The Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after Axel Tuanzebe netted an extra-time winner to see off Jamaica 1-0 in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday.
Former England under-21 international Tuanzebe bundled the ball over the line from a corner in the 100th minute but was made to wait for more than a minute while it was checked for a possible handball before being confirmed as a goal.
It was as much as the Congolese deserved having dominated a fast-flowing match with few clear chances at Estadio Guadalajara – one of three Mexican venues for the June 11 to July 19 World Cup which is also being co-hosted by the U.S. and Canada.
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“We’re happy, we’re really delighted,” said striker Cedric Bakambu after his team grabbed the second-last available slot at the tournament.
“Right now, I don’t think we fully realise it yet, but when we get back to Kinshasa, it’s going to be crazy … congratulations to my teammates and to all Congolese people around the world.”
It is the second time DR Congo have qualified for the finals after their initial appearance 52 years ago when the country was known as Zaire.
They are the 10th African country to have qualified and will compete in Group K against Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.
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In other playoffs on Tuesday, Iraq defeated Bolivia to book a place in the same group as France, while Italy missed out on a third successive World Cup after losing a penalty shoot-out against Bosnia.
Jamaica were on the back foot for much of the first 45 minutes but after veteran goalkeeper Andrew Blake made a sharp save to deny Bakambu at the start of the second half the ‘Reggae Boyz’ enjoyed their best spell of the match.
Leon Bailey had their best opportunity in the 67th minute but put his diving header wide after getting on the end of a cross from Tyreece Campbell.
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The Congolese regained control in the final 10 minutes and after both Theo Bongonda and Edo Kayembe had gone close they thought they had secured victory in the 85th minute butthe goal was ruled out for offside.
Blake then had to make another smart stop, this time from an audacious backheel from Bakambu after Yoane Wissa’s dribbling had set up a half-chance just metres out.
The pressure continued in extra time and despite some stout defending Jamaica eventually conceded from a corner, with Tuanzebe netting his first international goal.
“It’s very frustrating to lose like that, very frustrating,” said Jamaica striker Ephron Mason-Clark.
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“It’s tournament football – we’re just lacking a goal, that’s all. Right now, it’s difficult to take any positives from this experience …”
Nine minutes from the end, Argentine referee Facundo Tello pulled up with cramp and had to be replaced by fourth official Dario Herrera.
Jamaica were playing a second game in five days after beating New Caledonia 1-0 last Thursday in their semi-final tie, also in Guadalajara. DR Congo’s higher FIFA ranking meant they were seeded straight into Tuesday’s decider.
On one of the last days of March, Germany play Ghana in the final international break before World Cup preparations begin. Many fans started their journey first thing in the morning, including Dennis and Kai.
The two friends from the north of Germany put on their kits and boarded the train early, keen to support the team in person that evening in Stuttgart.
For Dennis in particular, trips like this are routine; he has been following the national team since 2015, and the 40-year-old has hardly missed a game since. Kai has been a regular since Euro 2024 on home soil.
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“Wearing the eagle on your chest and singing the national anthem is something special,” Dennis told DW. “You always meet up with other fans, travel to tournaments — it always gives you goosebumps.”
The two are what are known as regulars, fans who accompany the team to every match — wherever the location.
The buzz before the tournament
No wonder, then, that the upcoming FIFA World Cup is firmly marked in their calendars.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Kai, his eyes lighting up as he speaks. “I want to soak up everything that’s going on in the cities. Dennis has always talked so much about it.”
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The anticipation begins long before the tournament, added his mate Dennis: “The excitement starts two years in advance; you start saving up and thinking about what the trip might look like.”
Both have already bought tickets for Germany’s group games, and their itinerary is all planned out. They’re really looking forward to it, and the current political situation in the United States isn’t dampening their spirits.
“Politics should really stay out of sport. Sport is meant to build bridges and bring people together, but politics often likes to exploit tournaments like this,” said Dennis.
How big will Germany’s support be in the USA?Image: Maximilian Koch/picture alliance
Löw warns against traveling
Not everyone is as relaxed, though. Most recently, former Germany head coach Joachim Löw warned against traveling to North America.
“We had debates even before the 2018 World Cup in Russia and calls for a boycott ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But playing in a country that is currently actively at war is even more dangerous,” warned Löw at an event in Cologne.
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Löw, who led Germany to victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, was referring to the policies of US President Donald Trump, who started war with Iran at the end of February. On top of this, operations by immigration agency ICE and other geopolitical conflicts are causing unrest and uncertainty. The political situation is “completely overshadowing the tournament,” said Löw.
Green party politician worried about personal freedom
There has also been, and continues to be, strong criticism from the political sphere.
“What FIFA is organising there together with Donald Trump is not something that makes my heart beat faster,” Green Party politician and human rights activist Boris Mijatovic told DW.
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Green party politician Boris Mijatovic has warned against traveling to the USA this summerImage: dts-Agentur/picture alliance
“The disclosure of personal data, such as email addresses, mobile phones, computers or social media accounts, should not be ignored. These are all infringements on personal freedom that I would not tolerate,” Mijatovic said. “A state that snoops into your privacy in this way should not be rewarded with a visit.”
Mijatovic also fears further “bizarre moments of vicarious embarrassment” such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino presenting the newly created FIFA Peace Prize to Trump during the World Cup draw.
“I find it utterly grotesque the way one has to pay homage to this president to win his favor. This applies just as much to Gianni Infantino as it does to [German] Chancellor Friedrich Merz,” added the politician, including DFB German FA President Bernd Neuendorf in his criticism.
Mijatovic feels there is a lack of courage to voice criticism of FIFA.
“I miss that stance,” he said. “What we once built, with respect and fair play, has gone down the drain.”
For Germany fan Bengt Kunkel this year’s World Cup will be one he watches on television at home rather than in person. Kunkel, who has worked hard to generate a great atmosphere at Germany games for several years, will not be traveling to the US.Bengt Kunkel (center) was one of many fans cheering at Germany games at Euro 2024Image: Matthias Koch/picture alliance
“I take a very critical view of the World Cup,” he said. Trump is a huge problem, he added, because he is trying to make the World Cup his own and exploit it for his political agenda.
“On top of that, there are the restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression, plus FIFA’s political pandering in awarding the Peace Prize to Donald Trump,” said Kunkel, who is also critical of the cost to fans.
“We worked out that for the group stage alone, we would probably have had to spend between €5,000 and €8,000 ($5,800-$9,280),” explained the Germany fan. “This isn’t a fan-friendly tournament. Nothing about this World Cup appeals to me, so it was clear I wouldn’t be going.”
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The stricter entry requirements for fans are also a cause for concern for the 27-year-old.
“When it comes to saying, ‘we’re going to check all social media activity of people wanting to enter the US and see if anyone has liked or posted anything against Donald Trump,’ then that has nothing to do with inviting the world into your home and wanting to celebrate a football festival.”
Germany fans are hopeful the country can seal their fifth star at the 2026 World CupImage: Matthias Schrader/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
Can the team win the World Cup together?
Kunkel knows that the 2026 World Cup is currently dividing fans.
“But I understand anyone who goes there,” said Kunkel, adding that he does not believe a boycott is the answer.
“It has to be OK to support the national team, despite everything. So let’s just make the best of it and have a brilliant World Cup summer.”
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Even Dennis and Kai admit it’s “not a fan-friendly World Cup.” Nevertheless, they’re confident that the US will ensure everyone’s safety and that it will be a fantastic football festival.
“We want to become world champions,” Dennis said. “We have to be a team and act as a team, and if we fans stand behind the team, we can go a long way.”
The Nigeria national football team have remained in 26th place in the latest men’s world ranking released by FIFA on Wednesday.
The team, led by Éric Chelle, played two matches in March. They recorded a 2-1 win over Iran national football team and later settled for a 2-2 draw against Jordan national football team.
Despite their results, the Super Eagles remain the third highest ranked team in Africa. Morocco national football team are still the continent’s top side in 8th place, followed by Senegal national football team in 14th.
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Algeria national football team and Egypt national football team complete the top five teams in Africa.
At the global level, France national football team have moved to the top of the ranking, replacing Spain national football team.
The next FIFA men’s world ranking is expected to be released on June 10, 2026.
Ghana lost 2-1 to Germany in a friendly match in Stuttgart. Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 18 against Panama, before facing England and Croatia.
The final piece of the FIFA World Cup puzzle has fallen into place for Canada.
Bosnia and Herzegovina upset Italy on Tuesday in a European playoff to clinch a berth at this summer’s tournament, marking its return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.
Canada already knew it would be hosting Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at BC Place in Vancouver in Group B action at the World Cup. Bosnia’s victory over the Italians means Canada will face them in its group stage opener on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto.
What kind of team is Bosnia? What should Canada expect from their Balkan nation?
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Here’s a look at Canada’s first opponent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nickname: Zmajevi (The Dragons) FIFA world ranking: No. 65 All-time caps leader: Edin Džeko (148) All-time to scorer: Edin Džeko (73) Current coach: Sergej Barbarez
How Bosnia qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Bosnia posted a 5-2-1 record during the first round, finishing behind Group H winners Austria and beating out Romania for second place, and a spot in Path A of the European Playoffs.
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Down 1-0 against Wales in Cardiff, Bosnia was on the verge of elimination when Edin Džeko scored a late equalizer. After a goalless extra time, Bosnia completed the comeback, winning 4-2 on penalties.
The Bosnians trailed 10-man Italy by a goal in the finale of the Path A playoffs before drawing level and then winning 4-1 on penalties to send the hometown fans at Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium into a state of delirium.
Bosnia’s World Cup history
Bosnia competed at the World Cup as part of Yugoslavia from 1930 to 1990. The breakup of the country saw Bosnia become an independent country that first took part in World Cup qualifying for the 1998 tournament in France.
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After four failed attempts, the Bosnians qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2014 in Brazil, where they bowed out in the group stage.
The Dragons will be back at the World Cup this summer for the first time in 12 years after failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022.
Scouting report on Bosnia
Canada’s opening match will be a tricky one, considering the form that Bosnia and Herzegovina have been on — seven wins, three draws and only two losses since March 2025. This is also a team that can score and is hard to break down, with 24 goals scored and three clean sheets in that same period.
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Although Bosnia has deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation at times, coach Sergej Barbarez tends to rely on a traditional 4-4-2 setup with forward Ermedin Demirović forming an attacking partnership up top with Džeko.
Key to Bosnia’s attacking success are wingbacks Amar Memić and Esmir Bajraktarević, who prefer to deliver dangerous crosses into the penalty area, rather than cutting into the middle off the wing. Typically, Memić and Bajraktarević look to penetrate deep before crossing into the box, where one striker attacks the near post and the other goes towards the back post, thus making life difficult for opposing defenders.
Džeko provides a tall target man (he stands six-feet-four) and is renowned for winning his aerial battles against opposing centre backs. Most of Bosnia’s best scoring chances come off Džeko’s attempts on goal or from his headed passes. How Canadian centre backs Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius deal with the Bosnian dangerman will be one of the more important tactical questions that Jesse Marsch’s side will have to answer.
It’ll also be important for Canada to shut down Memić and Bajraktarević and prevent them from supplying crosses into the box. Bosnia is also dangerous from set pieces, so Canada would be well advised to limit the number of fouls they commit in and around the box.
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Bosnia’s major weakness is its lack of experience. Džeko has 148 caps for his country, but only three other players on the squad who took part in this month’s pair of qualifying matches have played in 30 games for their country. The overwhelming majority of players on the roster have fewer than 20 caps. That lack of experience often leads to inconsistent performances across 90 minutes.
And while Džeko is an experienced campaigner who is capable of conjuring a magical moment, the team is far too reliant on him; it lacks variation in its attacking play and fails to provide consistent support for the veteran striker.
Most recognizable name on Bosnia’s team
At 40 years of age, Edin Džeko is still going strong for Bosnia.
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The veteran striker was his country’s top scorer during European qualifying with six goals, accounting for over one-third of his country’s offence.
Džeko has a wealth of experience at international and club level, having previously turned out for some of Europe’s top outfits, including Manchester City and Inter Milan. He’s currently playing for FC Schalke 04 in Germany’s second division.
What Canada is saying about Bosnia
“Their players grew up in a war-torn country, and a lot of them were lucky to escape, found their ways to different countries. I coached Amar Dedić (at Red Bull Salzburg) — his family moved to Austria and had to find a new life there,” said head coach Jesse Marsch. “So, these players have been through a lot in life, and I think it really served them well in the (European playoffs) where they were in difficult situations.
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“I have a lot of respect for what Bosnia has achieved, what those people have been through, what those players have been through, and I’m happy for them to be at the World Cup. I know we’re in for a really difficult first match.”
Midfielder Ismaël Koné added that “to be fair, Bosnia is a very good team. I didn’t know this was their level. I’m very surprised Italy didn’t go through. I thought with the experience they have, with the high-quality players they have, by now, after missing two World Cups, they would be here, but you know, it’s football.”
Winger Liam Miller noted that while watching the game against Italy, “you could tell Bosnia were a good team. They had more passes, obviously. I know Italy had a red card. But even before Italy got their red card, I felt like (Bosnia) were the better team in the game. So, they’re a good team. We can’t underestimate them. They’re going to come here with energy.”
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau echoed those sentiments, saying “Bosnia was pretty much the team that was most in form (in Path A) of the four that could have been a possibility (for Canada). It’s going to be a very tough opponent.”
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Editor’s note
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
Famed for his willingness to fight and his desperation for legacy, Terence Crawford retired as an undefeated pound-for-pound great just a few months ago.
However, when reflecting on his career, there is one opponent whom ‘Bud’ wishes he could have fought.
Crawford became boxing’s third four-belt undisputed champion when he trumped Julius Indongo to take control of all four titles back in August 2017, before repeating the feat up at welterweight six years later with a dominant beatdown of Errol Spence Jr.
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Last September, Crawford then made the sizeable jump up to super-middleweight, where he dethroned long-reigning 168lb superstar Canelo Alvarez to become the first three-division undisputed titleholder since Henry Armstrong in 1938.
Soon after, the Omaha operator announced his retirement from the sport, hanging up the gloves with a record of 42-0 at the age of 38 years old.
Despite all of his success, Crawford admitted that the man he most wishes he could have fought is boxing’s only eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, in a clip captured by Jai McAllister.
“Pacquiao, for sure. 1000%.
Man, I tried to fight Pacquiao for [so long]. That was a fight that I was chasing for years, since I was 140lbs.
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“To see him fight [Adrien] Broner, Tim Bradley, Keith Thurman and all of those fights. I was like, man, what is going on. These guys is not [on my level].
“I am [up] here, [on a level above,] and he was fighting these guys. I just couldn’t understand it.”
While Crawford has retired, Pacquiao remains active, still competing at 47.
The 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins Wednesday morning with the first round at Champions Retreat in Georgia. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Wednesday, including full Augusta National Women’s Amateur TV coverage, streaming info and Round 1 tee times.
How to watch ANWA on Wednesday
American amateur star Asterisk Talley is only 17 years old, but she’s already become a fixture at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. First, she finished 8th in her ANWA debut in 2024. Then last year, Talley came oh-so-close to claiming the title, finishing one shot short of 2025 ANWA champion Carla Bernat Escuder.
Now ranked No. 10 in the women’s world amateur ranking, Talley is hoping this week’s event sees her finally lift the tophy on Saturday at Augusta National.
But first, Talley and the rest of the 72-player field, which features two former Augusta National Women’s Amateur winners, have to contest the first and second rounds at Champions Retreat to earn the right to compete at Augusta this weekend.
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And the action gets started Wednesday morning with Round 1.
You can watch the first round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on TV via Golf Channel, which will air coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. You can also watch a live simulcast Golf Channel’s TV coverage via ANWA.com.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
How to watch on TV Wednesday
Golf Channel will air first-round TV coverage of the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET.
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How to stream online Wednesday
You can stream the first round of the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur via Peacock and ANWA.com, both of which will offer live simulcasts of Golf Channel’s Wednesday TV coverage.
2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Round 1 tee times for Wednesday (ET)
Tee No. 1
8:00 a.m. – Brooke Biermann, Ai Goto, Emily Odwin 8:12 a.m. – Rocio Tejedo, Catherine Rao, Charlotte Back 8:23 a.m. – Grace Kilcrease, Vanessa Borovilos, Yurina Hiroyoshi 8:35 a.m. – Huai-Chien Hsu, Catherine Park, Dianna Lee 8:46 a.m. – Nikki Oh, Raegan Denton, Elise Lee 8:58 a.m. – Seojin Park, Mackenzie Lee, Clarisa Temelo 9:09 a.m. – Prim Prachnakorn, Sara Brentcheneff, Chloe Kovelesky 9:21 a.m. – Amanda Sambach, Arianna Lau, Elizabeth Rudisill 9:32 a.m. – Marie Eline Madsen, Jasmine Koo, Camille Min-Gaultier 9:44 a.m. – Kiara Romero, Andrea Revuelta, Eila Galitsky 9:55 a.m. – Soomin Oh, Rianne Malixi, Megha Ganne 10:07 a.m. – Tsubasa Kajitani, Lily Reitter, Reagan Zibilski
Tee No. 10
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8:00 a.m. – Andie Smith, Eunseo Choi, Aira Nagasawa 8:12 a.m. – Paula Martin Sampedro, Maria Jose Marin, Anna Davis 8:23 a.m. – Patience Rhodes, Asterisk Talley, Aphrodite Deng 8:35 a.m. – Megan Streicher, Megan Propeck, Kary Hollenbaugh 8:46 a.m. – Avery Weed, Veronika Kedronova, Beth Coulter 8:58 a.m. – Louise Landgraf, Karen Tsuru, Katelyn Kong 9:09 a.m. – Bailey Shoemaker, Gyubeen Kim, Amelie Zalsman 9:21 a.m. – Anna Fang, Anna Iwanaga, Ava Merrill 9:32 a.m. – Ashley Yun, Macy Pate, Yunseo Yang 9:44 a.m. – Meja Örtengren, Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio, Farah O’Keefe 9:55 a.m. – Scarlett Schremmer, Lauren Kim, Yujie Liu 10:07 a.m. – Kyra Ly, Achiraya Sriwong, Kelly Xu
Arslanbek Makhmudov has the chance to re-establish his reputation as a man to avoid in the heavyweight division as he takes on two-time world champion Tyson Fury next weekend. After a successful training camp, his coach Marc Ramsay believes the Russian is well prepared to pull off the upset.
An amateur standout with fearsome punching power, Makhmudov had been recognised as something of a divisional boogeyman throughout much of his professional career, with many heavyweight rivals unwilling to risk a fight with the Mozdok-born contender.
That changed in December 2023, when the previously overlooked Agit Kabayel produced a stunning stoppage win in Riyadh to hand Makhmudov his first career defeat. Makhmudov bounced back with another early finish, but was then halted by Guido Vianello in August 2024 – a loss which led many to question his standing in the division.
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Since then, Makhmudov has had a point to prove, looking to show that those defeats were setbacks rather than a sign of decline, and that he remains a dangerous contender at the top level.
Recent victories over Ricardo Brown (TKO 1) and Dave Allen (UD) are his only consecutive wins since suffering that first defeat and, ahead of a fight with Fury – who returns from a 16-month retirement – Makhmudov appears to have regained his confidence.
Speaking exclusively to Boxing News, head trainer Marc Ramsay admitted that the opportunity to face ‘The Gypsy King’ came as a surprise, but one that the 36-year-old simply had to take.
“Everything is going very good. We have had a very good training camp here in Montreal, lots of different sparring partners and a lot of challenges. To be honest, this is a fun fight for us, it is a fight that we didn’t expect at all.
“We are going there to challenge, we have no pressure, nothing to lose, just everything to gain. We can feel an atmosphere in the training camp, we are enjoying this moment.”
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“We have already fought good boxers, but after the last win with Arslanbek, we created a little bit of publicity. We didn’t expect a fight like this. They offered us the fight and it was a no-brainer for us – especially with the age of Arslanbek, we want to go and try for real.”
Ramsay also noted a renewed sense of motivation in camp.
“The motivation is better. Arslanbek always has a good work ethic but you can feel that extra push from the team and from the boxer.”
Continuing, Ramsay highlighted that the fight with Allen was ideal preparation for this clash with Fury, allowing Makhmudov to experience being the away fighter and deal with a hostile and vocal UK crowd.
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“That Dave Allen fight was a really good experience and I found that as a coach myself. You can talk about the feeling of the crowd in the U.K., but you have to live it to understand exactly what it is and how passionate the fans are.
“To go there, to win there, to feel the atmosphere was fantastic. We understand that there is going to be a big crowd again, but it is about preparing the boxer mentally for those things.”
“[It was also] the first time reaching 12 rounds. We focused a lot on that in sparring during training camp. Even for 10-round fights in the past, we always prepare for 12.
“But to do that in the gym every day and to do it in competition are two different things and I am very happy that he has had that experience before we go into this kind of fight.”
Preparing for Tyson Fury, however, brings its own challenges. Standing at 6’9” with a unique style, the Brit is difficult to replicate in sparring, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding his form after a lengthy lay-off.
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Ramsay explained that the approach has been to break Fury down into individual attributes and replicate them collectively in camp.
“You cannot find sparring partners who are going to be that good – Fury is at the top of the division. What you need to do is isolate a little bit of the technique he brings, a little bit of the size, and with a couple of sparring partners you can work on those qualities. That is the way to prepare for this kind of challenge.
“He could be a little bit rusty, but we have to prepare for the best version of Tyson Fury that we have seen. We have looked at almost all of his fights as a professional and we expect him to show his quality.
“He already looks leaner than he did for his fights with Ngannou and Usyk, so I believe he will show up in good shape and we are prepared for him.”
Despite Fury reportedly training himself for his return, Ramsay has no issue with that approach.
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“I have no problem with that. A lot of people speak against it, but with the experience he has, he knows what he is doing.
“Sometimes we overanalyse the role of a coach. Of course, he will have people around him to help with certain things, but we are focused on what we are doing here in Montreal, not on what he is doing.”
For the fight itself, many believe Makhmudov’s best chance lies in his power, particularly early on. Seventeen of his 19 knockouts have come inside the opening three rounds, and Fury could be vulnerable before settling into the contest.
Ramsay, however, insists that Makhmudov’s power will be present throughout.
“Arslanbek can carry his power deep into the fight. He can generate it early, but also in rounds eight, nine, ten – it is not a problem.
“He has the experience to manage things round by round, but at some point we are looking to land that shot – and we have plenty of time to do it in a 12-round fight.”
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Team Makhmudov will travel to London this weekend as they prepare for the opportunity of a lifetime, hoping to make a major statement in the heavyweight division – and force further questions about Fury’s future in the sport.
NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant endured a frustrating start to his opening experiment as Lucknow Super Giants took on Delhi Capitals in their first IPL 2026 clash on Wednesday, with a bizarre run-out cutting short his innings.The incident unfolded in the third over when Mukesh Kumar delivered a full ball that Mitchell Marsh struck firmly back towards the bowler. Mukesh got a fingertip to the ball in his follow-through, inadvertently deflecting it onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
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Angkrish Raghuvanshi focused only on team’s wins
Pant, who had backed up too far, was caught well short of his crease with no chance of recovery. Visibly disappointed, he walked off without waiting for the third umpire’s confirmation after scoring 7 off 9 balls.Watch:Pant’s early dismissal dealt a blow to LSG’s strategy, as the team had opted to promote him to the top in a bold tactical move. The wicket also validated Delhi’s decision to bowl first after Axar Patel won the toss, expecting assistance from the fresh surface.Earlier, Axar explained the call, citing potential help for bowlers in the powerplay despite data favouring teams batting first. Delhi fielded a balanced XI featuring the likes of KL Rahul, David Miller and Kuldeep Yadav, while LSG relied on a strong overseas core including Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Anrich Nortje.Adding to the talking points, Arjun Tendulkar remained absent from both the playing XI and the bench despite being part of LSG’s squad this season.With Pant’s gamble backfiring early, the contest quickly tilted in Delhi’s favour in the opening exchanges.
LSG vs DC Playing XI
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Prince YadavLucknow Super Giants Impact subs: Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akshat RaghuvanshiDelhi Capitals (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi,Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh KumarDelhi Capitals Impact subs: Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Sameer Rizvi, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been under immense pressure this season. He said that the winger has struggled, partially because of being the captain.
Saka has been a key player for the Gunners since graduating from their academy. The 24-year-old has made 305 senior appearances for them, scoring 79 goals and providing 78 assists. However, he’s struggled this season with nine goals and seven assists in 42 games.
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Wayne Rooney believes it could be because Saka is under pressure to deliver Arsenal their first major trophy since 2020. He said on the BBC (h/t Metro):
“Do you know what? You need to look at the pressure on Bukayo Saka, especially as he’s been captain for a lot of the season with Martin Odegaard being injured. That pressure to win trophies, given where Arsenal have been, that can tally up and make it difficult for you.”
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“He has struggled this season but he’s a fantastic player and he’s been brilliant. He’s played a lot of games as well in his career. I think we all know there’s more there,” he added.
Odegaard has played 27 games across competitions for the Gunners this season, with Saka being the captain in his absence.
Pundit backs Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to start for England at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Bukayo Saka’s struggles this season have also translated to his performances at the international level. He has one goal and one assist in the last three games for England. He didn’t feature in their friendlies this month.
Hence, there is speculation about his place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Alan Smith believes the Arsenal man will beat competition on the right wing to start for the Three Lions, saying (h/t Metro):
“It’s not been the best, has it, for him? He’s set such high standards. But he’s always done well for England. He knows what it’s about. He’s got great tournament experience and he’s done well in tournaments.”
“So it would take a lot I think for Tuchel to drop him. Plus the fact he hasn’t really got anybody you’d say, oh no, he should be in ahead of him. Jarrod Bowen plays on the right. Noni Madueke, his clubmate. But I still think Saka’s in the box seat comfortably, really,” he added.
Overall, the Arsenal winger has scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in 48 games for England.
Italy will miss out on a third straight World Cup after falling to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Tuesday’s breathless qualification play-off final, the Azzurri blowing their chance to reach this summer’s tournament in North America with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat.
Esmir Bajraktarevic shot the winning spot-kick in Zenica where the Bosnians booked a place in Group B and matches against co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, and plunged Italy into a new nightmare.
Four-time world champions, Italy took the lead through Moise Kean in the 15th minute but then folded under the weight of expectation at the Bilino Polje Stadium after having to play most of the match with 10 men.
Italy were already firmly on the back foot when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for chopping down Amar Memic four minutes before half-time, and Haris Tabakovic poked home Bosnia’s deserved leveller in the 79th minute to take the match to extra time.
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And the horror show continued in the subsequent shoot-out, with Pio Esposito smashing Italy’s first penalty over the goal, and when Bryan Cristante hit the bar and Bajraktarevic squeezed his effort under Gianluigi Donnarumma, the game was up.
“I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow, for the performance, the effort and the heart that they showed tonight… I’m proud of the boys,” said a visibly shaken Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Gattuso added that talking about his future “wasn’t important” but Gabriele Gravina, the head of the Italian Football Federation, later told reporters he had asked Gattuso to stay on as coach and he would not being resigning from his position.
Italy are the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament, and it was also a third straight elimination in the play-offs after Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia four years ago.
Bosnia meanwhile reached their second World Cup finals, and first since 2014, in front of a passionate crowd which invaded the pitch after a historic victory.
“They’re guys with character. We have guys we’re proud of,” said Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez.
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“I’ve told them that we have to go to a tournament every two years.”
Some Italy players were filmed celebrating when Bosnia won their semi-final – again on penalties – against Wales.
Sorry Italy
Italy looked nervy in the opening exchanges but were given a helping hand in opening the scoring by Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who under pressure from Mateo Retegui passed the ball straight to Nicolo Barella.
The Inter Milan midfielder offloaded to Kean who confidently curled home his eighth goal in six international appearances from the edge of the penalty area.
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Bosnia reacted well to going behind, continuing to harry Italy and force mistakes on a bobbly pitch, and Ermedin Demirovic glanced a header inches wide in the 38th minute.
And the already rowdy home fans smelled blood when Bastoni was given his marching orders for his horrendous challenge, the Inter defender arriving late on Memic and giving referee Clement Turpin no choice but to show him a straight red card.
A man down and with a slender lead to protect, Gattuso brought on Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti for Retegui and set his team up to soak up the waves of Bosnia pressure which came after the break.
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Donnarumma had to be alert to punch away Kerim Alajbegovic’s powerful drive in the 52nd minute, but Kean wasted a golden chance to double Italy’s lead on the hour mark when he pounced on Memic’s sloppy pass and charged towards goal only to smash his shot over the bar.
And after Esposito and Dimarco failed to make the most of presentable shooting opportunities, substitute Tabakovic sparked wild celebrations after Edin Dzeko’s header was clawed off the line by Donnarumma.
Another superb Donnarumma save from Demirovic’s header kept Italy level and extra time was equally tense, with the Italians furious that Tarik Muharemovic was not sent off for taking out Marco Palestra as the Cagliari defender burst towards goal.
But that won’t be much of an excuse after another sorry effort to reach the World Cup ended in dismal fashion in the shoot-out.
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