Sports
Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad built on African roots
Most of the news about Germany’s World Cup squad was around the return of Manuel Neuer. But beyond the headlines lies another story.
Eight of the 26 players representing Germany this summer have roots in Africa: Jonathan Tah (Ivorian father), Antonio Rüdiger (Sierra Leonean mother), Leroy Sane (Senegalese father), Felix Nmecha and Jamal Musiala (both Nigerian fathers), Assan Ouedraogo (both parents from Burkina Faso), Malick Thiaw (Senegalese father) and Jamie Leweling (Ghanian father).
In fact, if you look at the last year of Germany squad selections, there have been a total of 17 players with African roots called up. The connection Germany’s footballers have with African countries is inescapable and of huge importance at the 2026 World Cup.
“Today we have great diversity in the team, which symbolizes a new generation of German players,” Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, told DW. “That wasn’t always the case,” Baerbock added. “That shows how important anti-racism campaigns are. A team is also always a reflection of society.”
Diversity important in time of division
Musa Okwonga, a Ugandan-British author and football podcaster who has lived in Berlin for over a decade, believes the timing of this team’s diversity is significant.
“With the far right leading some major polls in Germany by five, six, seven points, I think it’s really important at this point in time, when a quarter of immigrants who arrived in Germany are thinking about leaving again, to show there are people here who are thriving within this country, who are not white, who have a heritage from elsewhere, who grew up here, who moved here, and made Germany their home,” Okwonga told DW.
The German FA (DFB) haven’t explicitly gone out of their way to highlight the diversity of this team, but do recognize its significance.
“At the end of the day, everyone is united to make a decision by conviction and less to do with picking the place where more sporting success is likely,” DFB Director Andreas Rettig told DW.
“We were happy to see an early commitment to the Germany team and that left an impression on us,” said Rettig, referencing the example of Jonathan Tah.
“We know it from the economy, mixed teams with men and women or different nationalities, young or old, is always advantageous to the end product so we are happy to have this diversity in the team,” added Rettig.
In early 2025, Tah visited the Ivory Coast for the first time since he was 14, explaining in an interview with DW that the trip was “extremely grounding.” Rüdiger has also set up a foundation in Sierra Leone.
“Going back to a place where you have benefited from the Western European colonial extraction, and you’re going back to see relatives of yours who only two generations ago, you were with and would have been around, that’s hard for a lot of people,” said Okwonga.
Given Germany has colonial historical roots in Namibia, Tanzania, Cameroon and Togo to name but a few, it is clear why connecting to both one’s country of origin and one’s new home comes with conflicting and complication emotions. Okwonga believes though that the visibility of footballers who have African roots but are also equally proud of having Germany as their home is an important symbol.
Impact beyond football
In the build-up to Euro 2024, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann called out a survey by German public broadcaster WDR that revealed 21% of those asked wanted more white players on the national team.
“A football team can be a role model of how to unite different cultures, religious backgrounds and skin color. It is good the way it is now. We play the Euros for everyone in the country and whoever plays top football is invited to be a national team member,” said Nagelsmann.
His bullish stance on non-football matters was noteworthy, because the symbolic value and influence of the German team and football as a whole is widespread.
“In the 12 years of being here, the team I saw at the Euros was the best version of a Germany team. In terms of the football they played, how they worked together, how they supported each other. It’s everything you’d want from a football team, a collective, a community,” said Okwonga, who also said Vincent Kompany being Bayern Munich head coach has also positively impacted the environment for German players with African roots.
Clearly, a lot has changed since Gerald Asamoah became the first African-born German to appear in a World Cup in 2006. But the issue remains, as incidents such as the one in 2023 proved when two Germany youth internationals with African roots were inundated with racist comments on social media after missing penalties. Systemic issues can be improved by policies not the actions or words of a football team, but that doesn’t make their symbolism any less significant.
“I think this actually the diversity of this team is not really about the people that hate to see it. It’s about modeling the fact that friendship across all groups is entirely possible,” Okwonga said. “If they don’t win, it’s not because the multi-ethnic project was a failure. It’s because they got beaten by a better team.”
What would a Germany World Cup win mean?
Germany are certainly not favorites for the World Cup this year, but were they to win it there is an obvious temptation to consider the social and political impact on the country. Could it bring the joy we saw in 2014 or even 2006 when Germany hosted a tournament and enjoyed a “summer fairy tale” despite not winning it?
“If Germany win the World Cup, it’s primarily a triumph for this group of players and the supporters that were behind them. I don’t think it is a point of political leverage in a progressive sense, because I think too many other things are going wrong in Germany at the moment,” Okwonga explained.
“I think that success in the football field from a diverse team can be a catalyst in the right political context. I do not, unfortunately, believe this is the right context.”
With or without the right context, the diverse heritage of this Germany team requires recognition.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
Jun 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) celebrates with second baseman Jeff McNeil (22) after scoring during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images The Athletics made quick work of the Los Angeles Angels in the series opener and will search for another early-inning knockout punch Friday night when the teams continue their four-game set at West Sacramento, Calif.
The A’s sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run first inning and never relinquished control in a 5-0 victory that followed a stretch in which the team lost three of four games.
Shea Langeliers hit a three-run homer in the first inning Thursday and Tyler Soderstrom followed with a solo shot. The first six batters recorded hits, and the Athletics had seven of their eight overall hits in the opening frame.
“Really unusual game from the offensive standout,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We came out aggressive. Obviously, we put an inning together that is probably one of our better innings this season. Then to be held to one hit the next seven innings is pretty unique.”
Langeliers took over the club leadership with 19 homers, one ahead of Nick Kurtz. Zack Gelof of the A’s went 1-for-3 with a walk to extend his career-best hitting streak to 22 games, the longest active streak in the majors.
Los Angeles had just four hits while losing for the fourth time in five games.
The Angels received a blow prior to the contest when star center fielder Mike Trout went on the 10-day injured list after sustaining a right hamstring strain while running the bases one day earlier against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Trout had played in 74 of 75 games before going on the IL as he displayed better durability than his recent injury-plagued seasons.
“He plays the game hard,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “He sets the example for everybody, and he’s a good role model for the youth out there.”
Trout certainly wasn’t pleased with the timing of the injury, but he downplayed any concern about it as the All-Star break nears. The All-Star Game will be July 14 in Philadelphia, located roughly 45 miles from his hometown of Millville, N.J.
“I really haven’t thought like that,” said Trout, an 11-time All-Star. “Obviously, I want to play if I get voted in, but no timeline. If I put a timeline on things, I’ve done that in the past, and it’s just frustration whether you do hit it or don’t hit it.”
Los Angeles will turn to ace right-hander Jose Soriano (8-4, 2.79 ERA) on Friday for the second contest of the four-game slate. Soriano, 27, received a no-decision against the Athletics on May 21 when he gave up two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of the Angels’ 3-2 loss in 10 innings. He is 1-3 with a 7.82 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) against the A’s.
Langeliers (7-for-14) and Lawrence Butler (5-for-18) each have two homers off Soriano while Kurtz (3-for-12) has taken him deep once.
Soriano pitched five shutout innings of three-hit ball in an 8-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays last Saturday. He said he was bothered by leg soreness during that outing.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (3-7, 5.13 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics on Friday. Springs, 33, has lost seven straight decisions and is winless over 11 starts since last prevailing on April 14 against the Texas Rangers. He has served up 12 homers over his last six starts, including three in Sunday’s 23-9 loss to Colorado. Springs gave up eight runs (six earned) and seven hits over four innings against the Rockies.
Springs is 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 13 career appearances (four starts) against the Angels. Jo Adell is 3-for-9 with two homers and five strikeouts against him, while Nolan Schanuel is 3-for-5.
–Field Level Media
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As the U.S. men’s national soccer team looks to build on its emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay when it faces Australia on Friday, the biggest question surrounding the Americans is whether “Captain America” will be on the pitch at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Christian Pulisic’s injury status has loomed large over this team despite their strong start on home soil for the tournament. Pulisic, who had an assist in the win over Paraguay, suffered a calf injury that led to him being subbed out after the first half last week.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked once again about Christian Pulisic’s status ahead of Friday’s match, but he offered little insight into the condition of the star’s left calf.
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Christian Pulisic of the United States participates in a training session for the 2026 World Cup at Great Sports Park in Irvine, Calif., on June 17, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“He’s evolving,” Pochettino responded, per the New York Post. “He’s much better from Friday. We’ll see.
“I think at the moment, we think if he’s not available for tomorrow, he’ll be available for the next game.”
Pochettino added that Pulisic was “doing a massive effort trying to be ready,” understanding that the U.S. star wants to be out on the pitch with the rest of his teammates. He will meet with the training staff on Thursday night to discuss Pulisic’s status.
“I think for every player that loves his country, it’s an amazing opportunity to enjoy and help the team win games,” he said. “When this type of thing happens, always it’s painful, but I think Christian is strong, with a great mentality, and doing a fantastic effort to try to be ready.”
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United States forward Christian Pulisic controls the ball past Paraguay midfielder Andrés Cubas in the first half of a FIFA World Cup 2026 match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
During the team’s practice on Thursday, Pulisic did much of what he’s been seen doing this week – performing a modified training session and not participating with the rest of the team during the media portion.
Pochettino wouldn’t say who would replace Pulisic if he’s unable to play against Australia on Friday, although Malik Tillman shifted to the left wing after Pulisic exited against Paraguay, while Sebastian Berhalter moved into the midfield role in the second half.
“I will tell tomorrow if that is the situation,” Pochettino said. “At the moment, we are evaluating all the possibilities just in case. And then we will decide when we have the confirmation in one or another direction tonight.”
There’s no doubt Pulisic playing would give the Americans their best chance of defeating Australia, but fellow star Weston McKennie gave a glimpse at the team’s thought process.
Christian Pulisic had an assist in the first half of the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
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“Either way, just trying to give good spirits and hopefully he can be there tomorrow,” McKennie said. “I know he really wants to be, and he’s doing everything that he can, and the staff is doing everything that they can as well. But that’s also another question that’s better to ask him rather than me. I’m in my own la-la land.”
With Australia defeating Türkiye in its first World Cup match, this bout between these two teams will determine who takes sole possession of first place in Group D.
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Shakur Stevenson has named the most likely fighter to defeat Naoya Inoue, who remains unbeaten after having become a two-division undisputed champion.
‘The Monster’ unified all four major belts at 118lbs before moving up to super-bantamweight, where he has made seven straight defences of his undisputed crown.
His most recent outing, against three-weight world champion Junto Nakatani, resulted in a unanimous decision victory at a sold-out Tokyo Dome last month.
Many would therefore regard Inoue as the sport’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter, with the Japanese star having also won world titles at flyweight and super-flyweight.
At 33 years old, though, it is difficult to predict how much longer he will remain at the elite level, especially if his next assignment happens to be against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
The 26-year-old American became a three-division world champion last week, dethroning Antonio Vargas with a sixth-round stoppage at 118lbs.
As the newly-crowned WBA bantamweight champion, there is now talk of him either unifying the division – perhaps against WBO titlist Christian Medina – or moving up to 122lbs in preparation for the potential Inoue showdown next year.
Either way, Stevenson has told The Agnew Podcast that he believes Rodriguez stands the best chance at toppling Inoue.
“I think he’s the truth. If anybody can do it – with them type of skills, I think ‘Bam’ can do it.”
Stevenson went on to admit that, in the amateurs, he was introduced to the fight of his life against Rodriguez’s last opponent.
In the end, he edged a split decision against Vargas, who subsequently competed at the 2016 Olympics and showed, even against ‘Bam’, that he is capable of posing problems to elite fighters.
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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark turned the pregame tunnel into a reveal moment Thursday, arriving at Gainbridge Fieldhouse all smiles while carrying her first signature shoe in her right hand. Her hoodie also featured the phrase “Shoot more threes.”
The Fever shared a photo and video from Clark’s tunnel walk on the team’s verified social media accounts ahead of tipoff against the Atlanta Dream. The post on X quickly drew tens of thousands of views Thursday.
Nike gave women’s basketball fans their first look at the Caitlin 1 sneakers Wednesday, ahead of their scheduled October release.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball during a game against the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 18, 2026. (A.J. Mast/NBAE)
The first colorway will be available in an all-blue silhouette that also features Clark’s new signature logo. The Nike Caitlin 1s are scheduled to launch Oct. 1 through the Nike SNKRS app and select retailers.
The shoes will be priced at $140 in North America, while international customers should expect to pay the equivalent of $135.
Caitlin Clark’s sneakers are shown before the Indiana Fever game against the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 18, 2026. (A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
With the official Caitlin 1 reveal, Clark joins four other active WNBA players with signature shoes from major brands. Angel Reese with Reebok, Breanna Stewart with Puma, Sabrina Ionescu with Nike and A’ja Wilson with Nike are the other active WNBA stars with signature sneakers.
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Clark and Indiana entered Thursday’s contest riding a five-game winning streak, but the Dream ended it with a 108-101 win in Indianapolis. Clark posted a team-high 26 points and seven assists, while Reese led Atlanta with 21 points and 10 rebounds to secure a double-double.
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Jesse Watters: Israel needs to chill
Jesse Watters discusses Trump’s negotiated Iran deal, highlighting immediate successes like lower oil prices and open trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is crippled financially and militarily, facing renewed sanctions if it doesn’t comply.
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As Americans remain divided on the memorandum of understanding to end the war in Iran, star athletes who represent two of the countries most impacted by the deal have shared their thoughts.
The memorandum establishes a 60-day negotiating period during which the United States and Iran will attempt to reach a more comprehensive deal.
The agreement also includes provisions aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and provides limited sanctions waivers tied to continued negotiations. Several of the most contentious issues, including the long-term future of Iran’s nuclear program, are expected to be addressed in subsequent talks.
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Fans of Iran pose with a pre-revolutionary Iranian flag joined with an Israel flag during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on June 15, 2026. (Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
But the current regime in Iran will remain in power, for the time being.
Former Iranian youth wrestling champion Sardar Pashei, who won the Asian Youth Wrestling Championship in 1998 for Iran, expressed disappointment with the current regime’s survival.
“Many believed that under President Trump, the Islamic Republic would become history. Instead, it was handed one of the greatest opportunities in its history to survive. The regime gained financial lifelines and political breathing room while millions of Iranians sank deeper into poverty, unemployment, and uncertainty,” Pashei told Fox News Digital.
“This agreement gives the regime room to rebuild its machinery of repression—new centers for arrest, torture, and intimidation. When an agreement offers nothing to the Iranian people, why would the regime hesitate to intensify its crackdown?
“Some claim that regime change has already occurred in Iran. What change? Has power been transferred to the people? Have executions ended? Have women been freed from the regime’s chains? Until then—not because commanders were killed or ships were sunk—we cannot speak of a new Iran. And what did this agreement bring the Iranian people?
IRANIAN REGIME CRITIC WARNS TRUMP DEAL COULD BE ‘LIFELINE’ FOR REGIME, CLAIMS PEOPLE ARE ‘NERVOUS’
“Despair, abandonment, and the feeling of being left alone with a regime that knows no moral limits. A regime not weakened, but emboldened—one that can now use billions to build more prisons, raise more gallows, and silence more voices.”
Meanwhile, Israelis have been among the harshest critics of the deal, warning the agreement does not do enough to safeguard Israel’s security.
Team Israel skeleton and bobsled Olympian AJ Edelman, who is American-born but represented Israel in the 2026 and 2022 Winter Olympics, called the deal “a disgrace.”
“We emboldened the regime,” Edelman told Fox News Digital.
“If Democrats needed to own Obama’s ‘red line,’ Republicans and Trump have to own ‘help is on the way.’ Arguably, the latter was far worse, because we actually engaged and all but won. It was the cost of gas and Summer AC bills that stranded the Iranian people.
“How did you lose the Iran War? Literally a Tomahawk missile at Kharg Island would have toppled the regime. Trump’s been talking tough on it for 40 years! Gas prices rose, summer was about to get brutal. Midterms. America. It’s hard to believe.
“It was an act of extraordinary political courage to engage. It is a shame and stain on the image of America First exceptionalism to pull defeat from the jaws of victory because of gas prices.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
President Donald Trump has described the arrangement as a means of avoiding a wider conflict while pursuing what he called a “great settlement” with Tehran.
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He has also argued that the agreement could help stabilize energy markets by reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, while creating an opportunity to negotiate additional restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities.
The president added that he agreed to a settlement to avoid “economic catastrophe.”
“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened,” he told reporters at the G7 Summit in France.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance scrapped plans to travel to Switzerland on Friday for the next round of U.S.-Iran talks, the White House confirmed Thursday night, highlighting ongoing uncertainty over the timing and logistics of the negotiations with Tehran.
“As the vice president said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity,” the spokesperson said.
“But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the vice president is not departing tonight,” they added.
“We will let you know as soon as we have a concrete update about next steps. We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”
The remarks came in the wake of a newly signed memorandum of understanding, with negotiators originally planning to finalize a deal between the U.S. and Iran within 60 days.
Watch the moment England bowler Matt Fisher scores a first Test half-century as he frustrates New Zealand on the third morning of the second Test at The Oval.
File photo of Virat Kohli© AFP
Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli has been making significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and he can return to the team for the upcoming ODI series against England, according to a report by Times Of India. Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon.If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series,” a source told the publication. Kohli was ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury and it was reported that he could end up missing the ODI series.
However, the report said that the BCCI selectors are expected to pick the squad later in the week and it is a possibility that Kohli can make his way back in time for the series.
“The selection committee meeting to pick India’s ODI team for the England tour will be held in the next three to four days,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday.
The ODI series between India and England will be played from July 14 to 19.
Earlier, Harshit Rana has joined the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan after completing his rehabilitation from a knee injury, the BCCI announced on Friday.
Rana, who suffered a ligament strain in his right knee during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa and subsequently underwent surgery in February, has linked up with the squad ahead of Saturday’s series finale here.
India have already sealed the three-match series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.
“Mr Harshit Rana, who has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has linked up with the ODI squad in Chennai,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a media release.
The injury had forced the 24-year-old fast bowler to miss both the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League.
(With PTI inputs)
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John Symons and Sheila Laxon, the training duo, are requiring a bit more patience as they monitor Nihancan’s development towards longer racing distances.
The ultimate objective for Nihancan is the Mahogany Challenge Series Final (2500m) at Flemington on July 4. However, Nihancan must first earn his spot in that race through the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Nihancan’s pedigree is well-suited for staying contests.
He is a son of the 2007 VRC Oaks winner, Arapaho Miss, a mare who has produced high-quality stayers including De Little Engine, the 2019 Oaks winner Miami Bound, Roaring Engine, and Kadavar.
Thus far, Nihancan has competed in five races, achieving a maiden win over 2040m at Seymour on May 21. He then finished sixth over 2000m at Flemington on June 6, behind Rockette.
However, Symons indicated that the colt is showing strong signs of being ready for the 2500m distance of the Mahogany Challenge Series Final.
“Hopefully we will pick up some points on the weekend to get to that race, as that’s what we’ve got him set for,” Symons said.
“I thought he ran really well the other day. He was jammed up behind other horses for quite a while and when he got some clean air, his last 100 (metres) was really good.”
“But the draw (barrier 16) makes it tricky.”
Nihancan commenced his racing career over 1600m, finishing last at Ballarat in March. He then contested a 2000m race at Kilmore in April, finishing seventh.
Following that, Symons stated that the stable decided to adopt a more assertive racing approach.
“Early on he wasn’t switched on and then we rode him forward at Pakenham,” he commented.
“Before that we had been teaching him to settle, and we saw improvement and then he really improved at Seymour.”
“The horse that he beat ran third in the Victoria Derby and I thought he took another huge step forward at Flemington the other day.”
“I know he only ran sixth, but I like the way he hit the line and he’s screaming out for the 2500 metres.”
“If he can get into the final of that series, I think he will be thereabouts.”
Having previously trained Knight’s Choice to victory in the Melbourne Cup, Symons hopes Nihancan might one day participate in Australia’s most prestigious race, following in the footsteps of his half-sister Miami Bound who ran in the race twice.
“We’ll look and see where he ends up this spring and how he develops,” Symons remarked.
“It will all depend on each run and where he’s at, but he is a nice horse.”
Consider the racing betting markets for the Ken Cox Handicap at Australian betting sites.
The Buffalo Bills and rest of the NFL could dip back into the free agent market in the coming weeks.
The next while in pro football will be quiet for the most part. The NFL does not have anything schedule until 2026 training camp at the end of July and offseason minicamp just wrapped up.
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Beside offseason drama (which teams will want to avoid), the only thing that could unfold for teams in the NFL until training camp is the signing of new players. There are a few known veteran names still on the market, too.
According to NFL.com, the two best vets that have value in free agency are two former Buffalo Bills players: pass rusher Joey Bosa and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Diggs has not played in Buffalo since 2023, meanwhile, Bosa was on the team last season. The problem relating to a return to the Bills is their fits on the 2026 team.
Here’s NFL.com’s rating and breakdown on both former Bills players:
Bosa took over a few games early last season and proved to be a quality pickup overall for the Bills. But he faded badly and ultimately hurt his team in the playoffs.
Still an excellent route runner and third-down option, Diggs would have been initially ranked higher as a short-term play if not for his then-pending legal matter. Recently, he’s been found not guilty and won’t be disciplined by the NFL, opening the door for a potential signing.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Two former Bills players top list of NFL’s best remaining free agents
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The United States men’s national team made a statement to open its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, routing Paraguay 4-1 last week behind two goals from Folarin Balogun.
The U.S. struck less than seven minutes in, taking a 1-0 lead when Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla redirected the ball into his own net. Fans inside the packed stadium in Inglewood, California, roared as the USMNT seized an early advantage.
The result gave the United States its largest World Cup victory margin since 1930, when the Americans won twice by 3–0 scores in the tournament’s inaugural edition.
After opening the tournament in Southern California, the USMNT will stay on the West Coast, shifting north to Seattle for their next group-stage match against Australia at 3 p.m. ET.
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A view of the ball in the back of the net after the USMNT scores a goal in a FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay in group stage action at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Australia opened its World Cup campaign last week with a 2-0 win over Türkiye.
Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT entered the tournament as the No. 17 team in the FIFA World Rankings. FIFA determines its world rankings using the Elo rating system, which rewards teams for wins and penalizes them for losses while also factoring in the strength of the competition.
Team USA’s star midfielder Christian Pulisic’s availability remains a question after he was substituted out of last week’s win over Paraguay with a left calf issue. Pulisic said the move was precautionary after he took a kick to the calf, adding that he was “really hoping that it’s nothing.”
Fans of the U.S. men’s national team celebrate outside Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP via Getty Images)
Pochettino said he will consult the medical staff before deciding whether Pulisic can play in a pivotal Group D matchup. The result of the match could go a long way toward determining which team sits atop the group next week.
“Tonight – the day before the game – we have a meeting with our medical area, and we will assess the whole group, the players and tomorrow we will communicate on the things that we cannot agree [on] tonight,” Pochettino told reporters on Thursday. “He’s involv[ed], he’s much better from Friday. We’ll see.”
This year’s World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.
Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.
Sebastian Berhalter and Giovanni Reyna of the United States celebrate after their victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)
How to Watch United States vs Australia
When: Friday, June 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One, Watch free on Tubi, FOX Sports.
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