If you’d like a look at the candidates and their dossiers, we’ve got that here. This search is going to take some time — I’d venture April 1 is the fastest possible timeline, and even that is ambitious — so this tracker will update on more with UNC’s pursuit as the weekend plays out.
Oh, and we had a hiring in a power conference on Wednesday: Butler is bringing on alumnus Ronald Nored as its coach. The 36-year-old was the behind-the-scenes frontrunner after Thad Matta’s retirement and never lost the lead.
Butler wasn’t the only school to make a move: South Florida lured Chris Mack away from Charleston to be its next coach. That’s one that wasn’t flaring many radars, and the agreement came together in a flurry on Wednesday, per one source. Mack has the most wins (323) of any inbound USF coach at the time of their hiring in program history.
“I am truly excited for the opportunity to lead a South Florida basketball program that’s on an exceptional trajectory and to join a university and athletic department defined by strong leadership, shared aspirations, and tremendous alignment,” Mack said in a statement. “The exceptional vision and commitment Rob (Higgins) outlined are inspiring, and I am grateful for his trust and belief in my leadership of Bulls basketball. I’m eager to connect with Bulls Nation, the students in the SoFlo Rodeo, and the passionate fans who make the Yuengling Center such a special home court.”
Annnnnd we’ve got one more dose of college carousel gossip: The noise around Will Wadepotentially bailing on NC State after one year to double back to LSU has a lot of people in the college basketball world laughing but also shaking their heads. One source told me they expect this to happen, it’s just a matter of days. The lack of statement from LSU on Matt McMahon’s job security over the past two weeks has been conspicuous, to say the least.
Other hirings from earlier this week
At Arizona State, Randy Bennett agreed to a five-year contract to be the coach of the Sun Devils. The Mesa, Arizona, native finally said yes after previously turning down the school multiple times in prior searches.
Bennett spent the past 25 years at SMC and went 589-228, including 12 NCAA Tournament teams, five of which came in the past five seasons. The Gaels made one Sweet 16, in 2010, on Bennett’s watch. All told, he’s one of the 20-ish best coaches in college basketball; the work he did in Moraga was a lift few others could’ve sustained over two and a half decades. He’s more than earned a shot at the power-conference level.
Advertisement
Arizona State placed a premium on Bennett, who was clearly catalyzed by the fact that Gonzaga is leaving the WCC and thus downgrading the league. The Bennett move at Saint Mary’s triggered an internal promotion of Mickey McConnell in Moraga. The Gaels alumnus gets his first shot at 36 years old. Can he keep SMC at the top of the WCC?
The other high-major news from Monday was Creighton coach Greg McDermott’s impending retirement. One of the game’s best tacticians is walking away at 63. I’ve got that story and all the info here. No search there, though. Alan Huss agreed last year to be next up once McDermott was done, so that transition is already buttoned up and will be official after Creighton’s season ends in the Fox-run Crown event out in Las Vegas next week.
The first hiring of Monday came in the American, where CBS Sports broke the news that Wes Miller agreed to be the next coach at Charlotte on a five-year deal. Miller was fired from Cincinnati almost two weeks ago but let it be known he still wanted to coach and land somewhere as quickly as possible. Miller is from Charlotte, which made the hiring process even more logical. Miller and Cincinnati agreed to terms on his payout from Cincinnati last week; the school would have owed him $9.9 million if it did not formally fire him until April 1. Miller’s record in five seasons at Cincinnati was 100-74. Before that, he coached in North Carolina at UNCG, going 185-135. In his career, Miller’s won 57.7% of his games (285-209) across 15 seasons.
Advertisement
G-Mac to 🍊
We’ve still got more to address! Gerry McNamara is now running the show at Syracuse. The school officially announced the hiring Tuesday morning.
The twist: Sources said Syracuse showed significant interest in other candidates, most prominently Saint Louis’ Josh Schertz, in the lead-up to the NCAA Tournament. SLU announced on March 13 it had agreed to terms of a new contract, but with the buyout being somewhat manageable, Syracuse pursued all options before landing on McNamara. One source said SU was still making a push on Schertz even after Saint Louis’ first round win over Georgia.
Though that never came to be, the fact Syracuse still looked at Schertz and other candidates falls in line with what sources previously told me: McNamara winning out comes after weeks of debate amongst big money players at Syracuse who were split over whether or not to break from the Syracuse family/Jim Boeheim coaching tree. McNamara is of course adored at Cuse, but some influential supporters of the program felt adamant that Syracuse needed to go in a new direction. Others favored keeping it in the family for at least one more try; McNamara was the obvious choice in that regard.
I’m told Syracuse is hopeful it can raise more than $9 million total in NIL budgeting for the 2026-27 season, with at least $4.5 million of that coming from revenue sharing. McMamara will have the support he needs to try and turn things around in central New York.
Advertisement
Here are our some of our high-major carousel headlines in the past week-plus:
ARIZONA STATE | OUT: Bobby Hurley »» IN: Randy Bennett Hurley leaves with the second-most wins in program history. Credit to ASU athletic director Graham Rossini for landing the best possible replacement. Bennett was the target of multiple previous searches and turned down the job. Now he’s going to make a run in his 60s and see if he can get the Sun Devils to consistently compete in the top half of the Big 12. That’s a real jolt for this program. He’ll have to do more with less, which is no thing new after the wizard work he guided for 25 years at Saint Mary’s.
BUTLER | OUT: Thad Matta »» IN: Ronald Nored Matta retired after a four-year, 63-69 go of it with the Bulldogs. The news was all the more surprising considering that Butler athletic director Grant Leiendecker publicly said Matta would be back for a fifth season. Ultimately, it’s probably the right move. Nored was announced Wednesday and represents the latest hire in a link of Butler-family head-coaching moves. He’s young but he’s sharp. Can he bump them up in the Big East?
BOSTON COLLEGE | OUT: Earl Grant This one was expected for months. There are 79 jobs in the Power Five leagues, and Boston College, unfortunately and unquestionably, ranks in the bottom five. Grant couldn’t win there, but this is an institutional problem as much as anything else. Minimal fan support, bottom of the league in NIL capability, and the basketball there ranks below football and hockey in the priority order. Will take a very specific fit to even give the Eagles a shot at fighting into the middle of the ACC. UConn assistant Luke Murray and Vermont head coach John Becker are the two finalists. I was thinking we’d know by Wednesday, but maybe this drags on to the end of the week.
CINCINNATI | OUT: Wes Miller »» IN: Jerrod Calhoun The Bearcats had to make a change after going five straight seasons without an NCAA bid, even if Miller’s teams came close three times. Miller wound up doing just fine by shooting off to Charlotte. Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State) is an alum and was the top target from Day 1. Bearcats fans have some hope again, and fortunately for them, the program should be at or north of $8 million to spend on a roster for 2026-27. That’s not upper tier for this cycle, but it is manageable and can be competitive.
CREIGHTON | OUT: Greg McDermott »» IN: Alan Huss The 61-year-old McDermott leaves as the most accomplished coach in program history. In addition to overseeing Creighton’s valuable upgrade from the Missouri Valley to the Big East in the early 2010s, he coached 11 NCAA Tournament-level teams at Creighton and made two Sweet 16s (2021, 2024) along with an Elite Eight (2023). McDermott went 365-188 at Creighton, and when factoring in his time as coach at North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Iowa State, he’s at 645-383 with 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Huss was at High Point a year ago and left because he agreed to be coach-in-waiting when McDermott stepped away.
G. TECH | OUT: Damon Stoudamire »» IN: Scott Cross Sources said the buyout for the 52-year-old Stoudamire was just $2.6 million, which made the decision that much easier after a 42-55 record in three seasons. This is a bottom-four job in the ACC (despite its terrific location) due to its lack of success over the past two decades, its relatively tough academic parameters and its limitations in NIL. Sources told me Tech will top out at $3.5 million in revenue sharing and maybe an additional $2 million after that. And yet, the 2026 portal market will likely mandate high-major teams to work with at least $6 million in order to be somewhat competitive. As was first reported here, Cross was the guy. The school made it official last Friday.
KANSAS STATE | OUT: Jerome Tang »» IN: Casey Alexander The first power conference job to hit the market in 2026, and it did so in a noisy fashion. Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor fired Tang for cause on Feb. 15. University lawyers and Tang’s legal representation are in an ongoing legal dispute over the validity of a for-cause firing, which, if K-State were successful, would mean $0 owed to Tang. If fully unsuccessful, Tang has more than $18 million coming his way. I’m expecting a settlement with terms undisclosed. Alexander and K-State agreed to terms on March 12 after it was clear that Jerrod Calhoun wasn’t going to leave Utah State for Manhattan, Kansas.
PROVIDENCE | OUT: Kim English »» IN: Bryan Hodgson PC finished 15-18 this season, and English was unable to get the school to the NCAAs in three seasons on the job. Hodgson agreed to a five-year contract late Saturday night. The Friars will be well-stocked; sources said the program will be well north of $10 million in this year’s portal cycle, which will be critical as Hodgson is expected to turn over almost the entire roster. PC bringing on the soon-to-be 39-year-old is a personality fit. He doesn’t run from a battle and is a guy who loves to punch up. The Big East just got more interesting. Providence agreed to a five-year contract with Hodgson.
SYRACUSE | OUT: Adrian Autry »» IN: Gerry McNamara The Orange’s season finished with an 86-69 loss to SMU in the ACC Tournament; Syracuse was a 14-seed in the league bracket. Jim Boeheim’s successor leaves with a 49-48 record and no NCAA Tournament showings. Siena coach/SU alum McNamara became the top target after some other wish-list candidates wouldn’t got to the altar. Plus: Siena almost upset Duke in the first round. This is a pivotal hiring. As one Syracuse-connected source told me a few days ago: “If this hire doesn’t go well, [Syracuse] could become a one step above a mid-major.” The program’s outlook after Boeheim feels tenuous, though the fan base is passionate and thirsty to get back to relevance. McNamara has a huge task on his hands, but his love for the school is undeniable.
Mid-majors
AIR FORCE | OUT:Joe Scott »» IN: Joe Crispin Scott had two runs at Air Force, the first from 1999-2004, the second from 2020 until earlier this year, when Scott was put on leave in January amid an investigation into his treatment of players. That ultimately led to a severance between he and the school, though the two sides ended things amicably with kind words when the split was made official on Feb. 26. A military academy program in the Mountain West, Air Force easily ranks among the 10 toughest jobs in all of college hoops. Crispin, 46, will leave Penn State as an assistant to take on his first head coaching opportunity.
BALL STATE | OUT: Mike Lewis »» IN: Chris Capko The Cardinals had Lewis in charge for four seasons, but the last three were all under .500. With this year’s team going 12-19, rumors bubbled up in late January that the job would come up. Lewis, a former UCLA assistant under Mick Cronin, went 61-64 in the MAC. The team hasn’t made the NCAAs since 2000 under Ray McCallum. Capko comes aboard after years of working under Andy Enfield at USC and SMU.
BELMONT | OUT: Casey Alexander »» IN: Evan Bradds Alexander was anxious to leave after more than proving his value over the past seven seasons in Nashville. He tallied a 166-60 record with the Bruins, continuing the impressive legacy built out by his former coach and mentor Rick Byrd. Bradds spent this past season at Duke after cutting his teeth in the NBA with the Jazz and Celtics. He played at Belmont and graduated in 2017 after winning OVC POY. At 31, he’ll likely be the youngest D-I coach next season. Bradds played at Belmont from 2013-17 and was a terrific mid-major scorer, winning OVC Player of the Year as a junior and senior.
CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD | OUT: Rod Barnes »» IN: Todd Lee Barnes was fired last September after 14 years at Bakersfield, and the reason is jaw-dropping: One of his former assistants was federally charged for allegations of pimping, among other heinous illegal activities. There have also been changes in leadership in the athletic department and this is a cash-strapped job that’s extremely difficult. Lee, who’s coached for more than three decades, spent recent seasons on Eric Musselman’s staff but was also an assistant at Bakersfield in the ’90s.
CHARLESTON | OUT: Chris Mack A semi-stunner Wednesday afternoon, as Mack was announced as the next coach at South Florida. He leaves behind by far the best NIL situation (and living location) in the CAA. A premier job in a one-bid league just came open and a lot of people are going to be out for it.
CHARLOTTE | OUT: Aaron Fearne »» IN: Wes Miller The 49ers made the move after three years with Fearne, who went 17-17 this season and 47-51 overall. The school has some solid financial backing for NIL moving forward thanks to some investments by local billionaire Ric Elias. Miller lands on his feet in what’s a best-case scenario after not making it to Year 6 with Cincinnati. If he can be as effective at Charlotte as he was at UNCG for a decade, he should end the school’s two-decade-plus NCAA tourney drought. This feels like a proper bounce-back opportunity.
DARTMOUTH | OUT: Dave McLaughlin The school did not renew McLaughlin’s contract. The Big Green job is almost universally considered the toughest in the eight-school Ivy League, so picking a next coach will be difficult. McLaughlin came on in 2016 and was 87-161 with a 41-85 conference record.
EASTERN MICHIGAN | OUT: Stan Heath »» IN: Billy Donlon The Eagles are starting over after five years under Heath. EMU was 57-98 the last five seasons and only finished .500 once both overall and in the MAC (in 2024-25). The location is good for a MAC program (less than 15 minutes from Michigan‘s campus, in fact) but the resources are bottom half of the league. That will need to change. Donlon is an assistant at Clemson and has a 155-133 record at Wright State and Kansas City.
FIU | OUT: Jeremy Ballard »» IN: Joey Cantens Ballard was sacked after his eighth season on the job. The CUSA program had winning seasons in Ballard’s first two years but averaged 12 wins over the last six. Cantens came from behind to land the gig over some sitting high-major assistants. His teams went 109-21 in-state at Daytona State College in the D-II ranks. The 39-year-old is a local who grew up in Miami.
GEORGIA STATE | OUT: Jonas Hayes Hayes lasted four seasons and leaves Atlanta with a 48-79 record at the Sun Belt-based program. The school will still draw in some promising mid-major candidates because of its location and potential in that league.
KANSAS CITY | OUT: Marvin Menzies »» IN: Mark Turgeon A huge get for the Roos, who have pulled off a rarity: A school with zero NCAA Tournament appearances hired a coach with at least 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, at least 15 years of experience of high-major coaching and at least 450 wins. The only other instance of this that I can recall where that exact scenario applied is when High Point hired Tubby Smith in 2018, but he was an alum. Turgeon played at Kansas and therefore has some semi-local ties. He heads to the Summit League with a healthy boost in NIL support, determined not to let his rickety exit from Maryland in 2021 be the end of his story.
LAMAR | OUT: Alvin Brooks »» Jordan Fee Fee? Hit the Phish. Lamar is hiring the FAU assistant with a really good rep as an up-and-comer who’s had previous success at some non-D1 spots. Could be one of the best mid-major gets of this cycle. Brooks went 62-95 across five seasons in the Southland. This season’s team went 12-19 overall. The Cardinals last made the NCAA Tournament in 2012 under Pat Knight.
LITTLE ROCK | OUT: Darrell Walker »» IN: Travis Ford Walker’s team went 12-20 this season and finished seventh in the OVC. He leaves after eight seasons and with a 113-133 record. If you followed the tracker, you saw I had Ford’s name as the frontrunner basically from the start. The process was a little clunky and took a scenic route to getting there, but Little Rock brings on a guy with 20-plus seasons as a head coach and almost 500 wins. Ford was most recently at Saint Louis but also Oklahoma State and UMass prior to that.
UL MONROE | OUT: Phil Cunningham »» Ryan Cross A one-and-done in the Sun Belt. Cunningham was the head coach this past season after serving as an assistant the year prior. The team went 4-28, ranking 350th at KenPom. The bad record combined with the school switching ADs in the past five months led to the change. Cross is a former assistant (2012-20) who spent the past two seasons at UAB.
UTAH STATE | OUT: Jerrod Calhoun The Aggies will be holding a coaching search for the fifth time in five years. One name that should get strong consideration is Craig Smith. He was at Utah State from 2018-21 and won 74 games in three seasons, including 50-14 in the Mountain West and three total league titles. You could also see BYU’s Chris Burgess or Bobby Hurley try to get involved as well. The pool will be competitive. This is one of the best mid-major jobs in the country. Fascinated to see who’s next up in Logan.
NORTH FLORIDA | OUT:Matt Driscoll »» IN: Bobby Kennen This job had been open dating back to last May, when Driscoll left after 16 seasons to be Jerome Tang’s top assistant at Kansas State. Now Driscoll is wrapping up a disappointing season in Manhattan, Kansas, in the wake of Tang’s mid-February firing. At UNF, the Ospreys struggled under Kennen; the team went 7-24 this season. Nevertheless, he’s got the full-time gig. UNF’s been a D-I program for two decades, with its lone NCAA Tournament trip coming in 2015 under Driscoll.
N. ILLINOIS | OUT: Rashon Burno »» IN: Matt Majkrzak Burno bounced after five seasons, all of them under .500. This year’s team finished 9-21 and 319th at KenPom at the time of Burno’s (expected) resignation. He went 48-106 in one of the toughest jobs in the MAC. As was previously noted in this here capsule, Majkrzak was a leading candiate from the onset. The 35-year-old had a 136-73 in seven seasons at Northern Michigan in Division II.
OREGON STATE | OUT:Wayne Tinkle »» IN: Justin Joyner For Tinkle, the high point was the unexpected run to the Elite Eight in the 2021 COVID NCAA tourney, when the Beavers won three games as a 12-seed after earning the auto bid by winning the Pac-12 Tournament. Joyner is a fresh new face and represents and optimistic new start for the Beavers as the Pac-12 rebirth will commence later this year. Joyner is on a five-year contract and will try to compete in the league with the likes of Gonzaga, Boise State, San Diego State, Utah State.
PEPPERDINE | OUT: Ed Schilling Two-and-through for Schilling, who was a surprising hire in 2024. The Waves went 22-45 the past two seasons and won just eight games in the WCC. Pepperdine famously has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, but it’s also a school with strong religious ties and therefore will have specific criteria for its next coach. Cal Baptist coach Rick Croy could be a name to watch here, as are guys like Virginia assistant Griff Aldrich and Notre Dame assistant Kyle Getter.
SAN DIEGO | OUT: Steve Lavin »» IN: JR Blount The 61-year-old Lavin couldn’t bring the program to consistency in the Gonzaga-dominated WCC. USD has not made the NCAAs since 2008 under Bill Grier. Athletic director Kimya Massey moved even more quickly than most expected when he brought on Blount, who’s seen his reputation rise quickly the past two seasons at Iowa State. This was a competitive job opening. I highlighted Blount just last week in my names-to-know piece for this year’s carousel cycle. He’s considered among the sharpest young defensive minds in high-major hoops, but beyond that, he has an outstanding reputation for his dedication to the job.
SAINT MARY’S | OUT: Randy Bennett »» IN: Mickey McConnell After 25 years in Moraga, Bennett is finally taking a chance on himself and coaching at a power-conference program. He’s not yet signed but is closing in on a five-year deal to be the coach at Arizona State. The plan was always to promote from within at SMC; McConnell, 36, is one of the better players in program history and has been on staff since 2019.
SIENA | OUT: Gerry McNamara A one-ane-done year for McNamara, who had everything break just right in order for him to go back to Syracuse and try to restore the luster at a program facing an uncertain crossroads. McNamara’s Saints team nearly toppling 1-seed Duke in the tourney made his hiring that much easier to sell to a fan base that has loved him for 23 years and counting. Will Siena promote in-house or try to land a quality assistant from the high-major ranks?
TROY | OUT: Scott Cross After seven seasons, Cross leaves for Georgia Tech. The Trojans are coming off back-to-back tournament runs. The Sun Belt program is down to a few finalists, I’m told, including SEMO coach Brad Korn.
USF | OUT: Bryan Hodgson »» IN: Chris Mack With Hodgson’s expected move to Providence, USF will be the only team in the sport to have five coaches in a five-year span. In 2022-23, Brian Gregory was in charge and got fired. Amir Abdur-Rahim took over, revived the program, then tragically died in in October 2024, weeks before his second season was set to begin. Ben Fletcher was the interim in 2024-25 and then Hodgson got the job. Next up? Chris Mack. A stealth job switch from Charleston for the former Louisville and Xavier coach. He’ll be well-stocked to keep it rolling in Tampa.
ST. BONAVENTURE | OUT: Mark Schmidt Schmidt, 63, leaves the profession with a terrific reputation. Bonaventure is an extremely tough job, yet he won 339 games most in program history, and captured four combined conference titles. With Schmidt leaving, program GM and prominent former NBA national reporter Adrian Wojnarowski will work with school leadership to try and land a coach on the cheap who is about leaning into the challenges and culture of Bonaventure. I’ve been told that this job is going to be a significant pay cut from what Schmidt was making after 19 years and all the pay bumps that come with such a long tenure. Bona doesn’t have any revenue sharing and needs to fundraise all of its capital in order to try and field a roster that can compete in the A-10; Wojnarowski has a huge task ahead, to be sure. Two early names rumored for the job are both alums: Washington Wizards assistant David Vanterpool and D-II Daemen College coach Mike MacDonald, who’s done well at that level.
TARLETON STATE | OUT: Billy Gillispie »» IN: Eric Haut Gillispie oversaw Tarleton State’s transition into Division I, with the high point being a 25-10 season in 2023-24. The WAC-based school went 92-90 in six years at the D-I level under Gillispie. The university, based in Stephenville, Texas, is about 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Haut will join the program after Utah State finishes playing in the NCAA tourney. He’s been a valuable assistant at USU, Northern Kentucky and Kent State. Was due for a shot at running his own show.
TENNESSEE TECH | OUT: John Pelphrey »» IN: Tobin Anderson Pelphrey lasted seven years in the Ohio Valley and went 79–138 at what is obviously a very hard job with limited resources. TTU last won the regular-season title in the OVC in 2005, but it landed the best guy possible. Anderson famously coached FDU to a 16-over-1 upset of Purdue in the 2023 NCAAs. He potentially could’ve gotten a bigger job this cycle. Big coup for this school.
UNCG | OUT: Mike Jones »» IN: Jerod Haase Something of a surprise here, as Jones went 93-69 and didn’t get his contract extended. The Spartans went 15-19 this season, the only one of Jones’ five that didn’t end above .500. The job is considered in the top third in the SoCon. Haase got the job after two years away from coaching. He’s 206-180 at UAB and Stanford. The Carolina connection was big in getting him the gig.
UTRGV | OUT: Kahil Fennel Tough loss for the Vaqueros, who had Fennel for two seasons but did not have the resources to keep a quality up-and-coming coach around for Year 3. The Southland program will plumb the depths to see if they can land an assistant at a power conference school.
WAGNER | OUT: Donald Copeland (?) Wagner was coached by interim Dwan McMillan since the start of the season after Copeland was put on indefinite leave amid a school investigation into alleged abusive coaching tactics, including withholding water breaks during practice. One former player went on record with the New York Post last fall to confirm the allegations, but the school has yet to fire Copeland, who is still listed on the team’s website. The Seahawks went 14-17 and lost in the NEC semis to LIU.
WEBER STATE | OUT: Eric Duft We have a Brad Stevens-esque transition in the Big Sky. Duft has been with the program for two decades, but he’s not being fired. He’s going into the athletic department with a title of President of Basketball Operations and Development for the men’s basketball program. He’ll be working with Damian Lillard, who’s labeled as Weber State’s GM, to get the Wildcats to a better spot, roster-wise, for the net coach. Duft was the head coach the past four years.
WESTERN MICHIGAN | OUT: Dwayne Stephens »» IN: Kahil Fennel The former Michigan State assistant lasted four seasons in Kalamazoo, going 42-84. The Broncos came extremely close to ending Miami University’s undefeated run on Feb. 27 before falling in the final second 69-67. The school last made the NCAAs in 2014. Fennel, 43, arrives via UTRGV, where he went 35-29 the past two seasons. A pretty solid get at a place with enough to be a player in the MAC in the next two years.
While the captains’ meet is an omen for fans to truly gear up for a new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it is also an opportunity for the umpires to clarify certain rules to the skippers. On the eve of IPL 2026, the umpires have clarified to the captains of all 10 teams regarding the legality of catches. Teams have been instructed that a catch will only be considered legal if the fielder has complete control over both the ball and their body before any celebration takes place.
Elite umpire Nitin Menon and former India pacer and renowned match referee Javagal Srinath emphasised on this aspect during the captains’ meet. The rules were clarified over a 90-minute session.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stressed on the importance of rule, which is stated as per Clause 33.3.
Advertisement
“The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his own movement.”
The officials present showed several video clips, including from the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2026, to specify the exact legalities of catches.
IPL 2026 Captains’ Meet
Captains from all 10 franchises attended the meeting, which was expected to focus on key playing conditions, rule clarifications, and operational aspects for the new season.
Among those present were Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill and Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. Speaking briefly to the media, Gill said, “The meeting was very good.”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar, Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag and Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel were also part of the meeting.
The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the innings timer (60-second clock), the Impact Player rule, the concussion substitute protocol and the code of conduct regulations.
The meeting serves as a customary curtain-raiser ahead of every IPL season, ensuring clarity and uniform understanding of rules among team leaders before the tournament gets underway.
The head of Senegal’s football governing body has vowed to launch a “crusade” against the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has warned that the controversial ruling could fundamentally alter the landscape of global football and undermine the long-held principle that refereeing decisions are final.
Abdoulaye Fall, president of the FSF, declared: “In the face of this administrative robbery, the FSF refuses fatality. We will fight a moral and legal crusade.”
The FSF’s legal team, representing the ruling body, condemned the CAF decision as “so crude, so absurd, so irrational.”
Lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez stated: “It openly violates the Laws of the Game and the principle that refereeing decisions are final. (If CAS would rule against Senegal), the winners of the next World Cup could be decided in law firms rather than on the pitch.”
Advertisement
Senegal were stripped of their Afcon title last week (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The FSF lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday.
The dispute arose after Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the final in Rabat on 18 January. They had walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco, though they later returned to score a goal in extra time, winning the game 1-0.
Serge Vittoz, part of the six-lawyer team in Paris, confirmed they are seeking to expedite the CAS process.
“Such a procedure usually last nine to 12 months but we want it to go faster. However, all parties must agree to it,” Vittoz explained.
Despite the CAF ruling, Vittoz maintained that Senegal remains the African champions, arguing that the decision to overturn the result lacked proper explanation.
Advertisement
“To be valid, a decision must be explained. It has not been, so Senegal are still African champions,” he asserted.
Senegal, who have qualified for this year’s World Cup, are set to play Peru in a friendly in Paris on Saturday.
When asked if the trophy would be presented to fans at the Stade de France, Mr Fall cryptically responded: “I’ll see you at the Stade de France on March 28.”
As countries all around the world hope to be amongst the 48 nations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the final spots in the tournament field are being filled.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Now that the World Cup draw has been completed and 42 of the 48 nations have cemented their places at the final tournament, there are just the six playoff participants yet to be determined to fill out the field.
Those places will be filled by the UEFA and intercontinental playoffs, which take place just three months before the World Cup commences in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Sporting News details all you need to know about the playoffs, including who will participate, how they qualified, and the format by which the competition will be contested.
The World Cup playoffs are two mini-tournaments that offer certain teams another route into the finals if they failed to qualify automatically.
There are two different World Cup playoffs: one for European (UEFA) teams, and another comprising nations from different confederations (the intercontinental playoffs).
Since UEFA gets 16 spots at the newly expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, they have their own playoff tournament for the last of those four places. The rest of the world, meanwhile, contests an inter-confederation playoff to determine the final two participants at the tournament.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The winners of the six different playoff pathways were assigned to Pot 4 for the World Cup group-stage draw in December, meaning they can expect to face a more difficult tournament than if they had qualified automatically.
UEFA playoffs
In UEFA World Cup qualifying for 2026, there were 54 participants hoping to secure one of Europe’s 16 places at the competition.
Those 54 nations were spread out between 12 groups. While the group winner advanced to the World Cup automatically, the runners-up were placed in a knockout bracket along with a few UEFA Nations League qualifiers to determine four more participants.
Advertisement
Advertisement
FIFA intercontinental playoffs
The intercontinental playoffs, officially known as either the inter-confederation playoffs or the World Cup playoff tournament, is the final pathway for teams hoping to qualify for the World Cup.
Started in 1998 as a one-off matchup between an Asian and Oceania qualifier, it has grown gradually into the six-team tournament it is today. The 2026 edition comprises one nation from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC confederations, and two from CONCACAF.
Each four-year cycle, as the format of World Cup qualification shifts with the times, the intercontinental playoffs also change slightly to fit the back-end of the qualifying system.
Advertisement
Advertisement
How do the playoffs work?
The UEFA and intercontinental editions have different entry methods, and the European version has a larger field, but each is essentially the same format: a single-elimination tournament in which teams will compete to reach a final, the winners of which will qualify for the World Cup.
2026 UEFA playoffs format
The second-place teams in each of the 16 UEFA qualifying groups advance to the playoffs, along with the four best-ranked group winners from the latest UEFA Nations League who failed to qualify automatically for the World Cup.
The teams are split into four pathways, each with four teams, contesting a four-team mini-bracket to determine the final qualifiers.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Both semifinals and finals are single-elimination matches, with extra time and penalties used if necessary to determine a winner. The host of each path’s final was chosen by a random draw. The seeded teams play their semifinals at home.
Pathway 1
Semifinal
Date
Advertisement
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
Advertisement
2:45 p.m.
Italy vs. Northern Ireland
New Balance Arena (Bergamo, Italy)
March 26
Advertisement
2:45 p.m.
Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff, Wales)
Final
Advertisement
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Advertisement
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Italy/N. Ireland
TBD (Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina winner host)
Advertisement
Pathway 2
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Advertisement
Location
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Ukraine vs. Sweden
Advertisement
Estadi Ciutat de Valencia (Valencia, Spain)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Poland vs. Albania
Advertisement
PGE Narodowy (Warsaw, Poland)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Advertisement
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Advertisement
Ukraine/Sweden vs. Poland/Albania
TBD (Ukraine/Sweden winner host)
Pathway 3
Semifinal
Date
Advertisement
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
Advertisement
12 p.m.
Turkey vs. Romania
Besiktas Stadyumu (Istanbul, Turkey)
March 26
Advertisement
2:45 p.m.
Slovakia vs. Kosovo
Tehelne pole (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Final
Advertisement
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Advertisement
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Slovakia/Kosovo vs. Turkey/Romania
TBD (Slovakia/Kosovo winner host)
Advertisement
Pathway 4
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Advertisement
Location
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Denmark vs. North Macedonia
Advertisement
Parken (Copenhagen, Denmark)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Czechia vs. Rep. of Ireland
Advertisement
Fortuna Arena (Prague-Vrsovice, Czechia)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Advertisement
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Advertisement
Czechia/Rep. of Ireland vs. Denmark/N. Macedonia
TBD (Czechia/Rep. of Ireland winner host)
2026 intercontinental playoffs format
The six participants were broken into two three-team brackets, with each bracket producing one qualifier.
The brackets were filled out by the draw, which took place on November 20 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Advertisement
Teams were seeded based on FIFA ranking, with the top two seeds earning a bye to their bracket’s final, while the other four teams contest the semifinals.
Advertisement
Pathway 1
Semifinal
Date
Advertisement
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
Advertisement
7 p.m.
New Caledonia vs. Jamaica
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
Final
Advertisement
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Advertisement
March 31
2 p.m.
DR Congo vs. Semifinal winner
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
Advertisement
Pathway 2
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Advertisement
Location
March 26
1 p.m.
Bolivia vs. Suriname
Advertisement
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Advertisement
Match
Location
March 31
8 p.m.
Advertisement
Iraq vs. Semifinal winner
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)
Which teams are playing in the World Cup playoffs?
Six teams will contest the 2026 FIFA intercontinental playoff, producing the final two World Cup participants. In the UEFA edition, 16 teams will compete for another two spots in the tournament proper.
Teams in UEFA playoffs
In the UEFA playoffs, the 12 group runners-up are joined by four qualifiers from the UEFA Nations League.
Advertisement
First up are the highest-ranked group winners yet to qualify, from League A all the way down to League D. If there are fewer than four of those remaining yet to qualify, they move to the highest-ranked group runners-up from the Nations League.
Nation
Qualified via
FIFA rank
Advertisement
Slovakia
Group A runner-up
44
Kosovo
Advertisement
Group B runner-up
79
Denmark
Group C runner-up
Advertisement
21
Ukraine
Group D runner-up
30
Advertisement
Turkey
Group E runner-up
25
Rep. of Ireland
Advertisement
Group F runner-up
59
Poland
Group G runner-up
Advertisement
34
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group H runner-up
71
Advertisement
Italy
Group I runner-up
13
Wales
Advertisement
Group J runner-up
35
Albania
Group K runner-up
Advertisement
63
Czechia
Group L runner-up
43
Advertisement
Romania
UEFA Nations League
49
Sweden
Advertisement
UEFA Nations League
42
Northern Ireland
UEFA Nations League
Advertisement
69
North Macedonia
UEFA Nations League
65
Advertisement
Teams in intercontinental playoffs
Each confederation will produce one participant, while CONCACAF will have two. The below table details how they qualified for this phase.
Nation
Confederation
Qualified via
Advertisement
FIFA rank
Iraq
AFC
AFC playoff winner
Advertisement
58
DR Congo
CAF
CAF playoff winner
Advertisement
48
Jamaica
CONCACAF
Highest-ranking group runner-up
Advertisement
70
Suriname
CONCACAF
Second highest-ranking group runner-up
Advertisement
123
Bolivia
CONMEBOL
Seventh-place finisher
Advertisement
76
New Caledonia
OFC
Qualifying tournament runner-up
Advertisement
150
When are the World Cup playoffs?
Both the UEFA and intercontinental playoffs will be contested in the March FIFA international window.
Advertisement
All semifinals are on March 26, with the finals on March 31.
Advertisement
At the conclusion of these events, all 48 World Cup participants for the 2026 tournament will be confirmed.
Where are the World Cup playoffs played?
In the UEFA playoffs, the seeded teams play their semifinals at home. The home teams for the finalists are determined by a draw conducted in advance.
This is different to how the inter-confederation playoffs are staged.
Traditionally, the FIFA intercontinental playoffs are hosted by the same host nation that the coming World Cup will be contested in.
Advertisement
With the 2026 World Cup set to be played across three countries (USA, Canada, and Mexico), FIFA confirmed what the governor of Mexican province Nuevo Leon, Samuel Garcia gave away a month prior — that the intercontinental playoffs will be held in Mexico.
Advertisement
Two venues will hold two matches each — Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
Where will the playoff winners be drawn at the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on December 6, 2025 set the matchups for the 2026 tournament.
Advertisement
With the playoff participants not yet known at the time of the draw, all playoff winners were entered into Pot 4 and drawn accordingly.
The UEFA playoff winners were drawn into groups A, B, D, and F. The intercontinental playoff winners were drawn into groups I and K.
Group A table
Pos
Team
Advertisement
PTS
GP
W
L
Advertisement
D
GF
GA
GD
Advertisement
1.
Mexico
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
2.
South Africa
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
3.
South Korea
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
4.
UEFA Playoff D
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
The UEFA Playoff D qualifier will be either Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia
The UEFA Playoff B qualifier will be either Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania
Group F fixtures
Date
Advertisement
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Sun, Jun. 14
Advertisement
4 p.m.
Netherlands vs. Japan
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Sun, Jun. 14
Advertisement
10 p.m.
UEFA Playoff B Winner vs. Tunisia
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 20
Advertisement
1 p.m.
Tunisia vs. Japan
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 20
Advertisement
12 a.m.
Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Thu, Jun. 25
Advertisement
7 p.m.
Tunisia vs. Netherlands
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Thu, Jun. 25
Advertisement
7 p.m.
Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Group I table
Pos
Advertisement
Team
PTS
GP
W
Advertisement
L
D
GF
GA
Advertisement
GD
1.
France
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
2.
Advertisement
Senegal
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
3.
FIFA Playoff 2
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
4.
Advertisement
Norway
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 2 qualifier will be either Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
Group I fixtures
Date
Time (ET)
Advertisement
Match
Location
Tue, Jun. 16
3 p.m.
Advertisement
France vs. Senegal
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 16
6 p.m.
Advertisement
FIFA Playoff 2 Winner vs. Norway
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Mon, Jun. 22
5 p.m.
Advertisement
France vs. Playoff 2 Winner
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Mon, Jun. 22
8 p.m.
Advertisement
Norway vs. Senegal
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Fri, Jun. 26
3 p.m.
Advertisement
Norway vs. France
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Fri, Jun. 26
3 p.m.
Advertisement
Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 Winner
BMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Group K table
Pos
Team
Advertisement
PTS
GP
W
L
Advertisement
D
GF
GA
GD
Advertisement
1.
Portugal
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
2.
FIFA Playoff 1
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
3.
Uzbekistan
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
4.
Colombia
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
0
0
0
0
Advertisement
The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 1 qualifier will be either DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.
Group K fixtures
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Advertisement
Location
Fri, Jun. 17
1 p.m.
Portugal vs. TBD
Advertisement
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Fri, Jun. 17
10 p.m.
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
Advertisement
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Tue, Jun. 23
1 p.m.
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
Advertisement
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Tue, Jun. 23
10 p.m.
Colombia vs. TBD
Advertisement
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 27
7:30 p.m.
Colombia vs. Portugal
Advertisement
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jun. 27
7:30 p.m.
TBD vs. Uzbekistan
Advertisement
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
World Cup playoff history, past results
UEFA playoffs
UEFA has been using a playoff system since 2010, when they were removed from contention at the intercontinental playoff and broken off into their own system.
In the first iteration of the UEFA playoff, eight teams qualified and were matched up by random draw in four two-legged pairings to determine the four qualifiers. It remained this way until the 2022 cycle when it was changed to the current format.
Advertisement
Advertisement
While there were only three playoff qualifiers at in 2022, that has been moved to four with the expansion to 48 teams for the 2026 competition.
Year
Qualifier
Defeated in Final
Advertisement
2010
France
Rep. of Ireland
Portugal
Advertisement
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Greece
Ukraine
Slovenia
Advertisement
Russia
2014
Portugal
Sweden
Advertisement
France
Ukraine
Greece
Romania
Advertisement
Croatia
Iceland
2018
Switzerland
Advertisement
Northern Ireland
Croatia
Greece
Denmark
Advertisement
Rep. of Ireland
Sweden
Italy
2022
Advertisement
Wales
Ukraine
Poland
Sweden
Advertisement
Portugal
North Macedonia
Intercontinental playoffs
This is the first year that six teams will participate in the intercontinental playoff.
The first edition of the intercontinental playoff was just two teams, as Iran and Australia matched up for a two-legged playoff to determine the final World Cup participant.
Advertisement
From 2002 all the way until 2022, the intercontinental playoff saw four teams participate, pushing for two qualifying spots.
Year
Qualifier
Confederation
Advertisement
1998
Iran*
AFC
2002
Advertisement
Rep. of Ireland
UEFA
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
Advertisement
2006
Trinidad & Tobago
CONCACAF
Australia
Advertisement
OFC
2010
New Zealand
OFC
Advertisement
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
2014
Uruguay
Advertisement
CONMEBOL
Mexico
CONCACAF
2018
Advertisement
Australia
AFC
Peru
CONMEBOL
Advertisement
2022
Australia
AFC
Costa Rica
Advertisement
CONCACAF
* Progressed via away goals rule after 3-3 aggregate draw
Man Utd youngster Kai Rooney has confirmed he is out for the rest of the season after picking up an injury recently.
11:05, 26 Mar 2026Updated 11:13, 26 Mar 2026
Advertisement
Manchester United academy youngster Kai Rooney has picked up an injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season and deny him the chance of featuring in the Under-18s bid for FA Youth Cup glory.
Rooney, 16, was part of the Under-16s side that won the Premier League Shield and the academy prospect has featured for Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s at times this season.
It has been a productive campaign for the forward, who is following in the footsteps of dad Wayne by trying to earn a career at Old Trafford, but the injury he has picked up will bring it to a premature end.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Advertisement
“Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season,” Rooney wrote on Instagram on Thursday morning.
Rooney picked up an injury earlier in the campaign as well, but he will still look back on 2025/26 fondly, having also won the Super Cup NI with the younger age group.
He also earned his breakthrough with the Under-18s. He has two goals and an assist in six U18 Premier League fixtures, with that tally coming in just 119 minutes of action.
The youngster also made his first appearance at OId Trafford, playing 21 minutes in the FA Youth Cup fourth-round win against Derby County, while he was an unused substitute in the quarter-final success against Sunderland.
Advertisement
It promises to be a thrilling end to the campaign for the Under-18s, who face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup, play the same opponents at Selhurst Park in the Premier League Cup final and are locked in a battle with Manchester City at the top of the league.
Having come off the bench in the last three games, Rooney would have been hoping to play his part in the charge for silverware until his injury blow.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Mohamed Salah is to leave Liverpool at the end of this season, the Premier League champions announced Tuesday ending an “illustrious” nine years on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old Egypt forward arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 and has made 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals.
Salah’s form has dipped in his ninth year at Anfield, to such an extent that he was dropped for a stretch of games late last year – leading to the winger telling reporters in an impromptu interview that the club “has thrown me under the bus”.
“Unfortunately the day has come,” Salah said in a post on Instagram Tuesday.
Advertisement
“I never imagined,” he added, “how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit. I can’t explain in words to anyone not part of this club.”
2025 AFCON: Egypt begins its bid to win tournament with Mohamed Salah
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.
Advertisement
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – African Cup of Nations Qualification – Group C – Egypt v Cape Verde – Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt – September 6, 2024 Egypt’s Mohamed Salah shoots at goal REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File PhotoREUTERS – Amr Abdallah Dalsh
The Instagram post came around the same time as Liverpool published a six-paragraph statement announcing the imminent departure of a club great.
“Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season,” the statement said.
“The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.
Advertisement
“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”
In-form Salah had scored in three of his past four starts after an uncharacteristic lean spell.
Salah, who is rarely absent through injury, appeared to be back in the fold at Anfield after a dramatic fallout with Liverpool manager Arne Slot earlier in the season.
Advertisement
Despite his recent good form, Salah has scored just five Premier League goals this season, compared with 29 in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign in 2024/25.
Who is India’s greatest-ever cricket captain? It is a debate that has raged on for years, across generations, and will undoubtedly continue to. From Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in the 1960s to Rohit Sharma in the 2020s, there are several candidates. Now, Sourav Ganguly has had his say on the matter. Ganguly is himself regarded as one of India’s greatest-ever captains, having led the team during the early 2000s and paved the way for future success. But he had a simple answer to the question.
When asked to choose India’s greatest-ever captain between himself and MS Dhoni, Ganguly leaned towards the latter.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MS Dhoni has won a World Cup, while I have been a runner-up,” Ganguly said at a TV9 summit.
Advertisement
“Dhoni has won the World Cup, and I would say he was an outstanding white-ball captain,” Ganguly added.
Ganguly further praised Dhoni for rising out of Jharkhand, which is a state that had not seen many cricketers play for India before him.
“I feel proud that he came from a small place like Jharkhand. Before him, not many players from there represented the country. To come from there and become such a legend is something to be proud of,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly added that Dhoni’s rise would’ve given confidence and belief to the youth of the area, and took the example of 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who hails from Jharkhand’s neighbouring state of Bihar.
Advertisement
“When someone from a state makes it big at the highest level, it creates an impact, it builds confidence – ‘If Mahi can do it, I can do it.’ Take Vaibhav Suryavanshi, for example. Yes, he is from Bihar, but he must have grown up watching Dhoni,” Ganguly said.
“I feel proud because I am from Bengal and he is from Jharkhand. These regions haven’t produced as many cricketers as places like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru. That is why I take great pride in MS Dhoni,” he added.
Dhoni made his India debut under Ganguly’s captaincy in 2004. He went on to lead India to Cricket World Cup glory in 2011, to the T20 World Cup title in 2007 and the Champions Trophy in 2015.
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) walks off the field after their win against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After the Kyler Murray signing, I figured the Vikings were set at quarterback, with Murray and J.J. McCarthy dueling for the starting spot while both tried to stay healthy, and Max Brosmer would continue to develop as a cheap third QB.
Then the news hit that the Vikings re-signed Carson Wentz to a one-year, $3 million contract with a $1.1 million signing bonus and $2.645 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac. My first thought was that this further muddies the waters at the most important position for the Vikings.
My second thought was that they want to make sure they don’t ever go into a game with a rookie QB starting his first NFL game against the eventual Super Bowl champs, which was the case in the 26-0 Week 13 shutout in Seattle, when Brosmer had a dismal performance.
Advertisement
How Wentz’s Return Reshapes the Vikings’ QB Hierarchy
That won’t happen in 2026 with two QBs in Murray and Wentz, who have 186 regular-season starts (and two playoff starts) between them, plus McCarthy started 10 games last season, and Brosmer had two starts.
This assumes both Murray and Wentz make the team, which is not automatic, since neither player has a big dead-money hit if cut or traded due to poor performance, bad chemistry in the QB room, or a trade offer too good to pass up. The 23-year-old McCarthy is not going anywhere after the team invested the No. 10 overall pick (in 2024) in him as a potential future franchise QB, and despite his early struggles as injuries piled up, he is 6-4 as an NFL starter.
On October 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz went through pregame drills before the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran passer, facing his former team for the first time in purple, displayed sharp focus during warmups as fans packed the stands for the highly anticipated reunion against one of the NFC’s top defensive units. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Yet the fact that Murray and Wentz are in the house tells us Kevin O’Connell is not yet convinced that McCarthy can be counted on in 2026 to be consistent and accurate enough to lead an offense with plenty of supporting talent, and adds the caveat that he has not yet had an injury-free season.
Which brings me to my next thought on the Vikings quarterback situation and McCarthy specifically.
Advertisement
What if O’Connell decides to give McCarthy another red-shirt year and goes with Murray as the starter and Wentz as the No. 2 this season? That will mean McCarthy would be through his third NFL accrued season, as he received an accrued season in his rookie year of 2024, since he was on IR for at least six games, and a second accrued season in 2025.
As he then heads into his fourth season in 2027, the Vikings will be faced with a deadline around May 1 next year to exercise the fifth-year option for McCarthy’s rookie contract at a fully guaranteed amount of an estimated $23 million. If McCarthy rides the bench this season, how could the Vikings make that commitment to a still unproven player with an injury history?
The team could then be looking at what the Giants dealt with after they didn’t exercise Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option in 2022 and wound up overpaying him on a $40 million per year deal when he did have a very good season in that final year of his four-year rookie deal (including his playoff win over the Vikings) before injuries and poor play derailed him in New York. Jones wound up in Indianapolis last year, where he played well enough before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 to earn a two-year deal that could reach $100 million with incentives.
And what if Murray plays well, stays healthy, and leads the Vikings on a playoff run this season? Then the Vikings won’t want a repeat of Sam Darnold leaving for Seattle after his 14-win season, so Murray would likely be re-signed to at least a three-year deal in 2027 with no fifth-year option for McCarthy, who would remain in a backup role for his fourth season and almost certainly sign elsewhere in 2028. Thus, another No. 1 pick down the drain for the Vikings, and the fear McCarthy—still only 26 years old—flourishes for another team.
Advertisement
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis against the Green Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy operating within the structure of the offense early, as Minnesota looked to establish rhythm and tempo during a high-stakes divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
There are so many ways this Vikings QB drama can play out over the next few years, beginning at OTAs in the coming months, through training camp/preseason, and into the upcoming season.
The Vikings certainly wish McCarthy had not hurt his knee and sat on IR for his rookie season and that he would have played better early last season and not sprained his ankle to open the door for Wentz (who as we know played so-so—2-3 record in five starts with six TD passes, five interceptions and a lackluster 85.8 passer rating—but he’ll have a better handle on O’Connell’s offense this year as will McCarthy after his 10 starts with a strong finish but it was not enough to prevent the arrival of Murray and the return of Wentz).
The good news for the team is that the combined 2026 salary cap hit for their four QBs is only $11.3 million. The bad news is the uncertainty at such a critical position.
Yet I understand why O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski decided to load up with Murray and Wentz, despite further muddying the waters for McCarthy and, to some extent, Murray. More options create more competition and protection against a repeat of the injuries that hit the QB room last year.
The best-case scenario for the Vikings is McCarthy taking a major step forward this season by claiming the starting role through improved play if he gets the chance due to Murray faltering in a new system or getting hurt again (he missed 21 games over the last three seasons with knee and foot injuries), and O’Connell going with McCarthy over Wentz.
Advertisement
And McCarthy leading the team back to the playoffs and on a playoff run to cement his position moving forward to the point the Vikings exercise his fifth-year option (while waiting for another quality season from McCarthy before he gets a huge second contract).
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One thing is for sure: there will be an abundance of quarterback drama and fan interest in the Vikings QB battle this year.
Around the NFL free agency/trade observations
1. Instead of opening the 2026 NFL season on Thursday in Week 1, which is the usual custom for the defending Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks will host the opener on Wednesday, September 9, to allow for a Thursday night game in Melbourne, Australia between the Rams and 49ers.
That will be the first of a record nine international games this coming season. Other sites are London (three games), Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Paris.
Advertisement
Early speculation is that the Seahawks will host either the Patriots (in a Super Bowl rematch), the Chiefs, the Cowboys, or the Bears in the Week 1 opener. Patrick Mahomes posted a video of himself in a throwing session as he continues his rehab following ACL surgery in December.
He is targeting a Week 1 return, and given his competitiveness and dedication, I don’t doubt he’ll play in the opener, which could be in Seattle, to play up the drama of his possible return.
Carson Wentz lines up at midfield on September 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin as the Vikings opened play against the Steelers in an NFL International Series matchup, taking the snap atop the league shield during first-quarter action overseas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Vikings have been regulars on the international circuit in recent years but may get the year off after playing back-to-back last season in Dublin and London (with a loss to the Steelers and a win over the Browns).
As a former team travel coordinator for the Vikings early in my career, I was in charge of preseason game trips to London and Sweden, so I understand all too well the logistical challenges of playing overseas.
2. With the news that the negotiations for a new CBA between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association are not going well at this stage, it brings up the possibility of a work stoppage that would force the use of replacement officials early in the upcoming season.
Advertisement
The last time that happened was during the first three weeks of the 2012 season, and it did not go well for the league, with plenty of controversy and unhappy coaches and players due to the relatively poor job the replacement officials did compared to the regular officials. For the sake of the sport, let’s hope this labor issue gets resolved before the season.
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
Gujarat Titans have significantly expanded their commercial portfolio ahead of IPL 2026, onboarding a total of 37 partners as the franchise continues to strengthen its brand presence. The development reflects not just an increase in numbers but a broader strategy focused on long-term value, deeper collaborations, and a diversified partnership ecosystem.
Since their title-winning debut in 2022, Gujarat Titans have steadily built a reputation for consistency on and off the field. The current mix of partnerships — ranging from renewals to new additions — highlights sustained trust in the franchise’s growing stature and its ability to deliver visibility and engagement.
Advertisement
Strong on-kit partnerships anchor ecosystem
At the centre of the Titans’ commercial structure is a well-established on-kit portfolio. Birla Estates continues as the principal partner, occupying the prime front-of-jersey position. The association reflects a long-term alignment between the brand and the franchise’s ambitions.
The core group is further strengthened by continuing partnerships with Torrent, BKT Tyres, Jio, Astral Pipes, and Livpure. These associations underline continuity while also pointing to deeper integration between the team and its key stakeholders.
New integrations enhance match-day visibility
Gujarat Titans have also added fresh partnerships to boost on-field visibility. Brands such as Google Pixel, Grew Solar, and IGI have joined the ecosystem, ensuring a strong presence across match-day assets.
Advertisement
Equitas has also upgraded its association, moving from helmet branding to a more prominent position on the team jersey. The shift indicates growing confidence among partners in the franchise’s reach and engagement potential.
Diversified portfolio reflects wider reach
Beyond the playing kit, the franchise has focused on building a diverse and future-ready partner mix. Technology-driven collaborations, including those with Google’s platforms, are aimed at enhancing digital engagement and fan interaction, while AirAsia brings a lifestyle and travel dimension to the portfolio.
Advertisement
Consumer-facing brands such as Campa, Budweiser 0.0, Amul, Dream11, and Scapia continue to strengthen mass appeal. At the same time, partnerships with gaming and youth-focused platforms such as Krafton, Pokémon, and Big Ant highlight the team’s push towards engaging younger audiences.
Expansion into emerging and service sectors
The Titans have also broadened their footprint across emerging and service-driven categories. Associations with Bharat Taxi, Finkeda, Next Care Inc., HCG Hospital, and Max Fresh add value across mobility, fintech, healthcare, and personal care segments, reflecting a more holistic commercial strategy.
Focus on fan engagement and accessibility
Fan experience remains a central pillar, with BookMyShow continuing as the ticketing partner, ensuring streamlined access to matches. Radio partnerships with Mirchi and Fever are expected to enhance regional outreach and audience engagement throughout the season.
Merchandise push extends brand presence
Off the field, Gujarat Titans are expanding their retail and merchandise footprint through collaborations with T10, EM, Hapipola, Baller Athletik, Versant, Chupps, Cricket Icons, and Valiente. These partnerships aim to take the franchise brand beyond stadiums and into everyday consumer spaces.
Advertisement
Franchise targets long-term value creation
The franchise leadership believes the growing partner base reflects increasing confidence in the Titans’ vision and identity. The management indicated that these collaborations are focused not just on visibility but on building long-term relationships that deliver consistent value both on and off the field.
Betting sign up offers and free bets are available from betting sites for signing up and betting online.
At The Independent, our experts have used their impartial and detailed analysis to find new and existing customers the best betting sign up offers and free bets on the market.
We have stringent criteria when it comes to picking our top betting offers available. Our experts focus on accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and regularity when selecting the best options out there.
Every betting site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that new and existing customers are using a reputable betting operator.
Advertisement
Free bets can be claimed from betting sites by new and existing customers, allowing bettors to bet without risking their own money.
Terms and conditions are attached to free bets and betting offers. Usually, bettors must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to claim a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.
Wagering requirements can be attached to free bet offers, which means winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw funds as cash, but this is more common on casino sites.
Types of free bets
Advertisement
Bet & Get: The most common betting sign-up offer, bet a minimum amount, meet the T&Cs and receive a free bet bonus.
Moneyback specials: Typically an ongoing free bet promo, whereby punters get their money back as a free bet if there’s an underwhelming outcome such as a 0-0 draw.
Free bet clubs: Loyalty reward schemes aimed at those who bet regularly with one bookmaker in particular.
Enhanced odds with free bet winnings: A bookmaker offers a wildly inflated price on a popular market, such as 40/1 on Man City to win, with winnings paid out as free bets.
No deposit free bets: These are rare, but can be obtained via free-to-play prediction games on several online bookmakers.
Free bets are straightforward to use for customers, although the way they can be deployed may differ depending on your chosen bookmaker.
Usually, betting sites will have a box or toggle on your bet slip that users can tick or move to confirm free bets on their bet.
An important note. If your bet wins, you only keep the profit, the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.
Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for this week’s major sporting events.
Advertisement
William Hill: Wales World Cup Epic Boost
William Hill are offering an Epic Boost price for Wales to qualify for the World Cup play-off final on Thursday.
Customers can claim the Epic Boost price of evens boosted from 2/5 for Wales to advance from their World Cup play-off semi-final clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Qualifying bets must be placed before kick-off and customers are limited to a maximum £10 stake.
Advertisement
Paddy Power: Free Bet Builder Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Paddy Power are offering customers a free bet builder for users that place a qualifying bet builder on Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
To qualify, customers must opt-in on the free bet offer before placing a £2 bet builder on the World Cup play-off clash with three selections or more and odds of evens or greater.
Once the qualifying bet has settled, customers will receive a free bet builder worth £2 to use on football. Free bet builder expires within seven days.
Advertisement
Bet365: Bet Builder Boost 25% World Cup Playoffs
Bet365 are offering 25 per cent bet builder boosts on select games for tonight’s round of World Cup play-off matches.
Customers can claim the betting offer for matches including Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina and Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland.
Qualifying bet builders must include three selections or more and odds of evens or greater, with users selecting the bet builder boost option in their bet slip.
Advertisement
Winning bet builders will be paid out with the 25 per cent boost.
Betting Site
Offer Type
Min. Bet
Advertisement
Free Bet Value
Best For
Coral
Welcome bonus
Advertisement
£5
£30
Low-stake sign up value
Betano
Advertisement
Welcome bonus
£10
£50
Football free bets
Advertisement
Tote
Welcome bonus
£10
£30
Advertisement
Horse racing free bets
Bet365
Moneyback special
£10
Advertisement
£10
Ongoing money-back as free bet offers
Virgin Bet
Free Bet Club
Advertisement
£20
£5 weekly
Ongoing rewards for regular bettors
Free bets value for money (Independent)
Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.
Coral – Best low-stake betting sign up offer
Advertisement
Coral offer the best low stake betting sign up offer allowing new customers to secure £30 in free bets after signing up and betting just £5 on any sports bet of their choice.
There’s plenty of flexibility over where users can place their qualifying bet. Customers can choose any sport with odds of 1/2 odds or greater, only Bet365 has a lower threshold among welcome offers, but their value is not as high as Coral’s.
Time is also on your side using Coral. Customers can take up to 14 days after sign up to make their first bet and still qualify for the betting sign up offer.
Coral rewards customers with £30 in free bets for betting just £5 online (The Independent)
Payout is also prompt as soon as your qualifying bet settles. Coral will credit your account with £30 in free bets within 24 hours. These free bets are paid out in 6 x £5 free bets, giving customers plenty of scope to use their funds.
These free bets are fairly flexible as 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Coral, while the remaining £10 free bet balance is reserved for 1 x £5 football bet builder and a 1x £5 horse racing bet builder.
Advertisement
It’s arguaaly the best £5 deposit betting site around as customers secure a 600% return from their first deposit and bet. For first-time bettors it’s a perfect betting sign up offer for value.
Betano – Best football betting sign up offer
Betano is the best option for punters looking for free bets at leading football betting sites, with the Betano sign up offer providing £50 in free bets with an initial wager of just £10 (an excellent return for a low entry stake).
The offer includes a straightforward qualifying bet with minimum odds of evens and no accumulator required, while the 30-day expiry on free bets gives users flexibility, with plenty of time to use bonuses.
Advertisement
Newcomers can get £50 in free bets after an initial £10 bet (iStock/The Independent)
This new betting site provides great variety on its football markets – from match odds and BTTS to goalscorers, correct scores and much more – and users will also find regular offers and promotions once signed up to the site.
Tote – Best for horse racing free bets
The Tote betting sign up offer is an excellent choice for horse racing fans, with a £10 bet returning £30 in racing value – a strong 3x reward for such a low qualifying stake.
The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers.
The Tote website performs equally well on mobile and desktop (iStock/The Independent)
The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low.
Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites.
Advertisement
Bet365 – Best for moneyback as a free bet
Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events.
Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails. The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify.
Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent.
Advertisement
Bet365 customers can get up to £10 back as a free bet on losing racing and football bets (iStock/The Independent)
Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer.
The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows. Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds.
Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed.
Virgin Bet – Best free bet club
Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas.
Advertisement
Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs.
Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100.
Claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas on Virgin Bet (iStock/The Independent)
You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.
In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility.
After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits.
Advertisement
Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:
Stake not returned on free bets
Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.
Short expiry windows
Advertisement
Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way.
Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added.
Bet builder or market restrictions
Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events. These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk.
Advertisement
Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet.
Minimum odds requirements
Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value.
Cash-Out and In-Play exclusions
Advertisement
Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets.
These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion.
Wagering requirements and bonus conditions
Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.
Advertisement
Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.
Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.
1. Licensing
Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.
Advertisement
The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.
2. Security
Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.
3. Reputation
Advertisement
Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.
4. Mobile
With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.
Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.
Advertisement
5. Experience
The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.
Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods.
6. Value
Advertisement
Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.
Why trust us?
Chris Wilson is a betting content producer and sports reporter who has been working at The Independent since 2023.
He writes betting tips across a range of sporting events as well as reviewing dozens of betting sites and casino sites across the UK.
Chris has extensively tested and reviewed offers from established operators and new betting sites to find the best free bet offers for readers of The Independent.
Advertisement
Responsible gambling is always at the forefront of his research, ensuring customers have a fair and secure experience claiming and using betting offers online.
If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.
When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.
Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
Are free bets withdrawable?
No, it is not possible to withdraw a free bet. It must be used according to the terms and conditions of the free bet offer or it will be forfeited.
Advertisement
Can you cash out free bets?
In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings.
What does money back in free bets mean?
This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash – only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet.
Advertisement
What is the best betting sign up offer available now?
In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets.
What betting sites give free bets without a deposit?
Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM.
Advertisement
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Atlanta United FC owner Arthur Blank has named longtime Mexican Football Federation executive Mauricio Culebro to be president of the United of MLS as well as Blank’s NWSL franchise which debuts in 2028.
“This is an exciting day as we welcome Mauricio to Atlanta and our family of businesses,” Blank said in a statement released through his AMB Sports and Entertainment, which includes among its properties the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Atlanta Drive of the TGL indoor golf league, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“As we progressed through the search process, Mauricio’s impressive experience and clear vision to elevate our clubs made him an outstanding fit to lead Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028.”
Culebro has spent five years as president of Tigres UANL and has also been chief operating officer of the Mexican Football Federation.
Advertisement
Blank said that though Culebro is new to MLS, he is no stranger to “building and operating successful global soccer clubs,” adding that he is “fully confident in his ability to help return Atlanta United to the level our fans deserve, while leading the launch of our NWSL club.”
Culebro also led Mexico’s planning for its role in hosting the upcoming World Cup this summer.
“It is an honor to join AMBSE’s highly successful leadership team and become part of an organization with such a strong culture and foundation already in place,” Culebro said. “I am excited to put my experience, passion and commitment at the service of Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028, working alongside a great team to build long-term projects our fans can feel proud of — teams that truly represent the passion, energy and ambition of this city.”
![BREAKING! Did Trump Fake Iran Peace Talks? [Bitcoin Already Reacting]](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1774524428_maxresdefault-80x80.jpg)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login