PHILADELPHIA – Kyle Schwarber was scripted to be the homecoming king of this Home Run Derby. Instead, he was powerless to stop a little magenta baseball from sailing out of Citizens Bank Park, again and again and again.
And Jordan Walker joined Bryce Harper in the very exclusive club of pulling the rug out from Schwarber in a Home Run Derby.
Advertisement
Walker, the St. Louis Cardinals slugger enjoying a breakthrough season, put on one of the greatest clutch displays ever in this Derby, needing to cash in on his last swing – and then two more after that – to match Schwarber’s 11 home runs in the final.
Advertisement
Instead, Walker hit four in a row to win it, becoming the first Cardinal to win a Home Run Derby after future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols failed in three tries to do so.
Ever hear the sound of 43,000 ticked-off people?
1 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
1 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
2 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after competing in the finals.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
3 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts as teammate Kyle Schwarber (not pictured) competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
4 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies competes in the finals.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
5 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals are introduced before the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
6 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Former Philadelphia Phillies players Ryan Howard and Bobby Abreu are introduced before the finals.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
7 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans reach for a home run ball during the home run derby.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
8 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before competing during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Advertisement
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
9 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
10 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans cheer on Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
11 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
12 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees first baseman Benjamin Rice (22) makes a play at bat during the home run derby.
Advertisement
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
13 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
14 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after competing during the semifinals.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
15 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A crew member holds up a sign for safety during the home run derby.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
16 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
17 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
18 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after competing in the 2026 Home Run Derby.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
19 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber bats during the All Star-Home Run Derby.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
20 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
21 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves and his son Oliver speak to former major league baseball player Albert Pujols during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
22 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A fan attempts to catch a ball hit during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
Advertisement
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
23 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
24 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees infielder Ben Rice (22) bats during the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
25 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
The Phillie Phanatic reacts with fans before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
26 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
27 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and American sports analyst Pat McAfee react during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
28 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A fan reacts after retrieving a ball hit during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
29 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on as the players are announced before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
30 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
31 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Brandon Marsh of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
32 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
33 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets looks on during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
34 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
35 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans reach for a home run ball hit by Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Advertisement
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
36 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
37 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
38 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans react during the fly-over during the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
39 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox, Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox, Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals, and Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies look on after being introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
Advertisement
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
40 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
American actor and comedian Will Ferrell looks on before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
41 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
42 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees is introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
43 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A general view of the stadium and field as fans look on before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Advertisement
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
44 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on before the start of the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
45 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on before the start of the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
46 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
47 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) signs autographs before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Advertisement
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
48 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
49 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
50 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
51 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, left, and Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle warm up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Advertisement
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
52 / 52
Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) prepares for warm ups before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
It sounds like nothing at all, and that was perhaps Walker’s greatest accomplishment on this Monday, July 13, hearing the thunderous boos of Citizens Bank Park, turning on an electric smile, relaxing and pasting baseballs easily into the crowd.
Advertisement
The throng grew quieter with every moon shot. And Walker couldn’t get mad at the hate, because he knew it was just love for their guys.
Advertisement
“My first thought was, Philly’s brutal,” says Walker. “I think it’s pretty special because they love all their players. That’s what you want from your home crowd. I’d never heard people cheer so loud for Schwarber and Harper. Those guys did their thing.
“I can’t hate ’em. I just gotta play the game.”
That he did, with every home run in the finals traveling between 407 and 452 feet. Absolute bombs, more than enough to get the attention of Schwarber, who’s blasted 88 home runs, most in the major leagues, since the start of the 2025 season.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“He was hitting some laser beams. I’m hitting these little fly balls out,” says Schwarber, “and he’s hitting laser beams.”
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Schwarber and Harper, the two Phillies, were practically anointed to win this thing. They were announced last when the streaming service announced the participants. The crowd roared. It was all setting up.
Instead, Harper flamed out in the first round.
In the final, Schwarber put up 11. And then, powerless, as Walker finished his round with four straight homers and five in his final six swings.
Advertisement
“I didn’t ever think I had it won,” says Schwarber, “because I know anything can happen. Especially when it gets down to that last ball, right?
Advertisement
“You get to that last ball. It was three to tie, and he went four to win. You tip your hat to him.”
Jordan Walker and Kyle Schwarber before the final round.
Not unlike 2018, when Harper, then a Washington National, unleashed a furious rally as the clock counted down to nudge Schwarber by one home run in the finals. So Schwarber was on the wrong side of the equation as both the visiting villain and the hometown hero.
Advertisement
Tough beat.
The scenario salvaged what was a generally underwhelming Home Run Derby. The format change – a limited amount of swings instead of batting against a clock – had its upside, but also drained the tension from most of the competition.
Advertisement
If a guy needs seven homers to tie and has eight swings left, well, we know how that round is gonna end, right?
Advertisement
And the streaming service that took over broadcast rights was only a little better than its opening-night abomination. They trotted out Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson and a Third Guy that perhaps the youth were more familiar with, adding a dash of humor and a sea of schlock to the pregame.
Had Schwarber and Harper both bowed out in the semifinals – and that nearly happened – this would have been a disaster, a finals playing out while most of the 43,000 fans filed out disgruntled.
Instead, Schwarber and Walker added some spice to it, and Walker actually did hit three and then four in a row to win.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“I think I just had fun, no matter what. Every round I said, have a good time,” says Walker. “As a kid growing up, my favorite thing to do is hitting home runs. There’s a competition dedicated to it.
Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission have received a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Lagos as part of preparations for the 2026 CAF Awards.
The CAF team visited the proposed venue for an inspection ahead of the awards ceremony, which will bring together some of the biggest names in African football.
Officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission guided the delegation around the venue and received feedback on the preparations.
Advertisement
The inspection is part of efforts to ensure that the venue and facilities meet the required standards for an event of such importance.
The Lagos State authorities said preparations were ongoing, with attention being given to every detail ahead of the ceremony.
Lagos is expected to host the 2026 CAF Awards as the state continues preparations to stage what is expected to be a major event on the African football calendar.
NBA player Terry Rozier departs after his arraignment hearing at Brooklyn Federal Court on charges tied to illegal sports betting and poker game schemes on December 8, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
NBA veteran Terry Rozier has asked a federal judge to throw out two of the four charges he faces in an alleged sports gambling scheme that rocked the US basketball world last year.
In a filing on Friday in US District Court in New York, Rozier attorney David Markus argued that a text message sent by alleged co-conspirator Deniro Laster showed Rozier did not agree to manipulate his performance for the benefit of bettors.
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
The text message also indicated that Rozier didn’t know anyone was betting on his statistics during a March 23, 2023 game he played for the Charlotte Hornets.
“Dont tell chum bout the bet,” a text from Laster reads, according to the filing, with Markus saying that “Chum” is Rozier’s nickname.
The recipient answered “Hell no,” according to the filing.
Prosecutors have alleged that Rozier advised co-conspirators he would leave that game early and allow them to make bets accordingly, but Markus said the texts “should end the case.”
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
“One does not hide a bet from the person who supposedly sold it,” Markus wrote.
Prosecutors responded with a filing in which they said they have “developed evidence from multiple sources that this text chain does not relate to sports gambling.”
Rozier was arrested in October 2025 and accused of manipulating his performance in the March 23, 2023 game. In May, prosecutors added two more charges, accusing Rozier of agreeing to a $100,000 bribe.
Rozier, a free agent who has played for the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, has pleaded not guilty.
In December, his lawyers asked a judge to dismiss the initial charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, but a superseding indictment was issued in May, maintaining those charges and adding two more.
Advertisement
On Friday, they sought dismissal of charges of bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy.
Markus also asked that the case, set to go to trial next February, be moved from the Eastern District of New York to the Southern District of Florida, where Rozier lives.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Advertisement
Two others charged in the sweeping case, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones and self-described “gambling guru” Marves Fairley, have pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
The Boston Red Sox have acquired catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles hours before Monday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, ESPN reports. In return, the Orioles will receive a package of four players and a player to be named later, reports the Baltimore Sun. The return, headlined by right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson, also includes catcher Carlos Narváez, right-handed prospect Kyson Witherspoon and outfield prospect Enddy Azocar.
Advertisement
Rutschman, 28, is a former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Oregon State and a three-time All-Star. He had spent his entire professional career with the Orioles prior to this trade. This season, he’s enjoying a solid bounce-back campaign coming off an injury-compromised 2025 in which he posted the worst offensive numbers of his career. For that career, Rutschman has an OPS+ of 115 – the same as his 2026 figure – across parts of five big-league seasons. He’s averaged 20 home runs per 162 games played over that span, although his power has taken a dip in recent seasons. Rutschman is presently on the injured list with an inflamed wrist, but he could soon begin a minor-league rehab assignment.
Rutschman is owed the balance of a $7.25 million salary for this season, and he’ll again be arbitration-eligible for 2027, the final season before he’s slated for free agency.
The Orioles make the move despite being just 2 ½ games out of playoff position going into Monday’s slate of games. They do have rookie Samuel Basallo ready to take over as the team’s primary catcher moving forward. However, he’s on the IL with shoulder inflammation. In earlier deadline deals, the Orioles also traded starting pitcher Dean Kremer to the Twins and outfielder Taylor Ward to the Mariners.
Once healthy, the switch-hitting Rutschman is primed to fill the catcher void for the division-rival Red Sox, who have surged back into contention thanks to a franchise-record 21-4 record in July. This season, Boston catchers — mostly Connor Wong and Narváez — have combined for an OPS of just .615, which ranks 25th in MLB. Rutschman, in contrast, has a .764 OPS this season and a .756 mark for his career. That additional year of control means that Orioles fans must watch Rutschman — the face of their recent deep rebuild — in a Boston uniform not only for the rest of 2026 but also the 2027 season.
Advertisement
On the return side for Baltimore, Witherspoon, who turns 22 on Aug. 12, is the most notable addition for the Orioles. Coming into this season, CBS Sports ranked him as the No. 77 overall prospect. Here’s part of that write-up:
“Witherspoon has an uptempo delivery that sees him pitch off a high front side and really hinge on his back leg before he looses the ball from a high-three-quarters slot. Despite the frantic aesthetics, he was able to rein in his control at Oklahoma, with his strikeout-minus-walk percentage improving from 13.4% to 25.9% year to year. Witherspoon certainly has the stuff to start at the big-league level — his arsenal includes a heater that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s, a cutter, and two breaking balls — so his future will hinge on his ability to maintain those control gains as a professional.”
This season, Witherspoon, the No. 15 overall draft pick in 2025 out of the University of Oklahoma, has a 4.78 ERA in 17 starts at the High-A level. Eyanson, age 21 and a former third-rounder out of LSU, is in his first professional season. In 68 ⅓ combined innings at the High-A and Double-A levels, Eyanson has a 1.32 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 26 walks. Azocar, 19, is enjoying what may shape up to be a breakout season in 2026. Across 85 games at the Single-A and High-A levels, he’s slugging .540 with 18 homers, 27 doubles, six triples, and 11 stolen bases while spending most of his time in center field.
Bryant suffered a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture during Monday’s training camp practice
•
1 min read
Advertisement
Bears safety Coby Bryant will miss the next 8-10 weeks due to a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture suffered in Monday’s training camp practice, ESPN reports. Bryant, 27, had to be carted off after going down during a one-on-one drill, per Adam Hoge.
Chicago signed Bryant, formerly of the Seahawks, to a three-year, $40 million deal this offseason, hoping to fortify its secondary with 2025 starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, both free agents. Byard signed with the Patriots, Brisker with the Steelers.
A fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2022, Bryant thrived when Mike Macdonald arrived in Seattle in 2024 and moved him from cornerback to safety. Over the past two seasons, Bryant recorded seven interceptions (and returned one for a touchdown), 139 tackles, 13 passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He started all 15 games he appeared in last season, as well as all three of the Seahawks’ playoff games en route to their Super Bowl triumph.
Chicago drafted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman 25th overall in April, and he is likely to start at one safety spot. Cam Lewis could be next up to take Bryant’s starting spot early in the season.
Advertisement
The Bears open their 2026 season on Sept. 13 — less than six weeks away — against the Panthers.
Infantino’s leadership is under intense scrutiny, with a widespread loss of confidence coming after his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Wales became the first member association to officially retract its support for the Swiss-Italian in an attempt to force him out, and England is expected to follow suit.
The FA is preparing to send a letter to Fifa to withdraw its backing, piling more pressure on Infantino.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham next to Infantino in 2023 (PA)
Infantino, whose decade-long reign is under severe pressure, announced on Friday night that he was shelving the widely-denounced plan, which had been rejected by three confederations after first being revealed earlier in the week.
Concacaf, the confederation for North America and the Caribbean, along with the Asian Football Confederation, fumed over the lack of consultation while Europe’s governing body Uefa threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions, including next year’s Women’s World Cup and the 2030 World Cup, before Infantino’s eventual climb-down.
Advertisement
Uefa confirmed that it had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership after he went back on his plans, criticising the “shabby, backroom deal”, and has now written to the Fifa president confirming it is “actively considering” legal action in regard to the sell-off scheme.
The letter orders Infantino and Fifa to “take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this notice that are in your or Fifa’s possession, custody, or control”.
Prime minister Andy Burnham said that Infantino is the “wrong man” to lead Fifa, while the FA called for a “full and robust review” into his leadership as the fallout of his U-turn continues.
The proposal involved establishing Fifa Forward Enterprise and selling a 20 per cent stake to private investors, with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal reportedly earmarked as the lead investor group. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of US president Donald Trump.
Uefa has indicated that “no option should be off the table” regarding the future of Infantino, hinting at the possibility of a no-confidence vote.
Advertisement
Such a move, if triggered by just 43 national associations, would necessitate an Extraordinary Fifa Congress.
However, this action is considered improbable unless there is a strong conviction, if not certainty, that a majority of Fifa’s 211 member nations would vote to remove Infantino at such a gathering.
Several African and Asian football bodies, including those from Morocco, Egypt and Qatar, have publicly voiced their support for Infantino over the weekend.
Rohit Sharma with T Dilip during a practice session ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final match between India and Australia, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid tribute to T Dilip after the former India fielding coach was replaced by Subhadeep Ghosh, thanking him for his work with the team over the last five years.Taking to Instagram Stories, Rohit wrote: “You are a legend, Dilip garu. You created magic within the group and [you are] a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead.”Dilip worked as India’s men’s fielding coach under both Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. He first joined the support staff in 2021 and served until the end of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He returned for a second stint during India’s Test tour of England in 2025 on a one-year contract but was not retained after it ended.
During his time with the Indian team, India won the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy.One of Dilip’s most recognised ideas was the ‘Best Fielder of the Match’ medal, introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The post-match fielding medal ceremony became popular among fans because of the creative ways in which the winner was announced.The initiative was aimed at building a stronger fielding culture within the team and encouraging players to take more risks and improve their athleticism in the field. Players such as KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were among the medal winners during the ceremony’s run.After his departure, Dilip shared a farewell message on Instagram, thanking the team and reflecting on his journey.“Five years. It is difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much. When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention, to give everything I had every single day. Fielding has always been my way of contributing to the game I love, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this team’s journey.”He also said the fielding medal ceremony would remain one of his favourite memories.“The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart. Seeing the excitement it created in the dressing room, the smiles it brought and the value the players attached to it are memories I’ll carry with me forever.”
The 2026 Wyndham Championship goes down this week at Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the PGA Tour tournament, including a full Wyndham Championship TV schedule, streaming information and complete tee times for the first and second rounds once they are released.
How to watch Wyndham Championship
After several busy months, the PGA Tour’s regular season comes to an end at the Wyndham Championship. That means this week is the final chance for players to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
But plenty of players will be fighting for position at Sedgefield Country Club. Rookie Jackson Koivun is currently ranked 70th, which is the position players need to match to qualify for the first playoff event, the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Advertisement
Former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (72nd) is on the outside looking in, as is major champion Jason Day (75th). Jordan Spieth, on the other hand, is ranked 55th, just outside the top 50 who will qualify for the second playoff event.
CBS and Golf Channel will provide TV coverage of the 2026 Wyndham Championship, while PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will offer streaming coverage and featured group coverage all week long. Paramount+ will air simulcasts of CBS’s coverage.
You can find complete information about streaming or watching the tournament on TV below.
Tournament basics
What: 2026 Wyndham Championship Where: Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, N.C. When: Thursday-Sunday, August 6-9 Purse: $8.5 million ($1.53 million winner’s share)
CBS and Golf Channel will air TV coverage of the 2026 Wyndham Championship this week. Check out the full TV schedule below.
Advertisement
Thursday, August 6: 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) Friday, August 7: 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) Saturday, August 8: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS) Sunday, August 9: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
How to watch online, streaming
You can watch the 2026 Wyndham Championship online via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, including exclusive early coverage starting at 6:45 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday and 7:45 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. ESPN+ will also provide featured hole and featured group coverage for every round. You can stream CBS’s coverage on Paramount+. Golf Channel’s telecasts will be available on Golfchannel.com and the Golf Channel app.
FILE–Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala was trailing Jessica Pegula at the Mubadala DC Open Final when heavy downpour suspended play at William H.G. Tennis Center in Washington.
That turned out to be just the calm before the real storm that the top-seeded Pegula simply couldn’t weather.
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
Back against the wall, Eala went on a ferocious fightback to overpower the American World No. 3 in the last two sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, and capture the biggest win of her young career in front of a frenetic predominantly Filipino crowd at centre court on United States soil.
“It’s always a pleasure to share the court with you. I definitely learned so, so much, especially from your forehand lines and backhand crosses. So I’m really looking forward to many more finals with you,” said Eala, who chalked up her seventh win against a top 10 player this season.
Advertisement
The match, which was delayed for three hours due to the bad weather, was halted and pushed to another day when rain returned with Eala behind, 4-6, 2-1.
Article continues after this advertisement
But it was certainly worth the wait, especially for Filipino fans, who stayed up in the wee hours of the morning to witness Eala achieve another historic feat.
The Filipino trailblazer claimed her first WTA Tour-level and WTA 500 title after going on another giant-slaying run.
Advertisement
“First, I wanna congratulate Alex on an amazing week, amazing tournament. I don’t know how much more I can say, but you’re an amazing player and just to see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first played, see the amazing fans that follow you every single place you go, it’s not fun to play against, but I really do appreciate the fun atmosphere,” said Pegula, known for her calm and methodical style but unraveled amid Eala’s relentless and aggressive play at the resumption.
Article continues after this advertisement
Eala opened her Washington campaign by rallying past Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. She then dethroned defending champion Leylah Fernandez in another comeback win that saw her battle back from a 5-1 deficit in the second set.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Eala, who is expected to crack the WTA top 20, looks to sustain her fine form at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, where she’s seeded 25th and drew a first-round bye.
Advertisement
Eala evened her head-to-head matchup with Pegula, who ended her dream run in Miami in March of last year. She also denied Pegula a second crown in Washington.
The BWF Badminton World Championships 2026, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, will bring together the world’s finest shuttlers in pursuit of badminton’s most coveted individual title.
While Olympic champions, world No. 1 players and established stars will dominate the spotlight, a select group of players will arrive with an achievement that sets them apart from the rest. Long before conquering the senior circuit, they had already announced themselves as the best junior players in the world.
Advertisement
Making the transition from junior champion to senior world champion is one of the toughest feats in badminton, and only a handful of players have managed to complete that journey.
Akane Yamaguchi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Liu Shengshu and Dechapol Puavaranukroh all turned early promise into World Championship glory. As they return to New Delhi, the five former junior champions will be chasing another world title while looking to further strengthen their legacies on badminton’s biggest stage.
Five players who won both junior and senior world championships:
Akane Yamaguchi (Japan): From junior prodigy to three-time world champion
Advertisement
World Junior titles: 2013, 2014 (women’s singles)
Senior World titles: 2021, 2022, 2025
Akane Yamaguchi’s rise began with back-to-back women’s singles titles at the BWF World Junior Championships, making her the first Japanese player to achieve the feat. Soon after, she became the youngest-ever winner of a BWF Super Series title at the age of 16, signalling the arrival of one of Japan’s finest shuttlers.
She has since built one of the most decorated careers in women’s singles, winning three World Championship titles, two BWF World Tour Finals crowns and the Asian Championships. Yamaguchi has also played a key role in Japan’s Uber Cup triumph and remained among the world’s elite for nearly a decade. She heads to New Delhi as one of the favourites for another world title.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand): The junior king who conquered the senior stage
Advertisement
World Junior titles: 2017, 2018, 2019 (men’s singles)
Senior World titles: 2023
Kunlavut Vitidsarn rewrote the record books by becoming the only men’s singles player to win three consecutive BWF World Junior Championships titles, establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in the sport.
The Thai star has carried that promise into the senior ranks. He became Thailand’s first men’s singles world champion in 2023, claimed the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, won the 2025 Asian Championships title and became the first Thai men’s singles player to reach world No. 1. Still in his mid-20s, Kunlavut will be among the leading contenders in New Delhi.
Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand): The teenage sensation who fulfilled her promise
Advertisement
World Junior titles: 2009, 2010, 2011 (women’s singles)
Senior World titles: 2013
Before Kunlavut made history, Ratchanok Intanon had already shown Thailand the path to badminton greatness.
The Thai star won three successive World Junior Championships titles and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s brightest teenage talents, thanks to her effortless strokeplay and creative shot-making.
She made an equally seamless transition to the senior circuit, becoming the youngest-ever women’s singles world champion in 2013 at just 18 years of age. Intanon later climbed to world No. 1, won multiple BWF World Tour titles and represented Thailand at four Olympic Games, cementing her place among the game’s most accomplished players.
Advertisement
Liu Shengshu (China): Doubles specialist making a rapid rise
World Junior titles: 2022 (women’s doubles and mixed doubles)
Senior World titles: 2025 (women’s doubles)
Liu Shengshu enjoyed a memorable BWF World Junior Championships campaign in 2022, winning gold medals in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles to showcase her versatility.
Her rise at the senior level has been equally impressive. Partnering with Tan Ning, Liu won the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before capturing the women’s doubles title at the 2025 BWF World Championships. The pair have quickly established themselves among the world’s strongest combinations and will once again be among the favourites in New Delhi.
Advertisement
Dechapol Puavaranukroh (Thailand): Reinventing himself as a world champion
World Junior titles: 2014 (men’s doubles)
Senior World titles: 2021 (mixed doubles)
Dechapol Puavaranukroh’s journey to the top took an unconventional route.
After winning the World Junior title in men’s doubles, the Thai shuttler switched his focus to mixed doubles, where he found his greatest success. Partnering with Sapsiree Taerattanachai, he won the 2021 BWF World Championships, reached world No. 1 and collected several BWF World Tour titles.
Advertisement
At the BWF World Championships 2026, Dechapol returns with Supissara Paewsampran and will be aiming to add another world title to his impressive résumé.
From junior promise to badminton’s biggest stage
Winning a World Junior Championship is often seen as a glimpse of future greatness, but only a handful of players manage to translate that promise into senior World Championship success.
Advertisement
Akane Yamaguchi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Liu Shengshu and Dechapol Puavaranukroh have all achieved that rare feat. As the BWF World Championships 2026 gets under way in New Delhi, the five former junior champions will once again be chasing badminton’s ultimate prize.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran right-handed reliever Chris Martin was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Monday after being reinstated from his third injured list stint this season because of a right shoulder issue.
Martin, who turned 40 in June, is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 16 games this season, allowing 25 hits and 14 earned runs in 14 innings. He missed 75 games during his three IL stints.
Advertisement
The 6-foot-8 Martin is an Arlington native who initially played for his hometown team in 2018 and 2019. He returned to the Rangers last season, when he had a 2.98 ERA over 49 relief appearances.
Advertisement
Martin is 19-25 with a 3.53 ERA in 434 relief appearances over 11 big league seasons with seven teams. His 149 games with the Rangers are the most with a single team, and he pitched 100 games for Boston in 2023 and 2024.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login