New Super Eagles defender Isaac James has spoken about his versatility and the players he looks up to as he begins his journey with the Nigerian national team.
The 22-year-old Alverca defender is one of the new faces in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
James began his football journey at Garden City Academy in Nigeria before moving to Lorient in France in 2022. He later joined Portuguese club Alverca on a free transfer in 2025.
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After finding regular playing time difficult in his first season, the Kogi-born defender has become an important player for Alverca this season. He has made seven appearances and provided two assists.
Speaking from the Super Eagles camp, James explained that although left-back is his preferred position, he can also play in central defence and midfield.
“My best position is left-back. But before the season started, one of our centre-backs at Alverca got injured, and the coach told me to fill in there. I said yes, and I played there.”
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James also revealed the players who have influenced his style of play, naming Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes and former Real Madrid star Marcelo as players he admires.
For his favourite Super Eagles players, James picked former Nigeria star Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, while choosing Zaidu Sanusi as his favourite player in the current team.
With strong competition for places in the Super Eagles squad, James faces a challenge to earn a starting role under Chelle.
However, his first call-up gives the young defender an opportunity to learn from experienced players as he begins his journey with the national team.
A metric evaluating the strength of a team’s opponents within their conference will have heightened visibility and depth during the College Football Playoff selection process this season, CBS Sports has learned.
The tweak comes entering the third year of the 12-team CFP and as the disparity in conference schedules comes into greater focus following conference realignment.
A similar metric has been available to selection committee members in the past. However, it will be presented in a new fashion during this year’s selection process with an increased emphasis on the differences in schedule strength that can exist within a single league.
With the rise of megaconferences with at least 16 teams, teams’ scheduling strength can vary widely, creating large disparities in final records. Duke, for example, reached the ACC Championship Game after playing only one team ranked in the AP Top 25. Texas Tech is in a similar position in 2026 after beating No. 25 Houston, the only ranked team on its schedule.
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However, it’s unclear whether the metric will have much real-world impact, given that strength of schedule was already a meaningful data point considered in the process. Strength of schedule, head-to-head competition and outcomes against common opponents are set to retain their importance during this year’s selection process.
The metric evaluating conference opponent strength will help further contextualize the power of a conference when comparing two similar teams. Importantly, it will provide a measure of how tough a conference schedule was, even in regard to teams within the same league.
The metric is a slightly strange one for Notre Dame, which does not play a conference schedule and must be evaluated as an at-large. However, it will still be compared against other teams in typical strength-of-schedule conversations.
CFP staff members met with SEC coaches during the offseason at spring meetings. The meeting was unexpectedly tense, as coaches seemed to regret the move to nine conference games without an expansion of the postseason.
“Now, you could say there may be regret in there going to nine,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart told CBS Sports. “I’m not blaming the committee, I’m blaming the system, because I don’t know that they can recognize and acknowledge, truly, and say strength of schedule matters and you’re putting a team with one more loss in their column over a team that might have one less and they play the same schedule.”
The conference opponent strength metric, along with a revised strength-of-schedule, is likely designed to assuage their concerns. Four of the seven at-large selections were given to SEC schools last season. The group failed to win a single College Football Playoff game against an opponent from another Power Four league.
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The coaches specifically expressed anger that Big 12 member BYU — which didn’t even make the playoff — finished ahead of Texas and Vanderbilt in the rankings. The Cougars were several spots ahead of both SEC schools in the most commonly cited strength-of-record metric, though the committee has its own internal metrics it declines to share.
Additionally, BYU finished with one fewer regular-season loss than Vanderbilt and two fewer than Texas. The Cougars picked up a second in the Big 12 Championship Game.
On its face, the College Football Playoff’s decision appears to be built around appeasing the SEC’s insecurity. While the new metric will reinforce that top-to-bottom, the SEC is the most powerful conference in the sport — a status few really question — it gives a seemingly superfluous metric to emphasize it.
Ole Miss travels to Florida… as an UNDERDOG this week?
How big could the letdown be for the Rebels after their emotional triumph at LSU last week?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I talk about the pressure on Dabo Swinney at Clemson.
Their trip to Cal this week has “upset” written all over it.
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ESPN’s College GameDay is headed to Texas at Tennessee this week and passed on the chance to go to Kalamazoo.
Boise State’s matchup with Western Michigan is one of the most Playoff-implicated games of the week.
00:00 College football updates with Spencer 04:34 Debating College Football Rankings 06:49 Ole Miss title hopes boost 12:53 Predicting Cal vs. Clemson game 14:31 Clemson’s struggles on the field 20:06 Discussing G6 college football matchups 21:33 Boise State’s must-win game strategy 25:25 Analyzing Boise State’s Defense Strategy 28:38 Boise State vs. Western Michigan predictions
Message: What’s gotten into you? You have been the biggest Bengals critic in the Cincinnati media for years. Now you sound like a homer. Why the sudden change in your columns?
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Reply: You said the magic word: change.
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Bengals ownership changed how they built a roster going into this season, and they deserve to be praised for doing so. Ownership showed a concerted effort to win by trading for Dexter Lawrence and investing $125 million in defensive free agents. That rebuilt defense has helped the Bengals jump out to a 2-0 start against teams that many projected to make the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown watches practice during the first day of Cincinnati Bengals training camp at the Paycor Stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
I spent years criticizing Bengals ownership for not changing, so it’s only right that I praise the Brown/Blackburn family when they did. My job is to hold public and public-facing officials and institutions accountable and criticize when it’s warranted. It’s also to praise when it’s warranted. That’s the job of an opinion writer. Again, it’s not personal.
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This is how it should be: Our teams making legitimate efforts to be better and actually try to win championships. Amazing that the Bengals are being held up as the shining example of going-for-it in this city after all those years of ownership doing things the same way and caring more about profits. Going all-in to win should be the norm. Winning is great for civic pride. Didn’t we all feel a little better about life during the Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season?
Winning and making money aren’t mutually exclusive. Spend money to make money. They both should be of utmost importance to every sports franchise owner. Otherwise, sell the team. Bengals ownership bought into that in the offseason, realizing that still trying to pinch pennies would waste the generational talents of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
Magnificent job, Mike Brown. Kudos, Katie Blackburn. Now the Bengals just need Joe Burrow to stay healthy and a deep playoff run could be forthcoming this season.
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Side note: I don’t like to compare the Bengals and Reds. They operate in two different economic models. But generally, don’t you find the role reversal between the approaches of the teams’ ownership fascinating?
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It’s the Reds who are now unwilling to change. They refuse to sacrifice a certain profit margin for going all out to win. And it’s the Reds, for decades beloved in this community, who have gotten really bad at public relations.
Sad to see what the Reds have become under Phil Castellini’s leadership.
India continue to hold the upper hand midway through the first half, leading Nepal 14-8. Bonus points have played a key role in the defending champions’ start, with India collecting four compared to Nepal’s one. However, Nepal have hit back with a crucial super tackle on Sonali, earning two valuable points to reduce the deficit. India still lead comfortably, 15-10.
The 2026 season has featured several strong performances from high-profile players on lucrative MLB contracts. However, breakout performances by players on modest deals have also caught fans’ attention.
Here, we take a look at 10 players who have made a significant impact on their team’s performance this season (WAR) and provided the best value for money:
#1 Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs)
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Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is the best value-for-money player in 2026 – Source: Imagn
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the league with a 10.6 WAR (according to FanGraphs). The All-Star slugger is the favorite for the NL MVP title over Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Although Crow-Armstrong signed a six-year, $115 million extension before the 2026 season, his deal takes effect from next season. He is on an $894,000 salary this season, making him the best value-for-money player in 2026.
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#2 Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league – Source: Imagn
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski has shattered records with his fastballs this season. His 6.5 WAR is among the highest for a starting pitcher this year. He has posted a 15-5 record with a league-best 1.86 ERA over 29 starts.
Misiorowski, who has recorded the fastest pitch by a starting pitcher and the most 100 mph+ pitches in a game in MLB history this season, was selected by the Brewers in the 2022 MLB draft. He is on a one-year $788,300 contract for the 2026 season and is due a lucrative extension.
#3 Cam Schlittler (New York Yankees)
New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler is a strong AL Cy Young candidate this season – Source: Imagn
New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler is having a breakthrough season and is the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award. His 6.1 WAR is only second to Misiorowski among pitchers this season. His 1.95 ERA is also bettered only by the Brewers ace.
Despite being one of the best pitchers in the league with a 14-6 record over 33 starts, Schlittler is on an $801,425 salary as part of his one-year pre-arbitration contract with the Yankees. He is also expected to land a multi-year extension after the season.
#4 Ben Rice (New York Yankees)
New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice is leading the offense in Aaron Judge’s absence – Source: Imagn
Cam Schlittler’s teammate, Ben Rice, is another New York Yankees player having a breakthrough season. Amid injuries to franchise stalwarts Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, Rice has led the offense with a career-high 41 home runs.
His 4.3 WAR is the second-best for a Yankees player behind Schlittler this season. Rice, who is among the leading home run getters in the American League this year, is on a one-year, $845,800 pre-arbitration contract for the 2026 season.
#5 Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero backed his breakthrough year with a strong 2026 season – Source: Imagn
Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero displayed his power-hitting with 45 home runs last season. The Rays star backed that up with another productive season at the plate in 2026. He leads the Rays with a 5.1 WAR for the season.
Caminero is the joint-top home run hitter in the American League with 41 homers in 2026. The Rays slugger, who helped the AL East team to the division title this season, is on a one-year, $794,800 pre-arbitration contract.
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#6 Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds)
Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is one of the most sought-after players in the league – Source: Imagn
Two-time All-Star infielder Elly De La Cruz is having a career year at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds. Cruz, who has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic players, is on the verge of a historic 30-30 season. He is on 29 home runs and 29 steals.
De La Cruz’s 6.5 WAR is among the best for infielders this season. The Reds shortstop is one of MLB’s most coveted players and is on a one-year, $800,000 pre-arbitration contract for 2026. He is arbitration-eligible next year.
#7 Miguel Vargas (Chicago White Sox)
Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas is leading their offense in 2026 – Source: Imagn
Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas has been an offensive force this season. Vargas, who is in his second season with the franchise, has led Chicago with a career-high 33 home runs and a 5.2 WAR.
Vargas was traded to the White Sox by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 and earned his first All-Star selection this year. He is on a one-year, $805,700 contract for 2026.
#8 James Wood (Washington Nationals)
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood leads the team with 104 runs – Source: Imagn
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood has reached the 30 home run mark for a second consecutive season in 2026. He is batting a career-high .262 and leads the team with 104 runs. His 3.8 WAR is only bettered by Cade Cavalli on the Nationals.
His 104 runs are the third-most this season behind Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (119) and Seattle Mariners star Randy Arozarena (109). He is on an $806,900 contract for 2026.
#9 Hunter Goodman (Colorado Rockies)
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman leads the team with 39 home runs – Source: Imagn
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman has smashed a career-high 39 home runs this season, crossing the 30 HR mark for a second consecutive year.
Goodman, who is among the leading home run hitters this season, is on a one-year, $810,000 contract for 2026. Only Jake McCarthy has a better WAR than Goodman (2.5) for the Rockies this season.
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#10 Braxton Ashcraft (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Pirates ace Braxton Ashcraft has posted strong numbers in 2026 – Source: Imagn
While reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes has struggled for consistency in 2026, his Pittsburgh Pirates teammate Braxton Ashcraft has established himself as a reliable starting option.
Ashcraft leads the team with 14 wins and a 3.65 ERA over 28 starts in 2026. His 3.6 WAR is the second-best for a Pirates pitcher behind Skenes. He is on a one-year, $795,100 pre-arbitration contract for 2026.
Germany is hoping to win the right to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. On Saturday, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is to meet to vote on which of two bids (Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr) to throw its support behind. Berlin withdrew its application at short notice on Thursday.
Munich: Political and public support
The motto of Munich‘s Olympic bid is “For Games with heart and soul.” The concept focuses on sustainability, with the 1972 Olympic Park serving as the centerpiece. According to documents published by the bid committee, around 90% of the competition venues are located less than 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Olympic Village. Most of the venues that would be used already exist, with only a few temporary facilities to be constructed.
In addition to existing infrastructure, other advantages include Munich’s experience in hosting major sporting events and its Olympic legacy from 1972. The organizers aim to offer an alternative model to the pricey Olympic projects of the past.
Munich’s bid would lean heavily on already existing venuesImage: Frank Hoermann/SvenSimon/picture alliance
Political support for the Munich bid is strong: “In Munich, we have the perfect conditions to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Munich Mayor Dominik Krause is quoted as saying on the city website, “muenchen.de.”
“Hosting the Olympic Games in Munich would be an investment in the future — not only because of the immense social value but also due to the resulting acceleration of key urban development and infrastructure projects. Munich is ready for the Olympics!”
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Munich residents also appear to support the bid. In a city referendum held last October, just over 305,000 residents cast their votes, with 66.4% voting in favor of an Olympic bid.
Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr: Sustainability and public support
This bid encompasses an entire region, featuring numerous venues that are widely dispersed. Cologne would serve as the “lead city” in the bid that features 15 municipalities in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Cologne would host the Olympic Village and a temporary athletics stadium.
Organizers highlight the fact that all of the venues either already exist or would be temporary and to the fact that 66% of those who voted in lasts April’s referenda in the affected municipalities voted in favor of the bid.Schalke’s football stadium would be temporarily transformed into swimming venue with a capacity of 60,000Image: Marcus Hirnschal/osnapix/picture alliance
Apart from sustainability, the Rhine-Ruhr region’s dense sports infrastructure is considered a key strength. A potential drawback is the location of competitions across many cities in Germany’s most densely populated region. Traffic jams are a daily occurrence and many trains run late or are cancelled altogether.
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Berlin – Bid withdrawn
Germany’s capital had originally been a third candidate to host a future Summer Olympics, but it withdrew its bid due to political changes and significant opposition.
The socialist Left Party won the most votes in Sunday’s state election in Berlin, meaning the party’s lead candidate Elif Eralp could become the city-state’s new governing mayor. She is on record as opposing the idea of bringing the Games to the capital, describing the bid as a “waste of taxpayer money” and saying she saw in it “no benefit for Berlin.” The Green Party a potential coalition partner for Eralp, also opposed the Olympic bid.
As a result, the outgoing Christian Democrat governing mayor, Kai Wegner, Sports Senator Iris Spranger, and Berlin’s Olympic commissioner Kaweh Niroomand used a press conference on Thursday to announce that the capital was withdrawing its bid.
Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Kaweh Niroomand made Berlin’s withrawal official at a press conferenceImage: Christophe Gateau/dpa/picture alliance
“Today is a sad day for Berlin. Because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a huge opportunity — for Berlin, for eastern Germany, and for future generations,” Wegner said.
He added that through a number of personal conversations with members of sports federations eligible to take part in Saturday’s vote, he had determined that Berlin’s bid now lacked significant support.
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Niroomand accused Eralp of “sweeping the entire bid off the table within 45 seconds, thereby causing immense uncertainty among the sports federations and significantly diminishing our chances.”
The bid had centered on Berlin’s international appeal and the inclusion of the eastern states of Brandenburg, Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where events were also to be held as well as sustainability.
Munich with a slight edge
A total of 144 votes are up for grabs in Saturday’s vote. Eligible to vote are Germany’s 42 Olympic sports federations — including those for winter sports — along with the 10-member DOSB Executive Board and eight individual DOSB members. The individual sports federations each hold three votes.
The final report by a DOSB evaluation commission made Munich’s bid the slight favorite, with 87.03 out of a possible 100 points, ahead of Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr (85.02). Berlin’s now-withdrawn bid trailed far behind with just 74.64.
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This is just the next step in a long process of deciding who will host the next three Olympic Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee isn’t to decide on who will host the 2036 Olympics until 2029.
This article, which was adapted from German, was originally published on September 23, 2026. It was updated on September 24 to reflect Berlin’s withdrawal from the process.
Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock has responded to Hockey Hall of Famer and club legend Mark Messier’s criticism of his hiring.
During a recent ESPN media availability, Messier expressed his disappointment and directed criticism at Oilers management and the team’s leadership group.
When asked about the comments on Thursday, Babcock chose not to escalate the situation and instead spoke respectfully about the Oilers legend:
“One of these teams is Team Messier, right? When I watched him, hard leader, two-way, competitive. Went to New York, hard, two-way, competitive. Real leader. I’ve dealt with him two times in my life. He treated us great both times. Mark Messier is a legend here. I have nothing but respect for him,” said Babcock.
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Here’s how fans on X reacted to Mike Babcock’s response, with one tweeting:
“Not a fan of Babcock… but good answer… good answer.”
@dfoedmonton Not a fan of Babcock… but good answer… good answer. 🥅
“I feel bad for the most vulnerable player on the Oilers that Babcock will surely target. He can’t help himself. He’s just going to play his personality-disordered games in a more covert and passive-aggressive manner cause the light is on him now.”
Here are some of the other top reactions on X:
“Love this from Bab’s. Can’t wait to see him succeed and shut everybody up!” a third fan wrote.
“This guy has clearly worked on his PhD in PR somewhere between Columbus and Edmonton,” one X user opined.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Lots of players have talked about the way he is, hard to not believe people that had firsthand experience with him,” added another.
What Mark Messier said about Mike Babcock
During ESPN’s media call, Mark Messier did not hold back when discussing the Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock.
The Hall of Famer questioned the process that involved the team’s leadership group and expressed serious concerns about the lack of separation between players and management.
“I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team. I think from the management to the coaching to the players, there has to be a divide. The leadership of your team has to protect the players inside the dressing room. How can you do that when you’re directly involved with the decisions they’re making at the management level and hiring of the management and coaches? I don’t understand it,” Messier said.
Due to Mike Babcock’s controversial past, the Oilers have faced significant backlash for the hiring. Babcock replaced Kris Knoblauch, who led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025.
After much confusion regarding legalities, Teofimo Lopez has been ordered to defend his WBA welterweight title against his mandatory challenger, but it seems as though the champion is now considering relinquishing his belt in order to avoid the fight.
Rolando Romero was ordered to defend his WBA belt against Jack Catterall earlier this year, but instead agreed to a voluntary defence of the belt against Lopez, with Catterall positioned to challenge the victor for the world title in the fight that followed.
Although, the WBA have now confirmed that Lopez must defend his belt against Catterall in his next contest in order to avoid being stripped of the title; thus putting his lucrative unification showdown – touted for May – with Garcia at risk.
On X, esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael revealed that ‘The Takeover’ is now considering whether he should vacate his belt and proceed with the Garcia fight as a challenger for the WBC strap, rather than as a fellow 147lb world champion.
NEWS: Teofimo Lopez team says 3 weeks ago Gilberto Mendoza personally assured them the Catterall fight wouldn’t be ordered & Lopez could pursue a bigger fight. He’ll meet with his managers, Keith Connolly & Mike Borao, & legal team to decide if he wants to allow the WBA to be…
“NEWS: Teofimo Lopez team says 3 weeks ago Gilberto Mendoza personally assured them the Catterall fight wouldn’t be ordered & Teofimo could pursue a bigger fight. He’ll meet with his managers, Keith Connolly & Mike Borao, & legal team to decide if he wants to allow the WBA to be part of his future plans. #boxing.”
Should Lopez vacate the belt, it is expected that Catterall would be elevated to full WBA (Super) welterweight world champion and mandated to take on Mexico’s Raul Curiel, rated as the WBA #1 contender, in a first title defence.
Trainer Patrick Payne is contemplating a difficult choice for his promising galloper, Buccleuch.
The four-year-old gelding has been accepted into the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1440m) at Caulfield on Sunday. However, he also carries the top weight in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi (1600m) at Mornington the day before.
Payne has a policy against racing his horses outside their handicap limitations, and Buccleuch, rated 86, is competing in a benchmark 84 race at Mornington.
Conversely, at Caulfield, Buccleuch, with his 86 rating, faces War Machine, a 109 rater, and will receive only 2kg under the set-weights and penalties conditions of Sunday’s contest.
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Buccleuch has made a strong return from successful wind surgery, winning twice at Sandown over 1400m.
Payne mentioned that the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 could be a suitable target for the gelding. However, the trainer is concerned his current rating might be too low to gain entry.
“We had the tie back surgery with him and it’s been very successful,” Payne said.
“We were pleasantly surprised with how it went as he was always a handy horse.”
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“He was working really well at home, but you need to see what happens when they go to the races and come under pressure.”
“He’s an 86 horse now and most horses if they get to 80, they don’t fluke it, but it’s going to be difficult for him now.”
“He was entered for the Testa Rossa on Sunday, but I wasn’t that keen to run him out of his handicap, so I’d prefer to go to Mornington and then we’ll look to do something clever after Saturday.”
“The Toorak could be a lovely race, but I think his rating is too low and I hate racing them out of their handicap, but there are some nice Listed, Group 3 races down the track if he puts his hand up.”
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Payne indicated that there is still considerable time for Buccleuch to reach a higher racing grade.
To date, Buccleuch has competed in nine races, winning five and earning just over $300,000 in prize money.
“He’s only a spring four-year-old, he’s still got plenty of time,” Payne stated.
“He’ll be a better a four-year-old in the autumn and again as a five-year-old, so there is no panic from me.”
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The choice between the Testa Rossa Stakes and the Mornington race presents a significant decision for Buccleuch’s connections. Explore the betting sites for all the latest odds.
“Gens una sumus” (“We are one family”) is the motto of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Yet when officials from some 200 countries gather for their congress in Samarkand on Saturday, September 26, it is not likely to feel like a joyous family reunion.
The candidates standing for election are Kazakh billionaire Timur Turlov and two Germans: investor Jan Henric Buettner and entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein, who is running as the official candidate of the German Chess Federation (DSB).
For the first time in over 30 years, FIDE will not be led by a Russian. Nevertheless, the three contenders repeatedly face two questions: What are their ties to Russia? And where do the millions come from that FIDE uses to finance itself and its competitions? For the Kremlin, chess remains a component of Russia’s soft power, and little happens within FIDE without financial backers linked to Russia.
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Jan Henric Buettner: The Formula 1 model
Buettner is arguably the best positioned to answer these questions. A native of Hamburg, he has made a name for himself in the chess world through his collaboration with former world champion Magnus Carlsen. The 62-year-old German has no known ties to Moscow that would require explanation. On the contrary: “We are the only team with no connection to Russia,” Malcolm Pein — Buettner’s candidate for vice president — told DW.
Jan Henric Buettner (3rd from left) is championing “Freestyle” chess alongside former world champion Magnus Carlsen (2nd from left).Image: Gregor Fischer/dpa/picture alliance
Buettner and his running mate say they intend to reduce reliance on Russian financial backers and make chess commercially successful. Buettner plans to distribute 20% of FIDE’s revenue to chess federations worldwide. The former AOL executive looks to Formula 1 motor racing as his model – a vision likely considered too radical by many officials in the chess world. Consequently, Buettner is seen as having only an outside chance of winning.
Timur Turlov: The establishment candidate
The favorite to become FIDE’s new president is Timur Turlov. Born in Moscow, he became a Kazakh citizen in 2022 and is one of the wealthiest men in the Central Asian nation. The entrepreneur is considered a close associate of outgoing President Dvorkovich and, by extension, a member of the FIDE establishment. Regarding finances, too, the status quo is likely to remain unchanged under the 38-year-old; after all, Turlov’s publicly traded financial firm, Freedom Holding Corp., has been FIDE’s main sponsor for many years.
The prospect of Turlov potentially holding the dual roles of FIDE president and major financial backer does not sit well with everyone in the chess community. Furthermore, Freedom Holding Corp. and its CEO are currently on Ukraine’s sanctions list. Ukrainian authorities accuse Turlov’s company of helping to finance Russia’s war of aggression. Press reports also suggest that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken an interest in Turlov’s financial firm.
Report: Hamburger Sparkasse closes account
In the spring of 2026, Turlov acquired the Hamburg-based chess software company Chessbase. Shortly thereafter, the German chess news website perlenvombodensee.de reported that the company’s principal bank, Hamburger Sparkasse, had closed the Chessbase business account.
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Timur Turlov of Kazakhstan is considered the favorite in the race for the FIDE presidencyImage: Sergei Fadeichev/TASS/dpa/picture alliance
Chessbase declined to comment on the matter. Hamburger Sparkasse also did not address the specific case but told DW: “If a business relationship falls under currently existing sanctions – for example, against countries such as Russia, Belarus, or Iran – this may unfortunately result in us being unable to continue specific business relationships.”
DW approached Timur Turlov for comment but had received no response by time of publication.
The position of Volodymyr Kovalchuk, vice president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation is clear.
“If Turlov wins the FIDE election and poses a threat to Ukraine’s security, then we will push for him to be sanctioned by the EU as well,” Kovalchuk told DW.
However, there are now signs of a rapprochement between Turlov and the Ukrainians: Turlov is currently advocating for a Ukrainian official to be elected as a vice president on the FIDE board.
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Wadim Rosenstein: Many outstanding questions
The third figure in the mix, Wadim Rosenstein, is also facing intense scrutiny in Ukraine.
“It is absolutely clear that we will not support such a candidate and, should he be elected, will also propose him for sanctions,” Kovalchuk said.
Rosenstein was born in 1990 in what is now Ukraine and moved to Germany at the age of nine. In the autumn of 2022, the entrepreneur and amateur chess player began organizing elaborate chess events.
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Questions have dogged him ever since, with his business activities and connections to Russia being the primary focus of this scrutiny. According to Rosenstein, the companies within his Düsseldorf-based “WR Group” operate in various sectors, ranging from toilet paper trading and real estate to industrial logistics. Until 2022, a key focus was supporting German companies in regions including Ukraine and Russia, Rosenstein told DW a few months ago. However, he said he was no longer active in Russia; instead positioning himself “globally” across “70 countries,” including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.
DSB President Paul Meyer-Dunker supports Wadim Rosenstein’s bid to become the next FIDE presidentImage: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa/picture alliance
The company in Russia
However, one of the Düsseldorf entrepreneur’s remaining companies in Russia has enjoyed economic success in recent years. In July, Rosenstein told DW that these companies were active “only on paper.”
It has since become clear that “WR RUS,” at least, is anything but a paper tiger. The Moscow-based company has been owned by Rosenstein since 2021. Publicly available data show that “WR RUS’s” profit grew from around €300,000 ($341,230) to €1.7 million ($1.93 million) between 2022 and 2025.
Furthermore, records confirm that Rosenstein’s German companies – “WR Logistics” and “WR Certification” – collaborated with “WR RUS” through the end of 2023. Documents from “WR RUS” also show a dividend payment equivalent to around €30,000 for the year 2023, which apparently went to him and one of his German companies.
DW again approached Wadim Rosenstein for comment on these matters but received no response by the time of publication of this report.
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High-priced players, upscale venues
Since 2022, millions have been poured into Rosenstein’s elaborate chess events year after year. The list of Rosenstein’s events is long: it includes a top-tier tournament featuring world number one Magnus Carlsen, the 2023 World Team Blitz and Rapid Chess Championship at the prestigious Rheinterrasse in Düsseldorf, and, most recently, the global “WR Women’s Chess Tour.” A premium venue in Stuttgart has been selected for the tour’s finale in November – a location whose name the sponsor is likely to appreciate, Rosenstein Palace.
A grand setting for the WR Women’s Chess Tour 2026: Rosenstein Palace in Stuttgart.Image: Markus Mainka/picture alliance
The FIDE presidential campaign is also costly. On social media, Rosenstein presents himself aboard a private jet during an international campaign tour. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, a portion of the campaign costs is to be covered by Rosenstein’s running mate for the vice-presidency – a wealthy real estate entrepreneur from Singapore.
Rosenstein has not disclosed the total cost of his numerous chess activities to date or the exact source of the funds. His company, “WR Logistics,” is one of the main sponsors. Rosenstein told DW in July: “I have also used my own funds and brought on partners who trust me.”
But who are these partners?
A sponsor that didn’t exist
While Rosenstein was preparing his FIDE candidacy in April 2026, he introduced the Düsseldorf-based company “Glotech.” He stated he was “proud to introduce our next partner.” The sponsor is reportedly providing €250,000 for chess activities in Europe. According to Rosenstein, Glotech is “a true supporter of our vision.”
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However, according to Glotech Managing Director Evgeni Schukin, this support never existed: “There was no agreement, and we did not make such funds available.”
A professional-looking certificate: According to “Glotech GmbH,” there was no sponsorship agreement (the graphic, which has since been deleted, was published on Wadim Rosenstein’s “X” account in April 2026).Image: X/@WadimRosenstein
Rosenstein is campaigning primarily on the pledge that FIDE would operate “professionally” under his leadership. On his official website, “WR 2026,” he promises transparent and direct communication.
DW approached Rosenstein for comment on the financing of his chess activities, but he did not respond.
Political connections
With the support of the DSB and its president, Paul Meyer-Dunker, Rosenstein has succeeded in establishing himself as a serious challenger to the Turlov, the favorite within FIDE.
The 36-year-old also enjoys support from the world of German politics. In early September, Rosenstein met with Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann.
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“Joachim Herrmann supports the candidacy of the German applicant Wadim Rosenstein,” a subsequently issued statement read.
The Bavarian Interior Ministry told DW that this support related to the “sport-specific focus” of the bid but did not constitute “an assessment of Mr. Rosenstein’s private or business activities, nor a prejudgment of any potential reviews by competent authorities.”
Online debate cut short
The DSB only learned of the meeting between its FIDE candidate and the Bavarian interior minister after the fact. According to Meyer-Dunker, the DSB supports Rosenstein because he stands for “consistent professionalization” and “greater transparency” within the World Chess Federation. The DSB “has no information regarding Wadim Rosenstein’s business activities beyond what has appeared in public reports,” Meyer-Dunker said.
Rosenstein had an opportunity to address questions and explain his plans for FIDE’s finances in early September. A US chess website had organized an online debate for the candidates. Rosenstein delivered the opening statement; he spoke for just under four minutes, then suddenly exclaimed: “See you in Samarkand!” before cutting the connection.
DW has approached Rosenstein several times to ask why he did not participate in the rest of the discussion regarding FIDE’s future. There has been no response to this either.
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Dasha Thyssen contributed to this article as a co-author. This article was originally published in German.
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