - Eoin Morgan (2019)63 - Rohit Sharma (2023)71 - Ishan Kishan (2026)76 - Glenn Maxwell (2023)77 - Shubman Gill (2026)83 - William Porterfield (2017)83 - Yashasvi Jaiswal (2026)Interestingly, three of the seven fastest ODI hundreds against Afghanistan have come during this series.Earlier, Prasidh Krishna starred with the ball, claiming a career-best 5/23 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 218. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi fought hard with a maiden ODI century, scoring 102 after his side had slumped to 36/4.But Jaiswal's sparkling hundred ensured there were no surprises in the chase as India sealed another comfortable victory and completed a clean sweep of the series.

HALEWOOD, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Lucy Hope of Everton FC poses for a portrait during the WSL Headshot 2025/2026 shoot day at Finch Farm on July 30, 2025 in Halewood, England. (Photo by The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images Everton Women star Lucy Hope has paid tribute to both the club and its fans after the Scottish international called time on a playing career that began in 2012. After spells with Forfar Farmington and Hibernian, the versatile midfielder headed to Sweden to join Mallbackens IF, before Bristol City came calling in 2018. But it was the move to Everton a year later where Hope would put down her roots, making almost 100 appearances for the Blues and scoring 12 goals. Few strikes were more memorable than her long-range winner against rivals Liverpool at Anfield in November 2019, and the equaliser at Goodison Park as Everton defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup the following year on their road to Wembley, as the 29-year-old quickly established herself as a fan favourite. And it is the fans that Hope, who has represented her country more than 20 times at senior level, wanted to pay a special mention to as she brings the curtain down on her playing career. “I have loved my time at Everton,” she said. “The Club and city has become my home over the best part of a decade. “To the fans, a special thank you. Your continued support throughout my career has meant more than I could ever properly explain. “Hearing the chants, feeling your backing on matchdays and knowing how much you cared always gave me that extra push. Those moments and memories will stay with me forever, and I’ll never take that support for granted.“I am very proud of what I have achieved at Everton, I have given it my all from the day I arrived and will always be grateful to have lived this dream.”Born Lucy Graham in 1996, Hope tied the knot with partner Scott in 2022. The pair welcomed baby Jensen Jordan Hope in to the world in November 2025, with the midfielder taking time away from football during the 25/26 season.And Everton will always be more than just a club to the now former midfielder as she embarks on her next phase of her life, it provided a home.“I have loved my time at Everton,” added Hope. “The Club and city has become my home over the best part of a decade. The biggest thing football gave me was a place that felt like home – somewhere I felt comfortable enough to put roots down.“First a dog, then I became a wife to my amazing husband, and now to welcome our son into the family means more to me than any statistic ever could.”On behalf of everyone at Royal Blue Mersey, thank you Lucy and the very best of luck for the future.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Blaze Alexander #23 and Jeremiah Jackson #82 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after the team's win against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images There were some worrying moments at the end, but ultimately the Orioles were able to ride a terrific start from Trevor Rogers and a clutch double off Blaze Alexander’s bat to a 3-2 win on Saturday night in Los Angeles.It is games like this where we must ask the question “Is Trevor Rogers all the way back?” The lefty put forth his best start since Opening Day, tossing seven scoreless innings and giving up just three baserunners (one hit, two walks) while striking out six. That dropped his season ERA for the fifth straight start from 6.96 on May 24 to just 5.30 on June 20.At no point were the Dodgers particularly close to scoring on Rogers. The three base runners he did allow were scattered; one in the first inning, another in the fifth, and one more in the seventh. It was as low stress of a start as we are going to get around these parts.Rogers had the best version of each of his offerings. His fastball was up nearly 1.5 mph on the gun, and he had a 27% whiff rate overall, which is a slight improvement over his season number. On top of that, he limited the free passes and the hard contact. It sounds simple, but that is when Rogers has success: pitch in the zone and keep the ball in the park.On the other side of the game, Orioles lineup made Yoshinobu Yamamoto work in this one. He needed 102 pitches to get through six innings, and he allowed three runs in the process. That was the most runs he as allowed in a start since May 12. So while the final line is still one of a quality start, the O’s hitters do deserve credit for their patience and effort at the plate.The Orioles got on the board in the top of the second inning. With runners on first and third, Coby Mayo grounded into a force out as the first baseman Freddie Freeman fielded the bouncer and fed to Mookie Betts covering second base. That allowed Leody Taveras, the runner at the third to begin the play, to score and make it 1-0.Their other two runs crossed the plate in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Blaze Alexander yanked a pitch down the third base line, scoring Taveras and Colton Cowser, and giving the O’s a 3-0 advantage.That hit from Alexander would be the team’s only knock with runners in scoring position. They went 1-for-5 in such situations in this game, as those key moments continue to be difficult for them. It would have been nice to see at least one of those eight runners stranded on base make it home.The Orioles were unable to extend their lead against the Dodgers bullpen. But the Dodgers would cause plenty of stress for the O’s relief group in the ninth inning.Andrew Kittredge came on for the save. It seemed Craig Albernaz was trying to avoid the recently activated Ryan Helsley in back-to-back nights, especially since the series opener did not go well for him. His replacements (plus some atrocious (Orioles defnese) almost let the same thing happen again.Shohei Ohtani led off the inning with a solo home run to make it a 3-1 game. After getting Andy Pages to line out and then walking Freddie Freeman, Kittredge was lifted in favor of ground ball machine Yennier Cano. The first batter Cano faced, Betts, hit a bouncer to third base, which could have been a game-ending double play. Instead, Mayo flubbed it, gathered it, and was late on his throw to try and get Betts at first. Cano retired the next batter before Tommy Edman hit a hard liner to right field that hit Taveras in the glove. He dropped it anyway, the second run of the inning scored, and it started to feel like a repeat of Friday. Kudos to Cano for taking matters into his own hands and just striking out Kyle Tucker after all of that to lock down the save.The Orioles defense has been a problem all season, but it has really reared it’s head this weekend in Los Angeles. In part, it did cost them the game on Friday, and it nearly did the same on Saturday. Seems like something that needs to be fixed!There is plenty of time to be negative about this team. Stick with the positives for now. Chief among them, Rogers was great. It was the sort of start the Orioles needed, and they got it. Alexander continues to swing a nice stick. Taveras and Basallo had two hits each. There are aspects of this squad that works as expected. They just rarely all click together.Hopefully they can get it figured out in time for tomrrow’s series finale. Brandon Young (5-2, 3.18 ERA) will be on the bump to face Emmet Sheehan (3-4, 4.76 ERA), First pitch is set for 4:10 on the east coast.Who was the Most Birdland Player for June 20, 2025? Here are some nominees for your consideration, or tell us someone else entirely in the commentsTrevor Rogers (win, seven shutout innings)Yennier Cano (cleaned up ninth inning mess, dealt with defensive chaos)Blaze Alexander (double, two RBI)

🎥 Curaçao dance and celebrate a draw with the Dutch royals!The celebration in Curaçao continues after earning their first-ever point in World Cup history. And the draw against Ecuador sparked a party. In their own style, the Caribbean side celebrated with great joy in the locker room, a celebration also joined by the King and Queen of the Netherlands: Willem-Alexander and Máxima. Videos show the royal leaders dancing with the players, after witnessing the feat at Kansas City Stadium. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty ImagesTom Brady did not need a formal autograph request to turn one NFL rookie’s shoes into a piece of league memorabilia.The resurfaced clip goes back to 2022, when Brady was still with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Logan Hall was trying to find his place as a rookie.What made the moment work was how casual it felt. Hall did not ask. Brady simply decided to sign.Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesTom Brady autograph surprise stunned Buccaneers rookie Logan HallAn MLFootball post recalled Brady randomly signing Hall’s shoes at a cancer charity event in 2022.The event was tied to Tommy’s Place, a charity supporting families dealing with childhood cancer. Hall’s shoes were not ordinary gear either, as they featured artwork connected to children helped by the cause.Brady walked over and looked at the shoes. Then the seven-time Super Bowl winner signed them without Hall requesting it first.Hall looked stunned but grateful. He told Brady: “It’s an honour man.”Tom Brady and Logan Hall now face different NFL chaptersBrady’s autograph has long carried serious weight in sports memorabilia, from signed jerseys and helmets to high-value cards and charity auction items.That status has only grown since retirement. Brady is now Fox’s lead NFL analyst, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and still active across business, media and collectibles.Hall, meanwhile, remains a defensive lineman for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay drafted him 33rd overall in 2022, and he has spent his early career developing as part of the defensive front.Hall is moving through a key stage of his rookie contract, where production, consistency and pass-rush impact can shape his long-term NFL future.That is why the old Brady clip feels even better now. It caught Hall before all of that, still new to the league, reacting like any young player would when the greatest quarterback ever suddenly signed his shoes.Read more:Joe Haden reveals the brutal reason so many NFL stars go broke after $50 million paydays$13.8 billion Robert Kraft left speechless after Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Michael Rubin’s surpriseMaxx Crosby trade rumours heat up as two NFC contenders show renewed interest

Ino Cat, a South Korean influencer, thanked FIFA after the organization invited her to attend the Mexico vs Korea World Cup match on June 18, following a racist gesture during another match a few days ago.“Thank you for the VVIP invitation to the Mexico match. I don’t believe this invitation belongs only to me. It belongs to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and stood by my side during this journey,” wrote Ino Cat, whose real name is Yoon Su-jin, in an Instagram post accepting the invitation. “Thank you, FIFA. Thank you, Matthew Mullen. And thank you to everyone who believed in me. I will never forget this experience, and I hope to pass that kindness on to others one day.”The invitation was sent after the incident at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, during the Group A match between South Korea and the Czech Republic on June 12.In the video, Ino Cat claimed that a Mexican man sitting behind her touched the corners of his eyes towards the camera to mock East Asians. As a result, she started crying on camera, and the video was spread on social media, drawing numerous condemnations.FIFA sent the invitation in connection with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.“We are thrilled that Team Ino Cat has accepted FIFA’s invitation to attend Mexico v Korea on Thursday, June 18, in Guadalajara,” the organization stated. “The date coincides with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, and FIFA will be sending a message of respect and inclusion together with Team Ino Cat.”The statement also mentioned that the person involved was identified, his ticket account was blocked, and FIFA received his apology.“FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society. The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity, and respect. It brings people, cultures, and communities together — and anyone who goes against these values is not welcome in our game,” the statement added. “We stand with Team Ino Cat and with every victim of discrimination.”The man from the video was identified as Ulysses Fernando Bernal Miramontes, the head of the Jalisco State Surveying and Geomatics Engineers Association (CITGEJ).According to Mexican media outlet Mediotiempo, Bernal Miramontes mocked one of the fans from South Korea using the racist gesture.Ulysses Fernando Bernal Miramontes issued his apology on his personal social media on June 14.“I sincerely apologize to the Korean fan and everyone who felt uncomfortable due to my actions. I had no intention to insult or punish anyone,” he said. He added that he would step down as president of the association to take responsibility.The post Korean Influencer Ino Cat Thanks FIFA for World Cup Invitation After Viral Racism Incident appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trevor Rogers allowed one hit over a dominating seven scoreless innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday night.Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in the ninth inning for the Dodgers after missing Friday’s game for the birth of his second child.The only hit Rogers allowed came on a bloop single to center field by the Dodgers’ Tommy Edman in the fifth inning. Rogers (4-7) had six strikeouts, walked two and earned his second win in his past 11 starts.Blaze Alexander had a two-run double for the Orioles, while Samuel Basallo and Leody Taveras each had two hits. Baltimore improved to 2-3 on a nine-game West Coast road trip.The Orioles solved Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the second consecutive season after they ended his no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth inning of a September game at Baltimore last year before rallying for the victory.Yamamoto (7-5) gave up three runs over six innings and had six strikeouts. Edman had two hits for Los Angeles. The Dodgers nearly rallied for the second consecutive night when Ohtani led off the ninth with a home run off Andrew Kittredge and Edman hit what appeared to be a line drive to right for the final out. But Taveras dropped the ball allowing Freddie Freeman to score before Kyle Tucker struck out against Yennier Cano, who earned his first save.Baltimore grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI ground out from Coby Mayo. The Orioles increased their advantage to 3-0 in the fourth inning when Alexander hit a two-out two-run double just inside the third-base bag.Up nextOrioles right-hander Brandon Young (5-2, 3.18 ERA) starts the series finale Sunday against Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (3-4, 4.76).___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Match preview and team newsUruguay and Cape Verde meet at Miami Stadium on Sunday in a fixture that could define both sides’ World Cup campaigns.Marcelo Bielsa’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in their opener, a result that flattered neither side. Cape Verde, meanwhile, produced one of the tournament’s most remarkable results, holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw on their World Cup debut. With all four sides in Group H level on one point, this match carries enormous weight for both nations.Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Match preview and team newsDate: Sunday, 21 June 2026Kick-off: 20:00 BSTVenue: Miami Stadium, MiamiReferee: Espen Eskås (Norway)Uruguay team newsBielsa faces a selection dilemma in attack following a flat performance against Saudi Arabia. Both Darwin Nunez and Manuel Ugarte struggled to impose themselves and were substituted, though it would be a surprise if either were dropped entirely.Nunez may start alongside Agustin Canobbio in attack, with Federico Vinas a candidate if Bielsa opts for a change. Ronald Araujo remains a doubt with a muscle injury that kept him out of the opener. Fernando Muslera continues in goal, having become Uruguay’s oldest-ever World Cup player in the Saudi Arabia match.Cape Verde team newsCape Verde have no fresh injury concerns and Bubista is expected to name an unchanged side. Vozinha starts again in goal after producing seven saves to keep Spain at bay — a display that instantly made him one of the tournament’s most talked-about figures. Kevin Lenini provides the defensive screening ahead of Roberto Lopes and Diney Borges at centre-back. Dailon Livramento leads the line as the lone striker.FormUruguayUruguay were deeply underwhelming against Saudi Arabia, failing to create meaningful open-play opportunities for large portions of the match. They took 27 shots, with ten on target, yet had to wait until the 81st minute for their only goal through Maxi Araujo. Bielsa will demand greater creativity and clinical finishing from a squad that possesses far more quality than their opener suggested.Cape VerdeCape Verde’s draw with Spain was nothing short of historic. The tournament’s smallest nation wrote their own World Cup story, holding European champions Spain scoreless behind a heroic display from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. They completed just 14 passes in the opposition half yet held firm throughout, and Bubista will ask for a repeat defensive effort against a Uruguayan attack that has yet to find its rhythm.Predicted ineupsUruguay possible starting XI: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Valverde, Bentancur, Ugarte, Araujo; Canobbio, NunezCape Verde possible starting XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Borges, Lopes, S. Cabral; Duarte, Lenini, Monteiro; Mendes, Livramento, J. CabralHow to watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.Read more – Éderson reveals Manchester United transfer ‘almost done’See Also- Real Madrid vehemently deny Michael Olise transfer claimsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Egypt predicted lineup and team news vs New ZealandEgypt will face New Zealand in their second-round clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place in Vancouver on Monday. Both sides are aiming to secure their first win of the tournament.Egypt comes into the match in solid form, having registered two wins, two draws, and one loss in their previous five games. They ended their pre-tournament preparations with a 1-0 victory over Russia and a close 2-1 defeat to Brazil. In their opening World Cup match, they produced an impressive 1-1 draw against Belgium. Emam Ashour scored their goal before an unfortunate own goal allowed Belgium to equalize.Egypt team newsThe Pharaohs also have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of this match. Manager Hossam Hassan addressed recent speculation about team issues after substituting Mohamed Salah in the previous game.Salah is set to return to the starting lineup in his usual attacking role on the wing. Young Barcelona B forward Hamza Abdelkarim is expected to feature from the bench after making a strong impression in the first match.In goal, Mostafa Shobeir is likely to keep his place ahead of experienced goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Egypt has a fully available squad, giving Hassan flexibility to make tactical adjustments during the game.With both teams fully fit and eager to claim three points, this match promises to be a competitive encounter.Egypt predicted lineupPossible Egypt starting XI: Shobeir; Hany, Ibrahim, Fathy, Fatouh; Attia, Lasheen; Salah, Ashour, Ziko; MarmoushWhen will the match kick off?The match will kick off at 2am BST on Monday, 22nd June.How to watch New Zealand vs Egypt?Fans in the United Kingdom can watch the New Zealand vs Egypt World Cup match live on ITV.Read Also – Ronaldinho comes out of retirement to make shock return at age 46See More – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbersFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Belgium vs Iran – Match preview and team newsBelgium and Iran face off at the Los Angeles Stadium in a Group G Round 2 encounter on Sunday after both teams drew their respective Round 1 matches.Belgium vs Iran – Match preview and team newsDate: Sunday, 21st June.Kick-off: 8pm BST.Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California.Belgium team newsJérémy Doku is officially ruled out for Belgium’s crucial World Cup Group G match against Iran due to a respiratory illness.The Manchester City winger fought the infection for two weeks but was ultimately left out of the squad by coach Rudi Garcia.In his absence, Leandro Trossard or Charles De Ketelaere could fill the gap out wide. Belgium also faces defensive setbacks, as Zeno Debast remains sidelined with a lingering thigh injury.This means Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy are expected to continue their partnership at centre-back.On a positive note, star striker Romelu Lukaku is pushing hard for a spot in the starting lineup. After coming off the bench to save a 1-1 draw against Egypt, Lukaku will likely lead the attack ahead of De Ketelaere.Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, protected by fullbacks Thomas Meunier and Maxim De Cuyper.Iran team newsIran faces several late fitness tests ahead of the match, with midfielders Saman Ghoddos and Roozbeh Cheshmi racing against time.Ghoddos is dealing with an ankle knock, while Cheshmi is nursing a hamstring issue, making both players game-time decisions.Furthermore, team captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains highly doubtful after missing the opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand with a muscular problem.Beyond injuries, Iran is under severe physical strain due to strict United States travel restrictions. The team was forced to set up their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, and must fly into Los Angeles just 24 hours before kickoff.Despite these chaotic logistics, star forwards Mehdi Taremi and Shahriyar Moghanlou are fit and ready to spearhead the attack.Veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will start in net, hoping to anchor a resilient defensive line against the Belgian attack.FormBelgiumBelgium enters this match in mixed form after a slow start to their World Cup journey. They scrambled to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Egypt in their Group G opener. Before entering the tournament, Rudi Garcia’s side showed great promise with comfortable friendly wins over Croatia and Tunisia. They must now find that clinical edge to secure their first victory in the competition.IranIran comes into the game showing resilient form but feeling frustrated by missed opportunities. They fought hard to twice come from behind and salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening group fixture. Amir Ghalenoei’s squad enjoyed strong momentum right before the tournament, recording solid wins in pre-Cup friendlies against Gambia and Mali. Despite facing immense logistical strain off the pitch, Team Melli looks highly dangerous and sharp in attack.Predicted lineupsBelgium: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Lukebakio; Lukaku.Iran: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Mohebi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Ghayedi; Taremi, Moghanlou.How to watch Belgium vs Iran?You can watch the Belgium vs Iran match live and completely free-to-air on ITV1 in the UK.Read Also – Éderson reveals Manchester United transfer ‘almost done’See More – Real Madrid vehemently deny Michael Olise transfer claimsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Iran predicted lineup and team news vs BelgiumIran will take on Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium in a Group G Round 2 clash on Sunday, with both sides coming into the match after drawing their opening games.Iran come into this contest showing determination but also some frustration after missed opportunities in their opening match.They twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, demonstrating their attacking threat and resilience.Amir Ghalenoei’s side had built solid form before the tournament, recording wins in friendly matches against Gambia and Mali, and they continue to look dangerous going forward.Iran team newsThere are, however, several injury concerns within the squad. Midfielders Saman Ghoddos and Roozbeh Cheshmi are both facing late fitness tests.Ghoddos is dealing with an ankle issue, while Cheshmi is struggling with a hamstring problem, leaving their availability uncertain.Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh is also a major doubt after missing the opening game due to a muscular injury, adding further uncertainty to Iran’s lineup.Off the pitch, Iran have faced significant logistical challenges. Due to strict travel restrictions in the United States, the team has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, and will only arrive in Los Angeles 24 hours before kickoff, which could impact their preparation.Despite these setbacks, Iran still possess strong attacking options. Mehdi Taremi and Shahriyar Moghanlou are both fit and expected to lead the line.In goal, experienced keeper Alireza Beiranvand will start and aim to provide stability at the back against Belgium’s attack.Iran predicted lineupPossible Iran starting XI: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Mohebi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Ghayedi; Taremi, Moghanlou.When will the match kick off?The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday, 21st June.How to watch Belgium vs Iran?For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match between Belgium and Iran will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1.Read Also – Casemiro set to join Messi at Inter Miami as transfer agreedSee More – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbersFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Belgium vs Iran – Predicted lineup and team newsBelgium take on Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday in their second Group G match, with both sides aiming for a first win after drawing their opening games.Belgium head into this fixture with mixed momentum following an underwhelming start to their World Cup campaign. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt in their first group match, struggling to convert chances into a winning result. Prior to the tournament, Rudi Garcia’s team had looked sharp, securing convincing friendly victories against Croatia and Tunisia. However, they now need to rediscover that attacking efficiency if they are to claim all three points.Belgium team newsThe squad has been hit by a key absence, as Jérémy Doku has been ruled out due to a respiratory illness. The Manchester City winger battled the issue for two weeks but was ultimately excluded from the matchday squad.In his place, either Leandro Trossard or Charles De Ketelaere is expected to step in on the wing.Belgium are also dealing with defensive concerns, with Zeno Debast still unavailable because of a thigh injury. As a result, Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy are set to continue their partnership in central defence.There is, however, a boost in attack. Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench to rescue a point against Egypt, is now pushing for a place in the starting lineup and is expected to lead the forward line ahead of De Ketelaere.Thibaut Courtois will retain his position in goal, with Thomas Meunier and Maxim De Cuyper likely to operate as full-backs.Belgium predicted lineupPossible Belgium starting XI: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Lukebakio; Lukaku.When will the match kick off?The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday, 21st June.How to watch Belgium vs Iran?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on ITV1.Read Also – Éderson reveals Manchester United transfer ‘almost done’See More – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbersFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Japan forward Ayase Ueda celebrates after scoring in the first half at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP via Getty Images)JULIO CESAR AGUILAR via Getty ImagesNew manager, same end result for Tunisia in 2026 World Cup group play: a multi-goal defeat, this one to Japan on Saturday night in Guadalupe, Mexico. In an act of desperation, the Carthage Eagles brought in Hervé Renard to resuscitate the squad following its 5-1 defeat to Sweden last week.But, with only a matter of days to leave an imprint on his new team, Renard — who previously managed Saudi Arabia as well as the French women’s national team, among others — couldn’t change Tunisia’s fortune in this year’s tournament.Japan’s 3-0 victory in Monterrey Stadium eliminated Tunisia from knockout-round contention. It featured Ayase Ueda, who collected two goals and an assist, and the blowout brought Samurai Blue to the top of Group F alongside a Netherlands team Japan tied 2-2.Like the Netherlands, Japan has four points. They have the same goal differential, too, as the Netherlands shellacked Sweden 5-1 earlier in the day.Japan-Tunisia marked the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. It was more lopsided than it was competitive.Under Sabri Lamouchi, the Carthage Eagles conceded Sweden’s first goal seven minutes into the teams’ World Cup opener. With Renard at the helm, Tunisia didn’t fare much better in the early going. It was staring at a one-goal hole four minutes into its second match of the tournament.That deficit only grew from that point forward.This story is being updated.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 20: Connor Joe #9 of the Seattle Mariners commits a fielding error during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at T-Mobile Park on June 20, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Today’s loss to the Red Sox left much to be desired, but it started out promisingly enough. Emerson Hancock was clean the first time through the order, picking up four strikeouts, three of which came because a Red Sox hitter left the bat on his shoulder.The rearranged left side of the infield even made a couple very nice plays. J.P. Crawford, who some had left for dead, gets today’s Sun Hat Award for shoveling the ball from his glove up to Colt Emerson on a 5-6-3 double play and later snatching a hot shot out of the air.Your browser does not support the video tag. Download the video.The Mariners even grabbed an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Crawford walk and line drives into left-center from Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor.But things quickly took a left turn. The Sox led off the fourth with their first hit when a ground ball split the left side. Despite Hancock striking out the next batter, he then left a cutter over the heart of the plate that Wilyer Abreu sent nearly to the batter’s eye to give Boston a 2-1 lead. The fifth inning saw another hit and an embarrassing error from tonight’s left fielder, Connor Joe, who got his glove to the ball pretty easily but then just refused to actually catch it.By the sixth inning, Hancock was left holding the bag for an offense that couldn’t get anything going against Connelly Early. A single and a walk looked like it was setting off a retro Hancock spiral, of the type it seemed like he’d left in Arkansas. But another four-pitch walk loaded the bases, Dan came out, and Elvis left the building.With leverage lefty Jose A. Ferrer and his 50% groundball rate coming out in relief, it seemed like the Mariners might get out of it. And indeed, Ferrer got not one, not two, but three easy groundballs, but for the second night in a row, the BABIP monster left a bad taste in my mouth. The score had bubbled up to 5-1 by the time the Mariners finally left the field.It wouldn’t have mattered so much if the Mariners offense could hit a left-handed pitcher. And they had a bunch of chances against Early, who pitched the game with two left feet, hitting three batters and nearly a couple more. But the Mariners bats’ futility against south paws hardly comes out of left field at this point. They couldn’t get a single hit after the first inning, and left five runners on base.Left to your imagination, this is a dominant roster, but they find themselves about halfway through the season back at .500 and leading the division only thanks to their rivals’ incompetence. It’ll probably be fine in the end, but if they don’t want to get left at the postseason altar, they’re going to have to get right.

Felix Nmecha: Gary Neville delivers bold verdict on United targetManchester United legend Gary Neville has urged the club to consider a move for Felix Nmecha. The German midfielder has gone from strength to strength with Borussia Dortmund in recent times and is currently with his national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nmecha was outstanding against Curacao in the opening game of the tournament, scoring one goal and helping Die Nationalmannschaft to a 7-1 win. With the Red Devils looking for a new midfielder this summer, the 25 year old has been mentioned as an option as well. The Premier League giants have reportedly secured the services of Atalanta’s Ederson as they look to fill the void left by Casemiro. However, they remain keen to make further additions to the middle of the park, with West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes reportedly high up on the wish list. Recent reports, though, suggest that the Hammers want £85 million to let him go, which could prompt United to consider alternatives. Neville believes Nmecha could be a fine option for the job.United urged to look at NmechaSpeaking on ITV, Neville pointed out that Nmecha is a complete midfielder, but acknowledged that his performances at the World Cup could see his price soar. He said: “The more he plays like he did the other night the more expensive he’ll get.”“But at the moment, we hear Manchester United are being quoted £100 million for the West Ham boy Fernandes, so they’re going to have to be looking around this tournament and parts of Europe. He looked outstanding the other night, it looked like he had absolutely everything.”Arsenal legend Ian Wright echoed those sentiments, adding: “When you look at him he breaks lines, he gets into the box, he’s got Kimmich to come in and fill in for him. He can play as a No.8 or No.10, we can see he can finish, you can see why teams are interested in him. He’s got everything.”Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was also full of praise for the German midfielder, stating: “He’s a very good player, a young player, he’s got a very good right foot, he’s athletic, he can get around the pitch. It looks like he can get in the box, he can defend, he’s a good size, he’s young, you can see why people are after him.”Nmecha registered five goals and three assists in 42 appearances for BVB last season. Felix Nmecha Stats: 2025/26 SeasonSource: Transfermarkt. How did Nmecha fare against Ivory Coast?Germany picked up a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday, with Nmecha coming up against Amad. The 23 year old, unfortunately, had a quiet outing, but the German was impressive once again, providing United fans with a glimpse of what he could offer at Old Trafford. While he could not find the back of the net, Nmecha ran the show against the Elephants, creating two big chances and recording a 91% pass completion rate. He also put in the hard work in the middle of the park, registering three clearances and eight tackles. Final ThoughtsNmecha could be a fantastic option to strengthen United’s midfield but prising him away from Dortmund could be next to impossible. The German midfielder is under contract at the Signal Iduna Park until 2030, and his €70 million release clause only comes into play next summer. Meanwhile, Real Madrid reportedly have their eyes on the player, which could further complicate matters. Featured image Christof Koepsel via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Jun 20, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) reacts after hitting a grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images In the dumbest Twins game any of us will see all year, the Twins jumped out to your classic 16-0, fifth-inning lead, then handed the ball over to the bullpen to drag us kicking and screaming towards a finish line placed just ahead of 12:30 am CT.You’ve maybe never seen a former All-Star become washed in real time, but it may have happened to Arizona starter Zac Gallen tonight. After allowing two Minnesota runs in a lengthy first inning, thanks to a two-out, two-run single from Brooks Lee, Gallen was BABIP’d to hell and back in one of the most frustrating fourth innings a starting pitcher could drum up. It’s our first of two bullet-point innings, so buckle up.Royce Lewis strikes out swingingBrooks Lee grounds a single through the infieldVictor Caratini grounds a single through the infieldLuke Keaschall grounds a soft single to the shortstopRyan Kreidler grounds a single off the glove of Ketel MarteTrevor Larnach grounds a single just past the glove of Ketel MarteByron Buxton pops outKody Clemens laces a single to centerJosh Bell walksRoyce Lewis flies outAll told, the five consecutive groundball singles were responsible for three more runs, and the two-out Clemens single officially made it a 6-0 game. Surely, batting around once in the middle innings would be enough for most teams. But Derek Shelton, as we all know, drives the hardest bargain in Major League Baseball, and it was with an almost frightening stoicism that he addressed his lineup in the top of the fifth, and decreed, “again.”So, I got another bullet-point inning for you.Zac Gallen is somehow still pitching.Brooks Lee triplesVictor Caratini doubles him homeLuke Keaschall singles him overGallen is mercifully replaced by Yilber DiazRyan Kreidler scores Caratini on a laser single to leftTrevor Larnach walks to load them upByron Buxton hits an opposite-field grand slam to make it 12-0 with nobody out in the 5thKody Clemens flies outJosh Bell singlesRoyce Lewis pops outBrooks Lee hits a ground-rule double on a stuck roller that otherwise would have been his second triple of the inningVictor Caratini grounds a two-run single through the infieldLuke Keaschall singles through the infieldRyan Kreidler triples home both runners to make it 16-0, score the fourth two-out run of the frame, and make it a 10-run 5th inningPhilip Abner relieves DiazTrevor Larnach grounds outIf that’s a play-by-play quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen, you’re not alone. The Twins set numerous “biggest inning since” and “most consecutive singles since” and “most runs in a frame since” in a 29-minute top of the fifth inning that, once again, made it a 16-0 Minnesota lead with the game roughly halfway to completion.Mercifully — for Arizona, at least — the Twins were done scoring. Instead, they placed a premium on reminding viewers why such a potent offense has nevertheless produced a losing team. Answer? The worst bullpen you’ve just simply ever seen!Before I forget, starter Taj Bradley took 91 pitches to do so, but got through five innings allowing just two fifth-inning runs on three hits to the Arizona lineup, both coming on a deep drive from Jorge Barrosa, his second homer of the season. Anthony Banda got the next three outs of the sixth, and then Justin Lawrence turned in one of the most obvious DFA-worthy performances of all time. In a nightmare seventh, Lawrence walked the first three he faced (sprinkling a pair of wild pitches into the mix), then walked a run home with one out, before allowing a bases-clearing double to Ildemaro Vargas, who scored two batters later on a sharp single.The Twinkie Town bylaws, of course, prevent any duds from being decreed on a winning night such as, but let’s just say that Lawrence’s line of 0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K would be otherwise, uh…notable.Eric Orze was a bit better — it would be hard not to be — but still allowed an eighth-inning run, Arizona’s 8th and final of the night.For the Twins, the only remaining storyline was whether Brooks Lee could complete the cycle; despite getting a ninth-inning at-bat against Vargas, who got the final five outs from position player land, Lee was unable to put the cherry on top of this one. Instead, it was Yoendrys Gomez who had the last word, pitching the cleanest inning of the night for either team.As the Twins go for the series win tomorrow, performances like these also help them jockey for the American League lead in runs scored. The win takes Minnesota to 37-41 and improves them to 7-3 in their last 10. It sure ain’t over yet, particularly if they keep hanging 16-run dong on road trips.See you tomorrow afternoon!STUDS:LF Trevor Larnach (2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB)CF Byron Buxton (1-for-4, R, 4 RBI, Grand Slam)3B Brooks Lee (4-for-6, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B)C Victor Caratini (3-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B)2B/RF Luke Keaschall (3-for-6, 3 R)SS Ryan Kreidler (3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, 3B)DUDS:NO DUDS! TWINS WIN! TWINS WIN!

After a stunning loss in Friday's game, the Los Angeles Angels managed to recover with some impressive poise and performance. The Halos led wire-to-wire, collecting a 7-0 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Saturday night.Walbert Urena, coming off his lengthiest start of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, was dialed in on the mound once again. The right-hander tossed five innings of shutout baseball, allowing four hits and striking out six while walking none. He improved to 5-5, now boasting a 2.41 ERA on the season.It's been quite the stretch for the 22-year-old, who has now worked ten consecutive starts of at least five innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs. Urena is continuing to solidify himself as a reliable arm in a pitching staff that has struggled, currently posting the fourth-highest team ERA in the American League.Walbert Ureña, Filthy 89mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/KEfuLJu38e— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 21, 2026After Urena finished taking care of business on the mound, Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel used their bats in the top of the sixth to ensure he'd walk away with a victory. Each smacked two-run doubles in the frame against Athletics' right-hander Scott Barlow, adding four big insurance runs.prepare for trouble, make it double 🚀 pic.twitter.com/T3PKx7r6bm— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 21, 2026The infielders each found space to sneak ground balls through opposite sides of the diamond, with Neto's grounder getting by the third base side while Schanuel's scorched past first. After going deep in Friday's loss, Schanuel now has extra-base hits on back-to-back days.Donovan Walton and Jose Siri had initially opened up the lead in the second inning for LA, combining to plate a pair of early runs. Walton managed to rip a single into right field off Athletics' starter J.T. Ginn, bringing home Jo Adell to start the scoring.Donnie baseball bats one in! pic.twitter.com/PuFYCI1Gdz— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 21, 2026Siri stepped up one batter later, hitting a fly ball out to left that was deep enough to score Wade Meckler via sacrifice fly. Siri, who finished 1-4 at the plate, now has four RBI through the first three games of the series.Denzer Guzman stayed hot at the dish in the seventh to provide one final insurance run, making it 7-0 with a solo shot to left off Athletics' right-hander Geoff Hartlieb.Lil Guzi Vert 💫 pic.twitter.com/HrGr8CMAhB— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 21, 2026Guzman entered the series yet to hit a home run this season, but has now gone deep on consecutive days. In his 11 big-league games this year, he's now hitting .244 with eight RBI.LA managed to stay in control throughout the late innings thanks to an inspiring bullpen performance from Samy Natera Jr., Ryan Zeferjahn and Kirby Yates. Natera Jr., making his fifth appearance of the season, worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings behind Urena.Zeferjahn followed up with 1 2/3 hitless innings of his own before Yates shut the door and struck out two in the ninth. Both Yates and Natera Jr. rebounded nicely after combining to record just one out in the 10th inning of Friday's game before the Athletics managed to win in walk-off fashion.The Angels can force a split of the four-game set in Sunday afternoon's finale, and will send left-hander Reid Detmers (3-5, 3.68 ERA) to the mound looking to do so. He will oppose Athletics' right-hander Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.15 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT.

The search for a right-back looks set to continue for Manchester CityManchester City remain in the market for a right-back. It did seem that Atalanta’s impressive young right-back Marco Palestra could be the player that City would bring in this summer. However, it now seems that Palestra could be on his way to Inter Milan. If that proves to be the case, then City’s search for a right-back will continue. Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has been named as a potential target for City and the French right-back could come in and fill a role in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders’ squad.Manchester City look set to miss out on Marco Palestra.It now seems like Manchester City will miss out on signing Atalanta’s young right-back Marco Palestra. A report from Matteo Moretto indicates that Inter Milan and Atalanta are edging closer to an agreement that will see Palestra sign for the Serie A champions. It is believed that Inter Milan will pay around or over €50 million to sign Palestra.Marco Palestra ticks a lot of boxes that Manchester City need a right-back to tick. He is great in possession, versatile and technically gifted. Defensively, Palestra is solid, with room to grow as a player. However, it now seems that City won’t be moving for Palestra and will instead focus on other transfer targets for the right-back position.Malo Gusto could be a player that City turn to this summer.Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips has reported via his exclusive Substack column that Malo Gusto’s agent is in talks with several clubs over a summer move for his client. It is reported that Manchester City and Inter Milan are two clubs that Gusto’s agent has held talks with. It remains to be seen if City have any concrete interest in signing the French international. However, it is reported that Malo Gusto and Enzo Maresca have a close relationship. It is also reported that Maresca is driving City’s pursuit of Gusto.Malo Gusto wouldn’t be classed as a needle-moving signing for Manchester City. Gusto is a tidy right-back with flaws in his game. He does need to improve defensively as he can be caught out of position on occasions. Aerially, Gusto struggles due to the fact that he is only 178 centimetres tall. Gusto isn’t a complete liability defensively. However, he would need to improve this area of his game to play at Manchester City.Malo Gusto is a weapon going forward. He thrives as an overlapping full-back and his delivery from out wide could be of use to an Enzo Maresca side. Also, Maresca is extremely quick so his pace could be a valuable asset to Manchester City. Technically, Gusto is good in possession so he’d be better as an attacking right-back for City than he would be defensively.Manchester City look set to miss out on Marco Palestra as Inter Milan look to be close to signing the Italian international. Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has now been named as a City target. Gusto is a different type of right-back to Palestra. However, you do wonder if Manchester City could look elsewhere given Gusto’s frailties as a defender.

Frenkie de Jong waxes lyrical over Lionel Messi: ‘The perfect footballer’The ongoing FIFA World Cup has not been particularly kind to Barcelona’s captains so far, with three of them facing a fitness concern in some capacity.While Raphinha was seriously injured earlier today, Ronald Araujo is yet to feature for Uruguay after facing a fitness setback in the build-up to the event.The third captain affected was none other than Frenkie de Jong, who is not at his 100% but still started for the Netherlands in their mammoth win over Sweden today. He played 60 minutes and finished with 96% passes completed.De Jong speaks about his football beginningsSpeaking to the media (h/t FCBWorld) in a recent interview, the Barcelona captain opened up on what football meant to him and how loving the game was very important as a professional player.“Football is the most enjoyable secondary thing in life for me,” he began.“I still dream about football regularly. I still find the game itself just as enjoyable as it was when I was a child. I always used to play football during breaks, and when I got home, I’d play it in the street,” he added.De Jong is going to be key for the Netherlands’ hopes at the World Cup. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Remembering his origins as a footballer, the Dutchman spoke of how he started out and how he still enjoyed the game exactly the same.“From the age of seven or eight, I started training twice a week, then at some point three times, then four times, and then, of course, it increased more and more. But every moment I was at home, I would already go out to play football with friends.”“It’s still my hobby, even though it’s my job. I enjoy just playing football so much and I can really immerse myself in it completely, and I feel so much pleasure. It’s, for me, the most fun secondary thing in life,” he added.Despite everything, De Jong acknowledged that playing at the highest level did come with some unavoidable pressure.“Of course, there’s a lot more at stake compared to just playing football with your friends in a playground. But the feeling once you start playing football is still almost the same.”“I can also enjoy it when you go into a one-on-one tackle and win it, or when you intercept a ball—I can enjoy that too. But what I really enjoy the most is playing with the ball and the attacking part.”On Lionel MessiThe Barcelona captain was then asked to comment on Lionel Messi who scored a brilliant hat-trick earlier this week. “For me, Messi is simply the perfect footballer. He’s of course a completely different player from me, but I’ve always watched him more than anyone else,” he said in awe of the star.De Jong a huge admirer of the GOAT Messi. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)He then spoke on how he grew up watching Messi in Guardiola’s team, saying,“I was always watching a lot of Barcelona matches under Guardiola’s leadership. I think that’s the football I enjoyed more than any other.”“There were some players from that time whom I followed and looked up to as a fan, and whom I later got to play alongside. So for me, this is really something special,” he concluded.On the FIFA World CupFinally, the player was asked if he dreamt of winning the World Cup and what he made of his side’s chances in the competition.“I think everyone dreams of that, and so do I. So yes, I’ve imagined this dream in front of me a few times,” he began, placing his side as contenders.Speaking on how the World Cup was one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport, the Dutchman said,“The final tournaments with your national team, and especially the World Cups, are the most standout thing for a football player. The goal is simply to win them, and that’s why you participate.”“I also think we have a team that should have this as its goal. Because of course some teams know in advance that, in principle, they won’t win. But I think we are already one of the teams that has a real chance,” he added on his team’s chance.

Saudi Arabia opened the World Cup with a surprising 1-1 tie against Uruguay, and as the Green Falcons enter their second game of group-stage play against Spain on Sunday, they will be looking to produce another shocking result—perhaps even bigger than Spain’s own draw last week against tiny Cape Verde.It won’t be easy. Spain, one of the tournament favorites, is No. 3 in FIFA’s ranking of national teams while Saudi Arabia is No. 59. And the difference is even starker when comparing the value of their rosters. Transfermarkt, a German website that assigns a “market value” to each professional player, projecting what a transfer would cost in the club soccer world, estimates the 26 players on Spain’s World Cup squad are worth €1.22 billion, or $1.4 billion at the current exchange rate—the third-highest total in the tournament. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has a total market value of less than $47 million, ranking 41st at the World Cup.In fact, all 26 Saudis combined are worth only about a fifth of one Spanish star: Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old winger who is tied with Norway’s Erling Haaland for first among all players with a Transfermarkt value of $229 million.At the World Cup, where soccer’s Davids and Goliaths are jumbled up in groups before the top teams advance to the knockout stage, it’s not an unprecedented situation. Yamal, for instance, was worth 3.7 times the entire roster of small but mighty Cape Verde, and France heads into Monday’s game led by star forward Kylian Mbappé, worth $206 million—8.5 times the roughly $24 million value of Iraq, the third-lowest figure for a squad in the tournament.The greatest disparity in this year’s group stage, however, came on Tuesday, when Iraq also had the misfortune of facing off with Haaland. Ultimately, the 9.4x ratio between top player and opposing team value was borne out in the box score, with the 25-year-old Norwegian striker scoring two goals in a 4-1 victory.The gaps may be more glaring this year after the World Cup expanded to include 48 teams, from the 32-team format that had been in use since 1998. The change helped open up the field to underdogs such as Haiti and first-time qualifier Curaçao—and allows 32 teams to advance to the knockout stage, up from 16—but it also forces the minnows to take the field against soccer’s most fearsome sharks. On Transfermarkt, six national team rosters are valued at more than $1 billion: France ($1.7 billion), England ($1.6 billion), Spain ($1.4 billion), Portugal ($1.2 billion), Germany ($1.1 billion) and Brazil ($1.1 billion).On the other hand, 23 countries’ World Cup squads are worth less than the $229 million market value of Yamal or Haaland individually, including tournament co-hosts Canada ($228 million) and Mexico ($220 million). That is nearly half the field. And last week, even with Yamal limited to a substitute role as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Spain actually had three other players take the field whose Transfermarkt value exceeded Cape Verde’s total, with midfielders Pedri and Dani Olmo and center back Pau Cubarsí.Of course, market values don’t necessarily decide World Cup matches.In addition to the Spain-Cape Verde and Uruguay-Saudi Arabia draws, Portugal and Belgium were held to ties by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Egypt, respectively, in matchups that sported Transfermarkt value ratios of 7x and 4.7x (comparing the two full teams).It’s not just a matter of luck, either. Transfermarkt values are not strictly a measure of each player’s talent; they also factor in the player’s age, contract status, club performance and future potential.And while they may be a good prediction of a transfer fee, they don’t always have a strong correlation to a player’s earnings. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo—not only the highest-paid player at the tournament but also the world’s top-earning athlete across all sports, with an estimated $300 million over the past 12 months before taxes and agent fees—trails 20 of his Portugal teammates with his Transfermarkt value. And his longtime rival Lionel Messi, who hauled in an estimated $140 million over the past 12 months, is 15th on Argentina’s roster by Transfermarkt’s count.It’s just a reminder that there are many ways to measure value. Yamal and Haaland may lead the way in the transfer market, but there are just two billionaires playing at this World Cup—Ronaldo and Messi.More From ForbesFORBES | By Brett KnightThe Highest-Paid Players At The 2026 World CupFORBES | By Justin TeitelbaumThe World’s Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2026FORBES | By Hank TuckerHow Lionel Messi Became A BillionaireFORBES | By Hank TuckerHow Cristiano Ronaldo Became A BillionaireThis article was originally published on Forbes.com

Newcastle reject Tottenham’s £75m bid for Sandro TonaliNewcastle United have turned down a £75 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Sandro Tonali, per reputed journalist Craig Hope. Spurs narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship last season, but they have been ambitious in the transfer market this summer. After completing deals for Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, Tottenham are targeting a move for Tonali. They have already agreed personal terms with the 26-year-old. The Lilywhites recently launched an opening £75m bid, which was rejected by Newcastle. The Magpies are in a strong negotiating position, as Tonali is contracted until 2029, with the club also having an option to extend it by another year. The Tyneside club maintain they will only sanction an exit if they receive offers over £100m. Tottenham’s club-record signing is the £65m they paid for Dominic Solanke in 2024. It remains to be seen whether they are prepared to meet Newcastle’s enormous valuation for their prized asset. Tonali is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, known for his energy, creativity and passing ability. He has made 110 appearances across all competitions for Newcastle, bagging 10 goals and 10 assists in the process. Tonali was instrumental in helping his side win the 2024-25 League Cup, ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. The Italian has no shortage of suitors, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United all credited with an interest in signing him. Stats from Transfermarkt

🚨 Japan humiliate and knock Tunisia outOpen house.This Sunday morning, Tunisia suffered a second humiliation in two matches.The Eagles of Carthage were beaten 4-0 by Japan, just days after their opening 5-1 defeat to Sweden.Another crushing blow, which logically means elimination for Hervé Renard and his players.Daichi Kamada, Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda (brace) were the Japanese scorers. Japan draws level with the Netherlands at the top of Group F, with four points.Final matches: Tunisia vs Netherlands and Japan vs Sweden.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

🌪️ Japan hit four, last 32 in sight! Tunisia out of the World Cup 🔚After the draw with the Netherlands, Japan picked up another positive result and beat Tunisia 4-0, earning their first three points of this World Cup. Renard’s team — who took over midway through the tournament from Lamouchi, sacked after the heavy defeat to Sweden in the opener — are out of the World Cup. So, a change that did not bring the hoped-for results.💡 Want to stay up to date on everything happening in the USA, Mexico and Canada? Don’t forget to add the World Cup to your favorites! To follow the competition, search for “World Cup” on OneFootball and click the star next to it so you don’t miss a single piece of news!A completely different situation for the Asians, who with this win can all but secure passage to the round of 32. Moriyasu’s national team dominated for the entire match, and for the full 90 minutes it felt like there was only one team on the pitch. Japan started very strongly and struck early through Kamada (4'), followed by a brace from Ueda (31', 83') and a goal from Ito (69').♠️ Japan hit four! Asian dominance throughout the matchJapan put on a show. By putting four past Tunisia, the Samurai Blue also set a record, as Moriyasu’s side had never scored four goals in a World Cup match before. The 4-0 win over Renard’s Tunisia is also the biggest-margin victory ever for an Asian national team at the World Cup. In the stands in Monterrey, it was party time for Japan, with Princess Hisako and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance. On the pitch, meanwhile, the impression left by Moriyasu’s team remains: intense, fast, and capable of finding solutions even without one of their most talented players.Japan now look ahead to the final clash with Sweden, knowing that a draw would be enough to send the Asians through. Second place is the stated goal, but the four goals scored against the North Africans are above all a message to the rest of the tournament: this team can become an awkward opponent for anyone.😱 Tunisia disaster! Defeat and eliminationTunisia try to hold on, but the gap between the two teams is clear. Dahmen, one of the new additions introduced by new head coach Hervé Renard, prevents an even heavier scoreline with at least one decisive save in the first half. But for the African side, there is nothing they can do. Despite the coaching change, they have conceded 9 goals in two matches and are out of the World Cup. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino flew to 10 matches in seven days at the World Cup including co-hosts USA against Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium (Frederic J. BROWN)FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a busy man at this World Cup but his unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists who are questioning his indifference to climate change.Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Seattle, Kansas City, Houston: the Italo-Swiss boss has already powered up his private jet to appear in the stands 10 times in seven days.His insatiable use of a Qatar Airways private jet is nothing new: in September 2024, the investigative outlet Josimar revealed that he had used the plane to clock up 600,000 kilometers (372,822 miles) over the previous three years. But the expanded 2026 World Cup, staged for the first time with 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — meaning a jump from 64 to 104 matches — has magnified the impact of Infantino's flying habit. "Just one hour in this plane emits roughly what an average human being emits in an entire year," Greenly, a French company specializing in carbon footprint assessments, said this week. – 'Sustainability paradox' –If Infantino strings together two cities a day until the end of the round of 16, then attends the last eight matches, Greenly estimates he will rack up "a defensible range of 300 to 500 tons of CO2 for his plane alone” over the course of the tournament. That is the equivalent, they say, of "the annual footprint of around 35 to 55 French people".FIFA defends the president's travel by stressing that its executives choose between commercial and private flights "based on what is most efficient and cost-effective" and that in all cases the organization covers travel costs. David Gogishvili, a geographer at the University of Lausanne, told AFP that FIFA had created a "sustainability paradox"."By reusing existing but geographically dispersed NFL stadiums across a continent, FIFA has created a model that is structurally dependent on high-emission air travel," he said."When leadership sets a precedent by hopping between matches via private jet, it perfectly reflects the broader systemic issue/approach."The way FIFA has organised this World Cup "normalises hyper-mobility while simultaneously shifting transport costs and carbon burdens onto the host regions and fans."John Hocevar, who is Oceans Campaign Director of Greenpeace USA, is equally curt about Infantino's stadium-hopping. "Having executives take daily flights on highly polluting private jets doesn't exactly send the message that FIFA recognizes either the cause or its responsibility to be part of the solution to climate change," he posted on Instagram. - Qatar jets overload -Far from being a one-off, this geographical sprawl will be repeated next year at the Women's World Cup in Brazil, chosen by FIFA in 2024 over a bid that would have been 100 percent accessible by train between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It will take an even more extreme turn with the centenary of the men's World Cup in 2030, hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain with three matches in South America -- and with the still unresolved prospect of an expansion to 64 teams. Given that the 2026 tournament has attracted celebrities and wealthy spectators, the use of private jets at a World Cup is not just limited to FIFA leadership, further increasing the event’s overall footprint.The 2022 World Cup drew 1,846 private jets to Qatar, the British journal Nature noted. That is more than the Super Bowl, the Cannes Film Festival, the World Economic Forum in Davos and COP28 combined. "All of the emissions associated with a World Cup are... luxury rather than subsistence emissions, as the tournament doesn’t need to happen at all," American academic Tim Walters said last year during a Play the Game debate. "In this context, the lavish activity of the ultra-wealthy is particularly obscene and dispiriting."cfe/bsp/gj

Tunisia are out of the World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to Japan on Saturday.The Japanese team claimed a statement victory after the lacklustre 2-2 draw in the opener against the Netherlands and moved up to second in Group F, tied on four points with the Dutch team.Tunisia, meanwhile, join Turkey and Haiti in the group of nations eliminated after two matches.Tunisia's match plan was disrupted early after Keito Nakamura crossed from the left to Daichi Kamada, who slotted it home from close range to give Japan the lead in the fourth minute.Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen cleared the ball on the line to avoid a second goal in the 10th but he was beaten in the 31st as Japan doubled their lead.Ayase Ueda took the ball to the edge of the box before arrowing a fine striker between Montassar Talibi's legs and into the goal.Victory was basically guaranteed as Kamada collected a long ball and chipped it to Junya Ito, who made a run to the box before tucking the ball into the net.Ueda then looped a header past the keeper to complete his brace and the scoring in the 84th.Tunisia sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi mid-tournament after they were thrashed 5-1 by Sweden in their opening match. New coach Hervé Renard, however, couldn't help the team to bounce back.

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room applauds fans after his team's 0-0 draw with Ecuador at the World Cup (Charlotte Wilson)Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room joked that he deserves a statue on the Caribbean island after a jaw-dropping display that earned the team their first-ever World Cup point.The 37-year-old shot-stopper made 15 saves in the Group E match against Ecuador on Saturday to keep alive Curacao's hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.His tally is the most on record -- since 1966 -- by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match that did not feature extra-time.Curacao celebrated their 0-0 draw in Kansas City wildly -- days after a chastening 7-1 defeat against Germany on their World Cup debut."It means everything," said Room. "It feels like a victory, you know, for us. But now it means a lot. It's the first point in the World Cup for us. "So it's unreal if you know the journey where we come from and we're now here. And today we showed we have real heart with the team. So it's an unbelievable feeling."The Miami FC goalkeeper joked that he was disappointed to miss out on former US goalkeeper Tim Howard's record of 16 saves noted by FIFA in a match against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil that went to extra-time."I think he was sweating at home, you know, looking at the game," he said. "But I heard it was also another record from really long ago. So yeah, I'm proud of that."Room praised his teammates but cheekily suggested his achievement should be set in stone."I'm really proud of the team also, because again, we did it with the team," he said. "I make the saves, but we fought as a team, also the players who came in. "But I think I need a statue in Curacao, I think now."- Royal party -Room produced a stunning save in the opening minutes of the match at Arrowhead Stadium, denying Ecuador captain Enner Valencia when the forward seemed certain to score.After that he produced save after save, constantly thwarting the South Americans, who are ranked more than 50 places higher by FIFA."I think the most important save was the first one, because that set the tone of the game," he said. "And if the ball went in, it was a difficult game. So I think that was one of the best saves, but all the other saves, I don't even remember how they were so I had to look them back afterwards."Ecuador are no pushovers -- they finished second in South American qualifying behind Argentina -- but they are blunt in attack.Curacao is the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup with a population of about 160,000, -- not much more than double Saturday's attendance of 68,598.Netherlands-born Room started his career in the nation of his birth, spending time at Vitesse, Go Ahead Eagles and PSV Eindhoven.Now he plies his trade in the second tier of US football for Miami FC.Out of Curacao's 26-strong squad, managed by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, 25 were born in the Netherlands, and many play their football there.The Caribbean island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Saturday's match at the home of NFL team Kansas City Chiefs was watched by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who was wearing a Curacao shirt.After the game the royals danced and partied with the ecstatic team in the dressing room."Meeting them was really special. Maxima kissed me a small kiss... I hope my wife doesn't hear," Room joked.Advocaat said the Germany match had come too early for his team and those opponents were "simply out of our league". But he added: "Today the team was standing as it should have been standing. They were fighting like lions, and then you see what you can achieve playing against a team that's playing on a very high level with very high individual levels."Germany, who beat Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier on Saturday, are now guaranteed to finish top of Group E.But Ivory Coast, Curacao and Ecuador are still battling for the second spot, which would guarantee a place in the last 32.Room will feel anything is possible now as Curacao dare to dream.jw/rcw

Arsenal step up Morgan Rogers chase as Declan Rice leads charm offensiveArsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, according to the Daily Mail.Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is playing a key role in trying to convince the England international that a move to the Emirates is the right next step in his career.The Premier League champions have identified Rogers as one of their leading transfer targets as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his attacking options ahead of the new season. The 23-year-old is admired for his ability to operate across multiple positions in the frontline, with Arsenal viewing his versatility as a major asset.He bagged 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions, helping the Villains to clinch the Europa League title.He is also a target for Chelsea, but without Champions League football, they will struggle to convince him about a move to Stamford Bridge.Rice has been speaking with Rogers during England duty, while fellow international team-mates Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze are also part of the group hoping to sell the club’s ambitious project.Despite Arsenal’s confidence that they can get the Villa star, any deal is expected to be difficult to complete.Villa remain determined to keep Rogers and are protected by a long-term contract.However, the Midlands club are under pressure to balance the books in line with the Premier League’s financial regulations. Villa could consider offers in the region of £85 million, but they are also mindful of the inflated market for elite midfielders and attacking players.Any transfer fee would also be affected by Middlesbrough’s 20 percent sell-on clause, adding another layer of complexity to negotiations.While Villa secured Champions League football, Rogers is believed to be open to hearing Arsenal’s proposal as the Gunners look to build on their Premier League-winning campaign.Arteta is planning an ambitious summer rebuild, with Arsenal targeting four or five major additions before the transfer window closes. Rogers remains among the club’s highest priorities, while Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is also admired as Arsenal continue their search for a marquee centre-forward.Whether Villa ultimately soften their stance remains to be seen, but Arsenal are making every effort behind the scenes to put themselves at the front of the queue.

‘I got a knock…’ – Liverpool player admits ‘very strange’ injury concern after World Cup clashThere were a couple of injury scares involving Liverpool players who were in action at the World Cup on Saturday.Four members of Andoni Iraola’s squad were on the pitch as Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 in Houston, with Cody Gakpo scoring twice for an Oranje side which also featured Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexander Isak starting for the vanquished Scandinavians.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYIt wasn’t all positive for the Dutch, though, as the Reds winger was seen with an ice pack on his right arm after being substituted, while the 34-year-old centre-back played the full 90 minutes but appeared to be in visible discomfort at one stage.Van Dijk admits to injury concern in Netherlands winSpeaking to NOS after the game (via Sportnieuws.nl), Van Dijk expained that he took a knock during the match, although he downplayed any concerns over a serious injury.The Liverpool and Netherlands captain said: “I got a knock on my hip and I couldn’t feel my thigh anymore, so that was a bit very strange, but it was probably a nerve. I think it’s not too bad, but we’ll see.”Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustHopefully Van Dijk and Gakpo aren’t needlessly risked v TunisiaThe sight of Van Dijk going to ground and Gakpo holding an ice pack on his arm may have elicited immediate concern among Reds supporters and anyone of a Dutch persuasion, but it’s hoped that neither will be sidelined for any great length of time.The Oranje’s emphatic win has effectively qualified them for the knockout rounds with a game to spare, and Ronald Koeman might even have the luxury of resting players who aren’t 100% fit or are at risk of suspension in their final Group F game against already-eliminated Tunisia.Their round-of-32 clash is likely to be on either 29th or 30th June, which could give the Liverpool duo ample time for recovery from the knocks they sustained against Sweden, should the head coach decide to make changes for the intervening fixture.Andoni Iraola might well be hoping that, given how the group has played out thus far, his Netherlands counterpart Koeman might give the Anfield contingent most or even all of the night off against a Tunisia side who’ve conceded nine goals in two games and are now merely playing for the restoration of pride.The last thing that Reds supporters or Dutch fans want is for key players to unnecessarily aggravate injury concerns and end up with longer-term issues.

Fabrizio Romano confirms what Yan Diomande is thinking after €100m Liverpool offer rejectedLiverpool have been knocked back in their opening attempt to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old winger has been on the radar for the outgoing Premier League champions for months.Reds’ recruiters have identified the Ivorian as the dream candidate to come in and add the one-v-one quality lacking on the wings under Arne Slot last term.Diomande - currently at the FIFA World Cup with Cote d’Ivoire - is under contract at RB Leipzig until 2030. The German Bundesliga side signed the winger from Leganes in Spain last summer for only €20m - putting them in total control over his transfer future.Romano: Diomande price could reach €120mAn initial price tag of €100m was mooted for the young forward but right now that won’t be enough.As revealed by Fabrizio Romano and others Richard Hughes slid an offer worth an initial €90m plus another €10m in add-ons across Red Bull’s desk for Diomande this week. And it was quickly sent back.“Yan Diomande, an official bid was sent today by Liverpool,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.“My understanding is that the bid was worth €90 million plus €10m in add‑ons, so this is the package.“RB Leipzig have rejected the proposal. RB Leipzig are not accepting €100m for Yan Diomande – this is the position of the club.”Given the duration of Diomande’s contract and the ongoing clamour for his signature no doubt Red Bull will be content to play the waiting game. Ideally they will give their star turn a pay bump and encourage him to stay for at least one more season.Diomande tempted by move after Liverpool offer“First of all, they still dream of keeping Yan Diomande,” Romano said.“They are trying to tell Diomande, they are trying to tell his agents: stay one more season here at RB Leipzig, sign a new contract, get a very good salary, put a release clause, and in summer 2027 you go wherever you want.“You can pick the new club, they don’t have to reach out to us as Leipzig, they pay the clause and you decide the best project, the best contract, whatever. This is what they are saying from Leipzig.”Nonetheless there could be one vulnerability in the strategy of the energy drinks giant. They may well be counting on the willingness of Diomande to stay one more season and play in the UEFA Champions League.But Romano has let slip that Diomande is tempted by a move to a new club this summer - with Liverpool remaining at the front of the queue to do a deal.“But on the other side, the player is very tempted by leaving the club now, this summer, without waiting one more season even if they have Champions League football,” the Italian transfer guru said.“And Diomande really considering the possibility to leave immediately.”It’s been reported that Liverpool may well have to get towards the figures paid for Florian Wirtz last summer in order to convince Leipzig to do a deal. And Romano states that the sum could well be €120m - which equates to a mammoth £104m.Watch out for PSG in Diomande race“Liverpool’s €100m package is not enough,” he said.“At the moment, sources in the industry – so it’s not directly from Leipzig, but sources in the industry – believe €120m could be the price to try to get to a deal with RB Leipzig, so this could be the number, the magic number, to make things happen around Yan Diomande.”Red Bull will be adamant that keeping hold of him at least through the duration of the World Cup will be integral to driving his price as high as possible.“And also one more reason why they’re not selling now is because they believe, game after game at the World Cup, the value of Yan Diomande could go up and more clubs could join the race,” Romano concludes.“Because there is Liverpool, there is Paris Saint‑Germain still interested, and there could be more clubs joining if the player keeps going like this, and so the price could go up.“So Leipzig have their own strategy, Red Bull group have their own strategy. So this is something we have to keep a close eye on for sure.”

Mourinho gives greenlight for Real Madrid to sell 23-year-old academy graduate – reportReal Madrid have a lot of transfer plans this summer with Jose Mourinho coming in, and it looks like they are not limited to making signings.Among the many names who could leave Los Blancos this summer is Raul Asencio, the academy graduate.According to Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone), Mourinho has given the green light for Asencio to leave, making the centre-back one of the names to watch in Madrid’s outgoing market.This is a significant decision because Asencio had only recently been viewed as a player with long-term value at the club. Real Madrid tied him down until 2031 last year.Real Madrid choose defensive resetThe logic is fairly simple. Mourinho is reshaping the defence, and if Asencio is not central to that idea, the club may prefer to sell while his value is still strong.Asencio set to move on. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)That does not mean Asencio lacks quality. He has shown personality, physical tools and the ability to handle pressure in difficult moments. Real Madrid are operating at a level where potential alone is not enough, though.The arrival of Ibrahima Konate, the renewal of Antonio Rudiger and continued links with other centre-backs have all made the defensive picture more crowded.Managing that group properly means some exits are inevitable.Sale must protect Real MadridThe key now is the structure of the deal. Real Madrid should not simply lose a young centre-back without future protection.No room for Asencio in Mourinho’s plans. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)If Asencio leaves, the club should look for a strong fee, a buy-back clause, a sell-on percentage or some other option that keeps them involved if he develops into a top defender elsewhere.That approach has worked well with other young players. It gives them room to grow while protecting the club from regretting the decision later.It might feel a bit harsh to part ways with Asencio, but Real Madrid have never been afraid of making ruthless decisions to help the club move forward.Mourinho has clearly been given power to shape the squad, and Real Madrid cannot keep every player if the coach does not see a clear role.It remains to be seen what kind of offers Real Madrid get for the 23-year-old Asencio and what kind of deal they structure to facilitate his sale this summer.

The Lakers have been linked to all sorts of veteran big men in the forthcoming free agent market as well. They could emerge as a suitor for the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson and the Trail Blazers' Robert Williams III, although sources say both players are very open to remaining in their incumbent roles with the Knicks and Blazers. I'm also told that the Lakers have called the Thunder about swingman Lu Dort's availability.marcstein.substack.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lakers in the mix for Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams?

Barry Jackson: The Bucks, incidentally, are VERY much aware of how much Giannis wants to play in Miami. They seem determined to leave the Heat in a compromised roster position so that the Heat also has a hard time doing what the Bucks couldn't do the past 5 years (build a championship team around him). That's the reason I've been saying that it serves Giannis' interest to make clear to the world that he will sign an extension only with Miami, thus dissuading other potential bidders. That could allow Heat to keep another asset (Kas? Pelle?) It helps both Giannis and Heat, but Giannis camp has not yet been inclined to go that far yet.... Meanwhile, ProBasketballTalk reporting today that Orlando isn't involved with Giannis and plans to 'run it back.'x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The Bucks, incidentally, are VERY much aware of how …

German boss Julian Nagelsmann admitted that the much-criticized hydration break helped his side against Curacao -Credit:Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty ImagesWorld Cup matches are set to be contested in sweltering conditions as summer temperatures continue to climb, with players already voicing their frustration ahead of further potential interruptions.The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11 in Mexico City, with five weeks of action through to the final on July 19. Fixtures are being staged across Mexico, Canada and the United States, with temperatures expected to soar over the coming weeks as fans brace themselves for extreme conditions.Despite some displeasure surrounding the two hydration breaks per game — widely criticized as little more than glorified commercial breaks — they could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.• World Cup hydration break labeled 'ridiculous' as new FIFA rule sparks backlash• Ex-England star weighs in on FIFA Hydration Breaks following Alexi Lalas backingMiami is bracing for intense heat, with Saudi Arabia's recent clash against Uruguay played in the city, where temperatures peaked at 88°F at one point.The hydration breaks have been slammed by so many around the world -Credit:Getty ImagesThe global players' union, FIFPRO, has made its stance clear that any match played at or above 82°F should be either delayed or postponed, reports the Mirror US.This World Cup is widely considered the hottest on record. The 2022 Qatar World Cup was relocated to the winter months specifically due to the heat — a measure not adopted for this year's tournament.FIFA had previously been cautioned that it risked staging games in "potentially dangerous levels of heat."Dr. Donal Mullan, a climate scientist at Queen's University, published extensive research indicating that nearly 90 percent of stadiums could be exposed to potentially dangerous heat levels — a situation only likely to deteriorate as the tournament progresses into its final stages. Players are facing extreme temperatures in the World Cup this year -Credit:Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images"There is a very real risk that both players and fans will be exposed to extreme heat during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Moving games to evenings isn't going to be enough to tackle the problem," Dr. Mullan said."I would urge football fans to prepare in advance for perilous conditions to protect their safety. Staying well hydrated is vital."Since March, we have seen record-breaking temperatures across parts of the US. Global warming is a real challenge."As a society, we now feel the impact of this in so many areas of our lives. For sport, it's fast becoming a public health issue."He added: Climate change is having a big impact on the world around us, including elite sport. The first priority has to be the health and welfare of athletes and spectators.

If you haven’t listened to part one you might be waiting for this part two of our room 101! Jonny and Andrew move away from World Cup picks to get going on some of their football pet hates! On today’s show…How much should five-a-side hurt?!Do throw-ins get you angry?!What are your favourite goalpost type?!Do away fans bug you?!Do we have a winner?!All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show.Want to get in touch with us? You can drop us an email at HawayThePodcastSAFC@Gmail.com, or you can contact us via social media – we’re @RokerReport on almost every platform. For your daily SAFC fan-written content, head over to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠RokerReport.SBNation.com ⁠𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 🎙️🔻 ROOM 101 – PT2 🔻Annoying away fans, 5-a-side, throw-ins, goalposts and more… what really grind your gears?!APPLE: https://t.co/EmKXy10hWUSPOTIFY: https://t.co/CRQ72Kzf6Bhttps://t.co/MrScfojZL0 | #SAFC ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/ddSfQ45GfI— Roker Report (@RokerReport) June 21, 2026

📝 World Cup 2026: overnight round-upAs every morning, here is the overnight roundup from the World Cup!The night's must-see momentWe may already have THE save of the start of this World Cup.Despite Tunisia’s 4-0 collapse against Japan, Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen produced what is, for now, the reflex save of this World Cup.A ball that stays out by a matter of millimeters, full stretch on the ground: honestly, it’s perfect!The night's resultsEcuador 0-0 Curaçao. Click here to read the match recap!Tunisia 0-4 Japan. Click here to read the match recap!The standingsGroup E:1) Germany - 6 points (+7)2) Ivory Coast - 3 points (0)3) Ecuador - 1 point (-1)4) Curaçao - 1 point (-6)Group F: 1) Netherlands - 4 points (+4)2) Japan - 4 points (+4)3) Sweden - 3 points (0)4) Tunisia - 0 points (-8)The 3 players who stood outThe monster performance of the night was obviously from Curaçao’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room, who made 15 saves against Ecuador! He was the hero as Curaçao picked up its first-ever World Cup point!For Japan, a shoutout as well to Ayase Ueda and Junya Ito, who scored a brace and a goal respectively against Tunisia.📸 Charlotte Wilson - 2026 Getty ImagesToday's schedule and the upcoming night18:00: Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H)21:00: Belgium vs Iran (Group G)00:00: Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H)03:00: New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G)The player to watchSpain must put behind its unbelievable opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde this Sunday against Saudi Arabia.And Lamine Yamal is expected to start! It would be the very first World Cup match started by the FC Barcelona wonderkid!📸 Florencia Tan Jun - 2026 Getty ImagesThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Should Manchester City go for proven quality to improve their wing options?It is expected that Manchester City will be in the market for a winge this summer. At this point, it would come as a major surprise if Savinho was a City player after this summer. Fabrizio Romano has previously reported that Tottenham are pushing to sign the Brazilian international. Looking at what type of winger City should pursue this summer, there is a strong argument to be made that they cannot avoid signing another winger who is a project, like Savinho was. Manchester City would benefit from signing a proven performer to bolster their attack. There may be a market opportunity available to City with PSG star Bradley Barcola. Barcola could be available this summer and perhaps that is the type of player City should look to sign to fill the wing role in their squad.Bradley Barcola could be the player that is available this summer to bolster City’s attack.Trying to find a winger that Manchester City could sign with proven pedigree and quality is no easy task. Especially when you consider the cost involved with signing such a player. City do not have unlimited funds to ‘distort’ the transfer market. A move for RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande, for example, wouldn’t come cheap. The same could be said about any other elite winger in European football. However, PSG’s versatile winger Bradley Barcola has the quality to add to City’s attack and a market opportunity may arise in terms of signing the French international.Bradley Barcola would add tremendous quality to the Manchester City attack.First of all, Barcola has proven his pedigree by being an integral member of PSG’s squad that has won back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles. Luis Enrique’s side plays a possession-based style similar to what Manchester City plays. So Barcola could slot into City’s squad.So what would Bradley Barcola add to Manchester City? Barcola is an elite dribbler and his ability to beat a man with his trickery and pace would be a worthwhile addition to the City squad. He is lightning quick and a quality finisher when the chance arises. He scored 13 goals in 49 appearances for PSG last season. The French international added 7 assists so he can be a playmaker however the playmaking side of his game can improve.Bradley Barcola can also play in a variety of positions and roles. His preferred position is on the left wing, but last season he also played on the right and through the middle on occasions. So Barcola ticks that particular box and he is adept at working hard out of possession, so he has that string to his bow also.All told, at 23 years of age, Bradley Barcola is a player that could slot into the Manchester City squad. The question is: Could Bradley Barcola be available to sign from PSG this summer? A new report indicates he may well be.Barcola wouldn’t come cheap and City would face fierce competition for his signature.Ahad Shaukat has reported for CaughtOffside that PSG could sell Bradley Barcola this summer if their asking price is met. Furthermore, Shaukat reports that PSG are in negotiations to extend Barcola’s contract with the club. However, Barcola was frustrated by being benched for this season’s UEFA Champions League final. So the possibility that Barcola could leave PSG this summer exists.It is also reported by Ahad Shaukat that PSG would demand a transfer fee of well over €100 million to sell Bradley Barcola. The CaughtOffside report states that Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and other European clubs are monitoring Bradley Barcola’s situation.Final thoughts.Manchester City are in the market for a winger this summer. What type of winger City will target remains up in the air. However, a market opportunity to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG could be available this summer. You sense if that opportunity is available it may be too good for Manchester City to turn down. Whether or not City would spend so lavishly on their midfield and on a winger may dictate whether they are willing to pursue a move for Bradley Barcola or a winger of that profile this summer.

Aston Villa interested in Newcastle flop Nick WoltemadeAston Villa are interested in Newcastle United flop Nick Woltemade, according to AS.The Villains are in the market for attacking reinforcements to bolster their squad, and it appears Woltemade is one of the players on their shortlist.Aston Villa won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League, meaning they desperately need more options to call upon.Woltemade has caught the eye of the Villans despite a poor campaign for Newcastle following his €85 million summer switch.He struggled with the rigours of English football, managing eight goals and three assists in 33 Premier League appearances. That has not stopped Villa from showing interest.Per the report, they could potentially meet Newcastle’s asking price for the striker, even though they already have Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham on their books.However, Aston Villa are not alone in the race to sign him. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund would like to take him on loan.Villa and Woltemade might just clickA move to Villa Park could be exactly the reset Woltemade needs.Unai Emery has built a reputation as one of Europe’s best coaches at polishing rough diamonds, transforming talented but inconsistent players into reliable performers.From revitalising Ollie Watkins to helping Morgan Rogers reach another level, the Spaniard has repeatedly shown he can unlock potential others fail to maximise.Woltemade fits that mould perfectly.At 6ft6in, he offers an unusual blend of height, technical quality and intelligence between the lines.The Aston Villa target capable of linking play as comfortably as he can operate inside the penalty area.That distinctive profile is the sort Emery has often thrived with, giving him tactical flexibility and a different dimension in attack.While Newcastle may already be questioning whether their sizeable investment was worthwhile, Villa could see an opportunity where others see disappointment.In Emery’s structured, detail-oriented system, Woltemade’s unique profile could flourish, making this a partnership that has all the ingredients to become a match made in heaven.

🎥 Multicoloured party, a 'Figo' and top marketing: World Cup laughs 🤣Another day of the World Cup, another day of celebration in the host cities. They all experienced an afternoon full of emotion and color. Here are some moments.Houston, we have a colorThe usual at this World Cup. The 'Oranje tide' painting the streets of wherever they play orange. This time, Houston. The NASA host city watched the Dutch national team blast off toward the top, propelled by its fans.German party in TorontoFrom Houston to Toronto. If Houston was an orange tide, Toronto was a place where Germany almost felt at home.Here is CuraçaoIt was the World Cup’s big question. Where the hell is Curaçao? Well, here it is. And it’s making a big-time statement, earning its first-ever World Cup point in the best way possible. The country erupted in jubilation after its first draw against Ecuador was confirmed.The royal congratulations after a real featCuraçao’s achievement was such a big deal that even the King and Queen of the Netherlands came down to congratulate the team from their former colony. Willem-Alexander and Máxima stopped by Curaçao’s dressing room to celebrate something historic: this country’s first-ever World Cup point.Boston has won over the ScotsThe images of the Tartan Army have been some of the best of this World Cup. Some Scottish fans have fallen so in love with Boston that they even want to stay forever. Just ask this guy, who is determined to change his life.Gary Lineker returned... pulling a FigoIn England, this was one of the night’s big surprises. Gary Lineker returned to a TV studio to comment on Germany–Ivory Coast. But he did it on the rival channel to the one where he had worked until a year ago. In football terms, it was a textbook Figo move.Banned brand? No problemFIFA is being very restrictive when it comes to allowing brands other than its sponsors to have a presence in stadiums. It already happened at a venue named after a denim brand... and now at this one. What do you do if FIFA won’t allow a razor and shaving products brand to appear in the stadium? Cover it with what covers skin that’s about to be shaved: a big blob of foam. The best a man can get.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Liverpool forward deal puts €25m into Real Madrid's pocketLiverpool have completed their first signing of the Andoni Iraola era. The Spaniard was appointed head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot - and has set to work immediately.The 43-year-old personally intervened in the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna - with the Basque tactico believing the Spain international has got all the attributes to succeed at Anfield.Munoz, 22, is with the Spanish national team at the FIFA World Cup although he is currently experiencing some injury trouble.Liverpool pay €40m for Victor MunozThe ex-Real Madrid youth will be nonetheless raring to go for preseason with his new club - after Liverpool beat Newcastle to the punch for the €40m talent.Osasuna signed Munoz from Madrid back in summer 2025 on terms highly favourable to the Spanish capital giants. The LaLiga club paid a low upfront cost - €5m for 50 percent of Munoz’s rights with another €1m due in potential add-ons.Madrid also inserted a buyback option in the deal - which they declined to use ahead of Munoz’s move to Liverpool.Real Madrid bank €25.5m in Munoz dealAnd now Jose Mourinho’s side are set to cash in big time on Munoz - despite him only appearing TWICE in the first team. Liverpool paid Osasuna’s €40m clause that was inserted in Munoz’s contract - with €20m of that already due to be paid to Madrid.It’s been reported in Defensa Central that Munoz triggered a minimum appearance clause during his one season with Osasuna - adding another €500k to the coffers.Add in the €5m that Madrid received for his sale last summer and it all adds up to €25.5m paid to the 15-time European champions for their former La Fabrica product.

🎥 Even the King joins in, Curaçao’s wild dressing-room party No screenwriter could have written it better. After the very first World Cup point in Curaçao’s history, there was no holding back in the locker room. Something few would probably have expected.King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima — the heads of state of the Netherlands — paid the players of the island colony a visit in the locker room right after the match. King Willem-Alexander also didn’t miss the chance to really dance along with the players.It was a perfect football evening for the royals. Before the Blue Sharks’ 0-0 draw, they had already been able to celebrate the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC ImagesAngel Reese’s record-breaking week came with a luxury flex, as her pink-interior Rolls-Royce became a talking point just before she made more WNBA history.The Atlanta Dream forward has built her image on production, personality and style, so the car felt less like a random purchase and more like another part of the Angel Reese brand.Her timing only made the moment louder.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's SecretAngel Reese pink Rolls-Royce turns heads before WNBA record nightA WNBA Got Game post showed Reese’s pink-interior Rolls-Royce, with teammate Te-Hina Paopao clearly loving the custom look.Public reports described the car as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan with a custom pink interior, shown off in mid-June 2026. The exact purchase date has not been firmly confirmed, so the safest read is that the vehicle surfaced publicly that week.Reese has been linked with luxury cars before. She previously drew attention for a white Mercedes-Benz SUV with a pink interior after entering the WNBA, while the Rolls-Royce appears to be the biggest public addition to her collection.The pink detail fits her image. Reese has long leaned into the Barbie identity, first as Bayou Barbie and then as one of the WNBA’s most marketable young stars.Angel Reese makes history as Dream beat FeverThe car talk would have been fun on its own, but Reese followed it with a serious basketball marker.On June 20, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, getting there in just 79 games. Tina Charles held the previous record at 89 games.Reese reached the milestone during Atlanta’s 113-96 win over the Indiana Fever. The record-setting board came with 4:29 left in the third quarter after an Allisha Gray miss, and Reese turned it into a putback.She finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes, while the Dream produced one of their strongest offensive performances of the season.That is what makes the Rolls-Royce moment work. Reese did not just show off luxury. She backed it with the kind of record that proves her rise is still moving fast.Read more:Angel Reese breaks WNBA record with fastest 1,000 rebounds in league historyJosh Hart makes it clear he’s waiting to hear Becky Hammon’s apology for infamous Jalen Brunson takeAngel Reese’s alleged ‘dirty play’ against Caitlin Clark goes viral after Fever-Dream game

The Washington Commanders will debut new uniforms in 2026. Well, they're not exactly new, considering the franchise wore the uniforms during its most successful years. The Commanders will debut a new alternate uniform in 2026 that's a stark improvement. Washington has undergone many changes in recent years. It began in 2020 when the franchise changed its name from the Redskins to the basic and temporary moniker, "Football Team."That change meant a new helmet. In 2022, there was another change. The Football Team was now the Commanders, and it was permanent. Those changes brought not only a new name, but also a new rebranding, new uniforms and legions of unhappy fans. The rebranding was a complete flop, something the new ownership understood when they took over in 2023. While changing the name proved too difficult, Josh Harris and his partners immediately went to work. The primary goal was to build a new stadium in Washington, D.C. That's happening. New ownership also made significant investments into the team's current home, Northwest Stadium, and completely renovated the franchise's headquarters. Harris extended an olive branch to the fans, too. In 2025, the Commanders debuted their Super Bowl alternates for three home games, with the goal of making them permanent in 2026. Another mission accomplished. The Athletic recently named the best and worst uniforms for all 32 NFL franchises. You probably don't need to think too hard to guess those choices.The Commanders are bringing back a variation of the iconic uniforms from the franchise’s three Super Bowl wins, and for good reason: It’s crisp, it’s clean and it’s a classic — a reflection of the franchise at its peak. The version from the Gibbs era was even nicer than today’s, however, because players wore baggy sleeves, so the burgundy and gold stripes were more noticeable.Did you notice that The Athletic said they tied for the best uniforms? That's right. It named Washington's 2002 70th-anniversary uniforms as tied for the top spot. These were amazing uniforms. And some fans wondered if the Commanders would bring back those helmets for 2026. Unfortunately, they did not. Here is a reminder of those uniforms:Now, for the worst, this is easy:When the franchise unveiled its new name and logo in 2022, it also unveiled these uniforms that seem better fit for a recreational soccer team than a pro football franchise. The burgundy was brightened and looked a bit like USC’s “cardinal” red, the jersey numbers and names were difficult to view from afar and the overall ensembles lacked character — a complete departure from the team’s signature look. Plus, the all-black uniforms, while crisp, resembled the Steelers. — Nicki JhabvalaEven the fans who liked the Commanders' jerseys over the last few years would probably agree with this one. Which uniforms in Washington's franchise history — over 90 years — were worse than these? The white, burgundy and black jerseys all looked like they belonged on an expansion team. For fans who hated the name Commanders, the uniforms were essentially an added insult. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Best and worst uniforms in franchise history

Barcelona academy jewel still has no renewal offers amid widespread interestWhile the FC Barcelona first team enjoyed a successful 2025/26 campaign, the same cannot be said of the reserve team, Barça Atletic.Juliano Belletti’s side endured disappointing campaign that ended just short of the RFEF Primera Division play-offs, meaning another season awaits in the Spanish fourth tier.As Barça Atletic prepare to return to training on 20 July, several questions remain unanswered within the squad, with no fewer than eleven players entering the final year of their contracts.Toni Fernandez’s future uncertainOne of them is Toni Fernandez, who, according to Mundo Deportivo, still has not received a renewal offer from Barcelona even as interest in him grows.Despite being regarded as one of the club’s brightest prospects, Toni has not yet received a renewal proposal from Barcelona. His current contract expires in June 2027, meaning he has just one year remaining.Toni Fernandez’s contract expires in 2027. (Picture courtesy: FC Barcelona Official Website)The attacking midfielder, who turns 18 next month, has attracted interest from several clubs, including La Liga sides Alaves and Sevilla, as well as second-division outfit Real Oviedo.Focused on BarcelonaHowever, at present, Toni’s priority is not to consider outside offers but to concentrate on pre-season and continue his development.Indeed, the youngster’s focus remains firmly on Barcelona and there is no sign of concern from the player’s camp. Toni is due to report for pre-season with Hansi Flick’s first team on 13 July, having already enjoyed a taste of senior football under the German coach. Last summer, he joined the first team on their tour of South Korea and China, and he is now eager to make the most of another opportunity.Flick handed the midfielder his official Barcelona debut in January 2025 when he was just 16 years, five months and 17 days old. That appearance made him the second-youngest player to debut for the club in the 21st century, behind only Lamine Yamal.Flick rates Toni highly. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)The faith shown by the German manager remains a major source of motivation for the youngster.Aware of the competitionToni enjoyed a productive season under Belletti for Barça Atletic, making 24 appearances, scoring five goals and contributing three assists. Nevertheless, he understands that breaking into Barcelona’s first team in his preferred role will not be easy.Competition in attacking midfield is fierce, with the senior squad already well stocked. For that reason, Toni’s current plan is to complete pre-season with Flick and then continue his progress with Barça Atlètic.The summer transfer window still has a long way to run, and circumstances can always change. But for now, despite the absence of a new contract offer and growing interest from elsewhere, Toni has only one thing on his mind: Barcelona.

Casemiro set to join Inter Miami after leaving Manchester UnitedInter Miami have won the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer.According to Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian midfielder has reached a verbal agreement with the reigning Major League Soccer (MLS) champions.The agreement brings an end to months of speculation about Casemiro’s future since he announced his departure from Old Trafford this summer.The 34-year-old is set to become a free agent once his contract with United runs out on June 30.Since confirming his United exit, Casemiro’s future has been a hot topic heading into the summer, with several clubs across Europe and beyond throwing their hat in the ring.Miami weren’t the only MLS club interested in the Brazilian midfielder. Los Angeles Galaxy were also plotting a move while clubs in Saudi Arabia were in the mix.However, Romano has now confirmed that Casemiro ultimately chose to join Miami and is now expected to finalise the move after the World Cup.Casemiro is currently on international duty with Brazil. He played only the first half in the 1-1 draw against Morocco in Brazil’s curtain raiser, but lasted 90 minutes in the thumping 3-0 victory over Haiti.He’s also expected to play a crucial role for Brazil in their must-win final group stage fixture against Scotland at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.A draw would be enough for Casemiro and Brazil to qualify for the knockout stages, but only a win would solidify their place as Group C winners.Casemiro will undoubtedly be a massive addition for Miami. He has what it takes to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets, who retired at the end of the 2025 season.Miami have tried to replace the Barcelona legend by bringing in David Ayala from Portland Timbers, but the Argentine midfielder is still adapting to life in South Florida.Yannick Bright has also struggled to match the level he reached in the previous campaign.Casemiro made 160 appearances during his four-year spell at United, scoring 26 goals and weighing in with 14 assists. He also won the EFL Cup and the FA Cup titles.

England defender Reece James says the constant talk around his injury problems is “so boring now”.James’ career has been plagued by injuries, which saw him suffer heartbreak when ruled out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a disappointment that was compounded by also missing England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.Another injury with Chelsea disrupted the second half of his season before returning for the final few games and earning a seat on the plane to North America.James says the narrative about his injuries is wearing thin.“People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it’s so boring now.” James told BBC 5 Live.“I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I’m on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.“I’ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don’t listen to too much noise.“I just focus on myself, my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I’m playing in.”James is Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice right-back and he says he “connects really well” with the boss as the pair aim to win another major trophy together.The 26-year-old played under Tuchel at Chelsea as the club won the Champions League and feels the trust of his manager.“We worked together previously at Chelsea, we won trophies together, and I love playing under him,” he told talkSPORT.“Him as a person, him as a manager, it just connects really well with him. I like his managerial side and his personal side as well.“If you look across the board of top managers, there’s some amazing managers that are solely football focused, and then there are some that are very good man-managers and not so good managers.“But, for me, he ticks both the boxes.“I’ve been in a few dressing rooms when he’s come out with good speeches, at half-time, before the game, after the game.“We all want the same thing, we’re all fighting for the same goal, and it comes from his passion and willingness to want to win.”Tuchel has so much faith in James that he even chose to play him in a holding midfield role during the second half of England’s opening win over Croatia on Wednesday.Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo were left on the bench as James switched from full-back.“Wherever I play on the pitch, I try to do my best and try to help the team,” he added.“I went in there and my job is to feel what they were doing, and try and help the team the best I can, and I tried to do that.“The team has changed a lot. In previous years there were a lot more experienced older players here, there’s a new generation that is here, and I try and share my experiences with some of the younger players who haven’t experienced this before.”

Aston Villa and Tottenham join the race for Crysencio SummervilleAston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville, according to footmercato.They join Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for the Netherlands international.West Ham are open to listening to offers for Summerville as they have to raise funds following their relegation to the Championship. They value him at €50 million.Why Villa could be the best move for SummervilleSummerville impressed for West Ham last term, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across all competitions.He has carried that form onto the international stage, scoring two goals in two games for the Netherlands at the World Cup.The 24-year-old should prioritise a move to Villa as he stands a better chance of getting regular playing time there than at Arsenal, United or PSG.While he would also be expected to play regularly at Spurs, they will not feature in next season’s Champions League and have struggled in the past two seasons.Villa risk looking lightweight in attack without reinforcements this summer. Jadon Sancho will leave after the expiration of his loan deal, while Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers have been linked with moves away.Summerville would give Unai Emery’s side directness, explosive pace, and close control, making him a genuine threat against both low-block and attack-minded teams.His ability to play anywhere across the frontline would also also allow Emery to rotate and change tactics during games.Villa are also exploring a move for PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye, but his lack of experience makes him a risky signing.The West Midlands side have also been linked with Newcastle United forward Harvey Barnes, but the Magpies would demand a significant fee for him.Stats from sofa score.com

Spain's World Cup hopes rest on Lamine Yamal but he is recovering from an injury (Florencia Tan Jun)A wounded Spain will aim to get their World Cup challenge firmly back on track when they face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players had been stung by the criticism after they were held to a goalless draw in their opening match by Cape Verde, the African archipelago of just over half a million people who are making their World Cup debut.The European champions arrived in North America as one of the favourites, but with Lamine Yamal only able to appear as a second-half substitute on his return from injury, La Roja were unable to find the target against Cape Verde.De la Fuente, who confidently described his squad as the best in the world before the tournament, said they would show their true colors on Sunday."This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up... It's going to be a completely different story," he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday."There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow."Speculation about Yamal's fitness has dominated Spain's camp. The 18-year-old winger is still not ready to complete a full game, but De la Fuente is under pressure to play him from the start."The most important thing is that he's back," he said.Saudi Arabia also drew their opening game 1-1 with Uruguay.- Mum in the stands -Cape Verde, the team that frustrated Spain, will play "without fear" when they face Uruguay in Miami on Sunday, coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as "Bubista", said."We didn't come just to take part. We want to play all the matches and to be able to show that we have the level to take on the best teams in the world," he added"Our aim is to play all the games with courage, in an organised way but also without fear."Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who held Spain at bay with a remarkable performance, will be watched by his mother on Sunday after she arrived in Miami on a US visa.Ana Candida Evora travelled from Cape Verde's capital Praia after her son tearfully told reporters she had not been granted a visa in time for the first game, but the US State Department has now provided her with the necessary document.In other games on Sunday, Iran face Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt face New Zealand in Vancouver.Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said he has been told US travel restrictions on his team will finally be eased for their third group game, against Egypt in Seattle on June 26, but he claimed the treatment they have received so far had adversely affected their on-field performance.Despite that, Iran remain in contention after drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in their first game. On Saturday, Germany booked their place in the knockout rounds with a dramatic injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.Substitute Deniz Undav scored a 68th-minute equalizer before slotting the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time to settle an enthralling contest in Toronto.It is the first time since 2014 that Germany have reached the last 32."This is exactly what we hoped for and I'm very happy for my team," coach Julian Nagelsmann said. Germany's victory was made even sweeter later on Saturday as Curacao -- the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the World Cup with just 160,000 inhabitants -- dug deep to secure a shock 0-0 draw with Ecuador in Kansas City that ensured the Germans will win Group E with a game to spare.Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was their hero, keeping out a record 15 shots -- the most ever saves in a game that did not involve extra time -- as the underdogs secured their first ever World Cup point.In Houston, the Netherlands stayed firmly on course for qualification with a 5-1 demolition of Sweden in Group F.Japan are now level on four points with the Dutch after cruising to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico in Saturday's late match -- the 1,000th game in World Cup history. gj/rcw