Morocco have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage. A respectable run from the African giants, but they fail to recreate their semi-final heroics from 2022. Once again, it’s a 2-0 win for France, much like in the 2022 semi. The likes of Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, Ayyouab Bouaddi and Yassine Bounou had spectacular performances this time around.

Morocco’s quarter-final run proves that they’re going to be a formidable force in world football in years to come.

It wasn’t the ending Team USA wished for in the Round of 16 loss to Belgium, but a former FIFA World Cup champion believes the collective work this squad did on home soil should be celebrated.

In fact, four years from now when the new World Cup tournament begins, he wouldn’t be shocked if we see the USMNT making their way to its first-ever final.

Christian Karembeu, the French legend who helped the country lift the World Cup trophy in 1998, said “as Europeans,” and as a soccer player himself, the U.S. surprised him in this tournament.

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Christian Karembeu is introduced to the crowd during the FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour on May 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Isaiah Vazquez – FIFA)

“They did surprise us. Nobody expected that they can play like that,” Karembeu told Fox News Digital , while also discussing his partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA for their “Every Throw-In Counts” initiative. “With speed, with possession at times, and also, the talent you have now.

“I think [head coach Mauricio] Pochettino has done a great job and you need to be proud of Team USA because we didn’t expect that.”

LANDON DONOVAN RECALLS LIFE-CHANGING WORLD CUP MOMENT AMID PLAYERS’ ‘RESPONSIBILITY’ OF GROWING GAME IN USA

The entire country was rallying behind one of the three host nations, as Mexico and Canada also led the way in hospitality. Karembeu, who participated in the World Cup in 1994 when it was on American soil, has been enthralled by what he called a “successful” tournament thus far.

But the 4-1 loss to Belgium, which saw some key blunders by the USMNT that led to goals, put a damper on the three wins the U.S. were able to come by in the tournament, including the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Karembeu believes that the loss to Belgium should serve as a lesson for the U.S., as they look ahead to 2030.

Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

“We learn every time, every day, every year. I think that through Pochettino, Team USA has improved a lot,” he explained. “That’s why I said I don’t think it’ll be surprising in the next four years – they’ll be in Morocco, Portugal and Spain – Team USA will maybe go to the final. Because now they have seen what was missing maybe, but I think it was more a lack of experience. Otherwise, they have the potential.”

Leading up to the Belgium match, the USMNT was in headlines around the globe after FIFA decided to invoke Article 27 of its disciplinary code and suspend the red card Folarin Balogun received in the Round of 32, which allowed him to play against Belgium . Many were furious, including the Belgian Football Federation, which released a scathing statement about the situation.

TRUMP CALLED FIFA PRESIDENT TO REVIEW FOLARIN BALOGUN’S RED CARD AHEAD OF USA-BELGIUM MATCH, SOURCE SAYS

Even President Donald Trump got involved, calling close friend and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, to ask for a review of the red card.

Some argued it could’ve distracted the U.S. from focusing on the match, but no excuses were made. Pochettino and many others acknowledged their lack of effort and precision in the biggest moment of the tournament.

But again, Karembeu looks at the USMNT with a glass half full.

“I think you need to focus on the collective result and what they achieved before that. We need to be very focused on what they delivered,” he said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stands with Christian Karembeu and the World Cup trophy during the FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour on May 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Isaiah Vazquez – FIFA)

The U.S. could have the opportunity to make Karembeu’s prediction come true, but they must first qualify for the World Cup now after getting an automatic bid for being the host country.

EVERY THROW-IN COUNTS AT THE WORLD CUP

Karembeu can’t get enough of Coca-Cola and FIFA’s new fan challenge during this World Cup, where “Every Throw-In Counts” gives fans a way to participate in the tournament beyond what goes down on the pitch.

With a mixture of soccer, lifestyle and community care activities, the initiative encourages fans around the globe to complete simple, everyday activities, upload photos and score “goals” for chances to win exclusive prizes. From recycling to using public transport, to choosing reusable items, more than 5,000 fans and 34,000 goals have been tallied to date. And there’s still more games to play.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal stars in Coca-Cola and FIFA’s joint initiative, “Every Throw-In Counts,” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Coca-Cola/FIFA)

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“It is awesome. It’s fun, simple,” Karembeu said. “Fans embrace it because it is simple. They can play with it with their families. It’s just perfect for everyone.

“I think this is a lesson and model for everyone. Therefore, when you have this great platform for the World Cup tournament, it’s good to share this initiative with the fans. To be responsible and to be sustainable.”

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Shakur Stevenson has finally made a major decision regarding his boxing future.

There has been much speculation over Stevenson’s next move over the past few months, dating back to when he successfully stepped up to 140lbs and defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO super-lightweight title.

The likes of Devin Haney and O’Shaquie Foster have been named as possible options, and a decision on his upcoming opponent should be expected soon after his new promotional deal was announced.

That’s because Stevenson has made the decision to sign with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, and the four-weight world champion believes that will lead him to becoming the pound-for-pound king.

“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me. With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

Zuffa chief White also spoke out about the acquisition of Stevenson.

“Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion. This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”

Three-weight world champion Haney has been linked to signing with Zuffa in recent months, so it could now pave the way for the two fighters to meet, though ‘The Dream’ would have to vacate his WBO welterweight title in order to avoid a mandatory defence against Keyshawn Davis.

They call it alt-golf for a reason.

It’s not the game Ben Hogan knew. It’s a modern-day alternative, adapted to an age of simulators, launch monitors, gamified driving ranges and other high-tech platforms.

It also happens to be wildly popular.

Consider these numbers from the National Golf Foundation. Of the 48.1 million Americans who play golf, some 38 million play some form of alt-golf, while roughly 19 million have never even pegged it on an actual course.

Like traditional golf, alt-golf lends itself to competition. There are tournaments, leagues, long-drive contests and closest-to-the-pin games. Players of every ability take part, from first-timers at Topgolf to Tour pros in TGL.

Unlike traditional golf, however, alt-golf has lacked one of the game’s defining innovations: a common way to measure ability across players of different skill levels.

Until now.

On Thursday, Evenplay, an AI-powered gaming platform, introduced the Evenplay Index, a skill-rating system designed specifically for golfers who play on high-tech platforms.

Rather than relying on posted scores from rated golf courses, the index evaluates players based on the shots they actually hit. Using data gathered by launch monitors and simulators, the company’s AI analyzes each swing, develops a skill rating on a 1-to-100 scale and then converts that rating into a handicap tailored to whichever platform a golfer is using.

There is no cost to sign up for an Evenplay Index. You get one automatically when you create an account on any of the company’s affiliated high-tech platforms. According to Evenplay, the system can generate a reliable assessment within roughly the first 10 shots — that’s all you need to establish an Index — and continues refining its evaluation as more swings are recorded. Ratings are locked during competitions, preventing players from manipulating their handicaps mid-round. Beware of hustlers, whether they’re hitting into greens or screens.

“The handicap is one of the great inventions in sport, but it was built for posted rounds on rated courses,” said Sameer Gupta, Evenplay’s co-founder. “It was simply never meant to reach the garage sim, the indoor league or the Friday-night bay. The Evenplay Index fixes that — your skill, measured shot by shot, turned into a handicap built for wherever you play. Whether you shoot 72 or 120: game on.”

The launch reflects how dramatically golf’s off-course landscape has evolved.

The NGF estimates that nearly four out of every five golfers now participate in some form of off-course golf, and millions play exclusively in those settings. Yet only a fraction of all golfers maintain a traditional handicap, which is designed specifically for rounds played on rated courses.

Evenplay isn’t positioning its Index as a replacement for the USGA Handicap Index. Rather, it’s meant to fill a gap by providing a standardized skill measurement for formats the existing system was never intended to cover.

The company also announced a broad list of launch partners, including Full Swing, Golftec, SkyTrak, X-Golf, aboutGolf, Topgolf, Toptracer, Dryvebox, the PGA of America and the Indoor Golf Alliance. Together, Evenplay projects that those partnerships could eventually bring the Index to more than 200,000 simulator bays and practice stations serving tens of millions of golfers.

For Evenplay, the announcement marks an expansion of technology upon which the company was built.

At its birth in early 2025, Evenplay focused on AI-powered skill-based competitions, allowing simulator golfers to compete for prizes in contests calibrated to their ability. To make those competitions fair, the company built software capable of evaluating players almost immediately and adjusting challenges based on their demonstrated skill.

The Evenplay Index grows out of that same concept, extending it beyond the company’s own competitions into a broader rating system that participating simulator and range operators can adopt.

As off-course golf continues to evolve, the company is betting that a common competitive language — a handicap for the digital age — will become as fundamental indoors as the traditional Handicap Index has long been outdoors.

France’s Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player to reach twenty World Cup appearances. He achieved this milestone at twenty-seven years and two hundred one days old. (AP Photo)

Kylian Mbappe and World Cup records go together like goals and glory and on Thursday night, he added another one to his growing collection.When Mbappe took to the pitch for France’s quarterfinal clash against Morocco in Boston on Thursday, he became the youngest player in history to make 20 appearances at the FIFA World Cup, achieving the milestone at just 27 years and 201 days old. The record had previously belonged to Poland’s Wladislaw Zmuda, who reached 20 World Cup appearances at 28 years and 34 days during the 1986 tournament in Mexico. Mbappe broke it by nearly a year.The timing of the milestone is fitting. Mbappe made his World Cup debut as a 19-year-old at Russia 2018, helping France lift the trophy in a stunning 4-2 final victory over Croatia, becoming the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final in the process. He returned in Qatar 2022, winning the Golden Boot with eight goals despite France’s heartbreaking final defeat to Argentina on penalties. Now in 2026, he arrives at the quarterfinals with seven goals already to his name, sitting just two behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.Twenty appearances. Three World Cups. One World Cup winner’s medal. And at 27, he has at least two more World Cups ahead of him.The record is not the only one Mbappe holds at this tournament. He has already surpassed Miroslav Klose’s men’s World Cup goals record, becoming only the second player after Messi to score seven or more goals at two different World Cup editions. He is also the only player in history to score three or more knockout-stage goals at three separate World Cups, a feat achieved against Paraguay in the Round of 16.Messi holds the outright record for World Cup appearances with 30, set across six tournaments. Mbappé, with at minimum two editions still ahead of him, has every chance of chasing that number down too.Zmuda played in four World Cups across 12 years to reach his mark. Mbappé reached the same number in three tournaments across eight years.

Jimmy Alapag —PHOTO FROM @JALAPAG3/INSTAGRAM

The start of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday will also be the start of the process Jimmy Alapag will have to go through in his new foray as head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.

Alapag and the Road Warriors take on the guest team Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the goal of an auspicious debut that could bring some semblance of hope after coming off a Commissioner’s Cup campaign that ended in misery.

Terrafirma and Titan Ultra formally open the third conference at the 5:15 p.m.

As disappointing as that campaign went when the Road Warriors were ousted in the quarterfinals despite topping the eliminations, Alapag sees that as a good jump-off point.

“I don’t care what happened in the quarterfinals,” he said. “I think it’s important for us, together with the coaching staff, to build on their success in that elimination (round).”

The PBA and Gilas Pilipinas legend takes over from Jong Uichico, who will remain with NLEX as part of the coaching staff, and perhaps help in Alapag’s transition. Alapag stayed in the United States during the last three years and worked as player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

He has plenty of talent at his disposal, namely MVP candidate Robert Bolick, JB Bahio, L-Jay Gonzales plus import DeQuan Jones, who is back after suiting up for the Road Warriors in last season’s Governors’ Cup.

NLEX takes on a Macau team that is returning for another participation despite a dismal 2-10 record in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Giant Pandas, formerly known as the Black Knights, will come in with a few familiar names in Damian Chongqui, Jenning Leung and Ramon Cao, but have also tapped Kobey Lam, who had played for the Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern.

Macau’s import is De’Vondre Perry, whose credentials include stints in Germany, Belgium and the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra try to get their campaigns off on the winning track after their disappointing runs last conference.

Little changes were made by the Giant Risers, with the most notable being the signing of the controversial John Amores to a one-conference deal after his professional license was reinstated by the Games and Amusements Board following a shooting incident two years ago in Laguna.

Terrafirma, on the other hand, once again has Juami Tiongson on its roster after it shipped Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez to San Miguel Beer.

All four teams set to see action in the first twinbill of the conference are in Group A, together with San Miguel, TNT, and Converge. Teams will meet those in their group twice for a 12-game schedule, with the top four advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.

Because the Minnesota Vikings don’t have a singular announced quarterback for 2026, they don’t have total stability at the position — or so goes the theory, according to NFL writer Steve Silverman.

Silverman outlined how the Vikings’ quarterback position is suspect heading into 2026, comparing Minnesota to its division peers, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears, who have exactly zero questions at quarterback.

Silverman Says Minnesota’s Ceiling Rests on QB1

Silverman: It’s Quarterback Trouble for Vikings

Silverman explained his theory this week, “The other three teams in the NFC North know who their starting quarterbacks will be but the Vikings don’t. The Chicago Bears found their quarterback a year ago when Caleb Williams came through in his second season led the team to the division title.”

“The Packers are secure in knowing Jordan Love is coming off an excellent season in which he had a 23-6 TD-interception ratio and led his team to the playoffs again. The Lions have Jared Goff under center as that team attempts to regain its stature after a disappointing 2025 season.”

Most Vikings are thrilled that the team stumbled upon Kyler Murray for $1.3 million in free agency and aren’t deathly afraid of quarterback optionality.

Silverman concluded, “That’s a problem that the Vikings will have to overcome, and it could turn out to be a season-long weak link. The ideal situation would have Murray asserting himself and demonstrating his excellence from Day 1. The locker room will be at risk if the Vikings struggle at the start.”

Maybe … Murray Will Just Be Good?

There’s just one problem with Silverman’s theory: the Vikings may not have quarterback instability. While the mystery over who will prevail at quarterback exists this summer, Murray could show up in Week 1 and look the part. After all, he’s a -770 favorite per sportsbooks to win the job from J.J. McCarthy at training camp.

The plan is not for the Vikings to debate the starting quarterback each week in September, October, November, and beyond. It’s to pick a winner this summer and start that man for the entire 2026 regular season.

Silverman’s argument will be useless if Murray thrives as the Vikings’ QB1. Nobody will care that he won the job in a training camp battle. Remember when Daniel Jones won the QB1 job in Indianapolis last season? No Colts fans debated weekly whether Anthony Richardson or Jones would start.

Murray can win the Vikings’ QB1 job and make it his own.

The Sam Darnold Example — and Mistake

There’s also precedent for this. Two years ago, Minnesota signed Darnold to pair with McCarthy, then a rookie, and after McCarthy tore his meniscus in the preseason, Darnold fully assumed QB1 duty. How did he respond? He threw for 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with 4,319 passing yards, before collapsing in the season’s final two games.

Because Minnesota had McCarthy ready and waiting, the Vikings let Darnold leave in free agency, allowing the Seattle Seahawks to sign him and go on to win a Super Bowl 11 months later. If Darnold could put together a remarkable season in Minnesota, Murray can too.

There’s also the Baker Mayfield example. In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a flyer on him in free agency, signing him cheaply to see if he had QB1 juice left in the tank. He did — and now he’s the Buccaneers’ established starter.

Neither of these examples is far-fetched for Murray.

Good News: The Rest of the Roster Is Sweet

Pretend that Silverman is on to something, and a quarterback competition equals vertigo at the position, unlike Minnesota’s NFC North peers. It won’t mean the Vikings are cooked.

Brian Flores’s defense remains formidable, ranking third in the league last year per DVOA and EPA/Play. The group welcomed newcomers like Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Jake Golday, and James Pierre this offseason, while losing Jonathan Greenard via trade. With Flores in charge, the defense should remain a force.

Offensively, Murray — or McCarthy if he pulls off the upset — will have weapons galore, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T. J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and Aaron Jones. An offensive line of Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill should also have the personnel to rank in the NFL’s Top 15.

Meanwhile, the Vikings employ an All-Pro kicker in Will Reichard. And that’s all on top of a head coach whose winning percentage ranks fifth-best in the NFL since he came aboard in 2022.

Silverman delivers a fair point, but it won’t matter if Murray wins the QB1 job and establishes himself right away in September.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Sami Zayn‘s reign as the Undisputed WWE Champion came to an abrupt end, thus proving once again that no title is truly safe in the company. Although many fans expected the underdog to enjoy a longer run after his emotional victory at Night of Champions, Triple H shocked the fans by taking the championship off him well before SummerSlam.

With WWE’s biggest event of the summer rapidly approaching, creative could have more surprises in store. Whether due to storyline developments, mounting challengers or unfortunate injuries, several other champions may not make it to SummerSlam with their gold intact.

This article will look at three WWE Superstars who could lose their championships before SummerSlam 2026.

#3. Trick Williams — United States Champion

Trick Williams has enjoyed a memorable run as the United States Champion. Thus, proving that he belongs among WWE’s top stars. Ever since arriving on the main roster, the former NXT standout has continued building momentum, with the United States Championship serving as the biggest accomplishment of his career so far.

However, Williams’ reign may be approaching its biggest test. The U.S. Title picture has become increasingly competitive in recent weeks, with multiple superstars eyeing the prestigious title. Also, WWE has shown a willingness to use the championship as a launching pad for rising stars. Thus, Triple H could decide that it’s time for a fresh face to carry the gold into SummerSlam.

Timing also plays a role. If WWE wants to establish a blockbuster U.S. Title match for SummerSlam, changing the gold beforehand could immediately reshape the landscape. A surprise title switch on SmackDown or Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV would create buzz while giving the new champion momentum heading into the Biggest Party of the Summer.

That isn’t to say Trick Williams has failed as champion. On the contrary, he’s elevated the title through consistently entertaining performances. However, WWE often prioritizes unpredictability during the weeks leading up to SummerSlam. Thus, that could leave the United States Champion vulnerable.

#2. Sol Ruca — Women’s Intercontinental Champion

Sol Ruca has quickly become one of WWE’s brightest young stars. Her athleticism, unique offense and growing confidence have made her a standout performer. Thus, capturing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship cemented her status as one of the division’s rising talents.

Still, Ruca’s reign may not be guaranteed to last until SummerSlam. The Women’s IC Title continues to attract a growing list of challengers. Also, WWE has invested heavily in building depth across the women’s mid-card division. That means every title defense carries significant pressure.

Triple H could decide that a championship change is the best way to inject fresh life into the title picture before SummerSlam. Given this, a new champion would immediately create fresh rivalries and open the door for several stars who have been waiting for meaningful opportunities.

Also, there’s the possibility that the company wants Sol Ruca to move beyond the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She has consistently demonstrated that she can compete with the biggest names in the division. Thus, losing the title wouldn’t necessarily hurt her momentum. Instead, it could free her to pursue a Women’s World Championship opportunity later in the year.

Sometimes, dropping a midcard championship is the first step toward something even bigger.

#1. Rhea Ripley — WWE Women’s Champion

Unlike the other champions on this list, Rhea Ripley‘s biggest threat isn’t another Superstar. It’s her injury.

Ripley is currently sidelined, thus leaving the future of the WWE Women’s Championship surrounded by uncertainty. With SummerSlam drawing closer, the company faces an increasingly difficult decision regarding one of its most prestigious titles.

If Ripley isn’t medically cleared in time, Triple H may have little choice but to ask her to vacate the championship. Although WWE has occasionally allowed injured champions to retain their titles during shorter absences, the company has also shown that it won’t leave a major championship inactive indefinitely, especially with one of the biggest PLEs of the year just around the corner.

Given this, keeping the title off television for too long would leave a significant gap in the SummerSlam card.

Vacating the championship would allow the company to crown a new champion before or at SummerSlam. Thus, ensuring the title remains central to the event. It would also create immediate opportunities for several top stars eager to step into the spotlight.

Of course, asking Mami to relinquish the title would be an unfortunate outcome rather than a reflection of her reign. She has consistently been presented as one of the most dominant competitors, and her absence is entirely beyond her control.

Should the creative team go in that direction, it’s almost certain that Ripley would return with a ready-made storyline centered on reclaiming the championship she never truly lost. In many ways, that could make her eventual comeback even more compelling.