Sports
Blue Jays recall Schneider, Macko, option Keys, place Corbin on IL
Davis Schneider has been recalled from triple-A Buffalo, the Blue Jays announced before Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The infielder/outfielder was slashing just .153/.282/.296 with three home runs in 49 games for the Blue Jays before he was sent to Buffalo on June 30.
Schneider replaces Sean Keys, who has been sent back to the Bisons. Keys slashed .167/.189/.278 with one homer in 12 games for Toronto.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays also recalled left-hander Adam Macko from Buffalo and placed lefty Patrick Corbin (left teres major strain) on the 15-day injured list.
The Blue Jays play their series finale against the Rays at 3:07 p.m. ET / 12:07 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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Norway soccer chief complains about Trump’s involvement with FIFA after red card
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The World Cup may be over, but there are some still upset over the controversy surrounding USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban being suspended.
Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness said she is going to ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint over the incident. She called on FIFA to acknowledge the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban as an error.
“We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error,” Klaveness told The Times. “If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behavior and the organization’s behavior, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with. And that happened.”
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Norwegian Football Federation President Lisa Klaveness attends the European Football Women’s Gala 2023 at Antiga Fabrica D’Estrella Damm in Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 6, 2023. (Cesc Maymo/WireImage)
Klaveness claimed that the proper process was not followed and that bending the rules could put the whole game at risk.
“First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process,” Klaveness said. “When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.”
Klaveness called the case of FIFA suspending Balogun’s red card ban both “serious” and “worrying.”
“This case was so serious and so worrying that I hope that it might contribute to bring people out a little bit and don’t fear to bring up cases,” she said. “I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump look on before presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to Spain after the Final – FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask the organization to review the decision to give U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun a red card. The red card meant Balogun would have been suspended for the team’s knockout match against Belgium on Monday, but FIFA decided to suspend the one-game ban after Trump’s call.
Trump addressed the controversy earlier this month.
“All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” the president said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.
“I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.”
Trump said he took issue with the initial red card that was assessed to Balogun in the first place.
“If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible championship,” Trump continued. “We gotta have our best players and Belgium, Belgium’s got a great team by the way. We have our best players and they have to have their best. If we win or we lose, it’s fair. Otherwise, let’s say we lost to them, then we lost the game. It would be a terrible thing. I think they made a really brilliant decision.
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The United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium during their World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Washington. Monday, July 6, 2026. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)
“I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. The referee’s decision to red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was and when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.’… I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.’ And then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great.”
While Balogun was able to play, the USMNT lost 4-1 to Belgium on Monday night, ending their World Cup run in the Round of 16.
Fox News Digital reached out to FIFA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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Luka Modric contract: One-year AC Milan extension for 40-year-old Croatian
AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric – who turns 41 in September – has signed a one-year contract extension.
The Croatian joined Milan last summer on a one-year deal with an option to extend after leaving Real Madrid.
After 13 years at the Bernabeu, Modric scored two goals in 37 appearances for Milan in a season when they finished fifth in Serie A and only reached the last-16 stage of the Coppa Italia.
“I am thrilled to stay at AC Milan, where you made me feel welcomed and loved from the very first day,” Modric said of his new deal.
“After a season below our expectations, the desire to bounce back is immense. A new season and a new challenge await us – a project I believe in and that motivates me.
“I’m ready to continue to give everything again for this shirt and I’m so proud to keep wearing these colours. Can’t wait to return to San Siro and feel your roar.”
Modric has just played in his fifth World Cup, in which Croatia were knocked out in the last 32 by Portugal.
Since Modric became national team captain in 2016, Croatia had previously been runners-up and finished third in the World Cup.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner won six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles at Real. Previously, he made 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur over four years in north London.
In Milan this season, he will play under former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, who replaced the sacked Massimiliano Allegri in June.
In a statement, Milan said: “A key figure in the Rossoneri midfield since his arrival, Luka has brought his experience and quality to the service of the team, both on and off the pitch, with humility and great passion.
“One of the finest and most iconic players in world football, the Croatian will continue his journey in the Rossoneri shirt with the ambition to reach new, important milestones.”
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2026 3M Open Friday tee times: Round 2 groupings
The 2026 3M Open continues on Friday with the second round at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. You can find full 3M Open tee times for Friday’s second round at the bottom of this post.
3M Open Round 2 tee times: What to know
Tom Kim had been having a rough go of it on the PGA Tour since his last win in 2023. That is until two weeks ago.
At the Genesis Scottish Open, Kim stormed to victory with a final-round 64. It was his fourth career Tour victory.
That came in a season which has seen him only finish in the top 10 two other times. But with the wind behind his sails, Kim is teeing it up at the 3M Open hoping that wins come in bunches.
Kim will start Round 2 at 8:40 a.m. ET on Friday alongside Charley Hoffman and Casey Jarvis.
You can watch Friday’s second round of the 2026 3M Open from 4-7 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Friday, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.
Check out the complete Round 2 tee times and groupings for the 3M Open below.
With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to PGA Tour Live, where you can stream the best PGA Tour events live from wherever you want.
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2026 3M Open tee times for Friday: Round 2 (ET)
Tee No. 1
7:45 a.m. – Peter Malnati, Tom Hoge, Sam Stevens
7:56 a.m. – Adam Svensson, Cameron Champ, Matti Schmid
8:07 a.m. – Brice Garnett, Michael Kim, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
8:18 a.m. – Ricky Castillo, Brian Campbell, Davis Thompson
8:29 a.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Kevin Yu, Aaron Wise
8:40 a.m. – Stefano Mazzoli, Adam Schenk, Kevin Streelman
8:51 a.m. – Joel Dahmen, Doug Ghim, Austin Smotherman
9:02 a.m. – Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, Will Gordon
9:13 a.m. – Jimmy Stanger, Jeremy Paul, Pontus Nyholm
9:24 a.m. – Paul Peterson, Keita Nakajima, Thomas Campbell
9:35 a.m. – John Parry, Davis Chatfield, Griffin Wood
9:46 a.m. – Haotong Li, David Skinns, Sihan Sandhu (a)
1:00 p.m. – Lee Hodges, Taylor Moore, Vince Whaley
1:11 p.m. – Harry Higgs, Dylan Wu, Thorbjørn Olesen
1:22 p.m. – Rico Hoey, Mac Meissner, Sudarshan Yellamaraju
1:33 p.m. – Jake Knapp, Corey Conners, Max Homa
1:44 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im
1:55 p.m. – Steven Fisk, Brian Harman, Lucas Glover
2:06 p.m. – Matthieu Pavon, Nick Hardy, Keith Mitchell
2:17 p.m. – Andrew Putnam, Adam Hadwin, Patrick Rodgers
2:28 p.m. – Camilo Villegas, Denny McCarthy, Beau Hossler
2:39 p.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Ben James
2:50 p.m. – Zach Bauchou, John VanDerLaan, Ryder Cowan (a)
3:01 p.m. – Zecheng Dou, Chandler Blanchet, Cooper Schultz
Tee No. 10
7:45 a.m. – Patton Kizzire, Ben Kohles, Hank Lebioda
7:56 a.m. – Austin Eckroat, Pierceson Coody, Ben Silverman
8:07 a.m. – Nick Dunlap, Zac Blair, Takumi Kanaya
8:18 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Billy Horschel, Jackson Koivun
8:29 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Maverick McNealy, Tony Finau
8:40 a.m. – Tom Kim, Charley Hoffman, Casey Jarvis
8:51 a.m. – Troy Merritt, Ben Martin, Max McGreevy
9:02 a.m. – Seamus Power, Fabián Gómez, David Lipsky
9:13 a.m. – Johnny Keefer, Gordon Sargent, Luke Clanton
9:24 a.m. – Jackson Suber, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Preston Stout (a)
9:35 a.m. – Kristoffer Ventura, Jesper Svensson, Christo Lamprecht
9:46 a.m. – Kensei Hirata, Neal Shipley, Muzzy Donohue
1:00 p.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Max Greyserman, Rasmus Højgaard
1:11 p.m. – Rafael Campos, Tyler Duncan, Jordan Smith
1:22 p.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Ryan Brehm, Mark Hubbard
1:33 p.m. – Davis Riley, Taylor Pendrith, Chris Kirk
1:44 p.m. – William Mouw, Karl Vilips, Joe Highsmith
1:55 p.m. – Garrick Higgo, Cam Davis, Stephan Jaeger
2:06 p.m. – Brandt Snedeker, Michael Brennan, Matt Kuchar
2:17 p.m. – Luke List, Emiliano Grillo, Kevin Roy
2:28 p.m. – Chad Ramey, Chandler Phillips, Danny Walker
2:39 p.m. – A.J. Ewart, Jeffrey Kang, Marcelo Rozo
2:50 p.m. – Alejandro Tosti, Nicholas Lindheim, Jeevan Sihota
3:01 p.m. – Hayden Springer, Trace Crowe, Brannon Fahrny
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Former world champion who fought Chris Eubank Jr announces comeback after 7 years out the ring
A British former world champion who has not fought in over years has announced his comeback to the sport.
Former IBF super-middleweight world champion, James DeGale, who became the first Briton to capture an Olympic medal and a professional world title when he outpointed Andre Dirrell in 2015, has announced he is making a return to the ring.
DeGale has not fought since he was decisioned in a grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr in 2019, but appeared in a bare-knuckle scrap against Matt Floyd back in September.
The 40-year-old southpaw will face 45-year-old former English welterweight champion, Marcus Portman, in Wolverhampton on Saturday, September 26. Although, it is believed that the bout will not be sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Speaking to TalkSport, following the announcement of his ring return, DeGale admitted that he is not eyeing up a return to the world titles, but is instead hoping to secure a fight with either Jake Paul or a big-name ‘Misfits’ fighter.
“I can’t go out how I went out against Eubank, I’ve stayed in shape, and after Floyd, I want to have one more in boxing.”
“Boxing has changed since I left. There is Misfits, and the Saudis have come in.
“My world title days are done but there are fights out there like Jake Paul, Darren Till, Ty Mitchell, KSI and Tommy Fury.”
The weight for DeGale-Portman is yet to be confirmed, but success in that contest could see ‘Chunky’ emerge as a potential dance partner for some of the Misfits stars.
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USMNT star nearing transfer to EFL Championship side
USMNT star nearing transfer to EFL Championship side originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While there has been an influx of players coming into the MLS over the recent few weeks, most notably Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann, there are also players making the move away from the top American league. This could reportedly be the case for the USMNT‘s Sebastian Berhalter, who is set to make a move across the pond, according to recent reports.
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Berhalter to Middlesbrough?
As reported by The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, the Vancouver Whitecaps star is set to join EFL Championship side Middlesbrough for a fee in the range of $2 million. Berhalter has been a revelation for the Canadian-based MLS side, recording 24 goal involvements over the last two seasons, with six of those coming from his own strikes into the back of the net this campaign.
The 25-year-old will bring a certain level of experience to the Riverside Stadium in the upcoming season, having been a part of the USMNT’s Round of 16 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming off the bench for the most part under Mauricio Pochettino’s reign. In the lone game that Berhalter started for his national team, he bagged a goal and an assist against Turkey.
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While the fee that was previously mentioned might not sound all too impressive given the qualities that Berhalter has shown over the last few seasons, it provided Vancouver with a last-chance effort to make some money off of their star player, according to Bogert, given that he could’ve left on a free transfer at the end of the season given that his contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the MLS campaign.
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Trey Wingo fires back at Acho’s claim that Ryan Clark built NFL Live
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Former ESPN star Trey Wingo wants to set the record straight.
Former NFL linebacker and ex-ESPN analyst Emmanuel Acho claimed that Ryan Clark built ESPN’s “NFL Live” into the “juggernaut” it is today, and Wingo was not having any of it.
“Ryan Clark built NFL Live into the juggernaut it is today (along with Rutledge, Mina, and Spears), he didn’t ideate NFL Live, there’s a difference,” Acho posted.
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Trey Wingo looks on during the first round of the American Century Championship on July 10, 2026, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wingo, who hosted “NFL Live” for 15 years, from 2003 to 2018, clapped back at Acho’s claim that Clark built the show by posting a graphic showing its ratings over the years, which he said disproved Acho’s claim.
The graphic, which was based on numbers that ESPN reported, showed that the “NFL Live” averaged 688,000 viewers during a comparable early-season period in 2013 and 624,000 in 2012. It averaged roughly 486,000 in 2015, 492,000 in 2016, 449,000 in 2021 and 440,000 in 2025.
Wingo captioned his post on X, “’Let your apology be as loud as your disrespect.’ I think someone said that once.”
The former ESPN host’s line about letting your apology be as loud as your disrespect referenced a spat in which Acho insulted former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and later apologized to him.
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Emmanuel Acho speaks onstage during the ADL Never Is Now Summit at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on March 17, 2026. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for ADL)
Acho’s initial tweet was in response to OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske. Zaksheske began the thread of interaction by responding to a clip from “The Breakfast Club,” where the morning show hosts said Clark built “NFL Live.”
“NFL Live premiered in 1998 when Clark was 18 years old, four years before he entered the NFL and 17 years before he joined ESPN,” Zaksheske wrote on X.
Acho responded to Zaksheske and agreed with “The Breakfast Club,” saying “And nobody was watching NFL Live then,” referencing the show’s existence before Clark joined it.
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ESPN is parting ways with longtime NFL analyst Ryan Clark following an 11-year run at the network. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wingo spent nearly 23 years at ESPN and was not retained in November 2020.
A large part of his tenure was spent hosting and building “NFL Live,” and was the host during its peak year in 2013.
Clark joined ESPN in 2015 and spent more than 11 seasons with the network, overlapping for about five years with Wingo. As his time at ESPN progressed, he became an increasingly polarizing figure.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Acho for comment but did not immediately get a response.
OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.
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Ian Rapoport Offers His 2 Cents

Ian Rapoport — who used to form a gruesome twosome with Tom Pelissero — thinks that the Minnesota Vikings are working through a genuine passer battle.
In a short clip on social media, Rapoport offers his 2 cents on how things are going to unfold in the Twin Cities. “For the Minnesota Vikings,” the NFL insider says, “no doubt one of the biggest storylines of all of training camp. They have their quarterback battle, as well. Is it Kyler Murray? Is it J.J. McCarthy?” Rapoport indicates that the two-person battle will last through August and that there will be “wide-ranging ramifications for the organization.”
A touch general, perhaps, but Ian Rapoport is stepping into what can be a heated debate.
Ian Rapoport on Minnesota’s QB1 Competition
Depending on who gets asked, the Minnesota Vikings are either moving through a farce or a competition. Just how wide the chasm is between Murray’s and McCarthy’s abilities (or lack thereof) largely influences the stance the onlooker takes.
Murray, no doubt, is a sensational talent. Few, if any, are so elusive. Even better, the man has an excellent arm, which is easy to overlook since he’s a smaller lad. Murray can zip the ball and put the pigskin into his receiver’s hands. Kevin O’Connell is desperate for a quarterback who is accurate; Murray fits that basic criteria.

Meanwhile, McCarthy is coming off a disappointing season. His playing time has taken a major hit due to injury. Combined, the knee, ankle, concussion, and wrist issues have robbed him of 24 games across a pair of seasons.
On the field, McCarthy has left something to be desired with his play. His completion percentage — an eyesore at 57.6% — points toward an inaccurate passer. So, too, does a 11/12 TD-to-INT ratio point toward somebody who simply doesn’t have it.
But then there’s a critical reality: the kid is talented, works hard, and is only 23. Roughly two years ago, the Vikings opted to pick him at No. 10 overall, the highest a passer has ever gone in franchise history. Does it really make sense to quit on the kid after a pair of injury-filled seasons? Wouldn’t that be an instance of O’Connell’s franchise failing a passer?
A key reality to remember: humans are dynamic beings rather than static beings. McCarthy will grow and improve. What’s yet to be determined is by how much.
Consider, for instance, a scenario where Kyler Murray came to town as a quarterback who was ten steps ahead of J.J. McCarthy. Murray has since been taking steps forward as he gets coached up and learns the scheme. What happens, though, if McCarthy takes two or three steps for every step that Murray takes?
Doing so would mean that the race could get pretty close to the end of August. Again, that basic reality: the passers aren’t static. Whatever discrepancy existed in March of 2026 isn’t guaranteed to exist in August or September of 2026. Kick out the timeline even further — 2027, 2028, and so on — and the truth becomes even more pronounced.

Ian Rapoport thinks that the competition is going to be given a long life. Essentially, all of August since Rapoport points toward the battle taking place through the preseason. There then appears to be a suggestion that the battle could bleed into September. Quite possibly, the well-connected insider is exactly right.
To my eye, though, Rapoport is overshooting a touch.
Expect a QB1 decision to get figured out by August 31st. If so, then the starting quarterback will get a two-week runway to prepare for the Sunday, September 13th battle against the Green Bay Packers. The Week 1 game won’t be hindered by the pair of passers going toe-to-toe for the upcoming month. In fact, needing to directly compete for several weeks could be crucial toward each developing into the best version of themselves.
The Minnesota Vikings welcome rookies to town on Sunday, July 26th. Veterans arrive on Tuesday, July 28th. All eyes will be on Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
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Phil Foden signs New Manchester City Contract Until 2030
Phil Foden has committed his long-term future to Manchester City after signing a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2030. The deal also includes an option for a further year.
The England international, who joined City’s academy as a child, has become one of the club’s greatest homegrown success stories since making his senior debut in 2017.
Reacting to his new contract, Foden expressed his pride at continuing his journey with the club.
“Committing my future to City means everything to me. Playing for this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do and it’s always an honour to wear the shirt.”
The 26-year-old has made 418 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 114 goals and providing 78 assists. During that time, he has helped the club win six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and two Community Shields.
Despite his success, Foden says his focus remains on adding more trophies.
“It’s not lost on me that I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a historic period with so many titles won, but we’re always looking to the future and trying to win more.”
Foden also thanked everyone at Manchester City for their continued support throughout his career.
“I can only thank the club, staff, teammates and fans who continue to put their faith in me and trust that I give everything I can for City and I hope I’ll be able to repay you for years to come.”
The new contract ensures Manchester City retain one of the Premier League’s standout talents as the club prepares for another campaign under head coach Enzo Maresca, with Foden expected to remain a central figure in City’s ambitions.
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Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 21 2026
4 Pines Park will play host to Sunday’s
Round 21 NRL game between Manly Sea Eagles and
Cronulla Sharks. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Manly Sea Eagles vs.
Cronulla Sharks
game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday July 26, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Where: 4 Pines Park
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Odds
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Preview
Cronulla will look to continue its outstanding form when it visits a Manly side reeling from another injury setback to Tom Trbojevic. The Sharks have become one of the NRL’s most complete teams, using their powerful forward pack to dominate the middle before striking through their dangerous playmakers.
Manly struggled to contain direct running through the middle last week, an area Cronulla is well equipped to exploit with Blayke Brailey controlling the ruck and Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall capitalising on quick play-the-balls. The Sea Eagles face a difficult task without their superstar fullback, while the Sharks continue to build confidence with each performance. If Cronulla controls possession and wins the battle through the middle, it should create plenty of opportunities for its potent attacking weapons.
First Try Scorer
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Teams
Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tolutau Koula 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Simione Laiafi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Nicholas Lenaz 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Ethan Bullemor 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Blake Wilson 20. Onitoni Large 21. Aaron Schoupp 22. Zaidas Muagututia
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Billy Burns 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
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What you need to know
What is WAFCON?
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continental tournament to find the best women’s international team in Africa. It has existed in some form since 1991 but the current competition’s history really starts in 1998, since when it has generally been held every two years.
Holders Nigeria have won a record 10 titles with only Equatorial Guinea (2012 as hosts) and South Africa (2022) having broken their domination of the tournament.
Originally planned as a 12-team tournament, the African football federation (CAF) added four more teams after qualification. Those four sides had all lost out in the second phase of qualifying but were then reinstated despite CAF earlier denying such changes were afoot. It was a sign of things to come.
Where and when is WAFCON 2026 being played?
For a third successive tournament, WAFCON is to be hosted by Morocco. Specifically, games are to be played in Rabat and Casablanca with a a third city, Fez, dropped from the initial lineup when the fixtures were announced.
Since pulling out of hosting the men’s AFCON in 2015, Morocco has become the favored African destination for both CAF and global football’s governors FIFA. The North African country, which also hosted the men’s AFCON last year, is to cohost the 2030 men’s World Cup and has been chosen, or been the sole bidder, for a number of continental and international youth tournaments.
The tournament opener, between Algeria and Senegal, is on July 26, with Morocco opening against Kenya later that day. The final is scheduled for August 16 in Rabat.
Why is WAFCON being played straight after the men’s World Cup?
It wasn’t supposed to be. After weeks of rumor, denial and a South African offer to step in as hosts, CAF announced just 12 days before the tournament was due to start in March that it would be postponed. CAF, rather vaguely, cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the delay.
“It is a combination of factors, and it is not a decision taken lightly,” Luxolo September, CAF’s head of communications, told DW at the time.
“There is a question of the host nation, Morocco, requesting a postponement for a number of reasons. There has been a lot of interaction between Morocco, FIFA and CAF regarding the date. This is not a nice position for us. We have taken no joy from this. We would have loved to play in this window. It is a window we had requested.”
Many teams, fans and players were frustrated by the short notice, with preparations made and money shelled out far in advance. It was not the first time though. Two years earlier, the tournament had been postponed by a year because the tournament clashed with the Olympics in Paris — a key date in the women’s football calendar.
As well as coming hot on the heels of the men’s World Cup, WAFCON 26 will now finish as the season starts in many countries. Germany’s women’s season for example, kicks off with the first round of the DFB Cup on same weekend as the WAFCON final.
Who are the favorites at WAFCON 26?
Hosts Morocco will want to match their men’s side, who won their AFCON tournament in controversial circumstances earlier this year, their maiden title, having lost the previous two finals.
Perennial champions Nigeria will once again enter as favorites while the 2022 winners, South Africa, will also fancy their chances. Below that are a host of teams who could cause a few surprises, including Ivory Coast, Egypt and debutants Cape Verde, whose men’s side became one of the stories of the World Cup.
Who are the players to watch at WAFCON 26?
Apart from Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji,Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade may be the most highly regarded talent. Named player of the tournament in 2024, Ajibade is a leader for her team, as well as its sharpest attacking threat. At the other end of the pitch, Nigeria will rely on Chiamaka Nnadozie, regarded as the continent’s best goalkeeper.
Hosts Morocco will look to Ghizlaine Chebbak. The top scorer at the last two tournaments, 35-year-old Chebbak may not have too many better chances to win a first major international honor.
Elsewhere, Tabitha Chawinga, of French champions Lyon, will carry the hopes of debutants Malawi, the lowest FIFA-ranked side in the competition. Chawinga’s international career has been interrupted by her club commitments but she has an exceptional 25 goals in her 11 caps to date. Her sister, Temwa, is also in the Malawi squad and plays her club football for the Kansas City Current of the NWSL, the top league in the United States. There, she won the 2025 Golden Boot as top goal scorer with 15 goals in 23 games.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
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