Recent weeks and months have featured a youth movement along the defensive line in the Twin Cities. Newcomer Eric Johnson II therefore looks like an outlier.

The overlooked Vikings trenchman is an imposing presence at 6’4″ and 320 pounds. Originally a Colt, Johnson is a Viking after spending the seasons from 2022-2025 either in Indianapolis or in New England. Some of his recent reflections at TCO Performance Center make it sound as though he’s a man on a mission.

Vikings Trenchman Eric Johnson Sounds Motivated

The chat took place with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.

Johnson’s initial reflections rested on being more of a veteran since he’s going into his fifth NFL season. But then he swerved into how he’s thinking of the upcoming challenge in Minnesota: “I feel like this is just a good opportunity for me to be able to build up myself. And I’m reaching the point in my career where I gotta show stuff on the field.”

Part of what made Johnson’s free agency difficult is that he needed to wait around for a little while. He put pen to paper in Minnesota on April 29th, well after the frenzy had fizzled.

The player himself described a feeling of “floating a little bit” since he wasn’t involved in the earliest portions of the offseason: “Wherever you’re going to end up, you’re going to end up. You’ve gotta be able to perform regardless.”

He’s now able to fully get to work since he’s a Vikings employee. And, for whatever it’s worth, I did notice him out there during Vikings minicamp. Not knowing some of the broader background of how the roster is built may have led to the conclusion that Johnson is working toward a beefy workload.

Johnson is an elder statesman despite being just 27. All of Jalen Redmond (27), Levi Drake Rodriguez (25), Elijah Williams (23), Caleb Banks (23), and Domonique Orange (22) appear higher on the depth chart. None are as experienced, though.

Quite possibly, the job ahead for Johnson is to become Minnesota’s next Jonathan Bullard. Essentially, a rough and rugged Vikings trenchman who can function like a bottom-six forward in hockey. Kill penalties, go full-tilt on the forecheck, and stick up for teammates. Do those things well and the team more broadly can shine in whatever the football version of “all guts, no glory” is for a d-lineman (wrangle multiple blockers, be the forgotten man in stunts, and so on).

Since being chosen at No. 159 in the 2022 NFL Draft, Eric Johnson has been involved 700 snaps on defense across his 51 career games. He has mostly been a 3T within these snaps. Johnson’s stats show a single, lonely sack across his four seasons, so don’t expect the second coming of John Randle. Rather, look for a sturdy veteran who may shine a bit brighter in a new environment.

Every so often, a veteran needs some time to get polished up before sparkling as the best version of himself. Maybe that’s true of Eric Johnson, especially since the ultra-detailed Ryan Nielsen is doing the polishing (Johnson likes working under the tutelage of Nielsen).

Part of what made the timing of signing Eric Johnson notable was that Minnesota had just brought Banks and Orange to town (which is to say nothing of the UDFA help). Was there really a need for more d-line help after using a 1st and 3rd on promising young lads?

By no means does that timing point toward a locked-in job. Rather, the suggestion is that Johnson was a priority despite getting ample draft reinforcements, pointing toward some level of belief in what he could do to help the team.

Per Over the Cap, Johnson’s contract is for a single season and carries a cap charge sitting at $1,262,500. Only $93,750 will hang back as dead money if a cut does occur. Johnson’s task therefore involves proving his value to the team in the coming months. He appears ready to take on the challenge.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Seeking to accelerate the process of reviving Formula One in India, Sports Minister Manuskh Mandaviya on Saturday said a Task Force would be instituted “as soon as possible” to assess the challenges and benefits of hosting major motorsport events here.

In an interaction with select media, Mandaviya revealed that the move was an outcome of a recent meeting with all stakeholders, including officials from Formula One, Buddh International Circuit owners, the Adani Group, representatives of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), and young racers and motorsport enthusiasts.

“…major outcome of the meeting is that the Ministry will constitute a dedicated four-five member Task Force to undertake a detailed assessment of the motorsports ecosystem in the country and examine the challenges associated with its growth,” Mandaviya said.

“The Task Force will evaluate the international, economic, tourism, and investment benefits arising from hosting major motorsport events in India. It will also identify key priorities, infrastructure requirements, and operational needs necessary for the sustainable development of the sector and submit its recommendations to the Sports Ministry,” he added.

The Task Force will have representation from FMSCI, Sports Ministry, the state government (in this case Uttar Pradesh as Buddh International Circuit is in Greater Noida), and the facility owners.

Although the minister did not give a timeline for the entire exercise, he said that it would be done “as soon as possible” and the panel would be given three months to submit its report from the day it starts operations.

Based on the Task Force’s findings, a comprehensive policy framework will be developed to promote motorsports in India.

“The idea is to have a Formula One race in India by 2028 and for that a necessary framework would be put in place by next year. Special emphasis will be placed on encouraging and supporting regional and grassroots motorsport centres,” he said, revising his previous target of having a race by 2027.

“Motorsports will also be positioned as an important component of the Government’s ‘Play in India’ initiative. There is an entire economy that can revolve around F1 and India has tremendous potential because the sport has a massive fanbase,” the minister added.

The entire process will be implemented through a phased and systematic approach, with the Government of India committed to providing full support for the growth and advancement of motorsports in the country.

India hosted Formula 1 from 2011 to 2013 before the race was dropped from the calendar due to taxation and financial reasons.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently acknowledged the huge interest in India but had refrained from giving a timeline for its return, saying it would take the right investment and people for the plan to work out.

As per an F1 statement in December last year, the fanbase in India for the sport stood at 79 million. In less than six months, that number has grown to 98 million.

• Alex Eala faces Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the round of 32 of the WTA 500 Bad Homburg Open in Germany.

Bad Homburg Open schedule

June 22, Monday

• 11:30 p.m. – Alex Eala vs Elise Mertens

FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala returned to the top 30 in the WTA rankings ahead of her debut at the Bad Homburg Open on Monday.

Eala jumped five spots to world No. 30 following a blistering campaign in the WTA 500 Berlin Open, where she reached the semifinals. She moved just a spot shy of matching her career-high ranking of No. 29 last March.

The 21-year-old Eala looks to continue her giant-slaying ways starting against former world No. 12 Elise Mertens of Belgium in the round of 32 late Monday night.

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Alex Eala —WTA PHOTO

Alex Eala’s most memorable 2026 WTA run ended on Sunday morning in Manila when the Czech Linda Noskova needed just 69 minutes to bundle out the hard-fighting pride of the Philippines in the semifinals of the Berlin Open.

And that leaves the 21-year-old setting her sights on another WTA 500 event starting Monday when she battles Elise Mertens in the round-of-32 of the Bad Homburg Open at the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court.

There will be no shortage of giants to chop down in Homburg in Germany, with former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland and newly crowned French Open champion Meera Andreeva ranked 1-2 in the event and where Eala will get a chance of facing Noskova again after taking a 6-2, 6-4 defeat in Berlin.

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He is France’s most successful football manager, and is looking to win a second World Cup with his team for his last year as the French national coach. But who is Didier Deschamps? FRANCE 24’s Aurore Cloé Dupuis went to ask Deschamps’ friends and former coach.

For decades, FIFA rankings have offered a broad guide to international football’s balance of power. They have separated favourites from outsiders and shaped expectations long before a ball is kicked.

Yet, the opening fortnight of the 2026 World Cup has demonstrated that rankings alone no longer tell the full story.

From World Cup debutants Cape Verde taking points off Spain and Uruguay to Egypt and Iran frustrating Belgium, and DR Congo forcing Portugal to settle for a draw, the tournament has produced a growing collection of results that suggests the gap between football’s established powers and emerging nations is shrinking.

The elite sides still possess greater depth, superior infrastructure and richer histories. But increasingly, lower-ranked teams are proving that tactical organisation, collective discipline and self-belief can compensate for disparities in resources.

Heavyweights have struggled to impose themselves

The surprises are beginning to resemble a pattern rather than a collection of isolated upsets.

World No. 2 Spain were held to a goalless draw by 72nd-ranked Cape Verde despite dominating possession and registering 23 shots. The World Cup debutants had only six attempts and one effort on target, but their defensive discipline earned them a memorable point.

It was not an isolated result. Twenty-sixth-ranked Uruguay needed a late equaliser to avoid defeat against 58th-ranked Saudi Arabia and were then held 2-2 by Cape Verde, a side ranked nearly 50 places below them.

Twelfth-ranked Belgium have also found themselves frustrated. After drawing 1-1 with 34th-ranked Egypt, the Red Devils were held to a goalless draw by 20th-ranked Iran despite enjoying 68 per cent possession and producing 22 shots.

Meanwhile, eighth-ranked Portugal were unable to overcome 61st-ranked DR Congo. Despite completing 789 passes and monopolising possession, the Europeans had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere, 17th-ranked Japan recovered twice to secure a 2-2 draw against sixth-ranked Netherlands, while 90th-ranked Curaçao denied 24th-ranked Ecuador despite facing 28 shots and conceding 75 per cent possession.

Cape Verde have become the symbol of the shift

No team has captured that transformation better than Cape Verde. Making their World Cup debut, the Blue Sharks arrived in the United States with few expectations. Instead, they have emerged as one of the stories of the tournament.

Against Spain, Bubista’s side defended with remarkable organisation. Although they saw only 26 per cent of possession, they restricted Spain’s 23 shots to eight efforts on target and preserved a memorable draw.

Their meeting with Uruguay demonstrated another dimension. Cape Verde twice came from behind and converted four shots on target into two goals. Uruguay, despite creating 16 attempts and earning 11 corners, could not shake off the Africans.

Rather than merely surviving, Cape Verde have shown they are capable of competing.

That belief, perhaps more than any statistic, explains why they have become one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.

Globalisation has reduced the quality gap

The narrowing divide is not accidental. Football’s talent pool is now spread more evenly across the world than at any previous time.

Players from Africa, Asia and smaller footballing nations are increasingly gaining experience in Europe’s top leagues and academies, exposing them to elite coaching, tactical systems and sports science.

National teams that once relied on one or two exceptional individuals are now fielding squads containing players accustomed to competing at the highest levels.

Data analysis has also transformed preparation. Smaller federations may not possess the resources of football’s superpowers, but advances in video analysis and performance analytics have made detailed tactical planning accessible to a much wider range of nations.

Diaspora players and dual-nationality recruitment have further strengthened many teams, providing depth that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.

The result is a tournament where the differences in technical quality remain significant, but the margins separating teams have become increasingly fine.

Defensive organisation has become football’s great equaliser

Another recurring theme of the tournament has been the effectiveness of compact defensive systems. Possession statistics have repeatedly favoured the traditional powers, but possession itself has often proved meaningless.

Spain’s 74 per cent share of the ball produced no goals against Cape Verde. Belgium’s 68 per cent possession against Iran yielded 22 shots but no breakthrough. Portugal enjoyed three-quarters of possession against DR Congo yet managed only one more attempt than their opponents.

Many lower-ranked nations have embraced a pragmatic approach, prioritising shape and discipline over possession. By denying space between the lines and forcing opponents into wide areas, they have compelled technically superior teams into speculative efforts.

Counter-attacks and set-pieces have become valuable weapons, allowing underdogs to remain dangerous without dominating the ball.

The football may not always be expansive, but it has proved remarkably effective.

Expanded format has increased competitiveness

Before the tournament, critics feared that the expanded 48-team World Cup would dilute quality and create more one-sided contests.

The opposite has happened. The additional places have provided emerging football nations with opportunities that previously did not exist.

Teams such as Cape Verde and DR Congo have used that platform to demonstrate how far they have progressed, while Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Japan and Curaçao have all shown they belong on the biggest stage.

The larger field has broadened football’s geographical reach without reducing competitiveness.

The established powers will still expect their greater depth and experience to become decisive once the knockout rounds begin.

But the first fortnight of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has delivered a clear message: Rankings and reputations are becoming increasingly unreliable measures of strength.

The giants remain powerful, but the outsiders are no longer arriving simply to participate. They are arriving to compete and, increasingly, to disrupt.

The race for the knockout stage intensifies at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as four crucial group-stage matches take centre stage on June 23. Former champions France are aiming to seal their place in the Round of 32, while Norway can also book qualification with another victory. Elsewhere, Jordan and Algeria face a must-win battle to keep their hopes alive after opening-round defeats. 

The spotlight, however, will firmly be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, who are under pressure to deliver after a disappointing draw in their opener. With qualification, survival and pride all on the line, fans can expect a dramatic day of World Cup action.

France vs iraq

France are on the verge of securing a place in the Round of 32 as they prepare to face Iraq in their second Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Didier Deschamps’ side recovered from a slow start against Senegal to claim a 3-1 victory, powered by a Kylian Mbappe brace and an impressive cameo from substitute Bradley Barcola. 

France are expected to make only minor changes to the lineup. Iraq, meanwhile, are under pressure after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Norway in their opener. Playing in their first World Cup since 1986, they need a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Norway vs Senegal

Norway can secure a place in the Round of 32 when they face Senegal in their second Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stale Solbakken’s side opened their campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Iraq, inspired by a brace from Erling Haaland, and currently sit top of the group on goal difference. 

Jordan vs Algeria

Jordan and Algeria face a crucial Group J encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both teams desperate to avoid a second straight defeat. Jordan were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their tournament debut, while Algeria suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Argentina, leaving both sides without a point after the opening round. 

Victory would keep knockout qualification hopes alive, while defeat could leave them on the brink of elimination. The two nations have met only three times previously, with one win each and one draw. Their last meeting came in 2004, making this their first-ever World Cup clash.

The Main Event: Ronaldo and Portugal feature tonight

Portugal will be under pressure to secure their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face tournament debutants Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday. Roberto Martinez’s side were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener despite taking an early lead through Joao Neves. 

The result has intensified scrutiny on captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who struggled to influence the match and failed to register a shot on target. With Colombia currently leading the group, Portugal know another slip-up could complicate their route to the knockout stage.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, are fighting to keep their World Cup dream alive after a 3-1 defeat to Colombia in their first-ever match at the tournament. Although they found the net through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Fabio Cannavaro’s side spent long periods on the back foot and managed just a single touch inside the opposition penalty area during the first half. Portugal remain clear favourites, but Uzbekistan will hope to produce a historic result and avoid elimination with a game still to play.

FIFA World Cup 2026: June 23 matches live streaming and telecast detail

Which two teams will feature in the first game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 23?

France will take on Iraq in the first match of the day from 2:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the third game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 23?

Norway and Senegal will square off in the 2nd game of the day at 5:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the fourth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 23?

Jordan and Algeria will face each other in the third match of the day at 8:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the fourth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 23?

Portugal and Uzbekistan will end the proceedings on June 23 action of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at 10:30 pm IST.

Where to watch the live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 23 matches in India?

The broadcast of the June 23 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels for fans in India.

Where to watch the live streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 22 matches in India?

The live streaming of the June 23 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Zee5 app and website for viewers in India.

The independent Cricket Regulator has taken no action against Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson over the nightclub incident which led to them missing last week’s Test against New Zealand, finding “insufficient evidence” against the pair.

The ruling, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled for Thursday’s Rothesay Series decider against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

A parallel investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board also absolved Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing in an altercation involving Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa, though they were issued with written conduct warnings for contravening “specific contractual obligations”.

The regulator, which does not cover team protocols in its remit, said in a statement: “The Cricket Regulator’s role is to determine whether any participant or player has breached any applicable ECB Cricket Regulations. The investigation followed multiple lines of enquiry to gather and assess evidence in relation to the events in question.

“Having carefully reviewed all currently available information, the Cricket Regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred. Accordingly, no further action will be taken against either player.

“The Cricket Regulator would like to thank all those involved for their cooperation throughout the investigation.”

Serena Williams of the U.S. returns the ball as she and Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova play during their round of 16 doubles match against New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and Mexico’s Giuliana Olmo during the WTA 500 Berlin Open tennis tournament at Steffi Graf Stadium, in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

It’s been talked about ever since Serena Williams announced nearly three weeks ago that she was returning to professional tennis after almost four years away from the sport.

Still, seeing the single-sentence announcement from The All England Club that the 23-time Grand Slam champion will play singles at Wimbledon was stunning nonetheless.

“Serena Williams (USA) receives the final ladies’ singles wild card,” read the key line in Sunday’s announcement, which was issued eight days before the grass-court Grand Slam begins.

READ: Serena Williams defeated in Berlin Open ahead of Wimbledon return

This is not a drill.@serenawilliams will compete in the 2026 ladies’ singles at #Wimbledon as a wild card. pic.twitter.com/1vHnDEQ4xm

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 21, 2026

At age 44, Williams will actually play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon after already accepting a wild card for the doubles competition with older sister Venus.

“This is not a drill,” Wimbledon said on its social media accounts Sunday.

Commented the WTA Tour, “Name a more iconic return…we’ll wait.”

Wimbledon held open the eighth and final women’s singles wild card spot until Williams made up her mind. As recently as earlier this week after losing a doubles match in Berlin, she appeared to be waffling over the decision.

“Oh my gosh, there are some left?” she replied when she was told there was still a wild card spot open. Wild cards are special invitations handed out by tournament organizers, which allow former champions and others access to the main draw without the necessary entry qualifications. But then she mused about her readiness for it.

READ: Serena Williams makes winning comeback at Queen’s Club

“Do you think I’m ready for singles?” she asked a reporter and then turned to doubles partner Karolina Muchova to ask what she thought.

“I think I would be interested in it,” the Czech player responded.

“That’s the question of the hour, right?” Williams said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I wonder why there’s — I don’t know.”

Well, now that Williams has made up her mind, the big remaining question is how she can physically handle singles play after so long.

Serena’s most recent singles match was a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, she said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis. Her second daughter was born in 2023.

“Just finished a mean game of duck duck goose,” Williams said on X after the wild card announcement.

READ: Serena Williams returning to tennis at 44

Of Williams’ 23 Grand Slam titles in singles, seven have come at Wimbledon: in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. She’s also won 14 Grand Slams in doubles, all with Venus, and six of them at Wimbledon.

Serena also swept the singles and doubles (with Venus) titles at the 2012 London Olympics, when the tennis competition was held on the hallowed grass of the All England Club.

At her last Wimbledon appearance in 2022, Serena was beaten in the opening round by 115th-ranked Harmony Tan in her first match since having to stop less than a set into her opening contest at the All England Club because of an injury the year before.

Serena won a doubles match with partner Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club last week but then the pair had to withdraw after Mboko injured her knee in a singles match.

In another doubles match at the Berlin Open on Tuesday, Serena and Muchova were beaten by Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe.

As of Sunday, Serena had not entered the singles draws of any grass-court tuneup tournaments before Wimbledon.

She will learn who her first-round opponent is on Friday when the singles draws for Wimbledon are held.

While she’s No. 593 in the doubles rankings courtesy of her victory last week, Serena has no singles ranking after being away for so long.

Iga Swiatek is the defending Wimbledon champion, while Aryna Sabalenka is ranked No. 1.

Because Serena has no ranking, she could potentially face Swiatek, Sabalenka, or any other top-ranked player in the opening rounds.

David Benavidez has ruled out one fight in particular, despite Turki Alalshikh attempting to persuade him with a major opportunity.

The 29-year-old entered his first outing at 200lbs last month, becoming a three-weight world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez for the WBO and WBA titles.

But while his emphatic sixth-round finish would suggest he is a natural cruiserweight, Benavidez clearly feels as though he could benefit from more experience at the weight.

As such, it is hardly surprising that he successfully lobbied the WBC to install him as the mandatory challenger at 200lbs, hoping to secure a three-belt unification match with fellow champion Noel Mikaelian.

The pair are now reportedly in deep negotiations to collide later this year, potentially leaving Zuffa champion Jai Opetaia without an opponent for his next outing.

Whatever the case, though, it certainly appears that Benavidez is eager to remain at cruiserweight, rather than challenge unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Despite coming off a sub-par performance against Rico Verhoeven, who he stopped in round 11 last month, Usyk is still widely considered the top dog of his division.

Reluctant to take a gamble against the Ukrainian, Benavidez has told Luis Parra that not even powerbroker Alalshikh can convince him otherwise.

“[Alalshikh] didn’t talk to me directly, [but] he was talking to the people around me and said he wanted to make that fight. But honestly, I have a lot of respect for Usyk, and I’m not ready for that right now.

“If he came down to cruiserweight then yeah, we could fight at cruiserweight. But I’m not moving up.”

Having been ordered to defend his WBC title against ‘interim’ champion Agit Kabayel, Usyk must now decide whether to pursue their mandated fight or vacate the belt.