USA winger ​Christian Pulisic will miss the key Group D ​game against Australia due to injury, after training separately from his teammates ​this ‌week , coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. Ricardo ⁠Pepi, who came off the bench in the Paraguay game, replaces ​Pulisic as the only change.

The starting XIs

USA: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, ​Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi; Folarin Balogun

Australia: Patrick Beach; Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, ⁠Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Aiden ⁠O’Neill, ​Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay; Mohamed Toure

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures

 

 

 

The Minnesota Vikings have already revealed a few surprises this offseason, including firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah three and a half weeks after the regular season ended and signing Kyler Murray for $1.3 million. So, what’s next?

The following list highlights surprises that could reasonably occur. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most surprising possible development).

Vikings’ Depth Chart May Not Be a Finished Product

6. Ivan Pace Jr. Gets Released

When Minnesota began the offseason, the off-ball linebacking situation looked murky. Eric Wilson was scheduled for free agency, Pace Jr. was not guaranteed to return, and rookie Jake Golday had not entered the roster orbit. The depth chart revealed Blake Cashman — and that was pretty much it.

Then, of course, Wilson re-signed, along with Pace Jr., and the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Golday from Cincinnati.

There’s a world where Pace Jr. may not make the 53-man roster, believe it or not, if Golday is ready for action in Week 1. Minnesota benched Pace Jr. early in 2025, and the cap hit to drop him this summer is quite low: $0 added in dead money.

The Vikings could also rather easily sign a veteran linebacker like Bobby Okereke or Devin White while releasing Pace Jr., who struggled to tackle last season.

5. Vikings Trade for Another RB

Minnesota could explore the RB trade market. Trey Benson, for example, is a prime candidate. The Arizona Cardinals now have Jeremiyah Love, James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, and Benson in the same backfield, creating a challenging situation for distributing carries. Benson, like fellow 2024 draftee Jonathon Brooks, has also dealt with injuries.

By his third year, Benson would ideally be vying for a more prominent role. Instead, Arizona acquired another back and retained Conner. Teams typically avoid such a crowded backfield for players they view as future stars. If the Cardinals are open to discussions, the Vikings should inquire for a 6th-Round pick or so.

Jaylen Wright presents another intriguing possibility. With Frank Smith, formerly Miami’s offensive coordinator, now serving as Minnesota’s assistant head coach, a connection already exists. Wright is currently Miami’s RB2, but the arrival of Ollie Gordon this summer could alter the depth chart. If Wright finds himself as the RB3, a new environment might be beneficial.

His speed is a major asset, with a reported 4.38 40-yard dash time. Through two seasons, he has accumulated approximately 600 scrimmage yards and recently turned 23. Like Benson, Wright could be gettable for a late-round pick.

4. Another WR Signed — Like Deebo Samuel or DeAndre Hopkins

The Vikings signed Jauan Jennings to complete their deepest WR corps since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. But why not more firepower if the price is right?

Samuel is unsigned through three months of free agency. Hopkins already stated publicly in March that he’d love to play for the Vikings with Kyler Murray at the helm. Minnesota could opt for an embarrassment of riches at WR, enabling “no excuses” for Murray or J.J. McCarthy in 2026.

3. Extra TE Enters the Mix — Like Michael Mayer or Darren Waller

Mayer remains buried on the Las Vegas Raiders’ depth chart because Brock Bowers is just too good. He doesn’t get the targets that most envisioned when Las Vegas spent 2nd-Round draft capital on him in 2023. Mayer needs a fresh start, and Minnesota’s TE1, T.J. Hockenson, is on tap for free agency next March.

Waller is a free agent with ties to the aforementioned Smith from his time in Las Vegas and Miami. Signing Waller would cost next to nothing and provide the Vikings’ offense with a sweet redzone target.

2. Rookie CB Charles Demmings Wins a Starter’s Job

The summer hype train has already left the station regarding Demmings — and it could be real. The 5th-Rounder has the physical tools to shine in the NFL, and Minnesota is long overdue for a cornerback that it organically drafted to work out. The last one to succeed was Xavier Rhodes or Trae Waynes over a decade ago.

The Vikings’ roster is also ripe for a cornerback to emerge. Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre are good or decent defensive backs, but none are shutdown corners. If an unsung cornerback wants to take flight out of nowhere, Minnesota’s depth chart is prime territory.

1. J.J. McCarthy Does the Unthinkable by Upsetting Kyler Murray

Perhaps McCarthy really did improve his mechanics from January to June. It’s not inconceivable for a quarterback in his third year to take the next step. It really isn’t.

Murray remains the heavy favorite to win the QB1 job, but the Vikings could face a champagne-problem reality in August and September — what if McCarthy just looks too damn good to leave on the bench? Murray would not be fond of signing with the Vikings and immediately getting pushed to the QB2 spot on the depth chart, but that doesn’t really matter if McCarthy looks like the real deal.

Not long ago, McCarthy was considered the unabashed QB1 in Minnesota, taking the cake over 2025 offseason options like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Jones.

Maybe McCarthy was just a bit late with his maturation and development.

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Vikings DC Brian Flores tends to simmer with competitive intensity that can be intimidating. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel understands the reality as well as (or better) than anyone since the pair go back to the Miami Dolphins days before a reunion in the Twin Cities.

Recently, Minnesota’s top defender chatted with the media. What was his message to the youngsters who are looking to adjust to the intensity of the defensive strategist known as The Mad Scientist? Check it out: “My biggest piece of advice would be just applying what he teaches us in the classroom. He has big focal points that he wants to be done each practice. So if you do anything, I would say listen to what he wants, what he’s preaching that day, and apply it on the field.”

Andrew Van Ginkel Offers Some Wisdom

Spurring the question was an earlier answer from safety Josh Metellus. Per the defensive back, the focus for the young fellas rested in seeing through the manner in which Coach Flores speaks (think blunt and fiery). Rather than get too worried about the passion, focus on the specifics of what’s being preached.

Wise words.

Andrew Van Ginkel’s additional comments add another layer of wisdom. Per the veteran edge defender, Flores isn’t looking to deceive anyone in the classroom portion of things. Flores establishes what the priority is and then insists that his players work toward fulfilling the central tenets of that priority. Sounds basic, but some players likely miss the point.

Note, as well, that Van Ginkel offered up a few more thoughts.

“He’s giving you little nuggets and if you can’t listen to what he’s saying and then go apply it, it’s wasted time to him,” Van Ginkel clarifies. “He wants you to figure it out instantly. Especially if he’s putting a big emphasis on it, you should get that right.”

— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Did Clarify a Key Detail in Vikings’ QB Battle —
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— READ MORE: A Vikings Lineman Has Been Gaining Ground for Job Opening —

Presumably, there’s some leeway for these guys to continue being human. Put differently, Andrew Van Ginkel alongside the broader crew of defenders still need to be allowed to make mistakes. Furthermore, there will need to be room for the coaching staff to layer knowledge, slowly building up the players’ abilities as the complexities of ball get mastered over time.

What Van Ginkel appears to be referring to is more general (if I could make an educated guess). Think, for instance, a more intense focus on rallying to the ball carrier before then looking to strip the ball away. Not doing so could lead to Flores losing patience. After all, that’s more of an effort issue than a skill issue, meaning that it’s fully within each guy’s ability to fulfill what is being demanded.

Flores, an old fashioned guy who is a Bill Belichick disciple, values work ethic, compete, physicality, and aggression. Seeing him ask his players to manifest those attributes in specific ways before then not doing so in practice may lead to a player (or two) getting an earful.

Last year, Andrew Van Ginkel got slowed down by injury. He did manage to get into a dozen games, starting eleven while offering his DC 582 snaps.

Van Ginkel’s final statistics show 54 tackles, 7 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 10 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries. If there’s a player who best embodies what it means to be a Flores defender, Andrew Van Ginkel is probably it (but Josh Metellus is close).

The Minnesota Vikings will roll into training camp in roughly a month and a half. Players would be wise to pay attention to what the DC wants out of them.

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The second round of Group D fixtures at FIFA World Cup 2026 delivers one of the most intriguing matches of the group stage as co-hosts United States face Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle on Friday, June 19. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST, which corresponds to 12:30 AM IST on June 20, and the match arrives with qualification implications that could reshape the group before the final round of fixtures.

The United States and Australia both opened the tournament with victories and now sit level on three points. The Americans currently occupy first place after a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia follow closely after a disciplined 2-0 triumph against Türkiye. The winner of this contest will automatically secure a place in the Round of 32 and take sole possession of top spot in Group D.

For the United States, this tournament carries particular significance as one of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. The Stars and Stripes are appearing at their 12th FIFA World Cup and their second consecutive tournament after reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar. Under Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge in September 2024 following Gregg Berhalter’s departure, the squad has embraced a more ambitious approach built around talents such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna.

The Americans remain one of the oldest names in World Cup history. Their greatest achievement came at the inaugural tournament in 1930 when they reached the semi-finals, while their most recent campaign ended in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands. Their emphatic victory over Paraguay offered an encouraging start as they attempt to improve upon recent performances and take advantage of home support throughout the competition.

Australia arrive in Seattle carrying momentum of their own. The Socceroos have qualified for six consecutive World Cups since returning to the tournament in 2006 following a 32-year absence. Twice they have reached the Round of 16, first in Germany in 2006 and again in Qatar in 2022, where they pushed eventual champions Argentina before narrowly exiting the competition.

Tony Popovic, a member of Australia’s celebrated 2006 squad, now leads the national team after replacing Graham Arnold in late 2024. His influence was immediately visible against Türkiye as Australia delivered one of the most tactically disciplined performances of the opening matchday. Despite conceding possession for long periods, the Socceroos remained compact, organised and clinical, earning a 2-0 victory that significantly boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds once again.

History offers little guidance between these teams. The United States lead the overall series with two wins, one draw and one defeat, but this will be their first competitive World Cup meeting. With qualification potentially at stake, first place in Group D available and momentum for the knockout rounds hanging in the balance, the encounter carries all the ingredients of a defining World Cup night in Seattle.

There is some bad news for Joe Hendry’s fans. The popular UK star has won over the WWE Universe with his charisma since signing for the promotion last year. He joined NXT and won the brand’s top championship before moving to the main roster.

Hendry was called up to RAW following WrestleMania 42 and quickly began a feud with The Vision. He has been a thorn in the faction’s side and even came up with a catchy “Fire Logan Paul” parody song.

But just as it looked like he was taking things to the next level, he disappeared from WWE TV. He was absent from the company’s European tour. With the second leg of the tour set to commence and WWE stopping in the UK, it was expected that the British star would be available. But he shared a disappointing update.

Speaking on the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred, the host mentioned that Joe Hendry would be a part of WWE’s upcoming UK tour. However, the former TNA World Champion was quick to correct him.

“You said I’ll be part of the UK tour, but right now I am healing up, my friend. I was attacked by Austin Theory. So, you know, it is what it is,” he said.

On the May 24 episode of RAW, Hendry was viciously attacked by Austin Theory with a steel chair. Theory, who is one-half of the tag team champions, sandwiched Hendry’s head between the chair and the ring post to end the attack.

Hendry possibly missing the UK tour is bad news for his fans, who have seen his rise over the years.

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Joe Hendry wanted to face John Cena during his retirement tour

Last year, John Cena retired from WWE after a year-long retirement tour. During this run, he faced several stars, from veterans to fresh talent.

It turns out Joe Hendry also wanted to face The Last Real Champion in his retirement tour. Speaking on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Hendry revealed he wished to be one of Cena’s opponents last year.

He blamed himself, saying he didn’t do enough to make himself an obvious choice, but said he has no regrets.

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If you use quotes from the first half of this article, please credit Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.