Will Cain enthusiastically discusses FIFA’s decision to overturn U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun’s red card, allowing him to play. This decision, upheld after rejecting Belgium’s appeal, sparks outrage from the Royal Belgian Football Association. Cain frames the match as the U.S. versus “the world,” highlighting the controversy.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s time representing Portugal at the FIFA World Cup may have come to an end in Dallas on Monday afternoon, as Spain advanced to the quarterfinals, 1-0, at their expense.
Mikel Merino came off Spain’s bench and electrified the World Cup crowd in stoppage time during the second half when he finally broke the 0-0 tie for the decisive goal past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo, who never knocked on Spain’s doorstep in this match – no team has as they have yet to give up a goal in this tournament – stared into the crowd after a few desperation attempts weren’t good enough for Portugal as the final whistle rang out.
Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, United States.(Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi)
Ronaldo played in his fifth World Cup, and though there was some heated debate about whether he should be starting for this squad, he leaves perhaps his last tournament of his illustrious career with three more goals on this stage under his belt.
While Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates think about what could’ve been, Spain will await the winner of Team USA and Belgium, which will play their Round of 16 match in Seattle on Monday night.
The big story out of the Pacific Northwest is Folarin Balogun, the USMNT star striker who will be available to play after his red card was changed to a suspension – a similar FIFA disciplinary action given to Ronaldo so that he could participate in this World Cup.
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It’s been the talk of the tournament, as President Donald Trump said he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the controversial red card given in the Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ultimately, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, much to the dislike of multiple soccer federations, including the Belgian group they are facing off against tonight.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, United States.(Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi)
The U.S. still took care of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite Balogun’s red card during the match, which had them down one man on the pitch compared to their opponent. Malik Tillman’s free kick goal was the nail in the coffin in the second half, as the USMNT moved on with a 2-0 victory and looked ahead to their meeting with Belgium.
Belgium almost didn’t make it out of the Round of 32, but almost doesn’t count in the World Cup. Senegal had been up 2-0 in the 80th minute of the match when Belgium finally came to life thanks to goals by Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the 85th and 89th minutes, respectively.
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It forced extra time and Senegal ultimately conceded a penalty kick with just ticks left on the clock before a penalty shootout would’ve determined who advanced in the tournament. Tielemans didn’t waste the opportunity, slamming the door on Senegal’s hopes in crushing fashion.
Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates with teammates Pedro Porro and Fabian Ruiz after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.(Hannah Peters – FIFA)
While Team USA and Belgium prepare for their matchup, Spain will kick its feet up, and perhaps pull out a notepad, as they watch who they will play in the quarterfinals later this week.
Minecraft has released the third snapshot for the upcoming 26.3 update, alongside a new Beta and Preview for the 26.40 update. These new releases introduce features confirmed for the Fall game drop, releasing later in 2026.
The latest Minecraft snapshot, Beta, and Preview introduce two main features for 2026’s Q3 update: cushions and straw beds. For the first time in years, Minecraft is getting decorative furniture with a sitting option. Players will no longer have to rely on awkward minecart setups while creating seating arrangements in their builds.
The second feature, straw beds, is a type of temporary bed that you can use to skip nights in Minecraft. Using a straw bed does not reset your spawn point, making it the perfect item for explorers who want to skip the night without risking their original spawn location. Let’s look at all the new features in today’s Minecraft snapshot and Preview.
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What’s new in Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 and Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview?
Cushion
Alex on a cushion (Image via Mojang)
Cushions are one of the main new features in the latest Minecraft snapshot and Preview. You can craft them using three wool slabs. They come in 16 different colors, just like other wool items. You can interact with them to sit down. The best thing about cushions is that you can place them on a variety of flat surfaces, such as stairs, trapdoors, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Straw bed
Straw bed in an abandoned camp (Image via Mojang)
You can use three hay bales on a crafting table to make four straw beds in Minecraft. Like a regular bed, you can place them on the ground and sleep to skip the night. However, the straw bed disappears as soon as you wake up.
Using a straw bed does not change your spawn point, meaning you can carry multiple straw beds and use them to skip nights while avoiding hostile mobs. They can also stack up to 16, so carrying several of them does not take up much inventory space.
Other features and changes in Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3
Minecraft Snapshot 26.3 🔗 changelog:
Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 adds Gothic language support to Java Edition. On the technical side, the snapshot introduces a new command called posteffect, which lets you add or remove post-processing shader effects for a player. The developers have also added technical changes and bug fixes, which can be found in the official patch notes.
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Changes and fixes in Minecraft Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview
All new features in one image (Image via Mojang)
Unlike 26.3 Snapshot 3, Minecraft Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview mainly focuses on changes related to abandoned camps and dappled forests. In this new version, abandoned camps now generate correctly in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes. You will also find a straw bed inside abandoned camps.
As for the dappled forest, it now features new textures for poplar leaves and uses the same fog settings as other biomes.
Version 26.40.30 also fixes several graphical glitches, including extra pixels on the poplar door icon, incorrect poplar sign textures, a black background on poplar leaves, a miscolored pixel on sulfur spikes, Vibrant Visuals glitches on certain Android GPUs, and more. You can read the official Minecraft 26.40.30 patch notes for the complete list of changes and fixes.
Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw watched practice action during training camp at TCO Performance Center as players worked through another summer session in Eagan. On August 6, 2026, Darrisaw stood near the sideline in uniform while Minnesota continued evaluating its offensive line before preseason football arrived and the regular season drew closer. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Rookies will report to Minnesota Vikings training camp in 19 days, with veterans arriving a couple of days later, and fans formally invited on August 1st. The time is coming.
And while the club, like every summer, has several fascinating storylines, here’s what we can’t wait to see in Eagan three weeks from now. The items are listed in no particular order.
The Watchlist Has Real Stakes
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jakobe Thomas lined up against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium. On January 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Thomas worked through title-game action as Miami’s secondary faced Indiana in one of the season’s biggest national college football stages. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
1. The Pecking Order at Safety
This could be moot or less important if Harrison Smith returns to the Vikings, but as of early July, nobody knows if that will happen. Smith is acting mysteriously.
If Smith is gone-gone, the Vikings will unveil a safety unit without him for the first time since 2011. Josh Metellus will start, but after Metellus, it’s a crapshoot to determine the other main starter, among contenders Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and rookie Jakobe Thomas.
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Ward is probably the frontrunner to obtain most safety snaps because he took over as the starter in December. That must be confirmed, though, and training camp will be the first major clue. Generally speaking, the Vikings’ safety room is no longer as straightforward as “Smith and Metellus.”
2. The Seriousness of the QB Battle
We fully understand and embrace the fact that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle at training camp; that’s healthy for a football team. We, however, believe that Murray will prevail rather handily — because he is the better, more experienced quarterback.
So, we ask: How interesting will McCarthy make the competition? Will it go down to the wire? Will preseason games be needed to weigh pros and cons of each combatant? Will Kevin O’Connell see a practice or two and say, “Murray’s our guy, folks.”
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It’s not a sham competition, but McCarthy’s legitimacy as a contender is “to be determined.”
3. Brett Thorson’s Leg
In March, Minnesota signed punter Johnny Hekker, who was the best punter on the planet in 2015. In April, Minnesota signed punter Brett Thorson, who was the best college punter in 2025. We wonder why Hekker is even needed.
There shouldn’t be much mystery about Thorson’s transition to the NFL; he’s the real deal. The Vikings may not have known that Thorson would fall into their lap after the draft in undrafted free agency. Perhaps signing him was a perk that rendered the Hekker signing useless.
Thorson should be the punter in 2026 and for the long haul, but he evidently has to prove it against Hekker at training camp.
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The Vikings always have some form of a kicking battle in the summer. Clockwork.
4. The Dillon Bell Glow-Up
The hype train began for Bell in late April, when, like Thorson, the Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and former NFLer Steve Smith have pounded the table for Bell, who brings WR versatility and a chip on his shoulder to the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray delivered a pass to wide receiver Dillon Bell during minicamp practice at TCO Performance Center. In June 2026, in Eagan, Murray connected with Bell as Minnesota continued offseason workouts and evaluated new offensive combinations, giving the rookie receiver valuable reps alongside the veteran quarterback before training camp arrived. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Boots on the ground also suggest that Bell looked the part at OTAs and minicamp. That’s great — but now Bell must earn a roster spot, dueling Tai Felton, Myles Price, and several other anonymous UDFA wide receivers at training camp.
Can Bell take the momentum through the summer and snag a September roster spot? Felton or Price might have to be cut to make room. You’ve been warned.
5. Caleb Banks and His Foot
Teams shied away from Banks in Round 1 of the draft because he injured his foot in the summer of 2025 and then broke the same foot at the NFL Combine. As a rule of thumb, it’s dangerous to draft big men with bad feet in the 1st Round.
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It’s just that the Vikings didn’t care.
Before the second foot injury, Banks held 1st-Round draft stock; it was just a matter of which DT-needy club would pick him. After the NFL Combine, Banks’s draft hopes fell into Round 2, and he lived there until the Vikings went against the grain, selecting him in Round 1.
Now, listen carefully: Minnesota absolutely cannot afford a draft miss, especially one from the 1st Round. The franchise is trying to emerge from the rubble of failed draft picks like Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Brian Asamoah, and others.
Watching Banks this summer will be a major clue whether the Vikings got this one right. He really can’t afford to “sit out” his rookie season with a bad foot. If so, a 1st-Round pick was not worth it.
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6. Demond Claiborne’s NFL Translation
The Vikings are starved for young legs at running back. It’s been nine years since they drafted Dalvin Cook. After Cook left — and fell off an NFL production cliff — Minnesota has preferred RB1 options like Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason. Those veterans are okay, but soon the Vikings must restart the clock with a promising, explosive tailback.
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne carried the football during first-quarter action against Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium, adding another road-game snapshot to his college profile. On October 4, 2025, in Blacksburg, Claiborne worked through the Hokies’ defense as the Demon Deacons tried to generate offense in an ACC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images.
In theory, that could be Claiborne, a 6th-Rounder from Wake Forest with 4.37 speed.
Onlookers will be able to tell if Claiborne has the vision and tackle-breaking acumen to succeed as an eventual RB1 at training camp. He’ll provide hints. The early returns, too, are promising.
But he has to make a dent this summer to project well for the future. The question is this: Can Claiborne become a rare late-round RB success story? Or is he just another Ty Chandler or DeWayne McBride?
Do not forget: the Vikings are fundamentally starved for a young playmaking running back.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Former world champion Pedersen made it look easy as he surged clear of a small group to take his first win since stage 15 of last year’s Vuelta a Espana, and first Tour win since 2023, with his Lidl-Trek team-mate Quinn Simmons coming second for good measure.
Traeen, diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022 after a routine anti-doping test, was eighth on the day and moved into yellow with the main peloton finishing some 13 minutes later, Pogacar happy to hand over the responsibilities of race leader a day after his stage win in Les Angles.
Torstein Traeen took the yellow jersey after stage four (Reuters)
Every time the Tour has visited Foix it has ended in a breakaway win and it soon became obvious this day would be no different as 34 riders went clear in sweltering temperatures touching 40 degrees in south-west France.
The break splintered on the final climb but Lidl-Trek managed to get three riders in the front group of 10 – Mathias Vacek joining Pedersen and Simmons – and they were able to control a series of late attacks to set up Pedersen.
“This was I would say a masterpiece of teamwork,” the Dane said. “I was suffering a lot on the last climb but with Quinn and Vacek it was an incredible day, they did incredibly well on the climb to pace it for me and make sure we didn’t lose too much time.
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“They were just machines to the finish. What a team effort, what a team win today.”
Mads Pedersen sprinted to victory as part of the stage four breakaway (Reuters)
But Traeen celebrated taking the race lead (AP)
Uno-X Mobility’s Traeen, who spent four days in red at last season’s Vuelta, started the day five minutes off yellow, and once it became apparent the peloton would not chase, the 30-year-old’s only rival for the race lead was Sean Quinn, also in the front group but a further 28 seconds down.
“I think it’s quite hard for me to understand how big it is,” Traeen said. “You can see the face of my coach, the soigneur, everybody, you see how special it is but for me at the moment I don’t really understand what’s going on. Maybe in a couple of days it will sink in.”
Quinn moved up to second overall with Vacek third, three minutes 50 seconds down, and Pogacar dropping to fourth, almost eight minutes down and still on the same time as his rival Jonas Vingegaard as they save resources for later in this Tour.
There was indeed a foul on Martinez a short while before the goal, and Argentina have got away with one.
It was a superb run from Hassan to create the goal, dribbling from near his own area before sewtting up Salah, who slid it into the path of Zico, who beat the onrushing Martinez to it and blasted past him for 2-0!
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Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:25
GOAL! Argentina 0-2 Egypt (Zico)
GOAL! Oh my word, Egypt have a second!
Or do they…it’s being reviewed for a foul on Martinez in the build up…
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Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:23
Argentina 0-1 Egypt
The rest doesn’t last long though! Messi skips away from Hafez on the right and he has a free-kick around 30 yards out…
Argentina play it short though and it’s a complete waste as they’re forced backwards before Messi runs out of space on the edge of the box as he tries to take matters into his own hands.
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Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:20
Argentina 0-1 Egypt
The free-kick is punched away by Shobeir but Argentina come again.
De Paul, Messi, Fernandez, Messi again…it’s all a little pedestrian.
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Messi is tackled near the edge of the Egypt box and the Pharaohs can enjoy a little rest now.
Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:18
Argentina 0-1 Egypt
Argentina are seeing plenty of the ball as the second half gets underway, though once again it’s more probing than anything else.
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Egypt think they have a golden counter-attacking opportunity as Salah nips in to the win the ball near halfway, but he’s penalised for a foul!
(Reuters)
Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:16
Argentina 0-1 Egypt
A chance right away for Egypt as Messi gets a bit of space outside the box and lays it off to De Paul, who fires a tame effort straight at Shobeir.
(Reuters)
Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:12
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KICK-OFF! Argentina 0-1 Egypt
Back underway in Atlanta!
Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:11
HALF-TIME! Argentina 0-1 Egypt
It’s been an intriguing game in Atlanta, and not just because of the scoreline, even if that does help!
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Argentina have not necessarily played badly but they find themselves behind after a missed penalty and an inspired performance from Shobeir so far.
Egypt have been a threat but they’ve been pushed back since scoring, and it felt for a while like only a matter of time before the holder equalised.
However, the Pharaohs have held on this long, so can they do the same again in the second half? We’re about to find out.
Chris Wilson7 July 2026 18:04
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Argentina fans bring the noise to World Cup last 16 clash in Atlanta
Argentina fans in good voice ahead of Egypt knockout match
Miguel Delaney in Atlanta7 July 2026 18:04
HALF-TIME! Argentina 0-1 Egypt
Here’s the full array of pics from that superb Shobeir save as well.
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Lionel Scaloni had his hands on his head in disbelief!
Day 27 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues the Round of 16, with Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Atlanta before Switzerland faces Colombia in Vancouver. Both matches air on FOX, with every game streaming live and on demand on FOX One.
World Cup Schedule for Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt
Argentina rolled through Group J at 3-0-0 and needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32. Messi is tied atop the Golden Boot Race with Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe with seven goals. Egypt finished Group G at 1-0-2 and survived a shootout against Australia in the round of 32, leaning on Salah to generate chances in the final third. Messi’s early movement around Egypt’s box should signal whether the defending champion cruises or has to grind out a knockout win.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Forward
Argentina
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It is hard to think of things that have not been said about Messi, but the Inter Miami attacker has now scored in eight straight World Cup matches. In his career, Messi has 12 goal contributions in the knockout stages of the World Cup. He remains at the heart of everything Argentina does, and even at his age, that might be enough for Argentina to win a second straight title.
Switzerland vs. Colombia
Switzerland went 2-0-1 through Group B and beat Algeria 2-1 in the round of 32 to reach the knockout’s second week. Colombia also finished 2-0-1 in Group K, drawing with Portugal before closing out Ghana 1-0 in the round of 32. Tuesday’s winner keeps its World Cup run alive with a place in the quarterfinals on the line.
Player to Watch
The Swiss captain is essential to his team’s chances of playing the way it wants to play. Switzerland cannot afford to chase the game for too long, and Xhaka, at his best, can win possession and set up his teammates in the attacking third while also defending well. Switzerland needs him to be in his top form like he was against Ghana.
ONE Strawweight champion Joshua Pacio. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— ONE Strawweight champion Joshua Pacio believes he is a more complete fighter heading into his title rematch against Mansur Malachiev on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
“I believe I’ve grown a lot since our first fight. Not just technically, but also mentally and spiritually. Malachiev is a very dangerous opponent, especially with his grappling, and I respect that. But I’ve worked hard to improve in all areas, my defense, my striking, my composure.
“I wouldn’t say I’m better in every single aspect, but I know I’m more complete and more prepared now. I’m excited to show that in this rematch.”
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Pacio neutralized Malachiev’s grappling in their first encounter through disciplined striking and improved defensive wrestling to retain control over three rounds.
Despite already owning a win over the challenger, Pacio expects another difficult test.
“Every fight is an opportunity to show growth and represent my team and my country. So it’s not just about dominance, it’s about performance, discipline, and showing the best version of myself.”
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The Filipino champion said his experience in title fights gives him confidence, but he acknowledged Malachiev’s recent run.
The Russian has won three straight bouts since their first meeting, including a submission victory over former strawweight champion Jarred Brooks.
“I think one of my biggest advantages is my experience at this level and my ability to adapt. I’ve been in many tough fights and different situations, and I’ve learned how to stay calm and make the right adjustments.
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“I also believe in my striking and my ability to control the pace of the fight. But overall, it’s about being ready everywhere because I know he’s dangerous in his own way.”
Pacio said another successful title defense would be meaningful, though his focus remains on his performance rather than adding to his resume.
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“This fight is very important. Every title defense adds to your legacy, especially against a tough opponent like Malachiev. For me, it’s not just about being remembered as a champion, but about inspiring others and showing who really brought me to where I am now and that is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
BTS performed in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night (July 6), where the ARMY spotted a playful Jinkook moment – Jungkook piggybacking Seokjin as the duo sang on the stage.
The video has since gone viral on X, with Jinkook fans going crazy over the cuteness of Jinkook’s bond. Here’s how netizens have been reacting to it:
“i took this photo, I hope you will cherish like I do. happy jinkook”
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Some fans were heart-eyed over the bond the two band members shared, while others expressed gratitude for the Arirang World Tour that helped them witness so many moments between the BTS members.
jeon jeongguk is never putting that grown man down. and seokjin is EXACTLY where he wants to be!! 😭😭
Wow don’t want let go of Jin aww my jinkook heart ❤️
I know some people died when they saw this and resurrected to start trolling them because they are affecting their ship… This Tour is so fun to watch A lot of necks are pressed by these two and I am sure they don’t even know it. Just living their best life after separation
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Honestly, every angle is worth posting. This moment was way too cute to get over.
Give us a 5 min compilation of all angles
For the unversed, Jinkook is a popular ship name for the youngest – Jungkook – and the oldest – Jin – members of BTS, which was coined by Jungkook himself in a 2015 interview. Despite their 5-year age gap, the duo is always the most playful around each other and shares an adorable sibling energy.
BTS will perform their second London concert tonight – on Tuesday, July 7 – before moving on to Germany, where they have two shows in Munich’s Allianz Arena on the coming weekend (July 11 and 12).
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BTS crowd interactions amid their first London show, explored
Besides the viral Jinkook moment, BTS made many memorable moments on London’s stage on Monday, one of which was them jokingly taking credit for England’s victory against Mexico on the same day.
After England defeated the Mexican soccer team on Sunday (July 5), RM congratulated the audience for the victory, while jokingly adding:
“Congrats on the win last night. We always bring the luck to every place we play. When we played in Belgium, Belgium won. Now that we’re in London, Britain won. You see?”
RM also apologized to their British fans for returning to perform in the country after seven years, saying:
“There was Covid, there was military, and now we’re here in 2026 together. I missed you so much, and thank you for all coming.”
Before Monday night, the last time BTS graced a stage in London was in 2019, when the pop band earned the title of the first-ever South Korean act to headline at Wembley Stadium. They had plans to return to Britain in 2020, but shows were cancelled in light of COVID.
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Suga also chimed in, thanking the fans for their patience as he remarked:
“I’m still feeling the emotion I felt seven or eight years ago. I don’t think you guys have changed. You’re still in a passionate country.”
Meanwhile, J-Hope expressed his “honor” to be playing at the stadium where South Korean captain Son “Sonny” Heung-min first gained global recognition.
Conor McGregor and Max Holloway come full circle. McGregor and Holloway meet 13 years after their first fight, before either man carved out Hall of Fame careers. They’re now two of the biggest stars in the sport’s history, headlining UFC 329 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
McGregor beat Holloway by unanimous decision early in their rises. “The Notorious” channeled that momentum into a historic run that made him the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion, and the biggest star the sport has ever seen. The loss did little to stunt Holloway’s growth. “Blessed” became one of the greatest featherweight champions in UFC history before finding new life as the ceremonial BMF champion at lightweight. He may not have achieved McGregor’s crossover popularity, but Holloway cemented himself as one of the most beloved fighters in the sport. Plus, his longevity and activity make him a meaningful betting favorite against a version of McGregor who hasn’t fought in five years.
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC 329 live for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
UFC International Fight Week is the promotion’s flagship weekend. The novelty of UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House, might have drawn some attention away from the annual event, but it didn’t compromise its quality. The main and preliminary cards are loaded with mouth-watering matchups.
The featured preliminary fight is Robert Whittaker’s light heavyweight debut. Speaking of debuts, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson — a prodigy of retired two-division champ Jon Jones — makes his UFC debut.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 329 along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features, and other content around this massive event.
UFC 329 fight card, odds
Odds via DraftKings (As of July 7)
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Max Holloway -225 vs. Conor McGregor +185, welterweights
Benoit Saint Denis -135 vs. Paddy Pimblett +114, lightweights
Cory Sandhagen -148 vs. Mario Bautista +124, bantamweights
When we think of offer sheets like the massive one Leo Carlsson signed last week, your mind naturally drifts to the player side of the equation as you scout around the league wondering who — if anyone — could be next.
Before we address that, though, what about the other side of the coin?
Will teams see the Philadelphia Flyers’ bold play — general manager Daniel Briere threw $90 million over five years at Carlsson — and view it as the off-season version of, “Why not us?”
When you’re talking about trying to lure a young player to your team, it really widens the field in terms of what type of club — as in, where they are in their competitive arc — could conceivably be interested.
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Philly is an up-and-coming squad trying to surge forward. Couldn’t the same, more or less, be said of Montreal, Buffalo, Utah and Pittsburgh?
What about rebuilding squads near the bottom of the standings trying to expedite what can be a long process? On one hand, you could see a team in that position balking at a price like four first-round picks — which is what the Flyers would fork over to the Anaheim Ducks if the latter doesn’t match the offer to Carlsson by Friday — during a down phase for the franchise. On the other, why leave your fate up to lottery luck? Instead, make a strong play for one immaculate, known entity who has already shown real promise in the league and is on the precipice of his best seasons.
Could a bottom-feeder like the Seattle Kraken — who already have a decent prospect cupboard and had big-money plays for Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson thwarted in 2026 — go that route?
At the other end of the standings, a contender with cap space — and, boy, that upper limit is rising higher and higher — could take the unconventional route of offer-sheeting a young player to put them over the top.
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The only consideration there, of course, is you must have the draft capital to complete the transaction. If we’re talking about an offer that features an AAV of (basically) $12 million or above, four teams currently can’t fulfill the obligation of handing over four first-rounders in the next five drafts, thus making them ineligible to tender an offer sheet in 2026: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers.
In terms of having cap space, remember the upper limit for the 2027-28 campaign is expected to be $113.5 million. That means, by the second season of his new five-year contract, Carlsson’s AAV will be taking up only 16 per cent (the maximum for one player is 20 per cent) of either the Flyers or Ducks cap. In 2025-26 terms, that’s basically a $15 million AAV.
With all that in mind — and with a huge assist from the heroes over at Puckpedia — let’s take a look at some high-profile and/or intriguing RFAs and potential RFAs from now until 2028.
Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets
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For a minute there, it seemed like things could really slide off the rails this summer in Ohio. But both Zach Werenski — with two years to go before he can become a UFA — and Kirill Marchenko — who is offer-sheet eligible as an RFA in 2027 — remain with the club. For now.
Surely the Jackets see Adam Fantilli, picked one spot after Carlsson at third overall in 2023, as the centrepiece they need to lock down. Fantilli hasn’t truly exploded offensively yet, but he’s a big No. 1 centre with all kinds of leverage given some of the big-picture question marks in Columbus.
If you were a team seriously contemplating an offer to Carlsson, any chance you’d pivot to Fantilli?
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
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You knew there was still a long road ahead when the Hawks took Bedard first overall in 2023, but three years into his career, Chicago has yet to even sniff a playoff spot.
Bedard, who sustained an apparent shoulder injury during off-season training last week, is due for a new deal and it will be interesting to see how long-term he commits. Will he take an eight-year deal — which can only be offered until September, when new CBA stipulations will limit term to seven years — or a shorter deal that offers more flexibility in coming years.
Chicago paid a heavy price to acquire and sign defenceman Bowen Byram; now it’s time to lock down the franchise centre.
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
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Like everyone who is a potential 2027 RFA, Celebrini is eligible to ink an extension any day now. Would it surprise anyone if Celebrini’s next deal supplanted Kirill Kaprizov’s contract ($136 million over eight years) as the richest deal in NHL history? If you’re San Jose, no question you’re hoping to secure Celebrini’s services for as long as possible. An eight-year deal — which is eating into pricey UFA years — at, say, $19 million per season would come in at a total of $152 million.
And, honestly, it might soon seem like a bargain.
Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers
If the Flyers don’t land Carlsson, they can turn their attention to extending the Russian winger who fell to them at No. 7 in 2023. It hasn’t been all smiles and sunshine for Michkov during his first two years in the league, but the talent is there.
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Where a situation like this gets interesting — beyond the obvious curiosity of whether teams will target Philly after its play for Carlsson — is if Michkov doesn’t ink an extension this summer, has another 20-goal season and doesn’t seem like a slam-dunk for a monster deal.
Would a team swoop in and make a big bet that he can be their guy in a different situation?
Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets
As noted above, Marchenko has one year left on his deal it and it sure doesn’t seem as though he’ll be putting pen to paper in Columbus any time soon.
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A lot can change in a year, but this will be a serious situation to monitor if Marchenko remains unsigned next summer — assuming he’s not traded in the interim.
He’s provided crazy value for Columbus on his current three-year bridge deal, which packs an AAV of just under $4 million.
His next AAV could be nearly quadruple that.
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In the history of the NHL, only two goalies have received offer sheets — both resulting in successful bids — and they occurred within two weeks of each other. If you just said to yourself, “Yeah, Ron Tugnutt to Ottawa and Arturs Irbe to Dallas in 1996,” please depart immediately for the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and demand they open an entire wing in your honour.
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Could we see another goalie offer in 2027? Probably not, but let’s flag the names Jesper Wallstedt in Minnesota, Joel Hofer in St. Louis and Yaroslav Askarov in San Jose.
All three goalies will be coming off two-year deals signed in 2025 and in the mid-20s-age sweet spot where goalies firmly establish themselves in the league. Hofer is taking the reins in St. Louis, Wallstedt has a goalie partner, in Filip Gustavsson, who accounts for an AAV of $6.8 million through 2031 and Askarov must prove he’s worth betting on as the guy who can backstop an emerging power in San Jose.
It’s hard to see any of these clubs parting with these players, but — as we know — things change fast in the crease.
Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders
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The real question here is, with both Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar eligible to ink extensions right now, how will Schaefer’s first non-ELC contract measure up to those new deals?
It’s a long way to look down the road, but even if Schaefer — who can sign an extension 51 weeks from now — inked a deal that carried a $21 million AAV, that would represent only 17 per cent of his team’s cap hit in the first year (2028-29) of his new pact, when the upper limit is projected to be $123 million.
This is a clear blank-cheque situation for the Isles.
Beckett Sennecke, Anaheim Ducks
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Let’s be honest, whether they keep Carlsson or not, everything to do with the Ducks and payroll just got a lot more interesting.
Sennecke is coming off a fantastic rookie season where he not only finished third in Calder Trophy voting, but came through in the playoffs with five goals in 12 outings.
If Anaheim lets Carlsson go, there will be extra pressure to keep the rest of the young crew intact. If Carlsson stays, there’s a pretty high precedent for what great young players get on their second contract in the organization.
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