Carlo Ancelotti’s first Brazil World Cup squad has already sparked major debate after Neymar was included ahead of João Pedro following late fitness concerns surrounding the Santos star.

According to reports in Brazil, Ancelotti reportedly prepared two separate squad lists before making his final decision — one including Neymar, and another featuring João Pedro instead.

The uncertainty emerged after Neymar reportedly felt discomfort in his calf during Santos’ recent match, forcing Brazil’s medical staff to carry out further examinations before the final squad announcement.

Despite the concerns, Ancelotti ultimately decided Neymar would travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision immediately divided supporters across social media.

While many fans insisted Neymar’s experience, leadership, and legendary status made him impossible to leave out, others argued João Pedro had been Brazil’s best-performing attacker this season based on form, consistency, and overall numbers.

Neymar Still Carries Brazil’s Trust

Ancelotti strongly defended Neymar’s inclusion in the squad, insisting the forward remains one of Brazil’s most important players heading into the tournament.

“We spent the entire year analyzing Neymar,” Ancelotti said during the squad announcement.

“We realized that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition.”

The Brazil manager also described Neymar as a player who “will be important for us at the World Cup.”

Neymar’s recall represents another opportunity for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star to finally deliver World Cup glory for Brazil after several injury-disrupted international tournaments.

Now 34, Neymar remains one of the defining figures in Brazilian football history.

Brazil may no longer depend entirely on Neymar on the pitch, but emotionally, the Seleção still revolves around him.

João Pedro’s Omission Sparked Huge Debate

One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement was the omission of João Pedro.

The Brazilian forward later released an emotional statement following the decision.

“I tried to give my best at all times. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be,” João Pedro said.

“Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home.”

Ancelotti also admitted sympathy for players who narrowly missed out on selection.

“I am sad for players who have been left out, like João Pedro. They will have chances in the future,” the Brazil manager said.

The reaction online was immediate.

Many supporters questioned whether Brazil had prioritized legacy and trust over current form, with João Pedro widely viewed by some fans as Brazil’s most productive attacker this season.

Statistically, many supporters believed João Pedro had earned his place more than several forwards selected ahead of him.

Neymar’s Fitness Scare Added Last-Minute Drama

Reports from Brazil claim Ancelotti had already planned to take Neymar to the World Cup before concerns emerged over the seriousness of the forward’s calf discomfort.

Brazil’s football department reportedly kept both squad versions ready until the final moment, with João Pedro effectively becoming Neymar’s direct alternative.

The situation reportedly created tension inside the Brazil camp before positive medical feedback ultimately convinced Ancelotti to keep Neymar in the final squad.

That detail has only intensified debate around the final selection.

Brazil’s Full 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Alisson Becker — Liverpool

Ederson — Fenerbahce

Weverton — Palmeiras

Defenders

Alex Sandro — Flamengo

Gleison Bremer — Juventus

Danilo — Flamengo

Douglas Santos — Zenit Saint Petersburg

Gabriel Magalhaes — Arsenal

Ibanez — Al Ahli

Leo Pereira — Flamengo

Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain

Wesley — Roma

Midfielders

Casemiro — Manchester United

Bruno Guimaraes — Newcastle United

Fabinho — Al Ittihad

Lucas Paqueta — Flamengo

Danilo Santos — Botafogo

Attackers

Endrick — Olympique Lyonnais (on loan from Real Madrid)

Gabriel Martinelli — Arsenal

Igor Thiago — Brentford

Luiz Henrique — Zenit Saint Petersburg

Matheus Cunha — Manchester United

Neymar — Santos

Raphinha — Barcelona

Vinicius Junior — Real Madrid

Rayan — AFC Bournemouth

Brazil Head Into Another World Cup Under Huge Pressure

Brazil’s squad reflects Ancelotti’s attempt to balance legacy, leadership, experience, and emerging talent as the Seleção chase their first World Cup title since 2002.

With Neymar returning, Vinicius Junior entering his prime, and Endrick viewed as one of football’s brightest young stars, expectations around Brazil will once again be enormous.

But if Brazil struggle in attack during the tournament, questions surrounding João Pedro’s omission may continue following Ancelotti throughout the competition.

Few players in NBA history have entered the league with as much hype as Victor Wembanyama. And somehow, some way, the giant Frenchman continues to exceed even the wildest expectations. 

Late on Monday night, Wembanyama authored one of the finest playoff performances we’ve ever seen to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 122-115 double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in an instant classic in Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals. 

This was the first double-overtime game in the Western Conference Finals since 1976, and Wembanyama finished with 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and three blocks on 14 of 25 from the field in 49 minutes to become the youngest player in NBA history to record a 40-point, 20-rebound game in the playoffs. 

“Just like, sheer willpower,” Wembanyama said of his performance during his walk-off interview. “Everything was going really fast tonight. I guess I was — I wasn’t really thinking.” 

Wembanyama set new playoff career-highs in scoring, rebounds and minutes, joined David Robinson as the only players in Spurs history with a 40-point, 20-rebound game in the playoffs, became the first player since Charles Barkley in 1993 to record a 40/20 game in the conference finals, and joined Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players with at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks in the conference finals or later (blocks did not become official until the 1973-74 season). 

40 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks in the conference finals or later

The Thunder had no answer for Wembanyama, who made big play after big play on both ends of the floor all night long. He had a go-ahead bucket in the closing seconds of regulation that looked like it would be the game-winner until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored to force overtime. 

Then, in the first overtime, Wembanyama hit an absurd 27-foot 3-pointer — it seemed even further, but that’s the distance the NBA’s stats site gives — to tie the game with less than 30 seconds to play. And in the second extra frame, Wembanyama scored nine of the Spurs’ 14 points and outscored the Thunder by himself. His and-one dunk over rival Chet Holmgren was the defining play down the stretch. 

Thanks to Wembanyama’s heroics, the Spurs have grabbed a 1-0 lead and stolen home-court advantage from the reigning champions, who had not lost a single game in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Spurs are now just three wins away from their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2014, but the job is far from finished. 

“It might be a long series,” Wembanyama said. “Winning one game means something, but it doesn’t mean everything.”

With an iconic Game 1 in the books, let’s rank Wembanyama’s five best plays

5. An absurd block on J-Dub

Jalen Williams made his return to action in Game 1 after missing the Thunder’s last six games, including the entire second round against the Los Angeles Lakers, with a hamstring strain. He was a bit rusty, as expected, but finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists. 

He easily could have had 28 points if not for an absurd block by Wembanyama on a putback attempt. 

4. A driving dunk to set the tone in double-OT

Everyone was gassed to start the second overtime, and the first few possessions for both teams were sloppy. Wembanyama eventually took matters into his own hands to open the scoring. He caught the ball at the top of the key, pump-faked Cason Wallace out of the way and threw down a huge one-hand jam. 

In terms of a pure highlight, this was far from Wembanyama’s best play of the night, but it was one of his most important moments. The game could have gone either way in the second overtime, and that dunk set the tone for the Spurs to go on and win. 

3. A near game-winner

The Spurs led by double digits early in the fourth quarter, but with De’Aaron Fox sidelined, they struggled to get good looks late in regulation as the Thunder’s defense tightened. Throwing the ball to Wembanyama is usually a good strategy, though, and that’s what they did with less than 30 seconds to play. 

Wembanyama caught the ball near the free-throw line, squared up, dealt with the physicality from Williams and spun his way into an extremely tough runner which rattled around and in. That bucket nearly held up as the game-winner, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup on the other end forced overtime. 

2. Putting Chet on a poster

Victor Wembanyama is not Chet Holmgren’s biggest fan, so it had to feel especially nice when he put the Thunder big man on a poster late in the second overtime. With just under 90 seconds to play, Williams had hit a huge 3 to cut the deficit to one, and the Paycom Center was rocking. 

Wembanyama silenced it 20 seconds later by sealing Alex Caruso, catching a great pass from Dylan Harper and throwing down a huge and-one slam on Holmgren, who tried in vain to come over and help. The three-point play put the Spurs back up by four with a minute left and effectively sealed the game. 

1. A 3 from Steph Curry range

Back in 2016, during the Golden State Warriors‘ record-setting 73-win season, Stephen Curry hit arguably the most iconic shot of his career in Oklahoma City: a 37-foot pull-up 3-pointer in overtime to beat the Thunder in a truly incredible game. The stakes were much higher on Monday, and Wembanyama was a bit closer, but his pull-up 3 late in the first overtime was eerily similar to Curry’s shot. It even came on the same side of the floor. 

After the Spurs had taken a four-point lead in the first overtime, the Thunder ripped off a 7-0 run — capped by a Gilgeous-Alexander dunk — to go ahead by three with less than a minute to play. The Spurs were truly on the ropes, but Wembanyama got them back into the fight with a ridiculous 3 to tie the game. 

If Wembanyama misses that shot, the Spurs almost certainly lose, and every talk show on Tuesday would have been asking why he didn’t go to the basket with so much time remaining. But he hit it, and the Spurs won, and now all those segments will instead be about where this performance ranks all-time, and whether he’s the best player in the world. 

Called up by Carlo Ancelotti, Neymar is set to play in his final World Cup with Brazil. Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City, whilst Benjamin Pavard is set to leave Marseille. The NBA will return to Paris in 2027. 

Suncorp Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 11 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Canterbury Bulldogs
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday May 15, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Where: Suncorp Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview

Canterbury heads into Friday night with a clear blueprint after South Sydney exposed Cronulla’s defensive frailties last week. The Sharks struggled badly through the middle before their right edge unravelled under pressure, an area the Bulldogs will almost certainly target with Matt Burton returning to steer the attack. Burton’s combination with Bronson Xerri could prove decisive if Canterbury can generate quick ruck speed and isolate Cronulla’s edge defenders.

The Bulldogs attack has lacked polish in recent weeks, but Lachlan Galvin’s role through the middle adds another layer to their shape. Craig Fitzgibbon’s side still carries plenty of attacking firepower of its own, though defensive consistency remains the concern. If Canterbury can control possession and turn pressure into repeat opportunities, they look well placed to grind out another close win.

Millions of football fans across India face the prospect of missing next month’s World Cup, as Fifa officials are currently in the country attempting to finalise a broadcast deal.

The global governing body has yet to secure an agreement for the tournament, largely due to significant differences over pricing.

The deadlock means that, with the World Cup kicking off on 11 June, only three weeks remain to establish broadcast infrastructure and sell advertising inventory. This situation contrasts with China, where a broadcasting deal was struck last week, ending a similar standoff.

Sources familiar with Fifa’s plans confirm that media rights executives are in India, though the specifics of their meetings and agenda remain undisclosed. Fifa, in a statement to Reuters, confirmed it has concluded agreements in over 180 territories, adding that discussions in India regarding media rights were ongoing and “must remain confidential at this stage”.

Previous reports indicate that discussions between the Reliance-Disney joint venture, India’s largest media company, and Fifa have stalled. Reliance-Disney joint venture offered $20 million for the Fifa rights. That led to a disagreement because Fifa had initially sought $100 million but was last looking for around $60 million at least, Reuters has reported.

Sony, another major player in the Indian market, has refrained from bidding. The Reliance-Disney venture, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, declined to comment on whether a meeting with Fifa is scheduled.

Despite cricket’s dominance, football boasts a substantial following in India, with approximately 85 million fans compared to cricket’s 492 million, according to a 2024 report by Deloitte and Google.

India accounted for 2.9% of the global linear TV reach during the 2022 World Cup, underscoring the potential audience at stake.

The World Cup will be hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is due to run from 11 June to 19 July.

The opening game will see co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in Mexico City. This will be a repeat of the fixture that got the 2010 World Cup underway.

Thomas Tuchel’s England will play their first game against Croatia in Texas on 17 June, before going on to face Ghana and Panama in the group stage.

After losing two of three to the Milwaukee Brewers on the road, the San Diego Padres arrived in Seattle with an offense that lacked thump, as well as production, from the top of the lineup. With Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Manny Machado scuffling, the rest of the roster carried the team to a sweep of the Mariners and a 28-18 record, a half-game back of the Dodgers in the NL West.

There is not much to say that is new about the problems the three faces of the franchise are experiencing. Over the 18 games from April 27 to May 16, Machado/Tatis/Merrill had a collective .164/.231/.249 batting line. The doubles that Machado and Merrill hit in Sunday’s game were the first extra-base hits they both had in the same game since April 11 (per Kevin Acee in Padres Daily newsletter).

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Here is where the Padres offense stands as of the end of the Mariners series:

Batting average – .224, 30th OBP – .296, 28th SLG – .371, 26th OPS – .667, 28th

It doesn’t make sense that this team is 10 games over .500 and in second place in the NL West, but that is the case. As everyone in sports media keeps saying, this isn’t sustainable. Even manager Craig Stammen acknowledges that to be true.

Lucas Giolito

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller signed right-handed starter Lucas Giolito to a $1.5 million contract for 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout for 2027 and escalators that could net him an additional $5 million. He signed on April 22 and his contract guaranteed a promotion to the major league team by May 16. He had two starts in Single-A and two starts in Double-A before debuted with the Padres on Sunday against the Mariners. After pitching five shutout innings with one hit allowed, Giolito sat for a prolonged half-inning while his teammates put up five runs in the top of the sixth inning.

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In the bottom of the sixth, he was not the same guy. After walking three straight hitters, he was removed from the game and was then charged with the three runs scored by the Mariners after his departure. Giolitto got the win after his offense went on a hitting spree (especially Gavin Sheets) and put up eight runs for the game.

Giolito’s performance was all the more impressive considering he hasn’t had anything close to a normal ramp-up to the season. Going unsigned through the offseason and Spring Training, Giolito was on his own to prepare to pitch for a major league team. Staying unsigned until late April, his contract only gave him 23 days to prepare for his debut with the Padres.

His velocity was notably less than his normal 94-95 mph on his fastball (90-92), but his changeup is elite and makes the fastball a playable pitch. He throws those two pitches 85% of the time. In 145 innings pitched in 2025, Giolito threw to a 3.41 ERA, even though his underlying numbers don’t look that impressive.

With time spent working with Ruben Niebla and his staff, and building up his arm, Giolito should get better. His command through the first five innings was remarkable considering his brief amount of prep time.

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Gavin Sheets

Since signing with the Padres before the 2025 season, Gavin Sheets has been the power hitter the Padres hoped he would be, in streaks. Always less effective against left-handed pitchers, Sheets has made adjustments during his time with the Padres and continues to improve against righties. Last season his batting average was almost identical between lefties and righties, but his slug against right-handed pitchers was .453 versus .369 against left-handers. He had 17 homers against righties and two versus lefties.

This season, with minimal appearances versus lefties, Sheets is continuing the trend. He is slugging. 596 versus right-handers so far this year (114 at-bats). In 12 at-bats versus lefties, he is slugging .167. Way too small a sample size, but with some of his teammates performing well against left-handed pitching (Miguel Andujar, Luis Campusano) he isn’t going to get many opportunities.

Overall, Sheets has been clutch, with “late and close” hits. He is second behind Xander Bogaerts in RBI; Bogaerts has 23 and Sheets has 21. His nine homeruns lead the team, and his 10 doubles are one behind Andujar.

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Sheets was named the National League Player of the Week with these numbers over the Brewers and Mariners series.

Rodolfo Durán

Catcher Rodolfo Durán waited 11 years to get his first chance to play in a major league uniform. With the broken toe suffered by Luis Campusano in the series versus the Giants, Durán was added to the roster and made his first start on May 7 against the Cardinals. He was 0-for-10 before coming to bat in the seventh inning against Seattle on May 16. Durán lined his first hit as a major leaguer into the Padres’ bullpen for his first home run. In his last at-bat in the ninth inning, he was robbed of another home run by a leaping Julio Rodríguez in center field.

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Durán will remain with the Padres in place of the injured Campusano, but it is unlikely any other moment will be as memorable as that one for the veteran of four organizations.

A Quiet Assassin

Reliever Bradgley Rodriquez, 22, graduated from the Padres prospect list this month. He appeared in seven games and 7.2 innings for the Padres in 2025 with a 1.17 ERA and nine strikeouts to three walks. In 2026, he has pitched in 19 games (was the opener for two games) and has 22.2 innings under his belt this season. He is on pace to pitch over 80 innings, which would far exceed his 61.1 innings in 2024 in the minors.

It seems likely he will get optioned at some point to give him a break, but the bullpen will be the less for it. His 1.59 ERA includes 18 strikeouts to five walks, and he has allowed no home runs. His effectiveness is only behind Mason Miller and Jason Adam.

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Although he has high-leverage stuff, Rodriguez is being brought along carefully. His fastball touches 100 mph, but it is not his best pitch. He has a plus-plus-changeup that he pairs with a slider for 69% of his offerings.

Roster moves and injury updates

General manager A.J. Preller gave an update on the status of Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta in an interview with Ben and Woods of 97.3 The Fan on Friday, May 15. Neither is in a throwing program yet, and he suggested that they would not be until June/July.

It was reported by Kevin Acee in his daily newsletter (via manager Craig Stammen) that Luis Campusano is still unable to come off the IL. His broken toe is still too painful, although he is involved in baseball activities.

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The last word on Jake Cronenworth was that he had been referred to a neurologist and is recovering from his concussion under medical care. He did not travel with the team on the latest road trip.

Matt Waldron pitched poorly in his start versus the Brewers on May 12 and then came back and pitched two innings of scoreless relief on May 14. He reportedly came in the next day with a sore upper arm and was placed on the 15-day IL when Alek Jacob was called up to provide extra help to the bullpen. Jacob was sent back down when Giolito was activated.

Jhony Brito has started his rehab from his UCL surgery of last year. He started two games with the ACL Padres and then started for Double-A San Antonio on Sunday, May 17. Brito went four innings with no earned runs allowed. He allowed two hits and had a strikeout, although two unearned runs scored.

Victor Wembanyama delivered one of the greatest playoff performances of his young career Monday night, spoiling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP celebration as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime Western Conference Finals classic.

On a night designed to celebrate Gilgeous-Alexander’s second consecutive NBA MVP award, it was Wembanyama who completely stole the spotlight.

The Spurs superstar exploded for 41 points and 24 rebounds, dominating both ends of the floor while carrying San Antonio to a crucial Game 1 road victory inside a stunned Oklahoma City arena.

Wembanyama eventually sealed the win in the closing moments of the second overtime period with back-to-back dunks, including a powerful three-point play that finally broke the Thunder’s resistance.

Wembanyama Announces Himself on the Biggest Stage

The 22-year-old French phenom looked unstoppable throughout the night.

Whether it was dunking through multiple defenders, controlling the glass, or protecting the rim, Wembanyama completely imposed himself on the game in his Western Conference Finals debut.

By halftime, he already had 14 points and 10 rebounds while looking entirely comfortable under the brightest playoff lights.

As the game stretched deeper into the night and exhaustion began affecting both teams, Wembanyama only seemed to grow stronger.

And when the game needed a superstar to take over in double overtime, he answered.

Shai’s MVP Night Ends in Frustration

The night began with celebration for Gilgeous-Alexander, who officially received his second straight NBA MVP trophy before tip-off.

But the Spurs made sure the ending belonged to someone else.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 24 points and 12 assists but struggled badly from the field, shooting just 7-for-23 in one of his toughest playoff outings this season.

His slow start was particularly unusual.

The Thunder guard had only four first-half points while shooting 1-for-5 from the floor — the first time since October 2023 that he failed to make at least two field goals before halftime.

Despite his struggles, Shai still helped Oklahoma City force overtime after the Thunder erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit.

But unlike Wembanyama, he could never fully take control of the game offensively.

Dylan Harper and Spurs Defense Changed the Series Opener

While Wembanyama dominated headlines, rookie guard Dylan Harper played a massive role in San Antonio’s victory.

Harper finished with 24 points and a franchise playoff-record seven steals, repeatedly disrupting Oklahoma City’s rhythm and creating transition opportunities for the Spurs.

Stephon Castle added 17 points, while Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 13.

San Antonio also managed the win without De’Aaron Fox, who missed the game because of ankle stiffness.

Alex Caruso Keeps Thunder Alive

One of Oklahoma City’s biggest surprises came from veteran guard Alex Caruso.

Coming off the bench, Caruso erupted for 31 points — the second-highest scoring playoff game of his career — and repeatedly hit momentum-changing shots that kept the Thunder alive.

Jalen Williams also impressed after returning from a hamstring injury, scoring 26 points following a six-game absence.

Still, the Thunder could not survive San Antonio’s physicality and Wembanyama’s late dominance.

Spurs Steal Home-Court Advantage

The victory gives San Antonio an early 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals and immediately steals home-court advantage from Oklahoma City.

It also continues an unusual trend between the two teams.

The Spurs have now beaten the Thunder five times in their last six meetings.

The game itself instantly entered NBA playoff history.

It became the first Western Conference Finals Game 1 to reach double overtime since the Spurs faced the Warriors in 2013.

Game 2 will take place Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will now face enormous pressure to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole before the series shifts to San Antonio.