Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from reporters during SEC Media Days at the Omni Atlanta Hotel, discussing the upcoming season before the conference schedule begins. On July 16, 2025, Banks addresses the media as Florida’s representatives preview the year and outline expectations for the program’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images.
Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks has yet to take an NFL snap, and he’s already on bust watch. That’s the verdict, according to Bleacher Report, which predicted one bust from each team this week.
Banks is on track to be ready for training camp after a foot injury at the NFL Combine, but that apparently doesn’t matter to Moe Moton.
Vikings’ Recent Draft History Makes the Label Sting More
Caleb Banks arrives at MSP Airport wearing Vikings colors, taking in his first moments in Minnesota as cameras follow the rookie defensive lineman. In May 2026, The Voyage captures his introduction to the Twin Cities after Minnesota selected him in the NFL Draft and welcomed him into the organization that spring in Eagan. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
BR on Banks as a Bust
It was Banks as a bust per Moton’s determination, and he explained, “According to The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, Caleb Banks broke his foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and was expected to be out until June.”
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“ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that teams received a letter with confirmation of that recovery timeline. The Minnesota Vikings selected Banks with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft, and he’s yet to participate in practice.”
The Vikings announced right after the draft that Banks would heal and be ready for training camp, so it is not surprising that he hasn’t practiced yet. He wasn’t supposed to.
Moton added, “Head coach Kevin O’Connell expects the 6’6″, 327-pound defensive tackle to be ready for training camp (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). Even if Banks is on the practice field in a couple of weeks, the Vikings probably won’t ramp him up to full speed right away.”
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“After missing spring practices, the rookie first-rounder may see limited reps, which may delay his start to the season and push for a prominent role on the defensive line.”
Vikings Fans’ Worst Fear
Banks as a bust — in 2026 or beyond — would be an absolute nightmare. There’s a reason general managers shied away from him during the lead-up to the draft: injuries. A bust season would make the Vikings’ decision-makers look downright silly, as the draft community would utter a collective “I told you so.”
Minnesota’s roster is dying for youthful replenishment, and another bust of any kind would feel like a curse. Teams with a string of poor draft classes — the Vikings — cannot win Super Bowls or even make modest playoff runs because the talent pool is too dry. Free agency and trades can only go so far.
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The Los Angeles Rams didn’t win the Super Bowl in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford alone; it has consistently drafted well for years. The Vikings must follow suit.
Play Early and Start a Positive Trajectory
Of course, Banks doesn’t have to set the world on fire. That’s not the ask in 2026. He must merely stay healthy, play, and generally look like he belongs on a football field. He will get grace to mature and develop; Banks doesn’t need to reach the Pro Bowl in 2026.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks with reporters after his Pro Day workout, reflecting on his performance and draft outlook at Sanders Practice Fields. On Mar. 26, 2026, Banks showcases his size and movement skills for NFL scouts before answering questions about his development and readiness for the next level that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Alan Youngblood-Gainesville Sun.
Thankfully, Banks is on track to debut at training camp, which is less than two weeks away. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about his 1st-Rounder at minicamp in May: “Caleb is doing great. Got some more positive information here as he reported to Eagan in the last couple days, and very much looking forward to him establishing a great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff.”
“On the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? He gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up.”
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There is no evidence to suggest that Banks will be held out of training camp.
“With Caleb, he doesn’t necessarily have to worry about the physical side of it right now, other than just getting healthy. So we can hopefully challenge him to learn multiple spots that coincide with his versatility to align in different impactful spots along the D-line,” O’Connell continued.
“I just think we’re happy with where he’s at, all things considered. We want to have our eyes on that end-of-July date so he can hopefully have a seamless transition into training camp.”
Too Many Draft Gaffes as of Late
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Need examples why Banks can’t flop? Minnesota is mitigating these draft misses — players from Round 3 or higher who did not stick around beyond their rookie contracts in the last five years:
Kellen Mond | QB (2021, R3)
Chazz Surratt | LB (2021, R3)
Wyatt Davis | G (2021, R3)
Lewis Cine | S (2022, R1)
Andrew Booth | CB (2022, R2)
Ed Ingram | G (2022, R2)
Brian Asamoah | LB (2022, R3)
Mekhi Blackmon | CB (2023, R3)
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine warms up at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for preseason action against San Francisco as teammates complete their final field work. On Aug. 20, 2022, Cine goes through his routine before kickoff while Minnesota evaluates its young defense during the matchup with the 49ers that evening. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Meanwhile, the verdict is still out on players like J.J. McCarthy and Tai Felton.
The Vikings need a draft win, and Banks is the most recent trial.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) calls signals during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
At the end of the 3rd Round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings opted for Caleb Tiernan out of Northwestern. The towering offensive tackle boasts excellent feet and was projected to go higher, suggesting Minnesota did well getting him at No. 97.
The Vikings evidently have some work to do when it comes to nailing down his precise position.
The criticism against Tiernan was that he had short arms. Sounds a touch silly, but the detail matters for an offensive tackle. Winning in the trenches is often a battle involving hands and feet. Mr. Tiernan moves well but are his arms long enough to get his paws onto the long-and-strong edge rushers flying off the line of scrimmage? That uncertainty lingers into training camp.
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Vikings Evidently Need More Time with Caleb Tiernan
Admittedly, there’s some silliness in putting too much emphasis on the team website’s position list. The coaching staff, not the employee who adjusts the website, gets the final call on a player’s position. Still, though, the general “OL” tag is notable enough for Mr. Tiernan.
Check out where the nine-person draft class gets listed:
Caleb Banks (1st Round) — Defensive Line
Jake Golday (2nd Round) — Linebacker
Domonique Orange (3rd Round) — Defensive Line
Caleb Tiernan (3rd Round) — Offensive Line
Jakobe Thomas (3rd Round) — Safety
Max Bredeson (5th Round) — Fullback
Chuck Demmings (5th Round) — Corner
Demond Claiborne (6th Round) — Running Back
Gavin Gerhardt (7th Round) — Center
Basically every player gets a specific position. The lone exceptions exist in the trenches. All of Banks, Orange, and Tiernan get general descriptors; Gerhardt stands out as the lonely lineman to get shoved into a specific spot.
Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Cameron Brandt (91) rushes on defense at Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) in the second half t Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
So, is this just an instance of the large lads mostly being general? Possibly, but that doesn’t seem overly persuasive.
When it comes to the defensive line, every player is listed with a general “DL” descriptor. That’s true of Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and everybody else who is getting work alongside Ryan Nielsen.
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The offensive line, in contrast, sees things get much more specific. Three centers are listed: Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gerhardt. Four offensive tackles get listed: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, and Walter Rouse. And then there are a pile of guards.
Lingering alongside those players are the riddles that need to be solved. There are a trio of UDFA rookies with the “OL” tag: Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, and Tomas Rimac. Standing alongside those unheralded rookies who are hustling to get onto the roster is Caleb Tiernan. He, too, is a young fella but arrives in the Twin Cities with much more optimism.
As of the middle of July, much is written in pencil. Players can still get shuffled around (think Golday being a LB who may get worked into OLB). Even the so-called certainty isn’t exactly that. Football is a dynamic, not static, sport.
What’s notable for Tiernan is that he entered the NFL with uncertainty and still has that uncertainty a couple of months into his career.
Even Banks and Orange have more clarity since public discussions from the coaching staff have involved comments on the expected plan. Banks, for instance, is being viewed as a jumbo defensive end, a 3T/5T who can use his unique blend of hulking size and smooth movement to generate matchup problems.
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Caleb Tiernan is built like an offensive tackle as somebody who comes in at 6’7″ and 323 pounds (think Brian O’Neill but beefier). There aren’t too many guards who are so tall. Can he get low enough on the inside so as to not lose the leverage battle against the NFL’s powerful DTs? Or, perhaps, is the decision to stick at offensive tackle as he looks to prove capable of swatting away edge rushers?
Goodness, the answer could even be both as Tiernan looks to mimic Brandel’s tremendous versatility.
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) holds the ball at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Vikings rookies get to training camp on Sunday, July 26th. Slowly, Caleb Tiernan will look to show where he can help the Vikings in 2026 and beyond.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Lisa Baum signs for Arsenal at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 14, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have completed the signing of German youth international Lisa Baum from RB Leipzig. They have now added another promising young talent to their squad ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.
The 19-year-old winger arrives after an impressive season in the German Bundesliga, where she scored six goals in 26 appearances for RB Leipzig during the 2025/26 season.
Speaking after the transfer was confirmed, Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers praised Baum’s qualities and potential.
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“Lisa is a young wide forward who will bring direct intent and athleticism to our attacking group.
“At 19, she is still developing and we believe she has huge potential, which we will support her to achieve.
“We welcome her to Arsenal and look forward to the road ahead together.”
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Before joining RB Leipzig last summer, Baum helped Hamburger SV earn promotion to Germany’s 2. Frauen Bundesliga. She has also represented Germany at several youth levels, progressing through to the Under-23 national team.
Baum becomes Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window as the club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love emerges from the tunnel at Lumen Field, heading toward the field as warmups begin before a road matchup with Seattle. On Dec. 15, 2024, Love joins his teammates for final preparations while Green Bay settles into the stadium and readies to face the Seahawks under the prime-time lights. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
NFL players collectively believe that Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is the 72nd-best player in the business. Most take any consideration inside the Top 100 as a token of respect, but that’s just not the case in PackerLand.
Various forms of Packers-themed media and Love’s teammate, Micah Parsons, took issue with the “low” ranking this week.
Green Bay Believes No. 72 Undersells Love’s Ceiling
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love releases a pass over Arizona linebacker Jordan Burch at State Farm Stadium, following the ball as it travels downfield during second-half action. On Oct. 19, 2025, Love keeps the offense moving late in the game while Green Bay battles the Cardinals and searches for another scoring opportunity. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
NFL Players: Love Ranks 72nd
It’s No. 72 for Love, as NFL.com counts down the league’s best players based on annual polling. Mike Spofford did the honors: “Packers quarterback Jordan Love has made the NFL’s “Top 100 Players” for a third straight year, coming in at No. 72. Love was ranked No. 68 a year ago and No. 34 in 2024 on the list that’s voted on by the players themselves.”
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“Last season, Love set career highs in completion percentage (66.3) and passer rating (101.2) while throwing his fewest interceptions in a season (six) since taking over as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. He’s one of only three QBs in the league with 80-plus TD passes and fewer than 30 INTs since 2023, joining Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and the L.A. Rams’ Matthew Stafford.”
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers checked in one spot ahead of Love at No. 71.
Micah Parsons: Naw
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Parsons, who posts on Twitter (X) a few times per month — usually a complaint about something — rushed to Love’s defense, tweeting, “71 players in the NFL aren’t better than Jordan Love!”
Love and Parsons have been teammates for just under a year, and Love has evidently earned his respect in that short period. Parsons is battling back from a torn ACL and isn’t expected to play right away in 2026 — he’ll be gone for the Vikings-Packers Week 1 showdown — but the tweet illustrated that Love is “his guy.”
The Packers passer ranked second in the NFL last year per EPA+CPOE, only bested by Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, and Packers fans absolutely insist that Love is the real deal, an argument that Parsons clearly supports.
Perhaps Love’s “problem” among onlookers and Madden in particular is that he isn’t quite as dominant as his two predecessors, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. The standard is high in Green Bay.
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A Similar Response from Packers Media
The Love conundrum isn’t exclusive to Parsons’s beef.
DairyLandExpress‘s Dylan Carter wrote Friday, “One healthy season. That’s what it will take for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to prove he is who the entire state of Wisconsin thinks he is.”
“One season uninterrupted by injuries to him and his most vital weapons would make Love one of the most obvious risers in the entirety of the NFL at just 27 years old. Love was just announced as one of the players on the NFL Top 100 list for 2026, which marks the second year in a row he has made the cut.”
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For now, Love is a victim of popular thinking: he hasn’t traveled deep into the playoffs and therefore isn’t all that great.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love waves to fans at Lambeau Field after facing Cincinnati, acknowledging the home crowd as players leave the field following the matchup. On Oct. 12, 2025, Love shares the moment with supporters while Green Bay wraps up the afternoon and turns its attention toward the next week. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
“However, Love’s ranking took a slight dip from 68th last year to 72nd in 2026 — a similar result to that of his star running back, Josh Jacobs, who plummeted from the 30s into the late-70s,” Carter continued.
“While there is a strong argument to be made that Jordan Love is slightly underrated by these rankings, there’s an even better case that 2026 is the year he breaks through the noise and finally shows who he really is by breaking into the MVP conversation with his play.”
Lamar Jackson Shaded, Too
If you think Love’s tumble from 68th to 72nd per the NFL Top 100 in a year was noteworthy, wait until you get a load of Lamar Jackson.
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Jackson checked in as the league’s second-best overall player at this time last year. In July 2026, his peers ranked him No. 67 — an astounding 65-spot dip. NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack opined, “It was a trying season for the two-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player. He missed three games early due to a hamstring injury and another contest late with a back contusion, and in between didn’t move much like himself.”
“Jackson nonetheless finished the year fourth in passer rating (103.8), higher than seven Pro Bowl or Pro Bowl alternate quarterbacks. Now he hits the reset button under new head coach Jesse Minter with bouncing back in mind. The last time he fell this low in the Top 100 — No. 72 on the 2023 list — Jackson went on to earn two straight No. 2 spots.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up at NRG Stadium, loosening his arm and preparing for a Christmas Day matchup against Houston. On Dec. 25, 2024, Jackson goes through his pregame routine while Baltimore completes final preparations and readies for the Texans before the holiday crowd in Houston that Wednesday afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images.
Jackson’s 65-spot plunge made Love’s look like child’s play.
Love and the Packers are favored to beat the Vikings by a point or two in Week 1.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Palace boss Pierre Sage could use another centre-back in his ranks. The Eagles need a new defender this summer with Maxence Lacroix potentially leaving.
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Crystal Palace have now turned to Matsima, who caught the eye in the Bundesliga last term.
He won 74 percent of his aerial and 56% of his ground duels across 18 league appearances, earning admiration from the South London outfit.
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Matsima contributed a goal and an assist, helping the German side keep two clean sheets as they finished ninth on the league table.
During the 2024/25 season, which he spent on loan with the club before Augsburg made the move permanent, only four defenders won more aerial duels than Matsima.
The 24-year-old looks every inch a fantastic pick-up for Crystal Palace if they can land him this summer.
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A former France Under-21 international captain, he brings the leadership and organisation that the Eagles have missed since Marc Guehi left.
However, Palace will need to move quickly if they are serious about landing Matsima, as Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation.
Speaking of acting quickly, the Eagles need to pick up the pace in the summer transfer window after bungling opportunities to strengthen the squad for Oliver Glasner.
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The Austrian tactician eventually grew frustrated with the hierarchy’s sluggish behaviour, and they need to avoid the same phenomenon recurring under Sage.
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Matsima fits the profile of a defender capable of thriving in the Premier League, but Crystal Palace cannot afford another slow pursuit.
If Sage wants the foundations for long-term success, the club’s hierarchy must back him decisively before bigger rivals enter the race.
Spain’s quest to add a second FIFA World Cup title to its trophy cabinet is gathering momentum. After an underwhelming start to the tournament, the reigning European champions have rediscovered their rhythm and now stand just one victory away from the World Cup final.
Luis de la Fuente’s side has grown stronger with every match in North America, combining defensive solidity with timely attacking contributions from across the squad. Having overcome Austria, Portugal and Belgium in the knockout stages, Spain now faces fellow European powerhouse France in a blockbuster semifinal.
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Here’s a look at La Roja’s journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals.
Slow start but strong finish in Group H
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Spain opened its World Cup campaign with an unexpected 0-0 draw against Cape Verde despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities.
The stalemate, however, proved to be nothing more than an early setback. La Roja bounced back emphatically by thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 before edging Uruguay 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter.
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Those victories ensured Spain finished top of Group H without conceding a single goal, setting up a favourable knockout path.
Group Stage Results
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Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Spain 1-0 Uruguay
Austria swept aside in Round of 32
Spain announced itself as a genuine title contender with one of the most dominant performances of the knockout stage against Austria.
Playing with trademark fluidity, De la Fuente’s men controlled possession from the outset and dismantled the Austrian defence in a comprehensive 3-0 victory. The midfield dictated the tempo while Spain’s high pressing prevented Austria from establishing any rhythm.
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The comfortable win sent La Roja into the Round of 16 brimming with confidence.
Merino the hero against Portugal
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The Round of 16 produced an emotional Iberian derby as Spain faced neighbouring Portugal.
It proved to be one of the tournament’s tightest contests, with chances at a premium throughout the 90 minutes. Just as extra time appeared inevitable, substitute Mikel Merino delivered once again, scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory.
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The late winner highlighted Spain’s patience and ability to produce decisive moments under pressure.
Belgium pushed Spain all the way
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Spain’s toughest examination came in the quarterfinals against Belgium.
After keeping clean sheets throughout the tournament, La Roja conceded for the first time but refused to lose control of the contest. Belgium repeatedly threatened on the counter, forcing Spain to show another side of their game.
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Once again, Merino emerged as the match-winner. Coming off the bench, the Arsenal midfielder netted the decisive goal to seal a 2-1 victory and book Spain’s place in the semifinals.
The result extended Spain’s unbeaten run at the tournament while underlining the squad’s depth and resilience.
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Defensive solidity meets attacking flair
Although Spain has dazzled with its possession-based football, its defensive record has been equally impressive.
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La Roja kept clean sheets in each of its first five matches before finally conceding against Belgium in the quarterfinals. Rodri, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz have controlled midfield battles, while youngsters Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal have continued to shine on the biggest stage.
Merino’s knack for scoring decisive goals has also become one of Spain’s defining stories of the tournament.
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Semifinal showdown against France
Spain’s reward is a heavyweight semifinal clash with France in Arlington.
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Didier Deschamps’ side has looked among the favourites throughout the competition, powered by the goals of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. France booked its semifinal place after eliminating Morocco, setting up another mouthwatering European showdown.
Spain will hope its possession game and defensive discipline can neutralise France’s devastating pace on the counter-attack in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
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One win from another World Cup final
Victory over France would send Spain into its first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
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Awaiting in the championship match would be either defending champions Argentina or England, who meet in the other semifinal.
With momentum firmly on their side and confidence growing after every round, La Roja is now just two victories away from reclaiming football’s biggest prize on the world stage.
A coaching crisis is expected to emerge in the Indian men’s national cricket team, with reports suggesting that assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has informed the management of his decision to leave. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to decide whether to allow the Dutchman to leave before the end of his contract, a report has explained how an unfulfilled promise by the Gautam Gambhir-led management led to Ten Doeschate taking this step.
According to a report by PTI, Ten Doeschate came on board as India’s assistant coach after being promised that he would also be given the role of the team’s fielding coach. However, T Dilip, who first became a part of India’s coaching setup under former head coach Rahul Dravid, retained the role even after Gambhir’s appointment to the top position.
Two years since his arrival, Ten Doeschate is still waiting for that promise to be fulfilled. The fact that Dilip was once set to be let go, only to be reinstated as the team’s fielding coach, has further added to the former Netherlands batter’s disappointment.
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“You have Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach, and there’s Gauti (Gambhir) himself to look after the batters. Morne (Morkel) is in charge of the pacers, and Sairaj (Bahutule) looks after the spinners. When Tendo (his nickname) was brought on board, he was promised the fielding coach’s job,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
“Dilip was supposed to be removed along with Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), Soham Desai (S&C coach), and Arun Kanade (masseur) after the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, a strong recommendation for Dilip came from a senior player, earning him a one-year extension. As a result, Tendo did not actually have a specific domain role. He is a fantastic coach who hasn’t been utilised properly because Dilip is there,” the source added.
It has also been reported that Dilip was originally supposed to leave the support staff after the 2025 Champions Trophy. The board had decided to part ways with him, as well as assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, and masseur Arun Kanade. However, Dilip reportedly signed a one-year extension after a senior member of the Indian squad advocated for him.
“He is an outstanding coach, but his expertise hasn’t been fully utilised because the fielding coach’s position remains occupied,” the source further said regarding Ten Doeschate.
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At present, it appears that only one of Dilip and Ten Doeschate can continue to remain a part of Gambhir’s coaching staff due to the conflict over the fielding coach’s role.
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FIFA World Cup 2026 | Argentina Fans Sing & Dance After Dramatic Comeback Against Egypt
The French team were defeated by Spain (2–0) in the World Cup semi-final. France’s dream of reaching a third consecutive final – a feat achieved by only two other nations before them – has come to an end.
Argentina face England in the second semi-final. On the transfer front, Manchester United are busy with two new signings. Mason Greenwood is no longer a Manchester United player. Tadej Pogacar has once again demonstrated his dominance in the Tour de France.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi; and England’s Harry Kane during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AP Photos)
England’s FIFA World Cup semifinal against Argentina has been designated the highest-risk fixture of the tournament, with the FBI, FIFA and local law enforcement rolling out extraordinary security measures as one of football’s fiercest rivalries takes centre stage in Atlanta.As per reports, officials from the FBI, FIFA and the Atlanta Police Department met earlier this week to assess potential threats surrounding Wednesday night’s blockbuster clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The concern extends beyond football, with decades of political tensions and historic flashpoints raising fears that emotions could spill over among supporters.To minimise the risk of confrontations, England and Argentina fans will enter the stadium through separate gates. However, organisers have confirmed there will be no segregation once inside the venue, where supporters will be seated together due to the widespread use of ticket resale platforms.Atlanta Police have also deployed additional personnel around the stadium, team hotels and entertainment districts.“As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming FIFA World Cup semi-final match… additional personnel and resources are already deployed… to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone,” the department said in a statement.ALSO READ:Falklands at the epicentre of football’s bitter rivalry
A rivalry forged by war and football
The rivalry between England and Argentina stretches far beyond the pitch and remains deeply intertwined with the 1982 Falklands War, which claimed 907 lives after Argentina invaded the islands before Britain regained control.Political tensions resurfaced this week when Argentina’s foreign minister reiterated the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands, a move swiftly rejected by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government.The conflict has also found its way into football culture during the tournament. Argentina’s players have repeatedly celebrated victories by singing songs referencing the Falklands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas.However, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to cool the rhetoric ahead of the semifinal.“The message to the Argentine people is that this is a soccer match. We’re going to face a great team with a great coach, but it is just a soccer match, nothing more than that,” Scaloni said.
From the ‘Hand of God’ to Beckham’s red card
Few football rivalries carry as much baggage as England versus Argentina.Their most iconic meeting came at the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal before producing the stunning solo effort widely regarded as the greatest goal in World Cup history.Maradona later admitted using his hand and described the incident as “some sort of symbolic revenge against the English” for the Falklands War.The hostility predates 1982. During the 1966 World Cup quarterfinal, England manager Alf Ramsey famously labelled Argentina’s players “animals” after a fiery encounter that saw captain Antonio Rattin sent off and escorted from the field by police.The rivalry flared again at France 1998 when David Beckham‘s red card against Diego Simeone contributed to England’s penalty shootout defeat.With history, politics and football colliding once again, authorities are taking no chances. For the FBI and tournament organisers, England versus Argentina is not just another World Cup semifinal — it is the most sensitive fixture of the competition, demanding an unprecedented level of security to ensure that one of football’s greatest rivalries remains confined to the pitch.
The words everyone was hoping to hear and NBA commissioner Adam Silver is doubtless eager to say remain unspoken.
“My timeline remains this summer,” said Silver when asked if and when he was expecting a resolution to the question of whether the Clippers engaged in salary-cap circumvention when signing Leonard to a new contract extension in 2023 and to what degree Leonard was complicit if any did take place.
“We all have an interest in wrapping this up and I’m hopeful this will wrap up this summer.”
So sometime before training camp starts in late September, then?
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There had been some faint hope that the league’s meetings, which provided Silver his first scheduled public forum since he last discussed the issue at the NBA Finals back on June 3, would act as natural deadline to resolve the now 10-month investigation. It was launched after podcaster Pablo Torre did a series of episodes reporting that the Clippers allegedly had directed $28 million to companies affiliated with Leonard over and above the three-year, $149.5-million deal he signed in 2024 via a fake sponsorship agreement.
As it has dragged on, frustration on all sides is beginning to mount.
“My understanding is (the law firm hired by the league to do the investigation) is now in the process of going through the information they’ve gathered and drawing conclusions from it,” said Silver.
“At the end of the day I’m the commissioner of this league, I’m the one who engaged them, so sure, I could tell them to stop (the investigation) … it’s going on longer than I would have hoped, there’s no question about that … (but) it’s a long process and it is complex. I understand why people who haven’t lived in these kinds of investigations are frustrated … but we want to respect everyone’s rights here.”
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In the meantime, league business remains stalled.
Specifically, the previously agreed upon trade, where the Raptors hope to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple draft assets to the Clippers in return for Leonard, remains on hold.
There is still optimism the deal will be completed in its original form. However when it was made clear that if any punishment from the investigation was assigned to Leonard — a lengthy suspension, for example — it would be a risk the Raptors would have to accept, Toronto then hit pause on the trade.
Silver emphasized that it wasn’t the league that paused the trade. He also stressed that the idea that Leonard would have to face potential consequences whether he was traded or not was not a secret.
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“All I’ll say is the issues were well-known to the teams,” said Silver. “Even if you weren’t a sophisticated NBA team, the notion that … somehow all those issues would go away by virtue of him being traded, I just don’t find that credible … questions were asked and answered quickly by the league office.”
An interesting wrinkle emerged Tuesday when The Athleticreported that the investigation has been expanded to look at another potentially fraudulent endorsement deal as well as some improper expenses paid to Leonard by the Clippers.
There has been a lot of speculation that something must have changed between when the Raptors and Clippers began sharing the details of the trade with the league in late June — at which time the Raptors, per sources, were comfortable with the risk they were taking based on the due diligence they had done — and the team’s decision to pause the trade eight to 10 days later.
But according to a source close to the situation, the Raptors — having engaged with the league multiple times in the leadup to the trade — were comfortable going ahead with the deal until the NBA made clear on the trade call to finalize it that the risk of something happening to Leonard would have to be borne by the Raptors.
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It was a more emphatic message than had been delivered during the more preliminary discussions that had taken place and the Raptors felt like there was no need to rush the deal until the full facts on the investigation were available. So they decided to wait, confident that they could finalize the trade at a later date. Training camp, after all, doesn’t open until Sept. 28.
All parties, meanwhile, seem to be going about their business. Leonard — who is now represented by a new agent and whose uncle, Dennis Robertson, hasn’t been as front and centre in his business dealings, per sources — was in Las Vegas to take in the Raptors’ Summer league game from a courtside seat Monday night, exchanging greetings with Raptors GM Bobby Webster and former Raptors part-owner Larry Tanenbaum and his wife Judy.
Similarly, Ingram and Dick have been in Vegas and around the Clippers. Per a source, the players involved in the trade have been advised to look for places to live and otherwise move ahead as if it were going to be completed.
Could the news that the investigation had been expanded — as reported by The Athletic — have been a factor in the league being more explicit about the risks facing the Raptors if they agreed to the trade?
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It’s a possibility, but what is perhaps more likely is that when the trade for Leonard had shifted from a proposal to an agreement, the league felt the need to make it clear that the NBA would not be responsible for solving any issues between the Raptors and the Clippers once the deal was finalized
Some insiders speculated that what the league office was really trying to avoid was a situation similar to what happened when the Miami Heat acquired Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets for a first-round pick along with Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline in 2024. Rozier was later arrested and indicted on gambling charges related to NBA games, and didn’t play for the Heat last season. There were questions about what the Hornets or the NBA knew about Rozier being under investigation when the trade happened. The Heat eventually had a second-round pick returned to them as compensation.
The thinking is the league went the extra mile to make sure all parties knew in this instance that trading for Leonard meant inheriting some risk.
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