Neymar has returned to limited training as he bids to return to fitness in time to feature for Brazil at what could be his last World Cup.
The superstar forward has been out of acting nursing a calf problem sustained while playing for Santos in May, and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.
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He is not expected to play in Brazil‘s second Group C outing against Haiti on Friday, with the Selecao desperately needing an injection of attacking spark after putting in an underwhelming display in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco.
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Elsewhere, Lamine Yamal has stepped up his return to full fitness after making his return to action in Spain‘s goalless draw with Cape Verde off the bench – will he start their next match against Saudi Arabia?
See below for a full list of key injuries at this year’s World Cup.
Neymar sustained a grade two calf injury just three weeks out from the tournament.
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The 34-year-old missed the opening match against Morocco and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.
He has only just returned to partial training with Brazil and is not expected to feature against Haiti on Friday in Philadelphia.
Neymar missed Brazil’s opener due to a calf injury (Getty)
The 18-year-old star injured his left hamstring and had been out since 22 April, but he has now made his return to action after coming off the bench in Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde.
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Spain boss Luis de la Fuente insisted he was in “perfect condition” with Yamal no doubt eager to start for the European champions against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
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Fellow Spain winger Nico Williams also returned off the bench against Cape Verde, as did Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino who had been sidelined for much of the year so far.
Lamine Yamal in action for Spain against Cape Verde (Getty)
The co-hosts’ star player shone in the first-half of USA’s 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles but was withdrawn by Mauricio Pochettino at half-time due to a calf problem. However, the knock is not thought to be too serious.
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“He received a kick in his calf and he felt tight at the end of the first half,” Pochettino said. “We didn’t want to take any risks. It was difficult for him to walk, but we hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one.”
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Pulisic later told reporters: “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.”
The United States next face Australia in San Francisco on Friday, with Pulisic currently in individual training. A team spokesman described Pulisic as “day to day” after his second straight day on his own.
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Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time in USA’s opening win against Paraguay (Getty)
Canada’s captain and star player had to sit out their 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Friday in Toronto and there are doubts whether he will be fit for their next match against Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday.
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Bayern Munich‘s Davies sustained a hamstring injury in May and the team remained tight-lipped about his recovery during Tuesday’s training session.
“Mentally, it was very draining, suffering these injuries,” Davies told reporters ahead of Canada’s opener. “I was going into a hole where I was doubting myself, but I had that time off (during the injuries) and I thought about why I’m doing this, and how important this is to me.”
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Alphonso Davies missed Canada’s opener (Reuters)
Saka did not start England’s friendly win against Costa Rica but did put lingering concern surrounding his fitness to one side as he came on in the closing stages.
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The Arsenal winger has been managing an Achilles problem. He said he is having to take a “gamble” on his fitness but is still “ready to go” ahead of England’s opener against Croatia.
Thomas Tuchel will have to decide whether he is fit enough to start the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
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“He was available and made himself available in the end of the season, and did this brilliantly, but he was managed in-between matches and that continues a little bit at the very moment, so we’re building him up,” Tuchel said last week.
Bukayo Saka allayed injury fears after featuring for England against Costa Rica (Getty)
Manchester City defender Dias will miss Portugal’s opener against DR Congo in a hefty blow for Roberto Martinez’s side.
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He has been dealing with an injury in training in recent days and Martinez confirmed that Portugal “won’t take any risks” against the African nation, with Dias still “not fully fit”.
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Ruben Dias will miss Portugal’s opener against DR Congo (Getty)
England have been dealt their first real injury blow of the campaign after Newcastle defender Livramento was ruled out for the tournament with a calf injury.
Chalobah will not be available in England’s opener against Croatia.
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England’s Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)
Another confirmed absentee, Tottenham forward Kudus will miss the World Cup because of a quadricep injury.
The 25-year-old has not featured since January, in a blow to Ghana – who are in England’s group.
Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)
Liverpool defensive midfielder Endo injured his foot in February and has been ruled out of the World Cup – and the 33-year-old has immediately retired from international duty.
“Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever,” he said. “From here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.”
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Wataru Endo has not played for Liverpool since February (Getty)
The Arsenal defender had been out since March due to a groin problem, but came on in the second half of the Champions League final against PSG.
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However, the Dutch FA believe Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” to take part in the tournament in a “medically responsible manner.”
As such, Timber has left the Dutch squad and been ruled out of the World Cup.
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Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)
The 18-year-old was expected to be one of the young stars of this tournament but suffered a torn thigh muscle in training, ruling him out of the World Cup.
Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup (Getty)
It was heartbreak for Scotland’s creative midfielder Gilmour, as he suffered an injury in their warm-up victory against Curacao.
The 24-year-old Napoli player picked up a knee injury in the 4-1 win, with teammate Scott McTominay saying he was “absolutely devastated” by the news.
Gilmour was, however, in camp to support his teammates ahead of their opening win against Haiti on Saturday.
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Billy Gilmour suffered a knee injury in Scotland’s warm-up game against Curacao (PA)
Japan in action vs Serbia during the VNL Women’s Week 2 at Philsports Arena.
MANILA, Philippines — Japan survived a gritty Serbia side to eke out a come-from-behind20-25, 26-24, 18-25, 32-20, 15-7 win and preserve a 5-0 record in the Volleyball Nations League women’s week 2 on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Mayu Ishikawa and Yukiko Wada saved the Japanese from the brink of defeat, delivering the finishing blows to keep the solo lead of the 18-nation, nine-leg pool phase league.
Ishikawa delivered 24 points and the last two in the fifth set to seal the comeback win, while Wada chipped in 20 points — all from attacks.
Japan squandered a 24-22 advantage in the fourth after Serbia took five match points. Haruyo Shimamura put Japan ahead with a clutch block, 31-30, followed by Yoshino Sato’s set-clinching hit to force a decider.
Sato’s ace kept Serbia at bay in the fifth with a 13-5 spread, as she finished with 12 points off seven kills, four aces, and a block.Shimamura had 11 points.
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“Today, it was a good comeback.Serbia played really great. Great match. And we were struggling during the match, but after a while, we get the rhythm. So it was a great comeback. It’s the fifth victory in five matches, so it’s so good. We need to continue in this rhythm,” said Japan coach Fehrat Akbas, who was thrilled by the cheers of the Filipino crowd.
“All crowd, I see, I hear, Nippon, Nippon, so they supported us really good. We were feeling like we are in Japan, so thank you to all Philippine fans. I hope they come and support us for the next matches too.”
Aleksandra Uzelac scored 21 for Serbia. Nina Cajic chipped in 18 points only for them to drop to a 1-4 record.
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Hena Kurtagic had five of Serbia’s 15 block points, while Japan had only a total of four.
Japan returns to action on Friday against Czechia, while Serbia has a short turnaround before facing defending champion Italy on Thursday at 8 p.m.
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New York Knicks star OG Anunoby certainly played hard, and it looks like he partied hard, too.
The Knicks’ Game 4 hero appeared with some of his teammates on “Good Morning America” on Monday morning, and while he was physically present, mentally he might have been somewhere else.
Anunoby was asked about the difference first-year head coach Mike Brown made and how he brought the team together. The 28-year-old remained mute and stared off into the void, as if he didn’t hear the question.
Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos appear on Good Morning America on June 15, 2026.(Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.)
After a couple of seconds of silence, the “Good Morning America” crew and Anunoby’s Knicks teammates burst out laughing. Jalen Brunson, being the good captain that he is, offered to step up and answer the question through laughter.
Karl-Anthony Towns then took the reins and answered the question, while Anunoby sat there oblivious. For Anunoby, the Knicks’ title celebration was the first time he had consumed alcohol, according to The Athletic’s report.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby makes a game-winning tip shot vs. the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.(Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
His first sip — or rather, chug — of alcohol was a strong pull of tequila in the Knicks’ locker room. By the looks of how things went on Monday morning, Anunoby didn’t stop drinking after the locker room.
The team threw a party Sunday night in Manhattan at a private club after immediately flying back from Texas, according to the New York Post.
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026.(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
At one point during the interview, Michael Strahan asked Anunoby to smile, which he did, much to the delight of his teammates. Anunoby looked like he was struggling to keep his eyes open after Strahan’s request, sending his teammates into further hysteria.
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Anunoby, who was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, was integral in the team’s playoff run. He played shutdown defense while also serving as a meaningful offensive contributor. He averaged just more than 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks across 17 playoff games.
Apple TV+ renewed Widow’s Bay for a second season on June 11, confirming that the series will return with a new installment days before season 1 was scheduled to conclude. As of now, we don’t have reports of a release date or what might follow in the upcoming season after the cryptic Season 1 finale.
Premiered on April 29, 2026, Widow’s Bay follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), a desperate politician determined to reshape the narrative of a sleepy, isolated New England community. Lacking Wi-Fi and cell reception, Tom tries to boost the local economy by turning the island into a bustling tourist destination, completely dismissing the warnings of his highly superstitious residents.
Widow’s Bay confirmed to return for a second season on Apple TV: Everything we know so far
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No cast members have been officially confirmed for Widow’s Bay Season 2 yet. However, Matthew Rhys is expected to return as Tom Loftis, alongside Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, and Kevin Carroll. Most of the main cast from Season 1 will likely return as well. This could include K Callan as Ruth Livingston, who survived her injury in the finale, and Kingston Rumi Southwick as Tom’s son, Evan Loftis.
The Season 1 ending revealed that Evan is a descendant of Richard Warren. Because he is still alive, the island’s curse remains unbroken, making him an important character for any future storylines in Season 2. At this point, these are simply predictions.
Katie Dippold has already hinted that there is plenty more story left to tell in Widow’s Bay. Following Apple TV+’s renewal announcement, the creator, showrunner, and executive producer jokingly described that everything would be fine in the island in Season 2. She said:
“Season two is about how everything is great on the island and there’s nothing to worry about.”
The show’s strong reception among audiences played a key role in securing another season. Reflecting on the series’ success, Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV, said:
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“From the moment audiences arrived in Widow’s Bay, they’ve been hooked on every eerie mystery, unexpected laugh and cursed secret that Katie, Hiro [Murai, executive producer and director], Matthew and the entire team have created. It’s become one of those shows everyone’s talking about, and we’re thrilled to see audiences continue to embrace it. We can’t wait to return for another season.”
It is tough to predict exactly when Widow’s Bay Season 2 will arrive on Apple TV+. While the show’s renewal was announced just days before the first season wrapped up, Apple TV is yet to annouce a release date.
The first season starred Matthew Rhys as Mayor Tom Loftis alongside Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kevin Carroll, K Callan, and Kingston Rumi Southwick. Viewers who want to catch up before Season 2 can stream all episodes of Widow’s Bay Season 1 exclusively on Apple TV+.
Man Utd are looking at their options on the wing this summer and they might have to add a new name to the list during the World Cup.
There is a winger at RB Leipzig who is attracting a fair bit of attention during this World Cup and looks set for a big-money move once the tournament ends. Yan Diomande was excellent for the Ivory Coast in their first game and Liverpool look set to win the race for the teenager.
Manchester United looked at Diomande earlier this year, but the 19-year-old’s performances have continued to go up a level in the second half of this season and the reports of the Bundesliga side wanting more than £100million would be enough to price United out in a summer when the midfield is their focus.
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But it turns out Diomande isn’t the only eye-catching young winger at Leipzig, and Antonio Nusa made his own electric entrance onto the World Cup stage on Tuesday night.
Nusa, 21, was superb for Norway in their 4-1 win against Iraq, causing havoc from the left, which is exactly where United want to strengthen. Diomande’s move to playing more regularly on the right would count against him.
He registered five goals and four assists for RB Leipzig this season and while those numbers don’t match Diomande’s stunning output, he is a lively wide man capable of beating his man with a bagful of tricks. He could also be around half the price of Diomande.
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The issue is whether RB Leipzig would sell both their first-choice wingers in the same window. With a deal for Diomande yet to be agreed, anyone moving swiftly for Nusa could steal a march and get that transfer done first.
For a player who only turned 21 in April, Nusa already has plenty of first-team football under his belt. He has made 170 appearances for Stabaek, Club Brugge and RB Leipzig and has 21 goal contributions in 70 games for the German outfit.
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He also now has eight goals in 25 caps for his country and has earned the nickname the Norwegian Neymar back home, partly because he has never hidden his admiration for the Brazilian attacker.
“I like to create chaos,” Nusa told Norwegian media in April 2021. “Neymar is my role model because he creates chaos on the pitch with his dribbling, just like me. He is one of the best in the world.”
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He has since tried to step back from those comparisons, insisting that while he takes it as a big compliment, “I’m not a new Neymar.”
He is an exciting left winger with a game that could suit the Premier League. Players from Scandinavia normally find it easy to adapt to the English game, and Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland are prime examples of that in the Norwegian squad. The pace of the Bundesliga and its transitions also make it a good league to step up from to the Premier League.
United have good links with RB Leipzig. They signed Benjamin Sesko from that club a year ago for £73million and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is a former employee at the Red Bull network of clubs.
They could use that to their advantage to look at Nusa. United are weighing up whether to sign a left-back or left-winger this season, and they have considered Morgan Rogers, Iliman Ndiaye and Crysenscio Summerville for the latter position. Nusa should also be on the list.
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Grand Final Day is fast approaching for Asfoora, and trainer Henry Dwyer is forecasting an improved performance from his globe-trotting mare in the King Charles III Stakes on Day 1 at Royal Ascot.
The seven-year-old daughter of Flying Artie, who captured the 1005-metre Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot two years ago, is aiming to bounce back after two unplaced runs to kick off what will most likely be her final campaign.
After finishing tenth in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes (1005m) at Newmarket on May 2, Asfoora trailed the field of 12 in the Group 2 Temple Stakes (1005m) at Haydock three weeks later. However, Dwyer confirmed she has benefited from those runs and will be fitted with blinkers this week.
“She’s had the two runs back and is certainly much fitter now,” Dwyer commented.
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“She looks well and with the blinkers going on we are hoping she can turn her form around on Tuesday.”
Asfoora drew barrier 26 for the full field of 26 in the straight-track race that will be run at 12.40am AEST Wednesday.
The other Australian representative is Overpass, who will be positioned not too far from Asfoora at the start, having drawn gate 19.
Overpass heads the betting at $3.40 from French mare Rayevka (barrier 15), Temple Stakes winner Night Raider (six), defending champion American Affair (18), and Coolmore’s three-year-old Mission Central (24). These are the only runners with shorter odds than Asfoora, who is a $10 chance.
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Asfoora and American Affair, last year’s King Charles III Stakes winner when Asfoora placed fifth, are both striving to join the 12 horses that have won the King Charles III Stakes on multiple occasions.
Equiano (2008/10), Elbio (1991/93), Hornet’s Beauty (1911/13), and Woolsthorpe (1895/97) are the horses to have achieved this in non-consecutive years.
Asfoora went on to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1005m) at York and the Group 1 Prix De L’abbeye (1000m) at Longchamp following last year’s King Charles III Stakes. While Dwyer understands her international odyssey is nearing its conclusion, he is already making plans for her post-racing career.
The Ballarat horseman was recently licensed in the UK and has two European gallopers scheduled to run in his name later in the week. Ten Sovereigns’ colt Synners Kid will compete in the Britannia Stakes on Thursday, with Kodiac’s filly Kochella to make her second start in the Group 3 Albany Stakes the following day.
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Check out the latest online bookmakers and their sign-up offers at online bookmakers.
Noah Gragson took a jab at Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego autograph session arrangement this week. The Front Row Motorsports driver offered fans a free alternative just as the seven-time champion’s wristband-restricted signing event drew attention on social media.
Johnson announced an autograph session scheduled for 1:15 PM ET on Saturday (June 20), at the NASCAR Pit Shop Green Zone, with a notable restriction. The wristband required for the signing was limited to customers who purchased the 2026 Jimmie Johnson Carvana San Diego die-cast at the NASCAR Pit Shop on June 19, and autographs are strictly limited to that purchased die-cast only.
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Johnson posted the announcement on X:
“Looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and spending some time with fans this weekend. Planning to stop by the autograph session? Be sure to check the details on the graphic. Wristbands are limited, and there are a few important guidelines to know.”
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The post laid out the purchase requirement explicitly. It is designed to manage demand for what is expected to be one of the weekend’s most popular fan interactions, given Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego roots. But it also required a financial transaction before a fan could get an autograph at all.
Noah Gragson responded on X with:
“Reminder that you don’t need that wristband bullshit at our merch hauler. I’ll sign for all of you. No purchase necessary 😃”
Reminder that you don’t need that wristband bullshit at our merch hauler. I’ll sign for all of you. No purchase necessary😃
The post drew a wave of supportive replies from fans who appreciated the effort.
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Jimmie Johnson is set for one of the busiest weekends of his part-time career at Naval Base Coronado, attempting double duty across both the Truck Series and Cup Series in his hometown. He will drive the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage in Friday’s Truck Series race, before competing in Sunday’s Cup Series Anduril 250.
It will be his first Truck Series start since 2008. For Cup, Johnson will drive the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns. He grew up in nearby El Cajon, California, and has described the weekend as a full-circle moment, with his grandparents, both military, buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery near the base.
Noah Gragson feels the San Diego street race will be “an incredible week for our sport”
Noah Gragson – NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Brickyard. Source: Getty
The inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado carries weight beyond the standard Cup Series weekend given its setting. An active military base hosting the sport for the first time, built into the roads and runways of Naval Air Station North Island, with the event timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.
For Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports team, the occasion carries its own significance.
“This is such an incredible week for our sport,” Noah Gragson said via Speedway Media. “To be able to put on a race at an active military base, in front of so many heroes that protect our freedoms each and every day, is an unbelievable honor.”
He broke down what he expects from the 16-turn circuit specifically:
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“I’ve been able to run laps on sim, and see videos of the layout, and it’s definitely going to be a challenging course but also a lot of fun. Each section of the track has its own unique character. There are some technical turns mixed in with some faster, sweeping turns, and then some areas where it will get crazy, especially on the initial start and on restarts,” he added.
Rush Truck Centers returns as the primary sponsor on Noah Gragson’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the San Diego Street course weekend. The partnership covers 12 races for him in 2026. The remaining dates after San Diego include Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, Daytona International Speedway on August 29, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 25.
Manchester United have identified Mateus Fernandes as a key transfer target in the summer transfer window, but Real Madrid are among a number of teams also linked with a move
Midfield has become a priority area to strengthen for Michael Carrick as the club prepares for a return to Champions League football. An agreement has already been reached with Atalanta for Ederson, but United want to sign another central player, with Fernandes the name being mentioned.
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There is, however, competition for the Portugal international in the form of Real Madrid. The Spanish club confirmed the appointment of Mourinho last week.
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Spanish outlet Marca reports that Fernandes is ‘highly regarded’ by Mourinho, with Real Madrid prioritising signing a midfielder this summer.
They have also been linked with Chelsea‘s Enzo Fernandes, who is said to be “offering himself” to the club.
The player has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford, but United’s valuation currently falls well short of West Ham’s asking price, due to worries about his inexperience at the top level.
They are expected to bid later this week, but are willing to play the waiting game to get a deal at a price they believe is fair.
The 21-year-old made 36 Premier League appearances for West Ham last season, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He previously impressed in the league for Southampton in the 2024/25 season.
United are set for a midfield revamp this summer. Casemiro has left the club, with Manuel Ugarte expected to seal an exit from Old Trafford in the next couple of months.
After a difficult time under Ruben Amorim, Kobbie Mainoo established himself as a key player under Carrick in the second half of the season. It means the new midfield could be built around the England international.
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.
India vs Netherlands LIVE Updates, Women’s T20 World Cup: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have taken India past 100 in just 11 overs. Earlier, Netherlands captain Babette de Leede won the toss and opted to bowl against Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in their second Group A game. India are eyeing a second straight win, after outclassing arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening group game. India will be banking on star opener Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma to come good again. Netherlands are aiming to bounce back after losing narrowly to Bangladesh in their first match. (Live Scorecard)
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Ireland may not be at this World Cup, but the League of Ireland still has a story worth following.
For supporters of the domestic game, the tournament is not only about the usual favourites, global stars and headline fixtures. It is also a chance to see players connected to Irish football step onto the biggest stage in the sport.
That angle matters. The League of Ireland is often judged through attendances, European results or transfer value, but international recognition is another measure of progress. When players based in Ireland are selected for World Cup squads, it reflects well on the league and its clubs.
Joseph Anang gives St Pat’s a World Cup storyline
The clearest League of Ireland World Cup link is Joseph Anang. The St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper was included in Ghana’s 26-man squad, creating a notable moment for the Inchicore club. A World Cup call-up for a player based at Richmond Park is rare, giving St Pat’s supporters a direct interest in Ghana’s campaign.
Anang’s route is also a reminder that careers rarely move in straight lines. Having come through the West Ham United system and previously spent time on loan, he has built a strong profile in Ireland. Regular senior football has clearly helped him build rhythm, confidence and reputation.
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Whether Anang starts matches or serves as part of Ghana’s goalkeeping group, the selection itself is significant. It shows that the domestic competition can still provide a platform for players with international ambitions.
Pico Lopes remains one of the league’s great international stories
Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes offers another strong League of Ireland connection. The Shamrock Rovers defender is part of one of football’s best modern international stories, with Cape Verde reaching the World Cup for the first time. Born in Ireland and developed through the local football pathway, Lopes has become a key figure for Cape Verde while continuing to represent one of the biggest clubs in the Irish game.
His journey is different from Anang’s, but just as important. Lopes is a long-serving League of Ireland figure, shaped by years of domestic football, European qualifiers, title races and pressure games with Shamrock Rovers.
Cape Verde’s qualification has already been framed as a historic achievement, and Lopes gives Irish supporters a personal link to that story. It is rare for a League of Ireland regular to be involved in a World Cup group-stage campaign, and even rarer for that player to carry such a deep connection with an Irish club.
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Why this matters for Irish football followers
For Sports News Ireland readers, this is the kind of World Cup angle that goes beyond standard match previews. Ireland’s absence from the tournament is disappointing, but the domestic league still has representation through stories worth tracking. Fans will follow the world cup favourites, team sheets and knockout possibilities, yet Anang and Lopes bring the tournament closer to home.
Major tournaments also change how supporters engage with football away from the pitch. In Ireland, that wider matchday behaviour means some adult fans also compare best Irish casinos that include sportsbook sections, football markets and casino offers under one account. Any betting or casino activity should still be treated as paid entertainment, not as a guaranteed return.
From a football perspective, the better story is still the same: two League of Ireland players can help keep local interest alive during a World Cup without the Republic of Ireland.
What to watch during the tournament
For Anang, the question is whether he can move closer to minutes with Ghana or use the tournament environment to strengthen his standing within the national setup. Even if he does not start, training daily at World Cup level can be valuable when he returns to club football.
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For Lopes, the focus is different. Cape Verde are one of the stories of the tournament, and their matches should attract neutral interest. Lopes’ defensive experience, leadership and composure will matter if Cape Verde are to stay competitive. Shamrock Rovers fans know his strengths well: organisation, resilience and the ability to handle pressure.
There is also a modern payments angle around major football tournaments. Some fans now look beyond traditional banking and compare digital-first options before using betting or gaming platforms. That is where resources covering online crypto casinos can become relevant for users who prefer crypto-friendly payment methods and want to understand how deposits, withdrawals and account controls work before placing money online.
The World Cup will still be dominated by the biggest nations and the biggest names. But for Irish football, the presence of League of Ireland figures adds a smaller, more local storyline that deserves attention. Anang and Lopes show that the domestic game can still reach global tournaments, even in different ways.
That may not soften the frustration of Ireland missing out, but it gives supporters something tangible to follow. When the tournament begins, League of Ireland fans will not just be watching from the outside. Through St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Ghana and Cape Verde, the domestic game will have a place in the wider World Cup conversation
A Turkish state broadcaster has removed a commentator from its World Cup coverage after he mistakenly identified the Iran and New Zealand teams during a live broadcast.
TRT confirmed late on Tuesday that the commentator, named by Turkish media as Murat Ekrem Çimen, had been withdrawn from the US World Cup broadcast team pending an investigation. He will not continue to comment on matches throughout the tournament.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that Mr Çimen referred to Iran’s attacks as New Zealand’s and vice-versa during the opening minutes of the broadcast.
TRT described the error as “unacceptable” under its broadcasting standards.
“We apologise to our viewers and the public for this error,” the broadcaster stated. “It is unacceptable for TRT that someone with over 30 years of experience in sports broadcasting would make such a mistake.”
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Iran earned a point from Monday’s game (Getty)
The Group G match on Monday night ended in a 2-2 draw, with Iran twice coming from behind to rescue a point from their opening game.
Elijah Just put New Zealand in front twice, but his goals were cancelled out by strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.
Iran faced a disrupted build-up to the tournament amid the nation’s ongoing conflict with the US, who are co-hosting the World Cup.
Iran moved their training base to Mexico ahead of the World Cup, with the squad flying into the US for each of their three group matches.
Following Monday’s match against New Zealand, Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team is the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
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“We’ve spent so much time commuting in the air,” he said.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game today. They said we had to leave immediately.
“It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.
“We do not know why they are returning us. I think it’s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions are made elsewhere, we were supposed to arrive two nights before the game and we were not permitted, we were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why, and they haven’t told us.
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“Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”
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