Shreyas Iyer‘s tenure as India’s T20I captain began on a disappointing note as the Men in Blue suffered a 34-run defeat to Ireland in the opening match of the two-game series in Belfast on Friday, June 26. Chasing 183, India never found momentum with the bat and eventually folded for 148, but it was Iyer’s tactical decisions in the field that also came under scrutiny after the loss.Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned some of Iyer’s captaincy calls, particularly his handling of the bowling attack. While Prasidh Krishna endured a forgettable outing, leaking 57 runs from his four overs at an economy of 14.25, Iyer persisted with the Gujarat Titans pacer and allowed him to complete his full spell despite the heavy punishment he was receiving.Chopra also highlighted another decision that raised eyebrows. Off-spinner Washington Sundar, one of India’s frontline bowling options, was introduced only in the 16th over. By then, Ireland had already built a strong platform, and Sundar’s only over went for 19 runs, leaving many to question whether he should have been brought into the attack much earlier.Speaking on his YouTube channel after the match, Chopra suggested that India’s new captain could have managed his bowling resources differently. “Prasidh Krishna has played six T20Is for India. He has bowled 24 overs in that. He has taken eight wickets. So he is a bit of a wicket-taker, but look at the economy. He concedes 11.5 runs per over. He has conceded 277 runs in 24 overs. An innings comprises 20 overs, and if we talk about him conceding 277 runs in his 24 overs, that’s way too much. So that has become a cause for concern for sure. They had the option to go towards other bowlers. You said you wanted to play Prasidh Krishna, which is okay, but a slight lack of game awareness was visible (saying to Shreyas Iyer),” Chopra said.Ironically, Prasidh had arrived in Ireland with an outstanding IPL record, having won the Purple Cap in IPL 2025 with 25 wickets before picking up another 16 wickets in 12 matches for Gujarat Titans in the 2026 season. However, those exploits did not translate into success in Belfast.With India trailing 0-1 in the series, Iyer will have an immediate opportunity to respond. The second T20I will not only test India’s ability to bounce back but also provide the new captain with a chance to answer questions surrounding his tactical approach after a challenging start to his leadership stint.

Billy Joe Saunders has not ruled out a ring return but, at the same time, is acutely aware of the dedication required to step through the ropes.

The former two-division world champion has not fought since May 2021, back when he suffered an eighth-round stoppage defeat to Canelo Alvarez.

As a result, Saunders was relieved of his WBO super-middleweight title and is yet to have had another fight scheduled, despite being just 31 years old and seemingly having more to offer at world level.

It must be said, however, that the slick southpaw’s best performances came at 160lbs, where edged a split decision against Chris Eubank Jr in 2014.

Despite the close scorecards, Saunders proved far too skilled for his domestic rival and ultimately secured a WBO title shot against Andy Lee, who he dethroned with a majority decision victory in 2015.

The Hertfordshire man’s most accomplished display arguably came against David Lemieux, though, as the razor-sharp technician was almost punch-perfect when they collided in 2017.

This performance earned him a comprehensive unanimous decision victory on away soil, but Saunders now appears to be a far cry from such athletic prowess.

Speaking with The Stomping Ground, the 36-year-old admitted that any comeback would depend greatly on his commitment to training.

“I’m always dragged back into [boxing] one way or another. It’s a game that you miss.

“You’ll think, ‘You know what, I’m going to go home Monday; I’m going to start training; I’m going to pound the roads; I’m going to get in the gym’. Then Tuesday comes and you’re in the café.

“I would love to [make a comeback]. Am I good enough now, at 36 [years old]? We don’t know. If I lost the weight and came out like an absolute stallion … [a return] could be on the cards.”

Regardless of a possible comeback, Saunders is likely to continue his work as a manager of fighters such as Lewis Edmondson, who comes off a points victory over Lyndon Arthur.

Peter Fury has shared his thoughts on his nephew Tyson’s long-awaited upcoming battle against domestic rival Anthony Joshua.

The two British heavyweights are expected to square off later this year, but only if they win their respective warm-up fights and remain injury-free.

First, Joshua must come through his outing against Kristian Prenga, a relatively unknown heavyweight who he will face in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 25.

Tyson Fury, meanwhile, is set to enter a second warm-up fight in August, despite coming off a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.

In fairness, the Makhmudov win ended a 16-month spell of inactivity following his second points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, and so the 37-year-old clearly feels he could do with another tune-up exercise.

This is likely to come against unbeaten 41-year-old Nelson Hysa, who boasts a record of 24-0 (22 KOs) but has not defeated anyone of note.

Regardless of how Tyson looks in his next fight, though, uncle Peter, who used to train ‘The Gypsy King’, has told About Boxing that he sees the Joshua clash as a genuine 50/50 contest.

“I have no idea what they’ve got left. May the best man win. It’s the one that comes with the right tactics that’s going to win it.

“One’s got good attributes; [the other] has good attributes. So I think it’s evenly matched. It’s not going to be easy for either of them.”

Peter trained Tyson up until his upset victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. Since then, Fury has worked with British coach Ben Davison and is now trained by SugarHill Steward.

Scotland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage have dwindled to just a brutal 0.07 per cent, according to data provider Opta.

The team’s prospects of securing one of the eight best third-place spots plummeted to almost one in 2,000 after damaging results for Senegal and Iran.

Of the nine completed groups, Scotland sit only above Uruguay among third-placed teams, following the South Americans’ defeat by Spain. This result leaves Steve Clarke’s men in the United States for at least another 24 hours.

South Korea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Ecuador, and Paraguay had already finished ahead of the Scots in the third-place table before the latest round of matches.

Scotland needed Iraq to hold Senegal or secure a low-scoring win but an early red card put them up against it and the Africans won 5-0 to claim their first points and boost their goal difference.

A 3-0 defeat by Brazil had left Scotland with three points and a goal difference of minus three.

A Spain victory was a rare bit of good news for the Tartan Army but they needed Egypt to beat Iran and a 1-1 draw put the latter above Scotland on goal difference.

Now Scotland need three results to go their way and chances are extremely slim.

It will all be over for Scotland on Saturday night unless Ghana beat Croatia by at least three goals.

If that result somehow comes up then a draw between DR Congo and Uzbekistan would suit Scotland in Group K, or an Uzbekistan win by no more than three goals.

If it comes down to the final group, Scotland would need Austria to beat Algeria by two goals, or Algeria to win by four goals.

How can Scotland qualify for the knockout rounds?

Scotland’s progress to the next stage of the tournament – which would put them in the knockout rounds for the very first time – is out of their hands.

On the final day of the group-stage, Scotland need two results involving the teams currently above them in the third-place table to go their way: ie, Croatia losing heavily to Ghana and Algeria shipping several goals in a defeat to Austria so both of those teams drop below Scotland in the table on goal difference. Then, Scotland need DR Congo failing to win against Uzbekistan.

England can wrap up the Group L title at the 2026 World Cup when they close out group play against an already-eliminated Panama side on Saturday. England need just a point to guarantee their spot in the Round of 32 and a win to secure top spot outright. Thomas Tuchel’s side sits tied atop Group L with Ghana on four points apiece, while Croatia trail by a point. England rolled to a 4-2 win over Croatia before playing to a scoreless draw with Ghana. Panama have dropped back-to-back 1-0 decisions to Ghana and Croatia.

Kickoff for Panama vs. England is 5 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The latest England vs. Panama odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list England at -700 (risk $700 to win 100) on the money line, with Panama at +1700 and a draw at +750. The over/under for total goals is 3.5. Before locking in any Panama vs. England picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Panama vs. England predictions from SportsLine’s Martin Green.

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer betting picks, including the Champions League (+211.25) and Bundesliga (+100). He’s also been red-hot in 2026, posting an 18-8 record over his last 26 UCL picks, returning nearly $1,000 in profit. Additionally, he enters Saturday on a 9-5 roll on World Cup picks (+382). Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

Now, Green has studied Panama vs. England and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for England vs. Panama:

England vs. Panama 90-minute money line	England -700, Panama +1700, Draw +750
England vs. Panama over/under:	3.5 goals  Advertisement
England vs. Panama spread:	England -2.5 (+106)
England vs. Panama picks:	See picks at SportsLine Advertisement
England vs. Panama streaming:	Fubo (Try for free)

Top England vs. Panama predictions

After examining Panama vs. England from every angle, Green is leaning Over 3.5 total goals (-118). England began their group stage campaign with an impressive 4-2 win against Croatia last week. Captain Harry Kane scored twice in the first half, and goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealed the win. 

The English can be powerful and still need a big win against Panama to guarantee first place, so they will be motivated to put a big number on the board. Panama have struggled in attack, but have no pressure in this matchup, freeing them up to possibly find the net as well. See Green’s best bets for Panama vs. England at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Panama vs. England at FanDuel here:

How to make Panama vs. England picks

After studying Panama vs. England from every angle, Green has found a critical x-factor and locked in a pair of best bets. You can head to SportsLine to see what they are. 

So what are the best bets for Panama vs. England? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Panama vs. England, all from expert on a 9-5 roll on WC picks, and find out.

Jun 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees reached the halfway point on pace for 96 victories, but some of their recent showings did not reflect a team holding the best record in the American League.

New York attempts to avoid a third straight loss Saturday when they visit the Boston Red Sox, who are seeking three straight home wins for the second time this season.

The Yankees are 12-10 since losing Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib, but the past week is different from their showing in the first few weeks without their captain. New York won nine of the first 13 games without Judge but heads into Saturday with six losses in nine games and trying to avoid three straight losses for the second time in the past week.

New York is hitting .211 in its past nine games after going 3-for-30 in Friday’s 6-1 loss. Spencer Jones had the lone hit in seven innings off left-hander Payton Tolle while Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez had the other hits. It marked the sixth time this season the Yankees were held to three hits or fewer.

“It’s not like we were smoking the ball,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees fell to 48-33. “You’re going to have those nights. It’s a good pitcher executing. It can be a tough game sometimes. Obviously just had a hard time struggling to mount anything, but no issue with where our preparation and focus (is). We just got beat tonight.”

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The Red Sox won three straight home games April 7-8 when they beat Milwaukee and April 17 when they beat Detroit. Boston is 14-25 at home, and Friday marked the 11th time they scored more than five runs at home.

Willson Contreras helped the Red Sox score five or more runs for the fourth straight game with an RBI single and his 17th homer. Contreras homered after entering Friday with five hits in his previous 38 at-bats on the heels of a 15-for-41 (.366) showing in an 11-game span from June 2-14.

Boston’s pitching also has produced a quality start of six innings and three runs or fewer in nine straight games after Tolle retired the first 16 hitters and allowed three baserunners.

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“It’s great,” Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. “The at-bats have been really great these last two days, but watching those guys go out there and consistently pitch six innings or into the seventh is pretty impressive.”

Left-hander Jake Bennett (1-3, 3.71 ERA), who is taking the rotation spot of Brayan Bello, pitches for Boston and faces the Yankees for the first time. Bennett’s contribution to Boston’s quality start streak was six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a no-decision on Monday in Colorado.

Gerrit Cole (2-2, 3.62), who is coming off his worst outing since returning from reconstructive elbow surgery, starts for the Yankees. Cole allowed season highs of five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings while throwing 89 pitches during a 5-3 loss at Detroit on Monday.

Cole is 7-6 with a 5.23 ERA in 19 career starts against the Red Sox. At Fenway Park, the veteran right-hander is 2-3 with a 5.52 ERA in eight starts.

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–Field Level Media

Spain winger Nico Williams could potentially miss the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after he limped off injured during their 1-0 win over 10-man Uruguay. The two sides locked horns in their World Cup Group H clash at the Guadalajara Stadium on Friday, June 26.

Having recovered from a muscle injury just before the start of the FIFA World Cup, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente chose not to risk Williams, naming him on the bench for all their group stage games. With La Roja winning 1-0 against Uruguay, De La Fuente subbed on Williams in the 76th minute in place of Lamine Yamal to make an impact.

Unfortunately for the Spaniards, Williams suffered another injury and was spotted leaving the stadium after full-time in discomfort. As per MARCA (h/t The Touchline), the 23-year-old’s World Cup participation is reportedly at risk.

De La Fuente shared an update on Williams, as well as Yeremi Pino, who suffered a shoulder injury, stating (via NDTV Sports):

“Nico was experiencing some slight discomfort. It could be a strain or just fatigue, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to know for sure. However, and I am really sad about this, what really concerns me is Yeremy’s injury. It looks bad and there is a very strong possibility he will miss the rest of the tournament.”

Pino’s and Williams’ injuries will be a massive blow for Spain. La Roja are currently short on options down the wing, with Yamal still not at full fitness and Victor Munoz suffering a setback from a muscle issue.

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Spain defeat Uruguay in FIFA World Cup clash to qualify for Round of 32

Spain weren’t at their best, but they did enough to secure a 1-0 win over Uruguay to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 stage. La Roja finished at the top of Group H with seven points, having picked up two wins and one draw.

Despite an evenly-contested first half, Uruguay found themselves trailing in the 42nd minute when Alex Baena fired home, taking full advantage of Fernando Muslera’s error in goal. Spain controlled the tempo of the game after taking the lead and secured the three points, with Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio being sent off in the fourth minute of stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Meanwhile, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after finishing third and fourth in Group H, respectively. Cabo Verde have progressed to the Round of 32, after finishing in second place with three points.