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France vs Norway LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Norway’s 1 Decision Robs World Off Kylian Mbappe vs Erling Haaland Face-Off

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The world has long waited for the face off between star strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the France-Norway clash, but that may not happen, at least initially. As per L’Equipe and ESPN, Norway manager Stale Solbakken is set to rest up to 10 starters in today’s game, including Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and forward Alexander Sorloth. This is because Norway have already qualified for the knockout stage, and this is the final chance to give the star players some rest. 

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Teddy Atlas sums up Conor Benn’s chances of beating Ryan Garcia to become world champion

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Legendary trainer Teddy Atlas has predicted an upset victory when Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn go head to head.

The two welterweights will collide at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12, with ‘King Ry’ making a first defence of his WBC world title.

Garcia claimed his belt by dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory in February, which followed his unexpected points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

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Back then, Garcia seemed a shadow of his former self after returning from a year-long doping ban, courtesy of him testing positive for ostarine following his encounter with Devin Haney.

A lack of confidence appeared to be the main problem here, with the American’s passive approach throughout the build-up being matched by his lacklustre performance against Romero.

But while Garcia is now coming off a far more assured display against Barrios, Atlas remains unconvinced that the 27-year-old can maintain this mindset.

Speaking with Canada Casino, the Hall of Fame trainer highlighted the champion’s inconsistency as the reason for him siding with Benn.

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“Garcia has always been influenced on a mental and emotional basis. He is very talented, but unless he is right mentally and emotionally, that talent doesn’t really equate into anything special.

“Garcia is probably in a better place now, mentally, than he has been for a while. But does he stay in that place? At the end of the day, I usually go towards consistency. Garcia fights in spurts. Benn is not as flashy or spectacular in those spurts, but he is more consistent with his offence.

“In the mental area, Benn probably gets a bit of an edge. I might possibly be on the side of Benn.”

While ‘King Ry’ has previously tested positive for ostarine, Benn’s failed a doping test for clomifene came ahead of his cancelled encounter with Chris Eubank Jr in 2022.

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McLaughlin: Does College Football Need Financial Caps?

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SEC logoBig Ten logoReports have gone back and forth regarding the current status of the ‘Protect College Sports Act’ in Congress.

Will there be enough changes made to get the Big Ten and SEC on board?

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I make my 2026 record prediction for the USC Trojans.

Will they win enough games to keep Lincoln Riley off the hot seat?

Iowa Hawkeyes logoIowa has been one of the steadiest members of the Big Ten, and last year they were closer to making the 12-team Playoff than folks might realize.

Will they be in the running for that mark again?

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00:00 NCAA revenue sharing discussions
03:39 Concerns about college sports salary cap
06:49 Debating college sports financial caps
12:20 USC football schedule strategy
14:34 USC football expectations debate
17:33 USC’s 2026 team prospects
19:43 USC’s playoff chances and challenges
25:36 Iowa’s path to an 8-4 season

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

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Enekwechi Delivers Gold for Nigeria at Commonwealth Games

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As expected, Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi lived up to his billing by winning the men’s shot put gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Nigerian star produced a brilliant throw of 21.07 metres in the fifth round to secure the Commonwealth title after a closely contested final.

Enekwechi finished ahead of New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who settled for the silver medal with a best throw of 21.03m, while England’s Scott Lincoln claimed bronze after recording 20.99m.

  • Tobi Amusan Cleared: Set to Compete at Paris OlympicsTobi Amusan Cleared: Set to Compete at Paris Olympics

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The gold medal is another major milestone in Enekwechi’s career and further confirms his status as one of Africa’s leading field athletes.

His victory also adds to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the Commonwealth Games, with the country’s athletes continuing to impress across different events.

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FIFA’s $20bn World Cup gambit: Private equity, profiteering ‘against real essence of football’

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Indian hockey swaps jerseys — saffron replaces legacy blue | Hockey News

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Indian hockey swaps jerseys — saffron replaces legacy blue
New India jersey (ANI Photo)

Bengaluru: Indian hockey has changed its colours. In place of the legacy blue, a norm since 1926 and a shade instantly identified with the country’s stickmen and women, is saffron, starting from the FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands in a fortnight. The new kits arrived at the national camps here last week.It is a pass from the deep that has sparked outrage from former players, hockey lovers and people across society. As the visuals of the new jerseys were released earlier this week, it blew up social media. Hockey India (HI) scampered into damage control mode, claiming that the blue was being discarded since it clashed with the colour of the turf and hampered visibility. Blue-coloured turfs have been in practice for 14 years now.“The decision was taken collectively by the players and coaches after we felt the blue jersey blended with the blue turf, making visibility difficult at times. We used the new jersey in training on Thursday, and it made it easier to identify teammates and communicate on the field,” men’s team skipper Harmanpreet Singh told TOI.Meanwhile, a few players TOI spoke to said there was no team meeting held to discuss the colour of the jersey, and they realised the colour change only when their kits arrived.Past masters who have donned the blue with pride, are hurt by the decision.Vasudevan Baskaran, the captain of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold-winning team, questioned, “This entire generation has grown up playing on blue turf; have they suddenly gone colour blind? We have played in blue clothing since 1928; it is a colour we identify with when we say an India jersey. Why change it now? It is shameful.”Former India captain Viren Rasquinha was among the first to react, posting, “… This is embarrassing. The legacy and identity of the Indian team has always been blue. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?”Defending the change of colour, HI president Dilip Tirkey — a former India captain who played most of his 412 internationals in blue — told TOI, “I don’t understand why people are reacting negatively to the change in jersey colour. This is not the first time that we are playing in non-blue jerseys. The players and support staff felt a striking colour would ensure better visibility of the ball on the blue pitch.”On the colour that was eventually chosen, Dilip explained, “We had a choice of two colours, yellow and orange; we collectively went with the latter because orange is a part of the tricolour. Also, we haven’t said the team won’t wear blue ever again.”India have in the past worn different colours at various tournaments. They went with yellow and light blue jerseys at the World Cups in 2014 and 2018 respectively, while white with orange has been used as well in the past, including at the Olympics.The issue of ball visibility on a blue turf is rather subjective, given that the blue surface was introduced in 2012 and the citing and the colour of the jersey were not discussed.Outlining the importance of the blue jersey, Baskaran added, “In 1960, as a school boy, I watched Harbinder Singh and team play and told myself, ‘One day I want to wear the India blue.’ The colour is identified as the national sporting colour, and it is being taken away from the national sport.”A former hockey Olympic medallist, who did not want to be named, pointed out, “For 14 years, the team has been playing on blue turfs wearing the same colour jersey. If it was such a big problem, why wasn’t this discussed or implemented before? Also, the men’s team won two Olympic bronze medals wearing blue, and the women’s team’s best performance at the Olympics came in the same colours too. What’s changed now?”Harmanpreet urged people to focus on supporting the team. “We are always looking for ways to improve, and if a change benefits the team, we will make it. There is no politics behind this—it’s purely a sporting decision. I hope the focus remains on supporting the team as we prepare for the World Cup and aim to get the coveted trophy home,” the drag flick ace stated.

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Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s wife dead after battle with cancer

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Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, died Sunday after a battle with cancer, the team announced.

“The Atlanta Falcons are heartbroken by the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, beloved wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, after her courageous battle with cancer,” the Falcons wrote in a statement.

“Cristina was a devoted wife, mother and friend whose strength, grace and resilience touched all who knew her. She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family and the broader Falcons community.

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Jeff Ulbrich and his wife Cristina embrace before a Jets game at MetLife Stadium.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets and his wife, Cristina Ulbrich, embrace before a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium Oct. 14, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Getty Images)

“On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jeff, their children and all who loved Cristina. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ulbrich family. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve this profound loss, and we stand with them in support and remembrance of Cristina’s life.”

Ulbrich, 49, had not been spotted at Falcons training camp during practices Tuesday and Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Jeff and Cristina share three children together — Samantha, Jax and Jace.

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ANDY REID PROVIDES UPDATE ON WIFE OF ERIC BIENIEMY, WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY SHOT BY OWN SON

The couple met during the former linebacker’s recruiting visit to Hawaii in 1997, according to The Athletic.

Ulbrich became the Falcons’ defensive coordinator last season after serving in the same role with the New York Jets since 2021.

It’s his second stint with the Falcons, the team he joined in 2015 to become a linebackers coach. He was a part of the infamous loss in the 2017 Super Bowl, when the New England Patriots stormed back from a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Falcons in overtime to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

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Jeff Ulbrich and his wife Cristina embrace at MetLife Stadium before a game.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets and his wife, Cristina Ulbrich, embrace before a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 14, 2024. (Getty Images)

In 2020, Ulbrich was promoted to assistant head coach and linebackers coach, and in October of that year, he was named defensive coordinator under interim head coach Raheem Morris.

Ulbrich eventually joined Robert Saleh in New York in 2021, and, in 2024, he was named interim head coach after the Jets fired Saleh. Ulbrich finished 3-9 as interim head coach that year before rejoining Morris, who was named full-time head coach, last season to serve as his defensive coordinator.

Morris was fired after one season, but the Falcons kept Ulbrich in his role while hiring Kevin Stefanski as their next head coach for the 2026 season.

Jeff Ulbrich and his wife Cristina embrace before a game at MetLife Stadium.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets and his wife, Cristina Ulbrich, embrace before a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 14, 2024. (Getty Images)

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Before coaching, Ulbrich spent 10 years in the NFL as a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers from 2000-09.

He got his first coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks after retirement and also spent time as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator with the UCLA Bruins.

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

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Giants WR Malik Nabers: ‘There’s no target date’ on return

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Jul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) walks into a media interview after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn ImagesJul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) walks into a media interview after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

New York Giants star receiver Malik Nabers isn’t willing to say he’ll be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.

The Giants open the season on Sept. 13 at home against the Dallas Cowboys on the “Sunday Night Football” stage. There is very little chance Nabers wants to be watching from the sidelines that night, some 11 1/2 months after his major knee injury.

But on Thursday, the second day of training camp, there was no need for Nabers to make any declarations on something six-plus weeks away.

“There’s no target date,” Nabers said of his return from a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. “Just stacking days. I’ll continue to let everybody know how I feel and when I’m able to get back out there.”

Nabers did more work the first two days of training camp than expected. That fact created optimism that Nabers is on track for the season opener.

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And while Nabers is also optimistic, he doesn’t want to push things too fast too soon.

“My mindset is just stacking days,” Nabers said during his first media availability of training camp at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. “Trying to get back out there with my teammates, so if I can just keep on stacking days with the training staff and continue to see improvements on my body, continue to see improvements on my knee and where I’m at. It gives me more confidence to go out there and be able to play.”

Nabers saw action in just four games last season when he had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He injured the knee against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 28 and underwent surgery exactly one month later.

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Nabers, who turned 23 on Tuesday, was an immediate star as a rookie when he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. He earned Pro Bowl honors.

Nabers insisted his rookie campaign wasn’t all that impressive. He vows to be better than he was in that standout 2024 season.

“What I was before, what you all saw my rookie year, I felt like that was basic,” Nabers said. “I got high standards for myself. I know everybody has high standards for me also. But the standard that I hold myself to is very high. I feel like whatever that standard that I hold myself to, you’ll see or sooner or later.”

Nabers said the mental game that comes with rehabbing a serious injury did bring some challenges. He said he kept focusing on seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

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“This is my first time I’ve had have a mental battle,” Nabers said. “I would say just keeping friends and family close. People that know exactly how they see you in the near future or what they see and how you attack things. I think just having positive people around you, that helps in this long-term battle.

“You can definitely get lost in your own mind. You never know when you’re going to be able to do something. I got stuck in that also, just dealing with this rehab, just long-term, just doing a lot of stuff and not seeing improvements.”

Nabers’ teammates have been happy to see him running around the field this week.

“I’m so excited to see him back out there,” standout left tackle Andrew Thomas said Thursday. “Obviously, he’s a very talented player. Overcoming an injury is not easy. I think, if anything, it’s just for his mental (stability) to be back out here with the guys and running around, catching the ball. I’m excited to see him play this year.”

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–Field Level Media

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Commonwealth Games: Megan Keith claims bronze for Scotland in 5000m infront of 100-year-old grandad

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Given Keith herself was a tad surprised she scooped up a medal here, her grandad’s take on the event ought to be a good one.

The 10,000m is her preference, but the longer distance final did not go to plan on Monday and she finished seventh.

The Inverness athlete said she was faced with the ‘can Megan win a medal?’ talk earlier this week, but with that weight of expectation lifted – combined with experience of the home crowd and “the help of two other Scots in the race” – she was freed from the shackles to soar to a classy and courageous run.

“If you look at Monday on paper, that was pretty disappointing,” the 24-year-old added.

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“I don’t think you’d put me in the running for a 5km medal since the 10km is normally closer to being my strength, so that definitely helped, the removal of that pressure.

“I think I knew if I felt horrendous and dropped out or fell off the pace again it wouldn’t really matter so I may as well shoot my shot.”

And shoot she did. Biding her time in the middle of the congested pact, Keith made her move with four laps to go, weaving past early pacesetters from Kenya and Uganda.

She was afforded a bit of breathing space with two hurls around the track to go. But as expected, the exceptional Australian duo of Rose Davies – who made it a double gold at these Games with her 10km – and Jessica Hull, the 1500m Olympic silver medallist, entered another gear in the final lap.

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While the cameras focused on the tremendous tussle between the pair in the matching yellow vests, the majority of the crowd had their eyes a wee bit further back, bawling at Keith on the final stretch.

She was home safe and sound. And swiftly searching for a saltire.

Once that was draped over her shoulders, and she’d caught up with fellow Scots Eloise Walker and Laura Muir, who finished 15th and 16th respectively, she was darting back around the track – the wrong way, this time – in search of her grandad.

He was eventually found for a quick hug, but a bigger debrief – and the declaration, surely, that this topped any other Scotstoun occasion – is still to be had.

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2026 AIG Women’s Open Friday TV coverage: Watch Round 2

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The second round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open kicks off early Friday morning at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Friday, including full AIG Women’s Open TV coverage, streaming info and Round 2 tee times.

How to watch AIG Women’s Open on Friday

LPGA star Jeeno Thitikul fired a Women’s Open record seven-under 64 on Day 1 Royal Lytham and St. Annes to charge into an early two-shot lead.

The former World No. 1, who is 23, has an accomplsihed career so far, having already won nine LPGA events. But there’s one thing missing from her resume: a major championship title.

With 54 holes to go, Thitikul is in great shape to make it happen this week.

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You can watch the second round of the AIG Women’s Open on TV via Golf Channel and USA, with Golf Channel opening the coverage at 4 a.m. ET on Friday. USA’s telecast will start at 8 a.m. ET.

Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the second round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.

How to watch on TV Friday

USA and Golf Channel will air second-round TV coverage of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open. Golf Channel’s Friday telecast runs from 4-8 a.m. ET, followed by USA from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. ET.

How to stream online Friday

Additional streaming coverage for the second round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will be available via Golfchannel.com, the Golf Channel App and the NBC Sports App.

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2026 AIG Women’s Open Round 2 tee times (ET)

Tee No. 1

1:30 a.m. – Jing Yan, Agathe Laisne, Lauren Walsh
1:41 a.m. – Kelsey Bennett, Weiwei Zhang, Kajsa Arwefjall
1:52 a.m. – Erika Hara, Chiara Tamburlini, Melanie Green
2:03 a.m. – Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Kana Nagai, Esme Hamilton
2:14 a.m. – Shiho Kuwaki, Helen Briem, Lucy Li
2:25 a.m. – Anna Huang, Jenny Bae, Paula Martin Sampedro (a)
2:36 a.m. – Lilia Vu, Shuri Sakuma, Rose Zhang
2:47 a.m. – Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Casandra Alexander
2:58 a.m. – Hinako Shibuno, Georgia Hall, Valentine Delon (a)
3:09 a.m. – Gaby Lopez, Chisato Iwai, Celine Boutier
3:20 a.m. – Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka, Jennifer Kupcho
3:31 a.m. – Miyu Yamashita, Jeeno Thitikul, Lauren Coughlin
3:42 a.m. – Charley Hull, Hannah Green, Brooke Henderson
3:58 a.m. – Maja Stark, Jin Hee Im, Allisen Corpuz
4:09 a.m. – Min-sol Kim, Patty Tavatanakit, Megan Khang
4:20 a.m. – Pajaree Anannarukarn, Youmin Hwang, Leona Maguire
4:31 a.m. – Ashleigh Buhai, Fuka Suga, Dewi Weber
4:42 a.m. – Min Sun Kim, Mi Hyang Lee, Nicole Broch Estrup
4:53 a.m. – Chanettee Wannasaen, Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Yu Liu
5:04 a.m. – Ryann O’Toole, Robyn Choi, Charlotte Naughton (a)
5:15 a.m. – Nataliya Guseva, Noora Komulainen, Lauren Crump (a)
5:26 a.m. – Carla Tejedo Mulet, Diksha Dagar, Yana Wilson
5:37 a.m. – Daniela Darquea, Polly Mack, Gina Kim
5:48 a.m. – Aunchisa Utama, Ana Pelaez Trivino, Vanessa Bouvet
6:14 a.m. – Alice Hewson, Amanda Doherty, Chloe Williams
6:25 a.m. – Amelia Garvey, Leonie Harm, Smilla Tarning Soenderby
6:36 a.m. – Wei-Ling Hsu, Aditi Ashok, Darcey Harry
6:47 a.m. – Anna Nordqvist, Cassie Porter, Sayaka Takahashi
6:58 a.m. – Minami Katsu, Yealimi Noh, Stephanie Kyriacou
7:09 a.m. – Carlota Ciganda, Karis Davidson, Maria Jose Marin (a)
7:20 a.m. – Ina Yoon, Alison Lee, Yunseo Yang (a)
7:31 a.m. – Jiyai Shin, Auston Kim, In Gee Chun
7:42 a.m. – Linn Grant, Jin Young Ko, Kiara Romero (a)
7:53 a.m. – Sei Young Kim, Rio Takeda, Yuna Araki
8:04 a.m. – Hyo Joo Kim, Minjee Lee, Mao Saigo
8:15 a.m. – Lottie Woad, Aki Iwai, Andrea Lee
8:26 a.m. – Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Haeran Ryu
8:42 a.m. – Hye-Jin Choi, Grace Kim, Mimi Rhodes
8:53 a.m. – Somi Lee, Esther Henseleit, Ayaka Furue
9:04 a.m. – Lindy Duncan, Amy Yang, Julia Lopez Ramirez
9:15 a.m. – Sophia Popov, Jenny Shin, Perrine Delacour
9:26 a.m. – Yan Liu, Shannon Tan, Yuka Saso
9:37 a.m. – Yani Tseng, Nastasia Nadaud, Alexandra Forsterling
9:48 a.m. – Arpichaya Yubol, Cara Gainer, Minji Kang
9:59 a.m. – In Kyung Kim, Manon De Roey, Carolina Chacarra
10:10 a.m. – Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Anna Zanusso, Justice Bosio
10:21 a.m. – Sara Kouskova, Soo Bin Joo, Annabell Fuller
10:32 a.m. – Pia Babnik, Anna Foster, Bel Wardle

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NFC North Head Coach Rankings for 2026

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talking with Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski
Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell meets with Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before the game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

We have four more men to put in order after having spent the last month ranking all the position groups in the NFC North division. More specifically, it’s the men in charge: the NFC North head coaches.

NFC North Head Coach Rankings for 2026

— Check back on the position rankings through the following links QBRBWRTEOLiDLEDGELBCB, S —

In keeping with everything else in the division there is very little to choose between the four head coaches. All four have an NFC North division title to their name, and all four will be hungry for more post-season success, which is what will eventually separate these coaches.

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1. Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears)

NFL: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

It might be early to make this claim but any doubts that he could take his success from offensive coordinator to the head coach role were quickly put to bed. Ben Johnson led the Bears to an 11-win season that secured the division title (first since 2018) and then a playoff win (first since 2010) over the Packers. Chicago would eventually fall in the divisional round to a narrow 20-17 loss to the LA Rams in overtime.

Following up a great first season could be an issue especially with the Bears having a very tough schedule on paper, but Johnson has proven he can adapt his offense in the past. If Johnson can keep the good times rolling in Chicago in his second year, he will quickly thrust his name into the conversation about the best coaches in the league.

2. Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings)

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell against the Dallas Cowboys in 2025
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.

He has his flaws but dragging his team to nine wins last season should be seen as impressive as the 13 and 14-win seasons of 2022 and 2024.

Kevin O’Connell has a new QB to work with in 2026 in Kyler Murray. O’Connell has had lots of success with many different QBs but the fact that there have been so many is also the problem. The Vikings are in desperate need of stability at the QB position to allow the 2024 Coach of the Year to get the best out of his offense.

The biggest question mark hanging over the Vikings’ head coach is his poor playoff record. Two visits to the playoffs following dominant regular seasons have yielded zero playoff wins. That needs to change.

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3. Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers)

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur shake hands at midfield prior to a game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Matt LaFleur had a great start to life as Green Bay’s head coach, winning the division three times and making the NFC Championship Game twice.

Since then, with the departure of future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers – who had back-to-back MVP seasons in that run – LaFleur has kept the Packers competitive only missing out on the playoffs once in the last four seasons, but also only winning one playoff game. The Packers have been set up to win it throughout LaFleur’s tenure and if anything they’ve been getting further away.

This feels like a pivotal season for his future with the Packers and how he is viewed as a head coach.

4. Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions)

Coach wearing blue cap and black shirt holds play sheet on sideline.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Some people might have him at the top of this list but I’m not a huge Dan Campbell fan.

Don’t get me wrong; his “us against the world” shtick that took a Lions franchise that had been suffering for decades to back-to-back division titles was impressive. I always had questions over what would happen after the success when you can’t rely on the poor downtrodden Lions’ motivation anymore and what would happen when he lost his coordinators – with both Johnson and Aaron Glenn both leaving last season.

What happened is Campbell took one of the most talented rosters in the NFL from first to worst and finished bottom of the division. The Lions did manage a winning season but 2026 is a big test of Campbell’s credentials. A return to the playoffs and we can put last year down to a hiccup, another disappointing season and it will look even more like Johnson was the brains behind Detroit’s success all along.

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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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