The 2026 World Cup is back with another four-match slate on Wednesday, June 17, starting with DR Congo vs. Portugal at 1 p.m. ET and wrapping up at 10 p.m. ET between Colombia and Uzbekistan. Those two matches are Group K clashes, while Group L is also taking center stage with England vs. Croatia at 4 p.m. ET and Ghana vs. Panama at 7 p.m. ET. Portugal and Colombia are the two Group K favorites while England and Croatia are viewed as the top dogs in Group L. 

We’ve put together a three-leg parlay for Wednesday’s matches using odds from FanDuel for those interested in soccer betting, specifically World Cup betting. You should also check out the latest expert picks from Jon Eimer, Martin Green and others at SportsLine.

Eimer is a fixture in CBS Sports and SportsLine’s soccer betting coverage. He’s 64-41-3 in his last 108 Italian Serie A picks and 17-9-2 in his last 28 German Bundesliga picks. Green was 18-8 in his last 26 picks in this year’s Champions League. Anyone following their World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

World Cup parlay for Wednesday, June 17

• Portugal -1.5 (-120)
• England money line vs. Croatia (-140)
• Panama Draw No Bet (+140)

FanDuel parlay price: +654

Portugal -1.5 vs. DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. are in action in the first match of the day on Wednesday when Portugal faces DR Congo. Portugal are massive favorites in this one, sitting at -360 on the money line to DR Congo’s +1000 price point. Green calls this a “golden opportunity” for Portugal to get off to a good start this tournament, pointing out they have “arguably the best midfield in the world” between Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and João Neves to help set up Ronaldo for scoring looks. “It could be a lopsided game,” he says.

England money line vs. Croatia

England are viewed as one of the favorites to win the entire World Cup, and they face one of the darlings of the 2022 World Cup in Croatia, who finished third and had some massive upsets along the way, including against Brazil in the quarterfinal round. England are favored on the money line, and Eimer thinks that Croatia’s age is “starting to show” and that England should emerge victorious here. “This is a side that has been legendary for over a decade now, but the same players that made them great 10 years ago, are still the ones doing it now,” Eimer says. “They looked tired in their friendlies versus Belgium and Brazil.”

Panama Draw No Bet vs. Ghana

This is viewed as one of the more contested matches of the day with Ghana a +120 money line favorite to Panama’s +240. A draw is +220. These two are both viewed as longshots to win Group L behind England and Croatia, but should one of those two sides win that earlier match, a winner between Panama and Ghana could be in prime position to earn one of the two top spots in the group. It should be noted that Ghana will be without one of their best players as midfielder Thomas Partey is dealing with visa issues that prevented him from traveling to Canada for the match. That’s a big blow for Ghana, which has lost or drawn each of their last six matches heading into the World Cup. Panama Draw No Bet has some juice at plus money, so we’ll target that. 

The biggest football tournament on the planet is under way, and for Irish punters it is shaping up to be one of the most compelling betting events in years.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 — expanded to 48 teams and spread across three host nations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — offers more matches, more markets, and more opportunities than any previous edition. With 104 games from group stage to final, there has never been more action to get stuck into.

Whether you’re watching the early kick-offs over your morning coffee or staying up for the late North American starts, the world cup betting opportunities are relentless right through to the final in New York’s MetLife Stadium.

Here is what you need to know to approach it smartly.

The Expanded Format Changes Everything

The jump from 32 to 48 teams is not just a cosmetic change — it fundamentally reshapes the betting landscape. There are now 12 groups of four, with the top two plus eight best third-placed sides advancing to a new round of 32. That extra layer means stronger nations cannot afford a single slip in the group stage, yet mismatches against weaker opponents are more frequent than ever.

For punters, this creates two distinct opportunities. First, backing elite sides to win their groups at compressed odds is often still worthwhile if you can find value in the correct score or Asian handicap markets rather than the basic match result. Brazil, France, Spain, England and Argentina were all heavily fancied going in, but the expanded format means at least one marquee nation will likely stumble earlier than expected — history backs that up at every tournament.

Second, and more interestingly, there is significant value in backing well-organised, defensively compact sides to frustrate bigger nations and sneak through as third-placed qualifiers. These are the bets the casual money ignores and where the real edge often lies.

Markets Worth Your Attention

Irish punters have always been comfortable across a range of betting formats — from racing accumulators to GAA handicaps — and that same instinct for reading a market serves you well in football.

Match result (1X2) is the starting point, but rarely the best value. When a team is odds-on to win, the money is more often found in markets like both teams to score, total goals over/under, or the Asian handicap, which removes the draw and adjusts the goal start to level the playing field.

Outright winner markets reward patience and early positioning. The prices available at the start of the group stage will look very different by the time the quarter-finals come around. If you’ve watched enough of a team to have genuine conviction before the rest of the public catches up, outright bets placed mid-tournament can be excellent value.

Player specials — top scorer, most assists, player of the tournament — are markets where an Irish punter who follows European club football closely will have a real edge over the bookmaker’s modelling. Knowing which striker has been in blistering form heading into the tournament, or which midfielder controls tempo better than their odds suggest, is exactly the kind of knowledge that converts into profit.

The Irish Angle

While the Boys in Green are watching from home this time around — and we’ll say no more about that — there are plenty of reasons for Irish fans to follow the tournament closely from a betting perspective.

Jack Grealish aside, there’s enormous warmth for the Republic of Ireland diaspora players scattered across competing squads. Beyond the emotional ties, Irish punters have a natural affinity with watching football for value rather than tribal loyalty — a discipline that pays dividends over 104 games.

The late kick-offs due to the North American time zones are also worth factoring in. Games starting at midnight or 2am Irish time may see reduced in-play market liquidity and sharper line movement, which can actually work in the informed punter’s favour if you’re comfortable staying up for them.

Keep It Sensible

A tournament of this length is a marathon, not a sprint. The World Cup runs for weeks, and the single biggest mistake punters make is going heavy early, losing their edge by the knockout rounds, and missing the best markets entirely.

Set yourself a tournament budget before a ball is kicked. Allocate it across stages — some for the group phase, more held back for the knockouts when the quality of information is higher and the games mean more. Resist the urge to chase a bad result with a reckless accumulator. The next game is always just hours away at a tournament like this.

The World Cup is the greatest show in football. It rewards patience, knowledge, and discipline — qualities any seasoned punter will recognise from the racing or the GAA markets they know inside out.

Get your research done, pick your spots carefully, and enjoy every minute of it.

Please gamble responsibly. If you feel gambling is affecting you, visit GamCare at gamcare.org.uk or Gamblers Anonymous Ireland at gamblersanonymous.ie.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

Manchester United summer transfer target Crysencio Summerville ranks inside the top 1 per cent of all players for taking opponents on. His metrics are that impressive, he ranks second worldwide in Machine Football’s ‘Direct 7 archetype,’ which measures how effective a player is at driving directly at defenders and carrying the ball into dangerous areas.

Across 2,707 domestic league minutes last season, the 24-year-old Dutchman scored five goals and registered one assist for a struggling West Ham United. His estimated transfer value sits around £36.5M, with wages near £43,500 a week. The Reds are being quoted a £50m fee to sign the Dutch international this summer, £13.5M above that valuation.

Machine Football’s analysis shows that Summerville would shift United toward a more direct, dribble-heavy style, with offensive duels and ball carries expected to rise sharply, while box touches are expected to edge upward. His pressing profile also lifts the defensive picture, where aggression is expected to climb notably.

However, with aggressive pressing and ball-carrying, there’d be fewer forward passes, and final-third entries are expected to fall. When you weigh up the transfer fee and output in the final third, Machine Football advises caution, rating it a tentative buy.

Supercomputer Machine Football analyses billions of bits of football data to predict player performance, transfers and match outcomes.

The BKT United Rugby Championship reaches its climax on Friday night as Leinster Rugby face the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm, with the match live on Premier Sports 1.

For Leinster, this is another chance to underline their domestic dominance and retain the URC crown. For the Bulls, now under Johan Ackermann, it is an opportunity to finally end their URC final heartbreak after three previous defeats on the biggest stage.

Leinster Team News: Porter Ruled Out, Doris And Sheehan Doubts

Leinster have been dealt a significant blow with Andrew Porter ruled out of Friday night’s final.

Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan will both require further assessment before a decision is made on their availability later in the week.

There are no further updates on Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle, Will Connors, Hugh Cooney, RG Snyman, Charlie Tector and Paddy McCarthy.

Porter’s absence is particularly significant given the strength of the Bulls scrum. If Doris or Sheehan are also ruled out, Leinster’s forward pack will face an even bigger challenge against one of the most physical sides in the competition.

Recent Form

Leinster URC Form

• 17 April 2026: Leinster 29-21 Ulster
• 25 April 2026: Benetton Rugby 29-26 Leinster
• 09 May 2026: Leinster 31-7 Lions
• 16 May 2026: Leinster 68-14 Ospreys
• 30 May 2026: Leinster 59-10 Lions
• 06 June 2026: Leinster 20-11 Stormers

Leinster have won five of their last six URC fixtures, scoring 233 points and conceding just 92. That gives them an average of 38.8 points scored per game and only 15.3 conceded.

Their only defeat in their last six first-team matches was the 41-19 Investec Champions Cup Final defeat to Bordeaux-Bègles.

Vodacom Bulls URC Form

• 17 April 2026: Bulls 47-7 Dragons
• 25 April 2026: Bulls 23-21 Scarlets
• 09 May 2026: Bulls 54-19 Zebre Parma
• 16 May 2026: Bulls 45-19 Benetton Rugby
• 30 May 2026: Bulls 45-14 Munster
• 06 June 2026: Bulls 22-21 Glasgow Warriors

The Bulls arrive in Dublin in outstanding form. They have won their last eight URC fixtures since losing to the DHL Stormers in March.

Across their last six games, the Pretoria side have scored 236 points and conceded 101, averaging 39.3 points per game.

History Beckons At Croke Park

This will be Leinster’s 13th BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final. Their record currently stands at eight wins and four defeats.

Their only defeat in their last eight final appearances came against Connacht at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in 2016, when they lost 20-10.

Leinster’s 32-7 victory over the Bulls in last season’s Grand Final remains the largest winning margin in a URC Grand Final.

Croke Park has also been a significant venue for Leinster. They have played six previous matches at GAA headquarters, including last season’s final. Their only defeat at the venue came in their most recent visit, a 31-14 loss to Munster in Round 4.

Bulls Chasing First URC Title

This will be the Vodacom Bulls’ fourth Grand Final appearance across the five URC seasons.

They are still chasing their first title, having lost to the Stormers in 2022, Glasgow Warriors in 2024 and Leinster twelve months ago.

However, the Bulls do have serious pedigree in finals. They won all three of their Super Rugby Finals in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The Bulls have also shown they can travel to Ireland and win. They have visited Ireland on 12 occasions, winning four times. No other South African team has managed more than two victories in Ireland.

Recent Meetings

• 22 April 2023: Bulls 62-7 Leinster
• 29 March 2024: Leinster 47-14 Bulls
• 15 June 2024: Bulls 25-20 Leinster
• 22 March 2025: Bulls 21-20 Leinster
• 14 June 2025: Leinster 32-7 Bulls
• 04 October 2025: Bulls 39-31 Leinster

The last six meetings are split evenly at three wins each.

The two sides have met in three previous URC play-off fixtures, with the Bulls holding a 2-1 advantage thanks to semi-final victories in 2022 and 2024. Leinster, however, won the biggest meeting of all when they defeated the Bulls in last season’s Grand Final.

The Forward Battle Could Decide Everything

Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield believes the Bulls must attack Leinster physically if they are to win the final.

His view is that the Bulls should lean heavily on their scrum and driving maul rather than getting drawn into a loose kicking contest. Bordeaux-Bègles caused Leinster serious problems through forward dominance in the Champions Cup Final, and the Bulls have the pack to attempt something similar.

With Porter unavailable and Doris and Sheehan still uncertain, this is the area where Johan Ackermann’s side will surely look to squeeze Leinster.

If the Bulls can win scrum penalties, maul effectively between the two 10-metre lines and force Leinster to defend repeated heavy carries, they have a real route to victory.

Will The Bulls Target Sam Prendergast?

One of the most fascinating tactical questions surrounds Sam Prendergast.

There is no doubt about his attacking talent. His passing range, vision and kicking game have helped Leinster reach another URC Final, and with Ciarán Frawley set to join Connacht, Leinster appear to have committed to Prendergast as their long-term first-choice number ten, with Harry Byrne providing cover from the bench.

However, his defence remains a talking point.

Prendergast did not make Leinster’s matchday 23 for the Champions Cup Final defeat to Bordeaux-Bègles, which led many to question whether the coaching staff had concerns about the physical challenge in that game.

Expect the Bulls to test him.

Handré Pollard is one of the best tactical kickers in world rugby and will look to put Prendergast under pressure positionally. More importantly, powerful Bulls carriers such as Cameron Hanekom, Marcell Coetzee, Harold Vorster and David Kriel are likely to attack the Leinster number ten channel whenever possible.

If Prendergast can stand up defensively and still control the game with his boot and passing, it could become a defining performance in his young career. If the Bulls consistently expose that channel, it may become one of the major storylines of the final.

Nacewa Praises Nienaber’s Defensive Impact

Former Leinster great Isa Nacewa has praised the influence of senior coach Jacques Nienaber and the evolution of Leinster’s defence.

Nacewa compared the current system to the Stuart Lancaster era, noting the width, spacing, decision-making at rucks, line speed and aggressive front-line pressure.

That defensive system will be tested severely by a Bulls side averaging almost 40 points per game across their last six URC fixtures.

Key Players

Leinster

Jamison Gibson-Park – Leinster’s tempo-setter and one of the best scrum-halves in the world.

Sam Prendergast – His attacking quality is obvious, but the Bulls will almost certainly test him defensively.

James Lowe – A proven big-game performer capable of changing matches with a single touch. This will be his final game for Leinster, giving him one last chance to sign off with silverware.

Josh van der Flier – His breakdown work and defensive engine will be vital against a powerful Bulls pack.

Vodacom Bulls

Handré Pollard – A World Cup-winning out-half and the Bulls’ leading points scorer with 127 points.

Embrose Papier – Dangerous around the fringes and the Bulls’ top try scorer with 12 tries.

Cameron Hanekom – One of the most exciting young forwards in South African rugby.

Wilco Louw – A major scrum weapon who could become even more influential with Porter absent.

Top Scorers

Leinster

• Josh Kenny – 9 tries
• Scott Penny – 6 tries
• Jimmy O’Brien – 5 tries
• Tommy O’Brien – 5 tries

Vodacom Bulls

• Embrose Papier – 12 tries
• Johan Grobbelaar – 10 tries
• Cheswill Jooste – 5 tries
• Harold Vorster – 5 tries
• Marcell Coetzee – 5 tries
• Willie le Roux – 5 tries

Betting Odds

The bookmakers have Leinster as favourites, but the market suggests a much tighter contest than last season’s one-sided Grand Final.

Match Odds

• Leinster: 4/9
• Draw: 19/1
• Vodacom Bulls: 7/4

Handicap Betting

• Leinster -5: 10/11
• Draw -5: 20/1
• Bulls +5: 10/11

The five-point handicap reflects how close this contest could be. Leinster’s home advantage, finals experience and defensive system make them deserved favourites, but the Bulls’ physicality, set-piece power and eight-match winning run make them dangerous outsiders.

Best Bet: Leinster to win by 1-12 points.

Prediction

This has all the ingredients of a classic final.

Leinster have the experience, the home advantage and the defensive structure to retain their title. The Bulls have the power, momentum and tactical route to cause serious problems, particularly through the scrum, maul and the Prendergast defensive channel.

If Doris and Sheehan are passed fit, Leinster should have enough balance to withstand the Bulls’ physical assault. If either misses out, the game becomes much more dangerous for Leo Cullen’s side.

The Bulls should make this far closer than last season, but Leinster’s big-game control, Gibson-Park’s tempo and the emotional edge of James Lowe’s final appearance may just get them over the line.

Predicted Score: Leinster 26-22 Vodacom Bulls

Expect a fierce, physical and tactical final decided by fine margins, with the battle up front and the pressure on Sam Prendergast likely to determine who lifts the URC trophy at Croke Park.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

The U.S. Open may be golf’s third major of the year, but as 156 players descend on Shinnecock Hills on Long Island to tee off on Thursday, it could be lucky No. 4 for Scottie Scheffler. A victory on Sunday would give the world’s top-ranked golfer titles at all four majors, completing his career Grand Slam—a fitting present for his 30th birthday.

Of course, Scheffler and his rivals are shooting for more than just glory. There is also a hefty winner’s check at stake (worth $4.3 million last year).

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Here are 18 more numbers to know about the 2026 U.S. Open—one for each hole.

$21.5 Million

The total prize money available at the 2025 U.S. Open.

The U.S. Golf Association, the organizer of the Open, has not yet revealed this year’s purse, but the event has had the largest prize pot among the majors since 2017. (This year’s Masters had total prize money of $22.5 million, and the PGA Championship paid out $20.5 million. The British Open, which will be held in July, has not yet announced its purse.) The U.S. Open’s prize money total should also exceed the $20 million on offer at the PGA Tour’s eight limited-field “signature events” this season, although it will likely trail the combined $30 million purse (for the individual and team competitions) at LIV Golf’s regular-season events—assuming the tour makes it through the year.

2,866,567%

The percentage increase in the winner’s check, from the $150 prize at the first U.S. Open in 1895 to $4.3 million in 2025.

Even adjusting for inflation—with the value of the original award rising to about $6,000 in today’s dollars—it’s a more than 70,000% increase.

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$217

The price of a gallery pass for Thursday’s opening round, rising to $289 on Saturday.

Parking is an additional $84 a day. Ticket prices extend all the way to $6,875 each (resale) for a spot on Thursday in the 1895 Club, which comes with access to a VIP entrance, an air-conditioned lounge overlooking the 17th hole, private restrooms, all-inclusive food and drinks, and a golf cart shuttle service around the course.

7,440

The length of the Open course at Shinnecock Hills, in yards.

The total is sandwiched in the middle of this year’s majors, with the Masters playing at 7,565 yards, the PGA Championship at 7,394 and the British Open at 7,156. The longest hole this year is the par-5 No. 16, at 614 yards, with 20 bunkers scattered along the way.

157

The length of Shinnecock’s par-3 11th hole, in yards.

The hole, commonly known as Hill Head and sometimes as “America’s shortest par-5,” proves distance isn’t everything. Why is it so difficult? The green is surrounded by bunkers and is 50 feet uphill, with only the front edge visible from the tee, meaning that not only do golfers have to be precise with their drives, they also don’t know the outcome of their shot until they ascend the green.

135

The age of Shinnecock Hills, in years.

Shinnecock, founded in 1891, is the oldest incorporated golf club in the United States and was one of the five founding member clubs of the U.S. Golf Association. The course in Southampton, about 90 miles east of Manhattan, has barely changed its layout since 1931 and is hosting its sixth U.S. Open, with a seventh scheduled there for 2036; only Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, with ten, and Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, with seven, have hosted more Opens to date. (Shinnecock is, however, the only course to have hosted the U.S. Open in each of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.) Shinnecock was also the site of one of the most famous shots in golf history—Corey Pavin’s approach shot on No. 18 that effectively won him the 1995 U.S. Open after a final-round collapse by Greg Norman—and reportedly charges around $250,000 for membership initiation fees.

+1

The winning score at the last U.S. Open held at Shinnecock.

Brooks Koepka shot a 281 to capture the 2018 title, holding off Tommy Fleetwood at +2. No matter where it is played, the U.S. Open is known for tight scoring around par, with ankle-high rough that punishes errant drives. Across the four previous Opens played at Shinnecock with modern scoring rules—excluding the 1896 tournament, where rounds weren’t scored relative to par—only one golfer has finished under par without winning: Phil Mickelson, who was two under in 2004 but ended up two strokes behind Retief Goosen.

+455

The DraftKings betting line for Scottie Scheffler to win the tournament, meaning a $100 bet would return $455.

Scheffler’s odds are just a bit longer at FanDuel, at +550, either way making him the heavy favorite over Rory McIlroy (+940 at DraftKings or +1200 at FanDuel) and Jon Rahm (+1175 or +1300). The tournament’s defending champion, J.J. Spaun, is listed at +5900 at DraftKings and at +5500 at FanDuel.

6

The number of golfers who have completed the career Grand Slam.

With a victory this weekend, Scheffler, who won the PGA Championship and British Open in 2025 and the Masters in 2022 and 2024, would become the seventh member of the exclusive club—with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, if you’re scoring at home. Scheffler tied for second at the 2022 U.S. Open outside Boston. Phil Mickelson is also just a U.S. Open victory short of a career Grand Slam, after six runner-up finishes at the event, but he will not compete this year.

13

The number of LIV golfers in the field.

The total is down slightly from 2025’s 14 as the tour faces an uncertain future. Jon Rahm is the highest-paid of the group, having earned an estimated $111 million over the past 12 months before taxes and agent fees to lead all golfers.

100

The number of consecutive majors Adam Scott has played, including this year’s U.S. Open.

The 45-year-old Australian, who won the 2013 Masters for his lone major title, has appeared at every Grand Slam tournament since the 2001 British Open. Only Jack Nicklaus, who played 146 straight majors from 1962 to 1998, has ever had a longer streak. Among active players, Jordan Spieth is on the next-longest run, making his 53rd appearance in a row this week.

54

The age of Padraig Harrington, the oldest player in this year’s U.S. Open field.

The record for oldest player to win the U.S. Open was set in 1990 by Hale Irwin, who was 45. Besides Harrington, there are three other players at least that old in this year’s field: 45-year-old Adam Scott, 45-year-old Justin Rose and 46-year-old Graeme McDowell.

19

The number of amateurs in the field.

Jackson Koivun, 21, who helped Auburn claim the NCAA team championship this month, leads the way as the world’s top-ranked amateur, but he announced last week that he will forgo his senior year and turn professional after the Open, making his pro debut in July at the John Deere Classic. Other amateurs competing this year include 17-year-olds Giuseppe Puebla and Miles Russell, the latter of whom qualified for the Open by winning an event in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, serving as his caddie. The younger Woods won’t be on Russell’s bag at Shinnecock, however, as his swing coach, Ramon Bescansa, takes over the role.

0.4

The maximum handicap for U.S. Open qualifiers.

There were 10,201 eligible golfers who submitted entries to the U.S. Golf Association this year—one off 2025’s record.

6

The number of years in the broadcast deal the U.S. Golf Association signed with NBCUniversal and its spin-off Versant in August.

The agreement, which runs through 2032, keeps the U.S. Open, as well as the U.S. Women’s Open and other USGA-organized championships, on NBC networks, the event’s television home since 2020. The value of the deal was not announced, but Puck reported ahead of the deal that the USGA was expected “to get close to” the $93 million average annual value of a 12-year pact that Fox struck in 2013 before ceding the rights to NBC.

200

The number of hours of live coverage of the U.S. Open that NBC Sports and Versant are promising to air.

The tournament will be shown across USA Network, NBC, Peacock, NBCSN and Golf Channel. For the second straight year, NBC is using drone tracing technology that tracks the path of tee shots and changes colors based on where the ball is expected to end up. It is also unveiling wind predictor data during the broadcasts on NBC.

$333 million

The U.S. Golf Association’s revenue in 2025, an organizational record.

In its publicly released annual report, the USGA does not break out the revenue attributable to each tournament it organizes, but an auditor’s report noted that the U.S. Open was responsible for 68% of the organization’s 2024 revenue and 72% of 2023’s.

12

The number of past U.S. Open champions in this year’s field.

The list is lacking three-time winner Tiger Woods but includes J.J. Spaun, who, after his 2025 triumph at Oakmont, could become the first back-to-back U.S. Open champion since Brooks Koepka in 2017 and 2018. Koepka himself plans to compete this week and will be joined by another two-time champion, Bryson DeChambeau, although the 32-year-old LIV Golf star is coming off missed cuts at both the Masters and the PGA Championship. “I might miss all four of them in majors this year,” he recently told Flushing It Golf. “That’s just golf.”

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As we count down to the first college football game of the 2026 season, we continue our new series: The records of each top CFB program in the West against all the others in the region.

Some schools have met many times over the years, while others are beginning new rivalries in the wake of recent realignment.

For each opponent in the table below, we provide the total games played, wins, losses, ties, winning percentage, first year played, and most recent contest.

We continue with Colorado State, which has played 833 games vs. regional foes, winning 364, losing 452, with 17 ties for a winning percentage of .447.

The Rams have recorded the most wins (60) and played the most games (117) against Wyoming. CSU has lost the most games (69) against Colorado.

Here is a breakdown of Colorado State’s records vs. the region’s teams.

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke with ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Bilas discusses his participation in this year’s American Century Championship, which will take place July 10-12 at Edgewood Tahoe and air on NBC and Peacock. He recalled his unexpected NFL tryout offer after his college basketball career.

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“The people are amazing, not just the competitors, and being a fan boy, seeing all these people that you’ve admired for all these years,” said Bilas, “but being around the American Century Investments people, whether it’s the American Century folks or their clients, the events they have are amazing.”

Bilas will be alongside Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and many other celebrities in this year’s tournament. The former Duke college basketball standout nearly considered a career in the NFL as a tight end after an unexpected invitation.

“Yeah, I never played any football growing up. I played baseball and basketball, and played a little bit of baseball in high school, in addition to basketball. “Still, back then in the 1980s, the NFL was using some players who had competed in different sports,” said Bilas. “There were several basketball players who played many, and ended up in the league that way.” Renaldo Nehemiah, the hurdler, played wide receiver for the (San Francisco) 49ers. It’s not terribly unusual, but after my senior basketball season ended, I got a call from Bobby Beathard of the Washington Redskins, who invited me to training camp. I thought about it for about 20 minutes, then decided I’d get killed if I went there, so I gave up and played professional basketball for a little while. Still, I definitely toyed with the idea for about 20 minutes before I decided those guys would kill me and wised up a little. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in traction.”

The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, over $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC/Peacock and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in golf.

• TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings clash for all the marbles in Game 7 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Game 7 – June 17, Wednesday – Mall of Asia Arena

• 7:30pm – Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs TNT Tropang 5G

LIVE UPDATES: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7 – Ginebra vs TNT

Isaac Go and Simon Enciso have a little chat after arriving for Game 7. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/ZcVKybJby2

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

‘TINGNAN NATIN’

Calvin Oftana a gametime decision as TNT aims to repeat as PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion. Oftana missed Game 6 with a calf injury. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/rI8Va6LVBh

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

RJ Abarrientos, on a slump in the last two games, tries to play a prominent role in Ginebra’s quest to win the title in Game 7. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/L9KpQQL7nI

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

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Last time Stephen Holt was at MOA, he lit up for 23 points in Ginebra’s Game 3 win. Will the struggling Holt pull off another big performance. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/0ZsXlDzVrw

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

GAME 7 KHOBUNTIN ULIT?

TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin, as usual, the first to arrive preparing for tonight’s title decider at Mall of Asia Arena. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/UbtNi4avlQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

Good afternoon from Mall of Asia Arena where the PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion will be crowned in a deciding Game 7 between Barangay Ginebra and TNT. #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/JMdfzPHdud

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 17, 2026

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TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough during Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –PBA IMAGES

Just like the way they did a couple of nights back, Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough are expected to come out with their A-Games on Wednesday with the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title on the line and no tomorrow left for the loser.

And who among the locals will step up or disappear for either Barangay Ginebra or TNT will be the biggest question begging for an answer going into Game 7 of what has been a very unpredictable series at Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

For Ginebra, coach Tim Cone believes the offensive struggles of RJ Abarrientos and former MVP Scottie Thompson are something they need to shake off in the most important battle of the conference set at 7:30 p.m.

“You’re not going to see that very often,” Cone said after Abarrientos and Thompson combined for only nine points on 2-of-18 shooting in Game 6 when the Gin Kings fell short in their first crack at the crown last Sunday.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough is guarded closely by Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 5 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–How Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough perform in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals may play a deciding role in which among Barangay Ginebra or TNT end up taking home the title.

Brownlee and McCullough are expected to carry the load for their respective teams in Wednesday’s decider at Mall of Asia Arena, especially after the two almost turned Game 6 into a one-on-one battle.

TNT forced a winner-take-all on Sunday after McCullough dropped a PBA career-high 53 points while Brownlee wound up with 52, two short of his output during Ginebra’s overtime victory in Game 5.

“I still feel like I have a lot left,” Brownlee said when asked about the fatigue factor, especially after carrying much of the load for Ginebra amid the lack of local support.

“This series is not over, and I’m still very confident. I got a lot left in the tank.”

TNT opted not to field in Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who are both dealing with injuries, in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Their status is still up in the air for Game 7.–PBA IMAGES

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MANILA, Philippines—TNT key cogs Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser are both game-time decisions ahead of Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Both Oftana (calf) and Ganuelas-Rosser (ankle) sat out Sunday’s Game 6, which saw the Tropang 5G pull off a gritty win over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings to force a title decider.

“Our PTs (physical therapists) are working double time on them,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Calvin has a calf strain, so that’s very hard. Brandon I think, has a better chance because it’s an inversion ankle sprain. So that’s really a point of concern for us.”

Ailing, Oftana didn’t plan to miss Game 6, but he just couldn’t go against the team’s orders.

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One of the new features in WoW Midnight is the Void Incursions in Naigtal and Val. These are new mini zones that are available on a weekly basis, and allow players to challenge themselves, as well as pick up incredible new loot. There’s so much to do in the Midnight expansion, and this is one of the features added in the 12.0.7 update.

This zone is more challenging than the normal Void Assaults, and features a brand new difficulty for the Retail version of WoW, and that’s Heroic World Tier. If you’re looking to farm new gear, fight powerful foes, and explore the world (of Warcraft), here’s what you need to know about Void Incursions.

How to begin Void Incursions in WoW Midnight (how to get to Naigtal and Val)

If you want to kick off Void Incursions, you’ll find it right next to where you begin the Omnium Folio in WoW Midnight, so I recommend at least unlocking that first. Head to the coordinates via TomTom (/way #2393 47.6 51.0), and speak to Riftblade Maella, and complete the quest The Time to Strike by speaking to her.

You will also need to complete a pair of quests, Veterans of the Great Dark and Stalkers of the Stars. These are easy quests, and will unlock a portal that will let you transport yourself to the zones later.

• Stalkers of the Stars: Speak to the NPCs, ride over the black smoky objects on the ground in the boxed off area.
• Veterans of the Great Dark: Speak to the NPCs, interact with the Lightveil Tether and walk as far as you can.

After these, complete To the Voidstorm and Beyond!, via the portal to the Voidstorm in Silvermoon City. This will get you closer to Void Incursions in WoW. Next is Through the Mana Rift, which opens the portal.

From here on, you can head to whichever zone is available for the week at this location, or in Silvermoon City with Riftblade Maella. If you need the Voidstorm coordinates, it’s (/way #2405 51.7 71.0). Once inside, and after completing the introductory quests, you can use the Lightforged Beacon to return to Silvermoon or the Voidstorm.

What to do in Naigtal and Val Void Invasions in WoW Midnight

Each week, either Naigtal or Val will be available in WoW Midnight for Void Incursions. At launch, you’ll have access to two difficulties, each with a minimum Item Level you should have before considering them:

The Heroic version has enemies with more health, more damage, and additional affixes that you’ll have to deal with. Of course, the Heroic version also has much better rewards (more Field Accolades, 4/6 Warbound Champion gear, Heroic items from World Boss). It’s up to you which version you take part in. Upon arriving for the first time, you’ll also have a few quests to complete to get you acquainted to the zone, so take the time to do these as well.

While you’re in the Void Incursion, you receive Field Accolades for defeating Rares, popping open treasures, events, and World Quests. There are also Weekly Quests to complete, that reward you with valuable caches, so if you’re looking for something else to do, you can find it here.

If you’re doing content in the Heroic version, there’s also a four-week quest, Knocking Off the Top, which requires you to defeat a Heroic Void Invasion World Boss each week, and loot the Void Commander’s Emblems. Your reward will be a Myth-track cloak, belt or bracers. However, if you don’t do it each week, you can pick up the boss item from the Weekly Quest too, so you don’t fall behind.

There are also Umbral Base Camps, where you can find an NPC to sell you mounts, pets, and a wealth of other items. Kifaan sells the mounts/pets/cosmetics/miscellaneous, Fieldsmith Ventem sells Void-themed weapon transmogs and purple/black recolors of gear, Zuronar sells Lightforged weapons and decorations.

All known World Bosses and Rares in Naigtal and Val in WoW

There are quite a few Rares to hunt in both Naigtal and Val on the WoW Void Incursion maps, as well as a World Boss for each zone. However, we only have access to Naigtal, so that’s the only map we can provide at this time.

We’ll update next week with Val, once it opens up, so you will have everything you need. If you have tracking addons like RareScanner, that helps as well. Below you’ll also find all the coordinates necessary. The World Boss will be circled on the image.

Naigtal World Boss and Rares

• /way #2600 77 70 Nexus-Captain Leth’ir and Adjutant Mertei (World Boss)
• /way #2600 29 63 Auredar
• /way #2600 45 52 Broxion (Patrol)
• /way #2600 77 38 Flickering Swalewing
• /way #2600 53 50 Indomitable Mk XII (Patrol)
• /way #2600 38 63 Interminable Uarn (Patrol)
• /way #2600 65 60 Lomelith (Patrol)
• /way #2600 57 63 Slaipaan (Patrol)
• /way #2600 29 18 Warbringer Thal’kuur
• /way #2600 49 59 Warp Riders (Patrol)
• /way #2600 70 76 Xi’Grivr

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