The 2026 World Cup is poised to be a monumental event for North American ground transportation, offering rail and bus operators a critical audition on soccer’s biggest stage.

With 104 matches spread across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and air travel increasingly fraught with rising costs, soaring gasoline prices, and frustratingly long airport security lines, these companies are gearing up to capture the attention of a vast new audience.

“We want you to be able to use our system seamlessly from the minute you decide to come to the World Cup, all the way into the games, and after that to get home,” stated Conan Cheung, chief operations officer for LA Metro, the public transportation authority serving the Los Angeles region.

For the Californian city, which will host eight matches including the U.S. opener, the event presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate to international visitors that it offers more than just congested freeways. It also aims to encourage more local Angelenos to utilize its expanding public transport network, Cheung added.

This ambition resonates with public transport advocates in the US and Canada, where shared transit infrastructure can be scarce and residents often prefer their cars.

Yonah Freemark, a principal research associate at the Washington-based Urban Institute, highlighted this opportunity: “Transit providers have an opportunity to provide service to a group of people who do not typically use transit on a day-to-day basis. Many of the World Cup fans coming from the US or Canada do not necessarily use transit services regularly.”

Freemark emphasized the high stakes for operators to deliver a positive experience for riders.

“They should be making sure that the services they provide are high quality and not too expensive, because the people who are riding them are going to form an impression of those transit agencies — and there’s a chance to really prove that they can provide a good service.”

However, ground operators face a tricky balancing act. Many contend with limited capacity, meaning potential customers might struggle to find space on match days. While the surge in airline costs offers a rare chance to draw travelers to rails and roads, these companies are also battling rising fuel expenses, which may necessitate passing some costs onto consumers.

This creates a dilemma, as Freemark noted: operators want to attract new customers without alienating the everyday commuters and regular users who depend on these services long after the final whistle.

FlixBus, alongside its sister brand Greyhound, boasts one of North America’s largest transportation networks. The company reports strong demand for bus travel between tournament cities, with some departures already sold out and others filling rapidly.

In preparation for the World Cup, FlixBus has made significant investments in new buses and cutting-edge technology, while also prioritizing on-time departures and arrivals.

“What is critical here is every Flix experience needs to be a happy one. That’s how we actually grow our business. And this is a great opportunity,” said Flix North America CEO Kai Boysan. “We will welcome all the new customers and we want them to see what a change we’ve done and what a great experience they’re going to have.”

Boysan suggested that travelers might favor buses over planes due to their typically more affordable and direct routes between city centers. “Airports are congested and the costs are rising. And clearly travelers are naturally looking for alternatives. And there we come into effect,” he explained.

Yet, not all ground transportation options are proving affordable. NJ Transit drew unwanted attention this year when it initially announced that the approximately 30-minute train ride from Manhattan to the New Jersey stadium, which will host eight matches including the July 19 final, would cost $150 for the round-trip. It’s a journey that typically costs less than $13.

NJ Transit says it needs to cover $48 million in extra costs for security, crowd control and other World Cup impacts.

After much outrage, NJ Transit reduced the fare to a still hefty $98, saying it had managed to find more advertising to cover its costs. Meanwhile, a shuttle bus on the same route has been chopped to $20 from the originally announced $80 as the host committee turned to local school buses to increase seats.

In Boston, round-trip rail tickets from the city center to the stadium used for seven World Cup matches will cost $80, compared to the usual $20 to $30. A bus ride will be $95.

US Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, urged Fifa to intervene.

“Charging more than 11 times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff, plain and simple. Fifa is making billions from this World Cup,” Schumer stated after the original price for the New Jersey MetLife Stadium route was announced.

“Fifa should cover the ride, not stick New York fans with the bill.”

Fifa, however, responded that high transit fares would prompt fans to seek alternative travel methods, and that similar past events have not led to demands for organizations to provide travel impact funding.

In contrast, some local operators are maintaining standard pricing.

“Our regular fare is $1.75, so people will be able to pay that,” said LA Metro’s Cheung, confirming they would honor all existing discounts.

Philadelphia, hosting six matches, offers fans a $2.90 train ride to the match, with a complimentary return journey courtesy of sponsor Airbnb. US national rail carrier Amtrak is also preparing for inter-city fan travel.

“We are fully committed to running a world-class railroad … and ensuring our infrastructure is ready to accommodate new and returning guests,” said W. Kyle Anderson, director of communications for Amtrak.

With Europe’s top five leagues – France’s Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A, the Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain and Germany’s Bundesliga – regarded as the best in the world, only Spain’s squad is made up exclusively of players from that quintet.

Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney and Galatasaray’s Leroy Sane have been selected by England and Germany, while France have included both Theo Hernandez and N’Golo Kante of Al-Hilal and Fenerbahce respectively.

Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium have a considerable number of players playing at a high level despite their size while outside of Europe, Argentina and Senegal have the most players playing in the top leagues.

None of Curacao, Iran, Iraq or Qatar’s squads played in Europe’s top five leagues this season, although Iraqi forward Ali Jasim is on the books of Serie A club Como but spent the season on loan at Saudi side Al-Najma.

So is Murphy right? Will Iraola’s appointment bring hope and excitement rather than the fear of another underwhelming campaign?

Slot’s side cantered to a record-equalling 20th league title in his first season in charge, but finished fifth (25 points behind champions Arsenal) in his second.

Peter Bolster – from the Spion Kop podcast – told BBC Radio Merseyside: “I’m very excited and I’m a little bit surprised with how excited I am.

“Large parts of last season I wasn’t excited to watch Liverpool. I wasn’t excited to go to Anfield and I certainly wasn’t excited for pre-season or the start of next season. And whatever happens from this point onwards, I am excited.

“Iraola might be the perfect replacement. We might be sitting in this situation in two years, saying it didn’t really work, but I’m excited with the project and that’s what all fans want to be.”

Following Slot’s departure, Liverpool were keen to make an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity and wanted a manager who fits their preferred playing style, which is to deliver front-foot, aggressive football.

A style more aligned to how they played under former boss Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool fan Ian Walker said: “I have mixed feelings. That awful style of play [under Slot last season] had to be turned around as soon as possible, but the role has proved to be too much for some, both in terms of consistently securing results or in coping with the expectations and pressures of the media and the fanbase.

“I can still see Roy Hodgson tearing at his face on the bench when things weren’t going well. Even Jurgen Klopp – adored by the fans, the players and the club – had to stop after great success and an exciting style of football. Good luck to Iraola.”

The Redmen TV’s Ste Plunkett told BBC Radio Merseyside: “Of the talent pool that was out there and the managers that were available, it seems an obvious fit in terms of what he does with his team and what we really want a Liverpool manager to do with our team.

“I think the construction of the squad last summer – and potentially with the additions we do this year – we have to find a manager for the squad and I very much think we didn’t have that last season.

“You would have liked to have seen [Iraola] have some experience in Europe, but then he’s never really worried about reputation or who he’s playing against.

“That doesn’t seem to bother him, so I think the fact that he’s fresh to all of that, he’ll go into it invigorated and there won’t be a hangover over previous campaigns where things have gone wrong.”

Aryna Sabalenka‘s bid for a first French Open title was left in tatters as she fell apart in a bizarre defeat by Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The world number one led by a set and a double-break before exiting the tournament in a blaze of unforced errors, collapsing to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss in blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Shnaider will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals on Thursday, with Marta Kostyuk or Mirra Andreeva awaiting the winner in Sunday’s final.

“Well honestly I’m speechless, I’m super happy. Obviously tough conditions with the wind,” said the 22-year-old Shnaider after beating a top-10 player for only the second time in her career.

“First time playing Aryna so definitely a lot of nerves and I feel the first set was trying to adjust to her game.”

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Sabalenka was the only Grand Slam champion left in either the men’s or women’s singles draws at Roland Garros, but belied that status by making a whopping 57 unforced errors.

Shnaider was playing in her first major quarter-final, but now finds herself a strong favourite to reach the final heading into her last-four tie against world number 114 and fellow left-hander Chwalinska.

“Definitely super happy I managed to finish on a good note rather than start on a good note. Definitely a special tournament for me here,” added the Russian.

“It’s going be a lefty battle so I’m looking forward (to the semi-final).”

Sabalenka’s scarcely believable defeat was reminiscent of the way she threw away a strong position in last year’s final against Coco Gauff.

The Belarusian was playing in a 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final but failed to become the first woman to make seven straight major semis since Serena Williams.

Increasingly frustrated Sabalenka

The top seed raced into a 5-1 lead and eventually sealed the opener on her third set point after initially failing to serve it out.

The second set followed a similar pattern at first, as Sabalenka moved 4-1 in front with a double-break before throwing away her next service game.

Read moreNo Alcaraz, no party? Five reasons not to miss this year’s French Open

Sabalenka became increasingly frustrated as she gifted Shnaider three break points to level at 4-4.

After some animated remonstrating with her box, she recomposed herself enough to hold.

But the 28-year-old’s game continued to come apart, as a string of dreadful unforced errors allowed Shnaider to break again and tie up the set at 5-5, with Sabalenka left to gesticulate wildly towards her coaching staff.

Shnaider could not believe her luck as Sabalenka dumped successive forehands into the bottom of the net to finish off the set and send the match into a decider.

The Russian grew in confidence and moved 2-0 up in the third as Sabalenka sprayed eight unforced errors around Chatrier in the space of two games.

Shnaider cruised to victory from there, fittingly securing a semi-final berth when Sabalenka knocked a routine backhand into the net on the third match point.

A stunned world number one was left to trudge off court after winning just 14 points in the deciding set.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

The New York Knicks will reportedly have center Mitchell Robinson available to them for Wednesday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Robinson underwent surgery last week to repair a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Despite the procedure, he was clear about being ready to play Game 1.

This story will be updated.

Roman Reigns recently recruited Jacob Fatu as the newest member of the Bloodline in WWE. This occurred after The Samoan Werewolf demanded a rematch against the Original Tribal Chief at Clash in Italy 2026.

The Tribal Combat match was not merely about the World Heavyweight Championship or the position as the Tribal Chief. A loss came with consequences. As Fatu lost to the OTC, he was forced to acknowledge the Head of the Table and to fall in line with The Bloodline.

Now that Jacob Fatu has officially joined the group, The Bloodline leader is expected to recruit more family members into the faction soon. In this article, we will discuss five Anoa’i family members the Only Tribal Chief could recruit to his faction in the Stamford-based promotion.

#5. WWE star Solo Sikoa

At Clash in Italy 2026, Solo Sikoa and the MFT appeared in the crowd after the Tribal Combat match. Roman spotted the villainous faction and asserted that they are next in line. This seemingly confirms that the MFT is also part of The Bloodline saga and will eventually come face-to-face in the coming months.

Reigns’ words affirm that he wants Solo Sikoa to be part of the group. So, if Solo faces Roman and loses to the OTC, it could lead to him falling in line like Jacob Fatu and becoming the latest recruit in The Bloodline soon.

#4. Journey Fatu

Journey Fatu is another potential Anoa’i family member who could be recruited to The Bloodline in the sports entertainment juggernaut. For those who may not know, Journey is currently making waves on the independent wrestling circuit.

The 30-year-old star once went viral online, and fans couldn’t stop praising him and immediately anticipated his debut in WWE.

Considering that The Bloodline saga has been revived, this would be the perfect time to bring Journey to the Triple H-led promotion. He can debut as Roman Reigns’ newest Bloodline recruit on Monday Night RAW.

#3. Zilla Fatu

The WWE Universe was expecting Zilla Fatu’s debut at Clash in Italy 2026. Despite the buzz, the real-life Anoa’i member didn’t make his presence felt on the show.

Fans were surprised that Triple H didn’t pull the trigger on Zilla’s debut at the international premium live event. As we are moving into the next innings of The Bloodline saga, this would be a great time to finally execute Zilla’s debut in World Wrestling Entertainment.

Jacob Fatu has already joined The Bloodline on WWE RAW. Recruiting Zilla Fatu would add a fresh direction for the faction, particularly as Jacob is also the young star’s cousin.

#2. Nia Jax

Nia Jax is currently part of the Women’s Tag Team division on Friday Night SmackDown. The Irresistible Force is paired with Lash Legend and is a former Women’s Tag Team Champion.

The revival of The Bloodline saga would be a great reason to bring Nia into the family drama. The recruitment of the 42-year-old star in The Bloodline would help the faction expand its reach into WWE’s women’s division.

#1. Rikishi

WWE legend Rikishi is another name on the list who has long been rumored to get involved in The Bloodline saga in WWE. While this is yet to happen, he could be recruited into the Bloodline in the near future. Since the start of The Bloodline saga in the company, Rikishi has reacted to major moments and shared his opinions online.

The veteran star is closely connected to Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Jacob Fatu. It will make complete sense if the TKO-led promotion finally brings Rikishi to the company and incorporates him into The Bloodline story.

The 60-year-old star can serve as the faction’s manager, similar to how Paul Heyman was Roman Reigns’ “Wiseman.”

Overall, it will be interesting to see how the storyline moves forward now that Jacob Fatu has officially joined The Bloodline.