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CWG 2026: Why athletics could be India’s biggest medal source in Glasgow | Commonwealth Games

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1 day ago

22 July 2026

India will begin its Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign in Glasgow on Thursday, facing a challenge unlike any in recent history. The absence of sports such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis and hockey, which together accounted for nearly half of India’s medals at Birmingham 2022, has significantly altered the country’s medal equation, forcing it to look elsewhere for podium finishes.

That shift has unexpectedly placed athletics at the heart of India’s campaign. But the sport’s growing importance is not simply a consequence of the trimmed programme. It also reflects how dramatically Indian athletics has evolved over the past Olympic cycle.

For perhaps the first time, India arrives at a Commonwealth Games with genuine medal contenders spread across multiple disciplines in both track and field. From former Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra to long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, and from distance runners Gulveer Singh to Parul Chaudhary, the country’s hopes are no longer concentrated on a single athlete or event.

Instead, they are built around a squad that has produced national records, continental titles and world-class performances across throws, jumps, distance running and combined events.

That transformation was evident at Birmingham 2022, where India returned with eight athletics medals despite the absence of the biggest Indian name of the current era, Neeraj Chopra, due to injury.

Four years later, the squad is deeper, more experienced and more accomplished. With multiple athletes capable of challenging for the podium, Glasgow could become the Commonwealth Games where athletics emerges as India’s biggest medal-producing sport.

Full list of Indian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games:

Category	Athlete	Event(s)
Track	Gurindervir Singh	Men’s 100m
Track	Animesh Kujur	Men’s 200m
Track	Vishal TK	Men’s 400m; Mixed 4x400m Relay
Track	Rajesh Ramesh	Men’s 400m; Mixed 4x400m Relay
Track	Gulveer Singh	Men’s 5,000m; Men’s 10,000m
Track	Tejas Shirse	Men’s 110m Hurdles
Track	Yashas Palaksha	Men’s 400m Hurdles
Track	Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan	Men’s 400m Hurdles
Track	Rashdeep Kaur	Women’s 400m; Mixed 4x400m Relay
Track	Neeru Pathak	Women’s 400m; Mixed 4x400m Relay
Track	Ansa Babu	Women’s 400m; Mixed 4x400m Relay
Track	Parul Chaudhary	Women’s 3000m Steeplechase; Women’s 5000m
Track	Priyanka Goswami	Women’s 10,000m Race Walk
Track	Ravina Gaikwad	Women’s 10,000m Race Walk
Field	Dev Meena	Men’s Pole Vault
Field	Kuldeep Kumar	Men’s Pole Vault
Field	Sarvesh Anil Kushare	Men’s High Jump
Field	Aadarsh Ram J	Men’s High Jump
Field	Tejaswin Shankar	Men’s High Jump; Men’s Decathlon
Field	Murali Sreeshankar	Men’s Long Jump
Field	Lokesh Sathyanathan	Men’s Long Jump
Field	Praveen Chithravel	Men’s Triple Jump
Field	Selva Prabhu	Men’s Triple Jump
Field	Samardeep Singh Gill	Men’s Shot Put
Field	Tajinderpal Singh Toor	Men’s Shot Put
Field	Neeraj Chopra	Men’s Javelin Throw
Field	Rohit Yadav	Men’s Javelin Throw
Field	Yash Vir Singh	Men’s Javelin Throw
Field	Pooja Singh	Women’s High Jump
Field	Manpreet Kaur	Women’s Shot Put
Field	Seema Kaliramna	Women’s Discus Throw
Field	Nidhi Rani	Women’s Discus Throw

Why Glasgow has put athletics at the heart of India’s medal hopes

The significance of athletics to India’s Commonwealth Games campaign has never been greater. Glasgow 2026 has reshaped the country’s medal landscape after the Games programme was reduced to just 10 sports, with wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and cricket all dropped.

Those five sports contributed 28 of India’s 61 medals at Birmingham 2022 — nearly 46 per cent of the overall tally. Wrestling alone won 12 medals, while badminton and table tennis added six and seven, respectively. Shooting, another traditional medal source, also remains absent for a second successive edition.

Their omission leaves athletics with an unprecedented opportunity to become India’s biggest medal-winning sport. Historically, India’s Commonwealth success has been driven by wrestling, weightlifting and boxing, while athletics has largely played a supporting role. Since the 2010 Delhi Games, wrestling has won 56 medals, weightlifting 41, boxing 28 and athletics 26.

Unlike boxing and weightlifting, where medal opportunities are restricted by weight categories and athlete quotas, athletics offers multiple chances across throws, jumps, distance running and combined events.

More importantly, India’s medal hopes are now spread across several world-class athletes rather than centred on a single star. That growing depth, coupled with the changing Commonwealth Games programme, gives athletics its best opportunity yet to emerge as the country’s leading medal contributor in Glasgow.

Sports dropped from Birmingham 2022 to Glasgow 2026:

Sport	India medals at Birmingham 2022
Wrestling	12
Table Tennis	7
Badminton	6
Hockey	2
Cricket	1

India’s top medal-winning sports at the last four Commonwealth Games:

Sport	2010	2014	2018	2022	Four Games Total
Shooting	30	17	16	DNF*	63
Wrestling	19	13	12	12	56
Weightlifting	8	14	9	10	41
Boxing	7	5	9	7	28
Athletics	12	3	3	8	26
Table Tennis	5	1	8	7	21
Badminton	4	4	6	6	20

*DNF (Did not feature)

From boom to bust

Looking back, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi represented the high point of Indian athletics at the Commonwealth Games, while the next two editions served as a reality check.

Competing on home soil, India produced one of its finest performances in track and field, winning 12 medals, including historic golds by Krishna Poonia in the women’s discus throw and the women’s 4x400m relay team. Athletics accounted for nearly 12 per cent of India’s record 101-medal haul, underlining its status as one of the country’s leading medal-winning sports.

That momentum, however, proved difficult to sustain. India managed only three athletics medals at Glasgow 2014 and repeated the same tally at Gold Coast 2018. While Vikas Gowda’s discus throw gold and Arpinder Singh’s triple jump triumph ensured the sport remained on the podium, the broader depth that had been visible in Delhi appeared to have faded. During this period, athletics was overshadowed by wrestling, shooting and weightlifting, which continued to shoulder India’s medal ambitions.

2022 brought back hope

In another turning point at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Indian athletics delivered its best-ever overseas performance at the Commonwealth Games, even without the then Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who withdrew due to injury.

India won eight medals in athletics, including Eldhose Paul’s historic gold in the men’s triple jump, Murali Sreeshankar’s silver in the long jump, Avinash Sable’s silver in the 3,000m steeplechase, and medals in race walking and the women’s long jump.

The numbers underlined the revival. Athletics contributed more than 13 per cent of India’s total medals in Birmingham — the highest share since the Delhi Games — and nearly tripled its medal tally from each of the previous two editions.

India’s athletics performance at the last four Commonwealth Games:

Commonwealth Games	Athletics medals	Gold	Silver	Bronze	India total medals	Athletics contribution %
Delhi 2010	12	2	3	7	101	11.88
Glasgow 2014	3	1	1	1	64	4.69
Gold Coast 2018	3	1	1	1	66	4.55
Birmingham 2022	8	1	4	3	61	13.11

Regular success has changed the narrative

If Glasgow 2026 presents Indian athletics with an opportunity to become the country’s biggest medal contributor, it is because the sport arrives on the back of its most successful period in history.

Unlike previous Commonwealth Games cycles, when expectations were built around one or two standout performers, the current squad has emerged from a system that has consistently delivered results at the Olympic, world and Asian levels over the past five years.

The transformation began with Neeraj Chopra’s historic Olympic gold in Tokyo, but it did not end there. India followed it up with its best-ever performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where athletics contributed 29 medals, the most by any Indian sport and nearly a quarter of the country’s record 107-medal haul.

The performance demonstrated that India’s success was no longer confined to the throwing events. Medals came in hurdles, relays, steeplechase, long jump, triple jump and race walking, highlighting the growing breadth of talent across disciplines.

That momentum has been reinforced at the continental level. India finished third at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships with 27 medals before improving the quality of its performances at the 2025 edition, where it claimed 24 medals, including eight golds.

While the overall tally dipped slightly, the increase in gold medals reflected India’s growing ability to convert finalists into champions — an important indicator ahead of a multi-sport event such as the Commonwealth Games.

India’s performances at major athletics events (last 6 yeras):

Event	Performance
Tokyo Olympics	Neeraj Chopra won India’s first Olympic athletics gold
World Athletics Championships 2023	Neeraj won gold; men’s 4x400m relay reached final
Asian Games 2023	Athletics won 29 medals
Asian Athletics Championships 2023	27 medals (6G,12S,9B)
Asian Athletics Championships 2025	24 medals (8G,10S,6B)

India’s top medal prospects in athletics in Glasgow

Neeraj Chopra (Men’s Javelin Throw)

Despite an injury-hit season, Neeraj Chopra remains one of India’s strongest medal prospects for Glasgow 2026. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, Paris 2024 silver medallist, 2023 world champion and Diamond League winner is India’s only 90m thrower, holding the national record of 90.23m set in Doha in 2025.

He also won India’s first Commonwealth Games men’s javelin gold at Gold Coast 2018 with a throw of 86.47m. After missing the 2025 World Championships with a back injury, Chopra returned in June 2026, finishing fourth in Doha with 85.69m.

However, his journey to a medal will be anything but straightforward. His biggest challengers at the upcoming event will include Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who has taken the javelin world by storm with his personal-best throw of 92.62m.

The 23-year-old also defeated Chopra at the Doha Diamond League 2026 with an 88.68m effort and currently sits second in the World Athletics rankings. This means that a podium finish for Neeraj would not be far-fetched, although his challenge for gold will require a strong performance.

Moreover, Pathirage will not be the only obstacle Neeraj must overcome for a podium finish, as he will also be up against the likes of Grenada’s Anderson Peters (PB 93.07m) and Kenya’s Julius Yego (PB 92.72m), who will also be among the strongest contenders for a podium finish.

Gulveer Singh (Men’s 5,000m and 10,000m)

Gulveer Singh has emerged as India’s biggest distance-running medal hope for Glasgow 2026 after rewriting national records. In 2025, he became the first Indian to break 13 minutes in the 5,000m (12:59.77) and set the 10,000m national record (27:00.22), rising to World No. 11 in the 10,000m.

He also became the first Indian to run a sub-four-minute mile (3:55.63) in 2026 and completed a historic 5,000m-10,000m double at the 2025 Asian Championships.

However, his path to the podium will not be unchallenged. His main opponents will include Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world half-marathon record holder (55:20) and Commonwealth Games 10,000m record holder (27:09.19), and Australia’s Ky Robinson, who has consistently run sub-13-minute 5,000m races. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir and Cornelius Kemboi also strengthen the challenge, but Gulveer’s tactical racing could make him a genuine medal contender in Glasgow.

Parul Chaudhary (Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase and 5,000m)

If Gulveer Singh has transformed India’s men’s distance running, Parul Chaudhary has done the same on the women’s side. She has emerged as India’s leading women’s distance runner and one of the country’s strongest medal prospects for Glasgow 2026.

The 31-year-old holds the national record in the 3,000m steeplechase (9:12.46), set at the 2025 Asian Championships, and improved her 5,000m national record to 15:04.26 in France earlier this year.

She also clocked 9:12.84 at the 2026 Shanghai Diamond League, the second-fastest time by an Indian woman, and is ranked World No. 20 in the steeplechase. Parul won gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2023 Asian Games. In Glasgow, she will face Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai (PB 8:48.03), world champion Faith Cherotich (sub-nine minutes) and England’s Elizabeth Bird.

However, Parul’s national record is now faster than the 9:15.68 she ran at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, making her a genuine medal contender in the steeplechase.

Murali Sreeshankar (Men’s Long Jump)

Another major medal hope for India heading into Glasgow is long jumper Murali Sreeshankar. The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist has returned strongly from a knee injury, recording 8.38m at the National Inter-State Championships — his second-best career jump after his personal best of 8.41m in 2023.

He has crossed 8.00m in every competition this season, and his 8.38m is the best by any Commonwealth athlete in 2026 and among the world’s top 10 performances this year. Sreeshankar won Commonwealth silver (8.08m) in Birmingham 2022, followed by Asian Games silver and a top-eight finish at the 2023 World Championships.

His main challengers for a medal will include Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock (PB 8.54m), Australia’s Liam Adcock (8.34m this season) and Jamaica’s Carey McLeod (PB 8.40m).

However, Sreeshankar’s season’s best already surpasses the Commonwealth Games record of 8.35m, making him a genuine gold contender.

Praveen Chithravel (Men’s Triple Jump)

Praveen Chithravel enters Glasgow 2026 as one of India’s leading field-event medal hopes after three years of remarkable consistency. The 25-year-old holds the national record of 17.37m, set in 2023 and equalled at the 2025 Federation Cup.

This season, he opened with 17.08m — the ninth-best jump in the world in 2026 — before winning the National Inter-State Championships with 16.92m. Praveen narrowly missed a medal at Birmingham 2022, finishing fourth, but has since won Asian Games bronze and silver medals at the 2025 Asian Championships and FISU World University Games.

Notably, Praveen’s 17.37m exceeds the Birmingham 2022 gold-winning mark of 16.92m and is just 6 cm short of the Commonwealth Games record of 17.43m, making him a genuine podium contender.

However, Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert (PB 17.80m) and Jordan Scott (PB 17.69m) will be the two rivals standing between Praveen and a podium finish in Glasgow, with superior personal bests that could make his medal bid more challenging.

Tejaswin Shankar (Men’s Decathlon)

Tejaswin Shankar has transformed himself from one of Asia’s top high jumpers into India’s leading decathlete, making him a strong medal prospect for Glasgow 2026. The 27-year-old became the first Indian to cross the 8,000-point barrier, setting a national record of 8,057 points in Ranchi after earlier scoring 7,947 in the US.

He also comfortably surpassed the AFI’s Commonwealth qualification mark of 7,787 points. Tejaswin’s biggest weapon remains the high jump, where he owns a personal best of 2.29m and earlier this year defeated Olympic silver medallist Shelby McEwen with a meeting record of 2.26m.

His main rivals include Grenada’s Lindon Victor (PB of more than 8,700 points), Australia’s Cedric Dubler (PB 8,393) and England’s Daniel Golubovic. With rapid improvements across events, another 100-150-point gain could put Tejaswin firmly in medal contention and potentially make him India’s first Commonwealth decathlon medallist.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Men’s Shot Put)

Tajinderpal Singh Toor heads to Glasgow 2026 as India’s most experienced shot putter and a strong medal contender despite recent injury setbacks. The 31-year-old holds the Asian and national record of 21.77m, set in 2023, and remains the only Indian to breach the 21.50m mark.

A two-time Asian Games champion and two-time Asian champion, Toor has shown signs of returning to form this season with throws of 21.03m in Delhi, 19.97m in Sangrur and 20.07m at the National Federation Cup.

New Zealand’s Tom Walsh (PB 22.90m), Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell (PB 22m) and England’s Scott Lincoln, the Birmingham 2022 champion who has consistently thrown beyond 21m this season, will pose a daunting challenge for India’s seasoned campaigner in the race for the podium.

However, if Toor can regain the form that produced his 21.77m record, he has the ability to return to the Commonwealth Games podium in 2026.

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Raiders sign No. 1 overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza

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3 minutes ago

23 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Jun 3, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) warms up during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, on Thursday.

The Heisman Trophy winner’s four-year rookie deal is worth a fully guaranteed $57.27 million and includes a fifth-year option.

Mendoza, 22, guided Indiana to its first national championship and a 16-0 season in 2025. He completed 72.0% of his passes for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions in his lone season with the Hoosiers.

The Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as the likely Week 1 starter for this season, with Mendoza as the long-term face of the franchise.

Mendoza and the Raiders reportedly had been at odds over his signing bonus. The team did not disclose those details on Thursday.

Rookies were due to report to training camp for Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Mendoza played his first two collegiate campaigns at Cal from 2023-24, throwing for a combined 4,712 yards with 30 TDs and 16 interceptions in 20 games for the Golden Bears.

–Field Level Media

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The Most Important Thing Kyler Murray Can Show the Vikings’ Coaches on Day 1

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16 minutes ago

23 July 2026

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NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills — Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) rolls out looking to throw the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Kyler Murray needs to show signs of genuine improvement in his understanding of the offense. Anything less than a large step forward will arrive as a disappointment to the coaching staff.

Any Kevin O’Connell quarterback needs two things to succeed. First, there’s accuracy. Murray doesn’t appear to have any issue in this area, but do note that he’s being asked to play from within a different style of offense than he’s accustomed to from Arizona. Still, though, we’re talking about a veteran with a career completion number coming in at 67.1%. That’s an excellent number.

But then there’s the second item on Coach O’Connell’s list: beefy mental bandwidth.

Over and over again, players have described how difficult the O’Connell offense can be. That difficulty is especially pronounced for the quarterback since he needs to understand what everybody is doing. Murray has been criticized in the past about his commitment to football, most notable in the homework clause in that Cardinals extension. Murray can firmly shutdown this critique by mastering the O’Connell scheme.

Where Kyler Murray Needs to Have Grown

Nobody should expect Murray to have mastered the scheme by May or June. Everybody who steps into this offense needs time to acclimate. O’Connell, at times, appears to ask too much of his players, something that Wes Phillips appeared to acknowledge earlier in the offseason.

So, give Mr. Murray some grace.

Prior to the summer break, Kyler Murray explained that his plan was to work over the summer, eschewing time off in the process. A lot of veterans opt for rest — fair, I’d say, even wise — but Murray didn’t plan to be among those building sand castles. Rather, Murray said that he was going to spend his time working. After all, he’s in a new environment for the first time since getting chosen in the 2019 NFL Draft. Putting in some extra hours makes a pile of sense.

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals — Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon talks with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Upon returning to TCO Performance Center, Kyler Murray needs to show that he lived up to his promise of putting in work.

Presumably, Murray has been throwing during the summer weeks and has been training his body. Well and good. Necessary, even.

More important, though, is the mental component of things.

The Vikings’ coaching staff wants to see a Kyler Murray who has a better understanding of the offense. Show off more confidence with the verbiage and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Command the huddle with clarity and confidence. Offer a more refined understanding of the offense in the meeting room. All of this will help to inspire confidence in the coaching staff.

All along, Murray has looked like a clunky scheme fit. He’s more of a run-and-gun style of passer, playing fast in a simpler offense while operating out of shotgun. O’Connell is asking him to digest a ton of information, to slow down, and to play from under center. Doing so well will show that he may have appeared to be a clunky scheme fit but that simply didn’t match up with reality.

Kyler Murray preparing for a play against the Lions at State Farm Stadium — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) lines up during game action on Sep 8, 2019, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, facing the Detroit Lions as he surveys the defense and prepares to operate the offense in his early career debut season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Football is a cerebral sport. Coaches sometimes get in the way, making things overly complex when what a player needs is simplicity from within the complexity.

Murray, for his part, needs to show from Day 1 onward that he has been doing his part to take on the mental workload that comes with the Kevin O’Connell offense.

Kyler Murray, 28, is entering his eighth NFL season.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Emmanuel King Linked With El-Kanemi Warriors Head Coach Role

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30 minutes ago

23 July 2026

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CAF A-licensed coach Emmanuel King has been strongly linked with the vacant head coach position at El-Kanemi Warriors ahead of the club’s official unveiling of a new manager.

The Akwa Ibom-born coach is understood to be the leading candidate to take charge as the Maiduguri-based club prepares for the new Nigeria National League (NNL) season and its CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

King has built a solid coaching reputation in Nigerian football. He has previously managed FC ONE Rocket, Dakkada FC and Rovers FC, gaining valuable experience at different levels of the domestic game.

Reigning Nigeria President Federation Cup champions El-Kanemi Warriors announced that they will unveil their new head coach as part of their plans to strengthen the team for the challenges ahead.

The club said the appointment is an important step in building a competitive side capable of competing successfully in both domestic and continental competitions.

Supporters and football fans are expected to follow the unveiling through the club’s official media platforms.

While Emmanuel King has been widely linked with the role, the club has yet to officially confirm the identity of its new head coach.

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Norway soccer chief complains about Trump’s involvement with FIFA after red card

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44 minutes ago

23 July 2026

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The World Cup may be over, but there are some still upset over the controversy surrounding USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban being suspended.

Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness said she is going to ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint over the incident. She called on FIFA to acknowledge the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban as an error.

“We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error,” Klaveness told The Times. “If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behavior and the organization’s behavior, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with. And that happened.”

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Lisa Klaveness, Norwegian Football Federation President, attends the European Football Women's Gala 2023.

Norwegian Football Federation President Lisa Klaveness attends the European Football Women’s Gala 2023 at Antiga Fabrica D’Estrella Damm in Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 6, 2023. (Cesc Maymo/WireImage)

Klaveness claimed that the proper process was not followed and that bending the rules could put the whole game at risk.

“First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process,” Klaveness said. “When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.”

Klaveness called the case of FIFA suspending Balogun’s red card ban both “serious” and “worrying.”

“This case was so serious and so worrying that I hope that it might contribute to bring people out a little bit and don’t fear to bring up cases,” she said. “I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint.”

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U.S. President Donald Trump look on before presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to Spain after the Final – FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask the organization to review the decision to give U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun a red card. The red card meant Balogun would have been suspended for the team’s knockout match against Belgium on Monday, but FIFA decided to suspend the one-game ban after Trump’s call.

Trump addressed the controversy earlier this month.

“All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” the president said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.

“I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.”

Trump said he took issue with the initial red card that was assessed to Balogun in the first place.

“If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible championship,” Trump continued. “We gotta have our best players and Belgium, Belgium’s got a great team by the way. We have our best players and they have to have their best. If we win or we lose, it’s fair. Otherwise, let’s say we lost to them, then we lost the game. It would be a terrible thing. I think they made a really brilliant decision.

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The United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium during their World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Washington. Monday, July 6, 2026. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

“I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. The referee’s decision to red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was and when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.’… I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.’ And then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great.”

While Balogun was able to play, the USMNT lost 4-1 to Belgium on Monday night, ending their World Cup run in the Round of 16.

Fox News Digital reached out to FIFA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

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Luka Modric contract: One-year AC Milan extension for 40-year-old Croatian

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58 minutes ago

23 July 2026

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AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric – who turns 41 in September – has signed a one-year contract extension.

The Croatian joined Milan last summer on a one-year deal with an option to extend after leaving Real Madrid.

After 13 years at the Bernabeu, Modric scored two goals in 37 appearances for Milan in a season when they finished fifth in Serie A and only reached the last-16 stage of the Coppa Italia.

“I am thrilled to stay at AC Milan, where you made me feel welcomed and loved from the very first day,” Modric said of his new deal.

“After a season below our expectations, the desire to bounce back is immense. A new season and a new challenge await us – a project I believe in and that motivates me.

“I’m ready to continue to give everything again for this shirt and I’m so proud to keep wearing these colours. Can’t wait to return to San Siro and feel your roar.”

Modric has just played in his fifth World Cup, in which Croatia were knocked out in the last 32 by Portugal.

Since Modric became national team captain in 2016, Croatia had previously been runners-up and finished third in the World Cup.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner won six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles at Real. Previously, he made 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur over four years in north London.

In Milan this season, he will play under former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, who replaced the sacked Massimiliano Allegri in June.

In a statement, Milan said: “A key figure in the Rossoneri midfield since his arrival, Luka has brought his experience and quality to the service of the team, both on and off the pitch, with humility and great passion.

“One of the finest and most iconic players in world football, the Croatian will continue his journey in the Rossoneri shirt with the ambition to reach new, important milestones.”

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2026 3M Open Friday tee times: Round 2 groupings

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1 hour ago

23 July 2026

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The 2026 3M Open continues on Friday with the second round at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. You can find full 3M Open tee times for Friday’s second round at the bottom of this post.

3M Open Round 2 tee times: What to know

Tom Kim had been having a rough go of it on the PGA Tour since his last win in 2023. That is until two weeks ago.

At the Genesis Scottish Open, Kim stormed to victory with a final-round 64. It was his fourth career Tour victory.

That came in a season which has seen him only finish in the top 10 two other times. But with the wind behind his sails, Kim is teeing it up at the 3M Open hoping that wins come in bunches.

Kim will start Round 2 at 8:40 a.m. ET on Friday alongside Charley Hoffman and Casey Jarvis.

You can watch Friday’s second round of the 2026 3M Open from 4-7 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Friday, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.

Check out the complete Round 2 tee times and groupings for the 3M Open below.

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2026 3M Open tee times for Friday: Round 2 (ET)

Tee No. 1

7:45 a.m. – Peter Malnati, Tom Hoge, Sam Stevens
7:56 a.m. – Adam Svensson, Cameron Champ, Matti Schmid
8:07 a.m. – Brice Garnett, Michael Kim, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
8:18 a.m. – Ricky Castillo, Brian Campbell, Davis Thompson
8:29 a.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Kevin Yu, Aaron Wise
8:40 a.m. – Stefano Mazzoli, Adam Schenk, Kevin Streelman
8:51 a.m. – Joel Dahmen, Doug Ghim, Austin Smotherman
9:02 a.m. – Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, Will Gordon
9:13 a.m. – Jimmy Stanger, Jeremy Paul, Pontus Nyholm
9:24 a.m. – Paul Peterson, Keita Nakajima, Thomas Campbell
9:35 a.m. – John Parry, Davis Chatfield, Griffin Wood
9:46 a.m. – Haotong Li, David Skinns, Sihan Sandhu (a)
1:00 p.m. – Lee Hodges, Taylor Moore, Vince Whaley
1:11 p.m. – Harry Higgs, Dylan Wu, Thorbjørn Olesen
1:22 p.m. – Rico Hoey, Mac Meissner, Sudarshan Yellamaraju
1:33 p.m. – Jake Knapp, Corey Conners, Max Homa
1:44 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im
1:55 p.m. – Steven Fisk, Brian Harman, Lucas Glover
2:06 p.m. – Matthieu Pavon, Nick Hardy, Keith Mitchell
2:17 p.m. – Andrew Putnam, Adam Hadwin, Patrick Rodgers
2:28 p.m. – Camilo Villegas, Denny McCarthy, Beau Hossler
2:39 p.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Ben James
2:50 p.m. – Zach Bauchou, John VanDerLaan, Ryder Cowan (a)
3:01 p.m. – Zecheng Dou, Chandler Blanchet, Cooper Schultz

Tee No. 10

7:45 a.m. – Patton Kizzire, Ben Kohles, Hank Lebioda
7:56 a.m. – Austin Eckroat, Pierceson Coody, Ben Silverman
8:07 a.m. – Nick Dunlap, Zac Blair, Takumi Kanaya
8:18 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Billy Horschel, Jackson Koivun
8:29 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Maverick McNealy, Tony Finau
8:40 a.m. – Tom Kim, Charley Hoffman, Casey Jarvis
8:51 a.m. – Troy Merritt, Ben Martin, Max McGreevy
9:02 a.m. – Seamus Power, Fabián Gómez, David Lipsky
9:13 a.m. – Johnny Keefer, Gordon Sargent, Luke Clanton
9:24 a.m. – Jackson Suber, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Preston Stout (a)
9:35 a.m. – Kristoffer Ventura, Jesper Svensson, Christo Lamprecht
9:46 a.m. – Kensei Hirata, Neal Shipley, Muzzy Donohue
1:00 p.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Max Greyserman, Rasmus Højgaard
1:11 p.m. – Rafael Campos, Tyler Duncan, Jordan Smith
1:22 p.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Ryan Brehm, Mark Hubbard
1:33 p.m. – Davis Riley, Taylor Pendrith, Chris Kirk
1:44 p.m. – William Mouw, Karl Vilips, Joe Highsmith
1:55 p.m. – Garrick Higgo, Cam Davis, Stephan Jaeger
2:06 p.m. – Brandt Snedeker, Michael Brennan, Matt Kuchar
2:17 p.m. – Luke List, Emiliano Grillo, Kevin Roy
2:28 p.m. – Chad Ramey, Chandler Phillips, Danny Walker
2:39 p.m. – A.J. Ewart, Jeffrey Kang, Marcelo Rozo
2:50 p.m. – Alejandro Tosti, Nicholas Lindheim, Jeevan Sihota
3:01 p.m. – Hayden Springer, Trace Crowe, Brannon Fahrny

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Former world champion who fought Chris Eubank Jr announces comeback after 7 years out the ring

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1 hour ago

23 July 2026

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A British former world champion who has not fought in over years has announced his comeback to the sport.

Former IBF super-middleweight world champion, James DeGale, who became the first Briton to capture an Olympic medal and a professional world title when he outpointed Andre Dirrell in 2015, has announced he is making a return to the ring.

DeGale has not fought since he was decisioned in a grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr in 2019, but appeared in a bare-knuckle scrap against Matt Floyd back in September.

The 40-year-old southpaw will face 45-year-old former English welterweight champion, Marcus Portman, in Wolverhampton on Saturday, September 26. Although, it is believed that the bout will not be sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Speaking to TalkSport, following the announcement of his ring return, DeGale admitted that he is not eyeing up a return to the world titles, but is instead hoping to secure a fight with either Jake Paul or a big-name ‘Misfits’ fighter.

“I can’t go out how I went out against Eubank, I’ve stayed in shape, and after Floyd, I want to have one more in boxing.”
“Boxing has changed since I left. There is Misfits, and the Saudis have come in.
“My world title days are done but there are fights out there like Jake Paul, Darren Till, Ty Mitchell, KSI and Tommy Fury.”
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The weight for DeGale-Portman is yet to be confirmed, but success in that contest could see ‘Chunky’ emerge as a potential dance partner for some of the Misfits stars.

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USMNT star nearing transfer to EFL Championship side

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2 hours ago

23 July 2026

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USMNT star nearing transfer to EFL Championship side originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While there has been an influx of players coming into the MLS over the recent few weeks, most notably Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann, there are also players making the move away from the top American league. This could reportedly be the case for the USMNT‘s Sebastian Berhalter, who is set to make a move across the pond, according to recent reports.

Berhalter to Middlesbrough?

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Trey Wingo fires back at Acho’s claim that Ryan Clark built NFL Live

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2 hours ago

23 July 2026

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Former ESPN star Trey Wingo wants to set the record straight.

Former NFL linebacker and ex-ESPN analyst Emmanuel Acho claimed that Ryan Clark built ESPN’s “NFL Live” into the “juggernaut” it is today, and Wingo was not having any of it.

“Ryan Clark built NFL Live into the juggernaut it is today (along with Rutledge, Mina, and Spears), he didn’t ideate NFL Live, there’s a difference,” Acho posted.

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Trey Wingo looks on during the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

Trey Wingo looks on during the first round of the American Century Championship on July 10, 2026, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Wingo, who hosted “NFL Live” for 15 years, from 2003 to 2018, clapped back at Acho’s claim that Clark built the show by posting a graphic showing its ratings over the years, which he said disproved Acho’s claim.

The graphic, which was based on numbers that ESPN reported, showed that the “NFL Live” averaged 688,000 viewers during a comparable early-season period in 2013 and 624,000 in 2012. It averaged roughly 486,000 in 2015, 492,000 in 2016, 449,000 in 2021 and 440,000 in 2025.

Wingo captioned his post on X, “’Let your apology be as loud as your disrespect.’ I think someone said that once.”

The former ESPN host’s line about letting your apology be as loud as your disrespect referenced a spat in which Acho insulted former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and later apologized to him.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Emmanuel Acho speaks onstage at the ADL Never Is Now Summit.

Emmanuel Acho speaks onstage during the ADL Never Is Now Summit at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on March 17, 2026. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for ADL)

Acho’s initial tweet was in response to OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske. Zaksheske began the thread of interaction by responding to a clip from “The Breakfast Club,” where the morning show hosts said Clark built “NFL Live.”

“NFL Live premiered in 1998 when Clark was 18 years old, four years before he entered the NFL and 17 years before he joined ESPN,” Zaksheske wrote on X.

Acho responded to Zaksheske and agreed with “The Breakfast Club,” saying “And nobody was watching NFL Live then,” referencing the show’s existence before Clark joined it.

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Ryan Clark looks on before an NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

ESPN is parting ways with longtime NFL analyst Ryan Clark following an 11-year run at the network. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Wingo spent nearly 23 years at ESPN and was not retained in November 2020.

A large part of his tenure was spent hosting and building “NFL Live,” and was the host during its peak year in 2013.

Clark joined ESPN in 2015 and spent more than 11 seasons with the network, overlapping for about five years with Wingo. As his time at ESPN progressed, he became an increasingly polarizing figure.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Acho for comment but did not immediately get a response.

OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

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Ian Rapoport Offers His 2 Cents

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2 hours ago

23 July 2026

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NFL: Super Bowl LVII-Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles — Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; NFL reporter Ian Rapoport on the sideline before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Ian Rapoport — who used to form a gruesome twosome with Tom Pelissero — thinks that the Minnesota Vikings are working through a genuine passer battle.

In a short clip on social media, Rapoport offers his 2 cents on how things are going to unfold in the Twin Cities. “For the Minnesota Vikings,” the NFL insider says, “no doubt one of the biggest storylines of all of training camp. They have their quarterback battle, as well. Is it Kyler Murray? Is it J.J. McCarthy?” Rapoport indicates that the two-person battle will last through August and that there will be “wide-ranging ramifications for the organization.”

A touch general, perhaps, but Ian Rapoport is stepping into what can be a heated debate.

Ian Rapoport on Minnesota’s QB1 Competition

Depending on who gets asked, the Minnesota Vikings are either moving through a farce or a competition. Just how wide the chasm is between Murray’s and McCarthy’s abilities (or lack thereof) largely influences the stance the onlooker takes.

Murray, no doubt, is a sensational talent. Few, if any, are so elusive. Even better, the man has an excellent arm, which is easy to overlook since he’s a smaller lad. Murray can zip the ball and put the pigskin into his receiver’s hands. Kevin O’Connell is desperate for a quarterback who is accurate; Murray fits that basic criteria.

Vikings J.J. McCarthy scores a touchdown against the Lions in 2025 — Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Meanwhile, McCarthy is coming off a disappointing season. His playing time has taken a major hit due to injury. Combined, the knee, ankle, concussion, and wrist issues have robbed him of 24 games across a pair of seasons.

On the field, McCarthy has left something to be desired with his play. His completion percentage — an eyesore at 57.6% — points toward an inaccurate passer. So, too, does a 11/12 TD-to-INT ratio point toward somebody who simply doesn’t have it.

But then there’s a critical reality: the kid is talented, works hard, and is only 23. Roughly two years ago, the Vikings opted to pick him at No. 10 overall, the highest a passer has ever gone in franchise history. Does it really make sense to quit on the kid after a pair of injury-filled seasons? Wouldn’t that be an instance of O’Connell’s franchise failing a passer?

A key reality to remember: humans are dynamic beings rather than static beings. McCarthy will grow and improve. What’s yet to be determined is by how much.

Consider, for instance, a scenario where Kyler Murray came to town as a quarterback who was ten steps ahead of J.J. McCarthy. Murray has since been taking steps forward as he gets coached up and learns the scheme. What happens, though, if McCarthy takes two or three steps for every step that Murray takes?

Doing so would mean that the race could get pretty close to the end of August. Again, that basic reality: the passers aren’t static. Whatever discrepancy existed in March of 2026 isn’t guaranteed to exist in August or September of 2026. Kick out the timeline even further — 2027, 2028, and so on — and the truth becomes even more pronounced.

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals — Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Rapoport thinks that the competition is going to be given a long life. Essentially, all of August since Rapoport points toward the battle taking place through the preseason. There then appears to be a suggestion that the battle could bleed into September. Quite possibly, the well-connected insider is exactly right.

To my eye, though, Rapoport is overshooting a touch.

Expect a QB1 decision to get figured out by August 31st. If so, then the starting quarterback will get a two-week runway to prepare for the Sunday, September 13th battle against the Green Bay Packers. The Week 1 game won’t be hindered by the pair of passers going toe-to-toe for the upcoming month. In fact, needing to directly compete for several weeks could be crucial toward each developing into the best version of themselves.

The Minnesota Vikings welcome rookies to town on Sunday, July 26th. Veterans arrive on Tuesday, July 28th. All eyes will be on Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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