Mexico’s best performances at the World Cup came during the two occasions it hosted the tournament. Now that the country will be hosting for the third time – with the United States and Canada – fans want history to repeat itself. And maybe more.

To ensure optimal preparation, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) invested 400 million pesos (around $22 million) in renovating their training center known as Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR), or High Performance Center, which was officially reopened on Saturday.

As a player, current Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was part of the national team that reached the quarterfinals in 1986, matching the country’s performance in the 1970 World Cup. Aguirre, with the revamped training center, will try to match at least that as a coach.

Mexico begins training at the High Performance Center on May 6, with players from the domestic league. Its first match in the World Cup is the tournament opener on June 11 against South Africa.

Building a foundation’ 
“This investment reflects our responsibility for the 2026 World Cup. We have built a facility that will provide the national team with the best possible conditions for preparation that are on a par with the world’s leading football powers,” said FMF president Mikel Arriola. “Hosting a World Cup demands that we raise all our standards, both on and off the field”.

The site has been the training headquarters for Mexico’s national teams since 2003, during which time it gradually grew, but it had never previously had an update like this one.

“This project is also intended as a legacy. It’s not just about 2026, but about building a foundation that will impact the development of our national teams in the coming years,” Arriola said.

The senior team accommodation has been expanded from 20 to 45 rooms, in addition to entertainment areas. There is also a 29-room area for youth national teams.

The biggest change was the construction of a new building to house a new gym, which grew from 1,200 to 6,000 square meters. This building is also home to the medical area, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, a sports intelligence area, and physiotherapy and hydrotherapy facilities.

“There used to be a small gym with a medical area, but all of that was demolished to build this new building,” said Daniel Garcia, FMF real estate manager. “Everything here now, apart from two machines in the gym, is new.” 
The dining room capacity has also increased from 70 to 210 people.

“The most complicated thing was coordinating all the areas because they all asked for a lot of things wanting to have the best in the world and that doesn’t always go with the budget, but I think we achieved a great result,” Garcia said.

The training center already had five playing fields, three regulation size and two smaller ones. One of the fields has state-of-the-art hybrid technology like the one recently installed at the Azteca Stadium, which was renovated for the World Cup.

“We’ve had visits from FIFA staff who told us that this is the field in all of Mexico, and that’s why people from Azteca Stadium came to get some advice,” Garcia said. “After all, we’re colleagues and brothers.

The Kiwi filly Belle Cheval engaged in a dead-heat scenario for the second race running, prevailing narrowly this time by dipping her nose in to grab the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.

Previously pipped at the post by Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) over Ellerslie on March 7, the three-year-old’s trainer Mark Walker admitted misreading both finishes but welcomed Saturday’s success.

“I actually thought we got beaten today, but I thought we’d won the NZB Kiwi, so I’m not a very good judge,” Walker said.

Success in the Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000m marked Walker’s second Group 1 of the day across the ditch, with Seize The Day, partnered with Sam Bergerson in NZ, winning the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) prior.

He trusted her local references for Sydney challenge, her toughness suiting the new distance test.

“The formline at home is really strong,” Walker said.

No change to plans for one Sydney hit despite the win for Belle Cheval’s owners.

Straight to spell now, then Victorian spring prep, Walker stated.

After last Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) success on Guest House, jockey Zac Lloyd notched another Group 1 with Belle Cheval, beating a steward’s inquiry from Billy Egan on After Summer.

Brushing ensued as Lloyd swung wide for the drive, but blame went to the second horse converging.

Belle Cheval ($2.60 fav) idled a touch end-on without affecting After Summer’s ($61) charge, objection thrown out.

“Normally, she’s known for her dazzling turn of foot, whereas today she built and showed a bit of fight,” Lloyd said.

“She’s a good mare, and it was a tenacious win.”

The favourite Belle Cheval ($2.60) nicked it by nose over After Summer ($61), Salty Pearl ($4.20) neck away third.

Fourth fell to New Zealand Oaks champ Ohope Wins ($2.70), three-quarters length short.

Discover betting sites offering racing odds on features such as the Vinery Stud Stakes.

Dominic Smith was playing with a heavy heart when he made his Atlanta Braves debut on Saturday night – his sixth team in four years.

Smith’s mother, Yvette LaFleuer, died of cancer earlier this month. When Smith stepped up to the plate against the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, he said he could feel her presence with him.

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The Atlanta Braves celebrate at home plate after a walk-off grand slam from Dominic Smith, center, in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

The slugger hit a walk-off grand slam to win the game for the Braves, 6-2.

“It’s just amazing,” he told reporters. “Played against the Braves for a long time, and being on the other side a lot of these endings kind of hurt, so to be on the right side of it this time was so fun.”

Smith said that his teammates had been very supporting of him during spring training when his mother was ill. She was diagnosed with cancer in September and nearly died at the start of camp.

He left the team to be with her for over a week when she had a “scare” and when he returned, he was fighting for a roster spot.

Atlanta Braves’ Dominic Smith reacts after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

MLB TOP PROSPECT SHARES HILARIOUS MOMENT WITH VETERAN WHO ROBBED HIS HOME RUN AFTER FOUR-HIT MLB DEBUT

“This team is just so awesome,” Smith said. “I’m so blessed because of the love they showed me, the support every day. They’re asking about her, asking about her well-being, my well-being, and that’s all they really cared about. They didn’t care about baseball.”

Smith’s walk-off grand slam made him the first player in MLB history to achieve the moment in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Smith has been trying to find a permanent home after spending his first six years with the New York Mets. He played for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants since leaving New York.

Atlanta Braves’ Dominic Smith (8) hits a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

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Last year, Smith had five home runs and 33 RBI in 63 games with the Giants.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Lahore Qalandars were penalised for ball tampering during their Pakistan Super League defeat by Karachi Kings.

Prior to the final over, Kings, who needed 14 to win, were awarded five penalty runs after the umpires deemed a Qalandars player had broken rules by “unfairly changing the condition of the ball”.

It is understood the offence was initially seen by the TV umpire before the on-field umpires gave the punishment. The ball was also changed at the request of the batting side.

Kings, now needing only nine from six balls, completed victory with three balls to spare.

Asked afterwards about incident, Qalandars captain and Pakistan international Shaheen Afridi said: “I don’t know about this.

“We will see if it is that in the camera. We will discuss.”

Cricket’s laws do not allow players to alter the condition of the ball, other than when shining it.

Law 41.3.2 states “it is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball”.

The PSL’s playing conditions say the umpires will then report the matter to match referee who will take “action as is considered appropriate against the players concerned”.

David Warner, who was banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months for his part in the Australia ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was captaining Karachi during the match.

The PSL and the Pakistan Cricket Board have been approached for comment.

Terence Crawford hung up the gloves definitively, stating that no amount of money could bring him out of retirement. However, newly-crowned WBC welterweight ruler Ryan Garcia believes he can lure ‘Bud’ into one more fight.

Following a legacy-defining win against Canelo Alvarez, Crawford retired from the sport, content with an astonishing career that has him positioned amongst the all-time greats of boxing history.

Meanwhile, Garcia is threatening to dominate Crawford’s former division, having picked up the WBC welterweight world title from Mario Barrios last month and demanded unification fights against his fellow champions at 147lbs.

Although, another opponent that Garcia is eyeing up is down at super-lightweight, with pound-for-pound superstar Shakur Stevenson welcoming the opportunity to defend his WBO 140lb title against Garcia.

In an interview with Jon-Bernard Kairouz, Garcia believes that victory over Stevenson, a stablemate and good friend of Crawford’s, could be enough to bring about a clash with the undefeated 38-year-old.

“I think that he just knows that it’s his time to call it. I will say though, his competitive nature, that might bring him back.

“If he sees me running this up, he might try to challenge the young bull, I ain’t going to lie – and we are waiting for you [Crawford] too.

“After I take out Shakur, that might get him out of retirement.”

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However, after much back and forth, Garcia appears to have u-turned on his terms for a showdown with Stevenson, insisting that the Newark southpaw comes up to welterweight in order for the scrap to take place.

NFL free agency is largely in the Minnesota Vikings’ rearview, with the draft just 3.5 weeks away. The offseason is humming along, and if you hadn’t noticed, the club has some advantageous secrets.

A few subtle offseason developments have quietly strengthened Minnesota.

We used that term loosely because hardcore fans will be privvy, but let’s review the secrets so everyone is in the know.

The Quiet Advantages Fueling Minnesota’s Spring

The unsung stuff from Minnesota’s offseason.

Finally — a 2nd-Round Pick

A 2nd-Round draft pick shouldn’t be an overly big deal for an NFL team, but it is for the 2026 Vikings.

In 2023, Minnesota shipped its 2nd-Rounder to Detroit in the package that landed tight end T.J. Hockenson. In the last two years, the Vikings used them to get outside linebacker Dallas Turner. It’s been four years — insert the Titanic meme here — since Minnesota selected a rookie from Round 2.

Barring a trade, Minnesota will pick a 2nd-Rounder for the first time since Andrew Booth and Ed Ingram.

The Sam Darnold Compensatory Pick

Was it a scourage and a gaffe that the Vikings got rid of Sam Darnold? Absolutely. He won a Super Bowl in Seattle. Advantage: Seattle.

Yet, as a small consolation, Minnesota will get the 97th pick in April’s draft, a compensatory selection for Darnold’s 2024 free-agent absence. The Vikings had the same arrangement in 2025 because of Kirk Cousins’ free-agent departure and spent the pick on wide receiver Tai Felton, who barely played as a rookie.

Perhaps interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will strike gold this time. It’s the last shoe to drop on the Darnold debacle.

Ensuring 2027 Financial Flexibility

The Vikings could’ve signed about 3-6 more notable players in free agency and wiggled money around. The problem with that strategy? Well, do you know how Minnesota began this offseason underwater by about $40 million under the salary cap? That would’ve happened all over again if Brzezinski went on a spending spree in 2026.

Instead, the purple team has about $67 million in available cap space on tap for 2027. When January, February, and March roll around next year, the Vikings won’t be labeled as one of those “cap hell” organizations. They were fiscally responsible in the last few weeks.

A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness recently noted on Brzezinski’s cap magic, explaining how new teams will foot the bill of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave’s contracts next offseason.

He wrote, “The contract details for Allen are in on Over The Cap on his two-year deal worth $25 million, and the key was going to be him getting at least $8 million in cash to offset the guarantees the Vikings owed him. Luckily, that is going to be the case, as he will be getting $13.5 million in cash this year from the Bengals.”

“That will give the Vikings a much-needed salary cap credit in 2027, while also voiding out the cash the Vikings have to pay. They are also getting $4 million in salary cap credits from Hargrave signing with the Green Bay Packers. Getting those credits will offset the $11.2 million in dead salary cap that Allen will carry in 2027. Brzezinski is playing chess, not checkers, and it’s going to pay off in 2027.”

James Pierre

Minnesota did, though, onboard a few new players, and Pierre was the cornerback addition.

He tabulated a luscious 86.8 Pro Football Focus grade last season while playing just under 400 defensive snaps. Pierre has been trusted on Mike Tomlin’s roster for the last six years. He’s now on the menu to serve as Minnesota’s CB3 in 2026.

PFF’s Mason Cameron recently called Pierre the second-best cornerback in football last year and explained, “Despite logging fewer than 1,000 snaps across his first five NFL seasons, Pierre was called upon to play an increased role in 2025, to which he answered with a career year.”

“Exceptional coverage instincts landed Pierre atop the NFL in numerous key categories, including yards allowed per coverage target (4.7, tied) and forced incompletion rate (28.6%). As a result, he produced the top PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback (88.7).”

Pierre played so damn well in 2026 that if Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rogers get hurt this autumn, you don’t need to panic one bit.

Frank Smith in the House to Help Fix the Rushing Offense

Down in Miami, Mike McDaniel ran the show for four years, with Frank Smith as his close lieutenant and offensive coordinator. Together, they coordinated an efficient Dolphins rushing offense, sparked by newcomer De’Von Achane in 2023.

Now, in Minnesota, the Vikings need the same juice — Smith’s help to identify the best running back from the upcoming rookie class to accompany Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones this autumn.

Smith’s rushing offense ranked 11th in 2025 per DVOA. That’s what the Vikings need — on top of a firm commitment to run the ball.

The trainer Matthew Smith is confident that greater achievements await talented mare Idle Flyer post her dominant display in the Group 2 $300,000 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

“Idel Flyer is a big mare and was only second-up today,” Smith said.

“She had a little setback earlier in his preparation which just held us up a bit but she is fine now.”There’s more improvement come from her and she will be at her peak in two weeks.”

Idle Flyer has been entered by Smith into the Group 1 $1 million Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick during Day Two of The Championships on April 11, and her Rosehill run positions her as a leading mare for the prestigious contest.

Backed in to $1.90 favourite status, Idle Flyer prolonged Zac Lloyd’s hot streak in the Golden Slipper carnival with a explosive finishing burst that reeled in Blindedbythelight ($26) by three-quarters of a length, while Firestorm ($19) was a further length adrift in third.

Lloyd, who claimed a treble the week before encompassing the Golden Slipper victory on Guest House, rode three winners at Rosehill on Saturday, notably the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes on Belle Cheval. He was at his peak aboard Idle Flyer.

“I was worried at the 500m, she just dropped the bit,” Lloyd said.”But she was in a very tight position the whole race, horses aren’t the happiest in that position.

“I knew had a lapful of horse and she was just starting to go through her gears. I just needed the horse in front of me to quicken another 25 metres and just allow that horse on the outside to drop off.

“For her to still quicken through there, find a gap and be strong late is a real credit to her.”

On Idle Flyer, Lloyd again left Billy Egan, Blindedbythelight’s jockey, in the runner-up position for consecutive races.

In the race immediately before, Lloyd withstood a protest to secure the Vinery Stakes on Belle Cheval from Egan on After Summer.

“When I got outside Billy I said ‘you must hate me today,’” Lloyd said after his win on Idle Flyer.

Bred from Arrowfield Stud’s premier sire Dundeel, Idle Flyer fetched $70,000 when acquired by Smith at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. The Emancipation Stakes provided her seventh career win in 14 attempts, elevating her earnings above $570,000.

“It’s great to have a good horse like her in the stable,” Smith said. “She’s an outstanding mare, you just don’t get them like this very often.

Visit top betting sites to view betting markets for the race in the Queen of the Turf Stakes.

Joey Browner, a former NFL star defensive back who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, has died, the team announced on Sunday. He was 65.

The Vikings selected Browner in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of USC. He worked his way up the depth chart to become a starter in his second season. By his third year with the Vikings, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

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Former Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner smiles as he was honored before the game with the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. (Bruce Kluckhohn/USA Today Sports)

Browner was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time First Team All-Pro selection. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1980s Team.

“We’ve lost a great friend and one of the best Vikings teammates,” former Vikings star Steve Jordan said, via the Vikings’ website. “God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed.”

FORMER RAIDERS ALL-PRO CENTER BARRET ROBBINS DEAD AT 52: ‘DEEPLY SADDENED’

Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner on the field against the Phoenix Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium on Oct. 27, 1991. (USA Today Sports)

Browner played nine years with the Vikings. He had 37 interceptions and 9.5 sacks in 138 games with the Vikings. Minnesota honored Browner by putting him into their Ring of Honor in 2013.

One of his best seasons came in 1990. He played all 16 games for the Vikings that year and had a career-high seven interceptions.

He appeared in six playoff games for the Vikings, but was never able to make it to the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas leaps over Minnesota Vikings defensive end William Gay (78) and Joey Browner (47) at Rich Stadium in the Sept. 4, 1988, season opener. (Tony Tomsic/USA Today Network)

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He played seven games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 before he retired from football.

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