Will Suryakumar Yadav continue as India captain? According to a report in PTI, quoting a senior BCCI source, Suryakumar Yadav’s future as India’s T20I captain could primarily be decided by head coach Gautam Gambhir, as the national selection committee is not entirely convinced that he can make it to the team purely as a batter. “Initially, the selectors thought that the IPL would help Suryakumar regain form like the last edition when he crossed 700 runs. But strangely, there hasn’t been any technical course correction in his game. Even the rookiest of pacers are just bowling straight hard lengths, and he has no answer. Selectors don’t see him playing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is as simple as that,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.
Meanwhile, the corridors of power in Indian cricket are already buzzing with names of possible successors.
Shreyas Iyer remains a powerful contender, armed with tactical sharpness and a strong personality. But whether he and Gambhir can seamlessly coexist remains a question.
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Those within the system haven’t forgotten Iyer’s quiet disappointment when Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2024 IPL triumph was widely projected as Gambhir’s victory as mentor. Then there is Shubman Gill, whose stocks have soared yet again after another prolific IPL season, leading Gujarat Titans with authority.
Gill, in fact, was originally viewed by Agarkar and company as the long-term all-format leader before a dip in form ahead of the T20 World Cup derailed those plans.
If Suryakumar exits, Gill’s reintegration into the T20 side is a possibility, although it comes with its own set of complexities.
The think tank could comfortably envision Gill at the top, with Sanju Samson at No. 3 and Ishan Kishan slotting in at four.
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However, the rapid rise of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is believed to be on the fast track with an eye on the 2028 Olympics, adds another fascinating dimension to the succession puzzle.
And finally, there is Tilak Varma, a name quietly gathering momentum in influential circles.
“Don’t rule out Tilak if Surya is sacked. There’s a reason that Tilak has been made captain for the tri-nation A series where selectors would get to see his leadership skills,” the source added.
For now, Indian cricket once again stands at a crossroads where form, future planning and power dynamics are intersecting.
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And somewhere amid all the whispers, statistics and succession plans, one reality looms large — Suryakumar’s fate may ultimately depend on whether Gambhir still believes his captain deserves one final series.
With PTI inputs
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Pep Guardiola has left the door open to potentially returning to Manchester City in the future or leading the England national team
Pep Guardiola refused to rule out one day returning to Manchester City or potentially taking the England national team job, as he spoke following confirmation he will leave the Etihad this summer.
Guardiola has called time on his incredible decade at City and will take charge of the Blues for the final time when Aston Villa visit for Sunday’s Premier League finale.
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City are set to appoint Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s successor with the Catalan set to take an extended break from the game. But, at 55, this is not yet a retirement and while he will now conduct some work as an ambassador within the City Football Group, a return to management remains a possibility in the future.
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Guardiola has often spoken about his respect for English football and didn’t close the door on the national job should the opportunity arise down the line.
“I don’t have any absolute plan about my future,” said Guardiola. “I start to rest and go to recover my time that I missed with my kids, they are growing and many things I’ve not done I want to do. So, I don’t think for one second thinking about anything football related for the next time, for the next years. I don’t think about it.
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“I need to rest, I need to reflect, I need to see what happened in my 17, 18 years (in management.) And after we see what happens. I don’t have a plan, just to rest and do a lot of things I want to do that I didn’t do in the past, stupid things that I want to do.”
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The Blues boss has said plenty of times in the past that he would not return to lead Barcelona, where he was a player and manager with huge success, but he stopped short of making the same guarantee with City.
“Why you ask me that question?” he said with a smile. “For a while, I will not be manager. That is the only thing. Otherwise I would be here, still here. I deserve, honestly, to take a break”
A Minnesota Vikings helmet rests along the sideline before a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions on Jan. 2, 2011, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The image captured a quiet pregame moment as the Vikings closed out the 2010 regular season during a transitional stretch for the franchise and its roster. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-Imagn Images
Bold predictions, by design, are supposed to be headline-grabbing, outlandish, and a little weird. And with the Minnesota Vikings’ summer operations mere days away, it’s time to get some of those on record.
Minnesota’s summer will bring clarity, drama, and probably at least one roster move that feels uncomfortable.
Georgia Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson (92) punts the football against the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the SEC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Thorson handled punting duties for Georgia during the high-profile conference title matchup while showcasing the powerful leg strength that later drew NFL attention. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
1. Brett Thorson Clears
Did Thorson hold field goals and extra points in college? He did not. Is that a problem? It is.
Still, Thorson might’ve been the best punter in college football last year, depending on the eye of the beholder, and the Vikings can’t just cut a guy like that because they employ an old specialist (Johnny Hekker) who used to be really, really good.
Thorson will prove his punting talent supersedes Hekker at training camp, and special teams boss Matt Daniels will have all summer to figure out the holding situation.
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2. Vikings Sign Leonard Floyd
On April 24, the Vikings executed a trade, sending Jonathan Greenard and a 7th-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two third-round selections (one in 2026 and one in 2027).
The deal rocked Minnesota’s OLB setup. With Greenard, Minnesota’s EDGE room boasted considerable talent. His departure leaves Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as the primary pass rushers, but it also highlights a notable lack of depth. A single injury could quickly create a precarious situation at the position.
So, the Vikings likely need to acquire an OLB3, with free agency presenting the most apparent solution.
Floyd emerges as a strong candidate, fitting the ‘familiar face’ profile. His existing connections with Minnesota’s coaching staff are a significant advantage, particularly when pursuing free agents late in the spring. Kevin O’Connell could conceivably reach out to Floyd directly, bypassing the usual complexities of late-stage free agency negotiations.
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O’Connell and Floyd won the Super Bowl together in Los Angeles five years ago.
3. Garrett Bradbury Arrives via Trade
The New England Patriots traded Bradbury to the Chicago Bears in March for a 5th-Round pick. Six weeks later, the Bears turned around and drafted Iowa center Logan Jones, who will be 25 during the regular season. Second-round centers should start sooner rather than later, and 25-year-old 2nd-Round centers should be ready Week 1.
Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) stands on the sideline before facing the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 13, 2022, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Bradbury prepared for another regular season start while continuing his role as the anchor of Minnesota’s offensive line during Kevin O’Connell’s first season as head coach. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
That puts Bradbury on the bench or on the trade block if Chicago doesn’t get weird with its offensive line plan.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are on track to start Blake Brandel at center, and while he might play just fine, converting a tackle turned guard turned center to a new spot rarely works out for the long haul, unless the guy is young.
Needing a better center solution, Minnesota will ship a 6th-Rounder to Chicago for Bradbury, even if trading with Chicago violates NFC North taboos.
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4. The QB1 Camp Battle Is Window Dressing
Last summer, the Vikings hosted no quarterback battle at training camp. Months later, they regretted it and even fired their general manager in January as a result.
In 2026, the club is advertising a quarterback battle, but it will be abundantly clear through a few days of training camp that the QB1 job emphatically belongs to Murray. In fact, by September 1st, folks will look back and consider the possibility of McCarthy ousting Murray from the top spot as a laughable take.
Murray is faster, more accurate, has a stronger arm, and has more experience than McCarthy. The quarterback competition won’t be a sham, but Murray will prevail with the snap of two fingers.
5. Rookie Gavin Gerhardt Emerges
Gerhardt may not start Week 1 — that’s reserved for Brandel — but by the time training camp ends, fans will have a warm and cozy feeling about Gerhardt.
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Cincinnati offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt speaks with reporters during Big 12 Football Media Days on Jul. 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Gerhardt entered the spotlight as one of Cincinnati’s experienced offensive linemen while discussing expectations for the upcoming season and his development within the Bearcats’ offensive front. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Minnesota very vividly needed a center during the draft; the coaching staff even told reporters before the event that the draft had several intriguing options. Then, the Vikings drafted zero centers until Round 7.
They seem to have big plans for Gerhardt. When the regular season rolls around, Gerhardt will either be tapped on the shoulder to start or be the immediate backup center if Brandel misses a game or two.
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness noted on Gerhardt after the draft, “This is an interesting pick. Gerhardt is a four-year starter who has played 3,374 snaps for the Bearcats. He’s a decent athlete with experience at the position, and it offers the Vikings another option at center.”
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Ahead of the commencement of the 2026 French Open Tournament, Naomi Osaka co-hosted the first-ever ‘Black Party’ alongside Taylor Townsend. The list of attendees included Coco Gauff, Gaël Monfils, Asia Muhammad, and Chris Eubanks.
The Japanese star has frequently used her platform to voice her opinions on racial justice, diversity, and inclusion in sports. Her ‘Black Party’ is symbolic and meaningful, given it’s a rare sight. She also shared a brief message, reflecting on the time when she felt isolated because there weren’t many Black tennis players.
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She further stated that since the Black players are usually underrepresented, they support and understand each other because they share similar experiences.
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“Growing up, there weren’t a lot of tennis players I could look up to that looked like me. Being a minority in a sport like tennis is very isolating but the positive is that you keep tabs on everyone that … being blunt, is black. There’s a fellowship, a camaraderie that doesn’t need words to describe. You just feel at peace knowing that there’s another person who has experienced similar things to you and you feel less alone,” the quote read.
“The black party (RG edition) 🖤 Side note: my first time ever co-hosting a dinner/party and let me tell you, no better company to share time with.”
Gauff and Townsend reacted to the glimpses of the party shared by the four-time Grand Slam champion, with the former adding a series of hearts. Townsend wrote:
“Just the beginning🖤✔️🗝️”
Screenshot of the Instagram post’s comment section.
Osaka will kick off her French Open run against Laura Siegemund.
Naomi Osaka makes her feelings known about Gael Monfils retirement
Naomi Osaka of Japan during the Gael & Friends exhibition in Paris, France (Photo by Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka made her feelings known about Gael Monfils during the ongoing French Open. The Frenchman is expected to compete in his last Roland Garros before retiring at the end of the 2026 season. He has been a home favorite in France and has received a wildcard entry for this year’s edition.
Ahead of the main draw, the tournament arranged a farewell celebration, “Gael & Friends,” which was a star-studded affair with Osaka, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Elina Svitolina, and Alexander Zverev participating. When asked to reflect on the Frenchman’s retirement, Naomi Osaka said:
“For me, what the player represents has always been important; on the women’s side, we’ve always had Venus and Serena, so I’m very grateful to them. On the men’s side, I’ve always admired Gael and Tsonga for a long time; they were very important, obviously generating a wave of black French players that are emerging now. They were an inspiration, I know that for sure. Regarding Gael, I love his way of being, he’s a cool guy.” (via puntodebreak.com)
Monfils will take on Hugo Gaston in his first faceoff at the 2026 French Open.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the second half on Oct. 6, 2024, as Minnesota faced the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Flores remained focused throughout the international matchup while directing the defense in a high-profile setting away from home. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
For years, the Minnesota Vikings have experienced some dominant performances from their edge rushers. Recently, it has been the combination of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. This season, that group was split up when Greenard was seen as too expensive and sent to the Philadelphia Eagles.
That was an understandable move, both from a salary cap perspective and from a current roster construction perspective. Dallas Turner was a first-round pick just two years ago, and a starter to show breakout ability as he filled in for an injured Greenard last season.
Brian Flores May Need Another Reliable Pass Rusher
Now tasked with being the man opposite Van Ginkel, Turner won’t have anywhere to hide. Flores loves to blitz, and he’ll be reliant on both Van Ginkel and Turner. The former has proven his ability in this defense, while the latter will need to substantiate it.
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Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young defensive lineman Tyler Batty (DL42) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
If things go sideways early for Turner, the Minnesota Vikings could be in for a world of hurt. Van Ginkel missed time with a neck injury last season, and the cupboards are bare behind the youngster Turner. Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss are the only players with any level of familiarity behind the two Vikings starting edge rushers, and they leave plenty to be desired.
Turner had eight sacks in 17 games last season (10 starts). It stands to reason that he could be in line for greater production if he’s given more runway. There’s also the possibility that he simply gets exposed, and Minnesota is left wondering what happened.
Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (97) takes the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
At this stage of free agency, the open market doesn’t have a ton of ideal options. Hasson Reddick, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and Denico Autry are all big names over 30 years old. Yetur Gross-Matos is 28 and may still be ascending. No matter what, though, Minnesota doesn’t have a whole lot to spend.
The Vikings reallocated the savings from Greenard into the deal they signed with wide receiver Jauan Jennings. That move bolstered the offense, but Flores utilized pressure to help out the secondary last season. If he’s not going to be able to do that this time around, or can’t rely on the people he has, the group could be exposed pretty quickly.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
It just wasn’t a good enough one to beat a Carolina Hurricanes team that was an NHL-best 22-7-0 this season when coming off a loss.
The Hurricanes hadn’t yet had to rebound through the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, though. Their full-throttle steamrolling of the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers in eight games gave the hockey world a taste of just how good they are at their best, and after a night on which they were far from it to start the Eastern Conference Final, they rebounded as expected — with a win.
What was the difference in this one versus the 6-2 Game 1 loss the Canadiens handed the Hurricanes?
“I think it was mostly them,” said Canadiens defenceman Alex Carrier. “I think they played a great game. They were hard on pucks. They didn’t give us much time and space with the puck…”
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And the Canadiens didn’t manage to break from that pressure quite as often in order to do the things that made them so dangerous with the puck in Game 1. They spent nearly 30 of the first 60 minutes chasing it around their own end in Game 2, according to SportLogiq. And even if they only gave up 24 shots and two goals to that point, they didn’t have enough energy or precision to take advantage of successfully exiting their zone in control of the puck 75 per cent of the time.
When Oliver Kapanen became the fourth Canadiens player to fail to get the puck deep into Carolina’s zone in overtime, Nikolaj Ehlers raced down the right wing, took a pass from Mark Jankowski and shot the puck past goaltender Jakub Dobes for the goal that made it 3-2 Hurricanes and tied the series 1-1.
Andrei Svechnikov predicted they’d do it.
On Saturday morning, referencing a strong second period in Game 1, the Russian winger said to reporters at Lenovo Center, “We were dominating them, and that’s what we’re going to do tonight.”
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The Hurricanes followed suit. Immediately.
Eric Robinson scored his second of the series on Carolina’s first shot on net, 2:33 into the first period.
After Josh Anderson tied it on Montreal’s first shot of the game, which came 11:11 in, the Hurricanes regained control and didn’t relinquish it before Ehlers gave them a 2-1 lead 17:03 into the second period.
Anderson’s second tying goal, in the 13th minute of the third, gave the Canadiens momentum they were chasing all night.
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But they didn’t hang onto it long enough.
On the whole, the game felt like a good example of how the resilient Canadiens could take a haymaker and stay on their feet.
They just didn’t find a way to counterpunch as much as they needed to.
“I felt we could’ve created space a little better and had a bit more time to execute,” said Mike Matheson.
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“I thought we didn’t possess it through the neutral zone as well,” said Nick Suzuki.
“We missed a bit of execution that didn’t permit our defencemen to join the wave,” added Martin St. Louis. “Our lack of execution kept us from attacking as much.”
And yet the Canadiens were in this game the whole way.
“Overall, it was a battle out there. I thought we competed,” said St. Louis. “It’s a fine line between winning and losing.”
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The Hurricanes found a way to straddle it better, as they expected they would.
As a group, they were much more connected on their patented five-man forecheck. They disrupted much more of Montreal’s flow up the ice, particularly in the neutral zone. And they limited the Canadiens to 12 shots on net, blocked another 19, and made Frederik Andersen’s job much easier than it was in Game 1.
Individually, Andersen wasn’t the only one to bounce back. Jaccob Slavin, the ever-steady defensive conscience of his team, rebounded from an uncharacteristically bad performance that left him minus-4 and blaming himself for the loss on Thursday. He notched an assist and finished plus-3 over 29 of the best shifts anyone played on Saturday night.
And Jordan Staal’s line, with Jordan Martinook and Ehlers, did a number on Suzuki’s with Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, who were dominant in Game 1 away from that hard matchup.
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Those three were relatively muted offensively in Game 2, as were the Canadiens as a whole.
“We’ve just got to adjust a bit more,” said Carrier.
The speed at which he and the Canadiens executed on Thursday was lacking Saturday. As was the poise with which they made their plays. And while the Hurricanes could take the lion’s share of the credit for that, Carrier and his teammates owned some of it too.
Still, they defended hard and absorbed all that Carolina pressure to hold the Hurricanes to only nine slot shots.
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By the end of regulation, the Canadiens had generated seven of their own and out-chanced Carolina off the rush 6-2. SportLogiq had them at a 45 per cent win probability, despite the heavy territorial advantage for the Hurricanes.
It’s why when Matheson was asked if the loss was at all confidence-rattling for his team, he responded, “No.”
“I still feel like we did a lot of good things,” Matheson added.
The Canadiens just didn’t do enough of them to win.
The pre-fight feeling was that this occasion bordered on the absurd as a sanctioned world title contest, but Verhoeven went a long way to proving the boxing fraternity wrong.
“I am super proud of my performance, and hopefully the boxing world embraces me as a boxer. I am amazingly happy to be here,” Verhoeven said.
He emerged with huge credit, underlining his credentials as an awkward, physical operator for any heavyweight.
But was this his best chance, fuelled by the element of surprise?
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The crossover blueprint is familiar, with MMA fighter Francis Ngannou famously going close to an extraordinary boxing win against Tyson Fury in 2023 before being stopped early on by Joshua in his second outing.
Usyk’s stock, for the first time in his career, with take a hit on the back of this – and debate around the result and a potential second meeting is only likely to intensify.
Afterwards, WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel entered the ring to make his case.
“I have waited so long for this fight. I am ready and I think Germany is ready for the fight. Let’s do it in a German stadium. I think all the fans want it,” Kabayel said.
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Usyk, who has previously suggested he may have two more fights after Verhoeven, responded: “Let’s do it, no problem. I am ready, brother.”
Whatever comes next, Usyk endured the toughest night of his career against a man few in boxing gave a chance.
For a long period it appeared that it wouldn’t be a successful defence though, with the ending coming in the 11th round when referee Mark Lyson stopped the contest, many viewers believing prematurely.
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Verhoeven had performed way above expectations as he caused Usyk plenty of problems throughout the bout, but despite recovering from the knockdown he received, the kickboxing star was stopped on his feet and denied the chance to enter the 12th round.
“It was a good fight. I don’t think so [that it was was an early stoppage], I think they saved a brutal knockout.”
Usyk is now expected to take some time out before making a decision on his next move, with some fans calling for an immediate rematch with Verhoeven, while others want him to now face WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
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As for Canelo, he returns to action in September as he looks to claim world honours again when he takes on WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) walks toward the bench during the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
SAN ANTONIO — It’s tempting, but the San Antonio Spurs will not play Victor Wembanyama every minute of regulation against Oklahoma City even as they trail the Thunder 2-1 in the Western Conference finals.
Instead, San Antonio has to find a way to play better when Wembanyama rests because Oklahoma City is dominating when the 7-foot-4 star from France is on the bench.
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The Thunder are two wins away from returning to the NBA Finals with Game 4 on Sunday in San Antonio.
Oklahoma City has won two straight by an average of 12 points since Wembanyama had 41 points, 24 rebounds and three rebounds in 49 minutes during San Antonio’s 122-115 double-overtime victory in Game 1 on Monday.
As the Spurs seek solutions, playing Wembanyama more minutes is intriguing but not viable.
“The idea is there,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said, smiling, “but, yeah, I think as we’ve seen it, him fresh or somewhat fresh is still the best. … We don’t want to sacrifice our style of play and the identity that we’ve been building since October.”
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The Spurs were a plus-4 in Wembanyama’s 39 minutes in Game 3’s 123-108 loss to the Thunder on Friday. That number may seem inconsequential, but San Antonio was minus-15 as a team and its main reserves were in the negative by double digits.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a team-high 26 points, but the rest of the starters combined for 21 points.
Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76-23 and were a combined 14 for 29 on 3-pointers. The 76 bench points are the most in the conference finals since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984.
“We’ve dealt with a lot of injuries throughout the year, but it’s built us,” Thunder center Jaylin Williams said. “It’s built us as a team. It’s built us as players to be ready for the moment, to be ready when your name is called.”
Williams had a playoff career-high 18 points, and fellow reserve Jared McCain finished with 24 points.
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The Spurs opened Game 3 on a 15-0 run, the longest run to open a game in the conference finals since the play-by-play era began in 1997. San Antonio led 19-4 when Wembanyama subbed out with seven minutes remaining in the quarter but the Thunder cut the deficit to 24-19 when he returned with 3:44 remaining in the first.
The Thunder’s depth also allows them to throw multiple bodies and looks to wear on Wembanyama and the Spurs.
“I know I’m not going to play as many minutes as (Wembanyama) is, so the minutes I’m out there I’m trying to make his job as tough as I can make it,” Williams said.
Making matters worse for the Spurs is two of their primary playmakers and scorers are battling injuries.
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Point guards De’Aaron Fox (sprained right ankle) and Dylan Harper (right adductor soreness) played in Game 3 but were not at 100%. Fox also appeared to injure his left ankle in the third quarter but returned shortly after exiting for the locker room.
“They came out of the game, finished on their own accord,” Johnson said. “I took them out, so that’s a plus and as of now we expect them to be ready to go. So, those guys are giving us all they got, and I commend them and tip my cap because they’re competing … and they’re not 100%.”
There was no update on their playing status as of Sunday afternoon.
The diminished health of Fox and Harper along with Oklahoma City’s physicality has slowed San Antonio’s usual breakneck pace offensively.
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The Spurs played reserve center Luke Kornet alongside Wembanyama at times Friday in an attempt to improve its rebounding and spark a faster pace, but the Thunder limited that as well.
“That’s been good for us all year,” Castle said of the Spurs’ pace. “I don’t think it’s just against them that it’s crucial that we have those possessions, but, I mean, I think that comes from getting stops first.”
Castle did not want to give away any strategy, but he did say the Spurs discovered some “schematic stuff” that should fix their lapses on both ends for Game 4.
Regardless, San Antonio has to find a way to keep playing with Wembanyama on the bench.
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“I feel like each and every one of us has got to be better,” Wembanyama said. “Yeah, I think it’s just that as a team, as an organization, there’s a lot of new experiences. We’re just going to have to find the answers.”
The Curragh hosts two days of racing this weekend, with the Tattersalls Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas the feature races on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Breeders’ Cup winner Gstaad will be the headline act at flat racing’s HQ on Saturday afternoon as the runner-up to Bow Echo in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket bids to win the first Irish classic of the 2026 season.
O’Brien bids for 13th win
The mount of Ryan Moore, the son of Starspangledbanner, will bid to give champion trainer Aidan O’Brien a 13th success in the colts’ classic, with the Ballydoyle handler also saddling Neolithic, a son of Sioux Nation, who will be the mount of Wayne Lordan.
Speaking earlier this week about Gstaad, Aidan O’Brien said after the colt’s final workout:
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“He worked well earlier too and we’re happy with him. He seems to have come out of Newmarket well so we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Three English Challengers
There is a three-pronged British-trained challenge. Godolphin’s trainer, Charlie Appleby, will be represented by Distant Storm – who was eight lengths third to Gstaad at Newmarket – and Pacific Avenue. The former will be ridden by Billy Loughnane, who will be bidding for a first Irish classic success, while Jamie Spencer will partner Pacific Avenue, as trainer Charlie Appleby bids to add to his 2022 victory in this race with Native Trail.
Alparslan, winner of the Tattersalls Sales race at The Curragh last September, comes from the Karl Burke yard, a trainer who has had much success in Ireland in recent years.
Fozzy Stack’s Thesecretadversary, more than nine lengths in arrears of Gstaad at Newmarket, Gowran Park maiden winner Go Just Do It from the Joseph O’Brien stable, along with Bamako Beach (Michael O’Callaghan), Power Blue (Robson Aguiar) and Take Charge Star (Johnny Murtagh) complete the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas field.
Morocco national football team arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying the weight of history and expectation after their remarkable run in Qatar four years ago. The Atlas Lions stunned the footballing world in 2022 by defeating Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages, becoming the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal. Having previously advanced beyond the group stage only once back in 1986, Morocco now face the challenge of proving their success was no fluke.
Led by the ever-dangerous Achraf Hakimi, widely regarded as one of the world’s best attacking right-backs, Morocco possess a squad filled with quality and experience. Brahim Díaz is also set to feature in his first World Cup after switching international allegiance from Spain in 2023, adding even more creativity to the side. While several heroes from the 2022 campaign remain central figures, a new generation of talent is also expected to emerge during the tournament.
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Morocco’s road to qualification was dominant from start to finish. They won all eight of their qualifying matches, scoring 22 goals while conceding just twice. The Atlas Lions comfortably topped their group with a nine-point advantage over nearest challengers Niger, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking consistency throughout the campaign.
Morocco’s Group C in FIFA World Cup 2026
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Morocco
Brazil
Scotland
Haiti
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Morocco looking for another positive display
Achraf Hakimi will once again be the driving force behind Morocco’s ambitions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Widely regarded as one of the finest full-backs in world football, the Paris Saint-Germain star brings pace, creativity and attacking threat down the right flank. Fresh off a UEFA Champions League triumph in 2025, Hakimi’s overlapping runs and ability to influence games in the final third make him one of Morocco’s most dangerous weapons.
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Meanwhile, exciting young winger Ilias Akhomach is expected to emerge as a breakout talent during the tournament. Developed in Barcelona’s famed academy before gaining valuable La Liga experience with Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano, the youngster possesses flair, quick feet and direct attacking intent that can trouble defenders, especially when introduced from the bench.
Morocco schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
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Morocco FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule
Fixture
Date
Venue
Brazil vs. Morocco
Saturday, June 13
MetLife Stadium
Scotland vs. Morocco
Friday, June 19
Gillette Stadium
Morocco vs. Haiti
Wednesday, June 24
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Morocco’s Key Strengths
Morocco national football team thrive in quick transitional football rather than slow possession-based play. Their attacking approach is built around speed, direct movement and exploiting spaces in wide areas, especially through the attacking runs of Achraf Hakimi. Morocco are also extremely well-organised defensively, maintaining a compact shape without the ball and showing impressive discipline across all areas of the pitch. Their structure and tactical awareness make them difficult opponents to break down.
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Morocco’s Weaknesses
While Morocco are dangerous on the counterattack, they can struggle creatively when forced to dominate possession against defensive opponents. Breaking down deep defensive blocks remains a challenge, particularly against teams willing to sit back and defend in numbers. In matches where Morocco are expected to control the tempo and create consistently through the middle, their attacking rhythm can sometimes become predictable and less effective.
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Morocco squad for FIFA World Cup 2026: Preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Mehdi Lahrar, Munir Mohamedi, Yanis Benshaouch
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Defenders: Ibrahim Gomez, Abdelhamid Ait Boudla, Ismail Baouf, Ismail Saibari, Osama Tergalin, Samir El Morabet, Marouane Saadan, Mohamed Chibi, Sofiane Bouftini, Yassir Zabiri, Sofiane Karouani
Midfielders: Imran Louza, Anas Salah Eddine, Yassine Jassim, Ayoub Bouadi, Toufiq Bentyeb, Ayoub Amimouni, Sofiane Fawzi, Yanis Bekraoui
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Forwards: Sofiane Boufal, Rayan Bonida, Sofiane Benjdida, Youssef Belamri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Osman Maama
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