By SuperWest Sports Staff
Sports
Can an African Country Finally Win the Title?
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, I find myself asking a question that millions of African football fans have asked for decades: can an African country finally win the World Cup?
For the first time in history, Africa will have 10 representatives at football’s biggest tournament. Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia will carry the dreams of more than a billion people across the continent.
When I look at that list, I see more than just football teams. I see decades of struggle, progress, heartbreak and hope.
I think about Egypt becoming the first African nation to play at the World Cup in 1934. I think about the years when Africa had only one representative and was often treated as an outsider in the global game. I think about Cameroon shocking the world in 1990, Senegal stunning defending champions France in 2002, and Ghana coming within inches of a semi-final place in 2010.
I also remember the pain.
The controversial moments. The missed penalties. The narrow defeats. The feeling that Africa was always close but never quite close enough.
Then came Qatar 2022.
I watched Morocco achieve something no African country had ever done before. The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal to reach the semi-finals. For the first time, I felt that the impossible no longer looked impossible.
Morocco changed the conversation.
Before Qatar, many people spoke about African teams as outsiders. After Qatar, they started talking about African teams as genuine contenders.
That is why I believe the 2026 World Cup could be the tournament that changes everything.
With 10 teams competing, Africa has never had a stronger presence at the World Cup. The continent has more opportunities than ever before to produce a champion.
But if I had to choose the two African countries most capable of lifting the trophy, my picks would be Senegal and Morocco.
Morocco remains Africa’s strongest football story of recent years. Their success in Qatar was not built on luck. It was built on organisation, discipline, tactical intelligence and belief.
Many of the players who reached the semi-finals remain at the peak of their careers. They understand what it takes to compete with the world’s elite nations. More importantly, they no longer fear them.
The Atlas Lions have already broken one barrier. Winning the World Cup would be the next.
Senegal is my other favourite.
The Teranga Lions possess something every successful World Cup team needs: experience, physical strength, quality players and a winning mentality.
Over the last decade, Senegal have consistently remained among Africa’s strongest teams. They won the Africa Cup of Nations, have competed at multiple World Cups and continue to produce players who perform at the highest level in Europe.
Unlike previous generations, this Senegal team understands how to handle pressure. They know how to win difficult matches. They know how to suffer and survive when things are not going their way.
That experience could prove crucial in a tournament as demanding as the World Cup.
Of course, winning the competition will not be easy.
Traditional powers such as Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain and England will arrive with the same ambition. History remains firmly on their side.
No African nation has ever reached a World Cup final, let alone won one.
But history is not a law of nature.
Every record exists until someone breaks it.
For years, people said an African team could never reach the semi-finals. Morocco proved them wrong.
Now people say an African team cannot win the World Cup.
Perhaps they are right.
But perhaps they are only right until someone proves otherwise.
As I prepare to watch the 2026 World Cup unfold, I cannot ignore the feeling that African football is entering a new era. From Egypt’s lone appearance in 1934 to 10 representatives in 2026, the journey has been remarkable.
The numbers have grown.
The quality has improved.
The belief is stronger than ever.
And if Africa is finally going to produce a World Cup winner, I believe Morocco and Senegal offer the continent’s best chance of making history.
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The San Antonio Spurs’ historic collapse in Game 4 of the NBA Finals was capped by one final indignity. NBA star Victor Wembanyama was struck by an egg that appeared to be thrown by taunting Knicks fans as the Spurs made their way back to the team hotel.
Footage circulating on social media showed at least one egg being thrown in Wembanyama’s direction as security personnel escorted him into a New York City hotel. It’s the latest in a string of headline-grabbing incidents involving Knicks fans in recent days.
The aftermath of San Antonio’s Game 3 victory spilled beyond the arena, as social media videos seemingly showed Knicks fans physically confronting Spurs supporters. Some of those Spurs fans appeared to have their jerseys ripped off during the exchanges, prompting Wembanyama to condemn the behavior.
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New York Knicks fans celebrate in Times Square as they win Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, on June 10, 2026, in New York City. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” he said. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”
The NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year was not alone in that view, as ESPN host Mike Greenberg expressed similar sentiments after Game 4.
“If you’re throwing eggs at Victor Wembanyama and beating up people… threatening … or doing anything to people who are wearing Spurs jerseys, just know that you are a disgrace. You’re not disgracing this city, you’re disgracing yourself and everyone who knows you,” Greenberg, a New York native, said on Thursday’s edition of “Get Up.”
ESPN host Mike Greenberg is seen before Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals in Miami, Florida, on May 17, 2022. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
“And that should go without saying. We live in a world now where somehow things don’t go without saying anymore,” Greenberg continued. “You’re a disgrace and everyone around you who knows you.”
NUMEROUS KNICKS FANS ARRESTED, COP INJURED DURING GAME 2 NBA FINALS CELEBRATION NEAR MSG
A watch party in New York City turned violent after the Spurs’ 115-111 victory in Game 3.
Multiple brawls broke out near the watch party in Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. The New York Police Department told Fox News Digital that 21 people were arrested — 13 for disorderly conduct and eight for assaulting officers, criminal possession of weapons and menacing. The 13 arrested for disorderly conduct were released.
New York Knicks fans celebrate winning Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in New York City on June 10, 2026. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
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This year marks the Knicks’ first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999, when they ultimately lost to the San Antonio Spurs. New York has not won an NBA title since 1973.
The 2026 NBA Finals shift back to San Antonio on Saturday for Game 5. If necessary, Game 6 will return to New York on Tuesday.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Tearing a page out of Mark Messier’s playbook, John Tortorella made a bold proclamation after a Game 5 loss Thursday put his team on the brink of Stanley Cup elimination.
“We’ll be back here,” said the Golden Knights coach, essentially guaranteeing his team will win Game 6 Sunday in Vegas (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET).
“We’re just going to do it in a different order.
“I’m gonna leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be in the hotel.”
The bravado was admirable.
Because after watching his team cough up a pivotal 4-2 setback in Raleigh, Tortorella had little choice but to project confidence.
The problem for Vegas is that confidence alone won’t solve the issues that have transformed a series they once appeared in control of, into one that now has them staring at the possibility the Carolina Hurricanes will hoist the Cup in The Fortress.
Prior to the pivotal matchup at Lenovo Center, the Golden Knights addressed in meetings, and discussed publicly, the importance of ensuring Jordan Staal — he with the hottest hand in hockey — does not go uncontested in the slot.
Sure enough, early in a game the Golden Knights led, there was Staal in his office, kickstarting the onslaught.
The play started with Staal finishing off a check on Brayden McNabb in the corner before darting into the very area Tortorella and his players had spent two days discussing. As Nikolaj Ehlers delivered the puck toward the net, McNabb’s recovery lacked the urgency required, allowing Staal an easy redirect that tied the game.
It was exactly the scenario Vegas had vowed to prevent, given how damaging Staal’s two goals were in Vegas for Game 4.
The ’Canes’ captain has now scored in all five games of a series the Hurricanes lead 3-2, thanks to a win Thursday.
One thing Vegas didn’t discuss publicly was the equally obvious need to stay out of the penalty box.
McNabb was guilty there too, and his gaffe proved costly again.
His unnecessary crosscheck on a prone Jackson Blake highlighted a disastrous stretch midway through the second period in which William Karlsson exited with a wrist injury and Vegas took two avoidable penalties that completely shifted momentum.
The Hurricanes needed no invitation.
Andrei Svechnikov converted on the first of his two power-play goals to give Carolina a 2-1 lead.
By the end of the period it was 3-1.
“We had a really good start,” said Tortorella, trying to stay upbeat.
“We lost momentum when we went back-to-back penalties. It’s about the same time that we lost Bill. We gotta find a way.”
Finding a way becomes exponentially harder if Karlsson is indeed finished for the series.
“He’s important piece to us up the middle of the ice — penalty killer, power-play guy, he’s a winner,” he said of the centre on his most productive line this series.
“He’s not going to be with us, probably. We’ve got to find a way to fill that void, not with just one guy, but as a team.”
That void could be enormous, because Carolina’s conditioning, defensive structure, confidence and goaltending have steadily tilted the series.
Taylor Hall predicted Thursday morning that whichever team finally figured out how to consistently limit its opponent to one or two goals would seize control of the Final.
The Hurricanes have done exactly that.
This time it didn’t require a tarps-off challenge to the fan base to ignite a comeback.
Instead, a heaping helping of Golden Knights’ self-destruction set the stage.
Ever since Shea Theodore‘s ill-fated giveaway led to the Game 4 winner Tortorella lamented “wasn’t earned,” the series has shifted dramatically.
Vegas has spent too much time beating itself.
Carolina has been more than happy to capitalize with a power play that was supposed to be their Achilles heel.
A Mark Stone double-minor for high-sticking Jalen Chatfield with 11 minutes remaining all but sealed it. Svechnikov’s second power-play marker was little more than a tap-in after Ehlers produced a dazzling no-look spin-o-rama pass that left the Vegas penalty killers frozen.
Carter Hart has now surrendered at least four goals in every game of the series. Asked if he considered pulling him in favour of Adin Hill, Tortorella snapped.
“That could be the stupidest question I’ve heard.”
With Freddy Andersen’s replacement, Brandon Bussi, stealing the show the last seven periods, the Hurricanes own the goaltending edge too.
Asked afterward whether there was a sense some of the damage was self-inflicted, McNabb didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, a little bit of it for sure,” he said.
“Last couple games, a little bit of self-inflicted. We know what we’ve got to do to beat this team, and it’s a matter of going home, winning one game, that’s all it is. And hopefully we’re back here for Game 7.”
That’s the challenge now.
Tortorella has guaranteed they’ll return to Raleigh.
Messier famously backed up his prediction by lifting his team to a Game 6 win over New Jersey in the 1994 Eastern Conference Final.
Vegas now has 60 minutes to prove its coach isn’t simply leaving a suitcase behind.
“We’ve done it the hard way all year,” shrugged McNabb.
“So why not do it again?”
As we count down to the first college football game of the 2026 season, we continue our new series: The records of each top CFB program in the West against all the others in the region.
Some schools have met many times over the years, while others are beginning new rivalries in the wake of recent realignment.
For each opponent in the table below, we provide the total games played, wins, losses, ties, winning percentage, first year played, and most recent contest.
We continue with Cal, which has played 894 games vs. regional foes, winning 422, losing 440, with 32 ties for a winning percentage of .490.
The Golden Bears have recorded the most wins (59), lost the most games (66), and played the most games (129) against Stanford.
Here is a breakdown of Cal’s records vs. the region’s teams.
Cal Football Wins vs. the Top Programs in the West
| Opponent | Games Played | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | First Game | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.8 | 11/11/1961 | 12/29/2015 |
| Arizona | 36 | 15 | 19 | 2 | 44.4 | 10/14/1978 | 09/24/2022 |
| ASU | 36 | 19 | 17 | 0 | 52.8 | 09/25/1976 | 09/30/2023 |
| BYU | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.0 | 10/09/1999 | 09/08/2018 |
| Colorado | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 58.3 | 09/28/1968 | 10/15/2022 |
| CSU | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 | 09/06/2003 | 09/27/2008 |
| Fresno State | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3 | 09/09/1995 | 09/03/2011 |
| Hawai’i | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50.0 | 01/01/1935 | 12/24/2025 |
| Nevada | 35 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 84.3 | 11/15/1899 | 09/04/2021 |
| UNLV | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.0 | 09/10/2022 | 12/18/2024 |
| NMSU | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 | 09/07/2002 | 09/23/2005 |
| Oregon | 86 | 41 | 43 | 2 | 48.8 | 11/18/1899 | 11/04/2023 |
| Oregon State | 78 | 41 | 37 | 0 | 52.6 | 10/28/1905 | 08/30/2025 |
| San Diego State | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 50.0 | 09/18/1982 | 09/20/2025 |
| San Jose State | 35 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 82.9 | 11/22/1899 | 09/07/1996 |
| USC | 112 | 33 | 73 | 6 | 32.1 | 11/28/1912 | 10/28/2023 |
| Stanford | 129 | 52 | 66 | 11 | 44.6 | 03/19/1892 | 11/22/2025 |
| UCLA | 94 | 35 | 58 | 1 | 37.8 | 11/04/1933 | 11/25/2023 |
| Utah | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 46.2 | 10/23/1920 | 10/14/2023 |
| Washington | 102 | 41 | 57 | 4 | 42.2 | 11/24/1904 | 09/23/2023 |
| WSU | 84 | 49 | 30 | 5 | 61.3 | 10/25/1919 | 11/11/2023 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 | 12/31/1990 | 12/31/1990 |
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams. It will run for almost six weeks before ending with the final in New Jersey on July 19.
FIFA expects the competition to generate a record $13 billion in revenue. However, the tournament has also faced criticism over expensive ticket prices and entry restrictions affecting some officials and supporters.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organisation of the tournament. He said ticket prices were fair despite complaints that some seats cost more than $30,000.
According to Infantino, FIFA also made a number of tickets available for as low as $60.
“Our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.
“Our average price which is below 500 dollars is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
Infantino also addressed the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States and will no longer take part in the World Cup.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.
“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”
The FIFA president also described Iran’s participation in the tournament as a success despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said.
“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances — which we could not influence — Iran could come and play.”
Infantino also praised US President Donald Trump for supporting the tournament.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” he said.
Trump confirmed that he plans to attend some matches during the tournament.
On the pitch, South Africa coach Hugo Broos admitted his team would have to cope with the atmosphere created by more than 85,000 Mexican fans at the Estadio Azteca.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” Broos said.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is hoping to end his country’s poor record in opening World Cup matches, with Mexico yet to win any of their previous seven tournament openers.
“We have to break the statistic,” Aguirre said.
“It will be another source of motivation.”
South Korea and the Czech Republic will play the second match of the opening day in Guadalajara.
Among the favourites to win the trophy are Spain, France and England, while defending champions Argentina will once again look to veteran captain Lionel Messi to inspire another title challenge.
England completed their preparations with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday. Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins were all on target in a match delayed by thunderstorms in Orlando.
Coach Thomas Tuchel was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Until now, it was more a feeling of a pre-season, like an overseas pre-season,” Tuchel said.
“I think we set the tone today.”
Sports
‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is going to be bigger than Tendulkar, Virat put together,’ says Dale Steyn | Cricket News
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: ICC)
New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s jaw-dropping 776-run season in IPL 2026 has captured the attention of not just the Indian selectors, who have named him in the squads for the Ireland and England T20Is, but also former players. Sachin Tendulkar has repeatedly praised the teenager. Ex-South Africa seamer Dale Steyn was also stunned by the left-hander’s prolific scoring.A gung-ho Steyn believes Sooryavanshi has it in him to go even better than Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is different gravy, man,” he said when asked if any up-and-coming Proteas player could match the level of Sooryavanshi. “He’s better than most international players right now. He is a boy wonder, a treasure for India cricket,” he added during an interaction facilitated by SA20 in the lead-up to Season 5.“You think of guys like Sachin, you think of guys like Virat, and this kid is going to explode. He’s going to be bigger than both of them put together at the end of his career,” he continued.ALSO READ | At 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi isn’t just scoring runs — he’s redefining battingYet, with Sooryavanshi potentially set to make his international debut and better Tendulkar’s 37-year-old record, the former seamer suggested that he be handled with caution.“I would caution how you manage him and how you look after him because with great responsibility comes great reward. But there’s a big threat there that you could lose him at some point if you don’t look after him well enough,” said Steyn, who played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Deccan Chargers and Gujarat Lions in the IPL.
You think of guys like Sachin, you think of guys like Virat, and this kid is going to explode. He is going to be bigger than both of them put together
Dale Steyn on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Many bowlers tried, and failed, to get the better of Sooryavanshi over the course of the IPL season. The Rajasthan Royals opener blitzed to 776 runs from 16 matches at an average of 48.50 at a rate of 237.30. With 72 sixes, he broke Chris Gayle’s record for most maximums in an IPL season.So, how do you stop him? No better than Steyn — who took 699 wickets across Tests, ODIs and T20Is — to answer that. The 42-year-old acknowledged he didn’t watch enough of Sooryavanshi to devise a game plan but found Kagiso Rabada’s strategy most suitable.“I think KG (Rabada) bowled well to him, where you test him up here,” he said while pointing to his brain. “You’ve got to test him up upstairs. He’s still young. He’s only 14, and if you can throw a little bit of fear factor into the game, cricket is a fear factor game. If you go into the game scared, if you’re fearing somebody, just fear bowling to them or fear facing them, it can make you do silly things. It can make your mind do silly things. So the short ball towards him is a good option,” explained Steyn.‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’
Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) players thank their fans the Orange Army during match 29 of the SA20 season 4 between Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) and MI Cape Town (MICT) held at St George’s Park. (Sportzpics)
Steyn repeatedly advocated for the growth of fan culture during the SA20, where not just the teams but the fan culture has also improved during the previous four seasons.St George’s Park, home of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, is one of the most well-supported grounds, said Steyn. He also spoke highly of Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, all trying to outdo the other.With that in mind, he doesn’t think moving a game to India, for example, like the Big Bash League (BBL) is intending to, will be a wise move.“I would feel harsh to rob the South Africans of one game. The Indians have got the IPL. It’s the biggest competition. So for them to go and watch a Big Bash game, I’m sure they’ll go and watch it, but they’re spoiled with the IPL; they’ve got enough cricket.
Pretoria Capitals players celebrate during Match 28 of the SA20 Season 4 at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Sportzpics for SA20)
“To give them another game, while taking it away from the South Africans. When the support in South Africa has been so crucial, would be just shooting yourself in the foot.“Maybe what we should look at, in terms of the world, and I don’t know if it’s possible again, but how about the Champions League T20, where it was the best teams from around the world, and you play together in a short tournament. You can play that in India because the TV and the Indian support is crazy. That, I would say, is a more viable option going forward.“Maybe the Big Bash is suffering a slow death, and they’re just trying to rejuvenate the competition. I think the players will enjoy it, playing in Chennai. (But) I don’t think that would be an option for the SA20. I think it’s doing really well in South Africa and as there’s a saying, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The trade values chart aims to help you make the best value trades you can
Gulf Breeze volleyball head coach Steven Clay knew the concept of an FHSAA Open Division had been floating around for years.
He just wasn’t sure it would be happening so soon.
June 9 marked a new era in Florida High School sports as the Open Division was approved by the FHSAA Board of Directors, drawing praise in certain aspects from several area coaches but raising questions with others.
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I know in volleyball this general conversation comes up from time to time,” Clay said. “Because there’s been just a handful of schools, a lot of time the private schools, that just kill everybody in their classification.”
How will the Open Division work?
The Open Division will take the top eight teams via the MaxPreps rankings regardless of classification in 11 sports to determine a true state champion.
The eight teams will be broken up into two pods. Pod A will be the No. 1, 4, 5 and 8 seed. Pod B will be the No. 2, 3, 6 and 7 seeds. The top two seeds in each pod will get two home games, while the bottom two seeds will get one, allowing them to still make some of the money from playoff games that would under the old format.
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The round-robin games will follow the same schedule as the regional quarterfinals, semifinals and finals for other classifications. The two teams in each pod will advance to the state semifinals. There were still be a state championship bracket in the traditional classifications.
Much of the discussion has centered around football, but it wouldn’t have had a big impact on the state’s biggest sport in the Pensacola area last year.
The only area teams who likely would have qualified for it last year were Gulf Breeze girls volleyball and Pace softball. Several other teams may have had a different path through the playoffs if the Open Division was in place.
Costs and potentially diminished state championships are concerns
For Clay, the competitor in him likes putting the best teams together and seeing who can call themselves the best team in Florida. It’s similar to club volleyball, where coincidentally, the open division is the highest division.
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But he sees the logistics as challenging. Local teams are used to traveling to the playoffs, with Region 1 usually stretching out to Jacksonville and sometimes close to Orlando.
In this format, trips could go even further south down towards Miami, with potentially two overnight trips in the round robin format, then another if they advance to the state semifinals. Usually, the overnight trips only come when a team reaches the Final Four.
Clay was an assistant on the Gulf Breeze girls volleyball team that advanced to the state championship in 2024. He estimates that trip to Winter Haven cost at least $5,000.
Teams can’t budget for this at the beginning of the season, and many across Escambia and Santa Rosa County have to send out last minute fundraisers on social media to help pay for long playoff road trips.
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“As much as you would love to get to the finals every year, it’s not an expense you can necessarily budget for,” Clay said. “Because it just costs so much.”
Pace softball head coach Lexi Alexander had similar concerns. When the Patriots won the 6A state championship in Longwood last month, Santa Rosa County paid for the vans they used to travel and the booster club covered the hotel rooms. Still, food cost about $2,000 and she estimated without help it would’ve been an additional $5,000 to $6,000.
In six straight Final Four appearances, Pace has never had to travel for a regional playoff game.
“Who’s to say the county going to pay for those other two trips going down south or wherever you have to play?” Alexander said.
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Alexander is also concerned about diluting classifications. Pace has reached the 6A state championship in each of her four seasons as head coach, winning two in arguably the toughest classification in the state.
All four years, at least two teams in 6A have finished in the top 8 in Florida’s rankings. This year, three of the 6A state semifinalists were in the top eight. The other was ranked 10th. Winning a state championship is already hard enough and Alexander wonders why it needs to get harder for the top teams.
This year, five softball state champions ended up in the top 8 of MaxPreps Final Rankings. Only one would win a title next season.
To her, it would be better to just take the top eight teams after the state tournament to decide a true champion. But the Patriots won’t be backing down if they qualify for the Open Division in 2027.
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“I don’t want them going in with a negative mindset of ‘oh, we’re going to have to play one of the top eight teams in the state,” Alexander said. “Because shoot, if we’re one of the top teams in the state, then somebody’s going to have to play us too.”
The same goal and challenge remains for Pensacola area teams
The Open Division was approved to see superpowers across the state square off. It could also serve as an example for teams who eventually want to crash the party.
This past winter, Pensacola Catholic girls soccer qualified for the state semifinals for the first time since 2013. Its opponent, Montverde Academy, was on a different level.
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The Phoenix were ranked No. 2 in the entire state and nationally, meaning they would’ve qualified for the Open Division if it were in place last year and not competed in the 3A playoffs. Montverde outclassed Catholic 5-0 before beating Cardinal Gibbons another team, who would’ve qualified for the Open Division, in the 3A final.
Then Crusaders head coach John Guidroz looked at five coaches on the Montverde sideline, while he had just one assistant coach. His team practiced a couple days a week, sharing space not just with football in the fall, but boys soccer in the winter and then boys and girls lacrosse as their postseason run continued.
Montverde, he said, has dedicated field space to practice every day and a club for their players to develop outside of the high school season. Some of Florida’s best high school programs are smaller private schools in lower classifications, with the money and resources to recruit not just statewide but internationally to prepare athletes for the next level.
Schools like Montverde will be able to build consistent Open Division contenders right away. Others will have to figure out what program level is best for them and what their goals are, especially with school choice and open enrollment in Florida, Guidroz, said.
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“I find it funny because the rules are the same across Florida,” Guidroz said. “Just because one schools does and the other school doesn’t, that doesn’t make it wrong. Everybody’s just got to make a decision.”
For the state’s best teams, winning a state championship becomes that much harder in the Open Division. The road may be easier for others who couldn’t compete with the best of the best, though there’s still not a shortcut to the top.
Area schools may see the top team or two in a class removed from traditional classifications if they don’t make the Open Division themselves. Either options still means long road trips and having to raise the level of play against better competition on increasingly bigger stages to bring a state title back to Florida’s northwest corner.
“At the end of the day, it’s not a huge, huge change for us,” Clay said. “There’s just so many strong teams in Central and South Florida that if you want to be a legitimate state champion coming from the Panhandle, you gotta work your tail off, you gotta have a really solid team, and let’s face it, you have to catch a little bit of luck.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola area coaches react to new FHSAA Open Division
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Interview | USMNT & Monaco forward Folarin Balogun: ‘If you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far, it can change the direction of your career.’
Before he headed over to the US, Get French Football News spoke with AS Monaco and USMNT forward Folarin Balogun (24) ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
What does it mean for you to represent your country at the World Cup this summer?
It’s a big, big opportunity. There’s a great sense of pride. I’m really looking forward to representing America on home soil and making the country proud.
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Would you say that you have a very pivotal role to play for the US this summer? Lots of people are kind of looking at you now, even maybe more so than, say, Pulisic, as almost the leader of the attack at this year’s World Cup…
Yeah, definitely. I think it’s an opportunity, as I said, but it’s also the biggest sporting event in the world. There are going to be millions, if not billions, of eyes watching it. This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent. It’s what you want as a child.
I think with great pressure also comes great responsibility. But overall, I’m very excited, and it’s important to take my club form into the international stage and be a pivotal player.
What do you do to ensure that this pressure a good feeling, a good pressure, not a bad pressure?
Yeah, I think it’s down to the work you do every day. I think if you train hard and you work hard when this opportunity comes, there’s nothing to be scared of. But if you’re not having maybe a good season and then you go into the World Cup, there’s going to be a lot of pressure. So this is why, at the beginning of the season, I said the most important thing is to focus on what I’m doing here in Monaco. And then, in the summer, when the World Cup comes, if I have a good season in Monaco (43 games, 19 goals, five assists), then it will be easier to go into the World Cup.
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The fact that you play at home, you are one of the most important players on the international team; this moment can change your life. Do you agree with that?
Yeah, I agree. If you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far in this competition, it can change the direction of your career. So this is something to excite you. I don’t think it’s something to be nervous about. So I’m looking forward to this.
What are your biggest memories of the World Cup?
I would say the biggest is the most recent, France v Argentina. Of course, there are more. But the last final was one of the most amazing football matches I’ve ever watched. So it just shows the magnitude of how important the World Cup is. And I think it’s not just me, but I’m sure my teammates as well are very excited.
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The USMNT is always in the top 16 in the world, more or less. So what’s your goal in this competition?
To go as far as possible. I’m not naive; It’s not going to be easy. But the objective is to go as far as possible. The thing we’re saying within the USA is to believe. And why not? So, the objective is to go as far as possible. But I think it’s important just to set small objectives. Of course, make it out of the group, then prepare for the knockout phase.
Do you feel ‘soccer’ is becoming more and more a big deal in the USA?
I hope so. When I’m in Europe, you know, I only focus on European things when I’m in Europe. You know, I play in Europe. When I go to America in the summer, then I’m hoping to see the country supporting football and everybody involved. And this would make me happy. And I’m sure it’s important for the country. And this is what they want also.
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Which country has the best squad?
I mean, in terms of on paper, I’d probably say France. There’s no denying the quality in their squad. But the World Cup doesn’t come down to who has the best team on paper. It comes down to different things.
Just in terms of Mauricio Pochettino and him coming in, I know he’s said a lot about, ‘Why not us?’ So he’s trying to give the squad lots of belief. What has he brought? He’s so experienced in the Premier League as well; he is such a big name…. Has he brought a lot of belief that the US can go far?
Yeah, he’s brought belief. He’s brought a fighting mentality. He’s a top coach. I think he’s had a big responsibility coming in. The objective for him, as I said, is to go as far as we can in the World Cup. But he’s definitely had a positive impact, making the squad a lot more competitive. I’m looking forward to the summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we do and, as I said, to making the country proud.
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Tell us about Paraguay, your first opponent in the World Cup…
[They’re] very aggressive. When we played against them [last time], there was a big fight, and I think the coach ended up on the floor! So, I think this shows that it’s not going to be an easy game. But, yeah, I’m hoping, in the World Cup, for better officiating. So, it’s not going to be so crazy.
Do you think it’s going to be more than a World Cup for American citizens? Can you also help people be happy during the summer?
Yeah, I hope so. I hope so. My dream is also that the way that the fans are in Europe, that this is going to be the same in America. So there’s a lot more potential for football to grow in America. I hope the World Cup can be something that can help that happen.
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Okay. With all the problems we have in terms of geopolitics, do you think this World Cup can be like a break, a form of escapism?
What happens around the world, in general, as a player, you have your opinions. But I think the most important thing is to remember my job. My job is obviously to play football. And through playing football and doing my job well, I can impact many lives, and I can help people across the world. I don’t get involved in the political stuff because, as I said, that’s not my job. But I’m fully focused on having a good World Cup in America, making the country proud. And I’m sure if I do this, it’s going to provide a lot of joy to a lot of people.
This interview is a repost from Get French Football News and can be found HERE
GFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco
Paul Heyman praised the New York Knicks for writing the insane Game 4 of the finals. The Wiseman, who has been a key figure in WWE and has led the creative team on many occasions, knows what it takes to craft a compelling story.
Heyman hilariously fit that into the NBA structure and noted that the Knicks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs felt almost scripted.
Thanks for the submission!
“I think it’s time we all recognize the NBA has a great creative team and writers. Wow. What a story! Texas heels rout hometown heroes in the 1st half at the World’s Most Famous Arena ( @TheGarden ), only for the babyfaces to perform the greatest comeback EVER! My compliments!”
However, when a fan asked whether Paul was the one booking the comeback, he had bold things to say. The WWE Hall of Famer admitted that the NBA cannot afford him even if they want him to be included in the process.
“The @NBA cannot afford me. And yes, that’s an open challenge …… and a dare!” wrote Paul Heyman.
Heyman is now managing The Vision in WWE and is beside Brock Lesnar whenever necessary. In the faction, he’s the Oracle to Austin Theory and Bron Breakker now, as they are the active members now. Vision’s Logan Paul and Bronson Reed are out with injuries.
Gunther does not want to be a Paul Heyman guy
Anyone who aligns with Paul Heyman gets some of the best exposure and advice. The term ‘Paul Heyman guy’ is iconic, as stars like Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns were pushed to the moon during their time with him. Despite all this, Gunther, one of the top stars in WWE currently, wants none of it.
“I mean, to be fully honest, it was very useful to have him there in that position. But those interactions in that time have been enough to make me realize that I’m better off on my own. I don’t need somebody in my ear. I always trusted my gut, my whole career, and it was mostly the right decision. So, I wouldn’t change that,” Gunther said.
The Ring General claims he is better off than him, as his career so far has been great without anyone’s advice. The former World Heavyweight Champion has interacted with The Oracle and has understood that trusting his gut is best for him.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit No Contest Wrestling and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.
Edited by Angana Roy
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
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