DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 22: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with Enzo Fernandez (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria at Dallas Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) | Getty Images The groups are starting to shape up and several teams have already booked their places in the Round of 32, some even as group winners. England could join that select group with another strong win today, but all four games could be quite interesting in their own regards.Let’s go!PORTUGAL vs. UZBEKISTANThe big stars have all shone bright at the World Cup so far, with the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to some renewed suggestions that Portugal will only go as far as the rest of the team can carry him. After a shock draw against DR Congo, and with Colombia awaiting in the final group game, they’re in desperate need of a win in this one.Uzbekistan showed in their first game that they are no pushovers, but they eventually couldn’t quite hang with Colombia’s quality, conceding twice in the final 30 minutes to lose 3-1. They have nothing to lose in going for it all against Portugal.Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 1pm EDT; 6pm BSTVenue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX, USAReferee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)Chelsea interest: Pedro Neto set up Portugal’s lone goal in the draw against DR Congo.ENGLAND vs. GHANAThe Three Lions impressed with their four-goal performance against Croatia, though the first half wasn’t nearly as good as the second so there is certainly room for improvement. Assistant and former Chelsea coach Anthony Barry gave a candid interview at half-time of that game to highlight that notion. Presumably similar opinions were expressed in the dressing room, and they worked a treat!Ghana meanwhile left it very late to eke out a 1-0 win over Panama, in one of the worst games of the tournament thus far. But a win’s a win, and the winner of this game, will have a place in the knockout rounds assured.Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 4pm EDT; 9pm BSTVenue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USAReferee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)Chelsea interest: Reece James started and played the full game, initially at right back but finishing the day in midfield after Declan Rice was taken off (largely as precaution). Trevoh Chalobah has now been fully integrated into the squad after his emergency call-up and should be part of the matchday squad.PANAMA vs. CROATIACroatia scored two high-quality goals against England, but overall, they looked a shadow of the team that had finished second and third in the last two World Cups. Panama meanwhile did very little of any quality, let alone of a high variety.Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 7pm EDT; 12am BST (next day)Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, CanadaReferee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)Chelsea interest: NoneCOLOMBIA vs. DR CONGOCongo got the unlikely draw against Portugal, and are thus in good position to make the knockout rounds if they can get a win against Uzbekistan in the last group game. So this one’s a bit of a free hit for them, with Colombia expected to have little trouble in this game.Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 10pm EDT; 3am BST (next day)Venue: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, MexicoReferee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)Chelsea interest: None; though I am becoming a big fan of Richard Ríos, who seems to have benefited greatly from a season under José Mourinho.

[BBC]Scotland fans have arrived in American's Sunshine State in their thousands, braving extremely hot temperatures.Tartan Army members have started to descend on the Florida city ahead of Wednesday's last group stage match against Brazil.Temperatures hit just below 35 degrees on Monday, the heat index meant it felt even hotter, around 43 degrees.After days of soaking up the World Cup atmosphere in Boston, fans have arrived in a city that couldn't feel more different.In Boston, Scotland supporters dominated many of the city's bars and landmarks, creating a "mini-Scotland" atmosphere.In Miami, the Tartan Army is spread across a much larger area, making the invasion less obvious.Bars on the world-famous Ocean Drive have been filling up with Scotland fans, while others take advantage of boat trips along the coastline or staying in surrounding areas.They are also sharing the city with a sizeable Hispanic community, meaning there are lots of Brazil and Argentina fans in town.If Boston was Scotland's home from home, fans are now in football's South American heartland.Brothers Peter and Tom McKenna have been in Boston and are now in Miami [BBC]Near Miami's South Beach, brothers Peter and Tom McKenna from the Isle of Man said the "vibe" between the city's is completely different.Peter said: "Boston is much smaller, Scotland was having a big party over there. It's a different type of city."I think Boston was surprised by all the visitors, where as they are used to it here."The brothers have been away for nearly two weeks, and while Peter will be returning home to his kids no matter the result on Wednesday, Tom is considering "opening a can of worms" to extend his stay.Nearby, father and son Pete and Jamie Brown are fresh off the plane and just beginning their World Cup journey.Pete said: "We were sitting at home last week, so proud of the Tartan Army. "It was always Miami for us, I've been here for the Superbowl before, I love it so I knew if there was ever the opportunity to bring my son I'd be here."It's the glamour tie, isn't it?".Son Jamie added: "I think Boston would've felt more like a football trip, where as this feels like a holiday with a football game during it."Dave Robertson said its going to be a different experience [BBC]Dave Robertson from Montrose has also made the journey from Massachusetts to Florida. He told BBC Scotland News this would be a different experience for Scotland fans."I think we'll be outnumbered this time," he said."The way the Brazilians dress up, they take it to a whole new level. There will still be a terrific atmosphere when we are together."It had looked like Dave was going to be right.That was until thousands of Tartan Army members gathered in Little Havana in the south of the city and marched to the home of the Miami Marlins baseball team.There has been concerns Miami locals wouldn't take to the Tartan Army as well as Bostonians did.This wasn't evident at the march. Americans walked alongside the Scotland fans, while people stood in their front gardens cheering them on.One local, wearing a traffic cone hat was overheard saying he was "totally bummed" his kilt didn't arrive in time.Steven Baird said it was more "happy-go-lucky" in Boston [BBC]There were also concerns about the differences in approaches by the different police forces.In Boston, fans were allowed to drink in the street and put cones on statues.But just a few days into Scotland's Miami adventure, a video was released showing Miami cops telling a man to remove a cone he'd placed on a statue as he "wasn't in Boston anymore"."It was more happy-go-lucky. The police were happy to have us, you could do no wrong," said Steven Baird from Peterhead."I think here they might be a bit more strict. I got shouted at for jaywalking here."Steven had been based in Providence, Rhode Island, but said Wednesday would be his last World Cup match ever."This is my third World Cup, so by virtue of my age, it'll be my last."Of course it's a good place to finish, it's too hot for the likes of me. I'd prefer to be playing somewhere cold like Norway."Will Scotland get to the knockout stage?So while it seems like the vast majority of fans in Miami are focused on Wednesday's game, others are starting to look towards the knockout stages.Steve Clarke's side are currently on three points after beating Haiti 1-0 in the first game.Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two teams in each group will qualify for the last 32, alongside the eight best third-place teams.Scotland are currently the second ranked third place team, behind Sweden.A win over Brazil would guarantee Scotland a place in the next round.A draw would leave Scotland on four points and in a good place to qualify, and even losing to Brazil wouldn't end their chances, depending on results elsewhere.If they finish third in Group C, they will have to wait until all the group games finish on 27 June to know their fate.There could then be a scramble for Scotland fans to get to Boston, New Jersey or Mexico City as the World Cup adventure continues.[BBC]Miami romance, Billy Gilmour and a mince and tattie hot dogHow the Tartan Army captured the heart of BostonWhat have we learned from Scotland's World Cup so far?

🎥 More Scottish party, Norwegian ecstasy... Monday's World Cup best 🤣The World Cup goes on, the party goes on, and so do the most special moments. Monday once again left us with snapshots from a World Cup that is proving unique in every way.The Tartan Army takes over Miami in styleFrom Boston to Miami. The 'Tartan Army' continues its own particular journey across the United States, and now they have taken over the state of Florida in their own way. To the sound of bagpipes, they were the stars last night at the Miami Marlins' MLB game.Norwegian party to the rhythm of rowingNorway came out victorious from its clash with Senegal. And how did they celebrate? To the rhythm of the gesture that an entire country has now embraced and that has gone viral. A gesture now copied by fans, politicians... and even the Norwegian Royal Family.Guadalajara becomes BarranquillaColombia are not playing away from home at this World Cup. Wherever they go, they always have a legion of loyal supporters behind them cheering them on. This time it was in Guadalajara. The Mexican city turned into a 'little Barranquilla' to welcome Néstor Lorenzo's players. Mbappé, just one more man looking after the pitchFrance-Iraq was interrupted by rain and a thunderstorm. A phenomenon that delayed the restart of the match. The pitch had to be properly drained and dried. And who was supervising the work? Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid player did not hesitate to give instructions to the ground staff so that the turf would be left without a single trace of moisture.Tuesday's schedule19.00 CEST / 14.00 ART / 11.00 CST: Portugal-Uzbekistan 22.00 CEST / 17.00 ART / 14.00 CST: England-Ghana01.00+1d CEST / 20.00 ART / 17.00 CST: Panama-Croatia04.00+1d CEST / 23.00 ART / 20.00 CST: Colombia-DR CongoThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Mourinho urges Real Madrid to sign 24-year-old Portuguese defender despite Konate’s arrival – reportReal Madrid may have already strengthened their defence this summer, but Jose Mourinho believes the job is not finished yet.The arrival of Ibrahima Konate was expected to solve one of the club’s biggest concerns heading into the new season. However, recent reports suggest the Portuguese coach continues to push for another defensive addition and has already identified his preferred target.According to Defensa Central, Mourinho is asking the Real Madrid hierarchy to bring in 24-year-old Benfica defender Tomas Araujo, a player he rates highly after closely following his development in Portugal.With several defensive targets proving difficult to sign, the Benfica centre-back is emerging as a serious option for the Spanish giants.Araujo is Mourinho’s priority defensive targetAraujo is currently at the World Cup. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)Real Madrid’s defensive rebuild has been one of the major themes of the summer transfer window, but Mourinho wants further reinforcements before the market closes.The report states that the Portuguese manager is a huge admirer of Araujo and believes the defender possesses the qualities needed to succeed at the Santiago Bernabéu.Mourinho is said to have been particularly impressed by the Benfica star’s performances and views him as a player capable of strengthening Real Madrid both immediately and in the long term.The timing of this interest is hardly surprising, as Real Madrid’s search for defensive reinforcements has become more complicated following Nico Schlotterbeck’s injury setback, while Alessandro Bastoni remains a difficult target due to the enormous financial demands.As a result, Araujo has moved higher on the club’s shortlist.Real Madrid to revisit centre-back marketMourinho wants Tomas Araujo at Real Madrid. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)Defensive depth remains a concern for Real Madrid after several injury-hit seasons disrupted their ability to maintain consistency across all competitions.In that regard, it must be remembered that any move for another defender would depend on developments within the current squad.Real Madrid are still evaluating potential departures, while the situation of Raul Asencio is also expected to play a role in determining whether another centre-back arrives.Interestingly, Mourinho does not see the academy graduate as a key part of his long-term plans, which could influence future decisions in the position.Once there are exits, Real Madrid can then shift their focus to the available options in the market.

If there’s one man who knows what it’s like to play for the Argentine national team, Manchester City, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Barcelona, it’s Sergio Agüero. “Kun” played for all those teams in his playing career before retiring.Now, Julián Álvarez looks to follow in his footsteps and join Barça after stints in Madrid and Manchester. The Argentine forward made his preference clear while playing with Argentina in the FIFA World Cup, though Atlético seem uninterested in bargaining.Kun was ready to give his take on the proposed transfer on the streaming show Jijantes.“Julián would fit in at many clubs, but he would fit in spectacularly at Barça given his style of play. He is a top-class player – someone who can play anywhere and is an all-around attacking threat,” Agüero said.“It’s great to have players like that. He’s an attacking player – winger, forward, attacking midfielder… He’s a versatile asset; you can use him when others get injured.”Agüero backed Álvarez’s decision to go public with his desire to leave as well.“The player has no other choice but to be sincere, to be honest. He says he met with the club and they agreed that a transfer is the best course of action,” noted Agüero.Atlético were quick to declare that they would not accept negotiations for him, instead pointing to his €500m release clause, which would be virtually impossible to meet.“With that release clause, the decision rests with the club. The club will decide whether or not to sell you – and, being honest, he ended up telling the club the truth – and that is the best approach,” the former player said.Agüero stated that no club wants to admit that they are willing to let a player go, and that it could simply be posturing. He also gave his personal opinion of what to do when a star player wants out.“If I were the club and a player wasn’t happy, whether because of the city or for any other reason, or felt bad about his teammates, the coach, or an executive… if he wasn’t comfortable, the best thing to do would be to find a solution and sell him. You can’t have a player around all year looking miserable and bringing bad vibes. If he isn’t comfortable, the club needs to help him; that’s how it works, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

Darryn Peterson red flags, explained: How missed time, character issues at Kansas may impact NBA stock originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, but teams have to decide whether his perceived red flags are worth the risk.Peterson comes into the draft after an up-and-down season with the Jayhawks, as he showed both tantalizing talents but maddened fans by missing games throughout the season. The guard is in the discussion to go first overall, battling A.J. Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer for that right, so every little detail could come into play.With so much at stake in this year's draft, Peterson has a chance to be one team's savior as long as his red flags don't come into play. Here's a breakdown of the questions facing Peterson ahead of the draft.MORE: Where Darryn Peterson ranks among the top 60 players in the NBA DraftDarryn Peterson red flagsHealthThe main concern regarding Peterson entering the NBA Draft is that he dealt with health issues over the course of the college season. Peterson would occasionally sti out select games or even sub himself out of games due to cramping issues, which led to some questioning his competitiveness and willingness to fight through any issues.After the season, Peterson explained that the cramping issue was due to him using creatine for the first time last season. The guard explained that he had a bad experience with creatine before the season began but didn't realize creatine was the cause until he saw a doctor once the season ended."I'd never taken it before [college]," Peterson said, via ESPN. "But after the season, I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed, it must've made the levels unsafe."CompetitivenessAs a result of his health issue last year, teams will have to assess whether Peterson has a strong level of competitiveness towards the game. Not many college players voluntarily sat out games like Peterson did throughout the 2025-26 season.If Peterson's issues during the season were related to the creatine he took, then teams shouldn't have anything to worry about as Peterson has a better idea of his body moving forward. Still, the those organizations needed to use the pre-draft process to understand Peterson's mindset."What bothers me is, it's just some diva-ness there, to me," a scout told The Athletic's David Aldridge. "I think you’re getting kind of a glimpse of who he's going to be. More like Paul George or Kawhi, where if it's not healed, he's not playing. That's just the way I look at it."Even though he missed 11 games during the season, Peterson denies that his competitiveness is an issue. Kansas star freshman Darryn Peterson addresses criticism around missing games.Peterson has been sidelined for 11 of the Jayhawks' 27 games this year due to various ailments. pic.twitter.com/JZidoZNvRc— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 23, 2026A college coach told Aldridge that Peterson's actions last year do not represent him as an individual."That thing this year was weird. It shocked me," the coach said. "Because it had never been that. Like, in high school, he didn't duck any smoke. From afar, it was shocking to see that stuff."MORE: Complete NBA draft order for all 60 picks in 2026Skipping interviewsPeterson felt quite confident that he should go No. 1 so he decided to skip any pre-draft interviews with teams that aren't the Washington Wizards, who hold the top pick. For comparison, AJ Dybantsa visited just two teams: the Wizards and the Utah Jazz.Developments ahead of the June 23-24 NBA draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa has conducted formal visits with both the Washington Wizards (No. 1) and Utah Jazz (No. 2) while Kansas' Darryn Peterson only visited the Wizards and does not plan to grant anyone else a meeting, sources tell me…— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2026For the Jazz to take Peterson at No. 2, they will have to feel confident with their evaluation of the player despite not getting to bring him into the facility. Utah is no stranger to that, though, as the team drafted Ace Bailey. last year despite Bailey's own pre-draft restrictions.

Panama vs Croatia – Match preview and team newsPanama face Croatia at Toronto Stadium tonight with both nations fighting to save their World Cup campaigns.Each side suffered a painful defeat during their respective opening Group L fixtures. Zlatko Dalic watched his players fight back twice before collapsing to a 4-2 loss against rampant England. Meanwhile, a heartbreaking 95th-minute winner from Ghana left Panama completely empty-handed. Securing maximum points at BMO Field remains absolutely vital to avoid an early exit.Panama vs Croatia – Match preview and team newsDate: Wednesday, 24 June 2026Kick-off: 00:00 BSTVenue: Toronto Stadium, TorontoReferee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon)Team newsPanamaThomas Christiansen has a massive decision to make regarding creative midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla tonight. The star player has returned to partial training after missing the opener with a groin issue. However, this crucial match might arrive too soon for him to start. Forward Ismael Diaz pushes hard to join the frontline after recovering full fitness. As the leading scorer at the recent Gold Cup, Diaz offers unique cutting edge. Wingback Cesar Blackman and midfielder Carlos Harvey must tread carefully after picking up bookings.CroatiaDalic could switch his tactical system to a flexible 4-3-3 formation to overwhelm the Panamanian midfield. Mateo Kovacic looks set to return to the starting lineup after starting on the bench previously. That said, veteran midfielder Luka Modric will retain his place despite a difficult opening match. The 40-year-old gave away a penalty against England before being substituted early. Up top, Andrej Kramaric pushes to replace Petar Musa despite the youngster scoring last week.FormPanamaPanama deserve immense credit for frustrating Ghana for large stretches of their opening game. They controlled possession beautifully and did not concede a single first-half shot. However, trying to press high late on exposed their defensive line to a lethal counter-attack. A cruel 95th-minute goal condemned them to their fourth consecutive World Cup defeat. Los Canaleros have only won twice in 2026 while failing to keep a single clean sheet.CroatiaCroatia played their part in a spectacular six-goal thriller against England last week. The Checkered Ones showed great character to peg the favourites back twice before the interval. Despite those positive moments, severe physical struggles and defensive lapses cost them dearly. Dalic has now suffered three losses in his last four international fixtures. His experienced squad must recover their defensive cracks quickly to ensure automatic qualification.Predicted lineupsPanama predicted XI: Mosquera; Blackman, Ramos, Córdoba; Murillo, Harvey, Martínez, Andrade; Bárcenas, Waterman, Rodríguez.Croatia predicted XI: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Vušković, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić, P. Sučić; Baturina, Kramarić, Perišić.How to watch the match Panama vs Croatia?The group match kicks off at 00:00 BST on Wednesday. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for viewers in the UK.Read more – Julian Alvarez makes transfer admission amid Arsenal and Barcelona linksSee Also- Manchester United tell Barcelona and Atletico: Sesko is not for saleFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Aston Villa express strong interest in West Ham United attacker Jarrod Bowen, Amario Cozier-Duberry could replace Hammers’ starAston Villa are looking to sign West Ham United attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen this summer, according to The Athletic. West Ham are preparing for life without some of their key players at the London Stadium club following relegation to the Championship. Villa manager Unai Emery is a huge admirer of Bowen, but the Midlands club have yet to open talks with the Hammers. West Ham are not looking to sell their captain, but he could be sold for at least £50 million should he express a desire to do so.He has not done that yet, and Villa also have to sell before buying. Other suitors will be monitoring the situation and the Hammers are preparing for life without Bowen should he leave. They are keen on Brighton and Hove Albion winger Amario Cozier-Duberry after his impressive loan spell in the League One with Bolton Wanderers last season. The former Arsenal man helped Bolton gain promotion to the Championship was nominated for the EFL League One player of the year award. Cozier-Duberry is a long-standing target for West Ham and a move could appeal to the 21-year-old.

🗞️ Messi is eternal, the world bows to the king of World Cups 🐐Leo Messi’s display against Austria (2-0), in which he scored a brace and reached a historic 18 World Cup goals, has sparked collective frenzy across the front pages of the world’s leading sports newspapers on June 23, 2026.In Spain, MARCA leads emphatically with the headline "MESSI 18", highlighting that he surpassed Miroslav Klose’s all-time record despite missing an early penalty. Meanwhile, SPORT declares him in huge letters as "THE BEST IN HISTORY", noting that his brace launches the Argentine star into eternity and seals his team’s place in the final stage of the tournament.The praise goes far beyond Spain’s borders. In Italy, Corriere dello Sport has dubbed the day "LEOLAND" on a spectacular front page, hailing his 5 goals in just two matches. From France, L'Équipe brilliantly headlines "MAÎTRE DU MONDE" (Master of the world) and reminds readers that, at 38, he is the competition’s most prolific player. In his homeland, Olé sums up the general feeling with an emotional and historic "(THERE ARE NO MORE WORDS)".Even the British and Scottish press have set aside their usual restraint to join the praise. Newspapers such as The Herald Sport Scotland, Star Sport, Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail unanimously place the "10" in a class entirely of his own, immortalizing a historic day on which football rewrote its record books forever.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

David Beckham: Man United legend’s thoughts on Kylian Mbappe revealedFormer Manchester United midfielder David Beckham is making quite a name for himself as a football club owner.Playing daysBeckham was already exceedingly successful as a player, having won numerous trophies at Manchester United.He played 394 times for United, scoring 85 goals for the club. Beckham left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2003, winning the La Liga title in 2007.The midfielder also played for Los Angeles Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan.Beckham would also captain England and played an incredible 115 times for the Three Lions.OwnershipThe Carrington product co-owns Salford City with Gary Neville but has had more success with his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami.The club made their debut in 2020 but have already won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and the MLS Cup in 2025.They also participated in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup last summer.SigningsBeckham has not only had success on the field but also off it when it comes to attracting big names.He successfully landed arguably the biggest name in football when he managed to convince Lionel Messi to leave Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul have all also been convinced to sign for the United legend.Casemiro has also recently just agreed a deal to join Messi and Beckham in Miami after the World Cup.Next galacticoTalkSPORT reveal that Beckham already has his eyes on the next superstar he wants to join the MLS.When French attacker Kylian Mbappe was asked about a potential switch to America later in his career he retorted, “we’ll see. David Beckham has mentioned it to me many times. American culture is different, there are no limits to ambition, and I like that.”Feature image Rich Storry via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana (JUAN MABROMATA)England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lacklustre opening draw.A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament.England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel's squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia."We know as players the level, we know what's required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level," Rice said."We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world."We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch."England's German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign."There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around," Tuchel said."I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure."England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.- Portugal chase response -Elsewhere, Portugal will attempt to draw a line under a turbulent first week of the tournament when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.Portugal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament favourites, boasting a team studded with flair players and spearheaded by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.But Ronaldo's leaden performance in a faltering 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo renewed debate about the captain's place in the starting line-up.Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has continued to offer staunch support of his 41-year-old captain, despite his failure to score in his last 10 matches at major tournaments."He's a good example for us, for all of us," Martinez said of Ronaldo."So he really wants to keep on improving, to contribute to the team, and he's really a role model for our team."Martinez though stopped short of confirming Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan when asked by reporters on Monday, saying he had not informed his players of the lineup.Martinez said the disappointment Portugal felt after drawing with the DRC will be motivation against Uzbekistan, who are playing at a World Cup for the first time and will be heavy underdogs."The feeling of frustration that we all had as a team, the feeling of disappointment after the game, probably that's the best starting point to prepare for the next game," said the Spaniard.rcw/gj

Photo by Francois Nel/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo’s subdued performance against DR Congo has reignited debate over his place in Portugal’s starting lineup, but John Terry believes the answer is not as simple as leaving him out.Portugal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener, with Ronaldo struggling to make an impact as Roberto Martinez’s side failed to find their rhythm.The result led to fresh questions about whether the 41-year-old should still be leading the line, but Terry thinks Ronaldo can play a key role in Portugal’s campaign, even if that role looks different.Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty ImagesJohn Terry does not think Cristiano Ronaldo has to start every gameTerry acknowledged that both Ronaldo and Portugal fell short of expectations against DR Congo, while also noting the growing importance of Bruno Fernandes within the national setup.He described Fernandes as central to Portugal’s future, but was clear that he would not write Ronaldo off after a single poor showing.“No, definitely not. One thing you don’t do with world-class players like that is write them off. Was he poor the other night and were Portugal poor as a whole?“Yes I thought they were. Is Bruno Fernandes the future of Portugal? Yes, he is. He is integral to that.“But I certainly won’t be sitting here writing Ronaldo off. I think Portugal have more to give in this competition. I think they’ll go further.”Instead, Terry suggested Portugal might benefit from managing Ronaldo’s minutes more carefully rather than feeling obliged to start him every game.He referenced Martinez’s comments before the tournament about picking lineups based on what is best for the team, a view that feels increasingly relevant as the World Cup unfolds.Why Terry thinks Ronaldo could be even more dangerous from the benchThe most intriguing part of Terry’s analysis was his view that Ronaldo could actually be more effective as an impact substitute.He argued that defenders would dread seeing Ronaldo come on with 15, 20 or 30 minutes to play, especially with his fresh legs and set-piece threat.“I think Ronaldo plays a part in this. But I’m not obsessed with Ronaldo having to start. I’m not obsessed with him playing every minute of every game either. And I think Martinez is big enough. I’ve actually see something pre-tournament, where he said if he doesn’t start then he doesn’t start.“Ronaldo is a wide player and a moment player. If you see him coming off the bench for 15, 20, 30 minutes a game, you’d be petrified as a defender.“Not only for his technical ability with set plays and dead balls, but the moments and the magic he can create. He certainly wasn’t at it, but I’m expecting bigger and better things.”Terry pointed to Ronaldo’s ability to produce decisive moments, something that could be even more valuable against tired opponents.While he admitted that the Portugal captain was below his best against DR Congo, Terry was clear that he still expects Ronaldo to have a major say as the tournament goes on.Portugal face Uzbekistan next, and while improvement is needed, Terry believes Ronaldo remains central to their hopes regardless of whether he starts.Read more:Cristiano Ronaldo pokes fun at pint-sized teammate during Portugal World Cup trainingFrancisco Conceicao risks backlash with another honest Cristiano Ronaldo commentCristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia slams ‘strange’ team Portugal performance at 2026 World Cup opener

Barcelona academy defender attracting interest from Spain and abroad – reportBarcelona youngster Hector Fort is approaching what could be the most important pre-season of his career as he returns to the club determined to earn a permanent place under Hansi Flick.After spending last season on loan at Elche, the academy graduate is back at Ciutat Esportiva with renewed confidence and valuable first-team experience behind him. While his future remains undecided, the right-back is expected to be given an opportunity to impress during pre-season before Barcelona make a final call on his role for the upcoming campaign.According to AS, interest in the defender is already growing, with several clubs from Spain and abroad monitoring his situation closely.Fort returns with a point to proveThe 19-year-old heads into pre-season knowing that this could be his best chance yet to establish himself at Barcelona.His loan spell at Elche appears to have had the desired effect, as regular minutes helped him grow both physically and tactically, while also exposing him to the demands of senior football week after week.Those experiences have left Fort feeling ready for a higher level.Barcelona’s pre-season preparations begin on July 13, and the defender will arrive with an objective to convince Flick that he deserves to remain with the first team.The coaching staff is expected to closely evaluate several young players during the summer, and Fort will be among the names hoping to take advantage of that opportunity.Fierce competition at right-backWhile Fort’s confidence is high, breaking into Barcelona’s senior squad will be anything but straightforward.This is because the right-back position is one of the most competitive areas of the team, as Jules Kounde remains the first-choice option, while Eric Garcia has also demonstrated his ability to operate in that role when required.Last season, Flick also looked towards the academy on occasion, giving opportunities to Xavi Espart when squad circumstances demanded it.That means Fort will have to prove he can offer something different while also showing he is ready to compete at the highest level.Fortunately for the defender, pre-season should provide him with valuable minutes to make his case. The plan with Fort is that if he impresses, he could secure a place within Flick’s plans for the new season. If not, another temporary move may become the preferred solution, with several teams already monitoring him.

USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe Miami Heat have lost out on another NBA superstar. The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Heat had a strong offer on the table; however, the Bucks decided to go with a proven NBA star in their return.Now, Miami has reached a crossroads. Will the organization pivot to a “Plan B” or rebuild around Bam Adebayo moving forward? There are cases for both sides.Miami Heat have to pick a team-building direction after losing Giannis AntetokounmpoIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThis has been a disastrous pursuit for Miami. The Heat tried to acquire Antetokounmpo at the NBA trade deadline, only to be told that Milwaukee would wait until the offseason. Now, the 31-year-old superstar joined one of Miami’s biggest rivals after not being in the conversation until June.Over the last several seasons, the Heat have been stuck in NBA purgatory. Instead of selling players for assets and better draft picks, the organization continued its pursuit of the NBA playoffs, even though no success came from it. Now, the Heat struck out on their most prized target.Miami has to make a decision on how the organization proceeds. Should Pat Riley and company blow up the team around Adebayo and pursue a rebuild? Or, would the Heat make moves to build a contender around him? Simply put, not making any moves like the NBA trade deadline is unacceptable.The Heat have to figure this out soon because the 2026 NBA Draft is quickly approaching. If Miami wants to compete for the NBA Finals with Adebayo, it should use the 13th pick in the draft to acquire a star player. In fact, there is one scenario that makes a lot of sense for the Heat.Kawhi Leonard, Ja Morant give Miami a chance to competeIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Heat should trade for Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Leonard, 34, averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for the Clippers in 65 games last season. Meanwhile, Morant, 26, averaged 19.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists for the Grizzlies in 20 games.Both players can be difference-makers around Adebayo, even with their injury concerns. It would be a gamble for Miami to acquire Leonard and Morant, but it would be cheaper than its package for Antetokounpo if it were accepted. However, the Heat have to acquire both players in this scenario.Leonard alone won’t be enough to bring the Heat to contention. If Miami pairs Leonard and Morant, a healthy season of basketball should give the organization a chance to compete. It is a risk, but the Heat can’t continue to sit in NBA purgatory much longer.It is unclear if Los Angeles is making Leonard available, but the Heat could likely acquire Morant at any point. Tyler Herro seems to be nearing the end of his Heat tenure, so a swap for Morant wouldn’t be a bad idea. Meanwhile, Leonard shouldn’t command as much as Antetokounmpo did with Milwaukee.Losing Antetokounmpo to Boston is a bad situation for the Heat; however, Leonard and Morant could be the duo that Miami needs.Related HeadlinesWinners, Losers from Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Between Milwaukee Bucks, Miami HeatJaylen Brown For Giannis Antetokounmpo A Real Possibility, & Brown Says He Feels Like “A Monster”‘Maybe That’s for the Better’: Nick Wilson Believes the Cleveland Cavaliers Not Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Be Good

Following the Monaco Grand Prix, F1's governing body the FIA overturned a penalty for Alpine's Pierre Gasly for speeding in the pit lane [Getty Images]Round eight of Formula 1 season takes place in Austria this weekend in the stunning surroundings of the Styrian hills.Last time out in Barcelona, Mercedes were beaten in a grand prix for the first time this year with Lewis Hamilton taking victory.The Briton's first grand prix win for Ferrari, combined with Kimi Antonelli's retirement late in the race, narrowed the gap at the top of the drivers' championship to 41 points.Before Sunday's race in Spielberg, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions.A retrospective podium for Pierre Gasly. Justice? Or a can of worms best left unopened? - CliveFormula 1 has clearly got itself in a bit of a pickle regarding the pit-lane speeding penalties in the Monaco Grand Prix.The facts are that five cars were given penalties for pit-lane speeding when none of them had gone over the limit.The length of the pit lane had been mis-measured - it was possible to drive a shorter distance than officials initially realised, by 77 metres.And as the pit-lane speed limit is policed by the time taken to pass through a series of timing loops over a specific distance, that meant the drivers were wrongly penalised.This led to a sequence of events that had a dramatic effect on the race result.George Russell was most badly affected by what followed, having a third place turned into a 12th and losing 15 points in the process.But McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Isack Hadjar also had their results changed.Is it justice that Gasly is returned to a third place at the flag that he lost because Alpine refused to serve his penalty during the race, while the other drivers' results are unaddressed?Should the stewards who dealt with Alpine's right of review over the Barcelona weekend have left it at that, and not raised the very obvious questions that followed on from it?In terms of natural justice, the answer to both those questions is clearly no - there remain a number of issues raised by this situation that have not properly been dealt with.McLaren and Red Bull have taken the case to the FIA court of appeal. No date has yet been set for that to be heard. Mercedes have withdrawn their attempt to get the race result reviewed after concluding there was no viable mechanism for restoring Russell to where he could have finished, and it would not serve anybody to drag it all on. As McLaren said in their statement about giving notice of intention to appeal: "We believe this case raises important questions concerning sporting fairness, regulatory consistency and the integrity of competition."The shame is that this could all have been avoided had the FIA and F1 acted differently before the race.Teams warned the FIA that there was a problem waiting to happen with the pit-lane speeding limit during the Monaco weekend.Officials did look into it, but their initial conclusion was that the concerns were unfounded. That was clearly an error. Had that been properly addressed at the time, none of this would have happened.In terms of sporting fairness, it's hard not to conclude that the issue should be taken to a full and proper conclusion.Will Ferrari make Carlo Santi Lewis Hamilton's permanent full-time race engineer, or is his role still considered temporary? - AnthonyThe relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his new race engineer Carlo Santi has started off well.Santi was initially meant to be a stop-gap before Hamilton received a new full-time engineer, but a Ferrari spokesperson says: "Carlo and Lewis are working pretty well together and there's no plan to replace him."Hamilton has found a much more satisfactory relationship with Santi than he had with Riccardo Adami last year, and he's tried to explain that without sounding too negative about his situation in 2025.Hamilton said in Canada, where he finished second for what was his best result with Ferrari at the time, that Santi was "absolutely awesome and I'm really loving working with him".In Monaco he went further and compared the relationship with Santi to the one he forged over 12 years at Mercedes with Peter 'Bono' Bonnington."Driver-engineer working together is very, very important," Hamilton said. "Last year, Adami and I had a really good relationship. He's a lovely guy. We worked relatively well together."Catering to a driver's needs takes time to learn."When you're giving an engineer feedback, their understanding of through-corner balance, their understanding of all the elements that contribute to the struggles that you're struggling with, you try to describe what it is, the problem you have, corner by corner, entry, mid and exit where you dissect it into five sections if you want."Having that driver-engineer collab, it's hit and miss sometimes. With me and Bono, we hit it off from the beginning. He had a good working relationship with Michael (Schumacher). I do feel like Carlo is like my Italian Bono."He's a bit of an OG. He's an older guy that's been around the block and he's very calm. You can hear him on the radio. That's the detail that we're able to go into together. Our understanding of the engineer side, it's something that's very cool."Lewis Hamilton and race engineer Carlo Santi celebrate his victory in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix [Reuters]There was very little "yo-yo" racing in Barcelona. What were the main reasons for this? - PaulSo-called 'yo-yo racing' is a new feature of on-track battles that has been seen at some races since the start of the 2026 season.The term has been used to describe battles where two cars swap position repeatedly over a number of laps until the fight settles down and the fundamentally faster car establishes a gap.Two inter-related factors are involved in creating this sort of racing.One is the new 'overtake' mode, the other is the way the 2026 engines work, almost completely depleting and recharging batteries several times a lap.Overtake mode is the replacement this year for the DRS overtaking aid. It allows a driver within one second of a car in front to recover and deploy an extra 0.5MJ of electrical energy per lap.This makes it easier to follow and overtake the car in front. But the overtake mode then passes to the car that has just been overtaken as long as it stays within one second, so it then has an energy advantage.On top of that, certain circuit layouts lend themselves to strategic use of the battery.Yo-yo racing has tended to appear most commonly on tracks where there are two straights separated by a slow corner.Take, for example, Suzuka, where the run up the hill from Spoon Curve through 130R is followed by a chicane and then another long straight down to Turn One.Or China, where the long back straight is followed by a hairpin, a short squirt to the final corner, and then the pit straight.In these circumstances, the battery does not have enough capacity to deliver a full charge on both straights, and it's not possible to recover enough energy in one braking zone to fully recharge it.So, for example, if one driver chooses to deploy battery to either defend or attack on the first straight, and the other does not, he will be out of charge on the second and get passed. And vice versa.Barcelona only has one long straight, the pit straight. So the same phenomenon does not occur. Hence, no yo-yo-racing.Arvid Lindblad is 13th in the drivers' championship after seven races [PA Media]Among the newer drivers the focus has understandably been on Kimi Antonelli but how do you rate the other drivers in their first or second season? In particular, Arvid Lindblad who arrived with high expectations? - JohnArvid Lindblad is having a very solid debut season in Formula 1 at Racing Bulls.After seven races, the qualifying battle between the Briton and team-mate Liam Lawson is very close.It's 5-3 to Lawson in head-to-head results but the average gap between them is only 0.072 seconds per lap.And Lindblad has had a couple of really stand-out performances. The first was on debut in Australia, when he qualified in the top nine, raced strongly, and scored points with eighth place.Then there was Canada, where he was ninth in both qualifying sessions, scored a point in the sprint, only to suffer a gearbox problem on the grid for the grand prix.He needs to make those sorts of results the norm rather than occasional highs, but that's to be expected in a rookie season in someone so young - he is still only 18, remember.Team principal Alan Permane said of Lindblad last month: "He started off at a high level, of course. He's been very smart in the people he has around him off track. He has (reigning Formula E world champion) Ollie Rowland looking after him, or being a mentor, or a sounding board, or whatever you want to call it."He's quite demanding, Arvid, which is good as well. He wants everything immediately. If anything, (you need) to sort of calm him down and keep him there."You can see he's aiming high, aiming for the top. He's self-critical, which is, again, I find a good and refreshing thing in drivers. The first place he looks is himself to find performance. So, no issues with Arvid, he's doing a very good job."It was interesting to find out that Red Bull have the most powerful engine. Beyond the question of understanding how they achieved this, as they are not one of the big car manufacturers, I was asking myself why are Red Bull not competing for race wins every weekend? - Simon"Interesting" is not the word Red Bull would use for the declaration by the FIA that they have the most powerful internal combustion engine in Formula 1 this year."Surprising" would be more like it.They don't believe it's the case. They think Mercedes have the best engine. So they have asked the FIA to have another look at its findings.This is an important issue because under the rules, Red Bull are, as things stand, not allowed to develop their engine this year or next, whereas everyone else is.However that debate ends up, it's clear that Red Bull's new engine company - set up specifically for these new regulations - has done an outstanding job in its debut season.On the chassis side, Red Bull admit that they are not competitive with the best. Team principal Laurent Mekies said in April that they were "even more so (behind) in terms of chassis performance. So we know we have a lot of work ahead of us."Red Bull have already introduced one major car upgrade this year. Others are needed for a team that is on average 0.675secs off the pace in qualifying so far this year.The spectre hanging over Red Bull is that this level of performance is not what Max Verstappen expects, nor will it be enough to lock him into his contract for the next season.Verstappen's contract runs to 2028, but it has a performance clause in it, the details of which are not completely clear, but mean in the current circumstances that he can leave at the end of this season if he wants to.If he does, the obvious destination is Mercedes, which would lead to a cascade of driver moves.For now, though, it all hinges on what Verstappen chooses to do.Fuels and freight put F1 on track for net zero by 2030Has Hamilton changed Ferrari & Harry ‘The Flying Brick’!

Mateus Fernandes: Man United’s next step for West Ham star explainedManchester United are ready to accelerate their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to a new report.Priority TargetFernandes, 21, has emerged as a priority target for the Red Devils this summer after their pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson proved too expensive, with the 23-year-old England international about to join Manchester City instead.A £39 million deal (£35m up front + £3.8m in potential add-ons) has already been struck for Atalanta’s Ederson. However, this was seen as much a market opportunity for a versatile option with a wealth of experience as a replacement for Casemiro, who is set to join Inter Miami.Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid’s 26-year-old defensive midfielder, is understood to be the “dream” target to succeed the Brazilian, though a deal is considered unlikely at this stage.A wealth of other candidates have been assessed, including Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United), Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace). The focus, however, is now on striking a deal with West Ham for Fernandes after an impressive campaign for the one-cap Portugal international.Mateus Fernandes Premier League stats: 2025/26 SeasonSource: SofascoreInitially, there had been optimism that West Ham’s relegation would force them into accepting a cut-price deal. However, the Hammers are sticking to their guns after a change in ownership alleviated some of the financial pressures at the London Stadium.Fabrizio Romano claimed a valuation as high as £100m had been placed on the former Southampton star’s head, with the Saints owed 15% of any fee received owing to the £38m deal which brought him to East London last summer.United expected to strikeThe Athletic, considered the gold standard for football transfers, reveals West Ham’s asking price is £80m, though the outlet notes this is still a “fundamental sticking point” for INEOS.Old Trafford chiefs are understood to have shown a “reluctance” to meet this figure, given Fernandes has only two years of experience in English football. However, this has not stopped virtually every top club in the country – and on the continent – from exploring a deal.Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United have all been credited as suitors, while The Athletic confirms Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have both expressed interest. However, it is Tottenham Hotspur who pose the greatest threat to the Red Devils after storming into the race last week at the request of Roberto De Zerbi, who is also actively pushing for the pursuit of a United star.Tottenham Hotspur are understood to have held talks with Fernandes’ camp, led by super agent Jorge Mendes, and received encouragement he would be willing to travel across London. However, The Athletic also notes “personal terms between United and Fernandes are not expected to be an issue.”If the Lilywhites are “prepared to move closer to West Ham’s price”, then sporting director Jason Wilcox will be “left with a decision to make” after weeks of protracted negotiations in pursuit of the Portuguese starlet.The report concludes that while a formal offer is yet to be submitted, United are “expected” to table one. West Ham’s need to balance the books by the end of the month could be influencing this patient approach.Internally, United are believed to have confidence they are frontrunners for Fernandes’ signature, with the youngster seeing Old Trafford as a dream move and his namesake, Bruno Fernandes, a personal idol who he would jump at the chance to play alongside.Featured image Clive Rose via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Old England is descending upon New England. The Three Lions are set to play their second of three Group L matches at Gillette Stadium (which, for sponsorship reasons, will be known as “Boston Stadium” for the duration of the tournament) on Tuesday, June 23 at 4 p.m. against Ghana. England kicked off its 2026 FIFA World Cup run with a strong showing against Croatia on Wednesday, June 18, taking down the 2018 runners up 4-2 in Dallas led by a brace from captain Harry Kane. The Black Stars, meanwhile, also secured an opening win on the same day, defeating Panama 1-0 in Toronto thanks to an extra time winner from Caleb Yirenkyi. Ghana did so without the help of midfielder and vice-captain Thomas Partey, who was denied a visa to enter Canada stemming from the seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault he faces in the United Kingdom and had to remain at their base in Providence. The BetMGM Sportsbook has the Three Lions with the third best odds (+550) to win the tournament and as a 1.5 goal favorite to beat the Black Stars. A win here should be enough to secure England the top spot in Group L.Is Harry Kane playing today?The 32 year old Bayern Munich forward and England captain is not only playing, but once again should prove vital to the success of the Three Lions. After opening the scoring from the penalty spot against Croatia in the 12th minute, having gotten a second chance after goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was ruled to be off his line on the first chance, Kane broke a 1-1 stalemate in the 42nd minute with a thunderous header to the right of the keeper. The goal not only complete a first half brace, but tied him with Gary Lineker for the most World Cup goals scored by an Englishman (10), so history is likely on the table for this match.He entered the World Cup on the back of a strong club campaign for Die Roten, scoring 61 goals across all competitions while helping the Bavarian giants win both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, Germany's premier cup competition. It marks the second straight league title for Kane, who had never won a major trophy during his 13 years at Tottenham, and should only increase his appetite for success with the Three Lions.Playing in Foxboro should be extra special for Kane as well, as the England captain is a noted fan of both Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He attended Super Bowl LIII in 2019, the same year he also expressed interest in becoming an NFL kicker someday, and shared a throwback photo of himself and Brady on Instragam ahead of Super Bowl LX in February to show his support for the Pats. Is Jude Bellingham playing today?The 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder proved some of his doubters wrong in Dallas after an inconsistent season in the Spanish capital, putting in a strong performance including netting the go-ahead goal in the 47th minute.The Birmingham City academy product had 8 goals in 40 appearances for Los Blancos across all competitions this past season, having missed some matches early following shoulder surgery last summer. Now recovered and rejuvenated, Bellingham looks well suited to play the central role as England's No. 10, driving the Three Lions forward and earned a strong endorsement from his teammate Morgan Rogers following the Croatia match."Jude’s one of the best players in the world," Rogers told reporters. "I know that, and if we’re going to do well in this tournament, he’s going to have to be at the forefront of it."England predicted lineup vs. GhanaGoalkeeper: Jordan PickfordDefenders: Reese James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O'ReillyMidfield: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Declan RiceForwards: Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Anthony GordonProjected England XI vs Ghana: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O'Reilly; Anderson, Bellingham, Rice; Madueke, Kane, GordonEngland Men’s National Team 2026 FIFA World Cup 26-man squadGoalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton FC), James Trafford (Manchester City)Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea FC), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea FC), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal FC), Jordan Henderson (Brentford FC), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal FC), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)Forwards: Anthony Gordon (FC Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal FC), Marcus Rashford (FC Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal FC), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: England World Cup projected lineup vs. Ghana. Kane, Bellingham stars

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) | Getty Images Julian Alvarez’s decision to speak out on his future at World Cup 2026 and make it clear he wants a transfer has – predictably – not gone down well with Atletico.Diario AS report club sources are fairly furious with Barcelona and have offered up the following quotes.“There is no amount Barcelona can pay for Julián, and he will not be transferred to Barcelona,” sources told AS. “Either they pay the €500 million release clause or nothing.“Barcelona has played this way on several occasions. Just last summer, with Nico Williams. It’s part of their strategy.”The sources also criticised Barca for their behaviour when signing Griezmann “when Atlético was fighting for a Champions League spot against Juventus” and claimed Barca “offered commissions to his sister, his family, and the player himself.”AS also say that Atletico could also file a complaint against Barcelona with FIFA “for negotiating with a player under contract.”This isn’t the first time that Atletico have pointed out Alvarez’s release clause amid talk of an exit but Barcelona may be feeling more confident about landing the Argentina star following his transfer request.Do you think Barca will land Alvarez this summer? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Today’s Papers: Malago election reaction as Conte & Maldini linked with national teamHere is a look at the key football stories making the front pages of Italy’s three major sports newspapers on Tuesday, June 23.Today’s PapersLa Gazzetta dello Sport leads with the FIGC presidential election, declaring “It’s their turn” as Giovanni Malagò takes charge of Italian football.The paper reports that the new president’s first major task will be rebuilding the national team, with Antonio Conte emerging as the frontrunner for the Italy coaching role and Paolo Maldini linked with the technical director position, a combination that would represent a genuinely exciting new era for the Azzurri.The World Cup dominates the sports pages, with Messi’s brace against Austria, taking him to 18 World Cup goals and past Klose’s all-time record, earning the front page splash “Messi Pazzesco.”Corriere dello Sport goes with “Leoland” as their World Cup headline, celebrating Messi’s five goals in two games and his historic record.On the domestic front, the paper leads on Juventus’ handling of Jonathan David, with Carnevali reportedly working on a deal for Kolo Muani, and reports that Napoli and Lazio are edging closer to an agreement over Mario Gila, with signals of a possible discount emerging from the Biancocelesti.Inter’s potential use of funds allocated to the pursuit of Curtis Jones to instead pursue Nico Paz is also highlighted.Tuttosport leads with Malagò’s election under the headline “Giovanni the reformer,” with the new FIGC president declaring his appointment “an act of love and lucid madness.”The paper reports Mancini is in pole for the Italy coaching role with Maldini the dream as technical director.The main football story is Michel Platini’s interview at the Vialli e Mauro Golf Cup, where the French legend declared: “Juventus will return to winning ways. Woe betide anyone who touches this club, for me only the Agnelli family exists. I will not return, but I can be an adviser. Yildiz is like Lamine Yamal, a number 10 who plays like an 11.”Juventus CEO Carnevali also confirmed the club are working on Kolo Muani.

🙏 Sarr joins national icon in Senegal's World Cup pantheonSenegal are on the precipice of missing out on the Round of 32 and crashing out of the 2026 World Cup after a narrow loss against dark horse Norway in New York-New Jersey.Led by the expected goalscoring brilliance of Erling Haaland, the Lions of Teranga fought bravely, but failed to overturn a two-goal deficit before succumbing to a 3-2 loss.But, there is still hope for the African powerhouse, who need a comprehensive win over Iraq on the final day of group play to qualify as one of the best third-placed nations.And perhaps it was the individual efforts of Crystal Palace star Ismaïla Sarr that will ultimately prove decisive in the end for Pape Thiaw's outfit.Bagging a brace of his own, the 28-year-old now sits on three goals this summer, pulling level with the late, great, Senegalese icon Papa Bouba Diop as the nation's all-time leading goalscorer at a men's World Cup.Diop, a teammate of Thiaw's at France '98 and the lone goalscorer in Senegal's famous group stage win over France, carved out a brilliant campaign at club and international level before his heartbreaking passing in 2020 after retirement.For a nation who are hardly strangers to doing the unthinkable on the international stage, there is surely a final act to come from to keep their own dark horse dreams alive.

Kylian Mbappe explains what makes Real Madrid’s Galactico target special: ‘So easy to play with him’Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has started the 2026 FIFA World Cup in style, scoring back-to-back braces in France’s first two games.He has been ably supported by Michael Olise in both games and Ousmane Dembele in the second, as the attack seems to be functioning like a dream for Les Bleus.The Madrid superstar has now added another layer to the Michael Olise conversation, praising how natural it feels to play with the Bayern Munich winger for France.As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Mbappe said, “It’s so easy to play with Michael Olise. “He makes it easier, playing with his heads up… he can always see my movements. I love playing with Michael.”Olise has been heavily linked with the club in recent weeks and is viewed as a dream attacking target, even though Bayern Munich are not open to negotiations and are pushing to renew him.A natural fit with MbappeReal Madrid are interested in Olise. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Mbappe’s comments explain exactly why Olise appeals so much on a sporting level.Madrid already have explosive runners, but the right side has long needed a player with left-footed creativity, calm decision-making and final-third vision.Olise offers that. He not only dribbles past players, but he also plays with his head up, which is to say he always looks forward.That phrase from Mbappe matters because Madrid’s attack is built around movement, timing and quick recognition of space.If Olise can constantly see Mbappe’s runs with France, it is easy to imagine why the idea excites Madrid fans.Mbappe has spoken highly of his French teammate. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)A front line with Vinicius Junior on one side, Olise on the other and Mbappe through the middle would give Mourinho a terrifying mix of speed, creativity and finishing.However, this is not going to be an easy deal. Madrid must stay realisticIn football terms, Olise looks like a brilliant fit. In market terms, he looks extremely difficult.Bayern do not need to sell; Olise is already at an elite club, and any serious operation would likely require an enormous fee.Still, Mbappe’s praise will keep the idea alive. Great players often know best who makes their game easier, and when Madrid’s biggest star speaks this warmly about a target, supporters are naturally going to dream.Olise may be Florentino Perez’s dream target, but it would be a huge surprise if this deal happens this summer, and it remains to be seen how things develop.

FIFA mandates that World Cup games be played on grass, and so the NFL stadiums that play football on artificial turf but wanted to host the World Cup gladly complied, putting temporary grass fields down. NFL players are noticing.49ers tight end George Kittle said the grass fields for soccer show that if the league cared about the players' preference, they could play every NFL game on grass, too."If you can put grass in MetLife and in SoFi, I think you could do that year-round if you really gave a s--t," Kittle said on Pardon My Take, via 49ersWebZone. "I mean, that's my opinion. I think, if you polled every single player, I would say probably 90 percent would [say] they would prefer a grass field. And I'd say 10 percent would say they don't care. But 90 percent of guys, they prefer to play on grass. And so, it's just like, well, you just show that you can do it, so then, why don't we do it? Because that's what the players want to do."Kittle said playing every NFL game on grass would be a relatively inexpensive change."So, why not just spend a couple extra million dollars, which we know they all have, to just grass all the fields?" Kittle said. "It doesn't seem that difficult."

With the 2025-26 high school season wrapping up, it's time for readers to choose the Herald-Times IU Health Girls Athlete of the Year in our latest poll.Here are some of the top performers and our players of the year in each sport for you to choose from. Readers may vote as much as they like until the poll closes at noon on Friday, June 26.Ellie Barada, South, Sr.Track: Had a heck of a high school season and took it to another level on a national stage last week, taking second in the 800 in 2:02.72 at the USATF U20 meet to earn a spot on Team USA for the World Championships. She then went 4:34.25 to win the mile race at the Nike National meet. At state, repeated as 800 champ (school record 2:05.33) and anchored 4x800 to second and 4x400 to eighth as the Panthers were state runners-up, best team finish ever. Also set school record in 1,600. Soccer: Speedy center-mid was more involved in the attack this year, finishing with 14 assists to go with three goals. Will run at North Carolina.Ally Bland, Edgewood, Sr.Softball: Taylor-bound pitcher went 24-4 with an 0.86 ERA and two saves, striking out 291 in 170 innings. At the plate, batted .452 (47-104) with seven doubles, two homers, eight steals and 20 RBIs. Second Team All-State. Basketball: All-Area performer led Mustangs in scoring at 13.6 ppg while shooting 43% from the floor and the same at the 3-point line (43-of-99). Averaged 2.7 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.3 assists per game. Cross country: Varsity runner helped Mustangs make it back to the state meet with a season best 20:59 at regional.Mira Bruce, North, Jr.H-T Girls Golfer of the Year improved her average by an amazing 27 shots from last season to 87 for 18 holes. Seventh at Conference Indiana Tournament (90) and was fifth at sectional (91) as North made it out as a team.Val Bunde, South, Sr.The first repeat winner of H-T Soccer Player of the Year honors was a big-time playmaker for the Panthers, who were sectional champions, piling up 22 goals and a career-best 20 assists. ICSA All-District 4 and Second Team All-State. Will play at Brandeis.Everly Clark, South, Jr.H-T Volleyball Player of the Year led the Panthers to their first sectional title since 2018 and a school record 28 wins. She was the top offensive threat on a balanced team reaching double-figures in kills 18 times to finish with 354. She was No. 2 in digs at 267 and 70 aces and 47 blocks. Named Class 4A All-District by the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association.Esther Crane, Eastern Greene, Sr.One of the T-Birds' top athletes in cross country and track. Made state cross country meet for a school record third time after missing the early part of season due to illness. Set her career best at regional in 19:05. Regional qualifier and school record holder in the 3,200 (11:25.92). Helped 4x800 to regional where it lowered the school record to 10:29.71. Will run at Grace.Macey Crider, Edgewood, Sr.Track and field: State qualifier in the shot put in her first year in the event, she hit the 40-7½ during the season, while also the Mustangs' top sprinter with best times of 12.76 in the 100 and 27.00 in the 200. Anchor for the 4x100 team that lowered the school record to 49.61 at regional. Basketball: All-Area performer averaged 10.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, blocked 12 shots and had 44 steals. Finished with 946 points and 579 rebounds. Soccer: Starting goalkeeper for the WIC champion Mustangs with 103 saves and nine shutouts after picking up the sport as a sophomore. Will play basketball and run track at DePauw.Carla Demeter, South, Jr.Repeat winner as H-T Girls Tennis Player of the Year, played No. 1 singles again, leading the Panthers to a repeat sectional title and a run to the regional final.Harper Eakin, South, Sr.H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year has been a Panthers' distance standout all four years, earning seven individual spots at state in the 200 and 500 freestyles. Will swim at Ohio.Taylor Helbert, Lighthouse Christian, Jr.A force for the Lions' volleyball team, leading it with an area best 443 kills while hitting .272. Fired 71 aces, had an area best 112 blocks (88 solos) and 262 digs.Jaclyn Hillenberg, South, Sr.H-T Wrestler of the Year was an unlikely state qualifier, down 13-0 in her second match at regional and wincing on an injured leg. But she came up with a pin to secure a spot in the state finals. Will complete at Manchester.Julia Lashley, South, Sr.Area's top basketball player the past two seasons. On track for another huge season when she broke a bone in her right hand late in the season. Came back for the regional, but was limited. Averaged 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal per game and reached the 1,000-point mark for her career. Jasmine Martoglio, South, Sr.H-T Cross Country Runner of the Year had a best time of 17:40 and was just off that mark (17:45) with the best time a Panther has even run at state while taking ninth and helping the Panthers to their best ever finish at state (third). This spring, had a leg for the state runner-up 4x800 relay and went on to move up the field to take seventh in the 3,200 in a school record 10:33.48 as South took second as a team for another best ever finish.Adriene Shaevitz, South, Sr.Track: Had a breakout season this spring, smashing the school record in the 100 hurdles, dropping it to 13.84 while winning a regional title and went on to place fourth at state. Picked up the 300s for the first time and got within an eyelash of the school record in that event, making it to state with a 46.55. In addition, she won another fourth-place medal at state as the Panthers broke the school record in the 4x100 with a 47.54. Also broke a 48-year-old school record in the long jump with a leap of 18-10. Volleyball: Had 164 kills while hitting .150 for an offense with several weapons and had 64 blocks and 52 digs. Will run at IU Indianapolis.Aubrey Sparks, Owen Valley, So.Basketball: Had one of the most productive seasons in program history as a sophomore. Averaged an area best 21.6 ppg to go with 8.0 rpg. Shot 54% inside arc (118-of-217) and 41% outside it (41-of-99) and 81% at the line (95-of-117). Had six double-doubles, with 14 games of 20 points or more. Named IBCA Underclass Honorable Mention All-State.Ashley Stegemoller, North, Jr.Rare three-sport starter at a 4A school, basketball is her best sport. She averaged 6.7 points and a team best 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 69% at the line. In the fall, she helped the volleyball team with 112 kills, 16 blocks and 32 digs. And this spring, she was a part of the Cougars' No. 2 doubles team in tennis.Ellie Vagedes, Edgewood, Sr.Swimming: H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year earned two rare spots at state for the Mustangs (the first since 2009) as the area's only two-time sectional champ. Ended up setting seven school records (100 & 200 freestyles, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke plus all three relays). Will swim at IU Indianapolis. Cross county/track: One of the top runners in cross country (best time 19:46), helping the Mustangs make state. In track, team's best in the 800, qualifying for regional and ran anchor leg for 4x800.Abree Wells, Owen Valley, JrVolleyball: All-arounder was Patriots' best player, piling up 254 kills with 35 aces, 11 blocks, 262 digs and handled 404 serves with just 24 errors. Softball: Batted .410 (28-65) with 16 RBIs and 18 runs scored and seven stolen bases.Ellie Mae Winders, Lighthouse Christian, Jr.Had some help carrying the load this year for the basketball team, but still piled big numbers to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career. Averaged 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.8 steals. Shot 65% at the line (104-of-160) and had a team-best 28 3-pointers. IBCA Underclass All-State honorable mention.This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Vote in the Herald-Times Girls Athlete of the Year poll presented by IU Health

A trio of Taunton residents took their track and field talents to the national level over the weekend.Taunton High 2026 graduates Max Cassinelli and Sophia Olaniyan, as well as Bristol-Plymouth rising senior Mary MacDonald, all competed individually at the 2026 New Balance Nationals Outdoor, held at the University of Pennsylvania's historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia from Thursday, June 18-Sunday, June 21.MacDonald led the way locally, taking home the silver medal with a second place finish in the women's 400-meter wheelchair (1:17.63, personal best), improving nearly five seconds on her previous personal best time of 1:23.29 at the MIAA Meet of Champions.Cassinelli, meanwhile, finished 10th overall in the women's javelin (132 feet 2 inches, personal best) while Olaniyan, a Western Michigan University commit, finished 28th overall in the women's discus (124 feet 1 inch).The placings in Philadelphia mark the end of strong seasons for all three Taunton residents, as Olaniyan and MacDonald were crowned champions in the discus and 400-meter wheelchair respectively at the MIAA Meet of Champions on June 4.Cassinelli, a UMass Dartmouth commit, was crowned MIAA Division 1 champion in javelin and finished runner-up at both the Meet of Champions and New England Championship.This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: MacDonald places, Cassinelli and Olaniyan compete at NB Nationals

Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rayan Ait-Nouri and Algeria down Jordan in thrilling comeback winRayan Ait-Nouri and Algeria produced a dramatic second-half comeback to beat World Cup debutants Jordan 2-1 in Group J at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, keeping their knockout stage ambitions firmly alive.Jordan made a bright start and took a deserved lead in the 36th minute when Nizar Al Rashdan struck an eye-catching first-time finish past Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane – son of the legendary Zinedine – to give the Chivalrous Ones their first-ever lead in a World Cup match.Algeria, despite dominating possession, looked toothless for much of the first half, with captain Riyad Mahrez spurning a couple of good chances, and the Desert Warriors headed into the dressing room trailing.Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Erling Haaland makes Norway history in Senegal winDjamel Belmadi‘s side emerged with far greater urgency after the break, and the turnaround began in the 69th minute when half-time substitute Nadhir Benbouali rose to head home from a Mahrez corner.Algeria continued to press a tiring Jordan side and eventually snatched the winner in the 82nd minute, when Amine Gouiri prodded the ball home from close range following another corner, a goal that survived a VAR check for offside.The victory was Algeria’s first at a World Cup since 2014, moving them level on points with Austria ahead of a potentially decisive Group J showdown between the two sides.Jordan, meanwhile, are eliminated with a game to spare, though they can take pride in two spirited performances on the biggest stage in their debut tournament.Rayan Ait-Nouri match statistics vs JordanMinutes Played – 85Defensive Contributions – 7Tackles (Won) – 6(5)Interceptions – 1Recoveries – 3Ground Duels (Won) – 13 (9)Last Man Tackles – 1Fouls – 2Touches – 88Unsuccessful Touches – 3Dribbles (Successful) – 3(1)Was Fouled – 2Possession Lost – 17Total Carrying Distance – 251.7mCarries – 28Progressive Carries – 3Total Progression – 146.5mExpected Assists (xA) – 0.092Crosses (Accurate) – 4(0)Accurate Passes – 50/56 (89%)Passes in Opposition Half (Accurate) – 29/32 (91%)Passes in Own Half (Accurate) – 21/24 (88%)Long Balls (Accurate) – 2/4 (50%)Expected Goals (xG) – 0.06Total Shots – 1Data courtesy of Sofascore.

Chelsea plot swoop for Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix to anchor Alonso’s defenceChelsea are interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix this summer.Xabi Alonso has identified the France international as an option to upgrade at centre-back, an area that is a priority position for the new head coach.Lacroix has excelled since arriving in thePremier League from VfL Wolfsburg in 2024. He helped Palace to FA Cup success in his debut campaign, as the Eagles beat Manchester City to win their first-ever major trophy at Wembley.Last season, the South Londoners lifted the Community Shield and Europa Conference League in another impressive campaign.His performances saw Lacroix make his France debut in March, while the 26-year-old was also included in the squad for this summer's World Cup.Chelsea now want to bring Lacroix across the capital, according toThe Athletic. Alonso has favoured a back three formation during his coaching career to date and views Lacroix as an option to improve his squad.Chelsea also have doubts over Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, with the latter subject of interest from Como.Palace are under no pressure to sell Lacroix, who is contracted at Selhurst Park until 2029. However, the club's model means big bids would be considered, if a proposal arrives that represents a sizeable profit on the £18m paid to sign Lacroix two years ago.The Eagles would also want to have secured a replacement before allowing Lacroix leave, having also seen Marc Guehi depart for Manchester City in January.

Conte challenges Mancini for Italy coaching jobAntonio Conte has emerged as the frontrunner to become Italy’s new head coach following Giovanni Malagò’s election as FIGC president, with the former Napoli and Juventus coach preferred by the majority of Serie A clubs, though Roberto Mancini, who had previously been considered the leading candidate, remains very much in contention.According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Malagò has made clear that the appointment of a high-profile coach is his priority, with the new FIGC president indicating that Italy needs a name capable of capturing public imagination rather than simply a capable technical operator.Conte fits that brief more naturally than any alternative.AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Mancini remains in the race as budget considerations complicate Conte pursuitThe primary obstacle to Conte’s appointment is financial.The former Chelsea and Inter manager would command a significantly higher salary than Mancini, who has indicated his willingness to accept a modest package of around €2-2.5 million net per season.Malagò has repeatedly referenced the need to examine the FIGC’s budget before making any commitment, a comment widely interpreted as a nod to the difficulty of funding a Conte-level appointment.However, Malagò has not closed the door. He is known to be skilled at attracting sponsorship and commercial partnerships, and has hinted that additional funding sources could be unlocked to make a premium appointment viable.Conte is currently without a club, having resisted lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.He previously acknowledged that the Italy job would be a source of pride: “If I were the FIGC president, I would consider myself,” he said earlier this year. The situation is moving quickly, and Malagò is not a man who takes long to decide.

Croatia XI vs Panama – Predicted lineup and team newsCroatia head into Wednesday’s early-hours fixture at Toronto Stadium knowing that anything less than three points will leave their World Cup campaign in serious jeopardy.Zlatko Dalic’s side showed character against England on matchday one, twice fighting back to level before defensive lapses in the second half proved costly in a 4-2 defeat. Croatia lined up in a three-man defensive system against England, but that shape was exposed badly after the interval, and Dalic is expected to switch to a 4-3-3 tonight in response. Panama, who pushed Ghana hard before conceding a stoppage-time winner, will not be taken lightly.Croatia team newsDalic may switch to a back four tonight in response to the defensive vulnerabilities exposed against England. If so, Josip Stanisic could move to right-back, with Josip Sutalo and Luka Vuskovic partnering at centre-back and Josko Gvardiol continuing on the left. Dominik Livakovic is expected to continue in goal.Veteran captain Luka Modric, 40, is likely to start once more in the heart of midfield, with Mateo Kovacic alongside him to control possession and tempo. Petar Sucic could provide the energy and pressing intensity in the third midfield slot.Further forward, Martin Baturina may line up as an inside forward after his fine goal against England. Andrej Kramaric could be preferred over Petar Musa in the central attacking role, with Ivan Perisic potentially providing experience and width on the opposite flank.Croatia predicted lineupCroatia possible starting XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic, P. Sucic; Baturina, Kramaric, PerisicWhen does the match kick off?The Group L fixture kicks off at midnight BST in the early hours of Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at Toronto Stadium.How to watch Panama vs Croatia?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.Read more – Tottenham eye Marcus Rashford as De Zerbi pushes for dealSee Also- Arsenal step up Morgan Rogers pursuit as player eyes moveFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Panama vs Croatia – Predicted lineup and team newsPanama arrive at Toronto Stadium knowing this is as close to a must-win match as the group stage gets.Thomas Christiansen watched his side produce an encouraging performance against Ghana on matchday one, controlling 62 per cent of possession and registering 11 shots — only to be undone by Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time strike.It was a painful way to lose, but there were enough positives to suggest Panama can trouble Croatia. A point here would keep their knockout hopes alive; a win would transform the group entirely.Panama team newsChristiansen is expected to resist the urge to make sweeping changes, with the XI that impressed against Ghana largely intact.Orlando Mosquera continues in goal. Jiovany Ramos, Jose Cordoba and Andres Andrade anchor the three-man defence, with Michael Amir Murillo and Cesar Blackman as the wing-backs.Both Blackman and key midfielder Carlos Harvey must stay out of the referee’s book tonight — another yellow card for either would rule them out of the final group match.Harvey partners Cristian Martinez in the engine room, with captain Anibal Godoy providing the midfield anchor and Yoel Barcenas — set to earn his 106th cap — providing energy and width.Cecilio Waterman leads the line, with Jose Luis Rodriguez in support. Adalberto Carrasquilla missed the Ghana match with a groin strain but could be in contention for a place on the bench tonight.Panama predicted lineupPanama possible starting XI: Mosquera; Blackman, Ramos, Córdoba; Murillo, Harvey, Martínez, Andrade; Bárcenas, Waterman, RodríguezWhen does the match kick off?The Group L fixture kicks off at midnight BST in the early hours of Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at Toronto Stadium.How to watch Panama vs Croatia?UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.Read more – Julian Alvarez makes transfer admission amid Arsenal and Barcelona linksSee Also- Tottenham eye Marcus Rashford as De Zerbi pushes for dealFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

New Zealand vs Belgium Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best BetsNew Zealand need a miracle, Belgium need a win, and BC Place is the stage where Group G’s final chapter gets written…Date: Friday, 26 June 2026Kick-off: 20:00 local (UTC-7) | 03:00 BSTVenue: BC Place, Vancouver, CanadaStage: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G, Matchday 3TV/Streaming (UK): ITV / BBC POPULARBest World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus 10 EXCEPTIONAL ParimatchParimatchSports Welcome Offer Bet and Get for a £20 Free Bet BET NOWWhat’s at StakeBelgium sit third in Group G on two points after draws with Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), and a win here would almost certainly secure their place in the last 32. New Zealand are bottom with one point, meaning anything less than a victory sends them home. For the All Whites, this is a must-win encounter against the heaviest of odds. For Belgium, goal difference could yet matter, so settling for a narrow win may not be the right approach.VerdictBelgium to win is the headline call here, with the best available price of 2/9 reflecting the gap between these two sides. A goals-heavy game is the value angle, with the over 3 goals line at evens offering real appeal given Belgium’s need to secure a convincing result and New Zealand’s inability to keep clean sheets at this tournament.New Zealand vs Belgium Match PreviewNew Zealand’s World Cup 2026 journey has been one of battling against the odds. A spirited 2-2 draw with Iran on Matchday 1 suggested they could cause problems for anyone, but a 3-1 defeat to Egypt exposed their defensive vulnerabilities and left them reliant on other results going their way. This is just their third men’s World Cup, and their first finals appearance in 16 years, so reaching this stage at all represents a genuine achievement.Belgium, meanwhile, arrived in Canada as one of Europe’s more experienced squads but have so far failed to deliver on that pedigree. Two draws from two matches is a deeply disappointing return, and with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard in their ranks, the expectation was always for more. Manager R. Garcia will demand a performance here, knowing that failure to beat the group’s bottom side would make for a damaging exit.The fundamental problem for New Zealand is that Belgium, even in below-par form, carry attacking quality at every level. This match sets up as a contest between New Zealand’s determination to make history and Belgium’s desperation to avoid one of the tournament’s most embarrassing results.Team FormNew Zealand Recent Form– Iran (N): Drew 2-2 (FIFA World Cup) – Egypt (H): Lost 1-3 (FIFA World Cup) – England (N): Lost 0-1 (Friendly) – Haiti (N): Lost 0-4 (Friendly) – Chile (H): Won 4-1 (FIFA Series)New Zealand’s form coming into the tournament was mixed at best. The 0-4 friendly loss to Haiti and a narrow defeat to England suggested real vulnerabilities, but that 2-2 draw with Iran at the World Cup itself showed they can threaten at the highest level. The 3-1 loss to Egypt, however, was a reality check, and they have conceded five goals in their two competitive matches in Group G.Belgium Recent Form– Iran (H): Drew 0-0 (FIFA World Cup) – Egypt (H): Drew 1-1 (FIFA World Cup) – Tunisia (H): Won 5-0 (Friendly) – Croatia (A): Won 2-0 (Friendly) – Mexico (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly)Belgium’s pre-tournament form was genuinely encouraging. Back-to-back friendly wins over Croatia and Tunisia, including a 5-0 hammering, suggested a team with firepower to burn. The World Cup itself has told a different story: two draws, just one goal scored, and an attack that has looked strangely muted. De Bruyne and Lukaku have yet to fire together, and that needs to change against New Zealand.New Zealand vs Belgium Head-to-HeadThese two nations have never faced each other in competitive football, and their overall head-to-head record shows zero previous meetings of note. A 0-0 friendly in Brussels in October 2020 represents their most notable prior encounter, but no official competitive meeting has ever taken place. This truly is uncharted territory for both sets of players, and there is no historical pattern to lean on when assessing New Zealand vs Belgium betting odds here.Team NewsNew Zealand head into this fixture with Chris Wood leading the line as captain and all-time top scorer, carrying 90 international caps and 45 goals. At 34, this is likely his final World Cup, and he and veteran defender Tommy Smith have the chance to become the first New Zealanders to play at two men’s World Cups. Elijah Just has been the side’s standout performer in the tournament, scoring twice in Group G to give New Zealand something to build on.Manager M. Mayne has limited options but a defined identity: Marko Stamenić and Joe Bell provide industry in midfield, while Liberato Cacace offers width from left back. The squad was drawn heavily from Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix, reflecting New Zealand’s domestic base, though several players ply their trade in European leagues.Belgium have a near fully-fit squad at their disposal. Thibaut Courtois remains in goal, and the spine of De Bruyne, Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jérémy Doku gives R. Garcia real attacking depth. Amadou Onana provides the defensive midfield screen that Belgium rely on to give their attack licence to roam. The key question is whether Garcia makes changes after two draws, or backs the same group of players to finally deliver.Predicted LineupsNew Zealand (4-4-2): Crocombe; Smith, Boxall, Bindon, Cacace; McCowatt, Stamenić, Bell, Garbett; Just, Wood (c)Belgium (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Debast, De Winter, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne (c); Doku, Lukaku, TrossardPredicted lineups – squads to be confirmed.Key Tactical MatchupThe central duel that shapes this game is Jérémy Doku against New Zealand’s left side. The Manchester City winger carries pace and directness that New Zealand’s defensive unit, which has already conceded five goals in two matches in Group G, will struggle to contain for 90 minutes. Liberato Cacace at left back has shown energy going forward, but tracking a player of Doku’s quality defensively is a different proposition. If Belgium can free Doku early and repeatedly, the spaces created will open up lanes for Lukaku centrally and De Bruyne arriving from deep, and New Zealand will be chasing the game inside the first half.Best Bets POPULARBest World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus 10 EXCEPTIONAL BetfredBetfredBet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets BET NOW 9.9 EXCEPTIONAL HighbetHighbetBet £10 and Get a £20 Free bet BET NOW 9.8 EXCEPTIONAL ParimatchParimatchSports Welcome Offer Bet and Get for a £20 Free Bet BET NOWMain Pick: Belgium to WinBelgium to Win @ 2/9 – The quality gap between these sides is significant, and Belgium are desperate for a result that settles their qualification with a degree of comfort. New Zealand have conceded five goals in two World Cup games, and this Belgian attack, however muted at the tournament so far, has far too much for M. Mayne’s side to handle. Belgium’s qualifying campaign of five wins and three draws in UEFA Group J showed they grind out results when it matters, and this is a must-win moment.Goals Market: Over 3 GoalsOver 3 Goals @ 1/1 – Belgium need a convincing win to stay ahead of Iran on goal difference if results go against them, meaning they will be pushing for more than a single-goal margin. New Zealand’s Group G matches have produced eight goals in two games, and their defensive record at this tournament gives little reason for confidence. Evens for a goal-heavy game here represents fair value given the attacking personnel Belgium possess and New Zealand’s need to push forward themselves.Scorer Market: Romelu Lukaku Anytime ScorerRomelu Lukaku Anytime Scorer – Lukaku arrives at this fixture as Belgium’s all-time record scorer with 90 goals in 126 caps, and he has the physical presence and finishing quality to punish a New Zealand defensive line that has already been breached five times in this tournament. He has been quiet at this World Cup alongside the rest of the attack, but the level of opposition drops sharply here compared to Egypt and Iran. A performance from Belgium’s focal point feels overdue.Optional Pick: Correct Score 3-0 BelgiumBelgium to Win 3-0 – If Belgium come out with intent and close New Zealand’s defensive structure down early, a comfortable margin is very achievable. New Zealand shipped three goals to Egypt, and Belgium have scored five in a single friendly in this camp. A clean sheet for Courtois, who has barely been tested in this tournament, and a comfortable Belgian victory is the scenario the market should be pricing attractively.Odds Across OperatorsHere is a snapshot of the best available prices for New Zealand vs Belgium ahead of kick-off at BC Place. These are the best prices currently available across leading operators.The over/under line sits at 3 goals, with over priced at 1/1 and under at 10/11. Shop around for the best available price on your preferred selection before placing any bet.How to Watch + How to BetHow to WatchNew Zealand vs Belgium is available to watch free-to-air in the United Kingdom on BBC and ITV. Coverage will also be available via BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub for those streaming online. Kick-off is at 03:00 BST on Friday morning, 26 June 2026, at BC Place in Vancouver.How to BetNew to betting on the World Cup? Here is how to get started safely and quickly.Choose a licensed, regulated operator available in your country.Register your account with accurate personal details.Complete any required identity verification steps.Make a deposit using your preferred payment method.Navigate to the football or World Cup 2026 section.Search for New Zealand vs Belgium and select your market.Enter your stake and review your bet slip carefully.Confirm your bet and keep your spend within your set limits.Responsible GamblingBetting should always be enjoyable. Set a budget before you start, never chase losses, and take breaks regularly. If you feel your gambling is becoming a problem, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware. You can also contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day. [morestories category=8]

The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat agreed to a deal on June 22 that would send Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. to Florida, while the Bucks would receive a consortium of players and picks from the Heat.The deal will not become official until the new league year begins on July 6, however, so it could grow and change quite a bit between those dates. Teams are only allowed to roster 15 guaranteed contracts during the season.But for now, let's look at where the Bucks roster stands, including all of the players with team and player options. Not included are the No. 10 and No. 13 picks the Bucks currently possess in the upcoming draft:GuardsAJ GreenGary Harris (exercised player option on June 22)Tyler HerroAndre Jackson Jr. (team option deadline is June 29)Kasparas JakučionisKevin Porter Jr. (player option deadline is June 29)Ryan RollinsGary Trent Jr. (player option deadline is June 29)ForwardsOusmane Dieng (restricted free agent)Jaime Jacquez Jr. Kyle Kuzma Pete Nance (contract becomes guaranteed July 4)Taurean Prince (player option deadline is June 29)Jericho Sims (player option deadline is June 29)CentersMyles TurnerKel'El WareThis article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What does Bucks roster look like after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade?

Where to watch England vs. Ghana live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group L match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Gillette Stadium hosts England and Ghana in the latest matchup of the 2026 World Cup. Harry Kane and Declan Rice attempt to lead England to its first World Cup win since 1966. The last two World Cup appearances for England resulted in fourth and sixth-place finishes.Ghana made it to the quarterfinals in 2010 and looks to go further in the club’s fifth World Cup appearance. Mohammed Salisu, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams attempt to shock the world against the mighty English National Team.The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of England vs. Ghana, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.England vs. Ghana live stream, TV channelHere's how to watch this World Cup match in Canada:TV channel: TSN1, TSN3, TSN4Live stream: TSN via Amazon Prime, TSN+This match will be broadcast a selection of TSN channels with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.TSN can also be added as a separate subscription channel on Amazon Prime with fans able to access all of TSN's live and on demand content.What time does England vs. Ghana start?This World Cup clash takes place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and kicks off on Tuesday, June 23 at 4 p.m. local time.Here's how that time translates across North America:DateKickoff timeEastern TimeTues., June 234 p.m.Central TimeTues., June 233 p.m.Mountain TimeTues., June 232 p.m.Pacific TimeTues., June 231 p.m.World Cup fixtures today and tomorrowAll times Eastern.Tuesday, June 23Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (1 p.m.)England vs. Ghana (4 p.m.)Panama vs. Croatia (7 p.m.)Colombia vs. DR Congo (10 p.m.)Wednesday, June 24Switzerland vs. Canada (3 p.m.)Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (3 p.m.) Scotland vs. Brazil (6 p.m.)Morocco vs. Haiti (6 p.m.)Czechia vs. Mexico (9 p.m.)South Africa vs. South Korea (9 p.m.)MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures2026 FIFA World Cup FAQsWhen is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.When is the 2026 World Cup final?The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.What time do World Cup games start?Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.

Rodez’s Tairyk Arconte set to sign for MillwallRodez AF centre-forward Tairyk Arconte (22) is set to sign for EFL Championship side Millwall, as per a report from Foot Mercato. Arconte thrived at Rodez last season. The centre-forward joined from Pau FC and hit the ground running. In his first season (and now likely his only season, despite being under contract until the summer of 2028), he netted 14 goals in 32 games in Ligue 2. He also registered four assists, guiding his club to the promotion/relegation play-off.Rodez to pocket a €3m feeHis performances caught the eyes of several clubs, including AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1. They are looking to add more firepower as they anticipate the departure of Lassine Sinayoko. Scottish club Celtic were also in the race to sign the striker. However, Arconte looks all set for a move to England. A deal is almost sealed that will see him join Millwall in a deal worth a reported €3m. GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Amid discussions about new head coach Jesse Minter and three new coordinators, there remains buzz about Lamar Jackson's offseason OTA attendance. That leads to discussions about an exciting rookie class. It's easy for a player like Justice Hill to fade into the background. That's understandable. The Baltimore Ravens possess no shortage of storylines entering training camp.However, championship teams are often built as much by their supporting cast as they are by their stars. In Baltimore's case, Hill may prove to be one of the most important supporting pieces on the roster.The former fourth-round selection isn't expected to challenge Derrick Henry for carries. He isn't expected to become the focal point of the offense. What he can do is provide valuable relief for one of the most heavily utilized running backs in NFL history. That role may be more important than ever.Henry has exceeded 300 carries in each of the Ravens' last two seasons. He has also surpassed that mark in five of the past seven years. While the future Hall of Famer continues defying the normal aging curve for running backs, common sense suggests Baltimore should be looking for ways to preserve him whenever possible. That's where Hill enters the conversation.He returns from the neck injury that landed him on injured reserve last November. Hill has an opportunity to become the ideal complement to Henry in what could be one of the league's best backfields.Expect a larger Justice Hill workload than some realize, hopefullyThe Ravens have never been shy about using multiple running backs. Even when Henry is carrying the offense, there are opportunities available for a trusted backup. Hill's versatility as both a runner and receiver makes him an ideal candidate to handle those snaps. Five carries per game feels like a reasonable expectation. Across a full 17-game season, that would place him around 85 rushing attempts. Throw in a few games where Baltimore is protecting a late lead, and reaching the 100-carry mark isn't unrealistic. That workload would keep Henry fresh while giving Hill enough opportunities to make a meaningful impact.Something between 450 and 500 rushing yards feels attainableHill has quietly been an efficient runner throughout much of his NFL career. After averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, he has generally settled into the mid-to-upper four-yard range. At his best, he has averaged more than five yards per attempt while providing explosive-play ability when given opportunities. Assuming a workload between 85 and 100 carries, somewhere between 450 and 500 rushing yards feels reasonable.Those numbers won't place him among the league leaders, but that's not the objective. Baltimore needs efficiency, reliability, and enough production to prevent Henry from carrying an unsustainable burden. Hill is capable of providing all three.Justice Hill's receiving ability should remain part of the offenseHill may not receive the same attention as Baltimore's wide receivers or tight ends, but he remains a useful weapon in the passing game. The Ravens haven't heavily featured him as a receiver throughout his career, yet he has consistently shown he can handle that responsibility when called upon. His quickness and familiarity with the offense make him a dependable outlet option for Jackson. A season featuring roughly 30 receptions and 250 receiving yards seems well within reach. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but they would represent another valuable layer to Baltimore's offense. More importantly, they would allow the Ravens to continue finding creative ways to get the football into the hands of one of their more versatile playmakers.Touchdowns may be harder to findProjecting touchdowns becomes difficult whenever Derrick Henry is involved. Simply put, Baltimore's offense still revolves around its 'King' near the goal line. Henry remains one of football's most effective short-yardage runners, and there is little reason to expect that to change this season. That naturally limits Hill's scoring opportunities.Still, five total touchdowns feels like a realistic target. Whether those scores come as a runner, receiver, or some combination of both, that total would represent a productive season given his expected role within the offense.The biggest contribution may not appear in the box score. Ultimately, Hill's value cannot be measured solely through statistics. If he helps reduce Henry's workload by 80 to 100 carries over the course of a season, that accomplishment could prove invaluable when December and January arrive.This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Why Justice Hill may be key to Ravens’ offensive balance

Photo by Pat Elmont and Karl Bridgeman - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesLisandro Martinez has played alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his career, but the Manchester United defender believes there is no longer any point trying to compare Argentina’s captain to anyone else.Messi has continued to rewrite the record books at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer while helping Argentina make another strong start on the biggest stage.His latest performances have prompted reactions from across the sporting world, and Martinez could barely find the words to describe what he is witnessing from a teammate he has shared so many memorable moments with.Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesLisandro Martinez believes Lionel Messi stands aloneMartinez has enjoyed a front-row seat to Messi’s brilliance for years with Argentina, including their World Cup triumph in Qatar.Having played with both superstars, Martinez made it clear he does not believe the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner belongs in comparisons anymore.The defender insisted there is “no point” putting Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo or any other footballing great because, in his view, Argentina’s captain occupies a category of his own.“Honestly, there are no words – all we can do is enjoy it. There’s no point comparing him to anyone else because he’s in a league of his own; he stands alone at the top.”That reaction carries extra weight given Martinez’s unique perspective, having shared a dressing room with both Messi and Ronaldo during his career.Manchester United defender urges fans to appreciate MessiWhile Martinez praised Messi’s ability on the pitch, it was the emotional side of his comments that revealed just how much admiration he has for the Argentina captain.“It’s, it’s… I’m lost for words; I can’t find the words. I just feel such immense joy at having him here day in, day out, and that he’s Argentine. We really must appreciate him.”As Messi continues to break records and redefine what is possible at this stage of a career, Martinez’s reaction reflects a growing feeling among Argentina’s players that they are witnessing something football may never see again.Read more:Chad Ochocinco admits Lionel Messi is making it harder to defend Cristiano RonaldoEvery record Lionel Messi broke with his two-goal performance against AustriaiShowSpeed gets trolled by Walmart employees with Lionel Messi jerseys

FULL 90' FOR MIKE AND ADRIEN IN ANOTHER WIN FOR FRANCEAdrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan both played the full 90 minutes as France beat Iraq3-0. It was a one-sided contest for Les Bleus, although the match was made unusual by a lengthy interruption of one hour and 43 minutes due to lightning, as well as Kylian Mbappé’s landmark 100th appearance for the national team, which he marked with a brace. Adrien came close to finding the net with a header and impressed with several important recoveries in midfield, while Mike had a fairly quiet evening between the posts; Iraq failed to register a shot on target and managed only four attempts throughout the match.Match kits, clothing, accessories, gift ideas and much more: visit the AC Milan online Store!

PHILADELPHIA – Mother Nature gave France and Iraq a nearly 2-hour hydration break on June 22 at Lincoln Financial Field.Lightning strikes in the area cleared the stands as halftime arrived and delayed the start of the second half.Few among the sellout crowd of 68,324 left during that rainy delay, which certainly wouldn’t have been the case had this been U.S. college or pro sports. The stands looked as full in the second half as they did in the first.Unfortunately for the Iraqis, however, the French national team also returned for their World Cup duel. Les Bleus, with leading man Kylian Mbappe and his many talented peers, turned their night that sad shade.“We executed the game plan, but they are good,” Iraq’s Rebin Sulaka said matter-of-factly afterward.Iraq was the last team to qualify for the World Cup. France won it in 2018, reached the finals in 2022 before losing on penalty kicks and is among the favorites this year.Its 3-0 win Monday increases the likelihood that the French will return to Philadelphia for a round-of-16 match, possibly against rival neighbor Germany, on July 4.The differences were quite apparent, though this being soccer, where scoring is rare and difficult, Iraq was able to keep it close for a while.But at the ripe old age of 27, Mbappe somehow remains precocious, a brat who consistently confounds foes with cleverness and creativity, swiftness and skill. He also plays with an obvious joy and exuberance that is contagious.All of those qualities were evident as he helped assure France's spot in the knockout round.France’s first goal Monday night came when Mbappe actually made an errant pass. Somehow the ball bounced back to him as a teammate and an Iraqi player fought for possession.Mbappe promptly drilled a left-footed shot 20 yards out from the right half of the field into the upper left-hand corner of the goal in the 14th minute, sending his flag-bearing countrymen and women into hysterics.To make the Lincoln Financial Field playing surface wide enough for soccer, seats were removed at the four corners of the stadium. Space is as valuable an asset as speed, and few make better use of it than Mbappe.He’d had previous opportunities before converting that one. If a ball found space, it often seemed to be landing at Mbappe’s dangerous feet, whether he was on the right or left wing or more centered.His second goal, early in the second half, was a gift from Iraq. Defender Zaid Tahseen, taking a goal kick, sent a square ball to his left to goalkeeper Ahmed Basile, who was not anticipating the pass and it flicked off his foot to Ousmane Dembele. Mbappe tapped in his pass to make it 2-0.Dembele was then rewarded with a 66th minute goal of his own, his first in a World Cup game.Earlier in the day Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, getting his fourth and fifth goals of this tournament to break the record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose that he’d equaled with his hat trick against Algeria. Messi has 18 career World Cup tallies.Mbappe had actually been one ahead of Messi after scoring twice against Senegal last week and is now two behind with 16 career World Cup goals.The two were Paris St. Germain teammates from 2021-23 before Messi moved to FC Miami in Major League Soccer. Mbappe later went to Real Madrid. While their greatness is indisputable, Mbappe is 11½ years younger and will surely eclipse the Argentine wonder’s mark. In the 2018 World Cup at age 19, Mbappe had become the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, joining Brazil immortal Pele, while sparking France to the title on home soil. Anyone who equals the accomplishments of the great Brazilian is surely destined for his own immortality.“Not sure if Kylian will play to their age,” France coach Didier Deschamps said afterward, “but if he plays, he will score a lot of goals. Has the capacity to up his ante.”Three nights after fans in Philly were treated to Brazil’s soccer splendor in its 3-0 win over Haiti, the French were equally impressive with Mbappe exhibiting his renowned proficiency, which will be on display for this World Cup and probably a couple more.More on World CupPLEASANT SIGHT: Brazil dominates Haiti while World Cup spirit unites fansCAN'T HAPPEN: Don't hold your breath for a July 4 US-England World Cup match in PhillySEEING THEIR IDOLS: Players on high-level Delaware soccer team relish World CupDELAWARE CONNECTION: Mark McKenzie on verge of playing in World CupContact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Kylian Mbappe follows Lionel Messi's big day with his own for France

As you might imagine, Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade to the Miami Heat late June 22, ranks near or at the top of most statistical categories in franchise history. Here's where he falls.Games played: 895 (first). Second is Khris Middleton (735). Antetokounmpo's 29,273 minutes are also easily the most in franchise history.Points: 21,531 (first). Second is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14,211). If you took half of Antetokounmpo's points away, he'd still rank ninth in franchise history.Field goals: 7,898 (first). Distant second is Abdul-Jabbar (5,902).Free throws made: 5,178 (first). Distant second is Sidney Moncrief (3,505). Giannis also has the most attempts by far (7,491).Rebounds: 8,882 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar (7,161). Antetokounmpo has the most offensive rebounds (1,697) and defensive rebounds (7,185) in Bucks history.Assists: 4,484 (first). Second is Paul Pressery (3,272).Blocks: 1,088 (first). Second is Brook Lopez (990).Field-goal percentage: .554 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar (.547).Turnovers: 2,701 (first). Second is Glenn Robinson (1,786).Triple doubles: 56 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar with eight, but blocks and steals were not an official stat category for four of Abdul-Jabbar's six seasons in Milwaukee.Steals: 995 (second). The only major stat category Antetokounmpo didn't quite topple. Quinn Buckner (1,042) is first.3-pointers: 557 (sixth). Middleton (1,382) has the most in franchise history.Most points in an individual game: 64 (first). Set Dec. 13, 2023 vs. Indiana. Second is Michael Redd (57).What awards did Antetokounmpo win with the Milwaukee Bucks?2019 Most Valuable Player2020 Most Valuable Player2021 NBA Finals MVP2025 NBA Cup (midseason tournament) MVP2020 Defensive Player of the Year2017 Most Improved Player2021 All-Star Game MVPMember of NBA's 75th anniversary team (announced in 2021, recognizing top 75 players in league history)Four-time selection to first-team All-DefenseOne-time selection to second-team All-Defense10-time NBA all-starSeven-time top-four finisher in MVP votingSeven-time selection to first-team All-NBATwo-time selection to second-team All-NBA2014 second-team All-RookieTIME Magazine's 100 most influential people (2020)This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where does Giannis Antetokounmpo rank in Bucks history statistically?

As you might imagine, Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade to the Miami Heat late June 22, ranks near or at the top of most statistical categories in franchise history. Here's where he falls.Games played: 895 (first). Second is Khris Middleton (735). Antetokounmpo's 29,273 minutes are also easily the most in franchise history.Points: 21,531 (first). Second is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14,211). If you took half of Antetokounmpo's points away, he'd still rank ninth in franchise history.Field goals: 7,898 (first). Distant second is Abdul-Jabbar (5,902).Free throws made: 5,178 (first). Distant second is Sidney Moncrief (3,505). Giannis also has the most attempts by far (7,491).Rebounds: 8,882 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar (7,161). Antetokounmpo has the most offensive rebounds (1,697) and defensive rebounds (7,185) in Bucks history.Assists: 4,484 (first). Second is Paul Pressery (3,272).Blocks: 1,088 (first). Second is Brook Lopez (990).Field-goal percentage: .554 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar (.547).Turnovers: 2,701 (first). Second is Glenn Robinson (1,786).Triple doubles: 56 (first). Second is Abdul-Jabbar with eight, but blocks and steals were not an official stat category for four of Abdul-Jabbar's six seasons in Milwaukee.Steals: 995 (second). The only major stat category Antetokounmpo didn't quite topple. Quinn Buckner (1,042) is first.3-pointers: 557 (sixth). Middleton (1,382) has the most in franchise history.Most points in an individual game: 64 (first). Set Dec. 13, 2023 vs. Indiana. Second is Michael Redd (57).What awards did Antetokounmpo win with the Milwaukee Bucks?2019 Most Valuable Player2020 Most Valuable Player2021 NBA Finals MVP2025 NBA Cup (midseason tournament) MVP2020 Defensive Player of the Year2017 Most Improved Player2021 All-Star Game MVPMember of NBA's 75th anniversary team (announced in 2021, recognizing top 75 players in league history)Four-time selection to first-team All-DefenseOne-time selection to second-team All-Defense10-time NBA all-starSeven-time top-four finisher in MVP votingSeven-time selection to first-team All-NBATwo-time selection to second-team All-NBA2014 second-team All-RookieTIME Magazine's 100 most influential people (2020)This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where does Giannis Antetokounmpo rank in Bucks history statistically?

“We need to keep this momentum going” – Amiri looks ahead to Ecuador clashHaving won their first two games at the World Cup, Germany are already certain to finish top of Group E and qualify for the round of 32 ahead of their final group-stage game against Ecuador on Thursday.But as Germany midfielder Nadiem Amiri underlined at a press conference ahead of the match, this doesn't mean the game will be taken lightly.“We need to keep this momentum going,” Amiri said, adding: “Winning breeds confidence. We owe it to the other sides to approach the game as though our own tournament depends on it. It’s still a very important match.”How much will Germany rotate against Ecuador?With qualification already secured, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann could use the match to give playing time to squad players and test new ideas.But Amiri, who came off the bench against Côte d’Ivoire, is not expecting major changes.“Lots of Germany fans will be in the stadium, with many more watching back home. We want to win and we’ll give it everything,” he said. “I can’t see Julian experimenting too much. We’ll approach it like a final,” continued the Mainz midfielder.The game between Germany and Ecuador will be played in East Rutherford and kicks off on Thursday at 22:00 CEST.

A woman walks past a welcoming billboard featuring Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along a roadside in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)2026-06-23T07:50:21Z ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iran’s president was traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday for talks with officials who have been mediating negotiations between Tehran and Washington on a permanent end to the war in the Middle East even as discrepancies were emerging on what had been agreed so far. President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad comes as technical teams were working on details of the deal, following high-level negotiations in Switzerland on Monday led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.In Tehran, Iran’s capital, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that no visits have been scheduled for the U.N. watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency — to see Iranian nuclear sites bombed by the United States last year. Vance had previously said the negotiations in Switzerland won an agreement for IAEA to inspect the sites. The IAEA has been in and out of Iran since Israel’s 12-day war against Iran in 2025, but has not been granted access to the bombed enrichment sites targeted by the U.S. in that war. Iran’s president makes his first visit to Islamabad since war startedSecurity was tight in the area of Islamabad where the Iranian president was to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It’s Pezeshkian’s first visit since the conflict started with the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28. Pezeshkian and Sharif were to hold joint news conference after their discussions.In the initial talks, marking the start of a 60-day diplomatic process that seeks to reach a permanent deal to end the Iran war, Iran and the U.S. agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” to address the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia group. The U.S. said negotiators also discussed “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the transit of oil that Iran had effectively blocked during the war, remains open. Ahead of his meetings in Pakistan, Pezeshkian cautioned that “the effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation.”“Progress on this path will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities,” he wrote on X. “Statements outside the agreed text do not help advance the negotiations.” Read More Iran says negotiation groups focused on sanctions relief, nuclear issues and moreIran suggested the ongoing technical talks in Switzerland have led to the creation of specific negotiation groups, which include those focused on sanctions relief, nuclear issues, reconstruction and monitoring, according to a the state-run IRNA news agency.The report quoted Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister leading the technical talks, saying that the countries involved also formed a contact mechanism over ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz and over the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.It remains unclear whether the de-confliction cell being created will be enough to stop fighting between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel, which occupies part of Lebanon and insists it must maintain a free hand to attack militants launching attacks into northern Israel. Netanyahu raises new questions over fragile Lebanon ceasefireMediators Pakistan and Qatar said the cell would include the Lebanese government and would “ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon,” but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised new questions late on Monday, saying his military still has “full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat to them or to the residents of the north.”Neither Israel nor Hezbollah are signatories to the U.S.-Iran deal, and Netanyahu has vowed to keep his forces in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is eliminated. Hezbollah has refused to halt attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing.U.S. President Donald Trump later said “we’re going to take a look at it,” when asked about Netanyahu’s comments, adding that he wouldn’t say what action he would take but that the situation would “get solved.” Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “I’m a problem solver, I get problems solved real fast, including with Bibi,” he said, using a nickname for Netanyahu. At the moment, the renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, brokered on Saturday, appears to be holding with no new Israeli or Hezbollah strikes reported overnight. Lebanon and Israel planned another round of direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, which are expected to focus on developing a plan for an Israeli withdrawal.___Rising reported from Bangkok and Gambrell from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. DAVID RISING Rising covers regional Asia-Pacific stories for The Associated Press. He has worked around the world, including covering the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and was based for nearly 20 years in Berlin before moving to Bangkok. twitter mailto JON GAMBRELL Gambrell is the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press. He has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. twitter instagram mailto

Andy Burnham with colleagues from the Parliamentary Labour Party in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament in central London, as he returns to the House of Commons to take up his seat after winning the Makerfield by-election, Monday June 22, 2026. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)2026-06-23T08:36:27Z LONDON (AP) — Andy Burnham, Britain’s newest lawmaker and likely its next prime minister, was meeting Labour colleagues on Tuesday in preparation for a leadership contest in which he may be the only contender.Burnham is the strong front-runner to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced Monday that he will step down within weeks after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with party and public.Burnham, a former Cabinet minister who served since 2017 as mayor of Greater Manchester, won a special election last week for a seat in Parliament with the express aim of challenging Starmer for the leadership.Burnham’s chances got a big boost on Monday when former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was considered his main rival, announced his support.Britain’s parliamentary system allows governing parties to change leaders — and thus prime ministers — without the need for a national election. The next general election does not have to be held until 2029.Nominations for the Labour leadership will open July 9 and close a week later. If Burnham is the only contender, he could be prime minister by July 17. If there is a contest, the winner should be in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer break on Sept. 1. Burnham’s economic plans are not yet knownBurnham was a popular mayor of Manchester, overseeing a period of rapid regeneration for the city where the Industrial Revolution was forged, and has pledged to repeat his signature brand of “Manchesterism” on a national scale.Many Labour members hope Burnham’s people skills and charisma can connect with the public more than the stolid, managerial Starmer could ever do. But his policies in many areas are unknown and untested. Some Labour lawmakers want to see a party election contest where he would face public debate and scrutiny. Burnham is expected to make a speech next week outlining some of his economic plans. Read More Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who quit this month to protest what he saw as inadequate defense spending, said “we need to have a clear and concise discussion about what this country wants to be.” He has suggested he might run for the leadership but told broadcaster ITV that “I’m not ready to make a decision on this in any way, shape or form.” Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Others have suggested Darren Jones, a senior Cabinet minister and Starmer ally, should run, though he has yet to comment.Potential candidates need the support of at least 81 Labour lawmakers, a fifth of the parliamentary party, to run.Many argue that a leadership contest will only focus attention on the party’s internal divisions and extend a period of political uncertainty.“I think the transition should be swift and orderly,” Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC. Starmer won a landslide but stumbled in officeStarmer resigned on Monday after a weekend considering his future, acknowledging that the Labour Party no longer thinks “I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.”He was the sixth prime minister in a decade to stand outside No. 10 Downing St. and announce a departure. It comes as Britain marks the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the European Union, a decision that still roils the country’s economy and politics.After weeks of insisting he would fight to keep his job, Starmer conceded to growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try and revive the government’s flagging fortunes. He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then his popularity and that of the party have plummeted. Starmer has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living. He has been hamstrung by repeated missteps, including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as U.K. ambassador to the United States.Labour is losing liberal voters to the growing Green Party and facing a rising Reform UK, the Nigel Farage -led anti-immigration party that consistently leads in nationwide opinion polls. JILL LAWLESS Lawless is based in London, covering British politics, diplomacy and culture and top stories from the UK and beyond. She has reported for the AP from two dozen countries on four continents. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

A drugstore sign shows the temperature 43 degrees Celsius (109,4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Rennes, western France, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)2026-06-23T07:36:44Z PARIS (AP) — Millions of people across France woke up drenched in sweat on Tuesday after another night of scorching heat, with most of the population exposed to extreme and exceptional temperatures.Temperatures will remain exceptionally high around the clock as the national weather service, Meteo France, placed 54 departments under a red heat wave alert.In a country without widespread air-conditioning, schools, trains and sporting events remain impacted, while some 20 drowning deaths have been reported since the weekend.Human-caused climate change is tied to increasing extreme weather, and U.N. climate agency projections say the next five years should shatter more heat records. “Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country,” Meteo France said. Extreme conditions are expected to last at least until the end of the week, with daytime highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many towns. “Further record-breaking temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year,” Meteo France said. The heat wave is exceptionally intense, coming very early in the summer, “but with a still uncertain duration,” the weather service said. It has already been compared to the August 2003 heat wave, when the highest temperatures in over half a century caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, many of them older people in apartments and retirement homes without air conditioning. Read More France introduced a heat watch warning system after that heat wave. Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.Over the last four years, more than 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes, and most of those deaths were preventable, the World Health Organization’s Europe office said this month. The above-average temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke. The EU monitoring agency found that in Europe and globally, 2024 was the hottest year on record and the continent experienced its second-highest number of “heat stress” days.Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in southeastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to health impacts and wildfires.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens as Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during a joint news conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)2026-06-23T07:34:25Z ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Security forces in the Turkish capital carried out sweeping raids on Tuesday ahead of next month’s NATO summit, and detained more than 200 people with suspected links to extremist groups, including the Islamic State group.U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to join other leaders of the 32‑member alliance in Ankara for the July 7–8 summit. Turkey is planning strict security measures for the summit, including banning demonstrations and restricting access to roads leading to airports, as well as sealing off areas around the summit venue and hotels hosting delegations.The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has prioritized security and authorities regularly carry out security raids. Last month, security forces detained 324 people suspected of links to the Islamic State group in a nationwide sweep. Early on Tuesday, Turkish prosecutors issued detention orders for 241 suspects, and 209 of them were subsequently taken into custody in police and gendarmerie raids around Ankara, according to a statement from the chief prosecutor’s office. The raids were still underway later Tuesday to take in the rest of the suspects. Among those detained were 56 alleged Islamic State militants and 35 members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front, a far‑left group known for armed attacks and assassinations in Turkey.The Islamic State group has also carried out numerous deadly attacks in Turkey, including the 2017 New Year’s Eve shooting at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.

Photo illustration by Shoshana Gordon/ProPublica. Source image: Clive Mason/Getty Images. My family’s morning routine is usually pretty ordinary. We wake up early, drink some coffee and get our 1-year-old ready for daycare. But one Wednesday morning last month, I found myself uttering to my wife a sentence that sounded frankly surreal to both of us: “Just to let you know, I’m about to call Trump.” Then, hoping to avoid any urgent diaper events, I ducked into the next room and dialed up the president. I’d been trying to reach President Donald Trump for a few days. Each time, my heart would start pounding. After nearly two decades as a journalist, I’m reasonably used to talking to powerful people. But cold-calling the president of the United States — on his personal cellphone — made me feel like a cub reporter all over again. “Hello?” a voice said on the other end of the line. This time, the president had picked up. I introduced myself and told Trump I’m a reporter with ProPublica. “I’m writing a story about a big supporter of yours in the oil industry, Jeff Hildebrand,” I said. “Can I ask what you think about him?” By this point I had spent months reporting on Hildebrand, a little-known billionaire — and major Trump donor — who owns an empire of low-producing oil and gas wells across the country. “Stripper wells” like these contribute relatively little to the U.S. energy supply but emit vast amounts of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. By calling the president, I was hoping for some color on his relationship with Hildebrand. He had, after all, named Hildebrand’s wife ambassador to Costa Rica. My reporting so far had also revealed that the administration was gathering advice from oil industry groups backed by Hildebrand, and that it planned to weaken environmental regulations on stripper wells — potentially making Hildebrand even richer. “I hear he does a good job,” Trump replied. “Don’t know him very well. OK?” Read More Trump Plans to Protect Methane-Leaking Stripper Wells. This Billionaire Donor Will Benefit. At first I thought the exchange undermined my story, making Hildebrand seem less central to the president’s energy policies than I’d suspected. But I realized that Trump’s comments illustrated something important about how this administration works. Trump appeared to have little clue about Hildebrand’s business, but when I mentioned that it was threatened by the “Biden methane rules,” the president was quick to respond, “Certainly we do the opposite of what Biden did.” Trump, in other words, may be only vaguely aware of the people and groups helping to rewrite all manner of consequential policies. But what matters in Washington right now are not so much technical policy details but support for the president and an affinity with the broader ideological project: Deregulate everything. Even if the president is only loosely familiar with Hildebrand, the oil tycoon is someone you should know about. As a climate reporter, I’m always looking for ways to make the seemingly abstract problem of global warming feel more concrete, approachable and even personal. With Hildebrand, I felt I had found a compelling character who is also the poster boy for a hugely consequential issue: Stripper wells collectively contribute just 6% of the nation’s oil and gas, but scientists have found they’re responsible for roughly half the sector’s methane pollution. That means they play an outsize role in climate change, which is amplifying heat waves, droughts and wildfires. My previous reporting has shown that a former lobbyist for Hildebrand’s company — who now has a top post at the Environmental Protection Agency — has been rewriting methane regulations with advice from the oil industry. (An EPA spokesperson said the official “fulfilled all his ethical obligations to the letter.”) The EPA’s press office declined to comment on the details of its plans but confirmed it is working on a proposal to “provide relief” to the oil industry, saying in a statement, “We heard consistently from American oil and natural gas producers (shocker that we meet with stakeholders) that the Biden-Harris Administration’s oil and gas methane regulations were unworkable and unnecessarily restricted American energy dominance.” In the story we ultimately published, I took a deep dive into how Hildebrand made his fortune, racking up dozens of environmental violations across the country, and now stands to benefit from the rollback that his former lobbyist is carrying out. I asked Hildebrand multiple times for an interview, even sending a letter to his home, but he didn’t respond. A spokesperson for his company, Hilcorp, said its operations complied with state and federal rules, adding that Hilcorp was “proud” of recent efforts to reduce its methane emissions. As with many climate change stories, it can all sound pretty bleak. But in a world where global warming fixes can seem impossibly daunting, limiting methane pollution from stripper wells is the rare low-hanging fruit, Andrew Logan of Ceres, a climate advocacy group, told me. “If you could lose 6% of production and cut emissions in half, who wouldn’t make that trade?” Logan said. Instead, the Trump administration is doubling down on the forms of energy that contribute most to global warming. In January, the president invited Hildebrand and two dozen other energy executives to the White House to discuss investing in Venezuela’s decrepit oil industry — which emits more methane, relative to production, than almost any other major oil producing country, according to the International Energy Agency. Many of the executives couched their enthusiasm with caveats. ExxonMobil’s CEO called Venezuela “uninvestable” without changes to its legal system. The head of ConocoPhillips wanted U.S. government financing. But Hildebrand had already seen how loyalty could be rewarded. Even though he had no notable operations outside the U.S., he hunched toward a microphone and said in a halting voice, “Hilcorp is fully committed and ready to go to rebuilding the infrastructure in Venezuela.” “That’s good,” Trump said. “You’ll be very happy.” The post I Cold-Called President Trump. Here’s What He Told Me About an Oil Tycoon and Major Donor. appeared first on ProPublica.

To save the program, we need to eliminate the payroll tax cap.

David Jolly must persuade voters who have been increasingly hostile to Democrats that he’s a different kind of Democrat.

One of the main storylines of the World Cup so far has been the world’s biggest stars delivering on the greatest stage of all. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and now Erling Haaland have all scored two or more goals in both of their first two matches this summer, with Harry Kane hoping to join them when England face Ghana on Tuesday night. It’s a fitting start to sport’s grandest event, with four of the world’s best delivering the type of performances that fans had hoped for before the tournament started. Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe (2) got the goals as France secured a 3-0 win over Iraq (Reuters)But while the biggest names continue to grab the headlines with their goalscoring exploits as the tournament begins, several players are more subtly going about their business, and none more so than Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. France’s 3-0 win over Iraq looks like an expected result against a markedly weaker side given the quality in Didier Deschamps’ squad, and while Les Bleus probably should have scored more goals, it was a professional display in a match where the second half was delayed for two hours due to thunderstorms. Such a delay could throw any team off their rhythm, but France returned to the pitch at the Philadelphia Stadium with even more attacking intent and the necessary verve and invention to back it up.Mbappe, who scored a brace but could have had four, grabbed the headlines once again in a superb display, but both Dembele and Olise – who started in the middle and on the right respectively – were dangerous throughout, with both producing moments to showcase their own brilliance. Olise hit the woodwork with an inventive lob that had left Ahmed Basil flailing, while Dembele forced a good save from the Iraq goalkeeper moments later and then rifled against the side-netting before the duo combined to devastating effect. Dembele’s goal illustrated the role that both himself and Olise will have to play in France’s success this summer (Getty)For the third goal, Olise slid an inch-perfect pass into the area that allowed Dembele to take a clever touch before rifling low into the far corner. It was a great example of their ability to produce slick, devastating moves and moments of real quality in an instant, as well as a reminder that this is a duo that perfectly complements the team’s star man. Thankfully for Les Bleus, both players entered the summer in superb form and they seem to have picked up from where they left off at the end of the domestic season.Olise arrives in North America having marked himself out as one of the world’s best all-round attackers, while Dembele comes into the tournament off the back of a Ballon d’Or and two Champions League triumphs in a row.Olise’s ability to float around all areas in the final third is an invaluable tool to a France side with such gifted finishers, and the Bayern Munich man was knitting things together in Philadelphia once again as he did against Senegal.Michael Olise drifts around the final third of the pitch (Reuters)While his first assist owes plenty to Mbappe, his second laid it on a plate for Dembele, as was the case against Senegal when a remarkable pass took three players out of the game to allow Mbappe to bundle in. Though he doesn’t possess the same goalscoring threat as his teammates, the man who started his career at Hayes & Yeading United has become one of the world’s best creators, and he currently leads the assist charts with three in his opening two games (tied with Sweden striker Alexander Isak). As for Dembele, while his brilliance needs no explanation as the current Ballon d’Or holder, his role in the France set-up often means he is not as celebrated as Mbappe. But his finish for the third goal was an accomplished one, and if France are to go the distance this summer, it feels like his goals will be important at some point.This duo will act as the main supporting cast for France talisman Mbappe, though there is strength throughout the team. This was also true in 2022, but the range of talent is wider this year, from the aforementioned duo to league winners such as Aurelien Tchouameni, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Joules Kounde, as well as players such as Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. There could be more questions asked of the midfield unit and the defence as LesBleus face more difficult opposition, but the attacking unit is the most talented in the world, and it can shoulder some of the burden for Mbappe while also contributing to his own goalscoring exploits. So, while there are question marks over some of the rest of the team, perhaps Dembele and Olise have just one thing left to prove – that they are good enough to lead their side to the World Cup.

Welcome to our latest Cape Cod and Islands High School Player of the Week Poll.High school sports fans can vote for which baseball players they think were standouts during the playoffs.The poll will be open from Tuesday through Monday. The winner will be announced on July 3. Votes are unlimited.Rules of the RoadVotes must be cast via the Cape Cod Times website/mobile sites. Votes submitted via email and social media will NOT be accepted. To vote for this week's Player of the Week, scroll down on this page.Last poll winner (5/26-6/1)Ben Rondina, Dennis-YarmouthRondina won his second poll of the season with 46% of the votes. He went 3-for-5 with two runs in a loss to East Bridgewater.This week's candidatesRyan Amerault, St. John Paul IIAmerault was 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs as the No. 5 Lions beat No. 28 Bellingham in the Division 4 Round of 32. Emmet Blatz, NausetBlatz threw a gem on the mound as he struck out 15 and allowed no earned runs as the No. 23 Warriors almost upset No. 10 Gloucester in the Div. 3 Round of 32. Blatz reached his 100th career strikeout and was 2-for-3 at the plate. Lyle Blatz, NausetBlatz finished the last three innings, scattered two hits, allowed one run (none earned) and struck out eight for the No. 23 Warriors in a 7-4 win over No. 42 Greater Lawrence Tech in the Div. 3 Preliminary Round.Eli Bryant, Martha's VineyardBryant threw a complete a complete game and allowed no runs and two hits with six strikeouts as the No. 29 Vineyarders won 8-0 over No. 36 Medfield in the Division 3 Preliminary Round.Hudson Cambal, Dennis-YarmouthCambal pitched a complete game shutout for No. 3 Dennis-Yarmouth as he gave up just four hits and one walk, while striking out 12 batters in seven innings in a 5-0 win over No. 30 East Bridgewater.He then 6 2/3 innings, gave up three hits, no runs and struck out four as the third-ranked Dolphins beat No. 6 Rockland 5-0.Cris Cardoza, Martha's VineyardCardoza was 3-for-3 with two RBIs in a victory over Medfield. Joe Coughlan, SandwichJoe Coughlan went six innings, scattered three hits, gave up one earned run and struck out nine on the mound for the No. 8 Blue Knights in a 16-1 win over No. 40 Quabbin. He was 2-for-3 with one RBI at the plate. Coughlan recorded his 100th career hit and had 218 strikeouts in his career up to that point.Coughlan was 3-for-3 with one double and one RBI as the No. 8 Blue Knights defeated No. 9 Abington 15-0 in the Div. 4 Round of 16.Gavin Desley, Dennis-YarmouthDesley went 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI as the Dolphins beat West Bridgewater. Anthony Foss, MashpeeFoss went the distance as he allowed one earned run, four hits and struck out 10 as the No. 20 Falcons beat No. 45 Westport 5-1 in the Div. 4 Preliminary Round. Brian Mancinelli pitched five innings, allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out seven.Matt Garbitt, Dennis-YarmouthGarbitt finished 3-for-3 with one walk and three runs as the No. 3 Dolphins beat No. 19 Blue Hills 16-9.Tyler Jones, Sandwich Jones went seven innings and struck out 10 for the win over Abington. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs at the plate.Brian Mancinelli, St. John Paul IIMancinelli pitched five innings, allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out seven in a win over Bellingham. He was also 2-for-3 with four RBIs at the plate.Mancinelli had three hits with one single, one double, one triple and two RBIs as the No. 5 Lions beat No. 21 Carver 17-4 in the Div. 4 Round of 16.Mancinelli went seven innings, scattered four hits and struck out out 13 as the No. 5 Lions upset the D4 defending champs No. 4 Milbury 1-0 in the Round of 8. Josh Matta, FalmouthMatta was electric on the mound for No. 4 Falmouth as he held No. 29 Martha's Vineyard scoreless through nine innings of work with 10 strikeouts, two walks and two pick-offs in a 1-0 win in the Division 3 Round of 32.Luke Morrison, Sandwich Morrison finished with three hits as the Blue Knights defeated Quabbin.Connor Oliver, FalmouthOliver hit a walk-off single to left field in a win over Martha's Vineyard.Drew Peters, SandwichPeters had three hits in a victory over Quabbin.John Richard, Dennis-YarmouthRichard homered in the fourth and sixth innings, and finished 2-for-3 with one walk, six RBIs and three scored runs in a win over Blue Hills. Ben Rondina, Dennis-YarmouthRondina went 3-for-4 with one double, one run scored, one RBI and two stolen bases in a victory over West Bridgewater.He also was 3-for-4 with one double, two runs and two stolen bases in a shutout win over Rockland.Henry Roy, St. John Paul IIRoy went 3-for-5 with one double in a victory over Bellingham. He then pitched went four innings, scattered two hits, allowed one earned run and struck out seven on the mound for the win over Carver. He also went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs.Lincoln Slade, Dennis-YarmouthSlade was 3-for-4 with one RBI in a victory over West Bridgewater. Eric Stanley, BarnstableStanley, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, one RBI, one run scored and three stolen bases for the No. 18 Red Hawks as they upset No. 15 Duxbury, 4-2 in the Div. 3 Round of 32. Courtney Jacobs is the Sports Editor for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at cjacobs@capecodonline.com and follow him on X: @coolinwithCJ.Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Vote for the Cape and Islands High School Baseball Player of the Week

🎥 Commander Mbappé has even taken on another job nowThe image of an authoritarian leader has been attached to Kylian Mbappé for quite some time now. On social media, the "Commander Mbappé" meme has been used excessively for weeks. It plays up the claim that Mbappé is the sole spokesman, president, coach, captain, and media officer all in one at both Real Madrid and the French national team. He supposedly tolerates no other opinions on or off the pitch and always gets his way. No matter the cost. Even if there is nothing to this theory, the superstar keeps providing fresh material. That was the case again yesterday during the more than two-hour match interruption in France vs. Iraq. He even took charge of the pitch maintenance. Then again, maybe the groundskeepers were grateful for the input from an experienced player. After all, he has famously already covered quite a few yards on the pitches of world football.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.