Manuel Neuer will be taking to the field as goalkeeper in Germany’s first 2026 World Cup match against Curacao on Sunday, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Saturday. 

“All the players are fit and Manu will start,” Nagelsmann said at his pre-match press conference.

Neuer brought out of national retirement

The match in Houston in the US state of Texas will be the 40-year-old goalkeeper’s first appearance for Germany in nearly two years.

He has been brought out of international retirement after he helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title and reach the Champions League semi-finals this season.

A calf injury kept Neuer out of recent warm-up friendlies against Finland and the US, both won by Germany.

Germany seeking ‘perfect performance’ against Curacao

Nagelsmann said Germany would be striving for excellence in the match against Curacao, which is taking part in its first World Cup.

The Curacao players “are all well-trained and can go into the tournament without pressure. That always makes an opponent dangerous,” Nagelsmann said.

“You never win a match just because you’re favorites. We will win a match only if we produce a perfect performance,” he said. 

Follow our Germany live updates for more.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar

Esteemed trainer Robert Garcia has offered his expert opinion on a potential clash between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney, who have verbally agreed to meet at a catchweight of 144lbs.

The two American stars are both rumoured to be joining Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, seemingly with a view to collide under the promotional banner.

While nothing is confirmed, the pair have been going back-and-forth on social media, with Haney verbally agreeing to travel 3lbs below his preferred fighting weight.

‘The Dream’ claimed his WBO welterweight title in November, becoming a three-division world champion by dethroning and unanimously outpointing Brian Norman Jr.

It was confirmed by the WBO earlier this week, however, that Haney would be stripped of his belt if he ends up facing Stevenson at a 144lb catchweight because the 27-year-old has been ordered to face mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis.

If they do ultimately square off at 144lbs, though, top trainer Garcia has told Fight Hub TV that he would favour the WBO super-lightweight champion by the slightest of margins.

“Honestly, I think it’s a great matchup for both. They both fight very smart – they don’t make [many] mistakes.

“The first one that makes a mistake, the other one is going to take advantage of it. It’s a tough fight. By a very slight difference, I probably think Shakur [would win]. He’s too smart.

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“What I like about Haney is that he’s the one willing to take that chance. He’d be willing to take that risk, and that’s where I think Shakur takes advantage [of his mistake].”

Stevenson became a four-division world champion by dethroning Teofimo Lopez in January, claiming a wide unanimous decision victory in his first outing at 140lbs.

The 28-year-old is therefore reluctant to face Haney at 147lbs, where his opponent would boast a significant size advantage.

FIFA has issued World Cup accreditation to French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has confirmed, praising a “strong show of support” from world football’s governing body ahead of the World Cup which kicks off on Thursday.

The freelance reporter was handed a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria last year over an interview with a football official accused of ties to a banned separatist movement.

The FIFA accreditation authorises Gleizes to cover the entire World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, for the French magazine So Foot.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: The full match schedule

The move “is a reminder that the rightful place of this sports journalist and football specialist is not in prison, but in the stadiums and behind the scenes of this major global competition”, RSF head Thibaut Bruttin said in a statement.

Based in Paris, RSF is a prominent media freedom advocacy group and coordinates a support committee for Gleizes.

Gleize’s parents, Sylvie and Francis Godard, expressed their “gratitude” to FIFA in a statement. They also reiterated their appeal for “clemency” from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adding: “This never-ending situation has left us devastated”.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino kept an empty seat for the jailed reporter during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, in a further gesture of support.

Infantino said he hoped that Gleizes, “the only sports journalist currently imprisoned in the world”, would be pardoned by the Algerian president and “even be able to join us during the World Cup”.

Hopes for Independence Day pardon

The 37-year-old reporter was arrested in May 2024 while travelling to northeastern Algeria’s Kabylie region to write about the country’s most decorated football club, JSK.

He was sentenced in June last year to seven years in jail for “glorifying terrorism” after he was earlier convicted of having contact with members of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), a foreign-based group that Algiers has designated a terrorist organisation.

The Godards visited Gleizes in detention last week, telling AFP he was “being treated well but feels increasingly isolated from the outside world”.

His prison sentence, handed down at the height of a diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria, was upheld on appeal in December.

In March, Gleizes withdrew an appeal to the Supreme Court, in the hope of paving the way for a presidential pardon.

The path was further cleared on June 3 when the journalist’s lawyers announced that Algeria’s highest court of appeal had rejected an appeal from prosecutors for a tougher sentence, removing the last obstacle to a possible pardon.

Algeria traditionally issues pardons during major religious and national holidays, including on July 5, the day marking the independence of the North African country from French colonial rule in 1962.

(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)

Bangladesh avoid a scare in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as they beat the Netherlands by six wickets, with five balls to spare at Edgbaston.

MATCH REPORT: Bangladesh avoid upset to edge past Netherlands

Available to UK users only.

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored and Australia spoiled Turkey’s return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for the Socceroos in their group opener as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked on. Australia was playing in its sixth straight World Cup and seventh overall.

Turkey reached the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup but then missed five straight tournaments before qualifying this year by beating Kosovo in a playoff.

Irankunda broke through for the Socceroos in the 27th minute with a low shot while pursued by three defenders. It came less than a minute after the first-half hydration break. 

Irankunda celebrated by punching the corner flag in a tribute to Australian soccer legend Tim Cahill. The 20-year-old who plays for Watford is the Socceroo’s youngest-ever goal scorer at a World Cup.

Minutes later Beach stopped Abdulkerim Bardakci’s blast from distance. Beach started in goal for the Socceroos rather than experienced counterpart Matthew Ryan in a surprise decision from coach Tony Popovic.

Kenan Yildiz, a 21-year-old who plays for Juventus, was not in the starting lineup but subbed in for Turkey at half-time.

Turkey had a dangerous free kick in the 57th minute, but Arda Guler’s attempt was saved by Beach. Guler, a talented 21-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Real Madrid, was not yet born the last time Turkey played in the World Cup.

Connor Metcalfe capitalized on Ismail Yuksek’s turnover in the 75th minute to double the Socceroos’ lead. The Socceroos fell to France in the opener in Qatar but then beat Tunisia and Denmark in their group before getting knocked out by eventual champion Argentina in the round of 16.

It is the third World Cup appearance for the Turks, who reached the tournament for the first time in 1954.

The teams are in Group D with the United States and Paraguay. The Americans downed Paraguay 4-1 in their group opener on Friday in Los Angeles.

While Real Madrid and Inter Milan met on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, the occasion was not a competitive fixture but the annual Corazón Classic Match, a charity game featuring legends from both clubs.

However, the presence of Inter president Giuseppe Marotta at the event has sparked speculation about possible transfer discussions between the two European giants ahead of the summer window.

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Inter eyeing multiple Real Madrid stars

Indeed, according to Italian news agency ANSA (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Marotta led the Inter delegation for the charity match and, used the occasion to hold conversations with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Although no official details have emerged, the meeting could lead to potential transfer business between the clubs in the coming months.

Inter Milan are huge admirers of Nico Paz. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

One player who has long been admired by the Nerazzurri is Nico Paz. The Argentine attacking midfielder has impressed since joining Como and continues to attract interest from several clubs.

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However, both Como and Real Madrid are reluctant to consider a sale.

Even though his return this summer is no longer on the agenda, Los Blancos retain a strong interest in the player’s development and view him as part of their long-term plans, making any deal particularly complicated.

More players on the agenda

Moreover, as per the report, other Real Madrid players are also being considered as potential targets by Inter Milan.

The report claims that Rodrygo Goes, Endrick and Franco Mastantuono have all appeared on the Italian club’s radar.

Mastantuono could leave on loan. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

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Of those names, Mastantuono is the most realistic subjects of speculation. The youngster faces an uncertain situation ahead of the new season, with increased competition for places in Real Madrid’s attacking line.

Any decision regarding his future will likely depend on manager Jose Mourinho’s assessment during pre-season.

For now, there is no evidence of formal negotiations between the clubs, but Inter’s interest in several Madrid players highlights the strong relationship between the two institutions and the opportunities that may emerge during the transfer window.

As the summer market gathers momentum, Rodrygo, Endrick and Nico Paz could all remain names to watch, even if any potential deal would require significant movement from both clubs before becoming a realistic possibility.

The UFC is headed to the White House with a seven-fight card bursting with quality. Naturally, most of the attention is on the two title fights: Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. 

The heat between Topuria and Gaethje has intensified throughout the week in D.C. Topuria took exception to Gaethje father calling him “another short guy” as well as the interim champion appearing to reference his now ex-wife after a nasty divorce. Gaethje, for his part, doesn’t believe he ever made a bad comment about Topuria’s ex and believes that the champion is just looking for extra motivation.

Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC Freedom 250 live for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!

The co-main event on Sunday night is equally compelling to fight fans. Pereira, in just 12 fights over five years, has become one of the most beloved action stars of a generation. After conquering both middleweight and light heavyweight, the Brazilian looks to make history by taking a piece of the heavyweight title, which would make him the first fighter to do so across three divisions. He faces Gane, who has repeatedly come up short in these spots. 

Gane holds a 10-2, 1 NC record in UFC since joining the promotion in 2019. He earned the interim title once before, defeating Derrick Lewis by TKO in 2021. But he failed to unify the title in a decision loss to Francis Ngannou and then was quickly submitted by Jon Jones in 2023 for the vacant title. Gane then returned to the title picture in 2025 and looked strong against Tom Aspinall before delivering a brutal double eye poke that ended the fight in a no contest.

But the undercard boasts an impressive blend of knockout artists, fast-rising stars and fan favorites.

Elsewhere on Saturday, fast rising heavyweight sensation Josh Hokit looks to take the next step toward a title shot when he takes on the legendary veteran Derrick Lewis. Hokit announced himself on the scene in just three UFC fights with his last being considered an all-timer against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in Miami. Now, he must get past the all-time knockout leader if he wants to keep rolling into a potential fight with the winner of Saturday’s co-main event.

MORE UFC FREEDOM 250 COVERAGE: Complete staff predictions and picks | Best bets to consider | Viewer’s guide

Ahead of the biggest spectacle in UFC history, take a look at three non-title fights that you can’t miss.

Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis

Hokit understands a simple truth in MMA: (mostly) all publicity is good publicity if you win. Within seven weeks, he’s transformed himself from unranked weirdo to top-five heavyweight on the cusp of a title shot. Make no mistake, that’s where we’re headed if he beats Lewis. Hokit wisely stirred up issues with Alex Pereira and, by proxy, Ilia Topuria at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. It put a Pereira vs. Hokit heavyweight title fight in the public’s mind and attached his name to today’s top stars. The NFL alum is a small, athletic heavyweight with big-man power. His collegiate wrestling background rounds out his game, and his appetite for flipping off opponents gives flair to an unrefined but potent style. Standing in his way is one of UFC’s fan-favorites and all-time knockout leader. Lewis’ best days are behind him, but his power is still ferocious. A KO is highly probable in either direction, and, considering the stage, a title shot could be on the horizon.

Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler

Chandler’s UFC run is one of great fortune and misfortune. The three-time Bellator champion was enlisted as a UFC lightweight title back-up before ever stepping into the Octagon. In his second fight, he nearly won the lightweight title. The cherry on top was supposed to be a fight with Conor McGregor at International Fight Week in 2023. Instead, Chandler burned his remaining prime waiting for a fight that never happened. Now 40, and wearing ridiculous damage, he takes on a talented KO artist entering his prime. Ruffy is a menace, and he’s only evolved since leaving The Fighting Nerds to train with UFC featherweight Alexander Volkanovski’s team. Two years into his UFC run, Ruffy is a top 10 fighter in the sport’s toughest division with highlight reel finishes against Rafael Fiziev and King Green. Chandler is an explosive athlete, but there’s a reason he and rival Justin Gaethje are the biggest underdogs on the card.

Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia

Meet your top candidate for Fight of the Night. Lopes’ second title shot against Volkanovski left him with baggage. The loss validated criticisms that the rematch was unearned, and took some attention away from what got Lopes his first title shot. The man has nerves of steel. A two-pronged offensive threat, Lopes can KO or submit people with equal efficacy. Garcia might be the most under-appreciated contender in the sport. “The Mean Machine” embodies the moniker, a nasty KO artist through and through. Lopes and Garcia have stoppages in nearly 83% of their combined wins — safety isn’t a concern. This is the first fight of the night for a reason. It’ll set an exciting tone and high bar for every fight to match.

Jun 12, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Ilia Topuria (left) and Dana White look on during a press conference for the UFC Freedom 250 at Lincoln Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

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