Fernando Mendoza is gearing up for his first season in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders selected Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 draft after he led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated 2025 season and a national championship. While Mendoza added the Heisman Trophy to his list of incredible accomplishments last year, he still has a lot to learn when it comes to being an NFL player.

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Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko talks with quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on June 9, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Mendoza recently shared some of the advice that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has lent him in the first two months of being with Las Vegas.

“I think what he said as a quarterback is you need to be the most everything. You need to be the most competitive. You need to be the most leader. You have to have the most leadership,” he said, via the Raiders’ YouTube page.

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Raiders minority owner Tom Brady yells encouragement to players during the first half of a Raiders training camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Aug. 2, 2025. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

“You need to be the toughest, both mentally and physically. And you’ve got to embody all these things and lead by example before gaining that equity and respect from your teammates in order to lead effectively.”

Mendoza will also have Kirk Cousins to lean on in certain situations, even as the veteran quarterback doesn’t see his relationship as a mentor-mentee situation.

“I think to say I’m mentoring them is a bit of a reach, probably more of a narrative than it is the truth,” Cousins said last week, via The Athletic. “They’re pretty good players and pretty experienced, and I’m learning a lot from them too and asking questions of them.”

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at the Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s unclear whether Mendoza will be the Week 1 starter. Cousins has proved to have some left in the tank to play. He signed a two-year, $12.6 million deal with the Raiders in the offseason.

After quarterback, edge rusher is the NFL’s most important position (see some of Jeff Diamond’s recent thoughts on VT). Does that mean Andrew Van Ginkel needs to be next to earn an extension? He’s a Vikings star player even if he’s often overlooked.

The 2024 second-team All Pro is moving into his final season. He’ll demand $23 million, an amount that puts him in a good spot within the broader edge rusher market but nowhere near the top. Seeing a new deal arrive should be a priority for the Vikings’ front office. Quite possibly, the undone Van Ginkel extension needs to get in ahead of the Brian O’Neill deal, somebody who has more commonly been in the headlines.

A Vikings Star Player — Andrew Van Ginkel — Needs an Extension

Part of the problem for Van Ginkel in 2025 was health, or lack thereof. The edge rusher got into just a dozen games, starting eleven.

He was nevertheless able to climb up to 7 sacks. That’s a step behind the 11.5 sacks he tossed up in 2024. What’s missing from the basic analysis is that Van Ginkel not only played in less games but had lesser pass rushing snaps. Brian Flores tasked him with pass rushing on just 173 plays, per PFF. He had 414 pass rushing snaps the year before.

He was, in other words, a terror off the edge. His issue is that he got less opportunity, making the final tally appear more modest.

Worse yet (for the Vikings, at least) is that Minnesota doesn’t have a great replacement. Dallas Turner is already being burdened with jumping into the Jonathan Greenard opening. Nobody else on the roster boasts the sort of promise to suggest that an EDGE1 job as early as 2027 makes sense. Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and/or others will have something to say about the matter, but we’re merely considering the most likely path ahead.

So, an extension would appear darn near necessary.

Over the Cap clarifies that top edge rushers — think guys like Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Danielle Hunter, and some others — can clear $40 million per year on their deals. Van Ginkel won’t see his name among those guys.

Goodness, Will Anderson Jr. is now at the top of the market with a contract averaging a cool $50 million per season. Doubling the Van Ginkel $23 million would mean sitting at $46 million, still short of the Anderson contract.

In all likelihood, Andrew Van Ginkel could see his annual average get to somewhere within the $25 to $30 million range. Greenard climbed up to that $30 million benchmark in his new Philadelphia deal but that’s within the context of being younger and having a better reputation for tracking down quarterbacks. The $30 million average should be considered the high-end of any potential Van Ginkel extension.

Taking a guess would mean doing precisely that: guessing. Nolan Teasley is a mystery since he’s still so new.

What’s not a mystery is the abilities that Andrew Van Ginkel can offer. He’s a unique player in a league that boasts a pile of unique players. Nobody on Minnesota’s roster can do what the EDGE1 is capable of doing. As a result, the Vikings star player may end up being the priority to extend.

The Vikings could put more than $11 million into the 2026 budget with an extension.

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Ahead of the game, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said that although his team is still being treated unfairly by the host U.S. at the World Cup through travel restrictions and visa refusals.

“I am very glad that the Iranian nation is behind us,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. “Our martyrs in Iran, we play for them. But I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people. Even if we spent billions of dollars, we would not be able to have justice for our people. It just shows we are an oppressed country. But nevertheless, I hope we achieve peace, and I hope this kind of behavior does not become institutionalized in the World Cup.”

Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon of South Africa celebrate victory (Getty Images)

Marizanne Kapp produced a match-winning all-round performance as South Africa defeated India by six wickets in their Women’s T20 World Cup Group A clash on Sunday.Kapp starred with both bat and ball, first returning figures of 2/27 before unleashing an unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries to guide South Africa to victory with five balls to spare. Her knock included seven boundaries and four sixes and proved decisive in the 161/4 chase of India’s 158/7.India were left to rue missed chances, with substitute fielder Radha Yadav dropping Kapp twice at crucial moments, allowing the South African all-rounder to capitalise fully.Batting first on a two-paced surface, India struggled to build momentum and could only manage a modest total despite reaching 158/7. Deepti Sharma top-scored with 29 off 21 balls, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur made 24 off 22 deliveries.India’s innings had begun brightly, reaching 54 without loss, but they suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 83/4 before Deepti and Harmanpreet added a stabilising 33-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, poor shot selection and loss of momentum restricted them to a below-par total.South Africa’s chase initially looked steady rather than aggressive, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits negotiating the new ball carefully. However, India struck back through Shree Charani, who produced a double-wicket maiden to shift the momentum. She took a sharp return catch to dismiss Wolvaardt for 20 and then bowled Annerie Dercksen for a duck two balls later.Despite the setback, South Africa rebuilt through a crucial 97-run partnership between Kapp and Brits, which ultimately shaped the outcome of the match. The duo rotated strike efficiently and found regular boundaries, keeping the required rate under control.Brits contributed 40 off 36 balls before falling in the 17th over, edging a catch to deep backward square, a wicket that could have come earlier had Radha Yadav not spilled another straightforward opportunity.Kapp continued unfazed and carried her side over the line, punishing loose deliveries and taking advantage of her reprieves to finish unbeaten on 81 as South Africa reached 161/4 in 19.1 overs.The result pushed South Africa up the points table to third place, behind India and table-toppers Australia, keeping the group stage race tightly poised.

Marizanne Kapp finishes unbeaten on 81 as she guides South Africa to a six-wicket victory over India at Old Trafford in the Women’s T20 World Cup, a win which keeps alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

READ MORE: Brilliant Kapp leads South Africa past India

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Yamal, still only 18, slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross and put Spain 1-0 up against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures

Mikel Oyarzabal, who was criticized for not touching the ball at all in the first 30 minutes of Spain‘s draw with Cape Verde, not only provided the assist for Yamal, but scored two more goals — in the 21st and 24th.

Spain’s lead was so dominant by halftime that Yamal and Oyarzabal were both taken off before the start of the second half.

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Francisco Cerundolo secured the biggest title of his career as he produced a superb comeback to beat Tommy Paul in an enthralling men’s singles final at Queen’s.

The Argentine had never won a title above ATP 250 level before and it looked as though his wait would continue when he went a set and a break down against Paul.

But after three hours and two minutes on court – the longest final in Queen’s history – and four missed championship points, a triumphant Cerundolo threw himself to the floor in celebration after a 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-3 victory.

“It’s not easy to speak right now,” an emotional Cerundolo said.

“I want to thank my mum and my dad, they arrived for the last two games.”

He then told BBC TV: “My dad has a phobia of planes. Since I was born, I never travelled with him and he never came to watch me in tournaments.

“He watched me in Buenos Aires one time a year and at the Davis Cup. They just arrived and I just saw them when I went to celebrate.”

A fan favourite at the iconic Queen’s Club this week, Cerundolo delighted the crowds in London with his fierce forehand winners and never-give-up mentality.

Four of his five matches went to a decider as he spent 11 hours 33 minutes on court over the past six days.

It is a second grass-court title for the 27-year-old, who also beat Paul in the final of Eastbourne in 2023.

Paul, champion at Queen’s in 2024, missed the opportunity to defend his title last year because of an abdominal injury and he looked downcast as Cerundolo celebrated the victory on Andy Murray Arena.

“I want to congratulate Francisco and your team. We always seem to have unreal matches and today you were the better player so I am happy for you. Congrats,” Paul said.

Miguel Almiron made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, albeit for reasons he would not have anticipated.  The Paraguay winger became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule during his side’s match against Turkiye, bringing one of football’s newest regulations into the spotlight. A day later, attention shifted to Lionel Messi after videos emerged showing the Argentina captain speaking with his hand covering his mouth.

The clips quickly prompted comparisons between the two incidents, with many fans questioning why Almiron was shown a red card while Messi faced no sanction.

At the centre of the debate is a rule that FIFA introduced ahead of the tournament in an attempt to address a growing concern within the game: the concealment of abusive or discriminatory remarks during confrontations.

A rule born out of a wider concern

The origins of the law can be traced to an incident earlier this year involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni.

During a Champions League match, Vinicius alleged that the Argentine youngster had made discriminatory remarks while concealing his mouth with his shirt. Although the allegation itself remained disputed, the episode reignited discussions over how football authorities should tackle verbal abuse hidden from cameras and lip-readers.

For FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s law-making body, the controversy highlighted an increasingly difficult challenge.

Players have long covered their mouths while speaking, whether to prevent opponents from overhearing tactical instructions or to keep conversations private. Yet governing bodies feared the same practice could also be used to hide abusive or discriminatory language.

In April, IFAB approved a law change allowing referees to issue a straight red card to players who deliberately conceal their mouths during confrontational situations.

What exactly does the law say?

Much of the confusion surrounding Almiron’s dismissal stems from a misunderstanding of the regulation itself.

Contrary to popular perception, players are not prohibited from covering their mouths altogether.

The law applies specifically to confrontations and heated exchanges. Match officials are empowered to dismiss players who deliberately hide what they are saying during arguments or aggressive interactions.

Routine conversations with teammates, coaches or opponents do not constitute an offence.

In other words, covering the mouth is not automatically punishable. Context matters just as much as the gesture itself.

That distinction ultimately explains the different outcomes involving Almiron and Messi.

Almiron becomes the first player punished

The regulation remained largely unnoticed until Paraguay’s meeting with Turkiye.

During the match, Almiron became involved in an exchange with Turkish defender Mert Muldur. Television replays showed the Paraguayan winger covering his mouth while speaking during the confrontation.

Following a VAR review, referee Ivan Barton produced a straight red card, making Almiron the first player to be dismissed under the new law.

The decision immediately generated debate. Some observers viewed it as a straightforward application of a regulation that had been communicated to teams before the tournament. Others questioned whether a straight red card represented too severe a punishment.

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro later defended his player while acknowledging that football’s regulations were evolving.

Why was Messi not sanctioned?

The debate intensified when footage emerged of Messi covering his mouth while speaking during Argentina’s match.

Supporters and critics alike questioned whether the Argentina captain should also have been punished. However, according to FIFA’s interpretation, the two incidents were not viewed in the same light.

Messi was not engaged in a confrontation when the gesture occurred. Since the regulation targets heated exchanges rather than ordinary conversations, match officials did not consider his actions an offence.

For match officials, the absence of a confrontation proved decisive.

The explanation, however, has done little to silence criticism. Detractors argue that the law leaves considerable room for subjective interpretation and could lead to accusations of inconsistency.

Supporters and critics split

As with many recent innovations in football, the new rule has drawn both support and criticism.

Backers argue that it represents another step in the game’s campaign against discrimination and abuse. They point out that players and teams were informed of the change well before the start of the World Cup.

Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine, who serves on FIFPRO’s global player council, said players had been made aware of the regulation and suggested there should be little sympathy for those who breach it.

Others, however, have questioned whether a straight red card is proportionate and raised concerns over the practical difficulties facing referees. Former players and commentators have also highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between routine conversations and confrontational exchanges in the heat of a match.

The debate has inevitably drawn comparisons with other innovations that initially divided opinion before becoming accepted parts of the game.

Football’s latest experiment

World Cups have often served as testing grounds for change. Goal-line technology made its tournament debut in 2014, VAR followed four years later in Russia, while semi-automated offside technology arrived in Qatar in 2022.

Now, the mouth-covering rule has become football’s latest experiment.

Whether it survives in its current form may depend on how events unfold over the coming weeks. If the measure succeeds in discouraging abusive behaviour without generating widespread controversy, FIFA and IFAB may regard it as a success.

But if accusations of inconsistency continue to dominate the conversation, football’s lawmakers could face pressure to refine the wording of the regulation or even reconsider the severity of the punishment.

For now, a rule designed to prevent hidden words has produced an unintended consequence. It has become one of the most visible talking points of the 2026 World Cup.

And in a tournament where every gesture is scrutinised and every decision dissected, the debate over football’s newest law may only just be beginning.

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From the show

World Cup Debrief

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1 min

The evening of football started with quite an unexpected walk in the park for the Netherlands, who beat Sweden 5-1. Germany narrowly avoided a trampling by the Elephants of the Ivory Coast, thanks to a last-minute goal. World Cup newcomers Curaçao got their first world cup point ever thanks to a draw against Ecuador Meanwhile, Japan marked the 1000th World Cup match in style by putting four past Tunisia. Japan sealed Tunisia’s fate in the process, the Eagles of Carthage will be flying home after this group stage.