Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes that Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal have a good chance of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. While he reckons that A Selecao have the best midfield in the tournament, Cole believes Ronaldo needs to humble himself and realize he doesn’t need to play every minute to make an impact.
Portugal are currently ranked fifth in the FIFA World Rankings and are expected to make a deep run at the World Cup. Having clinched the 2025 UEFA Nations League last summer in Germany, Roberto Martinez and Co. will be backing themselves to win their maiden FIFA World Cup.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature in his sixth and final World Cup. Despite being in the twilight years of his career at 41, the Al-Nassr icon remains a starter in A Selecao’s starting XI under Martinez’s tutelage. With the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Joao Neves operating in midfield, Ronaldo is arguably playing with the strongest pool of talent he has ever had on the international stage.
“I think Portugal have got a chance. My thinking is… Vitinha, Nuno Mendes at left-back, obviously Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, so the midfield is solid, I think the midfield is the best midfield in the tournament.”
He also raised the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo taking a backseat at the FIFA World Cup:
“The crucial thing for me is if Ronaldo can humble himself and realise he doesn’t need to play every minute of every game. As you get older you’ve got to understand your value. They got Rafael Leao on one side, Bernardo Silva coming in. They’ve got so much.”
Ronaldo notably had a disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring one goal in five appearances, as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo will aim to bounce back against Nigeria before FIFA World Cup opener vs DR Congo
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will aim to bounce back in their upcoming international friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday, June 10. The 41-year-old had a disappointing performance during A Selecao’s 2-1 win over Chile (June 6), which led to a scathing review by MLS legend Taylor Twellman.
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Ronaldo was unable to register a goal contribution, made only 12 touches, and missed one big chance before being subbed off at half-time against Chile. Portugal will face Nigeria in a friendly before kicking off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Congo on June 17. They will also face Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.
Despite his recent struggles, Ronaldo remains the highest international goalscorer of all time, garnering 143 goals in 227 appearances across all competitions.
Australia suffered only their second one-day international defeat by Bangladesh – and first for 21 years – in a comprehensive humbling in the series opener in Mirpur.
Australia, without a host of first-team players for the tour, dropped six catches, including four to reprieve all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain as he made 86 in Bangladesh’s 284-8.
The tourists slipped to 2-2 in reply as they lost Matt Short, to the first ball, and Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia laboured to 191-9 before a storm ended play and sealed a 86-run defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Alex Carey made 47 and Cameron Green 52 not out.
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The pacy Nahid Rana took 4-41, including Carey and stand-in captain Josh Inglis, while spinner Mosaddek claimed 2-37 on his first appearance for four years.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the independent Cricket Regulator, and the Gallagher Premiership club are all conducting investigations into the events.
There is a distinct possibility that a breach of team protocols could lead to Stokes being stripped of the captaincy, a role he has held since the summer of 2022. However, it is understood that the ultimate decision currently rests with him.
Sources suggest that Stokes is contemplating stepping down as skipper, and it is not inconceivable that he might even consider retiring from international cricket altogether.
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Senior figures within the ECB are said to be furious about the potential reputational damage, particularly as it follows a “chaotic winter” marked by criticism of the team’s professionalism and drinking habits.
There is a possibility that the breach of team protocols could see Ben Stokes stripped of the captaincy, a role he has held since the summer of 2022 (PA Wire)
While the ECB has granted Stokes time to consider his position, that window is rapidly closing. Training for next week’s second Test at the Kia Oval is scheduled to commence on Sunday, with the squad due to gather before then.
PA understands that Totoa Auvaa, a 6ft 5in and 19stones 8lbs former Samoa A and Samoa Under-20 captain, is the Saracens player implicated.
Auvaa, 21, is a back-five forward who joined Saracens’ senior academy ahead of the current season and is viewed as a promising prospect.
A security guard who was with the England pair, but who is understood not to be a member of ECB staff, was reportedly injured in the incident.
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The damaging episode began with a contingent of England cricketers meeting Saracens squad members at the White Horse pub in Fulham on Sunday evening, with the latter group marking the end of their season.
According to a bartender, who asked not to be named, a group of around 20 players, including Stokes and England rugby internationals Maro Itoje and Ben Earl, were served in the establishment between 9pm and 11pm.
Outside the Rex Rooms nightclub where the incident took place (Getty)
The Rugby Football Union and Saracens have declined to comment, and there is no suggestion that either Itoje or Earl were involved in what took place later on.
The employee said Stokes ordered a couple of rum and Cokes and the group was engaging in “huge rounds”. He described the atmosphere between the group as “super nice”, adding: “I assumed they all knew each other in the way that they were talking.”
He said the group left when the White Horse closed at 11pm and some looked like they were going to “kick on”.
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PA understands earlier in the evening a lot of the Saracens rugby players were seen drinking at the Crabtree pub in Fulham. They were not seen with any of the England cricketers at that stage, a local witness has said.
Senior figures at the ECB will be furious there are once again question marks over the conduct and culture of the men’s team.
There were multiple reports of late-night drinking sessions on their doomed Ashes campaign over the winter, including a boozy trip to the beach resort of Noosa between the second and third Tests.
The subsequent revelation that white-ball captain Harry Brook had been involved in a scuffle with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the preceding tour of New Zealand was another damaging affair that saw him fined and issued with a final warning.
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Gus Atkinson celebrates with Stokes after taking a wicket on Sunday (Ben Whitley/PA)
Remarkably, as Stokes’ vice-captain, Brook could now be asked to lead the side in his absence. Joe Root, who did the job for five years before Stokes took over and is the squad’s senior figure, could be another option.
In 2017, Stokes was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub that resulted in him being charged with affray. He subsequently missed the Ashes tour of 2017-18 before he was cleared of the charge the following summer.
“He’s in severe doubt. One of the responsibilities as a captain is to set the right tone – if you’re leading, you have to set the right example,” Gower said.
“He has become – or, I probably have to use the past tense now, had become – a very important figure as a leader of that team. I don’t know what he’s thinking at the moment… regret could be the least of it. He will be mortified, I’m sure, to have put himself in that position in the early hours.”
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Stokes spoke of giving up alcohol during recovery from injury last year and even invested in a zero per cent brand of spirits.
But, in the immediate aftermath of the 115-run over New Zealand at the home of cricket, he told a press conference: “I won’t be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.”
Jun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators.
Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028.
On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits.
“The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.”
Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim.
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After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer.
Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save.
“I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.”
Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers.
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Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.
For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average.
In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday.
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“Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.”
Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025.
Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee.
Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday.
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He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings.
The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas.
For most of the past decade, Ohio State wide receivers have arrived on campus, waited their turn, and eventually left as prized NFL Draft picks. Current star Jeremiah Smith is the lone exception after shattering almost all the Buckeyes’ freshman receiving records in 2024. This year, though, two more true freshmen are already part of the conversation about early playing time.
Chris Henry Jr. is the expected name in that group. The five-star receiver and 247Sports’ No. 2 wideout in the 2026 recruiting class arrived in Columbus with the kind of profile that usually guarantees attention from Day 1. He’s the next in line in a series of high-end Ohio State recruits who arrive with expectations of becoming a future NFL star.
The more unexpected development is Brock Boyd.
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A three-star recruit out of Southlake Carroll in Texas, Boyd was the No. 123 receiver in his class. In most years, that profile would point toward a developmental path; limited early snaps, special teams work and a longer runway to offensive involvement.
Early indications, however, suggest something more immediate may be on the table for both true freshmen.
“Him and Chris Henry Jr. are both going to be very good players,” a source told CBS Sports this spring. “Skill sets are very different, but both are really effective at what they do. As freshmen, it’s always hard, but both will help this year. … Brock can go play right now at all three receiver positions. He’s really sharp.”
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Opportunity exists behind Buckeyes’ top options
Ohio State’s receiver room is more open than it might initially appear. Jeremiah Smith remains the unquestioned centerpiece after two dominant seasons, and Brandon Innis is expected to take on a larger role entering his third year in the program. Ohio State also added experienced transfers Devin McCuin from UTSA and Kyle Parker from LSU.
But beyond those four, the competition for snaps remains unsettled.
In fact, only four receivers on Ohio State’s roster have seen at least 50 targets at the FBS level: McCuin (224), Smith (211), Innis (69) and Parker (51). That helps explain why two freshmen have already worked their way into the conversation.
For Henry, the path is relatively straightforward. As one of the highest-rated receivers in the country, the expectation has always been that he would eventually push for playing time. The question is how quickly.
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Boyd’s emergence is more surprising. He arrived with far less recruiting acclaim than any Ohio State receiver who has generated offseason buzz in recent memory, yet has quickly established himself as a player capable of competing at multiple spots within the offense. In a room still sorting through its depth behind the top options, those traits could accelerate his path to playing time considerably.
How much can Ohio State’s freshman WRs actually contribute?
Before Smith rewrote the record book in 2024, Ohio State’s other eventual star receivers were complementary pieces as true freshmen. All six of the Buckeyes’ wideouts taken in the first round of the past five NFL Drafts totaled fewer than 500 yards receiving during their debut seasons. Even Garrett Wilson, whose 30 catches for 432 yards and five touchdowns in 2019 represented one of the more productive freshman campaigns at the position before Smith arrived, was still working behind established veterans.
Before the NFL: Ohio State WRs as true freshmen
Player
Year
Rec.
Yards
TD
Jeremiah Smith
2024
76
1,315
15
Carnell Tate
2023
18
264
1
Emeka Egbuka
2021
9
191
0
Marvin Harrison Jr.
2021
11
139
3
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
2020
10
49
1
Garrett Wilson
2019
30
432
5
Chris Olave
2018
12
197
3
Worth noting: Harrison and Olave arrived as four-star recruits, not the consensus five-star prospects that have since become the program’s standard at the position. Both finished their careers among Ohio State’s all-time receiving leaders.
Henry’s appeal is rooted in his physical tools. The 6-foot-5 receiver, son of former NFL wideout Chris Henry, pairs that size with a large catch radius, giving Ohio State a true outside target who can win above defenders and finish contested catches. A significant portion of his production at powerhouse Mater Dei in California came on downfield throws and tight coverage situations, where his length and ball skills allowed him to turn difficult chances into completions.
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Boyd enrolled at Ohio State after becoming his high school’s all-time leading receiver, breaking records that had stood for two decades. But he was the 25th-highest rated signee in Ohio State’s 29-man high school recruiting class. By recruiting metrics alone, he had no business being in this conversation.
But he is.
Whether that translates into significant production remains to be seen. But the early evaluations suggest both may already be closer to the field than Ohio State freshmen at the position typically are.
However, the trainer of ‘The Mexican Monster’ has now denied that suggestion, stating that Beterbiev’s team is ‘lying’ and has called for the fight to be made.
Beterbiev, who has 20 knockouts from his 22 fights, lost the undisputed light-heavyweight world title when he rematched Dmitry Bivol last February, but the Russian-Canadian is yet to fight since, as talks for a third fight with Bivol continue to drag on.
“Benavidez is such a person that talks a lot more than he does. But, we must admit that it is very competently conducted. He’s already a three-weight world champion, but his boxing is dirty and, of course, there are questions about some of his victories.
“He had a fight with Anthony Yarde and I agreed to come out with him after that fight. Apparently, his team didn’t expect me to agree so quickly, so they immediately changed their mind and chose [Zurdo] Ramirez.
“That was a year ago, in general, this has become the norm in boxing – I will box, I will not, I will choose my opponents – I like this one and I don’t like that one. I have a different mentality – it is alien to me.”
Now, the trainer of newly crowned WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion, Benavidez, who prides himself on his willingness to take on all comers, has responded, with his father/coach Jose Benavidez Snr refuting that accusation in an interview with BoxingScene and confirmed they still want the fight with Beterbiev and that it can be made in ‘five minutes’.
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“They’re lying. We want to fight him. Let’s make that fight happen. Tell the [Beterbiev] manager to contact me, and we will make that fight happen in five minutes. Do you have his manager’s number? Let’s go.”
“Nothing happened, but we still want to fight him. We’re here to fight anybody. If Beterbiev’s ready, let’s make it happen. Who wants to fight? Let’s see. I think they’re all talk.”
And in what was surely a promising outcome for the Florida State golf program, the team of teenagers turned out to be a roaring success, with Russell surviving a playoff to earn his tee times at Shinnecock.
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Miles Russell qualifies for 2026 U.S. Open with Charlie Woods on bag
At just 17 years old, Russell has already made a name for himself in the golf world. He’s dominated the junior circuits, earning AJGA Player of the Year honors the past two years.
On Monday, he entered the U.S. Open Final Qualifying event at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida with one dream: to qualify for his first major championship.
To do so, he enlisted Woods to carry his clubs and advise him throughout the round. Russell and Woods, also 17, know each other well from junior golf competitions. And over the coming years, they’ll get to know each other even better. Both have committed to play college golf at Florida State.
With four U.S. Open spots up for grabs on Monday at BallenIsles CC, Russell shot a 71 over his first 18 holes. It was good, but not good enough facing a quality field that featured PGA Tour winners Matt Kuchar and Matthieu Pavon, as well as up-and-coming Tour star Luke Clanton.
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But once the dust settled on the second 18 holes, Kuchar, Pavon and Clanton were sent packing without U.S. Open tee times.
Russell, on the other hand, had rallied with a 67 to reach six under. That left him in a three-way tie for third, forcing a three-man playoff for the final two U.S. Open spots.
On the second playoff hole, Russell drained a mid-range birdie putt to officially punch his ticket to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
“I’m pretty speechless at the moment.”
17-year-old Miles Russell survives a playoff to secure a spot in the U.S. Open. Having Charlie Woods as a caddy may have helped a little. 😅 pic.twitter.com/cFiw0CYec2
“I don’t think it’s quite set in yet. I’m pretty speechless at the moment,” Russell told Golf Channel after qualifying for his first major. “It’s something you dream of and practice for. And it’s just really cool.”
As for accomplishing the feat with Woods by his side, Russell called it “super special.”
“It was awesome. We kept it so light. It’s kind of the first time I’ve had a buddy on a bag instead of a real caddie, and, you know, I really liked it,” Russell said of his partnership with Woods. “Just kind of walking down the fairway and really not talking much golf and just having a fun time.”
Scotland have gone a long way under Steve Clarke. The shot that sealed their greatest journey certainly did. Kenny McLean was inside his own half when he let fly, a 50-yard shot in the play-off against Denmark to book a 3,000-mile flight across the Atlantic. McLean’s was the third wonder goal Scotland scored on one astonishing evening; Lawrence Shankland’s close-range finish was rather overshadowed by Scott McTominay’s overhead kick and Kieran Tierney’s long-range curler even before McLean added his injury-time entry to the goal-of-the-game contest.
It tapped into Scotland’s rich history. There have been tragicomic failures, a perennial inability to get out of the group, but also the moments of brilliance that lend hope. Scotland’s first World Cup in the Americas featured the goal that – with apologies to McLean, McTominay and Tierney – surely still ranks as the greatest in their country’s colours; Archie Gemmill’s slaloming strike against a Netherlands team who nevertheless reached the 1978 World Cup final, but only after losing to Scotland. “Ally’s army” failed to conquer Argentina, and manager Ally MacLeod’s confidence looked more like delusion.
Scotland players celebrate after Kenny McLean’s goal from the halfway line deep into injury time against Denmark sealed Scotland’s place in the World Cup (PA)
Now, a Miami tie with Brazil promises to evoke memories of their 1982 meeting and the David Narey thunderbolt that put Scotland ahead. The Scots went on to lose 4-1 and to exit a third consecutive World Cup on goal difference.
All of which may have a pertinence again. Scotland are in a pool with 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and perennial contenders Brazil. Scotland and the Selecao seem drawn to each other: this is a fifth meeting, of which a stalemate in 1974 brought the Scots’ only point. Morocco beat them 3-0 in 1998, when such a scoreline could rank as more of a surprise.
Logic may suggest Scotland’s best chance of progressing is among the better third-placed finishers, involving having a respectable goal difference and beating Haiti. Scotland’s past indicates that is not guaranteed: they drew with Iran in 1978 and lost to Costa Rica in 1990. They enter their ninth World Cup with just four wins so far: against Zaire, as they were called then, in 1974, the Netherlands in 1978, New Zealand in 1982 and Sweden in 1990.
But those at least came in an era when qualifying was the norm. Part of the reason why scenes of unbridled joy greeted November’s play-off victory over Denmark was that Scotland had become strangers to global occasions. Only one country had played in at least eight World Cups, but none in the 21st century: Scotland. After qualifying for six out of seven, they reached none of the last six.
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Now Clarke is compiling a case to be the most successful Scotland manager of all. It is based largely on lesser stages, but no one else has taken Scotland to three major tournaments. They went two decades without qualifying for anything until Clarke changed a pattern of decline.
The qualms about him concern, in part, his record in the biggest games. Scotland took one point each in Euro 2020 and 2024; they were arguably the worst side in the latter. They only scored one goal in each, from Callum McGregor and McTominay, respectively. Scotland’s last victory in a tournament remains the 1-0 against Switzerland in Euro 96; the man who earned it, Ally McCoist, will be in the United States this summer, but as a pundit in his sixties.
Steve Clarke is charged with delivering a first victory in a major tournament in 30 years (Getty)
Should Clarke fail to end Scotland’s wait, either for a win or to finally reach the knockout stages of anything, it would bring into question the SFA’s wisdom in giving him a new four-year contract. But he has brought common sense, continuity and a common bond.
Playing in a World Cup is in itself the culmination of something. For the captain, Andy Robertson, and his deputy, John McGinn, each in his thirties, both among their country’s most capped players, it is likely to be the only one. Neither peaked in either of their European Championships, but Aston Villa’s Europa League-winning skipper has had arguably the best season of his career; the Napoli Scudetto MVP McTominay the best two years.
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Clarke has a core of solid citizens, with a dash of youth. The 20-year-old Findlay Curtis was his youngest choice, until Billy Gilmour was ruled out and Tyler Fletcher, 19, a veteran of just 17 minutes of league football, was called up.
Tyler Fletcher’s late call-up brought the average age of Scotland’s squad down but they remain one of the oldest teams in the tournament (PA)
They drag the average age down, but this is still one of the oldest squads in the tournament. The oldest of all, Craig Gordon, has lived through three Scotland World Cup campaigns. The 43-year-old goalkeeper was born a mere six months after Narey stunned Brazil, at least until Zico and co responded.
There is, of course, a still older man of Scottish heritage who could cast a shadow over the World Cup. If the Tartan Army seem certain to provide a welcome addition to the tournament – and, while a kilt or two may have been seen in Boston over the years, the chances are that they have been worn rather less in Miami – it has also been shaped by the man with a Scottish mother. Though in the good humour and self-deprecating wit of the supporters, the down-to-earth nature of Clarke’s players, their collective commitment to gradual improvement and a relatively modest aim of reaching the last 32, there may be little of this Scotland in Donald Trump.
Jo Yapp says it was a “genuine pinch-me’ moment when finding out that she had been named the first British and Irish Lions Women’s head coach and said she would pick the “best players” for next year’s inaugural tour of New Zealand.
Algeria star Ibrahim Maza has emphatically claimed that his side ‘will beat’ superstar forward Lionel Messi’s Argentina in their opening fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The young midfielder asserted that his team could overcome the challenge posed by the South American juggernautsif they ‘put effort’ into their game and keep their composure.
Led by Messi’s seven goals and three assists in seven games, Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup title at the 2022 edition. Although mainstays like Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria are not in the current squad, they are still considered heavy favourites to win the 2026 edition.
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Lionel Scaloni’s side have been drawn into Group J, alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Although the draw is relatively straight-forward on paper, the defending champions will be looking to avoid a slip-up like the shock 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in their 2022 opener.
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Conversely, the Algerians have seemingly embraced their underdog status, with Maza’s recent comments confirming their approach to the Argentina fixture. Speaking to media upon his side’s arrival in Kansas on Sunday (June 7), the 20-year-old, who plays his club football for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, said (via tycsports):
“We will beat Messi, God willing. We have to have a good World Cup, and the first game against Argentina is very important… They (Argentina) provoke a lot, but we have to put effort into the game, play with our heads and see what happens. God willing, we will do well and beat Messi.”
With the 2026 edition likely to be Messi‘s final appearance at a FIFA World Cup, the defending champions will be eager to repeat their heroics from the 2022 edition.
“We will face it like any other game” – Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez on FIFA World Cup opener vs Lionel Messi’s Argentina
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez claimed that his side will approach their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Argentina as ‘any other game’.
While the Fennecs do not have any superstars in their squad, they have a host of players who have proven their mettle in European and international football. The likes of Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Rayan Ait Nouri (Manchester City), Amine Gouiri (Marseille) and Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund) are considered among the top players in their respective leagues.
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Mahrez, who starred in the Premier League with Leicester City and Manchester City, claimed that his team is ready for the World Cup. Speaking to media on Sunday (June 7), the 35-year-old said (via tycsports):
“We will face it like any other game. We still have a week to prepare properly, but we are ready… The truth is, I don’t know if there are so many expectations, but we will try to do it in the best way so that they are proud in our country.”
Algeria will face off against Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday, June 16.
Manchester United are looking to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of their return to the Champions League
Manchester United are said to be keen on bringing in Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow this summer as they look for an experienced deputy in that position. The 35-year-old’s deal at Elland Road is due to run out later this month, making him available as a free agent.
According to The Athletic, the Whites are eager to hand Darlow fresh terms to retain his services despite United’s interest, and are anticipated to table a new offer. United have also reportedly held talks over a potential move for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who progressed through the academy at Old Trafford.
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The 33-year-old departed United in 2018 and has built a solid career since, despite never featuring for the Reds’ senior side. It comes despite United having just renewed veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton’s contract for a further season.
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The 40-year-old was anticipated to depart Old Trafford this summer, but has committed to staying for another campaign. Heaton initially joined the club in 2021 and has only made three first-team outings during that period.
Despite his limited playing time, he’s regarded as a vital squad member and fulfils an important role in maintaining standards off the pitch. One player who will certainly be departing United this summer is Casemiro, whose Old Trafford contract is also set to expire.
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The Brazilian has previously highlighted the vital role Heaton plays within the dressing room, and the importance of his presence.
“He [Heaton] is very important. Very important for us,” Casemiro told the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
“He pushes the training, he pushes in the game, of course, he doesn’t play, but he pushes every time. For me, everyone needs this guy; he helps the room so much.”
United are anticipated to overhaul their goalkeeping ranks, with Altay Bayindir set to depart, while questions remain over Andre Onana’s future at Old Trafford.
The latter spent last season on loan in Turkey and United are keen to recoup funds on the keeper, though reports suggest he wishes to remain and compete with Senne Lammens for the first-choice position.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
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Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
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