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The Socceroos sent an unmistakable message to their upcoming World Cup foes on Tuesday night, dismantling Curacao 5-1 in a one-sided tune-up that underlined Australia’s intent to be more than mere group-stage participants this summer. The comprehensive victory, played out in front of a raucous home crowd, showcased a clinical edge that the United States men’s national team will need to reckon with when the two sides meet on the sport’s biggest stage. From the opening whistle Australia pressed with purpose, turning possession into penetration and repeatedly exposing Curacao’s back line. The five-goal haul—while not revealing individual scorers in the brief match summary—highlighted a balanced attacking approach that could spell trouble for a USMNT defense still refining its shape ahead of the tournament. For Gregg Berhalter’s squad, the lopsided scoreline serves as an early scouting report: Australia arrives with a “mission to wreck” higher-ranked reputations and is unlikely to sit back. The Socceroos’ ability to convert chances at such an efficient clip will force American planners to address transitional vulnerabilities and set-piece discipline long before kickoff. With both nations now officially bracketed together, Tuesday’s statement win gives Australia momentum and a psychological boost, while handing the Stars and Stripes a clear warning—anything less than peak concentration could see them on the wrong end of a similar dismantling when the World Cup spotlight shines.

Guadalajara, Mexico — When the final whistle sounded at Estadio Akron, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s players scattered in every direction, propelled by 52 years of yearning. Cedric Bakambu dropped to his knees in the centre circle, Samuel Moutoussamy pressed his face into the grass, and Ngal’ayel Mukau ricocheted from teammate to teammate like a pinball. Some sprinted to the corner flag, others simply ran until they were wrapped in a teammate’s arms, each embrace a living snapshot of relief and joy. Even the Jamaican players, flat on the turf in exhaustion and disappointment, were pulled into the celebrations. One hundred and twenty minutes of tense, scoreless football had finally been settled in the 105th minute when Axel Tuanzebe, the defender raised in the Congolese diaspora, forced the ball over the line from close range. The goal, the only one of the match, ended the longest World Cup drought in African history and sent the Leopards to their first global finals since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire. “I was born in 1991,” Bakambu, the Real Betis forward, said minutes later, still catching his breath in the mixed zone. “I’ve never seen the DRC at a World Cup. To be part of the team that takes the country there? It’s incredible.” The victory was not merely for the 23 players on the pitch. It was for Mwepu Ilunga, whose infamous dash from the defensive wall to boot away a Brazil free-kick in 1974 became a global punchline. It was for Eugene Kabongo Ngoy, Dieumerci Mbokani, Issama Mpeko and the dozens of others who carried the national team through decades of near-misses. It was for supporters too young to remember 1974 — and for those who remember it too well. Zaire, as the nation was then known, had arrived in West Germany as Africa’s first sub-Saharan qualifier, fresh from two Africa Cup of Nations triumphs. They left humbled, scoreless and having shipped 14 goals, but the experience felt like a beginning. Instead, it became a lonely memory. The renaissance began in August 2022 when French coach Sebastian Desabre took charge. He immediately tapped into the global Congolese diaspora, recruiting players raised in Europe and North America. Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki arrived from Belgium’s youth setup; West Ham United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka switched from England’s Under-21s; winger Nathanael Mbuku pledged after representing France at six age levels. They blended with veterans such as captain Chancel Mbemba, winger Meschak Elia and Bakambu. The results followed: 29 wins in 48 matches under Desabre, the momentum cresting on a humid night in Guadalajara. “Today you saw players who fight for their country, who sweat through the shirt,” Desabre told reporters. “I’m very, very proud of them.” Context magnifies the achievement. Ranked 178th out of 188 nations on the IMF’s GDP-per-capita table, the DRC has endured decades of conflict, particularly in the mineral-rich east. In the Estadio Akron’s northeast stand, a pocket of Congolese fans sang and danced for 90 minutes, then exploded into delirium at full-time. Back home, cities and villages erupted. “The people deserve it, for everything they’ve been through,” said Moutoussamy, the Atromitos midfielder. “It’s a reward for those who have suffered, who are still suffering. We want to bring a smile to our people’s faces. Today, we’ve taken a big step.” The road ahead is daunting. Drawn into Group K for the finals, DR Congo will face Portugal, Colombia and debutants Uzbekistan. Fate has even scheduled their second match back here in Guadalajara on 23 June against Colombia, turning the Mexican city into an unlikely pilgrimage site for Congolese football. For now, the squad will allow themselves to exhale. The weight of more than half a century has been lifted, replaced by the lightness of history achieved. “This is a battle we’ve been fighting for years and years,” Moutoussamy said, voice cracking. “There was a lot of pressure, a lot of tension, but we played with heart and character. We’re going to savour this.”

Kinshasa erupted in celebration on Tuesday night as former England Under-21 defender Axel Tuanzebe etched his name into Congolese football folklore, his extra-time strike against Jamaica sending the Democratic Republic of Congo to the World Cup. The 26-year-old, who switched international allegiance after representing England at youth level, converted the decisive goal in the tense qualifier, triggering wild scenes among supporters of one of Africa’s most populous nations. Tuanzebe, relishing the adulation of millions, has now become an instant national hero, his timely finish sealing DR Congo’s passage to football’s global showpiece.

Worimi quick Riley Doggett has capped a memorable debut international summer by earning his first full Cricket Australia contract, signalling that further Test opportunities lie ahead for the 26-year-old left-armer. The elevation from rookie deal to the national list rewards a breakthrough season in which Doggett forced his way into the Baggy Green attack and impressed selectors with his raw pace and control. CA’s move also underlines a growing belief that Doggett’s combination of bounce and left-arm angle can become a long-term asset in home and away campaigns, beginning with Australia’s next scheduled Test assignments. Doggett, who made his Test debut during the recent home series, finished the summer with a series of lively spells that showcased his ability to extract steep lift from docile surfaces. While his raw figures were modest, insiders say the speed gun readings and the pressure he created for senior partners were pivotal in swinging sessions. National selector George Bailey praised the paceman’s “relentless energy and willingness to learn on the job,” adding that the contract decision was designed to provide stability as Australia begin a congested Test calendar that includes tours of the subcontinent and back-to-back Ashes series. The Worimi product’s rise has been rapid: 18 months ago he was battling stress fractures and toiling in second XI matches for Tasmania. A winter stint in Perth, where he worked with former quicks on seam presentation and wrist position, revitalised his action and added 5 km/h to his stock ball. Doggett’s Sheffield Shield form for the Tigers—11 wickets in the opening three rounds—put him on the radar, and a surprise call-up for Australia A against the touring South Africans sealed his ticket to the national set-up. Teammates describe Doggett as softly spoken off the field but relentlessly competitive once the whites are on. “He’s the guy who wants the ball when the deck is flat and the opposition are 0–100,” one senior player said. “That attitude is what the selectors love.” With Josh Hazlewood managing a side strain and fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc entering the twilight of his career, Australia view Doggett as a natural successor who can partner Scott Boland and Pat Cummins in a refreshed pace unit. The upcoming tour of Pakistan, where reverse swing and new-ball bite are expected to be decisive, looms as the next checkpoint in Doggett’s development. For now, the paceman will return to Launceston for a brief break before joining a high-performance camp in Brisbane next month. “Getting the full contract is huge for me and my family,” Doggett said in a brief statement. “But the real goal is to keep winning Tests for Australia—hopefully there’s a lot more cricket left in this journey.”

Madrid, 1 April 2026 — In the ever-evolving theatre of European football, few players embody tactical elasticity quite like Federico Valverde. Once pigeon-holed as a box-to-box shuttler, the 27-year-old has spent the current campaign systematically dismantling positional labels, emerging as Real Madrid’s ultimate Swiss-army knife. From the base of midfield to the tip of the attack, Valverde has operated in every horizontal and vertical corridor of the pitch. He has anchored in front of the back four, advanced to an auxiliary playmaker role, and, in recent weeks, has even been deployed as an auxiliary full-back. Most striking, however, has been his seamless conversion to winger: drifting from the right to ambush defences on the left, he has registered decisive assists in back-to-back fixtures, a feat that underscores a versatility neither Pedri nor Vitinha can replicate, according to internal club analysis. Yet international recognition remains uncertain. L’Equipe reports that France head coach Didier Deschamps is poised to name only five midfielders for the upcoming World Cup cycle, with Aurélien Tchouaméni, N’Golo Kanté and Adrien Rabiot leading a crowded queue. Eduardo Camavinga’s peripheral usage—zero minutes versus Brazil, a 26-minute cameo against Colombia—has already fuelled speculation that he could miss the final cut, and Valverde’s name is curiously absent from Parisian whispers despite his stratospheric club form. Inside Valdebebas, the mood is less equivocal. Carlo Ancelotti, whose second tenure ended only last summer, is remembered as the architect of the Uruguayan’s metamorphosis. “He understood all of us,” one senior source told The Daily Merengue. “If someone was down, Carlo was there like a father. He transmitted happiness—that’s why we kept winning Champions Leagues.” The Italian’s legacy, the source insists, lives on in Valverde’s freedom to roam. Across international waters, Brazil offered a glimpse of that liberty on Monday night, defeating Croatia 3-1 in a friendly. Vinícius Júnior, fresh from his own positional experiments at club level, threaded the pass that ignited the Seleção’s opening goal, a reminder that Madrid’s fingerprints now extend from the Bernabéu to the global stage. As club football pauses for the international window, Valverde’s next destination—Madrid’s right flank, midfield engine room, or perhaps Deschamps’ final 23—remains the question on every Merengue lip.

Philadelphia—Andrew Painter’s long-awaited arrival on a major-league mound looked every bit the masterpiece Phillies fans had envisioned. The 6-foot-7 right-hander, selected 13th overall in the 2021 draft, spun 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, striking out eight and twice disposing of Washington slugger James Wood to secure a 3-2 victory over the Nationals. Pitching less than two months shy of his 23rd birthday, Painter showcased a full palette—mid-90s heat complemented by diving changeups, sharp curveballs and late-breaking sliders. He surrendered only four hits and one walk, departing with a 3-0 cushion after 79 pitches. The Phillies’ offense provided early breathing room via solo home runs from designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and right fielder Adolis García. Washington trimmed the deficit to one with a late push, including a run that scored on García’s throwing error, but the bullpen preserved Painter’s first career win. Painter’s journey to the moment was anything but linear. A 5.40 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season followed Tommy John surgery and stalled his ascent. A strong spring, however, signaled a return to form, and he validated the optimism immediately—punching out Wood on three pitches to begin the game. After escaping a second-inning jam created by back-to-back singles, Painter found a groove, ringing up the side in the fifth and fanning Wood again for good measure. The performance deepens an already formidable rotation that includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo. If Tuesday was an indication, Painter’s canvas is only beginning to fill out.

Barcelona – Spain’s final home friendly before this summer’s World Cup was supposed to be a routine tune-up; instead, it ended with the Spanish Football Federation issuing an unequivocal apology after anti-Muslim chants and booing during Egypt’s national anthem turned Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at RCDE Stadium into the latest flashpoint over fan behaviour in Spanish football. Stadium announcers twice warned spectators to stop offensive remarks, but the jeers were loud enough to be heard over the public-address system and continued sporadically throughout the match. The incidents come barely a year after a spate of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, and federation president Rafael Louzan moved quickly to distance the institution from the scenes. “What we’ve done is condemn these kinds of attitudes and to say they must not be repeated,” Louzan said in a post-match statement. Head coach Luis de la Fuente was even more blunt. “It’s intolerable,” he told reporters as he entered the press room. “Violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves. They must be removed from society, identified, and kept as far away as possible.” The fixture itself had been relocated from Qatar to Catalonia because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but the change of venue did little to ease tensions. A crowd of 35,000 watched a disjointed Spanish side make 10 changes from Friday’s 3-0 win over Serbia, with 16-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal the only survivor in the starting XI. Spain dominated possession early on, Ferran Torres drawing a sharp save after 20 minutes, yet it was Egypt who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Omar Marmoush, the Manchester City attacker, cracked a low shot against the post against the run of play. Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s star forward, remained on the sidelines with the muscle injury suffered against Galatasaray on 18 March; Liverpool still hope he can feature in this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. Pedri saw a curling effort palmed away on 57 minutes and Cristhian Mosquera glanced a header just wide as Spain pushed for a winner. The task became easier when Egyptian defensive midfielder Hamdy Fathy collected a second yellow card with six minutes remaining, but Alejandro Grimaldo could only rattle the crossbar from close range in the 88th minute, ensuring the contest finished goalless. De la Fuente’s side will now travel to North America where they have been drawn in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Reports suggest Spain will meet Iraq on 4 June in the United States before closing their preparations against Peru in Mexico four days later. For the federation, however, the immediate priority is to ensure the ugly scenes in Barcelona are not repeated. “We have to be relentless in identifying and punishing this behaviour,” Louzan added. “Football must be a place of respect.” Spanish football, once again, finds itself answering questions that have nothing to do with tactics or scorelines, and everything to do with the culture inside its stadiums.

The expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup has created a fresh alphabet of possibilities, and Group J will command global attention from day one. Headlined by defending champions Argentina and the iconic Lionel Messi, the quartet also features Austria’s long-awaited return, Algeria’s re-emergence after a 12-year absence, and history-making debutants Jordan. Tournament structure The top two in the section advance directly to the round of 32. The group winner drops into the bottom half of the knockout bracket to face the runner-up from Group H, while the second-place finisher enters the top half against Group H’s winner. A third-place berth remains mathematically open, though with eight third-place tickets available across 12 groups, the permutations will not be settled until all final whistles blow. Team-by-team outlook Argentina Copa America 2024 winners and South American qualifying pace-setters arrive in North America seeking to become only the third nation to retain the World Cup. Coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to keep the spine of the Qatar 2022 squad intact while integrating emerging talents such as Franco Mastantuono, Nicolas Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Leo Balerdi and Valentin Barco. At 38, Messi remains the tactical and emotional compass for a side that has lost once in regulation time since its 2022 triumph. Algeria The Desert Foxes ended a 12-year World Cup hiatus by topping African Zone Group G and crushing Somalia 3-0 in their clincher. Captain Riyad Mahrez and veteran midfielder combinations will try to replicate the spirit of Brazil 2014, when Algeria reached the last 16. Swiss tactician Vladimir Petković, appointed in February 2024, brings a decade of top-tier European club experience to his first major tournament with the North Africans. Austria After 28 years on the sidelines, Austria slipped into the field as the lowest-ranked Pot 2 team yet could prove the group’s wildcard. The spine—David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic—may all be past 30, but their collective 250-plus caps provide composure and tactical flexibility. Their Euro 2024 performance, which included topping a section containing France, signals they will not arrive merely content to participate. Jordan The AFC surprise package qualified through the third round at the expense of regional heavyweights Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Jamal Sellami, the 55-year-old Moroccan coach, inherited a squad that reached the 2023 Asian Cup final and is laden with 50-cap veterans. While most of the roster is home-based, European and Gulf-state experience gives the Chivalrous Ones belief they can avoid mere tokenism. Group J schedule (All times local to host city) Matchday 1 - Argentina vs Jordan — 16 June, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford - Algeria vs Austria — 16 June, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Matchday 2 - Argentina vs Algeria — 21 June, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta - Jordan vs Austria — 21 June, NRG Stadium, Houston Matchday 3 - Austria vs Argentina — 26 June, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City - Jordan vs Algeria — 26 June, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Betting context DraftKings lists Argentina as heavy favorites to win the group, with Austria, Algeria and Jordan viewed as longer shots to qualify. Odds will shift as match fitness, injuries and form crystallize during pre-tournament camps. With Messi’s last dance, Algeria’s redemption arc, Austria’s golden-generation swansong and Jordan’s trail-blazing debut, Group J offers narrative threads as compelling as any in the enlarged 48-nation field.

ST. LOUIS — One day after being tagged for 11 runs, the Cardinals’ pitching staff rebounded with a shutout performance Tuesday, blanking a star-studded Mets lineup. Right-hander Andre Pallante opened the game, setting the tone for a staff that displayed newfound stability and kept New York off the board from the first pitch to the final out. The collective effort marked a stark turnaround from Monday’s bruising defeat and offered St. Louis a much-needed reminder of its mound potential against one of the National League’s most potent offenses.

Lisbon—Jose Mourinho has entered the debate over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal future with a blunt assessment: bench the 41-year-old and the Seleção das Quinas become “no threat.” Speaking ahead of Portugal’s friendly against the United States on Tuesday, the Benfica boss defended his former Real Madrid talisman after a goalless draw with Mexico in which Ronaldo was sidelined by injury. “People keep asking us not to call him up. Well, he didn’t play, and you saw the result. No threat, no fear from the opposition. Just a team being put under pressure by Mexico,” Mourinho told reporters. “When Ronaldo is on the pitch, the opposition think twice. Without him, they don’t think at all.” Ronaldo, who has amassed a world-record 226 caps and 143 goals, is expected to become the fourth-oldest player in World Cup history if he features at the 2026 tournament. Yet questions persist over whether manager Roberto Martínez should transition to younger options such as Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos, who was substituted before the hour mark against Mexico. Martínez, however, aligned himself with Mourinho’s stance, insisting the veteran remains integral. “He is our captain and is very important, very influential. He still plays a fundamental role as captain. The way he finishes, his mentality, he inspires,” Martínez said. “I don’t know when the end will come. He’s not a 41-year-old player; he’s a player who tries to improve every day. He’s a stimulus off the pitch and on the pitch, a striker who has scored 25 goals in the last 30 games.” Mourinho managed Ronaldo for three trophy-laden seasons at the Bernabéu and believes discarding him now would strip Portugal of its psychological edge. With Ronaldo unavailable, Martínez’s side will look to rebound against a reeling U.S. squad coached by Mauricio Pochettino, but the conversation surrounding Portugal’s dependence on their iconic No. 7 shows no sign of abating.

Cricket Australia has unveiled its 21-man national contract list for the looming 2026-27 campaign, and the headline casualty is 20-year-old batter Sam Konstas, whose explosive Boxing Day debut against India in 2024 now feels a distant memory. Konstas, who announced himself with an audacious 60 at the MCG, managed only 103 runs in his next nine Test innings at an average of 16.30, a slide that has cost him his place among the country’s highest-paid cricketers. Chair of men’s national selectors George Bailey stressed the decision is not terminal for the youngster, pointing to a likely Australia A tour of India later in the year as a potential pathway back. “Nothing’s really changed in terms of the fact that the man is on a journey,” Bailey said. “He remains a player that we’re incredibly interested in.” Konstas was joined on the outer by veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, quicks Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson, and top-order batter Matt Short, while the retired Usman Khawaja was also omitted. In a boost for Queensland, paceman Brendan Doggett earned a maiden full contract after making his Ashes debut in Perth last November. Fellow opener Jake Weatherald held onto his upgraded deal despite a modest 22.33 average across five Ashes Tests, with Bailey praising his post-Ashes technical refinements and strong first-class record. “He’s the incumbent in that role,” Bailey noted, while stopping short of guaranteeing Weatherald will open against Bangladesh in August. Michael Neser and Todd Murphy retained their contracts ahead of a schedule that begins with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh, followed by ODI tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa, a white-ball visit from England, and a bruising 10-Test block in 14 weeks against New Zealand, India, and England’s 150th Anniversary clash at the MCG. The full contracted squad: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa.

The 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals resume on Wednesday and Thursday with four ties on a knife-edge, highlighted by domestic-derby second legs that could reshape the tournament’s final four. Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network will simulcast every minute, beginning with the UEFA Women’s Champions League Today pre-match show and continuing through post-match analysis. Chelsea vs. Arsenal: London rivals collide at Kingsmeadow with the Blues needing a two-goal swing to overturn a 3-1 deficit. Arsenal, the reigning champions, have never lost a Champions League tie to Chelsea and arrive in form after silencing a raucous crowd in the first leg. Lauren James’ solo strike gave the hosts early hope, but Arsenal’s tournament know-how carried them to a commanding lead. American interest is high: Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson will try to spark a Chelsea revival, while Emily Fox anchors the Arsenal back line. “I think every time we play them it’s hard,” Thompson admitted this week, underscoring the ferocity of the rivalry. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: At Camp Nou, a crowd of 52,000 is expected to watch Barcelona protect a 6-2 advantage. Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro and teenage prodigy Vicky López give the Catalans multiple match-winners, leaving Real Madrid needing what their camp concedes would be “a miracle.” The Merengues must score at least four without reply to force extra time, a mountainous task against a side that has reached the semifinals in four of the past five editions. Wolfsburg vs. OL Lyon: German challengers Wolfsburg travel to France with a one-goal cushion after a disciplined display that kept star forward Melchie Dumornay quiet. Dutch winger Lineth Beerensteyn, who struck the winner in the first leg, again holds the key for a club seeking its first semifinal berth since 2020. Lyon, eight-time champions, must reverse the tide without conceding their customary away goal. Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich: Quarterfinal debutants Manchester United welcome Bayern to Leigh Sports Village trailing 3-2 but buoyed by the belief that history is within reach. A single goal could be enough to send the Red Devils through on away goals and complete the first major European comeback in their short continental history. Across two nights, the competition’s heavyweights face the prospect of elimination, while underdogs dream of seismic upsets. By Thursday night, the semifinal lineup will be set.

Lisbon—José Mourinho, now steering Benfica after trophy-laden spells across Europe, has delivered a blunt assessment of Portugal’s goalless draw with Mexico, arguing that the Seleção das Quinas looked “ordinary” without Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the match, Mourinho—who coached Ronaldo at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013—said the friendly laid bare Portugal’s reliance on their all-time leading scorer. “Take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture and Portugal look like any run-of-the-mill team,” he remarked. “People keep asking us not to call him up. Well, he didn’t play, and you saw the result. No threat, no fear from the opposition. Just a team being put under pressure by Mexico.” The 41-year-old forward, currently nursing a muscle injury, watched from afar as Roberto Martínez’s side failed to break down El Tri. In his absence, Paris Saint-Germain’s Gonçalo Ramos started up front but was withdrawn before the hour-mark for 33-year-old Paulinho, a striker with only four caps. Portugal’s next test comes Tuesday against a reeling U.S. squad still smarting from a 5–2 collapse versus Belgium. Despite the drab display against Mexico, Martínez remains bullish on Ronaldo’s readiness for this summer’s World Cup, where the captain—if selected—would become the fourth-oldest player in tournament history. “He is our captain and is very important, very influential,” Martínez said. “He still plays a fundamental role as captain. The way he finishes, his mentality, he inspires. I don’t know when the end will come. He’s not a 41-year-old player; he’s a player who tries to improve every day.” Ronaldo, who struck five goals in qualifying to help Portugal secure one of 42 berths at the expanded 2026 finals, is expected to be available for the group stage despite a red card last November against the Republic of Ireland. FIFA deferred the final two matches of his suspension for a one-year probation period, clearing the path for him to face Jamaica or DR Congo and Uzbekistan. Mourinho, for his part, sees no debate. “When Ronaldo is on the pitch, the opposition think twice. Without him, they don’t think at all.”

Bruno Fernandes dissected the United States back line with precision and creativity, powering Portugal to a 2-0 friendly victory on Tuesday and deepening concerns about the World Cup co-hosts’ form ahead of this summer’s tournament. The midfielder orchestrated both goals, leaving the Americans searching for answers after another flat performance in their final preparatory outing. From the opening whistle, Fernandes dictated tempo, finding pockets of space between U.S. midfield and defense. His incisive passing repeatedly unlocked the back line, and he converted the chances himself to secure the comfortable win. The result extends the Americans’ recent run of underwhelming displays, heightening scrutiny on their readiness to compete against elite opposition when the global spotlight arrives. The defeat underscores a troubling trend for the hosts, who have struggled to impose their game against high-caliber opponents throughout the buildup. With the World Cup opener looming, questions surrounding cohesion, defensive solidity, and attacking sharpness remain unanswered. Portugal, by contrast, head into their own preparations with renewed confidence, having dispatched a tournament host with relative ease. The victory serves as a timely reminder of their quality and depth, anchored by Fernandes’ standout showing.

The optimism generated by the United States men’s national team’s five-game unbeaten streak to finish 2025 has evaporated after a sobering loss to Portugal, leaving World Cup preparations in flux. Once viewed as a springboard toward renewed confidence, the late-season run now feels like a distant memory as familiar questions resurface about the squad’s readiness for global competition. Although detailed individual ratings cannot be provided without additional data, the collective performance underscored lingering vulnerabilities that opponents have repeatedly exploited. Defensive frailties, midfield inconsistency, and a lack of cutting edge in the final third all contributed to a result that heightens scrutiny on the program with the sport’s biggest stage looming. The defeat extends a worrying trend for the Stars and Stripes, who had hoped to build momentum heading into a pivotal year. Instead, the team finds itself back under pressure, searching for solutions that have proved elusive throughout the current cycle. With time running short before the World Cup, coaching staff and players alike must confront uncomfortable truths about personnel, tactics, and mentality if they hope to avoid an early exit. For supporters who dared to dream after the autumn resurgence, this latest setback is a stark reminder of the fine margins separating progress from regression. Until the USMNT can translate flashes of promise into consistent results against high-caliber opposition, doubts will continue to overshadow the road to the tournament.

Las Vegas will once again welcome the NFL’s championship showcase, as the league announced that Allegiant Stadium has been selected to host Super Bowl 63 in 2029. The decision marks a swift return to the desert entertainment capital, underscoring the city’s rapid ascent as a premier destination for marquee sporting events. The selection process, while brief in its public reveal, highlights the confidence the NFL places in Las Vegas’ state-of-the-art venue and its ability to deliver a week-long fan experience. Allegiant Stadium, already celebrated for its sleek design and cutting-edge technology, will serve as the backdrop for the 63rd edition of the game, promising another high-profile chapter in Super Bowl history. Las Vegas’ successful bid reinforces the city’s ongoing transformation from gambling hub to global sports and entertainment powerhouse. With ample hotel inventory, a vibrant nightlife scene, and a reputation for executing large-scale events, the destination checks every box on the league’s checklist for a memorable Super Bowl week. The 2029 contest will mark the second time the city hosts the big game, signaling that the initial foray was impressive enough to warrant an encore. While details surrounding the exact date and ancillary festivities remain under wraps, the announcement alone sets the stage for a week where football meets flair on the Strip. Super Bowl 63 at Allegiant Stadium is poised to blend the spectacle of the NFL with the unmatched energy of Las Vegas, ensuring that players, fans, and corporate partners alike will converge on a city built for headline moments.

The 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals resume this week with four tantalizing second-leg ties, but no matchup carries more intrigue than Wednesday’s clash between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais. The German champions take a slim 1-0 aggregate lead into the meeting at the Groupama OL Stadium, leaving the record eight-time winners on the precipice of an early exit. Wolfsburg’s 1-0 home victory in last week’s opener was notable for more than the scoreline. A disciplined defensive display neutralized Lyon’s star striker Melchie Dumornay, who was held without a shot on target for the first time in her last nine European appearances. Dutch international Lineth Beerensteyn’s 62nd-minute strike ultimately separated the sides, and her ability to exploit space behind Lyon’s high back line will again be central to the visitors’ game plan. Yet history looms large over the tie. Lyon have progressed from eight of their previous nine knockout ties when trailing after the first leg, and their 22-match unbeaten run at home in the competition dates back to March 2022. For all of Wolfsburg’s momentum, manager Tommy Stroot conceded that repeating the near-perfect performance will be “a different challenge in front of 30,000 in Lyon.” Kick-off is set for 21:00 CET on Wednesday, with Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network providing simulcast coverage beginning with UEFA Women’s Champions League Today. A studio wrap-up will follow the final whistle. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Arsenal defend a 3-1 advantage across London at Chelsea, where Emma Hayes’ side must overturn a two-goal deficit without conceding an away goal. On Thursday, quarterfinal debutants Manchester United trail Bayern Munich 3-2, while Barcelona—fresh from a 6-2 demolition of Real Madrid—can seal their semifinal berth with any two-goal margin or better at a sold-out Camp Nou. For Lyon, the mission is stark: score first, avoid the concession that would force them to chase three goals, and remind Europe why they remain the competition’s gold standard. For Wolfsburg, another composed 90 minutes could author one of the biggest upsets in recent UWCL memory.

Barcelona, Spain – Teenage winger Toni Fernandez rejoined Hansi Flick’s first-team training on Tuesday as the German coach reshuffled his squad in the wake of Raphinha’s injury setback. Fernandez, who has only recently returned to full fitness after an ankle problem, was one of several youngsters invited to take part in the session while a host of senior players are away on international duty. With Raphinha ruled out, the 18-year-old now has a realistic opportunity to earn minutes in the coming weeks if he can impress Flick over the next training blocks. The Catalans’ boss had previously sent Fernandez back to Barca Atletic in October following a brief cameo in the 2-1 La Liga victory over Girona, believing the winger required additional match sharpness. Since then, the Spaniard has worked his way back to health and will hope the latest invitation marks a more permanent step up. Fernandez was joined on the training pitch by fellow academy products Brian Farinas, Alvaro Cortes, Tommy Marques and Emilio Bernard, underlining Flick’s willingness to dip into the club’s prolific youth pool when circumstances demand. National-team coaches have already tipped Fernandez to reach the elite level, with one comparing his ceiling to that of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. Should he maintain his current trajectory, the forward could yet force his way into Barcelona’s match-day squad for the summer tournament. For now, the focus is simple: train hard, stay fit, and seize whatever chance comes next.

Philadelphia—The wait was worth every extra month. Right-hander Andrew Painter, the Phillies’ top pitching prospect and the 13th overall selection in the 2021 Draft, authored a dazzling major-league debut Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, lifting his club to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals and offering a jolt of optimism after a sluggish 1-3 start to the season. Painter, 22, struck out eight, walked one, and permitted just one run on four hits in 5 ⅓ innings. He threw 57 of his 84 pitches for strikes—an efficient 68 percent—and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced, quieting a Nationals lineup that managed only three singles and a fortuitous double that died in the lights behind second base. The tone was set immediately. The very first pitch of the game was a curveball that painted the zone and coaxed a swinging strike from Washington slugger James Wood, announcing Painter’s arrival in unmistakable fashion. “It’s been a long journey,” Painter said Monday, reflecting on the elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and cost him the 2023 and most of the 2024 seasons. “I’m super grateful for all the people who’ve been a part of it.” Tuesday’s performance offered a glimpse of the dominance that made Painter arguably the best pitching prospect in baseball two years ago, when he compiled a 1.56 ERA with 155 strikeouts across 103 ⅔ minor-league innings. A rocky 2025 at Triple-A—5.26 ERA in 118 innings—had raised questions, but evaluators still ranked him 24th among all prospects entering spring training, citing a steep release point, 96-mph fastball, and a deep arsenal that includes a curveball, changeup, sweeper, and a slider he can land for called strikes or chase swings. The lone run charged to Painter came after his exit. Reliever Tanner Banks allowed a single to Daylen Lile, and an errant throw by right fielder Adolis García skipped into the stands, enabling CJ Abrams to race home. With Ranger Suárez now in Boston and Taijuan Walker ticketed for the bullpen upon Zack Wheeler’s return from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, Painter steps directly into a rotation that will soon feature Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Cristopher Sánchez. The assignment is both a reward for his perseverance and a strategic infusion of youth for a club that opened the year with one of baseball’s oldest rosters. Painter’s debut dovetailed with another encouraging development: 22-year-old center fielder Justin Crawford—also making his first full season in the majors—entered Tuesday with a .400 on-base percentage and added two more hits. Together, the pair offers Philadelphia a glimpse of a faster, fresher future. For one night, at least, the future looked remarkably like the present, and the Phillies had something genuine to celebrate.

Racing Post Sport’s resident football tipster Aaron Ashley has pinpointed his standout wager from Wednesday’s schedule, and it comes from Spain’s Segunda División as mid-table Burgos welcome playoff-chasing Ceuta to the Estadio Municipal El Plantio. Burgos arrive in red-hot form, collecting 13 points from their last five outings and, crucially, keeping a clean sheet in every one of those fixtures. The only blemish in that sequence was a 0-0 stalemate at fellow promotion hopefuls Eibar, highlighting the defensive resilience that has underpinned their surge up the standings. With just six points separating league leaders Racing Santander and fifth-placed Burgos, the Castile and León outfit still harbour realistic ambitions of forcing their way into the automatic promotion places. Home comfort has been central to Burgos’ revival. They are unbeaten in seven league matches on their own patch, winning five, and most recently dismantled Cordoba 4-0 to signal their intent. Ceuta, meanwhile, sit ninth and remain in the playoff conversation, yet their away record raises red flags. Los Elegidos possess the third-worst travelling record in the division and have lost five of their last six road fixtures, a sequence that suggests they could struggle against a Burgos side brimming with confidence. With form, momentum and home advantage all pointing in one direction, Ashley’s 5-6 (1.83) selection on Burgos to claim victory carries solid value for Wednesday’s bet of the day.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will place four contrasting football cultures into Group F, with the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden set to open their campaigns next June across venues in Arlington, Guadalupe and neighboring host cities. Under the expanded 48-team format, two and possibly all three of the highest-placed sides will survive the group, adding early tension to every fixture. Netherlands arrive as the seeded heavyweights, even if memories of Qatar 2022 still sting. An ill-tempered quarter-final penalty shoot-out loss to eventual champions Argentina ended their last tournament, extending a painful legacy: the Oranje have lost more World Cup finals (1974, 1978, 2010) than any nation yet to lift the trophy. Ronald Koeman—back for a second stint and now taking charge of his first World Cup as manager—guided the Dutch through qualifying unbeaten, topping Group G three points clear of Poland. With a semifinal appearance or better in five of their 11 previous finals trips, the Dutch will be expected to control Group F, even if public expectations are deliberately muted. Japan were the first nation after the three co-hosts to secure passage, wrapping up AFC third-round qualification with three matchdays to spare. The Samurai Blue won six of seven games, extending a streak of eight consecutive World Cup appearances. Their recent tournament narrative is one of brave but ultimately unfulfilled promise: round-of-16 exits in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022 all featured moments when Japan held the advantage before falling short. Liverpool’s Wataru Endo anchors a midfield that will look to feed Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, two wide threats capable of destabilising any back line. Reaching the knockout stage is the public target; privately, the squad believes a maiden quarter-final is within reach. Tunisia’s qualification was a masterclass in defensive resilience. The Eagles of Carthage finished the African preliminaries with 28 points from a possible 30, sealing the campaign with a 3-0 dismissal of Namibia and, remarkably, never conceding a goal in Group H under head coach Sami Trabelsi. This will be Tunisia’s seventh World Cup and third in a row, underscoring their transformation from sporadic qualifier to continental constant. While the round of 16 has eluded them, the squad’s cumulative big-tournament experience could prove decisive in tight June conditions. Sweden clinched the final Group F berth via the European playoffs, defeating Poland in the Path B final. The post-Zlatan era now revolves around Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, whose 19 goals in 32 senior caps propelled the Swedes through the pressure-cooker ties. Alexander Isak’s recovery from a broken leg will be monitored closely; if fit, the Liverpool forward partners Gyokeres in a potentially explosive attack. Graham Potter, hired after club setbacks in England, brings intimate knowledge of Swedish football from seven years spent managing there, a background he hopes will knit together a squad blending prime-age talents dotted across Europe’s top leagues. Group F fixtures (all times local): Matchday 1 Netherlands vs Tunisia – Arlington, 15 June, 16:00 Japan vs Sweden – Guadalupe, 15 June, 19:00 Matchday 2 Netherlands vs Japan – Arlington, 20 June, 19:00 Sweden vs Tunisia – Guadalupe, 21 June, 16:00 Matchday 3 Japan vs Tunisia – Arlington, 25 June, 18:00 Sweden vs Netherlands – Guadalupe, 25 June, 18:00 The group winner advances to the top half of the knockout bracket to face the runner-up from Group C, while the second-placed side drops into the bottom half against the Group C winner. A third-place finish could still yield progress: eight third-best teams across the 12 groups will progress, though bracket placement will remain fluid until the full landscape is set. With contrasting styles—Dutch possession, Japanese pace transitions, Tunisian defensive steel and Swedish directness—Group F offers a compelling microcosm of the global game when the world’s biggest tournament kicks off across North America.

New Chandigarh—Cooper Connolly needed only 44 deliveries to turn anticipation into adulation, carving an unbeaten 72 on debut to steer Punjab Kings past Gujarat Titans by three wickets in a pulsating IPL 2026 fixture at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night. Chasing 163, Punjab wobbled early when impact substitute Priyansh Arya nicked behind for 7 off Kagiso Rabada in the second over. The setback merely stirred Prabhsimran Singh, who tore into Rabada with consecutive sixes to ignite a power surge that yielded 55 for 1 after six overs. Connolly, unfazed by the occasion, latched onto the tempo set by his senior partner and the pair amassed 76 for the second wicket, placing the pursuit on an even keel. Rashid Khan’s introduction prised out Prabhsimran for 37 in the 10th over, yet captain Shreyas Iyer kept the asking rate in check with a pair of sixes before Prasidh Krishna found the top edge. What followed was a mid-innings wobble: Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis fell in a heap, trimming the equation to 45 required off the last five overs. Throughout the chaos, Connolly refused to yield. The 22-year-old South Australian reached his maiden IPL fifty in 34 balls and, with tail-ender Xavier Bartlett for company, collected the remaining runs with five deliveries to spare. His knock featured five fours and an equal number of sixes, underlining a fearless approach that never allowed the required rate to balloon. Prasidh Krishna’s 3 for 29 provided Gujarat their brightest spell, while Rabada, Rashid, Washington Sundar and Ashok Sharma claimed a scalp apiece, but the total proved just short. Earlier, Punjab’s bowlers stifled a blazing start from Gujarat Titans. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan rocketed to 35 without loss inside three overs before Marco Jansen breached Sudharsan’s defence. Gill anchored until a 39-ball 39, ended by Yuzvendra Chahal, and Jos Buttler’s 38 kept the board ticking. Glenn Phillips’ brisk 25 hinted at a late burst, yet Vijaykumar Vyshak’s triple strike and Chahal’s twin blows limited the Titans to 162 for 6. Vyshak returned 3 for 34, while Chahal’s miserly 2 for 28 ensured Punjab’s chase stayed within striking distance—an opportunity Connolly seized with both hands to script a dream debut and a vital early-season victory for the Kings.

Barcelona’s summer clear-out could yet include Jules Kounde, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all positioning themselves for a Premier League assault on the 27-year-old France defender. Kounde has endured a testing campaign at the Spotify Camp Nou, failing to replicate the standards he set during the 2024-25 season and spending recent weeks sidelined by injury. Now approaching full fitness, the coming matches may prove pivotal—not only for his form, but for his long-term future. Spanish outlet MD report that Barcelona are open to offers for the right-back, who is under contract until 2030 and valued by the club at between €60 million and €70 million. Signed from Sevilla for €50 million four years ago, Kounde’s market worth has appreciated, and with adequate depth in his position, officials view the former Sevilla man as a saleable asset to help finance incoming targets. Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea each possess the financial muscle to meet Barcelona’s valuation. All three clubs have registered their interest and are expected to formalise their pursuit once the window opens, setting up a three-way battle for Kounde’s signature. While Barcelona will not block a lucrative bid, the final call rests with the player, who is described as settled in Catalonia. Nevertheless, the next few months promise to shape decisively where the defender plies his trade next season.

Wembley’s first-ever defeat to Japan has done little to derail England’s summer plans, but it has sharpened the focus on the periphery of Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Friday’s 1-0 loss, settled by Kaoru Mitoma after a Cole Palmer error, was less a tactical setback than a final audition for the last half-dozen seats on the plane to North America. With Harry Kane rested as a precaution and the front four repeatedly colliding into the same pockets, the evening became a series of individual examinations rather than a coherent team display. Phil Foden’s false-nine experiment misfired, while Ben White’s rustiness on the right was exposed by Keito Nakamura’s relentless overlaps and the crowd’s audible displeasure. The upshot: Tuchel now knows who looks ready for a supporting role and who simply looks out of form. Roughly 18 names, fitness permitting, are inked in. Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Kane headline the automatics; the intrigue lies in the back-ups. At right-back, Reece James is the starter, with Tino Livramento edging ahead of White after the Arsenal man’s uneasy 75 minutes. Left-back is Lewis Hall’s to lose, the Newcastle youngster offering the orthodox width Tuchel favours. Central defence carries one lingering question: who partners Marc Guehi? John Stones, if over his recent niggles, is the experienced lock; Harry Maguire’s aerial threat from late corners keeps him in the conversation, albeit as the fourth or fifth option rather than a starter. The forward line is already pared down to a binary: Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford will begin on the left, the other cast as impact substitute. Through the middle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red-hot spring form has vaulted him ahead of Ollie Watkins and the out-of-sorts Dominic Solanke as Kane’s deputy. Watkins’ nine non-penalty Premier League goals and 0.41 npxG+xA/90 keep him hovering, yet Calvert-Lewin’s physicality fits the archetype Tuchel wants off the bench. Midfield depth is where the new 26-man allowance really shows. A fifth central midfielder is all but guaranteed given the North-American summer schedule; James Garner’s safe-passing, ball-recovery profile beats Kobbie Mainoo’s risk-taking for the final internal vote. That leaves two discretionary outfield places. Cole Palmer’s proven knack for changing games off the bench secures the 25th slot, leaving one last call between Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze. Bowen’s directness against Japan offered the attack its only second-half oxygen, nudging him ahead. In goal, Dean Henderson and James Trafford accompany Pickford; the three-man net is non-negotiable. The last three spots mirror the Qatar innovation: an extra keeper and two floating field places that, in Tuchel’s mind, belong to seasoned tourists who can slot seamlessly into a dead rubber or a knockout already decided. Predicted England 26: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford; James, Livramento, Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Maguire, Hall, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson, Wharton, Henderson, Bellingham, Garner, Rogers, Palmer; Kane, Saka, Rashford, Gordon, Madueke, Calvert-Lewin. The XI to open against Croatia writes itself: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Hall; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane. Everything else is detail—valuable detail for Tuchel, but detail nonetheless.

Barcelona’s plan to turn Marcus Rashford’s loan into a permanent £26 million transfer has hit a financial roadblock, prompting the club to explore cut-price alternatives in Portugal. According to Portuguese publication Record, Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup has emerged as a leading fallback option should the Catalans fail to reconcile the England international’s £325,000-a-week wage demands. Rashford, 27, has reignited his career at Camp Nou since arriving on a season-long deal, registering ten goals and 13 assists in 39 appearances under Hansi Flick. An optional buy clause, negotiated down from the £40 million fee Aston Villa paid last winter, makes his signature appear a bargain—yet his salary remains prohibitive for a club still constrained by La Liga’s financial regulations. Enter Schjelderup. The 21-year-old Norwegian has seven goals and four assists in 36 matches for Benfica this term, numbers that pale in comparison to Rashford’s output but represent significant potential at roughly a third of the price. Benfica, open to a summer sale despite the player’s contract running until 2028, are willing to bypass his €100 million release clause and listen to offers around £17.5 million. The age profile is central to Barcelona’s thinking. Schjelderup’s valuation aligns with those of Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli and Mallorca’s Jan Virgili, both also 21 and available for similar fees. Crucially, all three would command wages only a fraction of Rashford’s, allowing the club to stay within salary limits while injecting youthful depth on the left flank. With the season nearing its conclusion, Barcelona sporting staff must weigh whether to press ahead with the tried-and-tested Rashford or pivot to a younger, economically viable solution. Until the numbers add up, Rashford’s long-term future—and a possible return to Manchester United—remains on the table. Keywords:

By [Staff Writer] GLASGOW – A pocket of the Tartan Army has traded kilts for catcalls, booing Steve Clarke and his players after back-to-back 1-0 friendly defeats to Japan at Hampden and Ivory Coast in Liverpool. The jeers are loud enough to jolt the squad, yet small enough to feel like a sideshow in a week when bigger nations were dumped out of the World Cup picture altogether. Denmark and Italy, European heavyweights both, will watch next summer’s tournament on television after penalty-shock exits. Scotland, for all the angst, are already inked into the draw. That alone should frame the conversation, even if the soundscape around the camp has turned sour. Clarke sent out a much-changed side against Ivory Coast and saw a performance that was neither limp nor listless. The stats sheet – 14 shots to 12, four on target to three – hints at a team that pressed, probed and occasionally panicked a defence that had sailed through qualifying without conceding. Nicolas Pepe’s decisive counter, born when Billy Gilmour and Kieran Tierney switched off and Liam Kelly froze, was the difference. It was a lapse, not a collapse. Up front, George Hirst channelled every ounce of endeavour into the lone-striker role, out-working Lyndon Dykes’ usual shift yet still searching for the cutting edge that neither man has consistently provided. The numbers say the answer may lie elsewhere: Oli McBurnie has 13 goals and seven assists for high-flying Hull in the Championship, but the 27-year-old hasn’t pulled on a Scotland jersey in five years and appears no closer to a recall. Ross Stewart and Kieron Bowie have drifted out of the frame, and Calvin Miller or Elliot Watt remain speculative long-shots for the final 26-man squad bound for the United States. Clarke, a manager who trusts continuity, is unlikely to spring a bolt-from-the-blue selection now. Lennon Miller, the teenage midfielder many hoped to see, never left the bench during the double-header and seems ticketed for a developmental role at best. What the manager does need is a return to the formula that toppled Denmark on that feverish Hampden night: searing tempo, diagonal rain from Andy Robertson and Ben Gannon-Doak, and the late-zone thunder of Scott McTominay and John McGinn. The goals that night carried a whiff of the miraculous – McTominay’s overhead, Tierney’s rocket, Kenny McLean’s lob, even Lawrence Shankland’s poacher’s finish – but the blueprint is grounded in hard-running chaos, not stardust. Gannon-Doak, still regaining peak sharpness, is pivotal to that plan. If he, McTominay, McGinn and Ryan Christie hit their ceiling, the centre-forward question becomes less existential. None of Clarke’s current No 9 options are Harry Kane; the star power is distributed deeper and wider. Perspective, then, is the operative word. Two scoreless friendlies do not constitute a crisis; they constitute a calibration. The boos may echo, but they do not rewrite the fact that Scotland have qualified for a World Cup and retain the tools to rattle better-credentialed opponents when the stakes are real. Fret, worry, chew fingernails over what happens in America – that is the prerogative of every supporter who has waited two generations for this stage. Just remember: the alternative soundtrack is the silence already enveloping Copenhagen and Rome. Scotland are in the tournament. They have a puncher’s chance. And they still have time to land the first blow.

Munich, Spain – With seven days remaining until the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabéu, Bayern Munich are anxiously monitoring the status of striker Harry Kane after the England captain sat out Tuesday’s friendly loss to Japan because of what national-team officials termed “a minor issue in training.” The 30-year-old, who has struck 48 goals in 40 competitive matches for the Bavarians this season, was withdrawn as a precaution, yet the next 24-48 hours will determine whether the concern lingers into next week’s trip to Madrid. Any absence would dent Bayern’s hopes of breaching a Real Madrid back line that has never lost to the German club on home soil. Los Blancos, fresh from blanking Erling Haaland in their previous European outing, are wary of Kane’s influence but aware that defensive diligence remains paramount regardless of the striker’s availability. A positive result in the Spanish capital would allow Carlo Ancelotti’s side to carry momentum into the return leg in Bavaria.

Real Madrid have added Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké to their summer shopping list after monitoring his impact in his first Premier League campaign, according to TEAMtalk. The 21-year-old, currently on loan at Anfield from Paris Saint-Germain, has reportedly done enough to convince Madrid scouts that he could be a long-term asset at the Bernabéu. The Spanish giants are also keeping an eye on Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konaté, who is open to hearing any proposal from the La Liga outfit as he enters the final quarter of his contract. AS reports that Konaté will weigh his options once Madrid formalize their interest. Meanwhile, Manchester United are exploring a marquee attacking move of their own. With Barcelona still undecided on Robert Lewandowski’s future, United are ready to offer the Poland captain a one-year deal, per SportsBoom. The 36-year-old’s prolific record remains attractive to Old Trafford chiefs, who view him as a short-term solution to bolster their forward line. Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Old Trafford, with Fichajes claiming the French champions are preparing an approach for United captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder’s creativity and leadership are seen as vital ingredients for PSG’s next assault on the Champions League. Chelsea are expected to be busy on both ends of the market. Bayern Munich have tabled a bid worth around $115 million for Cole Palmer, but the Premier League club value the England international significantly higher. Inbound, the Blues have identified Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as their primary midfield target, while Wolverhampton Wanderers’ João Gomes is also under consideration. Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham and Napoli are similarly tracking the Brazilian, according to CaughtOffside. Arsenal and Chelsea could yet battle Liverpool for Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, with TEAMtalk suggesting the 19-year-old playmaker may be allowed to leave the Spanish capital this summer. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is another Premier League talent attracting attention, with Arsenal and Manchester City both monitoring the right-back’s situation, although teammate Lewis Hall is determined to remain on Tyneside. Tottenham are lining up a triple raid on Turkish champions Galatasaray, with goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, winger Barış Alper Yılmaz and midfielder Gabriel Sara all featuring on Ange Postecoglou’s wish list, reports Turkish-Football. Should Manchester United secure Champions League qualification, they would jump to the head of the queue for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, who would reportedly reject Arsenal to reunite with former Milan colleagues at Old Trafford, per Football FanCast. Gabriel Jesus wants to stay at Arsenal, but Bruno Andrade claims the Brazilian striker will prioritize remaining in England should the Gunners decide to cash in. Aston Villa and Manchester United are also tracking Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton, while West Ham have had offers rejected for Fluminense midfielder Martinelli, whose valuation stands at $23 million. Finally, Mohamed Salah would consider a free-transfer switch to Real Madrid when his Liverpool deal expires, yet Defensa Central insists the European champions have no intention of pursuing the Egyptian. Barcelona, likewise, have ruled out a move for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, citing age and form concerns, while Marcus Rashford’s wage demands continue to complicate any permanent switch to Camp Nou despite the United forward’s willingness to compromise.

Robert Lewandowski’s glittering résumé – more than 700 senior goals, 10 Bundesliga titles, two La Liga crowns and a Champions-League winner’s medal – will forever lack a World-Cup chapter after Poland’s 3-2 play-off defeat in Stockholm condemned the 37-year-old striker to a second successive absence from football’s global showpiece. The Barcelona captain, who scored four times during the 2026 qualifying cycle, watched Sweden overturn an early Polish lead to seal the last ticket from Europe’s path, leaving Lewandowski to contemplate retirement from major-tournament football before the 2030 edition, when he will be 41. He is far from the only headline act missing when the tournament kicks off in June across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Italy, European champions only five years ago, were dumped out on penalties for the third consecutive World-Cup cycle, Bosnia-Herzegovina converting their fourth spot-kick in a 4-1 shoot-out win in Turin. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been outstanding since a £26 million switch from Paris St-Germain to the Premier League, becomes the first player to win the European-Championship player-of-the-tournament award and then fail to reach the next two World Cups. Serhou Guirassy’s 62 Bundesliga goals in three seasons and a Champions-League-best 13 strikes in 2024-25 were not enough to propel Guinea through Africa’s first round; the Syli Nationale finished fourth in their section with only four wins from 10 outings. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, fresh from scoring in PSG’s 5-0 Champions-League final rout of Inter Milan and a 12th-place Ballon d’Or finish, will also be absent after Georgia collected a solitary victory – 3-0 over Bulgaria – and three points from six qualifiers in a section shared with Spain and Turkey. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, 26 goals for club and country this season, saw his side draw five of 10 group games and then lose on penalties to DR Congo after he had already been withdrawn, extending the Super Eagles’ wait for a World-Cup return. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, who rifled in 12 long-range goals for Liverpool this term, was left to rue a stoppage-time collapse against the Republic of Ireland that flipped a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 defeat and cost his nation a play-off berth. They will be joined on the sidelines by a host of established names: goalkeeper Jan Oblak (Slovenia), left-back Milos Kerkez (Hungary), centre-half Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia), defender Willi Orban (Hungary), full-back Ola Aina (Nigeria), midfielder Sandro Tonali (Italy) and winger Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon). When 48 teams begin the chase for the trophy this summer, the tournament will shine without some of the game’s most decorated performers.

New York – The expanded 48-team World Cup threw up an instant headline-maker on 5 December, as five-time champions Brazil were paired with Morocco, Scotland and debutants Haiti in Group C of the 2026 finals. Brazil arrive in North America under new leadership after a turbulent South American qualifying cycle that saw the Selecao finish fifth, their lowest position since the competition went to a round-robin format. Italian Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in May 2025, has stabilised the squad and built the attack around 18-year-old Chelsea prodigy Estevao, whose five goals in 11 caps already lead the Ancelotti era. Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior remains the box-office name, while Rodrygo, Raphinha, Gabriel Magalhaes, Eder Militao, Marquinhos and Alisson provide a spine that still dreams of a record-extending sixth title. The lingering question for supporters is whether Neymar, battling fitness issues, will earn a final World Cup bow. Morocco, fresh from their history-making fourth-place finish in Qatar 2022, enter their third consecutive finals as Africa’s first qualified side after topping CAF Group E with a 5-0 demolition of Niger last September. Coach Walid Regragui’s squad blends continental veterans with Europe-based stars and carries the added motivation of previewing the style that will greet the world when Morocco co-hosts the 2030 tournament. The Atlas Lions have already added a controversial Africa Cup of Nations crown on home soil to their CV and believe the current generation can push beyond the fairytale run of 2022. Scotland ended a 28-year World Cup exile in the most cinematic fashion imaginable, overturning Denmark 4-2 in November thanks to two stoppage-time goals, the last a Kenny McLean chip from the halfway line. Steve Clarke, now the nation’s longest-serving and most successful manager, will attempt to steer the Tartan Army past the group stage for the first time in 11 major-tournament appearances. Scott McTominay, John McGinn and captain Andy Robertson headline a pragmatic squad that has also introduced teenagers such as Ben Gannon-Doak. Haiti, ranked second-lowest among confirmed qualifiers, make only their second World Cup appearance and first since 1974. Political instability has forced the French-speaking nation to stage home fixtures in Curacao, and French-born coach Sebastien Migne—who has never visited Haiti—will rely on a roster heavy on diaspora talent simply looking to savour the global spotlight. Tournament structure dictates that the Group C winner enters the bottom half of the Round-of-32 bracket against the runner-up from Group F, while the second-place side faces the Group F winner on the top half. A third-place finish could still offer passage to the knockout phase as one of eight best third-placed teams, with opponents determined once all pools conclude. Full Group C schedule (subject to FIFA confirmation, all times local) Matchday 1 Brazil v Haiti – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford Morocco v Scotland – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Matchday 2 Brazil v Morocco – Rose Bowl, Pasadena Scotland v Haiti – BC Place, Vancouver Matchday 3 Scotland v Brazil – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Haiti v Morocco – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City DraftKings odds installed Brazil as heavy favourites to win the group, with Morocco and Scotland expected to duel for second. Haiti are long-shots to collect a point, but in a 48-team event ripe for shocks, the Caribbean side have nothing to lose and a continent behind them. With 104 matches spread across 16 cities, Group C offers an immediate litmus test for three football cultures chasing contrasting ambitions—and one fairytale looking to extend beyond the opening chapter.