Despite having his next two fights booked, Tyson Fury has been given the green light to fight for the WBC heavyweight world title by the recently upgraded champion.

Fury held the WBC belt between February 2022 and January 2024, making three successful defences before losing it to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed contest. Usyk carried the title until last month, when he vacated it along with his WBA and IBF straps.

WBC Interim champion Agit Kabayel was promptly upgraded to full champion, and talk has now turned to his first defence. Fury recently floated the idea of the match-up, pointing out his number one ranking with the sanctioning body.

Though Germany’s Kabayel had previously talked down the idea of fighting Fury, given their friendship outside of the ropes, he has now told the Ring Magazine that it is just ‘sport’ and would welcome the challenge.

“I respect him a lot, but Tyson called me out. When you have an interest in the fight, it’s sport, competition. I have no personality problem with the guy. When he has interest in the fight with me, why not? I respect him. He’s my big brother. When he says, ‘Agit, I want the belt,’ I say, ‘no problem brother, come on, we’ll make the fight.’”

Kabayel will look to make the first defence of his belt later this year, hopefully in Germany, where he has proven he can draw an impressive crowd.

As for Fury, he has just this week announced a ‘warm-up’ fight against Polish veteran Mariusz Wach, with a view to moving ahead with a pre-signed Anthony Joshua bout in November. Should the ‘AJ’ deal fall through, Kabayel may be a viable option.

Briton Moses Itauma has been ordered by the IBF to hold talks with Cuba’s Frank Sanchez about fighting for the vacant heavyweight title.

Last week Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his IBF, WBA ‘super’ and WBC belts.

The IBF said that, “in accordance with IBF championship rules”, it wants Sanchez, who is number one in their heavyweight rankings, to fight number three contender Itauma.

It said they have until 29 July to reach an agreement.

Itauma, 21, is scheduled to fight Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on 29 August in what he has called his “toughest fight”.

He could pull out of the Hrgovic fight or agree to fight Sanchez after that bout.

BBC Sport has contacted Itauma’s promoter Queensberry for comment.

Itauma claimed an impressive fifth-round stoppage over Jermaine Franklin in Manchester in March.

Although the IBF wants to arrange a bout for the vacant title, the WBC upgraded interim champion Agit Kabayel to champion after Usyk gave up its belt.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who was required to fight German Kabayel after he was granted an exemption to fight Rico Verhoeven in May, is now free to fight any opponent.

How good is Bosnia and Herzegovina in soccer? What to know about USMNT’s knockout opponent in 2026 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The United States will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout journey on Wednesday with a Round of 32 match against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s side won Group D to reach the knockout round, finishing top of their group for the first time ever at a FIFA World Cup.

That saw the USMNT secure a third-place qualifier in the opening knockout stage, drawing European side Bosnia & Herzegovina out of Group C, which is Canada‘s bracket. Ranked 61st in the world by FIFA, Sergej Barbarez’s side qualified for the World Cup via the UEFA playoff, beating both Wales and Italy on penalties to earn passage.

The Sporting News brings you all you need to know about Bosnia & Herzegovina, including what they’re ranked, who their top players are, and what their history against the U.S. is.

MORE:Where is Bosnia & Herzegovina on a map?

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How good is Bosnia and Herzegovina in soccer?

• Qualified via: UEFA playoff round, def. Wales (semifinals) and Italy (finals)

• Head coach: Sergej Barbarez (BIH)

• Notable players: Edin Dzeko (Schalke), Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV), Amar Dedic (Benfica)

Bosnia & Herzegovina, formerly part of Yugoslavia, have been a staple in European football for decades, but they have fallen on hard times of late.

Their qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was their first appearance at the tournament since 2014, and second overall as Bosnia & Herzegovina. They held Italy to a 1-1 draw in the playoff final, winning on penalties in a heroic result that knocked out the four-time champions.

Overall, though, they are a mid-level European nation at best. They have never reached a European Championship final tournament as Bosnia & Herzegovina, and they have flip-flopped between the lower portion of League A and upper portion of League B in UEFA Nations League competition.

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Bosnia & Herzegovina have slowly been on the rise, but they are down from the days where they were ranked in the 20’s globally 15 years ago, and have not done much to develop young talent of the same level.

USMNT record vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

• USA record vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina: 2 W, 1 D, 0 L*

• First meeting: Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-4 USA (Aug. 14, 2013 | International friendly)

• Last meeting: USA 1-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina (Dec. 18, 2021 | International friendly)

* Does not include previous iterations of national team, including competition as Yugoslavia

The United States have met Bosnia & Herzegovina, or its former iterations, four times in history.

The first meeting came at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when the USMNT were beaten 1-0 in the Group F finale on a goal from Slobodan Komljenovic. The result eliminated the United States from the competition, while Yugoslavia qualified as second-place finishers in the group.

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They met again on August 14, 2013 as the U.S. visited Europe and won a high-scoring friendly 4-3 in Sarajevo. Jozy Altidore scored a hat-trick, including goals in the 84th minute and 86th minute, to secure the win. Edin Dzeko also bagged a brace to keep his side in the mix.

Most recently, they met in 2021, during a match in December, where a goal by Cole Bassett in the 89th minute gave the U.S. a 1-0 victory. The USMNT played the entire second half up a man after Amar Begic was sent off for a terrible two-footed challenge on Kellyn Acosta.

Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup squad

Head coach: Sergej Barbarez

The calendar flips to July in one day, the month when Minnesota Vikings training camp begins. So, we are here with some summer predictions for the 2026 club, getting theories out in the open before the summer turns white hot.

We will, of course, lock in formal predictions right before Week 1, as well, but consider these official, too.

10 Summer Calls for the Vikings in 2026

1. Will Fries Rebounds

Fries signed a five-year, $87,720,000 deal in Minnesota during 2025 free agency and produced a 61.8 Pro Football Focus grade upon arriving. At that price, his PFF mark should be 81.8, not 61.8,

The veteran guard won’t quite hit 81.8 this season, but he’ll climb into the 70s, rebuilding his reputation along the way. Fans decided he was terrible after last season, but that is not true. He just wasn’t worth the huge contract.

2. The Offensive Line Stays Healthier, Finishes as Top 12 Group

Everyone besides Fries missed games in 2025 due to injury. In 2026, the offensive line won’t be totally immune to injury, but they won’t utterly ravage the group to the point where the main starting lineup never sees the field.

The OL finished 18th per PFF last year despite the missed games; it will bounce back in 2026 with good health and a Top 12 overall ranking.

3. Fans Realize the Cardinals Should Not Have Cut Kyler Murray

Murray will remain mostly healthy, the Vikings will reach the postseason, and he’ll deliver between 29 and 32 touchdowns. You won’t wonder, “Is Kyler Murray even good?” throughout the regular season; the eye test will deliver a verdict as early as Weeks 1 and 2.

Like the Vikings’ ordeal with Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks, the world will poke fun at the Arizona Cardinals for dropping Murray and paying him to play for the Vikings.

4. Demond Claiborne Feels like Ty Chandler

Minnesota is wickedly overdue to empower a young running back, but that will only appear in flashes with Claiborne. He has straight-line speed, yet it’s unclear whether he can break tackles at an RB1 clip or possesses a bellcow halfback’s vision.

Claiborne will bust off a sweet game or two, leaving a cliffhanger for the 2027 offseason, where fans wonder if he’ll transform into more than an RB1 or RB2.

5. The Vikings Trade No Draft Picks during the Season

Minnesota hired Nolan Teasley about four weeks ago, and he’s not about to offload draft picks during his first season on the job. The 2027 draft is expected to showcase more talent than most. Teasley will make his main impact in the draft — the Vikings need that — so trading picks for veterans before the November 3rd deadline will not appeal to him.

He could, however, trade a player like safety Theo Jackson for a 6th- or 7th-round pick, thereby stockpiling his war chest.

6. Starting CBs Miss at Least 6 Games Combined

A fun fact: Minnesota’s main starting cornerbacks, Byron Murphy Jr and Isaiah Rodgers, missed zero games last year. That’s pretty rare.

Unfortunately, that will change in 2026, with James Pierre and rookie Charles Demmings seeing relief action. Neither will disappoint.

7. Domonique Orange’s Consistency Leads All Rookie Headlines

Caleb Banks, the Vikings’ 1st-Rounder, will take a while to acclimate to the league, and new linebacker Jake Golday is considered “raw.”

Those things won’t beset Orange, who will win the starting nose tackle job immediately and stuff opposing running backs as early as September. By December, Orange will feel like a draft steal because of his rookie game-readiness.

8. J.J. McCarthy Starts 2 or 3 Games

Murray usually misses at least three games per year, and that won’t change in 2026. McCarthy will trot in for relief, show marked improvement from last year, and — you guessed it — the Vikings will have yet another quarterback debate on their hands. Fans will divide into camps over who to play in December — Murray or McCarthy?

9. Dallas Turner Logs Double-Digit Sacks

Turner played 300 snaps as a rookie and tallied 3 sacks. Then, he saw action on 702 plays in his second year, with 8 sacks to his name.

In 2026, he’ll play about 800 snaps and record 11 sacks. The guy will basically improve annually because that’s how it works. Turner-themed debates will largely vanish; it will just become established that he’s pretty damn good.

10. The Vikings Finish 11-6

Minnesota has the roster to win the NFC North and finally win a playoff game for the first time since 2019. The hurdle? The NFC North teams — they’re formidable from cover to cover. There is no longer a team or two to beat up on.

That prevents the Vikings from winning the division — Detroit will prevail — but Kevin O’Connell and friends will finish 11-6 and play football on Wildcard Weekend.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Mexico underlined their status as one of the strongest teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after brushing aside Ecuador to book their place in the last 16.

The hosts produced another dominant display, winning comfortably and extending their perfect record at the tournament to four victories from four matches. With eight goals scored and none conceded, Mexico have emerged as genuine contenders to go deep into the competition.

Here are the key lessons learned from their impressive victory.

Mexico are becoming serious title contenders

Before the tournament began, few people considered Mexico among the favourites to win the World Cup. However, their performances have changed that opinion.

The hosts have shown quality in attack, discipline in defence and tremendous confidence throughout the competition. Four wins from four matches, coupled with a perfect defensive record, suggest that Mexico are capable of challenging any team remaining in the tournament.

Their supporters are already dreaming of something special, believing this could be the year Mexico finally achieves World Cup glory.

The Azteca Stadium remains a fortress

Mexico’s greatest weapon may not only be their players but also their home ground.

The Azteca Stadium has once again proven to be an intimidating venue for visiting teams. Mexico have an outstanding competitive record there, winning 70 of their 89 matches, drawing 17 and losing only twice.

They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the famous stadium, making any potential last-16 opponent, including England or DR Congo, aware of the enormous challenge awaiting them.

Former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou described a trip to Mexico as “stepping into a different World Cup”.

Julian Quinones is enjoying a brilliant tournament

Julian Quinones continued his excellent World Cup campaign with another outstanding performance against Ecuador.

The striker opened the scoring with a powerful finish that left the goalkeeper with no chance and took his tally to three goals in four matches.

His pace, movement and finishing ability have made him one of the standout attacking players of the tournament and an important part of Mexico’s success.

Mexico’s defence is one of the best in the competition

While much attention has focused on Mexico’s attacking players, their defence has been equally impressive.

The hosts have yet to concede a goal and have allowed only six shots on target across four matches.

Their organisation, discipline and determination have frustrated every opponent they have faced so far, making them one of the most difficult teams to break down at this World Cup.

Gilberto Mora continues to make history

Teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora has become one of the stories of the tournament.

At just 17 years and 259 days old, Mora became the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match, behind only Brazilian legend Pele in 1958.

Despite his age, the youngster has shown maturity, confidence and technical quality beyond his years.

Mexico’s fans believe this could finally be their year

The celebrations after the final whistle highlighted the growing belief among Mexico supporters.

Fans celebrated not only across Mexico but also in cities around the world, particularly in Los Angeles, where thousands gathered to watch the match.

For many supporters, this team represents the strongest Mexican side they have seen in years, with players showing unity, confidence and determination throughout the tournament.

Can Mexico finally end the ‘fifth game’ curse?

Despite the excitement, one concern remains for Mexican supporters: the famous “quinto partido” curse.

Mexico reached the quarter-finals when they hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, but from 1994 to 2018 they were eliminated in their fifth match of every tournament.

If this talented Mexico side can finally break that curse, belief that they can become world champions will only grow stronger.

A street takeover broke out at a Pacoima intersection Tuesday night following Mexico’s World Cup win, with drivers performing dangerous donuts as crowds looked on.

Video from AIR7 showed a man sitting on the ledge of a car window as the vehicle spun in circles in the intersection. At one point, several spectators approached a vehicle and were seen recording the driver’s stunts from just a few feet away.

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Tire marks from burnouts were visible on the street as multiple vehicles participated in the street takeover.

A few blocks away, Los Angeles police formed a skirmish line as officers cleared another gathering.

Fans took to the streets across Los Angeles on Tuesday night to celebrate Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the World Cup.

Fans took to the streets across Los Angeles to celebrate Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the World Cup.

AIR7 also captured scenes along Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, where fans gathered at an intersection waving green, white and red Mexican flags.

Similar celebrations occurred in Huntington Park and Boyle Heights, where crowds shut down intersections. In other parts of the San Fernando Valley, AIR7 recorded fireworks lighting up the night sky.

Mexico’s win over Ecuador secured the team’s first World Cup knockout-stage victory in 40 years. Mexico will play in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Celtic may make a move for Torino’s Lithuania midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, 22, as a replacement for Belgium international Arne Engels, 22, who is being tracked by Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Roma. (Sun), external

Italian media link Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, 24, with Atalanta, whose head coach Mauricio Sarri is a fan of the Norway international. (Sun), external

Dundee defender Luke Graham, 22, is set for a seven-figure move to either Portsmouth or frontrunners Stoke City. (Sun), external

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson sees it as his role to unearth the club’s next Elijah Just and Lennon Miller. (Record), external

New Dundee United defender Michael Forbes, 22, hopes to use his move to Tannadice to force his way into the Northern Ireland squad. (Record), external

Serena Williams fought hard but ultimately lost in her first singles match since 2022 on Tuesday at Wimbledon, falling to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, in the first round on Centre Court.

There’s a common axiom in sports that “Father Time is undefeated” and that rang true in London on Tuesday night.

Williams, 44, had not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, when she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round in what many believed would be the final match of her legendary career.

Instead, nearly four years later, she walked back onto the grass at the All England Club.

Serena Williams lost to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon in her first singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

And not just any court.

Centre Court.

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The same court where Williams won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal and authored some of the most dominant moments of the modern women’s tennis era.

This one, obviously, was different.

Williams entered Wimbledon as a wild card and with far more questions than expectations.

How much tennis did she still have in her legs?

Could her serve still carry her through pressure games?

Could one of the greatest competitors in sports history summon enough of the old Serena to make this more than a ceremonial comeback?

For a while, the answer looked complicated.

Joint, the 87th-ranked women’s player in the world, came out sharp and took the opening set 6-3. After the set got to 3-3, with each player holding each of her first three serves, Joint won the next three games, breaking Serena once to take the first set.

It was a reminder that nostalgia does not win tennis matches, especially at Wimbledon, where the grass can punish even small dips in movement and timing.

Serena Williams reacts during her match against Maya Joint during their ladies’ singles first-round match of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But Williams’ fought back in the second set.

Despite being broken in the first game and falling down 3-1, Williams eventually forced a tiebreak. The 20-year-old Australian had match point with a 6-5 lead in the tiebreak, but Williams won the next three points to square the match.

Williams came out strong in the third set, getting the first break to take a 2-1 lead. But that’s when it seemed that Williams’ age started to become a bigger factor.

Her daughters, Olympia and Adira, were in attendance, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus Williams. Venus is also scheduled to team with Serena in doubles at Wimbledon, giving the tournament another Williams sisters moment after years of uncertainty over whether fans would ever see that again.

Williams has spent most of the past four years away from the tour after saying in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from tennis. She never fully closed the door, though.

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She won Wimbledon singles titles in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. She reached four other Wimbledon finals. She and Venus also built one of the great doubles partnerships in tennis history, including six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles together.

So when Williams accepted a wild card into the singles draw, it immediately became one of the biggest stories of the tournament.

That’s the power of Serena.

Serena Williams celebrates after winning a point against Maya Joint during their women’s singles first-round match at the Wimbledon Championships. (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)

Even after nearly four years without a singles match, even at 44, even with no real evidence that she could contend at a Grand Slam again, her presence changed the feel of the draw.

Unfortunately for Williams, she did not get the storybook result Tuesday, but this was never going to be judged like an ordinary first-round loss.

Not really.

Yes, Williams is out of the singles draw after losing to a woman less than half her age. But the fact that she even took the court is a story in and of itself.

Now comes the obvious question.

Was this just a Wimbledon one-off, or was it the first step toward one more run in New York?

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The U.S. Open main draw begins Aug. 30, and if Williams wants another singles swing this summer, Flushing Meadows would be the obvious place to do it. That’s where she played her last singles match before this comeback. That’s where American tennis fans believed they said goodbye to her in 2022.

Maybe they did.

Maybe they didn’t.

Either way, Serena Williams taking the court at a Grand Slam tournament is good for tennis, particularly in the United States.

And if Tuesday was any indication, plenty of people would show up to watch her try it again.

Welcome to our tennis Who am I? game.

The rules are simple – guess the tennis player in as few attempts as possible.

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Today’s player and clues are set by BBC Sport’s Huzaifah Khan.

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