In a variety of ways, the Cincinnati Bengals went all-in this offseason. Going all-in with Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter at linebacker is certainly one of those. It seemed obvious that the Bengals would add at least one veteran linebacker this offseason after not doing so one year ago, then getting the disastrous results from the positional group. But the Bengals have now made it through minicamp and have yet to notably add to the roster at that spot despite free agency still offering some value.By far the most popular name in that regard is Bobby Wagner. But while outlining one final move each team should make, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz focuses on Bobby Okereke for the Bengals. “He's much more of a run stopper than a pass coverage guy, but so is Wagner at this point, and Okereke is less likely to be in decline as he turns 30 in late July,” Schatz wrote. “And like Wagner, Okereke is a high-character locker room influence, as he was the Giants' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season.”Soon to be 30 and a former third-round pick, Okereke is certainly another veteran option the Bengals could look at as quality depth and leadership. That's something the Bengals could look for during training camp, should the need arise. But they found the veteran leadership for the defense in other areas with names like Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen. The spotlight, then, will be on whether Knight and Carter start proving the organization right on the field during camp.This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals could still add key free agent during training camp

Lionel Messi made it clear during his first 2026 World Cup match that he came to win… again. Argentina entered this year's tournament as the defending champions, taking the title back in 2022, and after Messi scored a hat trick during their first group match against Algeria, he proved once again why he's the GOAT and why Argentina will be a force to be reckoned with this year. They'll face Austria – who also won their tournament opener against Jordan – this Monday at 1 p.m. ET. Find out more about this game and all of this week's biggest matches in our 2026 World Cup guide. Here's everything you need to know about watching the Argentina vs. Austria match at the 2026 World Cup live from the U.S. (Plus, find out how you can catch every other game of the tournament).Where to watch the Argentina vs. Austria match:Date: Monday, June 22, 2026Time: 1 p.m. ETLocation: AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonTV channels: FOX, TelemundoStreaming: YouTube TV, DirecTV, Peacock, and moreArgentina vs. Austria game time:Coverage of the 2026 World Cup game between Argentina and Austria begins at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, June 22.Argentina vs. Austria game channel:FOX will be broadcasting the Argentina vs. Austria World Cup game in English. A Spanish-language broadcast of the game will air on Telemundo.Where to watch the 2026 World Cup without cable:2026 FIFA World Cup group stage schedule: All times EasternSunday, June 21Tunisia vs Japan: 12 a.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeSpain vs Saudi Arabia: 12 p.m. (FOX) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBelgium vs Iran: 3 p.m. (FS1) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodUruguay vs Cape Verde: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiNew Zealand vs Egypt: 9 p.m. (FS1) — BC Place, VancouverMonday, June 22Argentina vs Austria: 1 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonFrance vs Iraq: 5 p.m. (FOX) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaNorway vs Senegal: 8 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordJordan vs Algeria: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraTuesday, June 23Portugal vs Uzbekistan: 1 p.m. (FOX) — NRG Stadium, HoustonEngland vs Ghana: 4 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughPanama vs Croatia: 7 p.m. (FOX) — BMO Field, TorontoColombia vs DR Congo: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanWednesday, June 24Switzerland vs Canada: 3 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverBosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar: 3 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleScotland vs Brazil: 6 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiMorocco vs Haiti: 6 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaCzechia vs Mexico: 9 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Azteca, Mexico CitySouth Africa vs South Korea: 9 p.m. (FS1) — Estadio BBVA Bancomer, GuadalupeThursday, June 25Ecuador vs Germany: 4 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordWillemstad Curaçao vs Ivory Coast: 4 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Tunisia vs Netherlands: 7 p.m. (FOX) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas CityJapan vs Sweden: 7 p.m. (FS1) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonTürkiye vs United States: 10 p.m. (FOX) — SoFi Stadium, InglewoodParaguay vs Australia: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraFriday, June 26Norway vs France: 3 p.m. (FOX) — Gillette Stadium, FoxboroughSenegal vs Iraq: 3 p.m. (FS1) — BMO Field, TorontoUruguay vs Spain: 8 p.m. (FOX) — Estadio Akron, ZapopanCape Verde vs Saudi Arabia: 8 p.m. (FS1) — NRG Stadium, HoustonNew Zealand vs Belgium: 11 p.m. (FOX) — BC Place, VancouverEgypt vs Iran: 11 p.m. (FS1) — Lumen Field, SeattleSaturday, June 27Panama vs England: 5 p.m. (FOX) — MetLife Stadium, East RutherfordCroatia vs Ghana: 5 p.m. (FS1) — Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaColombia vs Portugal: 7:30 p.m. (FOX) — Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiDR Congo vs Uzbekistan: 7:30 p.m. (FS1) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJordan vs Argentina: 10 p.m. (FOX) — AT&T Stadium, ArlingtonAlgeria vs Austria: 10 p.m. (FS1) — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s always nice to beat the Mets. It’s even nicer to beat them in back to back games.It’s even nicer to beat them by hitting home runs and pitching well like they did Sunday night. Playing the game on Sunday Night Baseball for a national audience, the offense clicked into gear yet again, riding the wave of home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to take the series from New York.The scoring started in the first when Mets starter David Peterson walked the first two hitters in the lineup, struck out Harper, then allowed an infield single to Alec Bohm. On that single, Brett Baty threw the ball away, allowing Trea Turner to score the opening run. Edmundo Sosa followed that with an infield single to score Schwarber and the Phillies had a 2-0 lead by hitting the ball a total of about 120 feet.Zack Wheeler settled in nicely, even if he was a bit off with his command. He had a jam in the second when he allowed singles to lead off the inning by Jared Young and A.J. Ewing, but retired the next three batters in order. That allowed the Phillies to tack on in their half of the inning when Bryson Stott and Turner singled with one out for Schwarber.ANOTHER second-deck homer for Kyle Schwarber 😱 pic.twitter.com/cyd5k9q1zk— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2026A second night in a row with a monster shot and the lead was at five. Wheeler would give one back in the third when emerging pest Carson Benge homered on an opposite field shot to cut the score to 5-1. The Mets might have started a rally later when Juan Soto hit a ball that he believed was a perfect opportunity to stretch into a double, but Derek Hill gunned him down with relative ease.Juan Soto tried to stretch a single to a double down four and was thrown out by a mile pic.twitter.com/SH4jU5uD8z— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 22, 2026Ok then.In the fourth, Bryce Harper hit his 17th home run of the year to push the lead back to five.Back-to-back games with a Bryce Harper homer!He’s halfway to another cycle 👀 pic.twitter.com/UgppdKV5L8— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2026New York threatened yet again in the sixth when Wheeler walked the bases loaded with one out before a visit from Don Mattingly. The ace was left in the game to try and get a double play, but only managed to get one out on a force out, giving the Mets another run, but keeping runners on the corners for Marcus Semien. Jonathan Bowlan was summoned from the bullpen to put the fire out and did so with ease, striking Semien out and ending the threat. From there, the Phillies’ bullpen trio of Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran doused any other flames and gave the Phillies a win to send them seven games over .500. They’ll head to Washington for an interesting showdown with one of the top offenses in the game.

📸 French fans' unbelievable XDDL banner 😭They’re crazy.Stop everything! We’ve got the funniest thing of the 2026 World Cup!Some French supporters are in Philadelphia this Monday, where Les Bleus are facing Iraq (11 p.m.), with the most WTF banner of this World Cup.A French flag featuring the portrait of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, France’s most famous fugitive, and this question: “have you seen this guy?”Some theories do in fact claim that Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, XDDL, is living somewhere in the United States. 10/10 on the French humor scale. Not sure it’ll make it into the stadium, though...This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

🥹 40 years since the Hand of God and the Goal of the CenturyOn June 22, 1986, Diego Armando Maradona etched into the world’s memory one of the most unforgettable performances in football history.When we talk about World Cups, one of the names that most quickly comes to mind is Diego Armando Maradona. That match against England at the Azteca Stadium, with two goals that became part of history, instantly comes to mind.The first, the famous ‘Hand of God,’ and the second, the one many consider the greatest goal in World Cup history. Maradona dribbling past as many as five English players to score a goal for the ages.Well then, today that memorable performance turns 40, and fate has willed it to be in a World Cup year and precisely on the day Argentina plays.A World Cup that La Albiceleste would go on to win, and one that 40 years later they want to recreate once again. Cosmic kite, what planet did you come from?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Two games down, One to go? Or might there be more fixtures to come for Scotland at this World Cup?The edgy opening win over Haiti opened the door to a first-ever knockout stage place for Steve Clarke's side but defeat by Morocco threw up as many questions as answers?BBC Sport Scotland pundits Neil McCann and Leanne Crichton are in the United States and are ready to answer - some - of those queries.So type your questions in below and we'll put them to the managers of Kilmarnock and Rangers women's team in Stateside and come back to you with their answers...Stag-do drag to World Cup - the rise of Scotland's other national anthem'Cartwheels at breakfast' & kicking about Boston - the culture shift in Scotland campWhat does 1-0 win mean for Scotland's chances of qualification?World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

Nature, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01957-zResearchers have long discussed the replication crisis. Now it’s time to tackle another problem in the behavioural sciences: generalizability.

Nature, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01991-xWhat, exactly, is a rock? Plus, a stem-cell success for a severe autoimmune disease and evidence that ‘AI deskilling’ is real.

Most people watching Curaçao play Ecuador focused on the team’s goalkeeper. For some fans in China, the draw was Ma Ning, the tournament’s highest-ranking Chinese referee.

While Kyiv’s fortunes have brightened in other ways in the war, Moscow’s forces are raining bombs and drones on “fortress belt” cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Cuba’s already struggling schools are ending the academic year early because of a crippling fuel shortage caused by the U.S. oil blockade.

Ben McAdams, a moderate former congressman, faces a handful of left-wing opponents in a rare opportunity for a Democrat to win in a Republican state.

A generic version of a breakthrough cystic fibrosis drug, manufactured in Bangladesh for a fraction of the American price, may give some families around the world an unlikely lifeline.

Northern Ireland riders Scott Swann and David Allingham both claimed wins at the latest round of the National Superstock 1000cc series at Knockhill at the weekend.Swann won Saturday's opening race on his Honda, ahead of Luke Mossey and BMW-mounted Allingham.Sunday's race two saw Allingham emerge the victor, with Mossey again runner-up and Swann completing the podium places on that occasion.After the third round of races, Allingham leads the series standings on 95 points, followed by Mossey on 82 and Swann third with 65.Meanwhile Glenn Irwin was unable to repeat his podium finish on Saturday in Sunday's races but he did pick up some further points to add to his season total when he took sixth in the third race of the weekend in Scotland.Race two saw defending champion Kyle Ryde take victory from Brad Ray and Scott Redding, while PBM Ducati rider Redding took the chequered flag in race three, ahead of Ray and Ryde.Ryde heads the championship standings on 154 points, followed by Redding on 133. Glenn Irwin sits eighth on 61.The next round of races will be at Snetterton from 3-5 July.Meanwhile Michael Sweeney won the Grand Final at the Kells road races in county Meath as part of a hat-trick of victories at the meeting.Manx rider Marcus Simpson was second in the feature event, with Kevin Keyes third.Skerries man Sweeney also won the Open race and the Supertwins outing.Keyes edged out Sweeney in a thrilling finish to the Supersport event.

Jenni Scoble scored her first Wales try against England at Principality Stadium in 2025 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Firefighting Wales prop Jenni Scoble will retire from international rugby after the fixture against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.The 33-year-old will make one last outing for her country in the double-header in Twickenham, with the women's game taking place at 17:00 BST after the men play at 14:00 BST.Scoble will continue to play for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge but has opted to retire from international rugby to focus on her job as a firefighter."This has been an incredibly tough decision to make and is one I have thought long and hard about," said Scoble."Playing for Wales and being part of the squad has meant everything to me but combining my role as an international rugby player with my career in the Fire Service has been a really delicate and tough balance."I have prided myself on my ability to give the best of myself to my rugby career and my fire service career, but the demands now mean I feel I cannot do that."Wales prop Jenni Scoble is a firefighter in Roath, Cardiff [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Scoble, who started her career at Llandaff North, made her Wales debut away to Australia in WXV2 in 2024 and was a member of the World Cup squad last year.Wales head coach Sean Lynn said: "Jenni has been an inspiration, and we have all been in awe of the way she has combined her rugby with her career as a firefighter."To see her come in to training after being on a night shift and give everything she has to the cause is a symbol of her work ethic, dedication and desire to wear the Wales jersey."She had been a real role model and to have her pass on her experience to the next generation of players with Gwalia Lightning can only benefit those players and Welsh rugby."Wales face the Barbarians in London as part of their preparations for the WXV Global Series.They play September fixtures against South Africa and USA in Cardiff plus two away October Tests in Japan.Wales' next generation getting a taste of Test lifeHolmes sees progress as Wales look to next generationCallender back as Wales call up new faces

For most guys who are selected, NBA Draft night is a dream come true. Everyone has worked very hard to get there, and it’s a tremendous accomplishment simply to be chosen. Obviously, it’s emotional. But it’s hard to imagine it being more emotional for anyone than it was last year for Duke’s Khaman Maluach. Keep in mind his remarkable journey. A South Sudanese refugee, along with his family, Maluach grew up in Kawempe, Uganda. When he was 14, a boda boda, aka a cab driver, suggested he play basketball because he was exceptionally tall.In just four years, he was on a Final Four team at Duke, and then taken 10th in the 2025 draft. And while most guys are pleased and smiling, Maluach was overcome, and wept. Here he was, this kid who just a few years prior was sleeping in a refugee camp with no certain future. This was just about four years after he started playing, mind. No one doubts his intelligence or his capacity for hard work, but even for a guy with his size and talent, it’s a long journey to go from a shantytown to a lottery selection in the NBA Draft, and his journey is nowhere near complete. It was a lot to process in a short amount of time. Khaman Maluach’s draft moment was one of the most memorable in recent NBA Draft history. From growing up as a refugee in Uganda and discovering bball at 13 to playing at Duke, and now entering his 2nd NBA season, what an incredible journey it has been! pic.twitter.com/gZpOU9plsQ— Blue Devil Voices (@DukeEchoes) June 21, 2026Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

Texas A&M has landed nearly every one of its priority prospects in the 2027 class, including five-star linebacker Kaden Henderson on Thursday, beating out Notre Dame for the blue-chip defender, who is officially the program's highest-rated linebacker commit in program history, according to 247Sports. Up next, coach Mike Elko and his staff are looking to lock down two five-star prospects.Last week, I myself predicted that 2027 five-star wide receiver Eric McFarland, who will announce his decision on Sunday, June 28, will be the Aggies' next commit, while five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, who is coming off his official visit with Michigan, will announce his commitment on July 1. Right now, the Aggies remain the favorites to land with McFarland, while Dobson's decision could match Kaden Henderson's last-minute timeline. After Dobson's official visit to College Station, the five-star defensive back stated that Texas A&M remains "at the top" of his list, providing Aggie fans with plenty of breathing room before his commitment.After five-star cornerback John Meredith committed to Texas, securing Dobson's commitment has become that much more important. After speaking with several sources, including my Texas A&M Aggies Live co-host and recruiting insider Kannon Torres, who feels that Mike Elko will "turn up the pressure" in his pursuit of Dobson, despite Michigan and South Carolina attempting to steal momentum."With John Meredith off the board, I expect Texas A&M to turn up the pressure on Joshua Dobson. The Aggies remain in a strong position against Michigan, Auburn, and South Carolina, and now, they have to close on a corner who would become a leader of the class."Already making it clear to Dobson that he remains the No. 1 recruiting target, and a perfect fit on defense, Mike Elko and cornerback coach Bryant Gross-Armiento remain in a solid position to fend off all three contenders mentioned heading into the next two weeks.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 will 'turn up the pressure' in pursuit of CB Joshua Dobson

For the first time since 2012, the New York Giants will not open their annual summer camp at their home facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Due to renovation work at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center and the overrun of the World Cup, which is being hosted at the adjacent MetLife Stadium, the area won't be ready for the Giants to set up camp until mid-August. So, the Giants decided to bug out and head to The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, for the first week of camp. They will hold six practices free and open to the public. The first open practice will be held on Thursday, July 30. There will be workouts on July 31, August 1, 5, and 6, with the final workout on Friday, August 7. All practices are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., but times are subject to change and/or be moved indoors and closed to the public in the event of inclement weather.So, what does this mean for the masses of Giant fans who look forward to attending camp every year? We put together some quick tips for you. TransportationThe Greenbrier is 468 miles from MetLife Stadium, which is approximately a seven-hour drive. The route is fairly direct, mainly using two highways, I-78 W and I-81 S. There is also an alternate route using I-95 S. There are public transportation options available. Check here for train, bus, and flight information.Where to stayAttending Giants camp here is more than a one-day trip. Many will make a mini-vacation out of it. There are plenty of lodging options in the Greenbrier Valley of all varieties and prices, and there's a lot of charm to the area. There are also quite a few options for RV travellers nearby.About campAdmission is free with no tickets required to attend. A shuttle service will be provided from an off-site location as public parking will not be available without the purchase of a parking pass. Parking passes will be available for purchase on the training camp website beginning July 9 at 10:00 a.m.For more details and information as training camp dates get closer, click here.Check out what The Greenbrier has to offer the Giants and their fans.This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants will hold camp at The Greenbrier: Dates, details and fan tips

Plus, the “Steven Spielberg of sitcoms.”

A week inside a grueling Muay Thai training program in Phuket.

Huge visitor numbers, sharply reduced staffing, scrapped reservation systems and higher entry fees for nonresidents could make your trip a bit less serene.

A pilot program is building solar panels over irrigation canals to generate electricity. As a bonus, the shade prevents water from evaporating.

Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy, has found it difficult to overcome some of his perceived shortcomings in a high-profile House primary race.

Bayern linked with move for Tottenham midfielderBayern Munich are monitoring Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, according to the Daily Mail.The 20-year-old is said to be open to leaving Spurs following a disappointing season in North London.Bayern’s interest in Bergvall runs parallel to Tottenham’s reported pursuit of a permanent deal for João Palhinha from the German champions.The 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Spurs, who hold an option to make the deal permanent for €30 million, but are seeking to negotiate a lower fee.Bergvall joined Tottenham from Swedish side Djurgården two years ago for a reported fee of €20 million.

When Lisa Leslie thought back to the first game in WNBA history, it reminded her a lot of Sunday’s 30th season celebration. On June 21, 1997, she and her former Los Angeles Sparks teammates had brunch, signed autographs and posed for a photoshoot. On Sunday evening, Leslie even took a ceremonial tip-off against the New York Liberty just as she did in that first game.The one thing she wished she could have changed wasn’t the 16 points or the dunk she got hung on because the enormity of the day had taken her legs out; it was the result. And 29 years after Los Angeles lost the WNBA’s opening game to the New York Liberty, the Sparks found an iconic way to celebrate that inaugural moment, winning the 30th anniversary game 98-97 on a buzzer-beater by one of their franchise greats, Nneka Ogwumike.It’s been a tough decade in Los Angeles, one that hasn’t seen much winning since the franchise brought home its most recent title in 2016. That the Sparks and Liberty have even persisted through the past 30 years is a minor miracle, considering both franchises were on the brink of contraction during the 2010s. Instead, both have survived to celebrate this moment.Legendary players from L.A. and New York’s early rosters spoke about what Sunday’s milestone meant and what they hoped current players remembered about them. DeLisha Milton-Jones, who played for the Sparks from 1999-2004, said: “I would love for them to attach themselves to the history of it all to understand where they came from, to understand where they need to take it.”Ogwumike has been involved in half of the league’s seasons, a connector from Milton-Jones to the current era of the Sparks. She understands what the franchise can be, and what depths it can fall to. Leslie and her generation set a standard for L.A., even overextending themselves to do so. The responsibility of Ogwumike and everyone who dons a Sparks jersey now couldn’t be clearer, especially with all of those legends in attendance.RankTeamPrevious rank1Las Vegas12Minnesota23Atlanta54New York35Golden State 46Dallas77Indiana 68Los Angeles89Washington 1010Portland 911Toronto 1112Chicago1313Phoenix1214Seattle1415Connecticut15Trending upAtlanta DreamThe Dream perked up offensively last week, led by two of Angel Reese’s most efficient offensive performances of the season. Reese has mostly ditched the stretch five experiment and excised 3-pointers from her shot diet — it helps that Naz Hillmon is hitting from long range again and providing spacing at the four — and she’s sticking to the paint. Reese shot 15 of 28 in a two-game set against the Indiana Fever and earned 16 free-throw attempts.Atlanta is now tied for the league lead (with the Minnesota Lynx) in offensive rating (112.6 points per 100 possessions) and ranks second overall in net rating. Reese’s 2-point percentage is still below water at 47 percent for the season, lower than her mark of 47.8 percent with the Chicago Sky last season, but it’s ticked up significantly this month as she has reoriented herself on the court.Washington MysticsKiki Iriafen had two game-winners last weekend versus top teams. Against New York, she made herself open in the dunker spot after extra help came to Sonia Citron and finished a lob pass. Against Minnesota, she sealed Nia Coffey inside and went to work, punishing the smaller defender.It’s been an unheralded sophomore season for Iriafen, even as she’s improved in points, rebounds and shooting percentage since 2025. Now that the Mystics are winning again — and doing so against top opposition — Iriafen’s play is at the forefront. The Mystics are in a weird limbo this season, where they don’t outwardly appear to be trying to win, but their talent is good enough to remain competitive. With two sophomore All-Stars and a rapidly improving rookie class — both Cotie McMahon and Lauren Betts have taken massive steps forward recently — Washington is ruining its draft position in spite of itself.Trending downSeattle StormThe Storm technically haven’t dropped in the rankings, but a team on a 10-game losing skid has to be considered on a downward trend. Their inability to remain competitive against the Phoenix Mercury, who were without two of its best guards (Monique Akoa Makani and Jovana Nogic), was an eye-opener. Seattle has the WNBA’s worst offensive rating at 97.4 points per 100 possessions.This season’s goal should be figuring out what they have with their young players, particularly in the frontcourt. Thus far, Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam haven’t complemented each other, posting a minus-15.6 net rating as a duo. They seem to want to occupy the same areas on the court, and navigating actions together has appeared clunky. Malonga didn’t have a training camp and is learning how to play with the rookie Fam on the fly, so there’s no expectation for immediate success together. Losing games will only help Seattle add a strong perimeter player through the 2027 draft to grow with that frontcourt.Rookie of the weekMaría Conde, Toronto TempoWith injuries to Brittney Sykes and Kiki Rice, Toronto has openings in the guard rotation, giving Conde some playmaking opportunities after she’d functioned more as a frontcourt player earlier in the season. Conde has scored in double figures in each of her last three outings, punctuated by 19 points in the Tempo’s comeback win over Connecticut. Toronto trailed by 15 points to start the fourth quarter, and Conde had the game-winning 3-pointer with 1:38 to play, plus four free throws to ice the victory.The more she can be trusted as a scorer, the more Conde can leverage her scoring ability to create for teammates, as she did for Marina Mabrey down the stretch of that win.Game to circleAtlanta Dream at Golden State Valkyries10 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, USA Network / CNBCIt’s a week of sets in the WNBA, as multiple teams play each other twice in succession. The Lynx face the Mystics again after Sunday’s loss to Washington. Indiana and Phoenix have a set, as do Portland and Chicago. The one I’m most excited about is Atlanta versus Golden State. The best test for the improved Dream offense is facing the athletic, active Valkyries defense in Ballhalla, especially as the Valks are loaded with wings to contain Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Considering Golden State’s limited post depth — Janelle Salaün has mostly been the backup center and Laeticia Amihere has only recently re-entered the rotation — this is another opportunity for Reese to test her improved efficiency.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, WNBA Highlights2026 The Athletic Media Company

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 21: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images Spanish football is like a money tree. World class players never stop sprouting up. Spain has enough talent to build three teams that could be competitive at the World Cup. Winning it, however, requires a spark of creativity that can’t be taught in academies.In Qatar, it was the Messi vs Mbappe showdown. As good as Argentina and France are without them, in order to make it to the finish line, especially in those games when your back is against the ropes, you need a player born with genius.By now, it should be clear that Lamine Yamal is that player for Spain. With him, La Roja seem destined for a trophy. Without him, Spain could very well be looking at an early exit.Against Saudi Arabia, Luis de la Fuente was feeling the pressure, and knew he had to risk playing Lamine even if he wasn’t one hundred percent fit. It took approximately ten minutes for Lamine to put the game out of reach.It’s not just because of the goal. Mikel Oyarzabal had two goals and an assist, but he still wasn’t the MVP of the game. That accolade goes to Lamine because of the way he struck fear into the hearts of Saudi Arabia from the first whistle. Having him on the field made the job that much easier for his Spanish teammates.Let’s remember something though. Lamine tore his hamstring in April. There are risks of Spain learning the wrong lesson from this game.De la Fuente will have to be smart with how he manages his young superstar’s minutes going forward. Lamine will do what his coach asks him to do, but his welfare must be protected.Spain are dependent on him, that’s for sure, but over the next couple of weeks, they have to find a way to play well without him. Lamine cannot go 90 minutes. Not now at least. When the knockouts come calling, it could be 120 minutes that Spain needs to get the job done.So yes, it’s ok to be excited again. Spain at their best are why we love the game. To be at their best, they do need Lamine.But they are not out of the woods. What happened against Cape Verde is an important cautionary tale.Spain is a flawed team, and without their best player, they can get exposed.If they are to make it to the World Cup final, the supporting cast needs to step up against Uruguay, and in the first few knockout games.This isn’t South Africa 2010 when Spain was loaded with Ballon d’Or caliber players.This is the Lamine Yamal show.It’s an exciting watch, but he needs a few reliable sidekicks in order to make the magical run possible.

Sam Presti and the rest of the OKC Thunder’s front office have some big decisions to make this offseason.How will OKC use its three picks (Nos. 12, 17 and 37) in NBA Draft? How will it handle its team options on starters Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort? Will it look to make any trades?I’ve gathered 10 of your biggest offseason questions for the latest edition of our Thunder mailbag series. Let's get into it:Thunder NBA mock draft roundup: What will OKC do with three picks?@ThumbsUpOKC: What does offseason rest versus training look like? Do they get to have a couple weeks off after a long season and playoffs before coming back to train full time?It's all up to the individual player and his personal team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already back in Canada with longtime trainer Nem Ilic, who posted a video Monday of the two working out for the first time this summer. Chet Holmgren is currently doing some offseason training at City of London School in the United Kingdom, where his girlfriend is from. Ajay Mitchell is back in Santa Barbara, presumably to train at his alma mater, UC Santa Barbara. Rest is important, especially after a deep playoff run. But, in general, guys don't take too long before getting back in the gym.@Grateful_Lee: What's the deal with Nikola Topić's back?OKC announced Saturday that Nikola Topić had a successful minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure. It's a surgery that relieves nerve pain by removing the portion of a disc compressing a spinal nerve rather than the entire disc. Recovery time is generally measured in weeks, not months, according to Hospital for Special Surgery. It seems like OKC is taking the cautious approach by ruling Topić out for Summer League in July, which is understandable. He'll be ready for the start of NBA training camp in September.@thevillagerok: What are your thoughts on Chet Holmgren and how we can get him more mentally into games? Or is his future limited because wasting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s prime on him figuring it out isn’t worth it?I think Chet Holmgren was great all season until the Western Conference Finals. He made the All-Star team, the All-NBA third team and the All-Defensive first team at 24. And he was absolutely dominant during the first two playoff rounds against Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, people will forget about that and focus on his play against San Antonio. It’s a bad matchup, considering he’s mostly a play finisher on offense and Victor Wembanyama is protecting the rim. But like you said, he also didn’t have the right mindset. He was far too passive, even when it came to attempting catch-and-shoot 3-pointers over smaller opponents. OKC can help by getting Holmgren more involved early in games with easy dump-off passes and lobs, but a lot of it falls on him. He’ll have to embrace the challenge and be willing to fail sometimes, like getting his shot swatted or missing open looks. Because that’s better than nothing, which OKC can’t afford to get out of one of its star players.Chet Holmgren report card: Thunder center's All-NBA season tarnished vs Spurs@HackNBeans_: Will the narrative about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander foul baiting and our team’s defense being too aggressive change since we got beat out of the playoffs? Also, what are the odds SGA wins a third consecutive MVP?I don’t expect those narratives to change. Sure, OKC is no longer the reigning champ. But it’s still a title contender, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still one of the most unguardable scorers in the NBA. Neither are going anywhere, so the narratives will also stick around. To answer your second question, these are the literal MVP odds from FanDuel: Victor Wembanyama (+200), Gilgeous-Alexander (+330), Nikola Jokic (+500), Luka Doncic (+650) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600). That sounds about right to me. My early prediction would be Wembanyama, who has all of the talent in the world and a storyline to his MVP campaign that’s already taking shape after falling short in the NBA Finals. But Gilgeous-Alexander will surely be in the running again.Alex Caruso report card: OKC Thunder veteran remains ultimate NBA Playoff riser@mg_product82: Where would Thomas Sorber go if he was in this year’s draft? With Sorber in our back pocket, should we really aim to draft Aday Mara?There’s a good argument for Thomas Sorber being the best center in this draft class. Sure, he’s 6-foot-9 compared to the 7-3 Aday Mara, but they both have a 7-6 wingspan. Both players are strong rim protectors and impressive passers at their size, and both players are still working on becoming better floor spacers. Sorber is one year younger than Mara (20 compared to 21), but he has injury concerns after sustaining a foot injury with Georgetown and a torn ACL with OKC. I’d give a slight edge to Mara because of that, but it’s close enough of a call that you’d think the Thunder wouldn’t need both players on the roster. If it does go with Mara on draft night, it’d be pretty telling. Maybe there are concerns about Sorber’s health or the likelihood of re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein. Or maybe there’s none of that, and OKC will go with someone else on draft night. We’ll see.@MakeCocktailsNotWar: In your opinion, what is the most likely 2026 Draft scenario for the Thunder?I think the most likely scenario is that OKC doesn’t use both first-round picks since roster spots are limited. Whether that means packaging both picks to move up or trading one for a future pick just depends on who the Thunder covets. If it’s a player it feels it needs to trade up to select, it has the assets to do that. If it’s a player it can still get while moving down and getting something extra in return, it’ll do that. It’s all about maximizing the value of each pick, as Sam Presti said during his end-of-season availability.@TonyGSalsa: Who do you see as a likely free agent OKC signs?I can give you a much better answer after the draft. I will say that OKC could benefit from adding a big wing. Someone who could put less pressure on guys such as Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Lu Dort to size up defensively. Someone who could also help in the 3-point shooting department. And, ideally, someone who wouldn’t break the bank. Maybe OKC can find that in the draft with someone such as Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, a 6-9 forward who can defend multiple positions and space the floor. But if it can’t, it could try to find that player via free agency or a trade.@Madler84: Will Lu Dort be on the team next season?I'm 50-50 on it. You guys don't need me to tell you how much OKC's front office and its players value Lu Dort, but the reality is that the team already has guys such as Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso who could replace his production as a 3-and-D guard. I think the Thunder will decline its $17.7 million team option on Dort and offer him a smaller but longer deal. I'd project it to be in the range of $12-14 million per year. Could he get more somewhere else? Absolutely. Will he prioritize staying with the team over getting paid? That's the question.@Zrigsby58: Will we sign Russell Westbrook on a vet minimum? With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Westbrook as Nikola Topić’s mentors, you’re creating a monster.No. Sam Presti wears many types of frames, but nostalgia goggles aren't one of them. He won't burn a roster spot at a time when the team has a full squad and three picks in the upcoming draft just to let Russell Westbrook sit at the end of the bench, which is what he'd do most nights at 37. Westbrook had his time with OKC, and he'll surely have his number retired by the franchise when he decides to hang it up. But a reunion before then isn't happening.@YouWereBrained: What does the starting lineup look like for next season, regardless of the draft?This is also hard to answer right now, and that isn’t because of the draft. It’s because OKC has team options on two of its starters. But even if the Thunder brought both of them back, I think we’d see a lot of this starting lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Lu Dort’s minutes declined this postseason due in part to the strong play of Wallace, who was just as elite definitively and far more impactful on offense. The 22-year-old guard shot 48.4% from deep on 4.1 attempts per game and was more capable as a shot creator and playmaker. Of course, there’d be some situations where Dort would get the starting nod. His strength allows him to size up a bit more than Wallace on defense, and he does go through hot streaks from deep. But Wallace brings a lot to the table while still complementing the rest of OKC’s starters, and he’s only getting better.Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What will OKC Thunder do in 2026 NBA Draft? Answering biggest questions

Nebraska extended an offer to one of the top receivers in the class of 2028. Four-star receiver Malachi Lee earned the offer while competing on campus in the Battle of the Boneyard 7-on-7 Tournament, which the Huskers hosted this weekend.Lee is the 50th overall player in the 2028 class, the eighth overall wide receiver in the class, and the top player in his class from the state of Virginia, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. The wide receiver has an extensive offer sheet that includes Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Syracuse.The 2028 recruiting class currently has no commitments. This is no reason for alarm, as the coaching staff is just putting the finishing touches on the 2027 class as we speak. Nevertheless, it’s good for the Huskers to get a head start on the 2028 group, as talent is evident in the class.2028 Leesburg (Va.) Loudon Sports Acqdemy four-star WR Malachi Lee with the tough grab for @24k7v7Landed a Nebraska offer this morning https://t.co/g6Z8LgEuL9pic.twitter.com/iIfKNatKNy— Tim Verghese (@TimVerghese) June 20, 2026Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire (https://twitter.com/CornhuskersWire) on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/CornhuskersWire) to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football offers class of 2028 wide receiver Malachi Lee

French sports media leader L’Équipe has publicly distanced itself from a presenter’s controversial remarks criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for expressing a desire to leave the World Cup for the birth of his first child.France Pierron, a presenter on the television show L’Équipe de Choc, sparked outrage on Friday by describing childbirth as "a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is useless". She further questioned Doku’s commitment, stating, "There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place," and suggesting he was "living a childhood dream. It might never happen again in your life."The 24-year-old Manchester City star, a key player for Belgium, had indicated his intention to be present for the birth of his son in early July, coinciding with the World Cup knockout rounds. Doku stated, "No one wants to miss a birth."Pierron criticised Doku's plan to leave the World Cup for the birth of his child (Getty)His stance garnered support from England forward Ollie Watkins, who addressed the family choices facing players during a news conference. Watkins remarked: "He said it only happens once, your first child. Welcoming them to the world is a blessing." “Someone labeled it disgusting. And I think for a start that’s not a way to label a birth. I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business what he gets up to after training."L’Équipe issued a statement late on Sunday, apologising to Doku and clarifying that Pierron’s comments "did not represent its values." It remains uncertain whether Pierron will feature in Monday’s scheduled broadcast of the talk show on the cable channel.Doku missed Belgium’s goalless draw with Iran on Sunday due to illness, a result that left the European side with work to do to secure their spot in the knockout stages.Belgium also drew their opening game 1-1 with Egypt, and now have two points from their first two matches.Heading into their final group game against New Zealand on Friday night, Belgium are likely to need at least a point to progress to the last-32.Belgium failed to make it beyond the group stage in 2022, and are now in real danger of missing the knockout rounds again following Sunday’s result.

Offensive lineman Gabe Vansickle (58) lines up during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 18, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Throughout the year, we will be asking and answering questions about various Ohio State teams, the players, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33, or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about our Biggest Concerns. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our Biggest Concerns here.As we wrapped up “Biggest Concerns” Week over the weekend, we are bringing you the results of last week’s fan survey. We asked Buckeye Nation what they felt was the biggest outstanding concern for the OSU football team heading into summer workouts.Unfortunately, the most popular answer (by a considerable margin) has probably been the most concerning aspect of the team for the past few seasons as well. On the positive side of things, the Buckeyes have a very veteran offensive line who have played a ton of snaps together. In college football, that is a massive factor in production in the trenches. If the unit is able to take a step forward in terms of execution and health, it should be able to eliminate some of the concerns around the hogmollies up front, but I feel like I’m going to need to see it in order to believe it at this point. Take a look below and feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of the page. Also, with the NBA and NHL finals over, if you are itching to get some action, you should head to FanDuel Sportsbook and start making some college football picks, especially since they are the sponsor for today’s article.Question: What is the biggest concern for the football Buckeyes heading into the season?Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.Visit FanDuel Sportsbook for all of your college football betting needs.

Texas A&M landed another "big fish" in the 2027 recruiting class after five-star linebacker Kaden Henderson chose the Aggies over Notre Dame on Thursday afternoon, becoming the highest-rated Texas A&M LB commit in program history, providing the national media more proof that third-year coach Mike Elko is one of the top recruiters in the country.Still, many opposing fan bases, and even some in college football media, seem to forget that former head coach Jimbo Fisher, who served in the role for six underwhelming seasons, isn't a part of the program in any way, shape, or form, outside of the Athletic department paying off his massive contract over the next four years.Finshing his Texas A&M coaching career with a 45-25 record, and 27-21 in the SEC, the Aggies finished with nine wins just twice, and never hit the double-digit win mark, despite elite recruiting classes, including the historic 2022 cycle that has now become a source of mockery based on poor on-field results the lack of development for more than half of the blue-chip filled class. After Fisher was fired just a game before the end of the 2024 regular season, former Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork nearly fumbled the hire of Mike Elko after heavily pursuing now former Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, but thanks to outside pressure from the alumni base, Elko was hired just days after Fisher's dismissal.During his tenure as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator (2018-2021), Mike Elko helped assemble the Aggies' 2022 recruiting class but was soon promoted to Duke's head coach, leading the Blue Devils to their first nine-win season since 2014 and helping develop several future NFL draft selections.As soon as he set foot in College Station, any worry regarding Elko's ability to match Fisher's recruiting success went out of the window, helping secure the Aggies' 17th-ranked 2024 cycle, followed by back-to-back-to-back 7th-ranked cycles, and currently possesses the No. 1-ranked 2027 cycle, which has been further strengthened after Henderson's commitment.Like many of the Aggies' 21 commits in the 2027 cycle, Henderson is fed up with the national narrative surrounding the class, recently telling AggieYell insider Joseph Hastings that the 2027 class should not be compared to the 2022 recruiting class that, for some reason, still comes up in conversation.“I know a lot of people want to think, ‘Oh, this is like the Jimbo (Fisher) class.’ I think it’s completely different. I think this is a class that’s going to stick,” Henderson stated. “I feel like everybody in this class is family. It’s more than football. I feel like when you have that, you’ll stick together. I feel like it’s going to go down in history as one of the best classes in college football, if not the best class.”Time will tell if the Aggies' 2027 cycle "sticks" and reaches its full potential, which, for nearly every one of the current 21 commits, is the NFL, and for some, a first-round draft selection.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: LB Kaden Henderson feels Texas A&M's 2027 class is 'going to stick'

Abu Sama and Darrion Dupree seemed to be the clear favorites to bring order to a crowded running back group at Wisconsin.The Badgers were likely headed for a two-back system if they stayed healthy. Despite adding transfers and young talent, the depth chart still points to these two players as the ones most likely to handle the most meaningful carries.Sama started the season as the most complete option. He rushed for over 700 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry last year. He played with a physical style that matched Wisconsin’s identity, becoming a back they could rely on for early downs. Dupree was just behind him, coming off a rough season playing behind an offensive line that had its struggles. Still, he showed big-play potential, especially with a memorable run against Illinois.Wisconsin's current running back depth chartRB1: Abu Sama (Iowa State transfer)RB2: Darian Dupree Bryan Jackson (USC transfer)Nate Palmer (TCU transfer)Julius Pope (JUCO)Tyler JanseyWisconsin’s next tier of backs brought size, skill, and backup options. Bryan Jackson joined as a strong transfer from USC after dealing with injuries, giving the Badgers another possible short-yardage option if he stays fit. Nate Palmer, a sophomore transfer from TCU, provided another solid player who looked like he would fit better into a longer-term role unless injuries pushed him into the spotlight. JUCO athlete Julius Pope also entered the group, bringing potential despite needing time to grow.Tyler Jansey, a converted linebacker, completes the depth chart. They were likely to see special teams and situational snaps if Sama and Dupree remained healthy. The next important step for Wisconsin will be when the coaching staff starts deciding on rotation and goal-line responsibilities, with Sama and Dupree at the heart of every early-season carry plan.Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Post-spring Wisconsin Badgers running back outlook and 2026 preview

At least England were finished by 12 this time. New Zealand’s wrapping up of second Test victory inside 50 minutes on a sleepy Sunday morning at the Oval left the afternoon clear for what one would assume was a rather quieter post-match period than that which had followed Lord’s – for Brendon McCullum’s squad at least. After the Ashes, it was suggested that the England head coach was not doing enough media; in this series, that seems to have been addressed but his latest public utterings only served to make more of a mess.Ben Stokes will return for England’s third Test against New Zealand (PA Wire)What is clear is that Ben Stokes will be back to captain England at Trent Bridge from Thursday, and will, in all likelihood, have Gus Atkinson alongside him, too. An internal ECB investigation found that the pair’s absence from the second Test was sufficient punishment for what is now described vaguely as a breach of “specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket”. The blame for the altercation that allegedly left a member of England’s security team needing stitches was laid squarely elsewhere. “Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident,” a statement continued. “The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion.”Brendon McCullum (right) has confirmed that Ben Stokes will captain England at Trent Bridge (Getty)Such vagueness has been made necessary by an environment still lacking in detail and discipline. It transpired just before play on the fifth morning, courtesy of a report in The Cricketer, that there had been confusion over the curfew that Stokes and Atkinson had supposedly breached actually existed – at least in official form. “Look, even if there is ambiguity, I think we’ve sat here and talked about the curfew, talked about standards, talked about many things we want to be known for as a cricket team,” McCullum stressed by way of a defence.“I think fundamentally, when you represent your country, you have certain standards you need to live up to and you’re not just representing yourself — you’re representing your family, the fans, the country and you’re being paid to do it. Perhaps while there may not have been a hard blueprint potentially, I mean like a hard factual blueprint, everyone knew what was going on.”England were beaten heavily by New Zealand at the Oval (PA Wire)One could accuse England of lacking a hard factual blueprint in other areas, too. This Stokes shemozzle is just the latest in a lengthening line of mistakes from an environment found wanting too often. Clearly, as has been found, the skipper was wrong to be out at such an hour after the first Test, but the fact that the rules may not have been so clearly defined as it first appeared require an even greater level of sympathy than first expressed. While one must also extend the benefit of the doubt to the ECB for what has been a complex and evolving situation, the fortnight since has not perhaps been ideally handled. They have form on this front: having hidden Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand in November, the white-ball captain then admitted to lying initially over the details when news of the incident first emerged at the end of the Ashes.Both Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, and McCullum were strong in condemning the breach of internal standards; if they were not as strictly set as each initially claimed, it leaves them in an altogether messier position. Each had claimed to have learned the lessons of a winter in which England were shown to be underprepared but their positions again seem in peril. The head coach’s repeated expression of concern for his captain was met with bemusement at Durham, where Stokes performed well in a rare County Championship outing during the second Test – McCullum’s worry may have come from a good place but, in retrospect, it felt a slightly strange tone to strike. Can a leadership trio inexorably tied together still present a united front? Ben Stokes remains central to this England team (Reuters)The centrality of Stokes, due to speak on Wednesday, to this England team has only been highlighted by the pushing to the periphery as the investigation progressed. In the mean time, an unbalanced, inexperienced England slipped to a sixth defeat in their last eight match. It leaves huge pressure on the Trent Bridge Test. The XI is likely to look rather different again – and perhaps directly resemble the Lord’s line-up if Ollie Robinson is passed fit – but New Zealand look good for a gallop, and showed real rigour and ruthlessness at the Oval. “Never a dull day in English cricket, is there?” McCullum quipped after defeat was confirmed. Without five of them in Nottingham, something may have to give.

The move targets two U.S. manufacturers at the center of the Trump administration’s effort to rebuild the domestic supply chain for critical magnets.

Mediators reported progress toward reaching a final deal within 60 days. They also said that negotiators had dwelled on issues that were supposed to be settled.

Paraguay vs Australia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best BetsParaguay vs Australia | Group D, Matchday 15 | World Cup 2026Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026Kick-off: 19:00 local (02:00 BST, 26 June)Venue: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), USATV/Streaming (UK): ITV / ITVXBetfred5.0Welcome BonusBet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets BET NOWWhat’s At StakeBoth Paraguay and Australia arrive at Levi’s Stadium locked on three points apiece after two Group D matches, separated only by goal difference, with the United States already through at the top. A win for either side almost certainly guarantees a place in the Round of 32; a draw could be enough depending on the Turkey result, while a defeat likely ends one team’s tournament. This is a straight knockout game in everything but name, and the pressure is real on both benches.VerdictAustralia are a narrow favourite to take all three points at 3/1, but Paraguay’s defensive resilience and motivation to advance make the draw at 5/4 the standout pick in this Paraguay vs Australia prediction. Under 2 goals at 4/6 reflects the low-scoring nature of both sides’ competitive record and is the value play for the goals market.Paraguay vs Australia Match PreviewParaguay’s World Cup 2026 campaign has mirrored the arc of their qualifying run, grinding out narrow wins when composure is required and shipping heavy defeats when faced with elite opposition. A 4-1 opening loss to the United States was alarming, but Gustavo Alfaro’s side responded with a disciplined, low-block 1-0 win over Turkey at this very stadium, showing a clear capacity to absorb pressure and punish on the counter. That pragmatic approach makes them genuinely awkward opponents for any team that needs to attack.Australia, guided by Tony Popovic in his first World Cup as head coach, put in their best performance of the group stage against Turkey, winning 2-0 with a composed, structured display. The 0-2 defeat to the United States that followed underlined the gap at the top of this group, but the Socceroos showed they can compete against sides of similar standing. Three points here would represent a strong platform for a deep run.The question shaping this match is whether Australia can break down a Paraguay side that gave up just one goal in their last four qualifying matches combined. Alfaro’s defensive shape has been the foundation of everything, and with Australia needing a positive result rather than necessarily a win, Popovic may opt to be measured rather than expansive. An absorbing, tight contest seems likely.Team FormParaguay – Last 5 ResultsTurkey (A): Won 1-0 (World Cup 2026)United States (A): Lost 1-4 (World Cup 2026)Nicaragua (H): Won 4-0 (Friendly)Morocco (N): Lost 1-2 (Friendly)Greece (A): Won 1-0 (Friendly) Paraguay’s competitive form tells the clearest story. The 1-0 victory over Turkey was their third win in a competitive match by a single goal in recent months, reinforcing Alfaro’s preference for structure over spectacle. The 4-1 defeat to the United States was exceptional context, coming against a co-host side with home atmosphere advantage, and should not define how this group sees Paraguay’s defensive credentials.Australia – Last 5 ResultsUnited States (A): Lost 0-2 (World Cup 2026)Turkey (H): Won 2-0 (World Cup 2026)Switzerland (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly)Mexico (N): Lost 0-1 (Friendly)Curacao (H): Won 5-1 (FIFA Series) Australia’s qualifying record of four wins from four, including a 1-0 result over Japan and a 2-1 win away to Saudi Arabia, demonstrated real competitive substance. The loss to the United States was largely comfortable for the hosts; Popovic will take encouragement from the Turkey win and expect his side to dictate terms against a Paraguay team sitting deep.Paraguay vs Australia Head to HeadThese sides have met five times, all friendlies, with Australia holding the better record from those encounters. Australia won 1-0 in October 2010, and the two sides drew 1-1 in October 2006. Three earlier meetings in June 2000 produced two goalless draws and a 2-1 Australia win. Paraguay have not beaten Australia in any of their five previous meetings, making this a first-ever competitive fixture between the two nations.The Paraguay vs Australia head to head record is therefore modest and all pre-dates the modern era of both programmes, but the pattern of low-scoring, tight encounters holds across the series. Three of the five meetings finished with one goal or fewer, pointing to a similar dynamic when the sides have met at this level of preparation.Team NewsParaguay head into this fixture with notable continuity from the Turkey win. Captain Gustavo Gomez remains the anchor of the defence, bringing 89 caps of experience to a backline that kept a clean sheet in the previous Group D match. Miguel Almiron, with 76 caps and 10 international goals, provides the creative threat in midfield, while Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria offer Alfaro genuine variety in attack. Youngster Diego Gomez of Brighton and Hove Albion adds energy in the middle of the park.Australia have Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda already on the scoresheet at this tournament, giving Popovic productive contributors across the squad. Jackson Irvine, with 82 caps and 14 international goals, leads the midfield and will be central to any sustained attacking play. Mathew Ryan, earning his 104th cap, provides composure behind a defence that has shipped just two goals in two World Cup matches. Veteran forward Mathew Leckie, with 80 caps and 14 goals, remains a pressing outlet.There are no confirmed significant injuries or suspensions reported for either side ahead of this match.Predicted LineupsPredicted XI (4-4-2): G. Fernandez; J.J. Caceres, G. Gomez (c), J. Alonso, G. Velazquez; R. Sosa, A. Cubas, M. Almiron, D. Gomez; J. Enciso, A. SanabriaPredicted XI – squads to be confirmed.Predicted XI (4-3-3): M. Ryan; M. Degenek, H. Souttar, A. Circati, J. Bos; J. Irvine (c), A. O’Neill, C. Metcalfe; A. Mabil, N. Irankunda, M. LeckiePredicted XI – squads to be confirmed.Key Tactical MatchupThe contest between Miguel Almiron in Paraguay’s midfield and Australia’s central pairing of Jackson Irvine and Aiden O’Neill shapes everything. Almiron, 32, with 76 caps and 10 international goals, is Paraguay’s most dynamic creative presence and will look to find pockets of space between Australia’s lines. Irvine and O’Neill are industry midfielders who defend their shape well, but Almiron’s ability to drift into the half-spaces could stretch their cover. If Alfaro’s side can channel attacks through Almiron and expose the gap behind Australia’s advancing full-backs, Paraguay have a genuine route to goal against a side that will need to push forward to secure the three points they require.Best BetsBetfred5.0Welcome BonusBet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets BET NOWHighbet 4.9Welcome BonusBet £10 and Get a £20 Free Bet BET NOWParimatch4.8Welcome BonusSports Welcome Offer Bet and Get for a £20 Free Bet BET NOWThe Paraguay vs Australia betting tips below are grounded in the group stage mathematics and the tactical profile of both sides.Main Pick: Draw @ 5/4 Both sides need points from this match, and neither can afford the risk of chasing a game they have conceded. Paraguay’s defensive record in competitive fixtures – clean sheets against Turkey and Greece, and a 0-0 draw at home to Ecuador in qualifying – points to a team that is very difficult to break down when organised. Australia have the attacking resource to threaten, but three of Paraguay’s last four competitive wins have been by a single goal, and a draw keeps both sides in contention. The 5/4 available represents fair value for what projects as a tense, balanced encounter.Goals Market: Under 2 Goals @ 4/6 Five of Paraguay’s last six qualifying matches produced two goals or fewer, and their World Cup 2026 results have both come in under two goals in competitive terms when stripping out the co-host loss. Australia scored two in each of their wins but were shut out by the United States. The head to head record also features three meetings that ended with one goal or fewer. Under 2 goals at 4/6 reflects the structure of this fixture accurately.Scorer Market: Antonio Sanabria to Score Anytime Sanabria carries 48 caps and 7 international goals and operates as Paraguay’s central striker in Alfaro’s system. He is the focal point of Paraguay’s attacking shape and, if the Guaranies find the net here, Sanabria is the most likely beneficiary of the direct approach Alfaro deploys. Check leading operators for the best available price.Bet Builder: Draw + Under 2 Goals Combining the draw and under 2 goals markets into a single bet builder reinforces the core thesis of this preview. Both teams are structured, competitive, and under pressure to avoid defeat. The head to head record backs this reading, with three of five meetings producing two goals or fewer. This combination offers a combined price worth exploring at leading operators.Odds Across OperatorsThe best available prices on the three-way match result market, sourced from leading operators:Over/Under 2 goals: Over 5/4, Under 4/6. Prices sourced from leading operators and subject to change.How to Watch + How to BetHow to WatchParaguay vs Australia is live in the UK on ITV and streaming free on ITVX. Kick-off is at 02:00 BST on Friday, 26 June 2026. Australian viewers can watch on SBS and Optus Sport.How to BetTo place a bet on Paraguay vs Australia, follow these steps with your chosen licensed operator:Log in to your account or register if you are a new customer.Navigate to the Football or World Cup 2026 section.Search for Paraguay vs Australia under Group D fixtures.Select your preferred market – match result, goals, or scorer.Enter your stake in the bet slip.Review your selection and confirm the odds before placing.Check the bet builder tool if combining multiple selections from the same match.Gamble responsibly and within your means.Responsible GamblingGambling should be enjoyable and kept within limits you are comfortable with. If you are concerned about your gambling or that of someone you know, free, confidential support is available. In the UK, contact BeGambleAware or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit GamStop to self-exclude from UK-licensed gambling sites. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and remember that odds do not guarantee outcomes.

Transfer rumour roundup: Chelsea dismiss Florian Wirtz talk; Premier League clubs circle Ayase UedaWe're back for another daily dose of transfer rumours. Today's talk includes Florian Wirtz, Omar Marmoush, and Morgan Rogers.Chelsea have dismissed speculation linking them with a summer move for Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz. The German endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool, following a record-breaking transfer to Anfield, and reports this week suggested Chelsea are keeping tabs. Wirtz thrived under the management of new Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, but Football.London report that there's 'no truth' in talk of a reunion.Sticking with Liverpool, the Reds are reportedly weighing up an approach for Rayo Vallecano right-backAndrei Ratiu. The Romanian's release clause of around €25m is viewed as good value, as Liverpool look to solve a problem position. Anfield Index report that Andoni Iraola is plotting a raid on his former side for the full-back.Juventus are among the clubs weighing up a move for Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush. With Dusan Vlahovic heading for the exit door and Jonathan David and Lois Openda likely to follow him, Juve are planning a complete overhaul of their frontline. Tuttosport report that Marmoush is under consideration, alongside Alexander Sorloth and Randal Kolo Muani.Arsenal are set to open 'formal talks' with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers. The Gunners are determined to strike a deal for the England midfielder, which could cost around £80m. Arsenal insider Hand of Arsenal has reported the transfer fee is the key hurdle to overcome, with Rogers keen on the move to North London.Across North London,Cristian Romero has received 'multiple approaches' as the Argentine prepares to quit Spurs. After adding Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi to the squad, Spurs are ready to cash-in on the unsettled club captain. Nicolo Shira has said he's no longer considered 'untouchable'.Finally,Ayase Ueda could be set for a big move this summer after an impressive World Cup. The Japan international has received approaches from the Premier League and Bundesliga, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that 'attention is growing'. Leeds United, Everton, and Sunderland have all been linked with the Feyenoord forward.

Doku controversy piles pressure on Belgium as France early progressionThe stakes continue to rise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the group stage enters a crucial phase, with every point becoming increasingly valuable.Spain bounced back from a shock 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in stellar fashion, bagging four unanswered goals against Saudi Arabia to steer two points clear of Uruguay at the top of Group H.Lamine Yamal found the net only ten minutes into his maiden World Cup start to set the tone for La Furia Roja’s statement victory, with Mikel Oyarzabal chipping in with a first-half double to put the game to bed before half-time.Despite being heavily fancied to fight Spain for top place in the group, Uruguay’s chances of securing a top-two finish are in tatters after a dismal 2-2 draw against Cape Verde.Left to rue missed opportunities, La Celeste must dig deep on matchday three if they’re to lock in second place, as they face Luis de la Fuente’s side in a mouth-watering fixture at Estadio Akron.Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates from across North America.Manchester City winger under fire as Belgium risk another embarrassmentFour years after failing to reach the knockout stages in Qatar, Belgium could suffer the same fate in North America, which would be a disaster for one of the tournament’s dark horses.Rudi Garcia’s side shared the spoils with Egypt on the opening day. Though that result could be put down to early-tournament nerves, there was no excuse for drawing a blank against Iran yesterday.Amir Ghalenoei’s side held De Rode Duivels to a scoreless draw at SoFi Stadium, putting further dent in Belgium’s hopes of advancing into the round of 32 ahead of a must-win clash against New Zealand.Veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand emerged as an absolute hero for the Middle East nation, making seven saves to help Iran move to second in Group G and win a well-deserved ‘Man of the Match’ award.While Iranian people continue to celebrate the Tractor shot-stopper, Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has come under scrutiny due to his controversial decision to leave the Belgium training base on the eve of the match.Doku flew across the ocean to be in England for the birth of his first child despite his pivotal role in Garcia’s system, and his absence was heavily felt yesterday, with Alexis Saelemaekers falling short of expectations.However, it’s also worth noting that Belgium’s medical staff deemed it too risky for the quicksilver forward to play against Iran due to his respiratory problems, which may ultimately offer a more plausible explanation for his unavailability.France seek early knockout progressionKylian Mbappe stole the show in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal in their Group I opener with a second-half brace to become the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer, leapfrogging Olivier Giroud.Les Bleus opened a seventh consecutive major tournament with a victory and are now on the verge of securing a knockout berth with a game to spare as they face Iraq for the first time.Unlike their more esteemed opposition, Iraq’s return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986 got off to a nightmare start, with Norway, inspired by Erling Haaland, thrashing them 4-1.Another heavy defeat could be on the cards here, but Graham Arnold’s side can find a glimmer of hope in the fact that they’ve won twice across their last four matches against UEFA teams.Adding to Iraq’s confidence, the French have lost back-to-back clashes against Asian opposition without scoring, suggesting Les Bleus may not have things entirely their own way despite entering this contest as overwhelming favourites.Long-serving manager Didier Deschamps knows better than to underestimate the task ahead, especially with France eager to maintain their perfect start as they bid to punch an early ticket to the knockout rounds.Argentina looking to extend best winning streak in a decadeLionel Messi proved why many consider him to be the best player of all time, netting his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to propel Argentina to a dominant 3-0 triumph over Algeria on the opening day.La Pulga’s match-winning performance helped the reigning champions extend their impressive winning run to eight consecutive games, marking their longest such streak since 2016.Furthermore, Lionel Scaloni’s men have now avoided defeat in seven successive World Cup fixtures, netting precisely three goals in the last three to come on the brink of becoming the fourth nation in history to score 3+ goals in four straight matches.There’s only so much Austria can do to deny Messi and his teammates this remarkable feat, yet Ralf Rangnick’s men will take the field in high spirits following a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their Group J opener.However, this upcoming showdown at AT&T Stadium represents a distinctly tougher challenge for Austria, as they prepare to take on FIFA’s top-ranked nation and one of the standout favourites to retain the World Cup crown.While the two nations have never crossed paths at the World Cup, Austria have failed to beat Argentina in either of their previous meetings, both of which came before the turn of the century.Defying tradition would see Austria win their opening two World Cup games for the first time since 1982, but it’ll take something special from Das Team to upset the apple cart in Arlington, Texas.Top football storiesKlopp in bitter World Cup row with Van der Vaart after Van Dijk jibeLionel Messi — improbably, still as good as everCristiano Ronaldo risks ruining his legacy if he continues to stymie Portugal by startingFootball Today featuresNetherlands run riot to set World Cup benchmark, Spain face early pressure after opening stumbleCasemiro set to join Inter Miami after leaving Manchester UnitedLiverpool & Real Madrid target Nico Schlotterbeck suffers ligament injury in Germany vs Ivory Coast clash, his 2026 World Cup could be overWhat to watchMbappe ran the show in France’s day-one victory, but it was Michael Olise who pulled all the strings in the final third with his silky touch and exceptional vision, as he set up the Real Madrid superstar for the deadlock-breaker.In doing so, the Bayern Munich winger registered his fourth goal contribution across his last two international caps, underlining his growing importance to Deschamps’ attacking setup.Olise is arguably one of the most exciting players to watch at the moment, and another inspired display from the skilled playmaker could go a long way towards helping France secure early passage into the knockout.

Following offseason programs, there is one Jacksonville Jaguars player on offense who has stood out above the rest over the last several weeks of practices.Each of ESPN's NFL Nation reporters had to pick the "biggest surprise" player for the respective teams they cover. Michael DiRocco selected wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.DiRocco called Thomas Jr. the Jaguars' "most impressive offensive player so far," and added that the chemistry between him and Trevor Lawrence has grown, particularly on deep throws.Following a down season in 2025 from Thomas Jr., what has led to this fast start in 2026?"He said a changed mindset and an emphasis on not overlooking the little details in his preparation are the main reasons," DiRocco wrote.Thomas Jr. and Lawrence building that downfield rapport has been a major priority this offseason. After the Jaguars acquired Jakobi Meyers last season, Thomas Jr. saw more opportunities downfield.Thomas Jr. providing that vertical element on a consistent basis will do wonders for the Jaguars' offense. Not only will that lead to big plays, but the attention Thomas Jr. draws can create opportunities for others within the offense.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Brian Thomas named Jaguars 'most impressive' player on offense after offseason

World Cup 2026: Predicted lineups for all 48 teams on Matchday 3This article features our predicted lineups for all 48 teams in Round 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it a useful resource for Fantasy World Cup managers looking for likely starters, key players and potential differential picks ahead of Matchday 3.See below for the expected World Cup lineups for the third round of the group stage.2026 World Cup predicted lineups – round 3:Group A:Czech Republic vs. Mexico – Predicted LineupsSouth Africa vs. South Korea – Predicted LineupsGroup B:Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar – Predicted LineupsSwitzerland vs. Canada – Predicted LineupsGroup C:Morocco vs. Haiti – Predicted LineupsScotland vs. Brazil – Predicted LineupsGroup D:Paraguay vs. Australia – Predicted LineupsTurkey vs. USA – Predicted LineupsGroup E:Curacao vs. Ivory Coast – Predicted LineupsEcuador vs. Germany – Predicted LineupsGroup F:Japan vs. Sweden – Predicted LineupsTunisia vs. Netherlands – Predicted LineupsGroup G:Egypt vs. Iran – Predicted LineupsNew Zealand vs. Belgium – Predicted LineupsGroup H:Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia – Predicted LineupsUruguay vs. Spain – Predicted LineupsGroup I:Norway vs. France – Predicted LineupsSenegal vs. Iraq – Predicted LineupsGroup J:Austria vs. Jordan – Predicted LineupsArgentina vs. Algeria – Predicted LineupsGroup K:D.R. Congo vs. Uzbekistan – Predicted LineupsColombia vs. Portugal – Predicted LineupsGroup L:Croatia vs. Ghana – Predicted LineupsPanama vs. England – Predicted LineupsLast updated: June 22, 12:42 CET.

Nature, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01956-0As rising seas and intensifying disasters threaten historic sites worldwide, new ways to understand, preserve and adapt these places are needed urgently.

We look into the dangers posed by large S.U.V.s and pickup trucks.

Real Madrid set to rival Arsenal and Liverpool for BouaddiReal Madrid have added Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi to their summer shortlist and are prepared to rival Arsenal, Liverpool and PSG for his signature.The 18-year-old placed himself in the spotlight this summer after excelling for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Bouaddi’s performances have helped Morocco to the verge of the knockout rounds, while attracting interest from leading European clubs.According to Foot Mercato, Real Madrid have now entered the running, as Jose Mourinho continues his rebuild in Spain.The La Liga side have added the experience of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella, with Bouaddi viewed as a long-term answer in midfield.Doubts remain over the futures of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Bouaddi shortlisted as a potential replacement.Lille are reportedly open to a sale if a big offer arrives, with the French club expected to demand between €60M and €70M.Arsenal and Liverpool have both made contact with the player’s camp to discuss a move to England, while Paris Saint-Germain are pushing to keep Bouaddi in Ligue 1. Lille are understood to favour a sale overseas, in a bid to avoid strengthening a direct rival.Read – World Cup Day 11: Cape Verde upset odds again; Salah starsSee more – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbersFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Jordan vs Algeria – Predicted lineup and team newsJordan head into Tuesday’s early-hours fixture at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium looking to claim their first-ever World Cup points.The tournament debutants earned widespread praise for pushing Austria to the limit on matchday one, remaining level until the 76th minute before an own goal and a stoppage-time penalty sealed a 3-1 defeat.Jamal Sellami will demand greater defensive discipline tonight — conceding multiple goals has been a recurring problem across Jordan’s last six matches — but there is no shortage of belief in the camp after a spirited opening display.Jordan team newsSellami faces a late fitness call on defender Abdallah Nasib, who was forced off in the 81st minute against Austria and faces an assessment ahead of kick-off. His absence could disrupt the three-man defensive structure, though Sellami has options to reshuffle the backline if needed. Yazan Al Arab and Mohammad Abualnadi are expected to continue regardless.In midfield, Noor Al Rawabdeh and Nizar Al Rashdan provide the energy and defensive cover, with Ehsan Haddad holding his wing-back position on the right. Ali Olwan carries Jordan’s attacking threat with full confidence after scoring his country’s historic first World Cup goal — his 30th international strike. Musa Al Taamari adds pace and creativity alongside him.Jordan predicted lineupJordan possible starting XI: Abu Laila; Al Rousan, Al Arab, Abualnadi; Haddad, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Fakhoury, Olwan; TamariWhen does the match kick off?The Group J fixture kicks off at 04:00 BST in the early hours of Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara.How to watch Jordan vs Algeria?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on ITV1, with a live stream available via ITVX.Read more – Real Madrid set to rival Arsenal and Liverpool for BouaddiSee Also- Camavinga ready to snub Premier League transferFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Como make enquiry to sign Chelsea centre-back ChalobahComo have made enquiries into the availability of Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah.The Italian side are looking to reinforce their squad after securing a place in the Champions League for next season. Como exceeded expectations to reach Europe for the first time, securing a top-four finish in Serie A, ahead of AC Milan and Juventus.Cesc Fabregas is now working to strengthen his squad and the Spaniard is plotting a raid on his former team. Como want to sign Chalobah, though Fabrizio Romano is reporting that a deal will be difficult.There’s understood to be a ‘big gap’ in the respective valuations at this stage, with Chelsea valuing the academy product highly.Having looked set for an exit after joining Crystal Palace on loan during the 2024/25 season, Chalobah has become a regular since being recalled from that temporary stint.He made 34 appearances in the Premier League last season, with 31 from the start, and was a late inclusion in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.Read – Chelsea stance on Fofana sale amid transfer linksSee more – World Cup Day 11: Cape Verde upset odds again; Salah starsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Algeria XI vs Jordan – Predicted lineup and team newsAlgeria head into Tuesday’s early-hours fixture at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium knowing that anything less than three points will leave their World Cup campaign in serious trouble.Vladimir Petkovic’s side were outclassed by Argentina on matchday one, falling to a 3-0 defeat as Lionel Messi ran riot. Despite that setback, Algeria retain a genuine chance of progressing from Group J — but only with a win tonight. The Fennecs have the quality to beat Jordan; the question is whether they can produce the performance their talent demands.Algeria team newsPetkovic has a fully fit squad available and is expected to make several changes following the Argentina defeat. Luca Zidane retains his place in goal. Aissa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini continue at the heart of the defence, with Mehdi Belghali and Rayan Ait Nouri as the full-backs.Hicham Boudaoui retains his midfield role, with Djamel Bentaleb and Ramiz Zerrouki alongside him. The most significant changes come in attack. Mohamed Amoura is expected to start after being surprisingly left on the bench against Argentina — the forward has been in prolific form for the national side in recent months.Captain Riyad Mahrez is also pushing for a return to the starting XI after a cameo appearance against Argentina, bringing big-match experience to the wide areas. Ibrahim Maza completes the attacking unit.Algeria predicted lineupAlgeria possible starting XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait Nouri; Boudaoui, Zerrouki, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Amoura, MazaWhen does the match kick off?The Group J fixture kicks off at 04:00 BST in the early hours of Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara.How to watch Jordan vs Algeria?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on ITV1, with a live stream available via ITVX.Read more – Real Madrid set to rival Arsenal and Liverpool for BouaddiSee Also- Juventus exploring a deal for Manchester City forward MarmoushFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Liverpool reject Inter Milan’s €25m Curtis Jones bidLiverpool have rejected a verbal offer of €25m (£21.7m) from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones.According to the BBC, the bid fell well short of the £35m the Reds value him at. They are unwilling to sanction a cut-price exit for the midfielder.The gap between the clubs is considerable. Inter’s offer sits some way below Liverpool’s asking price, a difference of more than 60%.Reports suggest the Reds were left irritated by the approach, feeling Inter were not being serious given this summer’s inflated midfield market.Liverpool reject Inter Milan’s €25m offer for Curtis JonesIt is not the Italians’ first attempt, either. Inter pursued Jones in January, proposing a loan with a view to a permanent transfer. Liverpool turned that down too, and have now done the same again.Jones, 25, finds himself at a crossroads. He has only one year left on his current deal and has resisted opening fresh contract talks.That stance, combined with limited game time last season, has fuelled the speculation around his future.Inter have made little secret of their interest. “Curtis Jones, we are paying attention to him,” sporting director Piero Ausilio said this month.“We didn’t hide. We understand what the developments will be.”There have been hints from within the dressing room, too. Federico Chiesa told La Gazzetta dello Sport that Jones had asked him what life in Italy is like.Chiesa, himself uncertain at Anfield, offered a glimpse of the player’s curiosity.Liverpool, though, hold the cards. They want any deal to include a resale clause and are in no rush to sell a homegrown talent.Jones joined the academy aged nine before turning professional in 2018.Reports now suggest Jones could end up staying, with Liverpool making clear they have no interest in doing business at Inter’s valuation.Read more – Real Madrid set to rival Arsenal and Liverpool for BouaddiSee Also- Camavinga ready to snub Premier League transferFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Saka fitness boost for EnglandThe winger missed group training over the weekend but has now reportedly trained as normal, although Noni Madueke is still expected to start.Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty ImagesBukayo Saka has handed England a fitness boost ahead of their second World Cup match, against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night.Saka has been struggling with an Achilles injury since March and has been managed carefully by both Arsenal and England.The winger sat out group training over the weekend, taking part instead in individual sessions, but he has now reportedly trained as normal before Tuesday’s game.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesThomas Tuchel has already suggested Saka will not start, with Noni Madueke expected to keep his place as England protect the Arsenal winger for the knock-out stages.Saka came on for the final 18 minutes against Croatia and registered an assist.Declan Rice, meanwhile, has revealed he has been struggling with a hamstring issue for the last six months.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Seven-time Wimbledon singles champion Serena Williams has been given a wildcard to make her comeback at the All England Club [Getty Images]Every great fighter thinks they have one great fight left in them.That old adage is usually applied to boxers who come out of retirement for another swing - but it feels particularly relevant as 44-year-old Serena Williams makes the next step in her comeback to professional tennis.The 23-time Grand Slam champion will return to the singles court at Wimbledon next week after a four-year absence from the sport she once dominated.In many eyes, the American superstar is the greatest player of all-time - certainly in the women's game - and she clearly believes she has the ability to win matches again.But the reality is Williams has not played a competitive singles match since the 2022 US Open and launching her comeback at the All England Club is an ambitious move.Williams insists she does not "need to win" and rightly says she has "nothing to prove". The fire still burns in her belly, though."Serena's mindset has always been to be the best and not settle for mediocrity," former world number one Lindsay Davenport, one of Williams' main rivals in the early 2000s, told BBC Sport."I think we have to assume that she's coming back because she feels she's in a position where she can make an impact immediately in women's tennis."It was only a matter of time before Williams would be tempted back to singles action after making her return on the doubles court at Queen's.The US Open, which starts in late August, seemed a more obvious starting point.But, having played two doubles matches and practised intensely at Wimbledon over the past few days, Williams believes she is sharp and solid enough to return at the place where she won seven singles title.A lot of athletes dream of rolling back the years but discover the reality of proving they can still compete - and not simply indulging in a nostalgia trip - is a different matter.Williams will also play with older sister Venus, 46, in the Wimbledon women's doubles, which the pair have already won six times [Getty Images]Williams, who turns 45 in September, is the oldest player in the women's singles main draw by some margin - she has six years on Germany's Tatjana Maria, the oldest player in the WTA top 100.Williams is an inspiration to millions across the world and her message of being able to "do anything at any age" is admirable.But there is no doubt that age is likely to be a barrier to her hopes of winning singles matches at Wimbledon, and two doubles matches does not feel like enough preparation to beat the world's very best. There is little comparison between singles and doubles in terms of athletic output. Williams' movement and stamina will come under severe examination by her more youthful opponents.The majority of the leading women's players are around 20 years younger than Williams, including 28-year-old world number one Aryna Sabalenka and reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, who is 25."It doesn't get easy as you get older and grass is a tough surface to start on," Davenport said."The ball goes very quick, very low and it's very physical - there is a lot of bending."It's not going to be easy [but] if anyone could do it, certainly it could be her."Former world number one Kim Clijsters found out how hard a comeback is when she returned aged 36 in 2020, unable to win any of her five matches over the next 18 months.Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber fared better in her 2024 comeback, but lost in the first round in all three of her major appearances."It's easier to see on TV how the girls are playing and say 'OK I can still do it'," Kerber, who came back aged 36 after having a baby, told BBC Sport."You know you can do it - especially Serena because she was the greatest."But working every day, going to the practice courts, going to the gym, sweating, is what you have to do."Serena Williams to make singles comeback at WimbledonWilliams rolls back the years on return at Queen'sHow Serena's British hitting partner kept comeback secretWilliams has not won a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was 35. She has since given birth to two daughters - Olympia, now aged eight, and two-year-old Adira.After her first comeback in 2018, Williams reached four Grand Slam finals - twice at Wimbledon and twice at the US Open - but lost them all.Her past two Wimbledon appearances - in 2021 and 2022 - have ended in first-round defeats.What Williams has in her favour is one of the greatest technical talents ever seen - and an incomparable aura.Winning a 24th major to tie Margaret Court's all-time women's record seems out of reach, but Williams will have looked at the open nature of the WTA Tour and felt there are plenty of players she can still beat.The power and accuracy of her serve was particularly effective on the grass and she will be hoping her opening shot can earn her plenty of free points.Her odds of winning matches are certainly favourable at Wimbledon, especially if she faces a relatively inexperienced opponent who may get overawed by what is bound to be an electric occasion on Centre Court.World number nine Victoria Mboko played doubles with Williams at Queen's and was convinced the veteran is "ready to go"."She has such clean ball striking. She could take years off and once she steps on the court she could probably find her rhythm and timing again," said the 19-year-old Canadian."I think that's really a god-given gift she has. I'm hitting with her and she's hitting pretty big."In her pomp, Williams was the embodiment of fitness and athleticism.Last year, she admitted she had used weight loss drugs in order to lift what she called the "stigma" around using such medication.Williams said she had struggled to lose weight she had gained during pregnancy - a common experience for many women - and returns to tennis looking lean."We've all seen her. She looks in incredible shape and better shape than arguably when she left the sport," Davenport said."But we have got to be a little graceful in the time we give her until she hits her peak."Williams might not get anywhere near her best and she doesn't know how long this comeback will last. But one thing is certain: the woman who many consider to be the GOAT will go down swinging in pursuit of restoring former glory.The people and places that made Jannik SinnerCerundolo's dad conquers fear of flying to watch son win Queen's

Mercury lose surprise rookie sensation as contract is temporarily suspended originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Phoenix Mercury have been one of the biggest surprises in the WNBA this season, and rookie guard Jovana Nogic has been a major reason why. Now, the Mercury suddenly find themselves without one of their most productive players.Phoenix announced that Nogic's contract has been temporarily suspended, creating uncertainty around the immediate future of one of the league's breakout rookies. The move came one day after Nogic was absent from the Mercury's victory over the Seattle Storm. While the team has not provided a timeline for her return, the development leaves a significant hole in Phoenix's rotation as the Mercury continue their push up the standings.From overseas veteran to instant WNBA impactAlthough technically a rookie, Nogic arrived in the WNBA with years of professional experience overseas. The sharpshooting guard quickly proved she belonged. Through her first 16 games, Nogic averaged 10.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest while emerging as one of Phoenix's most reliable offensive options. Only Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas have scored more points for the Mercury this season.Nogic wasted little time making an impression.She scored 19 points in Phoenix's season-opening win over the Las Vegas Aces and followed that performance less than a week later with a stunning 27-point outing against the Chicago Sky. That game made WNBA history, as Nogic set the record for the most points ever scored by an undrafted rookie in a single game.MORE: A'ja Wilson's technical foul could come with costly consequence after Aces blowout winMercury reveal roster moveNogic did not suit up for Saturday's matchup against Seattle. Before the game, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts told reporters that the rookie was away from the team for personal reasons. The following day, the WNBA transaction wire revealed that Nogic's contract had been temporarily suspended.The move allows Phoenix to open a roster spot while she remains away from the team. Her salary will continue to count against the salary cap, but the Mercury now have flexibility to add another player if necessary.A difficult void to fillReplacing Nogic's production won't be easy. Her ability to stretch defenses, knock down perimeter shots and provide instant offense helped transform the Mercury's second unit and gave Phoenix another scoring threat alongside Copper and Thomas.For a team with championship aspirations, depth matters, especially during the long WNBA season. Until more information becomes available, the Mercury will have to find ways to replace one of the most surprising success stories of the 2026 season.And for fans around the league, the biggest question remains simple: when will Jovana Nogic be back on the court?More WNBA news:A'ja Wilson's technical foul could come with costly consequence after Aces blowout winAngel Reese's flagrant foul vs. Fever could come with immediate consequenceCaitlin Clark and Angel Reese's latest on-court exchange quickly grabs attention during Fever-Dream matchupAngel Reese reaches historic rebound milestone as Dream star rewrites WNBA record bookCheryl Reeve's reaction to Olivia Miles' first rough WNBA game says everything about the Lynx rookie