The Senegal World Cup team is facing a number of issues internally -Credit:Darrian Traynor, Getty ImagesThe Senegal World Cup squad faces potential internal collapse, with unpaid bonuses, an unpaid coach operating without a contract, and catering problems threatening the African nation's ambitions to make an impact in North America over the coming month.Senegal ranks among Africa's elite soccer nations alongside world No. 7 Morocco. They defeated Morocco in last year's African Cup of Nations final, though their triumph was later nullified after the Senegalese squad left the field for approximately 10 minutes.Senegal also secured an impressive 3-0 away victory against England last year, demonstrating their capabilities, before arriving in North America for this summer's World Cup. • Two FIFA World Cup games played in 'severe' conditions as temperatures soar• Cape Verde's Vozinha speaks out after mom granted US visa ahead of Uruguay gameThey opened their World Cup run with a 3-1 loss to tournament favorites France, but remain in contention for the knockout rounds with a victory in either of their remaining two group-stage matches.Senegal got off to a rocky start against France -Credit:Shaun Botterill - FIFA, FIFA via Getty ImagesThe expense of attending the World Cup is substantial for Senegal supporters, reports the Mirror US.Nevertheless, the camp isn't completely content, according to reports. The Senegal squad risks imploding from within due to significant financial disagreements, from outstanding bonuses to their head coach being unpaid and lacking a contract.According to Sports News Africa, the Senegalese Football Federation seems to be discreetly attempting to downplay worries about player bonuses, which remain outstanding despite commitments made to Senegal's international players. What makes the situation even more baffling internally, according to the outlet, is that the federation has already been in receipt of substantial prize money from AFCON 2025 for several months, alongside bonuses linked to securing World Cup qualification.Pape Thiaw, head coach of Senegal, has reportedly not been paid for five months -Credit:GettyTheir World Cup preparations have also been hit by severe cost-cutting measures.The hotel chosen by officials as the team's base in the United States reportedly falls considerably short of the standards required to underpin a successful tournament run. Behind closed doors, a number of players have made their dissatisfaction known.Head coach Pape Thiaw finds himself in a particularly tough spot. He is managing Senegal despite going unpaid for five months and has been operating without a contract since earlier this year.The contract dispute could potentially be resolved once the tournament concludes, with SNA raising questions over whether the federation is withholding a decision pending Senegal's showing in North America.Kalidou Koulibaly is the captain of Senegal. -Credit:GettyThe federation was also compelled to flatly deny reports that Thiaw had refused to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup amid his contractual uncertainty. As for matters on the field, prior to France enjoying a late surge, Senegal were very much in contention against the 2018 world champions.Thiaw admitted he had hoped more supporters would make the journey for the tournament - but stressed that a passionate Senegalese community is already well-established across North America."Of course we would like to have our fans, we know what they can do for us," said Thiaw. "But we have a major Senegalese community (in the U.S.), and we know the Senegalese are very patriotic ... you will see this tomorrow. You won't even believe it that no Senegalese came over from Senegal."

Spurs make move to beat Manchester City to Premier League starTottenham Open Tonali Talks as Newcastle Face £100m DecisionTottenham Hotspur’s move for Sandro Tonali has now become more than admiration from a distance. As reported by The Athletic, Spurs have opened talks with Newcastle United over a deal for the Italian midfielder, placing themselves directly into a race that also includes Manchester City.For Newcastle, this is the kind of transfer story that unsettles a fanbase because it touches one of the club’s core footballing questions. Are they building around elite players, or are they prepared to sell them when the numbers become too persuasive?Spurs Step Up Tonali PursuitTottenham’s interest has moved into a more serious phase. The Athletic reports that club to club contact has now been made, after earlier discussions had centred on Tonali’s representatives.That matters. It signals intent. It also places Newcastle in a position where they must decide whether their £100million valuation is a warning sign or a genuine invitation.Spurs believe several factors may help them. Roberto De Zerbi is said to be pushing for the transfer, while the prospect of London and a significant salary package could appeal to the player.The phrase that will worry Newcastle supporters is simple enough, “if he leaves St James’ Park.” That possibility now feels active rather than theoretical.Photo IMAGONewcastle’s Midfield Identity at RiskTonali’s value to Newcastle cannot be measured only in appearances, goals or assists, although his numbers since returning from suspension are strong. Since August 2024, he has made 110 appearances for the club, scoring 10 and assisting 10.More importantly, he has helped give Newcastle a midfield identity alongside Bruno Guimaraes. That partnership has become one of the few certainties in a side that finished 12th in the Premier League last season, despite reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.Selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69.3m already suggested Newcastle were prepared to reshape the squad through major departures. Losing Tonali as well would feel more profound. Gordon was a weapon. Tonali is part of the engine room.£100m Question for NewcastleNewcastle will reportedly seek about £100million to consider selling Tonali, whose contract runs until 2029 with a 12 month extension option.That gives Newcastle leverage. They do not need to panic. They do not need to accept a reduced fee. Yet modern football rarely deals in pure sporting logic. Financial rules, squad planning and player preference all have a way of turning long contracts into negotiating tools rather than barriers.Manchester City’s interest is easier to understand. They are a club built to absorb elite midfielders. Tottenham’s pursuit is more intriguing. Spurs are ambitious under De Zerbi, but Newcastle fans may wonder why Tonali would view north London as a definitive step up.Tonali Decision Could Define SummerTonali’s story at Newcastle has already contained more drama than most players experience in a decade. Signed from Milan in 2023 for around £60.5m, suspended for 10 months later that year, then reintegrated as a key figure, he has become both a symbol of resilience and a marker of Newcastle’s ambition.If he stays, Newcastle keep one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders. If he goes, the club must prove that £100m can be reinvested with precision.This is no longer a speculative link. Tottenham have opened the conversation. Newcastle now have to decide what kind of club they want this summer to reveal.Our View – EPL Index AnalysisFrom a Newcastle supporter’s point of view, this report lands awkwardly. Manchester City circling Tonali is one thing. That is the reality of modern football, when the superclubs see a player who can run games, press intelligently and still play with calm under pressure. But Tottenham? That feels different.Newcastle fans will ask a fair question. Why should Tonali leave St James’ Park for Spurs if the project on Tyneside is supposed to be growing? Yes, London has pull. Yes, De Zerbi has tactical appeal. Yes, wages matter. But Newcastle sold supporters a vision of competing with the elite, not feeding clubs hoping to climb back into that group.The £100m figure sounds huge, but replacing Tonali is not simple. Newcastle would not only be selling a midfielder. They would be selling rhythm, control and chemistry with Bruno Guimaraes.There is also an emotional layer here. Tonali’s Newcastle career started with turbulence, yet supporters backed him, waited for him and saw him return as a central figure. That matters.If Newcastle accept a fee, the replacement must be immediate and elite. Otherwise, this risks feeling like a summer of retreat rather than evolution.

Jurgen Klopp brutally takes down ex-Spurs midfielder after stinging criticism of Liverpool starJurgen Klopp launched a scathing broadside at pundit and ex-Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart after the latter’s damning criticism of Virgil van Dijk in recent days.The former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker was unimpressed with the Liverpool captain in the Oranje’s 2-2 draw against Japan last weekend, saying on NOS (via GOAL) that the 34-year-old turns ‘like a Boeing 747’ in a withering assessment of his pace.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe Reds centre-back started once more on Saturday as Ronald Koeman’s side made light work of Sweden in a 5-1 thrashing, albeit one which featured a slight injury scare for our inspirational number 4.Klopp hits back at Van der Vaart over Van Dijk criticismSpeaking as a pundit for German TV on that game, Klopp fired back at Van der Vaart over his comments about Van Dijk a few days ago.The former Liverpool manager said (via Daily Mail): “I don’t know if it’s worth naming Rafael van der Vaart at all, but if he ever says something positive about a player, I’m willing to take him seriously again.“You have the feeling that he sees something, which then has to be expressed in a flowery way and then he goes against it, but it’s not that important.”Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustVan der Vaart has been quite outspoken in his punditryVan der Vaart has been rather outspoken during this World Cup, finding himself at the centre of racism allegations after saying that the Japan players ‘all look alike‘ (a remark for which he subsequently apologised) and accusing Klopp of ‘suffocating’ Cody Gakpo’s talent at Liverpool and ‘treating him like a utility knife instead of the scalpel he is’ (via @Vfynn_ on X).Van Dijk wasn’t perfect against Sweden on Saturday – his positioning was questionable on a couple of occasions and he was nutmegged by Alexander Isak at one point – but there were plenty of positives to his performance too, as evidenced by figures from Sofascore.Klopp was clearly incensed by the Dutch pundit’s criticism of the Reds captain, who he managed at Anfield for six-and-a-half years, and felt compelled to hit back at the 43-year-old in public, and we suspect the tit-for-tat mightn’t finish there.Not that the Netherlands skipper will be paying much attention as he and his teammates focus on the task of finishing Group F with a win over already eliminated Tunisia and maintaining momentum into the knockout rounds of the World Cup.Van Dijk can’t control what the likes of Van der Vaart say about him, but he can influence proccedings on the pitch, and a player of his experience and temperament will gently allow the storm to rage on thousands of miles away from the Oranje’s base camp in North America.

Roma eyeing Udinese striker Keinan Davis as Malen back-upRoma’s transfer market is entering a particularly heated phase, with the Giallorossi club engaged on multiple fronts, including incoming negotiations and financial and administrative matters yet to be resolved. Sporting director Tony D’Amico is working to definitively close the settlement agreement, with the June 30th deadline rapidly approaching and considered a crucial step in future planning. On a technical level, however, attention is primarily focused on the attack, where Greenwood is the top priority for both Gasperini and the management. A series of broader evaluations are underway around him, involving various profiles being explored, from the attacking midfield to the search for a possible backup to Malen, a role deemed crucial to completing the attack.It’s precisely in this context, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, that the name of Keinan Davis, Udinese’s center forward, who could leave Friuli in the coming weeks, comes into play. The English striker, born in 1998, finished last season with 10 goals in 30 appearances, along with four assists, stats that make him a solid option to strengthen the squad.

Dybala’s renewal only a matter of time, Roma optimisticThe arrival of Tony D’Amico could represent a turning point in the negotiations for Paulo Dybala’s contract renewal. The Argentine’s contract expires in just nine days, and Roma must speed up the process to prevent the situation from dragging on further.According to Il Tempo, the appointment of the new sporting director will allow the club to accelerate negotiations. D’Amico will be able to directly support the owners in negotiations, personally handling one of the most important issues on the table for the Giallorossi. Optimism is filtering through from both sides, and it seems only a matter of time. The shared desire remains to move forward together, even if the decisive step towards a final agreement is still missing. The player’s entourage is waiting for Roma to schedule an official meeting to enter the final phase of negotiations. D’Amico will take up his new office at the beginning of the week, and Dybala’s contract renewal will inevitably be among the first matters to be addressed. His presence will facilitate discussions and provide direct support to the owners in finalizing the final contractual details. However, time is running out: the deadline is ever-closer, and Roma will need to transform the optimism of the last few hours into a concrete agreement.

Cote d'Ivoire coach Emerse Faé hits out at Germany's "lack of fair play" after defeatCôte d'Ivoire coach Emerse Faé believed Germany showed a "lack of fair play" during Saturday's World Cup clash in Toronto, which saw his team lose 1-2.After Côte d'Ivoire defender Wilfried Singo put the ball out because he was injured, Nathaniel Brown decided to launch a German attack from the throw-in rather than returning the ball to the opposition.Speaking to reporters after the game (via ESPN), Faé said he was disappointed with the German left-back.“I told him [Brown] to stay humble. He had a great game, and he doesn't need to talk badly to us because he is losing or at 1-1 because he wants to win,” Faé said.“We would have liked more fair play from Germany. We would have liked them to give us the ball back when Singo got injured. They are a great football nation, and we take example from them, so I was disappointed by their lack of fair play.”Faé's team went 1-0 up in the first half but ultimately ended up empty-handed after a hard-fought game.“Both teams deserved to win and had the chances to win the game. Well done to Germany. They won the game because of their experience. We had a great game, and I am really proud of how my players play against one of the favourites of the competition. We have to use this defeat for the rest of the tournament,” he said."We could have scored a second goal at 1-1, but we missed our chance. But they scored theirs. [Deniz] Undav was so calm when he took his chance. That's experience. We will use this to continue to grow and correct the little mistakes that we make. We still have our destiny between our feet, and we could qualify without having to rely on other results."Sitting second in Group E with three points, Cote d'Ivoire take on Curacao in their final group-stage game.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 20: Deniz Undav #26 of Germany celebrates with teammates Jonathan Tah #4 and Antonio Ruediger #2 of Germany after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images Germany’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast was gritty and gutty to say the least. Afterward, Bayern Munich star Jonathan Tah lauded his squad for its resilience. “This was a win of the mentality, of the team spirit. We never gave up. We kept going and knew they would get tired. The guys who came off the bench brought tremendous energy. Deniz has shown once again how important he is when he comes on. We knew it would be a tough game because Côte D’Ivoire can play at a very high level. We have to keep going,” said Tah (as captured by @iMiaSanMia)Tah is correct that it was a victory that was driven by things like fight, heart, and mentality. However, it was also powered by those two goals that Deniz Undav scored after coming into the game as a sub. Would Germany be in a better position to not have to rely on its mindset if its most productive players just played more?Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

World Cup Setback For Gyokeres As Netherlands Hit Sweden For FiveViktor Gyokeres and Sweden suffered their first defeat of the 2026 World Cup as the Netherlands produced a ruthless display to secure a 5-1 victory and move to the top of Group F.After opening their campaign with an impressive 5-1 win over Tunisia, Sweden travelled to Houston knowing another positive result would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. Instead, they were overwhelmed by a Dutch side inspired by Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo.Dutch Double Acts Leave Sweden Chasing ShadowsSweden found themselves behind inside five minutes when Brian Brobbey powered home Cody Gakpo’s inviting cross to give the Netherlands the perfect start.The Dutch striker doubled both his tally and his side’s advantage just 12 minutes later, sliding in to convert a dangerous Denzel Dumfries delivery.Graham Potter’s side responded positively and thought they had pulled a goal back before half-time, only for Gustaf Lagerbielke’s effort to be ruled out for offside.Any hopes of a Swedish comeback were effectively ended shortly after the restart.Gakpo followed up his earlier assist with two goals in seven devastating minutes, first finishing from close range before producing a trademark strike from the edge of the area to make it 4-0.Anthony Elanga briefly reduced the deficit with an excellent breakaway finish, but Crysencio Summerville added a late fifth to complete a dominant Dutch performance.Frustrating Afternoon For GyokeresAfter finding the net in Sweden’s opening 5-1 victory over Tunisia, Gyokeres was unable to make a similar impact against much stronger opposition.The Arsenal striker was largely starved of service as the Netherlands controlled possession and repeatedly exposed Sweden’s defensive weaknesses.While Sweden did create some opportunities, they spent long periods chasing the game following Brobbey’s early brace and struggled to build sustained pressure on the Dutch back line.It was a rare off day for Gyokeres, who entered the tournament in excellent form and remains one of Sweden’s key hopes heading into their final group fixture.Qualification Still In Sweden’s HandsDespite the heavy defeat, Sweden remain well placed to reach the knockout stages.The result leaves them second in Group F on three points, one behind the Netherlands, with their qualification fate still firmly in their own hands heading into the final round of group matches.For Arsenal supporters, attention will now turn to how Gyokeres responds.The 28-year-old has already shown his quality on the World Cup stage, and Sweden will need their star striker back at his best if they are to extend their stay in the tournament.Can Viktor Gyokeres help Sweden bounce back and reach the knockout stages, Gooners? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsWorld Cup Setback For Gyokeres As Netherlands Hit Sweden For Five 21 June 2026, 9:00Alex James And Ted Drake: The Friendship Behind Arsenal’s First Golden Era 20 June 2026, 23:00Arsenal Discover Their 2026/27 Champions League Schedule And One Period Looks Brutal 20 June 2026, 22:00

Roma prepare new formula for Greenwood signingRoma’s transfer market is about to kick off. With less than two weeks to go until the summer transfer window opens, new sporting director Tony D’Amico wants to make a move immediately and give Gasperini a Champions League-caliber signing. The hot name, as is now well known, is Mason Greenwood. The Marseille playmaker will leave the French club this summer, and the Roman club has repeatedly made it clear they’ve put him at the top of their list to strengthen their attacking line. Gian Piero Gasperini has asked the Friedkins to make an effort to bring the former Man United player to Trigoria, and the owners appear to have granted this request.According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the American family is reportedly ready to agree to a new purchase formula: a full payment plan to circumvent the restrictions imposed by UEFA and Financial Fair Play. In the background, the Moreira and Molina options remain unrelenting. Strasbourg is unwavering in its bid for the former and continues to demand at least €40 million to release him. The Atlético Madrid full-back, however, could leave Spain on significantly more favorable terms.

HOUSTON, UNITED STATES - JUNE 20: Brian Brobbey of Holland celebrates 1-0 with Cody Gakpo of Holland, Frenkie de Jong of Holland during the World Cup match between Holland v Sweden at the Houston Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Houston United States (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images Day 10 of World Cup 2026 brought more goals and excitement as the Netherlands and Japan both secured big wins. Elsewhere, World Cup debutants Curacao made history against Ecuador and Tunisia’s defeat ensures Herve Renard’s side will be making an early exit from the competition.Five star Dutch destroy SwedenRonald Koeman’s Netherlands side destroyed Sweden 5-1 in Houston on Saturday afternoon. Brian Brobbey came into the team and struck the opener by poking home Cody Gakpo’s cross from the left after just five minutes.NETHERLANDS FINDS THE EARLY LEAD OVER SWEDEN! 🇳🇱Gakpo finds Brian Brobbey to make it 1-0 for the Dutch! pic.twitter.com/wzCO5Hy91R— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026An almost identical goal swiftly followed for the Netherlands. This time the move came down the right with Denzel Dumfries sliding in a cross for Brobbey to make it 2-0.It's DOUBLE DUTCH in Houston 🇳🇱Brian Brobbey guides this one into the back of the net for his second of the match pic.twitter.com/YguPtrLkiH— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026The Dutch extended their lead early in the second half. Dumfries was again the creator, fizzing a low ball across goal for an unmarked Gakpo to knock home at the far post.The Liverpool star then grabbed a brace of his own, finishing off a rapid counter-attack by cutting inside his defender and lashing home a low shot."The Netherlands are running riot!" – @DFletcherSport 🗣️Cody Gakpo bags a brace on the clinical finish to make it 4-0 pic.twitter.com/NYujouyKDn— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026Sweden did manage to pull one back through substitute Anthony Elanga but it proved to be only a consolation goal on a sobering afternoon for Graham Potter’s side.56' – Anthony Elanga subs on for Sweden59' – Anthony Elanga scores for Sweden pic.twitter.com/AUbgC8RIFz— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026The Netherlands completed an emphatic win late on through substitute Crysensio Summerville. The West Ham man teased two Swedish defenders and then rifled home to complete an impressive victory.Crysencio Summerville scores from outside the area to make it 5-1 Netherlands!Hit the night-night celly after too 😴 pic.twitter.com/JVQa2aIjWW— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026Germany fight back to deny Ivory CoastIvory Coast upset Germany by taking the lead in their Group E encounter through midfielder Franck Kessie. Exciting talent Yan Diomande wreaked havoc down the left and played the ball into the penalty area where Kessie finally managed to slam home.IVORY COAST TAKES THE LEAD OVER GERMANY! 🇨🇮Yan Diomande sends a beautiful ball in and it's the captain Franck Kessié who cleans it up with the goal! pic.twitter.com/mRVfy6Ypkh— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026Germany were finding it tough going against Ivory Coast and needed super-sub Deniz Undav to turn things around. The Stuttgart forward equalised with a left-foot volley that flew into the roof of the net with just over 20 minutes remaining.What a ball. What a finish. Nadiem Amiri with a perfect ball for Deniz Undav to finish off 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/KIn1yDvTg5— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2026Undav then broke Ivory Coast hearts deep into stoppage time by netting the winner. The substitute latched onto a cute ball into the penalty area and simply turned and fired past the goalkeeper to secure all three points for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT? 🤯GERMANY TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME! pic.twitter.com/hVrMbRwxFx— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2026Curaco claim first ever World Cup pointWorld Cup debutants Curacao made history on Saturday by claiming a first ever point at the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. In a goalless game, it was goalkeeper Eloy Room who was the hero for the minnows as he made a record-equalling 15 saves to deny Ecuador and secure a famous result for the Blue Wave.Japan send Tunisia packingSaturday’s final match brought a big win for Japan that ensures Tunisia will not make it past the group stage of World Cup 2026. Herve Renard replaced Sabri Lamouchi as boss after their opening defeat against Sweden but saw his side go behind after just four minutes when Daichi Kamada finished off a swift counter-attack from close range.JAPAN OPENS THE NIGHT WITH A 4TH MINUTE GOAL! 🇯🇵Daichi Kamada in the scoresheet! pic.twitter.com/ZY2U6PhCCA— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2026Japan made it 2-0 in style through Ayase Ueda just after the half hour. The Feyenoord striker rifled a shot across goal and into the far corner from the edge of the box to double Japan’s lead.Perfectly placed into the bottom corner from Ayase Ueda 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/L7eolqwe32— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2026Tunisia were undone again in the 69th minute when a clever flick over the defence sent Junya Ito running through on goal. He kept his composure to sidefoot the ball past the goalkeeper and effectively seal the win. Beautiful build-up play to help set up Junya Ito's goal for Japan 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/XORfeaWuQA— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2026Ueda then piled more misery on Tunisia late on by scoring Japan’s fourth on a looping header that sees the Samurai Blue move into second in the table ahead of a final group game against leaders the Netherlands next time out.Plenty of goals but which was your favorite? Have your say in our poll, as we cover every goal, goof and everything in between throughout the World Cup

It wasn't always top-quality rugby. But Northampton's 26-17 win over Exeter was a final of the highest calibre nonetheless.A sweat-greased ball proved difficult to tame, even for two of the deftest teams in the league.George Furbank spilled one simple chance to stroll in in the first half, shortly after Stephen Varney had juggled another at the other end, allowing a Northampton defender to sweep in and steal his legs from under him. Saints' scrum-half Alex Mitchell shelled another gilt-edged opportunity as he slid in after the intervalForty-seven minutes into the game, there had already been 19 handling errors - 11 from Northampton and eight from Exeter.Line-outs and scrums alike were glitchy.Defences were too tight and attacks too inaccurate to conjure the sort of free-scoring tryfest that has characterised some matches this Prem season.Rugby Union Weekly: Saints beat Exeter to the Prem titleNorthampton beat Exeter to win Prem Rugby titleCan 'best Northampton team ever' become one of English rugby's greats?Instead, every moment ached with importance. Every margin seemed like the knife-edge that might split the spoils one way or the other.The final try summed it up. Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins had served out his 10 minutes in the sin bin. He was waiting only for the next stoppage to rejoin the fray. But ahead by two points, Northampton kept the ball, and their powerplay, alive for 13 phases.When Fin Smith put his kick in behind the Exeter defence it was tracking towards the touchline, but a rogue bounce took it back infield. George Hendy dived and dotted down. Saints led by nine. And still did so at the final whistle.Every small moment seemed to have a big impact on the outcome.It was compelling viewing.Smith recovers from Roots rattling to dominateSmith has aimed to add a running game to his weaponry this season [Getty Images]Fin Smith was only 12 years old at the time, but he will remember the thunderous viral hit put in by Saints legend Courtney Lawes on France fly-half Jules Plisson back in 2015.On an adjacent patch of Twickenham pitch, Smith got a taste of something similar, being levelled by a flying Ethan Roots 25 minutes into the game.No matter.Smith dusted himself down, got back to his feet and was undeterred in playing physical and flat to the line.He weighs in at less than 14 stone, but his appetite for the physical stuff is Jonny Wilkinson-esque at times.Six minutes after Roots' shuddering shot, its victim was barging through Stephen Varney at short range for a try.Overall, he carried 12 times and made 13 tackles, putting him third-highest in the Northampton ranks for both categories.He made shrewd decisions, added momentum with ball in hand and was good off the tee, missing only a long-range penalty as his team wound down the clock, and a conversion from way out wide.The day before this final, fly-half rival George Ford had a mixed night for a mix-and-match England side in their warm-up against a France XV in Vannes.Smith is undoubtedly in pole position to be at 10 facing down the Springbok charge when England take on South Africa in their opening Test of the summer on 4 July.Saints' heavenly defence secures titleBefore kick-off, the contest was framed as the league's best attack (Northampton scored a record-breaking 104 tries in the regular season) against its best defence (Exeter conceded five fewer than any other team).In the final 10 minutes - with the title on the line and lactic biting - it was the champions' defence that finally showed up, however.Exeter had 92% of possession in that period, but made little impression on a brilliantly disciplined Northampton rearguard, with Fraser Dingwall, Alex Coles and JJ van der Mescht all making important hits, before Henry Pollock locked over Andrea Zambonin to secure a turnover that all but killed off Exeter's hopes.Overall, Northampton missed 15 tackles, to Exeter's 39.Northampton defence coach Lee Radford is signing off with this performance, heading to do the same role full-time with Scotland. Saints have leaked this year, but when it mattered most they were absolutely watertight.Vannes man Varney strengthed by time in FranceStephen Varney made his Italy debut aged just 19, back in November 2020 [Getty Images]Stephen Varney played 25 games of rugby last season. Appearing for Top 14 strugglers Vannes and Italy, he won two, drew one and lost the other 22.Credit to Exeter's recruitment team for spotting that the Welsh-born scrum-half was developing in those defeats.Varney explained earlier this month that playing in France meant, as is traditional across the Channel, more was expected of him as a leader and play-maker from nine.He has brought that to the Prem and to its final, with one dead-eyed 50:22 the pick of his highlight moments.He was busier and more effective than England international Alex Mitchell, who made his comeback from a strained hamstring off the bench after just 10 minutes.Voted Exeter's Players' Player of the Season in his debut season at the club, the 25-year-old looks locked in as the club's first-choice scrum-half for a while to come.'We'll be back' vows Exeter skipper Jenkins after final loss Saints' bonds shine through once againThis year's success was Northampton's third domestic title [Getty Images]In the days building up to the final, Pollock and Tommy Freeman did a 10-minute joint interview as part of a whirlwind of media obligations.Their answers weren't remarkable. None of their words looked particularly interesting on paper. But the relationship between them was fun to watch close up.After a rambling and rapid first answer from Pollock, Freeman asked his team-mate if he had forgotten how to breathe.When Freeman was earnestly explaining that the team winning eclipsed any concerns about which player scored the tries, Pollock broke the fourth wall, giving a knowing look to journalists.Asked if had contemplated what it would mean to him to cross the line in a Prem final win, Freeman deflected the question Pollock's way, explaining that he already had completed that side mission two years ago.Northampton looked like friends having fun that day. As they then did on the pitch on Saturday. And then in their celebrations, where they kissed cut-outs of departing full-back George Furbank and recreated the Olivia Dean singalong with which they marked semi-final success.View this post on InstagramLots of clubs talk about the bond between their players, few convince as completely as Northampton.You are lucky if you get to play in a team like that at any level. To do so at the very top is something that most neutrals can admire.Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - BloodgateListen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima celebrated and danced with the Curaçao team at the end of a World Cup double shift on Saturday to watch all of their subjects in action.The royal couple first attended the mid-day kick-off in Houston where the Netherlands trounced Sweden 5-1. A few hours later they were in in Kansas City for Curaçao fight to a surprise 0-0 draw against Ecuador.As king of Netherlands, Willem-Alexander is also the head of state of the countries which are part of the kingdom, which includes Curaçao.The royals wore the team colours at both visits, the traditional orange for the Dutch game and then Curaçao's blue.A a video posted by the Curaçao FA showed them dance and celebrate with the team in the dressing room after the match."It is a very special World Cup because we have the Netherlands and Curaçao. So we have double the amount of teams we can cheer on," Willem-Alexcander told broadcasters RTL.He added that he "of course hopes that both can go far" in the tournament.The Dutch took a big step towards the knock-out stages ahead of their final group game against Tunisia. Curaçao can also advance, for which they would need to beat Ivory Coast.The royals had watched the first Dutch World Cup match earlier this week, a 2-2 draw with Japan, together with Japan's imperial couple of Emporer Naruhito and Empress Masako who were on a state visit to the Netherlands at the time.

The next phase of talks to end the war in Iran is expected to begin on Sunday amid fighting in Lebanon and renewed confusion over the Strait of Hormuz.

Today’s Papers: Paz dream possible, Inter don’t stop, too many World Cup gamesLa Gazzetta dello SportInter don’t stop The new objective is NdickaAfter Palestra and with Jones and Solet arriving, here’s the defender from Roma (if De Vrij leaves). And Calhanoglu will only remain with the Nerazzurri‘Milan, let Leao go. Pay for Krösche? Mica is Ancelotti Interview with SavicevicWorld Cup: Everyone gets through Too many games, not enough slip-upsGermany turnaround with Undav and get through, Netherlands overwhelming, Montella already at homeTalking to an opponent with a hand covering the face, a red card never seen before The Paraguayan AlmironFootball changes The FIGC Presidential electionsGoing to the votes tomorrow: Malago ahead, Abete: ‘I’ll take it’Corriere dello SportPaz, possible dream Nico for Chivu | Conversations interrupted between the Argentine and Mou’s sideFlorentino freezes Como: Inter prepare the shotPerez asks for 60m from Hartono, who is held back by financial fair play. Ausilio needs to sell: Needs 110 for Palestra and the fantasy playerAncelotti having fun, Montella going home World Cup: Brazil up to four points, Turkiye eliminatedCunha and Vinicius Jr see off Haiti (3-0), Vincezo at risk after the defeat against Paraguay (0-1)Dutchmania, Germany party in the 94th The Oranje beat Sweden 5-1, Undav turns it around against the Ivory Coast (2-1)Juve and Kolo Muani warn PSG Muani’s yes has been promisedAgreement reached with the attacker: Contract worth 5 million per seasonGoncalo Ramos: Milan temptation Amorim’s ideaA new centre-forward is a priority, the Portuguese wants to leave ParisNapoli revolution: Gila gets closer Mario has chosen DeLa’s club. Lotito risks losing him for zeroTuttosportKolo, Carnevali bursts in Enough with the wait-and-see attitude, Juve now in negotiations with PSGThe CEO calls Campos directly to resolve the friction that had grown with Comolli: There’s already an agreement with the centre-forward over a return. Sorloth pushes forwards as well. Interview with Paulo Sousa: ‘We need to be a big club with a serious project’Spalletti reassures Yildiz Montella in the crossfire after the defeat against Paraguay: Kenan heartbroken, Lucio calls himDutch beauty, Sweden outclassed Brobbey-Gakpo-Summerville: 5-1Germany fight back against the Ivory Coast Kessie goal, then an Undav doubleCroatian Toro, Jakic with Erlic and Livakovic Vlasic effectContact between Petrachi and the agent of the midfielder. The sporting director is also in discussions for the defender and goalkeeper: Defence: Eye on Tonoli and Giorgini

Bukayo Saka misses England trainingThe Arsenal winger worked indoors on an individual programme and is expected to be available, but Noni Madueke is likely to keep his starting place.Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty ImagesBukayo Saka missed England group training on Saturday as he continues to manage the Achilles problem that has affected him since March, making him unlikely to start against Ghana this week.The Arsenal winger was the only member of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad not involved in the main session at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, instead working indoors on an individual programme tailored around his recovery.Saka was not fit enough to start England’s Group L opener against Croatia, although he came on in the second half, played 18 minutes and claimed his 10th assist for his country in the 4-2 win.He is still expected to be available to face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, but Noni Madueke is likely to keep his place on the right while Saka’s workload is managed.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesEngland meet Ghana with both sides having opened their World Cup campaigns with a win.Tuchel raised doubts over Saka’s condition last week, making clear that the 24-year-old was still short of full fitness after an injury that has caused him problems for months.“He is still not 100 per cent for us,” Tuchel revealed at the start of the month. “Some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training.“I didn’t say Bukayo was not ready to start. But I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on.”Saka responded last Monday by stressing that both Arsenal and England had managed him carefully since the problem first emerged.“I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager,” Saka said.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images“What I would say is between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal’s medical team and Thomas [Tuchel] and the England medical team since March, they’ve managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.“I’m feeling better than I felt in the last few months. And, yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to go, man.”

'They got Virat Kohli': IShowSpeed shocked to see India not playing at FIFA World Cup 2026 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:IShowSpeed shocked to see India not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026American YouTuber is a big fan of Virat KohliIShowSpeed attended matches of the ODI World Cup 2023 in India.'They got Virat Kohli': IShowSpeed shocked to see India not playing at FIFA World Cup 2026American social media sensation IShowSpeed has been a star attendee at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.The young YouTuber has been regularly watching World Cup games live from various stadiums across the US. He is known to be an avid follower of Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo and has been a vocal supporter of the European nation.Also known as Speed, the social media star was in attendance at Houston for the Netherlands vs Sweden group stage clash on Saturday.While the World Cup game was on, Speed was seen expressing his disappointment as not seeing India play at the FIFA World Cup 2026.On camera, Speed said: "Why India isn't at the World Cup. Why they didn't qualify, they got a good football team. They got Virat Kohli."🚨| WATCH: Speed is disappointed that India didn't make the World Cup"India got a good team... they got Virat Kohli" 😭🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/mZPMVuUnOo— Speedy HQ (@IShowSpeedHQ) June 20, 2026The social media star's comments drew mixed reactions from fans, as many of them were confused as to why he named Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli while speaking about a global football tournament. MORE: Will Virat Kohli play India's next ODI series vs England?IShowSpeed is known to be a fan of Virat KohliDarren Jason Watkins Jr., aka IShowSpeed, developed a fondness for Virat Kohli during a live stream in 2023, when he got to know about the indian cricket legend.His admiration for Kohli came to the limelight when he first called the Indian 'GOAT' under a Babar Azam post on Instagram.Speed even visited India during the 2023 ODI World Cup and watched Virat Kohli and the Indian team live in action and he even cheered for the Men in Blue.Speed had also reacted emotionally on social media when Kohli announced his retirement from the Test format in May 2025.MORE: Will Kohli and Pandya play against England? Latest injury updates on India starsWhat next for Virat Kohli?Virat Kohli is reportedly heading for a crucial fitness check in the United Kingdom this month, with the results likely to settle whether he features in India's upcoming ODI series against England, as per a report from NDTV.The star Indian batter sat out the ongoing matches against Afghanistan due to a hamstring problem, though his recovery is said to be moving along nicely. It is a right hamstring issue along with an uncommon tear to the distal semimembranosus tendon.Kohli picked up the problem during the IPL 2026 final and has since been working through rehabilitation under the watch of BCCI medical staff in London.For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

Joshua Kimmich hails impact of substitutes after Germany’s comeback win over Côte d'IvoireAt 1-0 down against Côte d'Ivoire in Saturday's World Cup match in Toronto, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann reacted by making a triple substitution after an hour.Two of the substitutes later combined for Germany's equaliser, as Nadiem Amiri set up Deniz Undav before the latter decided the game in Germany's favour, making it 2-1 with his second goal late on.Speaking to Magenta TV, Joshua Kimmich hailed the impact of the players who came on in the second half.“We already knew before the tournament that our bench would be very, very important and decisive. That was the case today," Kimmich said. "All the substitutions were outstanding today. Especially Deniz [Undav], who always believes in his moments. Nadiem [Amiri] brings his mentality, which was very helpful. Toni [Rüdiger] had an outstanding game when he came on. Jamie [Leweling] also came on very well, and the same goes for Leon [Goretzka] at the end. The triple substitution (after around 60 minutes) helped us a lot.”It was the second time in a row that Undav came on to score, having also done so in Germany's opening 7-1 win over Curacao.“He believes in himself, believes in his moments, and that is what he radiates. Even if things in training aren’t always perfect, he is someone who trusts his moments and believes in the impact he can have," Kimmich said. "Every time he gets the ball, he feels he can decide the game with every action. That is very, very important to have in a player coming off the bench. Sometimes 30 minutes are enough to make an impact, and Deniz showed that exceptionally well on two occasions.”

Saudi Arabia coach hails Lamine Yamal as world’s greatest talent: ‘Started to replace Messi in Barcelona’Barcelona star Lamine Yamal simply cannot stop collecting accolades, with everyone, including opposition teams and managers, in awe of the talent on display.His ascent to the highest level of the game at such a young age almost feels unprecedented. The praise for him also feels deserved.The latest to join the chorus is Saudi Arabia manager Georgios Donis. He has delivered one of the strongest assessments yet of the Barcelona winger’s talent.Speaking about the 18-year-old, he said (h/t SuperSport): “I think Yamal is maybe this period the biggest talent in the world. I think he started to replace Messi in Barcelona in the best way.“I didn’t see a player at this age to make this difference and to have this quality and to play with this maturity.”Much is said about Lamine, not just for his dribbles, goals and moments of magic. He is being praised because he already understands the game like a much older player.Donis further explained that point:“For me the most important is not about the skills, but about the maturity and he knows what he can do every moment and that is the biggest difference.”Donis in awe of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)A Messi-era comparison with meaningAny comparison with Lionel Messi is dangerous, and Barça fans know that better than anyone. Donis spoke more about the feeling of a player who can change the level of the team.“It’s wonderful for the world of football to see talents like Lamine Yamal, and it’s beautiful to face players with this level of quality.”“I remember myself when I was coaching Abuel and we faced Barcelona during Messi’s era. And in general, I see that Lamine Yamal currently is the youngest talent who possesses the greatest quality alongside this maturity.”That is the balance Barça should want. Lamine does not need to become Messi. He needs to become the best version of himself, and right now, the signs are extraordinary.Spain depend on his one-on-one threatDonis also explained why Spain look different when Lamine and Nico Williams are not on the pitch.He said: “I always respond with honesty, Spain is not the same team when Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams are on the bench.”“The team becomes different, in the sense that it has possession, but it lacks the individual element, and the one-on-one individual situations when these two players are absent.”“This was clearly evident in the last match; despite the high possession, Spain missed the individual solutions.”Will Lamine start for Spain vs Saudi? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)Possession can control a match, but players like Lamine break it open. This is exactly what La Roja lacked against Cape Verde.Donis added: “And it’s worth considering that the Green Falcon defended collectively for the entire 96 or 97 minutes, and it’s extremely difficult to defend for all that time.”“I don’t think Spain has a problem, but the characteristics of the players differ when these two players are absent.”“In that case, the team relies more on collective play and cohesion, whereas with their presence, the individual element also comes into play.”“And that’s why we must find a way tomorrow to deal with both aspects, and that’s something very difficult.”There is no clarity on whether Lamine will start this game. He played less than 30 minutes last time around, and starting him may be a risk.The ideal way to unleash Lamine against Saudi Arabia would be to keep him on the bench and either bring him on in the 45th minute or wait until the 60th minute, depending on the scoreline.Spain’s hopes at this summer’s World Cup are pinned on Lamine and Nico being fit, and it remains to be seen what kind of role he plays against Donis’ side later today.

Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesWatching the USMNT in a World Cup knockout game is becoming a serious money decision, not just a soccer one.The possible July 1 Round of 32 match at Levi’s Stadium has become one of the tournament’s hottest resale tickets, with prices moving fast as the United States build momentum at home.For fans, the window to buy cheap has already closed.Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesUSMNT World Cup knockout tickets surge on StubHub and TicketDataStubHub inventory and TicketData tracking show how expensive the potential USMNT Round of 32 game in Santa Clara has become.The match is scheduled for July 1 at Levi’s Stadium, with the United States potentially facing a third-place qualifier from Groups B, E, F, I or J.TicketData tracks resale listings across marketplaces, and its World Cup page showed tickets for upcoming tournament matches starting at $431 overall. But the USMNT knockout market is far above that baseline.Reports around the Santa Clara match have put the cheapest resale seats near $1,900 after earlier prices were closer to $1,200, a jump of roughly 58%. Some broader resale reports have shown even sharper spikes when the U.S. path became clearer.That is the power of a home World Cup. Neutral matches can cool off, but the USMNT brings local demand, national emotion and limited knockout inventory together at once.World Cup ticket prices expose huge USMNT demandThis is not the same for every team. Big-name countries, host nations and knockout games drive the biggest jumps, while less glamorous group-stage matches can move more slowly.The wider tournament has already shown volatile pricing. TicketData listed group-stage get-in prices up 16% over seven days and 71% over 14 days, proving demand can swing quickly once results shape the bracket.FIFA’s official ticket portal and resale marketplace remain the safest buying route, while StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and other resale sites are used by fans comparing availability. Outside platforms can carry risk if tickets violate FIFA terms.The 2026 World Cup runs through July 19, when the final will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium.For now, the USMNT’s Santa Clara price surge tells its own story. A home knockout game is no longer just a match. It is one of the most expensive seats in American soccer.Read more:Heinz pokes fun at FIFA’s ‘clean stadium’ World Cup policy with hilarious new product releaseThe 60-year-old World Cup record Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room smashed in Ecuador drawJeremy Doku faces backlash as he prepares to leave the World Cup for one life-changing moment

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Max Dowman of Arsenal is tackled by Jonah Kusi-Asare of Fulham during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) | Getty Images Jonas Kusi-Asare’s one year loan to Fulham FC from Bayern Munich for the 2025/26 season may have been a financial success for the Bavarians- receiving a reported €4 million for a one year loan for a youth player is incredible- but in every other way it proved to be less of a success. The Swedish U-21 international played just 49 minutes over 7 total league games and was demoted to the Londoners’ reserve team multiple times, scoring 4 goals in 5 appearances. There were thoughts about terminating the loan in January, but given Kusi-Asare could not be loaned out again that season, such efforts would have proven to be fruitless.Still, Fulham see potential in the youngster and want to retain him. According to Bild (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), they have already made a bid:Bayern have rejected a €3m bid from Fulham for Jonah Kusi-Asare. Fulham see potential in the Swedish striker and would like to sign him permanently. A second bid is expected.BFW AnalysisThe loan to Fulham included a buy option, as well as a buy back clause for Bayern. The €3 million Fulham offered is far under the agreed buy option. Not only that, it is worth less than the loan fee the Premier League club paid for Kusi-Asare and it is less than Bayern paid to sign him from Allmänna Idrottsklubben a few years ago.That is insulting.Now, perhaps a lower transfer fee will allow Bayern to insert a lower buy back clause. The Bavarians could prefer easier access to the highly talented Swedish international over a higher transfer fee now. But, as it stands, it is all speculation. Kusi-Asare’s contract expires in 2027, so, one way or another, a decision has to be made this summer.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

Football finance expert claims FSG could bankroll ‘£250m minimum’ Liverpool summer spending spreeOne football finance expert has claimed that Liverpool could be in for another bumper summer transfer window.Off the back of winning the Premier League in 2025, FSG shattered their external perception as parsimonious custodians at Anfield by bankrolling a spending spree of almost £450m on new signings, which included £100m+ deals for both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe trolley dash didn’t have the desired effect as the Reds slumped to fifth in the final standings, but that was still enough to sneak into next season’s Champions League, and fans have now been advised to expect another substantial outlay this summer.Liverpool expected to spend £250m+ in summer transfer windowStefan Borson, former financial adviser to Manchester City, has claimed that Liverpool could spend upwards of £250m before the end of August, but warned that the transfer kitty at Anfield isn’t bottomless.He told Football Insider: “They’re already looking to spend more than I’d imagine they would spend, to be honest with you.“I thought this would be a much quieter summer after last season, but I guess the injuries have changed things, plus Mo Salah leaving and Hugo Ekitike, who will probably miss most of next season. That changes what you need. They are going to end up spending £250m minimum, which I’m surprised about.“Salah was paid an absolute fortune, so that’s going to be a nice saving, but they’ve got to replace him. I don’t think the wage bill is going to come down for next season, that’s for sure.“Liverpool are a very successful club commercially and financially so there’s nothing to worry about, but clearly, as with all these teams, there’s a limit. You can’t just keep spending forever.”Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustHow much are Liverpool likely to spend this summer?The Reds have already invested nearly £100m in two players to join the squad ahead of next season, having sealed a £60m deal for summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet at the beginning of February and then snapped up Victor Munoz for just under £35m in recent days.We fully expect further incomings at Anfield between now and the end of August, with another £100m or so potentially being put towards securing Yan Diomande’s signature from RB Leipzig, if the Merseysiders can fend off stern competition from Paris Saint-Germain.Qualifying for the Champions League, along with freeing up around £700,000 per week’s worth of wages from the exits of Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, strengthens Liverpool’s financial muscle, and player sales later in the summer could also top up the transfer kitty.The big question for FSG is whether they pay a premium for elite signings who could instantly have a transformative effect on the starting XI, or spread their resources more economically to (insofar as possible) ensure that there’s adequate depth in every part of the squad.We wouldn’t be surprised if, when all is said and done, the Reds have invested another £250m or more on new arrivals this summer. Obviously the hierarchy will have a ceiling on how high they’re willing to go for each specific transfer target, but it’s crucial that they back Andoni Iraola in the market and give him the best possible chance of success in 2026/27.

Draper trained under Murray's watchful eye at the All England Club on Saturday [Getty Images]Andy Murray has been in the Centre Court coaching box once before.Murray famously clambered up to the stands - using the canvas roof of a commentary booth as a leg up - to celebrate with his team in 2013 after ending Britain's 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men's champion.Next week, Murray could be back in those seats shouting down instructions to fellow Briton Jack Draper, having joined his coaching team for the grass-court season.Two years on from his retirement, Murray sat down with BBC Sport for an exclusive interview about what tempted him back to tennis, why he was not surprised by Serena Williams' comeback and how he is filling the void left by not playing.How Draper call changed Murray's mindIt never felt as though Murray would be away from tennis for long - but his planned return to the All England Club with Draper this summer is still a surprise.The 39-year-old had been enjoying life outside tennis in the 12 months since he stopped coaching old rival Novak Djokovic, spending time with wife Kim and their four children as well as honing his golf game and diversifying his business interests.In April, Murray said he was not ready to return to coaching. A month later, Draper announced he had brought his childhood idol into his team.The Scot has long been an informal mentor to the 24-year-old on and off court - who could forget his role of grumpy driver as Draper sang in their car journey home from a Davis Cup win in 2023 - but the timing of their partnership was unexpected.So what changed for Murray?"After I stopped working with Novak, I had a number of opportunities to coach again," he explained."I had no interest in being on the road and away from my family."It wasn't that I disliked coaching - I just didn't enjoy it more than I do being at home with my family. "When Jack asked me, I thought about it, spoke to my wife and told Jack that I'd love to help him."Murray is essentially fulfilling the role of a 'super-coach' - similar to the dynamic he had with eight-time major champion Ivan Lendl, who helped him win his three Grand Slam titles.Over the past few weeks, Draper and Murray have been working on the practice courts at the National Tennis Centre in London as Draper recovers from more fitness problems.Former world number four Draper has lost his place at the top of the men's game after a range of injuries over the past year, but starts his latest comeback at Eastbourne this week in a bid to prove his fitness for Wimbledon.Murray - who also experienced physical issues in the first part of his career - hopes the partnership will be a long-term venture."I think Jack's a brilliant player. There is no doubt that when he gets back on the court he will perform well and win matches at the highest level," Murray said."But right now the focus is on trying to get him back competing consistently again."Why Murray wasn't surprised by Serena comebackWimbledon will also see the return of the great Serena Williams to the Grand Slam stage.Murray says he is not "too surprised" the American superstar has returned - initially in doubles but with the door left ajar for singles - after a conversation between the pair at last year's Miami Open."She asked if I missed playing. I was like, 'not at all, to be honest'," said Murray, who memorably played alongside Williams in the 2019 Wimbledon mixed doubles."She said, 'yes, I miss it every single day. I absolutely loved competing, love playing. If I could, I'd be back out there again'."Could Murray see himself making a sensational comeback aged 44?"As much as I would love to, I don't think I'd physically be capable of doing that," he smiled."I haven't missed the sport enough yet to want to get on the court and even hit tennis balls."I don't mind hitting the occasional ball if it's required on the practice court, but I don't think 44-year-old me will be competing."How Murray is filling the void of playingIt is not surprising to hear Murray has not sat around with his feet up.Those who know him well - or covered his playing career for many years - will describe him as someone who strives to do everything to the best of his ability.Sport is still central to his life.Murray spends hours on the golf course in his mission to become a scratch player and has dipped his toe into padel. He has also been helping his six-year-old son play chess.Recently there have been late nights watching Scotland at the men's World Cup, while Murray gleefully collected an NBA Fantasy debt owed by doubles player Mate Pavic when they bumped into each other at Queen's.Outside of sport, Murray and Kim continue to be hands on in running their plush hotel near his hometown of Dunblane."The advice I was given when I finished was to just try lots of new things because, as athletes, we just do one thing," Murray added."My whole life - since I was 14 or 15 - was wrapped up in tennis and that's all I knew. "I didn't love doing stuff outside of tennis because I felt like it was distracting me from the work. "So I've tried to do different stuff, see whether I like it and if I'm good at it."An emotional Murray hung up his racquet after the Paris 2024 Olympics, having been unable to reach the same heights after career-saving hip surgery in 2019 [Getty Images]Live scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

Sabri Ghuendouz will have a medical with Hearts on Monday after a fee of £870,000 was agreed with Beerschot for the 26-year-old French winger. (Sacha Tavolieri on X)Celtic could make a move for £2m-rated 24-year-old Qarabag striker Camilo Duran. (Sun)And Celtic are continuing to keep tabs on Go Ahead Eagles midfielder Jakob Breum, the 22-year-old who is valued at £4.4m and the subject of interest from both Sunderland and Fulham. (Football Insider)Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Arne Engels will decide his future before the 22-year-old returns to pre-season training, with Roma joining Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in expressing interest in the Belgian. (Voetbalkrant)Southampton, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all showing interest in 23-year-old Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan. (TeamTalk)Aberdeen and Hibernian are keeping tabs on 24-year-old St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Kian Leavy. (Sun)Sunday's English & European transfer rumoursRangers are exploring other right-back targets as Scotland's 24-year-old Nathan Patterson's wage demands are a hurdle and he will command a decent fee despite entering the final 12 months of his Everton contract. (Football Insider)Midfielder Nicolas Raskin, 25, says he is leaving his future with Rangers to his agents while he is concentrating on playing for Belgium at the World Cup. (Scotsman - subscription required)Falkirk chief executive Jamie Swinney says the multi-million pound sales of players like Bojan Miovski, Lennon Miller and Keiron Bowie in recent years show Scottish clubs are "not taking the first bid or the second". (Record - subscription required)St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says he can take his time to target another goalkeeper now Ross Sinclair has signed a new contract. (Courier - subscription required)Brazil winger Raphinha, 29, is a doubt for Wednesday's World Cup meeting with Scotland. (Sun)Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller is poised to become Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach permanently after leading his side to an Israeli Cup final victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva as caretaker after Ronny Deila left. (Glasgow Times)

Wales and Manchester United legend Mark Hughes has said he and his family are “totally heartbroken” following the sudden death of his son Alex aged 38.Alex Hughes had spells playing at Stockport and Wrexham before turning to performance analysis and recruitment. He worked with his father during his time as manager of Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham. He became Grimsby Town’s player recruitment lead last July. Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes.Rest in peace, Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.#GTFC— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) June 21, 2026In a statement released via the League Managers Association, Wales and Manchester United great Hughes said: “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex.“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo. Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.“We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss.”Grimsby Town chairman Andrew Pettit said: “Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is shocked and saddened by the news of Alex’s passing. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. He will always be remembered as a valued member of the Mariners family who contributed so much during his time with us.”

Liverpool to launch improved bid for Yan Diomandé after €100m rejection, as Leipzig fight to keep breakout starLiverpool are preparing an improved offer for Yan Diomandé after an opening proposal of €100m was turned down.RB Leipzig are determined to keep hold of the in-demand winger for a further season, despite strong interest from Europe.Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have both pursued Diomande, with the former submitting a €100m (£86.7m) bid earlier this week. The offer was an initial €90m, with a further €10m in add-ons, and was rejected by theBundesliga side.Leipzig are ready to resist further approaches, though Diomande has told the club that his preference is to leave now.Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Liverpool are set to submit a new bid imminently.Diomande signed for Leipzig from Leganes last summer and enjoyed a breakout campaign in theBundesliga.The 19-year-old scored 12 goals and added eight assists, and this summer has become the youngest player to appear for his country at a World Cup. He was named man of the match as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador in their tournament opener.Liverpool view Diomande as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, who is set to leave Anfield this summer after nine seasons.The Reds have already secured their first signing of the summer under new head coach Andoni Iraola, with a

Nottingham Forest Attacker Offered in Gila Swap Deal – Lazio Are InterestedA swap deal involving Mario Gila and Lorenzo Lucca could be brewing, as both Napoli and Lazio are open to the idea.Lazio Set Mario Gila Asking PriceThe Spanish defender is widely expected to leave the club this summer, as his contract will expire next year. Despite his short contract, the Biancocelesti have set their asking price at €25-30 million, given that they must share the spoils with the player’s former club, Real Madrid, which has a 50% sell-on fee.Napoli Willing to Offer Lorenzo Lucca in Exchange for GilaIn recent days, it has been reported that Napoli will try to lower their costs by offering players in exchange. According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Lucca remains the most plausible option, as the Partenopei are determined to keep Rafa Marin, while Sam Beukema has no intention of leaving the Stadio Maradona one year after making the €33 million transfer from Bologna.Lucca Has Struggled at Napoli & Nottingham ForestLucca is a giant striker, standing at 201 cm, who first broke into the scene at Pisa. After a successful experience at Udinese between 2023 and 2025, Napoli spent €35 million to secure his services last summer, but he was relegated to the bench following Rasmus Hojlund’s arrival.The Italian international then joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January, but endured a forgettable stint in England. All in all, Lucca only scored three goals in 32 appearances last season.Why Lazio Are Interested in LuccaDespite his miserable campaign, the Moncalieri native still has admirers in the Italian peninsula, including Genoa, who have enquired about his services. Nevertheless, Lazio have the upper hand thanks to their open dialogue with Napoli over Gila.Gennaro Gattuso has requested the signing of a new centre-forward, considering it a top priority. The new Lazio head coach doesn’t see Tijjani Noslin as a pure striker, while Boulaye Dia has struggled in this role last season, and Petar Ratkov has yet to adjust to Italian football after his January move from RB Salzburg.

There are plenty of ways to throw away a championship lead. Marco Bezzecchi found a new one. Bezzecchi’s Saturday at Brno got dramatically worse when the world championship leader was suspended from Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix following an altercation with marshals during the Sprint.The ban is fully deserved. It’s also a staggering act of self-sabotage from a rider who, until that moment, had looked entirely in control of a title fight he started the weekend leading.The Italian was running fifth when he crashed at Turn 3 on the penultimate lap of the Brno sprint.As marshals were lifting his Aprilia RS-GP from the gravel trap, one of them accidentally twisted the throttle, causing the engine to rev – at which point Bezzecchi ran over.He forcefully pushed a marshal aside, and while the marshal appeared to try to explain he was only attempting to lift the bike, Bezzecchi switched off the machine and then slapped the marshal in the face with an open hand before walking away.The context around the throttle incident might explain what was going through his head. It doesn’t come close to excusing it.The first thing Marco Bezzecchi did today was to apologize personally to the marshal A very emotional moment #CzechGPpic.twitter.com/QJfqAHTbJw— MotoGP (@MotoGP) June 21, 2026This Wasn’t Even a One-OffThis is not the first time Bezzecchi has run into trouble with marshals. During the 2022 Valencia Grand Prix, he received a €1,000 fine as a MotoGP rookie after grabbing and shoving a marshal following a crash in which his Ducati caught fire.Back then, a fine was sufficient. Four years later, the stewards weren’t in a forgiving mood – and they shouldn’t have been.The stewards deemed his behavior an infringement of Article 3.3.2.2, classifying it as an action “prejudicial to the interests of the sport,” and hit Bezzecchi with a complete weekend disqualification.Following Marco Bezzecchi’s disgraceful incident in which he hit a marshal, the stewards have banned him from the Czech GP.Do you think the punishment fits the offence, or is it too lenient?pic.twitter.com/bVSpMIzKXZ— MV33Racing (@MV33Racing) June 20, 2026A subsequent appeal lodged by Aprilia on Saturday evening was also rejected.On Sunday morning, Bezzecchi issued a public statement saying there can be no justification for his behaviour: “I would like to apologise to the entire MotoGP community for my behaviour towards the trackside marshal. I’m also sorry because I know how much effort and sacrifice marshals make to ensure our safety. This behaviour shouldn’t happen and there is no justification for it. I apologise to everyone, Aprilia Racing and all my fans.” He also went to the marshal stationed at Turn 3 to apologise in person.The damage to his championship, though, is now done and entirely self-inflicted.Jorge Martin – who scored five points in the sprint race – now has a chance to close within striking distance, with Bezzecchi’s lead trimmed to just 15 points.Further back, Fabio di Giannantonio sits 36 points adrift in third, with Pedro Acosta 48 behind and reigning champion Marc Marquez 65 points back.Martin must also serve two long-lap penalties on Sunday for causing a crash in Hungary, which complicates his own race.A one-race ban for hitting a marshal twice – once could arguably be written off as panic; the second is just assault – feels lenient if anything. Bezzecchi has now handed his rivals a gift, handed himself a reputation problem, and done it all while leading a world championship. That’s not bad luck. That’s a self-destruct button pressed in broad daylight, on camera, from multiple angles.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' countdown to kickoff is full steam ahead of the 2026 NFL regular season, with fans needing to wait only 84 more days until the Steel City brand of football hosts the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.In the spirit of the countdown, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 84 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.Steelers current No. 84 wearer: RB Max HurlemanSigning with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2025, Hurleman is the current No. 84 wearer on the roster. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, Hurleman signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers in January 2026.Last five Steelers to wear No. 84Cole Burgess, 2025-presentCordarrelle Patterson, 2024Antonio Brown, 2010-2018Jerame Tuman, 1999-2007Harold Bishop, 1998Best No. 84 in Steelers history: WR Antonio BrownIn what is an easy slam-dunk selection for the Countdown to Kickoff Day No. 84, Antonio Brown is the greatest wearer in franchise history.Selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Brown appeared in 130 games for Pittsburgh and recorded 1,275 catches for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns.Arguably the greatest receiver in franchise history, Brown did just about everything you could ask of a future Pro Football Hall of Fame wideout. Four First-Team All-Pro selections? Check. One Second-Team All-Pro selection and seven Pro Bowl honors? Check.A Lombardi is all that avoided his grasp during his nine-year stint with Pittsburgh. But he still managed to win a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of his career.Mr. Big Chest himself, Brown is the best No. 84 wearer in Steelers history, and it isn't even close.For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers 2026 countdown to kickoff: Best and current wearer of No. 84

Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Saturday, June 20, 2026, en route to Switzerland. (Elizabeth Frantz/Pool Photo via AP)2026-06-21T04:01:05Z OBBUERGEN, Switzerland (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance landed Sunday in Switzerland to help formally launch negotiations with Iranian leaders over curbing Tehran’s nuclear program and building out the fragile interim deal to end the war in Iran.The framework was signed last week, and now top U.S. and Iranian negotiators are in a 60-day sprint to reach an agreement on the technical details that hold massive implications for the world economy and global security. Iran dealt two quick blows to the interim agreement with the United States on Saturday, angered by Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon, saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz and announcing that while its negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks, not much is likely to happen there. Yet the first days of that two-month period were complicated by the heavy exchange of fire in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah — and by the subsequent announcement by Iran’s military that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that transits a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas.Vance had originally been slated to be on the ground at the picturesque Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne on Friday, but his departure from the United States was delayed after fighting escalated in Lebanon and Iranian officials canceled plans to attend the talks. A convoy with U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, in Switzerland Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool Photo via AP) A convoy with U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, in Switzerland Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool Photo via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, early Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool via AP) Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, early Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More U.S. Central Command disputed Iran’s claim that it had once again shuttered the strait and said U.S. forces continued to monitor the situation to ensure traffic continues to flow through the waterway. Vance has said that millions of barrels of oil have moved through the strait in recent days. Vance departed the U.S. just after Iranian state TV said Iran’s negotiators had arrived in Switzerland. Tehran’s negotiators include parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with central bank and oil officials. Read More The U.S. vice president joins special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who have already been on the ground to begin sifting through the technical details of the nuclear talks. Air Force Two, with Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance on board, departs Joint Base Andrews, Md., Saturday, June 20, 2026, en route to Switzerland. (Elizabeth Frantz/Pool Photo via AP) Air Force Two, with Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance on board, departs Joint Base Andrews, Md., Saturday, June 20, 2026, en route to Switzerland. (Elizabeth Frantz/Pool Photo via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More A convoy with U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, in Switzerland Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool Photo via AP) A convoy with U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, in Switzerland Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone, Pool Photo via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The talks between the U.S. and Iran will also include Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, as well as Qatari mediators. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sharif will also meet separately with each delegation from Iran, Switzerland and the United States “to reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region.” Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, arrived at Emmen Air Base outside Lucerne just before 6 a.m. local time, according to his office. While Vance said he planned to be in Switzerland for just “a day or two,” leaving much of the detailed negotiations to be spearheaded by Witkoff and Kushner, his role in the talks has heightened scrutiny of the vice president at a time when he’s actively considering a 2028 presidential campaign. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Trump and Vance have come under searing criticism from parts of their own party for the deal, with Republican hard-liners unfavorably likening it to a nuclear agreement signed by the Obama administration that Trump and the GOP have insisted did nothing to actually terminate Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian immediately allows Tehran to sell its oil freely and paves the way for Iran to tap into billions of dollars in assets that are currently frozen. It also calls for Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, believed to be buried under nuclear sites that were targeted in U.S. strikes last summer. The agreement says commercial vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days without a charge, but does not preclude future fees imposed by Iran. Trump made his own threat on Saturday to levy U.S. tolls on the strait if there is no deal with Iran in 60 days, insisting in a social media post that the money would be for “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East.”The Trump administration has been working to reassure global markets that the Iran war has been merely a blip on oil prices, as Americans have complained the conflict resulted in hiking gasoline prices ahead of peak summer travel months. After the White House announced the deal a week ago, oil futures dropped almost 8% — and markets are expected to closely track the progress of talks when they open for trading on Sunday evening. Further complicating matters, neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a signatory to the deal between the U.S. and Iran, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep his forces in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is eliminated. Hezbollah has refused to halt its attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing from Lebanon.Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in the initial days after the agreement between the U.S. and Iran killed 47 people in Lebanon, as well as four Israeli soldiers. ___Kim reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report. AAMER MADHANI Madhani is a White House reporter for the Associated Press whose reporting focuses on U.S. foreign policy. Contact him securely on Signal at aamermadhani.39 twitter mailto SEUNG MIN KIM Kim covers the White House for The Associated Press. She joined the AP in 2022 and is based in Washington. Kim is also a political analyst for CNN. twitter mailto JAMEY KEATEN Keaten is the chief Associated Press reporter in Geneva. He previously was posted in Paris and has reported from Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Africa and across Europe. twitter

A security guard stands watch at Taylor Swift's "Holiday House," Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)2026-06-21T05:08:15Z WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill estate this week, it didn’t take long for speculation about the superstar’s impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village — and the internet. Soon, fans were swapping theories online, photographers were staking out vantage points and residents found themselves fielding questions about a wedding that never was. Or at least, a wedding that seems yet to happen.The rumors, so far, have proved unfounded. But they offered a glimpse into life in Watch Hill, the Rhode Island beach community in the town of Westerly, close to the Connecticut border, where Swift has owned a home for more than a decade and where curiosity about the singer has become woven into everyday life. Rumors take holdFrom the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Security cameras dotted the property, and a guard called out to visitors who strayed too close.Wedding planner Nicole Simeral, dressed in black, stood outside the small white chapel across from the massive yellow Ocean House hotel — Swift’s neighbor on the beach — waving along cars and buses that slowed and directing traffic to keep moving. A couple walks by the Ocean House hotel where a temporary event tent prompted speculation of the possibility of Taylor Swift’s impending wedding, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) A couple walks by the Ocean House hotel where a temporary event tent prompted speculation of the possibility of Taylor Swift’s impending wedding, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More She watched visitors speculate about a wedding she said she knew wasn’t Swift’s. She’s working a different wedding every weekend in June in that spot. Still, the questions kept coming. “Is Taylor Swift getting married here? Many, many, many have asked,” Simeral said. Read More She said there had been “a lot of chitter chatter” as people tried to connect sightings of people who know Swift in local shops to impending nuptials. But she doubted Watch Hill would be practical for a wedding of that scale because of its limited luxury lodging.The Watch Hill rumors also dovetailed with separate online speculation that Swift and her fiance, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, were planning a celebration at Madison Square Garden, though no details about the pair’s wedding have been released, despite multiple requests for comment to Swift’s spokesperson. The tent itself, Simeral said, was hardly unusual. “Next weekend, there’ll be another tent just like this.” Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. For two summers, Westerly Police Department community service officer Nick Quaratella has stood at the entrance to a public path leading to the beach beside Swift’s estate, answering questions from beachgoers and keeping traffic moving. “They come to the beach, but then they also ask if she’s here or not,” Quaratella said. Community service officer Nick Quaratella keeps watch over beach-goers using a public path next to Taylor Swift house, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Community service officer Nick Quaratella keeps watch over beach-goers using a public path next to Taylor Swift house, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More He said he can’t help but joke around with some fans. “I’ll say, ‘Oh, did you hear that she moved?’” he said. “And they’ll say, ‘No.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson moved in.’ And they’ll go, ‘Oh, really?’ and then they’ll walk away.”“That’s pretty funny,” he concluded.Over the years, he’s seen plenty of unusual reactions. His coworker once spotted a fan on their knees, bowing toward the entrance gate near the property. Visitors have shouted “I love you, Taylor!” from the roadside. One woman convinced her granddaughter he was Swift’s security guard and posed for a photo with him. Quaratella has fielded a few questions about the supposed wedding, but not as many as he expected.“At this point, it’s part of my job,” he said. “It makes me smile. It makes me laugh. I have no problem with it. It makes the day go by.”Living with Taylor SwiftDown near a strip of beach boutiques, lifelong resident Lauren Nigrelli said the frenzy surrounding the star has eased since Swift first moved into the neighborhood in 2013. Back then, Nigrelli recalled, fans would drive around in circles by her shop playing Swift’s songs.“Things have definitely calmed down since then,” she said. A security guard stands watch at Taylor Swift's "Holiday House," Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) A security guard stands watch at Taylor Swift's "Holiday House," Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Taylor Swift's "Holiday House" sits atop a bluff overlooking Block Island Sound, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Taylor Swift's "Holiday House" sits atop a bluff overlooking Block Island Sound, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Today, Swift’s presence remains a fixture among local businesses in what she described as a “quaint New England coastal community.” Nigrelli, a Realtor who owns the boutiques Tide and Tide Kids, said she began selling apparel emblazoned with “Holiday House,” the nickname associated with Swift’s mansion, after children began coming into the store asking for it. On Saturday, she was also selling a Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding sticker book. “I think every shop has something related to her,” Nigrelli said.On the beach below the mansion, Audrey and John Curtis, a married couple from Connecticut who have been vacationing in Westerly for years, settled into beach chairs and debated the wedding rumors.“We were just looking up at her house,” Audrey Curtis said, pointing toward the mansion. “She’s not getting married here now, though.” Audrey and John Curtis of Mansfield, Conn., enjoy a beach day a short distance from Taylor Swift’s “Holiday House,” in background, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Audrey and John Curtis of Mansfield, Conn., enjoy a beach day a short distance from Taylor Swift’s “Holiday House,” in background, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Westerly, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Curtis said she had heard various theories, including speculation that a wedding might be held at Ocean House. But as she thought through the logistics, she became skeptical.“Then I was thinking about, ‘How would everybody get here?’” she said. “In New York, you’ve got JFK, you’ve got LaGuardia, and she’s got two penthouses in New York that she combined, so I figured they could obviously have more people there.”Her husband wasn’t so sure.“They could lie and say it’s happening there, but it’s happening here,” John Curtis said. “When important people do things, they don’t want people to know.” 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with local residents as he visits a housing development in north London, Friday, June 19, 2026. (Peter Macdiarmid/Pool Photo via AP)2026-06-21T08:34:08Z LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a career-defining decision: step down or fight a challenge from Labour Party rival Andy Burnham.Starmer has publicly vowed to stay in post, but pressure is building as more and more Labour Party colleagues conclude his time is up. Expectation is growing that he will announce a timetable for his resignation as soon as Monday. That’s the day Burnham will be sworn in as a lawmaker in the House of Commons after winning a special election last week.Starmer is spending the weekend at Chequers, the country mansion used by British prime ministers, with his family.Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Sunday that Starmer is “making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in.”“I know he is a prime minister who always puts his country first,” Kyle told the BBC, though he said reports that Starmer will resign are “speculation.” Discontent with the prime minister has been building for months, with Labour lawmakers desperate to reverse the government’s decline in popularity since Starmer led the center-left party to a landslide election victory in July 2024. He has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living, and has been hamstrung by repeated missteps, including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as the U.K. ambassador to the United States. Read More Labour is losing liberal voters to the growing Green Party and facing a rising Reform UK, the Nigel Farage -led anti-immigration party that consistently leads in nationwide opinion polls.Burnham, until this week the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, decisively won the seat of Makerfield in northwestern England in a special election held Thursday. He took almost 55% of the 45,510 votes cast, over 9,000 more than the Reform UK runner-up. Now that he is a lawmaker, he’s in a position to challenge Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party. Burnham’s acceptance speech left no doubt that he wants to lead both the party and the country. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working,” he said. “Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.”Starmer congratulated Burnham on Friday, but insisted he would fight any attempt to oust him.“I will run, I will stand,” if there is a Labour leadership contest, Starmer said. “I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that.”But Charlie Falconer, a senior Labour member of the House of Lords, said Saturday that Starmer has “absolutely no authority” left.“There should be an agreed transition process in which Andy and Keir cooperate as to when the handover should take place,” he told the BBC. JILL LAWLESS Lawless is based in London, covering British politics, diplomacy and culture and top stories from the UK and beyond. She has reported for the AP from two dozen countries on four continents. twitter mailto

In this combination of photos shows presidential candidates Abelardo de la Espriella, left, on May 6, 2026, and Ivan Cepeda on May 31, 2026, in Bogota, Colombia. (AP Photo)2026-06-21T07:00:41Z BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A deeply divided electorate will choose Colombia’s next president in a runoff on Sunday that pits a progressive against a conservative outsider, with both candidates tapping into fears of a renewed internal conflict in the country.Voters will choose between businessman and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda, a lawmaker and heir to the political movement of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, the nation’s first leftist leader. The two defeated nine other contenders in a May 31 vote.Both are pitching strategies that they say will prevent the South American country from experiencing the nonstop merciless violence, such as car bombs, kidnappings, disappearances and forced displacements that Colombians lived with in previous decades. Supporters of Historic Pact coalition presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda attend his campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Supporters of Historic Pact coalition presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda attend his campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Supporters of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella attend his campaign rally in Buga, Colombia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga) Supporters of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella attend his campaign rally in Buga, Colombia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More De la Espriella is proposing a heavy-handed approach that has earned him the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump. Cepeda is promising to continue Petro’s efforts, including attempts at establishing dialogue with multiple illegal armed groups even though those efforts have largely failed. The two candidates also are offering differing solutions for the country’s struggling health system, ballooning public debt and entrenched corruption. “Right now, what worries me is the polarization that exists between us: there are two very extreme sides, and the violence is concerning,” John Manrique, a lawyer in the capital, Bogota, said as he walked his dog. Read More “What I hope is that people accept who won,” he added. “Let’s accept it, regardless of the side, and try to reach a social consensus. … Let’s not go out and fight.”In the first round, Cepeda earned 41% of the vote, while de la Espriella garnered 44%, according to official results. Petro, without evidence, sowed doubts in the results after Cepeda, who had consistently lead polls ahead of the May vote, did not win outright and even finished behind de la Espriella. Fighting between rebel groups plagues the nationThe election comes 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, that had offered hope to break the nation’s vicious cycle of fighting between rebel groups and the government.But violence has since roared back, particularly as most rebel groups abandoned their ideologically driven fight for the financial benefits of drug trafficking. Historic Pact coalition presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda waves during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Historic Pact coalition presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda waves during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella stands before supporters from inside a bulletproof booth during his campaign rally in Buga, Colombia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga) Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella stands before supporters from inside a bulletproof booth during his campaign rally in Buga, Colombia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Last year, authorities recorded 14,780 homicides, the most since at least 2015 and driven by clashes among illegal armed groups. Among those killed was conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe. Extortions have also soared, reaching 13,417 cases in 2025, more than double the number tallied in 2015. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. More than 41 million people are eligible to vote on Sunday.De la Espriella, a political newcomer nicknamed “The Tiger,” has promised to fiercely go after criminals and build 10 mega-prisons, emulating the policies of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele that have lowered homicide rates but have fueled accusations of human rights abuses.Cepeda wants to carry on Petro’s fraught signature plan to achieve “total peace” by negotiating pacts with guerrillas and criminal gangs. The heavily criticized strategy that Petro kicked off in 2022 took until Thursday to see the first armed group — one with about 100 members — give up its weapons and begin a resettlement process that will lead to their reintegration into civilian life. Colombia’s illegal groups have more than 27,000 members. Yamile Guevara, a retired teacher in Bogota, said Petro’s plans need more time to bear results as he could not reasonably be expected to make lasting changes in a conflict that has gone on for six decades. She also criticized what she described as voters’ perennial distrust of Colombia’s left over its long-held association with rebel groups. “The left has always been viewed negatively; it has been harsh, and many people have died,” Guevara, a Cepeda supporter, said. “So, one wonders what’s wrong with people who have forgotten history … how can they not think carefully about which candidate they are going to elect?” The lead-up to the runoff has seen an increase in verbal attacks between the candidates as well as accusations of fraud, vote-buying and intimidation. Cepeda filed a complaint with the Colombian Attorney General’s Office and the International Criminal Court against de la Espriella, accusing him of having ties to paramilitary groups. De la Espriella has denied the accusation. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The Tennessee Titans have wrapped up offseason workouts and are on hiatus until the start of training camp at the end of July.Now, with all of the offseason work in the books, it’s time to look back at some of those who made an impact, and one of those was a rookie who caught the eye of Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, who lists him as one trending in the right direction.Carnell TateIn an effort to support second-year quarterback Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans used the fourth overall pick on Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. While many pundits believed Tennessee could have gotten better value by taking one of the draft's elite defensive prospects, Tate is already looking like an early-impact receiver.Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, for one, has been impressed."He's a young player, still learning, but he's smart," he said, per John Glennon of the Nashville Post. "He's got good ball skills. Everything we saw on tape at Ohio State …He's come in, and he's acclimated himself well."Tate wasn't a true No. 1 receiver at Ohio State, but he frequently flashed with his route-running, body control, reliable hands, and ball skills. In other words, he's the sort of reliable go-to target that Ward simply didn't have as a rookie. The good news is that Tate doesn't seem to be struggling with the jump to the NFL. The better news is that he already appears to be developing chemistry with his new quarterback."The Titans believe Tate has the tools to be a No. 1 receiver," ESPN's Turron Davenport wrote. "The rookie is off to a good start so far, after Ward connected with him frequently during OTAs."Ward has more than exceeded expectations and made a tremendous first impression during workouts. A big, physical receiver, Tate proved to be a matchup problem, and his chemistry with Ward has been on display throughout the open sessions. Yes, there is still a way to go, but so far, it appears general manager Mike Borgonzi made the right choice.This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans' Carnell Tate named a rookie trending in the right direction

TimesofIndia. com in Chennai: One of India's biggest concerns in the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup has been their inability to consistently strike in the middle overs. Between overs 20 and 35, when teams often look to consolidate before launching in the death overs, breakthroughs have come only in patches.The trend has been evident across recent bilateral series. Against Australia, India managed just four wickets in the phase across three matches, while New Zealand exposed the issue further, with India going wicketless in the middle overs in the Rajkot and Indore ODIs, which they eventually lost. South Africa offered a brighter picture as Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna combined for nine wickets across three games.The Afghanistan series continued the mixed returns. India picked up five wickets in the rain-shortened Dharamsala ODI and another five in Lucknow, but managed only one middle-over wicket in Chennai despite dominating the contest.Interestingly, with the team management seeming to lose confidence in left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been India's genuine wicket-taker in the middle overs, Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill will need to find a solution.Captain Gill believes the answer lies in India's tall fast bowlers: Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, who he thinks are capable of creating opportunities even when conditions offer little assistance."Honestly, the combination and the kind of bowlers that we are trying to play are part of what we're building. We want to create as many opportunities as we can," Gill told reporters after India sealed a 3-0 win over Afghanistan."In that middle phase, we've seen that once the ball gets a little older on a good wicket, with only four fielders outside the circle, batting becomes much easier. That's why we're trying to play bowlers like Prasidh and Harshit. They are tall, fast bowlers who offer us something different."At the same time, it's important to give someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy enough overs in the middle, even if we know there might be better options for those conditions who can get us wickets. It's important for players like him to gain confidence going into the World Cup," added Gill.Gill said India's young fast bowlers are being trained to adapt quickly to different surfaces by identifying the ideal length as early as possible. On red-soil wickets, he wants them to bowl fuller, while black-soil pitches demand slightly shorter lengths.The emphasis, he said, is on consistently hitting the top-of-off-stump, around the fourth-stump area - the toughest line for batters to score from. India also wants its pacers to use their natural bounce to keep creating wicket-taking opportunities, even if it occasionally results in extra runs."It's about assessing the wicket. Different wickets demand different lengths. On a wicket like this, you have to bowl a little fuller, while on a black-soil wicket, you might have to bowl slightly shorter. As a bowling unit, what we're trying to do is assess the conditions as early as possible and consistently hit that top-of-off-stump, full-stump area because that's the hardest ball to score off," he said."At the same time, we want to keep using the bounce. It gives batters scoring opportunities as well, but it also creates chances for us to take wickets."Gill looked pretty pleased with the Indian pace quartet's performance in this series. It was the debut series for the likes of Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav, and the captain felt it was an encouraging sign."It's very encouraging. These are great signs for Indian cricket that we can keep producing fast bowlers who consistently bowl at 140-plus," said Gill, who was adjudged Player of the Series."We have a good bunch of tall fast bowlers who can hit the right areas and still create opportunities with the old ball, even when there's not much help from the wicket or the conditions."Among the tall fast bowlers, Gurnoor Brar was probably the find of the series. The six-foot-five pacer picked up seven wickets in three games, bowled at rapid pace and extracted good bounce from the surface. But Gill feels Brar has a lot to learn going forward and is hopeful that the 26-year-old pacer will only grow in confidence from here."I think he ticked most of the boxes. There are some things that only come with experience, and hopefully he'll keep growing as a bowler."If I have to be really critical, he did concede a few runs and was a little inconsistent at times. But he's young, playing his first series at the highest level, and he's bowling quick. He has all the qualities we want in a young, tall fast bowler, and with experience he's only going to get better," said Gill.Prasidh Krishna, another tall fast bowler, blew away Afghanistan on a pitch with some pace and bounce in Chennai, producing a sensational bowling display to claim his maiden ODI five-for."What he brings to the table is that we saw there was good bounce in the wicket early on and the ball was doing a bit," said Gill while praising his Gujarat Titans teammate."If he keeps hitting those areas consistently, he can create a lot of opportunities for us as a bowler. If he continues doing that, it'll be great for the team."Gill said India are keeping their fast-bowling plans flexible rather than assigning fixed roles. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to return for the England tour, he indicated that Bumrah could take the new ball, while Prasidh Krishna is equally capable of doing so if required. 131886828"It's about being flexible. There isn't one fixed role," Gill said.The captain added that the management is encouraging bowlers to adapt to different combinations and bowl with maximum intensity."We're trying different combinations, and we encourage our bowlers to give everything regardless of whether they're bowling with the new ball or as first change," he said."We've spoken about giving bowlers like Prasidh and Gurnoor shorter spells of three or four overs and asking them to bowl their hearts out and bowl as fast as they can."Whether the experiment ultimately succeeds will only become clear closer to the World Cup, but India's direction is evident. Instead of relying solely on wrist spin for middle-over breakthroughs, the management is investing in a battery of tall fast bowlers who can extract bounce, hit the deck hard and force mistakes even on placid surfaces. If Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana continue to develop, India could head to the World Cup with a very different blueprint for the middle overs.

Texas A&M coach Michael Earley is entering his second season at the helm with even higher expectations after landing nearly a dozen players from the transfer portal, including five pitchers, and after hiring new pitching coach Barry Enright, the Aggies rehired Nolan Cain, who served as an assistant coach with coach Jim Schlossnagle and the Texas Longhorns over the past two seasons. Stealing Cain away from Texas sent shockwaves through the college baseball landscape, and after watching Oklahoma's historic run in the College World Series, just one win away from securing its first national title since 1994, loading up on MLB-level prospects from the portal, which includes Clemson transfer catcher Nate Savoie. Cain will be one of the hotter head coach candidates, and is by far the best recruiter in college baseball, and just hours before his return was announced, the Aggies landed a commitment from Houston transfer pitcher Caleb Kimble, followed by landing former South Carolina LHP Logan Prisco, proving his impact.Slated to lose its top three hitters, as Caden Sorrell, Chris Hacopian, and Gavin Grahovac are all considered first or second-round MLB Draft picks, finding replacements to pair with rising sophomores Nico Partida, Boston Kellner, and Jorian Wilson is vital, and Savoie, combined with Jack Bell (TCU), Lane Arroyos (Western Kentucky), is a good start. Texas A&M's coaching additions are likely complete, with Enright and Cain now hired, placing more pressure on Michael Earley to not just get back to the NCAA Tournament but also make the College World Series for the first time since the memorable 2024 run. While more additions are likely on the way, the current roster is already in solid shape and is still awaiting announcements from several key players about their returns.One important note: With Nolan Cain returning, his associate head coach's role will not include a return to third base, and he could coach first base while serving as the team's primary recruiter. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M baseball's 2026 staff needs to produce results soon

Nmecha sets up the winning goal: Germany celebrate a last-minute victory over the Ivory CoastAs in the 7-1 opening victory against Curaçao, the midfielder was in the German’s starting line-up and once again impressed with a strong performance in the centre of the park. Nmecha won numerous balls, time and again cleverly set up his teammates and led the way with his aggressive style of play.However, Germany initially fell behind on Saturday evening as Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié scored in the 30th minute to make it 1-0 for the West Africans. Even after the break, the German national team struggled for a long time before the substitutions made by German coach Julian Nagelsmann provided a new impetus. Substitute Deniz Undav scored the equaliser in the 68th minute to start turning the game around.In stoppage time, Felix Nmecha finally made the decisive impact. The Dortmund player's perfectly timed through ball sent Undav clear. The substitute kept his cool in front of goal and slotted home the much-celebrated winner to make it 2-1 (90+4). For Nmecha, it was the match-winning assist that capped off yet another outstanding performance.The evening did not go so well for Nico Schlotterbeck. The centre-back picked up an injury in a challenge after just under a quarter of an hour and had to receive treatment. The Dortmund player was substituted at half-time. Antonio Rüdiger came on in his place.To round off the group stage, Germany face Ecuador on Thursday (22:00 CEST). The South Americans’ surprise 0-0 draw against Curaçao on Sunday has already secured the German side top spot in Group E early.Daniel Svensson, however, was unsuccessful with Sweden. The Scandinavians lost 1-5 to the Netherlands in their second Group F match. Svensson did not feature and remained on the bench for the entire match.

The high school football season in the Montgomery-area is only a couple of months away, but 7-on-7 tournaments are in full swing. It's an opportunity for skill players to sharpen their techniques and get comfortable with their quarterbacks for the upcoming season.The Montgomery Advertiser wants to know what high school quarterback in the Montgomery-area will have the best season in 2026 with a readers' poll, presented by The Vance Law Firm.Voting will open Sunday, June 21, and will be open until noon Thursday, June 25. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 26. Montgomery Advertiser's preseason readers poll for best high school quarterback in the Montgomery-area presented by Vance Law Firm for the 2026 seasonWill McKay, Prattville Gunner Gibbs, Pike Road Reid McBride, Montgomery Academy Charlie Skipper, WetumpkaWill Blackwell, Montgomery Catholic Jayden Tyus, Carver-Montgomery Land Sharpless, Trinity Presbyterian Davis Foshee, Stanhope Elmore Vote for Montgomery Advertiser's preseason readers poll for best high school quarterback in the Montgomery-area presented by Vance Law Firm for the 2026 seasonJaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery-area best high school QB fan poll for 2026 season

Czech Republic vs Mexico Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best BetsMexico arrive at the Estadio Banorte with a perfect six points and a nation expecting more — but Czech Republic have nothing to lose and everything to prove in a match that could define their entire World Cup…Czech Republic vs Mexico kicks off on 24 June 2026 at 19:00 local time (01:00 BST, 25 June) at the Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. This Group A Matchday 3 fixture is live on BBC and iPlayer in the UK.Group A Standings: Mexico lead on 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L, +3 GD). South Korea sit second on 3 points. Czech Republic and South Africa are both on 1 point, with Czech Republic holding a better goal difference (-1 vs -2). POPULARBest World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus 10 EXCEPTIONAL BetfredBetfredBet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets BET NOWWhat’s At StakeMexico have already secured qualification to the knockout stage with back-to-back wins and can clinch top spot in Group A with a win or draw here. For Czech Republic, the maths is brutally simple: only a win keeps them genuinely alive. A draw leaves them dependent on South Africa failing to beat South Korea, while a defeat ends their tournament. Manager I. Hasek’s side came through a play-off gauntlet to reach their second World Cup as an independent nation, and surrendering in three games would be a painful ending to a historic qualification story.VerdictMexico to win this match looks the most grounded call given their flawless group-stage record, superior squad depth, and the overwhelming home support at the Estadio Banorte. At 1/1, the hosts represent solid value for a side that has conceded zero goals in two World Cup fixtures and look well-organised under J. Aguirre.Czech Republic vs Mexico Match PreviewThere is a raw, unavoidable tension running through this fixture. Czech Republic need a result to have any realistic chance of progressing, yet they face a Mexico side that is unbeaten, unscored upon, and playing in front of a stadium synonymous with the game’s greatest moments. The Estadio Banorte has hosted World Cup football at three separate tournaments, and on a warm June night in Mexico City the noise alone could be worth a goal.Czech Republic have shown they are competitive at this level. A 1-1 draw with South Africa and a 1-2 defeat to South Korea suggest a side capable of contributing to open matches, and Patrik Schick remains one of the most dangerous centre-forwards in the tournament at any odds. But Hasek’s squad was built for togetherness and tactical resilience rather than the kind of individual quality that can unlock a well-drilled Mexican defence that has yet to ship a goal at these finals.Mexico, for their part, have done everything right so far. Goals from Julien Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured wins over South Africa and South Korea, and the hosts look energised by the responsibility of carrying a nation’s hopes on home soil. Javier Aguirre has been here before, and his experience managing Mexico at two previous World Cups gives this squad a tactical calm that their opponents cannot match. Expect Mexico to control the tempo, protect their unbeaten record, and look to punish Czech Republic on the counter.Team FormCzech Republic – Last 5– South Africa (H): Drew 1-1 (FIFA World Cup) – South Korea (A): Lost 1-2 (FIFA World Cup) – Guatemala (N): Won 5-1 (Friendly) – Kosovo (H): Won 2-1 (Friendly) – Denmark (H): Drew 2-2 (FIFA World Cup Qualification)Czech Republic’s competitive form tells a mixed story. They were beaten by South Korea in their opening group game, then held South Africa to a share of the spoils. Their only convincing recent performances came in friendlies, including that 5-1 win over Guatemala. One point from two competitive World Cup games is a tough platform from which to beat the Group A leaders.Mexico – Last 5– South Korea (H): Won 1-0 (FIFA World Cup) – South Africa (H): Won 2-0 (FIFA World Cup) – Serbia (H): Won 5-1 (Friendly) – Australia (N): Won 1-0 (Friendly) – Ghana (H): Won 2-0 (Friendly)Mexico have been in exceptional form leading into this fixture, winning all five of their most recent matches. More tellingly, they have kept back-to-back clean sheets in competitive World Cup action against South Korea and South Africa, both of whom are considerably stronger opponents than the pre-tournament friendlies suggest. Raul Jimenez and the supporting cast look sharp, and the Estadio Banorte crowd will only amplify that.Czech Republic vs Mexico Head To HeadThe Czech Republic vs Mexico head to head record is limited, with just three meetings across all competitions. The most recent of those came at the Lunar New Year Cup in February 2000, when Czech Republic won 2-1. Before that, records stretch back to fixtures involving Czechoslovakia, including a notable 1-3 defeat to Mexico at the 1962 FIFA World Cup. Czech Republic hold the narrow historical edge in this matchup, but the context of those meetings bears little relevance to what faces them here.This will be the first competitive meeting between Czech Republic and Mexico since that 1962 World Cup encounter under the Czechoslovakia banner. With only three meetings ever recorded and a gap of over two decades since the last, there is no meaningful head-to-head pattern to lean on. Form, tournament context, and squad quality have to do the analytical heavy lifting for the Czech Republic vs Mexico prediction.Team NewsCzech RepublicCzech Republic arrived at this World Cup with a squad built heavily on domestic talent, with ten of their 26-man group drawn from Slavia Prague. Ladislav Krejci leads the group as captain and has already scored once at these finals, while Patrik Schick carries the expectation of a nation with 26 international goals in 53 caps. The squad came through a gruelling play-off process to qualify and have had two competitive matches to settle into their rhythm.No specific injuries or suspensions have been confirmed ahead of this fixture. Hasek is expected to persist with the flexible back-three system that has given Czech Republic their shape during qualifying and the early group stage games. Tomas Soucek brings experience and set-piece threat from midfield, and his presence alongside Michal Sadilek and Lukas Provod gives Czech Republic a combative engine room capable of pressing higher lines for spells of this game.MexicoMexico have no injury concerns to speak of entering this fixture after two composed and controlled group-stage wins. Edson Alvarez captains the side from a central defensive midfield role and has been excellent at shielding the back line. Raul Jimenez leads the attack with all the authority of a player with 124 caps and 45 international goals behind him, and Santiago Gimenez offers a dynamic alternative threat from Milan.Javier Aguirre has the luxury of a settled squad and no real selection dilemmas. With qualification already secured, he may consider whether to rotate some fringe options, but the desire to win the group and maintain momentum suggests the strongest available XI will take to the field. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, now 40, continues to provide veteran presence between the posts, though the real question is whether Aguirre opts to give younger squad members minutes given the result may be beyond doubt early.Predicted LineupsCzech Republic Predicted XICzech Republic (3-4-2-1): Jindrich Stanek; Tomas Holes, David Zima, Robin Hranac; Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Michal Sadilek, David Jurasek; Pavel Sulc, Adam Hlozek; Patrik Schick (c)Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.Mexico Predicted XIMexico (4-3-3): Guillermo Ochoa; Jorge Sanchez, Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Jesus Gallardo; Edson Alvarez (c), Luis Romo, Orbelín Pineda; Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jimenez, Julien QuinonesPredicted XI – squads to be confirmed.Key Tactical MatchupThe contest between Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez in the midfield battle will likely decide how much space Czech Republic are able to find in transition. Soucek, with 90 caps and 17 international goals, is one of the most physically imposing midfielders in this tournament and a constant aerial threat at set pieces. Alvarez, however, has been deployed as a defensive anchor for Mexico and has been exceptional at cutting off attacks before they develop. If Soucek can draw Alvarez higher up the pitch, Czech Republic will look to exploit the channels in behind Mexico’s defensive line. If Alvarez stays disciplined and deep, Czech Republic’s route to goal narrows considerably.Best Bets POPULARBest World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus 10 EXCEPTIONAL BetfredBetfredBet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets BET NOW 9.9 EXCEPTIONAL HighbetHighbetBet £10 and Get a £20 Free bet BET NOW 9.8 EXCEPTIONAL ParimatchParimatchSports Welcome Offer Bet and Get for a £20 Free Bet BET NOWMain Pick: Mexico to WinMexico to Win @ 1/1. Mexico have kept back-to-back clean sheets in Group A, won all five of their most recent matches, and are playing in front of a full house at the Estadio Banorte. Czech Republic arrive needing a win but with only one point from their two group-stage games so far. The gap in squad depth and home-ground advantage makes the hosts the clear selection here.Goals Market: Under 2.5 GoalsUnder 2.5 Goals @ 4/5. Mexico have been exceptionally tight defensively, conceding nothing across their two World Cup fixtures. Czech Republic have scored twice in two games but leaked three. The structure of this game, with Czech Republic potentially sitting deep to preserve a result, points toward a lower-scoring affair. Under 2.5 is well-supported by how both sides have played through the tournament so far.Scorer Market: Raul Jimenez Anytime ScorerRaul Jimenez to Score Anytime. Jimenez has already found the net at these finals and arrives with 45 international goals in 124 caps. He leads the Mexican attack with genuine authority and has the movement and finishing quality to punish a Czech Republic back line that has already conceded three goals in two group games. He is the most reliable offensive outlet on the pitch.Bet Builder SuggestionMexico to Win and Under 2.5 Goals. Combining the two strongest reads from this fixture gives a clean bet builder angle. Mexico win games without necessarily running up large scores, and Czech Republic’s defensive structure means this is unlikely to become a high-scoring open affair. A 1-0 or 2-0 Mexico win sits well within the range of likely outcomes based on current tournament evidence.Odds Across OperatorsHere are the best available prices on the three main Czech Republic vs Mexico betting odds outcomes for Matchday 3 of Group A.Mexico are clear favourites at evens, with Czech Republic a 11/4 shot for the outright win. The draw sits at 3/1, reflecting the possibility that a point might suit a Mexico side already through. Always compare across leading operators to find the best available price before placing.How To Watch and How To BetHow To WatchCzech Republic vs Mexico is live on BBC and available to stream free via BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom. Kick-off is at 19:00 local time in Mexico City on 24 June 2026, which is 01:00 BST on 25 June 2026. This is a Group A Matchday 3 fixture taking place at the Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.How To BetNew to betting on the World Cup? Here is a straightforward guide to getting your bet on safely and efficiently.Choose a licensed and regulated betting operator available in your country.Register for an account and complete any required identity verification steps.Deposit funds using your preferred payment method.Navigate to the football or World Cup 2026 section of the sportsbook.Search for Czech Republic vs Mexico and locate the market you want.Enter your stake and review your selection in the bet slip.Confirm the bet and keep a record of your wager.Watch the match live on BBC iPlayer and enjoy the action responsibly.Responsible GamblingBetting should always be enjoyable and kept within your means. Set deposit limits before you start, never chase losses, and take regular breaks. If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with gambling, free and confidential support is available through BeGambleAware. Please gamble responsibly. [morestories category=8]

Pace bowler Gus Atkinson (left) and captain Ben Stokes both played for England in the first Test at Lord's but were dropped for the second at The Oval [Getty Images]Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.Captain Stokes and pace bowler Atkinson were made unavailable for the second Test, which started on Wednesday, pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.But both were permitted to play domestic cricket, with Stokes turning out for Durham and Atkinson for Surrey in the first two days of matches that began on Friday.Stokes, 35, made 95 against Northamptonshire on Saturday, his highest score in any cricket since a century in the fourth Test against India last July.Atkinson took four wickets in the first innings of Surrey's game at Glamorgan. Both men have been withdrawn before day three of their respective matches, with the third Test at Trent Bridge beginning on Thursday.Tongue admits England have missed absent StokesRoot drags England fight into final day against NZIt emerged on Thursday that Stokes was likely to return to captain England for the third Test at Trent Bridge, alongside 28-year-Atkinson.The investigations into the pair breaking England's midnight curfew in the aftermath of the victory over New Zealand at Lord's are still to be completed.No official confirmation of the outcome of the investigation, or an England squad for the third Test, is expected until the conclusion of the second Test at The Oval, where the home side are set for a heavy defeat on Sunday's final day.Without Stokes and Atkinson, and with Ollie Robinson absent injured and Jamie Smith on paternity leave, England were forced into five changes from the team that won the first Test.And an inexperienced XI including three debutants has been exposed by New Zealand, who look set to level the series at 1-1 to force a decide at Trent Bridge.On Saturday, pace bowler Josh Tongue admitted England have "missed" Stokes."Stokesy is an unbelievable player," said Tongue. "I made my England debut when he was captain. I've got huge respect for Stokesy and it's always nice seeing him get some runs."More to follow.Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

In many ways, it was just a routine substitution in the 91st minute of New Zealand’s first group game against Iran.Defender Tyler Bindon came on for midfielder Marko Stamenic as they tried to close out a pretty good 2-2 draw for the Kiwis. Pretty standard stuff, nothing to get too excited about.But this was actually a moment of World Cup history. Why? Because Bindon’s introduction meant this was the first ever time that a mother and son had both played at a World Cup.Goalkeeper Jenny Bindon was born and raised in Illinois, but met New Zealand volleyball player Grant Bindon at Lewis University, moved there after getting married and went on to play 77 times for the New Zealand national team. Three of those appearances came at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China.“It’s a funny one because [before this World Cup] I said to people, ‘I think this is happening,’” Jenny tells The Athletic. She tried to figure out if anyone else had done this. “I was trying to think ‘OK, who had kids when I was playing?’ But I couldn’t think of anyone, so I was like…this might actually be a thing. So [when we found out] it was really cool, and we’re pretty stoked.”Tyler was born in Auckland in 2005. Unsurprisingly, because of his parents’ occupations, he grew up playing pretty much every sport possible. Jenny tried to tot them all up at one point, and while she thinks the final number is 17, there’s no guarantee she hasn’t forgotten one or two.But football was always the one. When he was 12, Jenny got a job as a coach at UCLA, and he joined the LAFC youth system, where he stayed for the next six years. That’s why it was so fitting that he made his World Cup debut at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It also meant that so many of the people who played a role in his football development were able to be there: again, the exact number is slightly hazy, but Jenny thinks a grand total of 53 friends, family, old coaches and others were there to support him.“Just seeing him on the pitch, with all those people in that beautiful stadium, you’re just like…‘What is happening?’ It’s a pinch me moment.”Tyler was just under three when Jenny went to that World Cup, and he went with her. He was too young to consciously remember much from that, but it was an example of how he naturally absorbed football. He would be around when she was coaching future stars of the women’s game. So for him, this sort of thing is normal: in quite a literal sense, he grew up with not just football, but elite-level football.“At three months old, he was at training, and he grew up listening to John Herdman [who was New Zealand Women coach during that World Cup]. He grew up playing with [Orlando Pride forward] Simone Jackson, and players like Ashley Sanchez and Hailie Mace. That was just normal for him. He just wants to play football with people that are good at playing football: he doesn’t care about race or gender or anything. If you can kick a ball, he’s there.”It’s been quite a rise for Tyler. When work took Jenny and Grant to England in 2023, he came with them and tried to find a league club. It took about two months. By August, he had signed for Reading, at the time playing in the English third tier, initially for their Under-21s team. Pretty soon after, he had graduated to their senior side.Then, in January 2025, he signed for Premier League side Nottingham Forest, initially returning to Reading on loan, before spending last season at Sheffield United in the Championship. He made his international debut in October 2023, played in their 2024 Olympics team and helped them qualify for this World Cup.Like most things in his career so far, he appears to have taken playing in the World Cup in his stride: when The Athletic met Tyler in 2025, his even temperament was obvious, something backed up by pretty much anyone who knows him. “I think it’s his strength,” says Jenny. “He’s just one of those people that doesn’t get too high or doesn’t get too low, and he really self-manages.”Jenny and Grant are trying as best they can to keep a bit of distance during this World Cup: plenty of the New Zealand players have their families staying with them, but while the Bindons and some of the extended Tyler appreciation society have travelled to Vancouver, where their next two games are, they are staying separately.Did Jenny give him any specific advice, one World Cup player to another? “I think the only advice we gave him was just ‘Make sure you enjoy it, don’t let moments pass you by.’“Grant and I watched Tyler walk out onto the pitch: yes, it’s the biggest event in the world, but it’s similar to parents watching their kids perform in the theatre. It’s just how you let them have their moment: you’re trying to not put any pressure on him, it’s his life, and we just want to be a part of it and just be there.“I think as parents sometimes we live vicariously through our children, but it’s more of a case of how you have to walk next to them, and not in front, or behind.”So what was more nerve-wracking for Jenny: playing at a World Cup herself, or watching Tyler play at one?“That’s so easy to answer: it’s watching Tyler. I think when you’re a player you’re just immersed in what’s happening and you’re blocking the nerves out, because it’s your job to go out there and perform.“I was just trying to slow down and take it all in, but just knowing like he was getting this opportunity was just unbelievable. I think I always had this heaviness — a good heaviness, but at any moment I was about ready to burst into tears. So when he did come on…I did burst into tears.”This article originally appeared in The Athletic.New Zealand, Women's Soccer, FIFA Men's World Cup, FIFA Women's World Cup2026 The Athletic Media Company

Someone will get a major payday for their win at the U.S. Open. The final round of the USO is teeing off today and will dish out a record-breaking reward for the winner.It was announced earlier in the week that the tournament would increase the total prize money to $22.5 million dollars, up a million dollars from last year. That means the winner is taking home $4.5 million for winning the tournament, the most money ever awarded at the U.S. Open.For comparison, Rory McIlroy earned the same amount for winning the Masters earlier this year and Aaron Rai took home $3.69 million for winning the PGA Championship.USO 2027: How to get tickets for 2027 US Open at Pebble Beach, where to sign upWho won the 2025 U.S. Open?J.J. Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open. He took home $4.3 million for winning the tournament. What's the total purse for the 2026 US Open?The total purse of the U.S. Open is $22.5 million. It's the largest purse in history for the tournament. How much money does the winner make at the 2026 US Open?The winner of the U.S. Open makes $4.5 million. US Open 2026 prize money payouts1$4,500,0002$2,430,0003$1,512,2744$1,060,1585$883,0106$782,9527$705,8638$632,1839$572,14910$525,53111$479,59512$443,43713$413,19314$381,35615$354,06816$331,32817$313,13518$294,94319$276,75020$258,55821$242,86722$227,17723$211,94124$197,84125$185,56126$175,10127$167,14228$160,09229$153,27030$146,44831$139,62632$132,80333$125,98134$119,84135$114,83936$109,83637$105,06038$100,51239$95,96440$91,41641$86,86842$82,32043$77,77244$73,22345$68,67546$64,58247$60,48948$56,62449$54,35050$52,07551$50,71152$49,57353$48,66454$48,21055$47,75456$47,29957$46,84558$46,39059$45,93660$45,480This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: US Open 2026: Prize money payouts for each player

Someone will get a major payday for their win at the U.S. Open. The final round of the USO is teeing off today and will dish out a record-breaking reward for the winner.It was announced earlier in the week that the tournament would increase the total prize money to $22.5 million dollars, up a million dollars from last year. That means the winner is taking home $4.5 million for winning the tournament, the most money ever awarded at the U.S. Open.For comparison, Rory McIlroy earned the same amount for winning the Masters earlier this year and Aaron Rai took home $3.69 million for winning the PGA Championship.USO 2027: How to get tickets for 2027 US Open at Pebble Beach, where to sign upWho won the 2025 U.S. Open?J.J. Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open. He took home $4.3 million for winning the tournament. What's the total purse for the 2026 US Open?The total purse of the U.S. Open is $22.5 million. It's the largest purse in history for the tournament. How much money does the winner make at the 2026 US Open?The winner of the U.S. Open makes $4.5 million. US Open 2026 prize money payouts1$4,500,0002$2,430,0003$1,512,2744$1,060,1585$883,0106$782,9527$705,8638$632,1839$572,14910$525,53111$479,59512$443,43713$413,19314$381,35615$354,06816$331,32817$313,13518$294,94319$276,75020$258,55821$242,86722$227,17723$211,94124$197,84125$185,56126$175,10127$167,14228$160,09229$153,27030$146,44831$139,62632$132,80333$125,98134$119,84135$114,83936$109,83637$105,06038$100,51239$95,96440$91,41641$86,86842$82,32043$77,77244$73,22345$68,67546$64,58247$60,48948$56,62449$54,35050$52,07551$50,71152$49,57353$48,66454$48,21055$47,75456$47,29957$46,84558$46,39059$45,93660$45,480This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: US Open 2026: Prize money payouts for each player

It’s always something fun with Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, right? Higgins’ jellyfish adventures are well-known amongst Bengals fans. That’s one of many fun offseason notes around Higgins over the years. Here’s another: The Savannah Bananas.Choreographed dances and all the usual fun stuff from the Bananas took Great American Ball Park by storm on Friday night.And Higgins was there as a special guest. Here's the shared the footage: Bengals Wide Receiver, Tee Higgins, got groovy while pinch running at a sold out Great American Ball Park😎 pic.twitter.com/Tv6iw9reIS— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) June 20, 2026Tee Higgins pinch ran for the Savannah Bananas and he SCORED 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KIKmNGLWdI— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) June 20, 2026This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals WR Tee Higgins' latest public outing was a can't miss show

Where to watch Spain vs. Saudi Arabia live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group H match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Spain, one of the world powerhouses at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will play its second game of the group stage in Atlanta against Saudi Arabia.The Spanish are looking to make it past the Round of 16 for the first time since they won it all in 2010; with a combination of young talent making their first World Cup appearance and veterans who have been here before, the 2024 European champions have the potential to be the final team standing.For its second group stage match, Spain faces off against Saudi Arabia, who is making its third consecutive World Cup appearance in the same place where the country made its first in 1994. This is Saudi Arabia's seventh World Cup appearance in total, with their best outcome coming in the Round of 16.Down in Atlanta, either Spain will show its dominance or Saudi Arabia will pull off one of the tournament's biggest upsets.The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.Spain vs. Saudi Arabia live stream, TV channelHere's how to watch this World Cup match in Canada:TV channel: TSN1, TSN4, TSN5, CTVLive stream: TSN via Amazon Prime, TSN+, CTV appThis match will be broadcast on CTV and TSN channels with streaming options available on their dedicated platforms.TSN can also be added as a separate subscription channel on Amazon Prime with fans able to access all of TSN's live and on demand content.What time does Spain vs. Saudi Arabia start?This World Cup clash kicks off Sunday, June 21, at 12 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.Here's how that time translates across North America time zones:DateKickoff timeEastern TimeSun., June 2112 p.m.Central TimeSun., June 2111 a.m.Mountain TimeSun., June 2110 a.m.Pacific TimeSun., June 219 a.m.World Cup fixtures today and tomorrowAll times Eastern.Sunday, June 21Tunisia vs. Japan (12 a.m.)Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (12 p.m.)Belgium vs. Iran (3 p.m.)Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (6 p.m.)New Zealand vs. Egypt (9 p.m.)Monday, June 22Argentina vs. Austria (1 p.m.)France vs. Iraq (5 p.m.)Norway vs. Senegal (8 p.m.)Jordan vs. Algeria (11 p.m.)MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures2026 FIFA World Cup FAQsWhen is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.When is the 2026 World Cup final?The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.What time do World Cup games start?Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.

To be fair, the desperation to see a team upgrade can be decidedly unfair.A current case in point is Tyler Herro, a quality scorer and former All-Star who largely has done just about anything and everything asked by the Miami Heat these past seven seasons, from playing on the ball, to playing off the ball, to adjusting, and readjusting, his shot profile.Yes, the injuries and time lost also stand as factors in the equation. But when he plays, he plays hard. And for all the questions about defense, it’s not as if he stands alone in that regard, with the likes of James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell, among others, still receiving their flowers for largely one-way contributions.So if there is to be a Herro trade this offseason, if he has played his final Heat game, then consider that final moment.April 14. Spectrum Center. Play-in round opener vs. Charlotte Hornets.Herro is subbed in with 26 seconds left in overtime and the Heat down 125-120.The play-by-play from there:23.5: Herro 23-foot turnaround fadeaway 3-point shot. Hornets 125-123.8.7: LaMelo Ball three-shot foul foul, Herro three free throws, Heat 126-125.If Ball doesn’t score on a driving layup to close the scoring with 4.8 seconds to play to give Charlotte the 127-126 victory, Herro’s six points in 14.8 seconds would have been the stuff of Heat lore.Such has been the story of Herro’s Heat tenure.— Dynamic rookie contributor in the Heat’s run to the 2020 NBA Finals (where if not for injuries in that series to Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, possibly a ring as a rookie).— NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2022.— Heat scoring leader in 2024-25.— NBA All-Star 2025.— Sixth-fastest NBA player to 1,000 career 3-pointers, in his 368th game in January.Yes, the injuries and absences often have clouded the overall contributions, but the contribution has been real and deserves recognition if this, indeed, is the endgame.Taken at No. 13 in 2019 out of Kentucky, a re-draft of that year’s first round would have Herro going no worse than fourth, and that’s only if there were to be, beyond No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, grudging respect for Ja Morant, R.J Barrett and Darius Garland. Of the first 13 players in that draft, only Williamson, Morant and Herro ended this past season on their drafted teams.And yet there never truly seemed to be a complete embrace, not with Erik Spoelstra a defense-first coach, not with the Heat hard up against the cap when Herro stood up for contract renewal.In the end, the four-year, $120 million extension Herro signed in October 2022, the one that will pay $33 million next season, proved to be, at worst (from a team perspective) market value. (Garland, for example, is due $42.2 million this coming season.)Then came this past October, when the Heat deferred extension talks with Herro until this summer, as in a window now just 10 days away. Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.The reality is that at February’s trade deadline, Herro was the most marketable chip the Heat could put into play for Giannis Antetokounmpo, so the Heat put him in play, just as they have done at the moment.Just as he was in play for Harden at one point, and Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard at others. All the while, the Heat’s reassurances were that he only has been put in play for Hall of Famers.Each time, that made business sense for the Heat. And each time, Herro bounced back, continued to do what he does best, standing as an elite offensive talent.But now it feels different, as if the card has been played too often, the Heat consistently looking over his shoulder to see if someone better could be in the room.And that’s fair, too, considering the Heat have been in the play-in round the past four years, just missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.But that shouldn’t detract, with perspective in order.Among the most beloved players over the Heat’s 38 seasons was Goran Dragic, universally embraced for his Heat contributions. Fair enough.Goran Dragic: 391 Heat career regular-season games, 16.2 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, on shooting splits of .457 from the field, .365 on 3-pointers, .786 from the line.Tyler Herro: 394 Heat career regular-season games, 19.5 points per game, 4.1 assists per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, on shooting splits of .450 from the field, .382 on 3-pointers, .878 from the line.And you know what? Dragic was hunted as much defensively as Herro.Dragic has been cheered on every Kaseya Center return since.Herro, should it come to that, has earned as much, as well.Because for all the players Spoelstra over the years has referenced as “ignitable,” the truest measure of that might have been those final 26 seconds two months ago in Charlotte, the six points in 14.8 seconds.____

Milan target Hjulmand has already said goodbye to Sporting CP teammatesReports in Portugal claim that the Milan-linked Morten Hjulmand has already bid farewell to his colleagues at Sporting CP and that he hopes to have a transfer finalised before the start of pre-season, but there are conflicting reports over the potential transfer fee with the Rossoneri.Milan want Hjulmand, who is expecting to leave Sporting CPAccording to various reports over the last few days, Sporting midfielder Hjulmand is one of Ruben Amorim’s first-choice signings in his new role as head coach of Milan. The former Lecce man is already familiar with life in Italy as he is working under Amorim and his 3-4-2-1 system.The Denmark international has a release clause believed to be worth €80m in his contract with Sporting, but the Portuguese giants are willing to listen to significantly lower offers for the 26-year-old this summer according to recent reports.LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 1: Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP, now of AC Milan, with Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and CF Estrela da Amadora at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 1, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)Portuguese outlet Record claims that Hjulmand is so keen on the idea of a move to Milan that he has already said goodbye to his teammates and the coaching staff at Sporting, that he is keen for a new experience abroad and that he wishes to have his next move arranged before the start of pre-season.Hjulmand had been close to leaving Sporting last summer, and reports over the last few days indicate that there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to allow the player to leave for a reasonable fee in the summer of 2026.While a price tag in the region of €45m had been touted a few days ago, reports from Calciomercato.com claim that Milan could strike a deal with Sporting in the region of €35m-€40m.

Germany forward Deniz Undav celebrates after scoring the goal to take a 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto. Jan Woitas/dpaMonday will be family day at the German World Cup camp and the mood is expected to be excellent before coach Julian Nagelsmann faces important decisions for the next match and beyond.A last-gasp winner from super-sub Deniz Undav saw the team beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Saturday to follow up on an opening 7-1 victory against Curaçao.And Ecuador's 0-0 draw against Curaçao later in the day meant that Germany are assured of finishing top of Group E, regardless of the outcome of the final group match against Ecuador, for which preparations will only start after family day."We will stick to it," coach Julian Nagelsmann said of visit by the players' partners and children. "It gives the lads strength. It gives all of us strength when we see our families."Memories of 2006It also boosts the team that Germany have advanced to the knock-outs for the first time since 2014 after shameful group stage exits in 2018 and 2022.Germany won their first two matches for the first time since the home tournament in 2006. There it also took a very late goal, from Oliver Neuville, against Poland in the second match.That goal was seen as a key moment in Germany's run to third place in the end - and Undav's second strike of the night against the Ivorians could have a similar effect.Germany becoming Germany again"Germany is more and more becoming Germany again. Against Curaçao it played like in its heydays and scored seven goals with Brazilian flair. Against Ivory Coast the team then had to show its typical character and resilience," Spanish sports paper AS said in admiration.Undav agreed that "we showed great character" and that "we want to achive the best possible result - and that is the title. We are giving our all for that, that is the main aim."Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the last survivor from the 2014 team that won the title, said: "The team always plays to win. The belief is there. We have the right mentality again."Nagelsmann decisionsGermany has now made up for the 2018 and 2022 in a first step and the second step was also achieved by winning the group, even if that means that top title favourites France could be their opponents in a possible round of 16 match."We can't influence the other groups. We will face good teams anyway, some sooner, some later. And all teams we face are good teams in the first place," Nagelsmann has said.Nagelsmann must now decide on how to approach the game with Ecuador which is now a dead rubber for them, whether to rest some players or not, and whom to give a chance to start."I just can’t see the point – when I’ve got 26 players in the squad, why should I always leave them to rot on the bench when they’re all good and want to play?" he has said in general terms.The Undav dilemmaThe biggest question is VfB Stuttgart marksman Undav who came on in both games and now has three goals and two assists after his brace in the comeback win against Ivory Coast, and nine goals from 11 Germany caps overall.Undav can replace several others up front, including jamal Musiala or Kai Havertz. Sporting director Rudi Völler said before the tournament that Arsenal's Havertz would probably not play every game because he had several injury setbacks during the season."Now the question comes up: Will he ever start? That's definitely a possibility, but he's fulfilling his role incredibly well," Nagelsmann told broadcasters ZDF."As a coach, you can consider all possibilities. You could say, 'let him stay in his groove, let him stay in that role, because he's been scoring.' It’s possible either way."Nagelsmann was speaking before Germany were confirmed as group winners which gives him more options. He said he would discuss it with Undav who for his part doesn't want to get involved in the debate."We have a common goal, and if it's working this well right now, as I said, it's thanks to the national team coach," Undav said."He makes the decisions, and I think it's just important for him, and also for the players coming off the bench and those who are playing, that they see that anyone who comes in can make an impact and change the game."Sweating on SchlotterbeckWhile the Undav issue is a luxury problem of sorts for Nagelsmann there is concern around centre back Nico Schlotterbeck who sustained what appeared to be an ankle ligament injury early on Saturday and did not return for the second half.A diagnosis was expected later on Sunday but Nagelsmann can consider himself lucky to have Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger in the squad who came on for Schlotterbeck against the Ivorians."It doesn't look too good," Nagelsmann said shortly after the match.Germany forward Deniz Undav and teammates celebrate after Undav scored the goal to take a 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto. Jan Woitas/dpaGermany players celebrate their victory following the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto. Tom Weller/dpaGermany forward Deniz Undav and Germany forward Kai Havertz celebrate after Undav scored the equalizing goal to level the match at 1-1 during the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto. Tom Weller/dpaGermany forward Deniz Undav and teammates celebrate after scoring the goal to take a 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto. Jan Woitas/dpa